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 Almost a quarter of Sir Keir Starmer's first Labour Cabinet once backed scrapping the UK's nuclear deterrent. Senior figures including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy opposed the multi-billion-pound renewal of Trident when Jeremy Corbyn was leader. And they were joined by fellow frontbenchers Louise Haigh, Lisa Nandy, Jo Stevens and Ian Murray in voting against funding it in July 2016, analysis by the Telegraph found. This was despite 140 other Labour MPs disobeying Mr Corbyn to vote with the Tories in favour of keeping nuclear weapons, with just 48 supporting him. Some 15 of Sir Keir's 25-strong frontbench team were among the rebels, plus the future PM himself, with the vote passing by 472 to 117. Mr Lammy (pictured in 2016) is known for having opposed the policy on the grounds of his Christian faith. He said earlier this year he he only started supporting the UK's nuclear deterrent after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But Angela Rayner (pictured with Mr Corbyn in 2016) said last month that she didn't regret voting against the nuclear deterrent in Parliament eight years ago. Mr Lammy is known for having opposed the policy on the grounds of his Christian faith. He said earlier this year he he only started supporting the UK's nuclear deterrent after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But Angela Rayner said last month that she didn't regret voting against the nuclear deterrent in Parliament eight years ago. Before the election Sir Keir said he was prepared to use Britain's nuclear weapons as he today outlined his party's 'total commitment' to the Trident deterrent. The Labour leader gave a hardline speech on national security today as he tried to armour plate his party's traditional Achilles heel. He unveiled a 'nuclear deterrent triple lock' involving maintaining the continuous at-sea deterrent, building four missile submarines in Barrow-in-Furness and delivering upgrades needed for the submarines to patrol the waters. Speaking at the Fusiliers' Museum in Manchester Sir Keir said: 'I lead this party. I've changed this party. 'If we're privileged to come in to serve, I will be the prime minister of the United Kingdom. And I've made my commitment to this absolutely clear. And I've got my whole shadow cabinet behind me.' Asked about whether he was prepared to push the nuclear button, he added: 'Nobody who aspires to be prime minister would set out the circumstances in which it would be used. That would be irresponsible, but it is there as part of a vital part of our defence, so of course we would have to be prepared to use it.' Dozens more flights have been cancelled as the global IT outage entered its third day on Sunday. After hundreds of flights were delayed or cancelled by the global IT failure on Friday, further delays have continued throughout the weekend, with bad weather in parts of Europe making the problems worse. EasyJet cancelled 48 flights at London Gatwick on Sunday, including to popular holiday destinations such as Naples, Majorca, Amsterdam and Marseille. Footage posted on social media shows travel chaos at Gatwick with hundreds left stranded at the airport as they wait for information about their flights, and some being booked into hotels as the delays stretched overnight. Passengers at London Heathrow have also been hard hit, with British Airways cancelling a dozen flights to and from UK and Continental European destinations. Have YOU been affected? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk Footage shows travel chaos at Gatwick with hundreds left stranded at the airport as they wait for information about their flights Travel chaos at Gatwick today as hundreds wait for more information about their flights One woman documented her travel frustrations on TikTok as she claimed of being stranded at Gatwick airport The woman said she became stranded at Gatwick as there were no hotels available in London Another person reported of already being in 'holiday mode' despite their flight being cancelled The global Microsoft outage has hit vital NHS services, with GP surgeries reporting problems British airports feel the after-effects of IT bug Airports across the UK have continued to see delays and cancellations on Sunday as the impact of Friday's IT outage continues to hit operations. Gatwick Dozens of flights have been cancelled at Gatwick today, with easyJet shelving 48 services. The airport also saw more than 150 flights have their departure time put back, with nearly a third of all flights affected. Heathrow Britain's busiest airport saw 20 flights which were due to leave or arrive today cancelled. There were also widespread delays, with nearly 250 flights departing later than planned. Stansted London Stansted seemed to escape the worst of the fallout, with just one departing flight cancelled and 26 delayed leaving. Luton Luton saw few cancellations today, with just three arrivals and departures failing to take place at all. By comparison more than 120 services in and out of the airport were delayed. Manchester Ten flights in and out of Manchester airport have been cancelled so far today. More than 100 flights were delayed leaving while almost the same number had their arrival times pushed back. Birmingham There were relatively few cancellations at Birmingham, with four flights shelved. Meanwhile, nearly 100 services into and out of the airport were delayed. Edinburgh A total of 19 flights were cancelled at Edinburgh airport, while nearly 70 had their departure times pushed back. Data from flightaware.com Advertisement It comes as the British Medical Association (BMA) today warned that GPs need time to recover from the global IT outage after a bug caused a 'considerable backlog'. The technical fault - created by an update pushed out to customers of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike - caused Windows software to shut down, prompting travel hell at airports and train stations as well as affecting GP and hospital appointments. The outage hit transport systems hard, with hundreds of flights cancelled and delayed into the weekend, while rail services in Britain were also affected on Friday. On Sunday the effects continued to be felt, with easyJet forced to cancel dozens 48 services at Gatwick airport. This included flights to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Naples in Italy, Majorca in Spain and Marseille in France. There were angry scenes at the airport to the south of London, with photos and video showing masses of passengers sitting in the terminal as after their flights were cancelled or delayed. The cancellations meant some travellers were unable to depart until tomorrow, with airlines being forced to book them into hotels overnight before getting a rearranged flight the next day. The airline has been forced to cancel flights at other airports across Britain as well, including Luton and Manchester. MailOnline has contacted easyJet for comment. Other airlines have also faced issues, with British Airways cancelling a dozen flights between the UK and continental Europe. Wizz Air also cancelled a number of flights at Luton Airport, while Aer Lingus axed flights between Dublin and Heathrow today. Consumer laws state that airlines with cancelled flights must book affected passengers onto a new service, as well as get them a hotel and meals if the wait for the new flight is long enough. Meanwhile, the health service is still feeling the fallout from the IT outage. The trade union for doctors said GPs would 'need time to catch up from lost work over the weekend', adding that NHS England should 'make clear to patients' this was the case. The BMA said its GP committee would continue to talk to NHS England and patient record system supplier EMIS to secure a 'better system of IT backup' to ensure the 'disaster' was not repeated. Dr David Wrigley, deputy chairman of GPC England, the representative body for GPs at the BMA, said: 'Friday was one the toughest single days in recent times for GPs across England. Without a clinical IT system many were forced to return to pen and paper to be able to serve their patients. Passengers queue at Gatwick Airport amid the first day of the global IT outage on Friday Passengers at Edinburgh Airport, as widespread IT outages have affected airlines this weekend The technical fault - created by an update pushed out to customers of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike - caused Windows software to shut down (File image) 'While GPs and their teams worked hard to look after as many as they could, without access to the information they needed much of the work has had to be shifted into the coming week.' He added: 'GPs have been pulling out all the stops this weekend to deal with the effects of Friday's catastrophic loss of service and, as their IT systems come back online, we thank them and their staff for their hard work under exceptionally trying circumstances. 'We also thank patients for bearing with general practice in this unprecedented situation. 'The temporary loss of the EMIS patient record system has meant a considerable backlog. 'Even if we could guarantee it could be fully fixed on Monday, GPs would still need time to catch up from lost work over the weekend, and NHSE (National Health Service England) should make clear to patients that normal service cannot be resumed immediately.' A flawed update rolled out by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike knocked many services offline around the world on Friday, causing flight and train cancellations and crippling some healthcare systems. A fix was deployed for a bug in the update, which affected equipment running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as CrowdStrike's chief executive George Kurtz said it would take 'some time' for systems to be fully restored. Across England, GP surgeries reported being unable to book appointments or access patient records on Friday as their EMIS system went down. Railway services still faced disruption in the UK on Saturday. Pictured: A South Western Railway ticket machine put out of action due to the outage It comes as a cancer patient said surgery to remove a mass from her brain was cancelled this week due to the worldwide IT outage. Chantelle Mooney, 41, was due to have a craniotomy on Friday but said the surgery was cancelled following the IT glitch. Ms Mooney was diagnosed with stage 4B terminal cervical cancer in February 2022, which spread to her lungs. She was then told three weeks ago that a four centimetre mass had also been found in her brain - after she started experiencing weakness down one side. After initially being pushed back on Thursday, Ms Mooney arrived at Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire, on Friday morning, expecting to go into surgery at 10am. But while she was watching TV in the waiting area before being called into theatre, she spotted the news that Microsoft technology was facing outages across the world. Ms Mooney said later her surgeon arrived to explain they relied on Microsoft technology for scans, emergency medication, accessing medical records and more. After spending the morning waiting to see if the issue would be solved, Ms Mooney was told at 1.30pm that the surgery would not be going ahead and was going to be pushed back to next Friday. Locals who object to solar and wind farms being built in the countryside under liberalised planning rules will just have to 'suck it up', Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested today. Sir Keir Starmer's finance chief warned that failing to make the UK more energy self-sufficiency would leave it 'at the mercy of dictators' like Vladimir Putin and keep bills high. In a TV interview this morning she was asked about controversial permissions granted given by Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband, including one covering 2,500 acres of farm land on the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border. Asked by the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg today whether Labour was telling opponents of the schemes they were 'just going to have to suck it up', she replied: 'We can't carry on like we are. We can't carry on not building energy infrastructure, and not building housing. 'Because if we carry on like we are, energy bills are going to continue to go through the roof, we're going to continue to be reliant on Putin and dictators around the world for our basic energy needs. And I'm not willing for our country to be at the mercy of dictators in that way.' Sir Keir Starmer's finance chief warned that failing to make the UK more energy self-sufficiency would leave it ' at the mercy of dictators' like Vladimir Putin and keep bills high. In a TV interview this morning she was asked about controversial permissions granted given by Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband The Labour minister has faced criticism from Rutland and Stamford's Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, after he signed off on the 350-megawatt Mallard Pass project across about 2,000 acres in her constituency. More than 3,000 residents have signed a petition opposing the solar farm in the east Midlands Two weeks ago, Mr Miliband approved three major power projects: Mallard Pass; Gate Burton near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire; and Sunnica near Mildenhall in Suffolk. He later branded himself a 'super nerd' in the House of Commons, as he made an urgent statement on Labour's 'clean energy superpower mission'. The Labour minister has faced criticism from Rutland and Stamford's Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, after he signed off on the 350-megawatt Mallard Pass project across about 2,000 acres in her constituency. Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay has also questioned the Government's approach to a proposed 114-mile string of electricity pylons across Norfolk, and Essex, which could help carry electricity generated by offshore windfarms, calling for 'a pause while the other options are considered'. Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt today appeared to back Labour's hardline approach to planning. Appearing on the BBC after Ms Reeves he said: 'I wish Rachel Reeves well on a personal level. 'I think she has qualities that could make her a good Chancellor and there are things that she said that I welcome. I welcome what she wants to do on pensions ... I welcome what she wants to do on planning reform'. But last week Conservative shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho described Mr Miliband's clean energy ambitions as the Government's 'big test' and also its 'greatest liability'. She said: 'In government, we had built more offshore wind than any other country bar China, we set out the largest expansion of nuclear power in 70 years and we have said that, yes, we will need oil and gas for the decades ahead, as the Climate Change Committee indeed has said, and we should use British oil and gas where needed, because we are in a global race for energy, and demand will be higher in the years ahead because of data and AI (artificial intelligence). 'And if his plans to set out to decarbonise the grid are in place, we need to know what those plans will do to people's energy bills, to our energy security and to our reliance on the current dominant player for cables for batteries and critical minerals, which is China.' The Energy Secretary hit back, and claimed voters rejected 'the lurch away from climate action' at the ballot box, which saw the Tories lose 251 seats. Sen. Joe Manchin is the latest to call for President Joe Biden, 81, to end his reelection bid. The former Democrat senator from West Virginia now an independent joins 38 Democratic members of Congress who publicly called on Trump to step aside following a disastrous debate performance last month that started a series of fumbles. 'I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it's time to pass the torch to a new generation,' Manchin told CNN's State of the Union. He repeated the sentiment on a separate interview with ABC This Week, saying simply: 'It's time.' Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent, is the latest on the left to call for President Joe Biden to step out of the 2024 presidential election Manchin told ABC host Martha Raddatz he's concerned Biden can't 'finish this job that he started and finish the way he wanted to lead.' 'I'm concerned about the president's health and well-being, I really am,' he added. The calls for Biden to end his bid only heightened after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week and was pulled from the campaign trail during a swing in Nevada during the Republican National Convention. The West Virginia senator, once floated as a potential split-party ticket for 2024, urged an 'open process' for replacing Biden and said he's 'partial to governors.' Manchin's comments on Sunday follows similar calls two of the Senate's most vulnerable Democrats Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.). Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is standing by Biden and campaigning for him in North Carolina this weekend. He dismissed Manchin and other colleagues' concerns. 'I have tremendous respect for Sen. Manchin, but you heard him say he's a fiscal conservative... and he wants a more moderate ticket,' Khanna told ABC This Week. Calls have increased for Biden to step aside after his disastrous debate performance was followed by weeks of fumbles and now a COVID-19 diagnosis has taken him off the campaign trail But even some top Democrats in Congress considered to be Biden's allies and defenders are ready for him to drop out of the 2024 race. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) publicly soured on Biden amid concerns over his fitness for office. 'While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden's alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch,' the congressman said in a statement on Wednesday. Democrats calling on Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 election SENATORS Sen. Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Sen. Peter Welch, Vermont Sen. Jon Tester, Montana Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio Sen. Joe Manchin, West Virginia (Independent) HOUSE MEMBERS Rep. Morgan McGarvey, Kentucky Rep. Betty McCollum, New Mexico Rep. Kathy Castor, Florida Rep. Jared Huffman, California Rep. Marc Veasey, Texas Rep. Chuy Garcia, Illinois Rep. Mark Pocan, Wisconsin Rep. Sean Casten, Illinois Rep. Jamie Raskin, Maryland Rep. Adam Schiff, California Rep. Zoe Lofgren, California Rep. Mike Levin, California Rep. Brittany Pettersen, Colorado Rep. Scott Peters, California Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Washington Rep. Eric Sorensen, Illinois Rep. Jim Himes, Connecticut Rep. Morgan McGarvey, Kentucky Rep. Greg Stanton, Arizona Rep. Ed Case, Hawaii Rep. Brad Schneider, Illinois Rep. Hillary Scholten, Michigan Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Oregon Rep. Pat Ryan, New York Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Rep. Adam Smith, Washington Rep. Jerry Nadler, New York Rep. Mark Takano, California Rep. Joe Morelle, New York Rep. Angie Craig, Minnesota Rep. Mike Quigley, Illinois Rep. Seth Moulton, Massachusetts Rep. Raul Grijalva, Arizona Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Texas 'And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election,' Schiff added. Bravery medals belonging to a British soldier who single-handedly took out two enemy machine gun posts despite a bomb blowing up in his face, emerge for sale for 5,000. Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Mattock was awarded six medals during his long military career. He served in France, the Middle East, the Western Desert and was part of the 'Desert Rats' a group of British soldiers who helped defeat the Germans in North Africa during World War II. His exploits during the withdrawal from the Gazala line in Libya in June 1942 saw him awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for 'magnificent courage'. The DCM was a decoration established in 1894 by Queen Victoria for gallantry and is second only to the Victoria Cross. Now, the DCM and his other medals are due to go under the hammer with London-based auctioneers Spink & Son on July 25. Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Mattock who was awarded six medals during his military career Left to right: Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Mattock's Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence and War Medals 1939-45 and Efficiency Medal While serving in the East Yorkshire Regiment, Mattock approached machine gun nests with a comrade who was almost instantly killed. Despite wounds to his face, neck and arm caused by a Breda bomb, Mattock pushed forward to complete the task alone. He was armed with only a rifle and some hand grenades but managed to smash up the enemy guns and relieve his company. Mattock's citation read: 'He went in with a private soldier to clear up the post but the soldier was mortally wounded before they made contact. 'Although only armed with a rifle and some hand grenades, he went on alone, accounted for his men and smashed up the guns by firing into the locks. 'He then went to clear the nest in the rear, which was pinning down the company. Company Sergeant-Major Thomas Mattock (left) pictured with a fellow soldier 'Although he was wounded about the neck, shoulders and face, he carried on and accounted for his men with hand grenades and brought back a prisoner who tried to stop him. 'He was then pinned down by our own barrage for at least two hours. 'It had been opened up to support the spearhead company, the support group not knowing that the way had been made clear by his brilliant actions.' Mattock, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, served as a drummer before joining the 5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He fought in France with the British Expeditionary Force and was evacuated from Dunkirk in May 1940. Mattock served in the Middle East then the Western Desert, where he took part in armoured battles near the Egyptian frontier. He later saw service in Italy before his final wartime appointment at 182 PoW Base Camp in Scotland. Post-war, he set up a building business and died in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, aged 64 in 1970. Mattock's certificate from the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, which is one of the largest fraternal movements in the UK Marcus Budgen, head of the Spink & Son medals department, said: 'Company Sergeant-Major Mattock should be celebrated as one of General Montgomery's 'Desert Rats', that gallant Band of Brothers who fought across the inhospitable Western Desert during the Second World War. 'Mattock showed his abilities during the famed Gazala Battles in June 1942, when he single-handedly took out two enemy machine-gun nests. 'The Distinguished Conduct Medal he earned is just one away from the Victoria Cross and shows the sheer tenacity and bravery of the man.' His medal group consists of the Distinguished Conduct Medal; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal. Barcelona will raise the tourist tax for cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours 'substantially', the mayor said as Spain is preparing for another anti-tourism protest tonight. Jaume Collboni, Barcelona's mayor, said the current tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers was 7 euros (5.90) per day. He did not say by how much the tax would be increased. 'We are going to propose... substantially increasing the tax for stopover cruise passengers,' he told outlet El Pais. 'In the case of stopover cruise passengers (less than 12 hours) there is intensive use of public space without any benefit for the city and a feeling of occupation and saturation. We want to have tourism that is respectful of the destination.' It comes as residents in Palma de Majorca are preparing for an anti-tourism protest at 7pm tonight following a wave of demonstrations all over Spain in the last few weeks. People hold a banner that reads 'Majorca is not for sale', as they take part in a protest against mass tourism and gentrification in the island, in Palma de Majorca on May 25 An anti-tourism placard is seen during an anti-tourism demonstration in Barcelona earlier this month. More than 3,000 people have demonstrated against the tourist overcrowding suffered by the city of Barcelona and in favor of tourism reduction policies Protesters squirted water guns at tourists eating in popular spots in Barcelona Mayor Collboni said tourists, not local tax payers, should pay for local projects like air-conditioning schools. The proposal will have to be agreed with the Catalan regional government, Collboni said. Collboni announced last month that the city will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for residents. In recent weeks, anti-tourism activists have staged protests in popular holiday destinations across Spain, such as Palma, Malaga and the Canary Islands, saying visitors drive up housing costs and lead to residents being unable to afford to live in city centres. Officials in Majorca have begged anti-mass tourism protesters set to take over Palma tonight to leave British holidaymakers alone. Thousands of residents protested in Tenerife, Canary Islands, to demand the government temporarily limit tourist arrivals on April 20 The words 'Go Home Tourist' were scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in Nou Llevant, Majorca, a neighbourhood that has seen a massive influx of foreign buyers over the past few years Anti-tourism sentiment in Spain In Spain - the world's second most visited country - anti-tourist sentiment appears to have grown, particularly in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Of Spain's 85 million tourists in 2023, 14.4 million and 13.9 million foreigners travelled to the Balearic and Canary Islands respectively. The visitor figures are a stark contrast with the number of people who actually call the islands their home. According to 2019 figures, just 1.2 million people live across the Balearic Islands, and 2.2 million people live on the Canary Islands. With locals feeling their way of life is coming increasingly under pressure, discontent has come to a head in several forms this year. Advertisement Regional government chiefs have made it clear there must be no repeat of Barcelona - where tourists were sprayed with water pistols by demonstrators earlier this month. Foreign tourists were booed and jeered by some locals as they ate evening meals on terraces in Palma's Weyler Square during the last protest in the Majorcan capital on May 25. Organisers ended up making a public apology for the abuse they received. In a clear signal politicians in the Balearic Islands are worried today's new demo will be marked by shows of tourism-phobia, they have urged locals to show tourists 'respect.' Antoni Costa, a regional government spokesman, said this week that officials were worried after 'we have seen a certain type of behaviour in Barcelona'. He added: 'We ask for the upmost respect for those who have decided not to demonstrate and urge those who do protest to do so peacefully and not interrupt other citizens and visitors.' Spain's tourism minister condemned protesters who soaked tourists with water pistols during a protest on July 6 in Barcelona city centre. Jordi Hereu, a former Barcelona mayor, described their actions as reprehensible and added that protesters were not representing Spain's culture of hospitality. Organisers of today's protest in Palma have already predicted it will be 'historic.' Originally people in all four of the Balearic Islands including Ibiza and Menorca were going to take to the streets of their respective capitals on the same day before those plans were scrapped in favour of separate but co-ordinated actions over the summer. Trade unions UGT, CCOO and STEI, who had urged the general public to join in the demonstration, called for an economic model that 'does not generate job insecurity' this week. All My Children star Esta TerBlanche has died at the age of 51, according to TMZ. The South African actress passed away unexpectedly on Thursday in her California home, her goddaughter Barbie Ashley told the outlet. Medical responders believe she had been dead in the North Hollywood property for around one day before she was discovered. The soap star's cause of death is under investigation, her representative Lisa Rodrigo told TMZ. Rodrigo said there is no further information at this time. TerBlanche's career took off after she won Miss Teen South Africa in 1991. She was best known for her role as Gillian Andrassy in American sitcom All My Children. All My Children star Esta TerBlanche has died at the age of 51, according to TMZ All My Children star Esta TerBlanche has died at the age of 51, according to TMZ. (Pictured with All My Children co-star Cameron Mathison) The South African actress passed away unexpectedly on Thursday in her California home, her goddaughter Barbie Ashley told the outlet Pictured: a 1999 scene from All My Children starring Cameron Matheson and Esta TerBlanche She got her start playing Bienkie Naude Hartman on the South African drama Egolim, a role she starred in from 1992 to 1995. TerBlanche's character in All My Children - the trouble-making princess - was killed off in 2001 so that she could move back to South Africa. She was married to Andre Kock from 1997 to 2008, when they divorced. TerBlanche announced the split during an interview with Soap Opera Digest. The TV star reportedly took a break from acting, returned to Los Angeles and opened a healing spa. She is survived by her ex-husband Kock, and her goddaughter. It comes after TerBlanche's All My Children co-star, Alec Musser, was found dead at age 50 in his California home earlier this year. Musser, who was known for his role on the show along with a guest appearance on Desperate Housewives, died of an undisclosed cause at his house in Del Mar, according to TMZ. The soap star , most well known for All My Children and his guest role on Desperate Housewives, died of an undisclosed cause at his home in Del Mar, California , as per TMZ; seen in 2006 Alec Musser's fiancee Paige Press declared it the 'worst day of my life' as she confirmed that the actor passed away on Friday night at the age of 50; seen last year Alec Musser's fiancee Paige Press declared it the 'worst day of my life' as she confirmed his passing in January 2024. The couple got engaged last year and Press posted a series of throwback photos on her Instagram Story in a tribute to the late actor. 'RIP to the love of my life,' she wrote on Instagram over a 'vision board for 2023' on which she had posted photos of him and engagement images. 'I will never stop loving you.' Over a photo of them at a red carpet appearance together, she wrote: 'Today is the worst day of my life. We were so happy.' 'You were the best fiance I could of [sic] ever asked for,' she posted alongside a photo of him surprising her with matching Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUVs. 'I don't even think I can drive my g wagon anymore.' Late night comedy legend David Letterman is set to headline a fundraiser for beleaguered Joe Biden. The former host of CBS's 'Late Show' will be headlining the Martha Vineyard-set fundraiser along with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, at the home of one of the governor's friends. Letterman, 77, was touted as the evening's 'special guest', in an invite seen by Deadline.com. He has been seen as a longtime supporter and friend of Biden since his days as vice president, and his being scheduled signals that the president's campaign is forging ahead despite continued calls for him to bow out, even from former supporters. The fundraiser will be held on July 29, and is one of 10 scheduled over the last 10 days of July. Late night comedy legend David Letterman is set to headline a fundraiser for beleaguered Joe Biden, officials confirmed over the weekend The former host of CBS's 'Late Show' will be headlining the fundraiser as Biden and his team continue to insist he is not dropping out of the race, despite losing support from some other big names 'We support the President, the First Lady, the VP and the Democratic Party, in good and tough times because he has been there for us as a family and a state,' Green wrote in a text to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Friday confirming the fundraiser. He declined to respond to a request for more details, after The Associated Press was first to report news of the upcoming event. The same day, Biden, who is recovering from COVID-19 at his Rehoboth Beach home in Delaware, called for a united front within his party, while seeking to shift focus back to Donald Trump and his plans for the Oval Office. He said he was looking forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to challenge his rival and his claims, 'while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America.' 'One where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone,' he said. 'The stakes are high, and the choice is clear,' he continued in a written statement. 'Together, we will win.' Despite a disastrous debate performance and pronounced exodus of Democratic donors, he has continued to insist he's the best Democrat to beat the GOP frontrunner - and Green told The AP he essentially agrees. 'I think the president stays in this race unless he feels that it is not winnable, or he feels that he has to hear other voices in his inner circle that he shouldn't run,' Green said, not calling attention to potential last-minute replacements like Kamala Harris. The fundraiser is one of ten scheduled for the president in the waning days of July, and will be held at a home in affluent Martha's Vineyard Also presiding over the event will be Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a longtime friend of the Bidens who said the party will be held at the home of one of his friends. Green's wife's uncle was the commander-in-chief's college roommate, and he was elected to his post in 2022 'If the president felt that he wasn't up to it and truly not up to it, he would step down.' Green, meanwhile, has been linked to the Biden family for years, as his wife's uncle was the commander-in-chief's college roommate Despite standing by his friend, he still said the decision whether or not to leave the race would ultimately come from Biden himself, as his continues to spiral following last month's disastrous debate. In the weeks since, Other major Biden supporters in Hollywood have been quick to change their tunes on the prospect of Biden running for a second term, with 'Ocean's Eleven' star George Clooney leading the way. 'It's 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, long a Biden supporter, wrote in a scathing op-ed aired in the New York Times. 'He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020,' he continued. 'He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate The actor declared at another point in the pleading piece: 'This is about age. Nothing more. But also nothing that can be reversed. We are not going to win in November with this president.' Figures like Stephen King, Rob Reiner, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and Star Trek screenwriter Damon Lindelof have all followed suit, despite all being longtime Democrats. Some celebs, like Letterman, have in contrast stayed loyal, with the recently retired talker being joined by other A-listers like Jack Black - whose Tenacious D bandmate is facing criticism over a jab against Trump after his near-assassination - and Barbra Streisand. Former president Barack Obama has surfaced as the Biden team's top surrogate, even taking to X to defend Biden against Donald Trump in the wake of his recent debate performance Letterman, who retired nearly a decade ago after 33 years, has yet to comment on the confirmed appearance, as other A-listers like George Clooney, The Rock, and Cardi B have abandoned Biden completely Both were present at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles when Biden took the stage on June 16, as were superstars Elton John and Katy Perry a few weeks later in New York City after the debate. Other stars, like Cardi B, were not so kind following the president's lukewarm performance, with the rapper and others like Duane 'The Rock' Johnson announcing immediately after they were sitting out the upcoming election. The New York musician in particular said she felt 'betrayed' by the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the Biden campaign fundraiser June 16 was also attended by former President Barack Obama, in an apparent attempt to help Biden secure a second term. The former president has since surfaced as the campaign's top surrogate, even taking to X to defend Biden against Trump in the wake of the recent debate. Videos from the end of the fundraiser, meanwhile, circulated on social media thereafter, scrutinizing Biden's physical and mental abilities. The president appeared frozen on stage for about seven seconds at a point, and started walking after Obama put his hand on Biden's back. A White House spokesperson pushed back, calling the viral videos heavily edited, 'cheap fakes' created 'in bad faith' to badmouth the Democrat. Letterman, who retired in 2015 after 33 years on his program, has yet to comment on the confirmed appearance. Shocked commuters have recalled a mum screaming 'save my babies' before a train hit a pram that had rolled onto the tracks, killing her partner and one of their little girls. Onlookers watched in horror as the double pram carrying two-year-old twin girls fell from the platform at Carlton train station in Sydney's south about 12.25pm on Sunday. The twins' father, 40, immediately went into 'parent mode' and jumped down from the platform in a heroic attempt to rescue his babies. However a train passing through the station struck and killed the father and one of the sisters. The twins' mother, 39, was heard screaming 'save my babies' from the platform seconds before the impact. The second girl miraculously escaped uninjured and 'largely untouched', despite being trapped underneath the train. Emergency responders arrived on scene within minutes and heard the surviving toddler's cries before they found her under the train. The little girl was plucked to safety and and handed to her distraught mother on the platform before the pair were taken St George Hospital in stable conditions. Harrowing CCTV footage (pictured) captured the St George locals walking past a grocery store just minutes before they arrived at the station Carlton train station was cordoned off for the rest of the day in wake of the tragic accident Shocked commuters were left reeling by the tragedy. 'I knew it was bad straight away,' witness Grant Azzopardi recalled. 'I heard a woman screaming for her life, Please, please stop. 'The train couldn't stop.' Lauren Langelaar added: 'She (the mother) was on the platform screaming the husband's name.' 'We could only hear one kid crying, not two.' A passenger on the fifth carriage of the train told Seven News that, while he did not see the aftermath, it was 'disturbing' that children were involved. Haunting footage captured the Kogarah family on a Sunday outing just minutes before the tragedy. Seven minutes before the accident, the family were seen walking past shops towards a pedestrian crossing, where they waited for the green light to cross. The father was pushing the pram as his partner held a trolley bag. She was seen glancing at a grocery store before the family crossed the road headed towards the train station. They then used an elevator to access the platform. The local Indian community has rallied behind the mother and surviving child, who arrived from India to Australia in October last year after the father found a new job in Sydney, Nine News reported. Miraculously, one of the twin girls was found alive under the train The local Indian community has rallied behind the family (pictured) who came from India to Australia in October last year, after the father found a job in Sydney Sydney Trains announced on Sunday night that train services on the T4 line were returning to normal ahead of the the start of the working week. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths has been launched, with police checking the speed the train was travelling. It's understood a freak gust of wind may have blown the pram off the platform and into the path of the oncoming train. The train was travelling from Cronulla to the city and was not due to stop at Carlton Station. The station remained closed on Sunday night. NSW Police Superintendent Paul Dunstan said the parents appeared to have taken their hands off the pram for a 'very short period of time' when it rolled towards the tracks. Mr Dunstan said police were investigating what caused the pram to roll and said it could have been something as simple as a 'gust of wind'. He said the father had 'gone into parent mode to save his two young daughters' after realising the train had gone onto the tracks. '(He) tried to save his two young daughters, you know, fallen on to the tracks and in doing so it's cost his life,' he said. 'But it was an incredibly brave and heroic act.' NSW premier Chris Minns, who lives within 100m of the station, said the father died while performing an 'extraordinary, instinctual act of bravery'. 'He gave his own life to try and save his children,' he said. Mr Minns described the incident as a 'terrible, terrible tragedy' for the surviving family members and first responders. 'I hope over time they can gain some small solace knowing the father died in an extraordinary, instinctive act of bravery,' he said. 'Thats not going to bring him or his little daughter back, but it shouldnt go unremarked upon in the face of a terrible, terrible accident. NSW Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the cause of the deaths of the father and his daughter (pictured officers at the station) All passengers were evacuated before police established a crime scene (pictured) and halted further services between Wolli Creek and Hurstville stations Police arrived just minutes after receiving the a triple-zero call and could 'hear crying' coming from underneath the carriage. Mr Dunstan said it was 'good luck more than anything' that the young girl was able to escape the tragedy relatively unharmed. 'She was sort of in between the tracks (because of) the way that she had fallen and was largely untouched,' he said. Mr Dunstan said the mother was 'obviously very traumatised'. '[She is] clearly in a state of shock and struggling with what's happened today,' he said. Emergency responders were seen at the station two hours after the incident as they began the gruelling task of removing the bodies from underneath the train. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said all relevant information, including security footage, had been handed to police to aid their investigation. '(The train) was approaching the station with caution, that's how our drivers are instructed to drive in order that they can make sure that there are no incidents on the platform,' Mr Longland said. 'These sorts of incidents are incredibly rare, but clearly, the outcomes are absolutely tragic.' He added that the train driver and other staff were being supported. They are the architectural epitome of Englishness. But the thatched cottage, a treasured feature of chocolate-box villages, is under threat, conservationists have warned. A perfect storm of soggy summers, outdated machinery, the war in Ukraine and Brexit has led to soaring straw production costs. These factors, on top of a shortage of skilled thatchers, is pushing up the price of repairing thatched roofs. And with the price to rethatch a small cottage starting at 30,000, there are fears that occupants will have no choice but to replace them with more durable slates or tiles. There are around 60,000 thatched homes in Britain, many of which are listed and require their roofs rethatched every 15 to 30 years. But there a now only about 800 thatchers' and 24 farmers specialised in producing thatching straw left in the UK. Conservationists have warned that the thatched cottage is under threat There are now only 800 thatchers' and 24 farmers specialised in producing thatching straw left in the UK The thatched cottage has become a staple of chocolate-box villages The cost of straw imported from abroad has also been pushed up by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and attacks on cargo ships by Houti rebels in the Red Sea. Chris Dodson, 44, a fourth-generation master thatcher from Cambridgeshire, told The Sunday Times he worked in a team of four and they were booked up three years in advance. It takes them around nine weeks to complete a job, but some thatchers, who work alone, can take up to six months to re-roof one cottage. 'Thatching is obviously labour intensive - it's an ancient process,' Mr Dodson said. He said it was difficult to give his customers prices for work because of the changing global situation and weather. 'This year, having had such a wet winter, it's going to be very stressful,' he added. Farmer Peter Snell, 45, said around 10 per cent of his wheat straw harvest this year had been destroyed by heavy rain. A perfect storm of soggy summers, outdated machinery, the war in Ukraine and Brexit has led to soaring straw production costs. Pictured: Calbourne Winkle Street on the Isle of Wight Pictured: Princes Elizabeth standing in the doorway of Y Bwthyn Back 'The Little Cottage' in Welsh back in 1933 Wet weather, the war in Ukraine, Brexit, outdated machinery and a lack of skilled thatchers', is pushing up the price of repairing thatched roofs. Pictured: Cotswold cottages at Great Tew, Oxfordshire, England 'Anne Hathaway's cottage' is the famous thatched 15th century former home of Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare 'We get far heavier spells of rain than we used to,' said Mr Snell, who has 50 acres of straw at his farm in Horton, Dorset. 'Probably 10 per cent has been knocked nearly flat to the ground this month.' Poor weather, plus an exodus of eastern European labourers since Brexit, has seen straw prices rocket from 800 a tonne in 2010 to 1,500 this year, Mr Snell said. Jenny Chesher, who lives in a listed, three-bedroom cottage in Somerset, is one owner facing uncertainty. She expects a 20,000 bill for her home, which is part thatched, to be re-roofed, but her thatcher cannot give her a price or start date for the work because of current straw shortages. Chris Dodson, 44, a fourth-generation master thatcher from Cambridgeshire, told The Sunday Times he worked in a team of four and they were booked up three years in advance. Pictured: A man thatching a new roof Farmer Peter Snell, 45, said around 10 per cent of his wheat straw harvest this year had been destroyed by heavy rain. Pictured: A large thatched cottage An array of thatched cottages in Shanklin Old Village on the Isle of Wight Conservation group Historic England recently warned that straw farmers needed help increasing the efficiency of old machinery - some of which is 80 years old A famous view of the picturesque cottages on the cobbled street at Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset 'Our thatcher is delaying the bigger jobs, including ours, and providing no date for them to start because of the quantity of straw he needs,' she said. Conservation group Historic England recently warned that straw farmers needed help increasing the efficiency of old machinery - some of which is 80 years old - and adopting new options to make harvesting quicker and less vulnerable to weather and labour shortages if the thatching industry is to survive. Chief Executive Duncan Wilson said: 'Generations of skilled craftworkers have made their living maintaining thatched buildings, which are a quintessential part of our beautiful rural landscapes. 'The thatching industry relies on a steady supply of quality materials. 'We are pushing for action that will make growers' work more stable, financially viable and safer.' As part of a new strategy to fight climate change, scientists are proposing dropping toxic sodium hydroxide into the ocean just 10 miles southwest of Martha's Vineyard as soon as September of this year, angering both locals and environmental groups. Researchers at the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are awaiting approval from the EPA to release a 6,600-gallon mixture of sodium hydroxide solution and freshwater into the Atlantic, in hopes that this will boost the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide emissions. The ocean is crucially important in offsetting greenhouse gases, with experts saying it absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide on Earth. The scientists behind this 'LOC-NESS' experiment, (which stands for Locking Away Ocean Carbon in the Northeast Shelf and Slope) equate their hypothesis to giving the ocean a huge dose of Tums, thereby increasing the pH and allowing the seawater to take in more planet-warming gases. But fuming residents and environmentalists are putting up a fight, arguing that sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as lye which is highly corrosive, is harmful substance that could kill wildlife. Pictured: A nontoxic test release of dye the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution did south of Cape Cod in August 2023. This could be what the eventual dump of sodium hydroxide into the ocean near Martha's Vineyard could look like The coastline of Martha's Vineyard is pictured from a helicopter in 2009 A man from Chappaquiddick, a neighboring island to Martha's Vineyard, shared his concerns about the upcoming plan. 'Does anyone else think this sounds like a very bad idea? Releasing 6,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide solution (lye) 10 miles SW of Martha's Vineyard?' Paul Bleicher posted in a local Facebook group referencing a Boston Globe piece that covered the geoengineering plan. 'The article makes it clear that they expect impact on the living marine environment. It will take days for the pH to return to even a normal range,' he added. There are others out there who believe this is a bad idea, and chief among them is Benjamin Day, the Massachusetts-based senior campaigner for Friends of the Earth. 'We unequivocally oppose the proposed LOC-NESS geoengineering experiment,' Day said. 'It's astonishing that the EPA is even considering allowing dangerous, caustic chemicals to be dumped in ocean waters that are frequented by at least eight endangered species, including Right Whales and Leatherback Turtles.' Day also told the Boston Herald that sodium hydroxide is 'an incredibly dangerous substance' that can cause chemical burns for humans and marine animals alike. Benjamin Day, affiliated with environmental organization Friends of the Earth, is one of the leading critics of the 'LOC-NESS' experiment The WHOI scientists are aware of the risks to marine life, but they say the 56-acre area where the chemicals will be dropped will only be toxic for about a minute or so, The Boston Globe reported. The solution will also be tinged with a red dye to make it easier to track, which will make the eventual chemical dump look similar to a nontoxic test release WHOI did south of Cape Cod in August 2023. There will be a dedicated marine mammal observer on board the boat from which the sodium hydroxide will be dropped, and scientists say that they'll only proceed if there are no mammals in the area. What they likely won't be able to control, however, are possible casualties among what other experts say are 'foundational' marine life - such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish larvae. 'I see it, essentially, as trying to address one form of marine pollution carbon dioxide with another,' James Kerry, an adjunct marine scientist at the James Cook University in Australia, told the Globe. Various sailboats and motorcraft moored on a pre season Oak Bluffs Harbor in Martha's Vineyard Aerial view of of harbor and town of Edgartown, an area that encompasses the east of Martha's Vineyard and all of Chappaquiddick Multiple scientists, including Nicholas Hawco, a chemical oceanographer at the University of Hawaii, argued the opposite, saying phytoplankton may not be adversely affected in an experiment like this. 'Recently, a few published laboratory experiments have indicated limited adverse effect among various phytoplankton types to alkalinity additions,' Hawco wrote, expressing support for the 'LOC-NESS' experiment. 'However, given the diversity of phytoplankton types in the ocean...fully replicating the natural environment in the laboratory is not possible.' The EPA has already tentatively approved the 'LOC-NESS' experiment, along with a bigger 66,000-gallon dump of sodium hydroxide 50 miles east of Gloucester, Massachusetts. If approved, that will happen next summer. The ritzy island that could have its waters bombarded with sodium hydroxide in a matter of months is a favorite vacation spot for celebrities, including the Obamas and the Clintons. The EPA also opened up a public commenting period that ended a little over a week ago, inviting any interested parties to share their thoughts. The Obamas are pictured walking on the tarmac at Martha's Vineyard Airport in West Tisbury, Massachusetts in August 2016 for their summer vacation The Obamas live on a 28-acre property in Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard Many scientists who doubt humanity can turn around its massive energy consumption and atmospheric pollution in a matter of decades publicly endorsed the gambit by WHOI, believing it to be a clever plan to reduce emissions without needing a society-wide modification to human behavior. 'Globally we will produce billions of tonnes of dangerous excess carbon dioxide. Neutralising this by increasing ocean alkalinity offers a (potentially) scalable method that mimics natural weathering,' wrote Professor Phil Renforth, a geochemist out of Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Members of the public, presumably without a scientific background, also commented. One woman wrote: 'This proposal bring to mind the comments made by former President Trump that people should take BLEACH to counter act the affects of COVID! The idea that caustic chemicals would be put, on purpose, in our oceans, anywhere, is beyond rational thinking.' Another wrote: 'Dumping harmful chemicals into the ocean without any baseline data is unacceptable, especially on this scale and in a very important area for a variety of marine species.' Now that the public commenting period is over, the EPA is expected to make its final decision on the chemical release off the coast of Martha's Vineyard sometime this summer. The View co-host Ana Navarro is facing fierce backlash for making fun of Donald Trump's ear injury following an assassination attempt last weekend. Navarro, a top Trump critic, said on the show Friday that she wished the bandage that is covering Trump's ear was placed instead over his mouth. The mocking followed the former president's hour-and-a-half remarks at the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening after he officially became the party's nominee on Monday. It was also his first speech since would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, shot Trump in the ear before he was neutralized by Secret Service at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last Saturday. 'What we saw yesterday was a replay of Trump's 90-minute constant rallies,' Navarro said. 'It's too bad the bandage was just over his ear. It should have been over his mouth,' she added to laughter from the studio audience. The View co-host Ana Navarro mocked Donald Trump's assassination attempt injury, saying on Friday's episode: 'It's too bad the bandage was just over his ear. It should have been over his mouth' The 52-year-old quipped in reference to Trump saying God was on his side after he survived the assassination attempt: 'God should have pulled the plug on that mic yesterday.' Online critics called for the show to be canceled in response to Navarro's comments. She also suggested on the Friday episode that Trump's speech was more an indicator of mental instability than President Joe Biden's disastrous debate and ensuing slips that have brought his fitness for office into question. Navarro, a self-proclaimed never-Trumper Republican who votes for Democrats, claims that if Biden gave the same speech Trump delivered at the Convention, he would be 'carted off to a paddy wagon' by 'men in white coats.' During the same episode, Joy Behar described Trump as 'very narcissistic' after he claimed he survived his assassination attempt because God was 'on his side.' There is now a growing mob calling for the long-time co-host of The View to be sacked. Trump sported a white bandage on the right side of his head at the Republican National Convention all last week after a bullet grazed his ear in an assassination attempt at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13 Behar, the 81-year-old The View co-host, hit out at Trump, 78, for saying that he survived his assassination attempt because God was 'on his side' The former president, 78, acknowledged his Christian faith as he addressed the Republican Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin earlier this week. Behar, 81, criticized Trump's lengthy statement during Friday's episode, branding his words 'very unchristian' and 'disturbing.' Before taking the ABC show to an ad break, she said: 'What I want to point out, one thing. I'm speaking to fellow Christians, I was raised Catholic. I'm a Christian girl. 'When something like this happens to you like this assassination attempt and you say something like 'God was watching me,' that is a very unchristian thing to say because it's very narcissistic.' Sitting alongside co-stars Navarro, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Fara Griffin, she continued: 'What about Corey [Comperatore]? What's his name? Comperatore, the fireman who also got [killed]? 'What about all those guys that got killed in Sandy Hook? All of those people?' ''Oh, God was watching me and not watching them?' There's something very disturbing about that.' Angry viewers called for Behar to be axed from The View after claiming she 'attacked a whole religious base.' 'If there ever was an example of someone NOT a Christian it would be Joy Behar so she should stop claiming she is... She should be fired. A hateful human being,' wrote one. Another posted: 'Please shut up already. How is The View still on the air?!?' A third said: 'Joy clearly known nothing about being a Christian and should probably look into how God feels about people who speak on His behalf that don't know him. Behar and Navarro made their controversial comments during Friday's episode of The View 'She should start with understanding God wanted to kill Job's friends due to their nonsense. We are actually witnessing God work.' 'What an unnecessary thing to say!' blasted a fourth. 'Of course, any reasonable person would say, 'G-d was with me' if something like that happened to them. 'And she couldn't even memorize Corey's last name before serving up this pre-canned comment. Ugly!' A fifth joked: 'Noted Christianity expert Joy Behar.' A sixth blasted: 'The View tell Joy Behar 'GOD' was watching over me when I almost died from an overdose , so if that a very unchristian thing for me to say, she needs to be immediately FIRED!!! She just attacked a whole religious base!' It comes amid growing calls for MSNBC anchor Joy Reid to be taken off air after she shared inflammatory theories about Trump's attempted assassination. Reid, 55, angered critics on two occasions when she shared a video to X implying that he was not even shot. After President Biden tested positive for Covid days later, Reid said on a broadcast that the democrat's brush with the virus was as heroic as Trump's reaction to narrowly avoiding a bullet. Trump was rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13 On Thursday night, Trump spoke at length about the assassination attempt on July 13, which claimed the life of father-of-two Corey Comperatore. During his speech, he said: 'Bullets continued to fly as very brave Secret Service agents rushed to the stage and pounced on top of me for protection. 'There was blood pouring everywhere, and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe, because I had God on my side. 'The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had NOT moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be with you tonight.' Last Saturday, Trump pumped his fist in the air with blood streaming across his face seconds after being shot in the ear by gunman Crooks at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He survived the assassination attempt when the bullet missed him by less than an inch. It came eight minutes after he took the stage at 6:03pm ET. Crooks opened fire from a rooftop 130 yards from where the former president was on stage speaking to thousands of fans. He was shot and killed in the incident moments after shooting dead Comperatore. 'It's not just furious viewers calling for Joy to be fired. A bankrupt council is considering charging workers to use free company car parking spaces. The proposal by Croydon Council is aimed at encouraging more drivers to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the office. But critics say the idea could leave staff facing bills of hundreds of pounds each year, The Sun reported. Croydon Council - which went bankrupt for the third time in 2022 with debts of 1.6billion - has been selling off assets, raising council tax, cutting services and desperately trying to find new ways to generate cash. The south London authority is in such dire financial straits that it has been bailed out twice in four years by central Government. Croydon Town Hall. The proposal by Croydon Council is aimed at encouraging more drivers to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the office. But critics say the idea could leave staff facing bills of hundreds of pounds each year (stock image) At one stage, a sixth of its annual budget - 47million - was being spent on debt repayments. The new scheme - known as a workplace parking levy (WPL) - would be imposed on businesses with 11 or more privately-owned car parking spaces. Bosses would then choose whether to pay from their budget or pass the cost on to employees. The money raised would be spent on improving public transport to increase options for commuters. However, critics have branded the levy as preposterous, adding that the council should be getting their own house in order. Benjamin Elks, of the TaxPayers Alliance think-tank, said: Croydon should park this preposterous policy. Bankrupt Croydon is scrambling for cash through council tax rises and now new taxes on private companies. Instead of squeezing businesses they should scrap wasteful spending if they want to fix their finances. Other authorities said to be looking at introducing similar schemes include Leicester, Reading, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cambridge, Bristol and Oxford. To date, Nottingham, which charges 415 per parking space per year, is the only British city to have introduced a WPL. The scheme has generated about 90million in 12 years since it was launched and has paid for two tram line extensions. Last year, Croydon Council was criticised for spending thousands on useless CCTV cameras to catch motorists using rat runs near schools. The equipment from American supplier Conduent proved incompatible with British number plates. According to a recent report, the councils streets and environment sub-committee were encouraged that officers were looking into the possible adoption of a WPL. But a spokesman said: The council is not committing to the workplace parking levy and it is not included in our current parking policy. Britain's 'strictest headteacher' has slammed Labour's plans to soften measures that are designed to tackle bad behaviour in classrooms. Katharine Birbalsingh has warned the government disadvantaged children will 'suffer' if the overhaul goes ahead. It could see the end of isolation booths, suspensions and behaviour rules. The changes, which education leaders say are on the table, are being considered as a way of helping more vulnerable children who may misbehave or become disruptive due to problems at home or undiagnosed ADHD or autism. Ms Birbalsingh - a former social mobility Tsar - is leading the headteacher revolt and said if the law was to change then it would be the 'end of all good schools'. Katharine Birbalsingh has warned Sir Keir Starmer disadvantaged children will 'suffer' if plans go ahead to soften measures that are designed to tackle bad behaviour in classrooms Ms Birbalsingh - a former social mobility Tsar - is leading the headteacher revolt and said if the law was to change then it would be the 'end of all good schools' Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the head of Michaela Community School, in Brent, said: 'Disadvantaged kids are set to suffer if Labour do what they are saying they will do' Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the head of Michaela Community School, in Brent, said: 'Disadvantaged kids are set to suffer if Labour do what they are saying they will do. 'I was never a Conservative. But I knew that what the Conservative Party was doing for kids was right. We are all about to find out what Labour policies are going to do instead. 'If Labour do what they say they will do to schools, disadvantaged kids will pay the price. The politicians will feel good about themselves and all the gains that have helped poorer kids over the last decade will be eradicated.' Headteachers at other London schools have echoed Ms Birbalsingh's comments with ne fearing classrooms will become more 'chaotic and dysfunctional'. Mouhssin Ismail, the principal of Newham Collegiate Sixth Form in London, told The Telegraph: 'Any attempt to roll back on the good work done to support schools in managing behaviour will disproportionately impact schools serving disadvantaged communities. 'We will end up with more chaotic and dysfunctional schools, with staff leaving the profession or finding jobs in schools serving middle-class communities.' Some educationalists are pushing for the inspection regime to change so that schools are not solely judged on academic results, but rather how well they serve their local community. There is a concern that schools achieving lower down in the results tables are not being considered in terms of how many pupils they have with additional needs, or that parents of children with special educational needs are being advised to move to another school rather than being supported. Anne Longfield, a former children's commissioner and founder of the Centre for Young Lives, which has been working with the Labour government on this issue said something needed to change to help vulnerable children. Labour is set to modify the punishments that can be set by schools, which could see the end of isolation booths, suspensions and behaviour rules The changes, which education leaders say are on the table, are being considered as a way of helping more vulnerable children who may misbehave or become disruptive due to problems at home or undiagnosed ADHD or autism She told The Guardian: 'Looking at the data and talking to young people it is clear that a large group of kids have been made to feel school isn't for them and that has to change. 'I've talked to kids who weren't able to cope with all the rules, who kept ending up in isolation, and some children said it was happening week after week.' Those who support the reforms point to 'shocking' new data that show school suspensions reached a record high in 2022/23. The number of pupils temporarily removed from classrooms soared by more than a third - 36 per cent compared to the year prior with 786,961 suspensions on record. According to the Department for Education, it is the 'highest recorded' number of suspensions in a single academic year. However suspensions aren't the only form of reprimand on the rise, with exclusions up by nearly half. Nearly 10,000 students were permanently kicked out of classrooms across the country, up from 6,485 exclusions in the previous school year. These shocking figures comes as concerns were raised regarding challenging behaviour in classrooms after the COVID-19 pandemic. Before COVID-19, the rate of exclusions were 'relatively stable' and were gradually increasing over last decade, the Department of Education said. However the recent rise in permanent exclusions and suspensions have been attributed to 'persistent disruptive behaviour'. New figures show school suspensions reached a record high in the academic year 2022/23 Education minister Stephen Morgan said the figures were a 'wake-up call' and that suspensions were not helping to resolve issues for more vulnerable children Education minister Stephen Morgan said: 'These shocking figures are a wake-up call about the problems that have grown in our schools in recent years. 'They put into sharp focus that too many pupils are being held back by their background and that our education system is failing to meet the needs of children with additional needs. 'Every pupil deserves to learn in a safe, calm classroom and we will always support our hard-working and dedicated teachers to make this happen.' He said the Government is 'determined to get to grips with the causes of exclusions' and he said it has already committed to more mental health professionals in secondary schools, free breakfast clubs in primary schools, and earlier intervention in mainstream schools for pupils with special needs. Mr Morgan added: 'But we know poor behaviour can also be rooted in wider issues, which is why the Government is developing an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty led by a taskforce co-chaired by the Education Secretary so that we can break down the barriers to opportunity.' Temporary bans from school also peaked in the Summer as 276,000 suspensions recorded in that term alone. This was an anomaly as suspensions are usually higher during autumn. Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'School leaders only ever suspend and exclude pupils as a last resort and, therefore, this rise would appear to reflect the increasingly complex needs and challenging behaviour we are seeing in schools and across wider society. 'Behavioural issues are often a result of poor mental health or unmet special educational needs. 'We desperately need the new government to work alongside the education profession to put support systems in place that ensure young people get the help they need to stop these problems from escalating.' Tom Bennett, the Tory government's behaviour tsar, who is contracted to remain in his role until 2025, believes imposing discipline in schools is essential for both teachers and pupils and has championed stricter sanctions He added: 'It's vitally important that there is investment in education and family support services to ensure children get help as soon as they require it and behavioural issues do not spiral to the point where suspensions and exclusions are the only option left available to school leaders.' Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'The fact that we've reached this headline figure of record suspensions and exclusions should be a deep concern to everyone involved in education and it will be another stark reminder to the new Government of the scale of the task ahead of them. 'One thing is very clear, we cannot go on as we are. 'Schools work incredibly hard to support children and use suspensions and exclusions as a last resort, but they cannot be expected to address the full range of complex root-causes that can often lead to disruptive behaviour in the classroom.' Beth Prescott, education lead at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank, said the figures were 'truly shocking', adding there 'is a pressing and immediate emergency unfolding across our schools.' But Tom Bennett, the Tory government's behaviour tsar, who is contracted to remain in his role until 2025, believes imposing discipline in schools is essential for both teachers and pupils and has championed stricter sanctions. He said: 'Removal rooms are essential in a school with any level of challenge so that students who seriously misbehave can be temporarily removed from the classroom to a designated safe, monitored space to calm down, talk to pastoral team members, or carry on with their work away from the lesson they are disrupting.' In a previous interview from 2022, Bennett said that schools employing a zero-exclusion policy risked ruining the life chances of other pupils and may expose them to 'indignity and harassment'. He also said exclusions 'are a necessary part' of keeping children safe and ensuring they have a 'safe, dignified' learning environment. Anti-tourist campaigners in Majorca have mocked England's Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain and demanded Britain 'takes back its drunks' as thousands demonstrated against holidaymakers this evening. Up to 50,000 locals descended onto the streets of the Majorcan capital Palma tonight as they called for curbs on the amount of foreign visitors allowed on the Spanish island. Among them was one who held aloft a picture of England full-back Kyle Walker accompanied by the words: 'The only thing coming home is you'. The mass protest, which is the second in two months to be held in the city, also saw people hold up banners written in English saying: 'Take back your drunks, give back our homes.' That's despite calls from the regional government for demonstrators to show foreign visitors 'respect' during the march, as the wave of anti-tourist sentiment continues to grow in the Mediterranean. Before tonight's march organisers had released a bizarre video gloating about the idea of empty hotels and banning hire cars, despite some Spaniards warning them that if their wish comes true it could cripple their economy with tourists taking their money elsewhere. An anti-tourism protester holds a sign showing a picture of England footballer Kyle Walker with the words 'the only thing coming home is you' at a demonstration today A protester holds a sign reading 'Take back your drunks, give back our homes' during tonight's demonstration in Palma Demonstrators hold a sign which reads 'tourism yes, but not like that' during the march in Palma A demonstrator holds a sign which reads 'it's not tourismphobia, it's Mallorcan' during this evening's protest Thousands of Majorcans have gathered in the capital of Palma to protest what they see as 'overtourism' Protesters in Palma hold a sign reading 'Land threatened, resistance assured' during a demonstration tonight Thousands of Mallorcans have turned out to take part in the latest protest against 'overtourism' on the island A young man holds a sign which reads 'Stop cruises' and a giant homemade model of a cruise ship at this evening's protest A Spanish woman with the words 'tourists go home' on a piece of paper attached to her shirt takes part in the protest Protesters have called for curbs on the number of tourists allowed in Majorca, with one sign saying: 'Your "paradise" is our nightmare' A group of people hold up a giant model of an airplane with a banner saying 'stop private jets' at the protest Anti-tourist graffiti in the shop window of a store in Palma before tonight's demonstration Two women sit on a balcony as people taking part in the protest stream past in the street At tonight's protest in Palma, many signs took aim at the behaviour of tourists while they are on the island. Other English language messages carried by some on cardboard posters said: 'We used to have a life. SOS Residents.' and 'Enjoy balconing'. The latter is a reference to the dangerous practice of jumping from hotel balconies into pools or climbing between terraces which partying Brits in places like Magaluf have been linked to over the years. The demonstrators also took aim at the Germans, with a message in German saying: 'Out at the finale. Get out of here' - a reference to Spain beating Die Mannschaft on their way to Euro 2024 glory. Responding to claims they are guilty of unjustly making the holidaymakers the butt of their anger, some protesters had banners which said: 'This is not tourism-phobia.' 'Your luxury, our misery,' read one sign, while another placard said: 'This isn't tourismophobia, it's numbers: 1,232,014 residents, 18 million tourists.' The protests were called by some 80 organisations and social groups who want limits to be placed on excessive tourism in the Balearic Isles, whose main three islands are Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza. Organisers claimed that 50,000 people took part in the protest, although police put the figure at a more conservative 20,000. There were no immediate reports of any confrontations or other problems involving demonstrators and tourists. Those taking part say the current model of tourism has stretched public services to breaking point, harms natural resources and makes local access to housing increasingly difficult. As thousands of people took to the streets, one held a sign saying: 'We are dying from tourism' One sign shows an outline of the island of Majorca accompanied with the words 'we want to live in our house' A woman holds a sign which reads 'Enough!' during the protest as anti-tourist sentiment continues to spread in the Mediterranean Some demonstrators held signs called for a different type of tourism on the Spanish island this evening One protester brought a homemade model of an airplane to signify the large numbers of tourists arriving on the island Demonstrators are calling for changes to the tourism on Majorca, claiming the amount of foreign visitors is leaving the island struggling to cope One giant banner in Catalan reads 'Change the course - put limits on tourism' as thousands turned out for the protest One demonstrator holds up a sign reading 'stop speculation in housing, SOS residents' Last year, a record 17.8 million people visited the Balearic Islands, from mainland Spain and abroad, and the figures are expected to be even higher this year. At the last protest in the city on May 25 some foreign tourists were booed and jeered by some locals as they ate evening meals on terraces in Palma's Weyler Square. Organisers ended up making a public apology for the abuse they received. Ahead of tonight's protest, organised by platform Menys Turisme, Mes Vida which in English translates as 'Less Tourism, More Life.' The bizarre music video featured images of queues to get into the cove of Calo des Moro and a large group of foreign cyclists. It starts with the lyrics 'there will be no more regattas, tomorrow is the last cruise' before continuing: 'Goodbye rental cars, goodbye rat businesses. Houses will be cheap and we won't see more cyclists.' It ends with an islander singing in Catalan: 'We will plough the highways, the hotels will be empty and so the world will understand that there are too many tourists.' Last night the Melia Palma Bay Hotel was one of a number of buildings in Palma lit up with messages of support for this evening's protest. A neon message on the front of the hotel, which appeared around 10pm, said: 'Let's put limits on tourism.' Climate activist Pere Joan Femenia, one of the spokespeople for Menys Turisme Mes Vida said as the protest got underway: 'The Balearic Islands have a limit. 'The ability to receive more people has reached its limit.' Jaume Foil, a Spanish resident who has taken part in demonstrations against 'overtourism', told Sky News that areas are 'struggling' to cope with the influx of holidaymakers. 'We are not protesting against the tourism, we protesting against mass tourism or what we call 'overtourism' that we are experiencing in Majorca,' he said. 'For example there are one million people living in Majorca and when it comes to the summer we double our population so our structures - roads, hospitals, even beaches - cannot support this mass tourism and we are struggling for that.' Anti-tourism protesters in Barcelona gather outside a restaurant being used by holidaymakers in the city during a demonstration on July 6 Protesters hold signs reading 'I have a right to live in my city' and 'you will be remembered for kicking young people and families out of Malaga' during a demonstration in Malaga on June 29 Protesters hold signs reading 'for sale' during an anti-tourism demonstration in Malaga on June 29 He added that while it was difficult to blame a single person or political party for the issue, it has been 'growing for the last 20 years'. He said: 'Maybe no political party and no one wanted to take this problem and try to solve this problem. 'I don't know who is responsible but at the very least our politicians must do something.' But Toni Perez, mayor of British holiday favourite Benidorm, seemed to suggest overnight the groups behind the current wave of protests across Spain targeting the current tourist model were opening the door to the country's economic suicide with their actions. Asked if he understood people warning about the 'dangers' of mass tourism, he retorted in a newspaper interview: 'Has anyone considered that in a European country in which its great strength is the car industry, the population demonstrates against it?' Earlier this month tourists were sprayed with water pistols in Barcelona by demonstrators during a protest there against tourist massification. Regional government spokesman Antoni Costa has urged protesters to leave British holidaymakers alone. Mr Costa said: 'There's no fear because here it hasn't happened and people have always been respectful.' Spanish demonstrators gathers take part in a protest against 'overtourism' in Malaga on June 29 A woman holds a sign reading 'fewer luxury apartments for wealthy gurus and more homes for families who live here' at a protest in Malaga on June 29 'But we have seen a certain type of behaviour in Barcelona which, as you can imagine, we didn't like. 'We ask for the upmost respect for those who have decided not to demonstrate and urge those who do protest to do so peacefully and not interrupt other citizens and visitors.' Politicians in Barcelona have indicated they will take action against foreign visitors by raising the tourist tax on cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours 'substantially'. Jaume Collboni, Barcelona's mayor, said the current tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers was 7 euros (5.90) per day. He did not say by how much the tax would be increased. 'We are going to propose... substantially increasing the tax for stopover cruise passengers,' he told outlet El Pais. 'In the case of stopover cruise passengers (less than 12 hours) there is intensive use of public space without any benefit for the city and a feeling of occupation and saturation. We want to have tourism that is respectful of the destination.' Collboni announced last month that the city will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for residents. Russell Findlay today announces his bid to become the new Scottish Tory leader with a pledge that he will stand for aspirational conservatism. The West Scotland MSP said the Scottish Conservatives can change Scotland for the better under his leadership. He becomes the first candidate to announce that he will stand in the race to succeed Douglas Ross, before the starting gun has even been fired on the leadership contest. Confirming his leadership bid in an exclusive article for the Mail, the Scottish Tory justice spokesman acknowledges recent failings by his party, saying that it has not been proudly conservative or given people a positive vision to believe in. He also insists that it can become a party of government in Scotland if Tories reconnect with their traditional values and focus on meeting the aspirations of ordinary people. Russell Findlay aims to transform his party Mr Findlay said: There is a common-sense coalition that we can build to meet the aspirations of ordinary people. Im standing as a candidate for the leadership of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party because I believe we have the chance to change Scotland for the better. Defining his leadership focus, he said the Scottish Tories must stand for aspirational conservatism which is pro-opportunity and backs the individual efforts of shop owners, new businesses and the risk-taking small-scale entrepreneurs who have a dream and the guts to chase it. He added: Its a conservatism which is pro-worker too it understands backing business isnt about maximising the profits of shareholders, its about generating the stable, well-paid jobs needed so that everyone can benefit from economic growth. I believe there is wide, and as-yet untapped, support in Scotland for a conservatism that is unashamedly aspirational in its character and for encouraging a society which respects and rewards individual effort and initiative. We know there are many people out there in Scotland who think conservative but dont currently vote Conservative. There are many people who dont feel we, or any other party, properly represents them. Within hours of Mr Rosss resignation during the general election campaign, bookmakers made Mr Findlay the early favourite to succeed him. Several MSPs have already been publicly promoting their leadership credentials but have not confirmed they will stand, including deputy leader Meghan Gallacher, former education spokesman Jamie Greene and former environment spokesman Maurice Golden. Russell Findlay with fellow Tory MSP Annie Wells Murdo Fraser has also been touted as a possible candidate, with supporters saying he could revive controversial plans to split the Scottish Conservatives from the UK party. He has refused to comment while on a family holiday in the United States but the proposal has already faced heavy resistance, with former Scottish secretary Lord Michael Forsyth describing it as a crazy idea. Scottish Tory officials have asked MSPs and party members to submit views on the leadership contest rules and timetable by this Friday, before an announcement is made about when nominations will begin. Asked why he had opted to announce his leadership bid before a formal campaign has begun, Mr Findlay said: Since the general election, we have heard a range of views about our partys future direction and Ive been hugely encouraged to receive support from many credible people. Ive explained what I think needs to be done and feel that its time to step up and declare my intention to stand. I look forward to what must be a positive, fair and open contest. Mr Findlay said the party has not been conservative enough in recent years, and added: Weve not grounded our policies in the principles and values that were passionate about. Weve not been proudly conservative. We havent given people a positive conservative vision to believe in. The fact is that over recent years the Scottish Conservative Party has been philosophically adrift, defined by our opposition to a dominant and divisive SNP, not by our own vision for Scotland. This has been bad not just for our party, but also for the country since it has deprived voters of a meaningful choice in ideas. So under my leadership that core purpose will be renewed. We will reconnect with our traditional values of enterprise, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law. We will take those values and build a fresh and dynamic policy offer for the people of Scotland. Mr Findlay, 51, who has highlighted that he is not a career politician, worked as a journalist for nearly 30 years, with his work focused on organised crime and drug wars. In 2015, he was targeted in an acid attack on the doorstep of his Glasgow home by a hitman who was detained at the scene and later jailed. Mr Findlay was appointed director of communications for the Scottish Tories in 2020, and was elected as an MSP the following year. He has already secured the support of Conservative MSPs Rachael Hamilton, Miles Briggs and Douglas Lumsden. A body believed to that of a missing British man has been found more than a week after Spanish mountain rescue police were mobilised to help look for him. Steven Michael B, 48, vanished in the northern Spanish village of Las Salas on July 11 after a row with his wife. Today it emerged a body had been discovered in the village church bell tower. Manuel Valbuena, mayor of the municipality of Cremenes which Las Salas is part of, told local press the dead man still had to be officially identified but everything was pointing to it being the missing Brit. A neighbour is understood to have raised the alarm after detecting a strong smell coming from the church tower and making the grim discovery. Steven Michael B, 48, (pictured) vanished in the northern Spanish village of Las Salas on July 11 after a row with his wife Drones were used in the search for his whereabouts There is nothing at this stage indicating it is being treated as a crime and police are expected to announce after an autopsy takes place they are not looking for anyone else in connection with Steven's death. It emerged last Sunday mountain rescue police were among emergency teams looking for the keen mountaineer. Officials admitted they were worried about Steven's safety after he reportedly left his wife in a garage following an argument and dumped personal belongings before abandoning his car. The operation to find him swung into action in the municipality of Cremenes on July 11 when he was reported missing. Spains National Missing Persons Centre CNDES, which is part of the countrys Interior Ministry, published the first photo of the missing man shortly afterwards although it only partially named him. Mountain experts from the Civil Guards Greim unit, the same type of team that searched for missing Jay Slater near the Tenerife village of Masca after he disappeared on June 17 and found him dead 29 days later, were mobilised along with drones, a helicopter and a specialist sniffer dog. The banks of the Esla River, a tributary of the Duero River, along with mountain areas near it were made the focus of the search before police divers began searching the river itself. Last month 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 hikers 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 Brits body. Bill Maher has told Pete Buttigieg it seems Joe Biden 'doesn't have time' to investigate the Trump assassination attempt - as still no-one has been fired. Maher questioned the Transportation Secretary about the Secret Service failings which allowed 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to take aim at the former president during a pre-planned Pennsylvania rally. It comes as Biden faces calls to fire Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle, who is yet to step down. 'Should Joe Biden have fired the Secret Service head?' Maher asked Buttigieg on his Friday HBO show Real Time. 'I mean, I don't understand that.' 'I'm not in on all the details of the Homeland Security side,' Buttigieg said. 'I know there's a really serious after-action report and process and a whole lot of scrutiny going on there.' Maher questioned the Transportation Secretary about the Secret Service failings which allowed 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to take aim at the former president during a pre-planned Pennsylvania rally 'I think, you know, everything that led up to that moment, that horrible moment is under a microscope,' he added. 'And I believe that President Biden and the administration will do the right thing.' But Maher pushed back. 'Well, you didn't need a microscope to see it,' the host said. 'The guy was on the roof, you know, like like not that far away.' 'I've seen people fired for less, and it just looks bad,' he aid. 'It looks like, 'Well, the other guy from the other party got shot. Well, we'll look into it if we have time.'' Security service officials had would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks on their radar for more than 40 minutes before he shot Donald Trump. A photograph showing the gunman appearing to crawl on the ground while scouring the area was circulated to law enforcement as a suspicious sighting at 5:30pm during the Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 14, according to WPXI. Around 6.11pm, Crooks took up a position on a slanted warehouse roof and shot at Trump from a distance of around 165 yards, wounding him in the ear and killing retired fire chief Corey Comperatore. Two more images also showed a bicycle owned by Crooks which was recovered close to the scene, and a remote detonator which was recovered from his dead body alongside his cellphone. It was later revealed that the detonator was connected to explosives found in his car. The gunman was also acting strangely around the metal detectors that attendees were forced to walk through before entering the event grounds. Witnesses said that Crooks was furiously checking his phone and operating a hunting range finder. Bill Maher has told Pete Buttigieg it seems Joe Biden 'doesn't have time' to investigate the Trump assassination attempt - as still no-one has been fired Security service officials had would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks on their radar for more than 40 minutes before he shot Donald Trump He attempted entry around this point but set the detector off and was refused, sources said. Crooks used an AR-style rifle, which authorities said they believe was purchased by his father. The roof where Crooks 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. That is a distance at which U.S. Army recruits must hit a scaled human-sized silhouette to qualify with the M-16 rifle. Alongside the explosives in his car, investigators also recovered a bullet proof vest and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, which had been purchased, alongside a ladder, on the same day as the shooting. The litany of revelations brought more questions to the fore about the Secret Service handling of the event - after embattled boss Kimberley Cheatle bizarrely said officials considered the roof to be too risky a position to station an agent. The mother of a trainee barrister missing on the Spanish island of Majorca has accused British police of 'failing' her son. Ben Ross, 26, has not been seen since July 10 several days after his mobile phone and wallet were stolen in a beach robbery. His mother, Felix Robinson, claims she repeatedly tried to report him missing to Greater Manchester police, so they could alert Interpol and notify local officers to begin searching for him. But today Mrs Robinson revealed that, when she landed in Majorca late last night, the British consulate told her no referral from GMP had been made. She said she felt 'fobbed' off by British police who she accused of 'failing' Ben. Ben Ross, 26, (pictured with his mother , Felix Robinson) has not been seen since July 10 several days after his mobile phone and wallet were stolen in a beach robbery Mrs Robinson, claims she repeatedly tried to report him missing to Greater Manchester police, so they could alert Interpol and notify local officers to begin searching for him Ben Ross was last seen and heard from on July 10 in Palma, Majorca 'It doesn't feel real,' she told MailOnline. 'I've followed the procedure on the Government website and I've begged them (GMP) for help, only to get nowhere. I'm so worried about Ben right now, if they'd done what they were supposed to in the beginning there's a chance we could've found him by now. 'But to fob this off without justification is incredibly distressing. I can't really put into words how I'm feeling. 'My son is still my son, regardless of his age, he's only 26 and I'm going out of my mind with worry.' Mrs Robinson said she had to start 'from scratch' with Spanish police and, while she waits for official searches to begin, is today visiting places near to where Ben was staying to look for him herself. 'I just want to find him, see he's okay and give him the biggest hug,' she added. 'I've started the search myself. I'm going to everywhere that's open today. Churches, the docks, anywhere that's open. If anyone has any information please let the authorities know.' Ben shared a photograph on his Instagram page on June 24 in Mallorca with the caption 'Grateful' Ben went to Palma to visit a friend and take a break from his law studies in June, but after picking up a temporary job decided to stay for the summer. Pictured: A social media post on April 30 Ben shared a picture on his social media showing he visited the Colosseum in Rome in March In a final email to his mother Ben, who has struggled with his mental health previously, said he was unable to access his bank accounts because they were security protected via his mobile phone and he 'wasn't interested in what happened next,' which has left her extremely worried for his safety. Pictured: A photo from Ben's social media The trainee barrister had initially planned to visit a friend in Palma, Majorca, and later decided to extend his stay. Pictured: A stock photo of Palma de Mallorca Mrs Robinson claims she rang her local police, in Wigan and Leigh, at least twice a day from July 13 to report Ben missing. When no one called her back, she walked into her local police station on July 17 and refused to leave until an officer had taken a statement. She also made a formal complaint, which she claims was closed without any contact from GMP. A spokesman for the force said: 'All details have been passed to Spanish authorities via Interpol referral form which the informant is aware of. 'If the missing person re-enters the UK it will flag up and we will be made aware.' Ben went to Palma to visit a friend and take a break from his law studies in June, but after picking up a temporary job decided to stay for the summer. However, on July 6 his phone, keys and wallet were stolen while he took a swim in the sea, then he fell out with his flatmates shortly before he was last seen on July 10. They were angry when he broke into the flat after coming home late from reporting the robbery and threatened to evict him. The trainee barrister (pictured), from Wigan, Greater Manchester, had his phone, keys and wallet stolen at a beach while he took a swim in the sea on July 6 and then fell out with his flatmates shortly before he was last seen Ben's mother's friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay her travel and accommodation costs while on the island In a final email to his mother Ben, who has struggled with his mental health previously, said he was unable to access his bank accounts because they were security protected via his mobile phone and he 'wasn't interested in what happened next,' which has left her extremely worried for his safety. No one has heard from him since. On Thursday Spanish Police said a Homicide Unit had been put in charge of the search, as is practice in Spain even when there is no evidence to suggest someone has been killed. However, no efforts to begin a search had been made as of last night. Mrs Robinson, who had misplaced her passport, flew out to Majorca on Saturday after securing one via emergency procedures. Her friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay her travel and accommodation costs while on the island. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting her. A FCDO spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.' A young man shot dead in broad daylight in South London has been named by police, as officers appealed for witnesses to the 'terrible' crime. Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20, was shot in East Surrey Grove, Peckham, shortly before 5pm on July 10. Emergency services attended the scene and Jesse was taken to hospital. However, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died the following day. Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: 'Our investigation into Jesse's murder continues at pace as we piece together the events leading up to, and following, the shooting. Jesse Lloyd-Smith, 20, was shot in East Surrey Grove, Peckham, shortly before 5pm on July 10 Police are appealing for witnesses to the shooting which happened earlier this month in this street in Peckham, south London 'I am appealing to anyone who has information, whether as a witness to the shooting or who knows who is responsible for this terrible crime, to come forward. 'I am grateful to all those who have come forward so far but would ask anyone with information - no matter how insignificant you think it might be - to get in contact as this could prove to be crucial. 'The impact gun crime has on communities is horrific; it instils fear and distrust. 'I understand it can be difficult for some people to speak to police but I would urge you to do the right thing. 'Jesse's family are devastated and need to know who was responsible for his murder. 'If you can help, please do so.' There has been no arrest and inquiries continue. Police said Mr Lloyd-Smith's family are being supported by specially trained officers as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The Prime Minister of Israel has announced that hostage negotiators will be dispatched to strike a deal with Hamas. In a statement, released today, Benjamin Netanyahu said the delegation will be sent on Thursday to attempt to negotiation the release of the estimated 116 Israeli who are still being held hostage in Gaza. Netanyahu held a meeting on Sunday with the delegation and senior members of Israel's defence establishment. Where the delegation are being sent has not been specified in today's statement. Until now a ceasefire effort led by Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States has failed to produce any deal, with both sides in the more than nine-month-old Gaza conflict blaming each other for the impasse. In a statement, released today, Benjamin Netanyahu said the delegation will be sent on Thursday to attempt to negotiation the release of hostages Protesters in Tel Aviv demanding the release of hostages. Amnesty International estimates that 116 people are still being held against their will in Gaza - including at least 79 civilians Following the deadly October 7 terror attack, Hamas took 251 hostages. Amnesty International estimates that 116 people are still being held against their will in Gaza - including at least 79 civilians. These developments follow a weekend of air strikes being exchanged between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Israeli forces hit military targets in western Yemen which included a fuel and power station. Dramatic videos of the strike show a a fearsome blaze trailing the landscape. The strikes were in retaliation for continued Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and comes just days after one person was killed by a drone exploding close to the US embassy in Tel Aviv. On a social media post appearing on X, formerly known as Twitter, at 5.21pm on Saturday, The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had carried out the strike in the western port city of Al Hudaydah, a Houthi stronghold. The post said: 'A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of the Al Hudaydah Port in Yemen in response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against the State of Israel in recent months.' Israel's foreign affairs minister, Israel Katz, followed with a statement of X saying that the strike had 'delivered a severe blow to the Iranian-backed terror organization in Yemen today.' Dramatic video has emerged yesterday showing a fearsome blaze trailing the landscape of western Yemen in the wake of devastating Israeli airstrikes on 'military targets' Netanyahu will meet with his US counterpart Joe Biden on Tuesday in Washington. This will be the first time President Biden has hosted the Israeli PM at the White House since he won re-election in Israel's 2022 election The minister then called on the international community to take punitive action against Iran, which it has accused of financially supporting the Houthis in their 'severely damaging' attacks of Red Sea shipping. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam reacted to the strikes and said on X that Yemen had been subjected to a 'blatant Israeli aggression' that targeted fuel storage facilities and the province's power station. He said the attacks aim 'to increase the suffering of the people and to pressure Yemen to stop supporting Gaza.' Netanyahu will meet with his US counterpart Joe Biden on Tuesday in Washington. This will be the first time President Biden has hosted the Israeli PM at the White House since he won re-election in Israel's 2022 election. Netanyahu is set to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress on July 24. Joe Biden's family immediately showed their support for him after he made the stunning announcement he was dropping his re-election bid. Jill Biden sent him her love, retweeting his letter with two red hearts. Naomi Biden, the Bidens' eldest granddaughter, wrote a long post on X, where she said she was 'proud' of her 'pop,' which is what the grandchildren call President Biden. And Hunter Biden said in a statement of his father: 'He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years. I'm so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americasn to join me tonight in doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad.' Naomi Biden with Jill Biden and Joe Biden in October 2021 President Biden offered his endorsement to his running mate, Kamala Harris, after his exit. His move throws the presidential race into chaos, but leaves time for Democrats to get their house in order before their August convention. Biden, 81, who is suffering from COVID, is at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his wife Jill. They have been holed up there with his closest advisers and they pondered their political future. He had been under tremendous pressure from people in his party to step down after his terrible debate performance against Donald Trump. 'While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,' he wrote in a letter to the American people. His family, who was an influential factor in his decision, stood by him. 'Im nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he beenand will continue to bethe most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nations history,' Naomi Biden wrote on X. 'He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours.' Joe Biden endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the nominee. The Democrats will nominate their candidate at their convention next month. The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off August 19 through 22 in Chicago where Biden had been set to formally accept the nomination having received 3,896 delegates during the primaries. Because Biden exited the race before officially becoming the nominee - the more than 3,900 pledged delegates get to cast their ballots in an open convention for whichever candidate they want. They may line up behind Harris, who, because of federal law, is the only candidate that can use the money Biden has raised for the 2024 race. The delegates will hold a vote on the convention floor. If a candidate wins the majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, they become the party nominee. If no candidate gets a majority, then the so-called nearly 740 superdelegates, also known as automatic delegates, get to vote as well. They include a mix of party members and elected officials. Voting continues until a candidate gets a majority of delegates. Republicans insisted on Sunday that if President Biden is not fit to run for president in 2024, he must also resign from the job right now - and immediately started attacking Vice President Kamala Harris. In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Joe Biden announced he would not be running at the top of the Democratic ticket in November. He endorsed Harris to take his spot. 'If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,' Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., wrote on X. 'If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President?' questioned newly-nominated VP candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio. Republicans insisted on Sunday that if President Biden is not fit to run for president in 2024, he must also resign from the job right now - and immediately went on the attack of Vice President Kamala Harris He tore into Harris: 'As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve.' 'If Joe is too weak to stay in the race for the presidency, he should resign as our Commander-in-Chief immediately,' Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., wrote on X just seconds after the momentous news. 'If Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign,' House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik added in her own post. 'Then RESIGN your office. If you cant run a mere political campaign, you cant be President,' Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wrote on X. 'If Joe Biden is unfit to be the Democrat nominee for president, hes unfit to be president for the rest of his term. For the good of the country, Joe Biden should resign immediately,' Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., wrote on X. It's unlikely that Republicans calls for his immediate resignation would have any sway over Biden. His decision to drop out of the running for another term was prompted by the pressure of calls from his own side to step aside. In a statement on Sunday afternoon Joe Biden announced he would not be running at the top of the Democratic ticket in November If Biden were to resign, Harris would become president and she would have to nominate a vice president who would have to be confirmed by both the House and Senate. 'While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best intention of my party and the country, for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,' Biden wrote in a statement on Sunday. 'IfJoe Biden is no longer capable of running for re-election, he is no longer capable of serving as president,' Senate Republicans' campaign chair Sen. Steve Daines, Mont., wrote on X. 'Being president in the hardest job in the world and I no longer have confidence that Joe Biden can effectively execute his duties.' The 81-year-old sent shockwaves through Washington by stepping aside Sunday after weeks of questions over his fitness to serve following his disastrous presidential debate performance that sparked a series of fumbles he could not recover from. His historic move comes 24 days after the debate and following a 50-year career in politics that culminated in the White House. Biden said he would speak in more detail about his decision in remarks to the country later this week. Last week, Biden was pulled from the campaign trail after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the middle of a west coast swing. This led to even more speculation that he would soon drop out of the race. It came after the showdown against Trump last month where Biden was often seen on split screen with his mouth agape and a million-mile blank stare. During his time to speak at the podium, the President would stumble, freeze, lose his train of thought and mumble his way through answers to moderator's questions. President Biden dropping out of the presidential race with less than four months before Election Day and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him sets off a series of frantic steps Democrats must take to have their ticket ready to take on Donald Trump. 'Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this,' Biden wrote on X. While Harris is the likely nominee with the president's backing, it is not guaranteed until the delegates vote at the convention next month to formally nominate a candidate. Questions also swirl over who would be Harris' running mate as number two on the ticket if she officially becomes the nominee. Vice President Kamala Harris was endorsed by President Biden to replace him on the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket Some of the names floated as a potential replacement before Biden exited the race and endorsed Harris on Sunday include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. While these top Democrats are slowing reacting to the news of Biden exiting the race and Harris running, they have not yet weighed in on joining a Harris ticket. Here's whose names have been floated and what they're saying: Governor Josh Shapiro Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's name often comes up as a Democrat with a bright political future and potential sights on the White House. The battleground state governor was one of the first Democratic leaders to push back on replacing Biden following his stumbling debate performance, but it is not clear whether he would join a Harris ticket. 'President Biden is a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history,' he wrote on X. Governor Josh Shapiro with Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia, PA on July 13 'President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom. I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him,' he continued. In a separate statement on Sunday, Shapiro endorsed Vice President Harris for the nomination. 'I've known Kamala Harris for nearly tow decades - we've both been prosecutors, we've both stood up for the rule of law, we've both fought for the people and delivered results. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue to work for generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom,' he said in a statement. 'She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President.' The battleground state governor said the best path forward for the Democratic Party is to 'quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency.' He vowed he would do everything he an to help elect Harris as the next president. Governor Andy Beshear Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat who won reelection in ruby red Kentucky last year released a lengthy statement on Biden's exit from the presidential race. President Biden wil be remembered as a consequential president. Along with Vice President Harris, he led us through the aftermath of the January 6th attack on our Capitol and steadily steered us out of a global pandemic. He showed up for Kentucky after devastating tornadoes and historic flooding, delivering immediate federal aid that is helping to rebuild our communities,' he said. 'His leadership provided infrastructure investments that are bringing clean drinking water and high speed internet to parts of Kentucky that for far too long had been overlooked and underserved,' he continued. Democratic Governor Andy Beshear previously said mention of his name as a Biden replacement is flattering. He praised him in a statement on Sunday 'While his decision today could not have been easy it is in the best interest of our country, and our party. I want to thank him for his leadership, kindness and for a successful presidency that got big, important things done.' 'Now is time for our nation to come together. we need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise. We have an opportunity to remember that we are taught to treat our neighbors as ourselves -- and that we are all each other's neighbors,' he finished. Beshear gave a full endorsement of Kamala Harris for president on Monday morning. 'The Vice President is ready. She has my full endorsement. I'm going to do everything I can to endorse her,' he said on MSNBC's Morning Joe. The Democrat who recently won a red state has been floated as a potential running mate. He sidestepped questions over whether he would join the ticket, saying he loves his current job. 'The only way I would consider something other than this current job is if I could further believed I could further help my people and to help this country,' Beshear said. Governor Roy Cooper North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper won his state in two elections even as Trump won the state in the presidential race. Now he is term limited and preparing to leave office. He endorsed Harris on Sunday. Bringing him on to the Democratic presidential ticket could put North Carolina closer into play for Democrats. He has also frequently appeared with both Biden and Harris on the campaign trail. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper speaking at a Biden Harris campaign event in Greensboro, NC on July 11 'President Biden has cemented his place among our nations's finest Presidents,' Cooper wrote in a statement on Sunday. 'When our democracy faced danger, President Biden stood strong as the rarest type of leader who could help u forge ahead with a vision to repair our country's soul,' he said. Cooper praised him passing transformative legislation that will benefit the economy, families, and the country for generations. 'I'm deeply grateful to call President Joe Biden my friend, and I think him form the bottom of my heart for his service to our great nation,' he concluded. In a separate post on X, Cooper backed Harris. 'Kamala Harris should be the next President,' Cooper wrote. 'Ive known [Harris] going back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket.' Cooper spoke to Harris on Sunday. He said they spoke about winning the election. When asked about joining the ticket on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Cooper said on Monday that the conversation needs to remain focused on Harris. He said the conversation about vice presidential picks needs to occur later. 'I want to make sure Kamala Harris wins,' he said. Cooper argued Harris at the top of the ticket changes the dynamic in North Carolina. Governor Gretchen Whitmer Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has often been referred to as one of the potential future leaders of the Democratic party. She also hails from a battleground state and served as a co-chair for the Biden campaign. She said her job in the election will remain doing everything she can to elect Democrats and stop Trump. 'President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump,' she wrote on X. 'His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure Americas global leadership over decades will go down in history,' she continued. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer vowed to do everything she could to help elect Democrats and beat Trump 'My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan,' she concluded. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer backed Harris on Monday with a statement that the vice president has her full support. 'In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate they can count on to focus on lowering their costs, restoring their freedoms, bringing jobs and supply chains back home from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people,' Whitmer wrote. 'She's a former prosecutor, a champion for reproductive freedom, and I know that she's got Michigan's back,' Whitmer continued. Pete Buttigieg Transportation Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg's name has also been mentioned by some hopeful Democrats looking for a younger generation of leaders. The 42-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana gained national attention for running in the 2020 primary before joining the Biden administration. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg thanked Biden for his 'unwavering focus on what is best' for the country On Sunday he wrote 'Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history.' 'I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country,' he posted on X. Buttigieg also said he would do all he can to help elect Harris as president. 'Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as President,' he said in a statement. 'I have seen her extraordinary leadership firsthand, working closely with her during the 2020 campaign and then in the historically effective Biden-Harris administration.' California Governor Gavin Newsom has been a fierce supporter of President Biden and reacted to his exit from the presidential race with high praise. 'President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents,' Newsom reacted to Biden exiting the race on X. California Governor Gavin Newsom praised Biden as a 'history-making' president When previously asked about replacing Biden on the ticket, Newsom forcefully rejected it. On Sunday he endorsed Harris calling her 'tough, fearless, and tenacious.' 'With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than Americas Vice President Kamala Harris,' he wrote on X. It is not yet clear where he stands on the VP spot. Senator Mark Kelly Arizona Senator Mark Kelly's name has also been thrown in the mix as a potential running mate. The senator from the important battleground state praised President Biden upon his exit from the race and threw his support behind Harris. 'I couldnt be more confident that Vice President Kamala Harris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future,' he wrote on X. 'She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States.' Arizona Senator Mark Kelly praised Biden's leadership and announced he would back Harris for president Kelly called Biden 'one of the most consequential presidents in history' and praised him as 'someone who puts what he believes is best for his country above all else.' Advertisement President Joe Biden made the shocking decision to drop out of the 2024 election Sunday, effectively putting an end to his decades-long career in politics. Long before he was president or even the VP to former President Barack Obama, Biden was a vivacious member of the US Senate, first elected in 1972 and quickly gaining a reputation for engaging in lively debates on the floor of Congress. As a senator, he was involved in a number of landmark legislative pushes, including being one of the main authors of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 that continues to shape the federal response to domestic violence cases. He was also a major power broker when it came to executive appointments, overseeing the contentious nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court in 1991 amid sexual harassment claims from Anita Hill. He long had ambitions for the presidency. He mounted his first campaign for the Oval Office back in 1988 but dropped out after being dogged by plagiarism allegations. He threw his hat into the ring once again in 2008, but was left in the dust by then-candidate Obama, who would later pick him as his running mate. From there, Biden was able to launch a third and successful presidential candidacy in 2020, defeating former President Donald Trump. He'll remain president as the Democratic Party figures out who'll replace him as the nominee. Below are a series of pictures cataloging key moments from Biden's more than 50-year-long career. Newly elected Senator Joe Biden sits at a desk in 1972. He narrowly defeated an incumbent Republican in the election, garnering 50.48 percent of the vote Biden, 29 years old and an elected Senator, sits with his first wife Neilia. She, along with their one-year-old daughter Naomi, would die in a tragic car crash on December 18, 1972 A somber Biden is sworn in as a US Senator on January 5, 1973 from a Wilmington, Delaware hospital with his four-year-old son Beau lying on his bed after surviving the crash that killed his mother and sister. Hunter Biden also survived the crash and was recovering at this same hospital. This horrific event kickstarted Biden's reputation as a man who could weather tragedy Biden waves to his supporters on June 9, 1987, after announcing his intention to run for president. At right, Biden's son Beau carries his daughter Ashley. Next to Biden is his wife Jill, and son Hunter Biden, still a senator, rides the train back to Washington DC in September of 1988. He got the nickname 'Amtrak Joe' for how frequently he'd ride the train between his home in Wilmington and Washington DC, which also earned him working class bona fides Biden, then the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, during Clarence Thomas Supreme Court Justice confirmation hearings in September 1991. Biden was criticized for his alleged callousness in how he handled Anita Hill claiming Thomas sexual harassed her Then-Senator Biden of Delaware talks to reporters about the newly passed Violence Against Women Act on July 19, 1994. Biden said at an "It's On Us" event at the University of Pittsburgh on Tuesday that he laments his legislation, though well-intentioned, focused so little on prevention. Much of its initial $2 billion in funding went to battered women's shelters, he said Then-Vice President Biden speaks at a reception in honor of the 16th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act at his official residence on the grounds of the Naval Observatory, as his wife Jill Biden watches on September 22, 2010. This act was the legislative cornerstone of Biden's long career in the Senate President Barack Obama hugs Biden in the Oval Office after a budget meeting on April 8, 2011. Obama said he picked his former rival in the 2008 election because he 'has moral conviction and clarity.' Becoming vice president is arguably what set Biden up to run for president and win in 2020 Biden, accompanied by his family, holds his hand over his heart as he watches an honor guard carry a casket containing the remains of his son, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, into St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington on June 6, 2015. Standing alongside him are Beau's widow Hallie Biden, left, and daughter, Natalie. Beau Biden died of brain cancer May 30, 2015 at age 46 Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Biden during an event at the White House on January 12, 2017. The medal represents the highest civilian honor in the country, and Biden cried as Obama, his longtime friend and ally, gave him the award Biden and his wife Jill, and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her husband Doug, celebrate with family at their election rally, after the news media announced that Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election over President Donald Trump, in Wilmington on November 7, 2020. Harris is now thought to be a leading contender to replace Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Biden, joined by First Lady Jill Biden, takes the presidential oath of office on January 20, 2021. This was a particularly momentous occasion as the January 6 riots on the Capitol that tried to halt the peaceful transfer of power happened just 14 days earlier President Biden shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace on an unannounced visit in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 20, 2023. This was roughly a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine. The ensuing war dominated the majority of Biden's single term as president Donald Trump slammed Joe Biden as the 'worst president' in history in the moments after his Democratic rival dropped out of the 2024 race. Trump told CNN that Biden 'is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country.' He also Vice President Kamala Harris will be easier to defeat than Biden would have been. Donald Trump called Joe Biden the 'single worst president' in history The former president also took to Truth Social to say Biden only became president 'by lies, Fake News and not leaving his basement.' 'We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!,' he wrote. The Trump campaign has been preparing for the possibility Biden would exit the race. The former president has been attacking Harris more at his rallies as Democrats pressured Biden to step down. His campaign also had research prepared on Harris' record and attack ads at the ready. A super PAC supporting Trump has already released an attack on Harris, allegedly: 'Kamala was in on it. She covered up Joe's obvious mental decline.Kamala knew Joe couldn't do the job, so she did it. Look what she got done: a border invasion, runaway inflation, the American Dream dead.' Biden upended the presidential race on Sunday with his shocking announcement he will drop his re-election bid. 'While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,' he wrote in a letter to the American people. He then endorsed Harris to replace him although it's unclear if she will ultimately be the nominee. Polls show Trump would be Harris if she were the Democratic nominee. A YouGov poll conducted last week found 39 percent of respondents would vote for Harris while 44 percent for Trump. Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris as his replacement as the Democratic Presidential nominee The Democrats will nominate their candidate at their convention next month. The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off August 19 through 22 in Chicago where Biden had been set to formally accept the nomination having received 3,896 delegates during the primaries. Because Biden exited the race before officially becoming the nominee - the more than 3,900 pledged delegates get to cast their ballots in an open convention for whichever candidate they want. They may line up behind Harris, who, because of federal law, is the only candidate that can use the money Biden has raised for the 2024 race. The delegates will hold a vote on the convention floor. If a candidate wins the majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, they become the party nominee. If no candidate gets a majority, then the so-called nearly 740 superdelegates, also known as automatic delegates, get to vote as well. They include a mix of party members and elected officials. Voting continues until a candidate gets a majority of delegates. White House aides carried out a 'calculated' years-long plot to hide President Joe Biden's cognitive decline from the world that failed miserably as a flood of Democrats demanded he drop out of the presidential race in the 24 days after his disastrous debate. It all culminated when Biden make the seismic decision to withdraw from the presidential race and officially endorse Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Staff closest to the ailing 81-year-old deployed a multitude of tactics to hide his deficiencies - limiting reporter access to him, giving the president smaller stairs for Air Force One and physically surrounding him in public to hide his stiff walk, a former Biden aide tells DailyMail.com. Biden has also been given large-print notecards with the most basic of instructions written on them for almost every event and kept to a tighter daily schedule so he can get more sleep. There was even staff charged with devising strategies to keep the president from falling down, the source said. Now, as one insider told DailyMail.com, those advisers who coordinated the president's protective cocoon should be held to blame for his spectacular fall from grace. The ex-senior staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity before Biden announced his extraordinary decision, said the 'guardrails' placed around Biden meant his meandering and mumbling debate performance was amplified to the more than 50 million viewers. And because his deficits had been shielded from the public by those inner circle aides many Americans were shocked to suddenly see his dramatic decline exposed live on national TV. Biden's falls and gaffes since he took office in 2021 were highlighted largely by conservative-leaning media outlets but all-but-ignored by more liberal news organizations. That is, until his primetime car-crash 24 days ago on CNN. 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 'I always thought that it was the people around him that were going to be his downfall,' the source told DailyMail.com. The source added that any CEO would be a 'moron' to hire anyone from the Biden administration when they have done this much damage to a 'brand'. Biden's inner circle, they say, 'carpet-bombed his relationships with the media that he built over 40 years by waging an unnecessary war of choice with an entire industry that shapes public perception.' 'It was the war that they waged, it was the access that they limited, it was the opportunities they turned down, it was the gatekeeping and hiding him from authentic interaction - all those things that were calculated by his team are his downfall,' the ex-aide continued. 'The problem is when you hide him, or when you limit his ability to engage and communicate, people are not conditioned to seeing him,' the source said. 'So his mistakes and his age are amplified.' 'And even if they're common, normal, verbal gaffes or slip-ups, like confusing two different presidents' names, those common mistakes are going to be put on blast by the media because he's so infrequently engaging in unscripted ways.' The source said Biden could have survived the debate fallout if the White House had done two things: 'Goodwill and credibility with the press corps.' The West Wing has deployed multiple strategies to explain any of Biden's missteps and have been accused of doing everything they can do cover up his decline. 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 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 June, when several videos showed what appeared to be the president 'freezing,' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre 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. 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.' 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.) 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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, Biden suddenly changed the protocol for how he walked to Marine One - the presidential helicopter that waits for him on the South Lawn. 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' 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 may have endorsed his VP to replace him in November, but the nation's highest-ranking elected Democrats have not come out behind her yet. Biden sent shockwaves through Washington when he announced Sunday he would not be running for reelection in November. He quickly threw his weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place. But top Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, notably didn't mention Harris in their statements of support for the president, seemingly leaving the door open to another possible nominee. 'America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that made no mention of Harris. Harris, meanwhile, confirmed she would seek the nomination in her own statement. 'I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.' 'America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that made no mention of Vice President Kamala Harris 'Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump.' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement: 'Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.' 'Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.' Bill and Hillary Clinton came out behind Harris in a statement after Biden did so. But President Barack Obama made no mention of her in a lengthy statement, saying that Democrats will be 'navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead.' 'But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,' Obama said Sunday. His sprawling statement praised Biden for being 'one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me.' 'Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order,' he went on. In a fawning tribute to her longtime friend Joe, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi also made no mention of Harris. 'President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history.' It's unclear whether these top Democrats are trying to give Biden his moment after what was surely one of the most difficult decisions of his life, or they're having doubts about the viability of Harris as a candidate. Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee where a candidate will be formally nominated, did not mention Harris in his own statement. He promised to give more information soon on what the nominating process would look like. The Democratic National Convention is less than a month away and will begin on August 19. 'Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate,' he said. 'In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.' DNC officials DailyMail.com spoke to privately would not weigh in on who the nominee would or should be as not to get ahead of the internal conversations but said they would be focusing in the meantime on ensuring the resources to take on Trump. Rep. Jim Clyburn, R-S.C., a powerful black Democrat who propelled Biden to victory for the nomination in 2020, said he would support Harris to replace the president. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat running a tough reelection race in Wisconsin in November, did the same. 'Today Im proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States.' Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a top Biden ally, also came out behind Harris. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement: 'Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being' President Joe Biden may have endorsed his VP to replace him in November, but the nation's highest-ranking elected Democrats have not come out behind her yet 'Democrats must immediately unite so we can focus on winning in November,' Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the House Progressive Caucus co-chair, wrote on X. 'I look forward to casting my vote for Kamala Harris and doing everything I can to ensure she becomes our next president. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair, Rep. Nanette Barragan, came out behind Harris on Sunday. 'I am with you [Biden] - I endorse [Harris] as our Democratic nominee & will work tirelessly to make sure she is elected our next President in November. Thank you Mr. President for your lifetime of service to this country & the American people.' The Congressional Black Caucus, led by Reps. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and Steven Horsford, D-Nevada, also came out behind Harris- as did the Asian and Pacific American Caucus. British prime minister Keir Starmer has paid tribute to US president Joe Biden's 'remarkable career', after the octogenarian announced he was pulling out of the 2024 election The 81-year-old tonight stepped aside after facing weeks of questions over his fitness to serve following his disastrous presidential debate performance that sparked a series of fumbles he could not recover from. His historic move comes 24 days after the debate and following a 50-year career in politics that culminated in his ascension to the White House. The PM, elected earlier this month, said: 'I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. 'I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, President Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.' His opposition counterpart, former PM Rishi Sunak, took to X to say: ' Working with Joe Biden, I saw firsthand his love for America and dedication to service. British prime minister Keir Starmer (pictured) has paid tribute to US president Joe Biden's 'remarkable career' The 81-year-old tonight stepped aside after facing weeks of questions over his fitness to serve 'Our partnership has led to significant achievements, including AUKUS (Australia-UK-US), steadfast support for Israel and joint efforts in defending our people from Houthi threats. I wish him all the best.' Former prime minister Boris Johnson said Biden's decision was 'brave.' He added: 'I salute Joe Biden for the bravery of his decision and also for all he has done as president. He has been a staunch Atlanticist and friend to Britain throughout his career and it was a privilege to work with him.' Former minister Rory Stewart said Biden made a 'great decision', adding in a post to X: 'He has many things he should be justly proud of - particularly in his economic record. All eyes now on the Democrats to find a great future President. 'An incredibly important decision and the correct one.' His The Rest is Politics co-host Alastair Campbell added: 'Game-changer. Sometimes they are needed. Sad and cruel in many ways that a good man with a good record has to step down under pressure. 'But it opens the door to a very different sort of campaign in which the focus goes back to the threat to the world that a second Trump term represents.' London mayor Sadiq Khan said on X: 'Putting your country first demonstrates true and inspiring leadership. 'Thank you Joe Biden for your service, your courage and your commitment to progressive politics.' Outspoken right-wing MP Nigel Farage, meanwhile, took to X to gloat over Biden dropping out, writing: 'I predicted this would happen in September 2023. Whoever they pick, Trump will win in November.' His Reform colleague Richard Tice similarly said: 'I have said for months he would not be on the ballot paper. Donald Trump will defeat whoever Democrats put up.' Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett said on LinkedIn: 'At this point only Michelle Obama can beat Trump. That is fact.' So far, no other living former British prime ministers have said anything about Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race. Former Tory minister Rory Stewart (pictured) has hailed US president Joe Biden 's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race Outspoken right-wing MP Nigel Farage (pictured) took to X to gloat over Biden dropping out Moments after his announcement, Biden posted to X an endorsement of Harris to take over his campaign The legendary Tony Blackburn referencing the Joe Biden news on @BBCRadio2 mere MINUTES after it was made public is why he has been at the top of his game for over 150 years now pic.twitter.com/ZSTKz3kmic Ed Brody (@chiefbrody1984) July 21, 2024 Downing Street itself is yet to put out a statement on Biden's decision as well. On top of this, none of prime minister Keir Starmer's cabinet have said anything in response either. Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, reposted Biden's statement but added no additional comment. Biden announced his bombshell decision in a one-page letter where he committed to completing his term and soon after posted a follow-up tweet endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. Now Democrats must race to shore up their campaign behind a new nominee with less than four months until election day. 'It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,' Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account on Sunday. 'And while it has been my intention to seek reelection,' he went on, 'I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.' Biden announced his historic decision to step aside in a one-page letter where he committed to completing his term, but did not fully endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and ended his reelection bid after a slew of backlash for his car crash debate performance on June 27 against Donald Trump The announcement came the same day a slew of Biden's allies went on the airwaves to insist the President was not stepping down and would continue his reelection efforts. Biden said in his letter that he would speak in more detail about his decision in remarks to the country later this week. Last week, Biden was pulled from the campaign trail after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time in the middle of a west coast swing. This led to even more speculation that he would soon drop out of the race. The next generation of RAF fighter jets will be unveiled today. The UK is central to a project to design some of the world's most advanced fighter jets as part of an international treaty with Italy and Japan. The new Tempest jet is armed with hypersonic missiles and Star Wars-style 'energy-directed' weapons. It also has a larger wingspan and is kitted out to help pilots evade enemy radar, providing 10,000 times more data than current systems. Experts say the Tempest models will revolutionise air-to-air combat, giving Britain a 'world-beating' edge in warfare. But there are concerns the machines could be axed in Labour's defence review. The new Tempest jet is armed with hypersonic missiles and Star Wars-style 'energy-directed' weapons. Pictured: A CGI image of the Tempest design But there are concerns the machines could be axed in Labour 's defence review, with Luke Pollard (pictured), the armed forces minister, saying it would not be right for him to prejudice the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) by setting out in a speech which pieces of military kit are required to fight future wars Experts say the Tempest models will revolutionise air-to-air combat, giving Britain a 'world-beating' edge in warfare Luke Pollard, the armed forces minister, said it would not be right for him to prejudice the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) by setting out in a speech which pieces of military kit are required to fight future wars. It left open the possibility that the planes could be vulnerable should the review decide that committing cash to a project that will only deliver new aircraft in the mid-2030s is not the best way to deter a more immediate threat of war with Russia. The three nations of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) are scheduled to show off the design at the Farnborough International Airshow today, alongside their key manufacturing partners. This includes Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The jets will take to the skies by next decade to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, which has been used by the RAF since 2003. The GCAP was signed in December in a move that was described as 'crucial to global security'. It is possible the programme could be opened to others at a later stage, Italy's defence minister said in January, and Saudi Arabia has been touted as a contender. This planes key manufacturing include Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Herman Claesen, managing director at BAE Systems, said the new model showed 'notable progress in the design and concepting of this future fighter jet' Herman Claesen, managing director at BAE Systems, said the new model showed 'notable progress in the design and concepting of this future fighter jet'. 'We'll continue to test and evolve the design, as we move closer towards the next phase of the programme,' he said. The huge mission to build the supersonic jets supports around 3,500 jobs in the UK. That number is expected to grow in the coming years, with manufacturers in the project also including Rolls-Royce. Some 2billion has been committed to the project by the UK Government up to 2025. Britain's new Defence Secretary John Healey will meet with counterparts from Japan and Italy this week to discuss a joint fighter jet programme. But there have been growing concerns that Labour might not recommit to the programme. It comes after it announced a review into the Armed Forces, which will be led by former Nato Secretary General Lord Robertson, retired General Sir Richard Barrons and former US presidential adviser Dr Fiona Hill. Grant Shapps, defence secretary at the time (right), shakes hands with Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto (left) and Japanese defence minister Minoru Kihara (centre) to mark the deal to build the jets together in December Mr Shapps inspects a guard of honour in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday ahead of signing the deal to place GCAP's headquarters in the UK in December The Tempest will be the sixth generation of fighter jet and will work alongside the F-35B on future missions. Pictured is a comparison of the F-35 and the Tempest Inside the Tempest will be a sophisticated artificial intelligence that will be able to communicate with an array of other jets and military units on the ground and at sea - as well as controlling a 'swarm' of drone fighter jets that will fly with a manned aircraft on missions Pictured is an artist impression of the Tempest Some within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are keen to get 'cutting-edge capabilities' of the Tempest fighter jet While Mr Healey said its findings would 'define defence for the next decade', he has already identified issues which must be tackled immediately. At the same time, politicians conducting the review will need to balance countering current threats against the importance of investing in sovereign aircraft manufacturing skills. The questions over the new planes and their lack of a guarantee future of the UK-Japan-Italy warplane venture came despite the project being strongly endorsed in the previous government's 'refreshed' defence review, which was published only last year. Mr Pollard said: 'The GCAP programme is a really important programme for us,' when answering questions at an annual conference in London on air and space power on Thursday. He said that Mr Healey would be meeting his Japanese and Italian counterparts next week 'to underline that'. The minister added: 'We need cutting-edge capabilities. 'We need to make sure that when we are procuring systems, high-end systemsthat we do it in the most cost-effective way and that is by working with our partners.' However, the minister said the defence review is 'about making those decisions differently'. He said : 'It should not be about ministers saying, "You could do a review but by the way I am going to tell you in speeches about this platform, that platform and this platform".' The jets will take to the skies by next decade to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon (pictured), which has been used by the RAF since 2003 The comments came a day after Professor Justin Bronk, a leading expert on the Royal Air Force, raised questions about the wisdom of hugely expensive and lengthy procurement programmes with direct war with Russia possibly looming. Meanwhile the British Army, which is at its smallest since Napoleonic times, has been beset with recruitment and retention problems, which he said must be fixed immediately. Britain currently spends 2.3 per cent of GDP on defence. The previous Conservative government pledged to hit 2.5 per cent by 2030 and Mr Healey and Foreign Secretary David Lammy promised in an article for The Daily Telegraph to reach that target 'as soon as possible'. But Mr Pollard said Labour will not increase spending on the military unless it is also able to grow the economy. Labour's review on military spending is expected to be completed by mid-2025. A spokesperson for BAE Systems said in a statement: 'Tempest and the Global Combat Air Programme will preserve critical sovereign combat air capability and enable the UK to retain control over its own security, support important international relationships and meet future threats, whilst contributing to economic growth and prosperity. 'The programme is estimated to contribute 37bn to the UK economy before significant additional export potential through the life of the programme, providing a real opportunity for national growth.' The world has reacted to US president Joe Biden's decision to pull out of the 2024 presidential election, with Israel's PM leading the praise. The 81-year-old tonight stepped aside after facing weeks of questions over his fitness to serve following his disastrous presidential debate performance that sparked a series of fumbles he could not recover from. His historic move comes 24 days after the debate and following a 50-year career in politics that culminated in his ascension to the White House. Biden, a long-time supporter of Israel, was congratulated by the nation's president. Isaac Herzog said of Biden in a post to X: 'I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career. Isaac Herzog (pictured) said: 'I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people' The 81-year-old tonight stepped aside after facing weeks of questions over his fitness to serve Ireland's Taoiseach Simon Harris described Biden as a 'voice for reason' 'As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples. 'I send him, Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem.' Ireland's Taoiseach Simon Harris described Biden as a 'voice for reason.' 'On behalf of the people and government of Ireland. I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US Presidential election', he said. 'The world has changed since President Biden's victory in 2020 and we have had to face extraordinary challenges from a global pandemic to the return of war to the continent of Europe with the horrific full- scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia which has deliberately targeted and killed innocent civilians. 'President Biden has been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions.' Moments after his announcement, Biden posted to X an endorsement of Harris to take over his campaign British PM Keir Starmer, elected earlier this month, (pictured) said: 'I respect President Biden's decision' Across the Irish Sea, British PM Keir Starmer, elected earlier this month, said: 'I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. 'I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, President Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.' Over in Europe, Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz said: 'My friend Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world. 'Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong, and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves recognition.' Poland's PM Donald Tusk echoed Scholz's sentiments, saying: 'Mr. President, many times you have made difficult decisions that have made Poland, America, and the world safer, and democracy and freedom stronger. 'I know that you were guided by the same principles when announcing your latest decision. Perhaps the most difficult one in your life.' President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and ended his reelection bid after a slew of backlash for his car crash debate performance on June 27 against Donald Trump Over in Europe, Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured, left) said: 'My friend Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world' The Czech Republic's PM Petr Fiala said: 'It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable. 'I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates.' Spain's Pedro Sanchez, the nation's prime minister, said on X: 'All my admiration and recognition for the brave and dignified decision of the president Joe Biden. 'Thanks to its determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis after the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol and has been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin's Russian aggression. 'A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom.' And Norway's PM Jonas Gahr Stre added: 'I respect Joe Biden's decision not to run for re-election. That justification deserves respect,' Stoere told national broadcaster NRK. 'Biden has been one of America's most prominent politicians over several decades, and a president who has carried out several important reforms.' Biden's closet neighbour, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said: 'I've known President Biden for years. He's great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. 'As President, he is a partner to Canadians and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you.' Biden's international adversaries weighed in as well. The Kremlin said it was monitoring developments after US President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 US election race, adding that a 'lot can change' in the meantime. Some speculate either California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could be selected as Harris' running mate 'The election is still four months away. And it's a long time, during which a lot can change. We need to pay attention, follow what will happen and go about our business,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Life.ru news outlet. Biden announced his bombshell decision in a one-page letter where he committed to completing his term and soon after posted a follow-up tweet endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. Now Democrats must race to shore up their campaign behind a new nominee with less than four months until election day. 'It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,' Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account on Sunday. 'And while it has been my intention to seek reelection,' he went on, 'I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.' The announcement came the same day a slew of Biden's allies went on the airwaves to insist the President was not stepping down and would continue his reelection efforts. Biden said in his letter that he would speak in more detail about his decision in remarks to the country later this week. Last week, Biden was pulled from the campaign trail after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time in the middle of a west coast swing. This led to even more speculation that he would soon drop out of the race. 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 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. But their effort came to a calamitous halt on Sunday when the 81-year-old Biden spectacularly announced he was withdrawing from the presidential race. The strategy included 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. He still stumbled, mumbled, got confused, fell on stage and down stairs. In turn, the White House press shop got 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 before Biden withdrew from the presidential race 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. White House press secretary 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. Republicans plan to try to make it difficult to remove President Biden from the Democratic ballot after he announced plans to step aside on Sunday. The influential conservative group The Heritage Foundation has been prepping a legal fight for months, first reported by DailyMail.com, in anticipation of Biden stepping aside. 'The process for substitution and withdrawal is very complicated,' said Mike Howell, Executive Director of The Heritage Foundations Oversight Project. 'We will remain vigilant that appropriate election integrity procedures are followed,' he continued. The foundation is currently weighing its first action since Biden stepped aside. Some Republicans said removing Biden from the top of the ticket, after voters had already chosen him in primaries, is anti-democratic. 'At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened,' Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X. An influential Republican group is already prepping for a counter-fight should Democrats try to pull Joe Biden off the top of the ticket 'The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed party of democracy has proven exactly the opposite.' Now that Biden has withdrawn, it is up to the delegates at the Democratic National Convention to pick a new nominee. But from there, they can expect legal challenges from Republicans looking to prevent any other Democratic nominee from getting on the ballot in certain states. The Heritage Oversight project has set their sights on three contentious swing states where they believe taking Biden off the Democratic ticket would not allow anyone else to replace him: Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin. Wisconsin does not allow withdrawal from the ballot for any reason besides death. In Nevada, no changes can be made to the ballot after 5 p.m. on the fourth Friday in June of an election year or 'a nominee dies or is adjudicated insane or mentally incompetent.' If Biden were to withdraw less than 60 days before the election Georgia his name will remain on the ballot but no votes will be counted. In Texas, the two party's nominees have until the 74th day before the election to withdraw from the ballot. Some states, like South Carolina, do not allow candidates to withdraw for political reasons. Some states don't have any laws on the books for dealing with a presidential nominee withdrawing, and there is little precedent for such a situation occurring. The memo concluded: 'Policymakers and the public should be prepared for all externalities that arise from President Biden not running for President in 2024. The process for substitution and withdrawal presents many election integrity issues.' 'Adherence to the law in some states may result in that process being unsuccessful for the purposes of another candidate being on the ballot.' Biden stepped down Sunday after a sea of Democratic calls to do so. He had insisted he would remain in the race after the disastrous debate where his age and cognitive decline were on full display. An employment judge has finally slapped down a 'professional claimant' exposed by the Daily Mail. In February the Mail reported that Christian Mallon was applying for 2,000 jobs a year, many of which he was totally unqualified for, then claiming compensation saying his ADHD and autism had been 'ignored'. He even cried discrimination after being rejected for the job of top civil servant in the Northern Ireland agriculture ministry, with a budget of 335million and 900 staff, despite having no relevant qualifications or experience. Now an employment tribunal has taken the unusual step of ordering him to pay 20,000 in costs for his 'vexatious' claims. Judge Robin Postle noted that one of the 50 job applications involved in the latest case all made through the Vector Recruitment Ltd agency 'made clear' a requirement for a medical degree and background, which Mr Mallon, 49, 'plainly did not have'. In February the Mail reported that Christian Mallon (pictured in February) was applying for 2,000 jobs a year, many of which he was totally unqualified for, then claiming compensation saying his ADHD and autism had been 'ignored' Mr Mallon (pictured in January) even cried discrimination after being rejected for the job of top civil servant in the Northern Ireland agriculture ministry, with a budget of 335million and 900 staff, despite having no relevant qualifications or experience The tribunal heard that 'career victim' Mr Mallon, who lives with his partner in a 300,000 house in Cannock, Staffordshire, generally submitted a CV for his applications The tribunal heard that 'career victim' Mr Mallon, who lives with his partner in a 300,000 house in Cannock, Staffordshire, generally submitted a CV for his applications. When he was rejected on the basis of that CV, he claimed he was discriminated against when his requests for an oral interview were refused. He said his conditions, which also include dyspraxia, meant he came across poorly in writing, so under disability discrimination law he should have been able to make oral applications. Yet the tribunal found he failed to show there was anything relevant he could have said in person that was not in his CV, and since he was 'fundamentally mismatched' for most of the jobs 'oral applications would simply make no difference'. Judge Postle said there was no law against imposing a costs order against 'a disabled party', and tribunals were entitled to note when a claimant had been 'unreasonable'. He told the hearing in Norwich that Vector incurred legal costs of 50,000, adding: 'There was simply no evidence of discrimination.' Mr Mallon, who also has properties in Belfast and Scotland and has amassed 35,000 in payouts, declined to comment. Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to 'unite' Democrats after Joe Biden dramatically dropped out and endorsed her to be the party's standard bearer against Donald Trump in November. Harris said she is 'honored' to receive Biden's backing and that she would 'earn and win' the Democratic presidential nomination. The 59-year-old waited two hours after Biden stepped aside to make her first public comments, paying tribute to her boss. She called his decision 'selfless' and 'patriotic' and an example of what Biden has done over his five-decade career in politics - 'Putting the American people and our country above everything else. Kamala Harris said she is 'honored' to receive Joe Biden's endorsement in her first public comments after the president made the extraordinary decision to drop out of the race A sign placed by a supporter in front of the U.S. Naval Observatory, where Vice President Kamala Harris lives, shortly after Biden's announcement In a statement Harris said: 'I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,' she said. 'Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. 'And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.' Biden stunningly dropped out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday in a political earthquake never seen this close to an election. In ending his campaign, America's oldest ever president admitted it was in the 'best interests of the country' for him not to seek re-election for a second term. Biden, 81, endorsed his vice president to succeed him as the Democratic nominee to take on Donald Trump in November. The President had faced an increasingly frenzied clamor from within his own party to step aside after a disastrous debate performance against Trump last month. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris received Biden's backing to be the Democrat nominee A handmade sign for Vice President Kamala Harris appears on a lawn, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Washington An American flag is seen at the Naval Observatory, the official residence of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, after U.S. President Joe Biden announced he is stopping his bid for reelection, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 21, 2024 Biden announced his seismic decision in a one-page letter posted on social media, where he committed to serving until the end of this term in January. However, Republicans called on him to resign immediately. arguing if he is not 'fit to run' then he is 'not fit to serve'. 'It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,' Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account on Sunday. 'And while it has been my intention to seek reelection,' he went on, 'I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.' Although Biden had been under immediate pressure the stunning announcement came with no warning and many of his own staff and supporters in Congress appeared to be blindsided. 'No one had a heads up before the tweet posted,' one Biden campaign worker told DailyMail.com. 'Which, to me, is an insane way to treat the 1,300 people that work for you on the campaign.' Earlier on Sunday a slew of Biden's allies went on the airwaves to insist the President was not stepping down and would continue his reelection efforts. Biden said in his letter that he would speak in more detail about his decision in remarks to the country later this week. He also sent a quick follow-up post pushing for Harris to take over his campaign. Republicans insisted on Sunday that Biden should resign right now. 'If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,' House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote on X. Sen. J.D. Vance, who last week became Trump's running mate, questioned: 'If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President?' Last week, Biden was pulled from the campaign trail after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time in the middle of a west coast swing. This led to even more speculation that he would soon drop out of the race. It came after the showdown against Trump last month where Biden was often seen on split screen with his mouth agape and a blank stare. During his time to speak at the podium, the President would stumble, freeze, lose his train of thought and mumble his way through answers to moderator's questions. At one point just 12 minutes into the debate, Trump said: 'I really don't know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don't think he knows what he said either.' Trump went on to a post-debate rally in Chesapeake, Virginia where he said he was skeptical Biden would actually drop out of the race, claiming Democrats don't have a better option against him in November. The former president's immediate response to Biden's decision came in a call to CNN on Sunday. 'He is the worst president in the history of our country,' the former president said. 'He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country.' Trump added that he thinks Harris will be even easier to defeat than Biden. At his first rally after being shot, Trump already tried out a new nickname for her as he saw the writing on the wall for Harris taking over the Democrats' campaign. 'From the moment we take back the White House from crooked Joe Biden and Kamala ... I call her laughing Kamala. You ever watch her? She's crazy,' Trump said at his rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday. Kamala Harris releases first statement on Biden dropping out: 'Together, we will fight. And together, we will win' 'On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. 'It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe's leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. 'With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. 'I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. 'We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.' Advertisement He added: 'You can tell a lot by laughter she's crazy. She's nuts. She's not as crazy as Nancy [Pelosi].' The former president also took to his Truth Social account on Sunday afternoon to respond to the news that he will no longer face Biden in November. 'Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement,' he wrote. 'All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn't capable of being President, and he wasn't.' Trump concluded: 'We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly.' Biden was not yet the Democratic Party's official nominee and there is still a short time to replace him before the Democratic National Convention next month and avoid an open convention. The party's nomination event falls August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. It now appears that Harris will be at the top of the Democratic ticket by the end of that week after primary voters cast their ballots for Biden to be the nominee. Biden announced his historic decision to step aside in a one-page letter where he committed to completing his term, but did not fully endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement Moments after his announcement, Biden posted to X an endorsement of Harris to take over his campaign Harris was initially furious over reports she was not being considered for the spot but it soon became clear to Democrats she was the best option to replace Biden. Now kicks off the veepstakes for the current VP to choose her No. 2. Among the short list could be the likes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, both previously floated as potential replacements for Biden if he would drop out. A local NBC affiliate in Sacramento, California reported on Sunday that Newsom has abruptly canceled his appearance at the U.S. Ninth Circuit judicial conference scheduled for Monday without any reason given. Trump was among those that speculated former First Lady Michelle Obama would jump in the race and lead the 2024 Democratic ticket. She so far has polled best out of any other potential Biden replacements. But Biden made it clear that he is backing his VP for the 2024 race. 'My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,' the President wrote on X. 'And it's been the best decision I've made.' He added: 'Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this. ' Others flocked to endorse Harris, including Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who wrote on X: 'Democrats must immediately unite so we can focus on winning in November. I look forward to casting my vote for Kamala Harris and doing everything I can to ensure she becomes our next president.' What now? VP Harris is the most likely replacement for Biden since she was already on the ticket with him and served four years as his No. 2. Pictured: Harris campaigns in the swing state of North Carolina on Thursday, July 18 Some speculate either California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could be selected as Harris' running mate Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said before Biden's bombshell announcement that the party needs to unite behind a candidate. He said an open convention would cause Democrats lose in November against Trump. 'If you go to the convention, have an open process in the convention, It will come out the same way it came out in 1968, 1972 and 1980,' Clyburn told CNN State of the Union host Jake Tapper on Sunday morning. 'When we had a contested process on the floor of the convention in 1980, we lost an incumbent president, and in 1972, we carried one state, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia,' he explained. 'And all of us know what happened in 1968 when we ran Lyndon Johnson out of the race, with a great record Lyndon Johnson had, got rid of him over one issue, the Vietnam War.' 'Here, we are now using one issue to get rid of a president, the result would be the same.' House Speaker Johnson warned earlier on Sunday that Democrats will 'run into some legal impediments' if they tried to replace Biden on the ticket. Speaking to ABC This Week host Marth Raddatz, he said: '14 million Democrats voted to make Joe Biden the nominee.' 'It would be wrong and I think unlawful in accordance with some of these states' laws for a handful of people to go in the backroom and switch it out because they don't like a candidate any longer.' 'That's not how this is supposed to work,' Johnson added. Both Newsom and Whitmer have denied before and after the debate that they are seeking to replace Biden on the ballot and Newsom said he would not run against friend and ally Harris. 'President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump,' Whitmer posted to X on Sunday after the President ended his reelection bid. She added: 'My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families' costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan.' Newsom responded by claiming Biden's single term was 'extraordinary' and 'history-making.' 'He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.' Biden and his team and allies spent the weeks after the debate in damage control mode trying to quell concerns that the President is no longer fit for a second term. And despite many party leaders and campaign officials defending Biden's performance, Democrats were in an all-out panic after the President stumbled and mumbled his way through the debate. The campaign said Biden's raspy and hard-to-hear voice was the result of a cold and tried to sell the line that it was just a 'slow start.' But lawmakers saw through that and nearly 40 Democratic members of Congress called on Biden to end his reelection campaign in the weeks after the debate. Among those lawmakers were some top Democrats like Rep. Adam Schiff and close allies of Biden. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke with Biden this afternoon, a source familiar with the call confirmed to DailyMail.com. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden held a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina the day after the debate where the President appeared more energetic and defended his viability as a candidate while acknowledging his debate performance could have been better Some felt First Lady Jill Biden was the only pushing for her 81-year-old husband to remain on the ballot. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wy.) accused the first lady of 'elder abuse' and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) wrote on X: 'As a geriatric nurse practitioner who cared for so many older adults with cognitive impairment, this [debate] is heartbreaking to watch' Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison and Biden's campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez held a call the weekend after the debate where they sought to reassure rank and file members of the party of his continued viability as a candidate. According to some on the call, the party leaders largely ignored Biden's weak showing in Atlanta on Thursday and downplayed the avalanche of criticism that followed. No one was able to ask questions and the chat function was disabled. The members felt gaslighted by Harrison and Rodriguez and claimed they were being asked to ignore the ire situation of the party's predicament either toe the line and get behind Biden's candidacy or scramble to find a replacement in just one month's time. Harrison offered what they described as a rosy assessment of Biden's path forward. 'I was hoping for more of a substantive conversation instead of, 'Hey, let's go out there and just be cheerleaders,' without actually addressing a very serious issue that unfolded on American television for millions of people to see,' Joe Salazar, an elected DNC member from Colorado who was on the call, said, according to the Associated Press . He added: 'There were a number of things that could have been said in addressing the situation. But we didn't get that. We were being gaslit.' Experts have issued an urgent warning about a highly contagious new coronavirus variant spreading rapidly during Australia's winter season. The new coronavirus strain, LB.1, follows the JN.1 variant and its subvariants KP.2 and KP.3, which were responsible for most new infections between May 7 and June 11. LB.1 is similar to the FLiRT variant, both of which are Omicron subvariants that began spreading in Australia in April, however, LB.1 has additional mutations compared to FLiRT. Symptoms of the LB.1 strain include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea. Infectious disease specialist at the University of Queensland Pail Griffin said the variant was also 'a bit more' more transmissible than its previous counterparts. 'Whenever the spike protein changes, it means that our protection from past infection or vaccination is reduced, and therefore, they become a bit more transmissible,' Mr Griffin told SBS News. Chair of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of South Australia Professor Adrian Esterman also confirmed the new strain was highly contagious. 'Although LB.1 is almost certainly more transmissible than KP.2, it doesn't appear to be outperforming KP.3 and its descendants,' Professor Esterman said. 'It's problematic because it's overlapping significantly with our flu season. And we've also still got other things like mycoplasma and whooping cough going around, so it does mean there's lots of people with respiratory infections at the moment.' Experts have warned the new coronavirus variant, known as LB.1, is highly contagious Symptoms of the LB.1 strain include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea There is no conclusive information yet about whether LB.1 is more severe than other variants. However, a person's overall health and immunity are major factors in determining the severity of the infection. Australia's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System found Covid hospital admissions were declining across the country. On July 9, the seven-day average was 53, down from 107 a month prior. However, the LB.1 strain has caused a surge in hospitalisations in the United States, with emergency room visits up more than 23 per cent on July 9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Australians are being urged to wear a mask, keep away from people who are sick and get the latest Covid vaccine to help prevent catching the new strain. Infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Doctor Amesh A. Adalja explained the current vaccine is protective against severe disease. 'The current vaccine is not very effective at durable protection against infection and that has been the case for some time with the current slew of variants, though it is protective against severe disease.' Despite weeks of crisis talks and dozens of Democrats calling for him to step down, Joe Bidens Sunday decision to withdraw still took America - and most White House and campaign staffers - by surprise. The 81-year-old president was isolating with COVID at his $3.4 million holiday home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware when his shrinking inner circle handed him polling data showing he could no longer beat Donald Trump, sources have confirmed. HIs train-wreck debate performance last month and poor handling of its aftermath had doomed his chances, Biden was told. Donors were pulling millions of dollars in pledged funds and the list of elected Democrats telling him to drop out was growing by the minute. That was when aides were finally able to convince an angry Biden to draft a letter saying it was time for him to step aside for the good of the Democratic Party. Jill Biden was by her husband's side when he eventually made the historic call, giving into mounting pressure. But a spokeswoman for the First Lady said it was the president's judgment alone, and confirmed he made it late. 'Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she (Jill Biden) was supportive of whatever road he chose,' the spokeswoman said. 'Shes his biggest believer, champion, and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be.' Here's how a seemingly foregone conclusion somehow managed to stun the nation: Jill Biden has been with husband Joe Biden in Rehoboth as he made his decision on the 2024 presidential race - above the couple at their beach home in February On Saturday evening, Biden summoned to his side two men who have been there since his political start: advisers Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon. They have been with him through the best of times - his first years as a senator - and the worst of times - the death of his son Beau Biden in 2015. Already with the president and the first lady were their closest aides Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, who they refer to as 'family.' It was Ricchetti and Donilon who brought with them devastating new data which would help to make up Biden's mind. They revealed the latest internal campaign polling, taken since the debate, which showed he could no longer beat Trump. Biden's decision was made soon after, and he asked Ricchetti and Donilon to start drafting a letter, and to begin the process of how to make a public announcement, DailyMail.com confirmed. The president also began telling his family. Biden had previously insisted that he would only step aside if he was shown polling that proved Kamala Harris would fare better than him against Trump, or if he developed a 'medical condition'. In the end, it was the first of those developments that sealed his fate. Biden went to bed on Saturday night at the beach house, knowing he would announce his bombshell the next day. At 1:45 pm on Sunday he began calling his senior staff at the White House and the campaign. By that time he had already told Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. At 1:46 pm, his campaign account posted a letter from the president announcing his decision even as he was still on the staff call. Most of his staff both in the White House and at the campaign - were shocked. They learned the news online, getting the alert when the @JoeBiden account posted the president's missive. 'No one had a heads up before the tweet posted,' a campaign staffer told DailyMail.com. 'Which, to me, is an insane way to treat the 1300 people that work for you on the campaign.' Steve Ricchetti, counselor to the president, (left) and Mike Donilon, campaign adviser, (right) were called to Rehoboth Beach to help Biden write the letter on his decision It capped a chaotic 48 hours for the Biden family as they hunkered in behind their patriarch with a small, inner circle of longtime aides supporting them. Some were even reporting back to Jill Biden about those staffers deemed disloyal. Meanwhile, Biden had veered from angry at the pressure from his party to acceptance of the situation. And once his final decision was made on Saturday night, the rest moved quickly. Biden called Harris directly to tell her the news. He also had one-on-one calls with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients and campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, according to reports. He would also speak with his Cabinet, Members of Congress, governors, and supporters. But it all happened so fast many staff were hurt about the way they learned of the news, although they weren't surprised by it. The writing has been on the wall. Almost 40 Democratic lawmakers had called on Biden to exit the race. Major donors were threatening to pull their support. Actor George Clooney wrote an op-ed in the New York Times calling on Biden to step down. And Barack Obama was reportedly working behind the scenes to get Biden to move aside. It 'needed to happen,' a Democratic aide said. 'But he kinda just dropped a bomb. Like it's not surprising but it's shocking.' Another staffer said people were feeling 'a mix of relief, gratefulness, hope.' The campaign held an all-hands on deck call at 5 pm ET to reassure staff they still had their jobs. Campaign Chair Jen O'Malley Dillon acknowledged that it was 'hard for staff who may have gotten the news while they were working or door knocking, but it was important for the president to hear from him in his own words.' President Joe Biden walks with, from left, White House deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, White House deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed and White House communications director Ben LaBolt in April Anthony Bernal, senior adviser to Jill Biden, and Annie Tomasini, deputy chief of staff, exit the White House together in February - he runs the East Wing; she runs the West Wing Publicly, aides have been loyal to Biden. Many have gone on TV and taken to social media to defend the president since his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump 24 days ago, arguing Biden was the party's nominee and planned to stay the nominee. Since the June 26th debate, staff had been trying to go about business as usual, pushing back at reports Biden would drop out. 'Fanfiction' declared deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said of reports Biden would drop out this weekend, advising Democrats to 'keep the faith.' Even on Sunday morning, the message from the campaign was Biden was in it to win it. Campaign co-chairman Cedric Richmond, said on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday morning: 'I want to be crystal clear. He's made a decision and that decision is to accept the nomination and run for reelection, win reelection.' Officials defended the manner in which the decision was announced. It was made at the 'last minute,' a White House official said. It was actually made in the last 24 hours, with only Biden's family and a small circle of close aides knowing of his decision. And by withholding it from senior staff until the last minute - and not telling junior staff at all - the news didn't leak. It came out on Biden's terms. It all fits with a man said to be frustrated at what he saw as a public pressure campaign to force his hand. Biden has spent the past four days being isolated both physically and politically. He is at the beach house in Delaware, on the Atlantic Ocean as he recovers from COVID, still coughing and hoarse from the virus. First lady Jill Biden has been with him, although staying in a separate room. And, it has been from there the president has watched Democrat after Democrat call for his exit even as he spent the past three weeks trying to reassure the party he was mentally and physically up to a second term. But, despite everything he's done - national TV interviews, local radio interviews, a press conference, and campaign stops - nothing had quelled the tide against him. Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris Hunter Biden, Melissa Cohen, Joe Biden and Jill Biden in July - his family has stood by him In the aftermath of the decision, Biden's family was loud and clear in their love and support, praising him for his service to the country. Jill Biden sent him her love on Sunday afternoon, retweeting his letter with two red hearts. Naomi Biden, the Bidens' eldest granddaughter, wrote a long post on X, where she said she was 'proud' of her 'pop,' which is what the grandchildren call President Biden. She noted: 'Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours.' And Hunter Biden said in a statement of his father: 'He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years. I'm so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad.' Hyundai recalled nearly 67,000 vehicles in the United States over issues involving fuel pump failure and software errors. The recall includes 12,349 models of the 2024 Santa Fe because a software error in the transmission control unit may result in the car rolling away when its in park, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An additional 54,647 cars including 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N and Kona N models have fuel pump failure that can result in a loss of drive power and cause a crash. 'To ensure the safety of its customers, Hyundai Motor North America and Genesis Motor North America has filed recall campaign 262/023G to address a condition involving the high-pressure fuel pump assemblies in certain Hyundai and Genesis vehicles produced for sale in the U.S. and Canada,' Hyundai told ABC News. 'There are no confirmed crashes or injuries related to this condition in the U.S. or Canada.' Nearly 67,000 Hyundai vehicles - including in the 2021 Genesis G70 (pictured) have been recalled The 2021 Hyundai Veloster N (pictured) was recalled due to fuel pump failure that can result in a loss of drive power and cause a crash Affected 2024 Santa Fe owners are advised to use the emergency parking brake after parking their vehicles and contact their car dealership to receive a software update. Those affected by the fuel pump failure will receive an engine control module software update and a replacement fuel pump assembly if necessary. In March, Hyundai and Kia recalled 150,000 vehicles in the U.S. over a damaged charging unit. The damaged unit lead to cars losing power when being driven, creating a crash risk. The federal government sued Hyundai in June after a 13-year old girl was found working on an assembly line. An investigation by the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found a 13-year-old girl worked between 50 and 60 hours a week operating machines on an assembly line that formed sheet metal into auto body parts in Alabama. The recall includes 12,349 models of the 2024 Santa Fe (pictured) because a software error in the transmission control unit may result in the car rolling away when its in park The federal government sued Hyundai in June after a 13-year old girl was found working on an assembly line Hyundai said in a statement that it cooperated fully with the Labor Department and that it is unfair to be held accountable for the practices of its suppliers. 'We are reviewing the new lawsuit and intend to vigorously defend the company,' the statement said. Reuters reported in 2022 that children, some as young as 12, worked for Hyundai subsidiary SMART and in other parts suppliers for the company in the Southern state. SMART Alabama in Luverne, an automotive parts manufacturer that has supplied parts for Hyundai since 2003, reportedly fired multiple underage workers as publicity around the missing girl's case heated up. Democrats are seeing a flood of grassroots donations and big donors reaching out after President Biden dropped out of the presidential race Sunday afternoon in a stunning move. He said it was in the best interest of the Democratic party and the nation. In an hour after Biden released his bombshell announcement, Democrats brought in more than $5 million in donations, according to tracking on ActBlue. By the end of three hours Sunday afternoon, the avalanche of donations had climbed to nearly $16 million online and more cash was still coming in. In 20 minutes alone, another $1 million was raised on Sunday evening. In just over four hours, the total had climbed to nearly $25 million raised. In six hours, it reach $35 million raised. In seven hours, the number hit nearly $50 million. It is not yet clear exactly where those donations are all going. ActBlue's tracker includes the total donations, so it would include the national party, Biden campaign and other Democrats. President Biden dropped out of the presidential race on Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the nominee setting off a flood of donations to Democrats online But after Biden exited the race he announced that he would be backing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 race. 'Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this,' he posted. The president included a link to raise funds for Harris' candidacy. Major donors DailyMail.com spoke to following the announcement praised the president's work in office and confirmed that donors are flooding back to help the Democratic ticket. One bundler told DailyMail.com there has been a 'MASSIVE response' in terms of both the amount being raised on Sunday and the number of donors reaching out. She said she could not keep up with all the people texting her and called the response 'wild' and more than what she could have ever imagined. Another big time donor called the day 'bittersweet' for those who have long supported the Biden administration with the tremendous successes and policy initiatives but said they have 'every confidence in and the enthusiasm for' Harris. 'She is brilliant, seasoned by decades of leadership experience in some of the most demanding roles in politics, and I know she will operate with the utmost integrity and compassion to help all Americans, even those who dont know her yet or who may disagree with her,' she said. 'I love Kamala and will certainly support her,' said a third bundler. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 President Biden's bombshell announcement came after weeks of questions over whether he was fit to serve a second term following his disastrous debate performance on June 27. Since then, a slow drip of Democratic lawmakers had been calling for him to step aside. Harris has backed Biden up until the very end and was out on the campaign trail praising their administration's work. ActBlue's tracking showed a flood of more than $15 million in donations in less than three hours on Sunday afternoon after Biden exited the race After Biden released his letter and endorsed his vice president, Harris officially announced she was running for president and formally filed her candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. Despite her bid for the White House, Harris is not assured to receive the nomination. No other Democrats have jumped in the race yet, but it could lead to wild mini primary season ahead of delegates officially voting for a nominee next month. And while it remains to be seen how much money Democrats will raise and where it is all headed, Harris has long been a huge driver of donations within the party. When she was named Biden's running mate in August 2020, it ended up being then-candidate Biden's biggest campaign fundraising day of the entire election season. His campaign brought in$26 million in one day after announcing Harris on the ticket. Police have given up searching for a graduate who went missing five months ago after leaving a house party in Bristol, his mother has said. The family of Jack OSullivan also claim errors from detectives have meant CCTV footage that may have provided clarity about his movements on the night he was last seen has been lost. He vanished on March 2 after leaving a party with friends from his law conversion course in the Hotwells area of the city. The 23-year-old history graduate sent his mother Catherine a message at 1.52am saying he was leaving to get a taxi back to the family home five miles away. He was seen on CCTV an hour later walking alone near the citys harbourside, before doubling back on himself twice. The last time he was captured on camera was at 3.38am, on a slip road towards the Plimsoll Bridge north of the River Avon. Jack OSullivan vanished on March 2 after leaving a party with friends from his law conversion course in the Hotwells area of the city. The 23-year-old history graduate sent his mother Catherine a message at 1.52am The family of Jack OSullivan also claim errors from detectives have meant CCTV footage that may have provided clarity about his movements on the night he was last seen has been lost Above is a map of Jake's last known movements before he disappeared in Bristol five months ago Pictured: Jack O'Sullivan walking across Junction Swing Bridge on the night he went missing He was then seen on CCTV turning onto Brunel Lock Road at 2.57am on March 2 Around 13 minutes later, at 3.08am, the graduate was seen passing a car park near McAdam Way But Mrs OSullivan, 52, said police would not have even been aware of this sighting had she not spotted her son in other footage that officers claimed he was not in. CCTV taken at 3.13am shows Mr OSullivan going in the opposite direction to what was previously thought and caused officers to review the later footage. It started as a tiny dot at first but I could tell it was Jack by the way he walked, Mr OSullivans mother said. The police had that in their possession on the very first day but they assured us there was nobody on that footage that appeared to be Jack. But that wasnt the case if I hadnt spotted him in the other video then they wouldnt have seen him. She said the force had not collected CCTV footage taken later than 5am, and any taken after this time would now be automatically wiped. With missing persons cases, there is a golden 48 hours, she added. Mrs OSullivan and her husband Alan have tried to retrace their sons last known steps at different times of the day. Last Monday the family went to the area where Mr OSullivans phone had last sent a signal, at 6.44am, and found it was an electricity substation. She contacted the electricity board but was told her request to access the land had been the only one it had received. They said the police have never asked them to go up to the land, Mrs OSullivan said. Catherine appeared on BBC Breakfast last month where she slammed the police for their failures The 23-year-old law graduate vanished after going to a house party on Hotwell road in Bristol in the early hours of March 2 When we told them about the Find My Phone data they said it wasnt very reliable but when you look at the case of Jay Slater, he was in terrain well off the beaten track but he was found roughly where his phone data indicated he would be. So surely this would be worth searching thoroughly? The police have decided this narrative that he has gone into the water and dont seem to be willing to deviate from it. But people dont just vanish. Avon and Somerset Police said officers had reviewed more than 100 hours of CCTV and carried out expert-led searches of the area. A man is in hospital fighting for his life after suffering critical injuries in an alleged stabbing in Sydney's west. Emergency services rushed to The Boulevarde in Fairfield Heights at about 7.45pm on Sunday following reports of an assault at a function centre. The 45-year-old man suffered stab wounds to his shoulder and back and was treated by paramedics at the scene. A 45-year-old man is in hospital fighting for his life after he was stabbed in the back and shoulder at a function centre in Fairfield Heights, Sydney He was rushed to hospital for further treatment in a critical but stable condition. Police established a crime scene and have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with information, dashcam footage fromt he area, or who may have witnessed the incident are being urged to contact Fairfield Police. Alternatively, anyone with information can also contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call 1-800-273-8255 Real estate mogul Brandon Miller was reportedly $17million in debt when he died by suicide earlier this month. The 43-year-old killed himself by inhaling exhaust fumes in the garage of $8million home while his influencer wife, Candice Miller, was touring Europe with their two daughters, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed last week. It has since been reported that Miller was heavily in the red, as colleagues say he and his wife were trying to live beyond their means and flaunt their wealth in the Hamptons. 'It's no longer keeping up with the Joneses. It's keeping up with the Bezoses, but no one can compete,' another Hamptons socialite told the New York Post. 'There's a whole kind of rich now that never existed before,' the source added, explaining: 'There are probably 10 or 20 people in the Hamptons who qualify as billionaires. But you can be sure they're not the ones sharing their lives on Instagram.' Real estate mogul Brandon Miller, left, was reportedly $17million in debt before he died by suicide earlier this month Sources told the Post that Brandon borrowed roughly $17million from friends, apparently to buy a downtown Manhattan building. But the building was sold to someone else, and the real estate mogul was forced to tell investors he used the money on something else.' At least one wealthy Hamptons residents now speculates that the debt may have cost Miller his life. 'Brandon clearly, he thought he was going to jail for embezzlement and he decided this was his way out,' a source told The Post. Brandon had waited until his family had left town for a weeks-long luxury vacation before getting into his car and running the engine until it filled their garage with toxic gas. The build-up triggered a carbon monoxide alarm which alerted the fire department in Southampton, New York, and sent a notification to Candice, the founder of the lifestyle blog Mama & Tata, DailyMail.com previously reported. But the socialite pal of Ivanka Trump missed the July 1 warning because she was asleep at her $2,000 per night hotel in Italy's ultra-chic Amalfi coast, a friend told DailyMail.com. She awoke to learn her husband had been found unconscious at their mansion in Water Mill, an exclusive Hamptons enclave. Miller waited until his family had left town for a weeks-long luxury vacation before getting into his car and running the engine until it filled their garage with toxic gas He was later found unconscious at the $8million mansion in Water Mill, an exclusive Hamptons enclave, after the build-up triggered a carbon monoxide alarm DailyMail.com understands that a wealthy friend arranged for shaken Candice, 42, and their two girls to fly back to the US on a private jet. They arrived in time to say their final goodbyes before Miller was taken off life support at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and declared dead on July 3, according to a well-placed source. 'They are amazing, sweet girls who loved their dad so much. This is absolutely devastating for all of them,' the source added. The Town of Southampton Police Department refused to share details of Miller's suspected suicide but a law enforcement source confirmed the cause of death was asphyxiation. Candice Miller's real estate mogul husband Brandon Miller, 43, died in hospital two days after inhaling the toxic fumes Friends have also said the once-gregarious Miller had battled depression and put on weight in recent months as he faced mounting legal problems and struggled to maintain his family's gilded lifestyle. He and Candice spent weekends on Long Island and the bulk of their time at a $47,000-per-month rental on Park Avenue in New York City's Upper East side. The couple's opulent lifestyle, awash with designer clothes, decadent cocktail parties and costly vacations, was showcased on Candice's painstakingly choreographed social media pages. She and her sister Jenna Crespi created Mama & Tata, Candice (the mama) combining forces with Jenna (tata, the aunt) to 'impart our insights on how to be a great mom while maintaining beauty, style and glamour in everyday life.' 'Candice spent money like water. She would get an $800 facial once a week, she had a private chef. She spent thousands on flowers for each of her dinner parties,' the source added. 'Her wardrobe was all Miu Miu, Prada, and shoes and bags from The Row. She spent another thousand every month on her Tracy Anderson membership and private training sessions. 'Everything she did was captured by a professional photographer to project this perfect lifestyle. All of that costs an absolute fortune.' Candice and her sister Jenna Crespi created Mama & Tata, Candice (the mama) combining forces with Jenna (tata, the aunt) for their lifestyle blog DailyMail.com understands that a wealthy friend arranged for shaken Candice, 42, and their two girls to fly back to the US on a private jet But behind the scenes, Ivy league graduate Miller had become embroiled in multiple lawsuits posing questions about his honesty and the true state of his finances. His dad Michael Miller founded Real Estate Equities Corporation in 1978, developing more than 20 million square feet of malls, plazas and luxury condos throughout the US and accumulating a reported personal wealth of $74million. But he also bequeathed his son a huge debt when a former business associate named Donald Jaffe filed a lawsuit in New York following Michael's 2016 death claiming he was owed $5.9million in unpaid loans. The 2019 complaint claimed the Millers borrowed funds for a building project in Tribeca where Brandon and Candice would later occupy a swank penthouse that became the backdrop for many of her glitzy Instagram posts. The money also covered a mortgage on Brandon's five-bed waterfront spread in Water Mill but he 'flatly denied' any knowledge of the pact and insisted his father had directed a longtime employee, Christine Frangipane, to forge his signature. When Miller tried to get the case tossed, New York Supreme Court Judge Andrew Borrok wondered why he had been paying Joffe back in installments for the previous four years if the loans were fraudulent. 'It is more than a little bit curious that Ms. Frangipane remains in Brandon's employ', he further noted, prior to the case being settled in 2022. Miller, pictured with his daughters on his wife's lifestyle Instagram account, was being sued for more than $221k by two companies at the time of his death That same year TD Bank sued Miller and his mom Barbara, claiming they made a series of fraudulent transfers to prevent the bank from collecting on a $2.1million debt that Michael owed on an outstanding mortgage. Further suits cast doubt on whether Miller could afford the jet-set lifestyle carefully curated for his wife's online followers. Interior Marketing Group sued Miller in April for $102,730 for failing to pay for 'high-end living, dining and bedroom furniture and various accessories.' The disputed inventory included 'dining and family room fixtures, area rugs, table lamps, bedroom desks and chairs, credenzas, bedframes [sic], pillows, draperies and sheers and artwork.' He had also 'refused to return' $64,000 worth of items that were used to furnish the Park Avenue apartment, the filing claimed. Additionally, Miller was being sued in the Hamptons for $55,205 for unpaid bills dating back to 2022 by the Lighthouse Marina, where he moored his boat, MillerTime. Some now speculate that Miller may have been pressured by his influencer wife to spend beyond their means. 'Candice made it harder for Brandon because she was flaunting so much on social media,' an unidentified businessman told the Post. 'But they are by no means the only ones. 'There's a lot of people renting big houses or going into debt to throw parties in an effort to get into the really rich circles with billionaires like Michael Rubin and Michael Loeb, and the Millers were like that. They weren't quite top-tier.' Pals had sensed tension in the Millers' 15-year marriage as fitness fanatic Candice began to post more images without her husband Pals have previously told DailyMail.com they sensed tension in the Millers' 15-year marriage as fitness fanatic Candice began to post more images without her husband. He was no longer photographed at her side at glittering social events where she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Wendy Deng, Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife, and Eve Jobs, daughter of Apple founder Steve Jobs. This past Father's Day she paid tribute to her own father but made no mention of Brandon. He appeared stressed, tense and visibly heavier, friends say. Rumors swirled of fresh legal woes and an impending foreclosure on the couple's Long Island property without ever being substantiated. Candice and the girls set off this summer for Europe without him, spending around two weeks visiting Majorca in Spain's Balearic Islands, where the trio stayed at the five-star La Residencia hotel. They moved on to Italy's glamorous yachting hub, Capri, where the trip was cut tragically short by news of her husband's suspected suicide. 'She had posted something saying how excited she was about going on a girls' trip for the first time since she got married,' the source said. 'That struck people as strange because Brandon had gone along on all these trips in the past. Then she suddenly stopped posting all together.' Candice deleted her @mamaandtata Instagram page before Miller's death hit the news. She's not been back online and has not commented about it publicly. Friends say she is being comforted by her family away from the glare of social media. 'It's a tragedy. She's been completely silent. Everyone is just wishing her and the girls the best,' our source added. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide Prevention hotline on 988 - or 1-800-273-8255 - or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org Hunter Biden told the United States to thank his father and praised him for being able to 'absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans' after he withdrew from the presidential race. The 54-year-old first son was spotted near his home in Los Angeles over the weekend before his dad made the extraordinary decision to step aside and endorse Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump in the November general election. 'That unconditional love has been his North Star as a President, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years,' Hunter said in a statement on Sunday night. 'He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years. 'I'm so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all American to join me tonight in doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad.' President Biden offered his endorsement to his running mate, Kamala Harris, after his exit. His move throws the presidential race into chaos, but leaves time for Democrats to get their house in order before their August convention. Hunter Biden told the United States to thank his father and praised him for being able to 'absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans' after he withdrew from the presidential race Hunter and his father speak on the phone, and in the weeks since the disastrous debate he has been seen in meetings in the White House and with the president's inner circle. Joe Biden has supported his troubled son through his many battles, including his addiction to crack cocaine and the trial where he was found guilty of three federal gun charges - for which the president has vowed not to pardon him. He joined the rest of Biden's family who immediately showed their support for him after he made the stunning announcement he was dropping his re-election bid. Jill Biden sent him her love, retweeting his letter with two red hearts. Naomi Biden, the Bidens' eldest granddaughter, wrote a long post on X, where she said she was 'proud' of her 'pop,' which is what the grandchildren call President Biden. Biden, 81, who is suffering from COVID, is at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his wife Jill. They have been holed up there with his closest advisers and they pondered their political future. He had been under tremendous pressure from people in his party to step down after his terrible debate performance against Donald Trump. 'While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,' he wrote in a letter to the American people. The 54-year-old first son was spotted near his home in Los Angeles over the weekend before his dad made the extraordinary decision to step aside and endorse Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump in the November general election His family, who was an influential factor in his decision, stood by him. 'Im nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he beenand will continue to bethe most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nations history,' Naomi Biden wrote on X. 'He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours.' Hunter and his father speak on the phone, and in the weeks since the disastrous debate he has been seen in meetings in the White House and with the president's inner circle Joe Biden has supported his troubled son (pictured with wife Melissa Cohen) through his many battles, including his addiction to crack cocaine and the trial where he was found guilty of three federal gun charges - for which the president has vowed not to pardon him Hunter Biden attends a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on July 3 The first son and his father are pictured on the tarmac at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, hours after Hunter was found guilty at his federal gun trial Joe Biden endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the nominee. The Democrats will nominate their candidate at their convention next month. The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off August 19 through 22 in Chicago where Biden had been set to formally accept the nomination having received 3,896 delegates during the primaries. Because Biden exited the race before officially becoming the nominee - the more than 3,900 pledged delegates get to cast their ballots in an open convention for whichever candidate they want. They may line up behind Harris, who, because of federal law, is the only candidate that can use the money Biden has raised for the 2024 race. The delegates will hold a vote on the convention floor. If a candidate wins the majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, they become the party nominee. If no candidate gets a majority, then the so-called nearly 740 superdelegates, also known as automatic delegates, get to vote as well. They include a mix of party members and elected officials. Voting continues until a candidate gets a majority of delegates. Israel has called up ultra-Orthodox Jews to fight in its military for the first time amid fears the conflict in the Middle East could escalate. The Israel Defence Forces have sent draft notices to call up 1,000 men from the devout Haredi community to bolster the army's ranks the first of 3,000 to be conscripted in the coming weeks. It follows a ruling by Israel's supreme court that ultra-Orthodox men can no longer be exempt from military service, ending an agreement that has been in place since Israel's establishment in 1948. The move comes amid heightened tensions in the region after the IDF carried out air strikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, a day after a drone launched by the group hit Tel Aviv. Conscripting ultra-Orthodox men is a contentious issue in Israel and the Haredi leadership fiercely resists any effort to draft young men, with some rabbis even urging anyone who receives call-up orders to burn them. Israel has called up ultra-Orthodox Jews to fight in its military for the first time amid fears the conflict in the Middle East could escalate. Pictured: An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israeli soldier from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion poses for a photograph with his father during a swearing-in ceremony in Jerusalem, when graduates receive an assault rifle and a Bible The move comes amid heightened tensions in the region after the IDF carried out air strikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen on Saturday Many ultra-Orthodox Jews, who traditionally attend religious schools, or yeshivas, believe that military service is incompatible with their way of life. However, with Israeli troops still fighting in Gaza more than nine months after the Hamas terror attack on October 7 there has been growing pressure from the army and secular Israelis to spread the burden of military service. Israelis are legally required to serve in the military from the age of 18 for at least 24 months and some 300,000 citizens have been called up for reserve duty since October 7. The government has said it will have to extend military service for conscripts and reservists to meet the country's security needs. The IDF said anybody ignoring multiple draft orders could be prevented from leaving the country or even face jail. It comes after a block of flats in Tel Aviv was hit by a Houthi drone on Friday, killing a 50-year-old man and injuring eight others. Speaking on Saturday evening after the attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would defend itself 'by all means'. Speaking on Saturday evening after the attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would defend itself 'by all means'. Pictured: Netanyahu on Saturday Israel responded by launching a series of airstrike in Yemen the first time it has struck the country directly which Houthi-linked news outlets said killed six people and injured more than 80. Israeli forces said they intercepted a ballistic missile fired yesterday in retaliation. Meanwhile, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired a volley of rockets and drones from southern Lebanon, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation. Saudi Arabia urged restraint yesterday in the wake of the Israeli strike on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said the strike 'aggravates the current tension in the region and halts the ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza'. It also 'called on all parties to exercise maximum restrain and to distance the region and its people from the dangers of war'. Last night, Mr Netanyahu ordered a delegation charged with negotiating a hostage deal with Hamas to be dispatched on Thursday. The statement did not specify the delegation's destination. Until now a ceasefire effort led by Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States has failed to produce any deal, with both sides in the more than nine-month-old Gaza conflict blaming each other for the impasse. With Joe Biden opting out of the US Presidential race, but remaining on as President until the end of his term - assuming he makes it until January next year - Australia needs to prepare for what comes next. First up is a likely showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump. Biden immediately endorsed her as his successor. Harris is therefore all but certain to claim the Democrat nomination. Having been endorsed by the outgoing President she's odds on under the party's delegate rules to secure Biden's nomination votes on the first round, which should be enough to win the Democrat nomination. Any other outcome would simply protract the problems of disunity Democrats have faced. After weeks of uncertainty it would be a bold move for the Democrats to seek to ignore Biden's endorsement of Harris and use the few weeks remaining ahead of the Democrat convention to find another candidate. That would require the party's heavyweights to unite around an alternative candidate at a time when no obvious alternative presents themselves. Bill and Hillary Clinton have already endorsed Harris to run at the general election and other senior Democrats will surely soon follow. Trump has already taken aim at Biden on his way out the door, and the Trump campaign in recent days pivoted its attack ads towards Harris in anticipation of what has now transpired. So what does a Harris-Trump showdown mean for Australia? If Trump is elected and Anthony Albanese (pictured) wins a second term, there is a risk that relations between Australia and the US could turn frosty Joe Biden has dropped out of the Presidential race opening the door for Kamala Harris (pictured together) While Biden had become a virtual sure thing to lose to Trump, Harris has a chance to claw back support amongst independents, as well as help get out the vote in America's non-compulsory voting system. But as has been well documented, her term as Vice President hasn't been a popular one, and Team Trump fancies its chances of beating her at the general election. The temptation for many Australian politicians will be to weigh in, suggesting she must defeat Trump and his risky agenda for change. That is certainly the view most Labor MPs hold privately. But expressing such sentiments publicly would be a mistake in the context of the former President's surge in popularity, especially post the assassination attempt on his life. Were that to happen and he did win a second term, you can bet Trump would become frosty towards the Albanese government. A lead indicator highlighting that Labor politicians and Australian bureaucrats will be directed to avoid entering the polarising US debate was on show this past week as Kevin Rudd used his time in Washington to cozy up to Republicans, including Trump's VP running mate JD Vance. Just this morning after the Biden announcement Labor MPs have already received talking points for any media interviews they do, to help ensure one and all are 'on message' with what they say about the change in US politics. Expect Anthony Albanese and his team to avoid offering opinions on the race that will take place between now and November's US elections. The tumult of what's happening in US politics might even be enough to convince a nervous PM to delay his plans for an early election. Risking seeking a second term while global politics is so up in the air. Especially when you throw in today's Freshwater Poll putting Peter Dutton's Coalition in front of Labor 51-49 per cent on the two party vote for the first time since the 2022 election. But a strategy of delaying the Australian election until the new year needs to be weighed up against the possible risks a Trump return might pose to the economy. Last week Professor of economics Richard Holden detailed why he thinks a Trump return might be an economic catastrophe for Australia. Albo won't want that prediction to quickly come true putting his economic management credentials at risk. The Coalition has long been closer to Republicans in Washington than Labor politicians are. If, however, Harris finds a way to claw back support and become the next US President, that will be a more comfortable fit for Australia's left of centre government. Whether we are talking about the politics of climate change or the sort of social agenda Harris will have. After weeks of uncertainty it would be a bold move for the Democrats to seek to ignore Biden's endorsement of Harris (pictured) and use the few weeks remaining ahead of the Democrat convention to find another candidate The 45th POTUS and First Lady Melania are seen stepping off Air Force One in Palm Beach, Florida But the fact remains that recent problems within the Democratic party means that Trump is still well placed to return to the White House. So that prospect will be front of mind for policy wonks within Team Labor, as they consider how to navigate a Trump presidency in a second term. Preparing for what impact a Trump return will have on relations with China, the AUKUS agreement and trade and tariffs with the US are just some of the hot issues affected by who wins in November. If the Australian general election doesn't happen until after the US election, political strategists here will be watching closely to see how the populist pitch of Trump is received in the American mainstream, especially concerning matters such as immigration. Peter Dutton has already shown a willingness to make immigration policy a contested ground, just like it is in the US. And Dutton's strategy is to target outer metropolitan seats currently held by Labor, and not just the marginal ones. There could be parallels to how the US candidates seek to appeal to those swing states in middle America. Australia's alliance with the US has bipartisan support, but within that framework it always becomes more contested when the completion of the Australian polity is a mismatch with how US election results go. Donald Trump can accentuate that divide, which is why the Albanese government's primary focus between now and the November Presidential election will be to avoid entering the debate wherever possible. As some of the most photographed people in the world, members of the Royal Family strive to look their very best on every occasion. They consult top beauty experts for recommendations on products that maintain their skin's health, promoting a youthful glow and combating signs of ageing. From a natural alternative to Botox to a moisturiser launched in 1930, we reveal the products they use to maintain their glow. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - 31 The Queen granted Elizabeth Arden her royal warrant and allegedly used the 31 Eight Hour Cream twice daily to keep her skin moisturised and hydrated Skilled at colour-block dressing, the late Queen Elizabeth also boasted a radiant complexion Skilled at colour-block dressing, the late Queen Elizabeth also boasted a radiant complexion. Despite some mystery surrounding her skincare choices, it is believed she favoured Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream, costing 31. The all-purpose product, which launched in 1930, is reputedly sold every 30 seconds worldwide. The Queen granted Elizabeth Arden her royal warrant and reportedly used the cream twice daily to keep her skin moisturised and hydrated. Princess Diana used the same moisturiser to avoid chapped lips In his bombshell memoir, Spare, Prince Harry revealed that he used his mother's favourite moisturiser in an unexpected area. During his 2011 expedition to the North Pole with wounded veterans from Afghanistan, Harry said he suffered frostbite in his nether regions. 'My penis was oscillating between extremely sensitive and borderline traumatized,' he wrote. 'I'd been trying some home remedies, including one recommended by a friend. She'd urged me to apply Elizabeth Arden cream.' Interestingly, the renowned moisturiser he used is the same one that Princess Diana relied on for her chapped lips. 'My mum used that on her lips,' he recalled. In his bombshell memoir, Spare, Prince Harry revealed that he used his mother's favourite moisturiser in an unexpected area Biotulin Supreme Skin Gel - 52.50 Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands all share a fondness for Biotulin Supreme Skin Gel. Hailed a 'natural alternative to Botox', the product claims to reduce wrinkles for up to nine hours. The German cosmetics company, Biotulin NBC Universal, offered a Meghan a $5million fee for a five-second featuring their Botox gel in Suits. Kate's make-up artist, Carl Ray, revealed that the Biotulin gel, priced at 52.50, is among her essential anti-ageing products. Karl Lagerfeld, who famously declared 'I would never have poison injected into my face', is said to have personally recommended the tip to Kate. Biotulin Supreme Skin Gel, 52.50, is loved by Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands The German cosmetics company, Biotulin NBC Universal, offered a $5million fee for a five-second appearance by Meghan with their Botox gel in Suits In a 2016 interview with Boulevard Magazine, Queen Letizia of Spain's sister, Telma Ortiz Rocasolano, revealed that the Queen, 51, does not have botox injections. Instead, the secret to her flawless complexion is Biotulin. According to the manufacturer, an ingredient derived from the paracress plant acts as a herbal local anaesthetic, reducing muscle contractions and visibly diminishing fine wrinkles. Queen Letizia of Spain uses Biotulin to retain a youthful appearance Rodial Bee Venom and Placenta 24 Carat Gold Ultimate Creme - 750 (reduced to 95) Bee venom, vitamin C and placenta protein feature in Rodial's signature creme, promising to promote a youthful complexion. But perhaps the 24-carat gold specks, which instantly boost radiance, were what attracted Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, to the product. Prospective customers will be delighted to hear that this creme is currently reduced from 750 to 95 - a saving of 87 per cent. Bee venom, vitamin C and placenta protein feature in Rodial's signature creme, 750, promising to promote a youthful complexion Perhaps the 24-carat gold specks, which instantly boost radiance, were what attracted Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, to the product Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme - 38 Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark, 52, is an avid supporter of the Danish skincare brand Ole Henriksen. She even invited the expert, known for his products enriched with Vitamin C, to her residence, as he previously disclosed. 'Based on her love affair with a number of my products, she invited me to her residence. 'I found her to be incredibly warm, personable and extremely beautiful - I was mesmerised by her beautiful smile and stunning sense of style,' he recalled. Ole Henriksen's Banana Bright Eye Creme, 38, serves to illuminate and strengthen natural collagen with its added vitamin C Henriksen focuses on the eyes as the most important area of the face to treat as they require 'special attention' in any skincare regiment. 'Try to use creams proven to hydrate and firm to enhance your skin's elasticity, and always make this the last step of your routine,' he said. 'Nothing does it better than our Banana Bright Eye Creme, 38, which serves to illuminate and strengthen natural collagen with its added vitamin C - it's make-up and eye care in one jar!' Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark is a huge fan of Danish skincare brand, Ole Henriksen Heaven by Deborah Mitchell Silk Skin Bee Bee Cream - 39 Deborah Mitchell's famous bee venom facials, said to cost upwards of 300, have garnered fans including Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton. Inspired by the success of her facial treatments, Deborah launched her own skincare brand, Heaven, featuring products enriched with hyaluronic acid and bee venom. Camilla, 76, reportedly favours the 39 Silk Skin Bee Bee Cream for its ability to impart a subtle glow to her skin. Deborah Mitchell's Silk Skin Bee Bee Cream, 39, is inspired by her famous bee venom facials It is a timeless pattern that has graced the wardrobes of monarchs, princesses, and young royals alike. From the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne to Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte, polka dots have remained a fashion staple. Indeed it was Charlotte who continued the trend at Wimbledon earlier this month, when she attended the men's singles final with her mother in a polka dot navy ruffled frock from Guess. The fashion-forward Princess Margaret bought the print into the royal household in the late 1940s and it was quickly adopted as a go-to for the late Queen Elizabeth II, particularly in the early years of her reign. Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York, then flew the flag for dotty dresses in the 1980s - after Princess Anne had done so in the 60s. Princess Charlotte wore a polka dot navy ruffled Guess frock for her attendance at the Wimbledon men's final alongside her mother the Princess of Wales last Sunday The fashion-forward Princess Margaret bought the print into the royal household in the late 1940s. Above: Margaret re-opening a teacher training college in Eltham, south-east London, 1949 In May 1981, shortly after her engagement to Prince Charles was announced, Lady Diana Spencer wore a polka dot outfit by Jasper Conran Kate's use of the pattern shows that she knows that her clothes are much more than just clothes - they send a message to. Alessandra Rich has been the designer behind the majority of Kate's polka-dotted pieces, from her midi dress at Wimbledon in 2022 to a high-necked, long-sleeved number at Royal Ascot the same year. The latter was an almost exact replica of a Victor Edelstein dress Princess Diana wore at the same event four decades earlier. For Prince Philip's memorial service in March 2022, she chose a monochrome polka dot design. Back in 1982, Diana introduced a newborn Prince William to the press on the steps of St Mary's Hospital in teal polka dots. Kate then chose a similar frock by Jenny Packham 35 years later when she emerged with a newborn Prince George. Back in 1982, Diana introduced a newborn Prince William to the press on the steps of St Mary's Hospital in teal polka dots Diana wore a fuchsia polka-dotted dress by Donald Campbell when she visited Rome in 1985 Princess Diana wearing a blue Catherine Walker outfit boasting white polka dots as she awaits the arrival of West German president Richard von Weizsacker at Victoria station at the start of his state visit, 1986 At the 1987 Epsom Derby it was an 80s padded shoulder polka dot skirt suit for Sarah Ferguson, who dressed in monochrome from head to toe At home in Kensington Palace, Princess Diana chose a nautical navy and white polka dot dress with white lapel and pussybow neck, October 1985 Princess Anne wore this white and pale blue polka dot dress in the grounds of Buckingham Palace in the 1960s For the 1952 Royal Windsor Horse Show, Queen Elizabeth II - newly on the throne after the death of her father - wore a structured peplum jacket and A-line skirt, each boasting a polka dot pattern Kate wore a chic button-up frock by her go-to designer Alessandra Rich for an exhibition at Bletchley Park in 2019 In a look reminiscent of Princess Diana, for Royal Ascot in 2022 Kate wore a white dress with brown polka dots by Alessandra Rich with a co-ordinating Sally-Ann Provan hat Kate attended Prince Philip's memorial service at Westminster Abbey in 2022 in an Alessandra Rich long sleeve dress complete with a high neck, a nod to the style of the seventies For Royal Ascot in 2022 Princess Beatrice gave her spots a glamorous edge with crystal bows adorning the front of her black and white polka dot dress by It-girl brand Saloni Zara Tindall steps out in a spectacular spotted LK Bennet dress embellished with glitzy statement buttons for Easter Sunday in 2022 So what has made this print so enduringly appealing over the decades? The simplicity and versatility of the print are key factors. Polka dots can be both casual and formal, making them suitable for all occasions. Whether on a tailored dress for a formal engagement or a playful blouse for a more relaxed event, they effortlessly transition across different settings. Moreover, polka dots have a nostalgic charm that evoke a sense of vintage glamour. This sense of continuity and timelessness is particularly significant for the British royal family, who are seen as custodians of tradition and heritage. READ MORE: What was Bigfoot? Here's 5 theories about the hairy ape-man 'Winged humanoid' with massive red eyes was first witnessed in the 1960s From the Loch Ness monster to Bigfoot and the Abominable Snowman, the world is full of many legendary 'creatures' never proven to exist. Now, a new series of Netflix's 'Unexplained Mysteries' is set to look at one of the most terrifying 'cryptids' of all the Chicago Mothman. Allegedly witnessed in Chicago and Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the horrifying figure is described as a 'human with wings' and massive glowing red eyes. Linked to fatal bridge collapses, it's the subject of a 2002 film starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney but what could the monster actually be? MailOnline spoke to an academic and a 'cryptozoologist' someone in the outlandish pseudoscientific field dedicated to finding such fantastical beasts to find out the truth behind the Chicago Mothman. Allegedly witnessed in Chicago and Point Pleasant, West Virginia , the horrifying figure is described as a 'human with wings' and massive glowing red eyes (artist's impression) What is the Chicago Mothman? The Chicago Mothman is a cryptid - a creature whose existence is disputed or unsubstantiated, with little to no scientific evidence. Described as a 'winged humanoid' figure with red eyes, it was first described in 1966. At the time a sighting was made in Point Pleasant, West Virginia - but more recently people have reported seeing it in Chicago. Advertisement Episode five of the new Netflix series which arrives on July 31 focuses on the Chicago Mothman. In a description for the episode, Netflix says: 'Amid eerie sightings of a tall, winged humanoid creature with red eyes, paranormal investigators explore the Mothman's seeming link to major disasters.' Richard Freeman is zoological director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), an eccentric cryptozoology organisation that relies on public donations to carry out 'extensive research into mystery animals' around the world. Mr Freeman told MailOnline that Mothman is a 'paranormal manifestation' 'not a flesh and blood creature but a supernatural entity'. But Dr Jason Gilchrist, an ecologist and lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, said he always believes in 'rational over irrational explanations' when it comes to myths like this. 'Sightings and reports may well fall into the "expectant attention" bracket the psychological effect where people see what they want or expect to see where something is difficult to see with resolution,' Dr Gilchrist told MailOnline. People claiming to see the Mothman may have actually misidentified a real animal, according to the academic. A sandhill crane a large bird found throughout North America with red markings around its eyes may be 'the most likely explanation'. Netflix says: 'Amid eerie sightings of a tall, winged humanoid creature with red eyes, paranormal investigators explore the Mothman's seeming link to major disasters' MailOnline spoke to an academic and a 'cryptozoologist' - someone in the outlandish pseudoscientific field dedicated to finding such fantastical beasts - to find out the truth behind the Chicago Mothman (artist's impression) Dr Jason Gilchrist, an ecologist at Edinburgh Napier University, thinks Mothman 'witnesses' may have seen a sandhill crane - a large bird found throughout North America with red markings around its eyes (pictured) 'Alternative explanations include hallucination or consciously constructed story for attention,' Dr Gilchrist added. 'Deliberate fabrications and hoaxes are also possible.' The Mothman phenomenon dates back nearly 60 years ago to Point Pleasant, a small city in West Virginia, close to the border with Ohio. In November 1966, two couples spotted the 'man-sized, bird-like creature' in the city at around midnight (and they insisted they hadn't been drinking). They told the Point Pleasant Register that the figure was about 'six or seven feet tall' with a wingspan of 10 feet and red eyes about two inches in diameter. Described as like 'a man with wings' it was airborne, flying at 'about 100 miles an hour' and even following them in their car along Route 62. Following the initial newspaper report, more people in the Point Pleasant area reported seeing it too, including two fireman who described is as a 'large bird with red eyes'. When the city's Silver Bridge collapsed in December 1967, killing 46 people, locals were connecting the event with the monster. More recently, the creature has been allegedly spotted in Chicago, with 55 sightings in the city in 2017 alone, according to reports. The Mothman was allegedly first seen in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in the 1960s but more recent sightings have occurred in Chicago, Illinois When Point Pleasant's Silver Bridge collapsed in December 1967, killing 46 people, locals were connecting the event with the monster Author John Keel published his 1975 novel 'The Mothman Prophecies', which was adapted into a 2002 film starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney (pictured) Now more than half a century later Point Pleasant hold an annual Mothman festival featuring tours, films and music, helping boost tourism in the city. 'With all the attention and visitors and the Mothman festival, there are now economic reasons for the myth to be perpetuated, as with the Loch Ness Monster,' said Dr Gilchrist. According to the researcher, the mystery of cryptids such as Nessie, Bigfoot, Mothman and the Abominable Snowman are 'self-perpetuating'. 'People want to see or find something rare or special it's a part of human nature,' he told MailOnline. 'Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 4' is released to Netflix on July 31. NASA's Curiosity rover has made a 'mind-blowing' discovery on Mars that scientists said 'should not be there.' The one-ton rover uncovered yellowish-green crystals of pure sulfur during its search for chemical evidence that the Red Planet was once habitable. While minerals containing sulfur have been observed in the Martian world, elemental sulfur on its own has never been seen before. Curiosity accidently cracked opening white stones as it traveled through the Gediz Vallis channel, revealing the 'strange' structures that add to the growing evidence that Mars was once a habitable world. The one-ton rover uncovered yellowish-green crystals of pure sulfur during its search for chemical evidence that the Red Planet was once habitable Previous research has suggested that sulfur may have played a key role in the origin of life on Earth more than four billion years ago when the atmosphere was rich in sulfur and carbon, which was emitted through volcanic activity. Microbes metabolized sulfur isotopes, releasing oxygen and beginning the process of oxygenating the atmosphere, known as the Great Oxygenation Event. But scientists have not said Curiosity's discovery is an indication of past life on Mars. The find has added to the growing evidence of other life-sustaining elements identified on Mars including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus. What the discovery does show is that Mars was flowing with water, which is also a key ingredient for life. Curiosity's project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada, said: 'Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert. 'It shouldn't be there, so now we have to explain it. Discovering strange and unexpected things is what makes planetary exploration so exciting.' The ground-breaking discovery was made on May 30 while Curiosity was off-roading within Gediz Vallis channel, a groove that winds down part of the three-mile-tall Mount Sharp - the base of which the rover has been ascending since 2014. The six-wheeled rover has previously detected sulfur on Mars but only mixed in with other minerals like magnesium and calcium. When combined with other elements, sulfur gives off a pungent smell, but the pure sulfur found on Mars is odorless. NASA scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California first identified a collection of white rocks and issued Curiosity instructions to explore. The rover sent a close-up image of the white stones back to Earth, which included an ear of crushed rocks near Curiosity's wheels. And that is when the team spotted the yellow crystals. 'I think it's the strangest find of the whole mission and the most unexpected,' Vasavada told CNN. Curiosity made the strange find by accidently cracking opening white stones as it traveled through the Gediz Vallis channel 'I have to say, there's a lot of luck involved here. Not every rock has something interesting inside.' While the sulfur rocks were too small and brittle to be sampled with the drill, a large rock nicknamed 'Mammoth Lakes' was spotted nearby. Rover engineers had to search for a part of the rock that would allow safe drilling and find a parking spot on the loose, sloping surface. After Curiosity bored its 41st hole using the powerful drill at the end of the rover's seven-foot robotic arm, the six-wheeled scientist trickled the powdered rock into instruments inside its belly for further analysis so that scientists could determine what materials the rock is made of. 'No one had pure sulfur on their bingo card,' said Vasavada. Sulfur rocks typically feature a 'beautiful, translucent and crystalline texture,' the scientists explained. But the group seen on Mars had been sandblasted for millions of years, which dulled the bright yellow and made them appear reddish like the surrounding landscape. However, the find has added to the growing evidence of other life-sustaining elements identified on Mars including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus. Gediz Vallis channel is one of the primary reasons the science team wanted to visit this part of Mars. The region is located just south of the Martian equator. Scientists think the channel was carved by flows of liquid water and debris, which left an extending two miles down the mountainside below the channel. The goal has been to develop a better understanding of how this landscape changed billions of years ago, and recent clues have provided insights. Since Curiosity arrived at the channel earlier this year, scientists have studied whether ancient floodwaters or landslides built up the large mounds of debris that rise from the channel's floor. The rover sent a close-up image of the white stones back to Earth, which included an ear of crushed rocks near Curiosity's wheels. And that is when the team spotted the yellow crystals The latest clues from Curiosity suggest that both played a role: some piles were likely left by violent flows of water and debris, while others appear to be the result of more local landslides. These conclusions are based on rocks found in the debris mounds. While stones carried by water flow become rounded like river rocks, some of the debris mounds are riddled with more angular rocks that dry avalanches may have deposited. Finally, water soaked into all the material that settled here. Chemical reactions caused by the water bleached white 'halo' shapes into some of the rocks. Erosion from wind and sand has revealed these halo shapes over time. 'This was not a quiet period on Mars,' said Becky Williams, a scientist with the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, and the deputy principal investigator of Curiosity's Mast Camera. 'There was an exciting amount of activity here. We're looking at multiple flows down the channel, including energetic floods and boulder-rich flows.' A man who attended a summer camp in North Korea as a teen has shared what it was really like to stay in the totalitarian country - revealing that kids were 'indoctrinated' and played games 'to destroy the White House.' In a first person piece for Business Insider, Russian man Yuri Frolov recalled the summers he spent in 2015 and 2016 at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Yuri, who is now 25, said his interest in North Korea first piqued as a child after he saw a documentary about the communist dictatorship. He desperately wanted to see the country for himself, discovering the camp in Wonsan, North Korea, after doing some research online. 'I tried to find more information, so I subscribed to a group called "Solidarity with North Korea" on VKontakte Russia's equivalent to Facebook,' he explained in the piece. Russian man Yuri Frolov recalled the summers he spent in 2015 and 2016 at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Once in the group, he discovered a 15-day-long children's summer camp offered by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, which for only $300 included food, accommodation, all the facilities, plane tickets, and everything else. 'I saw it as an opportunity to see North Korea for myself, so I asked my parents, who agreed to send me to Songdowon,' he said. Yuri traveled from St Petersburg, where he grew up, to Vladivostok, a city in the far east of Russia. From there, he and the other children - all aged between nine and 15 - were met by some Communist Party officials where they traveled to North Korea - arriving first at Pyongyang, the capital city. 'I was probably the only one traveling to North Korea to see this dystopia,' he candidly admitted. 'The others seemed to see it as a chance to go to the beach or play in the playground inexpensively.' Yuri recalled the activities the officials took them on, which included war museums showing the captured American vehicles and the USS Pueblo, an American ship that was seized by the North Korea in the 1960s. He also said they were often pushed into supermarkets to spend money, noting they were allowed to buy alcohol and cigarettes - with some of the young children on the camp ending up drunk. Yuri said the staff at Songdowon were 'very welcoming,' to the kids, with most of the campers from Russia but others from Laos, Nigeria, Tanzania, and China. A photo of a plane in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea in March 2016 taken by Yuri Food is laid out for a birthday at the Songdowon International School Children's Camp in 2018 in Wonsan, North Korea Songdowon international children's camp buildings, Kangwon Province, Wonsan, North Korea in 2012 While they spent time with the other children, the North Korean kids at the camp were largely separated from them. 'I think that was deliberate, preventing them from talking with us about their experiences,' he reasoned. While many of the activities were fun, including beach outings, sandcastle-building competitions, and swimming, Yuri said there were also some 'really weird rituals.' 'We had to clean statues of North Korea's former leaders,' he revealed. 'One morning, we woke up at 6am to clean the monuments of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.' Yuri said the kids took part in many activities designed to 'brainwash' them, including singing propaganda songs about the North Korean Supreme Leaders and a computer game where your character, a hamster in a tank, had to destroy the White House. While Yuri had attended the camp out of curiosity, he reported some of the children were influenced by the experience. 'One kid became so indoctrinated afterward that he joined the Communist Party in Russia and was always posting about North Korea,' he recalled. North Korea isn't for those seeking a culinary experience either, with Yuri only eating rice, wedges, and bread, losing a lot of weight in his 15 days away. National flags of North Korea and Russia are displayed in Pyongyang in June for Russian President Vladimir Putin's summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un Pictured: Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attend an official welcoming ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang Yuri said that despite the camp being a 'boring, miserable and overly controlled experience,' he returned the following year as the Communist Party officials had already signed him up. 'It was a stupid decision to return, and I don't know why my parents let me go,' he admitted. 'But I'd totally do it again.' The Songdowon International Children's Camp has been operating for nearly 30 years. It was originally intended mainly to deepen relations with friendly countries in the Communist or non-aligned world. But officials say they are willing to accept youth from anywhere even the United States. The camp is also open to North Korean children who achieve good grades. Glamorous AFL WAG Rebecca Judd is known for her lavish lifestyle. But her fans may be surprised her mother Kerry Brown lives a life worlds' away from her famous Melbourne-based daughter. Bec's 62-year-old New Zealand-born Maori mother moved to Australia in the late 1970s with her now ex-husband Hugh Twigley to take advantage of Western Australia's mining boom. She works as a FIFO (fly in, fly out) worker in the Fortescue's Cloudbreak mine, located in the Pilbara region of WA. Kerry regularly shares photos of her life driving dump trucks in the mines on social media. 'Going to take this bad girl out. move some dirt. and keep Australia moving,' she wrote alongside one post. She also often post happy selfies alongside her FIFO co-workers, enjoying drinks after a hard day at work. Speaking of her mum's profession last year, Bec expressed eager interest and praised Kerry's work. Rebecca Judd's mother Kerry Brown is often worlds away from the lifestyle of her famous, Melbourne-based daughter. Pictured (L-R) Kate Twigley, Bec Judd and Kerry Brown 'Everyone thinks she's so cool driving her massive trucks,' she Stellar magazine in 2023. While it's far cry from Bec's lavish life in the ritzy Melbourne suburb of Brighton, Kerry often visits the footy WAG, her son-in-law Chris Judd and her grandchildren during holidays and sometimes joins the family on their lavish trips to the snow. Bec is the spitting image of her stunning mum, who was also blessed with incredibly youthful looks and a killer figure. Kerry, who is also mother to Kate Twigley, admitted it's helpful to stay connected with her family online and through social media. 'Working in a remote location doesn't help, so it's a real buzz to see what she and the kids are up to [on Instagram],' Kerry told Stellar. 'We're both time-poor, and throw in the time difference [and it's even harder]. Social media is a blessing indeed.' Before her FIFO career began, the mother-of-two worked part-time in television as a director's assistant and unit manager. Kerry (left), 62, is a New Zealand-born Maori mother who moved to Australia in the late 1970s with her now ex-husband Hugh Twigley. Pictured with daughter Bec (right) Kerry works as a FIFO worker in the Fortescue's Cloudbreak mine, located in the Pilbara region of WA where she drives trucks She decided to take on a new profession following her split from Hugh, who also worked in the mining industry, when Bec was just four years old. 'I remember the day mum left. I was with dad, and dad was crying. That's my earliest memory. Isn't that crazy?' Bec recalled on The 3pm Pick-Up in 2020. The former 9News weather presenter has previously said her parents' divorce had a profound impact on her life. Rebecca told Sunday Life magazine in May 2019: 'Growing up, I hated that I didn't have my mum and dad together. 'Everyone else seemed to have mum and dad living together... I would see dad at weekends.' Following her parents' split, Rebecca and her sister, Kate Twigley, went to live with their mother and her new partner. She decided to take on a new profession following her split from Hugh Twigley, who also worked in the mining industry, when Bec was just four years old. Pictured: Kerry with her mining co-workers Kerry also often post happy selfies alongside her FIFO co-workers Bec is the spitting image of her stunning mum, who was also blessed with incredibly youthful looks and a killer figure While it's far cry from Bec's lavish life in the ritzy Melbourne suburb of Brighton , Kerry often visits the footy WAG, her son-in-law Chris Judd and her grandchildren during holidays and sometimes joins the family on their lavish trips to the snow She would visit her father and stepmother during the school holidays because they lived regionally. 'You know when you're a kid and you do not want to be different? That was what made me different,' she added. These days, Rebecca is happily married to retired AFL player Chris Judd, with whom she shares four children, Oscar, 12, Billie, nine, and twins Tom and Darcy, seven. The family lives in a $7.3million mansion in Brighton, an upmarket suburb in Melbourne's south-east. Australia's biggest stars have started a lucrative side hustle and are putting their luxury holiday homes up for rent. A whole host of celebrities have been snapping up multimillion properties around Australia and transforming them into swanky Airbnbs. Karl Stefanovic has jumped on the trend and is making a dime on his stunning Noosa property. Meanwhile, Samantha Armytage, who has just signed a huge two-year deal with Channel Seven to continue on Farmer Wants A Wife, is also cashing in on her NSW coastal holiday let. All properties are luxury pads with sprawling bedrooms and lavish amenities, including swimming pools. And they are getting booked out regularly, with fans eager to not only wind down relax for a couple nights, but experience life as an Aussie TV star. Samantha Armytage While Samantha, 47, lives in the Southern Highlands, she also transformed a coastal cottage in Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, into a modern beachside haven. Australia's biggest stars, including Samantha Armytage, have started a lucrative side hustle and are putting their luxury holiday homes up for rent The former Sunrise star bought the property for $1.8million in 2018 and has done extensive renovation work on it in the years since. Samantha often promotes stays in her stunning waterfront home - which sits on 658sqm - on her social media pages. Perfect for an idyllic break, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property is available as a short-term holiday rental for a staggering $1200 per night, with a three-night minimum stay. The property boasts stunning nature views and is just a short walk from the iconic Hyams Beach and other local amenities. The home's gorgeous architecture, exquisite design and desirable location make it the perfect property for couples and families. However, the sprawling pad could soon leave the market as Samantha put it up for sale for $3.2million in December. If the listing price is matched, Samantha could secure a huge $1.4million profit on the home, but it is not believed to have yet sold. While Samantha, 47, lives in the Southern Highlands, she also transformed a coastal cottage in Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, into a modern beachside haven, which is available for $1200-a-night Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic Today show host Karl, 49, and his designer wife Jasmine, 40, put their Noosa holiday home up for rent earlier this year. The couple listed their five-bedroom, five-bathroom Sunshine Beach villa on the website Noosa Beach Abodes. The sprawling property, dubbed Villa Isabella, is available to rent for holiday lets for an eye-watering $1000 per night. The modern home boasts a heated outdoor swimming pool and sits on a cliff overlooking the popular shoreline in southeast Queensland. The listing describes Karl's property as an 'architecturally designed home' that offers guests 'comfort and relaxation at its finest'. The Noosa escape is spread over three levels, with the middle level featuring an open plan kitchen and a dining and large living area with large glass sliding doors. Two of the main bedrooms with private ensuite bathrooms also sit on the middle level, while two more bedrooms with king-sized beds sit on the top floor. The ground floor boasts a bunk room featuring a colourful mural wall in stark contrast to the other sprawling rooms all-white look. It also has outdoor entertaining decks, a BBQ area, private balconies and an undercover garage. Today show host Karl Stefanovic, 49, and his designer wife Jasmine (both pictured), 40, put their Noosa holiday home up for rent earlier this year The couple listed their five-bedroom, five-bathroom Sunshine Beach villa on the website Noosa Beach Abodes for $1000 per night The listing describes Karl's property as an 'architecturally designed home' that offers guests 'comfort and relaxation at its finest' Megan Gale Model Megan, 48, and her AFL star husband Shaun Hampson snapped up a popular Daylesford property in 2020 for $800,000. Megan fell in love with the 1940s home - called Dollywood Daylesford - when she holidayed there with Shaun and their kids River and Rosie, and later managed to buy it. With a two-night minimum stay, the lavish home is available to visit for anywhere from $600 to $732 per night, with prices varying depending on the time of year. Inspired by the vintage Hollywood era, Dollywood's interiors are modern and sleek but with a quirky twist, boasting vibrant pink touches from the front door to neon signs. The home, which opened its doors in 2016 before Megan purchased it, has 'a hint of Palm Springs and a dash of Cali coastline, heading down Mexico way', according to its website. The four-bedroom home sits on 538 square metres of land and features floor-to-ceiling picture windows with spectacular bush views. Model Megan, 48, and her AFL star husband Shaun Hampson snapped up a popular Daylesford holiday let in 2020 for $800,000 after falling in love with the home during their holidays there With a two-night minimum stay, the lavish home is available to visit for anything from $600 to $732 per night, with prices varying depending on the time of year Furnishings include a gold sofa, an embroidered ottoman and large prints of Californian landmarks. Since buying the sprawling home, Megan and Shaun have added their own touches to the cosy hideaway and it is ranked as one of Airbnb's 'guest favourite' locations. Upon buying the property, Mad Max: Fury Road actress Megan gushed over how thrilled she was to have bought the home where her family so often holidayed. 'It has become a very special "happy place" for us, so to be able to have the opportunity to now own it, is a true blessing,' she shared. 'We are not only thrilled at the prospect of creating more special moments with our children, our extended family and friends but we are SUPER happy that we can throw open the doors to YOU!' 'After a very long, tumultuous year for many people, (especially our fellow Victorian residents) to have a place where we can offer a bit of a restful respite to others, is something that we are so pleased to be able to do.' Inspired by the vintage Hollywood era, Dollywood's interiors are modern and sleek but with a quirky twist Edwina Bartholomew Sunrise host Edwina tied the knot with her long-term partner Neil Varcoe at their historic homestead in the Blue Mountains in 2018. And just one year later, the newlyweds made the 1890s farmhouse, called Warramba, into a long-term rental, available on Airbnb with a minimum stay of 90 nights. Located on 100 acres of land in Glen Alice, the three-bedroom home boasts private hillside views of the Blue Mountains and costs a staggering $72,450 to stay for three months - working out at a nightly rate of $805. The interior design includes a safari-inspired theme, with wooden light fixtures, French doors, outdoor furniture inside the bedrooms and an immaculate kitchen. Guests can camp outside in a bell tent while surrounded by remarkably diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, goannas and birds. Edwina and Neil reportedly paid $430,000 for the charming 19th century sandstone cottage in 2016 and sought the help of a school friend to redesign it the following year. Sunrise host Edwina tied the knot with her long-term partner Neil Varcoe at their historic homestead in the Blue Mountains in 2018 And just one year later, the newlyweds made the 1890s farmhouse, called Warramba, into a long-term rental, available on Airbnb with a minimum stay of 90 nights for $72,450 'There's a few snakes and frogs in the loo but otherwise [we're] on time and under budget!' she previously told Daily Mail Australia of the renovation process. In another property side hustle, the newsreader-turned-property flipper also purchased a 177-year-old country hotel in rural NSW for $2.1million last May. The two-storey property - known as 'The Victoria Hotel' and set in Carcoar, 260ks west of Sydney - was built in 1846. Edwina is currently renovating the property with plans to reopen the rundown hotel in 2025 for business. The historic property boasts a traditional architectural design, including a beautiful balcony and French windows. Of the venture, Edwina previously said: 'A new chapter for the town time forgot. A new full-time project for us. A new side hustle for me in addition to waking up with you every morning on @sunriseon7.' In another property side hustle, the newsreader-turned-property flipper also purchased a 177-year-old country hotel in rural NSW for $2.1million last May, with plans to reopen it in 2025 Darren Palmer Known for his flair for property as a judge on The Block, Darren has also purchased his own holiday home in Suffolk Park, Byron Bay. The celebrity interior designer forked out $3.85million for the property, which is located just metres from Tallow Beach. Called Pompano House, Darren's luxurious four-bedroom pad is available to book out for $2,509 for a minimum three-night stay. The modern beachside home has been fully renovated by Darren, who has put his signature touch on the stunning property, which sits on a 720 sqm block. All four bedrooms reside on the top floor, with three of the bedrooms having access to the home's wraparound balcony. It also boasts a family and dining area that opens up to an alfresco entertaining space and an 8m outdoor saltwater pool. Pompano House is a mere three-minute walk from Tallow Beach and is a stone's throw from Byron Bay's town centre. 'This quintessential Australian beach home is nestled amongst bushland and backs onto a stunning nature reserve,' a description of the home on its website reads. Known for his flair for property as a judge on The Block, Darren has also purchased his own holiday home in Suffolk Park, Byron Bay The celebrity interior designer forked out $3.85million for the property, which is located just metres from Tallow Beach Called Pompano House, Darren's luxurious four-bedroom pad is available to book out for $2,509 for a minimum three-night stay Miriam Margolyes British-Australian actress Miriam, 83, has put her stunning rural retreat in the Southern Highlands up for rent as a holiday home. The picture-perfect home, called Yarrawa Hill, is available to rent on Airbnb for $157 per night, including service fees, with a minimum two-night stay. The lavish three-bedroom property is an Airbnb 'guest favourite' and is the perfect hideaway for art and nature lovers, nestled in 156 acres of tall Eucalypt forest. 'Yarrawa Hill is a private and peaceful retreat, with the wallabies, lyrebirds and rosellas your only neighbours,' the Airbnb description boasts. Located a mere two-hour drive from Sydney, the house boasts a stunning open-plan living area with floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading out on to the balcony. The property can house up to six guests and boasts four bathrooms, while it stands on stilts with vast, unobstructed valley and ocean views. British-Australian actress Miriam, 83, has put her stunning rural retreat in the Southern Highlands up for rent as a holiday home The picture-perfect home, called Yarrawa Hill, is available to rent on Airbnb for $157 per night, including service fees, with a minimum two-night stay The lavish three-bedroom property is an Airbnb 'guest favourite' and is the perfect hideaway for art and nature lovers, nestled in 156 acres of tall Eucalypt forest It boasts 20th century colonial furnishings, including stunning 19th century Indonesian teak doors throughout and Dutch colonial four-poster beds It boasts 20th century colonial furnishings, including stunning 19th century Indonesian teak doors throughout and Dutch colonial four-poster beds. The home has been featured in Home Beautiful and Highlife magazines, and boasts an array of original artworks, music sheets and other treasures from around the globe. Harry Potter star Miriam fell in love with the stunning area whilst filming 1995 movie Babe in Robertson and led her to create the impressive holiday home. She stepped into the shoes of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth when he bowed out of hosting Strictly Come Dancing a decade ago. But now Claudia Winkleman has been dragged into the shows scandal from her time prior to that presenting the spin-off It Takes Two. She would regularly introduce clips of professional dancers on the programme, with some showing them behaving abrasively towards their celebrity partners. Several historical videos have re-emerged in recent days, including one in which James Jordan can be heard threatening to drag actress Georgina Bouzova along the floor and shouting kill you to her during the 2006 series. It was Ms Winkleman, 52, who introduced the clip, which sparked fresh controversy last week. Halfway through it, as Ms Bouzova sat beside her, she made light of the recording and declared Jordan an extraordinary human being. BBC colleagues of Claudia Winkleman, pictured here with co-host Tess Daly, fear that her involvement with the historical clips could have a negative impact on her In one historical clip from 2006, James Jordan can be heard threatening to drag actress Georgina Bouzova along the floor In another clip, Jordan is seen again verbally abusing Ms Bouzova while fellow professional dancer Brendan Cole bellowed at Emmerdale actress Claire King. The BBC dubbed Duran Durans Wild Boys song into the background, with Ms Winkleman saying: What better way to launch a new show than with a visit from the wild boys of Strictly. The clips are currently being shared tens of thousands of times across social media. And now Ms Winklemans BBC colleagues fear that her involvement with the behaviour now being widely condemned by its viewers could have a negative impact on her. Claudia was doing her job at the time when clearly the BBC thought such behaviour was acceptable, said one. She was reading what was on a script. But she does make light of the behaviour and it hasnt gone unnoticed across online platforms. Undeniably, they were different times but unfortunately it now is being looked at through todays lens. Of course Claudia would not ever think treating someone like that was okay. Graziano Di Prima was axed for allegedly kicking celebrity partner Zara McDermott once The revelations about Strictly come ahead of the launch of its 20th anniversary series. Another professional dancer is believed to be the subject of allegations after the behaviour of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima hit the headlines. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Pernice, 33, is expected to be cleared of bullying his former partner, the Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington. Giovanni Pernice, 33, is expected to be cleared of bullying his former partner, the Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington The Italian dancer, who denies any wrongdoing, was presented with Ms Abbingtons allegations in recent weeks and has rebutted them. He has met with BBC bosses and is expecting a verdict within the next week. As part of the BBC probe, several professional and celebrity dancers were asked if they witnessed any incidents of Mr Pernice bullying Ms Abbington, 52. All of them are understood to have said no. A source familiar with the investigation said: Giovanni has seen everything levelled at him and he has been able to refute all of them. He is awaiting the BBCs verdict now but as far as he is concerned he has done nothing wrong and there is no evidence to suggest he has. The ruling will come three months after the investigation began. Many connected with the show are furious that it has taken so long to resolve, and believe it has made the fall-out worse. Yesterday, claims that Anton Du Beke had told his 2009 partner Leila Rouass that she looked like a P*** for having a spray tan came back to light. He apologised immediately after making the comment. Strictly sources say Ms Abbington had urged Ms Rouass to come forward to legal firm Carter Ruck. They feel she may not have done that had the inquiry been completed sooner. Mr Du Beke has not been spoken to by the BBC. It is unlikely he will be as it was dealt with at the time. And in yet another headache for Strictly bosses, it can be revealed that its golden couple, professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington, have split up. The pair, who are due to join their fellow professional dancers in Strictly training today, are at war following a huge fall out after their 18-month romance came to an end. Ms Bychkova, 34, pulled out of performing alongside Mr Widdrington at a Strictly Come Dancing-themed event, Donaheys Dancing With The Stars, on Friday night at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. Guests at the two-night, 700 per person weekend break were expecting the couple to lead a waltz lesson. But Ms Bychkova was a no-show, with Latin dancer Rebecca Scott stepping in. It came days after reports Ms Bychkova made a complaint to BBC bosses about matters relating to Strictly something she later denied. A source close to the estranged couple said: Nadiya is really angry at Kai. Goodness knows how this one will play out... she doesnt want to be in the same room as him. They have had a huge fall out and things are bad between them. There is a whole series to get through of dancing on the same show. The Strictly team are bracing themselves for this nightmare now. Jack Black surfaced in Los Angeles this Saturday after canceling his Tenacious D tour when his bandmate Kyle Gass was plunged into scandal for making a joke about the attempt on Donald Trump's life. Hours after the shooting, Gass celebrated his birthday onstage in Sydney, where Black presented him with a cake and asked him to make a wish. 'Don't miss Trump next time,' said Gass, provoking a laugh and an explosive round of applause from the live audience at the ICC Theatre. The remark triggered an explosive controversy that prompted Black to publicly declare he was 'blindsided' by Gass' joke, scrapping the Tenacious D tour and announcing that 'all future creative plans are on hold.' In the wake of the furor, Black stepped out in Los Angeles this weekend wearing a t-shirt that showed a phoenix rising from the ashes. Jack Black surfaced in Los Angeles this Saturday after canceling his Tenacious D tour when his bandmate Kyle Gass made a controversial joke about the attempt on Donald Trump's life The remark triggered an explosive controversy that prompted Black to publicly declare he was 'blindsided' by Gass' joke, scrapping the Tenacious D tour Black announced the tour cancelation Tuesday - three days after the shooting at the Trump rally, which claimed the life of former fire chief Corey Comperatore as he threw himself in front of his family to shield them from the bullets. 'I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,' he wrote. 'After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.' Black's fans rounded on him online for throwing his decades-long friend and collaborator under the bus over a single controversial joke. Gass also posted a statement apologizing for his comment, which he described as a 'highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.' However, as his career went up in flames and he was dropped by his talent agency, Gass ultimately deleted the apology for his social media. Black pulled the plug on Tenacious D's tour in a desperate bid to avoid being ousted from Hollywood and jeopardizing his upcoming movies, an insider has claimed. He was blindsided by Gass' comments and quickly scrambled to conduct damage control in order to save himself from 'career suicide' and derailing his standing in the industry. In the wake of the furor, Black stepped out in Los Angeles this weekend wearing a t-shirt that showed a phoenix rising from the ashes 'After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold,' he wrote in his statement The remark referred to the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday 'Jack Black is still best friends with Kyle Gass,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'He wasn't expecting the jab that Kyle made about Trump and with his standing in Hollywood, he had to lock this controversy down instantly. 'Though Jack was surprised by it and even surprised by the reaction, he made sure to get ahead of it. 'Jack isn't looking to be cancelled and by ending the tour and stepping away from it all and Kyle's joke, he is hoping that people will quickly forget it. 'There are so many huge movies Jack is attached to right now and to derail that would be career suicide. We will see Tenacious D again, but it could be years from now.' Black currently has three movies in post-production, including the upcoming sci-fi action-comedy Borderlands, which is slated for release later this year. He plays the lead in the live-action film based on the video game Minecraft, alongside Jason Momoa and Danielle Brooks which is due in cinemas on April 4, 2025. He will also be sharing the screen with Keegan-Michael Key in new Christmas comedy, Dear Santa, which follows a young boy who accidentally sends his wish list to Satan. Gass, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump, is said to be fearing for his friendship with Black. While on stage, Gass expressed he wished Trump's would-be assassin hadn't missed Black quickly cancelled Tenacious D's tour in a desperate bid to save his standing in Hollywood, an insider told DailyMail.com 'Kyle never wanted it to get to this point, obviously,' the insider said. 'He genuinely feels bad about the fallout. 'He thought it was a throwaway line during a show, but it has taken a life of its own and he is accepting his current fate. 'He just hopes that people will forgive him and that it won't impact his friendship with Jack..' Until it was canceled Tuesday, Black and Gass were on the Spicy Meatball Tour, which kicked off in May and was set to wrap in October. They had already completed dates in US and Europe and were due to perform in various cities across Australia and New Zealand before returning to the states for more shows. They are also scheduled to hit the road in October before Election Day to raise voter awareness as part of Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan non-profit organization. They were scheduled to play five dates in college towns, most of which have sold out, including Columbus, Bloomington, Madison, Kalamazoo, and State College, Pennsylvania. The band has not confirmed if the plug has been pulled on these dates. All proceeds were to be donated to Rock the Vote. Last month, Jack delivered a speech that went viral at a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles for President Joe Biden Australian senator Ralph Babet joined a chorus of outraged voices and asked for the band to be deported following Gass' controversial comments. In the wake of the shooting that killed one spectator on Saturday, investigators were hunting for any clues about what may have drove Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, to carry out the shocking attack. The FBI said they were investigating it as a potential act of domestic terrorism, but the absence of a clear ideological motive by the man shot dead by the Secret Service led conspiracy theories to flourish. The FBI said it believes Crooks, who had bomb-making materials in the car he drove to the rally, acted alone. Last month, Black delivered a speech at a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles for president Joe Biden, in which he endorsed the leader. The event, which raised more than $30million, was also attended by former president Barack Obama, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand. Francesca Packer has sailed off on a luxurious European yacht trip with her boyfriend Robert Bates. The billionaire heiress, 29, who is the daughter of investor Gretel Packer and financier Nick Barham, was reportedly spotted arriving at a port in Corfu, Greece. On their romantic European summer voyage, Francesca and Robert have sailed to the Greek island from the Italian port of Napoli, according to the Daily Telegraph. The couple are said to be travelling on Francesca's mother Gretel's superyacht, the Arctic P, which is valued at a staggering $119millionAUD ($80millionUSD). The extravagant 87m German-built vessel was launched in 1969 and is available to charter for up to 12 guests and 25 crew members. The former expedition yacht was bought by the Packer family in 1995 and has undergone multiple refittings since. Francesca and Robert are said to be enjoying the vessel's luxurious offerings while sailing and sightseeing around Europe. The couple began dating in 2022 and confirmed their romance in December of that year after they were spotted kissing on the deck of a luxury yacht in Sydney Harbour. Francesca Packer (pictured in May 2022) has sailed off on a luxurious European yacht trip with her boyfriend Robert Bates The heiress daughter of investor Gretel Packer, 29, was reportedly spotted arriving at a port in Corfu, Greece, with Robert (both pictured on a Melbourne plane earlier this year) Francesca reportedly 'fell head over heels' for the divorced father and even 'confided to friends her desire to start a family' with him. Robert is the CEO of failed wellness brands Aurum+ and Aquamamma and the founder of 7 Trinity Biotech. Francesca is the daughter of Australian investor Gretel Packer and the granddaughter of the late media mogul Kerry Packer. Her uncle is Australian billionaire James Packer, the former owner and chairperson of the esteemed Crown Resorts. Preparations for Jennifer Lopez' 55th birthday bash in the Hamptons were well underway this Saturday afternoon - despite her marital woes with Ben Affleck. Lopez recently spent her second wedding anniversary without her husband, as he remained in California while she holidayed on the East Coast. Now it appears she will also celebrate her next birthday with Affleck across the country, under a cloud of rumors that they are teetering on the brink of divorce. Although she actually turns 54 this coming Wednesday, it appeared that she was gearing up to throw her party a bit early over the weekend. A large van full of flowers could be spotted arriving at her party venue, where a horse and buggy also appeared to have been hired for the occasion. Preparations for Jennifer Lopez ' 55th birthday bash in the Hamptons were well underway this Saturday afternoon - despite her marital woes with Ben Affleck On Saturday morning, as the preparations for her festivities kicked off, Lopez posted a beaming selfie on Instagram and wrote: 'Today is gonna be a great day' Lopez may have rented some upscale furnishings for the fete, as a truck from the luxury furniture brand Serena & Lily was on the scene as well. Members of staff, all dressed in black, could be spotted gathering near the valet stand as the on-site arrangements came together. Ben has not been pictured with Jennifer since June 5 and as recently as this Friday he was spotted in California with his children. His eldest daughter Violet, 18, whom he shares with Jennifer Garner, was spotted visiting Lopez last weekend in the Hamptons. A source exclusively told DailyMail.com that Affleck and Lopez' respective children have been working behind the scenes to help them repair their marriage. 'The kids think Jennifer and Ben are really, deeply in love, like soul mates and they don't want them to divorce. They want them to work it out for better or for worse, like their vows said.' the insider explained. 'And they do feel that the two should continue counseling and talking it out, even if it is painful. They feel like if they do and say the right things that there could be more peace,' the source continued. The children were purportedly hoping that Affleck and Lopez would be able to get 'back together' before the pop star celebrates her 55th birthday on July 24. Lopez recently spent her second wedding anniversary without her husband, as he remained in California while she holidayed on the East Coast; pictured at the 2023 Grammys Lopez recently spent her second wedding anniversary without her husband, as he remained in California while she holidayed on the East Coast Now it appears she will also celebrate her next birthday with Affleck across the country, under a cloud of rumors that they are teetering on the brink of divorce A large van full of flowers could be spotted arriving at her party venue, where a horse and buggy also appeared to have been hired for the occasion Lopez may have rented some upscale furnishings for the fete, as a truck from the luxury furniture brand Serena & Lily was on the scene as well Members of staff, all dressed in black, could be spotted gathering near the valet stand as the on-site arrangements came together Ben has not been pictured with Jennifer since June 5 and as recently as this Friday he was spotted in California with his children A source exclusively told DailyMail.com that Affleck and Lopez' respective children have been working behind the scenes to help them repair their marriage The party comes as insiders informed DailyMail.com that Lopez is throwing herself into efforts to salvage her marriage On Saturday morning, as the preparations for her festivities kicked off, Lopez posted a beaming selfie on Instagram and wrote: 'Today is gonna be a great day.' The party comes as insiders informed DailyMail.com that Lopez is throwing herself into efforts to salvage her marriage. Sources said their recent time apart has only reinforced just how much they love each other, further fueling their determination to avoid calling it quits. The pair, who recently listed their $60million family home, were last pictured together on June 2 and have spent several big occasions - including Mother's Day and their second wedding anniversary - apart amid ongoing reports their rekindled romance is careering towards divorce. But Lopez, 54, has made a concerted effort to focus on their blended family and has put work commitments on hold to help get their romance back on track. 'Jennifer is hopeful right now about salvaging her marriage to Ben,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'She would not be spending time with his children acting in the role as a mom to them if she was not working things out with him or, at the very least, on the right path.' Lopez and Affleck have realized they still love each other after spending some time apart 'to think things over', a source has revealed to DailyMail.com (pictured in February) The insider added that the true reason why Ben and Jennifer have not been together so far this summer was to help them determine how much they still valued their relationship. 'They have given each other space to think things over and this has reinforced that they do love each other,' the source claimed. 'Jennifer has put work on hold to focus on repairing the damage that was done. She knows that she allowed her career and her fame to come between her marriage at times.' They continued: 'She is really trying to just be a good mom and a normal person for the time being because she knows that, at the end of the day, her riches and fame aren't everything. She is hoping that it is not too late.' However, the insider added that Affleck had also made his own mistakes, adding: 'Those around her have assured her that she is not solely to blame as Ben is not a walk in the park either.' DailyMail.com previously revealed that Lopez had even been confiding in her husband's ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, who eventually had to step back from an informal mediator role between the pair, as she no longer wanted to be part of the 'circus' around the pair. But she still remains in 'constant communication' with Garner who has 'helped things tremendously.' 'Jennifer is eternally grateful for her help even though she has now taken a step back,' the insider said. 'But Jen was able to get through to her ex-husband like no one else could even her.' A source revealed: 'Jennifer is really trying to just be a good mom and a normal person for the time being because she knows that none of her riches and fame mean anything' Affleck and Garner share three children: Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12. Meanwhile, Lopez shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with her ex-husband, Marc Anthony. It looked like their blended family would be ripped apart after Affleck moved out of their California mansion and into a $100K-a-month rental located near his ex-wife. Just weeks later, the home was quietly listed for $65 million and the pair began selling off art work from inside the mansion. However, the source revealed that the pair had a simple reason for choosing to put their marital home back on the market - their family did not feel 'safe' in the Bel Air mansion and struggled to call it 'home.' 'Jennifer and Ben decided to sell their house because neither one of them, nor their kids, felt like this place was home,' the insider dished. 'It was too big, and the openness made them feel unsafe at times and although they have around the clock security, something just didnt feel right.' The source added that Affleck, in particular, never felt truly comfortable in the mansion - likely leading to him being so quick to move his items out last month. They added: 'Ben hated the house more than Jennifer, so when things started to fall apart in their marriage he was just over it. 'The amount of money it costs just in utilities for that home was astronomical.' Lopez and Affleck rekindled in 2021 and married in a Las Vegas ceremony the following July, before throwing a lavish wedding at his Georgia estate in August 2022 (pictured) But the duo were spotted on opposite ends of the country as they marked their second anniversary apart on July 16 (pictured in May 2023) The couple's love story first began in 2002 when they dated while filming the movie Jersey Girl. They got engaged the following year but broke up in 2004. They delighted fans when they rekindled their romance in the spring of 2021. They tied the knot in a Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, followed by a lavish wedding at his Georgia estate a month later. But the duo were spotted on opposite ends of the country as they seemingly failef to come together to mark their second anniversary on July 16. A smiling Affleck was spotted suited up as he arrived to his office in Los Angeles, carrying a large iced coffee and a duffel bag while Lopez was in the Hamptons with his 18-year-old daughter Violet. Whatever happens next, the pair still have plans to work together as Lopez is set to star in two upcoming movies - Unstoppable and Kiss Of The Spider Woman - for Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, Artists Equity. Lindsay Hubbard excitedly announced the sex of her first child during a 'special' reveal that took place during a recent, European getaway. The Summer House star, 37 - who revealed her shock pregnancy earlier this month on Fourth of July - uploaded a video to her main Instagram page on Saturday that had captured the sweet moment. Despite the TV personality initially keeping the identity of her boyfriend out of the public eye following the pregnancy news, it was later revealed that she is dating Dr. Turner Kufe, per Page Six. At the beginning of the clip, Hubbard was filmed walking into their hotel room located at Lake Maggiore in Italy and immediately gasped when she saw pink decorations inside. Pink balloons and floral bouquets were placed throughout the living room area as her boyfriend revealed to Lindsay that they will be parents to a baby girl. Lindsay Hubbard, 37, excitedly announced the sex of her first child during a 'special' reveal that took place during a recent, European getaway The Summer House star - who revealed her shock pregnancy earlier this month on Fourth of July - uploaded a video to her main Instagram page on Saturday that had captured the sweet moment Lindsay then looked towards the camera and yelled, 'Stop!' as she took in the meaning behind the pink decorations. She took a few steps inside the hotel room and exclaimed, 'What! No! We're having a girl?' Hubbard's purse and key fell to the floor as her hands flew to her face during the emotional moment as her boyfriend continued to film her reaction. 'Oh my God, babe,' the reality star expressed as she turned around to look at her partner once again before the reel came to an end. During the video, the mother-to-be wore a loose-fitting, white maxi dress while a colorful bandana was wrapped around her blonde locks. In the caption of the latest post, Lindsay expressed to her fans and followers, 'This was truly the most special moment of my pregnancy!!' 'My boyfriend found out the gender first, and then revealed it to me in the sweetest way while we were traveling in Europe.' She continued, 'We left Milan on June 9th and took a car to Lake Maggiore. He organized ahead of time for the hotel to set up our room with flowers and balloons to surprise me with when we walked in.' At the beginning of the clip, Hubbard was filmed walking into their hotel room located at Lake Maggiore in Italy and immediately gasped when she saw pink decorations inside Pink balloons and floral bouquets were placed throughout the living room area as her boyfriend revealed to Lindsay that they will be parents to a baby girl Lindsay then looked towards the camera and yelled, 'Stop!' as she took in the meaning behind the pink decorations Hubbard's purse and key fell to the floor as her hands flew to her face during the emotional moment as her boyfriend continued to film her reaction 'Oh my God, babe,' the reality star expressed as she turned around to look at her partner once again before the reel came to an end 'It is hard to surprise me, but not only did he pull it off, he crushed it!' Lindsay added, and concluded with, 'We couldn't be more excited that our little cub is a baby girl!' Social media users jumped to the comment section to share their excitement over the reveal, such as fellow Summer House star Gabby Prescod, who typed, 'For the girls ALWAYS!' Samantha Feher - who is also known for starring on Summer House - added, 'gonna start shopping for her now.' Kristen Doute penned, 'i'm so happy for you mama!! brb crying,' while Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix shared, 'omg lindsay,' followed by smiling face and red heart emojis. Earlier this month during the Fourth of July holiday, Lindsay announced that she was expecting baby number one with her boyfriend. At the time, she debuted her growing baby bump in photos, and also shared a picture of a positive pregnancy test as well as a sonogram. Hubbard penned, 'Trigger Warning: This post contains more fireworks than the 4th of July! WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!' 'I truly believe the universe has a bigger plan and this is it! The second I had a feeling, I took a @clearblue Early Digital Pregnancy Test and getting a clear result, in words, made the next steps sooo much easier.' In the caption of the latest post, Lindsay expressed to her fans and followers, 'This was truly the most special moment of my pregnancy!!' Earlier this month during the Fourth of July holiday, Lindsay announced that she was expecting baby number one with her boyfriend Hubbard penned, 'Trigger Warning: This post contains more fireworks than the 4th of July! WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!'; seen earlier this month in NYC 'My boyfriend and I are beyond excited to welcome our little #HubbCub this Holiday season 2024!!' The pregnancy news comes nearly one year after her split from ex-fiance and fellow Summer House co-star, Carl Radke, in September 2023. Lindsay also recently revealed that she plans to film season nine of the Bravo series while pregnant and alongside her ex. In regards to filming with Radke, she told People earlier this month, 'That relationship is in my past, and I can't really focus on my past anymore because I'm so focused on my present and my future.' 'And to be honest, his emotions are no longer my responsibility. It's just not my problem anymore.' She also discussed her boyfriend, who is presumed to be Dr. Turner Kufe, and gushed that she has 'met my match.' 'Obviously, it was a surprise and a shock at first because we were not trying or even planning, but we had some honest conversations and it just felt so right for both of us.' The pregnancy news comes nearly one year after her split from ex-fiance and fellow Summer House co-star, Carl Radke, in September 2023; former couple seen in March 2023 in L.A. In regards to filming with Radke, she told People earlier this month, 'That relationship is in my past, and I can't really focus on my past anymore because I'm so focused on my present and my future' In regards to keeping their relationship mainly private, Lindsay also explained to People , 'He's a private person, mostly because of his high-powered job' The TV personality further expressed to the outlet, 'We have a very loving, caring and healthy relationship.' She also admitted, 'Yes, it is a lot of pressure on a new relationship, but I think because he's the right man because we are so bonded and connected and communicate very effectively with each other that it hasn't felt like work.' In regards to keeping their relationship mainly private, Lindsay also explained to People, 'He's a private person, mostly because of his high-powered job.' Kufe notably works as Vice President of Research and Investments at Royal Pharma. 'Obviously, I'm a very public [person] and share pretty much every aspect of my life with the world, so I know it's weird. But I need to respect his privacy here.' Graziano Di Prima has been accused of 'chasing' after his Strictly Come Dancing partner Zara McDermott while 'screaming abuse,' in allegations reported on Sunday. The professional dancer, 31, is said to have left the documentary maker, 27, so frightened that she 'locked herself in a toilet' during the 'scary rehearsal sessions.' When the scandal first made headlines this week Graziano was axed from the upcoming series over claims he verbally and physically abused Zara during last year's competition. According to reports, shock details have now been revealed which allege he 'called her nasty names, asked if she had gained weight and was forceful' leaving her 'visibly demoralised' and 'in tears.' Zara herself previously claimed in a statement there had been 'particular incidents inside the training room which were incredibly distressing.' Graziano Di Prima has been accused of 'chasing' after his Strictly Come Dancing partner Zara McDermott while 'screaming abuse,' in allegations reported on Sunday (pictured in January) The professional dancer, 31, is said to have left the documentary maker, 27, so frightened that she 'locked herself in the toilet' during the 'scary rehearsal sessions' She did not report the incidents at the time as she was 'scared' of backlash, instead it was junior production staff who came forward. An insider told The Sun: 'Zara ran to the toilets and locked herself in. He chased after her and was screaming abuse. He was aggressive and called her nasty names. It was really scary. 'You could constantly hear Graziano screaming but when production staff opened the door he would stop. Hed say, "How the f*** are you not getting this right?", and "Why are we even bothering to come here?". Zara was visibly demoralised. 'Just before their live performance on Halloween, Graziano asked Zara if she had gained weight. She didnt put her foot in the right direction and he was being forceful with her. She was crying behind the curtain during final rehearsals.' The insider added that Graziano would apologise each time and 'promise to not do it again.' A BBC Spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We will not be commenting on individuals or engaging with speculation. 'However, as we have said previously we will always listen if people want to make us aware of something or raise it with us directly and we have appropriate procedures and processes in place to manage this.' Graziano's representative has been contacted for comment. Earlier this week, Graziano admitted he called Zara McDermott 'rubbish' in re-surfaced interview as he detailed his tough training regime. According to reports, shock details have now been revealed which allege he 'called her nasty names, asked if she had gained weight and was forceful' leaving her 'visibly demoralised' (pictured in March) Zara herself previously claimed in a statement there had been 'particular incidents inside the training room which were incredibly distressing' An insider told The Sun : 'Just before their live performance on Halloween, Graziano asked Zara if she had gained weight. She didnt put her foot in the right direction and he was being forceful with her. She was crying behind the curtain during final rehearsals' Zara has since been seen with only three toenails left, her feet 'bleeding' and 'passed out' on the floor as images of her in training have come to light once more. Now, in a re-surfaced interview from October, Graziano discusses the regime he undergoes with the celebrity contestants while speaking to Zara's boyfriend Sam Thompson on his Hits Radio UK show. In the clip he explained: 'The thing for me, every season I try to make a friend, because this person needs to feel comfortable in the room with me, because they've never danced before for example, and we dont know each other.' Graziano added: 'We are forced to spend all day together. You need to understand that Im just teaching you. 'Everything Im saying is not personal, it's about how you move. Im not telling you that youre rubbish in life!' MailOnline has contacted Graziano Di Prima's representatives for comment. In a resurfaced video posted on the professional dancer's Instagram Story, Zara can be seen napping on the floor of the dance studio as she attempted to get some rest after an exhausting training session. Taken on October 25 just days before the pair were eliminated from the show in week six, Graziano waited for her to wake up as he captioned the snap: 'She asked me 5 minutes break'. Later reposting the clip, after her slumber, she seemed to joke: 'I think I've clocked about 50k steps already today with this routine. Give me a break pls' alongside a laughing emoji. Months after the show, Zara also revealed that she only has three toenails after losing them during the competition. While training for Strictly, Zara shared a photo of her nasty foot wounds including one on her big toe, she wrote: 'Half my toe has come off tbh.' Zara has since been seen with only three toenails left , her feet 'bleeding' and 'passed out' on the floor as images of her in training have come to light once more Now, in a re-surfaced interview from October, Graziano discusses the regime he undergoes with the celebrity contestants while speaking to Zara's boyfriend Sam Thompson (pictured on Hits Radio UK show) Graziano says: 'Everything Im saying is not personal, it's about how you move. Im not telling you that youre rubbish in life!' During an interview last year, Zara revealed the reason behind her agonising injury, that left her feet 'bleeding' was her gruelling training sessions. She said at the time it was a tough ride during rehearsals when Graziano made her wear 'men's shoes' which left her feet sore and cut. Speaking at the Who Cares Wins awards, Zara said: 'Graziano told me not to go for the heels but to dance in men's shoes at the start. 'I told him, 'It's not working, I need to take them off' and he said, 'No, no you're fine'. 'I said honestly it's hurting and I took them off and my feet were bleeding. I was like, 'I told you I am not being dramatic!' Zara has been open about her injuries and has more recently been wearing a Aircast Boot after having a stress fracture in her tibia. In March, she shared a health update on Instagram ahead of a hospital visit, she penned: 'This evening I'm heading to the hospital because while I was away I got some news from my Dr about my tibia fracture. 'The good news is that there is some small evidence of healing! Yay! 'However he said he can see that the bone surrounding the fracture is under a lot of tension/pressure... whatever that means? 'Surgery is still an option but I've opted for the most natural route which is to try and help it heal on its own...' In another post, Zara explained her injury further and asked followers for advice. She penned: 'So I have quite a significant stress fracture in my tibia that isn't healing. It stretches pretty much the entire width of my bone. 'The professor who operated on me back in December has advised that I am likely to need further surgery where they put metal screws and plates above and below the fractured area to fuse it together. 'I'm just weighing up whether to crack on and go ahead with the surgery or wait and hope that it starts to heal on its own. If it doesn't, then I will need to have surgery in 3-6 months anyway.' During an interview last year, Zara revealed the reason behind her agonising injury, that left her feet 'bleeding', was due to partner Graziano's training A photo of her 'passed out' during rehearsal with Strictly partner Graziano in a 'resurfaced' video from last October has also come to light After Graziano shared the video of her napping Zara was quick to hit back by claiming she had done 'double the workload' of her professional partner Zara broke her silence after Graziano was sacked from Strictly Come Dancing over reports he 'hit and kicked' her on Tuesday. The Love Island star wrote on Instagram that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing'. 'I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports,' Zara begain. 'Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.' 'When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it.' 'I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.' 'And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to worth with. 'However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredible distressing to watch. Zara explained that she didn't report the incidents at the time as she was 'scared' of backlash. Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni Pernice was taking place. Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over allegations made by Amanda Abbinngton and two other former celebrity partners. He has now denied all accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour made by Amanda in her interview and has cooperated with the BBC. Zara broke her silence after Graziano was sacked from Strictly Come Dancing over reports he 'hit and kicked' her on Tuesday The star wrote on Instagram that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room with Graziano there were 'distressing incidents' Both Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have since unfollowed Graziano, but she still follows his wife, Giada Lini (Zara and Sam pictured) 'I have wrested with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming,' Zara wrote on Instagram. 'But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show. I have wrestled with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show. 'The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up especially in a a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I've seen through working with countless women on my documentaries. 'I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as wel as everyone who has reached out to me - it really truly meas a lot. Love, always. Zara.' Graziano, who was due to compete in his seventh series of Strictly before his sacking, is taking legal action against the BBC, MailOnline revealed on Monday. The BBC has vowed to fight back after it was revealed that Strictly Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima is taking legal action against the broadcaster. The Sicilian dancer believes he should have been 'supported and helped' with his behaviour after bosses warned him about his treatment of former Love Island star Zara. But a BBC insider told the Mail that the broadcaster will fight back, explaining: 'Why would any workplace, particularly one paid for by the public, offer support to someone who acted in an undoubtedly abhorrent manner?' Graziano, who allegedly 'kicked and hit' Zara, argues that he was not given any advice on how to deal with the pressure of competing in the show. Graziano, who was due to compete in his seventh series of Strictly before his sacking, is taking legal action against the BBC , MailOnline revealed on Monday Graziano shared a statement reading: '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' A friend of the professional dancer said: 'There are questions over their [the BBC's] procedures, and how they operate behind the scenes.' 'He [Di Prima] believes that there is a lot of pressure on professionals to get nines or tens to entertain the audience.' MailOnline revealed that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him. The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue. Graziano was even signed on for the upcoming 2024 series of Strictly. A source from the show said: 'There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal, but all of it was dreadful.' It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Zara nine months after their initial complaint that he was fired. Rylan revealed he had been temporarily banned from Instagram after sending an unintentionally inappropriate picture. The TV star, 35, had been celebrating his beloved mum Linda's birthday on Saturday night when he was dealt the surprise blow from the social media company. He told his followers: 'Anyone that's messaging me I'm not being rude but I've been banned for 3 days for sending a picture of a plant that looks like a Willy. Back Wednesday x' He then uploaded a screenshot to his stories that had a screen saying 'Temporarily unavailable' with the reasoning behind it being: 'Something you sent in a chat went against our Community Guidelines. You can't send messages for three days'. Fans and famous faces including Scott Mills and Faye from Steps couldn't help but laugh at the innocent mistake writing: 'Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahaaha' and 'Bahahahahahaha'. Rylan revealed he had been temporarily banned from Instagram after sending an inappropriate picture The TV star, 35, had been celebrating his beloved mum Linda's birthday on Saturday night when he was dealt the surprise blow from the social media company Lizzie Cundy joked that she needed to be careful as she wrote: 'Im definitely banned then ' with Jedward simply putting 'Scandal' followed by a plant emoji. Earlier in the evening Rylan had celebrated with his mum and brother Jamie, before presenting Linda with a giant chocolate cake that boasted a sparkler. As he posted stories from their night - before getting banned - the family could be seen singing along to a home set up karaoke, with Linda having the time of her life taking over the mic and singing loud and proud. At one point, Rylan commented that he just wanted to go to bed having been up early for his BBC Radio 2 show, but the party was still in full swing. It comes after Rylan dished out his own surprises to British Airways customer earlier in the month. The presenter made a tannoy announcement during a flight to Berlin ahead of the 2024 Euros final. He stood at the front of the plane to wish everyone on board a 'safe and brilliant' match and urged them not to loose their passports. Speaking over the tannoy, Rylan joked: 'If you see me tonight buying some Peroni, I might be in a blonde wig but we'll get used to it. Instagram's reasoning was: 'Something you sent in a chat went against our Community Guidelines. You can't send messages for three days' Rylan's mother Linda was presented with a giant chocolate cake that boasted a sparkler before he found out the shocking news and letting everybody know After posting the justification on why he was potentially ignoring anybody, Rylan captioned the statement 'Lol' wiith famous faces flooding his comment section about the hiccup Earlier in the month Rylan surprised British Airways customers with a tannoy announcement during a flight to Berlin ahead of the 2024 Euros final on the weekend The TV personality stood at the front of the plane to wish everyone on board a 'safe and brilliant' match and urged them not to loose their passports 'Guys, don't loose you passports, be good, don't get in any fights. Have a safe and brilliant final.' He continued: 'When we fly home tomorrow we are going to be taking the cup home with us. Once again thank you for flying British Airways, please don't loose your passports.' Despite Rylan's encouraging words the Three Lions failed to bring home the cup on Sunday. Barry Humphries' three-bedroom apartment in Sydney has sold, one year after the comedian's death. According to The Daily Telegraph, Humphries' family have accepted a $6.1million offer from Romano and Patricia Lacono. The property, which is located in the famous Quay West block, has panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It features an expansive living and dining area and two bathrooms, one with a spa. The level 30 apartment is located in a complex that has a pool, sauna, spa, parking and 24-hour concierge service. The apartment had a $6.3million price guide. Humphries bought the property in 2004 from the late founder of Ramsay Health Care, Paul Ramsay for $2.5million. The Australian comedic legend died at Sydney's Vincent Hospital last April at the age of 89. Barry Humphries' three-bedroom apartment in Sydney has sold, one year after the comedian's death According to The Daily Telegraph, Humphries' family have accepted a $6.1million offer from Romano and Patricia Iacono Humphries had a long and debilitating battle with an inoperable cancer before his death. For weeks, the comic had brushed aside concerns about the seriousness of his condition. Humphries tripped on a rug while reaching for a book in February 2023 and underwent surgery at St Vincent's where he was readmitted before his death. The property, which is located in the famous Quay West block, has panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge It features an expansive living and dining area and two bathrooms, one with a spa 'He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,' his family said in a statement. Dame Edna Everage remains one of Humphries' most identifiable inventions. Humphries was also a successful musical theatre actor, talented landscape painter, film producer, author and scriptwriter. A state memorial was held at Sydney Opera House in December last year following his tragic death. Sofia Richie celebrated her baby girl turning two-months-old. The 25-year-old social media personality who recently shared another snap of her little one took to her Instagram Story to share a faceless photo of her daughter, Eloise, on Saturday. She was dressed in a green gingham dress with pink stitching and bows as she relaxed on a woven blanket. Near the youngster was a pink cupcake and a leopard card that read 'Two Months.' The daughter of Lionel Richie added various happy-tear emojis over the snap. Sofia Richie took to her Instagram Story to share a faceless photo of her daughter, Eloise, on Saturday two months after her birth Another snap showed a wicker stroller and a pink cupcake that read '2 months' in green icing The blonde beauty and her husband, Elliot Grainge, have yet to post a full image of their newborn for privacy reasons. Another snap showed a wicker stroller and a pink cupcake that read '2 months' in green icing, along with the same card. Richie and Grainge welcomed their first child whose full name is Eloise Samantha Grainge on May 20. The newborn's middle name serves as a tribute to Elliot's late mother Samantha Berg, who died tragically young in 2007. While giving birth to Elliot in 1993, the businessman's mother had an amniotic fluid embolism, resulting in a coma that she remained in until her death. Sofia and Elliot had been acquaintances for several years before they began dating in early 2021. They became engaged in 2022 and said 'I do' in 2023. Last month, a source close to the couple revealed that they are still 'adjusting' to life as parents. 'Sofia and Elliot have been on cloud nine since welcoming baby Eloise. They are still adjusting to becoming parents, but it's come fairly natural to both of them,' they told Us Weekly. The insider also shared that the pair is trying to keep their newborn from the limelight and are reluctant to let others visit. She shares the little one with husband Elliot Grainge; seen in February Last month, a source close to the couple revealed that they are still 'adjusting' to life as parents 'Sofia and Elliot have been on cloud nine since welcoming baby Eloise. They are still adjusting to becoming parents, but it's come fairly natural to both of them,' they told Us Weekly; seen in February 'Sofia and Elliot haven't let many people over to see the baby, they're both being very protective,' they claimed. The insider shared that the new mom 'still has that pregnancy glow' and that she 'can't believe' she has a baby. 'It's all very surreal,' the source claimed of the new parents. Several former Tory MPs who lost their seats in Labour's election landslide might be desperate for a well-paid stint on reality TV. But one programme they won't be welcome on is I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here which has banned politicians after Nigel Farage took part last year. An insider at ITV told the Mail: 'They're not doing politicians this year. It's been a heightened year for everyone when it comes to politics, what with the General Election. People have definitely had enough of seeing them on their screens.' Matt Hancock, the former Tory health secretary, appeared on the show in 2022, followed last year by the now Reform leader and MP Mr Farage, who was paid a reported 1.5million for his three weeks in the jungle. Both politicians came third as voted for by the public. The no-politician policy on the channel's flagship show the third most watched programme last year behind the King's Coronation and the crime drama Happy Valley's finale is a blow for ex-MPs hoping to remain in the public eye. I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here has banned politicians after Nigel Farage took part last year An insider at ITV told the Mail: 'People have definitely had enough of seeing them on their screens'. Pictured: Nigel Farage finishes third on December 10, 2023. He was paid a reported 1.5million for his three weeks in the jungle Matt Hancock , the former Tory health secretary, appeared on the show in 2022. Pictured: The ex-Health Secretary facing the Bushtucker Trial, La Cucaracha Cafe on November 11, 2022 Potential Tory frontrunners predicted to appear on this year's show included former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, ex-leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt and the country's shortest-reigning prime minister, Liz Truss. But the ITV insider said: 'ITV doesn't like to have the same line-up for more than two years in a row. You've got to change things up.' Mr Farage, 60, proved a tricky participant for ITV, regularly accusing the broadcaster of foul play during and after his stint on the show. He warned the channel's director Kevin Lygo against going to 'war' with him, claiming that his life had been made 'quite unpleasant' while on the show. Mr Farage said bosses deliberately censored him, reduced his airtime and chose to show him but no other contestant naked while showering in the Australian jungle. Supporters followed up his accusations online with calls on X for ITV to be 'held accountable' for censoring the politician. In the final week of the show, the controversy prompted I'm A Celebrity's hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to declare on their Instagram live channel Jungle Club: 'I think we do a year without any politicians.' Nathan Cleary has shared some exciting news after sparking engagement rumours with his girlfriend Mary Fowler. The NRL champion, 26, has marked a huge career milestone despite having been forced to sit out of the entire State Of Origin series after suffering a brutal injury. The scrum half has secured a massive six-figure five-year deal to be the face of deodorant brand Rexona, an achievement Nathan still struggles to believe is real. 'Sometimes I'll see my head pop up on a TV commercial or billboard and I'm like, ''what the hell, that's actually me'', it's still so weird,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'It was pretty crazy when [Rexona] first reached out, it's been awesome.' Nathan is the face of Rexona's aptly-titled campaign Not Done Yet, which encapsulates the sportsman's attitude to getting back on the field after his injury. 'Not being on the field, I want to get back, because I'm not done yet and want to get back to my best,' he shared. In May, the champion NSW halfback suffered a grade two hamstring injury, with his eight-week recovery sidelining him from the entire State of Origin series. Nathan Cleary (pictured) has shared some exciting career news after sparking engagement rumours with his girlfriend Mary Fowler The Penrith Panthers star is due to make his return for their round 20 match against the Dolphins on July 21 as he refuses to let the gruelling injury slow him down. During his rehab, Nathan enjoyed a romantic getaway with his Matildas star girlfriend Mary, 21, as they managed to nab some quality time together away from the field. They are heading into a busy period as Mary gears up for Australia's run at a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, with her goal-scoring ability taking on added importance due to the absence of injured striker Sam Kerr. The couple's much-needed downtime came weeks after they sparked engagement rumours after sharing romantic snaps from a date night in Sydney. Their excited fans were quick to question the loved-up pair on whether an engagement will soon be on the cards. 'So when are you announcing the engagement?' messaged one fan, while another added: 'Drop a knee lad.' Both athletes are very private when it comes to their relationship, with Nathan admitting the spotlight on his personal life is something he didn't expect. Last month, the NRL star, 26, and Matildas star Mary, 21, sparked engagement rumours among their fans and then jetted off on a romantic holiday together (pictured) just weeks later 'Obviously it's different from when I was young coming into first grade and people are dissecting my game. I hadn't had that before,' he said. Mary and Nathan have been an item since late last year, with Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealing their romance at the time. At the time, pictures showed Mary resting her head on the Penrith Panthers star's chest in a Perth park as they cosied up to one another ahead of her Matildas match. The couple then officially unveiled their romance in Perth in October and finally went Instagram official in January of this year. Jules Robinson showed off her huge baby bump on Saturday as she marks her final days of pregnancy before welcoming her second child with Cameron Merchant. The Married At First Sight star, 42, confirmed she was pregnant in February and is now eagerly counting down the last few days until her July due date. Jules has now shared a photograph showing off her baby bump as she enjoyed a relaxing water aerobics class during her final days of her pregnancy. Taking to Instagram, Jules flaunted her fresh faced beauty as she flashed a huge smile for the camera while taking a selfie at Fitness First in Dee Why, Sydney. The reality TV star, who already shares a son Ollie, three, with her husband Cam, showed off her huge baby bump in a grey bikini top and tracksuit bottoms. In an accompanying caption, Jules revealed how much the water aerobics class has helped helped her body throughout her second pregnancy. 'Really needed this yesterday! Don't knock it till you have tried it! #WaterAerobics,' she shared. 'It has had such a positive impact on my body and flexibility... forever more you will find me in the pool with all my new friends I've made.' Jules went on to joke that it was even 'more enjoyable' with her husband Cam, who she met on MAFS, sitting poolside sneakily filming her and 'laughing'. Jules Robinson showed off her huge baby bump as she attended a water aerobics class in Dee Why, Sydney, on Saturday during her final days of pregnancy 'IMPORTANT so much more enjoyable doing it without feeling that there is a camera around and someone laughing at you,' she joked. Her post comes just one day after Cam took to Instagram on Friday to share a pregnancy update as he told how Jules is currently in nesting node. He shared an amusing video of Jules cleaning out their fridge while a bemused Cam watched on. 'It's Friday night, day's out from having a baby and your wife takes nesting to the next level,' Cam joked in the caption. Jules quipped in the comments section: 'This is totally in my right to have you on board and clean with me on Friday night.' Jules and Cameron fell in love in front of the cameras during series six of MAFS in 2019 before getting married for real in November that year. The MAFS star, 42, confirmed she and Cameron Merchant were expecting their second child in February and she is now counting down the last few days until her July due date The pair welcomed son Oliver in September 2020 and in February, Jules announced she was expecting her second child. Just weeks ahead of her due date, Jules spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her pregnancy and candidly revealed she is already planning for baby number three. 'We want to have another baby,' Jules enthused, adding: 'Who knows? If think if there's a will, there's a way. 'Whatever that will be like, we will make it happen. I said that before a couple of years ago [before getting pregnant the second time].' The influencer also shared the unique method she used to fall pregnant at the age of 41 after three years of trying. Jules and Cameron were considering IVF before she managed to conceive naturally - a feat she largely credits to Ayurvedic medicine. Jules and Cam fell in love on the sixth series of MAFS in 2016 and welcomed their son Oliver, now three, in September 2020 Ayurveda is an ancient Indian wellbeing practice that claims to help patients achieve balance through food, herbs, meditation, yoga and detoxing. 'I discovered Ayurvedic medicine about two years ago, and when I sat down with the specialist, it just became very clear that there was no way that my body was going to make a baby,' Jules explained. Jules said she 'never lost faith' after years of trying for a baby, and had learned the importance of slowing down and focusing on her own needs during the process. Natasha Poly showcased her sensational figure in a strapless top and matching skirt as she arrived at Club 55 in Saint-Tropez, France on Saturday. The supermodel, 39, looked incredible in the stylish black number which boasted chic buttons down the front. She put on a leggy display as she walked along the dock in a pair of gold flip flops before making her way into the popular venue. Leaving her long blonde tresses loose, Natasha toted her belongings in a small woven handbag and wore a pair of sunglasses. The Russian star was seen carefully climbing off a rib boat, which had chartered her in from a superyacht, and walking to the French beach club with friends. Natasha Poly showcased her sensational figure in a strapless top and matching skirt as she arrived at Club 55 in Saint-Tropez, France on Saturday The supermodel, 39, looked incredible in the stylish black number which boasted chic buttons down the front Natasha seems to be a fan of the celebrity hotspot Club 55 as she was spotted arriving at the French restaurant with her family last year. She displayed her toned physique in a black crop top as she stepped out with husband Peter Bakker and their children. Natasha cut a stylish figure in the tie front blouse which she teamed with a pair of white wide legged trousers that she cinched in at the waist with a chunky black belt. The beauty completed her summery outfit by styling her long dark tresses in a neat low bun. Walking barefoot across the jetty, Natasha was all smiles as she chatted with her youngest child Adrian, four, while her daughter Aleksandra, ten, walked in front. Peter went for a casual outfit, sporting a navy T-shirt which he teamed with coordinated shorts and flip flops. The family were spotted arriving by rib to the celebrity hotspot as they departed the boat alongside actor Adrien Brody. Natasha shares Aleksandra with her Dutch businessman husband Peter Bakker, as the pair are also parents to three-year-old Adrian Grey. She put on a leggy display in the beach co-ord as she walked along the dock in a pair of gold flip flops Leaving her long blonde tresses loose, Natasha wore a pair of chic sunglasses The Russian star was seen carefully climbing off a rib boat, which had chartered her in from a superyacht, and walked to the French beach club with friends The stunner toted her belongings in a small woven handbag The pair have been together for over a decade, and are frequent visitors to St. Tropez - even tying the knot there at the lavish Byblos Hotel in 2011. The luxe ceremony took place over three days in the French hotspot, with 200 guests in attendance. Natasha and Peter, who are thought to meant while the Russian model was just 18 years old, have been spending some time country-hopping around Europe, after being spotted in Portofino just last week. The model was all smiles as she chatted with a female friend as they made their way to the restaurant Channel Seven's bloodbath is far from over. Further famous faces are on the chopping block and some of the network's biggest stars are facing pay cuts to keep their jobs, a new report reveals. Respected newsreader Mark Ferguson is in danger, and 'this week [is] starting six weeks of forced annual leave', the Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. It's understood the network will consider replacements for his role once his contract expires. Names being touted to take Ferguson's seat are Michael Usher, Angela Cox and Angie Asimus. David Koch, who is still on contract with Seven after leaving Sunrise, is reportedly unlikely to have his contract renewed. Sonia Kruger is likely to survive, 'but will absolutely take a "haircut"' on her $1.3million salary, a source told the newspaper. Dr Chris Brown is also safe, but may face a pay cut on his rumoured $2million contract. Channel Seven's bloodbath is far from over. Respected newsreader Mark Ferguson (pictured) is in danger, and 'this week [is] starting six weeks of forced annual leave', the Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday Sonia Kruger (pictured) is likely to survive, 'but will absolutely take a "haircut"' on her $1.3million salary, a source tells The Daily Telegraph Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran has a 'question mark' over his future, the paper reported, but any decision is up in the air. Samantha Armytage is safe, however, and is set to re-sign her contract to host Farmer Wants a Wife. Sunrise star Mark Baretta's deal takes him through to 2025, but the paper alleges he will 'likely take a pay cut' to keep his role. Veteran journalist Ann Sanders may leave the network but plans to do so on 'her own terms' the paper claims. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Seven for comment. David Koch (pictured), who is still on contract with Seven after leaving Sunrise, is unlikely to have his contract renewed, the paper alleges Dr Chris Brown (pictured) is safe, but may face a pay cut on his rumoured $2million contract Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran (pictured) has a 'question mark' over his future, but any decision is up in the air Samantha Armytage (pictured) is safe, however, and is set to re-sign her contract to host Farmer Wants a Wife It comes as another Seven News veteran is departing the network amid a massive wave of staff changes and redundancies. After almost 18 years at the network, Adelaide reporter Andrea Nicolas will ditch television for politics in the coming weeks to take over as South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mulligan's senior media adviser. She will replace Jennifer Salter, who also previously worked as a television reporter. Salter's husband, Chris Salter, was Ms Nicolas' old boss in Seven's Adelaide newsroom but has since relocated to Melbourne, where his wife will join him once Ms Nicolas steps into her job, the Adelaide Advertiser reported. 'Andrea departs with our full support and thanks for her extraordinary contribution to Seven News Adelaide over almost two decades,' Seven News Adelaide news director Mark Mooney said. 'This is a fantastic opportunity, and we wish her every success. We'll try not to give her too hard a time!' Nicolas studied journalism at the University of South Australia before working as a freelance reporter for Seven in the UK. She also worked for the ABC and BBC before joining Seven's Adelaide news team in 2007. Nicolas said she is excited to be 'joining a talented team' in her new role. 'It's been an incredible 18 years on and off at Seven, working with some of the best in the business and having a range of great experiences, but I'm looking forward to a new challenge and the next chapter,' she said. The news followed just days after Queensland newsreader Sharyn Ghidella was axed. Sunrise star Mark Baretta's (pictured) deal takes him through to 2025, but the report claims he will 'likely take a pay cut' to keep his role It comes amid news Channel Seven Adelaide reporter Andrea Nicolas (pictured) is leaving the network to take over as South Australian Treasurer Stephen Mulligan's senior media adviser Ghidella, who had been the face of Seven News in the Sunshine State since 2007, confirmed the her sacking in a fiery Facebook post last 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. 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. Seven veteran reporter Sharyn Ghidella (pictured) confirmed she was axed from the network on Friday New Director of News and Current Affairs Anthony De Ceglie (right) has made several staffing changes to the network '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.' Weatherman Paul Burt, who filed weather reports for both the Gold Coast and Brisbane news bulletins since 2013, was also shown the door. Meanwhile, high-profile international reporter Hugh Whitfeld is set to return to Australia as Seven streamlines its news operations to a national news desk. New Director of News and Current Affairs Anthony De Ceglie notified he'd appointed Whitfeld, 39, the director of the new desk in an internal memo last week. 'The Seven News National News Desk will be home to a centralised team of journalists whose responsibility as expert editors in their round will be to deliver exclusive content beyond anything seen on television,' the email, seen by the Daily Telegraph, read. The specialist rounds cover everything from Business and Aviation to Property and Asia.' Canberra and Foreign Bureaus will also answer to the new national desk. Whitfeld has spent the last decade working as a foreign correspondent throughout Europe where he's covered several massive stories, including the war in Ukraine and death of Queen Elizabeth II. His new role will see him based in Seven's Eveleigh headquarters, in Sydney's inner-south. Ashlee Mullany will be Seven's only Europe-based correspondent and will report to the National News Desk alongside US correspondents Tim Lester, David Woiwod and Mylee Hogan. De Ceglie has also promoted Sunrise executive producer Sean Power to Director of News in Sydney while. His old role will be filled by Jake Lyle. Rufus Sewell is hoping it's third time lucky after he got married to Vivian Benitez last week in the grounds of Manorbier Castle in West Wales. The 56-year-old actor tied the knot with American actress Vivian Benitez just months after they announced their engagement during a romantic getaway to Rome. While the bride, 27, wore a beautiful white gown, Rufus, who plays Prince Andrew in Netflix show The Scoop, opted for a cream suit paired with black shoes and tie. Vivian's family seem unconcerned with the 29-year age gap, with her Cuban grandmother Mirna, they aged 83, previously saying: 'Age is just a number and we all think Rufus is a wonderful man. We're teaching him salsa.' But who is Rufus' new wife Vivian? Rufus Sewell is hoping it's third time lucky after he got married to Vivian Benitez last week in the grounds of Manorbier Castle in West Wales The 56-year-old actor tied the knot with American actress Vivian Benitez just months after they announced their engagement during a romantic getaway to Rome, but who is his new wife? Career Vivian is an actress, who has had roles in various projects across television and film. Her acting credits include Arsenal, Criminal Minds and the short films Sky Dancers Grow Up and Don't Worry, It's Gonna Be OK. After moving to Los Angeles in her 20s Vivian became a Wilhelmina model scout. The beauty became L.A.'s youngest model scout and a key player in expanding the top agency's scouting perimeters into the digital space. In 2018, Snapchat launched a series titled, Vivian. The now-defunct show gave viewers an inside look into her life as she chased her model scout dreams across New York and L.A. Vivian is an actress, who has had roles in various projects across television and film. She first moved Los Angeles in her 20s and became a Wilhelmina model scout Public appearances Despite keeping their romance quite private, Rufus and Vivian have made a number of public appearance together at star-studded events. In July, 2021, the loved-up couple walked the red carpet together at the premiere of Old. The pair have also stepped out at the premiere of Benitez's Netflix series The Diplomat in May 2023. Vivian has also shared an insight into her relationship with Rufus on social media and announced their engagement with a picture on Instagram on December 6. It appears Rufus popped the question during a romantic getaway in Rome as Vivian shared a snap of herself in the city a day prior to their exciting announcement. She wrote in the caption: 'Til death, (or him continuing to walk on bathmats with his outside shoes) do us part.' While it's unclear when and how the newly-engaged couple met, Benitez has been posting glimpses of her relationship since February 2020. She implied that they had been dating since 2019 as she wrote in one post: '1 year of being in love has really taken my personality hostage. pray for its safe return'. Despite keeping their romance quite private, Rufus and Vivian have made a number of public appearance together at star-studded events Vivian has also shared an insight into her relationship with Rufus on social media and announced their engagement with a picture on Instagram on December 6 Vivian wore a beautiful white gown for the ceremony in Wales while Rufus, who plays Prince Andrew in Netflix show The Scoop, opted for a cream suit paired with black shoes and tie Family Vivian was born in New York and has a sister called Emma. Her mother works at an immigration law firm, and is divorced from her father, Eduardo who is her grandmother Mirna's son. Despite the separation, Vivian remained close to her father and previously revealed on Instagram he had some serious health issues. She wrote: 'A couple of months, out of nowhere, my dad collapsed and was admitted into the ICU where he suffered multiple seizures, a stroke, a heart attack, a burst bowel but still, he woke up and asked the nurse if she was taken lol. 'Worst of all, they found a brain tumour. He was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma. 'He's the funniest, most lovingly offensive, sensitive, beautiful man you'll ever meet. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers for me as I hope I'll be apologising for his off-colour jokes for a long, long time.' Her grandmother Mirna confirmed that Vivian's father had chemotherapy and revealed the first time she met Rufus was when her granddaughter brought him to the hospital to meet her father after his diagnosis. 'It's good for Vivian to have Rufus beside her,' Mirna said. 'My son is happy about the engagement, very enthusiastic. He's looking forward to the wedding.' Vivian recently revealed last week that she was left heartbroken as her father had tragically died. She wrote: 'To everyone who loved him, and prayed for him: my father took his last breath yesterday. nothing poetic about it. his fight was cruel and without mercy. I cant understand why, and I never will. 'I dont know how people carry on. It feels like my world has turned grey and the joy has been stolen. I loved him so much, and will miss him forever'. Vivian was born in New York and has a sister called Emma. Her mother works at an immigration law firm, and is divorced from her father, Eduardo who is her grandmother Mirna's son Despite the separation, Vivian remained close to her father and previously revealed on Instagram he had some serious health issues Vivian recently revealed last week that she was left heartbroken as her father had tragically died Rufus' previous relationships Rufus' first wife was his long-term girlfriend, Australian fashion journalist Yasmin Abdallah, 47. Yasmin met Rufus in Australia aged 19, and the couple married when Yasmin was 23 in 1999. They divorced in 2000. Yasmin previously spoke about their short-lived marriage in an interview with Elle. She met Rufus in a bar in Australia and after several months of dating, they relocated to the UK and mixed with the Primrose Hill set. 'I dont know if I was accepted to be honest some weird, shaved-head Aussie-Lebanese girl who wasnt quite part of the mix,' she said. 'I ended up making some wrong decisions, wrong business decisions, and I ended up losing the store, which was devastating for me. Rufus and I were no longer together, and that was quite traumatic. I was broke. It was a time of big loss. But it was also a time of great healing, when I went on dare I say it a spiritual journey.' The actor married his second wife, scriptwriter and producer Amy Gardner, in 2004. They sadly divorced in 2006. They are parents to a son, William Douglas. Amy went on to marry film producer Will Ricker. Rufus' first wife was his long-term girlfriend, Australian fashion journalist Yasmin Abdallah. They were married in 1999 and divorced in 2000 (pictured in 1997) Rufus married second wife, scriptwriter and producer Amy Gardner, in 2004 and they sadly divorced in 2006 (pictured with Amy in 2001) Rufus previously said both Amy and his son William would visit him on set. He told The Telegraph: 'They would come and have lunch with me every day, and I would go home to them at night. I guess it was a bit like having a regular job in that it felt very stable.' Rufus also has a daughter called Lola, 10, from his relationship with Ami Komai. Rufus previously said of his love life in an interview with the Mail: 'It's always been important to be in a relationship when I'm in one, but I don't actively look for one. 'I've gone through long times without being with someone, but that's not happened for a while.' TV royalty Jenna Coleman has spent years battling her inner demons in order to find confidence in herself, despite her glittering career. The actress, 38, admitted she was an 'anxious wreck' when she was starting to gain spotlight on Emmerdale, Waterloo Road and Doctor Who. Jenna, who is pregnant with her first child, marvelled over the younger actors' confidence on set of her new series The Jetty. The Victoria star couldn't believe the calm and self-assured attitude in the younger generation and compared it to how she was in her early career. Jenna told The Sun: 'I see the young girls in The Jetty they come in and theyre so relaxed, theyre really present, they know their own voice. TV royalty Jenna Coleman has spent years battling her inner demons in order to find confidence in herself, despite her glittering career Jenna, who is pregnant with her first child, marvelled over the younger actors' confidence on set of her new series The Jetty (pictured in 2023) 'I was an anxious wreck at their age, thinking everyones opinions were obviously so much better than mine. 'I would have found it a lot harder to bring my voice to set in my twenties. Its wrestling with being comfortable, advocating for yourself without conflict. Thats taken my generation a long time to get to.' Jenna's preparing to welcome her first child with director boyfriend Jamie Childs, 35. She made her pregnancy announcement last month, at a dinner to celebrate the opening of the new exhibition 'Imaginary Conversations: An ERDEM Collection Inspired by Duchess Deborah', at Chatsworth House. Looking gorgeous in a green floral dress, Jenna cradled her bump as she posed for photos at the historic venue. The happy news comes six months after she left fans speculating she had tied the knot with Jamie after being spotted with a chunky gold band on her wedding finger. Jenna and Jamie met on the set of Netflix series The Sandman in 2020 and have since worked together again on Jamie's first film Jackdaw. In January, Jenna first sparked speculation that she and Jamie had taken their relationship to the next level after being seen wearing a ring on her wedding finger while on a stroll with the director in north London. The actress admitted she was an 'anxious wreck' when she was starting to gain spotlight on Emmerdale, Waterloo Road and Doctor Who (Pictured on Waterloo Road in 2009) The Victoria star couldn't believe the calm and self-assured attitude in the younger generation and compared it to how she was in her early career (pictured this week) Jenna said: 'I see the young girls in The Jetty they come in and theyre so relaxed, theyre really present, they know their own voice. 'I was an anxious wreck at their age, thinking everyones opinions were obviously so much better than mine' She added: 'I would have found it a lot harder to bring my voice to set in my twenties. Its wrestling with being comfortable, advocating for yourself without conflict. Thats taken my generation a long time to get to' (pictured on Emmerdale in 2005) The couple looked loved-up as they walked hand-in-hand, with Jamie tenderly stroking her hair at several points. While it didn't mark the first time she'd been seen wearing the ring, she usually wore it on a different finger leading to speculation that the move was significant. The actress previously dated Tom Hughes, who played her husband Prince Albert in ITV's Victoria. They met in 2013 on the set of BBC drama series Dancing On The Edge, but went their separate ways in 2020. At the time it was reported that the pair were 'terribly sad' by the end of their relationship, with the actress moving into her own pad and they reportedly attempted to 'salvage a friendship.' Pictures obtained by The Sun reportedly show Tom assisting Jenna to move into a new pad, which is said to be miles away from the home they previously shared. An insider told the publication that the pair have since met up in an attempt to keep things 'as friendly and civil as possible.' The source said: 'They are trying to salvage a friendship but obviously these are trying times, and it's not easy. Jenna's preparing to welcome her first child with director boyfriend Jamie Childs, 35 (pictured together last year) Before Jamie, Jenna was in a relationship with Bodyguard and Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden (pictured in 2015) 'Both Tom and Jenna are terribly sad, but the relationship ran its course. There was no third party involved. 'Jenna's career is going from strength to strength, she's being offered increasingly more roles abroad, especially Los Angeles, and she wants to focus on this while she's still young.' Their romance was a case of life imitating art for the pair who began dating in 2016 after they met on set. Jenna and Tom's romance almost never happened, as the actress revealed she turned down the role of the iconic monarch Victoria twice, before finally accepting the part. The series' third season hit screens back in 2019, but since then ITV haven't announced any plans for a fourth. Speaking to Radio Times, Jenna said of the near-miss: 'I had just finished doing nearly four years on Doctor Who and I didn't want to do another long TV project. 'I wanted to do lots of different things, but now I'm doing Victoria, I find her quite addictive.' Before Tom, Jenna was in a relationship with Bodyguard and Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden. The pair dated on and off for four years after getting together in 2012. Nick Jonas has pulled out all the stops for wife Priyanka Chopra on her 42nd birthday. Chopra, who is currently filming her new movie The Bluff in Australia, took to Instagram to reveal how Nick 'made his presence felt' on her special day. Even though Nick was unable to be with his wife, he ordered a food truck from a local Indian restaurant to help Priyanka's fellow cast and crew celebrate on set. Nick paid Dosa Hut Mt Gravatt to supply a range of tasty dosa - savoury pancakes popular in South Indian cuisine. In a post thanking everyone who celebrated her birthday, the Indian actress singled out her husband for his efforts. 'Thank you to my incredible husband who made his presence felt in such special ways, even though he was not here. The Dosa truck for the crew though!' she wrote, followed by a crying emoji. Priyanka's Down Under birthday comes as she gears up to film The Bluff, which is anticipated to be a major hit. The new movie is the latest effort from filmmaking duo The Russo brothers, known for their work in Marvel, directing two Captain America films, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Nick Jonas has pulled out all the stops for wife Priyanka Chopra on her 42nd birthday. Both pictured Chopra, who is currently filming her new movie The Bluff in Australia, took to Instagram to reveal how Nick 'made his presence felt' on her special day The feature is a drama written and directed by Frank E. Flowers, a filmmaker from the Caribbean known for 2004's Haven with Orlando Bloom. Born and raised in India, Priyanka made her Hollywood debut in 2017's Baywatch, based on the television series of the same name. She starred alongside Zac Efron and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, with Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff also appearing in the film. Nick paid Dosa Hut Mt Gravatt to supply a range of tasty dosa - savoury pancakes popular in South Indian cuisine The former pageant queen recently shared a sweet video recognising all the loved ones who have helped her juggle career and motherhood. 'Nothing like family and friends to keep you rejuvenated,' she captioned footage of various family members and friends helping take care of Malti, two, who she described as an 'angel baby.' As for Nick, it was revealed in June that he is returning to Broadway after 12 years to play the lead role in The Last Five Years. In a post thanking everyone who celebrated her birthday, the Indian actress singled out her husband for his efforts. '[Nick] made his presence felt in such special ways, even though he was not here. The Dosa truck for the crew though!' she wrote, followed by a crying emoji He will play aspiring novelist Jamie Wellerstein opposite Tony winner Adrienne Warren, who will star as his character's wife Cathy Hiatt. A film version starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan was released in 2014. Jason Robert Brown wrote the musical based on the demise of his marriage. The revival is expected to premiere in 2025. Samantha Morton has revealed she was branded 'difficult' for refusing to do sex scenes as a teenager. The actress, 47, was just 16-years-old when she was asked by directors to strip for the camera and show her breasts on set of ITV's Band Of Gold. But as she felt 'massively uncomfortable' to do so, she would then get considered difficult. Six years later, Samantha broke down in tears after a male director told her 'Take off your bra, I want to see your nipples' in front of the whole crew on set of a new movie when she was 23-years-old. After suffering two memorable and uncomfortable incidents, Samantha claims that 'it wouldn't happen today' because of 'how far we've come'. Samantha Morton, 47, has revealed she was branded 'difficult' for refusing to do sex scenes as a teenager The actress was just 16-years-old when she was asked by directors to strip for the camera and show her breasts on set of ITV 's Band Of Gold (pictured on the programme in 1996) Speaking to The Sunday Times, Samantha said: Id been working since I was 12 and did Band Of Gold at 16, where there were sex scenes I was massively uncomfortable about. 'Directors would ask me to get my breasts out and I didnt want to so I was considered difficult.' She added: 'When I was 23 I was on a movie and the director said through his megaphone, "Take off your bra, I want to see your nipples", in front of the whole crew. I burst into tears. I didnt see how it would make the film better. Weve come a long way, that wouldnt happen today.' Last year, Samantha claimed Harvey Weinstein tried to destroy her career when she was in her early twenties. Harvey is currently in jail after being found guilty of sex crimes and rape charges in February 2020. She accused the disgraced producer of threatening to make sure she would 'not work again' after she turned down an approach to be in his 2000 romantic comedy About Adam, which starred Kate Hudson, Stuart Townsend and Frances OConnor. She recalled on The Louis Theroux Podcast: 'I said, "I don't like it. I think the film is really misogynistic and I don't want to be part of it".' The Minority Report actress said the casting director then told her: 'You dont say no to Harvey.' Six years later, Samantha broke down in tears after a male director told her 'Take off your bra, I want to see your nipples' in front of the whole crew on set of a new movie when she was 23 After suffering two memorable and uncomfortable incidents, Samatha claims that 'it wouldn't happen today' because of 'how far we've come'. Samantha said: Id been working since I was 12 and did Band Of Gold at 16, where there were sex scenes I was massively uncomfortable about. Directors would ask me to get my breasts out and I didnt want to so I was considered difficult' She added: 'When I was 23 I was on a movie and the director said through his megaphone, "Take off your bra, I want to see your nipples", in front of the whole crew. I burst into tears' (pictured on Band Of Gold in 1995) But Samantha stressed she wasnt rejecting the producer, just the film and was issued with a chilling warning when she refused to change her stance. She said: 'I had just worked with Stuart Townsend on Under The Skin. It was just not interesting to me. I was uber-polite. 'I [then] had a phone call saying, "You can't say no." The "no" wasnt being listened to. So they kept coming back with this role and I was told unequivocally, 'Youre not going to work again unless you do this role. Im going to make your life hell. You will not work again.' The Whale actress refused to give in and admitted she felt her decision cost her roles on some of Weinsteins later films, including being passed in favour of Lena Headey for a role in 2005s The Brothers Grimm opposite Matt Damon and Heath Ledger after the producer deemed her 'unf****able'. Throughout her early childhood, Samantha grew up in various children's homes. At 13 years old, during her stay at one of her homes, she was abused by her care workers who she trusted and the police did nothing about her case. In her view the care system for young people is still 'completely broken', 'beyond repair' and 'has to be completely re-thought from the ground up'. Because of her experience, she confesses that she 'always felt like an outsider, being and growing up in care, being a child of the state'. She says she loved living in New York because she felt as though everyone was accepted there, a feeling that she never experienced in the UK as a child. Going on to discuss her love of America, Samantha admits how she also preferred working in the US and how the sets always felt 'more comfortable'. She comments that, as a young woman on film sets in the UK, she was often asked to do things that 'wouldnt happen now' and got a reputation for being 'tricky'. She states 'I didnt have the skillset to articulate when I was uncomfortable or when something didn't feel right'. She said that she 'never had these problems in America'. kate moss and lookalike daughter Lila looked relaxed as they took a water taxi from Formentera to Ibiza on Saturday. The supermodel, 50, cut a stylish figure in a black floral shirt and accessorised with a pair of gold earrings as she checked her phone on the boat ride. Meanwhile Lila, 21, who has followed in her mother's modelling footsteps, displayed her toned midriff in a white crop top and black trousers. She kept cool by clipping her long blonde tresses up and showed off her natural beauty during the trip. The mother and daughter, who bare similar resemblance, both shielded from the sun behind a pair of black framed sunglasses. Kate Moss and lookalike daughter Lila looked relaxed as they took a water taxi from Formentera to Ibiza on Saturday The supermodel, 50, cut a stylish figure in a black floral shirt as she checked her phone on the boat ride while Lila displayed her toned midriff in a white crop top and trousers Lila looked completely relaxed as she showed off her FGM (flash glucose monitor) sensor. The model was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was a child. The outing comes as Lila's modelling career is flourishing, and her latest high profile shoot with Interview Magazine in April sees the rising star in a series of edgy looks. Lila's friend, influencer Devon Lee Carlson, interviewed her for the piece, and was keen to know if she always wanted to follow her mother, 50, into fashion. 'I used to want to be a teacher. Being around children makes you more fun and silly,' Lila confessed. While she was keen on taking a different path in her career, Lila admitted she has had a love of fashion since she was tiny, recalling how she and her school friends used to create their own magazines for her mum Kate. 'Me and Iris would make magazines together. I was always into it. Wed dress up, do a photo shoot, put it together in a Word document, and print it,' she laughed. Emulating her father, Dazed & Confused publisher Jefferson Hack, Lila added: 'Actually, we made it to give to my mom for her birthday. So theres a copy somewhere.' And Lila had the perfect closet to raid to inspire her, as she added: 'I was always dressing up in my moms closet.' Lila has long been compared to her famous mother Kate Moss with their similar striking looks and tall slender frames (pictured in January) 'I also looked up to my mom in the sense that Id want her black vests from Saint Laurent, or Id wear black leggings and all black and gray. I was so particular from day one.' 'We were actually talking yesterday, me and my mom, about how all the arguments we had when I was younger were about clothes and me not wanting to wear white socks.' Lila has long been compared to her famous mother with their similar striking looks and tall slender frames. And she is certainly discovering it pays to resemble one of the world's biggest supermodels as she has nearly tripled her earnings in one year. Accounts for Lila's own company Grace Grove Ltd, published recently, reveal her pay check jumped from 129,458 in 2022 to 359,433 in 2023. It is is evidence of a very successful year for Lila after she fronted campaigns for the likes of Pepe Jeans, an international denim brand based on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. She also starred in a campaign for the French brand Maje last year and recently walked in several exclusive shows for Paris Fashion Week, or gracing the front row alongside Kate. After being signed to her mother's Kate Moss Agency when she was just 15, Lila became the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty in 2018. She went on to make her runway debut for the Italian fashion house Miu Miu in 2020, became an ambassador for YSL and made headlines when she walked the pink carpet for Victoria's Secret World Tour last year. Lila has been hit with her fair share of nepotism accusations - the most recent being when she appeared in Edward Enninful's latest edition of Vogue called Legendary alongside the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Victoria Beckham. Lisa Oldfield has worried her fans after sharing a photo to Instagram in which she is bleeding from the head. The Real Housewives of Sydney star shared the image on Sunday, showing a thick trail of blood running down her forehead from her scalp. 'Literally I am the clumsiest person on the planet,' the 49-year-old wrote in her caption. 'I sneezed really hard and managed to bang my head on the door I was closing at the time'. Her fans expressed concern in the comments with one writing, 'Oh gosh! Hope youre okay!' Another said: 'Oh my god you poor thing, get better', while someone else added, 'Oh my god. Sad but also funny. Hope it heals up soon'. Yet one more wrote: 'Oh very sorry dear Lisa', with another saying, 'Oh my god that looks pretty bad. Hope you're okay and not in too much discomfort'. It comes after Lisa was rushed to hospital back in March. Lisa Oldfield (pictured) has worried her fans after sharing a photo to Instagram in which she is bleeding from the head. 'I sneezed really hard and managed to bang my head on the door I was closing at the time,' she explained on Sunday The former reality star shared the news to Instagram at the time, alongside an image of a heart monitor. 'I thought it was the thrill of the win on Saturday, but turns out I have myocarditis,' she began. 'Bit scary but with lots of rest I should make a 100% recovery,' she continued. Lisa's post was soon inundated with well wishers. 'Hope you feel better soon Lisa,' wrote on fan, followed by a red love heart emoji. 'Get well soon gorgeous,' added another. It comes after Lisa was rushed to hospital back in March (pictured) suffering from myocarditis Lisa, who is the ex-wife of One Nation co-founder David Oldfield, rose to fame after starring The Real Housewives of Sydney in 2016 'Is it from your vaccine? Several friends of mine have myocarditis too and got it after they vaccinated,' enquired another. Lisa was quick to address their concern. 'No from my osteomyelitis from my broken toe,' she responded. According to the May Clinic, 'myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The inflammation can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood. 'Myocarditis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Infection with a virus is one cause of myocarditis'. Lisa, who is the ex-wife of One Nation co-founder David Oldfield, rose to fame after starring The Real Housewives of Sydney in 2016. He's the take-no-prisoners, perfectionist judge on Dancing With the Stars Australia. But on Sunday night's episode, Craig Revel Horwood revealed another side of himself as he made contestant Ben Cousins blush. The dancing expert, 59, was commenting on the former AFL player's performance when he made a shock confession. 'You know what? I love your face. I can't keep my eyes off it, darling,' Craig admitted. Ben, 46, smiled at the comment and began to laugh as the flamboyant judge went on. 'I love it so much, I'd like to kiss it,' Craig said, causing the audience to gasp and cheer. 'That's what this dance [the cha-cha] is about. It's cheeky and you bring an energy to the dancefloor, which you should never leave at home.' Ben appeared very flattered as he giggled and blushed at the normally harsh judge's compliment. Ben Cousins (pictured) was left lost for words during Sunday's episode of Dancing With The Stars Judge Craig Revel Horwood (pictured) told Cousins at judging that he loved his face to much he couldn't take his eyes off it. 'I'd like to kiss it,' he said to a shocked room 'Thanks,' the AFL bad boy said in response. At the end of the episode Ben found himself in the bottom two along with fashion designer Nadia Bartel, and the pair were forced to go head to head in a nail-biting dance off. The judges opted to save Cousins on the night, as he 'had the most potential for growth', according to veteran judge Mark Wilson. 'Thanks,' the AFL bad boy said in response. Pictured: host Sonia Kruger (left) Ben's dancing partner Siobhan Power (right) Nadia appeared heartbroken by the decision, but was graceful in defeat. 'I just love doing hard things - and this has been hard for me,' said a crestfallen Nadia, standing alongside partner Lyu Masuda. 'It's been so great, and I've had an incredible dance partner,' she went on. 'It's been nice to try something new - it's been fun'. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made a stylish duo as they coordinated their looks on Saturday, while leaving the Mercer hotel in New York City. The 35-year-old Bajan songstress was clad in an oversized outfit that featured a crinkled black shirt and inside-out baggy, flood pants. The trendsetter who just inked a Paris Olympics deal via her Fenty Beauty brand teased her black bra as one side of her top fell off her shoulder. The billionaire entrepreneur added diamond accents as she wore big, glinting earrings, a sparkling necklace, and a stone-covered mesh undergarment beneath her trousers. Meanwhile the Babushka Boi hitmaker, 35, matched his lady love in a black coat and pants, with a white shirt and red tie underneath. Rihanna, 35, and A$AP Rocky, 35, made a stylish duo as they coordinated their looks on Saturday, while leaving the Mercer hotel in New York City The parents-of-two matched in all-black outfits for a night out together The pair also both rocked sunglasses. Rihanna accentuated her naturally gorgeous complexion with a full face of makeup. The singer, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, punctuated her bold look with a pair of $1,190 Gucci slingback pumps. Her golden-toned locks were styled in long individual box braids that she arranged in an updo. Days ago, she took to social media to announce her latest business deal. On X and Instagram, she wrote: 'tried to tell yall....we outside all 2024!!! PROUD to announce that @FentyBeauty is a premium partner of the Olympic AND Paralympic Games baby!!!' Accompanying the announcement was a cheeky photoshopped image of the star walking hand-in-hand with a Fenty lip gloss in front of the Eiffel Tower. The original photo included A$AP, with whom she shares sons RZA, two, and Riot, one in August. The pop star launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, offering customers an unprecedented range of shades and cementing it as an inclusive makeup brand catering to the masses. At its inception, consumers could choose from 40 shades; the number has since grown to 50. The Bajan songstress was clad in an oversized look that featured a crinkled black shirt and inside-out baggy, flood pants The trendsetter teased her sheer black bra as one side of her top fell off her shoulder It comes days after she inked a Paris Olympics deal via her Fenty Beauty brand Rihanna shares two sons with the rapper - RZA, two, and Riot, one in August In June, the businesswoman announced Fenty Hair, expanding her empire. 'A new family is moving in! @fentyhair is pullin up and its time to finally have the hair experience youve been waiting for,' she online. 'You know how much switching my hair up matters to me,' Rihanna wrote to her 151 million Instagram followers. She continued, 'I've had almost every texture, color, length, from weaves to braids to natural - so I am launching a flexible line of products for not only every hair want, but every single product is designed to strengthen and repair all types of hair, which is what we truly need! It's time to play and get stronger by the style.' He has been dragged into the Strictly Come Dancing misconduct scandal after his '1970s-style behaviour' with former dance partner Laila Rouass reportedly 'raised concerns'. But Anton Du Beke brushed off the recent drama as he was seen taking photographs with some eager admirers in Manchester on Sunday. The judge, 58, appeared to be in good spirits as he made his way into the Lowry Theatre in Salford in a low-key ensemble consisting of a white polo neck and grey trousers. However, it didnt take long for excited fans to recognise him and he was soon stopped to snap some selfies. The TV personality seemed to be unaffected after he was named as the 'fourth star dragged into the misconduct probe'. Anton Du Beke brushed off the recent Strictly drama as he was seen taking photographs with some eager admirers in Manchester on Sunday The judge, 58, appeared to be in good spirits as he made his way into the Lowry Theatre in Salford in a low-key ensemble consisting of a white polo neck and grey trousers During the 2009 series, he reduced contestant Laila, who is of Indian and Moroccan descent, to tears when he jokingly told her she 'looked like a P***' after a spray tan, with the comments resurfacing this week. Anton apologised to Laila at the time and admitted he felt 'stupid' and 'embarrassed' by his comments to the actress, with the duo making amends a few weeks later. The professional dancer is in Manchester with Giovanni Pernice as the pair are on tour with their show, Anton and Giovanni: Together. Giovanni, 33, quit the BBC show earlier this year and is currently suspended while a BBC probe is underway over claims of off-camera misconduct after complaints were filed by Amanda Abbington, 50, and several of his former celebrity dance partners. As well as Giovanni, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show this week and later apologised for hitting and kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals last year. Anton's apearnce comes after Shirley Ballas and Ruth Langsford both showed their support to the Strictly star on Saturday. Despite the ongoing investigation taking place, the two women took to social media to send their birthday wishes to Anton who was celebrating turning 58. Head judge Shirley Ballas - who works closely alongside the Strictly veteran - took to her Instagram account to send her love on his special day. It didnt take long for excited fans to recognise him and he was soon stopped in order to take pictures with them The TV personality seemed to be unaffected after he was named as the 'fourth star dragged into the misconduct probe' and happily obliged Anton, who arrived at the Lowry Theatre in Salford for his tour stop, happily signed autographs and posed for photos with fans as he made his way into the venue He has been dragged into the Strictly Come Dancing misconduct scandal after his '1970s-style behaviour' with former dance partner Laila Rouass reportedly 'raised concerns' During the 2009 series, he reduced contestant Laila, who is of Indian and Moroccan descent, to tears when he jokingly told her she 'looked like a P***' after a spray tan, with the comments resurfacing this week. Anton apologised to Laila at the time and admitted he felt 'stupid' and 'embarrassed' by his comments to the actress, with the duo making amends a few weeks later Shirley Ballas and Ruth Langsford both showed their support to Strictly star Anton Du Beke after he was named as the 'fourth star dragged into the misconduct probe' Posting a snap of the pair together, Shirley said: 'Happiest of birthdays to the king @mrantondubeke. See you very soon.' The star then shared a video of the two of them dancing on the floor of the BBC set, writing over the top 'Throwback.' Loose Woman host host Ruth also came out in support of Anton, who she was paired with during the 2017 series. She shared a photo of the two of them together, when they were backstage on the show. She gushed: 'Happy birthday to the loveliest man and best partner EVER!'. She then added: 'Sending you a big birthday squeeze @mrantondubeke'. Despite the ongoing investigation taking place, the two women took to their social media to send their birthday wishes to Anton Loose Woman host Ruth Langsford also came out in support of Anton, who she was paired with during the 2017 series The judge reduced contestant Laila Rouass (pictured) to tears during the 2009 series when he jokingly told her she 'looked like a P***' after her spray tan, with the comments resurfacing Anton's wife Hannah shared a heartfelt message to Anton alongside snaps of his six-year-old twins George and Henrietta. She penned: 'Happy birthday darling Anton Du Beke George, Ra Ra and I couldnt love you more and cant wait to celebrate when were all together! We will ring soon for a serenade. Brace yourself for Granny! Happy birthday my darling. I love you. ' Reposting her message, he wrote: 'What a perfect message to start my birthday morning. Thank you @hannah_du_beke. Can't wait to celebrate with you all on Monday. Love you so much.' Anton joined the BBC dancing show for its first series back in 2004. He then became part of the judging panel in 2019 when Bruno Tonioli left. Toni Garrn flaunted her washboard abs in a skimpy bikini as she put on a loved-up display with her new boyfriend in Saint Tropez on Saturday. The German model, 32, looked incredible in a white ribbed balconette bikini bra as she enjoyed a splash in the Mediterranean sea. Pairing her piece with some black bottoms, Toni showcased her statuesque physique while enjoying some time with partner Joshua Phitoussi. Joshua looked hunky in some navy blue swimming shorts as he flashed his muscular physique. The pair appeared in high spirits as they were spotted walking hand in hand close to the coast line. Toni Garrn flaunted her washboard abs in a skimpy bikini as she puts on a loved-up display with her new boyfriend Joshua Phitoussi in Saint Tropez on Saturday The German model, 32, looked incredible in a white ribbed balconette bikini bra as she enjoyed a splash in the Mediterranean sea Their romantic appearance came just a year after she announced she had split from her ex-husband Alex Pettyfer. At the time Toni took to social media to share the news, admitting it was a 'very difficult' decision for the couple of five years. Since tying the knot in 2020 and meeting two years prior, the couple have also become parents to daughter Luca Malaika, three. They also decided to marry for a second time in 2022, so they could say 'I Do' in front of their little one. Revealing the news, Toni shared to her 4.6M Instagram followers: 'Alex and I have made the difficult decision to divorce.' Adding: 'We will continue our relationship as friends and co-parents to our angel, Luca. Please respect our privacy during this sensitive time.' While Alex did not comment publicly, he shared a picture of the couple's daughter Luca on his Instagram Stories as they enjoyed some time together at the park. He captioned the photo: 'Happiness.' Pairing her piece with some scanty black bottoms, Toni showcased her statuesque physique while enjoying some time with partner Joshua Phitoussi Joshua looked hunky in some navy blue swimming shorts as he flashed his muscular physique The pair appeared in high spirits as they were spotted walking hand in hand close to the coast line Joshua was seen flexing his muscles as he took a dip in the water Toni and Alex were first linked in 2019 when they attended Elton John's Oscar party together, but did not confirm their romance until later in the year. The couple later worked together on the film Warning, alongside Alex's father Richard Pettyfer, Rupert Everett, Thomas Jane, Alice Eve and Annabelle Wallis. Toni and Magic Mike star Alex married again in 2022 at a second ceremony on the Greek island of Paros. They had been holidaying with their daughter Luca and Toni revealed in July that she and Alex said 'I do' once again at a beach-front ceremony. Sharing a short clip of the pair on Instagram, Toni wrote: 'Yesterday felt like the most beautiful dream. Collecting all pictures.. stay tuned.' The pair first said I do in an intimate ceremony in Toni's hometown of Hamburg in November 2020. They tied the knot in her hometown of Hamburg in Germany 10 months after their Christmas engagement. Toni rose to prominence in the fashion industry after signing an exclusive contract with Calvin Klein in 2008, having made her debut for the designer in their Spring/Summer 2008 runway show in New York at the age of 15. She went on to feature in their advertising campaign before walking again exclusively for the brand the following year. Their romantic appearance came just a year after she announced she had split from her ex-husband Alex Pettyfer Revealing the news, Toni shared to her 4.6M Instagram followers: 'Alex and I have made the difficult decision to divorce' While Alex did not comment publicly, he shared a picture of the couple's daughter Luca on his Instagram Stories as they enjoyed some time together at the park In the 2009 seasons she walked in more than 60 shows for other well known fashion houses including Stella McCartney, Dior, Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Micheal Kors among others. While she is also known for strutting down the runway as a Victoria's Secret Angel, walking her first catwalk for the underwear brand in 2011. She ranked in 20th place in the Top 50 Models Women list on international modelling site models.com in 2012. The fashionista released her own line of jeans after collaborating with German denim label Closed in 2014. She has appeared in a variety of Vogue magazines published around the world, as well as Muse, Glamour and Harper's Bazaar in America, Italy's Marie-Claire, i-D and many more. Toni also turned her hand to acting, playing the role of Reeva Steenkamp in the 2017 LifeTime movie Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer. Jennifer Lopez's mother Guadalupe Rodriguez made a glamorous entrance to her daughter's 55th birthday party in the Hamptons on Saturday. Rodriguez looked incredible in a light blue gown with lacy top as she arrived at the Bridgerton-themed celebrations with a slew of other guests donning Victorian wear. She looked stunning with her hair styled into loose curls and an array of jewelry adding extra sparkle to the look. People reports that Jennifer's husband Ben Affleck, 51, did not attend the party. The couple have been embroiled in divorce rumors as of late. Lopez recently spent her second wedding anniversary without her husband, as he remained in California while she holidayed on the East Coast. Jennifer Lopez's mother Guadalupe Rodriguez made a glamorous entrance to her daughter's 55th birthday party in the Hamptons on Saturday Although she actually turns 54 this coming Wednesday, it appeared that she was gearing up to throw her party a bit early over the weekend. A large van full of flowers could be spotted arriving at her party venue on Saturday, where a horse and buggy also appeared to have been hired for the occasion. Lopez may have rented some upscale furnishings for the fete, as a truck from the luxury furniture brand Serena & Lily was on the scene as well. Members of staff, all dressed in black, could be spotted gathering near the valet stand as the on-site arrangements came together. Ben has not been pictured with Jennifer since June 5 and as recently as this Friday he was spotted in California with his children. His eldest daughter Violet, 18, whom he shares with Jennifer Garner, was spotted visiting Lopez last weekend in the Hamptons. A source exclusively told DailyMail.com that Affleck and Lopez' respective children have been working behind the scenes to help them repair their marriage. She looked stunning with her hair styled into loose curls and an array of jewelry giving the look extra shine On Saturday morning, as the preparations for her festivities kicked off, Lopez posted a beaming selfie on Instagram and wrote: 'Today is gonna be a great day' 'The kids think Jennifer and Ben are really, deeply in love, like soul mates and they don't want them to divorce. They want them to work it out for better or for worse, like their vows said.' the insider explained. 'And they do feel that the two should continue counseling and talking it out, even if it is painful. They feel like if they do and say the right things that there could be more peace,' the source continued. The children were purportedly hoping that Affleck and Lopez would be able to get 'back together' before the pop star celebrates her 55th birthday on July 24. On Saturday morning, as the preparations for her festivities kicked off, Lopez posted a beaming selfie on Instagram and wrote: 'Today is gonna be a great day.' Lopez recently spent her second wedding anniversary without her husband, as he remained in California while she holidayed on the East Coast; pictured at the 2023 Grammys The party comes as insiders informed DailyMail.com that Lopez is throwing herself into efforts to salvage her marriage. Sources said their recent time apart has only reinforced just how much they love each other, further fueling their determination to avoid calling it quits. The pair, who recently listed their $60million family home, were last pictured together on June 2 and have spent several big occasions - including Mother's Day and their second wedding anniversary - apart amid ongoing reports their rekindled romance is careering towards divorce. But Lopez, 54, has made a concerted effort to focus on their blended family and has put work commitments on hold to help get their romance back on track. 'Jennifer is hopeful right now about salvaging her marriage to Ben,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'She would not be spending time with his children acting in the role as a mom to them if she was not working things out with him or, at the very least, on the right path.' Lopez and Affleck have realized they still love each other after spending some time apart 'to think things over', a source has revealed to DailyMail.com (pictured in February) The insider added that the true reason why Ben and Jennifer have not been together so far this summer was to help them determine how much they still valued their relationship. 'They have given each other space to think things over and this has reinforced that they do love each other,' the source claimed. 'Jennifer has put work on hold to focus on repairing the damage that was done. She knows that she allowed her career and her fame to come between her marriage at times.' They continued: 'She is really trying to just be a good mom and a normal person for the time being because she knows that, at the end of the day, her riches and fame aren't everything. She is hoping that it is not too late.' However, the insider added that Affleck had also made his own mistakes, adding: 'Those around her have assured her that she is not solely to blame as Ben is not a walk in the park either.' DailyMail.com previously revealed that Lopez had even been confiding in her husband's ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, who eventually had to step back from an informal mediator role between the pair, as she no longer wanted to be part of the 'circus' around the pair. But she still remains in 'constant communication' with Garner who has 'helped things tremendously.' 'Jennifer is eternally grateful for her help even though she has now taken a step back,' the insider said. 'But Jen was able to get through to her ex-husband like no one else could even her.' A source revealed: 'Jennifer is really trying to just be a good mom and a normal person for the time being because she knows that none of her riches and fame mean anything' Affleck and Garner share three children: Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12. Meanwhile, Lopez shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with her ex-husband, Marc Anthony. It looked like their blended family would be ripped apart after Affleck moved out of their California mansion and into a $100K-a-month rental located near his ex-wife. Just weeks later, the home was quietly listed for $65 million and the pair began selling off art work from inside the mansion. However, the source revealed that the pair had a simple reason for choosing to put their marital home back on the market - their family did not feel 'safe' in the Bel Air mansion and struggled to call it 'home.' 'Jennifer and Ben decided to sell their house because neither one of them, nor their kids, felt like this place was home,' the insider dished. 'It was too big, and the openness made them feel unsafe at times and although they have around the clock security, something just didnt feel right.' The source added that Affleck, in particular, never felt truly comfortable in the mansion - likely leading to him being so quick to move his items out last month. They added: 'Ben hated the house more than Jennifer, so when things started to fall apart in their marriage he was just over it. 'The amount of money it costs just in utilities for that home was astronomical.' Lopez and Affleck rekindled in 2021 and married in a Las Vegas ceremony the following July, before throwing a lavish wedding at his Georgia estate in August 2022 (pictured) But the duo were spotted on opposite ends of the country as they marked their second anniversary apart on July 16 (pictured in May 2023) The couple's love story first began in 2002 when they dated while filming the movie Jersey Girl. They got engaged the following year but broke up in 2004. They delighted fans when they rekindled their romance in the spring of 2021. They tied the knot in a Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, followed by a lavish wedding at his Georgia estate a month later. But the duo were spotted on opposite ends of the country as they seemingly failed to come together to mark their second anniversary on July 16. A smiling Affleck was spotted suited up as he arrived at his office in Los Angeles, carrying a large iced coffee and a duffel bag while Lopez was in the Hamptons with his 18-year-old daughter Violet. Whatever happens next, the pair still have plans to work together as Lopez is set to star in two upcoming movies - Unstoppable and Kiss Of The Spider Woman - for Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, Artists Equity. Zara McDermott put on a very busty display in a stylish pink bikini as she shared an array of holiday snaps to Instagram on Sunday. The influencer and documentary maker , 27, looked incredible as she posed in the orange-lined two-piece. She appeared in top spirits in the holiday snap as she flashed a smile while splashing in the sea. Part of her album, captioned 'some moments from the week', also saw her posing in a red and white floral dress and a pink and lime green beach dress. Zara's holiday with friends comes days after reports that her and her boyfriend Sam Thompson are giving their relationship 'one last shot' following weeks of 'crisis talks. The couple, who have been together for four years, sparked rumours they had split in recent weeks after a blazing row. During their 'rocky' patch, Zara's Strictly pro partner Graziano Di Prima admitted to kicking her in rehearsals last year in an apology statement, after he was sacked from the BBC show over her claims. Zara McDermott put on a very busty display in a stylish pink bikini as she shared an array of holiday snaps to Instagram on Sunday While the shocking details over her Strictly experience emerged, Zara, 27, was seemingly battling to save her long-term relationship with Sam, 31, behind closed doors at the same time. It's been reported there's been 'a lot of tears' and 'strain on their relationship' due to the allegations surrounding Graziano, but the couple are said to be sticking by each other and doing everything to make it work. A source told OK magazine: 'Things have been very up and down for Zara and Sam over the past few months and there have been points that theyve thought about ending it. 'Ultimately that [Graziano scandal] put extra stress and pressure on her and Sam as they were both dealing with a lot. She feels her Strictly experience has been tarnished. There have been a lot of tears. 'But they both have a lot of love for each other and are determined to try to give it one more go. They know what they have together and dont want to have any regrets. They are determined to fight to stay together.' MailOnline have contacted Zara and Sam's representatives for a comment. Zara furiously hit back at her professional partner Graziano Di Prima in a new statement, after he insisted his behaviour during rehearsals was a 'singular incident.' The professional dancer, 30, was axed from the BBC show last week over reports of he 'hit and kicked' the former Love Island star during last year's series, but has since apologised for his behaviour in a statement. The influencer and documentary maker , 27, looked incredible as she posed during her holiday with friends While Graziano admitted he 'crossed the line', he denied spitting at Zara, and insisted his behaviour was one-off incident, and the reality star's representative responded in a new statement. Zara's spokesperson told The BBC: 'It's a matter of public record that the BBC deemed the conduct to be so severe that they removed him from the show immediately. 'Zara has already confirmed in a statement released on her social media earlier this week that the reported conduct was not a singular incident.' Graziano's spokesman has said he apologised to Zara for kicking her at the time but denied claims he ever spat at her. Admitting that while the dancer 'remembers pushing [Zara] quite hard' during training the descriptions reported 'do not align' with Graziano's own memory. She also shared a snap holding a wine glass at a restaurant as she relaxed after a difficult few weeks Part of her album, captioned 'some moments from the week', she also shared a picture wearing a red and white floral dress Zara's holiday with friends comes days after reports that her and her boyfriend Sam Thompson are giving their relationship 'one last shot' following weeks of 'crisis talks During their 'rocky' patch, Zara's Strictly pro partner Graziano Di Prima admitted to kicking her in rehearsals last year in an apology statement , after he was sacked from the BBC show over her claims Going on to say that the Italian star - who has since moved back to his native Sicily - has been left in a 'very vulnerable state' in the fallout from the scandal. Mark Borkowski said: 'This week the news agenda has focused on an isolated incident that Mr Di Prima deeply regrets and apologised for at the time. 'The deluge of commentary, too often without context or nuance, has provoked a pile-on that has left a young man in a very vulnerable state'. It comes after he previously told BBC News: 'There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time.' Referring to the media reports, Mark added: 'But he doesn't recognise some of the issues surrounding it. The descriptions of what is being commented online, and how he remembers it, are not aligned.' He continued: 'He [Graziano] has literally cut himself off from civilisation. I think that's a wise thing to do, supported by his wife. He's coming to terms with his mental health issues.' Graziano's spokesman had previously said he apologised to Zara for kicking her at the time but denied claims he ever spat at her Graziano, who believed the matter had been resolved at the time, was sacked from the show after a video of the idea was brought to the attention of the BBC last week. The investigation into his behaviour was triggered by Strictly's bid to clean up the show after fellow Italian Giovanni Pernice was accused of abusive behaviour by his 2023 dance partner Amanda Abbington, which resulted in him leaving the show. Giovanni denies the claims. According to show insiders, video footage of Graziano mistreating Zara gave bosses no choice but to cancel his contract. Addressing his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: '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. The investigation into his behaviour after fellow Italian Giovanni Pernice was accused of abusive behaviour by his 2023 dance partner Amanda Abbington (pictured together) 'Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away.' He continued: 'While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can't discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends. 'I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.' He concluded the post: 'I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.' Zara broke her silence on Tuesday, admitting she was scared to come forward and report Graziano over fears for her 'future'. Also writing on Instagram, she said: 'I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports. Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl. 'When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it. I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took. 'And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to work with 'However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.' Zara explained that she didn't report the incidents at the time as she was 'scared' of backlash. Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into Giovanni was taking place. A source from the show told MailOnline: 'There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal, but all of it was dreadful.' Zara broke her silence on Tuesday, admitting she was scared to come forward and report Graziano over fears for her 'future' Zara continued in her statement: 'I have wrestled with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. 'But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show. 'I have wrestled with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show. 'The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up especially in a a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I've seen through working with countless women on my documentaries. 'I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as wel as everyone who has reached out to me - it really truly meas a lot. Love, always. Zara.' Graziano, who was due to compete in his seventh series of Strictly before his sacking, is taking legal action against the BBC, MailOnline revealed on Monday. And the broadcaster has vowed to fight back against Giovanni's claims. Gisele Bundchen celebrated turning 44 with her twin sister Patricia Bundchen on Saturday, July 20. The Victoria's Secret Angel - who is often spotted working out near her home in Florida shared a look at the festivities she shared with her twin for her 22.8 million Instagram followers. In the first photo in the series, the Brazilian beauties are smiling as Gisele sits beside Patricia. 'Grateful to be celebrating one more year around the sun with my super sis. Thank you everyone for all the love and birthday wishes,' her caption began. 'Feeling blessed to be surrounded by so much love. Looking forward to what is ahead,' she wrote, adding a praying hands emoji and a red heart emoji. Gisele Bundchen celebrated turning 44 with her twin sister Patricia Bundchen on Saturday, July 20 The Victoria's Secret Angel shared a look at the festivities she shared with her twin for her 22.8 million Instagram followers In the snap, Gisele looked lovely in a rust colored bikini top with a circle cutout with her dirty blonde hair falling in beachy waves down her chest. The catwalk veteran also shared a photo of the sisters blowing out the candles on their cakes while sitting side-by-side. Other images included a dinner table set for their celebrations and a delicious looking snap of their chocolate truffles. Last week, Tom Brady's ex-wife uploaded a video in which she made her family's 'favorite healthy snack.' 'Check out my familys favorite healthy yummy snack that also helps boosts your immune system,' she began her caption before divulging her 'secret ingredient' for elderberry jello. The beauty added, 'It is a super easy recipe made with my secret ingredient - @gaiaherbs Black Elderberry Syrup.' 'Grateful to be celebrating one more year around the sun with my super sis. Thank you everyone for all the love and birthday wishes,' her caption began A photo of the dinner table set for their celebration and a delicious looking snap of multicolored chocolate truffles on a tray were also part of the carousel of images Gisele also shared a shot of the supermodel's legs and bare feet in the grass Earlier this month, Gisele enjoyed a vacation in Costa Rica with her steamy boyfriend, jiu jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente. The couple were accompanied by Gisele's children Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11, whom she shares with her ex-husband Brady. Now, however, the Brazilian bombshell has returned home to Florida and was spotted this week enjoying the normality of her routine. Gisele and Joaquim have been romantically involved for over a year - but she has staunchly denied that she cheated on Tom with him. 'This is something that happens to a lot of women who get blamed when they have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and are labeled as being unfaithful,' she told the New York Times while doing publicity for her cookbook. 'Of course, for me, it just happens to be a little bit amplified.' Sam and Billie Faiers' mum Suzie Wells stripped down to a tiny white bikini as she soaked up the sun during a family holiday in Mallorca on Saturday. The TOWIE stars' mum, 55 showed off her incredible physique in the skimpy swimwear, which she accessorised with a sheer white robe. Sharing the gorgeous picture to Instagram, Suzie said: 'Light reflector action. Thank you @samanthafaiers you are an amazing photographer @beachcafeuk .' The snap led to an outpouring of compliments from amazed fans. Suzie Wells stripped down to a tiny white bikini on Saturday as she showed off her incredible physique The digital creator who is mum to former TOWIE stars Sam (left) and Billie Faiers (right) accessorised with a sheer white robe as she soaked up the sun during a family holiday Her daughters Billie and Sam led the way to praise her look and said: 'Looking beautiful mumma' and 'Absolutely gorgeous mumma'. Other former TOWIE cast members also took to the comment section including Amy Childs who said: 'Stunning xx'. Carol Wright penned: 'Looking good Suzie' followed by four flame emojis, whilst Lydia Bright simply put 'Goddess'. Fans were also quick to praise the mum of two saying: 'B****y hell I think would love to look like you um 50 your on fire xx' 'That is what I call 'Nana Goals'' 'Wow suzie you look like a Bond girl. Absolutely stunning' Suzie has been enjoying a family holiday to Spain with her daughter Sam and her partner Paul, their children and Paul's side of the family. It comes after Sam was left 'appalled' after a charity she was ambassador for has been accused of inventing fake stories of saving children from human traffickers. In another picture, Suzie could be seen in a skintight white swimsuit as she posed with her granddaughter - drink in her hand Her daughters led the way to praise her look with other former TOWIE cast members also taking to the comment section Suzie has been enjoying a family holiday to Spain with her daughter Sam and her partner Paul, their children and Paul's side of the family Sam is mum to Paul Junior, eight, Rosie, six, and Edward, almost two The former TOWIE star and her businessman partner have been together 11 years this year and are yet to tie the knot despite fans wanting to know when they will get hitched Project Rescue Children (PRC) claimed to have helped more than 700 children in countries including Ukraine, Kenya and The Gambia. But a BBC investigation has now claimed that some of these children were never trafficked, and that the donations given did not reach the children they promised to help. The PRC rejects these claims as 'baseless allegations'. Sam was an ambassador for the organisation which took her out to Uganda to meet some orphaned and destitute children last September. While there, Sam appealed to her millions of fans to donate and ended up raising 137,000 to build a rescue centre and cover its running costs for an initial period. In the weeks after Sam's total was announced, allegations began popping up on social media about PRC, with former ambassadors and directors alleging financial mismanagement and disputed some of the stories about the children. Sam told the BBC she was 'deeply appalled' and 'heartbroken' to learn that not all the funds raised had reached the children and urged Mr Whittington to 'do the right thing and release the remainder of the funds immediately to where they are so desperately needed'. Kate Beckinsale put on a racy display in a plunging Stephen Rolland couture dress as she attended The Fab Thirties event in Italy on Sunday. The Click actress, 50, looked incredible as she stepped out in the Fall Winter 2024 runway dress which featured an acentric white love heart design on the front. She sent pulses racing in the garment as she flaunted her assets and toned midriff in the very low cut neckline garment. To accessorise, Kate, who turns 51 on Friday, wore a long diamond earrings and a veiled sequin fascinator which featured small white twist design. Kate, who recently revealed her weight loss is down to 'stress and grief', appeared in top spirits for the evening as she posed for some glamourous snaps with Veronica Berti and Tiziana Rocca. Kate Beckinsale put on a racy display in a plunging Stephen Rolland couture dress as she attended The Fab Thirties event in Italy on Sunday The Click actress, 50, looked incredible as she stepped out in the Fall Winter 2024 runway dress which featured an acentric white love heart design on the front Kate has caused concern on social media over several unexplained health scares over the last year, including spending weeks in the hospital and dropping so many pounds that fans called her 'too thin.' Earlier this month, she revealed her weight loss is down to the 'stress and grief' of the death of her stepfather and her mother's cancer diagnosis as she hit back at trolls. The actress slammed some of her 'a**hole' followers, who told her she needed to put on weight in the comments section of an Instagram post. After sharing a video clip in a crop top and bikini bottoms, one follower queried where her 'a**' had gone and encouraged Kate to 'do some squats'. Another claimed her body had 'shrank' while another insisted that she 'seemed upset' in the video posted on Monday evening. However, Kate fired back at the cruel comments ands explained that there were several reasons for her changed figure, including a six-week hospital stint. She replied: 'No, actually, I watched my stepfather die quite shockingly, my mother has stage 4 cancer and I lost a lot of eight from stress and grief... 'Quite quickly and then I was in hospital for six weeks because the grief had burned a hole in my oesophagus, which made me vomit copious amounts of blood, and I found eating very hard... She commanded attention as she showcased her intricated myriad of tattoos She sent pulses racing in the garment as she flaunted her assets and toned midriff in the very low cut neckline garment To accessorise, Kate, who turns 51 on Friday, wore a long diamond earrings and a veiled sequin fascinator which featured small white twist design Kate, who recently revealed her weight loss is down to 'stress and grief', appeared in top spirits for the evening as she posed for some snaps with Veronica Berti and Tiziana Rocca Kate was also spotted catch up with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli Earlier this month, she revealed her weight loss is down to the 'stress and grief' of the death of her stepfather and her mother's cancer diagnosis as she hit back at trollse 'And I just worked very very hard on a movie that was actually quite triggering because it also involved the theme of the death of my father so I'm not really concerned about what you think about my a**. Maybe you should worry about your own f***ing a**. I suggest shoving something up it, like a large pineapple or a brick.' Kate's stepdad Roy Battersby died in January after suffering 'a massive stroke' while battling two forms of cancer, which he was diagnosed with the summer before. Shortly after his death, Kate also revealed that her mother Judy Loe had also been told she has stage four cancer. In recent months, Kate had been caring for her mother and late stepfather after flying them out from the UK to stay with her in Los Angeles. 'Kate has been caring for her parents, who both have serious illnesses, for most of the year,' a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com late last year. 'She brought them to her home in LA and has made looking after them her number one priority.' After sharing a video clip in a crop top and bikini bottoms, one follower queried where her 'a**' had gone and encouraged Kate to 'do some squats' Kate fired back at the cruel comments ands explained that there were several reasons for her changed figure, including a six-week hospital stint Another person asked: 'How's your health Katie? You look like you have lost some weight?', to which she responded: 'It's great now thanks' At the time, Kate did not reveal why she was in hospital The insider revealed that the actress whose biological father Richard Beckinsale died in 1979 at 31 from a heart attack in his sleep has been feeling the emotional toll in recent months. 'She was spotted this week several times crying in the corridors of UCLA hospital,' the source added. 'Her friends are very concerned that she has been under relentless strain for months and hardly sleeping or eating. 'Kate appears to be very strong but this has been incredibly hard and, given that she lost her father so young, is affecting her very deeply. Her friends are concerned for her own health.' A second source explained that her mother Judy has chosen to keep her health battle private, stating: 'She's extraordinary, you wouldn't even know by looking at her. She has been keeping a very positive attitude throughout everything.' Kate's mother Judy married Roy 18 years after Kate's father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died. Roy enjoyed his own successful career as a director, working on major British on-screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost. Demi Moore turned heads as she celebrated daughter Scout Willis' 33rd birthday during a family getaway over the weekend. The Charlie's Angels star who was in the front row of the Dior show in Paris recently looked decades younger than her 61 years as she wore a tiny white bikini in a new Instagram post shared by her eldest daughter Rumer, 35, on Saturday. She stood holding her 15-month-old granddaughter Louetta's hands as they walked on a dock together. Demi accessorized her vacation look with a navy blue ball cap and Birkenstocks. 'River Monsters for @scoutlaruewillis birthday,' Rumer wrote in the caption of the post. Demi Moore, 61, stunned in a white bikini as she doted on her granddaughter Louetta, 15 months, while on a family trip to celebrate her daughter Scout Willis' 33rd birthday Scout the birthday girl soaked up the sun on the family trip, in a new Instagram post shared by her sister Rumer, 35, on Saturday 'River Monsters for @scoutlaruewillis birthday,' Rumer wrote in the caption of the post 'No place I would rather be than by your side,' she continued. 'My leg bruise is courtesy of my first time trick riding on a horse woohoo.' The toddler looked adorable in a long-sleeved pink swimsuit with darker pink zig zags and a polka dot bucket hat. Demi's first and so far only grandchild looked delighted to have grandma helping her walk. Rumer welcomed Louetta in April 2023 with partner Derek Thomas. Rumer shared several more photos of the fun trip. Another image showed Scout and youngest sister Tallulah, 30, enjoying a splash on floating water mat while rocking bikinis. Rumer also shared a snap of her pert derriere in a lime one-piece swimsuit. Scout's pal, Fred Houston, also posted an image and a video of her and a female friend enjoying the river on a foam mat and donning a colorful floral bikini. Demi wrote a sweet message to the birthday girl on her Instagram, sharing four photos of her and writing, 'My sweet angel @scoutlaruewillis. Happy Happy Birthday! I am so privileged to be your mother and so grateful to be sharing this journey of life with you! The best is yet to come and I am so excited to see the magic that unfolds for you! I love you!' Another image shared by Rumer showed Scout and youngest sister Tallulah, 30, enjoying a splash on floating water mat while rocking bikinis Rumer also shared a snap of her pert derriere in a lime one-piece swimsuit Scout's pal, Fred Houston, also posted an image and a video of her and a female friend enjoying the river on a foam mat and donning a colorful floral bikini Another snap showed them relaxing in the sun Demi wrote a sweet message to the birthday girl on her Instagram, sharing four photos of her She wrote: 'My sweet angel @scoutlaruewillis. Happy Happy Birthday! I am so privileged to be your mother and so grateful to be sharing this journey of life with you!' She also added a fresh-faced close-up of her daughter rocking a Halloween t-shirt There was also a snap of Scout doing a cartwheel in a lime top and tiny shorts, as well as a matching bucket hat The last photo showed Scout in a teal sweater and pink boots as she posed in front of a white background Scout also shared her own birthday post on Saturday, featuring a photo of herself with a lion head 'I AM 33! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! MY JESUS YEAR BEGINS! I AM SO HAPPY! I AM SO LUCKY! I FEEL SO GRATEFUL! I REALLY LIKE MYSELF AND I LOVE WHO I BECOME EVERY DAY!' she wrote One image showed Scout in a flowing white cotton dress standing in the center of stone ruins. Another was a fresh-faced close-up of her, rocking a Halloween t-shirt. There was also a snap of Scout doing a cartwheel in a lime top and tiny shorts, as well as a matching bucket hat. The last photo showed Scout in a teal sweater and pink boots as she posed in front of a white background. Scout also shared her own birthday post on Saturday, featuring a photo of herself with a lion head. 'I AM 33! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! MY JESUS YEAR BEGINS! I AM SO HAPPY! I AM SO LUCKY! I FEEL SO GRATEFUL! I REALLY LIKE MYSELF AND I LOVE WHO I BECOME EVERY DAY! I LOVE MY LIFE! I FEEL SO INSPIRED AND THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE SO FAR!' she wrote in the caption. Demi shares Rumer, Scout and Tallulah with ex-husband Bruce Willis, 69, who has been suffering from frontotemporal dementia since around spring 2022. In May, Rumer shared a rare health update about her father's battle with the rare and aggressive form of dementia. Rumer welcomed Louetta in April 2023; Demi pictured with Rumer Demi shares Rumer, Scout and Tallulah with ex-husband Bruce Willi, 69, who has been suffering from frontotemporal dementia since around spring 2022; They are seen in 2015 Rumer suggested her father is in good spirits, telling the Today show simply, 'He's so good.' She added that he remains a wonderful grandfather to her infant daughter Louetta, enjoys music, and spends quality time with his family. However, while the family has not said it publicly, doctors tell DailyMail.com that the tragic reality is patients with Willis' condition are usually mute within just two to three years of a diagnosis. FTD is different from the more well-known type of dementia, Alzheimer's disease. But unlike Alzheimer's, memory is not the first to go. Aphasia - difficulty speaking and putting thoughts into words - is the first symptom for most. Willis has been struggling with this for two years. Liam Hemsworth made an appearance at the 2024 London ePrix in London, just days after a romantic getaway in Mykonos with his girlfriend Gabriella Brooks. The Australian heartthrob looked effortlessly stylish as he mingled with race car drivers and celebrities at the event. Liam, 34, was seen posing for photos alongside New Zealand professional racing driver Nick Cassidy. The actor exuded casual charm in a white t-shirt layered with a patterned short-sleeved shirt, light blue jeans and white sneakers. His rugged beard and tousled hair added to his laid-back look, as he smiled for the cameras. In another snap, Liam stood beside Harry Potter star Tom Felton. The duo appeared to share a friendly rapport, with Felton sporting a casual look in a white t-shirt and jeans. The star-studded event also saw Hemsworth posing with glamorous TV presenter Nicki Shields. Liam Hemsworth made an appearance at the 2024 London ePrix in London, just days after a romantic getaway in Mykonos with his girlfriend Gabriella Brooks The Australian heartthrob looked effortlessly stylish as he mingled with race car drivers and celebrities at the event. (Pictured with racing driver Nick Cassidy) The sighting comes hot on the heels of Liam and Gabriellas vacation in Mykonos, where the couple were seen packing on the PDA while enjoying the sun. The private couple have been enjoying a European getaway together over the past week and having plenty of fun in the sun. The Hunger Games actor moved on with Gabriella following his divorce from American pop star Miley Cyrus. The actor exuded casual charm in a white t-shirt layered with a patterned short-sleeved shirt, light blue jeans and white sneakers Gabriella and Liam are believed to have been together since December 2019. They were the subject of dating rumours on numerous occasions and made their first red carpet appearance together in November 2020. Gabriella made her catwalk debut at the Cue show at Australia Fashion Week in 2023. In another snap, Liam stood beside Harry Potter star Tom Felton. The duo appeared to share a friendly rapport, with Felton sporting a casual look in a t-shirt and jeans Gabby's catwalk debut for Cue was a resound success - and brand director Kate Bielenberg believes she has a big future ahead. 'Gabby's amazing. She's such great girl and has such a great look,' she said in a statement, adding that she's the definition of 'cool girl vibes'. 'When she came in for castings, she was just so gorgeous and delighted everyone.' Liam meanwhile has continued to kick goals in his acting career, recently starring in the films Land of Bad and Poker Face. Amanda Abbington will soon learn the ruling of the investigation she triggered after complaining her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice bullied her in training. But regardless of the outcome, bosses are said to be furious at the actress, who they now believe is encouraging other former contestants to engage with her lawyers over their time on the programme. In recent weeks they think she has been urging competitors who have taken part in Strictly over the years to speak to London-based law firm Carter-Ruck in a bid to find others with allegations of a toxic environment on the show. One BBC insider said: 'Amanda seems to be stopping at nothing to make sure that a dark cloud is left over Strictly. 'She seems to have a real issue with the show. She has been open about not enjoying her time, but why spoil it for everyone else? Amanda Abbington will soon learn the ruling of the investigation she triggered after complaining her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice bullied her in training (pictured together while performing in October last year) Ms Abbington, 52, is understood to have contacted actress Laila Rouass to encourage her to speak to her lawyers following an incident in 2009 when her partner Anton Du Beke (pictured), now a judge on the show, described her as 'looking like a p***' after she had a spray tan Anton Du Beke, 57, reduced contestant Laila Rouass to tears when he jokingly told her she 'looked like a P***' after her spray tan during the 2009 series (pictured on the series together) 'It's not looking like there is a smoking gun in her complaint about Giovanni, so now she is getting others to come forward and then later it appears in the Press so the row keeps going and going.' Ms Abbington, 52, is understood to have contacted actress Laila Rouass to encourage her to speak to her lawyers following an incident in 2009 when her partner Anton Du Beke, now a judge on the show, described her as 'looking like a p***' after she had a spray tan. Strictly staff are outraged and say that much of the behaviour that is not as serious as Graziano Di Prima hitting and kicking Zara McDermott also risks diluting actual complaints. One said: 'How is Amanda whipping up incidents of a few raised voices or something that happened 15 years ago helping the real issues of bullying?' Meanwhile, the Mail can also today reveal that those aware of the details of the evidence-led probe into Mr Pernice say they believe the allegations are unlikely to be found proven. It paves the way for the professional dancer, who has strongly denied any misconduct towards Ms Abbington, to be cleared three months after the inquiry began. Amanda Abbington claimed dancer Giovanni Pernice was 'abusive, cruel and mean' (pictured in January 2023) Abbington was pictured emotionally struggling with the rehearsals during the show Giovanni Pernice & Amanda Abbington in an offical partner photo during last year's series Amanda abruptly left the BBC show citing 'personal issues' and hasn't been seen on screen since, even quitting social media last month in the wake of her former dance partner's sacking Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over allegations made by Amanda and two other former celebrity partners (pictured in June) With judgement said to be just days away, Ms Abbington took the unusual step of speaking to The Sun on Sunday regarding Mr Pernice's alleged behaviour. Her critics believe that she did the interview 'to once again damage' the Italian dancer as he is widely expected to be cleared of bullying her. Ms Abbington, who told the newspaper she suffered from PTSD as a result of the show earlier this year, claims Mr Pernice was 'abusive, cruel and mean.' However, she didn't give any examples of his behaviour. She said that she had made the complaint because 'I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people', despite knowing she would suffer a 'backlash'. She added: 'I would not have been able to live with myself for the sake of future people going on that show.' Mr Pernice, 33, hit back at her interview, with his spokesman telling the Mail: 'The BBC has shared allegations from the inquiry with Giovanni, who has cooperated fully. None of the allegations carried in the Sun on Sunday are included in any shape or form. Fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme after he was accused of kicking and spitting at former Love Island star Zara McDermott (pictured together during last year's competition) McDermott pictured struggling with wounds on her feet during the gruelling training regime on the programme Zara released a statement which stated that while much of her time on Strictly 'was everything I could have dreamt of' inside the training room there were 'particular incidents which are incredibly distressing' Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Di Prima wrote on Instagram: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly' He added: 'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime' Tomorrow, BBC director-general Tim Davie (pictured) is expected to publicly address the row when the corporation's annual report is released. 'Giovanni refutes these allegations and denies any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. He has provided substantive evidence to the investigation and he remains fully confident of clearing his name.' One source said: 'Amanda clearly feels very hard done by in all of this and is getting ahead of things in case the ruling doesn't go as she wants.' The fallout is set to rumble on this week as the professional dancers begin their training for the new series today. And tomorrow, BBC director-general Tim Davie is expected to publicly address the row when the corporation's annual report is released. Last week The Mail on Sunday revealed that Mr Di Prima was fired for gross misconduct after kicking and hitting Ms McDermott. His sacking was prompted by a group of production staff presenting BBC chiefs with a video of him assaulting her. Previous complaints had been made to the Corporation about his verbal abuse and he was warned twice, yet he was invited on the post-show tour and was unveiled as a member of the professional dancer cast for the forthcoming series. Since then old footage of former pros James Jordan and Brendan Cole being abrasive towards their celebrity partners has re-emerged online. In one clip Mr Jordan is seen threatening to drag actress Georgina Bouzova along the floor and scream at her if she didn't stand on her left leg. Meanwhile Mr Cole was bellowing at actress Claire King back in 2006. Pro dancer Nadiya Bychkova has also made a complaint about the show to BBC bosses. Employees Provident Fund Officers Association has sought the Union Labour Ministers intervention to improve the information technology infrastructure of the retirement fund body. In a letter to the minister earlier this week, the EPF Officers Association (EPFOA) said it has been regularly submitting requests for urgent interventions to upgrade the EPF IT systems - software, hardware, IT manpower - which are causing acute strain on EPF manpower and adversely affecting EPFO services. The situation has now turned serious with officers and offices reporting significant system deficiencies on a daily basis, the association said. Severely inadequate EPFO IT systems and resultant service bottlenecks are adversely affecting EPF services, it added. The EPFO application software serves as the foundational component of its service delivery infrastructure. The body said it is the primary platform through which our regional offices process and adjudicate member claims. In recent times, the software has exhibited significant instability, characterised by frequent outages, it stated. Over the past several weeks, the applications performance has deteriorated, manifesting in frequent system slowdowns, involuntary user logout and complete system failures, it pointed out. Previously, the EPFO management attributed the software performance issues to concurrent user logins. However, it said, the situation has escalated to a critical juncture where system crashes and slowdowns occur even in the absence of heavy user traffic. It has been observed that field offices have reported system failures during off-peak hours as well, it stated. The exigency of a comprehensive overhaul of the EPFO application software has been apparent for quite some time now, it noted. Despite this critical need, the implementation of such an overhaul has been repeatedly postponed for reasons that remain obscure, the body added. While the EPFO is a financially robust organisation independent of the government administrative funding, the delay in launching the 2.0 version of the application software stands in stark contrast to the rapid technological advancements achieved by other departments, such as the Income Tax department, it stated. This discrepancy suggests a systemic failure to acknowledge the gravity of the situation, EPFOA pointed out. Any technological challenges have been vehemently denied, and emphasis placed on purported progress, it added. It is reasonable to speculate that the claim settlement process would be exponentially accelerated with a fully functional software system. We respectfully urge your immediate attention to the escalating frustration experienced by EPFO officers and staff due to the persistent deficiencies of the application software and perceived unresponsiveness of upper management, EPFOA said in the letter. A comprehensive evaluation of the software by leading industry experts is imperative to diagnose the root causes of the issues and develop a contemporary software solution commensurate with the EPFOs status as the worlds largest social security organisation, it suggested. Over the past thirty months, we have consistently brought to the attention of the CPFC the ongoing critical issues affecting the EPFOs IT infrastructure, the body said. Emphasising the potential of fallow lands in Eastern India for oilseed cultivation, despite challenges such as the GM mustard case and fluctuating global prices, Niti Aayog member Prof. Ramesh Chand has favoured a robust policy framework to support sustainable sectoral growth. He was sharing his views at the IVPA Global Round Table Conference @3.0 on Theme "Veg Oils Vision 2030: Opportunity and Challenges". The event witnessed the participation of about 500 delegates from across the globe serves as an important forum for addressing the complex challenges and exploring the vast opportunities within the vegetable oil industry by providing a platform for an open exchange of ideas. Among those who attended the conference were Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Malaysia, Dr. Ir. Kasan, MM, the Head of Trade Policy Agency of the Ministry of Trade Republic of Indonesia, Kevin Roepke, Regional Director South Asia, USSEC and Mariano Beheran, Agriculture Attache of Argentina. Minister of Plantation & Commodities, Malaysia, Datuk Seri Johari bin Abdul Ghani reiterated his country's commitment to sustainable palm oil production and its role in fostering economic ties with India beyond palm oil. This commitment aligns with environmental responsibility and meeting global demands, he said. As Bihar strengthens its infrastructure and undertakes reforms, it is poised to become a hub of economic activity and innovation A year ago, when the Adani Group decided to invest Rs. 8,700 crore in Bihar, it attracted the attention of investors from all over the country. The bureaucracy of Bihar, supporting the Nitish government, has made development and investment its campaign. Why can't entrepreneurs come here? The credit goes to the officers who returned from central deputation in Delhi. Additionally, Nitish Kumar, the head of the current NDA government in Bihar, strengthened his political connections. In Delhi, many JDU MPs became influential in the power corridors, such as Lallan Singh and Sanjay Jha, whose responsibilities increased. Bihar has successfully convinced the Center, resulting in several policy changes in energy and industry. As a result, Bihar is becoming self-sufficient in energy, a development appreciated in other BJP-ruled states. Similarly, the process of identifying and allocating land for industry has begun, and naturally, investors have started project reconnaissance. This seems to be a turning point.In tourism, officials started working tirelessly to provide important information, and selfie points began to be established at tourist locations. Consequently, groups like Mayfair Hotel opened Bihar's first five-star hotel in Purnia. This new initiative led to proposals worth about Rs.10,000 crores in the field of food processing at the Bihar Investors Meet. However, Bihar's misfortune has been that although proposals came in, investors did not follow through in proportion. But now, the situation is changing. A cursory glance shows that Bihar is an agriculture-based state. The state's agriculture roadmap discusses processing units for various crops like fruits, vegetables, grains, and makhana. Especially, products of litchi, mango, guava, banana, makhana, potato, and tomato have been the main focus. Many investors showed interest, but most left projects incomplete. Currently, according to the Chamber, 15 companies are interested in food processing and have expressed a desire to invest about Rs10,304 crores. Companies like Godrej, Anmol Foods, and Bangladesh's Pride Food are also showing interest. Prime Minister Modi has appointed Bihar's young minister Chirag Paswan and experienced minister Giriraj Singh in these ministries with great expectations. Bhagalpuri silk has now entered the international market for the textile industry in Bihar. Additionally, many units related to handloom and khadi clothes are working on a very small scale in Bihar. Until now, investors were unaware of Bihar's cottage industry potential. The responsibility for expanding this sector lies with senior leader and MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. The climate here is also suitable for the textile industry. The government has 44 old proposals regarding textile, leather, and food processing that need to be brought to Bihar. In the past, many reasons hindered industrial growth in Bihar. Law and order problems were discouraging, but now better electricity and roads are attracting everyone. Today, India is the third-largest domestic civil aviation market in the world after China and America. Some states like Bihar lagged in aviation due to political differences, but the Bihar government is now gearing up for aviation infrastructure. In the proposed aviation plan for Bihar, apart from the Greenfield Airport in Bhagalpur and Rajgir, a Flying Training Academy in Begusarai, small cities of Bihar are also included. Existing airstrips in Saharsa, Munger, Birpur, Valmiki Nagar, Chhapra, Madhubani, Kishanganj, and Dalmianagar will be renovated and upgraded. In the Kosi area, many highway constructions are underway. The day is not far when, Bihar transforms into a developed state but it depends on preferential treatment the state gets in Union Budget. (The writer is senior journalist; views are personal) The time is ripe for Bharat to make use of its historical wisdom, embrace global opportunities, and drive towards a prosperous and inclusive future As Bharat aspires to become the third largest economy in the world, it must not only achieve this goal but also focus on sharing surplus to create a vibrant and inclusive society. The author of Arthashastra, Acharya Chanakya, says Dharmasya Moolam Arthah (Economy is the Strength). Hence, the land of Chanakya needs a clear visionMaking Society Prosperous with a mission of creating and sharing surplus wealth. The ancient wisdom of the Vedas, Sat Hasta Samahara, Sahastra Hasta Sankira, translates to Create wealth with 100 hands and share it with 1,000 hands. Hindus contributed significantly to the world economy from the 1st to the 15th century CE, reflecting their understanding of wealth creation and distribution.Hindu civilization's prosperity is evident in the magnificent monuments of past and present such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal, Nalanda and Takshila University, Ayutthaya in Thailand, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Prambanan and Borobudur in Indonesia, and the temples of Rameshwaram, Brihadeshwara, and Meenakshi in Bharat. However, this prosperity was lost during periods of Islamic invasion, colonial rule, and the Industrial Revolution. The 21st-century economy is driven by knowledge and youth, and with a significant portion of the Hindu population being young, there is an inherent potential waiting to be unlocked. The current economic boom, coupled with the recession of major economies, has created turmoil worldwide. Traditional responses, such as cost-cutting and protectionism, are insufficient. What is needed is a new and creative approach to generating surplus wealth and rescuing the global economy from its current crisis.Today, while some economies face turbulence, emerging economies offer great opportunities. The challenge is how to leverage the global situation for collective growth. Hindus should cooperate and collaborate globally to facilitate market access across geographic zones and countries, from Auckland to Alaska and Oslo to Johannesburg. Similarly, there should be cooperation in capital availability and technological innovation, matching technically savvy Hindus with those who can turn innovation into business opportunities.The fundamental problems of hunger, poverty, and illiteracy cannot be solved merely through donations and charity. A growing population has growing needs, which can be addressed only by creating surplus wealth and empowering the masses, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid. This approach aligns with the philosophy of creating That, which sustains, and aims to eradicate hunger, poverty, and illiteracy.Historical evidence shows that the British plundered Bharat extensively. Economic historian, Utsa Patnaik's research suggests the British colonial regime looted almost USD 45 trillion from India from 1765 to 1938. This astronomical sum is fifteen times the annual GDP of the UK today.This wealth funded the Industrial Revolution in England, highlighting the significant economic contribution of Bharat. Nations and communities regain their economic strength through cooperation and dedication. For instance, the Jews rebuilt themselves after the Holocaust through networking, community support, and self-organization. Similarly, Japan and Germany emerged as economic superpowers after World War II, and China has become the second-largest economy since 1950. The GDP of Bharat in 2015 was USD 2.07 Trillion. Now it is slightly over USD 3 trillion. In the next three years, the nation aims to achieve USD 5 trillion. The concept of linking Hinduism with economic growth first emerged in February 1973, when BPR Vithal, writing under the pseudonym Najin Yanupi, referred to the rate of growth of India's per capita income, suggesting a range of 1% to 3%. This notion, termed the "Hindu rate of growth," was later popularized by economist Raj Krishna. Former Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu defended this term in a 2007 paper, noting, Hindu rate of growth' is the tongue-in-cheek expression coined by the Indian economist, the late Raj Krishna, to capture the frustrations Indias planners faced with growth. No matter what they did, growth seemed, invariably, to revert back to 3.5%, almost as if this magic figure was written in the lands scriptures. Since then, many economists, including former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia (1995) and former Chief Economic Advisors Shankar Acharya (2002) and Arvind Virmani (2006), have explored the theme of the Hindu rate of growth. The smooth legitimization of this phrase, despite its contemptuous undertones towards Hinduism in a predominantly Hindu country, highlights the tolerance and acceptance of those who practice this faith. Equating slow GDP growth with Hinduism and attributing economic stagnation to religion is being seen as a challenge now. Credits go to an IIT alumnus Swami Vigyananand, the Founder, of the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) who created a global forum with a mission to Making Society Prosperous. The journey of economic resurgence for the Hindu community began in 2012 in Hong Kong and has since traversed global locations such as Bangkok, New Delhi, London, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Mumbai. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the movement has continued to expand through digital business networks and local chapters. Rooted in the philosophy of the Bhagwad Gita, the focus remains on forward-thinking and sustainability to generate surplus wealth and enhance societal well-being. This socio-economic non-governmental organization is set to host its highly anticipated event- WHEF 2024 in Mumbai. The mega business conference and exhibition will be organized from December 13th to 15th, 2024. With the theme Think in Future, for the Future, this forum aims to cultivate forward-thinking and sustainable economic strategies. Viksit Bharat, (Developed India), Industry 4.0, Skill Development, E-Commerce, Capital Market, and Regional Opportunities are expected to be in focus. Hindus now aim to gain at least 16% of the world's GDP in proportion to their population share. By fostering cooperation and collaboration globally, facilitating market access, supporting financial ecosystems, and encouraging technological innovation, the community can drive economic empowerment and social development. By fostering and mentoring enterprise and entrepreneurship, the community can collectively drive economic growth and secure a prosperous future.Communities and nations regain their economic strength when they work with a spirit of cooperation and single-minded dedication. This collaborative approach can lead to significant contributions to the world GDP, visibility, acceptability, and respectability for the Hindu community.As Bharat marches towards becoming the third-largest economy, the focus needs to be on creating and sharing surplus wealth. By leveraging historical wisdom, fostering global cooperation, and embracing forward-thinking and future-ready strategies, the community can drive economic empowerment and social development, ultimately contributing to a prosperous and inclusive society. (The author is a senior journalist and the views expressed are personal) Private Members' Bills listed in Rajya Sabha for the upcoming Monsoon Session include one that seeks prohibition on holders of Constitutional posts like judges joining a political party post retirement, a few Bills on artificial intelligence and deepfake, as well as one on amending the citizenship law. In all, 23 Private Members' Bills have been listed for introduction in the upcoming session in the Upper House. The Constitution (amendment) Bill, 2024 (amendment of articles 124, 148, 319 and 324 and insertion of new articles 220A and 309A), listed by RJD MP AD Singh, seeks to bar those retiring from Constitutional posts, like judges and former election commissioners from joining political parties post retirement, a source said. The Bill comes against the backdrop of recent controversies such as one involving Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who resigned from his judicial position on March 5, and within two days, joined the BJP. In July, former Madhya Pradesh High Court judge Rohit Arya joined the BJP, three months after his retirement. Trinamool Congress MP Mausam Noor has also listed two Bills, one on protecting rights of employees from artificial intelligence, and another seeking criminalisation of 'deepfake'. Deepfake involves morphing someone's face or other features of their body digitally to make it appear like someone else, typically for malicious purposes. During the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, concerns were expressed over the use of deepfake videos to spread misinformation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was one of its victims while P Sandosh Kumar of CPI has listed a bill to create an Artificial Intelligence Technology Regulatory Authority. The Monsoon Session which will also see presentation of the annual Budget of the first year of Narendra Modi's third tenure as the Prime Minister, is all set to begin at the backdrop of several contentious and controversial issues including Kanwar yatra order, an alleged compromised UPSC, NEET, train accidents concerning both the ruling as well as the Opposition which is now in a commanding strength in the Lok Sabha. At the all-party meeting convened by the Centre on Sunday, the Opposition parties while insisting for the post of Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha also drew battle lines for the three weeks session to allow discussion on a range of issues. Representatives from the JD (U), a BJP ally, the BJD and the YSR Congress Party demanded the most favoured States status for Bihar, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, respectively, at the meeting of 44 parties, including some having only one MP. During the meeting, which was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Opposition RJD and BJP ally LJP (Ram Vilas) echoed the demand for Bihar. The Monsoon Budget session will have 19 sittings till August 12 when the Government is expected to present six Bills, including the one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, and also get Parliament's nod for the Budget of Jammu and Kashmir, which is under Central rule. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey in Parliament on Monday and present the Budget the next day. The Government, which breaking from the recent practice invited a number of smaller parties for the meeting to signal its political outreach, conveyed its willingness to discuss all issues but Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stressed that it should be in accordance with the rules. He called for cooperation from all parties for running Parliament smoothly, saying it is a collective responsibility. Congress flagged the issue related to alleged irregularities in the exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, whose chairperson resigned recently for reportedly personal reasons and host of other issues, including the spate in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the Manipur situation, train accidents, unemployment and price rise. The stand of several Opposition parties, including the Congress, the DMK and the AAP, made it all but certain that the political heat sparked by the Uttar Pradesh government's order asking eateries and carts selling eatables to display their owners' names on the route of Kanwarias will reach Parliament when the session begins from Monday. Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav alleged that the move is clearly targeted at Muslims and accused the ruling BJP in the state of pursuing communally divisive politics. The government on its part asked opposition parties to not disrupt Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings, seeking their cooperation in running Parliament smoothly. Rajnath Singh, Rijiju said, recalled the opposition's relentless protest during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply to the discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address during the previous session, and said such disruptions should not take place. Fifty-five leaders, including the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha and BJP president J P Nadda, Congress' Jairam Ramesh, Union minister and LJP leader Chirag Paswan, attended the meeting which lasted for about four hours. TMC was not represented in the meeting as the party was busy with its annual 'Martyrs' Day' rally in Kolkata on Sunday. In a massive rally to observe as Martyrs' Day on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the BJP-led NDA Government at Centre saying that it is not stable and can collapse any time. Addressing the crowd, the SP chief said that the people of Uttar Pradesh fought with the BJP and left them behind. "The people of West Bengal have fought with the BJP and left them behind, the same happened in Uttar Pradesh. The people sitting in the government in Delhi are in power only for a few days. 'Woh sarkaar chalne wali nahi hai, woh sarkaar girne wali hai'..." Yadav said. Both the SP and TMC are important constituents of the INDIA bloc led by the Congress. Banerjee also attacked the CPM and Congress. "I want to thank Akhilesh ji, you have accepted my invitation. I want the relationship of Bengal to be better with the entire country. I want to say the 'Khel' that you showed in UP, they (BJP) should have resigned from their post but they are shameless. They have tried every agency and every means possible but they have still lost. In North Bengal, our results have not been good but I hope in the coming days we will be winning there," Mamata said at the rally where she found the opportunity to attack the Congress as well as the Left. "We fought against three parties. I salute the people of this state. The more we win, the softer we need to become," she said. Yadav is a special invitee to the 'Martyrs' Day' rally of the TMC held in Esplanade area in the central part of the city this afternoon. "This government at the Centre won't last long and will fall soon. Such communal forces want to be in power at any cost, but those designs won't succeed," he said without naming the BJP or NDA. The SP Lok Sabha MP asserted that the "communal forces at the Centre" are "hatching conspiracies and trying to destabilise the country". Speaking further, Mamata assured cooperation to all Bengal residents whose relatives are stuck in violence-hit Bangladesh. She also said that her government will provide shelter to those who come to them."If Bangladeshis come knocking on our door, we will provide them shelter," Mamata said, referring to UN Resolution on refugees. "We should not get provoked over matters concerning current situation in Bangladesh," she added. BJP slammed Mamata Banerjee for offering shelter to anyone coming in distress from Bangladesh and called it an "evil plan" of the INDIA bloc to settle illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country to Jharkhand to win elections. BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya also questioned Banerjee's authority to offer shelter to anyone coming from other country, saying immigration and citizenship are exclusively in the Centre's domain, and that states have no locus-standi in such matters. "Bengal is the soil of movements. Gandhiji was born in Gujarat but half of his life was spent in Bengal. During British rule, there were three places where an independent government was formed. One is Bengal's Tamralipta, the other two are Balia (UP) and Satara of Maharashtra. If Bengal was not there, Independence would not have been achieved The BJP can't run movements. They can only file PIL petitions. They used to say we could eat 26,000 jobs and we could eat 45,000 jobs. They are trying to end OBC reservation. But we will fight. We have already filed an appeal to the Supreme Court," Mamata said. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, at Regional Industry Conclave, launched the guidelines for the Madhya Pradesh IT, ITES, and ESDM Investment Promotion Policy 2023. Investors expressed confidence in Madhya Pradesh's leadership, foreseeing it as a leading state. Representatives from various sectors, including industrialists, industry associations, bureaucrats, and major foreign delegates, participated in the conclave. Over 4,000 stakeholders contributed significantly, marking a milestone in the state's industrial development journey. Various sessions with more than 700 buyers and sellers facilitated discussions between businesses and potential investors. Approximately 30 one-on-one meetings were held between the Chief Minister and leading industrialists. Additionally, letters of intent were issued for the allocation of 340 acres of land to 265 units, expected to create employment for 12,000 people and generate investments worth ?1,800 crores. Under the Smart City initiative in Jabalpur, the state government announced the allocation and distribution of funds to startups. Regional sessions involving more than 30 speakers and panelists, including senior officials, discussed specific opportunities in tourism, garments, defense, agriculture, food processing, and dairy sectors. Minister of Public Works, Rakesh Singh, said that Chief Minister Dr. Yadav's vision aims to take the state to new heights. There are immense possibilities for development in the state. He stated that investment flows only when there is a possibility of investing in that sector. Jabalpur's climate, environment, labour force, and their positive mindset are advantageous for industrial development. It is suitable for establishing food processing units because the cultivation of vegetables, and there is a demand for green peas both domestically and internationally. From a tourism perspective, Amarkantak, Kanha, Pench National Park, and Khajuraho are major attractions centered near Jabalpur, providing suitable opportunities for hotel industry development. Bhedaghat and Marble Rocks are also favorable locations for the film industry. Jabalpur houses four defense factories, and private sector investment is also increasing in this sector. Connectivity via Jabalpur railway station and airport facilitates easy access. The state's largest flyover, the country's first geological park, and the second-largest 118 km ring road are under construction here. Minister of MSME, Chetanya Kashyap, said that the Regional Industry Conclave is a beginning that will distinguish Madhya Pradesh in the country. It started from Ujjain. This conclave will prove to be a milestone for the development of the region. Its objective is not limited to any specific area but aims for collective development of all sectors. It also aims to provide new opportunities for local industrialists, thereby creating direct and indirect employment opportunities. Minister Kashyap highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Make in India program has been initiated, with special focus on the defense sector. According to the vision of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, establishing a range of industries in the state will promote industrialization. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday accused the senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh of starting a drama of being concerned about the health of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Sachdeva alleged, He, like other AAP leaders, is now saying that Kejriwal's weight has decreased, but perhaps Sanjay Singh forgot to mention that even he was getting facilities inside the jail and that Arvind Kejriwal is getting even better facilities.He claimed that the problem is not with the facilities but rather a well-planned conspiracy by Arvind Kejriwal, who is deliberately eating less homemade food to lose weight so that he can use weight loss as an excuse to get bail. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Arvind Kejriwal is playing a game of jail and bail through food and medicine cuts, he alleged. The Delhi BJP chief said, By presenting himself as a victim before the court, Arvind Kejriwal wants to show that he is being mistreated in Tihar, but this conspiracy of Arvind Kejriwal is not going to succeed. Describing Kejriwal as a mastermind criminal, Sachdeva stated, He will still be punished for the crime he committed in the liquor scam in Delhi, no matter how much his entire ecosystem makes noise because he is the main orchestrator of the liquor scam. "The BJP is an expert in spoiling the atmosphere social be it any time", feels Minister for Rural Development Irfan Ansari. He said this on Saturday late evening in reply to queries made by media in Dhanbad. Incidently, the fellows waving Palestinian flag during Moharram procession happen to be innocent as they are not aware of Palestinian flag, added minister replying to a question of media persons. "The flags were waved due to lack of information", said Ansari adding that it appears that media persons here happen to be supporters of BJP. However, in an attempt to cover uphis statement Ansari said," Tazias are cloth of different colored cloths, so in innocence they committed mistake ." He also held BJP responsible for infeltration from Bangladesh in Jharkhand. BJP is raising these issues just as the elections are coming closer.. He added very soon BJP will say that Pakistanis have started infiltrating into Jharkhand. He added if its true Home Minister Amit Shah should tell what is happening. He said that wherever riots have happened in the state during Muharram, BJP is directly responsible for it. BJP has caused the riots many a times. Ansari termed the incident of lathicharge on assistant policemen and para teachers during the protest at CM residence in Ranchi as unfortunate and again held BJP responsible for these incudents too. He aeged that BJP has provoked them due to which they unnecessarily gheraoed the Chief Minister's residence. He requested ftom the assistant policemen and para teachers, he said that they should not fall prey to the BJP's influence as Hemant led government will definitely fulfill their demands. Former MP and senior Congress leader Dr. Ajoy Kumar issued a press statement on Sunday, targeting the BJP over the recent Uttar Pradesh name plate issue. Dr. Kumar accused the BJP of engaging in "state-sponsored fanaticism" following the 'state-sponsored terrorism' in Manipur and Tripura. He criticized the order for dhabas and restaurant operators in Uttar Pradesh to install name plates, labelling it as a divisive move by those with "Manuvadi" thinking aiming to fracture the country along religious and caste lines. Dr. Kumar argued that the BJP is attempting to resurrect 'untouchability' in a new form, undermining the unity of the nation. He condemned the BJP's 'divide and rule' policy, asserting that it would not succeed in Jharkhand. According to him, the BJP, referred to as the Bharatiya Jahili Party, is trying to incite communal tension among the tribal and minority communities in the state. He described a recent statement by the Home Minister as a shameful attempt to sow discord. The senior Congress leader accused the BJP of lacking a development roadmap for Jharkhand, instead having a detailed plan to destabilize the state through division and hatred. He asserted that the BJP's dream of forming a government in Jharkhand on the basis of such policies would be thwarted by the people. Dr. Kumar dismissed the BJP's attempts to certify its intentions towards Jharkhand, referencing the Vyapam scam and Saradha Chit Fund scam. He questioned the integrity of BJP leaders, suggesting they address corruption charges against a former Chief Minister of the BJP government. He claimed that the BJP is trying to mislead the tribal community, but emphasized that the tribals know who their true well-wishers are. Dr. Kumar challenged the Modi government to explain why the Sarna Dharma Code, a symbol of religious and cultural freedom for tribals, has not been implemented. He expressed confidence that an All India Alliance government would be formed in Jharkhand, asserting that the people are determined to expel the Bharatiya Jhoothi Party from the state. Kumar's statement accused the BJP of fostering division and hatred while failing to address key issues for the development of Jharkhand, predicting a strong response from the state's electorate against the BJP in the upcoming elections. Acting on the instructions of District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal, a meeting with the progressive farmers of the district was organized at the Collectorate Auditorium. The event, chaired by Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar, saw participation from PD ITDA, Director NEP, and officials from the Cooperation, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry departments. The purpose of the meeting was to bring the farmers of the district together on a single platform to learn from each other's experiences and inspire fellow farmers to adopt new agricultural techniques. Progressive farmers shared their successful practices in mushroom cultivation, flower cultivation, vegetable farming, and other agricultural products. Those who excelled in these areas were honored by the Deputy Development Commissioner and PD ITDA. Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar emphasized the district's potential in agriculture, promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and the adoption of scientific farming methods. He highlighted the state's efforts to support farmers, such as sending them to Israel to learn new techniques and organizing tours to other states and districts within Jharkhand. "The objective is for these farmers to return and inspire others in their village panchayats," he said. He also stressed the importance of moving beyond traditional farming to embrace integrated agricultural systems, including animal husbandry and fisheries, to enhance economic prosperity. PD ITDA Dipankar Chaudhary remarked on the crucial role of farmers in societal development. He urged farmers to explore value-added agriculture, such as vegetable and flower cultivation, and to utilize government schemes for irrigation, seed distribution, and financial support. He highlighted the need for increased awareness among farmers about these schemes and their benefits. Director NEP Ajay Saav underlined the importance of schemes from the agriculture, cooperative, horticulture, and animal husbandry departments in strengthening the rural economy. He encouraged farmers to be proactive in utilizing these schemes to create new income sources. During the meeting, progressive farmers were informed about various initiatives, including goat, poultry, cow, and duck farming in animal husbandry, pond construction and renovation, deep boring schemes, crop relief schemes, farmer loan waivers, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, cage fishing, fish seed distribution, fish extension-training and research, mixed fish farming in ponds, and Soil Health Cards. District Animal Husbandry Officer Dr. Surendra Kumar, District Cooperative Officer Asha Toppo, District Agriculture Officer Deepak Kumar, District Horticulture Officer Anima Lakra, and over 150 progressive farmers from different blocks of the district attended the meeting. The event concluded with a call to farmers to take advantage of state government schemes and work towards an integrated agricultural system to ensure economic and social upliftment. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that Gurus are held in high esteem in India's cultural tradition. Gurus give knowledge and play a key role in leading their disciples from darkness to light. In order to honour the Gurus, the occasion of Guru Purnima will be celebrated in schools and colleges every year. The students will be informed about significance of Gurus. He asked the students to join the celebration enthusiastically. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the Guru Purnima programme organised at the auditorium of Devi Ahilya University, Indore today. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, referring to episodes of Mahabharata, explained the importance of Guru-Shishya Parampara. He said that Gurus educate to stand for justice and righteousness. They teach the art of living. Guru's support brings a positive change in the life of his disciples and they achieve success. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, mentioning Acharya Sandipani, said that Gurus inculcate nationalist thinking in their disciples. Acharya Sandipani has instilled the spirit of nation-building through his wisdom. The importance of Gurus should be known to everyone. For this, we have decided to celebrate the grand festival of Guru Purnima in schools and colleges every year with devotion. He said that India has got the status of Vishwa Guru. Former Kul Guru of Maharishi Panini Sanskrit and Vedic University, Mithila Prasad Tripathi said that Gurus have an everlasting importance in life. Guru also removes the darkness of the inner self. Guru imparts life values while providing knowledge. The decision of the state government to celebrate the great occasion of Guru Purnima every year is commendable. Additional Chief Secretary Higher Education K.C. Gupta expressed his views on the importance of Guru-Shishya tradition. Kul Guru of Devi Ahilya University Prof. Renu Jain gave a welcome speech. Former Kul Gurus and teachers of other universities including Devi Ahilya University were also honoured. Along with this, students who performed brilliantly in the essay competition organised on the occasion of Guru Purnima were also felicitated. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also released books written on Indian mathematics. In the programme, he also honoured Anshika Jain, a girl who converted Modi script to Devanagari script and developed software. Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, MP Shankar Lalwani, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, MLAs Usha Thakur, Malini Gaur, Madhu Verma and Golu Shukla, Divisional Commissioner Deepak Singh, Police Commissioner Rakesh Gupta, Collector Ashish Singh, Gaurav Randive were also present in the programme. To discuss various demands, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, a delegation of farmers from Haryana on Sunday met the State Government representatives, including the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar, and other officials. Sources said that the delegation comprising leaders of 13 farmer outfits met the officials under the banner of Haryana unit of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). After a seven-hour-long meeting, farmer leaders said that they gave a 33-point letter that listed their demands but the issue of opening the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border was not part of the agenda of the Sunday talks. Farmers demands, including legal guarantee on MSP; removal of conditions in crop procurement like purchase limit, online registration on portal among others; payment of crops to farmers should be within the stipulated time, otherwise payment should be made along with interest; in case of crop loss due to natural disaster, the process of giving compensation should be made easier; payment of their pending crop damage compensation and outstanding insurance claims, and saving farmers from losses from pink bollworm pest attack on cotton crops. Besides, the compensation for Kharif 2023 flood-affected districts and other waterlogged places has not been fully distributed and this should be completed immediately. We gave a list of demands to the government officials. Our main demands are a legal guarantee on MSP. The central government took back (three contentious) farm laws but did not give a legal guarantee on the MSP. So this issue is pending, said a farmer leader who took part in the meeting. He said that there are several other issues pertaining to farmers, including those related to land, fertilizers etc. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rattan Mann, Joginder Nain, Balbir Singh and other farmer leaders from the state attended the meeting. Notably, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had recently directed the Haryana authorities to remove blockades on Punjab-Haryana borders. However, the administration has now approached the Supreme Court against the High Court order. The representatives of the two farmer organizations recently met at Shambhu border and decided to wait for the Supreme Court order. Sources further said that earlier on July 14, a meeting was organized by the Government to address the concerns of the farmers, in which they had put forward their demands but no decision was taken. It should be mentioned here that farmers of Haryana have been holding demonstrations, including dharnas, in many districts of the state for many months to press the government to fulfill their demands. The International Zinc Association (IZA) held a pivotal knowledge dissemination session at Hotel Palash Bhopal today, emphasizing the critical need to protect infrastructure from the detrimental effects of corrosion. According to the CORCON Institute of Corrosion, the global cost of corrosion is a staggering $2.5 trillion per year, accounting for 3-4 percent of global GDP and approximately 4% of Indian GDP. Infrastructure failures due to corrosion have severe economic repercussions, underscoring the importance of addressing this issue. The Indian subcontinent is fortunate to have large deposits of zinc, a highly useful metal in architecture. As a construction material, zinc offers many green benefits that make it a top choice for sustainable building projects. One of the most notable advantages of zinc is its durability and resistance to corrosion. The IZA, the sole industry association dedicated to Zinc and its consumers, organized a press conference on 'Cutting the Cost of Corrosion on Infrastructure'to present these pressing concerns and compelling narrative on the benefits of zinc galvanization. Zinc, known for its exceptional anti-corrosive properties, has been proven to significantly enhance the durability and longevity of infrastructure, reducing maintenance costs and minimizing disruptions Leading the conference, Dr. Rahul Sharma, Director (India) - International Zinc Association, and Prof. Anand S. Khanna, professor at IIT Bombay (Retired), highlighted the impact of corrosion on infrastructure and public safety. They stressed the need for comprehensive corrosion protection mechanisms to ensure infrastructure longevity while minimizing economic and environmental damages. Dr. Rahul Sharma, Director (India),International Zinc Association, addressed the gathering, saying, Infrastructure is the backbone of any country's growth and development. With support from Hindustan Zinc, the world's largest zinc company, we are committed to raising awareness about the benefits of using zinc for corrosion protection. Through this platform, we aim to advocate for the adoption of durable and proven corrosion protection methods like galvanization of structures Our focus on railway track treatments has been a significant step forward. The Railway Board has approved the use of zinc-coated rails, especially in corrosion-prone regions. Investing in high-quality zinc thermal sprayedrail tracks can prevent accidents, ensuring the safe movement of high speedtrains and reducing the risk of derailments. Commenting on topic, Prof. Anand S Khanna, professor, IIT Bombay (Retried) said, The adoption of zinc-based corrosion protection methods is essential for extending the life of our infrastructure. With the use of zinc coatings, we can significantly reduce the economic burden of frequent repairs and ensure the safety and longevity of critical structures. In Madhya Pradesh due to high humidity and rainfall, RCC structures and Bridges are prone to corrosion and it involves huge maintenance cost. Tourism and Culture Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi said that Madhya Pradesh is a rich state in respect of natural, archaeological wealth, cultural, and religious tourism. The glorious history of Madhya Pradesh attracts tourists from across the world. He was addressing a sectoral session on possibilities in the tourism sector at the Regional Industry Conclave Jabalpur today. Lodhi said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the tourism sector has made rapid progress. Last year, more than 11 crore tourists visited Madhya Pradesh, with over 5 crore tourists alone visiting Mahakal Lok in Ujjain. He said that Mahakal Lok, along with other religious and cultural sites is being developed as a tourist destination. He said that the development of 23 sites associated with Lord Rama's exile, including Chitrakoot, as tourism destinations. Lodhi said that efforts are being made to make Madhya Pradesh a leading state in tourism. Recently, through the PM's Heli Service Scheme, key tourism spots have been connected. He said that the signing of an MoU for cruise services between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, connecting Omkareshwar with Statue of Unity in Gujarat. He emphasized on immense opportunities in the tourism sector and encouraged industrialists to invest. Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Sheo Shekhar Shukla elaborated on the possibilities in the tourism and hospitality sectors and the special features of destination sites. He said that the state has 12 national parks, 25 sanctuaries, 7 tiger reserves, 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (11 tentative and 3 permanent sites), and 2 Jyotirlingas, altogether making it rich in natural, cultural, and historical tourism. Principal Secretary Shukla acquainted investors with the features of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Policy 2019. He informed that a separate wing has been created for the convenience of investors, with land allocation done transparently through e-tendering. Ultra mega projects investing over 100 crores can be directly allocated government land. Additionally, there is a subsidy of 30% on capital and financial incentives up to 90 crores for investments in rural and remote areas, and projects in the branded category. He detailed the reserved land prices as 5 lakh rupees per hectare in rural areas, 10 lakh rupees per hectare in urban areas, and 1 lakh rupees per property for heritage properties. Land is allocated on a lease of up to 90 years, with provisions for stamp duty and registration fee reimbursement and permission for mortgaging/giving property as collateral to investors. The tourism policy includes 18 projects such as hotels, resorts, camping sites, heritage hotels, cruise tourism, film studios, and caravan tourism. Shukla highlighted the vast potential for investment in Madhya Pradesh. Tenders will be issued for the allocation of properties near Panna Tiger Reserve, Laxmipur Palace, Mandu's Malakam Kothi, Gond Mahal of Jagdishpur in Bhopal, and Mohangarh Fort in Tikamgarh. Investment can be made on more than 400 hectares of land in the state, including over 36 hectares in Bhopal, more than 175 hectares in Indore, more than 186 hectares in Jabalpur, and more than 9 hectares in Khajuraho. Efforts are being made through the Film Tourism Policy to encourage filmmaking and promote infrastructural development in the film sector. Financial incentives up to 2 crore rupees for feature films, up to 1 crore rupees for web series and TV serials, up to 40 lakh rupees for documentaries produced in Madhya Pradesh, up to 1 crore rupees for cinema hall construction, and up to 90 crore rupees for development of film-related infrastructure are being provided. In a bizarre turn of events, a local residents annoyance with an unattended SUV in front of his shop led to a bomb hoax and terror threat that sent shockwaves through Pathankot. The Punjab Police arrested Nitin Mahajan, 36, on charges of vandalism and creating public panic. The incident came to light on the morning of July 20 when the police received reports of an abandoned SUV with shattered windows on Daki Road in Pathankots Balaji Nagar. Handwritten leaflets, scattered around the vehicle, contained alarming threats of bomb blasts at government offices and schools within the next five days. The notes claimed that 100 men had infiltrated India, with 30 of them already in Pathankot, and concluded with Pakistan Zindabad. Sharing details, Pathankot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Suhail Qasim Mir said that the messages caused immediate panic in the area, prompting a swift and thorough investigation. The leaflets also bore slogans like Pakistan Zindabad, which escalated the urgency of the situation, he said. During the investigation, Nitin Mahajan, who initially reported the suspicious activity, claimed that he heard noises outside his house around 4:30 am. From his balcony, he purportedly saw four individuals breaking the SUVs windows and scattering leaflets. Given the sensitive nature of the threats, the police launched an extensive inquiry. However, discrepancies in Nitins account led investigators to scrutinize his involvement. It was soon discovered that Nitin himself had broken the SUVs windows and planted the threatening notes. His motive? To get the SUV towed away by the police. The SUV belonged to one Suresh Kumar, who had left it parked in front of Nitins grocery shop for over two months. Frustrated by the obstruction and lack of action, Nitin decided to take matters into his own hands. By creating a sensational terror threat, he hoped the police would swiftly remove the vehicle. Nitin Mahajan admitted to orchestrating the incident out of sheer frustration, SSP Mir confirmed, adding, He thought the only way to get the car removed was to fabricate a threat that would guarantee immediate police action. This incident is particularly concerning given Pathankot's proximity to the volatile Jammu and Kashmir region. Last month, the district was on high alert after reports of suspicious individuals, and just weeks ago, two foreign terrorists were killed in a gunfight in nearby Kathua. An FIR has been registered against Nitin Mahajan, who now faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to public mischief and creating false alarm. His actions not only disrupted the community but also diverted valuable police resources away from genuine security concerns. In a stellar rise, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, has been ranked as the 10th best university in India by the US News and World Report for 2024-25. This global authority in educational rankings placed PU 737th worldwide and 213th in Asia, marking a significant leap from its previous global ranking of 759. The rankings were based on a comprehensive evaluation of 2,172 educational institutions across 13 parameters, including research indices, academic programs, facilities, peer perception, and high-impact publications and citations. These assessments drew on data from the Web of Science covering 2018-2022. PUs improved standing underscores its enhanced research output and academic influence. Earlier in June 2024, the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) ranked Panjab University among the top four percent of higher education institutions globally out of 21,000 surveyed. PU maintained its 10th position in India and ranked 242nd in India overall. Globally, it was recognized for its quality of education (527th) and research prowess (794th), with an overall score of 71.6. Education World (EW) also ranked Panjab University 10th among government universities in India in 2024, scoring 1125 points. PU excelled in research and innovation, scoring 284 out of 300. PU's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renu Vig, praised the faculty, students, and staff for their dedication, which has been pivotal in the university's ascent. These rankings are a testament to our collective efforts towards academic excellence and innovation, she said, highlighting PU's strategic initiatives, including an Institutional Development Plan aligned with the vision of contributing to 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. The university has restructured many courses to match emerging employment trends and the guidelines of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Panjab University's recent achievements include the highest A++ rating in NAAC accreditation, Category I status by the UGC, and improved standings in QS and THE World Rankings. PU remains a beacon of educational excellence, contributing significantly to India's and the world's academic and research landscape. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that setting up of industries in various sectors will be the top priority. New industries will come up in textile, defense equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and tourism sectors. Yadav was addressing the Regional Industry Conclave at Subhash Chandra Bose Cultural and Information Center, Jabalpur today. He made announcements intending to encourage industries. Leading industrialists from India and abroad participated in the conclave. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that an ultra-modern skill development center will be set up in textile sector, which will benefit women by offering employment opportunities. Industrialists from five countries and states of the country participated in the Regional Industry Conclave. It is noteworthy that an Industry Conclave was held in Ujjain in March last year. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav laid the foundation stone for 29 industrial units and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for 38 industrial units, thus initiating a total of 67 units. Representatives from many states joined the inauguration and groundbreaking ceremonies. Investments worth 1500 crores will be made. Similarly, employment will be given to 4500 people. Intent letters were handed over for the allocation of 340 acres of land. The IT, ITES, and ESDM Policy 2023 was launched. Agreement with Ashok Leyland An agreement worth Rs 600 crores was signed between Ashok Leyland and Armored Vehicle Corporation Limited in the presence of Chief Minister Yadav. This is a new step in this sector. This is a significant investment in the defense production sector. It is also a commitment to promote development and innovation in the cooperation sector. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said Tanks will now be built for the army. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that through 16 industrial parks, investments worth Rs 6,000 crores have been made by small, medium, and micro industries. This has provided employment opportunities to 20,000 people. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that it is result of coordinated efforts that inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony of 67 industrial units is taking place. Yadav said that after Odisha, Madhya Pradesh is second in the mineral sector. Transparent processes of auctioning mines have been considered leading in the country. For this, the Government of India has also encouraged them. Diamond cutting will start in the state. Chief Minister Narendra Modi's capable leadership was mentioned by Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, saying that India has earned a distinct identity in the world. Industrialists invited to MP Chief Minister Dr. Yadav urged industrialists to come to Madhya Pradesh. Dr. Yadav said that the state has encouraging policies in the labor sector. In the last two to three years, employment opportunities have been increased through universities. There were only five medical colleges in the state, whose number is going to be 25. There is a dense forest area in the state. Opportunities will also be realized in this area. As many as 275 units are working in the pharmaceutical sector. There are 60 units in Pithampur alone. Pharmaceutical products are exported to more than 160 countries from. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the state is focusing on food processing sector. Relief has been given to industries on water and electricity supply. Two mega food parks are coming up. Eight food parks are already operational. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav urged the MD of Volvo Eicher to start a research center in Madhya Pradesh. Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh and Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma informed the media persons here on Saturday about the processions of Lord Mahakal at the Administrative Complex Building. Administrator, Mahakaleshwar Temple Mrinal Meena gave detailed information about the proper arrangements through a PowerPoint presentation. Collector Singh said that hotels charging more than the prescribed rate list will be sealed. Along with this, action will also be taken to cancel their registration. He said that as per the wishes of the Chief Minister, a group of tribal artists will also participate in the procession of Baba Mahakal. He said that Baba Mahakal's procession will be broadcast live through two mobile chariots. The specialty of this mobile chariot is that it will have a live box, due to which the live broadcast will be done uninterrupted. He said that in view of the processions of Shravan month, all the students from class 1 to class 12 studying in government and non-government schools under Ujjain Municipal Corporation will have a holiday on Monday. Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said that more than 2000 police force and volunteers will be deployed for the systematic organization of Baba Mahakal's ride. Verification of various streets falling on the ride route has been done. Physical verification action will also be taken from Sunday morning. The entire ride route will be monitored through five drones. Double layer barricading has been done for smooth darshan of devotees and traffic management. Along with this, a buffer zone has also been created to smoothen the traffic in less time. To maintain law and order, boundover and restrictive action is also being taken by checking suspicious people. He said that in-charge officers will be appointed in the parking system who will ensure that more than the prescribed fee is not taken from the devotees. Drivers will be checked through alcohol test device. Action will also be taken against e-rickshaw vehicles for violating the rules. Important suggestions were given by media representatives in the press conference, on which necessary action will be taken by the administration. The son and wife of an ASI living in Vishal Nagar Colony of Neelbad, Bhopal have been accused of cruelty to a pet puppy. After a video of cruelty to a dog surfaced, the dog was rescued by animal lovers and kept in a dog shelter home in Ratibad. It was treated. The incident is 9 months old, the video of which is now going viral. It is being claimed that before the rescue, both the front legs of the dog were broken. The ASI has denied any kind of cruelty. He said that the video is old. Swati Gaurav, President of People for Animals, said ASI Mohan Lal's neighborhood people had complained. They said that his wife and son beat the pet dog. The dog is constantly kicked. Due to this, both the front legs of the dog were broken. After the intervention of senior officials, the custody of the dog was handed over to the ASI's family. The team of Jeev Jantu Vihar and People for Animals rescued the dog. At present, the dog is safe in the shelter home. It was also treated. ASI Mohan Lal posted at Siroj police station of Vidisha district said the puppy was gifted by his nephew. It was a female puppy of German Shepherd breed. He kept it in his house located in Vishal Nagar Phase-2 of Neelbad. His wife and son used to train it. No cruelty was done to it. A family living in front has made their video viral. We did not get along with that family. So they have made the video viral with the intention of defaming us. When the NGO people reached the house, I was not present there. The family had handed over the puppy to the NGO employees without any protest. This entire incident is about 9 months old. Tried to take the puppy back twice, but the NGO people kept misleading us. Till now the puppy has not been returned to me. A two-day CME and workshop titled "AIIMS Bhopal Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia 2024" is organized by the Department of Anesthesia at AIIMS Bhopal, in collaboration with the Research Society of Anesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology. The event was inaugurated today 20.07.2024 by Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal. During his inaugural address, Professor Singh highlighted the critical role of anesthesia in surgical procedures. He emphasized the advancements in local anesthesia techniques facilitated by ultrasound technology, which allow for precise and effective anesthesia administration. "In today's time, with the development of new technology, regional anesthesia has become very important and it has also been quite effective," said Professor Singh. He explained that this technology enables anesthesiologists to target specific areas of the body, reducing the need for general anesthesia and improving patient outcomes. Professor Singh expressed his hope that the workshop would provide participants with the latest insights and practical skills in the field of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. "This workshop will give the participants an opportunity to get the latest information in this field, so that in future they will be able to use it better in their career," he added. Dr. Vaishali Waindeskar, Head of the Department of Anesthesia, also spoke at the event, underscoring the precision and benefits of using ultrasound in local anesthesia. " Regional anesthesia can be given with complete accuracy through ultrasound, and through this, the patient's surgery can be done in a better way. Additionally, the patient takes less time to recover," she noted. Dr. Waindeskar reiterated the department's pivotal role in all types of surgeries, as well as in the management of acute and chronic pain in specially designed operation theatres. The workshop has attracted 85 delegates and 40 faculty members from various parts of the country, all eager to enhance their knowledge and skills in this specialized area of anesthesia. The Pentecostal Assembly School, Bokaro Steel City On 19th August 2024, The Pentecostal Assembly School held its much-anticipated Science and Innovation Day, a vibrant showcase of student ingenuity and problem-solving prowess. The event brought together students from classes 9 to 12 in a celebration of creativity, scientific exploration, and collaborative learning. Students from classes 9 and 10 took center stage, presenting collaborative projects aimed at addressing a wide array of real-world challenges. These projects spanned various themes, including air cooling solutions, pollution control, road safety enhancements, and gene modification for disease treatment. The young innovators displayed remarkable dedication and teamwork, demonstrating their ability to apply scientific concepts to practical problems. Igniting Young Minds: Innovation Challenge 2024 Simultaneously, the senior students from classes 11 and 12 participated in the prestigious Innovation Challenge 2024 showcasing the talents and innovative ideas of students in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science. It provided a valuable learning experience and encouraged students to further pursue their interests in science and technology. The event highlighted the importance of hands-on learning and the application of theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems. The judges, Mr. Amarjee Sinha (Ex-Principal, BISSS Sec. 3), Mr. S. N. Mishra (Ex-Principal, BISSS 9E), Mrs Srija Kumar ( Physics expert), Kirti Kumar (IIT Bhubaneswar, PAS Alumnus), Aarushi Jaiswal, and Arman Kashyap (PAS students), praised the high standard of entries and provided valuable feedback to the participants. Their involvement underscored the event's commitment to excellence and inspired the students to continue pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. The Science and Innovation Day at Pentecostal Assembly School was a resounding success, highlighting the school's commitment to nurturing future scientists and innovators. The event not only provided a platform for students to showcase their talents but also encouraged them to pursue their interests in science and technology with renewed vigor. Honourable Principal Dr. Karuna Prasad and Administrative Head, Mr. Daniel Michael Prasad commended the students for their exceptional efforts, emphasizing the importance of creativity and innovation in education. Their recognition served as a motivational boost, inspiring students to continue striving for excellence in their future endeavors. The Pentecostal Assembly School's Science and Innovation Day was a testament to the power of young minds when given the opportunity to explore, innovate, and collaborate. The Congress on Sunday asserted at an all-party meeting that issues such as the NEET 'scam', Uttar Pradesh government's order to eateries and internal security situation in Jammu and Manipur, be taken up for discussion during the Budget session of Parliament. Congress general secretary, in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh said that in the all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi presented a host of issues on behalf of the party that should be taken up in the Parliament session beginning Monday. Gogoi called for discussion on governance issues relating to "NEET/NET scams, UPSC controversies, worsening railway safety and Agniveer", Ramesh said. He said the party also flagged that the internal security situation in Jammu and Manipur should be taken up for discussion during the session. According to Ramesh, Gogoi also asserted at the meeting that challenges on the borders with China and environmental concerns arising out of floods and natural disasters, deforestation and pollution, be discussed during the session. The Congress also raised the issues relating to Centre-state relations and the economy, which it stated must be debated upon. In an apparent reference to the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments' controversial directive to eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route to display the owners' names, the party also flagged the issue of "deliberate attempts at polarisation in states like UP by passing unconstitutional orders", Ramesh, who was also present at the meeting, said in a post on X. Earlier, as the meeting got underway, Ramesh posted on X that in the all-party meeting, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status for Bihar. "The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter," Ramesh said. In another post, he said, "How the political climate has changed! In the all-party meeting of floor leaders the BJD leader reminded the Defence Minister and BJP President JP Nadda that the BJP's manifesto for the 2014 assembly elections in Odisha had promised special category status to the state." Ramesh also posted on X that there was a universal demand that the Central Hall should once again be opened up for MPs to mingle with each other and improve communications across the parties. "The historic Central Hall has sadly fallen into disuse after the opening of the new building of Parliament," Ramesh said. "In the all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the universal demand was for the constitution of the 24 Department-Related Standing Committees and giving them their due importance. There was also an universal demand for reviving the Consultative Committees where MPs can interact with the Ministers concerned," Ramesh said in another post on X. Later, Congress leader K Suresh told reporters that his party was joined by other INDIA bloc members in seeking the Lok Sabha deputy speaker's position for the opposition according to convention. National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the spike in terrorist attacks in the recent past would be no justification to delay assembly elections, which were held even in 1996 when militancy was at its peak in Jammu and Kashmir. Some people are saying the situation has deteriorated and hence, there should be no elections. What happened to you? Are we so weak or the situation worsened so much that there are no chances of holding elections? We held elections in 1996 and you have to agree that there is a difference of heaven and earth between the situation at that time and today," he said. Those who do not want to hold elections (in J&K) should tell that we are bowing before the gun-toting forces and are accepting defeat, besides ignoring the sacrifices of our forces. You tell our enemies that we will lay down without fighting, he said. If you want to bow before such forces then dont go for the (assembly) elections. We have no objection because this election is taking place on the orders of the Supreme Court which has set a deadline of September 30. You say in the Supreme Court the situation is not conducive for holding assembly polls and we are bowing before the forces who over the past (three) years martyred our 55 bravehearts. If you want to ignore and waste their sacrifices, we will bear the decision silently as there is nothing else we can do, Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a public rally at Gurha Slathia in the Samba district. He said there are such forces across the neighbouring country which do not want friendly ties between the two countries. We know they wont desist from their activities but somehow we were also found off-guard, he said, criticising Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for delaying the joint high-level meeting held in Jammu on Saturday to chalk out a strategy to tackle growing terror incidents. Omar said the meeting should have been called a long time after the first terror incident. Why he waited for so long? It was only after we started raising the concern, the meeting was convened, he said. Earlier, addressing a gathering, Omar said, We have to face these forces bravely but this is not expected under their rule. When they took over from us in January 2015, the situation was altogether different as we had cleared all areas of Jammu region of the scourge of terrorism. Despite their claims post (August) 2019 (when J&Ks special status was revoked and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories), there is no place which is not facing the looming threat of terror attacks, he said. Not only they failed to ensure the development of J&K, but our security has also been compromised, which is evident from the attacks, resulting in loss of precious lives of our brave personnel. They are least bothered about all these, he said. Omar said from Kathua to Reasi and Rajouri to Doda, there hardly passes any day when there is no news of a terror attack on the forces. 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 by Shadab Zeest Hashmi Aik Shaam, An Evening (By the River Neckar) is Iqbals ode to silence. A short lyric poem, it describes a rare personal moment in the vast corpus of a poet who is known by such hefty honorifics as Allama (the learned one), the national poet, poet-philosopher, or Poet of the East. This poem is an instance where we find a poet of great stature revealing his vulnerability, seeking pause, perhaps from the overwhelming disquiet of confronting the political tensions of his times as a scholar visiting Europe, a colonized subject of the Raj in a climate of rising awareness, perhaps negotiating intense homesickness in beautiful Heidelberg, or as many suggest, being lovelorn (as an already married man) for Emma Wegenast, the German tutor who was instrumental in guiding him through a remarkable turning point in his life by introducing him to Goethes poetry. Literary correspondence between Iqbal and Emma Wegenast offers clues to their attachment. Though Iqbals biographers are better qualified to discuss their relationship and surmise what they will from it, Emmas role in inspiring Iqbal to gain insights into Goethes works is significant to anyone interested in understanding Iqbals poetry. Before returning to a brief annotation on the poem, here are some thoughts on how the study of Goethes poetry, plays and philosophy left a deep impression on Iqbal, as reflected in his masterworks following his stay in Germany. Iqbals poetry, valued for its exceptional originality in both the idiom he coined and the range of topics he stretched Urdu poetics into containing is an important example of what is classified as World Literature. This, in no small measure, is due to the strong influence of Goethe (who was the first to come up with the term Weltliteratur or World Literature) but also Iqbals inclination to dissect, balance and appreciate the radically diverse, syncretic traditions of his own South Asian culture many years prior to encountering Goethes work. The book (besides Faust) that made a lasting impact on Iqbals psyche was Goethes West-ostlicher Divan or West-Eastern Divan. Iqbal was to compose Payam e Mashriq, a great work of his own, in response to Goethe and Rumi, that other sage Iqbal held in the highest regard. Rumi, Goethe and Iqbal, each from a different time and place, have much in common. Each of them was identified as a visionary of sorts at an early age, each was rigorously conversant with divergent traditions, in search of harmony, each became a cultural icon. The most remarkable similarity is that each of these poets countered the tectonic shifts of their times (including violence and oppression) using intellectual discourse but also the arms and armor of an unusual nature: mysticism. Violent tensions Mongol invaders for Rumi, Napoleonic wars for Goethe, and Western colonialism for Iqbal seem to have shaped not only their minds but their spirits and their craft as poets. Prominent scholars of Iqbal and/or Goethe, such as Annemarie Schimmel, Katharina Mommsen, M. Ikram Chaghatai and Martin Bidney have delved into Goethes deep knowledge and love of Islam, tracking his spiritual journey from his poem Mahomet Gesang in praise of the Prophet Muhammad at age 23, to later an unfinished play based on the Prophets life, to West-ostlicher Divan, his final work, a book of Sufi poetry. According to Martin Bidney, Given the provincialism narrowing the views of many prospective readers, Goethe probably did not improve sales of the collection by coyly acknowledging, at age 68, that the books author did not wish to deny the imputation that he was himself a Muslim. Goethes West-Eastern Divan and Faust illuminated several key themes which Iqbal used in integrating and refining his thinking about the East and the West, such as tradition, devotional sentiment, modernity, faith, universal values, art, and the spirit of innovation. In light of the riches of philosophical and spiritual wisdom that Iqbal gained during his time in Heidelberg thanks to Emma Wegenast, a poem such as An Evening shows Iqbal in a curious mood. He is taking a walk by the bank of the Neckar in Heidelberg and finds himself falling under the spell of the place, its majestic hush. There is an otherworldly silence, a force that is serene and captivating but moves him mysteriously to surrender the melancholy that has erupted in response to the surrounding beauty. In the last verse, he tells his heart to embrace longing. The elliptical ending to the poem is a kind of threshold for things to come. *** Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. 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. Three major hospital systems and one GP system were affected by a major IT outage at the end of last week. Work to resolve the issue continued across the weekend, the Department of Health said. Industries across the world were hit by the outage, leading to cancelled flights and problems in some healthcare, retail and banking settings. In a statement on Sunday evening, the department said they understood the issue was due to a faulty update from a software supplier to a number of health and social care third party technology partners. They said that no cyber attack is suspected, and added that no core infrastructure or systems were affected. Work to resolve IT outages experienced on the morning of 19 July continued through the day on Friday and over the weekend. The Department has now published latest update on situation https://t.co/PHSfxVh3fy pic.twitter.com/UBlaVYdkqN Department of Health (@healthdpt) July 21, 2024 We can confirm that three major hospital systems and one GP system were affected: Epic Electronic Care Record, Varian Radiotherapy System, Allocate eRostering System, EMIS GP System, they said. The EMIS GP System is also used in the prison healthcare services operated by one of the hospital trusts. As well as losing core view and update functionality, a number of system integration components were affected meaning that other connected services were also adversely impacted (eg orders and results coming to and from the laboratory services). Given we are part way through a number of major rollout programmes, these issues affected our five hospital trusts differently. The NI Ambulance Service and GP Out of Hours services were unaffected. The department said that all teams, including affected GP practices, implemented their business continuity plans with a focus on ensuring those clinically urgent patients were managed first. The core Epic Electronic Care Record system was back to operational state by around 9am on Friday morning, with integration technologies all resolved by Friday afternoon, they said. Endoscopy imaging was the last interface service to be restarted at 6pm. The Allocate eRostering system was operational by 10.30am on Friday morning in some trusts, with the latest coming online at 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon. The varian impacts vary across different trusts and a full picture of that system outage is being collated. There are numerous instances of our EMIS system and these have been brought back online as our third party partner has worked to apply and test the appropriate corrective actions to each instance. Prisons is a 24/7 service and was brought back online at 4.45pm on Saturday. The other instances that serve GP practices were also fixed, operational and tested by 21:00 on Saturday evening. This means that all GP practices will have core system access for beginning of normal business on Monday, although some non-core interfaces such as Emergency Care Summary and Key Information Summary that do not affect direct patient care may be later in week. Detailed communications are being issued to all affected GP practices for Monday morning. It will take some time to ascertain exactly what the operational impact of the outages were, as services recover from Fridays issues. Initial assessments are that there has been minimal impact or cancellation to patient care in hospitals. The sorts of impacts that are beginning to be returned include: theatres and scopes continued but delayed start time for radiotherapy clinics and some theatre timing slots, and some issues with respect to staffing over the weekend but these were mitigated and workarounds put in place. A more definitive position, including an assessment of the impact on GP practice business on Friday, will be developed in the coming days. Earlier the British Medical Association urged patience with GP practices at the start of the week as they deal with the repercussions of the IT outage. They said that Monday is expected to be a particularly busy day for surgeries. An estimated two thirds of practices in Northern Ireland were impacted by the global IT problems and were forced to revert to paper-based processes in some instances. Dr Frances OHagan, chairwoman of BMAs Northern Ireland general practitioners committee, said Monday will see practices have to deal with the aftermath of the outage. A key online system we rely upon to access and update patients clinical records went down, causing a considerable backlog of work that will now have to dealt with in this coming week, she said. This will of course put considerable strain on general practice, however, staff will continue to provide care to the best of their ability. Whilst these systems return online, I would appeal to anyone accessing their GP to be patient while staff do their utmost to address this backlog of work. To ensure such an outage does not have a similar impact in the future, one that forced many surgeries to return to pen and paper to be able to serve their patients, we would call for more investment from the Department of Health in contingency planning and recovery plans. Irelands premier Simon Harris has thanked Joe Biden for his friendship to the Irish nation after the US president withdrew his bid for re-election. The Taoiseach said Mr Biden had been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Mr Biden was warmly welcomed to Ireland last year for a trip that included addressing the Irish Parliament as well as tracing his family roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo. He also visited Northern Ireland and met then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast as well as undertaking an engagement at the Ulster University. Mr Harris paid tribute to Mr Biden following the announcement on Sunday evening that he had withdrawn from the US presidential race. In a statement, the Taoiseach said: On behalf of the people and government of Ireland, I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election. He said Mr Biden had expressed a fierce pride in his Irish ancestry and had acted as a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this, he said. My statement on US President @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/5WltCqip06 Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024 On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home. The outpouring of love and support from the public, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina was testament to how highly the President is held in his ancestral home. Earlier Irelands deputy premier reacted to Mr Bidens withdrawal decision with sadness and admiration. Tanaiste Micheal Martin described Mr Biden as an abiding friend of Ireland. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness and admiration, Mr Martin said in a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness & admiration. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/pbamsn5Tmx Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 21, 2024 His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best. by Robert Jensen Smart people sometimes say not-so-smart things about freedom of speech. Lets start with Elon Musk, the boss at Tesla and SpaceX, and his often-quoted declaration that he is a free-speech absolutist. Whatever one thinks about Musk, he seems to be a smart person. But thats a silly statement. After he bought Twitter and then banished from the platform various people whose speech he didnt like, critics labeled Musk a hypocrite. Im not much interested in that, since Ive never met anyone who didnt have a bit of hypocrisy hiding somewhere in their lives, myself included. A more important observation is that if Musk, and all the other people who claim to be free-speech absolutists, actually meant it, they would be admitting that they are moral monsters. No one really means it. There is no such thing as a free-speech absolutist.* To be a true absolutistand to endorse that as the guiding principle for First Amendment law in the United Stateswould mean rejecting any limits on any speech no matter what the consequences. Thats what absolute usually meansto do something, well, absolutely, without exceptions. Absolutism would mean there would be no libel laws allowing people to recover damages when others deliberately lie about them. There would be no laws against the distribution or possession of child sexual abuse materials, once more commonly called child pornography. There would be no laws against speech that advances a conspiracy to murder someone. And the list goes on. Imagine that I publish a story saying Elon Musk runs an international drug trafficking ring, that he uses those illicit profits to offset hidden losses at Tesla, and that his mismanagement of the electric car company is the result of his addiction to fentanyl. That story is, to the best of my knowledge, false on all counts. If Musk sued me for knowingly making false and defamatory statements (the kind that injure ones reputation), he likely would recover money damages, punishing me for my speech, a rejection of an absolutist interpretation of freedom of speech. Most people would agree that libel law is justified. If I were charged with selling or buying child sexual abuse materials, which are illegal in every state and under US law, I doubt anyone would suggest my First Amendment rights had been violated. The production of these materials rightfully has been deemed to be inherently harmful to children. But even if I didnt produce it, the selling and buying of that material leads to increased production, and hence, increased harm to children. Most people would agree that should be prohibitedthe connection between the production and consumption is clear. If I lived next to a yappy dog and my neighbor refused to do anything to quiet the animal, most people would agree I do not have a right to kill my neighbor (or the dog). Imagine that I find another neighbor who is as annoyed as I am, and I provide that second neighbor with detailed information Ive collected about when our yappy dog-owning neighbor will be alone at home and what window he will be sitting in front of, and I suggest a spot from which a clean shot can be taken, and my neighbor successfully hits the target. I would have participated in a conspiracy to commit murder, even though all I did was speak to my neighbor about a plan. Who endorses an absolutist interpretation of the First Amendment that gets me off the hook? Here are some other forms of speech we punish without much concern about freedom of speech: perjury, true threats, inciting another to suicide, sexual harassment, insider trading, blackmail, fraud, unauthorized use of anothers intellectual property. All of these can be accomplished through speech alone, but that doesnt mean we treat them as absolutely free speech. The reason no one supports an absolutist standard for freedom of speech is because speech can, and often does, cause harm. Lying about someone can damage their standing in a community, leading to loss of income and social connections. Selling and buying child sexual abuse materials increases the number of children abused by the producers. Planning with others to kill someone makes the planner partially responsible, along with the person who pulls the trigger. Musk is not the only person who makes the incoherent claim of being an absolutist. Nadine Strossen, a lawyer who served as president of the American Civil Liberties Union from 1991 to 2008, gave the prestigious Richard S. Salant Lecture on Freedom of the Press at the Harvard Kennedy Schools Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy in 2015 (I include all those details to indicate this was a serious setting). In response to a question, she said: Well, Im a free-speech absolutist. But, that doesnt mean that speech is always protected. Along with every other fundamental right, it may be restricted. And Im going to use a lawyers term here, if, but only if, you can show that the restriction promotes a countervailing goal of compelling importance that cant be promoted in any other way. And thats a very, and appropriately, hard burden of proof. So, Strossen is an absolutist who would not protect speech absolutely. Im not taking issue with her articulation of a standard for restriction but with her inappropriate use of absolutist. It reminds me of a friend who told me that she was a vegetarian. I said I didnt realize she had stopped eating meat. She said, Well, I eat a little chicken and fish. I said, Well, then youre not a vegetarian. She was annoyed with me, apparently wanting to claim the label without having to adhere to its common definition. Using absolutist to describe a First Amendment interpretation that isnt absolutist seems to be a similar rhetorical trick, in this case claiming a political purity that doesnt exist. What absolutist appears to mean, as Strossen suggests, is something like this: I will impose a high standard in evaluating any restriction on speech. In complex cases where there are conflicts concerning competing values, I will default to the most expansive space possible for speech that is consistent with other peoples rights and safety. Thats a perfectly defensible statement, but its absolutist in the same sense as my chicken-and-fish-eating friend was a vegetarian. No matter how obvious the problem of claiming absolutism, it continues to be used, not only by quirky CEOs and political activists but also by law professors writing in law journals: To a degree that is unusual around the world, even among other constitutional democracies, American constitutional law generally protects expression of even the most hateful, offensive, illiberal, and dangerous ideas. This First Amendment absolutism, moreover, has been a striking point of judicial consensus, even on our current, badly fractured Supreme Court. Heres another description from a recent scholarly book: The most unyielding analysis of the First Amendment is the absolutist approach, which views the First Amendment proscriptions as inflexible: Congress shall make no law, period. Indeed, the First Amendment does say, Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. But that has never meant no law, because it cant mean no law, because no law would allow and encourage many forms of harm that speech can cause harm. No law means no law, except when it doesnt. Those who endorse this kind-of/sort-of/not-really absolutism often come from a libertarian political position, on either the right or left side of the political fence, that prioritizes individual liberty over other social concerns. For example, in the debate about whether racist hate speech should be punished, libertarians typically reject any constraints on peoples right to use racist slurs, even though they might reject the use of such slurs themselves. Supporters of hate-speech regulation suggest that in certain situations, free-speech concerns should be subordinated to the goal of eradicating racism and protecting the targets of that racist speech. This assertion of a priority for equality over individual liberty is almost exclusively articulated on the left, though not all liberal/progressive/left people agree. What position is most consistent with the First Amendment to the US Constitution, and more generally, free-speech principles? Whatever ones view, an invocation of absolutism cannot answer the question. Every society draws a line between the stories one can tell freely, without risk of punishment, and the stories that might get you in trouble. The line will be different from society to society, and different in a single society over time. But every society distinguishes between permitted and prohibited speech. Once we jettison simplistic notions about absolutism and accept the inevitability of drawing that line, we can get down to the business of balancing competing interests. In deciding where to draw the line, we are balancing the value of the expression against the harm or potential harm that expression can cause. Differences over the value of various kinds of expression and over how to assess the harms are unavoidable, but thats the real work of protecting a meaningful freedom of expression essential to a democratic society, art, and intellectual life. Deceptive labels and silly slogans dont help us resolve the inevitable conflicts. *** *A quick footnote for academics: I think this formulation is a more accurate way to make the point than Stanley Fish did in his 1994 book, Theres No Such Thing as Free Speech, and Its a Good Thing, Too. This essay is adapted from Its Debatable: Talking Authentically about Tricky Topics, published by Olive Branch Press. Robert Jensen, an Emeritus Professor in the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin, is the author of Its Debatable: Talking Authentically about Tricky Topics from Olive Branch Press. This essay is drawn from that book. His previous book, co-written with Wes Jackson, was An Inconvenient Apocalypse: Environmental Collapse, Climate Crisis, and the Fate of Humanity. To subscribe to his mailing list, go to http://www.thirdcoastactivist.org/jensenupdates-info.html. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. Ardee native Peter Geraghty, was inaugurated as President of the Planning Officers Society for 2024-2025 at its annual meeting in London on the 12 July. The Planning Officers Society (POS) represents around 2,000 individual planners working in 80% of the local authorities and public sector organisations around England. The society was formed in April 1997 by the amalgamation of the former County Planning Officers Society, District Planning Officers Society and Metropolitan Planning Officers Society, following the decision of the constituent societies, that a single voice for local authority planners would be the most effective way of pursuing good and effective planning practice within and for local government. The POS represents around 2,000 individual planners working in 80% of the local authorities and public sector organisations around England. Peter is the eldest son of Breda and P.J. Geraghty from John Street in Ardee. He is the first person to become President of both the Planning Officers Society (POS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) being president of the latter in 2013-14. Peter, who has practiced in England for many years and is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) told the Dundalk Democrat: I am delighted to have become President of the Society at an extremely interesting time for the planning profession. As a proud Ardonian and a Louth man through and through I think it is great to represent my native county at the highest level in my profession. He added. I am eternally grateful for the support of my parents during my education in Ardee, Dundalk (DkIT) and subsequently at University. I owe so much to them. Five Louth based organisations are set to benefit from funding under the Communities Integration Fund 2024, it was announced today by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman. The funding is being be made available to support local community-based organisations to play a greater role in welcoming and integrating migrants and refugees. Each organisation in Louth is being allocated 5,000. The organisations in Louth and the projects they are undertaking are as follows: An Tain Arts Centre - Why are you here? Autism Support Louth & Meath - Autism Support Ukrainian Translation Project Development Perspectives - Momentum Oriel Traditional Orchestra - Music as Pathway to Integration Street Feast CLG - Street Feast Together The Communities Integration Fund has been in place since 2017 and arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees. Announcing the funding today, Minister OGorman said: I am delighted to announce today that 113 local migrant integration projects will be funded under the Communities Integration Fund. Over the last few years, communities across Ireland have played a vital role in supporting those who have come and made their lives here. Im confident that this fund will help support those efforts. Welcoming news of the funding, Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd said that, "County Louth has played a very significant role in welcoming and integrating migrants and refugees and I look forward to seeing the successful projects progress." The Communities Integration Fund 2024 open call for proposals ran from 8th April to 8th May 2024. Just over 500,000 has been made available in 2024 to support local projects through grant funding of 1,000 - 5,000 per successful project. The reduction in the solar PV grant at the start of this year has not resulted in fewer installations being carried out, new SEAI figures show. Louth saw 494 new grant assisted solar installations in the first six months of 2024 (Q1), with a 23% increase in installations in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024 (272 installations), compared to the first quarter (222 installations) in the county. The first six months of this year saw some 13,498 PV systems installed across Ireland with grant support, according to statistics published by the SEAI. Some 7,493 solar installations were completed in Q2 with grant aid from the SEAI, an increase of around 1,500 installations compared to the first quarter. This means that Ireland is averaging around 83 SEAI grant approved installations per day, despite the SEAI grant being cut by 300 on January 1st. This is seen as particularly encouraging given there was a surge in applications in December 2023 ahead of the grant reduction in January. In the first half of this year, 3,014 solar PV installations were in Co. Dublin, and the county recorded a significant 23.7% increase in installations in Q2, reaching a total of 1,667. So far in 2024, Cork has had the second most installations with 1,446, followed by Galway with 935, and Meath with 818. The next highest numbers of installations were in Kildare (722), Wexford (555), Wicklow (549), and Limerick (528). In the first half of 2024, the SEAI provided 54,737,280 for home upgrades through Individual Energy Upgrade Grants. In Co. Louth, there were 680 property upgrades in total, amounting to 1,575,371. These grants cover solar PV and solar thermal panels, heat pumps, insulation, and heating controls. There were over 21,500 recipients of Individual Energy Upgrade Grants in Ireland, of which 13,498 were for solar PV panels. Grants were paid to 1,769 households for heat pumps, 5,326 for attic insulation and 1,003 for external wall insulation. Commenting on the solar PV figures for the first half of 2024, Managing Director of EnergyEfficiency.ie James Dorrian said the situation is promising. There were concerns that the grant reduction would have an effect on solar installation figures however these figures show that demand remains strong as homeowners look to slash their electricity bills, he said. Before Christmas, some government TDs were critical of the "perplexing" move to reduce the maximum grant to 2,100. Of course, it's impossible to know the true impact of the grant reduction, but the figures are promising. Unlike the stagnation in electric vehicle sales, solar is going from strength to strength, which is fantastic to see and long may it continue! Mr Dorrian said that while the Q2 figures are positive, he would be concerned about the effect of further reductions. The Government plans to cut the grant by 300 each year until it's gone. But we'd advise caution as this incentive has clearly worked to date. And our own research shows that even more could be done to publicize these grants, as many people are still unaware they even exist. I'm at a loss to understand what's happening at Honda Ireland. Back in 2007 they sold over 4,000 cars and were the 14th best selling brand out of the 50 selling cars back then. Last year they sold 237 cars in total which is less than Polestar, a relatively new kid on the block. BYD, who were not even selling cars for the full year, also sold more. When I say Im at a loss I believe the single biggest factor is price. Honda cars on sale in Ireland come at a hefty premium. The Civic for instance was a car that had widespread appeal and lots of people ended up or started out driving in them. The price of a Civic, there is only one model on sale, is 48,995. That's an eye watering amount for a car that used to be a competitor for a Ford Focus which incidentally starts at 32,294 rising to 36,009 for a car with the same power output. Even the Honda Jazz, which is a Fiesta sized car, costs 31,495 which is Focus money territory. The name stands for Z (as in Generation Z), Runabout Vehicle. It fits in the Honda range above the HR-V but below the CR-V with it being just 138 mm shorter than the CR-V and 228mm longer than the HR-V. Isn't it mad Ted how such small dimensions separate cars these days with them all getting bigger and bigger? And maybe it should have been called the D,E or G-RV to fit between the C and H? It looks like a Toyota Corolla Estate/Suzuki Swace or Audi Q5 at the back and the front definitely looks like the Ford Mondeo we used to own with a bit of Kuga thrown in. There really isn't a single distinctive feature when you look at the car from the side and in a blind test I doubt if anyone could say what car it was. What it does look like is a typical mid range SUV or Crossover. In white it's even harder to see the design creases and it all seems to blend into anonymous, SUV homogeny. You wont be stirred to rush into a Honda dealer to buy it based on the looks it's safe to say. The mechanicals are identical, in the three trim levels offered, being a 184PS 2.0l petrol hybrid model. The Hybrid system is one where the engine acts like a generator feeding batteries to power the electric motors at the front that drive the car. This delivers a near all-electric car experience with no noticeable change when the engine kicks in after travelling, albeit sedately, on electric power only. Trims are Elegance, Sport and Advance with the Elegance starting at 54,995; 3,000 more for the Sport and 2,000 more again for the Advance. So for 10% extra you get a whole host of additional desirable features like a powered tailgate, wireless charging, digital drivers display, panoramic roof, Bose sound system, front and rear heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel. In the current Honda world that represents tremendous value. The interior can safely be described as expected Honda. There are some soft leather materials mixed with what I call robust plastics. It may not be all that pleasant to the touch but boy will it last. ABOVE: Interior of the Honda ZR-V You thankfully get separate climate controls that are not buried in a menu and a volume knob in the centrally mounted infotainment screen that reminds me of one from a Ford Fiesta. Drive selection is via pushbuttons in the centre console and the way you select D differs from the way you select R which caught me out a few times - Im of the opinion now that a selector lever/stick is the way to go. There are paddles either side of the steering wheel to set the amount of energy recovery but the absence of one-pedal driving is a bit of an omission considering its price. You do however get hill descent being a bit true to the SUV moniker it has, but all wheel drive is not available being just a two wheel drive vehicle. Reassuringly the full complement of Honda Sensing safety technology which delivers supreme peace of mind that the car is looking out for all sorts of dangers and ready to respond, comes as standard. Honda draws your attention to the 1,322 litres of space but thats with the seats folded, albeit completely flat. Seats up there is just 380 litres which is small for a car in this category and only 19% more than the HR-V. The drive in the Honda is that hard to describe the easy to drive feeling you get in Hondas and Toyotas. Everything feels simple and easy and the car makes no quibbles doing what you ask it to do. The ride over our road imperfections is a bit harder than you'd expect from Honda and there is also a bit more road noise than expected from Honda. Performance is fine in that it's adequate for the type of use youd be using the car for. Its not a hot hatch or aims to be and the 0-100km/h time of 7.8s is quite respectable. When you do select Sport mode the car feels more sporty & responsive, handles quite well in the corners and is quite enjoyable on the R roads. How the rear passengers would feel is another story especially if you were in the middle seat with nothing to hang on to. Best to do this with you and a front passenger only. I also noted that rear passengers have not as much headroom as a car of these dimensions would suggest so check that out for your intended occupants. Would I buy a Honda ZR-V? Well heres the deal. Previously, I would have always said yes before because the Honda name and reputation always justified the additional money required to purchase it. Now Im not so sure. The price seems way above the competitors. For example, the nearest comparable model, an e-Power Nissan Qashqai, starts at 44,000 a full 15,000 less than the Honda and it has a much bigger boot. That's a lot for a reputation and name. Some will pay but most probably won't and this seems to be what has happened to Honda over the last number of years with more and more people baulking at the asking price for Honda cars. Unless there is some change in pricing policy we shall be seeing less and less new Hondas on Irish roads. Sharpen your pencil Honda. While a lot of the people I know want to visit South Korea for their K-pop and K-drama idols and fantasies, I was there for some and more. Hi Earthlings ! I just returned from an incredible trip to South Korea, and I have to share about the 4 Cs that totally stole my heart: Cat cafes, Cosmetics, Coffee shops, and Commuting. It felt like stepping into a whole new world of peace, excitement and fabulousness! Like I mentioned in my previous South Korea trip #EarthinKorea post , I am a first timer in this country and half of the reason being here was tourism the other part is life. So grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let me share all the juicy details. Charming Cat Cafes: A Purr-fect Paradise in Myeongdong First off, lets talk about cat cafes. You know how much I adore cats, right? Well, I found the cutest cat cafe in Myeongdong, and it was pure bliss. Imagine stepping into a cozy little cafe and being instantly surrounded by a group of adorable, fluffy cats. The atmosphere is serene, with soft music playing in the background. It feels like heaven on earth . Many of the cats are curled up in various nooks and crannies, peacefully sleeping. You see a tabby nestled in a sunbeam, a Persian snoozing on a cushioned chair, and a Siamese stretched out on a windowsill. Their relaxed poses make you want to cuddle and snuggle them. Upon entering, you pay an entrance fee of 7,000 Korean won, which includes free use of slippers, one drink of your choice, and unlimited time to play with the cats. After sitting down to order your drink, you receive a menu card with the cafe rules, including a gentle reminder that picking up the cats is not allowed. Instead, you can sit beside them, gently petting their soft fur and enjoying their calming presence. Video is also not allowed in this cafe so most pics you see are stollen shots. It is fine with me though as I can just enjoy playing with these adorable kitties ! You can also buy cat treats for 2,000 Korean won to feed them, which is a delightful way to interact with the more playful kitties. The cafe encourages you to play with the cats, and there are plenty of cat toys available for free use. One of the popular spots is Cats Playground, known for its cozy atmosphere and friendly felines. Its a great place to unwind and enjoy the company of adorable cats while sipping on a your beverage. Oh, and a quick tip: If youre ever in Pyeongtaek and thinking of visiting a cat cafe, dont bother. The one you can find on Google doesnt exist anymore. Most are dog cafe, I adore dogs but I love cats more. So, stick to Myeongdong for your kitty fix! Cult Favorite Cosmetics: The Secret to Korean Beauty Okay, so let me tell you about the absolute wonderland that is South Korea for beauty lovers like us. Imagine Myeongdong its basically the Disneyland of cosmetics. There are endless stores packed with every skincare and makeup product you could ever dream of. I felt like a kid in a candy store, diving headfirst into the magical world of K-beauty. Before my trip, I made this super detailed list of what I wanted to buy to avoid going overboard you know how easy it is to get carried away! The ultimate goal? Achieving that flawless, glass skin that K-pop and K-drama stars are famous for. Its all about layering hydrating products and using gentle, effective ingredients. Honestly, I hadnt been keeping up with the latest K-beauty trends, so my list was a total lifesaver. On my list were dark spot and blemish removers and creams, sunblocks and sunscreens, eyeliners and eye pencils, lip tints and glosses, cake foundations, facial masks, and serums. For someone in my age-range, you have to go tot he department store . Its now an inside joke for me, I felt stupid asking whats a department store when I was in Myeongdong and then I realized ok hahaha Lotte Department Store duh ! Anyway, Myeongdong is a beauty lovers dream come true! Just prepare your Google translate if you cant read Korean it is a life saver. My time was spent a lot reading labels through my Google Lens , yeah I am that Tita read the labels. I do this for products that are not on my list but looks interesting because a lot of people flock their stalls. But I stick with my list for now and on my next trip I will be more adventurous. The famous 10-step Korean skincare routine is no joke. It focuses on cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing to achieve that coveted glass skin. Stores like Olive Young are perfect for stocking up on top K-beauty brands this is where I got most of the K-beauty products from my haul. Some of the must-have brands you can find at Olive Young include: Laneige : Known for its hydrating products like the Water Sleeping Mask. : Known for its hydrating products like the Water Sleeping Mask. COSRX : Famous for its gentle yet effective skincare solutions, especially the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. : Famous for its gentle yet effective skincare solutions, especially the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. Innisfree : Offers a range of products made with natural ingredients from Jeju Island. : Offers a range of products made with natural ingredients from Jeju Island. Dr. Jart+ : Renowned for its innovative skincare, including the Cicapair Tiger Grass line. : Renowned for its innovative skincare, including the Cicapair Tiger Grass line. Etude House : Popular for its fun and affordable makeup products. : Popular for its fun and affordable makeup products. Round Lab : Celebrated for its 1025 Dokdo Toner, which is great for calming and moisturizing the skin. : Celebrated for its 1025 Dokdo Toner, which is great for calming and moisturizing the skin. Beauty of Joseon : Known for its traditional Korean herbal ingredients and effective formulations. : Known for its traditional Korean herbal ingredients and effective formulations. Clio : Famous for its Kill Cover foundation and waterproof eyeliners. : Famous for its Kill Cover foundation and waterproof eyeliners. Peripera : Loved for its vibrant lip tints and playful makeup products. : Loved for its vibrant lip tints and playful makeup products. Hera : Offers luxurious makeup and skincare products, including the Black Cushion foundation. : Offers luxurious makeup and skincare products, including the Black Cushion foundation. 3CE (3 Concept Eyes) : Known for its trendy and stylish makeup products, especially lipsticks and eyeshadows. : Known for its trendy and stylish makeup products, especially lipsticks and eyeshadows. Missha : Offers a wide range of affordable yet high-quality skincare and makeup products. : Offers a wide range of affordable yet high-quality skincare and makeup products. Holika Holika: Known for its fun and innovative makeup products, including the popular Gudetama collection. Whether youre a seasoned beauty enthusiast or a newbie, Myeongdong offers an unparalleled shopping experience that will leave you feeling pampered and radiant. Cozy Coffee Shops: The Perfect Cup of Joe Everywhere You Go Lets dive into the world of coffee shops in South Korea. Being a coffee lover and a coffee shop owner myself I had to see how the others are doing. The coffee culture here is absolutely irresistible, with trendy cafes on nearly every corner, each boasting its own unique charm. Whether youre seeking a quiet corner to curl up with a book or a lively spot to watch the world go by, South Korea has it all. One of my absolute favorite finds was 1977 Coffee Lounge Camp Humpreys. I went there specifically to try their caramel macchiatomy go-to hot coffee drink for sizing up a cafes offerings. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed! The cafes Instagram-worthy decor and generously sized coffee servings made it stand out from the rest. I loved it so much that I ended up visiting a few times during my trip. The ambiance was delightfully cozy, tucked away next to a car wash in a surprisingly quaint setting. South Koreas coffee shops are generally very affordable, with prices starting around 4,500 Korean won. And heres the best part: youll find coffee shops everywhere, even in train stations! Its like a caffeine lovers paradise. The coffee scene in South Korea is as vibrant as it is diverse. From trendy spots like Mega Coffee, which was featured in a scene from Queen of Tears, to charming themed cafes, theres something to suit every coffee enthusiast. Seoul alone has a multitude of coffee shops catering to every taste and preference, whether youre in the mood for a serene nook or a bustling cafe. And if youre a K-drama aficionado, youre in for a treatmany coffee shops have made appearances in popular shows. I even visited a cafe that served as a filming location, and it was surreal to sit in the very spot where my favorite characters had their dramatic moments. Cafes I visited Near Camp Humphreys If you find yourself near Camp Humphreys, here are some cafes to check out: Cosmic Cat Paengseong Highlights: American-style donuts to satisfy your sweet tooth, they also have coffee of course whats best to pair with your donut ? You can buy cat merchandise too, I secretly wish this was a cat cafe though. Coffeeville Highlights: Cute little coffee shop near the walk-in gate across the Red Onion where you can just grab and go. The Cottage Highlights: A charming cafe in a cottage like setting and enchanting books on the second floor. They serve pastries and freshly made donuts everyday. However, I found myself browsing their Good Fairies / Bad Fairies book displayed on the bookshelf. The Roaster Highlights: located within walking distance from the pedestrian gate at Camp Humphreys. The cafe exudes a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing coffee break. The interior is tastefully decorated with warm, earthy tones and comfortable seating, creating a homely feel. The walls are adorned with local art, adding a touch of creativity to the space. The menu at Roasters features a variety of expertly roasted coffee options, including classic espresso drinks, pour-overs, and their must-try honey butter bread. Its a delightful spot to unwind and enjoy a quality cup of coffee The Bakery Cafe 292LU Highlights: is a delightful spot near Camp Humphreys, renowned for its freshly baked goods and cozy ambiance. They are famous for their sourdough and rye bread, as well as an irresistible assortment of pastries, including their weekend special cinnamon rolls and croissants1. The cafe exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a delicious treat. Their menu features a variety of sandwiches, smoothies, and of course, excellent coffee, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike Coffee Intenso Highlights: This cafe offers a cozy and modern ambiance with a very busy display of the owners toy collection. Your coffee will be served in a disposal paper cup that has different design all the time. The menu features a variety of coffee options, including rich espressos, creamy lattes, and refreshing iced coffees. They also offer a selection of pastries and light snacks to complement your drink. I also post my reviews on Google Maps/ Google Guides These cafes offer a delightful mix of ambiance, delicious drinks, and unique experiences, making them perfect stops for any coffee lover exploring the area Convenient Commuting: Effortless and Efficient Lastly, I could not help but emphasize more about commuting in South Korea. I was absolutely enchanted by how effortlessly you can get around the country and commuters comfort at least is in the minds of those who made this all possible compared to the Philippines jeez. The transportation system is like a well-oiled machineeverything runs on time, so you can leave any worries about delays behind. Buses and trains are incredibly punctual, making your travel experience smooth and stress-free. The T-money card is a total game-changer for getting around. You can pick one up at any 7-Eleven store across South Korea. This nifty prepaid card lets you glide through public transportation with ease, covering everything from buses to subways. No more fumbling for cash or figuring out ticket machinesjust tap your card to get on and off, and youre all set! South Koreas public transport system is a marvel of convenience and connectivity. The advanced network includes trains, buses, and subways, making it a breeze to get from point A to point B. The KTX (Korea Train Express) is perfect for long-distance travel, connecting major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Daegu at lightning speed. For city travel, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway is incredibly efficient, with lines that cover the entire city and beyond. To make your travel even easier, there are several apps you should definitely download: KakaoMetro: This app provides detailed information on subway routes, schedules, and transfer options. Its a lifesaver when navigating the extensive subway system Naver Map: Google Maps doesnt work well in Korea, so Naver Map is your go-to for accurate navigation. It offers multiple route suggestions and even street views to help you find your way Kakao Taxi: If you prefer taking taxis, this app is perfect. It allows you to book taxis easily and even choose the size of the taxi you need Seoul Subway: This app is exclusive for foreign residents and tourists, providing real-time timetable information, location-based guidance, and even details on nearby tourist attractions With these apps, you can navigate South Koreas public transport system like a pro, the efficiency and convenience are unmatched. Wrapping Up the Adventure So, thats my fabulous adventure in South Korea, discovering the joys of cat cafes, cosmetics, coffee shops, and commuting. Each experience was unique and unforgettable, and I cant wait to go back and explore even more. If youre ever planning a trip, make sure to check out these spots youll absolutely love them! Until next time, stay fabulous and keep exploring! A 20-year-old motorist who was caught driving without insurance at a time when she was banned from driving from previous offences of a similar nature was sentenced to four months in prison. Judge John King imposed the sentence on Chelsea Thomas of Watergrasshill, Cork, at Cork District Court. Judge King noted that the offence occurred on January 29 at Kilcully Road, Cork and there was a second offence of a similar nature that she committed at Bridge Street, Cork, on March 29. The judge decided that a prison sentence could not be avoided particularly in light of the fact that she had previous no insurance convictions and was disqualified from driving when both of this years offences were committed. Judge King imposed a four-month jail sentence for the January offence and imposed a consecutive five-month sentence which was suspended for the second offence. Frank Buttimer solicitor said the sentences were not being appealed by the young woman. One of the leaders of an organisation which represents a large proportion of Catholic priests in Ireland has called on the church hierarchy to issue a statement to clarify whether or not a Cork TD denied communion last week is excommunicated. It comes after the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, was refused communion at a funeral Mass and allegedly told he had been excommunicated. Mr Burke had queued for communion at a funeral Mass in the Catholic church in Whitechurch. When Mr Burke reached the altar, in an incident which was livestreamed, Fr Gabriel Burke, a curate in the parish, placed his hand over the chalice and apparently refused communion to the politician. An incident occurred during the ceremony involving Fr Burke where he refused to give to me Holy Communion, Mr Burke said in a statement issued to The Echo two days after the incident. He further advised that you have been excommunicated. In a statement issued to The Irish Times, Fr Burke said he had refused communion to Mr Burke because of his support for abortion. As a senator, Colm Burke voted for abortion after the 2018 referendum and he knows the teaching of the [Catholic] Church that any politician who voted abortion cannot receive communion Archbishop Eamon Martin made that very clear before the vote on abortion, said Fr Burke. Archbishop Martin said that any politician that voted for abortion in Dail Eireann was co-operating with evil and should not present for communion. Speaking in August 2013, after the Dail passed the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, which allowed abortion where the mothers life was threatened, including by suicide, Archbishop Eamon Martin said it was the churchs position that it is not possible to be a person of faith and, at the same time, actively promote abortion. However, the archbishop also said politicians who had supported the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act would not be excommunicated or denied communion, and that he had never refused communion to anyone. Now one of the leaders of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), which represents a large number of Irelands Catholic priests, has called on the church to clarify the matter. Killeagh-based Fr Tim Hazelwood, who is one of the leaders of the ACP, said the incident had caused a lot of confusion and upset and needed to be addressed by the Catholic Church. It would be very helpful for people who are unsure about the situation around receiving holy communion would come out and give a clear statement telling the position, Fr Hazelwood said. The position of the ACP is that all who present themselves for communion are welcome, but we need the official church to say that now as well. Fr Hazelwood added that one priest did not speak or act for all priests, and that it was not the role of Catholic priests to judge the consciences of other people. It would be very helpful if the official church would provide clarity on that, Fr Hazelwood said. Archbishop Martins office said the archbishop is on retreat at the moment, and referred The Echo to the Catholic Press Office, which sent three links to previous comments by the archbishop but did not reply when asked for a further statement. Numerous attempts were made by The Echo to contact Fr Burke. Michael McAleer An Israeli tech firm has been ordered to pay 35,000 compensation to a former Irish employee who was unfairly fired after she labelled Israel a terrorist state on social media. Wix Online Platforms had accepted that it had unfairly dismissed customer care team lead, Courtney Carey, on October 23rd, 2023 for gross misconduct over online comments she had made about her concerns about the situation in Palestine. The Israeli multinational, which employs around 500 people in its Dublin office, acknowledged that the manner in which it had dismissed Ms Carey had been procedurally unfair. The company, which is headquartered in Tel Aviv, provides a platform for building websites. 'Blacklisted' Ms Carey (27) from Clondalkin, Dublin told a hearing of the Workplace Relations Commission in June that she felt blacklisted from working in the tech sector as a result of the controversy which arose over her dismissal from Wix where she had worked for 4 years. In posts and comments on LinkedIn, Ms Carey had described Israel as a terrorist state and criticised the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza by Israel. Wixs chief operations and president, Nir Zohar, explained last year that the company had decided to part ways with Ms Carey after it had been bombarded with messages from Israeli employees who had complained about Ms Carey through screenshots of her post. The controversy prompted the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, to claim Ms Careys dismissal was unacceptable as employees should be allowed their individual viewpoints. Ms Carey said the very public nature of her dismissal and the subsequent comments made by a senior Wix executive had a very negative effect on her efforts to mitigate her losses and on her future career prospects. She claimed she had subsequently applied for 60 jobs which Wix's legal representatives pointed out represented 2-2.5 jobs per week. They also suggested that the complainant had received political support at the time of her dismissal and that her reputation had not been damaged given the many positive comments she had received on social media. However, Ms Carey said she had been unable to afford her 1,800 monthly rent on a studio apartment after losing her job in Wix and had to move in with a relative. WRC adjudication officer, Marie Flynn, said the only issue between the parties was the appropriate level of compensation given Wix had accepted Ms Careys dismissal was unfair. Ms Flynn stressed that the award of compensation based on anything other than financial loss was outside the jurisdiction of the WRC. The WRC calculated that Ms Carey had suffered a loss of income of 20,000 over the six months she was out of work after being paid four weeks notice on her dismissal. However, Ms Flynn ruled that Ms Carey had not made significant efforts to mitigate her loss since being fired by Wix. Fixing the appropriate level of compensation at 35,000, Ms Flynn said the number of jobs for which Ms Carey had applied was not sufficient even if such information had been provided given she was out of work for six months. Under legislation, the maximum award that could have been made by the WRC in the Wix case was 80,000 the equivalent of two years salary. Following the WRC hearing last month, Ms Carey said she had no regrets about her original comment about the situation in Gaza, despite being subjected to what she claimed were derogatory and defamatory posts telling complete lies about her online. I think I was very soft-handed. What has happened since to Palestinians and what has been happening at the hands of the Israeli government has only exacerbated and got worse. Im glad I said what I said, said Ms Carey. She added: It was true then and its even more true now. I think the evidence is damning when we look at what Israel is doing to Palestinians. By Rebecca Black, PA The Taoiseach has been pressed over the urgent need for engagement and dialogue over disturbances at a former factory site in Coolock in north Dublin. Gardai have come under attack and fires were set in the last week at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock which has been earmarked as housing for asylum seekers. The building is to be renovated to accommodate more than 500 International Protection Applicants. Protesters gather at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin on Tuesday. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. Protests have been organised at the site by a group called Coolock Says No. On Friday night, three gardai officers were injured in clashes. On Sunday, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said she has pressed Taoiseach Simon Harris over engagement and dialogue around the situation. I have spoken to an Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the Coolock community. The violence must end and those responsible held to account. Order and calm must be restored and the people must be heard. Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 21, 2024 In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ms McDonald wrote I have spoken to an Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the Coolock community. The violence must end and those responsible held to account. Order and calm must be restored and the people must be heard. Ms McDonald has met residents and community groups in the area and says they've been very clear about the anger, fear and frustration that's been felt over being left in a vaccum. She says it's right to condemn the scenes of violence from the past week - but the community needs respect and support to move forward. Earlier, Mr Harris said government can do more to engage with legitimate migration concerns. Mr Harris said on Sunday he had spoken with the Minister for Integration and the Minister for Justice, and been briefed by both, over the anti-immigration stand-off in Coolock. He said he made a clear distinction between those who had legitimate concerns over increased immigration numbers, and those engaging in disorder and criminal damage at sites earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation. Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas has died, her family announced Friday. She was 74. In a statement posted via Jackson Lee's account on X, formerly Twitter, her family expressed their "incredible grief" over her passing and "deep gratitude for the life she shared" with them. A cause of death was not disclosed in the statement, but last month, Jackson Lee revealed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At the time, the 15-term congresswoman said she was undergoing treatment and acknowledged that "the road ahead will not be easy." Jackson Lee's family went on to describe her as a "fierce champion of the people" and a "local, national, and international humanitarian." "She was affectionately and simply known as 'Congresswoman' by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years," their statement read. They also highlighted the impact Jackson Lee had on them as a "beloved" wife, sister, mother and grandmother. "She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy," the family wrote. Funeral arrangements had not been finalized as of this writing. Jackson Lee was first elected to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District in 1994, according to CNN. In March, she won a Democratic primary for her seat, beating former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards. She also ran for Houston mayor last year but lost to former Texas Sen. John Whitmire. Tributes poured in for Jackson Lee on X following the announcement of her death. "I'm at a loss for words so I'll just say rest easy, my friend, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee," Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett wrote alongside a photo of her and the late politician. Democratic Rep. Colin Allred of Texas also shared a photo of Jackson Lee and praised her as "a fierce advocate for Houston and her constituents." "No one worked harder for her community and if Houston needed something, she got it done," he added. "Her passing is a great loss and my condolences go to her family, friends and the people of Houston." Long Beach, CADon Temple, an extremely successful Long Beach, California businessman and generous philanthropist, was a full participant in a historic aviation event that saw 12 small planes circumnavigate, with 22 aviators, while crossing the entire landmass of Russia in July 1992, only seven months after the final collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991. Temple flew in his twin-engine Cessna 421 Golden Eagle, named The Ultimate Trip, with Edwin 'Sully' Sullens, an accomplished military test pilot, and Bob Leavelle, a banker from Huntington Beach. Looking for a way to give back for all his success, Don Temple ended up offering a full-ride education scholarship, in the United States, to one of the official World Flight translators, a 16-year girl named Natasha. Well placed to take advantage of such an opportunity, this timely gift of assistance changed her life and she is a success in the financial industry in the U.S. Natasha readily admits that Temple, based on how bad it got in Moscow during the 1990s, probably saved her life, changed it completely that's for sure. Organized from March 1991 to July 1992, it was a major miracle the event ever took place. Temple installed new engines and long range fuel tanks for the 18,000 mile journey left from Santa Monica Airport on July 3, 1992 and returned three weeks later. A new book, Round the World & Across Russia in 21 Days, 30 Years Later: 12 Planes & 22 Aviators Thru 11 Countries When the Soviet Union Fell & Russia Returned, by Michael B. Butler, who documented the event, offers an extremely detailed look at a complex and exciting adventure during a time when the world was rapidly changing. Once in Russia, after crossing the U.S., the North Atlantic and flying from London to Helsinki, they were guests of the Vice President of Russia, Alexander Rutskoi, Afghan war hero who stood with Yeltsin in August 1991 when Soviet hard-liners tried to overthrow Gorbachev and turn about the reforms of the previous five years. During their days in Moscow the participants got to tour the Kremlin and Star City, where the previously super-secret Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center was located. Considering how different our world is from July 1992, this book gives the reader a look at many different aspects of what was going in July 1992 and in the decades to follow. With Russia at war with Urkraine and NATO for over three years, there is no doubt the World Flight Across Russia snuck through a rare time in history and accomplished something extremely unique. Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and in audio book form on Google Play, the author constructed the book using seven major pilot journals, five ancillary journals, 25 hours of video tape, interviews and what he recalled. Details and color slide shows can be found at www.MichaelButlerBooks.com. Official Round the World & Across Russia in 21 Days Book Trailer Media Interviews: For review copies or interviews please contact Eric Blair Enterprises at MichaelButlerBooks@pm.me or 213-534-7292. Sunday, July 21, 2024 In his memoir Big Russ & Me, the late host of NBCs Meet the Press television program, Tim Russert, recounted a conversation he had with New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan inside the U.S. Senate chamber. Russert had just been hired as an aide in the senators Washington office. Prior to that, he had spent his entire life in a middle-class neighborhood in his native Buffalo, where he attended college. To help pay for his university education, Russert worked as a garbage collector during summer breaks. In the Washington office, the unsophisticated Russert found himself surrounded by privileged Ivy League graduates and was intimidated. After several days of worry, he mentioned to Senator Moynihan that his colleagues were serious, high-powered intellectuals whose idea of a good time was a two-hour argument over the intricate details of arcane left-wing [politics]. Russert added: I have a Jesuit education and a law degree, but half the time I have no idea what they are talking about. According to Russert, Senator Moynihan burst out laughing. He put his arm around Russert and said: Let me tell you something: what they know, you can learn; but what you know, they will never learn. Remember: none of these guys has ever worked on a garbage truck. Those words worked like magic on Russert, who walked back to the office a couple of inches above the ground. Russert flourished in that job, and went on to become one of the most respected political journalists in America. The self-confidence that he so badly needed was provided by someone who himself understood what it takes to go from rags to riches. Senator Moynihan is said to have grown up poor in a single-parent household in New York City. He and his brother worked as shoeshine boys in Times Square in their youth. He later became one of Americas leading political thinkers, served four presidents, was ambassador to India and the United Nations, and was a professor at Harvard prior to running for the senate. I read Big Russ & Me many years ago but it is on my mind a lot lately, particularly that conversation between Russert and Senator Moynihan. The recollection has been triggered by many of the things I have heard some people say in the period since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. There is a school of thought out there that suggests that there are two broad categories of nations in the world: predators and prey. The predators are countries like America, China, and Russia that are so powerful militarily that they can choose to, whenever they wish, subjugate weaker nations and take over their resources. Sovereignty and national borders seem to be mere abstractions to the people who hold this view. It is this sphere-of-influence concept that some in this camp have used to rationalize Russias invasion of Ukraine. I have struggled to make sense of this. Such law-of-the-jungle approach to life was quite normal in medieval times. Nations fought vicious wars of conquest across Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. Enslavement of humans by other humans was an acceptable practice in the past but today it is seen as an abomination that no one even dares to think about starting anywhere. Enlightenment drove the shift in thinking that brought about these behavioral changes. The Age of Enlightenment wasnt supposed to be a one-time episode only. As humans, we are expected to constantly refine our beliefs about life and make improvements where needed. I fundamentally reject the notion that some humans, or nations for that matter, are meant to be permanently superior to others and are thus entitled to exercise dominion wherever and whenever they please. This personal view has been shaped by how my own life has unfolded. At birth, I slipped into a deep hole that I had to climb out of. I expended enormous amounts of energy to get myself to ground level. Once I got there, I unwittingly set myself a goal that, in order to achieve, required me to compete with children who had been born on the fifth floor. That was how I found myself on an elite secondary school campus surrounded by students who I had absolutely nothing in common with. I arrived at boarding school as a raw village kid who didnt even know how to eat his meal in the dining hall because I had never used cutlery in my life. At home, we ate entirely different foods and everyone, including my illiterate parents, used their fingers. I was facing a worse form of the Russert problem. Apart from my difficulties at meal times and trouble navigating life elsewhere on the campus, I lived day and night with these students that I couldnt have any conversations with. Unlike Russert, I didnt have a Senator Moynihan around to put his arm around me and give me assurance. Those were miserable years, but I decided that I would tough it out. I just kept to myself. Today, through education, travel, professional and other lived experiences, that unsophisticated village boy has turned into a man who can sustain conversations on all manner of subjects with just about anyone on the planet. Along the way, I learned how important hard work, discipline, persistence, and curiosity are in life. Those are the attributes that determine the fortunes of individuals and nations. More crucially, I have also become convinced that thinking about any life condition as permanent is quite a fatal error. The thing that bothers me the most when I listen to geopolitical discussions nowadays is the sense I get that lots of people, especially Africans, hold on to this predator-and-prey notion in transnational relations. That is a huge problem because we live in a world in which people everywhere engage in fierce competition for finite resources. The predators will happily stay on the rampage so long as they know that there are people and nations that see themselves as too weak to do anything about external aggression, and readily accept their fate as permanent prey. Singapore is not even a country. It is a city-state that, just a few decades ago, people didnt think much of. Today it is one of the wealthiest and most respected societies in the world. Taiwan is a similar story because China considers it part of its territory. There are small nations like Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, and Finland that were prey in the past but are very much in control of their own destinies today. There are a host of others like them around the world that can be viewed in the same way. The key, for individuals and nations, is knowing how the world works and figuring out how best to position oneself within that complex web. The reality is that countries like America, China, Japan, and Germany enjoy some special privileges by virtue of their wealth. Poorer nations rely on them for developmental assistance and as markets for some of their products. But such dependence should in no way be so complete and so permanent as to result in loss of national dignity to the extent that we observe in most parts of Africa today. The examples of Singapore and South Korea are instructive. Every nations character is an embodiment of the dispositions of its individual citizens. The path that I traveled to become an adult who is now able to navigate this complex world is one that I strongly believe nations can follow as well. And as Senator Moynihan told Russert, I am now convinced that there are some things that no amount of learning from books can teach. Over the last couple of years, I have listened to celebrated geopolitical experts say repeatedly that we should accept the world as it isthat powerful nations can redraw national borders at will. I would probably have bought their flawed argument if I had not learned those hard life lessons. Planes were gradually taking off again Saturday after global airlines, banks and media were thrown into turmoil by one of the biggest IT crashes in recent years, caused by an update to an antivirus programme. Passenger crowds had swelled at airports on Friday as dozens of flights were cancelled after an update to a programme operating on Microsoft Windows crashed systems worldwide. By Saturday, officials said the situation had returned virtually to normal in airports across Germany and France, as Paris prepared to welcome millions for the Olympic Games starting on Friday. Multiple US airlines and airports across Asia said they had resumed operations, with check-in services restored in Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand, and mostly back to normal in India, Indonesia and at Singapore's Changi Airport as of Saturday afternoon. - CrowdStrike apologises - Microsoft estimated Saturday that 8.5 million Windows devices were affected in the global IT crash, adding that the number amounted to less than one percent of all Windows machines. "While the percentage was small, the broad economic and societal impacts reflect the use of CrowdStrike by enterprises that run many critical services", it said. Microsoft said the issue began at 1900 GMT on Thursday, affecting Windows users running the CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity software. In a Saturday blog post, CrowdStrike said it had released an update on Thursday night that had caused a system crash and the infamous "blue screen of death" fatal error message. CrowdStrike said it had rolled out a fix for the problem, and the company's boss, George Kurtz, told US news channel CNBC he wanted to "personally apologise to every organisation, every group and every person who has been impacted". The company also said it could take a few days for things to fully get back to normal. Britain's National Health Service was hobbled by the crash on Friday, preventing doctors from accessing patient records and booking appointments. A "majority of systems... are now coming back online in most areas, however they are still running slightly slower than usual", an NHS spokesperson said, warning of disruption continuing into next week. Media companies were also hit, with Britain's Sky News saying the glitch had ended its Friday morning news broadcasts. Australia's ABC also reported major difficulties. Australian, British and German authorities warned of an increase in scam and phishing attempts following the outage, including people offering to help reboot computers and asking for personal information or credit card details. Banks in Kenya and Ukraine reported issues with their digital services, some mobile phone carriers were disrupted and customer services in a number of companies went down. "The scale of this outage is unprecedented, and will no doubt go down in history," said Junade Ali of Britain's Institution of Engineering and Technology, adding that the last incident approaching the same scale was in 2017. - Flight chaos - While some airports halted all flights, in others airline staff resorted to manual check-ins for passengers, leading to long lines and frustrated travellers. Thousands of US flights were grounded, although airlines later said they were re-establishing their services and working through the backlog. A senior US administration official said Friday that "our understanding is that flight operations have resumed across the country, although some congestion remains". India's largest airline Indigo said Saturday that operations had been "resolved", adding in a statement on X that the process of resuming normal operations would "extend into the weekend". Low-cost carrier AirAsia said it was still trying to get back online and had been "working around the clock towards recovering its departure control systems". Chinese state media said Beijing's airports had not been affected. - 'Common cause' - Companies were left patching up their systems and trying to assess the damage, even as officials tried to tamp down panic by ruling out foul play. According to CrowdStrike's Saturday blog, the issue was "not the result of or related to a cyberattack". Although CrowdStrike had rolled out a fix, many experts questioned the ease of such a process. "While experienced users can implement the workaround, expecting millions to do so is impractical," said Oli Buckley, a professor at Britain's Loughborough University. Other experts said the incident should prompt a widespread reconsideration of how reliant societies are on a handful of tech companies. "We need to be aware that such software can be a common cause of failure for multiple systems at the same time," said John McDermid, a professor at York University in Britain. Infrastructure should be designed "to be resilient against such common cause problems", he added. burs-sco/acb/jj The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) recently expressed concern over possible new US tariffs adversely affecting the industry if former president Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November this year. More than nine-tenths of the shoes sold in the United States are imported primarily from China, Vietnam and Indonesia. As a result, the US footwear industry moves the bulk of its imports through West Coast ports. The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) has expressed concern over possible new US tariffs adversely affecting the industry if former president Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November this year. Trump has said that if he wins the election, he might impose a 60-per cent tariff on all goods imported from China. Trump has said that if he wins the election, he might impose a 60-per cent tariff on all goods imported from China and a general 10-per cent tariff on all other imports. FDRA president and chief executive officer Matt Priest, during a recent Port of Los Angeles media briefing with the ports executive director Eugene Seroka, said the US footwear industry will respectfully disagree if a new Trump administration proposes higher tariffs. Priest said that the US footwear industry has begun moving production out of China and has increased its reliance on alternate suppliers particularly Vietnam, according to domestic media reports. So, most of the market share (with) China has been captured by Vietnam and in partnership with Taiwanese joint venture companies, local Vietnamese companies, even Chinese joint venture companies, he said. Priest said the footwear industry is concerned about rising freight rates. Meanwhile, the Port of Los Angeles processed a healthy 827,757 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in June this year, a 10-per cent increase month on month (MoM) and a less-than-1-per cent rise year on year (YoY). Six months into 2024, the Port of Los Angeles is 14 per cent ahead of the previous year. Imports through the Port of Los Angeles in June were 428,753 TEUs compared with 435,307 TEUs in June last year, while exports in the month were 122,515 TEUs compared to 108,050 TEUs in June 2023. Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach moved 842,446 TEUs in June, up by 41.1 per cent YoY and surpassing the previous record set in June 2022 by 7,034 TEUs. Imports at the port jumped by 53 per cent YoY to 419,698 TEUs and exports rose by 4 per cent YoY to 98,300 TEUs. The Port of Long Beach has moved 4,291,626 TEUs during the first half of this yearup by 15 per cent from the same period last year. At the Port of Oakland in Northern California, imports jumped by 26.8 per cent YoY to 84,040 TEUs in June, marking the highest monthly total since August 2022. Exports saw an increase of 22.9 per cent YoY, with 66,540 TEUs transiting in June this year. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Our trusted sources have revealed that Fawad will portray a UK based chef in the film with Vaani. That's not all, our insiders also revealed that director Aarti Bagdi's film will be shot in a start to finish schedule in London and Dubai.Understandibly these are exciting details. Fans have been waiting to see Fawad's return to Indian films since Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil released in 2016.In his recent interview, Fawad also revealed that he had more than one project in the offing and Filmfare promises you that we will get more details on these multiple projects in the near future. Watch this space for more. 60 years of Sino-French friendship shine with new brilliance. The Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris hosts an exceptional exhibition: "REVIVING CRAFT: Contemporary Art and Design from China." This dazzling showcase propels China's millennia-old craftsmanship into the era of contemporary design. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240720910805/en/ Contribute to the development of China's textile and apparel industry "Jinjiang power" (Photo: Business Wire) Clothing, cabinetmaking, ceramics... The creations of Chinese master artisans and avant-garde designers merge tradition and innovation. At the heart of this event: Jinjiang, cradle of legendary textile expertise. This coastal city in Fujian, once the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, is now writing a new chapter in its history. The Jinjiang Industrial Group in Fujian joins forces with iconic local brands to offer a unique immersive experience. Cutting-edge technology and ancestral craftsmanship combine, creating a fascinating dialogue between Eastern and Western aesthetics. Jinjiang's textile industry embodies the spectacular renaissance of "Made in China." From local know-how, it has become a driving force in the global economy in just a few decades. Today, it combines technical excellence, innovation, and strong cultural identity to conquer international markets. This meteoric rise is based on three pillars: Technological innovation: from "quality manufacturing" to "smart manufacturing", Chinese brands are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Cultural integration: by infusing their creations with a unique Eastern aesthetic, they break stereotypes and redefine "Chinese style" on the global stage. Mastery of distribution channels: thanks to a deep understanding of foreign markets and strategic use of e-commerce, they precisely target their international clientele. This exhibition marks a turning point. It reveals how China's intangible heritage breathes new life into contemporary fashion. Beyond clothing, it's an entire philosophy that expresses itself: that of a China proud of its roots and resolutely turned towards the future. As new perspectives open up for the Chinese textile industry, "REVIVING CRAFT" leads the way. It brilliantly demonstrates how the alliance of heritage and innovation can conquer the international fashion scene, thus writing a new, flamboyant chapter in the history of Chinese textiles. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240720910805/en/ Contacts: contact@pweplus.com As India gears up for Union Budget, subscribers to the are hopeful for transformative reforms that could enhance tax benefits, increase contribution limits and strengthen retirement security read more Citizens are hoping the National Pension Scheme will become far more attractive in this Union Budget As India prepares for Budget 2024, expectations are high for transformative reforms that could reshape the landscape of the National Pension System, enhancing retirement planning opportunities and bolstering financial security for millions of subscribers. Projected tax benefits enhancement One of the key speculations surrounding Budget 2024 revolves around substantial enhancements in tax benefits for National Pension System (NPS) contributors. Experts anticipate that the government may raise the maximum deduction limit under Section 80CCD(1) of the Income Tax Act from the current Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. This adjustment could potentially incentivise taxpayers to increase allocations towards their NPS accounts fostering stronger retirement savings habits and ensuring more robust financial futures. Advertisement Revised contribution limits for greater flexibility Another area of keen anticipation is the revision of contribution limits. Analysts suggest that Budget 2024 might increase the permissible limit for employee contributions to NPS from the current 10 per cent of salary to 15 per cent. Such a move would not only enable individuals to save more tax-efficiently but also empower them to build larger retirement funds, catering to diverse financial needs and aspirations. Strengthening the retirement planning framework Budget 2024 is expected to fortify the NPS as a cornerstone of Indias retirement planning framework. By expanding contribution options and enhancing tax advantages, the government aims to foster disciplined, long-term savings behaviour among citizens. This strategic emphasis is poised to promote financial prudence and ensure resilient retirement income streams for individuals post-employment. The proposed reforms aim to enhance financial security among NPS subscribers significantly. Potential increases in tax benefits and contribution limits are anticipated to make the NPS a more attractive retirement savings vehicle, encouraging broader participation and facilitating access to reliable pension provisions across various socioeconomic groups. The NPS is a government-backed retirement savings scheme. The scheme allows individuals to contribute towards their retirement throughout their working life. NPS was launched in 2004 by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and was originally intended for government officials but was made available to all individuals in 2009, The NPS offers a number of benefits which include safe returns, tax efficiency, low cost etc., said Anita Barur, Partner, Sudit K Parekh & Co. LLP. Advertisement It was mentioned that, under the existing regulations, individuals can claim a maximum deduction of up to Rs 50,000 for contributions to the NPS. Additionally, only 60 % of the NPS corpus is tax-free at the time of withdrawal. Subscribers have the option to use their accumulated pension wealth to purchase a life annuity from a PFRDA-empanelled life insurance company, or they can withdraw a portion of the pension wealth as a lump sum if they prefer. Under the new regime, there are very few deductions that a taxpayer can claim. It is an expectation that NPS be allowed under the new regime as well. Taxpayers are looking for an increased deduction limit for NPS as well as an increase in the tax free corpus limit to improve their post-retirement income. An increase up to 75 per cent to 80 per cent of the corpus tax-free would be more beneficial and align NPS with other retirement savings instruments like the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), said Barur. Advertisement Addressing discrepancies in tax treatment The anticipated reforms if implemented should also address significant disparities in the tax treatment and benefits between the National Pension System (NPS) and the EPF. Currently, EPF allows the entire accumulated corpus to be tax free at retirement while NPS allows only up to 60 per cent tax free with the remaining 40 per cent mandatorily used to purchase annuities, which are taxable. This disparity restricts NPS subscribers from managing their retirement funds as flexibly as EPF subscribers. EPF subscribers enjoy unrestricted investment freedom whereas NPS subscribers are mandated to use 40 per cent of their corpus to purchase annuities which typically offer lower returns compared to other investment options like mutual funds. Advertisement Tax benefits for employer contributions to NPS vary with Central government employees enjoying a higher deduction limit (14 per cent) compared to other employees (capped at 10 per cent). This lack of uniformity calls for equal treatment across all categories of employees contributing to the NPS. There is confusion regarding the taxation of withdrawals from the NPS Tier-II account, which lacks clarity and consistency compared to mutual funds. Clear guidelines are necessary to ensure fairness and transparency for all NPS subscribers. Currently, only Central government employees can claim deductions under Section 80C for contributions to NPS Tier-II accounts with a three-year lock-in period. Extending this benefit to all subscribers would ensure equitable tax treatment across the board. Advertisement Looking ahead The anticipated reforms for the NPS ahead of Budget 2024 promise to transform Indias retirement savings landscape significantly. By aligning tax incentives with long-term savings objectives and addressing discrepancies in benefits between NPS and EPF, the government may reinforce the NPS as a vital instrument for ensuring financial security during retirement years. These reforms not only aim to boost savings but also reflect a strategic vision to enhance the overall economic resilience of the countrys ageing population. As the budget unfolds, these measures are poised to set a new trajectory for retirement planning in India emphasising the importance of prudent financial planning and sustainable wealth accumulation for future generations. Gulshan Devaiah is the co-star in question, who is going to be seen with Janhvi in the upcoming thriller Ulajh read more Gulshan Devaiah and Janhvi Kapoor are coming together for the upcoming thriller Ulajh that releases on August 2. In an AMA session, Devaiah confessed he mistook Orry to be Janhvis boyfriend in London and he was so wrong. Kapoor plays Suhana, a girl being questioned for her privilege and battling nepotism. Shes someone whos trying to make her own space in a world populated and dominated by men. She went through a similar conflict in Gunjan Saxena. Advertisement She still strives to survive and expose the dark side of the Indian Foreign Services. Officials masquerading as patriots who turn out to be traitors. Janhvi Kapoor shares her thoughts on her role in the film, stating, This film is particularly special to me as I portray a very challenging role of a diplomat for the first time. It has been a humbling and fascinating experience. Working with Sudhanshu Saria has been incredibly enriching; he made me push my own boundaries. Suhanas character is strong and multi-dimensional, and I found a personal connection to some shades of the character that enabled me to deliver an authentic performance. Director Sudhanshu Saria adds, Ulajh is ultimately about the conundrum of choices and setting it in the high stakes world of international diplomacy made it that much more exciting. Directing this spectacular cast, led by Janhvi, Gulshan, and Roshan has been a privilege and they have all brought remarkable depth to their characters and elevated the narrative. I cant wait to see audiences go on this thrill-ride loaded with twists and turns. Ulajh follows the journey of a young diplomat, who, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, finds herself embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf, at a career-defining post. Having garnered a lot of attention, the teaser of Ulajh was unveiled by Janhvi. From surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania to formally accepting the Republican Party nomination, it has been a rollercoaster of a week for Donald Trump. In our weekly roundup, we talk about the attack, Usha Vance, the wife of JD Vance, and more read more Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump, reacts after speaking at the Republican National Convention on 18 July, in Milwaukee. AP This week belongs to Donald Trump. He survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on 13 July. The picture of him with blood trickling down his face and a raised fist will go down in history and define this candidacy in the 2024 US presidential elections. Two days after the rally shooting, Trump took centre stage at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee with his ear bandaged. The former US president picked his running mate JD Vance, who has an India connection. Advertisement On 18 July, the last day of the four-day gathering, Trump delivered the longest acceptance speech. We have been following all these developments closely. Meanwhile, there has been no good news for the Democrats. Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID and now even senior party leaders like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi appear to be losing faith in his ability to beat Trump. It remains to be seen if he will quit the White House race. The other big story comes from Bangladesh. The neighbouring nation has been gripped by massive anti-quota protests with hundreds and thousands of students taking to the streets. All this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers from around the world. 1. The most shocking story of this week was the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The former US president had a narrow escape as a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. But who was behind the attack? Turns out, it was a 20-year-old. Identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, he lived with his parents in a small Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park. A loner, he was bullied in school. He was a Math geek and worked as a nursing aide. Heres what we know about him and what he did 48 hours before the shooting. A man takes a self-made photo of a poster of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump standing on Water Street during the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention near the Fiserv Forum, on 17 July in Milwaukee. AP 2. AR-15. That was the rifle Crooks used to fire at the Trump rally. Dubbed the most powerful rifle by the National Rifle Association, the AR-15 is also Americas most popular weapon one in 20 Americans reportedly own it. It is at the centre of the gun debate in the country. In this story, we take a look at what makes the AR-15 a best-selling rifle and why it is so dangerous. Advertisement 3. Trump was down but never out. Two days after the attack on him, the Republican nominee was the centre of all attention at the Republican National Convention. On Day 1, he announced his running mate JD Vance. In India, the 39-year-old senator created quite a buzz. A lot of it is because his wife is of Indian origin. Who is Usha Vance? And what has been her influence on her husband? Our explainers tell you all you need to know. Republican Vice President nominee JD Vance arrives to speak to supporters next to his wife Usha Vance, in Cincinnati, Ohio. File photo/Reuters 4. On the last day of the RNC, it was the Trump show all the way. He formally accepted the GOP nomination and gave a 92-minute speech the longest convention acceptance address. He spoke on the economy and the border and made several false claims. (No surprises there). We decided to fact-check him. Advertisement Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump, walking on stage with former first lady Melania Trump at the end of the Republican National Convention, on 18 July in Milwaukee. AP 5. In what seemed apocalyptic, a massive IT outage hit the world. On 19 July (Friday), Microsofts systems were restarting and throwing a blue screen because of an error. They are calling it the screen of death. The disruptions hit airlines, media and businesses around the world. In India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and IndiGo have been affected, and banks and the stock market also struggled with the glitch. What went wrong? We explain. A screen shows a Microsoft Windows recuperation message at Barajas International Airport in Madrid, Spain, on 19 July. A global technology outage grounded flights and knocked banks offline and media outlets off air. AP 6. Our next story comes from Bangladesh. Unrest continues in the country as massive protests against a job quota continue. Hundreds and thousands of students have taken to the streets, forcing the government to shut down university campuses. The stir, which started on 1 July, has now turned violent. But whats behind the demonstrations? Advertisement 7. Wonder how fairytales end in the age of social media. The one were are talking about not with a happily ever after. The Dubai princess grabbed headlines across the world when she announced her separation from her husband over Instagram. It came as a big shock. We tell you all about it. These are our recommendations for the week. You can bookmark this page for more. Celebrities and influencers like Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Paris Hilton among others have given a thumbs up to MRI scans that cost anywhere between $1,000 to $2,500. Some term this the next big thing in preventive medicine. But is it? read more Do you want to spot the early signs of life-threatening diseases? Now, if you are rich and in the US it is possible. Several companies are selling high-tech scans to healthy people interested in learning more about their bodies. Some start-ups in the US like Prenuvo charge between $1,000 to $2,500 for various scanning options. It should be kept in mind that none of the scanning options are covered by any insurance currently. Interestingly, the plans have received a thumbs up from celebrities like Kim Kardashian. She has earlier posted about her Prenuvo scan. Advertisement Many consider this to be the next big step in preventive medicine. However, the scans have attracted fire from several medical professionals who consider them an unnecessary treatment that can cause worry among the public and drive up costs for the US health system even further. What is an MRI? MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. Its a type of medical scan that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of organs, bones and other structures inside the body. Unlike many other types of scans, MRIs dont use radiation. Doctors will order an MRI to help diagnose cancer, brain injuries, damaged blood vessels and other medical conditions. Full-body scans can take an hour or more, with patients lying motionless inside a cylindrical tube. Medical societies only recommend routine, full-body scans for certain high-risk groups, such as people who have a heightened genetic risk of cancer. MRIs are great for what theyre typically used for, said Dr Ernest Hawk, a vice president at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. But now youre moving them much earlier into an average-risk population and thats where you can run into these questions that havent been answered. Why are people spending big bucks on MRIs? Companies like Prenuvo say their scans can help identify more than 500 medical conditions that can go undetected at a typical doctors visit. The company charges $999 to scan the torso, $1,799 for the head and torso or $2,499 for the entire body. Several other companies offer similar services and pricing. Advertisement Prenuvos chief medical officer, Dr Daniel Durand, says customers can decide for themselves if the price is worth it. Were trying to give people the opportunity to be more proactive about their health, Durand said. This photo provided by Prenuvo in July 2024 shows an MRI scanner. AP Along with the scans and a reader-friendly summary of the results, customers can consult with a nurse or physician employed by Prenuvo to talk about the next steps. The company says it doesnt pay for endorsements but will sometimes provide a complimentary scan for an unbiased review. What are the potential downsides of MRI screening services? Many radiologists say the likelihood of finding a serious problem, such as a cancerous tumour or brain aneurysm, in someone with no symptoms is very low. Instead, scans are likely to flag growths that are usually harmless. Definitively ruling out a problem could require additional tests, appointments and even surgeries. Advertisement Youre going to end up finding a lot of incidental things, said Dr Mina Makary, a radiologist at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Thats going to create more psychological stress or trauma for the patient, including additional costs for tests and procedures that may have risks. Experts also worry that people who undergo MRI scans may start skipping other routine exams, such as mammograms. Youve gone through a scan and it didnt find anything so you say Gee, I dont need to do the other routine things my doctor recommends that have been proven to extend life, said Hawk. What do medical authorities say? Advertisement The American College of Radiology does not recommend MRI screening in people without symptoms, stating that there is no documented evidence that the technique is cost-efficient or effective in prolonging life. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any MRI machines for preventive screening, but doctors are free to use the devices however they choose. There are examples of imaging practices that were once considered experimental but have subsequently become standard practice. Prenuvo executives say their approach could follow a similar path. Prenuvo recently announced plans to screen 100,000 people and study their health over time. Pixabay The evidence will evolve over time but patients dont necessarily want to wait 30 years to be in a position to benefit from it, said Prenuvos Durand. Advertisement When will we know if MRI screening helps people live longer? The studies needed to show such a benefit would have to be very large and long, tracking a diverse population for years, according to experts. Prenuvo recently announced plans to screen 1,00,000 people and study their health over time. The study isnt expected to wrap up until 2034 or later. Most people enrolling in Prenuvos study are expected to pay a $2,200 fee. But eventually, academic or government studies could offer individuals a chance to participate in such research without paying out of pocket. This is a great area in which to participate in a research study that might provide the information youre seeking, while also helping answer whether this is beneficial or not, Hawk said. But doing so outside of a study makes no sense. With inputs from AP An outbreak of Chandipura virus has been reported in western India, particularly impacting Gujarat, which has reported at least 13 deaths. Firstpost brings out an expert view on the spread of the virus that particularly affects children read more The Lancet reported in 2004 about what it called an emerging human pathogen, the Chandipura virus, named after the village of the same name in Indias western state Maharashtras Nagpur district. This virus was originally isolated from Chandipura village in the mid-1960s. It has made a comeback with at least 15 suspected deaths in three states Gujarat (13), Madhya Pradesh (one) and Rajasthan (one). The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, confirmed this week that a four-year-old victim had been infected with the Chandipura virus. We spoke to Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, who is an Infectious Diseases consultant at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, to understand the seriousness of the current outbreak. Excerpts: Advertisement Can you explain what the Chandipura virus is and why it poses a significant health threat, especially to children? This is the vector borne virus belonging to the family of rabies virus which is transmitted by ticks and sandflies. It causes the severity in terms of the affection of the organ that is the encephalitis that is the serious infection of the brain leading to a fatal outcome but also severe in the form of the age predilection that is children not only significant risk for the individual but also for the public health What are the primary modes of transmission for the Chandipura virus, and why is it making a resurgence now? The virus primarily spreads through sandflies and ticks common in rural and dry areas. Resurgence could be due to factors like increased vector population or human encroachment into infected animal habitats. Climate change and poor air quality alongside local and environmental hygiene plays significant role Could you elaborate on the symptoms of Chandipura virus infection and why they progress so rapidly? Symptoms usually start with flu-like illness cold ,coryza, fever. It further leads to vomiting, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. It may rapidly progress to seizures, confusion, and coma. The rapid progression is likely due to the viruss aggressive attack on the nervous system. Who is most at an increased risk of contracting the Chandipura virus, and are there any particular reasons why children are more susceptible? Children are more susceptible as their immune systems are still developing. They have less ability to fight with this virus which rapidly spreads in their bodies. The developing brain is more vulnerable to these infections, which cause severe brain involvement. Advertisement Furthermore, social and environmental factors also make children more exposed to a wide range of infections. Children usually play outdoors putting them at a greater risk of exposure to this virus as vectors are commonly seen in the outdoor areas. Given that there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available for Chandipura virus, how critical is early diagnosis, and what are the current treatment options? Considering there is no available specific antiviral agent for the treatment, the most important cornerstone of the therapy remains early diagnosis and timely pre-emptive supportive therapy. This may involve anti-seizure, proper hydration, antipyretics medications after diagnosis. This can help in the faster recovery and prevent the long-term and short-term sequelae and complications in this infection. Advertisement What preventive measures are most effective against Chandipura virus, and how feasible are these measures in rural areas where outbreaks typically occur? The most effective measures are using mosquito nets, wearing long sleeves and pants, and applying repellents. Feasibility in rural areas can be challenging due to limited resources and access. Handling animals and waste, covering of food and water items, proper covered clothing and especially in children when stepping out of the house along with local hygiene and environmental sanitation is utmost important. Considering the monsoon season and the presence of other viruses like dengue, how likely is it for the Chandipura virus to mix with other circulating viruses, and what implications could this have? Advertisement The possibility of Chandipura co-infection with dengue exists during monsoon. The implications are usually addressed in terms of fatality, severity and prolonged illness. Considering both viruses have common areas and affection, it can lead to more severe forms of illness. Furthermore, overlapping symptoms might lead to delay in diagnosis leading to complications and severity. Does the outbreak of Chandipura virus have the potential to become widespread, and what can be done to mitigate its impact in affected regions? Considering virus and vectors suitability, the potential for a large-scale outbreak exists with environmental support. But prompt public health measures such as rapid screening of people for symptoms, faster isolation of those found infected, medical surveillance and tracing of contacts can mitigate its spread and impact. Advertisement Could you discuss any ongoing research or initiatives aimed at developing vaccines or treatments for Chandipura virus as it has been out there since 2004? Research on vaccines and treatments is ongoing. However, because of the structure of this virus, which is a segmented RNA, it is highly labile and liable to mutations rendering vaccines ineffective. However, a lot of vaccine trials are going on. On similar grounds, a lot of antivirals have been in vitro tried but like rabies virus, there is no specific antiviral for the Chandipura virus. The outbreak of Covid-19 from a small place in China to becoming a massive pandemic has set off a public health alarm. Should people be worried for the health of their children with Chandipura virus claiming victims in three big Indian states? While both pose a threat, Covid-19 is much more contagious considering human-to-human transmission. However, Chandipuras severity among children necessitates vigilance in terms of early symptoms and diagnosis. Its important to stay informed about the situation in your area and follow public health advisories. If you suspect Chandipura infection in a child, seek immediate medical attention. Widespread communal violence occurred during the Braj Mandal Yatra in Haryanas Nuh last year read more A year after attacks marred the religious procession and led to communal violence, the Haryana government has ordered the suspension of internet and bulk SMS in Nuh in the wake of Mondays Braj Mandal Yatra. The 24-hour-long suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in Nuh will come into effect on 6 pm on Sunday, according to PTI. The Haryana government has issued the order as a precautionary step to maintain law and order. Advertisement Last year, the yatra, which is a Hindu religious procession, came under attack. At least four people, including two Home Guards personnel, were killed in the attack. Then, the violence spread to nearby Gurgaon as well where a mosque was attacked a fifth death was also reported. More than 50 people were injured in the violence that had enveloped the region in high tension for several days. Curfew was imposed in Nuh and additional forces were rushed to the district. The situation remained tense for several days. After the order was issued, NDTV reported that security arrangements have been beefed up in an around Nuh and surveillance arrangements have been enhanced in the form of deployment of drones and setting up of checkpoints in the region. #BREAKING | Haryana government orders suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS services in Nuh for 24 hours beginning 6 pm on Sunday @Gurpreet_Chhina reports pic.twitter.com/Fb7PfNrCj1 NDTV (@ndtv) July 21, 2024 The report further said that the government has inputs that anti-social elements could attempt to disturb peace and harmony in the yatra tomorrow. It further said that more security personnel, including from the central armed police forces, have been deployed in the region. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has said that the governments plan could result in one-third of the workers losing jobs read more For the second time this week, the Karnataka government has been slammed for its plans for the states industries. This time, it is the states information technology (IT) sector union thats slamming the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has said that the state government is working on a bill to increase IT sector employees working hours to 14 hours a day from the current maximum of 10 hours, according to NDTV. Advertisement The KITU has said that the Karnataka government is working on an amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act to make ways for 14-hour workdays and 70-hour work week. The union said that the labour department had called a meeting of various stakeholders to present the plan. The proposed new bill Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2024 attempts to normalize a 14-hour work day. The existing act only allows a maximum of 10 hours of work per day including overtime, which has been completely lifted in the current amendment. It will facilitate the IT/ITES companies to extend the daily hours of work indefinitely, said KITU in a statement, as per NDTV. Karnatakas capital Bengaluru is a major IT hub thats not just critical to the worlds IT and financial services sector but is also a hub of start-ups in India. Besides IT, industries like aeronautics and aerospace have also found a hub in Bengaluru in recent years. One-third of jobs could be lost The KITU said that the proposed 14-hour workdays would meant that companies could replace the current three-shift system with two-shift system. If that happens, then one-third of IT jobs could be lost, according to KITU. This would be the biggest ever attack on the working class in this era, said KITU, as per NDTV. Advertisement The union was further quoted as saying that in the meeting, which was attended by Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh S Lad and the officials from the departments of labour and IT and Biotechnology, the KITU pointed out the potential health implications of long working hours. As per the report of KCCI, 45 per cent of employees in the IT sector are facing mental health issues such as depression and 55 per cent facing physical health impacts. Increasing working hours will further aggravate this situation. WHO-ILO study says increased working hours will lead to an estimated 35 per cent higher risk of death by stroke and 17 per cent higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, said the union. Advertisement The KITU further said, This amendment comes in a period when the world starts to accept the fact that increased working hours are negatively impacting productivity and more countries are coming with new legislations to accept the right to disconnect as a basic right of any employee. There has been no reaction from the Karnataka government so far on the reported proposal and its criticism. 2nd contentious proposal in a week This is the second time in recent days that the Karnataka government has attracted criticism for its plans for the states industries. Earlier this week, the Karnataka cabinet approved a bill that would reserve 50-75 per cent private sector jobs for Kannadigas. The Kannadigas are those locals from Karnataka who are fluent in Kannada language. The plan sought to reserve 50 per cent of management jobs and 75 per cent of non-management jobs for locals. Advertisement After all-round criticism for the plan, the government shelved it for now. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Kerala governments appointment of foreign secretary as blatant overreach of its mandate read more The Kerala government has appointed IAS K Vasuki as the Secretary In-Charge of Matters Concerning External Cooperation (Photo: Facebook/K Vasuki) In a move that has attracted jibes from across the spectrum, the Kerala government has appointed a senior IAS officer as Foreign Secretary. The Kerala government of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has appointed K Vasuki, who currently serves as the Secretary (Labour and Skills), as the Secretary In-Charge of Matters Concerning External Cooperation, according to The Times of India. Since the nations external relations are vested with the Union government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken an issue with the move and has dubbed the appointment as blatant overreach of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans government. The Congress has also dubbed the move as fairly unusual. Advertisement What will be role as Keralas Foreign Secretary? In her new role, Vasuki will be in charge of matters connected with external cooperation, as per a government order issued this week. Vasuki will coordinate and supervise all the matters connected with external cooperation and will be assisted by the General Administration (Political) department of the state government until alternate arrangements are made, according to The Times of India. As per the government order issued on July 15, and cited by the newspaper, Vasuki will be assisted by the resident commissioner of Kerala House in New Delhi in matters of external cooperation and to liaise with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Questions raised at Kerala govts decision Both the Congress and the BJP have questioned Vasukis appointment in a role that appears to encroach into the MEAs turf. BJP Kerala President K Surendran dubbed Vasukis appointment as blatant overreach of states mandate. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Surendran said the move was unconstitutional and questioned if Vijayan wanted to establish a separate nation in Kerala. The appointment of an IAS officer as 'Foreign Secretary' in Kerala by CM Pinarayi Vijayan is a blatant overreach and a violation of the Union list of our Constitution. The LDF government has no mandate in foreign affairs. This unconstitutional move sets a dangerous precedent. Is K Surendran (@surendranbjp) July 20, 2024 Advertisement Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is an MP from Keralas Thiruvananthapuram, dubbed the move as fairly unusual. Tharoor, however, said that it is entirely appropriate for state governments to work without embassies abroad for matter involving their residents. Tharoor told PTI, The fact is that foreign relations are controlled by the Union government and no state government has any independent foreign relations but it is entirely appropriate for state governments to work without Embassies abroad for matter involving their residents. Now, to give a specific responsibility of this nature to one official is fairly unusual. But it is very clearly understood that she has no foreign relationship responsibility of her own but it would be basically through Indian governments bodies. Advertisement The Times of India, however, said such roles regarding the states residents are usually vested with officers informally liaising with the MEA. As far as the foreign affairs are concerned, the paper said that such business is usually conducted by either Secretary In-Charge of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department or officer in the rank of Secretary to CM. Seven samples were tested today and all of them turned out to be negative for Nipah virus, said Kerala Health Minister Veena George read more This is the fifth Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala since 2018 (Photo: AFP) A 14-year-old boy from Keralas Malappuram who tested for Nipah virus has died. The boy was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode where he died on Sunday. The boy initially admitted to a private hospital and was moved to the government hospital after a test on Saturday confirmed he was infected by Nipah virus. He was on life support system. Kerala Health Minister Veena George told ANI that seven samples were tested on Sunday but all of them turned out to be negative. Advertisement George said that a total of 330 people are in the teens contact list and six of them were in his direct contact. Malappuram: On the death of a 14-year-old due to the Nipah virus, Kerala Health Minister Veena George says, "We tested 7 samples today and all are negative. As per today's assessment, there are 330 people on the contact list. 68 of them are health workers, 101 are in the pic.twitter.com/R5DJihcIDG ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2024 The Nipah virus is understood to be a zoonotic virus, which means it spreads from animals to humans. The most common carriers of the virus are bats but it can also spread from pigs, horses, goats, sheep, cats, and dogs. It can spread through their urine, saliva, blood, etc. Food contaminated with these things may also be a carrier. It can also spread from an infected to human to another through bodily fluids like blood, urine, and nasal or respiratory droplets. All efforts made to save life George said that all efforts were made to save teens life. George told the media in Malappuram that the teen had a cardiac arrest at 10.50 am and that he was declared dead at 11.30 am. All efforts were made to save his life. Doses of monoclonal antibodies were brought from NIV-Pune on Sunday. A medical board had met on Sunday for administering the antibodies, said George, as per The Indian Express. George further said that four in the deceaseds contact list have developed symptoms and one of them is critical and remains on life support. Advertisement One of them is critical and on life support Although the government medical college hospital in Kozhikode and Virology Lab in Thiruvananthapuram have the facility for testing the samples, a mobile lab from NIV-Pune will be brought to Malappuram for testing. Samples of all those in the high-risk category will be tested, said George, as per the newspaper. 5th Nipah outbreak in Kerala In recent years, Kerala has reported multiple Nipah virus outbreaks. Since 2018, Kerala has reported five outbreaks, as per a report in Business Standard. The report said the first viral outbreak in 2018 killed 17 people whereas only one infection was reported in the second in 2019. The report said that one person died in the outbreak in 2022 in Kozhikode where two more were killed in another outbreak in 2023. Four more were infected in the outbreak. Advertisement Following the latest outbreak, the Centre has rushed a One Health outbreak response team to Kerala to probe the latest Nipah virus outbreak, according to The Express. The Express reported that the One Health team that the Centre has rushed to Kerala will identify epidemiological linkages and provide technical assistance to the Kerala government. So far, the Centre has urged the state government to actively trace contracts of the deceased in neighbouring areas in the past 12 days and areas with similar topography, as per the paper. The Centre has advised strict quarantine of the contacts and isolation of those suspected to have been infected, according to the paper. If Trump were to lose again, his camp would blame the Deep State. If he were to win, there is still no guarantee that he would dismantle that very Deep State. File Photo The famous scene from Frederick Forsyths racy novel The Day of the Jackal (1971) crosses the mind when reading about how Donald Trump, addressing a political rally, turned his head the other way and the intended assassin missed him after seeming to be aiming for the head. In the fictional re-construct of one of the 31 known assassination attempts on post-War Frances dictatorial President, Charles de Gaulle, the target bends a couple of inches to honour a war veteran. There are those who argue that the cinematic version did not bring out the high drama of the climax scene as vividly as the penned one, but that is a different point altogether. Advertisement Here and now, Trump is for real; the attempt on his life was real; and the former President escaping the bullet, literally by a whisker, is also for real. It is not clear if Trump even felt the pain and bleeding from his ear when shouting, Fight, fight, fight! before Secret Service agents could whisk him away. As always, he was possibly full of himself and more than himself, which is what made a difference to his ticket while winning the American presidency for the first time in 2017, and then fighting a shockingly violent battle on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, through the muscle power of his supporter-bullies, and then ramming all possible contenders for the Republican nomination this time, that too without much effort. Yes, this Trump is for real, and he is proving at every corner that he is for real and that he is a fighter. Basic questions Every nation, especially electoral democracies, has stories of this kind. In the case of the US, the attempt on Trumps life has raised multiple basic questions about the safety and security of the individual in the worlds most powerful democracy. This is possibly the worst attack on American democracy since 9/11, just two decades ago. Of course, the proportions are hugely different, and hence the comparison too should not be overstretched or over-stressed beyond a point. This was also the first known and injurious attempt on someone identified with the all-powerful American presidency after the brutal assassination of incumbent John F Kennedy, way back in 1963. The subsequent killing of his brother and attorney general Robert Kennedy added to the mystery, but till today, no one, including commissions of inquiry appointed by the US government, has convincingly come up with explanations on the true identity of Lee Oswald, John Kennedys assassin. Then, as now, there was a nation-wide debate on gun culture in America, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, under the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which Trumps Republicans and the industry concerned claim should not be trampled upon. This is a problem with people who have begun by concluding that their forefathers foresights were infallible. It never crosses their minds that all those amendments were required in the first place only because the previous generation or the present generation had not addressed those issues and concerns when drafting and passing the Constitution in the first instance. Advertisement That is a part of democracy, where traditions and conventions matter as much as the letter of the law. The reverse is even truer, but they would not agree. Leave aside the Second Amendment, even the idea of holding the presidential elections in November at the commencement of American winter and having the Inauguration two months hence, in the peak of winter, on January 20, to be precise, belonged to a generation when people moved around on horsebacks. There were also only 13 American states, compared to 50 at present. Wont allow it Maybe, there is an inherent and unexpressed anticipation and fear that if they began changing something, everything else could end up changing themselves, even if it took a couple of decades or more. Remember, when in the 1992 US presidential election, a faceless Ross Perot obtained close to a fifth of all polled votes, and how Republican and Democratic leaders and their sympathetic columnists said in one voice, how they will not allow it to happen again. Four years later, Ross Perot did contest, but this time he was history from being history in the earlier election. Since then and before Perot, no one had challenged the entrenched system as much. That is saying something. Advertisement Today, even Trumps supporters are openly alleging that the American Deep State was behind the assassination-bid on their leader and candidate. Unwittingly, they imply that the all-powerful and even more unpredictable Trump, during his four-year presidency, could not even discover, let alone destroy, the Deep State, about which they are talking about only now. They also claim, with retrospective effect, how this Deep State (inclusive of the CIA) had worked to ensure Trumps defeat in the previous election. With that, they also seem to provide post facto justification to their unruly behaviour that extended for weeks after the previous presidential results became official. Advertisement Yet, today, Trump is not necessarily as much an issue. Not certainly the Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, whose new bout of Covid-19 infection, has unsettled his party men even more. Some of them see in it yet another sign of his physical weakness, which they fear will impact party and neutral voters more than already. To them, Bidens physical health (as different from Trumps physical security) and mental health (of which the other seems to have more) are already a great cause for concern, and there are open demands for him to bow out and the party convention to choose another giving him or her, just a few weeks of campaign time compared to the four long years available to both Biden and Trump, not necessarily in that order of commitment, determination and vehemence. Advertisement So, the real issue is one between gun culture and national security, as visualised through the personal security of a former president thus possibly bringing back blurred visions of 9/11, if not Pearl Harbour. Days down the line, there is no new information about the slain assassin other than his vital statistics. If he was a lone wolf, if so whether he had ideological or mental issues, is not known. Already, Trump supporters are talking about how the Deep State buried all leads and information on the John Kennedy assassin that no one else is able to unravel even decades later. Now, if Trump were to lose again, his camp would blame the Deep State. If he were to win, there is still no guarantee that he would dismantle that very Deep State. In terms of chronology, after the Vietnam War debacle, the US Congress introduced a greater element of accountability on the administration and its multiple arms, some of them not visible from the outside and at times, inside. Post-9/11, some of them are believed to have reappeared. There are those who also argue that those Deep State elements never disappeared or were capable of being dismantled. They simply took a back-seat, especially in domestic affairs, but re-focussing their attention still on third nations, especially Third World nations, and with a longer arm than already that would not get caught, now or ever! The writer is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Imagine trying to build the next tech giant while playing locals only its like trying to win a race with your shoelaces tied together read more In 2020, the government of Haryana enacted the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, mandating that companies allocate at least 75 per cent of their employment to local candidates. This well-intentioned yet deeply flawed legislation undermines the essence of free market principles and meritocracy, stifling economic growth and innovation. Adam Smiths invisible hand theory argues that individual pursuit of self-interest benefits society, yet this Act disrupts this natural order. Friedrich Hayek cautioned against the inefficiencies of government intervention in The Road to Serfdom, a point further cemented by the Punjab and Haryana High Courts ruling in IMT Industrial Association and Another versus State of Haryana, that the Act is unconstitutional. Advertisement The court emphasised that the Act violates the fundamental principles laid out in the Constitution of India. Quoting the judgement: Thus, keeping in view the principles laid down by the apex court itself on the principles of morality, the State cannot direct the private employers to do what has been forbidden to do under the Constitution of India. It cannot as such discriminate against the individuals on account of the fact that they do not belong to a certain State and have a negative discrimination against other citizens of the country. The court highlighted that the states directive to private employers on employment practices contravenes the principles of laissez-faire, where minimal government intervention is preferred: It is not for the State as such to direct the private employer who it has to employ keeping in view the principles of laissez faire that the lesser it governs, the better itself. Moreover, the judgement pointed out that such directives could lead to a proliferation of similar state laws across the country, creating artificial barriers that the framers of the Constitution never intended: Once there is a bar under the Constitution of India, we do not see any reason how the State can force a private employer to employ a local candidate as it would lead to large scale similar state enactments providing similar protection for their residents and putting up artificial walls throughout the country, which the framers of the Constitution had never envisaged. This is precisely what has happened. Last week, the Karnataka government announced the introduction of the Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024, aiming to mandate that 50 per cent of management jobs and 75 per cent of non-management jobs in the private sector be reserved for locals. The announcement triggered an uproar from multiple stakeholders, including industry leaders, economists, opposition parties, and even some members of the ruling dispensation. In response to the widespread backlash, the Chief Minister tweeted that the bill is still in the preparation stage and that any final decision would be made only after comprehensive discussions. This effectively places the bill on the backburner, signalling a significant retreat in the face of mounting pressure. Advertisement Many have speculated that this move was a tactic to divert attention from recent scandals uncovered in Karnataka. As an economic commentator, I find it utterly baffling that the state government proposed such a bill. It is flawed legally, detrimental to the ease of doing business, harmful to the states economy, and reinforces the notion that India has a highly unpredictable regulatory environment. The repercussions of this ill-conceived proposal could be far-reaching, signalling a troubling uncertainty for the future. There are five problems which arise out of such moves. First, as highlighted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, such bills are bad in law. The Indian Constitution ensures equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on place of birth (Article 15) while guaranteeing equal employment opportunities (Article 16). Advertisement Second, research shows that regions with restrictive labour laws attract less FDI, as investors seek more flexible and business-friendly environments. Employment reservation acts can deter foreign investors who might find the mandated quotas too restrictive and contrary to their hiring practices. Further, labour market flexibility is crucial for economic resilience and growth. Such reservation acts reduce flexibility by forcing companies to hire based on residence rather than skill, which can lead to inefficiencies and decreased adaptability to market changes Third, such laws create artificial barriers, reducing labour mobility and efficiency, which is crucial for matching workers with suitable jobs and addressing regional labour shortages. This protectionism fosters economic isolation and interstate economic retaliation, as states may introduce similar measures, leading to a tit-for-tat scenario that increases regulatory complexity and administrative burdens for businesses. Advertisement Employment reservation legislations for local residents can severely harm the overall labour market, as seen through the lens of Silicon Valleys success story. Immigrants have played a pivotal role in the Bay Areas tech boom, founding 55 per cent of startups in Silicon Valley, with 44 out of 87 startups in 2017 being immigrant-led. A University of California, Berkeley analysis revealed that between 1995 and 2005, immigrant entrepreneurs founded 52 per cent of the areas tech companies, generating millions of jobs and significant economic growth. The Partnership for a New American Economy found that immigrant-founded firms in the Bay Area produced 75 per cent of patent applications from the top ten patent-producing universities in the US. Advertisement Moreover, immigrants are twice as likely to start businesses as native-born Americans, with 25 per cent of high-tech companies founded between 1995 and 2005 having at least one immigrant founder. The Brookings Institution reports that immigrants, while representing 36.8 per cent of the Bay Areas population, make up 70 per cent of its tech workforce, with 57 per cent of engineers and scientists in Silicon Valley being foreign-born. If similar restrictions had been in place to limit the employment of outsiders, it is doubtful that the Bay Area would have achieved its current level of innovation and economic prosperity. Fifth, employment reservation acts can act as significant impediments to innovation. A study by Dany Bahar and Prithwiraj Choudhury found that countries are 3.5 per cent more likely to become significant producers of technology for every twofold increase in the stock of immigrants (30,000 people, on average) from countries that excel in that same technology. The results were particularly strong for skilled immigrants (Bahar & Choudhury, 2018). This suggests that the influx of skilled workers from different regions brings diverse expertise and ideas, fuelling innovation and technological advancement. By the same logic, internal migration within a country can positively impact innovation, especially in technological hubs like Bengaluru. Internal migration allows for the flow of skilled workers from different states, contributing to a diverse and dynamic workforce. This diversity fosters creativity and innovation, as it brings together varied perspectives and problem-solving approaches. Ironically, Bengaluru, a city aspiring to be an IT hub akin to Silicon Valley, would implement policies restricting internal migration and, consequently, innovation. The Bay Areas success is partly due to its openness to skilled migrants from across the globe, which has been a significant driver of its technological leadership and economic growth. Thankfully, Karnataka has hit the pause button on the local employment reservation bill, proving that sanity can indeed prevail. Imagine trying to build the next tech giant while playing locals only its like trying to win a race with your shoelaces tied together. Aditya Sinha (X: @adityasinha004) is Officer on Special Duty, Research, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Trump stares back at death and comes out on top while Biden is being hunted down by his own party, all in the space of an incredible week in US politics read more This is the end Hold your breath and count to ten Feel the Earth move and then Hear my heart burst again For this is the end As a sucker for Bond flicks, I have always held that Skyfall is the best James Biond film ever. And the theme song, that opens the film with Adeles soulful notes cutting through the visual effects, is one of the mezzo-sopranos very best. Pity that such a beautiful, haunting number would best represent Joe Bidens imploding political career in an incredible week in American domestic politics. It was a week when Donald Trump stared back at death and came out on top, all fist pumping, teeth-baring, blood dripping down his cheeks, and possibly sealing a providential route back to the White House. Advertisement Vladimir Lenin is thought to have said that there are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen. Make that one week. The fateful week started with Trump cheating death by the proverbial whisker as the assassins bullet grazed his right ear and gave his meandering campaign a new kiss of life, and ended with Hulk Hogan ripping off his shirt to wild cheers at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee as the rank and file of the party galvanized around the former president, handing him the nomination and showing the kind of unity of message and purpose that had long eluded the GoP. As the New York Times observed, the shift in mood was striking: It has been decades since those at any Republican convention felt quite so confident even optimistic that they had the right candidate, the right causes and the right moment. At the other end of the spectrum in the very same week, a bumbling, bungling, blundering Biden, struggling at times to remember the name of his secretary of defense or confusing a stranger for his wife, is busy fighting a bitter battle against his own party that wants him to drop the reelection bid as Democrats are increasingly gripped with the debilitating fear of not just a Trump return, but a landslide in November that may end up handing the White House, House and Senate to the Republicans. The panic that started with Bidens disastrous performance during the one-on-one debate with Trump has intensified into an aggressive paranoia. Nervous Democrats, including senior, influential figures, are leaning on Biden to reconsider the viability of his candidacy, while delegates and activists are erupting in disquiet and anger. Even the mainstream, liberal media that had so far acted as a shield to obfuscate the reality of Bidens rapid cognitive decline is relentlessly questioning his mental capacity to serve, highlighting every misstep, every lapse, putting under microscope every bit of confusion. Its remarkable to watch them go after the 81-year-old like a pack of wolves, swatting aside years of painstaking efforts at muddying the waters over obvious signs of the presidents neurological deterioration. Advertisement It is also fascinating (and even slightly scary) how quickly the regime media has turned on Biden, spreading video clips, stories and narratives that so long had been restricted to the MAGA corner of the Internet. Almost as if an invisible memo has gone to the major cable TV networks and publications that the obdurate Biden has outlived his utility and now must be cut off for the Democratic Party to remain in power. The pivot is breathtaking! Take, for instance, New York Times, that in March this year was justifying Bidens cognitive decline as his style, and comparing the US president to Beethoven, Wagner and Scorsese. It seems the venerable newspaper has suddenly rediscovered its mojo, with reports in quick succession pointing out how Bidens lapses have grown more frequent, more pronounced and that a Parkinsons expert had visited the White House eight times in eight months. CNN is saying that Bidens health and age under even further scrutiny amid questions over his political future while Washington Post, that runs Pinocchio test on misleading Republican propaganda, is now advising Biden to come to grips with reality. It is possible that these media outlets feel let down by a floundering Biden and are now hanging him out to dry, but a more likely explanation is that Bidens debility has become so manifestly clear that to defend him for a second term at White House would be to nuke whats left of the medias dwindling credibility. The end state is that the pressure to step down has become insurmountable for Biden who is now in the unfamiliar territory of having to take up cudgels against a once friendly media, and getting besieged even further by a siege mentality. Advertisement Reuters says 32 out of 264 Democrats in Congress have openly called for Biden to end the campaign while Washington Post, that is keeping a track on the rapidly growing number lawmakers and Senators lending their voice to the pressure campaign, at the time of writing this column puts the count at 37. The trouble is that Biden is refusing to give in. A mild recurrence of Covid has forced him to get boxed inside his bunker at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and along with a runny nose and non-productive cough, his ability to see the writing on the wall as comedian Bill Maher put it, seems to have diminished. Advertisement As his campaign increasingly looks unserious and resembles a vanity project, an angry Biden is cocooning himself further into a small coterie of family members and a few trusted advisers, hitting out at detractors and vowing to return to campaign trail next week. CNN quoted his campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon, as saying, that Biden was absolutely in the race and more committed than ever to beat Trump. But the number of people sounding sanguine about this possibility, even within his own party, is becoming vanishingly small. And the presidents refusal to throw in the towel is being met with a covert and overt attempt by a handful of Washington insiders to oust him from the ticket. Advertisement No one is more at the forefront of this effort than the ultimate Dem powerbroker, Nancy Pelosi. Biden has the delegates, the Congressional Black Caucus and the liberal leaders. What Pelosi and the high priests of the Democratic Party are doing, therefore, is challenging the notion that the decision to stay in the race is solely Bidens to take. And their strategy seems to be centred on a drip, drip media campaign that would grow increasingly louder and more direct if Biden decides not to take the hints and stays put. Like clockwork, mainstream media outlets are exploding with speculations about Bidens impending exit and mounting Democratic defections. One of them, Axios, distilled the Democratic disgruntlement over Biden to report that top leaders of his party, his friends and key donors believe he cant win, cant change public perceptions of his age and acuity, and cant deliver congressional majorities. Politico says that Pelosi, in a telephone call with Biden, had warned him that he has no viable route to victory and asked to refrain from dragging down the party along with him. CNN, that first reported on the purported conversation between the former House Speaker and Biden, wrote, The president responded by pushing back, telling Pelosi he has seen polls that indicate he can win, one source said. Another one of the sources described Biden as getting defensive about the polls. At one point, Pelosi asked Mike Donilon, Bidens longtime adviser, to get on the line to talk over the data. A fresh New York Times report indicates that Pelosi is cranking up the pressure on Biden indicating that the phase of addressing the sensitive issue privately has ended and is of the opinion that Biden cannot win, and that if he stayed on the ticket, Democrats would lose any shot they might have of winning back control of the House. And if Biden were to drop out of the race, she favours an open nomination process where even vice-president Kamala Harris wouldnt be considered as an automatic choice. As this extraordinary drama unfolds in a very public way that seems designed to ultimately force Biden out of the race in a form of coup detat, what may have hurt the US president the most is former president Barack Obama lending his powerful voice to the oust Biden campaign all in the fateful week when Trump was basking in the glory of a united Republican Party remade in his own image. Nothing was made blatant. In his signature style, Obama expressed concerns to allies during recent conversations that while he feels protective of Biden, he thinks Bidens has been a great president and wants to protect his accomplishments, which could be in jeopardy if Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress next year. There are no direct quotes from Obama or his spokesperson. It is a masterclass in narrative-building but for Democrats who want to see Biden out, the job has become easier with a clutch of polls indicating that the momentum lies with Trump. While Biden is trying desperate damage control, including conference calls with Democratic lawmakers, interviews with friendly media outlets, aggressive rebuttal of Trump campaign, latest surveys from a number of different pollsters show the former president leads Biden nationally and in seven swing states, Trumps lead keeps growing and in fact, nearly two-thirds of the Democrats want Biden to withdraw. Theres one more aspect beyond Bidens control. Panicked Democratic megadonors, from the Wall Street to Hollywood, are increasingly issuing threats that funds will dry up unless Biden leaves the race. Financial Times quoted one Wall Street donor tasked with fundraising for Biden campaign, as saying that Bidens gotten the message that theres not another dollar of fundraising Members of Congress are getting more aggressive Hes just not going to be able to withstand it. Biden is still defiant. He still apparently harbours the resent of being pushed out of the campaign in favour of Hillary Clinton in 2016. He has dug in his heels, reportedly furious at the Democratic campaign to chuck him aside. One can almost visualize the octogenarian president of the United States, taking punch after punch while doddering on the ropes, his face bloodier and more battered than the state Trump found himself in after the bullet tore his ear, yet still standing ground and refusing to get knocked out. And even as Biden cuts a lonely, sorry, defiant figure, raging against the dying of light, theres a certain heroism in the way he has decided to fight back. Bidens tragedy is that theres not much glamour in his grit. Trump did a better fightback. He has the better storyline, deadlier, more glamorous than Biden coughing his way into isolation, and more iconic, with fists raised against the blue Pennsylvania sky, surrounded by secret service agents as bullets were apparently still wheezing past. It made for riveting TV, and a reinvigorated Trump is raking in the moolah. Where Democratic megadonors are threatening to halt funding, top donors are showering Trump with cash. Interestingly, Financial Times data analysis points out that Trump campaign raised more than $400 million between April and June mostly from small donors furious at Trumps criminal conviction in New York and billionaires flocking to his campaign. The FT report states that more than 450,000 donations poured in on May 31, the day after he became the first former president to be found a felon. That smashed the previous record of about 85,000 contributions in a day after his mugshot was taken in Georgia. It indicates two things. One, Trumps base is no longer limited to just the MAGA devotees, and the witch-hunt and the lawfare launched by the Democrats against him may have been counterproductive to the extent of pushing swing voters to his side. Four surveys by Data for Progress on swing voters, results of which were published on Wednesday, show that swing voters have flipped position on Bidens mental acuity and Trumps criminal charges, with 53 per cent saying they are more concerned about Bidens age, a 12-point increase from the last survey of swing voters. And only 37 per cent have said they are more concerned about Trumps criminal charges, an 11-point decrease. Two, Trump campaigns fundraising is likely to touch newer heights coinciding with his miraculous escape from assassination and a successful Republican National Convention. A sense of optimism around Trump and his campaign is evident amid a growing sense of inevitability that stars are aligning to put Trump back into the White House. And even his detractors are picking up the cue. Washington Post reports that corporate donors had flocked to the RNC in Milwaukee this week, packing luxury suites high above the arena, cutting checks, sponsoring late-night parties and mingling with Republican politicians as well as former and current Trump advisers over happy hours and lunches. These are people who had mostly shunned the former president after the January 6, 2021, incident. Elon Musk has reportedly pledged to donate $45 million a month, while Mark Zukerberg, while not officially endorsing Trump, has said in an interview to Bloomberg that seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things Ive ever seen in my life. It is interesting to note how Trump is handling the twin churns under way in American politics his staging the most remarkable political comebacks in modern history, reshaping the Republican Party towards a more multi-ethnic working-class coalition after defenestrating the warmongering neocons, and the Democrats coming unstuck in a concurrent crisis of confidence in current leadership. Two developments are worth noting. One, post-assassination Trump seems to have moved away from a populist rage towards a calmer, quieter disposition. This could be, as John McLaughlin, a longtime Trump pollster, told National Review the outing of a very warm side a very human side that the left-wing media doesnt portray thats coming across now. This could also be a campaign ploy. The speakers at the RNC included former press secretary of Trump era, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, now governor of Arkansas, who said, tonight I dont want to speak about Trumps successful policies but the man I know. And then there was Kai Trump, Trumps 17-year-old granddaughter, who took the stage and related anecdotes of a doting grandfather. The media makes my grandpa seem like a different person, but I know him for who he is Hes very caring and loving; he truly wants the best for this country. Overall, the attempt seemed to be to portray Trumps softer side painting him as someone who cares for his family as deeply as he does for his country. This is significant, because not only does this smoothen out Trumps rough edges, but it also is a positive counter to the Democrats aim of portraying Trump as a cold, heartless, philandering demagogue who cares for none except himself. That the Trump campaign would make such an attempt, points to the fact that it has learnt from mistakes and seems more surefooted so much so that it has drawn serenity and composure from the depths of chaos. Trump also perhaps understands that the angsty image has done its job and now is the time to sound more inclusive and presidential. The second point has been widely commented upon Trumps attempt at unity rather than focusing on trademark divisiveness. The former president understands that the assassination attempt is such an external shock that it changes things, and at a personal level, his near-death experience has imposed upon him a realization about the randomness of life. As Trump confidante Roger Stone told National Review, What I see now about him is kind of a new calm. A new clear understanding that his life was spared for a purpose. Its a slightly different Donald Trump than weve seen before. His speech and attempt at a more inclusive messaging has been swatted away by the usual suspects as insincere. But the partisan commentary misses the wood for the trees. Trump is no Obama. He speaks to the masses in his distinctive incoherent, stream of consciousness style. Yet this unscripted, rambling nature lends his speech an authenticity that is in short supply in Bidens carefully curated campaign. Trump right now has everything going for him. His biggest foes within the party Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis have bent the knee before him in front of a rapturous crowd, cementing his status as the unquestionable leader. In picking JD Vance, Trump has also indicated where the future of the Republican Party would lie. And as Trump takes confident strides towards the Oval Office, Biden is hunkered inside his bunker, taking dose after dose of Paxlovid to get ready for another round of battering next week. The bullet that Trump dodged with minimal damage has hit his Democratic rival instead. The author is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics starts at 11 p.m. IST (1:30 p.m. EDT/7:30 p.m. CES) and is expected to last more than three hours. AP Amid mounting antisemitism in Europe and elsewhere, Israeli athletes taking part in the Paris Olympics in France have been receiving death threats. The athletes part of the Israeli contingent have received death threats on phones and email. The calls and messages have said that once they arrive in Paris, the would be killed and Munich-like attacks would be repeated. In the wake of the threats, the Israeli government is sending armed agents to guard Israelis taking part in the Olympics. Advertisement In the Munich Olympics of 1972 in West Germany, Palestinian terrorists had abducted and killed 11 Israeli athletes. A German police officer was also killed. The terrorists who belonged to the group Black September, an offshoot of the Palestinian party Fatah that had not yet given up its terrorist ways to adopt mainstream politics. Today, Fatah is the mainstream Palestinian party that runs the internationally-recognised Palestinian Authority (PA), the de-facto Palestinian government that partially runs the West Bank with its seat at Ramallah. Youll await attack at every moment Initially, messages were sent to 15 athletes from a sender who said they belonged to Peoples Defense Organization. An organisation of the name is not known to exist in the context of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The message said that The Peoples Defense Organization intends to harm any Israeli presence at the Olympics, as per The Times of Israel. The message further said that the organisation intends to repeat the events of Munich 1972 and that attacks will await Israelis every moment in Paris. Therefore, youre not invited to Paris 2024. If you come, take into account that we intend to repeat the events of Munich 1972You will be awaiting attack at every moment in the airport, the hotel, and the streets which belong only to us. Even a wave of arrests against our organization wont stop us from seeing our plan through. Prepare for the intifada! said the message further. In addition to the message, some athletes, including Israeli open ceremony flagbearer Peter Paltchik and swimmer Meiron Amir Cheruti received invitations to their own funerals, according to the newspaper. Security officials said the threats were being taken seriously. As for these messages, security officials told the Israeli outlet Ynet that the messages were generated by a bot. Advertisement Israel to send special forces to guard Olympians The Israeli government is sending armed Shin Bet agents to France to guard the nations athletes in the Olympics, according to Israeli minister Miki Zohar. The Shin Bet is the domestic intelligence agency of Israel. Along with the foreign intelligence agency Mossad and military intelligence agency Aman, the Shin Bet is part of the Israeli intelligence community. Zohar told The Daily Telegraph the 88 athletes and staff part of the Israeli delegation will receive Shin Bets protection. He added that the security arrangements had been in the making for more than a year. Zohar further said, We know there are threats (against the team) but we dont want to talk about itWe try our best to make sure the athletes feel free but also safe and not afraid. We dont want them to notice the security guards too much. We want them to feel confident so they can do their job. US President Joe Biden has said withdrawal from the presidential election is in the best interest of the nation and the Democratic Party read more US President Joe Biden has ended in his re-election campaign and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Following the last months disastrous debate with Donald Trump, calls had mounted for Biden to drop out of the 2024 US presidential election. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Biden on Sunday said that even though it was his intention to seek re-election, withdrawing from the presidential election was in the best interest of the nation and the Democratic Party. He further said that he would address the nation later this week to share more details. Advertisement In a follow-up post on X, Biden said that Harris had his full support and endorsement to be the Democratic Partys presidential nominee. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, said Biden. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 In a call with CNN shortly after he announced his withdrawal, Biden slammed Trump as the worst president in the American history. Sharing the details of the call, CNNs Kaitlan Collins further said that Trump believes that Harris will be easier to beat than Biden. In a phone call with CNN minutes after Biden announced his exit from the 2024 race, former President Trump responded, He is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country. While it's unclear who Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 21, 2024 Advertisement While there had long been concerns about Bidens age, last months debate with Trump proved to be the final nail in the coffin. Throughout the debate, Biden spoke in a raspy voice and played catch up with Trump. Multiple times, he struggled to complete his sentences and appeared to lose his train of thoughts. Coupled with long-running concerns on age, the performance was seen as a sign of poor health that put his physical and mental capacity to see through another term in question. Trump campaigns plan for race against Kamala Harris In recent days, the Trump campaign had been preparing a plan of attack against Harris in case Biden withdrew and endorsed her. Even in case he would not have openly endorsed her, she would have been the frontrunner to be the partys nominee in an open convention. To be sure, the Democratic National Convention will still take place and it is yet to decided if she would be approved as the nominee smoothly or there is infighting within the party. Advertisement The New York Times has reported that the Trump campaign has already prepared opposition research books on Harris and other Democrats who could become the nominee. The newspaper further reported that the Trump campaign has conducted polling to assess the vulnerabilities of Harris. The focus on her from before the withdrawals announcement was based on the premise that she was the most likely nominee in case of a withdrawal as the party would lose support among Black constituents if the party bypassed the chance to deliver the nation its first Black woman as president something the party would not want. Following Bidens withdrawal, Trump launched into his characteristic tirade against everyone from the purported Washington elite to the media and invoked conspiracy theories that are a staple of his far-right Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Advertisement The WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT, the Hate-America Media, and the corrupt DEEP STATE did everything they could to protect Biden, but he just quit the race in COMPLETE DISGRACE! (sic) said Trump in a message to potential donors, as per The Times. At a time when many African countries are turning away from their former colonial rulers, Turkey has looked to fill the void left behind. Erdogan presents himself as an alternative to the West, said Selin Gucum, author of a study on Turkish interests in Africa for Pariss Observatory of Contemporary Turkey read more Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024. AFP Turkey is pushing for diplomatic and economic influence on the world stage not least in Africa, where it announced plans this week to search for oil and gas off Somalia. Over President Recep Tayyip Erdogans two decades in power, Ankara has consolidated its foothold on the continent, quadrupling its number of embassies there. Here are five of Turkeys diplomatic and economic interests and strategies in Africa: - Alternative to the West - At a time when many African countries are turning away from their former colonial rulers, Turkey has looked to fill the void left behind. Advertisement Erdogan presents himself as an alternative to the West, said Selin Gucum, author of a study on Turkish interests in Africa for Pariss Observatory of Contemporary Turkey. Gucum told AFP that Ankara often emphasises the sincerity of its presence on the continent compared to that of Europeans, who bear the legacy of colonialism. And Erdogan can be less squeamish about what partners he chooses, according to a report on Turkeys defence accords with African countries by Teresa Nogueira Pinto, an analyst at Geopolitical Intelligence Services. Unlike the West, Turkey does not make this assistance conditional on governance or human rights commitments, Pinto wrote. - Defence and security - Turkey has signed defence agreements with a number of states spanning the breadth of the continent, including Somalia, Libya, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana. Those agreements have opened up contracts for Turkeys defence manufacturers, notably for its reputedly reliable and inexpensive drones. Popularly used in the fight against terrorism, Turkish drones have been recently delivered to Chad, Togo, and the junta-led Sahel trio of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. - Fossil fuels and nuclear - Turkey is also expanding its interests in Africas energy sector. Advertisement In September or October it plans to launch an oil and gas exploration mission off the coast of Somalia, similar to the one it is carrying out in Libyan waters. Ankara is also said to be coveting Nigers abundant uranium deposits which it needs to operate its future Russian-built Akkuyu nuclear power station although Ankaras diplomats deny this. Nonetheless, Erdogan has bolstered ties with Nigers ruling generals since their 2023 coup detat. Niamey received Turkeys intelligence chief and foreign, energy and defence ministers on Wednesday. - Infrastructure and construction - Ankara is generally seen as a reliable partner, said Didier Billion, Turkey specialist at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs particularly in the construction and infrastructure sectors. Advertisement When Turkish companies build big-ticket projects like hospitals, airports, or mosques, deadlines and budgets are met, he added. That reputation means more demand: in 2023, Turkish contractors were involved in $85.5 billion worth of projects, according to the trade ministry. Turkish Airlines also crisscrosses the continent, flying to 62 destinations in Africa. In 2012, it became the first airline to return to Mogadishu, whose airport was rebuilt with Turkish funding and assistance. - Religion, schools and television - Turkey has accumulated considerable soft power in the region, notably through education, the media and its shared religion with Africas many Muslim countries. The religious Turkish Maarif Foundation has expanded to a network of 140 schools and institutions catering for 17,000 pupils, while 60,000 Africans are students in Turkey. Advertisement Ankaras powerful Directorate of Religious Affairs has stepped up its humanitarian activities and support for mosques and religious education across the region. Billing itself as the first Turkish television channel on the continent, NRT boasts on its website that it serves 49 African countries, spreading the Turkish language. Public broadcaster TRT also has programmes in French, English, Swahili and Hausa and is developing training courses for future journalists. Turkeys religious conservatism likewise resonates with many African countries, at a time when anti-LGBTQ laws are being adopted on the continent. When Erdogan denounces LGBTQ people who undermine family values, for many Africans, thats music to their ears, Billion said. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Saturday a text of a treaty was 80%-90% ready but repeated it was impossible to sign it before Armenia amended its constitution to remove an indirect reference to Karabakh independence, which Armenia has rejected. Karabakhs ethnic Armenian inhabitants enjoyed de facto independence from Azerbaijan for more than three decades until September 2023, when a lightning Azerbaijani offensive retook the territory and prompted around 100,000 Armenians to flee read more Azerbaijan is proposing to sign a document with Armenia on the basic principles of a future peace treaty as an interim measure as they wrangle over a broader deal, a senior Azerbaijani official said on Sunday. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have repeatedly said they want to sign a peace treaty to end the conflict over the former breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Saturday a text of a treaty was 80%-90% ready but repeated it was impossible to sign it before Armenia amended its constitution to remove an indirect reference to Karabakh independence, which Armenia has rejected. Advertisement Karabakhs ethnic Armenian inhabitants enjoyed de facto independence from Azerbaijan for more than three decades until September 2023, when a lightning Azerbaijani offensive retook the territory and prompted around 100,000 Armenians to flee. Both countries have in recent months sought to make progress on the peace treaty, including the demarcation of borders, with Armenia agreeing to hand over to Azerbaijan four contested border villages. A document on the basic principles could be considered as a temporary measure and form the basis of the bilateral ties and ensure neighbourly relations between the two countries, Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to the president, told Reuters. It can be signed until Azerbaijan holds COP29 climate summit in November, Hajiyev added. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in June that a peace treaty with Azerbaijan was close to completion but that his country would not accept its demands that it change its constitution. After he made those comments, clashes broke out between police and demonstrators, the latest in a series of protests denouncing his policies, including the handing back of ruined villages to Azerbaijan, and demanding his resignation. On July 5, Constitution Day in Armenia, Pashinyan said the country needed a new constitution which the people will consider to be what they created, what they accepted, what is written in it is their idea of the state they created and the relations between people and citizens in that state. The curfew was imposed at midnight on Friday and was expected to last till Sunday morning. However, there have been no announcements that the curfew will be lifted read more As the death toll in the quota system protests continues to rise, reports are emerging that Bangladesh police have been granted shoot-on-sight orders to take control of the riot-like situation. The authorities have already imposed a nationwide curfew, blocking internet and telephone services across the country. The curfew was imposed at midnight on Friday and was expected to last till Sunday morning. However, there have been no announcements that the curfew will be lifted. Not only this, but all the news outlets across the country have not been able to publish any news report since July 19, making it difficult to know what is happening in the country. Advertisement The curfew in question was lifted briefly on Saturday afternoon to allow the public to run errands. During the curfew, the government asked people to remain at home and banned all sorts of gatherings and demonstrations. While the government did not release the official number of fatalities, local media estimated that at least 115 people have been killed in the whole ordeal. No longer a protest but a civil war After the curfew was announced the Bangladesh police were given the order that in extreme cases, they have the power to fire on those violating the curfew, confirmed Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, The Guardian reported. With the growing discontent, many believe the protest has become something bigger. Shafkat Mahmud, 28, a student protester from Uttara, a neighbourhood of Dhaka told The Guardian that the ongoing protests were no longer just a student protest, but nationwide civilian unrest akin to civil war. Mahmud alleged that after the government shut down the internet on Thursday night, police had gone from using rubber bullets to live ammunition. He also mentioned that he and fellow protesters had been attacked by pro-government supporters, alleging that some of them used machetes and guns and had seen buses carrying away the dead in the aftermath. Since the governments forces have been violently attacking us, our families have joined us in protests, he said. Our fight initially was about quotas but after witnessing the brutality and cruelty with which the police attacked the protesters, its now about change. We are marching for this government to step down," the protester furthered. Advertisement According to the people on the ground, Friday was the deadliest day of the protests so far, with police being accused of firing live ammunition at demonstrators, The Guardian reported. At least 40 people were likely to have been killed in the violence. With inputs from agencies. Bangladesh Supreme Court has ruled that almost all government jobs must be offered on merit read more Students clash over a quota system at Jahangir Nagar University at Savar outside Dhaka, Bangladesh on 15 Julu. Police fired tear gas and charged demonstrators with batons overnight during violent clashes between a pro-government student body and student protesters. AP Amid the raging protests in Bangladesh over the quota system issue, the countrys Supreme Court ruled that almost all government jobs must be offered on merit. The court scrapped most of the quotas on jobs that sparked nationwide anti-government protests. Riot-like situation swept across the country after the government announced that a third of public sector jobs had been reserved for the relatives of veterans from the countrys war for independence from Pakistan in 1971. Advertisement However, on Sunday, the top court ruled that only 5 per cent of the roles can be reserved for the relatives of the veterans, BBC reported. Over 100 people have died in the violence that engulfed the country and at least 40 people were killed on Friday alone. The unrest compelled Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government to impose a curfew across the country. The high court verdict was illegal: Supreme Court The courts Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas last month. The Supreme Court has said the High Court verdict was illegal," Attorney General AM Amid Uddin told AFP. He mentioned that other than the 5 per cent job reserved for the children of veterans, 2 per cent seats in the government jobs will be reserved for other categories. The government is yet to respond over the matter. Meanwhile, the streets of Dhaka are completely deserted as the second day of curfew remains in force, BBC reported. However, there have been instances of sporadic clashes that have been reported in several areas. Protesters which mostly comprised of students argued that the quota system benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement. They called for the Bangladeshi administration to replace the whole thing with a merit-based system. Meanwhile, Hasina defended the quota system stating that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political affiliation. The demonstrations came just months after Hasina was re-elected for the fourth successive term this year. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. A group of people walked past one of the tawny frogmouths recently completely 'oblivious' of its presence. The tawny frogmouth was barely visible as it elongated its neck to blend into its environment in Tuerong, Victoria last week. Source: Rob Paule Aussies have been in awe of tawny frogmouth birds after recent sightings showcased their incredible camouflage ability, doing one simple thing that makes them convincingly resemble "dead pieces of wood". Rob Paule was lucky to spot one of the native birds in Tuerong, Victoria last week and watched it quietly move into the perfect camouflage position while perched on top of a tree branch, as a group of people wandered past, "oblivious" to the bird above them. He snapped a picture of the tawny frogmouth in action, with the bird barely visible against the tree bark as it elongated its head backwards and blended into its surroundings. Another recent sighting by a resident in Jesmond, NSW demonstrated the birds' strong ability to go undetected, with the woman speaking to a friend in her driveway metres away from where a tawny frogmouth stood motionless on top of her shed. Native birds are more 'common' than Aussies think Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia told Yahoo News the birds are much more "common" than people think, inhabiting local parks and trees in busy inner city suburbs. However, they often go undetected due to their impressive hiding abilities. "They don't nest in hollows or caves or anything, they actually sit out on branches so their strategy is to look as much like a piece of dead wood as possible," Dooley explained. "And by doing that pose, stretching out, they often look much more like, you know, the top of a branch that has been snapped off." The native birds are entering their nesting seasoning. Source: Facebook/Michael Dahlstrom The birds often do this pose when they deem a predator is close by. "Sometimes they'll do that when there's a potential threat around... even though they look like they've got their eyes closed [in the pictures] it's more than likely that they're actually looking at the observer through the slits in their eyes." Often mistaken as owls, tawny frogmouths are evolutionally more akin to hummingbirds and have adapted well to urban areas, with the birds found "right across Australia". The birds nesting season runs between August and December and they will often return to the same tree, and even the same branch, year after year to nest and raise their young. This is a likely reason why there have been more reports of sightings recently, Dooley said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The UAEs attorney generals office indicted Saturday the Bangladeshi protesters on several charges, including gathering in a public place and protesting against their home government with the intent to incite unrest, obstructing law enforcement, causing harm to others and damaging property, according to the state-owned Emirates News Agency, WAM read more Bangladesh's top court on Sunday pared back contentious civil service hiring rules but failed to mollify university student leaders, whose demonstrations against the scheme sparked nationwide clashes that have killed 151 people. AP photo Authorities in the United Arab Emirates ordered an investigation and an expedited trial of Bangladeshi nationals arrested after protesting against their home government across the Gulf country, state media reported. The protests came as nationwide demonstrations spread across the South Asian country weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971. Advertisement The countrys top court scaled back Sunday on the controversial system, in a partial victory for student protesters. The UAEs attorney generals office indicted Saturday the Bangladeshi protesters on several charges, including gathering in a public place and protesting against their home government with the intent to incite unrest, obstructing law enforcement, causing harm to others and damaging property, according to the state-owned Emirates News Agency, WAM. Based on the preliminary investigation results, the Public Prosecution has ordered their pretrial detention pending further investigations, WAM reported. Political parties and labour unions are banned in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms. Broad laws severely restrict freedom of speech and almost all major local media are either state-owned or state-affiliated outlets. Trumps proclamation came a week after he was left with a wounded ear after an assassination attempt on him at a rally in Pennsylvania read more In his first rally after the doomed assassination attempt, former US President Donald Trump said that he took a bullet for democracy. Attended by thousands of his supporters, this was also Trumps first rally with his newly nominated running mate JD Vance. While addressing the packed arena in Grand Rapids, Trump said that Democrats have accused him of being a threat to democracy. He insisted that he was ready to take back the White House. His assertion was followed by a huge applause. Advertisement Trumps proclamation came a week after he was left with a wounded ear after an assassination attempt on him at a rally in Pennsylvania. Unlike the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the Grand Rapids event was held closed doors which allowed the security officers to carefully monitor the situation. Trump touched reiterated his main talking points The former president started off his speech by calling the assassination attempt on him a horrible event. I stand before you only by the grace of almighty God, he said, repeating his belief that divine intervention saved him from being killed. The business-mogul-turned politician went on to talk about the leadership chaos within the Democratic Party. They have no idea who their candidate is, and neither do we, Trump jibed and called Biden a feeble old guy. He went on to predict a landslide victory in the upcoming presidential elections and asked the crowd if they wanted him to run against US Vice President Kamala Harris or Biden. In another instance, he mentioned that he is happy to run against Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer who, he claimed has done a terrible job. In his speech, the former president hit the usual themes of electric vehicles, China and trade and promised a massive effort on deportation. Trump dismisses speculations about Project 2025 Interestingly, Trump pushed back on accusations that a second Trump presidency would be influenced by the extremist manifesto Project 2025 from the conservative Heritage Foundation. He said that the document had been produced by the severe right very, very conservative and the opposite of the radical left. I dont know anything about it, and I dont want to know anything about it. Advertisement The former president was preceded by the Ohio Senator who Trump picked as his running mate. During his address, Vance criticized both Republicans and Democrats for previously failing to protect manufacturing jobs in Michigan and the US. Both parties were broken in very profound ways until Trump came along, he said. With inputs from agencies. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the curfew will be relaxed from 3 pm to 5 pm on Sunday for people to run essential errands read more Bangladeshi authorities extended a curfew across the country on Sunday as the nations top court was expected to rule on a civil service hiring quota that has led to days of deadly clashes between police and protesters, killing scores of people. The nationwide demonstrations called for mainly by student groups began weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper on Saturday reporting the death of at least 103 people so far. Advertisement Bangladeshi authorities havent shared any official numbers of those killed and injured. During the week, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades to scatter stone-throwing protesters who filled the streets and university campuses. Sporadic clashes in some parts of Dhaka, the capital, were reported on Saturday but it was not immediately clear whether there were any fatalities. On Sunday, as the Supreme Court was set to deliver a verdict on whether to abolish the job quotas, soldiers patrolled cities across the South Asian country, while a nationwide internet blackout continued to remain in force. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the curfew will be relaxed from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for people to run essential errands. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government has declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays, with only emergency services allowed to operate. The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladeshs governance and economy and the frustration of young people who lack good jobs upon graduation. It also represents the biggest challenge to Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after Januarys elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition groups. Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political affiliation. Advertisement Representatives from both sides met late Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution and Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government was open to discussing their demands. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has backed the protests, vowing to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters have joined the student-led protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling partys accusations of using the protests for political gains. The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the countrys national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures. Hasinas government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote. Advertisement In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladeshs High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans filed petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing. Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the courts verdict. In 1983, Turkey installed what it calls the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which no other country has recognised four decades after it was proclaimed by Turkish Cypriot leaders. As Greek Cypriots mourned those killed and still missing since the 1974 convulsion of violence, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said Saturday that reunification was the only option read more Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that his country was ready to build a Cyprus naval base if necessary, 50 years after Turkish forces invaded the now-divided island. If necessary, we can construct a base and naval structures in the north of the divided island, the official Anadolu news agency reported him as saying. We also have the sea, Erdogan said he flew back to Turkey after visiting northern Cyprus on Saturday to mark 50 years since Turkeys invasion. Advertisement He also accused rival Greece of wanting to establish a naval base of its own on Cyprus, on whose future both sides remain as divided as ever. In 1983, Turkey installed what it calls the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which no other country has recognised four decades after it was proclaimed by Turkish Cypriot leaders. As Greek Cypriots mourned those killed and still missing since the 1974 convulsion of violence, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said Saturday that reunification was the only option. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 still divided after Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected a UN plan to end their differences with Turkish Cypriots. But on the other side of the UN-patrolled buffer zone that separates the two communities, Erdogan on Saturday rejected the federal model championed by the United Nations, saying he saw no point in relaunching talks on such a plan. Frankly, we do not think it is possible to start a new negotiation process without establishing an equation whereby both parties sit down as equals and leave the table as equals, Erdogan said. The last round of UN-backed talks to reunify the island collapsed in 2017. We are constructing on the island the building of the presidency of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the parliament building. They are constructing a military base, we are building a political base, Erdogan added. Advertisement He also hailed the precious presence during Saturdays visit of the leader of Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, saying it demonstrated the unity of Turkeys population with regards to Cyprus. Dasaur, reported to be hailing from Agra, and Viviana ZaMora, had just got married on June 29, a little over two weeks before his death. The suspected shooter, police said, was detained at the scene. Upon further investigation and after consultation with Marion County Prosecutors Office, that individual was released, the police spokesperson said, indicating the shooter may have acted in self-defence read more A 29-year-old newly wedded Indian-origin man was shot dead in front of his wife in a suspected road rage incident in the US state of Indiana, police and media reports said. The incident happened when Gavin Dasaur was on his way home with his Mexican wife. Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD) Officer Amanda Hibschman said officers responded to a report of a person shot just after 8 pm on Tuesday last week at an intersection on Indy citys southeast side. Advertisement Arriving officers said they found a man on the ground in the middle of the road suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The mans wife identified the shooting victim. I held him as he bled out and I was waiting for the ambulance, the victims widow, Viviana ZaMora told The Indianapolis Star. Dasaur, reported to be hailing from Agra, and Viviana ZaMora, had just got married on June 29, a little over two weeks before his death. Witnesses told police the shooting occurred over a road-rage incident between the Chevy driver and Dasaur, who was driving a black Honda, local WTHR reports. The suspected shooter, Hibschman said, was detained at the scene. Upon further investigation and after consultation with Marion County Prosecutors Office, that individual was released, the police spokesperson said, indicating the shooter may have acted in self-defence. The IMPD said the investigation over the shooting and alleged road-rage incident is ongoing. Dasaurs wife condemned the shooting as she grieved her husbands death. He was a hardworking man that always went out of his way to help anyone and wanted to give the world to me and his family, she told the local outlet. Advertisement Cell phone video recorded by another driver at the scene shows Dasaur getting out of his car at the intersection. Dasaur appears irate and is yelling at the driver of the pickup truck, Fox News reported. A handgun can clearly be seen in Dasaurs right hand. As he approaches the drivers side of the pickup truck, Dasaur punches the trucks door with the gun in his hand. Dasaur then switches the gun to his left hand while simultaneously raising his right hand to the trucks window. The driver of the pickup responds by shooting three times. Dasaur immediately drops to the ground. The shooter never exited his vehicle during the confrontation which lasted only seven seconds. The number of individuals, aged 60 and above, is projected to double to 346 million by 2050, there is a pressing need for increased investment in healthcare, housing and pension schemes. especially for older women who are more likely to live alone and face poverty. India boasts a substantial youthful population, with 252 million people aged between 10 and 19 years, the UNFPA India head said read more Indias elderly population is expected to double by 2050, UNFPA India chief Andrea Wojnar said, stressing that more investment in healthcare, housing and pensions is needed, especially for older women who are more likely to live alone and face poverty. In an interview with PTI given days after the World Population Day on July 11, Resident Representative for UNFPA India, Wojnar, outlined key population trends that India is prioritising to accelerate sustainable development. Advertisement These trends include the youthful population, ageing population, urbanisation, migration, and climate resilience, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for the nation. She said as the number of individuals, aged 60 and above, is projected to double to 346 million by 2050, there is a pressing need for increased investment in healthcare, housing and pension schemes. especially for older women who are more likely to live alone and face poverty, she said. India boasts a substantial youthful population, with 252 million people aged between 10 and 19 years, the UNFPA India head said. She highlighted that investing in health, education, job training, and job creation, alongside promoting gender equality, can unlock the potential of this demographic, driving the nation toward sustainable progress. With India projected to be 50 per cent urban by 2050, building smart cities, strong infrastructure, and affordable housing is crucial to manage slum growth, air pollution, and environmental issues, Wojnar said. Urban plans should also consider womens needs for safety and security, and access to health care and education and jobs to promote gender equality and improve overall quality of life, she said. She also noted that managing internal and external migration requires meticulous planning, skills development, and economic opportunity distribution. Addressing the specific challenges faced by women as migrants or spouses left behind is essential for balanced growth. Integrating climate resilience into development plans and investing in renewable energy is vital, she said. Advertisement Climate change can affect reproductive health, making it harder to conceive, causing pregnancy complications, and limiting healthcare access during emergencies. Addressing these issues is key for gender equality and sustainable development, she said. these trends, India continues to strive for more sustainable and equitable growth, Wojnar added. Noting that India, the first country to implement a national family planning programme, has made significant progress, she said some challenges remain. With 9.4 per cent of family planning needs unmet and 7.5 per cent of pregnancies unplanned, according to the latest data from NFHS-5 (2019-21). This years theme supports efforts to improve access to contraceptives and family planning resources, particularly in high-need areas, she said. Advertisement Emphasising informed choices showcases the transformative impact on public health, promoting healthier families and communities, she said this focus also aligns with the international theme. Embracing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all, she underscored the importance of data-driven policies to ensure universal access to resources and services. On this years theme of the World Population Day, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is highlighting Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies for the well-being of mother and child as they are essential for maternal and child health, with experts recommending at least 24 months between giving birth and becoming pregnant again. This reduces health risks and strengthens family bonds. Advertisement She said UNFPA, in 2023, distributed 1,00,000 Single Rod Subdermal Implants and 2,00,000 doses of DMPA SC (Antara-SC) across 10 Indian states. These long-lasting, reversible contraceptives are ideal for young people and couples seeking to delay or space pregnancies, she said. As part of the FP 2030 (Family Planning) Partnership, the UNFPA chief said India is enhancing contraceptive choices, promoting healthy pregnancy spacing, and increasing access to family planning services, especially in high-need and underserved areas. Efforts also focus on changing social and behavioral attitudes toward family planning. Since 2023, UNFPA has trained 47 midwifery educators at the National Midwifery Training Institutes in Udaipur and Patiala, she said. Advertisement These educators have supported over 5,000 prenatal visits and assisted with 550 normal deliveries, allowing women to choose their birthing positions and have companions, including a male partner, providing crucial emotional support and fostering stronger family relationships, Wojnar said. Noting that respectful maternity care empowers women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, she said these efforts aim to reduce maternal deaths and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies, particularly in underserved areas. Israel struck Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen after a drone attack earlier killed an Israeli man in Tel Aviv read more An oil facility in Houthi-controlled Yemen after an Israeli airstrike (Photo: AFP) A day after Israel struck Houthi sites in Yemen, the Iran-backed terrorists on Sunday launched a fresh missile attack at Israel. The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile that was on its way to Eilat, an Israeli city on the coast of Red Sea. Separately, the Houthis in a post on Telegram confirmed the attack and said they launched a missile at Eilat in response to the American, British and Israeli aggression against our country. Advertisement Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War in October 2023, the Houthis have mounted hundreds of attacks in Red Sea and have disrupted global trade. They have carried out ship hijackings and have been warring with US and UK navies in the region that have been deployed to safeguard the regions from Houthi aggression. While the Houthis have previously launched attacks at Israel, the Saturdays attack was the first since Houthis began their terrorist campaign. The Israeli military said that the Houthi missile was intercepted before it entered the countrys airspace. The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that approached Israeli territory from Yemen using the "Arrow 3" Aerial Defense System. The projectile did not cross into Israeli territory. The incident has concluded. pic.twitter.com/gZ3NKmqVWF Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 21, 2024 Houthis have launched over 200 attacks at Israel In the nine months of war in the Middle East, Yemen-based Houthis, the Iranian-backed anti-Israel terrorists who control large swathes of the country, have launched more than 200 attacks at Israel. Most of these attacks have been launched at Eilat, the southern-most city on the Red Sea. The attacks have included ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Until Friday, all such attacks were thwarted by the Israeli air defence systems. The only time a missile made it through was in March when it landed in an open area in Eilat. Advertisement Israel struck Hodeidah port in Yemen For the first time in nine months of war, Israel struck the Houthis for the first time on Saturday. In an attack named Operation Outstretched Arm, Israeli warplanes struck around 10 targets in Houthi-controlled Yeme. The targets struck by Israel included the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, power station, and gas and oil depots, according to The New York Times. The newspaper reported the Israeli military as saying that that these sites were used by the Houthis for military purposes. The sites of attack in Hodeidah were ablaze through the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, as per visuals in media reports. Advertisement Fire rages in #Yemens Hodeidah port after #Israeli fighter jets struck military targets in the area.https://t.co/Ly7W0wv95b pic.twitter.com/s8cTFOIuqy Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) July 21, 2024 The Houthi-controlled local authorities said that 80 people were wounded in the attack, as per The Associated Press. Israel Katz, the Foreign Minister of Israel, said the Saturdays strikes were meant to send a warning across the region. The blow delivered to the port of Hodeidah and another location, a power plant, delivers an important message. When we saw that Iran and Hezbollah are eying this and wondering if perhaps Israel is deterred Israels powerful operation sends a clear message around, because Iran is located 200 kilometers closer than the port of Hodeidah, said Katz to Israels Kan public broadcaster. Advertisement The Jerusalem Post reported that even though the Houthis say the port struck by Israeli warplanes is used for humanitarian purposes, the Israeli government believes it is used to bring weaponry into the country in the garb of humanitarian supplies. The agency referenced a survey of single individuals aged 25 to 34, which revealed that 43.3% of men and 48.1% of women had not met potential partners in 2021. Many participants admitted they had not taken steps to improve their chances, such as attending matchmaking events or seeking introductions through friends read more Japanese government has initiated consultations with young people to gauge their interest in marriage, as country faces a looming demographic crisis predicted to lead to a significant population decline in coming decades. As per reports, the Children and Families Agency, established in April 2023, held its first working group meeting on Friday to explore ways to support youths in finding partners through various means such as dating and matchmaking. The meeting included participants contemplating future marriage and experts familiar with issues affecting younger generations. Advertisement An agency official was quoted in one of the reports saying that contemporary views on marriage among youth differ from traditional norms. Government is now seeking input from single individuals to understand their perspectives. Ayuko Kato, Minister of State for Childrens Policies, underlined the importance of respecting diverse values and individual viewpoints in marriage and child-rearing. We would appreciate hearing your genuine opinionswhat you are thinking and what might be hindering you from achieving your goals, Kato stated. The agency referenced a survey of single individuals aged 25 to 34, which revealed that 43.3% of men and 48.1% of women had not met potential partners in 2021. Many participants admitted they had not taken steps to improve their chances, such as attending matchmaking events or seeking introductions through friends. This decline in marriage rates is seen as a major factor contributing to Japans low birthrate and aging population. In 2023, number of marriages fell below 500,000 for the first time since 1930s. Concurrently, births decreased by 5.1% to 758,631, approaching 755,000 figure predicted by National Institute of Population and Social Security Research for 2035. Surveys indicate that many young Japanese are hesitant to marry or start families due to concerns over the high cost of living in major cities, limited job opportunities, and a work culture that hampers both partners from maintaining careers or makes it challenging for women to return to full-time work after childbirth. Advertisement In response, local governments have implemented various measures, including daycare services and matchmaking initiatives. For instance, Tokyo metropolitan government plans to introduce a dating app this summer. On Saturday night, the reporter for La Stampa daily came upon by chance a party being held by the neo-fascist fringe group CasaPound, involving smoke bombs and fireworks. He started filming with his phone. According to his footage and an account by the newspaper, a group of men came up to him and asked are you one of us?, before they set upon him, causing him to require hospital treatment read more Casa Pound, an Italian neo-fascist far-right political group, during an event in Milan to honor their fallen comrades. File Photo Italian politicians including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed outrage Sunday after a journalist was beaten up in the northern city of Turin by suspected neo-fascists. On Saturday night, the reporter for La Stampa daily came upon by chance a party being held by the neo-fascist fringe group CasaPound, involving smoke bombs and fireworks. He started filming with his phone. According to his footage and an account by the newspaper, a group of men came up to him and asked are you one of us?, before they set upon him, causing him to require hospital treatment. Advertisement Meloni, the leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, offered her solidarity with the journalist, Andrea Joly, over the unacceptable attack. It was an act of violence that I strongly condemn and for which I hope those responsible will be identified as quickly as possible, she said in a statement. Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left opposition Democratic Party, also offered her solidarity with Joly and condemned a climate of impunity. What else are we waiting for before neo-fascist organisations are dissolved, as the constitution says? she asked. The attack was one of two incidents of random violence that made headlines this weekend in Italy, after a shocking video emerged of two gay men being beaten up by three men and a woman in Rome. That attack also drew condemnation from across the political spectrum. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Sunday deplored too much violence and intolerance in Italy against those who do not think like you, writing on X that he strongly condemned any violence. Speaking to the DPPs annual convention, President Lai said those who fought to bring democracy to Taiwan - martial law only ended in 1987 - had a clear understanding of the islands place in the world. They did not hesitate to shed blood and used their lives to debunk the mistaken idea that Taiwan is a base to retake the mainland, and instituted the national policy of putting Taiwan first, said Lai, who is also DPP chairman read more Taiwan must protect its sovereignty and know its own culture and history, President Lai Ching-te said on Sunday, rejecting what he said was the previous mistaken belief the island could serve as a base to retake China. Lai, who took office in May, and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), champion Taiwans separate identity from China, a position that frequently angers Beijing which views the island as an inviolable part of Chinese territory. Advertisement Speaking to the DPPs annual convention, Lai said those who fought to bring democracy to Taiwan - martial law only ended in 1987 - had a clear understanding of the islands place in the world. They did not hesitate to shed blood and used their lives to debunk the mistaken idea that Taiwan is a base to retake the mainland, and instituted the national policy of putting Taiwan first, said Lai, who is also DPP chairman. Chiang Kai-shek and his defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedongs communists. Chiang hoped to regroup his forces on Taiwan and attack China to destroy Maos Peoples Republic of China. Chiang died in 1975 without achieving that dream. Lai said Taiwan had different priorities. Now, our responsibility to unite the people, oppose annexation (by China) and ensure national sovereignty, he said, speaking in Taiwanese, also known as Hokkien, rather than the main language of government, Mandarin. We must do our best to let the whole countrys people understand Taiwans own history and culture, and establish a national identity that the 23 million people living in Taiwan are a community of destiny, he added. Advertisement Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours on Sunday. China calls Lai a separatist. Lai rejects Chinas sovereignty claims saying only Taiwans people can decide their future. He has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but been rebuffed. China staged war games shortly after Lais inauguration, and has continued to send warplanes and warships around Taiwan on a daily basis. Taiwan starts is annual Han Kuang war games on Monday, which this year aim to be as close as possible to actual combat. Lai said the DPP will always adhere to a democratic and free constitutional system. We will never allow Taiwan to suffer the danger of extinction due to the failure of democratic politics, he added. The intriguing find also revealed an interesting behaviour in humans who remained in the area hundreds of years after the civilisation collapsed. Archeologists have discovered an underground chamber in a Mayan compound deep in the rainforest. Source: Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia The discovery of a mysterious underground chamber below a ruined temple has intrigued archeologists. But it is the forlorn offerings found at the site of the ruins which tell the more unexpected tale. The ceramic bowls, armadillo leg a ceremonial flint knife found at the ancient Mayan site in Mexico are evidence of a culture clinging to tradition centuries after their civilisation collapsed. The Central American Maya Empire excelled at art, agriculture, astronomy, pottery, mathematics and writing. But, by 900 AD, almost all of its great cities had been abandoned. Archaeologists now know that 400 years of successive drought produced severe economic stress. This led to war. And then to societal collapse. But an expedition to recently discovered ruins deep in the Mexican rainforest earlier this year has revealed Mayan civilisation did not die easily. The remains of rituals left hundreds of years after the civilisation collapsed were found at the site. Source: Credit: Vitan Vujanovic/Octavio Esparza Olguin/Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia Last year, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey of the region on the state of Campeche peered through 140 square kilometres of vegetation to reveal a forgotten outpost now dubbed Ocomtun (Stone Pillar) surrounded by a series of ceremonial sites. These satellite structures were the subject of an expedition earlier this year. We have found several ancient Maya settlements, with remains of residential buildings and temple pyramids, said Dr Ivan Sprajc, who led the expedition on behalf of Mexicos National Institute of Anthropology and History. This includes an ancient ball court a central component of Maya spiritual and civil life. And beneath it was a hidden chamber. Another site, just south of the Ocomtun city centre, contains its own public plaza, a 16m tall pyramid and tellingly a large water reservoir. On top of that pyramid were the remains of ancient offerings. But these offerings were much younger than the ruined temple they were found upon. They were dated between 1250AD and 1524AD more than 300 years after the city collapsed. The offering indicates that, even after most of the Classic period Maya settlements had been abandoned, small and impoverished human groups were still rambling around, putting offerings on or near the buildings of their forebears, Dr Sprajc told LiveScience. The offerings were left by people living near the site generations after the collapse of the Mayan civilisation. Source: Octavio Esparza Olguin/Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia A place of light in a Dark Age The Dark Ages of Western Europe after the end of Roman rule saw some small populations cling to their impressive stone cities. But these lasted only as long as the knowledge remained on how to repair aqueduct and drainage systems, brick walls and tiled roofs. The Mayans of Ocomtun appear similarly reluctant to give up on the good old days. People remained in the area after the crisis that led to the drastic demographic decrease in the 9th and 10th centuries, caused by overpopulation, soil depletion, climatic change (prolonged droughts) and destructive warfare, Dr Sprajc, who is an archaeologist with the Institute of Anthropological and Spatial Studies in Slovenia, said. But not all the old ways were lost once the local Mayan society could no longer support its priestly and artisan classes. Belief in the power of some holy places carried on. At least until the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors and the brutal suppression of what they believed to be Central Americas satanic traditions. Aerial images show the many structures found at the site. Source: Octavio Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia Mystery remains over 'very important' underground structure The underground chamber found at the site has really fascinated archeologists, as it is unclear what it would have been used for. The presence of the ball court was surprise enough. These are usually associated with only the most important ceremonial and political centres. The courts were the setting of the Mayan ball game, a game where players attempted to keep a ball in the air without using their hands or feet, believed to be one of earliest examples of organised sport. Those who lost would often be sacrificed to the gods. We located parts of an earlier building that had painted walls. But only further excavations may reveal the shape of that underlying building and what its function was, said Dr Sprajc. Whatever its purpose, it was evidently a very important structure, he added. The site has fascinated archeologists. Source: Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia Initial estimates date the painted stucco room and ball court to the Maya Early Classic period (AD 200 to 600). The city of Ocomtun, once a vassal state to the nearby capital of Calakmul, sits on a remote spur of high land surrounded by low wetlands. Its monumental nucleus covers more than 50 hectares and has various large buildings, including several pyramidal structures over 15 meters high, Sprajc said of the original discovery last year. But Ocomtun would have been particularly hard hit by drought. Researchers point out the surrounding rocky terrain is harder to cultivate than most Mayan centres. So there are fewer canals, farm terraces, and villages. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The former president went on to state that he owed his life to immigration because he had turned his head to right toward a chart about border crossings fractionally before the bullet whizzed past his head, grazing his ear read more Former US President Donald Trump launched a full-scale attack on US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in his first rally after surviving an assassination attempt. The rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan came a week after the doomed rally in Pennsylvania, where he was shot in the ear. In his first rally after the shocking incident and with his new running mate JD Vance, Trump appeared on stage with a white bandage on his ear. He started off his address by calling the assassination attempt on him horrible. I shouldnt be here, but lets face it, something very special happened, he remarked. Advertisement The former president went on to state that he owed his life to immigration because he had turned his head to right toward a chart about border crossings fractionally before the bullet whizzed past his head, grazing his ear. Trump slams Biden and Harris The business-mogul-turned politician went on to talk about the leadership chaos within the Democratic Party. They have no idea who their candidate is, and neither do we, Trump jibed and called Biden a feeble old guy. He went on to predict a landslide victory in the upcoming presidential elections and asked the crowd if they wanted him to run against US Vice President Kamala Harris or Biden. In another instance, he mentioned that he is happy to run against Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer who, he claimed has done a terrible job. In his speech, the former president hit the usual themes of electric vehicles, China and trade and promised a massive effort on deportation. Trump distances himself from Project 2025 Interestingly, Trump pushed back on accusations that a second Trump presidency would be influenced by the extremist manifesto Project 2025 from the conservative Heritage Foundation. He said that the document had been produced by the severe right very, very conservative and the opposite of the radical left. I dont know anything about it, and I dont want to know anything about it. Advertisement The former president was preceded by the Ohio Senator who Trump picked as his running mate. During his address, Vance criticized both Republicans and Democrats for previously failing to protect manufacturing jobs in Michigan and the US. Both parties were broken in very profound ways until Trump came along, he said. With inputs from agencies. The closures are part of a broader trend to reduce the number of minority schools, which would drop from 307 in 1926 to 86 if the recent decision comes into action read more Greece is mulling to close four Turkish minority primary schools in a move which is touted as a way to curb the right to education for Turks in the country. According to TRT World, the government are planning to shut down the schools located in Western Thrace, where Turks are densely populated. The affected schools are the Hacioren, Keziren and Payamlar primary schools in Rhodope and the Karakoy primary school in Xanthi (Iskece), all of which are located in northern Greece. Authorities are justifying the move by claiming that they are suspending the operation of these schools due to lack of students. Advertisement However, the Turkish minority in the region are looking at it as the governments ploy to send their children to Greek public schools. Local leaders and representatives of the Turkish minority have criticised the governments action claiming that it is their systematic plan to reduce the presence of minority schools without consulting the affected communities. Not the first time The closures are part of a broader trend to reduce the number of minority schools, which would drop from 307 in 1926 to 86 if the recent decision comes into action. Last year, the Eastern Macedonian State of Thraces Regional Directorate of First and Second-Grade Schools, announced the closure of even Turkish schools in the Rodop (Rhodopi) prefecture and two others in the Iskece (Xanthi). In 2022, Turkey condemned the closure of four schools by Greek authorities, saying they violated the Lausanne Peace Treaty, which was signed in 1923 and settled rules regarding the Turkish-Muslim minority in Greece. The Turks in Western Thrace Greece is home to around 150,000 ethnic Turks whose status was defined by the 1923 Lausanne Peace Treaty. Not only this but their rights were safeguarded through various bilateral and multilateral agreements between the two countries and with the help of other European nations. In the past, Turkey has accused Greece of violating the right to education. It is pertinent to note that Articles 40 and 41 of the Treaty of Lausanne grant the minority the right to education in their native language and autonomy in managing educational institutions. However, with these closures many claim that Greece is not fulfilling its obligations to the treaty. Advertisement Last year, a report by Human Rights Watch stated that the execution of the Treaty of Lausanne by the Greek administration has been irregular. This has eventually led to a poorly organised and neglected educational system for the Turkish minority. The closure of schools is not the only issue faced by the Turkish minority in Greece when it comes to seeking education. Some other issues include a mixed administrative system, poorly qualified teachers, lack of bilingual kindergartens, closing down and merging elementary schools, limited secondary schools, outdated and insufficient learning materials, and the lack of a curriculum for teaching Greek as a second language. Advertisement There has been a steady increase in the systematic closure of Turkish minority primary schools in Greece since 2011 and every time the Greek administration claimed that it is because of the absence of students. Large Language Models (LLMs), with OpenAIs ChatGPT being the most prominent example, have gradually become integral to our daily lives. Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, has invested heavily in LLMs, aiming to revolutionize user experiences across its platforms. In a bid to stay ahead in the evolving market, WhatsApp has been exploring various ways to enhance its platform. In a recent move, the company has decided to integrate the power of generative AI into one of your most frequently used smartphone apps. In this post, lets take a look at how you can access Metas new AI on WhatsApp, directly from the popular messaging application. What is Meta AI? What Can It Do? Meta AI, powered by Metas proprietary large language model (LLM), LLaMA 3, is now accessible on WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. This cutting-edge generative AI technology can be utilized within feeds, chats, and other features across Meta apps to generate content, explore topics in-depth, and accomplish tasks seamlessly without leaving the app. On WhatsApp, Meta AI can respond to queries, provide detailed information, and have engaging conversations with users. The underlying LLM primarily generates the AIs answers, but if it cannot find the required information, it can access the internet to retrieve it. Meta AI is capable of engaging in casual conversations on a wide range of topics, offering comprehensive and informative answers while maintaining a friendly tone. It also acts as a search assistant, fetching relevant information from the web directly within the app, enhancing the user experience on WhatsApp. Interestingly, it can also generate images based on your prompts. This feature is particularly useful since many online tools for image generation require a subscription. While its uncertain how long this feature will remain free, considering the entire model is public, it might stay free indefinitely. How to Use Meta AI on WhatsApp Accessing Meta AI on WhatsApp is quite simple and can be achieved in a few simple steps. On Android Launch the WhatsApp application on your phone, ensuring it is updated to the latest version. On the home page, locate the Meta AI icon in the bottom right corner, just above the New Chat button. Click on the Meta AI icon to start a new chat. Engage with the AI by asking questions. To generate an image, use the /imagine command followed by your prompt. For example, /imagine a logo for FoneArena, an awesome tech newshouse. On iOS Ensure that the WhatsApp application on your iPhone is updated. Open the app and find the Meta AI icon located on the top right, next to the camera and a + icon. Tap on the Meta AI icon to initiate a new conversation. Interact with the AI and receive responses. To generate images, use the /imagine prompt followed by your desired image prompt. For instance, /imagine a college student on a 2-wheeler. On WhatsApp Web/Desktop App Log into WhatsApp on your Desktop using the Link a Device option. On the left navigation pane, locate the Meta AI icon. Click on the Meta AI icon to begin interacting with it. You can chat with the AI and generate images using the /imagine command, similar to how you would on your smartphone. How to Chat with Meta AI in WhatsApp Group Chats Interestingly, WhatsApp has also integrated the function into Group Chats, allowing you to interact with the AI in a group setting. On all three platforms: Android, iOS, and Desktop, you can simply mention @Meta AI and pose your question. The AI will respond directly to the group, making the conversation visible to all participants. Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Dont See the Meta AI Option Well, you might ask, the feature is all good and exciting, but what if you dont notice the Meta AI option at all? Heres what you can do: Check for Updates: Ensure that your phone is running the latest version of Android or iOS, and that your WhatsApp app is updated. Head over to the App Store or Google Play Store, search for WhatsApp, and update the application if an update is available. Clear Cache (Android): You can try clearing the cache on your Android device, although it is least likely to resolve the issue. So, why does my friend have it and I do not? The company is rolling out the update in batches, so it may take some time before it reaches everyone. Also, make sure to check if the feature is available in your country. In conclusion, Meta AI now integrates AI features directly into WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, removing the need for separate portals. Users can access these features seamlessly, but they must agree to the privacy policy. This update also introduces tools like image generation, enhancing user interaction and convenience across Metas platforms. Contributed by Yash Jain Yash, born and raised in Chennai, India, loves Computer Science and Finance. When not writing tutorials, he enjoys time with friends and family. The 40-year-old dad and two-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called to Carlton Railway Station. A dad and his daughter, 2, were struck and killed by a train at Carlton Railway Station on Sunday. Source: NCA NewsWire A dad and his toddler have been killed after being struck by a train at a suburban station in Sydneys south. A pram carrying two children rolled from the platform onto the tracks and into the path of the oncoming train at Carlton Railway Station just after 12pm on Sunday, NSW Police said. A 40-year-old man and two-year-old girl died at the scene. Another two-year-old girl and her 39-year-old mum were not injured and are both in stable condition in hospital, although the woman is said to be "very traumatised". A crime scene has been established but police said the "incident is not believed to be suspicious at this time". It's believed tragedy struck as the family exited the platform's lift and took "their hands off the pram for a very, very short period of time", Superintendent Paul Dunstan said during a media conference later in the day. "Whether it's a gust of wind ... we're not quite sure. But it appears that the pram has instantly started to roll in the direction of the train lines." The father of the twin girls then jumped onto the tracks and tried to lift up the double pram as a bystander frantically attempted to flag the train down, witnesses say, but it was too late. Police said the double pram carrying with the twin girls suddenly rolled onto the train tracks. Source: 7News Police officers hear crying 'coming from underneath the train' Superintendent Dunstan said when officers arrived they "saw the pram under the train and could hear crying coming from underneath". "Police climbed under the train and rescued one of the children, who was thankfully unharmed and reunited her with the mother," he continued. It's understood the surviving toddler somehow fell "in between the tracks" and "was largely untouched". "Sadly, the other child, a two-year-old female, and her father who attempted to save the child have passed away as a result of this incident," Dunstan said, adding the "incredibly brave" dad had gone into "parent mode", costing him his life. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Train incident 'incredibly rare' but 'absolutely tragic' The train heading from Cronulla to Bondi Junction was not due to stop at the Carlton station but had slowed down to pass. The train driver and other staff have been offered support. Chief executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland described the incident as "incredibly rare", but "absolutely tragic". Witnesses say they saw the dad jump onto the tracks and try to lift up the double pram. Picture: NewsWire/Damian Shaw The public is being urged to avoid the area. The T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line was temporarily closed between Wolli Creek and Hurstville but has since reopened. Services will not be stopping at the Carlton station for now. Passengers travelling to or from Carlton can catch a replacement bus service between Kogarah, Carlton and Allawah instead, Transport for NSW said. "We're doing everything we can working with the police to get the rail network up and running again," Longland said. With NCA NewsWire Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. As Australia's autism diagnosis rate rapidly rises, experts say the mainstream school system needs to adapt to support neurodivergent children. Clinical psychologist Adelle Sushames, who has autism and ADHD, says mainstream schools need to adapt to accomodate neurodivergent students. Source: Supplied/Getty As a child growing up in Tasmania, Adelle Sushames was a quiet achiever who was painfully shy, often felt anxious and feared getting into trouble at school. She had one or two friends but struggled to speak in front of the class, respond to teachers or approach other peers during breaks. Now the mum-of-two, who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in adulthood, is a clinical psychologist working with neurodivergent young people to help support them in the mainstream school system as more children struggle to make it into the classroom. In extreme cases, this is known as school cant a chronic fear of attending school due to anxiety and feeling unsafe and is estimated to account for 43 to 57 per cent of absences among autistic children. "Once you've got 'school can't', you've got quite a serious situation on your hands, Sushames told Yahoo News Australia. She said both her children are neurodivergent but had gone under the radar in primary school. While her son is now at high school, her daughter is in a state of anxious burnout and currently unable to attend school. Numbers of 'school can't' on the rise in Australia And she is not alone. While there are no official figures, it's estimated that thousands of Aussie families are struggling with "school can't" with attendance figures for 2023 standing at 88 per cent, down from 92 per cent 10 years ago. Harper*, 9, was diagnosed with autism two years ago and after a recent interstate move with her family, has found it near impossible to settle into her new school. Having a severe sensory processing disorder, it's painful for her to wear different items of clothing, which feel uncomfortable on her skin, while her school uniform physically hurts. She finds the campus environment noisy and confusing and has only been attending classes a handful of times. It is estimated that one-in-100 people in Australia have autism and all schools are legally required to make reasonable adjustments to accomodate for children with a disability. Schools need to look at different ways of learning that could benefit all students, autism experts say. Source: Getty Current school approach seeks to fix 'what's wrong with the child' However, according to Jackie Hall, founder of the Parental Stress Centre, many Aussie schools still focus on the "medical model" of disability which is very deficit based. It's looking at what's wrong with the child, what we need to fix and correct in the child, whereas the 'social model' of disability is looking at how the social world their environment is actually what's disabling your child or young person, she told Yahoo News Australia. She said it's important for teachers to understand what the world often looks like to children with disabilities. Like those with clothing aversions who experience pain from what they are wearing. If you walked around with a steel rod down the back of your shirt all day, it's going to be distracting, especially if it's got nails in it. You're going to be like: Oh my god, I'm in so much pain. You're not going to be able to concentrate, you're not going be able to learn or focus." 'Masking' can cause stress, anxiety and exhaustion Hall said autistic girls in particular, had a tendency to "mask" their symptoms to fit in, causing them high levels of stress and anxiety which can lead to exhaustion, meltdowns or shutdowns. While there are strategies that can be implemented in classrooms to benefit neurodivergent and neurotypical students, she said many schools are stuck in old, antiquated ways which don't resonate with today's children. I just think there's a lot of parents, lots of teachers that are just floundering, Hall told Yahoo News. They want to do new things, but have no idea what to do. Schools need more supports and resources to cater for children's diverse learning needs, according to experts. Source: Getty Sushames said this often came down to a lack of support for teachers or classroom resources. Neurodivergent children can thrive at school if conditions are right for them. Its about being aware of the sensory differences that might impact the child, such as loud noises they cannot tolerate the bell at the end of recess or background noise in the classroom," she said. They need to feel safe, they need predictability and need to know what to do. Schools legally required to support disabled students An education department spokesperson said the federal government provided recurrent funding for all schools, totalling $29.2 billion in 2024 including $3.7 billion under the Student with Disability scheme. "All schools are required under the Disability Standards for Education (DSE) 2005 to provide reasonable adjustments for students with disability so they can access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers," they said. This includes ensuring adequate training for teachers who are required to be able to support the full participation of disabled students while meeting the learning needs of all children, they added. * Name has been changed Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. bohlah at 21-07-2024 04:41 PM (2 months ago) (m) Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a Beninese national, Orobi Adoubi Amen, for attempting to smuggle a substantial amount of illegal drugs through Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a Beninese national, Orobi Adoubi Amen, for attempting to smuggle a substantial amount of illegal drugs through Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). According to a statement from Femi Babafemi, the NDLEAs Director of Media & Advocacy, Amen, a 30-year-old male, was intercepted on Thursday, July 18, 2024, while attempting to board an Air Peace flight to Accra, Ghana, with a connecting flight to Dubai, UAE on Emirates Airline. The suspect, traveling with a bag filled with female native dresses, was found to be concealing eight parcels of illicit drugs, identified as Lod, totaling 2.10 kilograms. The drugs were hidden within the garments. Amen reportedly stated that he was paid N600,000 to transport the drugs to Dubai. The agency's swift action prevented the consignment, worth an estimated $1.5 million, from reaching its destination. The NDLEA continues to intensify its efforts to combat drug trafficking and ensure that such illegal operations are thwarted at all points of entry. According to a statement from Femi Babafemi, the NDLEAs Director of Media & Advocacy, Amen, a 30-year-old male, was intercepted on Thursday, July 18, 2024, while attempting to board an Air Peace flight to Accra, Ghana, with a connecting flight to Dubai, UAE on Emirates Airline.The suspect, traveling with a bag filled with female native dresses, was found to be concealing eight parcels of illicit drugs, identified as Lod, totaling 2.10 kilograms. The drugs were hidden within the garments.Amen reportedly stated that he was paid N600,000 to transport the drugs to Dubai. The agency's swift action prevented the consignment, worth an estimated $1.5 million, from reaching its destination.The NDLEA continues to intensify its efforts to combat drug trafficking and ensure that such illegal operations are thwarted at all points of entry. Watch video below... C0c@ne, Loud Consignments Hidden In Incense Candles, Ladies Wears, Others Seized At Lagos Airport pic.twitter.com/nUJqjTDhV0 Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 21, 2024 Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 21-07-2024 04:41 PM (2 months ago) | Addicted Hero 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. Experts discuss effects of indictment of former CIA analyst as South Korea secret agent By Young Gyo Kim July 20, 2024 The indictment of a former CIA analyst who allegedly worked for the South Korean government a and the abrupt resignation of the top U.S. envoy for North Korea a will not affect the coordination between Washington and Seoul in dealing with Pyongyang's threats, said former U.S. officials who dealt extensively with relations between the United States and South Korea. Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and prominent North Korea expert, has been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges of secretly working for the South Korean government, serving as a secret agent for South Korea's main intelligence agency in exchange for luxury goods, expensive meals and $37,000 for a public policy program that she controlled, according to an indictment unsealed last week. Damning indictment Terry served in the U.S. government from 2001 to 2011, first as a CIA analyst and later as the deputy national intelligence officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council, before working for think tanks. Terry is a well-known North Korea expert with a prominent media presence. News of her indictment rattled North Korea experts in Seoul and Washington. "At the direction of ROK government officials, Terry advocated ROK policy positions, including in published articles and during media appearances, disclosed nonpublic U.S. government information to ROK intelligence officers, and facilitated access for ROK government officials to U.S. government officials," according to the indictment, which was released Wednesday. ROK refers to the Republic of Korea or South Korea. Prosecutors say Terry never registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent. She faces two counts, one for failing to register under the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act and the other for conspiring to violate it. Abrupt resignation The indictment of Terry followed the abrupt resignation earlier this month of Jung Pak, the U.S. senior official for North Korea, who oversaw North Korean affairs at the U.S. State Department. A State Department spokesperson told VOA's Korean Service via email on July 9 that Pak "stepped down from her duties as U.S. senior official for the DPRK and deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs on July 5." DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. The indictment and the resignation come as North Korea escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula while Washington is enhancing security cooperation with Seoul. U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on July 11 on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. They reaffirmed their commitments to the Washington Declaration, which is designed to reinforce U.S. extended deterrence to South Korea in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear threats. US-ROK ties Some South Korean news media outlets raised concerns that the indictment of Terry could affect overall ties between the U.S. and South Korea. Former U.S. officials say these are separate events that are unlikely to affect the joint efforts by the U.S. and South Korea in addressing the North Korean issues. Susan Thornton, who served as acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs during the Trump administration, told VOA's Korean Service via email Friday that she doesn't believe there would be any disruption to the U.S.-South Korea bilateral coordination. "Sue Mi Terry is not in the government and the position of DPRK special representative was created to focus on negotiations with North Korea, which do not appear likely any time soon," Thornton said. "The two governments currently have ample channels for regular coordination on DPRK threats through the Departments of State, Defense, U.S. forces in Korea and the National Security Council, among others," she added. "I will say that I foresee no reduction in cooperation and coordination between the U.S. and South Korea, especially in the combined military relationship," said Harry Harris, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea during the Trump administration, in an email to VOA's Korean Service on Friday. Close coordination The U.S. dismissed the concerns over the possible friction with one of its closest allies in the world. "We will continue to consult closely with the Republic of Korea, Japan and other allies and partners about how to best engage the DPRK, deter aggression and coordinate international responses to the DPRK's violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," a State Department spokesperson told VOA's Korean Service in a written statement Friday, referring to South Korea by its official name. The spokesperson said that the vacancy of the U.S. official, who would solely cover the North Korean affairs, will not affect the U.S. policy toward North Korea. "EAP Assistant Secretary Dan Kritenbrink is currently overseeing DPRK policy for the Department of State. Ambassador Julie Turner continues to serve as special envoy on North Korean Human Rights," the spokesperson said. EAP is the State Department's term for East Asian and Pacific affairs. Seoul also stressed that South Korea and the U.S. are cooperating and maintaining close communication at various levels related to North Korea policy. "The director of the Korean Peninsula Policy Bureau continues to serve as the special representative for North Korea and communicates closely with the U.S. counterpart, and the Director of Diplomatic Strategy and Intelligence Division is discussing issues that require high-level consultations," a spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry told VOA's Korean Service via email Friday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East United Nations Secretary-General 12 July 2024 Secretary-General's remarks to UNRWA Pledging Conference [as delivered] Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Every year we meet to help bridge the gap between what is pledged to UNRWA and what is needed. This year is different. Yes, we face a profound funding gap. But Palestinians are seeing widening gaps across the board. Gaps in respect for international humanitarian law. Gaps in recognition of universal human rights and dignity for all. And, for Palestinians in Gaza, not just a gap - but death, destruction and 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. Recent days have brought yet more evacuation orders by Israeli authorities, yet more civilian suffering, and yet more bloodshed. Palestinians in Gaza keep being forced to move like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death. 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. Nowhere is safe. Everywhere is a potential killing zone. It is high time for the parties to show the political courage and political will to finally reach a deal. Excellencies, Nothing justifies the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7th. And nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Yet Palestinians - including, of course, Palestine Refugees - are enduring the deadliest period since the agency's creation. As we are all painfully aware, the horror has not spared UNRWA colleagues. 195 UNRWA staff members have been killed, the highest staff death toll in UN history. Many of them were killed together with their families and loved ones. UNRWA is also being targeted in other ways. Staff have been the subject of increasingly violent protests and virulent misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Some have been detained by Israeli security forces, and subsequently reported mistreatment and even torture. In the occupied West Bank, the presence and movements of UNRWA personnel have been severely restricted by Israeli authorities. Yet, despite these and other obstacles, in impossible conditions, and in the midst of their own grief, the women and men of UNRWA have bravely continued their work in whatever way they can. They are the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza. Can you imagine what it must be like to be in this situation? 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. They are doctors, nurses, counsellors, engineers, drivers and so many others, all demonstrating incredible courage and solidarity. And they are continuing to deliver UNRWA's mandate in desperate circumstances in Gaza - while UNRWA also strives to deliver in an increasingly challenging situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria - championing human development and human rights. Excellencies, Hopelessness is the greatest ally of instability. And the work of UNRWA is one of the greatest factors providing hope and stability across a troubled region. Without the necessary support and financing to UNRWA, Palestine Refugees will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future. To those of you who have already pledged support, I thank you. 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. We are working on all fronts to implement the recommendations of the Catherine Colonna Report, by strengthening UNRWA's work and risk management mechanisms. Now is also the time to work on all fronts to support UNRWA's critical mission. And now is the time to bring an end to this terrible 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. I urge you to act - and act now. Act to instill 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. Thank you. ****** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East United Nations Secretary-General 17 July 2024 [as delivered by Mr. Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet] Mr. President, Excellencies, I am pleased to deliver the Secretary-General's briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. His remarks are as follows: Last December, the hostilities in Gaza and Israel -- that have created appalling human suffering, physical destruction, and collective trauma -- led to my exceptional invocation of Article 99 of the United Nations Charter. Seven months later, the war rages on. Over 38,000 Palestinians have been reported killed according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza -- with some 87,000 injured and thousands missing -- many of whom are women and children. Over 1,500 Israelis and foreign nationals have been reported killed according to Israeli sources -- with more than 7,000 injured and 125 hostages still held in Gaza. The humanitarian support system in Gaza is close to total collapse. There is a complete breakdown of public order. And the spectre of further regional spillover is increasing by the day, as exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Hizbullah and Israel continue. Nothing can justify the horrific acts of terror committed by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel on 7 October. And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Mr. President, In recent weeks, Israeli military operations and fighting intensified across Gaza. Rockets continue to be launched by Palestinian armed groups from Gaza towards Israeli population centres. Rafah is in ruins - and the Rafah crossing remains closed, further hampering humanitarian operations. Almost two million people have been displaced- nearly the entire population of Gaza - and many of them multiple times. Nowhere in Gaza is safe. Meanwhile, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification partnership reports that almost half a million people face catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Communicable diseases are on the rise. Chokeholds on the fuel-supply have severely reduced access to water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. The United Nations remains committed to delivering lifesaving aid in Gaza. But we face severe challenges and deadly risks. Humanitarian convoys are frequently unable to collect and distribute lifesaving goods in safety - including from the crucial Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossing. Attacks on humanitarian aid workers and shelters, as well as strikes on or near health and humanitarian facilities, continue. Lawlessness and criminality are rampant. The parties must fundamentally and urgently change their conduct to address these challenges. The humanitarian notification system and other coordination mechanisms are not effective, resulting in delayed and aborted aid missions and the exposure of humanitarians to mortal risk. The UN still does not have the necessary security equipment in Gaza to manage the extreme risks that our personnel face. Despite ongoing dialogue with Israeli authorities and some improvements, much more is needed. The entry of humanitarian aid at scale, and its delivery to all parts of Gaza, are essential to the survival and wellbeing of civilians. We need consistent access through all crossing points and better access to those in need, wherever they are. It is long past time for a safe enabling environment for effective humanitarian operations in Gaza, in line with international humanitarian law. Mr. President, As much of the world's attention is focused on Gaza, the occupied West Bank -- including East Jerusalem -- faces perilous conditions. High levels of violence persist - including by Israeli security forces, settlers, and Palestinian armed groups. Between 7 October 2023 and 17 July 2024, 557 Palestinians - including 138 children - were killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem; the vast majority were killed in the context of Israeli security operations, including during subsequent exchanges with Palestinian armed groups; these include 540 killed by Israeli forces, 10 by Israeli settlers, and seven where it remains unknown whether the perpetrators were Israeli forces or settlers. During the same period, 22 Israelis, including nine members of Israeli forces, were killed by Palestinians in Israel and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Israeli measures are undermining the Palestinian Authority, crippling the Palestinian economy and driving instability. This month, the Israeli security cabinet approved a series of punitive steps against the Palestinian Authority. The steps reportedly include the legalization, under Israeli law, of five Israeli outposts in the occupied West Bank, the advancement of thousands of settlement housing units, and demolitions in parts of Area B in the occupied West Bank. At the same time, the Israeli Finance Minister lifted the suspension of the transfer to the Palestinian Authority of partial clearance revenues. These revenues are collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinians. He also renewed, for four months, the letter of indemnity for Israeli correspondent banking with Palestinian banks. Both of these measures are critical for Palestinian fiscal stability. But, once again, much more is required. Mr. President, Recent developments are driving a stake through the heart of any prospect for a two-State solution. The geography of the occupied West Bank is steadily being altered through Israeli administrative and legal steps. The seizure of large land parcels in strategic areas and changes to planning, land management and governance are expected to significantly accelerate settlement expansion. These changes include the issuance of two military orders at the end of May. These orders transferred powers to, and appointed, a civilian deputy in Israel's Civil Administration, which is alarming. This move is another significant advance in the ongoing transfer of authority over many aspects of daily life in the occupied West Bank, and a further step towards extending Israeli sovereignty over this occupied territory. If left unaddressed, these measures risk causing irreparable damage. Mr. President, We must change course. All settlement activity must cease immediately. Israeli settlements are a flagrant violation of international law and a key obstacle to peace. The violence must end, and the perpetrators of the violence must be swiftly brought to justice. Israel must ensure the safety and security of the Palestinian population. Mr. President, The United Nations is sparing no effort to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Those being held hostage have been suffering along with their families for far too long. We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. With the tireless efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States, negotiations to formulate a deal for the release of the hostages and a ceasefire continue with some reported progress. The parties must reach such a deal now. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is a moral stain on us all. International humanitarian law must be respected - at all times and by all parties. We must intensify efforts to increase humanitarian aid delivery. International support to these efforts is critical, particularly for the essential work of UNRWA. Amid continued reports of serious abuses against Palestinians in Israeli custody, I reiterate that all detainees must be treated humanely and those held without lawful cause must be released. And this terrible war must end. We must refocus on finding a political solution that will end the occupation and resolve the conflict in line with international law, and relevant United Nations resolutions. Ensuring that governance is restored in Gaza under a single, legitimate Palestinian government is essential to that effort. Support to the Palestinian Authority is critical. Its institutions must be strengthened so that it is prepared to govern and lead recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. All those with influence must take the urgent steps needed to enable the parties to re-engage on the long-delayed political path towards ending the occupation and resolving the conflict. This must occur in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions and bilateral agreements in pursuit of the vision of two States - Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State - living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both. The United Nations will continue to support all such efforts. Mr. President, this concludes the remarks of the Secretary-General. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken At Aspen Security Forum Fireside Chat Moderated by Mary Louise Kelly of National Public Radio US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Aspen Meadows Resort Aspen, Colorado July 19, 2024 MS KELLY: Good morning, everybody. Good morning, Secretary. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning. MS KELLY: Great to see you. Welcome back. I don't need to tell this room a lot has happened since you were last on this stage a year ago, and we are going to get through in our time this morning as much of it as I can pack in. We're going to talk Russia, China, Ukraine, the Middle East, Iran, and our domestic challenges here at home and what impact they may be having on America's standing in the world. You ready? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Go for it. (Laughter.) MS KELLY: Let's go. I want to start with what is truly the biggest game changer since we last gathered here, which is October 7th - the Hamas attack on Israel, the Israeli response, and Gaza war in the Middle East. Our ambassador at the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said this week, and I quote, that negotiations on a ceasefire "are trending in the right direction." Is she right, and on what is that based? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first of all, good morning, everyone. And it's wonderful to be here back in Aspen and with this remarkable group. Yeah, there's a lot going on, and the Middle East is front and center. What Linda is said is right. I believe we're inside the 10-yard line and driving toward the goal line in getting an agreement that would produce a ceasefire, get the hostages home, and put us on a better track to trying to build lasting peace and stability. But MS KELLY: And again, on what is that based SECRETARY BLINKEN: It's based on two things. MS KELLY: other than hope. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yes, because hope is good but it's insufficient. No, it's based on reality, and the reality is this. A month ago, President Biden put out a detailed proposal for getting to a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the ability to move forward. And what happened after that was quite extraordinary. The entire world came together in support of that proposal, country after country standing up and endorsing it, the United Nations Security Council, where Linda did a tremendous job, coming together - something we don't see that often these days - 14 to nothing, with Russia abstaining, in support of that agreement. And the result was, after a lot of pushing and diplomacy in the weeks after that, we have an agreement to the framework that the President put out by both Israel and Hamas. The question now is finishing the negotiation of some critical details that are important. MS KELLY: Well, and then Hamas hasn't signed on. Have they SECRETARY BLINKEN: Oh, no, they signed onto the framework. MS KELLY: Right. But did SECRETARY BLINKEN: And that's what so important. But there remain some issues that need to be resolved, that need to be negotiated. We're in the midst of doing exactly that. And by the way, when I say we're inside the 10-yard line, we are. Now, we also know that with anything, the last 10 yards are often the hardest. MS KELLY: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: So I don't want to be in any way naive about it, but based on everything we've been doing for these last now really six months - because starting in January, we believed and we continue to believe that the quickest way to bring this war to an end, to bring relief to the people of Gaza who so desperately need it, to put Gaza itself, to put the entire region on a better path is through an agreement on a ceasefire and hostages. So that's actually the quickest way to get it done. MS KELLY: Netanyahu will be in D.C. on Monday. SECRETARY BLINKEN: That's right. MS KELLY: What's your big ask of him? What would count as a successful visit? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think we need to make sure of two things. We, of course, want to bring this agreement over the finish line. But while that's necessary, it's also not enough, because what's critical once we get it, assuming we do, is to make sure that there's a clear plan for what follows - the so-called day-after plan. But - because what we can't have is this. What we can't have is an agreement that's followed by some kind of void MS KELLY: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: that will either be filled, if it's there, by Hamas coming back, which is unacceptable; by Israel prolonging its occupation, which they say they don't want to do and is unacceptable; or just having a vacuum that's filled by lawlessness, that's filled by chaos, which we see in so many parts of Gaza right now, which is also inimical to actually helping people who desperately need it. So making sure that we have a plan in place, which we've been working on also every single day - with Arab partners, with Israel, with many others for governance, for security, for humanitarian assistance, for reconstruction - that's critical. And I imagine the discussions with the prime minister will center around that. MS KELLY: And have you figured out how to deal with Netanyahu? I mean, the administration has tried the bear hug - unwavering support. You tried pressure and withholding 2,000-pound bombs. Where are you now? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I'm not focused on personalities; I'm focused on policies. And we want to make sure as we go forward with anyone - whether it's our Israeli allies or anyone else - that we reach agreements on the concrete steps to be taken to move whatever it is we're trying to move forward. MS KELLY: I'll ask it a slightly different way. Have you figured out what Netanyahu wants? Do you give any credence to the view among many analysts in Israel that he would actually kind of like to slow-walk or even thwart a ceasefire and hostage deal because the far right in his coalition oppose it and it could cost him his job? SECRETARY BLINKEN: What I'm seeing, what I'm hearing across Israeli society is a strong desire to get this done, to get a ceasefire, to get the hostages home after so many months, including - and it's often forgotten here - American hostages. I've met with the American hostage families and other hostage families, I don't know, 10, 12 times. So have - the President has, Jake Sullivan has - many others in our administration have. So this is real and personal to so many of us, but for the Israeli people, bringing people home is their number one priority. And I believe getting a ceasefire is something that most Israelis support. At the same time, we have to get this because the suffering of people every single day - innocent men, women, and children who've been caught for the last nine months in a crossfire of Hamas's making - that has to end, too. MS KELLY: Yeah. I appreciate your reminding all of us of the obvious, that these are real humans and lives at stake, because that is clearly important and at the center of this. One more on the Middle East. Is the two-state solution dead? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Not only is it not dead - it can't be. And there MS KELLY: It's very hard to find a path to optimism given that Israelis are now resisting it - government, ordinary people - Gaza is destroyed, settlers are taking more land in the West Bank. Where does that leave room for hope? SECRETARY BLINKEN: You know, John McCain used to say that it's always darkest before it goes completely black. (Laughter.) So MS KELLY: We miss him every day. SECRETARY BLINKEN: If you - (laughter) - if you keep that in mind, it's not bad guidance for the work that we're all trying to do. But look, there are some fundamental realities that we can't escape. The fundamental realities are these: Between Gaza and the West Bank, there are somewhere over 5 million Palestinians, there are about 7 million Israeli Jews. Neither is going anywhere - Palestinians are not going anywhere; the Jews are not going anywhere. There has to be an accommodation but an accommodation that does two things: that brings lasting peace and lasting security to Israelis who so desperately want it and need it, and fulfills the right to self-determination of the Palestinians. Now, with any right comes responsibility - responsibility to build a state that would not be a threat to Israel, that won't be a Hamas-stan, that won't be like Lebanon with Hizballah actually dominating the country. So there are important things that would need to happen in order for a state to be realized. But I believe strongly that yes, that has to be the future. And by the way, the two strongest opponents of a two-state solution, who are they? Iran and Hamas. So the strongest possible rebuke to both Iran and Hamas would be the realization of two states. At every step along the way, in the history of this - you go back to the Oslo Accords - who tried to disrupt the Oslo Accords? Hamas. When the Arabs launched the Arab Peace Initiative and were moving toward recognition of Israel, who unfortunately effectively disrupted that? Hamas - with one of the most horrific terrorist attacks before October 7th that we've seen in Israel. So if you look at the logic of this, it's compelling. And there's something else - and I'm sorry for going on but I think it's important. There is a different future, and we saw - we've seen its outlines in an almost embryonic form, but it's there, a different future for Israel that realizes maybe its number-one objective since the founding of the state, and that is its acceptance in the region, having normal relations with all of its neighbors. We see that through the work that we're doing on normalization. We saw that when Iran attacked Israel, and for the first time a direct attack from Iran on Israel, the United States - but not just the United States - European countries and countries in the region - came to Israel's defense. So we can see a future where Israel is integrated in the region, it's more secure, the Palestinians realize their aspirations for a state, and the enemies of that future - Iran and its various proxies - are isolated. MS KELLY: Thank you for making the case for hope. Iran, you mentioned - stay there. They just held presidential elections of their own. What opportunities do you see with this new reformist president, President Pezeshkian? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think we'll of course look to see what policies Iran pursues. But the reality is, the bottom line is the supreme leader continues to call the shots. So I can't say that we have any great expectations, but let's see what he and his team actually do once they're in office. As you know, when this administration came in, we tried to pursue again nuclear diplomacy with Iran, because if you can at least take one problem off the board, which is Iran potentially with a nuclear weapon, that's inherently a good thing. We had, as you know, well, an agreement reached during the Obama administration that actually put Iran's nuclear program in a box. And one of the biggest mistakes that we've made in recent years, was throwing out that agreement and allowing Iran to get out of the box that we put it in. So we were testing the proposition about whether we could at least recreate something that looked like that, but MS KELLY: Every time I've interviewed you as Secretary, I have asked you the same question: Is U.S. policy still that Iran must not be allowed to get a nuclear weapon? SECRETARY BLINKEN: It is, resolutely. MS KELLY: Which is what you always answer. And then I always ask: So how are you going to stop them? How are you going to stop them? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, there are - by far, the preferable way to do it would be through diplomacy. Where we are now is not in a good place. Iran, because the nuclear agreement was thrown out, instead of being at least a year away from having the breakout capacity of producing fissile material for a nuclear weapon, is now probably one or two weeks away from doing that. Now, they haven't developed a weapon itself MS KELLY: Just one or two weeks, that's what SECRETARY BLINKEN: One or two weeks is probably what the realistic breakout time is. They are - they haven't produced a weapon itself, but that's something of course that we track very, very carefully. And you put those two things together - the fissile material, an explosive device - and you have a nuclear weapon. So we're focused on that. What we've seen in the last weeks and months is Iran that's actually moving forward with its program. So the first thing we need to see if Iran is serious about engaging is actually pulling back on the work that it's doing on its program. Second, we of course have been maximizing pressure on Iran across the board. We've imposed more than 600 sanctions on Iranian persons, entities of one kind or another. We haven't lifted a single sanction. And we have much closer coordination now with European partners and allies. MS KELLY: I guess that gets to my question, though. You're applying every tool in the toolkit, and yet you just told us they are moving forward. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, they're moving forward in terms of the capacity to break out in producing fissile material. We're looking very carefully at anything they might be doing on weaponization. But it's important here as well to make sure that in doing this, we're acting in close concert with partners in Europe, in the region, and we've built that kind of approach in ways that we didn't have a few years ago. MS KELLY: Ukraine. I'll start with the cause for hope: NATO has recently expanded military support. A lot of the ammunition shortages have been addressed. Dozens of F-16 fighter jets are on their way to Ukraine. They're expected to be operational this summer. How do you ensure that U.S. aid to Ukraine continues if there is a change in the White House? Or to put it more bluntly, how do you Trump-proof aid to Ukraine? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think it's important to note two things. First - and it's always important to start here - Vladimir Putin has already failed. He's failed in the objective he set, which was to erase Ukraine from the map, to end its existence as an independent state, to subsume it into a greater Russia. That has failed and it cannot succeed. Now the measure of success for Ukraine given Russia's failure - and of course so many other losses that came with that - the fact that for Russia now it's lost its energy market in Europe, it's facing a NATO that is stronger and larger than it's ever been, and no one could have imagined three years ago that Finland and Sweden would become members of NATO - across the board, virtually everything as a strategic matter that Putin has sought to prevent he has precipitated by his actions. The question now is what constitutes success for Ukraine going forward. And I think the answer is straightforward. It's a Ukraine that is strong, that's independent, that's increasingly integrated with the West, and that stands on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically. And we have Ukraine on that trajectory. Even as we're working to do everything we can to make sure that it has what it needs to deal with the ongoing Russian aggression, we're also helping Ukraine build this plan, program for the future. Now, a lot has already gone into that, and yes, it will continue to need resources. But I think if people look at the logic of this, we've seen a strong bipartisan majority in both houses of Congress for supporting Ukraine. I believe that support is still there. Any administration I think will take account of that. And any administration has to ask hard questions. If we stop, if we reverse ourselves, if we let Ukraine down, what will Putin do? He will then really resume the aggression and possibly have a chance of succeeding where for now he's failed. He won't stop at Ukraine. He's likely to go at other countries in the region, including NATO Allies. And other would-be aggressors far afield from Ukraine - far afield from Europe - they're taking lessons from this too. MS KELLY: My question again: Is there anything you can do to try to lock in now, in July 2024, to ensure that the U.S. continues to honor the obligations and commitments it has made no matter who is running things a year from now? SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we've done a number of things, and look, every administration has an opportunity, of course, to set its own policies. We can't lock in the future. But just a week ago at the NATO summit, we had more than 20 countries come together on the margins of the summit to announce that they had negotiated and signed 10-year bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. And that means that all of these countries, including the United States, have committed to help Ukraine for the next decade build up its deterrent capacity, build up its defenses. Now, if we were to renege on that, I suppose that's possible. But happily, we have another 20-some odd countries - and we're heading to more than 30 - that will be doing the same thing. These are long-term commitments to Ukraine. MS KELLY: I want to ask about what it would take for the U.S. to change its policy on how far Ukraine can shoot weapons into Russia. And I'm drawing - for that question I reached out to colleagues in our Kyiv bureau, including Ukrainian colleagues. I was curious what they would want to ask you. They want to know: Does Washington want Ukraine to win or not? (Applause.) SECRETARY BLINKEN: I think if you look at the last two and a half years, it's hard to conclude that anyone has done more for Ukraine to assure its success than the United States of America, and that will continue for as long as we have anything to say about it. Now, what - MS KELLY: That is true, but they would point out they're being asked to fight with one hand tied behind their back. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Every step along the way we've tried to make sure that we're adapting and adjusting to the realities on the ground, to what's actually happening, to make sure the Ukrainians have what they need when they need it. But often it's not as simple as it seems. Let me give you an example. At various points during these last two and a half years, one weapon system or another has made itself - made its ways into the headlines. Maybe it's F-16s, which, as you noted, are in the process of being delivered. Maybe it's an Abrams tank, some other system. And there seems to be this binary question - oh, we give it to them or we don't - but it's not as simple as that. It's not enough to give them a weapon system. They have to be able to use it. They have to be able to maintain it. It has to be part of a cohesive strategy. And so as we've done these things - and Lloyd Austin has done an extraordinary job bringing together more than 50 countries in support of Ukraine's defense, but also working through each of these decisions. And again, every step along the way, as necessary, we've done more, we've adjusted, we've adapted. And I'm convinced we'll continue to do that. MS KELLY: So on this specific question of Ukraine's ability to use the weapons it is being given to actually attack the enemy that is attacking them, it sounds like that is a conversation that is ongoing? SECRETARY BLINKEN: There is always an ongoing conversation. MS KELLY: Yes, okay. Why not - why not make crystal clear Ukraine has a place in NATO, Ukraine will get membership in NATO, put some kind of timeline on it - a year, two years, five years, I don't know - but just to make clear to Vladimir Putin we're calling your bluff? SECRETARY BLINKEN: We have made that crystal clear. That's exactly what the last two NATO summit declarations say. Vilnius - Ukraine will become a member of NATO when conditions allow, when all members agree. In this summit we've talked about the irreversibility of Ukraine's path to NATO. And more than that, I think it's easy to look at the language in a summit declaration and maybe harder to understand what's actually happening in a practical way. We were really determined with this summit to build a bridge to Ukraine's NATO membership because, again, you have to do this in a deliberate, methodical way to make sure that any country coming in is prepared to assume the responsibilities of membership, contributes fully to the Alliance, and meets the various requirements. So this last summit really put in place a bridge for Ukraine to go across. For the first time ever, we've stood up a dedicated NATO command whose purpose is basically to help Ukraine cross that bridge. We've never done that before. So I think the direction is clear, and if you're in Moscow MS KELLY: The timeline is TBD but after the war ends? SECRETARY BLINKEN: The timeline is based on meeting the various requirements, but I am convinced that what we've put in place will help Ukraine do that quickly. MS KELLY: I want to ask about Americans detained in Russia, including Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal, who was sentenced this morning to 16 years in prison. Also Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize this year for his columns for The Washington Post. How do we bring them home? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I think you had Roger Carstens here a couple of days ago. Roger, his team, every single day are working to bring unjustly detained Americans home wherever they're held. And of course, when it comes to Evan, when it comes to Paul Whelan in Russia, other Americans, we're working it quite literally every day looking to see what we can do to get them home. We've had a rather extraordinary track record over the last three and a half years of doing just that, bringing some 30 Americans home from different places around the world where they were being unjustly detained. All I can tell you is this: We're working it. We're working it as we speak, and we're not going to stop until we get Evan home, get Paul Whelan home, till we get others home. MS KELLY: Understanding and appreciating that you would not want to get into any details in a public forum of negotiations that may be underway, is Putin - and many other bad actors in the world, but let's stick with Putin - is he just waiting out Biden? Like, why would he cut a deal on Evan Gershkovich now when it's such a huge bargaining chip for him with the next administration? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well you're right; I'm not going to get into the details. (Laughter.) Look, any effort to bring any American home is going to be part of a process of back-and-forth discussion, potentially of negotiation. And depending on what the other side is looking for, they'll reach their own conclusions about whether it meets whatever their needs are and we can bring someone home, and I don't think that's dependent on an election in the United States or anywhere else. MS KELLY: Okay. You talked about how Russia, in your view, has already lost, that they're facing a bigger, stronger NATO than three years ago. Are U.S. sanctions, are Western sanctions on Russia, working? Can you name for us a single example of where they have prompted Vladimir Putin to behave better? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I think we - we make a mistake if we look at the question of whether a sanction has succeeded solely on the question of has it immediately changed behavior, because what we know is this: The sanctions that we've been able to impose - and not just us, dozens of countries around the world in an extraordinary, coordinated effort that actually started before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. When we saw it coming, we got prepared. We brought countries together. We planned out what we were going to do. And every - in all the months since, we have added collectively to the pressure on Russia. But what does that mean in practice? It means that everything that so many countries around the world can do easily, it's much harder for them to do. Everything that we can do cheaply, it's much more costly for them to do. And this has a growing, powerful weight on Russia's economy and on Russia's future. You have a combination of sanctions, export controls, a brain drain from Russia. At one point more than a million people had left. Some have gone back, but the ones who have left tend to be the best and the brightest who are contributing to Russia's future. Its ability to move forward with critical industries, whether it's defense aerospace, whether it's energy exploration - all of those have a heavier and heavier weight on them. Now, it's also true the Russians have found workarounds, and particularly in their relationship with North Korea, with Iran, and unfortunately with China, they have found ways to keep the defense industrial base moving so that they can continue to prosecute the aggression against Ukraine. But as I'm looking at it, as I'm looking at Russia's future, if this weight remains imposed on them, that future is harder and darker, and that's not what we want, and it was certainly not what we wanted when we started. But it's a reality that they have imposed upon themselves. MS KELLY: Yeah. How are you thinking about that, about the unintended consequence of Russia being driven closer to North Korea, China, and Russia? How are you thinking about that axis, alliance? Like, what's the term you're using? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I think we've seen two things. We have seen that, although that was something that was in the works for a long time, and maybe some of it's accelerated as a result of the war in Ukraine, but we've also seen something else that's been quite remarkable. I've been doing this for more than 30 years. I have not seen a time when there's been greater convergence between the United States and our European partners and our partners in Asia in terms of the approach to Russia, but also in terms of the approach to China, than we're seeing right now. We've built convergence across the Atlantic, we've built it across the Pacific, and we've built it between the Atlantic and the Pacific. So I would take our team and the countries that we're working with than anything that Russia's been able to put together. Beyond that, I think there are going to be - and we've already seen a lot of strains in these groupings. It's not particularly good for your reputation to be working closely with Russia and helping it perpetuate its war in Ukraine. So I think China is very uncomfortable in the position it's in, but for now we do have a challenge, which is China is providing not weapons, unlike North Korea and Iran, but it's providing the inputs for Russia's defense industrial base. Seventy percent of the machine tools that Russia is importing come from China. Ninety percent of the microelectronics come from China. And that's going into the defense industrial base and turning into missiles and tanks and other weapons. We've called out China on that. We have sanctioned Chinese companies. But more to the point, so have many others. And we just saw that in Europe a couple of weeks ago. And China can't have it both ways. It can't all at once be saying that it's for peace in Ukraine when it is helping to fuel the ongoing pursuit of the war by Russia. It can't say that it wants better relations with Europe when it is actually helping to fuel the greatest threat to Europe's security since the end of the Cold War. MS KELLY: On China, last year on this stage you talked about your goal of putting stability back in the U.S.-China relationship - I think you used the phrase "putting a floor under it" - and trying to make sure that competition doesn't tip into conflict. Have you succeeded? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I believe we have. When we were last here, I guess it was after an initial trip that I made to China, and then many of my colleagues followed - Secretary Yellen, Secretary Raimondo. And we've done a number of things - and of course, President Biden and President Xi in late November in San Francisco. We've done a number of things that are critical. We have restored regular, high-level engagements between our countries. And that's vitally important, because if you want to avoid any kind of unintended conflict, you've got to start by talking, by communicating. And we've restored that. And there's a steady drumbeat of these engagements, these communications, including restoring, critically, these military-to-military communications. MS KELLY: How often do you speak to your Chinese counterpart? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I speak to him on a fairly regular basis, and I'm - I'll be seeing him next week, in fact, in Laos. But that's important. But it's important for two reasons. It's important, first, to make sure that, again, we have clarity and we're not getting into something that's unintended. It's also important because, one, we're able to communicate very clearly on areas where we disagree so at least China knows where we're coming from, just as we know where they're coming from. We have that on the South China Sea, we have that on Taiwan, we have that on overcapacity now. These are critical. But there's another aspect to this; I'll just mention it quickly. This relationship cannot be put on a bumper sticker. At least, if it can be, maybe MS KELLY: It'd be a very bad bumper sticker. SECRETARY BLINKEN: a very long - long bumper sticker, a large bumper sticker. Because it's the most consequential and the most complex relationship we have. There are aspects of, really, competition, which is probably the fundamental way I'd define it; but also contestation, but also cooperation. And we've found places where it's in our mutual interest to actually cooperate, even as we're competing very vigorously for the future and shaping the future. Fentanyl is one of them. MS KELLY: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Single number-one killer of Americans between the ages of 18 to 45. Forty percent of Americans know someone who died from an opioid overdose. We have, of course, been going at this for a long time, and trying to make sure that when it comes to the chemical precursors, the ingredients that go into making fentanyl and that are mostly now manufactured in China - for perfectly legal reasons, but then get diverted illegally, come to Mexico, get synthesized into fentanyl, come into the United States - we wanted to make sure that China is actually doing what it needs to do to curb the flow of those precursors. And this is something that President Biden negotiated with President Xi when they met in November in San Francisco. MS KELLY: (Inaudible.) SECRETARY BLINKEN: We've now seen - it's not - it's a good start, but it's not enough - cooperation, finally, on doing just that. MS KELLY: On Taiwan, China has signaled pretty aggressively it hates Taiwan's new president. This spring they mounted bigger than ever military drills, simulating a blockade. How worried - just quick update in this moment: How worried should we be, how worried are you about developments in the Taiwan Strait? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, this too is something, of course, that we're tracking all the time - not just the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea. We've seen Second Thomas Shoal with the Philippines as well come up again in the news. Look, I think this goes back to the point I was making about convergence a little earlier. One of the things that we've done is in sort of building bridges between Europe and Asia and thinking about the big challenges that we face is raise the recognition far away from the Taiwan Strait that if there were to be a crisis over Taiwan, it would be a crisis that effects quite literally everyone in the world, not just the immediate neighbors. Fifty percent of commercial cargo traffic goes through those straits every day. Seventy percent of the semiconductors that the world relies on, manufactured in Taiwan. So we've now seen over the last year, year and a half, a chorus of countries from far afield really impressing upon China the imperative of not having a crisis, not stirring the pot, not disturbing the status quo, preserving peace and stability. The more you have that collective weight on China, I think, the more they're likely to not lead us in that direction. MS KELLY: Speaking of convergence, of connectivity, this huge global outage underway that I think is sabotaging all of our flights out of Aspen right now as speak. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Is that a bad thing? (Laughter.) I don't MS KELLY: There's that. We may all be on your plane on the way home this afternoon - (laughter) - at the current rate. What's your understanding of what happened? And I guess the bigger picture, what does it tell us about our vulnerabilities that a software update can blow out flights worldwide and many other things this morning? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, my best understanding is exactly that: there was some kind of glitch in the software update. This was not a - to the best of my knowledge now, a malicious attack of any kind. But, look, it does underscore some very basic things. We have to continue to build resilience in our systems. We have to continue to build redundancy. We have to continue to diversify so we're not reliant, as best possible, on any single point of failure. That's something we've been very much engaged in. We've been doing that with supply chains across the world, building coalitions of countries to make sure that we're coordinating on supply chains, building new ones, and making sure that if we see a problem, we can address it immediately. MS KELLY: Yeah. On challenges to our democracy here at home, I remember interviewing you when you were a baby Secretary of State - (laughter) - February 2021. You'd just started the job, and you were speaking about the importance of advancing American values worldwide. And I asked you, is that harder when our values our under siege here at home, which sadly feels like a very relevant question again. When you speak with your foreign counterparts, are they worried about instability here at home leading to instability everywhere? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first, I think many of our friends and partners share the horror that I think every American felt at the attack on former President Trump, at the attempted assassination, at the killing of an incredible family man who lost his life trying to protect his family. And for Americans, we say that political violence is unacceptable, and of course it is, but it's also been a thread in our history, as everyone knows all too well, and something that each and every time you hope is the last time that we see it. But for me going around the world and talking to people about this, I think the greatest strength that we bring to a crisis of this kind, to an attack on our democracy at home, even to the divisions that we have at home - which are real, which are profound - is the way we approach them, is what we actually do in response. And the hallmark of this country heretofore has always been to confront our challenges, to confront our differences openly, transparently, not to pretend they don't exist, not to sweep them under the rug, but to engage them - even when it's ugly, even when it's incredibly painful. And that's something that continues to set us apart. Most other countries don't actually do that. So I believe strongly that as long as we continue to do that, including in the wake of something as horrific as what happened a week ago, actually it's a demonstration of the resilience of our democracy, the resilience of our values, and the importance of openness, of transparency, of a willingness to confront our own demons, our own problems. MS KELLY: But is that the way the - thank you. Yes. (Applause.) Is that the way the foreign leaders you're interacting with see it? I'm imagining you must get some pretty tough questions about things like an attempted assassination, the apparent inability of our Secret Service to prevent that attempt, a sense that things are out of control in the U.S. I mean, that must have some impact on America's ability to lead and wield influence on all kinds of things. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, I really think it's all in the response, and that's an ongoing matter. Let's see where the facts take us. Let's make sure we understand exactly what happened. Let's see what we do in response to that. And let's focus on the way that we do it. If we can continue to do this together, as his been the case in the past - even with the arguments, even with the divisions - look, every single time up to today, up to now, even when we've had these terrible moments in our history, we have managed to emerge on the other side, and usually stronger and better off. Now, it's no guarantee for the future, but again, I feel strongly as long as we continue to confront these challenges directly, openly, transparently, we'll get through them. MS KELLY: A question that I put to Bill Burns on this stage last year that I want to put to you: What should we be focused on that we are not? I've just asked you about the Middle East and Russia and Ukraine, and is there a place, an issue, a country, a person that journalists should ask you about and we don't? (Laughter.) SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, if I gave you an answer to that question, that would mean that I'm sort of tipping you off to a real problem we have that we don't want to talk about because the answer is too complicated - (laughter) - and then I get myself in trouble. MS KELLY: Go ahead and tip us off. (Laughter.) SECRETARY BLINKEN: But nonetheless, no, I think, look, most of the challenges are readily apparent. And there are some places that are not getting the attention that they probably deserve because there's only so much that people can digest. Sudan right now is probably the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, and yet it's not getting the attention it deserves. It is from our administration; we're intensely focused on it. More to come in the days and weeks ahead. But the fallout from that, not just in human costs but in everything that could happen beyond Sudan, is something we have to be aware of. There are obviously profound changes that are going on throughout our societies that will have huge implications for the coming years and decades, and it's important to try to get ahead of them. I'll give you just a couple of direct examples there. Just in the last three years, we've worked hard to reorganize our own - my own department, the State Department, to make sure that it was actually fit for purpose for the world that we're living in now, not the world that the State Department was dealing with for the previous 50 years. We stood up a new bureau on global health to make sure that we're prepared and working to prevent and, as necessary, deal with the next pandemic. We stood up a bureau on cyber policy, digital policy, emerging technology to make sure that the United States is at the forefront in helping to define, to shape the rules, the norms, the standards by which all of this technology is going to be used. We stood up a China House. We have something called the Global Engagement Center, which is focused on a front in the current great power competition that is maybe the most intense, one of the most important, but of course is something that doesn't get the focus that it might deserve from all of us, and that's the information front, to make sure that we're effectively, as best we can, dealing with misinformation, dealing with disinformation. We now have agreements with nearly 20 countries to work collaboratively on doing just that. And then we have to look at what the world's going to look like going forward. We're heading over the next 20 or 30 years for peak population, and we're going to see declining populations around the world. Our basic model of economic growth is in jeopardy because we're going to have fewer productive workers, we're going to have an older population, we're going to have fewer people being able to produce things in our factories, fewer people able to buy things. Now, it may be that all of the extraordinary technology that's coming forward will lead to extraordinary increases in productivity and be able to overcome that, but we have an emerging gap, a gap that's growing wider, between the number of people who are coming on to employment age around the world and the number of jobs that are available for those people. These are the kinds of things that we have to be very, very mindful of. And I'll give you one other example. If you're looking at how governments are responding to aging populations in so many of our democracies, understandably they're doing what any democratic country would do and even non-democratic countries. They're devoting resources to that population, that segment of the population. It means they're taking resources away from younger generations, and younger generations in that way are losing political power relative to older generations. And to the extent they believe that working through the democratic process they will not be able to achieve what they want in trying to provide support, help for their lives, for their futures, they may start to look at doing other things. This is where populism becomes incredibly appealing. This is something that we have to be very cognizant about around the world. MS KELLY: Speaking of the younger generation, last question. We have a terrific program here, Rising Leaders. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yes. MS KELLY: These are SECRETARY BLINKEN: I met with the group yesterday. MS KELLY: Yes. SECRETARY BLINKEN: By the way, when I met with them, I said: If you're rising leaders, I guess that makes me a descending leader. (Laughter.) MS KELLY: You may have shared this with them. If so, share it with the rest of us. Hit us with your best piece of advice. What do you wish 25-year-old Tony Blinken had known? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I guess my - maybe my best piece of advice - I don't know if it's the best piece of advice, but certainly what I'd share is this. As I've had the great privilege and fortune of being able to go around the world these last three and a half years on behalf of the United States, and as we've confronted so many challenges - and as an American citizen, as I look at our own country - I think that the most potent poison in our common wealth is dehumanization, the inability to see the humanity in someone else. And when that sets in, everything good becomes so much harder, everything bad becomes so much more possible. So my biggest piece of advice to anyone who's engaged in public policy, anyone who's engaged in a debate about any policy, is focus on the humanity of the person on the other side of the table; understand where they're coming from, what they're all about, what their aspirations are; recognize how much we actually have in common underneath all of these differences. If we put the focus there, if we end or minimize the terrible dehumanization that we see in so many places around the world, then I'm more than convinced - I know - that the best of humanity is not only possible, it's what will happen. If we fail, if we don't do that, then what is a very dangerous world is going to get a lot more dangerous, and what is divided societies in so many places will become even more divided, and that will be a loss for everyone. But I've seen these bridges being built in so many places that I go to. I've met so many people who are doing that every single day, that are - people who are finding the humanity in the other. So to me, that's our most important challenge. (Applause.) MS KELLY: Thank you. I want to thank Aspen - I want to thank Aspen for giving us a forum for these questions, and I want to thank you, Secretary Blinken, for fielding them. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. MS KELLY: It's a pleasure. Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. (Applause.) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 19 July 2024 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** International Court of Justice Good afternoon, everyone. First of all, I'm going to point out, as many of you have been asking about, I can confirm that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has delivered today its advisory opinion in the proceedings concerning legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. We do expect to have a statement on this sometime this afternoon. I was hoping to have it for you, but it will take a little while longer but once we have it, we will share it around. ** Israel We were also asked about the drone attack that took place in Tel Aviv. I can tell you that the Secretary-General condemns today's deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv, for which the Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility. This attack resulted in a death and several injuries. He sends his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the risk such dangerous acts pose for further escalation in the region. He urges all to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate to avoid further enflaming the situation in the region. The United Nations remains committed to supporting efforts for peace and stability in the region. ** United Nations Relief and Works Agency Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency UNRWA today thanked the United Kingdom for its renewed trust in UNRWA. He said that the resumption of UK funding to UNRWA is testament to the life-saving and human development work of its teams across the region, including on the humanitarian front lines in Gaza. He noted that the announcement comes at a critical time as the Agency continues to come under harsh and unprecedented attacks. In London today, Mr. Lazzarini reiterated that UNRWA is fully committed, with the support of donors and host countries, to implement the recommendations of the Catherine Colonna report. This will further reinforce the principle of the agency's neutrality in a deeply polarized environment. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation in Gaza, our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are deeply concerned over the ongoing spread of infectious diseases due to severe overcrowding of shelter spaces, dire shortages of clean water, and abysmal sanitation and hygiene conditions. In a particularly worrying development, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that six environmental samples of variant poliovirus type 2 have been detected in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah. No paralytic cases have yet been detected. Polio can cause paralysis and death, especially among unvaccinated children. The WHO head, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a social media post today that his agency alongside UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), UNRWA and the Ministry of Health in Gaza are carrying out a risk assessment to understand the scope of poliovirus spread and the necessary response to stop it, including through prompt vaccination campaigns. He warned that the decimation of Gaza's health system and shortages of key supplies, among other factors, are increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio. Other infectious diseases in Gaza are surging. As of 7 July, WHO says nearly 1 million cases of acute respiratory infections have been recorded since 7 October. Nearly 575,000 cases of acute watery diarrhoea, and more than 100,000 cases of jaundice, have also been documented. However, WHO says the real number of infections is likely far higher. An assessment last week by OCHA and humanitarian partners at two informal displacement sites and an UNRWA school found that most toilets there are not working due to damage and septic issues. This means sewage is spilling into the streets at some sites. OCHA adds that over the past week, aid organizations have seen a surge in displacement from northern to southern Gaza. As of yesterday, partners reported that more than 2,500 people had been displaced from northern Gaza to areas farther south in a single week. Aid workers provided those displaced with food, drinking water, hygiene supplies and some shelter materials. Efforts are ongoing to provide additional assistance to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, older people and those with disabilities. ** Sudan The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, has concluded the Geneva Proximity Talks with delegations appointed by both parties. He had separately engaged with the delegation of each party during discussions that took place from 11 to 19 July. During this period, Mr. Lamamra's team held around 20 sessions with the parties' delegations, including technical and plenary meetings. Mr. Lamamra said that throughout these engagements, the delegations expressed their positions on key issues of concern, in light of their responsibilities, allowing to deepen the mutual understanding. He then explored avenues to address these issues to contribute to alleviating the suffering of the civilians in Sudan. Mr. Lamamra added that the discussions are an encouraging initial step in a longer and complex process. He urged both parties to step up their engagement for peace for the sake of the Sudanese people and the future of the country. Turning to the situation on the ground, our colleagues at the World Food Programme (WFP) are saying they are extremely concerned about the escalation of fighting in Sudan's Sennar State in the south-west of the country. This situation has caused more than 136,000 people to flee their homes since the fighting erupted at the end of June, many for the second or third time since the conflict started. WFP has so far supported 46,000 people who fled to Damazine in Blue Nile and 3,000 people who have sought refuge in Kassala in Gedaref. The impact of this escalation extends far beyond displacement. It has severely affected the World Food Programme's operations across the region, including White Nile, Blue Nile, Kassala, and Gedaref. Fighting in Sennar cut off key supply routes for food and fuel into the state, leaving residents unable to access basic needs. WFP's hub in Kosti is completely cut off. The route from Port Sudan to Kosti cuts through Sennarand is currently inaccessible. This route is a lifeline to get assistance to hundreds of thousands of people in Sudan, including many communities at risk of famine in the Kordofans and the Darfur region. Getting assistance into Darfur from Chad has also halted. The Adre crossing from Chad is still closed and the Chad-Darfur crossing via Tine is inaccessible due to heavy rains and flooding brought by the rainy season. This means that many areas are cut off from assistance. WFP repeats its calls for all possible humanitarian corridors to be open so we can reach all those in need. ** South Sudan Moving to South Sudan, where our peacekeeping mission UNMISS will be supporting a mobile court in Bentiu, Unity state, scheduled to begin on 22 July. This national initiative, led by the State Governor with support from the country's judiciary and the Ministry of Justice, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the rule of law and accountability. The mobile court will bring judges from South Sudan's formal justice system to Bentiu to fairly adjudicate serious criminal cases including murder and rape and is expected to deter crime, as well as enhance security. Since the court will continue until 21 August, we'll keep you updated on the proceedings. UNMISS also handed over a newly constructed police post to local authorities in remote Nagero, in Western Equatoria state. This was appreciated by communities living here who have been dealing with insecurity following a surge of intercommunal conflict in neighbouring Tambura County last April. ** Central African Republic Turning to the Central African Republic, our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs remain deeply concerned by the disastrous impact that ongoing hostilities there are having on civilians. One in five people in the country is displaced, either internally or in neighbouring countries, including in Cameroon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most of those who have fled their homes are women and children. Meanwhile, conflicts in neighbouring countries are further fuelling humanitarian needs in the Central African Republic. Our UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) colleagues say the country has welcomed tens of thousands of people fleeing the fighting in Sudan since the conflict there began in April of last year, as well as intercommunal violence in Chad. The humanitarian community in the Central African Republic is providing food and health assistance to the most vulnerable people, including in hard-to-reach areas. However, OCHA and its partners continue to face significant challenges, including ongoing insecurity, access constraints and funding shortfalls. More than halfway into the year, the Humanitarian Response Plan for the Central African Republic is less than a third funded, with $119 million received of the $368 million required. We urgently appeal to donors to increase their support. ** Deputy Secretary-General's Travel Continuing her visit to West Africa, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in Bamako, Mali, today. Upon arrival, she held meetings with Interim President Assimi Goita; Foreign Affairs Minister Abdoulaye Diop; and other senior government officials to take stock of the situation in the country and their efforts to advance sustainable development. They discussed the current political, development and humanitarian situations in the country and in the wider region. The Deputy Secretary-General continued to encourage inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders as part of efforts to bring peace and a return to constitutional order in Mali. During her visit, the Deputy Secretary-General also met with the UN country team and exchanged with women and youth groups as she visited a UN-supported training centre for an income-generating activities for vulnerable girls and women. ** Bangladesh The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the continuing violence in Bangladesh and the escalating death toll. He reiterates his call for restraint on all sides. He also encourages the authorities to investigate all acts of violence, hold perpetrators to account, and ensure a conducive environment for dialogue. ** Ukraine Turning to Ukraine, our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that active hostilities and insecurity continue to pose major risks and challenges for aid workers. In new figures released this week, OCHA documented 19 such incidents during May and June. During that period, two aid workers were killed one in the line of duty. In eight other incidents, 12 humanitarian personnel were injured. Most of them were working in areas within 5 kilometres of the front line underscoring the dangerous conditions aid workers face in trying to deliver critical assistance to civilians in need. Our humanitarian colleagues note that the main impediments to humanitarian access in eastern Ukraine have been the escalation of hostilities in the Donetsk region, the Russian Federation's cross-border incursion into the Kharkiv region and the high intensity of attacks across the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. Meanwhile, humanitarian access to Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine remains severely constrained. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has travelled to Ukraine this week for the fifth time since February 2022. During his visit to the country, he urged the international community to further scale up vital support ahead of the third winter since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion. While in Ukraine, Mr. Grandi visited the Okhmatdyt Paediatric Hospital and other areas heavily damaged by the deadly attacks in Kyiv on 8 July. In Kharkiv, he heard harrowing accounts by people evacuated during the recent offensive in May. After meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, and visiting a power plant that was heavily bombarded, Mr. Grandi handed over 10 generators to the local authorities in Kharkiv to help keep critical services operational. The UN Refugee Agency will contribute to helping the people of Ukraine prepare for winter. To that end, Mr. Grandi committed initial resources worth $100 million. UNHCR plans to support 600,000 of the most vulnerable displaced and war-affected people in Ukraine with cash assistance. ** Security Council This morning, Elizabeth Spehar, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, briefed Security Council members on cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations. She said that now, more than ever, a more effective United Nations relies on stronger and deepened cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Ms. Spehar underscored that the stakes for international peace and security could not be higher. She added that the UN aims to strengthen cooperation with these organizations in areas of mutual priority, including in peace and security, focusing on early warning, preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping, as well as further implementation of women, peace and security and youth, peace and security agendas. Her full remarks are online. ** Haiti We have sad news from the north of Haiti. Colleagues from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) say that at least 40 migrants have died, and several others were injured, after a boat they were travelling in caught fire off Cap Haitien. Two days ago according to the Haitian National Office for Migration the boat, carrying over 80 people, departed from Labadee en route to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a 250-kilometre journey. Forty-one surviving migrants who were aboard were rescued by the Haitian Coast Guard and are currently receiving medical care, food, water, and psychosocial support provided by IOM, in support of the national authorities. Eleven migrants were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment, including burns. The Head of IOM in Haiti, Gregoire Goodstein, said this devastating event demonstrates the crucial need for safe and legal pathways for migration. IOM says that more than 86,000 migrants have been forcibly returned to Haiti by neighbouring countries this year. ** Hurricane Beryl In the Caribbean, our teams there continues to support authorities in their response to Hurricane Beryl in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica. In Grenada and Saint Vincent, our teams are taking part in rapid assessments. They're also helping to deliver humanitarian supplies, restore power and health-care services, and supporting shelter management, among other activities. And here in New York, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs chaired a Member State briefing this morning on the impact and response to the hurricane, where we heard from, among others, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph E. Gonsalves, as well as representatives of other affected Governments, in addition to Simon Springett, the Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and Elizabeth Riley, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. ** International Days And for international days: Tomorrow is International Moon Day. The Day commemorates the first moon landing by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on 20 July 1969. The day also celebrates Apollo 11's safe return and the remarkable advancements made in space exploration. We will also mark World Chess Day. Chess is a universal, two player strategy board game that fosters fairness, inclusion and mutual respect. As an affordable and inclusive activity, it can be exercised anywhere and played by all, across the barriers of language, age, gender, physical ability or social status. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : That's it for me. Yes, Edie? Question : Thank you very much, Farhan. Two questions. First, does the Secretary-General have any reaction to the conviction of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges and his sentencing to 16 years in a penal colony? Deputy Spokesman : Yes. Our Human Rights Office has said that the sentencing of Mr. Gershkovich by Russian court earlier today raises serious concerns relating to his right to freedom of expression as a journalist. Journalists should be able to perform their central professional functions and work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals, in line with Russia's international human rights obligations. And the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions had already declared his detention to be arbitrary. And of course, we call for the release of all journalists in Russia who are detained solely for doing their jobs. Question : Thank you. Secondly, on Mr. Lamamra and the Sudan talks, that statement did not have anything in it about any kind of a future meeting. Is anything planned? I know it was called an initial step, but what's next? Deputy Spokesman : Well, in terms of what the follow-up is, the continuation of this process will depend on the outcome of the Personal Envoy's consultation and interactions, so he's going to continue to deal with each of them and then we will see whether there will be a follow-up to the proximity talks. But, at this point, he's going to evaluate. Yes. Gabriel, and then Nisar. Question : Thank you, Farhan. I appreciate that you guys are still working on a statement on the ICJ, a significant ruling out of The Hague. Excuse me. But I'd be missed if I didn't ask you that Riyadh al Maliki, the Foreign Minister for Palestine, after the ruling was announced by the ICJ or the decision, I should say called on the UN to renew or review its bilateral relationship with Israel given the ruling. Do you have any comment on that, or will the UN consider doing that? Deputy Spokesman : Well, basically, there's a set of procedures that happens once the ICJ issues this advisory ruling. They've now issued it. The Secretary-General has it, and the Secretary-General will transmit the advisory opinion to the General Assembly, which has requested the Court's advice. The next step then is in the hands of the General Assembly, and it's up to them to decide how to proceed in this matter. Question : Would the Secretary-General how would he characterize the decision with the ICJ? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I mean, that's part of the reason why I delayed you. I was hoping to say something more formally. Obviously, you know where the Secretary-General stands on the issues. And clearly, the advisory opinion and much of the language in it is in keeping with the approach that the UN has had on this for some time. You're well aware that the Secretary-General supports the two-State solution. His remarks at the Security Council just a few days ago were a reiteration of that support. Ultimately, for the Secretary-General, the only viable step way forward is two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders and on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both. That has been the vision basically for much of most of the lifetimes of the people in this room, and that continues to be the vision that we support. Question : On polio being found in the water in Gaza, the Israeli Government has announced they're going to start vaccinating their soldiers or military personnel that have been in Gaza. Who's going to be vaccinating the Palestinians, and does the UN even have vaccines in Gaza for polio? Deputy Spokesman : Well, we'll certainly need to bring more vaccines in. But, as Dr. Tedros made clear, the various UN agencies and the Gaza Ministry of Health are carrying out a risk assessment and evaluating the necessary response, including through vaccination campaigns. And we do believe vaccination campaigns will be necessary, particularly, of course, for children. Nizar and then Dezhi. Question : Farhan, thank you. Well, the white phosphorus has been used profusely or extensively in South Lebanon. The acting minister, Foreign Minister of Lebanon, spoke in the Security Council a couple of days ago about that. What is the United Nations' intention to do, especially that the white phosphorus has contaminated most of the soil in South Lebanon, damaging crops, trees, houses burned? Some people were killed as a result. Deputy Spokesman : Well, we are certainly against the use of white phosphorus anywhere as a weapon, and so we continue to stand against that. We would need to evaluate what the environmental situation is on the ground. Question : How do you do that? Deputy Spokesman : Ultimately, the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) is the party that's responsible for judging environmental circumstances. It would need to be in touch with the Lebanese authorities on that. Question : The Government speak about dozens of instances where white phosphorus was were used. However, in the 1701 report, with the one to be discussed in the Security Council on 24th, speaks about three instances only. Why is that? I mean, it's supposed to be honest and report exactly what happened. Deputy Spokesman : We report all the things that we are capable of verifying. Some of that depends upon our ability to do follow-up activities on the ground. But certainly, we have confirmed several instances of the use of white phosphorus. And as we get more information and can verify more, we would add to that. Correspondent : Well, but you have you have more than 10,000 UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) troops there, and they are spread all over the border. Deputy Spokesman : Yes. And within their area of operations, they have been doing follow-up activities, but they have to go through a precise process of verifying information, and so these are what we were able to confirm. Dezhi and then Celhia. Question : Yes, Farhan. First, the General-Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam just passed away today. Does the Secretary-General have any statement on this? Deputy Spokesman : Indeed, on a day when I come to you with no statements... Oh, wait a second. No, it's still not approved. It was nearly approved, but it's not. But there's a statement that's nearly ready. But what I can tell you is that the Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Nguyen Phu Trong, General-Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. He extends his deep condolences to Mr. Trong's family and to the Government and people of Viet Nam, and we should have a lengthier statement at some point. Question : Okay. Two weeks ago here, we heard some correspondents or journalists, organized by Russian Mission here. I asked them the question that, do you feel the Russian-occupied Ukraine need humanitarian assistance? And they said Russia is incapable of doing the humanitarian delivery. And you just said that the UN cannot reach the Russian-occupied area. So according to your assessment, so those area still need UN assistance? Deputy Spokesman : We would certainly want to be able to provide assistance to everyone in Ukraine who needs it. But as I just pointed out, humanitarian access to Russian-occupied areas of Eastern Ukraine remains severely constrained. It's not entirely inaccessible, but there are constraints, and we are hoping that those will be addressed so that all those who are in need can get aid. Question : I mean, so according to UN assessment, there are still needs for those people to get the humanitarian assistance. Right? Deputy Spokesman : Wherever we operate in any country, we want to make sure that those who are most in need receive our aid, wherever they are, in terms of the front lines of different combats. And so that's what we try to achieve. Question : Okay, one last thing. This morning, there's a Global IT outage and I just want to know, is there any impact for the UN system? Like, for example, people traveling or computers? Because I know some of the companies, they even have problems of typing, you know, lists, guest lists in their system. Deputy Spokesman : Well, obviously, there are problems happening everywhere throughout the world. But as you can see, we're working. Question : You're fine in HQ. Yeah. Deputy Spokesman : I mean, compared to the normal glitchiness of some of these briefings, things are pretty good here. However, having said that, I know that there are some problems with different offices. Accessing the UN photo library archives is a problem as a result of this. Different agencies, funds and programmes have reported some difficulties, but, basically, the UN Secretariat is working well right now. Okay. Celhia, and then we'll go to Volodymyr. Question : Thanks, Farhan. Is Amina Mohammed planning to go to Burkina Faso? I'm sorry if you said it already. I don't know. Deputy Spokesman : I believe that is planned, for next week. Yes. Correspondent : Okay. Thanks. Deputy Spokesman : Okay. Volodymyr? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Today as a result of a Russian strike on the city of Mykolaiv in Ukraine, three people were killed, including one child. The projectile hit a playground near an old apartment building, three residential high-rise buildings, and the kindergarten were damaged. Do you have any reaction to that? Deputy Spokesman : We are appalled that more children have become casualties as a result of this continued fighting, and this again speaks to the need to find a way to resolve this conflict. Yes, Nizar? Sorry. No. I mean, Nabil first and then Nizar, because he hasn't had a chance yet. You already did. Question : Yeah. Thank you. On cyber problem. So, did the UN, I don't know, postpone or have to delay any operation, any flight, anywhere around the world? Deputy Spokesman : I'm not aware of any significant operational problems we've had. There have been some difficulties at different desks, you know, because, of course, we have very far-flung operations around the world. So, I can't attest to all of our various things. But by and large, as I said, the Secretariat is working and is working fine. Question : And another question, if I may. There are now some official calls from Member States to deploy an international mission in Gaza, in collaboration with the UN. Is the Secretary-General part of these discussions, and what's his position? Deputy Spokesman : Obviously, for any deployment in Gaza or anywhere, we would need a mandate. And so that is in the hands of the Member States, and we'll have to see what decision they actually take on this. Question : I'm asking, is the discussions is he aware or is he engaged in these discussions? Deputy Spokesman : This is not something that involves us until there's a mandate. Yes? Question : Yeah. Today, the Secretary-General condemned strongly the attack on Tel Aviv. However, we'd not see such condemnation coming when dozens of Palestinians are killed every day. They are just reported, but no condemnation. Why is it that? Deputy Spokesman : We have condemned them. And indeed, he's condemned them many times. Obviously, we do not condemn it each and every single day because it wouldn't be quite as effective to do that. But his standpoint is that all of this, all killings of civilians are to be condemned, and we have taken a very strong stance against this, throughout the activities that have happened. Question : Will condemnation come if Israel attacks Sana'a, for example, and kill some civilians there? Deputy Spokesman : I don't want to speculate on that, but obviously one of the points I made is we want to make sure that all parties are aware of the need for de-escalation. All right. Have a good weekend, everyone. Question : You skipped me again, Farhan. I don't know why. I put my name in the beginning. I sent another message saying that I've been waiting long and yet... Deputy Spokesman : I'm sorry. But I heard... Oh, at 12:50, you put in your question and it's 12:52. No. I'd already put away my phone by the time you actually called for your question. But, yes, have a question. Question : Sorry. Okay. I have a follow-up, similar question to Nizar. When Israel bombed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, did he condemn it with that straightforward language and send his condolences to the deceased people in that consulate? Deputy Spokesman : I would... obviously, our statement at that time is a matter of public record, and you can do your own compare and contrast. But it's very clear... Correspondent : Okay. Deputy Spokesman : Wait, wait, wait. It's very clear that throughout, our consistent point has been an urge for everyone involved to de-escalate activities. We do not want to see a further regional crisis. Question : I bought to your attention when Israel bombed an airport near Damascus, killing Amir Alipour, killing 18 civilians, and there was no statement. I want it on record again. But I forget about my question now. The ICJ declared that settlements are illegal. Settlers are illegal and should be evicted. Now the Palestinian see their land is confiscated illegally and the settlers are living in those settlements illegally. Why the Palestinian resistance could be branded as illegal? Deputy Spokesman : All I can tell you is that we have always stood firmly against settlements as illegal under international law, something that was reaffirmed again today. Beyond that, I would just urge you all to wait, and we'll also have a formal statement from the Secretary-General concerning today's advisory opinion. All right. Take care, everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council Bolsters Mandate of Focal Point for Delisting to Receive Requests from UN Sanctions Regimes, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2744 (2024) Meetings Coverage Security Council 9689th Meeting (PM) SC/15770 19 July 2024 15-Member Body Also Sets Up Informal Working on General Sanctions Issues The Security Council today adopted a resolution strengthening the mandate of the Focal Point for Delisting set out in resolution 1730 (2006) to receive requests for delisting from United Nations sanctions regimes and establishing an Informal Working Group on general sanctions issues. Unanimously adopting resolution 2744 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2744(2024)), the Council directed the Sanctions Committees established by the Security Council except the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999)- to revise their guidelines accordingly. Also by the text, the Council requested the Secretary-General in consultation with the Informal Working Group to appoint the Focal Point within three months of the resolution's adoption to take over all the mandates of the original Focal Point established pursuant to resolution 1730 (2006). Further, it expressed its intention to keep the mandate and tasks of the Focal Point under continuous review. Speaking before the vote, Malta's delegate said that the text is the result of months of negotiations and "the clear signal of this Council's commitment towards due process". However, she emphasized that the strength of the new mechanism needs to be matched by the engagement of all Member States, not only Council members. "Relevant States, counties of citizenship and residents have an important role to play when considering the merit of a delisting request," she stated, adding that "the mechanism is a tool for all to use". Today's vote is "a historic moment", said her counterpart from the United States, noting that it has been 18 years since the Council last took action on delisting procedures. With this resolution, he said, "the international community is demonstrating its commitment to values, such as transparency and fairness in UN sanctions processes". The sanctions are not meant to be indefinite or punitive far from it. Expressing concern about a growing tendency to prematurely lift sanctions, he expressed hope that the Informal Working Group established by the resolution will allow experts to dive deeper into strategic issues impacting multiple sanctions. The speaker for Switzerland noted that her country together with its partners in the Group of Like-Minded States on UN Targeted Sanctions has been seeking for nearly 20 years to improve listing and delisting procedures. The strengthening of the Focal Point achieved today is a step in the right direction, she said, adding: "We regret, however, that the Committee will not have to decide by default on every delisting request." She underscored that the current solution, whereby a State must undertake the procedural step of recommending that a delisting request proceeds, may be viable. The establishment of an Informal Working Group to discuss cross-cutting issues will help enhance the effectiveness of sanctions and their implementation. While it is regrettable that the issue of fair and transparent procedures is not explicitly mentioned in the mandate, it can be addressed if a State so requests, she added. Japan's delegate expressed hope that the Informal Working Group will be a platform for meaningful and inclusive discussions regarding the effective implementation of Security Council sanctions. Noting that Council sanctions are "an important tool under the Charter of the United Nations in the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security", she said it is vital that all Member States fully implement sanctions measures. Echoing that sentiment, the speaker for the Republic of Korea highlighted the Council's responsibility to seek ways to enhance the credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness of the sanctions regime in contributing to international peace and security. The resolution has achieved two objectives first, successfully enhancing the due process of the sanctions regime by strengthening the existing focal points mechanism, and second, establishing the Informal Working Group as a platform to discuss general issues related to UN sanctions. He then urged all UN members, particularly of the Council, to faithfully implement them. Meanwhile, the representative of the Russian Federation, Council President for July, speaking in his national capacity, said that sanctions are one of the most stringent and robust responses, which "should be applied in an exceedingly cautious way". They need to be irreproachable, and they need to be nuanced. Their use as a punitive tool is unethical. In recent decades, the Council has increasingly wielded sanctions instruments at the encouragement of Western States. Against this backdrop, his country repeatedly stressed the importance of a regular assessment of sanctions measures, emphasizing their advocacy, fairness and effectiveness, and the need for their subsequent modification. Most importantly, the Informal Working Group on general sanctions issues established by the resolution must not encroach upon the authorities of Sanctions Committees. The text adopted today cannot resolve many problems related to the application of Council sanctions, he asserted. Along similar lines, China's delegate emphasized that the Focal Point for Delisting must perform its duties impartially and professionally, expressing hope that the Secretariat will make the appointment at an early date after seeking the consent of the Council members. Calling on the Council to continue to optimize the Focal Point mechanism to increase the fairness and effectiveness of its sanctions regime, she stressed that sanctions are special tools aimed at creating conditions conducive to a political settlement. Their implementation often leads to negative impacts, she said, calling for a comprehensive review of such impacts. While acknowledging that sanctions are essential tools in the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security, the representative of Guyana, speaking also for Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, said "it is equally important that there is a defined system that reviews and assesses petitions of individuals listed to discourage perpetuity". In this context, the continuous review of the mechanism coupled with the establishment of an Informal Working Group represents "a balanced solution" that reflects the Council's ability to forge consensus from diverse viewpoints. "Through diligent negotiations, we have managed to transform the Focal Point Mechanism into a robust framework that prioritizes due process," she said, citing the evolution from the initial text to this final iteration as "a new chapter in the pursuit of our collective endeavour for the improvement of UN sanctions regimes". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Latin American nations unveil strategy to boost the hemisphere By Celia Mendoza July 19, 2024 Foreign ministers from a dozen Western Hemisphere nations set their sights on ambitious goals to boost the region's economy at a semiannual meeting in Washington this week, with clean energy, cybersecurity and investments in semiconductors high on their list. Improved education and food security were also identified as key goals at the meeting on Wednesday of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, comprising nations from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted the meeting at the State Department. Jose W. Fernandez, U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, told VOA that the ministers agreed to follow six workstreams, allowing them to move from talks to concrete projects in their bid to make the Americas the world's most economically competitive region. Those workstreams are entrepreneurship, digital economy, clean energy, infrastructure, sustainable food production and security, and the rule of law, he said. The group agreed to "work on bringing investments of semiconductors to Latin America and support small- and medium-size businesses looking for financing that can help them," Fernandez said in an interview after the meetings. He added that the ministers "want to better the education in some of the important areas for investors. For example, cybersecurity. Also, we want to help and collaborate with Latin America with clean hydrogen. It's a subject of interest for the countries in the region, and the United States has the technology needed to support them in that area." Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Canada, the United States and Mexico are leading some of the working groups and efforts on different areas. Fernandez said Mexico is preparing a national strategy on clean energy that will be announced soon. "We're getting our hands dirty with these projects. We know that there are challenges, but we also know that unless we do this, the region won't be able to compete as it should with other regions in the world," he said, stressing the "great appetite on the part of the APEP countries to work together." Fernandez said Blinken had laid out for the ministers ways in which the Americas Partnership Platform, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation are providing technical assistance and financing to attract private sector investment in infrastructure across the hemisphere. "Already, we've begun to lay the groundwork for $3 billion worth of high-standard, sustainable, strategically significant projects," Fernandez said. Blinken also told the ministers that the initiatives agreed upon Wednesday will have real impact in the economies of each country, including the United States, "by improving the backbone of our supply chain." "Better infrastructure will help ensure that the goods our people rely on semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, medical supplies are more affordable, more secure, and made right here in the Americas," he said. Beyond the financing of infrastructure and other projects, the ministers are also focused on the need for the rule of law and transparency. On that front, Fernandez, said, the group is working with the Organization of American States, to ensure best practices and weed out corruption in "the procurement of government contracting." The undersecretary said the ministers are headed home with two main takeaways, the first being that they are "in a race to create jobs, good jobs, good industries" to secure the future of their countries. The second is that "there is a desire for concrete projects, not a philosophical discussion, but actual politics that make a difference in the lives of our countrymen." Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre, whose country will host the leaders of the 12 countries early next year, cited as examples of those concrete projects the creation of an entrepreneur training center in Uruguay and of a center in his own country to develop talent in new industries such as semiconductors. Projects like these "will have a direct impact on the population who will feel the positive effects on their lives," he told VOA on the sidelines of a separate event at the Council of the Americas. He added that Costa Rica next year "will be hosting the 12 countries and any other that joins the alliance to follow up and promote all these important proposals, including all the financial aspects that are being set up by the IDB in collaboration with the U.S. banking system." The founding members of the group are Barbados, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the United States and Uruguay. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South China Sea claims by Philippines, Vietnam 'unacceptable': MOFA ROC Central News Agency 07/20/2024 04:17 PM Taipei, July 20 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has called recent claims made by the Philippines and Vietnam for an extended continental shelf in the South China Sea "unacceptable." "The actions by the Philippines and Vietnam have infringed upon our country's sovereignty and rights under international laws and maritime laws in the South China Sea," MOFA said in a press release on Friday. The release came two days after Vietnam filed claims with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) for an extended continental shelf in the South China Sea, and more than a month after the Philippines made a similar move. The Southeast Asian countries are seeking U.N. recognition of their claims to the continental shelf beyond the current 200 nautical miles from their shores. MOFA said the claims made by the two nations were "unacceptable" and stressed the sovereign rights of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to its islands in the South China Sea. However, MOFA also said that Taiwan was willing to address issues related to the South China Sea with the international community "on the basis of equal consultation." Many countries have made territorial claims in the contested waters of the South China Sea, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. On June 17, Beijing denounced the Philippines' submission to CLCS on June 15 for recognition of an extended continental shelf, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China saying that Manila's claims had infringed upon China's sovereign rights. (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/JT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi mourns passing of Nguyen Phu Trong Global Times Death of Nguyen Phu Trong 'won't affect China-Vietnam traditional ties' By Yang Sheng Published: Jul 20, 2024 05:32 PM Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, on Saturday went to the Embassy of Vietnam in China to mourn the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Friday sent condolences to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and deeply mourned the death of Trong. Analysts said that the condolence messages showed the deep traditional relations between the two parties and the CPC-CPV ties will continue to guide the development of China-Vietnam relations. Chinese experts on Saturday said that they have confidence in China-Vietnam relations and they believe that new leaders of the CPV will treasure and safeguard the legacy of Trong in the field of diplomacy that has maintained the balance between major powers and helped bring constant economic growth and development to the country. Praising Trong as a staunch Marxist and a great leader of the CPV and the Vietnamese people, Xi said that Trong had devoted himself entirely to the CPV and the country, to the Vietnamese people and to the cause of socialism in Vietnam, and had been deeply respected and admired by the party, military and people of Vietnam. Xi recalled that over the past decade, he and Trong had maintained close contact and developed a deep camaraderie, and that last year they jointly announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, a milestone in bilateral ties. "The passing of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong has deprived us of a promoter of China-Vietnam relations and a companion for the cause of socialism, and we are deeply saddened," said Xi. Xi stressed that the CPC and the Chinese government firmly support the CPV in uniting and leading the Vietnamese people to develop socialism that suits Vietnam's national conditions. It is believed that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee, the Vietnamese people will surely be able to turn grief into strength and continue to make greater achievements in the cause of reform, opening up and socialist construction, Xi said. According to the Xinhua News Agency on Friday, the condolence message by the CPC Central Committee said "General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong passed away. The CPC and the Chinese people lost a good comrade, a good brother and a good friend. With immense grief, we extend our deepest condolences and sincerest sympathies to the Central Committee of the CPV, the Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese people." Trong was a close comrade and a sincere friend of the CPC and the Chinese people. He inherited and developed the traditional friendship of "comrades plus brothers" between the two parties and two countries, and forged a profound friendship with the CPC and Chinese leaders. Trong and General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping have jointly elevated China-Vietnam relations to a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance and vigorously promoted the continuous development of China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people will always miss Trong. China and Vietnam are linked by mountains and rivers, have similar cultures and political systems, and are both building their countries through the path of socialism. China and Vietnam have very close economic and trade ties. Despite Trong's death, the general trend of China-Vietnam friendship will remain unchanged, experts said. Zhao Weihua, director of the Center for China's Relations with Neighboring Countries at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Saturday that Vietnam's diplomacy is about "to be friends with all countries,"and Vietnam is still implementing this policy and maintaining friendly relations with all major countries, including China. "China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner for more than 20 years, while Vietnam is also China's largest trading partner within ASEAN and the sixth largest trading partner in the world. Such close economic and trade exchanges are win-win cooperation for both countries," Zhao noted. All these characteristics have determined that the general trend of China-Vietnam friendship will not change, Zhao said. In fact, many Vietnamese politicians and scholars often discuss the topic about balanced diplomacy. Especially after the outbreak of Russia-Ukraine conflict, as Vietnam has continually recalled and reflected on its own history, and reached a social consensus that it would never repeat the mistake of "lean to one side" diplomacy, which caused geopolitical crisis in the region and tragedy to the country and its neighbor. Developing good relations with all major powers at the same time serves the interests of Vietnam, Zhao said. The condolence message by the CPC Central Committee said "We believe that the CPV and the Vietnamese people will turn grief into strength, carry on the legacy of Trong, unite and strive to make new and greater achievements in the cause of Doi Moi and socialist construction." "China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and stands ready to work with Vietnam to continuously consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and push forward the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future to benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional and world peace and development," the message said. Although China and Vietnam still have some problems when it comes to maritime issue in the South China Sea, this won't be able to fundamentally challenge the whole bilateral relations, because the two countries have effective channel to communicate and manage the problems, and there is no reason for the new leaders in Hanoi to abandon the huge common interests that benefit the two peoples greatly and to take the huge risk to team with external forces to destabilize the region, experts said. We should be confident to the wisdom of the leaders of the two Parties and the two peoples, they noted. During his meeting with Xi on June 26 during the visit to China just about a month ahead of the death of Trong, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh said that it is the top priority and strategic choice of Vietnam's foreign policy, which will not be disrupted by external interference, to deepen strategic mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation with China, and build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dawn Paterson says her home looks like it has been hit by an 'earthquake', making it inhabitable. Dawn Paterson's young children had been eating dinner at the dining table hours before it was engulfed with debris when her ceiling collapsed. Source: 9News A single mum is urging other Aussies to be careful after her ceiling suddenly collapsed, engulfing a dining table her four children had been sitting just hours earlier. Dawn Paterson was asleep at her home in Tapping, Perth, on Thursday when she suddenly heard a loud bang. Despite wild winds and heavy rain battering the area any the time, she admitted she was not expecting what she saw next. When I woke up, I just couldnt believe the damage. Im in shock, Dawn told 9News. It looked like an earthquake had hit and honestly, I didnt even know what to do at 4am who do you call? Footage of the home, which was built in 2006, shows rubble completely covering the living room, dining area and kitchen, as well as duct pipes hanging from the gaping hole above. No 'warning signs' mum's ceiling was going to collapse Dawn told 9News there wasnt any indication or warning signs that this would happen when she purchased the house three years ago. A structural report did not reveal any problems. The mum and her children have been forced to find temporary housing as she waits to hear back from her insurance company. I was grateful that we had a roof over our heads, and now I sort of can see how it would be not tomakes it tough, she said. Still perplexed by the collapse, Dawn has pleaded with others to thoroughly investigate their ceilings to make sure theyre intact. Safety is priority when you have children and I thought we were, she told the publication. Luke Britton said he walked into his home after an almost one-month stay overseas to find his living room ceiling had totally collapsed, leaving behind a mountain of destruction. Source: TikTok/Supplied Aussie man fumes over insurer's response to $6000 ceiling claim Another Western Australian, Luke Britton, recently returned home from an almost one-month trip to Bali to find his living room ceiling had totally collapsed, leaving behind a mountain of destruction. Despite paying almost $20,000 to his insurer over 12 years, he was incensed to find out the company wouldnt cover the damage. He said he was initially told they were not liable because the adhesive glue sticking the ceilings beams to the roof was not properly maintained despite there being no previous signs they had become faulty. Luke claimed it wasnt until he made a TikTok, which attracted tens of thousands of views, that the company eventually changed its tune, issuing an apology and offering to cover the costs of the roughly $6000 job. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari- July 20, 2024 IDF Press Release July 20, 2024 20.07.24 IDF Over the last nine months, the Houthi terrorist group, Iran's terror proxy in Yemen, has launched over 200 aerial attacks against Israeli civilians and infrastructure. On Friday morning, in one of these UAV attacks, the Houthis fired an Iranian Explosive UAV from Yemen into Israeli territory. The UAV hit an apartment building in the center of Tel Aviv - near the US Embassy Branch Office in the city, killing an Israeli civilian, 50-year-old Yevgeny Ferder, and injuring several others. The Houthi's attacks are acts of aggression, a violation of international law, and a threat to international peace and security. Today, Israel has stepped up its actions in self-defense against these attacks. The Israeli Air Force conducted precise strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen. The military target was the Al Hudaydah Port, used by the Houthis as the main supply route for the transfer of Iranian weapons from Iran to Yemen, like the UAV itself that was used in the attack on Friday morning. In the area of the port, the Israeli Air Force struck dual-use infrastructure used for terrorist activities, including energy infrastructure. Israel's necessary and proportionate strikes were carried out in order to stop the Houthi's terror attacks. However, this threat goes far beyond Israel. The Houthis target other countries in the Middle East, the United States of America, and the world with their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, and not just the Red Sea. Who is behind the Houthis? One country, Iran. The Iranian regime funds, arms, and directs the Houthi's terror activity. Israel is fighting a multi-front war against Iran's aggression proxies Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian militias in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. The international maritime coalition, led by CENTCOM, as well as the IDF, have stopped many of those Houthi attacks in recent months. We see a common interest for all countries attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorism to stand together against this threat. Today, this was an IDF-only action. I wanna repeat it: today, this was an IDF-only action. We will continue to defend the people of Israel from all threats near and far. 19.07.2024 EEAS Press Team This week, we commemorate the anniversary of the tragic events of 1974, the consequences of which we still witness half a century later. Too much time has been lost. Today, the Republic of Cyprus, an EU Member State, remains divided, which has far-reaching implications first and foremost for the people of Cyprus. A forced division can never be a solution. Hope for a better future, a unified Cyprus, still exists. In the context of the UN-led efforts, a genuine commitment is urgently needed by all concerned, including the two Cypriot communities, as well as in particular Turkiye, for a peaceful settlement on the basis of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Against the background of broad geopolitical shifts and crises, we need to join forces to reach a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, for all people of Cyprus and for the stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen vows to hit key Israeli targets after Hodeidah strikes IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesman Yayha Saree has said that the country will strike vital Israeli targets in response to the regime's attacks on the port city of Hodeidah. "The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm that they will respond to this blatant aggression and they will not hesitate to strike the vital targets of the Israeli enemy," Saree said in a statement on Saturday after Israel struck Hodeidah, in western Yemen. He said that the regime's strikes hit a power station and fuel tanks, all of which were civilian targets. The Yemeni armed forces are preparing for a long war with the Israeli regime, the spokesman added. Israel said that its Saturday strikes were in response to a Yemeni drone attack on Tel Aviv that killed a person and injured ten others a day earlier. Yemen's Al Masirah network, citing the health ministry, said that several people were killed "and others injured" in the Israeli strikes in Hodeidah, without specifying. According to Al Masirah, the regime conducted its strikes using F-35 aircraft. Yemen has said that its drone attack in Tel Aviv was aimed at supporting the Palestinian people in war-ravaged Gaza, and stressed that it will continue to back Gazans until the Israeli regime ends its brutal war in the Palestinian territory. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran strongly condemns Israeli strikes on Yemen's Hodeidah IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has strongly condemned Israel's airstrikes on Yemen, saying that the Yemeni people are paying the price of their support for the innocent Palestinians in Gaza, including women and children. Kanaani said on Saturday that the Israeli attacks, which hit Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah, show the "aggressive nature of the child-killing regime of Israel." He said that the continued killing of the defenseless people of Gaza is the root cause of the ongoing tensions in region, stressing that regional peace will not be restored until the Israeli regime conducts acts of aggression against the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip. The Iranian official warned of further escalation and the spillover of war in the region due to "Zionists' dangerous adventurism", saying that the regime and its supporters, including the US, will be directly responsible for "unpredictable and dangerous consequences" of the continued crimes in Gaza and attacks on Yemen. Israel launched airstrikes on the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Saturday. Yemeni media said that the strikes left a number of people killed and injured, without specifying. The strikes came a day after Yemen conducted a drone attack on Tel Aviv that killed a person and left ten others wounded. Yemen said that the Tel Aviv attack was part of its operations, ongoing since mid-November, in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Yemen has said that it will continue to support Gazans until the Israeli regime stops its war on the besieged Palestinian territory and lifts its blockade. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel launches air attack on Hodeida in Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime launched an air attack on the port city of Hodeida in western Yemen on Sunday evening. In this attack, the occupying regime targeted an oil tank, which led to a massive fire in the surrounding areas. Yemeni media reported that this attack was carried out using F-35 fighters. The Ministry of Health of Yemen announced that this attack left several martyrs and wounded. Also on Thursday, the planes of the United States and British aggression coalition targeted Hodeida international airport in the west of Yemen. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah fires barrage of rockets, missiles at Israeli targets IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has fired a barrage of rockets and missiles at Israeli military positions in northern occupied territories. Israeli media reported on Saturday that about 55 projectiles had been launched from Lebanon. They also said that Hezbollah missiles had targeted the occupied Golan Heights in Syria, causing a fire to break out in the region. Reports said that a factory was directly hit near Kiryat Shmona in northeastern occupied Palestine. Al-Mayadeen news channel reported that Hezbollah rockets had set off sirens in northern occupied Palestine and the Golan Heights. In a statement, Hezbollah said the operations were in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and in retaliation for an Israeli drone attack targeting civilians in the Lebanese town of Burj Al-Muluk. Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been trading cross-border fire almost on a daily basis since the Israeli regime launched the ongoing genocidal aggression on Gaza early in October. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni drone strike exposed hole in Israel's air defenses: Reports IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli media reports have highlighted the weakness of the regime's air defense system against unmanned aircraft following a successful drone attack by the Yemeni armed forces. Israeli media highlighted the recent drone strike on Tel Aviv, emphasizing that the attack underscores a significant weakness in Israeli air defense capabilities. Yemeni armed forces launched a drone on Friday that pierced through Israel's multilayered air defenses and hit Tel Aviv, killing one Israeli and wounding at least 10 others. The drone strike exposed a deep gap in the Israeli air defense and intelligence as the Yemeni drone managed to traverse a distance of 2,000 kilometers to reach largest Israeli city without being intercepted. Israeli media said the threat posed by Yemeni drones could create another "October 7"-type failure for the regime, referring to the surprise attack by the Palestinian resistance groups which left at least 1,200 Israeli troops and settlers dead. The reports further warned that precise drone and missile strikes against strategic Israeli targets deep in the occupied territories would be a common feature of a large-scale conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen's 'Yafa' drone, start of a new phase of war: Israeli media IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli media believe that the use of a new drone called "Yafa" by the Yemeni Army in the depth of occupied Palestine is the start of new phase of war. On Saturday, the Zionist newspaper Maariv said that Yemen's Yafa targeted Tel Aviv in the depth of Israel. Speaking about Yafa, the Zionist newspaper Haaretz said the Gaza war is turning into a regional and multi-dimensional war. In a related development, Amir Bohbot who is an Israeli analyst for military affairs commented on the issue saying Israel's deterrent power was annihliated after Yafa hit Tel Aviv. Although Yemen's Armed Forces claimed responsibility for drone attacks on Tel Aviv, Israel's air forces concealed the source of hitting at first, according to Zionist news. On the incident, Israeli army's spokesperson said in a press conference that the warning systems were not activated when Yemen's drone entered the occupied lands. According to what Maariv reported, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu disappeared as usual after being defeated and sent the army's spokesperson to talk to the Israelis. It added that the launch of a drone against Tel Aviv is another reason proving that the cabinet is not able to provide security. Early on Friday, Yemen's Yafa entered Tel Aviv's air space and targeted a building near the US embassy there. Yemeni forces confirmed their drone attack and announced that Tel Aviv is insecure for Zionists from now on. Yemeni Army started targeting some Zionist ships or other vessels destined for the occupied lands to support the resistance of the Palestinian nation in the Gaza Strip. Spokesperson of Yemen's Armed Forces Yahya Saree has already said in a statement that the US-UK aggression will never make Yemen withdraw from its stance to support the Palestinian nation in their fights against oppression. 1483**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas welcomes ICJ opinion, urges UNSC measures to end Israeli occupation IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Hamas welcomes ICJ opinion, urges UNSC measures to end Israeli occupation The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and General Assembly to take necessary measures aimed at ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the regime's repeated violations of international resolutions. Hamas made the demand on Friday night, hours after the top UN court declared its advisory opinion on Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, saying that the occupation is unlawful and should end "as rapidly as possible". The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also urged Israel to immediately stop its settlement construction and said that existing settlements must be removed. In addition, the Hague-based court called on the General Assembly and Security Council to consider "the precise modalities" to end Israel's presence in the Palestinian territories. The Palestinian resistance movement welcomed the ICJ announcement, saying that it makes the international community shoulder its responsibility to end the Israeli occupation, stop the "dangerous" expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and halt extensive efforts to Judaize Al-Quds City and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Following the ICJ announcement, "we demand the UN General Assembly and Security Council take the necessary measures aimed at ending the Israeli occupation," Hamas said. The resistance movement referred to ICJ rulings in the past several months that had urged Israel to stop its genocide in Gaza, allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory, and refrain from a ground invasion of Rafah City. Hamas said that the regime ignored all those rulings in the wake of the full support of the United States. Therefore, the movement said, the international community should implement all rulings and resolutions against Israel and put aside the "US will". 4194**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Drone strike on Tel Aviv shows significant progress of Resistance Axis: NYT IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni armed forces' drone strike on Tel Aviv shows the significant progress of the Axis of Resistance in the production and use of military and missile equipment, according to the New York Times. In a report about the attack, the New York Times quoted military experts as saying the drone that attacked Tel Aviv appears to be a different variant of Samad-3. It was painted darker to evade Israeli air defenses and equipped with a larger fuel tank and engine to give it the range to reach Tel Aviv, the report added, On Friday, a few hours after the drone attack, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed that the attack on Tel Aviv was carried out by a "Samad 3" drone from Yemen. Hagari said that the army's assessments show that the drone was fired from Yemen and reached Tel Aviv from the sea. The Yemeni armed forces, claiming responsibility for this attack, announced that Tel Aviv is now unsafe for the Zionists. 9376**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen fired over 200 drones, missiles toward Israel: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Zionist newspaper Yedioth Aharonot revealed Friday night that the Zionist regime's army estimated Yemeni Armed Forces have fired around 200 drones and missiles towards the occupied territories since the onset of the war on the Gaza Strip. Yedioth Aharonot reported that the Israeli regime's estimate shows that the drone that targeted Tel Aviv traveled 2,000 kilometers in different directions in order to mislead the regime's radars. On Friday morning, the Yemeni Armed Forces attacked the occupied city of Tel Aviv with a new combat drone named "Jaffa", killing one Zionist and injuring several others. After penetrating Tel Aviv's airspace, the stealth drone targeted a building near the US embassy in that area. Several Israeli media outlets described the dimensions of this drone as large and announced that it approached Tel Aviv from the seaside at a low altitude and was able to pass through all defense systems and hit a building in Tel Aviv. "Jaffa" is the original Arabic name for Tel Aviv before the Zionist occupation in 1948. It is worth mentioning that the Israeli regime's army reported for the first time in March a cruise missile fired from Yemen entered Israeli airspace and exploded in an open area in northern Eilat port city in southern occupied territories. 4208**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The pub's deputy manager Jenna Sharp asked for help after finding framed photographs of a mystery man stashed around the establishment. Source: Jam Press Pub staff have been left bamboozled after finding framed photographs of a mystery man stashed around the establishment. Workers at Boom Battle Bar in Bath in the UK were baffled when they found a print of an unknown man. When a second turned up, they took to social media to launch an investigation. Looking straight into a camera, deputy manager Jenna Sharp, 21, said: If youre not the person thats been leaving picture frames of random men in our venue, keep scrolling. Holding up two photos, one showing a man sitting cross-legged in fitness gear and the other of a man eating, she added: Who is this? Ive just found a second picture of what we first dubbed Photobooth Phil. We still have no idea who is this. We have just found this man. If there are more photographs in our venue that arent Photobooth Phil or Floor Phil please let me know. Pub staff plead for answers after finding framed photos She then set a challenge for her audience. If you are the person whos been leaving photo frames in our venue and it is only two, I challenge you to leave one more. And pointing to the back of one of the frames she added: This time leave something on the back for us because we want something. Just anything. In a comical update, Jenna shared the news that further photos had been left in other pubs, which she has collected. Source: Jam Press The amusing video was posted late last month and has received 11,900 likes and dozens of comments and shares as many were left tickled by the situation. Im hoping the universe brings me back [for the update], one woman wrote. Someone else said: We need to protect him at all costs. Maybe hes single and its him putting himself out there but leaving no traces or anyway to track him down, a third user commented. Photobooth Phil's kitchen in the background looks exactly like the ones they put in at the Riverside development, a fourth follower added. Mystery of Photobooth Phil solved In a comical update earlier this month, Jenna shared the news that further photos had been left in other pubs across Bath, which she has collected. However, the mystery has finally been solved. We have a memorabilia wall behind our reception, Jenna said. One of the staff went to take a picture that was on the wall and I noticed something the first picture taken in our photobooth, hence the name Photobooth Phil. We host a lot of stag and hen do packages. A stag do came in and brought a number of pictures of the stag and scattered them around the bar. And we werent the only pub. After posting the video, I had multiple other venues, even security guards, commenting. One lady from security explained the inside story when she did a bag search, she saw all the pictures - there were about 20 in all. She and another security guard have a competition on whats the most interesting thing they can find on a Saturday night. Jam Press Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Iraqi Islamic resistance attacks positions of Zionist regime in Haifa IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iraqi Islamic Resistance announced that it attacked an important target in the occupied city of Haifa on Friday morning with an advanced cruise missile. The Iraqi resistance group announced that its attack was carried out in order to support the oppressed people of Gaza. This is the second drone attack on the occupied territories in the last 20 hours. Also on Friday morning, the Yemeni forces targeted Tel Aviv with a drone attack. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address KCNA Commentary on Israel's Outrageous Territorial Expansion Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- Amid the unabated bloodshed in the war-torn Middle East, the Israeli regime recently announced the seizure of 12.7 square km of Palestinian land in the West Bank under its occupation. A settlement watchdog termed it the biggest-ever in 30 years, saying about 23.7 square km of land in the West Bank has been declared as part of Israel's "state territory" this year alone. Furthermore, the Israeli regime approved a huge plan to expand the Israeli settlements into the centre of the West Bank and legalize several settlements, asserting the border zone between the Gaza Strip and Egypt must remain under Israeli control even after the current conflict in the enclave comes to an end. This is just territorial plunder openly committed in the eyes of the international community. The Palestinian president had already said that the Israeli military attack on the Gaza Strip is for separating the enclave from the Palestinian territory and eternally occupying it. But this just assertion was flatly denied by the unilateral and prejudiced stance of the U.S. and the West that have patronized Israel, and on the contrary, Israel's massacre of Palestinians was described as "legitimate defense." About 40 000 civilians were killed by the Zionists' indiscriminate bombardments, and many people were made homeless. Such situation indicates that the "right to self-defense" advocated by Israel is nothing but a "right" to massacre and plunder. The seizure of land committed again in the hotbed of massacre goes to fully prove that the onslaught and vandalism, being perpetrated by Israel with the backing of the U.S. on pleas of an exercise of the "right to self-defense" and "defensive action," constitute genocide to drive the Palestinians out of their home and eternally occupy their territory. The "right to self-defense" is inappropriate to Israel as it is a hideous occupier and destroyer of regional stability that has expanded its territory through bloody aggression and massacre against Palestinians and other Arab peoples, while persistently hindering the legitimate foundation of the State of Palestine. It is the height of double-standards and a tragedy of this world that the U.S. and the West, which often call for respecting nations' self-determination specified in the UN Charter and international law, have connived at the most outrageous territorial expansion being pursued by the Zionists. This jungle-law-prevailing reality, in which one cannot but shed tears if his fist is not strong, requires us to fully cement our strength for self-defense, the foundation of our nation's existence and guarantee for its eternal development, to be invincible. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Baiba Braze and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell underline continued support for Ukraine and discuss developments at the EU and NATO eastern border Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20.07.2024 The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell Fontelles, as they met in Riga, agreed that continued support to Ukraine and containing Russia will be needed in the long term. On 20 July 2024, in a meeting with the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, thanked him for his unwavering support to Ukraine and his peace and stability efforts in Europe. The EU High Representative has arrived in Latvia on a working visit. The Foreign Minister underlined that the EU must be united and consistent in its position and continue to provide timely support - military, financial and political - to Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggression. Baiba Braze highlighted the need to strengthen EU-NATO cooperation to respond to global geopolitical challenges, including in Ukraine. "A problem for the international community is Russia, whose policy is war. Together, we must make every effort, including the broadening of sanctions against Russia and also Belarus, and implementing the existing ones effectively, so that Russia is not able to restore its military capacity and capabilities, as that would present a threat to the EU and NATO." Baiba Braze rated positively the 14th round of sanctions approved against Russia and the 8th round of sanctions against Belarus. At the same time, she stressed the urgent and timely need for the EU to work towards the next round of sanctions. At the meeting, Baiba Braze informed Josep Borrell of her two-day trip to the eastern border of Latvia, the EU and NATO, where she visited the customs and border control posts on the route to Russia - Terehova - and to Belarus - Paternieki. The Minister highlighted the enormous contribution and hard work done by Latvia and its responsible authorities to effectively implement the sanctions imposed and prevent their circumvention through effective control at the external border of the EU and NATO. "The security of the EU's eastern border is critical - it is the first security line guarded by the responsible services of Latvia. Currently, work is going on under the conditions of increased intensity - it calls for both financial and human resources. In addition, 80% of the cargoes crossing the borders into Russia and Belarus are not from Latvia, but other EU countries. Currently, Latvia is shouldering the burden of sanctions control, while this burden should be shared among all EU Member States," Baiba Braze explained. The officials agreed that more stringent controls concerning goods to be delivered should be ensured in their countries of origin and declaration. Josep Borrell suggested Baiba Braze inform foreign ministers at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, 22 July, of what she had seen and learned during her visit. The meeting also included a discussion on the situation in the Middle East. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns Israeli attacks on Yemen, warns of expansion of war in region Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 9:12 PM The Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Israeli regime's earlier deadly attacks against western Yemen, warning that such aggression risks exacerbating the already dire situation in the region. Spokesman Nasser Kan'ani made the remarks on Saturday, hours after Israeli warplanes targeted civilian buildings, oil facilities, and a power station in the Yemeni province of al-Hudaydah, causing a number of casualties. The aggression bespeaks the child-killing Israeli regime's aggressive nature, he said, noting that such dangerous adventurism on the part of Tel Aviv could escalate tensions and fuel the flames of war in the region. Brushing off official accounts that the airstrikes had targeted civilian structures, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari alleged that the regime's aircraft had struck "military targets" in al-Hudaydah. He also said the strikes had come in response to the attacks that the Yemeni Armed Forces had been carrying out against the occupied Palestinian territories over the past months. The forces have been targeting the territories as well as Israeli ships and vessels affiliated with the occupying regime since October 7, when Tel Aviv began a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip. They have vowed to keep up their operations as long as the regime sustains the war and a simultaneous siege that it has been enforcing against the Palestinian territory. Kan'ani said by attacking Yemen, the regime was seeking to exact a toll on the oppressed but strong Yemeni people for their honorable support for the innocent Palestinian civilians. He considered perpetuation of the Israeli massacres and siege in Gaza to be the root cause of current regional tensions, asserting the region would not get to experience calm again as long as the regime continued its violations against the coastal sliver. The spokesman concluded his remarks by saying that the Zionist regime and its supporters, including the United States, were directly responsible for the dangerous and unpredictable repercussions that could follow perpetuation of violations against Gaza and adventuristic attacks on Yemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah fires dozens of rockets from Lebanon at northern occupied territories Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 5:57 PM Fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement have fired dozens of rockets from southern Lebanon at strategic sites on the northern side of the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories, as tensions continue to escalate between the two sides across the border. The Israeli military said some 45 rockets were launched from Lebanon, and that the first barrage of some 30 rockets targeted the northern Golan Heights at 3:35 p.m. local time (1235 GMT) on Saturday. The army asserted that some of the projectiles were intercepted, while others impacted open areas. Some of the rocket impacts sparked fires. A barrage of 10 rockets was fired at the Western Galilee region, and another five rockets struck Upper Galilee. The Gaza Strip-based Hamas resistance group said its Lebanon branch carried out the rocket fire on the Western Galilee. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a brief said in a brief statement that its fighters had launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at the Dafna kibbutz in the Upper Galilee region, located seven kilometers (4.3 miles) east of Kiryat Shmona city. The group stated that it struck the kibbutz for the first time, thus making it a new target for Lebanese resistance fighters. Earlier on Saturday, Hezbollah targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the al-Manara site with artillery shells. Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said seven people, including four displaced Syrian children, were injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on different areas in southern Lebanon. The sources said Israeli drones and warplanes launched an airstrike on the house in the southeastern village of Houla, wounding three civilians, destroying three homes and damaging eight others. In a separate incident, an Israeli drone launched an attack with two air-to-surface missiles on a tent belonging to a displaced Syrian, and a car parked next to the tent in the Burj al-Muluk area, south of the southeastern town of Marjayoun, wounding four displaced Syrian children. Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging deadly fire since early October last year, shortly after the regime launched a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip following a surprise operation by Hamas. The Lebanese resistance movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory attacks as long as the Israeli regime continues its Gaza war, which has so far killed at least 38,919 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Hezbollah officials have repeatedly said they do not want a war with Israel while stressing that they are prepared in case it occurs. Two Israeli wars waged against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006 were met with strong resistance from Hezbollah, resulting in the retreat of the regime in both conflicts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel launches strikes on Yemen's Hudaydah after drone attack on Tel Aviv Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 5:28 PM Israeli warplanes have carried out airstrikes against Yemen's strategic western province of Hudaydah, following the regime's threats to retaliate an earlier drone strike by Yemeni armed forces against the occupying entity. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said that Israeli fighter jets attacked military targets in Hudaydah. He said the airstrikes were in response to the hundreds of attacks against Israel in recent months. It was the first time the Israeli regime has publicly attacked Yemen in months of escalating tensions. Yemen's al-Masirah television network reported on Saturday that the attack targeted fuel storage facilities in the port city, igniting a fire in the area. The port contains oil export facilities, but is also a vital conduit for civilian goods and humanitarian aid to Yemen. The television network also reported that the Israeli strikes killed a number of people, without specifying the exact number of casualties. Mohammed Abdulsalam, the spokesman for Yemen's Ansarullah movement, also said in a statement on X that "A brutal Israeli aggression has targeted civilian buildings, oil facilities and power station in Hudaydah, aiming at pressuring Yemen to stop supporting Gaza, but the attack will only increase our determination, steadfastness, continuity." An Israeli official also confirmed the strike, saying it was conducted in coordination with the United States and in response to hundreds of attacks carried out against Israel in recent months. The United States and Britain have struck hundreds of targets in Yemen since November and have been sharing intelligence with the Israeli regime for months. The latest aggression came a day after the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a drone strike on Tel Aviv in response to the Israeli genocide in Gaza. The drone hit an area near a US consular facility in Tel Aviv early on Friday, killing one person and injuring 10 others as the Israeli air defenses failed to intercept the drone. Ansarullah has already said it was "prepared for any Israeli response" to the strike. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7. Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, which have killed at least 38,919 people and wounded another 89,459 individuals, come to an end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: International community must take practical steps to end Israeli aggression, occupation Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 3:12 PM Iran says the international community, especially the United Nations Security Council, must take practical steps to end the Israeli regime's aggression against the people of Palestine and its illegal occupation. In a statement on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani reacted to the latest opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which he said reflected "deep concern" of the international community about the Israeli regime's acts of violation and crime against the Palestinians. He added that hundreds of resolutions and international documents have so far asserted the righteousness of the oppressed Palestinian people, emphasizing that the international community must hold the Israeli regime accountable for its criminal acts. On Friday, the International Court of Justice said "Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful", adding that the regime "is under an obligation" to end it "as rapidly as possible." Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East al-Quds, the areas that Palestinians want for a future independent state, in a 1967 war. The 83-page advisory opinion read out by court President Nawaf Salam outlined a wide list of policies that it said violated international law, including the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east al-Quds. Kan'ani once again reiterated Iran's stance on holding a referendum involving all main inhabitants of Palestine, including Muslims, Christians and Jews, as "the most effective solution to end the current illegal situation in occupied Palestine". "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the fundamental right to self-determination of the oppressed Palestinian people has been continuously violated over the past years, particularly since the announcement of the existence of the child-killing Israeli regime," the spokesperson said. He added, "The violation of the Palestinian people's rights is not confined to a specific period of time." Kan'ani emphasized that Israel continued to violate the Palestinian people's right to determine their own fate through its organized acts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes during the last few months in the Gaza Strip. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 38,919 Palestinians and injured 89,622 more. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Drone strike hits commercial ship off Yemen coast Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 2:46 PM A commercial vessel has reportedly come under attack off the Yemen coast, as the country's armed forces continue attacks in retaliation for the regime's genocidal war on Gaza. Britain's maritime safety agency, UKMTO, said the attack was carried out 64 nautical miles northwest of Yemen's Mokha, near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Saturday. The agency went on to say that the vessel was hit twice by drones, adding that the ship continued its voyage despite sustaining damage, without identifying it. UMMTO further noted that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) first hit the vessel, causing minor damage. An unmanned surface vessel also exploded near the vessel in the second attack, the agency said, with both the crew and vessel being safe. UKMTO also stated that the vessel later reported a missile "splashing in close proximity," which appears to have been a failed missile strike. The latest development came a day after Yemen's Army attacked a Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden, in a continuation of operations retaliating against the Israeli genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip. Yemen has been conducting anti-Israel operations since October, in an attempt to bring a halt to the ongoing massacre of Gazans at the hands of the Zionist regime. The Yemenis have made it clear that they will not hesitate to carry out qualitative operations against all hostile targets in defense of their homeland and reaffirmation of their unwavering support for the Palestinian nation. Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end. In the tenth month of the war on the Gaza Strip, at least 38,919 people have been killed, according to the Gaza health ministry's latest figures. The toll includes 71 deaths in 48 hours, according to ministry figures, which also list 89,622 people as having been wounded in the territory since October 7. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia may arm Yemen over US support for Ukraine: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 2:03 PM US intelligence agencies have warned that Russia could supply missiles to Yemeni armed forces in retaliation for the United States support for Ukrainian forces fighting Russian troops in Donbas. The Wall Street Journal published a report on Friday claiming that US officials were making efforts to stop Russia from sending arms and ammunition to Yemen. Yemeni forces have been striking Israeli interests, declaring their unwavering support for Palestinians and opposing the Israeli occupation. Citing US officials, the WSJ reported that Washington is working behind the scenes to stop Russia from providing weapons and munitions, particularly long-range missiles, to the Yemeni armed forces. Earlier reports said Russia had aimed to provide arms and ammo to Yemen this year. However, Saudi Arabia had persuaded Russia not to provide anti-ship cruise missiles to the Ansurallah fighters opposed to Riyadh. Then, after the US gave Kiev permission to use the weapons and ammunition provided by the US-led Western countries to strike targets inside Russia, Moscow renewed its objective to arm the Yemini fighters. US intelligence agencies assess that Moscow is renewing its push to arm the Yemeni forces after the White House gave Kiev the go-ahead to strike targets inside Russia. Till then, Kiev's attempts to hit targets on Russian territory were indiscreet. The Journal said the White House is making a diplomatic push through a third country to dissuade Russia from the arms transfer. Which country is being used by the US as leverage against Russia is still unclear. In related news, US Central Command chief Erik Kurilla has reportedly informed America's top brass that the US-led operations are failing, forcing the military to exit the region. The WSJ said Kurilla told US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a classified memo that a potentially stronger military action plus a "whole of government" approach, including active diplomatic efforts and wide economic sanction, was required if Washington wanted to mount effective pressure on the Yemeni Armed Forces. The WSJ quoted a defense official who was familiar with the matter as saying, "Many people found the tone of the memo to be a bit shocking." According to the official, the point Kurilla wanted to make in his letter to the Pentagon chief, was that "US service members will die if we continue going this way." Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month after the West allowed Ukraine to strike inside the Russian Federation that the US' move could prompt Moscow to arm America's enemies. "The response can be asymmetrical, and we will think about that," Putin told reporters back then attending St. Petersburg's international economic forum. Two US officials told the WSJ that Russia has not transferred any missiles to Yemen yet, however, the representatives of the Yemeni fighters were present in Moscow. An observer told the newspaper that missiles supplied by Russia "would represent a qualitative leap" in the Yemeni armed forces capabilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Troops deployed to cities in Bangladesh to control unrest as toll rises Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 11:35 AM Soldiers have been deployed in Bangladeshi cities to quell civil disorder triggered by student protests, with riot police firing on demonstrators who disobeyed a government-imposed curfew. At least 115 people have so far been killed in nationwide demonstrations which present a monumental challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government after 15 years in office. A curfew was enforced starting at midnight, and the prime minister's office requested military intervention in response to widespread unrest that police were unable to contain. According to Channel 24, the curfew is scheduled to continue until at least 10:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Sunday. At dawn, the streets of capital Dhaka were nearly empty, with troops on foot and in armored vehicles patrolled the sprawling megacity of 20 million people. Later in the day, thousands gathered again in the residential area of Rampura, where police used live ammunition on the crowd, injuring at least one person. Demonstrations against the 56 percent quota system in public jobs escalated in the South Asian nation this week, prompting the government to close educational institutions across Bangladesh. As per the quota system, 30 percent of the 56 percent quotas in public jobs are allocated for the sons and grandsons of individuals who took part in Bangladesh's war of liberation against Pakistan in 1971. Police spokesman Faruk Hossain said at least 150 police officers were admitted to hospital. The protesters, he said, torched many police booths and vandalized many government offices. On Thursday, authorities enforced a countrywide internet blackout that continues to disrupt communication within and outside Bangladesh. Government websites are inaccessible, and prominent newspapers such as Dhaka Tribune and Daily Star have been unable to update their social media accounts since Thursday. Bangladesh Television, the state broadcaster, remains offline following an incident where protesters set fire to its Dhaka headquarters on the same day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address People from all walks of life in the special administrative regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Taiwan compatriots living on the mainland, have voiced their support for and enthusiasm for a resolution recently passed at a key plenum. The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization at its third plenary session held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday. John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR, said the key plenum, focusing on the topic of further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, is of great significance for Hong Kong. He called on all sectors in Hong Kong to take on their share of responsibilities, seize this opportunity, and make contributions to the country's modernization endeavors. Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, said that Macao will further leverage the "one country, two systems" policy, capitalize on the region's strengths as an international cooperation platform, and strive for national rejuvenation through the advancement of Chinese modernization. Embracing the new opportunities created by reform and opening up has become a consensus among the societies of both Hong Kong and Macao. National legislators and political advisors from the two regions said that the plenum has significantly bolstered confidence across various sectors in Hong Kong and Macao. Taiwan business people and compatriots have also expressed their support for deepening reform and expanding opening up, showcasing their confidence in the mainland's development. Read the full story on The Auto Wire Germans Cheer With Glee As Supercars Are Impounded An incident in Berlin involving a red Ferrari 488 Spyder and turquoise Lamborghini Huracan being loaded onto wreckers on the same day caused quite the stir on social media. Berlin police posted images of both supercars suspended mid-air by the wreckers crane before the Italian beauties were finally loaded. Plenty of Germans and others flooded the comments section to let everyone know their disdain for anyone who owned such machines. Check out a grandmas secret supercar stash here. Ah, class warfare, one of the most universal things about human existence. In todays society, few things bring it out quite like a supercar owner getting nabbed for breaking the law. While fans of such automotive beauties might watch in horror as careless tow truck drivers load up vehicles which are worth more than most houses, those who are envious of such trappings mock, jeer, and applaud. ADVERTISEMENT According to police, these two drivers violated the law in Berlin twice over. A bicycle patrol noticed both were parked in restricted areas. They were also parked within give meters of an intersection, a big no-no since that obstructs others view of cross traffic. Undoubtedly, police posted the photos to Twitter to act as a warning against any other scofflaws who might seek to violate parking laws in Berlin. They knew seeing two expensive supercars dangling in the air like a bovines being airlifted from one location to another would pique interest, although from the comments it seems people werent talking about the law. For what its worth, the owners of the Ferrari and Lamborghini no doubt got their supercars back quickly and with relatively little financial discomfort. This is probably why the rabble on Twitter took to mocking the unnamed owners so viciously while they could. After all, they might work for these people, rent an apartment from them, or otherwise be beholden to the anonymous parking violators. The Twitter mocking might have been their only chance to feel like they had an upper hand in life so they took it and did so with glee. https://twitter.com/polizeiberlin/status/1631736716376637447?s=20 Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. July 19: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 11:06 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 38,900 Palestinians so far, the majority of them 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 Friday, July 19, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on July 19: Targeted Israeli regime forces positioned on the "Netzarim" axis with a barrage of 114mm Rajoom rockets. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on July 19: In a joint operation with Al-Qassam Brigades, targeted an Israeli military vehicle with an Al-Yassin 105 shell on Al-Sikka Street in Al-Shaboura Camp in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Targeted a position of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles on the supply line of the "Netzarim" axis with mortar shells. In a joint operation with the Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades, targeted the "Re'im" military site with several rockets. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on July 19: Targeted the command and control headquarters of the Israeli military on the "Netzarim" axis with two 107mm rockets and heavy-caliber mortar shells. Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on July 19: Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers penetrating southeast of the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, with heavy-caliber mortar shells. Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on July 19: In a joint operation with Al-Quds Brigades, targeted the "Re'im" military base east of the Central Governorate with a 107mm rocket barrage. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on July 19: In a joint operation with the Ansar Brigades, targeted a gathering of Israeli forces stationed in the "Netzarim axis" with several 107mm rockets. Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades' operations on July 19: In a joint operation with the Al-Qassam Brigades, shelled the command and control site of the Israeli military in the "Netzarim" axis southwest of Gaza City with 80 mm mortar shells. Hezbollah's operations on July 19: The Abirim Basaliyah settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons for the first time. The Ruwaisat al-Alam site was targeted with a barrage of rockets. Israeli soldiers in the Ramim site were targeted with a Burkan rocket. The Metula site was targeted with artillery shells. Khirbet Maar site was targeted with Katyusha and Al-Falaq rockets. The Neve Ziv Basaliyah settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons for the first time. Manot Basaliya was targeted with appropriate weapons for the first time. Military buildings in Al-Manara were targeted with appropriate weapons. The Al-Marj site was targeted with artillery shells. Surveillance system at the Al-Abad site was targeted with appropriate weapons. The Ruwaisat al-Qarn site was targeted with appropriate weapons. The Al-Sammaqa site was targeted with appropriate weapons. Artillery positions near Ein Yaqoub were targeted with appropriate weapons. The Al-Malikiyah site was targeted with appropriate weapons. Yiftah Barracks was targeted with a Jihad missile. The 91st Division in Illit was targeted with drones. Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on July 19: Launched an Al-Arqab advanced cruise missile towards an Israeli military target in occupied Haifa. Yemeni military's operations on July 19: Carried out a military operation in the Gulf of Aden, involving the naval force, missile force, and the drone air force against the (Lobivia) ship with a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones. Carried out a sophisticated military operation targeting Tel Aviv with a new drone named "Yaffa," which is capable of bypassing the enemy's interception systems. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi resistance group warns Israel of 'growing costs' of Gaza war Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 6:35 AM The leader of Iraq's Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq anti-terror resistance group has warned Israel of "growing costs" of its continuing ground and aerial invasion of the besieged Gaza Strip. "The Zionist enemy will pay a much greater price in terms of security, economy, and even its existence as long as it continues its aggression," Qais al-Khazali said in a statement on Friday. He praised all forces of the Axis of Resistance, who are fighting off the Israeli war on Gaza for more than nine months. "Resistance groups are fighting an honorable battle in defense of the Muslim Ummah's sanctities, while Arab and Muslim governments are reluctant to take any concrete measure," Khazali said. The Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq chief noted that the latest drone strike by Yemeni forces on Tel Aviv, alongside previous operations by regional resistance groups, "clearly shows that Palestinians are not alone in standing up against the Israeli aggression." He said Israel's delusion of grandeur has been shattered and that the continuation of Gaza atrocities will incur dramatic losses on the "Zionist enemy". Khazali emphasized that the rules of engagement are constantly changing, but their outcomes always align with justice. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has been launching attacks on Israeli targets ever since Tel Aviv launched its war on Gaza last October. The resistance has been also hitting American military bases in Iraq and neighboring Syria in retaliation for Washington's support for the Israeli war. Israel unleashed its onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm into the occupied territories on October 7, 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel kills 24 Palestinians in new strikes in Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 20 July 2024 2:44 AM At least 24 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Bureij, Nuseirat, Gaza City and Jabalia in Gaza in recent hours, according to reports. At least 8 people were killed alone in one Israeli attack on a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Saturday morning. Many others were also injured in the attack. The Israeli military also bombed a home in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least three people and injuring more. The strike hit the Abu Sidra family home. Earlier a strike on the al-Sharihi family home in Nuseirat had killed four people. In addition, five people were killed in a strike on a home in Gaza City and four were killed in a strike on a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp. This came hours after the United Nations' top court ruled that Israel's presence in the 1967-occupied Palestinian territories is "unlawful" and must end. On Friday, the International Court of Justice said "Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful", adding that the regime "is under an obligation" to end it "as rapidly as possible." Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East al-Quds, areas Palestinians want for a future independent state, in a 1967 war. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 38,848 Palestinians and injured 89,459 more. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthis Say Will Respond To Israeli Strike on Yemen's Port Sputnik News 20240720 CAIRO (Sputnik) - The Ansar Allah (aka Houthi) movement on Saturday pledged that the recent Israeli strike on the western Yemeni port city of Hudaydah would not go unanswered. "The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm that they will respond to this blatant aggression," the Houthis said in a statement. The movement said that the Israeli attack had targeted a power station, the Hudaydah port and fuel tanks, adding that those were civilian targets. The Houthis also vowed to continue operations in support of the Gaza Strip. Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes on Hudaydah, calling the strikes a response to attacks carried out against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacked port had been used for military purposes, including importing weapons from Iran. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IDF Says About 45 Missiles, Drones, Fired From Lebanon Starting Fires, Injuring Two Sputnik News 20240720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had detected at least 45 launches from Lebanon, with some of the projectiles falling in open areas and starting fires. About 30 projectiles were fired toward the Golan Heights, 10 toward the western Galilee area and five toward the Upper Galilee area, the IDF said on Telegram. "Some of the projectiles were intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array and the rest fell in open areas. Israeli Fire and Rescue services are currently operating to extinguish several fires that broke out in the area as a result of the launches," the Israeli army added. While the IDF originally stated that no injuries had been reported, later it said that two IDF soldiers were lightly and moderately wounded in a subsequent drone attack from Lebanon. Lebanese movement Hezbollah said it had for the first time targeted kibbutz Dafna in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel. The attack was made in response to an Israeli strike on the Borj El Mlouk locality in southern Lebanon. Tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border worsened after the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip in October. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters fire on each others positions almost daily in areas along the border. The Israeli military said in June that it had approved plans for an offensive against Lebanon, while Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that Israel could launch an all-out war against the neighbor. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the group would invade northern Israel if the confrontation intensified. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IDF Claims Responsibility for Airstrikes on Yemen's Hudaydah Sputnik News 20240720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed responsibility on Saturday for a series of airstrikes that killed at least two in the western Yemeni port city of Hudaydah. "A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of the Al Hudaydah Port in Yemen in response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against the State of Israel in recent months," the military said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that the Israeli strike on Yemen's port city of Hudaydah had been a direct response to a recent drone strike launched by Yemen's Houthis against Israel, as well as hundreds of other attacks. "This operation hit targets 1,800 kilometers [1,118 miles] away from our borders. This will send a message to our enemies that there is no place where the long arm of the State of Israel cannot reach. The attack was a direct response to a drone strike that killed an Israeli citizen and injured other civilians ... Over the past eight months, the Houthis have launched hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones at Israel," Netanyahu said in a video message. The prime minister added that the attacked port of Hudaydah had been used by the Houthis for military purposes, including importing weapons from Iran. "They used these weapons to attack Israel, to attack countries in the region and to attack one of the most important international sea routes," Netanyahu said. At least 80 people have been injured as a result of the Israeli strikes on Yemen's port city of Hudaydah, Yemeni news agency Saba reported on Saturday, citing the health ministry of the Houthi government. A security source told Sputnik earlier that the airstrikes left two people killed and three others injured. "Two were killed, three injured in the airstrikes on Hudaydah," the Houthi security source said. The Houthis have pledged that the recent Israeli strike on the western Yemeni port city of Hudaydah will not go unanswered, Al Masirah broabcaster reported on Saturday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moldova Becomes Logistics Hub for Western Warplanes - Ex-Prime Minister Sputnik News 20240720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moldova has become a logistics hub for Western military aircraft, Ion Chicu, the leader of the PDCM party and former prime minister, said, expressing concern over a possible transfer of lethal cargo through the eastern European country. "Today, Moldova has become a logistics hub for transportation by military aircraft. There are photos of landed transport and military aircraft. As a citizen, as a parent, I am concerned by everything that is happening," Chicu told the Rlive broadcaster. The ex-prime minister said the country should avoid being dragged in a military conflict. Moldovans should send a clear signal to the government that turning their country into "a battlefield between the West and the East" is unacceptable, he added. Moldova plans to increase its defense spending to 1% of the country's GDP by 2030, according to the National Security Strategy for 2024-2034, approved by the pro-Wesern government earlier this week. The Moldovan constitution contains a neutral clause. However, it has been cooperating with NATO since 1994 within the framework of an individual partnership plan. When Moldovan President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity came to power, the country began holding frequent exercises with the participation of military personnel from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Romania. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Navy Reports Two Drone Attacks on Merchant Ship Northwest of Yemeni City of Mocha Sputnik News 20240720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday it had received a report of two drone attacks on a vessel sailing in the Red Sea, northwest of the Yemeni city of Mocha (Al Mukha). "UKMTO has received a report of an incident 64NM [nautical miles, 73.6 miles] northwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. The Master reports two attacks: the first by an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), which exploded in close proximity to the vessel, resulting in minor damage; the second by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), which also exploded in close proximity to the vessel," the UK naval force said on social media. The force reported further unmanned aerial vehicles sightings. Both the vessel and the crew were safe. Britain's Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster sits docked in Gibraltar, Monday, Aug. 19, 2013 - Sputnik International, 1920, 14.05.2024 Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, vowed in fall to attack ships associated with Israel until it halted military actions in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition, which includes the United Kingdom, among others, to protect shipping in the Red Sea and strike Houthi targets on the ground. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Northrop Grumman to Build Nine Hawkeye Alert Aircraft For US Navy, Japan - Pentagon Sputnik News 20240720 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Northrop Grumman has received an almost 1.5 billion US contract extension from the US Navy to build nine more E-2D Hawkeye maritime reconnaissance and early warning aircraft for both American forces and Japan, the Department of Defense announced in a press release. "Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation Aerospace Systems [of] Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $1,456,019,386 modification ...contract," the release stated on Friday. The contract extension will purchase nine E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft - four for the US Navy and five for Japan, the Defense Department explained. Work on the aircraft will be performed in Saint Augustine, Florida (25.3%); Liverpool, New York (17.4%); Melbourne, Florida (7.6%) and various other locations across the continental United States, the Defense Department said. The task of manufacturing all nine of the advanced aircraft is expected to take just under five years and is scheduled to be completed in March 2029, the Defense Department said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "We will always support the TRNC" Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey 20.07.2024 Speaking at a ceremony for the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day in the TRNC, President Erdogan said: "Our efforts aimed at breaking the isolation and lifting the embargo, the Turkish Cypriots are unjustly and unlawfully subjected to, will further increase. We will always support the TRNC, which was founded on the blood of our martyrs, in order for it to become a powerful, prosperous and prestigious country." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech at a ceremony held for the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Prior to the ceremony, President Erdogan laid a wreath at the Ataturk's Monument in Lefkosa and signed the special book at the monument. "EVEN THE UNITED NATIONS PEACE FORCE IN THE ISLAND FAILED TO STOP THE GLUT OF INSANITY" Voicing his pleasure over being in the TRNC on the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, President Erdogan drew attention to the importance of the Operation, and said: "The period between 1963 and 1974 was a period of blood, tears and oppression for the Turkish Cypriots when they were confined to the 3 per cent of the Island. The Turkish Cypriots were being both excluded from the country, of which they were both a founder and a partner, and exposed to the inhumane pressures and attacks of the EOKA. Even the United Nations Peace Force, which was deployed to the Island, failed to stop the glut of insanity, or prevent the massacre. It was 1974 when the inhumane attacks that threatened the existence of the Turkish Cypriots peaked. 50 years ago, gallant Turkish soldiers took a historic step to remove the dagger sought to be stabbed at the future of the Turkish Cypriots. July 20, 1974 was the date, when we as the homeland and a guarantor country took action with our rights and obligations emanating from international agreements and the responsibility put on our shoulders by history." "FEDERAL SOLUTION IS NOT POSSIBLE IN CYPRUS" Underscoring that Turkiye sees July 20 as the symbol of the preservation of the sovereign rights and equal status of the Turkish Cypriot people, President Erdogan went on to say: "In the south of the Island on the other hand, there is unfortunately a spoilt mentality which sees themselves as the sole owner of the Cyprus island. We are faced with such a grave situation that the Greek leader attends the commemorations for EOKA terrorists, our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters are attacked and detained whenever they cross into the south, and the mosques in the south are set on fire. The Greeks openly show that they have no intention to share with the Turkish Cypriot the political power and the island's economic prosperous, including natural resources. Recently, the Greek Defense Minister unfortunately made irrational statements. When I met with Mr. Mitsotakis abroad, I told him that I would be in the TRNC on July 20, and that I heard that he would be in the south. When I asked if he was thinking of any provocations against us from there like Dendias, he answered that he had no such intention. And I said that there is then no problem." Stressing that highly reckless steps, which have the risk of threatening the security of the entire island, have been taken in the face of the ongoing conflicts, President Erdogan noted that nothing can be achieved by ignoring the realities in the island, and added: "We believe that a federal solution is not possible in Cyprus." "It has always been the Turkish Cypriots and Turkiye, which sincerely want solution, and make sacrifices, take risks and display a will to that end," President Erdogan said, and continued as follows: "President Tatar's two-state solution vision he set out at the meeting in Geneva in April 2023 is very noteworthy. The Turkish Cypriot side should sit at the negotiation table on an equal basis in every area with the Greek side. Therefore, we say, 'if you want solution then recognize the acquired rights of the Turkish Cypriots'. I hope that we will see the days when the leaders of the guarantor countries of the Island will visit together the two states." "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DISREGARD THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS, THE ANCIENT AND FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT OF THE ISLAND" Pointing out that those who assume they will achieve their goals by putting pressure on the Turkish Cypriots are badly mistaken, President Erdogan added: "Neither we will allow any faits accomplish nor the Turkish Cypriot people will bow down to threats. It is impossible to disregard the Turkish Cypriots, the ancient and fundamental element of the Island. We determinedly maintain our efforts for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the implementation of a two-state solution. President Tatar's participation in the unofficial OTS Summit in Shusha was the last example of this. I thank my brother President Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his sagacity during that process." President Erdogan said: "Our efforts aimed at breaking the isolation and lifting the embargo, the Turkish Cypriots are unjustly and unlawfully subjected to, will further increase. We will always support the TRNC, which was founded on the blood of our martyrs, in order for it to become a powerful, prosperous and prestigious country. We are and will continue to give to the end the necessary support for the rapid implementation of the issues stated in the 2024 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of President Biden's Call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen July 20, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to congratulate her on her re-election. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a strong U.S.-EU relationship and to tackling the world's biggest challenges together. They also discussed support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia to account for its aggression. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kamala Harris "You may be first, but make sure someone comes after you" is Harris' motto, inherited from her mother. Harris once admitted in an interview that she loves French fries and often gorges on them. She also loves dogs, but has never dared to get even one pet. President Joe Biden heeded calls to withdraw his re-election bid, thrusting this years already high-wire race for the White House into an uncertain territory. The 46th US presidents departure from the race leaves the Democratic Party in an unprecedented situation, with only a month until the Democratic National Convention and less than four months until the November 5 election. Biden said 21 July 2024 he was endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election after he dropped out of the race. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden said. Nominating someone else would look like skipping over a Black woman, which would not look good for many in the party. Harris gained significant support within her party. She has received endorsements from key figures and is seen as a dynamic candidate who can energize younger voters and people of color. Polls have shown her to be competitive against Trump, suggesting that she has a viable path to victory in the general election. Political observers classify Harris as part of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party (which unites the "new left," populists, feminists, gay rights activists, etc.). According to the ProgressivePunch website (created by supporters of the left wing of the Democrats who track progressive legislative initiatives), she is among the top ten most progressive senators. Kamala Harris advocates for the transition to clean renewable energy sources and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, stricter control over personal weapons and a ban on the sale of automatic weapons, law enforcement reform, the abolition of the death penalty, as well as an increase in taxes for large financial institutions and the expansion of social programs for the poor. She supports the legalization of marijuana at the federal level and the mitigation of penalties for the possession of other types of drugs, and is a supporter of abortion rights. On social policy issues, Harris initially supported Senator Bernie Sanders's ideas on "health care for all" and full funding of this area from the budget (up to the elimination of private health insurance), but later spoke out in favor of maintaining the ability to choose between private or public health insurance. Kamala Harris was praised for several reasons, from her groundbreaking role as a woman of color in the highest levels of American government to specific policy positions she has advocated for. Trailblazer in American Politics: Harris's election as Vice President of the United States marked a historic milestone. She is the first woman, the first African American woman, and the first Asian American woman to hold this office, which has been widely praised as a significant step forward in terms of representation and diversity in American politics. Advocate for Criminal Justice Reform: While her record as a prosecutor has faced criticism, as I noted in my previous message, others have praised her work in this area. As Attorney General of California, she implemented programs designed to divert nonviolent offenders from prison and integrate them back into society. Leadership on Women's Rights: Harris has been a consistent advocate for women's rights, including reproductive rights, equal pay, and protection from sexual harassment. Her stance on these issues has earned her praise from women's rights advocates and progressive groups. Strong Performance in Senate Hearings: During her time as a senator, Harris was noted for her rigorous questioning during Senate committee hearings, such as the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Focus on Racial Equity: Harris has consistently raised issues of racial equity in both domestic and foreign policy. This includes matters related to healthcare, economy, criminal justice, and more. Perspectives on Harris are polarized depending on one's political leanings. Kamala Harris had been a staunch advocate for reproductive rights throughout her career. Harris has consistently supported the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide. She believes that the decision should be upheld and that women have the constitutional right to make decisions about their own bodies without government interference. Harris has backed numerous pieces of legislation aimed at protecting and expanding access to reproductive health care. She co-sponsored the Womens Health Protection Act, which seeks to safeguard the right to access abortion services against restrictive state laws. Harris has been vocal against state-level efforts to restrict abortion access. She has condemned laws that impose excessive regulations on abortion providers, which can lead to clinic closures and reduced access to services for women. Harris has argued that such restrictions disproportionately affect low-income women and women of color. Harris was speaking in 2023 at the White House on education when she quoted a comment her mother often made during her childhood. "She would give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us: 'I don't know what's wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you,'" Harris said. The oddball quote, along with clips of her dancing, her at-times awkward laughter, and some of her other slightly baffling anecdotes, became an instant data point in the -- at best, bemused -- way the internet understood Harris. Slate writer Mark Stern put it on X, "Republicans who gleefully watched Biden get destroyed on TikTok for the past year are now realizing with horror that they can't stop the Zoomer meme machine from turning Kamala into a brat summer icon." Harrris on National Security Foreign policy is not the strong suit of the woman aiming to be the 47th president of the USA. Its also a particularly fraught issue for Washingtons allies as they warily eye US security commitments after Trump picked Senator JD Vance who has openly touted isolationist foreign policies as his running mate. A law school graduate and former California attorney general, Harris has spent much of her political career focused on domestic issues. As vice president, she bucked a longstanding trend in US politics, which has seen the countrys second-most powerful official provide foreign policy expertise to newly elected presidents. In the 2000 race for instance, when George W. Bush picked Dick Cheney who had served as his fathers defence secretary during the Gulf War as a running mate, it was viewed as a counterweight to the younger Bushs lack of foreign policy experience. Bidens appointment as Barack Obamas running mate was perhaps the best example of a newcomer president seeking a counsel-in-chief on international issues. Vice President Harris, in contrast, had little foreign policy advice to offer a president who spent 36 years in the US Senate and eight in the White House. Frankly, she has been stress-tested, said Representative Adam Smith in an interview with the Politico news site. She has been the lead spokesperson for the administration at the Munich Security Conference making the case for our role in Ukraine and NATO and in the world, and shes been really strong. Kamala Harris's foreign policy approach has evolved significantly throughout her tenure as Vice President and during her time in the Senate. Harris's foreign policy positions reflect a blend of maintaining traditional U.S. alliances and adapting to new global challenges. Her approach emphasizes diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and a strong stance on human rights and democratic values. According to Politico, Harris will largely continue Biden's strategy on Ukraine, as she lacks much experience in the matter. According to former Pentagon and NATO official Jim Townsend, she will be dependent on the current president's advisers. In particular, the proposed Harris administration would provide active military support to Ukraine and would pursue initiatives to deepen alliances in the Pacific region due to China's growing influence . She is also expected to support Israel and other U.S. allies in the Middle East. Harris advocates for strengthening NATO and supporting Eastern European allies against Russian aggression. Harris has underscored the importance of NATO and European security in the context of the Ukraine conflict. She supports strengthening NATOs eastern flank to deter further Russian aggression and ensure the security of member states in Eastern Europe. Harris has also called for increased cooperation and readiness within NATO to address any threats posed by Russia. Harris has been vocal about the importance of defending Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. She has condemned Russia's annexation of Crimea and its ongoing aggression in Eastern Ukraine. Harris supports providing Ukraine with military aid and defensive weapons to help them resist Russian advances. Harris has advocated for stringent economic sanctions on Russia as a response to its aggression towards Ukraine. She supports coordinated efforts with European allies to impose and maintain sanctions that target Russian individuals and entities involved in the conflict. The goal is to pressure Russia into ceasing its aggressive actions and respecting international laws. In June 2024, at a conference in Switzerland, she stated that the United States supports Kyiv not as a charity, but because the people of Ukraine and their future are in the sphere of strategic interests of the United States. She has repeatedly taken tough anti-Russian positions, and in June 2017, she voted for the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. However, she supported the extension of the 2010 US-Russian Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START; suspended in 2023) until 2026 and spoke out against withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (signed in 1987, expired in 2019). Her rhetoric on Russia continued the Democratic Partys foreign policy stance, which in recent months has used the conflict in Ukraine as an excuse to criticize Trump. In February 2024, Harris accused the Republican of bowing to Moscow and also criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin . In particular, she called his peace proposals for Ukraine a capitulation to Kiev . Moscow cannot predict what Kamala Harris approach to Russia will be if she is nominated as the Democratic Partys candidate in the US presidential election, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said. Harris has not played any meaningful role in bilateral relations as US vice president, except for a few unfriendly remarks, he added. Peskov said: At the moment, we cannot evaluate the potential candidacy of Ms. Harris in terms of our bilateral relations, for any contribution on her part has not been noticed so far. Statements Harris has made on Russia to date have been full of rather unfriendly rhetoric toward our country, Peskov added. We havent registered any other actions by her, whether positive or negative, regarding our bilateral relations. Harris supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has called for renewed efforts to achieve peace in the region. At AIPAC meeting in 2018, Harris was asked why she supports Israel. It is just something that has always been a part of me, she said. Its almost like saying when did you first realize you loved your family, or love your country, it just was always there. It was always there. She has backed continued military aid to Israel while also emphasizing the need to address Palestinian rights. Harris has also supported diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, including rejoining and renegotiating the Iran nuclear deal. Biden made many mistakes regarding Israel, but he is miles ahead of Harris in terms of support for Israel, David Friedman, who served as ambassador to Israel under the Trump administration, told The Jerusalem Post. She is on the fringe of the progressive wing of the party, which sympathizes more with the Palestinian cause. Writing for the Jewish Telegraph Agency [JTA], Ron Kampeas noted "Over the course of her life and career, she has been surrounded by Jews, from her schoolmates to her colleagues to her closest family members. That background has given Harris, 59, an easy familiarity with Jewish spaces, say those who have interacted with her. She has also encouraged Emhoff to embrace his Jewish identity as the second gentleman; for the first time, mezuzahs have been installed at the vice presidential residence, and Emhoff has taken a leading role in the administrations efforts to fight antisemitism." I believe that a resolution to this conflict cannot be imposed. It must be agreed upon by the parties themselves. Peace can only come through a reconciliation of differences and that can only happen at the negotiating table, Harris told AIPAC in 2017. I believe that when any organization delegitimizes Israel, we must stand up and speak out for Israel to be treated equally. Harris husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, has taken a leading role in the Biden administrations efforts to combat antisemitism. Emhoff chairs thetask force that developed the Biden administrations strategy to counter antisemitism. Harris consistently emphasized the importance of strengthening U.S. alliances and participating actively in international institutions. She advocates for multilateral approaches to address global challenges, including climate change, terrorism, and pandemics. Harris has also stressed the need for the U.S. to lead by example on human rights and democratic values. Harris has taken a firm stance on China, advocating for a strong U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific region. She supports measures to counter China's economic practices and military expansion, while also emphasizing the importance of engaging China on issues like climate change and global health. During her trips to Southeast Asia, she underscored the U.S. commitment to regional security and economic partnerships. Harris has been vocal about the need to address cybersecurity threats, particularly from state actors like Russia. She supports imposing sanctions on Russia for its interference in U.S. elections and cyber-attacks. One of Harris's top foreign policy priorities is combating climate change. She supports rejoining the Paris Agreement and working with other countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Harris has called for international cooperation on clean energy technology and environmental conservation. Harris places a strong emphasis on promoting human rights and democracy worldwide. She has condemned authoritarian regimes and advocated for supporting pro-democracy movements. Harris has highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice on the global stage. In 2021, Biden assigned her the task of tackling immigration by combating the "root causes" of people leaving Latin America. "I can think of nobody who is better qualified to do this," Biden said of Harris at the time. "When she speaks, she speaks for me." The gift turned out to be poisonous. Despite Harris' efforts and meetings with Latin American leaders, the number of undocumented border crossings continued to grow, reaching record highs last year. The Republican Party was quick to dub Harris the "border czar," and then lambaste her for not stemming the number of people crossing the border. President Biden did not "put her in charge of the southern border", but rather of negotiations with Central American countries to develop joint measures to reduce the flow of immigration to the United States through Mexico. In 2021, Kamala Harris visited several Central American countries, and on her initiative, joint working groups were established with Central American countries to combat corruption and human trafficking. Since then, illegal crossings are down dramatically (over 54% down, according to CBS News) and violent crime is at lows not seen in decades (it peaked with Trump) Harris has a nuanced approach to immigration, balancing border security with humanitarian considerations. She has called for addressing the root causes of migration, such as violence and economic instability in Central America, and supports increasing aid to these regions. Harris also advocates for a fair and humane treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. While Harris supports strong border security measures, she emphasizes that these should be balanced with respect for human rights. She has advocated for the use of technology and improved infrastructure to secure the border, rather than building a physical wall. Harris emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. As Vice President, she has focused on tackling issues such as violence, corruption, and economic instability in the Northern Triangle countries (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). She believes that improving conditions in these countries will reduce the pressure on people to migrate to the United States. Harris managed to weather the migrant storm by backing a bill providing more funding for US border guards and agencies. The bill was however blocked by the Republicans earlier this year. Trump has made illegal immigrants a central plank of his campaign and is likely to try to corner Harris on the issue. But Trump's tactics could backfire. If the Republicans, if Trump and Vance, go after her on this, she can just respond that there was a bill on it and the Republicans blocked it. Harrris - Critics Talking Points Kamala Harris became a primary target for attacks from the Republican Party following Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and his subsequent endorsement of Harris. These attacks ramped up significantly as Harris emerged as the likely Democratic nominee. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters have been vocal in their criticism, often using derogatory nicknames and questioning Harris's competence and qualifications. Trump's campaign is focusing on tying Harris closely to the Biden administration's policies, particularly on immigration and the economy. They are attempting to portray her as the "co-pilot" of what they describe as the administration's failures, such as increased border crossings and high living costs. Additionally, these attacks have taken on a notably sexist and racist tone. Republicans used disparaging remarks to undermine Harris, with some going as far as to question her intelligence and label her as a "diversity hire". Prominent figures like former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka and Texas Representative Ronny Jackson have made particularly offensive comments, highlighting the discriminatory undertones of the current political discourse surrounding Harris. JD Vance attacked Vice President Kamala Harris by name in 2021 as a childless cat lady, bitterly complaining that women who dont produce children themselves (Harris is the proud mother of two step-children from her husbands first marriage) dont have a physical commitment to the future of this country: Were effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via the corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too Its just a basic fact: You look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC, the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children. And how does it make any sense that weve turned our country over to people that dont have a direct stake in it. Jonathan S. Tobin, editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate), wrote: "there was no way a Democratic Party that has adopted the woke catechism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and intersectionality as among its guiding principlesand which looks to African-American women as its most loyal voter groupwould even consider snubbing a woman of color in that manner.... she is inextricably linked to those elements in her party that are pushing the country further apart with terrible ideas and policies that divide us by race.... she has been careful not to go too far in denouncing Israels effort to defeat the terrorists in Gaza, but she has also repeatedly recycled Hamas propaganda about Palestinian casualties.... much of the activist class of the Democrats has been indoctrinated in critical race theory, DEI and intersectionality, which all brand Israel and the Jews as white oppressors.... unless and until they shed their allegiance to dangerous DEI myths, the Democrats are carrying baggage that could sink what is left of their hopes of winning in November." Harris would be a "real disaster" for the country and the White House if elected as the next American leader, the Republican National Committee said on 21 July 2024. Not only would Harris be a disaster in the White House, but she also helped Joe Biden cover up his deteriorating health while in office, which undermines her credibility, the committee said in a statement on Twitter. The text points to Biden's failures in withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the country's immigration crisis, and rising inflation. As the committee clarified, these "failures were achieved thanks to Kamala Harris." "One of the big weaknesses is that her popularity ratings are really not much better than Biden's," according to Stormy-Annika Mildner, the executive director of the Aspen Institute Germany, a transatlantic think tank based in in Berlin. Another is that she was tasked with tackling the border crisis and stemming mass immigration from Central- and Latin America and has been criticized by opponents for not being up to the job. "This is something where people would say she failed. I think that's a little unfair, because the situation is so difficult at the border," Mildner said. "But this is something which the Trump campaign will use as a strong case against her." Harris' career as a prosecutor was a mixed bag. She styled herself as California's "top cop," but angered the police with her refusal to seek the death sentence even in cases when police officers were killed. At the same time, she was criticized for not doing more to tackle corruption within law enforcement. She initiated a system of hefty fines and potential incarceration for parents whose children were skipping too many classes, which disproportionately affected families of color. She laughed off the issue of legalizing marijuana in 2014, only to say she was "absolutely in favor" of it while running for the Democratic presidential nomination five years later. Some of the attacks on Harris were predictable, Popular Information noted. For example, shortly after Biden's announcement, the Trump campaign blamed Harris for a "migrant crime wave" over the last three years. This was also the centerpiece of Trump's campaign against Biden, but the "migrant crime wave" does not exist. Violent crime has decreased every year since Biden took office and is down sharply again in 2024. (The last time violent crime increased was 2020, when Trump was president.) Further, a study of the 14 Texas counties along the border with Mexico by crime analyst Jeff Asher found "no evidence of increasing violent crime along the US border with Mexico." In fact, border counties "have seen a relatively steady violent crime rate below that of the rest of their state and the nation as a whole." Other attacks include those that seem to pop up any time a woman seeks a position of power. The RNC Research X account, which attacks Trump's opponents on behalf of his campaign and the Republican National Committee, posted a video attacking Harris for being "annoying." In an April 2019 CNN town hall on the climate crisis, Harris was asked if she would support changes to the federal dietary guidelines to deemphasize the consumption of red meat. Harris said that she would support changing the dietary guidelines. She added, however, that she "loves cheeseburgers" and favors policies to "encourage moderation" and educate consumers "about the effects of our eating habits on our environment" rather than "banning certain behaviors." As a prosecutor in San Francisco, Harris had a program called Back on Track that "placed young first-time drug offenders who pleaded guilty to their crimes into a jobs program rather than jail." The program was successful. While recidivism rates are typically 50% or higher, recidivism was "less than 10 percent among Back On Track graduates." And "the program costs only $5,000 per person, compared to over $35,000 a year for county jail." According to an Axios report 22 July 2024, Harris time as vice president has been occasionally rocky, defined in part by large staff turnover and her reluctance to deal with politically risky responsibilities, among other things. Much of Harris staff has left over the past three and a half years, the article said, citing disclosures which showed that of the 47 Harris staffers listed in 2021, only five still worked for her as of this spring. Former Harris aides told Axios that the high turnover was partly because of how the VP treated her staff. The aides cited high standards that some did not want to keep up with, while others said they felt that she frequently grilled them the way she grilled Trump officials. They referred to it as Harris prosecuting the staff. White House aides said they sometimes felt like Harris wasnt a team player and stayed away from any task that involved risks. She has reportedly been cautious and reluctant to participate in events that werent tightly controlled. At times, Harris aides suspected that Bidens team didnt want to give Harris opportunities to shine to prevent her from being seen as a viable alternative to Biden ahead of his re-election bid, Axios wrote. Harrris - Background The job of vice president is a thankless one. Few people are so close to power (were the commander in chief to die, the vice president would automatically become president) while at the same time having so little of it themselves. Nelson Rockefeller, Gerald Ford's vice president between 1974 and 1977, famously said he felt like he was on standby for funerals and earthquakes. Benjamin Franklin suggested calling those holding the office "his excessive excellency." But people still hoped for more from Kamala Harris, and not just because she broke with tradition simply by taking office after all her white, male predecessors. President-elect Joe Biden made a simple political calculation when he selected Kamala Harris as his running mate. By 2045, white people will still constitute a plurality but will no longer be the majority in the United States. By selecting Harris, Biden picked a candidate with the potential for broad appeal. First-term United States Senator Kamala Harris's star was already rising fast when she jumped into the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in early 2019. Liberals in the party loved her for being the face of the party's future - a young, Black woman. Despite entering the race as an immediate frontrunner, Harris, who was also the only African-American woman running, was out by the end of the year - before even the Iowa caucuses. Her struggle to maintain support was driven by an inability to articulate clear policy positions and a backlash from an attempt to attack rival Joe Biden's record on race during a June 2019 debate. Many thought the dust-up ended her chances of being considered for the vice president slot. But they were wrong. Harris, 55, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, is a former California state attorney general who became popular with liberal activists for her tough questioning of appointees and officials from the administration of President Donald Trump - including Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, during Senate hearings. Harris' mother, breast cancer researcher Shyamala Gopalan, emigrated from India to the United States in 1960. Her father, the economics professor Donald J. Harris, was born in Jamaica and arrived in the US in 1961. Kamala Harris herself was born in Oakland, California, and spent her early years in the neighboring city of Berkeley. Her parents divorced when she was 7, and she and her sister, Maya, lived with their mother. When she was 12, they moved to Montreal, in the Canadian province of Quebec, where Gopalan had landed research work. Harriss mixed African-Indian heritage influenced her self-perception. In her memoir, she wrote, My mother was very aware that she was raising two black daughters. She knew that her adopted country [the United States] would see Maya [Harriss sister] and me as black girls. This would create confusion for many in the media in the future, who would refer to her as either black, South Asian, or black Asian. Although Harris has long identified herself as African American, she now says she represents a small group of Americans of mixed descent. Growing up in Oakland, Kamala had a stroller-eye view of the Civil Rights movement. At the age of 13, the girl held her own demonstration in front of an apartment building - in protest against the concierge who forbade children from running on the lawn. Through the example of courageous leaders like Thurgood Marshall, Constance Baker Motley, and Charles Hamilton Houston, Kamala learned the kind of character it requires to stand up to the powerful, and resolved to spend her life advocating for those who could not defend themselves. After earning an undergraduate degree from Howard University and a law degree from the University of California, Hastings, she began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. Kamala's workaholism seriously interfered with her personal life. In 1994-1995, Harris was in close contact with California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, who was thirty years her senior. Nothing worked out. Kamala first married at age 49 to law firm partner Douglas Emhoff. She has no children of her own; her husband has a son and daughter from his first marriage. In 2003, Kamala became the District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco. Among her achievements as District Attorney, Harris started a program that gives first-time drug offenders the chance to earn a high school diploma and find employment. Having completed two terms as the District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala was elected as the first African-American and first woman to serve as California's Attorney General. In this role, she worked tirelessly to hold corporations accountable and protect the states most vulnerable people. The Trump family was impressed by Harris's prosecutorial activity. To the point that in 2011 and 2013, the businessman sent a total of six thousand dollars to support Kamala's campaign. A year later, Ivanka Trump also donated two thousand dollars to Harris for her reelection. Since 2014, Harris has been married to Jewish lawyer Douglas Emhoff, who has two children from a previous marriage. Harris herself did not have any children. Over the course of her nearly two terms in office, Kamala won a $25-billion settlement for California homeowners hit by the foreclosure crisis, defended Californias landmark climate change law, protected the Affordable Care Act, helped win marriage equality for all Californians, and prosecuted transnational gangs that trafficked in guns, drugs, and human beings. In 2017, Kamala D. Harris was sworn in as a United States Senator for California, the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. She serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget. As one of the earliest congressional critics of Trump's immigration policies, Harris pushed hard for a deal to protect from deportation those immigrants who came to the country without documents as children, a group known as the Dreamers. Harris made history in 2016 when she became the first Black woman elected to the US Senate from California, and she has pushed back against critics of "identity politics", who she says are using the term as a pejorative to marginalise issues of race, gender and sexual orientation. She was among a handful of Democrats who aggressively questioned Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court confirmation hearing about his views on abortion and on the special counsel probe into potential Russian meddling in the 2016 election. In the Senate, she introduced a bill to give lower-income families cash payments and tax credits to help battle wage stagnation and rising housing costs, and she has been a strong advocate of criminal justice reforms. She lived in Los Angeles with her husband, Doug Emhoff, and is stepmother to Ella and Cole Emhoff. Harrris - Vice-President As with any public figure, especially one in a high-profile political role such as Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris faced various criticisms from across the political spectrum. It's important to remember that the nature of these criticisms are shaped by partisan perspectives and personal biases. In a memoir published in 2019, Harris described herself as a "progressive prosecutor" and said it is a "false choice" to decide between supporting the police and advocating for greater scrutiny of law enforcement. She is, however, no favorite of progressives in the Democratic party. Immigration : Soon after the immigration crisis at the border began to take on an unprecedented urgency, Harris was designated as the presidents representative on the issue. Apart from that, she was assigned to address electoral issues, in particular, promoting controversial voting rights reform. The difficulty of these issues and measures undertaken was so unpopular among many Republicans and other parts of the political establishment that some even speculated that she purposely was being given difficult assignments to undermine her. After taking on that role, Harris approval ratings began to decline, with unfavorable opinions surpassing favorable ones in June 2021. Foreign Policy : Criticism also came after a number of Harris' foreign policy initiatives, including her trip to France. Criminal Justice Record: Some critics, particularly those from the progressive wing of the Democratic party and social justice advocates, have taken issue with Harris's record as San Francisco District Attorney and later as Attorney General of California. They argue that some of her policies contributed to mass incarceration and that she was not sufficiently progressive on criminal justice reform. Many had criticised her record, including her sometimes reluctant approach to criminal justice reform and her fighting against lawsuits brought by sex workers and opponents of solitary confinement in prisons. She also came under scrutiny for declining as attorney general to prosecute OneWest Bank, which was once headed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, for alleged foreclosure violations. Harris, who voted against Mnuchin's confirmation as head of the US Department of the Treasury, said she "followed the facts" in declining to prosecute. Lack of Clear Policy Identity: Some critics claim that Harris has not clearly defined her policy positions on various key issues, leading to uncertainty about what she stands for. For instance, during the 2020 Democratic primary, Harris shifted her position on healthcare reform several times, leading to criticism that her stance on the issue was unclear. Communication and Public Relations: Harris faced criticism for her handling of certain public relations matters. For example, she was criticized for her response to questions about visiting the U.S.-Mexico border during the early months of the Biden administration's handling of an increase in border crossings. On the day of his inauguration, Biden was 78 years old older than any other incoming president in the history of the United States. Donald Trump, the second-oldest, was 70 when he was inaugurated. It's entirely possible that health issues might not permit him to serve the full four-year term. In that case, Harris would replace him, without a new election making her the first woman president of the United States. Biden's second term as President would start in 2025, and Biden would be 86-years-old at the end of his second-term. Advisors to Biden reportedly told Politico that he was looking for a running mate he could turn things over to after four years so he can act as a transitional figure for the Democratic Party. Biden's advisers and friends had told reporters that it is virtually inconceivable that he would run for a second term as president. In that case, Harris would be the presumptive nominee for President, and the presumptive winner of the election. Christopher Cadelago, Daniel Lippman and Eugene Daniels reported in Politico 30 June 2021 "The handling of the border visit was the latest chaotic moment for a staff thats quickly become mired in them. Harris team is experiencing low morale, porous lines of communication and diminished trust among aides and senior officials... While much of the ire is aimed at Harris chief, two administration officials said the VP herself also bears responsibility for the way her office is run." People are thrown under the bus from the very top, there are short fuses and its an abusive environment, said another person with direct knowledge of how Harris office is run. Its not a healthy environment and people often feel mistreated. Its not a place where people feel supported but a place where people feel treated like s---. We are not making rainbows and bunnies all day." Symone Sanders, senior advisor and chief spokesperson for Harris, pushed back against the complaints. But for some of the people who know Harris best, its become an all-too-familiar pattern for a politician who has churned through several iterations of staff on her rise and took office with a team almost entirely new to her. A poll showed in mid-November 2021 that Harris approval ratings had hit the bottom with just 28 percent supporting the vice president, while Biden was currently at 38 percent. The relationship between the current US president Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris may be bad enough to lead to her dismissal, despite the fact that the White House does not want to give the impression there is a split between the two, Fox News The Five suggested. The White House tried to tackle the rumors head on, with spokesperson Jen Psaki tweeting that the vice president is not only a vital partner to the president, but a bold leader who has taken on key, important challenges facing the country from voting rights to addressing root causes of migration to expanding broadband. By 2022 disillusionment had set in. In a nationwide poll by the news site Real Clear Politics, 42% of Americans said President Biden is doing a good job, while Harris polled at just 40%. In late November 2021, she made a social media splash when she visited a DC Christmas market, smiling winningly for the smartphones. But politically, she had a disappointing first year in office. As of 05 July 2023, a total of 41% of registered voters had a favorable opinion of Harris and 53% had an unfavorable opinion a net rating of -12 percentage points, according to a Times average. Harris' net favorability is slightly lower than that of former Vice President Mike Pence at this point in their respective tenures, and it's well under the ratings of three previous vice presidents. Thom Hartmann wrote 13 July 2023 "Regardless of who the Republican nominee is, their line of attack against the Biden/Harris ticket will be simple: Youre voting for a man wholl be 82 in his first year in office, which means youre really voting for Kamala Harris to become president at some point during the next four years. ... Outside of California, most Americans know virtually nothing about Kamala Harris, and the new voters wholl be showing up in 2024 Zoomers fresh out of school and women whod never voted before but are now enraged by the Dobbs decision know even less, because they werent paying attention during the 2020 Democratic primary debates.... The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth got out ahead of John Kerry and defined him for the American public, leaving him to rather helplessly argue that he wasnt a preening elitist opportunist who lied about his service in Vietnam. It didnt work... "Biden famously dumped the southern border situation in Harris lap, and today that crisis has become a mere trickle of a problem. Harris played a large role in this, working with multiple Central American governments to reduce the political and economic pressures that were sending people north.... Others include initiatives to deal with the abortion crisis and protect womens private medical information in the wake of the Dobbs decision; helping get aid to universities and colleges (particularly HBCUs, 36 of which have been subject to white nationalist bomb threats); and participating in every major decision-making meeting in the White House including Bidens decision to pull US troops out of Afghanistan." A widely circulated Google document, entitled Unburdened by What Has Been: The Case for Kamala, caused quite a stir among Democrats. Theres one path out of this mess, and its Kamala, the document states. Kamala Harris has the strongest claim to Democratic legitimacy. She is the only candidate who can take the reins right now, instead of in late August with less than three months left to go. She has significant and widely underplayed electoral advantages. She can win. A CNN poll conducted after the first debatee suggested that a substantial majority of Americans believe Democrats would have a better chance of beating Trump without Biden, while Harris performed slightly better than Biden in a hypothetical matchup with Trump. Other polls have shown similar results. David Rothkopf wrote "She has already distinguished herself on a wide range of issues: Harris has opened up important dialogue with countries at our southern border to reduce immigration flows at the source; she has been a leading voice for creating a plan for the day after in Gaza; she has helped to maintain support among our allies for the administrations Ukraine policy; she has engaged actively on next-generation technology issues; and she has supported tougher gun control laws while serving as an exceptionally effective champion on womens issues and on issues pertaining to communities of color." Harris has been a tougher critic of Israel than President Joe Biden, who frequently describes himself as a Zionist, and as a voice more sympathetic to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Shell certainly be making it clear, as weve said many times before, that we believe that Palestinian people need a vote and a voice in their future, and that they need governance in Gaza that will look after their aspirations and their needs, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said in December 2023, describing the role an increasingly more visible Harris would play pertaining to the war in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 20 July 2024 - Day 878 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia continues offensive operations on several areas of the front line. It is likely that the Avdiivka-Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast remains the Russian main effort and consequently has seen the highest operational tempo by Russian forces over the last month. Russian forces have continued to gain territory to the north and west of the town of Ocheretyne, expanding its salient towards the town of Pokrovsk. Also in the Avdiivka-Pokrovsk sector, Russia has made minor advances into the town of Niu-York, a heavily fortified area of the front line and the last remaining point of the pre-2022 line of contact that existed between Ukrainian forces and Russian-led Separatist Forces. Near the Donetsk Oblast town of Chasiv Yar, there have been no significant changes in territorial control. It has been reported that major Russian infantry assaults have stopped over the past few days and that Russian forces are largely operating in dispersed small, dismounted squads. Russian forces in this area are likely taking a tactical pause while conducting probing attacks and reconnaissance activity. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 126 combat clashes on the front, the enemy made two rockets (14 rockets), 54 aviation strikes (69 KAB) and 531 kamikaze drones strikes, made 3,179 shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian terrorists five times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Vovchansk and Glybokoye. They did not have any success. Eleven times the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions in the Kupyansky direction. At this time, seven battles continue in the areas of glushkivka, stelmahivka and pi any. In the Lyman direction a day Russian troops seven times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders. In the areas of settlements, Nevske and Makiyivka, five attacks have been repelled, two are ongoing. In the Sivers komu direction, Ukrainian troops repelled eight attempts of the enemy to improve the tactical position near Verkhnyokamiansky, Spirny and Viiyimka. Russian forces were not successful. Took a loss and walked away. In the Kramators komu direction, the failure of 11 attempts of the Russian forces to move forward near the time line, kalinivka, novomarkovogo and stupocok. The fight near Klishchievka is ongoing. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces have stormed five times today in the areas of the Iron, Northern and New York. Continuing combat in three locations. Intense Russian attacks of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. During the day, in total, carried out 47 assault and offensive actions. The largest activity of Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Progresa and Novoselivka the First. Four confrontations in the direction are still ongoing. According to preliminary calculations, today Ukrainian warriors eliminated 87 and wounded 127 Russian invaders. Destroyed two armored vehicles "Tiger", two armored transporters and two barrageous ammunition "Lancet". Three artsistemi zagarbnikiv are also defiled. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day, there are 11 combat clashes. Russian forces unsuccessfully tried to advance in the settlements of Krasnogorivka, Georgievka, Paraskovievka and Konstantinivka. Four battles near Staromayorsky and Konstantinivka ended in the Vremivs komu direction. Russian forces became active in the Orihiv direction, where five attacks per day near the settlements of Robotine and Mala Tokmachka. In the Pridnipro direction of success did not have eight Russian assault actions on the left bank of the Dnieper, in the direction of the Cossacks Camp - Krynki. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. Today we will celebrate Ukrainian soldiers from the 24 separate mechanized brigade of King Danilo, who firmly hold back the rush of the prevailing forces of the Russian enemy in Donetsk region. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Sever Group of Forces hit manpower and hardware of AFU 42nd mechanised, 127th territorial defence, and 13th national guard brigades close to Volchansk, Staritsa, Malye Prohody, and Liptsy (Kharkov region). Five attacks launched by assault detachments of AFU 92nd assault and 36th marines brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 185 Ukrainian troops, two pickup trucks, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one Plastun electronic reconnaissance station. The Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line, hit AFU 44th, 54th, 60th, 115th, 116th mechanised, 103rd, 110th territorial defence brigades near Peschanoye, Petropavlovka, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), Torskoye, Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks of AFU 66th and 67th mechanised brigades' assault groups were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 540 Ukrainian troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, six motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station, and one ammunition depot. The Yug Group of Forces continued to take more advantageous lines. Units of AFU 22nd, 24th, 30th, 72nd mechanised, 56th mechanised infantry, 81st airmobile, 79th and 80th air assault brigades were hit near Grigorovka, Krasnogorovka, Zalyznyanskoye, Konstantinovka, Chasov Yar, and Raygorodok (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks launched by units of the AFU 5th Assault Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 640 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, and 18 motor vehicles. In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, U.S.-made 155-mm M198 and M777 howitzers, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two UK-made 105-mm L-119 howitzers. One AFU electronic warfare station and five field ammunition depots were destroyed. The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and hit units of AFU 32nd, 41st, 47th mechanised brigades close to Toretsk, Novgorodskoye, Rozovka, Progress, and Novosyolovka Pervaya (Donetsk People's Republic). Eight counter-attacks launched by units of AFU 31st, 151st mechanised, 95th air assault brigades, and the Lyut Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 280 Ukrainian troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and two 100-mm Rapira anti-tank guns. The Vostok Group of Forces captured more advantageous lines, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 72nd mechanised, 120th, 129th territorial defence, and 21st national guard brigades near Vremevka, Makarovka, Storozhevoye, Vodyanoye, Razliv, and Oktyabr (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 110 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and two Nota electronic warfare stations. The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of AFU 141st infantry, 128th mountain assault, 106th, and 108th territorial defence brigades near Kamenskoye, Belogorye, Mirnoye, and Pyatikhatki (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses were up to 140 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Giatsint-B gun, and one 152-mm D-20 howitzer. One Nota electronic warfare station, one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station, and one ammunition depot were eliminated. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged two launchers and one AN/MPQ-65 radar station of the U.S.-made Patriot SAM system, and clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 113 areas. Russian air defence systems have shot down two U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, four U.S.-made HIMARS projectiles, and 74 unmanned aerial vehicles, to include 27 ones over the territory of the Russian Federation. In total, 630 airplanes and 277 helicopters, 27,915 unmanned aerial vehicles, 554 air defence missile systems, 16,620 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,379 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 12,120 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 23,870 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australian officials say antimissile program on track By Phil Mercer July 20, 2024 Senior Australian military commanders on Thursday said the country is on track to reshape the nation's antimissile air defenses despite recent public criticism. Officials said their immediate focus is knitting together systems and sensors to detect enemy threats before buying the weapons to shoot them down. Senior Australian military commanders said Thursday the country's program to build an integrated military network connecting sensors, radars and weapons such as warships and fighter aircraft to protect against missile attack was proceeding with "pace." However, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a research organization that receives funding from the Canberra government as well as governments overseas, has said repeatedly that Australia's efforts to set up an integrated battle management system were moving too slowly and that such capability "must be delivered urgently." Analysts say Australia's focus on missiles, drones and warships relates to the possibility of an Indo-Pacific region conflict between China and the United States. Air Commodore Benjamin Sleeman of the Royal Australian Air Force told reporters in Canberra on Thursday that developing an effective air defense system takes time. "There is no use buying whatever missile or whatever launch system or whatever radar you have if you do not have the right thing to plug it into," Sleeman said. "You will just have another system sitting out there. "We have got some really great systems, and then we will look at procuring those other things when the timing is right," he said. Australia's Joint Air Battle Management System is known as AIR6500. Last year, Australia chose the U.S. weapons company Lockheed Martin as its strategic partner. The first phase of the project is a new system to control missiles used to shoot down incoming enemy attacks. Australia has a security alliance with the United States dating to the early 1950s. The Australian government is working with the U.S. and Japan to develop systems to protect against air and missile attack. Analysts say that conflicts in Israel and Ukraine have illustrated the importance of protecting civilians and infrastructure from missiles and drones. The 2021 AUKUS accord among the United States, Britain and Australia is aimed at giving Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines for the first time. The trilateral accord is widely seen as a counter to China's growing Indo-Pacific region influence. Beijing has been steadfast in its criticism of the pact, saying Australia and its allies had "gone down a dangerous road for their own selfish political gains." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 25 Years of PRC Government Repression and Abuse of Falun Gong US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson July 20, 2024 We solemnly mark 25 years today since the People's Republic of China (PRC) began a campaign of repression against practitioners of Falun Gong, a self-described spiritual practice. For two and a half decades, PRC authorities have targeted Falun Gong practitioners and their families in a campaign of abuses and rights violations. The United States will continue to speak out for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. We will also continue to promote accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses and violations. We call upon the PRC to cease its repressive campaign and release all who have been imprisoned for their beliefs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken: JCPOA withdrawal 'one of biggest mistakes' by US IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that his country's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal was "one of the biggest mistakes" by Washington in recent years. Blinken made the comment on Friday in reference to the Trump administration's pullout in 2018 from the Iran deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Tehran and world powers clinched three years earlier to put restrictions on Iranian nuclear program in return for sanctions relief. "One of the biggest mistakes that we've made in recent years, was throwing out that agreement and allowing Iran to get out of the box that we put it in," the top US diplomat said at the Aspen Security Forum, according to DPA. He argued that the withdrawal has decreased the breakout time - the amount of time American officials refer to as the time Iran needs to produce material for a nuclear weapon - from "at least a year" to "probably one or two weeks". "They haven't produced a weapon itself", Blinken said, but their breakout time "is now probably one or two weeks." Blinken said that when the Biden administration took office, they tried to pursue again nuclear diplomacy with Iran, "because if you could at least take one problem off the board, that's inherently a good thing." The comments by the top US diplomat comes as Iran has time and again said that nuclear weapons have no place in its nuclear doctrine and that it will never produce such weapons based on a religious decree by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Iran also maintains that its nuclear program remains solely for peaceful purposes as it needs nuclear technology to meet domestic needs. 4194**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A palm reading: Japan's navigation plan for Pacific waters Japan's presence in the Pacific region is expected to take on a markedly military tone, writes Tess Newton Cain. Commentary by Tess Newton Cain 2024.07.19 -- The triennial meeting of the Japanese Prime Minister with the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum - referred to as PALM - is normally not much of an attention grabber. But this year's meeting, which has just concluded in Tokyo, makes it clear that Japan is looking to significantly ramp up its presence in the region. This comes on the back of increased bilateral engagement - think new embassies in Kiribati and Vanuatu - and a reinvigorated QUAD with a focus on resource and burden sharing among the membership of the strategic security partnership (Australia, India, Japan, USA). The joint declaration from this their tenth meeting, known as PALM10, with its associated action plan sets out what we can expect from Japanese engagement with the Pacific over the next three years. The use of the seven pillars of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as a structure for future engagement is notable. The Blue Pacific concept was developed by Pacific nations as a home-grown framing to address their challenges. Other partners have inserted the term Blue Pacific into announcements and documents. However, this takes the recognition of the Pacific's own framework to another level. It is particularly significant given that Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe coined the term Indo-Pacific, which many in the Pacific islands region have resisted. PALM10 sees a move to an "All Japan" approach to working with Pacific partners. Whilst several Japanese agencies are referenced in the outcome documents, the most notable is the prominence of the Japanese Self-Defense Force in future engagement. Japan's military impacts in the Pacific islands region are well known and loom large in the regional memory. While the PALM10 action plan references the continuation of activities related to World War II, such as retrieval of remains and clearance of unexploded ordnance, new activities will see the Japanese presence in the region take on a markedly military aspect. This will add to what is an already crowded environment in which defense diplomacy has been increasing in recent years. However, Japan's use of this strategy has been relatively limited until now. The PALM10 action plan refers to increased defense "exchanges" to consist of port calls by Japanese Defense Force aircraft and vessels. This may not be as easy to achieve as Tokyo officials might like. At the same time as PALM10 was in session in Tokyo, Vanuatu's National Security Advisory Board refused a request for a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force vessel to dock in Port Vila. The reasons for the refusal remain unclear. Other examples of increased use of the JSDF are the provision of capacity building to Pacific personnel for participation in peace-keeping operations and inclusion of a Self-Defense Unit in disaster relief teams to be deployed to Pacific island countries at their governments' request. At the end of the Action Plan are items for "clarification." Included in the list (of three) for Japan to clarify are two that continue this push for increased defense diplomacy. They are: a proposal to accept Pacific cadets into the National Defense Academy of Japan and to use the Japan Pacific Islands Defence Dialogue to foster "mutual understanding and confidence building." The JPIDD has met twice, most recently earlier this year. We are now into the Pacific meeting season and in six weeks the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will convene in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Japan is a longstanding dialogue partner of the forum. The ongoing review of regional architecture includes revisions to how dialogue partners are selected and accommodated. What was discussed and agreed at PALM10 will play a role in determining where at the Blue Pacific table Japan will sit. Tess Newton Cain has worked as an independent consultant and researcher in the Pacific islands region for more than 25 years. She is a former Lecturer in Law at the University of the South Pacific and an adjunct associate professor at Griffith University, Australia. The views expressed here are her own and do not reflect the position of BenarNews. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. 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 Thousands Stage Sit-In Protest In NW Pakistan After Military Allegedly Fires On 'Peace March' By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal July 20, 2024 Thousands of demonstrators in northwest Pakistan are participating in a sit-in protest after authorities fired on participants of a "peace march" in the Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province on July 19. Leaders of the rally told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that the Pakistani military fired on participants of the peace march, held as the region has experienced a spike in militant attacks. Doctors at the Bannu district hospital said that they had received one dead body and 27 injured people following the march. The military has so far not commented on allegations that it was responsible for the violence. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, which has shut down mobile and Internet services in the Bannu district amid the unrest, on July 20 announced the formation of an investigative commission to look into the incident. Nasir Bangash, a leader of the sit-in protest, told RFE/RL that the sit-in will continue until the government provides assurances that peace in the restive province can be restored. Amnesty International sharply criticized the authorities' use of violence to break up the march, saying that the "use of lethal force at a peaceful rally advocating for peace is unlawful" and calling for a prompt investigation to "hold to account officials responsible for the attack." The rights watchdog further said that restrictions on mobile and Internet services in Bannu "curtail the people's ability to mobilize" and also "increase the spread of misinformation during emergencies and create panic." The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also urged the government to "hold to account those responsible for protesters' deaths and injuries." "This seemingly state-sanctioned violation of citizens' right to life and right to freedom of peaceful assembly is reprehensible and reflects a dangerous contempt for citizen-led calls for peace," HRCP said in a statement on X on July 19. The provincial assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa denounced the violence against "peaceful protesters" in a session held late on July 19, as demonstrations spread to other cities in the province, including the regional capital, Peshawar. Leaders of Pashtun nationalist political parties have also condemned the violence used against protesters in the Bannu district. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has seen an increase in deadly attacks in the past two years, mostly blamed on Islamist extremist groups, including the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and affiliates of the extremist group Islamic State. A number of deadly incidents have taken place in recent months, leading to reports that the military is considering an operation to turn the tide of rising terrorism. While residents of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province have complained that Islamabad is not doing enough to provide security, they have also expressed fears of a large-scale operation. Pakistani security forces have recently said they have conducted targeted operations against militants in several parts of the province. On July 15, eight Pakistani soldiers were killed when a militant rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the outer wall of a garrison in Bannu. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-protest-death- shooting-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/33044020.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 Rare Public Protest Held In Krasnodar Over Electricity Blackouts By RFE/RL's Russian Service July 20, 2024 Residents of the Russian city of Krasnodar on July 20 staged a rare public protest to vent their anger over recent power cuts affecting southern Russia. An estimated 200 to 300 people turned out for the protest to demand that the authorities resume the supply of electricity and water. They blocked a street in the north of the city as they voiced complaints about the cuts to services, which they said are becoming more frequent, Russian online media reported. The protesters said that this summer their lights initially were turned off once a week, then three times a week, and now there is no electricity for 12-15 hours a day, the Baza Telegram channel reported. People demand that they be given electricity for at least three hours, the online publication 93.RU reported. Public protests are rare in Russia given the risk of arrest and detention and in light of a clampdown on dissent since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The protest in Krasnodar appeared to have been peaceful, though there were reports of two arrests. Krasnodar Mayor Yevgeny Naumov, police officers, and members of the National Guard were at the scene, according to Russian media reports. The authorities promised to ensure the supply of water. Authorities in the Krasnodar region earlier this week said the electricity blackouts were necessary due to restrictions on the supply of electricity from other regions and a heat wave in southern Russia. Extreme temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and a decrease in the flow of power to the region have meant "the equipment of the unified power system is under significant loads, especially in the daytime," Krasnodar's Ministry for Energy and Public Utilities said in a statement quoted by Interfax on July 17. "There has been abnormal heat in the Krasnodar region for a week now. The load on the energy system is colossal. I know and understand all the indignation of residents due to power outages," regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram. The system operator said on July 16 that the energy system of the south of Russia set a power consumption record. The following day, Russia's nuclear energy operator, Rosenergoatom, said a unit of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant was switched off. The shutdown left some 1 million people in southern Russia and parts of occupied Crimea without electricity. Rosenergoatom later said the shutdown was due to a "false alarm" but did not elaborate on the cause. The unit has been put back into operation. The Rostov Nuclear Power Plant, also known as the Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant, has four units with a total capacity of more than 4,000 megawatts. The plant is located on the left bank of the Don River near the city of Volgodonsk, some 1,100 kilometers south of Moscow. In recent months, Ukraine, whose energy infrastructure has been relentlessly pummeled by Russian strikes since the start of Moscow's unprovoked invasion, has in turn resorted to targeting Russian energy facilities, mainly oil refineries and those that work for the Russian military. With reporting by Reuters and Interfax Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-krasnodar-protest- electricity-blackout-power/33044165.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 Highlights of the 2024 Han Kuang military exercises ROC Central News Agency 07/20/2024 07:44 PM Taipei, July 20 (CNA) Taiwan is gearing up for the annual Han Kuang military exercises slated for July 22-26, with the focus this year including unscripted combat scenarios aimed at testing troops' responses to decentralized command, updated Rules of Engagement (ROE) and nighttime operations. The annual Han Kuang exercises, Taiwan's major war games, have been held since 1984 to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion. The Central News Agency has compiled a list covering some important elements of the upcoming drills. Unscripted combat scenarios The term "unscripted" is used by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to make it easier for the public to understand. Previously, Han Kuang drills were scripted and planned so that participating troops knew exactly when and where the simulated "invading force" would appear. This year, the simulated "enemy attack" could happen anytime and anywhere with any available weapon systems, to better simulate real-life battlefield conditions, according to the MND. No live-fire drills on Taiwan proper The Han Kuang exercises this year will not feature live-fire drills on the island of Taiwan, but troops stationed in Kinmen and Matsu will still use live ammunition during the exercises. According to the MND, the purpose will be to reduce the chance of accidents given the unrehearsed nature of the new Han Kuang drills format and the complexity of this year's exercises. The focus will be to allow troops and commanders to familiarize themselves with the environment they will be defending should a war break out and practice their defensive plans. Decentralized command, updated ROEs The military's decentralized command structure will also be tested for the first time, with exercises that monitor units' decision-making capabilities in scenarios simulating loss of contact with central command during wartime. Each soldier will be expected to follow updated ROEs that explain under what circumstances they are authorized to use certain weapons or launch counterattacks. According to the MND, the ROE was revised in 2023 following repeated incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone by Chinese warplanes, drones and balloons. Strengthening ground troop training Chieh Chung (), a researcher at the Taipei-based think tank Association of Strategic Foresight, said the Han Kuang exercises this year place greater emphasis on ground troops. Chung said this is because ground troops have traditionally been too dependent on their superiors to provide them with support and guidance, such as information on enemy movement and offensive coordination, during training. However, in case there is a communication shutdown during actual warfare, troops on the ground could be paralyzed by fear, and, therefore, the upcoming exercises will be a good way for them to practice their responses, he explained. No 'red' invading forces In previous Han Kuang exercises, soldiers from the Army's Aviation and Special Forces Command and the Marine Corps often played the role of "red" troops during simulated invasions, while other military units posed as "blue" defensive troops. This year, these red-blue team exercises have been canceled to enable the two special force units to better prepare for their main defensive missions, the MND said. Nighttime training, 24-hour combat readiness For the first time, the Han Kuang exercises will also be held at night to test the armed forces' 24-hour defense capabilities. As battles can occur at any time, the MND said it will be essential to verify the capabilities and limitations of the military, and then learn from this experience for future reference. Military presence on streets This year, members of the public will more likely be able to unexpectedly see the deployment of soldiers, equipment and vehicles to practice the ability to deploy and sustain in real time on the streets. They are all part of the Han Kuang exercises, the MND said, expressing hope that the public can show support and not frown upon them for causing any inconvenience should they see them conducting training on the streets. Drills across multiple locations This year's exercises will be carried out across key strategic locations around Taiwan, including Greater Taipei, Tainan and Kaohsiung. In northern Taiwan, the areas will include the Tamsui River estuary in New Taipei, after a Chinese national was caught arriving illegally on a speedboat into the mouth of Tamsui River with ease in June. Other areas include the Anping Port in Tainan and the Yong'an LNG Terminal in Kaohsiung. (By Matt Yu, Wu Shu-wei and Ko Lin) Enditem/ASG 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 2024/07/20 1.Dateis6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Friday to Saturday, Jul. 19-20 2. PLA activitiesis22 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 17 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 Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on attacks in Ukraine United Nations Secretary-General 08 July 2024 StAphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General strongly condemns today's missile attacks by the Russian Federation hitting residential and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, including in the cities of Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro and Pokrovsk. The strike reportedly killed dozens of civilians, including children, and injured over 150 more. The incidents in which missiles hit the Okhmatdyt National Children's Specialized Hospital in Kyiv, the largest pediatrics facility in Ukraine, and at another medical facility in the capital's Dniprovsky district, are particularly shocking. Directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects is prohibited by international humanitarian law, and any such attacks are unacceptable and must end immediately. The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of all the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Long Lines, Worries As Ukraine Pushes To Bolster The Ranks For The Fight Against Russia By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Aleksander Palikot July 20, 2024 KYIV -- Before dawn on July 16, Vladyslav woke up in his car. At 4:37 a.m., he was fourth in a line at a draft office in Ukraine's capital. It was the last day for men eligible for military service to register or update their personal details with the military. "I was here several times before and lost many hours," Vladyslav, who did not want his last name published, told RFE/RL. "In the end, I had to sleep in the car, parked nearby, to make it on time." As Russia's full-scale invasion grinds on in its third year, with Moscow's forces exerting enormous pressure on often exhausted soldiers on multiple sections of the 1,200- kilometer front line in the east and south, Ukraine is struggling to increase the number of troops available for its defense. A controversial mobilization law, adopted in April after heated debate, took effect in May. July 16 marked the end of a 60-day grace period during which all citizens eligible for mobilization were required to update their personal data at military-run territorial recruitment centers or civilian administrative centers -- or via a newly rolled out government app, Reserve+. Vladyslav was one of some 4 million citizens who renewed their data by the deadline, according to the Defense Ministry, including 2.7 million who did so through the app. For weeks, draft offices were struggling with crowds of conscripts trying to fulfill their duty, lining up for hours in the sweltering summer heat. Blackouts -- a result of Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine's power infrastructure - added to the troubles. Some of those who complied with the law will now receive a summons and head to military medical commissions for examinations to determine their fitness for service. Others will get exemptions on various grounds. 'Trying To Hide' Those who did not comply face fines and other civil restrictions such as the potential revocation of driver's licenses or, in the case of military-age men abroad, the right to consular services. "From now on, they can also receive a summons by post, which will be treated as delivered even without their confirmation of receipt," Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko told RFE/RL. If they ignore this, they can be declared wanted within a criminal proceeding. "Some people are trying to hide their data, but it is a matter of time -- all citizens [subject to mobilization] will be in the military register," Serhiy Starenkiy, deputy chairman of the Human Rights Protection Committee of the Ukrainian National Bar Association, told RFE/RL. Ukraine introduced these procedures to make identifying men eligible for conscription easier and mobilizing them more efficient. Prior to the new legislation, the bulk of summonses had been handed out to men by military patrols on the streets of cities, towns, and villages. That practice has provoked controversy, and there have been numerous reports of violence used by or against draft officers across Ukraine. In one such case, 32-year-old Serhiy Kovalchuk died in the hospital after a visit to a draft office in the Zhytomyr region. Recruiters attributed his death to an epileptic seizure and alcohol, but the death certificate indicated that the cause was multiple cranial-cerebral injuries with displaced skull bones. Kovalchuk's family alleges that he was assaulted at the draft office, and over 100 people staged a protest outside the building over the incident. Thousands of men have fled or left the country -- which is illegal for men of fighting age under martial law, in effect since shortly after Russia launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022 -- and others have gone into hiding or use legal loopholes to try to avoid the draft. Some Ukrainians soured on recruitment efforts due to widespread reports of corruption in draft offices. Last August, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed the senior military recruiter in each of Ukraine's regions as reports of corruption proliferated. The push to bolster the military ranks comes as the enthusiasm to serve that marked the early months of the full-scale Russian invasion has faded. In a late June poll conducted by the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center, about 46 percent of respondents said there is no shame in being a draft dodger, while 29 percent held the opposite opinion, and 25 percent found it difficult to answer. Still, the government asserts that the stepped-up mobilization campaign is going well. "The military says that everything is going according to their plan," Zelensky said at a press conference on July 15, adding that there are not enough training grounds and that the state is working to expand them. Prisoners And More Shortly before the mobilization law was adopted, Zelenskiy signed a bill lowering the lower end of the age range in which men can be drafted from 27 to 25, leaving the upper limit at 60, and ordered those who previously held "partially eligible" status to go through mandatory medical checks. Some men aged 18-24 can also be called up, and women can volunteer to serve. In another bid to recruit more troops, Kyiv has also allowed some categories of prisoners to serve in the military. Meanwhile, some of the most popular units -- such as the Third Separate Assault Brigade, the 93rd Mechanized Brigade, and the Khartia Brigade -- opened their recruitment centers and are running marketing campaigns, leaving Ukrainian cities plastered with billboards with calls to join the army. Military and civilian critics of the mobilization law note that it fails to address the questions of rotation -- giving units a chance to rest, away from frontline fighting -- and demobilization, when an active-duty soldier can legally leave service. "If this [current] trend continues into the fall, it may then be possible to submit a bill on demobilization to the Verkhovna Rada," Roman Kostenko, head of the parliament's National Security Committee, said in June. Separately, in an interview with a German newspaper, Kostenko said that the Ukrainian military could enlist 200,000 additional troops by the end of the year. Former top General Valeriy Zaluzhniy's reported request for 500,000 new recruits was believed to be one of the reasons Zelenskiy dismissed him in February. There are 4.35 million Ukrainian men who are eligible for service and are not yet in the military, according to Dmytro Natalukha, chairman of the Economy Committee in parliament. Some estimates put the number higher. Ukrainian officials have said on different occasions that their armed forces number from 800,000 to 1 million. In February, Zelenskiy said that 31,000 soldiers had been killed since February 2022, a figure seen as a major undercount. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-draft-mobilization- russia/33043064.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 2 Dead After Ukrainian Energy Facilities Hit By Russian Drones, Missiles By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 20, 2024 Russia has continued its assault on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with drones and missiles targeting facilities throughout the country early on July 20. Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synyehubov said Iskander missiles killed two people and injured three in the eastern region. Ukraine's Air Force said that its air defenses shot down 13 of 17 Russian drones across five regions. But officials in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions reported that Shahed suicide drones struck and damaged energy facilities in the northern territories. The national grid operator Ukrenerho said an energy facility in the central Poltava region was also reportedly struck. Thousands of people have been left without power or running water in the Poltava region, according to Governor Filip Pronin. In recent months, Russia has increasingly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leading to blackouts across the country and considerably reducing Ukraine's capacity to produce electricity. Following recent discussions with Ukrainian officials, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told the German news agency dpa on July 20 that the UN has seen an increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees over the past few months. "They are worried to have to face winter -- or even this very hot season -- without power," Grandi said. On July 20, Ukrainian officials also announced a higher death toll resulting from a Russian missile strike that hit a children's playground in the southern city of Mykolayiv. The number of people killed in the attack has risen to four, including one child, according to Mayor Oleksandr Syenkevych. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, commenting on the attack in a Telegram post on July 19, called on the world to take action to help Ukraine defeat the all-out Russian invasion launched in February 2022. "This destruction of life must be stopped," Zelenskiy wrote. "We need new solutions to support our defenses. Russia must feel the power of the world." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-energy- drone-attack/33043879.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 Zelenskiy Congratulates Trump In Call, Agrees To 'Personal Meeting' By Todd Prince July 20, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he spoke with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and agreed to a face-to-face meeting to discuss steps to a lasting peace with Russia. Zelenskiy spoke with Trump on July 19, a day after the former U.S. president and again Republican candidate accepted his party's nomination and vowed to end the war in Ukraine if elected. "I spoke with @realDonaldTrump to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future," Zelenskiy said in a post on X, referring to the July 13 shooting at a Trump rally that slightly injured the candidate. Zelenskiy said he agreed with Trump "to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting" without giving any details on when and where such a meeting would take place. Trump said in a post on Truth Social on July 19 that he had a "very good call" with Zelenskiy in which they discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Trump vowed to "bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives" through negotiations. "Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity," Trump said. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands on both sides, is now in its 29th month with no end in sight. Russia currently occupies about 17 percent of Ukraine. Zelenskiy's call took place as worries grow in Kyiv and other European capitals about another four years of Trump in the White House. The Republican's chances of winning the November 2024 election improved following 81-year-old incumbent President Joe Biden's poor performance in a debate last month that raised questions about his physical and mental state. Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at King's College London, said there is interest in how Trump would sort out the war now that it appears "as likely as not" that he will win the election. In a post on the social media platform Substack, Freedman cited reports about a rudimentary plan drawn up by two members of the White House National Security Council during Trump's 2017-21 presidency that calls for a cease-fire based on prevailing battle lines. Keith Kellogg, who drew up the plan with Fred Fleitz, has said it would be crucial to get Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table quickly if Trump wins. According to a Reuters report in June, Kellogg has advocated telling the Ukrainians that if they don't come to the negotiating table, U.S. support would dry up, while telling Putin that if he didn't come to the table, the United States would give the Ukrainians "everything they need to kill you in the field." NATO membership for Ukraine would be off the table as part of the incentive for Russia to come along; putting it back on would be punishment for holding back. But Freedman, a distinguished military analyst, is skeptical of the plan, which would mark a major shift in the U.S. position on the war. "These coercive measures might possibly get the parties to the table, but it does not point to any actual agreed deal," Freedman said on Substack on July 20. The Kremlin has said any peace plan proposed by a possible future Trump administration would have to reflect the reality on the ground but that Putin remained open to talks. Ukraine has rejected holding talks with the current battle lines as a starting point. Trump-Putin Relationship Trump has expressed admiration for authoritarian Russian President Vladimir Putin, called the Kremlin leader's preinvasion tactics "genius," and has repeatedly criticized NATO's European allies for not spending more on collective defense. Republican lawmakers in the House of Representative who are closely aligned with Trump blocked Biden's $61 billion aid package for Ukraine for months, leaving Ukraine's force short on ammunition and air defense. Ukraine's ammunition hunger contributed to Russian territorial gains this year, experts have said. Trump has not made his opinion on future support to Ukraine clear, though this week he picked Senator J.D. Vance (Republican-Ohio), an outspoken opponent of aid to Kyiv, as his running mate. The 39-year-old senator has said the United States does not have the military capacity to support Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine and should prioritize the first two. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Ukraine maintains bipartisan support in Congress and any future U.S. president will have to take that into account. "Any administration has to ask hard questions. If we stop, if we reverse ourselves, if we let Ukraine down, what will Putin do? He will then really resume the aggression and possibly have a chance of succeeding where for now he's failed," Blinken said on July 19 at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. Blinken said Putin would be "likely to go at other countries in the region, including NATO allies." He also said other would-be aggressors are "taking lessons from this too." During his 92-minute-long acceptance speech on July 18, Trump said he would usher in global peace and stability if elected. He previously said he would "settle" the Ukraine war, should he win the election, before even setting foot in the White House in January 2025. However, Trump has not said what terms he would propose to Russia and Ukraine. Zelenskiy has said his goal is to drive Russian forces out of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which the Kremlin seized in 2014. Following Ukraine's failed counteroffensive in 2023, some experts say Ukraine's objectives are unrealistic and that Kyiv will have to make concessions. Blinken noted that last week on the margins of the NATO summit in Washington more than 20 countries announced that they had negotiated and signed 10-year bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. All of these countries, including the United States, have committed to help Ukraine build up its defenses for the next decade, Blinken said. If the United States were to renege on that, there are more than 20 other countries that would continue their support, he said. Zelenskiy and Trump have a complicated relationship going back to the Ukrainian president's first days in office. In a July 2019 call, two months after the former comedian became Ukraine's president, Trump asked Zelenskiy to look into the Ukrainian business dealings of Biden's son Hunter Biden. Trump was charged by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives with using the power of his office to pressure Zelenskiy to interfere in U.S. politics in exchange for a White House visit, becoming the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. However, he was acquitted by the Senate. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-trump-call- election-2024/33043811.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 Slovak Gov't Says Ukrainian Sanctions Against Russia's Lukoil Harm EU Countries Sputnik News 20240720 BRATISLAVA (Sputnik) - Ukraine's putting Russian oil company Lukoil on the sanctions list harms not Russia, but first of all some countries of the European Union, which is unacceptable, the Slovak government said on Saturday. "[Slovak Prime Minister] Robert Fico is convinced that the inclusion of Russia's Lukoil in the sanctions list is just another example of absurd sanctions, which harm not Russia, but primarily some countries of the European Union, which is unacceptable," the Slovak government said in a statement. Fico also had a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal concerning the situation and said that Slovakia was not going to be a "hostage of Ukrainian-Russian relations," the statement read. Slovak oil refinery Slovnaft will be receiving 40% less oil for processing than required as a result of the Ukrainian decision, which could lead to the suspension of supplies of diesel that Slovnaft produces for Ukraine, the government added. The Slovak Economy Ministry earlier confirmed that the country was no longer receiving oil from Lukoil due to Ukraine stopping its transit through its territory. Slovnaft is provided with supplies of Russian oil from another supplier, but the current situation is being discussed with the Ukrainian side, the ministry also said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Captures New Ukrainian Long-Range Drone Sputnik News 20240720 Russian troops regularly capture enemy equipment from tanks to drones in the special military operation zone. Studying the trophies helps Russian forces to combat the enemy's warfare effectively. Russian specialists have managed to capture and examine a new Ukrainian kamikaze drone equipped with a jet engine and capable of gaining speed when approaching air defense and electronic warfare zones. Studying the trophy will help counter a new UAV, said Dmitry Kuzyakin, general director of the Center for Complex Unmanned Solutions. "We have managed to study the Ukrainian kamikaze drone. This is the enemy's fundamentally new design - the UAV is equipped with a jet engine, making it more expensive at a reduced flight range. There are also advantages [that we will study to] get crucial data on countering the new threat," he said. The drone is capable of accelerating rapidly as it approaches the range of air defense and electronic warfare systems, he noted. "The development of a long-range jet drone shows the enemy has increased the cost and reduced the range of flight to be able to gain speed at the right moment," Kuzyakin explained. He stressed that the results of the examination have already been delivered for further countermeasures. "The enemy should not think that we are unaware of his next steps. The analysis of each of these 'birds' tells us much more about him than any agent or captured drone operator," he said. The Center for Complex Unmanned Solutions deals with the full cycle of FPV systems combat application issues, from training in piloting and effective use, to the production of the drones themselves. Over the years, the company has created a line of combat FPV-drones, Joker, and a set of ground equipment. The latest model Joker-10 carries a payload of up to 5 kilograms, developing a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour (up to 200 kilometers per hour without payload). A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Three People Injured in Russia's Belgorod Region After Ukrainian Shelling - Governor Sputnik News 20240720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Ukrainian shelling injured three people in the Shebekino town of Russia's Belgorod Region on Friday, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. "The armed forces of Ukraine shelled Shebekino again. According to preliminary information, three people have been injured," Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel. He noted that two of the victims were men and one was a woman. They have been transferred to a local hospital and are receiving treatment. Gladkov added that two residential homes caught fire after the shelling but they were quickly extinguished by firefighters. Hours later, he posted that the entire region is under a missile alert, and urged residents to stay in their basements until they get the "all clear" signal. Russia has described the Kiev regime's intentional targeting of civilians in Belgorod as acts of terrorism. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cooperation with the Regions and Restoration of Energy Infrastructure: the Presidential Office Hosted a Meeting with Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda President of Ukraine 20 July 2024 - 12:50 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba met with Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda. Oleksiy Kuleba thanked the Ambassador for his position and continued assistance from Japan. "Now our partner country is joining the restoration of the energy infrastructure destroyed by Russian shelling. Crucially, the attention of the Japanese partners is focused on the Kharkiv region. This region is under daily shelling. The enemy is systematically attacking the critical infrastructure of the region. And we need to prepare for the heating season together, combining our efforts," Oleksiy Kuleba said. Kuninori Matsuda condemned Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure, including the recent attack on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital, and expressed solidarity and support for Ukraine. The parties separately discussed the implementation of decentralization reform in Ukraine. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of cooperation between Ukrainian regions, cities and communities and their Japanese partners for the recovery and reconstruction of our country. He also highlighted Ukraine's achievements during the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the Peace Summit, and the G7 and NATO Summits. Oleksiy Kuleba invited the Ambassador to join the bi-weekly briefings with representatives of the Presidential Office, the Government, Regional Military Administrations, local authorities and diplomatic missions. The briefings will focus on prompt response to community requests and coordination with international partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Had a Phone Conversation with Donald Trump President of Ukraine 20 July 2024 - 01:35 The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a telephone conversation with the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, and congratulated him on his nomination as the candidate of the Republican Party in the presidential elections to be held in November this year. Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attempted assassination of President Trump and wished him absolute safety in the future. The President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to the USA for the vital assistance for Ukraine and emphasized the decisive role of bipartisan and bicameral support in the US Congress for the protection of our country from the Russian invasion. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump agreed to discuss in a personal meeting what steps can be taken to restore a just peace for Ukraine as soon as possible. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, July 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX) between November 15, 2023 and May 8, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important August 12, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Roblox securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Roblox class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25991 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 12, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to Robloxs projected revenue outlook and anticipated bookings growth, due largely to expansions in Robloxs available platforms, changes in Robloxs digital technology (such as avatars), Robloxs shared economy with content creators, and advertising revenue. In truth, Roblox knew each of those bookings and revenue sources were tenuous at best. In fact, Roblox faced difficulty converting daily average users (DAUs) into bookings and eventually blamed the very technology and platform growth it lauded as revolutionary and revenue-generating for this bookings problem. Defendants misled investors by providing the public with a materially flawed outlook for the relationship between DAU, bookings, and technology it lauded during its Investor Day and Earnings Call. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Roblox class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25991 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com SAN DIEGO, July 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Fastly, Inc. (NYSE: FSLY) securities between February 15, 2024 and May 1, 2024, all dates inclusive (the Class Period), have until this Tuesday, July 23, 2024 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Fastly class action lawsuit. Captioned Kula v. Fastly, Inc., No. 24-cv-03170 (N.D. Cal.), the Fastly class action lawsuit charges Fastly as well as certain of Fastlys top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Fastly class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-fastly-inc-class-action-lawsuit-fsly.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com. Lead plaintiff motions for the Fastly class action lawsuit must be filed with the court no later than July 23, 2024. CASE ALLEGATIONS: Fastly operates an edge cloud platform for processing, serving, and securing customers applications. The Fastly class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) contrary to Fastlys representations to investors, Fastly was in fact experiencing a significant deceleration in growth among its largest customers and was losing the increased market share it had gained as a result of the 2023 Content Delivery Network consolidation trend; (ii) these issues were likely to have a material negative impact on Fastlys revenue growth; (iii) accordingly, Fastly was unlikely to meet its own previously issued revenue guidance for fiscal year 2024; and (iv) as a result, Fastlys financial position and/or prospects were overstated. The Fastly class action lawsuit further alleges that on May 1, 2024, Fastly reported first quarter 2024 revenue of only $133.5 million, missing consensus estimates by $0.35 million, and lowered its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance to a range of $555 million to $565 million, significantly below Fastlys previously issued fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance of $580 million to $590 million. On this news, the price of Fastly stock fell more than 32%, according to the Fastly class action lawsuit. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Fastly securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Fastly class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Fastly class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Fastly class action lawsuit. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Fastly class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the worlds leading complex class action firms representing plaintiffs in securities fraud cases. Over the last decade, our Firm has been ranked #1 on the ISS Securities Class Action Services law firm rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In the last four years, Robbins Geller recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm during that time. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs firms in the world and the Firms attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 info@rgrdlaw.com CALGARY, Alberta, July 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baby Gourmet Foods has issued a product recall to remove Baby Gourmet Organic Banana Raisin Oatmeal Organic Whole Grain Cereal from all in-store and online retailers nationally. The recall is due to possible Cronobacter spp. contamination. Baby Gourmet Foods is recalling the products listed below: Brand name Common name Size Lot code(s) on food UPC Master case UPC Baby Gourmet Banana Raisin Oatmeal 227 gr 24122BROAC G2 BB/MA 2025AL03 628619100036 10628619110032 No other Baby Gourmet or Little Gourmet products are affected by this recall and no incidents related to this product have been reported to date. Since inception, Baby Gourmet has been committed to providing the best and cleanest food for families. Baby Gourmet became the first baby food brand in Canada to earn the esteemed Clean Label Project Purity Award. Its products are tested for over 400 chemicals of concern such as heavy metals, pesticide residues and plasticizers. "The safety of infants and children is Baby Gourmets top priority, said Jen Carlson, co-founder of Baby Gourmet. "As a company founded for our own families, our dedication to quality is deeply personal. We are steadfast in our mission to offer naturally healthy and clean food, supporting parents on their distinctive journey with their young ones. Food safety, quality, and the health of our consumers are, and will always be, at the core of everything we do. Consumers who have purchased Baby Gourmet Organic Banana Raisin Oatmeal Organic Whole Grain Cereal should dispose of the product immediately or return to the location where they were purchased. About Baby Gourmet: Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Baby Gourmet is the first-to-market and leading pouched, privately held organic baby food company in Canada. Their range of products are available nationwide at all major food retailers. Founded in 2005 by sisters Jennifer Carlson and Jill Vos at the Calgary Farmer's Market, Baby Gourmet has grown to become the top organic baby food brand in Canada. Rooted in the belief that every parent should feel confident in nourishing their baby, the brand is a leader in innovation, quality and taste. Committed to providing delicious, nutrient-dense and safe food, Baby Gourmet sources only the finest organic ingredients to develop recipes. Their mission is to help babies develop a love for good food. Media Contact Shauna MacDonald Brookline Public Relations, Inc. smacdonald@brooklinepr.com 403-585-4570 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/37eab7b2-4bd6-4853-9f4f-8f0735efea5a Lil Wayne's performance scheduled for Saturday night at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot was postponed until next week due to global flight disruptions, event organizers announced. The performance was moved to 8 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Saturday statement. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. "Due to the global flight disruption, we have had to reschedule Lil Wayne's performance," North Dakota State Fair General Manager Craig Rudland said in a statement. "We are grateful to his team for working diligently with us to ensure his fans can still enjoy an incredible show." Sawyer Brown will also perform at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with gates opening at 1 p.m. For those who are unable to attend the rescheduled performance, tickets will be eligible for refunds beginning Thursday. Novelty has observers rummaging through their inventory of ideas and concepts to find one to fit the new experience. Its application is supposed to provide some rudimentary meaning about the new phenomenon. Many are content with doing just that however freighted with inappropriate connotations that label might be, however ambiguous its denotation(s). So, it is with concepts like populism, Fascism, and hegemony. All are in vogue; all are so promiscuously employed as to lose whatever capacity for clarification or explanation they could have for explicating the phenomena in question. Lets look at the last mentioned Hegemony. The term holds a central place in the present discourse about the United States place in the world: what it has been, its sustainability, and alternative ways of formulating the countrys national interests. Hegemony = dominance over places, political elites, institutions so as to control what a state does in its own interest. That dominance can vary in scope, in its methods of control, in its degrees of control. The much discussed American hegemony after WW II was geographically delimited by the Communist bloc outside its ambit. After 1991, it took on a putative global dimension with the aspirational goal to solidify the United States primacy and dominion. It remains so today. (It was first enunciated in the notorious Wolfowitz Memorandum in February 1992, which since has become the template American foreign policymaking).1 During the earlier period, the United States preoccupation was security, the means primarily military albeit buttressed by a dense network of favorable economic relationships partially institutionalized. Over the ensuing 30-odd years, the emphasis gradually shifted toward the multifaceted, politico-economic strategy of neo-liberalism. That change in the balance between hard and semi-soft power never eclipsed purely military considerations as evinced in a) the Pentagons publicly stated commitment to broad spectrum military superiority in order to ensure escalation dominance in every region against any imaginable foe, b) the scatter-shot interventions conducted in the name of the Global War On Terror, c) the relentless expansion of NATO. Washingtons readiness to use force to work its will, now expressed in its aggressive stance toward Russia and China, did not extinguish the idealistic Kantian belief that the spread of constitutional democracy along with the promised tangible rewards of world-wide economic independence, is the surest guarantee of international stability. A stability overseen by a benevolent America. The fulfillment of this presumed teleology, though, dictated the use of hard power to thwart/subdue those who could challenge it. Today, our political elites find themselves in a position where the goal of global hegemony has become unreachable by any reasonable standard, for objective reasons. Yet, this logical conclusion is one that they are unwilling or unable to accept. That unwillingness is at once intellectual, ideological and emotional. The complex psychology of a declining great power that enjoyed unprecedented respect beyond its borders, that was founded on the belief in an inborn exceptionalness destining it to be the cynosure of ideas that would reshape the world, makes analysis of this behavior daunting. What we can say is that the prospect of diminished status is intolerable even if the countrys security and welfare face no direct threat. The compulsive quest for an imagined absolute security and natural superiority does not allow Americans to rest content with what they achieved at home and abroad. For what the country aspired to, and felt itself near to accomplishing, is slipping out of our reach. The gap between aspiration and reality widens year by year. Therein lies the rub. Fading prowess is one of the most difficult things for humans to cope with whether it be an individual or a nation. By nature, we prize our strength and competence; we dread decline and its intimations of extinction. This is especially so in the United States where for many the individual and the collective persona are inseparable. No other country tries so relentlessly to live its legend as does the U.S. For many Americans in the age of anxiety and insecurity their sense of individual self-esteem and self-worth is grounded on their intimate association with being part of a uniquely endowed and virtuous nation. Today, events are occurring that contradict the American narrative of a nation with an exceptional destiny. That creates cognitive dissonance and unease. 2 The remarkable uniformity of thinking among influential members of the political class militates against confronting that dilemma head-on. There is close to zero serious debate about foreign policy ends and means at least, among those who have any access to the corridors of decision-making power. All observe the same holy writ and sing from the same hymnal. The result: deeply entrenched group-think impervious to contradictory evidence that is ignored or dismissed or twisted to fit preconceptions. That points to a troubling question: should American conduct internationally be understood in terms of a reasoned determination to follow chosen course internationally, however high the odds against achieving its ambitious goal? Or, are we observing compulsive actions rooted in deep-seated emotions and states of mind that are reified in doctrinal hegemony? WHY HEGEMONY? Every states paramount concern is its security. That stems from the intrinsic nature of international affairs. The distinguishing characteristic of that environment is that each entity determines when and how it might use force to achieve its objectives there is no superior authority setting and enforcing rules of behavior. Hence, the ubiquity of potential conflict situations for which states must prepare themselves. Is the hallmark of international relations. This truism, though, trails some cardinal questions. The circumstance in which any state finds itself is not fixed; there are a multitude of strategic configurations each with its peculiar traits. Too, there is a range of policies that a state could follow to secure itself under any of those conditions. Obviously, those theoretical options are limited by relevant parties relative strength, domestic resources, degrees of internal cohesion, prevailing ideologies, etc. Nonetheless, alternative ways of setting ones security needs and formulating strategies for meeting them do exist. That holds even where discretionary response potential is limited by objective conditions. Determining what constitutes a satisfactory security situation is a function of judgments made by main decision-makers in their countrys peculiar context and history. At one end of the continuum is the quest for absolute security or, some approximation to it. Even then an assessment should be made of the feasible/preferable timeframe. Absolute security for as far as the strategic eye can see? for this generation? Until some envisaged change in the balance-of-power is expected to register? Predominant thinking in the United States is located toward that absolutist point on the continuum. In addition, it leans heavily toward the long-term if not permanency. That is understandable. For its first 130 years or so, the U.S. was secured against threat to its physical cum political integrity by geography. The only exception was the hovering danger posed in its early years by a Britain which harbored hopes of retribution and restoration as became manifest in the War of 1812. For the next century, the Americans engaged in conflict with other states only because of their own ambitions to extend its dominions. (Against Spain: 1819, 1898; against Mexico: 1848). Those were choices, by no means a necessity. So, too, was entry into World War I. Washington leaders were evidently more comfortable with the pre-war status quo than they were with a Europe dominated by a triumphant Germany. Still, the threat assessment was more abstract than concrete and such as it was could not emerge in the near future. Hence, it rightly also should be labelled a war of choice rather than a war of security necessity. It was natural, if not preordained, that the U.S. would revert to neo-isolationism during the inter-war period. The American confidence in its insularity from tangible security threats subsequently was punctured by three events: Pearl Harbor, the Soviet detonation of a nuclear bomb, and 9/11. The last came 10 years after the dissolution of the threat from the USSR. In the intervening decade, the United States political elites felt reassured that the countrys near absolute security could be restored. The challenge was to exploit propitious conditions globally to establish a benign American hegemony wherein no threat could possibility materialize. A multiform strategy was in order to extend and deepen American influence, to affirm the allegiance and deference of other states, and to prepare for the use of force where necessary to PREVENT any prospective military rival from emerging. That is the underlying logic of the Wolfowitz Doctrine. At present, its rootedness in the minds of the countrys leadership is evinced by our confrontational attitude toward Russia, China, Iran and a slew of less formidable states whom Washington sees as hostile or in some way antagonistic. As Joe Biden pithily pronounced last week: not only am I campaigning, but Im running the world. Now, that sounds like hyperbole, but we are the essential nation of the world. Interpolation: We should be running the entire world for the worlds sake as well as for our sake. Our sake implies a need. What sort of need? It is not an overt security need since there exists no manifest threat to the territorial integrity or political integrity. Nor is there such a threat to our principal allies/partners the confected delusion about Putin being another Hitler and equally fanciful notion of a diabolical Chinese plot to replace us as the global supremo, notwithstanding. What is threatened is American hegemony as conceived a la Wolfowitz. That hegemony is needed not for security reasons, but rather to confirm United States entitlement to its exceptionalism and paramountcy embedded in the national psyche and its national creed. That was the state-of-affairs when the Biden team of neo-cons and hardline nationalists came to power. They felt a sense of urgency. Trump had been too erratic in his dealings with Moscow and Beijing a battery of sanctions notwithstanding. While he dithered, China and Russia grew in strength, a progression that demanded swift action lest it get out of control. They were ready to take the bit between their teeth; they had a plan. The main players shared a clear if unidimensional cognitive map of the global environment, the goal was inscribed in granite, and their belief in the efficacy of American power unqualified. The main components were these. Russia was to be neutralized as a major power either by enticing it to shelter under the Wests wing so as to protect itself from the voracious Yellow Peril on its border OR gravely weakened by a combination of NATO expansion and economic sanctions with the hope of that leading to Putins replacement by a more accommodating leadership. Joe Biden in March 2022: That man just has to go! China was to be contained by the formation a ring-fence of American-led alliances in Asia coupled to measures designed to restrict its access to Western markets, technology and finance. In addition, concrete steps would be taken to promote Taiwans independence while building up its defenses. The Bidens expected that such a strategy would mean stagnation of Chinas economy with commensurate debilitation of its influence internationally. As for the other hostile parties. They could be dealt with by mobilizing Americas arsenal of coercion weapons against them. This far-reaching strategy implied a basic change in not just objectives but in risk calculations as well. During the Cold War standoff with the USSR, Washingtons were tempered by prudence. No more. An historian of antiquity characterized the relations between the two great empires of Rome and Parthia this way: Each empire needed to show respect to the others sensibilities. Pushing too hard risked bring on a far more serious war which neither side wanted. Todays hard-driving American leaders view that attitude as a quaint remembrance of a past epoch. The common features of Washingtons plans for Russia and China were 1) their being grounded on profound ignorance of both countries, and 2) a gross overestimation of the Wests power relative to its postulated rivals. The stark demonstration by the Ukraine debacle and Chinas economic resilience that all of Washingtons assumptions were misplaced has yet to be assimilated by the American foreign affairs community. The obvious truth is that the Sino-Russian blocs growing strength makes the achievement of the hegemonic goal an impossibility. Indeed, the current trajectory points to an inexorable shift in the loci of international power and interaction toward a bifurcated (if still interdependent world system). Multi-nodal to use Chas Freemans apt term. Americas exalted sense of self is the principal obstacle to its coming to terms with this discomforting reality. It has sparked the impulse to prove to ourselves (and to the rest of the world) that we remain the global paladin by launching a series of enterprises intended to repel foes and rivals with reinvigorating the bonds with vassals and retainers. That foredoomed, audacious ambition to secure global dominance does not represent cool strategic judgment. Rather, it is the materializing of fantasies spawned deep in the collective American psyche. It is the go-for-broke strategy of a country suffering from a profound cognitive dissonance compounded by a collective identity crisis. The United States has locked itself onto a course that permits no deviation, no adaptation, no deceleration. All or nothing: Hegemony or Armageddon. That steely determination blinds them to developments that are shifting the odds on that outcome. They are occurring not only in the BRICS part of the world. Americas disgraceful performance as an accomplice to the heinous crimes against the Palestinians has dissolved the United States standing in the world as a moral force, as a country with integrity and decent intention. The end of soft power as it had existed. Of course, Washingtons wishes are still taken as authoritative commands by its coterie of denatured vassals whose collective degree over control over their own affairs, as well as the words, is shrinking even faster even that that of their seigneur. There is another, radically different alternative grounded on the belief that it is feasible to fashion a long-term strategy of nurturing ties of cooperation with Russia and China. 1. The Wolfowitz Credo animates almost all: the Classic neo-cons, the macho neo-cons, and the raw neo-imperialists. The few non-believers are irrelevant to Americas foreign policy discourse. If you urge engagement with Tehran and dialogue with Putin, you are shunned as a heretic like the Gnostics, and then Cahors, except that the latter at least acknowledged Christ (American exceptionalism) and Satan (Putin/Khamenei) before they were administered their just punishment. This historical narrative brings to the fore two quite remarkable features of the present elite consensus that bears the imprint of the Neo-Con/Wolfowitz template. First, its near total conquest of the American mind succeeded despite an unmatched record of failure in analysis and in action. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Mali, Belarus, Venezuela, Bolivia capped by the catastrophe in Ukraine that we choreographed (including that fatal misreading of Russia). Second, the Biden administration has all but officially announced that we are now committed to a comprehensive hybrid war against a Sino-Russian bloc a powerful rival that has come into existence because we did everything conceivable to encourage it. Yet, the foreign policy elite, the political class and the public have received the news of this titanic struggle with hardly a blink of the eye. The country has set itself on a fateful course in a state of mindlessness induced by a willful coterie of true believers inspired by dogma wreathed in ignorance and pursued in stunningly incompetence. 2. At the psychological level, this approach is understandable since it plays to the United States strength: overweening self-confidence coupled to material strength thereby perpetuating the national myths of being destined to remain the worlds No. 1 forever, and of being in a position to shape the world system according to American principles and interests. President Obama declaimed: Let me tell you something. The United States of America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period. Its not even close. Period. Its not even close. Its not even close! So? Is this meant as a revelation? What is the message? To whom? Is it any different than someone shouting: ALLAH AKBAR! Words that are neither a prelude to action nor inspire others to act nor even impart information are just puffs of wind. As such, they are yet another avoidance device a flight from reality. They fail on receptive ears in London, Brussels, Berlin and Canberra. At NATO and G-7 summits, one hears the choral recitation of the Shahada: there is only one God Uncle Sam; and Wolfowitz is his prophet. Yet, no President dares to repeat Obamas exclamation in Moscow, Beijing, New Delhi, Brasilia, Riyadh, Brasilia, Jakarta . The tension associated with a nation so constituted encountering objective reality does not force heightened self-awareness or a change in behavior if the dominant feature of that reality is the attitudes and expressed opinions of others who share the underlying delusions. Accompanying it is the growing apprehension in the country that the United States supremacy in the world is slipping away, the sensation of losing national prowess, of its mastery in jeopardy. Together, they generate a predilection for seeking clear-cut outcomes in a relatively brief timeframe that reassure by confirming the optimistic belief in American exceptionalism. 3. It is the national equivalent of ostentatious iron-pumping by bodybuilders worried about losing muscle tone. Those worries never disappear, though, even as one becomes muscle-bound striving ever more energetically to reassure oneself that nothing is creeping up behind you. The mirror is much preferred to the backward glance. More important, they fool themselves into the false belief that other, more relevant adjustments to reality are either unnecessary or intolerable. 4. Adrian Goldsworthy Rome and Persia: The Seven Hundred Year Rivalry (Basic Books 2023) Samsungs latest foldables were met with criticism in last weeks poll the two main points were the price and the hardware. Samsung is not seen as the leader of the foldable market, not in terms of offering cutting edge technology. Both the Galaxy Z Flip6 and the Z Fold6 feel more like iterative improvements over previous models than a new generation, according to commenters. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is too expensive with a whopping 45% of voters shaking their heads at the price tag. As for the hardware, in our review, we noted that charging is somehow even slower than the already slow charging on the Z Fold5. And that the camera hasnt changed in three generations. The new display aspect ratios are nice, as is the IP48 rating, but the competition is advancing quickly. Interestingly, the Z Fold6 is slightly more popular with current owners of foldable phones than first-time buyers. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is very expensive too, though with only 36% of voters picking that option, its less of an issue. Some people are waiting on reviews to decide and ours is coming soon. The much-awaited camera improvement will be put to the test can the 50MP main camera make up for the lack of a tele lens but some things are already clear. E.g. no DeX support continues to undercut the Z Flip6s potential as a replacement for owners of a vanilla Galaxy S phone. While the Z Fold6s rivals are still hiding behind a coming soon sign, some of Z Flip6s competition has already arrived and the Moto Razr 50 Ultra/razr+ 2024 is cheaper. Unlike its sibling, the Z Flip6 seems to be attracting more first-time buyers than current users of foldable phones. Pre-orders in India indicate that the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 are more popular than their predecessors (pre-orders are up by 40%). We will see how other markets react to the new foldables too. Samsungs target is a modest 10% bump in sales over the Z Flip5/Z Fold5 generation and it is betting on the class-leading software support and AI features to get there. From Yigo to Malesso and Seattle to San Diego, camping out along the parade route went from a long-standing tradition to a full-blown family reunion for many families on Guams 80th Liberation Day. On either side of Route 1 from Adelup to Hagatna Sunday morning, banners bearing family and familia or clan names were packed together as tightly as the canopies and the people under them. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero launched the parade with a directive for onlookers to party hardy, which those present took to heart. I feel wonderful, said 87-year-old California resident Elizabeth Baza Sudo Mendiola, who was digging into a fiesta plate beach-side at the Sudo family reunion on Sunday morning. She said shes the youngest and last surviving of the 12 Sudo siblings, originally from Yona, who sired the clan present on Sunday. A young girl back when U.S. Marines liberated the island in 1944, Sudo said she had many fun memories of Liberation Day celebrations growing up. My original life is on Guam, and I love it. I would like to stay here but my family is in California, Mendiola said. Mendiola has been living stateside for the past 40 years, according to daughter Christine Mendiola Crisostomo, who flew home with mom for this years reunion. Some 30 people flew in from off-island to visit, said Frances Sudo Lizama, Mendiolas niece, who was put in charge of planning the family reunion. Members of the Sudo family, like others, took advantage of the 30% discounted airfare ticket from the states to Guam that the Guam Visitors Bureau and United Airlines jointly offered as part of this years celebration. The Sudos get together wasnt originally planned for Liberation Day, Lizama said, but so many family members from off-island wanted to attend the parade that they decided to push the event back and host it along the parade route. Coming together, its a good feeling. We can at least come together and still move the family forward and trying to pass down the traditions, Lizama said. Giving the next generation a glimpse of Guam is exactly what Arizona resident Desmond Wilson, 48 and originally from Hagat, had in mind for this Liberation Day. Wilson brought his young children and wife for their first ever visit this year, where they tied in with relatives who set up a tent along the parade route. Its been 30 years since Ive seen liberation. I wanted my family to be able to experience it, Wilson said, adding that it was easier to show them than to explain. Wife Jessica Gutierrez, 46, said the experience has been great for her and the kids. Im originally from Mexico, so this is my first time here. And Im enjoying it. I mean, I liked the culture. Its very similar to Mexican culture, the families, and I love the environment, Gutierrez said. The festivities were nothing like Ive ever seen. Weve been to many festivals in many places, and this is by far the longest, Gutierrez added. Though the 80th Liberation Day was a first in a long time for some families and a first ever for others, it remained the latest in a long-time tradition for many. Bino Gumataotao said hes been helping to coordinate a Liberation Day get-together for most of the 47 years of his life. Thats because the home he grew up in in Hagatna is about 40 feet away from Route 1, with a perfect view of the parade, and the party was always at their place, Gumataotao said. Getting together with loved ones was always his favorite part of the celebrations, and they even have Liberation Day babies in the family tree, like his niece Victoria Gumataotao, who turned 25 on Sunday. Though the pandemic put the brakes on Liberation Day festivities for years, and last years Typhoon Mawar stopped the celebration again, Gumataotao said they got right back to reserving a spot outside their door, where family members from Talofofo to Asan gathered around. Its nice this year, its busy man, its the most packed Ive seen in a long time. And its nice to see the people get together to keep the culture, Gumataotao said. He compared Liberation Day to the biggest village fiesta on the island. The fiesta, the family getting together, its not as strong as it used to be, Gumataotao said. At least Liberation is still strong. Louisiana Republicans are reacting to the news that President Joe Biden will not run for reelection in November. Biden, 81, announced the abrupt end to his political career on X, following months of growing sentiment within the Democratic party that he had become too frail to serve. Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, majority leader of the U.S House of Representatives, said on X that the Democrats push for Bidens removal showed absolutely no respect for their own voters. He agreed with the idea that Biden is unfit to serve and scolded Democrats for maligning Americans who had questioned Bidens fitness as conspiracy theorists. Democrat party bosses just proved that they have absolutely no respect for their own voters. After lecturing others about democracy, they just forced Joe Biden off the tickettrashing the primary choice of 14 million of their own voters. For years, Democrats and their partners Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) July 21, 2024 Speaker of the House Mike Johnson took the sentiment a step further and demanded that President Biden resign the office immediately. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President, he wrote. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. If Biden were to drop out today, Vice President Kamala Harris would become President. Johnson doesnt appear thrilled with that scenario either, writing: As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice ... At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 21, 2024 Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, on the other hand, doesnt appear to be losing any sleep over Bidens removal. It matters not whether President Biden seeks reelection, he wrote on X. There is only one team capable of bringing America out of this@realDonaldTrump @JDVance1. It matters not whether President Biden seeks reelection. President Trump is running to correct the failed policies of the Leftchampioned by every replacement nominee. The decay of the middle class, the rise in inflation, the crime, the violence, the open borderand so much Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) July 21, 2024 It is unclear who the Democratic party will nominate as Bidens replacement. In his announcement letter, Biden backed Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee. Donald Trump quickly capitalized on the letter, sending out a fundraising email: He just quit the race in COMPLETE DISGRACE! The news of President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race has elicited strong reactions from politicians across the nation, particularly in Florida, a crucial swing state. Biden revealed his decision just before 2 p.m. on July 21 in a letter posted to his personal X account, saying it was in the countrys best interest. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden wrote. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. While the Sunshine States Republicans remain silent at press time, less than a week ago, on July 16, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took aim at Bidens age during the Republican National Convention, saying I am alarmed that the current President of the United States lacks the capability to discharge the duties of his office. Meanwhile on July 18, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, posted to X, writing, If democrats believe Bidens doesnt have the mental acuity to be their candidate, how can they allow him to continue to be our President? But many of the states elected Democrats took to X to share their support and admiration for the President. The official X account of the Florida Democratic Party, @Florida Democrats released a statement, posting, President Biden has been one of the greatest presidents in American history. Now is the time for Democrats to stand united to defeat Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in November. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Florida, also took to X, where he posted, Pres Biden will go down as one of the most consequential one-term presidents in US history. He led us out of the pandemic, & helped us rebuild infrastructure, boost manufacturing, lower healthcare costs, expand vets benefits & combat climate change. Thanks for your service! And fellow U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Florida, posted I can proudly say that @POTUS will go down as one of the most successful public servants in American history. From his decades in the Senate, to his 8 years as VP, to his monumental achievements as President, he will be remembered as a selfless guardian of democracy. I can proudly say that @POTUS will go down as one of the most successful public servants in American history. From his decades in the Senate, to his 8 years as VP, to his monumental achievements as President, he will be remembered as a selfless guardian of democracy. Congressman Jared Moskowitz (@RepMoskowitz) July 21, 2024 Referring to Biden one of the most effective Presidents in our countrys history, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Florida, also offered his endorsement to the vice president, posting to X, I am proud to endorse Vice President @KamalaHarris to be President of the United States. Lets get to work to defeat Trump and reject fascism. Thank you @POTUS. Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes the nation is eternally grateful. Now, the Democratic Party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump. Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) July 21, 2024 The chair of Floridas Democratic Party, Nikki Fried called Biden one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes, in a post to X, adding, the nation is eternally grateful. Now, the Democratic Party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbents fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, delivered less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations. The president intent on serving out the remainder of his term in office quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump and encouraged his party to unite behind her, making her the partys instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago. The announcement is the latest jolt to a tumultuous campaign for the White House, coming a week after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. A partys presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. President Lyndon Johnson, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term after just a single states primary. Bidens July decision comes after more than 14 million Democrats cast votes supporting him through the primary process. Harris, in a statement, praised Bidens selfless and patriotic act and said she intends to earn and win her partys nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda, she said. Bidens decision to bow out came after escalating pressure from his Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted Sunday to his X account. Nearly 30 minutes after he delivered the news that he was folding his campaign, Biden threw his support behind Harris. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said in another post on X. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Harris faces a staggering political to-do list in the coming days: securing the votes of delegates to claim her partys nomination, picking a running mate, and pivoting a massive political operation that had been built to reelect Biden to boost her candidacy instead. Harris, if elected, would be the first woman and the first person of South Asian descent to be president. There were early signs that the party was moving to coalesce around Harris, who scored the endorsements of the Congressional Black Caucus and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even before she had commented on Bidens decision to quit the race. But notably, former President Barack Obama held off, pledging support behind the eventual party nominee. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, the Clintons said in a statement. But Obama, who had privately shared doubts about Bidens reelection chances, stopped short of endorsing Harris even as he praised Biden for his decision to leave the race. I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, he said in a statement. Bidens decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide detail about his decision. Harris found out about Bidens plans on Sunday morning and senior campaign and White House staff were notified just minutes before the letter went out, according to people familiar with the matter who commented on the private discussions on condition of anonymity. Biden had been reflecting on his future for the past couple days and the decision was closely held. Now, Democrats have to urgently try to bring coherence to the nominating process in a matter of weeks and convince voters in a stunningly short amount of time that their nominee can handle the job and beat Trump. And for his part, Trump must shift his focus to a new opponent after years of training his attention on Biden. The decision marks a swift and stunning end to Bidens 52 years in electoral politics, as donors, lawmakers and even aides expressed to him their doubts that he could convince voters that he could plausibly handle the job for another four years. Biden won the vast majority of delegates and every nominating contest but one, which would have made his nomination a formality. Now that he has dropped out, those delegates will be free to support another candidate. Harris, 59, appeared to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaigns war chest, according to federal campaign finance rules. Bidens campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation a sign of the advantage she has in the race for the Democratic nomination. Democratic groups, including the Democratic National Committee, also filed paperwork changing the names of their joint fundraising committees to reflect Harris candidacy. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced it would hold a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. It remained to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris for the nomination. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had been discussed as a possible replacement for Biden last year, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who challenged both Biden and Harris for the Democratic nomination in 2020, threw their support behind her Sunday. The Democratic National Committees chair, Jaime Harrison, said in a statement that the party would undertake a transparent and orderly process to select a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year to become an independent, is considering re-registering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, according to Jonathan Kott, a longtime adviser to Manchin. Harris was spending Sunday afternoon calling Democratic elected officials and delegates as she works to lock up the nomination. Harris received her first delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sunday. The Tennessee Democratic Party posted on X that its delegation voted during a meeting Sunday to back Harris after Bidens departure from the campaign. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly each from a swing state and mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris also endorsed Harris Sunday evening. Trump reacted to the news in a post on his Truth Social site, in which he said Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly, he added. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! While Trump and his team had made their preference for facing Biden clear, his campaign had nonetheless ramped up its attacks on Harris as pressure on Biden to step down intensified. Democratic officials, including many who were behind the effort to push Biden from the race, quickly released statements praising Bidens decision. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York praised Biden as one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Biden should immediately resign if he is not fit enough to run for office. In a statement, Johnson said, November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. In addition to his planned address to the country, Biden still intends to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week, according to a person familiar with the presidents schedule who was not authorized to comment publicly. The exact timing of the meeting is still not set in stone as Biden continues to recover from COVID. Netanyahu is scheduled Wednesday to deliver an address to Congress and he is also expected to meet with Harris while in Washington. In 2020, Biden pitched himself as a transitional figure who wanted to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders. But once he secured the job he spent decades struggling to attain, he was reluctant to part with it. Biden was once asked whether any other Democrats could beat Trump. Probably 50 of them, Biden replied. No, Im not the only one who can defeat him, but I will defeat him. Biden is already the countrys oldest president and had insisted repeatedly that he was up for the challenge of another campaign and another term, telling voters all they had to was watch me. And watch him they did. His poor debate performance prompted a cascade of anxiety from Democrats and donors who said publicly what some had said privately for months, that they did not think he was up to the job for four more years. Concerns over Bidens age have dogged him since he announced he was running for reelection, though Trump is just three years younger at 78. Most Americans view the president as too old for a second term, according to an August 2023 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. A majority also doubt his mental capability to be president, though that is also a weakness for Trump. Biden often remarked that he was not as young as he used to be, doesnt walk as easily or speak as smoothly, but that he had wisdom and decades of experience, which were worth a whole lot. I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didnt believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job, he told supporters at a rally in North Carolina a day after the debate. Because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high. But voters had other problems with him, too he has been deeply unpopular as a leader even as his administration steered the nation through recovery from a global pandemic, presided over a booming economy and passed major pieces of bipartisan legislation that will impact the nation for years to come. A majority of Americans disapprove of the way hes handling his job, and hes faced persistently low approval ratings on key issues including the economy and immigration. Bidens motivation for running was deeply intertwined with Trump. He had retired from public service following eight years serving as vice president under Obama and the death of his son Beau but decided to run after Trumps comments following a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when white supremacists descended on the city to protest the removal of its Confederate memorials. Trump said: You had some very bad people in the group, but you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. On both sides. Bidens wife, first lady Jill Biden, responded to the presidents announcement by reposting Bidens letter announcing his decision and adding red heart emojis. Granddaughter Naomi Biden Neal said on social media, Im nothing but proud of my Pop. She said he has served the country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction and our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. By COLLEEN LONG, ZEKE MILLER and DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press. Superville reported from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report. Enabler not expropriator https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202407/18/WS66987dbfa31095c51c50eb56.html? By WARWICK POWELL 2024-07-18 10:28 China's development model is pricing people into the green transition by way of abundance For the best part of the past 700 years, the system of global economic expansion has been characterized by increasing integration with more territories incorporated into circuits of capital accumulation against a backdrop of a dominant political-economic hegemon. The world system has expanded as a center-periphery structure, in which the baton of the hegemon has been handed from the Italians to the Dutch, then to the English and then to the Americans. In each epoch, the hegemon has expropriated wealth from the periphery. We are now, again, in a period of systemic change. But perhaps, this time, the transformation is not merely one of "passing on the baton" but one of systemic decentering. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is guided by and will deliberate on the draft of the CPC Central Committee's Decision on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese Modernization. Much of these deliberations will revolve around core themes such as Chinese modernization, new quality productive forces and high-quality development. All of these have implications not just for China's own development but also for the shape of the world system that is unfolding. In the past three decades, China has emerged as the world's sole manufacturing superpower. It contributes 30 percent of global value added, and occupies a prime position in all product categories. It has achieved this off the back of strong domestic market growth. In 1995, the ratio of China's manufactured output to exports was 11 percent. This increased to 18 percent in 2004, a few years after the country's admission to the World Trade Organization, receding to 13 percent or so today. Put another way, as output grew so did the domestic market. At the same time, China has emerged as the largest trading partner for over 140 nations. Over the past decade, China's trade growth with the Global South, particularly those participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, has outstripped trade growth with the mature economies of Europe and the United States. Now, China trades more with the Global South than it does with the US, the European Union and Japan combined. The current and future phase of export growth will revolve around a combination of renewable energy systems, new energy transport solutions and digital technologies. Intense competition in the domestic market, coupled with rapid automation and cluster-enabled productivity gains, has placed incredible downward pressure on prices. The world market is now the beneficiary of low-cost technologies that overcome development barriers and hasten the decarbonization transition that nations agreed to strive for in the Paris climate accord. Low-cost and clean transport systems together with energy sovereignty are pivotal to expanded capital accumulation and the decentering of global production and value adding. China's model is pricing people in by way of abundance. This contrasts with the traditional models of capital accumulation that prices people out through confected scarcity and rent seeking. Consumers are the beneficiaries in the former case, whereas the rentier accumulates wealth in the latter. China is also emerging as an exporter of capital. Infrastructure investments via the BRI are notable examples, but more recently we are seeing Chinese companies invest in minerals processing and manufacturing facilities in other countries. China isn't just exporting final products; it is exporting value-adding capacity and know-how. For the best part of the past 30 years, the flow of data globally has been via a network of terrestrial, submarine and stellar infrastructure channeled through data centers in Virginia in the US.Data security and sovereignty were compromised. In effect, as argued recently by US scholars Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman in their 2023 book Underground Empire, the US has weaponized the global economy through its control over the pipes of global commerce This, too, is changing, as Chinese companies expand an alternative digital network to buttress the growing array of trade infrastructure that has been developed through the BRI. This digital network and its associated infrastructure of data centers is allied with a growing commitment to open-source operating systems and platforms, as the foundation for the new digital standards for the 21st century. Such an approach is enabling an emergent Digital Westphalia. Chinese modernization is underpinned by what has been called new quality productive forces. These enable the development of low-cost systems of production and circulation, supporting value decentering as infrastructure and know-how are made increasingly available. Just as China seeks to achieve more even development domestically, the effects of its model of global integration via trade, capital exports and transfer of knowhow is also tackling decades of uneven global development. Overcoming uneven economic development is symbiotic with what Johan Galtung once described as a positive peace. Multipolarity is already a reality today, and the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee is consolidating a policy approach that reinforces the economic underpinnings of a new global economic architecture that can support models of indivisible security for all based on growing economic sovereignty. To be an expropriator or an enabler? That is the question. In an era of multipolarity, Chinese modernization can only take the form of being an enabler an enabler of national rejuvenation and of positive peace through decentered, even economic development worldwide. The third plenum consolidates steps toward this. The author is an adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology and a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily. Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn. Bengaluru, Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees' Union has urged the Siddaramaiah-led government to reconsider its reported plans to extend the working hours of the IT/ITeS/BPO sector. HT Image According to the union, the government plans to increase the working hours to 14 hours a day. The proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act in this regard, was presented in a recent meeting called by the labour department with various stakeholders in the industry, it said in a release. Labour Minister Santosh Lad, officials from the Department of Labour and IT-BT Ministry attended the meeting, in which the representatives of the union took part. The union strongly opposed the proposed amendment which, it said, poses an "attack on the basic right of any worker to have a personal life." The labour minister agreed to have one more round of discussion before taking any decision, it added. Noting that the proposed new bill 'Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Bill 2024' attempts to normalise a 14-hour work day, the union said, the existing act only allows a maximum of 10 hours work per day, including overtime. This amendment will allow the companies to go for a two shift system instead of the currently existing three shift system, and one third of the workforce will be thrown out of their employment, it claimed. Noting that during the meeting KITU pointed out the studies on the health impact of extended working hours among the IT employees, it said, "the Karnataka government in their hunger, to please their corporate bosses, completely neglects the most fundamental right of any individual, the right to live." This amendment shows that the Government of Karnataka is not ready to consider the workers as human beings who need personal and social life to survive. Instead, it considers them as only a machinery to increase the profit of the corporates to whom it serves, it added. The union further pointed out that this amendment comes at a period when the world starts to accept the fact that increased working hours are negatively impacting productivity and more countries are coming with new legislations to accept the "right to disconnect" as a basic right of any employee. The union urged the government to rethink and warned that any attempt to go with the amendment will be an open challenge to the 20 lakh employees working in the IT/ITeS sector in Karnataka, it said. "KITU calls upon all the IT/ITeS sector employees to unify and come forward to resist this inhuman attempt to impose slavery on us," it said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. IT companies in Bengaluru are asking the state government to extend the maximum daily working hours for employees to 14 hours. The state is considering updating the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act of 1961 to accommodate this request, as reported by Business Today. IT firms are formally requesting an option for employees to work up to 14 hours a day, which would consist of 12 hours regular work and an additional 2 hours of overtime. (Representational image) This move echoes a controversial suggestion made a year ago by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who proposed that young professionals should work up to 70 hours a week. His comments sparked significant debate at the time. READ | Karnataka students of govt, govt-aided schools will now get eggs six days a week Now, these IT firms are formally requesting that the proposed changes to the law include the option for employees to work up to 14 hours a day, which would consist of 12 hours of regular work and an additional 2 hours of overtime. Currently, labor regulations permit up to 12 hours of work per day, including 10 hours of regular work and 2 hours of overtime. The new proposal would allow IT and BPO companies to extend daily working hours beyond 12, up to a total of 125 hours within a three-month span. The Siddaramaiah-led state government has begun initial discussions on the proposal and will make further decisions in the near future, the report said. However, the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) opposes the plan. They warn that extending working hours might lead companies to switch from a three-shift system to a two-shift system, which could result in job losses for about one-third of the workforce. READ | Bengaluru womans unsafe & scary auto ride: says driver threatened, abused her over fare dispute; Cop responds The union also emphasizes that longer working hours could have harmful effects on the health of IT workers. They argue that the proposed changes reflect a view of employees as mere machines rather than individuals, and they are calling on the government to reconsider the proposal. "As per the report of KCCI, 45% of employees in the IT sector are facing mental health issues such as depression, and 55% facing physical health impacts. Increasing working hours will further aggravate this situation," a statement by the union said, as accessed by the publication. "This amendment shows that the government of Karnataka is not ready to consider workers as human beings who need personal and social life to survive. Instead, it considers them as only a machinery to increase the profit of the corporates whom it serves, it added. A new report from the Centre for Science and Environment reveals that Karnataka is among the three worst-performing states for spending central government funds allocated for air quality improvement. The report also highlights Bengaluru as the least effective city out of 25 in utilizing funds from the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), according to the Deccan Herald. The report shows Bengaluru used just 13 per cent of its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) funds over the past four years. (Representative image)(PTI) ALSO READ | Bengaluru Uber driver comes to NASSCOM vice-chair's rescue after her car breaks down Since its launch in 2019, the NCAP has aimed to enhance air quality in 131 large and medium-sized cities by setting targets and providing financial support. However, Karnataka's performance is poor: it has used only 13 per cent of its Finance Commission grant and around 31 per cent of its NCAP funds. ALSO READ | Bangalore Weather and AQI Today: Warm start at 20.61 C, check weather forecast for July 21, 2024 The report shows that Bengaluru and Nagpur used just 13 per cent of their NCAP funds over the past four years, while cities like Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Greater Mumbai have utilized up to 72 per cent. Among Karnatakas cities, Davanagere, Gulbarga, and Hubli-Dharwad are also part of the NCAP. Gulbarga, with only 27 per cent of its funds used, is among the lowest in spending efficiency. ALSO READ | Record-breaking cool day for Bengaluru as 2024s coldest temperature hits 23.8C: Report Overall, from over 10,000 crore allocated to 131 cities under NCAP and the Finance Commission, only about 6,806 crore has been spent. Most of this money went to road dust control, with minimal investment in industrial pollution, vehicle emissions, and biomass burning, the report found. Students in government schools across Karnataka are now set to get eggs six days a week as part of the states midday meal scheme, thanks to a new agreement signed between the Azim Premji Foundation and the Karnataka government. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), finalized on Saturday, aims to enhance the nutritional value of the midday meal program for the next three years. Previously, Karnatakas midday meal program included eggs only two days a week.(HT file) ALSO READ | Bengaluru Uber driver comes to NASSCOM vice-chair's rescue after her car breaks down An alternative high nutrition supplement will be provided for those students who do not consume eggs because of cultural preferences, the foundation said in a statement, as accessed by news agency PTI. Previously, the states midday meal program included eggs only two days a week. Under the new MoU, the Azim Premji Foundation will supply eggs four additional days each week, ensuring that every student from Grade 1 to 10 in government and government-aided schools receives one egg per day. ALSO READ | Uttara Kannada landslide: Bodies of 7 recovered, 3 persons missing as rescue operation underway Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the agreement was made between the primary and secondary education department and the Azim Premji Foundation. He emphasized the importance of providing healthy food to all students, regardless of the type of school they attend. I have seen children coming to school without breakfast and staying until noon without lunch. This prompted us to provide food and eggs twice a week," he said. ALSO READ | Bangalore Weather and AQI Today: Warm start at 20.61 C, check weather forecast for July 21, 2024 The initiative will benefit approximately 55 lakh students, aiming to boost their nutritional intake and support their overall health. "The Foundation will work closely with the Commissioner of School Education and Literacy (CSE) to ensure high-quality eggs are delivered to each child in the schools covered by the program," the statement from the foundation stated. (With inputs from PTI) I read two articles in the obituary section of the Bucks County Herald (May 16, 2024) that Barbara gave me 1(A) Ruth M.Beck Ruth passed away at age 95, May 10th, surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of William and Marthaherd. Her brothers served in the U.S. Army during W.W.II Ruth met her husband Jim through Church young groups, Ruth transitioned from being a Pianist to a Church Organist. They married in 1950. They started their lives together in at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Ruth was a Court Reporter for the U.S. Navy. In 1956 Ruth and Jim moved to New Hope, Pennsylvania. Ruth attended Rider University and earned both a Bachelors and a Masters degree. She joined Jim as a teacher at New Hope Solebury High School and together they became the Business Education Department where they guided hundreds of students to learn business leadership skills. She was also the advisor for the school cheerleaders for many years.Ruth taught Business Ed at NH-S until her retirement in 1993. Ruth and Jim were locally renowned for playing Santa and Mrs. Clays for almost 50 years. Ruth remained a devoted member of The Solebury United Methodist Church as well as the Church Organist from 1958-2020. She stepped down as the organist at the age of 91. After Jims passing in 2002, Ruth and daughter Jame lived together for 22 years. Ruths hobbies were reading, playing her clavinova, going to the Jersey Shore, computer games, and watching mystery movies..... Ruth is survived by her daughters Joanne of New Hope, Wendy of Richland,WA and Jamie of New Hope, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and the many her friends, colleagues, students, church family and neighbors. Ruth has been the epitome of a family Matriarch. She lived a wonderful 95 years. Its not the length of time we remain in this present human sphere that is important, it is what we do with that time Interment will follow. (B) Herman Lewis Gentsch, Jr. (Lew), age 97, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2024 in Groton, NY. Born on May 21, 1926, Lew grew up in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from Frankford High School in 1944 and attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology. Following graduation, Lew worked on the family vegetable farm, and also served in the 707th Anti-Aircraft Battalion of Pennsylvania National Guard. Lew enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and served with 1141st Medical Service Squadron at Sampson Air Force Base, NY, performing epidemiology research. While at Sampson, he met Margaret Peggy Van Aken, they were married in 1953. Lew was honorably discharged in 1956 and with Peggy returned to Philadelphia to help run the family farm. During this period, Lew and his father relocated the farm from Philadelphia to Richboro, Bucks County, where they started Gentschs Nursery. Both Lew and Peggy earned the certification of Pennsylvania Accredited Nurseryman, and they run the business together until 1984.During this time, Lew served the community in the Northampton Municipal Authority and in the Lion Club. Following their retirement in 1984, Lew and Peggy moved to Ithaca, NY. Lews retirement hobbies included horticulture projects in his Ithaca yard, chatting it up with people on any subject and reading politics. Later in life he dedicated himself to loving care of Peggy before her death in March, 2021. Lew is survived by his son and granddaughters. The family is especially grateful to the care providers at the Groton Community Health Center, whose loving attention made him last days comfortable. 2)My thinking: The lives of the two elderly were perfect. During the war years, they have served the military and received university education. They do their favorite jobs and have rich hobbies. They have a wonderful family and participate in various social activities. In contrast, in China, our work was uniformly allocated by the government back then. Too many political movements and class struggles. Patiala : Doctors and support medical staff of Government Rajindra Hospital a tertiary healthcare medical facility had to perform Caesarean section or C-section under the flashlight of mobile phones on Saturday night due to power outage. Doctors and support medical staff of Government Rajindra Hospital a tertiary healthcare medical facility had to perform Caesarean section or C-section under the flashlight of mobile phones on Saturday night due to power outage. The woman and the newborn are doing well, doctors at the hospital said. The power supply of the hospital was disrupted on Saturday around 8pm when the C-section of the woman was underway. Following the outage, power generators were pressed into use but the one supplying electricity to mother and child wing of the hospital did not function, people familiar with the development said. It is sad state of affairs. We cant delay the surgery in emergency cases, a senior doctor of the gynaecology department said when asked about using flashlight while performing the C-section. Medical superintendent Dr Girish Sahni said, All the emergency power generators were put to use after the outage. Only one generator, which supplies power to the mother and child wing could not be used as we had to refill the fuel which took some time. Patiala deputy commissioner Showkat Parray said due to power outage, relatives of patients started protesting and did not allow the hospital staff to refill the fuel in the power generator. Police had to be called to refill the generator, he said. The medical superintendent said they are facing power issues at the hospital and have informed officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited about it. We have our own 66KV power grid at the hospital for 24x7 power supply but there was some issue in the grid and power supply to the hospital was interrupted for three hours, said Sahini. Punjab chief secretary Anurag Verma said: The government has taken cognisance of power outage. The health minister, DC and CMD, PSPCL, will visit the hospital and look into the reasons for power failure and will decide on the remedial steps. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh, who held a meeting with officials of the PSPCL at Government Rajindra Hospital on Sunday, said: There was a fault in the power line of 66KV power grid of Rajindra hospital. Since the power line is underground, it took 2-3 hours to fix it. To ensure that similar situation doesnt arise again, we will give an alternative supply line of 11KV for emergency services. Three drug smugglers, including a notorious trafficker identified as Gurbax alias Lala of Chheharta, were arrested with 1kg Ice (Methamphetamine), 2.45kg heroin and 520 grams of pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical, officials said on Saturday. A Punjab Police official privy to the probe says local drug smugglers are now resorting to local manufacturing of synthetic drugs, like Ice. Confirming the development Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said: Drug smuggler Gurbax alias Lala has been actively sourcing the precursor chemicals, used to adulterate crude heroin to increase its potent effect, and to manufacture Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice). The DGP said that the accused Lala used to earn a commission of 50,000 per consignment. DGP identified Lala as a big fish in the drug trade. A Punjab Police official privy to the probe said that the local drug smugglers are now resorting to local manufacturing of synthetic drugs, like Ice. According to senior STF officials keeping a close tab on drug-related developments in the state, one of the reasons behind the rise in Ice drug peddling is the decrease in the supply of heroin to Pakistan smugglers from Afghanistan because of the Taliban-led governments control over opium cultivation. There have been reports that Pakistan-based smugglers, who sends heroin into Punjab, keeping in view the future scarcity of heroin, are sending Ice drug packets along with heroin consignments free of cost. The idea is to set up a smuggling network and market in Punjab so that they continue with their nefarious design, a senior police officer, wishing not to be named, said. Apart from Lala, the other two arrested drug peddlers have been identified as Daljit Kaur and Arshdeep, both residents of Chheharta. Accused Lala and Arshdeep have a criminal history and both are out on bail. The DGP said that the Amritsar Commissionerate Police has also traced the backward link of accused Lala and police teams are on a manhunt to nab the kingpin of this narco-syndicate. The latest arrests came after meticulous investigations of backward and forward linkages carried out by the Amritsar police after the arrest of a local drug peddler Daljit Kaur from the Kot Khalsa area on June 16, 2024. Kaur was arrested with 50gm of heroin. Kaurs interrogation further led to the arrest of her accomplice Arshdeep from Chheharta area with 200gm heroin, a police official said, pleading anonymity. Sharing more details, Amritsar commissioner of police Ranjit Singh Dhillon said that during the investigation carried out by the special operational team of Police Station Anngarh after the arrest of accused Daljit Kaur and Arshdeep name of Gurbax Lala emerged. Lala was then nabbed in an operation spanning over four days and led to the recovery of 1kg Ice, 2.2kg heroin and 520gm of precursor pseudoephedrine, he added. Unlike heroin which is a derivative of poppy, Ice can be produced in local chemical factories. Experts see it as a stronger and more addictive substance than heroin. Dhillon said that the accused Lala is facing cases pertaining to murder, the Arms Act and the NDPS Act. A case has been registered under Section 21-B of the NDPS Act at the Police Station, Islamabad. A 51-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing his associate 12 years ago and pouring acid on his face to prevent identification, police said on Sunday. The accused managed to evade arrest for over a decade by changing his identity, they added. The accuseds criminal history goes back to 2002. (File Photo) Deputy commissioner of police (special cell) Amit Kaushik said that the accused was identified as Mohammed Umar, resident of Khajuri Khas, and native of Uttar Pradesh. Umair was arrested on July 16 after a police team received a tip about a fugitive criminal near Anand Vihar Bus Terminus. He was apprehended at the location, Kaushik said. According to police, Umar was born in Meerut and studied up to class eight before working as a tailor with his father. In 2002, Umar began associating with local criminals and engaging in theft and petty crimes, police said. He was previously involved in electricity transformer theft and was arrested in four cases in 2009 at police stations in Loni and Pilkhuwa, Uttar Pradesh, DCP Kaushik said. In 2010, Umar met Naiem, Taslim, Mukesh, and Moti, who were involved in opium smuggling and cheating people by luring them to exchange Saudi Riyals, he added. In 2011, Umar was arrested in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, under the Arms Act and in other cheating cases, officers aware of the case said. After being released on bail, Umar resumed smuggling opium with Naiem, Taslim, Mukesh, and Moti. Disputes arose among them over leadership of the gang. There were trust issues, as three of them had killed Mukesh in Baghpat in 2011 because they believed he had informed the police about them, Kaushik said. In 2012, Umar and Naeim allegedly killed Taslim in Delhis Sonia Vihar to assert dominance and take control of the gang. The accused then fled to Nepal with his family and assumed a new identity. He had changed his Aadhaar card and other identity documents, the DCP said. Umar has seven criminal cases registered against him, he added. Abhishek Chauhan is receiving appreciation for his role in Lakshya-Raghav Juyal starrer Kill. The actor is known for his work in Asur, Bahut Hua Samman and Andekhi. Abhishek, in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, speaks about his physical training for Kill, love for action and more. Excerpts from the interview. (Also read: No other language remakes for Kill in the works; clarifies Dharma about Lakshya, Raghav Juyal-starrer) Abhishek Chauhan speaks to HT about his intense physical training for Kill. Abhishek Chauhan on playing a commando in Kill When asked if he feels content about his work in Kill, as his character gets equal importance as Lakshya and Raghav Juyal, Abhishek says, I feel every movie would have a different scope for an actor. But for me because I hadn't attempted action earlier and never played a commando, I had a lot on my plate already. So, for me to get into that body while performing all those action sequences and to get into that psyche of that character, there were a lot of takeaways for me. I felt that the script threw a lot of challenges at me in terms of how it was written. Even with the goons, every character has a scope to shine because of how it's written. Abhishek Chauhan's physical prep work for Kill Abhishek participated in workshops with Lakshya and received physical training to portray an NSG commando. He also portrayed a negative character in Asura. When asked about the preparation for these two projects, he explains, The workshops that Lakshya and I were doing together were mostly based on the agenda where the idea was to form better relationships, understand each other and develop that bond, how Amrit and Viresh (Lakshya and Abhishek's characters in Kill) are. And we went to Manik Sir at NSG headquarters to see how they are. It was more of an insight into how their psyche is, their training, how their bodies are and the way they look. We also had somebody who was an ex-NSG and ex-army officer who would sit with us and tell us about the psyche and his experiences. So, we were doing - the workshops to develop our interpersonal relationships in order to look like buddies on-screen. Abhishek further says, When you talk about the prep work for Asur it was different. With Kill it was a lot different as here I had to work on my body and then get into a psyche and develop a relationship. In Asur, my character had already been established in the previous season. However, in the new season, there is a leap of about ten years for my character. To bridge that gap, I imagined what must have happened during those ten years based on the information provided in the script. The director also shared his vision for the character, which influenced my preparation. Additionally, for Asur, I spent some time in Rishikesh and studied the antithesis of the Gita, delving deeply into the process. Abhishek Chauhan on physical challenges as an actor When asked about the most challenging aspect of working on Kill, Abhishek opines, I feel the most challenging part was just being physically there because the amount of action required, you have to be fit enough to be able to do that. So, we were training for action at least six hours a day, apart from that I was also working out. When we went to the sets, we did multiple rehearsals. First thing is to get that body language and choreography correct so that your body knows how to punch and kick and then to bring in emotions and not think about how your choreography is. Because by the time you have done it so many times it is already in your body. So, that has been the most challenging thing to approach and that is why it was fun. Abhishek Chauhan praises Akshay Kumar's action Abhishek has previously admitted about working in Kill as he always wanted to be part of an action film. While speaking about his favourite actors who have aced action, he says, As a child when I used to watch action I used to believe in it. There are a lot of people like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan to even Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan in India. All these people have done such great action. For me, movies are a medium of telling stories, and as long as you buy into it, you love it. Keanu Reeves and Jason Statham have also done fantastic action. Abhishek Chauhan on revisiting action genre in future When asked which other genres and aspects of action he would like to explore, the Kill actor states, It's all about the story, setting and how it is being told. I am open to filming any kind of action movie. Action can be a part of any genre, whether it's a romantic film, a superhero story like Brahmastra, or a sci-fi movie. So, when you talk about action, I want to do all kinds of it. But what I explored in Kill, that is the only kind of action I have done till now. So, I really enjoyed it and I would like to do something like Kill in the near future. Abhishek Chauhan reacts to glamourising violence When asked about his perspective on glamourising violence in film and of he has any parameters as an actor while selecting scripts depicting violence, he says, As an actor, the script is given to me once I succeed in the audition. When I have the script and I am preparing for the role, often the producer, director, writer and everyone else involved spend a lot of time on it. They know the story much better. They already know whether it is good or not. Additionally, there is a censor board, like 'Kill' has an A certificate. So, we know that children are not watching it in the theaters. When I read something, I read it as a story. If I like the character and want to be apart of that story, then I will give it my 100%. I mean I can't be in a project and be like 'action to bohot zyada ho raha hai (the action is too much).' Else, I won't be a part of something like that altogether. Kill is directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and backed by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga. Actor Salman Khan attended the trailer launch event of Dharmaveer 2 in Mumbai on Saturday. Several videos and pictures of the actor at the event emerged on social media platforms. It was also attended by Jeetendra, Boman Irani, Govinda, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde among others. (Also Read | Salman Khan cant wait to dance' when Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant become parents. Here's his full note for newlyweds) Salman Khan and Govinda at Dharmaveer 2 trailer launch event. Salman attends Dharmaveer 2 trailer launch event At the event, Salman was greeted on stage with a shawl and a flower bouquet. The actor wore a black T-shirt, denims and shoes for the event. He smiled for the camera and also posed with several people. He also shared conversations with other guests present at the venue. Salman hugs Jeetendra, Govinda Salman also hugged Jeetendra and several other guests at the event. He also did a little dance while hugging Govinda. For the event, Govinda wore a white T-shirt, matching pants, blue blazer and shoes. Jeetendra was seen in a grey jacket, black pants and shoes. About Dharmaveer 2 Dharmaveer 2, following the success of its predecessor, aims to delve deeper into the life and legacy of the late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe. He is considered to be CM Shinde's political mentor. The film will release on August 9, weeks ahead of the state assembly polls. The first part, with actor Prasad Oak playing Dighe, was released in 2022. Bobby Deol recently unveiled film's poster Earlier this month, actor Bobby Deol unveiled the poster of the film Dharmaveer 2 alongside CM Shinde and the film's cast and crew. He expressed his gratitude and excitement, saying, "It's an honour to be part of this celebration. The performance in the first part was commendable, and I congratulate CM Eknath Shinde on his two successful years in government." About Salman's films Salman will be next seen in Sikandar alongside Rashmika Mandanna. Sikandar marks the reunion of Salman and Sajid Nadiadwala after their previous successful collaborations such as Kick, Judwaa and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. The film will hit theatres on Eid 2025. Directed by AR Murugadoss, the film is set to release next Eid. The film is backed by Sajid Nadiadwala. Apart from this, Salman will be seen in Aditya Chopra's Tiger Vs Pathaan. He was last seen in Tiger 3, an action thriller film directed by Maneesh Sharma. The film also stars Katrina Kaif and Emraan Hashmi. Mumbai, Saiee Manjrekar is comfortable playing girl-next-door characters as the actor says she will shed the image with time and by taking on diverse roles. Till I can bank on girl-next-door roles I would do that, says Saiee Manjrekar The 22-year-old actor made her debut with Salman Khan's "Dabangg 3" and then went on to feature in movies such as Telugu film Ghani, Major and "Skanda". Her upcoming movie is Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, in which she plays the younger version of Tabu's character. The film also stars Ajay Devgn and Shantanu Maheshwari. "The whole girl-next-door thing comes purely on the basis that Im too young, naive, gullible, and probably it shows somewhere . As I experience things in life, it will automatically start showing, or people will see something different in me and cast me in different roles. "So, till I can bank on the girl-next-door role I would love to do that. When the time comes, Ill break out and do something else. Im pretty open to things. Im happy with the work Im doing, the actor told PTI. In an industry known for its unpredictability, Saiee daughter of noted actor and filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar said the journey of every actor is unique. Roadblocks are there in everything one does today. I look at it as a race; though it is probably not the best way to look at it. Everyone is running towards the finish line, I feel the end goal for everyone is the same, but someone might be running downhill or uphill. "Everyone has a different journey but you have to live through them and experience things and see where you want to be, she said. Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, directed by Neeraj Pandey, revolves around a couple, played by Ajay Devgn and Tabu, who separates when the former is jailed for murder. They cross paths after 20 years when he is released from prison. On her experience of working with Tabu, Saiee said, I feel Tabu maams ease with which she goes about a scene is really inspiring. She is so easy and natural in front of the camera and that inspires me a lot. Also starring Jimmy Shergill, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha is set to be released in theatres on August 2. The film is presented by NH Studioz and a Friday Filmworks production. It is produced by Narendra Hirawat, Kumar Mangat Pathak , Sangeeta Ahir and Shital Bhatia. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Los Angeles, Hollywood star Anna Faris says she is willing to return to the "Scary Movie" franchise but has listed two conditions for it. Anna Faris says she will do a new 'Scary Movie' but has two conditions In the parody horror franchise, Faris played the role of Cindy Campbell in four films "Scary Movie" , "Scary Movie 2" , "Scary Movie 3" and "Scary Movie 4" . In an interview with American magazine People, Faris was asked what it would take for her to make a comeback to the film series. "Well, money," the actor replied, listing out her first condition. She would also want to reunite with co-star Regina Hall, who played Brenda in the franchise. Both actors had chosen not to feature in the franchise's fifth part, which was released in 2013. I would love to work with Regina again. I just love her so much. We would make each other giggle all day long. Regina Hall would be my answer. And money. But mostly all Regina," the 47-year-old actor said. Looking back, Faris said being a part of the "Scary Movie" franchise played an important role in her career. If there is a high school comparison for my growth experience, those four movies played an important role in my life in terms of teaching me how to use props, teaching me how to fall, how to get hit in the head, how to hold Chiclets in my mouth and then spit them out with blood at a convenient time for the camera," she said. Besides her stint in the "Scary Movie" franchise, Faris has also appeared in movies such as "The Hot Chick", "Lost in Translation", "Brokeback Mountain", "Just Friends", "My Super Ex-Girlfriend", "What's Your Number?", "The Dictator" as well as voice-over roles in "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks". The actor currently stars in action comedy movie "My Spy The Eternal City", also featuring Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista. The movie, directed by Peter Segal, is currently streaming on Prime Video. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Divyanka Tripathi and her husband Vivek Dahiya recently returned from their trip to Italy, but their vacation became distressing when they were robbed during their stay. The couple lost valuable belongings such as wallets and passports. Despite this unfortunate incident, Divyanka recently shared some fun reels and pictures from her Italy holiday on her Instagram handle. (Also read: Divyanka Tripathi, Vivek return to India days after losing passports in Italy) Divyanka Tripathi recently shared throwback pictures from her Italy vacation. Divyanka Tripathi hints at Vlog about Italy holiday The actor took a humourous jibe at the robbery incident while sharing her Italy vacation post and captioned it as, The vineyard experience before.... #IYKYK (If You Know You Know) Someday you'll see it all in details on Vivek's YouTube Vlog. Until then... Enjoy these (smiling emoji). A fan commented, Apka husband sabse best hai apko dekhakar lgta hai ki Jovi hota hai acche ke liye hota hai chodhkar jane valo ke liye kbhi rona nhi chahiye (Your husband is the best. Looking at you, I feel that everything happens for good. You should never cry for someone leaving you). Another fan wrote, Both are looking prettier day by day (heart emoji) always be happy like this (smiling and rose emojis). Fan lauds Divyanka Tripathi for her hard work A user also wrote, And I'm so proud of you that you have worked hard you got everything in return. Today you have gained recognition and everyone knows you because of your talent and hard-work. You worked hard for it and and this is not so easy. It requires a lot of strength. You were right when you said that people presume the life of an actor is easy but that is not the case. One has to struggle to get all the luxury and you are still struggling. So proud of you my girl. Lots of Love to you. Divyanka is known for her role in the TV series Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. She was last seen in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 last year. Exciting news for fans of Korean shows as Netflix is bringing a whole new range of K-dramas for August. There is something for everyone as the upcoming shows bring in genres of romance, drama, fantasy and comedy. Subscribers have a lot to look forward to with shows like Lovely Runner, The Frog and a streaming service original movie titled Mission Cross coming to Netflix. New K-drama arriving in August 2024: Lovely Runner, Love Next Door and more.(@netflixkcontent/X) Also Read: Ryan Reynolds jokes about being sued by Taylor Swift during Deadpool 2: Tough to swallow Upcoming K-dramas in August 2024 Heres a list of all the K-dramas scheduled to be released on Netflix, as reported by Whats on Netflix. Also Read: No My Hero Academia Season 7 next week: Why was Episode 12 delayed? Release date, streaming deets and more Lovely Runner (Season 1) Release Date: August 1, 2024 Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Cast: Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, Song Geon Hee, Lee Seung Hyun, Jung Young Joo Plot: The fan favourite K-drama, Lovely Runner, is all set to debut on Netflix and fans can begin their month with this lovely watch. The story revolves around a popular celebrity in South Korea, Ryu Seon Jae who is exhausted from his stardom and work. After his tragic demise, one of his biggest and most disheartened fans, Im Sol is transported back to fifteen years ago when she meets her idol and confronts him about his choices to change his tragic future. The Frog (Season 1) Release Date: To be announced Genre: Drama, Thriller Cast: Kim Yoon Seok, Yoon Kye Sang, Go Min Si, Lee Jung Eun, Ryu Hyun Kyung Plot: The 8-episode series revolves around the story of two men Sang Joon and Young Ha. The former runs a motel in a rural area in the year 2000 and the latter runs a pension alone in the forest during the summer of the year 2021. Any further updates about the series are yet to be made by Netflix. Romance in the House (Season 1) Release Date: August 10, 2024 Genre: Drama, Romance Cast: Ji Jin Hee, Kim Jee Soo, Son Na Eun, Choi Min Ho, Yoon San Ha Plot: The series follows the journey of Byun Moo Jin, a once ambitious businessman, who let his failed businesses strain his family, leading to his wife Geum Ae Yeon divorcing him. Years later, their children Mi Rae and Hyun Jae are grown up. Mi Rae, seeing her mother struggle alone, is determined to be a reliable support, while Hyun Jae has grown up as the family troublemaker. Their lives are turned upside down when Moo Jin returns as the new owner of their apartment building, hoping to reconcile with Ae Yeon. Mi Rae strongly opposes this, but Hyun Jae welcomes their father's efforts to bring the family back together. The episodes will be released every Saturday and Sunday. Love Next Door (Season 1) Released Date: August 17, 2024 Genre: Drama, Romance Cast: Jung Hae In, Jung So Min, Kim Ji Eun, Yun Ji On, Park Ji Young Plot: The K-drama is about Bae Seok Ryu was used to excelling at everything, acing exams and succeeding in whatever she pursued. But when she started working at a big international company, she faced a setback that led to her first major failure. She ended up quitting her job as a project manager. Soon after, she reconnects with Choi Seung Hyo, a well-known young architect in South Korea who she had known since childhood when they used to share banana milk at the women's bathhouse. The episodes will be released every Saturday and Sunday. Mission Cross (Movie) Release date: August 7, 2024 Genre: Action, Comedy Cast: Hwang Jung Min, Yeom Jung Ah, Jeon Hye Jin, Kim Joo Heon, Kim Joon Han Plot: Netflix will also release a Netflix original movie in August. The plot tells the story of Kang Moo, a retired special forces officer, who strives to leave his perilous past behind to support his detective wife, Mi Sun, as a devoted househusband. However, a misunderstanding arises when the latter suspects Kang Moo of having an affair with the enigmatic Hee Joo. In her quest to uncover the truth about Kang Moo's past, their peaceful domestic life is disrupted, challenging their marriage like never before. Harshdeep Kaur Amit Trivedi, Harshdeep Kaur and Shekhar Ravjiani Harshdeep Kaur with her guru, Tejpal Singh - Singh Bandhu My dear guru ji (Tejpal Singh - Singh Bandhu), Sat Sri Akal Ji! I begin this letter with a heartfelt Thank you! You have been a guiding light in my life, more than just a music teacher but also a father figure to me. I still remember my first visit to your home in Patel Nagar, Delhi the nervous excitement I felt melted away the moment I touched your feet and received your blessings. From that moment, I felt at home. You have been instrumental in giving me the right direction in both my life and career. Our music classes together were unforgettable, starting with Sur-Sadhna, where I tried to repeat what you sang. Through your teachings, I not only learned how to sing but also imbibed lessons on humility and goodness. Your encouragement when I sang well and your gentle corrections when I faltered have shaped me profoundly. It was your belief in me that prompted me to move to Mumbai, where you saw my future unfolding. Even today, your feedback and blessings on every release of mine mean the world to me. Guruji, words cannot express my gratitude enough. May you live a long and healthy life. I promise to always strive to make you proud! With deepest respect and gratitude, Yours sincerely Harshdeep Shekhar Ravjiani (Clockwise from top left) Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan, Xavier Fernandes, Jagjit Singh and Shekhar's father, Hasmukh Ravjiani My dearest dad, Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan saab, Sir Xavier Fernandes and Jagjit Singh ji, Thank you for blessing me with your presence in my life. Thank you for teaching me, shaping me and helping me grow into the person and musician I am today. Dad, you laid the foundation by instilling a deep passion for music in me and sharing your knowledge with me. Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan saab, Sir Xavier Fernandes and Jagjit Singh ji, as my teachers, you profoundly influenced my development as a musician. You encouraged me to share my learnings, to always create from the heart and to forge a strong connection with the higher power through my music. I am really grateful to you for that. Your words of wisdom continue to be my guiding light even today. To the artistes and composers of the past, you have inspired me immensely with your unbelievable talent and timeless creations. You were truly masters of your craft and even today, your music has so much to teach me. To my students, as your teacher and mentor, I feel like I too have so much to learn from you and thats a beautiful way for us to grow together. Shekhar Ravjiani Amit Trivedi Amit Trivedi's mother Jaishree Trivedi and father Surendra Trivedi Dearest mummy and pappa Thank you for being my first gurus, not just in music, but in life. Pappa, I still remember how you made me understand the value of valuing my teachers. I remember you would say, Guru bin gyaan adhura. Ive held on to this throughout my life and considered everyone who inspired me, a guru. Ive been fortunate to have learnt from different gurus, who shaped me the way I am by sharing their knowledge and wisdom with me. Thank you, mummy and pappa, because you still continue to inspire me in unparalleled ways. You are my gurus for life. Love, Amit Agartala: As many as 160 students, including 158 Indians and two Nepalese students, crossed over to Tripura on Saturday amidst a nationwide curfew in Bangladesh following country-wide violent protests against government job quotas, officials said. Bangladesh has been witnessing violent protests over quota stir (AP Photo) Tripura chief minister Dr Manik Shah said that the state government is providing all necessary support in terms of transportation and accommodation to the students as a humanitarian gesture. As the students from different parts of India started returning to their homes through different land customs stations and integrated check posts, the Border Security Force (BSF) welcomed them. After they arrived at the Akhaura Integrated Check Post (ICP), all the students were provided with food and water. We were not feeling safe and thats why we requested the embassy. BSF helped us a lot, said Shivansh, a medical student at Bangladesh University. Indian and foreign students who are studying in Bangladesh are returning to India as the agitation has now become violent. ...approx 100 students, including those from Nepal, have returned using valid documents. More are expected and are on the way, reads a statement issued from BSF. Tripura ruling alliance partner TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma extended sympathy to the distressed people in Bangladesh and wrote on his official X handle, Instability in Bangladesh immediately affects bordering Northeastern states like Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya. Porous borders and illegal migration affects the tribal people where land is aplenty but not the population. Land laws have to be strengthened in the 6th schedule areas. His comments came in the context of the migration of erstwhile East Pakistani refugees prior to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, many of whom preferred to stay back in India later. At least 978 Indian students returned home across the country on Saturday. The violence erupted in 47 districts of Bangladesh killing at least 105 people and injuring over 1,500. Are you keen on Vedic mathematics or physics? I am happy to teach you more. Its how Usha Chilukuris 96-year-old paternal grandaunt, Shantamma, greeted this reporter from Visakhapatnam on Saturday morning. With the ease of flicking a switch, the nonagenarian professor of physics rattled the five-volume series on Vedic maths she worked on even as she went on to trace the Chilukuri family tree. Professor Shantamma, the nonagenarian professor of physics (File photo) Usha is the wife of Ohio Senator and Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. On a rainy day in balmy, sea-side Vizag, she is more than happy to detail her familys contribution to academics and society. Her husband, Subramanyam Sastry, and Usha Chilukuris grandfather Rama Sastry were brothers, making Usha her celebrity grandniece. The Chilukuris came from Vadduru and Chilakaluripeta in Krishna district and were Veda Avadhanis, or scholars in Vedic literature, chanting, and its propagation. Her husband and his brothers were fluent in Sanskrit and Telugu with Dr Subramanyam Sastry himself being a professor of Telugu Literature at Andhra University in Vizag. But the second generation took to academics even as they were involved in Vedic literature, Shantamma said. More than a handful of decades were spent in Chennai (then Madras) around the time the Indian Institute of Madras (IIT-M) came up in 1959. Shantamma recounts the days when her brother-in-law Rama Sastry worked in the lab she helped set up at IIT-M. And so along with Rama Sastry, Ushas grandfather, moved her father and his siblings - two brothers and a sister, Dr Sharada Jandhyala, who still works as an anesthetist in Chennai. Also read: JD and Usha Vance: A match made in Yale, cemented over Indian food Then came the journey from Andhra to America. What is it that makes people migrate to the US? Oh, it is the gravitational force, you know? Freedom, success, and comfort, quips Prof Shantamma. Perhaps it was this pull that led Ushas parents to migrate to the US in 1980 to San Diego where Usha and her younger sister were born. As professors of engineering and molecular biology, Ushas parents were devout Hindus even upon moving continents and always stayed vegetarians, a trait that Usha herself referred to in one of her recent speeches after her husband JD Vance was named Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trumps running mate. Ushas younger sister Shreya is a mechanical engineer and works at a semiconductor firm in San Diego, California. My three brothers went to the US to pursue higher studies and have been there since. Before that, we were in Chennai as little children and I have stayed here all along, said Dr Sharada, Ushas paternal aunt. Hard work, intelligence, and grit are Ushas characteristic credentials that she is known for in her family as much as her being a top legal professional. Her aunt packs her a warm blessing saying she wishes for Usha to get whatever she sets her eyes on. But Prof Shantamma has some advice too. India is the worlds largest democracy. And the US is the worlds oldest. I am sure there is so much for the citizens of USA to benefit from Indian culture and values, she said. As much as she credits Indians living in America for catalysing a turnaround of companies, she has a word of caution for Usha asking her to consume time to bed into her plausible new role. Her husband will probably be a lawmaker, and she is a legal professional. They must bring in policies to arrest the brain drain from India. While we must contribute to every countrys progress, we must watch our own too, Prof Shantamma signs off wishing for her grandniece to occupy the highest position the US can confer upon her today. Marignane (France): Airbus Helicopters has shortlisted eight locations in India for setting up a production line for the H125 chopper, the fourth such facility in the world, in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), and the company has projected a demand for 500 helicopters in the country and south Asia during the next 20 years, senior Airbus officials said on Sunday. H125 at the Airbus final assembly line in Marignane in France (HT Photo) The single-engine H125s final assembly line (FAL) in India will be the first for a civil helicopter in the private sector. The final assessment of the locations is on. We will soon make the announcement on where the H125 will be built in India. The factors that will guide the decision include how attractive the location is to our employees, its suitability for industrial activity, and the logistics ecosystem, said Olivier Michalon, executive vice president, global business, Airbus Helicopters. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility is expected around the year-end, and the Airbus-Tata combine will initially produce ten helicopters a year, with production being ramped up as orders grow, he said. The H125 will be also exported to South Asian countries. Michalons comments came during an interaction with Indian journalists at the Airbus Marignane helicopter facility, which is outside Marseille and was opened in 1939, where he spoke about the partnership with TASL, the potential Indias helicopter market holds, and how the H125 fits into the picture. The partnership between the two companies to assemble the helicopters in the country, aimed to push the Make in India model, was announced in January 2024 during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron to deepen strategic ties. India and France then agreed to a new roadmap for defence-industrial cooperation to identify opportunities for partnership in co-designing, co-development and co-production of military hardware. This will be the second final assembly line to be set up in India by Airbus. It is jointly executing a 21,935-crore project with TASL to equip the Indian Air Force with 56 C-295 aircraft to modernise its transport fleet. In September 2021, the defence ministry signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space to strengthen self-reliance in the key sector. The European aircraft maker will deliver 16 planes in flyaway condition, while the rest will be assembled in India at a Tata facility in Gujarats Vadodara city. Airbus Helicopters believes that the C-295 experience will help. We share information within the group and learn from best practices. We also look at what could have been done better. So, there will be a learning curve for us, Michalon said. The deliveries of the C-295 are in full swing and the last of the 16 flyaway aircraft will be delivered to IAF by August 2025. The first made in India C-295 will roll out of the Vadodara facility in September 2026 and the remaining 39 by August 2031. The first H125 will also roll out of an Indian facility in 2026. These helicopters are currently produced only in France, the US and Brazil. At the Indian FAL, TASL will handle major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, flight controls, hydraulic circuits, fuel systems and the engine. All this will be done with support and guidance from Airbus Helicopters, including the upcoming training of Indian personnel in France. The H125s engine and gearbox will come from France, the main airframe from Germany, and the tail boom from Spain, the officials said. The FAL in India will be the same at the H125 production line in Marignane. The goal is to make sure we replicate the same quality and safety standards, invest in giving the best training to people and have high-quality processes and operational efficiency, said Jerome Ronssin, who heads Airbus light helicopters programme. The 2,8-tonne H125 can carry up to six passengers, fly at a maximum altitude of 23,000 feet, has a range of 630 km and a top speed of 250 kmph. The roles it is suited for include commercial transport, law enforcement, emergency medical services, disaster management, offshore industry and firefighting duties. The military helicopter segment in India has matured with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) producing several platforms such as the advanced light helicopter (being produced for civil use too), the light combat helicopter and the light utility helicopter. HAL has its plate full for the next 15 to 20 years as far as helicopters are concerned, and its critical for the private sector to step in, said aviation affairs expert Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd). The H125s from India will be sold to other countries too. It will enhance Indias visibility as an exporter. (The writer is in France at the invitation of Airbus) Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has said that the members of the ruling Mahayuti alliance including his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), are free to contest local polls independently. Addressing the NCP workers in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pawar was quoted by PTI as saying,"Even though we are allies in Lok Sabha and state assembly, Mahayuti members are free to contest local bodies polls independently." ALSO READ: BJP's poor LS polls show due to alliance with NCP? RSS-linked weekly says Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with state deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai.(ANI) The schedule for elections to municipal councils, nagar panchayats and zilla parishads is not yet out. The Mahayuti alliance also comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. ALSO READ: Shindes Shiv Sena stakes claim on 100 assembly seats in upcoming polls The 64-year-old leader last year rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar, splitting the latter's NCP into two and led his loyalists to join the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Ajit Pawar is currently the deputy chief minister in the Shinde-led government. Earlier this year, the Election Commission recognised his faction as the real NCP, and allotted the clock symbol to him. Ajit Pawar's NCP contested the Lok Sabha elections in an alliance with the Mahayuti partners BJP and Shiv Sena. However, the ruling alliance suffered a setback as it could win just 17 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. The BJP won nine seats, down from 23 in the previous general elections. The Shiv Sena won seven while Ajit Pawar's NCP could win just one. Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra lost to his cousin sister Supriya Sule in Sharad Pawar's bastion Baramati. In a spectacular performance in the parliamentary polls, the MVA managed to clinch 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. Recently, 28 NCP leaders from Pune, including the Pimpri-Chinchwad unit's city president and two former corporators, quit the Ajit Pawar-led party after its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections to join the NCP (SP). They [the Mahayuti government] have not solved people's problems despite coming to power. We want to take the Vidhan Sabha back, NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar was quoted by PTI as saying. (With PTI inputs) The Ujjain Municipal Corporation on Saturday directed shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. An illuminated view of the Mahakal Lok corridor in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain.(ANI) Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said that a penalty of 2,000 will be imposed on violators for the first time and of 5,000 if they defy the order for the second time. The order follows a similar directive by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh for eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route across the state, attracting criticism from the Opposition and some of its allies. Tatwal claimed that the order is rooted in the Madhya Pradesh Shop Establishment Act or Gumasta License and is being implemented to enhance customer safety. "Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha. They have the right to know about the shopkeeper whose services they are availing. If a customer is dissatisfied or cheated, knowing the shopkeeper's details allows them to seek redress," the mayor was quoted as saying by PTI. He added that formalities regarding the directives have already been completed. All formalities have been already completed. The implementation was delayed as the nameplates were initially required to be of the same size and colour. Now, we have relaxed these terms. Displaying the names and mobile numbers of shopkeepers will suffice, he said. Ujjain, the hometown of Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav, is known for its sacred Mahakal temple. The city attracts devotees from all over the world, particularly during the Savaan month, which starts on Monday, July 22. Owners names on shops in Uttar Pradesh Earlier this week, the police in Uttar Pradsh's Muzaffarnagar urged all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to "voluntarily display" the names of their owners and employees, adding that the intention of this order is not to create any kind of "religious discrimination" but only to facilitate the devotees. Similar orders were also issued by police in Saharanpur and Shamli. A similar order was also issued by the Uttarakhand Police in Haridwar. Later, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath extended the directive to all Kanwar Yatra routes across the state. Also Read | Name display order: Moves afoot for compliance in west UP Though the order made no mention of religion, Opposition leaders and activists alleged that the move was aimed at displaying the faiths of food sellers and marginalise Muslim traders. Besides the Opposition, BJP allies -- Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) also criticised the move. Amid claims and counter-claims regarding the contentious Agnipath policy for recruitment to the Indian armed forces, a top officer of the Indian Army said on Sunday that as many as one lakh Agniveers have joined the force till now, of whom 70% are serving in various units. Patna: Brig KD Jaspal (L), Commandant of The Bihar Regimental Centre, with Agniveers during their passing out parade at Gaur Drill Ground, BRC, Danapur in Patna, Monday, June 4, 2024. (PTI Photo) In June 2022, the scheme was launched and then we had the first batch that was recruited and enrolled, in December 2022-January 2023. Approximately, one lakh Agniveers have been enrolled in the army, of whom around 200 are women. Of them, approximately 70,000 recruits have already been dispatched to their units and are performing extremely well in the battalions. This includes around 100 female police personnel too, Lieutenant General Channira Bansi Ponnappa, the army's Adjutant General, told news agency ANI. Lieutenant General Ponnappa also shared that 50,000 vacancies have been released for the current 2024-25 cycle, adding that the recruitment process for the year is ongoing. Further, the senior officer dismissed the oft-repeated charge by opposition parties that with Agnipath, the central government has created two different classes of soldiers. They (Agniveers) are undertaking all the actions operational and other professional duties just like other sepoys or sepoy recruits on the ground. They are completely integrated and assimilated into the units. They wear the same uniform and perform the same duty, the Lieutenant General stated. Under the short-service Agnipath scheme, aspirants are inducted into the armed forces for four years, and they are called Agniveers. Both male and female aspirants (17.5 to 21 years age group) are eligible to apply, and, after four years, not more than 25% strength of a retiring batch, will be selected for the permanent cadre. Quotas have been announced for the retirees in various central and state government services, including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). In the recently-held general elections, the ruling BJP performed poorly in some northern states, many of which see a large number of youths join the armed forces, particularly the army. Agnipath is believed to be among the reasons behind the party's poor show; a BJP ally has already called for a review of the scheme. (With ANI inputs) New Delhi: Azerbaijan, the host of COP29 climate summit, has announced a climate finance action fund (CFAF) to be raised from fossil fuel producing countries and companies in order to support green projects in developing countries as well as to help member nations keep within reach the 1.5C temperature target. Azerbaijan announces new fund to be raised by fossil fuel producers(REUTERS) The announcement, however, drew criticism from a section of climate experts for not holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for denying and delaying climate action. COP29 is set to be held in Baku between November 11 and 22 this year. Azerbaijan will be the founding contributor, COP29 president-designate Mukhtar Babayev said on Friday. Members will commit to transfer annual contributions as a fixed-sum or based on volume of production in their countries or companies, a statement by the COP29 Presidency said. Also read: Exploring prospects for India-Azerbaijan ties through connectivity projects CFAF will be a catalytic public-private partnership fund, mobilising the private sector and de-risking investment. It will also contain special facilities with concessional and grant-based support to rapidly address the consequences of natural disasters in the developing countries in need. The fund will become operational at the conclusion of the initial fundraising round, which aims to attract $1 billion, and when at least 10 contributing countries commit as shareholders. We have assessed the shortcomings in financial markets and carefully listened to the concerns of communities. This will be the first fund with both fossil fuel producing countries and companies across oil, gas and coal. It will be the first to both provide investment and to address the consequences of natural disasters. And it will be the first to receive annual transfers from its contributors, COP29 chief negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev said. We also have given special attention to accessibility and speed when addressing the consequences of natural disasters and to ensuring that shareholders collectively make decisions. According to the plan announced by Azerbaijan, a gas-rich country on the Caspian Sea, 50% of the CFAF will be directed towards climate projects in developing countries that rely on support, across mitigation, adaptation, and research and development. These will promote the adoption of clean energy technologies, improve energy efficiency, strengthen climate resilience of vulnerable populations, and facilitate the development of cutting-edge technologies. Another 50% of the contributions will be allocated to helping member nations the meet the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to keep the 1.5C temperature target within reach. The CFAF would dedicate 20% of the revenues generated from investments to a Rapid Response Funding Facility (2R2F) for helping the most vulnerable countries respond to climate disasters. All developing countries can access this fund, Babayev said on Friday. The fund will be headquartered with its secretariat in Baku, and its board of directors will include representatives from contributors, and an independent audit committee will publish quarterly data including financial reports and project evaluations. Shareholders will collectively make decisions and a working group is being established with international financial experts to further develop the management model and funding mechanism. Azerbaijan has committed to leading by example, it is working to submit a 1.5-aligned NDC, and the COP29 Presidency is encouraging all Parties to come forward with similar plans, the statement by the COP29 Presidency said. There are already some funds under the United Nations financial mechanism. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has served as an operating entity of the financial mechanism since the Conventions entry into force in 1994. At COP16, in 2010, parties established the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the next year they designated it as an operating entity of the financial mechanism. Parties have also established the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) both managed by the GEF as well as the Adaptation Fund (AF) established under the Kyoto Protocol in 2001. But the fund announced by Azerbaijan is parallel to the UN platform. At COP28 last year, the UAE announced a US$30 billion commitment to a newly launched catalytic climate vehicle, ALTERRA by the UAE, that will drive forward international efforts to create a fairer climate finance system. These funds are also about messaging of the COP28 Presidency. It remains to be seen if these provide high interest loans or actually help developing countries, an observer, requesting anonymity, said. The announcement, however, came under criticism from certain climate experts over a range of issues. Also read: France recalls ambassador to Azerbaijan, accuses Baku of 'damaging' ties The announcement of a new fund undeniably puts a spotlight on the fossil fuel industrys role in the climate crisis. However, its proposed design dangerously grants a social licence for the ongoing extraction of gas, oil, and coal. This is far from the robust accountability we have long demanded to hold the fossil fuel industry responsible for denying and delaying climate action, Harjeet Singh, Global Engagement Director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said. The COP29 Presidencys plan for the climate summit this November lacks the ambition to phase out fossil fuels and falls massively short in supporting a just transition for developing nations, he added. True climate justice means holding the fossil fuel industry financially responsible for the destruction it has caused, not facilitating its continued operation under the guise of tiny contributions to climate solutions, Singh said. Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Fellow, CEEW, said: While several parallel announcements of climate focused funds are welcome, it should not confuse the developing world into believing that enough finance at reasonable terms is available for supporting mitigation, adaptation, and recovery from loss & damage in their economies. The aim for COP29 should be a strong commitment related to new collective quantified goal (NCQG), and that should be the biggest measure of success of this COP, not country driven or plurilateral announcements of new climate funds. Yoga guru and businessman Baba Ramdev on Sunday backed the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand government's direction to shopkeepers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names, saying everyone should be proud of their names. Baba Ramdev(Reuters file photo) He said if Ramdev doesn't have a problem revealing his identity, why should 'Rahman' have issues with it? "If Ramdev has no problem in revealing his identity, then why should Rahman have a problem in revealing his identity? Everyone should be proud of their name. There is no need to hide the name, only purity is required in work. If our work is pure, it does not matter if we are Hindu, Muslim or from any other community..." he said on Sunday morning. Ujjain's name order for shop owners After the Uttarakhand and UP government's move, the Ujjain municipal body has also ordered shopkeepers to display their names. Also read: Kanwar order row: Owaisi claims hatred for Muslims; BJP compares him with Jinnah Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said on Saturday that violators will have to pay a 2,000 fine for the first offence and 5,000 if they defy this order. Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha (faith). They have the right to know about the shopkeeper whose services they are availing. If a customer is dissatisfied or cheated, knowing the shopkeeper's details allows them to seek redress, he said. Opposition slams move Several Opposition leaders have opposed the Kanwar order. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi said that it reflects the growing hatred towards Muslims in India. "Fear on UP's Kanwar routes: This is The reality of hatred for Indian Muslims, credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties, leaders of Hindutva and so-called lip servicing Secular parties," Owaisi said in a post on 'X'. Also read: Amid UP Kanwar order row, Ujjain civic body asks shopkeepers to display names Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat also hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government. "The Uttar Pradesh government is destroying the Constitution of India by issuing such orders...A whole community is being humiliated...They are trying to divide society...This type of targeting was done by Nazis in Germany...I condemn it," she said. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of ending the unity of the country. "Now you (BJP) are directing food stalls to put up nameplates based on caste and religion? Do you want to divide the country? You won't profit from it. You are breaking the nation's unity," Raut said. West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party chief Sukanta Majumdar, meanwhile, accused the Opposition of misleading the country. He claimed similar notifications were issued during the Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav governments. He also accused Owaisi of playing the role of Jinnah. With inputs from ANI, PTI West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, whose state shares border with Bangladesh, on Sunday offered shelter to helpless people from the neighbouring country, which has been witnessing violent student-led protests against reservations in its civil services. Bangladeshi military forces on armored vehicles patrol on the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP) I should not speak on the affairs of Bangladesh as it is a sovereign nation, and whatever needs to be said on the issue is subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on our doors, we will surely provide them shelter, Banerjee declared at the annual Martyrs' Day rally of her Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata. That's because of a United Nations resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those under turmoil, the TMC supremo stated. Banerjee also assured her full cooperation to her state's residents whose relatives are stuck in Bangladesh due to the escalating violence on the eastern side of the international border. Assistance will also be extended to Bangladeshis who came to West Bengal and are facing difficulty in returning home, she added. The chief minister further urged people of her state to not get provoked over matters regarding the current situation in Bangladesh, which remains cut off from the rest of the world after internet and cellular services there were shut down earlier this week. We must exercise restraint and not walk into any provocation or excitement on the issue, she remarked, and expressed solidarity with students and other demonstrators who are protesting for the abolition of the quota system. Also Read: Bangladesh army out in force as police fire on demonstrators We are extremely sad to see blood getting split and my heart goes out to the students who were killed, the West Bengal CM said. (With PTI inputs) American President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race on Sunday, paving the way for Democrats to pick another nominee in their convention next month to take on the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is dropping out of his reelection battle with Donald Trump, in a historic move that plunges the already turbulent 2024 White House race into uncharted territory. (AFP) Minutes later, Biden endorsed his running mate and Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the White House. If nominated, she will be the first Black woman and the first Indian-American woman to be a presidential candidate of a major party in the US. It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden announced in a letter to Americans on Sunday. Roughly half an hour later, he said in a post on X: My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Bidens decision comes after a disastrous debate performance on June 27 against Trump exposed his age-related deficits and triggered a crescendo of voices within his party, from donors, and among voters for a change in the Democratic ticket. While Biden had maintained that he wont quit, over the past two weeks, an increasing number of Congressional representatives, Senators, party elders made it clear that his candidacy was unviable. The assassination bid on Trump and a successful Republican convention added to Trumps already existing lead in the elections, including in swing states, according to polls. Trump, meanwhile, told CNN that he thinks Harris will be easier to defeat than Biden. A CNN reporter said on X that Trump made the comments to the network shortly after Biden announced his decision. In his letter, Biden spoke of what he saw as the achievements of his time in office on the economy, infrastructure, health care, gun safety, climate, and more. Together we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We have protected and preserved our democracy. And we have revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. Biden said he would address the nation later in the week. The Presidents decision throws an already unprecedented election into uncertainty. Whether Harris becomes the clear undisputed choice, or whether there is an open convention in Chicago in August where other contenders compete to win the support of delegates for the nomination isnt clear. It also creates uncertainty about the fundraising that the Biden campaign has amassed so far, changes the nature of messaging around the election, and will force the Democrats to completely alter their campaign. For her part, Harris became the first and so far the only Indian-American to be elected to the Senate. She threw her hat in the Democratic presidential primaries in 2020 but her campaign collapsed early in the process. But Biden picked her as his running mate, in a signal to the Black community as well as the women vote. In her time in office, Harris has become the most vocal spokesperson of the administration on abortion, taking on the Supreme Courts decision to remove the national protection to abortion. She has also been extensively campaigning in swing states in recent months. But Republicans have cast her as the border czar, placing the blame for the increase in illegal immigration from the Southern border on her. This stemmed from an early decision in Bidens term where he asked her to address underlying roots of migration from Central and South America. Harris has come under criticism for high rates of attrition of her staff and being unable to carve out a distinct image, a criticism her supporters say is unfair given the nature of the vice presidency. They also attribute the negative perceptions around her to do with racism and sexism. But if she wins the nomination, Harris will now have the difficult challenge of unifying her party, raising funds, carving out a distinct message about her personality and priorities, mobilising the base and winning over swing voters, and defeating an energised Trump all in four months. Also read: Kamala Harris easier to defeat: Donald Trump after Joe Biden quits White House race Harris was born to an Indian mother who migrated to US in the late 1950s and a Jamaican father. She was raised by her mother after her parents split, and she has often fondly recalled her trips to Chennai to visit her grandparents. Harris has also spoken at Indian-American and Asian-American events. But her upbringing also had a strong influence of the Black community. Harris went to Howard University in DC, a historically Black institution. And her candidacy is expected to galvanize the Black community, though her challenge will be in also winning over the White vote especially in the midwestern swing states. Two days before Biden dropped out, asked about Kamala Harriss prospects, Angela Lang, a Black local political organiser in Milwaukee told HT that if Biden did drop out, then it had to be Harris - for picking anyone else would boomerang and draw a backlash from the Black community very conscious of representation. She said, Kamala..has energy.. and ability to relate. I wouldn't be as nervous watching a debate if it was Kamala Harris. Asked if the country was ready to elect a Black woman president, Lang said that given the stakes in the election, and the urgency of the task of defeating Trump, she felt that the normal barriers of race and gender may not operate in the same way in this election. There is a younger fresh energy with Kamala Harris. If the situation was different and it was a more normal election, then absolutely, my first thought would be like, I don't know if we are ready to elect a woman president yet. I wish we were. But right now, I don't know if people are talking about that part of the electability because it's like, here's this existential threat of democracy. So the typical electability questions about race and gender don't seem to be at play right now in the way that they typically would. I don't hear people talking about that. That's very interesting. The government is considering options to compensate states such as Andhra Pradesh and Bihar that suffered because of bifurcation, which may include special assistance for infrastructure development and central support for externally aided projects besides taking help of experts in preparing state-specific compensation packages, four people aware of the development said on Saturday. Bihar, Andhra may get special sops in Budget on Tuesday While some more time could be required to have a considered strategy to accelerate economic development, these states may immediately become part of initiatives such as a new smart city development plan, focused development of backward districts, enhanced post-devolution revenue deficit grants, new industrial hubs, the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), and irrigation, road, port and railway projects, they said, requesting anonymity. Some of these measures may find space in the Budget on Tuesday, one of them said. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the full-budget for FY25 in Parliament on July 23. The off-budget package under consideration may include substantial central assistance by way of repaying loans of externally aided projects, he added. The government is unlikely to recreate the distinction between states with special category status (SCS) and non-SCS states after the same was abolished by the 14th Finance Commission (FC) that was set up by Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a second person said. But, both the 14th FC and the 15th FC acknowledged the need for compensating Andhra Pradesh which lost most of the revenue resources to Telangana after bifurcation of the state in February 2014. While former PM Manmohan Singh promised in the Rajya Sabha on 20.2.2014 SCS status to Andhra Pradesh, the Narendra Modi government also subsequently expressed its commitment to providing special assistance to the state, the person said. During its interaction with the state of Andhra Pradesh in Amravati on October 11, 2018, the 15th FC said the issue of SCS was forcefully raised by the CM of the state but the issue would be a transgression of the presidential notification as it does not figure in its Terms of Reference (ToR). Philosophy of Special Category Status never emanated from any Finance Commission but from the resolution of erstwhile National Development Council (NDC), commission chairman NK Singh said that day. Speaking on this matter with HT on Saturday, he said, The position remains the same. NDC was an apex body for deliberations on development matters. It was presided over by the Prime Minister and comprised Union ministers and CMs. The government is fulfilling, and will fulfil, all commitments that was made by former PM [Manmohan Singh] in February 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act. The Centre may do more than what was committed, not only for AP and Bihar but also for other states, something required if we want to make India the third largest economy of the world in five years, the third person said. Similar requests have also come from Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh and the government is willing to help them so that they can become Indias engine of growth, he added. Indicating that the Union government is favourably inclined towards AP and Bihar (allies of Modi 3.0) demanding a special package, people in the BJP said the party leadership is keen to maintain equilibrium in the alliance and smooth ties with the allies. The BJP-led NDA governments stability rests on support from the allies, the TDP and the JDU, that together have 28 lawmakers in the Lok Sabha. The TDP had parted ways with the BJP in 2017, alleging that the party in power had reneged on its promise of granting special category status to AP following the bifurcation. Amravati is a prestige project and CM Naidu has put it on record that he expects the Centre to be expeditious with grants. The BJP too is aware of the implications of the demand and the sentiment on the ground... and given the political sensitivity there will definitely be an effort on the part of the central government to address the aspirations of the alliance partner and the demands of the people, said a BJP functionary not wishing to be named. Referring to Bihars demand, the functionary quoted above said, the BJP leadership is committed to improving the quality of life in the state and helping build world-class infrastructure. In the state that goes to the polls next year, the alliance partner, the Janata Dal United or the JDU has also been vocal about the demand for a special package. The JDU is keen on infrastructure development. Every year there is loss of life and property on account of seasonal floods. This problem originates across the border with floodwaters from Nepal entering Bihar and can be solved by building barrages and carrying out work for interlinking of rivers... we are also hopeful of getting monies for metro and airport projects, said a JDU functionary not wishing to be named. The functionary said senior leaders of the party have conveyed their wishlist to the Union government and are hopeful that the funds required for the projects will be released well before the state polls scheduled for 2025. A NITI Aayog report on the SDG India Index 2023-24 released last week placed Bihar at the bottom of the index despite improvements on some parameters. The partys working president and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha said the JDU has conveyed that to help Bihar take a leap to the next level, the state will need a special assistance package. (Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar has for long campaigned for special category status for Bihar. As a party we have led this campaign. In the past few years Bihar has done reasonably well and that can be gauged from the GDP and other indices, but for the state to be able to leap to the next level we will need a special package for industry, investment and employment avenues. Given the BJP and PM Modis special attention to east India, we are hopeful of our demands being met, Jha said. The Central government is facing yet another stormy Parliament session as the Opposition made its intentions clear by raising vexed issues like the NEET-UG row and the Kanwar order controversy at an all-party meeting. Congress MPs Kodikunnil Suresh, Gaurav Gogoi, Jairam Ramesh and Pramod Tiwari, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, YSRCP MP V. Vijayasai Reddy and other leaders attend the all-party meeting ahead of the Budget session of Parliament.(PTI) In the all-party meeting, called by the Centre ahead of the Budget Session of the Parliament, the Congress reportedly raised the issue of granting the deputy speaker's post to the Opposition. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also raised the raging NEET-UG row and the alleged misuse of central agencies like the ED and CBI. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav reportedly raised the UP government's order directing shopkeepers to display their names outside their shops along the Kanwar Yatra route. The all-party meeting was chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh claimed that TDP didn't demand special status for Andhra Pradesh. He, however, said BJP-ally JDU raised the issue of special status for Bihar. Also read: Concerning: BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi for saying hinsa, hathya in Parliament "In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter," he wrote on X. Ramesh's post on social media came when the meeting was still underway. JD(U), a key ally in the ruling NDA, had recently passed a resolution demanding special category status for Bihar. Gaurav Gogoi said at the meeting that the Opposition should be allowed to raise issues in the Parliament after parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju sought cooperation from every party for the smooth running of the two Houses. The YSR Congress spoke about the TDP government's alleged targeting of its leaders in Andhra Pradesh. BJP president J P Nadda, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and Union minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan, Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM, RJD's Abhay Kushwaha, JD(U) Sanjay Jha, AAP's Sanjay Singh, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav and NCP's Praful Patel were among the leaders who attended the customary meeting. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on Tuesday. She will table the Economic Survey in the Parliament on Monday. With inputs from PTI, ANI The BJP on Sunday accused Congress MP Jairam Ramesh of live-tweeting from the day's all-party meeting, held on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh. (ANI) There is a certain propriety and protocol one associates with these all party meetings. There is a frank and free exchange of ideas followed by media briefing. But a look at Jairam Ramesh's timeline and it appears he was live tweeting the proceedings, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Next time, the Congress should consider sending a more seasoned hand for these proceedings, Malviya added. At 11:51 am, Ramesh, a former Union minister who heads the communications department of the Congress, posted on X: ""In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter." Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP, are critical allies of the BJP, which secured a third consecutive term at the Centre by winning the Lok Sabha elections, held between April and June. However, unlike its first two terms, when it had majority on its own, the BJP is now in power with support of its allies in the NDA, the coalition it leads. The TDP and JD(U) contribute 16 and 12 seats, respectively, to the NDA's tally of 293 seats in Lok Sabha; without them, the alliance will have 265 seats, seven short of the majority mark in the 543-member Lok Sabha. A Special Category Status for their respective states has been a long-standing demand of the two parties. Meanwhile, in another post, at 12:40 pm, Ramesh, the Congress MP, took a dig at the BJD, which lost power in Odisha, where the BJP formed its first government, the coastal state's first non-BJD government in over 20 years. The BJD representative, too, spoke about the Special Category Status, reminding the BJP of the promise made by the saffron party in its manifesto for the 2014 Odisha assembly polls, Ramesh stated. The Monsoon Session of Parliament, the first full parliamentary session of prime minister Narendra Modi's third term, will end on August 12, if not adjourned earlier. New Delhi, Ahead of the Union Budget, child rights activists and organisations have urged the government to put children at the centre of the development discourse and increase funding for their education, healthcare, and protection services. Budget expectations: Child rights activists seek increased funding Child rights activists expressed hope that the government will heed their calls for a child-centric approach, ensuring the nation's youngest citizens receive the resources and protection they need to thrive. The Union Budget will be tabled on Tuesday. Puja Marwaha, CEO of CRY - Child Rights and You, stressed the significance of putting children at the centre of the development discourse. "Children constitute more than one-third of the overall Indian population, and investing in them can foster social equity and break the cycle of poverty," she said. Marwaha called for increased allocations for health and nutrition programs, such as the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, especially for children belonging to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups . In the realm of education, Marwaha pointed out to the setbacks caused by the Covid pandemic, which led to increased school dropouts and significant educational loss. She urged the government to increase public expenditure on education, in line with the commitments of the National Education Policy 2020. "We have seen a positive move with the increase in allocation for school education by 5,356 crore from 2022-23 to 2023-24, but more resources are needed for initiatives like the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan ," she added. Furthermore, Marwaha pointed to the importance of initiatives like the Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti. "The Union Government's Mission Vatsalya requires matching investment to ensure the well-being of children and reduce vulnerabilities to abuse, neglect, and exploitation," she said. She also advocated for increased investment under Mission Shakti, focusing on components like "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao". Sudarshan Suchi, CEO of Bal Raksha Bharat, emphasised the need for a substantial increase in funding for education, healthcare, and child protection services. "A focused and comprehensive investment in these areas is crucial to ensuring every child in India has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation's future," he stated. Suchi also highlighted the importance of vocational training programs to build a skilled workforce that meets modern industry demands. Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Child Marriage Free India, called for an increase in budgetary allocation to end child marriage and prevent child sexual abuse. "To translate the dream of child protection into reality, the government needs to allocate a supplementary amount of 19,979 crore annually, an increase of merely 0.4 percent compared to the 2023-24 Union Budget," Ribhu emphasised. He also highlighted the need to augment the capacity of police, increase the number of courts, and fast-track the delivery of justice in crimes against women and children. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A 14-year-old boy from Mallapuram district of Kerala succumbed to the Nipah virus, triggering an urgent public health response from the Centre. The boy, who exhibited symptoms of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), was initially admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna and later transferred to a higher health center in Kozhikode. Health workers shift a man with symptoms of Nipah virus to an isolation ward at a government hospital in Kerala. (AFP / File) However, the patient later succumbed to the disease. Subsequent testing by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune confirmed a Nipah virus infection. The Union health ministry has advised the Kerala government to implement four immediate public health measures, including active case search and contact tracing. Scientifically Speaking | Countering "Disease X": A plan for the unseen threat The state government has been advised to conduct active case searches within the family of the confirmed case, the neighbourhood, and other areas with similar topography to identify any additional cases. The state should trace contacts the the identified case had over the past 12 days to monitor for symptoms and prevent further spread of the virus. Contacts of the confirmed case should be strictly quarantined, and any suspects showing symptoms should be isolated to contain the virus, according to the advisory. Samples from potential contacts and suspects should be collected and transported for laboratory testing to ensure early detection and response. To support the state government in managing the outbreak, a multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National One Health Mission of the Union health ministry will be deployed. This team will assist in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages, and providing technical assistance. The ministry said that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management at the state's request. A mobile Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts also arrived in Kozhikode. However, the monoclonal antibodies could not be administered to the boy due to his poor general condition. Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred in Kerala before, with the most recent one in 2023 in the Kozhikode district. The virus is primarily carried by fruit bats, and humans can become infected through the consumption of bat-contaminated fruits. Congress MP from Inner Manipur Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Sunday lashed out at the Narendra Modi government for dictating terms on the Biren Singh government in the strife-torn state. The chief minister is saying that his hands are tied. There is a subversion of the autonomy of the state government by the Centre. The state government of Manipur is unable or too meek to stand up for the interests of the state, Akoijam, who grabbed the headlines recently for his maiden Parliament speech on the Manipur crisis, spoke exclusively to Hindustan Times' Kumkum Chadha. ALSO READ: Congress wont let Tripura to be turned into second Manipur: Gaurav Gogoi Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam had grabbed eyeballs with his maiden Parliament speech.(Hindustan Times) Whatever Delhi says, the Manipur government follows: Akoijam Continuing his attack, the Manipur MP said,"The Centre is dictating terms. Our chief minister and his cabinet colleagues are not able to stand up. It is not black and white, but a more serious problem here. You are subverting a constitutional structure, i.e relationship between the Centre and state government. The Union government is dictating terms without dismissing the state government." ALSO READ: Manipur: Kuki body writes to Amit Shah to expedite creation of Union territory Akoijam demanded that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party come clean on the Manipur issue. The violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. Today it is Manipur, tomorrow it could be somewhere else. There is an erosion of the federal structure in this country. This subversion has served a particular political purpose. There is a willing scapegoat, the Congress MP added. ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi posts 5-minute-long video on Manipur visit, has message for PM Modi Akoijam hit out at chief minister Biren Singh, saying,"The state government is supposed to defend the interests of the state. It means defending the political and executive autonomy which is a constitutionally sanctioned aspect. You are not able to defend your own government's prerogatives. How do you expect to defend the people." Calling the Centre dishonest, the Congress MP said,"The Centre should have resolved the concerns of the people, but they didn't do it. It's high time for us to realise that there are serious problems in which the state and Union government have worked in tandem to subvert the constitutional structure." Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday asked his party MPs to continuously follow up with the issues related to the state with the NDA government at the Centre and secure the maximum benefits to the state. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked the MPs to follow up with the Centre on release of grants to Amaravati, Polavaram and Jal Jeevan Mission projects and implementation of promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. (PTI) Naidu, who convened the TDP parliamentary party meeting at his residence in Amaravati, said he would delegate various subjects to each MP so that he or she could pursue the issues related to the subject with the Centre. The MPs should follow up with the central ministries concerned and secure approvals and funds to various project related to those ministries, he said. He asked them to follow up with the Centre on release of grants to Amaravati, Polavaram and Jal Jeevan Mission projects and implementation of promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. The Centre had approved setting up of a petroleum university in Visakhapatnam and also establishment of a steel plant at Kadapa. We need to take up these issues with the Centre and see that necessary funds for these projects, he said. Naidu asked the party MPs to counter the negative campaign on the privatisation of Visakhapatnam steel plant. We shall initiate talks with the Centre on running the steel plant in effective manner by getting the captive iron ore mines allotted to it, he said. Among other things, the chief minister asked the TDP MPs to secure funds for the backward areas development in the state, 90% subsidy for micro-irrigation sector and incentives for industries, allotment of lands for Visakhapatnam railway zone, completion of Amaravati-Anantapur national highway and capital city outer ring road projects. Naidu also asked the party MPs to visit their respective constituencies regularly, interact with the people and attend to their grievances. He told them to have better coordination with the leaders of the other alliance partners Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regularly. On the announcement of YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to hold dharna in New Delhi on Wednesday against alleged breakdown of law and order in the state, Naidu told the party MPs to just ignore the YSRCP leaders. Let us not bother about what Jagan is going to do. Let us focus on what we should do to counter the negative campaign, he asserted. New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Income Tax department to complete the valuation of properties belonging to Golden Forests India Limited (GFIL) within four weeks as nearly 1.4 million investors who were duped by the company await the return of their investments. (Representative Photo) As the Chandigarh-based company is stated to have acquired about 7,750 acres of land across the country, the top court on Tuesday took up a bunch of petitions filed by investors seeking progress on the sale of company assets to get a refund of their hard-earned investments. A bench of justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol, in its order passed on July 16 said, With regard to valuation of certain properties, as directed by us in the earlier orders, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the Union of India states that the same is under process and he will be in a position to inform about the present status of the same on the next date of hearing. Posting the matter for hearing on August 28, the court-appointed senior advocate Sunil Fernandes as amicus curiae to assist it in the matter. We request the Income Tax authorities to complete the valuation within a period of four weeks from today, the bench said. The GFIL, which commenced business in 1987, came out with several schemes inviting funds from investors in lieu of which plots of land were purchased. The scheme attracted a large number of investors as it promised high returns of up to 20% for even a minimum investment of Rs.1,000. Within a year, the company mobilised Rs.311 crore and its capital base rose to Rs.1,037 crore. In 1997, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) initiated an inquiry against the company and, a year later, based on the findings of the inquiry, prohibited the company from alienating its properties following serious financial and other irregularities committed by the company. Some of the investors who appeared before the apex court said the properties belonging to GFIL at Panchkula had been encroached on for carrying out illegal mining. The bench noted the details of the properties and directed the district magistrate of Panchkula to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on the same within four weeks. As multiple proceedings by investors arose in several high courts, the matter was transferred to the Supreme Court, which formed a committee in 2004 to invite claims from investors and creditors of GFIL and its group companies. The task before the committee, headed by former Delhi high court chief justice RN Agarwal, was to also identify properties of the GFIL group to be put on sale for recovery of investments. In 2018, the top court directed 70% of the amount collected, roughly around Rs.700 crore, to be disbursed to the investors upon verification of their claim. The top court has since been monitoring the progress made by the committee and that of the income tax authorities assisting the committee in the valuation of the properties. In January last year, the apex court directed the committee to give a list of the entire properties to be auctioned to the Income Tax authorities and directed the valuation to be completed in two months, an exercise which is still pending. We, prima facie, find that what is of paramount importance is getting the best price in the least complicated manner, so that the interest of the investors is safeguarded. We find it appropriate that if a composite auction of all the properties with the liabilities and encumbrances thereon is conducted, then the rigour of holding independent auctions will be avoided and, at the same time, it will fetch the best price, the order passed on January 24, 2023 read. New Delhi, The Delhi High Court will on Monday hear the bail plea of former JNU student Umar Khalid in a UA case related to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the riots here in February 2020. Delhi riots 2020: HC to hear Umar Khalid's bail plea in UAPA case The plea, which assails a recent trial court order refusing to grant bail to Khalid, is scheduled to be heard by a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma. Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and several others have been booked under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Act and provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the "masterminds" of the February 2020 riots, which had left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. The violence had erupted during the protests against CAA and NRC. Khalid was arrested by Delhi Police in September 2020. On May 28, the trial court had rejected Khalid's plea seeking regular bail for the second time, saying its previous order dismissing his first bail application had attained finality. "When the Delhi High Court has already dismissed the criminal appeal of the applicant vide order dated October 18, 2022, and thereafter, the applicant approached the Supreme Court and withdrew his petition, the order of this court as passed on March 24, 2022 , has attained finality and now, in no stretch of imagination this court can make analysis of the facts of the case as desired by the applicant and consider the relief as prayed by him," the trial court had said. On October 18, 2022, the high court had upheld the dismissal of the first bail plea and said the city police's allegations against him are prima facie true. The high court had said that admittedly, the anti-CAA protests "metamorphosed into violent riots", which "prima facie seemed to be orchestrated at the conspiratorial meetings" and the statements of the witnesses indicate Khalid's "active involvement" in the protests. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. At least 131 people have died in clashes between police and university students in Bangladesh over reservations in government jobs. Anti-quota protesters march with Bangladeshi flags and sticks as they engage in a clash with Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League, at the University of Dhaka, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 16, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain(REUTERS) The widescale rampant violence has prompted the Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government to implement extreme security measures such as nationwide curfew, deployment of the Army and shutting down of internet services. Authorities have also passed a shoot-on-sight order for the cops and military. The protestors, mostly students, have been holding protests in Dhaka and other cities against the system of reservation in public sector jobs, including that for the relatives of war heroes who fought for the country's independence from Pakistan in 1971. Protesters clash with police during the ongoing anti-quota protest in Dhaka on July 19, 2024.(AFP) They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement. They want it replaced with a merit-based system. However, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions to the war regardless of their political affiliation. The protest took an ugly turn after Hasina, during a conference, dubbed the demonstrators as 'Razakars'. She said: "If not the grandchildren of the freedom fighters, then who will get quota benefits? The grandchildren of the 'Razakars''? This is my question. I want to ask the people of the nation. If the protesters don't comply, I can do nothing. They can continue their protest. If protesters damage properties or attack cops, the law will take its course. We can't help." Angered by the statement, the student demonstrators doubled down on the protest, with a war cry: Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar! (Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!). Who were the Razakars? The 'Razakars' were a paramilitary force in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. They were formed by the Pakistan Army and primarily consisted of local collaborators who opposed the independence movement. Dr Muntasir Mamoon, Bangabandhu Chair at Bangladesh's Chittagong University, told the Indian Express that the Razakars' origins can be traced to the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad in post-independence India. They were a paramilitary force the Nawab of Hyderabad used to resist integration with India post-1947. After India defeated the Razakars in Operation Polo, its leader, Qazim Rizvi, migrated to Pakistan. Bangladeshi soldiers disembark armoured vehicles as they patrol the streets to disperse the anti-quota protesters in Dhaka on July 20, 2024.(AFP) In May 1971, Maulana Abul Kalam Muhammad Yusuf, a senior member of the Jamaat-e-Islami, formed the first set of Razakars in East Pakistan's Khulna. Armed Razakars comprised migrated people and socio-economically deprived poor people who helped the Pakistan Army's campaign to suppress pro-independence freedom fighters and terrorise civilians during the war. The Razakars, along with other militia groups, were involved in atrocities, including mass killings, rapes and other human rights abuses against Bengali civilians who supported the independence of Bangladesh. In modern Bangladesh, the worst form of slur and indignity is to be labelled as a Razakar. In 2010, Hasina's government formed an International Crimes Tribunal to prosecute those accused of war crimes during the 1971 conflict. Yusuf was arrested in 2013 and was charged with crimes against humanity. He died a year later in detention due to a cardiac arrest. In 2019, her government published a list of 10,789 Razakars who collaborated with the Pakistani forces during the country's Liberation War in 1971. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a symposium on May 20 at Zhongnanhai in Beijing to solicit views and suggestions of non-CPC personages on drafting a resolution to further comprehensively deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization. The symposium was attended by leaders from the central committees of other political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and personages with no party affiliation. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech. Xi said that the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided to convene the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to discuss arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, and to make a resolution in this regard. The decision was made out of consideration for the new situation and new tasks faced by the Party and the country on the new journey. It was meant to thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, make systematic planning and arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform, and provide strong impetus and institutional guarantees for achieving the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the symposium. Those who took the floor at the symposium included Zheng Jianbang, chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, He Wei, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Jiang Zuojun, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC, and Piao Shilong, a representative of personages without party affiliation. They fully agreed with the draft resolution of the CPC Central Committee on further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, and agreed that it scientifically planned major measures for further comprehensively deepening reform, clarified the guiding ideology, objectives, principles and key tasks of reform at the new historical starting point, and was of great theoretical, practical and epoch-making significance. They also put forward opinions and suggestions on stimulating economic vitality, creating a new paradigm for coordinated regional development, promoting high-quality population growth, developing new quality productive forces, deepening the reform of the medical and health system, overcoming institutional barriers in talent cultivation, establishing a fin-tech system that caters to scientific and technological innovation, boosting joint efforts between state-owned and private enterprises in innovation, advancing high-level opening up, and promoting integrated development across the Taiwan Strait. After attentively listening to their speeches, Xi delivered an important address. He first introduced the considerations of the CPC Central Committee for further deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization to be reviewed at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and drafting process of the document. He emphasized that they are consistent practices and fine traditions of the CPC Central Committee to promote democracy, draw on the wisdom of the people, and widely solicit opinions from various sectors when studying major issues and formulating documents for important meetings. Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, the United Front Work Department sought opinions and suggestions from non-CPC personages on issues concerning the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in December last year. They put forward a lot of opinions and suggestions on what has been achieved in comprehensively deepening reform in the new era, and the general targets of work and important principles that must be followed in this regard. Their opinions and suggestions are also about targets and tasks as well as measures to be adopted in various fields in deepening reform. They also suggested on how non-CPC personages should play their roles in this regard. Xi appreciated the opinions and suggestions non-CPC personages put forward at the meeting, and extended gratitude to them on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. He said that their opinions and suggestions will be seriously studied and adopted. Xi stressed that it is imperative for us to face problems in comprehensively deepening reform. It is imperative to be more conscious of problems, adopt a problem-oriented approach, focus on the needs for development and respond to what the people aspire for. It is essential to work hard to overcome the bottlenecks and obstacles constraining high-quality development, address the hot issues that go against social fairness and justice, respond to the challenges and difficulties regarding people's well-being, solve the prominent problems concerning Party building, and defuse risks in all areas, so as to ensure that the reform is more targeted and effective. Both the symptoms and root causes must be addressed, with focus on addressing root causes. Not only should great efforts be made in all areas, so that the reform measures will cover all prominent problems that need to be solved to advance Chinese modernization, but also should more concrete actions be taken with focus on the economy to remove deep-rooted barriers in institutions and mechanisms and address structural problems. Xi noted that more consensus should be built to further deepen reform comprehensively. It is imperative to fully stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the entire Party and nation, and ensure that they are of one mind and make concerted efforts. It is necessary to encourage investigation and research, implement the Party's mass line, understand people's needs, and seek people's advice. It is imperative to respect the creativity of the people and the grass roots, strive to identify key areas where efforts should be intensified and breakthroughs made for reform from the most pressing difficulties and problems that are of great concern to the people, and boost people's sense of fulfillment and identity. It is also imperative to promote democracy, draw on the wisdom of the people, make reform policies more scientific, and strengthen the implementation of such policies. Xi stressed that it is a must to stick to systems thinking and adopt a holistic outlook while planning and promoting reform. Efforts must be made to strengthen strategic and dialectical thinking, prioritize urgent issues, and pay more attention to system integration. It is imperative to strengthen the coordination of reform measures, promote reform measures across fields and in all aspects towards one direction, and increase overall efficiency. It is imperative for all relevant areas, departments, and sectors to jointly promote reform, and they should be resolutely prevented from going their own ways and constraining each other. Xi pointed out that reform requires careful planning and even more importantly, effective implementation of plans and policies. It is essential to hammer away at implementing policies and plans for reform. Officials should have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well and come up with down-to-earth and effective solutions that deliver real results. It is imperative to resolutely prevent and overcome pointless formalities, and avoid engaging in vanity projects that are only for show and projects for personal political gains that waste money and manpower. Efforts should be made to formulate a sound plan for appropriately and timely implementing policies in a targeted way, do the best and act within capabilities, and avoid being divorced from reality. It is imperative to stay true to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, and pay attention to establishing the new before abolishing the old, and not the other way round. It is important to strengthen organizational leadership, effectively assign responsibilities, improve the ability and level of leading teams and leading officials at all levels in implementing reform measures, and ensure that the reform decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee yield results. Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, Mu Hong, and leading officials from relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attended the symposium. Those non-CPC personages also present at the symposium included Shao Hong, He Baoxiang, Wang Guangqian, Qin Boyong, Zhu Yongxin, Yang Zhen, Zhang Endi, Jiang Liping, Fang Guanghua and Yang Huayong. Panaji, The fire that broke out on July 19 on a merchant navy ship off the coast of Goa is under control, a senior Indian Coast Guard official said on Sunday, adding one crew member had died in the blaze. MV Maersk Frankfurt, carrying 1,154 containers, including some with dangerous cargo like benzene and sodium cyanate, had caught fire some 102 nautical miles off the coast of Goa while on its way from Mundra in Gujarat to Colombo in Sri Lanka. Dry chemical powder that was spread through helicopters on Saturday helped to a large extent in controlling the fire, ICG Deputy Inspector General Manoj Bhatia told PTI. There is no fire in the portion in which the dangerous cargo is stocked, the ICG deputy inspector general asserted. "The firefighting operation is still on. The fire is under control. I would not say it is fully doused. Four ships are already in the area and also helicopters are taking regular sorties. The ICG spread dry chemical powder through helicopters on Saturday, which has controlled the fire to a larger extent," Bhatia said. One of the 22 crew members is reportedly dead, he said, adding there is no immediate danger to anyone on the ship. "The ICG is keeping the vessel slightly away from the coast. We have asked state agencies to prepare for any exigencies that may occur due to oil pollution. We have given warning to all the concerned states so that disaster contingency plan is activated towards pollution response," he said. Bhatia said past experience has shown such fires take 3-4 days to be put out completely, and even then the area remains heated, which one needs to keep a watch on. Bhatia said fire in the part of the ship where the dangerous cargo is stocked could have resulted in a major disaster. "As of now there is no oil pollution, no damage to the ship. It is just preparedness that once such a incident happens we have to keep all precautions in place," he added. Fire on ship off Goa coast under control, ops continue, says ICG official; 1 crew member dead Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday wondered why BJP leader and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan is yet to be arrested for the NEET paper leaks, which the former described as the biggest scam in independent India. Kolkata, India - July 21, 2024: Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee addresses the party supporters during the TMC Martyr's Day rally at Esplanade on Sunday, July 21, 2024 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Samir Jana/ Hindustan Times) Banerjee pointed to the July 2022 arrest of Partha Chatterjee by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a central agency, in connection with West Bengal's teacher recruitment case. A day after July 21, 2022, the ED raided Partha Chatterjee and arrested him. We do not shield anyone who makes mistakes, the Trinamool leader asserted at the party's Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata, held annually on July 21. We do not tolerate injustice. But if the central agencies can raid the house of Partha Chatterjee and arrest him for the SSC-TET scandal, why should Dharmendra Pradhan not be arrested for the NEET scam? Banerjee asked. Why is the ED reluctant to probe the role of Dharmendra Pradhan? Why did a single raid not take place his residence? Why this political discrimination and hypocrisy? he further questioned. On July 28, 2022, days after his arrest, Partha Chatterjee was suspended from the TMC and removed from all ministerial posts in the West Bengal government, headed by Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool supremo. Meanwhile, reacting to the statement of Abhishek, who is the chief minister's nephew and Lok Sabha member from the state's Diamond Harbour constituency, Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, the West Bengal unit chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accused him of deliberately trying to confuse the people. "In SSC-TET scam, the involvement of the state had been proved by a court monitored probe. But in NEET the irregularities took place in one city and region and the BJP government at the Centre is assisting in the probe. The TMC government in West Bengal had tried every means to stall agency probes into recruitment scams in the past," Majumdar told reporters. (With PTI inputs) The elderly population of India is expected to double by 2050, according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India chief Andrea Wojnar. India's elderly population is expected to double by 2050, UNFPA India chief Andrea Wojnar said, stressing that more investment in healthcare, housing and pensions is needed(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File) Also Read: World Population Day: Is overpopulation is affecting public health in India? She added that this will necessitate more investment in healthcare, housing and pensions, especially for older women who are "more likely to live alone and face poverty". Also Read: Case to respect and protect womens reproductive rights In an interview with the news agency PTI, Wojnar, discussed key population trends in India which are accelerating sustainable development. Also Read: From protection to empowerment : Uniting immunisation and family planning This includes the factors of India's youthful population, ageing population, urbanisation, migration, and climate resilience. Wojnar said that the number of individuals who are 60 years of age and above is projected to double to 346 million in 2050. She stressed that there is a need for increased investment in healthcare, housing and pension schemes and especially so for older women who are likely to live alone and face poverty. India also has a large youthful population, with 252 million people aged between 10 and 19 years, Wojnar said. They also require investments in health, education, job training, and job creation, alongside promoting gender equality, to help the demographic grow and move forward as drivers of the nation. India is projected to be 50 per cent urban by 2050, the UNFPA India chief said, and building smart cities, strong infrastructure, and affordable housing would be essential to manage issues such as slum growth, air pollution, and the environment. There is also a need, she highlighted, to consider women's safety and security, access to healthcare, education, and employment to improve the overall quality of life and also push for gender equality. She added that there will have to be planning and opportunity distribution involved in managing internal and external migration in the country. Women as migrants especially, Wojnar said, have specific challenges that need to be addressed. Speaking about climate change and resilience, she mentioned the importance of renewable energy being part of future plans. Addressing the specific challenges faced by women as migrants or spouses left behind is essential for balanced growth. Integrating climate resilience into development plans and investing in renewable energy is vital, she said. Wojnar said, Climate change can affect reproductive health, making it harder to conceive, causing pregnancy complications, and limiting healthcare access during emergencies. Addressing these issues is key for gender equality and sustainable development. Family Planning As the first country to implement a national family planning programme, Wojnar acknowledged India's progress, as well as the challenges that remain 9.4 per cent of family planning needs are still unmet and 7.5 per cent of are pregnancies unplanned, according to the latest data from NFHS-5 (2019-21). Wojnar said that this year, more access needs to be given to contraceptives and family planning resources, particularly in high-need areas. The power of informed choice, according to her, transforms public, family and community health. She also emphasised the importance of data-driven policies to create a more resilient and equitable future for all. On this year's theme of World Population Day, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) underscored the importance of Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies for the well-being of mother and child under the FP 2030 (Family Planning) Partnership. These are essential practices for maternal and child health, with experts recommending at least 24 months between pregnancies to avoid vulnerability to health risks. Wojnar said that the UNFPA in 2023 had distributed 1,00,000 Single Rod Subdermal Implants and 2,00,000 doses of DMPA SC (Antara-SC) across 10 Indian states. These can be used for delaying or spacing pregnancies. One of the key efforts is on awareness and change social and behavioural attitudes toward family planning. Since 2023, UNFPA has trained 47 midwifery educators at the National Midwifery Training Institutes in Udaipur and Patiala, Wojnar said. In his first reaction on the matter, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary, a minister in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, on Sunday said that the controversial order issued by the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh regarding eateries and food stalls along the Kanwar Yatra routes in the state, was neither a well thought out decision nor a well-reasoned one. Union minister and RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary. (FILE PHOTO) No decision should cause harm to the sense of well-being of the community and harmony in the community. Those who go on Kanwar Yatra, and those who serve them, all are alike. This tradition has been there since the beginningno one was bothered about who was serving them, he told news agency ANI. This thing of identifying people and pointing them out, I couldn't get that, the Union minister added. The order, which requires eateries and food stalls along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners' name, has been criticised by opposition parties, as well as BJP's allies in the NDA, including the RLD. It was first issued by Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar Police; after severe criticism, the district administration made displaying names a voluntary decision. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, however, extended the directive to the entire state, and has refused to budge despite opposition to it. On Saturday, former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, a BJP ally and minister in the central government, expressed his support for the directive. "I cannot speak for other parties, but I see nothing wrong with such an order. What is the harm if people involved in businesses are asked to display their names and display their names and addresses prominently? Manjhi, who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha and represents Bihar's Gaya parliamentary seat in the Lok Sabha, said. A quarter of a century ago, the 84-day war fought (and won) by India on the glaciated heights of Kargil sector in 1999 marked the beginning of the end of the Wests pro-Islamabad stance, with much of the world waking up to the fact that cross-border terrorism was part of the state policy of the country that had gone nuclear a year before. Kargil war: In the end, India emerged victorious, stamping its military superiority in the region while Pakistan lost face both domestically and internationally. The war in which the Indian Army lost 527 soldiers (with another 1363 injured ) was not only a betrayal of the Lahore peace process by then Pakistan Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf but also showed the extent to which Rawalpindi GHQ would go to claim Jammu & Kashmir. It later emerged that while then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was celebrating a bus trip to Lahore with then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in February 1999, Gen Musharraf had already given a green signal to his Rawalpindi Corps and Force Commander Northern Areas to cross the verified Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil sector using Pakistan-based terrorists as cover. Keeping PM Sharif in the dark, Musharraf visited his Northern Light Infantry (NLI) troops at Gultari, opposite Mushkoh sector, in March 1999 as recorded in the recovered diary of a fallen Pakistani army captain. The Pakistani armys intrusion into Kargil with terrorists as a cover became evident from the intercepted conversation between Gen Musharraf (while visiting Beijing) and his Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Mohammed Aziz in Rawalpindi on May 26 and May 29. According to the intercepts, Rawalpindi told the terrorists and mujahideen to claim the shooting of IAF Mi-17 helicopter over Drass on May 28. Musharaffs plan was to seize Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir as revenge for Indias Operation Meghdoot in Siachen (in 1984, to take full control of the glacial heights); internationalise the Kashmir issue; and disrupt Indian supply lines to south Siachen glacier and weaken the hold of the Indian Army on Saltoro Ridge. The war, fought over a 200 kilometer range from Mushkoh to Chorbat La all within Indian territory was an eye-opener for western supporters of Pakistan, who had chosen to side with Islamabad for the Great Game in Afghanistan; it was the tipping point after which cross-border terrorism replaced terms such as militants and freedom fighters in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. While India decided to evict the intruders by force after PM Vajpayees speech on June 7, 1999, it was US President Bill Clinton who forced PM Nawaz Sharif to order the withdrawal of Pakistan Army troops from Kargil sector during the July 4 meeting at Blair House in Washington. Clintons message was reinforced by US Central Army Commander to Musharraf. Sharif would later pay the price in a coup by Musharraf and his generals on October 8, 1999. But there was also another more insidious trend that Kargil ushered. Read more: Battles that turned the tide in the 1999 Kargil war While Pakistan was rooted and booted out by July 26 with the largely Shia Northern Light Infantry troops bearing the brunt of the Indian Armys offensive, its policy of using terrorism against India did not change. Indian Airlines IC-814 flight was hijacked by Harkat-ul-Ansar terrorists to Taliban held Kandahar on December 25, 1999 to free terror kingpin Masood Azhar and two others from Indian custody in a hostage swap deal negotiated by then Intelligence Bureau Additional Director Ajit Doval. The same Azhar, who formed Jaish-e-Mohammed group in Bahawalpur later, targeted the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly using suicide bombers on October 1, 2001 and Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001. That attack almost led to another war with India mobilising its troops in the western sector on December 17 to take the war to Pakistan. The West, particularly the US, was forced to put pressure on Islamabad to take steps against terrorism as detailed in the January 12, 2002 speech of then President Musharraf. The US pressure on Pakistan was not a result of the countrys affection for India or sympathy for the latters concerns but to ensure that its war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban post the 9/11 terror attacks was not affected by the Indian offensive on Islamabad from the east. After the September 11 attacks, Pakistan was back in western currency as the US under George W Bush needed Islamabad to take on Osama bin Laden and his jihadists within the Islamic Republic as well as Afghanistan with the war on terror being waged across the Durand Line. Still, ties between India and the US , frozen after the 1998 nuclear test , did thaw on account of the Kargil war. Not that this changed Pakistans approach. The proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists attacked an Indian Army camp in Kaluchak on May 14, 2002, with some of the victims being barbarically skinned by the jihadists. Seething with rage, PM Vajpayee ordered massive Indian armed forces mobilization under Operation Parakram to teach Pakistan a lesson but frenetic diplomatic effort by the US and UK ensured that India called off strike against Pakistan in the first week of June. But Operation Parakram yielded a diplomatic dividend in January 2004 when Musharraf bilaterally agreed not to export terror to India from any Pakistan territory. But internally nothing changed in Pakistan as its deep state shifted gears and focused on training radicalized Muslims within India to target Indian cities through the Indian Mujahideen group from 2005 to 2013 with nearly 500 innocents losing their lives and limbs in the process. It was only on November 26, 2008, when 10 LeT gunmen massacred innocents in Mumbai that the West woke up again to the threat of Pakistan-based (and sponsored) terror groups. The western alliance with Pakistan took another turn when Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was gunned down in Attock in Pakistan on May 2, 2011 by the Americans who realized that Pakistan had been playing a double game all along in Afghanistan and taking the Pakistan-friendly US State Department and Pentagon for a royal ride. This was a major turning point in the Af-Pak region with the US and other western powers giving up on Pakistan -- a fact leveraged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defang and attack the terror apparatus in Pakistan without any fear of a nuclear strike. After the JeM attack on Pathankot airbase on January 2, 2016, Modi gave an opportunity to then Pak PM Nawaz Sharif to bring the culprits to book. It was after the terror attack in Uri on September 18, 2016, that the NDA government ordered a surgical strike across LoC (on September 29, 2016 ). This strike ensured that Pakistan kept its terror groups under leash till 2019 when the Pulwama attack took place on February 14. The Indian response this time came in the form of IAFs Mirage-2000 fighters launching a strike at JeM training camp at Balakot . Indias response to Uri and Pulwama have signalled that New Delhi is prepared to respond to Islamabad in the language it understands. While Pakistan has yet again activated the Jammu sector with terror strikes since 2021, Islamabad today faces full fledged insurgencies in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa apart from Taliban taking on the Pakistan Army on the border as it refuses to recognise Durand Line as the international border. During Kargil, Pakistan used the Afghanistan issue to its advantage. Today, the tables have turned with the Taliban turning against Rawalpindi and the West running out of steam in the Af-Pak region. (The author covered the Kargil war for Hindustan Times and has reported on Pakistan terror in Kashmir since 1994) A 14-year-old boy, who was being treated for the Nipah virus, in Kerala's Kozhikode died on Sunday, PTI reported, citing the state government. Health workers shifted people who have been in contact with a person infected with the Nipah virus to an isolation centre at a government hospital in Kozhikode in September 2023.(AFP) The Kerala government on Saturday had confirmed Nipah infection in the boy, who hails from Malappuram district. The Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness transferred from animals such as pigs and fruit bats to humans. Nipah usually spreads to humans from animals or through contaminated food, but it can also be transmitted directly between people. Its symptoms include intense fever, vomiting and a respiratory infection, but severe cases can involve seizures and brain inflammation that results in a coma. There is no vaccine for Nipah. Kerala health minister Veena George said the National Institute of Virology in Pune confirmed the infection in the boy, who was earlier on ventilator at a private hospital. Also Read | Kerala govt cites ICMR report, says the possibility of Nipah virus presence in bats in Wayanad "The contact tracing has begun. High-risk contacts have already been isolated, and their samples have been sent for testing," George said, according to PTI. George added that the epicentre was Pandikkad in the district and that precautionary measures had already been initiated. She urged people in the Pandikkad locality and the nearby hospitals to wear masks in public spaces and avoid visiting patients in hospitals. "A three-km radius from the epicentre at Pandikkad will be strictly observed and restrictions will be imposed," George added. Also Read | Nipah virus can cause severe infection in kids; expert suggests precautionary measures The state health department said that it was informed about the suspected Nipah infection by the private hospital in Kozhikode on Friday. The department sprung into action and tested the samples at the laboratories in Kerala and also sent them to the virology institute in Pune. It further warned people not to eat fruits which are half-eaten or bitten by birds or animals. "Eat fruits only after washing them properly. Do not consume beverages such as toddy which are stored in open containers," it said. Nipah outbreaks have been reported in Kozhikode district in 2018, 2021 and 2023 and in Ernakulam district in 2019, and the presence of Nipah virus antibodies had been detected in bats in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts. In 2018, at least 17 people died after being infected by the Nipah virus in Kerala. Imphal: The Manipur Police, along with central security forces, on Saturday recovered and diffused eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) weighing around 33 kg in the Saichang Itham area of Imphal East district, averting a major tragedy in the region, an official aware of the matter said. Explosives recovered by combined team of Manipur police and Indian Army (HT Photo/Sourced) As part of ongoing search operations in response to the Manipur crisis, the combined team of Manipur police and central forces continues to recover arms, ammunition, explosives, and other contraband on a near-daily basis, particularly from vulnerable areas across Manipur, the official added. The prompt action prevented potential harm to farmers and cattle grazers in Moirangpurel and Itham villages of Imphal East. This operation follows an earlier incident on April 13, where two Kuki militants were allegedly killed in a clash with the security forces in Itham Moirangpurel in Imphal East. The confrontation began after the alleged Kuki militants launched an attack from Kamu Saichang towards the villages of Tumokhong and Itham Moirangpurel. Security forces recovered two firearms, including an AK-47 and a folding INSAS rifle, from the deceased militants. The Indian Army, in a statement, credited specific intelligence inputs for the successful operation. The expertise of the Bomb Disposal Team was instrumental in neutralising the IEDs, which weighed approximately 33 kg, it said. The army emphasized that this action dealt a severe blow to the plans of inimical elements aiming to carry out subversive activities in the region. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged all MPs to refrain from interfering and interrupting when a fellow member is speaking in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Sunday. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister JP Nadda during the all-party meeting ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Sunday, July 21, 2024.(PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appealed that we are committed to strengthening democracy and when any member speaks in the Parliament, we shouldn't interfere and interrupt, Rijiju told reporters after an all-party meeting. In the special session, when PM Modi was addressing on Motion of Thanks to the President, it was interrupted, both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Rajnath Singh Ji has appealed today that it is not good for parliamentary democracy. When the PM is speaking, the House and country should listen to it, he added. Also Read: 'Bihar special status, NEET, Kanwar order': What was discussed in all-party meeting Rijiju thanked the floor leaders of all parties for giving good suggestions ahead of the Monsoon session. We have taken the suggestions from all the floor leaders. To run the Parliament smoothly, it's the responsibility of both - those in the government and those in opposition, the minister said. Congress' Jairam Ramesh and K Suresh, Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM, RJD's Abhay Kushwaha, JD(U) Sanjay Jha, AAP's Sanjay Singh, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav and NCP's Praful Patel were present at the meeting. Jairam Ramesh said that the JD(U) and the YSRCP demanded special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively but "strangely" the TDP kept quiet on the matter. BJD leader Sasmit Patra told reporters that his party demanded special category status for Odisha. Also Read: Sanjay Singh's prediction for Union Budget 2024: Delhi will not The monsoon session is set to be a stormy one with a united opposition eyeing to corner the NDA government on issues ranging from the NEET paper leak case and railway safety. The session begins on Monday and will have 19 sittings till August 12 when the government is expected to present six bills, including the one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, and also get Parliament's nod for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir, which is under central rule. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Mumbai over the next four to five days for even as intense showers continue to lash the city amid an "orange alert" for the Konkan region, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday. Mumbai: Vehicles move on a waterlogged road during monsoon rain, at Dadar in Mumbai, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI07_21_2024_000127A)(PTI) After recording over 100 mm of rain for three consecutive days, Mumbai recorded 93 mm of rainfall over 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday morning. Heavy rainfall continues at isolated places and the weather agency has issued an yellow alert specifically for Mumbai city for the next three days. Also read | Monsoon distribution remains skewed in July Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that between 8 am and 3 pm on Sunday, Shahaji Nagar Municipal School in Trombay recorded 155.6 mm rainfall followed by N Division office (151.1 mm), Nutan Vidyamandir, Mankhurd (149.6 mm) and Adarsh Nagar, Worli (129.2 mm). Widespread waterlogging was reported from many areas of the city. Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde issued instructions that SDRF, district administration, police, municipal corporations and municipalities be vigilant to help the citizens in all possible ways, whenever required. For North India, the agency has forecast scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm & lightning over East Rajasthan, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh during next five days. For Himachal Pradesh, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Districts where rainfall is predicted include Kangra (Dharmsala, Jaisingpur), Mandi (Sarkaghat, Dharmpur, Slapper, Kotli, Mandi, Sundernagar), Hamirpur (Sujanpur Tihra, Hamirpur), Bilaspur (Swarghat, Bilaspur), Chamba Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Kullu. Also read | 75% of Haryana districts see deficit rainfall this monsoon Meanwhile, several districts in Odisha are affected by heavy rain due to the impact of cyclonic depression over the Bay of Bengal. More than 7,300 people have been affected in Malkangiri district with 1,045 villages under 111 panchayats hit by rainfall. The IMD forecast said the depression is likely to move north-westwards across Chhattisgarh and weaken gradually into a low-pressure area during next 12 hours. In Kerala, heavy rainfall (7cm to 11cm in 24 hours) is very likely to occur at isolated places on 21st & 22nd July 2024. (With inputs from agencies) More than 4,500 Indian nationals and nearly 540 citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives have returned from Bangladesh with the assistance of Indian authorities following violent protests against job quotas in the neighbouring country. Students studying in Bangladesh upon their arrival in India, at the Hili International Immigration check post in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal on Sunday.(PTI) A countrywide curfew remained in force in Bangladesh on Sunday and the army was deployed to quell the protests that resulted in the death of at least 110 people and injured hundreds more. More than 4,500 Indian students have returned home, and 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan, and one from the Maldives have also arrived in India, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. The Indian high commission in Dhaka has been arranging security escorts for the safe travel of Indian nationals to land border crossing points, the statement said. The high commission and assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna are in regular touch with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals. The missions are also in regular contact with remaining Indian students in various universities in Bangladesh and with Indian nationals for their welfare and assistance, the statement said. The external affairs ministry had said on Friday that there were an estimated 15,000 Indians, including around 8,500 students, in Bangladesh. The ministrys spokesperson had said that all Indians were safe. The Indian missions in Bangladesh will remain available to provide any assistance required by Indian nationals through their emergency contact numbers. Hours after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday that she would be willing to provide shelter in her state to people from Bangladesh who are in distress, people familiar with the matter said that such matters are handled by the central government. I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since it is a sovereign nation and whatever needs to be said on the issue is a subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of [West] Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter, Banerjee said at a rally organised in Kolkata by the Trinamool Congress party. Banerjee referred to the UN resolution on refugees to justify her stand. Thats because there is a UN resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those which are in turmoil, she said, citing the example of people from Assam being allowed to live in the Alipurduars area of West Bengal during the Bodo agitation. However, one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity,These are matters which are handled by the Union government. A state government has no locus standi on the issue and as such, their comments are totally misplaced. ALSO READ: 160 students cross over to Tripura from violence-hit Bangladesh Banerjee said her government will provide help to residents of West Bengal whose relatives may have been stranded in Bangladesh because of the violence. She also said assistance will be provided to Bangladeshi citizens in West Bengal who are facing difficulties in returning home. ALSO READ: Explained: Who were 'Razakars' and why are they back in Bangladesh's discourse She appealed to the people of West Bengal to not get provoked by the current situation in Bangladesh. We should exercise restraint and not walk into any provocation or excitement on the issue, she said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Sunday struck down a high court order that had reinstated job quotas for the kin of veterans of the 1971 war of liberation. The high court's order, issued in June, had triggered the violent protests largely spearheaded by students. However, coordinators of the anti-job quota movement told the media that their protests will continue despite the Supreme Court's ruling. The coordinators demanded action against those responsible for the killing of students during the protest. Imphal: Around 100 Myanmar nationals currently staying in a detention centre in Manipur have begun a hunger strike, demanding their release, officials said. (Representative Photo) Manipur Central Jail superintendent Sorokhaibam Bhadrika said that the Manipur Jail does not have the authority to release them as they were penalised by the court under section 14 of the Foreigners Act. Speaking to media persons on Saturday, Bhadrika said that only after receiving thorough clarification from the Myanmar Embassy can the detainees be deported back to their country. The detainees demanded to be released in Moreh (a border town in the state), from where they were apprehended, and not in Myanmar (Burma), the superintendent informed, adding that these demands cannot be fulfilled as it is under the policy of the government of Manipur and not under the authority of the Manipur Central Jail. Addressing allegations of jail authorities taking bribes up to Rs.50,000 from the detainees, the superintendent said that there was no record as such. He clarified that the said amount might have been given to advocates for legal counselling, of which the jail authorities are not aware, he added. He further asserted that the detainees were being taken care of as per the rules. They are being provided with food and, an adequate amount of uncontaminated water, both for drinking and other uses, even when there is a scarcity of water in the state. The detainees were allowed to communicate with their families, even through video calls, the superintendent said. New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Friday released a new social science textbook for class sixth with chapters rooted in Indian context that states the naming of the country by ancient inhabitants was Bharat and that it was later called India by foreigners; and included sections on Vedic school of thought and stories from Upanishads, among others. The online version textbook titled exploring society: India and beyond has been released by the NCERT on its official website. (HT PHOTO) The online version textbook titled exploring society: India and beyond has been released by the NCERT on its official website. This year, the Council announced that it will release revamped textbooks under National Education Policy (2020) and the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which emphasise the curriculum to be rooted in the Indian and local context and ethos, only for classes third and sixth. While the majority of the books have been released online, some are yet to hit the market in physical form. The fifth chapter of the new book titled India, that is Bharat, explains how the country had many names in the course of its history, and the names given by its ancient inhabitants include Jambudvipa and Bharata. However, the latter became widespread in time and is the name of India in most Indian languages, it states. Highlighting that Bharata is a name that first appears in the Rig Veda, oldest of all Vedas, where it refers to one of the main Vedic groups of people. In later literature, several kings named Bharata are mentioned... A few centuries later, Bharata became the name generally used for the Indian subcontinent. For instance, in an ancient text called the Vishnu Purana, we read:The country that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is called Bharata, it states. Emphasising that the name Bharata is even in use today, the book mentions that in north India, it is generally written as Bharat, while in south India, it is often Bharatam. It further says that foreign visitors to, or invaders of, India mostly adopted names derived from the Sindhu or Indus River; this resulted in names like Hindu, Indoi, and eventually India. Besides, the book mentions that the term Hindustan was first used in a Persian inscription some 1,800 years ago, and was used by most invaders of India to describe the Indian Subcontinent. The first foreigners to mention India were the Persians, the ancient inhabitants of Iran. In the 6th century BCE, a Persian emperor launched a military campaign and gained control of the region of the Indus River, which, as we saw, was earlier called Sindhu. So, it is no surprise that in their earliest records and stone inscriptions, the Persians referred to India as Hind, Hidu or Hindu, which are adaptations in their language of Sindhu. (Note that in ancient Persian, Hindu is a purely geographical term; it does not refer here to the Hindu religion.) Based on these Persian sources, the ancient Greeks named the region Indoi or Indike. They dropped the initial letter h of Hindu because this letter did not exist in their Greek language, the textbook states. However, it also mentions that the Indian Constitution, which was first written in English, uses the phrase India, that is Bharat right at the beginning, and the Hindi version of the Constitution mentions the same as Bharat arthath India. Last year, a high-level committee formed by the NCERT to revise the social science curriculum had recommended that India should be replaced by Bharat in all textbooks. The older version of the textbook did not have a full-fledged chapter on the naming of India. The textbook has 14 chapters divided into fiveIndia and the world: land and the people; Tapestry of the past; our cultural heritage and knowledge traditions; governance and democracy, and economic life around us. The selection of five themes takes care of the important requirement of maintaining a multidisciplinary perspective. Cultural rootedness, another requirement, is thus not limited to the theme Our Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Traditions, but pervades the other themes as well, said NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani in his foreword. The textbook also has chapters on themes including Unity in Diversity, Family and Community, Grassroots Democracy, and the value of work, among others. The book also mentions three stories from Upanishads including Shvetaketu and the seed of reality; Nachiketa and his quest; and the debate of Gargi and Yajnavalkya. The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday released the city and centre-wise results for the NEET-UG 2024 exams, which revealed some interesting patterns. Some exam centres are found to have a higher-than-usual concentration of medical aspirants who performed well in the exam. NEET aspirants outside the Supreme Court. (File photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times) Also read: Granular data on NEET is out, some centres outperform Here are some interesting points about the data. Over 240 candidates at a centre at the School of Engineering, RK University, in Gujarat's Rajkot have scored above 600 marks with 12 of them above getting 700 out of 720 marks. In Rajasthans Sikar, Mangal Chand Didwaniya Vidya Mandir centre, four students scored more than 700 marks, 45 scored above 650 marks, and 115 students scored above 600 marks. In Sikar's Aravali Public School, 90 students scored over 600 marks. Around 83 students in another centre in Sikar scored about 600 marks. 27,000 aspirants took the exam in the Rajasthan city; 4,200 have scored above 600 and over 2,000 have shared above 450. In total, 30,204 students scored 650 marks and above. Those ranked up to 30000 will get a chance to secure seats in government medical colleges. Of this set, examinees from Sikar alone will have a chance to claim 2,037 seats. In Haryana, 45 students who took the exam at Rohtak's Model School centre, scored over 600 marks. In Lucknow's SDSN Mahavidyalaya centre, more than 45 scored above 600. Also, no NEET-UG candidate has scored above 682 in the revised results for the Hardayal Public School centre in Haryana's Jhajjar which was under the scanner after six aspirants who took the medical entrance exam there on May 5 got 720 out of 720. In Bihar's Patna, at AN College center, 29 students scored above 650 while at Holy Mission Secondary School, 21 were 650 scores and two secured 700 marks. The CBI has arrested over a dozen people in connection with the NEET paper leak in Bihar and Jharkhand. Those arrested include a civil engineer and MBBS students. The Centre has argued against cancelling the entire exam, claiming the paper leak was localised. Following the Supreme Court's order, the NTA released data of over 32 lakh candidates from 4,750 centres. With inputs from PTI New Delhi, Private Members' Bills listed in Rajya Sabha for the upcoming Monsoon Session include one that seeks prohibition on holders of constitutional posts, like judges, joining a political party post retirement, a few bills on artificial intelligence and deepfake, as well as one on amending the citizenship law. Private Members' Bill barring former judges from joining politics, deepfake regulation listed in RS In all, 23 Private Members' Bills have been listed for introduction in the upcoming session in the Upper House. The Constitution Bill, 2024 , listed by Rashtriya Janata Dal MP AD Singh, seeks to bar those retiring from Constitutional posts, like judges and former election commissioners from joining political parties post retirement, a source said. The Bill comes against the backdrop of recent controversies such as one involving Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who resigned from his judicial position on March 5, and within two days, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. In July, former Madhya Pradesh High Court judge Rohit Arya joined the BJP, three months after his retirement. Another Bill listed by Singh seeks amendment in the The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to include marital rape as a crime. Communist Party of India MP V Sivadasan has listed two Bills one seeking universal basic income and another enactment of Right to Old Age Care. Trinamool Congress MP Mausam Noor has also listed two bills, one on protecting rights of employees from Artificial Intelligence, and another seeking criminalisation of 'deepfake'. Deepfake involves morphing someone's face or other features of their body digitally to make it appear like someone else, typically for malicious purposes. During the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, concerns were expressed over the use of deepfake videos to spread misinformation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was one of its victims. P Sandosh Kumar of Communist Party of India has listed a bill to create an Artificial Intelligence Technology Regulatory Authority. Kumar has also listed The Citizenship Bill, 2024 to amend the law to provide citizenship to "persecuted minorities" from neighbouring countries, and not to provide citizenship on the basis of religion, as prescribed in the Citizenship Act, 2019. The law which led to protests in several parts of the country, including Delhi, provides for accelerated eligibility for Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The Act does not mention Muslims. A private member's bill is a bill introduced by a legislator who is not a part of government. Only 14 such bills have been passed by both Houses since 1952. According to a booklet published by Rajya Sabha secretariat, the importance of Private Members' Bills lies in the fact that they enable legislators to draw attention to issues which might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework requiring legislative intervention. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday claimed that the national capital will not be allocated more than 350 crore in the Union Budget 2024 set to be tabled by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. New Delhi: AAP MP Sanjay Singh arrives to attend the all-party meeting ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Sunday.(PTI) In the all-party meeting, many issues were raised, especially the misuse of investigation agencies on Opposition leaders, the biggest victim of which is AAP...I also raised the issue of Delhi and Punjab regarding the budget. The budget is about to come but I can leak the budget before that and in the case of Delhi, I can say that Delhi will not get more than 350 crores, ANI quoted Singh as saying after the all-party meeting. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to create history when she presents her seventh straight Budget on Tuesday for the fiscal 2024-25, surpassing the record of former prime minister Morarji Desai. ALSO READ: 'Bihar special status, NEET, Kanwar order': What was discussed in all-party meeting Singh also raised the order passed by the Uttar Pradesh government mandating eateries along Kanwar routes to disclose the name and identity of their owners. An order has been issued that nameplates have to be installed (in shops), this is an attempt to close the business of Dalits, backward tribals and others. These are the people who believe in discrimination. They did not invite President Droupadi Murmu to the inauguration of Ram temple, Singh added. ALSO READ: Kanwar order row: Owaisi claims hatred for Muslims; BJP compares him with Jinnah This decision is against Dalits, backward castes, minorities, tribals and the politics of malice is being promoted openly by saying that you will have to put up nameplates on the way to Kanvar Yatra...Demands have been made for the small parties as well that their members should be given at least 5-7 minutes to speak, the AAP MP said. ALSO READ: Name display order: Moves afoot for compliance in west U.P. Not only the opposition, but even members of ruling NDA have demanded that the Yogi Adityanath government rollback the Kanwar order on eateries. It seems that the order was taken without much thought and the government is adamant on it because the decision has been taken. There is still time. It (roll back) should happen or the government should not put much emphasis on (implementing) it, Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary said. Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar, accusing him of being the "biggest kingpin of corruption in Indian politics." Amit Shah launched sharp attacks on Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) supremo Sharad Pawar over corruption.(PTI) "They (the opposition) are speaking about corruption. The biggest kingpin of corruption in Indian politics is Sharad Pawar and I have no confusion in that. What will they accuse us of now? If somebody has done the job of institutionalising corruption, Sharad Pawar, it is you," Shah said while addressing BJP workers and supporters at a conclave in Pune. Read: Uddhav Thackeray is leader of Aurangzeb Fan Club: Amit Shah in Maharashtra Speaking on the contentious issue of Maratha reservations, the senior BJP leader accused Sharad Pawar of undermining efforts to secure reservations for the Maratha community. Whenever the BJP government comes to power in Maharashtra, Marathas get a reservation and whenever Sharad Pawar's government comes to power, Maratha reservation disappears, Shah claimed. "Pawar government disables it whenever they get a chance. But I want to say that the 10-year extension was given only during the time of Modi Ji and despite having an absolute majority, the work of strengthening reservation was done by our leader Modi Ji," he added. Why this arrogance?: Amit Shah slams Rahul Gandhi's conduct in Parliament Citing his party's role in securing reservations during its tenure, the home minister said, In 2014, under Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister, you got the Maratha reservation. If you want to continue the Maratha reservation, you must make the BJP win. The Fadnavis government introduced a bill in November 2018, providing 16% reservation for the Maratha community under the category of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). The reservation faced several legal challenges, primarily on the grounds that it violated the Supreme Court's ruling, which capped reservations at 50%. In June 2019, the Bombay high court upheld the Maratha reservation but reduced the quota from 16% to 12% in education and 13% in government jobs. The court also said that the total reservation in the state should not exceed the 50% cap set by the Supreme Court. In May 2021, the Supreme Court struck down the Maratha reservation, declaring it unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the Maratha community could not be classified as Socially and Educationally Backward under the provisions of the law and that the state government had not demonstrated exceptional circumstances that justified exceeding the 50% cap on reservations. Activist Manoj Jarange has been demanding reservation for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He has been leading protests demanding OBC certificates for recognizing all Kunbis (agriculturists) and their "sage soyre" (blood relatives) as Marathas. Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched an all out attack on former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, calling him the leader of Aurangzeb Fan Club. Union Minister Amit Shah addresses the state convention of BJP Maharashtra, in Pune on Sunday,(PTI) This Aurangzeb Fan Club cannot ensure the security of the country. Who is this Aurangzeb Fan Club? It is (Maha Vikas) Aghadi and Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of the Aurangzeb Fan Club. Uddhav Thackeray who calls himself Balasaheb's heir, you are sitting with those who fed biryani to Kasab, Shah said at a public meeting in Pune. Uddhav Thackeray is sitting in the lap of those who support PFIYou are sitting with those who appealed to release Yakub Memon. Uddhav ji, you are sitting in the lap of those who called Zakir Naik a 'messenger of peace," he added. ALSO READ: BJP's poor Lok Sabha polls show due to alliance with Ajit Pawar's NCP? RSS-linked weekly says Can the Aurangzeb Fan Club secure the country? Only the Bharatiya Janata Party can keep the country safe. Only the BJP can keep Maharashtra safe, Shah added. This is not the first time when Shah has attacked the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief in public. During the Lok Sabha elections, he accused Thackeray of leaving ideology for power. Congress leaders are supporting terrorist Kasav. I ask Uddhav Thackeray whether he is on the same page with the leaders of the Congress, the minister had hit out at Thackeray. This is Amit Shah's first visit to Maharashtra after the BJP suffered severe setback in the recent Lok Sabha elections where the party's tally tumbled to 9 from 23 seats it had won in 2019. Sharad Pawar biggest kingpin of corruption: Amit Shah During his address, Shah took a swipe at NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, accusing him of institutionalising corruption in the country. If there is the biggest 'sargana' of corruption in Indian politics, it is Sharad Pawar. There is no confusion in my mind about this. I am saying it openly that Pawar has institutionalised corruption in the country, he said. Shah said the BJP allotted reservation to Marathas when it helmed Maharashtra (under Devendra Fadnavis) whereas whenever Sharad Pawar's government comes to power, the Maratha quota disappears. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday criticised the Dharavi redevelopment tender awarded to Gautam Adani and said that his party won't let Mumbai turn into what he called the Adani City. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackery criticised Modi for trying to make Mumbai into 'Adani city'. (File Photo) Also Read: Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray says will scrap Dharavi slum redevelopment project tender after Maharashtra elections Thackeray claims that the tender should be cancelled, describing it as a potential trap. He said, During Manmohan Ji's government, GIFT City was coming here, and we welcomed it. Modi Ji took GIFT City to Gujarat. Now giving GIFT City to Gujarat and Adani City to Maharashtra, we will not let this happen. Also Read: Adani Group sought 540-acre extra land for Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Uddhav Thackeray Thackeray was referring to the shifting of the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in 2020 from Mumbai's Bandra Kurla complex to GIFT City, a special economic zone in Gujarat. Also Read: We will insist that Uddhav Thackeray is declared as MVAs CM candidate: Anil Parab The identity that Mumbai has will remain in Mumbai, we will not let it change into Adani City, he said. Thackeray also referred to the plan as a trap for its lack of clarity on what amenities Dharavi residents will be provided with and where they will live. There is no mention of how Dharavi will be developed. Where will Dharavi residents go? If you look at the tender, it seems like a trap, he said. Thackeray also demanded that redevelopment in Dharavi should not displace anyone. He also said that if Adani is not capable of it, a re-tender should be issued. The Shiv Sena UBT leader asked that the tender be cancelled and that all Dharavi residents get a 500-square-foot house. "We demand that no one from Dharavi should ever be displaced. If Adani can't do it, they should surrender and a re-tender be issued," he said. He added that his party won't let Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah turn Mumbai into an Adani city. In Dharavi, we launched a campaign that redevelopment should give people their rightful homes...Modi and Shah claim to make Mumbai an Adani city, but we will not let that happen, Thackeray said. Three people died and eight got injured in a landslide near Chidwasa in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand on Sunday. The incident took place on the Kedarnath route. Rudraprayag: Debris lies on a road following a landslide on the Kedarnath trekking route, in Rudraprayag district, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI) Also Read: Chardham Yatra 2024: Over 7 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath since May 10 A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team arrived and immediately evacuated those injured. The bodies of 3 people who died were handed over to the district police by the SDRF. Also Read: Char Dham Yatra: Uttarakhand govt bans VIP darshan; curbs video shooting People suffered injuries due to the stones and debris falling due to the landslide. Also Read: Kedarnath Temple trust head hits back at Shankaracharya over 'gold scam' claim Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami responded to the tragedy with a post on X. The news of some pilgrims getting injured due to debris and heavy stones falling from the hill near the Kedarnath Yatra route is very sad," he wrote. He also reassured people that rescue operations were still ongoing and that those injured would be taken care of. Relief and rescue work is going on at the site of the accident, I am constantly in touch with the officials in this regard. I have given instructions to provide better treatment to the people injured in the accident immediately, he added. The devotees were heading from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham. Over 26 lakh pilgrims, across India and abroad registered for the ongoing Char Dham Yatra. More than one lakh devotees reached Kedarnath since the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham opened on May 10. So far, around 7 lakh devotees have visited Char Dham. Earlier in the year, at least 20 people were injured after a bus carrying pilgrims from the Char Dham Yatra overturned in Rajasthan's Dausa. The pilgrims had been returning from Kedarnath to Badrinath. News / International by Staff Reporter US President Joe Biden has declared that he will not seek re-election, stating that "it is in the best interest of my party and the country."This announcement comes just four months before Americans head to the polls, dramatically altering the race for the White House.The decision follows weeks of significant pressure from fellow Democrats after a shaky debate performance against Republican Donald Trump at the end of June.In a letter posted to his social media account, Biden expressed that serving as president has been the greatest honor of his life."And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term," he wrote.Biden mentioned that he would address the nation on this matter next week.He also expressed gratitude towards his Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her an "extraordinary partner." Kolkata, Responding to the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday suggested that she would keep the doors of her state open for people in distress from the neighbouring country and offer them shelter. Will offer shelter to anyone in distress who comes knocking on our door: Mamata on Bangla situation Banerjee referred to the United Nations Resolution on refugees as justification for her stand over the possible humanitarian crisis that may emerge on account of the severe law and order breakdown that has gripped Bangladesh in the past few days. I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since that is a sovereign nation and whatever needs to be said on the issue is a subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter, Banerjee said at the 'Martyrs Day' rally of the TMC in Kolkata. Thats because there is a United Nations Resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those under turmoil, the Bengal CM added while drawing an example from Assamese people who were allowed to live in the Alipurduars area of north Bengal for a considerable period during the Bodo strife in the northeastern state. Assuring all cooperation to Bengal residents whose relatives may have remained stuck on account of the escalating violence on the eastern side of the international border, she also extended assistance to Bangladeshis who came to Bengal but were facing difficulty in returning home. Banerjee also appealed to the people of West Bengal to not get provoked over matters concerning the current situation in Bangladesh. We should exercise restraint and not walk into any provocation or excitement on the issue, she stated. The Trinamool supremo also expressed her solidarity with the people who have remained at the receiving end of the ongoing violence in the neighbouring country. We are sad to see blood getting spilt and my heart goes out to those students who were killed, she said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Over the next two weeks, the quarterly results of Big Tech giants will offer a glimpse on the bankability of artificial intelligence and whether the major investments AI requires are sustainable for the long haul. HT Image Analysts at Wedbush Securities, one of Wall Street's biggest believers in AI's potential, expect "growth and earnings to accelerate with the AI revolution and the wave of transformation" it is causing. The market generally agrees with this rosy AI narrative. Analysts forecast double-digit growth for heavyweights Microsoft and Google, in contrast to Apple, a latecomer to the AI party, with only three percent growth expected. The iPhone maker, which releases its results on August 1, unveiled its new Apple Intelligence system only last month and plans to roll it out gradually over the next months, and only on the latest models. CFRA analyst Angelo Zino believes that the impact of these new features will not be felt until the iPhone 16 launches in September, the first to feature the new AI powers built-in across all options. But he expects Apple's upcoming earnings to show improvement in China sales, a black spot since last year. "Apple's forecasts for the current quarter will be important" in assessing the company's momentum, said Zino. But "if there's one that we were maybe a little bit more concerned about, versus the others, it would be Meta," he said. He pointed out that Mark Zuckerberg's company raised its investment projections last April as it devoted a few billion dollars more on the chips, servers and data centers needed to develop generative AI. CFRA expects Meta's growth to decelerate through the end of the year. Combined with the expected increase in spending on AI, that should put earnings under pressure. As for the earnings of cloud giants Microsoft and Amazon , "we expect them to continue to report very good results, in line with or better than market expectations," said Zino. Microsoft is among the best positioned to monetize generative AI, having moved the fastest to implement it across all its products, and pouring $13 billion into OpenAI, the startup stalwart behind ChatGPT. Winning the big bet on AI is "crucial" for the group, said Jeremy Goldman of Emarketer, "but the market is willing to give them a level of patience." The AI frenzy has helped Microsoft's cloud computing business grow in the double digits, something that analysts said could be hard to sustain. "This type of growth cannot hold forever, but the synergies between cloud and AI make it more likely that Microsoft holds onto reliable cloud growth for some time to come," Goldman said. As for Amazon, "investors will want to see that the reacceleration of growth over the first quarter wasn't a one-off" at AWS, the company's world-leading cloud business, said Matt Britzman of Hargreaves Lansdown. Since AWS leads "in everything data-related, it should be well placed to capture a huge chunk of the demand coming from the AI wave," he added. The picture "might be a little less clear" for Google parent Alphabet, which will be the first to publish results on Tuesday, "because of their search business" online, warned Zino. "Skepticism around AI Overviews," introduced by Google in mid-May, "is certainly justified," said Emarketer analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf. This new feature, which offers a written text at the top of results in a Google search, ahead of the traditional links to sites, got off to a rocky start. Internet users were quick to report strange, or potentially dangerous, answers proposed by the feature that had been touted by Google executives as the future direction of search. According to data from BrightEdge, relayed by Search Engine Land, the number of searches presenting a result generated by AI Overviews has plummeted in recent weeks as Google shies away from the feature. Still, many are concerned about the evolution of advertising across the internet if Google pushes on with the Overviews model, which reduces the necessity of clicking into links. Content creators, primarily the media, fear a collapse in revenues. But for Emarketer's Mitchell-Wolf, "as long as Google maintains its status as the default search engine across most smartphones and major browsers, it will continue to be the top destination for search, and the top destination for search ad spending." tu/arp/bbk This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Bangladeshs top court on Sunday scaled back a contentious quota system for government job applicants, marking a partial victory for student protesters after days of nationwide unrest and deadly clashes with police. Students beat a policeman with sticks during a protest over the quota system in public service in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday July 18, 2024.(AP) The ruling came after violent demonstrations erupted over a quota that reserved a substantial portion of government jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladeshs 1971 independence war. These quotas sparked severe dissatisfaction among students who argued that the system was discriminatory and favoured supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League party. The government had previously suspended the quotas in 2018 following mass student protests, but their reintroduction by the high court in June reignited tensions, setting off a fresh round of protests. Explained: Who were 'Razakars' and why are they back in Bangladesh's discourse The Supreme Courts decision curtailed the quota from 30% to 5% for veterans' relatives, with 93% of positions now to be filled on merit. The remaining 2% will be allocated to ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities. Despite these changes, the reduction fell short of the protesters demands for the complete abolition of all quotas. The unrest, described as some of the worst during Hasina's tenure, saw universities closed and the internet shut down nationwide, while the government imposed a stay-at-home order. The protests escalated into violent clashes, with police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades against stone-throwing demonstrators. Although the authorities did not release official casualty figures, local reports indicated that at least 103 people had been killed, with other sources reporting up to 151 fatalities. Bangladesh protests: Shoot-on-sight order after scores killed | Top updates The situation intensified as soldiers were deployed to patrol major cities. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced a temporary relaxation of the stay-at-home order for essential errands and declared public holidays to manage the crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House this week as planned, despite Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, a person familiar with Biden's schedule said Sunday. U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(REUTERS) The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, said the exact timing of the meeting has not been established because Biden is recovering from COVID-19. Netanyahu is scheduled to deliver an address to Congress on Wednesday. He is also expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now seeking the Democratic Party's nomination. An official in Netanyahu's office confirmed that the Israeli leader was set to travel to Washington, as scheduled, on Monday. The official also spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement. Netanyahu is leaving behind a brutal war to make the politically precarious speech at a time of great uncertainty highlighted by Bidens decision Sunday not to seek re-election. With efforts to bring about a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, rising concerns about the war spreading to Lebanon and Yemen and the dizzying U.S. presidential campaign, Netanyahus speech has the potential to cause disarray on both sides of the ocean. The risks only increased with Bidens departure from the presidential race, especially since the choice of the next Democratic nominee and the potential next American leader Netanyahu will have to rely on is still up in the air. Prince Harry revealed in his memoir Spare the harsh one-word response Prince William and King Charles offered during a "secret meeting" he had asked for to make peace amid their feud. Harry recalled that he returned to London for Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021, which was his first trip back after stepping down from the royal family. It was also his first trip to the UK after his and Meghan Markles interview with Oprah Winfrey. Prince Harry was shaken by harsh one-word response from Charles and William at secret meeting (Photo by Frazer Harrison / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP, AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool) Harry recalled that he felt anxious while waiting for Charles and William. At one point, he thought they had decided not to see him. Then finally, he saw the two approaching with a "grim, almost menacing" expression. Harry said that he offered them "a weak smile, but they refused to reciprocate. That made him feel "a hugely intense vulnerability" and reminded him of Princess Diana, his late mother. He hoped she could give him strength during the meeting. Harry said that when he greeted William and Charles, they responded with a single word, which was "painfully tepid": "Harold." Now my heart really started thrashing in my chest "At last, I saw them. Shoulder to shoulder, striding towards me, they looked grim, almost menacing. More, they looked tightly aligned. My stomach dropped. Normally they'd be squabbling about one thing or another, but now they appeared to be in lockstep - in league. The thought occurred: Hang on, are we meeting for a walk...or a duel? Harry wrote in his book. "I rose from the wooden bench, made a tentative step towards them, gave a weak smile. They didn't smile back. Now my heart really started thrashing in my chest. Deep breaths, I told myself. Apart from fear, I was feeling a kind of hyper-awareness, and a hugely intense vulnerability, which I'd experienced at other key moments of my life. Walking behind my mother's coffin. Going into battle for the first time. Giving a speech in the middle of a panic attack, he continued. "There was that same sense of embarking on a quest, and not knowing if I was up to it, while also fully knowing that there was no turning back. That Fate was in the saddle. OK, Mummy, I thought, picking up the pace, here goes. Wish me luck. We met in the middle of the path. Willy? Pa? Hello. Harold. Painfully tepid, he added. After the release of Spare, Harry told The Telegraph that there were many stories about his family he had omitted. "It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out, Harry said at the time. "There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don't want the world to know. Because I don't think they would ever forgive me, he added. Amor Nouira, a farmer in Tunisia's Chebika village, has lost hope of saving his prickly pear cacti, ravaged by the cochineal insect spreading across North Africa. Insect infestation ravages North African prickly pear The 50-year-old has seen his half-hectare of cactus crops wither as the invasive insect wreaked havoc on about a third of the country's cacti after an outbreak in 2021. "At first, I wanted to experiment with prickly pear production and gradually develop investments while looking for customers outside the country, especially for its natural oil," said Nouira. "But... as the cacti became damaged, I abandoned the idea of investing and stopped thinking about it altogether." Prickly pear is consumed as food and used to make oils, cosmetics and body-care products. In Chebika, as in other rural areas in central Tunisia, many farmers' fields of prickly pear also known as Opuntia have been spoiled by the cochineal, which swept through North Africa 10 years ago, beginning in Morocco. The insect, like the prickly pear, is native to the Americas and feeds on the plant's nutrients and fluids, often killing it. The infestations have resulted in significant economic losses for thousands of farmers reliant on prickly pear, as authorities struggle to combat the epidemic in a country where its fruit is widely consumed as a summertime snack. Tunisian authorities estimate that about 150,000 families make a living from cultivating Opuntia. The North African country is the world's second-largest producer of its fruit, after Mexico, with about 600,000 hectares of crops and a yield of about 550,000 tonnes per year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization . Only production allocated for export about a third of overall crops has remained in good condition, said Rabeh Hajlaoui, head of the department of plant health at Tunisia's agriculture ministry. "We're making every effort to save these plants, which are an important source of income to some locals," he explained, as one litre of extracted Opuntia oil can be sold for as much as $4,200. Farmers also plant prickly pear cacti for their resistance to drought and desertification, and sometimes use them to demarcate and fence property in Tunisia and neighbouring Libya. In Morocco, where the first cases of cochineal were found in 2014, Opuntia is cultivated over a total of 160,000 hectares. In 2016, the Moroccan government issued an "emergency plan" to combat cochineal infestation by experimenting with various chemicals, burying infected cacti and conducting research on developing variants resilient to the insect. Despite the plan, by August 2022, about 75 percent of Opuntia crops in Morocco had been infested, according to Mohamed Sbaghi, a professor at Rabat's National Institute of Agricultural Research and the emergency plan coordinator. In neighbouring Algeria, authorities recorded an outbreak in 2021 in Tlemcen, a city near the border with Morocco. Prickly pear cultivation in the country covers around 60,000 hectares, and the fruit is so cherished that a festival dedicated to it is held every year in the eastern Kabylia region. Neither the plant nor cochineal is native to North Africa, but the region's dry climate helped them spread, said Tunisian entomologist Brahim Chermiti. "Climate change, with increasing drought and high temperatures, facilitates their reproduction," he told AFP. The region has experienced severe drought in recent years, with declining rainfall and intense heat. Chermiti believes it's a matter of "public safety" to combat cochineal infestation, requiring "strict border crossing monitoring and public awareness". The researcher fears total contagion, as "sooner or later, it will spread, with the help of many factors such as the wind and livestock". Hajlaoui, from Tunisia's agriculture ministry, said the issue could even cause social unrest if it spreads to farms in marginalised areas, such as Tunisia's Kasserine governorate, where Opuntia is nearly the only source of livelihood for many. He said the "slowness of administrative procedure" during the first major outbreaks in Tunisia impeded efforts to stem the spread of cochineal. At first, Morocco and Tunisia burned and uprooted infected crops, but authorities now aim for "natural resistance" to the insect, said Hajlaoui. Last summer, Morocco's INRA said it identified eight cochineal-resistant Opuntia varieties that could potentially be cultivated. The other solution, added the expert, is spreading the Hyperaspis trifurcata ladybird also native to the Americas among the cacti, which preys on cochineal. In Morocco, farmers began raising the ladybird "so that it is always ready" in case of outbreaks, said Aissa Derhem, head of the environmental association Dar Si Hmad. Last month, Tunisia received 100 ladybirds along with an emergency budget of $500,000 to battle cochineal, allocated by the FAO. bur-ayj/bou/srk/dv/sco This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A pram carrying twin two-year-old girls rolled into the path of an oncoming train in Sydney on Sunday, police said, in an accident that killed one of the children and the "heroic" father who dashed to their rescue. Pram rolls in front of oncoming Sydney train, toddler and father killed One of the little girls survived only "through good luck" after she landed between the rails when the pram fell off a platform at southern Sydney's Carlton railway station, police said. She was "largely untouched" by the train that apparently passed above her on its way to central Sydney in the early afternoon, police said. The parents had taken a lift down to the station platform and as they exited, they took "their hands off the pram for a very, very short period of time", New South Wales police superintendent Paul Dunstan said. "Whether it's a gust of wind or we're not quite sure but it appears that the pram has instantly started to roll in the direction of the train lines," he told a news conference. Police and emergency services arrived within a few minutes of being alerted and were able to see the pram under the train, which had slowed on approach but was not scheduled to stop at the station. "You could hear crying coming from underneath the train," the police superintendent said. Though one of the children was unharmed, the other girl and her 40-year-old father had been killed. The father had "just gone into parent mode" and tried to save his daughters, Dunstan said. "In doing so it's cost him his life, but it's an incredibly brave and heroic act by the dad." The mother and her surviving daughter were taken to the local St. George Hospital, and were said to be in a stable condition. The 39-year-old mother was "in a state of shock and struggling with what's happened" while being supported by family and friends in their local Indian community, Dunstan said. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the local community would be pained by the accident. "I hope over time they can gain some small solace knowing that the father died from an extraordinary, instinctive act of bravery," Minns said. "In the face of a terrible, terrible accident, he gave his own life to try and save his children." djw/smw This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Republican nominee Donald Trump's former physician revealed on Saturday that the former US president's gunshot wound missed his head by a quarter of an inch. Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump suffered a gunshot wound that almost hit his head (Getty Images) Also Read: Lara Trump issues big statement on Secret Service boss following assassination attempt: There were obviously Trump faced an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania, where he was wounded on the upper part of his right ear. Two other people were wounded and one attendee died at the event. Also Read: Under Trump, future of US-India relationship is very bright, Asia top priority: Elbridge Colby In the first detailed account of the injury, former White House physician and current Texas lawmaker, Ronny Jackson, wrote in a memo that, The bullet passed, coming less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear. Also Read: Donald Trump delivers speech at RNC for first time since assassination attempt Jackson also stated that he flew to New Jersey after the rally and has been in charge of treating Trump's wound ever since. The Texas lawmaker also added that the current wound was about 2 centimetres wide and had damaged the cartilage as well. Due to the bleeding, it had experienced swelling but the wound was starting to heal. Jackson also clarified that the bandage around Trump's ear was to stop small amounts of bleeding and no stitches had been required so the wound was naturally healing. Trump had undergone a CT scan after the wound as well, and according to Jackson, would soon be tested for hearing as well. Ronny Jackson, a former Navy rear admiral, was first appointed to the White House medical unit under President George W Bush and became the president's doctor under Barack Obama in 2013. In 2018, he praised Trump's great genes and stated that the Republican nominee could live up to 200 years. Soon after he became a close campaign aide and has taken controversial stances such as questioning Joe Biden's cognitive abilities and calling for masks during COVID-19 to not be compulsory. Singapore and Timothy Monteath, University of Warwick The global food system is owned by an ever smaller number of companies its damaging our health, our communities and the planet Singapore, Across the world, over 800 million people spend their days hungry. More than 2 billion have limited access to food. Yet todays global food system produces enough to feed every person on the planet. This imbalanced situation can be explained in part by the effects of things like natural disasters, war, fragile supply chains and economic inequality. These are all significant factors which highlight the problems of a truly global food system, where shocks spread quickly from one place to another with sometimes devastating results. But they do not provide the full picture and cannot fully explain the rise of ultra-processed foods, the financial difficulties facing farmers, or why the world has failed to address the harmful environmental impacts of food production. To account for these trends, we need to look at market concentration, and how a small number of very big companies have come to dominate the production and supply of the food we all eat. For the global food system has become much more concentrated in recent years, partly through an increase in mergers and acquisitions, where large firms buy up rival companies until they completely dominate key areas. High levels of market concentration mean less transparency, weaker competition, and more power in the hands of fewer firms. And our research reveals that a rise in the number of mergers and acquisitions is taking place at all stages of the global food system from seeds and fertilisers to machinery and manufacturing. This is all part of food being increasingly seen as a source not only of human sustenance, but as a profitable investment or what is known as the financialisation of food. And while people have been buying and selling food for a very long time, the global system has seen a major incursion of big finance in recent decades. Pension funds, private equity and asset management firms have invested heavily in the sector. The logic is simple. Everybody needs food, so the sector promises safe and potentially lucrative returns. But feeding the world while looking after the planet costs money, and unfortunately, big financial actors are all about the bottom line. They aim to maximise returns, provide value to shareholders, and meet the expectations of markets. This makes mergers and acquisitions an attractive business proposition. Why make risky, long-term investments in sustainable food solutions, when you can buy your competitor, increase your market share, and potentially make a lot of money in the process? By boosting share prices and removing competition, buy-outs have been used widely throughout the global food system as an easier way to achieve further growth. Hunger games This has resulted in more concentration and fewer, more powerful firms. One report revealed that just four firms control 44% of the global farm machinery market, two companies control 40% of the global seed market, and four businesses control 62% of the global agrochemicals market. This trend is matched in food retail, with four firms Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, and Morrisons estimated to control over 64% of the UK grocery market. This level of concentration and power affects everyone. It means less bargaining power for farmers, who are forced to negotiate with powerful conglomerates. Workers across key stages of the global food sector face downward pressures on wages, rights, and conditions. Local communities lose autonomy over how their land is cultivated and how the rewards are distributed. And the negative effects are not limited to those working in food. Fewer firms and less transparency can lead to higher prices. And research on Europe has shown that places with higher food market concentration, including the UK and Germany, sell more ultra-processed food. The global food system also plays a big part in climate change. Too much corporate power limits the opportunities for communities to tackle environmental issues, and move towards sustainable provision of healthy food for everyone by producing more food themselves. With so much at stake, improved regulation should surely be on the menu. Our research revealed the majority of food system mergers and acquisitions take place between firms of the same nationality. This could provide an opportunity for governments to prevent further market concentration within their borders and even to seek to dilute what already exists. International arrangements are more complicated, and would require a coordinated, international approach. However, this may prove difficult given the first-ever UN food systems summit in 2021 remained strategically silent on the issue. We believe market concentration must become a defining feature of food system reform. To address climate change, provide a fair deal for workers, and eradicate hunger, we need power to be less corporate for the benefit of the entire global community. AMS This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Former US President Donald Trump held a massive election rally on Saturday in Michigan his first since the assassination attempt on him in Pennsylvania. Addressing the rally, Trump rejected the concerns that he is a threat to democracy, saying he took a bullet for democracy. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Michigan (Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) Asserting that he is not an extremist at all, Trump is advancing with the election campaigns in full swing just a week after he suffered a bullet injury in his right ear when a 20-year-old man opened fire at his rally on July 13. The newly-crowned Republican presidential nominee dismissed the reports of him having any links with Project 2025, a shadow manifesto from figures close to him that has been characterized by opponents as an authoritarian, right-wing wish list. Taking multiple jibes at the rival Democratic Party, he talked about the unprecedented pressure on US President Joe Biden to step away from his reelection bid amid rising concerns over his age and mental well-being. If re-elected, Joe Biden will serve his second consecutive term till 2029. "They have no idea who their candidate is... This guy goes and he gets the votes, and now they want to take it away. That's democracy," Trump told the 12,000-strong crowd of passionate supporters. Trump, during his address, reiterated his views on immigration laws and talked about the rise in migrant crimes. The Republican also echoed his claim that the Democrats rigged the 2020 election. He expressed admiration for foreign autocrats including China's "brilliant" Xi Jinping, whom he praised for controlling "1.4 billion people with an iron fist." During the rally, Trump wore a new, smaller, flesh-coloured bandage over his right ear which was grazed by the attacker's bullet one week ago. The rally represented a moment remarkable by any measure, with Trump back on the campaign trail exactly one week since the assassination attempt. The assassination attempt against Donald Trump on July 13 left one person dead and two more critically injured. The bullets were fired by a 20-year-old man perched on a rooftop, who was shot dead by the US Secret Service minutes after firing his first bullet. (With inputs from AFP) News / Local by Staff reporter A 45-year-old Bulawayo man is regretting the day he packed his bags and left for neighbouring South Africa in search of what he thought could be life-transforming opportunities.All he carried then were dreams, aspirations that were inspired by nice cars with GP and LP suffixed vehicle registration numbers with powerful sound systems that those in the neighbourhood who had crossed the Limpopo River ahead of him would bring home usually in December.Fate would, however, have none of that, at least for him as 25 years later, life refused to land him in the proverbial Canaan he envisaged. Perhaps what he perceived as a below-standard life at the time he left was probably his best compared to what he faced after leaving home.Could it be a tale of wages of sin, bad luck, spiritual misfortunes or ancestors turning their backs on him?Whatever one believes it is, the truth is that Zibusiso Sibanda has become a regular face at the corner of 11th Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Street in Bulawayo.He is part of a handful of men who have ventured into the business of washing and looking after cars that park within the area. The street still offers free parking and has been very convenient to those who do not have the parking fee that is now mandatory in the other parts of the Central Business District.Having been a regular car washer and parking marshal for more than six months, what draws attention to him is his age, he is probably too old for such types of errands that are usually for much younger ones who will be looking for a living."My name is Zibusiso Sibanda and I am 45. I went to South Africa in 1998 to look for better life opportunities. When I got to South Africa I started doing various jobs including working in restaurants. Lady Lucky was, however, not really been smiling at me often as I was always in and out of prison for things like not having proper documentation among others. I couldn't keep the many jobs that I got owing to the arrests and detention."The last straw that cracked my back was in the last few years of my stay. I was found with what was suspected to be stolen property. I couldn't account for it through receipts and I was arrested and placed on remand for several years," he said.He was later sentenced to eight years in prison, a development which he believes immediately ruined his life as his parents were to all pass on while he was behind bars."When I left the country, my mother and father were staying at our family house in Magwegwe North.I later benefited from a parole that would see me getting out of prison and being deported last year. When I got back, I was informed that my mother had passed on in 2019 and my father the following year in 2020. I was told that when my father fell ill in 2020 he sold the house. So when I came, I had nowhere to stay and I had nothing on me since I was coming from prison.I then opted to stay on the streets behind Bulawayo Central Police Station," said Sibanda. When asked if he had no relatives, he said one of his siblings was in the city and working in a restaurant but could not help him citing incapacitation.He said he cannot raise enough money to pay rentals as the little he makes every day is gobbled by his daily needs such as food. "My brother is around but cannot help me. I am pleading for help to raise US$50 to get a room to rent because it is freezing out here, besides I am too old to be living the life that I am living but I have no choice. If I get a room I can sustain myself from the little money I am getting from washing cars," said Sibanda.Sibanda said while he might have been involved in crime when he was in South Africa at the early stage of his life, he has since grown out of it and is mature enough to know how bad it is to live a life of crime. He said prison life has taught him some hard life lessons."South African prisons taught me life the hard way. In the last few years, the number of prisoners increased and we could even sleep in the toilets as the cells were full. I am, however, a changed man now and I will be very grateful to any well-wisher who can give me employment and shelter," said Sibanda. A mass shooting in West Philadelphia left three dead and seven injured early Sunday, according to local reports. Reports of mass shooting in West Philadelphia emerged from a block party in th 1200 block of North Alden Street early Sunday. (X / Steve Keeley) The incident reportedly happened at a block party with over 100 attendees. Steve Keeley of Fox 29 initially relayed via X/Twitter that at least nine people had been shot while one was pronounced dead at the scene. Police took several other victims to the hospital, and the neighbours drove some. Pictures of the mass shooting scene reported in the 1200 block of North Alden Street focus on a residential street. According to Fox 29, deceased victims were in their 20s and 30s. Identities have yet to be released. Also read | Indian-origin man fatally shot in US over apparent road rage incident only recently got married What the police said about the Philadelphia shooting At least seven injured parties' conditions were said to be ranging from stable to serious. Police told the outlet that the person responsible for the shooting is on the loose, and there is a possibility that more than one gunman was behind the harrowing incident. The West Philadelphia party was held at a home near the intersection of Alden Street and Girard Avenue, according to NBC affiliate WCAU. The report also said the shooting happened at around 2 am. All individuals at the block party were supposedly adult men. Among the at least three dead individuals, two were identified as a 33-year-old man and a 23-year-old man. Police officials said they found around 25-30 loose shell casings as the crime scene spread over half a block. Investigators also recovered a firearm at the scene. As of now, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been identified. Also read | Alabama man arrested for brutally murdering wife, 2 children, niece and nephew in horrific tragedy Philadelphia Police Department took to social media to alert citizens about the morning's senseless shooting. So far, they've relayed that the shootout happened as a result of multiple parties exchanging fire. Preliminary information indicates an exchange of gunfire between multiple parties resulting in a nonuple shooting and triple homicide. Multiple calibers of FCCs were recovered which is consistent with an exchange of gunfire between individuals on location, @PhillyPolice wrote on X/Twitter. Concluding the tweet thread with a message to the people, the officials urged anyone with information to contact anonymous tip line (call or text) at 215-686-TIPS (8477). This Philadelphia tragedy follows another upsetting incident that took place in the Northeast side of the city when 28-year-old Dominique Billips fired multiple shots at two parents and their baby. The shooting happened on the 4000 block of Meridian Street in the Holmesburg section just before 6 pm on Thursday. The seven-month-old baby boy, who was in the stroller, was shot in the leg. No one else was hurt; fortunately, the toddler is also in stable condition. A man from Alabama has been accused of murdering 5 people, his victims including his wife, two children, his niece and nephew in Bibb County on Thursday. According to the court records, the man identified as Brandon Allan Kendrick II was arrested on five counts of capital murder for the deaths of five members of his family. The incident occurred just an hour after a birthday celebration at home. The accused identified as Brandon Allan Kendrick II murdered his wife and four children of the family.(PHOTO: BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE) Also Read: Philadelphia woman arrested after shooting infant at point-blank range, horrifying video viral Man shoots wife and 4 children in Alabama Kendrick II was accused of murdering his wife and the four children of the family with a handgun just an hour after one of the children celebrated their birthday. The extended family has been raising funds at the fundraising site, GoFundMe identified the family members as Kelce Kendrick, the wife aged 24 years, and two children named, Kaleb and Kynil aged 6 and 2, respectively. The cousins were Colton aged 8 and Haley aged 6, as reported by The Mirror. According to the claims, all the victims were shot in the head by a handgun after they returned from Coltons birthday celebration. Kendrick II was not at the birthday celebrations as he was held at his pastor fathers home and he called his wife to hurry back home. The two cousins also were staying with family at the time as their mother was under surgery. Also Read: Donald Trump says he would prefer being electrocuted than devoured by shark in peculiar rant at Michigan rally Heres what the authorities have to say about murders According to the reports, the police arrived at the scene after someone called emergency officials to inform them that a child had been shot. Official Wada said, As officers are going, they are saying there are more children that have been shot. He also said, Its absolutely horrible. Its unimaginable what the family is going through, what the friends of the family are experiencing, what the community is feeling right now. It was just a horrific scene that even seasoned officers told me it is the worst thing theyve ever seen.The accused did not reveal any motive behind the murders when he was arrested. The remaining extended family, Kelces uncle Eli Morrow and his wife, Brittany posted the fund online. She said, We live 45 minutes away. I wish to God they had asked us to take them for the night. What we are struggling with the most, is that it was a last-minute decision to take them over there, it was never in the plan." On the fundraising site, Kelce's uncle wrote, "We are heartbroken to share the devastating news that our niece, Kelse Kendrick, age 24, along with her two children, Kaleb Kendrick and Kynli Kendrick, lost their lives in this unimaginable event...Additionally, their cousins, Colton Daniels and Haley Daniels, were also victims of this horrific tragedy." GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that helps raise funds for various events. The case is currently handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation. Comedian Trae Crowder has brutally trolled Donald Trump's vice presidential nominee JD Vance by recalling the time they spent together in 2016. In 2016, Crowder and Vance shared a few drinks and grumbled about how bad Trump would be for the United States.(AP/X) Roasting his fellow hillbilly Vance in a video posted on X, Crowder dubbed the Ohio Senator bootlicker. He targeted Vance for abandoning his own people and for joining Trump, whom he has previously referred to as America's Hitler. In 2016, Crowder and Vance shared a few drinks and grumbled about how bad Trump would be for the United States. When Trump gained popularity, Crowder said he went viral and JD's book was released. Following this, the duo started to get to know each other. Vance attended Crowder's show and then they went to a pub. All we talked about the whole time was the existential threat we agreed Trump posed to the American people. While I was not charmed by the manin fact it was like pounding beers with a spreadsheetI did leave there thinking at least theres some sane Republicans left. Continuing his tirade against Vance, Crowder remarked, nobody tongue polishes a boot heel like him. He further claimed that JD is bought and wholly owned by Peter Thiel, whose current pet project is military AI. Crowder, according to the New Abnormal crew, had it spot on. Co-host Andy Levy termed Crowder's remarks as perfect pitch, something that he hasn't heard for a very long time. Echoing similar views, fellow co-host Danielle Moodie called it brilliant, stating that I love this man so much. Also Read: Usha Vance's 96-yr-old grandaunt reminds her of Indian roots in a strong message: She should not forget Indian-American Comedian hails JD Vance's wife Usha Usha Vance stole the show when she introduced her husband, JD Vance, at the Republican National Convention (RNC) last week. During her speech, she informed the attendees about their relationship as they were waiting for long to know about Trump's vice presidential pick. Usha, who is an alumna of Yale and Cambridge, has formerly worked as Chief Justice John Roberts. Indian-American comedian Zarna Garg called Usha her husband JD's "secret superpower". You can't deny that she's an eloquent, thoughtful, and brilliant woman who has exceptional stage presence, the Comedian stated, according to Fox News. Donald Trump blasted Joe Biden and Kamala Harris during a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This rally was the former presidents first rally after he survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last week. Donald Trump attacks Joe Biden, Kamala Harris at Michigan rally (Photo by BILL PUGLIANO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP, Photographer: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg) Attacking his rivals Biden and Harris, Trump said, according to The Mirror, If you vote for Biden, you are voting for Harris as well." They're not after you but I'll always stand in the way "They're after me, they're not after you but I'll always stand in the way," Trump said while casting the indictments against him as a witch hunt. Speaking about Biden, Trump said he's a stupid, stupid person who claims "weaponized justice against me." Trump described how well he gets along with Chinese president Xi Jinping, a brilliant" man who controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist." Trump said Jinping makes guys like Biden look like babies. At the same rally, Trump said he took a bullet for democracy" and vowed to "fight, fight fight" after the Pennsylvania rally shooting. Im saying, What the hell did I do for democracy? Last week, I took a bullet for democracy, he said. Trump was accompanied by his running mate JD Vance, who hailed the former president at the rally. "I find it hard to believe that a week ago, an assassin tried to take Donald Trump's life, and now we have got a hell of a crowd in Michigan to welcome him back on the campaign trail," Vance said before Trump arrived. After being introduced, Trump said he was "thrilled to be back in the great state of Michigan. "I stand before you only by the grace of almighty God. I shouldnt be here. Maybe JD or someone else should be here. Something very special happened. Something happened, he said. Trump was wounded in the assassination attempt, as were two other people. One person died in the shooting, and the suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service snipers. Donald Trump on Saturday addressed his first rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since an assassination attempt and used it as an opportunity to hit out at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The former president targeted Pelosi for selling out Biden and dubbed her crazy as a bedbug. He further accused her of turning on Biden like a dog. Donald Trump on Saturday hit out at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while addressing a first rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.(AP) Trump's remarks come after a CNN report stated that Pelosi privately expressed concerns over current polling to Biden. The polls as of now suggest that Biden cannot win the 20204 White House race. However, it wasn't clear if the California congresswoman told POTUS to decline a second term. She's [Kamala Harris] not as crazy as Nancy Pelosi, Crazy Nancy. Did you see Nancy Pelosi is selling out Biden now? Did you see? the GOP leader stated. She turned on him like a dog. 'Well I don't know if he should continue,' all of a sudden. Where did that come from? She was a hundred percent, all of a sudden, she's not sure. Not sure' means he's gone. But, no she's crazy as a bedbug; crazy, Trump added. Biden faces calls to withdraw from 2024 race It was reported last week that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with other prominent Democrats, had discussed with Biden about withdrawing from the contest. However, Biden has reiterated that he will run as the Democratic nominee, despite doubts about his mental and physical fitness. On Wednesday, Pelosi appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe and avoided giving a clear answer when asked if Biden had her support. It's up to the president to decide if he's going to run, she stated. Stressing that Democrats are insisting Biden to make his decision soon, she said: I want him to do whatever he decides to do. And that's the way it is. Whatever he decides, we go with. Also Read: Donald Trump's war against Deep State, its link with Biden and impact on 2024 US election | Explained Earlier, Biden had stated that he would only withdraw if his team presented him with polling data that showed there's no way you can win. On Sunday, Pelosi posted on X, seemingly defending her party and Biden's administration's record. She said Biden and Democrats delivered 15.7 million jobs, including 443,000 in North Carolina alone, along with revolutionary investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and combating climate change. Pelosi concluded her post, saying, And with Biden/Harris and Congressional Democrats working For The People, WE'RE NOT DONE YET! Donald Trump has claimed that the Secret Service did not warn him about gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks before the assassination attempt, even though agents had eyed the 20-year-old hours before the attack. Nobody mentioned it, Trump told Jesse Watters in an upcoming episode of the Fox News anchors primetime show. Nobody said it was a problem. Donald Trump claims Secret Service did not warn him about shooter before assassination bid (Photo by Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) [They] couldve said, Lets wait for 15, 20 minutes, 5 minutes. Nobody saidI think that was a mistake, he added. The former president questioned how Crooks managed to climb onto a roof with a rifle just 130 yards away from the rally site without the Secret Service doing something about it. It has been reported that police saw Crooks on the building 26 minutes before the shooting, but took no action, even though they were alerted by witnesses. How did somebody get on that roof? Secret Service snipers killed Crooks only after he had already injured Trump and others, and shot dead firefighter Corey Comperatore. An officer reportedly even saw Crooks using the rangefinder and looking at his phone almost an hour before Trump appeared on the stage in Pennsylvania. How did somebody get on that roof? Trump said. And why wasnt he reported, because people saw he was on that roof. When you have Trumpers screaming, the woman in the red shirt, Theres a man on the roof, and other people, Theres a man on the roof and whos got a gun that was quite a bit before I walked on the stage. And I wouldve thought someone wouldve done something about it, Trump added. Meanwhile, sources told New York Post that Secret Service officials repeatedly rejected the former presidents request for additional security in the two years before the attack. Trump is said to have asked for more agents and magnetometers at large public events he appeared at. Trump had also asked for extra snipers for outdoor venues, sources told The Washington Post. However, senior officials turned down the requests, claiming that the agency did not have the resources Trump was seeking. In a bizarre election rant, Donald Trump said he would prefer being electrocuted than dying in a shark attack during a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This was the former presidents first rally after surviving an assassination attempt. Donald Trump says he would prefer being electrocuted than devoured by shark (Photo by BILL PUGLIANO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) During his speech, he spoke about various topics, including the economy, immigration, and electric vehicles. However, he made peculiar remarks while discussing electric boats. "If I'm in a boat and it's all-electric and it starts to sink... I asked the guy 'do you get electrocuted sitting over this? he said. "And then I say - and I don't think there's anything wrong with this because it's an analogy - if there's a shark about 10 yards away, 'do I get electrocuted or do I go with the shark? ' I would take electrocution all day long, he added, according to the Express US. I took a bullet for democracy Trump also claimed that he took a bullet for democracy" and vowed to "fight, fight fight" following his assassination attempt. The 78-year-old wore a bandage on his right ear, which the bullet had reportedly grazed. He was accompanied by his running mate, JD Vance. Saying he was "thrilled to be back in the great state of Michigan, Trump said, Let me begin this evening with a special thanks to Americans nationwide for your outpouring support in the wake of last Saturday. Saying that he was alive by the grace of almighty God. I shouldnt be here, Trump stated, Maybe JD or someone else should be here. Something very special happened. Something happened." Trump also said during the speech that he took the bullet for democracy. Im saying, What the hell did I do for democracy? Last week, I took a bullet for democracy, he said. Trumps would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service snipers after he opened fire at the former presidents Pennsylvania rally. He wounded Trump and two others, and killed firefighter Corey Comperatore. Donald Trump on Saturday shared first doctor note a week after an assassination attempt that left him with a bullet wound to his right ear. According to his physician, the former president is doing well and recovering as expected. Trump shared a note from Jackson on Truth Social. His physician informed that the ex-President's right ear sustained a 2 cm wound from the bullet, which was less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head.(AP) Ronny Jackson, a staunch Trump supporter and a Republican who currently represents Texas' 13th Congressional District, has been with the GOP presidential nominee since the shooting and evaluating and treating his wound daily. Trump shared a note from Jackson on Truth Social. His physician informed that the ex-President's right ear sustained a 2 cm wound from the bullet, which was less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head. There was marked swelling of the entire upper ear, which has now subsided. He said, the wound is beginning to granulate and heal properly. Based on the highly vascular nature of the ear, there is still intermittent bleeding requiring a dressing to be in place, the report states. Jackson further expressed gratitude to Butler Memorial Hospital's medical team for offering immediate treatment to Trump and evaluating him, which included a CT scan of his skull. Trump will go through further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing, he said. Trump will make his public campaign rally debut this evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It will also be his first appearance with his recently announced running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, since the RNC event. Jackson declared that he will accompany Trump the entire weekend. In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon. I am extremely thankful his life was spared, Jackson wrote, stressing that it was an absolute miracle he wasn't killed. Reacting to the physician's note, one Trump supporter wrote: Glad his wound is healing! Thank God, I genuinely still get emotional when I think about what happened. God protected our warrior! one more reacted. Also Read: Donald Trump claims Secret Service did not warn him about shooter before assassination bid: That was a mistake FBI probing Trump assassination attempt Last week, Trump was hit by a gunshot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the horrific incident as an assassination attempt on Trump ahead of the November election. Trump covered his right ear with a bandage during this week's Republican National Convention (RNC). In a show of support, a number of convention goers dressed in imitation bandages over their ears. Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman, was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper. The shooting incident left 50-year-old retired firefighter Corey Comperatore dead and two other injured. One woman died and two people were hospitalised after a Samurai-style sword attack in Los Angeles last week. Los Angeles cops are now investigating what led to the fight. Last week, LA County Sheriffs deputies arrived at a residential street in San Dimas where they were waved down by an injured woman. The woman was bloodied, and had cuts on her right leg and hands. She was holding a Samurai-style sword, according to KTLA. Samurai-style sword attack in Los Angeles leaves woman dead (KTLA 5/YouTube) The incident On deputies orders, the woman put down the sword and raised her hands, New York Post reported. According to Lt. Daniel Vizcarra, the woman directed them to a nearby home, where another woman was found slashed to death. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A video obtained by KTLA showed the lone woman, covered in blood, holding the sword near a parked U-Haul box truck in the 300 block of South Huntington Avenue. She initially seemingly tried to show the sword to deputies who arrived at the scene, but put it down upon being ordered. A third woman, who was in the house, had to be rushed to a hospital due to a medical emergency which was believed to be a heart attack. She had reportedly not been wounded in the dispute that led to the other womans death. It has been reported that police are taking time to determine exactly what happened because the women speak only Mandarin Chinese. LASD Lt. Daniel Vizcarra spoke about the incident during a press conference, saying, That female then directs them to a residence on the street where the deputies find an additional female also suffering from lacerations, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. As they continued through the residence, an additional female was found in the residence unharmed, who was also transferred to a local hospital due to a medical emergency. The preliminary investigation suggests that there may be a family connection, but again, because of the language barrier, we have not confirmed that, Lt. Vizcarra added. Detectives have confirmed that the community is under no further threat. As Blue Screens of Death flashed across the world on Friday following a Microsoft outage afflicting banks, airlines and other operations on the globe, a US-based cybersecurity firm eventually took the fall for the IT lockdown. The CrowdStrike offices in Sunnyvale, California, US, on Friday, July 19, 2024. In what will go down as the most spectacular IT failure the world has ever seen, a botched software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. crashed countless Microsoft Windows computer systems globally. (Bloomberg / Benjamin Fanjoy) Headquartered in Austin, Texas, CrowdStrike claimed responsibility in an update shared on Friday afternoon. The agency's CEO, George Kurtz, shortly issued a statement on social media, saying the supposed IT pandemic was connected to a "defect found in a single content update for Window hosts and not an issue of a security incident or cyberattack. What more was to be said? As soon he firmly established that the issue bore no roots in any ill will but was merely the result of a corrupted update their company pushed, the social media erupted into a meme-worthy frenzy. CrowdStrike employee memes erupt online Numerous individuals came forward, claiming responsibility for the global IT crisis. And what more was expected to happen, especially when people love to put a face to something of such grand proportions plaguing them from an elusive distance? They all got the platform and audience they were looking for. Riotous fake posts and trolling memes about former CrowdStrike employees being sacked made it to the internet. Also read | Trump assassination attempt boosted 50 Cent's Many Men virality status by 250%, but producer strictly against All was fun and games until a man in the flesh arose out of the background, again allegedly confessing that he had been laid off from the company amid the ongoing hour of crisis, which somehow also apparently translated into his personal life after thatreasons: unknown. An Indian-origin man named Vinu Sankar Sadasivan (@imVinusankars) took to his X/Twitter feed on Saturday and wrote: I got fired from CrowdStrike today :(" Further highlighting that he had no comprehension of why he was let go by the company, he added, I am not really sure what the reason was! Anyway, I'll be around in Vienna for #ICML2024 since I'm free now. Let me know if anyone interested in Security and Privacy in AI or any other topic broadly in deep learning would like to catch up. Indian-origin man, another possible addition to the ongoing meme series Unlike the previous meme fest, Sadasivans confession seemed genuine. But is it? Although his X bio lays out an impressive list of achievements, mapping out a qualified trajectory in the tech industry, nowhere does it announce his employment at CrowdStrike. Also read | Bella Hadid to sue Adidas over 1972 Munich Olympic shoe ad amid Israel-Palestine conflict As long as his self-introduction on X and his GitHub profile tracks, Sadasivan hails from the town of Kollam in Kerala, India, and is a third-year Computer Science PhD student at The University of Maryland, College Park. A recipient of the Kulkarni Fellowship 2023, his research expertise lies in the areas of Security and Privacy in AI. His past milestones include being awarded the Directors Silver Medal and a Bachelors degree in Computer Science & Engineering from IIT Gandhinagar in 2020. The man claiming to be a former employee at CrowdStrike has reportedly previously interned at Caltech, Microsoft Research India and IISc. Yet again, no CrowdStrike mention to be seen anywhere, not even on his readily available online meticulous CV. His co-authored research paper titled Fast Adversarial Attacks on Language Models In One GPU Minute appears to have been accepted at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), held in Vienna, Austria, on July 21, 2024. Considering he had enough time to get fired from CrowdStrike while landing his big moment at the conference in Vienna, you can just go right up to him at the venue, as also highlighted in his tweet, and confirm if his claims of being a former employee at cybersecurity firm have a sound foundation bearing truthful fruits. If not, we can add him to the list of the best CrowdStrike employee memes. Several netizens joined in to console him and even help out in ways they could. Still, not everyone believed his outcry, given how the whole scenario has started sharing an uncanny resemblance with The Boy Who Cried Wolf. An X user summed up it accurately: At this point sarcasm and reality are indistinguishable News / Local by Staff reporter In Harare, Pauline Pfute has requested a protection order against her husband, Nobby Mugabe, accusing him of threatening to kill her over denied conjugal rights.Pfute claimed Mugabe frequently threatened her and argued that their marriage was in serious trouble.Mugabe countered that the application for a protection order was a way to avoid addressing issues related to their lack of intimacy, stating that Pfute had not fulfilled her marital duties for over three months and often wore jeans to bed.The court, presided over by Magistrate Meenal Narotam, instructed Mugabe to cease all forms of insult, assault, and harassment towards Pfute. An ongoing police investigation revealed a pick-up truck driver was shot dead in the US state of Indiana over suspected road rage. The mans wife identified the victim as 29-year-old Indian-origin man Gavin Dasaur. The man in a hat, green shirt and cargo shorts seen approaching the pickup truck was identified as Gavin Dasaur, an Indian-origin man from Agra. The altercation over suspected road rage happened at an intersection on Indianapolis southeast side. (Indiana, US). Officers responded to a report of a person being shot just after 8 pm Tuesday at an intersection on Indianapolis southeast side, Indianapolis Police Department Officer Amanda Hibschman told USA Today. Upon their arrival, officers eventually found a man down in the middle of the road with at least one gunshot wound. What happened between the Indian-origin man and the suspected shooter in Indianapolis According to mobile phone photos shared by The New York Post and a video posted on X/Twitter, a man donning a hat, green shirt and cargo shorts is seen getting out of his car and approaching a white Chevrolet pickup truck while yelling at its driver. The man walking up to the truck was identified as Dasaur. The Indian-origin man, reportedly from Agra, is spotted punching the trucks door during the altercation with a gun in his hand. Consequently, the truck driver fires multiple shots at Dasaur outside the vehicle and he drops to the ground. The suspected shooter was detained at the scenes, the Indianapolis Police Department Officer said. Upon further investigation, the police spokesperson hinted that he may have acted in self-defence and was released following consultation with the Marion County Prosecutors Office. Also read | Tennessee girl, 12, allegedly smothers 8-year-old cousin after fight over iPhone, victim's mom in unbearable pain Victim's widow confirms they were recently married Dasaur and his Mexican wife Viviana ZaMora had gotten married just about three weeks ago, on June 29. They were on their way back home when the former was fatally shot after an argument. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he eventually died. I held him as he bled out and I was waiting for the ambulance,"Dasaurs victim told The Indianapolis Star. We were so in love and had many plans for the future like starting a family and enjoying our honeymoon, and travelling all over the world, ZaMora added. The case was still under investigation on Friday, police said. The Marion County Coroners Office will be conducting the autopsy in order to determine the victims manner and cause of death. Also read | Horrifying Samurai-style sword attack in Los Angeles leaves woman dead Trigger warning ahead! Video of Dasaur's altercation with the suspected shooter goes viral on social media: Royal expert Tom Bower has a way with his stinging words, especially when he gets around to verbally assaulting Sussexes and, even more particularly, Meghan Markle. Following a slew of tirades against the Suits star, the Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors author again launched his share of vitriol against the estranged royal family member on Saturday. Ironically enough, the biographer who recently labelled the Duchess of Sussex an agent of poison has again made it to headlines after spewing more gossip surrounding her. Meghan Markle watches her husband Prince Harry play in an exhibition sitting volleyball match, in Abuja, Nigeria, Saturday, May 11, 2024. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans. (AP) In his recent claims, Bower insinuated that Markle also has plans for a future memoir, much like her husband, Prince Harry, who dropped bombshells about the royal family in his 2023 book, Spare. Royal author claims Meghan Markle is scheming to drop another bomb in a future memoir to hurt the Royal Family The royal biographer pushed ahead alleging that Markle was waiting to release her ultimate weapon in a money-making move that also seeks to positively boost the Sussex family in the media. In September 2023, Bower said that Meghan was writing her memoirs, which would be a huge money-spinner. Following up on his remarks of the past, the royal expert again took the same route of dishing the dirt on her while speaking to The Suns royal editor, Matt Wilkinson, on Saturday. Once more, he emphasised the image of Markle dropping another bomb about the British Royal Family while hoping to stoke their reputation. Also read | Prince George set to mark 11th birthday with two parties, but things will change next year due to 'morbid rule' According to Bower, the Sussexes are on a permanent decline and face a pretty grim future. The British writers sensational claims continued with the insistence that Markles memoir would come out when the Sussexes need money or whenever they need publicity to stoke their reputation. The bomb would drop in the form of Markles writing, her own biography, and Bower is sure of it that shes already penning it. Shes a good writer, and it will be filled with vitriol and filled with lies, he asserted. Despite stirring the pot around the conversation himself, Bower pushed that Markle would not tell the truth, planning to push for sensational headlines. That is the ultimate weapon she can deploy, he continued. While, as outsiders, one can only wonder how Bower has an insight into the said affairs, its hard to feign obliviousness to the extent of narratives, especially rife with bitterness, targetting Markle hes pushed for in numerous interviews of media appearances these past months. As far as his understanding goes, Meghan has allowed Harry to make the running while she is reserving herself for her autobiography. It is much better for her to be seen and the silent princess or duchess, the silent weapon in reserve. Also read | Prince William furious with Prince Harry over 'blatant attack' on Kate Middleton Royal expert's piercing verbal onslaught against Meghan Markle delighting" in association with royal family Family members feuding with each other is one thing, but then Bower went as far as implying that Meghan and Harry were pleased with how the royal familys visibility had been undermined since King Charles and Kate Middletons cancer diagnoses, considering how theyve limited their public-facing duties these past months while prioritising treatment. Bowers attacks didnt end there. His critique even slammed the Sussexes Nigeria trip as a brilliant coup, rubbishing their masquerade as royals as damaging. Nigeria said it all, you didnt need words from Meghan to say what it was all about, it was about we are the royal family in a Commonwealth country, the most important, probably, in Africa, and that said it all it was a brilliant coup. It is damaging because they appear as royals and theyre not, Bower asserted. He also declared that the couple was profiting from their association with the royal family" and that Markle delights in self-promotion gained from humiliating and damaging the same royal family who they deserted." Watch Royal expert Tom Bower launch a tirade against Meghan Markle in a recent interview: Prince Harry and his estranged brother Prince William have been in limelight for various reasons since the Duke of Sussex left the United Kingdom and shifted to the US with his wife, Meghan Markle. Prince Harry has been vocal about the straining ties with his brother, Prince William, and other Royal family members after stepping down as senior members of the monarchy. Prince Harry has been vocal about the straining ties with his brother and other Royal family members after stepping down as senior members of the monarchy. In a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey and in his memoir Spare, the Duke revealed why he and Meghan decided to quit their Royal roles and also reflected on their awkward equation with King Charles and the family. In Netflix documentary series spanning six parts, Harry gave a direct assessment of the difficulties experienced by women who marry into the British Royal Family. Calling it feeding frenzy, Harry said he was afraid that Meghan will face the same suffering. He then opened up about the pressure being faced by the men in the Royal Family when it comes to choosing a life partner. I think for so many people in the family, especially obviously the men, there can be a temptation or an urge to marry someone who would fit the mold, as opposed to somebody who you are perhaps destined to be with, the Duke said. However, Prince William left frustrated by his comments. According to royal expert Richard Hardman, the Prince of Wales interpreted Harry's remarks as blatant attack on Kate Middleton, whom the Duke had once called the sister I never had and always wanted, reported The Mirror. Read more: How Prince Harry was shaken by harsh one-word response from Charles and William at secret meeting: Painfully tepid Prince William, Kate may have conscious deal over Harry feud While Royal fans are desperately hoping that Prince William and Princess Kate will make amends with Prince Harry and the once-inseparable trio will reunite, it seems the years of hostility have led to the Cambridges agreeing to maintain distance from the Duke of Sussex. According to an insider, Kate and William have decided to sever their relationship with Harry and focus on positivity. This comes as Kate is still receiving preventative cancer treatment. William and Kate are very consciously focusing on positivity and recovery, the source told OK!. Meanwhile, royal analyst Ingrid Seward told The Mirror that William was more distressed due to his straining relationship with Harry. But he found it easier to cut ties rather than allow himself to be continually annoyed. Back in March, Harry faced criticism earlier for failing to offer Kate greater support during her medical crisis. However, he and Meghan issued a joint statement wishing her a speedy recuperation. Russia said Sunday it scrambled fighter jets to intercept two U.S. military long-range bomber aircraft that approached the Russian border over the Barents Sea in the Arctic. Russia says it scrambled fighter jets to intercept U.S. bomber planes over Barents Sea The crews of the Russian fighters identified the aerial target as a pair of U.S. Air Force B-52H strategic bombers, Moscows defense ministry wrote on the social media platform Telegram, specifying that the planes scrambled were MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters. As the Russian fighters approached, the U.S. strategic bombers turned away from the State Border of the Russian Federation, the ministry said. The U.S. routinely carries out flights over international waters. Moscow has recently responded more aggressively to the exercises, accusing the U.S. in June of using its reconnaissance drone flights over neutral waters in the Black Sea to help Ukraine strike Russian-occupied Crimea. Last month, Moscow warned of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO, and Russias defense minister ordered officials to prepare a response to U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea, in an apparent warning it may take forceful action to ward off the American reconnaissance aircraft. Washington and Moscow have clashed before over the issue. In March 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet damaged a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, causing it to crash into the Black Sea. It was the first direct clash between Russian and U.S. forces since the Cold War. A repeat of such a confrontation could further fuel tensions over the war in Ukraine. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. In a horrifying incident, a 12-year-old girl in Tennessee allegedly smothered her 8-year-old cousin as the baby slept. The crime was reportedly triggered by an argument over an iPhone, a relative said. Tennessee girl, 12, allegedly smothers 8-year-old cousin Demeria Hollingsworth (pictured) after fight over iPhone (GoFundMe) The county prosecutor revealed that the murder, which took place inside the bedroom they shared on July 15 in Humboldt, was caught on security camera. The victims mother, Rayana Smith, identified her child as Demeria Hollingsworth, according to WREG. The security camera recording reportedly showed the older child suffocating her cousin, who was sleeping in the top bunk, Gibson District Attorney Frederick Agees statement said. Agee said that after Hollingsworth died, the juvenile cleaned up the victim and repositioned her body. The suspect has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. I consider this to be one of the most disturbing violent acts committed by either an adult or juvenile that my office has prosecuted, Agee said in the statement, adding that he plans to petition a judge to prosecute the suspect in adult court which would allow for a lengthier sentence, whether that will be through incarceration or supervision with court-ordered conditions. The pain Im feeling is unbearable Smith has now set up a GoFundMe to raise money that would be used to fund a funeral for her daughter. I just lost my baby, the most beautiful child of God on Monday, July 15th. The pain Im feeling is unbearable. I have to now live life without her in this crazy world. But I have another child who's depending on me, and I have to be strong for my baby because she lost her big sister also. I never imagined anything like this would happen and now find myself trying to fund a funeral, Smith wrote on the page. Tracy Boyd, who claimed to be Smiths cousin, spoke out about the incident in a Facebook post. How tf does a 12 year old muster up the energy, capability, knowledge, audacity, and courage to smother an 8 year old child in their sleep then go back and reposition the body!? Im trying my hardest not to turn this City upside down for Rayana, Boyd wrote in part. Ive had Rayana on my mind ever since because I know how much she love her girls. It was literally just them 3 kickin it all day everyday. The moment she let her free to visit and hang the most unbelievable happens. We not done with this, Boud added. KYIV, - Ukraine needs long-range weapons to protect its cities and troops on the frontline from Russian bombs and drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday after a massive overnight drone and missile attack. Zelenskiy calls for long-range weapons after drone attack on Kyiv Russia launched its fifth drone attack on Kyiv in two weeks overnight, with Ukraine's air defence systems destroying all the air weapons before they reached the capital, Ukraine's military said. Ukraine's air force said on Telegram that its air defence systems destroyed 35 of the 39 drones and two cruise missiles that Russia had launched overnight. The weapons, the air force said, targeted 10 of Ukraine's regions. It was not immediately clear how many drones were launched at Kyiv. There were no casualties and no significant damage reported, Serhiy Popko, head of the Ukrainian capital's military administration, said on the Telegram. "During last night alone, the Russian army used almost 40 'Shaheds' against Ukraine. Importantly, most of them were shot down by our defenders of the sky," Zelenskiy said on Telegram, referring to the drones. He said it was necessary to destroy Russian bombers at Russian air bases to protect Ukraine from air raids. "Our sufficient long-range capabilities should be a fair response to Russian terror. Everyone who supports us in this supports the defence against terror," Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy renewed his call for Western allies to allow long-range strikes on Russia on Friday in London, saying Britain should try to convince its partners to remove the limits on their use. NATO members have taken different approaches to how Ukraine can use weapons they donate. Some have made clear Kyiv can use them to strike targets inside Russia while the United States has taken a narrower approach, allowing its weapons to be used only just inside Russia's border against targets supporting Russian military operations in Ukraine. Russia launched three Iskander ballistic missiles, Ukraine's air force said, without saying what happened to them. The military administration of the Sumy region in Ukraine's northeast bordering Russia said on Telegram that a Russian missile damaged critical infrastructure in the Shostkynskyi district of the region. The administration did not provide detail on what infrastructure was hit. There was no immediate comment from Russia about the attacks. Moscow says it does not attack civilian targets in Ukraine. "These systematic attacks ... with drones, once again prove that the invader is actively looking for an opportunity to strike Kyiv," Popko said. "They're testing new tactics, looking for new approach routes to the capital, trying to expose the location of our air defence." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race after a growing list of Democratic lawmakers called on him to quit, following last month's disastrous debate performance and a flurry of public missteps, leaving Democrats scrambling to elect a worthy candidate as the party's nominee. Biden's announcement follows a rough few weeks for the president, who was forced last weewk to cut a campaign event in Las Vegas short, following a COVID-19 diagnosis the same day California Rep. Adam Schiff also publicly called for him to step aside. Schiff is the most prominent Democrat so far to appeal for Biden to abandon his seemingly dimming campaign. Similar cries for Biden to pass the torch gained traction last week, a day after he mistakenly referred to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin," and Vice President Kamala Harris as "Donald Trump" during NATO events in Washington, D.C. "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a statement. "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," Biden said on X. It was an unprecedented development; no other presidential candidiate in recent history has quit this late in the race. During a press conference earlier this month, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre vowed Biden would "absolutely not" withdraw from the race, despite dismal feedback and a growing number of calls within the Democratic party for him to step down, following his unimpressive debate against Donald Trump in Atlanta, a week prior. "He has had the opportunity to talk to supporters," Jean-Pierre told reporters, adding that the president has "talked about how he understands that [the debate] was not his best night and that it is fair for people to ask that question." "He has the most historic record and administration in modern politics. That should matter and he wants to continue to do that work," she said. Concerns surrounding Biden's ability to defeat Trump, coupled with his age, health and capacity to carry out the presidential duties for another term have grown louder. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas and Rep. Jared Golden of Maine became the first members of the party in Congress to suggest Biden drop out of the race. Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as a top contender to replace Biden. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are also being floated as replacements. A man was found guilty Friday in Ireland of murdering his older brother in a melee that broke out during a funeral at a graveyard. Patrick Dooley, 36, of Killarney, is the fourth person to be convicted in the killing of Thomas Dooley, 42, a father of seven, in 2022, the BBC reported. Dooley claimed that he jumped into the fray to protect his older brother after he was attacked by a gang of men with weapons during the funeral at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, the outlet reported. It was unclear why Thomas Dooley was attacked. On Thursday 43-year-old Thomas Dooley Sr. (from a different Dooley family), his son Thomas Dooley Jr., 21, and a teenager were also found guilty in the killing by a jury at Central Criminal Court in Cork. The jury is expected to continue deliberating the cases against two others, Michael Dooley, 29, and Daniel Dooley, 42, who are also related to the deceased. Thomas Dooley's wife, Siobhan Dooley, who was injured during the attack, testified that the trouble began after her late husband's brother Patrick and brother-in-law Thomas Dooley Sr. approached him at the funeral. "They were actually grinning. I said to my husband to run. He said, 'No, why should I run? I have nothing to run for,'" she said, according to EchoLive.ie. "I saw Tom [Thomas Sr.] with something in his hand. I saw him with two weapons in his hands. One was kind of shiny and looked to be new. The other had a bit of rust on it. I think one had a kind of round top on it, the other was kind of a big chunk of a yoke... Tom said, 'You're a big man now.' Patrick was grinning," the widow testified. She said she tried to get in the way of the two men, but one of them said, "Take her out, too, get rid of her" before she was knocked to the ground. "They were actually pushing each other to get in at him. I remember one of them pushing (another) back. 'Shove over, give me a chance, give me a go,'" she said. The colossal CrowdStrike tech snafu that shut down air travel, snarled banking and hospital systems, and tangled businesses worldwide created a fertile ground for criminal hackers that could trigger continuing major distruptions and fleece computer users, experts across the globeare warning. Cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike said Friday that the chaos was triggered after a "defect" in one of its software updates hit Windows operating systems. A "fix" was quickly deployed and the situation was slowly returning to normal, but many systems were still in flux Saturday, with thousands of flights, including hundreds of U.S. planes, grounded. Continuing fallout is expected to be triggered by an army of hackers burrowing into temporarily vulnerable systems. U.S. cybersecurity agency CISA said in a statement Friday that though the CrowdStrike outage was not linked to a cyberattack or malicious activity, it has "observed threat actors taking advantage of this incident for phishing and other malicious activity." CISA warned individuals to "avoid clicking on phishing emails or suspicious links" which could provide access to hackers into their computers. "Criminals look to take advantage of incidents like this Crowdstrike outage, creating a sense of urgency that you need to do what they say to protect your computer and your financial information," Catriona Lowe, deputy chair of Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission, noted on the government's "Scamwatch" site. Britain's National Cyber Security Centre issued a similar message Friday, warning against "opportunistic malicious actors" already moving in to profit from the mess. Criminals posing as representatives of Crowdstrike or Microsoft in emails or on the phone are seeking personal information, including bank account numbers, or sending fraudulent software "fixes" that are actually invasive worms into computers and operating systems to establish control. Australia's Minister of Home Affairs Clare O'Neil called a press conference Saturday to warn the public. "Some small businesses in particular, and some individuals are receiving emails from people who are pretending to be CrowdStrike or who are pretending to be Microsoft, and are indicating you need to put in bank details to get access to a reboot," she explained. "I ask Australians to be really cautious over the next few days about attempts to use this for scamming or phishing," O'Neil added. "If you see an email, if you see a text message that looks a little bit funny, that indicates something about CrowdStrike or IT outages, just stop. Don't put any details." Experts warned that only Crowdstrike's website should be used for information and help as those affected by the glitch work to get up and running again. News / Local by Staff reporter Exiled musician Thomas Mapfumo has called for a complete overhaul of Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu-PF, despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa's assurance that he will not seek another term beyond 2028.Mnangagwa made this commitment during a speech in Mutare where he also inaugurated a processing plant at Mutare Teachers' College. He stated that his presidency will conclude after his current term, emphasizing plans for succession at an upcoming party congress.Mapfumo, a vocal critic of Mnangagwa's administration, dismissed the president's words as deceitful, urging Zimbabweans not to be swayed. He criticized Zanu-PF as inherently corrupt and argued that removing Mnangagwa alone would not bring about change, calling for the entire party's removal. Mapfumo highlighted Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as waiting in the wings for leadership.In an interview with Standard Style, Mapfumo emphasized the need for citizens to take action, advocating for protests akin to those in Kenya, citing them as a pathway to achieving societal change. He criticized opposition leader Nelson Chamisa for inaction, asserting that silence only strengthens Zanu-PF's grip on power.Mapfumo's comments underscore ongoing political tensions in Zimbabwe despite Mnangagwa's public commitment to respect constitutional limits on his presidency. A Brazilian musician was killed in a freak accident during a live show when he was electrocuted while hugging a sopping-wet fan at the concert that apparently triggered a jolt from an electric cable, according to reports. Ayres Sasaki, 35, died instantly during the performance on stage at a hotel in Salinopolis, Brazil, on July 13, People reported, citing media reports in the South American country. Sasaki embraced the soggy fan, causing a nearby cable to short circuit and spark the fatal jolt. It's still unknown why the fan was drenched, or if he was affected by the electricity that killed Sasaki. Sasaki's family are seeking more details about the situation. "We are contacting people who were with him at the moment to understand how everything happened. We will gather all the information in a statement that we will release to the press," his aunt, Rita Matos, told media in Brazil. The Solar Hotel where he was performing released a statement the following day saying it is assisting in the investigation. "We are fully dedicated to providing support to his family and taking the necessary measures. We reaffirm our commitment to fully cooperating with the competent authorities for the proper clarification of the events," the hotel said in a statement on Instagram. "Our thoughts and condolences are with Ayres Sasaki's family and friends at this difficult time," it continued. Sasaki's wife of 11 months, Mariana, thanked her husband's fans for their support. "I would like to thank you for every message of affection and comfort, for every prayer during this difficult time that we are going through," she wrote, Istoe Gente reported. "I haven't been able to read all the messages yet, but as I feel better, I will respond to each one. Thank you." Former President Donald Trump told Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone that he would "bring peace to the world" and negotiate a deal between Ukraine and Russia to end the fighting that has been raging since Vladimir Putin invaded in February 2022. Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform on Friday, a day after he accepted the Republican presidential nomination, about the "very good phone call earlier today" with Zelenskyy. He said that Zelenskyy congratulated him on becoming the GOP nominee and "condemned the heinous assassination attempt" during last Saturday's campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Zelenskyy "remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times." Trump also said they talked about how "I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families." He added: "Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity." Zelenskyy, in a post on X, confirmed that he congratulated Trump on the nomination and condemned the "shocking assassination attempt," adding that he "wished him strength and absolute safety in the future." He also thanked the U.S. for "strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror. Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day. We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting." I spoke with @realDonaldTrump to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future. I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) July 19, 2024 The phone call comes amid worry over the future of U.S. support for Ukraine if Trump wins in November because of his criticism of the NATO alliance, resistance to providing financial aid to Kyiv for the war effort, and his frequent gushing praise of Putin. Trump has called "savvy" Putin's invasion of Ukraine a "genius" move. The concern was heightened when Trump picked Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate. The Ohio Republican has been a staunch opponent of sending military aid to Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly boasted he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, but has failed to offer any details, even after challenges by Zelenskyy to do so. Some fear Trump would end the war by pressing to turn Ukraine over to Russia. "If Trump knows how to finish this war, he should tell us today," Zelensky said in a Bloomberg Television interview earlier this month. "We want to know." John Bolton, Trump's national security advisor, gave a blunt response when asked about Trump's purported plan on CNN: "This is nuts." "Now, I'm not a shrink. But I know the technical term, for somebody who says, I will bring peace to the world. This is nuts. He has no idea how he's going to negotiate an end to this war, except I think that his affinity for Vladimir Putin will lead to concessions to the Russian side that are going to be devastating for Ukraine," Bolton said. "I think this is a very dark moment. And it's not just a dark moment for Ukraine. ... We have been assisting Ukraine because it's in the core of American national security interest, to defend against unprovoked aggression on the continent of Europe, and to try and get peace and stability there, that benefits us in innumerable ways," Bolton added. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, asked Friday about what happens to U.S. assistance to Ukraine if Trump wins in November, said it's imperative the country "stands on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically." And "we have Ukraine on that trajectory," he added. "Even as we're working to do everything we can to make sure that it has what it needs to deal with the ongoing Russian aggression, we're also helping Ukraine build this plan, program for the future." It's the "happiest place on Earth" unless you work there. About 14,000 unionized employees at Disneyland overwhelmingly authorized a strike against the iconic theme park in Anaheim, California, according to a report late Friday. The potential work stoppage was favored by 99% of those who voted and came two days after a rally at which disgruntled staffers chanted, "Shut it down!" outside the gates, the Orange County Register reported. "Disney cannot continue to silence cast members," the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement. "We are prepared to take action." A contract covering about 9,000 workers expired on Tuesday, and contracts covering the other 5,000 staffers are set to expire on Sept. 30, according to the Register. Negotiations reportedly began in April and were set to resume on Monday and Tuesday. The workers belong to four unions that comprise the Master Services Council, which represents ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, parking attendants, tram drivers and others, according to the Register. In a statement, Disneyland downplayed the strike vote, calling it "not unusual as part of a negotiations process," and saying the park remained open pending the still unscheduled strike. "We greatly appreciate the important roles our cast members play in creating memorable experiences for our guests, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation," the company said in a statement. Nearly 17 million people visited Disneyland in 2022, making it the world's second most popular theme park after Disney's Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, according to the most recent figures compiled by the Aecom consulting company. The park opened in 1955 and bills itself as "the happiest place on Earth," a trademarked slogan that appears over the entrance and elsewhere, as well as on merchandise sold in its shops. Sheriff's deputies and police officers responding to a call about a road-rage shooting in Virginia were fired on by a man in what one law enforcement officer described as "an ambush," riddling the police car with more than 100 bullet holes. Andrew Susalis, 35, was arrested after the incident in York County on Wednesday afternoon and faces more than a half-dozen charges, including two counts of attempted second-degree murder, officials said. The mayhem began when deputies from the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office and the James City County Police arrived at a house to investigate a road-rage incident from earlier that morning. As they exited their cars, a man opened fire on them with a high-powered rifle from the upper floor of a nearby home, shooting multiple rounds at the officers and leaving the police cruiser pockmarked with bullet holes. "We counted, conservatively, 100 holes in that car," Sheriff Ron Montgomery said at a news conference. One of the officers was able to find shelter by the cruiser. "He was on the inside of that vehicle, near the curb, the entire, approximately five minutes, of shooting that was occurring, until the shooting stopped," James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison said. "Once they got the suspect in custody, they were able to get him from there and our medics were on the scene and were able to administer any aid that he needed, as well as the other officers," he added. The officers didn't return fire because they couldn't determine where the gunshots were coming from. None of the officers was injured. Jamison emphasized: "We don't sign up to pull up to a house trying to protect the community and take over 100 rounds from a rifle," but he noted that such a thing is (clearly) possible. "I'm just extremely pleased and grateful that our officers were not severely injured, that they survived this by the grace of God and they're alive today," he said, terming the incident as "an ambush." Susalis is being held in the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. Donald Trump and his allies are anticipating protests in the streets if the former president wins the White House, and are strategizing to use American troops as a national police force to quell distruption, an inside source has told the New Yorker. The startling plan was exposed in a lengthy article this week in the magazine on the right-wing administrative architects of an envisioned Trump administration who aim to manage the logistics of pushing through many of the goals of the highly controversial Project 2025 plan, which Trump has publicly claimed he knows "nothing about." New Yorker journalist Jonathan Blitzer focused on the well-funded Conservative Partnership Institute and its satellite organizations in Washington, D.C., which are prepared to help manage the system and undertake the massive staffing of a Trump administration when as many as thousands of federal workers could be fired and replaced with Trump and right-wing loyalists, he writes. Those close to Trump are "anticipating large protests" if Trump wins, and allies have been working on plans to impose a "version" of the Insurrection Act that would allow Trump to "dispatch troops to serve as a national police force," Blitzer writes. When Trump was in the White House he asked Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley about shooting Black Lives Matter protesters during a 2020 meeting, his Defense Secretary Mark Esper told NPR in an interview. "Can't you just shoot them, just shoot them in the legs or something?" an "enraged" Trump asked, recounted Esper, who said the question took everyone in the room "aback." The planned changes in a possible second Trump White House would be carried out in part to satisfy Trump's demand that people working for him follow all of his orders as he installs a new government, according to Blitzer's source, which was not the case the last time he was president. The strategy to use U.S. troops to police American citizens is a small part of a massive envisioned overhaul of the federal government and the president's powers. Much of the blueprint is discussed in detail in the 900-page Project 2025 "Mandate for Leadership" playbook created by the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation with the aid of some 70 staff members of the Trump White House. Some of the plan's aims include shutting down the Department of Education as part of a goal to take apart the federal government, executing or "obtain finality" for all prisoners on death row, sanctioning only "heterosexual, intact, marriage" because all other relationships are "unstable" or create "poor behavior," and slashing Medicaid. Federal workers would largely be classified as political appointees so they could all be fired en masse without violating labor laws and replaced by right-wing loyalists under the plan. The Justice Department, which has largely operated independently of the executive office over the years, would be turned over to Trump to command, Blitzer reported. Attorney Jeffrey Clark, the former Trump administration official who sought to mobilize the Justice Department to overturn the 2020 election in Trump's favor, is expected to be part of a future Trump administration, according to the New Yorker. If Clark gets a top job at the DOJ, he'd likely use his position to "remake the department as an instrument of the White House," Blitzer writes. Clark was indicted in Georgia last summer, where he's charged with violating the state's racketeering law and attempting to make false statements. He has pleaded not guilty. Many of the plans for the envisioned Trump administration would be launched within "hours" of the moment the former president retakes office, according to the New Yorker which is why Trump told Sean Hannity late last year that he wouldn't be a dictator "except for Day One," Blitzer noted. One person was fatally shot and two were wounded when gunfire erupted in the parking lot of a Hindu house of worship in Massachusetts early Saturday. There's no indication the deadly violence is tied to the Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Lowell, about 20 miles northwest of Boston. Instead, it appeared that the bullets began flying after a fight broke out among a group of people gathered in the lot, according to authortities. No arrests have been made and an investigation was underway. Several cars, alcohol bottles and a pile of clothes were visible in an area surrounded by yellow police tape, NBC Boston reported. A black sedan appeared to have been struck by several bullets, according to local TV station WCVB. Cops found two people shot when they responded to reports of shots fired around 4:50 a.m., Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon said in a joint statement. Both victims were rushed to a local hospital where a 43-year-old Lowell man was pronounced dead. The other victim, a 35-year-old man, remained hospitalized with unspecified wounds, and a 26-year-old woman who suffered minor wounds went for treatment at a hospital on her own, authorities said. The shootings disrupted plans for a Saturday event expected to draw about a thousand people to the temple and police were directing attendees around the crime scene, NBC Boston said. The former Marine who was held in Russia from 2019 to 2022 has warned people to be "skeptical" when Donald Trump brags that he will get Ethan Gerhkovich released from a Russian prison, a claim the former president repeated on Friday when the Wall Street Journal reporter was sentenced to 16 years at a secret trial. The Republican presidential nominee turned to his Truth Social media platform on Friday to needle President Joe Biden for not getting Gershkovich released. "Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was just sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Russian Court. Biden will NEVER GET HIM OUT, unless he pays a 'king's ransom,'" Trump said, repeating similar claims he has made on the campaign trail. "I will get him out FOR NO COMPENSATION immediately following our victory on November 5th, and it will be my great honor to do so. Vote for TRUMP, and The Wall Street Journal should STOP BEING STUPID!!!" he continued. In May, Trump boasted that he would use his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin to free Gershkovich, who has been held since being arrested in March 2023. "Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do that for me, but not for anyone else, and WE WILL BE PAYING NOTHING!" Trump said. Trevor Reed, a former Marine who was released in April 2022 in a prisoner swap following months of negotiations with Russia during the Biden administration, questioned why if Trump has the power to get Gershkovich released he didn't do the same for him and Paul Whelan, another U.S. citizen being held in Russia. "As a former wrongful detainee in Russia, I would just like to remind everyone that President Trump had the ability to get myself and Paul Whelan out of Russia for years and chose not to. I would be skeptical of any claims about getting Evan Gershkovich back in a day," Reed wrote on X in May in response to Trump's assertion. Whelan, also a former Marine, was arrested in Moscow in December 2018 on espionage charges during the Trump administration. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in June 2020 when Trump was still in the White House. Biden arranged for the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner in December 2022 in exchange for Viktor Bout, an arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death." The Kremlin has said they have had no contact with Trump, and Putin has not talked to the former president. Former President Donald Trump used his first campaign rally since being named this year's Republican presidential nominee to repeat the apparently false claim that he was once named Michigan's "man of the year." During a Saturday appearance in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Trump claimed he received the award "years ago" when "they gave me, in Michigan, the man of the year." "That was long before I was a politician. I was a business guy. I did well. I liked the state, but I don't know," he said. "I heard, 'Man of the year, Michigan.' I said, 'That's cool. That's good. I'm going to make that trip.'" Trump added, "I didn't know why they were giving it to me, nothing, but they were giving it to me for, I guess, the fact that I employed a lot of people, I did real well." Following Trump's remarks, CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale said, "The answer is that they, whoever they are, did not do that." "There is no sign that this award actually exists, let alone that Donald Trump actually got it," he said. Dale also said this year's campaign marked the "third consecutive presidential election in which Donald Trump has claimed to have been named the man of the year in Michigan." "We've asked a series of three consecutive Trump campaigns no evidence provided whatsoever. It just did not happen," he added. In 2019, CNN said Trump had made the claim at least six times since the launch of his 2016 campaign. Also in 2019 former Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Trott of Michigan said he believes that Trump was mistakenly referring to a 2013 event when he gave the keynote address at the Oakland County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner and was given a plaque. Photos show that Trott, who chaired the event, handed Trump a tie, a statuette of Abraham Lincoln and a large, framed copy of the Gettysburg address, according to the MLive news website. "There was no Michigan man of the year award," Trott told Crain's Detroit Business in 2019. "There was certainly nothing like that bestowed upon him." Trott was also present during a 2017 roundtable discussion in Ypsilanti, Michigan, when then-President Trump claimed to have been given Michigan's man of the year award "about five or six years ago" before asking Trott, "Is that right?" Crain's said. Trott replied, "Great speech," according to Crain's. Trott, who left Congress the following year, told Crain's he didn't feel comfortable correcting Trump, saying: "You see what happens to people who do that." Live-streaming video cameras of rattlesnake rookeries are surprising scientists with new discoveries about the slithering moms-to-be that gather by the hundreds to give birth in the "mega dens" in Colorado and California. For one thing, researchers have discovered that the snakes sometimes share child-care of their "pups." The young stay in the dens with their mothers until they venture out on their own, Dickinson College biology professor Scott Boback, who co-leads Project RattleCam, explained in an NPR interview. In another surprise, Boback has witnessed the snake flatten, then coil their bodies into a kind of "teacup" to collect rainwater. They then turn their heads to sip from the "cup." Boback said he's particularly pleased by comments by the snake-watching community who often notice details the researchers may not. A number of them have spotted certain patterns on individual snakes that help identify them. "They're identifying individual snakes, and they can identify unique features on an individual and name the snake. That allows us to move forward in tracking individuals," he told NPR. Watchers are also coming up with "the funnest of names" in the project's snake-naming contests, he noted, mentioning "Mr. Snaky Pants." The project has posted several video highlights here. The Colorado live cam can be seen here: This is the den in California: News / Local by Staff reporter Outspoken opposition figure and Vice-Chairman of the Citizens Coalition for Change, Job Sikhala, is set to return home today after a four-month absence abroad. His impending return was confirmed by reliable sources within his new political organization, the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), who acknowledged potential government harassment but noted Sikhala's resolve."Yes, I can confirm that Job Sikhala will arrive this morning at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare," stated the source, adding that he will be flying in on South African airline Safair around 9am. Accompanied by diplomats and Amnesty International officials upon landing, Sikhala has been receiving medical treatment overseas following a 595-day pre-trial detention at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.During his time abroad, Sikhala engaged in international political forums, including appearances on BBC Hardtalk and delivering a speech at the United Nations Summit on Human Rights and Democracy. His outspoken remarks on global platforms drew criticism and threats from Zimbabwean authorities, Zanu-PF leaders, and known party members.Reflecting on the threats, Sikhala, who has faced over 60 arrests for his activism, remained steadfast: "The threats of arrest are nothing new. It's a regime habit to persecute me when they fail to satisfy the country's needs. I doubt my arrest will solve our challenges."Regarding his speech at the Geneva conference, Sikhala defended its content as truthful and within legal bounds, accredited by the UN Human Rights Council. Despite the risks, he expressed no fear about returning to Zimbabwe, the only home he knows. Veteran Spotlight: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lewis NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Michael Lewis served his country in the Navy as a petty officer, second class, from 1977 to 1994. Born in North Adams, he would do his basic training at Great Lakes, Ill. His first assignment would be at submarine school (NAVSUBCOM) in Groton, Conn., then to the USS Pensacola (LSD-38) out of Little Creek, Va. While serving onboard the Pensacola, his ship was anchored off the coast of Beirut in October 1980 as part of a Multinational Peacekeeping Force, when the U.S. Embassy was bombed. He was sent ashore to help revive and refurbish an orphanage outside of Beirut with a group of sailors and Marines. "We actually ran the engines in reverse to guard against terrorists putting bombs under the ship ... Navy Seals also dropped depth charges around our perimeter," he recalled. Lewis would go on a variety of cruises throughout the Caribbean and North Atlantic. "I was a boiler tech in the engine room. It was very hot.we carried LCUs (Landing Craft Utility), tanks and troops. We had 250 Marines and 250 sailors onboard," he said. "For punishment, they got sent to the engine room so you can get an idea of how bad it was down there." He would go to other duty stations Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activities at Little Creek, Va., the USS Dahlgren (DDG-43), Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes again, USS Nitro (AE-23), Naval District at Washington, D.C., the SIMA at a Naval Reserve Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia and the SIMA at the maintenance facility in Newport, R.I. How were the holidays? "You always missed your family and friends," Lewis said, but added, "we always ate well. They made it enjoyable. The guys played music, some guys put a small band together and would play on the flight deck, which was pretty cool." Was he ever afraid? "No, not really. You have a big sense of security so you're well protected," he said. But he did recall an incident at a Seabee base at Roosevelt Roads in San Juan, Puerto Rico. "Four of our sailors were walking in the streets on their way back to the ship and a car pulled up and gunned them down," Lew said. "One sailor had four bullets in him but actually ran back to the ship. One died and three were critically injured. The ship's whistle blew and everyone that was out raced back to the ship and we immediately got underway." His retirement ceremony was held aboard the USS Massachusetts in Fall River. Thoughts on his service? "Definitely a feeling of pride. Really big sense of pride great lifestyle that taught me structure and responsibility," he said. "I would do it all over again." He is the vice president of American Legion Riders Post 125 and has been invaluable in helping to provide escorts for several veterans' funeral processions and burials. In addition, he was involved in escorting the Mobile Vietnam Wall from Lenox to American Legion post 155 in Dalton and the remains of Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher from Westover Air Force Base to Pittsfield after the airman was killed in a military drill last fall. Lewis was awarded two Good Conduct Medals, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Navy Expeditionary Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal. Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lewis, thank you for your service to our great country. 'Fragile Beauty' exhibit curator Kathleen Morris explains the transformation of the glass in the 'Grand Slam Fish Bowl' that mimics jade. The exhibition from the Corning Museum of Glass runs through Oct. 27. The 'Grand Slam Fish Bowl' was made from opaque green lead glass and a lost wax-casting technique. Louis Comfort Tiffany and other glass scientists developed iridescent glass. 'The Proof of Awareness' by Loretta Hui-Shan Yang. PreviousNext Clark 'Fragile Beauty' Exhibit Profits from Direct Light The pieces reflect the broad range of artistic, utilitarian and decorative glassworks over cultures and time, such as Josh Simpson's 'Megaworld.' WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. One of the Clark Art Institute's newest exhibits makes the light that shines through the tall window panes in the Michael Pavilion part of the exhibit. The light-filled pavilion looks out over the museum's three-tiered reflecting pool and the surrounding mountains. The exhibit, "Fragile Beauty" fills the pavilion with glass objects from the Corning Museum of Glass, showcasing different cultures, time periods, and techniques, and will run through Oct. 27. There will also be a number of events to celebrate the event, including lectures, glass-blowing demonstrations, and a weekly art-making drop in event. The Corning Museum of Glass will bring its mobile hot shop to Clark for one week in early August. This will allow visitors to see live glassblowing demonstrations by the Corning Museum's team of expert glassmakers. Local contemporary artist Josh Simpson, who is from Shelburne Falls, will be part of this demonstration. Simpson's piece "Megaworld" made in 1991, is on display as part of the The glass planet is just on of the imaginary worlds he has been creating for many years and uploads the process online They are meant to look like you are looking down on a planet from a distance. The Corning Museum is an "incredible place," said the exhibit's curator Kathleen Morris. According to Corning's Gaffer District website, it is the world's largest glass museum, with more than 50,000 objects representing 3,500 years of glassmaking history. When looking for exhibits to fill the space, the Clark want to find something that could not only sustain direct light but also profit from it, Director Olivier Meslay said. "We're always thinking about projects that will be really conducive to the natural light in this gallery, and we came up with the idea of glass," Morris said. For instance, the look of the contemporary piece in the exhibit "The Proof of Awareness" changes based on its surroundings. The colorless glass peony, which the Clark has lighted from beneath, was made in 2006 by Taiwanese artist Loretta Hui-Shan Yang. "It does pick up on the different colors around it. If you come back to the Clark on one of the evenings when we're open late, every Wednesday evening, you will also see it without all of the sunlight, and it looks completely different," Morris said. The theme of the display is very broad, but every piece in the exhibit takes inspiration from nature in some way, which is fitting because of the museum's landscape, which can be seen within the pavilion, Morris said. The objects vary in shapes, sizes, and colors and the exhibit shows a broad range of cultural diversity, with pieces from Europe, North America, Asia, India, China and Japan. There is also a temporal range, with ancient pieces whose creator and date of creation have been lost to time beside contemporary pieces made only a few years ago. The fragment of a wall decoration in the shape of a fish is just one example. The piece is made from fused and assembled glass games set into plaster. The exhibit showcases various glass techniques, some of which transform the glass so much that it doesn't even resemble glass, like the "Grand Slam Fish Bowl" from 1999. Charles Miner made the fish bowl using opaque green lead glass and the lost wax-casting technique. "This actually was in the storage of the Corning Museum of Glass, and when I saw it, I was like, 'That doesn't look like glass.' This is one of the things I loved about it. It looks like it's made of jade or ceramic or stone, but it's glass," Morris said. There are many different ways glass makers have made glass over the years, Morris said. The exhibit includes works by Louis Comfort Tiffany and some of the glass scientists and manufacturers who developed the technique and formula for producing favrile glass. Tiffany loved the Art Nouveau and aimed to produce glass with iridescent surfaces similar to those found on ancient buried glass. He collaborated with scientists to recreate this effect in his factory, without the need for centuries of burial. These pieces had a shimmering, iridescent effect which was popular in Europe and America in the 19th century, Morris said. The display not only gives a glimpse into the trend but also tells the story of the lawsuit surrounding the beautiful glass with the inclusion of two pieces by different companies that made iridescent glass. One piece is by Quezal Art Glass and Decorating Co., which was formed by two of Tiffany's scientists who split from his company. The other is by Frederick Carder, who was one of the co-founders of Steuben Glass Works. "He was a glassmaker. He was a scientist. He was a designer, an amazingly creative man, and he was determined to find ways to create iridescent glass of his own," Morris said. Tiffany took Carder to court and lost the lawsuit because the courts determined the process of making the glass is something anyone can figure out with trial and error, she said. Enameled beakers from the 16th century. The exhibit also showcases ways of life from a distant time period. One example of this is the large hunting beaker on the left, dated 1585 (see image left), which is decorated with enamel paint. The design illustrates hunters and their dogs chasing various animals, such as foxes, bears, deer, and boars. Along the top is an inscription that translates to "Hunters drink, fill yourself up, then your hounds will run well." The design closely resembles the hunting ceremony that transpired while using the beakers. "These kinds of drinking vessels were made in huge quantities but I think it's kind of remarkable that any of them survived if you think about how they were used," Morris said with a chuckle. Especially considering there were other beakers larger in size. The beakers were not meant to be decorative and were actually very actively used. The large beaker was filled with beer and would be passed around before hunting. Dalton Police Station Gets Asbestos Abatement DALTON, Mass. Asbestos abatement in the police station is scheduled for Monday, but more work still needs to be done. The Select Board was notified of the safety concerns in the police station, located in the Town Hall basement, during its meeting on May 28 Issues in the station included plumbing, asbestos, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damage to cells. During the meeting, it became clear that the Town Hall basement is not a viable long-term location for the station, but short-term resolutions need to be implemented to make the space safe for its staff until the town can find a permanent location. Building and Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch updated the board on potential short-term resolutions during the Select Board meeting on June 24 He had received quotes from Hill Engineering of $35,000 for the plumbing upgrade and $47,000 for the ventilation system but was still seeking one more quote as the cost was higher than anticipated. The board approved using up to $82,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funding for the design and engineering of the police station's sanitary plumbing upgrade and ventilation system installation. During the Monday meeting, Burch said engineering company EDM has submitted a proposal for a new ventilation system for the police station that is about $10,000 less than Hill Engineering's proposal. EDM's quote was for $37,999, but he said a few things in that were in Hill's proposal were not included, potentially causing their lower price. Burch did not receive a quote from EDM for the plumbing. Hill Engineering agreed that the cost estimate for the ventilation system was high, but that is because it is unclear what they were dealing with yet, Burch said. Hill Engineering agreed to provide the town with another proposal, which would be more of a fact-finding type of thing, he said. It was unclear what type of system the town wanted to invest in, whether a basic fresh air ventilation system or a full heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The town wouldn't want to spend that much money on a system and then down the line need to change it, he said. Board members agreed they wanted to get more detailed cost estimates on the different options before deciding how to proceed. Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson recommended that they send a written request for quotes that included the different costs for each option. Right now, the town is focusing on the building's ventilation to better understand the scope and cost before considering its plumbing options. The reason for this is the plumbing will be more invasive to the operation of the police station, Burch said in a follow up. The town is still navigating how it wants to resolve the plumbing issues and is seeking quotes. During its meeting on June 24 , the board also approved the appointment of the five voting members of the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee. The committee will examine all the options for a new police station or combined public safety facility. Even though the town is currently considering a new location for the station, addressing these issues in the long term would be beneficial to the town hall staff, Hutcheson said. It would be useful to have space downstairs for potential expansion, such as adding more meeting rooms or offices. Biden Withdraws From Presidential Campaign WASHINGTON, D.C. President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the presidential race four months before voters go to the polls. The president on Sunday afternoon released a statement confirming his withdrawal and throwing his support to Vice President Kamala Harris. He said he would address the nation later this week about his decision. Massachusetts had gone strong for Biden in 2020 when he won the state's primary over local pols U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and took two-thirds of the vote in the general election. But he has apparently bowed to pressure after the constant drumbeat in the press over the 81-year-old president's capabilities after a poor debate performance, and public questioning over his ability to win by congressional Democrats. Polls this week found 2 in 3 Bay State voters wished for him to step aside. "President Biden's decision today not to seek re-election is the ultimate example of putting the country first something Joe Biden has done over and over again in his unparalleled career. We are all deeply grateful to President Biden for his lifetime of service," said Gov. Maura Healey in a statement. Healey said Biden had to "carefully evaluate" his campaign after his meeting with governors earlier this month. Warren sent out a statement saying she endorses Harris for president. "She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House," Warren wrote. "We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November." What's not clear is what happens next. The Democratic Convention is set for Aug. 19 in Chicago raising the specter of the chaotic 1968 convention. President Lyndon Johnson had dropped out during the primaries and thrown his support to his vice president, Hubert Humphry, who did not compete in any primaries. He was expected to be challenged at the convention by Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated on June 5. The party was riven over the war in Vietnam and failed to coalesce around Humphry, who was beaten by Richard Nixon that November. This year's convention won't be quite the same, but war, divisions, a vice presidential heir apparent and, oddly, RFK, will again be among the topics. News / Local by Staff reporter Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga will not automatically succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2028, according to Chris Mutsvangwa, the spokesperson for Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu-PF. Mutsvangwa dismissed rumors of an alleged secret agreement between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga after the 2017 coup, emphasizing that Zanu-PF's leadership succession will follow democratic processes outlined in the party's constitution.In an exclusive interview with The Standard, Mutsvangwa clarified that Mnangagwa had stated his intention to retire after his current term, despite calls from loyalists for him to extend his presidency until 2030. He highlighted that Zanu-PF does not operate like a church where leadership is anointed, stressing the importance of democratic principles within the party.Regarding the alleged 2017 coup power deal between Chiwenga and Mnangagwa, Mutsvangwa categorically denied its existence and warned against speculating on such matters. He asserted Mnangagwa's commitment to constitutionalism and democracy, reaffirming that any leadership aspirations within Zanu-PF must be earned through popular support and not assumed through political maneuvers.Mutsvangwa acknowledged regional support for Mnangagwa but underscored the need to respect constitutional limits, emphasizing the president's adherence to democratic norms despite calls for term extension from certain party factions.The interview also touched on the military intervention in 2017, described as necessary to restore Zanu-PF's integrity after alleged interference in succession processes by former President Robert Mugabe. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} To Lisa Rinna, one of the perennially bickering divas of the long-running US reality TV institution The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, her actor husband is never just Harry. Its always, no matter the context, Harry Hamlin. Harry Hamlin is making us dinner. Harry Hamlin is a master pie-maker. You know, Harry Hamlin plays guitar. A bit weird, right? But spend a few minutes with the man and it all starts to make sense. Harry seems far too pedestrian for the Eighties film heartthrob, who shot to fame as an oiled-up demigod in Desmond Daviss Clash of the Titans (1981). Harry is a bloke you meet down the pub; Harry Hamlin, with his debonair drawl and old-Hollywood charm, is a movie star a man who drifts eruditely between topics ranging from nuclear fusion to Shakespeare. Aneutronic fusion is one of my big passions, he says, off-handedly. I have many passions. Appearing over Zoom from his kitchen, the California-born actor and part-time reality TV husband looks about a decade younger than his 72 years. A shock of white hair runs through his neat mid-parting. A pair of thick spectacles frame his tanned, taut face. Hes also full of surprises. His father was a rocket scientist, which goes some way to explaining why Hamlin has been hawking fusion power since the Nineties and is on the board of governors of the National Space Society (whatever that is). He was kicked out of college for presiding over a hippie commune, before graduating from Yale in 1974. Then he studied at the Moscow Art Theatre before film work intervened. In fact, hes still training to this day. I have been in acting class my entire career, he tells me. Every Saturday at 9:30am, he arrives at The Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles for scene study class. Every Saturday I want to wake up and say, Okay, Im going to do The Tempest today, I want to play Prospero Doing the things that the [TV] business would never offer you these are the things that I enjoy doing. It was during one such session that friends and co-creators and showrunners Misha Crosby and John Mawson asked him to appear in their new audio movie think an episodic drama podcast called Unsinkable. The project produced by Datura Studios and North Atlantic Ridge available through Amazons Wondery is a dramatised retelling of the British Second World War tanker San Demetrio, which faced a harrowing journey through Nazi-infested waters. Hamlin plays Able Seaman Mortimer, an alcoholic who overcomes his addiction, and is able to actually save the day, he says. Its an interesting experiment. Theres no narrator to guide the story, instead relying on its ensemble cast to fill in the gaps with their dialogue. Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Brian Cox and John Malkovich lend their recognisable voices not that Hamlin ever got to meet them. It was made right at the height of the pandemic, he says solemnly. I did it solo, with my head inside of a box. Not quite Henry V at The Globe then, but Hamlin has done his fair share of work with the greats. In 1980, he was set to star in a film version of Tristan and Isolde with Richard Burton when he was offered the opportunity to act alongside Laurence Olivier in a retelling of the Greek myth of Perseus. Olivier had been my hero, he says. All throughout my drama school, he was the person that I looked up to the most. And so, he chose to make Clash of the Titans, which would be the hit of his career, albeit via a very fraught production process. It got to the point where [Real Housewives] was just too much. Im glad that my wife isnt on it anymore. Very glad The producers didnt speak to me for 25 years afterwards, Hamlin says. The actor, who had previously studied mythology at Yale, fought constantly over the scripts myriad inaccuracies, even locking himself in his trailer when the producers suggested Medusas head should be cut off by throwing his shield, rather than with Perseuss symbolic Harpe sword. They unplugged all the electricity to my trailer and essentially tried to smoke me out, he remembers. They were only concerned with making money. I was concerned with making as good a movie as possible, given the limitations of the script. Olivier was not too impressed with the film either. Hamlin digs out a letter handwritten to him by the legendary actor, in which he apologises for meeting him under such circumstances. It must be odd to see an old man hanging on by his fingernails, undignified really. Well, so many mouths to feed, Hamlin reads, laughing. He was basically indicating that he was doing a stupid movie to make money to the films star! Breakout role: Hamlin as Perseus in the 1981 fantasy film Clash of the Titans ( Shutterstock ) During Titans, Hamlin struck up a relationship with his co-star, the Bond girl Ursula Andress, who is 16 years his senior. Rinna, whom he married in 1997, would share on an episode of Real Housewives that Andress summoned Hamlin, then 28, to her hotel room and got pregnant that night. Their son Dimitri was born in 1980; the couple broke up three years later. These days, age gaps between celebrity couples are the subject of endless discourse. Did Hamlin experience similar attention? Whether people cared back then, he says, I dont care I mean, I did have a relationship with a woman who was substantially older than I, and we have a beautiful son as a result of that. I wasnt thinking about the age gap at the time, but I suppose now people think about that kind of stuff much more. 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 Titans was a hit, and Hamlins bare-chested exposure led to offers to star in other hokey genre films such as First Blood and Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. It wasnt a path he was interested in, though. Instead, Hamlin risked it all, signing onto the first gay-themed love story to be produced by a major American film studio, 1982s Making Love. He thinks the casting of two straight actors in the movie was a sign of the times. Back then, no gay man would have wanted the world to know they were gay, everyone was closeted, he says. But the undeniable effect was that a lot of people in the business thought that those of us playing gay roles must be gay. While it was a significant moment in queer cinema, Making Love torpedoed Hamlins trajectory as a leading man. No studio wanted to pair me up with a female lead after that they thought the audience would think, How weird that a gay guy is paired up with a woman, he says. I did nothing but studio features before that. It took 40 years after that movie to do another one. Hamlin records his voice for his new Second World War audio movie Unsinkable ( Datura Studios/North Atlantic Ridge ) Hamlins career underwent a number of metamorphoses in the aftermath. The soapy TV drama LA Law, which he starred in from 1986 to 1991, got him voted People Magazines Sexiest Man Alive in 1987 but says that it beige-d out the parts he played. I went from doing extremely interesting stuff, Making Love included, then after LA Law people had an idea that I was this guy who wears a tie and carries a briefcase. It was hard to get the good, meaty roles after that. So maybe dont see his made-for-TV films such as Poisoned by Love: The Kern County Murders. Do see, though, his Emmy-nominated turn as a suited-and-booted ad exec in Mad Men. Much like Rinna, who first shot to fame as an actor in TV series including Melrose Place and Days of Our Lives, Hamlin became intermingled with reality television in the late Noughties. He says today that it was born out of the global financial crisis, and the collapse of a fashion line he and his wife had founded together. We went from [having] an extremely successful retail business to bankruptcy, he says. They starred in a short-lived reality series together Harry Loves Lisa before Rinna joined Real Housewives. Hamlin would pop up on it occasionally, serving as the doting husband to a woman who, over time, became the shows pantomime villain. In 2023, following eight years of online trolling and a notorious incident in which she was booed by the shows fans at a reality TV convention, Rinna left the show. It became very poisonous, says Hamlin. Shes an extremely honest person. So when she sees something that she feels is unjust, or unjustifiable, yeah, shell respond to that. But when she does that, she gives ammunition to people on the other side, who will be able to come back and parry with some mean thing. It got to the point where that was just too much. His voice grows sombre. Im glad that shes not on it anymore. Very glad. Red carpet: Hamlin with his actor and reality star wife, Lisa Rinna ( Getty ) Still, he has few regrets. When Rinna and Hamlin were debating whether Real Housewives was a good idea for them, they were advised by their friend Bethenny Frankel the entrepreneur and former queen of the franchises New York chapter that it would be invaluable from a marketing perspective. And in what Im sure is a total coincidence, one episode of Real Housewives saw Hamlin make the ladies his famous Bolognese, which was so well-received that it got Hamlin his own cooking show. How about that? Hamlin laughs, before seeming to have a lightbulb moment. Hold on a sec, let me get something. Hamlin disappears off-camera, and returns holding a jar that reads Harrys Famous Sauce. Were hoping to launch in a big retailer this September, he beams, ever the salesman. It looks delicious. But somethings not quite right. It should read Harry Hamlins Famous Sauce, surely? The first five episodes of Unsinkable are out now on Wondery 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 Ed Sheeran is facing criticism after he was photographed with Johnny Depp backstage at Andrea Bocellis concert series. Both Sheeran, 33, and Depp, 61, alongside actor Russell Crowe, 60, recently featured as special guests at the renowned Italian tenors three-day Tuscan event in celebration of his 30th anniversary in music. On Thursday (July 18), the day after the show, Crowe posted a picture of him sharing a Guinness backstage with Depp and Sheeran. Teatro del Silenzio backstage shenanigans with Teddy & Johnny, the Gladiator star captioned the tweet. Lubrication by Guinness. Perfect. Grazie Millie Maestro Andrea Bocelli. What an incredible experience. Several X users have since reacted to the post, calling out Sheeran and Crowe for hanging out with Depp. I sometimes cant defend other men, one person wrote. Oh, Ed Sheeran, another said, alongside a GIF of Tyra Banks shouting. I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you! How dare you! Nooooooooooo omfg we lost one today kids. ed, how could you do this to me?????? A third wrote. Ed sheeran is not a girls girl... Johnny Depp is a vile human being, wrote a fourth. open image in gallery Ed Sheeran and Johnny Depp were both invited to perform at Andrea Bocellis concert series ( Getty Images ) In 2022, Depp won his high-profile defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard over an op-ed she wrote in 2018 in The Washington Post, in which she describes herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse. Depp previously lost his libel battle against the publisher of The Sun newspaper in 2020 over an article that claimed he was a wife beater. Since the trials, hes been working to repair his image and acting career. Ahead of his guest performance at Bocellis concert, Bocelli declared Depp a disarmingly charming actor who has brought countless iconic characters to life on the big screen, this eclectic artists musical talents are equally intense: a bona fide rockstar loved and applauded everywhere. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up During the show, Depp joined Bocelli on stage, where they both honored the late Jeff Beck, who died suddenly in January 2023 after contracting bacterial meningitis. Depp played the guitar, while Bocelli sang En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor, the song Depp and Beck reportedly performed for Bocelli when they visited him years ago. Earlier this month, while accepting the award for Best Actor for his performance in Maiwenns historical drama Jeanne Du Barry at the National Film Awards, Depp addressed his sometimes tragic Hollywood career. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak to you today. I feel very lucky, and I feel very honored that you all of you allow me to still continue to do the work that I love to do, he said in a pre-recorded video played at the ceremony. Its always especially humbling when recognition for your endeavors comes directly from the hearts of the people, the hearts and minds whove joined me on this long mystical, magical, sometimes tragic yet never boring journey, Depp added. I cant thank you all enough for continuing to allow me to tell the stories that I feel are necessary to be told. And for having stuck with me and my curious collection of characters over these many years. 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 Giovanni Pernice has denied new claims made by Amanda Abbington as the Sherlock star spoke out amid an ongoing BBC investigation into Strictly Come Dancing. The 50-year-old Sherlock actor called Pernice, abusive, cruel, and mean, stating that her mistreatment went way beyond treading on my toe. She also claimed that the dancer was blocking tapes of their rehearsals from being released. The dancing competition has been beset by scandal in recent weeks, with Graziano Di Prima being the second professional dancer to be axed after allegations of mistreatment towards ex-Love Island star Zara McDermott. But whispers about problematic training methods began last year when Abbington quit the show and revealed she had been diagnosed with PTSD. The actor requested tapes of her rehearsal sessions with Pernice, prompting speculation about her treatment. Pernice then left the series, amid an ongoing investigation. In a new interview withThe Sun on Sunday, Abbington spoke about her experience with Pernice for the first time since the allegations emerged, alleging that the dancer has attempted to block the tapes being released. I found Giovannis behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean, she said. I couldnt sit back and let him do that to other people. I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show. Abbington shared details about the backlash she has faced since coming forward about her experience, including death threats. open image in gallery Abbington has alleged that the mistreatment goes way beyond treading on my toe ( PA Archive/Getty ) Its insane what has happened to me, with the death threats and backlash, she continued. I know the BBC have known about his behaviour for years, people had complained about him and flagged his behaviour to producers in the past and nothing was done. It wasnt an isolated experience with me. I should never ever have danced with him. 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 actor said she is certain that the investigation will vindicate her claims. I know what is on those tapes and I am not frightened of those tapes being seen. It goes way beyond treading on my toe. I know what happened and the fact he is blocking the tapes says a lot, she said A representative for Pernice denied that the claims made by Abbington in her new interview, in a statement to the MailOnline. The BBC has shared allegations from the inquiry with Giovanni, who has cooperated fully, they said. None of the allegations carried in the Sun on Sunday are included in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes these allegations and denies any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. He has provided substantive evidence to the investigation and he remains fully confident of clearing his name. The Independent has contacted representatives for Pernice for comment. 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 West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin has argued for the Democratic Party to nominate a Republican as their presidential candidate in a bid to beat Donald Trump. In recent weeks, calls for incumbent president Joe Biden to step down have grown ever louder, amid concerns over the presidents health and cognitive abilities. Current polling suggests that Trump, who was beaten by Biden in 2020 after serving one controversy-laden term in the Oval Office, is on course to win a second term this November. In an essay published by The New York Times, Sorkin drew parallels between real-world events and his acclaimed TV series, which focused on the goings-on at the White House during the administration of Democrat Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen). Describing a plotline in which Bartlet chose to run for re-election despite being diagnosed with a serious illness (multiple sclerosis), Sorkin said that the plotline would have played out differently if his fictional opponent was a figure like Trump. What if Bartlets opponent had been a dangerous imbecile with an observable psychiatric disorder who related to his supporters on a fourth-grade level and treated the law as something for suckers and poor people? He wrote. And was a hero to white supremacists? Wed have had Bartlet drop out of the race and endorse whoever had the best chance of beating the guy. The problem in the real world is that there isnt a Democrat who is polling significantly better than Mr Biden. And quitting, as heroic as it may be in this case, doesnt really put a lump in our throats. open image in gallery Martin Sheen in The West Wing' ( NBC ) Sorkin then proposed that the Democrats nominate former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, in an attempt to unify the US public and fend off a Trump victory. Nominating Mr Romney would be putting our money where our mouth is: a clear and powerful demonstration that this election isnt about what our elections are usually about, but about stopping a deranged man from taking power, he wrote. Surely Mr Romney, who doesnt have to be introduced to voters, would peel off enough Republican votes to win, probably by a lot. 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 double haters would be turned into single haters and the Nikki Haley voters would have somewhere to go, Ms Haley having disqualified herself when she endorsed the leader of an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government. open image in gallery Aaron Sorkin on 27 April 2024 ( Getty Images for Warner Bros. Di ) He continued: Does Mr. Romney support abortion rights? No. Does he want to aggressively raise the minimum wage, bolster public education, strengthen unions, expand transgender rights and enact progressive tax reform? Probably not. But is he a cartoon thug who did nothing but watch TV while the mob he assembled beat and used Tasers on police officers? No. Sorkin went on to argue that the choice is between Donald Trump and not-Trump. The not-Trump candidate needs only one qualification: to win enough votes from a cross section of Americans to close off the former presidents Electoral College path back to power, he wrote. The writing staff would tell me I was about to jump the shark, that this is a West Wing fantasy that would never, ever happen. But as [cast member] Bradley Whitford used to say, Isnt the biggest fantasy on television a mafia boss in therapy? The Democrats need to break the glass and this is a break-glass plan, but its more than that. Its a grand gesture. A sacrifice. It would put a lump in our throats. But mostly, it would be the end of Donald Trump in presidential politics. 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 }} South Korea has warned that North Korea will pay a fatal price after Pyongyang flew a new wave of trash-filled balloons across the border, as Seoul blared propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts for the fourth day in a row. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the balloons appeared to be flying towards the north of the capital, Seoul, after crossing the border. The residents in the most populous northwestern Gyeonggi province were advised to be on alert for objects falling from the sky and not to touch the debris. South Korea on Sunday said it would respond with full-scale loudspeaker broadcasts and warned that the Norths actions were raising tensions and could have fatal consequences. As we warned several times, the military will carry out loudspeaker broadcasts in full scale and on all fronts starting 1pm today, the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff said, calling the Norths launch of balloons vulgar and shameful. South Korean army soldiers patrol along the barbed-wire fence in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Sunday ( AP ) The two Koreas have ratcheted up tensions with a Cold War-style psychological battle after the suspension of a 2018 tension-easing deal that blocked the two neighbours from using such tactics. North Korea began floating large balloons carrying waste paper, scraps of cloth, cigarette butts, waste batteries and manure in May, and more than 2,000 have landed in the country since. The balloons have sparked warnings for residents and led to flight diversions, as well as a brief shutdown of Seouls Incheon International Airport after balloons landed on the tarmac. The latest launch on Sunday, the ninth since May, came after days of South Korean loudspeaker broadcasts towards North Korea in response to an earlier balloon launch on Thursday. The broadcasts ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 10pm from speakers installed near the heavily fortified border, Yonhap reported. The North Korean militarys tension-escalating acts in frontline areas may lead it to pay a fatal price and we sternly warn that all responsibility for this situation lies with the North Korean regime, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Visitors watch North Korean side from the Unification Observation Post in Paju, South Korea ( AP ) The speakers blast K-pop songs and news on BTS member Jins torch-bearing ahead of the Paris Olympics as well as the recent defection of a senior North Korean diplomat the kind of information that is banned from reaching North Koreans. The broadcasts also called the mine-planting works by North Korean soldiers at the border hellish, slave-like lives, according to South Korean media. These broadcasts can travel about 10km (6 miles) during the day and 24km (15 miles) at night. After the suspension of the pact, the South Korean military resumed the propaganda broadcasts for about two hours on 9 June as a warning but refrained from using them again to avoid further tensions. The South Korean military believes that the broadcasts can demoralise frontline North Korean troops and send out information to ordinary citizens, making a dent in Kim Jong-uns authoritarian rule. News / National by Staff reporter On Friday, Zimbabweans in the UK protested against the continued detention of opposition activists and President Emmerson Mnangagwa's expected chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).They delivered a petition to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging pressure on Mnangagwa's government to release jailed Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) activists.Protesters, including Dickson Chikwizo, criticized SADC for considering Mnangagwa for the chairmanship despite the August 2023 elections being deemed fraudulent.Chikwizo and others, like Basil Kamombe and Josephine Mudimbu, argued that awarding Mnangagwa the chairmanship would legitimize his perceived illegitimacy and called on SADC to respect Zimbabweans' discontent with his presidency.The demonstration was organized by opposition parties and diaspora groups including ZAPU, CCC UK, Restoration of Human Rights (Rohr), and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO). 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 Fresh from his election victory in 2016, then president-elect Donald Trump broke decades of US protocol by speaking directly with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen. It was the first call of its kind since the 1979 diplomatic shift when Washington formally recognised the Chinese government and severed official ties with Taiwan. Trump hinted at the time that the US might reconsider its commitment to the One-China Policy, through which it accepts that the administration in Beijing is the only official Chinese government, and acknowledges Chinas claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. But just as quickly as this call rattled the international community and the geopolitical balance of the Pacific region, there came an abrupt backtrack. In a subsequent call with Xi Jinping, Trump reassured the Chinese president that he was committed to maintaining the existing US policy after all. This kind of inconsistency on thorny foreign policy issues characterised much of Trumps first presidency, and Taiwan was given a worrying reminder of the episode this week when the Republican, pitching to be voted back into the White House this November, was asked whether he would defend the island in the event of an invasion from Beijing. "Taiwan should pay us for defence," Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek. "You know, were no different than an insurance company." While it doesnt have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the US has signed a treaty committing it to defend the island in case of attack. Though it maintains a policy of deliberate strategic ambiguity when it comes to what this would look like, it is by far the biggest provider of arms to the islands democratically-elected administration. The suggestion once again that he might upend Americas long-standing economic relationship with Taipei has set off alarm bells among observers and analysts in the region, raising serious questions about Americas commitment to the islands defence at a time when the threat of an invasion from China has never been greater. Sana Hashmi, a Taipei-based foreign relations expert, says it appears a second Trump presidency could see Taiwan treated as a bargaining chip for negotiations with China. A Trump presidency would likely create turmoil not only in Taiwan but also for several allies and like-minded countries, Hashmi, a postdoctoral fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, tells The Independent. His abrasive and unpredictable behaviour could disrupt the assurance that the Biden administration had been able to provide to countries concerned about the China threat. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic congressman and the ranking member of the House Select Committee on China, said pulling away from Taiwan would be a betrayal, calling it illegal. Former President Trumps threat to abandon our nations longstanding, bipartisan commitments to Taiwan would mean betraying one of the worlds most vibrant democracies to the Chinese Communist Party, he said. Failing to provide for Taiwans defence would not only be potentially illegal under the Taiwan Relations Act, it would be a betrayal of American values and our democratic institutions. Trump again drew a link between Taiwans security and US economic interests by suggesting that China could easily take over the island but has not done so because of its prized semiconductor industry, which makes the computer chips that power everything from smartphones to cars and satellites. The Republican leader accused the island of stealing about 100 per cent of our chip business. The Taiwan issue is set to be one of the defining foreign policy challenges for whoever wins Novembers US election, with Chinas Xi ordering his military to be ready to take the island by force by 2027. And Trump admitted he does not feel so secure over the situation in the Taiwan Strait, where Beijing has been very aggressive and got ships all over the place. Put together, Trumps comments to Bloomberg significantly dented the shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the worlds largest chipmaker by sales, a sign of the destabilising influence he already wields on what is a fragile situation. Experts said a second Trump presidency would only spell more uncertainty for Taiwan and its industries, particularly those relying on America for support. Trumps presidency has proven to be unpredictable and liable to short-notice changes in policy. In this regard, the Taiwanese government will probably struggle to completely rely on the US backing, says Barbara Kelemen, an expert on Chinas security policy. She says Trump appears to prefer strategic flexibility when it comes to foreign policy issues and hence his commitment to militarily defend Taiwan is likely to be less reliable than that of the previous administration and to depend on several other factors. Taiwans premier Cho Juang-tai reacted with a carefully-weighted response to Trumps comments and highlighted good relations between US-Taiwan despite the lack of formal ties but promised to increase its capabilities to defend itself on its own. Were willing to shoulder more responsibility. This is us defending ourselves, Cho said. Were very grateful for US support, he added. Though it is not new for Trump to make such comments about Taiwan his latest rhetoric could mean bigger ramifications for Taiwan as the Chinese military has ratcheted up exercises near what president Xi Jinping views as the mainlands lost territory. Taiwan is accustomed to this and preparing for another Trump presidency, Hashmi says, adding that during Bidens presidency, it became evident that the US was exploring ways to defend Taiwan in case of an unprovoked invasion. Derek Grossman, a defence analyst, tells The Independent that Trump 1.0 was chock-full of folks who supported the defence of Taiwan, even if the president himself didnt support it. However, Washingtons support for Taipei would depend on Americas position in the world at the time, the state of US-China relations, and whether Taiwan declared independence, thereby provoking Beijing. Trump has never been a fan of defending Taiwan, and his latest comments simply reconfirm that his position is quite dug in. One can only wonder what this means for US allies and partners globally, he says. It is unclear what sums Trump has in mind when he suggests Taiwan pay more to the US. The island already pays for nearly all of its weapon imports from US manufacturers, although the Biden administration has begun directly transferring some military equipment to Taiwan from US stockpiles. In June, the House of Representatives approved $500m in foreign military financing for Taiwan to bolster its defence against China, along with $2bn in loans and loan guarantees. The US also approved $300m for spare and repair parts for Taiwans F-16 fighter jets. China has blistered over the arms sales and transfers in funding to Taiwan, with its foreign ministry suspending tentative nuclear arms control discussions with Washington on Wednesday. Experts say Trumps comments suggest a transactional approach to shielding the island from the Communist Party in China, and mean Taipei will need to diversify its attention to partners beyond the US while focusing on building its own capabilities. This is undoubtedly going to result in an unpredictable US-Taiwan policy, Hashmi says, adding that bipartisan support for Taiwan in the US could offer some consolation, although that is alone is not sufficient. What adds to the worries is that Taiwan has a backlog of arms deliveries from the US valued at approximately $19bn, which US officials and politicians have repeatedly pledged to expedite. And there are no legal guarantees that a new resident of the White House couldnt cancel these transfers by executive order, if they deemed it to be in the USs interests. 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 Bangladeshs Supreme Court has scrapped most of the quotas for government jobs that led to mass student protests and saw more than 114 people killed in the countrys worst unrest for a decade. The protests have been steadily growing since last month after a lower court order reinstated a controversial quota system reserving up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan. The Sheikh Hasina government scrapped the quota system in 2018, but a court ordered that it be reinstated. On Sunday, the Supreme Court dismissed that order and directed that 93 per cent of government jobs will be open to candidates on the basis of merit, without quotas. The breakthrough has come after representatives from both sides met late on Friday to discuss a resolution. Law minister Anisul Huq had said the government was open to discussing their demands. The courts verdict came after the government extended a nationwide curfew until 3pm local time on Sunday and gave shoot on sight orders to quell protests. The streets bore the look of a war zone as tanks and soldiers were deployed, with riot police using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters. The protests were initially peaceful but exploded into violent clashes earlier this week after the student wing of the ruling Awami League party began counterprotests. Despite increasingly stringent official measures to quell the unrest, sporadic clashes were reported in some parts of the capital Dhaka on Saturday. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties. Bangladeshs authorities have not released official figures for the number of those killed and injured, but local media reports on Saturday indicated that at least 114 people, mostly students, had been killed. The country remains under a partial communications blackout due to the suspension of mobile data and text message services that began on Thursday. The government declared public holidays on Sunday and Monday, saying the curfew would only be eased between 3pm to 5pm for people to run essential errands. The crisis has emerged as the biggest challenge yet to Ms Hasina, who extended her 15-year tenure as prime minister with an election in January that was boycotted by the countrys main opposition groups, which accuse the government of a far-reaching and uncompromising crackdown on dissent. The protests have shone a spotlight on the cracks in Bangladeshs governance and economy as well as the frustrations of the countrys youth at rising unemployment. Protesters have argued that the quota system was discriminatory and benefitted supporters of Ms Hasina, whose political party led the independence movement. They demanded it be replaced with a merit-based system. The government has spoken out in defence of quotas in the past, saying that veterans and their families deserve to be repaid for their sacrifices in the war against Pakistan. 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 Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office as head of an interim government in Bangladesh after large-scale protests led to the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The prominent economist, 84, was sworn in as chief adviser of the government at the presidential palace in Dhaka. Sixteen other members are part of the new cabinet, including two student leaders who spearheaded the protests that ended the 15-year-long rule of Ms Hasina. Mr Yunus arrived in the country on Thursday and made an emotional appeal to the people of Bangladesh to immediately stop retaliatory attacks against figures from the former Hasina administration. Violence is our enemy. Please dont create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country, Mr Yunus said as he greeted supporters with a smile. He was out of the country on Monday when Ms Hasina dramatically resigned and fled to India, after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding her resignation following a deadly police crackdown on protesters. At least 440 people, including minors, have been killed in the violence that ensued in July during protests against job reservations for families of 1971 war heroes, according to local reports. open image in gallery People celebrate the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka ( REUTERS ) Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar said she had been given approval to remain for the moment. The prime minister escaped from Dhaka on a military transport minutes before thousands of people stormed into her official residence and ransacked it. Her resignation triggered jubilation across the country along with incidents of violence against the ruling party members and the minority Hindus. Fresh protests broke out in a Dhaka neighbourhood on Wednesday when hundreds of officials from the central bank forced four of its deputy governors to resign over alleged corruption. The protest leaders said members of the interim government would be finalised soon as Mr Yunus called for new elections to bring stability to the country grappling with unemployment and economic crisis. It is critical that trust in government be restored quickly, he told the Financial Times in a statement. We need calm, we need a road map to new elections and we need to get to work to prepare for new leadership, Mr Yunus said. open image in gallery A man carries a looted item from the prime minister's residence ( REUTERS ) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has demanded a fresh election in the next three months to form a government. Bangladesh, the fourth largest country in the world by population, has been on edge for weeks amid protests that began over a controversial quota system for government jobs. The system guaranteed a set proportion of roles to the descendants of fighters in Bangladeshs war of independence seen as a measure to appease Ms Hasinas political base. A fresh spell of protests began over the weekend with people demanding Ms Hasinas resignation, and over 100 people died across the country on Monday in the deadliest day of violence since the crisis began, with hundreds of people injured as both police and protesters used live ammunition. Why were students protesting? At the heart of the student protests that began in late June was the demand to scrap a quota system that reserved up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan. The protests began late last month but tensions escalated when students at Dhaka University, the countrys largest, clashed with police and a counter-protest inflamed the situation. The students alleged the protests were peaceful until the student wing of Ms Hasinas ruling Awami League party attacked them. We were protesting peacefully until we were attacked by the goons. It is our right to continue protesting, it is embedded in the history of this country and we shall continue to do so for our right, a Dhaka university student who did not want to be named for fear of persecution told The Independent. open image in gallery Supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gather to attend a mass rally ( EPA ) Protesters have argued that the quota system was discriminatory and benefitted supporters of Ms Hasina, whose political party led the independence movement. They demanded it be replaced with a merit-based system. Ms Hasinas government had halted the job quotas following mass student protests in 2018, but last month a high court ruling nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of the 1971 veterans filed petitions. On 21 July, the Supreme Court ordered that 93 per cent of government jobs would be allocated on merit and five per cent would be for veterans who served in the war. The remaining two per cent would be reserved for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people. The decision was a partial win for the students after representatives from both sides met late on 19 July to discuss a resolution. Why did Hasina resign? The student protests have shone a spotlight on the cracks in Bangladeshs governance and economy as well as the frustrations of the countrys youth at rising unemployment where some 32 million young people are not in work or education. Anger soon turned from demands over jobs to outrage at the way the protests were treated, with Ms Hasina referring to the protesters as terrorists and ordering police to shoot at them on sight. We have to look out for ourselves and our future generations. We need jobs in this country, we are already suffering from the lack of it, said Alam Rashid, a student from Dhaka. We have invited the government to have a conversation with us multiple times, instead she [Sheikh Hasina] just unleashed her police force on us, he told The Independent. During the weekend, there were reports of attacks across the country, including incidents of vandalism and arson targeting government buildings, offices of the ruling Awami League party, police stations and houses of public representatives. Clashes were reported in as many as 39 of the countrys 64 districts. open image in gallery A vandalised portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, founding father of Bangladesh ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Sunday ended up being one the deadliest days of clashes yet, with at least 95 killed including both protesters and police officers. Student coordinators of Dhaka University called for Monday to be marked by a March to Dhaka, calling it the final answer after the military said students defying a government curfew would face the full force of the law. On Monday, 135 more people were killed as hundreds of thousands of people defied curfew to take over the capital. The military reportedly asked Ms Hasina to resign after top brass refused to order soldiers to open fire on more demonstrators. Where will Hasina go? Ms Hasina is currently at a safe house in Indias capital region after she landed at the Hindon Indian Air Force base outside Delhi. Multiple Indian media cited official sources as saying she is keen on going to the UK, and has submitted a request for political asylum. She is going to stay in Delhi for some more time, her son, Sajeeb Wazad, told Detusche Welle. He added that his mother had not made a decision on where she would seek asylum yet. He said that her mother will return to her country when its new caretaker government decides to hold elections and vowed that his family and the Awami League party would remain engaged in Bangladeshs politics. British officials have reportedly downplayed the chances of Ms Hasina being accepted in the UK, stating that the countrys immigration rules do not permit anyone, including a fleeing prime minister, to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Ms Hasina was accompanied when she left Dhaka by her sister Sheikh Rehana Siddiq, who is the mother of Labour MP Tulip Siddiq. open image in gallery File: Indian prime minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with Sheikh Hasina ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The UK government has hardly been sympathetic towards Ms Hasina and on Monday British foreign secretary David Lammy called for a UN-led investigation into the way her government cracked down on the protests and the tragic loss of lives in Bangladesh. CNN News18 said Ms Hasina is in the process of applying for asylum in other European countries, given the UK appears to be hesitant. Whats next for Bangladesh? After Ms Hasinas resignation, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced in a televised address to the nation that an interim government would be formed. He said he was assuming control at a critical time for our country and urged people to trust him. I am taking responsibility now and we will go to the president and ask to form an interim government to lead the country in the meantime. It was not clear if the army would play a role, but General Zaman said: We will now go to the president of the country, where we will discuss about the formation of the interim government, form the interim government, and manage the nation. On Tuesday, Bangladeshs parliament was dissolved, the presidents office said in a statement. It was after student leaders spearheading the protest issued a strict deadline and asked revolutionary students to be ready if their demand was not met. They have said they will not accept any government unless it is made up of candidates recommended by them. We wouldnt accept any army-supported or army-led government, they said. Main opposition leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Bangladesh must hold a general election within three months to form a new government. Mr Alamgirs BNP was among the opposition parties to have boycotted the January elections citing a crackdown on political dissent that secured a fourth term for Ms Hasina. Bangladeshs borders have effectively been closed while the political uncertainty is being resolved, with major airlines suspending flights to Dhaka and long distance bus services suspended. Train services to neighbouring India, which were first paused in mid-July as the protests turned violent, have now been suspended indefinitely. Amid fears of violence on the India-Bangladesh border, the Bangladeshi security forces said they have received strict instruction from the government to not allow anyone into the country without valid documents. Bangladeshs biggest police union, the Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA), defended the conduct of its officers during the protests and declared a national strike on Tuesday in view of the security situation in the country. Until the security of every member of the police is secured, we are declaring a strike, BPSA said in a statement. Who is Muhammad Yunus, the new interim leader? The student protest leaders proposed the name of the 84-year-old microlending champion to become the head of the interim government in Bangladesh, which the president accepted after deliberation with stakeholders. Given the sacrifices of the students, especially those who have lost their lives for our nations liberation, I am not in a position to say no to them, Mr Yunus said. In the coming days, I will talk with all of the relevant parties about how we can work together to rebuild Bangladesh and how they can help, he added. I have no intention to seek any elected or appointed office beyond this role during this interim period. Mr Yunus, one of Ms Hasinas staunchest critics, was charged in more than 200 cases, including forgery, money laundering, and embezzlement during the ruling years of Ms Hasina. Mr Yunus has been credited for helping lift millions out of poverty by providing small loans of less than 80 to rural people through his Grameen Bank, which was founded in 1983. The banks success in lifting people out of poverty led to similar microfinancing efforts in other countries. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Independent Voices email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 98-year-old pioneering physicist who gave up her PhD 75 years ago to have a family has received an honorary doctorate from her old university. In 1948 Rosemary Fowlers findings at the University of Bristol paved the way for critical discoveries that would rewrite the laws of physics. Her discovery of the Kaon particle helped lead to a revolution in the theory of particle physics, and it continues to be proven correct predicting particles such as the Higgs boson, discovered at Cern in Geneva, Switzerland. But in post-war Britain, Dr Fowler decided to leave academia when she married fellow physicist Peter Fowler in 1949. Now, in a private graduation ceremony close to her Cambridge home, Nobel prize-winning University of Bristol Chancellor Sir Paul Nurse conferred an honorary Doctor of Science on her. Dr Fowler said she feels very honoured, but added: I havent done anything since to deserve special respect. Sir Paul praised Dr Fowlers intellectual rigour and curiosity, adding that she paved the way for critical discoveries that continue to shape the work of todays physicists, and our understanding of the universe. In 1948, Bristols cosmic ray physics team, led by Professor Cecil Powell, were hunting for new fundamental particles. They had already found the pion, for which Prof Powell would be awarded the Nobel Prize in 1950. Then just 22, Rosemary Fowler (nee Brown) spotted something when viewing unusual particle tracks a particle that decayed into three pions (a type of subatomic particle). She said: I knew at once that it was new and would be very important. We were seeing things that hadnt been seen before thats what research in particle physics was. It was very exciting. The track she was looking at, later labelled k, was evidence of an unknown particle, now known as the kaon or K meson. Surprisingly, the k track was the mirror image of a particle seen before by colleagues in Manchester, but the Manchester teams track decayed into two pions, not three. Trying to understand how these mirror images were the same, yet behaved differently, helped lead to a revolution in the theory of particle physics. The year after the discovery, Dr Fowler left university having published her discovery in three academic papers. She was born in Suffolk in 1926, and grew up in Malta, Portsmouth and Bath as her family travelled for her fathers job as a Royal Navy engineer. During the Second World War her school moved to the countryside, and she recalls their family home near Bath being strafed by the Luftwaffe. As a child, Dr Fowler found maths and science were easy, while writing was hard. She was the only girl in her year to go to university. She became one of the first women to be awarded a first in physics, and went on to have three children, who all studied science, with Professor Peter Fowler, who died in 1996. Their daughter, Mary Fowler, studied maths and then geophysics at Cambridge and had an academic career in Switzerland, Canada, London and finally Cambridge, where she was the Master of Darwin College from 2012 to 2020. She said: Im really pleased for my mother. As a child I wanted to be a physicist because it seemed to be so exciting. With both parents being physicists, physics and research was a normal topic of conversation across the kitchen table. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An increasing number of malnourished bats are being seen across England, as experts warn the populations of the insects they feed on are declining amid a washout summer. Conservation groups in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Worcestershire, Essex and South Lancashire reported the rise in the number of starving or underweight bats, adding that fewer of the animals than normally seen in summer are being spotted. They said the malnourished bats, often juveniles, are having to be rescued and cared for by volunteers. Wildlife experts have warned this years record-wet weather could be further driving down the UK populations of the insects, butterflies and moths that bats feed on, after decades of decline in numbers linked to the climate crisis and widespread pesticide use. Dr Joe Nunez-Mino, a spokesperson for the Bat Conservation Trust, told the Guardian: Any decline in insects can have a serious negative impact for all of the UKs 17 breeding bat species since they all feed on insects. He said bats and insects are both threatened by the destruction of habitats, the rise in the use of artificial light, and building developments. In a long-term study investigating the impact of the climate crisis on bats, the trust last year found that the UK populations of two species, the brown long-eared bat and the horseshoe bat, decreased over the past five years by more than 10 per cent. The horseshoe bat is one of two species found to have declined in UK population numbers by more than 10 per cent over the past five years ( Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty ) Meanwhile, a noticeable lack of butterflies and moths has been reported by the charity Butterfly Conservation this year. Director of conservation Dr Dan Hoare said: This is likely to be because of the wet spring and now the colder than normal temperatures. Butterflies and moths need some warmth and dry conditions to be able to fly around and mate if the weather doesnt allow them to do this, there will be fewer opportunities to breed. Experts have been urged to rescue malnourished bats in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Essex and Suffolk this summer. The ecologist and treasurer of Cambridgeshire Bat Group, Jonathan Durward, said some of the groups carers are looking after as many as 20 bats, most of which are juveniles and pups who are incredibly underweight. Theyre all starving, he said, adding that many of the rescued animals weigh just half of what ecologists would expect. They are a lot thinner and lighter than they have been in previous years. Almost all are in poor condition, not just underweight. Mr Durward believes that many bats, particularly juveniles, are journeying further and longer in attempts to find food. He thinks they are then expending vital energy warming up after getting cold in the wet weather energy that lactating mothers usually use to suckle their pups in June and July. Wildlife experts have warned this years record-wet weather could be further driving down the UK populations of the insects, butterflies and moths that bats feed on ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Its been extremely wet, cold and windy around here this summer. But if they dont go out in the cold and the rain, theyre losing a nights food, said Mr Durward, adding that bats can become less healthy and more susceptible to parasitic infections when they eat less. Vets at East Winch Wildlife Hospital in Norfolk have been looking after nearly twice as many bats as normal. Deputy centre manager Alice Puchalka said: Weve had a high number of juveniles, compared to last year. It does make you wonder whether the adults are struggling to find food and therefore struggling to produce milk for the babies. Meanwhile, wardens in Pensthorpe natural park have been seeing noticeably fewer bats than is usual in summer as well as fewer insects. Reserve manager Richard Spowage said: Anecdotally, were seeing fewer bats in the evening but also, similarly, were not seeing the butterflies and moths that we would expect. Theyve not been emerging in the numbers they should be and theyve only got a limited time to breed and lay eggs. Mr Spowage added that a reduction in insect reproduction rates this year will likely lead to fewer numbers next year. Its a downward spiral, he said. 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 }} Londons first multibank distributing baby products, toiletries and other items as well as food will be officially launched this week, amid concerns over rising child poverty across the capital. The opening of Felixs Multibank is being backed by former prime minister Gordon Brown and London mayor Sadiq Khan. The scheme works like a food bank but also provides non-perishable goods such as cleaning products, toys and clothing. The multibank will be overseen by The Felix Project, which distributes fresh surplus food from supermarkets and restaurants to local charities tackling food poverty. The Felix Project was founded by Justin Byam Shaw, a shareholder in The Independent. The multibank is expected to help thousands of families in west London with supplies that would otherwise go to waste. Earlier this week, The Independent revealed shocking reports of multiple families, who were being housed in awful conditions in hotels, being labelled intentionally homeless by councils in London. Multibank opens in Swansea, Wales ( Alistair Heap/PA Wire ) Multibanks have already been established in areas such as Swansea, Greater Manchester and Fife. Mr Brown said: The London Felix Multibank is the fourth of six that will be opened by the end of this year across Britain. It is opening at a time of transition from a Britain where child poverty has risen dramatically to one where we wish to see child poverty falling. As a new anti-poverty plan is being prepared, the multibanks still need to secure more supplies and more funds from generous donors so that, working with food banks, we can provide poverty relief. Supplies to Felixs Multibank will also be donated from businesses, with Amazon being the biggest benefactor. While some public funding has been supplied for the sites running costs, Amazon is helping to run the operation. Justin Byam Shaw ( Marcus Dawes/Shutterstock ) Mr Khan said: Multibanks do incredible work with charities and community organisations to get supplies to those who need them the most. Im proud to be supporting the Felix Project to bring this multibank to London, as we build a fairer London for everyone. The opening of the multibank in London comes after the government announced a task force to develop a child poverty strategy, led by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall and education secretary Bridget Phillipson. Amid a background of rising child poverty, with more than four million children now living in low-income households, Keir Starmer is coming under increasing pressure to act, with many of the charities consulted by Ms Kendall earlier in the week calling for the two-child benefit cap to be abolished. But the new Labour government has so far resisted such calls, claiming the fiscal situation means the cap cannot be abolished unless economic growth is secured first. The governments new task force will consider levers related to household income as well as employment, housing, childrens health, childcare and education. No mention has been made of the cap. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former cabinet minister Sir David Davis is set to spearhead a probe questioning the conviction of child-killer nurse Lucy Letby. The former Brexit Secretary will table a series of questions under Parliamentary privilege from September to examine the evidence used to convict the 34-year-old. It comes after a series of experts have cast doubt over Letbys conviction - who is serving 15 whole-life sentences for seven murders and seven attempted murders of babies in her care between 2015 and 2016. Sir David told The Independent: I am intending to have a debate in September. It will give us time to go through the evidence - of which there is a vast quantity. With a lot of people claiming a mistrial including statisticians, nurses and senior medics, as well as reports of people being warned off giving evidence, it is clear we need to look at it quite closely. Former nurse Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life sentences for eight murders and seven attempted murders of babies under her care between 2015 and 2016 ( PA Media ) In one podcast, statistician Peter Elston and retired paediatrician Michael McConville tore into the case with detailed arguments about the inadequacies of the medical evidence and concerns about the administration of the hospital. The pair challenged Letbys neonatal unit - where she worked in her mid-20s - which was said to have inadequate levels of staff and training. Mr Elston also raised doubts about the key statistical element of the case: the graph that showed Letbys presence at all the events at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Some members of the Royal Statistical Society have also expressed concerns over the use of statistics to secure a conviction on the basis of probabilities. Its recommendations on using such data in the cases of medical serial killers were not followed during Letbys trial - which was the longest in British legal history. A series of experts have cast doubt over Letbys conviction, which will now be the subject of a parliamentary probe ( PA ) On Sunday, it was claimed an NHS hospital told a nurse who wanted to support Letby she should not give evidence in her case. The nurse, who trained with Letby at the Cheshire hospital, said she was asked to be a character witness by the defence but her NHS trust advised her against getting involved, according to the Daily Telegraph. The nurse who trained with Letby also said she believed she was innocent, and had been made a scapegoat for bad practice on the neonatal ward. A spokesman for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: Due to the ongoing police investigations and the pending public inquiry, it would not be appropriate for the trust to comment further. Letby has denied ever having murdered newborn babies despite her conviction and told jurors during her trial she was not the sort of person who would kill babies. The number of lie detector tests being used on sex offenders in England and Wales has almost tripled in the last three years, leading to fears that victims safety is being put at risk. The controversial tests are being used on prisoners out on licence, and are taken into account when deciding the level of restrictions put in place or whether someone should be put back behind bars. But their validity is highly disputed among scientists and evidence produced using them is not admissible in the UKs criminal courts. One MP condemned them as junk science. Data obtained by The Independent under freedom of information (FOI) laws reveals that the number of lie detector tests used by the probation service on sex offenders rose from 634 in 2020 to 1,797 in 2023. The tests measure physical reactions such as breathing, sweat levels, and blood pressure to see if someone is telling the truth. Offenders could be asked whether they have had contact with children or are going to prohibited locations in sessions that can last up to more than four hours. One of the reasons for the rise in lie detector tests is thought to be sentencing changes introduced by the Tory government, which resulted in more sex offenders being let out on licence. Labour MP Kate Osborne, who sat on the Women and Equalities Committee until the election, said the use of lie detectors must not be normalised, warning they can enable sex offenders to manipulate the system. The MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East said: Lie detector tests are completely unreliable. It is appalling that they are being used in sex offence cases. This junk science puts women and victims at risk. Lie detectors have been used to monitor high-risk sex offenders released on licence since 2014 but have also started being used on terrorists and domestic abusers in recent years. Marion Oswald, a professor of law at the University of Northumbria, who specialises in law and digital technology, told The Independent they are wielded as a risk assessment tool and a mechanism to encourage offenders to disclose information about what they have been doing and potentially to make confessions. She said: If they are seen as not being deceptive under the test then they are likely to be downgraded on their risk assessment threat. The concern is this may pose a risk to victims and women if people are downgraded inappropriately. They might have fewer conditions to comply with if they are seen as truthful, this might be things like the number of times you have to check in, whether you can go out at night, and access certain locations. Prof Oswald warned increasing reliance was being placed on lie detector tests and said their use is shrouded by a lack of transparency. She added: We have a very contested scientific method incorporated in a really serious context of sexual violence and domestic abuse and now other offending like terrorism. Kyriakos Kotsoglou, an associate professor at Northumbria University, who has also done research into lie detectors, said: We predicted back in 2020 the proliferation of the polygraph and that we were on a slippery slope with regards to its usage because the probation service treats the polygraph as a silver bullet. A government fact sheet about lie detector usage on domestic abusers states: Information gathered from a polygraph examination may also be shared with the police who are able to conduct further investigations that may or may not result in charges being made. Ms Osborne said she would ask the new justice secretary and the minister for women and equalities to look urgently at the use of mandatory polygraph exams on high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators started by the last government. Kate Osborne is warning that the unreliability of lie detector tests is putting women at risk Hannah Couchman, senior lawyer at legal charity Rights of Women, called for the government to stop using lie detector tests, warning they lack an evidential basis and exacerbate discriminatory approaches. The barrister told The Independent that the former Conservative governments rollout of lie detectors was part of their wider tendency to introduce technological gimmicks as a cure-all to complex social problems. Ms Couchman added: They are baseless and unscientific. Polygraphs are inherently discriminatory because a human has to analyse the data and then decide whether the person is lying or not, and nobody is immune to discriminatory and biased thinking. I would be concerned that anxiety could affect the results of that polygraph. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Polygraphs cant detect lies, they can detect stress. There is nothing human bodies do and dont do when they are lying. She accused the recently departed government of using lie detectors as a fig leaf to hide accountability over the lack of action on violence against women and girls. We are trying to quantify risk or assign it a numerical value when we know that risk is a subjective and complex concept, Ms Couchman said. A Ministry of Justice (MOJ) spokesperson said: It is wrong to suggest test results alone can lead to a change in licence conditions. Rather, tests which have an accuracy rate of approximately 90 per cent - are used to obtain invaluable information about the behaviour of offenders supervised by the Probation Service so we can put them back behind bars if they put a step out of line. The research referenced by the MoJ spokesperson was done by The American Polygraph Association - a body whose membership includes polygraph examiners themselves. Prof Oswald added: "It is very difficult to measure the efficacy of a polygraph test as in real cases we often dont ever know what the truth is so we cant decide if the test is accurate or not." A spokesperson for the Conservative Party has been contacted for comment. 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 }} Jeremy Hunt has apologised for failures in the UKs pandemic preparations, admitting he was part of the groupthink highlighted by the Covid Inquiry. The former health secretary and chancellor said he was one of many who over prepared for pandemic flu and didnt think about other types of pandemic. Mr Hunt was asked whether he would apologise for government failings, telling the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: Absolutely. Jeremy Hunt said he was part of the groupthink highlighted by the official Covid inquiry ( PA Wire ) "I was one of the many ministers, many officials, many scientists who were part of a groupthink where we overprepared for pandemic flu, we didnt think about other types of pandemic. "And we should have challenged that groupthink. "I apologise unreservedly to the families. That was the most terrible tragedy what happened to this country during Covid. "And I think, by the way, the report has some very sensible recommendations including simplifying the structures of preparing for these kinds of emergencies and I very much hope the Government adopts them." Mr Hunt became the longest-serving health secretary ever between 2012 and 2018, when he was succeeded by Matt Hancock. His apology comes days after the official Covid-19 inquiry found the UK Government and the civil service failed the public due to significant flaws in preparing for the pandemic. Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett has made 10 recommendations (PA) ( PA Archive ) In its first report into preparedness for a pandemic, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry said there was a damaging absence of focus on the measures and infrastructure that would be needed to deal with a fast-spreading disease, even though a coronavirus outbreak at pandemic scale was foreseeable. The report found groups advising the government did not have sufficient freedom and autonomy to express different views and were often undermined by groupthink. On Thursday inquiry chair, Baroness Heather Hallett, presented her report on how well the UK was able to face a deadly outbreak in the run-up to 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic swept across Britain. There were more than 235,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK up to the end of 2023. Sir Keir Starmer said ministers will carefully consider the report and ensure the UK is prepared for any future pandemic and other risks. The prime minister said: The Governments first responsibility is to keep the public safe, and as Prime Minister I am personally committed to each and every family that lost loved ones, and whose lives were changed forever, that this Government will learn the lessons from the inquiry. Baroness Hallett said external experts from outside Whitehall and government should be brought in to challenge and guard against the known problem of groupthink. Bereaved families at the Covid Memorial Wall (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Wire ) In her foreword, Baroness Hallett said: It is not a question of if another pandemic will strike but when. The evidence is overwhelmingly to the effect that another pandemic potentially one that is even more transmissible and lethal is likely to occur in the near to medium future Unless the lessons are learned, and fundamental change is implemented, that effort and cost will have been in vain when it comes to the next pandemic. There must be radical reform. Never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering. News / National by Staff reporter A gang of suspected armed robbers who were behind the widely publicised J and P Security robbery, among other movie-style thefts, are now behind bars after they implicated each other one after another.The suspects are army Corporals Owen Mbayi, 37, Simbarashe Vhazhure, 33, as well as Sergeants Promise Mussa, 36 and Farai Chauke aged 38.Also part of the gang are Thembinkosi Matutu, 47, Batsirai Hutsi, 21, Innocent Chawaguta, 37, Tafadzwa Chirinda Charute, 36, Tapiwa Chigwaze, 39, Winston Matizanadzo, 46, and Kamuriwo Mudziwaona, aged 39.Those who died in a shootout with police are Wonder Amidu, who was aged 53, Tinashe Takudzwa Tricias Munjerenjere and Norest Prosper Mutambudzi.The three ran out of luck earlier this year when detectives managed to track a stolen mobile phone which they found in the possession of Melody Mudzimurema, who is Chawaguta's girlfriend.This led to Matare's arrest as the suspects started implicating each other during police investigations.According to a recent police memo, the police also recovered a variety of firearms which include a 303 Rifle serial number 6449 stolen from Exor service in Shamva, Star pistol serial number 14191 a 6.35 Benardelli VT pistol serial number 70727, Strybok pistol serial number ZA218739 stolen, Unique pistol serial number 646695, Walther pistol with erased serial numbers, Star pistol serial number 20601 all stolen from stolen from J and P security in Harare.Also recovered were 12 bore Pardus shotgun serial numbers 69H22PT00008 stolen from number 798 Acacia Road, Windsor Park and a 22 RG11 revolver serial number 8031 stolen from Maropafadzo Service Station in Murehwa.The first group of suspects appeared in court in April and were remanded in custody awaiting trial.On April 6, police lured Charute's wife Tariro Kasusu to their station.During interviews, she stated that her husband's real name is Reuben Mutamiri, born on 22 November 1989."They conducted a search at Charute' s house and recovered an Astra Cadix revolver serial number R271565 from his house. Detectives also recovered a laptop and 7 cell phones suspected to have been stolen at some robbery scenes," the court heard.On 21 April 2024, detectives from CID Homicide Harare received information suggesting that Manhobo was involved in a spate of armed robberies and intended to meet his gang at Charge office bus terminus en route to their target.Detectives reacted to the information and arrested him aboard a commuter omnibus.On 15 May 2024, detectives received a tip-off suggesting that accused Munjerenjere who is now late, who was outstanding on these cases was spotted at his 4th wife, Bridget Mamvura aged 17 years, homestead in Murisa Village, Chief Seke.Detectives reacted to the information and found him in his two roomed cottage with his wife.The police introduced themselves and ordered everyone to surrender.Instead, the now deceased suspect who was in the bedroom closed the door and climbed over the wardrobe."At that juncture, he got out of the room through the roof after forcing open the roofing sheets and went atop of the roof whilst holding a pistol."Detectives who were outside fired warning shots ordering him to get down and surrender but he did not comply."Instead, the accused person jumped onto one of the detectives who were standing on the ground. At that juncture, shots were fired towards him and he sustained some gunshot wounds on the lower limbs and he fell to the ground. A blank pistol was recovered from him," reads the police memo.It was discovered that the suspect was already nursing a gunshot wound on his right lower leg.He was interviewed and stated he sustained the injury during the shootout with detectives at Trek Chinhamo along Seke road where he managed to escape.He further implicated all his accomplices including others still outstanding.Searches were conducted from his house and 2 x explosives fuses, and 2 x dynamites were recovered.Munjerenjere was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment where he was pronounced dead upon admission.Matutu who was arrested on July 14 2024 implicated all the accomplices and one Prosper Mutambudzi who is now dead.He lured Mutambudzi to Epworth.Detectives approached him and he immediately withdrew a firearm from his waist and started firing some shots towards them.The detectives retaliated and managed to subdue him after he jumped over a security wall into Domboramwari Primary School."The accused person had in his possession a 9mm blank pistol loaded with 3 x 9mm live blank cartridges, one of which was in the chamber was subsequently recovered. Detectives recovered 2 x 9mm blank spent cartridges at the scene."Mutambudzi had sustained some gunshot wounds on the lower abdomen.He was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital for medical attention where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.Matutu, who was in police custody also lured Hutsi.Detectives laid an ambush and Hutsi tried to run away before he was shot on the lower limbs and subsequently arrested.He was searched and had a magazine loaded with 8 x 9mm live cartridges in his trousers' pocket.The suspects have other cases which are currently being investigated. 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 }} US president Joe Biden will have made his decision to stand down based on the best interests of the American people, British prime minister Keir Starmer said. Sir Keir praised Mr Bidens remarkable career and vowed to work with him for the remainder of his presidency after the 81-year-old announced he would not be seeking a second term. In a move set to reverberate across the globe, Mr Biden abandoned his re-election bid on Sunday and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris as his successor. Follow live updates here Sir Keir said: I respect president Bidens decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. US president Joe Biden abandoned his re-election bid on Sunday and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris as his successor ( PA Archive ) I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, president Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people. The announcement came less than a month after the presidents disastrous debate performance in Atlanta, which led to some Democrats to call for his exit. It also follows the conclusion of the Republican National Convention, when the Republican Party made a strong show of unity behind former president Donald Trump after the former president was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania. In a post on his social media account, the president said: My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Kamala Harris has secured the endorsement of Joe Biden after he dropped out of the race on Sunday ( Getty Images ) Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats - its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Meanwhile, former prime minister Rishi Sunak praised Joe Bidens love for America and dedication to service and said working with him led to significant achievements like Aukus and targeting the Houthis in Yemen. Writing on his Truth Social platform, former US president Donald Trump, who is standing for the Republican Party, said: Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He added: We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has called on Suella Braverman to conduct the Conservative Party leadership contest with civility after she warned the party risks becoming centrist cranks. Ms Braverman, who is poised to launch a leadership bid, said the party could do better than becoming a collection of fanatical, irrelevant, centrist cranks. Suella Braverman is expected to launch a bid for the Conservative leadership (PA) ( PA Archive ) Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: If we dont recover the voters we deliberately, and arrogantly, spurned, we will turn the Conservative Party into the 21st century version of the 20th century Liberal Party. We can do better than being a collection of fanatical, irrelevant, centrist cranks, who make it our business to insult our should-be voters for not being as smug and self-righteous as we are. Quizzed about Ms Bravermans comments on Sky Newss Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Lord Houchen said: If we want to spend the next two, three, four, five months fighting with each other that goes to the cause of the election defeat just two weeks ago and I would implore Suella, as well as every other leadership contender, to conduct this leadership contest with civility. Lets come together and lets offer a positive option to the country. Lord Ben Houchen called on the Tories to come together (PA) ( PA Wire ) The Tees Valley mayor, the UKs only Tory metro mayor, also outlined his three priorities for Rishi Sunaks successor: One, it shouldnt be about the past. It should be about what is the offering for this country in the future. Two, I think any leadership contender needs to rule out a partnership or a coalition or whatever relationship with Reform. They are a symptom of the problem. They are not the cause of the problem for the Conservative Party. The third point is that there shouldnt be any blue-on-blue attacks. Those also believed to be preparing leadership bids include Tom Tugendhat, shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, shadow home secretary James Cleverly, and former ministers Robert Jenrick and Dame Priti Patel. Ms Braverman has suggested the Conservatives should welcome Nigel Farage into the party and said his Reform party presents an existential threat to us electorally. The 1922 Committee of backbenchers will set the rules and timeline for the race to succeed Mr Sunak. There have been divisions in the party over how long the contest should take. We've got some thinking to do. We've got to reflect on the results. I would favour taking the right amount of time to do that Andrew Griffith, shadow science minister In a Conservative Home survey of 995 Tory Party members earlier this month, Mr Tugendhat polled at 13 per cent alongside Mr Jenrick, with Ms Braverman on 10 per cent and Mr Cleverly on 9 per cent. Ms Badenoch polled first at 26 per cent, with Dame Priti sixth with 3 per cent. Meanwhile, former chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the party should take our time to choose a new leader if it needs to. He told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: This time next year, the only thing that will matter is not whether we have a new leader in place by October or December, but whether we have the right leader in place, someone who can earn back that trust that we lost. So I think, if we need to, we absolutely should take our time. Shadow science minister Andrew Griffith has also said the party must take time to reflect on what the British people told the party in its disastrous General Election defeat. Shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the Tories should take the time they need to select their new leader (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire ) He told GB News the party should not race into a decision about its new leader. I think the most important thing is that we get it right, he said. Weve got a job to do immediately to oppose this Government. Thats why weve now got a full shadow cabinet formed. So, theres a job that needs to be done right now. We are out there doing it. The most important thing about any leadership contest is that we get the right leader for the right phase. Sadly, were going to have the luxury of some time in opposition. That was the message we heard loud and clear from the British people. Weve got some thinking to do. Weve got to reflect on the results. I would favour taking the right amount of time to do that. On Ms Bravermans claims the party is at risk of becoming seen as full of centrist cranks, he said: I dont think thats the number one thing that the British people want to hear from the Conservatives. They delivered a very clear message. They gave us one of our worst ever defeats. A lot of that, in my view, was as much about our conduct as our policies. Im somebody whos a low tax, traditional Conservative who believes in a small state while still providing a basic level of public services. I want to see taxes, for example, reduced not increased, as Labour is threatening to do. 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 }} After a relentless pressure campaign by Democratic lawmakers, operatives, and donors, President Joe Biden has announced he is dropping out of the 2024 race. From being one of the youngest senators to becoming the oldest sitting president in US history, Bidens remarkable political career has come to an abrupt end. This move will exhilarate those in the Democratic Party who have been calling for a younger candidate, but it will also dishearten those who see this as a disenfranchisement of their primary vote. When it comes to the Trump campaign, however, they might have the most panicked reaction out of everyone. How Joe Bidens campaign came to an end The most definitive depiction of this fear comes from The Atlantics Tim Alberta, who was embedded with the Trump campaign for six months. The campaign is all but praying Joe Biden doesnt drop out, Alberta wrote, on July 10. Now their nightmares have come true. In a conversation with Ezra Klein of The New York Times, Alberta said he saw firsthand the Trump campaigns anxiety about Biden being replaced. The Trump campaign, from day one, has been built not to run against a generic Democrat, Alberta said. Its been built to run a very specific race against a very specific opponent in Joe Biden. Alberta detailed how Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, the advisers who have been co-managing Trumps campaign, have tailored their operation from their micro-targeting ad strategies to their broader messaging to Biden. A change of the Democratic nominee throws that entire plan into disarray. In the simplest of terms, Trumps campaign was all about depicting their nominee as strong and Joe Biden as weak. Theyve been spreading clips of Biden that emphasize his age and seek to denigrate his mental acuity for months. Imagery of the aging Biden has been used as a visual representation of their claims that the president isnt just physically weak, but is weak on the border, crime, and the economy. In reality, border crossings are decreasing (in spite of Trump tanking the bipartisan border bill), crime is seeing historic declines, and the economy is, by most metrics, stronger than it has been in years. Trump has waged a fear-mongering campaign to try and depict Biden as too weak to contain an American chaos that doesnt exist. But none of this matters. What matters is that, according to a lot of polls, it was working. With Biden now out of the race and the issue of his age no longer a factor, Republicans will find it much more difficult to double down on weakness as the central Democratic flaw especially considering Biden followed his announcement by quickly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris is was the obvious frontrunner but shes also a shrewd choice in this particular race: After all, who better to make the case against a convicted felon Republican nominee than a former prosecutor? The Trump campaign will try to use incumbency against her and tie her to Bidens record. But Harris will be going into the election with a running mate who is relatively untouched by this problem, and that will be a huge advantage. The new veep pick will be able to strategically distance themselves from controversial parts of Bidens record like his handling of the Israel-Hamas war while embracing his remarkably successful domestic legislative and foreign policy accomplishments, like expanding NATO. The excitement around a younger Democrat and the historic nature of the ticket with Kamala Harris at the top could also blunt many of the attacks from the Trump campaign. And its likely to bolster support among Black voters and young voters, which the Trump campaign has sought to pick off recently. For those hungry for change which polling indicates is the majority of Americans suddenly, the Democratic ticket is going to start to look very appealing. Trumps supposedly revolutionary ticket, in contrast, now looks like a vote to return to the past. The Trump campaign is in for a totally different race than they bargained for now. A younger Democrat who forcefully communicates a positive vision for the future while also effectively contrasting their approach with Trumps extremist plans for his second term will change the dynamics entirely. The push for President Biden to drop out of the race was a risky maneuver. It could be the masterstroke that cements his legacy and paves the way for a new nominees victory or it could spectacularly backfire. Only time will tell. However, history has taught us that authoritarians win when their opposition is divided. If Democrats are smart, they will now quickly unite around Harris and her chosen running mate so that they can shift the focus to Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 agenda. Contrary to popular belief and a lot of open pessimism on the left the Trump campaign is beatable and easy to message against. Project 2025 has made Trump and Vance especially vulnerable: those detailed plans to reshape the federal government into a tool of the far-right are public for everyone to see. The next few weeks ahead of the August Democratic convention will be marked by a flurry of activity as Democrats forcefully make the case for Harris. It will also be marked by panic within the Trump campaign as they grapple with the fact their entire campaign strategy has to be revamped. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British-Canadian couple who embarked on a green odyssey across the Atlantic have been found dead in a lifeboat after they were forced to abandon their solar-powered yacht. Sarah Packwood, 54, from Warwick, and Canadian Brett Clibbery, 70, went missing on 18 June after leaving Nova Scotia, Canada, in their sailing boat a week earlier. Their bodies were found on a three-metre lifecraft last week, after it washed ashore on Sable Island, 180 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia. Sarah Packwood, 54, from Warwick, and Brett Clibbery, 70, went missing on 18 June after leaving Nova Scotia, Canada, in their sailing boat a week earlier ( Facebook ) After they departed, Ms Packwood posted a farewell video message: Captain Brett and First Mate Sarah set sail on the 2nd leg of The Green Odyssey on board Theros GibSea 42 foot sailboat. Powered by the wind and sun. Heading east to the Azores. Ms Packwood, a poet, musician and reiki healer, was also an accomplished sailor, learning the ropes at university in England. Bretts son James posted a tribute on Facebook saying: The past few days have been very hard. My father James Brett Clibbery, and his wife, Sarah Justine Packwood, have regrettably passed away. There is still an investigation, as well as a DNA test to confirm, but with all the news, it is hard to remain hopeful. The couple were forced to abandon their solar-powered yacht ( Facebook ) They were amazing people, and there isnt anything that will fill the hole that has been left by their, so far unexplained passing. Living will not be the same without your wisdom, and your wife was quickly becoming a beacon of knowledge, and kindness. I miss your smiles. I miss your voices. You will be forever missed. The couples life of adventure began when they met during a chance encounter at a bus stop in London in 2015. Theros, the couples Gib Sea 42ft boat ( Facebook ) They married on the yacht a year later before holding a Celtic marriage ceremony at Stonehenge known as handfasting. They then returned to Canada, where they bought a tract of land on Salt Spring Island, near Vancouver. Police in Halifax, Nova Scotia, have launched an investigation into the deaths and have yet to rule out accidental collision, power failure, fire or suspicious circumstances. The BBC reports that one theory is they were forced to abandon their yacht after they were struck by a passing cargo ship which was unaware of the collision. 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 and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made their debut as the Democratic presidential ticket on Tuesday night, kicking off a campaign against Donald Trump and JD Vance in front of an electrified crowd in Philadelphia. The governor strode on stage at Temple Universitys Licouras Center on Tuesday with Harris just hours after she announced him as her running mate, with 91 days to go until the November election. Walzs appearance ended the closely-watched contest for the next potential vice president, landing on a seasoned Midwestern politician, military veteran and former school teacher with a progressive track record. Harris told the estimated 12,000 people in attendance that she set out to find a partner who can build this brighter future during her weeks-old campaign for the presidency. Her search for a running mate led her to a leader who can unite this nation and move us forward, someone who was a fighter for the middle class and a patriot who believes as I do the extraordinary promise of America, a promise of freedom, opportunity and justice not just for some but for all, she said. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz greet supporters at a campaign rally in Philadelphia on August 6. ( Getty Images ) She told the crowd that she found such a leader in Walz, a 60-year-old former high school teacher who enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17 and served for 24 years, then spent more than two decades teaching and coaching football before entering politics. The vice president recounted how during the 1990s, a time when the federal government enacted a law banning any recognition of same-sex relationships, Walz served as a faculty adviser for a high school gay-straight alliance group because he knew the signal it would send to have a football coach get involved. Walz makes people feel they belong and inspires them to dream big, and thats the kind of vice president he will be, she added, and thats the kind of vice president America deserves. He represented Minnesota in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017 and is now in the middle of his second term as the states governor. He has had a recent meteoric rise on to the national stage with his no-nonsense assessment of the GOPs platform and the weird agenda behind it. Kamala Harris stifled a laugh as her running mate Tim Walz cracked a joke about his Republican counterpart JD Vance and his couch controversy ( Getty Images ) In the governors office, Walz ushered through a series of popular progressive policies, including protections for abortion rights and LGBT+ Minnesotans and a free breakfast and lunch program for public school children. Minnesotas strength comes from our values, our commitment to working together, to seeing past our differences, to always be willing to lend a helping hand, Walz told the crowd. Trump, however, doesnt know the first thing about service, because hes too busy serving himself, according to Walz. The former president weakens our economy to strengthen his own hand, mocks our laws, and sows chaos and division, and thats to say nothing of his record as president, said Walz, who said Trump froze during the Covid-19 crisis, drove the economy into the ground, and make no mistake: violent crime was up under Donald Trump. Thats not counting the crimes he committed, he added. Walz said he cant wait to debate his GOP counterpart JD Vance. Like most people who grew up in the heartland, JD studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a best seller trashing that community, he said, his voice carrying more than a hint of sarcasm. Tim Walz told a crowd in Philadelphia on August 6 that rival Donald Trump doesnt know a thing about service ( AP ) He added that what Vance represents is not what Middle America is, and drew some of the loudest cheers of the night when he told rallygoers: I cant wait to debate the guy ... if hes willing to get off the couch and show up. See what I did there? said Walz, making an apparent reference to an online joke that Vance wrote about having sex with a couch in his best-selling memor. Harriss announcement arrived roughly three months before Election Day and two weeks before the Democratic National Convention, where the Harris-Walz ticket will formally receive the partys nomination. After President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and backed Harris as the partys nominee, she quickly collected endorsements and delegate pledges to clinch the nomination, with record-breaking fundraising numbers that have eclipsed Republicans multi-million dollar war chest. A campaign spokesperson said the newly-christened Harris-Walz effort pulled in yet another $20m in the hours after the announcement. Walz quipped I see those old white guys when he spotted a member of Old White Men for Harris on the front row at the Philadelphia rally on August 6 ( AP ) The electic atmosphere recalled the boisterous rallies of the Obama-Biden campaigns in 2008 and 2012. It attracted a racially diverse crowd that included a pair of gray-haired white men sporting shirts declaring themselves Old White Men for Harris and Freedom. Its as clear as the T-shirt says, Bernie Strain told The Independent. Its about two old white men liking our Social Security, liking our Medicare, liking our freedom, liking our democracy well lose it if Trump gets elected. Strain said that his son, a Marine, had served a pair of tours at the base that was struck by Iran-backed militants in Iraq on Monday. Hes no loser and hes no sucker for serving in the United Statess service, and Trumps not going to call my son a loser or a sucker, he said. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Harris even drew a pair of former Republican members of Congress, including former Pennsylvania congressman James Greenwood, who told The Independent that he understood Biden had to stand down after his June 27 debate against Trump. Greenwood described the vibe after Biden stood down as like an electric charge. The excitement, the volunteers, the fundraising, everyones pretty excited, he said. Another ex-Republican House member from Illinois, Joe Walsh, said Walz was a great bet for Harris because the Minnesotan is like an everyman. I disagree with him on a lot of policy, but he's like a regular guy, and that's what Democrats have to have, he said. Andrew Feinberg reported from Philadelphia 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 }} Republican firebrands Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert joined the GOP pile-on against Joe Biden on Sunday, after the president shocked Washington and announced he would drop out of the 2024 presidential race. Georgia congresswoman Greene described Bidens decision to drop out in predictably conspiratorial terms. Theres a soft civil war happening in the deep state and the elites in power, she wrote on X. The Democrats, the IC, and their activists in the media have been lying to us saying theres nothing wrong with Biden for years. Next, they start a coup against him demanding he drop out of the race when they couldnt hide it anymore. She also baselessly accused the Bidens of dropping out of the campaign because they obtained the price they demanded for the presidential library that will pay the entire family for years to come. 2020 candidate Tulsi Gabbard made similar dark suggestions after the announcement. Lauren Boebert, left, and Marjorie Taylor Greene scream at Joe Biden during his State of the Union address in 2021 ( Getty Images ) Bidens out, Kamala is in, she wrote on X. Dont be fooled: policies wont change. Just like Biden wasnt the one calling the shots, Kamala Harris wont be either. She is the new figurehead for the deep state and the maidservant of Hillary Clinton, queen of the cabal of warmongers. Representative Boebert, of Colorado, was comparatively more mild, tying the exit to her larger problems with the Democratic agenda. The problem was never just Joe Biden, though he was a major problem, it was and is the Democrat agenda, she wrote on X. The statements echoed the sharp tone from the Trump campaign itself, which savaged Joe Biden as one of the worst presidents in US history and called on him to resign from the White House too. Cooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation, Trump wrote on Truth Social after the announcement, adding, he was annihilated in an Earth Shattering Debate, and now the Corrupt and Radical Democrats are throwing him overboard. Trumps running mate JD Vance, meanwhile, has consistently said that if Biden resigns from the campaign, he should leave office altogether. If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President? he wrote earlier today on X. Not running for reelection would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground. Top Democrats like Bill Clinton and Pete Buttigieg, meanwhile, praised Bidens decision as a patriotic move putting his party over his personal ambitions. Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history, wrote Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country. 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 }} Following weeks of pressure and speculation, Joe Biden announced in a letter on Sunday, July 21, that he would drop out of the race for the White House and was backing his vice president, Kamala Harris, to take his place. Following a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, when he appeared confused and frail, made several gaffes, and lost his train of thought, more than 30 Democratic lawmakers publicly called for him to end his candidacy in favor of a younger candidate. Senior voices behind the scenes like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer were said to be encouraging him to step aside. Insiders had previously told The Independent that they believed there was no question Vice President Kamala Harris would receive the baton if and when Biden chose not to run in November. But how would replacing Biden actually work? Heres the process: The clock is ticking The partys nominee will be officially chosen at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago between 19 and 22 August. Almost all of the nearly 4,000 Democratic delegates are currently pledged to Biden after he swept the primary races. But during a press conference earlier this month, Biden had already said of the delegates: Theyre free to do whatever they want. President Joe Biden bowed to weeks of pressure and decided to step off the Democratic ticket ( AP ) Tomorrow, if all of a sudden I show up at the convention and everyone says we want someone else, thats the democratic process. Its not going to happen. But its a bit more complicated than that. During the roll call vote to officially select the nominee, delegates who choose not to back the acknowledged candidate would have to vote present rather than vote for a different candidate. Now that he has stepped aside, delegates will have to vote for someone else. Brookings senior fellow Elaine Kamarck told CNN that the rule for electing nominees, in place since the 1984 convention, states that delegates should in all good conscience vote for the person they were selected to represent. But she added: Its never been tested. Theres no legal history on what in all good conscience means ... Weve never had a convention where a lot of people voted against the person that they got elected with. Now Biden has stepped aside Now that Biden is no longer a candidate, Democrats will have to pick a new presidential nominee. And the logistics surrounding that are not simple. The modern primary campaigning and nominating process began in earnest during John F Kennedys 1960 run for president. Before that, nominating a candidate bore more resemblance to proverbial smoke-filled rooms where party elders selected the nominee away from the eyes and ears of the public. Thats infeasible at this moment, particularly for a party that bills itself as a defender of democracy. At the same time, Democrats would risk a battle royale if too many candidates were to emerge in the race. With Biden out, the process will have to be carefully handled to make sure this didnt scupper the partys chances against Trump in November. A process that is open, transparent, and energizing Enter James Zogby, member of the Democratic National Committee, who worked on Jesse Jacksons campaigns and whom Bernie Sanders nominated to serve on the party platform committee in 2016. Zogby recently sent a memo, seen by The Independent, to DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison laying out how to replace Biden in the event that he would step down. The central idea is to create a process that is open, transparent, and energizing, while, at the same time, legitimate and democratic, the memo reads. And it is one that is deeply respectful of the president and his accomplishments. The plan would require that any prospective candidate secure the endorsement of 40 committee members since most members are elected officials and that they must include four members from each region. Kamala is seen as the top candidate to replace Biden ( AFP via Getty Images ) After the deadline, candidates would appear during televised events to make their case to voters. That would culminate in a nominating process at the Democratic National Convention in August. It is not a coronation, the memo says. ...For at least one month, national media will be focused on our candidates and their exciting process, drawing sharp contrast with the antics of GOP nominee. Given that we can likely predict the pool of potential candidates (Vice President Harris, Governors, Senators, Members of Congress) the debate they will have will no doubt be respectful and substantive. Zogbys proposal is an audacious one. It would require TV networks to comply and broadcast the debate. And despite his optimism, there is no guarantee that the contest for delegates would be a clean fight. Indeed, the old ways were rife with kickbacks, corruption, and back-scratching. And Republicans would make hay of the disarray that Democrats face. But it might be one of the few options the party has. In 2020, Democratic primary voters chose Biden almost as soon as he won in South Carolina, and then, as a way to prohibit a challenger, the party moved the state up the calendar in 2024. Democrats ostracized heretics like Representative Dean Phillips who suggested something different, even if he was an admittedly imperfect messenger for his cause. Many Democrats might now want to take a look at Zogbys proposal. A question of cash There are a number of reasons that party leaders think Harris will now be handed the nomination one of them being the campaign cash. Biden and Harris have raised hundreds of millions of dollars over the last couple of years. The money has been divided between the Democratic National Committee, the Biden campaign, almost all state Democratic parties, as well as a number of joint fundraising committees that send cash around all those groups. Those entities had collectively about $240m in cash in hand as of June 30. While most of the funds, such as those controlled by the Democratic National Committee, wouldnt be affected by changing the top of the ticket, the most valuable cash is held by the Biden-Harris campaign committee, which had a $91m war chest as of May 30. Those funds have been raised by, and belong to, the Biden-Harris ticket, and which follow those two candidates. Harris will be able to access those funds. However, if Harris isnt chosen as the partys nominee, the funds would have to be refunded or, as is more likely, transferred to a federal Super PAC. But those funds would then no longer be directly controlled by the campaign. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} After a gunman nearly killed Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally last week, officials are racing to understand how a former president was left so vulnerable to attack, despite his Secret Service protection detail. The vaunted unit has denied assertions that it turned down requests for additional security resources at the Pennsylvania event, but admitted on Saturday it may have rebuffed similar requests from the Trump team in the past, according to The Washington Post. The security agency told the paper it had new information, indicating its headquarters may have turned down some requests from Trumps team for additional resources. The denials included rejections for more security at public outings like Trumps visits to sporting events, and a denial for more counter-snipers at a 2023 rally in small-town South Carolina surrounded by numerous residential and commercial buildings, unnamed sources told The Post. Since the assassination attempt, the Secret Service has maintained that it didnt reject any Trump requests about the event. The assertion that a member of the former presidents security team requested additional security resources that the U.S. Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security rebuffed is absolutely false, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the day after the shooting. In fact, recently the U.S. Secret Service added protective resources and capabilities to the former presidents security detail. Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who fired on Donald Trump, hid on the roof of the American Glass Research building, about 400 feet away from the rally stage, outside the secure area guarded by Secret Service agents and metal detectors. Security personnel had multiple warnings about Crooks, well before the shooting took place. An hour before the attack, police saw him pacing outside the events security screening with a backpack and a range finder, prompting police to radio their concerns to other agencies, including the Secret Service, according to the Wall Street Journal, before Crooks melted back into the crowd and made his way to the AGR building. Once the gunman got on top of the building, he was spotted by by both Secret Service Snipers and rallygoers, who called out to nearby police to alert them. As ABC News reports, 20 minutes elapsed between when Secret Service snipers spotted Crooks and when he fired on Trump. A local Butler Township police officer looking for a suspicious person also reportedly accessed the roof of the building and saw Crooks, before fleeing when the gunman turned his weapon on the officer. The Secret Service and local police have traded blame over who was responsible for securing the building from which the gunman fired on Trump. The Secret Service has said the building was being used as a staging area for local police, and it was their job to secure the facility. Local police, meanwhile, say they told the Secret Service in advance they had no plans to be on the roof and instead would occupy a second floor of the building, not wanting to expose local police snipers to 90 degree heat on top of the building. Theyve also described the federal protection agency as ultimately overseeing plans for the campaign rally. Donald Trump has said he was not warned about Crooks by the Secret Service either. The Republican presidential candidate told Fox News host Jesse Watters: Nobody mentioned it. Nobody said it was a problem. [They] couldve said, Lets wait for 15, 20 minutes, 5 minutes. Nobody saidI think that was a mistake. Trump also questioned how Crooks made it onto the roof at the Butler rally last Saturday (13 July). Trump said: How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasnt he reported, because people saw he was on that roof. Dont fall for it, was the stern warning from Whoopi Goldberg on Thursday. Talking on her chat show, The View, the Democrat-supporting actor was addressing the number of emotional speeches made by family members at last weeks Republican National Convention (RNC). As Donald Trump accepted his third GOP nomination for president, he was joined by members of his family, as well as that of the family of his running mate, JD Vance. He spoke of unity as the glamorous eyes and teeth crowd jostled for position behind him. For a moment, youd be forgiven for thinking it was an episode of Succession. I know his grandchild was up on the thing and theyre trying to humanise [Trump] and change your idea about who this guy is, Goldberg told viewers. Dont fall for that. The day before, on Wednesday, Kai Trump, daughter of Donald Trump Jr, had taken to the stage to make an emotional speech. Wearing a bridal white dress, the 17-year-old told an adoring audience that she was speaking in order to show a side of my grandpa that people often dont see. The media makes my grandpa seem like a different person, but I know him for who he is. He is caring and loving, she said, as sweet as apple pie. It was a doubling down on a similar speech made by Lara Trump, wife of Donald Trumps son Eric, on Tuesday, as she spoke of Trump as a role model and doting grandfather to her two children. She told the enraptured crowd: Maybe you got to see a side of Donald Trump on Saturday that you were not sure existed, until you saw it with your own eyes. Similarly, earlier in the week, Trumps (often absent) wife, Melania, issued a lengthy statement after the shooting targeting her husband, saying a monster had tried to ring out Donalds passion his laughter, ingenuity, love of music and inspiration. The core facets of my husbands life his human side were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times, she gushed. Stepping out onto the conventions stage like it was a catwalk, she joined his daughter Ivanka and other glamorous family members, completing the glossy tableau of devoted women standing behind their men (in every sense). Each of these women plays a crucial role in the defining of a new Trump family era, and the rewriting of the last. Melania walked onto the stage to Beethovens dramatic Symphony No 9, playing the trad wife to pitch-perfect effect. A vote for Trump is also a vote for his conservative family ( Reuters ) Her step back from politics since the pair left the White House in 2021 has been well documented but this week, her presence at Trumps side was not only proper as a supportive wife but a bolstering to Trumps masculinity. Lara Trumps appointment as the co-chair of the Republican Party was also a convenient way to showcase Trumps apparent generosity in allowing women power. Coupled with Kais warmth Hes just a normal grandpa suddenly Trump is the picture of kindness and progression; a loving elder figure who only wants the women in his life to do their best, as well as a picture of youthful virility, to Bidens frail withering. As his advisers will be well aware, Trump is very much in need of a female coterie around him to soften his silverback instincts. And, as The New York Times pointed out, there is a very special iconography of the Trump women, who all share a very specific type of look; lots of glossy just-wavy-enough hair, big eyelashes, glossy lips and teetering heels. Or, as the NYTs Vanessa Friedman wrote: A cross between a Miss America pageant contestant and a Fox newscaster, all starring in Trump's own political reality show. This would be very funny if it didnt feel so sinister and part of a deliberate attempt to skirt-wash some pretty toxic behaviour and anti-woman rhetoric behind the scenes. But, of course, the rolling out of well-spoken women to publicly purify a powerful mans offensive past has long been a part of political gameplay. Trump with Melania on the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention ( AFP/Getty ) Hillary Clinton in her fierce defence of the then president Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky affair is a classic example, along with Huma Abedin, who was the perfect antidote to former Democratic congressman Anthony Weiners multiple sexting scandals in the 2010s. Most would agree that the Trump women do it to particularly good effect. Against Usha Vance, the potential next second lady, wife of vice-president nominee JD Vance, who arrived at the RNC in barely any makeup, the Trump women were scrupulously fashioned. Trump has always run a highly personal rather than politically led campaign but now, his message is louder than ever: a vote for him is also a vote for his conservative family where women look the way men want them to, and say all the right things. Now that Trump has a brand new status as a survivor and recipient of what he, and many of his supporters, are calling divine intervention I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God, he told the RNC last week these layers are adding up. The Republican Party has long been almost indistinguishable from theological authoritarianism; this week, were watching politics roll back even further into right-wing Christian nationalism. Here, the glossy women around him appear like modern handmaidens there to smooth the way for powerful men to create a world where they are very much in control. And Trumps presidential legacy does nothing to assuage that image. Back in 2016, he called for some kind of punishment for women having abortions, while promising to overturn Roe vs Wade, duly paving the way for it to happen in 2022. Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump look on at the convention ( AFP/Getty ) He also pledged to revoke protections against workplace sexual harassment, sexual assault and gender pay gaps. He also defended employers who pay mothers less than men and fought to overturn the Affordable Care Act, allowing American healthcare insurers to charge women more than men. Famously, on tapes obtained by The Washington Post during his first election run, he declared he could do anything he wanted with women. Grab em by the p****, he said. You can do anything. Lest we forget, too, that before the assassination attempt last weekend, the majority of his year had been spent at the centre of a hush-money trial, during which he was found guilty of falsely recording reimbursements made to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. Cohen paid Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, $130,000 for her silence about her affair with Trump. Daniels later said she was terrorised by Trump and his supporters. But now hes flanked by the women in his life all dressed in Victorian black, white and handmaiden red all of that is supposedly forgotten. Its a shrewd and powerful statement; one that, as Goldberg says, women would be wise to put under some scrutiny. On Thursday night, an image of the Trump family together on the stage at the RNC was widely published. In the photo, the men wear navy blue suits, the women are mostly dressed in red; everyone is smiling and laughing. It is a picture of togetherness and unity. But, maybe the colours of their clothes signify more than just the nationalism Trumps Republicans keenly represent. Behind the harem, Trumpism is hiding in plain sight and it is a picture of sexism and oppression. Maybe his handmaidens are a sign of more to come. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump called Project 2025, a 900-page blueprint for his second presidency, seriously extreme at his first rally since the assassination attempt against him. Trump made the comments at a rally in Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The event comes one week after Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally last weekend. Crooks killed one attendee and injured two others while one of his shots grazed Trumps ear. Like some on the right, severe right, came up with this Project 25, I dont even know, some of them I know who they are, but theyre very, very conservative, Trump said. Theyre sort of the opposite of the radical left. You have the radical left and the radical right and they come up I dont know what the hell it is, its Project 25, he continued. Hes involved in project and then they read some of the things and they are extreme, theyre seriously extreme. But I dont know anything about it, I dont want to know anything about it. Donald Trump speaks at his first rally since the assassination attempt against him. At the rally, Trump claimed he does not know anything about Project 2025 ( Getty Images ) Project 2025 is led by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, and more than a dozen former Trump administration officials. The document includes plans to expand his executive authority, replace civil servants with loyalists, crush abortion rights, attack civil rights for LGBTQ+ people and impose an anti-immigrant agenda, among other policies. The plan would give Trump unprecedented executive authority over the federal government, The Independent has previously reported. While Trump claims to know nothing about the plan, he praised the Heritage Foundation and their plans for exactly what our movement will do two years ago. Heritage does such an incredible job, this is a great group, and theyre going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do and what your movement will do when the American people give us a colossal mandate to save America, Trump said in 2022. Trump also said he has a place in his administration for Tom Homan, a member of The Heritage Foundation and one of the Project 2025 authors. JD Vance was attending his first rally with Trump since being added to the ticket ( AP ) He also claims the plan is extreme, but the document mirrors several policies the former president himself has endorsed. For example, at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, Trump committed to mass deportation if elected. Thats why, to keep our family safe, the Republican platform promises to launch the largest deportation operation in the history of our country, Trump said on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Project 2025 endorses a similar plan. Prioritizing border security and immigration enforcement, including detention and deportation, is critical if we are to regain control of the border, repair the historic damage done by the Biden Administration, return to a lawful and orderly immigration system, and protect the homeland from terrorism and public safety threats, the Project 2025 document reads. Trump has also repeatedly claimed that the human-driven climate crisis is a hoax, and several times has vowed to drill, baby, drill. In a similar vein, Project 2025 says the next Republican administration must stop the war on oil and natural gas and end efforts to decarbonize the American economy. Several Democratic lawmakers have now formed a task force to combat Project 2025. Project 2025 is more than an idea, its a dystopian plot thats already in motion to dismantle our democratic institutions, abolish checks and balances, chip away at church-state separation, and impose a far-right agenda that infringes on basic liberties and violates public will, task force member Representative Jared Huffman said. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts called the task force unserious. Project 2025 will not be stopped by an unserious, mistake-riddled press release or a task force of House Democrats lacking a basic understanding of federal governance, Roberts said in a statement. You are here: China The Work Safety Commission under the State Council has decided to supervise the investigations into a department store fire occurring Wednesday in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The commission asked local authorities to promptly carry out the investigations to find out the cause of the accident, submit the investigation report to it for approval, and then release the result to the public. The fire broke out around 6 p.m. Wednesday at a 14-story building in Zigong City, Sichuan. A total of 16 people were killed. News / National by Staff reporter Legislators have implored government to identify and blacklist companies that fail to deliver goods and services to government departments despite having won tenders and further accepted upfront payment.Millions of US dollars in scarce public funds continue to be lost in often opaque contracts signed by government departments with fly-by-night suppliers who have failed to deliver as promised.A recent report by the Auditor General revealed that a total of 3 buses, 60 motor vehicles, 167 laptops and various office furniture paid for between 2020 and 2023 had not been delivered by June this year despite advance payment of ZWL$1,7 billion and US$2,3 million made in procurement of these goods.During the question-and-answer session in parliament on Wednesday, Budiriro South legislator, Darlington Chigumbu asked the leader of Government Business at the time, Amon Murwira if there was a way of banning deceitful contractors from participating in future tenders."Minister, do we have a policy that speaks to an issue of making sure that those who would have failed to provide adequate services are blacklisted?" asked the CCC lawmaker."Can something be done to make sure that they will not be contracted again to ensure that government is not short-changed by similar individuals each and every time when they want certain things to be done?"Zanu PF Rushinga MP Tendai Nyabani asked if there was a government policy to deal with similar companies.Nyabani also asked if it was not possible for a contracted company to pay a guarantee fee to the government so that if it fails to deliver to the expected level, government can still recover its money.In his response, Murwira, who is substantive Higher and Tertiary Education, said the country already has laws to deal with the cases."The government is there to oversee that public funds are ring-fenced. Everyone who is contracted by government to work, signs a contract so that they provide services."When we are talking about laws, that is what happens, but it does not mean that everyone who signs a contract is able to finish. If they are unable to complete the work, there are also laws that also bind them."I am saying that there is a law for doing work and a law for reprimanding," he said.The Zanu PF led government has been accused of failure to do due diligence and corruption when awarding lucrative tenders to suppliers of goods and services to its departments.A lot of business operators who get awarded lucrative government tenders are persons with close links to the ruling elite. 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 }} With Joe Bidens stunning announcement that he would not seek re-election nearly one month after his troubling debate performance against Donald Trump, vice president Kamala Harris has emerged as a surprisingly strong potential challenger to the ex-president. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she wrote Sunday in a statement shortly after Biden announced he was passing the torch. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Harris the first woman, the first African-American and the first person of Asian descent to serve in the nations second-highest office has been dogged by dismal approval ratings and a policy portfolio that has seen her take on politically tricky issues, like the root causes of an immigration crisis thats brought hundreds of thousands to the US in recent years. Biden announces he will stand down from election to focus solely on Presidential duties But she has also spent the last three years building a profile on the world stage, most recently at last months Ukraine peace talks in Switzerland. Shes also become the administrations most prominent messenger on reproductive freedom in the wake of the Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling, which marked the end of a half-century-old federal right to an abortion. Harriss reproductive freedom tour has taken her to events across the country where she has barnstormed events packed with female and minority voters. As a practical matter, Harris has a built-in advantage in taking on Trump, as she would be the only person who could tap into the massive war chest already raised for her and Bidens re-election bid. She would also be able to take advantage of the nationwide apparatus the Biden-Harris campaign has already built, making her the natural successor to Biden, who announced on Sunday that he was pledging his full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. One Democratic strategist who spoke to The Independent said Harris would enjoy broad support from young voters and other party factions that have soured on Biden. People who are unhappy with Trump versus Biden now get to say: We got somebody else. Maybe it wasnt who exactly they wanted. But everybody loves a good comeback story, and she has a great comeback story, he said. Harris and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, arrive for a state dinner earlier this year ( Reuters ) Her [2020] campaign crashed and burned she got the s***ty immigration portfolio, but she stayed quiet and kept her head down and she defended the s*** out of Biden after the debate. Before the June 27 debate debacle, such a possibility was the stuff of fever dreams in conspiratorial right-wing swamps, rife with social media personalities predicting that Biden would resign or retire in favor of Michelle Obama or some other popular Democrat. But now, weeks after Biden shocked the nation by presenting himself as a fumbling, elderly man who struggled to recall canned talking points or deliver coherent answers in the face of Trumps dishonest bombast, voters appear far more willing to consider Harris as an alternative. A poll from Reuters/Ipsos taken after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rural Pennyslvania rally on July 13 showed Biden and Harris essentially tied in a match-up against Trump. Another poll taken last week by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that the majority of Democrats, 6 out 10, believe shed make a good president, with 2 out of 10 responding that they dont think she would. A survey by CNN and SSRS taken immediately after the debate showed Harris in a statistical tie with Trump, 45 percent to the ex-presidents 47 percent, a showing that was several points better than the 43 percent Biden garnered against Trumps 49 percent in the same poll. That survey found that Harris currently outperforms Biden among two key voting blocs women and independent voters even though 538s average of political surveys shows that she trails him by two points when voters are polled on their approval of each of them. Harris came to the vice presidency after serving four years of a six-year Senate term, during which she mounted a presidential primary bid that never made an impact with voters. Aside from a viral moment when she accused Biden of supporting school segregation during an early debate, her performances in those primary sessions were generally so shambolic that she withdrew from the 2020 race long before the first votes were cast. Harris would come top of a hypothetical post-Biden ticket with substantial support from key Democrats ( AP ) But Harris would lead the ticket with substantial support from key Democrats, including South Carolina Representative James Clyburn, whose endorsement catapulted Biden to the top of the field four years ago. The Palmetto State congressman told MSNBC he would support Harris in a recent interview in which he warned that the party should not attempt to bypass her in any way. We should do everything we can to bolster her whether its in second place or at the top of the ticket, he said. The House minority leader, New York representative Hakeem Jeffries, also reportedly signalled to colleagues that he would be keen on having Harris step up. If she indeed reaches the top of the Democratic ticket, insiders say the negative spotlight she has been under since assuming office could work to her advantage because voters would be surprised by the positive, energetic figure she cuts on the campaign trail. Moreover, the coded racial messages that have figured prominently in GOP messaging about her during her vice presidency might galvanise Black and other minority voters in her favour. The Democratic strategist, who worked on Bidens 2020 run and still consults with his 2024 campaign staff on an informal basis, told The Independent that a Harris candidacy would bring Black voters whove been wavering on Biden right back into the fold, especially after last weeks Supreme Court ruling giving presidents broad immunity for crimes committed while in office. I know the expectations for her are low, but Black people, in the wake of that Supreme Court decision, understand the threat. And they know they may not like her, but shes one of us, and she will look out for us, he 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 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 }} Kamala Harris is now the frontrunner to take on Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her following weeks of pressure on him to step aside. In the hours since Biden announced he was quitting his reelection campaign and Harris confirmed she will run to replace him on top of the ticket, donors have returned to the party in their droves and a string of top Democratic lawmakers and influential figures have thrown their support behind the vice president. Though Harris is yet to be officially crowned the presidential nominee, the Biden-Harris campaign has already amended its filings with the Federal Election Commission to declare her as its chosen candidate a move that will allow her to tap into the campaigns war chest. However former president Barack Obama has yet to formally endorse Harris. After weeks of pressure from Democratic Party insiders and plummeting poll numbers, Biden finally announced on Sunday that he was bowing out from his efforts to secure a second term in the White House. The announcement came less than a month after the presidents disastrous debate performance in Atlanta, which led to some Democrats to call for his exit. It also dovetails the conclusion of the Republican National Convention, when the Republican Party made a strong show of unity behind former president Donald Trump after the former president was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania. Biden made the announcement in a letter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, becoming the first president in 56 years to call off a re-election campaign. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president, he said. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. He also endorsed Harris to receive the Democratic nomination for president, likely to stave off a contested convention when the Democrats convene in Chicago next month. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Biden announced his decision to bow out from efforts to seek a second term in a letter posted to X. He wrote: It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. ( via REUTERS ) Harris responded in her own statement, calling her service with Joe Biden for nearly four years a profound honor. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win, said Bidens former running mate. Bidens decision to throw his support to his vice president kicked off a show of unified support from Democrats in Congress and within the administration, though some members of the party stopped short of formally endorsing her. The president has not yet officially released his delegates to next months convention, leading Obama to say in a statement that the party will be in uncharted waters. Obama added that he has extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. Biden, pictured at the Nato summit in July 2024, announced his decision not to bow out of his re-election campaign after weeks of intense pressure from Democrats ( Getty Images ) Numerous Democrats, including numerous Democrats in swing districts and frontline swing states, had called on Biden to step aside, with many questioning his ability to beat Trump. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who served with Biden for many years in the Senate and was the main executor of his agenda in Congress, praised Bidens decision. Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being, he said. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American. House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also commended Biden in his decision to step aside. In less than one term, he rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief, he said in a statement. America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful. But some Democrats--including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, the progressive vanguard--had warned about muscling Biden out too quickly and said the same forces who wanted to push out Biden did not want Harris. The move comes less than a month before Democrats will convene to nominate their candidate for president in Chicago. Numerous Democrats had discussed how they planned to replace Biden at the top of the ticket to make sure that voters felt their voices were heard. But Republican Senators immediately began to rail against the idea that Biden could be replaced at the top of the ticket. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed party of democracy has proven exactly the opposite, House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement. Johnson also blasted Harris in his remarks. As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history, he added. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve. Biden said he would speak later to explain his decision. The move comes as Biden, 81, faced numerous questions about his capacity to govern as the oldest person to ever occupy the White House and the oldest ever presidential candidate in either major partys history. His decision to step aside bookends a career of more than 50 years in public life, beginning with his first upset Senate race in Delaware in 1972, which led to 36 years in the United States Senate, where he served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees and earned a reputation as a consensus builder both within the Democratic Party and with Republicans. Biden first ran for president in 1987 but dropped out before the contests of 1988 began under accusations of plagiarism. In 2008, he dropped out after barely registering in the Iowa Caucuses before Barack Obama selected him to be his running mate. During that time, he began Obamas chief negotiator on Capitol Hill and point person on foreign policy. During the 2012 presidential campaign, he served as Obamas main champion for speaking about the economy and revived Obamas campaign after Obama himself posted a poor debate performance against Mitt Romney. But the death of his son Beau Biden and Obamas not-so-veiled desire for Hillary Clinton to succeed him led to him deciding not to run. In 2019, he announced his decision to run and consistently led Trump in the polls, which led to him overwhelmingly winning the Democratic nomination thanks to the support of African-American voters and leaders. But ever since his decision to run again in 2023, he consistently trailed Trump in the polls as many voters questioned whether his advanced age prevented him from doing the job. During the RNC last week, Biden returned from campaigning in Nevada after he tested positive for Covid-19, while campaigning in Nevada. Now the man who was too young to be sworn in as a senator when he won his first race faces a party that feared his age would prevent him from mounting a strong enough campaign against Trump. He leaves as a president who had some of the most legislative accomplishments as Lyndon Johnson. But like Johnson, another lion of the Senate, he finally saw his journey come to an end thanks to public opinion. 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 }} Hunter Biden penned an emotional tribute to his father on Sunday, saying that unconditional love has served as Joe Bidens North Star during his time as president, following the stunning announcement on Sunday that he has put an end to his re-election campaign. He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years, he wrote as tributes began to pour in for the president. First lady Jill Biden and the presidents granddaughter Naomi were among the other Biden family members who spoke out in support of the presidents momentous decision, which comes after plummeting poll numbers and weeks of mounting pressure from prominent Democratic lawmakers and donors. In a statement posted to X, Biden said it had been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president, but that stepping down was in the best interest of my party and the country. Hunter Biden who received the presidents unwavering support throughout his recent criminal trial, where he was found guilty of three felony gun charges praised the empathy his father has shown towards countless everday Americans. US President Joe Biden hugs his son Hunter Biden upon arrival at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, on June 11 ( AFP via Getty Images ) For my entire life, Ive looked at my dad in awe. How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others? Hunter said in a statement. Not only in the policies he passed, but in the individual lives hes touched. Over a life time I have witnessed him absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans who hes given his personal phone number to, because he wanted them to call him when they were hurting. When their last hopes were slipping through their hands. Im so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him, Hunter continued. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad. Hunter Biden has reportedly been one of the most vocal advocates of his father staying in the 2024 presidential race, despite calls for him to step aside ( AP ) Naomi Biden, 30, the eldest daughter of Hunter and Kathleen Buhle, described her grandfather as the most effective president of our lifetime. Im nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction, she wrote on X. Not only has he beenand will continue to bethe most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nations history. He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours. Posting from her own account, Jill Biden simply shared her husbands statement with a heart emoji. The first lady has been a constant source of support for Biden, especially in the wake of his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, where he appeared frail and at times incoherent, leading to a deluge of calls for him step aside in the upcoming presidential election. In the minutes after the debate, Biden took to the stage to commend him for answering every question. And for weeks, sources close to the family told media outlets that he had no plans to pull out of the race despite the pressure, saying the first lady was still all in on the campaign. First Lady Jill Biden has been a constant source of support for the president even in recent weeks, as calls for him to step down from the 2024 presidential race have grown ( AFP via Getty Images ) Both Jill and Hunter Biden were reportedly among the most vocal family members urging him not to call it quits. The family is scared. These advisers are incredibly loyal and doing their jobs, a senior Democrat told NBC News at the time. Another source told the Associated Press: The entire family is united. You get up and keep fighting. Eyebrows were raised, however, following reports that Hunter Biden had attended several official meetings with his father and senior White House aides in the days following the debate. Axios reported that Hunter had seemingly become a liaison between his father and the outside world a barrier deciding who was permitted to speak to the president. On Sunday, the presidents youngest brother, Frank Biden, told ABC News that his brothers decision to step out of the race boils down to his overall health and vitality but also beating this genuine threat to our nation in the form of Donald Trump. The strength of the Biden family was echoed in a statement by Kamala Harris, in which she accepted the presidents endorsement of her candidacy and recalled her friendship with his late son Beau Biden ( AP ) The strength of the Biden family ties was reflected in a statement from Kamala Harris, in which she accepted the presidents endorsement and recalled her friendship with his late son, Beau Biden who died in 2015. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family, Harris said. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. 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 }} Washington erupted on Sunday as President Joe Biden reversed course after weeks of calls for him to drop out and announced that he would not be the nominee for the Democratic Party in 2024. Statements from politicians on both sides of the aisle some clearly having been prepared for days, if not weeks poured in as the 81-year-old Biden said that he would bow to the wishes of Democrats who feared that his campaign was heading for a historic collapse which would have dragged down-ballot Democrats into defeat this fall. Members of the presidents party applauded him and spoke glowingly of his legacy while Republicans, coming of their own nominating contest last week, called for him to step down as president immediately. Many also condemned their rivals for supposedly ignoring the will of the voters, who in actuality were never offered a real primary challenge to Biden this year. Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history, wrote Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country. Hillary and former President Bill Clinton released a joint statement endorsing Harris for the nomination. Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiros initial statement did not mention Harris at all, but in a subsequent press release he revealed that after speaking with both Biden and Harris hed decided to throw his support behind the vice president. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President, he said. The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency. Bernie Sanders, who had defended Biden amid calls for the president to drop out, said he has served our country with honor and dignity. As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history, he wrote. Thank you, Mr. President, for all youve done. President Joe Biden announced his departure from the 2024 race on Sunday. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump led the charge for Republicans. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election, said Johnson. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. Trump, who officially secured the GOP nomination last week, wrote on Truth Social: Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt - And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! the ex-presidents post concluded. Noticeably absent in the immediate wake of the news: Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed to win the nomination in his statement withdrawing from the race. She issued a statement around 4pm et, more than an hour after the news and roughly three hours after Biden himself reportedly told his own team. On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office, said Harris in a statement. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. Harris continued: With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Joe Biden immediately endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, for the nomination upon dropping out Sunday. ( EPA ) Reactions from overseas were a bit more favourable to Biden, whom European allies were reported to have been worried about having been unable to beat Trump, a well-known skeptic of Nato and foreign engagement, this fall. I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency, wrote British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, still in his first month in office. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people. I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people. https://t.co/SCxFFtyl73 Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 21, 2024 I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness & admiration. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity & class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best, wrote Irelands Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin on Twitter. I respect Joe Bidens decision not to run for re-election. That justification deserves respect, Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told broadcaster NRK.Biden has been one of Americas most prominent politicians over several decades, and a president who has carried out several important reforms. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career, wrote Israeli President Isaac Herzog on X. As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples. I send him, @FLOTUS Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem. This is a breaking news story. More to follow... Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden has called off his re-election bid after many weeks of nail-biting speculation about the 81-year-olds fitness for office, with myriad prominent Democrats including movie stars like George Clooney and trusted political allies like Rep Adam Schiff pushing for him to drop out of the race against challenger Donald Trump in favor of a younger candidate. Bidens health has been a concern since his unsuccessful 2008 run at the presidency, some 20 years after surviving two life-threatening brain aneurysms. His cognitive abilities have been on voters minds since he took office in January 2021. A full physical exam during Bidens first year in the White House found him to be a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the president, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief, according to personal physician Dr Kevin OConnor. In a six-page summary of the checkup, OConnor chalked up Bidens perceptibly stiffer and less fluid gait to mild nerve damage, and an "increasing frequency and severity of throat clearing and coughing to esophageal reflux. As the year progressed, Bidens health came under increasing scrutiny. After falling off a bicycle that June near a home he owns in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, an uninjured Biden said his foot had gotten caught on a toe clip and told the accompanying press pool, Im good . During his successful 2020 campaign, he reassured the public that he considered himself a placeholder who would restore normalcy to the Oval Office while the Democratic Party developed fresh candidates for the next election. The apparently selfless notion was also the practical way forward: a mere five in ten registered Democrats said in an October 2022 AP-NORC poll that they wanted Biden to run for a second term. Joe Biden takes a spill while riding his bike in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware ( Reuters ) In June 2023, Biden fell on stage after tripping over a sandbag at the US Air Force Academy graduation ceremony. A few months after that, speculation about Bidens health intensified when, at a Manhattan campaign event, he recounted an anecdote, then repeated the same story again nearly word for word, according to a pool report . Things finally came to a head for Biden following his disastrous performance against Trump at the first presidential debate of 2024, which convinced many Democrats that Biden would doom the partys chances of defeating Trump. Today, less than 25 percent of voters consider Biden to be mentally sharp, a decrease of six points since January and a drop of nearly half since fall 2020, a Pew Research Center poll showed along with a four-point advantage for Trump at the ballot box. Heres a look at how things went downhill for Biden: Jan 22, 2024: While meeting with the White House Task Force on Reproductive Rights, Biden thanked attendee Jen Klein, his gender policy adviser, then singled out Secretary Becerra, sitting right next to her, for the leadership in this task force, lauding Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. However, the man next to Klein was Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; Becerra had dialed in to the meeting via Zoom. Feb 7, 2024: Speaking at a New York City fundraiser, Biden recounted an interaction he said he had with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl at the 2021 G7 summit. In fact, Biden had been speaking with Chancellor Angela Merkel at the confab; Kohl died in 2017. Feb 8, 2024: When Special Counsel Robert Hur probed Bidens possible mishandling of sensitive government documents, he found no evidence of criminality. However, in a report issued after the investigation was complete, Hur described Biden as having diminished faculties, and a memory he called, variously, hazy, fuzzy, faulty, and poor. Biden had difficulty recalling the precise dates of certain major events in his life, including the year his son Beau died of cancer. according to Hur. My memory is fine, Biden insisted at the time. Movie star George Clooney, a longtime Biden supporter, was one of the first big names to call for a new Democratic nominee ( AFP via Getty ) Feb 28, 2024: Bidens personal physician released the results of the presidents yearly physical, listing a range of mild conditions, including mild arthritis and sleep apnea, but said he was otherwise in fine health, with no indication of stroke, dementia, or Parkinsons. March 7, 2024: Biden delivered a confident and energetic State of the Union address, winning plaudits from Democrats along with a bit of backhanded praise from Trump, who insisted without a shred of evidence that Bidens impressive performance must have been enhanced by drugs. June 7, 2024: Biden appears with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but appears to bungle certain details while talking about a fresh round of military assistance being provided by the U.S. June 27, 2024: At the first and perhaps only debate of the 2024 campaign season between Biden and Trump, Biden rambled, stumbled over words, and was, at times, nonsensical. At one point, after Biden responded to a question from moderators, Trump quipped, I really dont know what he said at the end of that sentence, and I dont think he did, either. July 3, 2024: While meeting with Democratic governors from across the US, Biden says he needs to get more sleep and tells attendees that he will no longer schedule public events past 8pm. July 2, 2024: Texas Rep Lloyd Doggett becomes the first Democratic lawmaker to call on Biden to drop out. Bidens dismal debate performance supercharged calls for him to step aside ( Reuters ) July 10, 2024: In an op-ed, Sen Peter Welch of Vermont becomes the first Democratic senator to go public with a plea for Biden to exit the race. The same day, multiple sources tell CBS News that House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has plans to confront Biden about dropping out. The same day, The New York Times publishes an op-ed by actor and Biden donor George Clooney, titled, I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee. Second week of July 2024: Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, tells Biden that he is an albatross for the party, and that polling suggests he is headed for a loss against Trump in the fall. Further, Pelosi said, Bidens insistence on a second term could sink Democrats chances of retaking the House, multiple sources told CNN. July 11, 2024: At a press conference, Biden refers to Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Later that evening, at his first solo press conference in eight months, Biden began with another flub, referring to Kamala Harris as Vice-President Trump. July 13, 2024: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly tells Biden it would be better for the Democratic Party and better for the country if [you] were to bow out. (Schumer denies the finer points of the report as speculation, but a spokesman admits the New York Democrat conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden.) Concerns further mounted when Biden referred to Ukrainian President Voloymyr Zelensky as President Putin ( Getty ) July 17, 2024: Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a key member of the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 sacking of the US Capitol by a violent mob of Trump supporters, joins the growing chorus of voices calling on Biden to quit the race. A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November, Schiff said in a statement. July 17, 2024: Polling by AP-NORC shows seven in 10 adults and 65 percent of Democrats believe Biden should withdraw in favor of a new nominee. Some 50 percent of Democrats surveyed said they were not very or not at all confident about Bidens mental faculties, an increase of one-third since February, and less than 30 percent of Dems said they were extremely or very confident in Bidens ability to govern effectively. July 17, 2024: Biden announces he has Covid . July 18, 2024: Former President Barack Obama reportedly tells Biden, his onetime vice-president, that he should seriously reconsider his campaign. July 21, 2024 Biden officially withdraws from the race, sharing a letter on X that says its in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Just two days before the 2024 presidential election was thrown into chaos with President Joe Bidens stunning announcement that he would not seek re-election, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on a major donor call that left attendees feeling frustrated, according to a new report. The call, attended by some 300 major Democratic donors, was mismanaged and rushed, a source who attended told NBC News. The reportedly disastrous event was organized after weeks and weeks of mounting calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, pressure he finally bowed to on Sunday afternoon, telling the nation that hed decided it was in the best interest of my party and the country to call it quits and endorse Harris as the Democratic nominee. It was a total failure, an anonymous attendee told NBC News. It was damaging. It was poor planning. Another donor reportedly unmuted during the conversation, calling the event ludicrous. The call was organized by Jen OMalley Dillon, Bidens campaign chair, according to NBC News. The sources also noted the frustration was not with Harris herself, NBC News reports. Kamala Harris spoke at a donor call one attendee called disastrous ( AP ) A source who attended also told NBC News that donors were admonished and told to get behind Biden as the candidate. When the call was held Friday night, 36 Democratic representatives and senators had already publicly urged Biden to drop out of the 2024 race. That number rose to 37 on Sunday, with Democrat-turned-Independent Senator Joe Manchin calling on the president to step down. A group of activists also held a pass the torch rally outside the White House on Saturday afternoon. We only have less than 4 months to figure out how to win this election together, one speaker said at the rally. And we can do it matter of fact, we have to do it. While Biden endorsed Harris in his withdrawal announcement, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is looking to prevent the vice president from automatically taking the nomination, Politico and The New York Times reported. Pelosi is not against a Harris-led ticket, according to the Times. Instead, Pelosi is advocating for an open nomination process at next months Democratic National Convention, arguing that Harris or any other potential candidate would be strengthened by earning the title, the Times reports. As the Democratic party remains in flux, Donald Trump and JD Vance held their first campaign rally this weekend since the deadly Butler, Pennsylvania event last weekend. Trump addressed Thomas Crooks assassination attempt against him at Saturdays rally, telling the audience he shouldnt be here. The Independent has contacted Bidens campaign for comment. 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 }} Kamala Harris, unburdened by what has been, finally sees what can be . My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made, wrote President Joe Biden on X, shortly after announcing he would not run for re-election. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. With the departure of Biden, Harris is now the partys presumptive nominee (although others may throw their hats in the ring) and this years presidential election has been turned upside down. How Joe Bidens campaign came to an end No longer will the nation be forced to participate in a re-run between two old men. The meaning of this race has shifted, and so have all of the previous assumptions about how it would end. Should she win, Harris would be a history-making president: simultaneously the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first person of Asian descent, to hold the highest office in the land. Not only that, she would have prevented Donald Trump from a second term in office for a second time, making her the most important political figure in the pushback against this countrys anti-democratic forces. Harris embraces Biden after a speech on healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina, earlier this year ( AP ) But it will not be a straightforward journey. Harriss vice presidency has been rocky dogged by dismal approval ratings and a policy portfolio that has seen her take on politically tricky issues, like the root causes of an immigration crisis thats brought hundreds of thousands to the US in recent years. Her difficulty finding her feet as vice president has reinforced concerns which emerged during her first run for the Democratic nomination in 2020 that she would not be the best or most obvious replacement for Biden. Other names were regularly floated instead such as Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and Gavin Newsom of California. That all changed one night in June, when Biden gave such a halting performance on the debate stage opposite Donald Trump that senior leaders in his party urged him to step down from the 2024 race as soon as possible. Suddenly, Harris seemed inevitable. She has access to the money raised for the Biden-Harris campaign, and her selection would avoid a messy fight just a few months before election day. Prominent Democrats and donors began to rally around her. One Democratic strategist who spoke to The Independent earlier this month said Harris would enjoy broad support from young voters and other party factions that have soured on Biden. Harris waves to the crowd at San Francisco Pride in 2019 when she was a presidential candidate ( Getty ) People who are unhappy with Trump versus Biden now get to say: We got somebody else. Maybe it wasnt who exactly they wanted. But everybody loves a good comeback story, and she has a great comeback story, he said. A survey by CNN and SSRS taken immediately after the debate showed Harris in a near statistical tie with Trump, 45 per cent to the ex-presidents 47 per cent, a showing that was several points better than the 43 per cent Biden garnered against Trumps 49 per cent in the same poll. That survey found that Harris currently outperforms Biden among two key voting blocs women and independent voters even though 538s average of political surveys shows that she trails him by two points when voters are polled on their approval of each of them. But Harris will also face the same challenges she had to battle during her 2020 campaign, which ended unexpectedly early. Born in Oakland, California, to an Indian mother and Jamaican father, Harris drew comparisons to Barack Obama early in her career. She rose from a local prosecutor in San Francisco to become Californias attorney general, then went on to become only the second Black woman to serve in the Senate. Harris as the attorney general of California attends a same-sex marriage in San Francisco in 2013 ( AFP ) She served four years of a six-year Senate term, but it was her time as attorney general that gave her opponents the most ammunition during her 2020 primary campaign. While Harris characterised her record as that of a reformer, critics said she followed a more conservative tough on crime agenda. In her career, Ms. Harris did not barter or trade to get the support of more conservative law-and-order types; she gave it all away, Lara Bazelon, a law professor and former director for the Loyola Law School Project for the Innocent in Los Angeles, wrote in a New York Times article . She attempted to counter those criticisms by releasing a criminal justice plan aimed at reducing mass incarceration and ending the war on drugs. Harris peaked in national polls during her presidential run at 15 per cent after a June 2019 debate clash with Biden. But she was never able to regain those heights, and her campaign was beset by organisational and money problems. The annual Women's March in Los Angeles, 2019 ( Getty Images ) In a letter to her supporters announcing the end of her campaign, she wrote: Our campaign uniquely spoke to the experiences of Black women and people of color and their importance to the success and future of this party. Four years later, Harris has a new record to campaign on and none of the organisational problems. She will now be able to take advantage of the nationwide apparatus already built by the Biden-Harris campaign. She can also lean on Bidens economic successes and his historic pace of legislation in the first two years in office. Republicans are already preparing for a Harris-led ticket. Trump has increasingly criticised her at rallies, and a digital ad from the National Republican Congressional Committee attacked her as the nations border czar. At the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin earlier this month, Charlie Kirk, the head of Turning Point USA who has become Trumps liaison to younger voters, said the party was already preparing for Biden to be off the ticket. If its Kamala, were ready to pivot, he told The Independent. If its Gretchen Whitmer or Gavin Newsom, were ready to roll. Were unified, theyre not, and good luck figuring out whos going to run. But it is not obvious how effective a Republican campaign geared to attacking Bidens age could pivot to face vice-president Harris. And she has also significantly improved as a campaigner during her time in office. Kamala Harris walks in a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during a commemoration of the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, March, 2024 ( AFP ) At a Black outreach event packed with Democratic heavyweights in Philadelphia this summer, she proved the unexpected star of the show. She received some of the biggest reactions during a slick performance where she rattled off a list of the Biden administrations accomplishments that specifically benefit the Black community from a $35 cap on the cost of insulin and student debt forgiveness to record investments in historically-Black colleges. She has been a formidable campaigner on the end of Roe v Wade. In Philadelphia, she underlined how the Supreme Courts decision to end protections on abortion disproportionately affected Black women, noting that one in three women and more than half of Black women of reproductive age live in a state with an abortion ban a Trump abortion ban. There are also areas where Harris may perform better than Biden, such as among Arab Americans who are angry at Biden for his support for Israels war in Gaza. I will say its not gone unnoticed that [vice-president] Kamala [Harris] has been more empathetic towards Palestinians than Biden, Natalia Latif, a spokesperson for the Uncommitted movement, told Mother Jones . Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority take photos as Harris, one of their own, spoke to 20,000 members earlier this month in Dallas, Texas ( Getty Images ) In the weeks since the Trump v Biden debate, there has been a noticeable bump in enthusiasm from Harriss supporters online, who call themselves the KHive. Memes featuring Harris laughing and delivering her infamous and often-repeated quotes are going viral again among them a four-minute supercut of her saying her favorite line: What can be, unburdened by what has been. ironic khive posting is unironically the most energized the twitter Dem electorate has been in about a year and I think theres probably something optimistic in that, Kelly Weill, a journalist and author, wrote on X . Harris was in a difficult position while Biden was still weighing whether to step down. Now he has stepped aside, her campaign can begin in earnest. She is unburdened. 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 }} All eyes have been on Vice President Kamala Harris ever since President Joe Bidens poor performance during the first presidential debate in Atlanta. Recent surveys have shown that Harris polls better than Biden among key demographic groups like young people and people of color and so its unsurprising that, when Biden officially announced he was dropping out the race on Sunday, he also endorsed Harris. Harris now has the unenviable task of picking a running mate to go toe-to-toe with Trumps newly-minted running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio. A presidential nominees selection of a running mate signals what kind of campaign and administration they want. Bidens selection of Harris back in 2019 signaled that he valued the Black voters who propelled him to the Democratic nomination for president and the suburban female voters who had joined the anti-Trump coalition. Trumps selection of Vance shows he values someone who shares his ideology rather than someone who will grow the base. As a Black and Indian woman, the reality is that Harris will likely need to pick a white male Democrat to assuage concerns from some blocs within the Democratic Party. Biden allies pay tribute to president as he suspends 2024 campaign Heres The Independents list of potential replacements who could fall out of a coconut tree and exist in the context of the campaign that came before them. Roy Cooper U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the Chavis community center with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on March 26, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina ( Getty Images ) The Democratic Governor of North Carolina has three assets in his favor. For one, hes known Harris since their days as attorneys general of North Carolina and California, respectively. The Independent spoke with Cooper earlier this year and he said that he always tells Harris how many times she has visited the Tar Heel state, a place Democrats want to win but have not figured out how to crack since Barack Obama did in 2008. She can obviously relate to women and what they are going through, Cooper said. And plus, she has been on the front lines of protecting womens healthcare, both as attorney general, as a United States senator and now as vice president. Cooper can also say that he has run on a ticket with Donald Trump and won twice. He won in 2016 mostly in opposition to a bill that would have banned transgender people from using public restrooms aligned with their gender. In 2020, he won re-election thanks to his management of disasters in the state and management of the Covid-19 pandemic. As governor, hes battled and collaborated with the state legislature in equal measure; he vetoed the state legislatures 12-week abortion ban though the legislature quickly overrode it but he also passed Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. As a term-limited governor, he also would not take a seat that could go to a Republican. His downside is that at 67, he could likely be seen as a relic. And his years as an attorney general give Republicans a gold mine of opposition research. Josh Shapiro Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has emerged as a popular governor with a high approval rating in a swing state. ( (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) ) Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has multiple plus factors. Hes a wildly popular governor of Pennsylvania, who enjoys the support of plenty of Republicans as well as Democrats. In 2022, he beat the ultra-MAGA Doug Mastriano, whom Trump had endorsed. Similarly, hes received high marks for his handling of multiple crises, including the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which borders Pennsylvania. Similarly, when the I-95 bridge in Pennsylvania collapsed, Shapiro received praise for helping to orchestrate the quick reconstruction of the bridge. A former attorney general, Shapiro has focused heavily on combating crime in Pennsylvania, which has at times rankled progressives in the way Harriss record as a prosecutor has, but has also insulated him from the criticism that Democrats are soft on crime. Shapiro practices Conservative Judaism and has sought to tamp down demostrations on campuses that many Jewish people perceive as antisemitic. He also has another ace up his sleeve: when Trump sued Pennsylvania to challenge the 2020 election results, Shapiro beat him back in lawsuits, something he bragged about, saying, By the way, the former president went 0 and 43. I went 43 and 0. But Shapiro remains incredibly new to politics, having only two years under his belt. Hes faced criticism for being too eager for the national spotlight. But his popularity in a swing state might help him. Andy Beshear Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is a rarity--a Democrat who has won in the Appalachian region of the United States. ( Getty Images ) The words Democrat and Kentucky the home state of Mitch McConnell are rarely used together anymore without the word loses in the middle. But Governor Andy Beshear is one of the rare exceptions to that rule. JD Vance shot to fame when he wrote his book Hillbilly Elegy, which chronicled the plight of the white working class. But as governor, Beshear has pushed for investments in that community. He even had a photo op with Biden and McConnell at the Brent Spence Bridge as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Beshear has also championed the CHIPS and Science Act and private investment in the state. That, combined with his support for abortion rights in deep-red Kentucky, propelled him to re-election last year. At the same time, Beshear departing Kentucky would leave the state bereft of Democrats. And he only won in two off-year elections where turnout is low, which means it is unclear how well he would perform on the national stage. Mark Kelly Arizona Senator Mark Kelly has won two tough races in a row. ( (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images) ) Senator Mark Kelly often gets overshadowed by his more flamboyant counterpart from Arizona, Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema. But Kelly has a record most Democrats could only dream of, being as he is both a Navy veteran and a former astronaut. Kelly stepped into politics after his wife, former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, was shot in the head and was forced to retire in 2011. Since then, hes become an outspoken advocate for ending gun violence. In 2020, when Biden and Harris won Arizona, Kelly outpaced the top of the ticket in a special election to finish out the term of Senator John McCain. Two years later, he roundly beat ultra-MAGA candidate Blake Masters, who, like Vance, is a disciple of venture capitalist Peter Thiel. Kelly is also a prolific fundraiser who would have little trouble bringing cash to the ticket. Picking Kelly would signal that Democrats are serious about keeping the West in their column. A border-state Democrat, he could push back on criticisms from Republicans that Trump would be better at handling immigration. And as a veteran, he has taken up McCains mantle as an ardent defender of Ukraine, which would contrast with Vances opposition to supporting the country against Putins aggression. But Kellys record in Arizona might be the exact reason Democrats want to keep him in the Senate. Tim Walz Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has built a solidly progressive record and has appeal in the midwest. ( Andrew Feinberg / The Independent ) Like Kelly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is a veteran, albeit of the US Army. A former congressman, he represented a rural area of Minnnesota and won a district that Trump had won that same year. He later ran for governor and shepherded the state during the unrest after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. As governor, hes focused heavily on protecting abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights while also expanding free school meals to children regardless of their parents income. A midwesterner, Walz could appeal to voters in important-to-win states like Michigan; indeed, hes been a surrogate for the Democrats during the Republican National Convention in neighboring Wisconsin. At the same time, serving as governor during Black Lives Matter protests could be used against him by Republicans running on a tough on crime platform. 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 }} Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made his endorsement decision for the 2024 election declining to endorse anyone at all. Zuckerberg, 40, said he doesnt plan on playing a major role in the 2024 election, in an interview with Bloomberg. He noted that he has done some stuff personally in the past, adding that Im not planning on doing that this time, and that includes not endorsing either of the candidates. Other tech leaders, such as Elon Musk of X, Tesla, and SpaceX, officially backed former president Donald Trump after the attempt on his life last Saturday during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was struck in the ear, while a former fire chief, Corey Comperatore, 50, was shot and killed as he shielded his family from gunfire. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was killed by Secret Service snipers. A number of former Democratic donors have also backed Trump, including Palantir advisor Jacob Helberg and Sequoia Capital Partner Shaun Maguire, The Hill reported. Venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz are also supporting Trump in the presidential race, according to Reuters. Mark Zuckerberg, pictured in February 2024, speaking to reporters at the Japanese prime ministers office during his visit to Tokyo. Zuckerberg has declined to endorse anyone in the 2024 election ( JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images ) While declining to endorse Trump, Zuckerberg told Bloomberg that seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things Ive ever seen in my life. He added: On some level as an American, its like hard to not get kind of emotional about that spirit and that fight, and I think that thats why a lot of people like the guy. Zuckerbergs decision to try to stay out of politics this election cycle comes as Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is also looking to limit political content on its platforms. In February, Instagram revealed that it would stop proactively recommending political posts. Users would have to change their settings if they still want to receive recommendations for political content. The main thing that I hear from people is that they actually want to see less political content on our services because they come to our services to connect with people. So, thats what were going to do, Zuckerberg told Bloomberg. We give people control over this, but were generally trying to recommend less political content, he added. So, I think youre going to see our services play less of a role in this election than they have in the past. Meta has called out Trump on a number of occasions for posts with misinformation and that crossed its platforms rules. For about two years after the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Trumps accounts on Facebook and Instagram were suspended, a move Trump still appears to be bothered by. On July 9, Trump wrote on Truth Social: All I can say is that if Im elected President, we will pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time. We already know who you are. DONT DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful! Trump brought up his disagreements with Zuckerberg once more during a separate interview with Bloomberg. Speaking about regulating the tech industry, Trump said: Now that Im thinking about it, Im for TikTok because you need competition. If you dont have TikTok, you have Facebook and Instagram, and thats, you know, thats Zuckerberg. 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 }} Andrei Nastase became a marked man due to his role in exposing a criminal network run by the Russian mafia and shady powerful oligarchs which had laundered a staggering $22bn (17bn) of illicit money. Guns were fired near the lawyer and former prosecutors family home in the Moldovan capital Chisinau; a hidden camera was later discovered planted inside the house. Cars with number plates from Transnistria, a Russian enclave, followed him daily. His wife and children were harassed, as was his brother Vasile, a journalist and former MP. Doctors suspected Nastase was the victim of poisoning when five times the normal level of mercury was found in his blood after he became suddenly ill. He decided, after recovery, to send his wife and children out of the country for their safety. The family were separated for eight years from 2012, with Nastase and other pro-democracy activists facing constant pressure during the turbulence still present after more than a decade of independence from the Soviet Union. The reformers continued to fight back. In 2018, Nastase stood for, and won, the mayoral election for Chisinau, beating the pro-Russian candidate Ion Ceban. The election, however, was declared invalid by the courts on a technicality. Nastase had campaigned on election day in an alleged violation of rules. The decision led to prolonged street protests and extensive criticism from the US administration and the European Union, with Brussels suspending a 100m (84m) aid package to Moldova as a punishment. Moldovas Court of Appeal eventually overturned Nastases ban and reinstated him as Chisinaus mayor. He was, however, serving as interior minister by then in the liberal cabinet led by prime minister (now president) Maia Sandu. He went on to become deputy prime minister but the government later fell, having lost a vote of no confidence. Sandu became president after winning the election in 2021. Nastase went into academia. But he is now standing in the presidential election due in October, at a time when Moldova is caught in geopolitical crossfire with war in next door Ukraine, tensions over breakaway Transnistria legally, a part of the country but with a heavy Russian military presence and warnings of the Kremlin seeking to assert control in former Soviet states. Andrei Nastase out on the street during a protest about Moldovas future ( Supplied ) Nastase will be campaigning, he says, on backing the future of Moldova in the European Union, strengthening law enforcement against corruption and organised crime, and integrating Transnistria into the country through dialogue. He says that Moldova, although small with a population of just 3.3 million, will be of international significance due to its strategic location and is seeking to press his countrys case abroad. He went to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week and plans to attend next months Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Democracy and the rule of law has a difficult road in Moldova. The threats of violence we faced were really stressful and I was very worried about my family. These powerful people also misuse the law. The oligarchic regime blocked me from being mayor despite my winning because on election day, I urged people to go out and vote. I did not say, Vote for me, just vote for whoever. Other candidates have been much more partisan in elections but the vested interests used this as an excuse to stop me, says Nastase. Weve been activists since we were young. My brother Vasile was one of the signatories of the declaration of independence [from the Soviet Union]. I feel I can serve my country in public life when we are going through a really difficult situation. Both at home and internationally, we face very hard challenges. The West and Russia view this small country as a sought-after prize in the contest between the West and Russia. October will also see a referendum on the countrys eventual membership of the European Union; accession talks have already begun. Russias invasion of Ukraine has left Moldova in the middle of the escalating tensions between Russia and the West ( via Reuters ) Moldovas security service claims that the Kremlin has secretly sent millions of dollars for bribing officials and buying votes in local elections. Last month, the US, British and Canadian governments accused Russia of seeking to undermine Moldovan democratic institutions in the lead-up to the October presidential elections and a referendum on Moldovas EU membership. A number of judges, it is claimed, owe their position and loyalty to oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, who is under sanctions by the US State Department for allegedly using legal officials to target political and business rivals. The US Treasury, meanwhile, has sanctioned Ilan Shor, who was convicted of fraud in 2017 over the theft of $1bn from Moldovan banks three years earlier. The pro-Kremlin billionaire and politician who now has Israeli and Russian citizenship lives between Moscow and Tel Aviv. Nastase has crossed swords with both men. Plahotniuc is seen as the prime mover behind getting the mayoral election annulled. And Nastase is said to have incurred Shors animosity during his investigations into the clandestine Russian Laundromat money scheme in which 16 judges and four court officials faced accusations of corruption. Apart from the $22bn in Moldova, another $60bn is believed to have been washed through other former Soviet bloc countries. Nastase says: I uncovered operations involving the Russian mafia. This scheme funnelled billions of dollars through Moldova using at least 21 shell companies which fabricated debt claims in Moldovan courts, which were then used to transfer funds to Moldovan banks and subsequently to banks in different countries. From there, the money was dispersed to over 5,000 companies in 96 countries. President of Moldova Maia Sandu at the recent European Political Community summit in London ( Getty ) Shor formed his own political party, Sor, which was dissolved after a court ruled that he had been funding disorder and unrest. But the decision was reversed by the Constitutional Court after claims that the ban was imposed too hastily. Shors group was expected to be joined in the pro-Moscow bloc by Ion Ceban, who briefly became mayor of Chisinau by default when Nastase was banned. They can expect support from a section of the electorate in Moldova, as well as sizeable numbers in Transnistria and Gagauzia, a region whose Turkic population speak Russian and whose leader Yevgenia Gutsul has close ties with both Shor and Vladimir Putin. Former president Igor Dodon, who was also expected to run, says he is withdrawing amid reports that he will put a protege in place. Sandu, the only pro-European candidate until Nastase decided to run has had the broad backing so far of Western states. Nastase, who has been out of mainstream politics for four years, maintains that his campaign will gain momentum in the coming months. I am going to keep to my message I strongly support Moldovas integration into the European Union, he says, adding, however, that there was a need for utmost care to be given to ensure people with socially conservative values are not alienated. I believe the EU must recognise and respect the diverse cultures of its member countries, acknowledge the historical, social, and cultural contexts that shape nations while fostering unity and cooperation. This cultural sensitivity will surely strengthen the EU and ensure that all member states feel valued and respected. Nastase and Sandu were once allies. She strongly backed his mayoral campaign. In the 2016 presidential election, he stepped aside for her, despite leading marginally in polls, to ensure the pro-European vote was not split against the pro-Moscow group. But they fell out over the role of Sandus party in appointing a general prosecutor, which was adjudged to be unconstitutional and illegal. Its act, he charges, led to a progressive government falling, precisely what psychosis and hysteria fuelled by KGB propagandists had sought to bring about. My reason for standing now is that I dont think the government has delivered on its promises. I think its very important to engage in the democratic process to challenge those in power. That keeps people engaged in politics, he says. If we fail to engage the people, there is apathy and that creates the conditions for the oligarch regime to win. Thatll be bad for Moldova and bad for Europe. News / National by Staff reporter Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has taken the extraordinary step of firing the entire board of the country's corruption-busting body, after they themselves were accused of corruption, which they deny.It comes days after the head of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Thom Shamakamba, resigned from his post.Both he and the country's solicitor-general - Marshal Muchende - were accused of taking kickbacks. Both men strongly deny the allegations.Since Hichilema came to power three years ago, the authorities have been investigating a number officials from the former government accused of graft.Now, the explosive allegations are that ACC officials have been taking payments from politicians targeted by the probe in exchange for amnesty.The whistleblower is a man called O'Brien Kaaba - who was once a board member of the ACC."Going by press reports, ACC, for example, has made legally senseless settlements immunising some of the most corrupt individuals, thereby shielding them from justice and accountability," he wrote earlier this week.He said the same "immunity deals" under the former governing party, the Patriotic Front, were now being "used under the current government in a manner that shows no commitment to fighting corruption".He said the ACC must be reformed, alleging that the rot goes beyond the four fired board members and affects the whole institution.Kaaba has been sued by Muchende for defamation a step that other figures could yet take.A statement from Zambia's presidency said dissolving board was necessary "to renew the Anti-Corruption Commission's sacred mandate".The statement announcing Shamakamba's resignation was also issued by State House, leading some to speculate whether he had in fact been fired. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Israeli military has said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, hours after Israeli warplanes struck several Houthi targets in the country. The Israeli airstrikes in response to a deadly Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv mark the first time Israel is known to have responded to repeated Houthi attacks throughout its nine-month war against Hamas in Gaza. The burst of violence between the distant enemies has threatened to open a new front as Israel battles a series of Iranian proxies across the region. The Israeli army late on Saturday confirmed the air strikes on the western Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, a Houthi stronghold. It said the strikes, carried out by US-made F-15 and F-35 warplanes, were a response to hundreds of Houthi attacks. Israel, along with the US, Britain and other Western allies with forces in the region, have intercepted almost all of the Houthi missiles and drones. But early on Friday, a Houthi drone penetrated Israels air defences and crashed into Tel Aviv, Israels commercial and cultural capital, killing one person. The Israeli military said Saturdays air strikes, some 1,000 miles from Israel, were among the most complicated and longest-distance operations by its air force. It said it hit the port because it is used to deliver Iranian arms to Yemen. The Ministry of Health in Sanaa said a number of people were killed and at least 80 people were injured, most of them with severe burns, in a preliminary toll of the strikes in Hodeidah. The Israeli attack started a massive fire in the city's port. Israels defence minister Yoav Gallant said: The fire that is burning now in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear. He vowed to carry out similar strikes in any place where it may be required. On Sunday, the Israeli military said the surface-to-surface missile fired from Yemen was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory. The Houthis will continue to attack Israel and will not abide by any rules of engagement, spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam told Qatars Al Jazeera TV on Sunday. Abdulsalam said there would be no red lines in the Houthis response to Israel. All sensitive institutions with all its levels will be a target for us, he said. The Houthis are among several Tehran-backed groups to have attacked Israel in solidarity with Hamas since the 7 October attack inside Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. More than 1,100 people were killed in that Hamas attack, with another 251 taken hostage. Around 39,000 people have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli offensive that has followed, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory. In addition to the war in Gaza, the Israeli military has been engaged in daily clashes with the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. These clashes have raised concerns that the fighting could spill over into a full-blown war with Lebanon and beyond. The port of Hodeidah is a gateway for supplies into Yemen, which has been engulfed in civil war since 2014, when the Houthis seized much of northern Yemen and forced the internationally recognised government to flee from Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year in support of government forces, and in time the conflict turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. More than 150,000 people have died in the war, including fighters and civilians, and it has led to one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters. Mr Abdulsalam posted on X (formerly Twitter) that blatant Israeli aggression targeted fuel storage facilities and the provinces power station. He said the attacks aim to increase the suffering of the people and to pressure Yemen to stop supporting Gaza. AP Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Friday, tech outages swept the world from hospitals and airlines, to banks and courts. Flights were grounded, payments delayed and hospitals across the world reported problems. A worldwide glitch, which affected major companies including Microsoft, took much of the worlds infrastructure offline. The problems stemmed from a global software update sent out by cybersecurity specialists, CrowdStrike. Crowdstrikes CEO, George Kurtz, later issued a statement reassuring customers that the outage was not a security incident or cyber attack. Kurtz, also the founder of Crowdstrike, has extensive experience in the industry, having previously worked in several prominent roles for rival cyber security firm McAfee. The Crowdstrike website lists him as an internationally recognized security expert, author, entrepreneur, and speaker. A native of Parsippany, New Jersey, the 59-year-old tech entrepreneur did not grow up wealthy, and studied accounting at Seton Hall University. His net worth is $3.1bn, according to Forbes, though this substantial fortune took a hit of $300m following Fridays outages. After college, Kurtz began his career at Price Waterhouse now PwC as an accountant, and was one of the first hires in its security group. In 1999, he co-wrote Hacking Exposed, a book about cybersecurity for network administrators, with Stuart McClure and Joel Scambray. The book sold more than 600,000 copies and was translated into more than 30 languages. Later that year, in October, Kurtz started Foundstone, a worldwide security products and anti-virus software company, described as having one of the leading incident response practices in the industry. He served as the companys CEO and it was acquired by McAfee in October of 2004 for $90m. Airports across the world were thrown into chaos after a worldwide tech glitch took much of the worlds infrastructure offline. The problems stemmed from a global software update sent out by cybersecurity specialists, CrowdStrike ( AP ) At McAfee, a security company valued at $2.5bn, he roles included Worldwide Chief Technology Officer and GM as well as EVP of Enterprise. However, Kurtz became frustrated by McAfees slow response to the changing nature of cyberthreats, which was highlighted by an incident on a plane in 2011. He recalled watching a fellow passenger take 15 minutes to download the companys service on a laptop. Speaking to Forbes in 2020, he said: "The guy was talking to the flight attendant, he was reading his newspaper, and hes doing all these things while the software is grinding away and Im just sitting there going, oh my God. Im the CTO of this company, and this is terrible." Along with Dmitri Alperovitch, Kurtz co-founded CrowdStrike in Irvine, California, and formally launched the company in February 2012 after securing $25m in funding. Alperovitch has since left the company which went public in 2019. Its initial slogan was "We Stop Breaches". According to Forbes, Kurtz owns around 5 percent stake in the company, which recorded $2.24bn in revenues in the year through January 2023. The cybersecurity company lost a whopping $9bn overnight on Thursday as reports of the outages began to emerge, dropping from around $83.5bn to $74.2bn on Friday afternoon. Crowdstrike was previously cast into the public eye in 2016 when the Democratic National Committee hired the company to investigate a leak of its emails to the public. The company identified attempts by two Russian intelligence groups, codenamed Cosy Bear and Fancy Bear, to hack various US government entities including the White House, State Department and Joint Chiefs of Staff. The hackers had also stolen emails from the DNC and from Hillary Clintons election campaign and passed them to Wikileaks. There were eerie scenes in New York after major screens in Times Square went dark due to the outages ( REUTERS ) On Friday, Kurtz issued a statement apologizing deeply to all those affected by the outages and reassuring customers that the problem was not a security incident or cyber attack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed, Kurtz said. We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website. Despite the drop in his personal fortune and the value of the company on Friday, Kurtz is still valued at around $3.1bn. He is an accomplished race car driver who won the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019. CrowdStrike is the official cybersecurity partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, which was also hit by the outage Friday. Kurtz lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona with his wife and son. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Experts have warned it could take weeks for systems to fully recover from a global outage which has seen disruption including flight delays and cancellations. A flawed update rolled out by CrowdStrike, one of the worlds largest cybersecurity providers, knocked many offline around the world on Friday, causing flight and train cancellations and crippling some healthcare systems. Here is a closer look at what we know about the incident What exactly has happened? CrowdStrike chief executive George Kurtz confirmed the issue was caused by a defect in a single content update for Windows hosts in short, a flaw in a software sensor configuration update pushed out to customers. He said a fix had been deployed for a bug in an update which affected Microsoft Windows PCs, causing many to crash, some displaying the so-called blue screen of death, and become unusable. CrowdStrike confirmed Apple Mac and Linux users were unaffected IT infrastructure at businesses and institutions around the world collapsed, taking many businesses and their online services offline. In an interview with NBCs Today Show in the US, Mr Kurtz said the incident was not a cyber attack, while a technical statement from CrimeStrike on Saturday said a sensor configuration had triggered a logic error which the company said had been corrected. open image in gallery Passengers in the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport (Brian Lawless/PA) ( PA Wire ) What is the scale of the impact? Substantial around the world, banks, supermarkets and other major institutions saw services disrupted, while many businesses were unable to take digital payments or access key databases. NHS England said the majority of GP practices had experienced disruption and ambulance services reported increases in 999 and NHS 111 calls from patients who were unable to contact other NHS providers, while the National Pharmacy Association said pharmacies had seen issues including the accessing of prescriptions from GPs and medicine deliveries. Airlines reported being unable to process passengers and resorted to manually checking in customers at airports around the world with 167 flights departing from the UK and 171 incoming cancelled on Friday. Aviation analytics company Cirium said 5,078 flights or 4.6% of those scheduled were cancelled globally. Govia Thameslink Railway warned passengers to expect disruption because of widespread IT issues while Sky News was forced off air briefly on Friday morning, while customers faced issues with attempting to pay using cards. How has CrowdStrike responded? Mr Kurtz said he is deeply sorry for the situation and said CrowdStrike was actively working with those impacted. Saying the issue had been identified and that a fix has been deployed, he said his team was fully mobilised to ensure the security and stability of CrowdStrike customers. open image in gallery A person views a check-in display at Edinburgh Airport (Andrew Milligan/PA) ( PA Wire ) In a letter to customers and partners, Mr Kurtz said: We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events like this. I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that youre engaging with official CrowdStrike representatives. How long will the issue take to be rectified? Industry expert Adam Leon Smith of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, warned it could take weeks for all computers and systems to be fully restored, while Mr Kurtz said it would take some time. He told NBC: Some of the systems that arent recovering, were working with them, so it could be some time for some systems that just automatically wont recover, but it is our mission to make sure that every customer is fully recovered and were not going to relent until we get every customer back to where they were and well continue to protect them and keep the bad guys out of their systems. Cybersecurity experts said it is good news that the issue has only impacted Windows users and a fix having been deployed should mean larger IT departments can quickly begin restoring services, while Microsoft deputy chief information security officer Ann Johnson said they could not predict how long it would take to get all customers back online. Signs of disruption are likely to remain into the weekend with the National Pharmacy Association warning pharmacy services are likely to see delays as outlets deal with a backlog of medicine deliveries while airports across the UK stressed that passengers should check with airlines for any delays or cancellations before travelling over the weekend. 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 Barcelona, one of Spains most beloved cities, made international headlines this week when a group of demonstrators sprayed tourists with water guns. The demonstrators chanted, Tourists go home and Barcelona is not for sale as they marched through the streets, protesting against the soaring cost of living and housing prices they attribute to overtourism in their city. Mass tourism protesters squirt water at Barcelona tourists The capital of Catalonia isnt the only place seeing demonstrations against overtourism. This year, a record-breaking 4.7 billion people are expected to travel around the globe. This likely means unprecedented rates of tourists flooding into cities across the world which can, in some cases, devastate local communities. Overtourism can increase housing prices for residents, contribute to gentrification, pollute the local environment and damage historical sites. Here are seven cities where residents are telling tourists to stay away and urging their lawmakers to crack down on overtourism: Amsterdam, Netherlands Amsterdam officials have long advocated against tourists planning wild nights out in their city. open image in gallery The City of Amsterdam launched a tourism campaign in 2023 aimed at discouraging young British tourists from visiting only to party and consume alcohol or drugs. ( Getty Images ) Last year, the city launched an advertising campaign targeting young British men looking for a drunken evening, the BBC reports. The Stay Away campaign warns against dangerous behavior, emphasizing the lasting consequences of a criminal record. Coming to Amsterdam for a messy night + getting trashed = 140 fine + criminal record = fewer prospects, one advertisement reads, the text overlaid on a video of a man being arrested. So, coming to Amsterdam for a messy night? Stay away. Hundreds of residents also gathered earlier this year to protest overtourism in their city. Amsterdam saw some 12 million tourists in 2023 and expects more this year. Hawaii, United States Hawaiian residents have long advocated against overtourism on their islands for a range of reasons, including the destruction of local environments, frustrations about colonialism, and tourism relying on the cultural appropriation of Native Hawaiians. open image in gallery Papakea resort pictured in Lahaina, Hawaii. The Maui County mayor wants to stop vacation property owners from renting to tourists ( AP ) Earlier this year, local lawmaker Brenton Awa introduced a bill to prevent foreigners from buying land in Hawaii to combat an ongoing housing crisis in the state. During the pandemic, right before I got into office here, we saw the home prices jump up $400,000 within a year, and that was because people outside were coming in, Awa told local outlet KHON-TV. When theyre coming in with cash and our salaries over here are less than those of the people who are ready to retire, we cant compete. Maui Countys mayor also wants to stop vacation property owners from renting property to tourists in the wake of the deadly wildfires on the island last summer, the Associated Press reports. Instead, hes hoping the properties can be used for long-term rentals to address the islands housing shortage following the blazes. The tourism industry, and particularly the luxury housing it fuels, has caused an affordable housing crisis, ABC News reports. Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, who grew up in Molokai, Hawaii, told Business Insider that these housing prices are displacing residents, and that overcrowding is placing significant strains on local infrastructure. Tourists have also wreaked havoc on local ecosystems, Rawlins-Fernandez noted. Venice, Italy Venice has more beds for tourists than residents, CNBC reports. Now, some locals say they feel like theyre living in a city-turned-amusement-park after the city implemented an entrance fee for visitors. open image in gallery Tourists gather by the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy ( AFP via Getty Images ) The mayor said the fee is designed not to close the city, but not let it explode, according to CNBC. I can tell you that almost the entire city is against it, activist Matteo Secchi told The Guardian. You cant impose an entrance fee to a city; all theyre doing is transforming it into a theme park. This is a bad image for VeniceI mean, are we joking? Residents against tourism say the fee is useless against what they say are the bigger problems: the lack of affordable housing driven by overtourism. For a start, 5 will do nothing to deter people, housing activist Federica Toninello told The Guardian. But day trippers arent the issue; things like the shortage of affordable housing are What we need are policies to help residents, for example, making rules to limit things like Airbnb. Malaga, Spain Residents of Malaga, Spain chanted Malaga for living, not surviving, as they marched through the streets last month, protesting the overtourism they say has destroyed the local housing market. open image in gallery Demonstrators protest mass tourism in Malaga, Spain ( REUTERS ) Overtourism is driving residents out of their homes due to rising prices,The Guardian reports. The people who work in the tourism industry cant afford the rent in their own city. As long as housing is seen as a marketable asset, there wont be a solution, Curro Machuca, member of the Malaga tenants union, told The Guardian. We believe that basing the economy of Malaga on the monoculture of tourism is unsustainable and has to change. Activists are now calling on the Spanish government to put a cap on tourist housing to protect residents, Euronews reports. Machu Picchu, Peru Machu Picchu, the fifteenth-century Incan citadel in Peru, is facing a significant overtourism dilemma, according to the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education. open image in gallery Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru pictured in 2020 ( AFP via Getty Images ) While it is protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, tourists have damaged the historic city and its nearby environment with litter and vandalism. UNESCO has even called on the Peruvian government to implement harsher restrictions to save what is left of the historic site, according to the CHRIE. However, Machu Picchu tourism also provides a massive revenue stream to the Peruvian government. Tourism itself represents a double-edged sword by providing economic benefits but also by resulting in major cultural and ecological impacts, UNESCO said. The strongly increasing number of visitors to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu must be matched by an adequate management regulating access, diversifying the offer and efforts to fully understand and minimize impacts. Oaxaca, Mexico Oaxaca, Mexico has seen a 77 percent rise in tourism since 2020 and many of those who call the city home arent happy about it. open image in gallery An aerial view of tourist resort Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca State, Mexico ( MARIO VAZQUEZ/AFP via Getty Images ) Residents staged an anti-tourism protest in January. Activists say tourism has spurred gentrification of the citys central neighborhoods, making it difficult for residents to find housing, Bloomberg reports. With gentrification, its basically impossible to live downtown, which is the nicest and safest part of the city with the most privileges, Wilber Mendoza, an artist born in Oaxaca, told Bloomberg. It feels like you dont have dignity in your own city. Tourism is also fueling whitewashing and raising the cost of living in the Oaxaca state capital, the Los Angeles Times reports. We arent against travel, but we are against tourism, activist Andrea Bel.Arruti told Bloomberg. What were against is tourism as a capitalist economic system that is based on a colonial model of extractivism of peoples resources, knowledge, ways of living and culture, where they are not the people that are befitting from this model. Hallstatt, Austria Hallstatt is a small town of just 700 people but sees up to 10,000 visitors a day, the BBC reports, who flock to visit the picturesque village on a lake, surrounded by mountains. The village also saw more than one million visitors a year before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. open image in gallery A wooden wall blocks a popular tourist selfie spot in Hallstatt, Austria ( APA/AFP via Getty Images ) Residents of the idyllic village have pointed to overcrowding and noise pollution as the main issues that arise from tourism. Last summer, residents made it clear they had enough. One group erected a wall to block a popular selfie spot, the BBC reports, while the towns mayor said he was implementing measures to reduce buses passing through by one-third. 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 Cruise passengers visiting Barcelona are set to face a hike in tourist tax in a move aimed at clamping down on mass tourism in the city. Mayor Jaume Collboni said he would raise the fee paid by cruise passengers who visit the Catalan capital for less than 12 hours - which is currently set at 7 (6) a day. It comes after Mr Collboni, a member of the Catalan Socialist Party, announced controversial measures banning tourists from renting over 10,000 holiday lets listed in the city from 2028. Barcelona is a city thats open to visitors and tourism is an important sector of its economy, Mr Colboni told Spanish newspaper El Pais. That said, Im determined to tackle the consequences that mass tourism is having for the city. That means going all the way with the ban on tourist flats in 2028. But were also going to substantially raise the tax for people on cruise stopovers. open image in gallery Protesters shoot water from water guns at tourists during a protest against mass tourism in Barcelona, Spain, earlier this month ( REUTERS ) The mayor did not say by how much he was planning to raise the tax, saying only that studies had already been commissioned. He added that the idea of the rise was not to deter cruise visitors but to ensure they paid their way and generated revenue that could be invested in projects such as installing air conditioning in schools. Last month, Mr Collboni claimed home rental prices in the top holiday destination had soared by 68 per cent over the past decade with the cost of property ownership increasing by 38 per cent due to tourism. In a move aimed at combatting the soaring figures, he announced holiday lets, advertised on platforms like Airbnb and Homeaway, would be made available to residents instead. Mr Collbonis opposition accused him of undermining property rights and claimed the move resembled the far-left regime of Venezuela. open image in gallery Protesters demonstrate against mass tourism in Barcelona - which the citys mayor is cracking down on with a series of controversial measures ( REUTERS ) The Association of Tourist Apartments of Barcelona said the change would lead to flats being illegally rented to tourists and claimed the policy was a smokescreen for the mayors failure on housing policy. Barcelonas government said it would maintain its strong inspection regime to detect potential illegal tourist apartments once the ban comes into effect. Since 2016, it has ordered the closure of 9,700 illegal tourist apartments and almost 3,500 apartments have been recovered to be used as primary housing for local residents. In recent months, thousands have protested in parts of Spain, including the Canary Islands, against the effects of mass tourism, which they claim is damaging the environment and driving locals out. In June, thousands took to the streets of the Balearic Islands to protest against mass tourism and overcrowding dubbed massification. Protesters gathered outside the White House calling for Joe Biden to pass the torch. The demonstrators, comprising of activists and Democratic voters, gathered outside the gates of the White House on Saturday (20 July) calling on Biden to end his quest for a second term as US President. A total of 36 Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for the President, who is currently self-isolating at his beach house in Delaware after contracting Covid-19, to bow out of the 2024 race. Donald Trump said he was not warned about shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks by the Secret Service, despite reports from rally-goers an hour before he got on stage. The Republican presidential candidate told Fox News host Jesse Watters: Nobody mentioned it. Nobody said it was a problem. [They] could've said, "Let's wait for 15, 20 minutes, 5 minutes. Nobody saidI think that was a mistake. Trump later questioned how Crooks made it onto the roof at the Butler rally last Saturday (13 July). Trump said: How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasn't he reported, because people saw he was on that roof. The full interview airs on Fox News on Monday (22 July). The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy It couldve all been so different. Joe Biden has announced that he is dropping out of the race, limping to the finish line after weeks of speculation. Everyone saw the concerning debate performance. They saw the interviews that were supposed to reassure us all, and were not reassured. Democrats whod worked with the president for decades began making noises about the need for him to stand aside. Nancy Pelosi is said to have privately told Biden there was no way he could win, after publicly equivocating about whether he should stay. Even Obama was reported to have been working behind the scenes to convince his old friend Joe to leave 2024 to someone else. Biden announces he will stand down from election to focus solely on Presidential duties Its a sad end to a long career of public service. Many will have seen the famous photograph of Biden first being sworn into the Senate in 1972, taking the oath by the hospital bedside of his young sons. Days earlier, Hunter and Beau had been seriously injured in a devastating car crash that took the lives of their infant sister, Naomi, and their mother, Neilia, while they were on their way to pick up a Christmas tree. The story couldnt have been more tragic. As a single father, Biden commuted to Washington DC from his home in Delaware on the train, earning himself the nickname Amtrak Joe. Years later, as Obamas running mate and vice president, the two were the subjects of multiple BROTUS memes. Even when the right started calling him Brandon (of Lets go, Brandon, an infamous mishearing of the phrase F*** Joe Biden) during his presidency, the left managed to seize the narrative with another new nickname: Dark Brandon, Bidens supposed hard-ass alter ego. Dark Brandons next incarnation could have been American Hero Joe. Back in 2019, the 77-year-old Biden was repeatedly asked whether he would commit to serving only one term. Some sources said he was considering it but then the right seized on the opportunity, claiming that Biden was only running in order to usher in the supposedly socialist dictatorship of Kamala Harris (Harriss credentials as a socialist are sorely lacking, as anyone with a passing knowledge of her career knows, but thats by the by). To bypass those criticisms, it seemed, the president refused to rule out another term. It was a big, fat kick of the can down the road: Democrats knew an 81-year-old probably wouldnt be a great look in 2024, but they knuckled down and focused on beating Trump. Next time, they reasoned, the strategy will change, and the Democratic field will have narrowed to another clear choice for nominee. Of course, none of that happened. Trump decided he hadnt tired of Washington. Harris failed to win over the American people. No other Democratic superstars captured the hearts and minds of the nation. And its pretty evident that Biden wasnt working in the background to make that happen, either. Four years ago, the public service-minded Biden should have had a shortlist in mind. Had he worked to mentor a number of up-and-coming Democrats, then perhaps we wouldnt be in the position we are today. Trump just picked a millennial mini-me in JD Vance wheres the Biden 2.0? Wes Moore, Gavin Newsom or Pete Buttigieg couldve been groomed for the job. Gretchen Whitmer and Amy Klobuchar had already proven themselves pretty popular with even centrist members of the public. And above all, Kamala Harris couldve been given more opportunities to connect with people. Heck, they couldve got a PR team going on creating some nice Kamala memes (beyond the coconut tree.) No doubt they will know that Biden has officially endorsed Harris, but the fact that she was left out of the picture so often over the past few years is going to make Democrats lives so much harder now as they coalesce around her. The past six months couldve looked very different. Rather than yelling at House Democrats in leaked phone calls and stumbling over his words in public, Biden couldve worked on a strategy for passing the torch. He couldve made a couple of grand speeches during early rallies that solidified his legacy, then talked about the need to move on. In an election where young voter turnout is crucial especially considering recent polls show his support plummeting among the younger contingent he couldve specifically talked about being the party of generational opportunities. As an old white man who made conscious inroads with women and voters of color, he could have said that the next president should look more like America. Press releases couldve been written. Headlines couldve run about the magnanimous Joe Biden, a leader to the end. Some wouldve lamented him dropping out; many wouldve expressed how energetic he seemed for a man of 81. A heartfelt keynote address would be made at the Democratic National Convention in August during which he reminded viewers of his many policy achievements. He would not have been left to insist upon them during awkward TV interviews with skeptical anchors. Instead, Obama would introduce him onto the stage; his parting words in Chicago would trigger a standing ovation from everyone from Joe Manchin to AOC, as a final sign of how he had so successfully unified a rankled party. That one will probably still happen, at least in some form but itll have an undeniable undertone of bad feeling, considering everything that came before it. Theres so much more that couldve happened if the president hadnt spent these weeks allowing that bad feeling to build. Imagining the happier timeline is easy: the University of Delaware, Bidens alma mater, would announce the establishment of the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Presidential Library. The state-of-the-art facility would house the presidents papers and memorabilia, and feature interactive exhibits highlighting his career and impact on American politics. It would also serve as a center for research and civic engagement, inspiring future generations of leaders. Outside, a statue of Joe in his signature aviators, one hand on the shoulder of his late son, Beau, would glimmer in the sunlight. To honor Bidens commitment to global diplomacy and domestic unity, the Biden Peace and Unity Awards couldve been created, recognizing individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to fostering peace and unity through selfless actions, both in the United States and around the world. Elsewhere, the Biden Lecture Series, partnering with major universities, would feature prominent scholars, activists, and public figures discussing topics that were central to Bidens presidency, such as healthcare, climate change, and social justice. These lectures, open to the public and streamed online, would aim to continue the dialogue even if the election didnt go Democrats way. Theyd provide a nice little platform for the inevitable next memoir, too. Instead of calling for him to step aside, George Clooney might play him (okay, with some assistance from the hair and make-up department) in the movie. Hell, Delaware might even name a Biden Day of Service, during which the community came together to provide acts of empathy and selflessness. And you know at least one Amtrak train would start doing the Delaware-DC route with Bidens name on its side. All the while, Biden himself couldve kept insisting that the focus should be on the new candidate. Again, hell do that now. But its going to feel like too little, too late especially with the Republican reaction being as scorching as it is. (Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! was Trumps immediate reaction on Truth Social, as one example.) During all of this alternative history, the message the party united behind wouldve been the same: We just have to do this in order to beat Donald Trump. Lets put the country first. But this time around, they wouldve looked like they actually meant it. Failte Ireland will be able to fine anyone listing an unregistered property up to 5,000 By cutting out the middleman, the guest gets a cheaper deal. Photo: Getty Owners of holiday cottages and mobile homes, converted garages and granny flats are increasingly bypassing platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com and advertising their properties directly to consumers on Facebook, to avoid paying commission. One private Facebook group, called Holiday Homes in Ireland for Rent, has amassed more than 118,000 members since it was set up in 2021. The property owners, who would typically pay commission to Airbnb, do not list their rates publicly. Instead, members send a private message (PM) to get a price for their preferred holiday dates. The all-island Facebook group allows tourists to book directly with property owners, without paying the fees and charges they would incur with Airbnb. Homeowners renting properties for more than 21 days have to register with Failte Ireland Some owners of holiday property use the Facebook group to promote their listings on Airbnb and Booking.com, but offer discounts for direct bookings and consumers can post their requests for holiday accommodation. Others do not use third-party accommodation providers at all. One Airbnb superhost based in the west, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: By cutting out the middleman, the group ensures the guest gets a cheaper deal and were not paying the platform fees. Scenic ruins near Killarney. Photo: Getty However, a spokesperson for Airbnb said guests who opt to book and pay directly with a host who also has a listing with the platform lose protections such as secure processes, payment, refund, 24/7 customer support and cancellation policies such as AirCover. By staying on Airbnb, other safeguards also apply, the spokesperson said. For instance, we require all guests booking homes and primary hosts getting bookings on Airbnb to complete the identify verification process. This means we can help to ensure that people on our platform are who they say they are. In addition, our 24/7 safety line means users, during active reservations, can contact our specialised team in the rare event of an issue. We provide notifications across the platform to stay on Airbnb, and our systems automatically scan for and scrub out personal information like email addresses and phone numbers in listing descriptions and messages threads. This notice appears on every listing page. Staying within the Airbnb platform means hosts have more certainty about getting paid. Airbnb holds onto payments made on the platform until 24 hours after check-in, which means whether a reservation is two days or two months away, theres recourse in case something isnt as expected, the spokesperson said. The move towards increasingly using social media for listings comes amid stalled plans to ramp up regulation of short-term lettings. Under proposed new laws, homeowners renting properties for more than 21 days have to register with Failte Ireland. The tourism body can levy fines against anyone who lists a property without a valid registration number, with fines of up to 5,000. All short-term tourism rental properties would also need to apply for planning permission to continue trading, which has only been secured in a handful of cases to date. Rental profits earned on Airbnb are taxed at rates as high as 52pc The superhost doubts that moving listings to social media will enable property owners get around the new rules whenever they do come into effect. I cant see a short-term let being advertised on a supermarket noticeboard without a registration number, she said. While there will be people who will break the law, theyll face fines. All youll need is a nosy or begrudging neighbour to report you. Airbnb shares information on Irish hosts rental income with the Revenue Commissioners. Rental profits earned on Airbnb are taxed at the hosts marginal rate, which can be as high as 52pc, depending on their other income. Home Economics: My siblings disagree about selling our late mothers house and want me to let it. How can I nudge them to sell? News / National by Staff reporter The public hearings into the Gukurahundi massacres, launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, have sparked controversy and criticism.Former speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo expressed skepticism, stating that the hearings lack credibility as they are led by chiefs aligned with the ruling Zanu-PF, the party responsible for the massacres. Gukurahundi refers to the killings of suspected PF Zapu supporters in the 1980s, seen by critics as a move by Robert Mugabe to consolidate power.Media organizations have also raised concerns after the government indicated that journalists would be restricted from covering the hearings. Information ministry secretary Nick Mangwana suggested a media blackout, arguing sensitivity and risk of re-victimization. This move was strongly opposed by media groups, citing constitutional rights to media freedom and emphasizing the role of the media in transparency and accountability.Despite government claims of localizing the process, media advocates argue for professional media access to ensure transparency and credibility. The Zimbabwe National Editors Forum and other groups are actively engaging with authorities to challenge the restrictions, highlighting the importance of open coverage to uphold democratic principles and ensure justice for victims of the Gukurahundi genocide. Ryanairs challenge to a warrant used by competition authorities to search its Dublin premises will be heard in the High Court next October. The court was told one issue between the airline and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has been sorted, but the wider case, alleging the search warrant is invalid, will proceed to trial and would take three to four days. Meanwhile, Ryanair will move an application later this month asking to be allowed to cross-examine a deponent on his evidence to the court, its senior counsel, Martin Hayden, said. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 19th Nessa Cahill SC said her client, the CCPC, is concerned about delay in the case. There is an urgency to resolving this, as it is imperative that competition investigations are resolved quickly. Mr Hayden said his side has been trying to progress matters. Mr Justice Max Barrett scheduled the trial for mid-October. Previously, he dismissed the airlines claim against the Italian Autorita Garante Della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) for want of jurisdiction by the Irish courts. It has another case against the AGCM before the Italian courts. The Italian competition watchdog was sued in Ireland by Ryanair DAC and Ryanair Holdings plc as part of the same case it has brought against the CCPC. The Irish case, now solely against the CCPC, concerns a raid on the airlines offices near Dublin Airport on March 8. Some 30 officers, including some from the AGCM, took part, while some 200 documents were seized. The search was on foot of a request to the CCPC from the AGCM, which began an investigation last September following complaints from two Italian travel agency associations and a consumer association. According to Ryanair, the Italian competition authority alleges its model of direct online sale of its tickets to consumers constitutes an abuse of a dominant position under Italian and EU law. It alleges effective competition across tourism services is jeopardised by the airlines policy of precluding travel agencies from purchasing tickets via its website, where the lowest fares are available, and directing them instead to a global distribution system. Ryanair strongly denies the claims. Its High Court case alleges the warrant permitting a search of its offices is invalidated by the Irish competition authoritys failure to inform the issuing judge about two key Italian rulings the airline says bolsters its stance that it is not abusing its dominant market position. Its fundamental rights were breached by this omission before the District Court warrant application last March 8, it claims. Ryanair also made various claims of privilege over the documents seized by the authorities. EU competition law allows a competition authority of one member state to request another member states authority to inspect on its behalf to establish whether there has been an infringement of EU competition law. A gardas view of Coolock clashes: We were defenceless, with no riot helmets or shields... like lambs to the slaughter. There was palpable fear in the ranks A frontline garda says they were totally ill-equipped to deal with the urban warfare they faced on Monday A youth throws a bottle towards gardai in Coolock. Photo: PA Sun 21 Jul 2024 at 03:30 We arrived there around 10.30am, the digger in full blaze, having heard from Command and Control that immediate assistance was required in Coolock. Regulators investigation of inner-city homeless charity ICHH is criticised Report inexplicable, says former chair of Dublin organisation that was run by Anthony Flynn The late Anthony Flynn Maeve Sheehan Sun 21 Jul 2024 at 03:30 An investigation by the Charities Regulator into the homeless organisation founded by the late campaigner Anthony Flynn has criticised board oversight, minute-taking and record-keeping at the now defunct body. Sentencing terms for Molly Martens who was jailed for the brutal killing of her Irish husband Jason Corbett said she had acted under strong provocation and that she had previously been a person of good character. Coolock is burning. And we wont stop rioters say suburban chaos is set to continue Why was the violence in Dublin able to take hold before the riot squad was sent in? Gardai detain a protester after unrest at the former site of the Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Ali Bracken Sun 21 Jul 2024 at 03:30 Shortly before 11am on Monday morning, an urgent radio message was dispatched from the garda control centre in Dublin. It directed all available officers in the city to head to Coolock as quickly as possible. Volunteers had to be drafted in after teenager Lochlann Murray died in fall The father of a teenager who died at the Cliffs of Moher has questioned why the Coast Guard could not recover his sons body from the rocks two days after his fall, leaving it to the family to seek assistance from a diving club in the north-east of the country. Grief is like a puzzle: a piece arrives at your door every day how one young widow copes with loss, pain and making new dreams In February, Orlagh Reynolds lost her artist husband Fraser to Motor Neurone Disease. Now, shes keeping his memory alive, navigating grief and bringing up their wonderful daughter Orlagh Reynolds photographed with one of her late husband Fraser Holden's pictures, which was exhibited at Trinity College Dublin. Photo: Frank McGrath Arlene Harris Sun 21 Jul 2024 at 03:30 When Orlagh Reynolds met Fraser Holden at the Odeon cinema in Dublin in 2006, she knew straight away he was the one for her. She was going to see a movie with her friend, who just happened to be his ex-girlfriend, and after meeting him Orlagh told her pal that if she didnt want him, then shed have him herself. For some of the men whose tents were attacked at City Quay in Dublin on Tuesday night, it was the fourth time in less than a week that they had been forced to move. They had been camped at Charlemont Place, across the road from the fenced-off canal bank, until that camp was disbanded by gardai on July 9. They then moved to Phoenix Park, until they were forced out by the Office of Public Works three days later. They then moved to Phibsboro. Four days later, last Tuesday, that camp was disbanded by gardai. Sinead Ryan: When your body tells you youre sick, you have to surrender preferably under the duvet with some comfort TV News / National by Staff reporter Church leaders in Zimbabwe are expressing hope for a peaceful transition of power following President Emmerson Mnangagwa's commitment to adhere to the constitution and retire after his second term ends in 2028. Despite efforts by Mnangagwa's loyalists to extend his presidency beyond constitutional limits, sources indicate resistance within the army and the broader party. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is seen as a potential successor.In a public address on July 4, Mnangagwa aimed to quell factionalism by affirming his intention to respect term limits. The Heads of Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe (ZHOCD), including major groups like the Evangelical Fellowship, Zimbabwe Catholics, and others, welcomed Mnangagwa's pledge as a step toward political stability and respect for democratic processes.The churches emphasized the importance of upholding constitutionalism and ensuring transparent leadership renewal free from violence and manipulation. They called on all Zimbabweans to support Mnangagwa's commitment to retire in 2028 and pledged to engage constructively to safeguard democratic principles.The backdrop includes historical tensions within Zanu-PF over succession, reminiscent of Robert Mugabe's ousting in 2017 due to internal power struggles involving his wife, Grace. Despite Mnangagwa's assurance, some youth factions in Midlands and Masvingo advocate for his extended tenure, underscoring ongoing internal party divisions. While it looks as though, barring a miracle, the Donald Trump-JD Vance ticket will succeed in November, I dont share the pessimism of Samuel Ramani (Trump-Vance administration a cause for panic all over Europe, Irish Independent, July 17). Perhaps a cause for concern and alertness, but not panic. Europe is in the big league and should be well capable of standing on its own without over-reliance on America. It is a two-way arrangement when all is said and done America needs Europe and vice versa. The Trump-Vance rhetoric is all for the home audience. Trump, given his near-death experience, will appreciate that he, too, needs to change for the better. His team reaching out to Nikki Haley, his main rival, is a positive sign of things to come. JD Vance seems like a decent enough guy, with many fine qualities, even if some of his views are right-wing. Vance has no doubt realised that you cannot possess the citadel from outside and has decided to play the Trump card to succeed within the Trump-controlled Republican party. In his own good time, he will temper his views when he has had the opportunity and experience of doing good first and foremost for his Rust Belt people as US vice-president. Nikki Haley will be secretary of state, perhaps. Change is coming. We might not like it, but we will have to learn to live with it. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 God help America when GOP conmen spouting guff are lauded by so many In a meandering, error-filled speech to the hugely partisan bunch at the GOP Convention, Donald Trump showed, yet again, that he ranks highly among the greatest conmen ever certainly in the mass-market TV/social media era. His promise to unite his country, his half only, seems to ignore that the principal reason it is divided is due to himself and his blinkered followers. If the audience at the convention represents the average, the future looks really bleak. Rarely has so much guff been spoken by so many. Generally, we in Europe and elsewhere dont overly worry about who occupies the Oval Office, knowing that most presidents are either reasonably sane, competent or well-advised. This time, with a strong probability that Trump Inc will rule the roost, everyone should be very, very concerned. Can anyone really look forward to the Trump dynasty? God help America. David Ryan, Co Meath Are RTEs audience and our politicians really at fault for existential crisis? The greatest trick RTE pulled was suggesting it was at the centre of an existential crisis. RTEs problems were all caused by others the audience, for not appreciating the work it does, and the politicians, for ignoring the plight of its funding model. After a year that has shown us RTE was not in any way managed correctly from buildings not being maintained to the lack of rigorous debate on the launch of a musical the politicians have acquiesced to ease the existential crisis at RTE, which we now know was caused by themselves and not due to the archaic licence fee. RTE now has a funding model in place. What does the audience get from this new and improved model? So far, a year on from the emergence of controversies, nothing much has changed for the audience, other than being blitzed with the words your public service media across our TV screens. The licence-fee payer will now be paying three times for RTE once in the licence, once more via tax for free licences and once more via a top-up tax. (Well, as its competitor once said, three is a magic number). Imagine, by mismanaging RTE and misleading the public, they have fixed the issue of public funding but have yet to grasp what public service media really means. Eamonn Geoghegan, Co Westmeath We will all inherit a higher rate of taxation if left-wing parties have their way Recent comments by both Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have confirmed that reforms to inheritance tax will be considered in planning Octobers budget. Under the current rules, children can inherit 335,000 from their parents before they must pay tax at 33pc on any surplus above that threshold. A potential reform being floated is that the tax-free threshold for offspring receiving inheritance could increase to 400,000. However, it is noteworthy from budget submissions over the past year or two that Irelands left-wing parties favour a range of higher taxation measures, including higher taxes on inheritance. Sinn Fein is on record proposing to increase tax on inheritances by reducing the tax-free threshold to 300,000 and increasing the rate from 33pc to 36pc. The Labour Party also proposes an increase in the rate to 36pc and the Social Democrats favour a hike to 35pc. Indeed, left-wing politics equals more taxation. Mark Mohan, Castleknock, Dublin 15 Mental health reforms are desperately needed to help people who have autism How disappointed I was to see that we are no further on in dealing with a specific mental health act after the dissolution of the Dail. Understanding the issue with regard to children, teenagers and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is key. ASD is not a treatable medical issue itself, but other conditions associated with it such as anxiety and depression are. We should be enacting legislation that is preventative in terms of tackling this condition. We also should be planning to build more Camhs (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) centres than what we have presently in Dublin. Paul Doran, Dublin 22 Varadkar can enjoy a lie-in now after all those early mornings he talked about Leo Varadkar steps off the political stage to explore other options ( and good luck to the man). One wonders if he will be tempted to enjoy the odd lie-in, as opposed to getting up early in the morning? Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 The Brazilian community of Enniscorthy introduced town residents to their food, music, and culture at their Junina Midsummer Festival in the Presentation Arts Centre recently. The event, organised in conjunction with Creative Places and Wexford Local Development, initially originated as a Catholic tradition with customs associated with European Midsummer festivities which celebrate the harvest and the saints. However, despite its religious origins, the emphasis is on creating a large social gathering of dancing and eating. Julie Grant, Community Development Officer at Wexford Local Development, who helped out on the day described it as a wonderful festival of colour, food and dance. She said the main organisers of the event, Tataine Goncalves and Monique H Silvano Goncalves worked so hard behind the scenes for weeks in the lead up to the events success. Tatiane has been working with the Brazilian community for at least three years and formed as a legal community since the beginning of 2024. Monique Goncalves said that their festival has similarity with Irish culture and connections with music through the accordion and shared gratitude for rural life. She says they hope to incorporate this festival into the Enniscorthy event calendar, bringing it to the street and inviting all different nationalities to join and that she feels fortunate to live in a town like Enniscorthy. "This event was a little showcase by the Brazilian community, but how big could it be if the whole of Enniscorthy got involved? Some of you will be familiar with the FabU brand. You may have seen it on the shelf in your local store. Did you know that this is an Irish brand formulated and developed by Laura Dowling? Laura is a scientist and an award-winning pharmacist and is passionate about the healing powers of the plant world. Each of her formulations combines just six to eight powerful key ingredients. These can include plants, herbs, and mushrooms from across the world. Laura has several products in her range. My favourite is R&R Relax; I like the name. It contains Ashwagandha, Lemon balm, Chamomile, L-Theanine, Magnesium, B5 and B12. It is a lot like other supplements on the market but I think it is fantastic to have an Irish brand amongst them. It is designed to help with preparing for sleep, and to support energy to support energy throughout the day. I decided to trial it, I didnt need it for sleep, but if you do, take two tablets one or two hours before bed. I used it for day time stress and only when I needed it. I like this idea, that I dont have to take it every day to get results. It worked very well for occasional stress and anxiety. Customers who have bought it for sleep are happy with it and have reported good results to me. That is always good news. Our customers favourite is FabU Shrooms Meno & Peri. In fact, it was our customers who first drew our attention to it. It contains mushrooms, vitamins, and minerals. Laura formulated this product to help women who are on the perimenopause/menopausal journey. It supports the regulation of hormonal activity, metabolism, psychological function and reduces tiredness and fatigue. It can be combined with R&R for tiredness associated with the Menopause. FabU Skin GLOW- Hair Skin Nails is so popular, this contains Reishi mushroom, amino acids, and vitamins. It is the perfect choice for those of you who are looking to literally have glowing skin. It is recommended that you give it two months at least. Keep an eye out for twin pack offers! Laura formulated this blend for collagen formulation and glowing healthy skin. I know lots of you love supporting Irish brands so you might be worth checking the FabU range. Our expert has just the tools and products to rock the celeb look Its Leo season, and Im all about my gruaig this week as us lions tend to take a lot of pride in our manes! I can feel the eye-rolling from a few people that dont enjoy astrology like I do. Anyhoo, I got a new haircut at world-leading colourist Josh Woods swanky salon in London recently. Wood has worked with everyone from David Bowie and Mick Jagger to Kylie Minogue and Elle Macpherson, and his fab hair colour range is available here Josh Wood Colour, 19, millies.ie. Josh Wood Colour, 19, millies.ie While I was having my hair done, we got chatting about the transformational powers of a high ponytail, which weve seen on everyone from Madonna to Ariana Grande lately. Kate Moss used to call it the Croydon facelift as it also gives your face a snatched look, which is great for those of us who enjoy a little lifting effect. Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer, 449.99, dyson.ie Im back in West Cork now my sister Laura is home from Melbourne and Anna is down from Galway, and Ive been showing off my Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer, 449.99, dyson.ie, which comes with five attachments. These cater to all hair types and are equipped with attachment recognition, so they learn your styling preferences and simplify your routine for fast, healthy drying with no extreme heat. Even though my sisters think its mad money, they are all using it. The Belle Brush, 24.99, thebellebrush.com Once hair is dry, use The Belle Brush, 24.99, thebellebrush.com, which is superb to create your high pony. The fab Irish hair brand has been created by Galway salon owner Nancy Costello, and it has long, flexible nylon bristles that glide through the hair from the roots without pulling or tugging, to give you shiny, frizz-free hair. No less a star than Bridgertons Nicola Coughlan has been singing the praises of this brush in Vogue. LUNA Smoothing Serum, 18, lunahaircare.ie When you have your ponytail positioned correctly and looking fly, youll need a wonder product to keep it all looking smooth. Cork beauty and hair queen, Lisa Jordan, has launched LUNA Smoothing Serum, 18, lunahaircare.ie, a leave-in treatment thats infused with vitamin E, sunflower seed extract and soy protein to nourish dry, damaged hair. John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Leave-in Conditioner, 8.99, boots.ie The John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Leave-in Conditioner, 8.99, boots.ie, is also great for detangling frizzy, damaged hair cuticles to create the perfect styling foundation. After all that, youll be looking smooth, girl. Trick Sandwich bag Have a stash of sandwich bags I always say I have a black belt in packing and one thing I love to use is sandwich bags. You can use resealable plastic bags to organise your beauty products remember theyre waterproof so they safeguard against spilling. Ive also used them like packing cubes for underwear and swimwear. Since theyre see through, going through security is easy. Treat Jo Malone Orange Marmalade Cologne, 67, arnotts.ie Jo Malone Orange Marmalade Cologne, 67, arnotts.ie If youre looking for the perfect gift for someone special, Jo Malone London has partnered with Paddington to create this gorgeous new fragrance. As we all know, the kind little bears favourite snack is marmalade sandwiches and this limited-edition scent blends warm woods with orange zest to create a golden fragrance. Treatment Lymphatic Drainage Massage, essencesdayspa.ie Lymphatic Drainage Massage, essencesdayspa.ie Whether youre pre-holiday and want to look sleek in swimwear or post and need a pick-me-up, youll love the restorative powers of a lymphatic drainage massage. This therapy alleviates tension, reduces swelling and enhances your bodys natural healing processes by removing toxins and excess fluids from the body. Trionas skincare saviours Members of the public queue up outside the new HMV store on Oxford Street (Aaron Chown/PA) The boss of HMV has said more shoppers are buying physical movies and TV shows again despite the recent streaming boom. Blu-ray and DVD sales are back in growth after significant decline in recent years, sparked by the rise of streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+. Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV, said the retailer is good health, with all its core product areas back in growth despite a challenging consumer backdrop. He said the recovery of its physical visual business has been a particular highlight, with collectors helping to support increased sales. Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV (HMV/PA) Mr Halliday added that the category has grown as households have witnessed an increase in the number of streaming services, uncertainty over which shows or films are on certain platforms, and rises in the price of many subscriptions. The managing director said: Its been really positive to see the physical products in visual back in growth 4K and Blu-Ray have been doing particularly well. Its a bit like people buying music physically, in that we are getting a lot of people wanting to collect certain titles. Releases have picked up as well, and we have some really good titles like Challengers coming out at the moment. When streaming first came out I think a lot of people saw it as cheap and with huge breadth of choice, but Im not sure people see it like that now. People are willing to pay for a physical copy of shows or films they know they will rewatch. He said this adds to strong recent trading for music, technology and merchandise across its 120 stores across the UK and Europe. The retailer which was bought in a rescue deal by Doug Putman in 2019 has also increased investment across its store estate in recent years. Late last year, HMV returned to its historic Oxford Street store following a four-year absence, during which time the unit had been occupied by an American-style candy shop. Mr Halliday said the store has been performing well since it reopened. Its been a step up for the business, he said. The store is a big site and its been really fun to work on it and bring it back to life properly. But its important to say that we arent just shops like Oxford Street. To be honest, our bread and butter is that we have so many brilliant stores in communities all across the UK. At the moment, I think we have really good coverage in terms of locations in the UK, and were pleased with how their trading right now. Vladimir Putins assassins are suspected as Ukrainian language professor is shot dead in the street Academic once called for campaign to punch every Russian speaker in the jaw Ukranian activist Iryna Farion Samya Kullab Sun 21 Jul 2024 at 03:30 A Ukrainian former lawmaker, best known for her crusade to promote the Ukrainian language, has died after being shot in the street by an unknown assailant. Attack on Hodeidah followed Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv early on Friday night A media outlet controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen reported intense airstrikes on the port city of Hodeidah yesterday and said it appears that Israel is behind them. Al-Masirah TV said the strikes on storage facilities for oil and diesel at the port and on the local electricity company caused deaths and injuries, but gave no details. It said there was a large fire at the port and power cuts were widespread. LATEST | We will evaluate it when it comes closer Tanaiste responds to soldiers concerns they may not be able to come home at end of Lebanon tour Alcohol Foxes Bow, the Limerick-based whiskey company that counts Wayflyer co-founder Jack Pierse as an investor, has started work on a new funding round as it expands into the lucrative Canadian market. Alice Carroll, co-founder of Foxes Bow Whiskey, said the company secured a listing with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), one of the largest buyers of spirits in the world. Under the structure in Ontario, the LCBO has sole distribution rights of spirits to a province-wide population of over 14 million people, including three million in Toronto alone. Photo courtesy: File image/UNI A 14-year-old boy, who was diagnosed with the Nipah virus, died in Kerala on Saturday, officials said on Sunday. According to reports, the boy suffered a massive cardiac arrest and could not be revived. "He was on ventilator support. The urine output had reduced this morning. After a massive cardiac arrest, the revival efforts failed and he passed away at 11.30 am," Kerala Health Minister Veena George told India Today. The minister said his last rites will be performed as per medical protocols. A multi- member joint outbreak response team from the National One Health Mission of Union Health Ministry will be deployed to support the State in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages, and providing technical assistance. Additionally, at the State's request, ICMR had sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management, and a mobile BSL-3 laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts has arrived in Kozhikode. The Monoclonal Antibodies had reached before the patient died but could not be used due to his poor general condition. "It is important to note that outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) have been reported in Kerala in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district," read the statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. How human beings can be infected by the virus? Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits. The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%, as per WHO website. The Centre has advised the following immediate public health measures to be taken by the State government Active case search in the family of the confirmed case, the neighbourhood, and areas with similar topography. Active contact tracing (for any contacts) during past 12 days. Strict quarantine of the contacts of the case and isolation of any suspects. Collection and transportation of samples for lab testing. What are the signs of symptoms of the disease? Human infections range from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory infection (mild, severe), and fatal encephalitis. Infected people initially develop symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat. This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis. Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours, reads the WHO website on the disease. The incubation period (interval from infection to the onset of symptoms) is believed to range from 4 to 14 days. However, an incubation period may be extended up to 45 days. Is there any treatment for the disease? There are currently no drugs or vaccine specified for the disease. Photo courtesy: PIB New Delhi/IBNS: An all-party meeting was held on Sunday as leaders from the opposition gathered to discuss pressing issues and their expectations from the Budget, which will be presented on Tuesday. Except for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), all Opposition parties were present at the meeting and urged the government to ensure that they are allowed to raise their issues in Parliament. Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and K Suresh, demanded the appointment of a Deputy Speaker from the Opposition ranks in the Lok Sabha. According to reports, Congress also raised objections over the NEET paper leak issue. YSR Congress, Janata Dal (United) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) advocated strongly for special category status for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha respectively. Another issue that featured during the meeting was the controversy surrounding the Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage by Lord Shiva devotees. The yatra triggered a controversy when the Uttar Pradesh government issued an order requiring food establishments along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. This move, intended to ensure transparency and accountability, has been perceived by many as a veiled attempt to identify and potentially target Muslim-owned businesses. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash New Delhi: Amid controversy over a bill requiring private firms in Karnataka to reserve jobs for Kannadigas, the state government is now considering extending IT employees' working hours to 14 per day, the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) reported on Saturday, media reported. KITU stated that the proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act for a 14-hour workday was discussed in a labour department meeting with various industry stakeholders, reported NDTV. If implemented, the extended work hours would significantly impact Bengaluru, the state's capital and IT hub. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led government has not yet commented on the issue. "The proposed new bill 'Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2024' attempts to normalize a 14-hour work day. The existing act only allows a maximum of 10 hours of work per day including overtime, which has been completely lifted in the current amendment. It will facilitate the IT/ITES companies to extend the daily hours of work indefinitely," the Union said in a statement. This amendment, the KITU said was the "biggest ever attack on the working class in this era", and will allow the companies to go for a two-shift system instead of the currently existing three-shift system and one-third of the workforce will be thrown out from their employment. "This amendment comes in a period when the world starts to accept the fact that increased working hours are negatively impacting productivity and more countries are coming with new legislations to accept the right to disconnect as a basic right of any employee," the Union said. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union urged the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led government to reconsider the proposal, warning that any attempt to proceed with the amendment would be an "open challenge" to the 20 lakh employees working in Karnataka's IT/ITeS sector. The Union also called on all IT sector employees to unite and resist this "inhuman attempt to impose slavery on us." Last year, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy sparked a major debate by suggesting that India's work culture needs to change and that young people should be prepared to work 70 hours a week. His company, headquartered in Bengaluru, has a market valuation of Rs 7,44,396.43 crore. Earlier this week, the Karnataka government stirred controversy by clearing a bill that required private sector firms to prioritize local hires for 70 percent of non-management roles and 50 percent of management-level jobs. Drafted by the state's Labour Department, the proposed bill claimed that these jobs were largely going to people from northern states who then settled in Karnataka. It suggested that Karnataka-based companies benefiting from state-provided infrastructure should reserve jobs for locals. However, the bill was paused after public outrage followed the announcement. Photo courtesy: Video grab/instagram.com/swaamiramdev Lucknow: Baba Ramdev has questioned voices opposing Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh governments order, mandating food vendors on the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners' names. If Ramdev has no problem, then what irks Rahman? the yoga guru asked. Reacting to the barrage of criticism by the Opposition parties over Uttar Pradesh governments order, Ramdev said purity in ones work is the only requirement and their religion is insignificant. "If Ramdev has no problem in revealing his identity, then why should Rahman have a problem in revealing his identity? Everyone should be proud of their name. There is no need to hide the name; only purity is required in work. If our work is pure, it does not matter if we are Hindu, Muslim, or from any other community," Ramdev was quoted as saying by NDTV. The controversy arose when the Uttar Pradesh government mandated that food establishments along the Kanwar Yatra route display the names of their owners. While this measure was intended to promote transparency and accountability, many perceive it as a covert effort to identify and target Muslim-owned businesses. The opposition has slammed the Yogi Adityanath regime for the order, with All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleging that it reflected visceral hatred towards Indian Muslims. "Fear on UP's Kanwar routes: This is the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims. Credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties, leaders of Hindutva, and so-called lip-servicing secular parties," claimed All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi. Samajwadi Party raised the issue in the todays all-party meeting, asserting that the order was completely wrong. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also criticised the directive. "Kanwar Yatra Route UP directs eateries including roadside carts to display the names of owners! Is this the route to a 'Viksit Bharat'? Divisive agendas will only divide the country!" Sibal wrote on social media. On oppositions objection, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "This is a matter of the state government, if the state government comes up with any new rule, then everyone has to obey it. Meanwhile, the Muzaffarnagar Police clarified that the intention behind the order was not to create religious discrimination but to facilitate the devotees. The police said that eateries have been requested to "voluntarily display" the names of their owners and employees. Haridwar District Magistrate Dhiraj Singh Garbyal also claimed that the order is only directed to ensure "the convenience of the public and allow people to know the details of the food outlet's owner." BJP MP Kangana Ranaut responded to actor Sonu Sood's appeal for "humanity" to be the only nameplate, suggesting that the term "Halal" should be replaced with "HUMANITY." Agree, Halal should be replaced with HUMANITY https://t.co/EqbGml2Yew Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) July 19, 2024 Sood had earlier posted on social media, "There should be only one nameplate on every shop: 'HUMANITY.'" West Bengal BJP Chief Sukanta Majumdar defended the directive, pointing out that similar notifications had been issued during the tenures of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. "Opposition is misleading people and spreading lies. A similar kind of notification was issued during Mulayam Singh Yadav's government, and Akhilesh Yadav's government also issued such notifications... It's a routine exercise and not specific to the Kanwar Yatra. The law requires that names be registered, not identifying anyone by religion," Majumdar told ANI. Photo Courtesy: AITC X page West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said her state is ready to give shelter to 'helpless people' from Bangladesh where violent protests have been taking place for the past several days against reservation in government jobs. Addressing her party's 'Martyrs' Day' rally in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee said: "I cannot speak on Bangladesh since it is a sovereign nation. It is the Indian government which can comment on the situation in the country. However, if someone comes and knocks on our door then we will give them shelter. There is a UN resolution which says that neighbours should respect refugees." Violence escalated in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka and other places over protests by students, demanding reforms to the quota system for government jobs. The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of Independence in 1971 against Pakistan. The quotas have caused anger among students who face high youth unemployment rates, with nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis not in work or education out of a total population of 170 million people. Meanwhile, stipulating that 93 percent of recruitments will be on merit now, Bangladesh Supreme Court has scrapped most of the quotas in government jobs which had led to massive protests across the country and left over 100 people dead, media reports said. The courts Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas last month, reported Al Jazeera. The court directed that 93 per cent of government jobs will now be open for candidates based on merit. Photo Courtesy: US Embassy India Website United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti celebrated the 248th U.S. National Day in Chennai recently where he praised the expanding U.S.-India partnership, particularly in the domains of space exploration and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The American National Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July in the United States, commemorates the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Ambassador Garcetti, presiding over the event hosted by the U.S. Consulate General Chennai, underscored the strategic alliance between the two nations, highlighting their collaborative ventures in space technology and STEM education. He lauded south Indias pivotal role in advancing these initiatives, especially the U.S.-India space collaboration on NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission. He also spoke about sending an Indian in a U.S. rocket to the International Space Station. Garcetti said, Space takes away and adds to who we are. It takes away our narrow identities and connects us across borders and oceans. Its building the special relationship here in the Indo-Pacific, but it also makes us greater than that by becoming one single human family together. Tamil Nadu Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who represented Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the event, said, The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai serves as a vital bridge of communication and cooperation. The collaboration with American Consulate enhances our educational system by integrating global perspectives, research, and best practices. As we commemorate the milestone in American history, let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between Tamil Nadu and the United States. Let us continue to embrace the spirit of partnership and cooperation leveraging the resources and expertise of the American Consulate for a prosperous future of our youth and communities. U.S. Consul General in Chennai Chris Hodges and Guest of Honor Actor Kamal Haasan were also present and emphasized the multifaceted nature of U.S.-India relations, particularly in advancing space technology and STEM education. In his address, Kamal Haasan hailed the space-themed National Day program as a great unifier and appreciated womens role in recent space expeditions. Nuh Police has tightened security to avert violence ahead of Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra. (Representational Image: Video grab) Nuh (Haryana): In view of the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, which was hit by violence last year, the Haryana government on Sunday ordered suspension of mobile internet and the bulk SMS services in Nuh district for 24 hours, media reported. The suspension order will be in force from 6 pm Sunday to 6 pm Monday, news agency PTI reported, citing an order by Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Anurag Rastogi. "... there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquility in the district Nuh..," the order read. The suspension order was given "to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours" through social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc. In order to avert violence, the Nuh Police has tightened security arrangements to ensure the Yatra passes off without any untoward incident. On July 31 last year, two home guards were killed and at least 15 others, including several policemen, after a huge mob tried to stop a procession by Vishva Hindu Parishad procession, hurling stones and setting cars on fire. That same night, a mob attacked a mosque in Gurugram, killing its naib imam. The interfaith clash resulted in at least five deaths and numerous injuries. Photo Courtesy: AITC X page West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday addressed her Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata when she targeted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government, which returned to power for the third straight term after winning the Lok Sabha polls, and said it will fall soon. Sharing the stage with Samajwadi Party's strongman and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee said: "BJP should have resigned by now but they do not have any shame. I agree with him on the fact that the NDA government in Delhi, which has come to power using the central agencies and the Election Commission, is not stable and will collapse any day." Smt. @MamataOfficial congratulated Shri @yadavakhilesh and @samajwadiparty for their outstanding performance in the Lok Sabha elections and their clear goal to oust @BJP4India. Our Jononetri emphasised that the Government at the Centre, formed through the misuse of power, is now pic.twitter.com/DNFujaxcVB All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 21, 2024 Addressing the rally, Yadav also voiced a similar opinion about the Centre when he said: "This government is not going to stay in power for many days. It will collapse." Akhilesh Yadav and his Samajwadi Party made a strong comeback in the Lok Sabha polls whose election was declared on June 4 by winning 37 seats. Also Read: Bengal is ready to give shelter to helpless people from Bangladesh, says Mamata Banerjee at Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata The politically crucial UP sends 80 MPs to the Lower House of the Indian Parliament. Together with Congress, the UP-based political outfit won 43 Lok Sabha seats in total. Congratulating Yadav on his party's performance in the general polls, Mamata Banerjee said: "I would also like to thank Akhilesh Yadav, who promptly accepted our invitation to the Shahid Dibas event during our conversation in Mumbai. I will also congratulate Akhilesh ji and Samajwadi party for their performance in Uttar Pradesh." Using the platform to send out a strong message to her own party workers, Banerjee asked them to maintain transparency. "I don't want rich but I want morally strong people," she said as her party gears up to battle the state assembly polls in 2026. "We need to remember that the more we win, the more polite and humble we must be and the more responsibilities we must shoulder. The more we must work for the people. AITC soldiers are not just political party workers but are a part of the platform to serve the people," she said in her direct message to party workers. "I want to tell all MPs, MLAs, municipality post-holders, and panchayat leaders that the party should not receive any complaints against anyone. If the party receives any complaints, the party shall take necessary action," Banerjee, who came to power for a third straight term after winning the 2021 elections, said. She made the comments at a time when several videos went viral on social media where some mid-level party leaders were seen hosting 'kangaroo courts' in some parts of the state. A victory in 2026 will ensure Banerjee coming to power in the state for the fourth straight term. Removing the 34-year-old Left Front rule, Banerjee came to power in the state in 2011 after registering a landslide victory in the assembly polls. "Despite the fear of central agencies, arrests of party leaders, and ECIs bias, we fought and secured victory against BJP, Congress, and CPI(M). I salute the people of Bengal for their support towards us. In the coming days, I hope we win the support of the people who may not have trusted us this time," she said. Photo Courtesy: AITC X page The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she said her state was ready to give shelter to the distressed people from neighbouring Bangladesh amid ongoing tension in the country over quota protests. BJP leader Amit Malviya said Banerjee did not have the authority of giving shelter to people from neighbouring nations since immigration and citizenship are exclusively in the Centers domain. Mamata Banerjee on Odd days - We will not allow Hindu refugees, who came to India to escape religious persecution, to apply for citizenship under CAA and get their legitimate rights. If they insist, we will ask illegal Rohingyas, who vote for the TMC, to burn trains, block roads pic.twitter.com/cSMqrkCF4M Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 21, 2024 "Who gave Mamata Banerjee the authority to welcome anyone in India? Immigration and citizenship are exclusively in the Centers domain. The States have no locus-stand," Malviya said. He claimed that INDIA, the country's key opposition bloc, was trying to execute the 'evil plan' of settling illegal immigrants from Bangladesh to Bengal and Jharkhand. "This is part of I.N.D.I Alliances evil plan to settle illegal Bangladeshis from Bengal to Jharkhand, so that they can win elections," he said. Jharkhand will soon vote to elect a new assembly. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said her state is ready to give shelter to 'helpless people' from Bangladesh where violent protests have been taking place for the past several days against reservation in government jobs. Addressing her party's 'Martyrs' Day' rally in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee said: "I cannot speak on Bangladesh since it is a sovereign nation. It is the Indian government which can comment on the situation in the country. However, if someone comes and knocks on our door then we will give them shelter. There is a UN resolution which says that neighbours should respect refugees." Violence escalated in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka and other places over protests by students, demanding reforms to the quota system for government jobs. The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of Independence in 1971 against Pakistan. The quotas have caused anger among students who face high youth unemployment rates, with nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis not in work or education out of a total population of 170 million people. Meanwhile, stipulating that 93 percent of recruitments will be on merit now, Bangladesh Supreme Court has scrapped most of the quotas in government jobs which had led to massive protests across the country and left over 100 people dead, media reports said. The courts Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas last month, reported Al Jazeera. The court directed that 93 per cent of government jobs will now be open for candidates based on merit. Image Instagrammed by Janhvi Kapoor Mumbai/IBNS: Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor, who was hospitalised in Mumbai due to a severe case of food poisoning, has been discharged from the hospital, media reports said. Sharing her health update, Janhvi Kapoor's dad and producer Boney Kapoor told Zoom: "She was discharged this morning. She is much better now. According to a report by Times Now, Janhvi Kapoor has been receiving support from her loved ones, including her father, sister Khushi Kapoor, and rumoured boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya. Jhanvi returned from Chennai to Mumbai last Tuesday. The next day, the actor decided to cancel all her appointments and stay home as she was not feeling well. On Thursday, her condition worsened, requiring immediate hospitalisation, according to indianexpress.com. The Dhadak actress has had a hectic schedule recently, as she attended various events during Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants grand wedding. She is currently busy with promotional activities for her upcoming film 'Ulajh'. In the film, she plays Suhana Bhatia, the youngest Deputy High Commissioner entangled in a conspiracy during a crucial assignment at the London embassy. She is also making her Telugu debut Devara Part 1 alongside Jr NTR, for which she has been shooting since May. In image Israeli strike on Yemen/ courtesy: X Hodeida, Yemen/IBNS: At least three people were killed as Israeli warplanes hit the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeida, the Iran-backed rebels said Sunday after the group's deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv. The strikes triggered a raging fire and plumes of black smoke, videos viral on X showed. "The blood of Israeli citizens has a price," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant was quoted as saying by the AFP, adding more operations against the Houthis would follow "if they dare to attack us". Gallant said the Hodeida strikes were also a warning to other Iran-backed armed groups around the Middle East that have claimed attacks on Israel during the Gaza war. "The fire that is currently burning in Hodeida, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," he said. The Israeli strikes killed three people and injured 87, the rebel-run health ministry said in a statement carried by Houthi media. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, said: "Anyone who harms us will pay a very heavy price for their aggression." Just hours after Friday's strike in Tel Aviv, Israel had vowed to retaliate against the Houthis, who control majority of Yemen, including much of its Red Sea coast. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said F-15 jets carried out the strike and all returned safely to base. Indian-origin man shot dead in US in suspected road rage. Photo Courtesy: The Many Faces of Death X page An Indian-origin man was shot dead in a suspected road rage incident in the US state of Indiana on Tuesday, media reports said on Sunday. The deceased was identified as 29-year-old Gavin Dasaur. Witnesses told police as quoted by WTHR that the shooting appeared to stem from a road rage incident between the driver of a black Honda and a white Chevy pickup truck. USA - An Indianapolis road rage incident has claimed the life of 29-year-old Gavin Dasaur. He approached another car and can be heard screaming "You want to play with me?" as he banged his gun against the door of the pickup truck of the man he was arguing with. Dasaur was pic.twitter.com/GzT8z7ZKbX The Many Faces of Death (@ManyFaces_Death) July 18, 2024 Witnesses said there was an altercation between the drivers and, at some point, the driver of the pickup shot the other driver. The pickup was detained but later released following investigation. Detectives told media that the driver might have acted in self-defence. Dasaur, who belongs from the north Indian city of Agra, recently got married. "He was a hardworking man that always went out of his way to help anyone and wanted to give the world to me and his family," Dasaur's wife, Cinthya ZaMora, told 13News. "He did not deserve to die this way. Its such a tragedy that my husband was murdered in cold blood." A video has gone viral on the social media where the Indian-origin man could be seen getting out of his vehicle and yelling at the driver of the truck. He was seen punching at the door of the truck with a gun in his hand. The driver of the truck responded by shooting him. The law says you can use reasonable force when you reasonably believe its necessary to prevent serious bodily force to yourself or another, attorney John Tompkins told fox59. Photo Courtesy:Pixabay Stipulating that 93 percent of recruitments will be on merit now, Bangladesh Supreme Court has scrapped most of the quotas in government jobs which had led to massive protests across the country and left over 100 people dead, media reports said. The courts Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas last month, reported Al Jazeera. The court directed that 93 per cent of government jobs will now be open for candidates based on merit. The Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government, which was voted back to power again this year following the general polls, scrapped the quota system in 2018. The lower court's decision to reinstate it triggered massive violent protests in the country with Dhaka being the epicentre. The Bangladesh government has ordered the army to 'shoot-on-sight' in order to quell the civil unrest and for those defying the curfew orders as soldiers patrolled the streets amid the violent protest by students over demanding quota reform in government jobs, media reports said. The Sheikh Hasina government Friday imposed a countrywide curfew and deployed troops as at least 133 deaths have been reported so far in violent protests and clashes over the government job quota system. The curfew was lifted briefly on Saturday afternoon to allow people to run essential errands. People have been ordered to remain at home and all gatherings and demonstrations have been banned. Bangladesh's government has shut down internet services nationwide since Thursday. Government websites remain offline and major newspapers including the Dhaka Tribune and Daily Star have been unable to update their social media platforms. Indian students return home Nearly 1,000 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh through various land transit points or by flight. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Foreign Ministry is fully focused on ensuring safety and well-being of the Indians in Bangladesh. The US State Department has warned Americans not to travel to Bangladesh and said it would begin removing some diplomats and their families from the country roiled by deadly civil unrest. Why is Bangladesh witnessing protests over the quota issue? Violence escalated in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka and other places over protests by students, demanding reforms to the quota system for government jobs. The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan. The quotas have caused anger among students who face high youth unemployment rates, with nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis not in work or education out of a total population of 170 million people. Photo Courtesy: Video grab of viral video on X A group of people threw stones and pulled down the Pakistani flag when they attacked the country's consulate in Germany's Frankfurt city recently. Several videos of the incident went viral on social media where the attackers, who had the Afghanistani flag wrapped around their shoulders, were seen vandalising the consulate premises and even taking down the Pakistani flag. Pakistani media reports said two people have been detained so far in connection with the incident. According to media reports, the attackers even tried to burn the Pakistani flag. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the German government to take immediate measures to arrest and prosecute those involved in the attack. "We are conveying our strong protest to the German Government," the Ministry said. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar posted on X: "Yesterday a gang of extremists breached the premises of Pakistans consulate in Frankfurt, Germany endangering the lives of its consular staff. Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the German Government. We have urged the German government to fulfill its responsibilities under the Vienna Conventions and ensure the security of the diplomatic missions and staff of Pakistan in Germany. We have also pressed them for taking immediate measures to arrest and prosecute those involved in yesterday's incident and hold to account those responsible for the lapses in the security." Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Dramatist Khalilur Rehman Qamar has alleged he was tortured and even looted when he was briefly abducted by armed men in Lahore recently. A first information report (FIR) of the incident, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, has been registered at the Sundar Police Station in Lahore on his complaint and invokes sections 395 (punishment for dacoity) and 365 (Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Rehman is quoted in the FIR as saying that close to midnight on Monday (July 15), he received a call from an unknown number, Dawn News reported. The caller, who said her name was Amna Urooj, introduced herself as a fan of the writer and wanted to make a TV drama with him, the FIR states. Upon being invited to a meeting, the writer reached the given location at around 4:40am where the woman showed him into her house, the FIR states, adding that there was a knock on the door as he sat down and around seven armed people entered the room and body-searched him. Rehman said Rs60,000, an iPhone 11, a Bank Al-Habib ATM card as well as his national identity card were confiscated from him. The FIR added that more than Rs200,000 were also withdrawn from a separate Allied Bank account belonging to the complainant. The kidnappers, the FIR states, told Rehman that they had being given the orders to kill him, before demanding a ransom payment of Rs10,000,000, to which Rehman told them that he did not have that kind of funds available. Rehman is known for writing several noted dramas like Meray Paas Tum Ho and Pyarey Afzal. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The Hindu community members in Pakistan recently demonstrated in Clifton Teen Talwar to demand the release of Priya Kumari. Priya Kumari has been missing since 2021. Priya was seven years old when she mysteriously disappeared from Sangrar town of Sukkur, reported The Express Tribune. The Hindu community members recently demonstrated and blocked the Teen Talwar roundabout. They were also seen carrying placards and banners and raised slogans to demand for Priya's release. Meanwhile, a heavy contingent of South Zone Police also reached the spot. In an attempt to clear the major traffic intersection, the police dispersed the protesters and detained many of them, the newspaper reported. Photo Courtesy: White House Instagram page US President Joe Biden on Sunday announced he will not seek re-election in the 'best interest' of his party and the country. Biden was under pressure to quit the presidential race following his struggling performance in the debate with many within his party doubting his candidacy and re-election attempt. Biden made the announcement just four months before the USA votes to elect a new President. In his statement posted on X, Biden said: "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term." My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Biden said he will address the nation on his decision later this week. He thanked Vice President Kamala Harris and called her an 'extraordinary partner'. Bien endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the Presidential race. He posted on X: "My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this." In a phone call with CNN minutes after President Joe Biden announced his exit from the 2024 race, former President Donald Trump described Biden going down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country. Naomi Biden, granddaughter of President Joe Biden, said she felt proud of her grandfather over his decision to exit the Presidential race. She posted on X: " Im nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he beenand will continue to bethe most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nations history. He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours." Michael Thomas further claims that 24 TWh, is the equivalent of the needs of Azerbaijan, and much higher than that of many small countries that have consumed 19 TWh such as Iceland, The Ghana, Dominican Republic and Tunisia, among others. However it is to be noted that the per capita consumption ofelectricity varies according to the countries' level of development. Some countries that less populated than those mentioned above consume more power. For example, Ireland, populated by only 5 million inhabitants, consumes about 31 TWh each. While Google & Microsoft's massive energy usage has environmental implications, it's worth noting that these tech giants also generate more revenue than many countries. For instance, Google's economic impact exceeded $739 billion, while Microsoft's products likely contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy. These figures highlight the significant financial scale of these companies relative to their substantial electricity consumption. The massive energy usage underscores the substantial environmental impact of these mammoth companies. But it also serves as a reminder of their sheer scale, and the positive impact they could have an leading more sustainable initiatives. Michael Thomas's comparison between entire countries and two single companies highlights the massive energy needs of GAFAMs Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft, with Google and Microsoft's data centers being insatiable. Lately, the race for AI has further multiplied the uses of technological giants. For example, ChatGPT consumes 17,000 times more electricity every day than an average household. Advertisements In 2023, both tech giants Google and Microsoft consumed a staggering 24 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, surpassing the energy usage of over 100 countries, a new researcher has claimed. This revelation underscores the scale of their energy consumption, comparable to entire nations. Analysis by a journalist specializing in global warming, Michael Thomas, shared on X , that both Google and Microsoft consumed the same amount of energy as Azerbaijan, which has about 10.14 million inhabitants and an estimated GDP of $78.7 billion. Googles 2023 revenue stood at $307.4 billion, and Microsofts at $211.9 billion. While debates rage about optimal work hourswith figures like Narayan Murthy advocating for a 70-hour work week and others pushing for a four-day work weekthe Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) revealed a new development on Saturday. The state government is planning to raise IT staff's working hours to 14 per day. In a bold move that has sparked controversy, the Karnataka state government is planning to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act to allow for a 14-hour workday for IT employees. Also read: 'It's not the job, it's you': JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on maintaining work-life balance The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) revealed that this proposal, presented during a labour department meeting with industry stakeholders, would drastically change the existing law. Presently, labour laws permit up to 12 hours of work per day, combining regular and overtime hours. Representational image/ Pexels The proposed "Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2024" aims to normalise extended work hours, potentially enabling IT/ITES companies to increase daily working hours without limit. This change could significantly impact Bengaluru, India's premier IT hub. KITU has vehemently opposed the amendment, fearing it could lead to the elimination of the current three-shift system as the number of working shifts will be reduced, thereby risking job losses for one-third of the workforce. This contentious proposal comes at a time when Karnataka is already under scrutiny for its move to introduce a bill mandating job reservations for the local Kannadiga population in private firms. Unsplash Public weighs in: Reactions to the 14-hour workday proposal In a post on X addressing the contentious 14-hour workday issue, people voiced a wide range of opinions in the comments. One user commented, "Labour laws are the crux of any well-functioning society. Fourteen hours of work a day will lead to unexplained tiredness among the labour force. Instead, the government should focus on increasing female labour force participation and creating more jobs." Another remarked, "If they have more work to be done, they need to hire more workforce. Humans have a limit to the amount of pressure they can take. Doesn't get simpler than that." A third pointed out, "And then they ask why IT people are depressed." Yet another wrote, "I don't know what they are talking aboutwe already work 16 hours: 8 hours at work and 8 hours in traffic." What's your opinion on this? For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Imagine your trusted barber had his phone stolen and was left feeling disheartened. What would you do? In Uttar Pradesh, one customer went the extra mile to help his barber, even using an inventive approach to raise funds for a new phone! Sonu, a beloved barber from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, found himself in a tough spot when his phone was stolen. But a kind-hearted customer decided to take action and launched a creative fundraiser on Milaap to help him out. Also read: Guwahati's 'Digital Beggar': Seeking Alms With A PhonePe QR Code To make donating easy, the customer designed a T-shirt featuring a QR code that directed people straight to the donation page. Credit: X The customer, who admired Sonu's respectful nature and golden heart, praised him for his kindness and promised to download all the songs from Sonu's cherished playlist once he got a new phone. The QR code led one to the donation page which had the message, "My barber's phone was stolen, and he's a kind soul who listens to everyone's problems without judgment. I want to bring back his smile by gifting him a new phone. From Kumar Sanu to Honey Singh, his playlist is pure gold!" The story gained traction online when an X user spotted someone wearing the fundraiser T-shirt and shared it, saying, "Spotted this guy in CP today (the QR code opens a fundraiser for his barber)." This heartfelt gesture caught the attention of Akis Evangelidis, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing for Nothing, who tweeted, "Jugaad, gotta respect my man for looking after his barber. Let's find this guy and give him a phone." In a delightful twist, Nothing tracked down Sonu and surprised him with a brand new Nothing Phone 1, worth Rs 30,000. Sharing a photo of the overjoyed barber with his new phone, the brand posted, "I'm not crying, you are. Here's Sonu with his new phone." Credit: X Heres how people reacted: Credit: X Credit: X For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. "This bear is stressed, depressed, lemon zest," is how Florida authorities described a black bear recently spotted on the side of a highway. Social media updates from the Walton County Sheriff's Office reveal that the bear has been attracting a flurry of unwanted attention, with people stopping to take selfies, which has only added to the animal's distress. Walton County Sheriff's Office deputies are keeping a close eye on a black bear spotted on the north side of Highway 98 near County Road 83 in Santa Rosa Beach. Also read: 'Mom Is Always There,' React Netizens To Viral Video Of Polar Bear Saving Cub From Drowning The bear has become the center of unwanted attention, with onlookers crowding around and trying to snap selfies, despite the bear clearly not being in the mood for photos. Credit: X "The bear has shown signs of severe stress," the sheriff's office warned in a post on X. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was called in after the sheriff's office reported "crowds of onlookers stopping to take photos of the bear." By the time FWC officials arrived, the bear had already retreated into the woods. According to experts, the bear did not appear to be injured from the photos taken and might have been overheated, needing rest before continuing its journey. Black bears are a common sight in Florida, especially during the spring and summer months. "Typically, bears will move along on their own. If you encounter a bear, give it space, dont approach it, and never feed it," advised a spokesperson. "Crowding any bear can lead to defensive behavior. Always respect their space and keep a safe distance." Famous last words, If not friend, why friend shaped? Because this black bear is stressed depressed lemon zest. Walton County Sheriffs Office deputies are monitoring a bear on the north side of Highway 98 near County Road 83 in Santa Rosa Beach. Onlookers were trying to pic.twitter.com/boRdiLucZG Walton Co. Sheriff (@WCSOFL) July 18, 2024 For the unversed, though bears have been depicted in culture commonly as a cuddly animal, in reality, bears are very powerful and unpredictable. They are equipped with strong muscles and sharp claws, which they use for foraging, climbing, and defending themselves. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, on Saturday, declared that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the September governorship, Asue Ighodalo, would win and succeed him. He further assured that Ighodalo would do better than him as governor because he possessed intellect, integrity, and discipline. Advertisement Obaseki spoke during a meeting with PDP leaders from each ward across the 18 local government areas of the state held in Benin City. The meeting was aimed at strategising ahead of the September 21 governorship election. READ ALSO: Edo Crisis: APC Holds Special Place In My Heart Philip Shaibu Says As He Finally Dumps PDP His words: The primary that produced Asue Ighodalo is being celebrated nationwide as the best ever in the nation. I thank you all for working with the delegates and for electing him as our candidate to carry our flag in this election and to succeed me as governor of Edo State. I have known him for about four decades and I thank God for giving us somebody who I am certain will do better than I have done. He has the attributes of intelligence and integrity and grew up under the great discipline of his mother. I am convinced that with the efforts that all of you have put in, Asue Ighodalo will be the governor of Edo State come September 21, 2024. We are the only party in the state, and I am not afraid, we will win the election. As Nigerians prepare for the nationwide protest, amid economic hardship, a young man identified as Bashir Abubakar has been arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Service. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Abubakar was reportedly apprehended on Saturday, for allegedly advertising a T-shirts supporting the upcoming protests. Reacting to the allegation in a statement released on Sunday, made available via his X page, Omoyele Sowore, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, demanded for the immediate release of the young man. Advertisement He said: The lawless @OfficialDSSNG has begun inciting the public to riot even before the D-Day, early this morning they arrested a young man Bashir Abubakar in Kano. His offence was that he advertised that hes made T-shirts for the upcoming protests. READ MORE: Police Officers Want To Join Our Protest In Their Uniforms, Are Tired of Protecting Oppressors Sowore Earlier another young activist was sent to prison in Kano for posting about the protest. The @OfficialDSSNG must release Abubakar immediately. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that some individuals and socio-political groups have been mobilizing together ahead of the nationwide protest. The aim of the movement, according to them is to kick against President Bola Ahmed Tinubus led administration, amid economic challenges facing the nation. Some yet to be identified assailants have killed a Police Inspector, known as Shehu Oyibo, including some other three persons in Abia State. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the deceased was said to be serving with the Rapid Response Squad in the state. Confirming the incident in a statement made available to newsmen, on Saturday, by the Abia State Command Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed that three civilians were brutally killed during the attack on a police patrol team stationed along Mosque Street, Ngwa Road, in the state. Advertisement READ MORE: NSCDA Arrests 14 For Allegedly Operating Illegal Refinery In Abia, Maureen added that during the gun duel with the commands operatives, sole of the gunmen were neutralized while other escaped with injuries. She said: Today, July 21 (Saturday), 2024, at about 11.28hrs, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Aba, Abia State Command, while on patrol along Ngwa Road by Mosque junction, Aba, were attacked by armed men assailants in an ash-coloured Sienna vehicle. The armed men opened fire on the police personnel, and the operatives repelled the attack, preventing what could have been a deadlier outcome. However, during the exchange of gunfire, two of the assailants were neutralized, while others escaped with various degrees of bullet injuries. Unfortunately, a police officer, Inspector Shehu Oyibo, three civilians who were later identified as Chika Godliveth m, Onyenaturuchi Jonah m 32 years old, from Item, in Bende L.G.A of Abia State, and Eniobong Godsgift Clement f, 18 years old, from Akwa Ibom State were killed by bullets from the assailants. Bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary, while investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing hoodlums. Some angry youths in Damaturu, Yobe State, have destroyed billboards erected to welcome President Bola Tinubu to the state for the launch of the Yobe Agricultural Empowerment Programme. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Tinubu, was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima at the launch of the programme in Damaturu on Saturday. Shettima disclosed that the programme is at the heart of his administrations ongoing efforts to enhance food security, create jobs, and diversify Nigerias economy through agriculture. Advertisement He also stressed the critical role of agriculture in national development and security. Shettima said: It is the foundation upon which we build our health, our well-being, and our economic stability. READ MORE: Nothing Will Stop Our Protest In August Sowore Replies Presidency Theres no way we are going to achieve our grand goals as a government, whether at the state or national level, until we support and empower our farmers. Meanwhile, after the launch, youths in the state, in a viral clip could be seen climbing one of the billboards, which had photos of President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and Governor Mai Buni. Thank you Mr President. Have a safe trip, was boldly written on the billboard. Addressing newsmen, one of the youths said: this hunger is too much. The Lagos State Police Command has demoted one of its officers for attempting to extort money from a drone operator. A viral video showed two security personnel requesting a permission from an unidentified drone operator near the states Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. This sparked reactions from netizens, who inquired whether the operator needed a permit to film on the bridge. Advertisement Benjamin Hundeyin, the state Police Public Relations Officer, justified their actions in a statement, but called the officers request for money in the process disrespectful. Hundeyin told PUNCH on Saturday that disciplinary action had been taken against the police officer, culminating in his demotion from Inspector to Sergeant. He said, His disciplinary process has been concluded. He has been reduced in rank from Inspector to Sergeant. In the statement, Hundeyin highlighted that Nigerian aviation laws require a permit before operating a drone. READ MORE: NAF Destroys Illegal Refining Sites, Canoes In Rivers The statement partly read, In response to a now-viral video showing two police officers demanding a drone permit from a drone-operating individual on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify that the police officers acted within the ambit of the law to demand to see a permit. For emphasis, Nigerian aviation laws stipulate that a permit must be obtained from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the operation of drones weighing more than 250 grams anywhere within the country. Ali Ndume, former Chief Whip of the Senate, has faulted the N70,000 new minimum wage approved by the Federal Government. Recall that Ndume was relieved of his position after making comments believed to be against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking on the new wage, Ndume said it could only buy a 50kg bag of rice which averagely sells above N70,000. Advertisement He furthered asked for a upward review the minimum wage. READ ALSO: Be Patient, FG Addressing Food Price Hike FCCPC To Nigerians In a video sighted online, Ndume said: People are suffering, people are angry, people are not happy. I am happy that yesterday, the President agreed with NLC to increase the salary to N70,000, which is a good move, but it takes more than that because, realistically, that is like a bag of rice, money that will buy a bag of rice or cover the cost of a bag of rice. So, I call on the President to still open up and listen to the people. Ndume was sacked as a Senate principal officer following a letter from Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress National Chairman and Basiru Ajibola, the Partys National Secretary. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command, has arrested nine suspected smugglers in connection with illegal petroleum product transactions and seized three trucks transporting 135,000 gallons of the items in Akwa Ibom. Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, announced this to journalists on Saturday at the Command headquarters in Uyo. Eluwade said the suspects were apprehended by the commands Anti-vandal Unit on 14 July along the expressway. Advertisement He said The trucks were halted for a routine inspection of documents by NSCDC personnel who insisted on sighting relevant papers including a licence to buy, sell and convey petroleum products as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act. The inability of the suspects to produce complete relevant documents led to their arrest and their trucks impounded for illegal dealing in petroleum products, an offence punishable by section 17 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Two of the trucks were conveying about 45,000 litres each of Automative Gas Oil (AGO) popularly known as Diesel. The third truck was conveying about 45,000 litres of Petroleum Product suspected to be Crude oil or used engine oil, a petroleum by-product for which a license is also required to buy, sell or transport. The commandant further stated that another suspect was apprehended by agency operatives on July 15 in Idu Uruan, Uruan LGA, for criminal conspiracy, tampering, and theft of armoured cable in a transformer at the Nigeria Medical Association Centre in Uruan. READ MORE: NAF Destroys Illegal Refining Sites, Canoes In Rivers According to him, the suspect under investigation was suspected to have conspired with thieves to breach the security of the facility where he was providing protection, vandalising and stealing armoured cable. While reaffirming the NSCDCs commitment to combating all forms of illegality, such as illegal bunkering, adulteration of petroleum products, operating without a licence, illegal refining, and others, the commandant warned against vandalism of public utilities, describing it as a crime against society that deprives everyone of the common good they are supposed to enjoy. He stated that all of the accused would be charged in court once the investigations were completed. The police in Lagos State says it is on the trail of fleeing members of a notorious kidnapping gang who had plotted to abduct some wealthy persons in the State. Recall that nine members of the gang were killed during an operation that took place on Thursday, in the Ladipo area of the State. Advertisement Giving an update, a police source told Punch on Saturday that the team had begun to discover the identities of both the deceased and fleeing suspects through electronic and intelligence investigations. According to the source, it was discovered that one of the deceased was a twin who lived in the suburb of Lagos while adding that the twin brother had fled after he learnt about his brothers death. READ ALSO: Lagos Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Kill Nine The detectives have discovered that one of them is a twin and they live together in one of the suburbs. The twin brother knew about what happened to his brother and as a result fled their residence, the source said. One of the fleeing members of the gang, the source noted, was traced to a popular city in the North, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him. Also, the owner of a popular fun spot in the area where the incident occurred was also arrested as it was said to be a location where some of the gang members regularly visit. The owner of one of the popular beer parlours where the kidnappers regularly visit is already in police custody. He is helping the police with useful information, the source added. After nourishing both the stomachs and souls of customers for the past three decades, Mels Cafe has closed. The Charlottesville eatery, known as much for its Southern comfort food as its Southern comfort, has been shuttered for good a little more than a month after founder, owner and cook Mel Walker died at the age of 71. A handwritten sign went up on the restaurants glass front door sometime last week, announcing the news and thanking customers for their support. Until we meet again! Thank you, it reads. That sign was not the only indication that times are changing. A recently updated real estate listing confirms that the parcel of land stretching from 715 to 731 W. Main St., which includes Mels address, is for sale. The asking price is set at $5.9 million for four buildings totaling 7,685 square feet of space on a half-acre. The propertys listing agent, Bill Howard, told The Daily Progress that, while no plans are confirmed, hes already had conversations with a number of interested parties, one of whom is an aspiring restaurateur looking to lease the cafe space. I think [the potential tenant] would do what was so successful there. I think it would be very similar to Mels, he said. Howard pointed out that while the market is not ideal for prospective developers, the lot is probably best used for student housing, as its geographically situated within walking distance to both the University of Virginia and Downtown. This property, near the University of Virginia, has been identified as a possible student housing project, reads the listing. City zoning allows for 5 stories, with the ability to go 7 stories. Potential for up to 168 beds. For such a project, Howard said a building that could hold up to 500 beds is preferred, so the 168-bed capacity may be a deterrent to future construction. The physical structure of Mels Cafe, an eye-catching, spaceship-like building, is unlikely to change regardless, given the protected status the city granted it in 2013. With its wide windows and angular roofline, it is one of the few remaining Googie-style buildings in America. Longtime patrons expressed their concern to The Daily Progress about whether the restaurant would reopen after Walkers death on May 28, given his infectious love of life and perfectly grilled cheeseburgers are what attracted so many to his counter. At the time, Walkers niece Tanesha Hudson said the business would remain open as the family planned to keep his legacy alive. Since 1995, Walker spent nearly every day, working from open to close, to serve up sweet potato pie and fried chicken from the kitchen of his West Main Street establishment. Yet, days and weeks passed with little sign of movement until the third week of July. Thats when passersby spotted plates and bowls stacked outside on top of a trash bin and the American flag that once sat in the window on the side of the road. A look inside the building reveals a dark, gutted interior that bears little resemblance to the warm and inviting space whose walls were once cluttered with framed photos of Walker, his family, their friends and neighbors. Employees at the Land Rover repair shop next door told The Daily Progress on Wednesday they were saddened not only by the loss of Walker but of the business bearing his name. Charlottesville has lost more than a greasy spoon. Walker was a staple of the community. He often held bicycle and school supply giveaways for local children and was known to offer a free, hot plate to anyone in need who showed up at his doorstep, often sent his way by First Baptist Church, a block down the street, of which he was a member. In early June, Hudson described her uncles establishment as the heartbeat in this city for the Black community. Patricia Edwards agreed with Hudson. President of the Starr Hill Neighborhood Association, the historically Black neighborhood between downtown Charlottesville and UVa where Mels sits, Edwards said Mels was the unofficial center of Starr Hill, given it was the only Black-owned restaurant remaining on West Main. Mels Cafe was a place where you could take your iced tea and fried chicken, sit at one of the weathered picnic tables and just watch the world go by, Charlottesville resident and UVa history professor John Edwin Mason told The Daily Progress in June. Mels was a pillar of the community for sure. In a city which doesnt have all that many public places where African Americans can feel truly at home, it felt like home and like your place, said Mason. It became my favorite place in town. Some restaurants you can get a better meal, maybe, but you cant get Mel. Some gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed two travellers and abducted five others along the Ifon-Owo Highway in Ondo State. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the driver of the commercial vehicle and a female passenger were shot dead at the scene of the incident on Friday evening. Five other passengers, including a Corps member, were taken away by the gunmen. Advertisement A source, identified as Oluwaseun Ogunmola told DAILY TRUST on Saturday that the bandits, who were over 20, ambushed the Sienna space bus. Oluwaseun added that some of the commuters were heading to Owo from Anambra state when they were blocked by the culprits. The source also revealed that one of the corps members, identified as Adewole Paul Oluwaseun, who was returning from the camp was among the kidnap victims. He said: He was returning from NYSC camp in Enugu when he was kidnapped with others by the bandits. The incident has created tension in the family. READ MORE: Unknown Gunmen Kill Monarch, Son In Taraba Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo, said security agencies had swung into action to rescue the victims. Also confirming the horrible incident, Mrs Odunlami-Omisanya, siad that the victims will be rescued. He said: Weve after them. I can assure you that those kidnapped would be rescued them unhurt. The Labour Party (LP), on Saturday, dismissed the claim by Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubus spokesman, that linked its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the proposed nationwide protests. Onanuga had alleged that Obis supporters were planning mayhem in Nigeria. He also painted Obi as a failed presidential candidate, and said he should be held responsible for whatever crisis would emanate from the action. Advertisement However, the Labour Party, in a statement by Obiora Ifoh, its National Publicity Secretary, said the party is known for being a peaceful party and has on several occasions asked its followers to follow peace at all times. The statement reads: The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to a tweet purportedly from one of the presidential aides, Mr Bayo Onanuga, linking the Labour Party, its national leader Peter Obi, and very many notable figures in our party to the proposed EndBadGovernance protest. We say that there is no truth in that and the tweet is just the authors figment of his imagination. READ ALSO: Protest Sponsorship Allegation Against Obi A Ploy To Arrest Him Media Group Labour Party is known for being a very peaceful party and it has at several occasions asked its followers to follow peace at all times. We are not known as a lawless group, as was evident in the aftermath of the last general election. It is therefore delusional for anyone to link our supporters to the planned protest. Labour Party, Peter Obi and our supporters are not planning any protests. However, peaceful protests all over the world are initiated and executed by the people and not by the opposition. No opposition has any control over protests. Popular protests, such as in Kenya, Egypt and several other places, were a direct registration of the peoples frustration against the government. The people have the right to protest and it is within their constitutional right. It is therefore puerile for the government or anyone for that matter, to begin to look for who to blame for the bad governance that is being witnessed in Nigeria today. Nigeria can still get it right if the right policies are initiated. We also advise that some aides of the presidency must be cautioned to avoid incendiary pronouncements capable of combusting the nation, all in the name of playing politics. The Declaration House, where Thomas Jefferson wrote the the Declaration of Independence. The Monument Lab partnered with artist Sonya Clark to animate more than 50 eyes of the descendants of enslaved people at Monticello that will blink in the historic building's windows through September. Read more Digitally enhanced eyes peer through Declaration Houses 18 windows, blinking as Philadelphians meander in and out of the nearby Dunkin and wait for SEPTA. Its not clear who the eyes belong to, but the glowing 5-foot-tall eyes are Instagrammable. Cell phone cameras click from street level. But these arent random eyes. Many of them belong to descendants of Robert Hemmings, Thomas Jeffersons enslaved valet, who lived with him in Declaration House. Advertisement As Jefferson declared all men equal in the Declaration of Independence, Hemmings an enslaved man watched. The animated eye images some featuring dancing pupils, others furrowed brows in The Descendants of Monticello are Monument Labs attempt at centering Hemmings life within a narrative that at best ignores his existence and, at worst, denies it. Its the marquee exhibit of Declaration House, a public art project examining the tangled legacies of freedom and enslavement sitting at the crux of United States history. Descendants of Monticello cuts through the contradiction of the American experiment, said Paul Farber, director of Monument Lab and cocurator of Declaration House. Jefferson didnt come to Philadelphia alone. He brought someone with him to keep him safe and take care of him. They lived side by side. Yet, Hemmings is almost forgotten. I see these eyes as an angelic force keeping watch over our humanity, added Sonya Clark, The Descendants of Monticellos lead artist. Clark combed through hundreds of images and worked with photographers to enlarge and animate the images. About 50 of the descendants right eyes rotate through Declaration Houses windows, darting east and down Market Street. Its a haunting space, a lighthouse where eyes are beacons that illuminate the meaning of freedom. Seek Robert Hemmings, find America Hemmings and Jefferson arrived in Philadelphia in 1775 from Monticello, where more than 400 enslaved people from six Black families lived. The Hemings are the most well-known, largely because Robert Hemmings sister, Sally Hemings, was the mother of six of Jeffersons children. As many as 70 Hemingses lived at Monticello over five generations, intermarrying with the plantations other enslaved families: the Gillettes, the Herns, the Fossetts, the Grangers, and the Hubbard brothers. Earlier this year, Hemmings signature on his daughter Elizabeths 1812 marriage certificate revealed that he spelled Hemmings with two ms instead of one, which has been the historically prevalent spelling. Hemmings could read and write, a rarity for enslaved people. No engravings or illustrations of Hemmings exist. Jefferson did, however, keep meticulous notes about his enslaved workers, referring to Hemmings as a bright mulatto. Hemmings was inoculated against smallpox also unusual for enslaved people in all likelihood to ensure Jeffersons health. In 1794, Jefferson freed Hemmings, making him the first to be free among Jeffersons enslaved staff. Jefferson never freed Sally, but he did free all of her children. Hemmings story isnt just a side story, Farber said. The path toward healing this democracy includes telling everyones story. We should be asking these questions with open eyes at this crucial time in American democracy. When you seek Robert Hemmings, you find America. Clark, known in Philadelphias art circles for her 2019 Fabric Workshop and Museum exhibit, Monumental Cloth, The Flag We Should Know, was working on Ancestral Eyes a collection of photos featuring the eyes of more than 60 Black cultural icons like James Baldwin and Chadwick Boseman when Farber reached out to her about Declaration House. Farber was struggling with finding a way to show Hemmings presence at Declaration House without a picture of him. Clark suggested using the eyes of Hemmings descendants to represent him. When you look into the eyes of a camera, you dont only see your reflection, but the eyes of your ancestors, she said. Clark reached out to a friend, Gayle Jessup White, the fifth great-granddaughter of Sally Hemings, a former television anchor, and the first public relations and community engagement officer at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Clark asked her for help in securing photos of the eyes of Hemings family members. White put her in touch with Andrew Davenport, director of Getting Word: The African American Oral History Project, which preserves the history of enslaved families of Monticello. Davenport, a descendant of Roberts brother, Peter Hemings, asked Clark if she would consider incorporating eyes from all the enslaved families of Monticello. She agreed. It can be argued that all of the people enslaved on Monticello are a part of the legacy of the Declaration House, Clark said. Declaration Houses legacy Declaration House stood at Seventh and Market for centuries, before falling into disrepair and getting torn down. The National Park Service unveiled a replica of the Declaration House in 1976 as part of Americas Bicentennial celebration. Tours in the replica building ended in 2013. The house is a window into examining Jeffersons contradictory relationship with Black Americans and Indigenous people, Farber said. This matters a lot, especially as America prepares to celebrate the Semiquincentennial its 250th birthday in 2026. Monument Lab received more than $400,000 in grants from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, the National Endowment of the Arts, and VIA Art Fund. The art project Declaration House isnt confined to the Seventh and Market Street brick building. Jeannine Cook, owner of Harrietts Bookshop, unveiled an installation on July 19 at Cherry Street Pier honoring Phillis Wheatley, a colonial-era Black woman and poet who, Jefferson publicly claimed, did not write her own poetry, because Black people werent smart or human enough to create original art. Ty Dancing Wolf Ellis has been tapped to lead a powwow in August paying homage to the Lenape Indians, who lived in Philadelphia for 10,000 years before white settlers came. The Descendants of Monticellos focus on Hemmings an uncle to Jeffersons six children is a reclamation story, Farber said, and speaks to the nonprofits mission of reimagining American monuments as gathering places for learning, healing, and belonging. The eyes are vigilant, Clark said. They are a witness and judge to all that happened then and all that is happening now. The Descendants of Monticello will be on display through September at the Declaration House, located at 700 Market St. During the weekends, Monument Lab hosts a welcoming station to learn more about the exhibit. Keep reading by creating a free account or signing in. Three people were killed and six more were injured after a mass shooting broke out at a party in West Philadelphia early Sunday morning. Advertisement More than 100 people were attending a cookout on the 1200 block of North Alden Street in the Carroll Park neighborhood when, law enforcement sources said, a shootout stemming from an argument erupted just after 2 a.m. Upon arriving, police said, officers found multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds. A 33-year-old man who Chief Inspector D.F. Pace told reporters was shot at very close range and likely targeted was pronounced dead at the scene. A 23-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds died shortly after being taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The third victim was 29 years old, said police, and was also pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian after being shot in the abdomen. Names of the victims have not been released. Two semiautomatic handguns were recovered from two of the victims. Another semiautomatic handgun was turned over to investigators by a witness, according to sources. Crime scene investigators recovered 36 spent shell casings fired from at least three weapons. Police said two 28-year-old men are in stable condition at Penn Presbyterian, one with a gunshot wound to the thigh, the other to a foot. Another 28-year-old man is in stable condition at Lankenau Hospital with several gunshot wounds. A 30-year-old man, a brother of one of the men killed, was also in stable condition at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with gunshot wounds to the thighs, said police. Another man, 27, is being treated for a graze wound to the head and a gunshot to the leg at Penn Presbyterian. One woman, 26, was also shot and is being treated at Penn Presbyterian, said police. Officers are looking to review surveillance footage of the incident. Police confirmed a weapon was recovered at the scene of the cookout, but no arrests had been made and no suspects were in custody by early Sunday evening. In a brief statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, just after 10 p.m. Sunday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said: Every shooting and homicide in Philadelphia is painful to me, and my administration will not rest until every resident, in every neighborhood, feels safe in their community. She said she would have more to say at a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the shooting scene, where she will be joined by Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and other city officials. Anyone with information regarding the shooting should contact the police at 215-686-8477. Far from the norm in Carroll Park Police familiar with the area told The Inquirer that violence is less common in Carroll Park, a stretch of West Philadelphia that shares its name with a public park on Girard Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets, about two blocks from the shooting scene. Compared to other sections of the city, the neighborhood is not known as a shooting hot spot, they said. Carroll Park has recorded 24 shooting victims since the start of 2024, according to a dashboard kept by the Office of the City Controller. One of those happened just three blocks from where Sundays shooting occurred. In June, a 17-year-old was shot multiple times on the 1500 block of North Alden Street. Its normally quiet, said Tyreek Marshall, who was sweeping up litter outside the Masjid Ibn Taymiyyahcommunity center down the street from the shooting Sunday afternoon. Just kids out playing, and people sitting out on the stairs. Theres never anything going on like that. The area is also home to a robust civic association. The Friends of Carroll Park steward the green space and playground, regularly hosting community events and park cleanups. Central to their message: reporting criminal activity. We need all the help and all the eyes we can get! Its our park to protect! reads a message posted to their Facebook page a day before the shooting. Parties spark major shootings This is the third multiple shooting at a large outdoor gathering this year in Philadelphia. The most recent one before Sundays happened on July 4 in Kingsessing, when a gunman opened fire at a pop-up party, killing 19-year-old Maurice Quann. Police said his party might have gotten caught in the middle of a longstanding gang feud. Eight other people were also shot all between the ages of 14 and 24 and an arrest has yet to be made. Just under three weeks before that, 17-year-old Isya Stanley was shot and killed in Fairmount Park when gunfire rang out at a party she was attending with her boyfriend and about 100 other juveniles. Four other teens were also injured. There have been 142 homicides to date in 2024, according to data kept by the Philadelphia Police Department, down 39% from this time last year. Before Sunday mornings shooting, there were 600 gun violence victims in 2024. Of those, 129 died. Sundays mass shooting comes less than a week before a preplanned rally against gun violence. Helmed by organizers with the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice Network, gun violence survivors and reform advocates will gather at Kingsessings Salt & Light Church just under three miles from Sundays deadly block party to advocate for the creation of a trauma recovery center in Philly. Staff writers Chris Palmer and Anna Orso contributed to this article. A photo of Barbara Friedes rests against a tree during a vigil Sunday on the 1800 block of Spruce Street in Philadelphia, where the pediatric oncologist was killed Wednesday night when a car struck her from behind while she was riding her bike in the bike lane. Read more A tragic stretch of pedestrian deaths and injuries in Philadelphia continued through the weekend when a 22-month-old girl and a man were killed in separate crashes eight hours apart, and three other pedestrians were seriously injured. That came just days after two other pedestrians and a bicyclist were hit by cars, two fatally, in the span of three hours on Wednesday. On Sunday morning, safety advocates gathered in Center City to mourn traffic victims and call for more protections. Advertisement In the most recent deadly pedestrian crash, a man whose name and age police had not determined was found unresponsive lying in the southbound lanes of the 4200 block of Aramingo Avenue in Frankford just after 5 a.m. Sunday in what police are calling a hit-and-run. He was pronounced dead at the scene and police said his injuries were consistent with being struck by a car. A search for that vehicle was continuing. The crash resulting in the childs death occurred around 8:50 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of North Front Street and East Wyoming Avenue in the citys Feltonville section, police said. According to police, a Dodge Ram 1500 Classic driven by a 28-year-old man was eastbound on Wyoming and attempted a left turn northbound on Front with a green light. A 31-year-old woman was crossing westbound on Wyoming in a marked crosswalk with a green light with her 13-year-old daughter and a 22-month-old girl in a stroller whom police originally had said was a 1-year-old. The Dodge hit all three of them. The toddler was taken by medics to St. Christophers Hospital for Children, where she was pronounced dead at 9:32 p.m., police said. The mother and teenager were taken to Einstein Medical Center for treatment of injuries to their feet and ankles, police said. The driver remained at the scene. No arrest had been made and charges were pending further investigation, police said. Shortly before that crash, a person police only described as a male pedestrian attempting to cross the 1300 block of Rising Sun Avenue in North Philadelphia was struck around 8:45 p.m. by a Nissan Altima traveling westbound. Police said the man was transported to Temple University Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition with a head injury Sunday. The driver of the Altima, Vincent Dennis, 60, remained at the scene and was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, police said. Three hours after the deadly crash in Frankford Sunday morning, a vigil for traffic victims began on Spruce Street in Center City where Barbara Friedes, 30, a pediatric oncologist at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, was killed Wednesday night while biking home. Friedes was riding westbound in the bike lane on Spruce when she was struck from behind by a speeding car on the 1800 block around 7 p.m., police said. She was thrown more than 20 feet into the air, police said, and although wearing a helmet, Friedes suffered severe head injuries and died at a hospital shortly upon arrival. The 68-year-old driver of the blue Volkswagen that hit her was hospitalized from injuries related to the crash, said police, who have not yet released his name because he has not been charged with any crimes. Police said they are awaiting results of tests to determine whether he was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Police have charged two drivers in two other crashes Wednesday. In the first, a hit-and-run on the 5800 block of Chew Avenue in East Germantown, 40-year-old Sekia Spencer struck a 26-year-old woman crossing the street with her car around 4:30 p.m. and then fled the scene, police said. The victim flew onto the windshield of Spencers car before falling into the street. She was hospitalized in critical condition. Spencer has been charged with aggravated assault while driving under the influence, causing an accident involving death or injury, and other offenses, and remained in custody on $175,000 bail. And just minutes after Friedes was struck on her bicycle, 38-year-old Christopher Cabrera was struck and killed as he stood on the corner of Frankford and East Allegheny Avenues in Kensington, waiting to cross the street. Police said a Toyota operated by Christopher Sorensen, 41, drove through the intersection at a high rate of speed, veered onto the curb and struck Cabrera head on before crashing into a parked car. Cabrera died at the scene. Sorensen remained hospitalized Friday and has been charged with narcotics offenses in the crash. Police said he is expected to be charged with Cabreras death once toxicology results are available and he is released from the hospital. READ MORE: Better bike lanes could have saved Barbara Friedes, advocates say The vigil Sunday, organized by advocacy groups Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Philly Bike Action and 5th Square, drew a few hundred participants who lined the bike lane along the south side of Spruce Street from around 18th to 20th Streets. Speakers called for more protections on Philadelphias streets. Friedes parents, John and Mary Dietrick, also were in attendance. Mary Dietrick offered a poignant remembrance: Just a week earlier, also on a Sunday morning, her daughter rode past a similar gathering of biking advocates on her way to work and rang a bell in support of them. Staff photographer David Maialetti contributed to this article. The First Baptist Church cemetery plot at the Mount Moriah Historic Cemetery and Arboretum in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Read more When construction of a new apartment building at 218 Arch St. began in late 2016, workers digging the foundation began uncovering loose skeletal remains. As construction continued into 2017, more and more remains were found until PMC Property Group, the developer, hired a professional archaeology firm to remove buried remains in the footprint of the new building. Philadelphia Orphans Court gave permission for a team at Rutgers University-Camden to study and analyze these colonial-era remains. Now, advocates are calling for new policies dealing with development on old burial grounds in the city. They are also awaiting the news of when nearly 500 remains exhumed during the construction of the new apartment building will be reburied. Advertisement Concerns over the handling of the First Baptist remains came at a time of broader scrutiny over how institutions treat human remains. The Mutter Museum faced criticism for holding onto remains of Native Americans, and the Penn Museum was also criticized for keeping the remains of a victim of the MOVE bombing and for its skull collection that had been amassed by Dr. Samuel George Morton, who espoused racist views. Here is a timeline of First Baptist Church and the discovery of the remains: 17th century 1698: First Baptist Church of Philadelphia was established near Second and Chestnut, just 16 years after William Penn established Philadelphia, making it one of the citys oldest churches. 18th century 1707: First Baptist moves to the site of a former Quaker meeting house on LaGrange Place, a small street, south of Second and Arch. The burial ground is behind the church, along the 200 block of Arch. 1793: Yellow Fever Epidemic kills 10 percent of the citys population. The city suffered additional yellow fever epidemics in 1797, 1798, and 1799. 19th century 1809: 13 Black American members of First Baptist petition to leave the church to form the First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia. It is believed that some Black members remained at First Baptist and may have been buried in the 2nd St. cemetery. 1855-1856: First Baptist grows in population and moves to Broad & Arch streets in 1855. Dedication at new church is in 1856. Advertisement December 1859: First Baptist received permission from citys Board of Health to relocate buried bodies from 2nd & Arch to Mount Moriah in Southwest Philadelphia. 1860: The church hired a company to move burials from its cemetery between January through March, in the dead of winter. 1860: The P. Herst & Son Felt Hat Manufactory builds two buildings atop the First Baptist property. 1874: P. Herst builds four more buildings at the site: a dye and boiler house, a storehouse, a building for drying and a building for stiffening and finishing hats. Advertisement 1874-1875: Little Boys Court (or Way), a cobblestone lane, was created as an extension of Mickles Court. Doug Mooney, president of the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum, is photographed on on Little Boys Court street on 218 Arch St. where he says there are still people buried beneath the narrow street probably one of few original cobblestone lanes in the city. Read more Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer 20th century 1900: First Baptist moves again to a new church to 17th & Sansom Streets. 1962-1965: All the industrial buildings at 2nd and Arch site are demolished and a ground parking lot covers the site. 21st century 2016: In September-October, a small group of scattered bones are unearthed when workers dig a foundation for the new PMC Property Group 10-story apartment building. The Inquirer reports on the bones Nov. 4. 18th century location of the First Baptist Church and its cemetery and the PMC Property Group excavation area. Read more Steve Madden February 2017: More bones are uncovered at construction site. March 2017: A group of volunteer scientists begin a rushed salvage excavation, recovering human remains while bulldozers dig into earth around them. Advertisement June 2017: Anonymous worker shows The Inquirer a photo of a human skull laying on the ground. Later, that month, after a second tip of scattered remains going to a landfill, PMC Property Group hires AECOM, a construction services archaeological firm to begin a professional removal of remain. July-September 2017: AECOM conducts formal excavation. July 2017: PMC Property Group formally petitions in Orphans Court for legal permission to remove human remains. August 2017: Orphans Court Judge Matthew Carrafiello issues decree authorizing removal of remains, transfer to Rutgers-Camden for scientific study. Says remains should be reburied by August 2020. Kimberlee Sue Moran, professor and director of forensics at Rutgers-Camden, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 with some of the unassociated artifacts that her small team of professionals, students and volunteers who carefully excavated along with the remains of nearly 500 people who were buried in the old First Baptist Church cemetery on Arch Street in Philadelphia (across from the Betsy Ross House). They were thought to had been moved to Mount Moriah Cemetery in West Philadelphia in 1860, but during a construction project in 2016, human remains were uncovered and it became apparent that the majority of individuals were not relocated in the 19th century. Read more Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer October 2017: AECOM files formal report of its excavation; reporting that AECOM recovered about remains of about 328 people, completed tally of remains found in March and June to a total of 407 remains. Loose bones indicate total of 491 remains of distinct individuals. July 2018: Judge Carrafiello issues decree requiring PMC Property Group to provide a detailed plan for rebury the remains, The court extends deadline to no later than Sept. 30, 2023. Advertisement January 2019: Philadelphia Archaeological Forum files notice with the court that the PMC Property Group did not comply with the deadline for filing firm arrangements with Mount Moriah cemetery June 2023: PMC, files request to the court for a final decree and permission to rebury the remains by Sept. 30, 2023. July 2023: The PAF, the forum files a court complaint that Rutgers had not complied with courts June 9, 2018 decree on how to treat the remains by sending samples to other universities and labs without express permission from the court. Aug. 23, 2023: Judge denies PMC Property Group permission to rebury remains, noting the apartment developer did not submit signed agreements with the cemetery. He also said PMC and Rutgers did not follow his 2018 order in how to handle the remains. Oct. 18, 2023: PMC Property Group files new court document seeking final decree to rebury the remains. This time, the filing includes signed documents from Mount Moriah Cemetery and the current First Baptist Church that they approve the plans. Includes letter from Mount Moriah that there is space set aside for the reburial at the cemetery. Nov. 30, 2023: Judge issues final decree, permitting the reburial of the remains. Tells PMC it must issue public notices of reburial dates. Dec. 15, 2023: PMC Property publishes a legal notice that it will rebury remains in January 2024. January 2024: Burial is delayed after an archaeologist from AECOM notified PMC that it had not ordered the proper vault for reburial. May 2024: A scientist involved in the research projects says the remains may be reburied this summer. Kimberlee Sue Moran, professor and director of forensics at Rutgers-Camden, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 with boxes containing the carefully stored remains of nearly 500 people who were buried in the old First Baptist Church cemetery on Arch Street in Philadelphia (across from the Betsy Ross House). They were thought to had been moved to Mount Moriah Cemetery in West Philadelphia in 1860, but during a construction project in 2016, human remains were uncovered and it became apparent that the majority of individuals were not relocated in the 19th century. Philadelphia Orphan's Court has granted permission for reinterment. Read more Israel Morris was 25 years old when he died on Dec. 9, 1754. He was buried in the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia cemetery, at Second and Arch, just across the street from where Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. Advertisement Today, Israel Morris remains, along with those of nearly 500 other Philadelphians, are stored in a climate-controlled basement in Camden, waiting for a final resting place again. The saga over how those bones have been treated began when a small snarl of loose skeletal remains was first unearthed in the fall of 2016. Thats when workers began digging to lay a foundation for a new, 10-story luxury apartment building, now completed and known as 218 Arch. Over the last seven years, the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum, a nonprofit group of archaeologists who advocate for more respectful treatment of remains buried in historic or forgotten cemeteries all over the city, and Mark Zecca, a former city lawyer with a passion for historic preservation, have wrangled in Philadelphia Orphans Court over the handling of the remains with PMC Property Group, the apartment developer, and Rutgers University-Camden, which has led research on the remains. The court case has been resolved but delays remain because the protocols for burial have not been completed. Concerns about the exhumed graves come at a time of broader scrutiny over institutions and how they treat human remains. The Mutter Museum faced criticism for holding on to remains of Native Americans, and Penn Museum was criticized for its skull collection and using the remains of a MOVE bombing victim in anthropology classes. The discovery has raised questions about how Philadelphia officials interpret and enforce existing laws concerning old burial grounds throughout the city. It has prompted discussions on whether stronger laws are needed. And the legal entanglements have caused many to ponder what it means when Philadelphias colonial-era history, its most famous industry, comes face-to-face with a city eager for 21st-century development. All I know is that I want to put these people back in the ground, said Kimberlee Sue Moran, an associate teaching professor and director of forensics at Rutgers University-Camden, whose team has been analyzing the remains since 2017. READ MORE: Old bones found - and nobody's in charge How should the city treat human remains, and what does the law say? The remains found were initially to be moved by the First Baptist Church in 1860 about the time the church relocated to Broad and Arch Streets. The church is now at 17th and Sansom Streets with a small congregation and has not taken an active role in the case. The Rev. James Williams, the current pastor, has not responded for requests to comment. The discovery of the remains has revealed sharp divisions between private archeologists and the city. The city is enabling developers in this situation to destroy an irreplaceable aspect of Philadelphia history, Douglas B. Mooney, president of the archaeological forum, told The Inquirer. Mooney, appointed by then-Mayor James Kenney, was a member of the citys Historic Preservation Task Force at the time of the discovery of the cemetery but is currently not a member. What theyre trying to do is theyre trying to not upset developers. The developers run the show in Philadelphia, and the mayor and others dont want to upset them. When the first small group of bones was unearthed in the fall of 2016, a tipster called police. The Medical Examiners office determined the remains historical and not victims of a homicide. Construction continued. The city is enabling developers in this situation to destroy an irreplaceable aspect of Philadelphia history. Douglas B. Mooney More bones were found in February 2017, leading to a chaotic, haphazard, two-week exhumation by volunteer scientists in March. When even more remains were found three months later, PMC Property Group hired AECOM, a private, professional archaeological firm, to excavate hundreds more remains, including many in coffins, between July and September. AECOM produced a report about its work for PMC that detailed how burials were stacked on top of each other, with 18th-century burials found deep below 19th-century graves. It is AECOMs interpretation of the evidence presented that the individuals responsible for the historical relocation of the FBCP Cemetery were either unaware of the presence of deeper graves below the 19th-century burials or were disinclined to exert the massive effort required to retrieve them using only the hand excavation tools that were available at the time, the report said. PMC filed AECOMs report with Orphans Court as part of the public record of the case. All along, historic preservation advocates had been urging city officials to order construction halted so that a larger archaeological survey could be done. The Philadelphia Archaeological Forum, which has researched historic burial grounds around the city, and Zecca, a former city lawyer with experience at both the Philadelphia Historical Commission and the Department of Licenses and Inspections, asked city officials to take action. The city chose to allow construction to continue. READ MORE: More bones reported at Arch Street site; city declines to halt construction In 2017, witnesses told The Inquirer that some of the First Baptist bones were taken to a landfill in Conshohocken, a claim that PMC has denied. Mooney and Rutgers researchers disagree, citing the volume of soil removed before the archeological excavation began in 2017. Philadelphia officials at that time argued that the city could not stop construction because the cemetery was no longer an active cemetery and the land was private property. The only time the city is compelled to get involved in a matter like this is if city property is involved or a public facility, then-city attorney Leonard F. Reuter told the court at the time, during a hearing to permit PMC to remove the bodies and bring them to Rutgers while both construction and the dig were occuring. The issue is not whether the city has the authority, but rather whether the city decides to use the authority. Mark Zecca Reuter also said no laws governed a situation where a cemetery was believed to have been relocated more than 150 years earlier. In a recent email, a spokesperson for the citys legal department said that the city still continues to hold that position today. PMC Property Group has maintained in court filings that it has always treated the remains with respect. Neither Courtney Schultz, the lawyer for PMC, nor representatives from the developer responded to emails. A standoff remains between Mooney and Zecca against the city over whether the city can stop developers from digging up old cemeteries. The citys position is that if its not an active cemetery and is on private property, current laws dont apply. Zecca spent 20 years in the citys law department, once served as counsel to the historical commission, headed code enforcement, and gave legal advice to the citys Department of Licenses and Inspection. L&I absolutely has authority to protect human remains during construction, Zecca said recently. The issue is not whether the city has the authority, but rather whether the city decides to use the authority. Solutions for respecting history and allowing development Mooney, the archeological forums president, said the city has been dealing with the issue of the haphazard handling of human graves at construction sites for hundreds of years. The Philadelphia Archaeological Forum believes one way to prevent future accidental disturbance of old grave sites is to consult the forums online burial ground database map that shows the locations of dozens of cemeteries and burial grounds around the city, from West Philadelphia to Germantown, North Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Kensington, and Frankford. Ideally, the city should pass an ordinance that requires any new construction managers to consult our map and determine whether theres a chance theres an old cemetery that could be disturbed by any proposed new construction, Mooney said. He said if a cemetery falls within a new development, the city should require the developer to take all appropriate steps to make sure none of those burials is disturbed. If that cant be avoided, then a developer should have them respectfully relocated to a new burial location. We believe these are fellow Philadelphians, when they died, in all good faith they were laid to rest, not to be disturbed in the future, Mooney said. " Yet they are constantly being disturbed. The citys law department, in a recent email, said Mooney and others are asking the mayors office to change its policies, which is not its role. This is a question for City Council. READ MORE: Race on to excavate huge number of historic graves found on building site What did Rutgers-led research find There are the remains of 491 people stored in boxes in Camden. Some are partial, others whole. Moran, of Rutgers, and scientists from the Mutter Museum Research Institute and experts at other universities have been conducting research on the diseases that afflicted the 18th- and 19th-century Philadelphians found at the burial site and what the burial customs can tell us about the social classes of those buried at First Baptist. It could be that this was one of the first church cemeteries to be truly integrated. Kimberlee Sue Moran Moran said, for the most part, the majority of the people buried were from the United Kingdom, many from Wales. She said it did appear that some of those buried may have had African ancestry. But DNA testing would is needed and will be done. It could be that this was one of the first church cemeteries to be truly integrated, she said. The scientists catalogued headstones and studied burial customs, examining the style of caskets and whether the deceased were buried in shrouds or clothing. As for the debates in court about how the remains should be treated, Moran said: I definitely agree we need to have better laws and better regulations to make it very clear what researchers can and cannot do. Anna Dhody, then a curator at the Mutter Museum Research Institute, took part in a volunteer effort by scientists to recover as many remains as possible in a two-week period in March 2017. These are our ancestors. This is our history, she told The Inquirer at the time. We can learn so much from these bones about the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, the cholera epidemic of 1849. Dhody, who did not respond to recent requests for comment, has a website about her research. In addition to learning about diseases that affected early Philadelphians, scientists said, the bones, paired with historical records, could also shed light on what everyday life was like in Colonial Philadelphia. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have the time to spend with [researching] all of these individuals from our past, said Moran, at Rutgers-Camden. The researchers studied bones, teeth, and any remaining tissue that may reveal biomarkers of Alzheimers, the immune responses to diseases, and other conditions. Moran said information gathered from the study has been stored in databases and will continue to be used for research for years to come. She said every sample of tissue or bone, and every textile or funerary object has been reunited with the proper remains, except for small bone segments that were destroyed by DNA sampling. Scientists have not yet determined what killed 25-year-old Israel Morris. The studies by Moran, Dhody, and other scientists can be found at the Arch Street Project (archstbones.org). When will the remains be buried? Officials at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Southwest Philadelphia, through the courts, have notified property owner PMC that there is space within Section 112, a section devoted to First Baptist, where some of the church members remains were relocated in 1860. Now, the grounds at Mount Moriah are simply waiting for the church members whose remains were discovered during the apartment construction. It is now up to PMC, guided by AECOM, to decide when the remains will be moved to Mount Moriah. An attorney for PMC has not responded to emails with a definitive date on when the remains will be reburied. Judge Matthew D. Carrafiellos court order required PMC to issue legal notices at least two weeks before it plans to rebury the First Baptist remains. Last Monday, Zecca checked those notices and wrote in an email to The Inquirer that : .. the only notice I see is the one announcing a planned reinterment for January 19, 2024, that did not happen. Also, the developer has not filed any notice with the court stating that reinterment has happened, which the developer is required to do (pursuant to the last court decree) after the developer completes reinterment. " Moran, of Rutgers, said she was hopeful for a summer reburial. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art This is a portrait of Samuel Miles, former Mayor of Philadelphia and American Revolutionary War general, painted by Gilbert Stuart circa 1800. Read more Andrea Miles remembers how she first learned that archaeologists had recovered the remains of hundreds of people buried in a 310-year-old cemetery in Old City. It was in the middle of the night, in October 2017, and Miles wasnt able to sleep. Advertisement She went online and saw an Inquirer story that the graves of nearly 400 people had been exhumed from the historic cemetery of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. The graves, from the 1700s and 1800s, were unearthed during construction of a 10-story apartment building at 218 Arch St. The property had been a burial ground between 1707 and 1860. When First Baptist Church moved from Old City to Broad and Arch in 1855, officials arranged to have the burials at Second and Arch transferred to Mount Moriah Cemetery in Southwest Philadelphia in 1860. I sat straight up in my bed when I realized the location, Andrea Miles recalled. Miles wondered: Was it possible the mystery of why she had not been able to find the grave of Col. Samuel Miles, her seventh great-grandfather that was supposed to have been relocated to Mount Moriah Cemetery in Southwest Philadelphia could have been solved? Col. Samuel Miles was a Philadelphia mayor and an American Revolutionary War officer who corresponded with George Washington. He also was a deacon at First Baptist Church. I knew that was the church that he was affiliated with, and I started crying, said Andrea, who lives in State College. And to find out that it [the church cemetery] was just bulldozed it was devastating. READ MORE: Bones from 407 human skeletons tallied in court report on Arch Street building site READ MORE: Race on to excavate huge number of historic graves found on building site A family focus on genealogy For years, Andrea Miles and her father were on a mission to visit the gravesites of all of their great-grandfathers, including Samuel Miles, who was born in Whitemarsh Township in 1739 and died in 1805. My father was into genealogy and had hoped to visit every one of his grandfathers graves, all the way to Col. Samuel Miles, said Andrea Miles. We found the graves of all the Miles grandfathers, except the colonels. So, in 2008, Miles and her parents, Floyd and Naomi Miles, from Coalport, traveled to Philadelphia to Mount Moriah in search of their Revolutionary War officer ancestor. There is a First Baptist section at Mount Moriah, but all the Miles family found on their visit were knee-high weeds and frustration. They never found Col. Miles grave. Who was Col. Samuel Miles? Samuel Miles was not only Philadelphias 46th mayor, from 1790 to 1791, and an American Revolutionary War officer, he was a businessman and a University of Pennsylvania trustee. Miles fought in the French and Indian War in his teens and was promoted to captain before he turned 20. He was a colonel at the start of the American Revolution. During the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, Miles was captured by the British. While imprisoned, he was promoted to brigadier general of Pennsylvania regiments and was released in a prisoner exchange in 1778. In business, Miles co-founded a sugar refinery on Vine Street in 1783. He joined Philadelphia banker Robert Morris in financing the voyage of the Empress of China, to Canton in 1784, the first time an American vessel would trade with China. Morris was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and as the story goes, went with George Washington to ask Betsy Ross to sew the first American flag. In 1791, Miles co-founded the Centre Furnace iron works in State College and later started another iron works at Harmony Forge, an area that became known as Milesburg. Letters between Samuel Miles and George Washington are preserved at the National Archives in Washington and at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia. Today, however, Andrea Miles is still not sure where the colonel is buried. A trip to Rutgers-Camden Andrea Miles visited Rutgers-Camden in late 2017, where forensics professor Kimberlee Sue Moran and her team were studying the First Baptist Cemetery remains. The research is called the Arch Street Project. Floyd Miles health was failing by this time. He died in 2019, at age 90, aware that the uncovered First Baptist graves might provide answers about Samuel. Prior to the Rutgers visit, Andrea had written to Moran, saying her family would donate DNA samples to help identify the colonel. She also told Moran that Samuel Miles had been shot in the foot during the war and hoped that knowledge of that injury could also help. So far, Moran said, researchers have not yet discovered Samuel. Im hopeful if anybody is going to find the answer, its going to be Kimberlee [ Moran], Andrea said. Im so impressed with her and the team and the respect and dignity they put into this project. My father was one of 12 siblings, Andrea added. This is something that our whole family has been involved in. There are hundreds of cousins, and we all wonder and long for the day we know where he is. Kimberlee Sue Moran, professor and director of forensics at Rutgers-Camden, with boxes containing the carefully stored remains of nearly 500 people who were buried in the old First Baptist Church cemetery on Arch Street in Philadelphia in February. Read more Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter Hi, Philly, its Sunday once again. It should be mostly sunny, and were feeling the heat with temps near 91. What happens to the remains of Philadelphians when they are moved to make room for construction? Our main read explores the complexities involved when the citys colonial-era history and its modern development interests clash, all while the exhumed bones wait for a final resting place. Advertisement Paola Perez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Bones were discovered after workers broke ground to build luxury units at Second and Arch Streets in Philadelphia in the fall of 2016. Construction continued after the Medical Examiners Office determined the remains were historical. Then more graves were found in February 2017. The remains belonged to nearly 500 Philadelphians, buried in the 18th century at what was once Phillys old First Baptist Church cemetery. Today, the site is known as the 218 Arch apartment building. Meanwhile, the bones are stored in a climate-controlled basement in Camden, waiting for a final resting place again. These events didnt just unearth the historical remains of Philadelphians of the past. They also revealed sharp divisions between private archeologists and the city. Take the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum, a nonprofit group of archaeologists who advocate for more respectful treatment of remains buried in historic or forgotten cemeteries all over the city. They have gone to court over the handling of exhumed graves, but progress is delayed due to a lack of protocols for burial. Continue reading for more on questions surrounding developers responsibilities, and how city officials interpret and enforce laws concerning old burial grounds. What you should know today Philadelphias lack of public restrooms really stinks. So when word spread about a pilot program bringing public bathrooms to the city, it was a pretty huge deal. People were so excited that they even participated in a potty poll to name the toilets. The winner: Philly Phlush. One year later, Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr gave herself what she termed a crappy assignment to follow up on the state of the loos, but for good reasons. In her own words: Because I want these bathrooms to succeed, because the U.S. is way behind Europe in providing access to public restrooms, and because if Philadelphia cant meet peoples basic human needs, how can we expect to meet the more complicated ones? In Farrs update, she found that while there were supposed to be three model bathrooms up and running by now, there are only two. This clog in the rollout concerns her about the future of this public bathroom project. Get in the stall with Farr for her firsthand account on the state of the bathrooms, and what may be next. Pop quiz Outdoorsy readers get Brownie points on this one. In this weeks newsletter, we explored the Pine Barrens, a forestland with hiking trails, water recreation, stellar views and good food. We cant forget the food. Which famous foodie visited a local diner there in 2015? A) Bobby Flay B) Gordon Ramsay C) Anthony Bourdain D) Guy Fieri Think you know? Check your answer. Unscramble the anagram Hint: This group of quirky, lesser-known Phillies mascots have no problem pushing, pecking, or eating anyone who gets in their way of defending the Phanatics honor. GOG GAP LASAGNA Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Lisa Eizen who correctly guessed Fridays answer: Kennett Square. Thanks to a $50,000 grant, Kennett Squares Fussell House will be rehabbed as an education center. The house was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Photo of the day Todays Sunday track goes like this: God, its brutal out here. If that aint the truth, Olivia. Sincerely, an unapologetic elder millennial fan. Philly fans brought their unique flair to Olivia Rodrigos Guts Tour stop at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday. The rest of us can live vicariously through pop critic Dan DeLucas experience of the highly anticipated and terrifically entertaining performance. Thanks for starting your morning with The Inquirer. Have a great rest of your day. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala arrive onstage in the gym at Girard College Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Biden announced Sunday he would withdraw from the presidential race and then endorsed Harris. Read more President Joe Bidens decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race begins a process that has not occurred in American politics in more than five decades: The presidential nominee will now be chosen by delegates to the Democratic National Convention without the result predetermined by a year of primary votes. In a statement Sunday, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said the party would provide details soon on next steps. But heres what we know so far about how this process will go: When is the DNC? The convention is scheduled to take place Aug. 19 through Aug. 22 in Chicago. Whats the difference between delegates and superdelegates? Delegates are considered pledged to certain candidates. While theyre presumed to support the candidate theyre pledged to, they arent technically required to do so. There are 3,934 of these delegates, most of whom were pledged to Biden before this week. Advertisement On the other hand, superdelegates are considered unpledged or automatic, who are technically not committed to any candidate, regardless of the primary results. Superdelegates include federal elected officials, governors, party leaders or former leaders, and DNC committee members. Pledged delegates vote on the nominee at the convention, and if the majority doesnt decide on a nominee, superdelegates join in to vote in a second round, and any further rounds. There will be 3,949 delegates this year, which means a nominee will require 1,975 votes to win the first round. There will be nearly 4,700 delegates this year when superdelegates are included. How are delegates chosen? Delegates are elected in primaries or caucuses at the state level. They are typically party activists, political leaders, or early supporters of a candidate. How many delegates are in Pa.? Pennsylvania will send 159 delegates to the DNC. All of them were committed to Biden before his withdrawal. Do delegates still have to support Biden? According to DNC rules, delegates are pledged to vote for the nominee their district chose in the primary election in good conscience. But Bidens exit from the race changes those dynamics, leaving delegates bound only to attempt to reflect the desires of the voters who chose them. The vast majority of the 4,700 delegates are pledged to Biden. But just over two dozen are uncommitted following a protest movement against his administrations policies in Israel. Who did Biden endorse to replace him, and are they guaranteed the nomination? Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new nominee. But DNC rules do not allow him to pass his delegates onto her. And that endorsement does not guarantee another candidate wont enter the race. Following Bidens announcement, Harrison, the DNC chair, focused on the process, but stopped short of declaring support for Harris. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November, Harrison said. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, noted that the delegates bound to Biden were specifically picked because of their loyalty to the president. These people are going to pay a lot of attention to what the president wants them to do, he said. How will Democrats choose a new nominee? According to DNC rules, any nominations for presidential candidates must be submitted by 6 p.m. the day before nomination votes are scheduled to take place. Those nominations must be accompanied by a petition signed by at least 300 delegates, but no more than 600. During the nomination day itself, each candidate would be allotted 20 minutes for the individuals nominating them to speak on their behalf before a public roll call vote. Democrats had initially planned to hold a virtual nomination this month, but the party delayed that vote until at least August after pressure from congressional Democrats. The party could move forward with that process without Biden or it could wait until its convention begins in Chicago. Its possible Harris will be the only nominee. If there are others, a more extensive voting process will occur. In order to be awarded the nomination, a candidate must have a majority of delegates. If no candidate has a majority of delegates, then a second vote will take place. Superdelegates can begin voting if it goes to a second ballot. That process will continue until one candidate has amassed a majority of votes. The same process would repeat for a vice presidential candidate. Getting delegates to vote for you is not as simple as being the only person left in the room. You have to actually get to those delegates or get surrogates to those delegates and talk to them, TJ Deluca, a DNC delegate from Delaware County, said in an interview last week. Deluca said last week he expected there would be a lot of confusion at the convention, but also a lot of people ready and willing to step forward to help. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and ally of former President Donald Trump, has warned that Democrats efforts to replace Biden as the nominee could set off lawsuits, which some conservatives have threatened. Kevin Greenberg, an election lawyer who is a DNC delegate for the 3rd Congressional District in Philadelphia, said hes not at all concerned about legal challenges because conventions are meant to establish the nominee for the ballot in all 50 states. Historically, primaries havent always played a part in the process. This is how it works, this is how its supposed to work, and it will work how its supposed to, said Greenberg, who plans to vote for Harris as the presidential nominee. How would a vice presidential nominee be chosen? The vice presidential nomination takes place in a separate vote at the convention than the president. Typically, the already-chosen vice president is ratified at the convention. Harris could choose a potential running mate, but delegates are not bound to accept that choice at the convention. What happened at the 1968 Democratic National convention? Until the 1970s, presidential candidates were nominated in conventions. That changed after the brokered 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the ensuing riot. The Democratic Party changed its rules after that convention, requiring delegates to represent the presidential preferences of those voters who chose them. This years convention will be the first test of the Democratic Partys rules for picking a candidate during a convention since that change in 1972. Deluca, the delegate, said the new rules were designed to be transparent and force candidates to campaign for the votes of DNC delegates. There are no smoke-filled back rooms anymore, and its not just because they banned smoking inside, he said. What will happen to Bidens campaign money? Campaign finance experts generally agree that if Harris is the nominee, she could take on Bidens campaign chest since it was also set up in her name. His campaign recently reported $91 million cash on hand, and combined with allied Democratic campaign committees, he had access to more than $240 million. Following his announcement Sunday, Bidens campaign wasted no time passing his war chest to his vice president. His campaign committee changed its name to Harris for President shortly before 5 p.m. on Sunday, and moments later, Biden sent out a campaign email urging his supporters to donate to Harris campaign for president. Party accounts can still support the nominee if Democrats nominate someone other than Harris, but the Biden-Harris account would have more restrictions. Legal experts say the Biden-Harris account could become an independent expenditure political action committee, but could not just transfer its balance directly to a new nominee. Functioning as an independent expenditure committee has downsides, like not being able to coordinate with the campaign about messaging, according to Greenberg. Becker, with the Center for Election Administration and Research, said the campaign could also transfer the funds directly to the Democratic National Committee or to an existing PAC. What will Pennsylvania delegates do? Pennsylvanias delegates voted unanimously Monday to endorse Harris as the partys nominee for president. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with press along with Vice President Kamala Harris during their visit to Little Thai Market at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia on July 13. Read more Top Democrats in Pennsylvania are pushing for Gov. Josh Shapiro to be the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race. Shapiro, 51, is a first-term Democratic governor in a critical battleground state that has become key to Democratic victory in November. The former state attorney general and Abington native is a polished communicator who has built up a political brand of bipartisanship and has earned praise from within his own party, as well as from some Republicans. And hes long been rumored to have national political ambitions. Advertisement Shapiro is Pennsylvanias most popular first-term governor in more than 20 years, according to recent polls, which also show that he has appeal among former President Donald Trumps voters. However, there are limitations to how much a vice presidential candidate can sway voters and some question whether hed be the best person to balance out the Democratic ticket. Shapiro endorsed Harris for president in a statement Sunday and said hes spoken to both Biden and Harris about the campaign shake-up. While he hasnt acknowledged having any vice presidential ambitions, several top Democratic insiders, delegates and fundraisers said they will go to the mat for Shapiro to be the VP pick because theyre optimistic he could help defeat Trump in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Democratic Party chairman Bob Brady said Shapiro is on the short list and hell be advocating for him to anyone who will listen. I am telling them, without question, [Shapiro] would make them proud, Brady said. He would do a great job, he would lock in Pennsylvania. Hes a great speaker, and he would be a great addition to the ticket. He is one of several people under consideration, according to news reports and conversations with donors and Biden allies. Other politicians top Democrats are considering as a vice presidential pick include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Alan Kessler of Philadelphia, a prominent fundraiser for Biden, dismissed the notion that interest in Shapiro could be limited to Pennsylvania, saying hes heard from national donors who are aware of the states importance. Look, you see that the battleground map has expanded somewhat in the last few weeks but it begins and ends with Pennsylvania, Kessler said. At least two Philly delegates to the Democratic National Committee Convention next month said theyd be advocating for Shapiro as vice president, citing his emphasis on bipartisanship. Shapiros record as governor The only governor in the country who works with a divided legislature, Shapiro has spent decades building his political profile as a moderate Democrat willing to work across the aisle. He previously served as a state representative and Montgomery County commissioner before ascending to the roles of attorney general and governor. Shapiro has also attracted positive national attention as governor, most notably for overseeing the quick repairs on Interstate 95 after a portion of the highway collapsed last year in Philadelphia. He stepped into the national spotlight again last week, speaking about the Pennsylvania man who was killed at Trumps rally in Butler, Pa. And hes been a key surrogate for Biden and Democrats nationwide. I definitely think Vice President Harris should choose Gov. Shapiro, said House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia), the top Democrat in the state House. She applauded his leadership securing major investments into public education as part of the latest state budget deal. McClinton said she thinks putting Shapiro on the ticket with Harris would have a positive down-ballot impact for Democrats, who hold a one-seat majority in the state House that they are hoping to expand it in November. Shapiro has also had some political stumbles. In his first year, he burned some of his Republican allies when he helped design a school voucher program with them, but then decided to veto it, lacking support from Democrats. His top legislative liaison to the state legislature, Mike Vereb, resigned last year, following the circulation of a sexual harassment complaint against him. Vereb, a former Republican state representative and longtime Shapiro ally, was allowed to stay in the job for several months until he resigned. Shapiros office settled with Verebs accuser for $295,000. Hes obviously really good at public relations and he is as politically ambitious as anybody Ive ever seen, but his record is tarnished, said Charlie Gerow, a Republican consultant. Shapiro is Pennsylvanias third Jewish governor, and has been a staunch supporter of Israel and a leading voice condemning antisemitism since Israels war with Gaza began last fall. His outspoken support for Israel could be seen as both a pro and a con to those vetting vice presidential candidates. The United States has never had a Jewish president or vice president, and Democrats need to work to motivate Democratic voters who had been critical of the Biden-Harris administrations position on the war in Gaza. Shapiro could continue as Pennsylvanias governor while running on the top of the ticket, if he is chosen. He would not have to resign unless he is elected, after which Lt. Gov. Austin Davis would take his place. The national buzz around Shapiro Speculation surrounding Shapiro started after Bidens disastrous debate performance last month, when he was named as a potential candidate to replace the president on the ticket in November. Shapiro was included in polls as an option for the top of the ticket, and more recently, as a running mate alongside Harris. He closed the door on any presidential nominee speculation with his endorsement of Harris. Shapiro, who is widely known to have national political ambitions, offered no indication in recent weeks that he was entertaining the rumors and had doubled down on his support of Biden as the nominee. Harris and Shapiro have some commonalities. They were often on the trail together in hugely consequential Pennsylvania in both 2020 and 2024, including as recently as last week, when they visited Reading Terminal Market together to campaign for Biden. Both are former prosecutors, and one of Harriss former top staff members, Erin Wilson, is a Pennsylvania native who worked at both the state party and for Sen. Bob Casey. In his endorsement of Harris, Shapiro noted their similar political paths. Ive known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades weve both been prosecutors, weve both stood up for the rule of law, weve both fought for the people and delivered results, Shapiro said in a statement. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support. Democratic strategist Sean Coit, who formerly worked for Sen. Chris Coons (D. Del.), a longtime ally of Biden, said Shapiros commanding win in Pennsylvania in 2022 and his ability to speak forcefully about the economy and protecting democracy make him the best option. Hes also someone who Democrats in D.C. and donors around the country have viewed as a future president for years now, Coit said. Plus a former prosecutor and a former Attorney General strikes me as a good ticket when the competition is a convicted felon. Berwood Yost, who leads Franklin and Marshall Colleges poll, said Shapiro would be a natural fit for the job. Harris is perceived to be more progressive, he said, while Shapiro is seen as a moderate and is popular in a critical battleground state. He would be among a number of ideal candidates, Yost said. Why he would want the job? I dont know. Shapiro said in a statement Sunday he will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris. But it was not clear whether he is advocating behind the scenes to be Harriss running mate or if hes just watching the buzz around the possibility. Shapiro, a father of four, is known to be a methodical politician and entering this unprecedented cycle would mean running with the shortest window in presidential election history. Joining the ticket and losing could tarnish his chances looking ahead to 2028. But a win puts him second in line for the presidency. McClinton said she spoke with Shapiro about her support for him as a vice presidential pick, but declined to elaborate on their conversation. Im sure he would want it, Brady, the city party chair, said, adding he had not spoken to Shapiro directly on the matter. Why would you deny being the vice president? Vice President Kamala Harris greets audience members as she arrives at the Finishing Trades Institute in Philadelphia in August 2023. Local Democrats began to coalesce around Harris Sunday after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. Read more Top Democrats in the Philadelphia region endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the partys presidential nominee Sunday and urged their colleagues to quickly do the same. Party leaders and other allies of President Joe Biden announced their support for Harris shortly after Biden dropped his bid for reelection and endorsed his vice president for the job, saying the party must swiftly anoint a candidate with just four months until Election Day. Advertisement State Sen. Sharif Street, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, endorsed Harris and said he expects the state party to formally do so in the coming days, a sign Harris already has significant support among Democrats in a critical battleground state. I have not heard from one delegate who said that he or she would not be supporting Vice President Harris, Street said. Still, the fate of the Democratic nomination remained in flux Sunday. While Bidens endorsement carries enormous weight, it does not guarantee the nomination for Harris, and she could, in theory, be challenged by other Democrats. Some top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, released statements Sunday praising Bidens decision, but did not make an endorsement. A faction of party activists have advocated for what amounts to a miniature primary, in which multiple candidates would campaign for support from delegates, who would vote for a nominee at the partys convention next month. Harris said in a statement she intends to earn and win this nomination. READ MORE: Biden dropped out of the race. How will Democrats pick a nominee? Pennsylvanias elected Democrats largely stood by Biden in recent weeks, and the resounding response on Sunday was that they would now back Harris as the candidate to face former President Donald Trump in November. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat whose name had been floated as a potential presidential contender, endorsed her Sunday, as did U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, most of the Democratic congressional delegation, and Philadelphia Democratic Party chair Bob Brady, a former congressman. U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democrat who represents parts of Philadelphia and Delaware County, said in a statement that Harris is uniquely qualified to continue this administrations important work, to restore the guardrails of our democratic republic, and to defeat Donald Trump again. And State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, a Philadelphia Democrat who has campaigned across the country with Biden and leads a presidential advisory commission, said that while hes heartbroken Biden stepped aside, no Democrat should be pushing for an open convention. [Biden]s given us our marching orders to rally around her, Kenyatta said. And we are going to rally around her. Harris candidacy infused an enthusiasm and excitement Political strategists and observers said Bidens departure could give Democrats the opportunity to reset a presidential race that most polls showed they were losing if they can pick a candidate soon. Republicans are largely united behind Trump, evidenced at last weeks Republican National Convention, where there was little dissension. If [Democrats] can quickly consolidate around a candidate and sort of unify the party, this is a complete reset of the race, said Berwood Yost, director of the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin and Marshall College. Its still a risk. Its a huge risk. READ MORE: Read President Joe Bidens full letter ending his reelection campaign Gianni Hill, a Democratic consultant and a party delegate from Philadelphia, said Harris could take over Bidens campaign infrastructure and absorb his coalition, saying it would be political malpractice for the party to nominate anyone else at the top of the ticket. In a call on Sunday, Biden campaign manager Jen OMalley Dillon told Biden staff from around the nation that all staffers will keep their jobs and go on to work for the Harris campaign if she becomes the nominee. The Biden campaign currently has more than 200 people on staff in Pennsylvania. While some Democrats in the state called it a sad day for Biden, there was enthusiasm surrounding Harris. Alan Kessler, a fundraiser for Biden from Philadelphia, said he was already getting calls Sunday from people who wanted to donate to help Harris win. A variety of different phones are blowing up, Kessler said. It really infused an enthusiasm and excitement. Things had just gotten so dreary. This is a shot in the arm. Still, some delegates were undecided Sunday. T.J. Deluca, a delegate from Delaware County, pointed out that DNC rules require delegates to support the wishes of the voters who elected them in all good conscience. This means that I should personally take the time to listen to my, albeit temporary, constituents and do my best to listen to their thoughts and feelings and vote as a reflection of them, DeLuca said, because thats how we keep it a democratic process. A historic candidacy with some vulnerabilities Harris supporters noted the historic nature of her candidacy she would be the first woman of color to ever be the presidential nominee of a major political party and the potential for her to be the first female president in American history. Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, has throughout her time as vice president credited her mother and generations of women before her for paving the way for her historic career. She would be the first Asian American president and first Black woman to hold the role if elected. Her candidacy is historic, said U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, a Democrat who represents parts of South Jersey and is the partys nominee for U.S. Senate, not just the opportunity to elect the first woman, the first AAPI President, and a Black woman, but to continue on the incredible progress weve started. He added: The time to unify is now. Harris is widely seen as someone who could help Democrats recapture parts of the coalition that have eroded recently, including young people and voters of color. She has also been the administrations go-to person attacking abortion bans nationwide, an issue that could be particularly motivating for female voters. But Harris, who has faced sexist and racist attacks throughout her career, will now have to contend with a GOP who has readied for the possibility she will become the nominee. At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week, speakers blasted her as a protector of Biden, to the detriment of the country, and called her Bidens border czar, as they blamed her for immigrant crossings. And Republicans railed against Bidens decision on Sunday. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican who represents parts of central Pennsylvania and is a top Trump ally in the state, slammed Bidens decision as undemocratic in a statement. He said the Democratic Partys path forward amounts to working behind closed doors with no input from the voters. Meuser voted against the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Democrats also previewed how theyd present Harris as an alternative to Trump. U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, a Democrat who represents parts of Philadelphia, said he is all in for the vice president and that he looks forward to contrasting Harris, previously a prosecutor and state attorney general, with Trump, the first U.S. president to become a convicted criminal. Shell blow up Mr. Trump as a prosecutor, Brady added. Hell probably be too scared and wont debate her. I think shell do a great job, and well wholeheartedly be there for her. Inquirer staff writers Aliya Schneider, Fallon Roth, Gillian McGoldrick, and Rob Tornoe contributed reporting. Though The New York Times is this esteemed newspapers junior by a full decade, it must be conceded it may well have the edge on the Irish Examiner when it comes to spending power, in particular the depth of purse that allows its restaurant critic to dine on three separate occasions to truly get the measure of the establishment they are evaluating. A single dining experience ideally with at least one other guest; better again, three or four should always be sufficient for a decent critic to establish if a restaurant is good or not, whether a restaurant is hitting its own marks, but repeat visits will often clarify just how good the restaurant actually is and there are times when Id love another bite of the cherry, literally as well as metaphorically. Entirely by accident, it is precisely what I wind up doing at The Roadside Tavern (TRT) over a splendid weekend in the wonderful Clare village of Lisdoonvarna, where I first ventured in 1983, to attend the much-storied music festival in the year it descended into a chaos from which it never recovered though I departed with an abiding love of the town and hinterland. Work on the first day means I miss breakfast entirely and brunch has also clocked out by the time I turn to the belly. With a Michelin-starred evening at Homestead Cottage ahead, Im loath to tamper with appetite but my fingers are beginning to look far too tasty. Walking past TRT in mid-afternoon, I ask after a bowl of soup, anticipating something rustic, wholesome and healing, not least when I hear soup of the day is humble cauliflower. What arrives is certainly wholesome and also healing but youd never call this wonderfully executed veloute rustic; a silky cream, sublimely balancing flavours, it is utterly delicious, a delightful collision of sophistication and simplicity with good and, yep, rustic stout and treacle bread on the side. I never order soup in a restaurant; now I think regularly of returning to Lisdoon specifically for TRTs cauliflower soup. The following evening at the Burren Slow Food Festival Banquet in TRTs dining hall, the kitchen delivers a very smartly achieved fine dining menu of local produce, with tender, pink Burren lamb an especial triumph. By Sunday, trepidatious sunshine has turned into mini-heatwave and while the flag-stoned interior of the landmark traditional Irish pub, in situ since 1865, is a cool respite, were still squeezing several months of rain from our bones and are determined to sit outside until we overdose on vitamin D or desiccate entirely. A red ale brewed yards away in TRTs micro-brewery is a marvellous thirst-quencher with which to peruse the menu but, to be honest, my investigations are token and desultory, even bypassing very tasty sounding daily specials of fishermans pie or grilled lamb cutlets, for Ive my heart set on the house showstopper. The Ultimate Seafood Platter is served on a three-tiered stand more commonly used for traditional afternoon tea, a witty delivery for a seafood smorgasbord of exquisite bounty. On the ground floor are the cold dishes: Burren Smokehouse smoked salmon and smoked peppered mackerel along with four cracking Flaggy Shore oysters, all delightful. Then, on level two, crisp fried calamari neatly straddle the point of perfection between tender and chewy, either way, wildly and compulsively addictive. Whats more, they are surrounded by sinfully delicious crab claws smothered in a glistening rich sauce of garlic butter and white wine. Finally, on the top floor, succulent and deeply flavoursome crisp fried scampi are paired with fillets of battered fresh haddock, fried to a golden crunchy crisp, the pearl-white fish within cooked to immaculate perfection. Alongside is very good tartar sauce, garlic mayo, and excellent twice-cooked chunky chips. It is a mighty feast, and the Mermaid and I are in heaven for the next half hour. A lacklustre sauvignon blanc from an anaemic wine list fails to keep up its end of the bargain but that could be easily remedied and a half decent bottle to wash down this tower of marine magnificence in gorgeous North Clare sunshine would further enhance its credentials as one of the meals of the year so far. TRT has been in the Curtin family since 1893 but was leased to chef Peter Jackson, late of the Armada Hotel, in Spanish Point, who arrived with grand ambitions. However, fate had other ideas. After first making it crystal clear we have no issue whatsoever with offering a safe haven to refugees and asylum seekers, and that raising populations in rural Ireland is a good thing, state implementation of the process has never stretched beyond addressing the primary problem, invariably neglecting to consider possible negative impacts. Lisdoonvarnas population of around 900 has more than doubled since the beginning of the war in Ukraine which has meant losing most of the hotel beds in a town that has long relied on tourism, in turn putting a significant dent in Jacksons aspirations. Instead, he has had to revert to a casual menu of familiar mainstream dishes. To his credit, while the old faithfuls of Irish casual dining may be short on innovation, youll travel far and wide to match Jacksons impeccable delivery of same and, with those divine crab claws still in mind, its worth remembering the overly familiar can still be truly fabulous. The Verdict For Laura Weber, the Dublin-born fashion designer based in New York City, embroidering Dr Jill Bidens outfit for her husbands presidential inauguration in 2021 was just another day. I knew it was for Dr Biden, she smiles via Zoom from her home in Manhattan. But it didnt make a difference to me because I didnt know how big a deal it would be. The ivory coat and silk wool cady dress, which had been designed by Gabriela Hearst, had been hand-embroidered by Weber to contain the State flower of each of the 50 US states and territories as well as a quote by Benjamin Franklin on the inner lining: Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. Like many of the high-profile outfits Weber has worked on since her move to New York some 11 years ago, it involved a last-minute change. Originally, it was supposed to be navy. But it was changed at the last minute, because the Capital riot had just happened and Dr Biden wanted to symbolise peace. We had a week to change it. We tried to get to [Washington] DC for a fitting, but no one was allowed in or out, so we ended up doing a remote fitting. The outfit which New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman lauded at the time by simply tweeting Boom today joins the most celebrated outfits of First Ladies gone by in the Smithsonians First Ladies Collection: an archive comprising of more than 1,000 pieces of clothing, accessories, and other personal ephemera of every First Lady going all the way back to Martha Washington. The archive, displayed in Washington DCs National Museum of American History under the title Changing Times, Changing First Ladies, features Mary Lincolns 1861 purple velvet hoop skirt and bodice by African-American dressmaker Elizabeth Keckly; Jacqueline Kennedys 1961 yellow silk state dinner dress, designed by Oleg Cassini; and Michelle Obamas one-shoulder 2009 inaugural gown created by Jason Wu. I actually got to be there on the day they opened the collection, Weber smiles. I was asked to come see it be put behind the glass. It was incredible a genuine moment in time. Weber grew up the eldest of three to a single mother in the southside Dublin suburb of Rathfarnham, where she became interested in creating from a young age. Everyone else wanted dolls, she says. I wanted colouring pencils. She credits her childminder with feeding this creativity, by teaching her to braid, knit, and draw. My hands were broken in from an early age, she laughs. And because of that, I feel like I developed the soft touch needed for fabric when I was still a child. Laura Weber: "You know the way people count down the hours until 5pm? I work until 2am almost every night, and keep going if I need to." At university, she studied textiles at the National College of Art & Design (after creating a portfolio, from scratch, in a matter of weeks) later specialising in embroidery. During this time, she worked full-time, regularly in London; for four seasons Weber worked across the business management of London Fashion Week. In 2013, she moved to New York. The story goes that she landed in the city at 2pm, went straight to the Garment District, and by 5pm was employed. Within six weeks, shed been promoted twice. Just under three years later, she was the factorys vice president. I got very lucky, she smiles, modestly. But I also have always just loved working. You know the way people count down the hours until 5pm? I work until 2am almost every night, and keep going if I need to. At the start, I used to bribe my co-workers with their favourite foods to teach me how to use their machines. And because I used to turn up to the factory so early for work every morning, the buildings super cut me a key. She stayed there for six years, eventually burning out. I quit my job, which was a very scary jump, she says. But I just needed a break. Then previous customers kept reaching out to me to work with them, but I kept turning them down. At one stage, one offered me so much money for a three-week job that I couldnt say no. Laura Weber: "The only thing that has gotten me here is hard work." "That turned into eight months. After that, I had interns showing up to my apartment with requests from their bosses, which saw my apartment turn into a mini studio. My husband, then, one day came home and said that I really needed to get my own place, because he could no longer open the front door without hitting a machine. That was October 2019, six months before the pandemic, and LW Pearl Atelier was born. JUST PURE LOVE LW Pearl Atelier is a couture, premium manufacturing service for fashion designers, wherein Weber and her team interpret a designers vision with bespoke stitching, beading, and other embellishments. Designers come to me with a sketch or concept and we product-develop it into a final piece. Heading up a team of craftspeople, each with specific, specialist skills and workmanship, Webers team endeavours to complement the vision and design of internationally recognised designers such as Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, and Thom Browne. We do a lot of stuff for the Met [Gala] or the Oscars or Fashion Week, that kind of thing, she says. It grew out of just pure love for what I do. LW Pearl Atelier also creates clothes, too; at present there are two collections, athleisure and ready to wear. That came from me being so in touch with other designers aesthetics and visions, that I started thinking about my own. I was like: I need to do my own thing to keep this specific part of my brain alive. In 2021, Weber was tasked with another high-profile project; designing the official outfit for Team Ireland at the 2024 Olympic Games. She had worked across Team USAs official kit before, teaming up with Ralph Lauren and Versace to hand-stitch pieces for both the summer and winter Games. In 2021, she directed her gaze homeward, pitching her design concepts to the Olympic Federation of Ireland. It was kind of controversial, she smiles. Because I wanted each persons outfit to be personalised with a patch denoting their county on the forearm. I never wanted it to come from a political place, or for anyone to feel divided, so I spoke to some athletes to figure out whether theyd be interested, and they were all for it. They thought it was so cool. Boxer Dean Clancy modelling LW Pearl by Laura Weber for Team Ireland Paris 2024 Olympics. Picture: Matthew Thompson From this, she made careful design considerations that go beyond fashion, invoking national pride, unity, and cultural representation; inside each jacket reads the name of the athlete in embroidery, as well as a leather shamrock charm that Weber created for each athlete to keep as a memento. Theres something really special in Ireland about having county pride as well as country pride. Go to any small town in Ireland and theyll be able to point out the pool where such-and-such swam, or the roads another athlete ran. Thats incredibly important, so I wanted to honour that aspect too. Weber also considered the practical and environmental. Finding a fabric to do everything they need to do was so hard, she laughs. We were back and forth for months. Eventually we chose this performance fabric that is 100% recycled material, which is light enough to keep them from dying in the heat of a Parisian summer. The closing ceremony jacket showcases Webers eternal optimism. I made the strapping on the jackets into the shape of a star, she smiles. It comes down into a triangle on the chest and on the back. So when they wear their medal, it completes the point of the star. I notice here she says when, and not if. I put it to her, and she smiles again. When youre a business owner, you have to be the eternal optimist. Everything is going to be better tomorrow. For the young creators, designers and optimists reading this story and envying Webers far-reaching achievements and impressive CV, she has this to say: The only thing that has gotten me here is hard work. I am not in stilettos every day, and life is not The Devil Wears Prada. The days you need to work your hardest are the days that you want to go home and go to bed. I truly believe that in fashion, you have to stay until after everyone leaves, because if you dont, there are 50 others waiting in the wings. On top of that, being a nice person is really important. Fashion has a really bad reputation. But at the end of the day, youre dealing with other people. And those people just wont want to work with you if youre not nice. Being realistic is also really important. Were not saving lives here, she laughs. Its important to remember that its not everything. I have a mum and three sisters who will always take me down a peg or two. I think Irish people are particularly good at that. The emergency services attended the scene of another fire at the former Crown Paints warehouse in Coolock in north Dublin on Sunday night. It is the fourth fire in the building in the last four days, after a blaze last Monday when a JCB and mattresses were targeted. An Israeli tech firm has been ordered to pay 35,000 compensation to a former Irish employee who was unfairly fired after she labelled Israel a terrorist state on social media. Wix Online Platforms had accepted that it had unfairly dismissed customer care team lead Courtney Carey on October 23, 2023, for gross misconduct over online comments she had made about her concerns about the situation in Palestine. The Israeli multinational, which employs around 500 people in its Dublin office, acknowledged that the manner in which it had dismissed Ms Carey had been procedurally unfair. The company, which is headquartered in Tel Aviv, provides a platform for building websites. Ms Carey, aged 27, from Clondalkin, Dublin, told a hearing of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in June that she felt blacklisted from working in the tech sector as a result of the controversy which arose over her dismissal from Wix where she had worked for four and a half years. In posts and comments on LinkedIn, Ms Carey had described Israel as a terrorist state and criticised the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza by Israel. Wixs chief operating officer and president Nir Zohar said last year that the company had decided to part ways with Ms Carey after it had been bombarded with messages from Israeli employees who had complained about Ms Carey through screenshots of her post. The controversy prompted Tanaiste Micheal Martin to claim that Ms Careys dismissal was unacceptable as employees should be allowed their individual viewpoints. Ms Carey said the very public nature of her dismissal and the subsequent comments made by a senior Wix executive had a very negative effect both on her efforts to mitigate her losses and on her future career prospects. She claimed she had subsequently applied for 60 jobs which Wixs legal representatives pointed out represented two to two and a half jobs per week. They also suggested that the complainant had received political support at the time of her dismissal and that her reputation had not been damaged given the many positive comments she had received on social media. However, Ms Carey said she had been unable to afford her 1,800 monthly rent after losing her job in Wix and had to move in with a relative. Only issue WRC adjudication officer Marie Flynn said the only issue between the parties was the appropriate level of compensation given that Wix had accepted that Ms Careys dismissal was unfair. Ms Flynn said that the award of compensation based on anything other than financial loss was outside the jurisdiction of the WRC. She said it was simply incorrect for Ms Carey to seek a just and equitable test to be applied in the case as the legislation made it clear that the test was one of financial loss. The WRC heard that the complainant earned a salary of 40,000 with Wix but she had subsequently taken up a temporary position with An Post in May 2024 on a reduced annual gross salary of 27,698. The WRC calculated that Ms Carey had suffered a loss of income of 20,000 over the six months she was out of work after being paid four weeks notice on her dismissal. It estimated that she continues to suffer a weekly loss of almost 237 due to her current lower salary with An Post. However, Ms Flynn ruled that Ms Carey had not made significant efforts to mitigate her loss since being fired by Wix. She claimed documentation submitted by Ms Carey about seeking other work was very sparse and did not enable her to investigate the substance of her claims. Fixing the appropriate level of compensation at 35,000, Ms Flynn said the number of jobs for which Ms Carey had applied was not sufficient even if such information had been provided given she was out of work for six months. Under legislation, the maximum award that could have been made by the WRC in the Wix case was 80,000 the equivalent of two years salary. Following the WRC hearing last month, Ms Carey said she had no regrets about her original comment about the situation in Gaza, despite being subjected to what she claimed were derogatory and defamatory posts telling complete lies about her online. I think I was very soft-handed, said Ms Carey. What has happened since to Palestinians and what has been happening at the hands of the Israeli government has only exacerbated and got worse. Im glad I said what I said. A woman who kept more than a dozen dogs of various breeds in appalling conditions over a prolonged period has been banned from owning animals. Miriam Santry of The Meadows, Belgooly, Co Cork appeared before Bandon District Court facing a total of 12 summonses for alleged offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Santry pleaded guilty to the charges. Giving evidence, Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) Inspector Caroline Faherty said that she had first received complaints about Santry in September 2022. She said that the complaints related to the conditions dogs were being kept in at two properties, one in Belgooly and the other in Kinsale. Insp. Faherty told the court that she went to both properties on several occasions but was unable to make contact with Santry. She said that from looking through the letterbox in Belgooly she could see the house was full of rubbish and several dogs could be heard barking. She said that on September 21, 2022 she received a letter from a solicitor representing Santry asking her not to call to her properties anymore. In October 2022, Santry brought a dog with a broken pelvis to a local vet. She told the vet that she had tried to mate the seven-month-old poodle with a bigger dog but refused the vets advice on treatment and asked for painkillers for the injured dog. The vet alerted the ISPCA. Search warrant On December 22, 2022 Insp. Faherty executed a warrant to search both properties. She told the court that she gained access to the Belgooly property via the back garden and nobody was present when she arrived with gardai. Inside she found eight adult dogs in a small crate suitable for two dogs at most. She said that the property was strewn with rubbish and the smell was so bad that the accompanying gardai had to remain outside. Insp. Faherty told the court that five puppies were also found in two crates. The dogs were in a very poor condition with no food or water available to them. The windows of the house were blacked out and there was faeces and urine all over the floor. The dogs were malnourished and their coats were matted with urine and faeces. The dogs also variously suffered from hair loss, ear infections, worms, eye infections, dermatitis, and heart murmurs. A further inspection was carried out in Kinsale, where another three dogs were found in similar conditions. Insp. Faherty said that the animals had been subjected to prolonged suffering and neglect and a decision was taken to seize the dogs and attempt to find suitable homes for them. She told the court that four of the dogs, which were chipped with Santrys details, could not be re-homed because Santry had refused to surrender the animals to the ISPCA. As a result, they had been kept in boarding kennels since they were seized at a cost to the ISPCA of 56,000. Mental health issues Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said that his client, who was now in her 50s, had relatively recently suffered from mental health issues and had become estranged from her family. He said that she had too many dogs and the situation had got out of control" .He said she was of limited means and was struggling financially and mentally. State solicitor for West Cork, Jeremiah Healy, who took the prosecution on behalf of the minister for agriculture, food, and the marine, said that for a case like this to come to court was the last straw and that the State felt it was necessary to prosecute in the circumstances. Judge Philip OLeary said that it was clear from the evidence there had been an appalling treatment of animals over a considerable period of time, he said it was an appalling case. On the first summons he convicted and fined Miriam Santry 250 and took the other 11 charges into consideration. He prohibited her from owning any animals and ordered her to surrender any animals she currently owns to the ISPCA. Two people have been arrested as part of a sudden death investigation in Belfast, police have said. A statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland said they had arrested a man and a woman in connection with the death. Steven OBrien describes the heartbreak of being unable to donate a kidney to his son seven years ago, despite being a perfect match. Now, however, at 16 years old, Aidan needs a second transplant and Steven is hoping this time around his kidney will help Aidan fulfil his dream of being a firefighter. Aidan suffers from a rare condition called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) which causes scarring to the kidneys and impacts their overall function. It has reoccurred, which is why he needs a second transplant. Aidans medical team had advised Steven against donating first time around due to a slight genetic defect. While the news of the disease's return was devastating for the family, 16-year-old Aidan has come out fighting. And his father, retired Cork City firefighter Steven from Mallow is now stepping up a second time as a donor for Aidan known as Aido to friends and family to ensure his teenage years are spent away from dialysis. At the time we were told that the transplant was compromised, Aidos resilience won out, Steven said. He is the same as every other young person because he just gets on with it. "Instead of FSGS now we say FUFSGS. Its basically us saying f**k you FSGS. I still have a recording of Aido on my phone doing that before his last transplant. We always get a great kick out of it. Steven OBrien: 'The disease recurrence proves to us that its not a genetic issue at all. However, at the time they ruled me out as a match and Tommy said he wanted to support him. He offered to throw his hat in the ring and came out as a 3/6 match which is brilliant for a person who is a non-relation.' Picture: Chani Anderson Aidan required a dialysis machine in the 18 months leading up to his transplant at nine years old. Vicki and Steven did their utmost to create a happy childhood for their son while he endured the regular treatment which compensates for the kidneys inability to remove extra fluid and waste. His aunts identical twins Emily Barrett and Evelyn Burke both underwent testing to determine if they were a match. The teenagers mum Vicki was a different blood type making her unable to donate. In an unexpected twist, her brother-in-law Tommy Barrett was identified as the only suitable donor. Steven casts his mind back to what was a very worrying time. I was devastated and very disappointed that I couldnt donate. However, in hindsight if I did donate they might have said it was genetic because of the recurrence. There may have been a false conclusion. "A plan is now in place that means Aido hopefully wont have to go through dialysis again. Its referred to as a pre-emptive transplant. This means that Aido would go from transplant to transplant instead of from dialysis to transplant. Thats why we are coming at this from the point of view of a live donation. Aidans resilience has astounded both medical professionals and his family. Aido is very resilient. All the doctors and nurses say that about him. He has done extraordinarily well on Tommys kidney. The pain of handing over Aidan to surgeons for his previous transplant is still raw for the family today. Aidan says: Mum always started crying before every operation. Steven described the emotional rollercoaster for the family. When I saw Vicki crying I started to cry too. This was a half an hour before the transplant. Before I knew it the whole family was crying. The doctor was joking at the time saying 'Youre going to have to put a stop to this.' It lightened the mood. Aidan agreed. I think if he had been very serious and asked us if we wanted a few minutes I would have been much worse, Aidan said. The slagging made it easier. Aidans tender age meant he was unaware of the gravity of his medical situation. I dont remember feeling different. I just knew I was having an operation. Im not sure I really understood how big it was. I didnt overthink it. The family have been through many ups and downs since Aidans diagnosis at the age of four. He used to be very tired before going on dialysis, Steven explained. When he started it we began to see the colour return to his face. He had more energy. "When he had the transplant there was a vast improvement but the disease was still active and it started showing itself again. Aido began undergoing different treatments to slow it down. Steven and Aidan have a close bond with his donor Tommy Barrett to this day. The disease recurrence proves to us that its not a genetic issue at all. However, at the time they ruled me out as a match and Tommy said he wanted to support him. He offered to throw his hat in the ring and came out as a 3/6 match which is brilliant for a person who is a non-relation. Steven and Aidan. 'A plan is now in place that means Aido hopefully wont have to go through dialysis again.' Picture: Chani Anderson "Tommy rang Vicki and asked her what we were all doing on February 9. He had just got the call and received the date for his operation. If you met him here today he is the most modest fella about it all. Aido never forgets his birthday or Christmas and always buys him a bottle of whiskey." Aidan is keen to follow in his fathers footsteps by joining Cork City Fire Brigade when he leaves school. Im retired now so it would be like having a part of me back in the fire brigade. Aido has the right mentality and would make a very decent firefighter. He has been saving up a lot and plans to be driving by the time he turns 17 in December so the world is his oyster. In the meantime, Aidan is making the most of his secondary school experience as he prepares to enter fifth year at the Patrician Academy in Mallow. My favourite subjects are geography and biology. I am particularly interested in the section about how the kidney functions because of my own experiences. To find out more about organ donation visit www.ika.ie. He was the first and mercifully the only populist Irish Bishop. A legend in his own lavish lunchtime, protected against naysayers by his blustering man-of-the people persona. Uniquely loved, he was, for his come-all-ye-singing accessibility. Fans told eye-rolling stories of his dangerous, liquor-infused driving: sure wasnt he a terrible man, all the same? One of our own. Authentic. As a teenager in Catholic Ireland, I was aware that my parents viewed Eamonn Casey as an intellectual waste of space, but aware, too, that in common with the small number of critics at the time they viewed him as no worse than that. An exclusive in the Mail on Sunday establishes that he was considerably worse than that. Anne Sheridans lead story states: The Vatican banned Bishop Eamonn Casey from public ministry for life after receiving multiple child sexual abuse allegations against him. An RTE documentary in association with the Mail on Sunday, which airs on Monday night, investigates how the Catholic Church handled at least five child sexual abuse allegations against the former Bishop of Galway. It puts the final nail in the coffin of the once impregnable populist bishops reputation. Casey shared with Boris Johnson and Donald Trump an understanding that the capacity to entertain may be the greatest defence against almost any criticism. Not that there was much criticism of Casey, back in the day. Because weirdly back in the day, he was seen as the embodiment of church modernity. He personified a move away from dogmatism to an easy popularity based on a generalised goodwill. He didnt share his fellow fraud Fr Michael Clearys overt condemnations of men leaving the priesthood, for example. He was more given to ready sympathy and non-judgementalism. He came to power, remember, when Irelands mass media was an open market for a bishop who talked like a human. Who was great craic. Good for a laugh. A man youd be glad to have a pint with. The first brick in his reputation was homelessness. Homelessness, then as now, was the issue of the day, this being the time of the seminal TV programme Cathy Come Home, and Casey was the expert, the go-to-guy for broadcasters and journalists addressing it. Stolen scholarship That this reputation was built on straw I revealed last year with the publication of my memoir, Caution to the Wind. In that book, I told how, as a freelance communications lecturer, I was in The Catholic Communications Centre at the top of Booterstown Avenue in south Dublin, when Bishop Eamon Casey visited one day, demanding tea and biscuits and eagerly greeted by the priests and sisters present. With one exception, a man named Fr Tom Savage, later to be my husband, who had quietly disappeared out of door to the grounds of the Centre. When I went out into the grounds of the Communications Centre to tell the priest of the bishops arrival, I was surprised by his negative response. I know Eamonn Casey, he said. I know him for what he is and he would not be happy to see me appear in front of him. Why? Because he stole my scholarship and passed it off as his own. Savage had, he told me, a graduate degree in sociology from Queens University Belfast, having been the first Roman Catholic priest to attend that university. He had done research work in London into homelessness, and because the Church powers-that-were knew about this, they referred Fr Eamonn Casey to him since, he was told, Casey was also interested in it. Savage gave him a copy of his unpublished thesis and a few months later found himself reading about the ground breaking work on the issue done by the Kerryman. His original research had been claimed by Casey, who had no sociological background. It was no more than a minor incident as far as Savage was concerned. But in retrospect and in the wider context established by the RTE/MoS documentary, it has more significance, revealing that a key element in Caseys carefully structured public persona was false. His scholarship was stolen. His accessibility, meaning his attributed ability not to get bogged down in that scholarship, was consequentially false. This does not mean that Casey was not compassionate to those who needed compassion. Or a good motivator of people in charities of which he was the patron. He was a great, great front man who was right for the time. Gay Byrne with Annie Murphy during her appearance on The Late Late Show in 1993. From homelessness on, until Annie Murphy announced that she had borne him a son, Eamonn Casey was a shining light in the modern Irish church, an ever-present entertaining character in (then) modern media. He created relationships so strong that even the normally detached Gay Byrne could not conceal his partisanship when interviewing Annie Murphy on The Late Late Show. Caseys absence from the public mind when he was on the missions in South America allowed the quiet growth of a belief that his was a story of a singular lapse, rather than a narrative of sustained falsehood. That, undoubtedly, was his own belief. Annie Murphys book recounts one instance of him weeping after sexual congress with her and saying he believed God loved him less as a result. Child sexual abuse allegations That was in 1992. Allegations of child sexual abuse made against Casey did not surface for more than a decade thereafter and were unknown to Murphy when she published her account of their relationship. The first of those allegations initially developed relatively little traction, because by that time Casey was seen as an old man who had served his time and who now suffered from a raft of physical ailments as well as dementia. However, the Vatican, according to the Mail on Sunday, did take that and other claims against him seriously, and continued to bar him from saying mass publicly or giving media interviews, although the report says he breached Romes rules, continuing to dress as a priest in public and present himself as a priest in good standing. Which may have helped make the child abuse allegations less sticky". But Patricia Donovan, the niece who says he raped her and started to abuse her when she was only five years of age, didnt let up, fearful that he would abuse other underage victims. As he apparently did. Monday's documentary focuses on the worst of Casey: child abuse. But it also strips away the last remnants of a once-golden reputation, leaving those who have continued to admire him, despite what they saw as a singular failure, bereft of support for that admiration. Caseys life was a continuum of lies, thefts and sex crimes. Never was such an army of admirers ever mustered to tell a good man to go. Never did those calling for a resignation ever greet the news of the mans acquiescence with greater sadness. Nobody fisted the air or cheered, as the news sites starting to compete with each other to bring the news so many had said was inevitable. It was the right thing to do and it was sad, and Joe Bidens resignation letter to the people of America was as beautiful in its simplicity as anything Franklin Roosevelt told them in his fireside chats. In that context, quoting the Scottish play is dangerous but imperative: Nothing in his life Became him like the leaving it His statement was not bitter, leaving the welcome possibility that the president has traversed the stages of bereavement denial, anger, bargaining, and depression to reach a point of resignation and accommodation. Thats to be hoped for. Because this man, this good man, has now been rejected twice by the grandees of his own party. First time around he was told he couldnt beat Trump, that Hillary Clinton would be a better choice and would win. She wasnt and didnt. There has to have been a certain post factum satisfaction to that, for Biden. At least it left him with a future option he grasped with both hands and allowed him to win the presidency after Trumps period in office ended. This second rejection must be infinitely more painful, not just because it was delivered by men like Barack Obama, with whom he had served and created he believed an impregnable friendship, but because the rejection went to the essence of him and was based on factors uncontrollable by him. Any criticism which is based on something which isnt in your compass to alter is pointless cruelty. But criticism and, ultimately, dismissal based on a cognitive diminution which by its very nature conceals itself from you, must be agony. That agony wont be reached by messages of love and admiration, because Joe Biden is smart enough to know that those messages are in the past tense. There is no real support in them for the man he is now, only admiration for the man he used to be. Former president Donald Trump and president Joe Biden during the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Picture: Andrew Harnik/Getty Nor is there comfort in the fact that people in their sixties, seventies and eighties, world-wide, have had painful self-examination forced on them by watching a courageous man fight what must seem to him to be the worst enemy he has ever encountered: a fifth columnist invading and destroying his powers. The Duke of Wellington said, after Waterloo, that nothing was as dispiriting as a battle lost other than a battle won. The victors among the Democrats will be feeling precisely that, right now. Their chances of winning against Trump are small, and to sustain the odds, they have had to persuade one of their best and most committed members to fall on a sword with which they presented him. Now they face a mad scramble to mount a candidate and a vice presidential candidate while Joe Biden remains in office, doing his level best for the nation he loves and has served with such energy and pride. The prediction has been made that like Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 37th president Biden will see his popularity grow following his unwilling relinquishing of the presidential baton. It is safe to add that his place in history will be buttressed, rather than dented, by his weekend action. It removed the incentive to watch him as a case study in cognitive decline, with every day bringing a report of a mis-speak or a physical stumble. As his statement makes clear, he has served America well at a difficult time. His counsel should be sought by those seeking to succeed him. His legacy is secure. But the thing is that Joe Biden hasnt been a legacy man. Throughout his entire career, his emphasis has been on the fight. Remember that great quote, Nobody fucks with a Biden? That fierce determination allowed him to survive personal tragedies beyond measure and bring him at last to the White House. It was in evidence in the past couple of weeks as he pulled together with his family and staff, with energy and resolution. But this time, there was no winning. No winning. The political caravan moves on. Nobody flies a flag at half-mast for a man whose energies in the future will be to locate the right word, the correct name. A battle has been won and nobody feels good about the victory. Bangladeshi authorities extended a curfew across the country on Sunday as the nations top court was expected to rule on a civil service hiring quota that has led to days of deadly clashes between police and protesters. The nationwide demonstrations called for mainly by student groups began weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted on Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper on Saturday reporting the deaths of at least 103 people so far. Bangladeshi authorities have not shared any official numbers of those killed and injured. During the week, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades to scatter stone-throwing protesters who filled the streets and university campuses. Sporadic clashes in some parts of Dhaka, the capital, were reported on Saturday but it was not immediately clear whether there were any fatalities. On Sunday, as the Supreme Court was set to deliver a verdict on whether to abolish the job quotas, soldiers patrolled cities across the South Asian country, while a nationwide internet blackout continued to remain in force. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Altaf Qadri/AP) Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the curfew will be relaxed from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday for people to run essential errands. Meanwhile, prime minister Sheikh Hasinas government has declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays, with only emergency services allowed to operate. The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladeshs governance and economy and the frustration of young people who lack good jobs upon graduation. It also represents the biggest challenge to Ms Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after Januarys elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition groups. Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Ms Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. H Ms Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political affiliation. Representatives from both sides met late on Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution and law minister Anisul Huq said the government was open to discussing their demands. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has backed the protests, vowing to organise its own demonstrations as many of its supporters have joined the student-led protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling partys accusations of using the protests for political gains. The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fuelling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the countrys national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures. Ms Hasinas government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote. In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladeshs High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans filed petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing. Ms Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the courts verdict. Bangladeshs top court has scaled back a quota system for government job applicants, a partial victory for student protesters after days of nationwide unrest and deadly clashes between police and demonstrators that have killed scores of people. Students, frustrated by shortages of good jobs, have been demanding an end to a quota that reserved 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971. The government previously halted it in 2018 following mass student protests, but in June, Bangladeshs High Court reinstated the quotas and set off a new round of protests. Ruling on an appeal on Sunday, the Supreme Court ordered the veterans quota be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2% will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people. The protests have posed the most serious challenge to Bangladeshs government since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won a fourth consecutive term in January elections that were boycotted by the main opposition groups. The quota system has led to deadly unrest across Bangladesh (Rajib Dhar/AP) Universities have been closed, the internet has been shut off and the government has ordered people to stay at home amid the unrest. With most communications offline, it is unclear as yet whether the verdict has satisfied protesting students. There was also no immediate reaction from the government. The protests turned deadly on Tuesday, a day after students at Dhaka University began clashing with police. Violence continued to escalate as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades to scatter stone-throwing protesters. Bangladeshi authorities have not shared any official numbers of those killed and injured, but local media reports said on Sunday that more than 100 people have been killed. An Associated Press reporter on Friday saw security forces fire rubber bullets and tear gas at a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who had gathered outside the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, which was attacked and set on fire by protesters the previous day. The incident left streets littered with bullets and marked by smears of blood. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Altaf Qadri/AP) Ahead of the courts ruling, soldiers patrolled cities across the country, with a nationwide curfew in force. Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the curfew would be relaxed from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday for people to run essential errands. Meanwhile, the government declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays, with only emergency services allowed to operate. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had backed the protests, vowing to organise its own demonstrations as many of its supporters have joined the student-led protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling partys accusations of using the protests for political gains. The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fuelling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the countrys national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures. Ms Hasinas government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote. The Israeli military has said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen early on Sunday, hours after Israeli warplanes struck several Houthi targets in the Arabian peninsula country. The Israeli air strikes in response to a deadly Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv mark the first time Israel is known to have responded to repeated Houthi attacks throughout its nine-month war against Hamas. The burst of violence between the distant enemies has threatened to open a new front as Israel battles a series of Iranian proxies across the region. The Israeli army late on Saturday confirmed the air strikes in the western Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, a Houthi stronghold. It said the strikes, carried out by US-made F-15 and F-35 warplanes, were a response to hundreds of Houthi attacks. The Israeli army struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen over the weekend (AP) Israel, along with the US, Britain and other Western allies with forces in the region, have intercepted almost all of the Houthi missiles and drones. But early on Friday, a Houthi drone penetrated Israels air defences and crashed into Tel Aviv, Israels commercial and cultural capital, killing one person. The Israeli military said Saturdays air strikes, some 1,000 miles from Israel, were among the most complicated and longest-distance operations by its air force. It said it hit the port because the area is used to deliver Iranian arms to Yemen. The Ministry of Health in Sanaa said 80 people were injured in a preliminary toll of the strikes in Hodeidah, most of them with severe burns. The Israeli attack unleashed a massive fire in the citys port. Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said: The fire that is burning now in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear. He vowed to carry out similar strikes in any place where it may be required. A broken window at the scene of an explosive drone attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Friday (Oded Balilty/AP) On Sunday, the Israeli military said the surface-to-surface missile fired from Yemen was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory. The Houthis are among several Iranian-backed groups to have attacked Israel in solidarity with Hamas since the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group triggered the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza. In addition to fighting Hamas, the Israeli military has been engaged in daily clashes with the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. These clashes have raised concerns that the fighting could spill over into a full-blown war with Lebanon and beyond. The Hodeidah port is also a gateway for supplies to enter Yemen, which has been engulfed in civil war since 2014, when the Houthis seized much of northern Yemen and forced the internationally recognised government to flee from Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year in support of government forces, and in time the conflict turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X that the blatant Israeli aggression targeted fuel storage facilities and the provinces power station. He said the attacks aim to increase the suffering of the people and to pressure Yemen to stop supporting Gaza. At least two people were killed in Ukrainian strikes on the partly Russian-occupied Donetsk region on Sunday, Russian state media said, while Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes wounded at least five people. Along the front line in the east, Russia said it had taken control of two villages, one in the Kharkiv region and one in the Luhansk region. Ukrainian shelling of Russia-held areas of the Donetsk region killed two people in the village of Horlivka, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said. Three people were wounded by Russian drone strikes in southern Ukraines partly occupied Kherson region, local officials said on Sunday morning. In the countrys northeast, officials in the Kharkiv region said two people were wounded when a village was hit by Russian shells. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed governor of the Russian-controlled Kherson region of Ukraine, during their meeting at the Kremlin in June (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Overnight into Sunday, Ukraines air defences intercepted 35 of the 39 drones launched by Russia, according to air force commander Mykola Oleschuk. In addition, Russia launched three ballistic missiles and two guided air missiles, which did not reach their targets, he said. Russias Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that its troops had taken control of two villages: Pishchane Nizhne in the Kharkiv region and Andriivka, sometimes referred to as Rozivka, in the Luhansk region. Kyiv did not immediately comment. Officials in the northern Sumy region said on Sunday that Russia launched a missile strike on critical infrastructure facilities in the city of Shostka. City mayor Mykola Noha specified that two heating facilities had been destroyed and called on residents to use electricity sparingly and stock up on water. With few changes reported along the 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front line, where a recent push by the Kremlins forces in eastern and northeastern Ukraine has made only incremental gains, both sides in the war have taken aim at infrastructure targets, seeking to curb each others ability to fight in a war that is now in its third year. Russian air defence systems overnight destroyed eight drones over the countrys Belgorod region and over the Black Sea, the Russian Ministry of Defence said. Russian air defence also shot down two long-range ballistic ATACMS missiles in the sky over the Kherson region heading for Russia-annexed Crimea, Russia-installed Kherson governor Vladimir Saldo said. Nine people were wounded over the previous day in shelling in the town of Shebekino in Russias Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Sunday morning. Joe Bidens historic decision on Sunday to step down as the Democratic nominee for president signals an imminent end to one of the most consequential American political careers. At 81, the oldest president ever sworn in has finally yielded to time and his own party. Someone else, possibly the vice-president, Kamala Harris, will face Donald Trump in November. Biden will remain in the White House until January. But Democrats and Republicans will soon survey something new: a political landscape without Biden at its centre. Born in Pennsylvania in 1942, Biden attended the University of Delaware and Syracuse law school, became a public defender, then entered politics. A natural campaigner, in 1972, at just 29, he ran for US Senate, scoring a huge upset over J Caleb Boggs, a two-term Republican more than twice his age. The same year, voters gave Richard Nixon a landslide win. Nixon was the 37th president. In 2021, Biden would become the 46th. In that 49-year span, as eight presidents came and went, Biden was a senator for 36 years, vice-president for eight. As a junior senator, Biden suffered his first, but not last, tragedy when a car crash killed his wife, Neilia Biden, and one-year-old daughter, Naomi, at Christmas in 1972. Biden became known for riding the rails , from Delaware to Washington DC and back, to care for his sons, Beau and Hunter, who survived the accident. He married his second wife, Jill Jacobs, in 1977, and their daughter, Ashley, was born four years later. For 17 years, Biden was a ranking member or chair of the Senate judiciary committee. He led five supreme court confirmations. In 1991 the nominee, Clarence Thomas, was accused of sexual harassment and Biden was widely seen to have mishandled the hearings. In 2019, he said Thomass accuser, Anita Hill, did not get treated well. I take responsibility for that. Bidens record on crime would also haunt him, particularly his support for a 1994 bill many say contributed to problems of mass incarceration and racial injustice . Another 1994 bill, banning assault weapons , remained a source of pride. For 11 years, Biden was chair or ranking member of the foreign relations committee. In 1991, he voted against the Gulf war. In 2002, after 9/11, he voted for the invasion of Iraq. He later said that vote was wrong. In 1987, Biden first ran for president. At 45, he sought comparison with John F Kennedy but as reported by Richard Ben Cramer in the campaign classic What It Takes , youth, ambition and drive were not enough to prevent embarrassing failure. Biden took to quoting Neil Kinnock, then Labour leader in Britain, about being the first member of his family to go to college. Unfortunately, Biden stopped saying he was quoting. Kinnock didnt mind but the US press did. Bidens freewheeling speaking style (and accompanying evocations of his Irish ancestry ) often left him open to error . But he was undoubtedly an effective communicator, all the more remarkably so given he stammered as a child. Months after abandoning his presidential campaign, Biden suffered a brain aneurysm so severe a priest was called to administer last rites. Months later, he suffered another . He was nothing if not resilient. Twenty years later, he ran for president again. A great debate stage line , about a Republican rival, went down in history: Rudy Giuliani, theres only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun, a verb and 9/11. But Biden soon dropped out. Barack Obama won the nomination. When the Illinois senator, 47, picked Biden, 66, as his running mate, the New York Times said Obama had acquired a longtime Washington hand who could reassure voters rather than deliver a state or reinforce [a] message of change. Biden spent eight years as vice-president, his working relationship with Obama, reporting suggested , not quite so close as it was often portrayed. Biden played key roles in successes including advancing LGBTQ+ rights , legislating to prevent violence against women and securing healthcare reform . A push for gun reform failed . Biden eyed a third presidential run but in 2015 the death of his son Beau from brain cancer took a terrible toll. Furthermore, Obama backed Hillary Clinton. Amid the chaos of the Trump years, Biden decided to run again. Significant support from Black voters propelled a primary win. In the year of Covid, campaign travel was limited. For a 77-year-old candidate, that wasnt much of a problem . Come the election, Biden won by more than 7m votes and with electoral college ease. The first major book on 2020 was called Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency . Regardless, his campaign message about a battle for the soul of America fueled two productive years. With congressional Democrats, Biden secured major legislation, boosting the economy after Covid, securing infrastructure investment and funding the climate crisis fight. Trump had incited an attack on Congress, but Trumpism would not die. Republicans took back the House. Biden oversaw foreign policy disaster the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and success, marshaling support for Ukraine against Russia. The dam could not hold. Questions about Bidens age and fitness ran at a hum before the disastrous debate in Atlanta in June saw Democratic dissent burst through. At first, Biden displayed characteristic fire, blaming elites to which he never felt he belonged, vowing to fight on. But then Trump survived an assassination attempt and emerged seemingly stronger than ever. Democratic calls for Biden to quit grew louder. Eventually, he heard them. - The Guardian Heavy rainfall has been wreaking havoc across wide swathes of China, causing severe casualties, leaving dozens of people missing, forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate and disrupting traffic. Amid the worst-hit areas, a rescue operation is continuing in southwest China's Sichuan Province, with more than 30 people still missing after flash floods struck Xinhua Village at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, local authorities said. The disaster disrupted traffic on roads and bridges, and cut off communications in the area. Meanwhile, more than 700 professional rescuers and over 1,500 local people are searching for 31 people who are unaccounted for after their vehicles plunged into a flooding river due to a highway bridge collapse amid torrential rains in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. As of Saturday afternoon, 12 people have been confirmed dead and 31 others are still missing, according to a press conference held in Zhashui County, in the city of Shangluo, Shaanxi. In addition, 12 people were found dead, and one person was rescued, according to a press conference held in Zhashui County, in the city of Shangluo, on Saturday. Zhao Jing, Party chief of Shangluo, said the rainstorm triggered a flash flood on the Jinqian River in Zhashui at about 8:40 p.m. Friday, causing a 40-meter-long section of the No. 2 Bridge in Yanping Village to collapse. The 366-meter bridge spanning the Jinqian River is a part of the Danfeng-Ningshan expressway. Zhao said that, based on the highway toll system and video surveillance, as well as telephone inquiries, the rescuers concluded that a total of 17 cars and eight trucks had plunged into the river. Rescuers are still searching for 18 vehicles with 31 people aboard along a 60 km stretch downstream from the collapse site, Zhao told the press. The search operation has made use of drones and kayaks. The local authorities have been making contact with family members of the victims, and carried out measures to prevent secondary disasters, while monitoring geographical risks and fighting the flooding in the area. Before the press conference, the participants observed a moment of silence for the victims. The water flow of the river has now slowed to 130 cubic meters per second, with the water level dropping by more than three meters, compared with the level when the bridge collapse occurred, making the conditions conducive to the search and rescue work. Zhao said that six rounds of heavy downpours have lashed the region since the beginning of July, increasing the risk of flooding on five major rivers, with disasters reported in seven counties and districts of the city. A total of 64,278 people have been affected. The local authorities have relocated 37,597 people due to safety concerns. Chinese ministries of finance and emergency management have allocated 260 million yuan (36.62 million U.S. dollars) to support local governments in disaster relief efforts. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Saturday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in three provincial regions involving Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan as the country continues to face severe flooding situations. China's southernmost province of Hainan is on alert for a tropical depression that is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon, making landfall on its eastern coast on Sunday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain over most of the island province and lasting for three days. The local transport and port authorities announced a halt to ferry operations across the Qiongzhou Strait from 9 a.m. Sunday, and wired sailing vessels to take shelter from the wind. Elsewhere in northeast China, the Heilongjiang provincial meteorological observatory on Saturday afternoon issued three red warnings -- the highest level -- for heavy rain, as three cities hit by torrential rain were likely to be lashed by continued rainfall in the next three hours, with cumulative rainfall of 100 millimeters or more. Jul 21 (Jowhar.com) The former president of the United States, Donald Trump, returned to the election campaign on Saturday, one week after he survived an assassination attempt while giving a speech to his supporters in Pennsylvania. The candidate of the Republican party in the presidential election in November, has resumed the election campaign in the state of Michigan, one of the important states for the elections of the United States. When Trump campaigned with the man he chose to be his vice president, DJ Vanve. It was one week ago, even the hour and even the minute. By the grace of ALLAH, I am standing before you. They were not here, said Trump to the people gathered in the square where he spoke. The shooting on the 13th of last month by a gunman who tried to assassinate the former president of the United States, was widely condemned in the United States. One person died and three others, including Donald Trump, were injured. Special forces killed the attacker. In the 2016 presidential election in Michigan, Trump won by more than 10,000 votes over Hillary Clinton, but in the last election in 2020, President Biden won by 154,000 votes. Despite the election results, Trump continued to claim that the election was rigged and that he was the rightful winner. His relentless efforts to challenge the results led to widespread protests and civil unrest across the country. But now, as he stood before the crowd in the square, Trump spoke of unity and healing. He thanked the brave men and women who had risked their lives to protect him during the assassination attempt and vowed to work towards a brighter future for all Americans. As the sun began to set and the crowd slowly dispersed, Trump reflected on the events of the past week. He knew that he had been given a second chance, a chance to make a difference and to bring about positive change in the world. With a renewed sense of purpose, Trump left the square that evening, determined to leave a lasting legacy of peace, unity, and prosperity for all. Jul 20 (Jowhar.com) The members of the BJFS House of Representatives, which was the fifth session, was chaired by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe. The agenda of the 145-member meeting was the second reading of the Somalia Labor Law Bill prepared by the Social Services Development Committee of the Peoples Assembly, and the MPs discussed the bill. On the other hand, there were members of the council who submitted a motion or a proposal to the chairman of the council on illegal weapons, civil wars and protecting the immunity of the members, which was signed by 18 members, and this proposal was read by the councilor Yusuf Hussein Ahmed Gamadid. After that, the member of the House who voted for this proposal signed by some of the members of the House agreed that the agenda of todays meeting should be included in the discussion related to the second reading of the Somalia Labor Law Bill after it has expired. The Chairman of the Peoples Assembly of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, who closed the meeting, said that the labor law bill that was debated by the parliamentarians today will be sent back to the Social Service Development Committee of the Assembly, to include the discussion and ideas. MPs prepare the third reading and then return it to the House. Members of the Peoples Assembly of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia were also distributed the report of the third reading of the Bill on the Protection of the Rights of the Somali National Disability. July 21 (Jowhar.com) The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Hamsa Abdi Barre and his delegation left this afternoon for the city of Dosha in Qatar. Prime Minister Hamsa will participate in the conference of Somali diaspora in Qatar, and he will deliver a speech that will touch on many aspects. The Prime Minister will also hold important meetings with the Prime Minister and other leaders of Qatar. Prime Minister of Somalia, Mr. Hamsa Abdi Barre, has left for the city of Doha in Qatar to participate in the conference of Somali diaspora. This conference is expected to bring together members of the Somali community living in Qatar to discuss important issues facing the Somali people both at home and abroad. During the conference, Prime Minister Hamsa is scheduled to deliver a speech that will touch on a variety of topics, including the current political and economic situation in Somalia, as well as the role of the Somali diaspora in contributing to the development of the country. His speech is expected to highlight the importance of unity and collaboration among Somalis, both within the country and around the world. In addition to participating in the conference, Prime Minister Hamsa will also be holding important meetings with the Prime Minister and other leaders of Qatar. These meetings are expected to focus on strengthening the bilateral relationship between Somalia and Qatar, as well as discussing ways in which Qatar can support Somalia in its efforts to rebuild and develop. The Prime Ministers visit to Qatar comes at a crucial time for Somalia, as the country continues to face numerous challenges, including political instability, security threats, and economic difficulties. By engaging with the Somali diaspora and seeking support from international partners like Qatar, Prime Minister Hamsa is demonstrating his commitment to addressing these challenges and working towards a better future for the Somali people. Overall, Prime Minister Hamsas visit to Qatar is an important opportunity for him to engage with the Somali community abroad, as well as to strengthen ties with a key international partner. It is hoped that his participation in the conference and meetings in Doha will lead to positive outcomes for Somalia and help to pave the way for greater cooperation and collaboration in the future. Human Rights Watch (New York) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion on July 19, 2024, with significant consequences for human rights protections in Palestine under Israels 57-year occupation. The opinion stems from a December 2022 request by the United Nations General Assembly to the court to consider the legal consequences of Israels policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The following quote can be attributed to Tirana Hassan, Human Rights Watch Executive Director: In a historic ruling the International Court of Justice has found multiple and serious international law violations by Israel towards Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including, for the first time, finding Israel responsible for apartheid. The court has placed responsibility with all states and the United Nations to end these violations of international law. The ruling should be yet another wake up call for the United States to end its egregious policy of defending Israels oppression of Palestinians and prompt a thorough reassessment in other countries as well. Video report added by IC: Al Jazeera English Video: Occupied Palestinian territory: ICJ says Israels presence violates international law Sunday, July 21, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has refused to engage in dialogue with President William Ruto to cool tension across the country. In a statement on Sunday morning, Raila Odinga, who is currently in Dubai, noted that the issues raised by the youth must be addressed as a priority before the commencement of the talks. "I agree that justice must come first before any talks," Raila said. According to the ODM leader, all victims of police brutality must be compensated and all cases related to protests be dismissed. He also wants all those abducted or jailed to be released, and issues raised by health workers and JSS teachers resolved. Raila has further called on the government to discard the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in favor of the old NHIF and prosecute all security officers who committed crimes during the protests. "Once these issues are resolved, we can focus on a national conversation, and conducted transparently in a neutral venue," he stated. The representatives of the dialogue, he noted, should also come from various sectors including youth, government, religious leaders, health care professionals, lawyers, and teachers. He said the issues to be discussed should touch on governance, skyrocketing cost of living, eradication of tribalism, fighting corruption and debt, and fiscal management. President William Ruto recently called for the formation of the national multi-sectoral forum to help address concerns raised by the youth following the nationwide protests. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, July 20, 2024 - Wrestling icon, Hulk Hogan electrified the crowd on the final night of the Republican National Convention in his own signature style, as he ripped his shirt in vintage Hulkamania style in support of former US president Donald Trump. Hogan, who came out to the strains of his theme song Real American, called former President Donald Trump a gladiator, and described him and Vice presidential nominee JD Vance as a formidable tag team, in reference to wrestling. Then, in quintessential Hulk Hogan style, he ripped open his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance 2024 t-shirt. All the real Americans are going to be named Trumpites. Because all the Trumpites are going to be running wild for four years, he said. Hogan later said that only Trump could clean this up when talking about the U.S., and said hes known the former president for more than 30 years. Watch the video below Saturday, July 20, 2024 - A lawyer called Confidence Aribibia has stated that any woman who contributes to the completion of her husband's house, is a joint owner of the property. Allowing your WIFE to CONTRIBUTE to the completion of the building of your house makes her a JOINT OWNER of that property. I mean if she can provide receipts, bank transfers, or written agreements of her contributions then she has equal rights over that property as you do. So while you seek your wife's support I hope the position of the law meets you well. I remain your favourite lawyer, she wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. Saturday, July 20, 2024 - A 3-year-old autistic boy was found dead Thursday, July 18, in a body of water at a Florida resort near Disney World after he wandered away in his pyjamas hours earlier, according to authorities. The body of Rakim Akbari was found after a desperate search ensued that morning when he vanished from the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas in Orlando. The youngster, whose nickname was Tuda, had autism and was last seen in white pyjama pants and a maroon shirt at the resort which is about a 15-minute drive from Disney, the Orange County Sheriffs Office said. The sheriffs office said there was extreme concern for his well-being before the grim discovery in the water was made. It is with heavy hearts that we must share that our deputies have found Rakim Akbari deceased in a body of water at the resort where he was reported missing this morning. Our detectives are still looking into how this tragedy occurred, the sheriffs office wrote on social media. We are grieving his loss, and our prayers are with his family. More details about his death were not immediately available. Sunday, July 20, 2024 - A man identified as Daniel Kabusho went missing in unclear circumstances on June 18th after he was reportedly abducted by some unidentified men along Kenyatta Road. A CCTV footage shared online shows the victim being abducted by three men who had covered their faces with masks, before being bundled into a private vehicle. Kabusho tried to fight back but he was overpowered and bundled into the vehicle- a double cabin pickup that is mostly used by rogue state agents. Kabusho was once linked to a human trafficking syndicate. In 2017, he was arrested in Machakos County while ferrying 12 illegal immigrants of Ethiopian origin. Watch CCTV footage showing how he was abducted. So sickened by these abductions. Daniel Kabusho has been missing since June 18, this was his abduction by unidentified people. Hes not been charged in any court. This is the anarchy people are rising up against. pic.twitter.com/zSxWW6YPVa Emmanuel Igunza (@EmmanuelIgunza) July 20, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, July 20, 2024 - A young girl was rescued from a hot car while her mother was shopping, Florida police said. The 4-year-old child was pulled to safety from the SUV in the parking lot of Walmart last Sunday after her mother Anastasiya Motalava was in the megastore for more than 30 minutes, Hollywood police said. First responders rushed to the scene after a witness heard the girl screaming from a cracked window of the car, which was not running, authorities said, according to NBC 6. Temperatures hit 90 that day, according to Accuweather. The youngster was rescued without emergency workers breaking any of the windows. Bodycam footage obtained by local stations shows a rescuer holding the child in his arms as the car alarm blares and the doors on the passengers side are open under the beating sun. While the child was stranded in the car, Motalava, 34, was seen on surveillance cameras shopping, Hollywood police said. Police arrested her and initially charged her with child neglect, but the criminal case was dropped Thursday, according to local reports. Broward County prosecutors said there wasnt enough evidence to go forward with the case and noted the child wasnt harmed. The mother reportedly believed she was in the store for 10-15 minutes, prosecutors said. While defendants conduct is irresponsible, it does not rise to the egregious level of conduct necessary to show culpable negligence, Broward Assistant State Attorney Melissa Kelly wrote in the memo, according to NBC 6. This was a single isolated incident of what may be deemed poor parental judgment that resulted in defendants arrest on Felony Child Neglect charges. The parent is expected to receive child safety education. Sunday, July 21, 2024 - The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is currently collecting data against rogue police officers who committed excesses during Gen Z protests to file a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Speaking during a Twitter space on Saturday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo stated that the Society, alongside other civil societies has been collecting information on brutality meted out to Kenyans. The teams will then evaluate the data and assess whether it meets the threshold to build a watertight case to be filed at the Hague-based court. "We have been working with various civil society organizations, the question is the threshold and that is why we are collecting information and data as we analyze what tangible information can be presented," Odhiambo stated. "It is normally out of the threshold that we will establish whether the International Criminal Court of Justice can take up the matter," she added. The LSK boss further noted that they have called on international organizations to monitor and investigate atrocities meted out against Kenyans who have been staging protests. The society urged Kenyans to report cases of unlawful detainment or abduction during the peaceful protests, through toll-free number 0800 720 434. LSK while launching the appeal, stated that the information can be in the form of videos and photos. The International Criminal Court of Justice has a special rapporteur unit to carry out and investigate atrocities and monitor situations during moments of political instability. As such, the society has called on international investigators to fast-track investigations into the situation in Kenya. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, July 21, 2024 - The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) has endorsed President William Rutos Cabinet Secretary for health nominee Dr. Debra Mulongo, saying doctors are ready for their new boss after going through hell with sacked CS Susan Nakhumicha. This comes even as it emerged that she was debarred from the medics' directory years ago. However, the doctors union, through its Secretary General Davji Atellah, dismissed the assertion that Mulongo was not fit to occupy the post after an apparent disqualification from practice. Clarifying the matter, Atellah said the nominee's only mistake was her failure to update her license, which is not a serious crime since it could be fixed. "Not deregistered. She just delayed updating her license," said the KMPDU SG before finally clearing her after she paid the Ksh80,000 she owed to the union. The KMPDU exuded confidence in Mulongo, whom they implied would improve things at Afya House. "KMPDU Congratulates Dr. Deborah Mulongo Baraza on her appointment as the Cabinet Secretary for Health. We warmly welcome her to the dutiful responsibility of ensuring quality healthcare systems for all Kenyans, including decent work for all health workers," said the union. The nominee, who boasts over 15 years of field experience, was among the new faces nominated into the National Executive by the president. She will be taking over from Susan Nakhumicha upon her approval by the National Assembly. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, July 21, 2024 - President William Ruto has urged the Kenyan media to report accurately on issues affecting the country like the ongoing Gen Z protests. Speaking on Sunday when he attended a church service in Bomet County, Ruto said the media has nothing to be proud of when the country sinks. Ruto warned journalists not to celebrate anarchy in their reporting, saying the press must be responsible in their coverage. Without referring to any specific instances where the media has allegedly crossed the line, President Ruto said it was unfortunate that a section of the media was glorifying anarchy. Without naming any media house, Ruto insisted that the media has a duty to exercise good judgment whenever reporting on events in the country. I want to request the media to report responsibly," Ruto said when he made remarks at the Chebango AGC church at Kapletundo ward, Sotik Constituency. Reporting, celebrating and encouraging violence, destruction of property, anarchy and mayhem is irresponsible." The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, July 20, 2024 - The chief suspect in the fatal stabbing of a British Rolls-Royce designer in Germany last week has been arrested in France following an international manhunt. Ian Cameron , 74, was found dead at his 3 million mansion in Lake Ammersee in Upper Bavaria on Friday evening, July 12. The Serbian suspect was seen hours before Cameron's death at a supermarket less than a mile from the murder scene wearing a grey T-shirt and blue trousers. He later fled to France from Germany before his arrest. CCTV footage from the crime scene later showed an unidentifiable man wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, light-coloured trousers, gloves, and a dark red backpack. Investigators searching the surrounding area after Cameron was found dead discovered the backpack containing both sets of clothes, suggesting the assailant had changed his outfit a second time after the crime to avoid arrest. Police now believe the killer rang the doorbell to Mr Cameron's home in Herrsching and attacked him when he opened the door, forcing his wife Veronika Kloos, also a former designer at BMW to flee to safety. Suspicions were raised that the designer was deliberately targeted when it emerged the cables to CCTV cameras over the garages where his high-value vehicles were kept had been cut. Some 30 officers were deployed to hunt for the attacker after Cameron's neighbours provided a description of the perpetrator that appeared in the security camera footage. The suspect was said to have been shopping in the Edeka supermarket on Seestrae just 0.8 miles from the designer's house shortly before the attack on the Rolls Royce designer unfolded. CCTV footage also showed the attacker carrying a red rucksack and green-yellow gloves. After police sent drones and even a police helicopter to search for the mu&derer, they found the rucksack, which is now being analysed for usable DNA traces. The investigation team earlier this week extended the manhunt to the whole of Germany before he was located in France. Police understand that the killer rang the doorbell of the house in Herrsching am Ammersee and launched his attack on Cameron as he opened the door. Cameron's wife Kloos fled over a wall to evade the attacker, finding refuge with neighbours who called the emergency services. An officer told The Sun it is 'extremely rare' that a burglar who prepares enough to disable CCTV then 'stabs and kills' a person. Police labelled it a 'violent crime' and said the attacker fled on foot from the house. Ian Cameron was a well-known figure in the automotive industry, having left a lasting legacy at Rolls-Royce with his groundbreaking designs. Before retiring from the company in 2013, he was credited for his work on luxury cars, including the 3 Series, Z8, Phantom, and Ghost. Sunday, July 21, 2024 -Three Kenyan women working in the UK have booked a flight to Nairobi on Tuesday to join the Gen Z protests, demanding President William Ruto's resignation over poor governance. The Gen Z protests began with Kenyans urging President William Ruto not to sign the Finance Bill 2024 after it passed in parliament. After several protests in the streets that culminated in Kenyans breaching parliament, the Finance Bill 2024 was finally withdrawn. However, Weeks later, Kenyans are still in the streets fighting for change and have since given a set of demands that Ruto and his government should follow to the letter so that they can get off the streets. This coming Tuesday, Gen Zs have vowed to protest in Nairobis Central Business District (CBD) and oppose Rutos new cabinet nominees. Having watched the unfolding events from the UK, Sharon, Jennifer, and Nicole have decided to book flights and join their fellow patriots in fighting for good governance. It's an awakening, we are choosing our next leaders; we are tired of corruption and bad leadership. "We have read books like Kifo Kisimani, Utengano, Waziri Wa Mayai, among others and we want to come and implement it at home," "It is not our wish that our country burns but if it things go badly, we would rather the reset happens at once than for the suffering to be drawn out for a long time," Nicole told a local daily. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, July 21, 2024 - An outspoken Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) lawmaker has revealed how former President Uhuru Kenyatta is bullying former Prime Minister Raila Odinga against forming a government of national unity with President William Ruto. In a social media post on Saturday, Kileleshwa ward MCA, Robert Alai stated that Uhuru is trying to influence Raila Odinga not to accept a political deal with Ruto. The vocal ODM MCA claimed that Uhuru and Raila are in Dubai to discuss the proposed government of national unity. According to Alai, Uhuru has been demanding that the former prime minister does not accept Cabinet slots offered by the Kenya Kwanza government. "Uhuru is bullying Baba in Dubai now, demanding that he doesnt accept the cabinet while the same Uhuru has people in the Cabinet. "Uhuru tells Baba that if must accept it then he should agree to Uhuru nominating who should be in the cabinet. "Haki Uhuru is selfish!" Alai wrote on his X. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, July 21, 2024 - A section of leaders from Kericho has endorsed President William Ruto's partial cabinet that he nominated on Friday. Speaking during a political event on Saturday, the leaders led by Kipkelion West MP Hillary Kosgei, expressed their satisfaction with the names fronted by the Head of State, who is seeking to restructure his government after facing a wave of opposition from Kenyans for over one month now. The leaders, while okaying the new nominees, impressed upon them the need to fight corruption at a time when Kenya's economy needs to recover after experiencing severe shocks. "We are satisfied in terms of the people who have been brought on board, their names will come to Parliament and we will do our responsibility as the members of the National Assembly," he stated. The leaders thanked the President for showing faith and sticking with some of the Cabinet Secretaries who were serving in the previous cabinet. The leaders for instance expressed confidence in Aden Duale's reappointment to the Ministry of Defence docket. Further, the leaders claimed that Davis Chirchir performed well enough in his previous Energy docket to warrant another stab at the cabinet. This comes after President William Ruto on Friday nominated 11 new members of his new-look Cabinet amid reports that the Head of State is looking to accommodate the opposition Azimio Coalition by allocating it 7 slots. Others Ruto nominated to Cabinet include Kithure Kindiki as Interior CS, Alice Wahome (Lands), Aden Duale (Defence), Soipan Tuya (Environment), and former Trade CS Rebecca Miano was nominated as the new Attorney General among others. The Kenyan DAILY POST Kilkenny Camogie look set to be without one of their key players for 2025 after Grace Walsh opted to step away for the upcoming season. Walsh has represented the county with great distinction since making her debut in 2011 and she leaves the squad with All-Ireland titles in 2016, 2020 and 2022 to her name. While there is still a possibility that she will return at some stage, for now its the end of an era for the Tullaroan star. In a statement on Social Media, the 31 year old said: "Sin e but still some incredible memories made with a special group of friends. Up the Cats always." Walsh's club team Tullaroan paid tribute to the decorated camogie player in a post earlier this week: "Congrats to our own Grace Walsh on an incredible inter county career over the last 14 years. We are all extremely proud of the role model and ambassador you are for the younger generation here in Tullaroan. Grace has always been on hand to offer words of encouragement to our younger players," the post read. READ MORE: Former Kilkenny boss heaps praise on departing Grace Walsh "Over the past number of years Grace has been a pivotal member of Kilkenny Camogie and has fast become a household name throughout Kilkenny and beyond for her attributes on the field of play. Her workrate and ability to win aerial balls makes her stand out from the crowd," the post added. "A notable performance during the 2020 All-Ireland final V Galway at midfield shortlisted her for player of the match with an incredible performance of sheer determination and passion helping Kilkenny to all-Ireland success on an silent December night in Croke Park." "We look forward to many more years of Grace in the Tullaroan sash and driving on the club as this years senior captain. Well done Grace 3 time All-Ireland winner 3 time All-Star 7 Senior Leinster titles and 5 Senior National league titles," the post concluded. FOR MORE KILKENNY GAA NEWS, CLICK HERE There was a great turnout on Tory Hill, one of the highest points in South Kilkenny, for the annual climb on Fraochan Sunday. Members of the South Kilkenny Historical Society joined locals and others taking part in the ancient tradition, which pre-dates Christianity and is associated with the ancient Festival of Lughanasa. Near the hills summit, John Dwyer, who has written extensively on Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, gave a talk on the traditions associated with Fraochan Sunday. Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Ossory Dr Niall Coll. Christianity, we are told, transformed Medieval Ireland and Bishop Niall Coll of Ossory referred to this in his address to a large gathering. Without the help of a SatNav, people gathered here hundreds of years ago from Pagan Sun God worshippers to the coming of Christianity to present day Christians. The major players in Medieval Ireland were all involved from the Vikings, bishops and abbots, to local and national chieftains. The valley below on a beautiful Sunday, when sunshine held much for them and even Holly Lake, before it was drained to a smaller lake was of great importance. It was the centre of a struggle for power between Anglo-Norman and Gaelic Lords. Its landscape was transformed by them, Including invades like Cromwell in the mid 17th Century, while remaining an important spiritual place for locals and small numbers of travellers alike. Religious sites and pilgrimage routes have played a significant role in Irish history and culture. Both Fr Liam Barron and Bishop Coll honed in on this theme. It was a first for any Bishop of Ossory to come and celebrate Mass on Tory Hill and maybe it created a bit of local history by it. The summit has been a place of worship, devotion, and pilgrimage for centuries, and continues to be so today. Locals kept it going on the second Sunday in July: Fraochan Sunday. Many years ago, a pattern was held to mark it. The local Mullinavat Legion of Mary was one of the groups that organised the saying of the Rosary each year for years on end. Called Sliabh gCruinn or Tory Hill now, the hill is rocky from about half way up,cover by heather. Many people on Sunday picked the Fraochans while going up. The like of Tory was a way to connect with it. There are tomb chambers, there are cairns also, and the Farnogue court tomb the only one in the county, according to books on the subject. These date back thousands of years before Christianity. The tradition continues of walking up from many directions to the top of the hill where a 1954 Holy Cross was erected by local people, such was their devotion to something special in the area. It was also used by highwaymen, robbers and the outlaw Edward Denn. GREAT THING It has a giants chair, that my grandsons, without hesitation sat on in fact, they led us up the route. It is a great thing for young boys and girls to do and I am so grateful that we were given their company to do this walk on Sunday. They met the Bishop like many more, in fact hundreds there after Mass, and it was indeed a most historical occasion. The loop trail way walk is an opportunity for visitors to experience the beauty of County Kilkenny and South Kilkenny in particular, and to connect with the rich spiritual heritage of Ireland. The trail is well-marked: Michael Delahunty, a great man in the area, made it possible to do the loop walk, clearing it of briars and undergrowth. Others did work here also. The event on Sunday was organised by the local SKHS. Its chairman Eddie Synnott, also addressed the gathering, paying tribute to all, some mentioned here already but also the Waterford Comhaltas Branch and the choir under the direction of Katherine Grant together with all that helped in any way. The smash hit musical play Are Ya Dancin? A Showband Story, comes to Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny for a one-night-only on Saturday, August 24. This tale offers a snapshot in time when Ireland was finally starting to find its voice and when showband music was the revolutionary language of the people. Set in 1960s Donegal, in the golden era of music, the story follows Tommy ONeill who finds himself at the helm of an up-and-coming showband. Get ready to join Tommy on his rollercoaster journey and witness the music, magic and glory of the past through the knockout songs of Irelands greatest dancehalls. Featured in the cast are writers/producers Carol Gleeson and Helen Spring in the roles of Mary McDaid and Sarah Harte. Sean MacMathuna dazzles in the lead role as Tommy ONeill, expertly supported by well-known Kilkenny actor Kevin Reade as Jim Brennan and Bronwyn Andrews as Annie Brennan. Alongside an array of exceptional Irish talent from around the country, the production also sees the original Paul Mescal (father and namesake of his famous son) tread the boards as disgruntled bar owner Seamie McDaid in what is sure to be a memorable summers night out. Kilkenny native and dancer Sinead Byrne is also a part of the ensemble cast. The seven-piece band boasts an impressive thirty-plus cast, is steeped in nostalgia and is one of the largest home-grown, exciting and original Irish productions to hit the stage for years. When it comes to education, Project 2025 might as well be Project 1981. The 922-page conservative public policy to-do list rehashes a retro item: dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. That was a novel concept back when music videos were a novel concept. Newly elected President Ronald Reagan pushed the idea, hoping to tear down a cabinet-level department minted by his predecessor, President Jimmy Carter. Reagan abandoned the effort in 1985, in his second term. But it shows up in the very first sentence of Project 2025s 44-page chapter on education. Federal education policy should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated, wrote the chapters author, Lindsey M. Burke, the director of the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. Project 2025 is no summer beach read, except maybe in political circles. Democrats have been quick to paint the report as a sweeping, and ominous, ultraconservative manifesto. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has sought to distance himself from the report and its authors, drawing even more skeptical scrutiny in the process. But whats new here? The notion of ditching the U.S. Education Department couldnt possibly come as a surprise to high-ranking Idaho Republicans. Still, most were mum this week, although state superintendent Debbie Critchfield said shes open to the idea. For all the controversy, Project 2025s education agenda might be most notable for its scarcity of new ideas; many of its planks have been floating around for years, nationally and in Idaho. Instead, the report offers a mixtape of long-discussed proposals and long-harbored criticisms. Heres a sampling: Project 2025 endorses education savings accounts one of several mechanisms to move public dollars into private K-12 schools. In 2023, the Idaho Senate rejected an ESA bill modeled after an Arizona law. The report recommends ESAs as one way to help parents of children with special needs, also a familiar idea. ESAs were originally conceived as a means of supporting students who have special needs, state superintendent Debbie Critchfield said Wednesday. We have seen the expansion of that scope since the beginning. The report says no school employee should be forced to use a students preferred pronoun, if the request runs counter to the employees religious or moral convictions. The 2024 Idaho Legislature passed a similar law. The report decries the Biden administration proposal to expand Title IX, the landmark federal ban on school discrimination based on sex. The White House wants to extend Title IX to LGBTQ+ students; Idaho has joined one of several Republican-led lawsuits opposing the move. Echoing another recurring criticism from conservatives, Project 2025 urges Congress to amend federal law to block student loan forgiveness programs. The Biden administration has mercilessly pillaged the student loan portfolio for crass political purposes without regard to the needs of current taxpayers or future students. This must never happen again. Its impossible to decipher where Project 2025 ends and the Republican Party platform begins, at least on education, because the two documents are so similar. In considerably fewer words, the platform recites project talking points. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form By Lee Kyung-min Over 4 million college graduates were out of the labor force and not seeking employment in the first half of this year, government data showed, Sunday. According to Statistics Korea, the number of college graduates that remain economically inactive came to 4.06 million, up 72,000 from the year before. The year-on-year increase of over 70,000 is the highest six-month figure since 1999 when the authorities began compiling related data. It even exceeded the 4.04 million at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. These unemployed people are part of the group NEETs, an acronym for Not in Education, Employment or Training. The demographic refers to those unemployed and not undergoing any education or vocational training. Most pronounced was the increase is in the 20 to 29 age group, constituting a larger portion of the economically inactive, highly educated demographic. Almost all of them had experiences of less than one year in menial, repetitive work in the retail and facility management sectors, under temporary contracts. The apparently overqualified were more likely to quit jobs thereafter, frustrated by the low quality of employment available relative to their expectations. Among the reasons for leaving employment were child care and household responsibilities, old age and physical or mental disabilities. Some cited no particular reason, categorized as those at rest in the statistics data and therefore considered economically inactive. The state-run statistics agency said economically inactive college graduates first topped 4 million in the first half of 2021, and have since been on the rise, except for 2022. The development is concerning, given the three consecutive years of decline in the overall economically inactive population, it added. The government introduced job training and employment matching programs in May, as part of efforts to facilitate economic activity of those in the NEET category. By Jon Dunbar While Rob, a British resident of Seoul, was away from home, his landlord paid an unannounced visit to his apartment on July 6, and his dog Luna escaped while the apartment door and front gate were left wide open. The disappearance of the beloved beagle mix triggered a massive search in central Seoul's Haebangchon, as well as neighboring areas where she could have fled to. There are many things that one can try when searching for a lost dog. The first thing should be to spread the word, and get more people looking. Posts about Luna went up around social media, as well as on the neighborhood-based secondhand goods selling platform Daangn Market, also known as Karrot. One of Rob's friends opened a Kakao group chat, and dozens of people friends as well as strangers joined so they could help with the search. Someone designed a bilingual poster, and volunteers helped Rob put them up around the neighborhood. "That helped keep me busy when I was out of my mind," said Rob, who said he felt helpless for the three and a half days that Luna was missing. As well, during this critical time, there were other important steps to take. It is useful to contact local veterinary clinics. When finding and catching a runaway dog, most people opt to bring the animal to the nearest veterinary clinic. The vet can scan for an RFID chip or may even know the dog as a patient. Since Luna ran away on the weekend, Rob had to wait until Monday to contact the local vets to see if she had been brought in. One helper recommended Rob keep his front gate open so Luna could find her way home on her own. He also encouraged the same action from people who have had Luna stay over, as well as any former homes where Luna has lived previously. Meanwhile, two sightings of Luna were reported early Monday morning one uphill from home after 2 a.m. and the other only a few hours later all the way in Gyeongnidan, suggesting Luna had entered an underpass, climbed stairs at the other end and crossed a busy road. Searchers cast a wide net, with one person suggesting putting up signs across the river in Banpo-dong. It appeared Luna was emerging from hiding late at night, perhaps when fewer people were about, but also possibly during breaks in the rainfall that washed over the city throughout the weekend. Rain is bad to dogs because it erases the scents they rely on for navigation. This would make it even harder for Luna to find her way home. It also may have led her movements to become even more random. The neighborhood had too many nooks and crannies, made more complicated by open gates, parking garages and various other dog-sized hiding places. In many apartments, there is a space beneath the bottom balconies that is perfect for a dog to crawl in and hide from people or rain. I checked as many of these as I could. I also hoped that Luna knew she was too big to try wriggling under a parked car. The search was made complicated, especially at night, out of concerns of intruding on neighbors' privacy. To mitigate this, it is helpful to carry a poster, as well as other items increasing credibility such as dog treats or animal carriers but be forewarned that actual burglars could use the same objects to avert suspicion while snooping. It can be hard for others to discern the difference, which is a position some of the helpers found themselves in. Additionally, apartment security guards seemed to be of no help. In the times when I approached them asking if they'd seen Luna, all of them would confidently tell me she wasn't on their property, clearly without having looked or knowing for sure. I found my electric scooter to be an ideal vehicle to increase the search. It is silent, suitable for narrow alleys and equipped with a powerful LED headlight. In the heat of the search, some members referenced G Happy Dog, a nationwide network for people sharing information about lost dog searches. Currently with a membership of 351, it's an informal group, tracing its beginnings back to a search for a missing dog named Grace. After several months, she turned up in a different province. Her travels resulted in people from various localities joining the search, and after she was rescued, many of the people remained in the group chat, helping to recover other missing dogs with the tips they learned. An infographic was shared in the group chat containing tips for how to aid in the physical search for a runaway dog. 1. They advise against searchers going around calling the dog's name. This may frighten the dog. "The search should be done quietly and carefully," they recommend. 2. They recommend not calling the dog's name even when the dog is found. "The dog thinks it can't go home because it did something wrong," they said. "If you call loudly, the dog will think you will scold it and run away." 3. If you find the dog, they suggest lowering your posture as much as possible. Sit down, or even lie down if possible, which may induce the dog to approach. 4. When the dog is sighted, it is vital not to give chase. "When the dog starts running, it is already out of reach," the flyer said. "When chased too hard, it increases the dog's risk of accident." They advise making a note of the direction the dog is going, taking a picture if possible and using a map to indicate location and route. "Most missing dogs are panicking and don't react as usual. We need to share her location and follow her without scaring her by running or yelling. If the dog is chased or called loud multiple times it may leave the area and run far," said a member of the group who shared the G Happy Dog poster. The person further clarified that it is best only for the dog's owner to be the one to approach. When the dog's location is reported, it is best to put flyers up around the location. "If she's seen multiple times, then you can decide how to get closer or catch her depending on her condition," the person said. 5. Last, the flyer mentions important equipment to bring on the search. This includes dog treats or cans of wet food, water, a leash and a flashlight. A handheld flashlight is better than a phone it gives a stronger beam, and you can have light while carrying out important tasks on your phone, such as taking pictures or calling in a sighting. Post-rescue Not all run-away dog stories end well. But this would not be the case for Luna. Ultimately, Luna was found higher uphill on Mount Nam's Sowol-gil, late Tuesday night, more than three days after she went missing. Ultimately, this time it wasn't the Kakao group chat or the posters that led to her return, but her collar. "It was the collar that saved her," Rob said. "Her name and my number are on the collar, and that's how she was identified." Once Luna was safely home, a G Happy Dog member shared an additional infographic, giving three important steps to take upon the dog's safe return. 1. First, it is important to take the dog to a veterinary clinic for a checkup. The dog may be suffering malnutrition or dehydration. As well, the animal won't need strenuous exercise for the following week or so. 2. Once the flyers and posters are no longer needed, they should be taken down. Having done this, it is surprisingly satisfying to collect the posters after the mission is accomplished. This seems important not just so people know to call off the search, but also to remove personal contact information from public view. 3. Online postings about the missing dog should be updated so everyone knows the dog has been found. Now, Rob is looking into a device called Tractive, which is similar to Apple AirTag, to attach to Luna's collar, or keeping her on an extended leash when he's out in case a similar situation happens again. Rob added that all the activity to secure Luna's return has turned her into a bit of a local celebrity. "Since shes been found, at least two people that I dont know have come up to me every day asking if my dog was Luna," he said. By Jon Dunbar The Kurdish people are not well-known around the world, partly because they don't have their own country. The "Refugee Insights" lecture series by Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, will give the floor to Ismaiel M., a Kurdish resident of Korea, to explain the situation. He will answer the question, "Who are the Kurds and why don't they have their own country?" to shed light on the suffering of the Kurdish people. "We look forward to the interest and participation of many attendees," organizers said in an online invitation. Ismaiel M. was born in Iraq and earned a bachelor's degree from Baghdad University. In Korea, he studied at Sungkonghoe University where he earned a master's degree in NGO studies, and a doctorate in Middle Eastern and North African politics. He has worked as a lecturer since 2012 at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. The talk runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday at a hanok (traditional Korean house) in central Seoul's Seochon neighborhood. Entry is free, but there are limited seats, so anyone interested should sign up in advance. Visit hanokers.org for more information. Korea's Navy chief was set to embark on a two-nation trip to the Middle East on Sunday to strengthen military ties, the Navy said. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Young-mo will visit Qatar and Saudi Arabia for six days to meet his counterparts, it said. It marks the first time for the Navy chief to visit the two countries. (Yonhap) Seoul operates loudspeakers at full scale in response to 9th batch of balloons from Pyongyang By Lee Hyo-jin North Korea launched another flotilla of trash-filled balloons toward South Korea, Sunday, just three days after Seoul resumed daily propaganda broadcasts along the border in a tit-for-tat move to counter Pyongyangs balloon offensive on Thursday. This latest launch marks the Norths ninth "balloon offensive" since the first one in late May. In response, the South's military has fully implemented its loudspeaker broadcasts along the DMZ starting Sunday afternoon. Observers say that the South Korean government seems to be caught in a chicken-or-egg dilemma, highlighting the need for more effective measures to address the intensifying cross-border psychological warfare. In a text message sent to reporters around 9:15 a.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that the balloons appeared to be heading toward northern Gyeonggi Province. The military detected around 360 balloons in the air, with approximately 100 falling within South Korea's territory, mostly in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. We will respond firmly to these balloons using the loudspeakers currently in operation, a JCS official told The Korea Times shortly after the balloons were spotted. Later in the day, the JCS announced that it would operate all fixed loudspeakers across the border regions simultaneously from 1 p.m. Since last Thursday, the military has been operating several fixed speakers from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., deployed along the western, central and eastern sections of the DMZ, with broadcasts differing by region and time. From now on, the speakers will be turned on in all border regions at the same time each day until the North halts its balloon launches, a military official said. These broadcasts include K-pop songs and news critical of the North Korean regime, such as recent reports on the defection of North Korean diplomats to the South. High-powered speakers reportedly have a listening range of 10 to 30 kilometers, depending on the equipment and time of day. With its ninth balloon offensive, Pyongyang has now launched over 2,000 trash-filled balloons since May 28, according to the JCS. These balloons have primarily contained wastepaper and cigarette butts, with earlier ones even including manure. No hazardous materials have been reported. Sundays launch occurred in the morning, deviating from the usual late-night timing of previous launches. The reason for this change is unclear, but some speculate it could be due to wind patterns or weather conditions during the monsoon season affecting the Korean Peninsula. The North Korean regime argues that the trash balloons are a tit-for-tat response to South Korea-based activists releasing anti-Pyongyang leaflets and USB drives containing K-pop and trot music into North Korea. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, described the situation as a "chicken or the egg" problem. The North claims their balloons are in retaliation for South Koreas propaganda leaflets, while the South Korean military argues that the loudspeakers are a response to these balloon launches. Its a repeating cycle for the last two months, Yang said. However, Yang questioned the effectiveness of the loudspeakers, noting that they have not deterred the North from sending the trash balloons. "Rather, the speakers might provoke further military provocations from Pyongyang, putting residents near the border in harm's way," the expert said, noting that Pyongyang reacted angrily to the loudspeaker broadcasts in August 2015 by firing artillery shots toward the South. The Kim regime has warned of "new forms of retaliation" in response to the anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets. If 'South Korean trash' persists in their petty and dirty actions, we will inevitably have to change our response methods," Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said in a statement released on July 16. Yang speculated that new forms of retaliation from the North could include disrupting major airports with trash-laden balloons, GPS jamming or cyberattacks on government systems. In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, AI chatbots are crucial tools for enhancing customer interaction and streamlining business operations. Benefits of Using AI Chatbots: Improved Customer Service : Provide 24/7 support with instant responses to customer inquiries. : Provide 24/7 support with instant responses to customer inquiries. Increased Efficiency : Automate routine tasks, freeing up human resources for more complex issues. : Automate routine tasks, freeing up human resources for more complex issues. Enhanced User Experience : Deliver personalized experiences that drive customer satisfaction and loyalty. : Deliver personalized experiences that drive customer satisfaction and loyalty. Scalability : Easily handle large volumes of interactions without the need for additional staff. : Easily handle large volumes of interactions without the need for additional staff. Insightful Analytics: Gain valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviors to better tailor your services. Below, we explore 16 top AI chatbot builders, detailing their unique features and how they can be tailored to meet different business needs. 1. DropChat DropChat simplifies the creation and management of chatbots for businesses looking to enhance customer interactions on social media and websites. It is designed to be intuitive, allowing even those with minimal technical expertise to deploy effective communication tools quickly. Main Features: Seamless Integration : Easily connects with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and websites. : Easily connects with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and websites. Customizable Templates : Offers a variety of templates that can be tailored to specific business needs. : Offers a variety of templates that can be tailored to specific business needs. Real-time Analytics: Provides insights into chatbot performance and customer engagement metrics. more details 2. WonderChat WonderChat excels in crafting engaging conversational experiences, utilizing advanced AI to understand and respond to user inquiries intelligently. It is particularly effective for businesses aiming to provide 24/7 support without compromising the quality of customer service. Main Features: Natural Language Processing : Advanced algorithms that interpret and respond to complex queries. : Advanced algorithms that interpret and respond to complex queries. Multi-platform Support : Works across various messaging apps and social media channels. : Works across various messaging apps and social media channels. Automation Tools: Automates routine tasks to enhance operational efficiency. more details 3. ChatFlowApp ChatFlowApp is targeted at e-commerce businesses, optimizing customer interactions to drive sales and improve service. Its focus on conversion and retention makes it a valuable tool for online retailers looking to capitalize on every customer interaction. Main Features: E-commerce Optimization : Tailored features to boost online sales. : Tailored features to boost online sales. Custom Flows : Allows businesses to design unique conversation paths that lead to conversions. : Allows businesses to design unique conversation paths that lead to conversions. Integration Capabilities: Integrates with e-commerce platforms like Shopify to streamline operations. more details 4. Dante AI Dante AI is known for its robust and scalable solutions that cater to enterprises requiring complex, context-aware systems. It is suitable for organizations looking for a deeply customizable AI-driven communication platform. Main Features: Scenario-Based Conversations : Supports intricate conversational scenarios for detailed customer interactions. : Supports intricate conversational scenarios for detailed customer interactions. High Customizability : Offers extensive customization options to perfectly align with business processes. : Offers extensive customization options to perfectly align with business processes. Enterprise-Grade Security: Ensures data integrity and security, complying with industry standards. more details 5. LetsAsk.AI LetsAsk.AI is versatile and can be used across various industries, including hospitality, finance, and customer service. It focuses on creating an intelligent assistant that not only answers queries but also provides insights and suggestions based on user interactions. Main Features: Industry-Specific Solutions : Provides features tailored to specific industry needs. : Provides features tailored to specific industry needs. Knowledge Management : Incorporates a powerful knowledge base to handle complex queries. : Incorporates a powerful knowledge base to handle complex queries. Security and Compliance: Adheres to stringent security protocols to protect sensitive information. more details 6. ChainDesk AI ChainDesk AI offers a robust platform for automating complex customer service interactions, making it ideal for businesses looking to streamline operations and reduce response times. It focuses on enhancing the efficiency of service desks and support teams through AI-driven interactions. Main Features: Advanced Automation : Automates responses to frequently asked questions with high accuracy. : Automates responses to frequently asked questions with high accuracy. Integration with CRMs : Seamlessly integrates with existing CRM systems to provide cohesive customer insights. : Seamlessly integrates with existing CRM systems to provide cohesive customer insights. Customizable Workflows: Enables businesses to create tailored workflows for different types of customer queries. more details 7. DocsBot AI DocsBot AI specializes in transforming document-based interactions into conversational experiences. It is particularly useful for organizations that handle a high volume of document inquiries, such as legal or financial services. Main Features: Document Parsing : Utilizes AI to extract and process information from documents during conversations. : Utilizes AI to extract and process information from documents during conversations. Intelligent Search : Offers advanced search capabilities within documents to answer specific user queries. : Offers advanced search capabilities within documents to answer specific user queries. Compliance and Security: Ensures that all interactions comply with industry-standard security practices. more details 8. ChatSimple AI ChatSimple AI focuses on providing a straightforward and user-friendly interface for creating and managing chatbots. This tool is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy way to begin using chatbots without extensive technical knowledge. Main Features: Drag-and-Drop Builder : Simplifies the creation of chatbots with a user-friendly visual builder. : Simplifies the creation of chatbots with a user-friendly visual builder. Pre-built Templates : Offers a range of templates that can be customized to suit different business needs. : Offers a range of templates that can be customized to suit different business needs. Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into chatbot performance and user engagement. more details 9. ChatBase ChatBase delivers a comprehensive solution for enterprises requiring detailed analytics and sophisticated bot management. It is designed for scalability and complex integration, supporting businesses with expansive customer service demands. Main Features: Scalable Architecture : Supports a high number of interactions and complex bot operations. : Supports a high number of interactions and complex bot operations. Detailed Analytics : Tracks user interactions to refine and improve the conversational experience. : Tracks user interactions to refine and improve the conversational experience. Multi-language Support: Offers support for multiple languages to cater to a global customer base. more details 10. Ivy AI Ivy AI excels in providing educational institutions with AI chatbot solutions that enhance student and staff interactions. Its focus on the education sector allows for tailored solutions that address common needs such as admissions, support, and campus information. Main Features: Sector-Specific Solutions : Tailored specifically for educational environments. : Tailored specifically for educational environments. Student Engagement Tools : Enhances student interactions with automated responses and information retrieval. : Enhances student interactions with automated responses and information retrieval. Integration with Educational Systems: Easily integrates with existing educational platforms and databases for seamless information flow. more details 11. Coveo Coveo enhances customer and employee interactions with its AI-powered search and relevance platform, designed to connect users with the most relevant information and recommendations. This tool is particularly beneficial for large enterprises that deal with vast amounts of data and require precise, contextually appropriate search capabilities. Main Features: Intelligent Search : Leverages AI to deliver highly relevant search results based on user context. : Leverages AI to deliver highly relevant search results based on user context. Personalization : Automatically personalizes content and recommendations to individual user needs. : Automatically personalizes content and recommendations to individual user needs. Analytics and Insights: Provides detailed insights into user behavior and search trends to continually optimize the experience. more details 12. QuickChat AI QuickChat AI is a versatile chatbot builder that allows for the rapid deployment of conversation AI across various messaging platforms. It is particularly suited for businesses looking to implement chat solutions quickly and efficiently, with minimal coding required. Main Features: Cross-Platform Compatibility : Operates across multiple messaging platforms including web, mobile, and social media. : Operates across multiple messaging platforms including web, mobile, and social media. Natural Language Processing : Employs advanced NLP to understand and respond to user queries effectively. : Employs advanced NLP to understand and respond to user queries effectively. Scalability: Easily scales to accommodate growing business needs and user volumes. more details 13. Hoory Hoory is designed for seamless integration into websites, providing a friendly and engaging voice assistant that enhances customer support and interaction. Its a great fit for SMEs looking to elevate their customer service with minimal investment. Main Features: Voice Activation : Supports voice commands for a hands-free user experience. : Supports voice commands for a hands-free user experience. User Engagement : Enhances user engagement with its friendly and conversational interface. : Enhances user engagement with its friendly and conversational interface. Easy Integration: Simplifies the process of integrating with existing website infrastructure. more details 14. ManyChat ManyChat specializes in creating chatbots for social media platforms, particularly Facebook Messenger. It provides businesses with tools to automate interactions, capture leads, and drive sales directly from social media. Main Features: Social Media Integration : Focuses on integrating seamlessly with social media platforms. : Focuses on integrating seamlessly with social media platforms. Marketing Automation : Offers tools for automating marketing campaigns and engaging with leads. : Offers tools for automating marketing campaigns and engaging with leads. E-commerce Capabilities: Supports transactional features for direct sales through chat. more details 15. Boost.ai Boost.ai offers an advanced virtual agent framework designed for enterprises requiring high-volume, complex customer interactions. Its robust AI engine supports a wide range of industries with precise and efficient customer service automation. Main Features: High-volume Handling: Designed to manage thousands of simultaneous conversations. Complex Query Resolution: Capable of handling intricate customer queries with high accuracy. Continuous Learning: Evolves with interactions to improve accuracy and efficiency over time. more details 16. Landbot Landbot revolutionizes chatbot interfaces by providing a visually driven interaction model that makes building and deploying conversational agents as simple as creating a flowchart. Its particularly suited for marketing and customer engagement scenarios. Main Features: Visual Builder: Utilizes a drag-and-drop interface for easy chatbot creation. Customization Options: Offers extensive customization to align with brand identity. Integration Flexibility: Integrates with a plethora of web services and APIs to enhance functionality. more details Discover more tools Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter , Facebook and Instagram. Ruling, opposition parties clash over prosecutions questioning of Kim behind closed doors By Kwak Yeon-soo First lady Kim Keon Hee was interrogated by prosecutors over allegations that she illegally accepted a luxury handbag from a Korean American pastor and was involved in a stock manipulation scheme, according to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, Sunday, Kim was summoned on Saturday for an investigation into graft and stock manipulation cases. She was questioned face-to-face at an undisclosed government building for about 12 hours. Kim faces allegations that she illegally accepted a Christian Dior handbag valued at around 3 million won ($2,158) from pastor Choi Jae-young during their meeting in Seoul in September 2022, four months after President Yoon Suk Yeols inauguration. Choi conspired with YouTube-based media outlet Voice of Seoul to secretly film his meeting with Kim. The media outlet released the footage last November and filed a complaint with the prosecution against Kim and Yoon for bribe acceptance and violating the anti-graft law. Earlier this month, Kims aide told prosecutors that the first lady ordered the return of the bag on the same day she received it. However, the bag was ultimately not returned but instead has been kept at the presidential office. Kim was also grilled over her involvement in the stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors, a BMW car dealer in Korea, between 2009 and 2012. Kim faithfully cooperated with the investigation and discussed everything truthfully, Kims lawyer Choi Ji-woo said. The presidential office said it was inappropriate for it to address the prosecutions investigation of the first lady. The feud between the Supreme Prosecutors Office and Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office is heating up after local media reported that the top prosecutor wasnt briefed about the interrogation in advance. Neither Prosecutor General Lee (One-seok) nor any of the supreme prosecutors knew about the questioning. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office informed us when the questioning was nearing an end. Lee is deeply concerned about this situation, an official from the Supreme Prosecutors Office said. The first ladys scandal has been a bone of political contention for more than half a year and was one of the factors in the ruling blocs crushing defeat in the April 10 general elections. Prosecutors sent a written questionnaire to Kim in 2021 and 2023, but didnt receive the necessary responses. The investigation began to speed up after Prosecutor General Lee ordered the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to set up a team dedicated to investigating the allegations against Kim in May. The case is a serious blow to Yoon, whose grip of state affairs weakened following the election outcome in April. During a press conference to commemorate the second anniversary of his presidency in May, Yoon apologized for his wife's acceptance of the bag. The questioning comes as the opposition-controlled National Assemblys Legislation and Judiciary Committee designated Kim as a witness for a public hearing on July 26 on an impeachment petition against her husband, during which she will be questioned on the charges against herself. The opposition, which has been calling for a special counsel to investigate the first lady, slammed the prosecutions move to question Kim behind closed doors. Prosecutors have not summoned Kim for many years. But they suddenly questioned her after the Legislation and Judiciary Committee requested her to appear as a witness for a hearing on July 26 on a petition demanding the impeachment of President Yoon. Does Kim stand above the law? Rep. Kang Yu-jung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said in a statement. People know that the prosecution is putting on a political show to clear Kim of the charges, Kim Bo-hyup, the chief spokesperson of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said in a statement. On the other hand, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) argued that the investigation was conducted strictly in accordance with the law and principles. "Its regrettable that the DPK is trying to abuse the case and turn it into a political dispute. We have clearly stated that the Assembly hearing is unconstitutional and illegal, Rep. Cho Ji-yeon of the PPP said in a statement. Prosecutors said Sunday that they have questioned first lady Kim Keon Hee over allegations that she received a Christian Dior handbag and other expensive gifts from a pastor, as well as her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation case. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said that Kim was questioned face-to-face at an undisclosed government building on Saturday for about 12 hours, ending at around 1:20 a.m. The scandal centers on allegations that Kim illegally received the handbag worth about 3 million won ($2,158) and other expensive gifts from pastor Choi Jae-young in September 2022 allegedly in exchange for favors. Kim's aide told prosecutors earlier this month that Kim ordered the return of the Dior bag she received as a gift from pastor Choi on the same day it was given, but the aide claimed she forgot to return the handbag because she was too busy with other tasks. Separately, prosecutors questioned Kim face-to-face for the first time over her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation case involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW car dealer in Korea. Prosecutors sent a written questionnaire to Kim last year but did not receive the necessary responses. The stock manipulation case centers on allegations that Kwon Oh-soo, a former head of Deutsch Motors, conspired with influential market players to manipulate the company's stock prices between December 2009 and December 2012. An appellate court is set to hand out a sentence on Kwon in September, following his suspended prison sentence in a district court. (Yonhap) Gongcha Korea in hot seat for causing overconsumption, waste problems By Lee Hae-rin Gongcha Korea's limited-edition key rings have been triggering a controversy over possible overconsumption and waste problems, as many people choose to purchase and dispose of dozens of drinks so they can obtain a character key ring, according to industry experts, Sunday. The company launched an event in collaboration with the popular PC game Final Fantasy 14, Wednesday, in which any customer who spends more than 10,000 won, including a designated drink, gets a free key ring of game characters from Final Fantasy 14. The event runs until Aug. 28. Final Fantasy 14 is a computer game developed and published by Square Enix with over 30 million users worldwide. In order to get the special key ring, several people chose to order dozens of drinks and threw them away. Gamers rushed to the store due to the announcement that there was a limited number of goods sold. Customers posted photos on social media of their key rings, while others complained over the lack of Gongcha stores in their area or limited stocks of the merchandise. Some online users even offered to buy the key rings for 40,000 won on secondhand trading platforms. Experts suggest that companies need a sense of social responsibility to resolve the side effects of the goods crisis. Lim Myeong-ho, a psychology professor at Dankook University, pointed out, "A commercial strategy that stimulates ownership of scarcity will bring great profits to companies in the short term, but it can create a negative impression on consumers and consequently lose a lot." This is not the first time such a phenomenon has been observed. SPC Samlip's Pokemon bread gained popularity due to its character stickers, dubbed tibou seals, on bread bags. Several teenagers bought extra loaves of Pokemon bread and threw them away until they got the stickers they wanted. Some rare series of Pokemon stickers have a systematic market price for resale by type. Starbucks products were at the center of a controversy in 2020. Starbucks held an "e-sequence event" in which they gave away suitcases with the Starbucks logo to customers purchasing a total of 17 drinks. However, it became a social controversy when a customer ordered 300 drinks at a store in Seoul, received 17 suitcases and left the ordered drinks behind. Starbucks reportedly discarded most of the drinks the customer had ordered. This phenomenon has led to criticisms as the trend against the purpose of marketing continues. One online commenter said, "The young generation is bold enough to grow up and throw it away," while another replied, "It would be better for Gongcha to sell key rings separately than to waste food." K-content helps foreigners learn Korean By Mark Peterson Recently on my YouTube channel, I recorded an interview with a "K-pop Korean language student. I was asked by the National Institute of Korean Language to make a video to investigate the way the Korean language is being studied and learned by Americans. The student was one I discovered serendipitously through my physician, who during my last yearly physical mentioned that his high school daughter was crazy about learning Korean. So, I contacted her and asked if I could interview her about her study of Korean. She happily agreed. In the interview I found that it was true she was studying Korean through K-pop and dramas. And it was her mother who got her started as the mother would mimic the Korean actors as they would say, Sarang haeyo (I love you) or other phrases. The mother would say new phrases that she was picking up from the drama and the daughter thought it was fun to do, so she started doing it, too. Then she got serious they both got serious. The mother ordered a picture dictionary of Korean words, and they got onto Duolinguo to learn the alphabet and then the daughter enrolled in an online university language course. So far, she has completed three units. Thus , a young woman, a high school student, has become a student of Korean. My interview with her was delightful. She was very mature for a high school student, yet some things she said would remind me that she was still quite young, but in other ways, she was as mature as a college student or even a college graduate. Her eyes would twinkle when she would speak of the characters in her favorite dramas, and she loved showing off the Korean she had learned. I asked her if she had confidence in using honorifics, and she didnt know the word confidence jashin." And a few sentences later, she used the word as she responded to another question. Bright young student! She is only one of hundreds, maybe thousands of young students who are learning Korean through K-pop, dramas and music. Enrollments in Korean language courses across the country are climbing dramatically. So dramatically that Korean is the only major growth language in America (well, American Sign Language is also growing, but only modestly). All other languages are suffering enrollment decline all across America Spanish, French, German, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese all of them are in decline. The need, or perceived need, to learn a language is being eclipsed by the rise of technology. Why learn a language, sweat, suffer and spend endless time and mental energy to learn a language when your phone has an app that can do bilingual translation for you? Your phone, and other dedicated machines, can listen to a foreign language phrase, and translate it into English for you. And you can speak English into the phone and ask it to translate the statement or question into any number of other languages. So, why study a foreign language? Well, one reason is to develop your brain. Studies have shown that bilingualism and foreign language study improve I.Q. and intellectual ability. There is a positive connection between learning a foreign language and other brain activities, even unrelated activities. And my young interviewee was certainly intelligent. She had just returned from Houston, Texas, where she had competed in a pre-med student competition with students from around the nation and the world and she took second place in the contest! Whether learning a second language makes you smarter, or whether you study a foreign language because you are smarter is a kind of the chicken-or-the-egg question but the answer, regardless, is that there is a connection. Another student has told me that his success in learning Korean is because he was young enough to learn Korean as a child meaning, in his terms, that his brain still had the plasticity, or child-like power to absorb a new language the way children learn language by simply listening and speaking. And this is certainly the key to success in learning Korean these days; students begin in a natural way by living the language of the characters in a drama, and in the songs they listen to. Students come into university courses these days with confidence and the ability to understand and speak in ways unlike their predecessors. There are occasional gaffs students, not understanding honorifics, will sometimes speak to their professors in inappropriate ways, but that only elicits a healthy, but awkward laugh, and a moment of learning ensues: "You cant speak to an older person using that kind of language. And the teacher shows the proper way to speak in that situation and language is learned. And its a lot of fun! It is more fun than speaking into your phone to be your translator. Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is a professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah. SK chairman does not expect Trumps reelection to harm AI industry By Park Jae-hyuk SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and SK Group, advised the government and companies to build more data centers and infrastructure to support people with a strong understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to aid them in finding new business opportunities. Describing such people as AI warriors, the head of Koreas largest business lobby said, Friday, that his companys recent decision to merge SK Innovation and SK E&S is also intended for the energy firms to work together to solve problems related to the massive use of electricity at data centers. AI warriors are not merely engineers who can handle the technology better, Chey said during a press conference on the third day of the 47th KCCI Jeju Forum. Those warriors will eventually become seeds and seedlings leading Koreas growth. The chief of the business group that comprises semiconductor, energy, telecommunication and construction affiliates emphasized the need to let students use part of SKs data centers. We should even start training elementary school students for them to create a decent workforce in the AI sector a decade from now, he said. We can also consider bringing experts from India and other countries, or using foreign experts remotely without bringing them to Korea. In response to a question about how he is bracing for the potential outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November, the chairman remained cautious about predicting the winner and possible changes in the event of Donald Trumps reelection. No matter who wins, there will be little change to U.S. policies toward China, he said. There will be differences in environment policies, but it is hard to predict the level of change. Chey, however, did not expect any damage to the AI market under Trumps presidency, although the former U.S. president told Bloomberg recently that TSMC would return to Taiwan after receiving subsidies for its factory in the U.S. I believe that the U.S. will remain as the largest AI market and the sectors leader, he said. "Honestly, we have yet to make any large-size semiconductor investments in the U.S., given that the planned construction of SK hynix's fab in Indiana is for advanced packaging. If the Trump administration refuses to give subsidies, we can reconsider the investment from scratch." Read More Trump's possible reelection poses uncertainties for Korean businesses During the press conference, the chairman openly discussed his relationship with his children amidst the ongoing divorce lawsuit with his estranged wife, Roh Soh-yeong, who is the daughter of the late former President Roh Tae-woo. It is actually difficult to understand why a meeting with my son becomes news, he said in response to a question about a photo of him and his son that was uploaded recently on an internet forum. It is natural for me to meet with my children every day and have meals with them. It is heartbreaking that people think me meeting with my children is unnatural. Chey also said that Koreas inheritance tax system should be more flexible for the owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, who face difficulties looking for family members who want to inherit their businesses. The inheritance tax system needs to evolve to support businesses and boost economic growth, he said. I want policymakers to carry out a detailed study of the nations inheritance tax system, which has been unchanged over the past 25 years. By Park Jae-hyuk Samsung Electronics labor and management will resume wage talks at its semiconductor plant in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, 15 days after the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) went on its first-ever strike in the tech giant's 55-year history to disrupt production, according to industry officials, Sunday. The NSEU, the largest among the tech firms multiple labor unions, has asked for a 5.6 percent wage hike on average, as well as a day off on the anniversary of the unions foundation, reform in performance-based bonus system and compensation for its members financial losses during the unpaid strike. In contrast, the management has maintained a firm stance that the rate of wage increase cannot surpass 5.1 percent. Through continuous communication with the union, we will make efforts for a win-win relationship, a Samsung Electronics official said. A day before the resumption of the wage talks, the NSEU will hold a rally in an apparent attempt to maximize its bargaining power. However, it remains uncertain how many union members will participate in the rally. The NSEU expects at least 1,500 members to participate in the rally. This is nearly half the number of participants in a rally on the first day of the strike and only 4.3 percent of its entire members. The Israeli army said Saturday it has struck several Houthi targets in western Yemen following a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day. The Israeli strikes appeared to be the first on Yemeni soil since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, and they threatened to open a new front in the region as Israel battles proxies of Iran. A number of military targets were hit in the western port city of Hodeidah, a Houthi stronghold, the Israeli army said, adding that its attack was in response to hundreds of attacks against Israel in recent months. The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement. The Ministry of Health in Sanaa said that 80 people were wounded in a preliminary toll of the strikes in Hodeidah, most of them with severe burns. Israels military said it alone carried out the strikes and our friends were updated. An Israeli Defense Forces official didn't say how many sites were targeted, but told journalists that the port is the main entry point for Iranian weapons. The official didn't say whether it was Israels first attack on Yemen. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X that the blatant Israeli aggression targeted fuel storage facilities and the provinces power station. He said the attacks aim to increase the suffering of the people and to pressure Yemen to stop supporting Gaza. Abdulsalam said the attacks will only make Yemen's people and armed forces more determined to support Gaza. There will be impactful strikes, Mohamed Ali al-Houthi of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen wrote on X. A media outlet controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen, Al-Masirah TV, said the strikes on storage facilities for oil and diesel at the port and on the local electricity company caused deaths and injuries, and several people had severe burns. It said there was a large fire at the port and power cuts were widespread. Health officials in Yemen said the strikes killed a number of people and wounded others, but didn't elaborate. The drone attack by Houthi rebels killed one person in the center of Tel Aviv and wounded at least 10 others near the U.S. Embassy early Friday. Virtually all projectiles fired from the southern Arabian country toward Israel have been intercepted. Israel said air defenses detected the drone on Friday but an error occurred. Experts have expressed doubt about the Houthis ability to overwhelm Israels air defense system from about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) away. "The distance just makes it difficult to launch the kind of barrage that would be necessary to inflict major damage," said Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Since January, U.S. and U.K. forces have been striking targets in Yemen, in response to the Houthis' attacks on commercial shipping that the rebels have described as retaliation for Israel's actions in the war in Gaza. However, many of the ships targeted weren't linked to Israel. The joint force airstrikes so far have done little to deter the Iran-backed force. Analysts and Western intelligence services have long accused Iran of arming the Houthis, a claim Tehran denies. In recent years, U.S. naval forces have intercepted a number of ships packed with rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and missile parts en route from Iran to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The Houthis have long-range ballistic missiles, smaller cruise missiles and suicide drones, all capable of reaching southern Israel, according to weapons experts. The Houthis are open about their arsenal, regularly parading new missiles through the streets of Sanaa. Also Saturday, at least 13 people were killed in three Israeli airstrikes that hit refugee camps in central Gaza overnight, according to Palestinian health officials, as cease-fire talks in Cairo appeared to make progress. Among the dead in the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps were three children and one woman, according to Palestinian ambulance teams that transported the bodies to nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Associated Press journalists counted the 13 corpses. Earlier, a medical team delivered a live baby from a Palestinian woman killed in an airstrike that hit her home in Nuseirat on Thursday. Ola al-Kurd, 25, was rushed by emergency workers to Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza in the hope of saving the unborn child. Hours later, doctors told the AP that a baby boy had been delivered. The still-unnamed newborn is stable, but has suffered from a shortage of oxygen and has been placed in an incubator, Dr. Khalil Dajran said on Friday. Al-Kurd's husband and a relative survived yesterdays strike, while everyone else died, Majid al-Kurd, the deceased woman's cousin, told the AP on Saturday. "The baby is in good health based on what doctors said. The war in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, has killed more than 38,900 people, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The war has created a humanitarian catastrophe in the coastal Palestinian territory, displaced most of its 2.3 million population and triggered widespread hunger. Hamas attack in October killed 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and militants took about 250 hostage. About 120 remain in captivity, with about a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities. In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said a 20-year-old man was shot dead by Israeli forces late Friday. Commenting on the shooting, the Israeli army said its forces opened fire on a group of Palestinians hurling rocks at Israeli troops in the town of Beit Ummar. A witness said that Ibrahim Zaqeq wasn't directly involved in the clashes and was standing nearby. Zaqeq "just looked at them, they shot him in the head, Thare Abu Hashem said. On Saturday, Hamas identified Zaqeq as one of its members. Violence has surged in the territory since the war in Gaza began. At least 577 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli fire since then, according to the Ramallah-based Health Ministry, which tracks Palestinian deaths. In Cairo, international mediators, including the United States, are continuing to push Israel and Hamas toward a phased deal that would halt the fighting and free about 120 hostages in Gaza. On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel that would release Israeli hostages captive by the group in Gaza is inside the 10-yard line, but added "we know that anything in the last 10 yards are the hardest." (AP) Two Philippine officials said Sunday that Manila and Beijing have reached a deal to avoid confrontations at a fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea, where recent clashes have sparked fears of larger conflicts that could involve the United States. The deal was forged after a series of closed-door meetings between Philippine and Chinese diplomats in Manila and exchanges of diplomatic notes that aimed to establish a mutually acceptable arrangement at the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, which China also claims. The Philippine officials who confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Sunday spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of a public announcement of the pact. Chinese coast guard and other forces have used powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers to prevent food and other supplies from reaching Filipino navy personnel at Manilas outpost at the shoal. (AP) Russia said Sunday that its forces had captured two frontline villages in Ukraine, Andriivka in the eastern Lugansk region and Pishchane in the northeast Kharkiv region. The Russian defense ministry announced in its daily briefing that its army units had "liberated" both settlements and had "occupied more favorable lines and positions. (AFP) These days the majority of businesses are aware (and wary) of greenwashing. Climate denial is rare and most large companies have declared topline support for climate action, through public acknowledgement and support of the Paris Agreement, setting climate targets and developing action plans. But and this is a very big but in Australia and around the world there is a growing disconnect between what companies say theyre doing about climate change and their lobbying efforts behind the scenes. Having their cake and eating it too A new report from Climate Integrity titled Risky Influence proves just how widespread this problem is. Their investigation looked at nine of Australias largest companies engagement on climate policy, and found a disturbing disconnect between what they say publicly and what is happening behind closed doors. How? Many companies are undermining their own climate efforts by delaying, weakening or obstructing progressive climate policy either by directly lobbying against it, or doing so via their trade associations. Businesses who have a lot of political sway are also an issue as theyre often hesitant to engage or have chosen to stay silent on environmental policy, allocating their lobbying dollars elsewhere. Why this matters to business owners When it comes to cutting world-wide emissions, business plays an out-sized role. In order to stop the world from heating beyond the 1.5 degree limit outlined in the Paris Agreement, we need corporations to take radical steps to decarbonise, alongside strong climate policy at every level of government: federal, state and local. Companies play a key role in enabling policy change and they can and must leverage their enormous political influence in support of positive climate policies. Beyond the moral and social imperative of businesses to work towards climate solutions, this unethical behaviour could also have real legal implications. Why? Because saying one thing publicly and doing something to oppose that behind closed doors is greenwashing. What are the legal risks of lobbying greenwashing? Climate Integrity worked with the Environmental Defenders Office to outline the potential legal risks faced by company directors because of this covert greenwashing. These risks include legal action being taken against the company for misleading or deceptive conduct; increased shareholder advocacy, which could have serious financial consequences for investors; and other litigation. So, what can you do about it? While addressing this kind of behaviour can seem daunting, if you know this is happening within your business you need to act sooner rather than later. First, the world is rapidly running out of time. Weve just undergone the hottest consecutive 12 months in history, and the longer that Australias most important and influential corporate players dont take this seriously, the more they are risking our futures. Second, you could be avoiding reputational and legal risk. Here are three keys steps your business should be taking to achieve a leading climate policy agenda: Advocate for policies consistent with achieving net zero emissions by 2050. For example, right now, some of the policies that need corporate backing in Australia include the new national nature protection laws (the EPBC Act or further reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism). Align trade associations advocacy with net zero emissions goals Allocate advocacy and lobbying spending to advance climate policies Corporate climate commitments are about more than just emissions. To back up their claims of real and tangible climate action, companies must also act on their advocacy and lobbying efforts by making climate policy a top priority. Do you work for a for-profit business? Are you curious about or already active in using your job to address the climate crisis? Enrolments are now open for the next WorkforClimate Academy cohort, due to kick off at the end of August. Head here to register. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has fined Nobland Vietnam VND70 million (US$2,764) for deducting wages from workers to cover the loss of 3,000 T-shirts, in violation of regulatory standards. Nobland Vietnams workers during production hours. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tuyet Nobland Vietnam, a South Korean-run garment enterprise based in Ho Chi Minh City's District 12, currently employs 2,700 workers. In the April payroll, the company made deductions from the wages of workers, citing a loss of nearly 3,000 T-shirts, with the amount deducted varying by position, ranging from VND64,000 to VND805,000. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs reported that wages from a total of 111 workers were deducted, amounting to over VND29 million. The company issued refunds for this amount on May 9. However, the company's decision faced criticism from workers because the company deducted wages without being able to specify the responsible individuals, affecting all workers. The company's labor union called for the decision to be rescinded to safeguard the workers' reputation. During a May 11 dialogue with city workers, Phan Van Mai, Chair of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, instructed relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident to ensure workers rights are upheld. The company was additionally fined VND100 million for requiring employees to work overtime beyond regulation rules. In 2023, 119 employees at the company worked overtime that exceeded the legal limit of 300 hours for the year, which violates labor regulations. ShopRite is completely revamping one of its stores in central New Jersey, according to a new redevelopment plan proposed by officials. Holmdel-based Saker ShopRites, which owns and operates 39 ShopRite stores in Central Jersey and along the Jersey Shore, initially proposed building a brand new ShopRite in the parking lot of an existing store in Freehold Township. Now, the franchise just got approval from the Township Committee to renovate, update, and expand the existing Freehold Township ShopRite 60 years after it first opened. However, before the construction of the site can begin, the proposal needs approval from the planning board. When completed, the store will be 86,500 square feet and attached to a ShopRite Liquor Warehouse. You can see the mapped-out proposed expansion plans that include the regional location of the redevelopment area in relation to surrounding municipalities. The store will remain open during the renovation process, and the planned expansion will take up six empty tenant spaces as well as an addition to the front of the existing building. The proposal to do something with the Freehold Township site has been long awaited by the Township. Back in January, the Freehold Township Committee deemed the Freehold Township ShopRite as an area in need of a facelift, marking the area for redevelopment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions. Even as a President with 17 years in office, when we liberated Karabakh, I could have waited 17 more years if necessary. It was not necessarily for me to be the president during whose terms the lands were liberated, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the second Shusha Global Media Forum themed Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation, Trend reports. "It could have been 50 years from now. You should not be selfish. It's not about me or someone else. It's about the people, the country, and dignity," the head of state noted. The skyrocketing concern among Pennsylvania voters over the two major party choices for president after the first debate was no surprise to independent voter Jennifer Bullock. In a way, this might sound strange given the dystopian landscape were in, but in a way fellow independents are like, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, youre totally horrified by the two choices? Because thats been my life for a long time, said Bullock, a Montgomery County resident and coordinator of the group Independent Pennsylvanians. Weve been horrified for a long time, she said, so this (expletive) show is not new to us. Of the 8.77 million voters in Pennsylvania, there are about 1.34 million not registered as Democrats or Republicans, according to Pennsylvania Department of State data as of July 1. Not all of them are independents about 1 million identify as unaffiliated voters and 344,000 as other but that figure is a good measuring stick of the states electorate. Nationally, 43% of voters identified themselves as independents in 2023, tying a record high set in 2014, according to the polling and analytics firm Gallup. The remaining voters were split between Democrats and Republicans at 27% each. In 2020 Joe Biden won Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, by 80,000 votes. With this years presidential race expected to be a tight one again as Biden seeks a second term and former President Donald Trump looks to return to the White House, political chatter has focused on the campaigns courting those independents who are truly persuadable. Chris Borick, a political science professor and director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Allentown, said research indicates that most independents lean toward one party or the other although they might not want to affiliate with a party via their voter registration. The idea that theyre a 50/50 proposition is not accurate, said Borick, estimating that maybe one-third of independents are truly up for grabs in the election. Marc Meredith, an associate professor of political science at Penn State University, echoed that, saying that research shows most independents lean Democratic or Republican. The true independents out there are relatively small, he said. However, Borick and Meredith agreed that independents hold power in Pennsylvania because they can make such a huge difference in a state so divided along partisan lines. We all know Pennsylvania and when things are, in presidential races, as close as weve seen the last two times, (independents) could be very consequential, Borick said. In 2016, Trump beat former First Lady and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton by just 44,292 votes, while the Constitution, Green and Libertarian candidates received a total of 218,228 votes. Neither Trump nor Clinton crossed the 50% mark. Biden took Pennsylvania in 2020 by 80,555 votes as the Libertarian candidates received 79,380 votes. This year, independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seen as the wildcard candidate that could draw enough votes to influence the outcome in Pennsylvania. Bullock said she is supporting Kennedy because he is speaking passionately about bringing peace to the hotspots around the world and thats what I care about. Another independent voter favoring Kennedy, northeast Philadelphia resident Nancy Hanks, said he is not beholden to the two parties. Hanks said she was also impressed by Kennedys remarks while announcing last fall in which he talked about Americas addiction to partisanship. Im unhappy with the candidate selection, said Stephen Bouikidis, a Montgomery County independent. I havent seen any candidate at this point in time that Im happy with. Stephen Bouikidis, a Montgomery County independent, said, "I havent seen any candidate at this point in time that Im happy with.Submitted Bouikidis said Trump is the least likely candidate he would vote for just given his lack of integrity around our democracy, while he is not excited about Biden, either. I dont know what the Democrats are thinking having an 81-year-old run, he said. We have two old guys again. Jennie Sweet-Cushman, an associate professor of political science at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, said she expects many independents will be as disenchanted as Bouikidis and will ultimately decide to sit out this election. What choice do they feel like they have right now? she said. Its worse than ever, so I cant imagine that therell be more independent voters in 2024. Cumberland County independent Matthew Schlegel said his views are closer to the GOP on the issues of abortion, the economy and federal spending, but Trump concerns him. He seems to be loyal to himself before hes loyal to America, said Schlegel, citing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. Im less likely to vote for Biden, but I have to figure out if Im going to vote for Trump or not, he said. I lean more Republican, but their vote is by no means guaranteed. While both major parties will seek to attract independents, the argument made by Democrats that this is an existential moment in American history and a vote for any candidate but Biden equates to a vote for Trump and the downfall of democracy might not fly with them. My vote does not belong to anyone, said Bullock, so if I decide to vote for any third-party or independent candidate that can get on the ballot that doesnt mean that I am taking my vote away from Biden because Im not going to vote for Biden. Bullock said that argument is based on an incorrect assumption that the electoral system belongs only to the Democratic and Republican parties. I vote for who I best think can represent the people and best run our country. Period, she said, and, so does everyone else, so get off my back and stop lecturing me that if I vote for someone else thats going to hurt the other candidate. During a recent stop to rally the Democratic faithful outside of Pittsburgh, California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed the issue of independents, insisting they would eventually break for Biden. You cant stay on the sidelines in this election, he said, adding that he would tell independents to really think through whats at stake. At a campaign stop for President Joe Biden near Pittsburgh on July 5, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would tell independents to "really think through whats at stake" in the election.Submitted Hanks said that independents have been told over and over again that we have to vote against this or that terrible outcome. I think the American people are getting sick of being told that we have to vote for the lesser of two evils. Bouikidis said the contention that voting for anyone but Biden helps Trump is a strong-arm tactic that likely wont sway him or other independents. They do not own our votes. They need to earn it, he said. They think they own it. Schlegel said that pro-Biden argument is an emotional statement that lacks merit. Thats not how math works. Its not really a logical thing to say, he said. Stuff like that doesnt really impact me as an independent. One way to seemingly draw independent voters interest is by supporting open primaries in which independents would be allowed to vote. Pennsylvania is one of 10 states with closed primaries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This issue of opening the primaries is one that cuts through the clutter and is sort of micro-targeted to them, said David Thornburgh, who oversees Ballot PA, an initiative by the good-government group Committee of Seventy to open the states primaries. Its pretty clear that (independents) are fed up. Theyre tired of being second-class citizens, said Thornburgh, son of the late Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Dick Thornburgh. Theyre tired of not hearing from a candidate until two weeks before an election. David Thornburgh, who leads the Committee of Seventy's Ballot PA initiative to open Pa.'s primaries to all voters, said candidates and parties trying to woo independents could do so by supporting open primaries.Submitted For all the political arguments concerning Biden and Trump, Thornburgh said the way to cut through the noise is addressing open primaries. You want these folks. Youre going to need these folks, but if you need them youve got to listen to them and deliver on what they want, which is a vote to open primaries so that they can vote in every election, said Thornburgh. Ballot PA is pushing for state House Democrats to hold a vote this fall on a bill opening the states primaries, which, Thornburgh said, could sway independents. Theyre tired of being used and abused. They need to see youre serious, he said. Bouikidis expressed the same sentiments. They only need independents when they need our votes, he said, so until I hear these candidates talk about independents and really giving us votes, giving us access, theres really not much they can do to sway me. The bottom line, Bullock said, is that there needs to be structural changes to the electoral system and a seminal presidential election this year could provide the momentum to spur them. Its not a sexy sell but if we dont look at that, this is what were going to get. Its heartbreaking, she said. In a way, maybe independents are just ongoingly heartbroken and everyone else is catching up to that. One of New Jerseys most scenic and remote restaurants, the Walpack Inn in Sussex County, may soon be on the market. Four members of the family that has owned the iconic restaurant for 75 years, in a famously isolated Sussex County town with less than a dozen residents, have announced plans to seek a buyer. We are taking our first steps toward retirement and plan to sell the restaurant. We hope you will join us for some great food, drinks and brown bread as we embark on our farewell tour, they posted to Facebook on July 12. Lara Darco, the Walpack Inns manager since 2016, said Monday that the property had not yet been listed and there is no timeframe for making a sale. It is located on 37 acres off National Park Service Road 615. She said she did not know whether a future buyer would seek to continue the restaurant. We came to the collective decision that this was the direction we wanted to go in. We do plan to stay open until the sale is finalized, said Darco, who lives in Milford, Pennsylvania. The Walpack Inns owner, Jim Heigis, is her father. Heigis, 86, was a grade schooler in Rutherford when his parents bought the restaurant in 1949. He and his wife, Lee, live in a house on the same lot. James Heigis, owner of the Walpack Inn, inside his restaurant, June 21, 2019 (Rob Jennings / NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Heigis greeted NJ Advance Media during a visit in 2019. He took a seat in the dining area and pointed toward the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge, a view that has attracted customers for seven decades. Look at this. Pristine. Where do you see this in New Jersey, he said at that time. The impending departure of Heigis and his wife would further reduce the tiny population of Walpack, a municipality that covers nearly 25 square miles. Walpack endures more than a half-century after the federal government sought to build a dam that would have buried much of it under a lake and bought up much of the land before giving up on the project. Walpack had only nine residents as of 2019, down from 384 in 1970. The Walpack Inn is open for dinner on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and for brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Offerings include a 14-ounce prime rib dinner, discounted to $37 on Fridays, that includes the salad bar, choice of one side and homemade brown bread. It really is just a piece of history. When you walk through the doors, its like walking back into an older time, Darco said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. The Phillipsburg Police Department is marking history. The department announced that the towns first female police officer, Haley Fitzpatrick of Alpha, has joined the more than 30 all-male, rank-and-file in the squad this week. Officer Haley Fitzpatrick finished her basic training at the Mercer County Police Academy and became the first female officer in our town, the police department shared on July 12 via Facebook. We are proud of Officer Fitzpatrick for completing the Police Academy. She [still] has more training ahead, Police Chief Robert Stettner later told lehighvalleylive.com. Our officers adhere to high standards, and we have confidence that Officer Fitzpatrick will meet them. Stettner said Fitzpatrick was unavailable for comment while she remains focused on learning the duties of her new position. Town Council President Pete Marino said he was glad to see Phillipsburg finally entering the 21st century again. Per the New Jersey Attorney Generals directive, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-4.10, the Phillipsburg Police Department Recruitment Plan requires hiring officers to achieve an overall racial and gender composition of the police department in comparison to the service population of the town. Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe to lehighvalleylive.com today. There has been no progress in the past two years to build the first ever palliative care hospice to serve Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford. A 20 bed Midlands Hospice is planned in Tullamore, with the government pledging 20 million to build it back in 2022. The four Midland counties are the only ones in Ireland without an inpatient hospice. Laois Hospice Foundation along with the other counties' hospices and fundraisers like Hooves4Hospice have pledged and raised millions of euros to help build it. The Irish Hospice Foundation has been pushing for the hospice for some years. A site is still not chosen, with the grounds of Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore rejected as unsuitable. Two sites are now being considered, one a three acre site in the town at Arden Lane which is preferred by Offaly Hospice, and the other the unfinished metal framed building beside the town's bypass, once to be a private hospital called Wellwood. The Department of Health has this week told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that a decision on the chosen site will be announced shortly. Laois Hospice chairperson Mary Delaney said they are disappointed. Laois Hospice is very disappointed that the Minister for Health has not made a decision on the site for the Midlands Hospice unit planned for Tullamore We were all assured at a meeting with the Minister in February that a decision would be imminent and yet no decision has been forthcoming. This is very disappointing for the people of Laois as the Midlands is now the only area in the country with no inpatient hospice unit. Laois Hospice will continue to keep this a priority at every possible opportunity, the chairperson said. Last week the organisers of the Killenard Gala Charity Ball handed over 5,500, saying the hospice is "badly needed". The Department of Health gave the update this July to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. It is anticipated that a decision on the chosen site for the new Midlands Hospice will be announced shortly. The selected site will provide the best palliative care to the people of the Midlands. The Minister for Health is fully committed to the building of a new Midlands Hospice. In September 2022, the Government announced 20 million in capital funding for the development of a 20-bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit in the Midlands. "The development will provide a hub for the provision of specialist palliative care services across the Midlands, including day care, outpatient, inpatient, and community services. The development of a site at Tullamore is a named priority area for action in the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Service Plan (NSP) 2023, HSE Capital Plan 2023 and Three-Year Palliative Care Services Development Framework (2017 2019). A commitment was given as part of NSP 2024 to progress the development of plans for the new specialist palliative care inpatient unit at the Tullamore location. It is also a commitment in the Programme for Government. The Department of Health will continue to progress developments for palliative care services in Ireland, working towards the highest possible quality of end-of-life care and support for people with life limiting illnesses across the country, a department spokesperson said. Since its inception in 1989, Laois Hospice Foundation has helped to provide a palliative care service for Cancer patients, whose illness no longer responds to curative treatment. The Hospice also provides support for the families of such patients. This total care involves doctors, nurses, a team of specialists and the clergy, who are all concerned with quality of life. Throughout history, Ireland has seen its people emigrate in droves. Be it due to the Famine of the 1840s, or the economic crisis of the 1950s, we have always seen our people leave to pursue a better life elsewhere. Why are our family and friends still forced to leave home to achieve a comfortable existence? The Leinster Express/Laois Live spoke to young people from Laois who have emigrated as part of our series on their stories and reasons for leaving. Sean Ross Lennon (of Lennons pub, Durrow) was living in Portlaoise when he moved to Perth, Australia. It takes a lot of time to get a rental over there, he said. Its a serious struggle. Perth is the cheapest area in Australia to rent in, and it averages around 500 a week, said Mr Lennon. Australia is going into a recession at the moment. My partner and I are thinking of either moving home to Ireland, or moving to Canada. If I was going to move over now, Id want to be ready and prepared, he said. Id want a friend I could couch surf with in the worst case scenario, and plenty of money and a job ready to go. If you're not straight into a FIFO gig it's almost impossible to jump right into it. 'Fly in fly out' (FIFO) jobs are those where an employer will temporarily transport the employee to a location or site of work and then transport them back for a period of rest. These are common in Australia, and usually involve trade jobs in construction, mining, or on oil rigs. Mr Lennon explained the current cost of living standard in Perth. Regular wages an hour are around $24 to $30 here, $30 would be pretty good to get, he said. If you have any certification your pay will go up- if you worked for Pfizer, you'd be on around $55 an hour, or if you had a trade it could be around $30 an hour, he explained. The average wage is $55k a year in Perth, and its much lower in other states in Australia. If you wanted to eventually buy a house out here, a regular 3 bed semi-detached house could be around $1 million to buy. A 4 bed semi-detached could be $1.3 or $1.4 million to buy. It's not the dream place to go to anymore as it sounds, Mr Lennon explained. Mr Lennon and his partner are living one hour outside of Perth, in an area considered rural. Were living an hour outside of the city, think Portlaoise to Dublin. We're counted as a rural area, but it's still so expensive. If you live in the city you're paying at least 1000 a week for an apartment, he said. Anyone considering moving here should stay out of cities, move an hour away outside of the cities for things to be affordable. I'd recommend starting in Perth, but go for a side suburb like Mandera, he explained. I do miss home. The main thing I miss about Ireland is the people. I miss walking down the street to the shop and everyone stopping you to chat, I miss that sense of community. It doesnt exist out here, Mr Lennon said. Australia has never actually felt like home to me yet, it feels like Im just on a long holiday away from Ireland. Yes, youll make friends out here, but its a country thats very focused on career climbing, it can be very cut-throat. My real sense of home is wherever my family are, he said. The Monasterevan Hopkins Societys Festival this year runs from Friday, July 26 to Saturday 27 and will feature a diverse cultural approach with an art exhibition, concert and lectures. The proceedings will commence with an art exhibition entitled Artists for Peace in the Monasterevin Community Centre. It has attracted exhibitors from all over the country over the past two years. It is curated by Sr Ann Scully. Also featuring will be an exhibitions of The Art of Gerard Manley Hopkins, which will probably be the first occasion these works have been shown in public in Ireland. The art exhibitions will be open from 10am to 6pm on Friday. Then on Friday afternoon the chairperson of the Monasterevin Hopkins Society, Irene Kyffin will perform the official opening. This will be followed by Irenes lecture, The Harlem Renaissance. Then at 8pm the Annual Hopkins Concert will take place in St. Pauls Secondary School, Moore Abbey Demesne, with guest artist, tenor Patrick Hyland. Then on Saturday at 10am, the Artists for Peace exhibition continues in the Community Centre. Olivia OLeary, journalist and broadcaster will deliver her lecture, How Poets Contribute to Society. Then at 11.30am journalist, Eoghan Corry will deliver his lecture, Emily Lawless, Kildare Poet andauthor-1845-1913. Following the lunch break at 1pm activities will resume at 3pm for the Poetry Reading session in Monasterevan House where Hopkins came to stay as a guest of the Cassidy family. The reader will be Rita Kelly who is a poet and writer in both Irish and English. Then at 3.30pm there will be the Open Call, My Favourite Hopkins Poem, which is an opportunity for members of the audience to recite their favourite Hopkins poem. The fee for attendance to all events on both days is 40; attendance at all events on Saturday is 30; individual event entry-concert 20/lectures 10 each. Concert tickets are available in Earleys Fashion shop, the Parish Office and payable at the door for lectures and exhibitions. A man holds a sign showing his appreciation for US President Joe Biden along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 21, 2024. SAMUEL CORUM / AFP US President Joe Biden announced Sunday, July 21, that he is dropping out of his reelection battle against Donald Trump, in a historic move that plunges the already turbulent 2024 White House race into uncharted territory. Biden endorsed vice president Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination at the party's August convention in Chicago. "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a letter posted on X. Biden's decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with Covid-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide "detail" about his decision. Harris, who is the first female, Black and South Asian vice president in US history, will now be aiming to become its first female commander-in-chief. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," Biden said on X. "Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this." In a statement following the announcement, Kamala Harris praised Joe Biden's "patriotic" decision not to seek reelection and vowed to win the Democratic nomination and defeat Donald Trump. "With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else." Read more Subscribers only US election: Kamala Harris becomes tempting alternative to Joe Biden Trump quickly reacted, saying Biden had not been "fit to run" or "fit to serve" as president. Biden spent more than three weeks resisting calls to step down following the shock of the June 27 debate, at one point insisting that only the "Lord Almighty" could convince him to back out. In a bid to show he was up to the job, he gave a number of interviews and what was billed as a "big boy" press conference in which he took numerous questions, but made further gaffes including calling Harris "Vice President Trump." A tide of voices within his own party calling on him to go, starting with donor and actor George Clooney and ending with former president Barack Obama, sealed his fate. Isolation The end finally came shortly after Biden had been diagnosed with Covid-19, forcing him off the campaign trail and into isolation in Rehoboth Beach. Biden's announcement is the latest jolt to a campaign for the White House that both political parties see as the most consequential election in generations, coming just days after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. Biden joins a small club of US presidents who have decided to throw in the towel after just one term, with the last being Lyndon Johnson in 1968 a year also marked by political turmoil and violence. Johnson's replacement as nominee, then-vice president Hubert Humphrey, went on to lose heavily to Richard Nixon. But Democrats are counting on Harris to fare better, and hoping that she can prevent convicted felon Trump from making a sensational comeback to the Oval Office. In recent weeks, the Biden campaign has reportedly been quietly carrying out a head-to-head survey of voters measuring how she matched up against Trump. While Harris struggled to make an impact in her first years in the White House, she has emerged in the last year as a strong performer on the campaign trail on key messages such as abortion rights. The former prosecutor has also made much of her life story as the first woman in US history to hold the vice presidency, as well as the first person of Black and South Asian origin. Barring opposition from her party, Harris is now set to be nominated at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19 in what promises to be a dramatic moment and a heartrending one for Biden. No automatic coronation Shortly after President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he would drop his reelection campaign, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison had a message: There would be no automatic coronation for his replacement. "In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward," Harrison said in a statement. "This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people." The comment reflected the reality that while vice president Kamala Harris is emerging as the prohibitive favorite to become the party's nominee is not so simple. Harris has to formally secure the nomination from the around 4,700 Democratic convention delegates. She spent part of Sunday calling elected officials and delegates to solidify their support. Among others, endorsements came from Democratic big shots such as Bill and Hillary Clinton; prominent US senators; a wide swath of House representatives (such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) and members of the influential Congressional Black Caucus; Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly each from a swing state and mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris endorsed Harris Sunday evening. Shortly followed those seen as potential rivals for the nomination, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year to become an independent, is considering re-registering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, according to a longtime adviser to Manchin. As for the still highly influential former Democratic president Barack Obama, he cautioned that "uncharted waters" lay ahead. The fast-moving political situation remains volatile just months before the November election. It was a little stability in a chaotic world: Ursula von der Leyen's reappointment on Thursday, July 18, as head of the European Commission will allow a degree of ensured continuity in the course that the 27 member states of the European Union have set themselves for the next five years. Von der Leyen has managed to secure a majority in the European Parliament that had been far from guaranteed. The European elections on June 9, which were marked by a far-right surge and a setback for the Greens and Renew liberals, could have weakened von der Leyen, who has become the embodiment of an environmentalist Europe that is increasingly contested as well as a symbol of regulatory excess for her detractors. Despite all this, von der Leyen has secured a slightly broader base than she did in 2019 for her first term of office. Read more Subscribers only Green votes secure Ursula von der Leyen re-election as president of the European Commission This stability comes at a price. Von der Leyen had to make pledges to each of the parties in her majority. EPP conservatives, social democrats, Greens and liberals were all clearly pleased with the proposals, which were rarely quantified and were sufficiently general to appeal to a broad political spectrum. The notion of a coalition, which seems so difficult to implement in France within the Assemblee Nationale has, once again, succeeded at the European level. The fact that French Greens as well as right-wing Les Republicains MEPs did not vote with their respective groups in the European Parliament to elect von der Leyen only illustrates France's inability to seek compromise. Compromises are what allows Europe to move forward. It's not too late for France to draw inspiration from this method. Von der Leyen skillfully told each part of her majority what they wanted to hear. The subject of free trade was carefully avoided in order not to upset the French. Reinforced border security was mentioned to reassure the right, but without much detail. To address the discontent within the agricultural sector in recent months, she promised a new strategy, which is yet to be defined. As for the new target of a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, it is clothed in a competitiveness strategy ready to allay the fears of those who worry that Europe will fall behind the United States. Firm on key issues While some ambiguities remain, von der Leyen deserves credit for remaining firm on the key issues. The climate agenda has been reaffirmed, starting with its most emblematic measure: the ban on the sale of combustion engine vehicles starting in 2035. Support for Ukraine remains unwavering, combined with the promise to build a "European Defense Union." Finally, von der Leyen reiterated her commitment to the rule of law, not hesitating to criticize the behavior of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Moreover, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's decision not to call on her parliamentary troops to support her frees von der Leyen from any obligation toward Rome and Fratelli d'Italia, Meloni's post-fascist party. However, the consensus reached will have to prove its solidity over the course of von der Leyen's next term. Ambiguities will have to be cleared up, promises kept and commitments quantified. The composition of the College of Commissioners in the fall will be the first test of the coherence of European policy. Von der Leyen must keep in mind Cardinal de Retz's famous line: "One only emerges from ambiguity to one's detriment." Read more Subscribers only Fragile majority takes office in increasingly right-wing European Parliament BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Azerbaijan is making every effort to sign a peace treaty with Armenia as soon as possible, First Deputy General Director of TASS Mikhail Gusman told Trend on the sidelines of the Second Shusha Global Media Forum on the topic Exposing false narratives: combating disinformation. "I would like to hope that the Armenian side will respond to this with the same steps. But the Armenian Prime Ministers refusal to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in London is not a well-thought-out and not very promising position," Gusman added. Regarding the forum, Guzman noted that, firstly, this event has its own traditions. "Secondly, today there are not many such important events in the world that attract the attention of journalists around the world. It was here, in Shusha, that journalists from 50 countries arrived. Therefore, I would like to thank the organizers of the event, which is taking place in liberated Shusha, a city famous for its cultural and historical traditions," Gusman said. The Second Shusha Global Media Forum, organized on the occasion of the 149th anniversary of the national press of Azerbaijan, is attended by more than 150 foreign guests from 50 countries, including news agencies from 30 countries, 3 international organizations and 82 media entities. Among the participants of the Global Media Forum are representatives of foreign media, as well as representatives of Azerbaijani media, experts and officials of Azerbaijan. The forum will last until July 22. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close FARMING sustainably in Ireland is a really current topic that we hear a lot of lately and a term we are going to hear a lot more of in relation to Irish agriculture. Sustainability as a concept encompasses three key elements; economy, environment and society. A sustainable agricultural system would be a profitable system with little or no impact on the environment and is socially accepted by the general public. Farmers are facing these ever increasing challenges on a daily basis. In the agriculture section in Ireland, targets to halt biodiversity decline, improve water quality, reduce fertiliser and pesticide use have been set. The trends in emissions, water quality and biodiversity continue to decrease or remain static and we urgently need to work together to implement technologies that are known to reverse these trends. Farmers need technologies that allow them to combine economic and environmental sustainability. With this background in mind, Teagasc is running two sustainability events in Limerick in July. The first one took place on the farm of Pat and Pat Mullane Jnr, Treanboy, Newcastle West last Thursday, July 11. If you missed it or couldnt attend on the day then a second event takes place on the farm of Pierce Breen, Newtown, Pallasgreen, V94YCH0 this Tuesday, July 23 at 11am. The on-farm events cover topics such as farmyard infrastructure, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, forestry and biodiversity. READ MORE: Average dairy farmer coming out with less than half minimum wage In Ireland only 53% of Irish waters are at good or high status and thus rapid improvements are needed to achieve good water quality status by the 2027 target. On the day advisers will go through technologies available for farmers to control nutrient loss from farm yards, hard standings and diffuse losses from fields. Good nutrient management planning will be discussed as this is a major cornerstone to reducing diffuse nutrient losses. A talk will go through the many ways that farmers can actively improve habitats and wildlife on their farms to achieve a 10% EU biodiversity target, including a range of technologies from planting agro-forestry, woodland for water, hedgerow management, field margins and result-based payments for biodiversity. The Teagasc Signpost programme developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Irish agriculture will be discussed as part of the event. Signpost advisers will show how to establish a farms carbon footprint through the AgNav Programme and go through what steps farmers can take to reduce the overall farm emissions. Sustainability is here to stay and economic, environmental and societal sustainability at farm level is going to become more important as we enter into a new future for agriculture in the coming years. A BID to fill in a former quarry to make it usable for agricultural land has been rejected by planners. Developers bid to fill a former pit with topsoil, subsoil, stone and inorganic construction material to raise the level of the land, located off Newport Road near Castleconnell. This was being proposed in order to extend the land for a neighbouring farmer. But there were two objectors - one environmentalist from west Cork and local Green Party councillor Sean Hartigan. READ MORE: New building for Limerick school He warned against the ecological damage which could be done to the land. Speaking to Limerick Live, he said: The land has reverted to nature. Its now scrub and pond. It provided a lot of habitat. There are certainly otters and barn owls in the area. There are ravens and possibly peregrine falcons nesting there. Cllr Hartigan admitted he would be concerned about what could be in the materials which would have filled up the former quarry. We are in a biodiversity emergency. We need to do all we can to protect what little nature we have in this country. People are not aware that native species we are very familiar with are on the verge of extinction, due to loss of habitat, he said. An agent for the applicant - who declined to comment further when contacted - provided a natura impact statement which outlined his view that habitat and species fragmentation are unlikely to occur from the development. A MAJOR documentary on how the Catholic Church handled child sex abuse allegations against Bishop Eamonn Casey will be broadcast on RTE One this Monday night. The Vatican has now confirmed that they formally removed him from ministry in 2007 after receiving multiple allegations from 2001 onwards, when the first known complaint was made. The documentary is in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday and Mail reporter Anne Sheridan, formerly a reporter with the Limerick Leader. The allegations received by the Church cover all three Irish dioceses where he served - Limerick, Kerry and Galway respectively - and span four decades, from the 1950s to the 1980s. The Limerick Leader first reported in 2016 that High Court proceedings were filed against Bishop Casey and the Diocese of Limerick for personal injury damages in relation to one case taken against him in 2016. Limerick Diocese has confirmed that it has received three allegations of child sexual abuse against Fr Casey relating to his time in Limerick in the 1960s. The Limerick Diocese received these three separate complaints in 2001, 2005 and 2014. Two other complaints have been received by the Kerry Diocese and the Galway Diocese. The documentary, Bishop Casey's Buried Secrets, will air further revelations this Monday night when it is broadcast on RTE One at 9.35pm. Two complaints against Fr Casey made in Limerick resulted in significant settlements being made. The first known complaint against Bishop Casey was received in 2001 by the Limerick Diocese. This later resulted in a settlement, which was confidential at the time, and was made through the Residential Institutions Redress Board after the woman dropped her High Court action against him and other named defendants. Bishop Casey's niece, Patricia Donovan, from Limerick, made her complaint of alleged child sexual abuse against him in 2005. Her uncle was never charged in relation to her claims. Ms Donovan never received compensation from the Church but the Galway Diocese did pay for some counselling sessions for her. A third complaint received in Limerick, made in 2014 and which went to the High Court in 2016, resulted in a settlement made by the Limerick Diocese of over 100,000 to another woman. The proceedings were lodged before he died and the settlement was awarded after his death. Fr Casey consistently denied all the allegations against him. He was never charged or convicted of any sexual crimes and remained a bishop until his death in March 2017. After repeated requests for information, the Vatican confirmed to RTE that, by 2006, following unspecified "allegations", "Bishop Casey had been requested not to publicly exercise the ministry" and that this was "reiterated formally" a year later. It also revealed that: "He was never reinstated...in spite of insistence from him and on his behalf" and "regardless of the outcome of the civil procedures". READ MORE: Limerick village with no shop, post office or pub to get new lease of life The Vatican statement also reveals the ban was never lifted despite appeals by Casey and his supporters that he should be allowed to return to ministry. It was also never communicated to the public in his lifetime, with many members of the clergy and his parishioners struggling to understand why Bishop Casey was not allowed to say Mass. Under the restrictions set out by the Vatican on him, he was only allowed to attend Mass as a member of the congregation and could only say Mass in the privacy of his own home due to child safeguarding concerns. The Vatican statement said: We can confirm that Bishop Casey had been requested not to publicly exercise the ministry before 2006, in terms that were reiterated formally in 2007, and he was never reinstated in the following years in spite of insistence from him and on his behalf. When further allegations were produced in 2015, Bishop Casey was already suffering from various physical and mental problems. These were of the type that would have rendered his defence difficult. Former president Mary McAleese, who is a canon lawyer, and who is interviewed for this programme, said: "We know that there were significant allegations of sexually predatory conduct and from a number of different sources." She said there may have been "a pattern of predatory behaviour" that would have to have been taken "very seriously and earnestly...because they are looking at it from the point of view of restoring him to a ministry where he would have full public access, and they may have been, and clearly were, worried about that, significantly worried about that". The complaints sent from Irish dioceses to the Papal Nuncio for Romes attention covered the period of three serving Popes, from at least 2001 until after 2016, spanning the papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and the current Pope Francis. Canon law expert Fr Aidan McGrath said of the Vaticans internal handling of the case: "A bishop himself, his only superior is the pope." "So, who do you report a bishop to? That was never very clear, but certainly any disciplinary action then would have been taken by the Congregation for Bishops. Now, they are not authorised to set up a tribunal and do an investigation so they will weigh it up and then acting on behalf of the pope, would have the authority to impose restrictions." BRITISH far-right activist Tommy Robinson has lent his support to a protest against a plan for 340 refugees to be accommodated at River House on Charlottes Quay in the city. Hundreds gathered on Saturday outside the former home to the Revenue Commissioners. It was organised by a group called Limerick Says No. Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, shared a video taken at the Limerick protest with his over 670,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). The clip had been viewed over 60,000 times this Sunday. Attendees marched to City Hall while chanting Limerick says no and Whose streets? Our streets. The Ole Ole Ole chant was also heard ring out. One banner quoted Republican hunger strike Bobby Sands, who died in prison in 1981, Our revenge will be the laughter of our children. A number of speakers addressed the crowd once they had reached Merchants Quay. Gardai were a visible presence during the peaceful event. READ MORE: Bishop Eamonn Casey's 'Buried Secrets' in Limerick to be revealed The Government has issued a briefing note to public representatives confirming that River House is being looked at. An experienced and trusted accommodation provider has expressed an interest in the delivery of accommodation services to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the provider is now carrying out works at the site with the view to providing accommodation to people seeking international protection, the note reads. It continued: It is estimated at this early stage that in the region of 340 people may be housed there, initially on a phased basis. Melanie Cleary, who is standing in the next General Election for the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, has backed Doras CEO John Lannons appeal for people to avoid protests targeting refugees or migrants. Many people who have successfully applied for asylum in the past whether thats because they are fleeing persecution because of their sexuality, religion, or gender or because of the political situation in their country have made Limerick their home. We know that some of those now work to keep our chronically under-resourced health service afloat. Which brings me to the important point. The unfolding social crisis in health and housing are no excuse to protest against refugees. By singling out the most vulnerable you are letting the Government off the hook. It is the Government and the government alone who are responsible for the disgraceful undermining of our public services. I, as much as anyone, knows how this costs lives, said Melanie, whose daughter Eve died in 2019 hours after she was discharged from UHL. You will not build one single home by denying shelter to another person. You will distract from the campaigns, like the Mid-West Hospital Campaign, which is fighting for the supply of more services by instead trying to reduce demand, she said. Just up the street from Saturdays protest a celebration of immigration culture - Brazil Day - was taking place in the Hunt Museum. It was attended by the Honorary Consul of Brazil, Letica Bastos. As owner, editor and sole reporter of Kukukwes News, Maureen Googoo starts the day by publishing her latest scoops about Canadas indigenous communities. Tracking the number of people that flocked to read those stories used to be a pleasure. Nowadays, Ms Googoo says, she dreads it. Until last summer her website got about 12,000 monthly visits. Now it gets perhaps a quarter of that. This is not what Canadas government envisaged when it passed the Online News Act last June. The law promised fairness in the Canadian digital-news marketplace". The idea, inspired by a similar law in Australia, was to force Google and Meta, the kings of search and social media, to pay news outlets when their articles appear in search results and social feeds. Publishers and broadcasters have long complained that the tech firms have gobbled up their advertising market. The act was meant to claw some of that money back. In November, Google agreed to pay C$100m ($74m) a year into a government-run fund for Canadian newsrooms. But Meta declined. News makes up less than 3% of the Facebook feed globally, the firm said, and is of little value to it. Publishers benefit when their stories are shared, it added, which is why most post their own content themselves. Instead of paying, Meta said it would block news links from its apps. Since August, users of Facebook and Instagram in Canada have been unable to view or share links to any news site, from Kukukwes News to Economist.com. Nine months later, the number of people using Facebook and Instagram in Canada hasnt budged. The apps are being downloaded as much as ever, according to Sensor Tower, a market-intelligence firm. Nor does the lack of news seem to be hurting Metas pocket, despite an ad boycott led by Canadas government. The firm does not break out Canadian earnings, but its ad revenue across the United States and Canada has grown 19% in the nine months since the news blackout began, compared with the same period in the previous year. For news organisations, the impact has been more dramatic. A study published in April by researchers at McGill University and the University of Toronto found that, six months after the blackout, the Facebook pages of Canadian national news outlets had lost 64% of their engagement" (likes, comments and so on), while those of local outlets had lost 85%. Almost half of local titles had stopped posting on Facebook at all, gutting the visibility of local news content", the researchers found. Large publications, with their own apps and widely known brands, are well placed to weather the ban. But for some digital-only titles, Metas blackout has been absolutely devastating", says Paul Deegan, head of News Media Canada, which represents publishers. Adam Reaburn, editor of Energetic City, a site covering what he says is otherwise a news desert" in rural British Columbia, says the news ban initially cut his readership by 30-40%. I dont understand why Google, Instagram and Facebook need to pay us when we use their platforms to share our articles," he wrote in his final Facebook post in August. Readers are finding ways around the ban. Unable to share links, some are posting screenshots of articles. On Only in Canada", a Facebook group with half a million members, jokes and memes are interspersed with photos of headlines from blocked news sites, from the BBC to CTV, a Canadian television network. The sharing of news screenshots on Facebook has more than tripled since the blackout, largely replacing links as a source of engagement on political Facebook pages, the McGill and Toronto researchers found. News outlets are adapting, too. Energetic City has signed up 5,000 readers to an email newsletter, built a mobile app and put up posters around town with QR codes leading to its website. We basically have to reteach our readers how to find the news," Mr Reaburn says. Kukukwes is courting audiences outside Canada. Indigenous communities in the United States, who can still share news on Facebook, are a growing share of readership; Ms Googoo is planning a reporting trip to Maine. Some worry that dubious sources of information will fill the gap left by the mainstream sort. With the ban on news, there has been an explosion of disinformation and misinformation," says Pascale St-Onge, the minister responsible for the act. NewsGuard, a fact-checking organisation, found that unreliable" sources accounted for 6.9% of engagement with news on Facebook in Canada in the 90 days after the blackout, compared with 2.2% in the 90 days before. (The McGill and Toronto researchers, by contrast, found no increase in misinformation.) On social media, the clean drinking water and the sewage are going through the same pipe," says Mr Deegan. Without news, the only thing going through is the sewage." He fears this lowers incentives for politicians to engage with journalists, prompting them to communicate directly through social media instead. Without that level of scrutinythat is bad for democracy," he says. An election is due next year. Canadas communications regulator will decide later this year whether the fact that Meta has blocked news links excuses it from making payments. Ms St-Onge says Meta should still have to pay, because news content is still finding its way onto its platforms. If the regulator disagrees, then well see how its possible to amend that piece of legislation, because as long as were in government, were not going to give up," she says. Any amendments would have to respect Metas freedom of expression and make sure that we dont infringe on that [by] obliging certain content to be shown," she acknowledges. News Media Canada, which supports the new law, is attacking Meta on another front, lodging a complaint with Canadas competition regulator, arguing that Metas link-blocking is an abuse of its dominant position. Canadas difficulties may cause countries mulling similar laws to think carefully. When Australia wrung a reported A$200m ($130m) per year out of Google and Meta using its news-media bargaining code, passed in 2021, countries including Britain, Brazil and South Africa pricked up their ears. But Meta appears emboldened by its Canadian experience. In February it said it would not renew the deals it had earlier struck in Australia. For now, Meta has left the building," Jesper Doub, who was head of international news partnerships at Meta until last year, told a journalism conference in Italy in April. If you want to measure the value [of news], take it away and see what happens. And they did in Canada Nothing happened." In future, whenever Meta faces demands for payment, they will just walk away," Mr Doub said. That will mean less news on the worlds biggest social network, and fewer readers for small publishers. Ms Googoo hopes Metas news blackout will one day lift, and in the meantime has applied for money from the Google fund. For now, however, the main effect of the new law is that fewer people are reading her stories. The act is supposed to help us," she says. But its hurting us." Mumbai: Sudipta Roy keeps a lucky charm, an aircraft model, in his office near the Mumbai airport. A bit of a planespotter, Roy also has a small telescope in his office, which he uses to study and identify aircraft. He will be looking for inspiration from those planes as he seeks to lift and thrust L&T Finance into the big league, shrugging off the drag and gravitational pulls that have impeded the companys performance since it was founded in 1994. Roy, a financial sector professional with over two decades of banking experience, has been brought in to change the way the non-banking subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro, the eponymous builder of roads and bridges, does business, and make it as nimble and efficient as a fintech. Despite the parentage of the engineering giant, in many eyes, L&T Finance has yet to distinctly carve out a space of its own in the financing arena. Indeed, the parent, if anything, has been displeased by the middling performance of the lender over the years. In February 2022, at a press conference to announce that L&T Finance was exiting the wholesale loans business (funding infrastructure and real estate projects), then L&T chairman A.M. Naik had said, Over a number of years, the only (L&T Group) company which has not performed and is publicly listed is L&T FinanceOur own board members are saying, to me at least, that greater L&T involvement is desirable so that we can drive the ideas and strategies that we want to implement in L&T Finance." Naik was not exaggerating. Even after being in business for three decades, L&T Finance remains lower down the NBFC pecking order. Its total loan book, almost all (94%) of it retail (personal, home, two-wheeler loans, etc.), stood at 85,565 crore at the end of 2023-24. Mahindra Finance, which started three years before L&T Finance, in 1991, is well ahead with assets under management (AUM) of 1 trillion at the end of the last fiscal year. Bajaj Finance, which started out in 1987 as Bajaj Auto Finance Ltd, an NBFC focusing on two- and three-wheeler finance, has eclipsed them both with an AUM of 3.3 trillion as of 2023-24. L&T Finances price-to-book value (a measure that compares a companys market value to its book value), at 1.97, lags peers Shriram Finance (2.17) and Bajaj Finance (5.68), though it is higher than Mahindra Finances 1.83, according to data from Bloomberg. In 2023-24, its return on assetsa key profitability metricstood at 2.23%, again behind Bajaj Finance and Shriram Finance. Junking Wholesale Loans A large part of L&T Finances lacklustre performance is being blamed on its earlier focus on wholesale loans. Data from Crisil shows that these loans formed 62% of its portfolio as of 31 March 2016. According to equity analysts, that concentration was a result of the parents presence in those segments and the focus of the group as a whole on infrastructure. In August 2022, not long after the press conference mentioned earlier, Naik told shareholders at L&Ts annual general meeting that steps were being taken to make the NBFC a healthier company. We had very bad NPAs, particularly in the wholesale and realty businesses. Weare constantly looking for some of these sectors to sell, even if necessary at losses, and concentrate more on retail," he said. View Full Image A file photo of A. M. Naik. He was associated with L&T for nearly six decades. Clearly, the wholesale business was a bad memory that the group wanted to leave behind as quickly as possible. In June last year, The Economic Times reported that L&T Finance had invited bids from asset reconstruction companies for non-performing wholesale loans to the tune of 3,022 crore, across 10 accounts, mostly in the real estate sector. As of 31 March, its wholesale book had shrunk 72% to 5,528 crore, from 19,512 crore in the previous fiscal year. And as of the June quarter of 2024-25, it had been pared to 4.8% of the overall loan book. While it has had a modest retail book over the years, the company is now concentrating entirely on retail loans. A part of the shift toward retail happened under former chief executive officer (CEO) Dinanath Dubhashi, who retired in April, after spending 16 years at L&T Finance. The group is now banking on Roy, a former consumer banking and payments professional from ICICI Bank, to turn its fortunes around. He joined L&T Finance as its chief operating officer in July 2023 and took over the CEO role in January. Five-pillar Strategy "For the first six months, I focused on nothing but business," said Roy, an avid wildlife photographer whose corner office on the eighth floor is full of photographs of tigers shot on his camera. Dinanath gave me a free hand. The objective was to streamline the business and focus on performance delivery both in terms of credit cost and topline," Roy told Mint. As part of the effort to put the financier on a high-growth trajectory, the management has drawn up a five-pillar strategy, which was announced in October. The five pillars are: raising brand visibility, enhancing customer acquisition, sharpening credit underwriting; building a futuristic digital architecture and building capabilities. View Full Image L&T Finances management has drawn up a five-pillar strategy to speed up growth. Roy quickly realized that the company needed to improve its brand recall and visibility. I had noticed something from outside and it was also part of my discussion with SNS (L&T chairman and managing director S.N. Subramanyam) when I was going through the process of coming on board," said Roy. I realized that the L&T brand name is reasonably well known and well respected in urban India, but L&T Finance was thought to be predominantly rural." The numbers, however, show that L&T Finances rural leaning is a matter of perception. Rural and urban retail loans account for an equal share of the banks total retail loan book of 80,000 crore today. I realized that the L&T brand name is reasonably well known in urban India, but L&T Finance was thought to be predominantly rural. Sudipta Roy But Roy found that the brand recall and presence in urban areas was literally next to nothing". Brand association is a critical aspect for Roy. While Bajaj Finance is known for its consumer durable finance, Mahindra Finance is associated with financing tractors and Shriram Finance, with used vehicles. L&T Finance, on the other hand, is not associated with any specific aspect. According to Roy, the NBFCs three fulcrum businesses are micro-loans, tractor finance and two-wheeler finance. He therefore wants the company to be known as a diversified NBFC that straddles both rural and urban businesses with equal ease". Using AI and ML The new CEO is extremely excited about some of the technological changes at L&T Finance. There is Project Cyclops for instance, named after the one-eyed Greek mythological figure, which was announced in a statement last month. A credit risk assessment and automated decision-making digital credit engine, Project Cyclops uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to determine the repayment capability and credit quality of potential customers. Project Cyclops is a three-dimensional credit engine" developed internally by a team of 100 developers, said Roy. Since it was done internally, the cost was about 5 crore," he told Mint. How will it help? He explained that most of L&T Finances revenue comes from high-velocity credit businesses where quick decisions need to be made. For instance, if a customer comes to a two-wheeler dealership and a lender doesnt finalize whether it will finance within 30 minutes, he/she goes elsewhere," said Roy. The new credit engine is expected to enable quick and correct decisions on who the company is lending to, especially microfinance customers, and those who are new to credit (first-time borrowers). Nothing escapes Cyclops," said Roy. Our technology team has been working nonstop for the last 45 days to deliver itWe pushed it into beta mode (user testing to identify bugs) on 18 June and are currently using it in 25 two-wheeler dealerships. Over the next 45 days, we will scale it up to 100% of two-wheeler loans." After the two-wheeler business, Cyclops will be used in tractor financing, small business loans and finally for mortgages and personal loans. The financier expects Cyclops to improve underwriting standards in the sanctioning of loans. Decent Start Have the change in guard and the five-pillar strategy worked? While it is early to say so decisively, there has been a visible improvement in numbers. According to Roy, about a year ago, L&T Finance disbursed between 550-600 crore of two-wheeler loans every month; it now clocks 900-1,000 crore. Moreover, from 37% in the June quarter last year, the share of prime (better-rated) customers in two-wheeler loan disbursals had grown to 50% by the end of 2023-24. View Full Image L&T Finance disburses between 900 crore and 1,000 crore of two-wheeler loans every month. It has been going up for close to three quarters now and is serving us wellOur bounce rates (defaults in paying equated monthly instalments) are showing signs of improvement," said Roy. In aggregate mortgages and loans against property, it used to do 550-600 crore every month; now it does close to 900 crore. In rural business finance, the needle has moved from 1,550-1,600 crore last year to 1,900-2,000 crore per month now. We plan to grow our retail book to 2 trillion in another four years, by 2027-28," said Roy. Currently, Federal Bank and Yes Bank have loan books close to this size. Analysts are upbeat on the companys push towards retail loans and the move away from wholesale credit. There have been changes in organization structure, product mix and investments in technology at L&T Finance. We continue to remain bullish on the company and believe all these changes in the organization should eventually lead to balance sheet growth," said Kaitav Shah, lead BFSI analyst, Anand Rathi Institutional Equities. Others had similar things to say. According to analysts at JM Financial Institutional Securities Ltd, a combination of factors would allow the lender to report strong returns. These include its shift from wholesale to a high-return retail book; stable asset quality metrics from the thinning of its legacy wholesale book and continuous strengthening of underwriting metrics; and strategic investments in futuristic technology". Tighter Regulation While aiming for growth, the company also has to navigate a stricter regulatory environment. In September 2022, the RBI classified L&T Finance as an upper-layer NBFC. RBI regulations classify NBFCs into four layersbase, middle, upper, topbased on their size, activity and perceived risks. According to the central bank, once an NBFC is classified as being in the upper layer, it shall be subject to enhanced regulatory requirement, at least for a period of five years from its classification in the layer". The upper layer comprises prominent names such as Tata Sons, LIC Housing Finance and Shriram Finance. For some of the upper-layer NBFCs, the classification came as a challenge since norms mandated them to go public within three years of being identified as one. A few, such as Piramal Capital and Housing Finance, and Aditya Birla Finance, have tried to sidestep it by announcing mergers with their listed parents. View Full Image In September 2022, the RBI classified L&T Finance as an upper layer NBFC. (Bloomberg) L&T Finance faced a similar problem. While L&T Finance Holdings, the holding company, was listed, L&T Finance, which appeared on the RBI upper layer list, wasnt. Last December, the company went through an internal restructuring that avoided listing L&T Finance separately. Under the merger agreement, L&T Finance, L&T Infra Credit and L&T Mutual Fund Trustee were merged into L&T Finance Holdings Ltd (LTFH) and the new entity has also been named L&T Finance. Roy believes there has been a harmonization of regulations between banks and upper-layer NBFCs. We do not consider ourselves different from banks. And that is the message that I have given to the team: consider that you are a bank; consider that the same regulatory standards apply to you and consider yourselves to hold the standard that a bank is expected to hold." Interestingly, at one time L&T Finance had ambitions of becoming a bank but decided against it after the RBI made it clear that it would not be giving licences to conglomerates. The RBI raised the level of capital that banks need to set aside for retail loans and loans to NBFCs, raising risk weights by 25 percentage points to 125%. On another front, the financier will face a challenging environment as the NBFC sector is staring at a slowdown in growth today. Some of this is the result of the RBI raising the level of capital that banks need to set aside for retail loans and loans to NBFCs, raising risk weights by 25 percentage points to 125%, in an effort to curb their growth and lower the systemic risk. According to estimates by rating agency Icra, 2024-25 growth in AUM is likely to moderate to 17-19% in the base case and 14-16% in the stress cases. The unsecured consumer loans segment would be the most impacted and may face a sharp reduction in the growth rates in FY25 after many years of sustained robust growth," Icra stated in April. On the other hand, LAP/SME & MFI (loan against property/small and medium business and microfinance) loans, which also drove growth in the last two years, would continue to maintain healthy growth," it added. That said, Roy is optimistic about delivering the goods. As a nonbanking financial services company, we are far more agile (than a bank). We are far more nimble and are able to do things much faster." He has made a steady start, but it will take much more to catapult L&T Finance into the top league. The blue screen of death has been a dreaded symbol of technological failure since Microsofts Windows became the worlds dominant operating system in the 1990s. On Friday, it showed up on millions of computers around the world at once, highlighting both Microsofts continued ubiquity in workplaces and decades-old design choices that allowed the actions of a little-known software company to disable millions of Windows machines. Some security professionals also say Microsoft hasnt taken the vulnerability of its software seriously enough. Microsoft said in a blog post Saturday that 8.5 million Windows machines were hit, or less than 1% of its global footprint. That number was enough to bring down the operations of major businesses across industries including healthcare, media and restaurants. The effects continued to reverberate in airports Saturday, as U.S. carriers canceled close to 2,000 flights, compared with 3,400 Friday. Delta, which accounted for more than half the canceled flights Saturday, has been trying to make sure it has crews to cover flights and told pilots at hub airports to depart when planes are fully boarded and ready to safely go, no matter the scheduled departure time. Fridays outage was caused by a buggy update sent to corporate clients by CrowdStrike, one of hundreds of cybersecurity firms that have built a business promising to make Windows more secure. Microsoft has its own competing product, called Windows Defender. CrowdStrikes chief executive took responsibility for the problem Friday and said the company was working to restore operations for its customers. Many people who showed up at work Friday morning knew only one thing though: Their PCs had the blue screen of death, while Macs and Chromebooks were still working. Searches for Microsoft outage" outranked CrowdStrike outage" on Google consistently from Friday morning through Saturday morning. Fridays meltdown brought a trade-off inherent to Windows into sharp relief. Its open design gives developers the freedom to design powerful software that interacts with the operating system at a very deep level. But when things go wrong, the results can be catastrophic, as millions discovered on Friday. Because Apple runs a closed ecosystem, the company has a much healthier balance between forcing people to upgrade, forcing applications to maintain good security practices or they pull them off of the App Store," said Amit Yoran, chief executive of cybersecurity firm Tenable. Security issues have long been Microsofts Achilles heel, as computers and servers running its software have been the target of repeated hacks by criminal groups, as well as state-sponsored actors in Russia and China. Top company executives have been brought in front of Congress to explain why Windows is so vulnerable. Ironically, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz raised the issue publicly in January. What youre seeing here is systemic failures by Microsoft, putting not only their customers at risk, but the U.S. government at risk," he said on CNBC after Microsoft disclosed a Russian hack of systems used by its senior leadership. Two months later, a report by the Department of Homeland Securitys Cyber Safety Review Board found that, Microsofts security culture was inadequate and requires an overhaul, particularly in light of the companys centrality in the technology ecosystem." Microsoft said the CrowdStrike crash was unrelated to the issues raised by federal officials about the companys lapses in security. Security professionals critical of the companys practices say as Microsoft pivoted to cloud computing, it has neglected the development of its more traditional products such as Windows and its email and corporate directory service products, all of which have been the targets of attacks. That neglect has made security softwarelike the kind provided by CrowdStrikemore necessary, the professionals said. If they have a security-first culture, it would either be safer for products like these to exist or these products wouldnt be needed at all," said Dustin Childs, a former Microsoft cybersecurity specialist who is currently the head of threat awareness at cybersecurity firm Trend Micro. Trend Micro competes with Windows Defender and CrowdStrike. Pavan Davuluri, Microsofts corporate vice president of Windows and devices, said the move to the cloud has been good for software reliability because the operating system is live and constantly updating. But he said the company has unique challenges in the tech industry dealing with an array of customers, many of whom use old versions of Windows running on outdated hardware. In Windows we do have a pretty broad range of responsibilities," Davuluri said. We definitely have to meet our customers in terms of where theyre atthe product itself, its use, its life cycle." CrowdStrikes bug was so devastating because its security software, called Falcon, runs at the most central level of Windows, the kernel, so when an update to Falcon caused it to crash, it also took out the brains of the operating system. That is when the blue screen of death appeared. In 2020, Apple told developers that its MacOS operating system would no longer grant them kernel-level access. That change was a pain for Apples partners, but it also meant that a blue screen of death-style problems couldnt happen on Macs, said Patrick Wardle, the chief executive of Mac security maker DoubleYou. What it meant was that a lot of third-party developers, ourselves included, had to rewrite our security software," he said. A Microsoft spokesman said it cannot legally wall off its operating system in the same way Apple does because of an understanding it reached with the European Commission following a complaint. In 2009, Microsoft agreed it would give makers of security software the same level of access to Windows that Microsoft gets. Alison Sider contributed to this article. Write to Tom Dotan at tom.dotan@wsj.com and Robert McMillan at robert.mcmillan@wsj.com Parts shortages and other issues have left the jet maker with about 200 fully or mostly finished airplanes sitting in airfields, outside plants andin one locationan employee parking lot. Some of the planes are awaiting interiors; others need engines. Dozens more are awaiting delivery to China. Unable to fly, the planes arent delivering much-needed cash as the jet maker burns through more than $1 billion a month. And they present a host of logistical challenges. Planes sitting around too long may need software or other updates. Moving unfinished jets is tricky, especially if the part they are missing is the engine, as is the case with a handful of 777 freighters. It kind of begs the question: When are you going to deliver these things," said Ron Epstein, an aerospace analyst at Bank of America. They can only sit around so long before you have to do something with them." The predicament comes as the jet maker grapples with production slowdowns and regulatory scrutiny in the wake of Januarys near catastrophe on an Alaska Airlines flight. Those problems have little to do with the parking overflowin fact, they may be helping. Because Boeing is building planes more slowly as it works to improve quality, fewer planes are piling up than if its factories were operating at full speed. Boeing has delivered 175 planes through June of this year, compared with 266 through the first half of 2023. This isnt the most dire parking predicament Boeing has faced in recent years. Following the grounding of Boeings bestselling 737 MAX due to crashes in 2018 and 2019, the company had about 450 of those planes stashed in its facilities. At another point, it had more than 100 787s parked, which presents a space conundrum given the planes size. This week, Boeing executives head to the Farnborough International Airshow where the jet makers commercial unit will forgo the customary flight demonstrations and have a smaller-than-usual presence. The company said the shift is so it can focus on safety and quality improvements and meeting order demands. On July 31, Boeing will disclose its financial results for the quarter ended June 30. Boeing said it is making progress clearing out parked planes. As we have delivered hundreds of 737s and dozens of 787s from inventory in recent years, we have reduced the parking space needed at several sites," the company said. The company says it hasnt become so tight on space that it has to stop or slow productionwhat is referred to in the aerospace industry as being jiglocked." Supplier shortages, lingering from the supply-chain crisis born amid the pandemic, have saddled the company with planes short of parts. Those include more than 20 wide-body 787s sitting outside a Boeing factory in North Charleston, S.C., according to AIR, an aerospace-industry research company in Seattle. Shipments of the model have slowed as Boeing grapples with a shortage of cabin seating, which has begun to improve. Seat suppliers industrywide havent been able to keep up with demand for cabin seating, especially for premium offerings, amid material shortages and certification delays. Boeing also has been short on a temperature-regulating part called a heat exchanger. To ease the backup, Boeing flew a dozen or so 787s to its site in San Antonio, where it previously stored planes. Flying is less of an option when it comes to a handful of 777 freighter jets in Everett, Wash., that are awaiting engines. The engine maker, GE Aerospace, has struggled with supplier shortages on the model. Boeing had delivered two freighters this year through May. But the engines have started rolling in. Boeing delivered five of the planes in June, and the company says it has enough engines for near-term deliveries. Those freighters sit on an already-crowded campus. Roughly 30 777X jetsa much-delayed, more fuel-efficient version of the 777 modelare stationed there. Boeing on Saturday said it conducted its first flight certification test on a 777X, according to AIR. Also at Everett are around 10 to 15 787s awaiting inspections to ensure the planes are built to specification. The company added that step several years ago after employees raised concerns about potential production issues. This creates constraints; it creates costs," AIRs Michel Merluzeau said. There is a cost and an operational penalty. Its something you really want to avoid as much as possible; theyre stuck in a bad place." Today, more than half of the parked planes are single-aisle 737 MAXs still awaiting delivery, some of which are now several years old. Many of the undelivered 737 jets are destined for China, one of Boeings biggest markets. Boeing in January made its first delivery of the MAX jets to China after more than four years. The deliveries had been frozen by Beijing since the two crashes of the 737 MAX. Write to Sharon Terlep at sharon.terlep@wsj.com Mumbai: Offering higher rates on certain high-value deposits to increase the pace of deposit accretion is not part of HDFC Banks strategy, unlike some of its peers, and the bank will continue to focus on organic and granular deposit mobilisation via its branch network, chief financial officer Srinivasan Vaidyanathan said. We do not want to differentiate through offering higher rates on bank deposits to compete with peers, or any other such rate-driven programmes or high-cost deposits of a larger ticket size. Thats not the strategy, he said during the banks Q1 earnings call. HDFC Banks retail branches currently contribute around 84% of total deposits, with the granularity of deposits having increased by up to 100 basis points since last year, Vaidyanathan said, adding that the focus will remain on driving deposits through branches. Deposits flat in Q1 He attributed the sequentially flatness in deposits to seasonal factors deposit accretion tends to be lower in the first quarter of a financial year and to tight liquidity conditions in the market during the quarter. Total deposits grew 24.4% on year to 23.8 trillion as of 30 June. Low-cost current and saving account (CASA) deposits were up 6.2% on year and accounted for 36.3% of total deposits. Gross advances at the end of the quarter were at 24.9 trillion, up 52.6% from the previous year. Retail loans were up 100.4%, commercial and rural banking loans 23.0%, and corporate and other wholesale loans 18.7%. Vaidynathan reiterated managing director and CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan remarks in the annual report, saying that while advances growth would be slower than deposit growth to help normalise the credit-deposit ratio, overall loan growth was expected to remain healthy. The banks credit deposit ratio was around 104%. Cautious on unsecured loans HDFC Bank continues to be cautious and selective on the unsecured retail business, including personal loans and credit cards, and will continue to lend only to high-credit quality consumers, he said. On wholesale lending, Vaidyanathan said that while the bank was seeing good credit demand, rates continued to be benign and spreads minimal because of aggressive pricing by competitors and the good credit quality of corporates taking loans. Here, too, the lender will remain selective until rates normalise and then use its wholesale banking partnerships to explore further lending opportunities, he added. HDFC Bank posted a 35.3% on-year increase in net profit to 16,170 crore in Q1. Net interest income (NII) grew 26.4% to 29,840 crore. Core net interest margin to total assets was 3.5%, and on interest-earning assets 3.7%. The banks gross NPA ratio deteriorated to 1.33% as of 30 June from 1.24% in the previous quarter, but was better than the post-merger level of 1.41%. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Armenia does not want to make peace with Azerbaijan on fair terms, Director General of the Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies (Russia) Igor Korotchenko told Trend on the sidelines of the Second Shusha Global Media Forum on the topic Exposing false narratives: combating disinformation". "Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan refused to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a recent global international event in the UK. This shows the duplicity of Armenias position, its reluctance to conclude a peace treaty on fair principles. These are the five principles that were set out by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev," Korotchenko said. According to him, countries such as France are trying to influence Yerevan and slow down the preparation and conclusion of a peace treaty. He said that France wants to pump Armenia with weapons and make it a new source of instability. "Therefore, the situation is difficult, but I think that Azerbaijani diplomacy will achieve the goals it sets for itself. A peace treaty is important to everyone. Russia expects the signing of this document. We would really like this to happen at least before the end of this year, maybe in November. But so far, Pashinyans position, unfortunately, does not allow for optimism. It is important to force Yerevan to fulfill its obligations under paragraph 9 of the tripartite statement of November 10, 2020," Korotchenko added. The Second Shusha Global Media Forum, organized on the occasion of the 149th anniversary of the national press of Azerbaijan, is attended by more than 150 foreign guests from 50 countries, including news agencies from 30 countries, 3 international organizations and 82 media entities. Among the participants of the Global Media Forum are representatives of foreign media, as well as representatives of Azerbaijani media, experts and officials of Azerbaijan. The forum will last until July 22. New Delhi: Television broadcasters are concerned about the fallout of a recent directive that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, or Trai, has issued for broadcasting and cable services. In a notification, the authority has said that an otherwise pay channel available for free on DD Free Dish, the direct-to-home platform owned by public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, must be declared free-to-air on other distribution platforms (such as Tata Play, Dish TV etc.) as well, so as to ensure a level-playing field. Such a mandate, experts argue, could hurt the revenues and reach of TV channels at a time when they are already offering their content at nominal rates across the pay TV universe. Besides, Prasar Bharati doesn't fall under the regulatory ambit of Trai, they added. Also read | Trai notifies amendments to broadcasting and cable service regulation framework Mandating pay channels to be free-to-air across all platforms may directly impact broadcasters' subscription revenues, potentially reducing their ability to generate income from these channels. Broadcasters may need to pivot towards alternative revenue streams such as increased advertising, as the direct subscription model for impacted channels becomes less viable, Ayan Sharma, head of public policy and advocacy at law firm BTG Advaya, said. The combined impact of Trai amendments and the draft broadcast regulation bill (which seeks to regulate broadcasting services including OTT content and digital news) could potentially be a concern as increased regulatory scrutiny and compliance requirements may strain operational flexibility and resources, Sharma added. A senior executive at a broadcast network called this a bizarre decision attempted to please distribution platforms. Private broadcasters are a soft target. Only when there is forbearance at all levels, will the consumer benefit," the executive said. He was referring to the fact that on one hand, the network capacity fee, which is a rental fee charged by distributors, has been tweaked to account for factors such as the number of channels, different regions, customer classes or any combination thereof. On the other, challenges for broadcasters are mounting. Broadcasting Amendments The recent amendments notified by Trai on the broadcasting and cable services framework present significant challenges for broadcasters, agreed Ameet Datta, partner, Saikrishna & Associates, a legal firm. This could lead to substantial revenue losses and market distortion as broadcasters will be forced to provide premium content for free, undermining their ability to monetize effectively. Additionally, these amendments seem to favour distribution platforms and cable operators by allowing them access to premium content without carriage fees, increasing their viewership and advertising revenues while diminishing the bargaining power of broadcasters," Datta pointed out. Also read | News broadcaster bodies condemn blackout of channels in Andhra Pradesh Considering how these channels were a constant revenue stream for broadcasters, it is safe to say that broadcaster revenues would take a hit, Alpana Srivastava, partner, Desai & Diwanji, a legal firm, said. Regardless of that, it is also pertinent to note that such moves are necessary owing to the current over-the-top (OTT) media domination in the market and the race for the revival of the satellite TV market. The OTT industry has had wide implications on the numbers that the satellite television industry used to rake in at some point, and these amendments have been put in place with the sole aim of bringing the present statistics back to something that mirror those of the pre-OTT days, Srivastava argued. This move will affect around 20 of the 70-plus channels available on DD Free Dish, she said. Pritha Jha, partner, Pioneer Legal, also emphasized that the changes that have been brought in have been a result of significant outcry in the industry that OTTs and free dish operators have fewer restrictions and therefore an unfair advantage over cable operators. The amendments have been brought in to try and level the playing field. If a free channel is declared free to air by the broadcaster, all distribution platforms then become equal. A consumer no longer selects a distribution platform over the other because the charges in one place are nil, Jha said. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has found 61 medicines, cosmetics and ayurveda products to be not of standard quality. These include lifesaving formulations for diabetes, cosmetics and ayurveda products, aloevera, glycerin and Vitamin -E soap, jojoba oil and haridrakhandam used to treat skin allergies. This follows several instances of Indian medicines failing quality checks abroad, putting a question mark on the reputation of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. The quality of drugs and cosmetic products in India is regulated under the Dugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940. Read more: Anti-infective, gastro and respiratory drugs saw double digit growth this year Medicines that failed the Indian regulator's test included Esomeprazole Gastroresistant tablets IP 40 mg used for gastrointestinal diseases, Amoxycillin & Potassium Clavulanate injections used to manage bacterial infections, Glipizide and Metformin tablets for treating diabetes, Etamsylat tablets 500 mg used in the treatment of bleeding, iron and folic acid syrups, and Albendazole tablets which are used to treat worm infections. Drugs controller general of India Rajeev Raghuvanshi in February directed the State Licensing Authority to keep an eye on drugs in the market by routinely analyzing samples. The idea was to maintain a centralized monthly database of spurious and NSQ medicines. The CDSCO drug alert for the month of June also stated that Amloheart-AT tablets used to treat cardiovascular diseases, Montor LC tablets which is used to treat respiratory infections, Alpracan 0.5 tablets are used to manage neurological disorders, were sub-standard. The samples were examined at the Central and State laboratories. Read more: Can Dr Reddys buy its way out of a slump? Different varieties of soaps having aloevera, vitamin E and jojoba oil and Ayurveda products were substandard falling under the category of cosmetic. During the 100 days agenda meeting, the union health minister J.P. Nadda had directed officials to ensure the safety and quality of medicines in the country. A Supreme Court judgment in a real estate debt resolution case that gave state agencies the rights of a bank over the assets of a troubled real estate company has thrown bankruptcy resolution experts in a tizzy. Experts said the court ruling runs against the Insolvency and Bankrupcy Code (IBC), which says secured creditorsor bankshave the first rights over the assets of a troubled property developer. If several competing interests, including government agencies, start laying claim to the same assets, it might jeopardize the insolvency resolution process, experts said. The SC earlier this year held the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority as a secured operational creditor has equal rights over the assets of a real estate developer as that of other secured creditors. The apex courts judgment in February backed GNIDAs claim as a secured creditor, which meant state agencies that leased out land for housing projects needed to be warranted being treated as secured creditors, experts said. The resolution plans of distressed real estate companies already approved by their panel of creditors, need to be reviewed in light of the apex court order, the experts added. The Supreme Court, in the case Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority v. Prabhjit Singh Soni & Anr, ruled that not placing GNIDA in the class of secured creditors in the resolution plan approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for a real estate developer in the national capital region did affect the state agencys interest. GNIDA formed under the UP Industrial Area Development Act had given land for the residential project in Greater Noida. The court set aside the resolution plan and ordered it to be sent back to the panel of creditors for resubmission in view of IBC as demonstrated in its order, the judgment available from the courts website showed. The apex courts interpretation contrasts with the preamble of IBC, which describes one of its goals to be balancing the interests of all stakeholders including alteration of the order of priority of payment of government dues. Read more: Top four commercial real estate companies to keep an eye on In the order of priority of payment of dues, government dues are ranked below those of secured creditors, along with unsecured creditors. The Supreme Court order has added a new dimension to IBC as it places a state agency at par with secured creditors. This will have repercussions for a lot of stressed real estate projects waiting for a resolution plan. Even plans approved by committee of creditors have to be reviewed, said a person who is informed about discussions in the government about the apex courts order. Anoop Rawat, partner (insolvency and bankruptcy) at law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co said that in view of the court decision, there might be opening up of resolution plans already concluded by committees of creditors. It is antithetical to the insolvency resolution principles and it can take us back a bit as giving the treatment of secured debt to statutory dues could have undesirable consequences to the objectives of the IBC, said Rawat. Rawat said that security interest is defined in IBC as one that is created by virtue of a transaction, which is defined to mean an agreement or arrangement in writing and does not include statutory charge. It is important to note in this context that under another statute, the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Sarfaesi) Act of 2000, crown debt is subordinate to the interest of secured creditors. Similarly, IBC is also designed to provide secured debt, a priority over statutory dues and other operational debts including those of government authorities, said Rawat. According to information available from the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), 21% of the over 7,500 companies so far admitted for debt resolution are real estate companies. They also account for 18-25% of all companies for which either rescue plans were approved, or were settled out of court or were withdrawn or even liquidated. Figures indicate that over 440 real estate developers are among the 1920 cases pending in bankruptcy tribunals now. The ministry of corporate affairs had in January 2023 sought public comments to remove ambiguity on the status of government dues after the apex court in another case in 2022 between Gujarat state tax authorities and Rainbow Papers Ltd. held that the state was a secured creditor under Gujarat VAT Act. The ministrys proposal was to clarify that all debts owed to Central and state governments irrespective of whether they are secured creditors by operation of statute, will be treated at par with other unsecured creditors. Also, only the security interest created as a result of a transaction between the government and a debtor would be treated as a secured creditor in the order of priority. Read more: A lost quarter: Prestige Estates slow start leaves it a lot to catch up However, a Bill to amend the IBC which the ministry has been working on is not listed for the current session of Parliament. It is likely that it may be tabled in the winter session of Parliament. In the meantime, the Supreme Courts interpretation prevails, said the first person quoted above. The mainboard IPO market will remain quiet next week with no new issues scheduled to open. However, in the SME segment, around 8 companies are preparing to launch their initial public offerings (IPO). The SME IPOs set to open for subscription next week include RNFI Services, SAR Televenture, VVIP Infratech, VL Infraprojects, Manglam Infra and Engineering, Chetana Education, Aprameya Engineering, and Clinitech Laboratory. The Indian IPO market has witnessed remarkable growth in recent times. This thriving activity is characterised by a substantial increase in the number of companies seeking to list their shares on the stock exchange, alongside a corresponding rise in capital raised. This trend signifies a period of robustness and dynamism within the Indian financial landscape, said Pantomath Capital Advisors Private Limited, Trusted Mid-Market Investment Bank. The brokerage firm further said, The recently concluded elections are expected to boost the second half of CY25 market activity. Improved market sentiment and a potentially stable economic environment encourage companies to launch their public offerings. Additionally, the success of several listings in the first half of CY25 could further drive momentum. While specifics are pending, promising sectors for potential IPOs in the second half of CY25 include consumer staples and discretionary, healthcare, and technology. Here's a list of IPOs which will open for subscription - RNFI Services IPO The RNFI Services IPO will be open for subscription from July 22, 2024, to July 24, 2024. This book-built issue aims to raise 70.81 crores and consists entirely of a fresh issue of 67.44 lakh shares. The price band for the RNFI Services IPO is set between 98 and 105 per share. Choice Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd is the book-running lead manager for the IPO, with Skyline Financial Services Private Ltd acting as the registrar. Choice Equity Broking is the market maker for the RNFI Services IPO. SAR Televenture FPO The SAR Televenture FPO will be open for subscription from July 22, 2024, to July 24, 2024. This book-built issue aims to raise 150 crore, consisting entirely of a fresh issue of 71.43 lakh shares. The price band for SAR Televenture's FPO is set between 200 and 210 per share. Pantomath Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd is the book-running lead manager for the FPO, and Link Intime India Private Ltd is the registrar for the issue. VVIP Infratech IPO The VVIP Infratech IPO will open for subscription on July 23, 2024, and close on July 25, 2024. This book-built issue aims to raise 61.21 crores and consists entirely of a fresh issue of 65.82 lakh shares. The price band for the VVIP Infratech IPO is set between 91 and 93 per share. Share India Capital Services Private Limited is the book-running lead manager for the IPO, with Maashitla Securities Private Limited serving as the registrar. Share India Securities is the market maker for the VVIP Infratech IPO. Also Read | Northern Arc Capital gets SEBI nod to raise funds via IPO V.L. Infraprojects IPO V.L. Infraprojects' IPO will be open for subscription from July 23, 2024, to July 25, 2024. This book-built issue aims to raise 18.52 crores and comprises a fresh issue of 44.1 lakh shares. The price band for V.L. Infraprojects' IPO is set between 39 and 42 per share. Beeline Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd is the book running lead manager, and Skyline Financial Services Private Ltd will serve as the registrar for the IPO. Spread X Securities is the market maker for the issue. Manglam Infra And Engineering IPO The Manglam Infra and Engineering IPO will open for subscription on July 24, 2024, and close on July 26, 2024. This book-built issue is valued at 27.62 crores and consists entirely of a fresh issue of 49.32 lakh shares. The price band for the Manglam Infra and Engineering IPO is set between 53 and 56 per share. Unistone Capital Pvt Ltd is the book-running lead manager for the IPO, while Bigshare Services Pvt Ltd will act as the registrar. Giriraj Stock Broking is the market maker for the issue. Also Read | TPG-backed Sai Life Sciences files DRHP for IPO with SEBI Chetana Education IPO The Chetana Education IPO will open for subscription on July 24, 2024, and close on July 26, 2024. This book-built issue amounts to 45.90 crores and consists entirely of a fresh issuance of 54 lakh shares. The IPO price band for Chetana Education has been set between 80 and 85 per share. Hem Securities Limited is the book-running lead manager for the IPO, with Link Intime India Private Ltd serving as the registrar. Hem Finlease is the market maker for the Chetana Education IPO. Aprameya Engineering IPO The Aprameya Engineering IPO will open for subscription on July 25, 2024, and close on July 29, 2024. This book-built issue is valued at 29.23 crores and involves a fresh issue of 50.4 lakh shares. The price band for the Aprameya Engineering IPO is set between 56 and 58 per share. Hem Securities Limited is the book-running lead manager, and Link Intime India Private Ltd will serve as the registrar for the issue. Clinitech Laboratory IPO The Clinitech Laboratory IPO will open for subscription on July 25, 2024, and close on July 29, 2024. This fixed-price issue is valued at 5.78 crores and consists entirely of a fresh issue of 6.02 lakh shares. The issue price for Clinitech Laboratory IPO is 96 per share. Inventure Merchant Banker Services Pvt Ltd is the book-running lead manager, while Bigshare Services Pvt Ltd is the registrar. Svcm Securities is the market maker for the IPO. Also Read | HDBFin IPO: HDFC Bank board gives nod to initiate listing of HDBFS via IPO Sanstar IPO The Sanstar IPO opened for subscription on July 19, 2024, and will close on July 23, 2024. The IPO is a book-built issue valued at 510.15 crore, comprising a fresh issue of 4.18 crore shares totaling 397.10 crore and an offer for sale of 1.19 crore shares amounting to 113.05 crore. The price band for the Sanstar IPO is set between 90 and 95 per share. Pantomath Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd is the book running lead manager for the IPO, and Link Intime India Private Ltd will serve as the issue's registrar. New listings - Sanstar IPO: The allotment for the Sanstar IPO is expected to be finalized on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The IPO will list on BSE, NSE with tentative listing date fixed as Friday, July 26, 2024. Three M Paper Boards IPO: The allotment for Three M Paper Boards IPO was finalized on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The IPO will be listed on BSE SME on July 22, 2024. Prizor Viztech IPO: The allotment for Prizor Viztech IPO was finalized on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The IPO will be listed on NSE SME on July 22, 2024. Sati Poly Plast IPO: The allotment for Sati Poly Plast IPO was finalized on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The IPO will be listed on NSE SME on July 22, 2024. Aelea Commodities IPO: The allotment for Aelea Commodities IPO was finalized on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The IPO will be listed on BSE SME on July 22, 2024. Tunwal E-Motors IPO: The allotment for Tunwal E-Motors IPO was finalized on Friday, July 19, 2024. The IPO will list on NSE SME with tentative listing date fixed as Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Macobs Technologies IPO: The allotment for the Macobs Technologies IPO is expected to be finalized on Monday, July 22, 2024. The IPO will list on NSE SME with tentative listing date fixed as Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Mining conglomerate Vedanta Limited raised 8,500 crore (over USD 1 billion) through Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP) of 19.31 crore equity shares at an issue price of 440 per share, according to a stock exchange filing by the company. The issue, which closed on July 19, implied a discount of 4.61 per cent to the floor price of 461.26 per equity share. In a stock exchange filing, Vedanta said it sold 19.31 crore shares to raise 8,500 crore. Some of the marquee investors that have been allotted equity shares through the QIP include Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Goldman Sachs AMC, Nippon Mutual Fund, SBI Mutual Fund, UTI Mutual Fund, ICICI Mutual Fund, Aditya Birla Mutual Fund and Mirae Mutual Fund. Various funds run by Nippon Mutual Fund were allotted 9.11 per cent of the total issue size, while funds managed by Morgan Stanley and SBI Mutual Fund received 8.62 per cent and 7.88 per cent, respectively. Speaking on the occasion, Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal, in a press release, said, "The overwhelming response to the Vedanta QIP underscores the huge confidence that the global investor community has in Vedanta - our unique set of irreplaceable world-leading assets, our quest for operational and cost excellence, and the solidity of our strategic future growth projects. We remain closely aligned with the goals of ensuring India's self-reliance and security in the area of critical minerals and energy while contributing significantly to the nation's economic prosperity and the creation of shareholder value. Also Read | Vedanta settles dues worth $246 million to regain control of Zambia copper mine The QIP witnessed significant interest from foreign institutional investors (FIIs), mutual funds, insurance companies and other investors. Vedanta's Committee of Directors authorised the opening date of QIP on July 15, 2024, with a floor price of 461.26 per share for this issue. As per the company's press release, the proceeds from the QIP will be used to continue to de-leverage Vedanta Limited's balance sheet and help deliver the company's $10 billion EBITDA targets in the near term. The mining major has various projects under execution, having high potential for increasing volume, business integration, and enhancing the range of value-added products across its businesses. These growth projects will be the key drivers to Vedanta's near-term EBITDA target of $10 billion. These include an aluminium smelter and refinery, investment in new oil and gas blocks, and expansion of its steel and iron ore businesses. Vedanta delivered a strong financial performance and growth on multiple fronts, with many of its businesses -- Aluminium, Zinc, Silver, Steel, Iron Ore, and Ferrochrome -- achieving their highest-ever annual production levels in the last fiscal. For FY24, the company recorded its second-highest annual consolidated revenue of 1,41,793 crore and second-highest annual EBITDA of 36,455 crores. The mining major announced a plan to demerge its business units into independent pure-play companies in September last year. In the holiday-shortened week, the combined market valuation of eight of the top 10 most valued firms surged by 2,10,330.26 crore, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) leading the gains. The BSE benchmark index increased by 85.31 points, or 0.10%, and the 30-share BSE Sensex reached a new all-time high of 81,587.76 on Friday. Stock markets were closed on Wednesday for Muharram. Among the top 10 companies, TCS saw its valuation jump by 42,639.16 crore to 15,56,772.61 crore. LIC's market capitalization rose by 36,748.23 crore to 7,01,695.24 crore. Infosys added 33,569.16 crore to reach a valuation of 7,44,396.43 crore, while State Bank of India's market cap increased by 26,372.23 crore to 7,93,576.49 crore. Hindustan Unilever's market cap soared by 24,494.49 crore to 6,40,651.30 crore, and ITC's valuation jumped by 19,420.52 crore to 5,92,679.30 crore. Bharti Airtel's market valuation went up by 16,223.03 crore to 8,31,928.39 crore, and ICICI Bank's market cap climbed by 10,863.44 crore to 8,78,531.60 crore. Conversely, Reliance Industries saw its valuation decline by 56,799.01 crore to 21,03,829.74 crore, while HDFC Bank's market cap fell by 13,124.01 crore to 12,22,701.34 crore. Time-travel romances especially those with protagonists from different erasrely heavily on a particular, obvious trope: the surprise and awe that the time traveller feels on being transported to a time that is emphatically not theirs. Society and rules and technology and people and clothes and food and culture are all so very different that the time travellers confusion is, in itself, a propulsive narrative forcesometimes mined for cutesy laughs, as in the romcom Kate and Leopold , or for darkness and danger, as in Diana Gabaldons Outlander series of books. In an outstanding feat of restraint, Kaliane Bradleys time-travel romance/spy thriller The Ministry of Time uses this trope extremely sparinglyalthough very effectivelyin a few short scenes that dont belabour the point and only add layers to her characters. Her protagonists are an unnamed 21st century translatorlike the author, she is Cambodian-Britishwho is deputed by the government to act as a bridge" for her time-travelling charge: Commander Graham Gore, a 19th century naval officer and explorer who was to have died at the North Pole during an ill-fated expedition in 1847. The possibilities for comic misunderstandings here are endless, and yet, Bradley explores the cultural, social, political and racial differences between her protagonists with a light hand. Also read: Science historian Daisy Hildyard shows us where we are headed Despite some darkly funny moments, this is not an LOL kind of romcom but a measured, thoughtful and very sophisticated debut. Bradley deftly avoids the kind of expository info dump that sometimes becomes necessary in a science-fiction novel, the hows and whys and what-about-physics of it all. The reader is thrown into the plot from the first page: The project that the narrator and Gore are part of is a social and scientific experiment to extract half-a-dozen ordinary human beings from different points in time and bring them to the 21st century to see how far they can acclimatise, both physically and emotionally. Thats where bridges" like our protagonist/narrator come inthey live with the expats", as the time travellers are called, for a year, and help them adjust, along with observing their every move and reporting back to the government ministry that is handling the project. Our introduction to this ministryan increasingly sinister body as the plot progressesis typically dead-pan: Adela shrugged. We have time-travel, she said, like someone describing the coffee machine. Welcome to the Ministry." Nor is there a rush to advance the plot. Indeed, there are semi-philosophical meditations about the nature of time travel scattered throughout the book that force the reader to keep the intriguing and fast-paced plot aside, and focus on what one character calls the hereness and thereness" of people displaced in time. We needed to see the expats move through broader geographical space without atomising into the scenery (or the scenery atomising around them) to know for sure that the twenty-first century had accepted their presence," writes Bradley. If that also works as a metaphor for people displaced in the real world through the effects of colonisation, forced migration and human misery, it is never spelt out but is there for the reader to internalise. The narrators mother is a Cambodian woman forced to leave her country following the genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge, and is perhaps quite as displaced as a time traveller. Despite its large themes, The Ministry of Time is, at its heart, a gentle, slow-burn romance between a Victorian naval officer and a 21st century woman. After a point, when they come from doesnt even seem as important anymore as a growing awareness of the other; the eternal language of stray touches and shared smiles. Hed always lived inside me, years before Id known him. Id been trained to love him," says the narrator at one point, even as the shadow of something larger than themselves grows around them. The novel becomes darker and messier as questions long unasked start to surface, and it appears that there is more to this time-travel project than at first appeared. The ministry didnt accidentally stumble upon a way to explore the space-time continuum, and while hints about this can be found throughout the book, this part of the narrative starts gaining momentum around the halfway mark, at which point it becomes unputdownable. Although it was only published in May, the BBC has already announced that an adaptation of the book is in the works. I imagine something in the tonal neighbourhood of the His Dark Materials trilogy, with maybe a touch of the futuristic office drama Severance. However, controversy has followed the book, or more specifically, its titlefans of the Spanish fantasy television series El Ministerio Del Tiempo (which translates exactly to The Ministry of Time") have accused Bradley of plagiarism. As someone who has watched a few episodes of this fun romp about time-travelling detectives from different eras tasked with preventing people from changing history to their own ends, let me say that apart from the fact that yes, it is also about time travel and yes, there is a ministry that handles this, the two works of fiction could not be more different. In fact, Jasper Ffordes Thursday Next series is also set in a universe where both time travel and literary travel (one can physically jump into settings in books) are handled by evil government ministries and corporations. That delightful series has nothing else in common with the other two, either, and to say that sharing a basic premise amounts to plagiarism is to deny genre fiction its very existence. Bradleys The Ministry of Time is driven by plot and character, but is not afraid to pause and ask questions or even be obscure at times. Ideas are frictional, factional entities which wilt when pinned to flowcharts," she writes. Ideas have to cause problems before they cause solutions." Also read: Airplane Mode by Shahnaz Habib: Why be a traveller, choose to stay home Across the historic city of Ahmedabad, the chabutara (also known as parabadi) is ubiquitous. They are in plain sight, standing in all their grandeur, like forgotten gems of the past. Chabutaras are 11-22ft tall structures made of wood, stone or concrete, designed specifically for birds. These traditional bird-feeders, though slightly outlandish looking, are an intrinsic part of the citys visual and cultural lexicon. Ahmedabad is a city with an admirable population of sparrows, mynas, pigeons, old world babblers and purple sunbirds. The chabutara is where locals place water and seeds for the feathered itinerants. The structures enable the birds to seek refuge from harsh sunlight or battering rain. There are said to be over 300 chabutaras in Ahmedabad, of which 120 come under the walled city," says Ahmedabad-born city enthusiast Mohammed Ali Turner, who conducts heritage walks under the Walkipedia banner. One cant quite trace the origins of the word chabutara". Turner speculates that it emerged from the word, kabutar". The closest explanation is that it was derived from kabutra, which means pigeon in Gujarati," he says. However, Ashish Trambadia, conservation architect and former director of Ahmedabad World Heritage City Trust that focuses on preserving heritage buildings and landmarks, contends that the word finds its roots in char-rasta" or crossroads. Earlier, at each junction or at the intersection of crossroads in the city, a small pavilion with a bird-feeder on top was installed," he says, suggesting that the chabutaras raised stone plinth was where locals would convene. It was a meeting point where people could sit and chit-chat. For instance, in the evenings, once the women collected water from the well, theyd sit there and converse. Thats how the site evolved culturally." Emblems of a legacy The Karanj chabutara, a 120-year-old structure located at the main thoroughfare in Badra Chowk, near the Teen Darwaza, is an architectural marvel. One of the oldest bird-feeders in the city, it displays intricate handmade carvings. The exposed wooden structure is covered in exquisite iconography dancing apsaras, ferocious tigers displaying their tongues, lions brandishing their teeth and elephants leaping with their trunks in salutation. All are portrayed in fine detail. Trambadia explains that the chabutara exhibits a combination of Islamic and Indian architectural features. The Karanj chabutara is a striking example of peerless craftsmanship that once flourished within the walled city. Upon close inspection, an onlooker would be stupefied by the effort once put into beautifying a structure solely for birds. The bird-feeder in Dariyapur, for instance, is thought to be the finest sandstone chabutara" in Ahmedabad, says Trambadia, due to its fascinating iconography. It has angels playing music at the top level, ganikas (women entertainers) holding sitars at the second level and gajendra (elephants) at third. On the fourth level, women are portrayed in different avatars: warriors, pilgrims and nayikas," he explains. The quaint chabutara situated in Lambeshwar ni Pol is not as grand as its Karanj counterpart, yet it is one of the most well-preserved. Painted in hues of celadon green and red, it mimics the colour of a parrot. This chabutara is from the British period," informs Trambadia. It boasts of female musician figurines who are wearing Victorian crowns, while clad in saris." Right below the chabutara is a small shrine. It has a ladder that enables the caretaker to climb and dispense grains on to the chabutaras enclosed platform. Suspended on the bird-feeders sturdy brackets is a water vessel, which is used to pour water for the birds. Many of the chabutaras have a unique design: a stone plinth (that is often hollow and used as birdfeed storage), and a long perpendicular pillar that functions as the spine, on top of which is mounted a canopied enclosure for birds. The Karanj chabutaras dome-like canopy is octagonal in shape. This is as per the coordinal directionsthat is, north, south, north-east, south-west, and so on," explains Trambadia. The canopy of each chabutara is perched at a substantial elevation to prevent feral cats from dashing up and ambushing an unwitting gathering of birds. A form of service Chabutaras are prominent within pols in Ahmedabad. According to the 2011 book, Ahmedabad: From Royal City to Megacity, by Achyut Yagnik and Suchitra Sheth, pols are a labyrinth of neighbourhoods consisting of tightly packed homes along narrow, often dead-end streets." Steeped in centuries of history, many pols were inhabited by families belonging to the same social or occupational group.(and) the dense packing of these neighbourhoods resulted in (the formation of) tightly knit communities." Each pol was said to have 20-65 houses within it. Centuries ago, when the pols were forming, countless trees were razed to build homes. Naturally, there was a surplus of leftover wood from these timber-framed residential constructions which needed to be used," explains Trambadia. Thats how this genuinely interesting idea of constructing chabutaras would have emerged, because feeding the birds was always a community activity." In Ahmedabad, historically, community members would regularly feed birds, as there was an enduring belief that the birds were, in fact, deceased relatives whod return to meet their families. The practice was also considered as a form of sewa or service. Octogenarian Surendra C. Patel is a veteran architect-interior designer, and owner of Vishalla Restaurant. He fondly remembers his childhood and talks about the time when his mother would encourage him to put a fistful of grains" for the birds en route to school, every time he had to give an exam. It will bring you good luck, she would say," Patel recalls. Such things were a part of our culture, which we have now completely forgotten," he notes, while talking about the slow demise of serving birds, and the dilapidating state of chabutaras in the city. A forgotten past Over the years, as the city became more urbanised and populated, several traditional bird-feeders have been pushed into obscurity, wedged between hideous, modern-day constructions (such as the one near Rangila police chowki in Shahpur area). The book, Ahmedabad: From Royal City to Megacity, notes, As the city spread across to the western bank of the river in the 20th century, the tradition of building chabutaras continued, though ornamentation decreased as skilled craftspeople were unavailable. By the mid-20th century, metal sheets, cement and concrete became the commonly used materials and the traditional designs gave way to modern, minimalist interpretations." Today, several bird-feeders exhibit a lonely, melancholic look. They have fallen into a perilous state of neglect and lack maintenance. For instance, the Karanj chabutaras charming presence is smudged into the busy backdrop of the modern-day marketplace, rendering it almost invisible and obscuring its historical worth. Local hawkers tie pale yellow and blue tarpaulins to the structure to create temporary sunshades, under which they sit and sell their wares. However, there are a few chabutaras that continue to be looked after by the community members. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake deeply impacted parts of Ahmedabad. Several architectural structures, including certain chabutaras, were on the verge of crumbling. Turner explains how residents in the pols came up with inventive ways of preserving these traditional bird-feeders, including one that is located within a pol near the Kalupur Swaminarayan temple. This particular chabutara is painted in several colours, and carries iconography of dancers dancing with different mudras," explains Turner. However, it was in a very poor conditionsome of its iconographic dragons were damaged." To prevent the chabutara from completely falling apart, the community members strengthened its slender pole by constructing a solid semi-circular pillar around it. To save the structure, they built an Ambe maa temple right under the chabutara in 2003, to give it extra support from below," he explains. There are several conservation efforts that have begun to safeguard the tangible heritage of Ahmedabad, including labelling the older chabutaras with Grade IIA and Grade IIB markers, which, according to the ministry of housing and urban affairs, comprises of buildings and precincts of regional or local importance possessing special architectural or aesthetic merit, or cultural or historical significance." Chabutaras are a unique and exemplary part of our history, and were originally built to mimic trees as alternative sheltered lodging for birds. Several of them, despite their aged appearance, are fascinating relics which need to be admired and preserved. The next time youre in Ahmedabad, be sure to keep a look out for these architectural gems of a time past. The author was a writer-in-residence at the Ahmedabad Writing Program, Ahmedabad University. This article was born out of the writing residency at AU, supported by the JCB Grant. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present Budget 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, July 23. The interim budget, presented on February 1, catered to financial requirements until a new government was formed after the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. Following that, the new government was expected to present a comprehensive budget in July. The Union Budget documents will be accessible through the "Union Budget Mobile App". The bilingual app (English and Hindi) is available on Android and iOS platforms, and can also be downloaded from the Union Budget Web Portal (www.indiabudget.gov.in). We have high expectations for significant tax reforms in Budget 2024. Anticipated changes include revised income tax slabs to increase disposable income and stimulate consumer spending by raising the basic exemption limit and adjusting thresholds for higher tax rates," said Kuljeet Singh, Director of Finance and Accounts, at GI Group Holding Experts list out the possible tax slab changes expected in Budget 2024: Budget 2024: Changes in new tax regime Proposed increase in tax exemption and standard deduction limits The proposed hike in income tax exemption to 5 lakh could allow individuals earning up to 8.5 lakh annually to avoid paying income tax. Under the new tax regime, the standard deduction limit might also increase from 50,000 to 1,00,000. According to Gaurav Gunjan, Partner at Gupta Sachdeva & Co., Chartered Accountants, this calculation factors in the standard deduction and the rebate under section 87A, assuming it remains unchanged. Budget 2024: Changes in the old tax regime Gaurav Gunjan, Partner at Gupta Sachdeva & Co., Chartered Accountants, indicated that significant changes to the old income tax regime are unlikely, as the government intends to promote the transition of more individuals to the new income tax system. Budget 2024: Changes in new income tax regime slab rates As per Gaurav Gunjan, Partner at Gupta Sachdeva & Co., Chartered Accountants, the projected tax slabs under the new regime are: The exemption limit is set at 5 lakh. Taxable income between 5 lakh and 6 lakh is taxed at 5%. Taxable income between 6 lakh and 9 lakh is taxed at 10%. Taxable income between 9 lakh and 12 lakh is taxed at 15%. Taxable income between 12 lakh and 15 lakh is taxed at 20%. Taxable income above 15 lakh taxed at 30%." Budget 2024 is all set to be announced on 23rd July, 2024. India is looking for a crucial roadmap for Viksit Bharat by 2047 and provide short and long-term plans for the next 5 years under the governments 3.0 administration. Having said that, let us see what the common man expects from the Budget 2024. Tax rates With effect from FY 2023-24, the government introduced standard deduction to increase the adoption of the new regime as against the old regime. Hence, now the new tax regime has become the default tax regime. To ensure that maximum individuals opt for the new regime, it is recommended that the government provides for the following under the new tax regime -Reduce the maximum tax rate from 30% to 25%. -Increase the standard deduction from INR 50,000 to INR 100,000. Considering other cities as metros for the purpose of HRA deduction -Post pandemic there has been an increase in the cost of rented accommodation across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. The Income Tax provisions consider only four cities in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata) to be metro cities and while calculating the HRA exemption and one of the criteria is 50% of the basic salary as against 40% of basic salary for non-metro cities (other cities). -The government should notify other cities for the above purpose as metro cities, such as Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon, etc. Providing perquisite valuation for electric vehicles provided by employer to employees -Rule 3 provides concessional valuation rules where company car is provided by an employer to an employee depending on the cubic capacity of the engine. However, there is no specific provision for electric vehicles. -Given the encouragement to use electric vehicles, Rule 3 could be suitably amended to bring in the valuation mechanism for electric vehicles. -This valuation mechanism would help bring in much required clarity. Parity in deduction allowed for contribution to National Pension Scheme Currently, an individual being an employee, is allowed deduction of the whole of the contribution made during the financial year into the National Pension Scheme which does not exceed: -14% of salary where such contribution is made by central or state government employees. -10% of salary in case of other employees This creates disparity between the government and private sector employees. Hence, it is suggested that private sector employees also be allowed deduction of 14% of the contribution into National Pension Scheme, in line with government sector employees. Simplifying compliance procedures for non-resident -Where an individual pays rent or consideration for buying of property from an NRI landlord/seller of the property, the individual tenant/buyer is required to obtain TAN. He is also required to deposit the tax, file e-TDS returns and issue Form 16A. Hence, it is recommended to simplify the process by introducing challancumstatement just as it is in the case of residents. -Enabling tax payments from overseas bank accounts -Refund claim to be credited to overseas bank account where foreign nationals have closed Indian bank account. -E-verification using OTPs to foreign mobile numbers or having two-factor authentication (different OTPs for foreign mobile numbers and email addresses). These are some of the expectations on the personal tax front from the Union Budget 2024. Also Read | Budget 2024: 7 income tax benefits you could expect from FM Nirmala Sitharaman SUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Disinformation has reached dangerous levels today. Disinformation poses a threat to both national and global security, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said during a speech at the Second Shusha Global Media Forum on the topic Exposing false narratives: combating disinformation, Trend reports. He noted that disinformation is a fairly common phenomenon in human history. "Information is a powerful tool, but the main question is how to use this information. Advances in technology and digitalization make it difficult to obtain accurate information. "Disinformation has reached dangerous levels today. Disinformation poses a threat to both national and global security. Disinformation undermines press freedom and the fundamental principles of the press. Disinformation can serve the interests of certain groups when it achieves certain goals and violates the basic principles of the press. After gaining independence, Azerbaijan was faced with Armenian disinformation against Azerbaijan. The territories of Azerbaijan were occupied, but the facts were presented as if Azerbaijan carried out ethnic cleansing against someone. A wide wave of disinformation has swept against Azerbaijan. It was presented in the headlines of the entire press that we allegedly attacked Armenia. Azerbaijan is waging a serious fight against disinformation. During the 44-day Patriotic War, we seriously fought against disinformation. Through official statements and press conferences, Azerbaijan conveyed accurate information to the international community. Our media resources have made every effort to bring the truth to the world without getting tired. We are faced with massive misinformation about COP 29. But we are fighting it, we believe in the truth, we continue our work. We contribute to global environmental security in line with the global agenda," he added. Bangladesh job quota protests: Amid escalating tensions and widespread protests in Bangladesh, the United States has issued a stark advisory urging its citizens to avoid travel to the South Asian nation. Citing significant 'civil unrest', the US State Department raised its travel advisory to level four on Saturday, warning of demonstrations and violent clashes across Dhaka and other parts of the country. The advisory comes in the wake of mass protests ignited by student outrage over government job quotas, leading to clashes with police and a mounting death toll. "Travelers should not travel to Bangladesh due to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka. Demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported throughout Dhaka and its neighbouring areas," the State Department said in a statement. "Due to the security situation, there may be a delay in provision of routine consular services," it added. The situation has prompted the US government to authorize the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel and their families from Bangladesh, citing safety concerns. What's behind Bangladesh's protests Protests in Bangladesh have been fueled by calls for reform of the nation's civil service job quota system, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan. As reported by The Washington Post, Bangladesh has imposed a nationwide curfew and shut down mobile internet services in response to widespread student-led demonstrations against these quotas. Authorities have employed tear gas to disperse protesters in various locations and implemented stringent measures such as banning public gatherings, restricting communications, deploying troops in specific areas, and enforcing a curfew across the country. Canada deeply concerned by escalation of violence Amid escalating violence in Bangladesh following protests, Canada has expressed deep concern and called for a peaceful resolution. Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly stated, "Canada is deeply concerned by the escalation in violence following the protests in Bangladesh. We call on all parties involved to work together to end further violence and come to a peaceful resolution." This reaction underscores international apprehension and the urgent need for dialogue to mitigate regional unrest. In a statement on X, Melanie Joly conveyed Canada's deep concern over the escalating violence following protests in Bangladesh, urging all parties involved to collaborate toward halting further violence and achieving a peaceful resolution. Similarly, Canada's Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, expressed his dismay over the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, describing the loss of lives and attacks on student protesters as deeply troubling and unacceptable. Bill Blair emphasized, "I am deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Bangladesh. The loss of life, particularly the attacks on student protesters, is troubling and unacceptable. Upholding democratic freedoms and the rule of law is crucial and must be respected." India and its authorities have issued an advisory to its nationals in violence-hit Bangladesh and facilitated the return of over 4,500 Indians from the country. Meanwhile, an official raised concerns over a spillover effect of the Bangladesh protest. Moreover, trade between India and Bangladesh has been impacted amid the mass protests. Also Read | Bangladesh crisis: 115 killed as thousands take to streets against quota system Over a hundred people have died in Bangladesh as students-led massive protests over a government job quota turned violent in the country this week. The demonstrations, which started last month, prompted a nationwide internet blackout since Thursday and a shoot-at-sight order by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government. The protests began early June after the High Court reinstated a quota system for government jobs. The quota under scrutiny reserved 30 percent of government jobs for family members of freedom fighters in the 1971 war with Pakistan. As the protesting youngsters demanded a merit-based system for jobs, Bangladesh's Supreme Court dismissed the lower court order and directed that 93 percent of jobs should be open to candidates on merit. The Supreme Court reserved 5 percent of jobs for family members of independence fighters and 2 percent for people from so-called backward groups and the disabled, reports said on Sunday. Here's how the Bangladesh protest put India on its toes? 1. Indo-Bangladesh trade comes to standstill The trade between India and Bangladesh via land ports came to a standstill on Sunday, news agency PTI reported. The report cited officials as saying that there was no movement of cargo trucks to and fro due to the ongoing student protests in Bangladesh. "The Bangladeshi side of the Petrapole landport remained non-functional," officials said. Nearly one-third of land-based trade between India and Bangladesh takes place through Petrapole. West Bengal Exporters' Coordination Committee Secretary Ujjal Saha said, Trade from other land ports to Bangladesh, including Petrapole, Gojadanga, Fulbari, and Mahadipur, has also stalled as Bangladeshi Customs announced a two-day holiday from Sunday, following the government's declaration of a holiday except for essential services due to unrest. Officials added that the cargo trucks that crossed over to Bangladesh on Saturday from Mahadipur port in Malda have not returned, but they are safe. "There has been no movement of trucks (import and export) at the Petrapole border since Sunday morning. Our land border remains open, but due to Benapole, trade has been impacted," the Manager of Land Port Authority of India (Petrapole), Kamlesh Saini, told PTI. Saini said around 700 trucks with general merchandise are stranded in parking lots, loaded with cargo, waiting to go to Bangladesh. Saini, however, said that passenger movement continued. The majority of them are students who are returning due to security concerns. 2. Return of Indian students from Bangladesh The Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday that over 4500 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh over the past two days. The ministry said in a press release that the High Commission has been making arrangement for security escort for safe travel of Indian nationals to the border-crossing points. "The Ministry of External Affairs has also been coordinating with relevant Indian authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens at land-ports and airports. The High Commission in Dhaka is also coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure availability of flight services between India and Bangladesh," the external affairs ministry said. 3. Spillover effects: BSF steps up vigilance amid law-and-order concerns In the wake of the unrest in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) in India heightened its operational preparedness along the India-Bangladesh border. "We are aware that disturbances in a neighbouring country can have spillover effects," Inspector General Piyush Patel Purushottam Das said. Da said operational preparedness has been increased accordingly. "All our commanding officers are stationed at the border check posts, supervising and monitoring the situation closely. We have moved all necessary resources towards the border to ensure full security and maintain law and order," he told PTI. Notably, India shares an 856-kilometer border with Bangladesh, of which 96 percent is already fenced. The remaining 30 kilometres are currently unfenced, but work is underway to close this gap. The enhanced vigilance by the BSF is aimed at preventing any adverse impacts from the instability in Bangladesh. 4. Mamata Banerjee offers 'refuge' to Bangladesh; Centre reacts West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday that her government would provide shelter to individuals from Bangladesh who seek refuge amidst ongoing protests in the neighbouring country. "Don't worry if any of your family members or relatives are in Bangladesh for work or study. We're ready to help them in return back... I can't comment on Bangladesh (issue), as it's a separate country. Whatever needs to be said, the Indian government will say," the CM said while addressing the TMC's Martyrs Day rally in Kolkata. "These are matters which are handled by the Indian government. But if helpless individuals knock on Bengal's door, we will shelter them because a United Nations resolution allows neighbouring regions to assist those in trouble," Banerjee said. Hours after her comment, sources in the central government told PTI that a state administration has no locus standi on the issue. "These are matters which are handled by the Union government," said a source in the central government. "A state government has no locus standi on the issue and as such their comments are totally misplaced," the source said. 5. India's advisory The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh advised its nationals in the country to avoid travelling outside of their premises in view of the anti-quota protest that has killed six. Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Choudhary on Sunday, opposed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogi Adityanath governments nameplate directive for eateries along the Kanwar route. The Rajya Sabha MP said the Kanwar Yatra does not belong to any one religion or caste. "It seems that the order was taken without much thought and the government is adamant on it because the decision has been taken," the Rajya Sabha member told reporters in Muzaffarnagar. "There is still time. It (roll back) should happen or the government should not put much emphasis on (implementing) it," he said. No one identify the Kanwar, neither the people who serve the Kanwar are identified on religion or caste, he added. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners of BJP have raised concerns over the recent directive from the Uttar Pradesh government, which mandates eateries, tea stalls, and fruit carts to display nameplates during the Kanwar Yatra. The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered owners of hotels, restaurants, food carts and eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners at their outlets. Also Read | Varanasi administration asks meat shops to remain closed for Saawan month After the Muzaffarnagar Police issued the order, the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday extended the controversial order across the state. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said similar instructions are already in place in his state as well. The Bharatiya Janata Party's allies, the Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), have advised the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government to reconsider the decision as unconstitutional and divisive. The decision is "communally divisive and unconstitutional", said Ramashish Rai, state president of the RLD, the BJP's only ally in western UP. "The UP administration should take back the decision asking street vendors to display their names on their stalls," he posted on X. The RLD has nine MLAs in UP, of which two are Muslims. Union minister and NDA ally Jayant Choudhary demanded a roll back on it or at least the government should not push on implementation of the nameplate order. Also Read | Kangana Ranaut questions Sonu Soods stand on UP Kanwar Yatra row JD (U) general secretary KC Tyagi said that though a bigger Kanwar yatra takes place in Bihar and Jharkhand, no such order was in effect. "It is against PM Modi's description of Indian society and his credo of 'sab ka saath sabka vicar'. It would be good if the UP government reconsidered it," he said. Earlier, Tyagi had remarked that Muslims have always come forward to help those undertaking the Kanwar yatra. Dinesh Kumar Sarogi, the CEO of an Oman-based company, has been charged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a woman, Ananya Chhaochharia, accused him of sexual harassment on a flight, reported India Today. Ananya alleged that the 65-year-old CEO showed her adult movie clips on his mobile phone. Sarogi is the CEO of Oman-based Vulcan Green Steel, the steel arm of Vulcan Green, which is part of the Naveen Jindal-led group of companies. The incident took place on a flight from Kolkata to Abu Dhabi. Ananya claimed how the CEO initiated a conversation with her, before he took out his phone. What started as a normal conversation about hobbies and families, soon turned into a gruesome incident when Sarogi showed the movie clips,mentioned the report. Ananya further appreciated Etihads cabin crew for their prompt response. The crew had made her sit in their seating space, and had offered her fruits. Sarogi, however, kept calling the crew to ask about Ananyas whereabouts, reported India Today. The Bidhannagar City Police in Kolkata registered a case against Sarogi under Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (uttering words or making sound or gesture or exhibit any object that insults the modesty of a woman and intrudes upon her privacy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), after Ananyas parents filed a complaint at the police station, mentioned the report. Ananya Chhaochharia had further appealed to Naveen Jindal, MP and Chairman of Jindal Steel, to take necessary action so that he is aware of the kind of people who are in leadership" positions. Also Read | Nippon Steel Hires Pompeo to Help Clinch Purchase of US Steel Naveen Jindal, chairman of Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL), responded to Ananya's post and commented, Dear Ananya, thank you for reaching out and speaking up! It takes a lot of courage to do what you did, and I want you to know that we have a zero-tolerance policy for such matters." Questioning the authority of the West Bengal Chief Minister to offer shelter to anyone coming from another country, Amit MalviyaBJP co-incharge for West Bengal said immigration and citizenship are exclusively in the Centre's domain and that states have no locus-standi in such matters. Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Malviya said, Who gave Mamata Banerjee the authority to welcome anyone in India? Immigration and citizenship are exclusively in the Center's domain. The States have no locus-standi. "This is part of I.N.D.I Alliance's evil plan to settle illegal Bangladeshis from Bengal to Jharkhand, so that they can win elections," the BJP leader charged. Attacking the TMC supremo, Malviya said on odd days, the West Bengal Chief Minister says she will not allow Hindu refugees, who came to India to escape religious persecution, to apply for citizenship under CAA and get their legitimate rights. If they insist, we will ask illegal Rohingyas, who vote for the TMC, to burn trains, block roads and kill people. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee barred from making defamatory remark against Guv Ananda Bose On Even days, she says Bangladeshis are welcome to India, the BJP leader added. In another post on X, the BJP lead said, Mamata Banerjee should know that West Bengal is an inalienable part of India. Millions of revolutionaries have sacrificed their blood to secure a homeland for Hindu Bengalis. This kind of seditious language doesnt behove a sitting Chief Minister. She must not underestimate the power of the Indian state and anger of the people of Bengal. Her dream of becoming Suhrawardy 2.0 will remain a dream, for all times to come. WhatMamata Banerjee said? Earlier in the day, duringTrinamool Congress annual 'Shahid Dibas' gathering at Kolkata's Esplanade, theWest Bengal Chief Minister said in the wake of the escalating violence in Bangladesh, she would keep the doors of her state open for people in distress from the neighbouring country and offer them shelter. "If Bangladeshis come knocking on our door, we will provide them shelte,Banerjee said. India's digital payment operator, PhonePe's Chief Executive Officer Sameer Nigam issued an apology on Sunday, July 21, after facing a backlash from the netizens for sharing his views about the new Karnataka Reservation Bill on the social media platform X. I would first and foremost like to clarify that it was NEVER my intention to insult Karnataka and its people. If my comments hurt anyones sentiments in such a way, I am truly sorry and would like to offer you an unconditional apology, said Sameer Nigam in a statement. The digital payment platform chief also said that he believes in linguistic diversity and rich cultural heritage as an asset for the nation and that every Indian should pay respect to celebrate the local and cultural norms. He also said that he has the highest regard for Kannada as well as all other languages, as per his statement. This move from Nigam comes after the backlash and trolling he faced from netizens on the social media platform X. Nigam commented on July 17, stating his views about the new bill passed by the State. "I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ yrs. My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don't deserve jobs in Karnataka? I build companies. Have created 25000+ jobs across India! My kids don't deserve jobs in their home city? said Nigam in the post on July 17. Nigam also stated his opinion that from the corporate perspective, it is essential to hire the best available talent in India based on their skills to compete on a global stage. Companies must be able to employ the very best talent available in India purely based on their technology skills and proficiency in fields, he said. As a nation, that is the only way we can build world-class companies that can compete in the global village that we live in today, said Nigam. Overview of the Karnataka Reservation Bill: On July 15, the State Government of Karnataka cleared a bill namely the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024. This bill mandates the reservation of jobs for Indian citizens belonging to the state of Karnataka or Kannadigas. The bill highlighted that 50 per cent of the candidates working in any factory or industry in a management category and 70 per cent in the non-management category should come from the State of Karnataka. Also Read | Karnataka CM deletes post on jobs reservation bill for Kannadigas "Any industry, factory or other establishments shall appoint fifty per cent of local candidates in management categories and seventy per cent in non-management categories," according to the bill. Amid the Uttar Pradesh Kanwar Yatra order row, the Ujjain Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh instructed shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said violators must pay a 2,000 penalty for the first offence and 5,000 if they repeat the violation of this order for the second time. He clarified that this order aims to ensure safety and transparency, not to target Muslim shop owners, PTI reported. Ujjain, the hometown of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is famous for its Mahakal temple, which draws devotees worldwide, especially during the Savaan month, starting Monday. "All formalities have been already completed. The implementation was delayed as the nameplates were initially required to be of the same size and colour. Now, we have relaxed these terms. Displaying the names and mobile numbers of shopkeepers will suffice," he told PTI. "Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha. They have the right to know about the shopkeeper whose services they are availing. If a customer is dissatisfied or cheated, knowing the shopkeeper's details allows them to seek redress," the mayor added. He emphasized that the measure, based on the MP Shop Establishment Act or Gumasta License, aims to improve customer safety. Ujjain is preparing to host the Simhastha (Kumbh) Mela in 2028, a major religious festival occurring every 12 years. This move reflects a recent directive in Uttar Pradesh, where all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route were instructed to display the names of their owners. Also Read | Kangana Ranaut questions Sonu Soods stand on UP Kanwar Yatra row UP Kanwar order row Recently, the Muzaffarnagar Police recently announced their plans to have all eateries under their 240 km jurisdiction including roadside carts display the names of proprietors and managers. The move purportedly to avoid any confusion has sparked allegations of bias against Muslim traders. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, As per the order of Uttar Pradesh Police, now every food shop or cart owner will have to put his name on the board so that no Kanwadia buys anything from a Muslim shop by mistake. This was called Apartheid in South Africa and in Hitler's Germany it was called Judenboycott. And what if the name of the owner is Guddu, Munna, Chhotu or Fatte? What can you find out from these names? The honourable court should take suo motu cognizance of this matter and investigate the intentions of the government and take appropriate punitive action. Such an order is a social crime aimed at spoiling the peaceful atmosphere and harmony, added former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Kerala Health Minister Veena George held a high-level meeting on Saturday to discuss measures to prevent a Nipah outbreak in the state. The meeting came after a 14-year-old boy tested positive for the Nipah virus in Malappuram district. He will be shifted to the government medical college at Kozhikode. The contact tracing has begun. High-risk contacts have already been isolated and their samples have been sent for testing. The child is under treatment and is on a ventilator, she said. Nipah outbreak in Kerala: Here are top 10 updates 1) According to George, Pandikkad was the epicentre of the Nipah outbreak in Malappuram district. She stated that precautionary measures have already been initiated, asking people and nearby hospitals to wear masks in public spaces and avoid visiting patients in hospitals. 2) The minister announced that the monoclonal antibody from Australia, stored at Pune NIV, will arrive in the state on Sunday. The Health Department has set up 30 isolation rooms and a six-bed ICU at Manjeri Medical College and isolated everyone who had contact with the infected boy. 3) A three-km radius from the epicentre at Pandikkad will be strictly observed and restrictions will be imposed. A 24-hour control room with a call centre has been opened at Malappuram," she said. 4) The child had sought treatment at a private clinic on July 12. He was admitted to the same private hospital on July 15 but was later shifted to the private hospital at Perinthalmanna. From there he was shifted to the private hospital at Kozhikode, the minister said as quoted by PTI. 5) On Friday, the Health Department was alerted about a suspected Nipah infection by a private hospital in Kozhikode. The department quickly acted, testing samples at Kerala laboratories and sending them to the virology institute in Pune. 6) Earlier, George reported that tests from the state's lab were positive, but confirmation awaited from Pune NIV. Even before receiving Pune's result, the state government began precautionary measures, including isolating close contacts and tracing the route map, per Nipah protocols. Also Read | Nipah virus in Kerala: 4 people including minor recover from infection 7) "Contact tracing had started on Saturday morning itself even before the confirmation from the NIV. As of now, in the initial contact list, there are 214 people out of which 60 are high-risk contacts. The route map will be released soon," George added. 8) The minister also announced that Pune NIV will provide a mobile lab, similar to the one supplied during the previous infection outbreak. 9) Wayanad District Medical Officer P. Dinish has advised residents to stay vigilant following the confirmation of Nipah in neighboring Malappuram district. "All health centers have been instructed to enhance epidemic surveillance activities in the district." 10) The state government recently announced a special action plan to prevent a Nipah outbreak, which has affected the state four times previously. Nipah outbreaks occurred in Kozhikode in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and in Ernakulam in 2019. Police in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district arrested one individual after two women, who were protesting road construction, were partially buried when murrum was dumped on them from a truck, according to reports on Sunday. The incident in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district unfolded at Hinota Jorot village under Mangawa police station, stemming from a family dispute. Two women, Mamta Pandey and Asha Pandey, were protesting against the construction of a road when they were partially buried under murrum dumped from a truck. A video of the same also became viral on social media. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh govt says CBI needs written consent to probe state officials Additional Superintendent of Police Vivek Lal confirmed the women's actions were in protest, and investigations are ongoing. He assured that appropriate action will be taken based on the gathered evidence. Meanwhile, ADG (Law and Order) Jaideep Prasad attributed the incident to the ongoing family dispute over co-owned land, as stated by complainant Asha Pandey. Asha Pandey detailed the events, explaining that she and her sister-in-law were demonstrating against the construction on their co-owned land when the dumper truck driver unloaded murrum onto them. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh to include lessons on Lord Ram and Krishna in curriculum Villagers intervened to rescue them from the situation, and the police subsequently seized the dumper truck and arrested one individual involved. Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the remaining two suspects involved in the case. Congress targets BJP in Madhya Pradesh Opposition leaders including former Chief Minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath voiced strong condemnation of the incident. They called for a detailed inquiry and advocated for harsh penalties for the perpetrators, stating such incidents tarnish Madhya Pradesh's reputation globally. MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari expressed concerns over women's safety in the state under the BJP-led government, citing statistics on crimes against women and criticizing the administration's failure to curb such incidents. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh govt suspends licence of Som Distilleries in child labour case Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav swiftly responded to a disturbing incident in Rewa district. Yadav, after reviewing a video on social media, directed immediate action by the district administration and police. One of the three accused has been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects. Following demands from Congress leaders for a thorough investigation, Chief Minister Yadav emphasized the government's commitment to citizen security, especially for women. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: 39 children rescued from liquor factory disappear The MP CM assured that those responsible for crimes against women would face severe consequences, reaffirming the state's priority on safety. In a road rage incident, a 27-year-old woman was "violently" attacked by a car driver on Baner-Pashan Road in Pune, said police on Saturday. Both the accused driver and a woman accompanying him have been arrested. The victim, riding a two-wheeler with two children, claimed the driver pursued her for 2 kilometres before attacking, resulting in severe injuries and nosebleeds. The woman recorded and posted a video on Instagram detailing the incident, seeking justice and highlighting concerns about women's safety in the city. Since then, the video has gone viral on social media platforms. Also Read | Internet reacts to viral video of Hawai Chappal sold in Saudi Arabia for 1 lakh A man was speeding past us for two kilometers, and I tried to steer my vehicle to the left to avoid him. Despite his reckless driving, he made a left turn, got out of his car in a rage, and attacked me, punching me twice and pulling my hair. This is what happened. I have two kids. Kuch bhi ho sakta tha (anything could have happened), the woman said in the video. The accused faces charges under sections 118(1), 74, 115(2), 352, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicle Act. The cops said the case had been filed at Chaturshrangi Police Station. The incident happened around two months after a 17-year-old, who was reportedly intoxicated, crashed his Porsche into two 24-year-old techies in Pune, resulting in their immediate deaths. He has since been released on bail. The boy submitted a 300-word hand-written essay to fulfil bail conditions. Last week, the 25-year-old son of a politician in Pune, who was reportedly drunk, crashed his SUV into a poultry truck while speeding through the city, causing serious injuries to the truck's two occupants. He fled the scene but was later apprehended, and a case has been filed against him. SUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. On July 21, the second day of the Second Shusha Global Media Forum on the topic Exposing Narratives: Combating Disinformation continues with panel discussions, Trend reports. On the second day of the forum, panel discussions were held on the topic Impact Assessment: Determining the Scope of Disinformation. The discussions were attended by the presenter and correspondent of TRT World Jaffar Hasnain, First Deputy General Director of the TASS news agency, Professor Mikhail Gusman, Manager of Media Initiatives at the Al-Jazeera Media Institute Montaser Marai, Academic and Scientific Director of the CeSPI Observation Center (Center for International Policy Research) on Turkiye Valeria Giannotta, founder of the MTP (Most Travelers) club Charles Veley. During the discussions, Gusman said that the information war sometimes does not end. He noted that professionals must differentiate between information. Sometimes they use disinformation for commercial purposes, sometimes unknowingly, etc. Disinformation is the intentional use of false information. Sometimes disinformation is used by certain groups against a specific country. Disinformation is a type of special information weapon, and it is quite a powerful weapon, especially in the age of development of information technology. People are trying more to get information in a concise form from their phone. Society is not ready for these huge waves. I don't consider bloggers to be journalists. Journalism is a profession and you have a responsibility to it. Information should be approached professionally," he added. Marai noted that today there is a lot of misinformation among ordinary people. "Social media is becoming a place for misinformation to spread. You need to check the source of information. During the day, so many videos are posted on social networks that it makes your head spin. Imagine that we are in a bubble, in algorithms and a lot of information, and social networks, digital media are driving us more and more into the bubble. We have to decide whether we will stay in these bubbles or not," he added. Other speakers also spoke about the negative consequences of disinformation and the importance of combating it. In today's top news, Market Capitalisation of eight of the top 10 most valued firms surged by 2,10,330.26 crore; mining conglomerate Vedanta Limited raised 8,500 crore (over USD 1 billion) through Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP); The Haryana government ordered the suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS services in Nuh for 24 hours on Sunday; and a 14-year-old boy in Kerala died after contracting the Nipah virus. Here are top news for Saturday, July 21, you must know: 1. Mcap of 8 of top-10 most valued firms surges The combined market valuation of eight of the top 10 most valued firms surged by 2,10,330.26 crore, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) leading the gains. Among the top 10 companies, TCS saw its valuation jump by 42,639.16 crore to 15,56,772.61 crore. LIC's market capitalization rose by 36,748.23 crore to 7,01,695.24 crore. Infosys added 33,569.16 crore to reach a valuation of 7,44,396.43 crore, while State Bank of India's market cap increased by 26,372.23 crore to 7,93,576.49 crore. Hindustan Unilever's market cap soared by 24,494.49 crore to 6,40,651.30 crore, and ITC's valuation jumped by 19,420.52 crore to 5,92,679.30 crore. 2. Vedanta QIP: Goldman, Morgan Stanley among top investors In a stock exchange filing, Mining conglomerate Vedanta said it sold 19.31 crore shares to raise 8,500 crore. Vedanta Limited raised 8,500 crore (over $1 billion) through Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP) of 19.31 crore equity shares at an issue price of 440 per share, according to a stock exchange filing by the company. Some of the marquee investors that have been allotted equity shares through the QIP include Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Goldman Sachs AMC, Nippon Mutual Fund, SBI Mutual Fund, UTI Mutual Fund, ICICI Mutual Fund, Aditya Birla Mutual Fund and Mirae Mutual Fund. 3. IPOs next week The mainboard IPO market will remain quiet next week with no new issues scheduled to open. However, in the SME segment, around 8 companies are preparing to launch their initial public offerings (IPO). The SME IPOs set to open for subscription next week include RNFI Services, SAR Televenture, VVIP Infratech, VL Infraprojects, Manglam Infra and Engineering, Chetana Education, Aprameya Engineering, and Clinitech Laboratory. 4. Haryana govt suspends mobile internet The Haryana government ordered the suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS services in the Nuh district for 24 hours starting 6 pm on Sunday. The decision was made just ahead of the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra that was marred by violence last year. The internet service in the district will remain suspended from 6 pm Sunday to 6 pm Monday, according to an order by Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Anurag Rastogi. "... there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquility in the district Nuh..," the order read. 5. Kerala boy dies of Nipah virus infection A14-year-old boy from Kerala's Malappuram, who was under treatment for Nipah infection, died on Sunday, state Health Minister Veena George said. Here's a look at the symptoms, causes and treatment for Nipah Virus. As Kerala reported a Nipah Virus death, the Centre advised the state to follow immediate public health measures. What is this Nipah Virus? What are the causes symptom, risks and treatment? Tap to read here 6. Mumbai Rains Heavy rains pounded Mumbai and its suburbs on Sunday. As many 36 flights were cancelled at the Mumbai airport in the wake of heavy spells, sources told PTI. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the city received 82 mm of rain, the eastern suburbs 96 mm, and the western suburbs got 90 mm till 4 pm. According to the source, the flights cancelled at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were of budget airline IndiGo as well as full-service carriers Air India and Vistara. These cancellations involve 24 flights of IndiGo, including 12 departures, and eight by Air India, including 4 departures. "Vistara also cancelled four of its flights at Mumbai Airport," the source added. "At least 15 flights, including that of Air India, IndiGo and Akasa were diverted to the nearby airports, mainly Ahmedabad, till 4 pm," the source added. A 27-year-old woman was followed for two kilometres and beaten by a car driver on Saturday in a case of apparent road rage. The incident took place while the victim was riding a two wheeler with two children along the Baner-Pashan Road in Pune. The police have since arrested the driver and a woman who had been present in the car at the time of the attack. The victim had been enroute to Baner for lunch with her children when she first encountered the abusive driver at Mahabaleshwar Chowk. A video of the incident posted by the woman to demand justice has since gone viral on social media. A man was trying to block me, he was not letting me go to the left or right. When the signal was red and our vehicles came parallel, I tried to have a dialogue with him. He started abusing me and his overall body language was very aggressive. When the signal got green, I took a left turn and I could hear him speeding his vehicle...He blocks me, comes out of his vehicle grabs me by my t-shirt and punches me straight, Jerlyn Dsilva recalled after the ordeal. The old man allegedly punched her three to four times in the face while his wife stood by without intervening. Dsilva claimed the other woman had also assaulted her as she attempted to take the car keys to prevent the man from fleeing. Dsilva was taken to a hospital and the police were informed after bystanders intervened amid the altercation. The case has been registered at Chaturshrangi Police Station and further investigations remain underway. Officials indicated that the 57-year-old man and his wife have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act. On Saturday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party would oppose transforming Mumbai into "Adani City." He criticised Gautam Adani's award of the Dharavi redevelopment tender as potentially problematic and called for its cancellation. "When GIFT City was planned during Manmohan Ji's government, we welcomed it. Modi Ji took GIFT City to Gujarat. Now, giving GIFT City to Gujarat and Adani City to Maharashtra, we will not allow this," he said, as quoted by ANI. Thackeray emphasised the unique identity of Mumbai, vowing to preserve it and prevent it from being overshadowed by the Adani brand. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also pressed for clarity on the redevelopment of Dharavi, insisting that current residents should receive 500-square-foot homes. He criticised the lack of transparency in the tender process, describing it as a potential trap. "We demand that redevelopment in Dharavi should not displace anyone. If Adani cannot fulfil this, they should step back, and a fresh tender should be issued," he stated firmly, as reported by ANI. Furthermore, Thackeray expressed his opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's purported plans to develop Mumbai into an Adani-dominated city, reiterating his commitment to ensuring redevelopment in Dharavi benefits its residents. "We launched a campaign in Dharavi to ensure that redevelopment provides rightful homes to its people... Modi and Shah may aspire to make Mumbai an Adani city, but we will not permit it," Thackeray concluded, as stated by ANI. Redevelopment of Dharavi In November 2022, Adani Properties Pvt. Ltd secured the contract to redevelop Dharavi, a sprawling slum cluster spanning 600 acres in Mumbai, with a winning bid of 5,069 crore. As many as three persons were killed after a landslide-caused accident took place in Chidwasa on the Kedarnath Yatra route on Sunday morning, said the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) team who reached the spot to evacuate eight injured. The official stated that three bodies were handed over to the district police and the injured persons have been shifted to a hospital for medical treatment. The devotees were going from Gaurikund to visit Kedarnath Dham. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the accident and people who lost their lives. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dhami wrote, The news of some pilgrims getting injured due to debris and heavy stones falling from the hill near the Kedarnath Yatra route is very sad. Relief and rescue work is going on at the site of the accident, I am constantly in touch with the officials in this regard. I have given instructions to provide better treatment to the people injured in the accident immediately, he added. Also Read | Uttarakhand news: Avalanche occurs over Gandhi Sarovar in Kedarnath Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said the accident happened at around 7:30 am near the Chirbasa area on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trekking route. When Debris and heavy stones started falling down from the hill, PTI reported. Kanwar Yatra route diktats have courted controversy in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand as several cities like Varanasi, Ujjain, and Muzaffarnagar wherein eateries have been instructed to display nameplates or remain closed. In a recent directive by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, all meat and poultry shops along the Kanwar Yatra route have been ordered to remain closed for the entire month of 'Saawan'. The directive was finalized during an executive committee meeting chaired by Varanasi's Mayor, Sandeep Srivastava. The Municipal Commissioner said the decision was taken to prevent potential inconvenience for the Kanwariyas. The decision comes amidst preparations for the Hindu festival of Shravan Shivratri, which is dedicated to Shiva and falls in July or August each year. In Varanasi, officials have been directed to conduct a survey along the Kanwar routes to identify and ensure the prompt closure of all meat and poultry shops. The Kanwar yatra starts on Monday and will culminate on 2 August. 'Nameplate' diktat for eateries on Kanwar Yatra route In Muzaffarnagar, shop and stall owners have started putting their names and phone numbers on banners. Later, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that every eatery along the Kanwar Yatra route display its name. On Saturday, Uttarakhand authorities mandated that shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route display nameplates with their details. Backing the directive, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami cited "past instances of shop owners using fake names". He said, "It's a good decision. After the Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh governments' move, the Ujjain municipal body in Madhya Pradesh also ordered shopkeepers to display their names. BJP allies concerned over UP government's 'nameplate' diktat The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has raised concerns over the recent directive from the Uttar Pradesh government, which mandates eateries, tea stalls, and fruit carts to display nameplates during the Kanwar Yatra. The Bharatiya Janata Party's allies, the Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), are advising the UP government to reconsider the decision as unconstitutional and divisive. The decision is "communally divisive and unconstitutional", said Ramashish Rai, state president of the RLD, the BJP's only ally in western UP. "The UP administration should take back the decision asking street vendors to display their names on their stalls," he posted on X. The RLD has nine MLAs in UP, of which two are Muslims. JD (U) general secretary KC Tyagi said that though a bigger Kanwar yatra takes place in Bihar and Jharkhand, no such order was in effect. "It is against PM Modi's description of Indian society and his credo of 'sab ka saath sabka vicar'. It would be good if the UP government reconsidered it," he said. Earlier, Tyagi had remarked that Muslims have always come forward to help those undertaking the Kanwar yatra. (The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a market analyst for Reuters.) By Karen Braun NAPERVILLE, Illinois, July 21 (Reuters) - Speculators last week established another record net short in Chicago-traded soybeans as strong U.S. crop prospects and an oversupply of beans in China have dragged futures to near four-year lows. In the week ended July 16, money managers expanded their net short in CBOT soybean futures and options to a new high of 185,750 contracts from 172,605 a week earlier, and this was predominantly the result of new gross shorts. Funds since late May have sold more than 170,000 soy futures and options contracts, equivalent to more than 850 million bushels. Such a selling streak has been observed only a handful of times, including in mid-2018 when the U.S.-China trade war was heating up. Most-active CBOT soybeans fell more than 3% in the week ended July 16, settling about 25% lower than on the same date last year. November futures have declined 14% since late May, comparable to years like 2014, 2018 and 2022, though prices had been substantially higher in 2022. Slumping feed demand in China has also weighed heavily on soybean meal, and both Chinese and U.S. soybean meal futures have declined 8% in the last three weeks. In the week ended July 16, CBOT soymeal was down nearly 3% and money managers slashed their net long to 26,926 futures and options contracts from 60,693 a week earlier, marking their biggest-ever weekly sell-off in CBOT meal. Money managers in early July embarked on a record net-buying streak in CBOT soybean oil, but that paused last week as they trimmed their net short by 380 to 16,638 futures and options contracts despite futures tumbling 3%. Most-active soybeans and soymeal eased fractionally last week and settled on Friday at $10.36 per bushel and $307.50 per short ton, respectively, and the latter represented an all-time low close for the December contract. November beans remain within striking distance of their contract lows, and Thursdays huge daily export sale of 510,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans to unknown destinations did little to stop the bearish momentum. CBOT December corn is also within a few cents of its low, but futures were basically unchanged in the week ended July 16. Money managers trimmed their net short to 343,396 corn futures and options contracts from the previous weeks all-time high of 353,983, and short covering was the theme. CBOT September wheat plunged more than 7% in the week ended July 16, setting a new contract low of $5.25-1/4 per bushel on July 16. Money managers extended their net short in CBOT wheat futures and options to a 12-week high of 75,886 contracts from 69,137 a week earlier. Crop estimates for top wheat exporter Russia have bounced from recent lows but remain around 10 million tons (11%) off early-year ideas, and shipments are seen easing over the next year as a result. Soft wheat conditions in France, the European Unions largest wheat grower, have fallen to eight-year lows amid excessively wet weather, and the harvest pace is well behind normal. This contributed to late-week strength in CBOT wheat futures, which rose 2.3% over the last three sessions. However, December corn slid 1% during that period as a non-threatening weather forecast bolsters ideas for big U.S. crop yields. Karen Braun is a market analyst for Reuters. Views expressed above are her own. Adidas has removed Bella Hadid from a retro shoe advertising campaign linked to the 1972 Munich Olympics. The company dropped the who is half-Palestinian supermodel after criticism from Israel. Hadid has been an active supporter of Palestine. Israel accused her of hostility and highlighted the killing of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian attackers at the Munich Games. Adidas then apologised and announced it would revise the campaign. Also Read | Israel kills dozens as it steps up Gaza bombardment Hadid donated money for Gaza relief efforts earlier in 2024. The German sportswear company selected Hadid to promote its SL72 trainers, originally launched during the 1972 Olympics. Adidas recently launched a new campaign for their shoes to highlight the 1972 Munich Olympics. Eleven Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists during the Munich Olympics, came from the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of Israel. Guess who the face of their campaign is? Bella Hadid, a half-Palestinian model who has a history of spreading antisemitism and calling for violence against Israelis and Jews. She and her father frequently promote blood libels and antisemitic conspiracies against Jews. Adidas, any comment? Israel asked. Also Read | US criticizes ICJ opinion on Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories "We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events -- though these are completely unintentional -- and we apologise for any upset or distress caused," Adiadas told AFP while confirming the Bella Hadid had indeed been removed from the campaign. Netizens react Israels post, however, received many reactions that came in support of the supermodel. The world stands with Palestine, wrote one user while another posted, I hate to break it to you but it's okay to be Palestinian. Also Read | India releases USD 2.5 million to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees Opposing gencide does not make you antisemitic,,,, It makes you human. Free Palestine. Thank you, Adidas, posted another before the German company dropped Hadid from the campaign. Prince Harry's comments about Queen Camilla in his memoir Spare deeply affected King Charles, according to a Royal insider. King Charles felt that Harry had "crossed a line" and considered it an "ultimate act of disrespect". Harry's claims about the King's wife apparently led to the eviction of the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex from Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, according to The Mirror. The eviction happened soon after the release of Harrys memoir in January 2023. Harry, in his book Spare, referred to Camilla as "the Other Woman" and "wicked stepmother" while mentioning her more than 60 times in the book. This deeply impacted the 75-year-old monarch, according to the publication. A Royal Family insider told the publication that the King had acted decisively after receiving a dossier of findings from Spare. The source added that it was the last straw as Harry knew Camilla was a sensitive issue for his father but disregarded it. "It was the last straw. Harry was well aware how Camilla would be a red line for his father and he crossed with flagrant disregard anyway. The King felt without a doubt it crossed a line it was the ultimate act of disrespect," the insider said. More accusations in Harrys memoir Harrys memoir has apparently opened a Pandoras Box for the Royal Family as the Duke made numerous accusations against his own family, including against brother Prince Wiliam. In the book, Prince Harry claims that he had to pretend to be his elder brother's best man at William's wedding to Kate Middleton. William didn't want Harry to give a speech. Calling him the best man was a bare-faced lie to divert media attention from William's two close friends, Harry claimed in the book. The super-rich now prefer private jets over scheduled flights for convenience. In 2023, Dubai saw the launch of the 9H-FIVE party jet by the luxury hotel brand FIVE, which owns three properties in the city. The global private aviation sector has been growing since 2020, with the UAE leading the trend. The luxury is available to FLY FIVE guests or anyone who hires the jet for about $15,000 ( 12.5 lakh) an hour. The rate is much cheaper than buying an ACJ TwoTwenty worth $100 million ( 837 crore). A private jet tends to fly at around 40,000 to 45,000 feet. Unlike typical private planes with corporate designs, the ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft features LED mood lighting, electro-chromatic window shades, two 55-inch TVs, an in-flight sound system with a curated playlist, smart technology touchscreens, high-speed Wi-Fi and ample space for dancing. Its Airbus new business jet in collaboration with Comlux, CNN reported. The cabin measures 78.1 by 10.8 feet and is 6.6 feet high. It includes a Master Suite with a king-size bed and an onboard shower for refreshing before landing. The jet can fly non-stop for 12 hours, enough for trips like Dubai to London or Tokyo. It has a full kitchen and a dining table for eight. When guests get hungry, the jet offers menus from FIVEs hotel restaurants. FLY FIVE informed CNN that, since starting operations in April 2023, their aircraft 9H-FIVE had been booked over 50 times by VIPs and heads of state for flights across various regions, including Europe, the USA, the UK, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Budget option If the cost is too high, someone can choose another option. A decommissioned British Airways 747 is available for $1,300 ( 1.09 lakh) an hour at Cotswold Airport in England, CNN added. Bangladesh's top court scaled back the contentious job quota system that sparked deadly unrest in the country, the attorney-general said on Sunday. The court, however, did not abolish the reservation system. Referring to an earlier ruling that reintroduced the quotas, attorney-general AM Amin Uddin told AFP, "The Supreme Court has said the high court verdict was illegal." He added that 5 percent of civil service jobs would remain reserved for children of independence war veterans and two percent for other categories. Here's all you need to know about the Bangladesh job reservation system and what is happening in Bangladesh: 1. Death toll: A massive student-led protests gripped Bangladesh earlier this week. At least 114 people have been killed in the South Asian country, local media reported. Also Read | Bangladesh crisis: 115 killed as thousands take to streets against quota system 2. What triggered the protest: The protest by students stems from persistently high youth unemployment, which stands at about 40%, according to the latest census. The protesters demand to reform the country's quota system for civil service jobs. The quota under scrutiny reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan. It reserved 30 percent of government jobs for the families of those who fought the 1971 war. 3. What protesters and Bangladesh PM say: Protesters want the quota system to be replaced with a merit-based system. They argue the quota system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Meanwhile, Bangladesh PM Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political affiliation. 4. What has happened in court so far: In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladesh's High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans filed petitions. On Sunday, July 21, the court's Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas, directing that 93 per cent of government jobs will be open to candidates on merit, without quotas, reports said. Also Read | Explaining Razakars 1971 role and its revival in Bangladesh protests The Supreme Court ordered on Sunday that the veterans quota be cut to 5 percent, with 93 percent of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2 percent will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people. 5. Deadly unrest in Bangladesh: The internet was shut down nationwide since Thursday, restricting mobile data services and affecting ATMs among others. The government declared public holidays on Sunday and Monday, effectively closing government and private offices. Also Read | Bangladesh quota protests: From curfew to internet ban A government curfew went into effect at midnight. The army was deployed with a shoot-on-sight order across the country on Saturday. The Associated Press reported on Friday that security forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who had gathered outside the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, which was attacked and set on fire by protesters the previous day. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. The Shusha Global Media Forum is very important and is one of the important steps taken towards preventing fake news, Deputy Director of the Turkiye's Demioren News Agency (DHA) Bulent Ovacik said, Trend reports. He noted that the spread and replication of disinformation is not a new problem. "Due to the ubiquity of social media, misinformation and fake news spread quickly. It is very important to verify the veracity of the news through several sources," he said. He noted that it is important for all media outlets to act to prevent the spread of fake news. The Shusha Global Media Forum is one of the important steps taken in this direction, Ovacik added. "As a news agency, we closely monitor all processes in the region. It is very important for us to convey Azerbaijans position to the world. We have always done this and will continue to do so," he noted. The Philippines and China have "reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement" for resupply missions to a beached naval ship in the South China Sea, Manila's foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) did not provide details on the arrangement for the Philippines' resupply missions to the Sierra Madre in the Second Thomas Shoal. But it said it followed "frank and constructive discussions" between the two sides at the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism earlier this month. "Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each others positions in the South China Sea," the DFA said. The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a weekend. Also Read | Ex-Trump Aide Says China Threat Is Clear But Taiwan Must Step Up Manila deliberately beached the Philippine naval ship in 1999 to reinforce its claims over disputed waters around the shoal and it has since maintained a small contingent of sailors. Philippine security officials also said on Sunday it will carry out the resupply missions on its own despite an offer from the United States for help. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday the U.S. "will do what is necessary" to ensure its treaty ally can resupply the Sierra Madre on the Second Thomas Shoal. Sullivan's Filipino counterpart, Eduardo Ano, said the resupply will remain "a pure Philippine operation". "There is no need at this time for any direct involvement of U.S. forces in RORE (resupply) mission," Ano said in a statement. Reuters previously reported that the Philippines turned down offers from the United States to assist its operations in the South China Sea. Tensions in the disputed waterway have boiled over into violence in the past year, with a Filipino soldier losing a finger last month in a clash that Manila described as an "intentional-high speed ramming" by the China Coast Guard. The Philippine military's spokesperson said in a separate statement on Sunday that the Philippines "will exhaust all means before seeking foreign intervention" in its resupply missions. Manila and Washington are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, a pact that can be invoked in case of an armed attack against Philippine forces, public vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea. U.S. officials including President Joe Biden have affirmed its "ironclad" commitment to aid the Philippines. Days after accepting the Republican nomination for the US President at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail in Michigan's Grand Rapids and spoke about his assassination attempt that took place about a week ago. I took a bullet for democracy, the former US President said while addressing a first rally after he was shot in the ear. "I don't want to know anything about it. But what they do is misinformation and disinformation, and they keep saying he's a threat to democracy. I'm saying, 'What the hell did I do for democracy? Last week, I took a bullet for democracy," Trump said, referring to Democrats. Last Saturday, Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, months before the US presidential elections. He suffered a minor injury when a gunman fired shots, grazing the upper part of his right ear. Trump's injury, treatment after assassination attempt Donald Trump's campaign released a health update on Saturday, one week after he survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The memo from Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, Trump's former White House physician and supporter, provides new details on Trump's injuries and the treatment he received. This is the most detailed account of Trump's condition since the shooting, which also resulted in one rally-goer dead and two others injured. Jackson reported that the former president sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear, coming within a quarter inch of entering his head and striking the top of his ear, AP reported. The bullet created a 2 cm wide wound down to the cartilage, initially causing significant bleeding and swelling of the upper ear. While the swelling has subsided and the wound is starting to heal, Trump is still experiencing intermittent bleeding, necessitating the bandage seen at last week's RNC. Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required. Trump was initially treated by medical staff at Butler Memorial Hospital. Doctors provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head. He will further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him," he wrote. Also Read | Ohio cops kill man with 2 knives near RNC, after Trump assassination attempt In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon. I was worried and travelled to Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump had flown late Saturday after he returned from Pennsylvania, to personally check on him and offer my assistance in any way possible," he added. Former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that he received no prior warnings about potential security issues before a rally in Pennsylvania, where an attempted assassin shot him in the ear. "Nobody mentioned it, nobody said there was a problem. I would've waited for 15; they could've said let's wait for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 5 minutes, something. Nobody said," Donald Trump told Fox News in an interview. "I think that was a mistake," he added. How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasn't he reported? According to a report by The Washington Post on Saturday, top officials at the US Secret Service allegedly turned down multiple requests from Donald Trump's security team for additional workforce and equipment ahead of events leading up to an attempted assassination on 13 July. The report also revealed that the agency cited resource shortages for denying these requests. Secret Service chief faces calls to resign "This agency and the Secret Service have a zero-fail mission," said Kimberly Cheatle, the agency's director, in 2021 during a Secret Service podcast called Standing Post. Also Read | Donald Trump assassination attempt likely less politically motivated Now, the Secret Service and its director are under intense scrutiny over that "zero fail" mission following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a 13 July rally in Pennsylvania that wounded his ear. When questioned about who holds the most significant responsibility for the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, Kimberly Cheatle pointed to the Secret Service. ultimately bears the most responsibility. "The buck stops with me," Cheatle said. I am the director of the Secret Service." She said she had no plans to resign and had the administration's backing so far. Was the Trump shooter bullied at school? Bethel Park High School has responded to claims following the Pennsylvania rally shooting involving Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged shooter. Contradicting earlier reports, the school denied allegations that Crooks attempted to join the rifle team, was bullied, or made threats about a potential school shooting. Former classmates of the suspect have claimed that Thomas Matthew Crooks was subjected to 'relentless' bullying during his time at school. This assertion is supported by a recently surfaced video showing instances of bullying directed at Crooks. That cybersecurity and its failures can impact large parts of the world was evident on Friday, when Microsofts Azure outagereported to be on account of CrowdStrike, Azures first line of cyber defenceleft large numbers of computer users staring at blue screens that did not budge, preventing work. It brought airlines, media houses and banks (among others) to their knees in diverse markets, including India. So crucial is cybersecurity now in the tech world that Googles parent Alphabet wants to acquire Wiz, a cybersecurity startup, as New York Times reported, even if that exposes it to antitrust scrutiny from regulators worldwide. To businesses, acquisitions are vital for growth and innovation. However, Googles dominance in various sectors puts it on the anti-monopoly radar. Also read: Blue screens everywhere are latest tech woe for Microsoft If the acquisition goes through, it will be Googles biggest ever. It aims to acquire Wiz for about $26 billion. (nyti.ms/3LwtPFw). Google wanting to lead in cybersecurity is no surprise; this move would shore up its cloud offerings. Its Google Cloud division, run by my school classmate Thomas Kurian, lags Amazons and also Microsofts. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice are the primary enforcers of these anti-monopoly laws. The European Commission plays a similar role in the EU. These bodies scrutinize mergers and acquisitions to ensure they do not harm consumers by stifling competition, raising prices or reducing innovation. Google is no stranger to these regulators. With dominant positions in search, online advertising and mobile operating systems, it is under close watch. Recent high-profile antitrust cases, such as EC fines imposed on Google for anti-competitive practices in its Android and search operations, underscore the vigilance of regulators. Despite scrutiny, Google has successfully executed several significant acquisitions. The key lies in combining strategic planning with regulatory compliance, and leveraging its resources to present a compelling case for the benefits of its buy-outs. It publicly shares its vision for acquisitions, emphasizing their positive impact on innovation and user experience. This clever marketing couched as transparency helps generate trust and mitigate any public or regulatory backlash. A significant aspect of its strategy involves leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its products and services by acquiring companies with valuable data-sets and AI capabilities. For example, the acquisition of DeepMind in 2015 bolstered Googles AI research, leading to rapid advancements. Such acquisitions raise antitrust concerns, particularly around data privacy and market dominance. To address them, Google claims to maintain strict data separation between its existing services and acquired entities. Google often targets companies that can complement its operations and spur innovation. For instance, it snapped up YouTube in 2006 and Android in 2005, when they were viewed as high-potential platforms. YouTube has since become the worlds dominant video platform (and second largest search engine), while Android powers most of the worlds smartphones. These purchases were justified to regulators on the grounds that they would enhance consumer choice and drive innovation. Its acquisitions also often capitalize on broader market trends and competitive dynamics. By acquiring Nest in 2014, it tapped the worlds burgeoning smart-home market, helping it compete with Amazon in this space. Google meticulously prepares regulatory filings whenever it pursues a target. It also engages proactively with regulators, often long before a deal is publicly announced. In some cases, the firm agrees to concessions to gain approval. When it acquired Fitbit in 2021, it promised not to use its health data for advertising. This commitment was crucial in assuaging regulator concerns about data privacy and market dominance. It also agreed to maintain open access to Fitbits application programming interface for third-party developers to allow for competition. Googles approach to Wiz is no exception. Cybersecurity is a burning issue in cloud computing. Almost 85% of the worlds largest organizations report at least one major breach a year, and over 50% report more than two. Google Cloud, with a formidable cybersecurity solution, could emerge as a leader. Microsofts outage didnt help its cause as a competitor. Also read: Malicious actors trying to exploit global tech outage for their own gain Googles approach to acquisitions varies by region. The EU has stringent antitrust rules, while the USs laissez-faire disposition may change as calls grow for tighter norms. Its DoubleClick buy-out in 2008 faced scrutiny in both the US and the EU. The deal was eventually approved, but Google has to assure regulators that it wont hurt the online advertising market. As Google grows even larger, it must tread carefully. However, its track record shows a sophisticated understanding of the regulatory landscape and a proactive approach to addressing monopoly concerns. Googles ability to make big acquisitions despite intense antitrust scrutiny is a testament to its strategic acumen. By focusing on innovation, engaging proactively with regulators and maintaining transparency on its deals, Google navigates a complex landscape to keep evolving. As the regulatory environment tightens, Googles approach will undoubtedly evolve, but its core strategies of compliance and innovation will remain central to its success. The war in Gaza is in a new phase. The fighting is tapering down, although Israel is still conducting air strikes against Hamas. One of these on July 13th may have killed the military mastermind behind the October 7th attacks, Muhammad Deif, as well as scores of fighters and civilians. Ceasefire talks continue in Qatar and Cairo, with signs that Hamas is prepared to agree to a temporary truce and a swap of hostages and prisoners, without first demanding a permanent Israeli withdrawal. Binyamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, is clinging to power. On July 24th he is due to address Congress in Washington, where he is likely to dwell on the threat posed by Iran and its proxies to Israel and the regionand evade the question of what happens next in Gaza. America should call him out. As our forthcoming podcast from the exclave explains, it could become a failed statelet, a Mogadishu on the Med". This is an awful prospect for Gazans. It would also make Israel less safe. A ceasefire would be welcome. It could allow the release of Hamass surviving hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. It would allow a flood of aid and a de-escalation on Israels northern border, where the Israel Defence Forces (idf) and Hizbullah, a militia which like Hamas is backed by Iran, are engaged in tit-for-tat strikes that could turn into a war. Yet there should be no illusions about the vacuum in Gaza. Its 2.2m people live in a devastated, lawless hellscape, without a reliable supply of food or water. The idf directly controls perhaps a quarter of the territory. Elsewhere gangs and criminals roam, along with the rump of Hamas. Many of the platitudes about Gaza are bunk. It is common to say that the Palestinian Authority (pa) in the West Bank could become Gazas governing body. Our interview with Mohammad Mustafa, the pas prime minister, shows it has plans to administer and provide security for the exclave. Yet the pas finances are shot, partly because Israel is withholding tax revenues owed to it, and any PA security force would be unwilling to confront Hamas. Similarly, it is often said that Arab governments could step in. The Gulf states are willing to provide cash, and Jordan could train security forces. But they are unlikely to put boots on the ground, for obvious reasons: an Arab force could face a guerrilla war with Hamas and would be viewed by most Arabs as being complicit with Israel. On the present trajectory, two grimmer scenarios are likely. One is anarchy, with crooks, warlords and Hamas competing for turf, and the idf controlling the border and transport arteries while conducting periodic strikes. The other is a gradual re-occupation of parts of Gaza, with the idf steadily being sucked in, hoping to buttress Israels security. Israels far right might then seek to re-establish settlements. In both cases there would be little hope for Gazans and none of the predictability that reconstruction requires. When in Washington Mr Netanyahu will emphasise the threat to Israel, the region and the West posed by Iran. It is indeed a serious danger, with its network of militias, nuclear enrichment drive and ties with Russia. But Americans on all sides must remind Mr Netanyahu that a different approach to the Palestinians would enhance Israels security, not erode it. Releasing funds to the pa would strengthen its capacity to administer parts of Gaza. Opening a path to talks on a two-state solution would foster long-term bipartisan support for Israel in America. It would also make it easier, politically, for Arab states to support the pa in Gaza and for the pa to co-operate with the idf to contain and deter what remains of Hamas. Repairing Arab-Israeli relations would allow deeper defence co-operation between America, the Gulf states and Israel, which would help counter Iran. The day after in Gaza is going to be hellish. Magical thinking wont help. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com GERMANTOWN, Wis.The Trump campaigns effective takeover of the Republican National Committee has come with a new approach to on-the-ground canvassing efforts: doing more with less. The party says its get-out-the-vote effort, dubbed Trump Force 47," is driven by a dedicated army of volunteers. It has been shrouded in secrecy since it launched earlier this year, raising questions in political circles about the ground-game strategy to support Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Behind the scenes, campaign strategists have been revamping what they viewed as an inefficient, bloated and antiquated Republican ground-game model. They argued that trying to play catch up with the Democratic canvassing machine, which has long had vast resources and is deeply rooted in states across the country, was a losing game. Now the GOP is focused on efficiency, not the size of the operation. The practical reality is the program devolved to mostly paid staff grinding out door knocking and phones, and it was all about volume, volume, volume, driving as much volume as possible," said James Blair, a top strategist for the Trump campaign. Theres not good evidence that all voter contacts are created equal." But the partys field organizing is so small that some local Republican officials say they are anxious it wont be enough. The RNC has anywhere from a dozen to two dozen offices in battleground states, while President Bidens campaign and the Democratic National Committee have about 200 across the country, with nearly 50 here in Wisconsin alone. The Biden campaign has gone so far as to question whether Trump has a ground game. Despite an intentionally smaller footprint, the organizing looks a lot like traditional field work. On a hotter-than-normal Saturday morning before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, about a dozen Trump Force 47 volunteers huddled in a small office in this suburb of the states largest city. They divided up street assignments and went door-to-door to convince voter targetsthose who dont vote in every election and might be persuaded to back Trumpto turn out for the former president this fall. Were focused on turning out people that are guaranteed to vote for Trump as long as they go vote," Blair said. The Trump Force 47 sign-up page online calls for volunteers to help with neighborhood voter outreach and calls, poll watching, yard-sign delivery and more. It asks if volunteers are willing to throw a Trump House Party" to raise awareness in their communities. The campaign is doing field work in the seven battleground states this year, which include Wisconsin, and they are ramping up operations in a handful of states the Trump campaign believes are in play this year, such as Virginia and Minnesota. The operation also helps down-ballot candidates. Trump has opened a 6-point lead over Biden among voters nationally, with 80% saying that the president is too old to run for a second term, a Wall Street Journal poll found earlier this month. Trump also holds leads over Biden in most battleground state polling. Some polls show the Republican competitive in places such as Virginia, where Democrats usually dominate in presidential election years. Officials with the Trump campaign argued that the old way of doing things needed to changepartly because times have changed, partly because Trump is an unconventional candidate. What works for him, they added, might not work for the 2028 presidential nominee. They will cross that bridge when they come to it. Former president Barack Obamas successful re-election campaign in 2012 has been viewed as the modelnot only by Democrats, but until this cycle, by the Republican Party, which studied its tactics. Obamas campaign launched a multiyear, multibillion-dollar operation that raised and spent more money than any other election effort in history. The Obama campaign built the most sophisticated voter targeting technology ever before used on a national campaign, according to political strategists. After the Trump campaigns takeover of the RNC earlier this year, strategists decided to revamp the model by diving deep into its voter contact base to determine specific targets. Officials found that in the last election cycle, the RNC made 79 million attempted voter contacts across the seven battleground states with an office expenditure of about $150 million. But in reality, only three million of those voters were reached in some form. That, they concluded, was wasteful and ineffective. Blair said the focus has shifted to giving priority to voter contacts over contact attempts, stressing that higher levels of engagement will be the key to victory this fall. Officials declined to say what their current expenditure is but said they are finding ways to cut costs. For example, the RNC uses state representatives direct mail to reach voters. State lawmakers can use nonprofit postage stamps, which cuts postage in half, according to the campaign. Such an option isnt available to super PACs, which are prohibited from coordinating directly with the candidates they support. Some state Republican long-timers said that Trump isnt a conventional candidate, and so it is possible a conventional ground game isnt neededbut they would like to see something more, and fast. I dont have heartburnright now," a top North Carolina GOP official said. Its much more community based, as opposed to trying to get these large groups to show up." Thousands of Trump Force 47 captains" have been trained, the campaign said, with additional daily training taking place. There are occasional Trump Force Tuesday" recruitment efforts where the campaign virtually trains volunteers and surrogates in the seven core battleground states. It has anywhere from a dozen to two dozen offices in the battleground states, with fewer in Western states because the concentration of voters they want to target is in only a handful of counties. Efforts are also under way to staff up in states that the campaign says are in play, such as Minnesota and Virginia. The Biden campaign says it has seen no evidence of staffing by the Trump campaign in these states. The Biden campaign typically aims to blanket states with grassroots efforts, which campaign officials say has long been proven effective in mobilizing voters. If you expect the election to be close, as we do, in all of these states, then you know that these tactics can swing thousands of votes," said Dan Kanninen, Biden-Harris campaign director for battleground states. Building an effective and disciplined field operation, and being able to be in communities and build trust and relationships for months as we have, is absolutely essential. The Trump campaign simply isnt doing it." Republicans say they see the stakes the same way. Its going to come down to every last vote," said Will Martin, member-at-large for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Write to Vivian Salama at vivian.salama@wsj.com A 14-year-old boy from Kerala's Malappuram died on Sunday after contracting Nipah Virus infection. State Health Minister Veena George said the boy suffered a massive cardiac arrest at 10.50 am on Sunday and efforts to revive him failed. He died at 11.30 am. The National Institute Of Virology in Pune had confirmed the presence of the virus in the boy. Nipah Virus: Indian govt's advisory to Kerala As Kerala reported a Nipah Virus death, the Centre advised the following immediate public health measures to be taken by the state government: 1. Active case search in the family of the confirmed case, the neighborhood, and areas with similar topography. 2. Active contact tracing (for any contacts) during past 12 days. 3. Strict quarantine of the contacts of the case and isolation of any suspects. 4. Collection and transportation of samples for lab testing. Besides, a joint outbreak response Central team will be deployed to assist the state with case investigation, identification of epidemiological linkages, and technical support, the Union Health Ministry said. What is the Nipah Virus, and how did it spread? The World Health Organization describes Nipah virus (NiV) as a zoonotic virus. This means the virus is transmitted from animals to humans and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people. Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits. When the first outbreak was recognised in Malaysia and Singapore, most human infections had resulted from direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues. "Transmission is thought to have occurred via unprotected exposure to secretions from the pigs, or unprotected contact with the tissue of a sick animal," the WHO said. Later, the outbreaks in Bangladesh and India was most likely caused by consumption of fruits or fruit products contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats. Human-to-human transmission of the Nipah virus has also been reported among families and caregivers of infected patients. The WHO explained, During the later outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, Nipah virus spread directly from human-to-human through close contact with people's secretions and excretions. Nipah Virus: What are the symptoms? Those infected with the Nipah virus suffer from a range of illnesses -- from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. It can cause severe disease and death in people, making it a public health concern. As per the WHO, those infected with the virus initially develop symptoms including fever, headaches, myalgia (muscle pain), vomiting and sore throat. This can be followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs that indicate acute encephalitis. Some people can also experience atypical pneumonia and severe respiratory problems, including acute respiratory distress. Encephalitis and seizures occur in severe cases, progressing to coma within 24 to 48 hours. How serious is the disease? According to the WHO, the incubation period interval from infection to the onset of symptoms is believed to range from 4 to 14 days. However, an incubation period as long as 45 days has been reported. Most people who survive acute encephalitis make a full recovery, but long-term neurologic conditions have been reported in survivors. "Approximately 20 percent of patients are left with residual neurological consequences such as seizure disorder and personality changes. A small number of people who recover subsequently relapse or develop delayed onset encephalitis," the WHO said. Meanwhile, the case fatality rate is estimated at 40 percent to 75 percent. The WHO says the rate can vary by outbreak depending on local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers. Nipah Virus: Diagnosis and challenges The main tests used to diagnose Nipah virus infection are real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from bodily fluids and antibody detection via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Other tests used include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and virus isolation by cell culture. The quality, quantity, type, timing of clinical sample collection and the time needed to transfer samples to the laboratory can affect the accuracy of laboratory results. Nipah Virus treatment There are currently no drugs or vaccines specific for Nipah virus infection, even though the WHO has identified Nipah as a priority disease for the WHO Research and Development Blueprint. Treatment is mostly limited to supportive care and syndromic management of acute encephalitis syndrome. Also Read | Nipah virus strains prevalent in Kerala find roots in Malaysia and Bangladesh So, in the absence of a vaccine, the only way to reduce or prevent infection is by raising awareness of the risk factors among people. People must be educated about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the Nipah virus. Nipah Virus: How to reduce the risk of infection in people As per the WHO, public health educational messages should focus on: 1: Decreasing bat access to date palm sap and other fresh food products. 2. Gloves and other protective clothing should be worn while handling sick animals or their tissues, and during slaughtering and culling procedures. 3. One must avoid close unprotected physical contact with Nipah virus-infected people. They must wash their hands regularly after caring for or visiting sick people. With the whirlwind of events that hit us throughout the week, it can be hard to keep track of the top news stories. But fear not, we have got you covered with the Weekly Tech Recap, where we take a look at the top 5 stories that made waves in the world of technology. This week, Microsoft Windows faced a major global outage following a controversial Crowdstrike update, OpenAI ditched GPT-3.5 Turbo in favour of GPT-4 Mini, Apple announced its first public beta for iOS 18 and more. Top 5 technology-related news of the week: 1) Microsoft outage wreaks havoc: 8.5 million Windows devices worldwide were affected by a 'Blue Screen of Death' notification that left them stuck in 'Recovery' mode with the message 'Your PC has encountered a problem and needs to restart'. The bug first appeared on Friday and affected businesses, airlines, government agencies and even emergency services. "On July 18, CrowdStrike, an independent cybersecurity company, released a software update that began impacting IT systems globally Since this event began, weve maintained ongoing communication with our customers, CrowdStrike and external developers to collect information and expedite solutions. We recognize the disruption this problem has caused for businesses and in the daily routines of many individuals. Our focus is providing customers with technical guidance and support to safely bring disrupted systems back online." Microsoft said in a blogpost on the issue. 2) ChatGPT free versionow runs GPT-4o Mini: OpenAI has released GPT-4o Mini, the company's most affordable model to date. GPT-4o Mini (O stands for Omni) has replaced GPT-3.5 Turbo and is available free of charge. It will be available to enterprise users from next week. The model is seen as an attempt by OpenAI to stay relevant in the face of increasing competition from deeper-pocketed rivals such as Google and Meta. OpenAI said that GPT-4o Mini is priced at 15 cents per million input token and 60 cents per million output tokens, making it 60% more cheaper than GPT-3.5 Turbo. The model scored 82% on Massive Multitask Language Understanding (MMLU) and outperformed GPT-4 on chat preferences in LMSYS leaderboard. 3) Apple launches iOS 18 first public beta: Apple launched the first public beta of iOS 18 earlier this week, along with beta versions for iPads, Macs, and other devices. This release offers users an early look at the upcoming features and enhancements that will be fully available with the official release. The iOS 18 public beta introduces a limited set of features, with more to be tested in future updates. The new features brought during the iOS 18 beta update include Home Screen Customization, Icon Tinting, Revamped Control Center, Enhanced Photos App and Dark Mode Icons. 4) OnePlus Summer Launch event: OnePlus launched a range of devices at the company's Summer Launch Event in Milan, Italy. The showstopper at the event was the OnePlus Nord 4 powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, which features a 5,500mAh battery at a starting price of 29,999. Also Read | OnePlus Nord 4 Review: Most balanced smartphone under 30,000 Meanwhile, OnePlus also launched OnePlus Pad 2 at the event, which is now powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and features a 12.1-inch 3K LCD display, with a starting price of 39,999. Other devices launched at the event include, OnePlus Watch 2R and the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro. 5) Google Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Fold confirmed to launch in India on August 13: Google India handle on X confirmed this week that the upcoming Google Pixle 9 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold will launch in India along with other global markets. Notably, Google is hosting its Made for Google event on August 13 where it will announce the Pixel 9 series along with other hardware products. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. 3.6 Crore Indians visited in a single day choosing us as India's undisputed platform for General Election Results. Explore the latest updates here! SUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 4. The peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is moving in a positive direction,CEO of the Institute of Political Studies Sergei Markov told Trend on the sidelines of the Second Shusha Global Media Forum on the topic Exposing false narratives: combating disinformation. "It would probably be possible to sign a peace treaty at COP29 in November, but the Armenian leadership is hesitant. They do not dare to make any amendments to the Constitution, which is absolutely necessary," he added. Further, Markov noted that the forum is of great importance. "We are grateful to Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev for their contribution to the global development of humanity. After all, this is where the global problem is being solved. A global problem cannot be solved in the abstract. We see that many media outlets around the world are turning into disinformation outlets. Instead of uniting peoples, they quarrel between peoples. A huge amount of fake news is being spread," Markov said. SUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Azerbaijan's position is clear. Azerbaijan expects Armenia to end its territorial claims against Azerbaijan on a constitutional basis, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan, Assistant to the President Hikmet Hajiyev told reporters, Trend reports. He noted that if the constitution of any country contains claims to the territory of another state, this must be stopped. "We understand that the constitution is an internal matter of each country. But if there are claims to the territory of another state in the constitution, then they should end, and the legal framework should be in a form that completely puts an end to territorial claims so that we can move forward. Azerbaijan proposed that Armenia and Azerbaijan jointly appeal to the OSCE with a request to terminate the activities of the Minsk Group. Because there is no need to preserve an institution like the Minsk Group. If there is no conflict, then what is the meaning of the existence of the Minsk Group? In this regard, Azerbaijan proposed to the Armenian side that, as a temporary approach, we can agree on the basic principles that could form the basis of good neighborly relations between the two countries. I wouldn't call this a temporary peace agreement. It should be taken into account that in 2021, the Azerbaijani side became the initiator of the principles that will form the basis of the peace process as a whole," he added. Details of the programme for the eagerly awaited 2024 Marquee in Drumlish Festival were unveiled on Friday as the organisers held the official launch in Quinn's. The Festival will attract music lovers from all over the country. Building on the success of over a decade of entertaining the masses, the 2024 Marquee in Drumlish boasts a phenomenal line up of music from Friday, August 9 to Monday, August 12. Momentum is now building for this year's festival hosted by Fr Manning Gaels GFC, and details of the line up for the weekend of live music were revealed at the launch last Friday. Chairperson of the Marquee in Drumlish Festival, Michael Mulleady, said the support of the community is what makes the festival so appealing: We appreciate everyone who attends the festival, and it has allowed us to build on its success each year. A community and voluntary event like this cannot run without volunteers. PICTURES | Stunning style and sharp suits as Longford students dress to impress for graduation ball We are very grateful to everyone who gives their time each year to help out. Thanks also to the Gray Family who provide the site and our neighbouring residents for their understanding and support. Friday night (August 9) of the festival kicks off in style with internet sensation Allie Sherlock. She is followed by The Highstool Prophets and Ruaile Buaile with their twist on folk and trad. Saturday night (August 10) the marquee goes country with Jimmy Buckley and his band. He is followed by the return of the great Derek Ryan and his band to Drumlish. Also read: Wedding bells ring for Longford GAA player and his beautiful Mayo bride Mr Mulleady said the music continues over the weekend: On Sunday (August 11) we have back by popular demand Qween, Irelands most authentic Queen tribute band. Chasing Abbey who were with us in 2017 join us again as part of their 2024 tour. They are followed by Drumlishs own Cronin who close out Sunday night. Monday night (August 12) we host The Declan Nerney Night. This night has featured many greats in the country and Irish scene. This year is no exception with Nathan Carter and of course, Declan Nerney taking to the stage. PICTURES | Longford music lovers savour magic sounds of Marquee in Drumlish Festival Committee member Ciaran Lennon said the support of local businesses is crucial for the festival: Mulleady Properties are our official sponsor each year and their support and assistance are invaluable. We are also helped by many other local businesses to make the festival happen. Longford County Council and Longford Tourism are providing grant assistance for which we are very thankful. Also read: Marquee in Drumlish Festival hailed as a great success At the launch it was stated that with under four weeks to go preparations are now in full swing and the organisers are looking forward to welcoming everyone to The Marquee in Drumlish Festival 2024. Also read: The joy of books in Longford! Drumlish Library celebrates 30 years of serving local community Senator Micheal Carrigy this week attended the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Athlone Campus for the launch of the Shine Scholars programme, an initiative aimed at providing greater access to higher education for students with intellectual disabilities. This significant development is part of TUS's ongoing commitment to inclusivity and support for the PATH 4 initiative. Senator Carrigy met with TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane and Vice President for Student Education and Experience Frances O'Connell. The Shine Scholars programme is set to offer enhanced educational opportunities, ensuring that students with intellectual disabilities can thrive within the university environment. The introduction of the Shine Scholars programme has been made possible through additional investment announced by Taoiseach Simon Harris TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O'Donovan. This funding will enable TUS to expand its services and support across its regions, furthering its mission to make higher education accessible to all. Senator Carrigy commented, It has been an honour to work with TUS and witness their dedication to creating an inclusive educational environment. The Shine Scholars programme is an excellent initiative that will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of many students. Last year I also attended the opening of new quiet spaces for autistic students at TUS, demonstrating their dedication to creating a supportive and accommodating environment for all students. The Taoiseach has been pressed over the urgent need for engagement and dialogue over disturbances at a former factory site in north Dublin. Gardai have come under attack and fires were set in the last week at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock which has been earmarked as housing for asylum seekers. The building is to be renovated to accommodate more than 500 International Protection Applicants. Protests have been organised at the site by a group called Coolock Says No. On Friday night, three gardai officers were injured in clashes. On Sunday, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said she has pressed Taoiseach Simon Harris over engagement and dialogue around the situation. I have spoken to an Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the Coolock community. The violence must end and those responsible held to account. Order and calm must be restored and the people must be heard. Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 21, 2024 In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ms McDonald wrote I have spoken to an Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD this morning about the urgent need for engagement and dialogue with the Coolock community. The violence must end and those responsible held to account. Order and calm must be restored and the people must be heard. Earlier, Mr Harris said government can do more to engage with legitimate migration concerns. He said he made a clear distinction between those who had legitimate concerns over increased immigration numbers, and those engaging in disorder and criminal damage at sites earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation. Man Arrested for DWI Following Hit-and-Run Crash that Seriously Injured E-bike Operator Local News, Crime By Long Island Published: July 21 2024 Laquimn Greene was riding an e-bike on East Main St when an eastbound Audi struck Greene in front of 350 East Main Street Suffolk County Police today arrested a Medford man for driving while intoxicated following a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured an e-bike operator in Patchogue early this morning. Laquimn Greene was riding an e-bike eastbound on East Main Street when an eastbound Audi struck Greene in front of 350 East Main Street and fled the scene at approximately 4:45 a.m. Greene, 13, of Wheatley Heights, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious injuries. Following an investigation, Flavio Lituma, 53, of Medford, was arrested in front of his home. He was charged with DWI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Serious Injury. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. The Shusha Global Media Forum is of great importance in the fight against disinformation, editor of Visions of Azerbaijan magazine Ian Peart told Trend. He noted that disinformation is widespread in the world today. "I watch a lot of Western media, how they write, sometimes I want to cry. Their distortion of what happened, especially during the conflict with Armenia, is simply incredible. Sometimes I wrote to Western media, come here, look at Azerbaijan, check, don't just copy and paste, what you said is not true, not accurate," he said. Peart added that it was important to invite journalists from around the world to discuss the issue. "Because I'm very concerned that this misinformation continues," he added. The forum, which is attended by more than 150 foreign guests from about 50 countries, including representatives of news agencies from about 30 countries, 3 international organizations and 82 media institutions, serves as a joint platform for discussion and action for participants. The Plymouth County District Attorneys Office has identified 68-year-old Todd Page as the man who died in an apparent drowning at a Lakeville pond Saturday evening. Massachusetts Environmental Police officers were conducting routine patrols at Long Pond around 5:15 p.m. when they were told that Page had gone missing in the water, the district attorneys office said in a press release. Lakeville police were called in, and after approximately 30 minutes of searching, Page was found about 60 yards from the shoreline. Read more: Man found dead after going missing in Lakeville pond Page was rushed to St. Lukes Hospital in New Bedford where he was declared dead, the district attorneys office said. The Chief Medical Examiners Office will determine his manner and cause of death. Authorities are still investigating Pages death. No further information has been released. A Lenox man pleaded guilty to sending photos of his genitalia to a law enforcement officer who was posing a minor on social media in federal court last week, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office. Paul Bruzzi, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of attempt to transfer obscene material to a minor, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. In September 2022, Bruzzi used social media to engage in conversations with an individual whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was actual an undercover law enforcement agent, the U.S. Attorneys office said. During these conversations, he tried to coerce the fake profile into sending him photos and sent her nine photos and videos displaying his genitals. A Quincy man pleaded guilty to being involved in a sophisticated international money laundering and drug trafficking organization in federal court on Tuesday, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office. Licheng Huang, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. In May 2023, Huang was among a dozen people from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and California charged in a superseding indictment for their alleged involvement in a crime organization led by Staten Island resident Jin Hua Zhang, the U.S. Attorneys office said. The investigation revealed that Zhang laundered cash in bulk for a fee for drug dealers and other illegal businesses. Authorities have arrested a suspect in a fatal stabbing that took place in Brockton Saturday evening, according to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office. Johnny Richmond, 36, is accused of stabbing 39-year-old Fall River resident Edmar Goncalves, according to a press release from the district attorneys office. Officers responded to 911 calls about a stabbing in a park near Crescent and Montello Streets shortly before 6:15 p.m. on July 20, the district attorneys office said. Goncalves was found at the scene and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was declared dead. Richmond was arrested at the scene, the district attorneys office said. The stabbing is not believed to be random. Authorities are still investigating the stabbing. No further information about the incident has been released. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Azerbaijan has invited Armenia to the COP29 climate conference, which will be held November 11-22, 2024 in Baku, Trend reports with reference to the National, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said. Mukhtar Babayev sent a corresponding letter of invitation to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Hajiyev said. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 70-80,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COP - the Conference of the Parties - is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. (*This column was updated with additional reporting at 6:58 a.m., on Monday, July 22, 2024.) What now? Its a question a lot of Democrats are going to be asking themselves over the next few days as the widely expected but no less shocking news of President Joe Bidens departure from the 2024 presidential campaign truly sinks in. On one level, that question already has been answered with Bidens decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden said in a post to X, shortly after his historic announcement. Democrats its time to come together and beat [former President Donald] Trump. But theres the broader question of whether Democrats, who have spent the last three weeks gripped in an existential debate over Bidens political future, will fall into line that easily. Maybe. Maybe not, one veteran observer said. Harris will have a lot of people screaming for her to receive the baton, Western Massachusetts political consultant Matt L. Barron told MassLive Sunday. Harris polls about the same as Biden against Trump, and better than other potential Democrats, according to Forbes. Still, Harris didnt run a great [presidential] campaign in 2020, Barron continued, hinting at longstanding internal misgivings about the California Democrat. And her vice presidential tenure hasnt been that great. Theres been a lot of staff turnover. Thats her baggage. Its not what shes going to inherit from Biden. Other prominent Democratic names, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, R-Ariz., also had been mentioned as potential replacements at the top of the ticket. By Monday morning, Govs. Gretchen Whitmer, of Michigan, and Josh Shapiro, of Pennsylvania, who previously had been floated for the top of the ticket, were being mentioned as potential Harris running mates. But its a matter that will have to be settled well before party chieftains and their foot soldiers gather in just a few weeks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Its all hands on deck, political consultant Anthony Cignoli said Sunday. Bidens endorsement of Harris sets the tone. And the [Democratic] delegates have to make the decision, Cignoli continued. Were seeing so much activity. From Michigan to Kentucky and Pennsylvania, people are being told whats happening: This is the presidents pick and decision, we owe it to him, Cignoli said, describing conversations with Democratic insiders on Sunday. And by Sunday night, that picture had become clearer, with tens of millions of dollars pouring into Harris election coffers, and scores of Democrats, from Congress on down, offering their support for Harris. Democratic leaders, meanwhile, vowed an orderly transition at the top of the ticket. In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward, Democratic National Committee Chairperson Jaime Harrison said in a statement. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Theyre going to need it. Historically, Democrats havent done well when theyve given up the one thing that gives them the advantage: The power of the incumbency. In this Aug. 26, 1968 file photo, Chicago police officers wielding nightsticks confront a demonstrator on the ground in Grant Park after protesters against the Vietnam War climbed on the statue of Civil War Gen. John Logan. It was one of many protests during the tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo)AP That last happened in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that he would not seek re-election and threw his support to Vice President Hubert Humphrey. In short order, former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy announced they would challenge Humphrey for the nomination. Kennedy was assassinated in June 1968, two months ahead of the Democratic National Convention, also held in Chicago. History tells us what happened next, with the chaos outside the convention hall of anti-war riots and the ensuing, heavy-handed police response, far out-rivaling what happened within. McCarthy and Humphrey competed for the nomination. Humphrey prevailed. But he still went on to lose to Republican Richard Nixon in the general election that November. Former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, running as the American Independent Partys candidate, played the role of spoiler, one that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., likely could play in this Novembers contest. And even when theyve had the incumbency, Democrats fortunes have been rocky, as was the case in former President Jimmy Carters defeat at the hands of Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. Democrats are not looking to repeat history, veteran Democratic analyst Mary Anne Marsh told MassLive on Sunday. And thats why key pieces of the party establishment already are lining up behind her, she said. Under U.S. election law, only Harris can inherit Bidens campaign and fundraising infrastructure. That means any other candidate will have to race to raise money and get boots on the ground nationwide, all while trying to counter Trump and Republicans who emerged unified from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week. If its someone else, its a tall task to build out a national campaign, Barron noted. Some of that enthusiasm for Harris was evident on Saturday on Cape Cod, where Harris headlined a fundraiser in Provincentown raising $2 million, and attracting a crowd of more than 1,000 people, Marsh said. The contrasts couldnt be more clear, between Trump and Harris, Marsh continued, pointing to Harris years of experience as a prosecutor and in government, compared to a 78-year-old, third-time candidate for president. Democrats have spent three weeks since last months car crash of a presidential debate in Atlanta clamoring for Biden to get out of the race. Now they finally have what they want. The one thing they dont have is the luxury of time to decide what to do with it. Election Day is Nov. 5. That may seem like an eternity. But for Democrats, its now just a heartbeat away. LOS ANGELES In the next 10 days, the Red Sox have a lot on their plate. They must decide to either buy or sell at the upcoming July 30 deadline, and theyve got to get to the business of signing their recent draft picks. The former will likely determine whether the team snaps its playoff drought, and the latter will go a long way in determining the franchises future. Theres also a decision to be made on when to promote the organizations three best prospects, currently idling in Portland and waiting to move up to Worcester. On 18th July 2024, Haier Smart Home entered into the transaction with Electrolux Group in Sweden to acquire 100% equity interest in Electrolux South Africa Proprietary Limited , its subsidiary engaging in water heater business in South Africa, for an enterprise value of ZAR 2.45bn . South Africa is the second largest economy in Africa with a population of 61.4 million. ESA owns the century-old water heater brand Kwikot that specializes in diversified products and solutions of electric water heaters, solar water heaters, multi-energy solutions, gas water heaters and heat pumps. It is the leading water heater manufacturer in South Africa, with a double-digit EBITDA margin. Kwikot operates well-established distribution channels, installation network and after-sales service system to provide users with speedy response and quality services. The acquisition is an important step in the strategic implementation of Haier Smart Homes development in African market. Leveraging Kwikots extensive HVAC channel and service coverage, Haier Smart Home will realize synergies in product and supply chain management to expand Kwikots water heater lineups and unlock potentials in solar water heaters and water purifiers. In addition, Haier Smart Home will also accelerate its refrigerators and laundry businesses with the help of Kwikots strong local distribution channels. The acquisition is not only significant to Haier Smart Homes Middle East & Africa strategy, it is also integral to its global brand portfolio. In May this year, Haier Egypt Eco Park was officially opened. It covers an area of 200,000 square meters with annual production capacity exceeding 1.5 million units of air conditioners, washing machines, televisions, refrigerators and freezers. Haier Smart Home has been able to double its revenue every year for the past three years in Middle East and African markets where its freezers ranked number one in Nigeria, high-end air conditioners revenue grew 122% cumulatively in Egypt and high-end washing machines grew 30% in Ghana. by Ray Schultz , July 21, 2024 Madeline McIntosh and Jon Miller have been named to the Lee Enterprises board. The board of the newspaper chain now has a full nine members following retirements. McIntosh is the founder and CEO of Authors Equity, Inc., a book publisher devoted to fostering the relationship with authors. Miller is president and CEO of IAC (formerly USA interactive) and a partner in Advancit Capital. Madeline and Jon bring unique backgrounds and impressive perspectives as independent directors to help us propel Lees digital successes even farther and faster, says Mary Junck, chairman. Our board is thrilled to gain their wisdom and foresight as we accelerate Lees transformation in providing our market-leading news, information and advertising in compelling new ways. Title: Unlocking the Power of Tidal Energy: Exploring its Revolutionary Role as a Renowned Renewable Energy Source (Alternative Advantage: Understanding Tidal Energy as a Renewable Energy Source) With the increasing importance of renewable energy sources, there has been a shift towards understanding and harnessing tidal energy as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Tidal energy is a unique form of renewable energy that can generate electricity from the movement of water at great depths and under high pressure conditions. What Is Tidal Energy? Tidal energy refers to the energy produced by the tides. The tides are the natural flow of water on Earths oceans and play an essential role in maintaining our planets balance. The tides also play a crucial role in the formation of complex currents and whirlpools that generate vast amounts of energy. There are several different types of tidal energy, including: 1. Hydroelectric Power: This type of energy harnesses the power of waves to produce electricity through the use of turbines. The tides influence the amount of energy generated per hour or per second. 2. Wave Power: This type of energy relies on the motion of water to generate electricity. The tides shape the ocean floor and the direction of waves can affect their energy output. 3. Non-Tabular Energy: This type of energy harnesses the movement of water through rocks and other objects to generate electricity. Non-Tabular energy provides an endless supply of energy, but it requires a large number of resources and may not be accessible to all areas. Tidal Energy Benefits The use of tidal energy has numerous benefits, including: 1. Cost: Tidal energy is relatively inexpensive compared to fossil fuels, making it an attractive option for smaller-scale projects. 2. Environmental Sustainability: Tidal energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, making it an environmentally friendly option. 3. Reliability: Tidal energy can provide stable and consistent power over long periods of time, reducing dependence on fluctuations in weather conditions. 4. Economic Opportunities: Tidal energy can create jobs in the renewable energy sector, supporting local economies. How Tidal Energy Works Tidal energy production typically involves two main components: tides and turbines. Tides determine the flow of water across the ocean, while turbines convert this flow into electricity. When the tide is higher than the turbines, they turn off, causing the water to return to the ocean below. When the tide is lower than the turbines, they turn on, generating more electricity. Tidal Energy Projects There are many tidal energy projects currently being developed around the world, ranging from small-scale tidal farms to large-scale hydroelectric plants. Some examples include: 1. Several states in the United States have government policies that support the development of tidal energy. These policies offer tax incentives and regulatory relief to companies involved in tidal energy projects. 2. In Japan, the country has implemented a program called The Tidal Generation System, which aims to increase the generation of clean and efficient tidal energy projects. 3. In Australia, the government is investing heavily in the development of tidal energy, with plans to build three tidal energy plants by 2020. Conclusion (Alternative Advantage: Understanding Tidal Energy as a Renewable Energy Source) Tidal energy has become increasingly popular due to its numerous benefits, including cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, reliability, and economic opportunities. As we continue to develop and expand the renewable energy sector, we must work towards ensuring that tidal energy becomes an even more accessible and sustainable source of energy. Title: The Quantum Era: The Guide to Georgias Nuclear Power facilities (The Peach States Atomic Arsenal: A Count of Georgias Nuclear Power Facilities) Introduction: Georgia, known for its strategic location on the Black Sea, has long been the hub of military, industrial, and scientific development. The state boasts some of the worlds most advanced nuclear power facilities, which have played a crucial role in shaping the energy sector of the country. Historical Background: Georgian nuclear power plants have a rich history dating back over half a century. From the early days of the Soviet Union to today, the country has experienced significant technological advancements in nuclear power generation, leading to several key milestones in the history of nuclear technology in Georgia. Cultural Significance: Georgian nuclear power facilities are an integral part of the countrys cultural heritage. They represent the countrys commitment to innovation and progress, and serve as symbols of strength and independence. Technology Advancements: During the past few decades, Georgia has experienced rapid technological advancements in nuclear power generation. These advancements have enabled the country to become one of the worlds largest producers of nuclear fuel, making it an important player in global energy markets. Years of Economic Growth: Georgias nuclear power facilities have played a vital role in economic growth. With their abundant natural resources, Georgia has been able to generate substantial amounts of electricity from nuclear power, contributing significantly to the countrys energy security. Polymarket Development: As an important contributor to global markets, Georgias nuclear power facilities have had a significant impact on the global economy. The country is one of the worlds major producers of oil, gas, and coal, and its nuclear power operations have provided a reliable source of energy for these exports. Integrating into National: In recent years, Georgia has become increasingly integrated into national grids. This integration has not only increased the availability of energy for the country but also helped to boost the competitiveness of the countrys nuclear power industry. Conclusion: (The Peach States Atomic Arsenal: A Count of Georgias Nuclear Power Facilities) Georgian nuclear power facilities are an essential part of the countrys energy landscape. Their technological advancements, cultural significance, economic growth, and integration into national make them an important component of Georgias energy mix. As the country continues to evolve and grow, the importance of nuclear power facilities will remain at the forefront of energy development and innovation. Flash The executive council of the African Union (AU) has approved its Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and African Digital Compact to boost Africa's digital development, an official has said. AU Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitization Amani Abou-Zeid said this in an interview Friday during the 45th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, a prelude to its 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, in the Ghanaian capital of Accra. "Our council yesterday approved the AU strategy for artificial intelligence and the strategy for using digital technologies, which will set the path for Africa's use of digital technologies for development," Abou-Zeid said. These strategies would provide direction on the use of technology to find solutions to Africa's challenges, help fast-track many projects and programs, and guard against the unethical use of technology, she said. "The technology must help us preserve our identity, preserve our languages and cultures, and be helpful rather than harm us," the commissioner said. The strategies would create an enabling environment for the development and use of digital technology, Abou-Zeid said, adding that the AU policy would guide the governments of various members to develop the necessary policy and regulatory frameworks for the sector. "The strategies will help us create a single digital market and guide all sovereign countries on how to use digital technology to boost their development processes," she said. "There must be rules and regulations to punish the negative use of AI and digital technologies to prevent further abuse," Abou-Zeid said, adding that seven African countries now have AI policies, but the continental body would like to see all members develop their policies. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. On July 21, the second day of the Second Shusha Global Media Forum continues on the topic Exposing false narratives: combating disinformation," Trend reports. On the second day of the forum there will be panel discussions. The Second Shusha Global Media Forum, organized on the occasion of the 149th anniversary of the national press of Azerbaijan, is attended by more than 150 foreign guests from 50 countries, including news agencies from 30 countries, 3 international organizations and 82 media entities. Among the participants of the Global Media Forum are representatives of foreign media, as well as representatives of Azerbaijani media, experts and officials of Azerbaijan. The forum will last until July 22. The Angels and veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto are in agreement on a minor league deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The news comes on the heels of Cueto opting out of his minors deal with the Rangers earlier this month. Cueto, 38, is a two-time All-Star and a veteran of 16 MLB seasons. From 2010 to 2016, he was among the very best starters in the entire league with a 2.86 ERA (141 ERA+) that was second to only Clayton Kershaw among qualified starters with at least 500 innings of work during that span. As the righty entered his 30s, injuries began to cost him more and more time on the mound, and after a dominant 2016 season in the first year of his $130MM pact with San Francisco he managed just 394 1/3 innings of work over the next five seasons, with a middling 4.38 ERA (95 ERA+) during that time. Cueto ended up signing on with the White Sox on a minor league deal entering the 2022 season, and things appeared to be turning around for the veteran upon his arrival in Chicago. The deal could hardly have gone better for the South Siders, as the right-hander enjoyed a return to form with a 3.35 ERA (118 ERA+) and 3.79 FIP in 158 1/3 innings of work across 25 appearances (24 starts.) Those ERA, ERA+, and FIP figures were all the best Cueto had posted in a full season since his dominant 2016 campaign in San Francisco, though his career-worst 15.7% strikeout rate offered reason for concern. That didnt stop the Marlins from pursuing Cueto during the 2022-23 offseason, however, and they signed him to a one-year deal that guaranteed him $8.5MM that winter. Its a contract that did not go how either side was hoping, to say the least. Cueto struggled badly with Miami during his age-37 campaign, posting an ugly 6.02 ERA with a 7.02 FIP in 52 1/3 innings of work amid trips to the injured list for biceps tightness and a viral infection. While its at least feasible that Cuetos injury and illness issues last season played a role in his deep struggles, the right-hander was unable to find a big league deal this winter and eventually settled for a minor league deal in Texas back in April. The veteran ultimately made eight starts with the Rangers at the Triple-A level, struggling to a 5.92 ERA in 38 innings of work as he did so, before opting out to return to the open market. Hell now get a chance to prove himself with the Angels, and its relatively easy to imagine the pitching-hungry Halos affording Cueto a big league opportunity as long as he proves able to hold his own at Triple-A. After all, lefty Tyler Anderson and righty Griffin Canning are the clubs most established starters at the moment, and both of those arms have been the subject of plenty of trade speculation ahead of the deadline. Even if a trade doesnt open up a spot in the clubs rotation, however, theres plenty of room for Cueto to push his way into a mix that currently features the likes of Carson Fulmer and Jack Kochanowicz. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo spoke to reporters, including Bobby Blanco of MASN, yesterday for the first time since the club shipped right-hander Hunter Harvey to the Royals in exchange for third base prospect Cayden Wallace and the 39th selection in the 2024 draft. Rizzo was effusive in his praise of Harvey, who he described as an organizational success story, but noted that he felt that the trade was important for us to dofor the future of the franchise. The topic of the Harvey deal, which occurred in spite of the right-hander being under team control for the 2025 season, led naturally to questions regarding the status of outfielder Lane Thomas and closer Kyle Finnegan, both of whom are also under control for one season after 2024. When asked the availability of the pair, Rizzo confirmed that both are available, though he emphasized that the extra year of control means he isnt necessarily in a rush to trade either player. When discussing Thomas, Rizzo said that because the club has him under control beyond the 2024 campaign, were going to do a deal that were comfortable with. And if we dont, we wont do a deal. He went on to say that he viewed Finnegan The same way, exactly and that the club was not going to get rid of [Finnegan] easy. While its not entirely clear what the Nationals current asking price is for either Thomas or Finnegan, its hardly a surprise that the clubs GM is indicating that he wont be dealing either player unless his price is met. Thomas, 29 next month, has been a steady regular for the Nationals throughout their rebuild with a .256/.317/.438 slash line (106 wRC+) since first joining the club partway through the 2021 season. He enjoyed something of a breakout season last year, slugging 28 home runs while swiping 20 bases and hitting a solid .268/.315/.468 in 156 games for the Nats. Thomas hasnt hit for quite as much power in 2024 but has been an even more prolific base stealer, swiping 24 bags in just 306 trips to the plate so far this year. In a market without many quality hitters who are obviously available, its easy to imagine Thomas getting interest from clubs looking for help in the outfield such as the Mariners, Dodgers, or Phillies. As for Finnegan, the 32-year-old is in the midst of a career year in his fourth season as the Nationals closer. In 40 2/3 innings of work this year, the righty has already racked up 26 saves while pitching to a sterling 2.43 ERA and striking out a solid 25.8% of batters faced. Home runs have been an issue for Finnegan in his career as hes allowed 15.7% of his fly balls to leave the yard, including 16.7% this year. Thats left him with a somewhat pedestrian 4.05 FIP, but his lengthy track record as a quality high-leverage relief arm with Washington (where hes posted a career 3.37 ERA in 267 1/3 innings of work) should nonetheless make him among the most attractive relief arms available for teams in need for help in the late innings. In other Nationals news, manager Davey Martinez told reporters (including Mark Zuckerman of MASN) that longtime top pitching prospect Cade Cavalli has been dealing with a bout of dead arm while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery he underwent in early 2023. That issue was compounded further by Cavalli catching the flu, and that led the Nationals to restart the right-handers throwing program. The right-hander last appeared in a minor league rehab game on June 21 and has only just begun to ramp back up, though Martinez suggested that the club still expects him to pitch this year. Cavalli has just one big league start under his belt but looked good at the Triple-A level during his last full season back in 2022, when he posted a 3.71 ERA in 20 starts while striking out 25.9% of batters faced. An estimated 41% of Michigan households lack enough income to cover basic household expenses, according to the latest ALICE report. And in 11 Michigan counties, including Wayne, its more than half, the report estimates. WAYNE COUNTY, MI A Melvindale police officer was fatally shot on Sunday in the line of duty, according to investigators. The shooting happened Sunday, July 21, near the 17000 block of Clarann Street in the city of Melvindale, where officers were responding to a call from a carwash at 17344 Clarann, the Detroit Free Press reported. Officer Mohamed Said, 23, was killed in the shooting, the news outlet reported. Said was shot while pursuing individuals. The suspect is still at large, and a search is underway. Anyone with any information about this shooting is asked to call the Melvindale Police Department at 313-429-1070. This is the third officer shooting death in the last month in Michigan. Oakland County Sheriffs Deputy Bradley Reckling died June 22 in what the sheriff called an ambush and Hillsdale County Sheriffs Deputy William Butler Jr. was killed June 27 while assisting with a traffic stop. LAKE HURON, MI - After leading the charge up Lake Huron in the 100th annual Bayview Mackinac Race, the record-breaking Maverick dropped out of the race Sunday morning with a mast failure. A flurry of questions came from race watchers who were following the freshwater sailing races online tracker. It showed Maverick, which had been in the lead, taking an abrupt turn toward the shore at Rogers City. Bayview Mackinac Race officials cleared up the mystery: Maverick has retired. They suffered a mast failure. All are fine and are headed to Mackinac Island. A week ago, Mavericks crew arrived on Mackinac Island to a cheering crowd after their record-breaking win that smashed the old Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac record by more than an hour. In that race, the big monohull beat Roy P. Disneys 22-year-old record with a time of 22 hours, 24 minutes, 23 seconds. This bested the Disney heirs record set in 2002 with Pyewacket by an hour, six minutes and 11 seconds. The Maverick team is led by Sanford Burris and William and Ward Kinney. The boat last week also claimed the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinacs Royono Trophy for the first racing monohull to finish the 115th edition. This weekends Bayview Mackinac Race held the potential for Maverick to make a two-race sweep. The race, which has more than 300 sailing yachts entered, starts at the bottom of Lake Huron and heads north before making the turn to the finish line between Round Island and Mackinac Island. Racing analysts described todays early conditions as champagne sailing for the tight grouping of boats making their way past Hurons Northern Michigan coast. Later today, a wind change was expected to have the boats hugging closer to shore. Theres a small group in the lead now and are expected to reach the finish line by early afternoon. You can follow the race tracker here. READ MORE: Mackinac has an all-island team competing in this weekends Bayview Mackinac Race OTTAWA COUNTY, MI Construction crews will soon begin installing water main along one road in Ottawa County, causing some closures and delays for drivers in the coming weeks. The planned work in Holland Township is scheduled to start on Monday, July 22, according to the Ottawa County Road Commission. KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- Two are competing to become Schoolcraft Townships next clerk. Eska Brown and Joanne Wiley, both Republicans, will appear on the Aug. 6 ballot. No Democrats filed to be on the ballot. If there arent any write-in candidates in August or November, the winner of the August primary will win the race for clerk. The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 6. Brown, 49, has been deputy clerk in Schoolcraft Township for 9 years, according to Vote411. Brown has worked for the township for the past 15 years. Wiley has an associate degree in accounting and more than 10 years of accounting and management experience, according to Vote411. Virginia M. Mongreig has served as the townships current clerk for eight years. In 2016, Mongreig won the position by one vote over her opponent, 407 to 406. The position is a four-year term. MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund this year to provide voters with a Vote411 election guide. Candidates filled out general information about their campaigns and answered a list of questions from the League of Women Voters. What are your top three priorities for the office you seek? What do you hope to accomplish? Brown: 1. Provide information to newly registered voters on the process of voting for the first time and how to request an absentee ballot if you are away on election day. What is the procedure after you request an absentee ballot and how the ballot gets processed. 2. Have cemetery records available for individuals to look up online. They could look up where a relative is located in one of the three Township cemeteries. 3. Provide residents with information regarding all the services that are available to them, such as South County Community Services, Metro Connect, or when you can meet with your local state representative. Wiley: Equality of citizens, responsiveness, timeliness. I want to work for the citizens of our community in an open and responsive manner in a timely fashion. I will work with the neighboring townships and villages as a voice for the citizens of Schoolcraft Township. What essential talents, skills and experience would you bring to this office? Brown: I have worked for Schoolcraft Townwship for 15 years. I have been the deputy clerk for 9 years. In my years experience I have helped conduct many elections. I am familiar with the day to day workings of the township. I have assisted many families with cemetery needs and help maintain cemetery records. I also maintain the voter registration data base for the township. I have lived in Schoolcraft for 27 years of my life and am a Schoolcraft High alumni, as are my two children and husband. Wiley: I have 15 + years of management and accounting experience, I know how to speak to people in a professional manner that makes them feel their opinion matters. I have worked with comanies that are for profit, non profit, and municipalities, which shows diversity and the ability to work with people with different degrees of knowledge How would you advise voters to educate themselves about candidates and proposals to ensure that they have accurate information when they exercise their right and responsibility to vote? Brown: If you have questions, reach out to the candidate by email, phone, or mail or go to their website, if one is available. Ask questions to prior or current elected officials regarding candidates running for office. Check the newspaper, watch the local news, or research on the internet the proposals that you may be voting on and what it means your voting for. Wiley: Seek out information that the candidate has responded to. Check social media and print for candidates. If something does not sound correct contact the candidate for clarification. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cuts if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI In his first public rally since he was nearly killed in a failed assassination attempt, Donald Trump made a boisterous return to Michigan on Saturday, July 20, as massive crowds flocked to see the former president speak. Trumps rally in Grand Rapids Michigans second largest city was highly anticipated as the first campaign appearance with JD Vance, Trumps newly announced running mate on the 2024 Republican presidential ticket. Together, the two hit on several key policy issues including immigration, the border, the economy and the auto industry, while criticizing Democratic leaders, including President Joe Biden and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, for the current state of the country. Trump spoke for nearly two hours to a thousands of attendees. The event marked seven days since the bullet from a would-be assassin injured the former presidents ear July 13 at an outdoor rally in Pennsylvania. RELATED: I took a bullet for democracy, Trump tells Michigan crowd week after deadly rally Here are five key takeaways from Trumps visit to Grand Rapids: Trump can sell out a Michigan arena Michigan showed love to Trump in Grand Rapids, his first campaign appearance since he formally earned the Republican nomination. Donned in themed clothes, flags and pins, rally attendees filled Van Andel Arena to the brim. Nearly every seat was filled in the arena, which has a capacity of over 12,000, and Trump said there were more people lined up outside who couldnt enter. Theyve got so many people, I wish we could include them, Id love to get them in. Would anybody like to leave now and let them in? Trump joked with the crowd. RELATED: Ill stand out here for 8 hours for him: See massive line ahead of Trumps Michigan rally By 11 a.m. Saturday two hours before doors opened thousands of people were waiting outside in a 1.5-mile line that wrapped around the arena and traveled several blocks down Ionia Avenue. Some Trump supporters even camped outside Van Andel Arena the day before to get a good spot at the rally, bringing chairs, snacks and blankets to spend the night. Trump likes to insult Whitmer Trump took a jab at Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, calling her a terrible governor who did a terrible job during Saturdays rally. But, he said, he wouldnt mind running against her in the 2024 presidential election if President Joe Biden were to pull out of the race, as some Democrats have called for him to do. While Whitmers name has come up on a list of potential replacements, the governor has insisted she is in full support of Biden as the partys nominee. Id be very happy with her, Trump said, of Whitmer running in place of Biden on the Democratic ticket. RELATED: Trump says at Michigan rally he would welcome run against Whitmer if Biden drops out Trump also mentioned Whitmers husband, referencing a controversial incident from 2020 when her husband reportedly wanted to launch his boat during the peak of the COVID pandemic while stay-at-home orders were in place. Everybody else had to be locked up, right? Trump said, as the crowd booed. Auto manufacturing is a Michigan campaign pillar Trump devoted a large portion of his 115-minute speech to Michigans automotive industry, promising to rescue it from obliteration if elected president again. He said he planned to enact policy that would support creating more jobs in auto manufacturing. He pledged to prohibit plants built in foreign countries like Mexico and China and vowed to impose tariffs on cars assembled outside the U.S. We cant let these companies come in and steal our wealth, steal our jobs, destroy our companies, and then theyre building 10 miles across the border, and think were going to allow them to get away with it, he said. Were not. They have to build it over here. They have to use our people. Michigan will benefit more than any state in the union, because they stole your auto industry. And were going to bring it back. And its going to be at a level that it was at its height. He expressed opposition to Biden policies that incentivize companies to increase manufacturing of electric vehicles. Under the radical Democrat policies, the U.S. auto industry has been decimated, Trump said. To further protect Michigan auto workers, I will end the Biden-Harris electric vehicle mandate on day one. I will immediately terminate the green new scam, and were gonna use that money to build roads and highways and bridges. An Ohio politician receives a Michigan applause JD Vance may be a Buckeye, but he wont be taking any digs at the Wolverines as he works to win the key battleground state of Michigan this fall. I heard some O-Hs, but Im going to respect Michigan and not respond here, the 39-year-old Ohio Senator joked with the crowd. To my Ohio brethren, weve gotta win Michigan, thats the important thing this election cycle. Trump won Michigan in 2016, but lost it in 2020, and Kent County, home to Grand Rapids, flipped in 2020, going blue for Biden. RELATED: JD Vance slams Kamala Harris over border handling at Michigan Trump rally The crowd of Michiganders put aside their hostility toward Ohio for the day and cheered Vance. Vance, selected last week as Trumps vice presidential pick at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, was met with thunderous applause when he walked out to greet the crowd in Grand Rapids. As he headed to the stage to America First by Merle Haggard, thousands of supporters chanted USA before he even started speaking. We love you! attendees called out from the audience several times during Vances speech, to which he replied, I love you too. Vance called the rally attendees a hell of a crowd and thanked everyone for a warm welcome. What do they put in the water in Grand Rapids? You guys are a lot of fun, he said. The arena was full of energy and enthusiasm. When Trump walked on stage and stood alongside Vance, the audience cheered and applauded for several minutes as God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood blasted in the background. By the way, I made the right pick, Trump later said, of his selection of Vance. Hes really stepped up. Vice President nominee Sen. JD Vance of Ohio introduces former President Donald J. Trump to thousands of supporters at Van Andel Arena during campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Trump still insists the 2020 election was rigged Trump continued to repeat debunked claims that the 2020 election he lost by more than 154,000 votes in Michigan was rigged. Were not going to let them rig the election of 2024, he said. He promised to secure our election and urged voters to protect their votes, directing attendees to protectthevote.com, which urges people to stand up for election integrity. Our goal will be one-day voting with paper ballots, proof of citizenship and voter ID, Trump said. But until then, Republicans must win. We have to win, win, win, win, win. We want a landslide thats too big to rig. He also took aim at the Democrats. At this very moment, Democrat party bosses are frantically trying to overthrow the results of their own partys primaries to dump crooked Joe Biden from the ballot. Couldnt happen to a nicer guy, he said sarcastically. And as youre seeing, the Democratic Party is not the party of democracy. Theyre really the enemies of democracy. Biden won almost all his parties delegates in the Democratic primaries, but he has not yet been made the partys nominee. FLINT, MI U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee said he now will endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to run as the Democratic nominee for president in 2024. Kildee, a Democrat from Flint Township, released a statement about an hour after President Joe Biden publicly announced he was stepping down from the 2024 campaign on Sunday, July 21. Biden also endorsed Harris as his successor. Democrats must immediately come together around Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump, Kildees statement read. Kamala Harris has already been elected and earned the trust of the American people, and she has served honorably as vice president. She is uniquely qualified to serve as president of the United States. Kildee said Harris represents a new generation of leadership for our country. I know she has what it takes to win in November, the Congressman said. Among Michigan politicians, Kildee has served as one of Bidens most visible supporters. When the president travels to campaign in mid-Michigan a region Kildee represents in the U.S. House of Representatives the Congressman often accompanies the president on Air Force One. Kildee represents the 8th District House seat in Washington, D.C. The district represents parts of Arenac, Bay, Genesee, Iosco, Midland, Saginaw and Tuscola counties. Bidens decision to step down as a candidate came after growing pressure from top Democrats for Biden to exit the race following a June 27 debate in which critics and allies alike said the 81-year-old president seemed frail and unfit for another term in the office. Kildee was not among the Democrats who openly called for Biden to exit the election. Biden on Sunday announced he plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends in January. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted to his account on X, formerly known as Twitter. Nearly 30 minutes later, Biden gave his support to Harris, the partys instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said in another post on X. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Bidens announcement also comes during a presidential election cycle where Michigan considered a key state in securing the presidency in November has served as a frequent destination for both Biden and Trump. Trump hosted a political rally only one day earlier, on Saturday, July 20, in Grand Rapids. Biden visited the state eight days earlier during a rally at a Detroit high school. At the time, as a growing number of top Democrats called on the president to end his run for a second term, Biden supporters chanted, Dont you quit. I am running, and were going to win, Biden told the Detroit crowd of about 2,000 on Friday, July 12. Trump is a loser. 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. It was Bidens third visit to Detroit this year and his fourth trip to Michigan. In March, he hosted a rally in one of the counties Kildee represents: Saginaw County, considered by some political experts as a swing county in a swing state. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Thousands of people poured Saturday into West Michigan to show their support for Donald Trump. Photos and video captured by MLive showed lines that stretched over 1.5 miles as many hoped to see a glimpse of the Republican nominee for president. Two hours after the doors opened, the line to get in stretched more than 16 blocks. The Grand Rapids campaign event marked the first rally by former President Trump since a gunman nearly killed him a week earlier, on July 13 in Pennsylvania. RELATED: I took a bullet for democracy, Trump tells Michigan crowd week after deadly rally A bullet injured the former presidents ear at an outdoor rally. Inside the event MLive captured images from the catwalk showing thousands of supporters packing into arena Saturday afternoon. About 12,000 people filled Van Andel Arena on July 20, when Trump delivered a 115-minute speech, and U.S. Sen. JD Vance, his recently-announced running mate, participated in his first campaign event with the ex-president. Former President Donald J. Trump speaks to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance speaks to thousands of supporters at Van Andel Arena for a Donald J. Trump campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Former President Donald J. Trump speaks to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com People gather outside Van Andel Arena as they wait for the doors to open for former President Donald J. Trumps campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com People gather outside Van Andel Arena as they wait for the doors to open for former President Donald J. Trumps campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance speaks to thousands of supporters at Van Andel Arena for a Donald J. Trump campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance speaks to thousands of supporters at Van Andel Arena for a Donald J. Trump campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Vice President nominee Sen. JD Vance of Ohio introduces former President Donald J. Trump to thousands of supporters at Van Andel Arena during campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Former President Donald J. Trump talks to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Supporters cheer as former President Donald J. Trump heads off stage after his campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Thousands of supporters watch as former President Donald J. Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Former President Donald J. Trump speaks to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance speaks to thousands of supporters at Van Andel Arena for a Donald J. Trump campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Former President Donald J. Trump exits the stage after a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. A bandage can be seen on the right ear of the former president, after he was injured in an assassination attempt a week prior.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Supporters cheer as former President Donald J. Trump talks to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Supporters cheer as Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance takes the stage at Van Andel Arena for a Donald J. Trump campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Supporters cheer as former President Donald J. Trump talks to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com People gather outside Van Andel Arena as they wait for the doors to open for former President Donald J. Trumps campaign rally in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Former President Donald J. Trump speaks to thousands of supporters during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 21. The volume of oil and gas condensate production in Kazakhstan amounted to 44.6 million tons from January through June 2024, Trend reports, citing the country's Bureau of National Statistics. Thus, production volume decreased by 1.8 percent compared to the same period in 2023 (45.4 million tons). At the same time, the volume of oil production amounted to 38.4 million tons, which is 2.1 percent less than in the first quarter of 2023 (39.2 million tons). In addition, the production of gas condensate compared to the first quarter of 2023 decreased by 0.1 percent and amounted to 6.24 million tons. From January through June 2023, 6.25 million tons were produced. Furthermore, Kazakhstan produced 90 million tons of oil in 2023, which is 6.9 percent higher than in 2022. Oil exports also increased and amounted to 70.5 million tons, which is 9.6 percent more than the previous year. Moreover, Kazakhstan plans to increase oil production in 2024 to 90.3 million tons. In 2023, gas production in Kazakhstan amounted to 59.063 billion cubic meters, including large fields such as Tengiz (16.009 billion cubic meters), Karachaganak (22.385 billion cubic meters), Kashagan (11.856 billion cubic meters), and others (8.813 billion cubic meters). Kazakhstan is projected to produce 60.456 billion cubic meters of raw natural gas in 2024. GRAND RAPIDS, MI U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, and actor Hill Harper will face one another in the Aug. 6 primary for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat. Slotkin and Harper are vying to replace U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, who is retiring after more than 20 years in office. The winner will face the Republican nominee in the Nov. 5 general election. Three candidates are running in that primary: former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Howell; former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township; and Dr. Sherry ODonnell. A fourth candidate, businessman and economist Sandy Pensler, announced Saturday, July 20, he was ending his campaign and endorsed Rogers. Related: Meet the Republicans competing for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat Slotkin, who has a bachelors degree from Cornell University and a masters degree in international affairs from Columbia University, is a former CIA officer who was first elected to the U.S. House in 2018. At the time, she flipped a district held by Republican Mike Bishop, and she went on to win reelection in 2020 and then held onto a toss-up district in 2022 after redistricting. Harper, who was born in Iowa, is a union television actor, a small business owner, lawyer, nonprofit foundation founder, the author of six books and a 2017 transplant to the city of Detroit. He earned a bachelors degree from Brown University in economics and sociology, and has a law degree and a masters degree in public administration from Harvard University. MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund this year to provide voters with a Vote411 election guide that provides information about candidates running in local primary races across the state. Candidates were asked to fill out general information about their campaigns and answer a list of questions compiled by the League of Women Voters. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters or MLive, except for necessary cuts if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. Information on other state, county and local primary races can be found at Vote411.org. Heres how Slotkin and Harper responded to the Vote411 candidate questionnaire: Why are you running for U. S. Senate? Slotkin: My number one priority is to make it easier for Michiganders to get into the middle class. Ive long said Michigan is the state that invented the middle class; it did so by maintaining a strong union presence and making investments in small businesses and critical manufacturing areas, which I hope to reinforce. We can keep people in the middle class by reducing healthcare costs, putting Americans on the path to homeownership and making more critical items in America. We also have to defend against attacks on our rights and democracy; I am committed to restoring the national standard set by Roe, and ensuring voting rights for every American. Harper: Im a lawyer, union organizer, actor and single father who owns a well-known coffee shop in Detroit. Im not a career politician and am running for U.S. Senate to ensure Michiganders have economic security and real representation focused on people, not lobbyists or wealthy donors. My passion for service has given me the opportunity to sit on President Obamas Cancer Panel, write several best-selling books aimed at empowering marginalized young people, and establish a charitable foundation that helps young people achieve their dreams through scholarships, mentorships and grants. We can make a real difference in the lives of every day people. How, and to what extent, would you negotiate and compromise with your colleagues to pass critical legislation? Slotkin: In my career I have proudly worked for two presidents one Democrat and one Republican. This means that I take a deeply bipartisan approach to all of my work in Congress. I believe in bipartisanship in my bones: Republicans and Democrats working together to solve problems is exactly how our legislative process should work. My guiding principle in office has been to work with people based on how committed they are to serving their constituents, not by party affiliation. Serious leaders are willing to work with anyone to get things done; that has been my approach since I was first elected to the House in 2018. Harper: I seek to find common ground and shared values that allow us to pass critical legislation. What recommendations, if any, would you propose to change U. S. immigration policy? Slotkin: Our immigration system has been broken for years, and its imperative that as a nation of immigrants we figure out a way to fix it. Thats why since I arrived in Congress, Ive fought for common-sense, bipartisan solutions to secure the border, stop the flow of deadly substances like fentanyl, and fix our legal immigration system. I support a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and comprehensive immigration reform. Ive also championed bipartisan reforms to improve legal visa programs to better key them to our economic needs. Finally, Ive introduced bills to provide resources to secure our borders in a comprehensive and humane way. Harper: My focus is improving the pathway to citizenship and increasing the number of people working in the immigration pipeline from security to legal representation and judges. I am also focused on finding ways to increase our investment in new technologies to tighten security - particularly around smuggling to halt the flow of drugs and illicit goods entering the country. What policies, if any, will you advance regarding reproductive health? Slotkin: First, we need to codify the Roe standard into federal law. The biggest mistake we can make is thinking that overturning Roe was the end. It was only the beginning. Republicans across the country in courtrooms, State Legislatures, and Congress are targeting contraceptives, travel, abortion medication and even IVF. In Congress, I have defended a womans right to have a family when and how she chooses, including working to protect access to contraception and IVF and blocking Republican attempts to limit access to reproductive care among our servicemembers. Its why I am proud to have earned the endorsement of groups like Planned Parenthood. Harper: I will fight to guarantee everyones fundamental right to control their own bodies, nationwide and I will be a vote to codify Roe v. Wade in the Senate. More on MLive: Trump says at Michigan rally he would welcome run against Whitmer if Biden drops out Tupelo Honey worker loses job after Trump assassination attempt comment Early childhood health, learning millage renewal on Kent County August election ballot Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her job in the 2024 election will remain the same following President Joe Bidens announcement Sunday he will drop his bid for reelection. She will continue doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan, Whitmer posted on X, formerly Twitter, moments after Bidens announcement. The presidents decision came July 21 after escalating pressure from Bidens Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump, the Associated Press reported. RELATED: President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns Whitmer was a name often brought up as a replacement for Biden. She has repeatedly said she will not enter herself into the presidential election this year, and has served as the national co-chair for Bidens reelection campaign. Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure Americas global leadership over decades will go down in history, Whitmer said on X. President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure Americas global leadership over Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) July 21, 2024 Her spokesperson, when contacted Sunday, declined to offer further comment. Former President Trump, while in Grand Rapids on Saturday, said he would welcome a presidential contest with Whitmer. RELATED: First lady Jill Biden cancels Ann Arbor campaign stop as speculation swirls Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon ET on Jan. 20, 2025. Some Michigan lawmakers had mixed reactions to Bidens announcement U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce, questioned if Biden is mentally unfit to campaign for re-election, how is he mentally fit to remain President of the United States? If Joe Biden is mentally unfit to campaign for re-election, how is he mentally fit to remain President of the United States? Lisa McClain (@LisaForCongress) July 21, 2024 U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, said shes proud to partner with his administration to take on Big Pharma, bring down the cost of prescription drugs, and to secure the biggest federal investment in Michigans infrastructure since the 1950s. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 21. Uzbekistans trade turnover volume with Pakistan totaled $183.9 million from January through May 2024, Trend reports. According to the data from Uzbekistan's Statistics Agency, this figure indicates a 13.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year ($162.1 million in JanuaryMay 2023). Pakistan made it into the top countries with the biggest foreign trade turnover volume in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's exports to Pakistan totaled $128.3 million, which is 40.6 percent more year-on-year ($91.2 million in JanuaryMay 2023). The volume of imports from Pakistan to Uzbekistan reached $55.6 million from January through May 2024. This figure has decreased by 27.5 percent over the past year ($70.9 million in JanuaryMay 2023). Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover volume amounted to $26.7 billion from January through May 2024. This figure indicates a 3 percent growth year-on-year ($25.9 billion in JanuaryMay 2023). Uzbekistan's exports reached $10.8 billion, while imports totaled $15.9 billion during this period. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. The Israeli Air Force attacked weapons depots belonging to the armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, the army press service said, Trend reports. "During the night, the Israeli air force carried out strikes on two Hezbollah weapons depots in southern Lebanon, where missiles and other weapons were stored," the statement said. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on October 7, 2023. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. Israel declared a state of war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. US President Joe Biden says he is not seeking reelection in a letter posted to X on his official account, Trend reports. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, he wrote. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is outraged that Ukraine has blocked the supply of Russian oil to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline. He had a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on this issue. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported on Saturday evening, July 20, by Slovak media, including TASR, with reference to the country's government. Fico criticized Ukraine's inclusion of the Russian company Lukoil in the sanctions list, as its oil was also used by the Slovnaft refinery, which is part of the Hungarian MOL group. The politician considers these sanctions "meaningless" because, in his opinion, they harm not Russia, but mainly some EU countries. "Slovakia does not intend to be a hostage to Ukrainian-Russian relations, and the decision of the Ukrainian president means that the Slovak oil refinery Slovnaft, which is part of the Hungarian MOL group, will receive 40% less oil than it needs for processing. This will affect not only the Slovak market, but may also lead to the cessation of supplies to Ukraine of oil produced by Slovnaft, which accounts for almost a tenth of all Ukrainian consumption," Fico said. ADVERTISIMENT It is also reported that the head of the Slovak government has been discussing this issue with the relevant members of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as with MOL officials for several days. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - Russian company Lukoil has stopped transporting oil to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline since the end of June 2024. This happened after the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine expanded sanctions against Lukoil. - Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto was outraged by Ukraine's decision to stop the transit of Lukoil's Russian oil to Hungary. He said it was an "incomprehensible and unacceptable" decision. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Grapes are one of the most favorite crops in Ukraine. The process of harvesting it has its own peculiarities, so it requires special attention and knowledge. ADVERTISIMENT To get the best taste and quality of berries, you need to follow some rules. The NV publication described them in detail. The timing of the harvest is very important. If grapes are harvested too early, they will not taste good enough and will not ripen, and if they are harvested too late, the berries may burst or even wilt. In Ukraine, most grape varieties ripen between August and November, but on average, you can start harvesting in mid-September. However, each variety requires an individual approach. Harvesting different varieties In most cases, grape harvesting begins with white varieties, which are used to make wine. Table grapes can be picked even during the frost period, but in this case, they should be eaten immediately. Signs of ripeness The best way to tell if grapes are ripe is to taste them for 2-3 days. If the berries do not become sweeter, then you can harvest them. ADVERTISIMENT You can also understand that the grapes are ripe by the fact that the stalk of the bunches is becoming woody. Also, grapes that are ready for harvest exude a strong and pleasant odor, are easily removed from the bunches, and their seeds are light brown in color and easily separated from the pulp. White grapes are considered ripe when their skin becomes thin and transparent. In blue grapes, the flesh becomes more saturated and the skin darkens. If you are still not sure whether it is time to harvest, use an areometer to measure the amount of sugar. Rules for harvesting Never pluck the grapes. It is better to cut off the bunches carefully. Farmers advise picking berries at lunchtime, when there is no dew on the brushes. And if the harvest was caught in the rain, it is better not to touch it for at least three days. Experts also note that you should not put the berries in a bucket but put each bunch in a flat container. ADVERTISIMENT After picking, be sure to check for rotten and still green fruits. They can negatively affect the quality of all products. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. In Russia, a quarter of all Il-76MD-90A military aircraft have been out of service due to defective parts. Enemy equipment was damaged by bearings that did not meet the requirements of the documentation. ADVERTISIMENT As a result, five aircraft used by the Russians to transport troops and cargo were out of commission due to problems with the landing gear. This was reported by Russian media. In connection with the failure of the aircraft, the Russian Federation opened a criminal case against the supplier of bearings for Il-76MD-90A aircraft. According to the investigation, the Balashikha Foundry and Mechanical Plant purchased bearings from an unknown manufacturer and handed them over to Aviastar for the production of aircraft. Low-quality spare parts led to landing gear problems in five aircraft. According to preliminary data, the Russian Ministry of Defense had a total of 18 Il-76MD-90A aircraft at its disposal at the end of 2023, 11 of which were delivered in 2022-2023. The Russian terrorist agency signed the first contract for the supply of Il-76MD-90A back in 2012. According to it, Aviastar was supposed to deliver 39 aircraft by 2018, but in 2020, the contract was decided to be relaxed. Under the old terms, Aviastar was supposed to deliver 13 aircraft by 2021, and a new contract for 14 aircraft would come into force in 2021. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, Ukrainian soldiers shot down another Russian Su-25 on July 19. The enemy attack aircraft was destroyed in the Pokrovske direction by the defenders of the 110th Brigade named after Lieutenant General Marko Bezruchko. Earlier it was reported that the strikes on July 20 caused some damage to the Russian military airfield Millerovo in Rostov region. In particular, the explosions destroyed the buildings of the maintenance unit and the fuel and lubricants warehouse. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Follow us on: Ram Charan to be honoured at IFFM 2024 in Melbourne Follow us on: Budget 2024: E&P sector likely to urge tax cuts, customs exemptions to boost domestic production, says report Follow us on: Primary market to be busy next week with 8 IPO launches, 8 listings: Check details here On July 20, the strikes caused some damage to the Russian military airfield Millerovo in Rostov region. In particular, the explosions destroyed the buildings of the technical and operational unit and the fuel and lubricants warehouse. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Radio Liberty. The consequences of the "pop" were shown on satellite images in video format. According to the Russians, the military airfield near Dolotynka was attacked by "Ukrainian" drones on Saturday night. Local residents counted more than 16 explosions in the area, and they were also heard in the vicinity of the oil depot. One of the images taken after the strike shows three fire centers. According to the Wikimapia service, one of them was on the site of the maintenance hangar. ADVERTISIMENT The second fire broke out in an open area near the runways, and the third fire broke out where one of the fuel and lubricant depots is located. "The photo from space confirms the statements of Russian sources that the planes were not damaged during the drone strike," the journalists noted. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the morning of July 13, Ukrainian drones hit an oil depot in Tsymlyansk, Rostov region of the Russian Federation. The aggressor country's Defense Ministry claimed that it had "intercepted and destroyed" two drones over the region, but surveillance cameras recorded four arrivals. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Dalal Street Week Ahead: Union Budget, Q1 Earnings, US GDP among 10 key factors to watch OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Mumbai Rains:Be on high alert, CM tells officials as Mumbai, parts of Maharashtra receive heavy rains OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Government wont last long: Mamata, Akhilesh attack BJP at joint rally in Kolkata Follow us on: Heritage not just history, but shared consciousness of humanity: PM Modi OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Indian-origin man shot dead in suspected road rage incident in US state Indiana Follow us on: In all-party meet, Congress seeks LS Dy Speaker's post for opposition, JD(U) demands special status for Bihar; YSRCP for Andhra You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Unite and work to make Maharashtra premier destination for industry: Sharad Pawar Follow us on: 'If helpless people come ...': Mamata Banerjee's offer for shelter as Bangladesh crisis spirals On the morning of July 21, a series of explosions occurred in several areas of the temporarily occupied Crimea. After that, the alarm went off in military units in Sevastopol, and the residents were alerted to the "ballistic" signal. ADVERTISIMENT Soon after, the occupiers' henchmen reported smoke and air defense systems. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported this with reference to subscribers from the peninsula. According to them, loud explosions were heard in Dzhankoy, Krasnogvardeysk and Krasnoperekopsk districts. "Russian air defense is working in Dzhankoy, smoke is rising over the village of Novostepove," the messages say. Afterwards, propaganda publics started spreading information about alleged strikes from Ukraine. They claim that "ATACMS missiles are flying to Crimea". As reported by OBOZ.UA, the situation in the temporarily occupied Crimea has led to massive cancellations of tours by Russians for "rest" at local resorts. This was facilitated by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, which periodically remind the invaders of their illegal stay on the Ukrainian peninsula. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Best cities to find a job in the US Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Follow us on: Nepal PM Oli to handover power to Deuba after two years under coalition deal OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Nepal's Parliament to vote on confidence motion on PM Oli's government Follow us on: Yemen rebels say death toll rises to six in Israeli strike on port Flash Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, mourns the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong at the Embassy of Vietnam in China on July 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, went to the Embassy of Vietnam in China on Saturday to mourn the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. In the hall of condolence in the embassy, laid in front of a portrait of Trong were wreaths sent by Xi and other members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi. There were also wreaths sent by the Central Committee of the CPC, the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Central Military Commission, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Beijing Municipal Government, and relevant people's organizations. Xi walked to the portrait of Trong, paused to observe a moment of silence before bowing three times to the portrait, and wrote down a message with his signature on the book of condolences. Praising Trong as a staunch Marxist and a great leader of the CPV and the Vietnamese people, Xi said that Trong had devoted himself entirely to the CPV and the country, to the Vietnamese people and to the cause of socialism in Vietnam, and had been deeply respected and admired by the party, military and people of Vietnam. Xi recalled that over the past decade, he and Trong had maintained close contact and developed a deep camaraderie, and that last year they jointly announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, a milestone in bilateral ties. "The passing of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong has deprived us of a promoter of China-Vietnam relations and a companion for the cause of socialism, and we are deeply saddened," said Xi. He said that Trong's outstanding contribution to the relations between the two parties and the two countries, and to the cause of the global socialist movement will always be remembered. Xi stressed that the CPC and the Chinese government firmly support the CPV in uniting and leading the Vietnamese people to take a path of socialism that suits Vietnam's national conditions. It is believed that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee, the Vietnamese people will surely be able to turn grief into strength and continue to make greater achievements in the cause of reform, opening up and socialist construction, Xi said. He said he firmly believes that China and Vietnam will continue to work together to make profound and solid progress in building the China-Vietnam community of a shared future. Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai said the fact that General Secretary Xi personally came to express condolences and the CPC Central Committee sent a message of condolence to the Central Committee of the CPV with no delay has reflected the great importance the CPC and the Chinese government attach to the relations between the two parties and countries, as well as the special feelings General Secretary Xi has for Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong. The Vietnamese side is deeply moved and deeply grateful, said the ambassador. Noting that Trong had attached great importance to the relationship with China and made tremendous efforts and contributions to the development of Vietnam-China friendship, Mai said the Vietnamese side will carry on the legacy of Trong. Mai said Vietnam will implement well the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, adhere to the strategic choice and top priority of developing friendly cooperation with China for Vietnam's foreign policy, and push forward the building of a community with a shared future with strategic significance between Vietnam and China. Cai Qi, Wang Yi and other Chinese officials attended the condolence activities. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan could not give a specific answer to the question of whether the United States would allow Ukraine to use American weapons for deeper strikes on Russian territory. The conditions may change depending on the situation. ADVERTISIMENT He said this at a conference at the Aspen Institute on July 19. Sullivan noted that this issue had already been discussed with the president at a press conference after the NATO summit. The US president emphasized that Washington is constantly reviewing its policy in line with changes in the war and Ukraine's needs. This means that the conditions for the use of American weapons may change depending on the situation. "This question was asked to the president at a press conference after the NATO summit, and he essentially said that we are closely following the situation - what Ukraine needs, what we can offer - and make our judgments accordingly. And as the war in Ukraine changes, our support changes, the opportunities we provide evolve, and the parameters we set for them change. So I cannot give a definite answer to this question about the future," he said. ADVERTISIMENT He also recalled that President Biden has already adjusted the policy on the use of weapons, allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory in certain cases when Russia intensified its actions near Kharkiv. Sullivan emphasized that the United States is an important partner for Ukraine, but he could not predict how the new administration's policies will change. He expressed confidence that the transition of the coordination of military support to NATO will ensure the stability of assistance to Ukraine despite political changes in Washington. "I cannot predict what will happen in the fall or next year. What I can tell you is that the establishment of this architecture (of NATO's security assistance to Ukraine - ed.), in my opinion, gives us the best opportunity to provide Ukraine with the support that it not only needs, but fundamentally deserves from its partners in the West. And I will do everything I can to ensure that this continues," Sullivan said. ADVERTISIMENT He also noted that European countries are already strengthening their defense capabilities, which, in his opinion, will help Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself. Sullivan emphasized the importance of NATO's role in the long-term support of Ukraine, noting that the alliance will continue its assistance for many years, regardless of changes in the US administration. Earlier, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said that after the NATO summit, the US position on allowing the use of ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russia had not changed. At the same time, she emphasized that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have other long-range weapons for such strikes, which were not transferred by Washington. As reported, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Administration, explained that by the phrase "strikes deep into Russia," Ukraine does not mean a demonstration of single explosions in Russia, but the systematic destruction of Russian air bases and military production facilities. The right strategy involves weakening the aggressor country in three ways. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The United Kingdom has found a way to resume the production of artillery barrels. First of all, they will be used to support Ukraine's artillery systems. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defense. The British company Sheffield Forgemasters, which can produce the largest and most technically complex cast and forged steel parts in the world, will help with the production of the barrels. "This is the first step towards sovereign production of barrels in the UK," the ministry said. Such support from the British industry will allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to maintain vital systems, including L119 light howitzers and AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems. Earlier, the United Kingdom announced that it would provide Ukraine with new barrels for the AS-90 self-propelled howitzers as part of its military assistance. The AS-90 is equipped with a 155-mm L31A1 gun with a barrel length of 39 caliber manufactured by BAE Systems Global Combat Systems. ADVERTISIMENT At that time, it was already known that BAE Systems was no longer able to produce barrels for these artillery systems. The United Kingdom found itself in a situation where part of its strategically important defense capabilities came to a standstill during the so-called post-Cold War global disarmament. As reported by OBOZ.UA, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Prime Minister's residence on Downing Street on July 19 and called the meeting "historic." During the meeting, he promised that London would double its support for Ukraine. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The political landscape in Zimbabwe is once again abuzz with speculation and intrigue as the succession race within the ruling Zanu-PF party heats up. While President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared his intention to retire at the end of his second term in 2028, whispers of a pre-determined power handover to his deputy, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, continue to circulate, casting a long shadow over the partys future, The Standard has reported. The air is thick with tension, a palpable reminder of the tumultuous events of 2017, when the military intervened to remove Robert Mugabe from power. This intervention, while initially seen as a necessary step to restore the partys legacy, has now become a focal point of contention as Zanu-PF navigates its future leadership. The whispers of a pre-arranged succession plan, with Chiwenga poised to inherit the presidency, have ignited a firestorm of debate within the party. These rumours, fueled by persistent reports of a secret agreement between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, allegedly struck in the aftermath of the 2017 coup, have left many questioning the partys commitment to democratic principles. However, Zanu-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa has categorically dismissed these rumours, asserting that the party will adhere to its democratic principles and choose its next leader through a transparent process. Everyone who goes into politics, and has an ambition to be a leader must play by the rules, especially of a revolutionary democratic party, Mutsvangwa declared in an exclusive interview with The Standard on Friday. Mutsvangwas pronouncements, however, have done little to quell the growing unease within the party. The alleged pact, according to these reports, promised Chiwenga the presidency after Mnangagwa served one term, a scenario that has raised concerns about the potential for a power grab rather than a democratic transition. Zanu PF is not a church where people can be anointed, Mutsvangwa stated emphatically, drawing a stark comparison between the party and religious institutions. Dont try to foist the president upon yourselves. The president is not the Pope of the Catholic Church or the Archbishop of Canterbury, who anoints priests. He further emphasized the partys commitment to democratic principles, stating that any aspiring presidential candidate must earn their position through campaigning and winning the support of the electorate. President Mnangagwa is an elected leader of a revolutionary democratic party. There is no godly anointment in Zanu PF, Mutsvangwa asserted. This assertion, however, rings hollow in the ears of many Zanu-PF members, who recall the events of 2017 and the role played by the military in removing Mugabe. The intervention, while initially praised by some for restoring the partys legacy, has now become a source of deep mistrust and suspicion. The whispers of a secret deal and the calls for Mnangagwas extended tenure have further fueled the perception that the party is more interested in maintaining its grip on power than in upholding democratic principles. The calls for Mnangagwas extended tenure, originating from provincial structures in Midlands and Masvingo, have added another layer of complexity to the already delicate situation. While Mutsvangwa acknowledged the popular support for Mnangagwa, attributing the calls for his extended tenure to his successful vision for the country, he stressed the importance of upholding the constitution and respecting the democratic process. People are going to vote for their leaders from the grassroots level, he said. The president is a constitutionalist. He is a lawyer and respects the constitution. They may desire him, but he is a constitutionalist, like he said. However, the calls for Mnangagwas extended tenure have been met with resistance from other factions within the party, who see it as an attempt to circumvent the democratic process and maintain the status quo. The partys internal divisions are a reminder of the deep-seated power struggles that have plagued Zanu-PF for decades. The succession battle is not simply a matter of choosing a new leader; it is a battle for the soul of the party and the future of Zimbabwe. The simmering tension within Zanu-PF stems from the events of 2017, when the military intervened to remove Mugabe from power, citing his alleged attempts to sideline war veterans from the succession race and favour a faction linked to his wife. This intervention, while initially seen as a necessary step to restore the partys legacy, has now become a focal point of contention as the party navigates its future leadership. Mutsvangwas strong stance against any pre-determined succession plan, coupled with his veiled threats to expose those who participated in the 2017 coup, has sent a clear message that the party is headed towards a power struggle showdown. However, the whispers of a secret deal and the calls for Mnangagwas extended tenure suggest that the path to a smooth transition of power may be fraught with challenges. Breaking News via Email Related Zimbabwe Latest News Bulawayo The corner of 11th Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Street in Bulawayo is a familiar sight for many commuters and locals alike. Its a bustling hub of activity, a microcosm of the citys vibrant energy, where vendors hawk their wares, taxis jostle for passengers, and the aroma of roasted maize fills the air. But for one man, Zibusiso Sibanda, this corner represents a stark reality, a far cry from the dreams he carried across the Limpopo River 25 years ago. Sibanda, now 45, is a familiar face in this bustling corner, not for his entrepreneurial spirit or his vibrant personality, but for his simple task: washing cars. He is one of a handful of men who have found a meagre living in this corner, offering their services to those seeking a quick car wash or a safe haven for their vehicles in the citys crowded streets. His story is a poignant reminder of the harsh realities that often accompany the pursuit of a better life. Sibanda left Bulawayo in 1998, his heart filled with aspirations inspired by the tales of those who had returned from South Africa with their pockets lined and their lives transformed. He dreamt of a life of prosperity, a life where the hum of powerful sound systems in sleek cars with GP and LP number plates would be a constant soundtrack. But fate, it seems, had other plans. Sibandas journey was fraught with challenges, his hopes dashed against the unforgiving realities of a foreign land. He found himself caught in a cycle of precarious jobs and legal troubles, his dreams of a better life replaced by the harsh realities of prison walls. When I got to South Africa I started doing various jobs including working in restaurants. Lady Lucky was, however, not really been smiling at me often as I was always in and out of prison for things like not having proper documentation among others. I couldnt keep the many jobs that I got owing to the arrests and detention, he recounted, his voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and despair. The turning point came in the final years of his stay, when he was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property. The last straw that cracked my back was in the last few years of my stay. I was found with what was suspected to be stolen property. I couldnt account for it through receipts and I was arrested and placed on remand for several years, he explained. He was eventually sentenced to eight years in prison, a sentence that he believes shattered his life. His parents, who had remained in their family home in Magwegwe North, passed away while he was behind bars. When I left the country, my mother and father were staying at our family house in Magwegwe North. I later benefited from a parole that would see me getting out of prison and being deported last year. When I got back, I was informed that my mother had passed on in 2019 and my father the following year in 2020. I was told that when my father fell ill in 2020 he sold the house. So when I came, I had nowhere to stay and I had nothing on me since I was coming from prison. I then opted to stay on the streets behind Bulawayo Central Police Station, he said, his voice heavy with the weight of his loss. The harsh realities of his situation are contrast to the dreams he carried with him when he left Bulawayo all those years ago. His journey is a reminder of the challenges faced by many Zimbabweans who seek a better life beyond their borders. The allure of a prosperous life in South Africa, often fuelled by tales of success and the sight of gleaming cars with foreign number plates, can be a powerful motivator. But for many, the reality is far more complex, a harsh struggle against poverty, discrimination, and legal challenges. Breaking News via Email Related Zimbabwe Latest News The far-right National Rally party, whose leader is Marine Le Pen, known for her pro-Russian views, did not win any key positions in the National Assembly after the election. The politician expressed outrage and said that it was a "shameful maneuver." ADVERTISIMENT She wrote about this on X (Twitter). As reported by BFM TV, today, July 20, France elected the heads of eight standing committees of the lower house of parliament. It is noted that the bloc of the current President Emmanuel Macron has united with a coalition of the left and even the right-wing Republicans party to prevent Le Pen's party from obtaining important positions. The National Rally was also denied positions in the Bureau of the National Assembly. It is considered the governing body of the French parliament. "The agreement made between the Macronists and Laurent Wauquiez to give the latter the representation to which the RN is legally entitled in the Bureau of our Assembly is a shameful maneuver. Almost 11 million voters were thus disenfranchised in favor of a party that garnered only 1.5 million," she said. ADVERTISIMENT As reported, the far-right National Rally hoped to win the second round of elections in France, but "lost" them, taking only third place. As a result of the election, the New Popular Front party won 182 seats in the parliament; Macron's Ensemble coalition won 168 seats, and Marine Le Pen's National Rally only had 143 seats. It was believed that the leftists had too many differences with Macron's party. Le Pen, the de facto leader of the National Rally, now claims that this is not the case and that the New Popular Front and Ensemble "are united by a hatred of democracy." This is how she commented on the left's statement about creating a barrier to the appointment of far-rightists to office. As a reminder, after the failure of the parliamentary elections to the European Parliament, French President Macron dissolved the National Assembly in June and called early parliamentary elections in the country. The first round took place in late June. ADVERTISIMENT According to its results, the far-right National Rally party was in the lead. Marine Le Pen's camp was already celebrating the victory, as the party received more than 33% of the vote, while the New Popular Front received less than 29% (the party of current President Macron, then only 21% of the vote). Now the parties that have been elected to the country's parliament face a major challenge, namely forming a new legislative body. That is, they need to form coalitions to be able to pass new laws and shape the country's policy. Le Pen had previously promised that after winning the election, the National Rally would change France's overall policy on assistance to Ukraine. If the head of this party, Jordan Bardella, became the new prime minister, France would not allow Ukraine to use its weapons to strike Russian territory. ADVERTISIMENT She also promised to block the potential deployment of French troops to Ukraine, as previously proposed by Macron. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The airwaves have once again been charged with the electrifying voice of Chimurenga music legend, Thomas Mapfumo, this time echoing a call for the complete dismantling of Zanu PF, the ruling party that has held sway over Zimbabwe for decades. In a scathing critique of President Emmerson Mnangagwas administration, Mapfumo, who remains in self-imposed exile, has declared that the partys grip on power must be broken for the nation to truly find freedom. Dont listen to lies, Mapfumo thundered in an interview with The Standard. Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF leaders are liars. They are not genuine people. Even if Mnangagwa leaves office nothing will change, the whole party is the root problem and it should be removed. The veteran musicians pronouncements come on the heels of Mnangagwas recent statement in Mutare, where he declared that he would not seek a third term in office, adhering to the countrys constitutional limitations. While this declaration might have been met with a sense of relief by some, Mapfumo dismisses it as mere political theatre. Chiwenga (Constantino) is also on the sidelines, waiting for his chance to take up office, Mapfumo added, highlighting the perceived power struggle within the ruling party. The party stinks of corruption and maladministration. Nothing will change. They grabbed power from Mugabe and if you ask him (Mnangagwa) why he did that and if it has helped the people he wont have any response. He just wanted power and nothing to benefit the people. Mapfumos words resonate with a growing sentiment of disillusionment amongst Zimbabweans who have endured years of economic hardship and political instability under Zanu PFs rule. The musicians call for a complete overhaul of the party, a sentiment echoed by many in the opposition, is a stark reminder of the deep-seated grievances that continue to simmer beneath the surface of Zimbabwean society. The veteran musician, known for his politically charged lyrics that have often served as a voice for the voiceless, is urging citizens to take a stand against the status quo. He sees mass action as the only viable path to change. I told (Nelson) Chamisa that nothing will change if he and the people keep quiet, Mapfumo said, referring to the former leader of the main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). All those talks of God is in it wont change the status quo. If you dont fight back nothing will. Keeping quiet gives Zanu PF an advantage; they know that you are afraid of them. People should go into the streets, look at Kenya, they live better than Zimbabweans but they went into the streets. Mapfumos call for street protests, a tactic that has been met with brutal crackdowns by the government in the past, is a bold statement that reflects the growing frustration with the current political landscape. While some may view his call as a risky proposition, given the history of state repression, it is a testament to the depth of his commitment to seeing a free and prosperous Zimbabwe. Breaking News via Email Related Zimbabwe Latest News President Hakainde Hichilema has taken the unprecedented step of firing the entire board of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The move, announced on July 20th, 2024, came after allegations of corruption surfaced against the very body tasked with rooting out graft in the nation. The accusations, which the board vehemently denies, allege that they accepted bribes from politicians who were under investigation for corruption. The whistleblower, a former board member named OBrien Kaaba, claims that the ACC has been engaging in legally senseless settlements that grant immunity to corrupt individuals, effectively shielding them from justice. Going by press reports, ACC, for example, has made legally senseless settlements immunising some of the most corrupt individuals, thereby shielding them from justice and accountability, Kaaba wrote in a statement earlier this week. He further alleged that the same immunity deals used under the previous government, the Patriotic Front, are now being employed by the current administration, casting doubt on their commitment to fighting corruption. Kaabas accusations have sparked a firestorm of controversy, with the former board members vehemently denying the allegations. However, the timing of the firings, coming just days after the resignation of ACC head Thom Shamakamba, has fuelled speculation that the allegations hold weight. Both Shamakamba and the countrys solicitor-general, Marshal Muchende, were accused of receiving kickbacks, allegations they have strongly refuted. The allegations against the ACC board have raised serious questions about the integrity of Zambias anti-corruption efforts. The ACC, established to investigate and prosecute corruption, is now itself accused of engaging in corrupt practices. This development has left many questioning the effectiveness of the institution and its ability to effectively combat corruption within the country. President Hichilema, who came to power in 2021 on a platform of fighting corruption, has been vocal in his commitment to cleaning up the political landscape. His administration has been actively investigating former government officials accused of graft, and the recent firings are seen as a testament to his zero-tolerance approach. Dissolving the board was necessary to renew the Anti-Corruption Commissions sacred mandate, stated a statement from the Zambian presidency. The statement announcing Shamakambas resignation was also issued by State House, leading some to speculate that he may have been pressured to step down. The allegations against the ACC board and the subsequent firings have sent a clear message that President Hichilema is serious about tackling corruption, even within the ranks of his own government. However, the incident has also raised concerns about the potential for political interference in the fight against corruption. The allegations against the ACC board are a stark reminder that corruption is a complex and pervasive issue that can infiltrate even the most well-intentioned institutions. The incident also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption, ensuring that all institutions are held to the highest standards. The future of Zambias anti-corruption efforts remains uncertain. The firing of the entire ACC board has left a void in the fight against graft, and it remains to be seen whether the government will be able to effectively address the allegations and restore public confidence in the institution. The incident serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that the battle against corruption is a constant struggle that requires vigilance and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders. The recent events in Zambia have also raised concerns about the broader fight against corruption in the region. The incident underscores the need for strong institutions, independent oversight, and a commitment to transparency and accountability in order to effectively combat corruption and ensure good governance. Breaking News via Email Related Zimbabwe Latest News Our brain doesnt perceive time as a clock. Instead, time flows with experiences, study finds ZME Science Is The Future Worth It? The Break Down The puzzle as propaganda Africa Is A Country Climate/Environment Water Lithium Critical to the Energy Transition Is Coming at the Expense of Water Inside Climate News Pandemics Everyone Is Getting Covid In Summer 2024 Because Covid Is Over And Seasonal And Getting It Again Builds Your Immunity So You Wont Get It Again But Youll Definitely Get It Again This Winter And Maybe Next Summer Because Its Seasonal And Over But Itll Be Fine, Honestly pic.twitter.com/3KpudE9J0Y The Vertlartnic (@TheVertlartnic) July 20, 2024 I also hear from farm workers who believe theyve been exposed & infected w/ #H5N1, very symptomatic. Theyve reached out to @CDCgov for help, guidance, and mostly testing. They say, outreach has been ignored; no follow up, no call back, no investigation, no help getting https://t.co/2fEhNrlkK5 Rick Bright (@RickABright) July 19, 2024 None of the blood samples collected from people who had been exposed to infected dairy cows in Michigan showed H5N1 antibodies. This is an important finding because it suggests that asymptomatic infections in people are not occurring. https://t.co/A7rbmeEEw9 Marguerita Cattell (@MegCattell) July 19, 2024 Africa India India-Russia relations march ahead Gateway House The End is Nigh As Government Crackdown Sparks Bloodshed and Fury Across Bangladesh The Wire Understanding the quota-reformation protests in Bangladesh The Leaflet China? Its a pity that some of the US experts dont understand the nature of Taiwans public opinion. If US only presses Taiwan to defend itself, Taiwanese people will feel unease and Skepticism on US will spread in Taiwan. CPP has been trying to create this situation for years. https://t.co/w43FpojRtg ogasawara_yoshiyuki (@ogasawara_yoshi) July 20, 2024 Syraqistan Netanyahu claims Al Hudaydah port in Yemen that Israel struck used to supply Iranian weapons to Houthis Anadolu Agency. Commentary: Israel bombing a Yemeni port critical for humanitarian aid is on brand, and a consequence of letting Israel weaponize starvation. Now theres accounts on here calling for Israel to starve Yemenisbecause starving 2 million Palestinians in Gaza is apparently not enough for them. Assal Rad (@AssalRad) July 20, 2024 BBC on the Houthi drone attack that hit a target in Tel Aviv. This attack calls into question the billions of dollars spent by the American and British coalition in the region. This is Yemens deepest attack yet and is significant in terms of both timing and location. https://t.co/QjlM6KDJNb pic.twitter.com/RVm8REcPPx Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) July 20, 2024 39 Years later on, theyre still trying the same Iran is in the final stages of a nuclear bomb line. Theyre getting desperate to start WW3. pic.twitter.com/yWYWXleqxA Ken OKeefe (@KenOKeefe1TJP) July 19, 2024 European Disunion New Not-So-Cold War Old Blighty South of the Border Biden US: Joe Biden completes his sixth dose of Paxlovid. Has KP.2.3 variant. Still experiencing a loose, nonproductive cough and hoarseness Letter from White House Physician, 20th July 2024https://t.co/19ToEYIDyr pic.twitter.com/FIoFR5vOiv CoronaHeadsUp (@CoronaHeadsUp) July 20, 2024 Obamas unseen but clearly felt presence has brought a Shakespearean quality to the drama now playing out. One former aide at last months Hollywood fundraiser said Obama seemed shaken by how much Biden had aged and appeared disoriented. https://t.co/eiFCtLVCGI Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) July 19, 2024 2024 Trump Vance His investment firm, Narya Capital, still owns a significant stake in this company. It says here that Vance stepped back from running Narya Capital. But theres no sign that hes sold his stake or handed over control of his ownership.https://t.co/9Y7f8vPRDI Dr Sarah Taber (@SarahTaber_bww) July 17, 2024 Realignment and Legitimacy So important. The rise of conspiracy theories is not just some natural expression of an alienated working class it is an intentional strategy funded by billionaires so that they can steal our money and destroy the planet. https://t.co/ksWAA4NwXU Alex Vitale (@avitale) July 20, 2024 Boeing Imperial Collapse Watch Liars, war-mongers and politics at the apex of power Gilbert Doctorow, Armageddon Newsletter Abortion Abortion gets the silent treatment at the RNC The 19th Groves of Academe After todays ICJ ruling, any university presidents who sent police to dismantle protest encampments or threatened to do so are explicitly on par with their counterparts in the 1980s who worked to shut down campus protests of apartheid South Africa. T. Ryan Gregory (@TRyanGregory) July 19, 2024 Healthcare? Private Medicare Plans and Vertical Integration Yields UnitedHealth $15.8 Billion in Profits Between January and June HEALTH CARE un-covered Police State Watch The Body Camera: The Language of our Dreams Yale Journal of Law & Liberation Crowdstrike CrowdStrike is the cyberfirm that generated the claim that Russia hacked the DNC, setting off Russiagate. Even though CrowdStrike was working for the Clinton campaign, the FBI relied on it rather than independently investigate the hacked DNC servers. It only emerged four Aaron Mate (@aaronjmate) July 19, 2024 Global IT outage shows dangers of cashless society, campaigners say The Guardian Class Warfare Screening Room Egalitarian Production Dollars & Sense Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Conor here: The US sure doesnt make it easy to do personal risk assessments. By Derrick Z. Jackson, a former columnist at the Boston Globe. Cross posted from Common Dreams. Extreme heat and wildfire smoke should of course be defined as major disasters by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. According to the National Weather Service, heat kills more people in this nation than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lightning combined. The Washington Post reported that extreme heat killed at least 28 people across the nation in the past week. Yet, despite several requests from states over the years, most recently California during a 2022 heat dome and wildfires, no White House has ever approved a disaster declaration for heat or smoke. Some states outright ignore the dangers in the name of greed. Over the last 13 months, Texas and Florida have enacted laws that block localities from issuing heat protection rules for workers. Nationally, the Biden administration proposed on July 2 new rules to protect workers from heat. But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a host of construction and agricultural lobbying groups have opposed the prospect of rules for months and are sure to oppose them in the courts. It is clear that the opposition is willing to risk sacrificing lower-wage construction and farm workers to the suns brutality as executives count the cash in air conditioned offices. Farm workers make an average $13.59 an hour. Hispanic construction laborers make $15.34 an hour, well below the $25-an-hour living wage for a family of four in the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Living Wage Calculator. Farm workers respectively have 35 times and 12 times higher risk of heat-related injuries than in all other industries. Making the latest case for disaster declarations is a consortium of 31 environmental, public health, labor, and justice groups, led by the Center for Biological Diversity. In a June 17 petition to FEMA, the groups warned that the record-breaking heat and fire disasters we are already experiencing are likely only the beginning. The worlds nations, particularly the top burners of fossil fuels such as the United States, have yet to unify to prevent uncontrolled global warming. These may be the coolest days and the cleanest air of the 21st century, the petition said, and it is already unbearably hot and unsafe for too many Americans. The petitioners hope that disaster declarations can unlock federal funds for short-term relief such as cooling centers, water supplies, emergency air conditioning and air filtration systems, and financial assistance for evacuations. Declarations could also lead to money for long-term, proactive mitigation, such as renewable energy storage and microgrids to withstand utility blackouts, and retrofitting of homes and buildings to be more energy efficient and weatherized. That is vitally important for disadvantaged families who are more likely to live on shadeless, asphalt and concrete heat islands. Such communities are often already overburdened with pollution associated with fossil fuel burning and proximity to polluting industries. The petition called extreme heat a harm multiplier for these communities because of poor housing stock, difficulty in paying utility bills, and pre-existing poorer health. In making their case, the 31 environmental groups cite data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, projecting that financial cost of extreme heat in the United States will explode fivefold to half a trillion dollars a year by 2050. There is something else that would make their case even stronger: Data on people. The federal government is woefully behind university researchers in calculating the current and future mortality of heat and smoke. It should be just as much an emergency for the government to tell us the toll of heat and wildfire smoke. Especially since the government itself says most heat-related deaths are preventable. Death Behind Closed Doors Property damage from tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods is easy to visualize and leaves the costs of emergency assistance and repair without much question. Because of the nations overall wealth, which gives us relatively sturdier dwellings and stronger rebuilds, deaths from those weather disasters are a fraction of the fatalities suffered in lesser resourced parts of the world. For instance, while Hurricane Katrina took 1,400 lives in the US in 2005, Cyclone Nargis in the Bay of Bengal made landfall in Myanmar in 2008 and killed 140,000 people100 times more people than Katrina. People perishing by heat or smoke one by one in the privacy of their homes or in the sterility of hospitals is relatively invisible. An analysis of heat deaths by the Cincinnati Enquirer found that about half of heat deaths happen at home, often to people who lack air conditioning, are elderly with pre-existing medical conditions, or who are socially isolated. The petition by environmental groups points to the current invisibility of heat deaths. It cites federal data saying there were 2,300 deaths last year where heat was listed as a factor on death certificates. That by itself was a record in nearly a half-century of such record keeping. But left as is, that toll would seem to pale next to last years nearly 43,000 car fatalities, nearly 43,000 gun-related deaths, or 107,000 drug overdose deaths. The number of heat deaths is assuredly far more. Heat is often not listed on death certificates as a contributing factor to the final cause of death, such as kidney failure, organ failure, and heart attack. There is no uniform protocol tying together how the federal government, the 50 states, or the nations 3,000 counties calculate heat-related deaths. University scientists and health and safety groups are filling in the gaps as best they can. In 2020, a study in the journal Environmental Epidemiology determined that 5,600 deaths a year were attributable to heat from 1997 to 2006, eight times higher than federal figures. In 2022, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center calculated that the number of people who died from heat-related causes between 2008 and 2017 was two to three times higher than federal figures. The Penn and Philadelphia VA researchers also found that extreme heat days were associated with significantly higher cardiovascular mortality among adults. This spring, Texas A&M climate scientists Andrew Dessler and Jangho Lee told the Associated Press that last years real national annual heat death toll may be 11,000, nearly five times higher than the 2,300 cited by the government. In the work world, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says 43 workers died in 2022 from heat. But reports by Public Citizen, the most recent being in May of this year, estimate that as many as 2,000 workers a year (46 times more) die from heat and another 170,000 are injuries triggered by heat, such as becoming dizzy and falling off a roof. But the injury might simply be listed as a fall without mention of heat. Public Citizen says government figures are decidedly unreliable and notoriously problematic because they are based on self-reporting surveys of employers and less than half of employers even maintain the required records. No matter what number youre looking at, all of them are likely to soar much higher without concerted global action on climate change. Without a drastic and immediate cut in fossil fuel emissions, the planet is currently staring at a 5-degree Fahrenheit rise in temperatures this century, with the U.S. being the worlds biggest historical contributor to global warming gases. According to a study published last year by Lee and Dessler in the journal GeoHealth, the US suffered an average of 36,444 deaths a year from extreme temperatures a quarter century ago, with most of those deaths being cold-related. With a rise of 5 degrees Fahrenheit, that number could explode to 200,000 a year this century, driven significantly by shifts of heat mortality to Northern cities. Among the cities with the highest projected temperature increases are Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Muskegon, Minnesota. Smoking Out Data Parallel to that, and arguably worse, there is virtually no federal data on the fatal impacts of wildfire smoke. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lists a mere 535 deaths directly from wildfires over the last 45 years in its list of Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters. But there are likely thousands more from the smoke, which is associated with cardiovascular, ischemic heart disease, digestive, endocrine, diabetes, mental, and chronic kidney disease mortality. Such smoke is not covered by the Clean Air Act, and there is growing evidence that it is eroding decades of gains in the nations air quality under the act. A new study by researchers at UCLA found that the fine particulate matter (known as PM2.5) in wildfire smoke that easily passes into the lungs and spreads throughout the body, contributed to the premature deaths of more than 50,000 people in California from 2008 to 2018, with an economic impact of between $432 billion and $456 billion. Another study this spring by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that 16,000 people a year died from smoke PM2.5 across the US from 2011 to 2020. That study found that elevated long-term smoke concentrations increase mortality rates at both low and high concentrations. Wildfire smoke, as the nation found out last year with its orange-brown skies that dulled the sun into a moon-like disk, spreads for so many thousands of miles from its source that the study projects a large mortality burden not only in regions where large fires occur but also in populous regions with low smoke concentrations (e.g., the eastern US). Juan Aguilera, a physician researcher at the University of Texas School of Public Health in El Paso, found that wildfire smoke stresses immune systems and triggers inflammation. He told National Public Radio that living in a wildfire-prone area is something equivalent to smoking like one pack a day, or 10 packs a week. Todays 16,000 deaths a year from wildfire smoke could grow to nearly 28,000 by mid-century under a high warming scenario and take a cumulative 700,000 lives by 2055, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Our research suggests that the health cost of climate-driven wildfire smoke could be among the most important and costly consequences of a warming climate in the US, NBER scientists said. That concern is bolstered by a new study by Australian researchers who found that the number of extreme wildfires has doubled since 2003, with the last seven years including six of the most extreme. Lead author Calum Cunningham told the New York Times last month, That weve detected such a big increase over such a short period of time makes the findings even more shocking. Were seeing the manifestations of a warming and drying climate before our very eyes in these extreme fires. Adaptation could cut into the mortality risk, but it alone is likely not enough, given how Lee and Dessler noted in their study: Many adaptive responses (e.g., installing air conditioning, improved health care, better urban planning) are too expensive for poorer individuals or communities, so adaptation will necessarily require society to pay for much of the adaptation. This would represent a huge transfer of wealth from richer to poorer members of our society, a dicey proposition in todays political environment. Even better, of course, would be a serious drive toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency says no new gas, oil or coal investment is necessary as renewables, energy efficiency and electrification already can deliver the vast majority of emissions reductions. New Mentality Needed at FEMA Though all heat-related disaster declaration requests to FEMA thus far have been denied, agency spokesperson Daniel Llargues told National Public Radio that theres nothing specific in federal law that precludes such a declaration. If a circumstance did occur where an extreme heat incident exceeded state and local capacity, an emergency or major disaster declaration request submission could be considered, Llargues said in an email. And the White House can make a disaster declaration regardless of FEMAs recommendation. In May, President Biden overruled a FEMA denial of a major disaster declaration so parts of Massachusetts could get federal aid to recover from severe storms and flooding last September. The process of FEMA better understanding a circumstance where extreme heat and wildfire smoke constitutes a disaster starts with a better understanding of the danger. Some parts of the government are trying to mine the data, such as the National Institute of Healths Heat Information System. Extreme heat and wildfire smoke also offers FEMA a fresh chance to create new paradigms of aid, to avoid inequities seen in other disasters. Current FEMA storm funding often maintains systemic racism, putting communities with more white residents and higher property values back on their feet, while low-income people and communities of color, historically hemmed into lower property values by redlining, are left on their knees. As Politico wrote in 2022, FEMA grants to help richer families raise homes above flood levels have helped turn dozens of wealthy or overwhelmingly white areas into enclaves of climate resilience. The communities are seeing rising property values and economic stability, while much of the nation faces devastating effects of rising seas and intensifying floods. One can only imagine the results if the same mentality is ultimately applied to communities marooned on heat islands. Seniors and Black adults are at disproportionate risk of cardiovascular deaths from extreme heat according to a Penn study last year. A 2022 Penn study warned, As extreme heat events increase, the burden of cardiovascular mortality may continue to increase and the disparities between demographic subgroups may widen. The same can be said for those lower-wage farmworkers, construction workers and other industries where heat is a major risk. Often, the workers in those industries are disproportionately of color and immigrants. Other trades where heat is a high risk include landscaping, and indoor jobs in warehouses, restaurant kitchens, mills, and doing maintenance. And lets not forget public school teachers and staff, as huge percentages of the nations public school buildings are not equipped for the rising heat. Better Data Needed There are scientists, including UCSs Juan Declet-Barreto, who have long called for standard methodology to more accurately determine whether excess deaths originated with heat or smoke exposure. Last year, Ashley Ward, the director of Duke Universitys Heat Policy Innovation Lab, wrote in STAT that we need much better and uniformed coding for external causes of injuries and incentives for health systems to apply the codes for cases involving extreme heat. Without uniform coding, the public is left to weigh the emerging body of studies that have different estimations and may add to the incorrect assumption that there is a lack of scientific consensus. Seconding the call for data collection is the Federation of American Scientists. Among its major list of recommendations is a whole-of-government strategy to address extreme heat. The federation said that true mortality counts are essential to enhancing the benefit-cost analysis for heat mitigation and resilience. But having heat- and smoke-related mortality data is more than that. Knowing the true toll might help jolt the nation into action on climate change sooner and lessen the mitigation and resilience we will need. One only need think back to the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and how critical data was to devise public health policy. Currently, the federal data on extreme heat and wildfire smoke itself constitutes a major disaster. Denmarks $3.7 billion carbon tax plan to cost farmers almost $100 per cow Denmark is set to launch the world's first carbon tax on livestock , charging dairy farmers about $96 per cow beginning in 2030 to reduce methane emissions. The move seeks to help the European country meet its climate goals by addressing the largest source of emissions in Denmark, agriculture. The country is a major exporter of pork and dairy products, and these economic incentives help keep emissions high. While farmers are disturbed and fear the financial trouble will hurt their livelihoods, the government plans to spend billions in environmental projects. Protests are expected as tensions increase between agricultural interests and climate initiatives. A normal Danish cow produces six metric tons (6.6 U.S. tons) of carbon emissions each year. As reported by Statistic Denmark, there were as of June 30, 2022, 1,484,377 cows in the Scandinavian country, a small decline in comparison to the past year. A tax is also expected to be introduced for pigs. Normal Danish cow produces six metric tons of CO2 equivalent yearly Denmark's coalition government decided to enforce the first carbon emissions tax on farmers worldwide and it will require new cattle taxes starting in 2030. Denmark's 179-seat Folketing, or parliament, is expected to pass the bill easily, as it has received widespread consensus even among the opposition. (Related: Denmark to tax livestock farts and burps starting in 2030.) The proposal also comes with a pledge to invest 40 billion kroner ($5.8 billion) in initiatives such as reforestation and the establishment of wetlands. "With today's agreement, we are investing billions in the biggest transformation of the Danish landscape in recent times," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said. "At the same time, we will be the first country in the world with a [carbon] tax on agriculture." Most of the Danish dairy industry welcomed the agreement and its goals but some farmers are worried about it. The action was taken only several months after farmers organized protests throughout Europe, using tractors to block highways and throwing eggs at the European Parliament in answer to a list of grievances in addition to environmental laws and excessive red tape. The tax, which is expected to be adopted later this year, will begin in 2030 and rise to 750 kroner ($110) in 2035 per tonne (1.1 ton) of carbon-equivalent emissions from cattle. Farmers will basically be charged 120 kroner ($17.5) per tonne of animal emissions yearly beginning in 2030. And with the tax credit of 60 percent being applied this will rise to 300 kroner ($44) in 2035. The Baeredygtigt Landbrug organization of Danish farmers alleged that the actions were equal to a "scary experiment." "We believe that the agreement is pure bureaucracy. We recognize that there is a climate problem But we do not believe that this agreement will solve the problems because it will put a spoke in the wheel of agriculture's green investments," chairman Peter Kir said in a statement. Peder Tuborgh, the CEO of Arla Foods, the biggest dairy company in Europe, called the agreement "positive," but he stressed that farmers who "genuinely do everything they can to reduce emissions" shouldn't have to pay a tax. "It is essential that the tax base for a [carbon] tax is solely based on emissions for which there are means to eliminate [them]," Tuborgh added. Kristian Hundeboll, the CEO of DLG Group, a cooperative owned by 25,000 Danish farmers and one of the biggest agricultural companies in Europe, said that the tax's "anchoring" in EU law was "crucial for competitiveness." "Neither the climate, agriculture nor the ancillary industries benefit from Denmark acting unilaterally," Hundeboll stated. Follow ClimateAlarmism.news for more news about the carbon tax on livestock. Watch the video below about JD Rucker's commentary regarding farmers from Denmark soon paying taxes based on how much their livestock farts. This video is from the MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Denmark to introduce worlds first CARBON TAX on livestock as globalists target food supply chain to engineer famine. Worlds largest carbon tax scheme just imposed by EU; more inflation and less trade to follow. CLIMATE INSANITY: UK cows to be given methane suppressants in bizarre effort to achieve lower emissions. Sources include: GreatGameIndia.com NPR.org Brighteon.com FLASHBACK: In 2016 and beyond, deep state called for Trump to be impeached, imprisoned and KILLED From the moment he came down the escalator in Trump Tower as part of his iconic debut into politics, Donald Trump has been under attack by the establishment. A wild card that apparently nobody in politics or media was expecting, Trump has shaken up the deep state's plans so much that the corporate media has never been able to contain its hatred for him. The video below from Alex Jones features a montage of media segments starting in 2016 that depict the sheer level of hatred the establishment has for Trump as it continues to pursue ways to remove him from the equation. "If he takes the risk of going to trial and he's convicted, that could be seen as an impeachable offense," said George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America in November 2016. "I don't see how that wouldn't be an impeachable offense," said another pundit from CNN in February 2017. "That tweet fits the Republican definition of an impeachable offense," reported an MSNBC pundit in March 2017. Historic Video! Deep State Calls For Trump To Be Impeached, Imprisoned, & Killed. pic.twitter.com/LQCyfWNX4r Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) July 17, 2024 (Related: The U.S. intelligence community is now claiming that Iran will try to assassinate Trump how convenient for the military-industrial complex, which hates Iran.) Deep state wants imprisonment or death for Trump The early days of Trump's presidency heard lots and lots of this kind of chatter about impeachment over tweets and alleged connections to Russia, but unfortunately for the deep state none of it stuck. As such, the media shifted to a narrative of trying to imprison Trump. In July 2019 as the end of Trump's first term was fast approaching along with another presidential election in 2020, the narrative shifted to Trump allegedly committing "high crimes and misdemeanors." "You take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday to get back at you," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) around that time about the shift from trying to impeach Trump to trying to imprison Trump. "The government's going to kill this guy," the media suddenly started saying in reference to Trump and his resistance against the deep state's growing assault on his character. "I'm calling on the GOP to stop Trump's filthy talk of whistleblowers being spies & using mob language implying they should be killed," tweeted Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on Oct. 1, 2019. "Impeachment is not good enough for Trump. He needs to be imprisoned & placed in solitary confinement. But for now, impeachment is the imperative." "With so many people knowing about this, it's interesting and I'm kind of proud to say this that it took a member of the intelligence community to step up and bring it forward," commented former CIA deputy director John McLaughlin about the charges that were dredged up against Trump. On and on the witch hunt goes as the desperate deep state panics that none of its earlier tactics against Trump worked. Their last resort is to try to kill him in order to stop Trump from serving a second presidential term and implementing his America First policies. The "Winter_Rewind" (@WinterRewind) X account posted the following video which opens with Tucker Carlson talking about how the deep state assault on Trump went from criticisms and protests to impeachment and indictment, followed by what we all have now seen to be an attempt on Trump's life: Never ever forget how close we came to losing it all. One inch. That's how close they came to taking it all away from us. Remember it for the rest of your lives. And fight, because we've been given a second life. If you liked this content, pls consider following. It would be a pic.twitter.com/nHAtdYcECU Winter_Rewind (@WinterRewind) July 17, 2024 The latest news about the 2024 election can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com Houthi drone boats strike oil tankers in the Red Sea Footage has emerged showing a Houthi suicide drone striking an oil tanker approximately 100 nautical miles northwest of Yemens port city of Hodeidah. The drone hit the tanker on its port side, raising concerns about a potential oil spill. This incident underscores the challenges facing the United States-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at protecting southern Israel by curbing the Houthis' activities in the Red Sea. President Joe Biden previously acknowledged that U.S. strikes in Yemen were not stopping Houthi attacks on global shipping but vowed to continue them nonetheless. The footage of the attack was released by the Houthis, who have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November. They claim these attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza. (Related: Yemen's Houthis attack bulk carrier in Red Sea with suicide drone boat first time in this conflict.) The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that two vessels were attacked in the Red Sea off Yemen's port city of Hodeidah. One ship sustained damage and light smoke after being hit on its port side by an uncrewed drone boat 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah. Another merchant vessel, 70 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, was attacked by three small watercraft, according to UKMTO. The master of the second craft reported that one of the vessels was unmanned and intentionally collided with the ship twice, while passengers on the other two boats fired on the vessel. The ship conducted "self-protection measures," and after 15 minutes, the small craft aborted the attack. Ameen Hayyan, director of the Yemeni Armed Forces' spokesperson's office, said the vessels were attacked because the companies owning them violated the Houthis' decision to ban entry into the "ports of occupied Palestine." The oil tanker is owned by the Marshall Islands, flagged by Liberia and operated by Greece. It was carrying crude oil to Israel. The other ship, the MT Bentley I, is an Israel-owned, Panama-flagged and Monaco-operated tanker vessel. No damages were reported to the latter vessel. Houthi attacks against Israel-linked shipping increasing The increased frequency and effectiveness of Houthi attacks have raised concerns about the safety of maritime routes in the region. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are critical waterways for global trade, connecting Europe with the Middle East and Asia. The disruption caused by these attacks not only threatens the safety of commercial shipping but also has broader implications for global trade and energy security. Despite international efforts to curb Houthi activities, the group has continued to expand its reach. The persistence of these attacks highlights the limitations of current countermeasures and underscores the need for a coordinated international response to ensure the security of vital maritime routes. The ongoing conflict and instability in Yemen continue to pose significant challenges for regional and global security, with the Houthis' actions serving as a stark reminder of the volatility in the region. Despite Biden's campaign against them, the Houthis have expanded their attacks to include targets in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. In May, the Houthis even managed to capture a $30 million U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, further complicating the situation for the U.S. in the region. Since November, the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks, sinking two vessels, seizing another, and killing at least three sailors. These attacks have significantly disrupted global trade, forcing ship owners to avoid the Suez Canal trade shortcut. The Houthis have become increasingly effective at damaging ships, primarily through the use of unmanned, armed watercraft that target a vessel's vulnerable waterline. Watch the footage showing how USV has targeted the "CHIOS Lion" oil ship in the Red Sea. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Yemen's Houthis claim to have used a domestically made HYPERSONIC MISSILE against an Israeli ship. Yemeni military reiterates warning to Israeli-linked ships not to pass through the Red Sea after claiming to have sunk 2 ships that violated the blockade. Houthis claim missile attack on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in Red Sea; DoD says attack never happened. Houthi blockades prompt Israeli port of Eilat to lay off half its workers. Houthi rebels attack two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea with devastating drone strike. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com BusinessInsider.com Brighteon.com JD Vance, Trumps VP pick, promises to increase weapons and cash shipments to Israel while advancing Abraham Accords The reason why Israel's latest war in Gaza is still raging on after nearly a full-term pregnancy's length of time since October 7 is because of President Biden's lack of support for the Jewish state, according to Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Donald Trump's pick for vice president. In a recent interview with Fox News, Vance revealed that his "America First" foreign policy plans include sending a lot more weapons and cash to Israel on demand in order to accelerate the Netanyahu regime's efforts to take out Hamas. "Joe Biden has done nothing to help our ally Israel," Vance declared. "Joe Biden has made it harder and harder for Israel to win that war. He has prolonged the war to take out Hamas. Echoing Israel's sentiment that Biden is "micromanaging" Benjamin Netanyahu's offensive, including by preventing it from attacking the Gaza Strip with even more force, Vance wants Israel to receive all the support it needs to get the job done at warp speed. "You want two things to happen," Vance continued. "Number one is you want to get this war over and as quickly as possible because the longer it goes on the harder [Israel's] situation becomes. But second, after the war, you want to reinvigorate that peace process between Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Jordanians and so forth." (Related: The Anti-Defamation League [ADL] insists that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution must be scrapped in order to "protect Israel.") Will a second Trump term bring peace and safety to the Middle East? After helping Israel to achieve a swift victory in Gaza, Vance suggested that a second Trump term would bring an advancement of the Abraham Accords, which aim to bring peace and safety to Israel and the Middle East. Vance's plan involves strengthening the alliances between Israel and the "Sunni Arab states" that surround it. This is necessary, he says, in order to "form a united front against Iran." Based on everything Vance said in the interview, it appears as though a second Trump term would bridge the gap between now and his first term, providing continuity to Trump's ongoing agenda in the Middle East. As you may recall, Trump's foreign policy against Iran was hawkish between 2017 and 2021. He ramped up sanctions against the Islamic Republic; killed a number of senior Revolutionary Guard commanders such as Qassem Soleimani; and targeted Iran's self-described "Axis of Resistance." While Hamas is technically part of the Islamist Sunni movement, the group's ties to and cooperation with Iran's primarily Shia proxies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, have reportedly deepened. As such, a second Trump term would likely take stronger aim at these growing alliances. The so-called Abraham Accords were one of the Trump Administration's most notable pro-Israel achievements. Implemented in 2020, the Abraham Accords normalized relations between Israel, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, with all of these countries now mutually recognizing the threat that Iran poses to the region. "The Abraham Accords ... showed real promise of uniting the Israelis with some of the Sunni Arab states," Vance says. "You've ... got to enable the Israelis and the Sunni Arab states to work together and actually provide a counterbalance to Iran." Palestinians and much of the larger Arab and Muslim world that supports a Palestinian state hate the Abraham Accords because they advance Israel's agenda in the region. "The most important part of the Trump doctrine of foreign policy is you don't commit America's troops unless you really have to, but when you do, you punch and you punch hard," Vance further said, taking aim at Biden's strikes against the Houthis in Yemen and the Iranian proxies in Iran for being "weak little bombing runs." As for which U.S. presidential candidate will be the most closely aligned with Israel, Vance reassured the world that Israel "d[oes]n't have a better friend than Donald Trump." Up-to-the-minute news about Trump's endeavors to become president again can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net NaturalNews.com Law enforcement notified Secret Service about shooter before assassination attempt, so why wasnt Trump immediately evacuated? More details about the bungled security setup at Donald Trump's recent rally in Butler, Penn., have emerged to suggest that Secret Service stood down and did nothing after being notified that there was an individual with a weapon perched atop the American Glass Research facility just 150 years away from where Trump was speaking. "KanekoaTheGreat" (@KanekoaTheGreat) tweeted on X that the police officer who confronted shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, on the roof immediately radioed a "blanket tactical channel" that there was "an individual on the roof with a weapon." This all happened minutes before Crooks started firing shots at Trump. The notification to the blanket tactical channel should have alerted everyone on site, including both local law enforcement and Secret Service, that something suspicious was happening, so why did nobody respond by at least getting Trump out of harm's way? Instead of responding to the call by immediately taking action, both local police and Secret Service stood by and did nothing until Crooks started firing. We know that two police officers went to the lowest point of the American Glass Research building where one boosted the other onto the roof, where he saw Crooks holding a weapon. Crooks saw the officer and pointed his weapon at him, prompting the officer to duck and fall off the roof. "The boosting officer and the officer that fell were both on the radio indicating that there was an individual on the roof that did, in fact, have a weapon," reports explain. "There was a blanket tactical channel being used. Everyone who was on that tactical channel heard it." The officer who confronted Thomas Matthew Crooks on the roof radioed a "blanket tactical channel" that there was "an individual on the roof with a weapon" before the assassination attempt on President Trump. Why wasn't President Trump immediately evacuated? Was the Secret pic.twitter.com/c2J0KlQEwF KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) July 17, 2024 (Related: There are some good things about Trump's "Trumponomics" plan for America, but also some questionable things.) Secret Service has a lot of 'splainin' to do It is still unknown precisely how much time passed between when the first radio communication about suspicious rooftop activity was made and when the first shot was fired at Trump. It would seem that there was plenty of time to do something regardless, though nothing was done. "It's bad enough that the Secret Service didn't put anyone on the most obvious roof 150 yards away," KanekoaTheGreat tweeted. "But after two police officers radioed in that there was a guy on the roof with a gun, why wasn't President Trump immediately evacuated?" So far, Secret Service has yet to provide a logical or reasonable answer as to why its agents apparently stood by and did nothing while Crooks got into position and started firing. What are they hiding? "At some point when multiple massive unprecedented security failures after security failures occur back-to-back that people get understandably suspicious," wrote "Craig Chamberlin" (@CraigChamberlin) on X. The complete inability for a reasonable explanation from Secret Service fans the flames of suspicion even more." Dan Bongino reported that Secret Service did not provide Trump with the security detail he requested, failing to bring in enough manpower to handle the event as it was supposed to be handled. "There were so many 'mistakes' that day that it makes you wonder if those 'mistakes' were intentional," speculated "The Vigilant Fox" (@VigilantFox). Another added that the moment that broadcast came over the blanket tactical channel, Secret Service "should have charged that stage" and protected Trump from harm. "That's the reason they use channels like that in the first place," this person added. Will Trump make it to the White House again? Find out more at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com House Speaker Johnson opens probe into Trump assassination attempt and Secret Service lapses House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has opened an investigation of the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump , alongside the Secret Service's lapses. The congressman shared this development on July 17 during an interview with the Daily Signal. He had reportedly talked with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and leadership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, Johnson specified that he has not spoken with FBI Director Christopher Wray directly. "The answers that they are providing to us thus far are not satisfactory," said Johnson. "So I announced that we are [going to] set up a special task force, a precision strike on this. It will be a bipartisan investigatory group and they will have subpoena authority. We're going to get down to the bottom of this quickly." According to the speaker, the investigation by the FBI which is under the Department of Justice focuses on the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. But he emphasized that it is the Secret Service itself, under the masthead of the Department of Homeland Security, that is in charge of the overall security protocol. "Mayorkas has now taken the reins of that. We are hearing that he is going to instruct [Secret Service] Director [Kimberly] Cheatle not to appear on Capitol Hill to answer the first round of questions. I hope that is not true," Johnson remarked. "Our [House] Oversight and our [House] Homeland Security committees appropriately acted quickly and issued notices for those hearings that would begin [on July 22]. But so far, they look to be unresponsive for that." The speaker also called for the resignation of Cheatle, noting: "What happened there does not require a thorough investigation. We can all see just by what we've observed that there were serious security lapses. And her initial explanation that the roof was too slanted to provide security there, it just doesn't wash." Secret Service repeatedly denied Trump's requests for added protection "Critics across the board have described the security breach at Trump's Pennsylvania campaign rally as a 'catastrophic failure' of the Secret Service," according to LifeSiteNews. "Counter-snipers fatally shot the gunman after one of his shots grazed the former president's right ear." (Related: Trump shot, survives ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT in Pennsylvania; shooter, one rally attendee killed, others wounded.) But a GOP colleague of the House speaker has alleged that Mayorkas denied stronger Secret Service protection for the former president multiple times. Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, made this claim hours after the failed assassination attempt on Trump. "I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger Secret Service protection for [former] President Trump," Waltz posted on X, adding that all those requests were "denied by Secretary Mayorkas." One of the sources cited by Waltz said the House Homeland Security Committee "has seen these reports as well and [is] going to be conducting thorough oversight into what happened both leading up to and in the immediate aftermath of the attempted assassination of [former] President Trump. Obviously, such reports are deeply troubling and demand investigation." The Biden administration only made improvements to Trump's security protection two days after the failed assassination attempt on him. POLITICO reported on July 15 that "adjustments" had been made to Trump's security protection, according to Mayorkas. The secretary also added that the same adjustments applied to incumbent President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) will also get "the appropriate level of security," Mayorkas added. Even independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose family has a history of being targeted for assassinations, will now receive Secret Service protection. Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the assassination attempt on the former president. Watch House Speaker Mike Johnson urging Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to step down following the Trump assassination attempt. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 10 Burning questions that every American should be asking about the Trump shooting. Snipers INSIDE building used by failed Trump assassin did NOTHING to stop the attack, says local cop. Trump shooter spotted with a RANGEFINDER ahead of assassination attempt but no one stopped him. Trump shot in the ear, survives assassination attempt as questions emerge about Secret Service and local police. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com DailySignal.com MSN.com POLITICO.com Brighteon.com German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that for his country, support for Ukraine is a matter of historical responsibility. There can be only one place for Germany - on the side of Ukraine, he emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT Scholz said this in a speech on July 20 on the occasion of the anniversary of the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, Der Spiegel reports. The politician also mentioned Ukraine, which is resisting Russian aggression. "Because of our responsibility to our own history, there is only one place for Germany in this situation - on the side of Ukraine. In 2024, we cannot celebrate this July 20 without remembering the courageous citizens of Ukraine who have been resisting Russia's criminal war of aggression for more than two years," he said. Scholz also mentioned Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. He noted that there is an ongoing war, "with which the Russian rulers openly pursue the goal of conquering Ukraine and destroying it as a sovereign country." And all this is happening "79 years after the end of World War II and 79 years after the entry into force of the United Nations Charter." ADVERTISIMENT The Chancellor called on German citizens to be vigilant in protecting democracy. It depends on the participation of citizens, their respect for each other and opposition to all forms of hatred and extremism. "Those who fight against our democracy will always meet our resolute resistance," Scholz emphasized. As reported by OBOZ.UA, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for Western allies to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over Ukrainian territory. He rejected this proposal, emphasizing that such steps are not being considered. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Truth Social shares climb 30% following Trumps assassination attempt in Pennsylvania Shares of former President Donald Trump's Truth Social rose by 30 percent days after the July 13 assassination attempt on him during a Pennsylvania campaign rally. During the New York Stock Exchange's early trading on July 15, the stock price of Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) Truth Social's parent spiked by 30 percent to $40. Its shares began rising in pre-market trading immediately after the assassination attempt. The numbers were the highest for the stock in more than a month, but still well below the peak of about $62. At current prices, Trump's 114.75 million shares in TMTG are worth nearly $5 billion up from $3.5 billion on June 12, the day before Trump was shot at the political rally. (Related: Trump shot, survives ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT in Pennsylvania; shooter, one rally attendee killed, others wounded.) "The stock serves as a little bit of a proxy for sentiment toward Trump himself," said Tyler Richey, an analyst at Sevens Report Research. "I think there's a resurgence of people who think, 'This is a life-or-death situation, we're going all in.'" For months, TMTG has been a way for investors to bet on Trump in regaining his White House seat back. His social media platform has become the primary platform for presidential communications. Matthew Tuttle, CEO of Tuttle Capital Management, told CNN that traders are already speculating that Trump's chances of winning in November have gone up significantly in the past few days. "You are seeing the Trump trade on steroids here. DJT is the go-to," Tuttle said. Trump's felony conviction in his hush-money case in May caused Truth Social stock to tumble by about 15 percent, before soon rallying higher than the pre-conviction level. In March, shares vaulted from an initial offering price of about $50 to a peak of nearly $80. Over the ensuing two weeks, the price fell nearly 70 percent, reaching a low of about $23. Truth Social generated roughly $4 million in revenue last year, as per government filings. The company also reported $58 million in net losses over that period. By comparison, Instagram-parent Meta delivered nearly $135 billion in revenue last year, company earnings reveal. The strong performance for Truth Social on Monday could grant the company an opportunity to reinvest funds and improve the service, Richey said. He noted the possibility of an increase in users as Trump draws continued attention in the coming months. "The financials are atrocious, but the prospects while a little doubtful are still there. If this generates a significant uptick in users, then that could be bullish. Or it becomes a blip of short-term optimism." Trump refuses to return to X despite Musk's endorsement and pledges Despite Elon Musk expressing his support and pledging to donate a whopping $45 million every month to Trump's political action committee, the former president still won't tweet on X. This is because he has an exclusive deal with Truth Social under TMTG. According to Business Insider, his posts have to be exclusive to Truth Social for six hours before they can be posted elsewhere. But Trump hasn't really posted since 2021 on the platform, which Musk acquired in October 2022. The only posts he made featured his mugshot in Fulton County and a link to his website last August. The outlet continued that the endorsement and pledge aren't the only things Musk has offered to Trump. When he took over Twitter prior to changing its name to X, one of the first things he did was reinstate the 45th U.S. president's account. The platform's previous owners under the leadership of Jack Dorsey banned Trump following the false-flag Jan. 6 riot. Trump hasn't posted to Instagram or Facebook either, two platforms owned by Mark Zuckerberg's Meta. It had banned the former president's accounts after Jan. 6, but reinstated them in 2023. Check out the latest news about former President Donald Trump on Trump.news. Watch the video below that talks about the full timeline of Trump's assassination attempt. This video is from The Pete Santilli Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Newsweek declares Trump a shoe-in for president after Butler, Pa., shooting incident. BlackRock reveals link to failed Trump assassin. Now FBI staffer is in hot water over vile posts about Trump's assassination attempt. Sources include: AMGreatness.com ABCNews.go.com Edition.CNN.com BusinessInsider.com Brighteon.com WOKE and WEAK: Secret Service gives pathetic excuse for not covering the warehouse roof where Trumps assassin opened fire Director of the United States Secret Service (USSS ) Kimberly Cheatle recently admitted that she greatly failed in the implementation and execution of security during former President Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, where roof gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate the ex-POTUS. Cheatle's excuse? She acknowledged that she failed to place an agent near the roof because the warehouse was 134 meters away from where Trump spoke and that is "a risky position for stationing an agent." New details have also revealed that a team of local police snipers were inside the building when the 20-year-old Crooks opened fire, shot Trump in the ear and killed a member of the rally crowd. The gunman was even able to evade cops and USSS three times despite being deemed "suspicious" and could have been on the roof for around 30 minutes before he pulled the trigger. (Related: Trump shot, survives ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT in Pennsylvania; shooter, one rally attendee killed, others wounded.) The most recent security failures have raised calls for Cheatle to step down. The embattled chief refused to resign. Instead, she is giving weak excuses for her negligence, even though security experts have said a primary responsibility of law enforcement would be to secure elevated areas near a high-level protectee. "That building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point. And so, you know, there's a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn't want to put somebody up on a sloped roof," she told ABC News in an interview on Tuesday. "The decision was made to secure the building from inside." "The shooter was identified as a potential person of suspicion but unfortunately, with the rapid succession of how things unfolded, by the time that individual was eventually located, they were on the rooftop and were able to fire off at the former president," she further claimed. She was referencing claims by witnesses that they alerted law enforcement about the threat as they saw Crooks carrying an AR-style rifle, but agents weren't able to eliminate the threat in time. A government sniper positioned behind Trump while he was speaking took out the would-be assassin, but only after he began firing. Cheatle accepts that the major mistake was on her. "The buck stops with me. It was unacceptable," she told the news outlet. "And it's something that shouldn't happen again." This chilling admission enraged a lot of users of X, formerly Twitter. Former Army Ranger Sean Powell was among those who registered his anger with Cheatle's excuse in a rage-filled tweet. "Holy s***. A sloped roof? That is a total BS excuse," he wrote. "Our snipers used to set in on mountain tops in Afghanistan. On the down slopes if need be. The stupidity of this statement explains so much of why s*** hit the fan that day. Absolute incompetence." Former U.S. senator from South Carolina Jim DeMint also commented, "This sad excuse about defies believability." Despite the USSS chief acknowledging her mistake, Trending Politics co-owner Collin Rugg slams her for just being able to eventually get away with it. "Ironically, the snipers who were behind Trump during the rally were on a sloped roof, she is b******* and getting away with it," he said. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden still feels safe with the USSS and even lauded the agency. "What we did see was the Secret Service who responded risked their lives responding. They were ready to give their lives for the president. The question is should they have anticipated what happened. Should they have done what they needed to do to prevent this from happening? That's the question that's an open question." Critics say that Biden was siding with the USSS leader because Cheatle is a good friend of his wife Jill Biden. NEW: Secret Service director Kim Cheatle, good friend of Jill Biden and the new face of America's competency crisis, didn't post snipers on the roof where Trump was shot at because it was a sloped roof and she was afraid someone might slip and fall. You can't make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/XEkonoRh2p Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) July 16, 2024 Secret Service warns against holding outdoor rallies after receiving intel of Iran's assassination plot on Trump According to U.S. authorities, a report has been obtained indicating that there is a plot by Iran to liquidate Trump so the USSS has discouraged holding any more outdoor rallies, which pose greater risks than events to which the agency can better control access. An official claimed that the Trump campaign had already been made aware of the threat even before Saturday's rally. "Secret Service learned of the increased threat from this threat stream," the official told CNN. "[National Security Council] NSC directly contacted USSS at a senior level to be sure they continued to track the latest reporting. USSS shared this information with the detail lead and the Trump campaign was made aware of an evolving threat. In response to the increased threat, the Secret Service surged resources and assets for the protection of former President Trump. All of this was in advance of Saturday." "The Secret Service and other agencies are constantly receiving new potential threat information and taking action to adjust resources, as needed," agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said on Tuesday. "We cannot comment on any specific threat stream, other than to say that the Secret Service takes threats seriously and responds accordingly." There was no indication that Crooks was connected to the said plot, the sources said. Also, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations denied the allegation there was an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. Head over to Trump.news for the latest updates on the developing news of the assassination attempt on Trump and the election. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk 1 DailyMail.co.uk 2 NYPost.com Edition.CNN.com Wife of Max Boot, the leading Trump Russia Hoax propagandist, INDICTED and accused of serving as a foreign spy The guy who laundered conspiracy theories throughabout Donald Trump conspiring with Russia to steal the 2016 election is married to a South Korean spy who used to work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), we have learned. "Forever wars" fanatic Max Boot's wife Sue Mi Terry, 54, is a native of Seoul currently living in Manhattan who is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), though she is currently on "administrative leave," a new indictment shows. Boot, by the way, is The Washington Post's "Columnist covering national security." Terry reportedly abused her position as a foreign policy expert to trade access to top U.S. officials in exchange for "high-end sushi dinners" and luxury goods, the indictment reveals. We now know that five years after she left the CIA in 2008 and three years before her husband Boot started accusing Trump of being a Russian asset, Terry started spying for South Korea. Max Boot, one of the chief purveyors of the "Russian asset" narrative, is married to an unregistered foreign agent? And she has been indicted for selling access, accepting bribes, sharing non-public info with South Korean officials, etc.? That ... you couldn't write that. https://t.co/7gkfFVbWD6 T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) July 17, 2024 (Related: It was actually Barack Obama's CIA that recruited foreign "allies" to spy on Trump and come up with the Russian collusion hoax.) Those who accused Trump of leaking "sensitive information" to foreign nations have been doing it themselves Ironically enough, one of the major crimes Terry is accused of involves her alleged disclosure of "sensitive U.S. government information to South Korean intelligence." The accusation is that Terry "used her position to influence U.S. policy in favor of South Korea" over the course of about 10 years. In exchange for being South Korea's errand boy, Terry was awarded with "money and luxury gifts," according to FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis. Between the years of 2001 and 2011, Terry made the rounds working in various high-level U.S. government positions. At one point she was a CIA analyst. She also worked as director of Korea, Japan, and Oceanic Affairs for the White House National Security Council. For her loyal devotion to South Korea, a fellow spy reportedly bought Terry a Dolce & Gabbana coat from a store in Chevy Chase, Md., in November 2019 right before the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic." Terry reportedly exchanged the coat a few days later for a $4,100 coat from Christian Dior. Terry and her fellow spies also funneled more than $37,000 to a public policy program on Korean affairs run by Terry, who by the way was never even registered as a foreign agent with the Department of Justice (DOJ). One wonders how she was so easily able to become a U.S. government official wearing many different hats. In a voluntary interview with the feds, Terry was "visibly nervous," the indictment says. She later admitted that she had to consult her South Korean handler, this after having claimed in the interview that she did not even know his name. After posting a $500,000 bond during her initial appearance in Manhattan federal court this week, Terry was released. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison. Max Boot co-wrote and WaPo published a column on US Korea relations with his wife who is also a Korean spy. pic.twitter.com/NzDxayA2MS Jarvis (@jarvis_best) July 17, 2024 Interestingly, Boot also has close ties to Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who is also accused of having relations with a spy, that one from communist China. Things are looking really good for Trump winning another presidential term this fall what do you think? Find out more at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, 66, has admitted that he has several old-fashioned habits. In particular, the politician still watches tube TV and carries documents in a 40-year-old briefcase. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Bild. The topic arose recently at an SPD election rally in Dresden during a discussion of the transition to electric cars. A trade unionist from Volkswagen Zwickau expressed concern about the government's gradual withdrawal of subsidies for electric vehicles and called for a "price brake" to be introduced, as all this threatens to reduce jobs. Instead, Scholz said that the reason for the low number of such cars is not only the government's policy. The politician explained that the government has just obliged gas stations to build fast charging stations. And then he admitted that he has an old tube TV at home that still works perfectly. He explained that every time he looks at a brochure in a store selling the latest TVs, he thinks to himself that in a year these models will be outdated anyway - and doesn't buy them. Scholz believes it's the same with cars. They are undergoing many changes, and soon today's models will become obsolete. But the politician is convinced that this should not scare people away. ADVERTISIMENT "So, the Chancellor is promoting electric cars, using an argument that he doesn't use for his tube TV. Will he now also buy a smart TV?" the German media wondered. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - As hard as changing old things is, Scholz is given important decisions in international politics that require new and unconventional ideas. He was cautious about President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for Western allies to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over Ukrainian territory. Scholz rejected this proposal, emphasizing that such steps are not being considered. - Also, former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that Germany is too hesitant to provide military support to Ukraine. According to him, the German government has been slow to make decisions when it comes to important decisions on arms supplies. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! India's Kush Maini promoted to top in Sprint Race in Budapest, becomes first Indian to win F2 race I nvicta Racing's Kush Maini on Saturday became the first Indian driver to win a Formula 2 race, inheriting the top position in the Sprint Race in the Hungarian Grand Prix after winner Richard Verschoor was disqualified from the results. Following the conclusion of the FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race in Budapest, Tridents Verschoor was disqualified after a technical investigation found an irregularity in his car. A post-race report by the FIA Technical Delegate indicated that the plank on Car #22 had a maximum thickness of 3.7mm at the most rearward scrutineering hole, below the minimum specified thickness in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Technical Regulations, the FIA said in a statement on Saturday. It was determined that the plank fitted to Verschoors car was indeed below the minimum thickness required, therefore breaching Article 3.4.3 of the Technical Regulations, and Car 22 was thus disqualified from the Sprint Race classification. Campos Racings Isack Hadjar was also promoted to the final podium position and earned the point for the fastest lap, while Juan Manuel Correa of DAMS Lucas Oil now takes the final point in eighth place. Earlier, Verschoor claimed a well-earned victory at the Budapest Sprint Race, putting in a mature performance after losing the lead early on to claim his fourth win in Formula 2. The Dutch driver was able to pull away from Kush Maini at the end on his way to the top step, with the Invicta Racing driver crossing the line in second ahead of ART Grands Prixs Victor Martins in third. Maini has remained in the second position as he started on the front row with pole-sitter Verschoor. Andrea Kimi Antonelli fired up his Soft tyres from P4 and went around the outside of the Invicta car at Turn 2, to take second. By the end of Lap 5, Antonelli was over two seconds clear out front, while Maini was beginning to close in on Verschoor for P2, with Martins just behind on his Softs. But as the drivers set off on Lap 11, what had been a lead of over two seconds for Antonelli had now been closed to 1.6s, as the Hard tyre runners began to come into their own. Further back, Maini had also created a gap of over two seconds to Martins, who was now defending from Dennis Hauger in the battle for P4. On Lap 13 of 28, Hadjar used DRS to get ahead of Bortoleto for P7, while Hauger had dropped back from Martins and had fallen to P6 behind Fittipaldi. Verschoor was now right on the back of Antonelli as they started Lap 16, but the PREMA driver was resisting each attack. However, he could not hold on much longer, running wide at the final corner before locking up into Turn 1, allowing both Verschoor and Maini through. By the final lap, Verschoor had built a two-second gap out front and crossed the line to take his fourth Formula 2 victory ahead of Maini, with Martins taking the final spot on the podium. Hadjar ended up in P4 ahead of Hauger and Colapinto, with Aron making his way through to P7 as Barnard rounded out the points in P8. India's Kush Maini promoted to top in Sprint Race in Budapest, becomes first Indian to win F2 race Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Centre to sign over 70 MoUs with startups to empower the disabled T he government is set to sign more than 70 MoUs on Monday between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and various startups and private organisations. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar will preside over the MoU signing ceremony between the National Institutes and Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) of DEPwD and startups. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment said that more than 70 MoUs will be signed, both physically and virtually, across multiple disability sectors, symbolising a significant step towards fostering an inclusive society. "These collaborations are not merely formal agreements but strategic alliances that bring tangible benefits to Divyangjan across various sectors," said the ministry. This effort will establish milestones and make significant strides in building a society where everyone can lead a life of dignity and fulfilment, it added. Globally, at least 15 per cent of people have some form of disability. More than 2.68 crore citizens in India live with a disability (as per the 2011 census). There are some niche startups and NGOs working to empower people with disabilities (PwDs) in the country. Centre to sign over 70 MoUs with startups to empower the disabled Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! South Korea blares propaganda broadcasts for 4th day; North Korea sends trash-carrying balloons S outh Korea's military blared anti-Pyongyang broadcasts through its border loudspeakers for the fourth straight day Sunday as North Korea has again launched balloons presumed to be carrying trash toward South Korea. The propaganda broadcasts began at 6 a.m. near the border with North Korea and are set to end 10 p.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, Yonhap news agency reported. The JCS said North Korea's latest balloons appeared to be traveling toward the northern part of Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul and advised the public not to touch fallen balloons and to report them to the military or police. With the latest launch, North Korea has sent more than 2,000 trash-filled balloons into the South over nine occasions in retaliation for anti-Pyongyang leaflets that North Korean defectors in South Korea send to North Korea using balloons. South Korea blared anti-Pyongyang broadcasts through its border loudspeakers on June 9 for the first time in six years. But it switched off the loudspeakers the next day in an apparent bid to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. On Thursday, South Korea restarted propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea in response to the North's repeated launch of trash-filled balloons into the South. North Korea has bristled against the loudspeaker campaigns, as well as anti-Pyongyang leaflets, on fears that an influx of outside information could pose a threat to the Kim Jong-un regime. Kim's powerful sister Kim Jong-un warned last week that South Korea will face "gruesome and dear" consequences if it lets North Korean defectors continue to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets to the North. int/rs/svn South Korea blares propaganda broadcasts for 4th day; North Korea sends trash-carrying balloons Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! 14-year-old Nipah virus patient dies in Kerala, Centre issues advisory T he Union government on Sunday informed that a case of Nipah virus has been detected in Mallapuram district of Kerala and the patient succumbed to the disease. A 14-year-old boy from Mallapuram exhibited Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) symptoms and was admitted to a local healthcare facility before being transferred to a bigger health facility in Kozhikode. However, the patient later succumbed to the disease. "The samples were sent to NIV, Pune which has confirmed a Nipah virus infection," the Union Health Ministry said in a statement. The Centre has advised the state governments for active case searches in the family of the confirmed case, the neighbourhood, and areas with similar topography. The Central government also advised them for active contact tracing (for any contacts) during the past 12 days, strict quarantine of the contacts of the case and isolation of any suspects and collection and transportation of samples for lab testing. A multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National 'One Health Mission' of the Union Health Ministry will be deployed to support Kerala in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages, and providing technical assistance. Additionally, at the State's request, the Indian Council of Medical Research had sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management, and a mobile BSL-3 laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts has arrived in Kozhikode, informed the ministry. The outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) have been reported in Kerala in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district. Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus. 14-year-old Nipah virus patient dies in Kerala, Centre issues advisory Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BSF chief inspects International Border in Jammu, interacts with personnel B order Security Force (BSF) Director General, Nitin Agarwal, on Sunday reviewed the operational preparedness of troopers deployed on the international border (IB) in Jammu. The BSF chief has arrived on a 2-day visit to J&K on Saturday. Visiting the BSF personnel guarding the IB in Jammu, he had detailed discussions with the unit commanders. The BSF chief also interacted with BSF's Special Director General, Western Command, Y.B. Khurania and Inspector General, Jammu Frontier, D.K. Boora. On Saturday, the BSF DG attended the joint security review meeting held by Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, at the J&K Police headquarters in Jammu. BSF chief inspects International Border in Jammu, interacts with personnel Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! US saw no worrying outcomes from PM Modi's meeting with Putin: NSA Sullivan T he US understands that India has historic ties with Russia that it will not cut off overnight but the important issue is whether or not New Delhi was deepening military and technology relationship with Moscow and the Joe Biden administration saw no evidence of that in the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, American National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said. The meeting between PM Modi and Putin continues to reverberate in Washington DC's policy circles. It has been raised and addressed many times at the state department's daily briefings and Sullivan was asked about it in an interview on MSNBC earlier this week and then once again on Friday at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, whose transcript was released by the White House on Sunday. "The biggest question for me is," Sullivan said in response to a question from the host, Financial Times' Demitri Sevastopilo. "Do we see tangible evidence that India is deepening its military and technology relationship with Russia or not? And I did not see out of that visit tangible evidence that it was, in fact, deepening; that I didn't see deliverables in that space." Sullivan went on to reiterate that while the US understands India's historic ties with Moscow which it will not cut. But, he added, the US would like to "continue to have a deep dialogue with India about the specifics and the nature of that relationship and whether it evolves over time". He said that though New Delhi does not need to hear it from the US, the changing ties between Russia and China, where Russia "as the junior partner to China, is not necessarily going to be a great and reliable friend to India in a future contingency or crisis". PM Modi's Moscow visit received outsized attention in Washington also as it coincided with the 75th anniversary of NATO that the US hosted. The NATO summit was dominated by concerns about Russia and its ongoing conflict with Ukraine and growing economic and military ties between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Sullivan acknowledged that the US was not indifferent to the meeting between PM Modi and President Putin. "We never want to see countries that we care about, who are partners and friends of ours, show up in Moscow and hug Putin. Of course, we don't. I'm not going to sit here and tell people otherwise." At the same time, however, the American NSA asked for not too much to be made of Prime Minister Modi's "bear hug", as the moderator described the Indian leader's meeting with Putin. "PM Modi has a certain way, of course, of greeting world leaders," he said, adding: "I've seen it up close and personal, actually." Sullivan, who was in New Delhi in June for the second meeting of the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), said that in ties with India, the Biden administration sees "enormous opportunity on technology, on economics, and in the statecraft and geopolitics of the wider Indo-Pacific region" and "we want to deepen that relationship as equals, as two sovereign countries who also have relationships with other countries. And India has a historic relationship with Russia that they're not going to cut off". On the indictment alleging India's involvement in an assassination attempt on a Khalistani activist, Sullivan said talks with India continue behind closed doors. "I don't think that there's a lot of value in talking about the nature of that conversation publicly. It is sensitive. It is something we are working through. The story in my view has not yet been completely written; we need to keep working through it. But we have had a constructive dialogue with India on this issue. And we have made it very clear where we stand on it and what we would like to see. And it's been respectful, and it has been effective, in my view, mostly because it is taking place behind closed doors." Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, is in US custody for trying to organize the murder plot. US saw no worrying outcomes from PM Modi's meeting with Putin: NSA Sullivan Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! US presidential candidate Donald Trump is supposed to be able to help end the war in Ukraine. Because he realizes that defeat could have consequences for America and the world. ADVERTISIMENT This opinion was expressed by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his column for the Daily Mail. The politician added that if a Republican had been in the White House, the Russian dictator would not have been "so reckless and criminal as to invade Ukraine." In fact, in his article, the British politician nowhere indicates that he is voicing Trump's thoughts. On the contrary, he emphasizes that these are his personal assumptions and wishes, not a strategy provided by the former US leader. "I believe that Trump can put an end to this (the war in Ukraine - Ed.) on the right terms for Ukraine and the West. I emphasize that I cannot be sure what exactly he would do if elected. But this is what he could do," Johnson wrote. Here are the points that could be in the alleged peace plan for Ukraine, according to Boris Johnson: ADVERTISIMENT - return of Ukraine to its borders by February 24, 2022, leaving Crimea under Russian control; - Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO is guaranteed; - the Ukrainian army will replace about 70,000 US soldiers at US bases in the EU, which will significantly save the US money. In addition, Johnson believes that Trump could provide Ukraine with everything it needs "now and urgently," lift all restrictions and make the Ukrainian army the strongest in the EU, which will protect the world and the United States from external threats. "What would Russia get in return? Well, I think there are all kinds of incentives that could work with Putin. He could certainly claim that the 'special military operation' was successful and that he denazified Ukraine. There could be special protections for Russian speakers," Johnson said. ADVERTISIMENT According to him, with Trump in the White House, there is a real prospect of a certain global rapprochement with Russia, and with Putin, a return to the times when Russia was a respected partner of the G8. But there is only one way to achieve this outcome. "Washington under Trump's leadership will have to show that international borders must be respected and that the Soviet empire cannot be restored by force," the politician summarized. On July 16, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson unexpectedly met with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. He condemned and called the attempt on the politician's life shameful. As reported by OBOZ.UA, in late June, Donald Trump's national security advisers suggested that if he won the presidential election, he should "force Ukraine to negotiate peace" with Russia. Later, Russian dictator Putin announced his "peace plan," and in response, the former US leader called it unacceptable and promised to end the war, probably "through negotiations between the parties." ADVERTISIMENT The media wrote that Trump's so-called plan envisaged territorial concessions by Ukraine to Russia, which is why it was criticized in Kyiv. However, the other day, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation with Trump, in which they called Putin a murderer and discussed the US presidential candidate's visit to Ukraine. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. A new editorial paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 15 on July 2, 2024, entitled, "DDX41 and its unique contribution to myeloid leukemogenesis." In this new editorial, researcher Hirotaka Matsui from the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, and Kumamoto University discusses myeloid neoplasms. Until the early 2000s, myeloid neoplasms attributable to genetic backgrounds were considered exceedingly rare, with notable exceptions limited to those arising as components of systemic syndromes such as Fanconi anemia and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Historically, no hematopoietic-specific tumor syndromes had been identified until 1999, when RUNX1 was implicated as the causative gene for familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Subsequently, in 2004, CEBPA was recognized as another critical gene responsible for inherited AML. The subsequent advent and widespread application of comprehensive genetic analysis facilitated the identification of germline pathogenic variants in genes such as ANKRD26, ETV6, and GATA2 among patients with myeloid neoplasms that developed against a background of inherited thrombocytopenia or systemic disorders. It is now established that genetic predisposition is present in approximately 10% of myeloid neoplasms, underscoring the fact that myeloid neoplasms with a genetic background are by no means exceptional. "Among these, myeloid neoplasms caused by DDX41 variants are particularly noteworthy due to their distinct disease phenotype and pathogenesis." Corkscrew-shaped Leptospira and the potentially deadly disease they cause are tricky to study. The bacteria live in the kidneys of animals where they may or may not cause symptoms, and they are readily released into the environment whenever their host urinates. Though the bacteria can spread anywhere across the globe, the reason you may have never heard of leptospirosis is that it primarily impacts economically disadvantaged regions like slums in developing countries, although the disease regularly appears in urban areas in the tropics. Leptospirosis, or lepto, has intrigued Elsio Wunder, an assistant professor in the department of pathobiology and veterinary sciences, for almost 30 years. Wunder is from Brazil where the disease remains a serious issue and is part of a team working to better understand the disease, not only for the benefit of those in countries who regularly deal with outbreaks but also for areas of the world where lepto is a growing threat driven by climate change and increasing inequality. Their findings are published in Neglected Tropical Diseases. Wunder explains his former mentor started the project which has focused on a specific community in Salvador, Brazil since the late 1990s after the researchers saw numerous cases of lepto clustered in the area. It's an interesting disease, and I did my Ph.D. in Brazil where the research for this paper was done. The project is very multidisciplinary because we have nurses, doctors, veterinarians, geographers, and the community members that we follow every six or 12 months." Elsio Wunder, assistant professor in the department of pathobiology and veterinary sciences The researchers collect blood samples from members of the community, conduct interviews, and gather geolocational data on houses and features of the neighborhoods such as topology, the location of open sewers, or where trash is collected. These spatial features help the researchers study aspects that may enhance transmission, like which areas are prone to flooding or where rats are likely to congregate. This study focused on trying to understand the patterns of infection caused by different types of Leptospira, called serovars. Wunder explains that serovars add a layer of complexity to studying this disease because each serovar has varying preferences for which animals can act as reservoirs, or if and how it causes symptoms in the animal. "In the community where I work in Brazil, the interesting feature is that since the rat is the main reservoir, the main serovar circulating in that city is called Copenhageni. We saw that serovar in the rats, we saw in humans, and we saw in the environment and that's unique because most of the time you have a lot of serovars circulating because you have a lot of animals and other sources of contamination." However, after over two decades of tracking, Wunder says they began to see a new serovar circulating, Cynopteri, and they want to know if new or different risk factors drive these infections. Knowing these factors is important because there is currently no vaccine available for humans, and the vaccines available for animals are generally not efficient because, although they protect against disease and death, they do not protect against the spread of the disease. Working to understand risk factors Therefore, the best way to prevent disease is by tackling other aspects of transmission, which for Leptospira means taking measures to improve sanitary conditions and knowing which animals contribute to the spread. To do this most efficiently, research like Wunder's is needed to understand the risk factors that drive the spread of different serovars. The analysis showed increases in both serovars with increasing age in study participants, but the seropositivity differed between the serotypes. For Cynopteri, the researchers saw increases in seropositivity in people living in houses with unplastered walls and in households with cats nearby. For Copenhageni, seropositivity was higher in men, in those who had contact with sewage, and via work-related exposure. Though the researchers are not sure about the causes of the different epidemiological patterns, cats could play a role. In epidemiology, confounding factors influence disease transmission indirectly. In the case of cats, there is no evidence they get sick or are responsible for the spread of lepto but they seem to have some influence. Wunder explains another example of a confounding factor from one of his previous studies where they found that chickens living within the household served as a confounding factor. "Just like cats, chickens don't get lepto and they don't transmit it but we learned that usually in communities where people have chickens, they throw food scraps to the chickens to eat, and that creates a source of food for rats," he says. If Cynopteri rates are higher in areas where there are cats and therefore it is not spread by rats, how is it spreading? "One hypothesis is that as predators of rats, having cats reduces the chances of having rats around your house. This might allow other serovars which are not necessarily transmitted by rats to take over and then you see more positivity in people because of other serovars from other sources that, unfortunately, we don't know yet. That's something that we need to figure out." Outbreaks can appear outside the tropics Details like these are important to figure out to understand outbreaks in other regions, including areas of the United States, such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Florida experiencing cases. Even temperate regions like Illinois and New York can see outbreaks in warmer months. "In Illinois at the end of the 1990s, there was a big outbreak where people doing triathlon and swimming in a lake got infected." Wunder explains warming climates aid lepto's environmental spread and coupled with socioeconomic factors like growing inequality and poverty that further aid transmission, rates of the disease are on the rise. "For me, coming from Brazil, this is a very common trend. I have seen the social inequality and I know what people in slum communities live with. I think people in the U.S. are not used to that, but conditions of social and economic inequality are increasing here too. Of course, together with climate change, we are creating all the perfect conditions for the number of lepto cases to grow." Wunder says that until recently, the annual average number of cases of lepto in New York City held steady at around three to four cases, with most of those instances from people returning from tropical locations. This began to change in 2021, when Wunder says there were 15 cases, and only one was travel-related while the rest were spread within the community, likely due to rats. All 15 were acute infections and required hospitalization and the outbreak resulted in one death. "A recent report showed that in 2023 they had 24 cases and this year, as of mid-April, we have already had six cases in the city. So even in New York City, you see increasing cases," Wunder says. "Of course, we are only talking about 20 cases and if you compare it to other diseases, that sounds like something that is not that relevant, but for diseases related to poverty or developing countries, when you see those numbers in developed countries, then you should start getting more concerned." Sanitation is key, but implementing change requires investment in infrastructure which governments are not always willing to undertake. In Brazil, the authors note that nearly 30% of the population lives in urban, poor communities. In the community where the study was conducted, there are open sewers, meaning people encounter sewage on their way to work, school, or any time the area floods. Wunder says when he teaches classes on water, sanitation, and hygiene, this fact of daily life for so many and the lack of will to change those conditions is a wake-up call for students. "It's such a no-brainer that having an open sewer cannot be sanitary, but one of the things that we learn throughout the class is that every time you talk about investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene, the stakeholders always ask for evidence and they want to know the cost-benefit of investing billions of dollars in these communities," he says. "Always, one of the complaints is there is no strong evidence. It's very hard to look in the eyes of your students in the 2020s and explain we still have to prove that closing sewers is a good thing. It just blows my mind." A ticking time bomb Wunder says it is important that people realize that poverty increases the chances of diseases like lepto spreading and that these are the realities for populations around the world. Besides providing more evidence to present to stakeholders, Wunder says this research is important for helping to educate people, including members of the communities most at risk. "This research helps to give tools to the people who live and work in those areas to educate them on how to avoid the disease," he says. "When I do my presentations, I always have a picture from a house near an open sewer where there's a brown line about a foot and a half off the ground and I point out to show where the water reaches when it rains and it floods. How do you educate people to not go into the flood when they have to go to work or school? This information gives us the necessary tools to try to do our best and prevent people from getting this disease, which has high levels of lethality if not diagnosed or treated well." The number of people living in slums is expected to continue to rise, coupled with a growing global refugee crisis, all in addition to climate change and increasing inequality creates a situation where Wunder says leptospirosis is a ticking time bomb that needs more attention. "That is part of neglected diseases, this idea that because we are in a developed country, we're immune to those things, but we are not," Wunder says. "Those things are happening in this country and in Europe because the situations are changing." The international study, co-authored by the Department of Sociology and the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science's Dr Aashish Gupta and Professor Ridhi Kashyap, reveals that life expectancy in India suffered large and unequal declines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, mortality across India was 17% higher in 2020 compared to 2019, implying 1.19 million excess deaths in India. This extrapolated estimate is about eight times higher than the official number of COVID-19 deaths in India, and 1.5 times higher than the World Health Organization's estimates. Ridhi Kashyap, Professor of Demography and Computational Social Science at the University of Oxford said, 'Our findings challenge the view that 2020 was not significant in terms of the mortality impacts and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. While a mortality surge caused by the Delta variant in 2021 received more attention, our study reveals significant and unequal mortality increases even earlier on in the pandemic.' Using high-quality survey data from 765,180 individuals, the study estimated changes in life expectancy at birth, by sex and social group between 2019 and 2020 in India a country where one-third of global pandemic excess deaths are thought to have occurred. The study found large mortality impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on younger age groups, women, and marginalized social groups. Marginalized social groups within India experienced greater life expectancy declines than the most privileged social groups. Marginalized groups already had lower life expectancy, and the pandemic further increased the gap between the most privileged Indian social groups, and the most marginalized social groups in India." Dr. Aashish Gupta, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow, University of Oxford While high caste Hindu groups experienced a life expectancy decline of 1.3 years, the loss for Muslims was 5.4 years and 4.1 years for Scheduled Tribes. These marginalized caste and religious groups already faced large disadvantages in life expectancy disparities which were only exacerbated by the pandemic. The study also found larger losses among females compared to males among almost all Indian social groups and classes. Women in India experienced life expectancy declines of 3.1 years - one year more than men who experienced life expectancy losses of 2.1 years. This pattern could be explained by gender inequalities in healthcare and allocation of resources within households. It also contrasts with the pattern found in high-income countries where excess mortality was higher among men than women during the COVID-19 pandemic. While life expectancy declines in high-income countries were primarily driven by mortality increases in over 60s, mortality increased in almost all age groups in India and most prominently in the youngest and older age groups. Excess morality in the youngest ages could be explained by children in certain areas being more susceptible to COVID-19 and by indirect effects of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, including deteriorating economic conditions and disruptions to public health services. Professor Ridhi Kashyap said, 'Using unique demographic and health survey data, our study highlights the importance of focussing on inequality when measuring mortality and shows that pandemics can worsen, rather than equalize, existing disparities. This was particularly noticeable on the role that COVID-19 had in further exacerbating the health impacts of pre-pandemic gender disparities.' This study shows the potential for accurately estimating mortality even for short periods using retrospective mortality information collected in a relatively poor context. It also emphasizes the need for policies that address the underlying social determinants of health to mitigate the impact of future health crises. A new study shows that by combining different chemotherapy drugs, testicular cancer remains highly treatable and often curable, even after first-line treatment fails. The recent study published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) was led by Professor Jack Gleeson, Associate Professor at Cancer Research at University College Cork (UCC) and the Medical Oncology Department at Cork University Hospital, and was conducted during his time at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Over 100 patients were followed up over almost 10 years to examine how truly effective this combination of treatment was. The study looked at the response rate from the chemotherapy combination and how long people survived. This study also examined the effectiveness of this combination for patients with what are called unfavourable risk factors. Reassuringly, this treatment combination was shown to be very effective with high response rates (nearly 80%). There was no significant drop off in survival in the longer term, and the regimen was almost equally effective in those with or without unfavourable risk factors. The study confirms prior results and highlights the overall positive long-term outcomes with this chemotherapy combination for men with recurrent testicular cancer. Professor Gleeson encourages men, especially young men, to be proactive about their health. Men should routinely self-examine for unusual masses or lumps in their testicles and not be afraid to get any new lump checked out - "Studies like this one show that chemotherapy combinations are effective in the treatment of testicular cancer. Detecting cancer early significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and recovery". ARIES Ganesha says today will be a day of assorted results for you. If there is no conflict going on in marital life, it will end and you can go anywhere to get the attraction again. If you want to partner in a business, you will get a lot of profit, but you may suffer loss due to a dispute with an official. You are planning to go on a long-distance trip with friends. Lucky Number: 17 Lucky Colour: White TAURUS Ganesha says today will be a very physical day for you. People doing business got some success only after a lot of struggle. You have to pay attention to the new policy, only then it can give you sudden benefits. Youth doing government jobs will have to be careful about the work of any senior officer, otherwise, they may have to work in the police in front of senior officers. People working in political direction have to be careful, because their friends may try to tarnish their image. Lucky Number: 11 Lucky Colour: Orange GEMINI Ganesha says today is going to provide profit opportunities for business people, which you will have to immediately identify and implement. You will start the night laughing and joking with your friends and relatives. If you want to promote a small business then the day will be better for it. Problems being faced in the marriage of any member of your family may get resolved, but there may be a dispute with someone from the Muslim side, you have to be careful. People living a love life will have to avoid trusting love blindly. Lucky Number: 16 Lucky Colour: Maroon CANCER Ganesha says today you will seem happy with yourself and will not pay attention to any critics criticism. You will complete your work on time. Instead of talking to a person or friend in your free time, it is better to pay attention to some business terms. By increasing interaction in social areas, you become unemployed. You may hear some information related to investment. You will have to try to manage your big expenses also. Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Colour: Red LEO Ganesha says today will be a busy day for you. You can get any unofficial information from any private company. You will get new achievements only after hard work. The responsibility of railway employees will increase in the social sector, but those who are social sector employees may get some other job offer today, but still, it would be better for them to stick to their old job. If you come in contact with an unknown person, he may cause trouble for you. The strategies of your enemies will be repeated and the use of your intelligence will be revealed to you. Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Yellow VIRGO Ganesha says today will be a very profitable day for you. Some auspicious or auspicious festivals may be organized in your family, but you will have to come to Ukraine once again. If there is no domestic problem at home then you will be happy, but if any adverse situation arises, you will have to control your anger, otherwise, you may become sad. You will be interested in inconvenient tasks. Some desires will remain rooted in your mind, due to which you will not be happy. Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: Green LIBRA Ganesha says today is an important day for you. You can go on a near or far trip, which will be beneficial for you, but your mind will remain troubled due to not getting solutions to the challenges. You may speak ill about a family member due to his bitter behaviour, but business people may get benefits in mind. If you get a chance to meet a friend after a long time, you will not have to harbour old grudges. Lucky Number: 11 Lucky Colour: Sky Blue SCORPIO Ganesha says today you will be busy with some special work like orchestra, but you will benefit by keeping the mentioned thoughts in your mind, otherwise, your attention will wander here and there, due to which many of your tasks may not be completed. Time. Is. You will not be able to get any good news from the saints side. You will also get an opportunity to avail the benefits of government schemes in any government institution. People looking for employment may also get some good news. You will spend some time during the day listening to and discussing what your parents say. Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Colour: Brown SAGITTARIUS Ganesha says today your faith in some religious activities will remain intact and your mind will be engaged in charitable works. If you get a chance to meet some new people, it brings benefits to you, but if you are not at all competent in the professions of your group, later they may all come down on you together, causing Your burden may increase. Business should include some of your long pending projects, which will give you substantial profits in the future. You can take your lover out for a walk somewhere. The saint may get a new job offer today. Lucky Number: 18 Lucky Colour: Pink CAPRICORN Ganesha says today will be a day of increase in your abilities. Seeing the radiance of your face, your enemies will be destroyed. A guest may suddenly come to your house in the evening, on whom some of your money will also be spent. If you have a conflict with any official, you will get a better life to live, otherwise, he may create obstacles in your railways. If you have kept any work secret in the future, your secret may be revealed. You can also read some material for a friend of yours. Lucky Number: 12 Lucky Colour: Dark Green AQUARIUS Ganesha says today will be a day of increase in your faith and happiness. You can buy any favourite item using household items from your home. If you are going to buy land or a vehicle, house, etc. then it would be better for you to wait for some time, otherwise it can be harmful for you. You are worried due to the sudden decline in the health of a family member. You will be appreciated by the students, due to which you may make some new friends. Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Colour: Blue PISCES Ganesha says today is going to be moderately profitable for you. You may get victory in the company for which you have been working for a long time. There are some interesting things related to the saint so you will have to solve them. The morale of the family will increase if a family member gets a government job. The weather can hurt your health, so you have to be careful. Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Colour: Navy Blue (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is set to conclude the registration window for Clerk positions today, July 21, 2024. Interested applicants should verify eligibility, age restriction, selection procedure, and other information on the official website ibps.in before submitting their applications. The IBPS had announced Clerk recruitment for 6,128 positions during the 2025-26 recruitment phase. The Pre-Examination Training will take place between August 12 and 17, 2024. The preliminary test will take place in August, and call letters are scheduled to be issued in along the same time. The exact dates are still pending confirmation. The IBPS Prelims Exam for Clerks will be mostly objective, featuring parts on English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The test will consist of 100 questions for 100 marks. IBPS Mains Exam 2024 is slated for October and will be administered for for a duration of 160 minutes for 200 mark. IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2024: Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for clerk recruitment, candidates must be at least 20 years old and no older than 28 years old on July 1, 2024. A candidates birth date must have fallen during July 2, 1996 and July 1, 2004. Other categories, however, have a more liberal maximum age restriction. IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2024: How to Apply Step 1: Visit the official website, ibps.in. Step 2: From the the main menu, click the Apply Online for Common Recruitment Process under CRP- Clerks -XIV option. Step 3: On the linked page, register and fill out the form. Step 4: Upload all the appropriate paperwork and submit the application fees online. Step 5: Print a copy of the application form for your records going forward. IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2024: Application Fee Candidates from the SC/ST/PwD categories shall pay Rs.175 as an application fee. General and other category applicants must pay an exam fee of Rs.850. On the official website, applicants can search for vacancies at participating financial institutions such as Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank in every single state and union territory. They should be aware that they can only apply for employment in a single state or union territory. Government jobs offer notable advantages, including job stability, generous benefits such as medical coverage, paid vacations, and social prestige. However, securing a government position is challenging and demands dedication, perseverance and consistent effort. Its crucial to first identify and apply for roles that align with your skills and qualifications to maximize your chances of success. We have curated a list of government organisations inviting online applications this week. RRC RAILWAY RECRUITMENT FOR APPRENTICE POSTS The Central Railway has invited online applications from candidates who have passed the Class 10th examination or their equivalent with a minimum of 50 per cent marks. Those interested can apply for 2,424 apprentice posts through the official website at rrccr.com. The recruitment process for Fitter, Carpenter, Painter, Tailor, Electrician, Machinist, Programming & Systems Administration Assistant, Laboratory Assistant and several other posts began on July 16 and will run until August 15. Talking about the selection process, candidates will be shortlisted based on the merit list prepared in respect of all the candidates who apply against the notificationread more INDIAN ARMY RECRUITMENT FOR SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION COURSE 2024 The Indian Army has started the application process for the Short Service Commission course 2024. Engineering graduates who want to apply for the course can apply now at joinindianarmy.nic.in. The registration process commenced on July 16 and will end on August 14, 2024. Under the recruitment drive, the Indian Army aims to fill 379 vacancies in the organisation. The Pre-Commissioning Training Academy (PCTA) is expected to start the course in April 2025. Talking about the age limit, candidates need to be 20 to 27 years old to be eligible for the recruitmentread more DMRC RECRUITMENT FOR CHIEF ENGINEER POSTS The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is looking for candidates who hold a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. The recruitment process for the posts of Chief Resident Engineer and Chief Project Manager is accessible until August 6. Applicants can apply through the official website of DMRC at www.delhimetrorail.com. The recruitment will be done on a deputation basis and the selected candidate for the post of Chief Project Manager in Patna will get a salary ranging from Rs 1,20,000 to 2,80,000. For Chief Resident Engineer (Civil) in Bhubaneshwar, the salary will range from Rs 70,000 to Rs 2,00,000read more NPCIL RECRUITMENT FOR STIPENDIARY TRAINEE AND NURSE POSITIONS The Nuclear Energy Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has released vacancies for Stipendiary Trainee Category I/II, Nurse-A, or X-Ray Technician posts. Those who are willing to apply for these posts can visit the official website of NPCIL at npcilcareers.co.in and fill out the recruitment form. This recruitment drive is conducted to fill up a total of 74 posts at a stipend of more than Rs 44, 000. To get selected for the mentioned post, candidates will have to go through a preliminary test, an advanced test, a skill test and an interview, depending on the postread more MUMBAI UNIVERSITY RECRUITMENT FOR PROFESSOR, DEAN POSTS The University of Mumbai is accepting applications for university faculty posts. Candidates who are interested can apply online through the official website, muappointment.mu.ac.in. It is to be noted that the recruitment window will remain open until August 7, 2024. This year, this university aims to fill up a total of 152 posts in the institution. After filling out the application form online, applicants must submit three copies of the completed form to the University of Mumbais Registrar in Room No. 25, Fort, Mumbai 40003read more INDIAN ARMY RECRUITMENT FOR SSC MEDICAL OFFICER POSTS Candidates who wish to join the Indian armed forces can gear up, as the recruitment for Short Service Commission Medical Officer (SSC-MO) positions under the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has commenced. The Indian Army started the application process on July 16, 2024, and the deadline to apply is August 4, 2024. Those who meet the eligibility criteria can visit the official website, amcsscentry.gov.in, and apply for the 450 positions. Candidates will be selected based on an interview that will be held tentatively in August or September 2024. This round will be followed by a verification of documents and a medical testread more Can we finally declare that the label contemporary art has become ancient, so that we can begin the search for a new one to describe whats happening in 2024? The American painter Asher Liftin is 25-years-old. Inevitably, one turns to him for insight, as if he were the oracle who can predict whats to come. Or, rather, whats already here (we just dont know about it). Liftin is one of the first successful artists from the generation that completed its university studies via Zoom. Discovered on Instagram by the great curators of art, he has normalized artificial intelligence as a simple work tool and a potential starting point for artists. I was never one of those people who sat down with a pad and a pencil to draw something that came from my imagination, he shrugs, during his interview with EL PAIS, which takes place in his studio in New Haven, Connecticut. But dont get the wrong idea. He has nothing to do with the nihilism associated with generation Z, nor with the new influencer plutocracy. His large-format paintings are a revision of pointillism, filtered by glimpses of abstract expressionist Jasper Johns. He deeply admires the French avant-garde painter Francis Picabia. And, when he makes his case in favor of images created with artificial intelligence, he mentions the trompe-loeil technique, or the hybrid photographs of the Canadian Paul Wall. Perhaps what most justifies his pictorial style is that the New York-born Liftin studied at Yale University, where in addition to Art he studied Cognitive Sciences. To top off his status as a child prodigy, he made his debut with Wes Anderson in the film Moonrise Kingdom (2012) at the young age of 12. A teacher told me that Anderson was looking for artists in schools for his new film, because the protagonist was my age. [The teacher said] I should send him my CV, which was a little absurd, because what kind of CV are you going to have at the age of 12? I painted some watercolors, I sent them and they chose me, he recalls. Asher Liftin became the new child prodigy of the American art scene. Erik Tanner Despite this promising start, Asher Liftin never thought he would make a living from art. Hence, he decided to complement his training with scientific thinking. In the end, however, this only reinforced his artistic vision, in the opposite way to how the Jacquard loom (another of his references, patented in 1804) became a predecessor of computer programming. When he stepped away from painting during the pandemic I didnt want to paint on Zoom he became obsessed with Italian director Michelangelo Antonionis film Blow-Up (1966), in which a photographer believes he has discovered hidden and transcendent realities in the enlargements of his own images. The labyrinths of image perception and the information flow of the digital age became his muses. When you see a painting, something captivates you, because there are a series of intermediate processes that generate a certain feeling in you but you dont perceive them. In the same way that a tweet or an Instagram post goes viral and generates an emotional reaction or a sensation of truth, the more it multiplies online. Being aware of that relationship between speed and ferocity is very interesting, he notes. For this reason, in his paintings, he seeks an immediate, captivating esthetic impact, but one forged in an almost laboratory process. His technique is complex practically scientific which hides a meticulous process, a theoretical framework and some details that border on the subliminal. He enjoys and measures the intermediate steps. Returning to the Jacquard loom, he feels that his way of painting is almost like weaving a tapestry. He begins to build out his images in gray, adding layers of color, enriching them with translucent ink, generating geometric stencils, forming games of mirrors and textures. Like the great impressionists of the past, he enjoys when the figurative becomes abstract upon being in close proximity to the viewer. Perception and 'trompe l'oeil' mark Asher Liftin's work. Here, a window is seen from the street, where exterior and interior overlap in a mixture of transparency and reflection. Erik Tanner A recent diptych by Liftin. Still lifes make up the thematic axes of the artists most current pieces, although they have a contemporary twist. This is reflected in the vase on the right, where the artist is pictured taking a photo of it with his mobile phone. His creative process is a sum of layers: from a grayscale base, to color and translucent ink. Erik Tanner Liftins art supplies in his studio. Erik Tanner It sounds brainy, but everything about it is playful. And it seems that he greatly amused an art curator, who saw Liftins art on Instagram and subsequently rolled out the red carpet for him at a Milan-based gallery: Galleria Alessandro Albanese. This would end up being his first international solo exhibition. He titled it Blow-Up, after the movie he loves. His exhibition happened in 2022, the same year he graduated from Yale. That first exhibition in Italy was really exciting, because there was a lot of Italian cinema present in those paintings. I had hoped to sell a couple of them. It turns out that billionaire David Geffen would be one of his first buyers. And, by the time he returned to New York in 2023 with his exhibition Error Signals which opened at the Nino Mier Gallery peculiar members of the elite had discovered his work. These included Jan Koum, co-founder of WhatsApp, or Gary Steele, president of Cisco. Technological fortunes were attracted to this hybridization of art and cognitive sciences. Asher Liftin observes some of his works in his studio in New Haven (Connecticut). Erik Tanner There have been people who have really supported my work, he says modestly. His studio is also relatively modest, located in the same town where his alma mater is located. Liftin takes us out to grab a sandwich. In New York, the spaces are very small and my paintings are very large, he summarizes. Here, in New Haven, the only window in his studio became his muse for a series of paintings (Studio Window, I, II and III) that later expanded the horizons of the walls of a gallery. On the walls of his studio, meanwhile, he has portraits of colleagues (Ariadne, 2023), several postcards and, of course, the art hes currently working on, dominated by still lifes. [As a genre], still life has been such an easy object for conventions. It has so many precedents in the history of art that, if you take it apart and make it feel strange, people, when they look at it, establish a contradictory relationship with the object. And I like that, he admits. Thats why in what he defines as a nod to the mannerist 16th century artist Parmigianino you see him reflected in the vase that appears in one of his recent paintings, taking a photo of it with his mobile phone. Is this meant to be a 2024 version of The Arnolfini Portrait (1434), which experimented with mirrors? Is it post-contemporary art? Call it whatever you want, but know that, with Liftin, were in good hands. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In a fresh round of violence in Bangladesh, nearly 91 have been killed and dozens injured as the police fired tear gas and lobbed stun grenades to disperse thousands of protesters, demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas resignation following student demonstrations last month. Deaths were reported by the police and doctors in Dhaka and the northern districts of Bogura, Pabna and Rangpur, as well as in Magura in the west, Comilla in the east, and Barisal and Feni in the south on Sunday. The demonstrators are demanding Hasinas resignation after earlier protests in July that began with students calling for an end to a quota system for government jobs and escalated into violence that killed 200 people. Hasina said those who were engaging in the sabotage and the destruction in the name of protests were no longer students, but criminals, and said the people should deal with them with iron hands. The government has now imposed an indefinite curfew that began at 6pm local time (1200 GMT), although protesters have continued to gather at the Shaheed Minar monument in central Dhaka. What is Happening in Bangladesh Right Now? On Sunday, the government announced a holiday from Monday to Wednesday. Courts were to be closed indefinitely, while mobile internet services were cut off, and Facebook and messaging apps, including WhatsApp, were inaccessible. As per a report by The Guardian, video footage on Sunday showed protesters vandalising a prison van at the chief metropolitan magistrates court in Dhaka. Other videos showed police opening fire on the crowds with bullets, rubber bullets and teargas. The protesters set fire to vehicles and the ruling partys offices. Some carried sharp weapons and sticks, according to TV footage. At least 10,000 have been arrested in recent weeks over the violence. What is the Government Saying? Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called an emergency meeting with university vice-chancellors and college principals on Saturday night amid heightened tensions. The Prime Minister held a view-exchange meeting with the vice-chancellors of public and private universities, senior teachers and college principals at Ganobhaban (PMs official residence), a PMO spokesman said. Without giving any detail, he said the meeting discussed the overall situation created over the students campaign and the way out to overcome it, while the teachers vowed to work in unison to save the students from the clutches of the evil forces. The government leaders earlier said the students peaceful campaign was hijacked by fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami and their student front Islami Chhatra Shibir being backed by ex-premier Khaleda Zias BNP. In an executive order on Friday, the government banned Jamaat and its front organisations. Why were Students Protesting in July? Days after the Bangladesh High Court ruled to reinstate a 30% government job quota for relatives of war veterans who fought in Bangladeshs War of Independence in 1971 against Pakistan, protests began in the country on July 1. Thousands of students from government and private universities in the country were protesting the quotas, fearing that they will be deprived of opportunities. While protesters support reservation for other marginalised groups like women, ethnic minorities and the disabled, the demand is that the quota of kin of freedom fighters be scrapped. According to a report by Al-Jazeera, the protesters claim that they are not aligned with any political group. Fahim Faruki, a protester and third-year international relations student at Dhaka University, told the publication that students organised the protests through a Facebook group and were not backed by any political organisation. On July 21, however, the Bangladesh Supreme Court cancelled the contentious civil service hiring rules but failed to mollify university student leaders. The ruling curtailed the number of reserved jobs, from 56% of all positions to 7%, but fell short of meeting protester demands. How Did The July Protest Turn Violent? PM Sheikh Hasina seemed to have irked some citizens by using the Razakars during a press conference in July. Razakar is a derogatory term used in Bangladesh for those collaborated with the Pakistan Army in the 1971 war, in act of treason. She was asked about the student protests and the quota system, and she responded by saying, If the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not receive [quota] benefits, who would get it? The grandchildren of Razakars? On July 14 night, thousands of students marched through the Dhaka University campus chanting the slogan, Who are you? Who are you? I am Razakar, I am Razakar. It is an adaptation of the famous chat during the Liberation War, Who are we? Bengali, according to a report in Scroll.in. On July 15, student activists at the countrys largest Dhaka University clashed with the police and counter-protest inflamed the situation. The students alleged the protests were peaceful until earlier this week, when the student wing of the ruling Awami League party attacked the protesters. Hundreds of people, including the police, have suffered injuries since. At Jahangir Nagar University, demonstrators gathered in front of the vice-chancellors residence early Tuesday when they were attacked by Bangladesh Chhatra League activists and police, say witnesses. Over 50 people were treated at a nearby hospital, with at least 30 suffering pellet wounds. On July 19, hundreds of protesters stormed the central Dhaka district of Narsingdi and freed over 850 inmates before setting fire to the facility, TV channels reported. A shoot-on-sight order was also in place along with the curfew, giving security forces the authority to fire on mobs in extreme cases, said lawmaker Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party. What is the Quota System? The quota system not only reserves nearly a third of government jobs for family members of veterans of the 1971 war of independence, it also gives government jobs to women, disabled people and members of ethnic minorities. This quota system was abolished in 2018 by Hasina after widespread protests in Bangladesh. The June 5 court order, which said the abolition was illegal, has again angered the youth. The Supreme Court then suspended that ruling pending an appeal hearing. The protesters have called on the government to abolish the quota for being discriminatory against the students, struggling amid high unemployment in a country where some 32 million young people are not in work or education. Even though job opportunities have grown in some parts of the private sector, many people prefer government jobs because they are seen as more stable and lucrative. Impact on Indian Students As of now, a total of 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports. The High Commission of India in Dhaka and our Assistant High Commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh, a latest update from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, with regard to the evacuation of Indians from Bangladesh. On July 19, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that at least 15,000 Indian nationals were currently in Bangladesh and urged family members to track updates from Indian officials. We remain committed to providing all possible assistance to our nationals in Bangladesh, said Jaiswal. After massive backlash led the Karnataka government to pause a new bill mandating reservation for Kannadigas in private industries, the state could stoke another controversy as it mulls a proposal to extend the working period of techies to 14 hours per day and 70 hours a week. Raising concerns over this, employee and trade unions in the IT sector have already resisted the move calling it inhuman while chief minister Siddaramaiah and his government are yet to comment on the issue. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) said the state government is planning to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, to raise the working hours of an employee in IT/ITeS/BPO sector for more than 12 hours a day and not exceeding 125 hours in three continuous months. Union representatives met state labour minister Santosh Lad, labour department principal secretary Mohammad Mohsin and IT-BT department principal secretary Ekroop Kaur among other officials to register their opposition. According to a report published by The Hindu, the labour department called a meeting with different industry stakeholders to present the proposal to raise the working hours to 14 per day and 70 per week. If implemented, the amendment will impact state capital Bengaluru, which is the IT hub of the country. Unions call proposal attempt to normalise 14-hour work day The new proposal states that an employee working in IT/ITeS/BPO sector may be required or allowed to work for more than 12 hours in a day and not exceeding 125 hours in three continuous months. Though it does not mention it clearly, the KITU said the new amendment bill attempts to normalise a 14-hour work day and will completely change the existing law that allows maximum 10 hours per day including overtime. The proposed new bill Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 attempts to normalise a 14-hour work day. The existing act only allows a maximum of 10 hours of work per day including overtime, which has been completely lifted in the current amendment. It will facilitate the IT/ITES companies to extend the daily hours of work indefinitely, the statement read, as per a report published by NDTV. The KITU was quoted as saying this is the biggest ever attack on the working class in this era and will allow companies to go in for a two-shift system instead of the existing three-shift system, while one-third of the workforce could be axed. Union representatives said they also pointed out the health impact of such a proposal, saying the sector already ails from poor physical and mental health. They quoted studies to make their case stronger and said longer working hours could lead to stroke, heart disease and depression. As per the report of KCCI, 45% of employees in the IT sector are facing mental health issues such as depression, and 55% facing physical health impacts. Increasing working hours will further aggravate this situation. WHO-ILO study says increased working hours will lead to an estimated 35% higher risk of death by stroke and 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, the KITU said. The unions have urged the chief minister to rethink the proposal and warned that this will be an open challenge to the 20 lakh employees working in the IT/ITeS sector in Karnataka, calling upon them to unite and resist this inhuman attempt to impose slavery on us. Lad, however, told The Hindu that the proposal is still in the discussion stage. A proposal of extending the work hours to 14 hours has come in. Discussions are still going on the same, he was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The proposal comes at a time when there is a rising awareness among the younger workforce about how increased working hours can negatively impact productivity as well as health, especially after the Covid pandemic led to hybrid work and work-from-home models. It also comes amid a raging debate on how many hours of work per day should be put in by Indian techies and private sector employees, which was triggered by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthys statement that he worked 14 hours per day for six days a week. He has, however, altered his past statement by saying he was only talking in terms of productivity. Former Infosys board member TV Mohandas Pai, who vociferously opposed the private sector quota bill, has also made similar statements in the past in terms of layoffs. In the first 10 years of life you have to work 12-14 hours a day to make an impact. Work life balance is fine but understand, work is life. HR will come and tell you about work-life balance, events, etc, but when they get laid off, what happens to you? You get laid off unless you are productive. If you compete with everybody and do better than everybody, then your job is much more secure, he had told The Economic Times in an old interview from 2022. BJP slammed the Kerala government over appointing a Foreign Secretary in the state on Saturday. BJP state president K Surendran aimed at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and said that the Marxist veteran should not consider the southern state as an independent country. BJP Chief said that External Affairs falls in the domain of the Centre and the state governments move to intervene in it sends a bad signal to the country. He also questioned if CM Vijayan was trying to establish Kerala as a separate nation. A scathing attack from BJP came after the LDF government in Kerala gave IAS officer K Vasuki, an additional charge of matters connected with External Cooperation. Surendran termed the handing over of charge of External Cooperation to Vasuki as the appointment of a foreign secretary of the state. He contended that it was unconstitutional and a flagrant violation of the federal principles. The appointment of an IAS officer as Foreign Secretary in Kerala by CM Pinarayi Vijayan is a blatant overreach and a violation of the Union list of our Constitution. The LDF government has no mandate in foreign affairs. This unconstitutional move sets a dangerous precedent. Is CM Pinarayi Vijayan trying to establish Keralam as a separate nation? BJP Chief wrote on X. The appointment of an IAS officer as Foreign Secretary in Kerala by CM Pinarayi Vijayan is a blatant overreach and a violation of the Union list of our Constitution. The LDF government has no mandate in foreign affairs. This unconstitutional move sets a dangerous precedent. Is K Surendran (@surendranbjp) July 20, 2024 Vasuki was by a government order dated July 15 given the additional charge of the matters connected with the External Cooperation. The July 15 order further said that the General Administration (Political) Department would deal with the subjects related to external co-operation and would assist Vasuki till alternate arrangements are made, reported PTI. The Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, New Delhi will support the officer in the matters of External Co-operation, to liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs, Missions and Embassies etc, the order said. An all-party meeting was convened in the Parliament on Sunday ahead of the commencement of the Budget Session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju convened a meeting of the floor leaders of political parties in Parliament to understand issues they would want to raise during the session. #WATCH | Delhi | Leaders from different parties at the Parliament where an all-party meeting will begin shortly. pic.twitter.com/vy7z6WWche ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2024 Issues Raised In All-Party Meeting In the meeting, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav, raised the issue of the UP governments order asking shopkeepers to display their names on the Kanwar route. Not the correct thing to do, said Yadav. Quoting sources, an ANI report said that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi raised the issues of NEET, and alleged misuse of central agencies like ED, CBI and Deputy Speaker post in the meeting. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to microblogging site X and wrote, In todays all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter. On the all-party meeting in Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari said, Traditionally, an all-party meeting is held so that we can raise issues related to the proceedings of the House. We want to discuss issues like inflation, unemployment, paper leaks, security issues related to China, removal of statues in Parliament, farmers, labourers, Manipur, and rail accidents. We will also make full efforts to discuss the issue of NEET. After the meeting, BJD MP Dr Sasmit Patra stated that the party demanded special category status for Odisha adding that the state has been deprived of the same for more than two decades. On behalf of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), we have placed several demands in the all-party meetingOdisha has been deprived of the special category status for more than two decadesPolitical parties from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have also demanded special category status for their respective states. BJD has demanded special category status for OdishaThe second issue is the non-revision of coal royalty for the state of OdishaWe raised the issue about the declining central transfer of funds and the need to work towards itNo action has been taken against the Governor of Odishas son who had beaten a Raj Bhawan staffer is extremely shocking. The rule of law is not being followed by the state of Odisha and its government, Patra said. Who All Attended All-Party Meeting? Attendees of the meeting include Tiruchi Shiva, AIUML leader E.T. Mohammad Basheer, Jana Sena Party leader Bala Krishna, BJD leader Sasmit Patra, JDU leader Sanjay Jha, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale, Praful Patel, Chirag Paswan, and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi among others. Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and BJP President JP Nadda are also present. However, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders are absent as they are observing Shahidi Divas (Martyrdom Day) in West Bengal. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav is also absent from the meeting since he is in Kolkata, attending the observance at the invitation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Monsoon Session of the parliament will commence on Monday and will have 19 sittings till August 12. Finance Minister Sitharman To Present Union Budget Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget on the first day of the session. Sitharaman will also table the Economic Survey in Parliament on Monday. The government is expected to present six bills, including the one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, and also get the Parliament nod for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir, which is under central rule. INDI Alliance To Corner Government Meanwhile, the united opposition is likely to corner the NDA government on issues ranging from the NEET paper leak case and railway safety. Earlier this week, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had said that the opposition would also resist any government move to dilute its stake in public sector banks below 51 per cent. Other Bill To To Be Tabled In Monsoon Session The government is likely to bring amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and other laws such as Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970, and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980 in the Budget Session due to which the governments shareholding in PSBs can go down below 51 per cent. Besides the Finance Bill, the government has also listed The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration and passing. The proposed legislation aims to bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of different organisations working in the field of disaster management, a Lok Sabha bulletin issued Thursday said. The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 seeks to replace the Aircraft Act of 1934 to provide enabling provisions for ease of doing business in the civil aviation sector. The other bills listed for introduction and passage during the session are the Boilers Bill to replace the pre-Independence era law, the Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill and the Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill. BJD To Demand Special Status For Odisha Meanwhile, the former Odisha chief minister and BJP leader Naveen Patnaik has asked his party MPs to take up the demand for special category status for Odisha. The BJD has also declared that it would play the role of a strong opposition and aggressively raise issues of interest to the state in Parliament. CPI MP Calls For Cancellation Of NEET UG 2024 Ahead Of The Meet CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar called the all-party meeting a formality and said that nothing much of use will happen in the meeting. Hea also called for the cancellation of NEET UG 2024 exam. Speaking to ANI Kumar said This meeting is going to be held from 11 AM. It is not going to be of much use because this Parliament Session is going to start from tomorrow. It is a formality. Still, it is our responsibility to raise some issues for the public, we will definitely do that. The biggest issue is NEET, it needs to be cancelled. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday backed the direction of the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand government where shopkeepers having food shops of the Kanwar route have been asked to display their nameplates. Addressing the media, he said, If Ramdev has no problem in revealing his identity, then why should Rahman have a problem in revealing his identity? He further said that everyone should be proud of their name and that there is no need for people to hide the name as only purity is required in work. If our work is pure, it does not matter if we are Hindu, Muslim or from any other community, Ramdev added. On July 18, police in the Muzaffarnagar district issued an order concerning the Kanwar Yatra route, mandating that all eateries display the names of their owners prominently outside their establishments. This directive aims to avoid confusion and ensure transparency during the religious procession. The preparations for the Kanwar Yatra, which is set to commence on July 22, are underway accompanied by new guidelines from the administration. According to the order issued by the Muzaffarnagar senior superintendent of police (SSP), owners of eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route must clearly write the name of the shop owner on their premises. This requirement extends to hotels, dhabas and carts, with the intention of facilitating smoother coordination and accountability. Additionally, liquor and meat shops along the yatra routes will remain closed, and authorities are instructed to prevent stray animals from obstructing the pilgrims path. Surveillance through CCTV and drones will monitor the event, ensuring safety and security measures are upheld. The decision has stirred a debate, with criticism from Owaisi, who alleged the measure could marginalise Muslims from taking part in the yatra. He likened it to apartheid in South Africa and judenboycott in Hitlers Germany. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera called the order state-sponsored bigotry while Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the order is a social crime and asked the courts to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the latest order by the Uttar Pradesh government directing shop owners to display their names outside shops during the Kanwar Yatra. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti is slated to hear the case on Monday, July 22, 2024. The plea was filed by the NGO, Association of Protection of Civil Rights (APCR). On July 19, the Uttar Pradesh Government issued an order for eateries, restaurants, dhabas, beverage, and fruit shops along Kanwar routes to display the name of the owner of their outlets. The Muzaffarnagar Police had issued the order initially, however, later, the Uttar Pradesh government extended the controversial directive across the state. A controversy erupted over the order with Opposition leaders saying it aims to polarise the society. The issue was also raised in the all-party meeting held in Parliament earlier in the day. Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav, raised the issue of the UP governments order asking shopkeepers to display their names on the Kanwar route in the meeting. Not the correct thing to do, said Yadav. The petition in the top court also comes amid reports of similar orders being issued in Madhya Pradesh. Violators will have to pay a Rs 2,000 fine for the first offence and Rs 5,000 if they defy this order for the second time, Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said on Saturday. He further stressed that the measure is rooted in the MP Shop Establishment Act or Gumasta License, and it serves to enhance customer safety. Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha (faith). They have the right to know about the shopkeeper whose services they are availing. If a customer is dissatisfied or cheated, knowing the shopkeepers details allows them to seek redress, the mayor was quoted by PTI as saying. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also said similar instructions are already in place in his state as well. Despite criticism, the state governments have defended the order, saying it will ensure that no law-and-order situation arises and so that there is no confusion among Kanwariyas. The order was being followed voluntarily, the district police have said. Lakhs of people from across West Bengal gathered in Kolkata on Sunday to take part in the TMCs mega rally, its first show of strength following the remarkable performance in the Lok Sabha polls. TMC supporters from the far-off districts started arriving two days back and were staying at camps set up in various places in the city. From the rally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to outline the partys blueprint at the national level. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is also likely to address the rally, TMC leaders said. The July 21 Martyrs Day rally holds a special place in our hearts. We dedicate this day to our martyrs. As our party supremo Mamata Banerjee said, this year we will dedicate this rally to our victory in the Lok Sabha polls, a senior TMC leader said. Taking on X, Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said 21st July is a blood-soaked day in the history of Bengal. 13 lives were brutally taken away by the repressive regime of CPI( M) on this day in 1993. I lost 13 of my co-fighters on this day in my battle against repression. Tomorrow comes another 21st July!21st July is a blood-soaked day in the history of Bengal. 13 lives were brutally taken away by the repressive regime of CPI( M) on this day in 1993. I lost 13 of my co-fighters on this day in my battle against repression. 21st July is therefore Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 20, 2024 General Secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee also gave his message on the occasion of the partys annual Martyrs Day programme calling for the continued movement against the anti-Bengal forces. July 21st represents the courage and defiance against tyranny; a story of the people, by the people and for the people.On this #ShahidDibas, as we honor our martyrs, we pledge to relentlessly fight for the rights of the people. I deeply thank and honor the people of Bengal for Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) July 21, 2024 The rally is organised on this day every year at Esplanade, the heart of Kolkata, in memory of the 13 Congress workers who were allegedly killed in police firing in 1993 during a protest against the then CPI(M)-led Left Front government in the state. Banerjee, the state Youth Congress chief at that time, was leading the protest. In wake of the escalating violence in Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that she would offer shelter for people in distress from the neighbouring country. She also said that she would keep the doors of her state open for people in distress from the neighbouring country. The TMC supremo referred to the United Nations Resolution on refugees as justification for her stand over the possible humanitarian crisis that may emerge on account of the severe law and order breakdown that has gripped Bangladesh over the past few days. While addressing the Martyrs Day rally of the TMC in Kolkata, Banerjee said, I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since that is a sovereign nation and whatever needs to be said on the issue is a subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter. Thats because there is a United Nations Resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those under turmoil, the Bengal CM added while drawing an example from Assamese people who were allowed to live in Alipurduars area of north Bengal for a considerable period during the Bodo strife in the northeastern state. She further assured all cooperation to Bengal residents whose relatives may have remained stuck on account of the escalating violence on the eastern side of the international border. She also extended assistance to Bangladeshis who came to Bengal but were facing difficulty in returning home. Banerjee further requested the people of West Bengal to not get provoked over matters concerning the current situation in Bangladesh. We should exercise restraint and not walk into any provocation or excitement on the issue, she said. The Trinamool Congress supremo also expressed her solidarity with the people who have remained at the receiving end of the ongoing violence in the neighbouring country. We are sad to see blood getting spilt and my heart goes out to those students who were killed, she said. President of the BJPs Bengal unit and junior union minister Sukanta Majumdar, however, opined that such matters, involving the countrys foreign policies, should first be consulted with the Centre before any public statement is made. Its true that we are all concerned about the current situation in Bangladesh over which Delhi is keeping a close watch. Our chief minister should not be voicing her opinions on matters involving our countrys foreign policies without first consulting the Centre, he said. Violence escalated in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka and elsewhere over student protests demanding reforms of the quota system for government jobs. The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan. These Matters Are Handled By Centre, Says Govt Sources In response to the comments by West Bengal Chief Minister, government sources said, These are matters which are handled by the Union Government. A State Government has no locus standi on the issue and as such their comments are totally misplaced. (with PTI inputs) Guru Purnima is celebrated in various parts of India and Nepal. The festival falls on Purnima, also known as the full moon day, in the month of June-July (the Hindu month of Ashadha), as per the traditional Hindu calendar. Guru Purnima is observed to honour and express gratitude towards academic or spiritual teachers and gurus who positively impact an individuals life by providing knowledge, wisdom, and guidance. In Sanskrit, the word guru means a spiritual guide or teacher. Since teachers play an important role in shaping the lives of individuals, the festival paves the way for disciples to pay homage and offer respect to their gurus. Heres all you need to know about Guru Purnimas timings, coupled with wishes and messages to send to your gurus. Guru Purnima Tithi Timings 2024 This year Guru Purnima will be celebrated on July 21, Sunday. Here are the timings as per Drikpanchang: Purnima Tithi Begins 05:59 PM on Jul 20, 2024 Purnima Tithi Ends 03:46 PM on Jul 21, 2024 Sunrise: 6:12 AM Sunset: 7:18 AM 10 Guru Purnima Wishes Your blessings made our life beyond imagination. Thanking you and wishing you a very Happy Guru Purnima. You are the only one who enlightened my path by removing the darkness of my ignorance. Happy Guru Purnima Guruji. On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I bow down to you, my Guru for imparting an immense wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Happy Guru Purnima. My light is rekindled by a spark from you. Deep gratitude to you for having lighted the flame within me. Happy Guru Purnima. Thank You for enriching my life and widening my horizons. Without you, many aspects of my life would have been unexplored. Happy Guru Purnima. Thank You for giving us more than we can wish for and more than we deserve. Happy Guru Purnima. To all those who gave us any bit of knowledge, we are humbled and thankful for your presence in our lives. Happy Guru Purnima. Wherever I am, whatever good exists in me is very much because of you. Happy Guru Purnima. Thank you for teaching me so many things about life, and guiding me by being the brightest light. Happy Guru Purnima. Your blessings enriched my life. Thank you and wishing you a Happy Guru Purnima. 10 Guru Purnima Messages When the disciple is ready, the Guru appears. Gautama Buddha As a lamp dispels darkness, knowledge acquired from a Guru dispels ignorance. Adi Shankaracharya Gurus are like candles who burn themselves to give light to others. Swami Vivekananda The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Maheshwara; the Guru is Supreme Being. Swami Vivekananda A true Guru challenges you, inspires you, and helps you become the best version of yourself. Dalai Lama A Guru is not someone who gives you answers, but one who lights a fire within you to find your own answers. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar A Gurus words are like seeds. Plant them in your heart, nurture them with devotion, and watch your soul blossom. Mata Amritanandamayi The greatest gift a guru can give is awakening the seekers own inner guru. Mooji A guru is not someone who holds a torch for you. They are the torch. Sadhguru A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love for learning. Brad Henry 10 Greetings For WhatsApp statuses Excitement has been building around Fawad Khans highly anticipated return to Bollywood. Fans have been buzzing with enthusiasm since news broke that he will be starring in a Hindi film after an eight-year hiatus, alongside actress Vaani Kapoor. Adding to the thrill, it has now been revealed that Fawad will take on the role of a chef in this upcoming project, further fueling the anticipation for his comeback. Filmfare recently confirmed the exciting news that Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor will be teaming up for a new movie, marking Fawads return to the Hindi film industry since his 2016 appearance in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The portal has now revealed that Fawad will portray a chef based in the UK. Directed by Aarti Bagdi, the film is set to be shot on a tight schedule with locations in London and Dubai. With pre-production details finalized, the project is gearing up to commence filming very soon, much to the anticipation of fans and the film industry alike. While specifics about Vaani Kapoors role remain under wraps, she is eagerly awaiting the release of her upcoming film Khel Khel Mein, which is set to premiere on August 15, 2024, coinciding with the Independence Day holiday. In a recent exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Fawad Khan was asked about his current connections with industry colleagues like Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar, and Sonam Kapoor. Fawad revealed, Im in touch on and off. Hamari baat ho jaati hai kabhi chat pe (We talk sometimes on chat) and on phone so Ive been in touch. And I have enjoyed a very good relationship with the Kapoor family and there is still a lot of love and respect even with Karan and Shakun so dostiyaan (friendships) hai. He continued, And then there are some producer friends jinke saath gaap shap lagi rehti hai and then we make plans of meeting somewhere so on and off we talk, we keep in touch and were still very cordial and still very friendly and theres no love lost. Fawad Khans popularity in the subcontinent has been growing since viewers discovered him in Dastaan (2010), Humsafar (2011) and Zindagi Gulzar Hai (2012). Then followed Hindi films Khubsoorat, Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The promising Bollywood career could not take off at the time because of fraught India-Pakistan relations. However, Fawad, amongst Pakistans most recognised actors, did international projects and several Pakistani shows and films. It is said that dogs choose their owners according to their energy level and personality, and not the other way around. The dog is a companion that usually becomes part of a persons life at a key moment, and hence has the potential to turn that life around. It is generally accepted that spending time with pets is beneficial and helps ease anxiety, stress and depression. The most recent scientific report on the positive aspects of owning a dog or cat, published in December 2023 in the International Journal of Current Science Research and Review (IJCSRR), describes how playing and spending time with a pet reduces levels of cortisol the main stress hormone. A dog helps us to manage our emotions because, when an individual is stressed, its companionship not only calms them, but strengthens the bond between them, allowing the owners to get to know themselves better, understanding both their actions and reactions and those of the animal, explains vet Merce Gimenez Genoves, who coordinates the Vida Natural Animal project. Dogs are like sponges, as they are able to convert the emotions of their owners into physical symptoms and detect when they are angry, sad, happy or nervous, she adds. New research published in the scientific journal Science Daily last March by experts from the faculty of science, department of biotechnology, Konkuk University, South Korea, titled Psychophysiological and Emotional Effects of Human-Dog Interactions, has shown how playing with dogs, or just walking them, increases the relative strength of alpha wave oscillations in the brain. The research thereby corroborates the positive effects of animal-assisted therapies, using dogs in particular. I see the benefits that the company of a dog brings to many owners on a daily basis, but it is very important that doctors, geriatricians and psychiatrists corroborate these benefits, says Dr. Manuel Lazaro Rubio, member of Madrids Official College of Veterinarians (COVELMA) and the Group of Specialists in Clinical Ethology (GRECA). Helena Diaz Torrejon, head of psychiatry at the University Hospital of Torrejon, Madrid, explains how dogs contribute positively to their owners social, affective and cognitive spheres. In the hospital, we do dog-assisted therapy, and we carry out cognitive dynamics with optimal results in terms of improving memory, attention, concentration and other neurological functionalities, she says. According to Diaz, all this has an impact on mood, since a dog acts as a catalyst and allows the person to move away from depressive states and even increase their potential. But according to Lazaro, it is important that the individual finds the animal entertaining and/ or comforting: If you want a companion dog, you first have to like animals, he says. Its no use taking a dog to a nursing home if the residents are not into it, because it can backfire. He adds that a dog can also generate dependence. Dogs work very well for therapy, but you have to be able to identify the ideal candidates. I know of a case in a nursing home where dogs were taken in twice a week for interaction, but one resident became obsessed with the dogs arrival. It had generated dependence, and this is counterproductive and did not benefit the resident, so the visits were suspended. Canine love. Getty Images/Cavan Images RF Spending quality time with your dog Owning a dog involves feeding, cleaning, vaccinations, and training. If these basic needs are met, quality time can follow. A dog gives you affection and a sense of empathy. So they can help transform someone who finds it hard to express their feelings, explains Alexis Raciorero, psychologist and Gestalt therapist, who is also the owner of a Golden Retriever. Dogs live in the present. They are able to tune in to what is happening around them, which is why practicing mindfulness with them is very effective. One beneficial activity is informal meditation, which consists of walking your dog, without listening to music and without a cell phone, just you and the dog in silence, in a park or in the city, she adds. Finally, Racionero stresses that dogs have the capacity to combat loneliness: With a dog you feel accompanied. During and immediately after lockdown, there was a boom in dog adoption as, faced with the prospect of further lockdowns and loneliness, people sought company. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Renowned film journalist Anupama Chopra, also the wife of filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, seemingly confirmed that Film Companion is closing. On Saturday, the film critic took to her Instagram account and shared pictures with her team along with a farewell note. She revealed the team reunited for their last lunch together and wished them the best as they headed into new career paths. Anupama Chopra will now head The Hollywood Reporter India. In the Instagram post, Anupama and her team smiled for the camera. She also revealed they concluded their final team lunch with some pizza and desserts. One last blow out @filmcompanion lunch pizza from @lilgamby, cakes from @le15india, good jokes, great people and much laughter. Missed all our folk who arent in Mumbai. Wishing this wonderful crew only the best! she wrote. Started in July 2014, Film Companion was a dedicated platform to films, reviews, and interviews. The platform covered different film industries. These include Bollywood, Tamil cinema, Telugu cinema and Malayalam cinema. The platform also carried reviews and interviews from the world of Hollywood. Film Companion brings you engaging and informative content on movies that includes, reviews of films and web shows, interviews, film festival news, features and masterclasses, the websites About Us page read. Anupama recently confirmed that she will be spearheading The Hollywood Reporter India in India. This marks THRs first Indian venture. She confirmed the news in a statement to Afaqs. Ive long admired The Hollywood Reporter for its incisive and informative journalism, the singular mix of high and low, and, of course, the sparkling roundtables. It is thrilling to be the first Editor of The Hollywood Reporter India. The Indian film industry is a mammoth, brilliant, fertile, and flamboyant space, and I look forward to capturing some of that magic on our platforms, Anupama Chopra said. It is reported that she takes charge of the platform starting August 16. Aamir Khans son Junaid Khan has made his acting debut with Maharaj. He is getting praise from all corners. Well, the actor is also very busy to celebrate his debut film success. Junaid has been shooting back-to-back. Amid this, his look is unveiled which has left his sister Ira Khan speechless. She has reacted to it and one cannot miss it. Taking to her Instagram stories, she shared the look and wrote, Who are you and what have you done to my brother?. In the photo, Junaid is seen wearing formal and posing. He is surely looking very handsome. Maharaj, that also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari Wagh and Shalini Pandey in pivotal roles, is inspired by the 1862 Maharaja Libel Case. It revolves around a religious leader who sued a newspaper for alleging inappropriate relationships with his female followers. Junaid reportedly portrays a journalist in the movie. Junaid portrayed Karsandas Mulji in the Netflix film Maharaj, causing a stir with his distinctive performance that has earned him widespread acclaim. Take a look here: Recently, Junaid reacted to Aamirs remark mentioning that his children often dont heed his advice, Junaid playfully countered, saying they do listen most of the time. He credits his father for creating an atmosphere of freedom and unwavering support. In a recent interview with ETimes, Junaid explained, Dad actually always gives us freedom to be who we are. He appreciates us for that. Hell never dictate, always suggesting, Look, I feel this, but you should do what you want. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is producing Junaids second film, which will be directed by Siddharth P Malhotra. Recently, BTS pictures went viral online, showing Sai Pallavi and Junaid shooting together against the scenic backdrop of Japans Sapporo Snow Festival. Junaid is Aamir Khans eldest son with his first wife, Reena Dutta. Kareena Kapoor Khan joked that she was struggling when asked about the number of properties she owns in Mumbai. She jokingly added that her struggle is such that she has to live in her husbands house in Bandra. The actressed passed the funny comment after she was asked about her fees. Speaking with The Week recently, Kareena was informed that she is among the highest paid actresses in Bollywood. The interviewer shared that she spoke to a few Bollywood producers and they confirmed that the Singham Again star draws Rs 10 to 15 crores per film, only a handful of actresses charge that sum. Cracking up at the revelation, Kareena confessed she is glad she is in the top league. I hope so, I hope whatever you say is right. Its not about my acting The films I choose is not about money, that I am very clear about. It has never been about the money. If I like a role, I might do a film for less, it depends on my mood, it depends on what the film is, what the role is offering, I am at that stage where I think I can do whatever. If it is a big commercial film, then your figures are less (laughs), she said. When the interviewer asked her how many apartments she owns in the building the interview was taking place, Kareena said the interview was taking place at her husband Saif Ali Khans home. This is my husbands house, we are sitting and doing this interview in that. See I am struggling, she joked. Watch the video below: Kareena was last seen in Crew, released earlier this year. The film, which also starred Tabu, Kriti Sanon and Diljit Dosanjh, was a hit. She will now be seen in Rohit Shettys Singham Again. The actress will share the screen with Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone, to name a few. Rakul Preet Singh tripped and almost fell at the trailer launch of Dharmaveer 2 on Saturday evening. In a video gone viral, Rakul was seen making her way out of the venue with her husband, producer Jackky Bhagnani when she missed a step and almost fell. Fortunately, her husband came to her rescue and stopped her from having a bad fall. While Rakul quickly balanced herself, she pulled up the paparazzi for laughing at her. Ye koi hasne ki baat hai? (Is this something to laugh about?), she asked. However, Rakul did not appear angry or upset. Watch the video below: For the event, Rakul was seen wearing a green-printed saree with a stylish blouse. She paired the saree with a pair of high heels and completed her look with a pair of jhumkas. Rakul joined stars such as Salman Khan, Govinda and Jeetendra at the Dharmaveer 2 event. For the unversed, Dharmaveer recounts the life of Anand Dighe, one of Shiv Senas most revered leaders in Maharashtra. Notably, Eknath Shinde, a prominent figure in the first part, is Dighes protege. The talented Prasad Oak portrayed Anand Dighe, while Kshitish Date took on the role of Eknath Shinde. Meanwhile, Rakul was last seen in Indian 2. Starring Kamal Haasan in the lead, the actress plays a prominent role in the film. She has also been in the news lately after he brother, Aman Preet Singh, was arrested by Hyderabad Police in connection with a drug case. His arrest followed a joint operation by the Narcotics Bureau and Rajendra Nagar SOT Police, conducted under the jurisdiction of Cyberabad Police. The Hyderabad Police confirmed Amans arrest in a press meet held on Monday, July 15. Rakul is yet to react to his arrest. Mouni Roy is making heads turn and how! The actress has a noteworthy approach towards fashion and never fails to make heads turn with her sartorial choices. Hcaving said that, she recently glammed up in a brown cocktail dress for a photoshoot, and has been dishing out major fashion goals. She struck several poses with the backdrop of a rusty door. Mouni also accentuated her look by wearing matching footwear and bronze makeup. Keeping her caption brief, she wrote, Last ones from the string I promise. Have a hap hap happy Sunday . Have a look at the photos: View this post on Instagram A post shared by mon (@imouniroy) Mouni Roy, a household name in the Hindi television industry, has soared to the top as one of the highest-paid actresses after her mesmerizing performances in Naagin and its sequel. Besides her acting prowess, she is celebrated as a fashion trailblazer, continuously wowing her fans with her unique and bold style choices. Her social media is a treasure trove of candid shots and memorable moments, always giving her followers something to look forward to. Mouni Roy has come a long way ever since she made her television debut with Ekta Kapoors Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She became a popular name after she starred in Naagin. Mouni made her Bollywood debut with Akshay Kumars Gold in 2018. Last year, Mouni was seen in Ayan Mukerjis magnum opus, Brahmastra. Recently, she was also seen in a music video titled Dotara along with Jubin Nautiyal. Mouni Roy was also seen in the web-series Sultan of Delhi. She was last seen in Emraan Hashmi-starrer Showtime. In a recent interview, Mouni shared that it is projects like Sultan of Delhi and Brahmastra which changed peoples perception of her as an actor. Brahmastra was absolutely different. When you see Gold, RAW and Made In China, I had played very Indianised characters. Maybe after Naagin and Sati, people could only see me as a saree-clad Indian character. So, for Milan sir to think of me as this cabaret dancer Nayantara, at a time when Brahmastra had not even released. I think it is an exciting time to be an actor where makers can visualise you in different roles. Such great parts are being written. I really feel fortunate to be offered these parts and be able to play them on screen, she told Indian Express. After North Korea sent trash balloons across the borders, the South Korean military resorted to a creative reply. It has been reported that the military has set up loudspeakers close to the North Korean borders and is playing several things, including K-pop music which is banned in North Korea and even speaking about Hyun Bin in connection with Crash Landing on You. As reported by Koreaboo, South Korean news outlet Channel A said the military plays content throughout the day and late night. The regular broadcast includes conversations about K-dramas and K-Pop. The volume of the loudspeakers was allegedly heard on the outskirts of Seoul as well. In a YouTube video shared by Channel A, one could hear messages such as, I watched Crash Landing On You, and Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok became my bias. Hyun Bin oppa is so charming and dope, you know, and the song Now playing AKMUs Last Goodbye. The broadcast also announced the news of BTS member Jin doubling up as a torchbearer at the Paris Olympics. The global media paid attention to BTS member Jins torch relay for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, the broadcast said, as reported by SBS. Meanwhile, the AP reported that despite the broadcasts, North Korea hasnt stopped sending trash balloons to fuel what seems to be a Cold War psychological war between the two countries. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean balloons were flying Sunday morning north of Seoul, the South Korean capital, after crossing the border. It said later Sunday that the South Korean military was responding by expanding loudspeaker broadcasts at all major sections of Koreas 248-kilometer (154-mile)- long border. The North Korean militarys tension-escalating acts can result in causing critical consequences for it, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The responsibility for this kind of situation is entirely on North Koreas government. (With inputs from AP). Taha Shah Badussha, who made his debut with the film Love Ka The End in 2011 alongside Shraddha Kapoor, shot to fame earlier this year with Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Taha played the character of Tajdar Baloch in the Netflix series and received a lot of praise and love from both critics and fans for his performance. Interestingly, it has now come to light that Taha was initially rejected by Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the role. In an interview with Filmfare, Taha revealed that he wasnt cast for Heeramandi initially. Bhansali had rejected him and advised him to seek other opportunities. Taha initially auditioned for a different role but was rejected because Bhansali wanted him for something else. Later, Taha received a call saying Bhansali might not give him any role. Heartbroken, he went to the ace directors office and pleaded for another chance. SLB then told him to try for the role of Tajdar instead. It was a wonderful surprise, and Taha promised to give it his all. Calling SLB a perfectionist, Taha said, I would not say he is a harsh taskmaster. To be very honest, even I am a harsh taskmaster. You need to be one if you want to become something in life. Its not a negative thing. Its the most positive thing because someone who loves what they do can be passionate about it. Its not anger, it is passion. Unke daant mein bhi pyaar hain (You can feel his love even when he scolds). Taha was also seen at Cannes 2024 this year. Interestingly, his Cannes appearance came a few weeks post the release of Heeramandi, which has been winning him immense appreciation. The love he received at the French Riviera left him overwhelmed as well. And he was happy to have achieved what he went to Cannes for. Ive opened myself up not just to India but to so many other countries like the UK. Ive got the Ambassadors of France and Thailand on my phone. Theyve called and invited me personally, he told News18 in an exclusive chat. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had once addressed rumours that she had to marry a tree before she married Abhishek Bachchan. The actress, who tied the knot with Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, was reportedly manglik and was asked to perform an archaic ritual to ward off bad omens. The rumours spread like wildfire at the time. A year after the wedding, Aishwarya finally addressed the speculations. She said the media attention to it was unnecessary and added that Amitabh Bachchan met with media to answer all their queries after the wedding. Yes, there was so much of that. I just thought it was so unnecessary. To dedicate the kind of prime time, the kind of newsprint, the kind of magazine cover stories for all of that was very unnecessary. The wonderful part was that as a family, we are solid. We are all in the public eye, and we have ample opportunity to voice ourselves, but instead of adding to the din, we decided to have the father of the family Paa did meet the media at a very decided point in time way after the wedding, and answered all the queries, she told NDTV. Its shocking. While we would like to imagine that it is a passing phase, it gets logged. And I recognised it at times when you get to travel abroad, of which there is an ample opportunity So, youre constantly interacting with international media, and when they start wondering at the sheer ludicrous nature of everything, like, You got married to a tree, and you have this huge curse on you? You just think, Oh my god, where am I going to start she added. Aishwarya Rai, who was eventually dubbed as the Bachchan Bahu after the wedding, has been married to Abhishek Bachchan for 17 years now. The couple shares a daughter, Aaradhya. Abhishek recently made headlines for liking a post about divorce. Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday criticised Congress veteran Jairam Ramesh for live-tweeting the issues raised by different parties at an all-party meeting. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) went on to say that Congress must send a more seasoned hand next time to such meetings. This is unfortunate Everyone must maintain the sanctity, propriety and protocol of Parliamentary traditions, Rijiju said. It was Jairam Rameshs post on social media site X (formerly Twitter) that led to the debate on decorum that must be maintained during parliamentary proceedings. Ramesh, who attended the meeting, posted on X while the deliberations were going on, In todays all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status for Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter. In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter. Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 21, 2024 He, in a separate post, also listed out what the Congress wanted to be discussed during the upcoming Parliament session. In the all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, my colleague Gaurav Gogoi presented the following issues on behalf of the INC that should be taken up in the Parliament session beginning tomorrow.1. Governance issues relating to NEET/NET Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 21, 2024 JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha, who also attended the all-party meeting, pointed out on X that what was being discussed at the all-party meeting was being live-tweeted by a Congress leader. I wish this senior Congress leader had respected the sanctity of the Parliamentary proceedings, he said, without naming Ramesh. Today at the all-party meeting ahead of the Budget Session, I was highlighting JD(U)'s position on Bihar's issues. Simultaneously a senior Congress leader was posting live updates from the deliberations, quoting me, on X.I wish this senior Congress leader had respected the Sanjay Kumar Jha (@SanjayJhaBihar) July 21, 2024 Soon after, BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya in a post on X criticised the Congress veteran and said there is a certain propriety and protocol one associates with these all-party meetings. There is a certain propriety and protocol one associates with these all party meetings. There is free and frank exchange of ideas followed by media briefing. But a look at Jairam Rameshs timeline and it appears he was live tweeting the proceedings.Next time, the Congress should https://t.co/hkFZEObxJ3 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 21, 2024 Look at Jairam Rameshs timeline and it appears he was live tweeting the proceedings. Next time, the Congress should consider sending a more seasoned hand for these meetings, he said. The Congress on Sunday sought the Lok Sabha Deputy Speakers position for the opposition in the all-party meeting convened by the government ahead of the Parliament session, and raised the issue of paper leaks, including of the prestigious NEET, sources said. Party leader Gaurav Gogoi said the opposition should be allowed to raise issues in Parliament after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought cooperation from every party for the smooth running of the two Houses. Samajwadi Party MP Ramgopal Yadav, sources said, raised the issue of the Uttar Pradesh governments controversial directive to eateries on the kanwariya route to display the owners names. The YSR Congress spoke about the TDP governments alleged targeting of its leaders in Andhra Pradesh and sought the Centres intervention. The meeting is being chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju. #WATCH | Delhi | Leaders from different parties at the Parliament where an all-party meeting will begin shortly. pic.twitter.com/vy7z6WWche ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2024 Separately, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that in the all-party meeting, the JD(U) and the YSRCP demanded special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively but strangely the TDP kept quiet on the matter. In a post on X, Ramesh, who was present at the meeting said, In todays all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter. Rameshs post on the social media came when the meeting was still underway. JD(U), a key ally in the ruling NDA had recently passed a resolution demanding special category status or package for Bihar. Though leaders from Andhra Pradesh had been demanding special category status for the state, the demand has again gained momentum post Lok Sabha polls. BJP president J P Nadda, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and Union minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan were among the the leaders who attended the meet. Defence Minister Singh and Rijiju put forth the governments view at the customary meet. Besides, Congress Ramesh and K Suresh, as also Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM, RJDs Abhay Kushwaha, JD(U) Sanjay Jha, AAPs Sanjay Singh, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav and NCPs Praful Patel were present at the customary meet. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on Tuesday during the session beginning Monday. A united opposition is set to corner the NDA government on issues ranging from the NEET paper leak case to railway safety. The session begins on Monday and will have 19 sittings till August 12 when the government is expected to present six bills, including the one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, and also get Parliaments nod for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir, which is under central rule. Sitharaman will also table the Economic Survey in Parliament on Monday. Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential race for three reasons. The main one is that he failed to reverse after the disastrous first debate the perception that he was not the candidate we remembered, even among Democratic voters. When a candidate has a smaller electoral diameter than his party... the end is near. That diameter had shrunk considerably over the last 17 days. The second is that the political and civic coalition around him had irreparably cracked. It was not only the public and private calls from Democratic leaders in Congress and the Senate, but also the respected voices of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. But, above all, the civic coalition of donors, celebrities, media, and activists who expressed their bewilderment, if not outrage, at the Democratic paralysis to react adequately. The drop in individual and major donor donations has proven a nail in Bidens political coffin. Independent Senator Joe Manchins laceration has been key. And, finally, because after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, his reaction, and the set of fortunate circumstances that saved his life, the Republican candidate seems different and at the same time more Trump than ever. The attack has surrounded him with an aura, somewhere between miraculous and energetic, that offers a new version of Trump: apparently not vengeful, serene, surrounded by his entire family without fissures appealing to a divine mandate to make America great again. What can the Democrats do to win? In my opinion, the candidacy and the presidential ticket must respond to the three reasons why Biden has fallen. The candidacy must think about more than the party. As a whole. It must be able to attract moderate voters and former Trump voters, while re-establishing the deep bond with the African-American and Hispanic communities. A party candidacy would be a losing one. It must be a candidature of the American Democratic culture beyond the party itself. The candidacy must re-establish an electoral campaign strategy that presents itself as Trump against us, or Us or Trump. A choral, youthful, activist, and mobilizing us, a great cultural battle that goes hand in hand with a revitalized programmatical proposal. The election will not be won by the party; it will be won by united, activated, and energized Democrats and progressives. And, finally, the candidacy must be imbued with a new spirit. It is necessary to beat someone who seems to have the gods on his side, an opponent as invincible as he is detestable, a resilient person who has managed to survive everything: from the trials to the attack. This will also require the emotional, almost spiritual, character that the new candidacy will have to invoke, promote, and lead. A new energy. Voters vote for what they feel and think about what moves them. That must be the key. A campaign in which every progressive and Democrat in America feels that this is the campaign of a lifetime, the most important political moment of their lives as citizens, one to which they can respond with a unique and exceptional combative energy to the great American question: Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country, (John F. Kennedy). Antoni Gutierrez-Rubi @antonigr, is a communication advisor. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition After the controversial order mandating eateries to display their owners names along the Kanwar Yatra route extended to the rest of Uttar Pradesh and was introduced in Uttarakhand, opposition parties called the order discriminatory and anti-Muslim. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called it visceral hatred towards the minority community while saying there is fear on the Kanwar route in UP. The order, which was first enforced in Muzaffarnagar, has now been extended to the rest of the state despite massive backlash. The BJP, meanwhile, alleged that Owaisi was indulging in divisive politics and, in doing so, was playing the role of Jinnah, who is known to be the founder of Pakistan. In a post on X, Owaisi called the order the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims. Fear on UPs Kanwar routes: This is the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims. Credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties, leaders of Hindutva and so-called lip-servicing secular parties, he wrote on social media, sharing the picture of a stall selling eggs that has displayed the name of its owner. Fear on UP's kanwar routes: This is The reality of hatred for Indian Muslims ,credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties /leaders of Hindutva and so called lip servicing Secular parties. https://t.co/JzYfLp1l2N Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) July 20, 2024 The BJPs West Bengal chief Sukanta Majumdar countered Owaisis statement, saying the opposition was trying to divide and mislead people. He alleged that the Samajwadi Party-led government, in the past, had issued a similar order. In a statement to news agency ANI, he likened Owaisi to Pakistans founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and said: The Opposition is misleading people and spreading lies. A similar kind of notification was issued during Mulayam Singh Yadavs government, and Akhilesh Yadavs government also issued such notifications its a routine exercise and not specific to the Kanwar Yatra. The law requires that names be registered, not identifying anyone by religion Hindus who eat non-veg go to Muslim shops. In West Bengal, we go to many such shops, which are run by Muslims. The Opposition is trying to divide the people and Asaduddin Owaisi is playing the role of Jinnah. In his first reaction after the orders were issued in Muzaffarnagar, Owaisi had called it apartheid and likened it to judenboycott in Hitlers Germany, which was a boycott of Jewish business during the Nazi regime. Bollywood lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar had also called the order similar to what had happened in Nazi Germany. The BJP has defended the move, saying it gives fasting Hindus a choice to eat at a pure-vegetarian restaurant where the likelihood of them being served satvik food is higher. After JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas) oppose order, Jitan Ram Manjhi says what is the harm Even as the row heats up, the BJP demanded similar directives in Madhya Pradesh while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind slammed the order as discriminatory and communal. But, contrary to NDA allies JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas), who unequivocally opposed the order, union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha said he saw nothing wrong with the order. Both Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Chirag Paswan have disapproved the directives issued in UP and Uttarakhand. What is the harm if people involved in businesses are asked to display their names and addresses prominently, Manjhi said in Patna. In fact, such display only makes it easy for buyers to spot a favourite stall. It is wrong to view the episode through the prism of religion, he added. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani said the order was part of a new game of politics under the guise of religion. This is a completely discriminatory and communal decision, and anti-national elements will get an opportunity to benefit from this, Madani said. He said there is fear of serious damage to communal harmony due to this new decree, which violates the fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution. The Jamiat has called a meeting of its legal team on Sunday (July 21) to discuss the legal aspects of this unconstitutional and illegal order, he added. This is not the first Kanwar yatra, it has been going on for years but never before has a citizen been forced to reveal his religious identity. Rather, during the yatra, it is seen that Muslims have been arranging water and langar for the Kanwar pilgrims, he said. A BJP MLA in Madhya Pradesh, Ramesh Mendola wrote a letter to chief minister Mohan Yadav urging him to make it mandatory for all shopkeepers in Madhya Pradesh to display their names outside their shops. The name of any person is his identity. A person is proud of his name. Asking for the name is the customers right and the shopkeeper should be proud to tell his name, not be ashamed, he said. The four-time MLA from Indore-2 assembly seat said every small and big trader, all businessmen and shopkeepers of the state can feel this sense of pride in telling their names. I have written a letter to the chief minister and requested him to issue an order mandating the shopkeepers to display their own name in front of every shop in Madhya Pradesh. I urge the government to frame rules in this regard, the legislator said. First Muslims, then Dalits Days after the police in Muzaffarnagar asked all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners names, the UP government on July 19 extended the order across the state. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said similar instructions are already in place in his state as well. Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal wondered if this will lead to a Viksit Bharat. Kanwar Yatra Route. UP directs eateries including roadside carts to display names of owners! Is this the route to a Viksit Bharat? Divisive agendas will only divide the country! he said in a post on X. Addressing a press conference, the former Congress leader said the politics happening on Kanwar Yatra is not going to take India towards becoming Viksit Bharat. The prime minister, home minister and chief ministers should not raise such issues on which politics is done, that lead to controversies. The common person has nothing to do with these issues. What will happen is that the row will escalate, traders would suffer losses. Such issues will later be raised in the Parliament and issues of economic and political challenges will not be discussed, he said. I would especially like to tell the CMs of UP and Uttarakhand to take back this directive. Kanwar Yatra should continue as it is and earlier also yatra has happened and such a row never arose. Those who are on the Yatra know everything, where to eat and where not to eat, he added. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also slammed the order, saying the BJP is targeting Muslims now, but soon it will be the turn of Dalits whose rights will also be trampled upon by the saffron party. Rahul Gandhi was right when he said that if they (BJP) get over 400 seats, they will destroy the Constitution. They have come to 240 from 350 seats, but they have not learnt their lesson, they continue to do the opposite of what the Constitution says, she said in Srinagar. First they (BJP) want to trample the rights of the Muslims, then will be the turn of the Dalits and then backward and other castes because they want to create a different system and what they did in UP is against the Constitution of this country, she added. The Congress has alleged that the directive was intended to normalise the economic boycott of Muslims. Its spokesperson Pawan Khera called the order state-sponsored bigotry while senior leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the move was an attack on the Constitution. Both Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati also hit out at the advisory. Yadav dubbed it a social crime and appealed to courts to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. (With PTI inputs) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray saying he sits with those who sought clemency for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon. Addressing the BJPs state convention in Pune, Shah said, Uddhav Thackeray is sitting with those who sought clemency for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon. This Aurangzeb Fan Club cannot ensure the security of the country. Who is this Aurangzeb Fan Club? It is (Maha Vikas) Aghadi and Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of the Aurangzeb Fan Club. Uddhav Thackeray who calls himself Balasahebs heir, you are sitting with those who fed biryani to Kasab Uddhav Thackeray is sitting in the lap of those who support PFIYou should be ashamed he added. #WATCH | Pune: Union HM Amit Shah says, This Aurangzeb Fan Club cannot ensure the security of the country. Who is this Aurangzeb Fan Club? It is (Maha Vikas) Aghadi and Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of the Aurangzeb Fan Club. Uddhav Thackeray who calls himself Balasahebs pic.twitter.com/llpjSWuPqX ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2024 Amit Shah also hit out at NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and dubbed him the leader of corruption in the country and slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for displaying arrogance despite loss in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He said the BJP-led Mahayuti will do better in the Maharashtra assembly polls than what the party did in the 2014 and 2019 editions. Sharad Pawar institutionalized corruption, the senior BJP leader said in Pune. Asserting that people of India gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi their stamp of approval in recent Lok Sabha elections, Shah said the arrogance of Rahul Gandhi will be crushed after we win forthcoming assembly polls in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana. Praising BJP workers, Shah said they should not get perturbed by the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra (where the partys tally went down from 23 in 2019 to nine in 2024), adding that they could revive themselves in the state polls by taking the good work and welfare schemes of the government to the masses. Every BJP worker from Maharashtra has taken efforts in the partys victory. The BJP-led alliance will perform better in ensuing Maharashtra assembly polls than it did in 2019 and 2014. We will work harder and set new goals for ourselves. The saffron must rise again in Maharashtra, Shah asserted. He praised Pune as the city of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the land that gave the country the slogan Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it. With the demands of work schedules, many people choose to live close to their jobs to avoid the stress of long commutes. However, Lin Shu, a 31-year-old newly married man in China, has taken a different route by enduring a 320-kilometre round-trip journey every day just to be with his wife. His heartwarming story has captured the attention of the online world. According to South China Morning Post, Lin has shared several videos of his lengthy journey on Douyin, the Chinese video-sharing platform, calling it the longest commute distance. As per SCMP, Lins daily routine begins at the crack of dawn. Residing in Weifang, Shandong province in eastern China, he wakes up at 5 AM and starts his daily commute by departing from his home at 5:20 AM. Lins journey includes a 30-minute e-bike ride to the station where he catches a train at around 6:15 AM. He then arrives at Qingdao in the eastern part of Shandong at 7:46 AM after which he takes a 15-minute underground subway trip to reach his office. Lin manages to grab breakfast at his companys canteen before his work begins at 9 AM. After work, his commute back to home takes another three or four hours covering a distance of 160 kilometres between Qingdao and his residence in Weifang. The online users were astonished by the amount of time Lin dedicates to his daily commute. Despite the surprise from the internet users, Lin said it was all worth it because of love. As per SCMP, an online user calculated that Lins daily commute costs approximately 1,600 yuan (over Rs 18,000) a month. Before getting married in May, Lin and his wife had been in a relationship for seven years. His wife is from Weifang in Shandong province and the couple had purchased a flat there so she could have a sense of security. Although Lin previously rented an apartment an hour away from his workplace, he said he wanted to spend more time with his wife. He also noted that renting a flat in Qingdao was more expensive. Lin works at Haier, a Chinese home appliance company known for being a good employer. Lin revealed that his long commute is temporary because his wife is currently searching for a job in Qingdao and they intend to move there if she is successful. He also mentioned that he finds the commute manageable due to the convenience of intercity transport. He added that his manager is understanding and does not expect him to work overtime considering his travel situation. Lins story has garnered significant attention online, accumulating 7 million views on Douyin, reported SCMP. Steven Lorenzo, a 65-year-old man from Florida, was sentenced to death by a US judge after being convicted for the brutal murders of two men, Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz. However, before the sentence was read out, Lorenzo made a bizarre request to Judge Christopher Sabella, asking for the death penalty. The shocking moment from the hearing in February 2023 at the Hillsborough County Courthouse was captured on camera. The footage shows Judge Sabella asking if anyone present in the courtroom wished to speak before he proceeds to read out the sentence. To this, Lorenzo raised his hand and expressed his gratitude to everyone present, telling prosecutors he had no animosity towards them. He then requested the judge for the death penalty and also explained his reasons for wanting it. At my age I want to be comfortable so Im asking you to give me the death sentence. I know I can be on death row for about 10 to 15 years which I think is crazy, Lorenzo said. The sooner I get euthanized, the faster I can fetch myself a new body and come back again. Thats how I look at it. Despite Lorenzos plea, Judge Sabella made it clear that his request would not influence the ruling. I dont know if what you say is perhaps some form of reverse psychology, nor do I care, I will not consider what you want in issuing my sentence, the judge stated. The judge then referred to testimony given by the mothers of Galehouse and Wachholtz, Pam Williams and Ruth Wachholtz, describing them both as two very strong young ladies. In the words of Ms. Pam Williams, From one Italian to another, Ti condanno a morte. That translates to I sentence you to death. That is the punishment that you deserve for these horrific crimes, the judge said. Steven Lorenzo, a man from Florida, was convicted for the gruesome murders of Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz, both 26. The crimes, committed in 2003, were carried out with his accomplice, Scott Schweickert. They lured the victims to Lorenzos home, where they were tortured pic.twitter.com/yiz5HoR583 VisionaryVoid (@VisionaryVoid) January 25, 2024 According to reports, Lorenzo was found guilty of luring Galehouse and Wachholtz, both 26, to his Tampa home in Florida where he tortured and killed them. His accomplice, Scott Schweickert, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in 2016. In December 2003, Galehouse and Wachholtz disappeared after meeting Lorenzo at a nightclub in Tampa and their remains were later discovered in bins littered around the city. Schweickert made a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty and revealed the horrific details of their crimes. He told the court that he and Lorenzo had drugged, tortured and killed Galehouse and Wachholtz before disposing of their bodies. After initially pleading not guilty for the murders, Lorenzo filed a 147-page letter in November 2022, requesting the death penalty for his crimes. Protesters in Bangladesh said that they will continue with the protests demanding an end to a job quota rule even after a verdict from the Bangladesh Supreme Court scaled back the controversial quota system. The ruling curtailed the number of reserved jobs, from 56 percent of all positions to seven percent, but fell short of meeting protester demands. It reserved five percent of all government jobs for the children of freedom fighters from Bangladeshs 1971 liberation war against Pakistan, down from 30 percent. One percent were reserved for tribal communities, and another one percent for people with disabilities or identifying as third gender under Bangladeshi law. The remaining 93 percent of positions would be decided on merit, the court ruled. However, student leaders remain adamant that their voices have not been heard. We welcome the Supreme Court verdict. But we wont call off our protests until the government issues an order reflecting our demands, a spokesman for Students Against Discrimination, the main group responsible for organising the protests, told AFP. Police imposed a strict curfew with a shoot-on-sight order across Bangladesh after 133 people were killed in nationwide civil unrest. The deadly clashes between police and university students were sparked by the future of civil service hiring rules, on which the countrys top court is due to rule on Sunday (July 21). Soldiers patrolled parts of Dhaka on Saturday (July 20) after the protests snowballed into some of the worst in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas tenure. Not only students, but other citizens have also joined in demanding the resignation of the government. The military has now taken over after riot police failed to quell the unrest, which started as being against politicised admission quotas for sought-after government jobs. Bangladesh has also been under an internet blackout since July 18, drastically restricting the flow of information to the outside world. The reason behind the unrest, the civil service jobs allocation system reserves more than half of the posts for specific groups, including children of veterans from the countrys 1971 liberation war against Pakistan. Critics have time and again pointed out that these quotas benefit those loyal to Hasina, who has ruled the country since 2009. The 76-year-old leader won her fourth consecutive term in January after a vote without genuine opposition. Her government is accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to become more powerful and stamp out dissent, including by the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists. The quota system reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 war. It is a source of resentment among the youth, who are facing an acute job crisis in a country unable to provide adequate employment opportunities to its population of 170 million. The demonstrations called for mainly by student groups started weeks ago. In 2018, the government halted the quotas following mass student protests. But, in June, Bangladeshs High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the system after relatives of 1971 veterans filed petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing. Here are the latest updates: The Supreme Court ordered that the veterans quota be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2% will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people. Student leaders, however, have said that they will not call off the protests. We welcome the Supreme Court verdict. But we wont call off our protests until the government issues an order reflecting our demands, a spokesman for Students Against Discrimination, the main group responsible for organising the protests, said. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina held a key meeting with Bangladeshs three service chiefs and the cabinet secretaries to review the nations security situation. At least 545 people entered through the check post in West Bengals Changrabandha. At least 333 Indians, 186 Nepalis, 25 Bhutanese and 1 Maldivian entered India from Bangladesh. The external affairs ministry said that over 4,500 Indian students have returned back home and that the High Commission has made arrangements for security escort for safe travel of Indians in Bangladesh to border-crossing points. Hasina allegedly inflamed tensions this month by likening protesters to the Bangladeshis who had collaborated with Pakistan during the countrys independence war. She was due to leave the country on Sunday (July 21) for a diplomatic tour to Spain and Brazil but cancelled her plans. The US has recommended that its citizens do not travel to Bangladesh and allowed the voluntary departure of its non-emergency government employees and family members. This comes a day after it issued a new travel advisory, urging Americans to reconsider their travel to the strife-torn country. The US Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Bangladesh to Level 4 Do Not Travel. Officials said the curfew was to quell further violence after police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities. It began at midnight on Saturday (July 20) and was relaxed from noon to 2 pm for people to run essential errands. It is expected to end on Sunday. It allows officers to fire on mobs in extreme cases, said lawmaker Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party. July 19 was likely to be the deadliest day so far; Somoy TV reported 43 killed, while an Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they all died on that day. On July 18, 22 others were reported dead as protesting students attempted to completely shut down the country. Bangladeshi authorities have not shared any official numbers of those killed and injured. Authorities blocked online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Several television news channels also went off the air, and the websites of most local newspapers were down. Some key government websites, meanwhile, including Bangladeshs central bank and the prime ministers office, appeared to have been hacked and defaced. Local media also reported that some 800 inmates fled from a prison in Narsingdi, a district north of Dhaka, after protesters stormed the facility and set it on fire on July 19. Representatives from both sides met late on July 19 in a bid to resolve issues. At least three student leaders were present and demanded the reform of the current quota system, the reopening of student dormitories shut by the police following the clashes and for some university officials to step down after failing to protect campuses from the violence. Law minister Anisul Huq said the government was open to discussing their demands. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has backed the protests, vowing to organise its own demonstrations as many of its supporters joined the protests. However, the party said its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling partys accusations of using the protests for political gains. The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fuelling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the national election that was marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures. Hasinas government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote. India said at least 1,000 students returned to the country from Bangladesh through various land transit points or by flight as the violence escalated. External affairs minister S Jaishankar said his ministry is fully focused on ensuring safety and well being of the Indians in Bangladesh. Indian missions are in regular touch with authorities concerned to ensure safety and security of Indian nationals and students, the MEA said. Thus far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports, it said. The MEA said students from Nepal and Bhutan have also been assisted with crossing into India on request. In all, 284 more people entered India on Saturday (July 20) via Dawki integrated check post in Meghalayas West Jaintia Hills district. Officials said 168 are from Nepal and 115 from India, including eight students from Meghalaya, and one from Canada. In the last three days, 953 people from India, Nepal and Bhutan, mostly students, and one from Canada have crossed over through Dawki ICP to the country from Bangladesh due to agitation there, a senior home department official said. The Meghalaya government has activated a helpline number for those seeking assistance. (With agency inputs) Former US president Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are privately supporting US President Joe Bidens re-election bid. According to US-based broadcasters MSNBC and CNN, the Clintons have also encouraged donors to keep backing the US President while extending support to the octogenarian leader themselves. The CNN in its report said that the Clintons believe that it does not matter what anyone thinks privately as it is up to Joe Biden to drop out or keep continuing if the delegates do not choose someone else. It also said that the Clintons remain deferential to the process. Biden pledged to stay in the White House race Friday and is defying a growing Democratic party revolt that raised speculation he could bow out as soon as this weekend. The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win, the 81-year-old said in a statement from the Delaware beach home where he is in Covid isolation. I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week, Biden added, as his doctor said the president was bouncing back from the symptoms of the disease. But Bidens political health appeared to be in far worse shape, with ten more House Democrats and two senators joining the list of lawmakers publicly calling on him to quit Novembers election clash with Donald Trump. A disastrous debate performance against Trump three weeks ago triggered panic about Bidens age and health. More than 30 House Democrats and four senators have now called on him to drop out. A key donor, Silicon Valley investor Michael Moritz, also joined other supporters such as actor George Clooney who want Biden to make way. With reports that top Democrats have also expressed concerns, polls showing Trump on course for a return to the Oval Office, and fundraising drying up, the walls appeared to be closing in. Vice President Kamala Harris, the front-runner to succeed him as the Democratic presidential candidate if Biden does drop out, was holding an emergency call with donors on Friday. Bidens campaign however pushed back against reports that he would bow out, saying that while there had been some slippage in support, he was still the best candidate. Absolutely the presidents in this race, campaign chairwoman Jen OMalley Dillon told MSNBCs Morning Joe program. Joe Biden is more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump. (with inputs from agencies) Donald Trump, holding his first campaign rally Saturday since surviving an assassination attempt, rejected concerns that he is a threat to democracy, triumphantly telling a cheering crowd: Last week I took a bullet for democracy. Im not an extremist at all, the Republican continued at the rally in swing state Michigan, dismissing his reported links to Project 2025, a shadow manifesto from figures close to him that has been characterized by opponents as an authoritarian, right-wing wish list. And he mocked the rival Democratic Party, roiled by unprecedented pressure for President Joe Biden to abandon his reelection bid amid concerns over his age and fitness to serve, if reelected, until 2029. They have no idea who their candidate is This guy goes and he gets the votes, and now they want to take it away. Thats democracy, Trump told the 12,000-strong crowd of passionate supporters. In the fiery but typically rambling speech, the Republican presidential riffed on his hardline immigration views, while espousing falsehoods about migrant crime. He also expressed admiration for foreign autocrats including the brilliant Xi Jinping of China, whom he praised for controlling 1.4 billion people with an iron fist. And he evoked the seconds after a gunman tried to kill him at a rally in Pennsylvania, when, bloodied and surrounded by Secret Service agents, he raised a fist and yelled for his supporters to fight! The crowd in Grand Rapids chanted the word back to him Saturday more than once, though some appeared to tire of the lengthy address after 90 minutes and began filing out of the arena. The rally represented a moment remarkable by any measure, with Trump back on stage exactly one week since the assassination attempt. He appeared wearing a new, smaller, flesh-colored bandage over his right ear, grazed in the attack by a 20-year-old gunman on a rooftop who also killed one bystander. Security was reportedly tight inside the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, amid questions over Secret Service lapses at the Pennsylvania rally though there were few visible signs of any greater law enforcement presence. Bidens big decision Meanwhile, Biden loyalists continued to defend the embattled president as the drumbeat of calls for him to abandon his campaign grows louder. The 81-year-old and his team have remained publicly adamant that he is staying in the race, though some reports suggest discussions have begun in his inner circle about how exactly he might step aside. There has been massive speculation over who could replace him. As vice president, Harris appears best positioned to do so. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a leading progressive who sought the partys presidential nod in 2020, gave Harris a boost Saturday without turning her back on the president. Joe Biden is our nominee, she said on MSNBC. He has a really big decision to make. But what gives me a lot of hope right now is that if President Biden decides to step back, we have Vice President Kamala Harris, who is ready to step up, to unite the party, to take on Donald Trump, and to win in November. Some Democrats, however, fear that such a late switch could trigger chaos, dooming the party at the polls. Team Trump, for its part, is effervescent after an exceptional streak of luck from the failed assassination bid to favorable court rulings and Bidens disastrous debate performance last month. Saturday was Trumps debut campaign appearance with running mate J.D. Vance, a 39-year-old US senator from Ohio who could help win over critical swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Vance warmed up the crowd, taking a swipe at Harris. I did serve in the United States Marine Corps and build a business. What the hell have you done, other than collect a check? he said of the former US senator and California attorney general. Trump supporters had begun lining up in their dozens in Grand Rapids on Friday, nearly a full day before the rally began. Edward Young, 64, attending his 81st Trump rally, was wearing a T-shirt showing the already iconic photo of Trump pumping his fist immediately after being shot. They have turned him into a martyr and left him alive, he said. Now hes more powerful than ever. An employee of Reuters, his wife and their two children were killed in a fire that broke out at their apartment in Kuwait City. The tragic incident took place late on July 19, the same day they returned from Kerala after vacation, local authorities said. According to a report published by The Arab Times, the Indian couple identified as Mathews Mulackal and his wife Lini Abraham and their two children suffocated to death due to the fire caused by a short circuit in the air conditioner around 8 pm in their second-floor flat in Abbasiya area. They were all from Alappuzha districts Neerattupuram. The family had returned to Kuwait from a vacation in Kerala, arriving around 4 pm local time on Friday (July 19). Mathews Mulackal worked at Reuters, while his wife Lini was a staff nurse at Adan Hospital in Al Ahmadi Governorate. Their children attended Bhavans School in Kuwait, the newspaper said. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait said it is in touch with the family in Kerala and will ensure the early repatriation of the mortal remains of the four Indians. Mathew has been working there for the past 15 years. They left for Kuwait after their vacation on Thursday night (July 18) from Nedumbassery Airport, a relative told the media in Kerala on Saturday (July 20). The accident comes close on the heels of a devastating fire accident that claimed the lives of 45 Indians in a labour accommodation last month. The news report said Major General Khaled Fahd, the acting head of the General Fire Force, was present at the fire scene and quoted the General Fire Force announcement on their X platform that their teams had successfully controlled the blaze in an apartment building. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait, meanwhile, said in a post on X: Embassy @indembkwt expresses its deepest condolences on the tragic demise of Mr Mathews Mulackal, his wife and 2 children due to fire in his flat in Abassiya yesterday night. Embassy is in touch with his family and will ensure early repatriation of mortal remains. A man named Iustin Dobre was charged with arson and violent disorder after a bus was set on fire during riots in Leeds earlier this week. Dobre along with several others set a bus on fire and was filmed while doing it. A report by broadcaster Sky News said that police arrested five more people on suspicion of violent disorder on Saturday. Leeds: There's lots of video evidence, the men who used lighters to set the bus on fire aren't wearing masks. Will they get a long stay behind bars?No, the two men will be given a free house each and the bus driver will be charged with a hate crime. pic.twitter.com/3qk8diF8MQ Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) July 19, 2024 A police vehicle was also overturned amid stone-pelting and disorder as the riot broke out over what the local council has described as a family incident in Leeds Harehills. The broadcaster said that rioting happened after police went to assist social workers dealing with a child protection issue. Sick display of anger United KingdomRiots in #Leeds after social service separated 4 children from their parents in Harehills. A bus set on fire, police vehicles vandalised Investigations underway for violence reported in surrounding areas. Home Secretary condemned the pic.twitter.com/Ena6hAA2u0 Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) July 19, 2024 Meanwhile, UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage said the riots in Leeds Harehills and the ensuing disorder was the politics of the sub-continent. The politics of the subcontinent are currently playing out on the streets of Leeds. Dont say I didnt warn you, Farage wrote on X, inviting wrath from Mothin Ali, Green Party councillor for Gipton and Harehills ward. He seeks to use tensions to further societal division for his own political gain. I ask him politely, to leave us alone as we undertake the work needed to bring our community back together, Ali was quoted as saying by the broadcaster. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper took to social media to say she was appalled at the shocking scenes and attacks on police vehicles and public transport overnight as West Yorkshire Police flooded the Harehills area of Leeds to bring the situation under control. Disorder of this nature has no place in our society, said Cooper. Pointing to the statement, a No 10 Downing Street spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: He would echo that the scenes that we saw last night were shocking and disgraceful. And disorders of this nature have no place in our society. The broadcaster in its report also said that government officials met representatives of the Roma community and would work with Romanian and Roma-led organisations for the best interests of the family and wider Roma community. There was a family incident earlier in the day that the police attended and our officials attended that a lot of the community got concerned about, Riordan said in an interview with the BBC. And that appeared to be the trigger of concern for groups of people being concerned about what had happened. Riordan declined to provide specifics about the incident, but said authorities would always intervene when children were at risk. The community probably misinterpreted the situation, he said. Police said they initially responded to a report of a disturbance involving children and agency workers. As more people began arriving at the scene, a decision was made to move the children and workers to a safer location. But the situation continued to escalate, with crowds gathering and pockets of disorder breaking out. A 29-year-old newly wedded Indian-origin man was shot dead in front of his wife in the US state of Indiana, in a suspected road rage incident. The accused shooter, who was initially detained at the scene, was later released indicating they may have acted in self-defence as the victim was carrying a handgun when he confronted the other driver in a pickup truck. According to police and media reports, the incident took place last week on July 16 at an intersection in Indianapolis. Police said the victim, identified as Gavin Dasaur, was on his way home with his Mexican wife Viviana ZaMora. The man was from Uttar Pradeshs Agra and got married to ZaMora on June 29, a little over two weeks before his death, local WTHR reports said. USA An Indianapolis road rage incident has claimed the life of 29-year-old Gavin Dasaur. He approached another car and can be heard screaming "You want to play with me?" as he banged his gun against the door of the pickup truck of the man he was arguing with. Dasaur was pic.twitter.com/GzT8z7ZKbX The Many Faces of Death (@ManyFaces_Death) July 18, 2024 Witnesses said a confrontation took place between Dasaur, who was driving a black Honda, and a person driving a Chevy pickup. A mobile phone video, shot by another driver, shows Dasaur getting out of his car in an irate state following which he is spotted yelling at the driver of the pickup truck, Fox News reported. The video shows Dasaur carrying a handgun in his right hand and, as he approaches the drivers side of the pickup truck, he punches the door with the gun in his hand. He then switches the gun to his left hand while simultaneously raising his right hand to the trucks window. The driver of the pickup responds by shooting three times and Dasaur immediately drops to the ground. The shooter never exited his vehicle during the confrontation that lasted only seven seconds. Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD) officer Amanda Hibschman said officials responded to a report of a person shot just after 8 pm on July 16 at an intersection on Indy citys southeast side. Arriving officers said they found a man on the ground in the middle of the road suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The mans wife identified the shooting victim. I held him as he bled out and I was waiting for the ambulance, the victims widow told The Indianapolis Star. The IMPD said the investigation over the shooting and alleged road-rage incident is ongoing. Dasaurs wife condemned the shooting as she grieved her husbands death. He was a hardworking man that always went out of his way to help anyone and wanted to give the world to me and his family, she told the local outlet. (With agency inputs) Former US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote him a note after the Republican presidential nominee suffered a gunshot wound to his ear during an assassination attempt last week. (Xi) wrote me a beautiful note the other day when he heard about what happened," Trump told a crowd in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in his first campaign rally since narrowly escaping the July 13 assassination attempt. Trump mentioned Xis letter while discussing his economic policy toward China during his presidency, adding, I got along very well with President Xi." The former US president also referenced messages from other world leaders following the shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump on Thursday accepted the Republican Partys nomination to be its candidate in the Nov. 5 presidential election. A man who returned from South Africa after 25 years found his parents deceased and their home sold. He is now a regular car washer and parking marshal on the streets of Bulawayo. My name is Zibusiso Sibanda and I am 45. I went to South Africa in 1998 to look for better life opportunities. When I got to South Africa I started doing various jobs including working in restaurants. Lady Lucky was, however, not really been smiling at me often as I was always in and out of prison for things like not having proper documentation among others. I couldnt keep the many jobs that I got owing to the arrests and detention. The last straw that cracked my back was in the last few years of my stay. I was found with what was suspected to be stolen property. I couldnt account for it through receipts and I was arrested and placed on remand for several years, he told The Sunday News. He was later sentenced to eight years in prison, a development which he believes immediately ruined his life as his parents were to all pass on while he was behind bars.When I left the country, my mother and father were staying at our family house in Magwegwe North. I later benefited from a parole that would see me getting out of prison and being deported last year. When I got back, I was informed that my mother had passed on in 2019 and my father the following year in 2020. I was told that when my father fell ill in 2020 he sold the house. So when I came, I had nowhere to stay and I had nothing on me since I was coming from prison. I then opted to stay on the streets behind Bulawayo Central Police Station. China's policymakers outlined details of the to-do list for the nation's future opening-up on Friday, pledging initiatives to increase unilateral opening to least-developed countries and expanded access to the commodity, service, capital and labor markets in a well-paced manner. The priorities for the nation's reform and opening-up until 2029 were mapped out during the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Party's central leadership, held between Monday and Thursday. Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, explained at a news conference that expanding institutional opening-up and building a high standard open economy were the key aspect of the reform-themed resolution adopted at the epoch-making policy meeting. "We will turn China's vast market into a major opportunity for the world," he said, adding that Beijing will continue to make life more convenient for foreign travelers in terms of accommodation, medical services and payments. Other priorities include developing major landmark projects and small and beautiful livelihood projects to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Over 300 reform measures were outlined in the resolution on further deepening reform to advance Chinese modernization, widely expected to be released in full in the coming days. According to a communique released by the Party's central leadership on Thursday, the nation will deepen foreign trade structural reform, further reform the management systems for inward and outward investment, and improve planning for regional opening-up. The measures came after Beijing rolled out 15-day visa-free regimes for tourists from 15 countries and expanded the coverage of its 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports of entry recently, in a gesture of welcoming more travelers to the nation. Mu Hong, deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Deepening Reform, told the Friday briefing that evolving global landscapes and mounting external uncertainties will not waver "the resolve and confidence" of China to make greater strides in reform and opening-up. "We are moving ahead one step at a time toward our goals, undeterred by any risk and not swayed by any disturbance. This demonstrates the strong determination and will of our Party to press ahead with reforms," he said. Meanwhile, officials have also sought to extend a strong message on Friday that China will remain a top destination for global investment. According to the Ministry of Commerce, China saw the establishment of 26,870 new foreign-invested enterprises in the first half of this year, marking a 14.2 percent increase year-on-year. However, the nation's foreign direct investment dropped by 29.1 percent year-on-year to 498.91 billion yuan ($68.65 billion) during the period. Han told the Friday briefing the fall in FDI into China is only temporary. "As the nation's business environment continues to improve and market opportunities multiply, China's utilization of foreign capital is set to keep expanding." The official reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to creating a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment for foreign firms. "We need to proactively align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, ensuring compatibility and alignment in rules, management and standards in areas such as intellectual property protection, industrial subsidies, environmental standards, labor protection, government procurement, e-commerce and the financial sector." He stressed the necessity to fully put in place the negative list for cross-border services trade, and promote the well-paced expansion of openness in areas such as telecommunications, the internet, education, culture and healthcare. To level the playing field for domestic and foreign businesses, Han said foreign enterprises must receive national treatment in areas such as access to resources, qualification and licensing, standard-setting and government procurement. "We are willing to share the great opportunities from China's development of new quality productive forces and the advance of Chinese modernization. We'll be pleased and wish to see foreign companies thriving together with the Chinese economy." The signals from the Party leadership toward greater strides in opening-up have buoyed the confidence of global business leaders and analysts. Jean-Christophe Pointeau, president of Pfizer China, said he believes that China's reforms will further unleash market vitality, better allocate resources, boost the innovation and competitiveness of China's economy, and lead to the overall progress of the economy and society. "Pfizer is looking forward to the future of China's economy," he said. "China's world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized will further enhance foreign investors' confidence. And multinational companies, including Pfizer, will be more willing to invest and expand their business in China." He explained that the government's reforms over the past decade have enabled the pharmaceutical giant to introduce some innovative drugs in China even faster than in the European Union and Japan. Ren Jing, senior vice-president of Schneider Electric, said the French industrial and technology group will continue to deepen its presence in the Chinese market and increase investment in new energy projects. The company is set to put the second phase of an innovation base in Shanghai into operation in September to provide advanced testing services for R&D centered in China and develop more green, low-carbon intelligent electrical products for Chinese users, she said. Dereck Ji, managing partner for China at ADL Consulting, a Belgium-based consulting firm, said one of the key signals from the policy meeting this week is that China's comprehensive deepening of reform has continued to expand in breadth and depth, providing broad opportunities for many enterprises, including foreign investors. "The Chinese market has advantages that no other market can match, especially in terms of infrastructure, scale and capital, which are massively attractive to multinationals." Standing water lies beneath the home Sonny Curley shares with his parents and three children on the Quinault reservation a few steps from the Pacific Ocean in Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The back deck is rotting, and black mold speckles the walls inside, leaving the 46-year-old fisherman feeling drained if he spends too much time in the house. "You can tell your body's not right; it's fighting," said Curley, standing in the family's kitchen. "You're using your energy to fight something that's not supposed to be there." These are the effects of an ocean that has moved ever closer since Curley's parents bought the house about 15 years ago in Taholah, the tribe's largest village, where the Quinault River empties into the Pacific. He estimates the ocean was about 30 feet away back then. Now waves sometimes top a 15-foot seawall, and the family's been forced to evacuate three times in the past four years, as Curley's 84-year-old mother struggles with advancing dementia, the AP reports. Faced with rising sea levels and increasing flooding, the Quinault Indian Nation has spent at least a decade working to relocate hundreds of residents and civic buildings in Taholah to higher ground. There's also the threat of an earthquake and tsunami from a major offshore fault line. But that relocation depends on money, and a patchwork of federal and state grants has fallen far below the estimated more than $400 million needed. Across the US, tribes suffer some of the most severe impacts of human-caused climate change but typically have the fewest resources to respond. The Quinault, historically known as skilled fishers and hunters who traveled the water for trading, ceded millions of acres to the US government more than 150 years ago in exchange for a roughly 200,000-acre reservation on the coast. The tribe was promised peace and a permanent home, tribal leadership have said. But now a key section is threatened. The Quinault have made flooding-related disaster declarations 26 times from 1957 to 2022, and they have become more frequent. About one-quarter have come since 2016, despite the US Army Corps of Engineers raising the seawall by about 4 feet in 2014. "When you move people to marginal lands and you marginalize them within society, you layer climate change on top of that ... they're vulnerable to climate," says one researcher. (Read the full story here.) Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, urged President Biden on Sunday to drop his reelection bid and focus on the remaining months of his presidency. "I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it's time to pass the torch to a new generation," Manchin said on CNN's State of the Union, per the AP. Leaving the race now would let Biden focus on goals such as ending the fighting in Gaza and helping Ukraine defeat the Russian invasion, the West Virginia senator said, per ABC News. He also referred to big donors' support evaporating. Even before President Biden's stunning decision to exit the 2024 race , Donald Trump's campaign was preparing a battle plan against Kamala Harris, reports the New York Times . Biden endorsed his vice president on Sunday, making her the clear frontrunner to be the Democratic nominee, though it was not immediately clear whether others might challenge her. The Times story on Saturday said the Trump campaign had been preparing "opposition books" against all potential foes in case Biden dropped out, but the bulk of the effort has been devoted to Harris. The 59-year-old Harris served as a senator and attorney general in California before becoming vice president and, before that, as the district attorney of San Francisco. During the 2020 presidential race, her record in the latter office "was alternately criticized as too conservative, or too lenient toward first-time drug offenders," per the Times. Republicans will surely attempt to tie Harris to all of Biden's more unpopular or unsuccessful initiativesas well as to the narrative that the White House has hidden Biden's apparent decline, the story predicts. On the flip side, Democrats say the vice president may be better able to speak forcefully on issues such as abortion and, because of her D.A. background, on Trump's criminal record. Politico suggests Biden has been dropping hints about Harris of late. "Folks, it's because of you that I am president and Kamala Harris is vice president," he told the NAACP convention last week. "And, by the way, she's not only a great vice president, she could be president of the United States." Prior to that, at his NATO press conference, he immediately answered in the affirmative when asked about her ability to take over as president. (More Kamala Harris stories.) Bill and Hillary Clinton, who have three Democratic presidential nominations between them, endorsed Kamala Harris for president on Sunday after President Biden halted his candidacy. "We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her," the Clintons said in a post on X , per Axios . They said they've never been more worried about the nation than they are by the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the presidency. "Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we've got to elect her," they wrote. "America's future depends on it." Barack Obama issued a statement praising his former vice president but not making an endorsement for the next nominee. "Joe Biden has been one of America's most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me," said Obama, per the Wall Street Journal. "Today, we've also been remindedagainthat he's a patriot of the highest order." The Journal reports that Obama considers himself best positioned to help the nominee win the election once that person is chosen, as he did in 2020. "I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges," Obama wrote, per the New York Times. The Clintons also praised the departing president. "We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what's best for the country," they said. (More Kamala Harris 2024 stories.) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2024 - 14:37 | All, Japan The operator of the Mos Burger chain will start recruiting skilled foreign workers to help restaurants cope with Japan's labor shortage, officials of the fast food company have said, in a rare move for the sector. Mos Food Services Inc. will first introduce workers with skilled worker visas to its franchisees nationwide, with an eye to expanding the business to restaurants outside the group in the future, the officials said. Potential new hires will receive training required to work in the Mos Burger chain, such as how to speak to customers and handle ingredients, at an educational institution it has tied up with in Vietnam. The company expects to begin recruiting workers next spring in accordance with the needs of franchisees, with the chain already having applied for approval with related agencies. Mos Food Services has been offering training and jobs to people in Vietnam since 2019, when Japan launched the specified skilled worker program, leading to the employment of 37 workers currently at its headquarters and restaurants directly run by the company. But its franchisees face challenges in hiring skilled foreign workers as they have to recruit workers on their own, while they also lack know-how in assisting them after they come to Japan, the company said. The new staffing program will also introduce support measures to help foreign workers adjust to life in Japan smoothly by assisting them with securing housing and offering consultation services, it said. "Stores cannot operate without workers," Tsutomu Kawakoshi, executive officer at Mos Food Services, told Kyodo News. "It makes sense for the headquarters to step up efforts to secure more talent." Efforts to tap more foreign workers have been accelerating in recent years in the restaurant sector, which has been hit hard by the recent labor crunch due to long working hours and relatively low wages. Watami Co., the operator of an izakaya Japanese-style pub chain, has set up a subsidiary focusing chiefly on recruiting foreign workers, while Chinese restaurant chain operator Hiday Hidaka Corp. has been ramping up hiring of specified skilled workers. Related coverage: Japan's new policy blueprint aims for pay hikes, end to deflation FOCUS: Allowing foreign trainees to switch jobs stirs debate in rural Japan Japan enacts laws for new foreign worker scheme amid labor crisis TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com According to recent statistics released by the GCC Statistical Centre, the total population of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries witnessed a significant increase of 7.3% in 2023 compared to 2021, reaching 57.6 million. Bahrain secured the fifth position among GCC countries in terms of population growth over the past two years. The statistics revealed a remarkable rise of 3.9 million individuals within this period, with the GCC population standing at 53.6 million in 2021. Bahrain experienced a 4.8% increase in population, rising from approximately 1.5 million in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2023. Kuwait witnessed the highest population growth among GCC countries, with a 16.5% increase, reaching 4.9 million in 2023 from 4.2 million in 2021. Oman followed closely with a 14.1% population surge, reaching 5.2 million in 2023 from 4.5 million in 2021. Qatar recorded an 11.5% increase in population, reaching 3.1 million in 2023 from 2.7 million in 2021. The United Arab Emirates experienced an 8.3% population growth, reaching 10.7 million in 2023 from 9.9 million in 2021. Although ranking first in terms of population, Saudi Arabia witnessed a 4.5% increase, reaching 32.2 million in 2022 from 30.8 million in 2021. Data for 2023 is currently unavailable. The GCC Statistical Center projects the global population to reach 10.2 billion by 2080, with the world population standing at 8.2 billion in 2023. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com MP Dr. Maryam Al-Dhaen has sounded the alarm about attempts to disrupt Bahrains peaceful climate. She expressed deep concern over inflammatory rhetoric and actions aimed at destabilizing the nationssecurity and public order. Emphasizing Bahrains robust human rights record and its embodiment in everyday life, AlDhaen underscored the potential consequences of succumbing to such calls. Such actions, she warned, would not only jeopardize security and civil peace but also infringe upon the rights of citizens. Incitement The MP stressed that those involved in these activities would face the full force of the law, citing the Bahrain Penal Codes clear stance against incitement. Lieutenant General Tariq bin Hassan Al-Hassans recent warnings echoed this sentiment. Al-Dhaen lauded Bahrains unwavering commitment to human and civilizational values, which have been instrumental in fostering security, development, and respect for human rights. Cornerstone The nations robust legal framework, supported by independent institutions, has been a cornerstone in safeguarding these principles, she noted. However, the MP cautioned against complacency, asserting that Bahrains positive trajectory should not be exploited by foreign entities seeking to undermine the law and public interest. She called upon citizens to exercise wisdom and a strong sense of national responsibility to preserve the nations security and stability TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com In a demonstration of unity, MPs have expressed their pride in the security and stability that the Kingdom enjoys under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. They praised the national awareness of Bahrains citizens, who heed the Ministry of Interiors directives to avoid inflammatory calls that threaten national security and civil peace. MP Mohammed Janahi commended the freedom in Bahrain for citizens to practise their religious rituals responsibly, noting that the recent Ashura season concluded successfully through the combined efforts of official and civil entities, guided directly by HM the King. MP Janahi emphasised the importance of not exploiting religious occasions to incite tension, quarrels, or political unrest through marches that end in violence and negative consequences for the nation and its citizens. Safety and security He acknowledged the vigilance of Bahrains security personnel, led by the Minister of Interior, in ensuring the safety and security of all. MP Janahi also denounced suspicious entities from abroad inciting violence and unlawful marches, stating that such calls are broadly rejected by the diverse components of Bahraini society. The people of Bahrain, known for their solidarity and cohesion, universally oppose endangering security, civil peace, and national unity. Suspicious calls Echoing these sentiments, MP Jameel Mulla Hassan reaffirmed that all citizens of Bahrain, from various backgrounds, reject these suspicious calls. He supported the Chief of Public Securitys appeal for citizens to disregard any such calls from external parties aiming to disturb public order and pose legal risks to participants. The Kingdom, he added, under its wise leadership, remains a land of peace, ready to counter any conspiracies against the nation and its leaders. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Archaeologists from Bahrain and the United Kingdom have unearthed what is believed to be one of the oldest Christian buildings in the Arabian Gulf, providing tangible evidence of a Christian community that thrived for centuries in the region, a report published on the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) uncovered. While Christianity is not primarily associated with Gulf countries today, the Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, flourished in the area for centuries until the 7th century AD, the report highlighted, pointing out that this period coincided with the gradual conversion of the region's communities to Islam, beginning in 610 AD. Radiocarbon dating conducted by archaeologists at the Samaheej archaeological site in Muharraq, Bahrain, confirmed the building was inhabited from the mid-4th to the mid-8th centuries AD. It appears to have been abandoned after Islam spread among the local population. The excavation project, a joint effort between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and a British team led by Professor Timothy Insoll from the University of Exeter, began in 2019. The significant findings were revealed in 2023. Excavations began at a mound in the Samaheej cemetery. Beneath the mound, archaeologists discovered the remains of a mosque. Further digging led to the discovery of a large building with eight rooms, including a kitchen, dining room, what appears to be a workshop, and three living rooms. The construction of the mosque is believed to have contributed to the preservation and survival of the building. The findings suggest that the building may have been the episcopal palace (the main residence) of the bishop of the diocese, which included Samaheej. Historical sources refer to the area as "Mischmaheej" or "Mashmaheej," which seems to be a variation of "Samaheej." Historical records also indicate a connection between the area and central church authorities. One bishop was dismissed in 410 AD, and another was condemned for challenging church unity in the mid-7th century. This discovery is notable for the building's location in the heart of a modern, densely populated town. Previous discoveries of Christian buildings in the region have been limited to a few churches, monasteries, and dwellings, often located in remote areas along the shores of the Arabian Gulf. Among the most significant finds are a collection of early Christian symbols indicating the Christian identity of the inhabitants. These include three crosses made of plaster, two of which adorned the exterior of the building, and one that may have been kept as a personal memento by one of the residents. Additional finds include wall paintings carved into the plaster, including a fish symbol and part of what appears to be the "Chi Rho" symbol (a symbol composed of letters representing the word "Christ"). Dr. Salman Al Mahari stated that the excavation team has reached the final stage of work at the Samaheej archaeological site, emphasising its importance for Bahrain's history. The archaeological remains have provided researchers with insights into a significant period in Bahrain's history the period of Christian presence, he added. He explained that initial studies at the beginning of the project suggested the site dated back to the 6th to 8th centuries AD. However, the recent study using radiocarbon dating confirmed that the building is older, dating back to the 4th century AD, making it approximately 1600 years old. "This makes it one of the oldest Christian buildings in the Arabian Gulf," he explained. He further revealed that a clear example of the Eastern cross was recently found on a plaster slab. Excavations at the site have also revealed details about the building and the lives of its inhabitants. It was constructed with well-built stone walls covered with plaster and plaster floors with sockets and holes indicating the locations of doors and benches inside. KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2024 - 14:28 | All, World, Japan Tsutomu Shirosaki, a former militant in the Japanese Red Army, died Saturday while in prison for his involvement in a 1986 mortar attack on the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, investigative sources said. He was 76. Shirosaki died after choking during a meal, the sources said Sunday. In 2018, the Tokyo High Court upheld a lower court ruling that sentenced him to 12 years in prison for conspiring with a person to fire two mortars toward the embassy in the Indonesian capital. Shirosaki was one of the members of the now-disbanded Japanese Red Army who was earlier released from jail in Japan in exchange for hostages from a Japan Airlines jetliner hijacked by the radical group in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka in 1977. He was captured in Nepal in 1996 and sent to the United States where he was sentenced to 30 years in prison over a separate 1986 rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. He was released from jail in 2015 after proving to be a model inmate. The same year, Shirosaki was deported from the United States and arrested on his return to Japan by Tokyo police. Related coverage: Haruo Wako, ex-Japanese Red Army member serving life sentence, dies at 75 Japanese Red Army militant leader released after 20-yr prison stint 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 When U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez narrowly avoided a corruption conviction in 2017, in a case that claimed he repeatedly used his power to help a wealthy donor, he did not offer any apology. If anything, he was mad. There will be time to argue about Kamala Harris, an average politician at best, a woman who Americans know well and dont much like, giving her a 39 percent approval rating on average, the same as President Bidens. Democrats have stronger candidates, and its a damn shame that Biden didnt remain neutral so that we could have an open competition to test that. With Bidens endorsement, Harris has a lock on the nomination, barring some shock. Biden delegates can reject his advice, so a fair fight remains a technical possibility. But party rules say delegates should reflect the views of their candidate in all good conscience. And these are folks who loved Biden in the first place and ran in his name. Even if 45 percent of them were to defect, which would be a miracle, Harris would still have a majority on the first ballot. Given that, other Democratic stars are unlikely to risk their standing in the party -- and demolish their chances of being chosen as vice president -- to take such an immensely long shot. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ruled out a challenge within minutes of Bidens announcement, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has already said he wont challenge Harris. Watch for other leading contenders to line up behind Harris in the coming days. Lets face it, the sclerotic party establishment, led by Biden, is trying to rig this game, just as New Jerseys party bosses tried to rig this years Senate primary in favor of First Lady Tammy Murphy. Granted, Harris is a credible candidate and Murphy was not, but the effort on both levels is fueled by the conceit of party elites who feel they have the right to steer the ship. Primary voters chose Biden for president, not Harris. Still, the Democratic National Committee seems determined to avoid an open contest at the convention, as if theyre still traumatized by the chaos at the 1968 convention in Chicago. The DNC is trying to anoint a candidate before the Aug. 19 convention begins, with a virtual vote that could come as early as Aug. 1. With Bidens endorsement, Harris is sure to win that kind of vote. Dont miss the best in editorials, opinion columns and commentary from NJ.com writers. Add your email here: That early virtual vote was established in good faith earlier this year after Ohio warned Democrats that they need to pick their nominee by Aug. 6 to appear on the Ohio ballot. But Ohio has since reversed course and changed its rules, at the behest of the Republican governor, Mike DeWine. So, whats the DNCs excuse now? Maybe Im being too grouchy. Biden has been a remarkable president, scoring giant wins despite the crisis in our politics. Hell go down in history as the most skilled legislative master since Lyndon Johnson, and the most progressive. And his decision to withdraw must have been agonizing for him. Hes done something that Donald Trump has never done and never will put the country first, over his personal ambitions. Hes a genuinely good man, and he brought us no scandal. Rabid Republicans have embarrassed themselves over and over trying to find dirt on him. Finally, the Slow March to Perdition that began after the June 27 debate is over, and the focus can shift away from Bidens frailties, and back to where it belongs on Trumps criminality and recklessness, his attempts to overthrow a free and fair election, his dangerous plans to abandon the climate fight, cut taxes for the rich, and his repugnant personal behavior, including jury findings that he is a rapist and a fraud, in both philanthropy and business. This man has no business sitting in the Oval Office. My guess is that Democratic comeback is about to begin. Harris will likely pick a running mate from a swing state, like Whitmer of Michigan or Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Harris will inherit Bidens record, including the unpopular parts, like the inexplicable failure to control the border. Shell also rightly be questioned about her complicity in the White House efforts to hide Bidens frailty. But her speeches of late have been pointed and strong. As a former prosecutor, and as a skilled questioner in the Senate, she has the chops to make a strong case against Trump. Remember, too, that Trump has never won a popular vote in America. And while nearly 80 percent of Americans believe Biden is too old for the job, Trump leads by only a few points. Hes vulnerable. So, by withdrawing, Biden has just done the nation an immense service. Well see in November whether his remarkable legacy will be forever tarnished by this endorsement. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2024 - 21:22 | All, Japan The approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet has edged up by 2.4 percentage points to 24.6 percent, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday. The result means the support rate of Kishida's Cabinet has remained below 30 percent nine consecutive times since November last year, amid continued public dissatisfaction with his leadership. The disapproval rate for Kishida's Cabinet fell to 60.7 percent, 1.7 percentage points down from a previous 62.4 percent in June, according to the nationwide telephone poll conducted over two days from Saturday. Regarding a question on whether respondents will take a political funds scandal, which has rattled Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, into consideration when they vote in the next general election, 73.3 percent said they would. Against the backdrop of the LDP's unpopularity, 51.2 percent said they hope the number of lower house seats won by the party's ruling coalition in the next general election will be close to the same as those won by opposition parties. The poll also showed that 74.2 percent of respondents do not think a 40,000 yen ($254) income and residence tax cut the government began in June has helped them make ends meet amid rising costs. Regarding a recent spate of scandals in the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces over the mishandling of sensitive information in the latter's maritime branch, 48. 2 percent said Defense Minister Minoru Kihara should take responsibility by resigning, while 46.1 said doing so would be unnecessary. The Maritime Self-Defense Force's top admiral, Ryo Sakai, stepped down Friday last week amid mounting public distrust of the ministry and the SDF in the wake of the scandals. On a question concerning the government's decision to temporarily reinstate subsidies to help lower electricity and gas prices from August, 59.5 percent approved of it, while 39.2 did not. A total of 81.2 percent of respondents said the government needs to tighten regulations concerning gubernatorial election posters after some candidates in Tokyo's race earlier this month posted sexually explicit images, and sometimes covered large parts of official campaign boards with their adverts. By political party, the support rate for the LDP stood at 33.1 percent, while that for the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan was at 10.1 percent, with the Japan Innovation Party measuring at 6.6 percent. Respondents with no affiliation to any particular party accounted for 30.0 percent. The survey called 498 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 2,701 mobile phone numbers. It yielded responses from 418 household members and 617 mobile users. Some parts of Ishikawa Prefecture affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day were excluded from the survey. Related coverage: Only 10% want PM Kishida to stay as support rate sags: Kyodo poll Japan PM Kishida's Cabinet support rate edges up to 24.2%: Kyodo poll U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez leaves Manhattan federal court last week after being convicted on corruption charges. He and his wife Nadine were charged with taking bribes of gold bars, a luxury car, and cash in exchange for using Menendez's position to help the government of Egypt. Nadine's trial was delayed for health reasons. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images) -Getty Images By Dr. Kristyn Brandi Like any OB/GYN, I have been deeply invested in following what is being said in the 2024 presidential campaign about reproductive healthcare including abortion. Hearing Donald Trump claim that everyone wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade at last months debate was self-evidently ridiculous, yes. But the most disturbing moment came when Trump claimed that the Supreme Court had just approved the abortion pill, meaning mifepristone, a widely used form of medication abortion. In the aftermath of the debate, little time has been spent pointing out that the case was only decided on procedural grounds. Not only is the Republican war on mifepristone ongoing, but the dockets of courtrooms around the country are littered with future challenges to reproductive rights. I am particularly worried by the possibility that voters in New Jersey and across the country wont understand the immediacy of these threats. I am concerned that they might be taken in by the misrepresentations that theres no cause for alarm -- that were safe here, where state laws protect us. But abortion care is still under threat. Three weeks ago, the Supreme Court handed down another decision, Moyle v. United States, which temporarily restored medically necessary emergency abortion access in Idaho without actually striking down the underlying ban. My own feelings were well-expressed by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson: Todays decision is not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. It is delay, she pointed out. While this Court dawdles and the country waits, pregnant people experiencing emergency medical conditions remain in a precarious position, as their doctors are kept in the dark about what the law requires. Too many doctors have practiced in that darkness for the last two years. Abortion and Reproductive Rights are on the 2024 Election Ballot: Interview with Dr. Kristyn Brandi, an obstetrician-gynecologist and former board chair of the group @prhdocs, conducted by Scott Harris. Listen Here > https://t.co/SF6LkxIVjE pic.twitter.com/aQZLmMs9Pt Between The Lines (@BTLRadioNews) April 4, 2024 I have heard similar stories from colleague after colleague. On the day Dobbs was announced, doctors in some states were forced to close clinics in the middle of appointments. Others, on-call in the hospital, saw ectopic or septic patients, and wondered if providing necessary emergency care was still legal. Trigger laws and gray areas forced providers into apprehensive interpreters of new, often conflicting statutes most of them crafted by people who understand little about the procedures in question. In practice, abiding by these laws means letting patients get far sicker than they should have to in order to warrant care, or recommending that patients in need cross state lines. This darkness has, understandably, has led some providers to move their practices to other states or shutter clinics. Fewer trainees are choosing to provide in states with harsh restrictions. Behind the scenes, the GOP is making it clear -- any attempt to soften their position on abortion access and reproductive healthcare is empty rhetoric. In Jersey, we don't buy BS. A GOP majority will pass a national abortion ban, and Donald Trump will sign that ban into law. https://t.co/yUt4AgzMYV Sue Altman (@suealtman) July 18, 2024 But the worst burden, by far, is the knowledge that our patients are suffering and cannot access the care they deserve. I worry because this crisis will not respect state borders. Patients from great distances now fly to New Jersey to get care, which increases strain on our local systems. Young people are factoring restrictions into their college searches. And thousands of New Jerseyans in the armed forces are directly affected by both federal and state laws attacking access. And yes, we cannot afford to ignore the specter of a national abortion ban a measure from which our state laws cant protect us. I am far more interested in patients than politics, but the form of our government now has direct, major implications on healthcare. For that reason, I have recently joined my own representative in Congress, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, in campaigning for Sue Altman in the 7th District a toss-up district that may decide who controls the House next year. Sue has put reproductive rights front-and-center in her race, and is clear-eyed about the work that must be done in Congress and the access issues that are specific to New Jersey communities. She knows that limited insurance coverage and travel distance are major barriers for marginalized patients seeking care, even in our state. She is firm in standing against deceptive practices by crisis pregnancy centers that endanger patients by disguising anti-abortion dogma as medical care. Most importantly, Altman is prosecuting an electoral case that takes her opponent to task, for pretending that none of this matters to his constituents in Warren, Hunterdon, Union, Morris, Sussex, and Somerset Counties. When I cast my vote in November, it will be with providers and their patients in mind. Their rights, their health, and their lives are on the ballot. Dr. Kristyn Brandi is an OB-GYN and Family Planning Subspecialist, and former board chair for Physicians For Reproductive Health. AMSA celebrates Women Leaders in Medicine! Congrats to the winners, Dr. Kristyn Brandi, Dr. Michelle Morse, and Rep. Dr. Kim Schrier! Sponsored by American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine. pic.twitter.com/dtXnG0ig2q American Medical Student Association (AMSA) (@AMSANational) August 3, 2023 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. Donald Trump has selected JD Vance to be his running mate, which some consider a surprising choice, given that the freshman senator from Ohio spent much of his pre-political life assailing Trump as Americas Hitler, a total fraud, a moral disaster, and cultural heroin. Also, an idiot, noxious, reprehensible, and a cynical A-hole whose appeal is based partly on racism and xenophobia. All that might be attack ad fodder for Democrats. But since those fulminations from 2016 and 2017, Vance has effortlessly morphed into Trumps political heir, his frontline culture warrior, and the kind of sharp-tongued zealot who can articulate MAGA objectives as policy agendas someone who can take the Republican party into an authoritarian future, assuming Trump doesnt enlist another gang of knuckle-draggers willing to lynch his vice president, as he is prone to do. But above all, Vance is a living testament that a second Trump term would be more terrifying than the first, not only because hes an ambitious shapeshifter who pledges fealty to a convicted felon, but because Vance represents a strain of Trumpian politics that can only be described as MAGA Extra Dark. More than 6 in 10 Americans say they dont know enough about him yet, but there is much to discuss about the man who anchors the so-called New Right extreme of the Republican Party. A meager sampling: Vance is not a fan of democracy. He is a tireless promoter of the Big Lie, claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, and he says that unlike Mike Pence, he would have refused to certify the election results in order to keep Trump in office. He also believes the Jan. 6 rioters were unjustly prosecuted, calling them political prisoners who had legitimate grievances. And he perpetuates the voter fraud myth, suggesting that people voted illegally on a large-scale basis in 2020. Two hours after the assassination attempt on Trump before anything was known about the shooter and his motive -- Vance took to social media to blame it on President Bidens incendiary campaign rhetoric. (Ed. note: no record of Biden calling Trump Americas Hitler, as Vance did.) Vance is inspired by the lunatic fringe: In a Sept. 2021 speech, he described podcaster Alex Jones who believes every mass-shooting, including Sandy Hook, is staged by a cabal that wants to take away guns as a truth-teller. He added that he shares Joness fear that the transnational financial elite controls things in our country, that they hate our society, and oh, by the way, a lot of them are probably sex perverts, too. Vance believes that battered women should stay in violent or abusive marriages, because nowadays people shift spouses like they change their underwear and because divorce has damaged too many children. Women should also know this: I certainly would like abortion to be illegal nationally, Vance said in 2022, before moderating his position to align more with Trump, who says that it should be left to states now that hes torn up Roe v. Wade. Vance believes that society should not view a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest as inconvenient, so he rejects such exceptions. Two wrongs dont make a right, he says. Addenda: He wants the mailing of abortion medication to be illegal, and he wants to ban in vitro fertilization (IVF). Donald Trumps VP nominee JD Vance: We are effectively run in this countryby a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made. And they want to make the rest of the country miserable too. pic.twitter.com/ButY24m091 Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) July 16, 2024 Vances Senate campaign was jump-started in 2022 by an unprecedented $15 million contribution from his mentor and former venture capital boss, Peter Thiel, the tech billionaire who famously wrote, I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible, and who believes that multiculturalism and womens suffrage are malign influences in American society. Vance claims that Biden has relaxed border enforcement so that more Republican voters can be killed by fentanyl. If you wanted to kill a bunch of MAGA voters in the middle of the heartland, he told Vanity Fair, how better than to target them and their kids with this deadly fentanyl? It does look intentional. Its like Joe Biden wants to punish the people who didnt vote for him. Reminder that the so-called "antiwar" nominee for vice president wants to start a war in Mexico. https://t.co/PgTTZN0Z8m David Frum (@davidfrum) July 17, 2024 Vance wants Trump to purge nonpartisan employees of the federal government, even if he defies the courts in the process. He advises Trump to fire every single mid-level bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state, replace them with our people. . . .and then when the courts stop you, stand before the country (and say), The Chief Justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it. He favors defunding some police specifically, the ATF. He calls for the abolition of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms -- which enforces federal gun laws and combats drug traffickers -- because he says the agency tracks and manages records of gun sales. Thats another myth: The ATF has no such gun registry, because Congress forbade it in 2011. Vance has been a strident opponent of financial and military aid to Ukraine in Congress, telling Steve Bannons audience in 2022, I dont really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other. And like Trump, Vance openly admires another Kremlin-friendly figure, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, who dismantled his countrys democracy, rewrote the constitution, neutered the judiciary, eliminated rival parties, seized universities, and shut down free press while amassing great wealth by grabbing properties and factories for political allies. Hes made some smart decisions there, that we could learn from in the United States, Vance told CBS in May. Trump-endorsed Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance: I gotta be honest with you, I dont really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other"pic.twitter.com/VsIvLLUbY1 Alfons Lopez Tena (@alfonslopeztena) April 16, 2022 He is the first millennial to be on a presidential ticket, and he has been in government for 18 months. Soon he may be one heartbeat away from the most powerful office on the planet. Given his ambition and head-first dive into MAGA militancy, however, Vances transition from a hillbilly elegist to venture capitalist and soulless extremist was not unpredictable. As conservative columnist Mona Charen wrote, Vances slide from path-breaking writer to Trumpist troll tracks perfectly with the decline of the Republican party. Sen. Mitt Romney, who once represented that party, is more blunt: I dont know that I can disrespect someone more than JD Vance, he says in his 2023 biography. And now, Trump has selected Vance as the torchbearer for the Republican party perhaps for decades. He could have chosen someone who might ameliorate fears about his own tyrannical mien, but this choice is a signal that Trump sees no reason to dial it back. This is not the time to stop paying attention. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. .@gabrielwinant: J. D. Vance is the senator from the unconscious, a voice in Washington for unprocessed trauma, psychic repression, and the monstrous outlets such potent forces can find. https://t.co/eHPrHPieQx pic.twitter.com/BkUNKBqP0Z n+1 (@nplusonemag) July 15, 2024 Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Within minutes of President Joe Bidens announcement that hes out of the 2024 race, he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic partys nominee against Donald Trump this November. Biden bowed out of the race Sunday after weeks of a pressure campaign within his party to convince him not to run against Trump over fears he would not only lose to the former president, but that hed drag the party with him. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, Biden posted to X, formerly Twitter. The Democratic National Convention runs from Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. The decision comes after escalating pressure from Bidens Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on Jan. 20, 2025. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. In a move for the history books that was nearly unfathomable before President Joe Biden appeared on the debate stage against former President Donald Trump and shook Democratic confidence after his poor performance, Biden announced Sunday he wont run against his Republican rival. Bidens announcement came after a private push from his Democratic colleagues that spilled out into public. Biden initially refused to accept what they had to say: that the president would certainly lose to Trump in November, and if he refused to bow out he could wreak havoc down the ballot. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter he shared on social media. Biden added: I will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision. A partys presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. The closest parallel would be President Lyndon Johnson who, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term. Biden insisted hed stay in the race after his disastrous debate performance in late June. But Democrats privately shared their concerns about his ability to counter Trumps narrative that the president is in cognitive decline. The first major public criticism came in July from former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Some Democrats in Congress had already called on Biden to pass the torch, but Pelosis appearance on Morning Joe was an obvious sign of a public campaign to pressure the president. Its up to the president to decide if he is going to run, she said at the time. Were all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short. He is beloved. He is respected. And people want him to make that decision. Biden, however, had said he already had made the decision and hes staying in the race. So Pelosis message was clear: Rethink your position. News later trickled out that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries both privately urged Biden to reconsider. Schumer had a one-on-one meeting with Biden at his home in Delaware. Later came news that former President Barack Obama was telling allies he thought his former vice president should reconsider. All the while Biden remained adamant that he wasnt dropping out despite the not-so-subtle public campaign of leaks to pressure him to end his campaign. Swing state polling showed Trump beating Biden in all seven states that pundits agree will likely decide this years election. Heres Bidens full statement: My fellow Americans, Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. Weve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation and lowering prescription drug costs for seniors and expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. Weve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. I know none of this could have happened without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We protected and preserved our democracy, and weve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all of this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. I believe today what I always have, that there is nothing America cant do when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- For Li Jin, a 9-year-old primary school student from Beijing, the allure of an exhibition, featuring millennium-old bronze statues and golden masks from the ancient Sanxingdui Ruins, far surpasses that of the Transformers at the Universal Beijing Resort. Li became fascinated by the history and culture of Sanxingdui three years ago after reading about it in a library book. Upon learning about the exhibition in Beijing, he promptly included it in his summer vacation plans. Despite the scorching summer heat and enduring lengthy queues, hundreds of thousands of people, including Li and his grandmother, have flocked to the exhibition titled "Unveiling Sanxingdui and Jinsha of Ancient Shu Civilization," held at a museum in eastern Beijing, just a 15-minute drive away from the theme park. The exhibition showcases a total of 265 pieces or sets of artifacts, including a remarkable golden mask adorned with turquoise eyes that gaze from the darkness, a bronze sculpture of a kneeling figure with intricate detailing, and several newly unearthed archeological findings being exhibited for the first time. Li visited the museum for two consecutive days and planned to return again. "It was truly amazing and awe-inspiring. I couldn't get enough of it on my first visit," he said. Soon after its launch weeks ago, the daily visitors to this exhibition reached as high as 16,000 on weekdays, and during peak days on weekends, the number soared to an astonishing 33,000. Tang Fei, head of the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, said that the cultural relics on display reflect the wisdom and ingenuity of the ancient Shu people, showcasing the magnificence of Chinese civilization spanning 5,000 years. Beijing's cultural exhibition on Sanxingdui highlights this year's museum fever in China during the summer vacation period. Driven by an enthusiasm for museums, the appreciation of history and ancient civilizations has become both a fashion trend and an influential phenomenon. An exhibition focusing on ancient Egyptian civilization, which opened to the public in Shanghai on Friday, has exceeded expectations in terms of popularity. A staggering 200,000 early-bird tickets have been completely sold out, leaving little availability for summer vacation reservations. Similarly, visitors to the Palace Museum in Beijing must secure tickets several days in advance, and the Mogao Grottoes, located in northwest China's Dunhuang, announced as early as Thursday that they were fully booked until Sunday. Cultural and historical museums, along with cities boasting a rich heritage, have become "must-visit" locations for many tourists, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. As of July 3, the volume of museum reservations nationwide this summer has witnessed a remarkable year-on-year surge of over 90 percent, according to data from the online travel service provider Ctrip. The tourism website Mafengwo said that 44.3 percent of museum visitors in the recent week were families with children, followed by college students, who made up 20.6 percent. China has endeavored to explore the value of cultural relics and showcase the long-standing history of civilizations by improving its museum system. To better cater to a surging demand, an array of museums in Beijing, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Jiangsu and Hunan have announced that they will extend their opening hours. In addition, special nighttime events have been launched in cities like Shanghai and Changzhou, providing youngsters with unique tour experiences. "Night tours in museums not only enrich nightlife but also enable children to immerse themselves in a sea of cultural relics and acquire knowledge," said Liu Guoqing, a Changzhou resident who brought his child to a nighttime event at a local museum. According to official statistics, China now boasts over 6,800 registered museums nationwide, and last year, museums in China collectively received a record high of 1.29 billion visits and hosted over 40,000 exhibitions. The enthusiasm for museums has not only become a cultural phenomenon but has also reignited young people's appreciation for ancient civilizations. In recent years, archaeology, once viewed as an unconventional choice for high-achieving students, is gaining increasing popularity among incoming college freshmen. Shen Ruiwen, head of the School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University, said that the school admits approximately 40 to 50 undergraduate students each year, many of whom have achieved high scores in the college entrance examination. "Children nowadays have more opportunities to visit museums from an early age, increasing their knowledge about archaeology," Shen said, adding that economic growth has created new opportunities for families to support their children's aspirations and encourage them to pursue careers they are genuinely passionate about. "There are many theories and hypotheses about Sanxingdui. I'd like to delve deeper into this culture and perhaps I will develop my own theory in the future," said Li, the primary school student. Torridge and Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox, Member of Parliament last week met with the Minister of State for Business and Trade, Sarah Jones MP, to seek reassurances that the new Government will continue supporting Appledore Shipyard. The previous government had created an initial work stream for Appledore Shipyard with the 55million refit of a Royal Navy Minehunter, then awarded Harland & Wolff (H&W) a 1.6 billion contract for the construction of the Fleet Solid Support Ships. Labour has now decided not to provide a loan guarantee to Harland and Woolff, needed to provide working capital for investment and expand its operation to carry out the defence contracts. The last Government was still in discussion about the loan guarantee and had not made a decision at the time of the general election, although it was strongly supported by the then Secretaries of State for Business, Kemi Badenoch, and for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton Harris. Torridge and Tavistocks MP, Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, who met the minister today, described the decision as regrettable but said he had received the assurances he had sought and that he was content for now to take them at face value. Sir Geoffrey Cox said: The Minister told me she was confident Appledore Shipyard would remain open and would be able to carry out the construction of the Fleet Solid Support Vessels, which represents many years of work for hundreds of local people and exciting opportunities for dozens of local apprentices. I have no reason to disbelieve the assurances I have been given, but I shall be holding the new Labour Government to account for its promises in this regard and for the continuation of the many other investments scheduled for Torridge and Tavistock under the Conservative Government. JERUSALEM, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Israel's army said on Sunday it has intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched by Houthi forces in the Red Sea targeting the resort city Eilat, amid an escalation between the Yemenite forces and Israel. Before the interception, the missile triggered sirens in Eilat, Israel's southernmost city. "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that approached Israeli territory from Yemen using the Arrow-3 Aerial Defense System," the Israeli military said in a press statement. The missile did not cross into Israeli territory, the military added. The attack came a day after Israeli airstrikes killed and injured several people in the Houthi-held Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, in retaliation for a drone attack that killed a man and injured about 10 people in Tel Aviv. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack. Yahya Saree, the group's spokesman, said in a statement on social network platform X that "a number of ballistic missiles" targeted a military site in Eilat. He added that ballistic missiles and drones also targeted the American ship "Pumba" in the Red Sea. The U.S. military confirmed intercepting a drone fired by the Houthis over the Red Sea. Saree vowed that the attacks "will not stop until the aggression ceases and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted." HOBART Aruba. Jamaica. Bermuda. Bahama...it is up for debate whether the Beach Boys wrote their famous ode to the Caribbean in honor of the central Indiana city of Kokomo. But maybe Hobart could inspire a similarly ironic song, as in recent years, the city has become a surprisingly ripe locale for tropical cuisine. Just two blocks from Lake George, Tanias offers an impressive array of specialties from around the Caribbean Basin: arepas, alcapurria fritters, pastelillos, blood sausage: this is no mere taco joint. The diverse menu is not just representative of Tanias owners mixed heritage, but of the fusion that has shaped Latin culture in Chicagoland and NWI. Every country has their own style of empanadas, co-owner Rudy Ramirez said. There are different kinds of plantains. Puerto Rican style is fried, but in Colombia theyll hit it with a rock until its paper thin, super big, and theyll throw shrimp stew on top. Ramirez parents are from Colombia and Mexico. The Ramirez family first opened Tanias in East Chicago in 2015, but that restaurant was based off another, older establishment in Chicagos Logan Square, that Ramirez said used to serve as a hub for the Spanish-speaking community there. Logan Square was hood back in the day, Ramirez said, but it just so happened that people with money, status, went to Tanias. Ballplayers met there. If you were somebody, you went there. Ramirez wants Tanias to be a destination, too. The East Chicago location has gained a solid reputation in that corner of NWI, but at the Hobart offshoot, which opened in January, the owners are currently working on a bar and lounge space that Ramirez hopes becomes a hip, lively island unto itself. We want something different, Ramirez said. Tanias after dark. We want ambience lighting, a special feel to it. This is not going to be a dive bar. The goal is to open that new space, adjacent to the current restaurant, by the end of the summer. No ambience is necessary to enjoy Tanias generously loaded jibaritos. This sabroso take on a sandwich, which substitutes large plantain chips for bread, is etymologically Puerto Rican but is also a Chicagoland invention. Tanias version, which can come with chicken, steak or pork, does the region proud. Its colorful, garlicky and the plantain slices pack a nice crunch. The a la carte menu lets you pick and choose from a variety of unique appetizers; I sampled bacalaitos, fried cod fritters flattened like savory pancakes; alcapurria, or tangy beef banana fritters; and a juicy meat and potato pastelillo, a cousin of the empanada. While Ramirez said theyll happily add anything to the menu that they think customers want, like wings or burgers, the goal is to offer something distinct that can compete, via contrast, with the more common Mexican or TexMex places in the region. Ramirez said that food from the West Indies and further south tends toward sweeter, tangier flavors compared to Mexico, whose climate is dryer and incorporates more chiles. Caribbean communities are lively, happy people, Ramirez said. Tanias isnt the only place in Hobart you can catch the flavor of the tropics. Just down the street The Caribbean on Lake George offers authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, including specialty items like caribe nachos with pork and plantains. For additional island fare, next-door Montego Bay Grill serves up staples from Jamaica, including jerk platters and pineapple upside-down cake. If Tanias and the added lounge prove successful, Ramirez hopes to start a franchise within NWI, though he envisions striking a balance between rapidly expanding the brand and avoiding an overly commercialized feel to the restaurants. We dont want to lose the homey, mom-and-pop feel, Ramirez said. But good food is good food. PHOTOS: The Ark Pet Shop in Merrillville turns 45 WASHINGTON President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent's fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, delivered less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations. The president intent on serving out the remainder of his term in office quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump and encouraged his party to unite behind her, making her the partys instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago. The announcement is the latest jolt to a tumultuous campaign for the White House, coming a week after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. A partys presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. President Lyndon Johnson, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term after just a single state's primary. Biden's July decision comes after more than 14 million Democrats cast votes supporting him through the primary process. Harris, in a statement, praised Bidens selfless and patriotic act and said she intends to earn and win her partys nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda, she said. Biden's decision to bow out came after escalating pressure from his Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in a letter posted Sunday to his X account. Nearly 30 minutes after he delivered the news that he was folding his campaign, Biden threw his support behind Harris. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," he said in another post on X. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Harris faces a staggering political to-do list in the coming days: securing the votes of delegates to claim her party's nomination, picking a running mate, and pivoting a massive political operation that had been built to reelect Biden to boost her candidacy instead. There were early signs that the party was moving to coalesce around Harris, who scored the endorsements of the Congressional Black Caucus and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even before she had commented on Biden's decision to quit the race. But notably, former President Barack Obama held off, pledging support behind the eventual party nominee. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, the Clintons said in a statement. But Obama, who had privately shared doubts about Bidens reelection chances, stopped short of endorsing Harris even as he praised Biden for his decision to leave the race. I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, he said in a statement. Biden's decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide detail about his decision. Harris found out about Biden's plans on Sunday morning and senior campaign and White House staff were notified just minutes before the letter went out, according to people familiar with the matter who commented on the private discussions on condition of anonymity. Biden had been reflecting on his future for the past couple days and the decision was closely held. Now, Democrats have to urgently try to bring coherence to the nominating process in a matter of weeks and convince voters in a stunningly short amount of time that their nominee can handle the job and beat Trump. And for his part, Trump must shift his focus to a new opponent after years of training his attention on Biden. The decision marks a swift and stunning end to Bidens 52 years in electoral politics, as donors, lawmakers and even aides expressed to him their doubts that he could convince voters that he could plausibly handle the job for another four years. Biden won the vast majority of delegates and every nominating contest but one, which would have made his nomination a formality. Now that he has dropped out, those delegates will be free to support another candidate. Harris, 59, appeared to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaigns war chest, according to federal campaign finance rules. Bidens campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation a sign of the advantage she has in the race for the Democratic nomination. Democratic groups, including the Democratic National Committee, also filed paperwork changing the names of their joint fundraising committees to reflect Harris candidacy. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced it would hold a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. It remained to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris for the nomination. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had been discussed as a possible replacement for Biden last year, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who challenged both Biden and Harris for the Democratic nomination in 2020, threw their support behind her Sunday. The Democratic National Committee's chair, Jaime Harrison, said in a statement that the party would undertake a transparent and orderly process" to select "a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year to become an independent, is considering re-registering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, according to Jonathan Kott, a longtime adviser to Manchin. Harris was spending Sunday afternoon calling Democratic elected officials and delegates as she works to lock up the nomination. Harris received her first delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sunday. The Tennessee Democratic Party posted on X that its delegation voted during a meeting Sunday to back Harris after Bidens departure from the campaign. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly each from a swing state and mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris also endorsed Harris Sunday evening. Trump reacted to the news in a post on his Truth Social site, in which he said Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly, he added. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! While Trump and his team had made their preference for facing Biden clear, his campaign had nonetheless ramped up its attacks on Harris as pressure on Biden to step down intensified. Democratic officials, including many who were behind the effort to push Biden from the race, quickly released statements praising Biden's decision. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York praised Biden as one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Biden should immediately resign if he is not fit enough to run for office. In a statement, Johnson said, November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. In addition to his planned address to the country, Biden still intends to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week, according to a person familiar with the presidents schedule who was not authorized to comment publicly. The exact timing of the meeting is still not set in stone as Biden continues to recover from COVID. Netanyahu is scheduled Wednesday to deliver an address to Congress and he is also expected to meet with Harris while in Washington. In 2020, Biden pitched himself as a transitional figure who wanted to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders. But once he secured the job he spent decades struggling to attain, he was reluctant to part with it. Biden was once asked whether any other Democrats could beat Trump. Probably 50 of them, Biden replied. No, Im not the only one who can defeat him, but I will defeat him. Biden is already the countrys oldest president and had insisted repeatedly that he was up for the challenge of another campaign and another term, telling voters all they had to was watch me. And watch him they did. His poor debate performance prompted a cascade of anxiety from Democrats and donors who said publicly what some had said privately for months, that they did not think he was up to the job for four more years. Biden often remarked that he was not as young as he used to be, doesnt walk as easily or speak as smoothly, but that he had wisdom and decades of experience, which were worth a whole lot. I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didnt believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job, he told supporters at a rally in North Carolina a day after the debate. Because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high. But voters had other problems with him, too he has been deeply unpopular as a leader even as his administration steered the nation through recovery from a global pandemic, presided over a booming economy and passed major pieces of bipartisan legislation that will impact the nation for years to come. A majority of Americans disapprove of the way hes handling his job, and hes faced persistently low approval ratings on key issues including the economy and immigration. Bidens motivation for running was deeply intertwined with Trump. He had retired from public service following eight years serving as vice president under Obama and the death of his son Beau but decided to run after Trumps comments following a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when white supremacists descended on the city to protest the removal of its Confederate memorials. Trump said: You had some very bad people in the group, but you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. On both sides. Biden's wife, first lady Jill Biden, responded to the president's announcement by reposting Biden's letter announcing his decision and adding red heart emojis. Granddaughter Naomi Biden Neal said on social media, Im nothing but proud of my Pop. She said he has served the country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction and our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. Superville reported from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. Photos: Joe Biden through the years Joe Biden, 1972 Joe Biden, 1972 Joe Biden, 1972 Joe Biden, 1972 Joe Biden, 1973 Joe Biden, 1987 Joe Biden, 1987 Joe Biden, 1988 Joe Biden, 1991 Joe Biden, 1993 Joe Biden, 1993 Joe Biden, 2003 Joe Biden, 2007 Joe Biden, 2007 Joe Biden, 2007 Joe Biden, 2008 Joe Biden, 2008 Joe Biden, 2008 Joe Biden, 2008 Joe Biden, 2008 Joe Biden, 2008 Joe Biden, 2009 Joe Biden, 2009 Joe Biden, 2010 Joe Biden, 2012 Joe Biden, 2013 Joe Biden, 2014 Joe Biden, 2015 Joe Biden, 2015 Joe Biden, 2017 Joe Biden, 2017 Joe Biden, 2017 Joe Biden, 2019 Joe Biden, 2019 Joe Biden, 2019 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2020 Joe Biden, 2021 Joe Biden, 2021 Joe Biden, 2021 Joe Biden, 2022 Joe Biden, 2022 Joe Biden, 2022 Joe Biden, 2022 Joe Biden, 2022 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2022 Joe Biden, 2022 Joe Biden, 2023 Joe Biden, 2024 Joe Biden, 2024 A massive expansion of federal air emission rules is on hold while legal challenges wind through the courts, which the Supreme Court said it expects to be successful. The ruling slams the brakes on the Environmental Protection Agencys Good Neighbor rule that initially required 23 states with power plants and other industrial sources to implement stricter limits on emissions that can pollute states downwind. Before this rule, states developed individual plans to manage downwind emissions. Still, the EPA rejected them in favor of a national plan criticized as federal overreach. As with nearly every EPA rule, the legal challenges came quickly, and three states Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia asked that the rule be paused while the legal challenges were in play. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the rule would be suspended. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who wrote the majority sides ruling, said the legal challenges were likely to succeed. The celebratory statements from industries affected by the ruling came swiftly. No agency is permitted to operate outside of the clear bounds of the law and today, once again, the Supreme Court reminded the EPA of that fact, said Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the National Mining Association. With a stay in place, we look forward to making our case in the D.C. Circuit that this rule is unlawful in its excessive overreach and must be struck down to protect American workers, energy independence, the electric grid and the consumers it serves. Grow Americas Infrastructure Now a broad coalition of businesses, trade associations and labor groups accused President Biden of weaponizing the EPA to push what is said are flawed energy policies without regard for their legality or practical costs. The Supreme Courts decision is an important instance of reason prevailing over politics amid a broader regulatory assault on Americas fossil fuel resources, said GAIN spokesman Craig Stevens. The courts determination that the EPA failed to justify its actions and exceeded its delegated powers deals a blow to the agencys ongoing attempt to seize powers from the states. It also bodes well for pending legal challenges to other EPA rules, including the more recent Carbon Rule, which would further undermine Americas energy security at a time when global demand for energy is skyrocketing. Power the Future, a nonprofit organization that advocates for American energy jobs, described the rule as a backdoor path to the Green New Deal that many said would have bankrupted the middle class in favor of battling climate change. Todays ruling demonstrates the courts desire to reign in an administrative state overstepping its authority, said Daniel C. Turner, the nonprofits founder and executive director. If the Biden administration wants to find new interpretations of the Clean Air Act or expand the authority of the EPA, it must do so via the Congress. The American people are tired of the heavy hand of Washington, D.C., and we applaud the state attorneys general who defend their states from the abuse of power of this administration. Federal rules require manufacturing, chemical and other plants and industries that emit carbon dioxide, mercury and other pollutants into the air that can be carried by the wind to other states. The EPA said power-plant emissions dropped 18 percent last year in the 10 states where it enforced the finalized Good Neighbor rule. In January, the EPA sought to include five more states under the rule, hoping that expanding its Good Neighbor program would further reduce ozone pollution and provide a national solution. Challenges to the rule noted that the agency assumed all 23 targeted states would comply, but just half of that number were participating in early 2024. The EPA announced the finalized rule in March 2023, saying at the time that it would significantly improve public health, especially among children and older adults. The rule required power plants emitting what it deemed to be unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone or smog from nitrogen oxide that travels beyond state boundaries. The agency estimated that the rule would reduce this pollution by 70,000 tons from power plants and industrial facilities in 2026 and reflect a 50% reduction from 2021 to 2027. The agencys press release at the time the rule was finalized said that it would prevent 1,300 premature deaths, avoid more than 2,300 hospital and emergency room visits, cut asthma symptoms by 1.3 million cases, and avoid 430,000 school absence days and 25,000 lost work days. States such as Wisconsin, New York and Connecticut said they have a hard time meeting federal ozone standards and reducing emissions due to power plants in other states. Judith Vale, New Yorks deputy solicitor general, said that as much as 65 percent of smog pollution comes from outside its borders. With fewer states actually participating in the rule, though, its unlikely those benefits would be realized, especially with no guarantee the rule would survive the legal challenges, a lawyer representing industry groups told the Supreme Court. The courts decision prevents the risk of electric power outages and crippling delays to industrial supply chains for now, said Ryan Meyers, general counsel for the American Petroleum Institute. Americans are looking for pragmatic energy solutions, not misguided policies that threaten to undermine energy reliability by forcing operators to take pipeline engines a vital technology to ensure natural gas can reach consumers out of operations. The Supreme Courts decision sends the case back to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which is considering one of the challenges filed by 11 states. Its been one week since an assassination attempt on former President Trump took place. Immediately following the attempt, betting pool odds jumped in Trump's favor for winning the 2024 election in what now feels like an almost inevitable outcome, as President Biden continues to slip in the polls and the court of public opinion. Some commodity markets appeared to react to this development. November 2024 soybean futures were down $0.30/bu on the week after depreciating $0.60 the week before. The idea that Trump will continue to play hard ball with China with more tariffs lends itself to the idea that China will buy less U.S. soybeans as a result. This had already been established as a narrative, but futures markets reacted in a way that there is still some risk premium to lose. The move lower in prices was extra disappointing for soybean bulls, as a flash sale purchase of 510,000 tons of soybeans was announced on Thursday for delivery to unknown destinations. This purchase was the largest of the year so far for the 2024-25 marketing year. "Unknown destinations" do not have to mean China, but the odds would suggest that it does, with that kind of size. Drill baby drill The other noticeable commodity to make a political move may have been the crude oil market. In Former President Trumps Thursday night speech at the Republican National Convention he noted that one of his main focuses will be lowering energy prices and that we will drill baby drill. Crude oil prices dropped over $2/brl the next day. The 2024 Democratic National Convention will not take place until Aug. 19-22. Calls for President Biden to step down continue to get closer and closer to coming from inside the house, which if realized may create a lurch in the market one way or another depending on the substitute chosen. Have a comment or question? Please reach out to derrick.hermesch@pinionglobal.com or call at 785-338-9605. A cargo plane is landed at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 13, 2024. (Xinhua) GUIYANG, July 21 (Xinhua) -- With the launch of a new cargo route linking Guiyang and Moscow earlier this month, the number of international cargo routes connected to southwest China's Guizhou Province has reached four. This expansion is creating a more efficient and convenient air passage for trade. Guizhou is known for its mountainous landscapes in China, which poses challenges for road and rail transportation, necessitating the need to develop air traffic. Guizhou Shuanglong Airport Economic Zone, with Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport as its core, was established in 2014. Besides the newly-opened route, it also operates the other three freight lines linking the provincial capital with India's Kolkata and Delhi, as well as Karachi in Pakistan. Loaded with Russian seafood products such as snow crabs, king crabs, and sea urchins, the IL-76 cargo plane departed Moscow for Guiyang on July 13, and returned with 40 tonnes of Chinese goods, mainly electronic products. The route is currently customized according to the market. But the operator said that if the operation is well received, the round flights will become regular starting from September, which will drive Guizhou's annual import and export trade volume to around 3 billion yuan (about 420.7 million U.S. dollars), with a cargo throughput of around 15,000 tonnes. It used to take 60 to 70 hours to transport seafood from Russia to Guizhou by rail and sea. The new air route shortens the transportation time to 12 to 13 hours, said Su Bowenhao with Guizhou First Catch Supply Chain Management Company. According to Su, the company plans to open a route to Norway in the second half of the year, aiming to import salmon and export Chinese goods sold on e-commerce platforms. Up to July 9, the other three routes have operated 156 flights, and transported a total of 1,098 tonnes of exported goods worth 50.81 million U.S. dollars, and 416 tonnes of imported goods worth 2.97 million U.S. dollars, official data showed. Foreign trade enterprises in Guizhou have played an important role in the launch of the cargo routes, by docking the supplies and demands of markets at both ends, applying for government subsidies, and negotiating lease agreements with airline companies. "With these routes, we can export clothing accessories, machine parts, electronic components and other commodities to South Asia, and import India's specialty crab," said Wu Xiong, director of Guizhou Coconut Elephant Supply Chain Management Company. Wu said that the company plans to open an international cargo route from Guiyang to Ho Chi Minh City to import Vietnamese green lobster and fruits, and export more Guizhou commodities. Cargos are seen at a warehouse of Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 13, 2024. (Xinhua) The New York Times is looking at the ways artificial intelligence is assisting, disrupting and generally changing the way we date. Specifically, were curious to see how A.I. might affect the way you flirt online and in text messages. Wed love to hear from you or someone you know about your experience with generative A.I. services as it relates to your love life to potentially include in a coming article. Were not really interested in publicity requests, were more interested in personal anecdotes. We dont accept anonymous responses and we will never publish anything without your explicit permission. We also will not use your contact information for any other purpose or share it outside our newsroom. Please feel free to share this with a friend. Thanks! The red brick outer walls of First Baptist Dallas Church were singed black on Saturday morning, and though they were still intact, along with the steeple at the front of the historic building, there was no sanctuary within. The roof, windows and interior were gone. And the smell of smoke lingered. Larry Smith and his wife, Rita, two members of the church, drove 20 miles from Arlington, Texas, to see firsthand the destruction of the fire from the previous night. Other members also gathered outside. Ms. Smith wiped tears from her eyes with a tissue as she talked about the sanctuary, with its dark wood pews and ornate carvings. There was a library in the church, she said, along with a printing shop and the offices of former pastors. A lot of history in that building, she said. Mr. Smith began to talk about what was lost when he trailed off, looking at the smoldering remains. Church members and other residents of the Dallas area mourned on Saturday the severe damage to the sanctuary, a landmark in the heart of Dallas where many of the megachurchs members have been baptized, married and memorialized. In his first campaign rally since the attempt on his life, former President Donald J. Trump, joined by his new running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, repeatedly lashed out at Democrats, calling President Biden and his administration stupid. Mr. Trumps speech in Grand Rapids, Mich., which lasted more than 100 minutes, suggested that the call for national unity in the wake of last weeks shooting, at a rally in Pennsylvania, had fully faded. He and Mr. Vance sought to extend the momentum for their campaign after their official nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week, while President Biden faced growing Democratic pressure to drop out of the race. At his rally, Mr. Trump attacked Democrats over their trade, immigration and other policies, and hurled insults at the president, the vice president and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Mr. Vance took the stage first at the event for the new G.O.P. ticket and drew on his personal rags-to-riches story to connect with voters in the battleground state. He fired up the crowd for Mr. Trump and walked off to a standing ovation no easy feat for a man who attended the Michigan rival Ohio State. At his first campaign rally since he survived an assassination attempt last week, former President Donald J. Trump on Saturday launched a litany of attacks that suggested his call for national unity in the wake of the shooting had faded entirely into the background. Over the course of an almost two-hour speech in Grand Rapids, Mich., Mr. Trump insulted President Bidens intelligence repeatedly, calling him stupid more than once. He said Vice President Kamala Harris was crazy and gleefully jeered the Democratic Partys infighting over Mr. Bidens political future. Even as Mr. Trump made numerous false claims accusing his political opponents of widespread election fraud, he presented the continuing push by some Democrats to replace Mr. Biden on their ticket as an anti-democratic effort. By contrast, Mr. Trump who falsely insisted he won the 2020 election and whose effort to overturn it spurred a violent attack on the Capitol that threatened the peaceful transfer of power presented himself as an almost martyr trying to protect the United States from its downfall. Plans to use an experimental three-drug combination in an upcoming execution in Utah a cocktail that critics said could inflict serious pain have been scrapped after state officials said in court documents released Saturday that they would be able to seek an alternative. Taberon D. Honie, who was convicted of aggravated murder in 1999, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Aug. 8. It would be the first execution conducted by that method in the state in nearly 25 years. The Utah Department of Corrections recommended using an untested three-drug cocktail of ketamine, fentanyl and potassium chloride when it could not find sodium thiopental, the drug required by Utah law, or other alternatives. That drug has been challenging to obtain for more than a decade, after Hospira, the only American producer of sodium thiopental, announced it would stop selling it, citing concerns about producing the drug in Italy. But many states across the country where the death penalty is legal have struggled for years to obtain and properly use suitable drugs for lethal injections. A lawsuit filed last week by Mr. Honies lawyer against several Utah prison officials expressed many concerns about the proposed drug cocktail, including that it would not create the anesthesia Mr. Honie needed to be unconscious, unaware and insensate to pain, when the potassium chloride, which stops the heart, is administered. The drugs carried the risk of serious pain and unnecessary suffering, the lawyer, Eric Zuckerman, wrote in the complaint. China engaged in a monthslong drumbeat of anticipation that a Communist Party leaders meeting would show the way to a new era of growth for the slowing economy. The outcome was a plan released on Sunday offering more than 300 steps on everything from taxes to religion. It echoed many familiar themes, like an emphasis on government investments in high-tech manufacturing and scientific innovation. There was little mention of anything that would directly address Chinas plunging real estate prices or the millions of unfinished apartments left behind by failed developers. Many economists had called for a comprehensive effort to rebalance the Chinese economy away from investment and toward consumer spending. But the document roughly 15,000 words in the English translation made a brief and cautious call to refine long-term mechanisms for expanding consumption. The Communist Partys Central Committee doubled down on industrial policy. The party promised to promote the development of strategic industries in eight sectors, from renewable energy to aerospace. Those were essentially the same industries as in the countrys decade-old Made in China 2025 plan to replace imports of high-tech goods with locally produced products, as part of a national push for self-reliance. Send questions about the office, money, careers and work-life balance to workfriend@nytimes.com. Include your name and location, or a request to remain anonymous. Letters may be edited. Check, Please My first week at my job, the C.E.O. took me out to lunch. He informed me that he takes one employee out to lunch every week on a rotating basis to discuss his or her position and give feedback on how things could run more smoothly. I found our first lunch to be very uncomfortable and began to dread the next one. My position is mostly answering phone calls, so work-related issues are resolved in much less time than the hour and 30 minutes allotted for the lunches. This means that the conversation usually dovetails into discussing our personal lives, which I dislike. It also happens that the C.E.O. is my least favorite person at the company. I find him to be brash, immature and annoying. Last week, I was supposed to go out to lunch with him, but I asked to have a formal meeting in the conference room instead to discuss my performance. After a lot of back-and-forth, he finally agreed, but during the meeting told me how important it was to him to take his employees out to lunch. None of the other employees seem to object to the lunches. Am I in the wrong for wanting to avoid an awkward lunch? Anonymous Youre not wrong. You feel what you feel, and though it isnt out of the realm of acceptability for a conversation to take a turn toward the more personal, the fact that it makes you uncomfortable is worth addressing. The next time the C.E.O. asks you to lunch, explain that youd prefer a more formal meeting again, and that you want this to be the arrangement going forward. If he asks you why, simply tell him you want to keep things strictly professional and avoid more casual interactions. Dont apologize, and dont overexplain. And ask him to give you professional feedback in writing, at which point you can suggest a one-on-one meeting. In the office. A Smelly Situation I work with a woman who has very strong body odor and poor hygiene. We have worked together for 20 years and she has been told numerous times that her odor is a problem (resulting in tears). The only time there was an improvement was when was she was told a few years ago that she would not be included in meetings until she handled this problem. She sought medical advice and was put on medication. That solved the worst of it, but now we are back to regular old odor, including mildew and the smell of dirty laundry. A co-worker thinks it would be hurtful to have another conversation. Im resentful that its an issue yet again and dont particularly want to have another conversation. Speaking to someone at the top wont help, she IS at the top! The Golden State To the Editor: Re Should American Jews Abandon Elite Universities?, by Bret Stephens (column, June 26): Mr. Stephens has issued a sobering and well-documented indictment of antisemitism on elite campuses. The question asked by the headline is timely and troubling for many Jewish high school students and their families. As noted by Mr. Stephens, confused administrators and revisionist curriculums contributed to this crisis. But the insensitivity and hypocrisy of supposedly idealistic and enlightened college students may be the most striking and unkind cut of all. Safe spaces and rules against microaggressions have become commonplace on campuses. Yet when Jewish students made it known that calling for deadly attacks on Jews (Globalize the intifada!) is offensive and intimidating, they were ignored. Chants in favor of colonization or racism would never and should never be met with such indifference. It hurts. RIYADH, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that the Kingdom is following with great concern the developments of the military escalation in Yemen after the Israeli attacks in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. The ministry said that the attacks on Saturday aggravate the current tension in the region and halt the ongoing efforts to end the war on Gaza, calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to distance the region and its people from the dangers of war. It also called on the international community and active, influential parties to fulfill their responsibilities to end regional conflicts. Meanwhile, Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said on Sunday that the Kingdom has no relation to or involvement in targeting Hodeidah and will not allow any entity to violate its airspace. The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah killed six and wounded 83 others. Following the Israeli strikes, the Houthis vowed to launch retaliatory attacks. To the Editor: Re Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Harris (live updates, nytimes.com, July 21): Dear President Biden: Thank you for your many years of incredible service to the country. Thank you for realizing there was no viable way forward. Thank you for the amazing job you have done as president and finally, but not least, for accepting what many of us elders have accepted: that we just cant do it all anymore. Barbara Gold Philadelphia To the Editor: President Biden has once again shown himself to be the ultimate patriot by putting country and the need to protect America from the danger of another Trump presidency before his personal desire to run for re-election. However, it was a mistake for him to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and possibly clear the field of competitors by doing so. The Democrats need an open selection process to ensure that the strongest candidate is selected. The job of president is physically and mentally demanding. I witnessed this firsthand as a White House physician for three presidents, including as the designated physician to the president for Barack Obama during his first term. My presidential patients often worked 12-hour days seven days a week. The leader of the free world travels constantly, and participates in or leads briefings in which he must retain huge amounts of information. Health scares can happen at any moment. My role as White House physician was to keep the president healthy and performing optimally, and to provide the public with a candid medical assessment of his ability to carry out the duties of his office. I participated in tabletop exercises in the Situation Room to go over how to follow Section 3 of the 25th Amendment, which deals with succession in the event the president is disabled or incapacitated. Typically, the 25th Amendment came into play when a president was going under general anesthesia for a colonoscopy or scheduled surgical procedure. It is widely assumed that the physician to the president will gather and provide pertinent medical information to those contemplating whether the amendment needs to be invoked. This is not stipulated, but most in the medical community agree that the appropriate role for a physician is to offer a medical opinion, based on facts, that is then weighed by the patient in this case the president and those around him. July 21, 2024 As pro-Palestinian demonstrations rocked college campuses this spring with protests of the war in Gaza, many university administrators found themselves eager to quell the action however they could. Some negotiated with the demonstrators. Many sent in the police. When Columbia University called in the police in April to break up an encampment, it was the first major detainment of protesters. Since then, more than 3,100 people have been arrested or detained on campuses across the country. Most were charged with trespassing or disturbing the peace. Some face more serious charges, like resisting arrest. But in the months since, many of the charges have been dropped, even as some students are facing additional consequences, like being barred from their campuses or having their diplomas withheld. Former President Donald J. Trump, fresh off his nominating convention and all of the exposure that came with it, held a boisterous rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, the first with his new running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, and his first since an assassination attempt against him just over a week ago. President Biden spent the day sequestered at his beach house in Delaware, sidelined by Covid at perhaps the most crucial moment of his embattled re-election campaign, dismissing calls for him to step aside and contemplating the best path forward. At his rally in Michigan on Saturday, Mr. Trump appeared to leave behind his call for national unity that came after the assassination attempt, hurling insults at Mr. Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He also jeered at the Democratic Partys infighting over Mr. Bidens candidacy. In recent days, Mr. Trump has projected himself as a president-in-waiting, speaking by phone with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on Friday and using an image of the White House as a backdrop for his convention speech on Thursday. He has another rally scheduled for Wednesday in North Carolina. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat seeking re-election, has noticed voters returning to the same question in recent days as she crisscrosses her state to make the case for her campaign: Does she think President Biden can win in November, and should he even try? Typically, Ill go to an event; Ill share my remarks, Ms. Baldwin said in an interview on Friday at a newly opened campaign office in southwestern Wisconsin. And then people come up one by one and at first in a whisper are really concerned. A soft-spoken two-term senator who has carved out a reputation for her cross-party appeal, Ms. Baldwin easily cruised to victory in 2018, and her race this year was never expected to be ultracompetitive, even in this crucial swing state. But rising concerns about Mr. Bidens age and fitness to run have introduced new risks for Democratic candidates like Ms. Baldwin just 100 days out from Election Day, imperiling even seats that were once considered relatively safe for the party. That has left Democrats already anxious about losing the White House to former President Donald J. Trump contemplating the prospect of widespread losses in Congress that could leave the party locked out of power altogether during a Trump presidency and well beyond. Some Democratic voters who have spent the summer wondering whether President Biden would remain in the race reacted with relief and little surprise on Sunday after learning that he would not seek re-election. Cameron Stefanski, 31, who owns a marketing firm in Traverse City, Mich., had wanted Mr. Biden to step aside for weeks. He learned of the presidents decision on Instagram and viewed Mr. Bidens endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as practical. I really feel that shes young and has the energy to go out on the campaign trail and really bring people together, said Mr. Stefanski, who has donated to and volunteered for Democratic candidates. Im hoping that Democrats really rally behind one another now that we kind of have a direction to head. Amy Stelly, a 66-year-old urban planner and community activist in New Orleans, said that Mr. Bidens withdrawal from the contest was a needed reset for the Democratic Party. While she had supported him, she said she feared that his candidacy would not appeal to young voters who wanted someone fresh. Follow along with live updates on the Trump and Harris campaigns. With Vice President Kamala Harris having replaced President Biden on the Democratic ticket, her stances on key issues will be scrutinized by both parties and the nations voters. She has a long record in politics: as district attorney of San Francisco, as attorney general of California, as a senator, as a presidential candidate and as vice president. Here is an overview of where she stands. Abortion Ms. Harris supports legislation that would protect the right to abortion nationally, as Roe v. Wade did before it was overturned in 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. After the Dobbs ruling, she became central to the Biden campaigns efforts to keep the spotlight on abortion, given that Mr. Biden with his personal discomfort with abortion and his support for restrictions earlier in his career was a flawed messenger. In March, she made what was believed to be the first official visit to an abortion clinic by a president or vice president. Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Sunday that she would seek the nomination of the Democratic Party after President Biden said he would withdraw from the race and endorsed her. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, Ms. Harris said in a statement issued through the Biden campaign. The vice president also thanked Mr. Biden for stepping aside, calling his decision a selfless and patriotic act and saying that he was putting the American people and our country above everything else. A flood of Democrats, from elected officials to powerful donors to party activists, rushed to endorse Ms. Harris even before she said she would run. It was his first campaign rally as Donald J. Trumps running mate, and JD Vance was up onstage, all by his lonesome, playing it humble. Its still a little bit weird to see my name on those signs, Mr. Vance, a senator from Ohio, told a packed arena of Trump supporters in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday. Some of you may not know me, the senator, a best-selling memoirist whose life story was turned into a Ron Howard movie, added. Yet, Mr. Vances debut made clear one indisputable fact: While his political career has been propelled by his biography the story of his climb from poverty to Yale Law School to media stardom to populist princeling this campaign is not about him. When Mr. Trump is near, he is the warm-up act. In his 12-minute solo set, Mr. Vance showed he understood the arrangement. While he flicked at his rags-to-riches story, he talked most effusively about Mr. Trump and how he has the most splendid judgment of any politician ever. In a pale imitation of the master, he trash-talked the press, and the crowd booed on cue. A dangerous heat wave, gusty winds and potential lightning strikes posed a critical fire risk for large parts of the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, as firefighters in Oregon and Washington battled wildfires that have burned more than 621,000 acres. About 547,000 people in Oregon and Washington State on Sunday were under red flag warnings, the highest National Weather Service alert for conditions that may result in extreme fire behavior. The warnings are issued when high temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds combine to produce a heightened risk. Thunderstorms were also moving across the region on Sunday, including over central and southeast Oregon and southern Washington, where abundant lightning was expected in the afternoon and evening. SANAA/JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group vowed to "hit vital targets in Israel" while Lebanon's Hezbollah retaliated with rockets after Israel had launched airstrikes on different areas in Yemen and Lebanon on Saturday. HOUTHI VOWS RETALIATION The Houthi group on Saturday vowed to retaliate against Israeli air strikes that destroyed oil storage and electric facilities, wounding nearly 80 people, in the Houthi-held Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. "We will not hesitate to hit vital targets in Israel," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said, reiterating that Tel Aviv will not remain a safe area. "The Israeli enemy launched a brutal aggression on Hodeidah, targeting the power station, the port, and the fuel storages, all of which are civilian targets," he said in a televised statement. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said in a statement that its fighter jets targeted "military targets" of the Houthi militia, as a response to "the hundreds of attacks carried out against the State of Israel in recent months." The statement came after Houthi top negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam said the Israeli strikes would not stop the military group from targeting "Israeli cities and ships." Hodeidah residents said a big column of black smoke and fire at the scene could be seen from miles away. Fire trucks and ambulances rushed to the scene as authorities cordoned off the area near the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia is not linked to or participating in the Israeli attack, the Times of Israel reported, citing Turki Al-Malki, the spokesman of the Saudi Defense Ministry. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition to support the Yemeni government forces in confronting the Houthi group. Saudi Arabia will not allow its airspace to be infiltrated by any party, Al-Malki added. The Israeli airstrikes came a day after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a building in Tel Aviv that killed a person and injured 10 others. The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since last November to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Many shipping companies have since changed their routes to go around the southern tip of Africa to avoid drone and missile attacks. HEZBOLLAH FIRES ROCKETS Also on Saturday, Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel, targeting a kibbutz for the first time in nine months in retaliation for an Israeli drone strike earlier in the day. A few hours before Hezbollah's attack, seven people, including four children, were injured when an Israeli drone strike hit a tent belonging to a displaced Syrian, and a car parked next to it, in the southern Lebanese village of Burj al-Muluk. Later that night, Israeli warplanes targeted an ammunition warehouse belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon's southwest town of Adloun, wounding at least five citizens and completely demolishing the house, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh on Sunday drastically reduced the number of government jobs reserved for war veterans and their descendants, a momentous decision spurred by violent student protests that had resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people and brought the country to a standstill. Under the courts orders, Bangladesh will now reserve only 5 percent of government jobs for the children and grandchildren of those who fought for the countrys independence from Pakistan in 1971, according to Shah Monjurul Hoque, a lawyer representing student groups. That is down from a quota of 30 percent for the group. The court ruling also orders the reduction of quotas for some other groups, and abolishes quotas for women and those from certain districts. It cuts the quota of jobs for ethnic minorities to 1 percent, down from 5 percent, but leaves in place the 1 percent of jobs that are already reserved for those with disabilities. In all, the ruling shrinks the number of reserved jobs to 7 percent from 56 percent, a move that will open up many more civil service jobs to university students, who had called the old system unfair and demanded its overhaul. No businessman in China was more successful, famous or rich than Jack Ma, whose magic touch turned companies like Alibaba into international juggernauts. He was also unafraid to cross the Chinese authorities, insisting he would not do business with them. But an investigation by The New York Times and The Wire China found that another Chinese businessman, with deep connections to relatives of Chinas political elite, had been secretly investing in Mr. Mas companies. Through a network of shell companies and stand-ins, that businessman, Xiao Jianhua, entered into deals in Mr. Mas companies over a period of five years, the investigation found. Mr. Xiao, a billionaire, is now in detention serving a 13-year-sentence for bribery and corruption, a high-profile target in President Xi Jinpings dramatic consolidation of power. Mr. Ma, for his part, has all but retreated from public life, having no formal role in the companies he founded. A lawyer for Alibaba said that Mr. Ma never had any business relationship with Mr. Xiao, and that the connections you claim to exist do not have any basis in fact. Two of Mr. Mas major partners said they had looked and found no links to Mr. Xiao. Four years ago, Jack Ma was the embodiment of Chinas spectacular economic rise. Already the countrys wealthiest and most famous businessman, he was poised to become one of the richest in the world. The expected initial public offering of Mr. Mas fintech company, Ant Group, was projected to surpass the record-shattering launch of his e-commerce giant, Alibaba. Soon, it was thought, he would be lionized like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs a paragon of Western-style business in China. At the same time, another wealthy Chinese businessman was awaiting a very different fate. Xiao Jianhua was languishing in detention on bribery and corruption charges a larger-than-life target of a government crackdown on graft. Mr. Xiao had amassed a fortune manipulating markets and cultivating close ties to relatives of top Chinese officials, and he was about to be made an example. And yet behind the scenes, these bookends of Chinas catch-as-catch-can capitalism its most celebrated and its most notorious billionaires were linked through investments worth at least $1 billion, an investigation by The New York Times and The Wire China found. Israels military said on Sunday that it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, suggesting that the Yemen-based Houthi militia would keep trying to strike Israel, despite the bombing by Israeli fighter jets of a port in Yemen on Saturday. The Houthis, which are backed by Iran, said in a post on the Telegram messaging app that they had launched the missile at Eilat, Israels southernmost city on the coast of the Red Sea, in response to the American, British and Israeli aggression against our country. The post said the strike had achieved its goals, without giving details. The conflict between Israel and the Houthis has escalated as the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also fighting Hamas in Gaza and trading aerial attacks with Hezbollah, a militia also backed by Iran, across its northern border with Lebanon. Israeli air defenses intercepted a missile that approached Israeli territory from Yemen following an air raid siren in the Eilat area, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces. The area is a popular beach resort, and mid-July is high season for Israeli vacationers. The Israeli bombing of a vital Yemeni port controlled by the Houthi militia is not expected to deter the group from further attacks but is likely to deepen human suffering in Yemen, regional experts said. Israeli officials said the barrage of airstrikes that hit the Red Sea port city of Hudaydah on Saturday was a counterattack after the Houthis launched a drone that struck Tel Aviv on Friday, killing one Israeli and wounding several others. The Israeli strikes in Hudaydah killed three people and injured 87, according to the health ministry in the capital, Sana, which the Houthis control. The port is the main conduit by which food imports, fuel and aid enter impoverished northern Yemen, where more than 20 million people live. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israels military spokesman, said that Israel carried out the bombardment to stop the Houthis terror attacks and that it had hit dual-use" targets including energy infrastructure. A Russian man appeared in court following a motorway collision where people were injured and two cars were written off. Irakli Berdzenishvili(30) of the Montague Hotel, Cappakeel, Emo admitted having no insurance on the M7 motorway on February 17 last. Garda Eoin McMahon told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that he responded to a crash on the motorway at 8pm on the date in question. He said the defendant was one of the drivers involved and there was no insurance disc in the window of his vehicle. He said there were minor injuries as a result of the collision and the defendant had no previous convictions. David Nugent BL said his client doesnt speak any English. He said the man was pleading guilty to no insurance but he asked for an adjournment and for an interpreter to be assigned in order to consult with the man. Judge Andrew Cody asked if the man was working and he enquired about the damage caused in the collision. Garda McMahon said there was two other vehicles written off as a result of the crash. Mr Nugent said his client wasnt working and he had an application for legal aid. Judge Cody requested a Russian interpreter and granted legal aid. He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on September 5. The Government must do more to engage with people who have genuine questions over public service provision in the context of increased migration, the Taoiseach has said. Simon Harris said he made a clear distinction between those who had legitimate concerns over increased immigration numbers, and those engaging in disorder and criminal damage at sites earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation. His comments came in a week that saw violent clashes between rioters and gardai at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock in north Dublin a site proposed to be converted into an accommodation facility. Mr Harris said the attacks on gardai were not caused by concerns over a lack of community engagement. He insisted it was instead thuggery and lawlessness perpetrated by people who will exploit any divisive situation. He said it was right that gardai responded with the full rigours of the law. While the Taoiseach insisted the issue of community engagement was a separate one, he acknowledged the Government did need to do more on that front. I think we do need to do more as a government in terms of community engagement, he said. Im very clearly drawing a line down the middle here because Im not conflating the two (community engagement and those engaged in violence). I refuse to conflate the two, I find that a despicable concept. But I do think when it comes to community engagement now Im very eager to support Minister OGorman (Integration minister Roderic OGorman) in providing more resourcing, that we could have more people working on the issue of community engagement. We have to recognise here that the overwhelming majority of people in this country are decent. The overwhelming majority of people in this country understand the benefits of migration. It is a good thing. Im not going to go down the road of making mistakes that other governments of the past and other countries did in relation to migration. But we also have to recognise that if youre living in a small town or a small village and hundreds of new people move in, whether thats in a new housing estate or through migration, of course that raises legitimate questions that people ask. What does that mean for the school (etc)? We have to be ready to engage, to engage more on that as well. I also think this summer were going to see something quite important happen, and its not without challenge, but we are going to see a number of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and community centres that were being used for migration being put back into public use. So yes, we have a lot of work to do in relation to this. A MAJOR documentary on how the Catholic Church handled child sex abuse allegations against Bishop Eamonn Casey will be broadcast on RTE One this Monday night. The Vatican has now confirmed that they formally removed him from ministry in 2007 after receiving multiple allegations from 2001 onwards, when the first known complaint was made. The documentary is in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday and Mail reporter Anne Sheridan, formerly a reporter with the Limerick Leader. The allegations received by the Church cover all three Irish dioceses where he served - Limerick, Kerry and Galway respectively - and span four decades, from the 1950s to the 1980s. The Limerick Leader first reported in 2016 that High Court proceedings were filed against Bishop Casey and the Diocese of Limerick for personal injury damages in relation to one case taken against him in 2016. Limerick Diocese has confirmed that it has received three allegations of child sexual abuse against Fr Casey relating to his time in Limerick in the 1960s. The Limerick Diocese received these three separate complaints in 2001, 2005 and 2014. Two other complaints have been received by the Kerry Diocese and the Galway Diocese. The documentary, Bishop Casey's Buried Secrets, will air further revelations this Monday night when it is broadcast on RTE One at 9.35pm. Two complaints against Fr Casey made in Limerick resulted in significant settlements being made. The first known complaint against Bishop Casey was received in 2001 by the Limerick Diocese. This later resulted in a settlement, which was confidential at the time, and was made through the Residential Institutions Redress Board after the woman dropped her High Court action against him and other named defendants. Bishop Casey's niece, Patricia Donovan, from Limerick, made her complaint of alleged child sexual abuse against him in 2005. Her uncle was never charged in relation to her claims. Ms Donovan never received compensation from the Church but the Galway Diocese did pay for some counselling sessions for her. A third complaint received in Limerick, made in 2014 and which went to the High Court in 2016, resulted in a settlement made by the Limerick Diocese of over 100,000 to another woman. The proceedings were lodged before he died and the settlement was awarded after his death. Fr Casey consistently denied all the allegations against him. He was never charged or convicted of any sexual crimes and remained a bishop until his death in March 2017. After repeated requests for information, the Vatican confirmed to RTE that, by 2006, following unspecified "allegations", "Bishop Casey had been requested not to publicly exercise the ministry" and that this was "reiterated formally" a year later. It also revealed that: "He was never reinstated...in spite of insistence from him and on his behalf" and "regardless of the outcome of the civil procedures". READ MORE: Gardai are victims not villains of anti-immigration protests like Coolock The Vatican statement also reveals the ban was never lifted despite appeals by Casey and his supporters that he should be allowed to return to ministry. It was also never communicated to the public in his lifetime, with many members of the clergy and his parishioners struggling to understand why Bishop Casey was not allowed to say Mass. Under the restrictions set out by the Vatican on him, he was only allowed to attend Mass as a member of the congregation and could only say Mass in the privacy of his own home due to child safeguarding concerns. The Vatican statement said: We can confirm that Bishop Casey had been requested not to publicly exercise the ministry before 2006, in terms that were reiterated formally in 2007, and he was never reinstated in the following years in spite of insistence from him and on his behalf. When further allegations were produced in 2015, Bishop Casey was already suffering from various physical and mental problems. These were of the type that would have rendered his defence difficult. Former president Mary McAleese, who is a canon lawyer, and who is interviewed for this programme, said: "We know that there were significant allegations of sexually predatory conduct and from a number of different sources." She said there may have been "a pattern of predatory behaviour" that would have to have been taken "very seriously and earnestly...because they are looking at it from the point of view of restoring him to a ministry where he would have full public access, and they may have been, and clearly were, worried about that, significantly worried about that". The complaints sent from Irish dioceses to the Papal Nuncio for Romes attention covered the period of three serving Popes, from at least 2001 until after 2016, spanning the papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and the current Pope Francis. Canon law expert Fr Aidan McGrath said of the Vaticans internal handling of the case: "A bishop himself, his only superior is the pope." "So, who do you report a bishop to? That was never very clear, but certainly any disciplinary action then would have been taken by the Congregation for Bishops. Now, they are not authorised to set up a tribunal and do an investigation so they will weigh it up and then acting on behalf of the pope, would have the authority to impose restrictions." This photo taken on April 18, 2023 shows the overlap patch door ring exhibited at the Gestamp booth of the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, east China.(Gestamp/Handout via Xinhua) SHENYANG, July 21 (Xinhua) -- At the Tiexi plant of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. in northeastern China, rows of sleek electric vehicles await global delivery. Just a street away, an auto parts factory buzzes with production activities, crafting components for car assembly. The auto parts factory, which belongs to Gestamp, a Spanish multinational specializing in the design, development and manufacturing of highly engineered metal components, is one among many auto parts suppliers surrounding the plant, situated in Shenyang, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. With European automotive giants like BMW entrenching themselves in the Chinese market, a large number of supporting suppliers have been prompted to set up facilities nearby, which fosters closer integration between the Chinese and European automotive sectors. According to Ren Tingfu, general manager of Gestamp's Shenyang factory, the factory has steadily expanded its production capacity with substantial cumulative investments since its establishment in 2012. "To meet the growing demand from our clients, we invested in expanding the automotive component project in 2023, which will soon be operational," Ren added. Gestamp, which began operations in China in 2007, now operates 14 factories and two research and development (R&D) centers and employs more than 5,000 people in China. "China boasts a vast, innovative and dynamic auto market," said Antonio Lopez Arce, CEO of Gestamp's Asia division, emphasizing the strategic importance of the company's strong investment and considerable cooperation in China. "We continue to introduce our cutting-edge body in white, chassis and battery box technologies and products to China." In recent years, China's auto market has accelerated its shift towards new energy vehicles (NEVs), prompting significant investment and expanded production from European automakers. In April 2024, BMW announced an additional investment of 20 billion yuan (about 2.8 billion U.S. dollars) in its production base in Shenyang to localize the production of a new generation of BMW models by 2026. Volkswagen AG established its largest R&D center outside of Germany in China, focusing on R&D of intelligent networked vehicles. The thriving Chinese NEV market also offers fresh opportunities to auto parts firms like Gestamp, which is increasing its investment in R&D for new technologies and applications to cater to the needs of Chinese original equipment manufacturers for electric, lightweight and environmentally friendly parts. Furthermore, German auto supplier ZF Group launched an NEV auto parts industrial park in Shenyang in 2023, with an approximately 2.2 billion yuan investment. Bosch, another German parts supplier, has expanded its NEV core components and autonomous driving R&D and manufacturing base in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, and it is slated to be operational later this year. Optimism among carmakers and auto parts firms is buoyed by rising demand in the Chinese market. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that in the first half of 2024, NEV production and sales in the country had reached 4.93 million units and 4.94 million units, respectively, marking respective year-on-year increases of 30.1 percent and 32 percent. In recent times, more Chinese automakers and supply chain companies have begun establishing factories in Europe, engaging in technological collaborations concerning NEVs. In April this year, Spanish auto company Ebro-EV Motors and China's Chery Automobile signed a pact to develop NEVs through a joint venture in Barcelona. Additionally, Chinese carmaker BYD in December 2023 announced the establishment of an NEV production base in Hungary to help bolster local green energy ecosystems. At the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the 2024 Summer Davos, Chinese companies showcased their technological advancements to a global audience. Zeng Yuqun, board chairman of Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., highlighted the company's commitment to providing high-quality batteries globally to promote green travel. "In the 1980s, the establishment of SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd., a joint venture of Volkswagen AG and Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor, significantly bolstered China's auto industry," said Cao Xudong, CEO of Momenta, a Chinese autonomous driving solutions provider. "Today, China's strides in NEVs benefit nations worldwide, reflecting mutually beneficial cooperation." This photo taken on April 18, 2023 shows the battery box exhibited at the Gestamp booth of the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, east China. (Gestamp/Handout via Xinhua) This photo taken on April 18, 2023 shows EV front subframes exhibited at the Gestamp booth of the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, east China. (Gestamp/Handout via Xinhua) Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits the disaster-hit Xinhua village, Hanyuan County under Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on July 21, 2024. Zhang on Sunday urged all-out rescue efforts after rain-triggered flash floods in Sichuan Province left over 30 missing. Zhang visited the disaster-hit Xinhua village and inspected a local hospital and the temporary relocation site for those affected by the disaster. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) CHENGDU, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Sunday urged all-out rescue efforts after rain-triggered flash floods in southwest China's Sichuan Province left over 30 missing. Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the disaster-hit Xinhua village, Hanyuan County under Ya'an City, and inspected a local hospital and the temporary relocation site for those affected by the disaster. Chairing a meeting Sunday noon, Zhang said that the primary task is to search and rescue the missing people, adding that more professional forces should be deployed to expedite the search and rescue process. Efforts should be taken to prevent secondary disasters as mountain torrents and mudslides increased safety risks in the area, he said. It is necessary to allocate disaster relief funds and materials in a timely manner, strengthen medical services in the relocation sites, and ensure local people's basic living standards, Zhang said, urging that the normal production and life order be restored as soon as possible. As many places were hit by natural disasters recently, local authorities should further strengthen the response to rainfall and floods, such as early warning and relocation, Zhang said. Focusing on key areas including vulnerable villages, construction sites and tourist attractions, more efforts should be made to ensure early detection, disposal and swift evacuation to protect people's safety, he said. SANAA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Saturday vowed to launch retaliatory attacks against Israel after the latter destroyed oil storage facilities in the Houthi-held Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. "The Israeli enemy launched a brutal aggression on Hodeidah, targeting the power station, the port, and the fuel storages, all of which are civilian targets," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a televised statement. "We will not hesitate to hit vital targets in Israel," he said, reiterating that Tel Aviv will not remain a safe area. Earlier in the day, Israel said its fighter jets hit and destroyed Houthi targets in Hodeidah port city. Residents and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that the fire in the oil storage facilities lasted hours. According to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, nearly 80 people were wounded in the Israeli air strikes. The Israeli air strikes came a day after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a building in Tel Aviv that killed a person and injured 10 others. The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November last year to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Many shipping companies have since changed their routes to go around the southern tip of Africa to avoid drone and missile attacks. Jerusalem/Cairo: A day after Israeli fighter jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemen's Hodeidah port in response to a drone launched by the Iranian-backed group that hit Tel Aviv, air defences intercepted a surface-to-surface missile fired from Yemen on Sunday. The military said its Arrow 3 missile defence system had shot down the projectile before it crossed into Israeli territory. Before the interception, air raid sirens had sounded in the Red Sea port city of Eilat in southern Israel, sending residents running for shelter. On Saturday, Israeli fighter jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemen's Hodeidah port on Saturday, killing at least three people and wounding 87, a day after a drone launched by the Iranian-backed group hit Israeli economic hub Tel Aviv. Most of the wounded suffered severe burns in air strikes that targeted oil facilities and a power station, Al-Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by Yemen's Houthi movement, quoted the health ministry as saying. Hodeidah residents said that explosions were heard throughout the city during an intensive bombardment, and Al-Masirah TV said civil defence forces and firefighters were trying to extinguish fires in the port's oil tanks. Israel's military spokesperson said the port had been used by the Houthis to receive weapons shipments from Iran. The targets, more than 1,700 km from Israel, included dual-use sites such as energy infrastructure, he said. Israel had informed allies before the strike, which the military said was carried out by Israeli F-15 fighters that all returned safely. An Israeli F15 Fighter Jet taking off is seen at an unidentified location in this screen grab from a video released by the Israeli military on Saturday. Photo: Reuters The Houthis' Supreme Political Council said there would be an "effective response" to the strikes. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the Houthis "will not hesitate to strike vital targets of the Israeli enemy." The strike on Yemen, which Israeli officials said came after more than 200 Houthi attacks on Israel, underlined fears that the Gaza war, triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, could spiral into a regional conflict. "The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement. "The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required." On Friday, a long-range Iranian-made drone launched from Yemen hit the centre of Tel Aviv in an attack claimed by the Houthis, killing one man and wounding four others. That attack followed an escalation in the daily exchange of fire between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon and came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to travel to Washington, where he is due to address the US Congress. Netanyahu called on the international community to step up pressure on Tehran and its proxies - the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah - and in so doing help secure international trade routes. "Whoever wants to see a stable and safe Middle East needs to stand against Iran's axis of evil, and support Israel's struggle against Iran and its proxies," Netanyahu said. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, condemned the Israeli attacks and "warned against the risk of escalation of tension and the spread of war in the region as a result of the dangerous adventurism of the Zionists," Iranian state media reported. In a statement, Hezbollah also condemned the attack on Hodeidah, describing it as "a foolish step ... that marks a new and dangerous phase of the extremely important ongoing confrontation." As the war in Gaza has gone on, the Houthis have stepped up attacks against Israel and Western targets, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians. They began attacking Western ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Their attacks have upended global trade by forcing ship owners to reroute vessels away from the vital Suez Canal shortcut, and drawn retaliatory U.S. and British strikes since February. "A brutal Israeli aggression targeted civilian buildings, oil facilities and power station in Hodeidah aiming at pressuring Yemen to stop supporting Gaza," Mohammed Abdulsalam, chief negotiator for Houthi movement, said on X. He said the attack would "only increase our determination, steadfastness, (and) continuity". A Saudi ministry of defence spokesperson said that the kingdom was not involved in or participating in the targeting of Hodeidah, adding Saudi Arabia "will not allow its airspace to be infiltrated by any party" whatsoever. Egypt, which has been trying to help broker a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, said it was following "with great concern" the Israeli strike. Hamas stormed Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, nearly 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip, according to health authorities in the enclave. President Joe Biden has signed the ADVANCE Act, a measure passed overwhelmingly by both houses of the U.S. Congress which promotes nuclear power. "I signed the ADVANCE Act, a bipartisan win for American energy security, innovation and achieving economy-wide, net-zero emissions by 2050. Clean nuclear power and good union jobs. That's what the ADVANCE Act will help deliver," declared Biden on his "President Joe Biden" Facebook page on July 9th after signing the measure sitting at his desk in the Oval Office of the White House surrounded by a group of his congressional supporters. The "ADVANCE" stands for "Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy". The measure will make a "long-lasting mark on our nation's clean energy future and help secure our global leadership," said Maria Korsnik, president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, a leading nuclear industry advocacy organization in the U.S., on E&E News of Politico. "Newly Signed Bill Will Boost Nuclear Reactor Deployment in the United States" was the headline the next day of a piece from the Office of Nuclear Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy written by its acting assistant secretary, Michael Goff. "Overall, this is yet another wave of momentum that the United States continues to ride to advance nuclear power," he stated. However, Edwin Lyman, nuclear power safety director of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said on E&E News: "It essentially compromises the independence of the NRC's [U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's] regulatory authority by forcing the agency to have to consider the heath of the nuclear industry in everything it does. If this mythology that nuclear power is completely safe-- that it doesn't need to be heavily regulated-- takes hold, we could see a whole generation of really dangerous experimental nuclear facilities being licensed and built around the world. And the first time there's a catastrophe, it's going to set back the industry for decades." The ADVANCE Act was passed 88-to-2 in the U.S. Senate-- with only Senators Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont voting against it-- and 393-to-13 in the House of Representatives. The Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS) says: "In a move paralleling his decision to remain a candidate for President"Joe Biden signed the ADVANCE Act. The controversial bill aggressively promotes the narrow, short-term interests of the U.S. nuclear industry in ways that threaten the long-term national environmental, climate and national/international security interests. Further, it functionally rewrites the mandate of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission in ways that potentially cast it into the role of promoter instead of federal regulator of the controversial and moribund nuclear power industry." "To summarize," says NEIS, "the ADVANCE Act promotes development of currently experimental, commercially non-existent 'small modular nuclear reactors' (SMNRs) and allegedly 'advanced' reactors, using tax dollars; provides less regulatory oversight by ordering the NRC to 'streamline" licensing of currently experimental SMNRs, putting the NRC in a position of becoming a quasi-promoter instead of regulator, in contradiction to its 1975 founding mandate; requires development of the infrastructure needed to produce more intensely enriched radioactive fuel called 'HALEU' "required for the SMNRs to run on. Enrichment would be just below weapons-usable." It "ignores the potential increased risk and harm from having more nuclear reactors large and small; produces more high-level radioactive waste without first having a disposal method in place for either current or future reactors; permits and encourages export of nuclear technology and materials internationally; and for the first time, allows foreign control/ownership of nuclear facilities within the U.S. "Congress cannot be absolved from its role in uncritically swallowing the gaslit promises of nuclear power," says NEIS. "The House previously passed its version of the legislation by a margin of 393-13 before sending it to the Senate. There, it stalled, but was procedurally resurrected by attaching the 93-page nuclear Christmas-wish list to a three-page, must pass fire safety bill-- S.870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act. It passed in the Senate 88-2, with only Senators Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders recognizing the imminent threat it posed to energy, environmental, and international security interests." The Chicago-based organization continues: "Critics of nuclear power and opponents of the ADVANCE Act fail to see: how the Act fights climate disruption when SMNRs are only experimental, may not work at all, and if they work will not be available in sufficient quantities for commercialization before the mid-2030s, according the nuclear industry itself. It is the carbon we remove and keep out of the atmosphere between now and the mid-2030s that will determine if we can meet climate goals; how SMNRs will enhance currently threatened system reliability and power availability, when they will not be available-- assuming they even work-- before the mid-2030s; how exporting SMNR technology and "weapons useable HALEU reactor fuel worldwide improves international security in a world dominated by wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and potentially in southeast Asia; poorly controlled non-state actors; and well-known corrupt business entities. "Equally baffling is how allowing foreign ownership of nuclear facilities in the U.S. proper makes our energy systems safer, more secure, and insulated from economic instability or foreign interference; how mandating the NRC to 'expedite' SMNR licensing-- potentially at the expense of its original and official mandate to 'adequately' protect public health and safety and the environment-- makes nuclear power and the nation safer," it says. "This regulatory approach has demonstrably failed with Boeing; failed with Norfolk Southern in East Palestine; "and doubly-failed at Fukushima. NRC is supposed to oversee and regulate an industry that in the past five years has repeatedly displayed corporate and legislative corruption at the highest levels resulting in FBI indictments, convictions and guilty pleas, millions of dollars in fines, and enormous cost overruns born by ratepayers; and why viable alternatives to nuclear expansion like renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, and transmission improvements are not prioritized over nuclear expansion, since all are cheaper, quicker to implement, reduce carbon emissions, produce no radioactive wastes, have no meltdown potential, create no nuclear proliferation issues, and, most importantly-- already exist. Nothing more needs to be invented; just implemented. "For example," says NEIS, "the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stated in December 2023 that roughly 2,600 giga-watts of electric power projects await grid connection-- over twice the entire current electrical output of the US, and roughly 27 times the entire output of all current US reactors combined. The large majority of this backlog are renewable energy projects awaiting connection access to the aging transmission grid. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Farmers work on wheat harvest in Syria's northeastern province of Al-Hasakah, June 10, 2024. (Str/Xinhua) by Hummam Sheikh Ali HASAKAH, Syria, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Wheat farmers in the fertile plains of Al-Hasakah province in northeastern Syria have experienced a season of mixed fortunes this year -- abundant rainfall is promising a plentiful harvest, but the presence of U.S. and Kurdish forces in the region has diminished prospects for a good sale of the farmers' produce. "Despite the good season, unfortunately, prices are very low. We hope to find a solution. Most people are holding onto their wheat crop, hoping for increased prices," Tariq Al-Ali, a farmer from the countryside of Amouda in Al-Hasakah, told Xinhua. In addition to low prices, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls the area, also lack fuel support for farmers to operate the necessary farm equipment and machinery during the harvest, said Al-Ali, adding that he has decided to retain his wheat crop. Ibrahim Jouhar, another wheat farmer in the region, expressed a preference for selling their harvest to the government because of the favorable prices. "If we go to other places, our harvest may not sell for 10 days, and they won't offer a good price ... but in government-controlled areas, the procedures are efficient, and we don't have to wait too long," he explained. The government offers a price of 5,500 Syrian pounds per kg for wheat, whereas the SDF offers a range between 3,808 to 4,080 Syrian pounds per kg, approximately equivalent to 28-30 U.S. cents based on the current exchange rate. However, the U.S. forces and the SDF in the area have been preventing local farmers from selling their wheat to the government, according to Mohammed Al-Mohammed, a member of the Syrian Farmers' Union in Al-Hasakah. "There is a difficulty for farmers in transporting grains and wheat from the workplace to the state grain centers due to the American occupation, which is the biggest obstacle in this region and province," Al-Mohammed told Xinhua. Any vehicle transporting wheat to the government-controlled areas would be confiscated, and the farmer would be fined at any checkpoint manned by the SDF forces, he added. Al-Hasakah is strategically important due to its oil and natural gas reserves. The province is also a major agricultural center known for its wheat and cotton. While the Syrian government controls a security zone in the province, the U.S.-backed Kurdish militias control vast areas. Before the U.S. presence in northeastern Syria, Al-Hasakah alone produced 900,000 to 1.4 million tons of wheat annually. However, according to Ammar Al-Ahmad, director of the Syrian Grain Corporation branch in Al-Hasakah, only 122,000 tons have been sold to government centers this year. "If it wasn't for the presence of the American occupation in the province, the quantity would have doubled," said Al-Ahmad, sighing, "Wherever the American occupiers are, there's chaos and difficulties for the people." Farmers work on wheat harvest in Syria's northeastern province of Al-Hasakah, June 11, 2024. (Str/Xinhua) Over the past decade and more, nuclear war has grown increasingly likely. Most nuclear arms control and disarmament agreements of the past have been discarded by the nuclear powers or will expire soon. Moreover, there are no nuclear arms control negotiations underway. Instead, all nine nuclear nations (Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea) have begun a new nuclear arms race, qualitatively improving the 12,121 nuclear weapons in existence or building new, much faster, and deadlier ones. Furthermore, the cautious, diplomatic statements about international relations that characterized an earlier era have given way to public threats of nuclear war, issued by top officials in Russia, the United States, and North Korea. This June, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that, given the heightened risk of nuclear annihilation, "humanity is on a knife's edge." This menacing situation owes a great deal to Donald Trump. As President of the United States, Trump sabotaged key nuclear arms control agreements of the past and the future. He single-handedly destroyed the INF Treaty, the Iran nuclear agreement, and the Open Skies Treaty by withdrawing the United States from them. In addition, as the expiration date for the New START Treaty approached in February 2021, he refused to accept a simple extension of the agreement-- action quickly countermanded by the incoming Biden administration. Not surprisingly, Trump was horrified by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons-- a UN-negotiated agreement that banned nuclear weapons, thereby providing the framework for a nuclear-free world. In 2017, when this vanguard nuclear disarmament treaty was passed by an overwhelming majority of the world's nations, the Trump administration proclaimed that the United States would never sign it. In fact, Trump was far less interested in arms control and disarmament than in entering-- and winning-- a new nuclear arms race with other nations. "Let it be an arms race," he declared in December 2016, shortly after his election victory. "We will outmatch them at every pass." In February 2018, he boasted that his administration was "creating a brand-new nuclear force. We're gonna be so far ahead of everybody else in nuclear like you've never seen before." And, indeed, Trump's U.S. nuclear "modernization" program-- involving the replacement of every Cold War era submarine, bomber, missile, and warhead with an entirely new generation of the deadliest weapons ever invented-- acquired enormous momentum during his presidency, with cost estimates running as high as $2 trillion. Eager to facilitate this nuclear buildup, the Trump administration began to explore a return to U.S. nuclear weapons testing. Consequently, it announced in 2018 that, although the U.S. government had ended its nuclear tests in 1992 and President Bill Clinton had negotiated and signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 1996, Trump would oppose U.S. Senate ratification of the treaty. The administration also dramatically reduced the time necessary to prepare for nuclear weapons test explosions. In 2020, senior Trump administration officials reportedly conducted a serious discussion of U.S. government resumption of nuclear testing, leading the House of Representatives, then under Democratic control, to block funding for it. Though many Americans assumed that a powerful U.S. nuclear arsenal would prevent an outbreak of nuclear war, Trump undermined this wishful thinking by revealing himself perfectly ready to launch a nuclear attack. During his 2016 presidential campaign, the Republican nominee reportedly asked a foreign policy advisor three times why, if the U.S. government possessed nuclear weapons, it should be reluctant to use them. The following year, Trump told the governor of Puerto Rico that, "if nuclear war happens, we won't be second in line pressing the button." Indeed, Trump came remarkably close to lunching a nuclear war against North Korea. In August 2017, responding to provocative comments by Kim Jong Un, Trump warned that further North Korean threats would "be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before." Trump's threat of a nuclear attack triggered a rapid escalation of tensions between the two nations. In a speech before the UN General Assembly that September, Trump vowed to "totally destroy North Korea" if Kim, whom he derisively labeled "Rocket Man," continued his provocative rhetoric. Meanwhile, the White House chief of staff, General John Kelly, was appalled by indications that Trump really wanted war and, especially, by the president's suggestion of using a nuclear weapon against North Korea and, then, blaming the action on someone else. According to Kelly, the military's objection that the war would-- in the words of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis "incinerate a couple million people-- " had no impact on Trump. In early 2018, the U.S. president merely upped the ante by publicly boasting that he had a "Nuclear Button" that was "much bigger & more powerful" than Kim's. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Atty George Conway (Image by George Conway) Details DMCA Conservative lawyer George Conway just started Anti-Psychopath PAC investing over $300,000 of his own money. George is a contributor to The Atlantic, co-host of The Bulwark's "George Conway Explains It All" podcast, board president of the Society for the Rule of Law, and former law partner. He is a leading critic of Trump's lawlessness and contempt for American democracy, and has been among the most outspoken anti-Trump voices on the right. His take on Trump is simple: He's a psychopath. George launched Anti-Psychopath PAC to highlight the danger of returning a deranged man to the Oval Office. Steve Benen of MSNBC covered the launch of Anti-Psychopath PAC: USA Today reported that George Conway, a prominent anti-Trump Republican, has launched a new political action committee "called the Anti-Psychopath PAC on Thursday to portray Donald Trump as a danger to democracy and mentally unfit for a second term." Conway says: Anti-Psychopath PAC was started for one reason-- to remind voters that Donald Trump is f**cking insane. A convicted felon, a proven rapist, and an anti-democratic nutjob with dictatorial ambitions should be nowhere near the White House. Anti-Psychopath PAC will continuously highlight Donald Trump's psychological derangement and bring it to the main stage. "Sociopath" and "narcissist" aren't just buzzwords-- Trump's pathological lying, authoritarian tendencies, and his disregard for democratic norms will destroy our country if he gets reelected. He's that dangerous. Trump's behavior isn't just unusual, it's deeply disturbing and harmful. Whether he's ranting about sharks or cozying up to dictators, Trump's actions are those of a man who cares only about himself, not about the country or its people. We can't ignore his mental health issues any longer. The media has often shied away from discussing Trump's state of mind, but that ends now. It's time to break the silence and confront the truth: Donald Trump is utterly unfit for office, and understanding his psychology is the key to stopping him. We need you in this fight. Whether it's through donations or spreading the word, your support is vital. Together, let's make sure our country isn't led by someone who is clearly out of his mind. Watch George Conway's stunning and passionate video here: Nearly 1 in 4 Oregon workers is over 55, nearing or beyond the typical retirement age. The share of older workers in the states labor force has more than doubled since 1990, according to a new report from the Oregon Employment Department. If theres a big wave of retirements in the offing, that could limit future economic growth especially in those industries with the highest share of older workers. Oregon is one of the oldest states in the nation, with the median resident about 17 months older than the median American. Thats showing up in added demands on social service agencies and on the states health care system. And it could have a big impact on Oregons economy, too. After three decades of the rapid growth that began in the 1990s, the states population has stagnated since the pandemic. Birth rates are relatively low, and slightly more people have been moving out of the state than moving in. Older workers leaving the labor force could create an even tighter labor market. That might be good for employees in some ways, pushing up wages as companies compete to attract workers. And older workers departures would open up pathways for career advancement. For employers, though, a smaller labor pool could make it tough to staff their operations and to expand. Employment department economist Gail Krumenauer catalogued the Oregon industries with the oldest and youngest labor forces. Agriculture, real estate and public administration are the oldest industries, all with more than a quarter of their workers over 55. In terms of total number of workers over 55, though, health care is the largest with 70,000, followed by manufacturing (49,000) and retail (48,000). Those fields will all face big challenges in filling their ranks in the years ahead. Oregons hospitality and information industries have the smallest share of workers over 55 17% and 19%, respectively. Hospitality includes hotels, bars and restaurants, which are often service jobs that dont require a lot of prior experience. And that attracts a younger set of people new to the workforce. The information sector includes telecommunications, website development, online publishing and customer service. Those fields tend to skew younger and might not feel the pressures of Oregons aging workforce quite as soon as other fields. Correction: Oregons hospitality and information industries have the smallest share of workers over 55. This article originally misstated that. -- Mike Rogoway covers Oregon technology and the state economy. Reach him at mrogoway@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Multnomah County Health Officer Richard Bruno stands next to boxes of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, at emergency weather shelter. It's one of a few ways officials have tried to curtail fatal fentanyl overdoses. Courtesy of Multnomah County Eighteen student journalists are gathering at Oregon State University this week for the High School Journalism Institute, the long-running training program for aspiring reporters and news photographers. Over the next week, the 18 journalists will report, write and photograph news stories in and around Corvallis. Their work will be published on OregonLive and in The Pride, a printed newspaper that will be distributed to their schools. You can follow along during the week, and read their news stories starting next Sunday, July 28, at oregonlive.com/hsji. The High School Journalism Institute is offered at no cost to students, who stay on the Oregon State campus and earn an academic credit upon completion of the institute. A driving goal of the High School Journalism Institute is to help overcome barriers to pursuing a career in journalism, and in doing so to build stronger newsrooms in the Pacific Northwest that better represent the communities they serve. It includes students whose racial, ethnic or cultural backgrounds are underrepresented Oregons education system and in regional newsrooms; who have documented disabilities; who are from a low-income household; who would be the first in their household to attend college; or whose schools dont offer a journalism club or program. Today a collaboration between The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregon State University, the institute has graduated hundreds of young journalists over its three-decade history. The program benefits from the support of partners in Oregons media industry, including Oregon Public Broadcasting, which has donated staff time to support his years journalism institute. Printing services are provided by Oregon Lithoprint Inc. Photography equipment is provided by Pro Photo Supply and Nikon Inc. Major financial support comes from the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation and the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. -- Elliot Njus is senior editor for newsroom development and director of the High School Journalism Institute. He also edits business and economy news. Despite the blazing mid-90s heat on Saturday , Portlanders showed up in force to support the transgender community, proudly marching down Northwest Naito Parkway with flags, banners and signs proclaiming their support. Hundreds gathered in the shade at North Park Blocks to Agitate and Celebrate! at the annual Portland Trans Pride March and rally organized by Greater Portland Trans Unity . Celebrate for obvious reasons, said Lyles McFarland, an organizer with Greater Portland Trans Unity. Were awesome. We love ourselves. The rally in the park preceded the march and featured performances, sign-making activities and tabling by organizations affiliated with or supportive of the trans community in Oregon. Attending organizations represented various sectors, including health care, housing, shelter, youth services, community support and advocacy. The reason we do these events is actually so there is an opportunity for the trans community to come together, learn each others names, faces, phone numbers, contact info, so yall can organize other things, McFarland said. Miss Trans Oregon, 2024 Billie McBride, was also in attendance, supporting trans youth, their parents and grandparents in anticipation of the Trans USA National Pageant in September. Ive lived a long, successful life, McBride said. And Im living proof that its possible. Im here to inspire you and hopefully alleviate parents worries. At 3:30 p.m., participants lined up, holding handmade signs and banners. Marchers held striped pink, blue and white flags as cheers of trans lives matter and protect trans kids rang out with the drumline. The march began at the North Park Blocks on Northwest Davis Street heading east and then turned south on Naito Parkway ending at the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival entrance near Morrison Bridge. Onlookers gathered along the street, cheering and waving as the march proceeded. However, not everyone was in support. Protesters dotted the sidelines with signs proclaiming Jesus saves, which were quickly covered by rainbow umbrellas and drowned out by chants amplified through megaphones. At the Morrison Bridge, the crowd dissipated into the festival to enjoy the rest of the weekends festivities, organized by Pride Northwest . The Greater Portland Trans Unity has organized the annual Portland Trans Pride March since 2014, but that isnt all they do, said Ophelia Nyx, lead organizer for the march. That is our biggest event yearly, Nyx said. But community building doesnt start and stop when Pride ends, it must keep going. So we have events that we run year round, like the open mics or the trans socials. Nyx encouraged those interested to join the monthly online meetings. For more information about community events and how to get involved, visit Greater Portland Trans Unity at pdxtransunity.com . Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content. The news Sunday that President Joe Biden had withdrawn from the 2024 presidential election immediately sent ripples through Oregons largely Democratic congressional delegation and other halls of political power. U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Dist. 3, who was the first to call on Biden to step down, was also the first to respond publicly. Today, President Joe Biden cemented his legacy in American history as the greatest president in the last 50 years, Blumenauer gushed in a prepared statement. He made the right decision to spend the remainder of his presidency implementing his landmark achievements rather than fighting a campaign against Donald Trump. I am encouraged that President Biden can devote his full attention to this work. U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Dist. 6, posted to X that Biden has been a faithful public servant who has delivered on his promise to restore stability and rebuild the middle class, adding he has done more for working families during times of crisis than any other modern day president. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Dist. 1, jumped on board Bidens endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president: I thank Joe Biden for his many years of exemplary service, and am grateful to have worked together during his very productive years as President of the United States. Now we must move forward and come together as a country to help Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Dist. 4, also endorsed Harris, via a statement on X. Joe Biden is a kind and decent man who always put this country first, and today he did so again because he knows how much is at stake in Novembers election, Hoyle wrote. With President Bidens decision not to run for re-election, I am proud to endorse Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President so she can build upon this administrations incredibly successful record of standing up for unions and working people. Gov. Tina Kotek also weighed in on social media. I thank President Biden for his decades of leadership and his steadfast dedication to make life better for working families, she wrote on X. Oregon, and the whole country, are so much better off today safer, healthier, and more secure because of Joe Bidens years of service. One Republican leader in Oregon urged Biden to go further, by stepping down as president. U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Dist. 5, said Sunday: Im concerned that President Biden is unfit to carry out the demanding responsibilities that come with being the leader of the free world. If hes unable to run for re-election, he shouldnt be making day-to-day decisions that impact our national security. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, stressed Bidens record in the White House and immediately took aim at Republican nominee Donald Trump. Ive been proud to work with President Biden on a record of Democratic successes these past 3 1/2 years that includes historic wins over Big Pharma, and major gains in the fights against both wealthy tax cheats and the climate crisis, Wyden said in a written statement around 1:15 p.m. History will judge well those landmark achievements. Im all in to support Vice President Harris with all my energy to go forward building on that impressive record and defeating Donald Trump a convicted felon who wants to yank America backward with his checkered and erratic past of right-wing extremism on womens health care, dirty energy and more. After a day of travel, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley issued a statement close to 5 p.m.: Throughout decades of public service, President Biden has led with humility and compassion, with a laser-focus on making life better for ordinary Americans. I am grateful to have worked with him to serve the people and stand up to the powerful, and respect todays decision that positions us to protect the programs hes championed. Beth Slovic is a deputy editor on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach her at 503-221-8551 or bslovic@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe. The potential exposure of over 2,400 Legacy Health and Providence Health & Services patients to the hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV viruses is of considerable concern, and frankly has not been explained with any transparency, (Notifications raise more questions in HIV, hepatitis infection scare at Oregon hospitals, July 16). I am a physician who chaired quality committees at Legacys two downtown hospitals, served on and chaired the board of Legacy Health and was a staff member at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. I think the lack of information provided to patients, according to recent articles in The Oregonian/OregonLive, is unconscionable. It may be unnecessary to reveal the specific physician practitioner involved. However, the mixed messages and failure to disclose the forensics associated with the risk of transmission do not serve the affected hospital systems or the public. I voted for Tina Kotek. I really like her no-nonsense approach and I agree with herpolitically. However, I am dismayed and upset that she allowed her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson, to volunteer in her office, (Oregon ethics laws dont bar First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson from unpaid work in wifes administration, July 10). I dont care what the ethics committee says. Koteks wife has no place at the table with behavioral health issues or any other issues. Kotek Wilson is not the one who ran for office and got elected, and she is taking unfair advantage of the situation. She needs to get a life of her own, and Kotek needs to take responsibility for allowing her wife to become part of her inner circle. It is not about legal or illegal, but about what is morally right. If we are going to have to deal with elected officials spouses participating in political meetings, then they need to be openly running with them so we can vet them and decide if we want that team representing us or not. I will not be voting for Kotek in the future if she cant separate her professional life from her personal life. Laney Coulter, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. With high temperatures in the 90s and 100s over much of the state and thunderstorms possible, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is raising the alarm about fire dangers. The next 24 to 36 hours are going to be extremely challenging with the weather forecast calling for thunderstorms to move across the state, the office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal posted Saturday. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are in place for much of the state. The National Weather Service said Saturday afternoon that Portland had a 20% chance of showers or thunderstorms tonight, shifting to surface based thunderstorms along the Cascades tomorrow morning and afternoon. The highest probability for thunderstorms are along the coast, Coast Range, and Cascades, the service said, especially south of a line from Tillamook to Clackamas County. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will begin in Lane County around 10 p.m. to midnight tonight, spreading north/northeast in a line from the northern Oregon/southwest Washington coast to the central Willamette Valley by daybreak, then continuing to spread northeast through the morning and afternoon hours, the forecast said. The weather service issued red flag warnings in 11 Oregon counties and in Washingtons Clark and Skamania counties through 10 p.m. Sunday for abundant lightning. The Cascades/foothills, Coast Range, and along the coast, as well as the southern Willamette Valley, are under a Red Flag Warning for potential lightning. Even though there is a chance of similar conditions and a lightning ignition here and there across the north Oregon Coast Range and Willapa Hills, the forest fuels in those areas are not dry enough for significant fire spread, the agency said. BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Overseas financial institutions have expressed their confidence in the prospects of China's economy, as the country's high-quality growth efforts are gradually paying off. The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that China's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of the year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, GDP grew 0.7 percent in the second quarter, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of positive growth. The Chinese economy's comparative advantage largely comes from research and innovation, said Wu Yibing, head of China for Singapore's state investment company Temasek. In the past, China's strength in manufacturing was usually attributed to its abundant labor force and high production efficiency, said Wu. In the first half of the year, the country's value-added industrial output, an important economic indicator, increased by 6 percent year on year, according to the NBS data. A breakdown of the data shows that the output of the equipment manufacturing sector, which took up one-third of the overall industrial output, climbed 7.8 percent in the period. The high-tech manufacturing industry also posted strong growth, with its output up 8.7 percent in the first half, according to the NBS. The country's production of service robots, smartphones and new energy vehicles surged 22.8 percent, 11.8 percent and 34.3 percent, respectively, in the first six months. Bloomberg said in a report on July 16 that China's long-term quest for high-quality growth is starting to bear fruit. "Advances in electric vehicles, solar panels and other high-tech industries have helped keep economic expansion within reach of its targeted pace of around 5 percent," said the report. Apart from industrial output and high-end manufacturing, investment and exports are also seen as the highlights of China's economy by the institutions. The effects of large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in of consumer goods continue to manifest, driving effective investment along with the issuance of local government special bonds and ultra-long special treasury bonds, said Ji Mo, chief China economist of DBS Group Research. Data shows that China's investment in infrastructure construction during the January-June period rose 5.4 percent from the previous year, while manufacturing investment increased 9.5 percent. The country's net exports of goods and services drove GDP growth by 0.7 percentage points in the same period. China has become increasingly important as a major global supplier of goods and has continued to expand its market share despite trade restriction measures, said Liu Jing, chief economist for Greater China at HSBC. The accelerated development of new quality productive forces, the continuous release of policy effects and the recovery of external demand have supported China's economy, but further reform and opening-up is needed in the face of challenges such as insufficient effective demand and a complex external environment, multiple experts from the overseas financial institutions have said. Oregon is on fire. From the Cascade slopes in southern Oregon to scrubby rangeland in eastern Oregon, fire crews on Saturday were tasked to 90 wildfires that have covered more than 400,000 acres. They do so anticipating a weather forecast for continued hot weather, with temperatures in some places reaching more than 100. Wind is expected to be a factor through the day as well. But more worrying is expected lightning, which forecasters say will come Sunday into Monday over large portions of the state with little to no rain. The risk for significant fire is very high, according to the national wildfire website. With fire danger as high as it is, multiple ignitions from lightning will challenge initial attack. Gov. Tina Kotek warned Oregonians of whats to come. Its going to be a long wildfire season, the governor said in speaking with reporters on Friday, July 20. Kotek and state fire managers urged Oregonians to do all they could to not be the cause of new fires. Kyle Williams, deputy director for fire operations for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said in the briefing with the governor that there have been fewer fires started by people this season but the fires they did cause are burning more acres. The states landscape dried out earlier than usual. Kotek and others urged Oregonians to pay attention to evacuation orders, to be ready if there is a fire in their area, and to sign up for alerts to be directly notified of a threat. The governor said people shouldnt always wait for a government alert in the form of a Go notice, a Level 3 evacuation notice that calls for people to leave immediately. If you dont feel safe, dont wait, she said. Across the state, thousands of people have reason to be on edge. As of Saturday morning, more than 11,000 people were under evacuation notices with 2,000 under orders get out now. Those orders have covered huge expanses of Oregon in thinly populated areas. And the wildfires are threatening some of the states smallest and most remote communities. The town of Spray in Wheeler County is home to a popular Memorial Day rodeo and a jump-off spot for those floating the John Day River. Authorities directed the community of 140 or so to evacuate on Friday as winds pushed the growing Lone Rock Fire. People in communities like Izee and Monument and Ukiah did what they could to get out of harms way or be ready to do so. Outside Monument, Silent Wave Horse Rescue became a fire refuge. Horses were being trailered to the nonprofits compound, already hosting six pigs rescued days earlier from a ranch facing imminent threat. So far, the state is living with what are termed mega or catastrophic blazes fires that grow to more than 100,000 acres. The first was the Cow Valley Fire, which burned more than 200 square miles of grazing range north of Vale Oregon. Fire crews have containment line around more than 80% of a fire perimeter measured Friday at 158 miles. The fire, which authorities say may have been deliberately set, burned 133,000 acres Oregons largest fire in the current season. In neighboring territory between Burns and John Day, the Falls Fire continues with erratic behavior that so far has injured nine people and destroyed 13 homes. Details on the losses werent immediately available but fire officials expected another tough day on a fire that as of Friday had burned more than 117,000 acres. Wildfire burns along rangeland east of Brogan just before midnight Friday, July 19, in a view on Bit Road about one-half mile east of U.S. Highway 26. (Brad Jacobs photo)Brad Jacobs Forecasted weather will support challenging fire behavior today and into the weekend and will support large fire growth, according to the federal wildfire incident website. Fire is impacting multiple critical values to be protected. Livestock, private land, primary residences, Hwy 395, major power transmission lines, timber resources. The highway reference is to U.S. Highway 395, a key route that runs north-south from border to border in the eastern part of Oregon. A 40-mile stretch of that highway is closed south of Pendleton as a string of lightning-caused fires burn out of control, prompting evacuations. Oregon fire officials are throwing enormous resources into the fire battles, from hotshot crews to swarms of air tankers, from single-engine airplanes to lumbering jetliner-sized craft. They are coating thousands and thousands of acres with retardant and often are the prime tool fire managers have to slow the advance of wildfires, especially in steep and often inaccessible terrain. Fire managers have counted on rural fire districts and rangeland fire protection associations to help. Those crews of volunteer ranchers and loggers and business owners often work with hand-me-down equipment passed on by other agencies. The Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal has also tapped into fire agencies around the state. These task forces roll out from city and county fire services such as Marion County Fire District 1, the Gresham Fire Department and the Gaston Fire Department, often driving traveling hundreds of miles and then getting to work. They bring tankers, brush rigs and city-style fire engines, protecting homes and structures. Trailers carrying evacuated horses roll into Silent Wave Horse Rescue, an animal shelter near Monument, Oregon, on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Silent Wave Horse Rescue photo)Silent Wave Horse Rescue Kotek has so far declared five conflagrations, clearing the way for those task forces to respond. This season, the state has dispatched 23 tasks forces consisting of 305 firefighters, 92 engines and 23 water tenders. That hasnt been enough. State officials have asked for and received help from other states. California sent three strike teams with 80 firefighters to help protect homes at risk in the Falls Fire and Washington state also is sending crews. Already, according to Kotek, firefighter help has come from Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia and New Mexico. More is expected in the coming days, she said. And costs mount every day. Three fires each so far have cost more than $15 million in firefighting expenses, according to the federal wildfire website. They include the Salt Creek Free northeast of Medford that is nearly contained, the Larch Creek Fire south of The Dalles that is also nearly contained and the Falls Fire. The bills mount for everything from retardant for tankers to fuel for trucks to food for firefighters working long shifts, day and night. Kotek said the state has reserves in its emergency budget for fire costs. Its going to be expensive, she said. Contact Editor Les Zaitz: les@malheurenterprise.com . Foong Yan Lin, a Malaysian graduate, speaks at Tianjin University's 2024 commencement ceremony for undergraduate students in north China's Tianjin on July 6, 2024.(Tianjin University/Handout via Xinhua) TIANJIN, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A slogan on the wall of Tianjin University's School of International Education in the Chinese city of Tianjin has greatly inspired 23-year-old Malaysian graduate Foong Yan Lin. "The slogan read 'working for the country for 50 years with a healthy body.' Then it occurred to me why not contribute to the Sino-Malaysian friendship for 50 years," said Foong, who expressed such a wish in his heartfelt commencement address earlier this month. "I look forward to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, when I am 73 years old, I can return to my second hometown Tianjin as an outstanding alumnus and report on the contributions I have made for the Sino-Malaysian friendship," Foong said in the address, evoking rounds of applause from the audience. While China and Malaysia are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, Foong saw opportunities in China. Four years ago, Foong decided to head to China to study marine technology at Tianjin University -- a journey he described as "transformative." "Like Malaysia, China has a long coastline with rich marine resources, which was a major reason I chose to come," said Foong, speaking fluent Chinese. On campus, he spent a huge amount of time at the lecture halls, laboratories and libraries, gaining extensive knowledge about ocean mapping through courses like marine geology, marine topographic surveying and marine positioning technology. "These courses have equipped me with the techniques needed to explore the ocean," he said. During his studies, he made a video with his friends on the theme of marine environmental protection and won the popularity award at a student film competition held in 2021. In the summer of 2023, Foong went to Bohai Bay for marine and coastal mapping and operated technical equipment including a single-beam echo sounder, leveling instrument and airborne mapping equipment. "This experience helped me sort out the research path I will pursue in my postgraduate study, which is laser-based seawater sound speed measurement," he said, adding that he hopes to develop more accurate, faster and cheaper ways of measuring seawater sound velocity and contribute to modern ocean mapping. This year, Foong and his fellow Malaysian students at the university wrote a joint letter to the Chinese government about their studying and living in China, and a letter of reply greatly encouraged them. "Hopefully, in the future, the friendship between China and Malaysia will deepen, and more and more international students will come to China," said Foong. Foong plans to continue his studies in marine technology at Tianjin University for a master's degree. "If I am successful in marine technology and science, I hope to help strengthen cooperation between the two countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, boosting mutual development," Foong said. This post was going to be I watched Donald Trumps speech so you dont have to. I expected to have plenty of points to rebut. But what I saw was a long, meandering stream of vague promises and outright lies. Honestly, I was bored. I usually find Trump somewhere between annoying and infuriating, but never boring. Thursday night I went to sleep before he was done and I wasnt even drinking. So instead, here are eight things that strike me as particularly important a little over a hundred days before the election. 1. Trump still has no respect for facts Candidate speeches at party conventions are not known for being particularly truthful. That said, Trump hit a new low, even by his own standards. CNN which, if you havent been paying attention, is not exactly a liberal source these days documented more than 20 false claims. You can verify them yourself if you dont trust CNN. One of Trumps selling points to his base is how he makes things sound simple. Doesnt matter if the problem is deeply complicated just elect him and hell fix it on Day One. Facts have never mattered to Trump. Part of that is living his whole life in wealth and luxury, with his every whim indulged. Another part is the influence of Norman Vincent Peales power of positive thinking. Now, positive thinking has very real benefits. But its no substitute for facing reality and dealing with it head-on, something Trump has never been willing to do. 2. J.D. Vance is a curious pick for VP My Appalachian friends have despised J.D. Vance since well before he entered politics. His 2016 book Hillbilly Elegy is a condescending look at the problems of the region, written by someone who claimed to be Appalachian but in fact grew up 30 miles outside of Cincinnati; who graduated from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He doesnt have much government experience hes 39 years old and has served less than 2 years in the Senate. He isnt well-known around the country and Trump carried Ohio easily in 2016 and 2020. In 2016 Vance called Trump reprehensible, an idiot, and compared him to Hitler. But he shares Trumps isolationism, and hes made it clear his values are flexible when it benefits him. And hes a favorite of Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and other tech billionaires who are bankrolling the Trump campaign, looking not just for lower taxes and less regulatory oversight, but also to advance socially conservative positions in the culture war. 3. Agenda 47 = Project 2025 The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 is finally getting the attention it deserves. Its a 900 page manifesto for how to radically remake not just the federal government but all of American society in the first 180 days of the next Republican President. It focuses on greatly downsizing and politicizing the federal bureaucracy, including eliminating the Department of Education and eliminating protections for jobs usually held by career Civil Service employees and replacing them with political appointees. It call for outlawing abortion medication and for more legal obstacles that would make abortion increasingly unobtainable, especially for those who live in states that have outlawed abortion. It calls for defining trans people out of existence, and for more studies on the negative effects of crosssex interventions. Theyre telling researchers to design studies to support their predetermined conclusions, while ignoring the existing studies that show gender affirming care is almost always a positive thing. It calls for outlawing pornography, and while it does not define it, the context makes it clear they mean anything with LGBTQ content, anything on sexual health, and even spicy romance novels. The more people find out about Project 2025 the less they like it. So its no surprise Trump says he knows nothing about it. But 31 of the projects contributors worked in the Trump administration, and many would work in a second Trump administration. And also, the overlap between Project 2025 and Trumps own Agenda 47 is considerable. A vote for Trump is a vote for Project 2025. 4. Im not worried about Joe Biden Joe Biden is old. He stutters and hes never been a good speaker. But we know he can be a good President, because weve seen him do it for the past four years. If he gets to the point where he cant do it anymore, Kamala Harris is perfectly capable of taking over and continuing the work. And if we find ourselves in an in-between place, Bidens team has shown they can carry on just fine. This is what so many people overlook. Youre not just voting for a President youre voting for a team. Bidens team has been consistent. Two agency heads have left office so far Trump had 14 leave before completion of their terms. This is a good team and I want them returned to office (except for Merrick Garland, who has forgotten that justice delayed is justice denied). 5. Who really wants Biden to step aside? We can argue that Biden should have declined to run for a second term (he said he would have if Trump hadnt run again). We can argue that he should have had serious competition in the primaries (never weaken a sitting President with a primary challenge. See what Reagan did to Ford in 1976 and what Kennedy did to Carter in 1980). But those arguments are no longer relevant. As I write this on Saturday morning, July 20, Joe Biden is still running and is still expected to be the nominee of the Democratic Party. That, in my experienced-but-not-expert opinion, is the best chance of defeating Trump and all he would bring with him. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has endorsed Biden remaining in the race. So has Senator Bernie Sanders. And so has Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. AOC had more to say on this: When Im talking to folks in rooms, I hear, My donor this, my donor that. Those are the inputs that I am hearing reflected by my colleagues. Its not, My voters this its like, Big donors are saying this. And also: If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave that they will support Vice President Harris you would be mistaken A lot of them are not just interested in removing the president. They are interested in removing the whole ticket. If the Democratic nominee is not Joe Biden, expect Republican lawsuits in every state to keep the nominee off the ballot. Even if theyre not successful, theyll be a huge drain on resources. There is nothing to be gained from more chaos between now and November 5. 6. This election isnt complicated For all that this election is like nothing the country has ever seen starting with the fact that the nominee of a major party is a convicted felon it isnt very complicated. Presidents get too much blame when things go badly and too much credit when things go well. At the same time, what Presidents do matters. We know what Donald Trump will do we saw it for four years. Chaos, cruelty, vulgarity, and every decision made based on what will make him look good in his own eyes. We know what Joe Biden will do weve seen it for almost four years. Competency, consistency, and policies that are mostly progressive, even if they dont go far enough for my leftist friends. There is no third option. Save your Gretchen Whitmer Pete Buttigieg fantasies for the 2028 primary. 7. This election comes down to turnout Trump lost the popular vote in 2016 by 3 million votes. He won the electoral vote because he won Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania by razor-thin margins. Too many progressives and moderates just didnt like Hillary and stayed home. Trump lost the popular vote in 2020 by 7 million votes. Biden won most of the swing states and a clear majority of the electoral vote. Most of those stay-at-home progressives and moderates understood the stakes of the election and turned out to vote. Trump will lose the popular vote in 2024. Whether he wins the electoral vote depends entirely on whose voters show up. 8. Our part in this is clear Im disappointed in the Democratic Party operatives who are trying to undermine the incumbent President, a strategy that has never worked. But my part in this process is clear. Im voting for Joe Biden in November. If something happens to him, Im voting for whoever is the Democratic nominee. Im voting for Democratic candidates in the state and local elections. Remember that the vast majority of authoritarianism especially the loss of reproductive rights is coming from state governments, not from Washington. My U.S. House district is gerrymandered to the point of irrelevance, but Ill vote blue anyway. Colin Allred has a good chance to unseat Ted Cruz. Find the state and local elections where you are, research the candidates, and vote for the ones that most closely align with your values and your priorities, even if they arent a perfect match. None of them are perfect. But some will move the country forward, while others will move it backward. What I saw from the Republican National Convention confirmed what I already knew Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and Project 2025 must be defeated. And if we turn out to vote, they will. And less than 24 hours later, Biden has dropped out of the race. Im disappointed, but this election remains simple: turn out and vote for the Democratic nominee, whoever that is. I trust that will be Kamala Harris, but even if its not, the urgency remains. Trump, Vance, and Project 2025 must be defeated. Deputy Information Minister, Sylvester Tetteh has recounted the horrific protests in Kenya resulting in the death of some citizens and eventual cancellation of some taxes that were to be introduced by the government. Kenyan police have banned protests in the centre of the capital, Nairobi, and surrounding areas until further notice. The protests began against unpopular tax rises which have subsequently been withdrawn by the President, William Ruto. Following the violent protests, some section of the citizenry is said to be calling for the President to resign and the security services picked intelligence that there was going to be another demonstration, hence leading to the ban. Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FMs morning show Kokrokoo, Hon. Sylvester Tetteh, affectionately referred to as Sly Tetteh, narrated how he and other Ministers and Members of Parliament were caught in the middle of the protest. He disclosed that they were locked for nine hours in a fortified place in the Kenyan Parliament whilst he was on an international assignment in the country. Sly Tetteh further revealed that the protests became uncontrollable to the extent that some of them had to be hidden in ambulances to escape the riotous crowd. For what he witnessed in Kenya a month ago, the Deputy Minister warned those inciting Ghanaians to replicate the Kenyan situation to desist from it. When you look at what has happened in Kenya today, they will pay the price for itI mean you can criticize. You can press home your demands but not to take the law into your hands to that extent because they will pay, they will pay the price, he cautioned. He advised that no matter Ghanas economic situation, violence is not an option. no matter the form of democracy, its better, he emphasized. 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 Senior Researcher, Professor Smart Sarpong has implored Ghana to empower her local researchers and equip them to conduct reliable surveys. His call comes on the back of a study by Fitch Solutions that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is likely to win this years general elections. According to the London-based research and data firm, the December 7 elections may tilt in favor of the NDC due to the economic crises confronting Ghanaians. We believe that the opposition NDC has a stronger chance of winning the upcoming general elections compared to the ruling NPP. Recent polls consistently place the NDC ahead with the most recent survey showing 54 % of respondents favoring the NDC. In addition, multiple surveys have shown that economic management and job creation are going to be the most important issues during the election for voters which we believe will put the ruling NPP at a disadvantage given the economic challenges that the country has faced over the last couple of years, Mike Kruiniger, an Associate Director, Country Risk at Fitch Solutions, stated. Discussing this survey during Fridays Kokrokoo show on Peace FM, Professor Smart Sarpong found nothing really unique about Fitch Solutions findings. As for NDC likely to win, you dont even need a research to say that. What would be strange is if somebody says maybe Ghana Freedom Movement is likely to winThe same way if any study comes and say NPP is likely to win, hows this one discovery?, he said. To him, he doesnt disprove Fitch Solutions findings but the nation needs to break their over-reliance and strong belief in foreign researches over those conducted by Ghanaian research institutions. Lets not over-depend on them because sometimes, you see geopolitics is such that everyone and his interest even over your country, he emphasized and appealed for support saying lets strengthen our local research institutions. 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 After a four-day break from his highly successful Northern Regional tour, flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia returns to the campaign trail today in the North. Dr. Bawumia took a break for official duties in Accra and his return to his tour will see him cover the remaining constituencies in the northern sector. Dr. Bawumia, who started his Northern campaign following the unveiling his Running Mate, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, has so far toured about half of constituencies engaging with the traditional rulers and constituents. His engagements have attracted multitudes from the various communities who pledge their unwavering belief in his vision for Ghana and Bole is no exception as his visit called in a mammoth crowd as well. Bole used to be a complete safe ground for the opposition NDC, a place where they win by landslide, but since the emergence of Dr. Bawumia, the NDC's dominance has shattered in spite of former President Mahama being the party's candidate in the last three general elections. Dr. Bawumia has been receiving the support and blessings of traditional rulers in his bid to become President in 2025. He tours the Savannah Region today, first by storming Bile, the home of his political contender, former President John Mahama. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to lobby African leaders in pursuit of scaling up mobile money interoperability for economic growth as the African Union (AU) holds its Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting on Sunday, July 21. A host of Heads of State and other State officials across the continent are gathering in Accra, Ghanas capital, for the event, designed to deepen the Unions integration agenda. The aim is to harmonise the AU policies and that of the regional economic communities. Ghana is currently making inroads with the introduction of mobile interoperability into the financial space, facilitating the transaction of funds from a phone to a bank account and vice-versa. The financial digitalisation system, which also allows direct and seamless transfer of funds from one mobile money wallet to another across networks, is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. It has significantly lowered the cost on transactions, while increasing financial service reach to engender financial inclusion, says the authorities. Almost half of Africans have a SIM card, 28 per cent are accessing the internet, and a whooping US$832 billion worth of mobile money transactions was recorded in sub-Saharan Africa in 2022 alone, President Nana Akufo-Addo noted while addressing the recent Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD). The President is urging his colleague Heads of State to support the implementation of an African-wide mobile telephony interoperability system, arguing that this would boost the continents efforts at building the worlds largest market via the implementation of the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda. A concept note copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), ahead of the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, indicated that President Nana Akufo-Addos address would also give a report on the establishment of AU Financial Institutions (AUFIs). The creation of AUFIs is one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063, aiming at accelerating integration and socio-economic development of the continent. The agreed timeframes in the first ten-year plan of the Agenda were for the African Investment Bank and Pan-African Stock Exchange to be established by 2016, the African Monetary Fund by 2018, and the African Central Bank and Single African Currency by 2034. As the Champion of AUs Financial Institutions, President Nana Akufo-Addo believes achieving the continents objectives of financial independence ought to be at the centre of the agenda for continental integration. Over the years, the continent has adopted a treaty and several legal instruments to that effect, but the AU Champion on Financial Institutions insists more needs to be done to unleash the economic potential of Africa. Aside from Ghanas President, the AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU Chairperson, Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani, and other prominent personalities are billed to address the AU Meeting. Nigerian President Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of the West African regional economic bloc, ECOWAS, will address the gathering on the status of regional integration against the backdrop of the deteriorating democracy and security in the area. He will also present the 2024 Report on the State of the Community, focusing on peace, governance, economic integration, humanitarian and social development, as well as agriculture, mines and energy. The programme will generally discuss the status of regional integration by the varied economic blocs within the continent, key continental initiatives of the African Development Bank, status of continental integration, and establishing mechanisms for cooperation on each sector. The Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting is being convened under the AU. Source: Graphiconline.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 West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent who considered a White House run this year and as a Democrat often bucked his partys leadership, included Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro as one of two governors he thinks could lead the ticket this November. He made his comments during a series of Sunday news show interviews a few hours before the news broke that President Joe Biden was not running for reelection. Manchin, himself a former governor, said, I think that we have a lot of talent on the bench, a lot of good people, and Im partial to governors, because a governor cant afford to be partial. They cant afford to be partisan strictly, because that pothole or that bridge doesnt have a D or an R on it. According to an Associated Press story, he mentioned Shapiro and Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky as governors who, he said, havent divided their state. They havent made you pick a side and demonize the other side. They have brought people together. This is what an open process would do, I think. It would bring more people out in a process that could bring Democrats like me back. FILE - Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., speaks during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, July 11, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)AP Manchin said he was confident that Biden could fulfill his term, but the senator was concerned about the toll from a campaign. Im concerned about the presidents health and well-being, I really am, said Manchin, who became an independent in May after decades as a Democrat. He is not seeking reelection to the Senate. Manchin said Sunday morning Biden should clear the way for other Democrats and spend the remainder of his term as the president he always wanted to be, be able to unite the country, bring it back together and focus on the war in Gaza and Russias invasion of Ukraine. The result, he said, would mean being able to show the rest of the world the orderly transfer of power from the superpower of the world, according to the AP story. He also said, I truly believe the Democratic Party needs an open process in picking a new nominee. Manchin said he was not trying to have Kamala Harris, the vice president, replaced. A healthy competition is what its all about, Manchin said. By Bill Barrow, The Associated Press ATLANTA With President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year. Democrats are set to hold their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. What was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the fall. The path ahead is neither easy nor obvious, even with Biden endorsing Harris. There are unanswered questions about logistics, money and political fallout. Can Biden redirect his delegates? Biden won every state primary and caucus earlier this year and only lost the territory of American Samoa. At least 3,896 delegates had been pledged to support him. Current party rules do not permit Biden to pass them to another candidate. Politically, though, his endorsement is likely to be influential. What could happen at the convention? With Biden stepping aside, Democrats technically start with an open convention. But realistically, his endorsement pushes Democrats into murky territory. The immediate burden is on Harris to solidify support across almost 4,000 delegates from the states, territories and District of Columbia, plus more than 700 so-called superdelegates that include party leaders, certain elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents. Will anyone challenge Harris? Even before Biden announced his decision, Democrats floated California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as potential contenders in addition to Harris. Yet some Democrats argued publicly, and many privately, that it would be a no-brainer to elevate the first woman, first Black woman and first person of south Asian descent to hold national office. Given how important Black voters - and Black women especially - were to Bidens nomination and his choice of Harris as running mate, it would be risky, to say the least, for Democrats to pass her over for a white nominee. Democrats already faced historical headwinds before Bidens withdrawal. Newsom and Whitmer, both of whom are white, and any other Democrat would also have to weigh the short-term and long-term benefits of challenging Harris now versus preserving goodwill for a future presidential primary. Yet, fair or not, Harris also has not been viewed as an especially beloved or empowered vice president. The best scenario for her and Democrats is to quickly shore up support and project a united front. Democrats could even go forward with their plans for an early virtual vote a move theyd planned to make sure Biden was selected ahead of Ohios general election ballot deadline. President Joe Biden hugs Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign event at Girard College, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP What happens to Bidens campaign money? Bidens campaign recently reported $91 million cash on hand. Allied Democratic campaign committees brought the total at his disposal to more than $240 million. Campaign finance experts agree generally that Harris could control all those funds since the campaign was set up in her name as well as Bidens. If Democrats do nominate someone other than Harris, party accounts could still benefit the nominee, but the Biden-Harris account would have more restrictions. For example, legal experts say it could become an independent expenditure political action committee but not simply transfer its balance to a different nominee. How will a vice presidential nomination work? The vice presidential nomination is always a separate convention vote. In routine years, the convention ratifies the choice of the nominee. If Harris closes ranks quickly, she could name her choice and have the delegates ratify it. In an extended fight, though, the vice presidency could become part of horse-trading again, a return to conventions of an earlier era. Can Republicans keep Harris off state ballots? Any curveball during a U.S. presidential campaign is certain to produce a flurry of state and federal lawsuits in this hyper-partisan era, and some conservatives have threatened just that. State laws, though, typically do not prescribe how parties choose their nominees for president. And some GOP figures Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey have worked already this year to ensure their party did not deny Democrats routine ballot access. HAIKOU, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China has promoted sci-tech innovation and international cooperation in the durian industry by establishing an alliance between the Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HNAAS) and major durian industry associations in ASEAN member states on Saturday. China-ASEAN Durian Science and Technology Innovation Alliance aims to establish an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial sci-tech innovation platform, and promote cooperation between China and ASEAN on durian planting technology, variety improvement technology, deep processing technology and industrial chain innovation. Liu Zuokai, secretary of the leading Party members group of HNAAS, said the alliance will help China and ASEAN member states to leverage their regional industrial advantages and play an active role in collaborative research and innovation, production and processing, personnel training, and consumer market promotion. The alliance was established at the 2024 China-ASEAN Durian Industry Seminar, held from July 19 to 21 in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. Hainan in 2019 undertook the large-scale trial planting of durian seedlings, and Sanya in 2023 saw its durian output hit approximately 50 tonnes, marking the first batch of domestically planted durians harvested on a large scale. This year, the durian planting area in Hainan has grown to nearly 40,000 mu (about 2,667 hectares) with output expected to reach 250 tonnes. President Joe Biden announced his decision to step down from the 2024 presidential race via a letter posted to social media. In that letter, Biden explained he would tell the nation more in detail about that decision to step down later this week. The full text of the letter is below. My Fellow Americans, Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. Weve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. Weve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Weve protected and preserved our Democracy. And weve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America cant do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., speaks with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., while chairing a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry subcommittee hearing to examine the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutrition assistance programs in the Farm Bill in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/TNS)TNS Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg went on national television and perfectly explained why Joe Biden should be the next president. Buttigieg said on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher: Im here because I believe in Joe Biden. And let me just, I get it. All right. I didnt come here to say hes not 10 years older than he was 10 years ago, or deny that sometimes he mixes up names as Donald Trump does sometimes said this name when he obviously meant that name. But the thing about Joe Biden is hes really good at being president. And you can tell because the things we need presidents to do are the things that hes best at, like delivering infrastructure and defending womens rights and fostering economic growth at a level that we havent seen under any president in my lifetime. One of two things is going to happen in November. Were either getting Donald Trump, or were getting the Democratic candidate, who is Joe Biden. And those are radically different futures. And I know which one of those two futures Im prepared to live in, that I want for my children to be growing up in. Video: Pete Buttigieg is all in: "I'm here because I believe in Joe Biden." pic.twitter.com/VaOBcRMSfG Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) July 20, 2024 For the last few weeks those within the Democratic Party who are tryin to remove the President as the Democratic Partys nominee have had the airwaves to themselves. The pushback explaining why President Biden should remain in the race has been not well organized. The pushback is getting more coordinated. Sec. Buttigieg, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Hakeem Jeffries have all come out in support of Biden remaining the nominee. Buttigieg delivered the sort of endorsement that more Democrats should be offering. The reason why Joe Biden should keep running is that he is a good president. End of discussion. It is time for the nonsense to end and for Democrats to come together around their nominee, who will be Joe Biden. Medical staff prepare emergency medicines at Xinhua primary school in Malie Township, Hanyuan County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) CHENGDU, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers braving heavy rain to search for more than 30 people, who lost contact after flash floods struck a village in southwest China's Sichuan Province at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, have found and brought four people to safety. The rescue headquarters said Saturday evening that the four people had no life-threatening problems. The rescue forces are continuing to search for the others missing. More than 30 people are unaccounted for, after the floods triggered by torrential rains damaged over 40 houses in Xinhua village in Hanyuan County, Ya'an City, Sichuan. The disaster disrupted traffic on roads and bridges, and cut off communications in the area. The disaster also disrupted roads, bridges and communications. A local fire brigade with 217 rescuers and 55 vehicles has rushed to the scene. The Ministry of Emergency Management has also dispatched 29 rescue experts and 13 sets of rescue equipment, as well as drones to provide emergency communications. In addition to 10,000 sets of relief materials previously allocated to the province, the central authorities will send another 40,000 sets, including folding beds, quilts and towels, to support local governments in evacuating and resettling the affected people and providing basic living assistance. People rest at Xinhua primary school in Malie Township, Hanyuan County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) Rescue members carry relief supplies at Xinhua primary school in Malie Township, Hanyuan County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) A rescue member works at Xinhua primary school in Malie Township, Hanyuan County, Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. 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. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, mourns the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong at the Embassy of Vietnam in China on July 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, went to the Embassy of Vietnam in China on Saturday to mourn the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. In the hall of condolence in the embassy, laid in front of a portrait of Trong were wreaths sent by Xi and other members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi. There were also wreaths sent by the Central Committee of the CPC, the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Central Military Commission, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Beijing Municipal Government, and relevant people's organizations. Xi walked to the portrait of Trong, paused to observe a moment of silence before bowing three times to the portrait, and wrote down a message with his signature on the book of condolences. Praising Trong as a staunch Marxist and a great leader of the CPV and the Vietnamese people, Xi said that Trong had devoted himself entirely to the CPV and the country, to the Vietnamese people and to the cause of socialism in Vietnam, and had been deeply respected and admired by the party, military and people of Vietnam. Xi recalled that over the past decade, he and Trong had maintained close contact and developed a deep camaraderie, and that last year they jointly announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, a milestone in bilateral ties. "The passing of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong has deprived us of a promoter of China-Vietnam relations and a companion for the cause of socialism, and we are deeply saddened," said Xi. He said that Trong's outstanding contribution to the relations between the two parties and the two countries, and to the cause of the global socialist movement will always be remembered. Xi stressed that the CPC and the Chinese government firmly support the CPV in uniting and leading the Vietnamese people to take a path of socialism that suits Vietnam's national conditions. It is believed that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee, the Vietnamese people will surely be able to turn grief into strength and continue to make greater achievements in the cause of reform, opening up and socialist construction, Xi said. He said he firmly believes that China and Vietnam will continue to work together to make profound and solid progress in building the China-Vietnam community of a shared future. Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai said the fact that General Secretary Xi personally came to express condolences and the CPC Central Committee sent a message of condolence to the Central Committee of the CPV with no delay has reflected the great importance the CPC and the Chinese government attach to the relations between the two parties and countries, as well as the special feelings General Secretary Xi has for Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong. The Vietnamese side is deeply moved and deeply grateful, said the ambassador. Noting that Trong had attached great importance to the relationship with China and made tremendous efforts and contributions to the development of Vietnam-China friendship, Mai said the Vietnamese side will carry on the legacy of Trong. Mai said Vietnam will implement well the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, adhere to the strategic choice and top priority of developing friendly cooperation with China for Vietnam's foreign policy, and push forward the building of a community with a shared future with strategic significance between Vietnam and China. Cai Qi, Wang Yi and other Chinese officials attended the condolence activities. PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-21 13:00:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 320 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint" or "the Company") (NYSE:CNP). Investors who purchased CenterPoint securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/CNP Investigation DetailsOn July 8, 2024, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 storm. The impact of the storm left roughly 2.2 million CenterPoint customers without power. Six days after the storm, some 270,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area were still without power. At a press conference on July 14, 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that he was demanding an investigation into CenterPoint's response to Hurricane Beryl. Among other comments, Governor Abbott said that CenterPoint did not have "an adequate number of workers pre-staged" before the storm hit. On this news, CenterPoint's stock price fell $2.02 per share, or 6.67%, to close at $28.28 per share on July 15, 2024.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased CenterPoint securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/CNP . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller 332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-21 12:25:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 368 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2024 / Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Salesforce, you are encouraged to submit your information at https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/salesforce-inc Why Did Salesforce's Stock Drop?On May 29, 2024, Salesforce reported its fiscal Q1 2025 financial results. In pertinent part, Salesforce's reported $9.13 billion in revenue came in below the midpoint of its previously issued guidance range and the current remaining performance obligation growth rate-a key bookings metric-came in below the company's outlook. Salesforce also issued fiscal Q2 2025 revenue guidance of $9.2 to $9.25 billion, below consensus estimates.As a result, Salesforce's stock price declined over 20% at the close of trading on May 30, 2024. BFA is investigating whether Salesforce and certain of its executives made materially false and/or misleading statements to investors related to Salesforce's customer buying environment and/or the company's sales execution abilities.Submit your information here: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/salesforce-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Salesforce, Inc. you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Find out more by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitzross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP In the early 2000s, many Nollywood stars ventured into music, attempting to harmonise their acting fame with melodies of musical success. Though their forays into music didnt sustain full-time careers, this path lay dormantuntil now. Michael Stephens, famously known as Ruggedman, has reignited this trend by featuring actors in his new single No Time For Rubbish, a collaboration showcasing celebrated names like Iyabo Ojo, Jide Kene, Kevin Ikeduba, and Frank Edoho. But will this star-studded rap drill be enough to bring actors back to the mic? Ruggedman unveiled his star-studded project through enticing social media posts, announcing the release of N.T.F.R (No Time For Rubbish) Parts 1 and 2 on streaming platforms this Thursday. He also dropped Miliki, a fresh single featuring famous skit makers Mr Macaroni and Kemz Mama, also known as Mummy Wa. Song Analysis The song N.T.F.R (No Time For Rubbish) parts 1 and 2 is an unexpected drill rap with a surprising collaboration that struggles to thrill. The two-part drill rap single has taken the Nigerian music scene by storm, featuring some actors whom we never saw their musical skills shining out anytime soon, talk more or less a rap song. 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 No Time For Rubbish featured Yoruba actress Iyabo Ojo, Nollywood actor Jide Kene, Kevin Ikedugba, and the renowned TV personality Frank Edoho. This track is a fusion of gritty drill beats and the elements of a glimpse of the reality of the rappers life in their lyrics. The song opens with a powerful verse from Rugged Man, and Iyabo Ojo steps out of her comfort zone as an actress to deliver a fierce and confident rap. Her lines, punctuated with Yoruba phrases, Ojo sang about how she has built a name for herself and why she must be given her accolades. She seamlessly bridges the drill sound and Yoruba phrases like a contemporary drill rapper. Jide Kene, known for his compelling roles in Nollywood, brings a dramatic flair to his verse. His deep, commanding voice adds gravitas to the track as he narrates resilience and street wisdom stories. Kenes rapped about his humble beginnings from the East blended with the pride of the Igbos and his success story. Frank Edoho rapped about his years in the media, anchoring the Who Wants to be a Millionaire show; he did add his recent online rants and callouts. He also mentioned how he has dominated the media business for several years. Edohos baritone voice lends an authoritative tone to the track, and his verse is marked by introspective lyrics that reflect on societal issues and personal triumphs. Kevin Ikedugba injects energy into the song with his dynamic flow and clever wordplay. His ability to switch between English and Pidgin effortlessly makes his verse engaging. Ikegbeau, in his usual street palance, sang about the experiences of surviving the street, using his usual slang. The sound production of the track is top-notch, with hard-hitting beats that stay true to the essence of drill music. The producer skillfully integrates great sound percussion, creating a soundscape that is both modern and easy to rap with. The synergy between the artists is palpable, and their distinct styles blend seamlessly, resulting in an innovative and authentic track. However, despite these attempts to capture the younger generations attention, the effort has failed to thrill, possibly because it seems contrived. The rap drill by the movie stars and OAP celebrities is too basic; it appears to be something an elementary school student could do easily. Verdict 6/10 Listen to the track below Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Guilds in the Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, have urged the Federal Government to retain the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) as it implements the Oronsaye Report, which recommends reducing government agencies and parastatals. The NFVCB, an essential regulatory body for the Nigerian film industry, is at risk of being dissolved or subsumed into a larger ministry. The leaders of various guilds, united in their stance, advised in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday. NAN reports that George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), recently directed Hannatu Musawa, minister of arts, culture and creative economy, to begin the immediate dissolution of NFVCB. The directive aimed to subsume NFVCB as a ministry department but bypassed the legal process required to repeal the law establishing the Nollywood regulatory agency. The development has, however, sparked reactions from stakeholders across the country. The Nigerian Senate had also asked the Federal Government to halt the boards winding down, citing a breach of the 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 It said the process of winding down an agency of government that came into force through an Act of Parliament should commence with the Acts repeal. Nollywood guilds, which work directly with NFVCB, have expressed displeasure over any policy that intends to merge, subsume, or scrap the regulatory agency. According to them, any alteration to the boards current status will impede the progress the motion picture industry has made in the last three decades. Counterproductive decision Victor Okhai, national president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), said subsuming NFVCB into its supervising ministry would be counterproductive. Mr Okhai, also the Federation of Nollywood Guilds and Associations Chairman, said President Bola Tinubu had already made a masterstroke when he created the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy. He warned that subsuming NFVCB into its supervising ministry would be counterproductive, potentially weakening the regulatory momentum required for Nigerias film industry. I would like to quote Vice President Kashim Shettima when we met with him: Nollywood is an industry built entirely by practitioners. He said it is time for the government to support the industry, and we are saying if they want to help us, they cannot just scrap the only regulatory agency we have for Nollywood. In those days, the industry was known for foreign movies, but right now, there is a whole industry with a value chain of over 250 jobs thriving in the 36 states at various degrees. If you now subsume it into the ministry, how many people have the strength to go to Abuja to have their films classified, but the censor board is in nearly all the states? There were about 18 Parastatals under the former Ministry of Information and Culture, and now that we have our ministry, why scrap the only regulatory body under it? he asked. Mr Okhai said subsuming the NFVCB into the ministry will only weaken the regulatory momentum required for Nigerias film industry. He said that with such a government agency, illicit films from outside and within would flood the Nigerian market and make the creative space healthy. As we practice, we are also mindful that there might be people involved in sharp practices, so we have an umbrella body for all practitioners. One thing our body has been able to help us do is that you cannot censor your movie unless you belong to an association, and these associations submit their names willingly. NFVCB is the government watchdog, so if we have issues with the government, we go to our regulator; if the government has issues with us, they go to the regulator. So, I think it is in the governments best interest to let it be, and they have over 400 staff; how would they dissolve them just like that, he said. Global best practices Blessing Ebigieson, national president of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), said having a stand-alone film classification agency aligned with global best practices for the motion picture industry. She said those considering scrapping or subsuming for the board were inadvertently working to impede the film industry from contributing more to the national economy. The censor board is doing a lot to protect the country and ensure that producers do not produce illicit movies that are detrimental to our children. Imagine if that board had not been allowed to stand on its own all these years to protect the industry and the sensibilities of Nigerians. What would have happened by now? We have a lot of people making movies that need classification, and then by the time you start merging it with other agencies or the ministry, that will bring politics into filmmaking. We as industry players are completely opposed to any move to scrap that board because it is securing the sanity of our industry, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Joe Biden has announced that he will no longer seek re-election. Mr Biden, who has faced criticism from members of his party for what many believe to be a cognitive decline due to his age, 81, announced his decision in a post on X. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, he wrote in a statement posted on X. Mr Biden also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys presidential candidate for the November election. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he posted on X on Sunday. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Mr Bidens support for Ms Harris boosts her chances of becoming the Democratic Partys candidate to challenge ex-President Donald Trump in Novembers election. Mr Trump has been formally declared the candidate of the Republican Party. 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 Criticism Mr Biden has faced criticism from members of his party due to what appears to be a cognitive decline due to his age, 81. Conversations about him dropping out of the race intensified after he struggled to trace his thoughts and articulate his words in a debate with Mr Trump. His campaign team maintained he was not dropping out of the race and attributed the poor performance to bad preparation and exhaustion. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Africas wealthiest man Aliko Dangote said he is willing to give up ownership of his multibillion-dollar oil refinery to the state-owned energy company NNPC Limited. The billionaire spoke as a new dispute with one of the key equity partners in the plant heats up in the latest phase of a bitter row with regulatory authorities in Nigeria. The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, which came to life last year after a decade of prolonged construction, cost $19 billion, more than double the initial estimate, promising to help wean Africas biggest oil producer off its reliance on fuel from overseas and save up 30 per cent of the total foreign exchange spent on importing goods. Let them (NNPCL) buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labelled me a monopolist. Thats an incorrect and unfair allegation, but its OK. If they buy me out, at least, their so-called monopolist would be out of the way, Mr Dangote told PREMIUM TIMES in an exclusive interview on Sunday. We have been facing fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery. The multisectoral investors big bet on oil and gas, which he ventured into following years of relatively stress-free dominance of Nigerias cement, salt and sugar industries, is turning out problematic in its early days. Set for its first roll-out of petrol to the Nigerian market in August, the mammoth plant has been operating just above half its capacity since the January start of refining operations, constrained in part by difficulties in sourcing crude from international producers. 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 Dangote Refinery said those companies are either demanding outrageous premiums before agreeing to supply crude or simply claiming the product is unavailable. NNPC, once a sweetheart of the refiner before the current dispute soured relations, had delivered only 6.9 million barrels of oil to the plant as of May since last year, according to S&P Global Platts, a tracker of supply data. NNPC Limited has a supply deal with the company dating back to the commencement of operations and previously agreed to a 20 per cent equity participation, the refinery saying only 7.2 per cent has been fully paid for before the deadline issued to the company to acquire the stake. Starving the refinery of the feedstock required to keep it running at present capacity means it has turned to countries like Brazil and the US to bridge the gulf in supply. As you probably know, I am 67 years old, in less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I cant take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country, Mr Dangote told PREMIUM TIMES. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs, he added. Mr Dangote said the obstacles his refinery is facing seem to have vindicated friends and associates who conselled him to tread with caution as he pumped billions of dollars into the Nigerian economy. Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his action in the interest of his country. He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups. That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right, the businessman said. Last month, Devakumar Edwin, who serves as the vice president, oil and gas, at the Dangote Group accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of allowing marketers to import dirty fuel into the country. That has drawn a reprisal from the main watchdog of Nigerias midstream and downstream operations whose chief, Farouk Ahmed, claimed diesel from the plant as well as the one from modular refineries like Waltersmith and Aradel contain high sulphur levels. A high sulphur content in fuel could be injurious to vehicle engines and is known to be harmful to the environment in that it further heats up the fast-warming climate. The AGO quality in terms of sulphur is the lowest as far as West Africas requirement of 50 parts per million (ppm). Dangote refinery, as well as some major refineries like Waltersmith refinery, produce between 650 ppm to 1,200 ppm. So, in terms of quality, their quality is much more inferior to the imported quality, Mr Ahmed told journalists last Thursday. On Saturday, Mr Dangote debunked the claim during a tour of both Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex by members of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and other members. The company in a statement said the representatives observed the testing of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) from two petrol stations alongside Dangote Petroleum Refinery, praised the company for its significant investments and contributions to Nigerias development. The Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and Chairman of the House Committee on Midstream, Okojie Odianosen, oversaw the collection of samples from the Mild Hydro Cracking (MHC) unit of Dangote refinery for testing of all the samples, the statement said. Lab tests revealed that Dangotes diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm (parts per million), whereas the other two samples showed sulphur levels exceeding 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm respectively. Dangote emphasised that these findings debunked claims made by Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, who recently asserted that imported diesel surpasses domestically refined products. Ahmed had alleged that Dangote refinery and other modular refineries like Waltersmith and Aradel produced diesel with sulphur content ranging from 650 to 1200 ppma statement criticised by many Nigerians as a tactic to favour imported products over local ones. Mr Dangote openly challenged the regulator to compare the quality of refined products from his refinery with those imported, advocating for an impartial assessment to determine what best serves the interests of Nigeria. On Saturday, the businessman announced plans to halt his investment in Nigerias steel industry to avoid being accused of monopoly. You know, about doing a new business which we announced, that is, steel. Actually, our board has decided that we shouldnt do the steel because if we do the steel business, we will be called all sorts of names like monopoly. And then also, imports will be encouraged, Mr Dangote said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has accused a controversial Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, of murdering and terrorising residents of Nigerias South-east. Governor Mbah spoke on Saturday when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence in Enugu. The lawmakers visited the governor after inspecting the construction of a training institute for the State Security Service (SSS) in the state. Mr Ekpa, a Finland-based Nigerian is a leader of Auto Pilot, a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The Biafra agitator has been linked to some deadly attacks and enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders in the region. IPOB is a group seeking to create an independent state of Biafra from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria. Feeding fat on suffering of Igbos Speaking to the lawmakers, Mr Mbah also accused the Biafra agitator of being a scammer who has been feeding fat on the suffering of Igbos. 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 As you may also have noticed recently, they have continued to make attempts, particularly, that megalomaniac (Ekpa), who ironically resides with his family peacefully in Finland, a country where the rule of law reigns, but he encourages anarchy here and to goad some of our youths to their self-destruction. This is also a business for him (Ekpa), pretending to be fighting for Igbos interest, but does not know anything about the Igbo or have their interest at heart, he said. The governor boasted that his administration had ended the illegal sit-at-home in the state and will remain determined to ensure the safety of all residents. He also called on young people in the South-east not to yield to Mr Ekpas antics and vowed that the state government would not be intimidated by the agitators threats. He (Ekpa) creates some kind of siege atmosphere and thrives on it to make a living, continuing to extort and exploit our people, who may not be aware and telling them that he is fighting for their interest, he stated. Repatriation Mr Mbah asked the lawmakers to consider repatriating Mr Ekpa to Nigeria for prosecution. The governor expressed displeasure that the Finnish government has continued to harbour the Biafra agitator while his foot soldiers kill many residents and destroy properties in the region. It is surprising that the Finnish government allows this man to reside peacefully in their country and then perpetrate terrorism in Nigeria. And I think this is something your committee may have to wade into and see how this guy can be repatriated and then be brought to justice, he said. Through his (Ekpa) statements and his actions, a lot of people have died and he continues in that trajectory. So, this is a tragedy that we must all work as a country to end. He doesnt represent the Igbo interest. The governor assured the lawmakers of his administrations readiness to assist in the early completion of the SSS training institute, adding that security is too important to be left entirely to one tier of government. Responding, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee, Ahmed Satomi, assured of their readiness to work with the governor to ensure security and development in the state. Mr Satomi appealed to the governor to assist them in ensuring early completion of the SSS institute. The committee chairperson explained that Mr Mbahs assistance will help to actualise his administrations lofty vision for the state. Ekpa reacts Reacting in a post on his X handle on Sunday morning, Mr Ekpa suggested that Mr Mbah was among those allegedly killing South-east residents. He did not specifically deny or admit the allegations of terrorism and murder against him. The Biafra agitator claimed the governor was simply expressing fear for the next sit-at-home order which he (Ekpa) and his group will declare shortly in the region. The killers of Biafra people are in serious panic again over our upcoming sit-at-home. They have activated again, he wrote on the microblogging platform, in response to the governors remark. Biafra agitators often refer to indigenes of South-east and south-south Nigeria as Biafra people or Biafrans. In a post, Mr Ekpa suggested that he and his group would unleash more terror in the region. They will see our madness in the coming days, he threatened. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, says he will halt his plans to invest in Nigerias steel industry to avoid being accused of monopoly. Mr Dangote disclosed this while addressing journalists at the refinery on Saturday. The business tycoon had earlier announced plans to invest in the countrys steel industry and expand the economy. On Saturday, Mr Dangote said the companys board decided against the steel investment to avoid the accusations of being considered monopolistic. You know, about doing a new business which we announced, that is, steel. Actually, our board has decided that we shouldnt do the steel because if we do the steel business, we will be called all sorts of names like monopoly. And then also, imports will be encouraged, Mr Dangote said. He urged other Nigerians to invest in the industry to help boost the countrys economy. So we dont want to go into that. Let other Nigerians go and do it because we are not the only Nigerians here. Some Nigerians may even have more cash than us. They should bring that money from Dubai and other parts of the world and come and invest in our own fatherland, 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 Mr Dangote said the country has been faced with petrol queues since 1972. This country has been having petrol queues since 1972. So 1972 till date is 52 years, and we are still having the same issue. Just for the fact that we are ready and about to start everybody is now up and about. Yes, but we know that what is giving us a lot of joy is that we know that the majority of the population are with us and, so we are not discouraged. We will continue what we are doing, he added. Speaking further, Mr Dangote said petrol production in the refinery was disrupted due to the recent fire incident that occurred at the refinery. PMS was supposed to be out by July, but we had a fire incident. The incident disrupted us for a few days, but on the latest 10th or 12th of August, PMS will be ready, he said. Background Last month, the Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria of doing everything to frustrate the survival of Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals. He said the IOCs are deliberately frustrating the refinerys efforts to buy local crude by jerking up the high premium price above the market price, thereby forcing it to import crude from countries as far as the United States, with its attendant high costs. Speaking to a group of energy editors at a one-day training programme organised by the Dangote Group at the time, Mr Edwin also lamented the activity of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in granting licences indiscriminately to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country. Responding to the claim at the time, the NMDPRA said there is no dirty fuel being imported into the country, noting that it takes seriously its statutory mandate to ensure that only quality petroleum products are supplied and consumed in Nigeria. The NMDPRA explained that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of state in 2020 endorsed a declaration adopting the Afri-5 fuel roadmap that requires that certain products have a minimum 50 parts per million (ppm) litres of sulphur. Last Wednesday, Mr Edwin insisted that IOCs operating in Nigeria have consistently frustrated the companys requests for locally produced crude as feedstock for its refining process. Mr Edwins response came against the background of a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe. Mr Komolafe had, in an interview on ARISE News TV, said that it is erroneous for one to say that the IOCs are refusing to make crude oil available to domestic refiners, as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has a stipulation that calls for a willing buyer willing seller relationship. Mr Edwin stated that IOCs prefer to sell crude to international trading arms, who then sell it at a margin. He highlighted that when cargoes are offered to the oil company by the trading arms, it is sometimes at a $2-$4 (per barrel) premium above the official price set by NUPRC. The NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, while speaking to the state house correspondents last Thursday, said the refinery is still at the pre-commissioning stage and has not yet been licensed. Mr Ahmed said the allegations raised by the refinery that its operations are being scuttled owing to a lack of supply of crude oil by IOCs are untrue, noting that Mr Dangote is requesting that the regulatory suspend or stop all importation of petroleum products, especially automotive gas oil (AGO) or jet kero and direct all marketers to the refinery. The House of Representatives had resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged conspiracy by IOCs against the refinery. The resolution follows a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) on Thursday. In the motion, Mr Chinda said the alleged conspiracy undermines the refinerys performance from complete optimisation. The alleged conspiracy against Dangote refinery relates to efforts by the IOCs to deliberately frustrate the refinerys ability to buy local crude oil by manipulating and increasing the premium price above the market price, he said. Mr Chinda added that whilst the IOCs are keen on exporting raw materials to their home countries and thus creating wealth and employment for their countries, thereby adding to their GDP, Nigeria continues to be a dumping ground for refined products, thus making us dependent on imported petroleum products. Consequently, the House urged the federal government, the NUPRC, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and well-meaning Nigerians to support Dangote Refinery to succeed. The refinery The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel in January. Announcing the commencement of production, the company said the refinery had received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs 25 kilometres from the shore. The first crude delivery was done on 12 December 2023, and the sixth cargo was delivered on 8 January. The company made a further move towards the commencement of the production of refined petroleum products with the receipt of an additional one million barrels of bonny light crude supplied by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd). In April, the company commenced supplying petroleum products to the local market. Last month, Mr Dangote said that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, refined at the refinery, will hit the market by July. NNPC Limited had earlier announced plans to acquire a 20 per cent stake in the refinery. However, last Sunday, Mr Dangote said NNPC Ltd now owns only 7.2 per cent stake in the refinery due to its failure to pay the balance of its share, which was due in June. The agreement was actually 20 per cent, which we had with NNPC, and they did not pay the balance of the money up till last year, and then we gave them another extension up till June (2024), and they said that they would remain where they have already paid which is 7.2 per cent. So NNPC, the government (sic) owns only 7.2 per cent, not 20 per cent, Mr Dangote said, according to reports. Confirming the development in a statement, the NNPC Ltd said its period assessment of the investment portfolio led to the decline in its share of the refinery. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Joe Biden has endorsed his deputy, Kamala Harris, to be the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party for the November presidential election. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Biden withdrew from the race Sunday evening following criticisms from members of his party over his cognitive abilities. He announced his withdrawal from the race on X and also announced his endorsement of Kamala Harris on X. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made, Mr Biden wrote. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. The Democratic Party will have to elect another candidate on or before its August convention to face Republican Party candidate Donald Trump and others. Harris Accepts nomination Ms Harris has accepted the nomination and declared interest to run for president. 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 am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she said in a statement. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Clinton, other democrats endorse Harris Meanwhile, top democrats including Bill and Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren have endorsed Ms Harris, 59, to represent the Democratic Party in the coming presidential elections. We are honoured to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, Mr and Mrs Clinton said in a statement posted on X. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends Ms Warren said the vice president can unite the Democratic Party to take on Mr Trump, the partys major threat in the coming elections. I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion, Ms Warren posted on X. The Clintons expressed worry over a possible second Trump presidency. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution, the statement added. Before he finally stepped down, Mr. Bidens candidacy was already dividing the Democratic Party and threatening its chances in Novembers presidential elections. His subpar performance during a debate with Mr Trump two weeks ago had some members calling for a last-minute change in the partys nomination. Mr Biden, 81, struggled to articulate himself during the debate due to what appears to be a cognitive decline. But his campaign team blamed the performance on exhaustion and bad preparation, insisting he was not dropping out of the race. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Israeli fighter jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemens Hodeidah port on Saturday, killing at least three people and wounding 87, a day after a drone launched by the Iranian-backed group hit Israeli economic hub Tel Aviv. Most of the wounded suffered severe burns in air strikes that targeted oil facilities and a power station, Al-Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by Yemens Houthi movement, quoted the health ministry as saying. Hodeidah residents told Reuters by phone that explosions were heard throughout the city during an intensive bombardment, and Al-Masirah TV said civil defence forces and firefighters were trying to extinguish fires in the ports oil tanks. Israels military spokesperson said the port had been used by the Houthis to receive weapons shipments from Iran. The targets, more than 1,700 km (1,056 miles) from Israel, included dual-use sites such as energy infrastructure, he said. Israel had informed allies before the strike, which the military said was carried out by Israeli F-15 fighters that all returned safely. The Houthis Supreme Political Council said there would be an effective response to the strikes. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the Houthis will not hesitate to strike vital targets of the Israeli enemy. 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 strike on Yemen, which Israeli officials said came after more than 200 Houthi attacks on Israel, underlined fears that the Gaza war triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October, could spiral into a regional conflict. The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement. The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required. On Friday, a long-range Iranian-made drone launched from Yemen hit the centre of Tel Aviv in an attack claimed by the Houthis, killing one man and wounding four others. That attack followed an escalation in the daily exchange of fire between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon and came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to travel to Washington, where he is due to address the US Congress. Mr Netanyahu called on the international community to step up pressure on Tehran and its proxies the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah and, in so doing, help secure international trade routes. Whoever wants to see a stable and safe Middle East needs to stand against Irans axis of evil, and support Israels struggle against Iran and its proxies, Mr Netanyahu said. Meanwhile, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, condemned the Israeli attacks and warned against the risk of escalation of tension and the spread of war in the region as a result of the dangerous adventurism of the Zionists, Iranian state media reported. In a statement, Hezbollah also condemned the attack on Hodeidah, describing it as a foolish step that marks a new and dangerous phase of the extremely important ongoing confrontation. As the war in Gaza has gone on, the Houthis have stepped up attacks against Israel and Western targets, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians. They began attacking Western ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Their attacks have upended global trade by forcing ship owners to reroute vessels away from the vital Suez Canal shortcut, and drawn retaliatory U.S. and British strikes since February. A brutal Israeli aggression targeted civilian buildings, oil facilities and power station in Hodeidah aiming at pressuring Yemen to stop supporting Gaza, Mohammed Abdulsalam, chief negotiator for the Houthi movement, said on X. He said the attack would only increase our determination, steadfastness, (and) continuity. A Saudi ministry of defence spokesperson said that the kingdom was not involved in or participating in the targeting of Hodeidah, adding Saudi Arabia will not allow its airspace to be infiltrated by any party whatsoever. Egypt, which has been trying to help broker a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, said it was following with great concern the Israeli strike. Hamas stormed Israeli towns on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, nearly 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels assault on the Gaza Strip, according to health authorities in the enclave. (Reuters/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A direct air cargo route linking Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the Georgian capital Tbilisi was launched on Saturday, according to SF Airlines. Two round-trip flights are scheduled to shuttle between Urumqi and Tbilisi every week on this route, providing more than 100 tonnes of air cargo transport capacity, said the air cargo carrier. The air route will mainly carry imported and exported e-commerce goods and other general cargo. Xinjiang now serves as a comprehensive logistics hub connecting Europe and Asia. This cargo route will contribute to the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative by facilitating commerce and trade through efficient air logistics, said the airline. With 87 freighters, SF Airlines is China's largest air cargo carrier in terms of fleet size. The company is committed to continuously enhancing its international air cargo transport capacity and launching more routes, said SF Airlines. The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold Nigerias state governors, their deputies and others to account over cases of electoral violence, bribery, vote-buying, and conspiracy during the chaotic 2023 general elections. The court ordered INEC to ensure the appointment of independent counsel to investigate cases of electoral violence and other electoral offences against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections. The court also ordered INEC to to promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate cases of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections and to identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors and ensure their effective prosecution. The judgment was delivered last Thursday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu following a mandamus lawsuit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/583/2023, brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). Justice Egwuatu also ordered INEC to swiftly prosecute all arrested offenders in the 2023 general elections in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other law enforcement agencies. In his judgment, Justice Egwuatu held that, I have compassionately evaluated the depositions in the affidavit of SERAP and I have no reason not to believe the depositions more so when there are documentary evidence in support of the depositions. Justice Egwuatu also stated that, In the circumstances therefore, I find merit in the application. The sole issue of whether this Court ought to grant the relief of judicial review and orders of mandamus is resolved in favour of SERAP. Accordingly, I grant the prayers sought. 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 Justice Egwuatus judgment, dated 18 July 2024, read in part: Being citizens of this great country, SERAP and its members have the legal interest whose enjoyment or enforcement directly or substantially depends on the performance of public duty by INEC. In requesting the performance of the public duty imposed on the electoral body, SERAP has demonstrated a great zeal of patriotism. The substance of SERAPs grouse is the violence associated with elections in Nigeria which tends to prevent citizens from exercising their franchise during elections, thus preventing credible election and in the long run credible leaders. There is no gainsaying the fact that electoral violence and the associated crimes committed during elections in Nigeria is a great bane to the development of this country both democratically and economically. SERAP has also shown vide exhibit A8, a letter addressed to INEC requesting amongst other things the appointment of independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences, including bribery, conspiracy, and undue influence against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections. Exhibit A8 is thus a distinct and clear demand for the performance of the duty made by SERAP. The electoral body till the date of filing the action failed to, refused and or neglected to carry out or perform the duty requested by SERAP. There is no doubt that the Electoral Act 2022 creates some electoral offences. Sections 123, 124, 125, 126 127, 128 and 129 are some of the provisions of the Electoral Act that created some specific electoral offences. Trial of offences created by the Electoral Act are done in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. See Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act. By section 145(2) of the same Act, prosecution for the offences shall be undertaken by legal officers of INEC or any legal practitioner appointed by INEC. Clearly therefore, the law imposes on INEC the performance of a public duty. Section 24(d) and (e) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] recognizes the rights of citizens to take steps towards advancing the community where he resides. The section provides that it shall be the duty of every citizen to-(d) make positive and useful contribution to the advancement of progress and well-being of the community where he resides; (e) render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order. By the provision of order 34 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, this court is empowered to grant an order of mandamus, prohibition or certiorari in the manner set out in the order. On an application for judicial review, any relief mentioned in rule 1 of order 34 may be claimed as an alternative or in addition to any other relief so mentioned if it arises out of, relates to or is connected with the same matter. An order mandamus lies to compel the performance of a public duty at the instance of a person who has sufficient legal interest in the performance of that public duty. Where a public duty is imposed on a public or government body, authority, department or official and the authority, department or official refuses or fails to perform that duty, an order of mandamus would issue to compel that body, authority, department or official to carry out that duty in respect of a person whose interest is directly and substantially affected by the refusal or failure to perform that duty. I must say that the entirety of the facts deposed to by SERAP were not controverted by INEC. It is trite that depositions in affidavit on material facts resolve applications in court. Where depositions on material facts in an affidavit in support of an application are not denied by the adverse party filing a counter-affidavit, such facts not denied in the affidavit in support remain correct position and the court acts on them except they are moonshine. While it is generally well settled that unopposed averments in an affidavit will be deemed admitted, it is also trite that the court has a duty to evaluate the unopposed averments and determine whether, as they stand, they justify the grant of the reliefs sought. The mere fact that the averments are not denied does not mean that the court must accept them without more. The averments, even if accepted by the court must be cogent and credible. If the court is not so satisfied, the application will be refused. SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: This ground-breaking judgment is an important milestone for Nigerians right to free and fair elections, and for victims of electoral offences in their search for justice, truth and reparations for the crimes which took place during the 2023 general elections. Justice Egwuatus judgment now provides a binding precedent for INEC to immediately pursue justice for those who suffered egregious abuses in Nigerias 2023 general elections. We commend Justice Egwuatu for his wisdom and courage, and his landmark decision. Respecting and implementing Justice Egwuatus judgment is imperative for protecting the rights of Nigerians to a free and fair election and reinforcing the primacy of the Nigerian Constitution, Electoral Act and the countrys international obligations. We urge INEC to immediately obey the court orders. The effective enforcement of Justice Egwuatus judgment will break with decades of impunity for electoral offences in Nigeria. In the letter dated 20 July 2024 sent to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, INEC on the judgment, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, We urge you to demonstrate your expressed commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court. SERAPs letter, read in part: We urge you to approach the Chief Justice of the Federation as required under section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act for the authorization of an independent counsel to investigate cases of electoral offences against governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections, as ordered by the court. We also urge you to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other law enforcement agencies to prosecute the perpetrators and sponsors of electoral offences during the 2023 general elections, as ordered by the court. The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment by INEC will be a victory for the rule of law, fair, representative and violent-free elections in Nigeria. It would also advance Nigerians right to freely participate in their own government. By immediately complying with the judgment, you will show Nigerians that the electoral body is willing and able to end many years of brazen impunity for electoral offences in the country. Immediately implementing the judgment will restore public trust and confidence in Nigerias electoral process. It will also ensure compliance with constitutional provisions, international standards and the Electoral Act. SERAP trusts that you will see compliance with this judgment as a central aspect of electoral reform, and an important opportunity for INEC to assert its independence and authority. We therefore look forward to your positive response and action on the judgment. Nigeria has a history of flawed elections marred by electoral violence, bribery, vote-buying, undue influence and other grave electoral offences. SERAP filed the suit against INEC to compel the electoral body to perform its constitutional and statutory duties to ensure the prosecution of suspected perpetrators of electoral offences and their sponsors during the 2023 elections. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has expressed dismay over the partys inability to take part in Saturdays local elections in the state, blaming the development on its leadership crisis. The All Progressives Congress won in all the 171 wards of the 13 councils of the state. Steve Oruruo, the chairperson of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that the party was not happy with the situation. Mr Oruruo said he and his executive were doing their best to bring the party back to life in Ebonyi. He urged members to be more united. We are not happy for not fielding a candidate. Of course, you must build your house before you can nominate candidates for elections. Our party faces many challenges, ranging from a leadership crisis. I encourage our members to be focused in oneness. Right now, we are building a strong platform to ensure that our party is stronger and united for a better Ebonyi and Nigeria at large. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It is not good to have a one-party system in Ebonyi. And thats not good for democracy, Mr Oruruo added. James Igwe, a political analyst, accused the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission of not being fair to other political parties in the state during the election process. READ ALSO: APC sweeps Ebonyi local election Mr Igwe urged the commission to support democratic development by conducting credible elections in the state. NAN reports that it could not immediately reach the Chairperson of the election commission, Jossy Eze, for comment as his phone line was switched off. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Senate President Godswill Akpabio misinformed Nigerians about legislative activities in the upper chamber during the Sixth and Seventh Assemblies of the Senate led by David Mark, a PREMIUM TIMES fact-check shows. Mr Mark, a retired Nigerian Army brigadier-general, served as the senate president between 2007 and 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was a five-term Benue South senator from 1999 to 2019. Last Thursday, during the plenary, Mr Akpabio said the Senate, under Mr Marks leadership, held plenaries from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to make the timing convenient for the lawmakers. The Claim The senate president said the official time for plenary under Mr Marks leadership was 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. When Distinguished Senator Mark was senate president and even the practice, he met on the ground; Senate was sitting at 2 Oclock because they used the morning period to meet with the diplomatic communities, to do a lot of engagements with the civil servants and public officers and then they start their sitting by 2 Oclock. Officially, they had 2 Oclock to 5 p.m., and I know that many of you also would like to do the same, meet with most of the agencies, conclude, even open your public hearings before coming for sittings, but it is not for the public to know because the public only thinks that we sit here alone, Mr Akpabio said. The senate president spoke when the lawmakers debated a proposal to reschedule their plenary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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 Checking the Claim To fact-check the claim by Mr Akpabio, PREMIUM TIMES utilised human and official documentary sources. The first is the Senate Rule which was the official document that guided the activities of the Senate under Mr Mark. This newspaper also reviewed the Votes and Proceedings which is the official record of the daily happenings at the Senate on the days that plenary was held. This newspaper then spoke to a senator who was a lawmaker when Mr Mark was senate president, as well as journalists and civil society activists who covered the Senate during the period. The Findings According to the Senate Standing Rule in the Sixth and Seventh Assembly, plenary started at 10 a.m. Rule 8 sub-section (2) of the Senate Standing Rule (as amended) states: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Senate shall meet at 10:00 a.m. and unless previously adjourned shall sit until 2:00 p.m., unless before a substantive motion had been moved by the Leader of the Senate or a Senator acting in that capacity that this Senate do now adjourn and if such a motion be moved and if the question thereon has not previously been determined, at 2:00 p.m. the President of the Senate shall adjourn the Senate without question being put. A review of the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate under Mr Mark from 2008 to 2010 showed that, on no occasion, did the plenary start at 2 p.m. and end at 5 p.m., as Mr Akpabio claimed. Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate spokesperson during the Seventh Assembly, confirmed this newspapers observation. Mr Abaribe, a serving senator for Abia South, told our reporter that the official time for plenary under Mr Mark was 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No, the official time for plenary under David Mark was 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., he said. An aide to Mr Mark, who requested not to be named because he was not authorised to speak, also confirmed that his principal never convened the upper chamber from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout his tenure. It is not correct, the aide told PREMIUM TIMES. From 2011 to 2015, there was not a time the plenary was altered. If there were a need to extend the time during plenary, the senate leader would raise a point of order to that effect, he added. The President of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Ifeanyi Odili, said the Senate under Mr Mark never sat from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mr Odili said he regularly observed the Sixth and Seventh Senate plenaries. Also, National Assembly workers, who pleaded anonymity because they were not authorised to speak, and some journalists who covered the upper legislative chamber at the time told this newspaper that Mr Mark did not deviate from the set rules regarding the sittings at any time. ThisDay Newspaper correspondent in the Senate, Sunday Aborisade, said Mr Mark was always punctual and kept the time for plenaries the same. It never happened. The plenary under David Mark was not from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It was from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I was a regular observer because there were always important stories from the plenary that no medium would want to miss. It can never be possible because he was always punctual and conscious of time. He was a very disciplined man, Mr Aborisade said. Uwoma Pius, another journalist who also covered the Senate when Mr Mark led, said the former senate president always arrived at the chamber 10 minutes before 10:00 a.m. for plenary on legislative days. The time for plenary then was 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. His leadership was the best time and the most punctual Senate we have ever recorded, Mr Pius said. Verdict The claim by Mr Akpabio that the Senate under David Mark held plenary from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. is false. This is confirmed by documentary and human sources reviewed by this newspaper. Repeated misinformation Mr Akpabios claim is not the first time he would misinform his colleagues and Nigerians. During a plenary in February, Mr Akpabio claimed that state governors received N30 billion each from the Federation Account to tackle the high cost of food in their respective states. It turned out to be false. The governors criticised him, and he subsequently apologised for the action. Consequences of Akpabios gaffes Mr Odili said misinformation from the senate president, who is Nigerias third citizen, will affect the reputation and credibility of the countrys National Assembly. He also said citizens, researchers and diplomats would no longer trust Nigerian leaders. Inaccurate or misleading information can lead to ill-informed decisions, which can have far-reaching and detrimental effects on the country. It can erode trust among members, stakeholders, and the public, making it challenging to build consensus and pass legislation. It can also cause confusion, leading to delays or blockages in the legislative process, hindering the assemblys ability to address critical issues. If information is not accurate, it can cause misallocation of resources, leading to inefficiencies and wastage. Capping it all, the National Assemblys reputation can suffer if misleading information is grounded, undermining its credibility and legitimacy, he said. Mr Odili also maintained that the countrys democracy may be threatened if the senate president continues to spread misinformation. Act of deceit cannot promote democracy. A situation where the senate president is misleading Nigerians with wrong information cannot foster the democracy of our dreams. There was seriousness and promptness in the business of the Red Chamber during David Marks Senate Presidency. There was diligence and hard work. To tell Nigerians that the Red Chamber commenced plenaries between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. under David Mark is misleading and deceptive aimed at promoting laziness at the Senate, the CD leader said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Sunday to Tuesday across the country. NiMet`s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja forecast thunderstorms on Sunday with rains over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe, and Yobe States during the morning hours. Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over the entire northern region. Rains are expected over the North Central region in the morning hours. Moderate thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Benue and Kogi states. Intermittent rains are anticipated in the morning hours over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta states, it said. According to it, intermittent rains are expected to prevail over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa states during the afternoon/evening hours. The agency predicted morning thunderstorms on Monday with rains over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kaduna, Borno, Taraba and Katsina States. 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 NiMet envisaged moderate thunderstorms later in the day over parts of Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa and Katsina States. The agency anticipated rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Plateau states during the morning hours. It predicted moderate thunderstorms with rains later in the day over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger and Kogi States. There are prospects of intermittent rains over parts of Edo, Rivers and Delta states with Cloudy atmosphere over the remaining southern states. Later in the day, moderate/intermittent rains are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Rivers States, it said. According to NiMet, morning thunderstorms are predicted on Tuesday with rains over parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, and Taraba States. The agency forecast thunderstorms over the entire northern region later in the day. It predicted rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger and Kwara states with cloudy skies over the remaining states during the morning hours. In the afternoon or evening hours, intermittent rains are expected over part of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara and Niger states. There are prospects of morning rains over parts of Edo, Delta, Imo and Anambra States with cloudy skies anticipated over the remaining parts of the southern region. Later in the day, intermittent rains are expected over parts of Ondo, Edo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Bayelsa states, it said. READ ALSO: Senate urges NiMet to make flooding predictions available to Nigerians NiMet advised the public to take adequate precautions as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur. It further advised the residents to avoid flood-prone areas as there is a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to downpours. Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities. Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng. Public and Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations, it said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Army says its troops have successfully dislodged and destroyed a terrorist camp belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The army posted on its official X-handle on Saturday that the operation was conducted early in the day in the Ezere Forest of Umuawa Aku, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo. It said the operation, which also extended into Akawa Nnneato and Lomara communities in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia, resulted in the capture of a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and other assorted items. It said the troops acting on actionable intelligence regarding the harassment and intimidation of local residents by the terrorist elements, swiftly mobilised to neutralise the threat. According to the post, troops, on arrival, engaged the terrorists in a fierce shootout, dislodging them from their camp. It added that the troops exploited their success and gave the fleeing terrorists a hot pursuit, compelling them to abandon a significant cache of arms. These, it said, include one GPMG, assorted rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles, and two communication radios. 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 operation underscores the Nigerian armys undeterred commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region. Troops will be decisive in dismantling any threat to ensure the safety of the communities. This significant operation serves as a testament to the armys dedication to protecting civilians and combating terrorism. The successful operation has not only served to disrupt the activities of the terrorist group but also sends a strong message on the armys resolve to restore and maintain order in the affected areas, it said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Saturday said products refined at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the worlds largest single train refinery, are of superior quality compared to imported equivalents and meet international standards. A statement by the Dangote Group on Sunday said the billionaire businessman made the remark after the leadership of the House of Representatives insisted on testing other diesel products, alongside Dangotes diesel at the refinerys state-of-the-art laboratory. The statement further reads, During a tour of both Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex by members of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and other members who observed the testing of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) from two petrol stations alongside Dangote Petroleum Refinery, praised the company for its significant investments and contributions to Nigerias development. The diesel samples were procured from two well-known filling stations near Eleko junction along the Lekki Epe Expressway, by the visiting lawmakers. The Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and Chairman of the House Committee on Midstream, Okojie Odianosen, oversaw the collection of samples from the Mild Hydro Cracking (MHC) unit of Dangote refinery for testing of all the samples. Lab tests revealed that Dangotes diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm (parts per million), whereas the other two samples showed sulphur levels exceeding 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm respectively. Dangote emphasised that these findings debunked claims made by Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, who recently asserted that imported diesel surpasses domestically refined products. Ahmed had alleged that Dangote refinery and other modular refineries like Waltersmith and Aradel produced diesel with sulphur content ranging from 650 to 1200 ppma statement criticised by many Nigerians as a tactic to favour imported products over local ones. 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 Dangote openly challenged the regulator to compare the quality of refined products from his refinery with those imported, advocating for an impartial assessment to determine what best serves the interests of Nigerians. We produce the best diesel in Nigeria. Its disheartening that instead of safeguarding the market, the regulator is undermining it. Our doors are open for the regulator to conduct tests on our products anytime; transparency is paramount to us. It would be beneficial for the regulator to showcase its laboratory to the world so Nigerians can compare. Our interest is Nigeria first because if Nigeria doesnt grow, we have limited capacity for growth. Right Honourable Speaker and esteemed members, youve witnessed the results of the credibility test. I appreciate your wise counsel in procuring samples from the filling stations alongside our refinerys product. Ours shows a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, approximately 88, whereas the others exceeded 1,800 ppm. Although the NMDPRA permits local refiners to produce diesel with sulphur content up to 650 ppm until January 2025, as approved by ECOWAS, ours is significantly lower. Next week, we aim to achieve 10 ppm, aligning with the Euro V standard. Imported diesel is capped at 50 ppm, but as youve seen, those from the stations, imported by major marketers, fall well outside this standard. Dangote pointed out that high-sulphur content diesel regularly imported into the country often comes with dubious certifications. He emphasised that the most effective method to verify the quality is to purchase the product directly from filling stations and conduct credibility tests. According to him, this issue has resulted in both health risks and financial losses for Nigerians. Dubious certifications often accompany the importation of high-sulphur diesel into Nigeria, causing both health risks and financial losses for Nigerians, Mr Dangote said. The best method to verify this is to purchase the product directly from filling stations where end-users obtain it. I believe Farouk Ahmed speaks without sufficient knowledge of our refinery. We have successfully exported diesel and jet fuel to Europe and Asia without any complaints; in fact, we have received repeated orders, indicating satisfaction with our products. Supporting Dangotes assertion, VP of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, highlighted recent actions by European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands. These countries have expressed concerns about the carcinogenic effects of high-sulphur diesel being dumped into the Nigerian market, prompting them to impose bans on such fuel exports to West Africa. Mr Edwin informed the federal lawmakers that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is designed to process a wide range of crudes including various African and Middle Eastern crudes, as well as US Light Tight Oil, conforms to Euro V specifications. In addition, he said, it is designed to comply with US EPA, European emission norms, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms, and African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards. Noting that products from the $20 billion facility are of high quality and meet international standards, Edwin said it has the capacity to meet 100% of Nigerias demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation Jet, with surpluses available for export. The Groups VP, Olakunle Alake, expressed disappointment over accusations of monopoly against the Dangote Group. He stressed that there are multiple players in the industry, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which operates four refineries. Expressing concern over the controversy surrounding the quality of imported refined products into Nigeria, Speaker Abass stated that the Green Chamber would establish a committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. He emphasised that sampled products from various sources would undergo testing as part of this initiative. The Speaker also expressed admiration for the infrastructure at the Dangote Oil Refinery, describing it as a significant asset in Nigerias quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum products. He noted that the refinery has positioned itself as a pivotal player, especially at a time when global concerns over energy security and sustainability are paramount. Todays visit to the magnificent facilities of Dangote Industries Oil Refinery section has been nothing short of enlightening. It has afforded us a rare opportunity to witness first-hand the monumental strides that your organisation has made in transforming the landscape of petroleum production in Nigeria. The sheer scale and sophistication of this facility are awe-inspiring; it stands as a beacon of hope for our country as we navigate through the turbulent waters of energy supply challenges, he said. Commending the state-of-the-art technology implemented at the petroleum refinery, Mr Abbas praised it as revolutionary and a shining example of engineering and innovation excellence. Each corner of this facility resonates with the echoes of hard work, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of quality. It is evident that every drop produced here carries not just oil but also the hopes and dreams of millions who yearn for a brighter future. We are deeply impressed by what we have seen during this visit which confirms the rating of this industry as the single largest oil refinery in Africa. This remarkable achievement does not merely reflect corporate success; it symbolises national pride, a tribute to what can be accompanied when visionary leadership meets relentless determination, he said. Acknowledging the numerous challenges likely encountered during the construction of the refinery, the Speaker lauded Dangote for his steadfast commitment to achieving excellence. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the myriad challenges that have beset this remarkable facility. The regulatory hurdles that often loom like dark clouds over progress, the complexities surrounding crude oil supplies that can stifle even the most ambitious endeavours, and the daunting economic landscape we navigate especially in these times when our economy grapples with foreign exchange constraints are all formidable adversaries. Yet, despite these tribulations, your unwavering commitment to excellence shines through, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Residents of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State blocked major roads on Saturday as they protested bandits operations in some communities in the area. The protesters called on the government to intensify efforts to protect their lives and property. The residents blocked the ever-busy Marabar-Kankara to Katsina and Kano state roads, as well as the road linking Malumfashi to Funtua and Kaduna State. One of the residents, Muhammad Sabiu, said they want the government to hasten to tackle the problem because what is happening in these areas is bad. The most affected areas include Malumfashi West, Burdugau, Unguwar-danguna, Yar-teba, Dangume, up to Yargoje. Right now, there are corpses of people killed by the bandits in the bush, and they have prevented us from evacuating them. The killings happened three days ago. That is what is happening day and night in our communities. 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 are calling on the government and the authorities concerned to hasten intensifying measures to curtail the problem. They have even prevented some of us from farming, so life in those places has become extremely difficult, he said. Another resident, Salmanu Yusuf, said: We blocked the roads to show our sadness over the high rate of insecurity in the communities. Most of the children around us are orphans, and they dont have food to eat, so we need urgent support. On his part, Sagir Saad decried the high rate of insecurity in their areas. Right now, there are over 12 corpses of people killed by the bandits that have not been evacuated, he bemoaned. When contacted, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Muazu-Danmusa, said the government was addressing the issues raised by the protesters. It was over, and the protesters were already addressed by the Galadiman Katsina, District Head of Malumfashi, he said. It would be recalled that the North-West Governors Forum and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently organised a security summit to address the lingering insecurity in the zone. The two-day summit, held in Katsina on 24 June, had the theme: Regional Cooperation for securing lives and livelihoods. Governor Dikko Radda, the forums chairman, stressed the importance of confronting the menace collectively, saying, because it is a concern to all. Mr Radda said their goal was to provide peace and ensure the security of lives and property in the region. Various stakeholders discussed the problem extensively and proffered solutions. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Whether these other requirements are part of a scheme to defraud Nigerian applicants or not, is not my primary focus, but the insult of the UAE banning Nigerians in the first place. This rudeness was compounded by the fact that the ban remained even after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had personally intervened when he met the UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 11 September, 2023. I am bemused by the sense of elation exhibited by some government officials and elites that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the entry ban on Nigerians. Immediately the announcement was made this Monday, 15 July, some Nigerian officials started falling over themselves to assure the UAE that Nigerians would be of good behaviour, while pledging to strengthen partnership with it. The lifting of the ban, which ordinarily should be a non-issue, took over our airwaves and the media. Then there was the accompanying melodrama that, whether in truth, apart from visa fees, the UAE is also demanding that each Nigerian applicant provides a six-month bank statement showing a minimum of a $10,000 balance, and pays N640,000 per person for a document verification number. Whether these other requirements are part of a scheme to defraud Nigerian applicants or not, is not my primary focus, but the insult of the UAE banning Nigerians in the first place. This rudeness was compounded by the fact that the ban remained even after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had personally intervened when he met the UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 11 September, 2023. As someone who had frequently visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi mainly on-stop over trips, and stayed a few weeks on two occasions, I could not understand why some Nigerians are fascinated with a country in which Africans are, at best, fourth class citizens. UAE unofficially rates its citizens as first class, fellow Arabs as second, Europeans and Americans as third, and Africans as fourth, if not fifth, after all the other people. Most Nigerians I met in that country were either traders at the Deira Markets or taxi drivers. UAE goods were not really cheap; how can they when the country is not a manufacturing hub? In terms of trade, the UAE export to Nigeria in 2022 totalled $653 million. The breakdown showed that the main product exported was refined petroleum, at $352 million. This was due to the gross ineptitude of our elites that ensured that despite Nigeria being an oil producing country, we do not locally refine our petroleum product needs. The second UAE export was broadcasting equipment worth $159 million. This, from a country that in 2022 imported $20.3 billion worth of broadcasting equipment, while it exported $17.7 billion. The third exports were cars worth $149 million, from a country whose cars are manufactured by Nissan and Toyota. 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 Except that in comparison with Nigeria, UAE has a disciplined elite that has used its oil wealth to develop their country; that country has little or nothing to teach Nigeria. If anything, Nigeria has a lot to teach the UAE in terms of comportment and civilised behaviour in the international arena. Comparatively, Nigerias export to UAE was $752 million, with gold accounting for $489 million. Ironically, Nigerians travel to Dubai to buy the same gold! The UAE did not export any services to Nigeria because that country itself depends on imported labour. As late as 2019, the UAE population of 9.8 million was made up of 8.8 million migrants. Migrants made up 90 per cent of its total workforce. In reflecting this reality, I recall a professor from the American University Dubai, at a training workshop in Dubai, telling us that the joke amongst his colleagues was their reference to EMIRATE as an acronym for English-Managed, Indian-Run, Arabs Take Everything. Another added that EMIRATES is actually an acronym describing the migrants condition: English-Managed, Indian-Run, A Thousand Expatriates Suffering. Some Nigerians buy property in UAE and I wonder why. This is because except for the freehold areas introduced in 2002, if you are a foreigner, the ownership of your property expires in 50 years after which it reverts to the original owners. Except that in comparison with Nigeria, UAE has a disciplined elite that has used its oil wealth to develop their country; that country has little or nothing to teach Nigeria. If anything, Nigeria has a lot to teach the UAE in terms of comportment and civilised behaviour in the international arena. Internationally, the UAE is predatory; it plays hyena diplomacy. In 2011, it contributed 12 aircraft to bomb Libya, including the convoy of President Mouammar Ghadaffi, leading to his summary execution. In 2012, it contributed troops to crush peaceful protests in Bahrain. Also, the UAE was involved in the establishment and funding of the Islamic State (ISIS), before that terrorist organisation became a monster which had to be put down by its sponsors. When Qatar declined to crack down on rebels in the Islamic world like the Islamic Brotherhood, refused to stop its relations with Iran and, rejected the ultimatum to shut down the Al Ajazera international television network, the UAE contributed militarily to blockade that country. Nigeria has bent backward to maintain good ties with the UAE. Perhaps it is in our nature to make and maintain friends. But a basic principle in diplomacy is reciprocity. We should treat countries as they treat us. We should maintain some dignity in our relationships. Taking advantage of the crises in Somalia, the UAE is buying up parts of that country in order to own lands in Africa. It paid leaders of the rebel Puntland State in Somalia, $336 million, to take over the port of Bosaso and its environs. It also paid the leaders of the rebel Republic of Somaliland $440 million to take over the Port of Berbera and adjourning areas. Perhaps the most infamous foxy moves the UAE has made is its invasion and seizure of parts of the Yemeni Republic. Houthi rebels had overthrown the government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and a civil war ensured in 2005. The deposed President fled south and Saudi Arabian and UAE troops were deployed to stop the rebels from taking over the entire country. But the UAE had its own selfish plans. After pretending to protect the factional Hadi government in southern Yemen, it raised an internal force to fight Hadi. It then invaded and occupied four Yemeni islands and two islets that make up the Yemeni archipelago. In seeking to justify its colonisation of the Yemini lands, the UAE claimed that it was maintaining security, providing stability and supporting the inhabitants of the island in their development projects. It is instructive that the Puntland lands UAE has acquired have borders with the Yemeni Gulf of Aden, which it is trying to acquire. Nigeria has bent backward to maintain good ties with the UAE. Perhaps it is in our nature to make and maintain friends. But a basic principle in diplomacy is reciprocity. We should treat countries as they treat us. We should maintain some dignity in our relationships. I tried to quantify what Nigeria might have lost when the UAE ban was on. It wasnt much. So what did we gain during the ban? I think plenty. To begin with, we saved the scarce foreign exchange, including flight tickets we were expending travelling to a country that has little or nothing to offer. The main attraction of the UAE, especially Dubai, is that it became a status symbol where rich Nigerians spend their money. It had become the playground of Nigerian Big Boys like Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, alias Hushppupi. Even a Nigerian First Lady became identified with Dubai. If we do not want to discourage Nigerians travelling to countries like the UAE, government should at least not encourage them. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Akpabio, the Templer interpreter, worsened the take even more. He did not say you are a thief, he said all of you in government are kleptocrats. A thief is different, Akpabio had explained to Fasuyi. This makes one wonder whether the Senate president goes to the parliament with his butler. Or he was plain ignorant of the grammatical connotations of a kleptocracy? Akpabios persistent Freudian slips may speak to a certain limitation or deeper issue that we may want to look up. Last Wednesday, Nigerias upper parliament became a grammar class where semantics, syntax and structure were examined. His Excellency, the Senate President of Nigeria, Godswill Obot Akpabio, suddenly became an emergency interpreter and lexicographer. Akpabios interpreters dilemma reminded me of Field Marshal Gerald Templer. A senior British Army officer, Templer was best known for the implementation of strategies that heavily contributed to the defeat of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA) during the Malayan Emergency of 1949 to 1960. On the instruction of Prime Minister Winston Churchill to temper communist insurgency among the Malays, Templer arrived a Malayan village where some communist guerillas were getting assistance from villagers. In anger, Templer burst out, You are a lot of bastards! His interpreter reported this to the people in Malay as, His Excellency informs you that he knows that none of your mothers and fathers were married when you were born. Templer, still fuming like an angry python, shot another arrow, You may be bastards but youll find out Im a bigger one! Missing the point of Templers vituperations completely, the interpreter announced to the bemused villagers, His Excellency does admit however that his father was not married to his mother when he was born! In his role as language surgeon last week, Akpabio acted like Templers interpreter. Cyril Fasuyi, the senator representing Ekiti North in the Senate, had stirred the hornets nest. In the process, he played the role of the wife of Odogo. The whole village had been in turmoil over the theft of a villagers goat. It necessitated a house-to-house search. When the search party got to Odogos house, he was absent. Asked if the family had seen the missing goat, Odogos wife told the party to wait for her husbands arrival; perhaps he might know where the goat was kept? When someone is trying to be clever by half like Fasuyi, and in the process causes the escalation of a notorious fact, Yoruba compare such persons to Adasini lorun aya Odogo. While raising a point of order, Fasuyi alleged that the petrel of the parliament, the voluble Senator Ali Ndume, breached his privilege in a recent comment while granting an interview to a Lagos television station. During the said interview, Ndume claimed that the Bola Tinubu government had made life miserable for Nigerians and that the country under it was, more or less, a kleptocrats republic. It happened over the weekend, on the allegation, blanket allegation, by Senator Ali Ndume that everyone of us are (sic) thieves. That is a very blanket statement. I need a lot of explanation to my children and my loved ones. They want an explanation on the inference of what Senator Ali Ndume said about all of us in government This statement has put me under public ridicule in my constituency, Fasuyi said. But Akpabio, the Templer interpreter, worsened the take even more. He did not say you are a thief, he said all of you in government are kleptocrats. A thief is different, Akpabio had explained to Fasuyi. This makes one wonder whether the Senate president goes to the parliament with his butler. Or he was plain ignorant of the grammatical connotations of a kleptocracy? Akpabios persistent Freudian slips may speak to a certain limitation or deeper issue that we may want to look up. The same week, he chided a fellow senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, through a sexist comment. He reminded her that the Senate was not a nightclub. Only narrow-minded chauvinists who believe that every beautiful woman must be a slut who frequents pubs make such remarks. The same Akpabio, during a visit to the Nigeria Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies in Abuja in June, had made the scientifically disjunctive statement that the reintroduced national anthem Nigeria, We Hail Thee could have prevented banditry if Nigeria had not changed it in 1978. How many of such slips can one remember? So, when Fasuyi, like an harlot feigning prudery, claims his children and constituents were shocked that his party had been called a republic of kleptocrats, Nigerians must have smothered a rude giggle. The distinguished kleptocracy-denouncing Senator will first have to prove, as it is said in law, that the Nigerian political class has honour, ab-initio. Oh, so Fasuyi was just hearing the allegation for the first time that the parliament, of which he is a member, the Nigerian presidency and the Nigerian political class in general, are one colony of rogues and thieves? Wonderful! If Nigerian senators children, like Fasuyis, and their said constituencies, compare their financial statuses before they became senators, with their stupendous wealth after, none of them would disagree that they are indeed kleptocrats. Only a kleptocracy could make one transform into such stupendous material majesty. Ndume merely stated the obvious that the APC, which currently represents the Nigerian political class, is indeed a republic of kleptocrats. It however doesnt mean that the PDP, its progenitor in government, and even Labour Party, if it ever gets into office, wouldnt be one, too. Kleptocracy runs in the gene of the Nigerian political class. The truth of Ndumes statement is not lost on Nigerians. We all know that Ndume, being part of the gang of kleptocrats himself, knows the modus operandi of this kleptocracy. He is obviously shackled from revealing the specifics of his allegation by the Nigerian law of defamation. However, as my people say, we may be ignorant of all we do not know but we are certain that three people cannot stand in twos. Statistics has shown that the Nigerian political class has stolen, at a conservative estimate, over 90 per cent of Nigerias resources since independence. And it is not about to stop. The pervasiveness of corruption in Nigeria, especially among the political class who occupy governmental positions, has led many to suggest that, perhaps we should stop troubling this troublous genie called corruption, welcome it with open hands as a major component of our blood corpuscles and create a hallowed space for it in our national development. Two Thursdays ago was the United Nations Anti-corruption day. It is a day set aside to campaign against this lumberjack that has cut the plummest of the wealth of developing countries of the world. Chief among these lumberjacks is the political class. About this time, a report was published on the website of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). It showed that a total of N721 billion ($1.26 billion) was paid as bribes to public officials in 2023, the bulk of whom, I am sure, were members of the political class. The dramatic irony in this is that Abdullahi Ganduje, the man who wrote the Senate for the removal of Ndume from his position as Chief Whip and Deputy Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, is currently embroiled in an allegation of kleptocracy the theft of stupendous public funds. The N721 billion theft report came from the findings of an NBS partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes. In August last year, after concluding the ministerial screening, Akpabio allowed to slip a tiny speck of how the National Assembly is a major kleptocracy hub. While addressing senators, Akpabio said, In order to enable all of us to enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the clerk of the National Assembly. That token is an euphemism for a bribe, the details of which can never be found in any books. It will be subsumed under an opaque graft heading. 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 So, when Fasuyi, like an harlot feigning prudery, claims his children and constituents were shocked that his party had been called a republic of kleptocrats, Nigerians must have smothered a rude giggle. The distinguished kleptocracy-denouncing Senator will first have to prove, as it is said in law, that the Nigerian political class has honour, ab-initio. A similar fate befell Ndume last week for saying what every Nigerian knows about this government. Fasuyi even set up a Ningi-type crucifix for Ndume, so that he could be similarly hanged. In the executive last week, a bill seeking the establishment of a Local Government Election Commission found its way into the Senate. Perhaps, what will follow is Alpha Beta collecting taxes in councils and all local government funds paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA). More telling in this kleptocratic discourse is a growing atmosphere of despotism and impatience for opposing view in Nigerias parliament. When former Senate president Ahmad Lawan made that noxious statement that every bill brought by the Buhari government would be passed in the Green Chambers, Nigerians thought his was the height of legislative groveling. Today, we are witnessing a Senate that confidently and unashamedly grovels before the executive with legislative tyranny. The result is a disgraceful national coat-of-many-colours. For saying the obvious, Abdul Ningi was suspended by this same Senate and nothing happened. A similar fate befell Ndume last week for saying what every Nigerian knows about this government. Fasuyi even set up a Ningi-type crucifix for Ndume, so that he could be similarly hanged. In the executive last week, a bill seeking the establishment of a Local Government Election Commission found its way into the Senate. Perhaps, what will follow is Alpha Beta collecting taxes in councils and all local government funds paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA). The Federal Government is already a behemoth controlling 52.68 per cent of national revenues. The states and local governments are left with 26.72 per cent and 20.60 per cent to share. The question then is, who peers the searchlight into what the Federal Government does with its own money? It is why we periodically throw up the Diezani Maduekes, Godwin Emefieles (who knows who the corruption poster-boy of this government will be). It is also why the humongous corruption at the Humanitarian Affairs ministry will not abate; why a minister could fuel her car from Abuja to Anambra State with a whopping N1.5 million and yet arrogantly ask, what is the big deal? All these remind me of late Chief Adebayo Faletis Oro yii o ma leyin warning in the famed Yoruba movie, Saworoide. Oro yii o ma leyin, literally translated, means, there sure is a repercussion or eventuality to any action. Nigeria has already established the trinity of a kow-towing, lapdog and tyrannical Senate. An executive of doubtful probity and accountability pedigree, but with humongous resources, is also a done deal. When mixed with a captive judiciary inside the presidential pouch, we may just be walking down the alley of a scenario predicted by Anthony Enahoro on the floor of the House of Representatives in 1962. Looking into his divinity board, I presume, Enahoro proclaimed that Nigeria was embarking on a journey, the end of which no one knew. That end happened four years after. With a Nigerian public whose capacity to dispassionately interrogate the honesty of thoughts of their leaders is yielding space, we are already in trouble. Add this to a Hallelujah chorus group that grows everyday, in spite of the overwhelming hunger in the land, the trouble quadruples. Together, they are leading us to how Germans and Italians clapped on their leaders while busy fiddling with trivialities. Gradually, Hitler and Mussolini cobbled together the wools of dictatorship. For Olatunji Dare at 80 I have, on countless occasions, told the story of how then 1990 killing of journalists, Kris Imodibie of The Guardian and Tayo Awotunsin of Champion newspapers by Charles Taylor in the Liberian war tilled the land of my path to journalism. As a retelling, I had been downcast as a student of Philosophy at the University of Lagos on the prospect of a job upon graduation. Yet a sophomore, one day, as I read Imodibies profile in the Daily Times inside the library of Unilag, I found out that he graduated from my department in 1984. I was super-excited and told myself that I could be a journalist, too. Beginning from then, I spent every penny of allowances given me by my father on typing articles which I subsequently sent to virtually all Nigerian newspapers. One of those newspapers was The Guardian. One day, I walked into Rutam House. I had a typed copy of an opinion article I had written. Directed to the office of the Chairman of the Editorial Board, I met the chairs secretary who casually waved me into the chairs office. There sat a man I had idolised over the years in the calmest of miens I had ever seen. Olatunji Dare. Even as a student, his serpentine weave of language and mesmerising satire stood him out among writers of the time. That unexampled craft, especially his satire, has been aped unsuccessfully, indeed fatally, by many who attempted to patent it. Dare looked up the young boy before him that day as I thrust a copy of the article into his hands. He read the first paragraph. Young man, are you sure you wrote the piece? he asked me. I assured him I did. He then thanked me as I left his office. A few days after, the piece was published. I nearly set my room on fire that day. To be published by The Guardian! I hadnt finished celebrating meeting my writing idol when the joy of being published in The Guardian came. I didnt get to converse with one of Nigerias greatest essayists and columnists until many years after. I had been guest of Professor Wale Adebanwi, then of the University of California, Davis, in his house in Sacramento when he engaged in a phone conversation with Professor Dare. He promptly told him I was his guest and Prof sought to speak with me. He wondered why I declined to partake in a festschcrift in his honour and I apologised that a communication breakdown must have been responsible. Prof Dare has over the years earned his badge as one of Nigerias major asset of the public sphere. On his 80th birthday, we can only wish him many more fruitful years. And the grace to witness the maturation of the Eldorado he wishfully penned for Nigeria. Three Gbosas for the God of the Gut Perhaps the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) didnt know: Since the days of Paschal Bafyau, Nigerians have had a huge trust deficit for so-called labour activists who sell their people at the drop of a hat. So, when on Thursday last week, officials of the NLC walked to the Aso Rock Villa, singing a mimed three Gbosas song like kindergarten children just given a pack of noodles, the people suspected that the ancient alimentary consideration had interfered with a laudable activism. How did the wage construct of N650,000 that the NLC built suddenly collapse to N70,000? If the NLC knew it was heading towards that miserable sum in the face of the daunting existential crises that Nigerian workers face, why shoot up the peoples adrenaline this high? The truth is that the Unions sincerity, exemplified by the likes of Michael Imoudu, Wahab Goodluck, Hassan Sunmonu and Ali Chiroma, is gone forever. Who will take labour seriously any longer? The NLC wasted the time of Nigerians and took the people for granted. Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A terrorism kingpin, Bello Turji, has narrated how the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, allegedly empowered terrorists when he was governor of Zamfara State. As governor between 2019 and 2023, Mr Matawalle initiated an amnesty scheme that provided financial rewards and protection for bandits who surrendered their arms and abandoned criminality. However, Mr Turji said the failed deal merely empowered some of his colleagues now residing in the cities from where they command banditry gangs operating in the bush. Mr Turji stated this in a video released on 18 July in which he is seen standing beside an unidentified accomplice with guns. He said the terrorists did not surrender their arms as stipulated in the deal but continued to carry out attacks through their boys. Mr Turji claimed that the policy of the former governor was the reason insecurity escalated in Zamfara and other North-western states. Mr Turji said he killed one of the bandits leaders in his Shinkafi Local Government Area for peace to reign, but the governor later allegedly sabotaged his efforts. 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 Any person living in Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Isa (Sokoto State) cannot deny this claim. There is a particular group of bandits whom the former governor pampered. I chased the group from Shinkafi, I killed their leader, Dudu, for peace to reign in Shinkafi. The group had 200 arms, but the governor later hosted them (Dudus boys) at the Government House. But the government failed to ask the group to surrender their weapons. Another group led by Bashari Maniya has over 300 guns. I seized 30 from them. Where are the remaining? And they never surrendered their weapons to the government, Mr Turji claimed. He alleged that some of the bandit leaders involved in the peace truce moved to the Sokoto metropolis after giving their arms to their boys kidnapping for ransom. He said the boys were making returns to their leaders living in Sokoto town. He named some of them as Bashari Maniya, Kabiru, and Buhari Dan Maigari is the junior brother to Bashari Maniya; he has 150 guns, his hideout is in the Maradun riverine area, and he is responsible for attacks in the Maradun axis. Ali is a boy to Kabiru Maniya, and he is responsible for attacks in Tangaza axis. Both Bashiri and Kabiru are residing in the Sokoto metropolis, enjoying their lives. One other person, Buhari, is also in Sokoto town enjoying himself. Three weeks ago, a younger brother of Buhari was apprehended with guns in the Sokoto metropolis. Let anyone come out and deny this. I can come forward with video evidence where Kabiru is seen firing machine guns. The question now is, where are the machine guns after they claimed that they have embraced peace and settled in Sokoto town? Who did he give the machine guns? Let the government explain this to Nigerians, who are killing the people. Let them stop blaming Bello Turji for the killings and kidnapping. People that are being kidnapped in Sokoto metropolis and taken to the back of Achida and Goronyo, who is responsible for the kidnapping? Is that also Bello Turji? Who is living in peace in Shinkafi? Mr Turji queried. PREMIUM TIMES tried unsuccessfully to get the response of the minister. The phone contact of his spokesperson, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, did not connect throughout Sunday morning. Who is Bello Turji? Mr Turji, like several other terrorists operating in the North-west and North-central Niger State, has amassed wealth from illegal taxes they impose on local communities and ransom from kidnapped victims. Named Muhammadu Bello at birth, Mr Turji carried out the December 2021 road ambush in which at least 20 travellers, including pregnant women and children, were burnt alive in Sokoto State. A few weeks after that incident, Mr Turji wrote an open letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the emir of Shinkafi, outlining terms for a ceasefire in the North-west and requesting a peace agreement. In the letter, he said he was ready to surrender his arms if five conditions were met. The conditions were the dissolution of unofficial vigilante groups in the North-west, a meeting with traditional rulers and religious leaders, a stop of the marginalisation of Fulanis, honest discussions between bandits, traditional rulers, and politicians, and the participation of first-class emirs in a security meeting. This was after the failed truce with the Zamfara State government in 2019. Mr Turji is among the 97 terrorists declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters. He escaped death twice after the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji bombed his house in 2021 and 2022. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- People from all walks of life in the special administrative regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Taiwan compatriots living on the mainland, have voiced their support for and enthusiasm for a resolution recently passed at a key plenum. The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization at its third plenary session held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday. John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR, said the key plenum, focusing on the topic of further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, is of great significance for Hong Kong. He called on all sectors in Hong Kong to take on their share of responsibilities, seize this opportunity, and make contributions to the country's modernization endeavors. Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, said that Macao will further leverage the "one country, two systems" policy, capitalize on the region's strengths as an international cooperation platform, and strive for national rejuvenation through the advancement of Chinese modernization. Embracing the new opportunities created by reform and opening up has become a consensus among the societies of both Hong Kong and Macao. National legislators and political advisors from the two regions said that the plenum has significantly bolstered confidence across various sectors in Hong Kong and Macao. Taiwan business people and compatriots have also expressed their support for deepening reform and expanding opening up, showcasing their confidence in the mainland's development. A Federal High Court, Abuja, has refused to shut down all expenditures of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly. The faction of the assembly is loyal to Mr Fubaras predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister. The two estranged allies are fighting for control of the political structure in the oil-rich state. Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the motion ex-parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24 and moved by Sebastien Hon, SAN, ordered the plaintiffs to put all the defendants in the suit on notice. Mr Nwite, however, granted another motion ex-parte by the plaintiffs to serve the 5th to 10th defendants with the originating process and other applications in the matter by substituted means. The judge said: the leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants to serve the 5th to 10th defendants/respondents with the plaintiffs/applicants originating and any other process (es) filed or issued in this suit by substituted means to wit: by publishing same in the Nation Newspapers. Mr Nwite adjourned the matter until 7 August for hearing the motion on notice. Defendants in the case The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 5th to 10th defendants are Mr Fubara, Accountant-General of Rivers; Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC); Chief Judge of Rivers, Justice S.C. Amadi; Chairperson of RSIEC, Adolphus Enebeli and the Government of Rivers State respectively. 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 Rivers House of Assembly and Mr Amaewhule (1st and 2nd plaintiffs) had filed the suit through their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, on 15 July. They are suing the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and the Accountant-General of the Federation as 1st to 4th defendants, respectively. In the motion on notice brought pursuant to Order 28 Rules 1 and 2; Order 27 Rules 5; Order 28 Rule 1(2) of FHC Civil Procedure Rules 2009 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the plaintiffs sought two orders an order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants from honouring any request, command, order or mandate or any banking or other instrument, financial instruction or other instructions issued by the 5th defendant on his instruction or at his instance or deriving from the 5th defendants authority or in any manner, fund or revenue of Rivers State or Rivers State Government in the custody of the said defendants, or held by the said defendants for the benefit of Rivers State or Rivers State Government. NAN reports that the two rulings were delivered on 17 July 17 in the judges chamber. Mr Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly had, on 15 July, suspended all expenditures of Governor Fubara until he re-presents his budget before the house. The lawmakers gave the governor a seven-day ultimatum to re-present his budget, which they said had expired. The House Leader, Major Jack, moved the motion to bring up a resolution alerting the house of the governors seven-day deadline for presenting the 2024 budget to the house. Following consideration, the assembly decided to shut down the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account, prohibiting any expenditure by Mr Fubaras administration. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ebonyi Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) on Sunday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturdays local council polls in the state. Jossey Eze, chairperson of the commission, who announced this in Abakaliki, said the party won all the 13 chairmanship seats and 171 Ward councillors. Mr Eze said three political parties, APC, APGA and LP, took part in the election. He said the commission has ratified and adopted the chairmanship results for the local government areas as announced by the various councils returning officers and the councillorship results announced at the electoral wards. The chairperson said the exercise was peaceful and commended the security agencies and all those involved in the conduct of the elections for their support and encouragement. Mr Eze said, I particularly thank the state government for not interfering in the conduct of the elections as this helped make it credible, free, and fair. The election has been won and lost, but the victory is for everybody who participated in the elections. 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 winners should carry everybody along, and everyone should contribute to delivering democratic dividends to people at the grassroots, which the local government areas represent. This is the summary of the results as released by the returning officers in all the wards and local government areas: Mr Ebere Nwogba for Abakaliki Local Government Area, Mr Timothy Agha win for Afikpo. Edda council, Mr Chima Ekumamkama, Mr Chinedu Bernard for Ebonyi LGA. Ezza, Moses Nome. Mr Sunday Nwankwor for Ikwo and Ivo has Mr Emmanuel Ajah, among others. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Danish police detain Environmental hero and star of "Whale Wars" on international arrest order from Japan. Videos and Photos NUUK, Greenland, July 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the morning of Sunday, July 21st, Captain Paul Watson, co-founder of marine conservation Greenpeace, founder of Sea Shepherd and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF), was arrested upon arrival in Nuuk, Greenland. Captain Watson, on board his 72-meter flagship the M/Y JOHN PAUL DEJORIA stopped in Greenland with 25 volunteer crew to refuel, en route to the Northwest Passage as a part of the CPWF's Operation Kangei Maru, a mission to intercept Japan's newly-built factory whaling ship Kangei Maru in the North Pacific. CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON AMBUSHED AND ARRESTED IN GREENLAND Post this Paul Watson being escorted by Danish police in handcuffs off the M/Y JOHN PAUL DEJORIA as it arrived in Greenland to refuel. NUUK, GREENLAND JULY 21, 2024 On the morning of Sunday, July 21st, Captain Paul Watson, co-founder of marine conservation Greenpeace, founder of Sea Shepherd and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF), was arrested upon arrival in Nuuk, Greenland. "We were here, and arrested Paul due to an international arrest order from Japan," stated the leader of the Danish federal police boarding party at the site of the arrest. The crew were given no further information. The arrest is believed to be related to a former Red Notice issued for Captain Watson's previous anti-whaling interventions in the Antarctic region. Japan's Antarctic research whaling program JARPA was declared illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2014. "We're completely shocked, as the Red Notice had disappeared a few months ago. We were surprised because it could mean that it had been erased or made confidential. We understand now that Japan made it confidential to lure Paul into a false sense of security. We implore the Danish government to release Captain Watson and not entertain this politically motivated request," stated Locky MacLean , Ship Operation's Director for CPWF. Operating in breach of the ICJ ruling for several years, Japan eventually ceased Antarctic high seas whaling in 2016, and now only hunts whales within its territorial waters. CPWF believes Japan plans to resume high seas whaling in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific as early as 2025, and the reactivation of the Red Notice against Captain Watson is politically motivated and coincides with the launch of a newly built factory whale processing vessel. In Nuuk, over a dozen Danish police and SWAT team members boarded the M/Y John Paul DeJoria as soon as it made port. After a handcuffed Captain Watson was led off of the ship, he was taken to the local police station. The crew and Foundation have no means of contacting him and have had no further news. At the time of writing, Watson remains in custody, and it is unknown whether Denmark will allow Mr. Watson to be extradited to Japan. Notes to media : Video footage and photos here Images Credit: CPWF ABOUT CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON FOUNDATION: The Captain Paul Watson Foundation, founded in 2022 by esteemed environmental and conservation activist Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace, and founder of Sea Shepherd, alongside tech entrepreneur Omar Todd, is a US-based non-profit dedicated to marine conservation. Committed to halting habitat destruction and wildlife slaughter in the world's oceans, the foundation aims to safeguard marine ecosystems and species. It uses innovative direct-action tactics to expose and confront illegal activities at sea. Visit www.paulwatsonfoundation.org for more information. ##Media Inquiries: Omar Todd: [email protected] Captain Locky MacLean Ship Operations Director CPWF: [email protected] +16282520233 +870773802340 Lamya Essemlali President Sea Shepherd France: [email protected] +337600754 54 Tom Strerath - Leader Germany: [email protected] +4917620321911 Imogen Sawyer, CPWF UK, Overseas Campaigns Coordinator: [email protected] +44 7739 324 084 Haans Siver, Director, CPWF Australia [email protected] +61 (0)438 033 777 Nathalie Gil, President Sea Shepherd Brazil [email protected] +1 619 518 1718 (WhatsApp) SOURCE The Captain Paul Watson Foundation 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 Patna, July 21 : Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha supremo Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that NDA ally and Janata Dal-United Chief Nitish Kumar made him the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2014 which was a "huge honour" for him. "I had promised to stay with Nitish Kumar till the end, but a few years ago he had asked me to form my party. But there is no regret about forming a separate party. Such events keep happening in politics," Union Minister Manjhi added. He said: "If that incident had not happened then Jitan Ram Manjhi would not have been able to move forward today. One who is brave in actions remembers everything. I ignore things which happened in the past and respect him (Nitish Kumar) even today. He did whatever I said. There is no resentment between him and me." Reacting to a query raised about the law and order situation in Bihar, Union Minister Manjhi said: "Nitish Kumar's thinking is clear that he does not interact with his party workers by inviting kidnappers and criminals to his house. This used to happen before 2005 when people were asked to pay extortion money. Therefore it is futile for the opposition parties to raise questions on law and order in the state. The Minister added: "HAM will contest 25 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. However, our preparation is to fight for 100 seats. We will contest elections under NDA and win." Beirut, July 21 : Israeli warplanes have targeted an ammunition warehouse belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon's southwest town of Adloun, Lebanese military sources told the media. These sources, on condition of anonymity, said that an Israeli plane fired two air-to-surface missiles at a warehouse in the middle of a fruit orchard in the coastal area of Adloun, wounding at least five citizens and completely demolishing the house. They added that the Israeli plane's missile explosion was followed by dozens of explosions of ammunition and shells that were hidden in the warehouse, causing fragments to fly in every direction and over long distances, Xinhua news agency reported. They said that Lebanese military forces worked to cut off the main coastal road linking the cities of Sidon and Tyre and diverted traffic to side roads. The municipalities near Adloun also issued several statements urging residents not to gather, stay in their homes, or move around to protect their lives from the shrapnel that flies randomly. Dozens of sharpnels fell inside towns, including Ansariyah, Adloun, and Al-Kharayeb. Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source told Xinhua: "It is tough to determine the number of casualties in the raid that took place on a warehouse in Adloun due to dozens of munitions explosions available there and the security measures imposed around the place." Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 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 Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned that no place in Israel "will be safe" from his party's missiles in the event of an outbreak of war. Beirut, July 21 : Seven people, including four displaced Syrian children, were injured in Israeli airstrikes on different areas in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told the media. The sources, who spoke anonymously, said on Saturday that Israeli drones and warplanes launched an airstrike on a house in the southeastern village of Houla, wounding three civilians, destroying three houses and damaging eight others, Xinhua news agency reported. In a separate incident, an Israeli drone launched an attack with two air-to-surface missiles on a tent belonging to a displaced Syrian, and a car parked next to the tent, in the Burj al-Muluk area, south of the southeastern town of Marjayoun, wounding four displaced Syrian children. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Manara site with artillery shells. Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, said on Saturday that a diplomatic solution between Lebanon and Israel is possible, calling for a ceasefire from both sides. "The Lebanese and Israeli parties stressed the importance of UN Resolution 1701 as an appropriate framework for returning to a cessation of hostilities and making progress towards a permanent ceasefire," Tenenti told local media. "The political and diplomatic solution is the only viable solution in the long term," he said, adding "We will continue to do everything in our power to reduce tensions and return to the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, as the path toward stability and eventual peace". Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 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 Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned that no place in Israel "will be safe" from his party's missiles in the event of an outbreak of war. Washington, July 21 : During a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Republican Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance has criticised Vice President Kamala Harris, responding to her recent comments about him. "Kamala Harris said something to the effect that I have no loyalty to this country," Vance said. "Well, I don't know, Kamala. I served in the United States Marine Corps and built a business. What the hell have you done other than collect the check?" Vance added. Vance's remark came after Vice President Harris posted a 45-second video on social media platform X on Wednesday, criticising Vance for supporting a national abortion ban and voting against protecting In Vitro Fertilisation. "Donald Trump has picked his new running mate, J.D. Vance. Trump looked for someone he knew would be a rubber stamp for his extreme agenda," Harris said in the video. Vance said: "The Vice President Kamala Harris, she doesn't like me." He questioned her achievement, saying that her career has mostly been about "collecting a paycheck from her political offices". He added: "We have to give her credit, my friends." "She did serve as the border Czar during the biggest disaster open border that we've ever had in this country," he mentioned. Appealing to his supporters, Vance urged, "Let's get President Trump back there, close down that border and bring some common sense and security to this country." LA PAZ, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people were killed and 14 others injured on Saturday in a road accident on an international highway connecting Bolivia with Chile, police said. A cargo truck returning to Bolivia from the country's border with Chile crashed into a passenger bus heading for the Arica region of Chile, said Nilo Torrico, director of the accident division of the La Paz traffic operational organization. The injured, seven women and seven men, were sent to a local hospital for treatment. "The driver of the high-tonnage vehicle was the one who crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the bus," said Torrico. The drivers of both vehicles died in the incident. The police were investigating the accident. JAKARTA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and one was injured in a collision between a train and a car in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Sunday. Local media reported that the accident occurred at 12:24 local time in Deli Serdang regency when a passenger train crashed into a black car. The car was crossing an unguarded railway crossing when the train, despite the driver repeatedly sounding the locomotive's horn, struck the vehicle, said Anwar Solikhin, public relations manager of local railway company PT KAI Divre North Sumatra. All passengers and crew of the train survived the accident. Investigations are underway for the exact cause of the accident. Tel Aviv, July 21 : At least three people and 87 others were left injured after Israeli airstrikes targeted oil facilities in the port on Yemen's west coast, media reports said. The Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen, a day after the Iran-backed group claimed a deadly attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, CNN reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its fighter jets struck "military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime" in the area of Yemen's Hodeidah Port on Saturday in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was a direct response to the death of a 50-year-old Israeli in a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv on Friday. This is the first time Israel has struck Yemen, according to Israeli officials. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said the strikes had also hit civilian targets and a power station. He slammed what he said was "brutal Israeli aggression" aimed at increasing the "suffering of the people of Yemen" and pressuring it to stop its support of Gaza, CNN reported. Houthi army spokesperson Yehya Saree vowed to respond to the strike, saying the Houthis would not hesitate to strike Israel's "vital targets" and warning that Tel Aviv was still not safe. "We have prepared for a long war with this enemy until the aggression stops and the blockade on the Palestinian people is lifted," Saree said. Netanyahu said in a statement on Saturday that Hodeidah was "not an innocent port". "It was used for military purposes, it was used as an entry point for deadly weapons supplied to the Houthis by Iran," Netanyahu said, adding that Hodeidah had also been used to attack international shipping in the Red Sea. The Israeli Prime Minister also said the operation, which hit targets 1,800 km (1,118 miles) from Israel's borders, shows the 'enemy' that Israel is serious about responding to threats. "It makes it clear to our enemies that there is no place that the long arm of the state of Israel will not reach," Netanyahu added. IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the strikes were also in response to the 200 projectiles the rebel group had fired towards Israel since October 2023 when Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza began, CNN reported. Since the start of the war, the Yemeni rebels have regularly targeted the country with drones and missiles, most of which have been intercepted by Israel's defences or those of its allies. However, the Houthis claimed their drone attack in Tel Aviv on Friday -- which also injured 10 people a"- was performed by a new drone capable of "bypassing the enemy's interception systems". The Houthis have also regularly attacked US targets and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Both the UK and the US have responded to the attacks on shipping by carrying out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. However, Israel has not taken part in those responses. An Israeli Defence official told CNN that this was a 100 per cent Israeli strike. The official said Israel had previously let the US and UK take the lead on responding to Houthi attacks but decided to respond itself this time because of the death of an Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv. According to the official, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant informed US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin before the strike was carried out. The Defence official added that Israel was able to strike so quickly because it had been preparing for this scenario for months. A White House official said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on "developments" in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said the US had not coordinated with Israel on the airstrikes, but added that the US fully recognises "Israel's right to self-defence". Los Angeles, July 21 : Hollywood actress Anna Faris has no problem reprising her role as Cindy Campbell in the 'Scary Movie' franchise. However, the actress has put forth a few conditions, reports 'Variety'. In an interview with 'People' magazine, Faris was asked what it would take for her to return to the franchise for a new instalment. She emphatically replied, "Well, money." The actress added that she would "love to reprise her role" if she could star alongside her former 'Scary Movie' co-star, Regina Hall, who played Brenda in the horror parody film series. According to 'Variety', Faris said: "I would love to work with Regina again. I just love her so much. We would make each other giggle all day long. Regina Hall would be my answer. And money. But mostly all Regina." Faris and Hall starred in the first four instalments of the spoof franchise. Despite their on-screen chemistry, neither Faris nor Hall appeared in 2013's 'Scary Movie 5', which starred Simon Rex and Ashley Tisdale. In April, Paramount and Miramax announced plans to reboot the franchise, tapping 'Fast and Furious' mega-producer Neal H. Moritz to resurrect the dormant series. Faris, who got her big break with 2000's 'Scary Movie', recalled how she learned her best comedy chops while working on those films. The actress said: "If there is a high school comparison for my growth experience, those four movies played an important role in my life in terms of teaching me how to use props, how to fall, and how to get hit in the head with blood at a convenient time for the camera." Los Angeles, July 21 : Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy have shared how they managed to get the licence to use Madonna's 1989 hit 'Like A Prayer' in their upcoming superhero movie 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. They revealed that they visited Madonna, 65, to ask her for permission to licence the song, reports 'People' magazine. In an interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM, Shawn Levy said: "It did involve a personal visit to Madonna, where we showed her the sequence where 'Like a Prayer' would be used." "Also, let's preface it with the fact that they don't licence, that Madonna doesn't just licence the song, particularly that song. It was a big deal to ask for it, and certainly a bigger deal to use it. We went over and met with her and sort of showed her how it was being used, where, and why," Reynolds added. According to 'People', Levy shared that it felt like the production team was "meeting royalty," before Reynolds jokingly said that he asked one of the members of Madonna's team how to address her when meeting her. "Like, am I allowed to just say, 'Madonna?'" he recalled. "Like, 'Hello Madonna, I'm Ryan'." Reynolds also said that not only did Madonna agree to let them use the track (and it helped that her son was a fan of the first two 'Deadpool' films), she also offered them notes on the scene where it would be used. "She gave a great note," Reynolds said. "She watched it, and I'm not kidding, said, 'You need to do this.' And damn it, if she wasn't spot on." Levy added: "We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to implement her note... It made the sequence better." New Delhi, July 21 : At least three devotees were killed and six others injured in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath in a landslide triggered by rain on Sunday, officials said. The landslide occurred between Gaurikund and Chirbasa in Kedarnath. After receiving the information about the incident, the Gaurikund police along with the District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) team reached the site. The police team rescued six injured and admitted them to the nearby hospital. Uttrakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences on his X-handle. He said that relief and rescue was going on at the site and he was in constant contact with the operation team. He also has issued instructions to provide the best medical treatment for the injured. Landslides triggered by heavy rain over the past few weeks have blocked some of Uttarakhand's key highways. In 2017, a pilgrim died on the spot after being hit by a falling rock at Chauri. A heavy landslide in 2018 in Bhimbali led to the death of a pilgrim, whose body was found two days later under the debris. Last year, three people died due to falling rocks from a mountain. Seoul, July 21 : South Korea's military blared anti-Pyongyang broadcasts through its border loudspeakers for the fourth straight day Sunday as North Korea has again launched balloons presumed to be carrying trash toward South Korea. The propaganda broadcasts began at 6 a.m. near the border with North Korea and are set to end 10 p.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, Yonhap news agency reported. The JCS said North Korea's latest balloons appeared to be traveling toward the northern part of Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul and advised the public not to touch fallen balloons and to report them to the military or police. With the latest launch, North Korea has sent more than 2,000 trash-filled balloons into the South over nine occasions in retaliation for anti-Pyongyang leaflets that North Korean defectors in South Korea send to North Korea using balloons. South Korea blared anti-Pyongyang broadcasts through its border loudspeakers on June 9 for the first time in six years. But it switched off the loudspeakers the next day in an apparent bid to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. On Thursday, South Korea restarted propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea in response to the North's repeated launch of trash-filled balloons into the South. North Korea has bristled against the loudspeaker campaigns, as well as anti-Pyongyang leaflets, on fears that an influx of outside information could pose a threat to the Kim Jong-un regime. Kim's powerful sister Kim Jong-un warned last week that South Korea will face "gruesome and dear" consequences if it lets North Korean defectors continue to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets to the North. Guwahati, July 21 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the state police have averted an attempt of at least five Bangladeshi nationals from entering India. The incident happened on July 18 at 3 a.m. However, the Chief Minister did not specify the exact location through which the Bangladeshi nationals tried to enter the country. Taking to his X handle, Sarma wrote, "5 Bangladeshi nationals were detected at the international border when they tried to enter Assam at 3 a.m. on 18th July. However, Assam Police acted swiftly and pushed them back immediately." Earlier, the Assam Chief Minister had requested the central government to evacuate the stranded students of the state in Bangladesh as the neighbouring country has been witnessing unrest for the last several days. According to an official, at least 400 students and tourists were rescued from Bangladesh using the Dawki border located at Meghalaya. Notably, many students from Assam study in medical colleges in Bangladesh and the Assam government was concerned about their safety. Mumbai, July 21 : India equity indices witnessed volatility in the last week. At the start of the week, indices experienced buying but in the last session profit booking was seen in the markets. However, Sensex and Nifty posted minor weekly gains. It is also the seventh consecutive week when benchmark indices railed. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2024-2025 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Several factors will influence the market direction, including Q1 FY25 earnings reports, domestic and global economic data, and broader global market trends. Market sentiment will be closely monitored by observing FII and DII activity and crude oil prices. On the global front, Market participants will be closely focused on US economy data like US durable goods data and US core PCE price data on July 25 and July 26, respectively. Last week, Sensex closed at 80,604 with a gain of 85 points or 0.10 per cent and Nifty closed at 24,530 with a marginal gain of 28 points or 0.11 per cent. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) extended their buying this week, as they bought equities worth Rs 10,946 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DII) sold equities worth Rs 4226 crore. Arvinder Singh Nanda, Senior Vice President of Master Capital Services Ltd said that the Nifty index has formed a shooting star candle on the weekly charts, suggesting a potential reversal from the recent upward trend after making an all-time high of 24854.80. "The immediate support levels are 24,150 and then 23,750. A break below these levels could signal continued bearish momentum and potential further declines. On the upside, the resistance zone is between 24,850 and 24,900," he said. Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, said that the investors are anticipating pro-industry and populist measures with prudence on fiscal. "If the budget meets the expectation, it will provide more stability in the market," he said. Mumbai, July 21 : Shipra Khanna, one of India's prominent culinary stars, has made significant contributions to the country's food landscape. Her journey into televised cooking began with winning the second season of 'MasterChef India.' Since then, Shipra has appeared on numerous cooking shows in India and abroad, establishing herself as one of the most successful 'MasterChef' winners globally, with over a decade of experience in television. Cooking is often praised for its therapeutic effects, helping to calm the nerves of the person who is handling the process. However, there's another side of the coin, cooking and running a professional kitchen presents a different challenge, often leading to chaos, especially during peak times like weekends and holidays. In an interview with IANS, Shipra acknowledged the dual nature of cooking for leisure versus running a professional kitchen, noting that each comes with its own charm and set of challenges. She told IANS: "When I cook at home, it's a meditative experience. The rhythmic chopping, the aroma of spices, and the joy of preparing something delicious for loved ones are incredibly therapeutic. It allows me to slow down and savour the process." Conversely, Shipra described the high-energy, dynamic environment of a professional kitchen, saying, "It's about precision, teamwork, and consistently delivering high-quality dishes under pressure. Despite the chaos, there's a sense of exhilaration and fulfillment in orchestrating a well-run kitchen and seeing satisfied customers. Both experiences enrich my culinary journey, teaching me patience, creativity, and resilience." Her journey in the culinary world has been a source of inspiration for many food enthusiasts. When asked, in hindsight, what were some of her key decisions or innovations that brought her the kind of success that everyone dreams of, Shipra told IANS: "My journey has been deeply fulfilling, and looking back, several key decisions and innovations have shaped my path. First and foremost, participating in and winning MasterChef India was a pivotal moment. It gave me a platform to showcase my culinary skills and connect with a broader audience." Shipra also highlighted her embrace of fusion cuisine, blending traditional Indian flavours with global influences, as a significant factor in her success. "My commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients has always been a cornerstone of my cooking philosophy, ensuring that each dish is not only delicious but also sustainable. Lastly, my decision to author cookbooks and host cooking shows has helped me reach and inspire countless home cooks and food enthusiasts, fostering a community that shares my passion for the culinary arts," she added. Cooking for home chefs in India saw a sea change, with the satellite of which 'MasterChef India' takes a huge chunk of credit. How has the scenario changed in the face of the Internet revolution and technological advancements? Shipra told IANS: "'MasterChef India' revolutionised the culinary landscape by bringing gourmet cooking into Indian homes. It empowered home chefs to experiment and dream big. The advent of the Internet and advancements in technology, like 4G and now 5G, have further transformed this landscape." "Access to online recipes, cooking tutorials, and global culinary trends has democratised cooking, making it accessible to everyone. Social media platforms allow chefs and food enthusiasts to share their creations, gain feedback, and build communities. These technological advancements have fostered a more connected and informed generation of home chefs who are eager to learn, innovate, and share their culinary journeys." Kolkata, July 21 : In a significant statement, Trinamool Congress General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, on Sunday, said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav are two principal architects of the Lok Sabha election outcome. "Two persons are the principal architects of the results. One is Mamata Banerjee and the other is Akhilesh Yadav. They have washed out BJP from their respective states," Banerjee said while addressing Trinamool Congress' Martyr's Day rally here on Sunday. However, he did not name Congress, which is the biggest party in terms of numerical presence in the opposition INDIA. bloc, even once. Political observers feel that through this statement Banerjee has given a subtle message that in the coming days, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party will be taking the lead role in determining the political strategies of the INDIA. bloc. In fact, Akhilesh Yadav was the only leader from the INDIA bloc who had been invited by the Chief Minister to attend the Martyr's Day rally here. Speaking on the occasion, Abhishek Banerjee also explained the reason behind his hiatus for over a month after the Lok Sabha election results were announced. "I was not visible in any political programme for the last one month. I was analysing the results during this interim period. You can see the results of the analysis within the next three months," said Banerjee. He also said that the people of West Bengal in the Lok Sabha elections have given a fitting reply to the BJP for misusing the Central investigating agencies to harass the Trinamool Congress leaders. "BJP harassed me. Even my aged parents and child were not spared. But I said that we will shout 'Jai Bangla' even if my throat is slit. Before the elections, they said that they would wipe out Trinamool Congress from West Bengal. Now I can proudly say that with 29 Lok Sabha members and 13 Rajya Sabha members, Trinamool Congress is the third biggest political party in the country in terms of Parliamentary presence," the Trinamool general secretary said. He concluded his speech by claiming that the party's performance in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls will surpass the results of 2024 and 2021. Patna, July 21 : Newly elected Independent MLA, Shankar Singh, has decided to support the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) government in Bihar. During a media interaction in Patna on Sunday, Singh appreciated the development work carried out by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the state over the years. He intends to meet the Chief Minister and other ministers to advocate for the development of his constituency and to push for the completion of ongoing or pending projects in Rupauli. Singh won the recently held bypoll to the Rupauli Assembly seat by defeating Kaladhar Mandal of JD(U) with a margin of over 8,200 votes. His support will bolster the strength of JD(U) in the Bihar Assembly, which currently has 47 MLAs. The monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly is scheduled to start on Monday (July 22) and Singh will take his oath as an MLA. The first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arrives at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos, July 20, 2024. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) VIENTIANE, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. The opening ceremony, held in Vientiane on Saturday, was attended by Lao Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Saysongkham Manodham, Thai Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote, and representatives from both countries. The first train departed on Friday from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station and arrived at Khamsavath railway station on Saturday. The entire journey took about 12 hours. Speaking at the opening ceremony, deputy director of the railway department under the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport Hinphet Lakhonevong said the opening of the Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service will provide more convenience for the people of the two countries to travel, promote the development of trade, investment and tourism between the two sides, and further enhance the connectivity between Laos, Thailand and the Greater Mekong Subregion countries. Thai Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote said that the operation of the cross-border passenger train benefits the people of Thailand and Laos, and exchanges between the two sides will be more convenient. An aerial drone photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows the first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arriving at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows the first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arriving at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows the first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arriving at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) Passengers of the first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arrive at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos, July 20, 2024. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) Passengers of the first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arrive at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos, July 20, 2024. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows the first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arriving at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) Passengers of the first Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train arrive at Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane, Laos, July 20, 2024. The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train has officially started operation, running between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in the Thai capital of Bangkok and Khamsavath railway station in Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua) Passengers wait for the departure of the Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2024. The Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train has officially started operation on Friday. (Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) Coaches of the Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train are seen at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2024. The Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train has officially started operation on Friday. (Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) Passengers wait for the departure of the Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2024. The Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train has officially started operation on Friday. (Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) Passengers wait for the departure of the Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central station in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2024. The Thailand-Laos cross-border passenger train has officially started operation on Friday. (Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) New Delhi, July 21 : No one could have comprehended that the relatively peaceful Jammu region of J&K could suddenly become a new epicentre for terrorism and take a toll on the security forces. It is not that Jammu areas have never been targeted before; terrorists have carried out bomb attacks and gruesome massacres in various remote and hilly pockets of the division. However, terror violence in the division has not been as widespread over the last three decades as it was in Kashmir where it received local support. In Jammu, there have been several instances where the locals have helped in nabbing the terrorists and given definite clues to the security forces. Several anti-terror operations have been carried out in the specific areas of the division and terroristsa networks have been busted also. But, this time, the situation appears to be grim. The terrorists have been successful in carrying out precision attacks on the security forces while hiding in the thick forest terrain and stealthily moving around with arms, ammunition and hi-tech gadgets. The new fields of the Pakistan-backed terror network are Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Kathua and Udhampur. These areas are near the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border with Pakistan. Some time ago, there were reports that China was enhancing the defence capabilities of the Pakistani Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. It was largely felt that there could be an attempt to rejuvenate the dying terror network in Kashmir. But this time the Pakistan-China nexus in a change of plan appears to have set eyes on Jammu. India reduced its military presence after the 2020 Galwan clash with China. A large number of troops were withdrawn from the Jammu division and deployed to eastern Ladakh. Decreased military presence, tough terrain, and dense forests make Jammu a suitable platform for the sponsored terror network to carry out attacks. The Pakistan-China axis, which has been increasingly finding it difficult to operate in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, has found the Jammu hilly areas to be conducive. What is happening in the Jammu hills is different from what was seen in Kashmir over the last three decades of terrorism. The terrorists are mostly foreigners trained to live in forests. According to reports, around 55 highly trained and well-equipped foreign terrorists are operating in the hilly areas of Jammu. They are mostly said to be from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area of Pakistan, which borders Afghanistan. These terrorists are hardened for living in forests and are adept in mountain warfare. They attack forces and flee without suffering any casualties in retaliation. The security forces have even announced rewards on their heads and yet these terrorists have managed to remain untraced and carry out attacks at will. Less information has been coming on them as they prefer to stay away from the locals and hide in caves and foliage. Intelligence input on them is minimal and they donat give any chance to people to gather information about them. They are always on the move, hiding and targeting patrolling security forces. This time, the Pakistan-China axis has equipped the terrorists with sophisticated arms, ammunition, and an encrypted communication system. The US M4 carbine with night vision which works as sniper, Chinese-armour piercing bullets or steel-coated bullets have been detected by the forces. Highly encrypted Chinese telecom gear termed 'Ultra Set', equipment reportedly used by the Pakistani Army, was found among the weapons carried by a slain terrorist last year in the Poonch region of Jammu. A similar device was found on April 26 after a gunfight in North Kashmir's Baramulla district. Recently, a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including an Austrian-made bullpup assault rifle, was recovered from killed terrorists in the Keran sector of Kashmiras Kupwara district. The Austrian gun is an AK series rifle. The way the terrorists in Jammu have been striking has exhibited the extent the Pakistan-China nexus aims to create disturbance in the UT, especially ahead of the Assembly elections. A disturbed J&K is always fancied by China and Pakistan as this suits their vested interests against India. Adding to these two are Turkey and, lately, Azerbaijan, which has also added to the Kashmir rhetoric. China has also been upset with India for joining hands with the US to promote freedom in Tibet and East Turkestan. The great terror game by China-Pakistan being unleashed in the Jammu region will now see an onslaught by highly trained Indian commandos. They will hunt down the 50-55 terrorists from Pakistan who are on a sinister mission to revive terrorism in the UT. The Army has also brought in troops to the area, including one brigade strength of around 3,500-4000 personnel. And it is not long before the China-Pakistan nexus is beaten again. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in) Hyderabad, July 21 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao has questioned the 'dramatic' increase in the cost of the Musi River beautification project. Hyderabad, July 21 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao has questioned the adramatica increase in the cost of the Musi River beautification project. Initially estimated at Rs 50,000 crores, the project's cost was later revised to Rs 70,000 crores, and now to a staggering Rs 1.5 lakh crores, he said. The former minister claimed that the erstwhile BRS government had already completed 100 per cent sewerage treatment at a cost of Rs 3,866 crores and planned the rejuvenation, beautification, and development of the Musi River at an estimated cost of Rs 16,634 crores. This includes an expressway from ORR West (Manchirevula) to ORR East (Pratapa Singaram). He questioned the significant increase in project costs, raising doubts about the current government's calculations and intentions. While Congress criticised the Kaleshwaram Project, which transformed the fortunes of Telangana's farmers and was completed at a cost of Rs 80,000 crores, the proposed expenditure for the Musi River beautification, amounting to Rs1.5 lakh crores, has sparked debates and scepticism across the state, said KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known. He asked how many farmers would benefit from the Musi project, what is the storage capacity in TMCs, how many acres would come under irrigation, what will be the increase in crop yield, what industrial needs will be met and how many new large reservoirs will be constructed. KTR questioned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's preference for the Musi project over the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy project, which is in its final stages. He also raised concerns about the strategy behind transforming Musi into a river akin to London's Thames, leaving other irrigation projects that could be completed with less budget and effort. KTR alleged that the tripling of Musi's estimated expenditure is evidence of financial mismanagement. He insisted that while the Musi project is necessary and should be completed promptly, corruption or misuse of funds will not be tolerated. KTR said that Telangana society remains vigilant, monitoring the developments of the "Musi River Front" initiative. Any attempts to embezzle funds will be met with strong opposition, he added. Mumbai, July 21 : Amid heavy rain and flood, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday directed the administration, police, SDRF and local bodies to be vigilant and focus on rescue and relief works. CM Shindeas directives came in the wake of the Indian Meteorological Departmentas warning of heavy rain in some districts of Konkan, including Mumbai and other districts. He appealed to the citizens to help the administration and emergency agencies in every possible way. He asked all agencies to get timely information from the IMD and the State Disaster Management Cell and line up a plan of action to help the citizens. He also directed the administration to disseminate information relating to the IMD warnings to the citizens. The Chief Minister asked the administration to survey possible disaster and accident-prone areas and insisted that the preparedness of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) should be high. The water level of dams and ponds should be determined and a controlled discharge system should be provided to prevent the risk of flooding. Traffic in flood-hit areas should be stopped and diverted to alternative routes in case of flood situations, he has conveyed to the officials. CM Shinde asked the administration to make available foodgrains, medicines and other relief materials in the flood-affected areas on a priority basis. Bhubaneswar, July 21 : Leaders of various parties on Sunday attended an all-party meeting convened by the state government ahead of the budget session of the Odisha assembly, which will start on Monday. The budget session will commence with the address of Governor Raghubar Das. "Detailed discussions held on the suggestions made by the leaders of all the political parties during the meeting to ensure the smooth conduct of the current session of the 17th Odisha assembly," said Speaker Surama Padhy who chaired the all-party meeting. "The new government's first session is going to begin on Monday. We hope that the house will run smoothly under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the guidance of Speaker Padhy," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling told the media persons. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Majhi and Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo in a rare gesture of statesmanship went to the residence of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik on Sunday and requested him to attend the all-party meeting. "Today morning, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met the LoP Naveen Patnaik at his home and invited him to participate in the all-party meeting. Chief Minister Majhi also urged Patnaik to attend the assembly session regularly and offer his constructive suggestions to the government," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said. Though the LoP skipped the meeting, the Chief Whip of Biju Janata Dal and former Speaker Pramila Mallik attended the meeting. Mallik told reporters, after the all-party meeting, that the leaders deliberated on how to run the house smoothly and peacefully. However, the leaders from the opposition Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) skipped the all-party meeting. Notably, the election for the Deputy Speaker post is scheduled to be held on July 24 while the BJP government will present its first budget for the 2024-25 financial year in the assembly on July 25. The budget session will continue from July 22 till September 13. Dhaka, July 21 : Bangladesh Supreme Court on Sunday scrapped most of the quota in the government jobs that sparked countrywide clashes between police and university students claiming over 100 lives. With the Top Court's ruling, just 5 per cent of civil service jobs would remain for the relatives of veterans from the country's war for independence from Pakistan in 1971, instead of 30 per cent. The university students have been protesting against the quota system, terming it discriminatory. In 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government scrapped the quota system, but the lower court reinstated it last month, sparking deadly protests. The internet has been suspended in the South-Asian country since Thursday. The government declared public holidays on Sunday and Monday, effectively closing government and private offices. Bangladesh government has imposed a curfew and a shoot-on-sight order amid unrest. Bournemouth, July 21 : AFC Bournemouth have announced that defender Illia Zabarnyi has been rewarded with a new contract with the club and has put pen-to-paper on a new five-year deal, keeping him at Vitality Stadium until at least the summer of 2029. The contract extension comes off the back of a sublime 2023-24 campaign for the 21-year-old, who played an instrumental role in helping the Cherries to a club-record Premier League points tally of 48 which saw them finish 12th in the table. aI'm so excited and so happy to be here. I'm really enjoying it, it's a beautiful town and a really exciting project. I've enjoyed a lot of good moments, last season was important for me. We achieved a record points total but we can do more, it's a really great place to be and I'm pleased to extend my stay," said Zabarnyi in a statement. Zabarnyi played 90 minutes in all but one of the clubas top-flight fixtures last season, keeping eight clean sheets in the process. As well as being a talisman in defence for the Cherries, the Kyiv-born star also scored a pivotal goal in AFC Bournemouthas memorable home victory over Luton Town in March. His reaction header helped Andoni Iraolaas side come from three goals down to beat Luton Town 4-3, the Cherries becoming only the fifth team in Premier League history to win after overturning a 3-0 deficit. That performance also ensured the club won the Premier Leagueas Most Improbable Comeback award for 2023-24. Following his club campaign, the former Dynamo Kyiv man then represented his country, playing every minute for Ukraine in their Euro 2024 group fixtures. New Delhi, July 21 : Ahead of the Paris Paralympics, India's star para-badminton athlete Sukant Kadam has urged France to approve the visa requests of his elder brother and uncle after being rejected by the consulate general of France in Mumbai. New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Ahead of the Paris Paralympics, Indiaas star para-badminton athlete Sukant Kadam has urged France to approve the visa requests of his elder brother and uncle after being rejected by the consulate general of France in Mumbai. Kadam mentioned that despite having have all the necessary documents his acquaintances' visa requests were rejected. He highlighted that the support of family members is crucial for athletes while representing the country at the pinnacle tournament. "Heartbreaking news: my big brother and uncle's visas were denied by the @FranceBombay, Theyave confirmed tickets of the event booked in well advance, and this rejection is a huge blow to their dreams. I kindly request the consulate to reconsider, as their sole purpose is to support me at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games! @FranceinIndia, @MEAIndia, @Media_SAI #FamilySupport #VisaHelp @mansukhmandviya," read Kadam's post on X, formerly Twitter. Sukant has consistently performed well and won medals for the country. In the 2023 Para-Asian Games, he clinched a bronze medal. His smooth run on the court earned him the first-ever berth in the Paralympics. Reacting to Kadam's plea, para-badminton athlete Manasi Joshi replied to the post and echoed the former's sentiments. "For any athlete, their support system at their biggest games is very important. Hoping @FranceinIndia looks into this and gives them the necessary visa for their travel," Joshi wrote on X. "Thanks @joshimanasi11 they were dreaming to be in Paris and always supporting all Para Athletes. I hope @FranceBombay reconsiders their decision," replied Kadam. The Paralympic Games will be held in Paris from August 28 to September 8. New Delhi, July 21 : Arsenal's long chase after Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori seems to be on its final legs as the two clubs have reached an agreement for the talented 22-year old, says report. New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Arsenalas long chase after Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori seems to be on its final legs as the two clubs have reached an agreement for the talented 22-year old, says report. According to a report by Sky Sports, Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign Bologna defender Calafiori. The deal is expected to be around 50 million Euro with the add-ons being finalized by the two clubs. The report further stated that the deal had stalled and Real Madrid, Juventus and one Premier League club tried to swoop in but the defender wants to join Mikel Arteta's project. A player of Calafiori's profile is exactly the kind of player that Mikel Arteta likes and is quite similar to Jurrien Timber. He is a left footed center back but can also play left-back. It is expected he will be replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior in the side and will be slotted in alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Ben White and Jurrien Timber. Calafiori is expected to fly to London next week and will sign the documents that will make him an Arsenal player upon completing his medical tests, the report said. Alongside Calafiori, Arteta is also looking to bring in reimbursements in the attack and midfield with names like Euro winning duo Nico Williams and Mikel Merino being linked to the Gunners. It is reported that Arteta is a huge fan of Williams and is his first priority for any attackers incoming. The 22-year old is expected to join FC Barcelona but Arsenal have positioned themselves for a move for him if the move does not materialize. New Delhi, July 21 : The government on Sunday urged the opposition to cooperate and ensure smooth conduct of proceedings in the Parliament's Budget session, noting the disruptions in both Houses during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the previous session were not upto parliamentary traditions. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, after the conclusion of the all-party meeting, said that smooth conduct of the Parliament is the responsibility of both the government and the opposition. He said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to all political parties to allow the Parliament to function smoothly, highlighting that the disruptions and protests by opposition parties during the Prime Minister's speech in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the last session were "not in line with parliamentary traditions". "When the Prime Minister speaks, the House and the country should listen. Every MP should be heard when they speak," he added. Rijiju mentioned that a total of 55 leaders from 44 political parties, including the BJP, attended the all-party meeting, where they presented their respective issues. Assuring that the government is "open to discussing all issues," the Union Minister said: "Discussions will be held in the House according to the decisions taken in the BAC meetings of both Houses, in consultation with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha." He said that the Economic Survey will be presented in the House on July 22, and the Budget will be presented on July 23. Hoping that the Budget session proceeds smoothly, Rijiju said: "The government will bring a good budget, and everyone is waiting for it. First, there will be a discussion on the Budget, and then the government will bring the bills." At the meeting, the Centre briefed all political parties in the House about its agenda and the bills to be discussed during the session. Moreover, the demands for special status for Bihar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh were also raised during the meeting. Islamabad, July 21 : Pakistan on Sunday registered its strong protest with Germany, condemning the "failure" of the German authorities to protect the "sanctity and security" of the premises of its consulate in Frankfurt, after it was targeted by protesting Afghan nationals. On Saturday, the Afghan nationals, who took out a protest rally in Frankfurt, attacked the Pakistani consulate, pelted stones and desecrated the Pakistani flag. The video being shared on social media depicts the protesters forcefully entering the Consulate, throwing stones, and removing the Pakistani flag. Reports also suggested that Afghan protesters also attempted to burn the Pakistani flag. As per reports, at least 8 to 10 Afghan nationals were involved in the attack on the Pakistani consulate, who fled after removing the Pakistani flag. According to the latest reports, German authorities have already made some arrests, while the German Foreign Office has assured of providing complete security, investigation, and cooperation to the Pakistani diplomats. On the other hand, the German Consulate in Pakistan's Karachi city has been temporarily closed amid security threats and suspected counterattacks by protesters in Pakistan. Pakistan has stated that ensuring the security of foreign diplomatic missions is the responsibility of the German government, calling on the international community to take note of the issue. "We condemn the reprehensible vandalising act on the Pakistan Embassy in Germany by miscreants. We are in contact with German authorities to ensure such a situation does not arise again and the miscreants face legal consequences. We appeal to our community to be patient and calm," stated the Pakistan Embassy in Germany. The incident highlights the anger that prevails in Afghanistan against Pakistan, especially with Islamabad issuing warnings to the Afghan Taliban-led regime to take action against terror groups operating from Afghan soil to spread chaos and unrest in Ismalabad. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban regime of facilitating, harbouring, funding and even supporting anti-Islamabad groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to spread terror across Pakistan. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, it is the responsibility of the host government to protect the sanctity of the consular premises and ensure the security of diplomats, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement BEIRUT, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes targeted on Saturday an ammunition warehouse belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon's southwest town of Adloun, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. These sources, who spoke anonymously, said that an Israeli plane fired two air-to-surface missiles at a warehouse in the middle of a fruit orchard in the coastal area of Adloun, wounding at least five citizens and completely demolishing the house. They added that the Israeli plane's missile explosion was followed by dozens of explosions of ammunition and shells that were hidden in the warehouse, causing fragments to fly in every direction and over long distances. They continued that Lebanese military forces worked to cut off the main coastal road linking the cities of Sidon and Tyre and diverted traffic to side roads. The municipalities near Adloun also issued several statements urging residents not to gather, stay in their homes, or move around to protect their lives from the shrapnel that flies randomly. Dozens of sharpnels fell inside towns, including Ansariyah, Adloun, and Al-Kharayeb. Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source told Xinhua: "It is tough to determine the number of casualties in the raid that took place on a warehouse in Adloun due to dozens of munitions explosions available there and the security measures imposed around the place." Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 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 Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned that no place in Israel "will be safe" from his party's missiles in the event of an outbreak of war. New Delhi, July 21 : The Union government on Sunday informed that a case of Nipah virus has been detected in Mallapuram district of Kerala and the patient succumbed to the disease. A 14-year-old boy from Mallapuram exhibited Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) symptoms and was admitted to a local healthcare facility before being transferred to a bigger health facility in Kozhikode. However, the patient later succumbed to the disease. "The samples were sent to NIV, Pune which has confirmed a Nipah virus infection," the Union Health Ministry said in a statement. The Centre has advised the state governments for active case searches in the family of the confirmed case, the neighbourhood, and areas with similar topography. The Central government also advised them for active contact tracing (for any contacts) during the past 12 days, strict quarantine of the contacts of the case and isolation of any suspects and collection and transportation of samples for lab testing. A multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National 'One Health Mission' of the Union Health Ministry will be deployed to support Kerala in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages, and providing technical assistance. Additionally, at the State's request, the Indian Council of Medical Research had sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management, and a mobile BSL-3 laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts has arrived in Kozhikode, informed the ministry. The outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) have been reported in Kerala in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district. Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus. New Delhi, July 21 : During his election campaign and following the election results, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is endangering the Constitution and aiming to abolish reservations for marginalised sections of society. As part of his political rhetoric, he has been prominently displaying a small pocket-sized Constitution bound in red and black leather, positioning himself as the protector of the Dalits, Scheduled Caste, Tribals (ST), and OBC communities, advocating for the preservation of their constitutionally guaranteed reservations. However, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, appears to be unaware of the contents of the preface of this compact book. Ironically, Supreme Court advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, the creator of this pocket-sized Constitution book, has not viewed Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's policies favourably. More critically, the legal expert refers to Indira Gandhi's Emergency period to emphasise the significance of the Constitution. Sankaranarayanan has articulated his views in the preface of the book. In the preface, he states: "Our Constitution was crafted by the finest, most emancipated minds of the time, and thankfully, not directed by the confused Nehruvian social policy that guided successive governments." "Were it not for the strength of this document, Indira Gandhi would not have been compelled to end the darkest episode in independent India by ending the Emergency, and the nation's poorest would not have been empowered by the Right to Information Act." Interestingly, Sankaranarayanan has also expressed opposition to OBC reservations at some point and advocated for a thorough overhaul of current reservation policies. K.K. Venugopal, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court and former Attorney General of India, who has penned the foreword for this leather-bound pocket constitution, reminisces about the emergency period "which hit the nation like the Tsunami and brought about the realisation that the Constitution could be subverted". In the foreword section of the book, his views convey a clear message, as he writes: "Would the founding fathers have ever imagined the tribulations, the controversies, the confrontations that would arise when the provisions are implemented? At the same time, they would, undoubtedly, have conceived of the vast benefits that the disadvantaged sections of society would derive through the implementation of the provisions of the Constitution of India. By distributing powers between the Centre and the States and through separation of powers between the three organs of State, the founding fathers would have been satisfied that the nation would march forward in tranquility and peace without any conflicts between the State and the Centre or between the different organs of State. Could they have been more mistaken?" In an unmistakable reference to the period of emergency phase, he further underscores: "From the earliest years itself, the legislative wing and the executive wing of the State on the one hand, confronted the judicial wing on the other, with the accusation that they had vastly encroached upon the powers not given to them but given to the executive." He writes: "The then Law Minister on October 28, 1976, issued a strident warning to the judges of the Supreme Court, and I quote: 'An atmosphere of confrontation was sought to be created by those whose duty it was to see that they did not encroach upon the field which did not legitimately belong to them. Nothing should be left undone now to ensure that such a situation did (sic, does) not recur. If even after the amendment, confrontation continues, then I think it will be a bad day for the judiciary'. And again: "We are trying to save them from the temptation to intrude into powers which do not belong to them. What we are doing today is not to save the people from the judges but really enabling the judges to save them from themselves." "This was said during the Emergency, which hit the nation like the Tsunami and brought about the realisation that the Constitution could be subverted. It is true that the Supreme Court did not rise to the occasion, but in the aftermath of the lifting of the emergency, this one wing of the State, the Judiciary, spearheaded by the Supreme Court of India, established its primacy, by ensuring that the vast rights bestowed on the people by the Constitution, including human rights, freedom of speech and the right to life and liberty were all rendered sacrosanct." Visakhapatnam, July 21 : In a setback to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), seven of its corporators in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation joined Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Sunday. The corporators formally joined the TDP in the presence of the partyas state President P. Srinivasa Rao. Visakhapatnam MP Bharat, MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao and other leaders. Out of 98 corporators in the GVMC, 58 belong to the YSRCP. The TDP has 27 and Jana Sena has three corporators. There is one corporator from BJP while there are three independents. YSRCP leader and former minister Gudivada Amarnath tried to persuade the YSRCP corporators to drop their plans to join the TDP but they did not heed him. A total of 21 YSRCP corporators are likely to switch loyalties. Another group of corporators may join the TDP on Monday, while some more are likely to join the Jana Sena Party headed by Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan. They are likely to join in the presence of Pawan Kalyan on July 23 or 24. If 21 corporators leave YSRCP then, it would lose its majority in the municipal body and may also lose the post of Mayor. Earlier, Amarnath had called a meeting of the YSRCP corporators but 25 of them stayed away. Meanwhile, TDP MLA Srinivasa Rao has claimed that not just corporators but MLAs and MLCs of the YSRCP are ready to quit and join TDP. New Delhi, July 21 : The BJP has strongly criticised Congress leader Jairam Ramesh for what they perceive as inappropriate conduct during an all-party meeting, where he allegedly posted on X the updates on the proceedings. BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya emphasised the importance of decorum in such gatherings, stating that while open discussion is encouraged, media briefings usually follow the meetings. Malviya pointed out that Ramesh's social media activity during the meeting appeared to be "live-tweeting", which he deemed contrary to the expected protocol. The BJP leader also suggested that the Congress should consider sending a more experienced and seasoned representative to future meetings, implying that Ramesh may not have handled the situation with the required sensitivity or discretion. "There is a certain propriety and protocol one associates with these all party meetings. There is free and frank exchange of ideas followed by media briefing. But a look at Jairam Ramesh's timeline and it appears he was live tweeting the proceedings. Next time, the Congress should consider sending a more seasoned hand for these meetings," Malviya wrote on X. Ramesh's X posts reportedly focused on the demands put forth by JD-U and YSRCP leaders for special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively, while also commenting on the TDP's silence on the matter, which could potentially complicate matters for the BJP, given its alliances with these parties. "In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD-U leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter," the Congress leader Ramesh posted on X. The BJP has underscored that certain discussions, particularly those concerning sensitive issues like special category status, should ideally be addressed through proper channels rather than being broadcast prematurely on social media. Earlier, the leaders in the all-party meeting discussed key issues and their expectations from the Budget, scheduled for presentation on July 23. Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and K. Suresh, pushed for the appointment of a Deputy Speaker from the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Sources also revealed that Congress raised objections regarding the NEET paper leak issue. Meanwhile, the YSR Congress, Janata Dal (United), and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) voiced strong support for the demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, respectively. Ahead of the session commencing on Monday, the Kanwar Yatra has emerged as a contentious issue. This annual pilgrimage, revered by Lord Shiva devotees, sparked controversy after the Uttar Pradesh government mandated that food establishments along the yatra route display the names of their owners. While the move aims to enhance transparency and accountability, it has drawn criticism for potentially targeting Muslim-owned businesses. The Parliament session, set to include 19 sittings until August 12, will see the government presenting six bills, including a replacement for the decades-old Aircraft Act and seeking Parliament's approval for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir, currently under central rule. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is slated to present the Economic Survey on Monday, followed by the Union Budget on Tuesday. Imphal, July 21 : Suspected militants gunned down a man, after blindfolding him and tying his hands behind his back, in Manipur's Imphal East district, police said on Sunday. A police official said that the incident occurred in the Top Awang Leikai area on Saturday night and the victim was identified as Rajkumar Prithibingamba Singh, 29. Police suspect that extremists of the Kangleipak Communist Party-Peoplesa War Group (KCP-PWG) outfit killed Singh, a surrendered militant, suspecting him of being a "police spy". A combing operation to nab the militants responsible has been launched, police said. Pune, July 21 : In a surprise announcement, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) National President and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said that the party will contest the local and civic body elections in Maharashtra independently. "NCP fought the Lok Sabha elections together with MahaYuti allies. The party will fight the ensuing Assembly election also with allies. However, we will contest the civic and local body elections independently," the Deputy Chief Minister said at a meeting with party workers in Pimpri Chinchwad, where a few days back 28 NCP workers joined the Sharad Pawar-led NCP. He asked the party workers to gear up not only for the Assembly election but also for the local and civic body elections for NCP's victory. This will be the first time NCP will try its luck going solo in the local and civic body elections after Ajit Pawar walked out of the party headed by Sharad Pawar in July 2023. NCP lacks a major presence in Mumbai and a couple of other cities though it has a sizable presence in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The party also faces a huge challenge to further strengthen the party organisation in various districts and other cities for contesting the local and civic body polls independently. The timing of Pawar's announcement to go solo in local and civic body elections coincided with the state BJP convention which was addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah who exhorted the party workers to strive for the victory of not only Kamal (lotus) but also of allies the Shiv Sena and NCP in the Assembly election for the formation of MahaYuti government. On Friday, the state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that the party intends to contest not just the Assembly election with Shiv Sena and NCP but also the upcoming polls to the local and civic bodies. He had asked the party cadres to step up outreach with the voters for the same. Pawar has dropped sufficient hints that the MahaYuti will remain till the Assembly election while three parties may choose to independently contest elections to the zilla parishads, panchayat samitis and municipal corporations. The elections to the 27 municipal corporations, 25 zilla parishads and a couple of municipalities have been pending for almost two years. Pawar's announcement comes after the RSS-linked Marathi weekly 'Vivek' said that BJP workers did not like the party's move to join hands with the NCP. Earlier, another RSS-linked magazine 'Organiser' had also observed that the Lok Sabha results came as a reality check for the overconfident BJP while questioning its move to tie up with NCP ahead of the general elections. New Delhi/Amaravati, July 21 : YSR Congress parliamentary party leader V. Vijayasai Reddy on Sunday said that he expects the Central government to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The Rajya Sabha member attended the all-party meeting called by the Centre ahead of Parliamentas budget session. "I expect the Central Govt. to accord Special Category Status to AP in the budget that will be presented next week," Vijayasai Reddy said in a post on X. "I am sure that TDP will pull out of NDA if Spl. Category Status is not given. If there is no underhand dealing then Spl. Category Status is here for AP," he added. "Attended the All Party meeting held today in New Delhi as we head towards the start of the Parliament Session. Raised the issue of breakdown of Law and Order in AP and the oppression of our society by a single caste amongst other issues. In this session, we will expose the marketing of TDP," read another post by the YSRCP leader. The TDP, with 16 Lok Sabha members, is a key partner in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said earlier this month that the stateas economy has gone beyond the stage of even a special category status. Hyderabad, July 21 : The Godavari River crossed the first danger mark at Bhadrachalam in Telangana's Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Sunday evening, prompting authorities to alert people living in low-lying areas along the river. The water level, which was 34 feet at Bhadrachalam on Saturday, crossed the first danger mark of 43 feet on Sunday evening. According to the officials of the Central Water Commission, the water level is likely to rise further due to continuing inflows from upstream. The second danger signal will be hoisted at 48 feet and the third at 53 feet. Authorities have cautioned fishermen not to venture into Godavari for fishing. Bathing platforms along the river bank have submerged. Four villages were cut off as flood water was overflowing a stream in Charla mandal. Road transport from Bhadrachalam to Chhattisgarh and Odisha came to a halt as the road was submerged near Chatti village. National Highway 163 was also submerged at Tekulagudem, bringing road transport between Telangana and Chhattisgarh to a standstill. Officials have put a few tractors and trucks across the highway to stop motorists from taking the risk. Godavari is in a spate due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of the Godavari basin. Meanwhile, rains continued in several parts of Telangana on Sunday. Meanwhile, the water level in Godavari was also rising near Rajahmundry in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The water level reached 10 feet at Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage. Authorities were letting out 7.5 lakh cusecs of water into the sea. Washington, July 21 : The US understands that India has historic ties with Russia that it will not cut off overnight but the important issue is whether or not New Delhi was deepening military and technology relationship with Moscow and the Joe Biden administration saw no evidence of that in the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, American National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said. The meeting between PM Modi and Putin continues to reverberate in Washington DC's policy circles. It has been raised and addressed many times at the state department's daily briefings and Sullivan was asked about it in an interview on MSNBC earlier this week and then once again on Friday at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, whose transcript was released by the White House on Sunday. "The biggest question for me is," Sullivan said in response to a question from the host, Financial Times' Demitri Sevastopilo. "Do we see tangible evidence that India is deepening its military and technology relationship with Russia or not? And I did not see out of that visit tangible evidence that it was, in fact, deepening; that I didn't see deliverables in that space." Sullivan went on to reiterate that while the US understands India's historic ties with Moscow which it will not cut. But, he added, the US would like to "continue to have a deep dialogue with India about the specifics and the nature of that relationship and whether it evolves over time". He said that though New Delhi does not need to hear it from the US, the changing ties between Russia and China, where Russia "as the junior partner to China, is not necessarily going to be a great and reliable friend to India in a future contingency or crisis". PM Modi's Moscow visit received outsized attention in Washington also as it coincided with the 75th anniversary of NATO that the US hosted. The NATO summit was dominated by concerns about Russia and its ongoing conflict with Ukraine and growing economic and military ties between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Sullivan acknowledged that the US was not indifferent to the meeting between PM Modi and President Putin. "We never want to see countries that we care about, who are partners and friends of ours, show up in Moscow and hug Putin. Of course, we don't. I'm not going to sit here and tell people otherwise." At the same time, however, the American NSA asked for not too much to be made of Prime Minister Modi's "bear hug", as the moderator described the Indian leader's meeting with Putin. "PM Modi has a certain way, of course, of greeting world leaders," he said, adding: "I've seen it up close and personal, actually." Sullivan, who was in New Delhi in June for the second meeting of the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), said that in ties with India, the Biden administration sees "enormous opportunity on technology, on economics, and in the statecraft and geopolitics of the wider Indo-Pacific region" and "we want to deepen that relationship as equals, as two sovereign countries who also have relationships with other countries. And India has a historic relationship with Russia that they're not going to cut off". On the indictment alleging India's involvement in an assassination attempt on a Khalistani activist, Sullivan said talks with India continue behind closed doors. "I don't think that there's a lot of value in talking about the nature of that conversation publicly. It is sensitive. It is something we are working through. The story in my view has not yet been completely written; we need to keep working through it. But we have had a constructive dialogue with India on this issue. And we have made it very clear where we stand on it and what we would like to see. And it's been respectful, and it has been effective, in my view, mostly because it is taking place behind closed doors." Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, is in US custody for trying to organize the murder plot. Bengaluru, July 21 : PhonePe Founder and CEO Sameer Nigam on Sunday clarified his personal comment regarding Karnataka's draft job reservation bill, saying it was never his intention to insult the state or its people. Social media users in Karnataka had called for a boycott of PhonePe after its CEO criticised the job quota bill last week. In a statement, Nigam said if his comments hurt anyone's sentiments in such a way. "I am truly sorry and would like to offer you an unconditional apology". He further said he has the highest regard for Kannada, and all other Indian languages. "I truly believe that linguistic diversity and rich cultural heritage is a national asset that all Indians should be proud of, and all Indians should be respectful of and celebrate local and cultural norms," said Nigam. PhonePe was born in Bengaluru, he said. "From Bengaluru, over the past decade, we have expanded across the length and breadth of India and been able to deliver secure and efficient digital payments for over 55 crore Indians," the CEO stressed. He said that the company is grateful for the supportive business environment that Karnataka's governments and its local Kannadiga populace have offered. "Bengaluru's Indian startups are competing against trillion-dollar giants like Google, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft," he said. To do so, these companies must be able to employ the very best talent available in India purely based on their technology skills and proficiency in fields such as "Coding, Design, Product Management, Data Sciences, Machine Learning, AI and beyond". Nigam said he wants to help create lakhs of jobs for Bengaluru and Karnataka. "And, I believe with more dialogue and discussion, we can find ways to create more sustainable employment avenues," he added. ADEN, Yemen, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni government on Sunday denounced Israeli airstrikes on the country's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, describing the military action as "a violation of Yemen's sovereignty." According to the state-run Saba News Agency, an official source within the Yemeni government condemned the Israeli "aggression" as a clear breach of international laws and norms, emphasizing that Israel would be held fully accountable for any consequences stemming from the airstrikes, including the potential exacerbation of the existing humanitarian crisis in the country. The Yemeni government official also expressed concern that the attacks could strengthen the position of the Houthi group, which has maintained control over Hodeidah since October 2014, bolstering what he described as "misleading propaganda narratives" propagated by the Houthis. According to the report, Yemen has formally appealed to the international community and the United Nations Security Council to take action to preserve global peace and security. The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah on Saturday evening killed six and wounded 83 others. Following the Israeli strikes, the Houthis vowed to launch retaliatory attacks. The bombing of Hodeidah is part of an ongoing conflict that escalated in November last year when the Houthis began launching ballistic missile and drone attacks on ships with Israeli connections in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthi group has stated that these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Bengaluru, July 21 : PhonePe Founder and CEO Sameer Nigam on Sunday clarified his personal comment regarding Karnataka's draft job reservation bill, saying it was never his intention to insult the state or its people. In a statement, Nigam said if his comments hurt anyone's sentiments in such a way, "I am truly sorry and would like to offer you an unconditional apology". He further said he has the highest regard for Kannada, and all other Indian languages. "I truly believe that linguistic diversity and rich cultural heritage is a national asset that all Indians should be proud of, and all Indians should be respectful of and celebrate local and cultural norms," said Nigam. PhonePe was born in Bengaluru, he said. "From Bengaluru, over the past decade, we have expanded across the length and breadth of India and been able to deliver secure and efficient digital payments for over 55 crore Indians," the CEO stressed. He said that the company is grateful for the supportive business environment that Karnataka's governments and its local Kannadiga populace have offered. "Bengaluru's Indian startups are competing against trillion-dollar giants like Google, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft," he said. To do so, these companies must be able to employ the very best talent available in India purely based on their technology skills and proficiency in fields such as "Coding, Design, Product Management, Data Sciences, Machine Learning, AI and beyond". Nigam said he wants to help create lakhs of jobs for Bengaluru and Karnataka. "And, I believe with more dialogue and discussion, we can find ways to create more sustainable employment avenues," he added. New Delhi, July 21 : In a surprising revelation on the occasion of Guru Purnima on Sunday, it was disclosed on the 'Modi Archive' handle that Narendra Modi did not enter the Prime Minister's residence for the first time in 2014. Rather, the first public entry occurred in 2001 during the launch of a book authored by him in tribute to his teacher and mentor, Laxmanrao Inamdar. According to the Modi Archive X handle, it's a lesser-known fact that Narendra Modi's first public entry into 7 Race Course Road, Delhi, did not occur in 2014 but on August 18, 2001. At that time, he held the position of BJP's national general secretary. His visit was to launch his biography of Lakshmanrao Inamdar in the presence of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In PM Modi's book, 'Setubandh,' he likened Inamdar to the bridge constructed by Lord Ram to reach Sri Lanka. This incident also underscores Prime Minister Narendra Modias deep love and respect for his "Guru". "He used to teach us always to try to discover the other person's virtues and qualities and try work on them... don't focus on the deficiencies. Each and every person has so many deficiencies, but you have to focus on his (positive) qualities," PM Modi once remarked while recalling an important lesson he had learned from his mentor and idol, Laxmanrao Inamdar. Progress, whether for a nation, society, or individual, is impossible without the guidance of a Guru. Today, on #GuruPurnima, we celebrate the sacred bond between a guru and a disciple by remembering the indelible mark that Laxmanrao Inamdar had on his character, life, and leadership, says the Modi Archive. At just eight years old, young Narendra Modi met Laxmanrao Inamdar, affectionately known as 'Vakil Saheb'. On the day of Diwali, instead of celebrating with his family, Modi made a life-changing decision. He inducted himself as a 'balswayamsevak' in the RSS under Vakil Saheb's guidance. This moment marked the beginning of a lifelong journey guided by the principles and values instilled by Vakil Saheb, which would ultimately shape PM Modi's leadership and vision for the nation. In 1970, a young Narendra Modi ventured to Ahmedabad and took up a job at his uncle's canteen in the State Transport Office. Soon after, he reconnected with Vakil Saheb at the nearby RSS headquarters, Hedgewar Bhavan. While balancing his duties, the Bangladesh war erupted between Pakistan and India. PM Modi had then travelled to Delhi to participate in an RSS Satyagraha advocating for RSS workers' right to join the army. However, instead of being allowed to join the war effort, the Indira Gandhi government arrested Modi and his compatriots, sending them to Tihar Jail. This pivotal event solidified Modi's political convictions and principles. Following the war's conclusion in 1972, Modi was 'adopted' by Vakil Saheb and formally joined the RSS as a 'pracharak', embarking on his journey under his mentor's guidance. While at the Hedgewar Bhawan, Narendra Modi embraced the traditional Guru-Shishya relationship wholeheartedly. His initial lesson centered around discipline. Vakil Saheb often reminded him: "Everyone has 24 hours in a day, but it's up to them how they utilise it." Modi's routine began at 5 a.m., starting with making tea for everyone, cleaning utensils, and preparing breakfast. His responsibilities extended to cleaning the eight to nine-room building independently, washing clothes for both himself and Vakil Saheb, and then proceeding to a volunteer's home for lunch. Following lunch, he returned to Hedgewar Bhawan to continue his duties. On October 16, 1984, Narendra Modi faced a profound loss with the passing of Vakil Saheb, which left a significant void in his life. Despite this, PM Modi remained steadfast in upholding the teachings he received from his guru during his time with the RSS. These lessons became guiding principles as he embarked on a new journey by joining the BJP in 1987. According to Indian philosophy, every individual is born with four sacred debts, one of which is known as 'Rishi Rin'. This debt signifies the noble responsibility to transmit the wisdom and values imparted by elders and gurus to future generations. In a tribute to Vakil Saheb's enduring wisdom and legacy, Narendra Modi established educational and cultural institutions named 'Sanskar Dham' and 'Laxman Gyanpith' on June 6, 1992, on the occasion of 'Rishi Panchami'. Modi was steadfast in his commitment to ensuring that the teachings and values instilled by his guru would continue to inspire generations to come. On August 23, 2001, commemorating Vakil Saheb's death anniversary, Narendra Modi orchestrated a grand event called 'Tap Vandana'. This gathering aimed to honour the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers who had reached the age of 75. During the event, Modi unveiled a CD containing songs he had composed himself, celebrating the virtues of Vakil Saheb, which were presented as gifts to the senior volunteers. Even as he ascended to the role of Prime Minister, Modi steadfastly upholds the teachings of Vakil Saheb. He frequently reflects on these principles, notably highlighting them during the landmark 100th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat.' In this episode, PM Modi emphasised how 'Mann Ki Baat' has always focused on "celebrating virtues in others," a principle instilled in him by his mentor Vakil Saheb. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sunday, July 21, 2024.. Image Source: IANS New Delhi, July 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee here at Bharat Mandapam during which he said that India's vision is development as well as heritage - 'Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi'. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi noted the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima and conveyed his best wishes to all citizens. PM Modi expressed delight that the World Heritage Committee meeting is commencing on such an auspicious day and India is hosting the event for the first time, the PMO said in a statement. The Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and guests from around the world, especially the Director General of Unesco, Audrey Azoulay and expressed confidence that the World Heritage Committee meeting will script new records in history similar to other global meets in India, the statement noted. Referring to the artifacts returned from abroad, PM Modi mentioned that more than 350 heritage items have been brought back in recent times. "This return of ancient heritage artifacts is a display of global generosity and respect for history," the Prime Minister said. He also pointed out the growing research and tourism opportunities in the field as the technology progresses. Applauding the World Heritage Committee, the Prime Minister said that hosting this programme is a matter of pride for India. He highlighted that Northeast's historic Maidam has been nominated to enter Unesco's popular World Heritage List. "This is India's 43rd World Heritage Site and Northeast's first heritage to get the status of Cultural World Heritage," PM Modi said, expressing belief that Maidam with its unique cultural significance will become more popular and gain more traction after bagging a place in the list, the PMO statement said. PM Modi said that the presence of experts from all around the world showcases the scope and capability of the Summit. He emphasised that the organisation is being hosted on the land which is one of the oldest living civilizations in the world. The Prime Minister threw light on Indiaas ancient eras and said: "India is so ancient that every point of time in the present moment is a reflection of its glorious past." Referring to the national capital (Delhi), PM Modi said that it is the centre of thousands of years of heritage and one can find heritage and history at every step of the way. He gave the example of the 2,000-year-old Iron Pillar which has been rust-resistant and gives a glimpse of India's metallurgical prowess in the past. "India's heritage is not merely history, but also science," PM Modi said. He also noted that India's heritage is witness to the journey of top-notch engineering as he mentioned the 8th century Kedarnath temple situated at an altitude of 3,500 meters which remains a challenging place for infrastructure development today due to incessant snowfall during winter. He also touched upon Brihadeeswara Temple in the South of India built by Raja Chola and its marvelous architectural layout and idol. The Prime Minister also mentioned Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat. Dholavira, famed for its urban planning and water management systems as ancient as 3,000 BC to 1,500 BC. PM Modi said: "India's history and sense of history are older and more elaborate than the normal, leading to the need for new perspectives to witness the past with technological developments and new discoveries." He mentioned findings of Sinauli in Uttar Pradesh, where copper age findings are closer to Vedic Age rather than the Indus Valley Civilization. He talked about the discovery of a 4,000-year-old horse-driven chariot. Such discoveries stress that in order to know India, there is a need for prejudice-free new concepts, the Prime Minister said, inviting the gathering to be part of this new stream. Underlining the significance of heritage, PM Modi said: "Heritage is not only history. Rather a shared consciousness of humanity. Whenever we look at historical sites, it lifts our mind from the current geo-political factors." The Prime Minister also encouraged people to use this potential of heritage for the betterment of the world, using them to connect hearts. "It is India's clarion call to the world to come together to promote each others' heritage and amplify the spirit of human welfare, encourage tourism and create more job opportunities through the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting," PM Modi added. Recalling a time when heritage was ignored in the pursuit of development, the Prime Minister said that "today, India's vision is development as well as heritage - Vikas bhi Virasat bhi". Elaborating on the pride in heritage pledge during the last 10 years, the Prime Minister mentioned unprecedented steps such as Kashi Viswanath Corridor, Ram Mandir, Modern Campus of ancient Nalanda University. "This resolve of India regarding heritage is linked with the feeling of serving the entire humanity. Indian culture talks about us, not just about self," PM Modi added. The Prime Minister reiterated that India considers the preservation of global heritage as its responsibility. Concluding the address, PM Modi urged all foreign guests and dignitaries to explore India and informed them about a tour series for iconic heritage sites for their convenience. He expressed confidence that their experiences in India would make for a memorable trip. External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar; Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; Director General of Unesco, Audrey Azoulay, and Chairperson of World Heritage Committee, Vishal Sharma were present on the occasion among others. India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time. It will take place from July 21 to 31 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The World Heritage Committee meets annually and is responsible for managing all matters on World Heritage and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage list. During this meeting, proposals for nominating new sites on the World Heritage list, State of Conservation reports of 124 existing World Heritage properties, International Assistance and Utilisation of World Heritage Funds, etc. will be discussed. The meeting will be attended by more than 2,000 international and national delegates from more than 150 countries. Along with the World Heritage Committee Meeting, the World Heritage Young Professionals' Forum and World Heritage Site Managers' Forum are also being held on the sidelines. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, July 21 : Over 4,500 Indian students have so far returned from the unrest-hit neighbouring country of Bangladesh, an official said on Sunday. "Over the course of the past two days, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home, following the recent developments in Bangladesh," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The MEA said that it has also been coordinating with relevant Indian authorities "to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens at land-ports and airports". "The High Commission in Dhaka is also coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure the availability of flight services between India and Bangladesh," it said. "Thus far, over 4,500 Indian students have returned to India. The High Commission has been making arrangements for security escort for safe travel of Indian nationals to the border-crossing points. 500 students of Nepal, 38 of Bhutan and 1 of Maldives have also arrived in India," the MEA statement read. It said that "the High Commission and our Assistant High Commissions continue to be in regular touch with local authorities for the safety and security of Indian nationals". They are also in regular contact with remaining students in various universities in Bangladesh, and with Indian nationals for their welfare and assistance. The MEA said the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions of India in Bangladesh remain available for any assistance required by Indian nationals through the emergency contact numbers. The following are the contact numbers provided by the MEA: High Commission of India, Dhaka +880-1937400591 Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong +880-1814654797 / +880-1814654799 Assistant High Commission of India, Rajshahi +880-1788148696 Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet +880-1313076411 +880-1313076417 Assistant High Commission of India, Khulna +880-1812817799 Bhubaneswar, July 21 : The State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha has issued a directive to all the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations in school buses. Amitabh Thakur, the state Transport Commissioner, has written letters to all the RTOs instructing them to take strict action against violators. According to Section 125C of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) 1989, it is mandatory for all school buses to adhere to proper fire safety measures. "School buses must have a Fire Detection Alarm System (FDAS), Fire Detection Suppression System (FDSS), and Fire Alarm Protection System (FAPS). These systems are crucial for preventing and handling fire incidents, ensuring the safety of students travelling by bus. Compliance with these fire safety measures as per AIS-135 under Rule 125C of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, is mandatory for all school buses," STA sources said on Sunday. The STA has also decided to conduct strict monitoring of the fire safety arrangements in school buses to ensure proper implementation of the various measures mandated in the Motor Vehicle Rules. The Zonal Deputy Transport Commissioners and Regional Transport Officers will regularly inspect these buses. Thakur also directed the district transport department officials to ensure strict legal action against any school bus found violating these regulations. "Motor vehicle inspectors have also been instructed to ensure compliance within their respective regions and to cancel the fitness certificates of non-compliant buses. No negligence will be tolerated regarding the safety of young students. Thus, a zero tolerance policy is being implemented," added STA sources. Washington, July 21 : Months before the 2024 Presidential election, US President Joe Biden on Sunday announced that he was dropping out of the race "in the best interest of my party and the country". In a letter posted to his social media account, Biden, 81, said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as President. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term", he said adding that he would address the nation on the matter next week. President Biden thanked his Vice President Kamala Harris - who was tipped as his successor should he withdraw from the race, saying she was an "extraordinary partner". "And let me express my heartfelt appreciation for the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me," his statement added. "I believe today and always have: that there is nothing America canat do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America." Biden's sudden move follows pressure on him by many sections of the party seeking that he withdraw on health grounds, in the wake of his dismal performance in the first debate with former President Donald Trump. However, he had resisted the calls that he quit, saying that only the "Lord Almighty" could make him withdraw. He is currently isolating in his home in Delaware after being diagnosed with Covid-19. --IANS vd/ Washington, July 22 : US President Joe Biden on Sunday announced he was withdrawing from the White House, saying "while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Biden, 81, endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take over the ticket vacated by him, saying: "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats - it's time to come together and beat (Donald) Trump." The party will need to nominate Kamala Harris formally at the convention in August, making her the first African-American woman and the first Indian-American to win the nomination of a major politician for the White House. President Biden, who has been self-isolating at his home in Delaware with a Covid-19 infection, had been under mounting pressure to step aside and make way for a different candidate for the party, following a disastrous performance in the first presidential debate against his Republican rival, former President Trump. "Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation," he wrote in a letter addressed to "fellow Americans". "Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. "Appointed the first African-American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. "I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. "For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me," the US President said. Washington, July 22 : US President Joe Biden on Sunday announced that he was withdrawing from the White House, saying "while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Biden, 81, endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take over the ticket vacated by him, saying, "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala Harris to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats -- it's time to come together and beat Trump." The Democratic Party will need to nominate Harris formally at the convention in August, making her the first African-American woman and the first Indian-American to win the nomination of a major political party for the White House. Harris's path from here to nomination is not automatic. It's not clear if she will have to face off rivals and how that process will unfold. Whether it will be settled based on the delegates won by the Biden-Harris ticket or voting at an open convention where the delegates will be free to consider and pick a rival candidate. Others who could seek the nomination include Governors Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Senator Mark Kelly, and entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban. Biden became the first incumbent President in 56 years to give up a chance to run again. It could not be immediately ascertained if he had also become the first US President to withdraw his re-election bid after winning the primaries and before the official coronation as the nominee at the party's national convention. President Biden, who has been self-isolating at his home in Delaware with a Covid-19 infection, had been under mounting pressure to step aside and make way for a different candidate for the party, following a disastrous performance in the first presidential debate against his Republican rival, former President Trump. "Over the past three-and-a-half years, we have made great progress as a Nation," he wrote in a letter addressed to "fellow Americans". "Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years." "Appointed the first African-American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today." "I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world." "It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term." "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision." "For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected. I want to thank Vice-President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me." Biden had merely thanked Harris for her cooperation in the first statement Biden had issued about his exit. He endorsed her fully in a subsequent statement. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice-President. And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats -- it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this." Aden : , July 22 (IANS) The Yemeni government has denounced Israeli airstrikes on the country's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, describing the military action as "a violation of Yemen's sovereignty". According to the state-run Saba News Agency, an official source within the Yemeni government condemned the Israeli "aggression" as a clear breach of international laws and norms, emphasising that Israel would be held fully accountable for any consequences stemming from the airstrikes, including the potential exacerbation of the existing humanitarian crisis in the country. The Yemeni government official also expressed concern that the attacks could strengthen the position of the Houthi group, which has maintained control over Hodeidah since October 2014, bolstering what he described as "misleading propaganda narratives" propagated by the Houthis, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday. According to the report, Yemen has formally appealed to the international community and the United Nations Security Council to take action to preserve global peace and security. The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah on Saturday evening killed six and wounded 83 others. Following the Israeli strikes, the Houthis vowed to launch retaliatory attacks. The bombing of Hodeidah is part of an ongoing conflict that escalated in November last year when the Houthis began launching ballistic missile and drone attacks on ships with Israeli connections in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthi group has said that these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday made remarks on China reaching provisional arrangement with the Philippines on managing the situation at Ren'ai Jiao. The spokesperson stressed first and foremost that Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao and China has sovereignty over Ren'ai Jiao and the rest of Nansha Qundao as well as their adjacent waters. On how to handle the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao, China has publicly stated its principled position which consists of three points: First, by keeping its warship grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for decades running, the Philippines has been violating China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), especially Article 5 which says the parties should refrain from action of inhabiting on the uninhabited islands and reefs. We continue to demand that the Philippines tow away the warship and restore Ren'ai Jiao's state of hosting no personnel or facilities. Second, between now and when the warship is towed away, should the Philippines need to send living necessities to the personnel living on the warship, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. China will monitor the entire resupply process. Third, if the Philippines were to send large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost, China will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law and regulations to uphold China's sovereignty and the sanctity of the DOC. The spokesperson said that on the basis of the above principled position, China recently had a series of consultation with the Philippines on managing the situation at Ren'ai Jiao and reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities. The two sides agreed to jointly manage differences on maritime issues and work for deescalation in the South China Sea. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday criticised Congress leader Jairam Ramesh for apparently "live-tweeting" some of the issues raised by different parties at an all-party meeting, and said the opposition party should consider sending a "more seasoned hand" next time. IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh after the all-party meeting at Parliament House in New Delhi on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Ramesh, who attended the meeting, posted on X while the deliberations were going on, "In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD-U leader demanded special category status for Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter." BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said there is a certain propriety and protocol one associates with these all-party meetings. He said, "There is free and frank exchange of ideas followed by media briefing. But a look at Jairam Ramesh's timeline and it appears he was live tweeting the proceedings.Next time, the Congress should consider sending a more seasoned hand for these meetings." Ramesh's post had a political angle as he highlighted the demands of the two regional parties -- Janata Dal-United is a BJP ally as well -- which is a tricky issue for the central government. Officials have argued that Finance Commission's recommendation accepted by the government preclude such a possibility. The Congress leader also took a dig at the TDP, another BJP ally. The Haryana government on Sunday beefed up security and ordered suspension of mobile internet and the bulk SMS services in Nuh district for 24 hours ahead of the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra that was marred by violence last year. IMAGE: Heavy police deployed on the Gurugram-Nuh border near the KMP Expressway after violence occurred between two groups in the Nuh district of Haryana, August 10, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Six people, including two home guards and a cleric of a Gurugram mosque, died in the clashes that erupted when a mob attacked a Vishva Hindu Parishad procession in Nuh on July 31 last year. Around 2,500 personnel from police and paramilitary have been deployed in the district this year a day before the yatra, police said. Nuh Superintendent of Police Vijay Pratap Singh said force would be deployed along the procession route. "We will keep a close eye on everyone through drones." Nuh Deputy Commissioner Dhirendra Khadgata told PTI, "Situation is very peaceful, cordial ahead of the yatra and both communities (Hindus and Muslims) are ready to welcome it." Many welcome gates have been erected and food stalls set up for the members of the procession, he said. "We also have 100 volunteers who will help police with the coordination of the movement along the yatra route," the DC said. The internet service in the district will remain suspended from 6 pm Sunday to 6 pm Monday, according to an order by Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Anurag Rastogi. "... there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquility in the district Nuh..," read the order that came at the feedback of Additional DGP-CID, Haryana and a Deputy Commissioner. The suspension came "to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours" through social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc. On Sunday, a flag march was taken out in the district in the SP's presence. Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chairman of All India Imam Organization, visited Nalhar Mahadev Temple in Nuh in the evening to appeal for peace. Nuh Police Spokesperson Krishna Kumar said a search operation is underway in the Aravalli mountains that lie adjacent to the temples on the yatra route. The yatra will start from Nuh's Nalhar temple and end in Singar going via Jhir temple. Police have under their watch Nuh city, Nalhareshwar temple, Aravalli mountains, Badkali Chowk, Jhirkeshwar temple, Shringeshwar temple (Singar), and the concluding points of the yatra, Kumar said. "Not only this, dog squad and mounted police have also been deployed.... soldiers of paramilitary forces including CRPF, RAF and many other companies will be deployed," he added. The Nuh Police has also issued a special advisory for drivers of heavy vehicles. According to the advisory, heavy vehicles en route to Sohna/Gurugram from Alwar will have to take the Mumbai Expressway from Ambedkar Chowk in Firozpur Jhirka via KMP expressway. "Heavy vehicles are prohibited from entering Nuh district during the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra. Heavy vehicle drivers coming to Nuh from different places should bring their vehicles to Nuh only after the completion of the Yatra," the advisory read. Liquor shops will remain closed till the yatra is completed. The BJP government in the state, then led by Manohar Khattar, had drawn sharp criticism from the opposition parties over the violence. 'A Muslim man used to work on the tandoor at my restaurant. But due to this issue, I asked him to leave. Because people can make an issue over it. We don't want such trouble here' IMAGE: Kanwariyas carry water collected from the Narmada river during the annual Kanwar Yatra in Jabalpur. Photograph: ANI Photo For the past seven years, Brijesh Pal, a daily wager, would work at a roadside dhaba in Khatauli area of Muzaffarnagar during the two months of Shravan to help his Muslim owner manage the heavy footfall of customers, mainly the Kanwariyas. He would get Rs 400-600 and at least two meals every day for the job. This year, however, his employer, Mohammad Arsalan, asked him to look for other jobs as he cannot afford to hire extra staff, expecting that his earnings will take a hit due to the Uttar Pradesh government's orders to owners of hotels, restaurants, food carts and eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners at their outlets. After the Muzaffarnagar Police issued the order, the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday extended the controversial order across the state. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said similar instructions are already in place in his state as well. The order has snowballed into a controversy with opposition parties, civil society and even some ruling alliance leaders criticising it. "It was a good source of income as finding other jobs in this season is very difficult because construction and farm work don't happen much in the monsoon season where I could get a job as a labourer," Pal told PTI. "I joined the 'dhaba' a week ago but now the owner has asked me to look for work elsewhere," he said. Small fruit vendors, and dhabas fear their earnings will be severely hit by the move. Arsalan, the owner of the dhaba, said he fears that Kanwariyas will not eat at his place due to his Muslim name. "My dhaba is named Baba ka Dhaba, like every third dhaba on this route. More than half of my staff are Hindus. We serve only vegetarian food here and even avoid using garlic and onion during Shravan (monsoon). "Still, as the owner, I had to display my name. I have also decided to change the name of the dhaba. I fear that Kanwariyas after looking at a Muslim name will not come and eat at my place," he said. With such limited business, I cannot afford to hire extra staff this year," Arsalan explained. Lakhs of Shiva devotees, called Kanwariyas, visit Haridwar during the Kanwar Yatra every year during 'Shravan' (monsoon) to collect water from the Ganga. The order has not just impacted the earnings or Muslim owners and their staff but also Muslim staff working in eateries owned by Hindu owners. Animesh Tyagi, who owns a roadside eatery just outside the main market in Khatauli said, "A Muslim man used to work on the tandoor at my restaurant. But due to this issue, I asked him to leave. Because people can make an issue over it. We don't want such trouble here." Tyagi said he has called another man, a Hindu this time, to work at the tandoor. A few other 'dhaba' owners also complained about the lack of specific directions in the government order on how the names are to be displayed at their outlets. "The administration has put out an order but has not made anything specific. There are no guidelines about the size and font in which the name of the owner is to be written," said Deepak Pandit, who runs a tea stall along the Kanwar Yatra route in the district. People have approached the local administration and even the elected representatives of their area. Madan Bhaiya, the Rashtriya Lok Dal MLA from Khatauli constituency, said that he has also received complaints from the local eateries who have been affected by the recent order. The RLD is currently an alliance partner of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. "It seems that the recent order to put out names was issued in a hurry. It is harming the poor daily wagers and small shopkeepers the most," the MLA said. He said that he is coordinating with his workers on the ground to help those affected by it. "Our ideology is against any form of discrimination on the basis of religion and caste," he added. Bhuwan Joshi, an office bearer of district unit of Samajwadi Party said the order aims to polarise the society. He said, "A stretch of over 240 kilometres of the route taken by Kanwariyas passes through Muzaffarnagar district. Thousands of small restaurants and food stalls are located along this route. This order will affect everyone who works there." "The order sadly seems to just be an effort to polarise the society on the basis of religion on the direction of the state government," Joshi said. Despite mounting criticism the state governments has defended the order, saying it will ensure that no law-and-order situation arises and so that there is no confusion among Kanwariyas. The order was being followed voluntarily, the district police has said. TEHRAN, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday called for "constructive" interaction between the country's parliament and the new government. Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with Iran's new parliament in Tehran, during which he emphasized the importance of cooperation. The session was also attended by President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a statement on the leader's website. "My strong recommendation is the constructive interaction of the parliament with the new government. The success of the new president and his administration is the success of all of us," Khamenei said. The Iranian leader urged the administration, parliament, and other officials to present a "united voice" on key issues to deter those seeking to exploit any signs of division. He highlighted the immediate task of the parliament to give a vote of confidence to Pezeshkian's proposed cabinet, reminding the president-elect of his significant responsibilities as the head of the executive branch. Iran's 12th parliament was inaugurated on May 27 in Tehran. Pezeshkian was declared the next president on July 6 after winning a runoff against Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator. He is set to be sworn in as Iran's ninth president on July 30. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that in the wake of the escalating violence in Bangladesh, she would keep the doors of her state open for people in distress from the neighbouring country and offer them shelter. IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee addresses TMC's Dharmatala rally on party's annual 'Shahid Diwas', at Esplanade in Kolkata on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Banerjee referred to the United Nations resolution on refugees as justification for her stand over a possible humanitarian crisis that may emerge on account of the severe law and order breakdown that has gripped the neighbouring country over the past few days. "I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since that is a sovereign nation and whatever needs to be said on the issue is the subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of West Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter," Banerjee said at the 'Martyrs Day' rally of the TMC in Kolkata. "That's because there is a United Nations resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those in turmoil," the West Bengal chief minister added, while drawing an example of people from Assam who were allowed to live in adjacent Alipurduar district in northern West Bengal for a considerable period during a strife in the Bodoland Territorial Region in the northeastern state. Assuring all cooperation to West Bengal residents whose relatives may have remained stuck on account of the escalating violence on the other side of the international border, she also extended assistance to Bangladeshis who came to West Bengal but were facing difficulty in returning home. Banerjee also appealed to the people of West Bengal not to get provoked over matters concerning the current situation in Bangladesh. "We should exercise restraint and not walk into any provocation or excitement on the issue," she stated. The Trinamool Congress supremo also expressed her solidarity with the people who have remained at the receiving end of the ongoing violence in the neighbouring country. "We are sad to see blood getting spilled and my heart goes out to those students who were killed," she said. Later in the day the chief minister listed out the assistance that the state administration provided to Bangladesh returnees. "Hundreds of students and others are returning to West Bengal/India from trouble-torn Bangladesh. I have asked our state administration to render all help and assistance to the returnees," Banerjee posted on her X handle. "For instance, around 300 students arrived at (the) Hilli border today and most of them left for their respective destinations safely; 35 of them, however, needed help and we provided them with basic amenities and facilitation assistance. United we stand!" she added. President of the BJP's West Bengal unit and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, however, opined that such matters, involving the country's foreign policies, should first be consulted with the Centre before any public statement is made. "It's true that we are all concerned about the current situation in Bangladesh over which Delhi is keeping a close watch. Our chief minister should not be voicing her opinions on matters involving our country's foreign policies without first consulting the Centre," he said. BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya lashed out at Banerjee and called her stand an "evil plan to settle illegal Bangladeshis". Taking to X, Malviya posted, "Mamata Banerjee on Odd days - We will not allow Hindu refugees, who came to India to escape religious persecution, to apply for citizenship under CAA and get their legitimate rights. If they insist, we will ask illegal Rohingyas, who vote for the TMC, to burn trains, block roads and kill people. Even days - Bangladeshis are welcome to India." "Who gave Mamata Banerjee the authority to welcome anyone in India? Immigration and citizenship are exclusively in the Centre's domain. The states have no locus standi. This is part of I.N.D.I Alliance's evil plan to settle illegal Bangladeshis from Bengal to Jharkhand, so that they can win elections," he alleged. Violence escalated in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka and elsewhere over student protests demanding reforms of the quota system for government jobs. The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971 against Pakistan. On Sunday, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh scrapped most job quotas that caused the deadly unrest in the country, scaling down government jobs for veterans' descendants to five per cent and ruled that 93 per cent of jobs be allocated on merit. The Congress on Sunday sought the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker's position for the opposition in the all-party meeting convened by the government ahead of Parliament session, and raised the issue of paper leaks, including of the prestigious NEET, sources said. IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress MP Jairam Ramesh after the all-party meeting ahead of Parliament session in New Delhi on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo They said party leader Gaurav Gogoi said the opposition should be allowed to raise issues in Parliament after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought cooperation from every party for the smooth running of the two Houses. Samajwadi Party MP Ramgopal Yadav, sources said, raised the issue of the Uttar Pradesh government's controversial directive to eateries on the Kanwariya route to display the owners' names. The YSR Congress spoke about the Telugu Desam Party government's alleged targeting of its leaders in Andhra Pradesh and sought the Centre's intervention. The meeting is being chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju. Separately, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that in the all-party meeting, the Janata Dal-United and the YSRCP demanded special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively but "strangely" the TDP kept quiet on the matter. In a post on X, Ramesh, who was present at the meeting said, "In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD-U leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter." Ramesh's post on the social media came when the meeting was still underway. The JD-U, a key ally in the ruling NDA had recently passed a resolution demanding special category status or package for Bihar. Though leaders from Andhra Pradesh had been demanding special category status for the state, the demand has again gained momentum post Lok Sabha polls. Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and Union minister and LJP-Ram Vilas leader Chirag Paswan were among the the leaders who attended the meet. Defence Minister Singh and Rijiju put forth the government's view at the customary meet. Besides, Congress' Ramesh and K Suresh, as also Asaduddin Owaisi of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Abhay Kushwaha, JD-U's Sanjay Jha, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav and NCP's Praful Patel were present at the customary meet. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on Tuesday during the session beginning Monday. A united opposition is set to corner the NDA government on issues ranging from the NEET paper leak case to railway safety. The session begins on Monday and will have 19 sittings till August 12 when the government is expected to present six bills, including the one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, and also get Parliament's nod for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir, which is under central rule. Sitharaman will also table the Economic Survey in Parliament on Monday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday termed Nationalist Congress Party-SP chief Sharad Pawar as the "sargana" (ringleader) who institutionalised corruption in the country and accused Rahul Gandhi of being "arrogant" despite Congress losing elections on three occasions. IMAGE: BJP leader Amit Shah addresses BJP's state convention in Pune on Sudnay, July 21, 2024. Photograph: @AmitShah/X Addressing the BJP's state convention in Pune, Shah dubbed Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray "the head of the Aurangzeb fan club" who was sitting with people who sought pardon for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon. He said Rahul Gandhi's arrogance will be crushed after BJP wins upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand. "If there is the biggest 'sargana' of corruption in Indian politics, it is Sharad Pawar. There is no confusion in my mind about this. I am saying it openly that Pawar has institutionalised corruption in the country," Shah said as he accused the veteran politician of doing nothing for the country's welfare and Maharashtra when he was in power. Taking a swipe, Shah said the BJP allotted reservation to Marathas when it helmed Maharashtra (under Devendra Fadnavis) whereas whenever Sharad Pawar's government comes to power, the Maratha quota disappears. He said the Mahayuti government must come to power to ensure the reservation for Marathas stays. This is Shah's first visit to Maharashtra after the BJP suffered severe drubbing in the recent Lok Sabha elections where the party's tally tumbled to 9 from 23 seats it had won in 2019. Attacking the Shiv Sena-UBT chief, Shah said, "Uddhav Thackeray is sitting with those who sought clemency for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon." "Who is the Aurangzeb fan club? Those who serve biryani to (26/11 terror attack convict) Kasab, those who seek pardon for Yakub Memon, those who give (controversial Islamic preacher) Zakir Naik a messenger of peace award and those who support the (banned Islamist outfit) PFI. Uddhav Thackeray should be ashamed of sitting with these people," Shah said. In a scathing speech, Shah also targeted Rahul Gandhi for his "arrogance" despite the Congress party's consecutive losses in the Lok Sabha elections. "Once we win the Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand assembly polls later this year, Rahul Gandhi's arrogance will be crushed," Shah said. He also challenged the Congress to implement its Lok Sabha election promise of providing Rs 8500 monthly to women in states ruled by the party. "I want to tell women of Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh to start demanding it," Shah said. Despite the BJP securing 240 seats in the general elections, surpassing the INDIA alliance tally, Shah urged party workers in Maharashtra to improve their position in the upcoming state assembly elections. "Mark my words, the BJP-led alliance will win Maharashtra massively," he asserted. Shah emphasised the importance of the 2024 Lok Sabha mandate, noting that no Prime Minister in the last 60 years has secured three consecutive terms. "This is not a small victory. In Maharashtra, we will better our performances of 2014 and 2019 this time," he said. Shah urged the party workers not to get disheartened over the Lok Sabha results and said the lost ground could be recovered in the assembly elections as he highlighted the welfare measures taken by the Mahayuti government. Shah appealed to the BJP cadres to ensure the victory of the alliance partners (Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and NCP led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar) in the elections. "We will form a government of the BJP-led alliance," he added. He said the BJP has been holding extended working committee meetings across the country to review the outcome of Parliamentary elections. "We have to do two things in Maharashtra: To review the Lok Sabha poll results and also win the state elections,"' Shah said. Reiterating the BJP's commitment to its ideology, Shah cited the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram temple, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand. "The entire country is waiting for the Uniform Civil Code," he said and praised PM Narendra Modi for ending terrorism in the country through air strikes and surgical strikes. Shah recalled his 2014 remarks when he had said the BJP would rule the country for 30 years. "Just ten years have passed so far," he added. Shah also accused the Opposition of spreading a false narrative about changing the Constitution. "Congress insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar which even Britishers didn't do. Sharad Pawar creates new illusions every day," Shah said, adding that only the BJP can work for the welfare of the poor and not Congress. Shah said Maharashtra received funds of only Rs 1.97 lakh crore in ten years when the UPA government was in power (2004-14), whereas this amount rose to Rs 10 lakh crore in the last decade under the Modi government. The NCP-SP hit back at Shah, saying it is the BJP which has "legitimised" corruption by incorporating tainted leaders in the saffron fold. "They accuse political leaders of corruption, and then once those who they accuse join BJP, they are all given a clean chit. This is the BJP's washing machine process of legitimising corruption," NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto stated. Yoga guru Ramdev on Sunday justified the order for all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners' names, saying no one should have any problem in introducing themselves. IMAGE: Yoga guru Ramdev. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo "When Ramdev has no problem in revealing his identity, then why should Rehman have any problem?" he told reporters in Haridwar. Ramdev's remark comes after the Muzaffarnagar Police last week sparked a controversy by asking all hotels, restaurants and dhabas along the Kanwar Yatra route to put up signboards with their owners' names, address and mobile number. On July 19, the Uttar Pradesh government extended the controversial order across the state and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said similar instructions are already in place there. Agreeing with the decision of both the state governments, Ramdev said one does not need to hide their name, but do one's work with truth and honesty. "If the work is done with truth and honesty, then whether the person is a Hindu or a Muslim or belongs to any other religion or class, he should be proud of himself," the yoga guru said. He added that the things being fabricated in this matter are wrong. Regarding the opposition parties' criticism of the order, Ramdev said their protest has a political motive and some people even oppose the "god-like" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is condemnable. "This kind of hatred and feeling of animosity, whether it is for the prime minister of the country, for Hindus, or for any other religion or caste, is not acceptable in any way. This is not the eternal culture or 'sanskaar' of India. The culture of India is based on non-violence, love, coexistence, harmony and unity," he added. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand authorities on Sunday said the state police and administration have completed their preparations for the Kanwar Yatra starting from Monday. Additional Director General of Police A P Anshuman and Inspector General of Police of Garhwal Karan Singh Nagnyal took stock of the preparations for the Kanwar Mela, officials said. For the sake of arrangements, the entire Kanwar fair area has been divided into 13 super zones, 31 zones and 126 sectors, they said. Apart from the state police, a bomb disposal squad, eight companies of paramilitary forces of the Centre and four teams of sniffer dogs will also be deployed for the fair, they added. Apart from this, 22 drone cameras will be used to keep an eye on the activities, while CCTV cameras will also monitor people's movements. Every year in the month of Saavan, devotees of Lord Shiva from many states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana reach Haridwar and Rishikesh carrying Kanwad to collect holy water from Ganga. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 43F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 43F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 41F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 41F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. JAMAICA Three trail counters have been stolen from the Jamaica State Park trail system. At about 3 p.m. Thursday, the Vermont State Police received a report of theft of several items from Jamaica State Park. "This occurred after the issuance of the Master Plan for the Hamilton Falls Natural Area where the trail counters were used to monitor foot traffic in the area," a news release from police states. What is the future for Hamilton Falls? Jamaica State Park site is popular, but dangerous The popularity of Hamilton Falls, a beautiful but dangerous waterfall on Cobb Brook in Jamaica State Park, increased during the pandemic and has prompted the state of Vermont to plan for its safe future use. At a meeting Thursday, community members from Jamaica and Windham expressed dissatisfaction with the plan. "A primary goal of the master plan is to identify the level of site usage for Hamilton Falls. How many people should we be trying to accommodate on site? That is one of the questions we are asking the public to weigh in on at this time," Jeff Dube, a landscape architect with VHB, a consulting firm hired by the state to work on the master plan, previously told the Reformer. "We know that outdoor recreation has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic and the publics desire to visit Hamilton Falls is no exception. To address this question, we have developed three alternative scenarios for varying site usage, high, moderate and low." Dube said the alternative scenarios "test what potentially increasing access to Hamilton Falls would look like and to see if that is a desirable future outcome." "At the end of the process, the effort will create a single conceptual plan that improves access and safety of Hamilton Falls," he said. Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to call Trooper Timothy Alibozek at the Westminster Barracks 802-722-4600. A Palestinian inspects a destroyed residential apartment after an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, July 21, 2024. The Israeli army has bombed the central Gazan refugee camp of Nuseirat 63 times in seven days, killing 91 Palestinians and injuring 251 others, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Sunday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) GAZA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army has bombed the central Gazan refugee camp of Nuseirat 63 times in seven days, killing 91 Palestinians and injuring 251 others, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Sunday. The Gaza-ruling faction held the Israeli and the U.S. administrations "fully responsible" for continued killings in the refugee camp, which currently houses some 250,000 people, including the recently displaced ones. The operations sparked deep concern on Tuesday when a major strike involving the use of rockets killed at least 23 people and injured some 73 others at a UNRWA-established school, but the Israeli military later said the attack targeted active "terrorists" there and was "based on precise intelligence." In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces accused Hamas of "exploiting civilian structures and population as human shields for its terror attacks against the State of Israel." Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the besieged Palestinian enclave to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 64 people and wounded 105 others, bringing the total death toll to 38,983 and injuries to 89,727 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out last October, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Sunday. Palestinians walk past a destroyed residential apartment after an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, July 21, 2024. The Israeli army has bombed the central Gazan refugee camp of Nuseirat 63 times in seven days, killing 91 Palestinians and injuring 251 others, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Sunday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Palestinians inspect a destroyed residential apartment after an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, July 21, 2024. The Israeli army has bombed the central Gazan refugee camp of Nuseirat 63 times in seven days, killing 91 Palestinians and injuring 251 others, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Sunday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, July 21, 2024. The Israeli army has bombed the central Gazan refugee camp of Nuseirat 63 times in seven days, killing 91 Palestinians and injuring 251 others, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Sunday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Insight Enterprises has charged Gavin Bennett, its new technology solutions specialist in New Zealand, with replicating some of its recent Australian innovations across the ditch. Insight aims to introduce developments such as EdChat, a chatbot that uses generative AI to enhance teaching and learning, and Cabots chatbot, a partnership between Microsoft and Insight to provide automated, scalable customer support for DIY woodcare projects. Another innovation being targeted is ChatNT, developed for the Northern Territory to provide business and government with tools and expertise to succeed in a fast-changing digital landscape. Bennett brings over two decades of experience in technology, most recently with Microsoft and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. He will lead efforts to help customers and partners adopt and use technology, including advanced data analytics and AI, to transform and to boost return on investment. In the past months, we have seen the exponential advancements in AI reminding us just how fast technology is moving and creating enormous possibilities, said Evette Thorp, country manager at Insight New Zealand. His Blazing Furnace anti-corruption drive tarnished the partys public image and allowed To Lam to seize power. On July 19, Vietnamese state media reported that Nguyen Phu Trong, the long-serving general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, had died after an illness. The report of Trongs passing at 80 came a day after the party brass had announced he had relinquished his powers to President To Lam due to his failing health. In a rushed announcement, he was awarded the Gold Star Order, the countrys highest honor, suggesting that the party did not want to have to do this posthumously. Born on April 14, 1944, in Hanoi, Trong was a lifelong communist ideologue. He was educated at Hanoi National University, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, and the Russian Academy of Social Sciences. He spent several decades working for the partys ideological journal, Tap chi Cong San (Communist Review), where he was editor-in-chief from 1991-1996. He joined the Communist Party of Vietnams (CPV) Central Committee in 1994, and was first elected to the Politburo at the 9th Party Congress in 1996. From 2000-2006, he served as the chairman of the Hanoi Party Committee. From 2001-2006, he concurrently headed the Central Committees Theoretical Council, making him the top communist ideologue. Nguyen Phu Trong, front left, chief of the Communist Party of Vietnam, shakes hands with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during the inauguration ceremony of the new cabinet in Hanoi, Aug. 3, 2011. (Nhan Sang/Xinhua via AP) He held his first and only non-Party assignment from 2006-2011, as the chairman of the National Assembly. He was elected general secretary at the 11th Party Congress in January 2011 and was re-elected at the 12th Congress in January 2016 with an age waiver, after ousting Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who had vied to be the party chief. Trong despised Dung, whose economic liberalization set the stage for todays growth, but also led to surging inequality and corruption. Trong became president when incumbent Tran Dai Quang passed away in September 2018. He ceded that role at the 13th Congress in January 2021. Party control and anti-corruption He showed little interest in foreign affairs, although he met President Barack Obama in the Oval Office in 2018, traveled to Beijing in October 2022, and hosted President Joe Biden in September 2023, Xi Jinping in December 2023 and Vladimir Putin in June 2024. Having served five terms on the Politburo, Trong had significant staying power in a system that has tried to implement a regular transition for leaders. But there were limits to his power in a system of collective leadership. Trong failed to get his protege Tran Quoc Vuong, who oversaw his anti-corruption campaign, elected as his successor at the 13th Congress. Trong, who was reported to have suffered a stroke in late 2020, stayed on as a compromise figure. It was a clear violation of the two-term norm that was established after the disastrous quarter-century-long reign of Le Duan, whose death in July 1986 set off the Doi Moi reform era. At the time, it was widely expected that Trung would be a caretaker until an agreement on his successor could be reached, but he showed no inclination in stepping down, despite his advanced age and failing health. By late 2023, he was believed to be residing at the 108 Military Hospital, a special facility for top leaders. There were two big themes to Trungs long tenure: re-asserting party control and anti-corruption. President Joe Biden attends a welcoming ceremony hosted by Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, next to Biden, in Hanoi on Sept. 10, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP) Trong was concerned that the Communist Party was being sidelined as the economy grew and became more complex, and the loci of decision making shifted to technocrats, such as Vu Duc Dam, a cosmopolitan former deputy prime minister. While Trong understood the importance of economic growth, he never believed in performance-based legitimacy. Like Chinas Xi Jinping, he believed that economic growth could never come at the expense of party control. Under him, the Politburo, which traditionally tended to be a careful balance of competing institutional interests, sectoral and regional representation, became dangerously out of balance, demonstrating the regimes insecurity. At the Central Committees 9th Plenum in May 2024, four new members of the Politburo represented the party, not the state apparatus. Crushing civil society Today, five of the 16 members came out of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, with three coming out of the army. That half the Politburo represents the security sector, with a palpable dearth of economic expertise, is evidence of the partys priorities for the nation of 100 million people. Under Trong, the government stepped-up efforts to quash Vietnams nascent civil society, focusing, in turn, on religious organizations, lawyers, environmentalists, LGBTQ activists, independent journalists and social media influencers. The Politburo issued Directive 24 in July 2023, which was a clarion call against peaceful evolution and the threat posed by colored revolutions, which the document warned, could be fomented by international donors, foreign investors, and students studying overseas. Politburo language became increasingly Chinese in tone, as were the tactics employed to defend the partys monopoly of power. Like Xi and his predecessors in Beijing, Trong viewed corruption as the partys greatest vulnerability. Vietnamese police watch over protesters during a demonstration near the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on June 10, 2018. (AFP) He launched the Blazing Furnace anti-corruption campaign, moving the anti-corruption commission from state to party control, in 2013 with himself as chairman. Trong took down a slew of rivals within the 12th Politburo, including Dinh La Thang and Hoang Trung Hai, the party chiefs of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, respectively. But the Blazing Furnace campaign spiraled out of control as it allowed then minister of public security, To Lam, to weaponize anti-corruption investigations to eliminate political rivals on the Politburo. Between December 2022 and June 2024, seven of the 18 members of the 13th Politburo were forced to resign a period of unprecedented political turmoil. Trong proved impotent as Lam, now serving as acting general secretary and president, removed his proteges including President Vo Van Thuong and his assumed heir apparent National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in the security chiefs maneuvers to grab the top job. RELATED STORIES Nguyen Phu Trong left Vietnam's Communist Party ripe for strongman rule Vietnams Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong has died: state media Meet To Lam, Vietnam's Communist Party chief and successor to Nguyen Phu Trong Vietnamese Communist chief Nguyen Phu Trong leaves behind a weak, fractious party Lams ambitions created resentment Trong could only watch helplessly as Lam installed his Ministry of Security deputies, Luong Tam Quang and Nguyen Duy Ngoc, as his successor as the Minister of Public Security and the head of the Central Committee Office, respectively. And as Trongs health weakened, he routinely missed key meetings, with Lam now president standing in for him. Ironically, the party apparatus emerged not just weaker and less collegial as a result of the anti-corruption campaign, but also became delegitimized in the eyes of the public as it exposed the sweeping extent of corruption among the senior leadership. Trong never took any responsibility for the damage he caused, and even seemed oblivious to it. To be fair, Trong lived quite modestly and his children never involved themselves in business or profited from his position, a seeming birthright for the children of other top Hanoi leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Vietnamese President To Lam toast during a reception after their talks in Hanoi, June 20, 2024. (Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool via AP) Under Communist Party rules, Luong Cuong, the head of the Secretariat, is supposed to stand in, but the Central Committee and Politburo announced that Lam will serve concurrently as president and acting general secretary. That suggests that the Central Committee has determined that Lam will be elected to a full term at the 14th Congress in early 2026, though, at 67 now, would require an age waiver. Planning for the congress is already underway. Having installed allies in key positions and having purged most rivals, Lam is in a very strong position. However, we have to consider the possibility that the Central Committee, which is much more powerful and independent than in China, could decide to elect a vastly new Politburo and a different general secretary. Not everyone on the Central Committee has been happy with the political instability caused by Lams ambitious ascent, and party history offers the precedent of Le Kha Phieu, a hardline leader who was removed from office four years into his five-year term in 2001 amid public infighting that tripped up the economy. Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia. The Cambodian tycoon can claim victory, but the defamation case has only brought wider attention to his misdeeds. Hun To, center, holds a glass at a government event held April 26, 2024, to mark the launch of a Cambodian infrastructure project. ANALYSIS He is the notorious playboy cousin of Cambodias prime minister, and has long been viewed as the familys fixer for all things they would rather not come into public view. Hun To has reportedly been investigated by Australian police for heroin trafficking; faced questions in connection to threats against the family of slain political analyst Kem Ley, which fled to Australia in 2016 and; in recent years, reporting by Al Jazeera and The Australian newspaper has tied him to cyber slavery, scam compounds and drug smuggling. But in bringing lawsuits against those news organizations, he inadvertently highlighted how Australia a key regional partner for Cambodia is running out of patience for the Hun dynastys antics. Earlier this month, Hun To scored an apparent victory after he secured an out-of-court settlement over a years-long dispute with The Australian. The outlet agreed to retract a 2-year-old story it had published about Hun To that some readers may have understood to have alleged that he was linked to human trafficking, cyber scams and drug importation, the paper wrote. The Australian did not intend to make any such allegations against Mr Hun and accepts his denials of such conduct. The retraction marked the conclusion of a defamation case Hun To had brought against The Australian in December 2022. It came just after the Australian government had declined to renew his visa, RFA has learned even though he had spent decades living part-time in the country and he and his family owned extensive business and property interests around Melbourne. While Canberra gave no reason for its decision, Hun Tos lawyers insisted in court complaints seen by RFA that the rejection was spurred by news stories from The Australian and Al Jazeera linking him to organized crime, fraud factories and human trafficking in his native Cambodia. A case launched in parallel by Hun To against Al Jazeera is ongoing. The Qatari state-funded outlet did not respond to a request for comment. Australian libel law is notoriously plaintiff-friendly, particularly in cases where the defendant is a news organization. This growing reputation led the author of a 2019 New York Times op-ed to dub the island nation the defamation capital of the world. In Australian defamation cases, the burden of proof uniquely rests with the defendants. No other type of case places such burden on the party being sued. In such a legal environment, defendants run higher risks of losing and incurring hefty damages, and that has often encouraged news organizations to settle out of court. The retraction might have gone little noticed until Hun Tos lawyer, Adam Lopez who has been known for taking on controversial defamation cases took to LinkedIn to gloat about his victory. The dispute with The Australian had been resolved on a confidential basis, he noted, suggesting that the newspaper had made further concessions beyond the retraction. Cambodia press and social media users quickly picked up the story, with some simply reporting on the retraction and others criticizing The Australian or the Australian court system. With the scrubbing of the controversial story, Hun To enjoyed precisely one day of victory. On July 10, news broke suggesting Hun Tos business interests were neck deep in exactly the type of allegations for which The Australian had just apologized. Elliptic, a financial compliance firm specializing in tracing cryptocurrencies, published a report alleging that a Cambodian conglomerate with links to Cambodias ruling Hun family had laundered more than US$11 billion for cyber scammers. The name of the company was Huione Pay, and Hun To is one of its three directors. A subsequent report by Reuters found evidence that Huione Pay had processed cryptocurrency worth $150,000 that had been stolen by the sanctioned North Korean hacking collective known as Lazarus. In response to the allegations, National Bank of Cambodia, the countrys central bank, told Reuters that it would not hesitate to impose any corrective measures on Huione, although it said so without saying if such action was planned, the news agency drily noted. Following the revelations, digital finance company Tether announced that it had frozen $29 million of cryptocurrency held by Huione following a a direct request from law enforcement. Whether the latest news make Hun To reconsider going after the press, however, seems unlikely, said Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates. Hun To would be wise to abandon his case since all the dirt has come out on Huione, but he won't because he's a shameless, arrogant, rights-abusing tycoon who believes that whatever he does, the ruling Hun family will have his back. Neither Huione's nor Hun Tos lawyer had responded to requests for comment as of publication. These allegations are far from the first time Hun To has caught negative publicity. Australian MP Julian Hill spoke in Parliament last March arguing that Hun To and other politically connected Cambodian figures should never again be granted visas to visit Australia. His speech charted Hun Tos long and checkered links to Australia, noting that as early as 2003 Australian police had sought to arrest him on suspicion of heroin trafficking. Since then, Hun To and his wife acquired millions of dollars' worth of property in Australia, Hill added, with seemingly no legitimate explanation for where their wealth has come from. It's no secret that Hun To has his finger in lots of pies drug trafficking, illegal deforestation, animal trafficking, illegal gambling, Hill said. Most recently, we've heard reports he's dipping his toes into human trafficking, as well. That's diversifying, isn't it? The ban appears to target teachers and students thinking of visiting overseas universities, commentators say. Chinese authorities are extending travel restrictions to teachers, schoolchildren and bank staff ahead of summer vacation by requiring them to hand over their passports or ask permission before leaving the country, according to documents posted by social media users this week. The fresh bans are the latest in a slew of travel restrictions on Chinese citizens that began after President Xi Jinping took power in 2012 and intensified during the three years of COVID-19 restrictions. One notice received by a user working at a high school in the western city of Lanzhou asks class monitors to compile a list of students who have passports and hand it in to the school, according to a screenshot posted to WeChat. A June 25 notice sent to staff in an unnamed county cited orders from the county education bureau as saying that all current teaching staff must hand over their passports to the school's party office, a new administrative office formed in a recent bid to install direct ruling Communist Party control over the country's universities. "The party office will make a list ... and the county education bureau personnel department will hold this information," reads the notice, which was reposted by citizen journalist "Mr Li is not your teacher" to their X account. "Each department is requested to forward this information to all groups." In another post also reposted by "Mr Li," a person holds a form that must be filled in and endorsed by their employer before they can apply for a passport. Tourists visit the Forbidden City in central Beijing, China, July 17, 2024. (Jason Lee/Reuters) Commentators said the flurry of notices appears to target teachers and students who may be thinking of leaving China to tour overseas universities or to settle into their new homes ahead of a course of overseas study. An online search by Radio Free Asia on Friday found that rules restricting foreign travel have been publicly posted to the websites of several universities and education institutions across China. Faculty at the computer science department of Wuhan University are required to hand over any passports within seven days of receiving them to university authorities for safekeeping, according to a notice dated April 2023. At Zhejiangs Taizhou University, faculty and staff wishing to travel overseas for personal reasons must first obtain approval from the personnel department, according to a notice dated October 2019. A similar notice on the website of the Shanghai University of Sport dates to April 2014. In 2018, RFA reported that teachers in Inner Mongolia, Shandong and Fujian provinces had been ordered to hand in their passports. Travel bans Xi's administration has long issued travel bans to rights activists, dissidents, human rights lawyers and their families, with similar policies seen in Tibet and Xinjiang in the wake of mass demonstrations and uprisings by disgruntled ethnic minority populations in 2008 and 2009. But the practice of recalling passports intensified during the three years of Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy, as online searches about how to emigrate to another country spiked on Chinese search engines. Tourists from mainland China board a train at the Lo Wu border control point in Hong Kong on May 1, 2024, at the start of the Golden Week holiday period. (Peter Parks/AFP) In 2022, the National Immigration Administration held a news conference announcing "strict reviews" of travel documents and visas, and calling on Chinese nationals not to leave the country unless absolutely necessary, while border police started clipping the passports of returning Chinese citizens, rendering them invalid. The bans haven't been applied consistently across the country, and hundreds of thousands of people have managed to leave China to start a new life overseas since pandemic restrictions ended in late 2022, in what has been dubbed the "run" movement. But sources told RFA Mandarin that the de facto travel bans are continuing despite the end of pandemic restrictions, and don't just apply to those in education, either. Tourists from mainland China visit the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Hong Kong on May 1, 2024, at the start of the Golden Week holiday period. (Peter Parks/AFP) "Anyone working in the banking system now has to apply to leave the country at least 10 working days in advance," a banking sector employee from the southern province of Guangdong who gave only the surname Wang for fear of reprisals told RFA Mandarin. "There are restrictions on the number of times you can leave the country in any given year." "Some cities only let you leave the country once a year, some twice," she said. "Basically, they now discourage people from leaving the country." Several rounds of approvals A resident of the central city of Wuhan with family ties to the education sector told RFA Mandarin that any trip to Hong Kong must go through several rounds of approvals and be reported to the local government's education bureau. "The school has to approve it first, then the district education bureau, then finally it's sent to the municipal education bureau which must approve it before you can leave China," the resident, who gave only the surname Li for fear of reprisals, said. Travelers walk with their luggage outside the Beijing railway station in Beijing, China Feb. 18, 2024. (Florence Lo/Reuters) "Some teachers may now be prevented from taking their kids overseas during summer vacation," she said. Veteran rights activist and former teacher He Peirong, who now lives overseas, said the restrictions seem aimed at parents looking to send their children overseas to study as a first step towards emigration by the whole family. "Sending their children overseas to study is the first step towards emigration," He said. "It's a very safe way to transfer assets, and to eventually emigrate." She said some parents take their kids overseas in summer to get them accustomed to life in another country, or to help them settle in before their academic course starts in the fall. Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Forced to work to support their families, children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Kyaw Zin Oo, left, and his father take a break from hauling gravel baskets in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2014. Every morning thirteen-year-old Kyaw Zin Oo and his father walk over to the riverside where boats and barges are docked to haul baskets of stones, each weighing more than 19 kilograms (42 pounds), from boat to shore. Myanmars junta-ordered military draft has exacerbated a shortage of workers caused by the countrys civil war, and the gap is being filled by minors who are vulnerable to labor rights violations, experts and rights groups said Friday. The growth in child labor is an underreported impact of the juntas Peoples Military Service Law, enacted in February as part of a bid to shore up its forces amid heavy losses to various ethnic armies and rebel militias since its 2021 coup detat. Under the law, men between the ages of 18 and 35 and women between 18 and 27 can be drafted to serve in the armed forces for two years. Eight-year-old Maung Kyaw, center, carries a basket of gravel, weighing about 19 kilograms (42 pounds) in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2014. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP) Thousands of young men have been recruited in the first three rounds of the draft, while thousands more draft-dodgers have fled into rebel-controlled territory and abroad to avoid service. Last month, the International Labor Organization, or ILO, published a report that documented an increase in child labor levels partly driven, amongst other factors, by parents preferring their children to work as means to avoid conscription. RELATED STORIES Junta deploys first round of military recruits to Myanmars frontlines Demographic dividend a long-term casualty of Myanmars civil war Myanmar woman struggles after junta conscripts her husband While the ILO was unable to provide exact figures for the increase, it said its findings squared with an earlier report which found that child labor rates in conflict-affected countries are 77% higher than global averages. RFA Burmese spoke with labor rights groups who acknowledged the difficulty in obtaining precise data, but confirmed that child labor is on the rise in Myanmar in 2024 compared to previous years in part due to the absence of workers who have been drafted or fled to avoid service. They said that child labor is prevalent across various sectors, including garment production, agriculture, food services, domestic work, hazardous construction, street vending, and begging. At greater risk of exploitation Ma Ei, the co-secretary of the Federation of General Workers Myanmar, said that in a country where workers have limited rights protections, children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. "We have documented numerous cases where child laborers face issues such as unpaid overtime, termination after completing critical orders, or dismissal for refusing overtime," he said. Despite widespread violations, many child laborers are afraid to report abuses, fearing retaliation such as job loss. A child carries a basket of stones while unloading a quarry boat with adult workers at a port in Yangon, Myanmar, Sept. 2, 2012. (Alexander F. Yuan/AP) Labor union leader Myo Myo Aye told RFA that labor violations are often disregarded in smaller factories, where minors often look for work using identity cards that belong to older relatives or friends. "Eligible workers would avoid such factories due to low wages, lengthy working hours, and lack of benefits that workers rightfully deserve, she said. Child laborers not only lose their rights but also endure exploitation and are denied the same rights as other workers. But families facing poverty, exacerbated by the juntas mismanagement of the economy and foreign investors fleeing political instability, often have little choice but to send their children to work. A June 24 report by the United Nations Development Program found that 75% of Myanmar's population or 42 million people live in poverty. Trading education for work RFA spoke with a young woman from western Rakhine state who said that after the Arakan Army ended a ceasefire agreement with the military in November, she relocated to Myanmars largest city Yangon to escape the conflict and continue her studies. However, upon arriving, I lacked the funds to pursue my education, said the young woman, who gave the pseudonym Thandar due to security concerns. Consequently, I began working in factories instead of going to school. Often, I had to work late into the night, doing overtime without receiving any additional pay." Thandar said she dropped out of school at the age of 14 to support her family and has been working in Yangon's garment factories using someone else's identification card. A child, right, carries a basket of stones while unloading a quarry boat with adult workers at a port in Yangon, Myanmar, Sept. 2, 2012. (Alexander F. Yuan/AP) Experts RFA spoke with said that while child labor existed in Myanmar during civilian rule, it had significantly increased under current conditions. Attempts by RFA to contact the permanent secretariat of the junta's Ministry of Labor to inquire about efforts to combat child labor went unanswered Friday. On June 8, 2020, Myanmar ratified the International Labor Organization's minimum working age provision, prohibiting those under the age of 14 from employment or work in any occupation, except for light work and artistic performances, and banning hazardous types of activities for young persons under 18. It ratified a foundational agreement concerning the participation of children in armed conflict on Sept. 27, 2019. Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Over 30,000 people are trapped by fighting in one town with no medical staff to help the many wounded. The Hsenwi main market was bombarded by the junta air force on July 18, 2024. Junta forces bombed a market in Myanmars Shan state killing at least 15 people and wounding many, residents said on Friday, as a surge of fighting in the northeast and elsewhere took an increasingly heavy toll of civilians. Allied groups have been battling the military regime that seized power in a 2021 coup across the Mandalay region, as well as in neighboring Shan state and Rakhine state in the west since launching an offensive codenamed Operation 1027 in late October. A ceasefire agreed in January between junta forces and insurgent armies known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance collapsed in late June and fighting has surged since then. Battles have been raging for townships in Shan state and the Mandalay region with junta forces resorting to airstrikes as insurgent forces make gains in several places. An airstrike on a market in Shan states Hsenwi town killed 15 people on Thursday and critically wounded many, residents said, though adding that details could not be confirmed as telecommunications links had been cut. A plane dropped six bombs during market hours, said one resident who declined to be identified for security reasons. Its likely that some of the injured may also die because they are critically hurt. We still dont know exactly how many, but there are a lot. Hsenwi is about 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Lashio, the main town in northern Shan state where heavy fighting has also been taking place trapping thousands of civilians. RELATED STORIES 30,000 civilians trapped by conflict in Myanmars Lashio Myanmar rebel army calls ceasefire after junta airstrike Myanmar insurgent allies capture strategic Shan state town from junta The military has not released any information about the bombing in Hsenwi and a junta spokesman did not answer telephone calls seeking comment. Li Kya Win a spokesman for the insurgent force battling in the town, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, which is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, also did not respond to calls seeking comment by the time of publication. Messaging app channels supporting the junta posted videos that they said showed troops had cleared MNDAA insurgents out of state buildings in Hsenwi on Thursday evening. But residents told RFA that no insurgents had occupied those buildings near the market. No doctors In the Mandalay region to the west of Shan state, so-called Peoples Defense Forces serving under the National Unity Government, a shadow administration formed by members of the civilian government ousted in the 2021 coup, have said they have captured at least two dozen junta bases. Junta forces fired artillery into at least six neighborhoods in the gem-mining town of Mogoke, about 200 km (120 miles) north of Mandalay city, on Thursday killing 11 civilians and wounding 17, residents said. Another member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the Taang National Liberation Army, fighting alongside Peoples Defense Forces, claimed control of western Mogoke on Tuesday. Smoke rises from Mogoke town during a junta heavy artillery bombardment on July 18, 2024. (Citizen photo) At least half of the towns residents have fled, with many of those remaining struggling to cremate relatives killed in the fighting, said one resident, who also declined to be named for security reasons. Family members have been cremating their dead after bringing their bodies on motorcycles since last night, he said. They couldnt contact the free funeral service volunteer associations because all the phone lines were cut. He said the communications blackout made it impossible to get an accurate idea of the death toll but residents identified four of those killed in artillery fire as Min Khant Kyaw, Ni Tot, Thant Zin, Ko Htwe and Tin Maung Aye. The other seven could not be identified. There was also little help for the wounded, said a volunteer working with an aid association. There are no doctors or nurses in the hospital anymore. They left when the shelling became too intense and artillery started flying, he said, declining to be named in order to speak freely. RFA called Mandalay regions junta spokesperson, Thein Htay, for comment but he did not respond. About 30,000 people, or about half of Mogoke's usual population, are trapped in their homes after junta forces set up road blocks throughout the township as part of their campaign against the insurgents. The Taang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, is trying to occupy Mogoke and Shan states Mongmit, a spokesperson for the insurgent force told RFA. The TNLA seized four military camps, as well as weapons and ammunition on Thursday and only four junta outposts are holding out in a 55 km (34 mile) stretch between Mongmit and Mogoke, said the spokesperson, Lway Yay Oo, who added that TNLA fighters were focusing on getting control of Mogokes east. Junta attacks have killed 94 civilians and injured 131 in Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Nawnghkio, Mongmit and Mogoke townships from late June until Thursday, she said. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. President To Lam had already taken over the duties of the ailing Trong A newspaper reports the death of Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, in Hanoi on July 20, 2024. Updated July 19, 2024, 11:28 a.m. ET Vietnams Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong died on Friday at the age of 80, domestic media reported, after serving for 13 years as the most powerful leader in the Southeast Asian countrys one-party political system. Party Secretary General Trong, who spearheaded a sweeping anti-corruption campaign known as the Blazing Furnace, had been sick for some time and had stepped back from his official duties. A Dec. 12, 2023, photo shows then-Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hanoi. (Minh Hoang, Pool/AFP) Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has passed away following a period of illness, despite the care and treatment by the Party, the state, doctors and leading health experts, VNExpress reported. Trong had been at the helm of the party since 2011 but had hardly been seen in public since January when he attended an extraordinary session of the National Assembly. State media reported on Thursday that newly appointed president, To Lam, 67, had assumed Nguyens duties as Communist Party chief. Lam was named president in May. As acting general secretary, he is now Vietnams top leader and will oversee the work of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat, according to the Vietnam News Agency. RELATED STORIES Meet To Lam, Vietnam's Communist Party chief and successor to Nguyen Phu Trong Vietnamese Communist chief Nguyen Phu Trong leaves behind a weak, fractious party To Lam takes office as Vietnam's president Vietnam leadership battle heats up after serial sackings narrow the field Trong was the main architect of the anti-graft drive that has netted senior party officials and business leaders but also raised new concerns about political stability in what is considered Southeast Asias manufacturing hub, and is heavily dependent on foreign investment and trade. Foreign policy pragmatist Carlyle Thayer, a Vietnam expert at the University of New South Wales, said Trong would be remembered as a staunch adherent to the Vietnamese tenets of Marxism-Leninism and socialism, and a proponent of party-building and one-party rule by the Communist Party. He will also be viewed as a pragmatist in foreign policy but a stern opponent of peaceful evolution and a color revolution, Thayer said Particularly in his first term, Trong reined in the sprawling complex of state-owned corporations, general corporations and state banks that flourished as a result of high GDP growth rates and aggressively prosecuted corrupt officials and their networks, he added. Trong was born in Hanoi in 1944. He earned a bachelors degree in literature from Vietnam National University and was a professor and PhD holder in political science, according to the Nhan Dan newspaper. He worked as an editor at the Communist Review. In 1996, he was named deputy secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and afterward ascended through the party ranks. U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper noted in a statement that Trong became the first Vietnamese leader to visit the United States when he traveled to Washington to meet with then-President Barack Obama in 2015. Vietnam and the United States upgraded their relationship to comprehensive strategic partners during President Joe Bidens 2023 visit to Hanoi, Biden said in a statement on Friday. The people of Vietnam and the United States and people across the Indo-Pacific region enjoy greater security and opportunity today because of the friendship between our two countries, Biden said in the statement. That is thanks to him. Edited by Mike Firn and Matt Reed. This story has been updated to add details from Trongs early career and statements from the U.S ambassador and President Biden. Communist cadre who maneuvered his way to become general secretary has long used influence to coalesce power. Vietnamese President To Lam attends a press briefing with Russian President Vladimir Putin (not pictured), at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, June 20, 2024. Updated July 19, 2024, 2:40 p.m. EDT In the West, he may be best known for eating a gold-covered steak while his countrymen survive on an average of about US$10 a day. But in Hanoi, Vietnams new top leader To Lam has for years been seen as an operator whose decades in politics long paved the way for his ascent. On Thursday, that climb reached a new zenith after Vietnamese state media announced that Lam, 67, would take over the duties for Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. State media announced that Trong died Friday at the age of 80. It comes less than two months after Lam was elevated to the Vietnamese presidency a move that put him in pole position for the general secretary job, the most powerful in the country. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Vietnam's President To Lam attend a reception at the Hanoi Opera House in Hanoi, Vietnam, June 20, 2024. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters) The son of a Vietnamese police colonel, Lam began his career in public security in 1979. He joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1981, eventually rising to become the minister for public security the countrys top security official in 2016. In 2019, he was awarded the rank of general by then-president Trong. Security czar In his capacity as security minister, he focused on internal politics and counter-intelligence areas that may well have helped him to later cement his political powers. The stint was not without controversy. In 2017, Lam was accused of being involved in the kidnapping of Trinh Xuan Thanh, a fugitive oil executive and former provincial official, in Berlin. Thanh later returned to Hanoi through Slovakia. The government denied kidnapping but the case led to a temporary rift in diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam. But it would fit a larger pattern of alleged transnational repression and quashing of dissent overseen by Lam. His term as security minister saw the arrests and suspected kidnappings of journalist critics, including RFA blogger Truong Duy Nhat, who disappeared in Thailand in 2019 but is now in jail in Vietnam serving a 10-year sentence. Golden steak and Onion Bae In 2021, Lam was involved in another controversy after he was caught on video eating a piece of gold-plated steak at a luxury restaurant in London. A video clip of the general being fed a US$2,000 steak by celebrity chef Salt Bae went viral, causing a public outcry at home. This was followed by a draconian crackdown, including the arrest and jailing of a noodle-seller nicknamed Onion Bae who had dared to ridicule Lam by posting a parody of the incident to social media. He remains in jail. Lam subsequently ramped up anti-corruption crackdowns that saw off potential rivals within the party in what critics have said were clearly politically motivated investigations. Vietnamese President To Lam, left on red carpet, and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, right on red carpet, review the guard of honor at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, June 20, 2024. (Minh Hoang/AP) Lams enthusiastic implementation of this so-called Blazing Furnace campaign led to the sacking of half a dozen senior ministers and Politburo members within the span of months beginning in 2022. Yet Lam is also said to have questionable hidden interests. In May, the Tieng Dan newspaper revealed that a younger brother of To Lam, To Dung, was the chairman of the construction and real estate firm Xuan Cau Group, noting that the company had been conspicuously absent from any investigation even as it has won projects worth billions of Vietnamese dong with little oversight. RELATED STORIES Nguyen Phu Trong left Vietnam's Communist Party ripe for strongman rule Vietnamese Communist chief Nguyen Phu Trong leaves behind a weak, fractious party To Lam takes office as Vietnam's president The deepening securitization of Vietnamese politics Private man Little else is known about the private life of Vietnams new top man. He does not appear to have ever given any remarks to Western media and nothing in English has been written of his immediate family, though Vietnamese reports say he has been twice married, first to Vu Hong Loan, the sister of a Vietnamese police major general and currently to Ngo Phuong Ly. He appears to have several children. One daughter was revealed to have graduated from Londons prestigious School of Oriental and Asian Studies, or SOAS, in 2023. On the global stage, Lam has made clear his endorsement of the so-called Bamboo diplomacy Hanoi has undertaken to balance its relations between East and West. In June, he welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin, weeks after his swearing in as president, calling him comrade and hailing a successful visit. Hanoi saw visits from Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden within the previous nine months. The announcement that Lam will serve concurrently as president and acting general secretary suggests that the party has determined that Lam will be elected to a full term at the next party congress in early 2026, says Zachary Abuza, a Southeast Asia expert at the National War College in Washington. Lam would require an age waiver, and might face resistance from senior party elite who resent his seizure of power in the years leading up to Trong's death, he said. Whether his caretaker role becomes a more permanent one, there seems little likelihood that Lam would veer from the established path. At his presidential swearing-in in May, he promised to continue to strengthen the partys capabilities, its ruling power and combat prowess. He may well be looking to strengthen the same in himself. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Updated with an expert view on Lam's role and future prospects.. GAZA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 38,983, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Sunday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 64 people and wounded 105 others, bringing the total death toll to 38,983 and injuries to 89,727 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, it said in a statement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that IDF troops are continuing to operate in the Gaza Strip from land, air, and sea. During operations in the Rafah area in southern Gaza, "an IDF aircraft identified an armed terrorist cell advancing toward troops, who responded swiftly and eliminated the cell," said the IDF. "In the central Gaza Strip, IDF troops conducted targeted operations on multiple military structures, locating various types of weaponry," it added. In a separate statement on Sunday, the IDF said it discovered the poliovirus in the Gaza Strip and launched a campaign to vaccinate its ground troops. Six environmental samples of variant poliovirus type 2 have been detected from Khan Younis and Deir al Balah in Gaza, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on social media platform X on Friday, noting that no paralytic cases have been detected. "The decimation of the health system, lack of security, access obstruction, constant population displacement, shortages of medical supplies, poor quality of water, and weakened sanitation are increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio," it added. Polio, or Poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under five, and the virus is primarily spread via person-to-person transmission, mainly through the fecal-oral route, according to the WHO. A screen displays the crime scene diagram during a presser following a case of six foreign nationals who were found dead inside a room at Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel at Lumpini Police Station, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 17, 2024 Insider RFA to back welcome! Oops Eugene and Amy get a little disoriented as they flip the podcast format and give listeners the main story first, followed by the regularly scheduled rundown and banter. How Its Made Joining Eugene and Amy in the studio is Mem Satitpanyapan of RFAs sister organization BenarNews, a news outlet reporting on security, politics and human rights in Southeast and South Asia. Mem, who serves as the senior Thai content manager, chats with the crew about a Bangkok murder case making international headlines. The bodies of six tourists two Vietnamese-Americans and four Vietnamese nationals were discovered in a ritzy hotel room. The cause of death? Tea laced with cyanide. Podcast Free Asia Eugene explains that in an effort to reach and retain new listeners, the podcast will lead with the How Its Made segment to present listeners with the main meat of the episode first. All segments will remain the same, simply in a different order! Listeners of RFA Insider should also check out the new RFA Stories podcast, which is launching the five-part series Master of Deceit on Chinese-American democracy activist and accused spy Wang Shujun. The Rundown Amy kicks off the segment with a bizarre update related to Thich Minh Tue, the Vietnamese man who went viral online for his ascetic lifestyle following the teachings of Buddha. Tue, along with some of his followers, were detained by police in early June, but the unofficial monk resurfaced later in July. Prior to his resurfacing, however, two Vietnamese YouTubers found themselves in hot water with police for filming a rock formation and suggesting that it resembled Thich Minh Tue. Eugene opens a conspiracy theory can of worms with the Asia Fact Check Labs report addressing rumors on Chinese social media, following the successful launch of Chinas Change 6 space probe, that the U.S. Apollo lunar landings had been faked. Some evidence of the conspiracy relied on presenting interview snippets from Change 6 lead architect Pei Zhouyu and Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin entirely out of context. Other evidence took advantage of the language barrier to slap fake captions in Chinese over a photo, making it seem as though White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre had announced that the U.S. and China had landed on two different moons. The last two pieces of evidence a case of petrified wood being misidentified as lunar rock and the false claim that the official records of the Apollo 11 mission had been lost also failed to serve as legitimate evidence of a staged lunar landing. Back to Main WASHINGTON -- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris could become the first woman of color nominated by a major party for the presidency after her boss, President Joe Biden, bowed out of the race as pressure mounted following a debate last month that raised questions about his age, acuity, and ability to win a second term. Biden made the announcement on July 21, saying he was stepping aside "in the best interest of my party and the country" and endorsing Harris to be the new Democratic candidate for November's election. Harris, 59, could sew up the Democratic nomination at the party's August 19-21 convention in Chicago if enough delegates agree to transfer their votes from Biden to her, a development that would be unprecedented in modern U.S. presidential politics. She is the favorite to become the nominee, although much remains uncertain and other candidates could throw their hats in the ring. Harris's nomination would transform a race that was shaping up to be a rematch between Biden and Republican nominee Donald Trump, even as many Americans clamored for someone new. Her entry could also bring policy and track records back to the forefront of a contest that has been dominated by intense scrutiny of Biden's fitness -- and his ability to win defeat Trump -- after he spoke incoherently and appeared confused during their June 27 debate. Biden's performance led to persistent calls from top congressional Democrats and donors for him to withdraw from the campaign. Harris would enter the high-stakes race about neck-and-neck with Trump, with issues including immigration reform, abortion rights, and aid to Ukraine for its defense against Russia hanging in the balance. Undecided voters in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin could potentially determine who wins. As they focus their time and energy on those crucial states, Trump will likely attack Harris's work on immigration and paint her as a representative of the Democratic Party's "radical left." Harris, in turn, may focus on the administration's achievements over the past four years, including strong job growth, a reduction in prescription prices, and student debt forgiveness. She is also likely to focus on her attempts to protect voting and abortion rights. As president from 2017 to 2021, Trump tipped the nine-member Supreme Court to the right with three conservative nominees. In a landmark decision two years ago, the court overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 ruling recognizing abortion as a constitutional right. Harris is also likely to attack Trump's criminal history and present him as politician unworthy of the nation's highest office. Trump was convicted by a jury in May of forging financial records and is due to be sentenced later this year, though it is highly unlikely he will be imprisoned. Trump is also facing charges in two other cases, including one pertaining to the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, when he sought to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden. Democrats had been portraying Trump as a threat to democracy, including for egging on the rioters, but they may tone down their language -- at least in the short-term -- following the attempt on the Republican candidate's life this month. In a hypothetical contest between Harris and Trump, polls have been inconsistent, with some showing Harris slightly leading Trump and others showing her trailing. Role At Ukraine Peace Summit Biden tapped Harris to oversee diplomatic efforts with Latin American countries aimed at slowing the flow of migrants to the southern U.S. border. Upon taking office, Biden relaxed Trump-era immigration rules, triggering a flood of migrants across the border. Harris focused on addressing the root causes of the problem -- such as poverty and lack of job opportunities in the home countries -- but faced criticism from the right and from some in her own party for taking weeks to visit the border. Harris's portfolio also included protecting voting rights and reproductive rights. Following the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, she traveled around the country in the run-up to the 2022 congressional elections to support Democratic candidates, promising to prioritize and protect abortion rights. Democrats fared better than expected in part as their base was galvanized by concern over the court's ruling. As vice president, Harris has built up her foreign policy credentials, making more than a dozen overseas trips and meeting more than 150 world leaders. In June, she represented the United States at the Ukraine peace forum in Switzerland. However, she is still not perceived as an international statesman by voters, political analysts said. Harris would have a chance to demonstrate her knowledge of foreign affairs -- a major topic in this election year amid wars in Ukraine and Gaza -- in a debate with Trump, potentially reshaping her image among voters. Her lack of deep international experience was one of several factors that hurt her 2020 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Harris could gain votes by taking a different stance from the administration on some foreign policy issues, experts said. Biden had alienated part of the Democratic base -- in particular, young progressives -- with his pro-Israel policies, including sending arms to the country. Protests against the administration's support for Israel broke out around universities in the spring. Harris, who is not closely associated with the issue, could try to win some of them back with a more critical stance on the Israeli strikes in Gaza. How Harris's gender and ethnicity will impact her chances in the 2024 election is unclear. While some Americans say the country is not ready for a woman president, Harris could potentially win back some black voters who have become disenchanted with the Democratic Party. Daughter Of Immigrants Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964, to a well-educated family in Oakland, California, during a period of racial unrest in the United States. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a biologist who had emigrated to the United States several years earlier from India to study at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Her father, Donald Harris, moved to California from Jamaica in 1961 to study economics at Berkeley and went on to become a professor at Stanford, another top U.S. university. The two met as civil rights activists at Berkeley. Harris was bused to school in a white neighborhood in California as a child before moving to Montreal with her mother and sister after her parents divorced. Harris returned to the United States to study at Howard University, a historically black institution in Washington, D.C., graduating with a degree in political science and economics. She would go on law school at the University of California, graduating in 1989. Harris quickly gained a name for herself in California's legal community, eventually defeating her boss in 2003 to become the district attorney of San Francisco. She would face law enforcement anger a year later when she refused to seek the death penalty for a gang member accused of murdering a police officer. Israel has claimed that the successor to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has likely been "eliminated," while U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called Tehran the greatest adversary of the United States. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on October 8 said that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, was an "organization without a head." "Nasrallah was eliminated -- his replacement was probably also eliminated," Gallant told officers at the military's northern command center without providing details. "There's no one to make decisions, no one to act," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 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. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollahs political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament. 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 are a mystery since an Israeli strike hit a suspected Hezbollah leadership meeting on October 2. 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. Meanwhile, Harris told CBS TV's 60 Minutes program in an interview that she considered Iran to be the greatest adversary of the United States. "Iran has American blood on their hands," she said. "And what we saw in terms of just this attack on Israel, 200 ballistic missiles, what we need to do to ensure that Iran never achieves the ability to be a nuclear power -- that is one of my highest priorities." Harris -- the Democratic presidential nominee who will face Republican Donald Trump in the November 5 election -- declined to speculate on whether the United States would take military action itself should proof be uncovered that Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Tehran has denied it is building such weapons and says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. The comments came as the battered and bloodied leadership of Hezbollah suggested it might be ready to negotiate a cease-fire with Israel Deputy leader Naim Qassem, in a televised speech, for the first time did not suggest that ending the war in Gaza was a precondition to reaching a truce with Israel in Lebanon. Qassem said the group backed an effort by Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, to reach a deal to halt the fighting. Late on October 8, the Syrian government said that seven civilians were killed in an Israeli air strike in Damascus. A war monitor said the strike targeted a building used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah. Israel did not immediately comment and the reports could not be verified. The Israeli military said earlier on October 8 that it had killed another senior Hezbollah commander, a day after marking the somber anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people. Suhail Husseini, who was responsible for overseeing the logistics, budget, and management of Hezbollah, was killed in a targeted attack on October 7, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. "Husseini played a crucial role in weapon transfers between Iran and Hezbollah," the statement said, adding that he was also in charge of distributing advanced weapons to the group's members and for its "most sensitive projects" that included operations against Israel. The IDF said Husseini was also a member of the Jihad Council, the supreme military body of Hezbollah. There was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah. The Israeli announcement came after Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of rockets on October 7 into Israel, where President Isaac Herzog led a national moment of silence to mark the start of last year's Hamas attack, which started at Kibbutz Reim in the south of the country. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. In Washington on October 7, President Joe Biden condemned Hamas on the anniversary, while also stating again the U.S. administration's commitment to reaching cease-fire agreements to end fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon. "On this solemn anniversary, let us bear witness to the unspeakable brutality of the October 7 attacks but also to the beauty of the lives that were stolen that day," Biden said in a statement. In Jerusalem, relatives of the some 100 hostages still in Hamas captivity, out of a total of 250, gathered outside Netanyahu's residence and stood in silence as a siren wailed in a gesture of protest against what relatives say is the failure of the government to secure their loved ones' release. The conflict in Gaza is still raging while Israel is now fighting on a second front in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. Following the October 7 attack, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas. Some 90 percent of the population of Gaza has been displaced and large areas have been destroyed by Israeli bombardments. The Israeli military said on October 7 that over the past year it has bombed more than 40,000 targets in Gaza, found 4,700 tunnel shafts and destroyed 1,000 rocket launcher sites. Israel in recent weeks has been carrying out air strikes across Lebanon, including Beirut, and has staged a ground invasion into south Lebanon in its drive to wipe out Hezbollah's capabilities and leadership. In the attacks, Israel killed Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and dozens of other leaders of the group. On October 6, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters that Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force -- the overseas arm of the IRGC -- had also not been heard from in recent days since traveling to Lebanon. Tel Avivs campaign against Hezbollah prompted Iran to respond by attacking Israel with a large wave of rockets that were largely shot down by Israeli air defenses without causing substantial damage, but the attack renewed fears of a larger regional conflict. Gallant on October 6 threatened Iran that it might eventually find itself looking like Beirut or Gaza -- which has also been battered over the past year -- if Tehran attempts to further harm Israel. With reporting by CBS and AP Nearly three years have passed since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, to the dismay of much of the world. While the Central Asian states were among the countries that didnt welcome the return of the Taliban, most of them took a different approach to the Afghan militant group than they did when the Taliban first ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s. Trade has grown steadily between Central Asia and Afghanistan since August 2021, and Central Asian officials meet regularly with Taliban representatives to discuss cooperation on major projects. Joining host Bruce Pannier to discuss the Talibans new relations with its northern neighbors are guests Qadir Habib, director of RFERLs Radio Azadi; Pahlavon Turgunov, managing editor at RFERLs Uzbek Service; and Farruh Yusupov, director of RFERLs Turkmen Service. A makeshift memorial appeared in the Ukrainian city of Lviv on July 20, a day after a gunman shot former lawmaker Iryna Farion in the head. People brought candles and flowers to the site of the shooting. The campaigner for the Ukrainian language was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died after surgery. JERUSALEM, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that an Israeli delegation will visit Qatar later this week to resume negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange deal. Netanyahu held a lengthy discussion on Sunday with members of the negotiation team and senior security officials regarding the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, according to his office. The delegation, headed by Mossad chief David Barnea, will arrive in Doha on Thursday and engage in indirect negotiations brokered by Qatar and Egypt and supported by the United States. The new round of negotiations had been delayed for about a week after Hamas halted the talks in protest over an Israeli attack on Khan Younis on July 13, which killed at least 90 Palestinians. Previous rounds of talks in Qatar have so far failed to produce an agreement to end the more than nine months of conflict in Gaza, with both sides blaming each other for the deadlock. Hollywood star Chris O'Dowd and his wife Dawn O'Porter joined the Boyle Palestine Solidarity Group's weekly demonstration in Boyle on Friday. O'Dowd returned to his native Boyle to officially open the Boyle Arts Festival and the couple took the opportunity to show their support for the local campaign attempting to highlight the suffering of the people in Gaza. Every Friday a group of people make a stand for Gaza on the bridge over the N4 in Boyle. The local woman who is the driving force behind the Boyle bridgil said it was intended as a reminder to us , as we go about our busy lives, that unbelievable atrocities are still taking place on a daily basis. Mary Gallagher said she could not just sit at home doing nothing while the list of people killed and injured continues to grow. Describing herself as a reluctant leader who never put myself out there before the Boyle woman said she felt so strongly about what is happening in Gaza that she had to do something. Each week the list of killed and injured increases, she said. The number of children orphaned and parents facing life without their children increases. There are countless people including children trapped under rubble with no hope of being rescued. Fiona Keenan , one of the regular attenders at the Boyle bridgil, also recognises that individuals may feel powerless but she too thinks it is important to make a stand. Israels actions in Palestine have been nothing short of genocide," she said. Individually, we might not make a difference, but through discussion and presence, more people might come on board - theres power in the collective. Another local woman , Melbourne-based television producer and musician Maggie Carty, who is home on holidays, recently joined the show of solidarity. Bridgils (vigils over bridges) have been taking place all over the country as people try to highlight the ongoing suffering in Gaza. Mary Gallagher said anyone was welcome who feels the same horror at the pain and suffering of fellow humans and the inadequacy we feel as we watch the senseless violence live streamed to our phones. The Boyle bridgil takes place on the bridge over the N4 (Abbeytown to Rockingham) from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Friday evenings. By Rebecca Black, PA Taoiseach Simon Harris has thanked Joe Biden for his friendship to the Irish nation after the US president withdrew his bid for re-election. The Taoiseach said Mr Biden had been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Mr Biden was warmly welcomed to Ireland last year for a trip that included addressing the Dail as well as tracing his family roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo. He also visited Northern Ireland and met then UK prime minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast, as well as undertaking an engagement at the Ulster University. US President Joe Biden delivers a speech at St Muredachs Cathedral in Ballina, on the last day of his visit to the island of Ireland. Photo: PA. Mr Harris paid tribute to Mr Biden following the announcement on Sunday evening that he had withdrawn from the US presidential race. In a statement, the Taoiseach said: On behalf of the people and government of Ireland, I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election. He said Mr Biden had expressed a fierce pride in his Irish ancestry and had acted as a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this, he said. My statement on US President @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/5WltCqip06 Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024 On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home. The outpouring of love and support from the public, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina was testament to how highly the President is held in his ancestral home. Earlier, the Tanaiste reacted to Mr Bidens withdrawal decision with sadness and admiration. US President Joe Biden receiving a standing ovation after addressing the Oireachtas Eireann during his visit to the island of Ireland. Photo: Tony Maxwell/PA. Tanaiste Micheal Martin described Mr Biden as an abiding friend of Ireland. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness and admiration, Mr Martin said in a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness & admiration. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/pbamsn5Tmx Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 21, 2024 His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best. ELDORET, Kenya, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto vowed on Sunday that his government will not allow violent protests that have led to untold suffering in several parts of the country. Ruto who has been under intense pressure from young protesters to drop high taxes, cut wastage and fight corruption, said the government will take tough measures to protect lives and property of all Kenyans and assured the country that firm security has been put in place to ensure no group threatens the prevailing peace. The president said he had extended an open invitation to everyone, encouraging the Gen-Z protesters to voice their concerns following the deadly protests, which has claimed more than 50 lives and several injuries, including destruction of property across the country. He strongly condemned Gen-Z for evading discussions with him during an X Space meeting and in the planned national dialogue. "Enough is enough. They (protesters) demanded that I withdraw the Finance Bill 2024, and I did that. I called them for a conversation, but they directed me to X Space. I went there, but they fled. Now, I have called for a dialogue, but they have refused, saying that they are faceless and formless," Ruto said in Bomet County, northwest Kenya. "We are a democratic nation and we cannot surrender our democracy to faceless, formless and anonymous anarchists who want to use violence to destroy our country," he added. The president was forced to dissolve his Cabinet last week after young protesters staged anti-government demonstrations across the country in June against a wide range of unpopular tax increases contained in the Finance Bill 2024 that have since been withdrawn. The bill, which sparked youth protests that led to its withdrawal from the National Assembly by the president, was seeking to raise an additional 346.7 billion shillings (2.7 billion U.S. dollars) through new taxes. The protesters had expressed outrage over provisions of the bill that would raise taxes on goods and services that many people depend on, such as bread, and on mobile money transfers, to meet the government's revenue targets. The Gen-Z protesters had been demanding accountability in government, saying there is a lot of opulence and wastage in government spending. On Sunday, Ruto pointed out that Kenya is a democracy governed by the rule of law, saying the country is more important than a few individuals. He asked those hiding under the youth to destabilize the country to come forward and provide their alternative plan for the country. "Our plans to transform education, health, agriculture, energy, water and infrastructure, among others, are known. These others should tell us what their plans are instead of hiding behind violence," Ruto said. He said time has come for the so-called "leaderless, faceless and formless" group to present their alternative agenda instead of engaging in destructive demonstrations. The president urged Kenyans to be wary of individuals using undemocratic means to destabilize the nation to attain their selfish ends. Ruto emphasized the need for Kenyans to guard peace, saying some individuals were hiding behind the youth to cause anarchy. Shi Yonghong (R), vice president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), attends a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, July 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) BRUSSELS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese industry body has urged the European Commission to amend its unlawful findings in the anti-subsidy probe into Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs), expressing hope that a balanced solution can be reached to avoid harm to both parties. "Trade defense measures will harm all sides involved. The strength and growth of the EU and Chinese BEV industries lie in collaboration, not conflict," Shi Yonghong, vice president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), told a press conference in Brussels on Friday. The CCCME represents 12 Chinese BEV exporting producers, including three sampled producers individually investigated by the Commission. OBJECTIVITY, FAIRNESS UNDERMINED On July 4, the European Commission introduced provisional additional tariffs of up to 37.6 percent on Chinese BEV makers. The Commission alleged that the decision was based on the investigation concluding that the Chinese BEV value chain benefits from subsidies, causing a threat of economic injury to EU producers. Shi noted that the determination is "unlawful," with the low representativeness of the samples in the investigation compromising the objectivity of the analysis. Instead of choosing exporting producers with the largest export volumes to the EU, the Commission selected three Chinese BEV manufacturers that collectively account for 39 percent of the total Chinese export volume to the EU, and an EU sample, which represents only 30 percent in production and 32 percent in sales, according to Shi. He noted that the Commission overlooked imports of foreign-branded BEVs from China into the EU, which constitute about 70 percent of Chinese BEVs by quantity, saying that it violates the obligation of "positive evidence" and "objective examination" in price comparisons. "We urge the Commission to strictly abide by the laws of the World Trade Organization and the EU and conduct this investigation in a manner of objectivity, fairness, and transparency," Shi said. INNOVATION FUELS GROWTH, NOT SUBSIDIES Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show that China's production and sales of new energy vehicles grew over 30 percent year-on-year in the first six months of 2024, and the market share of new energy vehicles in China had reached 35.2 percent by the end of June. Speaking of the meteoric growth of the Chinese BEV industry, Shi said the success of the Chinese BEV industry derives from technological innovation, a robust supply chain, and full competition. Wei Wenqing, deputy secretary general of the association, said at the press conference that the Chinese government established two targets for passenger vehicle companies: reducing fuel consumption in traditional automobiles and advancing the development of new energy vehicles. According to Wei, credit incentives and penalties have effectively motivated companies to upgrade their technology. "It is hoped that the European side will face up to the facts that China's competitive advantage in electric vehicles does not come from subsidies," Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian said last week. FAIR COMPETITION BREEDS MUTUAL ADVANCEMENT Following the EU's announcement of imposing provisional duties on imports of Chinese BEVs, EU member states and the vehicle industry voiced concerns and criticism regarding the decision. "The negative effects of this decision outweigh any benefits for the European, and especially the German automotive industry," Volkswagen stressed. Wei pointed out that open competition and free trade would promote the progress of the local automotive industry, as evidenced by the history of China's automotive development. "European brands such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi all occupy a dominant position in the Chinese imported car market, and the Chinese automotive firms were boosted by and emerged from the intense competition," Wei said. Looking ahead, there are still broad prospects for cooperation between the EU and China in fields such as technology and research and development, according to Shi. "China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners with extensive common interests," Shi said, urging the Commission to take into consideration the overall interests of the EU and China. ABUJA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Sunday extended his condolences to the government and the people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam over the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. In a condolence message, Tinubu assured the people of Vietnam of Nigeria's solidarity "at this time of grief," while expressing his profound sympathy over the loss. He also noted the huge influence and efforts of the deceased leader in shaping Vietnam. Trong, who served as general secretary of the CPV Central Committee and secretary of the Central Military Commission since January 2011 and also served as Vietnam's president from October 2018 to April 2021, died in Hanoi, the capita of Vietnam,on July 19 at the age of 80. Health Spotlight Opioid crisis fourth wave concerns SF public-health experts Jenny Kane/Associated Press File A study published last year found the share of overdose deaths nationwide in which fentanyl and stimulants were detected rose from 0.6% in 2010 to more than 32% in 2021 . San Francisco health officials continue to grapple with an opioid crisis amid rising national concern about overdoses linked to a combination of fentanyl and stimulants. Multiple published studies show that stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine are increasingly being detected alongside opioids in fatal drug overdoses. Stimulants make sense in the end cycle of the opioid problem, said Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, an addiction-medicine professor at UCSF. We have to remember that for the past 20 years, weve been in this three-wave problem with overdoses. Ciccarone and his peers characterize the opioid epidemics waves as follows: The first began in the early 2000s with prescription opioids, followed by heroin during the second, in the 2010s. Around 2015, the third wave began with the rise of fentanyl, and the drug reached the West Coast in 2018. Public-health experts call this new cycle the crisis fourth wave, with stimulants increasingly used in tandem with fentanyl. A Millennium Health report published earlier this year found that 60% of fentanyl-positive urine samples collected across the country in 2023 also contained methamphetamine, marking an 875% increase since 2015. A study published in the journal Addiction last year found the share of overdose deaths nationwide in which fentanyl and stimulants were detected rose from 0.6% in 2010 to more than 32% in 2021. The most significant uptick began in 2015, according to the research. Similar to national figures, most overdose deaths in San Francisco involve more than one substance, said Dr. Hillary Kunins, the director of behavioral health services at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, told The Examiner. What we know, and our colleagues at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner know, is that both drugs are present in a persons body. The San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did not respond to The Examiners request for comment at the time of publication. What is not known is the extent to which that is from the mixing of two substances meaning the person knew they were using an opioid, fentanyl, and knew they were using a stimulant or whether the two drugs were present in the same sample specimen, Kunins said. Its very hard to separate those two facts. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner recorded 374 overdose deaths through the first six months of 2024, down from the same time last year but higher than that period in 2020, 21 and 22. Of those 374 deaths, fentanyl was detected in 268, methamphetamine was detected in 175, and cocaine in 174. Although the drug detections add up to more than the total deaths, Kunins said it was unclear which deaths had multiple substances present. We know its happening, but its hard to quantify it, both here and nationally, Kunins said. Dr. Alexander Bazazi, a UCSF epidemiologist and substance-use expert who also provides treatment in The City, said its rare to encounter patients on fentanyl who arent using stimulants. He said fentanyl acts as a sedative, and many users are looking to boost their highs. The norm for people to use fentanyl daily in San Francisco is to also use methamphetamine, Bazazi said. Thats the norm, not the exception. Other stimulant users might be consuming fentanyl without intending to, the experts who spoke with The Examiner said. They said, at least in San Francisco, its less likely theyre unknowingly consuming drugs with fentanyl mixed in than it is that they are sharing cross-contaminated pipes and paraphernalia. The same glass pipes the meth uses and the fentanyl uses will collect a resin of both drugs, Ciccarone said. You cant tell from the resin its just a brown, sticky substance whether its a fentanyl resin or methamphetamine resin or both. Some users will try to prevent this type of cross-contamination by differentiating pipes with colored rubber bands, said Bazazi, who said that a harm-reduction program similar to needle exchanges would also be helpful in addressing this issue by providing clean pipes. Bazazi said his main concern about fentanyl users also using stimulants is that consumption of the latter can be a red herring, as fentanyl is a more common cause of fatal overdoses. Stimulants kill people on their own in a slow process by taxing the heart, the cardiovascular system and then people end up having a stroke or a heart attack, he explained. There is a shift in the field to thinking about stimulant-toxicity deaths as being more like a chronic-disease death. Ultimately, Bazazi said autopsies can only answer so many questions about overdose deaths. Its very hard to find out these things from looking at bodies, which is why we have to talk to living people, Bazazi said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The New York state Department of Civil Service (DCS) has released its July through August application schedule for New Yorks entry-level civil service exams, and some jobs pay better than others. The open-competitive exams are an opportunity to start a career in New York state. These tests are open to anyone who meets the qualifications listed on the examination announcement. The exams will be held as either in-person written exams or online exams. Qualified candidates can apply online for these exams at https://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc/. The application period opened for the following exams: environmental conservation police officer trainee 1; environmental conservation police officer trainee 1 (Chinese language); environmental conservation police officer trainee 1 (Spanish language); forest ranger 1; municipal police officer/deputy sheriff; park police officer trainee; park police officer trainee (Spanish language); university police officer 1; and university police officer 1 (Spanish language). Applications are open until Aug. 14. Visit www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc to apply for exams. Application fees are waived for this month. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION According to the state, an application must be submitted online or postmarked by the last date to apply. An application will not be accepted after the filing deadline has passed. To be considered for appointment, you must pass the written test. The Department of Civil Service may administer tests either online or with paper booklets and answer sheets. All positions offer generous benefits, including paid leave, health benefits and retirement plans. In addition, telecommuting options may be available to employees who meet certain criteria. To learn more about working for the State of New York, visit the Department of Civil Service website and follow the department on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Here are the salaries and descriptions for each job, according to DCS. Environmental conservation police officer trainee 1 Salary: $53,483 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: You will participate in a residential formal training program lasting about 29 weeks. Upon successful completion of this training program, you will be assigned to a patrol area, most likely in a downstate location. After assignment, you will perform enforcement work under close and continuous supervision. You will be a sworn police officer involved in the enforcement of environmental conservation law in order to protect the states natural resources and environment. You will investigate complaints in order to detect and document both state and federal environmental conservation law felonies, misdemeanors and violations. You will meet with school groups, service groups, regulated community and hunters and anglers clubs to promote compliance with environmental conservation law, which includes fish and wildlife law. At times, you will be expected to work long and irregular hours on outdoor patrols. You will be required to carry a firearm. You will be assigned a notebook computer and be required to use it daily to transmit information, forms, and reports to supervisory staff. Required uniform clothing and necessary equipment will be provided by the Department. After appointment, you will be required to work out of your home and be accessible to all parts of your patrol area. The location of your residence will have to be within your assigned patrol area and be acceptable to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Pursuant to Public Officers Law, New York State residency must be maintained. Environmental conservation police officer trainee 1 (Chinese language) Salary: $53,483 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: You will participate in a residential formal training program lasting about 29 weeks. Upon successful completion of this training program, you will be assigned to a patrol area, most likely in a downstate location. After assignment, you will perform enforcement work under close and continuous supervision. You will be a sworn police officer involved in the enforcement of environmental conservation law in order to protect the States natural resources and environment. You will investigate complaints in order to detect and document both state and federal environmental conservation law felonies, misdemeanors, and violations. You will meet with school groups, service groups, regulated community and hunters and anglers clubs to promote compliance with environmental conservation law, which includes fish and wildlife law. At times, you will be expected to work long and irregular hours on outdoor patrols. You will be required to carry a firearm. You will be assigned a notebook computer and be required to use it daily to transmit information, forms, and reports to supervisory staff. Required uniform clothing and necessary equipment will be provided by the department. After appointment, you will be required to work out of your home and be accessible to all parts of your patrol area. The location of your residence will have to be within your assigned patrol area and be acceptable to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Pursuant to Public Officers Law, New York State residency must be maintained. Environmental conservation police officer trainee 1 (Spanish language) Salary: $53,483 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: You will participate in a residential formal training program lasting about 29 weeks. Upon successful completion of this training program, you will be assigned to a patrol area, most likely in a downstate location. After assignment, you will perform enforcement work under close and continuous supervision. You will be a sworn police officer involved in the enforcement of environmental conservation law in order to protect the States natural resources and environment. You will investigate complaints in order to detect and document both state and federal environmental conservation law felonies, misdemeanors, and violations. You will meet with school groups, service groups, regulated community and hunters and anglers clubs to promote compliance with environmental conservation law, which includes fish and wildlife law. At times, you will be expected to work long and irregular hours on outdoor patrols. You will be required to carry a firearm. You will be assigned a notebook computer and be required to use it daily to transmit information, forms, and reports to supervisory staff. Required uniform clothing and necessary equipment will be provided by the department. After appointment, you will be required to work out of your home and be accessible to all parts of your patrol area. The location of your residence will have to be within your assigned patrol area and be acceptable to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Pursuant to Public Officers Law, New York State residency must be maintained. Forest ranger 1 Salary: $59,298 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: As a Forest Ranger 1, you would be required to participate in a formal residential training program lasting approximately 26 weeks. Upon successful completion, you would work in an assigned patrol area, and elsewhere throughout the state for emergencies and special assignments. You would be required to work out of your home and the location of your residence must comply with current division residency requirements. Forest Rangers perform a wide variety of duties related to overseeing the care, custody, and control of DEC administered lands and as such will be required to be engaged in extensive foot, bike, canoe, boat, snowshoe, or ski patrol on assigned state land areas. The care, custody and control of state land also requires that Forest Rangers will routinely interact and assist DEC land managers to help them best manage state lands and public use. You would be a sworn police Ooficer, authorized to investigate complaints and enforce provisions of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and other state laws to protect the states lands, other natural resources, and the people who use them. You would be required to carry firearms and complete necessary annual training for State certification. Forest Rangers conduct search and rescue operations for lost or injured persons throughout New York state; conduct wildland fire management operations including wildfire suppression in New York state and when requested for national firefighting efforts; and coordinate and assist in incident response efforts to natural and manmade emergencies and disasters. Forest Rangers educate the public concerning the proper use of public lands and resources; visit schools, fire departments, and organizations to promote resource protection; teach national and state-certified courses to other agencies, volunteer groups, and fire departments concerning search and rescue, wildland fire suppression, and wilderness safety and etiquette; and foster and develop volunteer assistance from the local communities to support the Departments wildland firefighting and search operations. At times you will be expected to work weekends, holidays, and long irregular hours. You may also directly supervise volunteers and seasonal Assistant Forest Rangers and Wildland Firefighters. Municipal police officer/deputy sheriff Salary: Varies by municipal agency Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs enforce all New York state and local laws. Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs are charged with full police officer powers under Criminal Procedure Law, Section 1.20(34)(s) and are responsible for the performance of the full range of professional police duties. Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs assist other local, state and federal police officers with investigations and may collect evidence, question witnesses, or testify in court in connection with alleged criminal actions. Municipal Police Officers/Deputy Sheriffs are actively involved in their communities and activities including educating community members on such topics as personal safety, risk awareness, crime prevention, alcohol awareness, sexual assault prevention and other community safety issues. Park police officer trainee Salary: $56,360 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: As a park police officer trainee, you will participate in a one-year traineeship leading to a grade 14 park police officer. This traineeship will provide you with formal training and coursework, extensive on-the-job training, and carefully designed and monitored work experience. As part of the traineeship, and regardless of previous training, you will first be required to satisfactorily complete the Academy (a formal residential training program of approximately 26 weeks). Assignments will be made upon graduation from the academy and will be determined based on the operational needs of the agency. Failure to maintain the required academic standing, to qualify with weapons, to qualify in meeting the physical standards of the Municipal Police Training Council, or to successfully complete the traineeship will result in termination of employment. If you successfully complete the traineeship, you will be advanced to the park police officer level without further examination. You will serve as a police officer pursuant to section 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law. Your authority will extend throughout the state, although your primary responsibility will be to enforce laws and to provide information, assistance, and protection to visitors to New York States parks and historic sites. You will be responsible for the enforcement of all federal and state laws including, but not limited to, the penal, parks and recreation, vehicle and traffic, and environmental conservation laws. Your responsibilities might include assignment on foot, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, boat, personal watercraft, snowmobile, or other patrol. You might also be assigned to patrol duty or other police responsibilities. Park police officer trainee (Spanish language) Salary: $56,360 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: As a park police officer trainee, you will participate in a one-year traineeship leading to a grade 14 park police officer. This traineeship will provide you with formal training and coursework, extensive on-the-job training, and carefully designed and monitored work experience. As part of the traineeship, and regardless of previous training, you will first be required to satisfactorily complete the academy (a formal residential training program of approximately 26 weeks). Assignments will be made upon graduation from the Academy and will be determined based on the operational needs of the Agency. Failure to maintain the required academic standing, to qualify with weapons, to qualify in meeting the physical standards of the Municipal Police Training Council, or to successfully complete the traineeship will result in termination of employment. If you successfully complete the traineeship, you will be advanced to the Park Police Officer level without further examination. You will serve as a police officer pursuant to section 1.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law. Your authority will extend throughout the state, although your primary responsibility will be to enforce laws and to provide information, assistance, and protection to visitors to New York States parks and historic sites. You will be responsible for the enforcement of all federal and state laws including, but not limited to, the penal, parks and recreation, vehicle and traffic, and environmental conservation laws. Your responsibilities might include assignment on foot, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, boat, personal watercraft, snowmobile, or other patrol. You might also be assigned to patrol duty or other police responsibilities. University police officer 1 Salary: $59,298 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: You would be trained to become a police officer with police powers as defined in the New York State Criminal Procedural Law. Within one year of initial appointment, you must successfully complete a designated police basic training course in order to be certified as a police officer and retained in this position. You would then be responsible for the detection and prevention of crime and the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations for the protection of persons and property and the general maintenance of peace, order and security. You would develop and maintain a positive relationship with all segments of the campus community in order to obtain cooperation and support in conducting a successful law enforcement program. Typical activities would include crowd control, foot and mobile patrols, traffic control, and participation in crime prevention and personal protection programs. You would also perform additional duties such as dispatching, procedural follow-through, writing reports, and other duties as required. University police officer 1 (Spanish language) Salary: $59,298 Application deadline: Aug. 14, 2024 Job description, according to DCS: You would be trained to become a police officer with police powers as defined in the New York State Criminal Procedural Law. Within one year of initial appointment, you must successfully complete a designated police basic training course in order to be certified as a police officer and retained in this position. You would then be responsible for the detection and prevention of crime and the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations for the protection of persons and property and the general maintenance of peace, order, and security. You would develop and maintain a positive relationship with all segments of the campus community in order to obtain cooperation and support in conducting a successful law enforcement program. Typical activities would include crowd control, foot and mobile patrols, traffic control, and participation in crime prevention and personal protection programs. You would also perform additional duties such as dispatching, procedural follow-through, writing reports, and other duties as required. EDITORS NOTE: Tipping Point? is a journalistic initiative launched by Advance/SILive.com to inform Staten Islanders how NYCs City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal could impact the borough. The plan, which will be voted on by the City Council this year, calls for significant zoning changes designed to spur development of new homes and apartments amid a citywide housing shortage. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Randy Lee, a longtime Staten Island real estate developer and attorney, believes the nationwide trend of building and living in tiny houses is a great affordable housing option, a way to increase your rental income, or simply a place for your adult child or aging parent to live close by. But he just doesnt see it working on Staten Island. The idea of tiny houses -- otherwise known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) -- are one aspect of NYCs City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, which is expected to be voted on by the City Council this year. If passed, it would be legal to build a tiny home or backyard cottage on your property or convert attics, garages and basements into apartments without any special city approvals. ADUs or tiny houses make it more affordable for people as they get older to retire and stay in place. ...But the negative is it increases the floor area, and it decreases the open space. And it obviously will add cars to a streetscape, said Lee, who owns a self-titled law firm in Graniteville. Randy Lee, a longtime Staten Island real estate developer and attorney, believes the nationwide trend of building and living in tiny houses is a great affordable housing option, a way to increase your rental income, or simply a place for your adult child or aging parent to live close by. But he just doesnt see it working on Staten Island.(Courtesy of Jennifer Lee Photography, NYC) So if you had 10, one- or even two-family houses with accessory dwelling units, each new unit will have one or two cars each. With parking being what it already is on Staten Island -- and most streets are tight to begin with -- youll create a big problem, Lee added. But the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal isnt yet set in stone. During the ongoing public review period, Mayor Eric Adams administration has received significant pushback from lower-density parts of the city, including Staten Islands community boards and elected officials, all of which have voiced serious concerns that the proposed reforms would change the character of the boroughs quiet, residential neighborhoods and exacerbate existing issues with the boroughs infrastructure. Department of City Planning officials have emphasized that despite projected increases in housing units and residents, the character of Staten Islands neighborhoods will remain mostly unchanged. Allowing a little more housing in every neighborhood means that no individual neighborhood will see dramatic change to its character but when every neighborhood is a part of the solution, we can make a big difference in our housing crisis. Our rigorous environmental impact statement finds that City of Yes would enable less than one new home per acre over 15 years, and in building forms that match the neighborhoods that New Yorkers already know and love, said Dan Garodnick, director of the Department of City Planning. Parking Nightmare Phil Rampulla, an urban planner with the New Dorp-based Rampulla Associates Architects, agreed that accessory dwelling units could create an even greater dearth of street parking than what already exists on Staten Island. In fact, Rampulla said this part of the City of Yes housing plan would be a death knell for Staten Island. With a large majority of the boroughs homes sitting on 40- by 100-foot lot sizes, Rampulla said tiny houses are simply too small, and would also create a logistical parking nightmare. For me, the accessory dwelling units are just a non-starter, said Rampulla, who also is co-chair of the City Planning Committee for the New York City Building Industry Association. If the property is large enough it could be done. But it would be something that would have to be decided on a case-to-case basis. Phil Rampulla, an urban planning with the New Dorp-based Rampulla Associates Architects, agreed that accessory dwelling units could create an even greater dearth of street parking than what already exists on Staten Island.Courtesy of Amesse Photography Noting the lack of a subway system in the borough, which makes residents very dependent on their cars to get around the Island, Rampulla said a plan with no mandates for parking simply wont work here. A rear yard is for passive and active recreation. So now youre introducing living quarters thats directly against your property line, right? So the idea of quiet enjoyment, what it was originally meant to be, changes, he said. Growth Management Areas All of Staten Island and a section of the Bronx are considered growth management areas by City Planning. These areas contain special zoning controls that aim to match future development to the capacity of supporting services and infrastructure in parts of the city experiencing rapid growth, says the City Planning Department website. Current zoning requirements for these areas mandate 1.5 onsite parking spaces for each home built. For example, a new one-family home requires two off-street parking spaces and a two-family house requires three such spaces. This zoning proposal would eliminate that requirement. I think it [the City of Yes proposal] should be tailored to each different borough accordingly. This one-size-fits-all doesnt work here, said Rampulla. He noted that Staten Island has undergone many rezoning efforts over the last five decades to ensure that the so-called Borough of Parks maintains some green spaces and a lower density of housing than what exists in the other four boroughs. Weve worked on this for decades now. It took 10 years from the date the Verrazzano Bridge opened to get a Staten Island office of City Planning. We were already behind the eight ball 10 years after the bridge opened, he said. Theres been great strides made to keep this the green borough. Although it has failed in some areas, it has thrived in others. But theres no need for the whole Island to go down in flames, Rampulla continued. A Borough of Yes However, both Lee and Rampulla agree that there is a need for more housing -- and more affordable housing -- across Staten Island. What we really need is a Borough of Yes for Staten Island -- a plan designed for Staten Island. What works in other parts of the city doesnt always work here, said Lee. Both are proponents of what the City of Yes proposal calls town center zoning and transit-oriented development. The town center zoning would allow for mixed-use apartments to be built atop stores in low-density commercial corridors, which can be found in older areas of the borough where it was permitted during the first half of the 20th century, but later outlawed. An example of town center zoning is pictured. (Credit: NYC Planning)Credit: NYC Planning Transit-oriented development will allow modest, three- to five-story apartment buildings where they fit best: large lots, within half a mile of subway or rail stations, that are located on wide streets or on the short end of the block, says the proposal. We come out of a bedroom community, and we usually age in place or aid those who age in place, and would like to see our younger family around us, said Rampulla. But we dont have housing types for both. Theyre few and far between. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and X STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A group of local civic organizations organized a Christmas in July celebration with a Hawaiian theme Saturday for Coast Guard and Army families at Fort Wadsworth. The Verrazano Kiwanis Club, the local chapter of The Elks and the Craig Newmark New York Tri-State Chapter of Blue Star Families organized the event for service members families. Consuela Rodriguez, a program manager for Blue Star Families, said they chose a Hawaiian theme for the event, officially dubbing it Mele Kalikimaka in July, to give it a more inclusive feel. The phrase is Hawaiian for Merry Christmas. What it means for them is a sense of moral and community,' she said. Its a way for them to come together and connect. The celebration at the bases family meeting center was held in two waves, with about 20 families coming from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and another group visiting from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Manny Karim, an electrical engineer with the Coast Guard, said he brought his son, Elias, and daughter, Marya, as a way to meet other kids in the community. Its a good function for the kids to play and interact with other kids, he said. Low wages for service members, particularly those stationed on Staten Island, mean their families can often have a hard time getting by, so local organizations often need to step up. Local service members are grouped with New Jersey for cost of living adjustments, so those serving at bases in the four other boroughs actually receive higher wages than those on Staten Island. In December, Blue Star families unveiled an entirely revamped food pantry with local elected officials and other civic groups. The pantry is located upstairs at Fort Wadsworths family welcome center. Jospeh Bertone, president of the Verrazano Kiwanis Club, said Saturday that the groups goal was to provide a celebration for the children of service members, with donated toys, face painting and grilled burgers and hot dogs. Kids came in and once they saw the toys, they were really excited and the smile on their faces is just worth a million bucks, he said. Its just a nice little event for them. Hideo Shimizu, a former Unit 731 Youth Corps member, attends a meeting via video link marking the 35th anniversary of the discovery of human bones from a Japanese army medical school, in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2024. The gathering was organized by the Association Demanding Investigation on Human Bones Discovered from the Site of the Army Medical College.(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) TOKYO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Nearly a hundred Japanese citizens and media representatives have gathered in central Tokyo despite the scorching heat for the 35th anniversary of the discovery of human bones from a Japanese army medical school. Under a blazing sun, they came to attend the meeting on Saturday organized by the Association Demanding Investigation on Human Bones Discovered from the Site of the Army Medical College. On July 22, 1989, a large number of human bones were found at a construction site in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, where now sits the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. The site was previously home to a medical school and an epidemic prevention institute operated by the Imperial Japanese Army, and it was believed to have been the headquarters of Unit 731, the notorious Japanese germ warfare army during World War II. In 1990, the association was established to uncover the truth behind the bones and to return the remains to the families of the deceased. At Saturday's gathering, the association's current representative, Kazuyuki Kawamura, a former Shinjuku ward councilor, said the recently released investigation records by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare showed that the bones found in Shinjuku were "human specimens that had been artificially processed." Some of the bones were transported from the northern Chinese city of Harbin to the army medical college in Japan in iron barrels and wooden boxes, Kawamura added, citing the ministry's investigation records. Kawamura also noted that a senior official of the former army medical college had told him that the heads of Chinese soldiers killed in battle were brought back to the medical school to be used as specimens, a statement which aligned with the investigation records. The association believes that the bones discovered at the former Army Medical College site are linked to Unit 731. In 2001, the health ministry released an investigation report stating that the bones found at the construction site were indeed specimens, but there were testimonies denying that the bones came from outside Japan, making it impossible to definitively link them to Unit 731. The bones have since been stored at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and their true identity remains a mystery. Kawamura highlighted discrepancies between the recently disclosed investigation records and the 2001 report, suggesting that the report had been altered. "They were trying to hide the fact that eyewitnesses had directly seen and experienced these events," he said. Furthermore, Kawamura stated that the Japanese government's refusal to question individuals related to Unit 731 and its deliberate exclusion of the unit from the investigation makes it impossible to uncover the truth. The association hopes that an independent, impartial, professional, and internationally influential third-party organization will step in to investigate. Also on Saturday, Hideo Shimizu, a 94-year-old former Unit 731 Youth Corps member, participated in the gathering via video link. He confirmed that he had seen "specimens with heads cut in half in the unit's specimen room," urging the Japanese government to face historical facts. Japanese citizens attending the meeting expressed their frustration with the health ministry's deliberate avoidance of investigating Unit 731. Unit 731 represents the dark shadow of Japan's aggressive wars, and it is essential to inform the public of its actions, Tatsuo Kawano, a participant at Saturday's gathering, told Xinhua, adding that he hoped the gathering would lead to new progress in the investigation. "Telling historical truths to future generations is a crucial step in reflecting on war," said a resident of Shinjuku's Toyama district who goes by the alias of Yamada. Attendees watch a specimens display during a meeting marking the 35th anniversary of the discovery of human bones from a Japanese army medical school, in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2024. The gathering was organized by the Association Demanding Investigation on Human Bones Discovered from the Site of the Army Medical College.(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) Kazuyuki Kawamura, a former Shinjuku ward councilor, speaks during a meeting marking the 35th anniversary of the discovery of human bones from a Japanese army medical school, in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2024. The gathering was organized by the Association Demanding Investigation on Human Bones Discovered from the Site of the Army Medical College.(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is asking for help from the public to locate a 31-year-old man missing from South Beach. Dmytro Sosnin was seen most recently around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday while leaving a home on Elm Street in West Brighton according to NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Police describe Sosnin as being approximately approximately 5-feet-10 and weighing around 195 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt, blue jeans and a navy blue sweatshirt. A photo of the man was provided to the media by the NYPD. Anyone with information in regard to his whereabouts is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Theyre far from itsy-bitsy, and the bright yellow striped Joro spiders are headed toward New York City. That much seems to be certain. But just when the giant arachnids will settle here with their six-foot-wide webs seems to be anybodys guess. Yet, scientists are keeping watch. And the spiders, which can grow as big as a human hand, will be hard to miss when they arrive, ecologists say. With some as large as eight inches in length, when they come north from the southern United States, theyll be the biggest spiders weve ever seen in our area, ballooning through the sky and building enormous webs just about anywhere, according to experts. And theyre hearty enough to travel north from southern U.S. states, research has found. We can expect to see their enormous webs between power lines, on top of traffic lights and even above gas pumps, all of which are easy to spot, according to a study released earlier this year by the University of Georgia. Yes, though it might sound like a chapter in a science fiction novel, the giant Joro spiders are very real, and though not one yet been reported in New York, the state Department of Agriculture is on the alert, a spokesperson said, and its Division of Plant Industry is watching closely to understand its spread and its impacts in other states. And Brian Eshenaur, an invasive species specialist with the Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, said the arachnids are on researchers radar, but none have been reported in the state yet. Native to East Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, the spiders are thought to have arrived in the United States around 2013 (via cargo ships) when they were discovered in Georgia. Theyve already spread across much of Georgia into Tennessee and the Carolinas, with additional sightings in Maryland, and even as far west as Oklahoma, according to a study by Clemson University. And theyve even been spotted in Maryland, Clemson University researchers have said. They will continue spreading all summer, but they most likely will not make it here for quite some time, Jose R. Ramirez-Garofalo, of Fort Wadsworth, an ecologist in the Lockwood Lab at Rutgers University and the director of science and research development at Fresh Kills Park, told the Advance/SILive.com. Their spread has been very slow, he said. Its just very unpredictable in terms of when they show up. Their spread depends on their method of transportation, via crates on trucks or by air, he said, noting that these methods are random. Summer, though, is when they like to travel, he said. Thats when we begin to see juveniles disperse,' he said. Spring through the fall is when you start to think about that dispersal. Thats when theyll be seen in big numbers in Delaware, New Jersey and eventually New York, it is predicted. As of right now, I havent seen any additional records north of Maryland, but thats something to keep an eye on,' said Ramirez-Garofalo. It is a matter of when, not if,' he predicted last fall in an interview with the Advance/SILive.com. Theyll eat anything They will eat virtually any creature they can snare in their web, including disgusting cockroaches and stink bugs, which do nothing for the environment. And Joro spiders likely are not a threat to agriculture, Ramirez-Garofalo said. They might even help us out with the pesky spotted lanternflies, which are likely to land in their webs and become lunch a boon to agriculture, because the spotted lanternflies are a threat to New Yorks grape industry. Theres also a concern that the spotted lanternfly will threaten the nations wine supply, since theyve shown up near California vineyards. Ramirez-Garofalo said he is quite certain the spiders would eat any spotted lanternflies that come into their path. Joro spiders will eat anything that falls in their web,' he said. If its stuck in their web, they can definitely eat them. And though they may startle some of us, the spiders are timid, and wont bite people, scientists said. Theyre actually more afraid of us than we are of them, a Penn State Extension researcher recently told CBS News. Theyre probably nothing to worry about, Ramirez-Garofalo said he believes, since they wont threaten native species, which are important to the environment. If you do see one, researchers at Clemson University would like you to take a picture of it with your smartphone and upload it to iNaturalist.org. That will help scientists track the spiders movement throughout the United States. The aftershocks of the global IT outage that brought parts of the economy to a standstill on Friday could be felt for weeks as some sectors continue to experience technical issues over the crash, Home Affairs and Cybersecurity Minister Clare ONeil has said. Microsoft has estimated a software update by cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike disabled 8.5 million devices around the world, crippling airport check-ins, supermarkets and emergency information services. Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil says the effects of the outage could linger for weeks. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen ONeil said CrowdStrike told a meeting she had convened on Sunday morning it would be rolling out an automatic fix to the issue, but it would take time for all affected sectors to be completely back online. In some cases, we may see teething issues for one or two weeks, ONeil said. Supermarkets, like many other sectors, are still experiencing issues, but the sector stressed that there are no food shortages and no need to stockpile food. 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 The plot of Longlegs, a low-budget horror film that has become one of the breakout hits of the year, owes plenty to the Book of Revelation. But its success is as much about what is not shown as what is. Written and directed by Osgood Oz Perkins, son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins, the movie reportedly cost under $US10 million to make and market. In its first weekend in the US it took $US22 million; by the end of its first week, that had risen to almost $US33 million, to be bettered only by Despicable Me 4. It opened in Australia on Thursday, and by the end of the weekend had clocked up almost $2 million, a remarkable result for both a horror movie and an indie release. Its once in a long time that something breaks through like this, says a delighted Perkins, who likens its success to that of The Blair Witch Project 25 years ago, a film that got into the bloodstream in this way where it was almost mandatory viewing, not only for horror people but for moviegoers [generally]. Longlegs stars an unrecognisable Nicolas Cage as a serial killer, his face bloated and blotched by botched cosmetic surgery, his work dedicated to Satan, and his stylistic influences drawn from Transformer-era Lou Reed and glam rock god Marc Bolan of T-Rex. Maika Monroe plays FBI agent Lee Harker, assigned the task of investigating a series of murders stretching back 30 years. Credit: AP Its a shocking look, but in a stroke of marketing genius distributor Neon crafted a series of ads that tease without revealing much at all. And those ads have been credited with driving the desire to see the film in cinemas and in turn, with reminding Hollywood at large of the power of a savvy campaign. Embryolisse: This brand is renowned for its multipurpose products, such as the Lait-Creme Concentre, which is a moisturiser, mask, cleanser, make-up primer, after-shave balm and after-sun soother. SVR: Roberson says these products contain a high percentage of active ingredients (such as retinol and vitamin C) and dont use any endocrine-disrupting ingredients that may interfere with the bodys hormones. Contestant #2: South Korea Unlike in France, South Korea tends to opt for the maximalist approach, with some people following a 10-step daily skincare routine. Though the number of products used is plentiful, theyre generally affordable, with certain higher-end exceptions like luxury brand Sulwhasoo. Sarah Tarca, co-founder of the beauty newsletter gloss etc., says the goal is glass skin, meaning most products are geared towards hydration. TikTok rebranded this approach as skin flooding, but its the same principle: using multiple products to quench the skin through its many layers, and give the skin a plumped-up, springy look and feel. K-Beauty proliferated on TikTok because of its colourful packaging and highly innovative nature, says dermal therapist James Vivian. Some products contain snail mucin, horse oil and bee venom all unique ingredients that create intrigue while promising specific results. Others are more experimental in terms of application, such as boba cream, which allows users to pop boba balls on the face to release moisturiser. Notable products Glow Recipe: Cheeky copy, cute names and enticing bottles make for alluring and enticing experiences that go beyond skincare, Vivian says. Innisfree: These products use interesting ingredients like Jeju volcanic powder, and are offered at very reasonable prices, Tarca says. Contestant #3: Australia Protection is key in Australian skincare, says Hannah English, a beauty scientist and author of Your Best Skin. Due to high UV exposure across the country, Australian SPF products have become renowned for their protection against sunburn, as well as their long-lasting wear. Many Australians favour local products that use natural and native ingredients, English says, including kakadu plum and finger lime. Theyre also usually more intentional in terms of the age groups they target, English adds. Boost Lab, for example, targets Gen X women. No brand was really talking to women over 40 So now people are really into it, and you can even find it at Priceline. Loading Meanwhile, tbh skincare appeals to Gen Z and millennials by making anti-acne products colourful instead of clinical, as well as marketing products on TikTok using viral trends. Overall, Tarca says most brands appeal to Australians straight-to-the-point nature. Aussie culture isnt fluffy, so the brands that resonate remove the jargon and deliver great products in a fun and often funny way. Notable products Bondi Sands: This line is known for its sunscreen and retinol serum, English says, which only costs around $23. Go-To: This brand, owned by Zoe Foster Blake, markets its products in an approachable and humorous way, Tarca says. Final rankings Skincare is ultimately subjective, and preferences will differ depending on what an individual needs. However, after conferring with the expert panel, one country still dominates overall. Bronze: Australia Loading While every expert praises Australia for its focus on sun protection, they concede the country is still relatively new to skincare compared to its competitors, and therefore lacks as wide a range (though this is changing). Silver: South Korea Thanks to its innovative ingredients, trendy packaging, wide variety and affordability, South Korea takes second place. Gold: France The captivating music and rich culture of Japan first lured Lilliana Davis in primary school, launching a passion that continued through to the HSC where she achieved marks in the highest bands for both Japanese Continuers and Extension. Lilliana Davis attended high school in Japan in 2019 only strengthening her passion for the country. The Gosford High School graduate said her commitment deepened when she visited Japan. In 2019 she attended Kokubunji High School as part of an excursion with her school, where she learnt traditional ikebana (flower arrangement) and attended many bunkasai (cultural festivals). The passion I had for Japanese culture is what gave me the drive to master the language its important to enjoy what you are learning so it can come to you more naturally, Davis said. Graduating in 2023, Daviss high school journey was highlighted by numerous achievements from her high results in Japanese, to starring in creative arts productions Starstruck and the School Spectacular. Your guide to succeeding in the 2024 HSC examinations. A gifted dancer who earned a place at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Grace Loscos talent clearly wasnt confined to the dance studio achieving equal first in HSC Business Studies. Although her days included 90-minute treks between school and her Parramatta home, Losco said it wasnt until senior high school that she really stepped up. Grace Losco of Newtown High School of the Performing Arts was equal first in HSC Business Studies. I was an average student for most of my schooling. During years 11 and 12, I decided it was time I applied myself because I had goals I wanted to achieve, she said. I used the resources at my school to help me decide on some subjects. Once I decided, I knew I had picked subjects that would be good for me. She recalled: I thought, I cant let him get away with it this time. For two years, I believed he wasnt an abuser but just had a moment of weakness. I felt stupid for trusting he wouldnt hurt me again. Emma is far from alone in not reporting every act of domestic violence, and her ex-husband is far from alone in facing court as a first-time offender despite the likelihood there is a very different reality. Exclusive data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reveals most people found guilty of domestic violence crimes last year had no prior convictions for DV-related offences in the previous five years. Analysis of 22,822 proven DV-related charges in 2023 found about 60 per cent involved people who had no record of recent offending, where the most serious charge concerned domestic violence. About three-in-four conviction rates for DV-related assault, property damage and murder were of offenders with no recent prior DV convictions. For stalking and intimidation charges (DV), about 65 per cent of offenders had no recent history. The only category where cases involving people with previous charges outnumbered those with no recent history was for breach of violence orders, where more than two out of three had been found guilty between 2018 and 2022. Cases of horrific alleged offending by men with no proven history of domestic violence have shaken Sydney in recent weeks. On July 7, a 28-year-old man allegedly set fire to his Lalor Park home in Sydneys west while his partner and her seven children were inside. Two boys, aged three and six, and a baby girl were killed in the blaze. The alleged Lalor Park killer and one of his children, who died in the fire. Credit: Facebook The man allegedly attacked his partner first, beginning in the bedroom, before the entire home was set on fire. Witnesses told police the father blocked the children inside the house as it burnt, stopping their attempts to run for safety. Police said it was highly unusual that the man was not known to police except for minor traffic and tax violations. Two days after the alleged Lalor Park murder, another man with no known DV history allegedly stabbed his 21-year-old girlfriend to death in Kingswood, near Penrith. Nunia Kurualeba, who was described by loved ones as kind and having had many friends, was found with two stab wounds to her chest in the unit she lived in with her alleged killer, 21-year-old Jeremaia Tuwai. Flatmates raised the alarm. Tuwai was charged with DV murder and did not apply for bail when facing court. Jeremaia Tuwai (left) was charged with the fatal stabbing of his partner, Nunia Kurualeba (right). Credit: Facebook Domestic violence crisis not a quick fix Elise Phillips, the deputy CEO of peak services body DVNSW, said research showed victim-survivors do not report domestic violence because they believe they can handle it on their own, or that their experience is not serious enough to be worth reporting. Other barriers to reporting include not knowing the incident was a crime, shame, cultural or language barriers as well as fear of police and legal processes, she said. All the reasons and research into under-reporting point to the dire need for better community education and a properly resourced service system when it comes to domestic and family violence. Loading Describing domestic violence as highly complex and nuanced, Phillips said police must continue to be trained in its complexities, including abuse that is not only physical. Perpetrator accountability continues to be important across the criminal justice system, she said. We need to flip the lens from protecting the rights of the perpetrator to the safety of the victim-survivor. With this in mind, education and training continue to be a priority for those assessing domestic violence cases. Education and documentation on what domestic violence looks like is critical to successful convictions especially for coercive control, which is present in 97 per cent of intimate partner homicides. This month, coercive control became a stand-alone DV offence in NSW. ATHENS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- An aircraft with 233 persons on board made an emergency landing on Friday at Athens International Airport (AIA), local media reported Saturday. All passengers and crew were safe. The plane had departed from London bound for Chania airport on Greece's Crete island and reported problems in the hydraulic system. The incident was not linked to a global tech outage on Friday, which disrupted operations in several countries in many sectors, including aviation, according to Greek authorities. AIA faced minor problems due to the tech outage, while at least eight flights were delayed at the airport of Heraklion on Crete island, local authorities said. After mediation talks collapsed, North Sydney Council is threatening to take architects to court over the controversial $89 million-plus redevelopment of its Olympic pool. Councillors will consider taking legal action against Brewster Hjorth Architects, the firm contracted in 2018 to provide design services for upgrades to the historic North Sydney Olympic Pool. North Sydney pool is not expected to reopen until 2025. Credit: Dean Sewell The dispute escalates tensions between the council and the architects, setting the stage for a potential courtroom showdown over the troubled project. The revamp has long been plagued by cost blowouts, delays, heritage concerns, and doubts over its scale and design. Mayor Zoe Baker said a confidential report to councillors, which they will debate behind closed doors on Monday, detailed potential matters for a claim and recommended council instruct the chief executive to commence legal proceedings against the firm. Adrian Romeo told his family he was going to visit people in Greenvale, in Melbournes north, before driving off in a distinct 2004 gold Toyota Camry sedan. More than five months after he left the house he shared with his father in Dempster Drive, Craigieburn, on the afternoon of February 10, his family has still not seen or heard from him. Missing man Adrian Romeo. Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the homicide squad said police were now appealing for information about 43-year-old Romeos mysterious disappearance, suspecting he has met with foul play. We are very confident that Adrians disappearance is suspicious, and Im of the belief he is deceased, Thomas said on Sunday. The streets are sprinkled with daggy homes built in the 1980s. But while Robertson presents as classic Brisbane suburbia to the untrained eye, the southern suburb is now one of the capitals most prized pockets for families and its even being hailed the Ascot of the South. New data from CoreLogic shows the popular patch had the lowest property turnover rate across the Queensland capital this year and the second lowest over the past decade. Some Brisbane suburbs attract home owners for the long haul. The report reveals only 2.4 per cent of homes sold in Robertson in the year leading up to April while just 3.5 per cent were transacted over the decade. Clevelands Sheldon had the second lowest annual turnover rate at 2.5 per cent while Inala ranked third at 2.6 per cent. Among the suburbs Brisbane residents are most loath to leave, leafy and laidback Mount Ommaney topped the list. There, homeowners hold on to properties for an average of 20.3 years, followed by Tivoli (18.4 years), Wishart (17.9 years), Middle Park (17.8 years) and Robertson (17.7 years). Brisbanes average is 8.1 years. What if you could fly at the pointy end aboard some of the worlds premier airlines at a cheaper price? Same seat, same food and wine, same service but minus some of the frills? While airlines might call them lite, light or special fares, the travel industry lumps them together under the unbundled tag. Flying on an unbundled ticket means some of the checked baggage allowance, the free seat selection and even meals, in some cases, are shorn off in exchange for a lower price. Unbundling first took off in economy class as full-service airlines attempted to compete with the low-cost carriers. Qatar Airways Qsuite business class. Its far less common in business class, but the concept is slowly gaining ground. In some cases, the difference between a light fare and a standard business fare on a long-haul flight can be over $1000. For many flyers, the attraction of travelling in business class is all down to the seat. If they can save that kind of cash, theyre happy to trade the lounge access, an extra 32 kilograms of checked baggage and the full loyalty points that come with a standard or flexible business class ticket. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Donald Trump has held his first campaign rally since surviving an attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate. It was exactly one week ago, even to the hour, even to the minute, Trump said, reflecting on the July 13 shooting in Pennsylvania that left him with a bloodied ear, killed one supporter in the crowd and left two others injured. Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Credit: AP I stand before you only by the grace of almighty God, he said, the white gauze on his ear now replaced by a bandage matching his skin tone. I shouldnt be here right now. Trump was joined by his running mate, Ohio senator J.D. Vance, at the pairs first event together since they became the GOPs nominees at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. PHILIPSBURG:--- The controversial ENNIA Insurance bailout agreement has sparked significant debate among the Governments of Curacao and St. Maarten. The proposed deal is at the heart of this contention, which could burden St. Maarten taxpayers with millions of dollars in costs over the next fifty years. Attorney at Law, former Minister of Finance, and ex-ENNIA employee Richard Gibson Sr. have provided a detailed analysis of the situation, raising critical concerns about the agreement's implications for St. Maarten. Gibson Sr. has emerged from retirement to address what he perceives as a hasty and ill-considered decision by Former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Gibson asserts that the bailout agreement was signed without consulting or seeking approval from the Parliament of St. Maarten. As Gibson highlights, one of the most troubling aspects of the agreement is its timing. The deal was signed just days before the January 11, 2024, Parliamentary Election, raising suspicions about the urgency and transparency of the process. Gibson questions why such a significant financial commitment was made without parliamentary consent, which he insists was required and prudent. "The agreement signed cannot go forward without the approval of Parliament, which the former Minister of Finance knew," Gibson stated. He emphasized that this procedural misstep not only undermines democratic processes but also jeopardizes the financial stability of St. Maarten. Gibson's analysis underscores a critical imbalance in the benefits derived from the bailout. ENNIA, a Curacao-based company, pays taxes and primarily operates in Curacao, with 95% of its employees residing there. This means that most of the economic activities and benefits associated with the company will remain in Curacao. In stark contrast, St. Maarten, with only 3,000 of ENNIA's 30,000 policyholders, needs to gain more from the proposed financial support. "Investing in a Company in another country could be a good idea, but only if you get a fair return on your investment," Gibson remarked. He advocates for a more balanced approach where St. Maarten's contribution to the bailout would also secure an interest in ENNIA, ensuring potential returns for the island if the company performs well. Gibson firmly believes that St. Maarten's 3,000 policyholders should be safeguarded, but not at the taxpayers' expense. He suggests alternative methods to protect local policyholders without committing St. Maarten to an unfavorable financial agreement for the next 50 years. "The Curacao 27,000 policyholders should be taken care of by Curacao, and St. Maarten should take care of its 3,000 policyholders," Gibson proposed. He insists that any financial support should be contingent on receiving equitable benefits, thereby ensuring that the interests of St. Maarten are adequately protected. Given these concerns, Gibson calls on the Parliament of St. Maarten to be critical when considering the current agreement. He emphasizes the need for a more transparent and mutually beneficial arrangement that prioritizes St. Maarten's and its taxpayers' interests. "Sending all this money to Curacao to support a Curacao company that we do not own any shares in is a bad idea and should be rejected. The agreement should never have been signed, but I hope the Parliament of St. Maarten rejects it out of hand." Gibson's critique highlights the need for careful consideration and due diligence in governmental financial commitments, particularly those with long-term implications. As the debate continues, the people of St. Maarten await the Parliament's decision on this contentious issue, hoping for a resolution that protects their economic future and ensures fair treatment for all stakeholders. Flights resume after global IT crash wreaks havoc Paris, July 20 (AFP) Jul 20, 2024 Planes were gradually taking off again Saturday after global airlines, banks and media were thrown into turmoil by one of the biggest IT crashes in recent years, caused by an update to an antivirus programme. Passenger crowds had swelled at airports on Friday as dozens of flights were cancelled after an update to a programme operating on Microsoft Windows crashed systems worldwide. By Saturday, officials said the situation had returned virtually to normal in airports across Germany and France, as Paris prepared to welcome millions for the Olympic Games starting on Friday. Multiple US airlines and airports across Asia said they had resumed operations, with check-in services restored in Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand, and mostly back to normal in India, Indonesia and at Singapore's Changi Airport as of Saturday afternoon. - CrowdStrike apologises - Microsoft estimated Saturday that 8.5 million Windows devices were affected in the global IT crash, adding that the number amounted to less than one percent of all Windows machines. "While the percentage was small, the broad economic and societal impacts reflect the use of CrowdStrike by enterprises that run many critical services", it said. Microsoft said the issue began at 1900 GMT on Thursday, affecting Windows users running the CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity software. In a Saturday blog post, CrowdStrike said it had released an update on Thursday night that had caused a system crash and the infamous "blue screen of death" fatal error message. CrowdStrike said it had rolled out a fix for the problem, and the company's boss, George Kurtz, told US news channel CNBC he wanted to "personally apologise to every organisation, every group and every person who has been impacted". The company also said it could take a few days for things to fully get back to normal. Britain's National Health Service was hobbled by the crash on Friday, preventing doctors from accessing patient records and booking appointments. A "majority of systems... are now coming back online in most areas, however they are still running slightly slower than usual", an NHS spokesperson said, warning of disruption continuing into next week. Media companies were also hit, with Britain's Sky News saying the glitch had ended its Friday morning news broadcasts. Australia's ABC also reported major difficulties. Australian, British and German authorities warned of an increase in scam and phishing attempts following the outage, including people offering to help reboot computers and asking for personal information or credit card details. Banks in Kenya and Ukraine reported issues with their digital services, some mobile phone carriers were disrupted and customer services in a number of companies went down. "The scale of this outage is unprecedented, and will no doubt go down in history," said Junade Ali of Britain's Institution of Engineering and Technology, adding that the last incident approaching the same scale was in 2017. - Flight chaos - While some airports halted all flights, in others airline staff resorted to manual check-ins for passengers, leading to long lines and frustrated travellers. Thousands of US flights were grounded, although airlines later said they were re-establishing their services and working through the backlog. A senior US administration official said Friday that "our understanding is that flight operations have resumed across the country, although some congestion remains". India's largest airline Indigo said Saturday that operations had been "resolved", adding in a statement on X that the process of resuming normal operations would "extend into the weekend". Low-cost carrier AirAsia said it was still trying to get back online and had been "working around the clock towards recovering its departure control systems". Chinese state media said Beijing's airports had not been affected. - 'Common cause' - Companies were left patching up their systems and trying to assess the damage, even as officials tried to tamp down panic by ruling out foul play. According to CrowdStrike's Saturday blog, the issue was "not the result of or related to a cyberattack". Although CrowdStrike had rolled out a fix, many experts questioned the ease of such a process. "While experienced users can implement the workaround, expecting millions to do so is impractical," said Oli Buckley, a professor at Britain's Loughborough University. Other experts said the incident should prompt a widespread reconsideration of how reliant societies are on a handful of tech companies. "We need to be aware that such software can be a common cause of failure for multiple systems at the same time," said John McDermid, a professor at York University in Britain. Infrastructure should be designed "to be resilient against such common cause problems", he added. burs-sco/acb/jj MICROSOFT X ROME, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The continued cooperation between Italy and China to protect and promote world cultural heritages enhances mutual understanding and fosters learning between civilizations, several Italian professionals told Xinhua in recent interviews. Italy and China currently hold the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Heleni Porfyriou, a former senior researcher at the Institute for Heritage Science of the Italian National Research Council, said that the significant number of heritage sites in both countries lays the foundation for collaboration, with many sites sharing similar historical significance, architectural styles, or cultural landscapes. "When world heritage sites with similar characteristics are brought together, it promotes a deeper understanding of each other's history and culture," Porfyriou said. "Through tourism and digital platforms, audiences can learn about the wisdom of different parts of the world in the same historical periods, facilitating civilizational exchanges across continents." Roberto Ciarla, an archaeologist with the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies in Italy, said that cooperation between Chinese and Italian World Heritage Sites not only benefits global visitors by showcasing ancient civilizations but also provides valuable learning experiences for management and research personnel. Ciarla expects that both countries will engage in regular, focused exchanges on specific themes related to World Heritage Sites conservation and promotion. "Learning from each other's ideas and experiences is crucial for the better preservation of cultural heritages," said Ciarla. At the 2024 World Heritage Convention, Beijing's Central Axis in China and Italy's Roman Appian Road are both on the review list. Porfyriou, who has participated in cooperative research projects on the Roman Appian Road and China's Grand Canal, said that Italy has gained valuable insights from China's Grand Canal heritage application process. China has also published a book on Italian cultural heritage legislation and protection. "This is a positive example of Sino-Italian heritage cooperation, where both countries benefit by learning and understanding each other's policies and practices in relevant fields," said Porfyriou. Some renowned World Heritage Sites in China face pressures of overdevelopment. Ciarla suggested shifting attention from the most popular sites to other areas. Collaborating with countries like Italy could help present the diversity of Chinese civilization to the world. Many lesser-known heritage sites in China, such as Tulou in Fujian, are still not well known worldwide, according to Porfyriou. "We look forward to more cooperation between China and Italy in heritage sites, especially allowing more lesser-known places representing Chinese culture to be supported and appreciated," she said. Israel strikes Yemen rebels after Tel Aviv attack Hodeida, Yemen, July 20 (AFP) Jul 20, 2024 Israeli warplanes killed three people in the Huthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeida, the Iran-backed rebels said Sunday after the group's deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv. The strikes on the vital port, which triggered a raging fire and plumes of black smoke, are the first claimed by Israel in the Arabian peninsula's poorest country, about 2,000 kilometres (1,300 miles) away, analysts said. "The blood of Israeli citizens has a price," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, adding more operations against the Huthis would follow "if they dare to attack us". Gallant said the Hodeida strikes were also a warning to other Iran-backed armed groups around the Middle East that have claimed attacks on Israel during the Gaza war. "The fire that is currently burning in Hodeida, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," he said. The Israeli strikes killed three people and wounded 87, the rebel-run health ministry said in a statement carried by Huthi media. The ministry said earlier that most of the wounded had severe burns. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the warning in a televised address. "Anyone who harms us will pay a very heavy price for their aggression," he said. Just hours after Friday's strike in Tel Aviv, Gallant had vowed Israel would retaliate against the Huthis, who control swathes of Yemen, including much of its Red Sea coast. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said F-15 jets carried out the strike and all returned safely to base. Rear Admiral Hagari accused the Huthis of using Hodeida "as a main supply route for the transfer of Iranian weapons... like the (drone) that was used in the attack on Friday". - 'Brutal aggression' - In a statement on social media, top Huthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam reported a "brutal Israel aggression against Yemen". The attack targeted "fuel storage facilities and a power plant" in Hodeida "to pressure Yemen to stop supporting" Palestinians in the Gaza war, he said. An AFP correspondent in Hodeida reported hearing several large explosions and seeing smoke over the port. Footage aired by the rebels' Al-Masirah television, which AFP could not independently verify, showed casualties being treated in hospital, many of them bandaged and lying on stretchers in packed rooms. A man interviewed by the broadcaster said many of the wounded were port employees. "The city is dark, people are on the streets, petrol stations are closed and seeing long queues," said a Hodeida resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing safety concerns. Maritime security firm Ambrey said it observed four merchant vessels in the port at the time of the air strike and another eight in the anchorage. "No damage to merchant vessels has been reported at this time," it said. - Yemen aid lifeline fears - The United States, which along with Britain has carried out several rounds of air strikes against the Huthis in an attempt to put an end to their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, said it played no part in Saturday's strikes. "The United States was not involved in today's strikes in Yemen, and we did not coordinate or assist Israel with the strikes," a US National Security Council spokesman said. "We've been in regular and ongoing contact with the Israelis following the strike in Tel Aviv that killed an Israeli civilian on Friday morning. We fully recognise and acknowledge Israel's right to self-defence." UN chief Antonio Guterres had appealed for "maximum restraint" after the Tel Aviv drone strike to avoid "further escalation in the region". But Huthi politburo member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti swiftly threatened revenge for the Hodeida strikes. "The Zionist entity will pay the price for targeting civilian facilities, and we will meet escalation with escalation," he said in a post on social media. The Huthis' Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, warned that the Israeli strikes on Hodeida marked a dangerous turn nine months into the Gaza war. "The foolish step taken by the Zionist enemy heralds a new, dangerous phase," said the group, which has exchanged nearly daily fire with the Israeli army throughout the war. Hodeida port, a vital entry point for imports and international aid for rebel-held areas of Yemen, had remained largely untouched through the decade-long war between the Huthis and the internationally recognised government propped up by neighbouring Saudi Arabia. The war has left millions of Yemenis dependent on aid supplied through the port. "Traders now fear that this will exacerbate the already critical food security and humanitarian situation in northern Yemen, as the majority of trade flows through this port," said Mohammed Albasha, senior Middle East analyst for the US-based Navanti Group. Kyiv hospital strike highlights Russia's sanctions evasion Warsaw, July 21 (AFP) Jul 21, 2024 The Kh-101 cruise missile that struck a children's hospital in Kyiv in early July perfectly illustrates the ability of the Russian defence industry to overcome Western efforts to cut its supply of key components. The July 8 attack, which killed two people and damaged large portions of the surrounding buildings of the clinic treating about 600 patients, provoked international outrage. Yet "just since the beginning of this week, Russia has used more than 700 guided aerial bombs, more than 170 attack drones of various types and almost 80 missiles against Ukraine", said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Long gone are the days when Western military officials would report that Russian military production capacity was insufficient to sustain the war in Ukraine, or when a Ukrainian official said Russian strikes would soon stop because of a lack of ammunition. The Financial Times reported, without naming its sources, that Russia is now producing eight times as many Kh-101s as before its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Experts consulted by AFP would not confirm the figures, but all underscored Russia's increased capacity to build more of these crucial cruise missiles. "I would say the real number might be even higher," said Vladislav Inozemtsev, a Russian economist who lives in exile. He estimates that Russia will make 700 to 750 this year and that production could reach 1,000 units in 2025. "In April 2024, Ukrainian sources reported monthly production of 40 Kh-101 missiles," much higher than the 56 produced over the whole of 2021, said a Western source in the arms sector. However, the operating systems of these missiles require many components that are made in countries that support Kyiv and have imposed sanctions on Russia. US-made AMD memory cards, Texas Instruments microcircuits and Dutch-made Nexperia buffer chips have all been found in the debris of Kh-101 strikes, according to the official site war-sanctions.gur.gov.ua. "Not all the electronic components inside of Russian missiles are military grade. Many of them if not most are consumer-grade or industrial-grade and still available for Russia on the global market," said Pavel Luzin, a specialist in Russian defence policies. "Moreover, there was a storage of electronic components in Russia made before 2022." - 'No sign of vulnerability' - With the help of friendly countries, Russia has set up trading companies and "shows no signs of vulnerability in its supply chains," said an industrial source. "First, there are the Chinese who supply the Russians with many kinds of dual-use products which are successfully used by the military industry," Inozemtsev said. The industrial source added: "The main foreign components found on the Kh-101 wrecks today are American or Taiwanese commercially available processors, purchased by Russian trade missions in embassies abroad or through shell companies." Some countries have become important hubs. In a report published in late 2023, British research institute Rusi said that "faced with losing access to essential supply lines, Russia adapted, rerouting trade flows through friendly jurisdictions and bordering countries, often using complex front-company networks to evade scrutiny." "For example, in 2022, Armenia's microelectronics imports from the US and EU increased by over 500 and 200 percent, respectively, with most of these later re-exported to Russia." Rusi also noted that the value of Kazakhstan's microelectronics exports to Russia increased from around $250,000 in 2021 to over $18 million in 2022. But sometimes these sales pass directly through Western countries, Rusi said, such as purchases by Russian company Compel JSC from Germany. A Stuttgart court sentenced a 59-year-old Russian-German man on Wednesday to almost seven years in prison for having supplied 120,000 components and other pieces of equipment to Russia between January 2020 and May 2023. "There is little that can be done to stop these flows," Inozemtsev said. "The only efficient thing would be to consider sanctions against Western semiconductor producers to force them to better vet their clients. But such measures would be too painful for Western companies." fz-ant-bur/alf/gv/rlp/rsc AMD - ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES Israel strikes key Yemen port after Tel Aviv attack Hodeida, Yemen, July 21 (AFP) Jul 21, 2024 Israeli warplanes killed three people in the Huthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeida, the Iran-backed rebels said Sunday after the group's deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv. The strikes on the vital port, which triggered a raging fire and plumes of black smoke, are the first claimed by Israel in the Arabian peninsula's poorest country, about 2,000 kilometres (1,300 miles) away, analysts said. "The blood of Israeli citizens has a price," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, adding more operations against the Huthis would follow "if they dare to attack us". Gallant said the Hodeida strikes were also a warning to other Iran-backed armed groups around the Middle East that have claimed attacks on Israel during the Gaza war. "The fire that is currently burning in Hodeida, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," he said. The Israeli strikes killed three people and wounded 87, the rebel-run health ministry said in a statement carried by Huthi media. The ministry said earlier that most of the wounded had severe burns. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned "anyone who harms us will pay a very heavy price", after Friday's drone attack in Tel Aviv killed an Israeli civilian. Just hours later, Gallant vowed Israel would retaliate against the Huthis, who control swathes of Yemen, including much of its Red Sea coast. Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari accused the Huthis of using Hodeida "as a main supply route for the transfer of Iranian weapons" such as the drone which hit Tel Aviv. - 'Brutal aggression' - In a statement on social media, top Huthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam reported a "brutal Israel aggression against Yemen". The attack targeted "fuel storage facilities and a power plant" in Hodeida "to pressure Yemen to stop supporting" Palestinians in the Gaza war, he said. An AFP correspondent in Hodeida reported hearing several large explosions and seeing smoke over the port. Footage aired by the rebels' Al-Masirah television, which AFP could not independently verify, showed casualties being treated in hospital, many of them bandaged and lying on stretchers in packed rooms. A man interviewed by the broadcaster said many of the wounded were port employees. "The city is dark, people are on the streets, petrol stations are closed and seeing long queues," said a Hodeida resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing safety concerns. The oil ministry sought to reassure Yemenis that there are "large and sufficient amounts of oil reserves" in a statement published by the Huthi-run Saba news agency. Maritime security firm Ambrey said it observed four merchant vessels in the port at the time of the air strike and another eight in the anchorage. "No damage to merchant vessels has been reported at this time," it said. - Yemen aid lifeline fears - The United States, which along with Britain has carried out several rounds of air strikes against the Huthis in an attempt to put an end to their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, said it played no part in Saturday's strikes. "The United States was not involved in today's strikes in Yemen, and we did not coordinate or assist Israel with the strikes," a US National Security Council spokesman said. Separately, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday it "successfully destroyed" a Huthi drone during the past 24 hours over the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia distanced itself from the Yemen strikes, with a defence ministry spokesman saying Riyadh has "no links to or involvement in targeting Hodeida". "The kingdom will not allow its airspace to be infiltrated by any party," said Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki. Hodeida port, a vital entry point for imports and international aid for rebel-held areas of Yemen, had remained largely untouched through the decade-long war between the Huthis and the internationally recognised government propped up by neighbouring Saudi Arabia. The war has left millions of Yemenis dependent on aid supplied through the port. "Traders now fear that this will exacerbate the already critical food security and humanitarian situation in northern Yemen, as the majority of trade flows through this port," said Mohammed Albasha, senior Middle East analyst for the US-based Navanti Group. UN chief Antonio Guterres had appealed for "maximum restraint" after the Tel Aviv drone strike to avoid "further escalation in the region". But Huthi politburo member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti swiftly threatened revenge for the Hodeida strikes. "The Zionist entity will pay the price for targeting civilian facilities, and we will meet escalation with escalation," he said in a post on social media. The Huthis' Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, warned that the Israeli strikes on Hodeida marked a dangerous turn nine months into the Gaza war. "The foolish step taken by the Zionist enemy heralds a new, dangerous phase," said the group, which has exchanged nearly daily fire with the Israeli army throughout the war. Manila says shoal resupply missions to remain Philippine operation Manila, July 21 (AFP) Jul 21, 2024 Manila's resupply missions to troops on a disputed South China Sea atoll will remain purely Philippine operations, the National Security Council said Sunday, after Washington vowed to "do what is necessary" to support them. The Second Thomas Shoal, which hosts a tiny Philippine garrison stationed on a deliberately beached old warship, has been a focus of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to the South China Sea. A Filipino sailor lost a thumb on the latest June 17 clash when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops. "As far as the RORE (rotation and resupply mission) is concerned, we're keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilising Philippine ships, personnel and leadership," National Security Council spokesman assistant director general Jonathan Malaya told AFP. "That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that's the direction or policy at present." Malaya's remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States "will do what is necessary" to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll. "We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that," Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado. Malaya said the National Security Council appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies. Manila has a mutual defence pact with the United States which requires both parties to come to the other's defence in case of an "armed attack" against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in the Pacific theatre, which Washington says includes the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines and an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis. Second Thomas Shoal lies about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometres from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island. Filipino soldiers stationed on the shoal live on the crumbling BRP Sierra Madre and require frequent resupplies for food, water and other necessities as well as transport for personnel rotations. China deploys coast guard and other boats to patrol the waters around the shoal and has turned several reefs into artificial militarised islands. Iraq to import electricity from Turkey Baghdad, July 21 (AFP) Jul 21, 2024 Iraq said Sunday a new power line will bring electricity from Turkey to its northern provinces as authorities aim to diversify the country's energy sources to ease chronic power outages. The 115-kilometre (71-mile) line connects to the Kisik power station west of Mosul and will provide 300 megawatts from Turkey to Iraq's northern provinces of Nineveh, Salah al-Din and Kirkuk, according to a statement by the prime minister's office. Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani said the new line was a "strategic" step to link Iraq with its neighbouring countries. "The line started operating today," Ahmed Moussa, spokesperson for the electricity ministry, told AFP. Decades of war have left Iraq's infrastructure in a pitiful state, with power cuts worsening the blistering summer when temperatures often reach 50 Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). Many households have just a few hours of mains electricity per day, and those who can afford it use private generators to keep fridges and air conditioners running. Despite its vast oil reserves, Iraq remains dependent on imports to meet its energy needs, especially from neighbouring Iran, which regularly cuts supplies. Sudani has repeatedly stressed the need for Iraq to diversify energy sources to ease the chronic outages. To reduce its dependence on Iranian gas, Baghdad has been exploring several possibilities including imports from Gulf countries. The Iraqi government aims "to complete the connection with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) electric grid by the end of this year," Sudani said on Sunday. "This will enable Iraq to integrate into the regional energy system," allowing it to diversify its energy sources, he added. In March, a 340-kilometre (210-mile) power line started operating to bring electricity from Jordan to Al-Rutbah in Iraq's southwest. Description The Huntington Militia will host "Huntington Independence Day on Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 12PM to 4PM at the Arsenal & Village Green, 425 Park Ave, Huntington, NY. The rain-date is Sunday, August 4.. Hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud in its entirety! See how the Town of Huntington reacted to the news of American Independence! Learn about the Huntington Militia and its involvement in the American Revolutionary War! Watch the Militia drill with musket and cannon firings! See colonial crafts, trades, cooking, and music! THE DECLARATION ARRIVES AT 1PM! BE ON THE SITE BEFORE 1PM IF YOU WISH TO SEE THIS REENACTMENT. COME EARLY AND STAY AFTER TO EXPERIENCE 18TH CENTURY LIFE ON LONG ISLAND! THIS EVENT IS FREE! Please check our website and Facebook page for updates on this event: http://www.huntingtonmilitia.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HuntingtonMilitia1775 The transition to battery-powered vehicles is well under way, with prominent automotive stalwarts shifting production and resources to making electric vehicles, and small EV start-ups developing their own models. Despite this focus, EV stocks have been volatile over the past couple of years as vehicle and production costs have skyrocketed due to inflation and high interest rates. That's likely left some investors hesitant to go all-in on EV stocks. But writing them all off could be a mistake. Here's why I think Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) can potentially become a long-term winner for investors, and why I have hesitations about Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) right now. Why Rivian is a buy Rivian is a young EV company trying to elbow its way into a vast automotive market, facing competitors that are better funded and much more experienced. And yet, Rivian is already making a dent. The company's second-quarter vehicle deliveries of 13,790 beat analysts' consensus estimate of between 13,000 and 13,300. Revenue also jumped an impressive 82% in the quarter to $1.2 billion. While it's true that Rivian isn't profitable yet, management has taken steps to lower vehicle production costs as Rivian moves toward its goal of becoming gross profit-positive this year. To help achieve this, Rivian recently retooled the production of its EV vans, R1T truck, and R1S SUV. The result is fewer internal components and faster production. Rivian management says it achieved a 35% reduction in material costs of its vans and similar results for its truck and SUV. And then there's the company's new joint venture with automotive giant Volkswagen. The two companies announced the deal last month, in which Rivian will share its in-vehicle technology with Volkswagen. In return, Rivian received an initial $1 billion investment and the potential of up to $5 billion. The joint venture puts to rest some investors' previous concerns that Rivian would have enough cash to continue its operations in the next couple of years. Just as importantly, it shows that Rivian has already created a unique product in the automotive market established automakers want a piece of. Finally, Rivian's vehicles are massively popular among customers. Consumer Reports ranks Rivian at the top of all automotive brands -- not just EV brands -- for customer satisfaction, and 86% of Rivian buyers said they'd be willing to purchase another vehicle from the company. Image source: Rivian. Avoid Lucid stock Let me say this upfront: I like Lucid's cars. Its luxury Air sedan has won a long list of accolades for its superb design and praise for its engineering, including having the longest battery range (410 miles!) Car and Driver has ever tested. Story continues But I think Lucid has two problems right now: It continues to burn through cash and its vehicle production continues to come up short. Investors who've been following Lucid know that the company has received several rounds of funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). The most recent cash infusion came in March, to the tune of $1 billion. To date, the PIF has invested $6.4 billion. The PIF has agreed to buy up to 100,000 Lucid vehicles over the next decade, but with its production still very low (more on that in just a moment), filing the large order is still a few years away. Finally, Lucid's vehicle production has been disappointing. In 2023, production was just 8,428 vehicles, and the company expects to produce just 9,000 vehicles this year. That's a far cry from management's initial estimates made years ago when it said it would produce 90,000 vehicles in 2024. Unfortunately, slow production has led to slow revenue growth. Sales were up just 15.5% in the first quarter to $172.7 million. That sales increase is unimpressive, and it's not nearly enough revenue for company with a net loss of $680.8 million in the quarter. Rivian for the win, but be patient If you're looking for the better EV stock, I'd choose Rivian over Lucid for all the above reasons. Additionally, Rivan's stock has a price-to-sales ratio of about 3.4 right now, which may be more expensive than some investors like, but it's still far cheaper than Lucid's 14.1. Just know that you'll have to be patient as Rivian's long-term EV bet comes into focus. There will likely be a lot of volatility with its share price in the near term. Should you invest $1,000 in Rivian Automotive right now? Before you buy stock in Rivian Automotive, 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 Rivian Automotive 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 $722,626!* 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 15, 2024 Chris Neiger has positions in Rivian Automotive. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Volkswagen Ag. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 1 EV Stock to Buy Hand Over Fist and 1 to Avoid was originally published by The Motley Fool * 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. 3 Companies With Consistent Dividend Hikes & High Yields: Morgan Stanley, Trinity Industries, and Robert Half Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Companies with a long history of consistent dividend hikes are especially appealing to investors looking for reliable income and long-term stability. This piece highlights three companies Morgan Stanley, Trinity Industries, and Robert Half maintaining long streaks of dividend payouts and recently announced hikes. In addition, these companies offer solid yields of over 3%. Dont Miss: The total net worth of these five entrepreneurs is $223 billion they all believe in one company where you can lend money to companies at 7-9% APY . Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate. Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a financial holding company that provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals globally. At the end of 2023, the company had over $5 trillion of client assets and around 80,000 employees. Morgan Stanley has consistently raised its dividends every year since 2014. According to the company's news release on June 28, it will increase its quarterly dividend to $0.925 per share from $0.85 per share, expected to be declared by its Board of Directors in Q3 2024. Ted Pick, Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley, said, "We are raising our dividend by 7.5 cents for the third year in a row, reflecting the durability of Morgan Stanleys business model." In addition, the company announced an authorization of a renewed $20 billion multiyear common equity share repurchase program. The current yield on the dividend stands at 3.48%. Check out this article from Benzinga to learn how to earn $500 monthly from Morgan Stanley stock. The company's annual revenue (as of March 31) is $51.20 billion. In its most recent earnings announcement on Monday, the company posted Q2 2024 adjusted EPS of $1.82, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65. Revenues of $15 billion also surpassed the expected $14.30 billion. Trinity Industries Trinity Industries, Inc. (NYSE:TRN) provides rail transportation products and services under the TrinityRail name in North America. It operates in three main segments: railcar leasing and management services, which owns railcars and provides fleet management and administration services; rail products, which builds, sells, and modifies freight and tank railcars and their components; and all other, which sells highway products such as guardrail and other highway barriers. Story continues Trinity Industries has increased its dividends consecutively since 2011, with the most recent hike announced at the end of last year. According to the company's news release on Dec. 6, 2023, its Board of Directors raised the quarterly dividend from $0.26 to $0.28 per share, which is equal to $1.12 annually. Currently, the company's dividend yield is 3.57%. Trinity Industries' annual revenue (as of March 31) is $3.20 billion. According to the companys Q1 2024 earnings report, released on May 1, it generated revenues of $810 million and EPS of $0.33. Both came in above the Street estimates. "Our first quarter performance shows the momentum starting to flow through our business, resulting in better operations and stronger financial results. This gives us confidence in our 2024 performance, and we are raising our EPS guidance to a range of $1.35 to $1.55," said Trinity's Chief Executive Officer and President, Jean Savage. This article by Benzinga analyses how the market is feeling about Trinity Industries. Trending: this property type is nearly recession-proof see passive income real estate deals for accredited investors. Robert Half Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI) provides global talent solutions and business consulting services. It offers temporary, permanent, and outcome-based staffing for in-person and remote positions in finance and accounting, technology, legal, marketing, and administrative fields. Protivitis subsidiary consulting arm specializes in technology, risk, auditing, and compliance matters. Robert Half raised its dividends every year for the last 20 years. According to the company's most recent dividend announcement on Feb. 13, it hiked the quarterly dividend from $0.48 to $0.53 per share, or $2.12 annualized, with a yield of 3.21%. As of March 31, the company's annual revenue stood at $6.20 billion. Per PR Newswire, Robert Half generated a net income of $64 million, or $0.61 per share, on revenues of $1.476 billion. First quarter results were largely in line with expectations, and we are encouraged that second-quarter earnings guidance, led by Protiviti, anticipates higher sequential earnings for the first time in seven quarters," said Keith Waddell, president and chief executive officer at Robert Half. To summarize, Morgan Stanley, Trinity Industries, and Robert Half represent perfect choices for investors seeking reliable income and long-term stability. Their attractive dividend yields of over 3%, combined with their long track records of maintaining and growing dividend payouts, make them particularly appealing to income-focused investors. Check Out One Of Benzinga's Top Picks for Private Market Opportunities Available Now: Integris Secured Credit Fund IV The fund provides a fixed annual return of 12%, payable quarterly, over a 2-year period starting April 2024 and ending April 2026. The note is secured by collateral with an estimated value of $71M, with an anticipated loan-to-value ratio of 14%. Minimum investment: $100,000 Available to: Accredited investors View fund information View more private market offerings on Benzinga's Alternative Investment screener. 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. This article 3 Companies With Consistent Dividend Hikes & High Yields: Morgan Stanley, Trinity Industries, and Robert Half originally appeared on Benzinga.com Who and where: From left Nancy Hofheinz of St. Louis, Maria Carson of Ballwin, Pam Camello of University City and Barbara Robinson of Maryland Heights at Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. The trip: After staying with local people during home visits in Salvador (in Bahia, Brazil) and Sao Paulo arranged through Friendship Force International, the group went on to Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. Travel tip: This is the best way to travel staying with local people and seeing what life is really like in their hometowns. My tip is to check out Friendship Force and join our local club. Contribute: Email your photo to stlpost@gmail.com. Include the full names of everyone in the photo, including where they are from and where you are standing in the photo. Also include your address and phone number. Please also tell us a little about the trip and a travel tip. Were looking for interesting, well-composed, well-lighted photos. When shopping online, theres more to consider than what to buy and how much to spend. If you plan to shop marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy and Walmart that host third-party sellers, youll also want to watch out for scams. Derrek Casebolt thought he was getting a steal when he bought a gaming controller and headphones bundle, normally priced around $170, for about $100 from a seller on the Walmart app. Soon after, Casebolt who works for UPS in the Fresno, California, area received a phony tracking number for the order and learned hed been scammed. I saw the number, and I was like, Thats not right. I immediately knew. Casebolt then double-checked the order details and noticed the seller had used a name similar to that of a legitimate company, but the spelling was off. He tried to contact the seller unsuccessfully. When I couldnt get ahold of them, I immediately let Walmart know, he says. But they didnt really give me any information. They just told me to go to my bank. The bank that issued Casebolts credit card removed the charge. According to a TransUnion study from the second quarter of 2024, among the 40% of consumers who said they were targeted by online, email, phone call or text message fraud, 18% said they were targeted in third-party seller scams on legitimate e-commerce websites. Heres how to stay safe from third-party seller scams when shopping Amazon Prime Day and other sales throughout the year. Know how third-party scams work Most third-party sellers businesses that sell products through another companys marketplace wont pose a problem. But some are scammers that use all sorts of tactics to rip off and extort buyers. Knowing what youre up against can help you protect yourself. Some common third-party shopping scams include: The seller has a product on sale for an extremely low price. The item turns out to be counterfeit, defective or simply doesnt exist. The seller gives a bogus tracking number to make you think they shipped your item, when they did not, or they send the wrong item. The seller refuses to accept returns or will do so only if you pay a high shipping fee. The seller asks you to pay outside of the marketplace, such as with cash or on a separate platform like Venmo. Verify the seller It isnt always immediately clear that an item is being sold by a third party, not by the company whose website youre using. Read search results and product pages carefully. Amazon notes whether an item is sold by Amazon.com or another seller. Targets third-party sellers, known as Target Plus Partners, are marked sold and shipped by followed by the business name. Clicking on the seller name should take you to a page with more detailed information, like how to return an item to the seller and its contact information. Many major e-commerce sites will highlight their top-rated sellers, which tend to be trustworthy. On Walmarts site, shoppers can sort results by retailer and choose among Walmart, pro sellers (those who provide exceptional service) and marketplace sellers whose orders are fulfilled by Walmart. You can use the Better Business Bureaus Scam Tracker database to search for scams by website or business name. You can also do a Google search for the item or company name along with words like scam or fake and see what results come up. Read reviews Dont just glance at an items overall rating. Take time to browse individual reviews. Look out for common complaints. Do multiple reviews highlight similar issues with delivery, returns or product quality? Be skeptical of overwhelmingly positive reviews, too. Sometimes people are paid or given free products to review the product that theyre reviewing. So just be aware that could be at play as well, says Christine Todaro, an attorney in the Federal Trade Commissions Bureau of Consumer Protection. Some shopping tools, like Fakespot, analyze online reviews to help you distinguish between real and bogus ones. Reviews or images from customers that dont match the product you clicked on can signal a scam. For example, if youre shopping for a pair of sandals and all of the reviews on the product page are for hoodies, you should probably rethink that purchase. Check retailer policies Etsy, Amazon and other sites offer protection for buyers dealing with third-party sellers. Typically, retailers promise to issue refunds if an item doesnt arrive or isnt as the seller described. Read what circumstances these policies cover and dont cover, and be sure to keep track of any return or refund deadlines that you may need to follow, Todaro says. Pay with a credit card Credit cards offer protection that debit cards, gift cards and other payment methods dont. You can dispute a credit card charge within 60 days of it appearing on your billing statement. If the retailer cant work with you to resolve the issue, ask your credit card company to investigate. You could get your money back, like Casebolt did. Keep records handy Todaro recommends hanging on to important information about the purchase, such as product descriptions, refund policies and any communications youve had with the seller. If something goes wrong, the retailer or credit card issuer may need you to provide evidence to back up your claim. Freeze and monitor your creditFreezing your credit is a free way to restrict other peoples access to your credit reports. Credit freezes wont prevent someone from stealing your credit card information. But if you fall for a shopping scam that compromises your personal data, having a freeze in place can stop the fraudster from using the information to apply for credit in your name. OFALLON, Mo. The White House announcement that an electronics manufacturer in OFallon is slated to get part of a $400 million investment from the federal government came as no surprise to local leaders who have been cultivating tech business in the area. Patrick McKeehan, economic development director for OFallon, said the new money has long been in the works and will help manufacturer MEMC, LLC outfit its facility with the equipment it needs to boost efficiency making wafers used in semiconductors and across industries. The company is a subsidiary of Taiwan-based GlobalWafers. The money comes through the federal CHIPS and Science Act, approved in 2022 to help localize semiconductor wafer production and advance U.S. technology leadership. Scott Drachnik, CEO of the Economic Development Council of St. Charles County, said that he is pleased the money is going to American operations. We love the fact that MEMC is helping that chip shortage, Drachnik said. The fact that theyre building more of those wafers here is great news for OFallon. OFallon is a silicon prairie, he said. MEMC will use the funds to ramp up operations and acquire equipment, said Karla Chaney, general site manager for the OFallon plant. Currently, the facility is producing its usual 200-millimeter silicon-on-insulator wafers and a low-volume pilot run of the 300-millimeter silicon-on-insulator wafers, commonly used in defense and aerospace projects. Well really be starting in 2025 and be in full production by the end of the second quarter in 2026, Chaney said. She said they will be looking to hire more than 100 people to add to the current 350-person workforce. Next year, MEMC will be hiring maintenance technicians, operators and engineers to fill out the new facility. Theyre a foundation piece to the economy, McKeehan said of MEMC. To accelerate that investment, its good for all of us. Theres a good chance anytime you touch something electronic it has some element of MEMC in OFallon. Chaney said theres a demand for 300-mm silicon-on-insulator wafers from their leading-edge customers, but customers had to buy from GlobalWafer competitors overseas because no one in the U.S. was making them. Approximately 90% of silicon wafers are sourced from East Asia today, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Commerce. This gives them the choice, Chaney said. In fact, they desire it comes from the U.S. Before, it wasnt even an option. Drachnik said MEMCs latest funding adds to other major investments recently made in the area through Boeing, General Motors and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. We have great tech jobs and we should be proud St. Louisans and proud Missourians because of that, Drachnik. People dont realize we have so many high-tech jobs in the Midwest. Were on a tear. In his campaign for governor, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe has promised Republican voters he will stop China from buying up our farmland. Hes doing so while traveling the state in a bus owned by Jewell Patek, a former legislator who is the only Missouri lobbyist employed by the Chinese business that owns a significant chunk of agricultural land in the state. The Republican primary for governor has nine candidates listed on the ballot, with three Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel running full-scale campaigns. The issue of foreign land ownership, especially by China, has been one of the major issues. Eigel made it the subject of his first advertisement of the campaign, and Ashcroft has backed legislation to bar China and other hostile nations from owning farmland and enlisted his father, former Gov. John Ashcroft, to deliver the message. The cost of using Pateks bus isnt listed among the expenses reported in Kehoes latest campaign finance report. Instead, his campaign spokeswoman Gabriella Picard said the bus cost is covered by a June 4 entry showing Kehoe himself made a $25,000 in-kind donation. The bus, she wrote in an email to The Independent, was personally leased by Kehoe. The exterior wrap on the bus, with campaign messages and a larger-than-life photo of the candidate and his wife, Claudia, is reported among the campaigns expenses. It cost $15,591 at Impact Signs Awnings Wraps Inc. in Sedalia. The Kehoes personally didnt want to use the campaign funds for a bus, Picard said in an interview. The reason that it was reported as an in-kind donation by Mike Kehoe is for that reason, because we just didnt want to use money that people have donated for a bus. And he wanted to personally make that contribution himself. Charter bus rental can cost $1,200 to $1,700 a day plus mileage, depending on the size and interior amenities. The bus owned by Patek is a 2000 model, according to records in the Moniteau County Collectors office, and is assessed at the nominal value of $100. Picard would not say whether the reported amount is how much Kehoe is paying Patek for use of the bus. All fuel and associated costs with the bus tour are being covered by the campaign, she said in a message Saturday. The lease for the bus was negotiated between Mike Kehoe and the owner. Everything has been reported to the MEC as required. Since 2007, Patek has lobbied for Smithfield Foods, which in 2013 was acquired by Shuanghui International, now known as WH Group, Chinas largest pork producer. Smithfield operates a facility once known as Premium Standard Farms on more than 40,000 acres near Princeton in northern Missouri. Patek is Smithfields only lobbyist, but the pork producer is not Pateks only client. Patek became a lobbyist in 2003, and his Missouri Ethics Commission filings list 44 other clients, including utility providers Evergy and Spire, the Heavy Constructors Association of Kansas City and Cheyenne International, a discount cigarette manufacturer. Patek did not return a call seeking comment. Prior to 2013, Missouri law banned foreign ownership of agricultural land. To accommodate the sale of Smithfield, lawmakers that year made it legal for up to 1% of the states farmland to be owned by foreign entities. Kehoe, a member of the Senate at the time, voted for the bill and to override a veto by Gov. Jay Nixon. In his veto message, Nixon wrote that the allowance for 1% foreign ownership was never debated until it was inserted into the legislation at the last minute without the benefit of a hearing that would have allowed for public testimony and over the objections of agricultural groups. Criticism of the legislation didnt take long to develop backers of Josh Hawleys campaign for attorney general broadcast an ad in 2016 with actors speaking Chinese attacking his Republican primary opponent, then-state Sen. Kurt Schaefer, for backing the legislation. Schaefer, of Columbia, this year is seeking the Republican nomination for Congress in the 3rd District. Despite growing bipartisan support for repeal or revisions to the 2013 legislation 13 bills altering the 1% allowance were introduced by Republicans and Democrats this year alone nothing has passed to the governors desk. Eigel won Senate approval this year of an amendment barring foreign ownership of Missouri farmland within 500 miles of a military base, but it was stripped out before the bill was sent to Gov. Mike Parson. In January, Parson issued an executive order banning land purchases by foreign adversaries within 10 miles of critical military facilities. In an interview earlier this month with The Independent, Kehoe said he doesnt believe an enemy of our country should own anything here. He defended his 2013 vote, saying youre talking about very different circumstances in the relationship the U.S. had with other countries than today. That happened 11 years ago, he said. Times have changed, and so we would move forward with the position that I have very clearly stated that I do not want any enemy of this country owning anything. Using a bus owned by Smithfields lobbyist and obscuring that fact by calling it a donation from Kehoe drew fire from Eigels and Ashcrofts campaigns, who have both worked to portray him as too close to interest groups. China has owned Kehoe for a long time, and of course theyll own him as governor, too, said Sophia Shore, campaign manager for Eigel. He voted four times to sell Missouri to the Chinese; everything that has followed is completely unsurprising. The bus is symbolic of Kehoes whole campaign, said Jason Roe, an adviser to Ashcroft. Kehoe has hundreds of lobbyists supporting his campaign, Roe said. Any lobbyist could subsidize the bus for him, but this one is pretty interesting. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto The East Coast of the United States has long been a hub of economic activity, cultural diversity and historical significance. As real estate trends continue to evolve, certain cities along this coastline are emerging as particularly promising for property investment. To learn what East Coast cities might offer the very best opportunities in the coming years, GOBankingRates spoke with Chris Wesser, founder and president of Redy, an innovative marketplace that rewards home sellers for choosing agents aligned with their sales goals. Discover More: 3 Best Florida Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According To Real Estate Agents Try This: Become a Real Estate Investor for Just $1K Using This Bezos-Backed Startup Predicting which real estate markets will be hot or cold five years from now is exceedingly complex, but investors can increase their odds of success if they develop a methodology and stick to it when making investment decisions, Wesser said. Here are five East Coast cities that stand out as potential hotspots for property investment over the next five years. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Syracuse, New York Syracuse might not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of hot real estate markets, but its at the top of Redys list of expected best performers on the East Coast. Wesser explained that Syracuse benefits from multiple positive factors. Housing supply vs. demand this is a combination of existing and expected housing unit supply versus actual and expected inbound migration. This factor especially applies to cities like Syracuse, Richmond, Lower Hudson Valley, Nashville, Orlando and Columbus, he said. Additionally, Syracuse is up-and-coming for its perceived value. This is based on average home price compared to analogous areas with similar infrastructure and growth prospects (e.g., homes are perceived to be significantly undervalued), Wesser said. This factor especially applies to Detroit, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Omaha, parts of metro Atlanta, suburban Phoenix and Syracuse. Find Out: 20 Best Cities Where You Can Buy a House for Under $100K Boston Bostons presence on the list is likely no surprise to many. Wesser identified Boston as one of the cities benefiting from technology, manufacturing, banking and job growth. This does not mean massive changes (like being selected for an Amazon headquarters), but rather above average growth relative to the size of the market, he said. Bostons robust education sector, thriving tech industry and status as a major financial center contribute to its strong economic foundation and potential for real estate growth. Story continues Richmond, Virginia Richmonds appeal is real and its growing. Richmond, like Syracuse, has a favorable housing supply and increasing demand. Not only that, the citys rich history, coupled with its growing reputation as a foodie destination and its relatively affordable cost of living compared with larger East Coast cities, makes it a nice option for both young professionals and families. Washington, D.C. The nations capital is also on Redys list. Like Boston, Washington, D.C., benefits from strong job growth, particularly in government, technology and related sectors. The citys stable job market, coupled with its cultural attractions and historical significance, continues to drive demand for housing in the area. Lower Hudson Valley, New York The Lower Hudson Valley region, north of New York City, completes Redys list of expected best performers on the East Coast. This area benefits from its proximity to New York City while offering more space and potentially better value than properties in the city itself. Wesser noted that the Lower Hudson Valley, like Syracuse and Richmond, benefits from favorable housing supply and demand dynamics. Do Your Homework When Buying Real Estate While these five East Coast cities look promising for real estate investment, remember that buying property is a big decision. Every neighborhood is different, and whats true for a whole city might not be true for every street or block. Wesser gave some good advice: The secret sauce is how you interpret and test the data to draw conclusions. In other words, do your homework. Look at the numbers, but also talk to people who know the area well. Before you buy any property, you should do these things. Visit the city and neighborhood yourself. Talk to local real estate agents. Look at job growth and population trends. Check out the local schools and amenities. Consider how long you plan to hold on to the property. Remember, theres no such thing as a sure bet in real estate. But by doing your research and thinking carefully about your investment goals, you can make smarter choices about where to invest your money. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Best East Coast Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to a Real Estate Expert DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 people, including women and children overnight in Gaza, according to hospital officials and a body count by an Associated Press journalist on Sunday. The latest strikes occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to leave Monday for the United States, where he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden and address Congress to make his case for the nine-month war against Hamas while cease-fire negotiations continue. A team will be sent to continue talks on Thursday, Netanyahus office said. The already precarious humanitarian conditions inside besieged Gaza have worsened with the discovery of the polio virus as water and sanitation services have suffered for the territorys population of 2.3 million, most of it displaced. Traces of the virus were found in sewage samples in Gaza. The World Health Organization has said no one has been treated for symptoms caused by the infection. Israels military said that soldiers would be vaccinated, and it would work with organizations to bring in vaccines for Palestinians. Israels latest airstrikes were in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, where nine people, including two children, were killed, and the southern city of Khan Younis, where at least six people were killed, including two girls. Men and women wept and embraced the small bodies in white shrouds. Unknown body of five-month baby was written on one. Smoke also rose from the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, but there was no immediate word on casualties. The war in Gaza has killed more than 38,900 people, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The war began with an assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took about 250 hostages. About 120 remain held, about a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities. Netanyahu has vowed to wipe out Hamas military and governing capabilities and secure the return of the remaining hostages. Families of hostages and thousands of other Israelis have rallied in weekly demonstrations, urging the prime minister to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring loved ones home. Mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States continue to push Israel and Hamas toward a phased deal that would stop the fighting and free the hostages. Concerns about a wider regional conflict continue. Israel on Saturday struck the port of Hodeida in Yemen in the first known Israeli strikes there since the war in Gaza began. The strikes, in response to a deadly Houthi drone strike in Tel Aviv, threatened to open a new front as Israel battles Iranian proxies in the region. On Sunday, the Israeli military said that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen as the Houthis vowed impactful strikes. Proxies also include Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon. On Sunday, Lebanons military said two of its soldiers were wounded after an Israeli strike hit a watchtower on the outskirts of the border town of Alma al-Shaab. Earlier Sunday, Israels military said it struck multiple areas in southern Lebanon after a number of drones were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. It said hits were identified in the areas of Hanita and Yaara in northern Israel but no injuries were reported. Associated Press writer Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed. July 21, 2024: Turkey continues to maintain military forces in Libya and expects that its troops and mercenaries will remain in Libya as long as it takes to gain their planned economic and political cooperation from Libyans. The Turks are less willing to block efforts to hold national elections and bring an end to over a decade of civil war. By early 2020 the Turks had sent enough troops to rescue the GNA (Government of National Accord), a failed UN and Moslem Brotherhood backed government, from its locally based rival Libyan National Army (LNA) force. The GNA failed to attract a national following while the LNA did. It has been around since 2015, when it was formed in eastern Libya and proceeded to eliminate rivals, especially Islamic radical groups, throughout the country. In early 2019 all that the GNA had left was the traditional capital Tripoli) and to the east the nearby coastal city of Misrata. Both cities are dominated by dozens of rival militias, many of them seeking an Islamic government but mainly looking out for themselves. The LNA went after Tripoli in early 2019, from two sides and slowly pushed back the desperate militias, who would lose their independence and lucrative criminal enterprises if the LNA succeeded. The UN condemned the LNA and ignored Turkey shipping in weapons and military advisors to assist the GNA. By the end of 2019 Turkey was threatening to send in combat troops and warships to blockade Libyan ports. The Turkish support violates the UN arms embargo on Libya, as does the support Russia, Egypt, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and a few other countries have provided for the LNA. The LNA agreed to a ceasefire and national elections. The Turks and their thousands of Syrian Arab mercenaries are still there and are prepared to stay indefinitely. Egypt, for the first time in centuries, finds hostile Turkish troops next door and is not pleased. Both Libyan governments continue to engage in corrupt practices, despite scrutiny by UN officials and journalists. Local journalists are frequently responsible for accusations against corrupt Libyans. One of those corrupt practices the United States protests is Libya tolerating, and often cooperating with, people smuggling gangs that were offering air transportation to Nicaragua in Central America and then assistance to illegally enter the United States. Despite all this, local elections were held and that has made possible national elections that might persuade the Turks to withdraw or at least begin negotiations about withdrawal. As of 2024 there is agreement between the GNA and LNA about holding elections. The only obstacle is the Turkish forces that refuse to leave Libya. Turkey is looking out for Turkish economic interests and knows it is blocking efforts to hold national elections in Libya. Most Libyans do not want to give in to Turkish extortion but the Turks are too strong militarily to be forced out of the country. (Yutaka Kobayashi/Stars and Stripes) Tokyo International Airport, Japan, Dec. 10, 1960: Sir Edmund Hillary, mountaineer and explorer, addresses gathered journalists at Tokyo International Airport, Dec. 10, 1960. Sir Hillary is on his way to the United States from Nepal to have a scalp examined at the Chicago Museum of Natural History. Although Sir Hillary said he doesnt believe there is an abominable snowman, he said that the scalp was the only piece of evidence we havent found a rational explanation for. The scalp is on loan from the Nepalese village of Khumjung where it is kept at the Gompa (temple) and revered as the scalp of a Yeti. Accompanying Sir Hillary is Khunjo Chumbi (right), Khumjung village elder and a Sherpa the ethnic group who are native to the high Himalaya mountain range of the eastern Nepal and Tibet and known for their moutaineering skills. Chumbis accompaniment was one of the conditions for Sir Hillary to borrow the scalp. Sir Hillarys skepticism about the scalp proved right as close scientific examination showed it was made from animal hides most probably Himalayan serow a goat antelope native to the region. The scalp was indeed returned to the village. A replica of it can be found at the Explorers Club, New York City. Read the 1960 interview with Sir Hillary here: https://www.stripes.com/migration/yeti-scalp-fails-to-convince-hillary-1.83312 Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com You might have seen Barbara Corcoran on ABCs Shark Tank, which connects wealthy individuals with startups looking for funding. She is also a local legend in New York. She became one of the highest-paid female investors, climbing her way to the top from nothing. Read Next: Mark Cubans Best Advice on How To Become Rich For You: 7 Reasons You Should Consider a Financial Advisor Even If Youre Not Wealthy Corcoran is the epitome of an entrepreneur. She always finds ways to innovate and build a legacy while staying rooted in ethics and family values. In 2001, she sold her company, The Corcoran Group, a residential real estate brokerage, for $66 million. Despite selling her company, she is still active in real estate, launching a syndicate on AngelList and holding a personal portfolio. Here are the top six wealth lessons we can take away from Barbara Corcoran. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. The Importance of Networking Networking is a core component of building any business, especially in real estate. Corcorans vast network of other real estate professionals undoubtedly helped pave her way to the top. Not only can networking give you access to pocket listings and off-market deals, but it can also save you time when looking for a reliable contractor or partner. Also, networking is one of the top ways to build trust and reliability in your organization. Would you rather work with a complete stranger or an individual that someone knows and networks with? Probably the latter. Barbara Corcoran taught me that real estate is a people business, says Joe Stance, founder of Stance Real Estate. Ive found that building genuine relationships and trust with clients leads to repeat business and referrals. Focusing on people over profits has been key. Check Out: Im a Bank Teller: 4 Reasons You Should Withdraw Your Savings Right Now The Benefits of Treating Your Employees Well Did you know that employees are an extension of your business? A positive workplace can boost productivity and reduce turnover. Treating your employees with respect and dignity and minimizing negativity can lead to better organizational performance. Corcoran believes in fostering a strong workplace culture by eliminating negative employees. She believes negativity is contagious and negative employees use up valuable resources. If you are constantly surrounded by employees who do the bare minimum each day, would you want to overachieve? Probably not. The Power of Investing in Your Local Community Real estate investors have a direct impact on their local community. Are you revitalizing a run-down property? How about converting it into a multi-use building with both residential and commercial units? Through her investing, Corcoran prioritizes encouraging small businesses to open in local communities using rehabbed units and spaces. Story continues There doesnt have to be a trade-off between running a successful real estate business and revitalizing your community. In fact, youll see the most success by investing in your local community and driving businesses and tenants to the area. Not to mention that youll give your real estate investing a greater purpose when you are empowering your local community. I sponsored events and donated my time and expertise, says Stance. Although revenue didnt immediately increase, website traffic and sales soared within months. Supporting my community built goodwill and attracted new clients. Always Anticipate Problems and Find Solutions Problems are bound to pop up no matter what project youre working on. Corcoran is a strong proponent of embracing problems and rejection as learning opportunities to expand your skill set and resilience. By anticipating problems, you can uncover viable solutions to overcome challenges. Maybe you allocate an extra $10,000 to reserves for your real estate project or brainstorm with another professional on what to do. Whatever the case, dont get hung up on problems. Everything can be solved with the right resources and resilience. Being able to anticipate problems and find a solution quickly has always been important, Stance added. For example, when a client needed warehouse space on a tight budget, I used my network to find an affordable option with room for retail tenants. The client purchased the building, and I found tenants, generating income for the client and commissions for my firm. Foreseeing and solving challenges beyond a basic transaction built loyalty and success. Using Your Past To Fuel Your Future Nobody has a perfect track record. Even Corcoran has made mistakes in her investment career. However, she believes that your past doesnt define you. Growing up with nothing, she didnt stay complacent where she was. Instead, she took action and didnt let disadvantages get in the way of her success. These same principles should apply to your wealth-building journey. Even if you havent made the best investment decisions in the past, that doesnt mean you cant change your ways going forward. Using your past as a learning lesson can pave the way to a new (and wealthier) future. Struggles Make You Stronger How does it feel when you finally overcome a challenge? Pretty good, right? Another wealth-building lesson that we can take from Corcoran is that having an enduring spirit is crucial. Her enduring spirit led her to create her own real estate firm and become an investor on Shark Tank. The struggles she faced only made her stronger. The same goes for your situation. You will encounter a lot of struggles on your wealth-building journey, but in the end, they make you stronger. These six wealth lessons are something that every investor can benefit from following, even those with decades of experience. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Lessons From Barbara Corcoran That Can Boost Your Wealth Eric Coquerel, the newly-elected member of the French Parliament, is seen at the National Assembly in Paris on July 2, 2024. (Stephane de Sakutin/AFP via Getty Images/TNS) French lawmakers reelected a member of the far-left France Unbowed party to head the National Assemblys powerful finance committee, foiling a plan by President Emmanuel Macrons allies to team up with the center-right opposition and gain the post. Eric Coquerel, who held the job in the previous legislature, got 29 votes on the commission, beating Veronique Louwagie, who had the support of her own Republican Right party and Macrons group, with 26 votes and Jean-Philippe Tanguy of the far-right National Rally with 18, Le Parisien reported Saturday. The finance committee, traditionally led by a member of an opposition party, has a key role in the adoption of the French budget in Parliament. It also oversees how the government spends public money. The committee can also block legislation if it deems that it puts too much pressure on public finances. Macrons party tried to choose the opposition that it preferred by teaming up with the center right, Coquerel said. Im all the more proud to say that this attempt was thwarted, he said in televised comments after the vote. It is totally contrary to the prevailing spirit: That the chairman of the finance committee should come from the opposition and therefore be the guarantor of control over the budget that was intended. Coquerels win comes two days after Yael Braun-Pivet, a member of Macrons party, was reelected as the head of the National Assembly thanks to Republican Right legislators who rallied behind her in the third and final round of the vote. While formally registered as an opposition party in parliament, the Republicans have joined forces with Macrons bloc in order to face down lawmakers from the far left and the far right. France was thrown into political disarray in June when Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called a snap election after his party was crushed in a vote for the European Parliament. The power-sharing deal between Macrons political group and center-right lawmakers is another sign he may try to cobble together a centrist coalition government that excludes radical parties on the left and right. The deal between two groups that are traditionally rivals helped secure Braun-Pivets reelection Thursday. The snap election fragmented the lower house into three primary groups the left-wing New Popular Front, which holds the most seats and includes France Unbowed and the center-left Socialists; the centrist Ensemble that is second; and Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally in third. No group holds enough seats to govern on its own, putting the country in the unprecedented situation of having to rely on several parties across the ideological spectrum to form a new government. The agreement between Macrons Ensemble and the Republican Right failed to deliver enough votes to elect Louwagie. But each group got National Assembly vice president positions in balloting late Friday night that stretched into Saturday morning. Details of the agreement have been laid out in discussions between Laurent Wauquiez, the Republican Right leader in the Assembly, and the head of Macrons group, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. While the Republican Right the fifth-strongest faction in the assembly is working with Macrons bloc to face down lawmakers from both ends of the political spectrum, the main target is now the left, since it won the most seats while Le Pens party came in third. Top jobs in the lower house arent directly related to the appointment of a prime minister or the formation of a government, though they could give an indication about which coalitions are able to unite behind a single candidate in sufficient numbers. Macron is constitutionally empowered to pick a new prime minister and its been accepted practice to appoint someone from the biggest group in the National Assembly. As a counterweight, lawmakers can call for confidence votes in the government. This means choosing a premier with broad enough appeal to stay in place and build majorities on a case-by-case basis to pass legislation. Despite winning the most seats, the New Popular Front has been unable to propose a candidate for prime minister because the four parties in the alliance cant agree among themselves who that person should be. The Socialist Party proposed Friday that the deputies from the parties hold a vote by Tuesday at the latest to choose a candidate. Macron has called for all parties that support the European Union and the rule of law to come together to form a government, in an effort to form a mainstream alliance that would exclude both the far right and the far-left France Unbowed party. This approach would allow Macrons government to continue, albeit in a weakened form. Macron has asked Attal to stay on as head of a caretaker government with limited powers. The deal also grants Republicans some relevance after mounting defeats in the ballot box in recent years. Existential internal discussions in the party that was founded by general Charles de Gaulle and had Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac as presidents got worse after its head, Eric Ciotti, rallied behind Le Pens far right in this years election. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Maj. William Watts and Sgt. 1st Class Kerstan Harrivel lead the U.S. Army Europe and Africa team near Overasselt, Netherlands during the Four Days March Nijmegen on July 19, 2024. The team completed about 100 miles of marching over four days. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) This story has been corrected NIJMEGEN, Netherlands Hundreds of U.S. military personnel joined with service members from 34 different nations to complete the 106th edition of the worlds largest multi-day marching event on Friday. The 560 U.S. entrants were among more than 6,400 service members and 40,000 others who marched approximately 100 miles in and around the Dutch city of Nijmegen during the Vierdaagse, or Four Days Marches. One group of service members raised eyebrows from day one. Seven guardians from the 53rd Space Operations Squadron in Landstuhl, Germany, gave Space Force their first team in an event that originated with about 300 Dutch soldiers looking to build stamina in 1909. The guardians enlisted the help of soldiers from Kaiserslautern and Wiesbaden to reach the 12-member team requirement. Every day has been Space Force? and lots of Wait, thats real? so the team has been fielding questions multiple times a day, Senior Master Sgt. Robert Baer said Thursday. Its always great to get the Space Force out there in front of people, because its still so new. U.S. Space Force Senior Master Sgt. Robert Baer carries a Space Force flag while marching down the Via Gladiola during the last day of the Four Days Marches in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on July 19, 2024. Baer was a member of the first Space Force team to register for the international military march. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) U.S. airmen march past the reviewing stand at Camp Heumensoord, south of Nijmegen, Netherlands on July 19, 2024, as they begin a roughly 25-mile journey to complete the Four Days March. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) The Americans said camaraderie between the international militaries and the hospitality of the Dutch people were the things that stuck out the most over the four days. Being with all the partner nations and seeing how they do things while being able to exchange patches and shirts with all of them ... its great, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Edward French, who is stationed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, said around the halfway point of Fridays march. The city, the participation that you see from all the kids and the high fives, you cant beat it, French added. Army 1st Lt. Jacob Roderick of 7th Army Training Command greets children in Gassel, Netherlands, on July 19, 2024, during the final day of the 100-mile Four Days March Nijmegen. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) In the town of Gassel, a band set up and residents lined the streets before 8 a.m. to hand out snacks and greet marchers as they passed through. Theres been a couple of towns where were marching next to Dutch soldiers and theyre cheering for the Americans. They really care for us just as much as we care for them, Sgt. 1st Class Kerstan Harrivel said Friday at a military rest area outside of Overasselt. Harrivel, who participated for the third time, was the U.S. Army Europe and Africa team captain. She said her team prepared by logging over 1,000 miles since January and completing other long-distance marches across Europe. A young girl high-fives U.S. soldiers as they march through Gassel, Netherlands, on July 19, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) Many marchers said temperatures and humidity posed an obstacle this year. Though not as hot as 2006, which saw the event canceled after the first day, the weather caused officials to modify Fridays final march. Civilian routes were reduced a little over 6 miles and military marchers could complete their roughly 25 miles without a 22-pound rucksack. Carrying extra weight aside, some of the military participants said the march takes a big toll on the body. Space Force Senior Master Sgt. Robert Baer presents fellow guardian Sgt. Clara Myers with the Vierdaagsekruis, or Four Days Cross medal, on July 19, 2024, in the Dutch city of Nijmegen. Baer and Myers were part of the first U.S. Space Force team to participate in the 100-mile Four Days March. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) A lot of military members come in with the notion that Im in the military, so Im in good physical condition, U.S. liaison support officer Marine Lt. Col. Matthew Berthinet said Thursday. Its really an event that taxes different parts of your body than youre used to working out. Berthinet, who marched in 2022, added that preparing for the event is a time commitment with no shortcuts when it comes to putting lots of miles on your body and feet. Not everyone on the Space Force team made it to the Charlemagne rest area on Friday to earn their Vierdaagsekruis, or Four Days Cross medal. A few marchers were dropped for medical disqualifications through the first three days. Army Cpt. Matthew Hagy of the 2nd Signal Brigade in Wiesbaden, Germany, waves to onlookers as he marches along the Via Gladiola at the end of the Four Days March Nijmegen on July 19, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) But Baer said this shouldnt be the last time people see the Space Force in Nijmegen. There are enough guardians out there, so theres no reason we cant put together a recurring Space Force team, Baer said after arriving at Charlemagne on Friday. Were gonna make it a thing. After a short rest, marchers wearing their newly earned medals walked the final 3-mile stretch down Sint Annasstraat, known as the Via Gladiola, into downtown Nijmegen. U.S. military teams line up around 3 a.m. to start the final day of the Four Days March at Camp Heumensoord, south of Nijmegen, Netherlands, on July 19, 2024. Some 540 U.S. military personnel were among 6,426 international military members from 34 nations that participated in the event. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes) The combination of parade and party saw Baer and company cheered on by thousands of spectators that showered them with high fives, hugs and cold drinks, as chants of USA, USA, USA rang out. Next years march will occur July 15-18, as Nijmegen celebrates hosting the event for the 100th time. A recruiting ad for Ukraines military forces is seen during a partial electricity blackout in the center of Kyiv on June 22, 2024, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Russia attacked energy transmission facilities in the north and center of Ukraine with drones overnight, causing temporary power cuts for households and industrial producers. Separately, UAVs from Ukraine targeted the large Millerovo air field in the Rostov region, which borders the eastern areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia since 2022 and is a base for Russian fighter jets. Some 26 drones were destroyed overnight by Russias air defense, Rostov Gov. Vasily Golubev said on Telegram, adding that there were no casualties. The Russian military blog Rybar also said the attack caused little damage, although social media posts showed images of large fires and cited reports of as many as 16 explosions in the area. In Ukraine, Moscows forces targeted five regions, including Kyiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Poltava with at least 17 drones and four missiles, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram. Thirteen drones were intercepted. Russia has targeted Ukraines power system, including generation and transmission facilities, since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022 and ramped up the level of attacks this spring. Power supplies have been rationed since March to all consumers with exception to critical facilities like hospitals and public transport. On some days, electricity is only available for several hours. Drone debris fell in one of Kyivs central municipal districts without causing damage and in the Kharkiv region, with railway infrastructure and trains also hit overnight. Four railway workers were injured and some trains were delayed. Separately, a Russian missile hit a residential area in the southern city of Mykolayiv on Friday evening, killing four people including a child and causing damage to 19 houses and a kindergarten, mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said on Telegram. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz records his New Years address to the German people on Dec. 30, 2022, in Berlin. (Krick/Pool/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Carved out of the forest on the southwestern edge of Berlin lies an outpost of the Cold War thats becoming more relevant by the day. Officially, the Military History Museum located at the former British airfield of Berlin-Gatow documents the role of air warfare, from the first days of flying through to Germanys reunification. The real highlight is its collection of Cold War artifacts: fighter jets, Western and Soviet; East German helicopters, West German radar installations, NATO air-defense systems and transport aircraft; even early nuclear missiles. Its a sobering, at times unnerving, glimpse of a period that until recently was considered over and done with. But with the West again aligned against Moscow as President Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine grinds toward the 21/2-year mark, it now seems strangely current. More advanced versions of the same weaponry on show at Gatow, from Patriots to MiGs, are being deployed on the battlefields of Ukraine. And as the largest European supplier of military aid to Kyiv, Berlin is again playing a central role a reality sparking domestic opposition and spilling into the political arena, just as it did in the West Germany of the 1970s and 1980s. Cold War-style espionage is back. Just last week it emerged that U.S. and German secret services had thwarted a plot to assassinate the chief executive officer of Rheinmetall AG. His company helps produce Leopard 2 battle tanks and artillery shells that are supplied to Ukraine, and is a key defense contractor in rearming Germanys armed forces, the Bundeswehr. Now, as then, the U.S. is the ultimate guarantor of security in Europe. For how much longer is an open question with a turbulent election campaign that could put Donald Trump back in the White House to undermine the North Atlantic Treaty Organization anew, and again clash with Germany. Perhaps to short-circuit such an eventuality, Washington and Berlin jointly announced that U.S. long-range missiles will be returning to German territory from 2026, a move demonstrating Americas commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence. While conventional, these advanced capabilities, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons still in development, are an echo of the stationing of nuclear-capable Pershing II ballistic missiles in West Germany in response to Soviet deployments in the eastern bloc events also documented at Gatow. Those U.S. plans in the early 1980s met with protests led by the nascent Greens movement, and caused ructions within Social Democratic Chancellor Helmut Schmidts government. Now the Greens are in a coalition headed by another SPD chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and opposition to the deployment is instead coming from the political fringes. Left Party chair Janine Wissler has condemned the policy as provoking Moscow, leading to a spiral of rearmament that with each step takes us closer to the brink. Its a stance shared by Sahra Wagenknecht, who quit the Left to set up her own eponymous party, the BSW where the B is for Buendnis, or alliance on a platform that includes opposition to supplying weapons to Ukraine. The BSW is only a few months old but already attracts as much as 9% support in polls and far more in some federal states more than enough to complicate future coalition building. National surveys still show a majority favor helping Ukraine militarily, but a residual pacifist camp rooted in the Cold War peace movement is dismayed, and casting around for a new political home. Taken together, parties that oppose such aid have the support of somewhere between a quarter and a third of voters. Its one element that adds to economic stagnation, in-fighting and missed goals from climate to housing that explains disaffection with Scholz and his coalition; it looks unlikely to survive past next years federal elections. Like Helmut Schmidt, Scholz calls Hamburg home, but hes not considered the same caliber of chancellor. For all that, he is presiding over a government that is making historic changes to Germanys long-standing positions on defense and security, and seeking a leading role in NATO against Russia, regardless of the future US commitment to that cause. Asked about opposition to U.S. cruise missiles in Germany and the chance of triggering a new arms race with Putin, Scholz pointed to Russia as having engaged in an unbelievable buildup of weapons that threaten European territory. The precision-strike capabilities offered by the U.S. deployment are needed while Germany works with France and the U.K. on developing a similar conventional deterrent to combat the threat, he told reporters at the NATO summit in Washington on July 11. Trump takes credit for berating allies including Germany into raising defense spending, but Berlin could yet become an even bigger target for his second administration, especially given that his choice of vice president, JD Vance, is an outspoken critic of aid for Ukraine. Trump professed his love for Germany and Europe in a Bloomberg Businessweek interview published July 17. But once you get past that, they treat us violently, he said. Tensions with the U.S. have their Cold War parallels. Back in 1982, Helmut Kohl succeeded Schmidt, and the U.S. missile deployment went ahead despite widespread public discontent. Yet within less than a decade the Berlin Wall had fallen and the Soviet Union impoded the singular event that shaped Putins worldview. For Frederick Kempe, president of the Atlantic Council, today Ukraine is the front line of a global struggle, just as West Berlin was during the Cold War a reality acknowledged by China and Russia in their no limits partnership struck on the eve of the 2022 invasion, he said in an online commentary posted July 15. Gatow bore witness to the standoff with Moscow then, as a destination for western supplies flown in by Allied planes in a successful bid to break the blockade of Berlin ordered by Soviet leader Josef Stalin in 1948-9. The effects of the current Russian leaders actions can also be seen at Gatow. On a recent visit, a group of wounded Ukrainian veterans toured the museum, which is unusual for its relatively unfiltered take on the past. Displays of items like Nazi aviation chief Hermann Goerings outsized Luftwaffe uniform carry matter-of-fact descriptions that are mostly shorn of commentary. They trailed from hangar to hangar in a procession of wheelchairs, accompanied by partners or friends. One man had new prostheses on both legs similar to those used by sprinters at the Paralympics; another wearing shorts revealing a terrible knee wound leaned heavily on a crutch to get around. More than 1,000 injured Ukrainians have been treated in Germany, including almost 700 soldiers as of March, according to the Health Ministry. Most receive specialist care such as the fitting of prostheses. Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenska, visited wounded veterans in a Berlin military hospital in June. Thank you to the defenders! she said in a post on Facebook. And thanks to Germany, which treats them as its own defenders. One of those defenders, asked at the military museum if he was OK, paused to consider. Offering a fist bump, he said I am now, and slowly wheeled himself away. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. KIROV, Russia In Kirov, a small city in the heart of western Russia, about 1,000 miles from the front lines in Ukraine, the war that initially few people wanted continues to fill graves in local cemeteries. But most residents now seem to agree with President Vladimir Putin that the bloodshed is necessary. The U.S. and NATO gave us no choice, said Vlad, the commander of a Russian storm unit who has been wounded three times since signing a contract to join the military a year ago. He spoke on the condition he be identified only by first name because he is still an active-duty soldier. After fighting in Ukraine this spring left him with 40 pieces of shrapnel in his body, Vlad was sent home to recover. Once healed, he plans to return to battle. Im going back because I want my kids to be proud of me, he said. You have to raise patriotism. Otherwise, Russia will be eaten up. Elena Smirnova, whose brothers have been fighting in Ukraine since they were conscripted in September 2022, said she is proud they serve the motherland rather than sit on the couch at home. Nina Korotaeva, who works every day at a volunteer center sewing nets and anti-drone camouflage blankets, said that she feels such pity for the young men dying but that their sacrifice is unavoidable. We dont have a choice, Korotaeva said. We have to defend our state. We cant just agree to being broken up. A visit to Kirov last month revealed that many Russians firmly believe that their country is fighting an existential war with the West, which has sent Ukraine more than $100 billion in military aid, including sophisticated weapons, to defend against Russias invasion assistance that has sharply increased Russias casualties. Caption In this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on July 12, 2024, Russian soldiers fire from their howitzer from their position at Ukrainian troops at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service) Interviews showed that the Kremlin has mobilized public support for the war while also masking the full, horrific consequences of it. Some residents of Kirov said they still find the war incomprehensible, while others who have lost relatives insist that the fighting must be serving a higher purpose. Olga Akishina, whose boyfriend, Nikita Rusakov, 22, was killed with at least 20 other soldiers when a U.S.-provided HIMARS missile slammed into their base this spring, said she found it too difficult to speak about him. Instead, she spoke for nearly an hour in an unbroken torrent about NATO bases in Ukraine and the extermination of Russian-speakers there echoing the Kremlins unfounded justifications for the war, which are repeated frequently on state television. Of course, if he hadnt died, it would certainly be much more pleasant for me and his family, Akishina said. But I am aware that this was a necessary measure to protect those people. Washington Post journalists traveled to Kirov at the invitation of Maria Butina, a Russian citizen who served 15 months in a U.S. federal prison after being convicted of operating as an unregistered foreign agent. Butina had been an advocate for gun rights and other conservative causes during her years in the United States. Deported after her release, she was embraced as a hero in Russia and now represents Kirov in the State Duma, Russias lower house of parliament. Butinas office organized interviews with soldiers on leave from active duty, wounded servicemen, soldiers families, volunteers, local medical staff and young police cadets. Butina insisted that one of her assistants, Konstantyn Sitchikhin, sit in on most of the conversations, which meant some people may have felt unable to speak freely. At times, Sitchikhin interrupted, telling young cadets, for example, to speak carefully and patriotically. The Post also interviewed several people independently, in person or by phone. Butina said she extended the invitation because she still believes in dialogue with the West and wanted The Post to report the truth. But she insisted that Sitchikhins presence in interviews was necessary. We need to feel that we can trust you, Butina said. I advise you to build bridges, not walls. The Post accepted Butinas invitation because it allowed access to a city outside Moscow where reporting might otherwise have proved risky. Since the invasion, Russian authorities have outlawed criticism of the war or the military and have arrested and charged journalists with serious offenses including espionage. Journalists also are routinely put under surveillance. Sitchikhin, Butinas aide, cited a climate of fear. You need to understand that we are at war and people here see you as the enemy, he said. I am just trying to protect the people I care about. A day after speaking to The Post, Akishina, whose boyfriend was killed in the missile strike, sent a text message saying that she regretted talking to an American newspaper. You will most likely be asked to present the material in the article in a way that will be beneficial to the newspapers editors, she wrote. I would not want there to be a headline under my story and our photographs that would blame our country and our President for the death of our military, she wrote, adding that the 78% of Russians who voted to reelect Putin in March were proof of widespread public support for the war. (Independent observers said the Russian election failed to meet democratic standards, with genuine challengers blocked from running and Putin controlling all media.) The truth is that the United States and the European Union countries that supply weapons to Ukraine are to blame for the death of our guys, as well as civilians in Donbas and Belgorod, Akishina wrote. On Wednesday, June 12, thousands of people crammed onto Kirovs main square to celebrate Russia Day, swaying to patriotic rock songs in the warm sunshine. Among them was Lyubov, tears streaming down her face as she cradled a portrait of her son, Anton, in uniform. I cry every single day, Lyubov said of Anton, 39, who was confirmed dead this spring. Lyubov said she had joined the festivities hoping to take her mind off her grief. But the dancing, happy families, and rousing music that at times drowned out her words proved too much. I dont want everyone to join us in our sadness, she said, but I cant take this. Anton was killed by machine-gun fire near Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine that Russia captured in February after months of fierce fighting. Anton called her the night before the assault and told her that he was on a one-way ticket a suicide mission. When she finally got her sons body back, she was warned not to open the coffin. Lyubov said she did not understand the reasons for the war, who Russia is fighting or why her son volunteered to join the army. But she insisted that his death was not in vain. He did it for us, she said, smiling a bit, and for Russia. The Post arranged the interview with Lyubov independently by contacting her through a social media page for soldiers families. The Post is identifying her and her son by first name only because of the risk of backlash from the authorities. The interviews with Lyubov, and more than a dozen others in Kirov highlighted a striking duality: Many Russians are struggling with the deaths of loved ones or their return with grievous injuries, and some are deeply engaged in volunteer efforts, but many others are largely untouched by the war, which has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians and destroyed entire cities. At the entrance to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a pamphlet written by Kirovs chief bishop, Mark Slobodsky, tells worshipers that this is not a fight over territory but a war to defend Orthodox Christian values. It is a sacred and civilizational conflict, Slobodsky wrote. No one can stand to the side of these events. Inside, priests blessed an icon that Butinas office had commissioned by an artist from Donetsk, in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, to honor Kirovs soldiers. The icon bore an odd combination of images: Czar Nicholas II, Russian Prince Alexander Nevsky and the former head of the Russian-backed Donetsk Peoples Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, standing in various positions of piety before the slag heaps of Ukraines coal-mining Donbas region. At a small concert organized by a local volunteer group, people sang patriotic songs about victory and love for the motherland. Three men, the fathers of soldiers either killed or still fighting in Ukraine, were awarded medals for raising heroes of Russia. Each fighter is a hero for us, and today we wish them the fastest victory, the concerts host proclaimed. Its thanks to them that we are able to hold such events like this today. Public unity behind the war was fully on display in Kirov, including a little girl, whose father is fighting in Ukraine, in a T-shirt that said: I am the daughter of a hero. Several elderly residents said they donate their pensions to the war effort. Many are children of soldiers who fought in World War II and now view Russia as fighting a new war against fascism. Young cadets in their teens and early 20s, who are training to be police officers and emergency workers, spoke eagerly of volunteer stints they had just completed in occupied Ukraine. One cadet said: Young people shouldnt stay on the sidelines. Asked how they would explain the war in Ukraine, they requested to skip the question. Some young people who joined the fight, however, are disillusioned by it. Denis, 29, a former Wagner mercenary whose left foot was amputated because of a war injury and who participated in a short-lived mutiny last year when Wagner fighters marched toward Moscow, said he was still enraged at the corrupt and decaying Defense Ministry. Post journalists encountered Denis by chance, independently of Butinas office, and he agreed to meet to talk about his experiences in the war on the condition that he be identified only by first name because criticizing the military is now a crime in Russia. Speaking as fireworks marked the end of Russia Day, Denis complained that there was not enough truth about the war and not enough real, organic involvement. Why are people still partying? Why are they spending money on fireworks and this concert? he said. Its as if nothing is going on. Everyone should be helping, but most people do not feel the war concerns them, and politicians are using it to cleanse themselves and increase their ratings. Denis said he planned to return to Ukraine once he is fitted with a prosthesis. We have to end this, otherwise the West will see us as weak, he said. I thought this war would be short, that it would last six months maximum. We have really been screwed. And Im disappointed that everyone who tells the truth about the war, about the Russian Defense Ministry, is immediately jailed. Meanwhile, Kirovs social media pages are flooded daily with funeral notices and pleas to help find missing fathers, sons or husbands. At the cemetery outside Kirov where Lyubovs son is buried, there are about 40 graves of soldiers killed since 2022, adorned with wreaths and flags. Thirty freshly dug graves await bodies. Next to one grave, a family gathered to say a few words and raise a glass. Thank you, Seryoga, for defending us, said a man, who gave his name only as Mikhail. You were only there for three days, but at least you tried your best. Anastasia Trofimova contributed to this report. Trump with his vice-presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post) Judge Aileen M. Cannons stunning dismissal this week of the most serious charges faced by Donald Trump put her on shaky legal ground, according to experts, who say she is on track to be reversed on appeal and could even be removed from the case an extraordinary, but not unheard of step. Because of the political calendar, however, any legal repercussions could be short-lived. Trumps alleged mishandling of classified national security records and obstruction of government efforts to retrieve the material may not matter if the former president and current Republican nominee is elected in November. If he gets back to the White House, Trump could pressure his Justice Department to close the case. He could also promote Cannon to the very appeals court that will soon examine her decision to toss the case. Cannons finding that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump conflicts with numerous past court decisions and the nations long history during both Democratic and Republican administrations of allowing independent prosecutors to handle high-profile instances of alleged wrongdoing. Smith has filed notice of his plans to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which reviews decisions from the Florida district where Cannon, a relatively inexperienced judge appointed by Trump in 2020, sits. The court has already rebuked her twice for her handling of other aspects of the classified documents case, sending what Yale Law School professor Akhil Amar described as a message that her decisions had been way out of line. The question now, Amar said, is how quickly and dramatically the appeals court acts on the latest ruling, which dismissed the entire indictment for Trump and his two co-defendants. They may not want to stick their head in a buzz saw if they can just let the case take its slow, deliberative course, he said. In her 93-page decision, Cannon said there is no specific statute authorizing the attorney general to appoint a special counsel. She also said the Constitution requires someone with Smiths authority to be confirmed by the Senate. The judge acknowledged the tradition of special-attorney-like figures in moments of political scandal involving high-level government officials, from Watergate to Iran-contra to Russias attempts to interfere in the 2016 election. But Cannon said the practice of appointing such independent prosecutors has been inconsistent and based on a spotty historical backdrop. Smith, she wrote, is a private citizen exercising the full power of a United States Attorney, and with very little oversight or supervision. Conservative legal groups have long questioned the constitutionality of special counsel appointments. Cannon repeatedly cited Justice Clarence Thomas, who raised the issue in a solo opinion this month as part of the Supreme Courts decision granting Trump broad immunity from prosecution for official acts. That Supreme Court case focused on Smiths separate election interference prosecution of Trump in D.C. She also embraced the arguments in a law review article by Gary Lawson of Boston University School of Law and Steven G. Calabresi, a Northwestern law professor and a co-founder of the Federalist Society, with which Cannon is affiliated. Other legal experts, however, have joined former Justice Department officials and Smiths legal team in saying her ruling ignores the history of special counsel appointments and flouts Supreme Court precedent. Most notably, the high court in 1974 unanimously required President Richard M. Nixon to hand over recordings to a special prosecutor as part of the Watergate investigation. In that opinion, the justices endorsed the office, citing several statutes under which the attorney general had delegated the authority to represent the United States in these particular matters to a Special Prosecutor with unique authority and tenure. While lower-court judges are bound to follow the Supreme Courts lead, Cannon took the unusual step of finding she was not required to abide by that aspect of the high courts opinion in U.S. v. Nixon, saying the case did not directly address the validity of the office of special counsel. Michael J. Gerhardt, a University of North Carolina law professor who teaches about constitutional conflicts between presidents and Congress, said Cannon cannot just brush aside a unanimous high court ruling. For a trial judge to ignore it is judicial malpractice, he said, describing her most recent decision as part of a pattern of bias that leads her to endorse wacky or unfounded arguments, and thats a problem if youre a judge. Until the late 1990s, authority for an independent prosecutor was found in a federal law that many analysts believed was problematic in part because it required a panel of judges to appoint the independent counsels. The law was replaced by Justice Department regulations written according to specific statutes, according to former acting solicitor general Neal Katyal, who drafted the rules in consultation with Congress when he worked for then-Attorney General Janet Reno. Separately, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has twice rejected challenges to the use of special counsels. First, in a 1987 opinion upholding the appointment of Lawrence Walsh to investigate the Iran-contra scandal, and more recently in 2019, upholding the appointment of former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III to probe Russian election interference and possible ties between those efforts and the 2016 Trump campaign. Former deputy attorney general Rod J. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, said the fact that special counsels are accountable to the attorney general is significant. Just as rank-and-file federal prosecutors are subject to oversight in handling their assigned cases, the special counsel can be overruled by the attorney general, said Rosenstein, who also was part of independent counsel Kenneth Starrs Whitewater trial team investigating President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton in the 1990s. The Attorney Generals authority to overrule the special counsel is critical, Rosenstein said, because in my opinion it would be unconstitutional to make a prosecutor fully independent. Bruce Fein, another former high-level Justice Department official, worked in the office of legal counsel during the Nixon administration when then-acting attorney general Robert H. Bork appointed Leon Jaworski as the Watergate special prosecutor. Fein recalled deep concerns about the departments internal ability to investigate the Nixon administration and a strong awareness of the need for independence. Contrary to Cannons opinion, Fein said, the position of special counsel was specifically designed to strengthen separation of powers by preventing the executive branch from covering up its own crimes. While Garland appointed Smith to reassure the public that the investigation of Trump would be shielded from politics, Fein emphasized that Smith is still subject to oversight by the attorney general and must follow Justice Department policies and regulations. Garland has met with Smith and the other special counsels he has appointed multiple times throughout their investigations, according to people familiar with the meetings, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss them. The appeals court has already shown skepticism of Cannons handling of Trumps case in its earlier blunt reversals. In September 2022, the 11th Circuit unanimously granted the Justice Department a reprieve from Cannons order barring them from reviewing documents with classified markings seized from Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Florida home and private club. Three months later, a different 11th Circuit panel said Cannon was wrong to appoint an outside expert to decide whether any of the seized documents should be shielded from criminal investigators. In both cases, two of the three judges on the panel were nominated by Trump. But Cannons decision to appoint the special master nevertheless delayed the case just as her dismissal of the indictment will at the very least push any possible trial past the coming presidential election. Such delays have been a primary part of Trumps legal strategy in this and his other criminal cases. Everything points in one direction, Fein said of Cannon. She is trying to ensure that Trump cannot be tried before November in hopes that if hes elected hell shut down the prosecution. It is not known how soon Smith will file an appeal or whether as part of it he will ask the 11th Circuit to take Cannon off the case. Such a move, while unusual, would not be unprecedented. The D.C. Circuit in 2006 removed a trial court judge from a case involving Native American oil and gas royalties, finding that the judge appeared biased against the Interior Department. It was the third time a sitting judge had been removed by the D.C. Circuit At a hearing in her Fort Pierce, Fla., courtroom last month, Cannon acknowledged that precedent seemed to support Garlands appointment of Smith even as she pressed prosecutors about whether there had been any actual oversight by the attorney general. Less than two weeks later, Thomas issued his concurring opinion in Trumps immunity case that called into question the validity of the appointment of Smith. Even though the Florida indictment was not before the justices, Thomas seemed to speak directly to Cannon: 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. Cannon gave her answer Monday, declaring Smiths appointment invalid. Adding to the drama was the fact that her opinion landed on the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump ear bandaged for an injury sustained during a failed assassination attempt was feted by the party faithful before accepting the nomination. Trump praised Cannon by name in his convention speech, referring to her as a highly respected federal judge. Whatever the 11th Circuit decides may be appealed to the Supreme Court, which issued several notable rulings favorable to Trump this term including the sweeping grant of immunity. It is not clear how the justices would view Cannons conclusion on the special counsel issue, however. Legal experts said it was telling that no other justice joined Thomass separate opinion. One justice, Brett M. Kavanaugh, has been highly critical of the now-expired independent counsel law and the Supreme Courts decision upholding that statute. As a young lawyer, Kavanaugh was part of independent counsel Starrs team. During oral arguments in Trumps immunity case, Kavanaugh called the 1988 ruling known as Morrison v. Olson one of the courts biggest mistakes. But Amar, the Yale law professor, said those concerns do not necessarily translate to the separate position Smith occupies. Like Kavanaugh, Amar is critical of the former law because it required a panel of judges to appoint the independent counsel. The special counsel process avoids that problem and offers an antidote, he said, because the prosecutor is selected by the executive branch and can be fired by the attorney general. Even as he and other legal experts predicted Cannons ruling would be overturned, Amar also said her legal future could be bright. If Trump is reelected and Republicans take control of the Senate, he said, Cannon could be tapped for the appeals court or even to the Supreme Court, if there is a vacancy. Perry Stein contributed to this report. This 60-year-old grandma has $30,000 in credit card debt and $700 in savings her plan for financial recovery Many Americans struggle to save for retirement. Some are even approaching retirement age with a large pile of debt instead of assets. Marva, a 60-year-old grandmother, seems to be in that unfortunate position. On a January episode of finance YouTuber Anthony ONeils The Table podcast, she expressed regrets about not saving money earlier and approaching her senior years with a mountain of credit card debt. Don't miss Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger 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 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 Fortunately, ONeil believes theres a path to recovery. At 60 I want you to have freedom. he told Marva. I want you to have abundance, you know, I want you to enjoy life. Seniors in debt The share of American seniors with credit card debt has risen over the past 30 years, according to the Federal Reserves latest Survey of Consumer Finances. As of 2022, around 34% of those aged 65-74 and 30% of those 75-plus had credit card debt, compared to 27% and 10%, respectively, in 1989. The median credit card balance for those aged 65 to 74 in 2022 was around $3,500, while for those 75-plus it was $1,700. Read more: Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free) Marva, on the other hand, has a credit card balance of around $30,000, ONeil estimates, and only works part-time, earning about $41,000 a year with approximately $2,000 in monthly expenses. With only $700 in savings (plus a 401(k) through her employer), Marvas financial safety net is worryingly thin. To salvage her situation, Marva says she has considered approaching a debt consolidation firm to help with all of her outstanding debts which includes an auto loan but ONeil had a different idea. Snowballing out of liabilities Youre not going to pay any company to help you eliminate your debt, ONeil told Marva. I 110% disagree with consolidation companies. Because what youre doing is youre paying them to do what you can do. Instead of consolidating her debt, ONeil recommends applying the snowball method to pay it off. This method involves paying off debt from smallest to largest, which can help build momentum and offers quick and easy wins. Story continues Based on Marvas annual earnings and expenses, ONeil estimates it wont take long for her to be debt-free, possibly within a year, especially if she boosts her income by working more hours or restricts her spending further. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. CCTV footage of the incident was played in open court, showing the north Longford man start up a chainsaw as he exited the tractor A crazed father of three who threatened to kill the mother of his ex-partner when arriving at her home armed with a running chainsaw has walked free from court. Thirty-four-year-old Kieran McNally, Greagh, Drumlish, Co Longford was handed a three year suspended prison term for his part in a very, very dangerous act that left a couple threatened and terrified in their own home in a rural north Longford parish 16 months ago. Jobless McNally, a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court heard, had been completely out of it on drink when he rang his ex-girlfriends mothers partner on March 27 last year to secure the return of a television. When the couple arrived at McNallys house, the court heard how the former forestry worker was not himself with his eyes bulging from his head as he took the television from the couple before returning to his house. Moments later, McNally rang his former partners mother, telling her: There are three lines of coke in the back of your car, now f*** off. Kieran McNally. Despite the best efforts of the woman to calm McNally down, the accused told her to f*** off before phoning back and saying he was going to kill her and all her family. That caused the woman to block McNally, something which led the accused to start phoning the womans partner as the couple arrived back at their home in Corneddan, Ballinalee, Co Longford. Garda Enda Kenny, in giving evidence, revealed how McNally pulled up outside on a Massey Ferguson tractor a short time later. CCTV footage of the incident was played in open court, showing the north Longford man start up a chainsaw as he exited the tractor. (He) had a chainsaw in his possession and was shouting and roaring for (the man) to come out and fight him and proceeded to waive the chainsaw up and down in the air, said Garda Kenny. In what Judge Kenneth Connolly described as a terrifying and crazed episode that lasted four to five minutes, McNally could be seen taking the chainsaw to a timber fence on the outer perimeter of the property, causing 200 of damage in the process. In reading excerpts from the womans statement to gardai, prosecuting counsel Shane Geraghty BL, said McNallys behaviour on the day was somewhat of an aberration of character. She thought he had snapped and didnt think he would go this far, he said. As far as she was concerned he was a bag of wind, full of talk and no action. Mr Geraghty said the pair were concerned for both their safety and the well-being of their daughter with the couple opting against tendering victim impact statements to the court. Gardai called to the home of the accused later that same evening where they found McNally highly intoxicated and confused as to why they were there. Garda Kenny said the chainsaw in question was found lying on the kitchen floor with several empty cans scattered close by. Longford Courthouse. He said the former plasterer suddenly turned violent as he was placed into the back of a garda patrol van, headbutting, shouldering and kicking an inner perspex screen on the way back to Longford garda station. Those actions, the court was informed resulted in a notional overall value of 800 in damage being caused. On the journey from his home to Longford garda station he continued to smash up the van and was abusive towards myself and the other garda telling us the minute we open the door of the van he was going to headbutt us, said Garda Kenny. Judge Connolly was told McNally, who pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage with the threat to kill charge being taken into consideration on direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court was also told McNally had two previous convictions dating back to 2011, both of which were for road traffic matters. Defence counsel, Kieran Collins, BL, accepted his client had behaved appallingly, adding how McNally had been completely out of it on drink with his recollection of events still hazy to this day. When he (McNally) was confronted with the evidence he became emotional about it and was quite upset, said Mr Collins. He was unaware he made any threats, hasnt come to the attention for any violent offending and when he made good his escape on the Massey Ferguson, he actually met a lady who is related to the injured party who told him to cop himself on and go home. Mr Collins said Mr McNallys problems had stemmed largely from an alcohol dependency he was now rectifying, owing to the fact he was now ten weeks sober and back on speaking terms with his father and uncle. A number of testimonials together with a letter of apology and evidence of McNallys attendance at a local community and mental health centre were all handed up as part of a lengthy mitigation submission. Judge Connolly, however, took issue with some of the wording attached to correspondence penned by McNally which referenced his regret at how his behaviour had come in the face of the kind and pleasant conduct from gardai on the day of his arrest. When you are kicking the living daylights out of the garda van and threatening to headbutt the Gardai, it is not a great look when you are being treated with kindness and respect, said Judge Connolly. I cant imagine how terrifying it was for the people in the house with some crazed person outside with a running chainsaw. He said despite McNallys very, very dangerous and very foolish actions, the one redeeming factor which was sparing him from an immediate jail term was the impressive testimony of his ex-partners mother who spoke of how the Longford man was an otherwise good person when free from drink. As such, Judge Connolly sentenced McNally to three years in prison for criminal damage, suspending the term for a period of five years, subject to a number of conditions. They included directions for McNally to enter into an 18 month probation supervision bond and compensation monies to be handed to both the family of his former partner and the Garda Benevolent Fund. Christy OKane was told Spain is out of bounds A prominent republican charged in connection with a huge PSNI data breach has failed in a last-ditch attempt to get away on holiday to Spain. Christy OKane is currently on bail accused of possessing two mobile phones for use in terrorism and having spreadsheets likely to be useful to terrorists. The alleged offences are linked to a massive blunder in August last year when personal information on all 9,500 serving PSNI officers and civilian staff was mistakenly published in response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request. Before he was charged, OKane (51), from Main Street in Feeny, Co. Derry, had booked a holiday with his family to Benidorm. They had been due to fly to Spain tomorrow. In April this year, an application for OKanes bail terms to be changed so he could go on the holiday was refused. The decision was appealed to the High Court but was not overturned. Just days before he was due to travel to Spain, OKanes legal team this week made a renewed bid at Limavady Magistrates Court for his bail conditions to be altered so he could jet off to Spain. However, the application was again turned down. The court was told a decision was pending from the Public Prosecution Service in relation to the charges faced by OKane, a member of dissident republican group Saoradh. mistakenly The case was adjourned to next month for an update on progress. Last years data breach was the worst of its kind experienced by the PSNI. The information mistakenly released into the public domain included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank or grade, and department. However, the home addresses of the PSNI staff members were not revealed. Once the mistake was realised, the information was removed from the FoI website where it had been uploaded. However, days later it was confirmed by police that dissident republicans had accessed the information. OKanes home was searched on August 18 as part of the police response to the data breach. Prosecutors claimed at a previous court hearing he tried to conceal one phone, while a second mobile was located under a bedroom pillow. Examinations established that the spreadsheet of officers names had been sent to one of the devices by WhatsApp message and downloaded before the message was deleted. With the information still accessible offline, OKane was described as someone highly efficient in technology who had allegedly tried to wipe his digital footprint. Sections of the material sent to his phone were said to have been highlighted, including those featuring senior executive teams in the PSNI and officers based in the Derry area. Two other individual officers were also highlighted: one who had multiple dealings with OKane and another previously targeted in a dissident republican bomb attack. Christy O'Kane, front left in white, at republican funeral Within hours of receiving the WhatsApp message, the accused allegedly accessed a website used to search for residential addresses. Defence lawyers argued that OKane deleted the file and is no risk to any police officers. OKanes barrister described him as a computer geek who wrongly became a suspect because of his links with Irish republicanism. The court was told OKane worked as an IT consultant and acted as administrator for websites run by Saoradh and the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association. He was released on bail in September 2023 and one of the conditions was that he was to be fitted with an electronic tag. However, OKane was back before a court within a day after he allegedly refused to have the tag fitted when G4S staff who called out to fit the tag on the night he was released. A defence solicitor claimed OKane was on strong medication he takes for a psychotic condition and as a result of that, he can be non-co-operative. OKane was re-released on bail after a judge ruled he showed no hostility towards the security company staff who called at his home to install the monitoring device. As well as wearing the electronic tag, OKane is also banned from accessing the internet and entering the city of Derry. Frances and her sister Christine, known as Tina, are alleged to have masterminded the dramatic escape of four Chilean guerrillas from a high-security prison A 75-year-old Dublin woman who was recently arrested in Croatia over a daring helicopter jailbreak in Chile in 1996 wants to move on with her life in Ireland. Frances Shannon was detained at an airport in Croatia on May 15 after a routine check revealed there was an international warrant out for her arrest. Despite the fact pensioner Frances has been living a quiet life in Dublin for decades, she was accused of involvement in Chiles most infamous jailbreak. "I am Frances, yes, Ms Shannon said this week, when the Sunday World called to her house. Frances and her sister Christine, known as Tina, are alleged to have masterminded the dramatic escape of four Chilean guerrillas from a high-security prison. Chilean officials claimed Frances and Christine arrived in the country in 1996 posing as tourists before renting a helicopter. The same chopper later landed in the yard of a top-security prison in Santiago and carried four left-wing guerrillas to freedom. When asked about the attempted extradition attempt to South America, Ms Shannon said: I dont want to talk about it. "I really dont want to talk about all that, Ms Shannon replied, when pressed further about alleged events in Chile. "When I say no, I mean no, Ms Shannon concluded, before closing her door. Tina Shannon Two of the inmates freed in the jailbreak had been serving jail sentences for the murder of a right-wing senator, while they were also convicted of an attempted assassination on the then-Chilean military leader, Augusto Pinochet, in 1986. Frances and her sister Christine were charged in South America in 1998 and Chile had repeatedly sought her extradition from Ireland. However, the once-high profile case had largely been forgotten by the public until Frances was arrested in May after a routine check at the airport in Zagreb. Frances was temporarily detained under an international warrant issued by Chilean authorities. Christine died in 2022. The Chilean government had sought Frances extradition for trial in connection with the jailbreak. However, the Sunday World revealed that the OAP will not be extradited and had been freed from custody. Croatian officials made the decision to release her because Chilean authorities did not send documentation in time to initiate an extradition trial. Chiles Supreme Court previously alleged criminal action is not time-barred...it is declared that it is appropriate to request the Government of Croatia for the extradition of the Irish citizen Frances Mary Shannon. A photograph of the daring prison break Croatian officials told their Chilean counterparts that Shannon confirmed that she was the person sought by the Interpol order of Santiago, Chile, on behalf of the Court in Santiago. Frances reportedly would not accept a simplified extradition procedure, nor a regular procedure for extradition to the Republic of Chile, after being interrogated by Interpol. During the jailbreak on December 30, 1996, a gunfight erupted between jail security and those in the bullet-proofed chopper. A basket was lowered into the prison yard for the militants to get into, before gunfire was exchanged. Six months after the dramatic event occurred, police in Chile accused the Irish women of involvement in the breakout. Chilean authorities established Frances and Christine Shannon entered Chile the previous month and left the country on the day of the prison escape. Files indicated that eyewitnesses had placed two Irishwomen at a certain hotel on various dates and at locations with others involved in the jailbreak. The owner of the helicopter used in the jailbreak also recognised the two women, it was claimed. Christine Shannon allegedly made a phone call while staying at the hotel to a number belonging to the father of two men connected with a terrorist group. Both women separately left the country on the same day. Christine Shannon died in June, 2022. In an obituary published in An Phoblacht, she was described as a dedicated IRA volunteer. Tina was a dedicated IRA volunteer with a deep commitment to the cause of justice and freedom. The first thoughts of most republicans when they heard the sad news of Tinas passing were not just of Tina, but also for her sister Frances, it read. Stash including cocaine, cannabis and ketamine is found with money and designer goods in searches An 9.6 million drug seizure confiscated alongside a stash of 1.1 million in cash is suspected of belonging to associates of drug dealing brothers David and Christopher Git Waldron. The drugs were discovered when gardai carried out a raid on a home in The Ward in Co Dublin on Friday night. Gardai said the search was carried out following an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Dublin Crime Team. The massive seizure The drugs found included cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, LSD and MDMA, and will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. Approximately 1.1 million in cash, vehicles and designer goods were also seized in a number of follow-up searches across the Dublin region. Gardai confirmed that a man aged in his 50s was arrested under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 in connection with the seizure, and is currently detained at a garda station in Dublin. David Waldron is a major player in the drugs business Sources said the seizure of the drugs and cash will come as a hammer blow to the associates of the Waldron brothers. Commenting on the operation late on Friday, Garda Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Angela Willis, said: The seizure of what is a significant quantity of drugs and cash is a major blow to this organised crime group which has been causing so much misery in communities right across the city. Cash is the lifeblood of crime groups and the seizure of amounts of this scale causes significant disruption. Gardai continue to target those that destroy lives through their activities. The Waldron brothers are well-known drug dealers who have been linked to organised crime in Finglas for years. Earlier this year, the High Court accepted that David Waldron has been a major player since 2000 and that his main income was from drug dealing. He was heavily involved in drug dealing and has had access to large sums of money generated by drug dealing. The Waldrons took over a leading role in sourcing and supplying drugs in Cabra after the murder of Eamon Dunne in April 2010. Git Waldron David Waldron was a close associate of Darren Kearns, Michael Kelly and Daithi Douglas, who were all shot dead in gangland murders between 2011 and 2016. His former business associate Richard Keogh, who sourced drugs for Waldron in Spain, was shot dead outside Malaga in January 2009. Last November, following a three year legal wrangle, Christopher Git Waldron lost his home in Cabra to the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), bringing an end to a three-year legal wrangle. A ladies Rolex watch valued at more than 17,000 and two mens designer watches were also kept by CAB after the proceeds of crime case was settled David is also hurting financially after losing a four-year battle with the Criminal Assets Bureau earlier this year. The 48-year-old fought the Criminal Assets Bureau over possession of his homes in Dublin, Kildare and in particular a renovated luxury 1.6m mansion, complete with a man den in Co Wexford. Last April, Judge Alex Owens found that the properties were all purchased with the proceeds of crime by Waldron, who, he found, is a major player in the illegal distribution and sale of drugs. The judge said he agreed with the Chief Bureau officer that Waldron has been a major player in the distribution and sale of drugs in Dublin since 2000 and that this activity has been the mainstay of his means, income and lifestyle during this period. The judge also concluded that his wife Charlene, who was also named in the proceedings, knew that the purchase of the mansion did not come from legitimate means. She cannot but have been aware of the source of her means and of her husbands means to engage in these activities, the judge said in his judgement. Speaking after the case, the Chief Officer of CAB, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Gubbins said it shows why theres a need for the bureau. This was an individual who over 20 years amassed well over 3.3 million which they expended on three properties which the Bureau have taken to the High Court and proven their case that these are the proceeds of crime, he said. I think it establishes why the bureau was established and more importantly, it sends a message to the community of the value and the work the Criminal Assets Bureau is doing in their area. Its not just the money we are taking off them but the houses of these individuals. Waldron denied to the court that he was a major criminal and claimed he had decided to go down the country to start a new life away from Dublin between the time of a violent assault he was involved in in 2013 and his imprisonment in 2015. He had claimed he worked as a handyman in the building industry and also did plastering, block work, carpentry and electrical work. The man was one of two men arrested after gardai seized six AR-15 assault rifles and 12 semi-automatic 9mm handguns along with approximately 900 rounds of ammunition ONE of the men arrested over the seizure of 18 firearms on Friday was previously involved in a stolen car ring with the gang behind the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The man, who is a gun enthusiast aged in his 30s, was one of two men arrested after gardai seized six AR-15 assault rifles and 12 semi-automatic 9mm handguns along with approximately 900 rounds of ammunition in an industrial unit on the outskirts of Ardee, Co Louth on Friday afternoon. He is suspected of being part of organised crime gang based in the border area who were supplying weapons to other gangs operating across Ireland. One of the arrested men is from Dundalk but has lived in various areas north and south of the border. He has numerous previous convictions and was involved in a stolen-car ring operating in the border area a number of years ago. Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe He had links to the gang behind the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, in 2013. He was not suspected of any involvement in Det Gda Donohoes murder but was one of many associates of the gang questioned by gardai as part of a painstaking probe into the callous killing. He had links to Aaron Brady from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, who is serving a life sentence for the murder, and Brendan Benny Treanor who was charged but acquitted of the robbery of the credit union on the night of Det Gda Donohoes murder. The gang had been involved in creeper burglaries and the Dundalk man arrested on Friday, who is a motoring enthusiast, got involved in a stolen car ring with them. He was on the periphery of that [stolen car ring] but was linked to them. He wasnt considered a high-level criminal, a source said. He was also involved in crimes such as oil thefts and high-speed chases. Benny Treanor There is no suggestion Brady or any members of his former gang were linked to the firearms haul. The second man arrested on Friday is also based in Louth and has dual US-Irish citizenship. The man, who is aged in his 30s, is a Trump-supporting gun enthusiast who has expressed conspiracy theory views about various topics including Covid-19 and homophobic views about former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. He has also posted material from Irish far-right parties online. Gardai believe the gang were involved in importing gun components from several countries including the United States and the Netherlands before assembling the weapons at a base in Ardee. Gardai suspect the gun components were shipped into Ireland before the gang manufactured these parts into fully functioning firearms to be sold onto other gangs. The AR-15 assault rifle is the weapon of choice for many mass killers in the US as it fires bullets at such a high velocity and in quick succession that it can kill multiple people with maximum damage in a matter of seconds. The gunman who attempted to murder Donald Trump at a rally in the US last weekend used an AR-15. Closer to home, the weapons have been linked to at least two Dublin crime gangs and one murder in the capital in recent years. Gardai believe Fridays seizure has dismantled a major firearms trafficking operation in Ireland. Gardai had received intelligence about the gangs operation before personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Garda Emergency Response Unit carried out a search of a premises on the outskirts of Ardee, Co. Louth and discovered the weapons haul. A number of follow-on searches were later carried out at several properties in the county, with assistance provided by Gardai from the Louth Divisional Crime Unit, Louth Drug Units as well as the Garda Dog Unit. Aaron Brady (right) The two men were arrested under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 on suspicion of participation in the activities of a criminal organisation to facilitate firearms trafficking. Speaking on Friday, Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime, Justin Kelly said, "Todays seizure of firearms and ammunition is particularly significant. These would have undoubtedly been used to maim, kill and intimidate those in communities across Ireland. "Weapons such as those seized by Gardai today are the lifeblood of organised criminal groups - who often use violence as part of their drug trafficking operations. "I wish to commend the dedication of all the Gardai involved in this operation. Operations like todays demonstrate our determination to make Ireland a hostile environment for organised criminal groups to operate. The two men were being questioned as a garda station in Louth last night and can be held for up to seven days. Drug mules former partner left for dead after beating The drug-dealing thug ex-partner of cocaine mule Michaella McCollum is fighting for his life after being beaten with iron bars. Dwayne Mullan was left for dead after he was attacked in what is understood to have been a drug-fuelled fight in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, on Friday afternoon. Source say Mullan, who has more than 120 criminal convictions for drugs and domestic assaults, had been on a drugs binge and had been partying with another male, believed to be from Belfast, when he was attacked. There were unconfirmed reports he may also have been stabbed during the incident. Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid Police said yesterday they were continuing to question a 23-year-old man on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm with intent. Few in Dungannon were surprised when they heard Mullan had been attacked as his reputation for dealing and taking drugs as well as using violence is well known. However, there was anger within the community because the assault came a day after a shop was robbed by suspected drug addicts, and locals say the area around Irish Street has been blighted by gang fights, open-air drug dealing and other crime. Residents took to social media yesterday and called out local political representatives to do more to make the town safe. Dwayne Mullan is in hospital with serious injuries Woman-beating beast Dwayne Mullan hit the headlines in 2014 after convicted cocaine mule Michaella McCollum claimed he used to feed her drugs without her knowledge landing her in hospital on one occasion. On Friday night police confirmed they had made an arrest following an assault in the Dungannon area. Inspector Nevin said: Officers received a report shortly after 1.15pm today, Friday 19th July, of an assault at a property in the Greers Road area of the town. Michaella McCollum escorted in handcuffs by police following her arrest On arrival police located a man, aged in his 30s, with serious injuries. Colleagues from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended and provided first-aid at the scene. The victim was transported to hospital for further treatment where he remains in a serious condition at this time. A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent. In 2013 club dancer Michaella McCollum and Scottish pal Melissa Reid were sentenced to spend six years and eight months in jail in Lima after they were caught trying to smuggle 1.5m worth of cocaine out of Peru into Ibiza but they were released after serving a couple of years. The shock story led to McCollum featuring in a number of documentaries and even penning her own tell-all autobiography. Michaella McCollum posts photos of her updated look In 2014, McCollum said of Mullan: It was a horrible relationship. He was very manipulative. He gave me drugs once and I ended up in hospital. I had no idea. We were together when I was 16 and he was a lot older. Its something Id rather forget. The fire, on the Killylea Road, started in a building complex on Sunday morning Watch: Firefighters at the scene of a blaze in Armagh Firefighters are continuing to battle a major blaze in Armagh. The fire, on the Killylea Road, started in a building complex on Sunday morning. The complex consisted of an off licence, tanning salon, Chinese restaurant, chippy and a number of flats. The cause of the fire is unknown but the building has been left destroyed. The roof has partially collapsed and extensive fire and water damage is already clear. Police have also urged motorists to avoid the area. No one was injured during the fire but a number of people were in the building once the fire began. One onlooker said: I was asleep and my dad woke me up. I got my brother and we all came down outside. Firefighters at the scene of a blaze in Armagh (Photo by Jessica Rice) Workers from the Housing Executive were at the scene, sorting emergency accommodation for affected families, while police directed traffic away from the blaze. People watched from the street as firefighters continued to battle to save what is left of four of Armagh citys most popular businesses. A police spokesperson said: Due to a fire at the Killylea Road area of Armagh this afternoon, Sunday July 21, motorists are advised to avoid the area. Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are in attendance and motorists should seek alternative routes. More to follow. Bouquet returned after cruel thief confronted at her home The memorial the flowers were stolen from Chloes family was left distraught, but the flowers were returned after a supporter took them from the culprit. Brandon Rainey (27), of James Street in Ballymena, is charged with murdering the 21-year-old. Her remains were found days after she went missing in June last year. Following her death, her relatives launched a Justice for Chloe campaign and have regularly attended Raineys court appearances. A mural was also erected on a wall in Ballymena, her hometown, accompanied by a floral tribute. After the flowers were stolen last week, her family launched an appeal on social media for their return. According to the Justice for Chloe Mitchell Facebook page, the flowers were given back a short time later by someone who knew the thief. Chloe Mitchell One of the people behind the Facebook group posted: Thank you so much to the person who went into the house of the thief who stole Chloes flowers. The person was very angry, as we all were, and just walked in and lifted them out of her fireplace, where she had them sitting nice as you like. (Hang) your head in shame, you thieving scum. We dont want people like you in this community. A member of Chloes family also spoke to this newspaper to express their hurt and anger. They said: It really was more disheartening and angering more than anything and is just on top of what we are already going through. The thief was confronted by people in the community (after) she had taken the flowers but sniggered several times and just kept walking on. The flowers were thankfully returned, but everything is still fresh with Chloes case and theres lots of questions unanswered still. Every day is just a living nightmare. Yes, its been a year since Chloe was murdered, but that year still feels like yesterday for us. This is something we will never learn to live with. Our lives will never be normal again theres no such thing anymore. Our Chloes life was taken horrifically, and Chloes horrific death is something we never will come to terms with. Even just thinking about it or talking about it makes us feel sick. Its just very traumatic. Chloe will never be forgotten. She will always be in our hearts and minds. Murder accused Brandon Rainey. Rainey previously pleaded not guilty to the murder of Chloe, aggravated by domestic abuse, on June 3 last year. This prompted gasps from her family and friends who had gathered in the public gallery at Laganside Crown Court in Belfast. Many of them were wearing T-shirts bearing Chloes face and emblazoned with the words Justice for Chloe on the back. The group also displayed a banner with the same message outside court. As well as murder, Rainey pleaded not guilty to attempting to prevent the lawful and decent burial of Chloes body. The court was told he had left a mental health facility shortly before the alleged crimes. Defence counsel Neil Connor KC said: Mr Rainey was discharged from Knockbracken a relatively short time before his alleged involvement in these offences. For that reason, we thought it best to seek the services of an expert from outside this small jurisdiction. UPDATE: Philip has been found safe and well Gardai are seeking the public's help to find a man who went missing from his home in north Dublin over the weekend. Philip Wells (52) was last seen at around 9am on Friday morning, July 19, when he left his home in Ballymun in Dublin 9. He is described as being approximately 5ft 9in in height with a medium build, mid-length brown hair, and clean shaven. When last seen, Philip was wearing black jeans, a black jacket, and black shoes. Anyone with any information on Philip's whereabouts is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station on 01 666 4400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. KABUL, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces have frustrated attempts to smuggle historical documents weighing 10 kg abroad in south Afghanistan's Kandahar province, state-run news agency Bakhtar reported Sunday. Two men, according to the news agency, were attempting to traffic 10 kg of historical documents to neighboring Pakistan. Afghan security forces spotted and apprehended the perpetrators, discovering the documents in the process. Both culprits were arrested and transferred to concerned authorities for further investigation, the source added. Since the Afghan caretaker government assumed power in August 2021, the country's Ministry of Information and Culture has prevented the outbound smuggling of 1,460 pieces of cultural relics belonging to different eras, including the periods of the Stone Age and the Kushan Empire, a spokesman of the ministry said in April. LONDON (Reuters) - Airbus is looking at opportunities to create scale in defence, space and particularly satellites markets, CEO Guillaume Faury said on Sunday. Airbus and France's Thales are exploring a tie-up of some space activities as new competition disrupts the sector, two industry sources said last week. The sources said preliminary talks, first reported by La Tribune, were focusing on the companies' overlapping satellite activities. "We are looking at opportunities to create scale, and that's true in defence, that's true in space, and in particular on satellites," Faury said, ahead of this week's Farnborough Airshow. "We would be happy to find ways to create scale in the space environment in Europe in general." Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, in which Italy's Leonardo holds a 33% stake, are Europe's largest makers of satellites for telecommunications, navigation and surveillance. Demand for their geostationary satellites is increasingly under pressure as traditional manufacturers face competition from massive constellations of expendable satellites in low Earth orbit, like the Starlink network of Elon Musk's SpaceX. Airbus last month took a 900 million euro ($980 million) charge on its struggling space services business, on top of 500 million euros last year. Faury told analysts at the time the company was "evaluating all strategic options" for its space business including restructuring, co-operation, a portfolio review and potential merger and acquisition options. (Reporting by Tim Hepher and Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Mark Potter) The protest was organised against plans to convert the former orphanage to accommodate up to 260 displaced Ukrainian refugees before the end of the year There was a heavy garda presence at a protest and counter-protest in Dundalk, Co Louth, on Sunday afternoon. The protest at the former St Josephs orphanage and St Malachys Convent at Seatown Place and Castle Street was organised against plans to convert the former orphanage to accommodate up to 260 displaced Ukrainian refugees before the end of the year. A campaign calling itself, Dundalk Says No, called for protestors against the plans to attend the site at 5pm today. A number of speakers including members of the Irish Freedom Party and the Irish People who were candidates in the recent local elections and failed to win one seat, addressed supporters and called for members of the public to stand up against what was happening in the town, criticising gardai over the handling of the recent protests in Coolock in Dublin and urging people to register to vote against the present Government and their immigration policy in the upcoming General Election. A group outside St. Joseph's Laundry, Seatown Place on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Aidan Dullaghan/Newspics For much of the time, chants including immigrants welcome here using bull-horns from the counter-demonstrators drowned out the speeches. The small but noisy protest took place with those opposed to the plans taking the opposite side of the street on Seatown Place, while the orphanage side was lined by a counter demonstration behind a large banner, Dundalk stands with immigrants. Dozens of uniformed gardai and members of the Public Order Unit formed a buffer zone between the two groups and the protest ended peacefully after just over an hour. Anthony McGwynne died when the motorbike he was travelling on was struck by a car in Vancouver on the night of Thursday, July 4. A young man who tragically lost his life in Canada earlier this month will be laid to rest at home in Sligo. Anthony McGwynne (27), originally from Knockanelton, Calry, died when the motorbike he was travelling on was struck by a car on Arbutus Street in Vancouver on the night of Thursday, July 4. The collision happened just before 9.30pm and despite life-saving efforts by bystanders and paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car was taken to hospital for treatment while the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland provided consular assistance to Mr McGwynnes family. Anthony was the dearly loved son of dad Tony and mum Bernadette, the brother of James, Maeve and Matthew and partner of Antonella. A notice on RIP.ie reads: Sadly missed by his loving family, partner, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends. Funeral arrangements have since been announced on the website, with the notice continuing: Reposing at his home (F91Y5N5) on Sunday, July 21st, from 4pm until 8pm and on Monday, July 22nd, from 4pm until 8pm. Family home private outside of reposing times. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 23rd, at 12noon in Saint Josephs Church, Ballytivnan, Sligo... Burial will follow in Clogher New Cemetery, Calry, Co. Sligo. There have been numerous tributes to the young man on RIP.ie. One said: Bernie, Tony and family, what heart-breaking news, Anthony was a hardworking loving boy, our deepest sympathy to you all. Taken too soon. Another said: The news is devastating. Parents left to pick up the pieces of a shattered family. My heart is broken just thinking of your pain. Anthony and his heartbroken parents, brothers and sisters are in my humble prayers. A third fondly remembered Anthonys kind manner and bright smile whilst a fourth said: We raise our children to explore the world and live life to the full. The heartbreak of seeing this life cut short. Another told how the young Sligo man was a kind and caring friend to all who knew him, with others paying tribute to his pals both at home and abroad. Another added: My condolence for the loss of a man (sic). A man that was the salt of the earth, a loving and nurturing partner, a born adventurer with a taste for life. Taken too soon, but surrounded by those that loved and knew him like no others. Watch over me on my next ride, because you will be in my heart. Mr Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on January 20, 2025 US President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. The decision comes after escalating pressure from Mr Bidens Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to criticise the former presidents many falsehoods. Mr Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on January 20, 2025. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Mr Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X, formerly Twitter, account. Biden (81) offered his full support and endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term, he said. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. "And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. By dropping his re-election bid, he clears the way for Ms Harris to run at the top of the ticket, the first black woman to do so in the country's history. It was unclear whether other senior Democrats would challenge Harris for the party's nomination, who was widely seen as the pick for many party officials - or whether the party itself would choose to open the field for nominations. Biden's announcement follows a wave of public and private pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials to quit the race after his shockingly poor performance in a televised debate last month against Republican rival Donald Trump. Trump told CNN on Sunday that he thinks Vice President Harris will be easier to defeat in November's election than Democratic President Joe Biden who stepped aside as his party's candidate. A CNN reporter said on X that Trump made the comments to the network shortly after Biden announced his decision. Dubliners Barney McKennas four-bedroom Howth home is finally sale agreed after months on market Take a peek inside the house Dubliners legend Barney McKenna left to his secret child after DNA tests proved he was the son of the musician. Darragh Aherne Clarke moved into banjo player McKennas old home in Howth, Co Dublin where McKennas partner Tina Hove lived following music legends death in April 2012. Last year, Darragh also tragically passed away at his home in Dublin. The Sunday World can reveal that the four bedroom house is now sale agreed after going on the market in April with an asking price of 600,000. The house at Church Road in Howth Located on Church Road in the scenic north Co Dublin village, the 166.5sqm linked building was built in the 1920s at No 15, with the adjacent property at No 16 built in the 1960s. The location boasts stunning views of the nearby harbour, Irish Sea and nearby St Marys Abbey. Banjo Barney, who grew up in Donnycarney on the capitals northside, was the last of the original four-piece Dubliners band to pass away in 2012. Family members were stunned when Aherne came forward to claim his inheritance shortly after the musicians death. The kitchen The Sunday World previously reported how Barney was friendly with Daras parents Helen Aherne Clarke, and her husband David in the 1980s. The couple was involved in the traditional music scene in Dublin. When Dara was born on January 8, 1981 there were rumours, according to Barneys brother, the musician Sean Og, about the identity of his father. Despite the rumours, Barney stood for Dara as his godfather. Barney's son Darragh Aherne Clarke The rumours went on but, I kind of... I mean in the last few years you just had to look at Dara. He is the image of Barney and the image of my young fella, said his brother Sean Og. After Barneys death, a Dublin firm of solicitors tried to establish whether he made a will, but no will was ever found for the musician, who was listed as living at 15/16 Church Road in Howth. OLeary Maher Solicitors confirmed it was acting on behalf of Barneys long-term partner Tina Hove. As a result, after completing DNA tests to confirm he is the famed musicians son, Aherne who was then aged 32 inherited his fortune. A piano in the living room I was talking to him [Dara] there the other night, Sean Og told us back then. He is in great form. He had to get the test to prove that he was Barneys son. The solicitors insisted on the testing. When I saw the 99.999 per cent result, that did it for me. I was satisfied. You could never get a straight answer out of Barney but really you only have to look at Dara. It had been reported that along with a home in Howth, Barney owned a secret hideaway in Trim, Co Meath, where his family was originally from. Barney, whose Dutch wife Joka died in the 1980s, was survived by Ms Hove, his sister Marie, brother Sean, nephews and nieces. New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty on Friday to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in the latter that will streamline industry in the region. Both of these projects are part of wider development packages helping to re-energise these communities, boost regional pride and increase economic growth, says Jones. Jones attended a ceremony to open the new Kaingaroa community centre, which is the final milestone in the $11.1 million Kaingaroa Community Development Project, supported by $7.2m in regional development funding. The project also received co-investment totalling $3.9m from Te Puni Kokiri, Te Tumu Paeroa (Office of the Maori Trustee), and the Ministry of Health. Co-funding from local business K.L.C Ltd was also crucial to the completion of the wider project. The community centre will house a medical centre, complete with a kaumatua and rangatahi space, as well as meeting and training rooms. The centre also includes a digital hub to improve internet access and connectivity in the community. As Kaingaroa residents know, decades of inadequate funding and maintenance meant infrastructure investment was greatly needed for the revitalisation of the village. The completion of the project enables the community to realise its aspirations to grow and thrive, says Jones. The development project created 306 fulltime equivalent jobs over the term of the construction, many by Kaingaroa residents. He Ira Kahui Anamata (HIKA) Trust, a Maori-owned business, was the main contractor for building the community centre. Jones also opened the Kawerau Off-Highway Road on Friday. The project received $1.62 million in Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding, and $785,000 co-investment from Kawerau-based Sequal Lumber Ltd. The 1.6km road, off State Highway 34, connects Kawerau Industrial Park to a private forestry road, removing big trucks from local roads and providing efficient connectivity between the Putauaki Industrial Park and a planned container rail terminal. The Kawerau Off-Highway Road marks a milestone for the Kawerau Putauaki Industrial Development package, which received $10.11m through the PGF and attracted $4.1m co-investment. This opening is the result of partnering with Maori landowners, Kawerau District Council, local businesses and the community to support growth for the town, says Jones. The broader Kawerau Putauaki Industrial Development package is providing cost-effective roading and industrial solutions for established industries in Kawerau, and once completed, will attract new industries and further private sector investment. While in the area, the minister also attended the launch of a refreshed regional economic development strategy developed by TOI EDA, the Economic Development Agency for Eastern Bay of Plenty. These collaborative regional strategies are at the heart of what we need for prioritising further regional development investments. I hope to see more projects like these being funded through the new Regional Infrastructure Fund, which I launched on 1 July. Taurangas retirement village residents are being offered a unique opportunity on Friday, July 26, to view champion birds a day ahead of the national show opening. In what is looking to be one of NZs largest bird shows in a decade, thousands of people are expected to flock to Mercury Baypark next weekend for the Topflite National Bird Show. We have an opportunity for a specially guided tour of the show, open to residents of retirement villages and elderly care facilities on the Friday afternoon before it opens to the public, says Tauranga Bird Club president Sheryl Baron. It will include a guided tour around the venue and about the birds. Sheryl says judging for the show takes place on Friday up until 3.30pm. The retirement village tour will take place from 3.30pm 5pm on Friday, after judging has finished. You need to email us on: taurangabirdclub@gmail.com to book for this. Champion birds from the Tauranga Bird Club's 2023 show. Photo: Supplied. More than 1400 birds are entered in this years national show, which is being hosted by the Tauranga Bird Club, and the first time it has been held in Tauranga since 1993. The Topflite National Bird Show will be an opportunity to see more exotic birds in one place than many people have ever seen before not just canaries and budgies, but gouldian finches, lovebirds and a range of large parrots, cockatiels and many others. As well as birds travelling to Tauranga from all over the country, judges will be flown in from Dunedin and Christchurch, with an international budgerigar judge from Tasmania arriving in town to officiate. Tauranga Bird Club Life Member Gwen Wilkinson feeding the birds at her Matua aviary. Photo: Bruce Barnard Aside from the colourful display of 17 exotic avian species, there will be an extensive sales table featuring both birds and accessories. This is always a huge draw card for members of the public who flock to the show, as it is a way for bird lovers to get access to birds bred by top New Zealand breeders, usually at very good prices. The second-hand accessories sale is a perfect way to stock up on supplies for the aviary, too. As the major sponsor, Topflite has a very large display and meet-and-greet area where they have giveaways and the chance to speak to the suppliers of New Zealands best quality seed. We also have an art exhibition on the walls of the venue this year, with bird art created by children from a local school, says Sheryl. This exhibition will certainly be a must-see. Tauranga veterinarian Martin Earles with one of his Gouldian finches. Photo: John Borren. The show is also sponsored by the three local Animates stores, One Foundation, Pub Charities, and Four Winds Foundation. The Topflite National Bird Show is open to the public at the stadium lounge at Mercury Baypark Arena on Saturday, July 27, from 9am 5pm, and Sunday, July 28 from 9am 12pm. Entry is $5 adult, $3 child, preschoolers free, family $12. The special tour for residents of retirement villages and elderly care facilities requires booking first by emailing Taurangabirdclub@gmail.com and will take place from 3.30pm 5pm on Friday, July 26. In its third recall notice in four days, the Ministry of Primary Industries has included My Food Bag products, Papamoa Spice King brand sesame seeds and Binn Inn brand sesame seeds amongst other products. MPI's Food Safety branch says it had not received any notifications of illness, but anyone who has eaten a recalled item and has concerns should contact a health professional. My Food Bag has also issued recall notices for sesame seed products across three weeks of its meal programme, due to the possible presence of salmonella. In an email to customers, My Food Bag says 17 items from recent deliveries - including dressings, pastes and sauces - were affected. The products would have been in deliveries dating from July 6 to their latest delivery, which would have started arriving on Saturday July 20, the meal-kit home-delivery service says. "For your safety, if you have not consumed any of these products, please refrain from consuming them and dispose of them immediately. "If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns, we recommend seeking medical advice." My Food Bag says if the ingredients had not been used, customers could seek a credit. "Please rest assured that we are working closely with our supplier and MPI to address the issue and prevent any further incidents." Further to the recall of sesame seeds from importer Davis Trading Company, the following brands have now been identified as containing seeds that are subject to recall. Product names, date markings and pictures of each affected product are in the links below. Up-to-date information about food safety recalls is on the Food Safety NZ recalls page, here On Saturday, July 20, following Fridays recall of imported sesame seeds, New Zealand Food Safety supported further recalls of sesame seed products due to the possible presence of Salmonella. "We have been working hard to identify and contact businesses that received the affected batch of sesame seeds from importer Davis Trading Company," says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. "This can be a complex process given the number of businesses involved." A number of recalls are being published on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall webpage at present for a range of food businesses. "As this is an evolving issue, with additional recalls possible, concerned consumers can reference our recall page for up-to-date information, including pictures, or subscribe to our recall alerts to receive email updates on recalls. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page. "People can get seriously ill from salmonellosis, so either return the products to the place of purchase or throw them away. Products recalled this week that contain the sesame seeds are: "Symptoms of salmonellosis appear within 12 to 72 hours and include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, says Vincent. Illness usually lasts between 4 and 7 days but, in more severe cases, it can go on for up to 10 days and cause more serious illness." If you have eaten any of the product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness. "As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Davis Trading Company to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence," says Vincent. Friday, July 19 update: New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Davis Trading Company in its recall of their imported Sesame Seed Kernels White Hulled retail packs due to the possible presence of Salmonella. "Salmonellosis can be serious, so its important that people do not consume this product," says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. "If you cant return it to the place of purchase, you should throw it out." Sesame Seed Kernels White Hulled with a batch number of AAI/3890 and P.O. No of 780004 are affected by this recall. The affected product is sold at Davis Food Ingredients, Auckland, who on-sell to supermarkets and smaller retailers nationwide. New Zealand Food Safety is in the process of working with the food business to trace the product and further recalls are a possibility. Visit New Zealand Food Safetys recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product. Symptoms of salmonellosis appear within 12 to 72 hours and include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Illness usually lasts between 4 and 7 days but, in more severe cases, it can go on for up to 10 days and cause more serious illness. If you have consumed any of the product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness. The affected product has been imported from India. Food importers are responsible for the safety of the food they bring in to sell in New Zealand. The product under recall was identified through routine testing and has been removed from the store shelves. It has not been exported. As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Davis Trading Company to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence, says Vincent. The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to New Zealand Food Safety recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the food recall page. Recalled food products For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz Salmonella found in imported sesame seed-based products led to the biggest food safety recall in 2023 overall, in products such as tahini and hummus. The fast response by the Bay of Plenty's rescue helicopter and its highly trained crew is ensuring that patients are receiving the best care as quickly as possible. The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter carried out 47 life-saving missions across the coastal Bay of Plenty region for the month of June. The crews diverse range of missions included 14 inter-hospital transfers, nine medical emergencies, 11 rural/farm incidents, one rescue, four motor vehicle related accidents, and eight miscellaneous missions. The crew were seen in the likes of Coromandel with one medical emergency, Matakana Island with one accident-related mission, Rangiwaea Island with one medical emergency, Motiti Island with one medical related mission, and Waihau Bay with two medical related missions. Further hotspots included Whakatane Hospital with six inter-hospital transfers, and Rotorua Hospital with five inter-hospital transfers performed by the crew. The month started off with the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Whakatane Hospital for a male in his teens who sustained multiple trauma injuries after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. The patient was transported to Waikato Hospital for further treatment. The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. Photo: Supplied. On Sunday evening, June 2, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Te Kaha medical centre for a female in her 50s who was experiencing a medical condition. The patient was flown to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. On Tuesday morning, June 4, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Waihau Bay for a male in his 60s who was suffering from a serious cardiac condition. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. On Wednesday morning, June 5, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Rotorua Hospital for a female in her 30s who was experiencing pregnancy difficulties. The patient was transported to Auckland City Hospital for further treatment. The following afternoon, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Ohaaki for a female in her 20s who sustained injuries after being involved in an motor vehicle accident. The patient was treated on scene by the onboard CCFP and was then transported to Rotorua Hospital for further treatment. On Monday afternoon, June 10, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Omaio for a female in her 70s who sustained hip injuries. The patient was transported to Whakatane Hospital for further treatment. Later that evening, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Whakatane Hospital for a female in her 20s who was experiencing a serious medical condition. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. On Saturday evening, June 15, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Opotiki for a male in his 40s who sustained serious injuries from a rugby related incident. The patient was transported to Middlemore Hospital for further treatment. On Wednesday evening, June 19, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Rangiwaea Island for a male in his 70s who was experiencing breathing difficulties after a fall. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. On Friday evening, June 21, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Pauanui for a male in his 70s who was experiencing a serious medical event. The patient was transported to Waikato Hospital for further treatment. On Monday morning, June 24, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Motiti Island for a female in her 70s who was experiencing a medical condition. The patient was transported to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. On Thursday evening, June 27, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Kawerau for a female in her 30s who sustained trauma injuries after an incident involving a car and pedestrian. The patient was flown to Waikato Hospital for further treatment. The following afternoon, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Taneatua for a male who sustained laceration injuries after being involved in an MVA. The patient was treated on scene and then swiftly flown to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. On Saturday afternoon, June 29, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Rotorua Hospital for a male in his 60s who was suffering from a serious medical event. The patient was transported to Auckland City Hospital for further treatment. The month ended with the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter being dispatched to Whakatane Hospital for a female in her 60s who was experiencing a medical event. The patient was flown to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment. The fast response of the rescue helicopter and its highly trained crew ensures that patients receive the best care as quickly as possible. These life-saving missions happen every day and its what happens next that makes the difference, says the helicopter service, who request that the public help financially support them. "You make that difference," says a spokesperson. Donations can be made to the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter at https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/aerocool-rescue-helicopter/donate The preliminary results include all votes received until midday on Saturday. Special votes have not been included. The results show Mahe Drysdale is still set to become Tauranga Mayor with 16,178 votes. Jen Scoular is set to become the Mauao/Mount Maunganui ward councillor, receiving 1964 votes in the preliminary results for the Tauranga City Council election which were released yesterday afternoon. The only woman elected in Taurangas new council says she is sad to be the only woman and it feels like the city is going backwards. The final result will be released on or before 3pm on Thursday, once special voting processes have been completed. Two former councillors have been re-elected in the wards, preliminary results show. Papamoa ward councillor Steve Morris was part of the sacked 2019 council. Arataki ward councillor Rick Curach will serve his seventh term on council after missing out in the 2019 election. Scoular tells the Bay of Plenty Times she's thrilled to have the support of her local community and thanks them for electing her. She went for a run and a swim in the ocean yesterday to celebrate her win. Im looking forward to supporting Mahe [Drysdale] as our mayor to create a strong and capable team to govern our city. However, Scoular says she's sad to be the only woman on a council of 10 in a modern city. It really feels like were going backwards and I dont want that for Tauranga. I think there were some really good female candidates and I would certainly like to understand better what stopped them being supported. Scoular says diversity means having a good range of voices at the table and research shows having an equal split on gender around decision-making tables is actually where you get the best decisions. Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor. Te Papa ward councillor Rod Taylor - who received 1249 votes - says in his view, the CBD has a lot of negative press recently. My priority is concentrating on getting the CBD up and going again. In his view: I think theyre [the elected council] probably the right sort of mix that we can go ahead and carry on with the advances that have been made so far by the commissioners without having some of the troubles that they had in the last elected council. Tauriko ward councillor Marten Rozeboom. Tauriko ward councillor Marten Rozeboom - who received 2134 votes - says it's a privilege to be elected, but he's disappointed with the overall participation rate. The voter turnout rate was 37.88 per cent as of Saturday. This compared to 40.28 per cent in the 2019 election. We are supposed to represent the views of the Tauranga residents, and if they dont participate and select who they want, it just makes our job more challenging. Rozeboom says the biggest concern was fixing Barkes Corner and the Tauriko roundabout so we can actually get in and out of here. He says many major roads in Tauriko were NZ Transport Agency roads so will obviously have to work closely with NZTA to improve them. Welcome Bay ward councillor Hautapu Baker. Photo / Alex Cairns. Welcome Bay ward councillor Hautapu Baker - who received 2498 votes - says he is humbled and grateful to have such an overwhelming level of support from the community. Baker hopes to create more opportunities for community cohesion and connection. No one does community better than the Welcome Bay ward and if we can enhance that sense of community, then its going to increase the well-being of everybody that lives in our ward. Bethlehem ward councillor Kevin Herb Schuler. Bethlehem ward councillor Kevin Herb Schuler - who received 2307 votes - says he feels for the other Bethlehem candidates because everyone worked hard and ran a positive campaign. Im pretty grateful the voters of Bethlehem have shown faith and trust in me. He's looking forward to meeting with the diverse range of groups in Bethlehem. So when I am at work, Ive got good ability to communicate back and let people know what were doing and be held accountable for the decisions we make. Matua-Otumoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther. Matua-Otumoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther - who received 2460 votes - says he's pleasantly surprised but also had a bit of a feeling that I might get there. Crowther is pleased a couple of old hands have been re-elected to guide those who did not have councillor experience. He says losing the swimming pool in Otumoetai - proposed to close in 2017 - is a critical concern for a lot of people. Thats an immediate action point that Id be keen to follow up on. Crowther says people are also concerned about the looming rates increases and council debt levels. Arataki ward councillor Rick Curach. Arataki ward councillor Rick Curach - who received 1859 votes - says he's quite surprised to be elected because I didnt use social media for his campaign. I thought that would be a disadvantage to me... its quite refreshing in a way. He says his main concern is around the long-term plan and the affordability of rates. Papamoa ward councillor Steve Morris. Papamoa ward councillor Steve Morris - who received 1766 votes - says he's humbled and honoured to be returned by my community. Asked what he plans to do differently this term, Morris says to advocate for the removal of the double standard in Papamoa - the unfair targeted rate on Papamoa East that is three times higher than any other suburb in the city. Asked what he hopes to achieve for his ward, Morris says to advocate for rescaling and reprioritising CBD spending and directing it towards transport infrastructure the whole city is crying out for - particularly Papamoa residents who have to travel further and longer in traffic. Te Awanui ward councillor Mikaere Sydney - who received 1429 votes - was contacted for comment. -Bay of Plenty Times. Multiple insiders secured a larger position in Australian Agricultural Company Limited (ASX:AAC) shares over the last 12 months. This is reassuring as this suggests that insiders have increased optimism about the company's prospects. While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Check out our latest analysis for Australian Agricultural Australian Agricultural Insider Transactions Over The Last Year The insider John Andrew Forrest made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$9.8m worth of shares at a price of AU$1.61 each. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of AU$1.39. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. Australian Agricultural insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying. Australian Agricultural Insiders Bought Stock Recently Over the last three months, we've seen significant insider buying at Australian Agricultural. insider Bryan Glinton spent AU$9.2m on stock, and there wasn't any selling. This could be interpreted as suggesting a positive outlook. Insider Ownership Of Australian Agricultural Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Australian Agricultural insiders own 74% of the company, currently worth about AU$614m based on the recent share price. I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At Australian Agricultural Tell Us? 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 Australian Agricultural. Nice! 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. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com A skipper who decided to leave a fishing spot and travel home in weather conditions that resulted in the death of five men, has been found not guilty. Lance Goodhew of Coopers Beach, faced accusations of failing his responsibilities as a skipper, directly linked to the deaths of five men on his boat. Skipper Lance Goodhew faced a single charge of breaching his duties as a worker on the fishing boat Enchanter and, in doing so, exposing individuals to a risk of death or serious injury which went to a four-week judge-alone trial. A group of friends hired the Enchanter for a game fishing trip to the Three Kings Islands in March 2022. The boat capsized at North Cape, killing Geoffrey James Allen, 72, Michael Patrick Lovett, 72, Richard Eldon Bright, 63, Mark Keith Walker, 41, and Mark Kenneth Sanders, 43. Today the 59-year-old was in tears as he hugged his counsel and thanked them for their work after the verdict was delivered. None of the victims families were present. The men had spent three days fishing at the Three Kings Islands before heading south to North Cape, where a 10-metre rogue wave capsized their boat on March 20, 2022. On the day of departure, MetService issued a gale warning predicting rough seas, strong winds and poor visibility. However, Lance relied on the PredictWind app, which was criticised during the trial for its infrequent 12-hourly updates. The trial brought by Maritime New Zealand lasted for four weeks before Judge Philip Rzepecky at the Whangarei District Court. Judge Philip reserved his decision which was delivered today before a gallery of Lances supporters. Judge Philip began by acknowledging the ordeal both survivors and families of the victims had been through. The significant impact of the loss has been evident throughout proceedings and I acknowledge the families struggling with the terrible loss. I also acknowledge Lance and the survivors and it was a substantial hearing that required strength at the time. Judge Philip Rzepecky delivered his finding at the Whangarei District Court. Photo / Michael Craig. Judge Philip summarised his findings based on both sides of evidence that was presented by Maritime New Zealand and Lances lawyer Fletcher Pilditch KC. Maritime New Zealand argued the sea conditions were too dangerous for Lance to navigate because a significant weather front had passed through overnight. Sam McMullan presented MNZs case calling survivors, local fishermen and weather experts to testify. His argument focused on two critical points: the decision to leave the Three Kings and how Lance travelled around North Cape too close to the shore. As the four-week trial progressed, weather experts gave evidence about the state of the sea around North Cape. They claimed rogue waves could occur anywhere, anytime and at any sea level. Sam says Lance had a vast knowledge of seafaring and access to multiple sources of information but chose to risk leaving the Three Kings when he should have stayed put. Fletcher Pilditch KC for Lance Goodhew submitted no one can tame the ocean. Photo / Michael Craig. Lance's lawyer, Fletcher Pildtich, KC, submitted the prosecution was driven by misguided criminal liability for an event beyond Lance's control. Pilditch reflected on his cross-examination of experienced master mariner Bryan OKane, who relayed the base of the defence case in a few words. Its the nature of the industry ... You get caught out absolutely because, at a level, you cant tame the ocean. Its not always predictable, Pilditch recalled OKane saying. The nature of the sea was a core element that could not be overlooked in the tragic outcome, Pilditch says. No one can control and influence the sea. It is unpredictable. Judge Philip decided he could not be certain Lance could have predicted a rogue wave would appear, evidence he believed was clear through the trial. Based on observations and scientific evidence, I cannot be sure the presence of a wave was reasonably foreseeable and after considering all the evidence I cannot be sure that a reasonably careful mariner should have decided to stay. Im not satisfied the prosecution has proven its case in respect to the single charge. I therefore find him not guilty and the charge is dismissed, Judge Philip says. Isabel Mendez / Juan Soto Malaga Sunday, 21 July 2024, 08:29 | Updated 15:37h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Malaga province will bid farewell to the week with even more heat. So much so that Spain's state weather agency (Aemet) Aemet has upgraded a yellow warning for high temperatures from 1pm to 9pm to amber. Aemet forecasts that thermometers will reach 39C in Malaga city, the western Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce areas. And not only that: the hot 'terral' winds will blow from inland, which has prompted Malaga city council to activate the Municipal Emergency Plan for high temperatures. Addtionally, the yellow alert already issued for the Axarquia area will remain in place during the same timeframe. On Saturday, Alora in the Guadalhorce valley recorded the highest temperature in Andalucia and the second highest in the whole of Spain with the thermometer registering 42.3C in the afternoon while in Coin it reached 43.2 degrees at six o'clock in the afternoon and 38C in Antequera. Zoom Aemet In the rest of the Andalusian provinces, temperatures will also be high and will border or exceed 30C, but Aemet has not activated any other weather warnings for the region this 21 July. In general, clear skies are expected in Andalucia, with light to moderate westerly winds, with strong westerly winds on the coast of Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar, turning easterly in the far east at the end of the day. More heat on Monday For Monday, however, there are yellow high temperature warnings in Cordoba, Jaen and Seville, as it will reach 38C and could even register 40 degrees during the day, so the notice is in force, initially, from one in the afternoon until nine o'clock at night. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Rome, N.Y. -- Hundreds of people lined up in Rome Sunday seeking meals and essential health and human services after the destruction of their homes and businesses by a tornado Tuesday. Two mobile operations were set up this weekend to provide residents with services for public assistance, health and mental health referrals as well as services for senior citizens. The units will be out in the city all week. The county is also assisting residents with SNAP and public service benefits, according to Oneida County Deputy Health Director Katie Mungari. Staff in the mobile units also will be able to answer general inquiries pertaining to tornado recovery efforts as well. County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and City of Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan announced the mobile operations at the corner of North James Street and Liberty Street parking lot. Mungari said residents should check the countys website to stay up to date with when and where the mobile units will be located throughout the week. Free meals breakfast, lunch and dinner are also being provided by Connected Community Schools at 207 N. James St. Over the last week the organization, as well as several volunteers and community members, have come together to serve the community, according Danielle Martin, the co-executive director of Connected Community Schools. Our focus, starting day one, was ensuring that those that were displaced from their homes, didnt have power, or were struggling here in the heart of the city of Rome, had access to hot meals, Martin said. The organization has served thousands of Rome residents, she said. Dining times for Sundays dinner will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com Gov. Kathy Hochul last week began a statewide listening tour to solicit opinions about restricting smartphones in schools to improve students mental health and reduce distractions in the classroom. Were listening, too. We want to hear from teachers, administrators, parents, students and others who care about young people and to start a civic conversation about it. (Keep reading to find out how you can participate.) Some local schools already limit cellphone use. Now, as the harmful effects of social media come into better focus, momentum is building to do something about it on a broader scale. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy reports that young people are suffering from a mental health crisis, naming social media is an important contributor. He is calling on Congress to put warning labels on social media. Anecdotally, teachers report that kids are changing due to the omnipresence of phones and social media. Baldwinsville eighth-grade teacher Ryan Burdick tried to put his finger on it in a viral essay syracuse.com published in January, My middle schoolers are in trouble. They need more from adults in their lives. Burdick bemoaned his students inability to carry on conversations, ask for help, laugh at jokes or focus on their schoolwork. Thanks to the phones in their pockets, kids cant escape their peers or the accompanying social drama, he wrote. We are enabling the isolation, nagging introspection and skill deficits that lead teenagers to anxiety and depression. Burdick called on adults to rescue them from their screens. Younger children also are at risk. In a recent commentary, The social media warning label is for the parents, St. Lawrence University education professor Jeff Frank warned parents that using devices as pacifiers is arresting kids cognitive and emotional development. Whenever a child feels discomfort, they can retreat to the screen. We are creating a world where children dont know how to use their own resources to manage difficult emotions and feelings, he wrote. A phone holder hangs in a classroom at Delta High School, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Delta, Utah. At the rural Utah school, there is a strict policy requiring students to check their phones at the door when entering every class. Each of the school's 30 or so classrooms has a cellphone storage unit that looks like an over-the-door shoe bag with three dozen smartphone-sized slots. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)AP Parents, often buried in their phones themselves, may be reluctant to impose limits on their kids use of technology. Often, it is their only connection to their peers. Schools that have tried to ban cellphones often get pushback from parents who want to be in contact with their children in an emergency. Others call the concern about kids and smartphones overblown, a moral panic. Advocates for making schools a phone-free zone, among them former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, argue that phones are impairing students academic performance, reducing their attention spans, and enabling bullying and bad behavior. In a Pew Research survey, 72% of high school teachers reported that phones are a major distraction in class. Bans are gaining traction. Los Angeles, the nations second-largest school district, will ban mobile phones during the school day starting in 2025. New York City, the nations largest district, is mulling a phone ban starting next year. Seven states have taken action to restrict students use of cellphones. California and New York could be next. Schools that have tried phone bans report that, after an initial period of withdrawal, students noticed they were better able to focus, spent more time interacting with each other and improved their grades. Hochul will be conducting more roundtables in the coming months to gather opinions from stakeholders. Your chances of being invited are, shall we say, slim. So, heres another way to tell the governor what you think of banning phones in schools. Fill out the Google form below. Or, write a letter to the editor and send it to letters@syracuse.com . Include your name, address and phone number, so we can verify your identity. If we publish your opinion, well only use your name and hometown. We will not publish anonymous opinions. If you have young people in your life, ask them to weigh in, too. After all, they are the ones who would be most affected by a ban. Well publish the best of your responses in the coming weeks. Loading About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com President Joe Bidens campaign outspent former President Donald Trump nearly 6-to-1 in June. But the massive spending differential helped Trumps operation extend its cash advantage, underscoring the vastly different financial and political realities of the two campaigns at a key moment in the cycle. Biden has raised more than Trump, both in June and over the entire cycle, but his campaign has spent massive amounts trying to stay afloat, including tens of millions on advertising in battleground states with little effect in the polls. At the same time, with less than four months until the election, Trump has built up little in-house campaign infrastructure but he is sitting on a mountain of cash. New campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission late Saturday showed just how deeply the two campaigns diverge. The latest reports cover through June 30, reflecting the weeks before Bidens poor debate performance and its immediate aftermath. They predate more recent upheaval, including the assassination attempt against Trump, the Republican National Convention, and a growing chorus of Democrats calling for Biden to withdraw from the race events that have further cemented Trumps position while deeply shaking Bidens. The reports show the cash differential between Biden and Trump has been driven primarily by spending. After a post-conviction surge helped Trump erase Bidens cash advantage in May, Trumps fundraising slowed slightly in June. Bidens fundraising, meanwhile, picked up although that trend has not continued into July, with both large- and small-dollar fundraising cratering amid concerns about Bidens age and ability to stay on the ticket. That slowdown, which wont be reflected in public filings for another month, has some Democrats hoping a different candidate could energize donors headed into the fall. Even as Biden put up a strong fundraising month in June, his campaign reported spending a whopping nearly $60 million. Trumps official campaign committee, by contrast, spent just $10 million in a month, more than two-thirds of which was on direct mail. All told, the Biden campaign ended June with just shy of $96 million in the bank, while Trumps campaign reported $128 million left in its campaign account. Both men also rely on sprawling political operations that include joint fundraising committees and the national parties. Including those groups, Trumps entire operation had $281 million in cash at the end of June, compared to $237 million for Biden. The Democratic National Committee also outspent the Republican National Committee in June, $26 million to $19.4 million, with the RNC achieving a cash-on-hand advantage for the first time this cycle after raising a whopping nearly $67 million, compared to $39 million for the DNC. Story continues Trumps limited spending reflects in large part how much activity his campaign has ceded to outside groups. Dozens of staffers who were on his campaign payroll a few months ago are now paid by the RNC. And super PACs continue to spend heavily to help him, including a new super PAC directed by his allies, America PAC, that is spending millions on paid canvassing. By far the biggest difference between Trump and Biden has been spending on advertising. While Trumps campaign has spent little on paid media, Bidens campaign spent another $48 million on advertising in June, making it easily the campaigns largest expense category. The Biden campaign has been spending tens of millions of dollars each month on advertising since March. Yet the massive paid media push has seemed to do little for the incumbent president in public polling. While Trumps campaign has not spent significantly on ads, the super PAC Make America Great Again Inc. has been running them, mostly in Arizona and Pennsylvania. That group raised another $22 million, with $15 million of that coming from just three sources. Nevada real estate magnate Robert Bigelow and former WWE CEO and Trump administration appointee Linda McMahon each gave $5 million. The PAC also got another $5 million from an affiliate of Reynolds American, the tobacco company, and ended June with $113 million cash on hand. A pro-Biden super PAC also continued to rake in cash in June. FF PAC raised $32.8 million, with $15 million of that total coming from its nonprofit arm and $5 million from another Democratic super PAC, Democracy PAC. It reported just shy of $122 million cash on hand. President Joe Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump in November, and encouraged the Democratic Party to unite behind her. In a stunning social media post Sunday, Biden announced he was pulling out of the race for a second term in the White House. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account. Biden threw his support behind Harris. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said in a separate post. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Biden was the first Syracuse University alumnus to hold the nations highest office. Read more: President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns Read full text of President Bidens letter ending 2024 reelection bid What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Heres how that might work Who will replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 election? Biden, the first Syracuse University alumnus elected president, announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the presidential race and will no longer be seeking reelection. Bidens decision, following criticism of his age after a poor performance in a debate against Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, means next months Democratic National Convention becomes an open contest for the partys ticket in November. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden, 81, said in a statement. The early favorite to replace Biden is the same person who would replace him if he vacated the presidency tomorrow: Vice President Kamala Harris. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden said in support of Harris. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. But Bidens endorsement alone will not determine the Dems presidential nominee. Who else could potentially challenge Trump for the White House? Here are five possible candidates: Kamala Harris According to the Associated Press, VP Harris is the early front-runner for several reasons: Biden has endorsed her, she can access Bidens campaign funds, and she could make history as the first Black woman to be nominated. In the 2020 election, voters chose Biden with Harris on the ticket, which means they also voted for Harris as the first choice to replace Biden in the nations highest office. Forbes reports Harris has polled better than other Democrats as a potential replacement candidate for Biden, but the most recent polls conducted after Bidens debate with Trump and after an attempted assassination on Trump show Harris numbers arent much better than Bidens. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted last week found Trump would beat Harris by three points (51%-48%), but also showed Harris leading Biden by five (52%-47%) among likely voters. Gavin Newsom NBC reports California Gov. Gavin Newsom has consistently been named a top potential contender to replace Biden in the Democratic presidential race. Newsom may not be as nationally known as Harris, but he represents a big state and has shown bigger ambitions in clashes with GOP leaders. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) appears in a file photo. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/TNS) TNSTNS J.B. Pritzker At this stage, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker may be best known on the national level as the guy who was endorsed by George Clooney. The Oscar-winning filmmaker and major Democratic donor recently urged Biden to drop out in a New York Times op-ed that also named Pritzker as Clooneys choice to replace Biden. According to NBC, Pritzker has backed Biden and Harris, actively raised funds for Democrats in multiple states as he builds his profile, and is currently Americas wealthiest elected official and hasnt been shy about spending money on his own campaign. With an estimated fortune of $3.5 billion, the latter could be particularly intriguing for voters to consider in a race against Trump. FILE - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker addresses the crowd on June 28, 2023, at the Old Post Office in Chicago. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)AP Gretchen Whitmer Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is a two-term winner from a battleground state, co-chaired the Biden-Harris campaign, and has previously clashed with Trump on the national level. The New York Times reports shes also considered a favorite for the 2028 race, but the governor has repeatedly said she would not consider becoming a candidate if Biden were to step down. I dont like seeing my name in articles like that because Im totally focused on governing and campaigning for the ticket, Whitmer said earlier this year. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks to United Auto Workers members at a rally, Sept. 15, 2023, in Detroit. Paul Sancya | AP Photo Josh Shapiro Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, elected in 2022 after previously serving as the states attorney general, reportedly has a job approval rating of 64 percent in an important swing state. By comparison, that same poll found just 41 percent of Democrats supporting Biden. NBC notes Shapiro also maintained support for Biden after the presidential debate. He acknowledged Biden had a bad performance, but said it doesnt change the fact that Trump was a bad president. President Joe Biden, center, first lady Jill Biden, left, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro visit Denim Coffee after a campaign event in Harrisburg, Pa., on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)AP Others? Biden dropping out of the race could mean other possible candidates, either to replace Biden at the top of the ticket or to become Harris running mate (if she wins the nomination). Names that have been floated include Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, plus former Democratic presidential candidates like current Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. By David Shepardson LONDON (Reuters) - Boeing's commercial airplane chief said the planemaker has settled on the design to address an engine anti-ice system that has significantly delayed certification of the 737 MAX 7 and suggested a fix could be completed by next year. The issue with the anti-ice system could lead to it overheating and potentially causing an engine failure. "We're progressing on the engineering," Stephanie Pope said in a meeting with reporters. Asked if the planemaker will conduct a flight test later this year and complete the fix around early to mid-2025, Pope did not offer a formal prediction but said she thought it would be around that time. Boeing, under scrutiny over its safety record after the mid-air blowout of a cabin panel on a new Alaska Airlines MAX 9, in January withdrew a request it filed with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last year seeking an exemption from a safety standard for the MAX 7 over the issue, which pushed potential certification into 2025 or later. Senator Tammy Duckworth in January urged Boeing to abandon the exemption request, saying the issue could "cause the engine nacelle to break apart and fall off. This could generate fuselage-penetrating debris, which could endanger passengers in window seats behind the wing." The FAA, which has repeatedly declined to put any timetable on approval, has said it "will thoroughly review any design Boeing submits." Boeing has said there have been no safety incidents observed in MAX 8 and MAX 9 planes in service stemming from overheating in the engine inlet. The planemaker issued guidance to airlines in June 2023 to follow established procedures when using the MAX's engine anti-ice system to address potential overheating, and the FAA in August 2023 mandated the existing procedure to turn off the engine anti-ice system when it is no longer needed. Southwest Airlines, the MAX 7's biggest buyer, said in January it no longer expected to take deliveries of the model this year. Boeing has said it must first win approval from the FAA for the MAX 7 before it can get the larger, better-selling MAX 10 certified. (Reporting by David Shepardson in London; Editing by Mark Potter) In context: A glitch with CrowdStrike's Falcon Sensor agent caused havoc across the globe last week, and the chaos continues as malicious actors rush to take advantage. Amid the turmoil, it is instructive to consider a little-noticed event earlier this year when a CrowdStrike update caused all Debian Linux servers to crash simultaneously and refuse to boot. It took the cybersecurity provider weeks to provide a root cause analysis, revealing that the update was incompatible with the latest stable version of Debian. Friday's events were not the first time CrowdStrike, a popular cybersecurity service provider, caused significant disruptions to multiple operating systems. To recap what happened: Windows machines worldwide began displaying the dreaded Blue Screen of Death as they booted up last Friday, impacting banks, airlines, media outlets, food chains, and many other businesses. The problem was traced to the security firm and an issue with its Falcon Sensor agent. There was also a related issue with Microsoft 365 apps and services. Another disruption, this one hardly noticed, occurred in April when a CrowdStrike update caused all Debian Linux servers to crash simultaneously and refuse to boot. The update was incompatible with the latest stable version of Debian, despite this Linux distro being supposedly supported by CrowdStrike. These issues occurred over several months, indicating ongoing compatibility problems between the security software and certain Linux distributions. For instance, similar issues were reported by CrowdStrike users after upgrading to Rocky Linux 9.4, with servers crashing due to a kernel issue. CrowdStrike's response to the Debian issue was slow. It took them weeks to provide a root cause analysis, which revealed that the Debian Linux configuration was not included in their test matrix. These earlier issues raise serious concerns about the company's software update and testing procedures. Certainly, its slow response to the Debian issue suggests that the company's testing procedures are inadequate for Linux systems, leading to these compatibility issues. Meanwhile, the aftermath of Friday's global outage continues. CrowdStrike has fixed the Windows agent bug, but the process of manually remediating each affected computer is expected to cause ongoing disruptions. Perhaps not surprisingly, threat actors are exploiting the situation. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reported that although the outage was not caused by a cyberattack, hackers are engaging in phishing and other malicious activities, taking advantage of the chaos. Malicious actors are sending phishing emails from domains impersonating CrowdStrike, falsely claiming to offer solutions to the outage in exchange for payments to random crypto wallets. The cybercriminals are posing as CrowdStrike employees or other tech specialists through emails or even phone calls. Attackers have also quickly set up deceptive websites with domain names that include keywords like "CrowdStrike" and "blue screen." Once they get their hooks into the victims, they trick them into revealing sensitive information such as passwords and other security codes. In brief: Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system and has always been a mystery due to its dark surface and high core density. However, astronomers have long known that its surface contains significant amounts of graphite, a form of carbon. A new reveals that a thick diamond layer lies beneath that graphite crust at its core-mantle boundary. Scientists from China and Belgium recently published a study in Nature Communications that proposes the existence of a diamond layer at Mercury's core-mantle boundary. It suggests this layer is up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) thick. The finding represents a significant advance in understanding planetary differentiation processes how planets develop distinct internal layers. The scientists believe the diamond layer formed due to the crystallization of Mercury's carbon-rich magma ocean. As the planet cooled, this carbon formed a graphite crust on the surface. However, the study challenges the assumption that graphite was the only stable carbon phase during this period. "Many years ago, I noticed that Mercury's extremely high carbon content might have significant implications," the study's co-author, Dr. Yanhao Lin, from the Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research in Beijing told Phys.org. "It made me realize that something special probably happened within its interior." The researchers used high-pressure and temperature experiments combined with thermodynamic modeling to recreate the conditions of Mercury's interior. They achieved pressure levels up to 7 Giga Pascals, allowing them to study the equilibrium phases of Mercury's minerals. They determined that the presence of sulfur in Mercury's iron core affected the crystallization process of the magma ocean. Sulfur lowers the liquidus temperature, facilitating the formation of a diamond layer at the core-mantle boundary. It also formed an iron sulfide layer, influencing the carbon content during planetary differentiation. The diamond layer's high thermal conductivity impacts Mercury's thermal dynamics and magnetic field generation. The diamond layer helps transfer heat from the core to the mantle, affecting temperature gradients and convection in the liquid outer core, influencing the magnetic field. The findings also have implications for understanding other carbon-rich exoplanetary systems and terrestrial planets with similar sizes and compositions to Mercury. The processes observed on Mercury might also occur on other planets, potentially leaving similar signatures. The study concludes that similar diamond layers could exist in other terrestrial planets, though the conditions must be exactly right. The latest from Samsung US is now prioritizing Google Messages over its self-developed app, Samsung Messages, and will use the new app as the default messaging platform for its Galaxy smartphones. This means that all text messages and MMS will be available via Google Messages on Samsung smartphones, with the inclusion of its RCS. It came after Samsung decided to phase out Samsung Messages in different regions, with this app no longer pre-installed on its devices. Samsung: Google Message Now the Priority Communications App Recently, Max Weinbach spotted a new notice from Samsung that it will now prioritize the Google Messages app as its main communications platform for the Galaxy smartphones. This change began with the latest Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 releases recently unveiled via the Galaxy Unpacked event this July. This latest revelation touts Google Messages as the "new and enhanced experience" to fulfill all of the chatting or texting experience on the Galaxy devices. Samsung also claimed that this will deliver a safe experience for users while making it a fun platform for all, best known for its capabilities to bring multimedia content via RCS, enabled by default. Samsung Messages Phase Out Begins for Galaxy Smartphones Included in the message, Samsung claimed that its latest foldable smartphones, the Z Fold and Z Flip, will no longer have Samsung Messages pre-installed upon shipping. This newest change is seen in the US releases of the device and other regions, but not yet taking effect worldwide. It was noted by another analyst, Mishaal Rahman, that Canada and Europe's regions still have Samsung Messagespreloaded in the new foldable releases. Samsung Messages is still available to download via the Galaxy Store but will have limited features. Samsung Messages vs. Google Messages Samsung is also known for developing native apps for its Galaxy smartphones, offering a slur of different experiences to choose from, including a conversation platform that offers universal possibilities. Samsung Messages is the main app for this, and it is known to also feature RCS messaging that allows users to send multimedia chats over WiFi or cellular data. Last 2022's Samsung Galaxy S22 release was known for shipping with a pre-installed Google Messages app on the device, with users given the option to use it as the default messaging app on the smartphone. While Samsung Messages is for Samsung only, Google Messages has been the more universal one which offers it to all of Android. Google and Samsung have been known for their partnerships throughout the years, but their main goal is to universalize the modern smartphone experience for users to enjoy. After several issues last year on Samsung Messages, the company is now slowly phasing it out and this already applies to the US region, with Google Messages soon to be the main app for texting, leveraging its RCS capabilities. The first rest stop from Rivian called the Rivian Yosemite Charging Outpost is now open for all, offering different amenities for travelers and visitors to take advantage of before or after their latest adventures. While it is open to all, its DC fast chargers are exclusive to Rivian electric vehicles only, but the good thing is its other offers are accessible to different users. It provides a stopover for all travelers to enjoy near Yosemite National Park, with an abandoned gas station repurposed into a charging hub for Rivian EVs. Rivian Yosemite Charging Outpost is Now Open in California Rivian announced that its first Charging Outpost is now open near Yosemite National Park in California, opening its doors to visitors who pass by or near the location. This charging site is located in Groveland, California, and is 24 miles away from Yosemite, using an abandoned gas station to build its clean energy hub for travelers. The Rivian Yosemite Charging Outpost is open from 7 AM to 7 PM for the public to visit, offering bathrooms, lounges, an onsite library, and a shop that sells essential goods and Rivian merchandise. The company claimed that the lounge's furniture is sustainable, offering seats made of second-hand and upcycled puffer jackets and sleeping bags, with its tables made of sawdust. What Does Rivian's First Charging Outpost Offer? First and foremost, the Rivian Yosemite Charging Outpost offers five DC fast chargers on site that are open for 24 hours, seven days a week but are exclusive to Rivian EVs only. On the other hand, the rest stop offers complimentary coffee, a water refilling station, and a "make your own" trail mix which is sold separately. The company claims that more Charging outposts will arrive in the future, available in other iconic locations. Rivian EVs and Its Renowned Charging Network One of the main strengths of Rivian's electric vehicles is that it is built to take adventure to the next-level with clean energy, and this is apparent with its electric pickup, the R1T, as well as the R1S. Since its debut and initial test drive videos, it has impressed users with what it has to offer, centering on its off-road capabilities, all-wheel drive feats, and more. Later on, Rivian introduced what would accompany its off-road capabilities, and this is the Adventure Network whichoffers off-site charging for its EVs, as well as for other brands and ports. The company first launched this in 2022 and focused on off-grid destinations in Colorado and California, and it was first offering Level 3 DC fast chargers for users. The drive goes on even in remote locations for Rivian, and its expansion of its charging network is not only focused on paved roads but also for its availability near and on trails. Rivian's first Charging Outpost is already open in Yosemite for all to enjoy and take advantage of its amenities, but fast charging is exclusive to its electric vehicles only. One of the most iconic arcade fighting games in the early 2000s is making a comeback, with SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos making a surprise drop over at EVO 2024. Both Capcom and SNK banded together to introduce this returning fighting game to the world, leveraging its iconic characters in their retro pixel art glory, soon to be rereleased for modern gaming platforms. With this announcement, both gaming companies revealed that it is now live on Valve's Steam, with its console versions soon following. SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is Back After 20 Years EVO 2024 saw a surprising turn of events when SNK and Capcom unveiled that it is picking up where it left off in 2003 and rereleasing its iconic SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos game to the modern gaming era. The latest announcement during the event unveiled the iconic scenes from the original game, leveraging the showdown from each franchise's best fighters. The trailer revealed what to expect from this revisit to the iconic game from over 20 years ago, with SNK and Capcom leveraging 36 iconic characters to join the epic showdown, hailing mostly from KING OF FIGHTERS and Street Fighter. Secret arcade exclusives, Athena and Red Arremer, are available immediately on this rerelease version. SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is now available to purchase and download via Steam for PC platforms at $19.99. SNK vs. Capcom Rerelease is Coming for Consoles The iconic features of the original SNK vs. Capcom game are also making a comeback including Guard Cancel Front Step, Groove Power Gauge System, and more. It also offers a rollback netcode to improve online multiplayer. According to both Capcom and SNK, its console versions for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and GOG are coming this Monday, July 22. SNK and Capcom's Iconic Fighting Games Japanese gaming companies are renowned competitors in the market, especially for those who offer arcade fighting experiences which were extremely popular in the past, and regarded for being the pillars of modern gaming. Capcom was among the most iconic with its original Street Fighter which was first released in arcades back in 1987. Capcom's development of the franchise spanned a massive global phenomenon, with the company's most recent offer centering on Street Fighter 6. On the other hand, there is SNK's iconic King of Fighters franchise, best known to have been a stellar title in the market, and its most recent release being King of Fighters XV released in 2021. Its iconic partnership took place in 2003 with SNK vs. Capcom, similar to previous crossovers by Capcom with the Marvel franchise which began with X-Men vs. Street Fighter in 1996. This iconic return offers a retro-gaming experience for all, made available to modern gaming platforms like the PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, GOG, and PC, centering on the all-out action with SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos. LONDON (Reuters) -Boeing is seeing a significant improvement in production flow at its 737 MAX factory, its new commercial planes chief said on Sunday, as the U.S. planemaker battles to overcome a safety crisis. Speaking to reporters in London ahead of this week's Farnborough Airshow, Stephanie Pope said the changes Boeing was making to the Seattle-area factory were significant. "This isn't minor change. This is transformational change," she said in her first remarks to media since being appointed earlier this year. "We are a stable company," she added Boeing is mired in crisis after a cabin panel on a 737 MAX 9 jets blew off midair in January, prompting a slowdown in production of its top-selling plane as well as heightened regulatory and legal scrutiny. Boeing has also agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge over a probe related to two earlier fatal 737 MAX crashes, the Justice Department has said in court filings. Pope declined to comment on a plea deal. The company is seeing a "significant improvement in the flow of our 737 factory," Pope said, while acknowledging that Boeing has disappointed airline customers. She said Boeing would need to be more predictable on deliveries after production slumped. The Federal Aviation Administration in January took the unprecedented step of barring Boeing from increasing production beyond 38 MAX planes per month until it is satisfied with the planemaker's quality and manufacturing improvements. "This isnt about safety and quality versus schedule," Pope said. "These are not competing priorities." Speaking at the same event, the head of Boeing's defence and space division signalled that unit was having a tough quarter. "We had a good start to the year, but this quarter you'll see to be significantly challenged," Ted Colbert said. "It'll look like it looked in the third quarter of last year as we go through some more challenges on the fixed price development programs," he said. Pope became CEO of Boeing's commercial division as part of a broader management shakeup that will see CEO David Calhoun stepping down by year's end. Pope has been cited as a possible contender to take the reins of Boeing, although the company is facing calls from airlines and some industry officials to choose a leader with an engineering background which she lacks. Pope said she was focused on her current role "24/7." She reiterated that the company expects to bring MAX production back to a rate of around 38 a month by the end of 2024. Story continues Pope also said the planemaker had settled on a design to address a engine anti-ice system that has significantly delayed certification of the 737 MAX 7, and suggested a fix could be completed by next year. (Reporting by David Shepardson and Allison Lampert in London; additional reporting by Joe Brock and Tim Hepher in London Editing by Matthew Lewis and Mark Potter) Key Insights The projected fair value for CF Industries Holdings is US$63.09 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity CF Industries Holdings' US$71.74 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Our fair value estimate is 22% lower than CF Industries Holdings' analyst price target of US$80.74 Does the July share price for CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for CF Industries Holdings The Model We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$1.57b US$1.20b US$812.0m US$689.7m US$621.8m US$583.5m US$562.4m US$552.3m US$549.2m US$551.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Est @ -15.07% Est @ -9.83% Est @ -6.17% Est @ -3.60% Est @ -1.81% Est @ -0.55% Est @ 0.33% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.2% US$1.5k US$1.0k US$659 US$522 US$439 US$384 US$345 US$316 US$293 US$274 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$5.7b The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.4%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.2%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = US$551m (1 + 2.4%) (7.2% 2.4%) = US$12b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$12b ( 1 + 7.2%)10= US$5.8b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$12b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$71.7, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at CF Industries Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.054. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for CF Industries Holdings Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Chemicals market. Opportunity Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For CF Industries Holdings, we've put together three additional factors you should further research: Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with CF Industries Holdings (at least 1 which is potentially serious) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does CF's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com When a single insider purchases stock, it is typically not a major deal. However, when multiple insiders purchase stock, like in Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:RRGB) instance, it's good news for shareholders. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. See our latest analysis for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by CEO, Director & President Gerard Hart for US$257k worth of shares, at about US$10.26 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of US$6.00. 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. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. While Red Robin Gourmet Burgers insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find small cap companies at attractive valuations, this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Our data indicates that Red Robin Gourmet Burgers insiders own about US$5.0m worth of shares (which is 5.3% of the company). Overall, this level of ownership isn't that impressive, but it's certainly better than nothing! What Might The Insider Transactions At Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Tell Us? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Red Robin Gourmet Burgers shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. We'd like to see bigger individual holdings. However, we don't see anything to make us think Red Robin Gourmet Burgers insiders are doubting the company. While it's good to be aware of what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. You'd be interested to know, that we found 4 warning signs for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and we suggest you have a look. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Opposition Leader Peter Dutton believes Victoria has become the gangster state and questioned why Victoria Police hadnt investigated the states CFMEU branch more after revelations bikies and organised criminals had infiltrated the construction union. Dutton was asked on Melbourne radio station 3AW moments ago whether he agreed with this mastheads investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, who last week said we shouldnt be living in a gangster state when he appeared on the station explaining his months-long investigation about the union, which revealed serious CFMEU misconduct on Victorian government Big Build sites. I think hes right, sadly, tragically, Dutton said. I think New South Wales [and] Queensland, arent far behind. The [John] Setka model has been replicated in other jurisdictions as well because it has been so successful for them. They have been able to intimidate people. They threaten people. Many of the stories.. people wont repeat publicly because theyre worried about retribution. I was talking to a builder recently who claimed that his dog had been baited by the CFMEU. The thuggish standover tactics are well documented. This is the most prosecuted union in Australian history. Over the course of just the last few years, a total of $19 million worth of fines have been levied against the CFMEU. Its just staggering. Dutton was then asked what needed to be done to address the issue. I think we need to understand why the Victorian Police havent taken more prosecutions to the courts, why there havent been more investigations that have been successful, he said. Dutton then pointed to Labors abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission as evidence Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was compromised in addressing the issue. Theres a lot of resources ... required here as well, Dutton added. So if the Victorian police or the AFP require more resources to conduct these investigations and prosecutions, the money should be provided to them, because, as we say, the cost to the economy runs in the many billions of dollars. Next, he seeks to push the boundaries of storytelling through film and music; to capture audiences worldwide. Im hoping to venture into the world of visual effects, directing and producing, Abrahams said. The future looks very exciting. Abrahams tips for HSC Drama Collaborate and brainstorm: Ignite your creativity and bounce ideas off your friends and classmates. Be open to others ideas in the Group Project and dont be scared to put your own forward. Mix pleasure with preparation: Go out and see a movie and while youre there, analyse the characters put your knowledge to the test. Establish routines: That way you know you are putting enough time into your subjects and enough time into life outside of studying. From corporate to cooking: Maehashi goes global More than 4.6 million people follow her online, she had a stellar career in corporate finance and then turned a passion into a profitable business so it would make sense to talk to Nagi Maehashi about her skill with numbers. Maehashi went straight from high school into a coveted cadetship at PwC while completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Technology Sydney. But the founder of RecipeTin Eats, the food website visited by more than 15 million people every week, said her real motivation was born in the high school art studio. Food blogger, cook, photographer, videographer and mastermind behind RecipeTin Eats, Nagi Maehashi in her home kitchen. Credit: James Brickwood Visual Arts is where I spent most of my time and effort and thats where the passion was, said Maehashi. I had a friend who was just as much into art as me, and we used to catch the first train at 5.30 in the morning just to get in early so we could work on our HSC works. My major work was actually a handmade wedding dress that turned into an installation. This happened just after my parents got divorced so I had some big hang-ups about being trapped in a marriage. There was a bird painted on the train and the veil went over it like a birdcage. Thinking back now it was so blatant! Maehashi attended the academically selective North Sydney Girls High School but said her apparent lack of commitment was disappointing to her parents. Nagi Maehashi with her RecipeTin Eats cookbook. Credit: James Brickwood It was disproportionate the amount of time I spent on art versus everything else, she said. Despite having a highly successful career, the former financial executive took the plunge and resigned. All I knew is that Id been working really hard in corporate for 15 years. I just hit a turning point - I wanted to turn my experience into something for myself. Following her passion for home cooking, she spent time researching the market before launching RecipeTin Eats. What Im doing has come about because I did my business plan, I did my due diligence. The fun part they see is 5 per cent of my life, the rest is gruelling work. If I did a pie chart of my day, youd be shocked about the non-fun part. My work now is a very interesting mash-up of all the corporate experience I have and the Visual Arts I did back in high school. I do all my own photos and videos. All that training I had in high school gave me an eye even shot composition its something I developed in 3-unit art with Mrs OKeefe! Maehashis tips for HSC students Create artwork that resonates with you: I didnt realise it at the time but [my major work] was clearly an outlet for my parents getting divorced. I got a 94.9 ATAR and Art is one of the subjects I did best in. Get real about online business: Dont be fooled by what I do and think its all fun and games, just slapping a bit of makeup on and jumping in front of a camera. It really worries me those who think they can just become YouTube stars. Those kids whove done it seemingly by accident - they are one in 100 million. HSC marker advice: Visual Arts Wendy Shearer, Head Teacher Visual Arts, Knox Grammar School Wendy Shearer is the head teacher of Visual Arts at Knox Grammar School. I love teaching Visual Arts because it rewards innovation, creativity and autonomy. The subject offers students opportunities for personal expression, reflection and connection with the contemporary world around them. Students are assessed on their artmaking in the body of work and on their critical and historical understanding of art in the written exam. A markers top dos and donts Body of Work Consider the technical and material refinement to make sure they link to your concept and the course content areas. Carefully document your processes and acknowledge all your sources in the Visual Arts Process Diary. Consult the syllabus and assessment and reporting documents regarding the practical exam and marking requirements such as exclusions, dimensions, guidelines for digital devices and files submission. A heroic father has died trying to save his twin two-year-old girls as their pram rolled into the path of an oncoming train at a Sydney station on Sunday afternoon. One of the twin girls died when their pram was hit by the train at Carlton station in the citys south, but the other miraculously survived. The 40-year-old man, his wife and their two-year-old twins had stepped out of the lift onto the platform at 12.30, police said. As theyve gotten out of the lift, theyve taken their hands off the handle for a very, very short time, and whether its a gust of wind ... it appears the pram has instantly started to roll in the direction of the train lines, Superintendent Paul Dunstan told reporters. A man is suing Sydney Eye Hospital over a routine procedure he says caused his eye to erupt like a balloon full of water, leaving him screaming, crying and ultimately blind in one eye. Giovanni Busa, from Padstow in Sydneys south-west, went to the hospitals emergency department in April 2015 complaining of pain in his left eye, five days after a procedure to remove the synthetic oil inserted during retina reattachment surgery four months prior. Giovanni Busa says he has spent more than $300,000 on medical and legal costs. I have to see justice, he says. Credit: Nikki Short Doctors told him they needed to do a tap and inject procedure to treat a suspected infection. Busa said he counted seven injections into his eye. On the eighth, he said his eye erupted in unbearable pain. An Anglican girls school in the western suburbs arguably achieved Brisbanes best year 12 results last year but bringing you this information was no small feat. While NSW and Victoria release individual school ATAR data, Queensland stopped publishing its report of results in 2021, when the state switched from OPs to ATARs. Private tutoring company Art of Smart has since embarked on a mammoth task, recruiting a data specialist to scrape publicly available data for every Greater Brisbane schools 2023 ATAR results. This data is internally verified, and analysed by a statistician. St Aidans principal Toni Riordan says when girls leave the non-selective Brisbane school, they feel confident to lead. Art of Smart compared each schools cohort to the QTAC ATAR distribution report, to work out how the school performed compared with the states average. On January 2, 1912, explorer Belgrave Ninnis wrote an upbeat message on a postcard sent from the shores of Antarctica. Having [a] famous time, and have discovered a new land, and [a] splendid ice barrier, Ninnis wrote to a friend in London, Major W. Baird. Please remember me to Mrs Baird. Its a different world, says relic collector Tony Shields of the conditions of early Antarctic exploration. Credit: Simon Schluter The jauntiness of the note, postmarked from the steam yacht Aurora, belied the extreme dangers. That December, Ninnis died when he and his team of sled dogs fell down a crevasse while on an expedition into the wilderness. There was no rescue team. Imagine you were asked to design the ultimate picturesque European town. You might think of church spires and pastel-coloured houses, medieval arcades and cafe terraces, which youd arrange around cobbled squares and along winding alleys. Youd add a market for good measure, then top everything off with a castle so castle-like it would win a kindergarten drawing competition. Annecy: The most beautiful town in France. Credit: Getty Images But then if you draped it in flowers, placed it along a pellucid river and lake, and popped snowy mountains in the background, youd be accused of overkill. And if you sent out seven swans a-swimming through it all, your design would have strayed into improbable Hallmark schmaltz. And yet, Annecy is real. A featureless and grubby modern town off to one side tones down the saccharine. The high-summer tourist crush can be appalling, just to remind you that perfection comes at a price. But even so, Annecy is the prettiest place, set amid one of the prettiest landscapes you can imagine. In their private strategy sessions leading up to last months debate, US President Joe Biden and his advisers homed in on what they saw as one of their most effective political messages against Donald Trump the administrations success capping drug prices for millions of seniors, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the preparations. But during the June 27 debate, Biden spent an excruciating 10 seconds searching for the words to explain what his administration had done to lower seniors prescription drug costs, before abruptly telling the 51 million viewers: We finally beat Medicare. (The president appeared to be trying to say that he had finally defeated the drug companies that had long resisted letting the government negotiate the prices that Medicare paid.) US President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the NAACP National Convention. Credit: New York Times The gaffe represented just one example of a pattern that is fuelling the effort to push Biden aside as the Democratic Partys nominee. Congressional Democrats and the administration believe Biden has major accomplishments to tout and ambitious policy ideas for the next four years. And yet Bidens intensifying struggles in recent weeks to describe those policies on abortion, housing, child benefits and more have cast doubt over his effectiveness as the partys leading messenger, even beyond the Democratic angst about the debate. Its pretty obvious why Democrats are intensely frustrated: they believe they have strong affirmative arguments to make, both in defence of what the administration has done but also what they propose to do but its being totally overshadowed by Bidens inability to articulate those arguments, said Bill Galston, who served as a senior aide during Bill Clintons administration. Prominent Democrat Pete Buttigieg has pledged to help US Vice President Kamala Harris win the election in November and described President Joe Biden as among the best and most consequential presidents. The Transport Secretary on Sunday tweeted that Americans were much better off because of Bidens leadership and accomplishments. Buttigieg said on social media platform X that Harris was the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as President. I have seen her extraordinary leadership firsthand, working closely with her during the 2020 campaign and then in the historically effective Biden-Harris administration. I will do all that I can to help her win this election to lead America forward as our next President. US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has backed Kamala Harris. . Credit: Bloomberg Buttigieg recently described Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance as someone who said whatever he needed to get ahead, and likened him to Mike Pence, who served as Trumps vice president. I actually watched this exact same process with somebody else I got to know in my days in the Midwest, which is my former governor Mike Pence, who I watched start out as an evangelical Christian who cared about rectitude, family values, and then get on board with a guy [Trump] who was mixed up with a porn star, make excuses for him, so he could have power. And he did: he got four glorious years, I guess, as vice president of the United States, Buttigieg told TV host Bill Maher. And it ended on the west front of the Capital with Trump supporters proposing that he be hanged for using the one shred of integrity he still had to stand up to an attempt to overthrow the government. So I guess maybe not as a politician but as a human being, what Ill say is that I hope things work out better for J.D. Vance than it did for Mike Pence. The video game industry is on the cusp of a turnaround after a tumultuous few years that saw sales come back down to earth from the lofty heights they reached during the early days of the pandemic. And things should only get better in 2025, as Nintendo (NTDOY) prepares to launch a follow-up to its outrageously successful Switch console and Take-Two (TTWO) readies for the release of its highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI. I would say that the games industry overall is poised for an upswing, former Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aime told Yahoo Finance. Just this past month, late last month, there were a number of game announcements across the industry that consumers reacted really well to, said Fils-Aime. These are new games coming later this year. It's games that are coming in 2025. There's new platforms coming, namely from Nintendo, as well as rumors of an adaptation to the [PlayStation 5] coming. So there are a lot of positive things that signal that we've essentially gone through the trough for the video game industry, and now we're poised for an upswing. Take-Two's "Grand Theft Auto VI" is expected to be a strong catalyst for the game industry's recovery in 2025. (Chris Delmas /AFP via Getty Images) (CHRIS DELMAS via Getty Images) The video game market experienced a boom during the beginning of the pandemic, as consumers around the world retreated to their homes with little to do but play video games and stream shows and movies. According to IDC, global mobile game revenue shot up 32.8% to $99.9 billion in 2020, while digital PC and Mac game spending jumped 7.4% to $35.6 billion. Home console game spending, meanwhile, soared 33.9% to $42.9 billion. But that growth declined quickly in the following years. Mobile gaming revenue grew just 15% in 2021 before declining 3.3% in 2022 and 3.7% in 2023. PC and Mac game sales climbed again in 2021 by 8.7% but fell 1.4% in 2022, though the segment experienced a slight uptick of 2.1% in 2023. And after rocketing in 2020, console game spending stalled out in 2021, with growth sitting at 0.7%, before revenue declined 3.4% in 2022. It did, however, return to growth in 2023. Those 2020 console sales were also buoyed by the launches of Sonys (SONY) PlayStation 5 and Microsofts (MSFT) Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. But system sales struggled due to the supply chain crisis at the time, hindering growth. Nintendo is expected to launch the successor to its popular Switch console in 2025. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images) (CFOTO via Getty Images) You had significant investment leading into the launch of new machines by Microsoft and by Sony. You had essentially free money, Fils-Aime explained. So game developers were creating a plethora of content and, candidly, some content that probably shouldn't have been created that hit the marketplace. And it, candidly, just didn't do very well in 2023. So the market contracted. Story continues Those declines also led to industrywide mass layoffs, with thousands of workers losing their jobs as companies ranging from Microsoft and Sony to Riot and Unity (U) cut positions. And the layoffs havent stopped in 2024, with EA (EA) laying off some 5% of its workforce and Sega cutting 240 jobs. But the downturn should be coming to an end. I think we're through the worst of it, explained Mat Piscatella, executive director and video game industry adviser at Circana. Mobile has really been carrying the load the first half of the year and is the biggest reason why the overall content spending numbers have remained as strong as they have. Through the end of May, 2024 content spending on mobile gaming in the U.S. has grown 12% compared to a year ago. The PC, Cloud and Non-Console VR segment in the U.S. has also performed well, with spending also gaining 12% through the end of May compared to last year, Piscatella added. The home console market, however, has continued to struggle, though its expected to get reinforcements with fall game releases and the next-generation Nintendo console next year, not to mention a burgeoning handheld market led by Valves Steam Deck portable system. And while growth is unlikely to be as wild as it was at the onset of the pandemic, it should still provide relief for the industry overall. Subscribe to the Yahoo Finance Tech newsletter. (Yahoo Finance) Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Donald Trumps White House doctor has shared new details about the bullet wound that the former president sustained on his right ear during the July 13 assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In a letter that Trump shared on his social media site, Truth Social, Texas Representative Ronny Jackson wrote that the bullet had pierced part of the cartilage of the former presidents ear, creating a wound two centimetres wide. A smaller bandage on former president Donald Trumps ear when he attended a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday (US time). Credit: AP Jackson said the wound had at first caused significant bleeding and marked swelling of the entire upper ear. It had not required stitches, he wrote, adding that the wound was healing properly but still needed to be dressed because of intermittent bleeding. The bullet passed, coming less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear, Jackson wrote. Will anyone challenge Harris? Even before Biden announced his decision, Democrats floated California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as potential contenders in addition to Harris. Yet some Democrats argued publicly, and many privately, that it would be a no-brainer to elevate the first woman, first Black woman and first person of south Asian descent to hold national office. Gavin Newsom speaks during an interview in the spin room before a presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump in Atlanta. Credit: AP Given how important Black voters - and Black women especially - were to Bidens nomination and his choice of Harris as running mate, it would be risky, to say the least, for Democrats to pass her over for a white nominee. Democrats already faced historical headwinds before Bidens withdrawal. Newsom and Whitmer, both of whom are white, and any other Democrat would also have to weigh the short-term and long-term benefits of challenging Harris now versus preserving goodwill for a future presidential primary. So far, both have endorsed Harris and have given no indication they will run. Yet, fair or not, Harris also has not been viewed as an especially beloved or empowered vice president. The best scenario for her and Democrats is to quickly shore up support and project a united front. Democrats could even go forward with their plans for an early virtual vote a move theyd planned to make sure Biden was selected ahead of Ohios general election ballot deadline. How will a vice presidential nomination work? The vice presidential nomination is always a separate convention vote. In routine years, the convention ratifies the choice of the nominee. If Harris closes ranks quickly, she could name her choice and have the delegates ratify it. In an extended fight, though, the vice presidency could become part of horse-trading again, a return to conventions of an earlier era. Who could Harris choose? These are some of the top people being discussed, provided they dont seek the presidential nomination themselves, according to people familiar with internal policy discussions. Andy Beshear, Governor, Kentucky Beshear has carved a successful political career in a heavily Republican state that voted for Republican Donald Trump by a margin of more than 25 percentage points in 2020. Beshear has touted his record of bringing jobs to Kentucky, supporting public education and expanding healthcare access. As governor, he has vetoed legislation banning abortions and gender-affirming care for transgender youth, although the vetoes were overridden by the Republican-dominated legislature. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshears stock has risen dramatically in recent months. Credit: AP Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg built a strong fan base among Democratic Party voters during his 2020 primary run against both Biden and Harris, winning the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus. Seen as a polished defender of Biden policies, Buttigieg later endorsed Biden and was picked to join the incoming administrations Cabinet in 2021. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor also has deep ties in Michigan, a critical state for Democrats in November. Roy Cooper, Governor, North Carolina Cooper has won praise from Democrats for his strong focus on economic development and his ability to win relatively strong approval ratings in a politically competitive state that leans Republican and voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Credit: AP Mark Kelly, Senator, Arizona Kelly is well-liked among Democratic Party elites for striking a relatively moderate tone in a hotly contested state that traditionally has favoured Republicans, but which Biden won in 2020. A former US Navy captain and astronaut, Kelly is also the husband of former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a 2011 shooting. Gun violence is a major campaign issue for Democrats. Josh Shapiro, Governor, Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvanias governor, took office just last year but is already seen as a rising star for the party nationally. Trained as a lawyer, Shapiro served as the states attorney general, a legal background that is similar to Harris own as a prosecutor. He has a long history of winning elections against Republicans in a state that Democrats believe they must win to secure the election in November. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Credit: AP J.B. Pritzker, Governor, Illinois The billionaire has proven a major force in the party, tapping his own financial resources linked to Hyatt Hotels to help Bidens campaign effort and to stand up the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. While Illinois leans heavily Democratic, neighbouring Wisconsin is one of the biggest prizes in the 2024 election. Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, Michigan Whitmer has built a strong base in the closely contested state of Michigan, running on a platform of straight talk and kitchen-table issues. She attracted Bidens attention in 2020, being vetted as a possible running mate before Biden picked Harris. She was a top supporter of and spokesperson for Bidens reelection bid. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is one of the potential challengers for the Democratic presidential nomination. Credit: AP A Harris-Whitmer ticket would be the first all-woman ticket for a major US political party - a potential bonus in an election where womens reproductive rights are a top issue. What happens to Bidens campaign money? Bidens campaign recently reported $US91 million cash on hand. Allied Democratic campaign committees brought the total at his disposal to more than $US240 million. Campaign finance experts agree generally that Harris could control all those funds since the campaign was set up in her name as well as Bidens. Loading If Democrats do nominate someone other than Harris, party accounts could still benefit the nominee, but the Biden-Harris account would have more restrictions. For example, legal experts say it could become an independent expenditure political action committee but not simply transfer its balance to a different nominee. Can Republicans keep Harris off state ballots? Any curveball during a US presidential campaign is certain to produce a flurry of state and federal lawsuits in this hyper-partisan era, and some conservatives have threatened just that. Loading State laws, though, typically do not prescribe how parties choose their nominees for president. And some GOP figures Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey have worked already this year to ensure their party did not deny Democrats routine ballot access. AP, Reuters Market forces rained on the parade of Helvetia Holding AG (VTX:HELN) shareholders today, when the analysts downgraded their forecasts for this year. Revenue estimates were cut sharply as analysts signalled a weaker outlook - perhaps a sign that investors should temper their expectations as well. After the downgrade, the consensus from Helvetia Holding's three analysts is for revenues of CHF8.8b in 2024, which would reflect a discernible 4.3% decline in sales compared to the last year of performance. Per-share earnings are expected to bounce 71% to CHF8.95. Before this latest update, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of CHF10b and earnings per share (EPS) of CHF8.95 in 2024. Indeed we can see that the consensus opinion has undergone some fundamental changes following the recent consensus updates, with a substantial drop in revenues and some minor tweaks to earnings numbers. See our latest analysis for Helvetia Holding 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 sales are expected to reverse, with a forecast 4.3% annualised revenue decline to the end of 2024. That is a notable change from historical growth of 0.6% over the last five years. Compare this with our data, which suggests that other companies in the same industry are, in aggregate, expected to see their revenue grow 4.7% per year. So although its revenues are forecast to shrink, this cloud does not come with a silver lining - Helvetia Holding is expected to lag the wider industry. The Bottom Line The most obvious conclusion from this consensus update is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with analysts holding earnings per share steady, in line with previous estimates. Unfortunately analysts also downgraded their revenue estimates, and industry data suggests that Helvetia Holding's revenues are expected to grow slower than the wider market. Often, one downgrade can set off a daisy-chain of cuts, especially if an industry is in decline. So we wouldn't be surprised if the market became a lot more cautious on Helvetia Holding after today. With that said, the long-term trajectory of the company's earnings is a lot more important than next year. We have estimates - from multiple Helvetia Holding analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here. Another way to search for interesting companies that could be reaching an inflection point is to track whether management are buying or selling, with our free list of growing companies backed by insiders. Story continues Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com 25 years The fruitful strategicjourney since Kargil By VIJAY PHANSHIKAR : The situation in July 1999 Nawaz Sharif visited China to obtain support for a cease fire. Later, prompted by Musharraf, he met US President Clinton in Washington DC on 4 July. That morning, Tiger Hill had been captured before their meeting was held. Nawaz Sharif requested Clinton to intervene or persuade India to pull back troops from the remaining areas on our side. Our operations, however continued. By 10 July, Pakistanis had been evicted from most of Batalik and Ras, and some areas of Kaksar. In Mushkoh, 50 Para Bde was poised for mopping up. Vice Admiral Khattak (Retd) of the Pakistan Navy in his paper Investigating Kargil has written, During much of the eight weeks preceding the 4 July meeting in Washington, we had looked helplessly at TV images of pinpoint artillery shoots and resultant instant pulverisation of some of the nations bravest sons on such a mountainous salient in the war zone as Point 5140 (Batalik), Three Pimples (Dras) and Tiger Hill. ... - Excerpt from the classic analysis of the Kargil conflict by General Ved Prakash Malik, the then Chief of Staff of the Indian Army (appearing in Gyan Chakra on Indias Military Strategy -- Journal 2023). The committee had overwhelming evidence that the Pakistani armed intrusion in the Kargil sector came as a complete and total surprise to the Indian Government, Army, Intelligence agencies as well to the J&K State Government and even its agencies. No agency or individual had been able to realise before the event the possibility of such a large scale Pakistani intrusion. ... - Excerpt from the Kargil Review Committee Report TIME it is to connect the two dots -- going back in time, so as to understand what Kargil conflict should mean to India and how the countrys security thought-process has been redefined or reinvented by master-minds in the past quarter of a century. There may still be many a lacunae in the exercise, as experts may point out. Yet, the overall forward stride India has made since then is remarkable in every which the sense. Time it is, therefore, to celebrate that fluid dynamism demonstrated by Indias strategic brains, and time also it is to cerebrate how to go forward from here. Even in 1999 when Kargil intrusion took place, India responded with a stunning smartness -- which the statement of Vice Admiral Khattak of the Pakistan Navy indicates (as quoted by General V.P. Malik). Of course, as the Kargil Review Committee Report asserts, the country was taken fully by surprise by the intrusion. Yet, the manner in which India responded was something that pushed the world into a bowl of surprises. In a remarkably short time, overcoming whatever lacunae in the system, the Indian Armed Forces responded to throw the intruding Pakistanis out. By now, the nation has known the full account of what actually happened in the summer of 1999 within just a few weeks after the Lahore Declaration by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Facts have established beyond doubt that Pakistan indulged in one of its worst misadventures when some of its top military brains cooked the Kargil conspiracy. True, India recovered from the surprise quickly and responded in a befitting manner. But the Indian response did not stop there. The countrys strategic brains and its national leadership learned quick and deep lessons from Kargil -- and recalibrated their thought and action to suit the changing strategic needs as per emerging threat perceptions. Judging by the cumulative response India offered at that moment and in later years, there is reason for us to (sort of) thank Pakistan for that misadventure. For, now India is extremely well prepared not just for that kind of sly intrusion, but for any kind of hostility by any enemy. Learning from the Kargil experience, India has moved to have a Chief of Defence Service (CDS) to offer an integrated command to the cumulative military strength of the country. The concept of integrated command is far different from what many military brains describe as jointness of action, so to say. And to top it all, the Indian strategic masterminds have adopted the concept of Theatre Command not just in the territorial domain but at the apex of the military pyramid. Very easily can anybody now say that India has moved forward from Kargil in a manner whose detail is beyond easy fathoming. Back then in post-Kargil time, Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto later said in sheer exasperation: Kargil was the biggest blunder in the history of Pakistan. She knew what Kargil did to Pakistan by way of damage ... ... and what it will do to India by way of future advantage. Pakistan has paid dearly for that blunder -- and will keep paying all the time. For, India subjected its strategic consideration to a paradigm shift of a futuristic kind. India altered its idea of any military confrontation -- and expanded its scope to domains that had never crossed the Indian thought-process before. That is exactly why everybody who understands national security can say, We are best prepared for any kind of security challenge. And everybody includes those who fought in the Kargil War or those who later were part of the Kargil Review Committee. Slowly but surely, Indias security diction changed post-Kargil. Indias concept of future war, too, changed after that. And even when many soldiers of repute -- current or veteran -- say that Pakistan would never rectify its stilted thought-process and that many Kargillike instances may happen even now onwards. Yet, the countrys preparedness has moved into the real-time zone. In other words, Indias response to any Pakistani misadventure would be absolutely immediate -- real-time ! Twenty-five years ago, when Kargil happened, General V.P. Malik, then the chief of the Indian Army, was travelling abroad. On his return, he moved quickly to spearhead the response. The whole security apparatus moved -- in complete alignment with the political establishment led by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. That story is too well known to be told again in full detail. Suffice, therefore, it is to glean the right lesson from the experience -- which most fortunately India has done. For General Malik, however, Kargil had some other meaning as well. For, on September 30, 1997 when General Malik took over as the Army chief from General Shankar Roychowdhury, and went home to join his wife on their 29th wedding anniversary, he got a call from the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) informing him of the very heavy shelling of the Kargil town by the Pakistanis -- claiming several civilian casualties and damage to property. The new chief approved a suggestion by the top brass of the Northern Command that Pakistani guns be hit the next morning in retaliation. Kargil, thus, got entwined with General Maliks career as Army chief. This is not just an anecdotal detail, however. For, it indicates how Pakistan had been viewing Kargil as a starting point of its exercise to gain back Siachen whose heights India occupied. The Pakistani military brains treated Kargil as a critical point from where Paki Army could choke Indias National highway 1A and later claim Siachen back through pointed and concerted military action. In other words, preparations for what happened later in Kargil were afoot even on the day General Malik took over as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) well over one and a half years earlier. Even as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee travelled to Lahore by bus, the sly build up of Pakistani personnel in Kargil heights had been going on for months -- complete with artillery deployment and ordnance and other supplies having been stocked up right there for operations that could take long. The only big mistake in the Pakistani calculations were that its military brains did not anticipate a very quick and well-organised Indian response once the intrusion came to notice. True, initial days were really tough for the Indian soldiers as they fought not just the enemy perched in safe heights but also a very hostile terrain. Indian leadership -- military as well as political -- was smart enough to enlist the support of the Air and Naval Forces as well, thus getting ready for a bigger confrontation if needed. To sound politically right, India did declare to the world that its Forces would never cross the international border while fending off the Pakistani intruders. But on the sly, it was fully ready to do so as a strategic and tactical need. And soon, the Pakistanis were on the run -- as indicated from the hapless statement of Vice Admiral Khattak of the Pakistan Navy at that time. India scored a decisive victory -- and went on to start reshaping its strategic doctrine to suit all future challenges. That process still goes on, and will go on until India achieves a greater degree of self-reliance in defence production and operational superiority not just against Pakistan but also against China. For, what India now sees as complete strategic preparedness is a concept of the complete security eco-system. General Malik captures this idea in apt words in the Preface to his 2006 book -- Kargil -- From Surprise To Victory: When a soldier goes out to perform his duty, he sublimates his individuality into that of his organisation. He works in unison with his fellow-soldiers, trusting them completely. He strives to accomplish his mission whatever be the consequences -- even if it means sacrificing his own life. ... ! The total strategic thought, thus, has that soldier in focus -- to offer him a comprehensive eco-system of thought and action aided by whatever is needed by way of technology and technique -- standing on deep, futuristic thinking. Twenty-five years ago, Kargil experience sparked that effort. Twenty-five years since Kargil, that effort has assumed a sensible shape. Twenty-five years hence, the effort will be still on -- with equal, unmitigated intensity. This is the essence of the metaphor called Kargil. Four members of Indian family killed in Kuwait fire DUBAI/KUWAIT CITY : IN A tragic incident, an Indian couple and their two children were killed in a fire that broke out in their flat in Kuwait City, local authorities said on Saturday. The tragedy happened on Friday night, the same day they returned from Kerala after vacation. Mathews Mulackal, his wife Lini Abraham, and their two children, all hailing from Neerattupuram in Alappuzha, suffocated to death on Friday night due to the fire caused by a short circuit in the air conditioner at around 8 pm in their second-floor flat in Abbasiya area, The Arab Times newspaper reported. Microsoft outage Crowd Strike explainswhat exactly went wrong NEW DELHI : AS MILLIONS of Windows computers were left crippled for hours, disrupting the services of airlines, banks, hospitals and stock exchanges worldwide, cyber-security platform CrowdStrike on Saturday tried to explain what actually went wrong at their end. According to the company which provides third-party security updates to the Satya Nadella-run tech giant, on July 19, at 9.30 am (India time), it released a sensor configuration update to Windows systems. Sensor configuration updates are an ongoing part of the protection mechanisms of the Falcon platform. This configuration update triggered a logic error resulting in a system crash and blue screen (BSOD) on impacted systems, said CrowdStrike. In a technical blog, the company said the sensor configuration update that caused the system crash was remediated at around 10.57 a.m. This issue is not the result of or related to a cyberattack, it said. Millions of customers running Falcon sensor for Windows version 7.11 and above that were online were impacted. Systems running Falcon sensor for Windows 7.11 and above that downloaded the updated configuration from 9.30 am to 10.57 a.m. -- were susceptible to a system crash, the company said. According to it, this is not a new process and the architecture has been in place since Falcons inception. The update that occurred at 9.30 am was designed to target newly-observed, malicious named pipes being used by common C2 frameworks in cyberattacks. The configuration update triggered a logic error that resulted in an operating system crash. CrowdStrike has corrected the logic error by updating the content in Channel File 291. No additional changes to Channel File 291 beyond the updated logic will be deployed. Falcon is still evaluating and protecting against the abuse of named pipes, the company explained. Systems that are not currently impacted will continue to operate as expected, continue to provide protection, and have no risk of experiencing this event in the future. Airline systems across airports working normally: Minister: AIRLINE systems across airports, which were impacted due to a global IT outage on Friday, have started working normally, and all issues are likely to be resolved by noon on Saturday, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said. The Ministry is constantly monitoring the operations at airports and airlines to ensure travel readjustments and refunds are taken care of, he added. NEET UG Results Announced NEW DELHI : THE National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday announced the centre and city-wise results for medical entrance exam NEET-UG, which is under the scanner over alleged irregularities. The results, which were initially announced on June 5, have been published in this format following an order of the Supreme Court, which is hearing several petitions about the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the examination, including paper leak. The examination was conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad, for more than 24 lakh candidates. The court had ordered that the results be announced while masking the identities of the aspirants, saying it wanted to ascertain whether candidates appearing at allegedly tainted centres secured more marks than those writing the exam elsewhere. The top court will resume hearing the arguments on July 22 on a batch of pleas seeking cancellation, re-test and a court-monitored probe into the allegations of malpractice in the prestigious exam. CBI nabs NIT graduate, 2 MBBS students in NEET-UG leak case: THE CBI Saturday arrested an NIT-Jamshedpur B.Tech graduate, one of the masterminds, in the NEET-UG paper leak case and two MBBS students who allegedly solved the exam papers for money, officials said. With the fresh arrests, the total number of people held so far by the agency in six cases related to the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam has now reached 21, they said. They said that the two MBBS students arrested on Saturday -- Kumar Mangalam Bishnoi (2nd year) and Deepender Sharma (1st year) -- are from a medical school in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, and they solved the exam papers stolen by Pankaj Kumar, an engineer, from an National Testing Agency trunk in Hazaribagh. The two solvers were present in Hazaribagh on May 5, the date the NEET-UG examination was conducted across the country. Amidst a backdrop of fluctuating global markets and heightened trade tensions, the Hong Kong stock market presents unique opportunities for investors focused on growth companies with high insider ownership. Such stocks often suggest a commitment from those who know the company best, aligning closely with investor interests especially in challenging economic climates. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Hong Kong Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth iDreamSky Technology Holdings (SEHK:1119) 20.2% 104.1% Pacific Textiles Holdings (SEHK:1382) 11.2% 37.7% Fenbi (SEHK:2469) 30.6% 43% Tian Tu Capital (SEHK:1973) 34% 70.5% Adicon Holdings (SEHK:9860) 22.4% 28.3% Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology (SEHK:9863) 15% 73.4% Zylox-Tonbridge Medical Technology (SEHK:2190) 18.7% 79.3% Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) (SEHK:2315) 13.9% 100.1% Beijing Airdoc Technology (SEHK:2251) 28.7% 83.9% Ocumension Therapeutics (SEHK:1477) 23.1% 93.7% Click here to see the full list of 54 stocks from our Fast Growing SEHK Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Here's a peek at a few of the choices from the screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Xiamen Yan Palace Bird's Nest Industry Co., Ltd. is involved in the research, development, production, and marketing of edible birds nest products in China, with a market capitalization of approximately HK$6.07 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue through multiple channels, including CN824.40 million from direct sales to online customers, CN509.04 million from sales to offline distributors, CN351.17 million from direct sales to offline customers, CN262.89 million from direct sales to e-commerce platforms, and CN16.75 million from sales to online distributors. Insider Ownership: 26.7% Earnings Growth Forecast: 14.8% p.a. Xiamen Yan Palace Bird's Nest Industry, a growth company in Hong Kong, shows promising financial trends with earnings forecasted to grow by 14.84% per year, outpacing the Hong Kong market average of 11.4%. Despite this, its revenue growth at 12.5% annually is below the high-growth benchmark of 20% but still exceeds the local market's 7.8%. The company maintains a robust projected Return on Equity at 27.3%, indicating efficient management and profitability. Recent activities include affirming dividends and amending corporate bylaws, reflecting stable governance and shareholder returns. Story continues SEHK:1497 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Techtronic Industries Company Limited, with a market cap of HK$177.57 billion, operates globally in designing, manufacturing, and marketing power tools, outdoor power equipment, and floorcare and cleaning products primarily in North America and Europe. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from its power equipment segment, which brought in $12.79 billion, and its floorcare and cleaning products segment, which contributed $0.97 billion. Insider Ownership: 25.4% Earnings Growth Forecast: 14.9% p.a. Techtronic Industries, a key player in Hong Kong's high insider ownership segment, recently initiated a share repurchase program to boost shareholder value, reflecting strong internal confidence. Despite leadership changes with CEO Joseph Galli Jr.'s resignation and Steven Richman's appointment, the company maintains robust growth forecasts. Expected earnings growth at 14.9% per year surpasses the local markets 11.4%, though revenue growth projections of 8.1% annually are modest compared to high-growth benchmarks but still outpace the market average of 7.8%. SEHK:669 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Adicon Holdings Limited, with a market cap of HK$6.78 billion, operates medical laboratories across the Peoples Republic of China. Operations: The company generates CN3.30 billion from its healthcare facilities and services segment. Insider Ownership: 22.4% Earnings Growth Forecast: 28.3% p.a. Adicon Holdings, a growth-oriented firm in Hong Kong with substantial insider ownership, is poised for significant earnings expansion at 28.33% annually, outpacing the local market's forecast of 11.4%. However, its profit margins have declined to 7.1% from last year's 14%. Recently, Adicon initiated a share repurchase program authorized by shareholders, signaling strong internal confidence and potential enhancement of shareholder value through increased net asset value or earnings per share. SEHK:9860 Ownership Breakdown as at Jul 2024 Where To Now? Click this link to deep-dive into the 54 companies within our Fast Growing SEHK Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Already own these companies? Bring clarity to your investment decisions by linking up your portfolio with Simply Wall St, where you can monitor all the vital signs of your stocks effortlessly. Simply Wall St is a revolutionary app designed for long-term stock investors, it's free and covers every market in the world. Ready For A Different Approach? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include SEHK:1497 SEHK:669 and SEHK:9860. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Azerbaijan is guilty of cultural genocide for destroying Christian sites in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and falsely claiming that Armenian religious presence there never existed, according to a report by a legal advocacy group. The European Centre for Law & Justice (ECLJ)s report lists eradication of churches, monasteries, khachkars [cross-stones] and other cultural artifacts that tell of the faith and culture of the Armenian people. Azerbaijan gained control of the majority of Nagorno after the Second Karabakh War, September 2020 to November 2020. Dozens of Armenian Christian heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh were destroyed, damaged, or closed to the public during that period, according to the June report, The Systematic Erasure of Armenian Christian Heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. There are now 500 sites under Azerbaijans control, with 6,000 Armenian monuments, the report states. Foreign observers are banned from the sites, but satellite surveillance has revealed the destruction. Churches damaged or destroyed, as listed in the report, include Meghretsots Holy Mother of God Church, the seventh-century Vankasar Church in Tigranakert, St. Johns Cathedral of the Mother of God in Stepanaker, and Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi, defaced with multiple religious symbols removed from the church, including the unique angels on the buildings gate, the domes of the church, and the cathedrals cross. Under the pretense of renovation, the Azerbaijani government vandalized the Surb Sargis Church, built in 1279 in Tsar village of Karvachar, according to the report. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Azerbaijani efforts to restore this church have taken the form of destroying religious symbols and enclosing the area from view via a large iron fence, the report states. Two historic polished stone slabs at the same church site, decorated with Christian artwork and Armenian language inscriptions, were smashed. Thus, this destruction has not only deprived Armenia of a unique piece of its heritage, but it has removed undeniable evidence of the Armenian origins of the church, the report states. Other incidents include the razing of an 18th century church building, St. Sargis of Hadrut in Mokhrenes, in March 2022, and the Azerbaijanis completely cleared the land and have begun building a new structure atop the grounds of the church. St. John the Baptist Church in Shushi revealed signs of Azerbaijani bomb damage in 2020, as shown in satellite imagery earlier this year (April 4), and the building was destroyed, according to the report. Satellite imagery on the same day also showed the desecration of Ghazanchetsots Cemetery in Shushi, with the Azerbaijani government from October 2023 systematically [destroying] the tombstones, which dated back to the 18th and 19th centuries. This cemetery is merely one of many, including the Mets Taher, Sghnakh, Sui Northern, and Yerevan Gates cemeteries, that have been destroyed, according to the report. Other cemeteries and sacred sites either destroyed or damaged include Ghuze Tagh Cemetery near Aknaghbyur, the Koha Sacred place, the cemetery near Vazgenashen, Ghazanchetsots Cemetery and Yerevan Gate cemeteries in Shushi. The ECLJ suspects that the St. Ascension (St. Hambardzum) Church in Berdzor, demolished and removed from the grounds, may become a mosque after Azerbaijan's Public Organization for the Protection of Monuments put forward a redevelopment proposal. Stones from ruined medieval Armenian church buildings and cemeteries were used to build the Zar and Chirag schools in the 1950s, the report states; these included Khachkar ornamental relief relics and inscribed stones that survived destruction by the former Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. The schools were looted and abandoned in the 1990s, but their structures remained intact, serving as a reminder of the enduring heritage of the Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh, noted the report. Between Oct. 5, 2023, and June 2, 2024, however, Azerbaijan razed both schools to the ground. Another act of destruction saw the removal of the Cross Memorial located on a hill near the city of Stepanakert. As a memorial to Armenian soldiers and a symbol of the nations Christian heritage, the 50-meter high cross had been the second tallest in Europe. Azerbaijani forces took down the cross last September. At the same time, to achieve complete cultural erasure, the report states, Azerbaijan has gone beyond merely destroying Armenian heritage. Azerbaijan is also denying it ever existed. The Azerbaijani government has falsely claimed the Armenian Christian sites are of Caucasian Albanian origin and the Armenians were never native to Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the report. Instead, Azerbaijan claims that when Russia gained control of the region in the 19th century, the great northern power facilitated a large- scale Armenian migration into the South Caucasus, the report states. Upon arriving in the region, Armenian clergy began to co-opt the ancient Caucasian Albanian churches by adding fraudulent Armenian inscriptions and modifying the architecture to appear Armenian. These claims are blatantly false, but they are also malicious, the ECLJ states, accusing the country of a revisionist history that attempts to strip ethnic Armenians, including the natives of Nagorno-Karabakh, of their heritage. It paints the Armenians as nothing more than intruders and pawns in Russias efforts to Christianize the region, the ECLJ states. Furthermore, by denying the Armenians centuries-old presence in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijanis attempt to excuse and even justify horrific acts of cultural erasure. An example was the Azerbaijani governments attempts to expel Armenian priests from the Dadivank Monastery under the false claim they had no ties to the Caucasian Albanian site, according to the report. Although the ECLJ welcomed international condemnation of the acts, it is clear the response thus far has been insufficient by other nations, and the destruction and denial of Armenias Christian heritage continues: A new approach must be adopted if the heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh is to be protected from total erasure. Home valuations on Zillow, Redfin, Chase are all over the map how these tools both help and hinder buyers Much like trying to predict the ever-changing weather forecast, pinpointing with accuracy the value of your home using an online estimator tool can be a futile undertaking. Despite all the data points crunched and algorithms used, the three biggies in the world of home valuation Zillow, Redfin, and mortgage giant Chase demonstrate so much disparity that you might think you were comparing a suburban McMansion to its humble tool shed out back. These sites typically use a combination of public and user-submitted data for its formula. However, there are plenty of discrepancies when using all three platforms. As a result, the most vital part of selling your home its value is ultimately up in the air. Its all a recipe for chaos on the homefront. To illustrate this point, we take a look at one specific listed property in Chicagos cozy Horner Park neighborhood. When home values are all over the map The home in question resides on North Mozart Street and was sold to its current owners for $750,000 in 2017. Built in 1915, the current estimated value of the renovated 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home has appreciated by at least 18%. Three home estimator tools agree on this much. Yet, one outlier says the property is actually worth less. On one end of the spectrum, Zillows Zestimate says the value is at $1,002,900 as of mid-July more than 40% above the 2017 purchase price. Meanwhile, Redfin pegs the estimated value at $942,976 during the same period. However, Chase arrives at a more conservative number: $881,800. It should be noted, though, that this estimate comes with a comprehensive neighborhood map with nearby home prices listed. Arguably the most accurate site, Realtor.com states the home is now valued at $877,300 as of mid-July. It partners with three different data companies to paint a more comprehensive picture although one of those companies, Collateral Analytics, reports the baffling low figure of $681,431. The accuracy of home value estimator tools has become such a topic of debate, in fact, that a group of Chicago homeowners once sued Zillow over their allegedly inaccurate estimates. Although the federal case was ultimately dismissed in 2017, homeowners were no doubt still left frustrated. So, why are there so many notable discrepancies between the estimator tools? According to real estate website Home Bay, different pricing models are responsible. Unfortunately, for buyers and sellers, the precise methodologies of Zillow and Redfin, for example, are kept under lock, key, and non-disclosure agreements, so no one except for Zillow and Redfin employees understands exactly how they work, according to Home Bay. Story continues Typically, though, estimators use local real estate databases and records for past sales, taxes and user-submitted data. Fluctuating home estimates The disparities may not amount to much in a more mellow housing market. However, 30-year mortgages are holding fast at a stratospheric 6.77% as of mid-July 2024, per the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis which is more than double the percentage listed in March 2022. Therefore, as homeowners with bargain loan rates hold onto their domiciles, inventory remains tight. According to Realtor.com, it only takes an average of 31 days for a Chicago home to sell, compared to 63 days back in December 2023. Therein lies a key issue: when homes sell that quickly, pinning down an estimated value gets tougher as sales prices spike no doubt a source of irritation for prospective buyers who discover the figures listed online are unreliable. Home value estimator tools also dont accommodate for how some sellers seize huge opportunities that elude the online tools such as taking into account major renovations or newly added nearby amenities, such as waterfront parks. For example, CNN reported on a Tacoma, Washington, home that had a Zestimate of $658,000. But when it went on the market, the home listed for $950,000 a whopping 42% above Zillows ballpark estimate. This was due largely to the renovated home interior and waterfront location. In addition, prospective sellers can, in fact, tweak estimates before their homes ever hit the market by updating property information. If you followed the story about the Tacoma home, youll know that its savvy to update appliances and make major renovations that can propel a homes value when you choose to list it. Family Handyman recommends a handful of home alterations that will increase its value, including upgrading light fixtures and replacing the garage door. According to Forbes, an inground pool, on average, can boost a homes value by a significant 7%. Leaving all the handiwork to the buyer, on the flip side, can sink the sales price below anything Zillow, Redfin, Chase, or any other similar online tool, could estimate. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Jcomp / Getty Images/iStockphoto While becoming a homeowner has been very difficult lately namely with soaring rates combined with high prices, which make for an arduous road owning a home can prove financially beneficial in the long run for a slew of reasons. Check Out: Im a Real Estate Agent: These 5 Florida Cities Are Becoming Unaffordable Read Next: Become a Real Estate Investor for Just $1K Using This Bezos-Backed Startup Indeed, as a new Realtor.com report noted, patience pays when reselling it. Not only does patience pay in certain housing markets across the country but it can pay even more. In May, median home price increased to $419,300, a 5.8% price jump in the past year the highest price ever recorded and the eleventh consecutive month of year-over-year price gains, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Existing Home Sales Report released June 21. Here are some of the housing markets with higher resale potential, according to experts. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Cleveland, Ohio-Philadelphia, Pa.-Rochester, N.Y.-Providence, R.I. According to Realtor.coms senior economist Ralph McLaughlin, the metros where sellers ask the most year-over-year are Cleveland, Philadelphia, Rochester and Providence. In these areas, sellers of existing (used) homes are 14.7%, 11.3%, 9.3% and 8.9% more than the same time last year, said McLaughlin. These are more affordable markers where higher asking prices wont necessarily break the bank of homebuyers. The Hudson Valley and Catskills region, N.Y. Angelica Ferguson VonDrak, a real estate broker in the Hudson Valley and Catskills region of New York, said this is a standout market with immense resale potential. And the bonus is the regions proximity to New York City. According to her, there has been a surge in demand post-pandemic as people seek the tranquility and beauty of these areas. Towns like Woodstock, Rhinebeck and Kingston offer a perfect mix of historic charm and modern amenities, making them highly attractive to a wide range of buyers, she said. In addition, she noted that the regions commitment to infrastructure and community development is another major draw and that the market there is remarkably stable. Unlike more volatile urban areas, properties in the Hudson Valley and Catskills consistently appreciate, with record-setting double-digit appreciation year-over-year, she said, adding that even in economic downturns like weve seen recently, homes here maintain their value well. I have multiple clients who have owned a home for about two years and sold for twice what they paid for it and thats not an isolated occurrence, its happening all over the region, and resale profits in the 50% range are commonplace, she added. Story continues Learn More: 7 Worst States To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents South Orange, Chatham Boro and Madison, N.J. Suzy Minken, a realtor with COMPASS said that these towns, which are near New York City and highly sought-after, have experienced significant price appreciation, based on the Minken Housing Index which estimates how real estate is trending in Northern New Jersey. The average sales price in 2024 based on the first half of the year has increased by 66.8% in South Orange, 51.1% in Chatham Boro and 46.0% in Madison in the past five years, she added. Minken said that drivers of the appreciation include the desirability factor. Buyers are choosing to live in these New Jersey towns because of the lifestyle offered, she said, adding that these have a vibrant downtown with great shops, restaurants and parks that make for easy strolling. And importantly, these towns are located on the New Jersey commuter train line into New York City, she said. Many potential buyers, who are working remotely or on a hybrid work schedule, want to be in close proximity to New York City. And a town that is on the commuter train line will encourage home buyer demand for years to come. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Housing Markets With The Highest Resale Potential, According To Real Estate Agents Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by suspected drug syndicates to smuggle in and out of Nigeria, consignments of Cocaine and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis concealed in incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves and ladies native wears through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, and some courier firms in Lagos. This was as the NDLEA officers seized some illicit shipments and arrested a number of suspects linked to them. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy for NDLEA, in a statement issued on Sunday, disclosed that a businessman, Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu, was, on Thursday 18th July, arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos residence after a consignment of 40 parcels of Loud weighing 20.30 kilograms hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker set, brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight was intercepted at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport during a joint examination of the cargo with men of Customs Service. A search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits including some drug paraphernalia, such as, weighing scale, and cannabis potency test kit, while four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki. A Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house, he said. Babafemi added that, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Friday 19th July intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan. The bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, both weighing 1.360kg. Further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Eze Queen Ogechi who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan on the instruction of her brother, Eze Nnamdi Promise based in the South Asia country. Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives attached to Terminal II, Departure Gate of the MMIA, on Thursday 18th July intercepted a male Beninese passenger, Orobi Adoubi Amen, travelling with a bag containing some female native dresses. The suspect was going to Dubai via Accra, Ghana on an Air Peace Airline flight and a connecting flight to Dubai, UAE on Emirates Airline. A thorough search of the bag revealed eight parcels of Loud weighing 2.10kg were concealed in the ladies native wears. The suspect claimed he was given the consignment for a fee of N600,000 on successful delivery in Dubai. Not less than 4.5kg of the same substance concealed inside the door panels and boot of an imported Toyota RAV 4 vehicle was on Sunday 14th July recovered from a container marked MSDU 5656394 from Canada during a 100% search of the container at Tincan port in Lagos. Two suspects: Dada Kole and Alaba Oladewusi have been arrested in connection with the seizure. Meanwhile, a 48-year-old one legged man, Amadu Garba was arrested by NDLEA operatives in his house at Yawuri town, Kebbi State with six bags of cannabis weighing 67kg on Tuesday 16th July. In Abuja, two suspects: 60-year-old Ademola Elusakin and 34-year-old Nuhu Friday Adamu were arrested by NDLEA operatives on Monday 15th July with 30.0kg of the same psychoactive substance along Kwali-Gwagwalada-Abuja expressway on their way from Lagos to Nasarawa state. Elusakin claimed he procured the consignment from Ghana via Lagos with Keffi, Nasarawa state as his final destination, where they were to supply illegal miners operating in the area. At least, 305 blocks of cannabis weighing 152.5kg were recovered from a suspect, Sale Bukar, 39, who was arrested at Geidam in Yobe state on Sunday 14th July while taking the illicit consignment to Diffa, in Niger Republic. While a suspect: Aham Regal Chinemeze, 43, was nabbed on Thursday 18th July with 60kg of same substance along Owerri - Onitsha expressway, Imo state, Adamu Abdullahi, 24, was arrested with 40.500kg on Wednesday 17th July along Obajana -Kabba expressway, Kogi state. The consignment was recovered from him in a commercial bus coming from Lagos enroute Kano. In Plateau state, a raid on the storehouse of a notorious drug dealer, Choji Gyang (aka Pararam) who is currently at large, at Rukuba road, Jos led to the recovery of 34 bags of cannabis weighing 312kg while his manager, Kelvin Onwutalu, 43, was arrested. Two suspects: Ifabiyi Johnson, 27, and Adeleke Musiliu, 54, were on Friday 19th July arrested with different strains of cannabis sativa weighing 30.4kg during a raid in Osogbo, Osun state. In Jigawa state, the trio of Tukur Yahaya, 55; Idris Haruna, 28; and Tanimu Umar, 29, were nabbed with 90 blocks of cannabis weighing 116.8kg at Roni junction, Kazaure LGA, on Friday 19th July while on their way to supply the illicit drugs to their customers in Kazaure, Yankwashi and Katsina state. Similarly, the duo of Ibrahim Abdulkadir, 29, and Suleman Mohammed, 22, were arrested with 336 bottles of codeine syrup at Amingo, Kaduna, while Auwalu Hashimu, 35, was nabbed with 45 kilograms of cannabis along Zaria- Kano highway. Acting on credible intelligence, a team of NDLEA operatives backed by soldiers raided a mechanic workshop opposite Benin garage, Akure, Ondo state where they recovered a white Toyota Hilux Van with registration number EE 328 EKY loaded with 652 parcels of cannabis weighing 685kg. In Nasarawa state, 38kg of the same psychoactive substance and a locally made AK-47 rifle were recovered from the home of a suspect, Christopher Ombugadu, 32, in Akwanga during a raid on Sunday 14th July. Carl Guidotti spent $13 for a large slice of pizza for Kaedyn Barnett Saturday and $13 for a Locked Up Lemonade for Kaedyn's mom as they listened to the band Uncured before taking a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory during the Inkcarceration music and tattoo festival. Kaedyn, 16, and her mom, Colleen Barnett, were provided an all-expenses paid experience through the F Cancer organization, which had a tent setup on the grounds of the Ohio State Reformatory. Kaedyn has a tumor on her heart and loves music, especially one band performing at the festival, Mushroomhead, and not even cancer was keeping her from the event. Colleen Barnett, who works in a glass factory in Dayton with Guidotti, said they were planning to come anyway but the F Cancer VIP treatment was much appreciated. "She was raised metal," Colleen Barnett said, sitting beneath an awning at a picnic table with Kaedyn. Both were attending the festival for their second time. "The chemo she is on doesn't affect her. She is so healthy. She's in the color guard and plays cello at her high school." Fans pack the grounds on Day 2 at the Inkcarceration music and tattoo festival on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. "Her doctor said no crowd surfing," Colleen Barnett added, making Guidotti's son Giovanni laugh. VIP passes even allowed the mother and daughter to go backstage Friday and meet the members of Mushroomhead. They were among the estimated 25,000 daily fans at the three-day festival contributing to the local economy by staying overnight in the Mansfield area, and dining, buying gas and purchasing goods and services at local businesses and at the festival. Indianapolis residents Ryan Hutchinson and Hannah Woodward spent the weekend camping at the fairgrounds. Hutchinson made the trip for the fourth time. Woodward experienced her first Inkcarceration. The couple said they have enjoyed eating so much food at the event chicken on a stick, spicy pizza, pulled pork and mac & cheese all three days, and the latter food choices cost about $15 each. Hutchinson said he has decided to stop putting things off and making excuses and "just go," which led the couple to Mansfield. Woodward said she couldn't wait to go tour the prison, known for films including, "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Air Force One." "I love the prison," Hutchinson said, saying he has taken various prison tours to see every part of the historic building. Inkcarceration/Danny Wimmer Presents' general manager big fan of OSR Since 2021, Inkcarceration has brought in $10 million annually in economic impact to Mansfield and Richland County. Cumulatively since the festivals inception in 2018, the event has brought over $50 million to Mansfield, according to Inkcarceration officials. Chamie McCurry, general manager for Danny Wimmer Presents in partnership with Dan Janssen/Re-Incarceration, in late June said the festival site build began after the Fourth of July with teams rolling in July 8 for stage builds and deliveries. Story continues The organizers have been going full steam since July 16, working 18-hour days to make sure everything was set up properly, she said. "What makes Inkcarceration so incredibly special is the historic backdrop we have with the Ohio State Reformatory," McCurry said. "It is a destination for people to visit, there's so much history and so many stories, so many movies, videos. That is what, first and foremost, that separates this event. And it is just such a gorgeous background that we leaned into." Rock music and tattoos filled the grounds at the Ohio State Reformatory on the opening day of the 2024 Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival. This year, tours of the prison-turned-museum is part of the festival experience at no additional cost to fans, including the Haunted Blood Prison Tour. "When you just combine the amazing lineup with the beautiful, historic reformatory, with the haunted tours, with the tattoo convention, it really makes it an event unlike anything in the United States," she said. "That's why we have fans that come from from all over the country to experience Inkcarceration." 2023: Ohio State Reformatory, made famous by 'Shawshank,' serves as backdrop of Inkcarceration Passes are sold to visitors from every state and 10 countries, McCurry said. "We're incredibly proud of the $10 million annually that it provides back to the city," she said. "That wouldn't be possible to continue to grow this event without the hospitality and all the work that all the locals do to prepare (for) the influx of tourists coming in. We know that can be disruptive at some point, but it's so good to be able to showcase Mansfield in this way to people from all over the country. We're so thankful for the hospitality and all the hard work that goes outside of the festival but is being done locally to welcome all these fans." Festivalgoers arrived early Saturday even though gates opened at 11 a.m. Carl Slaten, 31, of Cleveland, was making his first trip to Inkcarceration with a group of six other family members and friends. Slaten said he was excited about going to the mosh pit and hearing the bands. He was here for one day only and said the $170 ticket would be worth it. He said the event was extra-special because his friend Ryan Weldon of Cleveland and his fiancee, Brittany DiSiena, were celebrating Weldon's bachelor's party. The couple will wed Aug. 24. Darrell Strohmenger and his girlfriend Marissa Mobech of Pennsylvania came to Inkcarceration last year too. "We're going to hang out with some good friends and listen to some good music," Mobech said, adding she likes almost every band at the venue all three days. Mobech's dad lives in Columbus so they are just spending money on gas and $350 each for a ticket and everything they want inside. "We're thinking about it," she said, in response to whether or not they will get tattoos. "Depends on whether or not we can do a walk-in." Dusty Minton and Amanda Jones of Heath said they were coming each day and staying in a hotel downtown Mansfield for three nights. They are big music fans and loved going to Legend Valley, south of Newark. They planned to enjoy Godsmack, I Prevail, SevenDust and every band,. "Godsmack is my band," Jones said. They planned to get T-shirts and some adult beverages but no tattoos. "We initially came here when it was called Ink in the Clink," Minton said. He and his late wife, Millie, came to the event. "This is our tradition, her memorial week. She died three years ago July 19," Minton said. Brendan Schenk and his son Wyatt, a college student, drove to Mansfield from North Carolina and are staying at a hotel in Bucyrus. His favorite band at the event is SevenDust. It is their first time at the festival. Brendan Schenk said they bought tickets, gas for the trip, the hotel and were enjoying the food. Paige Cox of Bellefontaine; her mom and stepdad, Kim and Terry Rister; and Cox's sister, Kayla Cox, and friend, Jordan Hankey, of Chicago, were enjoying the weather and music. "Uncured is the up-and-coming band," Paige said. The group stayed the weekend at the Quality Inn, dined out and ate snacks in the room. Corrinne Harmon and her sister Maddie Harmon were 3 feet from the main stage listening to loud music. "I like how close you can get, next to the stage," Corrinne Harmon said. The sisters are camping at the Richland County Fairgrounds, which cost a few hundred dollars for the weekend. The sisters split the costs; one paid for the camping and the other the tickets. One of their favorite bands is Halestorm, who were set to play later Saturday. Corrinne Harmon said she got tattooed her first year at the festival, showing her "Fahrenheit 451" salamander tattoo on her upper chest in honor of her favorite book. "If you're getting a tattoo at a festival it is much more expensive than you would anywhere else," she said, declining to say how much she paid for it. "It was definitely more than our tickets," she said with a laugh. "But I got it inside OSR." Dozens of tattoo artists inked customers at Monster Energy Tattoo X during Friday's Day 1 of Inkcarceration at Ohio State Reformatory. Adrian Ackerman, director of the city of Mansfield's codes and permits office, said permit fees to the city for the event include fees for 34 tents over 120 square feet in size, for which Prestige Tent of Mansfield paid a $5,298 zoning certificate fee to her office. Ackerman said Metzger's Precision Electric LLC, of Shelby, also paid the city for a permit for $1,308.10 for electrical hookups at two stage stages and 14 generators. Richland Public Health also collected fees from vendors and tattoo artists participating at the event. Throughout the area, hotel rooms are sold out. Rock music and tattoos filled the grounds at the Ohio State Reformatory on the opening day of the 2024 Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival. An Inkcarceration spokesperson said there are 22 different food vendors at Inkcarceration including ice cream, alcohol, tater tots, Island noodles and more. Lee Tasseff, president of Destination Mansfield, said, "The amount of notoriety brought to our community by something as big (and yes, loud) happening here is an incredible thing. Other communities our size would love to have a shot at bringing in a concert as large as Inkcarceration. They cant because we have the good fortune of having an internationally known reformatory that is one of the coolest backdrops for such a festival." Tasseff also provided a sample of local services and vendors benefiting financially, including ice vendors, Port-a-Johns, catering, the Richland County Fairgrounds where hundreds of campers stayed the weekend, beer and soft drink distributors and parking lot rentals. Ohio State Reformatory in spotlight yearround The Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society is a nonprofit overseen by a volunteer board, and every donation goes directly to the maintenance and restoration of the building. The reformatory houses the official Ohio State Corrections History Museum, is a popular site for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts, hosts numerous special events, and as of 2018 welcomes more than 120,000 visitors per year. The buildings striking architecture is a favorite choice for filmmakers. A number of films and music videos have been made at OSR over the years. lwhitmir@gannett.com 419-521-7223 X (formerly Twitter): @LWhitmir This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Inkcarceration has netted $50 million for Richland County since 2018 Taking the ST demand to the Assembly Let the House debate | A tribal group under any universally acceptable definition but not included in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution of India, thanks to the short sightedness of the people who mattered back then and the BJP led Government in Imphal seems intent on adding its own share to the folly of history. This is what may be read into the indifference of the Government to the growing demand that the required ethnographic and socio-economic report be sent to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The stand that such a report must be sent has not been plucked out of thin air but is a natural follow up to the report sought by the Centre back in 2013. That is more than 10 years back and while the then Congress Government slept over this intimation from the Centre for four years, the BJP led Government seems intent on bettering the record of the Congress Government in sleeping over the intimation for over seven years and counting. The Meiteis missed the bus back in 1951, then again in 1981 when the move of the State Government to send a proposal to include the Meiteis in the ST list was shot down by the so called Meitei leaders. The Government at Imphal was then under the Chief Ministership of the late Rishang Keishing. This was in 1981 and fast forward to 1999-2003 when the late Ved Marwah was the Governor of Manipur and his proposal that the Meiteis be put in the ST list of the Constitution was unceremoniously opposed by some of the Meitei elites, a point which he so succinctly put in his book, India in Turmoil. The Meiteis are no less tribal in their way of living than the Nagas. So I offered to take up the issue with the Central Government on a priority. But I was surprised to find that there were no takers, the late former Governor wrote in his book. Likewise the then W Nipamacha Singh Government also turned down any proposal to get the Meiteis enlisted in the ST list reasoning that the OBC tag is more than enough. All standing testimonies that the Meiteis missed the bus on more than one occasion and this had nothing to do with the ethnographic and socio-economic realities of the Meiteis. A look back at the perforated tinned roofs of the Meiteis in the recent hail storm devastation reflected the reality of the state of existence of many Meiteis and look beyond Imphal and take a look at the existence of the folks living in the interior parts of the place. It is for the Centre to decide whether the Meiteis fit the bill to be included in the ST list or not and the demand of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM), the World Meetei Council (WMC), the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU), Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL) and others is for the State Government to just send the report sought way back in 2013. Send the report and see how the Centre respond. It is in line with the demand raised that the WMC and MMTU have urged the State Assembly to debate on the ST for Meiteis demand when the House meets from July 31. Tough to say if the issue will be discussed and debated on the floor of the Assembly, but it is important for the State Government to spell out its stand to the people, for after all the elected members are there on behalf of the people. If the Government thinks that it can and should evade such a line, then the reason for not discussing the same should be spelt out to the public. And remember the call of the WMC and MMTU has come on the strength of the more than 9 lakh missed calls the STDCM, WMC and others received during the miss call campaign. Also remember all the MLAs, who the STDCM had called upon earlier on the same issue, had voiced their support. The reasons why the Meiteis should also get Constitutional protection have been spelt out on more than one occasion, but it needs to be reiterated that the interests of the Meitei folks need to be protected and it is only the Meitei community which has been carrying the flag of Manipur for years, in the face of the growing threat to the land and identity of Manipur. The job of Imphal is to just send the needed report and wait to see how the Centre responds and this should not entail any difficulty. As for some personalities who have come out in opposition to the stand that the Meiteis be included in the ST list, one cannot help but wonder why such a rigid stand should be adopted if they feel the Meiteis do not fulfil the criteria to be tagged a Scheduled Tribe. Let the Centre decide that. After two years of custodial trial of Serampore college theology department Professor Pratap Diggal on charges of sexual abuse, was today sentenced 20 years of imprisonment and to pay a compensation of Rs 3.5 lakh to the victim. The verdict was delivered by judge Manoj Kumar Rai. The public prosecutor Joydeep Mukherjee said the Serampore college theology department professor had started a school. He usually called some students in his college residential quarters for teaching purposes. Taking advantage of the situation, he sexually abused a girl student. The victim informed her elder sister, who lodged a complaint with the Serampore women police station. The officer in-charge of women police station Nevidita Koley promptly arrested the professor. However, the opposing lawyer has alleged and pointed out a lot of discrepancies during the ongoing trial and is ready to appeal to the higher court for fair judgement. Advertisement Akhilesh Yadav, former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief, one of the major partners of the opposition alliance INDIA bloc is likely to join the Trinamul Congress annual mega Martyrs Day rally at Esplanade on 21 July to strengthen oppositions unity in fighting BJP-led National Democratic alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. According to sources in the Trinamul, the party leadership had invited all partners in the INDIA bloc to attend the rally in the city on Sunday. But leaders of most of the partners in the block will be there in the Parliament because the Monsoon Session is starting from Monday and they may not join the event on Sunday. Mr Yadav, whom the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee likes for his hardcore anti-BJP stance could not reject Didis invitation to attend her rally, according to Trinamul Congress sources. Advertisement The SP chief is expected to reach the city at noon on Sunday if everything goes alright, sources said requesting anonymity. SPs West Bengal unit in the city also said that Mr Yadav would land at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport around 11 am and his party supporters and workers would take him to the venue in front of the Victoria House around 12.30 pm. He would also hold a meeting with his party leaders like Kironmoy Nanda in the state after the Martyrs Day rally to discuss his partys strategy against the saffron party both at the Centre and West Bengal, according to SP sources. Leading low-cost carrier IndiGo on Friday said it was currently experiencing delays and cancellations of its flights due to global outages faced by its cloud server software and software provider. This outage, which began on July 19, has severely disrupted airline operations by impacting critical systems used for flight operations, passenger check-in, and baggage handling. Airlines, airports and other transport systems across the world are facing similar issues, IndiGo said. The airline said that its teams had switched to manual/backup systems. Operations at major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are now under control amidst the widespread disruptions caused by the software outage. Advertisement IndiGo has activated war rooms at 4 metro airports to manage operations. The airlines staff are prioritising passengers who had departures in the next 120 minutes, ensuring that flights can continue with minimal delays, the airline said. Other airlines, including Akasa and SpiceJet, also reported disruptions in flight operations. Delhi Airport posted on X that some services at the airport were temporarily impacted due to the global IT outage. We are closely working with all our stakeholders to minimise the inconvenience to our flyers, it said. Bengaluru Airport said IndiGo, Akasa, Spicejet in T1, and Air India Express in T2 were among those impacted. IndiGo said additional measures have been put in place to manage the situation effectively. Customers on cancelled flights are being advised to not reach the airports, and are being offered alternative means where possible. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and any further decisions regarding flight operations will be made based on updates from its cloud service provider. A dedicated team has been deployed to address these technical challenges and minimise disruptions, the IndiGo statement added. Coming as a positive signal for the rural two-wheeler (2W) market, a recent report said there has been a recovery in the two-wheeler segment in the first half (H1) of 2024. This surge is primarily due to the emerging performance in rural areas. As per the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), the rural contribution has jumped by approximately 57 to 60%in the first quarter of 2024 (April to June), indicating a rising demand for two-wheelers in these regions. Advertisement Overall two-wheeler sales in the first half of 2024 increased by 11.76% compared to the same period in 2023 despite challenges such as extreme heat and the election period. The recovery is expected to benefit manufacturers like Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp, as Bajajs launch of the Freedom 125, a CNG-powered motorcycle, offers a cost-effective alternative for rural consumers, while Hero MotoCorps strong presence in the entry-level segment positions it well to capitalise on the increasing rural demand. Although the total sales of two-wheelers from January to June 2024 marked an 11.76% increase, reaching 8,982,502 units compared to the same period in 2023, there was a slight decline of 0.189 per cent in sales compared to the latter half of 2023. Earlier, due to the uneven precipitation which impacted farm cash flows and consequently rural demand, concerns were raised about a consistent recovery for the industry. Experts believe this trend is likely to continue, fuelled by a good monsoon season and government initiatives focused on rural development. For many investors, the main point of stock picking is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But in any portfolio, there are likely to be some stocks that fall short of that benchmark. Unfortunately, that's been the case for longer term AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZSE:AFT) shareholders, since the share price is down 32% in the last three years, falling well short of the market decline of around 3.3%. 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 AFT Pharmaceuticals 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...' 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. During the unfortunate three years of share price decline, AFT Pharmaceuticals actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 27% per year. This is quite a puzzle, and suggests there might be something temporarily buoying the share price. Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. 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. With a rather small yield of just 0.5% we doubt that the stock's share price is based on its dividend. We note that, in three years, revenue has actually grown at a 19% annual rate, so that doesn't seem to be a reason to sell shares. This analysis is just perfunctory, but it might be worth researching AFT Pharmaceuticals more closely, as sometimes stocks fall unfairly. This could present an opportunity. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). We know that AFT Pharmaceuticals has improved its bottom line lately, but what does the future have in store? This free report showing analyst forecasts should help you form a view on AFT Pharmaceuticals A Different Perspective Investors in AFT Pharmaceuticals had a tough year, with a total loss of 17% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 3.3%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 0.5% per year over five years. 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. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with AFT Pharmaceuticals , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Story continues If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on New Zealander 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 Body of a two-year-old child was found in an abandoned toilet in the Anand Parbat area of Central Delhi at around 10 am, a police official said on Sunday. He said the toilet block where the child was found dead is located at around 100 meters from the temporary hut of the deceaseds family. Based on the circumstances in which the body was found, the police have registered a case of murder and formed multiple teams to investigate the matter and sent the body of the child for postmortem examination. Advertisement The manner in which the death occurred will be clear after the postmortem report is received, said M Harshvardhan Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central). Meanwhile, locals gathered in the area to demand prompt action in the case so that the culprits could be brought to justice. Earlier in April this year, the body of a young man was found inside a septic tank of a house in the Anand Parbat area. The police suspected a case of murder. According to the Delhi Police, they had received information about a foul smell coming from inside a house. When investigated, they found a dead body lying in the tank inside the house. After taking the body into custody, the police identified the deceased as 30-year-old Madhav, who lived in the same area. The Delhi Police have arrested two alleged members of an international fake Indian currency notes racket, an official said on Sunday. The accused, identified as Ram Pravesh and Makhan Rai, are from Bihar, according to the police. With their arrest, the police recovered Rs 2.9 lakh worth of counterfeit currency notes, all in 500-rupee denominations. Besides, five mobile phones used in their alleged illicit activities were also seized. According to the police, the special cell received inputs about attempts by anti-national elements to circulate fake currency in the Delhi-NCR region. Advertisement Further, secret information was received regarding a consignment of counterfeit notes that had been smuggled from Nepal through the Nepal-India border in Bihars Raxaul. The police, through surveillance and informers, learnt that one of the key members of an international racket would come to the Anand Vihar Terminal Railway station area to supply the large consignment of fake 500-rupee bills. Accordingly, a team of the Delhi Police Special Cell laid a trap near the railway station and arrested the accused. During his cursory search, counterfeit notes were recovered from his possession, the police added. At the time of sustained questioning, the accused revealed that he used to work as a contractor but was unable to generate enough profits. He came into contact with one Ali Asgar, whom he had met in his Muzaffarpur village. The police later apprehended Asgar. He revealed that an individual, Asif, is the kingpin of the racket and he used to smuggle the FICN from the Nepal border. The police further said that the Special Cell had earlier arrested Asif in cases related to FICN. Currently, Asif is absconding and efforts are being made to arrest him. On Thursday, the police arrested two members of an interstate cartel for their alleged involvement in manufacturing paper sheets used in printing counterfeit notes. The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a state-level boxer in an attempt to murder case, the Delhi Police said on Sunday. The accused has been identified as Rajan Phour, a resident of Panipat, Haryana. The police have recovered an automatic pistol along with two live rounds and another single-shot pistol with a live bullet, including a car from his possession. Advertisement According to the police, the accused had a property dispute with his uncle Azad, who resides in the village of Nangla Paar in Haryanas Panipat. Last month, Azad insulted Rajans mother hurling abuses at her, following which Rajan vowed to take revenge, added police. On June 23, when Azad was travelling in his car to his village, Rajan and his associates opened fire at him. One of the bullets pierced through the car and hit Azad in the waist, the police elaborated. However, Azad continued driving and reached home, dodging Rajan, who was tailing him. Later, the victim was rushed to the hospital by his family, where he was treated for gunshot injuries, police said. Later, a case was registered by the Haryana Police for an attempt to murder and initiated the probe. While the Haryana Police were on the lookout for the accused, the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police received a tipoff on Rajans presence in the Rohini area. They laid a strategic trap and apprehended Rajan, said an officer. Further investigation into the matter is underway, the official added. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan have been one of Bollywoods power couples ever since they tied the knot in 2012. Bebo consistently updates her fans on their life with snapshots featuring Saif and their two sons, while also candidly addressing the challenges of marriage. In a recent interview, she discussed how marriage has changed her and how the couple navigates lifes ups and downs. Speaking to The Week, the Crew actress revealed, Marriage has changed me for the better. I am more responsible. We feed off each other. If he grounds me, I ground him. If I am getting a bit crazy, he will tell me and vice versa. When asked if marriage is tough, Kareena affirmed, sharing an anecdote, He woke up at 4:30 in the morning, I left for work, and he probably left for a shoot. Tomorrow, Im flying to Bangkok, so I wont see him even though we live in the same house. Balancing time is difficult. We sit down with the calendar to find time for each other. Thats what happens when there are two actors in one house. She also mentioned how they seek each others professional advice, with Kareena humorously noting that Saif doesnt always take her advice. Kareena opened up about their movie-watching habits, stating she watches all of Saifs films, whereas he still hasnt seen her latest flick, Crew. Jokingly, she added that Saif takes her for granted. Advertisement Continuing the conversation, Kareena revealed their frequent disagreements over AC temperature and scheduling. She disclosed that Saif prefers it at 16 degrees while she prefers 20 degrees. Saif often remarks, I know people who have divorced because of AC temperature. He suggests 16, I prefer 20, so we settle at 19. When Karisma joins us for dinner, she slyly adjusts it to 25, and Saif exclaims, Thank God Im married to Bebo, she settles for 19. Conflicting schedules due to their acting careers also contribute to their occasional spats. On the work front, Kareena Kapoor was last seen in Crew and is preparing for the release of The Buckingham Murders on September 13. Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khans next project, Devara, a South Indian film, is set to release on September 27. A 14-year-old boy has been tested positive for Nipah virus in Keralas Malappuram, Health Minister Veena George said on Saturday. Health Minister Veena George said, NIV Pune has confirmed that the suspected case of a 14-year-old boy is Nipah positive. A contact list of the boys will be prepared and the samples of those in a high-risk category will be sent for testing. A meeting will be held with the district collector and district police chief to discuss the restrictions to be imposed in the 3 km radius of the epicentre. Residents of Malappuram should wear masks compulsory and remain cautious. Earlier, Veena George convened a high-level meeting on Saturday in the Malappuram district after reports of a suspected case of the Nipah virus in the state. The meeting discussed the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the public. The officials also reviewed the current situation and the steps taken so far to control the outbreak. Advertisement Minister Veena George reached Malappuram to lead the efforts to control the outbreak. The government has also constituted committees to oversee the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Nipah virus control. The meeting was attended by top officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the Director of the National Health Mission, and the District Collectors of Malappuram and Kozhikode. As per officials, the samples of the suspected patient were sent to the Pune virology lab. Last month, the Kerala Health Minister announced that Nipah prevention efforts will be intensified in the state, particularly during the critical months of May to September, when the virus is most likely to spread. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena and the BJP of conspiring to kill Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail, where he has been lodged since his arrest on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy scam case. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said, The medical report of Arvind Kejriwal is enough to corroborate that anything can happen to him at any time in the jail and the way Delhi LG and BJP are making false statements about the AAP chiefs health confirms our doubt The AAP leader further said that the leak of the medical report reflects attempt to murder and that they would take legal advice in this matter. If a persons health is deteriorating and the LG and jail administration are leaking his medical report, it would be construed as an attempt to murder. We will take legal advice in this matter and demand prosecution of those involved in the conspiracy, he added. Advertisement The accusations have stemmed from a letter written by the Delhi LGs Office to the state chief secretary alleging wilful consumption of low calorie intake by Kejriwal in jail. The Delhi LGs letter, Singh alleged, was part of the conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal. The same LG, chief secretary, jail administration and BJP, who were reluctant to give Insulin to Arvind Kejriwal, are now complaining that he is not taking Insulin. Will anyone believe this? he asked. The AAP leader called for immediate measures to ensure the safety and health of Kejriwal. The AAP urged the authorities to take the matter seriously and act swiftly to prevent any eventuality. Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) Nitin Agarwal on Sunday reviewed the operational readiness of the troops deployed at the Jammu border area. The DG discussed operational aspects with unit commandants and interacted with troops commending their dedication and professionalism. Agrawal arrived here on a two-day visit to the BSF Jammu Frontier to assess the security situation along the Jammu International Border. Advertisement YB Khurania, Special DG BSF Western Command, D K Boora, IG BSF Jammu and other senior officers interacted with DG BSF on the prevailing security scenario. During the visit, the IG BSF Jammu briefed DG BSF about crucial aspects of border security and BSFs strategies for maintaining domination along the Jammu border. DG BSF, accompanied by SDG BSF (WC) and IG, BSF Jammu, attended a joint security review meeting with senior officers of the Army, J&K Police, and other Central Armed Police Forces. He called on Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Taking a dig at Delhi Finance Minister Atishi, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday said despite being aware of all the expenditure incurred by the Central government in Delhi, she is spreading confusion by saying things that are not true. The Delhi BJP chief claimed that being the finance minister of the city, she knows her governments own budget for the year 2023-24 was Rs 78,800 crore whereas the same year, Rs 79,032 crore was spent by the Central government in the national capital on just 24 projects. He further claimed that besides this Rs 79,032 crore, the Centre has given buses under the (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) FAME scheme worth hundreds of crores of rupees to Delhi, while hundreds of crores of rupees have been given to the national capital under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid-Day Meal, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Namami Gange schemes. Advertisement The Delhi BJP chief released details of the money spent by the Central government on Delhi in 2023-24 and demanded that the Delhi finance minister should stop spreading confusion about the budgetary allocation by the Centre and apologise to the Central government and the people of Delhi. He said the Centre has directly spent a total of Rs 79,032 crore on Delhi in the year 2023-24, and further shared the claimed breakup of the expenditure that includes, Delhi Police 12000 crore, Delhi Metro 9800 crore, RRTS 9283 crore, NHAI 8000 crore, Indian Railways 3000 crore, Pension of Delhi Government employees 4401.35 crore, Delhi University 2603 crore, AIIMS Delhi 4134 crore, Safdarjung Hospital Delhi 1826 crore, RML hospital Delhi 1272 crore, Lady Hardinge Delhi 768 crore, ESI 1524 crore, Sanskrit University 80 crore, IGNOU 1400 crore, DDA 8811 crore, NDMC 4198 crore, CPWD 3000 crore, ITPO 393 crore, Desai Yoga 24 crore, JNU 518 crore, Jamia Millia ISlamia 552 crore, IIT 748 crore, PM Anna Yojana 500 crore, and on Clean Air Program 1000 crore. Sachdeva further asked the Delhi government to stop misleading the people of the city. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), on Sunday, evacuated a critically-ill Indian national from a Motor Tanker Zeal of Gabon Republic, about 20 km from Mangrol coast in Gujarat. The patient was experiencing a very low pulse and lower body numbness, necessitating immediate medical evacuation. The ICG Air Enclave, Porbandar swiftly dispatched an advanced light helicopter that navigated to the Motor Tanker Zeal despite high-intensity winds, heavy rainfall, and inclement weather. The helicopter, precisely positioned over the motor tanker, deployed a rescue basket to evacuate the patient. He has been transported to Porbandar for further medical care. Advertisement This successful evacuation underscores the ICGs unwavering commitment to maritime safety and its readiness to respond to emergencies even under the most adverse conditions, a press release said. Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha supremo Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that NDA ally and Janata Dal-United Chief Nitish Kumar made him the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2014 which was a huge honour for him. I had promised to stay with Nitish Kumar till the end, but a few years ago he had asked me to form my party. But there is no regret about forming a separate party. Such events keep happening in politics, Union Minister Manjhi added. He said: If that incident had not happened then Jitan Ram Manjhi would not have been able to move forward today. One who is brave in actions remembers everything. I ignore things which happened in the past and respect him (Nitish Kumar) even today. He did whatever I said. There is no resentment between him and me. Advertisement Reacting to a query raised about the law and order situation in Bihar, Union Minister Manjhi said: Nitish Kumars thinking is clear that he does not interact with his party workers by inviting kidnappers and criminals to his house. This used to happen before 2005 when people were asked to pay extortion money. Therefore it is futile for the opposition parties to raise questions on law and order in the state. The Minister added: HAM will contest 25 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. However, our preparation is to fight for 100 seats. We will contest elections under NDA and win. For many investors, the main point of stock picking is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But its virtually certain that sometimes you will buy stocks that fall short of the market average returns. Unfortunately, that's been the case for longer term Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) shareholders, since the share price is down 38% in the last three years, falling well short of the market return of around 19%. The more recent news is of little comfort, with the share price down 34% in a year. The falls have accelerated recently, with the share price down 13% in the last three months. While the stock has risen 5.4% in the past week but long term shareholders are still in the red, let's see what the fundamentals can tell us. Check out our latest analysis for Bristol-Myers Squibb To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, Bristol-Myers Squibb moved from a loss to profitability. However, it made a loss in the last twelve months, suggesting profit may be an unreliable metric at this stage. Other metrics may better explain the share price move. Given the healthiness of the dividend payments, we doubt that they've concerned the market. Bristol-Myers Squibb has maintained its top line over three years, so we doubt that has shareholders worried. So it might be worth looking at how revenue growth over time, in greater detail. The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. You can see what analysts are predicting for Bristol-Myers Squibb in this interactive graph of future profit estimates. 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. As it happens, Bristol-Myers Squibb's TSR for the last 3 years was -30%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholders are down 31% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 21%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 2%, each year, over five years. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. 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 2 warning signs for Bristol-Myers Squibb you should know about. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: most of them are flying under the radar). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com A fast-track special court for POCSO cases at Taliparamba in Keralas Kannur, has sentenced an elderly man to double life imprisonment for sexually abusing a mentally ill girl for four years, from the time the girl was nine to 12 years old. The victims parents worked under the convict as rubber tappers and agricultural labourers. Special Judge Rajesh R found Aloysius alias Jose, 64, of Pulikurumba in Naduvil Grama Panchayat guilty of nine counts of sexual assault and criminal intimidation. The court on Saturday awarded Jose two life sentences for aggravated sexual assault on the girl below 12 years of age under Sections 3(a), 4, 5(m) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Assault (POCSO) Act. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 375,000. Advertisement Reading out the verdict, the judge observed that the man in his 60s, who should have protected the girl, deserves no mercy. The crime came to light in November 2020 when the girls cousins overheard her narrating her ordeal to her paternal grandmother on the phone. Her parents told the ordeal to her school teachers, who informed Childline. Following this, the Kudiyanmala police filed a case against Jose. But he was not arrested by the police. Larer, when the media reported the case, the police arrested him. The girls advocate said that the victim had physical and mild mental disabilities and was also a heart patient. According to the prosecution, Jose first abused the girl in his home in 2017 while her mother was working on his farm. She was nine years old and in fourth grade at the time. He then sexually abused her when she accompanied her mother to his home, according to the indictment. Since sixth grade, he would come to her home and sexually abuse her when her parents went rubber tapping. The last incident was reported on November 11, 2020, when she was in seventh grade. Against the backdrop of its poor performance in the Lok Sabha Assembly elections, the All India Congress Committee on Sunday dissolved the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) with the state president and all office bearers being removed from their posts with immediate effect. The drastic step of this nature was expected in view of the Lok Sabha debacle. Besides serious questions were being raised by party cadres on the leadership of Sarat Pattanayak, who was the president of the now dissolved Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee. The AICC approved the proposal for the complete dissolution of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, including its president, PCC, office bearers and executive committee, District/Block/Mandal Congress Committees, Frontal Organisations, Departments, and Cells, with immediate effect, a statement issued by the party said. Advertisement The current DCC presidents will serve as acting presidents until new DCC Presidents are appointed, the statement added. In another development, the AICC also appointed Rama Chandra Kadam as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) while Ashok Das was appointed Deputy leader CLP, and CS Raazen Ekka appointed Congress chief whip. The Indian National Congress, once a powerhouse in Odisha politics, remained out of power since 2000 amid dipping vote share. The uninterrupted sequence of electoral drubbing goes unabated for the party which failed to cash in on the anti-incumbency against the 24-year-old Naveen Patnaik Government. The party, which is relegated to third spot yet again in the State, ended up in winning 14 out of the 147 assembly seats while it managed to retain the Koraput parliament seat. The Party lost its pan-Odisha yet again losing in the majority of constituencies. The only silver lining in an otherwise negative situation lies in the fact that the party managed to hold its ground in Rayagada and the undivided Koraput districts. Despite its Assembly seats increasing from 9 to 14 in 2024 polls, Congresss vote share dipped from 16 per cent to 13.26 per cent. On the other hand, the vote share of BJD and BJP was much higher at 40.22% and 40.07% respectively. The Congress has been on a steady decline since 2000 when it lost to the BJD-BJP alliance in assembly polls. Since then, the partys fortune has been on a steady downslide. Its worst humiliation was witnessed in the 2017 panchayat polls when it managed to win just 66 of the 849 zilla parishad seats. Since then, the party hit by intra-party wrangling mostly over leadership issues has failed to regain the lost political space in the State. The Partys dismal show was writ large on the wall ahead of the polls. The defeat of party heavyweights former union minister Bhakta Charan Das, Niranjan Pattnaik, and Jayadev Jena (Former Odisha Congress Presidents) besides the incumbent president Pattnaik in the Assembly polls is a case in point to voters rejection of discredited old guards. It remains to be seen whether AICC sticks to old guards or opts for a fresh and better face for party leadership. Ahead of the Budget Session, an all-party meeting was held at Parliament on Sunday with Union Ministers, Ramdas Athawale, Praful Patel, Chirag Paswan, Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gaurav Gogoi, and BJP President JP Nadda among notable attendees. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi was also present at the meeting. While the meeting hosted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was attended by political leaders across party lines, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders skipped it as they were away from the national capital in West Bengal for a mega Martyrs Day rally. Advertisement Party sources clarified that it was not a boycott but a reflection of the days importance. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav is also in Kolkata to attend the event at the invitation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Speaking at the meeting, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar called it a formality as the Parliament session is scheduled to start tomorrow. However, it is our responsibility to raise public issues, and we will definitely do that. The biggest issue is NEET; it needs to be cancelled. CPI-M MP John Brittas emphasised the need for addressing public concerns, including the situation in Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, communal polarisation in Uttar Pradesh, exam frauds, and unemployment. Parliament should function properly and there should be debate and discussion, which has not happened for the past 10 years. We want the government to understand the ground reality. The unemployment rate is at its peak, and people are starving. There has been an assault on the power of the states, Brittas stated. After the meeting, NCP leader Praful Patel remarked, These are formalities; such meetings are called before every session. All parties have given their suggestions on the budget session. Many parties have raised the issues of their respective states. What I have suggested is that the session should run smoothly without any interruptions, which has become a tradition now to interrupt and create chaos. All the matters should be discussed and debated, but peacefully. No discussion was held regarding the post of deputy speaker. I think the government should call a different meeting for this issue in which the government and opposition sit together and discuss. Congress raises NEET, deputy speakers issues According to sources, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi raised the issues related to NEET, the alleged misuse of Central agencies like ED and CBI, and the deputy speaker post. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav brought up the issue of mandatory display of nameplates by food and fruit vendors along the Kanwar route in Uttar Pradesh, the sources said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday extended their warm wishes to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on his birthday. They wished Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, a long and healthy life. Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi wrote, Birthday wishes to Congress President and the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge Ji. Praying for his long and healthy life. Advertisement Extending his warm wishes, LS Speaker Birla in a post on X wrote, Birthday greetings to Mallikarjun Kharge ji, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. May you be blessed with good health and a long life. Leader of Opposition in the Lower House and former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi while extending greetings to Kharge said his dedication to the peoples cause is an inspiration. A very happy birthday, Mallikarjun Kharge ji.Your tireless service and dedication to the peoples cause is an inspiration. Wishing you much love and good health, he wrote on X. Besides them, political leaders cutting across party lines took to the X and greeted the Congress president on the occasion. Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh said, Best wishes to Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge ji on his birthday. Wishing him a long and healthy life. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju said, Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge ji on his birthday.I pray to God for your good health and long life. Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president HD Devegowda said, Birthday wishes to my friend and longtime colleague Mallikarjun Kharge .May he blessed with good health and a long life. May his fair arguments always find a wide audience. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin said, Wishing a very happy birthday to INC President Thiru Mallikarjun Kharge avaru. Your rich experience and astute leadership have been instrumental in the growth and success of the Congress party. Your dedication to social justice and efforts to uplift the marginalised continue to inspire us all. May your journey ahead be filled with continued success and impactful contributions, Stalin said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the 25th anniversary celebrations of Kargil Vijay Diwas at the Kargil War Memorial at Drass on July 26. The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the arrangements for the visit of the Prime Minister. The L-G informed the Departmental Secretaries, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Police and Army officials that the Prime Minister would be visiting the Kargil War Memorial at Drass on 26 July to attend the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Advertisement The L-G discussed several points with the concerned officers, viz. Security arrangements at Drass Helipad; reception at the Helipad; necessary arrangements for the motorcade; procedure for the wreath-laying ceremony at Kargil War Memorial; interaction with Veer Naris (War Widows) and preparation of the green room at the Helipad, etc. The L-G inquired from the GOC of 8 Mountain Division about the arrangements for the PMs reception at Drass Brigade Helipad. He directed concerned officers to complete all necessary arrangements in a timely manner. The LG said that he would visit the Kargil War Memorial at Drass on 24 July to inspect the arrangements for the PMs visit. GOC, 8 Mountain Division, Major General Sachin Malik informed the LG that the minute-to-minute programme schedule of the Prime Ministers visit has been shared by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). He informed that the PM would land at Drass Brigade Helipad on the morning of 26 July 26 and Army officials would receive the PM at the Helipad. He further informed that the PM would take rest in the green room before departing for the Kargil War Memorial. Major General Malik further informed that the Prime Minister would participate in the wreath-laying ceremony followed by the visit to the Shaheed Marg (Wall of Fame). He informed that the PM would sign on the visitors book and inspect the museum of Kargil War artefacts. Major General Malik informed that PM Modi will also sit for the briefing on the Kargil War followed by a group photograph. Maj Gen Malik briefed that the PM would also interact with Veer Naris (War Widows) and visit the Veer Bhoomi. He further informed that the PM would inaugurate the Shinku La Tunnel virtually and will also address the gatherings and then depart from the Kargil War Memorial. Maj General Malik informed that the Special Protection Group (SPG) team will arrive on 23 July 23 and conduct a meeting to coordinate with the Army, Police and civil administration. Advisor to the LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary, Sanjeev Khirwar, ADGP, Ladakh, Dr SD Singh Jamwal, Commissioner Secretary, Dr Vasanthakumar N, Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shrikant Suse, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kargil Shree Raam R, GOC, 8 Mountain Division, Major General Sachin Malik; Chief of Staff, 14th Corps were present in the meeting. The Rajasthan Police on Saturday busted an international gang and arrested three persons, including two Nepali citizens and one Indian citizen, in connection with a robbery incident that took place in Sukher police station area of Udaipur, the police said. The accused have been identified as Veer Bahadur alias Bal Bahadur Dhami and Hira Singh Kami, both residents of Nepal, and one Afzal Khan, a resident of Delhis Ashok Nagar. The main accused Veer Bahadur is a wanted criminal, who carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh in connection with a robbery of Rs 7 crore reported in Uttar Pradeshs Meerut district. Advertisement The vehicle used in the robbery in Udaipur, an Ertiga car, along with sedatives given to make the victims unconscious while committing the crime has been seized from the accused persons. The police are searching for six other accused persons, including a woman who worked as a domestic help at the house of the victims family in Nepal. According to the police, all the accused had a common modus operandi. The police on Saturday resolved the robbery incident of Rs 22 lakh committed at the house of a businessman in Udaipur. Officials said that the accused used to send servants to several houses through placement companies and gather information about the people and the map of the house. The accused have confessed to committing crimes in Delhi, Gurugram, the Juhu area of Mumbai, etc. The search for the remaining accused, including the maid, is underway in Nepal. On July 9, Karishma, a maid from Nepal who had come to find work at a house in Udaipur a month ago, had called eight other associates and looted Rs 22 lakh by mixing drugs in the food of businessman Sanjay Gandhi (47), wife Shilpa Gandhi (40), son Shaurya (10) and daughter Neonika (18). Udaipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Yogesh Goyal said: The main accused Veer Bahadur alias Bal Bahadur Dhami, 38, from Doti (Nepal), Hira Singh (31), from Doti (Nepal), and driver Afzal (29), from Delhi have been arrested. After the incident on July 9, police teams were formed which gathered information about Karishma from a placement agency. With the help of the Cyber team, information about the accused Karishma was gathered and it was found that she was using a mobile stolen from Mumbai, the SP added. Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday raised the issue of budgetary allocation to Delhi and Punjab at the all-party meeting held ahead of the budget session. He claimed that like in the last nine years, this time too, the Central government is not going to give more than Rs 350 crore to Delhi. Singh also demanded that the misuse of Central investigation agencies against Opposition parties should stop. He called for an opportunity for small parties to speak in Parliament and appoint the deputy speaker from the Opposition as per the tradition. Advertisement The discussion over the alleged misuse of investigation agencies against Opposition leaders was dominated by the AAP with Singh demanding a stop to the misuse of Central agencies. He said, I have also raised the issue of the budget of Delhi and Punjab in the coming budget. He claimed that for the past nine years, it has been seen that the people of Delhi pay lakhs and crores of rupees in the form of tax, but are given only Rs 350 crore in the budget. He also raised the issue of the order passed by the Uttar Pradesh government, which allegedly makes it mandatory for eateries along the Kanwar routes to disclose the name and identity of their owners. The RS MP said that the UP government has issued an order that nameplates of the shop owners have to be displayed at shops, which he alleged is an attempt to close the business of Dalits, tribals, and Muslims. The AAP leader demanded that members of smaller parties should also be given adequate time to speak in the Parliament and action should be taken on Zero Hour discussions. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti said here on Sunday that he has challenged the Lok Sabha election result for the New Delhi seat in the Delhi High Court. Bharti lost the recently concluded polls from the constituency to BJPs Bansuri Swaraj. In a petition he filed in the high court, the AAP leader accused the Election Commission of bias in favour of the rival candidate. The AAP leader challenged Bansuri Swarajs election to the lower house on the grounds of alleged unfair practices. Advertisement The petition will be heard on Monday. Bharti also accused the BJP candidate of overspending and voter manipulation at polling booths and claimed that the BJP rigged the process in its favour. The AAP leader, who contested the Lok Sabha elections from the New Delhi seat as an INDIA candidate, pointed out at a press conference at the party headquarters that the BJP won all seven seats Lok Sabha seats in Delhi while it was reduced to only 240 seats in the entire country which means the public did not give the BJP an absolute majority of 272. Pointing out that the upper limit of election expenditure for each candidate in Delhi is fixed at Rs 95 lakh, he said BJPs Bansuri Swaraj officially spent about Rs 16 lakh more. He alleged that the EC advised her to show Rs 16 lakhs expenditure made from the party account, separate from her own account to save her from disqualification. He also alleged that on the day of the election, almost every polling agent of the BJP was sitting with a pamphlet in the name of Swaraj across polling booths. He said the pamphlet had the candidates photo and name, PM Modis photo, and the party symbol, adding that showing such pamphlets within 100 meters of the polling booth is an offence. Whichever booth I went to, I found pamphlets everywhere. At the same time, my colleagues pamphlet in his car remained confiscated for a good number of days. We sent all the videos and photos of this to the Returning Officer, but she kept quiet on it. On May 25, the Returning Officer did not answer my calls, the AAP leader alleged further. The AAP leader complained that only BJP agents were present when the voters above 75 years of age cast their votes from home. In such a situation, agents of every party should have been sent along, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modis first Budget in his third term as Prime Minister will be presented in Parliaments session beginning on Monday, and indications are in spite of a tough Opposition, the government will not respond to any issue raised without procedural clearances. The government held an all-party meeting on Sunday to seek cooperation of political parties for smooth conduct of proceedings in the two Houses of Parliament. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Opposition leaders that disruption of the Prime Ministers speeches in the last session was against democratic norms. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Opposition has been told that running of Parliament is as much responsibility of the government, as of the Opposition. Advertisement The Opposition has been impatient to raise several issues during the session, and told the government that the post of the Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha by convention belonged to the Opposition and should be filled up by a candidate from the Opposition. The Opposition has many troubling questions to ask from the government, but there can be early storm on the Uttar Pradesh governments order for shops on the Kanwar Yatra routes to display nameplates. The Opposition parties said they want the Centre to intervene as the order is targeted against the Muslims. The Opposition parties are planning to seek answers on the revival of terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir, the Manipur imbroglio, the alarming state of higher education, spiralling prices, the employment situation getting out of hand and recurring railway accidents due to human failures. The Prime Minister spoke on the Manipur situation in the Rajya Sabha in its last session, but the Lok Sabha with a much stronger Opposition will see demands again to discuss the ground reality in the State and know how the government was responding to it. After a comparative lull of peace, Jammu and Kashmir is reporting shocking incidents of terrorist attacks in Jammu districts, which has led to heavy deployment of the Army. The Opposition is planning to demand answers what failures were behind the situation. The state of the higher education, along with the NEET examination paper leaks, has caused nationwide concern requiring Central attention. The issue will be raised again forcefully. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which has broken off from the ruling BJP, will take up the issue of special status for Odisha, along with other Opposition parties demanding special status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, with the objective of getting additional economic packages for the States. As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, after the Economic Survey on Monday, the focus of the session will be on economic issues, like spiralling prices, and the state of non-agricultural employment in the country. Opposition parties said despite government reports and claims, there is no clarity on employment of the educated and skilled manpower, with frequent events showing too many youth chasing too few openings of regular employment. The Opposition has been demanding higher allocations for health and education sectors which meet social needs while providing employment opportunities. There are demands to fill lakhs of vacancies in the Central and state governments also. While the government has been setting new records in its capital expenditure, private investment is still subdued, keeping employment opportunities for the educated youth for regular employment restricted. The Opposition has been pressing for a strong campaign to revive the MSME sector which was virtually the countrys manufacturing hub and employer of educated youth before the pandemic struck, after other crises. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, had a close shave on Saturday after his car met with an accident in Uttar Pradeshs Pilibhit district. According to reports, the car in which the Union Minister was travelling was hit by another vehicle of his cavalcade. The Ministers car reportedly got damaged in the collision. Fortunately, all are said to be safe barring minor injuries to one person. The mishap happened when Jitin Prasada was on a tour to Pilibhit, his Lok Sabha constituency. Advertisement Following a brief stopover after the accident, the Ministers convoy headed for its destination. Jitin Prasada went to visit his Lok Sabha constituency to take stock of the relief efforts undertaken after floods wreaked havoc in the district. Days ago, at least six districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Pilibhit, got inundated with flood water after widespread rainfall in the state. IRS Finalizes 10-Year Rule For Retirement Withdrawals, Making Things 'Even More Insanely Complicated' The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department have released final regulations updating required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for beneficiaries under the 10-year rule. These regulations, stemming from the SECURE and SECURE 2.0 Acts, confirm that most IRA beneficiaries must take distributions annually over the 10-year period following the account holders death, according to thinkadvisor. Key points from the final regulations include: Non-eligible designated beneficiaries subject to the 10-year rule must take RMDs each year. Beneficiaries of individuals who started required annual distributions must continue these distributions, even if the account balance is fully distributed within 10 years. Ben Henry-Moreland, senior financial planning nerd at Kitces.com, notes that while these rules arent game-changing for planning, they make retirement accounts even more insanely complicated. For instance, spousal beneficiaries now have three different options for treating their deceased spouses retirement account, each with its own RMD calculation. Dont Miss: Warren Buffett flipped his neighbor's $67,000 life savings into a $50 million fortune How much is that worth today? Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? How does it compare to the average? Jeff Levine, lead financial planning nerd at Kitces.com, highlights that annual distributions during the 10-year rule are required if death occurred on or after the required beginning date (RBD). However, due to previous IRS notices, this rule wont apply until 2025. The IRS and Treasury also issued proposed regulations addressing additional RMD issues under the SECURE 2.0 Act. They are soliciting public comments on these proposed rules, which cover other changes related to RMDs. Experts note that while these regulations clarify many issues, they also add complexity to retirement account management. Advisors will need to stay informed about these intricate rules to provide valuable guidance to clients navigating retirement planning and inherited accounts. The financial planning community is now anticipating further guidance on other SECURE 2.0 provisions, such as rollovers of unused 529 plan funds to Roth IRAs. These new regulations underscore the evolving landscape of retirement planning and the increasing importance of specialized knowledge in navigating complex tax rules for retirement accounts. Read Next: Story continues "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article IRS Finalizes 10-Year Rule For Retirement Withdrawals, Making Things 'Even More Insanely Complicated' originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. A major obstacle for translating the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam into a tangible reality is prejudice. In this ever-changing world, the meaning of certain words and phrases seem to be constantly shifting. It can be hard to keep track of what things mean to different sections of the population in the country or even the clever meanings one can find buried in them. Indias civilizational ethos, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, (translated as the world is a family) was reinterpreted during the G20 Summit last year as One planet, One family, One future. If everyone truly believed in this then why such intense polarization within the country and among the comity of nations giving rise to conflicts and wars threatening the very survival of civilization, as we know it. When our rishis (sages) articulated the concept of the world is a family, thousands of years ago, I am sure the majority of the people understood the word family but not the world. The world for them was the village or villages in a limited geographic region. Today, despite the vast amount of knowledge about our world and for that matter the universe there is still a great deal of ignorance. Such ignorance is the principal reason for the hatreds, the conflicts and the perpetuation of prejudice. No progress is possible unless all types of prejudices are completely eradicated. What is prejudice? It is an unjustified or incorrect attitude towards an individual based solely on identity. It could be race, religion, caste, creed, class or gender. One can be prejudiced for a variety of reasons. Prejudice often stems from stereotypes and leads to discrimination, fostering an environment of intolerance and exclusion. We are living in the age when peoples minds are being prejudiced with fake news and poisoned with distortions through all types of mass media. How should we address the multi-pronged crises, particularly the damaging impact of prejudices both at the individual and societal level. Advertisement To acknowledge the oneness of the human family is not to call for uniformity because a true appreciation for the oneness of humanity contains within it the essential concept of diversity. How often we have experienced the longing of people of all countries, encompassing every strata of society, proclaiming their readiness for peace and harmony, for an end to the misery tormenting their daily lives. And yet these same people easily fall prey to rumours and distortions that lead to acts of mindless violence and anarchy. How many times have we witnessed entire nations or communities plunged into emotions of mass hatred extinguishing all feelings of hope and peacefulness? Bahaullah, founder of the Bahai Faith, has asked all peoples to independently investigate with an unbiased mind the truth of his Revelation. For every human being has been endowed with the gift of understanding and with a mind that should be operated as a torch to distinguish between light and darkness, truth and falsehood. What is needed to resolve the intractable problems caused by prejudices is a settled consensus for safeguarding various systems, cultures and beliefs around the world based upon a set of common values and principles. Through global agendas we have seen how a majority of countries have successfully addressed the issues of universality of human rights, the imperative to eradicate poverty, dealing with climate emergencies, the need to live within environmentally sustainable limits; occasionally jointly combating natural and man-made disasters. Fostering a more inclusive and equitable world is very possible. A pragmatic framework that accommodates the diversity of human heritage is UNESCOs curriculum on Education for the 21st Century titled: LearningThe Treasure Within in 1996 and Education Futures Conservation & Change in 2020. Children are most susceptible to the environment where they live, be it the family, the school and the spaces to which they are exposed. Childhood is a formative period when attitudes and beliefs are shaped. Children are naturally curious and innocent making it an ideal time to instill values of acceptance, empathy, and respect for diversity. Early intervention helps prevent formation of biased views and promotes a more inclusive mindset that they carry into mature adulthood. Anchored upon the vision and the paradigms of lifelong learning and the four pillars of learning to know [gynan yoga], to do [karma yoga], to be [atma yoga], and to live together [sahaj yoga] UNESCO urged every nation to adopt its unique approach to holistic education. A majority of the member states of the United Nations system endorsed the recommendations contained in these documents. Unfortunately, despite possessing the best guidance or excellent legislation, when it comes to implementation, there is gross failure and the problems multiply. Despite the sorry state of affairs on our planet, I am still an optimist. Beginning with the family which is the basic unit of civilization, parents are responsible for the proper discharge of their duties towards children. They cannot blame the school authorities for their children going astray. Parents must address any untoward situation due to biased behavior, language or attitude at home or in the neighbourhood. Parents should foster good rapport with children especially when they are teenagers, alert to the impact of diversity of cultures, forms of amusement, exposure to books, social media, friends circle, the school environment, etc. Some of the strategies that teachers in schools have used in the classroom to combat prejudice and promote inclusivity are: (i) incorporating diverse perspectives in the curriculum; (ii) fostering open discussions about differences and biases, and (iii) implementing cooperative learning activities to encourage collaboration among students from different backgrounds. Most important is that teachers should set the example of inclusive behavior; any instances of prejudice or discrimination should be addressed promptly and constructively. At an institutional level the schools can create an inclusive environment by implementing policies that promote diversity and equity, such as anti-bullying programmes and diversity training for staff and students. Many schools have regular events that celebrate cultural and religious diversity and are mandated to integrate marginalized students and provide a welcoming environment. Encouraging all students to participate in diversity clubs or committees can play a significant role. Collaboration between parents and teachers is vital to fostering a prejudice-free mindset in children. Parents and teachers should regularly discuss the childs progress and any prejudice-related concerns. They should regularly organize workshops or meetings focused on diversity education and shield their children from the forces of disintegration that are hastening the collapse of a morally and spiritually bankrupt present-day civilization. Many of these suggestions are easier said than done but whoever seriously carries them will find it most rewarding and these children will be grateful to their parents as well as their teachers. principle of the oneness of humankind offers the world a vision broad enough to unite all its diverse elements. By translating that vision into an order based on unity in diversity the world can heal the social fractures that divide it. The eight-million strong Bahai community may be treated as the leaven through which the peoples in every country can discover a new way of life, a pathway to enduring peace. They do so by extending their hand of friendship, inviting everyone to walk the path of service together through collective learning, convincing them of humanitys common future at a time when the condition of the world appears to be becoming more desperate and its divisions more severe. Bahais are deeply saddened by humanitys sufferings, but not paralyzed by them. They have internalized UNESCOs four pillars of learning, particularly, the fourthh one: learning to live together, developing an understanding of others, of their history, their traditions, their spirituality. Such understanding provides a basis for the creation of a new spirit. (The writer is a social worker, independent researcher, and member of the Bahai Community of India.) Israels military has confirmed that it bombed sites affiliated with the Houthi militia in Yemen, a day after the military groups explosive drone killed a man in Israels Tel Aviv. The Yemeni Houthi military group claimed that the strike targeted oil storage and electric facilities in Yemens Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, and several people were either killed or injured, the groups al-Masirah TV reported on Saturday. The Israeli military said in a statement that its fighter jets targetted military targets of the Houthi militia, as a response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against Israel in recent months as reported by Xinhua news agency. Advertisement The statement came after Houthi top negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam said the Israeli strikes would not stop the military group from targetting Israeli cities and ships. Hodeidah residents said a big column of black smoke and fire at the scene could be seen miles away. Fire trucks and ambulances rushed to the scene as the authorities cordoned off the area near the Red Sea, said the residents. Local health authorities have yet to reveal the exact number of casualties, the Houthi-run TV said. The alleged strikes came a day after the Houthi group claimed responsibility for a bomb-laden drone attack on a building in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, which according to Israeli media killed one person and injured 10 others. The Houthis said the Friday drone attack came in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip currently under Israeli offensive. Before that, the Houthis had continued a series of drone and missile attacks against what it called Israeli-linked shipments in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023 in a way to show solidarity with Gaza. In response, the US-British naval coalition in the waters attacked Houthi targets to deter the group, but only led to Houthi expansion of attacks to include US and British commercial and military ships. Hodeidah has been under the control of the Houthi group along with several northern cities, including the capital Sanaa, since late 2014, driving the internationally recognised government out to the southern and eastern provinces. Usha Vance, wife of the Republican Vice President nominee J.D. Vance, is emerging as the new face of the rising clout of the India Americans, a minority community that has for decades been counted among the best educated and the wealthiest in the US. Her rising profile has also exposed her to attacks from the far right. It was the latest milestone for an Indian American community that has emerged as a powerful powerhouse over the past decade, The New York Times noted in an article on Usha Vance on Saturday. Advertisement Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris had created the most remarkable milestone by becoming the first from the community to occupy the second-highest political position in the country. Two Indian Americans ran for the Republican nomination in the 2024 election cycle Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the UN (also the first Indian-American to hold a federal Cabinet position), and Vivek Ramaswamy, a biopharma entrepreneur. Also, there are five Indian-descent members in the House of Representatives Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar all Democrats who call themselves the Samosa Caucus. Their numbers could grow in 2024 with several more Indian Americans in the fray. There is also a possibility of Ramaswamy being nominated to the Senate seat that will be vacated by J.D. Vance if he becomes the Vice President. There are an estimated 4 million Indian Americans, although not all of them are American citizens because Indian citizens living here are also put under the umbrella of Indian-descent Americans. They have long been seen as an elite community with median education and income levels being the highest in the US. The community has remained largely free of involvement in crime. They have surely advanced from writing cheques to politicians to seeking political office themselves, from county administrations to the White House. Usha Vance, born to immigrant parents from India, is now the new face of this elite community, manifesting the very best of it. She went to Yale, an Ivy League school, and then Cambridge in the United Kingdom, clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, and worked at a law firm till the announcement of her husband joining the Trump ticket as running mate. The Indian-American community has been abuzz as well. The wife of Trumps new VP nominee Usha Chilukuri Vance is a lawyer of Indian heritage, a Hindu family. With @VivekGRamaswamy & @TulsiGabbard both playing prominent roles, it would appear Hindus are key players in the Silicon Valley & US politics. India-India!, Ravi Karkara, an Indian-descent New York-based investor and entrepreneur, posted on X. Tulsi Gabbard is a former member of the House of Representatives who ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2020 against President Joe Bien. However, there has also been some hateful blowback from the far-right. Im sure this guy is going to be great on immigration, far-right activist Jaden McNeil wrote on X shortly after Vance was named by Trump as his pick, with an undated picture of the Vances and their newborn child. Nick Fuentes, a far-right political commentator, wondered in a video post if Vance the guy who has an Indian wife can be trusted to support white identity. Fuentes went on to reiterate claims that there is a plan to replace white Americans through immigration and inter-marrying. The monsoon is the best time to visit Mumbai. Its the best time to understand what the lashing rains can do to a persons existence, whether she sleeps in a hut or a house. Its the best time to understand how she goes to work, when the citys local trains fail her. And the best time to understand how a Mumbaikar dresses for the weather. All of the above employ the good, old-fashion tricks of the Indian jugaad, or an inventive quick-fix. One evening last week, when it was coming down in sheets, some friends and I had planned a girls night at a local bar. I went trudging to the swanky space in a slinky black dress, and a pair of red Havaianas slippers. My monsoon hair was rolled up into a ponytail, or else I would risk looking like Kim Kardashian at the Ambani wedding last weekendas if Princess Jasmine had just gotten off Aladdins magic carpet and forgot her frizz-control serum for the whirlwind ride. My slippers, a swankier version of the humble Bata chappal, was let into the bar without a hitch. Turns out three of the four women came in their rubber slippers, too. There truly is no other way to walk in the rain, even if its just from the car to a restaurant, without damaging the shoe forever. I first heard of the jelly slipper almost 15 years ago. I think it was Chanel that introduced the first one; of course, I had to get myself a pair. Mine was a lime green diaphanous pair with glitter all over. At the centre of the slippers thong was a camelia, the brands signature flower, in the same material and colour. It was so chic and so incredibly practical, I wore it every day of the year. When it was done, I got myself another pair, a black slipper with a white camelia. And when that was done, I moved on to an open-toed sandal with the flower. Melissa jelly shoes have existed since 1979 | Instagram@melissashoesindia But almost immediately after Chanels introduction of the jelly slipper, several big brands launched their own line of the jelly slipper, for a little fun in the sun during European summers. Prada, Gucci, Badgley Mischka, and what have you, each brought their signatures to the slipper. At this years Fall 2024 Paris Fashion Week collection of The Row, the label sent a pair of red-blue vinyl shoes on the runway. Jelly shoes are all over summer collections once again. Gucci has a pair of interlocking G slides; Prada and Miu Miu have platform Roman sandals in rubber that retail for over $600. Even Birkenstock has a range of PVC slippers made in pop colours that are quite cute. One of the most well-known brands for jelly shoes is the Brazilian label Melissa. I discovered them on a work trip to the Sao Paulo Fashion Week over a decade ago, but they have existed since 1979. They even collaborated with Jean Paul Gaultier in 1983, and several designers after that, including the late superstar architect Zaha Hadid. The one brand that I cannot bear is Crocs. Yes, they are also rather monsoon friendly or summer friendly, but they are so ugly they hurt the eyes. If I ever see you wearing Crocs, I will not say hello. Ive recently bought myself the cleverest shoe from Zara. It is a sinuous pair of black heels, four inches, made entirely of PVC. It has a giant black camelia on top. Its a Chanel knock-off obviously, and life comes full circle each monsoon. X@namratazakaria Last words are legendary. The godly Gandhi said, Hey Ram!; the deaf Beethoven said, I shall hear in heaven; the gallant Nelson said either Ive done my duty or Kiss me, Hardy; and the thinker Karl Marx said, Go on, get out; last words are for fools who havent said enough. These are words said to have been uttered by men when they were facing sure deathnatural, induced or forced. But what do people say when they have escaped death? We know too few. History is so obsessed with the dismal, the dead and the dying that it has recorded more words from deathbeds than from those who were springing back to life valiantly. Cheek!was all that Winston Churchill said after a sniper shot him in Athens in 1944. That one English word, verily pithy and uttered snootily, bore all the contempt that the civilised society can show towards the worlds cowardly Brutuses, Wilkes Booths, Lee Harvey Oswalds, Nathuram Godses, Beant Singhs and Dhanus. Illustration: Deni Lal Churchill was a master of words. Most others in his place have been pedestrianlike Gerald Ford. You guys get off; youre heavy, was all that the prosaic Ford muttered to his aides who had thrown themselves over him, thus saving him from a second woman assassin within a space of three weeks. But then, Ford was a president who had much to be humble about, as Churchill had mocked his own successor Clement Attlee in the British Parliament. None knew it more than Ford. I am a Ford; not a Lincoln, he said once, referring to the small car and the big car. That was perhaps the cleverest line that ever came out of him. Donald Trump is neither a Churchill nor a Ford. He has neither the formers intellect nor the latters decency. On the contrary, he has the worst of bothChurchills arrogance and Fords inadequacies. Yet, for all you know, he may make it to the White House this time. Why? Because, as they say in America, he is no pushover. Look at him. Pinned down by his bodyguards after being shot in the ear, he asked for his shoes, rose to his full height in those, and exhorted his fans to fight, fight, even as they chanted USA, USA. Compare that with what the miserable Ford had said gasping under the human pile. The shot in the ear has given his campaign a shot in the arm. In India, we call it sympathy vote. Not in America, where muscle and machismo get more votes than do tears. Trump has faced blackmail, arrests, prosecutions, convictions and now an assassination bid. Yet he managed to stay alive, feisty, and very much in the race. Trump is street-smart in politics, as he had been in business. To the rest of the world, Trump is the typical ugly American, a phrase that came into currency after rich Americans started travelling around war-ravaged but still-genteel Europe, flaunting money, talking loud, behaving brash, putting their feet up in train carriages, and holding the fork in the wrong hand. The term entered popular culture from the title of a 1958 book by William Lederer and Eugene Burdick, and its film version released in 1963 starring Marlon Brando. Sadly for America, the alternative is no great shakes either. The 81-year-old incumbent is getting known more for his gaffes, stumbles and missteps. Straw pollsters had been quietly saying he was losing. Now he is lost, they say within his earshot (pun intended). Well-wishers are asking him to yield place to a younger man, but Joe Biden is holding on to the Oval Office like the Old Man of the Sea on Sailor Sindbads back. Who said democracy is a celebration of choices? Not in America. prasannan@theweek.in One of the peculiar frustrations of being an elected representative in India is the widespread ignorance among the electorate of the responsibilities and authority of those they are electing to office. We have three tiers of governancelocal, state and federalto which the same voters elect, at different times, councillors, MLAs and MPs. Yet an overwhelming majority of our citizens have no clue what role they are electing each of these representatives for. On a recent thank-you tour of my constituency, which had just returned me to Parliament for a fourth time, I found myself greeting, from atop my open jeep, voters who in the same breath were pointing to the rutted, potholed stretch of road I was travelling on, making it clear they expected me to repair it now that I had won. But in every case the road was the responsibility of either the city council or the village panchayat and not the MP. Local roads are maintained by local government bodies; state roads by the state government, to which the MLA is accredited and where he or she has some influence; and central roads are those for which the MP can be made accountable. These are the National Highways and those major roads financed by the Union government under the Central Road Fund or the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojananot narrow country roads, vital though these are to those who live near them. But try explaining this to a voter, who assumes that MLAs exist to do what councillors cant, and MPs to do what MLAs cant! The confusion is compounded by the expectation that each elected representative must deliver development to his constituency. Just as MLAs have some budgetary allotments available to themin Kerala, each MLA receives Rs6 crore to be spent on development projects of his or her choiceMPs have the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme funds, which entitles them to spend Rs5 crore a year on projects in their constituencies. But a Lok Sabha MP in Kerala represents seven MLA constituencies, and 25 per cent of the MPLADS total is reserved for expenditure on projects benefitting SC/ST communities, which leaves each MP some Rs50 lakh for each constituency where an MLA is spending Rs6 crore, 12 times as much. Inevitably the scale of the MPs development projects is dwarfed by comparison with the MLAs, yet voters cannot understand why the more important MP cannot do more. MPs must lobby the Central government, but cannot determine favourable outcomes, and many require state government decisions, too. The question of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences for Kerala is a case in point. I stated during the election campaign that no MP can promise (as my opponent was doing) to set up an AIIMS in a location of his choiceit depends on what the state government proposes. When my party was in power in the state, I had ensured that Thiruvananthapuram was added to the list of possible AIIMS locations submitted by the state government to the Centreand lobbied the Central government to choose it. But when the left came to power in Kerala, it opted for Kozhikode as the sole choice before the Centre. No MP could have done anything about thatit is, after all, the prerogative of the state to identify the location and provide the land. But if voters do not always understand the complementary roles of the state and the Centre in decisions affecting their lives, they do not understand the differences either. During the recent election in my constituency, I was amused and mortified to see a viral video put out by the BJP campaign that showed a middle-aged woman voter saying she had voted communist all her life, but was now going to vote for the BJP because the communist government had not paid her pension for the last seven months. The poor lady had no idea that electing a BJP MP would make not a whit of difference to her pension, which is paid by the state governmentwhere the left is in power and the BJP has no role. Democracy is Indias greatest assetbut that doesnt mean all Indians understand how our democracy works! editor@theweek.in When Meenal Jhala Singhdeo got married into the royal family of Dhenkanal 34 years ago, she moved from Delhi to Odisha, where she saw how rich the state was in handicrafts. Along with restoring her home, she got to learning more about the crafts. Today, she not only runs Dhenkanal palace as a heritage homestay but has also brought together artisans within 45 kilometres of the palace to sustain handpainted pattachitra, artefacts, ikat designs on cotton and silk sarees and western wear, dhokra art, brass jewellery, brass metal casting and more. She also established the Maharaja Bhagirath Mahindra Bahadur Foundation for the welfare for artisans. I wanted to make ikat more accessible, not only through saris but also through western clothes so that it appeals to younger customers as well, she says that 80 per cent of the designs are hers and then she leaves it upon the mastery of the artisans. Meenal Jhala Singhdeo was one among the many royals-turned-entrepreneurs who showcased their collections at the Andaz Delhi X Royal Fables Wedding Edit. Ritu Singh from the royal family of Kashmir and founder of The Runway Diaries brought several designers from the region to showcase their rich cultural heritage. Rajkumari of Pratapgarh, Awadh, Alka Rani Singh showcased her collection of luxury sarees, Mriganka Kumari from the royal family of Baria presented their heritage clothing line and more. Architect Ritu Kaul of Walnut Interiors, who hails from Kashmir, says about her collection that it often finds inspiration from the region. Luxury is about comfort. I design spaces with that in mind and a little bit of inspiration from Kashmir here and there. The Wedding Edit showcased creations from 50 royals and legendary studios at Andaz Delhi. It included heirloom textiles, vintage jewels, traditional art, and stunning handcrafted home and fashion products from across India. Founders of Royal Fables (a platform promoting the culture, cuisine, and craft of Princely India) Anshu Khanna and culture aficionado Charu Singh curated the collection. Everyone loves a royal wedding, but few know the delicate nuances involved in their traditions and rituals. In this wedding edit, we didnt just create a nostalgic platform to shop, we also presented memorabilia exhibits around famed weddings of the past, says Anshu Khanna. Our expansive and curated spaces, adorned with unique artefacts, provided an exceptional setting that celebrated the rich tapestry of culture, art, and heritage. This association allowed us to create a truly immersive experience for our guests and Royals, blending our signature hospitality with the timeless elegance that Royal Fables epitomises," says Hardip Marwah, general manager at Andaz Delhi. Four experiential spaces curated in the studios of Andaz Delhi were brought to life. These included a section for large palace karkhanas, a vintage jewellery room by Atul Jewelers, a textile studio showcasing pure gold and silver weaves by Hyderabad-based textile aficionado Shravan Kummar, and a decor studio curated by architect Ritu Kaul. For the inaugural night, Royal Fables' culinary revivalist platform, Kitchen of the Kings, joined forces with Andaz Delhi's chefs to present the Oriya cuisine of Odishas Dhenkanal Palace. Curated by Yuvraaj Amarjyoti and Yuvrani Meenal Singh Deo, the cuisine blended indigenous tribal recipes with royal traditions passed down through generations. The grand exposition at Andaz Delhi was presented in association with Royal Fables on July 18 and 19. Tamil actor SJ Suryah has reportedly said in an interview that Kollywood superstar Dhanush is all set to direct a fourth movie. The shooting of Dhanush's fourth directorial venture will start in August, SJ Suryah was quoted as saying by Dinamalar.com on Sunday during an interview. Released in 2017, 'Po Paandi' was the South Indian superstar's directorial debut. His second 'Raayan' is up for a grand release on July 26. 'Rayaan' is also the 50th movie of the 40-year-old star. 'Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam' or 'NEEK' is his third directorial and is expected to be released later in 2024. Launched at the end of 2023, not much has been revealed about 'Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam' yet. According to SJ Suryah, 'NEEK' will be in 'Premalu' style movie offering loads of entertainment. 'NEEK' stars Anika Surendran, Pavish, Priya Prakash Varrier, Matthew Thomas, Venkatesh Menon and Rabiya Khatoon amongst others, 123 Telugu said in a report. Malayalam rom-com 'Premalu' starring Naslen and Mamitha Baiju in lead roles was a chart-buster across India, especially in the southern belt. The much-awaited trailer of 'Raayan' had dropped on July 16, Tuesday. The gangster drama features Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, SJ Suryah and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar amongst others alongside Dhanush. The cinematography for the film was done by Om Prakash while Prasanna GK was at the helm of editing 'Raayan be will be released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, reports had said. SJ Suryah's future projects include Nani-starrer 'Saripodhaa Sanivaaram', Ram Charan's 'Game Changer' and 'Love Insurance Corporation' alongside Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty. Amid the controversy over the Uttar Pradesh governments order directing the eateries along the Kanwar route to display their owners names, a similar circular has been issued by the BJP-ruled Ujjain Municipal Corporation. The corporation has directed the shopowners in the city to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. Any violation of this order will attract a fine of Rs 2,000 for the first offence and Rs 5,000 if the order is defied for the second time. "All formalities have been already completed. The implementation was delayed as the nameplates were initially required to be of the same size and colour. Now, we have relaxed these terms. Displaying the names and mobile numbers of shopkeepers will suffice," Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal told news agency PTI. He, however, clarified that the directive is not meant to target Muslim shop owners, but rather to ensure safety and transparency. Ujjain is the hometown of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The new order comes ahead of the Savaan month during which the Mahakal temple in the ancient city attracts thousands of devotees from across the globe. "Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha. They have the right to know about the shopkeeper whose services they are availing. If a customer is dissatisfied or cheated, knowing the shopkeeper's details allows them to seek redress," the mayor said. The Uttar Pradesh government, in a recent order, has directed all eateries along the Kanwar route to display their owners namea move that drew criticism even from the BJP allies. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief and Union minister Jayant Chaudhary on Sunday said Kanwar yatris dont check peoples religion before accepting sewa from them. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has already raised objection to the Yogi Adityanath governments directive. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Indore-2 assembly seat Ramesh Mendola wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav urging him to make it mandatory for all shopkeepers in Madhya Pradesh to display their names outside their shops. Meanwhile, Ramesh Mendola, a BJP MLA from Indore-2 seat, has urged Chief Minister Yadav to make it mandatory for all shopkeepers in Madhya Pradesh to display their names outside their shops. "The name of any person is his identity. A person is proud of his name. Asking for the name is the customer's right and the shopkeeper should be proud to tell his name, not be ashamed," he said. Amidst rains, the water level of the Godavari river in Telangana's Bhadrachalam will increase due to the arrival of flood water coming from the upper areas, Telugu media reports said on Sunday evening quoting official sources. If Godavari's water level reaches 43 feet in Bhadrachalam, the authorities will issue the first emergency warning, reports said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers in most places in Telangana and warned of heavy to very heavy rains likely to occur at isolated places in 10 districts of the state. Heavy rain was very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar and Peddapalli districts, it said. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are very likely to occur at isolated places in all the districts of Telangana, the IMD had warned. As officials estimate that Godavari's water level is likely to reach 43 feet on Sunday evening, here are five latest updates Bhadrachalam residents should know: 1. The main road from Bhadrachalam to Chhattisgarh and Odisha was blocked due to flooding, reports said. Efforts are being made to move people from flooded villages to resettlement centres. Regions of Dummugudem and Cherla mandals were submerged in the water, affecting traffic and normal life. 2. The water level in Godavari, which was 34 feet on Saturday, reached 36 feet on Sunday morning. According to the latest reports, the water level had reached 40.8 feet at Bhadrachalam in the evening. Due to the arrival of flood waters from upper areas, Godavari's water levels will further rise, ETV Bharat said quoting the Water Resources Department. 3. In Nizamabad district, the Sriram Sagar Project is currently holding 18.833 tmcft of water. 14,063 cusecs of flood water are flowing into the project, local media reports said. Latest reports claim that the water level at the flood-flow project has reached 1067.10 feet. The maximum capacity of the reservoir is reportedly 1091 feet. 4. The Kaddam reservoir of Nirmal district is also getting filled with flood water. The inflow into the reservoir was reportedly 19,686 cusecs while the outflow is 18,227 cusecs. 5. It is predicted that the extreme low pressure will move over Chhattisgarh and weaken in the next 12 hours moving northwestwards. On Sunday, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) held its Martyrs Day rally in Kolkatas Esplanade. The event, held in honour of 13 individuals who were killed in police firing during a Youth Congress rally against the Left Front government in 1993, was also attended by INDIA blocs Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Abhishek Banerjee and host of other senior TMC leaders and workers graced the rally. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was the biggest attraction. Thousands of party workers and supporters waited for hours in heavy rain as the Trinamool supremo, completely drenched, addressed them in her usual high-octane manner. She gave a clear message to the BJP and other parties about the togetherness of the TMC and SP in the coming days. Raising Yadavs hand, the 69-year-old declared, We will fight together and save the country. She had earlier said, The government in Delhi will not run for long. Akhilesh [Yadav] showed them that in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, continuing from her recent administrative and internal party meetings, Banerjee repeatedly warned a section of her party leaders and workers who are allegedly involved in corrupt and illegal activities. I want ethical workers and leaders, not wealthy people. I dont want any complaint about any leader. The party will take appropriate action [if I receive complaints]. Eat what you have in your home. Stop being greedy, she said amidst a thunderous response from the crowd. The chief minister was also seen targeting the BJP over communal politics, discrimination and alleged misuse of central agencies. I salute the way people fought the BJP that threatened everyone with agencies, made illegal arrests and had the media with them. I salute them for supporting Trinamool. Banerjee also addressed the allegations of job and recruitment-related corruption against her government. I have 1 million government jobs ready. But whenever I try to do something, they take the matter to the court. Sometimes they claim I am taking away 26,000 jobs, sometimes 42,000, and sometimes they ask for the removal of OBC reservations. This will not happen. We are fighting a legal battle and will continue to do so, she added. Abhishek Banerjee, general secretary of the TMC and Diamond Harbour MP, attacked the BJP government at the Centre over the alleged NEET scam. He said, In the alleged SSC TET recruitment scam, central agencies arrested [former Education Minister of West Bengal] Partha Chatterjee. But independent Indias biggest scam is the NEET scam. Why are then ED, CBI not raiding [Union Minister of Education] Dharmendra Pradhan? Abhishek also tread the same path as her aunt and spent majority of his time on the stage instructing the party leaders and workers to not take law and order into their hands. Trinamool workers are the strength of Trinamool. Our workers must remain restrained. Do not engage in any kind of argument or dispute, he said. People voted for you because they trust you. Stay responsible. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who thanked the Trinamool and Banerjee for inviting him, launched a direct attack on the BJP-led central government. They want to rule by dividing people. They may succeed for some time but they will eventually fail. The government in Delhi will not run for long. Communal forces are rising. If people like you stand by Didi, she will be able to counter all conspiracies, he said. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister further said, Those in power in Delhi use martyrs to maintain their hold. They can do whatever they please. When the public awakens, these peoples false propaganda takes a hit and they become disheartened. We, you and I, do not engage in negative politics. We practice positive politics. Change will come soon in peoples lives. We must unite for the people. Change must come, the Kannauj MP said while asserting that the SP will always be with the Trinamool. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday took potshots at the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra, calling it an Aurangzeb fan club and terming Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray as the club leader. Addressing a BJP conclave in Pune, Shah accused the Congress of spreading misconceptions about reservation and blamed NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar for institutionalising corruption in the country. "Maha Vikas Aghadi is Aurangzeb fan club. This Aurangzeb fan club cannot ensure India's security. Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of this Aurangzeb Fan club. This Fan Club cannot make Maharashtra and India safe, Shah said, adding that only the BJP can ensure the safety and security of all. Sharpening his attack on Thackeray, Shah said the Sena leader had sat with people who sought pardon for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon. "Who is the Aurangzeb fan club? Those who serve biryani to (26/11 terror attack convict) Kasab, those who seek pardon for Yakub Memon, those who give (controversial Islamic preacher) Zakir Naik a messenger of peace award and those who support the (banned Islamist outfit) PFI. Uddhav Thackeray should be ashamed of sitting with these people," said the home minister. Targeting the Congress, Shah said the opposition party had done nothing to uplift the poor though they had ruled the country for decades. They said that BJP will end reservation. I want to remind you all that it was under the leadership of Modi ji that reservation was extended." He noted that the BJP had alloted reservation to Marathas when it ruled the state under Devendra Fadnavis, but when the Sharad Pawar's government came to power, the Maratha quota disappeared. "If there is the biggest 'sargana' of corruption in Indian politics, it is Sharad Pawar. There is no confusion in my mind about this. I am saying it openly that Pawar has institutionalised corruption in the country," he said in a blistering attack on the NCP leader. Shah reiterated his allegation that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was showing arrogance despite the Congress partys consecutive losses in the elections. "Once we win the Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand assembly polls later this year, Rahul Gandhi's arrogance will be crushed," he said. After days of deadly protest that saw over 114 people dead, Bangladesh's top court on Sunday scrapped the controversial quota system for government jobs. The court's Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the controversial quota system that reserved up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971. The top court on Sunday directed that 93% of government jobs will be open to candidates on merit, without quotas. Of the remaining 7 per cent, 5 per cent will be set aside for the relatives of veterans who fought in the war, one per cent is reserved for tribal communities, and another one per cent for people with disabilities or identifying as third gender. Shah Monjurul Hoque, a lawyer involved in the case, told AFP that the court had also asked protesting students "to return to class" after issuing its verdict. This came after the nation plunged into chaos after deadly clashes between police and protesters. Though the controversial quota system was scrapped by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in 2018, the lower court reinstated it last month, sparking the protests and ensuring a government crackdown. Angry students took to the streets, clashing with the police which fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades. Sporadic clashes in some parts of Dhaka, the capital, were reported on Saturday but it was not immediately clear whether there were any fatalities. Though Bangladeshi authorities haven't shared any official numbers of those killed and injured, local media reported that at least 103 people have died so far. Retaliating to the drone attack on Tel Aviv, Israeli jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemen's Hodeidah port on Saturday. The attack on oil facilities and a power station killed three people and hurt 87, according to Al-Masirah TV run by Yemen's Houthi movement. This came a day after a drone attack on Tel Aviv by Houthis killed a 50-year-old man and injured eight others on Friday. The attack was carried out by an Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), modified to fly long distances. Though the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) detected the incoming drone, it did not intercept it because of "human error". After sending IDF F-15 fighters to Yemen on Saturday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said his country aimed to send a message to the Houthi movement. "The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," he said. "The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required," Gallant added. An IDF statement said the Houthis had been using the Hodeidah port to receive weapons shipments from Iran. The targets, more than 1,700 km (1,056 miles) from Israel, included dual-use sites such as energy infrastructure. "After nine months of continuous aerial attacks by the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel, IAF [Israeli Air Force] fighter jets conducted an extensive operational strike over 1,800km [1,118 miles) away against Houthi terrorist military targets in the area of the port of Hodeidah. The IDF is capable of operating anywhere required and will strike any force that endangers Israelis," the statement said, adding that Saturday's operation was codenamed Outstretched Arm. An Israeli F15 Fighter Jet on its way to conduct air strikes in Yemen is seen at an unidentified location in this handout photo | Reuters Meanwhile, explosions rocked Hodeidah as firefighters and defence forces battled to extinguish fires in the port's oil tanks, Reuters quoted residents of the Yemeni port city. The Houthis have vowed to hit back with military spokesperson Yahya Saree stating the Houthis will not hesitate to strike vital targets of the Israeli enemy. The Houthi Supreme Political Council, the movement's executive body, said there would be an "effective response" to the airstrikes. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani too condemned the Israeli attacks. It warned against the risk of escalation of tension and the spread of war in the region as a result of the "dangerous adventurism of the Zionists," Iranian state media reported. Militant group Hezbollah also condemned the attack on Hodeidah, describing it as "a foolish step ... that marks a new and dangerous phase of the extremely important ongoing confrontation." As Israel's war in Gaza continues, the Houthis have targetted Israel with drones, attacking Israeli and Western ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Saudi Arabia reacts A Saudi Ministry of Defence spokesperson said that the kingdom was not involved in or participating in the targeting of Hodeidah. It added Saudi Arabia "will not allow its airspace to be infiltrated by any party" whatsoever. Egypt, which has been trying to help broker a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, said it was following "with great concern" the Israeli strike. Kolkata, Jul 21 (PTI) Trade between India and Bangladesh via land ports came to a standstill on Sunday as there was no movement of cargo trucks to and fro due to the ongoing student protests in the neighbouring country, officials said. The Bangladeshi side of the Petrapole landport remained non-functional, they said. Nearly one-third of land-based trade between India and Bangladesh takes place through Petrapole. "Trade from other land ports to Bangladesh, including Petrapole, Gojadanga, Fulbari, and Mahadipur, has also stalled as Bangladeshi Customs announced a two-day holiday from Sunday, following the government's declaration of a holiday except for essential services due to unrest," West Bengal Exporters' Coordination Committee Secretary Ujjal Saha said. The cargo trucks that crossed over to Bangladesh on Saturday from Mahadipur port in Malda have not returned, but they are safe, he said. "There has been no movement of trucks (import and export) at the Petrapole border since Sunday morning. Our land border remains open, but due to Benapole, trade has been impacted," the Manager of Land Port Authority of India (Petrapole), Kamlesh Saini, told PTI. On Saturday, 110 trucks crossed over to India from Bangladesh, while 48 trucks went to Bangladesh with export, he said. Saini said around 700 trucks with general merchandise are stranded in parking lots, loaded with cargo, waiting to go to Bangladesh. On an average, 400-450 trucks with goods cross the Petrapole land port from India, while 150-200 trucks come to India from Bangladesh every day, officials said. Saini, however, said that passenger movement continued. The majority of them are students who are returning due to security concerns. A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said Indians are being evacuated from violence-hit Bangladesh, and the BSF has assisted in the return of 572 Indian, 133 Nepalese, and four Bhutanese students so far. Petrapole, South Asia's largest land port, is located in North 24 Parganas district in Bongaon, about 82 km from Kolkata. Indo-Bangla trade analyst Sagar Khastagir said that trade was already low due to economic factors and the monsoon, but the unrest has had an adverse impact. He said exports from waterways have not stopped but have reduced significantly, primarily due to demand. Fly ash, a key commodity for export from India to Bangladesh for cement production, will be impacted due to evacuation logistics hindrances in Bangladesh caused by curfew and unrest. Guwahati, Jul 21 (PTI) West Assam Milk Producers' Co-operative Union Ltd (WAMUL), known under the brand Purabi Dairy, on Sunday said it has joined hands with the Assam government to operate a 5,000-litre daily capacity plant in Dhemaji district. Purabi Dairy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Dairy Development (DoDD), enabling WAMUL to operate the DoDD's 5,000-litre per day capacity dairy plant at Dhemaji, the company said in a statement. The tie-up is also expected to provide significant income opportunities to farmers by opening new markets and offering comprehensive training and growth opportunities, it added. Commenting on the development, WAMUL Managing Director Sameer Kr Parida said: "This MoU is a significant step towards enhancing the dairy sector in upper Assam. By operating the Dhemaji dairy plant, we will increase the availability of Purabi milk and milk products in the region." The operations at the Dhemaji dairy plant are set to commence soon, providing a crucial boost to the development of the dairy sector in upper Assam, the release added. Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it seems the smart money knows that debt - which is usually involved in bankruptcies - is a very important factor, when you assess how risky a company is. We note that Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) does have debt on its balance sheet. But should shareholders be worried about its use of debt? When Is Debt A Problem? Debt and other liabilities become risky for a business when it cannot easily fulfill those obligations, either with free cash flow or by raising capital at an attractive price. If things get really bad, the lenders can take control of the business. However, a more common (but still painful) scenario is that it has to raise new equity capital at a low price, thus permanently diluting shareholders. By replacing dilution, though, debt can be an extremely good tool for businesses that need capital to invest in growth at high rates of return. When we think about a company's use of debt, we first look at cash and debt together. View our latest analysis for Las Vegas Sands What Is Las Vegas Sands's Net Debt? You can click the graphic below for the historical numbers, but it shows that Las Vegas Sands had US$13.9b of debt in March 2024, down from US$16.0b, one year before. However, it also had US$4.96b in cash, and so its net debt is US$8.98b. How Strong Is Las Vegas Sands' Balance Sheet? According to the last reported balance sheet, Las Vegas Sands had liabilities of US$4.27b due within 12 months, and liabilities of US$13.0b due beyond 12 months. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of US$4.96b as well as receivables valued at US$420.0m due within 12 months. So its liabilities outweigh the sum of its cash and (near-term) receivables by US$11.8b. This deficit isn't so bad because Las Vegas Sands is worth a massive US$30.6b, and thus could probably raise enough capital to shore up its balance sheet, if the need arose. But we definitely want to keep our eyes open to indications that its debt is bringing too much risk. We measure a company's debt load relative to its earnings power by looking at its net debt divided by its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and by calculating how easily its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) cover its interest expense (interest cover). Thus we consider debt relative to earnings both with and without depreciation and amortization expenses. Las Vegas Sands has net debt worth 2.3 times EBITDA, which isn't too much, but its interest cover looks a bit on the low side, with EBIT at only 5.4 times the interest expense. While that doesn't worry us too much, it does suggest the interest payments are somewhat of a burden. Notably, Las Vegas Sands made a loss at the EBIT level, last year, but improved that to positive EBIT of US$2.7b in the last twelve months. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine Las Vegas Sands's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting. Story continues Finally, a business needs free cash flow to pay off debt; accounting profits just don't cut it. So it's worth checking how much of the earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) is backed by free cash flow. During the last year, Las Vegas Sands generated free cash flow amounting to a very robust 83% of its EBIT, more than we'd expect. That positions it well to pay down debt if desirable to do so. Our View When it comes to the balance sheet, the standout positive for Las Vegas Sands was the fact that it seems able to convert EBIT to free cash flow confidently. But the other factors we noted above weren't so encouraging. For example, its net debt to EBITDA makes us a little nervous about its debt. Considering this range of data points, we think Las Vegas Sands is in a good position to manage its debt levels. Having said that, the load is sufficiently heavy that we would recommend any shareholders keep a close eye on it. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. These risks can be hard to spot. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Las Vegas Sands you should know about. If, after all that, you're more interested in a fast growing company with a rock-solid balance sheet, then check out our list of net cash growth stocks without delay. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to create history when she presents her seventh straight Budget on Tuesday for the fiscal 2024-25, surpassing the record of former prime minister Morarji Desai. Sitharaman, who will turn 65 next month, was in 2019 appointed as India's first full-time woman finance minister when Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a decisive second term. Since then, she has presented six straight budgets, including an interim one in February this year. The full Budget for the 2024-25 fiscal (April 2024 to March 2025) will be her seventh straight. She will better Desai's record, who presented consecutive five full budgets and one interim budget between 1959 to 1964. This year will witness two budgets - an interim one in February and a full one this month. This is because an incumbent government cannot present a full Budget just before general elections. The presentation on July 23 will be the first Budget by the BJP-led NDA government since it was re-elected last month. Here are some facts related to Budget presentation in Independent India: FIRST BUDGET: The first-ever Union Budget of independent India was presented on November 26, 1947, by the nation's first finance minister RK Shanmukham Chetty. MOST NUMBER OF BUDGETS: Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai holds the record for presenting the most budgets. He has presented a total of 10 budgets during his tenure as finance minister under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and later under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He presented his first budget on February 28, 1959, and presented full budgets in the following two years before presenting an interim one in 1962. This was followed by two full budgets. After four years, he presented another interim budget in 1967, followed by three full budgets in 1967, 1968, and 1969, presenting a total of 10 budgets. SECOND HIGHEST NUMBER OF BUDGET: Former finance minister P Chidambaram presented the budget on nine occasions. He first presented the Budget on March 19, 1996, during the United Front government led by Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. He presented another budget under the same government next year and returned to the hot seat when the Congress-led UPA came to power in 2014. He presented five budgets between 2004 and 2008. After a stint as Union Home Minister, he was back in the finance ministry and presented budgets in 2013 and 2014. THIRD HIGHEST NUMBER OF BUDGETS: Pranab Mukherjee presented eight budgets during his tenure as finance minister. He presented budgets in 1982, 1983 and 1984 and five straight ones between February 2009 and March 2012 in the Congress-led UPA government. MANMOHAN SINGH: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presented five straight budgets between 1991 and 1995 when he was finance minister in the P V Narasimha Rao government. LONGEST BUDGET SPEECH: Sitharaman holds the record for the longest budget speech when her presentation on February 1, 2020, lasted two hours and 40 minutes. At the time, she cut short her speech with two pages still remaining. SHORTEST BUDGET SPEECH: Hirubhai Mulljibhai Patel's interim Budget speech in 1977 is so far the shortest at just 800 words. TIMING: The Budget was traditionally presented on the last day of February at 5 pm. The timing followed a colonial era practice when the announcements could be made in London and India at the same time. India is 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the British Summer Time, and so presenting the budget at 5 pm in India ensured that it was happening in the daytime in the United Kingdom. The timing was changed in 1999 when the then finance minister Yashwant Singh in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government presented the budget at 11 am. Since then budgets are presented at 11 am. DATE: The Budget presentation date was in 2017 changed to the 1st of February to allow the government to complete the Parliamentary approval process by March-end and allow implementation of the Budget from the start of the fiscal on April 1. Presenting the Budget on February 29 meant that the implementation could not start before May/June after accounting for 2-3 months of the parliamentary approval process. Kathmandu, Jul 21 (PTI) Nepal's new Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Sunday for the first time revealed the details of his party's secret seven-point deal with the Nepali Congress under which he will hand over the power to Sher Bahadur Deuba, the leader of his coalition partner, after leading the government for two years. Tabling his proposal seeking a vote of confidence in Parliament, Oli disclosed the deal reached two weeks ago between his Communist Party of Nepal- Unified MarxistLeninist (CPN-UML) and the Nepali Congress -- the largest party in the House of Representatives -- to topple Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'-led coalition. As per the seven-point agreement, I will lead the government for the next two years and Nepali Congress president Deuba will lead the election government for the remaining (one and a half year) period," Oli said while addressing the House of Representatives. To form a national consensus government for maintaining political stability in the country, checking corruption and maintaining good governance, amendment of the Constitution for bringing political stability, and increasing economic activity were among the features of the agreement reached between the two large parties in the House of Representatives. Until now the seven-point agreement reached between 78-year-old Deuba and Oli, 72, remained secret, creating suspicion even in the minds of several ruling party leaders. Earlier, Nepali Congress general secretary Gagan Thapa has also demanded Oli to make public the deal in Parliament. Oli, the veteran Communist leader was sworn in on Monday as the Himalayan nation's prime minister for the fourth time after Prachanda lost a vote of confidence in Parliament. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy along with 21 other members of the Cabinet. Kathmandu, Jul 21 (PTI) Nepal's Supreme Court on Sunday forwarded a petition challenging K P Sharma Oli's appointment as the country's prime minister to a constitutional bench, citing the need for a serious constitutional interpretation. Oli, 72, won a vote of confidence in Parliament on Sunday after his swearing-in earlier this week as the Himalayan nation's prime minister for the fourth time. Within hours of the veteran Communist leader's swearing-in on Monday, three advocates -- Deepak Adhikari, Khagendra Prasad Chapagain and Shailendra Kumar Gupta -- filed the petition at the apex court, arguing that the veteran Communist leader's appointment was unconstitutional and sought a mandamus order to annul it. A single bench of Justice Bal Krishna Dhakal on Sunday forwarded the case to the Supreme Court's constitutional bench, citing the need for a serious constitutional interpretation, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported. The matter raised in the writ petition involves serious questions of constitutional interpretation, and its resolution should be made by the constitutional bench. Therefore, present it before the chief justice, the report said, citing the order. The petition states the president should call for the formation of a new government under Article 76 (3) if a government formed as per Article 76 (2) fails the floor test in the House of Representatives. Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel made a call as per Article 76(2) of the Constitution after the former prime minister and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who was appointed as per the same article, failed the floor test. The Constitution's Article 76(2) states that in cases where no party has a clear majority in the House, the president shall appoint as the prime minister a member of the House who can command a majority with the support of two or more parties. As per Article 76(3), the president is allowed to appoint the parliamentary party leader of the largest party as the prime minister, who then has to seek a vote of confidence within 30 days. In such a situation, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba would become prime minister as the parliamentary party leader of the largest party in the House of Representatives, the report said. Nepal has faced frequent political turmoil as the country has seen 14 governments in the past 16 years after the Republican system was introduced. Washington, Jul 21 (PTI) There is no tangible evidence of India deepening its military and technology relationship with Russia, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said, asserting that Moscow, which has become a "junior partner" to China, is not necessarily going to be a "great and reliable friend" to India in a future contingency. Sullivan made remarks at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado while responding to questions about the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia for bilateral talks with President Vladimir Putin. "I think the biggest question is: Do we see tangible evidence that India is deepening its military and technology relationship with Russia? And I did not see tangible evidence out of that visit that it was deepening; I didn't see deliverables in that space," Sullivan said. "How concerned were you when Prime Minister Modi met President Putin, essentially at the same time that President Joe Biden was hosting the NATO leaders in Washington?" he was asked. "Don't you think the bear hug was significant then?" he was asked. "Well, Modi has a certain way, of course, of greeting world leaders. I've seen it up close and personal, actually, Sullivan said. The Biden Administration, he said, never wants to see countries that the US cares about, who are its partners and friends, show up in Moscow and hug Putin. "Of course, we don't. I'm not going to sit here and tell people otherwise, he said. But in terms of our relationship with India, you know, we see enormous opportunities in technology, in economics, and in the statecraft and geopolitics of the wider Indo-Pacific region. And we want to deepen that relationship as equals, as two sovereign countries who also have relationships with other countries. And India has a historic relationship with Russia that they're not going to cut off, Sullivan said. "But we do believe that we want to continue to have a deep dialogue with India about the specifics and the nature of that relationship and whether it evolves, particularly, Demetri, because Russia is getting closer and closer to China, and as the junior partner to China, is not necessarily going to be a great and reliable friend to India in a future contingency or crisis. "That's not something India needs to hear from Jake Sullivan, but it is a fact in the world. And it's something that we take into account as we have our strategic dialogue with India, said the US National Security Advisor, who was in New Delhi last month and met Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart Ajit Doval. Doval and Sullivan also held a telephone conversation on July 12, days after Modi visited Russia. Islamabad, Jul 21 (PTI) The Pakistan government on Sunday accused jailed former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of orchestrating violence during a peace march over the weekend in a major town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in which one person was killed. Information Minister Atta Tarar addressed a press conference to criticise the eruption of violence during a march in Bannu by the traders and local elders to press for peace after militants attacked an army facility in the city leading to a bloody clash in which eight soldiers died and ten militants were killed. However, the march resulted in violence for which the government blamed Khan's PTI. The PTI has a history of violent politics. They seek casualties to blame on security forces, acting more like a terrorist organisation than a political party. I call them TTP-PTI, Tarar said during a press conference referring to the banned terror outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. PTI elements infiltrated the traders peace march in Bannu, instigating chaos and firing near the attack site. One person died, and 22 were injured. Thankfully, a major disaster was averted, he added. The minister claimed that creating instability in the country is part of the PTIs manifesto, as evidenced by the attack on the Pakistan Television building in Islamabad by its workers in 2014, adding that the party has consistently promoted the politics of violence and used abusive language against political opponents. He alleged that the incidents of May 9 last year were triggered to get 50 to 60 casualties, to derail the entire system. In Bannu, one person was killed and 22 others were injured on Saturday when gunfire caused a stampede at a peace rally, attended by thousands who were demanding security. In its latest attempt to suppress Khans party, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government last week announced that it has decided to ban the PTI and seek proceedings against Khan, 71, and ex-president Arif Alvi, 78, among others under charges of treason. In a fresh crackdown on Saturday, four senior members of his media team were taken into custody allegedly by intelligence agencies. International Media Coordinator Ahmed Janjua and three other social media team members have been abducted early this morning, the PTI party said in a statement. According to the PTI, there has been a serious crackdown on the PTI social media team in the past two weeks. Deir Al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Jul 21 (AP) Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 people including women and children overnight in Gaza, according to hospital officials and a body count by an Associated Press journalist on Sunday. The latest strikes occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to leave Monday for the United States, where he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden and address Congress to make his case for the nine-month war against Hamas while cease-fire negotiations continue. The already precarious humanitarian conditions inside besieged Gaza have worsened with the discovery of the polio virus as water and sanitation services have suffered for the territory's population of 2.3 million, most of it displaced. Traces of the virus were found in sewage samples in Gaza. The World Health Organisation has said no one has been treated for symptoms caused by infection. Israel's military said solders would be vaccinated, and it would work with organisations to bring in vaccines for Palestinians. Israel's latest airstrikes were in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, where nine people including two children were killed, and the southern city of Khan Younis, where at least six people were killed including two girls. Men and women wept and embraced the small bodies in white shrouds. Unknown body of five-month baby was written on one. Smoke also rose from the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, but there was no immediate word on casualties. The war in Gaza has killed more than 38,900 people, according to the territory's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The war began with an assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7 that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took about 250 hostage. About 120 remain held, about a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities. Netanyahu has vowed to wipe out Hamas' military and governing capabilities and secure the return of the remaining hostages. Families of hostages and thousands of other Israelis have rallied in weekly demonstrations urging the prime minister to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring loved ones home. Mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States continue to push Israel and Hamas toward a phased deal that would stop the fighting and free the hostages. Concerns about a wider regional conflict continue. Israel on Saturday struck the port of Hodeida in Yemen in the first known Israeli strikes there since the war in Gaza began. The strikes, in response to a deadly Houthi drone strike in Tel Aviv, threatened to open a new front as Israel battles Iranian proxies in the region including Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon. On Sunday, the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen as the Houthis vowed impactful strikes". (AP) PY PY Washington, Jul 21 (PTI) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained during the assassination bid on him in Pennsylvania on July 13, a former physician to Trump has said in a memorandum. Trump, 78, survived an attempt on his life on July 13 when a young shooter fired multiple shots at him at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, injuring his right ear. The shooting left one person attending the rally dead and two others in serious condition. The 20-year-old suspected shooter was shot and killed by a member of the Secret Service. In a memorandum to fellow Americans on Saturday, Dr Ronny L Jackson said that as the former appointed physician to Trump, he was very concerned, as was the entire world, about his well-being after the assassination attempt on him. "As such, I met him in Bedminster, New Jersey, late that evening to personally check on him and offer my assistance in any way possible. I have been with President Trump since that time and I have evaluated and treated his wound daily. "He is doing well. As reported and witnessed by the entire world, he sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear from a high-powered rifle used by the would-be assassin, the doctor said. The bullet passed, coming less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear, producing a 2-cm-wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear, Dr Jackson said, adding that initially, there was significant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear. "The swelling has since resolved and the wound is beginning to granulate and heal properly. Based on the highly vascular nature of the ear, there is still intermittent bleeding requiring a dressing to be in place. Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required, he said. Trump was initially treated by the medical staff at Butler Memorial Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania, "who did an excellent job of evaluating him and treating his wound", Dr Jackson said. " I want to thank them for their outstanding care. They provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head. He will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him," he wrote in the memorandum. In summary, former President Trump is doing well and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound... I am extremely thankful his life was spared. It is an absolute miracle he wasnt killed, Dr Jackson said. He added that he would remain by Trump's side throughout the weekend to provide any medical assistance needed. On Saturday, Trump held a rally at Grand Rapids in Michigan along with his running mate and Ohio Senator J D Vance, the first by the Republican presidential nominee since the assassination attempt on him. Pune, Jul 21 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said the Mahayuti constituents, including the NCP led by him, are free to contest local bodies elections independently. Addressing Nationalist Congress Party workers in Pimpri Chinchwad city, he argued that independent contests would help strengthen the cadres. "Even though we are allies in Lok Sabha and state assembly, Mahayuti members are free to contest local bodies polls independently," he said. The schedule for elections to local bodies, which include municipal councils, nagar panchayats and zilla parishads, is not yet finalised. The ruling Mahayuti alliance includes Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP, and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar also asserted that Pimpri Chinchwad is synonymous with his name. "Pimpri Chinchwad means Ajit Pawar and Ajit Pawar means Pimpri Chinchwad. No one can deny this fact," he said in an apparent swipe at his estranged uncle Sharad Pawar who had claimed credit for the development of the township. Addressing a rally in Pimpri Chinchwad on Saturday, the Pawar senior said, Our government had changed the face of Pimpri Chinchwad. This used to be a collection of small villages. We brought the IT sector here, we gave jobs to youth here". Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar said "new and old faces" from all sections of the society will be fielded in elections to local bodies whenever they are conducted. He denied stopping Sharad Pawar from speaking at a Pune District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) meeting held on Saturday. Baramati MP Supriya Sule had claimed that Ajit Pawar had objected to her father asking questions about the disbursal of development funds at the meeting. She claimed Ajit Pawar had cited a GR (Government Resolution) and said MPs and MLAs cannot ask questions about fund disbursal or vote during these meetings as they are only invitees. Sharad Pawar had attended the meeting in his capacity as a Rajya Sabha member. Clarifying his stand, Ajit Pawar said, "Supriya Sule yesterday claimed that I had insulted Pawar saheb. How can I do this to a person for whom I have high respect". He alleged that Sule's statement was aimed at creating misunderstanding and gaining sympathy. Ajit Pawar said he and another Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Pune on Saturday night and discussed development-related issues. Kolkata, Jul 21 (PTI) West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday expressed concern over the discovery of a tunnel underneath the house of an alleged fake gold idol dealer in South 24 Parganas district, asserting that it poses a "national security concern". The tunnel connects to a nearby canal which flows into the Matla river. The police found it below the house of the accused in Kultali on July 15. "The existence of the well-planned and structured tunnel reportedly leading to a nearby canal flowing into the Matla River in the Sunderbans beyond which lies the Indo-Bangladesh international border gives rise to serious national security concern," the Raj Bhavan said in a post on X. The owner of the house and fake gold dealer, Saddam Sardar, was suspected to have used the tunnel to escape during a police raid. He was later arrested. The police team had initially nabbed Sardar but his family members facilitated his escape by engaging in a scuffle with the law enforcers. The governor alleged that the local police were "reportedly aware" of the thriving fake gold mafia and "now the situation has come to such a pass that it puts the state in a very bad light since it is compromising our national security." The governor has called for a report on the action the state government has taken to check organised crimes along the international borders. Bose also asked the state government to make the role of police objective and proactive. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Eight Indians, who were victims of a job scam in Hpa Lu region of Myanmar's Myawaddy, have been rescued, the Indian embassy in Yangon said on Sunday. The embassy has reiterated its earlier advice calling upon Indian nationals looking for jobs in that country to be careful so that they are not lured into fake or illegal employment. "8 Indian nationals, victims of a scam centre in Hpa Lu, Myawaddy, were rescued and handed over safely to Myanmar police/immigration yesterday," the embassy posted on 'X'. "Support of Myanmar authorities and local assistance was crucial. We thank them, and strongly reiterate our advisory on fake job rackets," it said. In an advisory last month, the embassy said an international crime syndicate is active in the Myawaddy region on Myanmar-Thailand border and urged Indians to exercise caution before taking up job offers in the region. "There has been an increase in the incidents of Indian nationals falling victim to the international crime syndicates active in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border," the embassy said. "We would re-emphasise the importance of adhering to our advisories on the subject for not taking any such job offers without consulting the respective Indian embassies," it said in the advisory. "A new location at Pha Lu area, South of Myawaddy town is reported to have emerged recently where most of the Indian victims are being trafficked into, via Thailand, after being recruited from India as well as from countries like Malaysia, the UAE, etc," it said. The embassy urged Indians not to take up job offers made through social media. "In view of the above, it is reiterated that Indian nationals should not accept such job offers floated through social media platforms or other unverified sources," it said. "Indian nationals are advised to check/verify credentials of foreign employers through the Indian embassy," it added. athens greece From uninvestable to unmissable, the reinvention of the Greek banking sector has been nothing short of extraordinary. When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rushed to the rescue of Greece on three separate occasions between 2010 and 2015, the country was the sick man of Europe and its lenders were insolvent. Of the close to 300bn (253bn) channelled into Greece over those years, just under 50bn was used to bail out four lenders. Their balance sheets were recapitalised, and their non-performing loans were restructured to enable them to start lending again. After a painful period, including harsh rounds of austerity, a new picture of Greece and its banking sector has emerged. The countrys economy is expected to grow by around 2.2pc this year, more than double the 1pc forecast for the wider EU. Its banks, now profitable, are starting to burnish their growth credentials theyre even preparing to pay shareholders dividends again. At the forefront of this renewed vigour is Alpha Bank, or to give it its official name, Alpha Services & Holdings. Greeces third-largest lender by assets is comfortably back in the black. It reported a pre-tax profit of 976.5m last year, up 55pc on 2022. The bank has cut its non-performing exposure ratio (essentially, the percentage of non-performing loans) to roughly 5.8pc. In 2019, the ratio stood at 45pc. At the tail end of last year, the state sold its 9pc stake in the lender to Italys UniCredit. That marked the first investment in a Greek bank by a European peer since the financial crisis. The deal also involved a product distribution agreement and a merger in Romania. Alpha Bank is now also poised to pay a dividend, equivalent to 20pc of last years profits. The rejuvenation of the Greek banking sector, and Alpha Bank in particular, has attracted the interest of some of the worlds most successful investors, six of whom hold stakes in the bank. Each of them is among the top 3pc of the more than 10,000 fund managers whose performance is tracked by financial publisher Citywire. Their backing has led Alpha Bank to receive a AAA rating from Citywire Elite Companies, which rates companies based on their ownership by the worlds best-performing professional stock pickers. One of them is Dominic Bokor-Ingram, who holds Alpha Bank as the largest position in two of his portfolios Fiera Oaks EM Select and Magna New Frontiers. Bokor-Ingram said he first started buying Alpha, and other Greek banks, in early 2021, when double-digit percentage returns on equity started to look like a realistic possibility. As well as rating management highly, Bokor-Ingram was attracted by the price of the shares low valuation relative to continental peers despite increased certainty about the future. Story continues The banks returns have been way beyond our, and the markets, expectations, he said. We still believe there is a huge valuation discount. The shares trade at about half tangible book value, which is a measure of the value of the banks assets. With returns on tangible book value expected to be over 10pc, it is not hard to understand why Bokor-Ingram and other top investors believe Alpha Bank is a bargain. The share price also represents just 5.5 times the next years expected earnings and carries a prospective dividend yield of 7.1pc, according to consensus forecasts collated by FactSet. Alpha Banks US-listed American Depository Receipt (ADR) shares are available through most UK brokers, although interested investors should be sure to fill in the appropriate documents to minimise their exposure to dividend withholding tax. The success of last years results was followed by record profits in this years first quarter. The bank looks well placed to continue to capitalise on the improved health of the Greek economy and has ambitious plans to grow earnings by 20pc a year until 2025. It also aims to generate almost 2.3bn in surplus capital over the period. With the lender also aiming for a return on tangible equity of above 12pc, while sporting a protective capital buffer that is among the highest in Europe, the outlook for dividends seems equally strong. Alpha Bank may have been uninvestable until only a few years ago, but the situation has changed rapidly, and the shares now offer value. Questor says: buy Ticker: NYSE:ALBKY Share price: $0.41 Miles Costello is a contributing journalist to Citywire Elite Companies. Read the latest Questor column on telegraph.co.uk every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8pm Read Questors rules of investment before you follow our tips. 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. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Noida, one of India's most polluted cities, has used only around 6 per cent of the Rs 21.95 crore it received under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) since 2019, according to government data. Data released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) showed that 19 out of the 131 cities covered under the NCAP have utilised less than 50 per cent of the funds allocated, and four have used below 25 per cent of the funds received as of May 3. Launched in 2019, the NCAP is India's first national effort to set clean air targets, aiming for a 20-30 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. The revised target aims for a 40 per cent reduction by 2026, using 2019-20 as the base year. A total of 46 cities and urban agglomerations spent less than 75 percent of the money received under the programme, either directly from the environment ministry or through the 15th Finance Commission. Noida in Uttar Pradesh has utilised only Rs 1.43 crore of the Rs 21.95 crore allocated to it for to combatting air pollution. Bengaluru spent only Rs 68.37 crore of the Rs 535.1 crore received, Nagpur used Rs 17.71 crore of Rs 132.6 crore, and Visakhapatnam spent Rs 26.17 crore of the Rs 129.25 crore it got. Other cities with low fund utilisation include Pune (26.44 per cent), Gulbarga (27.2 per cent), Vasai-Virar (28.01 per cent), Nashik (28.21 per cent), Kolhapur (28.37 per cent), Vijayawada (29.16 per cent), Angul (29.95 per cent), Jamshedpur (35.78 per cent), Delhi (37.33 per cent), Anantapur (38.39 per cent), Faridabad (38.89 per cent), Durg Bhilainagar (42.31 per cent), Varanasi (46.25 per cent), Ranchi (48.73 per cent), and Jalandhar (48.81 per cent). A report released by the independent think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Friday said only Rs 6,806 crore (64 per cent) of the total Rs 10,566 crore allocated to the 131 cities since the programme's inception has been utilised as of May 3. Nearly two-thirds of the funds allocated to 131 cities under the NCAP have been used for dust management, while only 0.61 per cent of the total funds have been used to tackle industrial pollution, 12.63 per cent for vehicular pollution, and 14.51 per cent for biomass burning. Among the cities covered by the programme, 82 receive direct funding from the MoEFCC, while 42 cities and seven urban agglomerations with population over a million receive funding from the 15th Finance Commission. The 82 cities utilised Rs 831.42 crore of the total Rs 1,616.47 crore allocated, while the 49 cities receiving funding under the 15th Finance Commission spent Rs 5,974.73 crore of the total Rs 8,951 crore allocated. Leh/Jammu, Jul 21 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Ladakh on July 26 to attend the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, an official said on Sunday, as Lt Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra reviewed arrangements for the visit. The grand celebrations to mark the 'Rajat Jyanti' of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 war are scheduled to be conducted at Drass in Kargil district from July 24 to 26. Mishra held a meeting at the Lt Governor's secretariat here to discuss the arrangements for the PM's visit to the Kargil War Memorial at Drass, an official spokesman said. The Lt Governor informed the meeting that Modi would be visiting the memorial on July 26 and attend the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas. The meeting discussed security and reception at the Drass helipad, necessary arrangements for his motorcade, the procedure for the wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial, interaction with war widows and preparation of the green room at the helipad, the spokesman said. He said the Lt Governor inquired from the General Officer Commanding of 8 Mountain Division, Major General Sachin Malik, about the arrangements at the Drass brigade helipad. Mishra directed officers concerned to complete all necessary arrangements in a timely manner, the spokesman said. The LG would visit the Kargil War Memorial on July 24 to inspect the arrangements, he said. Maj General Malik said the prime minister would land at Drass Brigade Helipad on the morning of July 26 and be received by army officials. He said Modi would take rest in the green room before departing for the Kargil War Memorial. Major Gen Malik also informed that the prime minister would participate in the wreath-laying ceremony followed by a visit to the 'Shaheed Marg' (Wall of Fame). He said Modi would sign on the visitors book and inspect the museum of Kargil War artefacts. Major Gen Malik informed that Modi will also sit for the briefing on the Kargil War followed by a group photograph. The prime minister would also interact with 'Veer Naris' (War Widows) and visit the Veer Bhoomi, he said, adding he would inaugurate the 'Shinku La Tunnel' virtually. Maj Gen Malik said the Special Protection Group (SPG) team will arrive on July 23 and conduct a meeting to coordinate with the Army, police and civil administration. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) A 51-year-old murder accused and narcotics smuggler, who was on the run for the last 12 years, has been arrested here, officials said on Sunday. Mohammad Umar was arrested on July 16 for allegedly killing his associate Taslim in Delhi's Sonia Vihar area in 2012 and disfiguring his face by pouring acid to hide his identity, they said. He was declared a proclaimed offender on July 18, 2013, by a court and a reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for information leading to his arrest, the officials said. Besides the murder case, Umar is also named in seven other criminal cases, including cheating and narcotics smuggling, registered at police stations in Uttar Pradesh, they said. "Umar was arrested from near the Anand Vihar Bus Terminal in Delhi on July 16," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said. He said a pistol and four bullet cartridges were seized from him. Umar was apprehended after a police team received information about his movement, Kaushik said. The officer said Umar was born in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut. He was a tailor there and became part of a gang of thieves in 2002. He said in 2010, Umar came in contact with Naiem, Taslim, Mukesh and Moti and along with them started smuggling narcotics such as opium and cheating people on the pretext of converting foreign currencies such as the Riyal into Indian rupees. Police said in 2011, he was arrested in Amroha in Uttar Pradesh under the Arms Act and cheating cases. Kaushik said after release on bail, Umar again started smuggling narcotics along with his associates. The official said Naiem, Taslim and Moti told Umar that Mukesh had passed on an information related to him to the Amroha police. Umar hatched a plan along with the others to kill Mukesh. Naiem, Taslim and Moti killed Mukesh in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat and they were later arrested, police said and added that Naiem and Taslim got bail. "In 2012, Umar along with Naiem murdered Taslim in the Sonia Vihar area of Delhi and disfigured his face after by pouring acid. Umar and his family members were missing since then," said the DCP. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) The body of a two-year-old boy was found in an abandoned toilet near a slum area in central Delhi on Sunday, police said. The victim's family staged protests near the Anand Parbat area and caused traffic disruptions on the New Rohtak Road on both carriageways. They demanded strict actions against the accused, police said. According to police, the body of the toddler was found in an abandoned toilet block around near his family's shanty. Upon receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem. A case of murder was registered, and multiple teams were formed to investigate the matter, officials said. "The manner of death will be clear only after a post-mortem report is received," Deputy Commissioner of Police (central) M Harsha Vardhan said. Noida, Jul 21 (PTI) A local court has sentenced a Noida-based businessman to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by a local court here for kidnapping and sexually assaulting his minor neighbour three years ago. Vikas Nagar, Additional Sessions Judge-Special Judge, POCSO Act (First), Gautam Buddh Nagar also slapped a penalty of Rs 30,000 on the convict Prashant Kumar, who owned a garment shop. The minor victim, then aged 14 and a student of Class 9, was allegedly enticed away by Kumar in April 2021 after which her father approached the local Expressway Police Station to lodge a complaint, leading to the FIR and the arresting of the accused. The court convicted Kumar under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 366 (kidnapping or abducting a female to compel her for marriage or for illicit intercourse), and Section 4 (penetrative sexual assault on a child) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, according to the order issued Saturday. Arguing for the accused, advocate Dharmendra Pal Singh submitted that Kumar was the only bread earner of his family and has no criminal antecedents except this case, as he requested for minimum punishment. Special Public Prosecutor Jai Prakash Bhati submitted that the convict had committed "very grievous offence" and deserves no leniency of the court. Having considered the respective submissions of the parties, Judge Nagar convicted Kumar under IPC Section 366 IPC and Section 4 POCSO Act and not under IPC Section 376 (rape), noting that "both the offences provide for same punishment in the statute." "Convict Prashant Kumar is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of Rs 20,000 in offence under section 4 POCSO Act and in default of payment of fine, the convict shall undergo an additional simple imprisonment of six months," he ordered. "Convict Prashant Kumar is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of three years and a fine of Rs 10,000 in offence under section 366 IPC and in default of payment of fine, the convict shall undergo an additional simple imprisonment of one month," the order added. The bench said the period already spent by the convict in prison during trial shall be adjusted in original sentences awarded to him and since both the offences are committed in one sequence, therefore both the sentences shall run concurrently. A rapidly growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers called Friday for President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid, even as the president insisted hes ready to return to the campaign trail next week to counter what he called a dark vision laid out by Republican Donald Trump. As more Democratic members of Congress urged him to drop out bringing the total since his disastrous debate against Trump to nearly three dozen Biden remained isolated at his beach house in Delaware after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The president, who has insisted he can beat Trump, was huddling with family and relying on a few longtime aides as he resisted efforts to shove him aside. Late Friday, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat who is in a tough race for reelection, called for Biden to step aside. Brown said in a statement that he agrees with the many Ohioans who have reached out to him. I think the president should end his campaign, he said. And in a statement later Friday, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., also called on Biden to drop out while saying, there is no joy in the recognition he should not be our nominee in November. But the stakes of this election are too high. Biden said Trumps acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention showcased a dark vision for the future. The president, seeking to move the political conversation away from his fate and onto his rivals agenda, said Friday he was planning to return to the campaign trail next week and insisted he has a path to victory over Trump, despite the worries of some of his partys most eminent members. Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box, Biden said. The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win. Earlier in the day, his campaign chair, Jen OMalley Dillion, acknowledged slippage in support for the president but insisted hes absolutely remaining in the race and the campaign sees multiple paths to beating Trump. We have a lot of work to do to reassure the American people that, yes, hes old, but he can win, she told MSNBCs Morning Joe show. She said voters concerned about Bidens fitness to lead arent switching to vote for Trump. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committees rulemaking arm held a meeting Friday, pressing ahead with plans for a virtual roll call before Aug. 7 to nominate the presidential pick, ahead of the partys convention later in the month in Chicago. President Biden deserves the respect to have important family conversations with members of the caucus and colleagues in the House and Senate and Democratic leadership and not be battling leaks and press statements, Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, Bidens closest friend in Congress and his campaign co-chair, told The Associated Press. Its a pivotal few days for the president and his party: Trump has wrapped up an enthusiastic Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday. And Democrats, racing time, are considering the extraordinary possibility of Biden stepping aside for a new presidential nominee before their own convention. Among the democrats expressing worries to allies about Bidens chances were former President Barack Obama and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who has privately told Biden the party could lose the ability to seize control of the House if he doesnt step aside. New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich called on Biden to exit the race, making him the third Senate Democrat to do so. By passing the torch, he would secure his legacy as one of our nations greatest leaders and allow us to unite behind a candidate who can best defeat Donald Trump and safeguard the future of our democracy, said Heinrich, whos up for reelection. And Reps. Jared Huffman, Mark Veasey, Chuy Garcia and Mark Pocan, representing a wide swath of the caucus, together called on Biden to step aside. We must defeat Donald Trump to save our democracy, they wrote. Separately, Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois wrote in an op-ed that with a heavy heart and much personal reflection he, too, was calling on Biden to pass the torch to a new generation. Campaign officials said Biden was even more committed to staying in the race. And senior West Wing aides have had no internal discussions or conversations with the president about dropping out. On Friday, Biden picked up a key endorsement from the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. CHC BOLD PAC said the Biden administration has shown unwavering commitment to Latinos and the stakes couldnt be higher in this election. But there is also time to reconsider. Biden has been told the campaign is having trouble raising money, and key Democrats see an opportunity as he is away from the campaign for a few days to encourage his exit. Among his Cabinet, some are resigned to the likelihood of him losing in November. The reporting in this story is based in part on information from almost a dozen people who insisted on anonymity to discuss sensitive private deliberations. The Washington Post first reported on Obamas involvement. Biden, 81, tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling in Las Vegas earlier this week and experienced mild symptoms including general malaise from the infection, the White House said. White House doctor Kevin OConnor said Friday that the president still had a dry cough and hoarseness, but that his COVID symptoms had improved. Biden noted his illness while making a joke about Trump on social media Friday night, posting: Im stuck at home with COVID, so I had the distinct misfortune of watching Donald Trumps speech to the RNC. What the hell was he talking about? In Congress, Democratic lawmakers have begun having private conversations about lining up behind Harris as an alternative. One lawmaker said Bidens own advisers are unable to reach a unanimous recommendation about what he should do. More in Congress are considering joining the others who have called for Biden to drop out. Some prefer an open process for choosing a new presidential nominee. Its clear the issue wont go away, said Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, the other Senate Democrat who has publicly said Biden should exit the race. Welch said the current state of party angst with lawmakers panicking and donors revolting was not sustainable. However, influential Democrats including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are sending signals of concern. There is of course work to be done, and that in fact is the case because we are an evenly divided country, Jeffries said in an interview on WNYC radio Friday. But he also said, The ticket that exists right now is the ticket that we can win on. Its his decision to make. To be sure, many want Biden to stay in the race. But among Democrats nationwide, nearly two-thirds say Biden should step aside and let his party nominate a different candidate, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. That sharply undercuts Bidens post-debate claim that average Democrats are still with him. Amid the turmoil, a majority of Democrats think Vice President Kamala Harris would make a good president herself. A poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Democrats believe Harris would do a good job in the top slot. About 2 in 10 Democrats dont believe she would, and another 2 in 10 say they dont know enough to say. (AP) A faulty software update caused technological havoc worldwide on Friday, grounding flights, knocking down some financial companies and news outlets, and disrupting hospitals, small businesses and government offices. The breadth of the outages highlighted the fragility of a digitized world dependent on just a few providers for key computing services. The trouble was sparked by an update issued by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike and only affected its customers running Microsoft Windows, the worlds most popular operating system for personal computers. It was not the result of hacking or a cyberattack, according to CrowdStrike, which apologized and said a fix was on the way. Businesses and governments worldwide experienced hourslong disruptions their computer monitors glowing blue with error messages and they scrambled to deal with the fallout. CrowdStrikes CEO said some of their systems will require time-consuming manual fixes. Thousands of flights were canceled and tens of thousands were delayed, leading to long lines at airports in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. Airlines lost access to check-in and booking services in the heart of the summer travel season. By late afternoon Eastern time, the worst appeared to be over, though there were still lingering cancellations and delays do to the cascading effect of the disruption. Several local TV stations in the U.S. were prevented from airing the news early Friday, and some state and local governments reported problems at courts, motor vehicles departments, unemployment agencies, emergency call centers and other offices, but as the day progressed many of the systems were getting back to normal. Affected hospitals had problems with appointment systems, forcing them to suspend patient visits and cancel some surgeries. Alison Baulos said her 73-year-old fathers heart surgery in Paducah, Kentucky, was canceled Friday morning because of the tech outage, leaving her family scared and worried. It does really make you just realize how much we rely on technology and how scary it is, Baulos said in an interview. She said her father was waiting at Baptist Hospital to find out what will happen next. A phone message left with the hospital was not immediately returned. American Express said it temporarily had some difficulties processing transactions, while TD Bank responded to online complaints by saying it was working to restore customers ability to access their accounts. Elsewhere, people experienced minor inconveniences, including trouble ordering ahead at Starbucks, causing long lines to form at some of the coffee chains stores. In New York Citys Times Square, right before 12:30 a.m., the blue recovery screens popping up on laptops appeared on several giant electronic billboards. A few were dark Friday afternoon. A disturbing reminder of vulnerability Cyber expert James Bore said real harm would be caused. All of these systems are running the same software, Bore said. Weve made all of these tools so widespread that when things inevitably go wrong and they will, as weve seen they go wrong at a huge scale. The head of Germanys IT security agency, Claudia Plattner, said we cant expect a very quick solution. A forecast for when exactly all systems will be up and running is difficult, but it wont be hours, she added. CrowdStrike said in a recording on its customer service line that the problem was related to the Falcon sensor, referring to one of its products used to block online attacks. The company says it has 29,000 customers. In an interview on NBCs Today Show, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz apologized, saying the company was deeply sorry for the impact that weve caused to customers, to travelers, to anyone affected by this, including our companies. We know what the issue is and are working to fix it, Kurtz said. However, he noted it could take some time for certain customers, especially those lacking in-house expertise. While CrowdStrikes update was automated, the fix requires hands-on work such as deleting corrupted files, which could take some customers days or longer, said Forrester analyst Allie Mellen. Given that CrowdStrike has a ton of customers, a ton of Fortune 500 customers, and they have likely millions of (computers) under management, this causes a bigger issue, Mellen said. It is going to be a long and arduous process. Ann Johnson, corporate vice president and deputy chief information security officer at Microsoft, said late Friday afternoon that at this point in time, I would say that customers are receiving or have received the necessary information they need and are getting the support they need understanding its a very major issue. She said Microsofts primary focus is getting customers back online, but could not estimate how long this might take. In Alaska, the states court system returned to functionality after repairs that took 12 hours to complete, according to spokesperson Rebecca Koford. In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the states critical technology systems were up and running again by mid-afternoon. Shares of CrowdStrike, which is based in Austin, Texas, ended Friday trading down more than 11%. Microsofts stock price fell less than 1%. Though the outages impact could be felt far and wide, the forecasting firm Capital Economics said it was likely to have little impact on the world economy. Cybersecurity experts said those affected by the outage also needed to be wary of bad actors reaching out claiming they can help. Attackers will definitely prey on organizations as a result of this, said Gartner analyst Eric Grenier. In a letter to customers posted on CrowdStrikes website, Kurtz said the outage did not affect its Falcon systems or its security scanning. Air travel delayed everywhere Most airlines attributed the problems to their booking systems. Thousands of flights were affected in the U.S. alone, though by late morning on the East Coast airlines said they were beginning to mitigate problems and resume some service. Unclogging the system takes time, though. At Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Sarah Schafer was delayed getting to her cousins 50th birthday party in Florida. She had been waiting for almost three hours with no indication of when her flight would be rebooked. I seem calm, said Schafer, who was using a cane because of ankle injury. But my angry side might come out. Airlines and railways in the U.K. experienced long wait times. And airports across Europe suspended landings or halted takeoffs for several hours due to difficulties in checking in passengers. Saskia Oettinghaus, a member of the German Olympic diving team, was among those stuck at the Berlin Airport. We are on our way to Paris for the Olympic Games and now we are at a standstill here for the time being, Oettinghaus said. In Cancun, Mexico, the main tourist destination in the Caribbean coast, the state government said there were 24 cancellations and 100 delayed flights. Some travelers tried to liven up the long waits by singing the traditional Mexican song, Cielito Lindo, while a band that was also stranded was playing in the Cancun airport. Broadcasters go dark, surgeries delayed, blue screens of death In Australia, national news outlets including ABC and Sky News Australia were unable to broadcast for hours. Some news anchors went on-air from dark offices, in front of computers showing blue error screens. In the U.S., KSHB-TV in Kansas City, Missouri, aired Scripps News instead of local news until about 5:35 a.m., the stations said on its website. Other local stations owned by Scripps reported similar problems, though Scripps spokesman Michael Perry said early Friday that 90% of stations were able to air local news. Hospitals in different countries also reported problems. Britains National Health Service said the outage caused problems at most doctors offices because appointment and patient-record systems were affected. At Mass General Brigham, the largest health care system in Massachusetts, all scheduled non-urgent surgeries, procedures, and medical visits were canceled Friday because of the outage, according to a spokesperson. Some international shipping was disrupted, too. A major container hub in the Baltic port of Gdansk, Poland, said it was battling problems. And at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, marine terminals were affected, although the outage didnt cause significant disruptions. (AP) President Joe Biden is reportedly seething at Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) after key allies of hers have joined a growing number of Democrats urging him to reconsider his reelection bid. Concerns have been raised about his ability to win in November and effectively govern the country, CNN reported. According to network anchor Kaitlan Collins, Biden is particularly upset that his long-time Washington ally is not publicly supporting him as calls intensify for him to step aside, with the election just a little more than three months away. Politico and other outlets reported Friday that Pelosi is not opposed to an open convention, where the Democratic Party might select a candidate other than Biden. On Fridays edition of her show The Source, Collins reported Biden is said to be none too pleased with Pelosi. Tonight, President Biden is in isolation as hes fighting off symptoms from Covid-19, Collins reported. But hes also an isolation in the figurative sense as he is now fighting off new calls from his own party to get out of the 2024 race. Collins continued: The party that Biden has devoted his life to is unleashing a new and really public effort to push him out of challenging Donald Trump for the White House. A slew of House Democrats have joined two more prominent Democratic senators tonight in calling for Biden to step aside. All of it, we are told has President Biden seething tonight with much of his anger directed at Nancy Pelosi. Thats because some of the names that are calling for him to drop out of the race or her close allies and in the view from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, tonight where President Biden finds himself. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In his first rally since the assassination attempt last week, former President Donald Trump addressed a crowd in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, slamming Democrats for portraying him as a threat to free and fair elections. Trump, wearing a smaller ear bandage than previously seen, referenced the shooting multiple times, defending the medias coverage and saying, I took a bullet for democracy. He also criticized Democrats for labeling him an extremist, saying, The other side is going around trying to make me sound extreme Im not. I am a person with great common sense. Im not an extremist at all. Trump mentioned the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, calling it a product of the radical right, which he opposes. He then returned to the theme of being an extremist, saying, They keep saying, Hes a threat to democracy. Im saying, what did I do for democracy? Last week I took a bullet for democracy. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) After weeks of mounting pressure from mainstream media, fellow Democrats and donors following a weak debate performance against former President Trump, President Joe Biden announced today that he will not accept the nomination as Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election in November. Instead, he encouraged his party to rally behind his Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee to run for the presidency. Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation, Biden wrote in a letter posted on social media platform X. America has the strongest economy in the world. Weve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. After listing various other accomplishments, Biden said America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. However, he then admitted that he came to the conclusion that it was time to bring his reelection campaign to a halt, so that someone else could take the lead. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. He said he would provide more details in an address to the nation later this week. In a follow up post, he then endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee for the Democratic party. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, he wrote. In the days and weeks following the presidential debate between Biden and Trump, an ever-increasing chorus of Democratic lawmakers, commentators, op-eds, editorials, and donors privately and publicly raised concerns about Biden's poor performance that brought a spotlight on his advanced age. Polls suggested that a majority of voters preferred for Biden to step aside and allow someone younger to take the lead at the top of the Democratic ticket. After initially resisting calls, Biden now finally made a way for a new nominee to be chosen, albeit at a very late stage in the election process. While Harris is considered best positioned to take Bidens place, especially given his endorsement, the decision of who will replace Biden as the Democrats nominee will ultimately be decided by the pledged delegates, latest at the Democratic National Convention that will be held in Chicago, IL on August 19-22. Latest development amid a highly polarized presidential election Bidens announcement comes as the latest twist in a highly polarized election season. Just over a week ago, an assassination attempt on former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump triggered calls for toning down the sometimes extreme and violent language on both sides. In an op-ed titled Please, please, please, we must all tone things down, Dr. Michael Brown, author and host of the nationally syndicated The Line of Fire radio show, called on Christians to reflect on the impact of their words. As we all sit here stunned watching the footage of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, it really is a time for reflection. Are we contributing to this atmosphere of hatred and violence? What kind of emotions do we stir up with the words we speak and the memes we post? What are we fomenting? To what end? But all of us are responsible for the words we speak, for the posts we share, for the memes we create, for the environments we shape. And all of us would do well to look in the mirror and ask ourselves some honest questions: Am I fostering godly conviction or breeding vile hatred? Am I helping to produce courage and fortitude or do my words lead to hostility and disdain? Let us then be disseminators of light not darkness, agents of God rather than servants of Satan, calling for courage and conviction around righteous causes but with civility toward our political and ideological adversaries. Otherwise, all of us lose. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu responded to the ruling of the International Court of Justice on Friday that Israels presence in Yehudah and Shomron and east Jerusaelm is illegal by saying that the Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land. The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land, including in our eternal capital Jerusalem nor in Judea and Samaria, our historical homeland, Netanyahu s. No absurd opinion in the Hague can deny this historical truth or the legal right of Israelis to live in their own communities in our ancestral home. Israels Foreign Ministry stated that it rejects the ruling, adding, Unfortunately, the Courts opinion is fundamentally wrong. It mixes politics and law. It injects the politics of the corridors of the UN in New York into the courtrooms of the ICJ in The Hague. The opinion is completely detached from the reality of the Middle East: while Hamas, Iran and other terrorist elements are attacking Israel from seven fronts including from Gaza and Judea & Samaria with the aim of obliterating it, and in the aftermath of the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, the opinion ignores the atrocities that took place on October 7, as well as the security imperative of Israel to defend its territory and its citizens. The opinion contradicts the guiding principle that formed the basis of all the peace agreements and arrangements that have been reached to date between Israel and its neighbors, according to which the resolution of the conflict will only be possible through direct negotiations between the parties. The opinion only distances the possibility of resolving the conflict. The Palestinian Authority, which initiated the move, is not interested in peace, but in slinging mud at Israel. Peace can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties, and the Palestinian Authority will not be able to evade this reality by turning to international tribunals, said the Foreign Ministry. It should be emphasized that the opinion is blatantly one-sided. It ignores the past: the historical rights of the State of Israel and the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. It is detached from the present: from the reality on the ground and the agreements between the parties. And it is dangerous for the future: it distances the parties from the only possible solution, which is direct negotiations. Furthermore, it should be clarified that the opinion published today is an advisory opinion and it is not legally binding. The State of Israel adheres to the rule of law, and has an independent and respected legal system. It is committed to international law and it will continue to protect its citizens in accordance with international law. Professor Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and President of Human Rights Voices, called the ruling a legal obscenity. In an interview with Arutz Sheva, she said: The so-called legal opinion is a legal obscenity from start to finish, she said, noting, The Court is the World Court of the United Nations, a body controlled by an anti-Israel mob. The members of the Court are elected by the United Nations. Its legal experts include alleged authorities from such legally-challenged places like China and Somalia. The ICJ President the man who read the opinion aloud to the world dressed up in judicial robes with pomp and circumstance was a Lebanese politician. Nawaf Salam was on the ballot for Prime Minister of Lebanon in the last two elections. Before that he was Lebanons representative to the United Nations a country that doesnt recognize Israels right to exist, continued Prof. Bayefsky. She further noted, The request for the non-binding advisory opinion from the Court came from the UN General Assembly. The question posed by the mob was framed as: Israel is guilty of the following violations of international law, so what are the consequences? (What are the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to). There were no Palestinian violations of anything on the agenda. The Court said that it would nevertheless reconsider Israels guilt, proceeded to summarily declare Israel guilty, and then held forth on the consequences. How did it find Israel guilty? In its words, without the facts. The Court shockingly said: it is not necessary for the Court to make findings of fact with regard to specific incidents allegedly in violation of international law. It was sufficient, they said, that the UN Secretary-General said so. That would be the same Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who has repeatedly invented ways to backstop Hamas. As early as October 9, 2023, he said that the atrocities of October 7th did not come in a vacuum, Prof. Bayefsky pointed out. Among the results, this grotesque kangaroo court said Israel was guilty of the crime against humanity of apartheid. It took them less than 250 words to come to this monumental conclusion, intended to create an avalanche of legal and political ramifications isolating and permanently debilitating the Jewish state, she said. The case also calls for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from whatever land Palestinian Arabs and the UN say belongs to Palestinians. All settlers must leave, all Palestinians must be allowed to return, the wall (that put an end to the suicide-bombing carnage) must be dismantled wherever they say so. What is actually Apartheid Palestine is apparently just fine. Palestinian territory which Israel is said to occupy, including Gaza and the West Bank is suddenly defined by the Court to consist of a single territorial unit, the unity, contiguity and integrity of which are to be preserved. It is not clear where the Jews are left in this actually non-existent contiguous Palestinian territory, said Prof. Bayefsky. She also noted, The Opinion has a whole section called Violence against Palestinians. There is no section on violence against Israelis. In fact, there is no discussion or findings about violence, terrorism, rockets, suicide bombing, knifings, vehicle rammings, shootings, kidnappings and rapes against Israelis at all, ever. The only mention of gender-based violence paints Palestinians as the victims. One more disgusting example from the UN of MeToo_Unless_Ur_A_Jew.' The Opinion rests on lethal historical fiction. The opinion says: On 14 May 1948, Israel proclaimed its independence with reference to the General Assembly resolution 181 (II); an armed conflict then broke out between Israel and a number of Arab States, and the Plan of Partition was not implemented. Broke out is the UN euphemism for the attempted annihilation of the nascent Jewish state by Arab states and Palestinian Arabs. The opinion also says: In 1967, an armed conflict (also known as the Six-Day War) broke out between Israel and neighboring countries Egypt, Syria and Jordan and again In October 1973, another armed conflict broke out between Egypt, Syria and Israel.' Broke out is how the UN covers up the systematic continuous campaign by Arabs to destroy the Jewish state from May 14, 1948 on, both in the halls of the UN and in the field. This blatant historical revisionism from the UNs highest legal body makes a mockery of its subsequent conclusions built on a mountain of lies, said Prof. Bayefsky. The Opinion is heavily reliant on lengthy discussions of Palestinian Arab self-determination and associated rights. There is no mention whatsoever of Jewish self-determination. The Court says the key element of the right to self-determination is the right of a people freely to determine its political status and to pursue its economic, social and cultural development. Except for Jews. For Jews, the UN decides the political status of Jews in the Jewish state and authors an opinion clearly intended to drive BDS sanctions, boycotts and global efforts to devalue and destroy such development in the case of Israel. Prof. Bayefsky continued, Moreover, a mere 75 years after the Holocaust, the UN Court twists the laws written in response to the atrocities committed against Jews, to demonize the refuge of the Jewish people today. The Court purported to apply the law to criminalize the Nazi deportation of Jews from their homes to concentration camps in order to criminalize the voluntary movement of Jews within the land of Israel. This isnt law. Its war by another name. Its the face of modern antisemitism. Where a German judge, Georg Nolte, sits on a UN court, to apply the law for Nazis and their ilk to the Jews. The real consequences of this ruling, she explained, are, The so-called peace process is dead, killed off by alleged peace-loving UN judges. From now on, Palestinians have zero incentive to negotiate anything. The UN has purportedly decided the outcome of all the items that were supposed to be subject to negotiation as specified in Oslo and other agreements territory, borders, settlements, Jerusalem. All the Palestinians have to do is sit back and enjoy the squeeze play. And foment more wars with impunity. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israels Arrow 3 long-range missile defense system on Sunday morning intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel. The IDF said that the surface-to-surface missile was downed outside of Israeli airspace. Sirens sounded in Eilat due to fear of falling shrapnel. The missile is the first launched by the Houthis since Israel carried out a major attack in the Hodeidah port area in Yemen in retaliation for its deadly drone strike on Tel Aviv overnight Thursday and hundreds of previous attempted attacks since October 7. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israel received confirmation on Sunday that after seven failed assassination attempts over decades, the IDF finally succeeded in killing Hamas No. 2 leader Muhammad Deif. Channel 14 News first reported the news and shortly later, the Srugim newsite reported that an IDF official confirmed that the news was true. The IDF carried out the targeted strike to eliminate Deif last Shabbos using bunker-buster bombs and a ring of fire, making it unlikely that Deif survived the attack. However, there was no official confirmation of his death until today. Deif, one of the masterminds behind the October 7th attack, was 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. Following the attack on Deif, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: Muhammad Dief is an arch-murderer, the chief of staff of Hamas, No. 2 in the chain of command. 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. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a move seen by some as a snub to his intraparty rival, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Justice Minister Yariv Levin as Israels temporary acting premier while he is in Washington this week. Additionally, Foreign Minister Yisroel Katz has been authorized to convene the security cabinet if necessary during Netanyahus absence. The appointments come amid public tensions between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, fueling speculation that the prime minister is seeking to assert his authority within the party. According to Israeli law, an acting prime minister must be designated to assume duties when the leader is abroad or temporarily unable to perform their responsibilities. Levins appointment will ensure continuity of government during Netanyahus trip to the United States. The move has sparked intrigue, with some interpreting it as a signal of Netanyahus distrust in Gallant, who has been seen as a potential challenger to the prime ministers leadership. However, officials have not publicly confirmed any underlying tensions or motivations behind the appointments. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) An emergency meeting held at BMGs Ateres Esther this past Thursday night brought together over 100 Lakewood rabbanim, each with hearts aflame with passion and urgency. At stake: the future of Torah in Eretz Yisroel. The asifas rabbanim marked the beginning of a critical mobilization effort within their respective kehillos to ensure that the kol hatorah in Eretz Yisroel does not, chas veshalom, die out. The gravity of this moment cannot be overstated. While an impressive $84 million has already been pledged by philanthropists across the US and Canada, there remains a significant gap of $24 million that must be raised. For this, the roshei yeshiva and rabbanim are turning to us. The future of Torah in Eretz Yisroel needs you. We urge you to take a moment to consider becoming a fundraiser for this historic, unprecedented, and vital mission. By doing so, you will become an eternal partner in the limud hatorah that has upheld our nation for millennia. Click here to join: https://kerenolamhatorah.org This week there's ongoing outcry for accountability and justice in a case involving a faith-based organization and alleged misdeeds. This extended quote explains the latest arguments . . . "Survivors of abuse are asking Missouris attorney general to proceed with the trial of the co-owner of Circle of Hope Girls Ranch, a now-shuttered boarding school for troubled girls in Cedar County. "Stephanie Householder, who ran the school with her husband Boyd Householder, faces 21 charges of child abuse and neglect alleged by former Circle of Hope students. Her husband had nearly 80 charges, including allegations of sexual abuse. "But he died of a 'cardiac incident,' according to his attorneys statement published by KSMU. "Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey offered Householder a plea deal in 2023 if she would testify against her husband. She rejected the offer. "David Clohessy, Missouri volunteer director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, told reporters on Wednesday that he 'suspects and fears the attorney general will offer her another plea deal.' " Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Today KCTV5 shared a great deal of EXCELLENT reporting on the potential early release of a former pharmacist who betrayed the trust of the community he served. What stands out to us is the reaction from KC's leading member of Congress . . . Here's the word: Missouri House Representative Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, is among the lawmakers supporting the First Step Act. Every Missouri and Kansas Senator and Representative voted Yes when it passed in 2018. It was signed into law by then-President Trump. KCTV5 Investigative reporter Angie Ricono asked Cleaver if he thought it was appropriate for Robert Courtney to be released under the First Step Act. No. He should not be released on the First Step Act, said Cleaver. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . How the First Step Act allows Robert Courtney to be released from prison The First Step Act allows non-violent prisoners to earn time off their sentences and be released early to home confinement. DILUTED: A documentary on the release of convicted pharmacist Robert Courtney Former Kansas City pharmacist Robert Courtney was convicted of 20 counts of tampering with drugs, affecting as many as 4,200 patients. Developing . . . The Department of Defense will soon implement a new program that places a single private consortium in charge of all military relocations. The Southeast is home to the highest concentration of military bases in the country, including three major installations in Jacksonville alone. As president and CEO of Jacksonville-based The Suddath Companies, one of the largest moving companies in the United States, I have a unique perspective on the complexities and critical importance of efficiently relocating military families. Perhaps the greatest challenge facing our industrys ability to continue to service military communities is the pending implementation of the Global Household Goods contract by the Department of Defenses U.S. Transportation Command, or TRANSCOM. The new program places a single private consortium, with limited experience in military moves, in charge of coordinating all military relocations. Implementation of the contract threatens to upend a military moving industry responsible for moving over 400,000 service members and their families each year around the U.S. and abroad. This switch to an untested monopoly jeopardizes the militarys ability to efficiently relocate its service members, in turn potentially impacting military readiness and retention. TRANSCOMs original purposes were well-intended to improve the level of service to our military families a goal thats been largely achieved without the Global Household Goods contract and the upheaval it will bring. To TRANSCOMs credit, it has worked with the industry over the past few years to improve performance and give more business to those movers who achieved the highest standards. Besides customer satisfaction surveys and price, movers are now rated for on-time pickup and delivery, as well as claims ratios. They suffer penalties such as imposed blackouts for nonperformance. All this promotes healthy competition, which is good for the service member and for our industry. The results demonstrate that the current program is producing strong results. By its own measures, TRANSCOM reports an 88.9% satisfaction rate during the peak season and 93% satisfaction in 2024 so far. Given that, the risk-vs-reward of throwing out a system that is working doesnt add up. Over nearly 75 years, Suddath has moved more than 1 million active-duty military families to and from Floridas military bases. We strive to make every moving experience as smooth as possible, which is why we continue to invest in people, process improvements and technology to elevate moving experiences for our military community. The best providers in our industry continue to make this effort, even in an unprecedented global pandemic. This has contributed to marked improvements in the program over the past five years. Story continues This industry has undergone significant changes since the concept of the Global Household Goods contract was introduced in 2019 including the pandemic, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs. Thus, its original rationale no longer aligns with current realities. As a result, many established moving companies, including Suddath, have so far refrained from committing to the contract. If the contract is fully implemented, the government contractor will have a de facto monopoly in the military moving industry. TRANSCOMs back-up options for conducting service member relocations will also be extremely limited. Letters: U.S. Supreme Court set a dangerous precedent with Trump immunity ruling The Moving and Storage Conference of the American Trucking Association has rightly called for a Government Accountability Office review of the Global Household Goods Contract before moving forward with implementation. Grassroots organizations such as Movers for America have echoed this call. A strategic pause to evaluate the program and analyze the industrys grave concerns about viability and its potential negative impacts on service members is fully warranted, given the potential ramifications of full implementation. Suddath and many others in the moving industry have long been dedicated partners with DOD and TRANSCOM, contributing to our national security by proudly and efficiently relocating military families. This is not the time to ignore the universal concerns of an entire industry and trusted partners, especially when doing so could put our service families and our nations security at risk. Brannigan Mike Brannigan, president and CEO, Suddath Companies This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville families, readiness at risk by new military moving policy Sorry . . . But we kinda like this move if only for one reason . . . It's nice to see local politicos in the State Legislature show a detailed understanding of their district instead of just fighting culture wars. In this instance . . . The former TV weather dude clearly knows his stuff as he offers helpful promo for local biz . . . "The closure of Midland Drive at I-435 for bridge repairs, is severely reducing access to the businesses located around that area. As a result, many of those businesses are experiencing a significant loss in the number of people who patronize their establishments...to the point that layoffs and even eventual business closures may occur. This is impacting establishments on both sides of I-435." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Kansas State Senator Mike Thompson: 'This situation is piling on these local business owners.' Forgive us . . . We have to pretend to be interested in Missouri GOP primary politics today because a surprising of our readers ask about it. A theme for this post?!? Probably: Republicans rolling deep. But first keep this in mind about the nomenclature of an elephant walk . . . New York Post: Frat accused of forcing pledges to do the elephant walk Here's a more optimistic view and a description of a Missouri politico's publicity stunt . . . "Republican Chris Wright traveled to northeast Missouri in what's called the "Trump Train", a truck hauling a trailer carrying three large replicas of elephants and campaign signs for former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, alongside his own." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Missouri governor candidate arrives in Kirksville in 'Trump Train' "A Missouri governor candidate took a unique mode of transportation to Kirksville." Meanwhile . . . On subject of a "pork bus" that doesn't live up to expectations . . . This opening quote sets the scene for a GOP front-runner . . . In his campaign for governor, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe has promised Republican voters he will stop China from buying up our farmland. Hes doing so while traveling the state in a bus owned by Jewell Patek, a former legislator who is the only lobbyist employed by the only Chinese business that owns a significant chunk of agricultural land in the state. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Kehoe campaign for Missouri governor riding on bus owned by lobbyist for Chinese pork producer * Missouri Independent Mike Kehoe is telling Missouri voters he wants to end foreign land ownership from a bus owned by the lobbyist for a Chinese pork producer. You decide . . . Actually . . . Our BEST & BRIGHTEST READERS along with TOP ECHELON INSIDERS knew it was just a matter of time. In fact, that's why it's better to support POLICY INSTEAD OF PERSONALITIES. But that's no fun . . . And here's the question we're throwing out to our Sunday readers . . . DOES MAYOR Q TURNABOUT FOR VEEP KAMALA HARRIS SEEM CRINGE-Y GIVEN HIS IRRATIONAL SUPPORT FOR PREZ BIDEN DESPITE EVIDENCE OF HIS NEED TO GET OUT?!? Credit to all the KICK-ASS TKC READERS who took part in our discussions over this past week. Local mainstream newsies & pundits were way too timid to point out the obvious and this blog featured the very best LOCALLY FOCUSED conversation on the topic. And now . . . Just as we predicted . . . He's getting cozy with the Veep via social media memories . . . Fun fact . . . That picture is from the anti-gun town hall we talked about earlier this week . . . And so . . . Now we're in the post-Biden era wherein so many local Democratic Party leaders will attempt to feign excitement after denying reality for about three weeks. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 race following a disastrous debate with Republican Donald Trump, throwing the Democratic Party into chaos just months before the election. Missouri, Kansas politicians react to President Biden withdrawing from re-election campaign President Joe Biden announced Sunday he is dropping his bid for re-election. Within moments, reaction started to come in from political leaders in Missouri and Kansas. Some Republicans call on Biden to resign the presidency too after ending his 2024 campaign These GOP members argue that if Biden can't be a candidate, he can't be president. The president has said he won't resign and will focus on finishing out his term. Hawley, Schmitt call on President Biden to resign after dropping out of presidential race "If you can't run a mere political campaign, you can't be President," Hawley said on Sunday. Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris for Democratic nomination after ending re-election bid - live US president ends his campaign against Donald Trump in the 2024 election after weeks of turmoil in Democratic party Kamala Harris Launches Presidential Bid: 'My Intention Is to Earn and Win This Nomination' Kamala Harris, who launched her campaign for president, has long been a favorite of Hollywood donors. Does Kamala Harris give Democrats a better chance to win? The debate over the vice president's prospects against Trump, explained. With Kamala Harris, Democrats would bet against US history of sexism, racism Some Democrats remain concerned about Harris' shaky first two years in office, her short-lived campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination, and a long history of racial and gender discrimination in the United States. Developing . . . Looking to refresh your home? When Torontos top interior design talents go searching for unique finds, inspiration and deals, they get in the car, and head to one of the excellent antique and flea markets and shops within road-tripping distance. So buckle up, plan your route, and save space in the trunk. The pro: Andrew Pike, interior designer and TV personality Theres one downside to Andrew Pikes long career as an interior designer. Im a maximalist of the highest order. My home is jam-packed! he says. When the as-seen-on-TV expert (The Good Stuff with Mary Berg, The Marilyn Denis Show) does go sourcing, he looks for thoughtful accessories and artwork. I always love decorative boxes, or silver or crystal champagne buckets I use them as vases. I love to entertain, so unique serving utensils and platters are a great find. And candle holders are perfect. In any space, theres nothing nicer than candlelight. Heres where he has scored some of his favourites. 1. Aberfoyle Antique Market, in Puslinch About a 20-minute drive from Guelph is one of his go-to stops: a massive outdoor flea market, open Sundays from the end of April until the end of October (entry is $5 per adult). The selection is incredible Ive always done really well there, says Pike. With more than 100 dealers, theres something for everyone, including vintage signs, mid-century dressers, and curiosities from the 1950s to 80s. Overwhelmed? Pike searches for art deco (incredible details, luxury materials like marble and interesting wood grains) or Hollywood Regency (for a bold, dramatic mix of style and colours). 2. Marions Antiques, in Brighton Another one of Pikes haunts is Marions Antiques in Brighton, about 15 minutes west of Prince Edward County. Its a big, rambling space with all kinds of furniture and interesting pieces. Its popular, so the turnover is quick, and new things are always coming in. His recent acquisitions include stone lions for his deck, and a gilded overmantle mirror that doubles as a headboard. Come for Marions, but stay for the swath of other nearby antique shops, like Uncle Joes Attic and Magnolia Cottage. And its dangerously close to the Big Apple, says Pike, referring to Colbornes popular roadside bakery, so a pie or two always seems to make it into the car! The pro: Carlo Colacci, owner of Bonne Choice The modern wing of Torontos Drake Hotel is dotted with retro-cool curiosities, curated by Carlo Colacci. The design expert has spent the past 15 years lending his eye to big-name clients and travelling the world to collect standout pieces. So last year, he opened Bonne Choice, a West End showroom/shop that shares his extensive collection with Torontos design community. His inventory includes Memphis, mid-century, postmodern and new pieces, often found in far-flung locales (tip: a new European shipment lands July 27). When hes closer to home, heres where he goes. 1. Southworks Antiques, in Cambridge This is a great multi-seller mall with a wide range of goods, spanning mid-century modern to folk art, says Colacci. With dozens of dealers spread out over 30,000 square feet of space in an old textile factory, theres a booth for every interest, including jewelry, glassware, clothing and vintage signs. Highlights include rosewood dining tables, well-aged Le Creuset, baubles from the turn of the century and vintage trench coats. 2. The 400 Market, in Innisfil Set aside a few hours: This sprawling antique mall is filled with hundreds of vendors, across more than 105,000 square feet of space. And the dealers here largely have great items, advises Colacci. His favourite? The vintage stereo booth its really fascinating to check out. In addition to traditional antiques, youll see jewelry repair specialists, local farm stands and florists. The market is tucked just off Highway 400, so you can swing by on your way home from the cottage, camping or Wasaga Beach. The pro: Jullian Sauso-Bawa, owner of Stay During the pandemic, Jullian Sauso-Bawas hospitality career came to a standstill. So, for his next step, the former bartender looked inside namely, inside his apartment full of cult design pieces. I had been collecting for years prior to lockdown, he says. (The pandemic) afforded me time to work on all the pieces I had accumulated. By September 2020, he was opening his own Toronto home furnishings store, Stay, on Dupont Street. Now, furniture by renowned designers (like couches by Pierre Paulin or Robert Haussmann) rotates through the shop at a rapid clip, and conversation pieces like unique lighting and objets dart abound. Sauso-Bawa recommends scrolling online antique shops (such as Cobourgs Green Turtle Salvage, Hamiltons Smash Salvage, Stoney Creeks Teak in the Creek, Montreals Yardsale and Winnipegs Keeps Object), but when he has time to go road tripping, he favours these spots. 1. Gallery Elder, in Ottawa Come here if youre stuck in a design rut: This treasure trove will help light a creative spark. The goal of the gallery/boutique is to contemporize the antique, and finds include European furniture from the 1880s, medieval stone heads, and 18th-century paintings set up in stylish vignettes. These folks have their own unique style and taste it exposes me to things I may never even have considered, says Sauso-Bawa. 2. Galerie Northfield, Montreal This appointment-only space is a mise-en-scene of eclectic and rare vintage furniture. Collectors items like Frank Gehry-designed chairs, and sofas from Percival Lafer come and go at a speedy clip, though theres always a full room of furniture, with a particular focus on lush vintage leather and fine wood pieces. Supporting these small, local and independently owned and operated businesses is important to keep the culture of vintage and antiques progressing, says Sauso-Bawa. The enemy launched a missile attack on the residential sector of the Kharkiv region, there were injured. This is reported on the Telegram of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. The explosions damaged residential buildings and outbuildings in the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz in the Chuhuiv district. A fire broke out in one of the houses. Rescuers extinguished the fire, the statement said. It is noted that two men were injured as a result of the shelling. As Ukrinform reported earlier, 10 people were injured in the Kharkiv region during the day due to Russian attacks. Toast (NYSE: TOST) has quickly emerged as a leader in the digital transformation of the restaurant industry. While the stock got off to a sour start following the company's 2021 initial public offering -- declining by more than 75% from its peak -- the latest trends suggest this tech player has finally found a recipe for success. Strong operational momentum and an improving earnings outlook have fueled an impressive 45% stock price rally this year. With shares trading near a 52-week high, could shares of Toast still make an appetizing addition to your portfolio? A strong start to 2024 While point-of-sale equipment and food ordering technology have long been staples of small and large dining establishments, Toast stands out with its vertically integrated platform. Its cloud-based management suite supports all aspects of often-complex restaurant operations. Toast offers an end-to-end solution that covers table reservations, order management, kitchen operations, inventory control, payments, back-office accounting, human resources tools, and more. The latest numbers highlight the accelerating adoption of its platform across the industry. In the first quarter, Toast products were used by 112,000 restaurant locations, up 32% year over year and more than double the 52,000 locations it had when it went public in Q3 2021. The company claims it commands a 13% market share of the U.S. restaurant industry, but it's in what may still be an early stage of its growth cycle. Given that it operates under a subscription business model, annual recurring revenue is an important metric for Toast. In Q1, that rose 32% year over year to $1.3 billion. The company is benefiting both from the addition of new accounts and from established customers signing up for new features. Its expanding scale has been positive for earnings. In Q1, it booked adjusted EBITDA of $57 million, in contrast to its loss of $17 million a year earlier. For the full year, Toast is guiding for adjusted EBITDA in the range of $250 million to $270 million; its previous guidance range had a midpoint of $210 million. Either would be a major ramp-up compared to its $61 million result in 2023. Image source: Toast. Several reasons to stay bullish on Toast What I like about Toast as an investment opportunity is its disruptive position in a niche that remains highly fragmented. In contrast to competitors like Par Technology, Lightspeed Commerce, and Block, which specialize in a particular workflow such as point of sale or payments, Toast delivers a compelling value proposition for businesses looking to consolidate all their front-of-house and back-end digital infrastructure. Its goal is to gain market share in the United States while expanding internationally. Story continues Maybe the biggest development for Toast this year was its entry into the food and beverage retail vertical. Here, the company plans to leverage its technology in areas like e-commerce, serving customers such as independent grocers and wine shops, adding to its addressable market. The key for the company will be to keep delivering top-line momentum, which would indicate it's successfully executing on its strategy. In terms of valuation, Toast trades at 51 times the upper end of management's 2024 adjusted EBITDA guidance range against its current enterprise value of $13.7 billion. While that enterprise-value-to-EBITDA ratio is lofty, I believe the premium is reasonable given the financial trends and growth opportunities. According to analysts' average estimate, Toast's EBITDA will climb toward $439 million by next year. Based on that, investors can look forward to narrowing valuation multiples as the company grows and becomes more profitable. Overall, there are many reasons for the stock's rally to keep going. TOST EBITDA Estimates for Current Fiscal Year Chart Shares of Toast look tasty On my list of attributes for a compelling growth stock, Toast checks off several boxes -- category leadership, top-line growth, climbing profitability, and a solid net-cash balance sheet. As long as macroeconomic conditions remain favorable, I see room for shares of Toast to climb higher. For investors with long time horizons, a small position in the stock could work in the context of a diversified portfolio. Should you invest $1,000 in Toast right now? Before you buy stock in Toast, 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 Toast 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 $722,626!* 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 15, 2024 Dan Victor has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Block, Lightspeed Commerce, and Toast. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Toast Stock Is Up 45% This Year. Can the Rally Keep Going? was originally published by The Motley Fool Amidst a turbulent week where the ASX200 shed gains to close lower, investors face a challenging landscape marked by sector-wide declines and volatile commodity prices. In such an environment, identifying stocks that appear undervalued relative to their intrinsic value could offer potential opportunities for discerning investors looking to navigate these uncertain market conditions. Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In Australia Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Fenix Resources (ASX:FEX) A$0.39 A$0.77 49.2% MaxiPARTS (ASX:MXI) A$2.08 A$3.99 47.9% GTN (ASX:GTN) A$0.43 A$0.85 49.4% Ansell (ASX:ANN) A$26.72 A$49.99 46.6% VEEM (ASX:VEE) A$1.795 A$3.55 49.4% IPH (ASX:IPH) A$6.14 A$11.83 48.1% hipages Group Holdings (ASX:HPG) A$1.09 A$2.06 47.1% Australian Clinical Labs (ASX:ACL) A$2.48 A$4.70 47.3% Millennium Services Group (ASX:MIL) A$1.145 A$2.24 48.9% MedAdvisor (ASX:MDR) A$0.54 A$1.07 49.6% Click here to see the full list of 47 stocks from our Undervalued ASX Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener. Let's review some notable picks from our screened stocks. Overview: Flight Centre Travel Group Limited operates as a travel retailer serving both leisure and corporate sectors across various regions including Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia with a market capitalization of approximately A$4.98 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through two segments: the leisure sector, which brought in A$1.28 billion, and the corporate sector, with A$1.06 billion in earnings. Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 26.6% Flight Centre Travel Group, trading at A$22.66, is positioned below the estimated fair value of A$30.88, indicating a significant undervaluation based on discounted cash flows. Recently profitable, FLT's earnings are expected to grow by 19.1% annually, outpacing the Australian market forecast of 13.5%. While its revenue growth at 9.7% per year also exceeds the national average of 5.6%, it does not reach the high-growth benchmark of over 20%. ASX:FLT Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024 Overview: James Hardie Industries plc specializes in manufacturing and selling fiber cement, fiber gypsum, and cement bonded building products for various building construction applications, primarily serving markets in the United States, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and the Philippines with a market capitalization of A$23.18 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is generated from three key segments: Europe Building Products at $482.10 million, Asia Pacific Fiber Cement at $562.80 million, and North America Fiber Cement at $2.89 billion. Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 22% James Hardie Industries, priced at A$53.73, shows potential underpricing with a fair value estimate of A$68.87. Its earnings and revenue are set to outperform the Australian market with forecasts of 14% and 8% growth respectively. However, its growth rates don't exceed the high threshold of 20%. Despite this moderate growth forecast, it remains attractive due to a trading price that's 22% below estimated fair value and recent strategic moves like expanding its buyback plan by A$50 million and inclusion in the S&P/ASX 20 Index. ASX:JHX Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024 Overview: Webjet Limited operates as an online travel booking service across Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and other international markets with a market capitalization of approximately A$3.51 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue through its Business to Business Travel (B2B) and Business to Consumer Travel (B2C) segments, totaling A$327.90 million and A$142.80 million respectively. Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 13.1% Webjet Limited, currently priced at A$8.97, is trading below the estimated fair value of A$10.32. With a revenue growth forecast of 10.6% per year and earnings expected to increase by 20.26% annually, it outpaces the Australian market's average growth rates in both metrics. Despite these positive indicators and a significant past earnings growth of 401.4%, Webjet's Return on Equity is projected to remain low at 15.9% in three years, suggesting potential concerns about future profitability efficiency amidst ongoing corporate restructuring, including a planned demerger aimed at enhancing operational focus and market positioning. ASX:WEB Discounted Cash Flow as at Jul 2024 Next Steps Navigate through the entire inventory of 47 Undervalued ASX Stocks Based On Cash Flows here. Are any of these part of your asset mix? Tap into the analytical power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to get a 360-degree view on how they're shaping up. Take control of your financial future using Simply Wall St, offering free, in-depth knowledge of international markets to every investor. Looking For Alternative Opportunities? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include ASX:FLT ASX:JHX and ASX:WEB. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. Leon Li used to play a discreet but indispensable part at one of Chinas biggest tech giants. As an administrative officer, she worked around the clock to schedule meetings, prepare documents and provide her bosses with whatever support they needed. But in February, she quit the company, forgoing a stable career and comfortable salary for something a little less stressful cleaning homes. Every morning when the alarm rang, all I could see was my dull future, she told CNN, reflecting on her office job. Li, 27, is part of a growing base of Chinese workers swapping high-pressure office jobs for flexible blue-collar work. Many of them used to work for some of the biggest companies in the country. But these firms are slowly losing their appeal as Chinas economy faces headwinds including a property crisis, declining foreign investment and slumping consumption. Chinas economy grew 4.7% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, missing economists expectations and marking the weakest growth since the first quarter of last year, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released on Monday. Gruelingly long hours and shrinking resources have prompted employees like Li to rethink whether its worth trading their time and health for higher pay. I like cleaning up. As living standards improve (across the country), the demand for housekeeping services is also surging with an ever-expanding market, said Li, who lives in the central Chinese metropolis of Wuhan. But more importantly, she feels happier. The change it brings is that my head no longer feels dizzy. I feel less mental pressure. And I am full of energy every day, she said. Workers reject 996 culture Li is not the only white-collar worker who has found a better work-life balance by trading an office job for manual labor. Alice Wang, 30, who is using an alias for privacy reasons, used to work for one of Chinas leading live-streaming e-commerce platforms, earning 700,000 yuan ($96,310) per year. But she resigned in April, moving from Hangzhou, a picturesque tech hub, to the more laidback city of Chengdu, where rent is cheaper, to take up pet grooming. Chinas notorious 996 work culture the practice of working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week that is common among the countrys tech companies, startups and other private businesses has been a push factor for many employees who call it quits. Story continues Wang recalled feeling physically frail and very lifeless and stagnant at her old job, when she used to dedicate most of her time to work. But she feels different now. The feeling of growth is relatively good, she said, adding that shes undertaking grooming training and has ambitions to one day open her own store. Thats the longer-term plan, she said. The trend to move from professional to manual jobs comes amid surging demand for blue-collar workers, according to Chinese recruitment platform Zhaopin. Leon Li lives in Wuhan, where she recently gave up her job at a major tech company to join the cleaning industry. - Courtesy Leon Li In its latest survey released in June, the platform found that demand for blue-collar jobs such as food delivery workers, truck drivers, waiters and technicians had surged 3.8 times in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2019. Demand for delivery workers grew the fastest, by 800%, after three years of Covid-related lockdowns that gave rise to a takeout food culture. And blue-collar workers pay has also gone up, attracting more people to jobs they might have previously avoided. The explosion of online shopping has seen the average monthly salary for a delivery worker surge 45.3% since 2019, from 5,581 yuan ($768) to 8,109 yuan ($1,116), according to the survey. For some college graduates though, taking a manual job was not their first choice. As the economy slows, positions for fresh grads have become harder to come by in an increasingly competitive corporate job market. The survey also found the number of people under the age of 25 who applied for blue-collar jobs in the first quarter of this year surged 165% compared with the same period in 2019. Chinas unemployment rate for 16-to-24-year-olds reached a staggering 21.3% in June 2023, according to the NBS, which subsequently suspended the release of the figure for months while it adjusted its methodology. The authorities brought back the data in January this year excluding from the figure some 62 million students, whose main task, they said, should be to study rather than look for jobs. Wuhan is a major commercial city and the capital of the central Chinese province of Hubei. - Courtesy Leon Li In recent months, the jobless rate for prospective workers aged 16 to 24 years old has hovered between 14.2% and 15.3%, according to the NBS. Economists Larry Hu and Zhang Yuxiao, from Macquarie, wrote in a research report last year that Chinas services sector, private companies and small and medium-sized enterprises used to be the major sources of employment for young workers. However, they have been hit hard by sluggish consumer demand. David Goodman, director of the University of Sydneys China Studies Centre, said there had been a mismatch between the kind of graduates that universities churn out and what the market really needs. He said Chinas economy was shifting towards advanced technology, green tech and service industries, while university education still largely focuses on manufacturing and public service, areas that are outdated or saturated. (There is) a key problem if the higher education system has not adjusted itself or been adjusted to meet rapid changes in the structure of the economy, he explained. Pressure of another kind But some wonder if blue-collar work is truly the stress-free refuge people like Li and Wang imagine it to be. A recent video circulated widely on Chinese social media demonstrated how things could go wrong. The clip showed a barista in Shanghai losing his temper over a customer who threatened to make a complaint against him. In a fit of rage, he threw coffee powder at her, instantly becoming the center of a cafe drama that sparked an online debate about the challenges workers in the service industry face. Complaints or bad online reviews can prove disastrous for shops and restaurants in China, as many consumers religiously follow recommendations on popular social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin, Chinas version of TikTok. The threat of a bad review puts pressure on low-paid workers to avoid doing anything that may draw negative attention to the company. Some internet users denounced the baristas poor manner. But many more sympathized with him. The pay is low to begin with, let alone having to face complaint. May as well just quit (when you are) squeezed both by the company and customers, one online commenter wrote. But for Li, who works just six hours a day cleaning houses on a freelance basis, her experience has been positive. She enjoys bonding with her clients and says each cleaning session makes her feel like more than just a business transaction. Customers will carefully pour water for us to drink. When it is time to eat, they will order takeout for us, bring us food, and constantly remind us to drink water and rest, she said. So far, she said she has no regrets about quitting her office job. After a tiring day, I can go home and eat and do what I like without any extra mental pressure, she said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Greek Cypriots mourned and Turkish Cypriots rejoiced Saturday, the 50th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of part of the island after a brief Greek-inspired coup, with the chances of reconciliation as elusive as ever. The ethnically split island is a persistent source of tension between Greece and Turkey, which are both partners in NATO but are at odds over numerous issues. Their differences were laid bare Saturday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attending a celebratory military parade in north Nicosia to mark the day in 1974 when Turkish forces launched an offensive that they called a "peace operation." "The Cyprus Peace Operation saved Turkish Cypriots from cruelty and brought them to freedom," Erdogan told cheering crowds who gathered in north Nicosia."We are ready for negotiations, to meet, and to establish long-term peace and resolution in Cyprus," he said, adding that Greek and Greek Cypriot calls to reunite Cyprus under a federal umbrella which are prescribed in United Nations resolutions are no longer possible. Greek Cypriots want reunification as a federation. Turkish Cypriots want a two-state settlement. "We have one aim: a Republic of Cyprus with a single sovereignty, a single international personality, a single nationality, in a bizonal, bicommunal federation, a single state where all citizens will be Cypriots and Europeans, without a foreign occupation army, without outdated guarantees," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told a somber event in the southern parts of Nicosia in remembrance of 1974. Greece and Turkey recently agreed to discuss how to improve relations, but "the fact that we have been discussing doesn't mean that we agree and, more importantly, that we back down," Mitsotakis said. Remembering the dead Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, but a shared administration between Greek and Turkish Cypriots quickly fell apart in violence that saw Turkish Cypriots withdraw into enclaves and led to the dispatch of a U.N. peacekeeping force. The crisis left Greek Cypriots running the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union since 2004 with the potential to derail Turkey's own decadeslong aspirations of joining the bloc. It also complicates any attempts to unlock energy potential in the eastern Mediterranean because of overlapping claims. The region has seen major discoveries of hydrocarbons in recent years. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, whose office represents the Greek Cypriot community in the reunification dialogue, said the anniversary was a somber occasion for reflection and for remembering the dead. "The condemnable and unacceptable events we see happening in Ukraine today ... were perpetrated 50 years ago in Cyprus and we are living its consequences every day," he said. Across the south, church services were held to remember the more than 3,000 people who died in the Turkish invasion. "It was a betrayal of Cyprus and so many kids were lost. It wasn't just my son, it was many," said Loukas Alexandrou, 90, as he tended the grave of his son at a military cemetery. In Turkey, blanket state television coverage focused on violence against Turkish Cypriots prior to the invasion, particularly on bloodshed in 1963-64 and in 1967. Turkey's invasion took more than a third of the island and expelled more than 160,000 Greek Cypriots to the south. Reunification talks collapsed in 2017 and have been at a stalemate since. Northern Cyprus is a breakaway state recognized only by Turkey, and its Turkish Cypriot leadership wants international recognition. Australia's cyber intelligence agency said on Saturday that "malicious websites and unofficial code" were being released online claiming to aid recovery from Friday's global digital outage, which hit media, retailers, banks and airlines. Australia was one of many countries affected by the outage that caused havoc worldwide after a botched software update from CrowdStrike. On Saturday, the Australian Signals Directorate the country's cyber intelligence agency said "a number of malicious websites and unofficial code are being released claiming to help entities recover from the widespread outages caused by the CrowdStrike technical incident." On its website, the agency said its cyber security center "strongly encourages all consumers to source their technical information and updates from official CrowdStrike sources only." Cyber Security Minister Clare O'Neil said on social media platform X on Saturday that Australians should "be on the lookout for possible scams and phishing attempts." CrowdStrike which previously reached a market cap of about $83 billion is a major cybersecurity provider, with close to 30,000 subscribers globally. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pledged Saturday to help France's overseas territories secure independence, the latest in a series of incidents pitting his ex-Soviet state against Paris over long-running conflicts in the Caucasus region. Aliyev accuses France of interfering in its affairs over its contacts with Armenia, against which it has waged two wars in 30 years linked to disputes over Baku's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. In recent months, Azerbaijani leaders have focused on France's South Pacific territory of New Caledonia, gripped by weeks of violence over the objections of Indigenous Kanak activists to a contentious electoral reform. Aliyev made his latest comments at a media forum days before the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris and just after the staging in Baku of a congress bringing together pro-independence groups from New Caledonia and other French territories. "We will support you until you are free," Aliyev told the forum, citing French territories that he said were still subject to colonialism. "Some countries are still suffering from this. The Comoros islands, Mayotte are still under colonial rule. It has been our duty to help these countries liberate themselves from this revolting remnant from the past." Accusations of meddling Earlier this week, an "initiative group" staged a congress in Baku attended by pro-independence groups from New Caledonia and other French territories, including Corsica and Caribbean and Pacific islands. French media accounts of the meeting said participants sharply criticized French authorities and an Azerbaijani delegation was invited to visit New Caledonia. France accused Azerbaijan in May of meddling and abetting unrest in New Caledonia by flooding social media with what it said were misleading photos and videos targeting French police. Azerbaijan has denied the allegations. Azerbaijani authorities accuse France of bias in favor of Armenia in efforts to achieve a peace treaty to end three decades of conflict and in signing defense contracts with authorities in Yerevan. Azerbaijan expelled two French diplomats last December. Belarus and Germany are holding "consultations" over the fate of a German man reportedly sentenced to death by a court in Minsk last month, Belarus's foreign ministry said Saturday. Rico Krieger, 30, was convicted under six articles of Belarus's criminal code including "terrorism" and "mercenary activity" at a secretive trial held at the end of June, according to Belarusian rights group Viasna. "Taking into account a request from the German Foreign Ministry, Belarus has proposed concrete solutions on the available options for developing the situation," Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anatoly Glaz said. "The foreign ministries of the two countries are holding consultations on this topic," he added. Few details have been published about the case. Part of the court proceedings were held behind closed doors, the exact allegations against the man were not immediately clear and there has been little information in Belarusian state media about the trial. According to a LinkedIn profile that Viasna said belonged to Krieger, he worked as a medic for the German Red Cross and had previously been employed as an armed security officer for the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. A source at the German Foreign Ministry told AFP on Friday that it and the embassy in Minsk were "providing the person in question with consular services and are making intensive representations to the Belarusian authorities on his behalf." The source added that "the death penalty is a cruel and inhuman form of punishment that Germany rejects under all circumstances." Belarus is reported to have executed as many as 400 people since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, according to Amnesty International. But executions of foreign citizens are rare. The country is run as an authoritarian regime by long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko, who has detained thousands of dissidents and civic activists who oppose him. The indictment of a former CIA analyst who allegedly worked for the South Korean government and the abrupt resignation of the top U.S. envoy for North Korea will not affect the coordination between Washington and Seoul in dealing with Pyongyang's threats, said former U.S. officials who dealt extensively with relations between the United States and South Korea. Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and prominent North Korea expert, has been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges of secretly working for the South Korean government, serving as a secret agent for South Korea's main intelligence agency in exchange for luxury goods, expensive meals and $37,000 for a public policy program that she controlled, according to an indictment unsealed last week. Damning indictment Terry served in the U.S. government from 2001 to 2011, first as a CIA analyst and later as the deputy national intelligence officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council, before working for think tanks. Terry is a well-known North Korea expert with a prominent media presence. News of her indictment rattled North Korea experts in Seoul and Washington. "At the direction of ROK government officials, Terry advocated ROK policy positions, including in published articles and during media appearances, disclosed nonpublic U.S. government information to ROK intelligence officers, and facilitated access for ROK government officials to U.S. government officials," according to the indictment, which was released Wednesday. ROK refers to the Republic of Korea or South Korea. Prosecutors say Terry never registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent. She faces two counts, one for failing to register under the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act and the other for conspiring to violate it. Abrupt resignation The indictment of Terry followed the abrupt resignation earlier this month of Jung Pak, the U.S. senior official for North Korea, who oversaw North Korean affairs at the U.S. State Department. A State Department spokesperson told VOA's Korean Service via email on July 9 that Pak "stepped down from her duties as U.S. senior official for the DPRK and deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs on July 5." DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. The indictment and the resignation come as North Korea escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula while Washington is enhancing security cooperation with Seoul. U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on July 11 on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. They reaffirmed their commitments to the Washington Declaration, which is designed to reinforce U.S. extended deterrence to South Korea in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear threats. US-ROK ties Some South Korean news media outlets raised concerns that the indictment of Terry could affect overall ties between the U.S. and South Korea. Former U.S. officials say these are separate events that are unlikely to affect the joint efforts by the U.S. and South Korea in addressing the North Korean issues. Susan Thornton, who served as acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs during the Trump administration, told VOA's Korean Service via email Friday that she doesn't believe there would be any disruption to the U.S.-South Korea bilateral coordination. "Sue Mi Terry is not in the government and the position of DPRK special representative was created to focus on negotiations with North Korea, which do not appear likely any time soon," Thornton said. "The two governments currently have ample channels for regular coordination on DPRK threats through the Departments of State, Defense, U.S. forces in Korea and the National Security Council, among others," she added. "I will say that I foresee no reduction in cooperation and coordination between the U.S. and South Korea, especially in the combined military relationship," said Harry Harris, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea during the Trump administration, in an email to VOA's Korean Service on Friday. Close coordination The U.S. dismissed the concerns over the possible friction with one of its closest allies in the world. "We will continue to consult closely with the Republic of Korea, Japan and other allies and partners about how to best engage the DPRK, deter aggression and coordinate international responses to the DPRK's violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," a State Department spokesperson told VOA's Korean Service in a written statement Friday, referring to South Korea by its official name. The spokesperson said that the vacancy of the U.S. official, who would solely cover the North Korean affairs, will not affect the U.S. policy toward North Korea. "EAP Assistant Secretary Dan Kritenbrink is currently overseeing DPRK policy for the Department of State. Ambassador Julie Turner continues to serve as special envoy on North Korean Human Rights," the spokesperson said. EAP is the State Department's term for East Asian and Pacific affairs. Seoul also stressed that South Korea and the U.S. are cooperating and maintaining close communication at various levels related to North Korea policy. "The director of the Korean Peninsula Policy Bureau continues to serve as the special representative for North Korea and communicates closely with the U.S. counterpart, and the Director of Diplomatic Strategy and Intelligence Division is discussing issues that require high-level consultations," a spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry told VOA's Korean Service via email Friday. World leaders reacted to U.S. President Joe Bidens announcement on Sunday that he would end his 2024 reelection bid against former President Donald Trump and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. Some described it as a statesman-like decision. The State Department declined to comment on private diplomatic conversations between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts regarding Biden's decision. Blinken wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he has worked for Biden for the past 22 years and will continue to build on U.S. leadership with Biden over the next six months. Here are some reactions from around the world to Biden's decision to withdraw from his reelection campaign for November: Australia Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on X, "Thank you for your leadership and ongoing service President Biden. The Australia-US Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations." Britain Britain's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X that he respects Bidens decision and looks forward to working together during the remainder of his presidency. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people. Canada Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X, "Ive known President Biden for years. Hes a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you. Czech Republic Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Biden has made undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. In a post on X, Fiala wrote, It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the U.S. that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates. Fiala had previously praised Biden for his leadership in support of Ukraine during an April meeting at the White House. Germany German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X and praised Biden as having achieved a lot for his country, for Europe, for the world. Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong, and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves recognition. Ireland In a statement on X, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris commended Biden for his "global leadership." Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate advocate for peace on the island of Ireland, and our country owes him a great debt for this. Israel Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his gratitude to Biden for his "steadfast support of the Israeli people" throughout his decades-long career. "As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples," Herzog wrote on X. New Zealand New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon thanked President Biden for his steadfast dedication to fostering strong ties between the United States and New Zealand. Luxon wrote on X that he looks forward to collaborating with Biden throughout the remainder of Biden's presidency. Poland Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that Biden has made difficult decisions many times that have made Poland, America, and the world safer, and strengthened democracy and freedom. I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life. Russia The Kremlin said on Sunday that it is closely monitoring developments following Biden's decision to end his reelection bid. The elections are still four months away, and that is a long period of time in which a lot can change. We need to be patient and carefully monitor what happens. The priority for us is the special military operation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a Russian news outlet. He was referring to the war in Ukraine. Spain Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his "admiration and recognition for the brave and dignified decision" made by Biden. He wrote on X, Thanks to his determination and leadership, the U.S. has overcome the economic crisis following the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol. The U.S. has also been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin's Russian aggression. This is a great gesture from a great president who has consistently fought for democracy and freedom. Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Biden's decision as a 'tough but strong' one. In a long post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, We will always be thankful for President Biden's leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war. The current situation in Ukraine and all of Europe is no less challenging, and we sincerely hope that America's continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or making its aggression pay off. Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. As the temperature soared in the Houston-area home Janet Jarrett shared with her sister after losing electricity in Hurricane Beryl, she did everything she could to keep her 64-year-old sibling cool. But on their fourth day without power, she awoke to hear Pamela Jarrett, who used a wheelchair and relied on a feeding tube, gasping for breath. Paramedics were called but she was pronounced dead at the hospital, with the medical examiner saying her death was caused by the heat. Its so hard to know that shes gone right now because this wasnt supposed to happen to her, Janet Jarrett said. Almost two weeks after Beryl hit, heat-related deaths during the prolonged power outages have pushed the number of storm-related fatalities to at least 23 in Texas. The combination of searing summer heat and residents unable to power up air conditioning in the days after the Category 1 storm made landfall on July 8 resulted in increasingly dangerous conditions for some in Americas fourth-largest city. Beryl knocked out electricity to nearly 3 million homes and businesses at the height of the outages, which lasted days or much longer, and hospitals reported a spike in heat-related illnesses. Power finally was restored to most by last week, after over a week of widespread outages. The slow pace in the Houston area put the region's electric provider, CenterPoint Energy, under mounting scrutiny over whether it was sufficiently prepared. While it may be weeks or even years before the full human toll of the storm in Texas is known, understanding that number helps plan for the future, experts say. What is known about the deaths so far? Just after the storm hit, bringing high winds and flooding, the deaths included people killed by falling trees and people who drowned when their vehicles became submerged in floodwaters. In the days after the storm passed, deaths included people who fell while cutting limbs on damaged trees and heat-related deaths. Half of the deaths attributed to the storm in Harris County, where Houston is located, were heat related, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. Jarrett, who has cared for her sister since she was injured in an attack six years ago, said her sassy sister had done everything from owning a vintage shop in Harlem, New York, to working as an artist. She had a big personality, Jarrett said, adding that her sister had been in good health before they lost electricity at their Spring home. When will a complete death toll be known? With power outages and cleanup efforts still ongoing, the death toll likely will continue to climb. Officials are still working to determine if some deaths that have already occurred should be considered storm related. But even when those numbers come in, getting a clear picture of the storm's toll could take much more time. Lara Anton, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, which uses death certificate data to identify storm-related deaths, estimated that it may not be until the end of July before they have even a preliminary count. In the state's vital statistics system, there is a prompt to indicate if the death was storm related and medical certifiers are asked to send additional information on how the death was related to the storm, Anton said. Experts say that while a count of storm-related fatalities compiled from death certificates is useful, an analysis of excess deaths that occurred during and after the storm can give a more complete picture of the toll. For that, researchers compare the number of people who died in that period to how many would have been expected to die under normal conditions. The excess death analysis helps count deaths that might have been overlooked, said Dr. Lynn Goldman, dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. What do different toll numbers tell us? Both the approach of counting the death certificates and calculating the excess deaths have their own benefits when it comes to storms, said Gregory Wellenius, director of the Boston University School of Public Health's Center for Climate and Health. The excess death analysis gives a better estimate of the total number of people killed, so it's useful for public health and emergency management planning in addition to assessing the impact of climate change, he said. But it doesn't tell you who," he said, and understanding the individual circumstances of storm deaths is important in helping to show what puts individual people at risk. If I just tell you 200 people died, it doesn't tell you that story of what went wrong for these people, which teaches us something about what hopefully can we do better to prepare or help people prepare in the future, Wellenius said. The Israeli military on Sunday said it struck Hezbollah weapons storage facilities overnight, after Lebanese state media reported an Israeli strike on an ammunition depot deep in the south. Hezbollah has traded near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces in support of Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on southern Israel triggered war in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli air force "struck two Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in southern Lebanon, containing rockets and additional weaponry," the military said in a statement. Late Saturday, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said "the Israeli enemy launched a raid" on the town of Adloun, about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel, later saying the target was "an ammunition depot." "Six civilians sustained moderate injuries," the NNA said on Sunday, revising the figure up from three the night before. Rockets were still exploding about an hour after the strike was first reported, the NNA said, with videos circulating online showing several large explosions in Adloun. "Shrapnel from the explosions flew to surrounding villages," the NNA said. Earlier on Saturday, Hezbollah and its Palestinian ally Hamas had fired rocket salvos and explosive-laden drones at Israeli positions. Hezbollah said it had launched "dozens of Katyusha rockets" on northern Israel "in response" to a strike blamed on Israel that injured civilians. Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said they also fired a rocket salvo from south Lebanon towards an Israeli military position in the Upper Galilee. The violence since October has killed at least 515 people in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally. Most of the dead have been fighters, but they have included at least 104 civilians. On the Israeli side, 18 soldiers and 13 civilians have been killed, according to Israeli authorities. Pakistan has condemned Germany's "failure" to safeguard its consulate in Frankfurt from being stormed and vandalized Saturday by dozens of protesters reportedly carrying Afghanistan's national flag. In a Sunday statement issued in Islamabad, the foreign ministry, without naming any specific nationality, described the assailants as a gang of extremists and decried the security breach of the consular mission, saying it endangered the lives of its staff. We are conveying our strong protest to the German government, the ministry said. It urged Germany to take "immediate measures to fulfill its responsibility under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to ensure the security of the Pakistani diplomatic missions and staff in the country. Social media video from Saturdays incident shows scores of people holding the tricolor Afghan national flag and jumping the fence to get into the consulate building in Frankfurt, with one of them taking down Pakistans flag. The protesters were reportedly shouting abuses and pelted the diplomatic facility with stones. Diplomatic sources and witnesses in the German city confirmed the authenticity of the video to VOA, but it was not immediately known what the crowd was protesting. Pakistani official sources told VOA that the attack was "a serious security lapse on the part of the German side. They said German authorities did not inform the consulate staff about the upcoming protest or increase security for the diplomatic facility as per the standard operating procedures. There was no immediate reaction from the German government to the attack and its denunciation by Pakistan. Taliban authorities in Afghanistan did not comment on the incident either. We also urge the German authorities to take immediate measures to arrest and prosecute those involved in yesterday's incident and hold to account those responsible for the lapses in security, the Pakistani statement said. Earlier, the Pakistani Embassy in Berlin also denounced the consulate attack as a reprehensible vandalizing act. It wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that the diplomatic mission was in contact with the German authorities to ensure such a situation doesnt arise again and the miscreants face legal consequences. The embassy appealed to Pakistanis in Germany to remain patient and calm in the aftermath of the episode. German authorities have increasingly linked Afghan asylum-seekers in the country to criminal activities and announced last month they are considering resuming deportations of criminals to Afghanistan. The announcement by German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser came just days after a 25-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker was accused of fatally stabbing a police officer in Manheim. Germany ceased deporting migrants to Afghanistan after the Taliban regained power in August 2021 due to the risk of death in their home country. "It is clear to me that people who pose a potential threat to Germany's security must be deported quickly, Interior Minister Faeser told a June 4 news conference. She emphasized that her countrys security interests clearly outweigh the interests of those affected and, We are doing everything possible to find ways to deport criminals and dangerous people to Afghanistan and Syria. On July 8, Germany abruptly announced the closure of its consulate in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi until further notice. It cited imminent security concerns but did not specify them. A consulate announcement last Friday, however, said the German diplomatic facility had resumed normal operations. The abrupt closure of the German consulate apparently had surprised and upset the Pakistani hosts. Consulates in various cities offer important consular services and promote business-to-business ties, Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch told reporters Friday, just hours before the German consulate announced the resumption of its operations. Closure of operations of any consular mission in Karachi would affect these services and slow down engagement with the biggest metropolis and the financial and commercial center of Pakistan, Baloch said. Chevron (NYSE: CVX) is one of the top dividend stocks in the oil patch. The energy giant has increased its dividend annually for more than 35 consecutive years. It also has boosted its payout faster than the average for the S&P 500 over the last five years. At current share prices, it offers a high dividend yield. Here's how much you'd need to invest in the oil stock now to receive $1,000 in dividend income each year. Chevron hiked its dividend by 8% earlier this year, pushing the quarterly payout to $1.63 per share ($6.52 annually). With the stock closing Thursday just below $162 per share, that gives it roughly a 4% yield. That's several times higher than the S&P 500's average dividend yield, which was recently around 1.3%. At that payout rate, you'd need to own 154 shares of Chevron to collect just over $1,000 of annual dividend income. If we use $162 as the share price, you'd need to invest about $24,950 into Chevron to collect about $1,000 of dividend income each year. That could be a lot of money for you to invest, depending on your portfolio size. However, it's a lot less than the $77,000 you'd need to put into an S&P 500 index fund to produce the same amount of dividend income. Another factor to consider is Chevron's growth. The oil company has increased its dividend at a faster pace than the average for the S&P 500 over the last five years. That trend could continue. Chevron expects to grow its free cash flow by more than 10% annually through 2027 (assuming an average oil price of around $60 a barrel). It could do even better if crude prices are higher and it closes its Hess acquisition. Chevron's growth and higher yield make it an excellent option for income investors. Should you invest $1,000 in Chevron right now? Before you buy stock in Chevron, 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 Chevron 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 $741,989!* 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 15, 2024 Story continues Matt DiLallo has positions in Chevron. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Want $1,000 in Dividend Income? Here's How Much You'd Have to Invest in Chevron Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool South Korea said Sunday it was bolstering its anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts across the tense border with rival North Korea, after the North launched more trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea. The Cold War-style psychological battle between the two Koreas is adding to already-high tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with the rivals threatening stronger steps against each other and warning of devastating consequences. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean balloons were flying Sunday morning north of Seoul, the South Korean capital, after crossing the border. It said later Sunday that the South Korean military was responding by expanding loudspeaker broadcasts at all major sections of the Koreas' 248-kilometer (154-mile)- long border. The North Korean militarys tension-escalating acts can result in causing critical consequences for it, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The responsibility for this situation is entirely on North Koreas government. Details of the expansion of South Korea's loudspeaker operations were not immediately available. On Thursday, it resumed blasting front-line propaganda broadcasts for the first time in about 40 days in response to the North's previous balloon activities. But observers say South Korea hadn't been conducting the broadcasts around the clock and it also hadn't yet mobilized all its loudspeakers. The latest South Korean broadcasts included K-pop songs and news on BTS member Jins torch-bearing ahead of the Paris Olympics and the recent defection of a senior North Korean diplomat. The broadcasts also called the mine-planting works by North Korean soldiers at the border hellish, slave-like lives, according to South Korean media. Experts say South Korean propaganda broadcasts can demoralize front-line North Korean troops and residents, posing a blow to the North's efforts to limit access to outside news for its 26 million people. South Korean officials have previously said broadcasts from their loudspeakers can travel about 10 kilometers (6 miles) during the day and 24 kilometers (15 miles) at night. North Korea hasn't made an official response to the ongoing South Korean broadcasts. But in 2015, North Korea fired artillery rounds across the border in response to South Korea's first loudspeaker broadcasts in 11 years, prompting the South to return fire, according to South Korean officials. No casualties were reported. The North's latest balloon-flying episode Sunday is the ninth of its kind since late May. North Korea has floated more than 2,000 balloons to drop wastepaper, scraps of cloth, cigarette butts, waste batteries and even manure on South Korea, though they have so far caused no major damage in South Korea. North Korea has said the initial balloons were launched in response to South Korean activists sending political leaflets to the North via their own balloons. Like South Korean front-line broadcasts, North Korea views the South's civilian leafleting activities as a major threat to its authoritarian government led by Kim Jong Un. In furious responses to past South Korean leafletting, North Korea destroyed an empty South Korean-built liaison office in its territory in 2020 and fired at incoming balloons in 2014. In a statement last week, Kim's powerful younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, threatened new countermeasures against South Korean civilian leafleting as she warned that South Korean scum must be ready to pay a gruesome and dear price" over their actions. She said more South Korean leaflets had been found in North Korea. That raised concerns North Korea could stage physical provocations, rather than balloon launches. South Korea's military said North Korea may fire at balloons or scatter mines downriver. In early June, South Korea suspended a 2018 tension-reduction deal with North Korea, a step required for it to restart propaganda broadcasts and conduct live-fire military drills at border areas in response to the North's balloon campaigns. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have already been running high because of North Korea's provocative run of missile tests and the expansion of U.S.-South Korean military drills that North Korea calls invasion rehearsals. Experts say North Koreas expanding ties with Russia could embolden Kim Jong Un to stage bigger provocations. Sudan's de facto leader, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, received an Iranian ambassador Sunday and sent his own to Tehran, the government said, cementing a rapprochement after an eight-year rupture. Sudan and Iran agreed last October to resume diplomatic relations, as the army-aligned government scrambled for allies during its war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Sudanese government, loyal to the army in its 15-month fight against the RSF, announced in a statement that Burhan had received Tehran's new ambassador Hassan Shah Hosseini in Port Sudan. The Red Sea city has become Sudan's de facto seat of government since Khartoum became wracked by fighting. This is "the beginning of a new phase in the course of bilateral relations between the two countries," foreign ministry undersecretary Hussein al-Amin said as Burhan sent off Sudan's new ambassador to Iran, Abdelaziz Hassan Saleh. Sudan broke off relations with Iran in 2016 in a show of solidarity with Saudi Arabia, after the kingdom's embassy in Tehran was attacked following the Saudi execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Several Saudi allies in the region also cut ties with Iran at the time. In March 2023, however, Riyadh and Tehran announced the restoration of their relations following an agreement brokered by China. Iran has since moved to cement or restore relations with neighboring Arab countries. Since Sudan's war began in April 2023, several foreign powers have supported rival forces. In December, Sudan expelled diplomats from the United Arab Emirates on allegations that the Gulf state was funneling weapons to the RSF. The UAE has denied taking sides in the conflict. Egypt and Turkey have backed the army. The United States in February voiced concern at reported arms shipments by Washington's foe Iran to Sudan's military. Around that time, the army recovered some territory after months of defeats at the hands of the RSF. Sudan has also recently drawn closer to Russia, which experts say has reconsidered its previous relationship with the RSF, with which it had links through the mercenary Wagner group. Sudan under former strongman Omar al-Bashir, who was toppled in 2019, developed close relations with Iran's clerical state. The war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people, with some estimates placing the death toll as high as 150,000, according to the U.S. envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello. It has also created the world's worst displacement crisis with more than 11 million uprooted, according to the United Nations and brought the country to the brink of famine. Donald Trump held on Saturday his first campaign rally since he survived an assassination attempt, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his newly named running mate. "It was exactly one week ago, even to the hour, even to the minute," Trump told the crowd, reflecting on the July 13 shooting in Pennsylvania that left him with a bloodied ear, killed one of his supporters and left two others injured. "I stand before you only by the grace of almighty God," he said, the white gauze on his ear now replaced by a skin-colored bandage. "I shouldn't be here right now." Trump was joined by Ohio Senator J.D. Vance at the pair's first event together since they became the Republican party's nominees at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Michigan is one of the handful of swing states expected to determine the outcome of November's presidential election. Trump narrowly won the state by just more than 10,000 votes in 2016, but Democrat Joe Biden flipped it back in 2020, winning by a margin of 154,000 votes on his way to the presidency. Trump's choice of Vance was aimed, in part, at helping him win support from Rust Belt voters in places like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio who helped Trump notch his surprise 2016 victory. Vance specifically mentioned those places during his acceptance speech at the convention, stressing his roots growing up poor in small-town Ohio and pledging not to forget working-class people whose jobs were sent overseas and children were sent to war. After appearing uncharacteristically subdued and emotional during the Republican convention, Trump returned to his usual rally mode, insulting his Democratic rivals, repeating his lies about the 2020 election, and peppering his address with jokes that sparked laughter from an enthusiastic audience. But Trump also talked about the shooting, acting out how he'd turned his head to look up at a chart of southern border crossings projected on a giant screen, narrowly dodging the bullet that hit his ear. "I owe immigration my life," he said. Supporters crowd downtown Grand Rapids Hours before he took the stage, Trump's supporters crowded the streets of downtown Grand Rapids in anticipation of the former president's remarks. Supporters began lining up Friday morning, and by Saturday afternoon, the line stretched close to a mile from the entrance of the 12,000-seat Van Andel Arena. Downtown Grand Rapids also saw a significant police presence, with officers stationed on nearly every block, while others patrolled on horseback and bicycles. The heightened security outside the venue created a tense environment, with some attendees mentioning that drones overhead had made them nervous. The event was held indoors, which is easier to secure. Attendees were required to pass through a metal detector upon entering the arena, yet the presence of security inside appeared consistent with previous events. "This is the tightest I've ever seen the security," said Renee White, who said that she's been to 33 of Trump's rallies. White had been seated behind the podium at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. On Saturday, she was again seated behind Trump, almost in the same spot as she had been in Butler. "If I'm going to be taken out, at least I'm doing something I love to do, right?" she said. Trump distances himself from Project 2025 During the rally, Trump pushed back against efforts to cast him as a threat to democracy and an extremist, even as he has vowed mass deportations and threatened retribution against his political enemies. He also again tried to distance himself from the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, a policy and personnel plan for a second Trump term that was crafted by a host of former administration officials. Trump blasted the project, which has become a centerpiece of Biden's campaign, as "severe right" and "seriously extreme," just like the "radical left." "I don't know anything about it," he insisted. Ugandan protesters who said they would press ahead with a banned anti-corruption march on Tuesday are "playing with fire," the country's president warned. "Some elements have been planning illegal demonstrations, riots," President Yoweri Museveni said in a televised address late Saturday. Museveni has ruled the East African country with an iron fist since 1986. He said the protesters included "elements working for foreign interests," without elaborating. Earlier Saturday, Ugandan police had informed organizers that it would not permit the planned protest in the capital, Kampala, as authorities had intelligence that "some elements were trying to take advantage of the demonstration to cause chaos in the country." "Demonstrations can only be allowed under our mandate as long as they are not causing public disorder and disrupting lives of lawful citizens," Ugandan police operations director Frank Mwesigwa told AFP. The protest organizers told AFP they would press on with the demonstration. "We don't need police permission to carry out a peaceful demonstration," one of the main protest leaders, Louez Aloikin Opolose, said Saturday. "It is our constitutional right." The protesters hope to take the march past parliament, which they accuse of tolerating corruption. "Our starting point in the fight against corruption is parliament ... and the demonstration is on irrespective of what police is saying," protester Shamim Nambasa said. The NGO Transparency International ranks Uganda low on its corruption perceptions index. With the least corrupt countries ranking highest, Uganda comes in at 141 on the list of 180 countries. The anti-corruption protesters have been keeping track of the sometimes deadly demonstrations that have shaken neighboring Kenya for more than a month. The Kenyan protests, which began as peaceful rallies against controversial tax hikes, turned into a wider anti-government campaign, with disgruntled activists also seeking action against corruption and alleged police brutality. At least 50 people have been killed and 413 injured since the demonstrations began on June 18, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. It was only when 12-year-old Senegalese schoolboy Lassou Samb prepared to sit his end-of-year exams that his lack of any legal documentation finally caught up with him. Like many young people in the West African country, Samb was never registered at birth, an oversight with potentially profound consequences for his education. Hundreds of thousands of Senegalese pupils are sitting exams until Wednesday to mark the end of their school year. But Samb almost did not take the test needed to move onto the next grade because he lacked the required birth certificate. Every year, the exam period highlights a major failure to register births, not just in Senegal but across Africa. Of the more than 300,000 students registered for the end of elementary school exams, almost 70,000 had no civil status documents, the examinations department said. The issue has potentially serious consequences ranging from the protection of rights, access to public services and government policy planning. Samb, one of six children born in a village in central Senegal, was the only one in his family not to be registered. "Our (school) director often calls me into his office to remind me that I haven't brought my birth certificate yet, but I don't know what to tell him," he said. Samb "was born with a fractured hand at a time when things were hard for us," said his father Malick, a factory worker. "The priority then was to treat him." Like previous administrations, Senegal's new government this year ignored the rule requiring a birth certificate for exams and allowed children to sit them without. Unregistered children "There is no question of sacrificing these children twice," said Moussa Bala Fofana, Minister for Local and Regional Authorities. "Firstly by not declaring them at birth, and secondly by preventing them from sitting their exams because they have no papers, even though they have nothing to do with it," he said. While 98 percent of births are registered in Europe, the number stands at just 44 percent in Africa, according to a 2024 WHO report. More than half of the world's unregistered children live in Africa, totaling around 91 million, the U.N. children's agency UNICEF said in 2022. Birth registration is a critical first step in access to healthcare, education and justice, and is also an essential tool in government planning for public health and development. But long distances to registry offices, a lack of knowledge, local customs and, in some countries, discriminatory practices and fees can prevent parents from registering a birth, UNICEF said. Some parents neglect or ignore the importance of birth certificates even though they have up to a year to register their child free of charge, said Aliou Ousmane Sall, Director of Senegal's national civil status agency. After this deadline, a court has to authorize the registration and parents must pay a fee of 4,000 CFA francs ($7). Fraud Obtaining a birth certificate can take several years due to the difficulty of accessing the necessary services, obsolete equipment and poorly trained officials. "For most of our African countries, we had to make a transition from the colonial state to the post-colonial state," said Oumar Ba, president of the country's mayors' association. "As a result, many measures were not taken in time. Our states inherited a civil registry that was not well structured," he added. The shortfalls are conducive to fraud, with concerns about identification number trafficking widespread in Senegal. Seydina Aidara, 23, said he was about to sit his final high school exams when he discovered that his civil registration number had been stolen, preventing him from taking the test. For Lassou Samb, a birth certificate would later allow him to get an identity card, passport or driving license. But his father said that despite his efforts, he had not been able to complete the registration process. The government has launched a plan to modernize and digitize the civil registry in a bid to improve access and minimize fraud. Nineteen million records have already been digitized, said Sall, of the national civil status agency. "With this program, the problems will soon be over," he said. The U.S. Secret Service is now saying that it repeatedly denied requests from former President Donald Trump for extra security at his frequent public appearances over the last two years, although the Trump team had not specifically asked for more security at the political rally where he was shot and nearly assassinated a week ago. The acknowledgement by the Secret Service, the chief security agency for current and past presidents and their families and top government officials, came days after it vehemently denied that it had declined to provide more security for Trumps public events. The new stance came as House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson joined other Republican officials in calling Sunday for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign or be fired in the aftermath of the security lapse that led to the assassination attempt on Trump. One of Trumps sons, Eric Trump, told Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, that Cheatle should resign in absolute disgrace. Cheatle, who has said she does not plan to quit, is set to face tough questions Monday at a congressional hearing on the shooting at the July 13 rally in rural Pennsylvania. Shes got a lot to answer for, Johnson told CNNs State of the Union show. This will be must-see TV. She is not fit to lead this very important agency. The acknowledged security failure at the rally allowed a gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, to climb unimpeded to an unsecured warehouse rooftop at a rally in rural Pennsylvania and fire at least eight shots, from an unobstructed distance of about 150 meters toward the stage where Trump was speaking. The Secret Service had excluded the warehouse from its inner security perimeter it directly controlled while leaving local police to patrol the warehouse area, even as local police told the agency they did not have enough resources to station a squad car adjacent to the warehouse. Crooks possibly climbed onto an air conditioning unit to reach the rooftop, authorities have said. The would-be assassin apparently was able to walk freely in the outer security perimeter before climbing to the rooftop, even though local officers had spotted him, thought he was acting oddly and notified other law enforcement. But then, police say, they lost track of him. One shot grazed Trumps right ear, while a rallygoer was killed and two other spectators critically wounded. A Secret Service sniper stationed on the rooftop of another building quickly killed Crooks. In the hours after the assassination attempt, some former Secret Service agents said Congress for years had left the agency without adequate funding to hire enough armed agents to protect the growing number of key officials it has been tasked with protecting. A week ago, the day after the shooting targeting Trump, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said, The assertion that a member of the former presidents security team requested additional security resources that the U.S. Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security rebuffed is absolutely false. He repeated the same assertion Monday at a meeting in Wisconsin with Trumps security team as they gathered for the Republican National Convention, where Trumps fellow Republicans formally nominated him as the partys presidential candidate in the November election against President Joe Biden, the Democrat who defeated Trump in the 2020 election. On Monday, Homeland Security chief Alejandro Mayorkas, whose agency oversees the Secret Service, said the accusation that he had denied extra security for Trump rallies was a baseless and irresponsible statement and it is one that is unequivocally false. But on Saturday, the Secret Service, in a reversal, acknowledged that agents requests for more magnetometers and more agents to screen attendees at sporting events, in addition to more snipers and other security teams at other large public gatherings attended by Trump, had been turned down. The requests for heightened security were sometimes rebuffed by senior Secret Service officials for various reasons, The Washington Post reported, including a lack of sufficient funding at an agency that has long said it is understaffed. Guglielmi said that after receiving detailed questions from the newspaper, he learned that in fact some extra requests for Secret Service protection from Trumps security team had been turned down. The Secret Service has a vast, challenging, and intricate mission, Guglielmi said in a statement. Every day we work in a dynamic threat environment to ensure our protectees are safe and secure across multiple events, travel, and other difficult environments. We execute a comprehensive and layered strategy to balance personnel, technology, and specialized operational needs. The agency is currently responsible for security for more than two dozen people. After the assassination attempt on Trump, Biden ordered a protective detail added for a longshot 2024 independent presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedys uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and father, Robert F. Kennedy, were assassinated in the 1960s. In addition, the Secret Service is now protecting Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and his family after Trump named him as his vice presidential running mate. The U.S. State Department said on Saturday it has raised Bangladesh's travel advisory to level four, which urges people to not travel to the Asian country because of what Washington described as "civil unrest" amid ongoing protests. The State Department also said it authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members in Bangladesh. A day earlier, the department had urged people to reconsider travel to the country. Why it's important Massive protests have broken out in Bangladesh over student anger against quotas. Police have fired tear gas to scatter protesters in some areas while the government has banned public gatherings, imposed communications restrictions, deployed the army in some parts and imposed a curfew. Dozens have been killed in the past week. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government would form a judicial committee to investigate the killings of protesters. Key quotes "Travelers should not travel to Bangladesh due to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka. Demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported throughout the city of Dhaka, its neighboring areas, and throughout Bangladesh," the State Department said in a statement. "Due to the security situation, there may be a delay in provision of routine consular services," it added. The State Department also said that due to security concerns, U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions, which could limit their ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh. Reaction The United States and Canada have called on Bangladesh to uphold the right to peaceful protest and expressed concern over violence that has occurred in the country in recent days. Context Students have protested over public sector job quotas, which include a 30% reservation for family members of fighters from the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan. The quotas have caused anger among students who face high youth unemployment rates, with nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis not working or in school out of a total population of 170 million people. HARARE (AFP) - The United States said Thursday it will provide $39 million in aid to Zimbabwe as millions in the African nation struggle to put food on the table. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said the money will help provide 500,000 people with food assistance and distribute agriculture supplies and livestock. "During the recent October-May agricultural season, 80 percent of Zimbabwe received below-average rainfall, resulting in farmers losing approximately 70 percent of their crops," USAID said. US Ambassador Pamela Tremont told a press conference in Harare the relief package "will address short term food insecurity and long term strategies to improve agricultural practices". Since the beginning of the year, Washington has given nearly $62 million in aid to Zimbabwe, Tremont said. Zimbabwe, which has strained diplomatic relations with the United States, is one of a band of countries in Southern Africa experiencing food shortages due to a prolonged, severe dry spell which has been exacerbated by the El Nino climate phenomenon. In May, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster, saying Zimbabwe needed at least two billion dollars to respond to the drought. Authorities estimate about six million people will require food assistance during the November to March lean season when food is scarcest. Earlier this week, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said that people facing hunger will receive 7.5 kilogrammes (16.5 pounds) of maize meal each month from July to September, and 8.5 kilogrammes from October to March next year. HARARE (Reuters) The United States wants to see key reforms before rejoining debt resolution talks between Zimbabwe and multilateral lenders from which Washington withdrew following the African countrys disputed 2023 election. The new U.S ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, hinted that there are prospects for Washington to rejoin the debt talks. We are looking forward to new democracy and governance indicators that will give us the sense of where the government is, that is its democracy and governance pathway so that we return to the table and continue these talks, Tremont told Reuters. Tremont said the U.S pulled out of the debt talks led by the African Development Bank (AfDB) president Akinwumi Adesina in January because last years election that gave President Emmerson Mnangagwa a second term was not free and fair. We were an active participant in those talks but we had to put a pause on that after the elections that we did not find free and fair, she said. Zimbabwe is owing over $17 billion in debt and arrears to several multilateral funders, including the World Bank, AFDB and 17 Paris Club members. It has been locked out of international financial markets for more than two decades but sees the debt resolution talks as a step towards clearing the arrears. Before resuming debt resolution talks last year, Zimbabwe had committed to key governance and electoral reforms that included running a clean election. The August elections were widely criticized by observers like SADC and EU observer missions which said the process fell short of international standards. Zimbabwes main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who came second to Mnangagwa, described the election as a gigantic fraud. Deputy Finance Minister Kuda Mnangagwa said the U.S was still welcome to rejoin the debt talks. We remain committed to the talks and re-engagement to foster strong economic ties with those who are willing to work with us, Mnangagwa told Reuters. The U.S remains a key party to the debt talks as it wields influence in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. We think the AfDB process is really useful to discuss the reforms that the International Financial Institutions need for Zimbabwe to access the concessionery loans it wants, Tremont said. (Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Nelson Banya and Angus MacSwan) Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images On Friday, the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee, which comprises four different unions representing 14,000 Disneyland park employees, released a statement declaring that 99% of their members have authorized a strike, meaning they would not show up to work at the parks if implimented. While that doesnt mean a strike has been scheduled, it does mean that the union can implement a strike as negotiations for their new contract continue. The committee explained: A strike is always a last resort, and we have committed to return to the bargaining table Monday and Tuesday prepared to bargain in good faith. On Wednesday, over 1,000 people reportedly protested outside Disneylands entrance in support of park employees advocating for changes like fair wages and a fair attendance policy. Vulture has reached out to Disney Parks for comment. Disney officials and the bargaining committee are scheduled to meet again on Monday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 23, for contract negotiations. Recipes What do you want to cook today? Bereavement The death sadly occurred on Sunday, July 14, of Mrs. Wendy Coyne Rellis, late of Kilcohan Park, Waterford, and formerly of Ballybeg, Waterford. Predeceased by her loving father Raymond, she is survived by her loving partner Mark Coyne, sons Keith, Scott, Sean and Aaron, daughter Abbie, her mother Ann, sisters Sarah and Laura, brothers Philip and Kenneth, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Wendy will be sadly missed by all her relatives, extended family, neighbours and friends. Requiem Mass took place in the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, Waterford, on Thursday, July 18, at 11.00am, followed by burial in St. Marys Cemetery, Ballygunner, Waterford. Condolences are extended to Wendy's family, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace. Sacred Heart Church We welcome Davy-Lee Christopher Roche, Maisie Laura Hennessy and Carter Patrick Hennessy into our Christian Community through Baptism. Please keep them, their parents and god-parents in your prayers. For Baptism enquiries or bookings please email: sacredheartparishinfo@gmail.com Youth 2000 Summer Festival The Youth 2000 Summer Festival takes place from August 15 to 18, at Clongowes Wood College, Co Kildare for those aged 16 to 35. Donation only. Faith, fun, fellowship! For more info including bus routes go to www.youth2000.ie Be Healed Retreat The Be Healed Retreat runs from Friday, August 30, at 9am to Sunday, September 1, at 3.30pm, at Glencomeragh House, Kilsheelan, Co. Tipperary (E91H584). Led by Fr Patrick Cahill, there will be daily Mass, Benediction and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, themed talks, reflection time, prayer ministry, confessions and healing service on Saturday night with anointing of the sick blessing. Full Board Accommodation, priced 270. To book go to www.holyfamilymission.ie, email directly on info@holyfamilymission.ie or phone 052 613318. Community Bingo Bingo in aid of the Parkinson's Association Bingo will be held every Monday evening in aid of the Parkinson's Association in the Butler Community Centre. Eyes down at 7.45pm, 8 per book. All are welcome. Chair Yoga Chair Yoga takes place every Thursday from 11am to 12pm. Sometimes people with different abilities may feel there is a lack of choice when it comes to Yoga. Chair Yoga is inclusive to people of all abilities and will offer everyone the opportunity to take part and benefit from all Yoga has to offer 40 for 6 weeks. To find our more contact Lisa on 089 6558716. Whist Club A Whist Club (card game) at the Butler Center, St. John's Park on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. They would love to see all their old players and new players would be most welcome at 5 per person. Shotokan Karate Waterford Shotokan Karate beginners classes are taking place in Butler Community Centre, St John's Park, Waterford (X91 FEP4). Junior Foroige Club Warriors Junior Foroige Club are looking for new members, boys and girls, aged 10 to 12 years. We meet in Butler Community Centre every Thursday night from 7pm to 8 pm. Foroige Club is a place for young people to hang out, meet new friends, get involved in activities and have a voice. Limited places available. Waterford Central Library Waterford Libraries are delighted to again bring a series of free Writing Workshops to the people of the Deise county in 2024. The programme runs from August to mid-December and will give participants an opportunity to attend courses in both Irish and English. The courses are free of charge, open to people over 18 years resident in the city or county, and application forms are available at library desks. The closing date for applications for all workshops is Friday, August 2. Home-grown Microgreens A 'Growing Microgreens at Home' Workshop will take place in Central Library, Waterford on Friday, July 26, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Learn the basics of growing tasty microgreens in your own home; perfect for a sunny windowsill or any well-lit spot. The facilitator will be Aileen Drohan, Walton Institute (SETU). Book your free space by calling 051 849975. Grow Your Own Food Grow your own food with free spinach, French beans and Pea seeds when Waterford Libraries team up with GIY to encourage growing your own food. The free seeds will be available in 25 libraries across the South East and for more information log on to www.libraryleaf.ie The LEAF programme is about empowering communities to grow their own food as a vital climate action. Its about sowing seeds of empathy and nurturing a culture of sustainable living, all while turning libraries into bustling hubs of food growing information. Parent Hub Are you a new mum or have you just had a baby? HSE Ireland has established a Post Natal hub for both mum and baby. This is a space for you and your baby to come to access supports from HSE midwives, paediatrician, lactation consultant, woman's health physio, perinatal mental health midwife, along with one of the most important things for a new mum, a connection to other new mums who have also welcomed a new arrival and may be looking to connect with others for support. The sessions take place every Wednesday, from 9am to 11am, in the Brill Family Resource Centre. Drop in anytime between between those times or text or call Grace beforehand on 087 1819413. Creative Writing Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre in Waterford would love you to join us for our Creative Writing Programme which will begin on Thursday, September 12, for 10 weeks. The programme will take place from 11am to 1pm and will be free to attend. The programme will be funded by WWETB Adult & Community Education, facilitated by writer and musician, Derek Flynn. For more information ring Elaine on 051 306728 and places are limited so ring to secure your place. Community Art Project Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre, Waterford has teamed up with Waterford City and County Council Creative Communities to create a mural with adults and children, aged 10 to 14 years. No experience is necessary and the project will be facilitated by Artist in Residence, Ruth. If you or your child wish to take part in this project please contact Anne on 051 306728. Kids Summer Camp Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre will be running its fourth Kids Summer Camp for July from July 22 to 25, for those aged 8 to 12 years. The camp runs from 10am to 2pm and the cost is 45. For further information ring Anne on 051 306728. Baking Classes Registration is now open for forthcoming baking classes being run by Sacred Heart Family Resource. The classes are being funded by the WWETB Reach Fund. It will be an eight-week programme and more information can be had by contacting 051 306728. Homework Club The Shy Project, Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Service, are seeking volunteers (1 to 2 hours weekly commitment), to join their Homework Club. The club offers homework support for primary school boys on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. This is an opportunity to develop relationships with the younger generation in your community and make a positive impact on their lives. For further information please contact Rachel on 086 8589871 or Tracey on 086 1831555. Wedding Congratulations The Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, Waterford was the scene of the very pretty wedding on Wednesday, July 10, of July 2024 of Miss Aoife Daly and Mr Craig Ennis. It was a very special day for their beautiful daughters Croia and Bowie, to witness mammy getting their last name. Aoife is the daughter of Michael and June Daly and Craig is the son of Michael and Sally Anne Ennis. The marriage ceremony and Mass were celebrated by Fr Gerry Chesnutt. Following Mass, the happy couple were joined by family and friends in the Tower Hotel, Waterford, for their wedding reception. All would like to wish Aoife and Craig many long years of happiness, health and success. Tramore will come alive to the sound of rock music on Saturday, July 27, when it plays host to an outdoor music festival under the banner, 'Tramore Summer Sessions'. The outdoor event will feature a variety of acts to the town with something to suit all music tastes. The organisers worked hard at ensuring the eclectic line-up will cover a range of styles and thanks to the support of local businesses access to the event will be free of charge. Designed to be family-friendly, the one-day festival line-up will kick off in the Baldy Man Car Park at 2pm with The Symbolics, followed by the No Clue band at 3.30pm. Oasis fans are then in for a treat when, at 5pm, Mad Ferritt, Irelands original Oasis tribute act composed of local musicians, will take the stage and then at 6.30pm, 18-year-old Jamie Cartwright, from Liverpool will showcase his talent. The event will culminate with a stunning performance by the UKs Coldplace, a leading tribute to Coldplay, at 8.30pm. It promises to be a great community event and locals and visitors to Tramore should note the car park next to the Baldy Man/Sands Hotel will close from on Friday, July 26 until Sunday, July 28, for the sessions. I was fascinated by the impact of Taylor Swifts Eras Tour concerts in the Aviva Stadium. One headline banner summed it up. The Young people of Ireland reach religious ecstasy at the Aviva. Another claimed that whereas Ireland had traditionally been a Catholic country, at the concert in the Aviva stadium, a new faith emerged; belief in Taylor Swift. I will admit that it was only after some tween children of friends of mine shared their experience of the Taylor Swift magic that I realised that the Swiftie phenomenon must be taken seriously. She is the 12-time Grammy award winner, the 2023 Time Person of the Year, the most streamed artist on Spotify of all time; the current Eras Tour is likely to be the highest-grossing concert tour in history. Sharing their experience of the concert, fans told me they were on their feet for over three hours in the Aviva, singing along word for word with all songs in the repertoire. Furthermore, they all wore costumes they spent months planning (determined by their favourite Swift musical era) and friendship bracelets adorned their wrists. Maya Jean is one such fan. She is 11 years old, who in 2021 was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She underwent two brain surgeries and had to spend two months in Germany to receive specialised radiation treatment. This was followed by gruelling sessions of chemotherapy in Crumlin Childrens Hospital over the course of a year. She missed most of her third class in school. Maya Jean has made a great recovery. She loves Taylor Swift, her music, her songs and the lyrics about love and life. She sings them all the time! She was devastated when at first she was unable to get a ticket for the Aviva concert. But very special friends presented her with a ticket and organised for her to attend with their family. Preparing for the concert was serious business, making lots of friendship bracelets (seemingly fans arrive at a Taylor Sift concert armed with lots of friendship bracelets and then swap and exchange them, thereby building a sense of community amongst the fans) and deciding on outfits. Like all Swifties, Maya Jean sang along with all the Taylor Swift songs for over three hours and could feel a real connection with the artist. I confess that I am not a Swifty but I did listen to a few tracks from her albums. The lyrics certainly express a wide range of emotions and express concerns and experiences that resonate with fans like Maya Jean. Her lyrics encapsulate concerns like illness, heartache, romantic love, break-up of relationships. The vivid, powerful, expressions of emotion that she captures in her songs would help young teeny boppers feel that they are not alone but are part of a larger community who share a similar narrative or story to them, especially young women. The Taylor Swift Phenomenon: A new religion? Swift shares with great candour the emotional pain and struggles she endured. Such authenticity resonates deeply with tweens and teenagers. I have watched some videos in which fans who have had the opportunity to meet with Swift told her that she made them feel like they mattered and that she helped them get through difficult periods in their life. As Taylor sang in the Aviva, tonite Im going to dance for all weve been through. Swifties react to their idol with a fervour akin to religious ecstasy. In many ways, Taylor Swift is a religious phenomenon. According to anthropologist Clifford Geertz, religion depicts the juxtaposition of beliefs about how the world is and how it ought to be. These models or beliefs influence how we view and respond to life and seek to motivate and inspire as; for example, Jesus vision of Kingdom in the Christian faith. Swifts songs certainly model the world as it is but there is also an imaginative romantic element to her songs suggesting another world of harmony and everlasting love where society is not plagued by sexism and hate. Just listen to Man. Rituals and myth are also intrinsic components of religion. I have elaborated on the rituals of bracelets and outfits and learning of lyrics in the spiritual world of Swift. The spiritual influences on Taylors performance are varied; they include an eclectic mix of Christianity, paganism, new age beliefs, divination, hints at tarot cards and allusions to witchcraft. I have listened to the song Willow and watched the video. Here Swift follows a magical thread through a dark, wintry forest. In one scene, she joins a group of cloaked figures (witches?) dancing in a circle around a swirl of glowing orbs. I dont know if the allusions are metaphorical or real, whether or not she is endorsing witchcraft. I will elaborate further on this syncretistic spiritual influence in a later article and its implications for Christians. But in the meantime, I think I would endorse the sentiments of one Christian reviewer. Advising us to rise above the criticism of Taylor Swift, he argues: Sometimes its enough just to sit back and enjoy the wonder of a glorious, God-given talent, and to allow them to bring some much-needed light to a darkened world. I think Maya Jean would agree. A spokesperson for the Australian regulator said the advisory committee to the FDA made non-binding recommendations, which the FDA generally followed but was not legally bound to do. The TGA is not aware that the FDA has identified safety concerns or made a decision that phenylephrine is ineffective, the spokesperson said. Australian legislation requires that the active ingredient is displayed prominently on the main label of the medicine to enable consumers to make informed choices when purchasing over-the-counter medicines. Malone, who also works part-time at a community pharmacy, says he will always tell customers they are much better opting for a nasal decongestant. The FDAs findings did not apply to the nasal spray version of phenylephrine, which can work well. Loading If they request tablets with phenylephrine, I think myself and other pharmacists have a duty of care to tell them its not that effective in terms of reducing your runny nose, he said. Although pseudoephedrine another ingredient commonly found in cold and flu medication is an effective nasal decongestant, it has become more difficult to access in recent times. Professor Andrew McLachlan, the dean of pharmacy at the University of Sydney, said restrictions were introduced after pseudoephedrine was increasingly being used in the illicit manufacture of methylamphetamine. It is available behind the counter in a pharmacy, but the pharmacist needs to make an assessment and capture some information about you before they provide it to you. McLachlan said these tougher restrictions had led to pharmaceutical companies replacing pseudoephedrine with phenylephrine in many over-the-counter products. Professor Andrew McLachlan says medicine regulators move slowly when there is no risk of harm. He said the assumption was that because phenylephrine was effective when applied topically in a nasal spray it would also work in tablets or capsules. But there was really no evidence, and subsequently, theyve identified that when you do take it orally it doesnt achieve adequate concentrations in your body to be pharmacologically effective, McLachlan said. So theyve said its no different from a placebo. Loading McLachlan said phenylephrine was often combined with other ingredients, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, which could help with pain or reduce fever. But he said there were clear questions about the efficacy of products containing phenylephrine. McLachlan said regulators tended to act faster if there were concerns about a medicine being potentially harmful rather than concerns about its efficacy. But of course, if youre promoting medicine that is not effective, then you could be doing harm because youre delaying people accessing effective treatment, he said. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia said it would be guided by the Therapeutic Goods Administration about whether to remove products containing phenylephrine. Victorian president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Anthony Tassone. Credit: Arsineh Houspian But as a pharmacist, I recommend pseudoephedrine in preference to phenylephrine because it has superior effectiveness, said the guilds Victorian president Anthony Tassone. Associate Professor Nicola Smith, head of pharmacology at the University of NSW, said the TGA was unlikely to act before the US regulator. An Iranian immigrant released under a contentious High Court ruling before five months later allegedly taking part in the violent assault and robbery of an elderly Perth couple, claims he intervened in the attack and tried to help. Seyed Younes Tahami, 38, appeared in Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday requesting to be released on bail while charges relating to the April 16 attack and robbery of Ninette and Philip Simons proceeded through the courts. Ninette Simons was savagely assaulted in her home. Credit: Police Media Tahami is accused of being one of three men who posed as police to enter the Simons home and steal $100,000 of cash and $87,000 worth of jewellery. Ninette, 73, was also violently bashed during the robbery, leaving her with horrific injuries that sparked a national conversation around the release and monitoring of detainees. J.D. Vance a powerful symbol of white working-class America has been nominated as the vice president of Donald Trumps campaign. At the same time, Coalition leader Peter Dutton edged ahead of Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister in the Resolve opinion poll. These events are part of a trend that has swept liberal democracies around the world, in which working-class voters are turning increasingly to conservative parties. Australias political system, with compulsory, preferential voting, ensures that a local Trump or Marine Le Pen are unlikely to enter the Lodge. But if Australian working-class voters are increasingly leaning right, what could happen? Campaigning for workers votes: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his nomination for vice president, Senator J.D. Vance. Credit: AP The Australian National University has been conducting the most comprehensive study of voters attitudes, the Australian Election Study, since 1987. The latest one showed that 38 per cent of the working class voted Labor in 2022, down from 60 per cent in 1987. (Class was self-described.) Some of those votes have gone to the Greens. But the Coalition sees this as a disaffected constituency which is now up for grabs. Cue more visuals of Peter Dutton, in reality a millionaire property owner, in hi-vis and a hard hat. As Australian society becomes more polarised, it is harder to discuss the issue of class. With academics, journalists and politicians becoming increasingly university educated and middle-class, judgment and criticism are edging out objective analysis. A judgmental, left-elite perspective might ask: Why do working-class people vote against their own interests? Dont they know whats good for them? Sanaa, Yemen: The Israeli army said it hit several Houthi targets in western Yemen after a fatal drone attack by the rebel group in Tel Aviv the previous day. The Israeli strikes on Sunday (AEST) appeared to be the first on Yemeni soil since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, and they threatened to open a new front in the region as Israel battles proxies of Iran. Oil tanks burn at the port in Hodeidah, Yemen on Sunday. Credit: AP A number of military targets were hit in the western port city of Hodeidah, a Houthi stronghold, the Israeli army said, adding that its attack was in response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against the state of Israel in recent months. The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement. Washington: With Joe Biden quitting the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris is by far the best positioned to replace him. Harris has a head start over several of the most discussed Democratic alternatives like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Shes already been on a winning presidential ticket with Biden, has years of goodwill banked with core party constituencies and would most likely control a huge fund amassed by the Biden re-election campaign. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris together on July 4. Credit: Bloomberg Heres a closer look at her prospects: Shes Bidens most natural endorsement At a time when authorities are looking at alternative ways for rural people to continue to make a living on the land, and at a time when achieving this seems to be getting more and more conditional, maybe it is time to embrace such demands as a friend rather than reject them as a foe. A concept that might be worth looking at is that of the National Park. National Parks are not isolated out-of-reach tracts of wilderness; in many places, they are vibrant life-giving rural regions that continue to support farming families while preserving the surrounding landscape. There are many such parks throughout the world; there are some in Ireland and my bet is that, in the future, we will see more of them. One day, we may even see an Ox Mountain National Park. First Park Yellowstone National Park, which was established in 1872, is generally considered the first national park in the world. However, some have argued that there is evidence that the creation of Yellowstone was predated by the creation of Bogd Khan Mountain National Park in Mongolia, which may date from the late 1700s. Yellowstone Park, in their own information, paint a picture of inclusiveness and respect. Their National Park Service recognises 27 individual native American tribes with historic and modern-day ties to Yellowstone. Yellowstone is located at the convergence of the Great Plains, Great Basin, and Columbia Plateau. For more than 10,000 years before Yellowstones designation as a park, Native American people lived, hunted, fished, gathered plants, quarried obsidian, and used thermal water for religious and medicinal purposes. The first people that called Yellowstone home throughout history were the lands first conservationists, protecting it for its important resources and cultural significance. Today, Yellowstone is one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth and preserves over 10,000 hydrothermal features - more than the rest of the world combined. It is home to the largest concentration of wildlife in the lower 48 states and is the only place in the United States where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times. Yorkshire Dales It can be difficult to compare the history and the grandeur of Yellowstone to our Irish landscape or our modern-day demands. There is however a National Park that bridges that gap: the Yorkshire Dales National Park in northern England. This is a region of small villages, hill farms and rural community living. It is a region of tradition and great farming expertise, and yet farming families there have the same basic need that farming families have everywhere: how to survive in a modern world. The Yorkshire Dales National Park was designated in 1954. This was in recognition of its extraordinary natural beauty, the diversity of its wildlife habitats, its rich cultural heritage and its fantastic opportunities for outdoor recreation. Unlike the National Parks in the United States, the Yorkshire Dales is not a wilderness area. It is a living, working environment, home to 24,000 people. Here we begin to see a different kind of National Park, one that preserves, values and nurtures what it has for the benefit of those who live there and the for the benefit of those who come visit. The Yorkshire Dales provide the following overview. The UKs 15 National Parks are beautiful expanses of relatively wild countryside, created and protected under a Government Act for all to enjoy. Today, National Parks are widely recognised as the most iconic areas of our countryside. They are truly national treasures. Over 95% of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is in private ownership. So, local people who farm the land; own the buildings; and run the businesses are at the heart of looking after this place. Parks in Ireland Ireland is home to six national parks. Wilderness Ireland gives a picture postcard view but the reality is that these parks are simply regions where people and place become one in an organised and structured way for the increased benefit of both. Though the first park was only established in 1920, Irelands national parks are beloved by the Irish populations and visitors alike. These impressive places are home to a variety of landscapes from old-growth forests to soaring mountains, glistening lakes to exposed limestone landscapes. Housing everything from native trees to rare wildflowers, herds of red deer, nesting pairs of golden eagles, birds of every kind, as well as many other types of flora and fauna, Irelands national parks play an important role in protecting the islands ecosystems and conservation efforts. These parks protect more than just natural sites. They also protect Irelands culture and heritage from prehistoric times all the way through thousands of years to the present day. Among Irelands best-known National Parks are Wicklow National Park, The Burren National Park and more locally, Ballycroy National Park. Presently, a new National Park is being proposed for the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry - Pairc Naisiunta na Mara, Ciarrai. This park will be unusual in that some of it will incorporate a sizable portion of the surrounding ocean as well as the renowned local hills and mountains. In years to come Could it be, at some time in the future, that we might see an Ox Mountain National Park? A park that will extol the virtues of our region while preserving, protecting and improving farming traditions and farm livelihoods? A place of huge natural beauty incorporating the river Moy where the best practices of planet protection and biodiversity are on display for all the world to come and enjoy. A place where village shops are once again vibrant and thriving, a place where communities are firmly based and fully supported in their efforts to stay and make a living. How far do we have to stretch our imaginations to make this suggestion more real? Much of the structures, incentives and subsidies are already in place through various Irish and EU policies. Certainly, additional terms and conditions would be applied but maybe not as many as we might think. We have the natural beauty of the Ox Mountains and the river Moy. We have the threats and demands caused by climate change but we also have a duty to maintain our place so that we can pass it on to our children and our grandchildren. We also have the need; the need to protect farm income, the need to keep life in our rural communities, the need to rejuvenate our small towns and villages. Why not make ourselves the centre of attention, an attraction for the whole world to come and enjoy? In years to come, an Ox Mountain National Park may well exist. Dawn Lafreeda, a former restaurant hostess, founded San Antonio-based Den-Tex Central Inc. and built it into the nations second-largest franchisee of Dennys restaurants. She is an executive producer of Show Her The Money, a new documentary that explores gender disparities in venture capital funding. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Two years ago, Dawn Lafreeda got a cold call that would add a new dimension to her lifes work. Lafreeda, a former restaurant hostess, founded a San Antonio company, Den-Tex Central Inc., and built it into the second-largest Dennys franchisee in the country, breaking gender molds and barriers over 40 years. The cold call was from the Los Angeles-based host of a podcast Lafreeda had never heard of. It was about venture capital something she never had access to while she was amassing her restaurant empire but which she now provides to other female entrepreneurs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Catherine Gray, founder and CEO of She Angel Investors and host of the podcast Invest In Her, says her mission is to connect women throughout the venture capital chain. Her podcast features women looking to fund other women. She also produces workshops and events designed to educate people about venture capital and how women can take advantage of this male-dominated financing source. That day, Gray was calling Lafreeda about a more ambitious endeavor than a podcast guest appearance or a panel discussion. Dawn Lafreeda, a former restaurant hostess, founded San Antonio-based Den-Tex Central Inc. and built it into the nations second-largest franchisee of Dennys restaurants. She is an executive producer of Show Her The Money, a new documentary that explores gender disparities in venture capital funding. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Dawn Lafreeda, a former restaurant hostess, founded San Antonio-based Den-Tex Central Inc. and built it into the nations second-largest franchisee of Dennys restaurants. She is an executive producer of Show Her The Money, a new documentary that explores gender disparities in venture capital funding. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News "Show Her the Money" is a new documentary about gender disparities in the venture capital industry. It will be screened on July 26 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Show Her the Money She wanted Lafreeda to participate in what would become Show Her the Money, a documentary on women and venture capital that is being screened Friday evening at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you go What: Screening of Show Her the Money and live panel discussion. Who: The panel will include Catherine Gray, CEO of She Angel Investors; Dawn Lafreeda, angel investor and CEO of Den-Tex Central Inc., a Dennys restaurant franchisee; Kelly Winget, founder of Alternative Wealth Partners; Vicky Pasche, co-founder of Dapper Boi; and actress-director Sharon Gless. When: 5:30-9 p.m., July 26; cocktail hour precedes the screening Where: Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Tickets: $100, available at dfssanantonio.org/show-her-the-money The event, hosted by Dress for Success San Antonio, is part of a 100-city tour of screenings accompanied by live panels with the movies producers and people featured in it. The panel in San Antonio will include Lafreeda and Gray, among others. Gray pitched Lafreeda on the project as a way to educate people about venture capital, inspire them to get involved and enlighten those already in the field about overlooked opportunities to invest in women-led businesses. Of $170 billion in total capital investment in the U.S. in 2023, just 2.1% went to startups founded solely by women, according to data collected by PitchBook, which provides research on global capital markets. That was down from a peak of 2.8% in 2019. That figure grabbed Lafreedas attention. She thought it seemed too low to be accurate. But a man sitting behind her on her flight to Los Angeles to meet Gray overheard the two women discussing the statistic on the phone. It turned out the man worked in venture capital. He introduced himself to Lafreeda and vouched for the eye-opening number. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its absolutely true. Women only get 2%, if that, Lafreeda said he told her. Soon after, Lafreeda was on board as an executive producer of the documentary. Im passionate about it, she said. We have to create change. Hard to crack As a partner and co-founder of San Antonio-based Active Capital, Cat Dizon is one of two female venture capital decision-makers in this city, The other is Meg Paulus of Holt Ventures, the venture capital arm of Caterpillar equipment dealer HOLT CAT. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Only about 10% of venture capital professionals nationwide are women, and Dizon said thats a major reason for the funding disparity between men and women. The top ranks of VC are male-dominated, and its a sector where funding decisions are driven by relationships. Combined, those two factors make it hard for women to break through. Its warm hand-offs. Its deep knowledge in the tech, Dizon said. Unless you come from a background with that networking, thats hard to crack. Cat Dizon, co-founder of San Antonio-based Active Capital, says venture capital is a male-dominated field where relationships are paramount. Combined, those factors make it "hard to crack" for women. Courtesy of Alamo Angels As a result, she said, many VC firms lack the people namely, women who are best able to carry the conversation for the female founder. Some women have taken it on themselves to start venture capital firms to fund women-led businesses. Among those featured in Show Her the Money are Emmeline Ventures and SoGal Ventures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SoGal, which has invested in three of the women-led companies profiled in the film, is led by co-founder and managing partner Pocket Sun, who immigrated from China to attend the University of Southern California. There, she earned a masters degree in entrepreneurship and innovation and became committed to doing something about the venture capital industrys gender disparity. Since Sun created SoGal in 2017 at age 24, the firm has raised more than $50 million to invest in more than 150 startups around the world led by women or minorities, according to the documentary. Five of its portfolio companies have valuations exceeding $1 billion, and its entire portfolio is reported to be worth more than $11 billion. Its investments have created more than 3,000 jobs. Three of its portfolios founders are featured in the documentary: Diipa Khosla, a native of India who created Inde Wild, a skin care products company inspired by South Asian traditions; Jasmine Jones of Washington, D.C., who created Myya, a company that aims to improve the lives of women who have had mastectomies by providing custom-fit bras and prosthetics; Marian Leitner of Boston, founder and CEO of Archer Roose Wines, a niche brand of canned wines available in Target, Sprouts and H-E-B as well as on JetBlue flights. Marian Leitner, founder and CEO of Archer Roose Wines, oversees the filming of a commercial for her companys canned wine. Leitner is among the women entrepreneurs featured in a new documentary film, Show Her the Money, about gender disparities in the venture capital industry. Show Her the Money Look like geniuses Emmeline Ventures founded by La Keisha Landrum Pierre, Naseem Sayani and Azin Radsan Van Alebeek boasts that all 13 of the female founders in whom the firm invested in its initial round of funding are thriving today. They attribute that to being attuned to opportunities that the rest of the male-dominated VC industry is missing. At the end of the day, our job is to make money. If youre a smart investor, where do you want to be? Van Alebeek says in the documentary. I want to be where no one else is, where the market is large and where the market is growing sectors that support women. Im like, you know what, thats opportunity. Investor Wendy Ryan says women entrepreneurs are more efficient with capital. If I write a woman a $10,000 check, shes actually going to go much further with that money than a similarly situated male would, said Ryan, who joined Emmeline during the documentary as a limited partner with a $100,000 stake. The returns are actually better when you invest in women. Pierre predicts that 10 years from now, well look like the geniuses. Everyone will say, How did you know? For now, women-centric VC firms are the exception, and the consensus holds that gender parity in funding is years perhaps decades away. A major goal of the Show Her the Money movement is to educate the VC industry on the benefits of seeking out female founders to support. Gray believes that women-led VC firms can make significant strides toward closing the gap regardless of whether existing male-dominated firms increase the percentage of women in their ranks. But she is mindful that some people outside the movement may sue or try to shut down women-focused funds in light of a recent court decision. In early June, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta issued a preliminary injunction blocking the philanthropic arm of Fearless Fund, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage businesses led by women of color, from administering a competition that provides $20,000 grants to small businesses owned by Black women. The court ruled that the program likely violates a section of the Civil Rights Act prohibiting race discrimination in making and enforcing private contracts. Its absolutely ridiculous that someones trying to shut down a fund whos trying to support Black women when no one else has been, Gray said. But its this patriarchal world that tries to shut women down from moving forward. She finds it frustrating that for all these decades, men have been investing in nothing other than men without legal repercussions. It may need to be that the funds that are investing focused on women may have to change the wording of their thesis to accommodate that nonsense. We want to teach Show Her the Money features five women founders at various stages of their companies growth and funding needs, along with three venture capital firms and various women deeply committed to such firms. The documentary challenges the status quo with doses of drama and humor. The project is an entire business within itself, Gray said. The people behind it have plans to spin off a documentary series and create a university and college curriculum to go with the film for worldwide distribution. Rather than seek a deal with a streaming service such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, the producers are showing the film in private gatherings such as the Tobin Center screening. Catherine Gray, left, founder and CEO of She Angel Investors, discusses the gender gap in venture capital funding with venture capital manager Pocket Sun, center, and Dawn Lafreeda. The three women are part of a new documentary film, Show Her the Money. Show Her the Money We started off going to 50 cities, and now its become a 100-city tour, because weve had such a demand for it, Gray said. Starting in November, after the tour, the film will be available via the media platform Kinema to large corporations and organizations with thousands of employees worldwide. Lafreeda, Gray and others involved in Show Her the Money see it as a movement. We want to educate women, and we want to teach, and we want to get this in colleges, universities, even down to high schools, Lafreeda said. A lot of companies have reached out to us to show the film so that they can teach. Every time we screen the movie, it just generates more and more. Likewise, Mike Troy, managing director at San Antonio-based Geekdom Fund, said that while the VC industry is aware of the problem, its a complicated one whose solution includes early education, making sure that young women and even girls are aware of the opportunities. A true solution to this problem, he believes, must go back in time in terms of how do we get more women interested in this in middle school or high school or college. In the case of his own teenage daughter, If she were to tell me that she wanted to pursue a career in venture capital, I would be encouraging her, he said. San Antonio solutions The national gender disparity in venture capital funding has not gone unnoticed in San Antonio. Two years ago, Geekdom the entrepreneurship-focused organization with a coworking site downtown launched the Women Founders Network, an initiative championed by Dizon. It seeks to address the challenges faced by women business founders through education and connections. The Women Founder Founders Network was really created specifically to bring together women in a community-led effort to make sure that theyre aware of what resources exist out there, but also just creating camaraderie among them so that we can share best practices, Geekdom CEO Charles Woodin said. Its a resource network Geekdom CEO Charles Woodin, right, presents a ceremonial $25,000 check to a local startup founder. Woodin says Geekdom is aware of the gender disparities in venture capital funding and created the Women Founders Network as a step toward closing the gap. Jessica Phelps Geekdoms Community Fund, created in 2018, provides funding to startups. About one-third of its investments have gone to women totaling $250,000 in 11 companies, Woodin said. The fund also has set aside $30,000 for the winner of a pitch competition for women founders that will be held during San Antonio Startup Week in October. Thats not nearly enough to eliminate the gender disparity, Woodin said, but its a start. We at Geekdom see that same problem, he said. Were doing our best to try to make a change, and were open to working with anybody else whos also trying to do that in this community. Mindset shift Before Lafreeda boarded that flight to Los Angeles, she didnt know much about the inner workings of the venture capital industry. She had been involved in angel investing, largely through her role as a judge in the business reality show Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch. The concept is reminiscent of the better-known Shark Tank: Entrepreneurs have 60 seconds in a rising elevator to pitch their idea, and if the judges like what they hear by the time the elevator reaches the top, theyre invited into the board room to seek a funding deal. If not, theyre sent back down. Lafreeda has personally invested more than $1 million in 17 companies, but her West Coast trip would connect her to new opportunities in venture capital. As she learned about SoGal Ventures, Lafreeda saw the successful returns on its portfolio and contributed $250,000 to its next batch of investments. To date, Lafreeda is part of four VC funds, investing $1.1 million. Perhaps the most valuable connection she made was with Vicky Pasche, who runs a jeans and apparel company called Dapper Boi, which focuses on all-gender, body-inclusive designs. Lafreeda said she typically avoids retail businesses and generally remains hands-off. Dapper Boi has been an exception on both fronts. Vicky Pasche, right, co-founder of Dapper Boi, a jeans and apparel company focused on all-gender, body-inclusive designs, pitches her concept to female investors. Pasches challenges in obtaining venture capital financing are chronicled in the new documentary film Show Her the Money. Show Her the Money I dont really like retail. But, boy, do I like Vicky, said Lafreeda, who has spent a lot of time with Pasche, getting to know her business, inspecting her financial data and traveling around the country with her. I know what her struggles are. Lafreeda can relate to the young entrepreneurs personal story. Both are in same-sex marriages. Lafreeda has two sons in college; Pasche has two young daughters. Show Her the Money chronicles in real time Pasches struggles to secure funding as her company falls behind on fulfilling orders to the point that she and her spouse/co-founder consider selling their home to keep Dapper Boi afloat. It shows Pasche being overcome by nerves as she struggles to pitch several women venture capitalists and angel investors, including Lafreeda, on investing in Dapper Boi. Lafreeda looked past Pasches flawed presentation, as did a friend who was there as an observer actress Sharon Gless, whose portrayal of detective Christine Cagney in the 1980s television series Cagney & Lacey helped to change how television depicted women. My heart just went out to her because she was so prepared, said Gless, who became an executive producer of the documentary. She couldnt have been more ready for that pitch. But nerves take over. Actress Sharon Gless' portrayal of detective Christine Cagney in the 1980s television show Cagney & Lacey helped to change the way women are depicted on screen. She is an executive producer of a new documentary film, Show Her the Money, about gender disparities in the venture capital industry. Show Her the Money Lafreeda also empathized with Pasche, recalling how on Elevator Pitch some budding entrepreneurs would sweat profusely, vomit or even faint from anxiety. When your whole life is on the line of that pitch, and this is my chance, and Ive got a mortgage to pay, Ive got employees to pay, Ive got an inventory I have to support, you become very compassionate for what theyre going through, Lafreeda said. Weve let people in the elevator start over. Thats not to say that an exceptionally poor pitch should be ignored. The difference was that Lafreeda saw something special in Pasche. The way she conducted herself around it, it felt like it was just a genuine little mishap, she said. Lafreeda ultimately invested in a fund managed by a woman named Kelly Ann Winget. That fund put $250,000 into Dapper Boi. After that infusion, the companys sales of jeans and chinos soared. The investment gave a huge boost to Pasches self-confidence. Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, attends the "Love in the Sunshine" summer camp for children from China and Africa, and delivers a speech at Beijing Library in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Friday attended the "Love in the Sunshine" summer camp for children from China and Africa, which is being held in Beijing. Peng is a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education. In a speech on Friday, she said that the summer camp is not only a get-together for Chinese and African children, but also a clear demonstration of the closeness between China and the African continent. Chinese and African people have always understood and supported one another in their pursuit of happiness, Peng said. And as a companion on Africa's development path, she added, China is not only committed to ensuring the healthy growth of Chinese children, but also to contributing its strength to the healthy growth of African children. Noting that China and Africa will always be sincere friends, Peng expressed the hope that all of the children at the summer camp would become the inheritors of the traditional friendship between China and Africa, and a new force in the construction of a China-Africa community with a shared future. Participants representing all of the children who gathered for the summer camp expressed their sincere thanks to Peng for her long-term care, and said that they would cherish their time, study hard and become messengers for the China-Africa friendship. Children from South Africa, Namibia, Somalia, Uganda, the Central African Republic and other countries, as well as children from the Yi autonomous prefecture of Liangshan in southwest China's Sichuan Province and the city of Ruili in southwest China's Yunnan Province, were invited to attend the summer camp. China-based diplomatic envoys from relevant African countries were also invited to attend. Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, attends the "Love in the Sunshine" summer camp for children from China and Africa, and delivers a speech at Beijing Library in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, attends the "Love in the Sunshine" summer camp for children from China and Africa, and delivers a speech at Beijing Library in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, attends the "Love in the Sunshine" summer camp for children from China and Africa, and delivers a speech at Beijing Library in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, attends the "Love in the Sunshine" summer camp for children from China and Africa, and delivers a speech at Beijing Library in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Ding Lin] Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education, attends the "Love in the Sunshine" summer camp for children from China and Africa, and delivers a speech at Beijing Library in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Ye Shan BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out rescue and relief efforts to safeguard people's lives and property after the collapse of a highway bridge in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the instructions after the bridge, located in Zhashui County in Shangluo City, collapsed at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Friday due to flash floods caused by heavy rain. Eleven people were killed while over 30 others remained missing as of 10 a.m. on Saturday. The immediate priority is to carry out rescue operations, make every effort to search for the missing and minimize casualties, Xi said in the instructions, also urging efforts to assist the families of the affected. Xi emphasized the importance of well-planned rescue and the prevention of secondary disasters. He stressed that as the critical period of flood control approaches, it is imperative for regions and relevant departments to be extra vigilant, fulfill their duties diligently, improve monitoring systems and early warning mechanisms, strengthen inspections, and implement various measures meticulously to guarantee the safety of people's lives and property. Premier Li Qiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, has given instructions to spare no effort in searching for and rescuing the missing people, investigate the cause promptly and take measures to prevent secondary disasters. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, has led a working team to the site to guide rescue efforts. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wei Xuanyi US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle looks on during a press conference at the Secret Service's Chicago Field Office on June 4. Wrexham University commended for its support for Armed Forces community This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jul 21st, 2024 Wrexham University has been honoured for its efforts in supporting the Armed Forces community. The institution has received the 2024 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, which celebrates employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are actively supporting the Armed Forces community, including those who serve, veterans, and their families. The award acknowledges the institutions commitment to working with the Ministry of Defence, from employment policies which provide time off for public duties, as well as pledging to provide ongoing employment opportunities to current and ex-serving personnel. Some of the other support that the University offers current serving personnel and veterans includes supporting staff members in their roles as Reservists, through its Special Leave policy that outlines consideration for any leave request related to an employees membership. The institution is also reviewing its volunteering policy and plans to engage with the local cadet unit to offer CPD opportunities for staff, such as interviewing skills and mentoring, while providing Cadets with employment skills in return. More recently Wrexham University updated its recruitment application form to allow service leavers and veterans to make themselves known. If they are successful in securing a role, the University will ensure that the necessary support is in place to help with the transition. Danielle Sullivan, Head of Human Resources at Wrexham University, said: We strongly value the skills and experiences that veterans bring, which is why we are highly committed to nurturing an inclusive and supportive culture that is Armed Forces friendly for staff who have served previously or continue to do so as Reservists or Cadets. We support current and ex-serving personnel in a whole host of ways, from our policies to raising awareness of military culture and to help successfully reintegrate veterans into the civilian community. We also offer all of our staff access to an employee assistance programme, which provides a free, confidential helpline and support, as well as access to face-to-face or telephone counselling. We are extremely proud that we have been recognised for our efforts in supporting the Armed Forces community, who contribute so much to our institution and the wider region. Wrexham woman faces four-hour commute to travel just eight miles This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jul 21st, 2024 A young woman who faces a four-hour daily commute to and from her job just eight miles away has prompted calls for improved public transport in Wrexham. The story was shared at a meeting of the Wrexham Business Professionals group, who were told that revamping local public transport links are urgently needed to attract new companies to the city. Rachel Clacher, co-founder of Wrexham-based Moneypenny, the UKs leading provider of telephone and web-based communications and answering services for businesses, said she has come across numerous examples of public transport being lacking to meet the needs of employers and employees. This includes a young woman from Wrexham who spent four hours travelling the eight miles to and from work. Ms Clacher said: She has to first travel by bus from Gwersyllt to Wrexham bus station where she has to wait 45 minutes for a second bus to take her to Wrexham Industrial Estate, in all its a two hour commute. If you add in the return journey that is four hours of this young womans time spent travelling, every day. The fact is that the service is not good enough. These are the sort of issues we need to address if Wrexham is to benefit from the opportunities which are coming its way over the next few years. The group also heard from the vice chancellor of the nearby Wrexham University, Professor Maria Hinfelaar, and her colleague, Dr Paul Hildreth, an international advisor on cities, regions and local economies. The pair are the joint authors of an in-depth new study looking at the business make-up of the Mersey Dee Valley area which includes Wrexham, Flintshire and Chester both before and after Brexit and Covid 19 disruption. Nearly 50 companies across the region took part in the study to assess how the make-up of the area affects the potential for economic growth, including how small and large companies engage with surrounding communities, business networks and local authorities. It also went on to investigate how significantly the aftermath of Brexit and Covid impacted on the approach of local companies as the local economy cranked up again. Dr Hildreth said: Unlike cities such as neighbouring Liverpool or Manchester where everything is more cohesively integrated, Wrexham, Flintshire and Chester all have their own identities and strive to independently maintain those identities while also working inter-dependently to try to support each other. From a trading and growth perspective it faces a more unusual set of circumstances and challenges than most big cities. One of the main problems for employers and employees can be simply getting from A to B. The report also included two case studies involving Wrexham-based companies, cereals producer Kelloggs and Unimaq, one of only three firms in the world manufacturing machines used by the aluminium can industry. Professor Hinfelaar, who is retiring this year, said: Certainly in both the case studies of Kelloggs and Unimaq this was mentioned as being a hindrance to recruitment with many areas, including Wrexham Industrial Estate proving virtually inaccessible for anyone who does not have a car. Ian Edwards, a leading member of Wrexham Business Professionals thats made up of company owners, managers and skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity, agreed with the speakers about the vital importance of improving public transport for the sake of the citys future prosperity. He added: Our poor public transport infrastructure is stifling growth at a time when we have an unprecedented opportunity to forge ahead economically in Wrexham. The Labour Governments Health Secretary Wes Streeting outlined his battle plans against the National Health Service (NHS) at the Future of Britain 2024 event held on July 9 by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. These were first advanced at the Labour Party Conference at the tail-end of last year. Now in power, Labour is preparing to ram home this right-wing, pro-business agenda. Streetings speech focussed on calls to rethink the role of the NHS. In a screed that few Conservative MPs would dare to match, he said that meant ending the begging bowl culture, where the only interaction the Treasury has with the Department of Health is we need more money for X, Y and Z. Wes Streeting speaking at Labour's conference, October 2023 [Photo: screenshot of video: Telegraph/YouTube] He made clear that the role of the NHS would be to keep workers producing profits for the corporations. We are going to be a government that recognises that as we get people not just back to health, but back to work, that is a big contribution to growth. Health and social care providers were not fulfilling a human right but expected to be engines of economic growth. This was especially important, he said, when there are three million people who [are] off work sick. The Tony Blair Institute published a report recently suggesting 50,000 employees aged 50-64 who are on long-term sickness due to heart disease could be back in work within 5 yearssome of whom would be 69 at such a pointif treated with statins and weight loss jabs. According to the health secretary, measures aimed at boosting the able-bodied workforce are intended to generate an extra 20 billion in the UK economy by 2030. While these plans are now framed in terms of providing people with the healthcare they need to be made fit to work, the project will be bound up with a vicious demonisation of the unemployed as workshy malingerers, with no regard for their physical or mental wellbeing. With Labour running for election and now governing as a party committed to NATO and its wars, and the running of a war economy, the need for a full mobilisation of the working population is particularly important alongside massive cuts in social spending. Above all, Labour and the ruling class are determined to drive back to work those left sick by the long-term effects of COVID, the strain of unsustainable work hours and the gutting of public health and local authority services in the years of austerity. That the COVID pandemic now totally ignored by politicians and most of the media is a major factor is clear. Figures available from the Office for National Statistics point to a dramatic increase in long-term sickness shortly after the explosion of the COVID pandemic. The sharp rise continues as governments globally have abandoned all measures to combat the pandemic. The obvious impact of Long COVID on the health of the population is further demonstrated when comparing reasons for illness, with the shift of respiratory conditions from the fifth highest cause to the fourth above that of mental health. Streeting also set out plans to make healthcare in the UK a lucrative arena for private investment. He explained, The government will aim to make the UK a life sciences and medical technology powerhouse. By ensuring the NHS works hand-in-hand with life sciences research institutions and medical technology companies, the government will drive the development of new treatments and help grow the industries. He spoke of the Labour Party forming partnerships with the private sector that goes beyond hospitals. This is an echo of a report issued by Blair and ex-Tory party leader, William Hague in January of this year. A New National Purpose: Leading the Biotech Revolution argued that while the UK had been one of the worlds leading financial capitals it was at risk of losing out due to stringent laws on venture capital. It argued for various reforms to encourage the growth of the biotech industry and supported the move to AI Doctors, pointing positively to work conducted by Google DeepMind-Moorfields and the UK Biobank. Streetings plans for private involvement in the NHS and the healthcare sector at large are well funded by vested interests. In 2023, John Armitage, a hedge-fund manager who previously funded the Conservatives and has links to private medical firms, gifted 80,000 to Streeting. Peter Hearn affiliated companiesone of them reported to have set up Tory Party Peer Virginia Bottomley as chair of NHS Improvementgifted Streeting a further 105,000 in 2023. This is the context in which Streeting met last week with the co-chairs of the British Medical Association (BMA) junior doctors committee (JDC) Dr. Robert Laurenson and Dr. Vivek Trivedi to end the long-running strikes in England for pay restoration of 35 percent to make up for the real term cuts since 2008. The JDC Twitter account had posted on July 5 congratulating Streeting on his victory and explaining we want to work with you to get the NHS back on its feet. Wes Streeting (right) meets JDC co-chairs Dr. Robert Laurenson and Dr. Vivek Trivedi [Photo: Department of Health and Social Care/X] Suggestions from any union leadership that there is any positive change in policy towards the NHS brought about by the Labour government are transparent lies. The BMA JDC leaders left their meeting with Streeting empty-handed, while still assuring him that there would be no further action in the foreseeable future. As explained by the WSWS, this will set the tone for the co-operation of the entire trade union bureaucracy with the Labour governments assault on the NHS and its workforce. Rachel Harrison, National Secretary of GMB union also congratulated Streeting on Labours election, saying she was encouraged by his words on resetting the relationship between the workforce and government. The Society of Radiographers stated plainly, We want to see the new government working in close partnership with unions. Labour, which historically prided itself on being the party of the NHS, now represents it most immediate threat. Under the usual guise of reforms, it will go far further than the Private Finance Initiatives of the Blair administration. Against the collaboration of the trade union leaderships, workers in the health care service and beyond must prepare a reopening and expansion of the strike wave of the last two years to defend the right to free, universal and quality public healthcare for all. Contact NHS FightBack today to discuss the way forward. Bob Newharts passing on July 18, 2024, is the loss of one of the greatest comic minds of the 20th and into the 21st century. His career started in the late 1950s and spanned to 2020. He worked as a comedian and actor for eight decades, which is indicative of his talent, likeability and work ethic. Throughout his career, he led two sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, the first for six seasons with 142 episodes and the second for eight seasons with 184 episodes. Both were hits with the critics and ratings. Newhart acted in many famous films, more recently in the popular comedy Elf with Will Ferrell and played a recurring character known as Professor Proton in the huge hit The Big Bang Theory for six seasons. Films of note for Newhart are Hell Is for Heroes, Catch-22, The Rescuers, The Rescuers Down Under, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde and Horrible Bosses. Publicity photo of the cast of The Bob Newhart Show. Standing from left: Bill Daily (Howard Borden), Marcia Wallace, (Carol Kester), Peter Bonerz (Jerry Robinson). Seated: from left: Bob Newhart (Bob Hartley), Suzanne Pleshette (Emily Hartley). Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. He grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, and was educated through the parochial schools in the area. Newhart served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a clerk based stateside. He attended Loyola University of Chicago and started work as an accountant for United States Gypsum. He did not last long and found his calling in show business while working as an advertising copywriter for an indie film and TV producer. Newhart got his break doing recorded absurdist humor telephone calls with a coworker which caught the ear of a disc jockey named Dan Sorkin. Sorkin introduced him to Warner Bros. Records and he was signed to a contract that expanded his material to a stand-up routine used in nightclubs. Newhart was off to the races and was invited on to the famous The Ed Sullivan Show in 1960, which introduced him to an even broader national audience. Newhart at the 1987 Emmy Awards. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and by Alan Light. Through this early period, Newhart released multiple records including The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, The Button-Down Mind on TV, The Best of Bob Newhart and many more. He won two Grammys and topped the Billboard and UK Albums Charts with his records. He also got his first crack at TV with The Bob Newhart Show in 1961, which was a variety show and unfortunately only lasted one season. Throughout his career, he appeared on many high-level talk shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Johhny Carson, Saturday Night Live, The Judy Garland Show and The Dean Martin Show. His dry comedy and wit left audiences in stitches and many times the hosts of the shows. In the early 1970s, Newhart collaborated with one of the biggest stars at the time, Mary Tyler Moore and her production company run by her and her husband, TV producer Grant Tinker to make a sitcom. This collaboration turned out to be The Bob Newhart Show which put Bob as the starring character who worked with a psychologist-starred talent actress Suzanne Pleshettte and a cast of many more memorable characters. The show competed against popular offerings of the day, including M*A*S*H, Sanford and Son and The Waltons. The show held its own and found an audience for Newharts special brand of midwestern and dry humor while covering many hot topics for the 70s. Publicity photo of Bob Newhart, Caterina Valente and Carol Burnett from the television program The Entertainers. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The show ended in 1978 and the world moved in the 1980s. Newhart desired to do another sitcom and spoke with CBS about the idea. This led to the sitcom Newhart beginning in 1982 and running to 1990. The setup involved Newhart being an innkeeper in Vermont and working as a TV talk show host. The show involved many hijinks and humor set against the backdrop of the rural Vermont countryside. Local townie characters provided the drama and comedy with a down-home touch to their performances. The strange characters of the local town drive Newharts character bonkers through most episodes. It has a very special final episode that has lived on in parody on other shows such as Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Breaking Bad and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Check out Newharts two top sitcom hits and see what the popular ending of Newhart is all about. Through the 1990s, Newharts career cruised as he appeared on The Simpsons (as himself), Its Garry Shandlings Show, Murphy Brown, in another couple of sitcoms that were short-lived, Bob, and George & Leo. Into the 2000s he picked up roles in ER, Mad TV, Committed and the mega smash hit Desperate Housewives. The 2010s were very kind to the hard-working Newhart with parts on NCIS, Five, Hot in Cleveland, The Librarians, Young Sheldon and the fantastic The Big Bang Theory. He found a new audience through both The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon playing the Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton character with undertones to Obi Won Kenobi from Star Wars. Newhart also tried his hand at radio stations and becoming a home computer aficionado, which both were successful. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter and touching peoples hearts. Many stars paid tribute to him including Reese Witherspoon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kaley Cuoco, Conan OBrien, Mayim Bialik and Mark Hamil. Newhart passed on July 18, 2024 at the age of 94. Just a few weeks after Lee Isaac Chung's family moved to the farm on the Oklahoma-Arkansas border where he spent most of his childhood, they had their first encounter with the American Heartland's notoriously stormy weather. "I could tell that my parents were scared, and they had never experienced anything like that. We were in a trailer home ... and my parents knew that we should have a shelter, but we didn't. We had just gotten to the farm," Chung recalled. "So, we piled into my dad's pickup coincidentally, it was a Dodge pickup, like 'Twister' and we ... found this ravine where maybe we would go down and ride things out. Then, in the morning it was a night tornado we learned that it hit many miles away, and we weren't really in danger. But at the time, when I was a kid, I was scared. And that left a big mark on me." Four years ago, the filmmaker broke out with his widely acclaimed, semi-autobiographical Korean American family drama "Minari." Filmed in the Tulsa area in 2019, "Minari" earned six Oscar nominations including two nods for Chung as its writer and director and achieved a historic win for scene-stealing Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung. "Twisters" director Lee Isaac Chung sat down with The Oklahoman inside The National hotel to talk about filming the long-awaited follow-up to the influential disaster epic "Twister." With "Minari" heralded as an intimate and deeply personal story Chung, 45, drew on his immigrant family's real-life experiences settling on a farm in rural Lincoln, Arkansas, in the 1980s many people were surprised when he signed on to direct his follow-up film: the stormy action vehicle "Twisters," a new, contemporary chapter for the 1996 made-in-Oklahoma blockbuster "Twister." Just because it's a big-budget tentpole executive produced by icon Steven Spielberg, featuring rising stars Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos running from monstrous tornadoes created by legendary effects house Industrial Light & Magic, that doesn't mean "Twisters" isn't also a personal film to its director. "When I read the script, one of the reasons why I felt, 'I have to do this,' is because I wanted to protect it. I wanted to protect the way that Oklahoma is portrayed," Chung told The Oklahoman. How did director Lee Isaac Chung's farm upbringing influence 'Twisters?' The morning after he and the movie's stars walked the red carpet at the July 15 Oklahoma City premiere of "Twisters," Chung sat down with The Oklahoman inside The National hotel to talk about filming the long-awaited follow-up to the influential disaster epic "Twister." The historic downtown OKC hotel is just down the street from where principal photography began May 8, 2023, on "Twisters." Filming actually started with crews bringing in scaffolds, signs and sidewalk tables to temporarily transform a section of downtown OKC into New York City. "Our production design team did incredible. ... Anytime anyone says we filmed any part of this outside of Oklahoma, that does irk me, because we worked so hard to base everything here," Chung said. "Twisters" director Lee Isaac Chung sat down with The Oklahoman inside The National hotel to talk about filming the long-awaited follow-up to the influential disaster epic "Twister." As he depicted in "Minari," Chung said he was just a boy when his father surprised his mother by buying a 50-acre Arkansas farm just outside of Westville, Oklahoma. "I could walk into Oklahoma. It was that close. Half the (license) plates in town say 'Oklahoma' on them," recalled Chung, who was born in Denver, Colorado. "My dad just wanted to farm. That was his dream, since he was in Korea: He wanted to come to America to farm and ranch. ... And I loved it. I was immediately excited to be living there. So, it was an interesting, fun time in our lives." So, Chung naturally related to the story of "Twisters," which stars Edgar-Jones as Kate Carter, a Sapulpa farm girl whose affinity for tornadoes leads her become an aspiring meteorologist and storm chaser. But a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years prompts her to flee her home state for New York, where she reverts to following rainstorms from the safety of a computer screen. Kate is lured back into storm season on the open plains by her friend, Javi (Ramos), to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. Back in Oklahoma, they cross paths with Tyler Owens (Powell, a native Texan), a charming and reckless social-media superstar from Arkansas who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his rowdy crew. "The script had him from Texas. ... We can't have that. I'm sorry, but I'm an Arkansas boy, ultimately. So, I do have to do something for my hometown," Chung told The Oklahoman with a chuckle. From left, Daisy Edgar-Jones and director Lee Isaac Chung talk on the set of the movie "Twisters," which filmed in Oklahoma in 2023. How did Steven Spielberg encourage the director to approach 'Twisters?' Like so many other young film fans growing up in the 1980s and '90s, Chung fell in love with the movies of Jan de Bont, an in-demand cinematographer who made his feature film directorial debut with the 1994 thriller "Speed." The Dutch director followed up that blockbuster by filming "Twister" across Oklahoma, including in Guthrie, Maysville, Norman, Fairfax and Wakita, in 1995. "Jan de Bont is a genius and a master and just a magician with what he does. And he's just behind so many of the movies that I love from the '90s that are adrenaline packed. 'Speed' is just a masterpiece. ... He's just that guy of that era," Chung said. "I'm also a very big fan of Amblin films ... and Steven Spielberg and I, I felt, really connected on what this film ought to be and the level of heart that should be in here. He was encouraging me a lot to infuse this film with the way that I look at people and character." Without Chung's desire to film in Oklahoma, Jill Simpson, executive director of the OKC Film & Creative Industries Office, told The Oklahoman that the Sooner State might not have landed the follow-up to the beloved "Twister." "It wasn't a given that they would come to Oklahoma. ... To a lot of people, it seemed like a foregone conclusion, but the studio was also looking at Georgia heavily," she said. Although he was encouraged to consider filming "Twisters" in Georgia for financial reasons, Chung said he had help in convincing the producers to let him make the summer event movie in Oklahoma. "There was so much goodwill and effort to make that happen that it was great. It was inspiring: All of us were really believing in it and wanting it to happen. And that's the way that we got it done. That's the way that we also convinced the studio that we could do it," he said. "Everything I needed was here, and the people who came to work on the movie, they were really great. It was great to see people who had worked on 'Minari,' within a couple of years, advancing in how much skills they had gained. ... I just loved seeing that this is a place where film is really growing." "Twisters" director Lee Isaac Chung sat down with The Oklahoman inside The National hotel to talk about filming. How did the 'Minari' director weather Oklahoma storms to film 'Twisters?' After filming "Minari" in the sunny, hot and clear summer of 2019, Chung admitted he had forgotten just how unpredictable Oklahoma's weather can be, especially in spring. The cast and crew of "Twisters" often found themselves dodging real-life storms during principal photography, which took place over 60 days in several communities, including OKC, El Reno, Chickasha, Midwest City, Spencer, Kingfisher, Calumet, Hinton, Fairview, Okarche, Kremlin, Burbank and Pawhuska. "I was hoping by scheduling this movie to be shot in the spring, it would help us to have much more cloud cover, which it did. But often that cloud cover comes with lightning and incoming storms. So, we were shut down so frequently with this production, even though it was a very calm year when it came to tornadoes. So, we still lucked out in that regard," Chung said. "But our assistant director, Dave Venghaus, he forbad us from saying the word 'lightning' on set, because it was just happening so much." Director Lee Isaac Chung smiles on the set of his movie "Twisters." Chung and his team filmed the long-awaited follow-up to the 1996 blockbuster "Twister" in Oklahoma in 2023. Executive producer Ashley Jay Sandberg credited Chung's calm in the storms for keeping the production on track. "Isaac was our fearless leader. He really thought about how we could proceed in order to make our schedule," she told The Oklahoman at the OKC premiere. "Oklahoma is a character in our film, and there's such a love for it. And we really wanted it to honor the state and the landscape and the people." As with "Minari," the director said honoring the people back home with "Twisters" meant depicting farmers in a way they're not often portrayed by Hollywood. "The way that Kate's mom, (played by) Maura Tierney looks, I wanted her to look badass, because, for me, what she's doing is badass. I didn't want her to fall into these stereotypes, but instead show that she's like all the farmers who I know, who I grew up with: They are scientists, they're smart, they know what to do," Chung said. "I do spend a little more time on this film than the first 'Twister,' (which) I think is much more of a quick ride. ... We're going to a farm for a little bit, things like that. But I just really wanted to do stuff with this movie that feels personal to me." Having the chance to make a big-budget action movie, especially one in a part of the country that means so much to him, was not only "a wild ride," but also a rare opportunity. "Not many people get to do it. I always dreamt of doing it, and it's hard to just say you want to make an action movie and have it handed to you. So, I feel like it did take working my way up and doing some action ... working on 'The Mandalorian' and the (upcoming) 'Skeleton Crew' to prove that I could at least handle a production like this," he said. "It's something I'm still learning. I want to get better. I'm still trying to learn from that great Jan de Bont ... to see how he does things and how Spielberg does things. So, we'll see how things go." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung returned to Oklahoma to make 'Twisters' "RIP my Sweet Princess," costar Cameron Mathison wrote in an Instagram tribute on July 21 CJ Contino Esta TerBlanche in 2001 All My Children alum Esta TerBlanche has died, her manager confirmed to PEOPLE on Sunday, July 21. She was 51. "We are deeply saddened by this news," her manager Annie Spoliansky said in a statement to PEOPLE. "As for a personal statement, Id like to say that Esta was such a kind, loving, giving, and caring person." "She cared so deeply for all people and animals," she added. "She had squirrels she fed and looked after daily, her two cats and recent kittens that she cared for as her own children." "Esta was never anything but generous and lovely to me, and Im grateful to have known her for the time that I did, and devastated to learn of her passing," her statement concluded. TerBlanche's publicist, Lisa Rodrigo, also remembered the star, telling PEOPLE, "I am heartbroken upon learning about Estas death. She was and always will be a beautiful soul who I will miss every day. I am proud to have known her and call her not only a client but a friend." Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Esta TerBlanche The cause of the South African actress' death is unknown. Deadline reported that authorities believe TerBlanche had been dead for about a day when her body was found. TerBlanche was best known for playing Gillian Andrassy Lavery on All My Children from 1997 to 2001. The character was a Hungarian princess whose love interest and eventual husband on the show was Cameron Mathison's character Ryan Lavery. "RIP my Sweet Princess," Mathison, 54, wrote in tribute over a photo of the pair in character on his Instagram Stories on Sunday. He also posted another photo of the TV couple posing together with broken heart emojis over it. "Esta helped me last year when Red was sick and paralyzed and I was struggling," he wrote over another photo of the pair, a recent selfie. "One of the sweetest people ever." Steve Fenn/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Esta TerBlanche and Cameron Mathison at their 'All My Children' characters' wedding Mathison grinned in the photo as TerBlanche made a kissing face near his cheek. TerBlanche held the title of Miss Teen South Africa in 1991 before she began pursuing a career in acting, Deadline reported. The former soap opera star was born in South Africa on Jan. 7, 1973 and starred as Bienkie Naude Hartman on Egoli: Place of Gold, a popular drama in the country, before landing her role on All My Children. Cameron Mathison/Instagram Esta TerBlanche and Cameron Mathison 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. As the time of her death, Deadline reported that she was splitting time between South Africa and California. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The New Hire Said, "That's A Woman's Work, I Don't Do Women's Work," And 29 Other People Who Were Fired On Their Literal First Day On The Job I think we can all agree that one of the small joys in life is hearing other people's workplace drama. There's truly nothing that breaks up the monotony of doing the same thing every day on the job quite like a little tea, right? Well, Redditor u/Psychosien posed an excellent question to r/AskReddit, and people did not hesitate to share the drama. They asked, "Do you know someone who got fired on their first day? What did they do?" Here are 30 of the most unhinged stories people shared: Note: Submissions have also been sourced from this similar thread. 1."I fired a guy who showed up four hours late on his first day. I was working at a moving company at the time. When he showed up, he asked if he still got paid for the job, since the bill included four people and we did the job with three. I told him to walk home and not to bother showing up the next day." zazameman 2."I worked in a pizzeria, and there was a new driver starting. When he came back from his first delivery, there were no other orders for him to take. So, I told him that in between, he would have to do dishes and clean. He replied, 'That's a woman's work, I don't do women's work.' And.....you're fired." Oneironaut3 3."My friend was hired, but the next day, the company announced layoffs. Of course, he was the first to go. He got lucky, though, because, for one reason or another, they had to continue paying him for the next two months, even though he only worked a total of two days. Halfway into those two months, he found a better job." ball_gag3 4."I work in a college town and we hired a new part-timer to work reception. On her first day, she casually mentioned to us that her wealthy parents wanted her to experience what it's like to 'struggle,' so she had to work this job and use the city busses for two months. Then, they said she could quit and they'd give her allowance back and get her a new car." Primesghost Village Roadshow Pictures 5."A new kid around 19 or 20 came in (warehouse job), went out to buy weed during his lunch break, and got busted. As it turned out, he had a warrant out for him, so he went to jail. Then, he had the audacity to call us to bail him out because he lived with his grandmother, and she would be upset." SummerEvening 6."A 16-year-old kid was fired during his first day of training because he came in wearing a shirt that just said 'BITCH' across the front in giant letters. I mean, I know we have a casual dress code, but..." EricTheBread 7."I managed a smoothie place for a while and hired this kid for mornings. His first day, he was two hours late. He apologized, saying he was tripping on shrooms and got lost on the way to work. He also took 15 smoke breaks in the four hours that he worked. When his shift was over, I told him not to come back." jblantonbaby 8."At orientation, they told the 12 of us that we were the best and the brightest of 900 or so interviews they'd conducted. We got our access badges and our corporate Amex cards. Well, one of the 'best and the brightest' went to a high-end men's clothing store on his lunch hour and purchased $4,000 worth of suits, ties, and shoes. He came back from lunch and bragged of his exploits. He was fired on the spot. He actually thought his Amex card was a job perk. And yes, he did have the nerve to ask, 'Can I at least keep the clothes?'" MastadonBob NBC 9."I worked at a gas station a while back. I helped train this new guy. He was really nice, we all liked him. After his first solo shift, he walked away with $150 out of the register. Didn't even try to cover it up or anything. Everybody was shocked. WTF did he think was gonna happen?" lo-key-glass 10."When I was 17, I got a job at Chuck E. Cheese. I worked the front door, and once an hour, I had to put on the Chucky costume and parade around the place. Here's the deal with those. Kids are dicks. They kept constantly running up to me and hugging me, then punching me in the crotch. After about five hours of this, I'd had enough. I purposely didn't attach the head of the costume to the body. It was supposed to button into place. After the twentieth or so time being nut-checked, I'd had enough. I backed up, did a stupid little dance, grabbed my headpiece, and slowly began to twist it around my head." "The kids started to freak. Some screamed, some cried. Parents started protesting. The older kids started laughing. The attendant who was with me fell down in laughter. I thought it was hilarious, however the restaurant manager who hired me didn't think it was that funny. I got ushered out the back door and banned from that particular Chuck E. Cheese. Do I think it was worth it? Hell yes, I do." anonymous 11."I got fired on my first day. The reason? His best mate just lost his job, so he fired me and hired him instead." jubileo5 12."I was a pizza delivery guy at a family-owned Italian restaurant. They brought a guy in to help make pizzas. Two hours into his training, he started talking about wanting to bang the waitresses. The waitresses were the daughters of the owner. The guy teaching him how to make the pizzas was the older brother. He was physically ejected from the building." RockonWeinerdog NBC 13."A high school friend of mine was hired at a pet shop. He got high during his lunch break, came back, and had some kind of epiphany. He took a look at the iguanas, lizards, rats, and whatnot in their cages and decided that it wasn't right for them to live like that. Rather, he felt they should be set free to live in the wild where they belonged. So, he got them loose and let them free 'in the wild,' which was actually the streets of very urban Montreal. He got fired when the manager realized what he had done. The manager was unfortunately absent at the time of my friend's courageous liberation. Most of the animals probably died and got run over." shadyperson 14."I applied for a job in the kitchen of a restaurant. There was no application, just a walk-in interview. I showed up to work a couple of days later, and the chef started giving me a tour of the kitchen. 'Alright, you ready to make some omelets?' he asked. Uh, sure...you gonna show me? I thought. He looked at me, paused, and started laughing. I nervously laughed. As it turned out, the manager called the wrong person. She got me mixed up with the guy who had five years of experience and called me by mistake." anonymous 15."This happened when I was working at McDonalds. New guy came in and when he saw that we were trashing patties if they had been sitting too long, he ate one...then he started just eating them from the supply...dude must have inhaled 10-12 patties over a couple hours after repeatedly being told to stop. Eventually, he started making himself a burger with the buns and eating it as well. Got fired first day on the job. I'm still convinced he had no real plans of working and just wanted to see how many free burgers he could eat before getting canned. PotatoLatkes 16."I got hired through a temp service to work at the local phone company. It was no problem, as I had done tons of telemarketing before and figured it would be working on the billing/customer service end. Nope. The first day, they had me on the phone with linemen who were up a telephone pole somewhere halfway across the country, asking me which wire to cut. I had NO clue what I was doing and had a mini-meltdown talking to my supervisor. She asked me how I could possibly not know what I was doing when I had clearly passed the test to get the job. My response was, 'What test????'. Turned out that the temp agency was supposed to give any and all applicants a test to see if they had the experience necessary to do the job. I got a call from the temp agency telling me I was fired before I got home that day." anonymous ABC 17."It was the morning of her second day, and she was visiting one of our production sites. She thought her work day was starting too early, so she called down to the local leadership team to say she'd be in that afternoon, if at all. She was on the next flight home instead." rednail64 18."I went in for my first day. Executives from the company were apparently at the building, talking to my manager, who was going to get me going right after their meeting. I found out within five minutes of 'starting' that the company got bought out, and we were all fired. I went through drug tests and interviews for nothing. Fuck that place." Ssoldier1121 19."When I was in college, I got a job at one of those 'Paint Your Own Pottery' places. They told me they'd train me on my first day. When I showed up, there was a birthday party underway with 15 8-year-olds. I didn't get any training and ended up fucking up a couple of kids' pottery items on accident. The rest of the staff were really friendly to me but seemed a bit culty. At the end of the shift, it was a pretty mutual 'Thanks but no thanks' situation. Yet, the boss still felt the need to call me the next day to tell me just how much the other workers didn't like me. It was strange and petty." anonymous 20."My company hired temps for a big job. We didn't have a lot of space, so temps had to double up in cubicles. I did feel very bad for them, but some of their actions were hilarious and frankly terrible. The guy who got fired was chugging along with his task and his cubemate was sneezing or talking or something. Basically, she was making some noise. His reaction? To slap her. He was escorted out of the building. The next day, he showed up to work again as if nothing happened. He was escorted back out and told to please not return." DavidBenAkiva NBC 21."A super hot girl was hired at the Dick's Sporting Goods I worked at. She started at 10 a.m. and was fired at 2:30 p.m. that same day, along with a guy, for banging in the stock room. They both left with smiles on their faces." anonymous 22."I had a seizure while serving someone at a new restaurant. It was my first of a three-day trial period. Needless to say, they never called me back." anonymous 23."I used to work at a factory that made foodstuff. The guy I was trained with fell into a big vat of wet ingredients that was about to be heated up. Had I not looked behind me, he would've died in there. The boss went to the hospital to tell him he was fired, but that they were giving him some extra pay in his check." anonymous 24."I had to fire a janitor on day one because someone spilled a cup of coffee, and he stared them directly in the eyes and yelled, 'Fuck you!' at the top of his lungs. He threatened to kill me after he was fired and stood outside of our workplace with a bouquet of flowers until we called the police on more than one occasion." ca990 25."Someone who was hired for my design job before me apparently just sat there (probably quietly panicking) for half of their first day and then left at lunchtime. As it turned out, they couldn't actually use any of the software they claimed they could and just didn't do anything. Lots of design jobs give you a little software test first, but not all of them." anonymous NBC 26."I worked for a logistics company that specialized in transport computers. The guy left the depot on his first day, made his first delivery, went to the petrol station to fill up, left the keys in the cab when he went to pay, and returned to nothing more than an empty parking spot and bad work references." anonymous 27."It was me and another guy's second day. He got fired for a dispute. We were on the move and he was left hours away from where we started. I voiced my concern for leaving this kid hundreds of miles from known civilization and was also fired. It was a good time. Never got paid for the first day and a half, either." qualityproduct 28."I had a buddy get hired as a valet downtown. On his first day, he was asked to park a pretty expensive luxury car and ended up running it into one of the concrete pillars in the parking garage. Pretty much got fired on the spot." havemursey 29."I got hired as an 'independent contractor' for some over-the-phone tech work. The hours were 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. OK, that's perfect. I went in and got acquainted, then started taking calls. Hours went by, and I began wondering when I got a lunch break. News flash: there was no lunch and no breaks. Independent contractor or not, I was pretty sure that in the U.S., you have to give people some breaks and lunchtime at some point during a 10-hour shift. So, I told my new boss I was starving, so I was going to get something to eat, and I'd be back in an hour. He said if I leave, I shouldn't bother coming back. So, I left. And never went back." anonymous 30.And finally, "They called me and told me I was let go for not showing up on my first day. Which was a surprise for me since at no point after the interview had I been told that I'd been hired." deftss Have you ever witnessed someone get fired on their first day? Has it ever happened to you? If so, tell us what happened in the comments below or via this anonymous form. Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity. Time to update that resume. Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton are hiringbut you'll have to have one very particular skill listed on your CV. The Prince and Princess of Wales are in the market for new assistant private secretary, but if you're thinking about applying, you'll have to know some conversational Welshbut it's even better if you're fluent. According to the job description, which is listed on the royal vacancies site, they are looking for someone to join the staff at Kensington Palace to assist in communicating and strengthening their relationship with Wales. They are also looking for candidates with "excellent communication and organizational skills." "This is an exciting opportunity to join the dedicated team at Kensington Palace, supporting TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales," the listing reads. "The Assistant Private Secretary for Wales & UK will lead the planning and delivery for most of TRHs public engagements in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and contribute to the development of the Households strategy to maximise impact across the constituent nations of the UK, with a particular focus on Wales." Getty Images Additionally, the role requires "proven ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of individuals and institutions." Plus, given the Prince and Princess of Wales' new titles, an understanding of the Welsh government is encouraged and conversational Welsh is a necessity, however, being fluent is preferred. Shoutout to Duolingo, everyone's favorite and very encouraging learning app, which has Welsh as one of its 43 available languages. "You will have a proactive, hands-on approach while operating in a small and agile team, and a strong understanding of Welsh communities, affairs, government, and business," the description continued. "Conversational Welsh is essential, and fluent Welsh, both written and spoken, is desirable." Getty Images Today is the final day for candidates to submit an application. The couple was appointed the new titles following Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, and visited Wales one day after the period of mourning ended. Rev. Steven Bunting hosted Kate and William in Swansea, and he later told People that the prince was in the process of learning the ancient language. "He talked about learning Welsh and shared some Welsh phrases he's trying to do," Bunting said. Those phrases included "paned" (meaning a cup, more specifically, tea) and "bara brith" (which translates to traditional Welsh tea bread). For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on InStyle. Kylie Jenner Sizzles in Backless Look During European Trip: 'When in Italy' The 'Kardashians' star has been sharing updates from her vacation to Venice with her two kids, and even teased a new item from her clothing line Kylie Jenner/Instagram Kylie Jenner Kylie Jenner is spending some time away from home with a glamorous Italian vacation. On Saturday, July 20, the Kardashians star, 26, shared a post on Instagram showing off some of the most stylish shots taken during her vacation to Italy. She included photos of herself posing in front of an open window while wearing a sultry, backless halter-top look. "When in Italy," she wrote in the caption, alongside another photo showing off her shoes and designer bags. kylie jenner/Instagram Kylie Jenner in Italy In another post on Saturday, the mom-of-two showed off a soon-to-be-released simple black bodysuit from her clothing line Khy, which she paired with some rectangular sunglasses, a wavy hairstyle and some of her classic lip products from Kylie Cosmetics. "Quick change for dinner obsessed with this new @khy capri catsuit coming soooon," she wrote in the caption of the video, which was set to the song "CHIHIRO" by dreamsoda. "Wearing cappuccino lip liner & love that 4 u tinted butter balm @kyliecosmetics." kylie jenner/Instagram Kylie Jenner in Italy The reality TV star has been sharing lots of highlights from her vacation over the past week. In another Instagram post on Friday, Jenner featured a sweet photo of herself and her 2-year-old son, Aire, whom she shares with her ex, rapper Travis Scott. The pair are also parents to daughter Stormi, 6, who made an appearance in her mom's Instagram Stories on July 19, standing in a boat as it passed through the Venice waterways. 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. "Forever love," Jenner captioned the picture, which showed her and Aire smiling as they pressed their faces together. "Nothing like it ," Jenner's sister Kourtney Kardashian commented on the post, while sister Khloe Kardashian chimed in, writing, "The sweetest." Related: Kylie Jenner Rubs Noses with Son Aire in Sweet Pic and Shares BTS of Trip with Her Kids to Venice Kylie Jenner/Instagram Kylie Jenner and son Aire Also on Saturday, Jenner shared a selfie on her Instagram Stories showing herself and what appeared to be the back of Stormi's head, as they relaxed on a boat. The beauty mogul also shared a carousel full of photos from her Italian vacation, captioned simply "venice!!!!" on Friday. She also posted a video of herself and best friend Stassie Karanikolaou on a boat together in the Italian city. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Jenner's European trip comes just weeks after a source spoke to PEOPLE about her relationship with actor Timothee Chalamet specifically, just how strong the couple are. Despite living on different coasts, the two stars prioritize spending time together. "Things are great with Timothee. Kylie is happy," the source said. "They are both busy, but making time to see each other, especially on the weekends. He's been working in N.Y.C. She's visited him and he's also been back to L.A. some weekends. Theyre making it work." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Opinion: She Sucked Up to Trump but He Dropped Her Anyway Bestselling author and faux hillbilly J.D. Vance is officially Donald Trumps pick for vice president, God help us all. And even though its only been a few days, the nation has collectively forgotten all the sycophantic vice-presidential hopefuls left behind. But I havent. All the potential veeps were embarrassing in their own way. Marco Rubio: always a twerp, somehow became even twerpier when kissing up to the former president. Tim Scott shall always be remembered for totally coincidentally getting engaged the day after he endorsed Trump. J.D. Vance Pounded Beers and Told Me Trump Threatens America: Comedian And North Dakotas Doug Burgam? Im so sorry but Ive already forgotten who he is. City Comptroller? Disgraced chicken farming influencer? Anyway, the man has to go back to North Dakota and be named Doug Burgam and I think thats punishment enough. All of the candidates bowed down and debased themselves at the altar of ego-and-ear-gauze that is Donald Trump, in hopes of becoming his second in command. But one of them did it the best. And by best, I obviously mean worst. Im talking to you, Elise Stefanik. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) with Donald Trump during a campaign rally in January in Concord, New Hampshire. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Its got to hurt to be Congresswoman Elise Stefanik right now. Lots of women have been there on some levelproven their loyalty time and time again to the company, only to get passed over for the promotion by a less-qualified man. And boy is J.D. Vance ever less qualified. Just for funsies (and like Rep. Stefanik probably does every night before she goes to sleep now) lets compare resumes. Elise Stefanik was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2014. At the time, she was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Shes now in her fifth term and, in 2021, was elected as the House Republican Conference Chair. J.D. Vance, on the other hand, was elected to Congress in 2023. You know how recent that is? At least twice a week, I still think that is the current year! But lets keep going. Before Congress, Stefanik held various roles in the Bush administration and worked as an advisor to Paul Ryan. J.D. Vance wrote a book that was made into a movie that got a 25 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. You get the point. Elise Stefanik has a lot more experience in politics than Vance. But hey, we all know the vice presidency isnt just about the resume. Its about loyalty. In other words, how much of your soul are you willing to sacrifice for Donald Trump? The answer for Elise Stefanik was all of it and more. Just a few examples: Pre-Trump Stefanik co-sponsored legislation to provide a path to legal status for Dreamers. Post-Trump Stefanik claims that Joe Biden is going to grant amnesty to 11 MILLION illegal immigrants to overthrow our current electorate and create a permanent liberal majority in Washington. (No, non-citizens cant vote. You know that and so does she.) Pre-Trump Stefanik was a moderate who believed in climate change and spent her congressional victory speech praising her opponents as very good people. Post-Trump Stefanik? She voted to reject 2020 Electoral College results and gleefully calls liberals pedo grifters. The White House, House Dems, & usual pedo grifters are so out of touch with the American people that rather than present ANY PLAN or urgency to address the nationwide baby formula crisis, they double down on sending pallets of formula to the southern border. Joe Biden has NO PLAN Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 13, 2022 Stefanik now types, Trump-like, in all caps. She has called the January 6 defendants hostages. She endorsed a Congressional candidate who said that Adolph Hitler was the kind of leader we need today. (In fairness, Stefanik condemned it but also insisted it was taken out of context and it was! It left out the part where the candidate also called Hitler inspirational.) Essentially, Elise Stefanik sold her soul for an audience of oneDonald Trump. And in doing so, she let down a lot of people. Her previous mentor, Paul Ryan, called her the biggest disappointment of his political career. She even lost her former prep school headmistress, Caroline Mason, the woman who helped preside over her wedding. As Mason told Time: She basically abandoned her own core values for a man who had no core values. Stefanik humiliated herself, disappointed mentors, and she STILL didnt get the job. She did everything right. And by right, I obviously still mean wrong. But in fairness, how could she have known? Could anyone have guessed that a man found liable for sexual assault and guilty of 34 felonies related to a hush money payment to a porn star wouldnt be willing to choose a woman for vice president? Who could have imagined that he would instead choose a man who wants to ban abortion and suggests that staying in violent marriages is better for the kids? Oh yes, everyone. Everyone, that is, except Elise Stefanik. You see, Donald Trump has a gift. And its not governing or speaking or even squirming his way out of felonies by making the entire U.S. legal system into a joke. Its his unique ability to make people think: Sure Trump has never once been loyal to a person in his entire life, BUT I WILL BE DIFFERENT! So to Congresswoman Stefanik, I have this to say: Hey girl! The important part is, you leaned in. You gave it your all. And I do mean your all. Congratulations! You couldnt possibly have degraded yourself any more for the former president. You were humiliated in every possible way and some ways that I would have argued were impossible. And you still lost. Youll get through it though. Tell yourself its all for the best. You like being in Congress, right? And this way youll get to spend more time with your family. You know, take some time to figure out who you really are Until the next morally bankrupt boss comes along. Then, watch out baby! Its time to become a whole new person. Jill Twiss won multiple Emmys and Peabody awards for her work as a Senior Writer on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. She is also a New York Times bestselling childrens book author, for A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo. 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. If you've ever found yourself tossing back pints of frothy at the pub with your friends, odds are you've experienced a serious case of the drunchies before. Nothing soaks up that hunger like a pub soft pretzel, but if you want to keep the party going, you ought to get a good beer to match it. We recently had an exclusive chance to talk with Chef Jessie Massie, Executive Chef at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Taproom in Mills River, North Carolina about the topic. "I always suggest that folks pair [a pub soft pretzel] with our Hazy Little Thing IPA," Massie told Tasting Table, referring to Sierra Nevada's most popular hazy IPA. There are a lot of different types of pretzels out there, but a soft pretzel like this has a number of unique characteristics we ought to be considering when pairing it with a beer. "The light malt character and smooth mouthfeel of [a hazy IPA] complements the chewy, golden baked pretzel," said Massie. "And contrasts the buttery, salty flavors adding a pop of flavor." She's got our mouths watering just thinking about it. Hazy IPAs are a relatively new contender in the beer arena. Alternatively known as New England IPAs, this style of beer is iconically opaque due to the fact that the beer is unfiltered. Normally, breweries will filter their beer after fermentation to remove any grain particles and leftover yeast. Hazy IPAs purposefully skip this step to achieve a golden-yellow color with big, bold flavors. Read more: The 27 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked Hazy IPAs Are The Best Fit For Pub Soft Pretzels A pint of hazy ipa - PavelKant/Shutterstock The first thing most people notice about hazy IPAs is how citrusy they are. On the nose you get a big whiff of tropical fruit aromatics and the flavor tends to be bright with notes of citrus and a pleasantly full-bodied mouthfeel. It's the mouthfeel that really ties hazy IPAs and pub soft pretzels together, as Massie mentioned, but those citrus notes pair nicely with popular dipping sauces like honey mustard, too. It's worth mentioning that hazy IPAs are not universally loved. We're not about to crack open the can of worms on why the genre of beer gets so much hate (personally speaking, hazy beers give us wicked heartburn), but that doesn't mean you're out of luck in the pretzel department if hazy IPAs aren't your thing. Many wheat beers have a similarly sweet, citric flavor and full body which makes them a great substitute. Alternatively, you could go for an amber or pale ale, but we're getting farther from what makes hazy IPAs so great for the job at this point. You don't have to wait until you're at the bar to enjoy this matchup, either. Put your poofy baker's cap on and make your own soft baked pretzels at home, just make sure you know what you're doing if you want the most glorious soft pretzels you've ever had in your life. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Editor's note: Events are subject to change, and contacting your church ahead of time is recommended. Churches may send updates to worship services, events or schedules via email to kwood@lubbockonline.com. Please note that this is a partial compilation of local religious congregrations, and listings are sorted below by newest information. Newest updates: First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo 1100 S. Harrison St. The summer worship schedule continues: as of July 14, there will be two Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m in the Fellowship Center. Identical services will rotate through three music styles, including traditional, gospel and contemporary. The 8:30 a.m. service is livestreamed. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. for children, youth and adults. For more information, call the church office at 806-373-4242 or visit our website at firstpres.com. Check website for changes in worship times. First Church of Christ Scientist Amarillo 2701 Julian Blvd. Are you seeking a place for spiritual growth and inspiration? The First Church of Christ, Scientist Amarillo welcomes all to our Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for children and teens meets at the same time. Join us for our weekly testimonial meetings on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for more inspiration and fellowship. See our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/First-Church-of-Christ-Scientist-Amarillo-104483494978237 or our website at https://www.cschurchamarillo.com/ for more details. Previous listings: Accelerate Church, 4400 S Crockett, and Accelerate North Campus, 1300 E Central. Amarillo First Nazarene Church, 5201 Soncy Road; 806-374-2242, https://onenaz.org/ . Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 4109 Cornell St. Fellowship at Sunday at 11 a.m. Our services are in-person and also live-streamed on our YouTube and Facebook pages. For more information about AUUF, see our website at uuamarillo.org. Amarillo United Methodist Church 3001 Bell St. (meeting at the St. Luke Presbyterian Church site). An inclusive and only United Methodist Church in Amarillo. Our Sunday morning traditional, Wesleyan worship service begins at 9 a.m. with Chancel Choir and Childrens Moment. Summer schedule features guest preachers, including Rev. Margie McNeir, Rev. Lane Boyd, Rev. Todd Dyess, and Rev. Lynn Brack. Worship is followed by fellowship time with plenty of donuts and coffee, surrounded by community Christian seekers just like you. Church School for adults, youth, and children meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Open hearts-Open Minds-Open Doors. Thats the people of the United Methodist Church. Contact us: www.Amarilloumc.org or Facebook, Amarillo United Methodist Church; 806-670-4142. Amazing Grace Amarillo (Lutheran Church - WELS) - Join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. at 8700 Clinton Glenn Dr. Amarillo, TX 79119. We've moved! We also offer children's Bible school at 9:15 a.m. along with our teen/adult Bible study on Sundays. You can stream our services at AmazingGraceAmarillo.com and join us for Bible Study on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Message our pastor at pastorhans@amazinggraceamarillo.com . Anna Street Church of Christ 2310 Anna St., across from Olsen Park Elementary. Sunday: 9:45 a.m. classes; 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship. Wednesday: 6:45 p.m. Song Practice; 7:35 p.m. Evening Teaching. Visit http://www.annastreetchurch.org/ for more information. Arden Road Baptist Church Sunday School, children's ministries and nurseries. Service times: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., Sunday school, 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church of Amarillo worship/communion service is at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. The service is also available on the churchs website on Sunday evenings at https://www.beautifulsavioramarillo.org.videos. Bell Avenue Church of Christ Amarillo 1600 Bell St. For more information, please contact the Bell Avenue Church of Christ at 806-355-2351 or visit our website, www.bellavenue.org . Bible Believers Baptist Church, 12,200 W Rockwell Rd. Services at 10 a.m.; Bible Study at 11 a.m. Preaching and Worship at 7 p.m. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., prayer meeting and Bible Study. On Friday at 7 p.m., Youth Night. Services streamed on our website biblebelieversbaptist.com . Call 806-499-3231 for more information. Central Church of ChristJoin us on Sundays for class at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m. Youll find us in person at 1401 S. Madison St. and online at www.amarillocentral.org. Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church Morning and evening worship services. Christian Heritage Church - 900 S Nelson St. Service times are Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. For more, email info@chcamarillo.com . The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2101 N. Coulter St. The Colonies Church of Christ 4500 Wesley Road, Amarillo, TX 79119. Please join us Sundays for Bible class at 9:30 a.m. and worship service at 10:30 a.m. Any questions, call 806-355-7303. For more information visit our website at: thecolonies.org Coulter Road Baptist Church 4108 S. Coulter St. Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship is streamed on our website, www.coulterbc.com. Contact info: 806-352-5278. Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1400 Wolflin Ave., Amarillo, TX 79109. We invite visitors to join us each Sunday morning. Sunday School begins at 9 a.m., and our worship service begins at 10 a.m. We gather to give praise to the only true and living God, revealed to us as One God in Three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our goal is to rejoice before the Lord as we begin a new week with prayer, singing and hearing the Word read and proclaimed. With the help of God, we support one another in prayer and come together in times of joy and suffering. We challenge one another to live as children of God in our daily lives and reach out to the world beyond our doors. We believe the Christian life is the most rewarding, demanding, and fulfilling life possible. During worship, we have devices that assist in one hearing the service. Please join us! We are home to two other congregations - Cross Timbers and Grace Communion International. We also house "The Word at Work" - a mission to Belize. You can call us at 806-376-5244. "The Cross" in Groom, Texas Information: Cross Ministry Jason Eugea, 806-248-9006. First Baptist Church Gathering at 12th and Tyler. Sunday morning worship service times are 8:30 and 11 a.m., with Bible study for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Sunday evening worship meets at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. First Christian Church 3001 Wolflin Ave. Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m. FCC Facebook page: facebook.com/FirstChristianAmarillo , FCC YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCkyDAlGKrx82S5qCbiBlS_g Grace Church Grace Church was founded by Pastor Bill Gehm, his wife, and a small group of believers in 1985, and has grown over the past few decades into a much larger and diverse group of believers in Christ. We are Making Disciples verse by verse at the corner of Plains and Western (4111 Plains Blvd.) in an old grocery store, on the radio at 88.7FM with the Radio by Grace network, and online at GraceAmarillo.com. Service times are 9 & 11am on Sundays and 7pm on Wednesdays. Grace Communion International (GCI Amarillo), 1400 Wolflin (Covenant Presbyterian) Please join us in 2024! Saturdays 2:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Fellowship Group gathering for worship music, prayer, Bible story, Bible study, and seasonal messages. Multi-generational meeting. New participants of all ages welcome. Refreshments following and potluck on the 1st Saturdays. For information and schedule confirmation, call 806-473-8753 or 806-340-4704. Hillside Christian Churches www.hillsideonline.com. Jenkins Chapel Baptist Church, 1801 N. Hughes St. For more info, please call 806 373 2576. Life.Church Amarillo Located on the northwest corner of I-27 and Hollywood Road; services held at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Life.Church is made up of people from different backgrounds linked together by a common mission: leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. For more, see www.life.church/amarillo. The Loft Church 4400 S. Georgia. Services at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Messiahs House 6901 Bell St. Sunday morning services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. For more information, visit their website at https://mh.church . North Beacon Church of the Nazarene, 1601 N. Nelson St., 806-367-8544 Olsen Park Church of Christ invites you to visit our worship services and Bible studies at 4700 Andrews Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106, Sunday: 9 a.m. (short service), 9:30 a.m. (Bible class), 10:30 a.m. (worship); Wednesday: 7 p.m. (Bible class). For more information, go to www.olsenpark.com and Olsen Park Church of Christ on Facebook, or call 806-352-2809. Paramount Baptist Church 3801 S. Western St. in Amarillo. Sunday school is at 9 a.m. with worship at 10:15 a.m. We also have a Spanish speaking service at 10:15 a.m. Visit www.paramount.org for more information. Pathpoint Fellowship Church, 6215 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, 79110, 806-463-7284. Pleasant Valley Methodist Church 316 Valley Ave. Everyone is welcome at our Sunday worship service. Visit with us in person at 10 a.m.; Sunday School is at 9 a.m. From Bible class Wednesday at 5 p.m. to food cupboard, AISD ministry and outreach to the impoverished, there is a place for you. If youd like more information, go to Pleasant Valley Methodist Church (Amarillo) on Facebook, or call (806) 383-3342. Mail us: info@yourpvumc.org . Polk Street Methodist Church Please worship with us in person at 8:30 and 10:55 a.m. in our historic sanctuary at 1401 S. Polk St., or worship online with us at 10:55 a.m. at www.polkstreet.org or on our Facebook page. From Bible studies and small groups to exercise classes and outreach to the impoverished, there is a place for you. If you would like more information, please visit www.polkstreet.org and either email us or complete a contact form. Power Church 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (bilingual) Sunday service. Also Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Pray the City is a 501 (c)3 organization consisting of Christ followers from many denominations that meets monthly to pray scripturally over issues in Amarillo. Redeemer Presbyterian Church 7603 77th Ave. Sunday school at 9:30 am, followed by worship service at 10:30 and evening worship service at 5 p.m. We offer live streaming on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHc6sCADFHQ6xD91jMxktfQ. Please visit our website at http://redeemeramarillo.com/ for more information. St. Luke Presbyterian Church 3001 Bell St. The phone number of the church office is 806-355-6253, or visit the churchs website at stlukeamarillo.com for a link to the bulletin and live streaming videos. Sandell Drive In Theater, Clarendon Sunday service at 10 a.m. Add in a beautiful Sunday drive out to Clarendon and experience church. Second Baptist Church 419 N. Buchanan St. Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for worship followed by Sunday School at 10:45 a.m. For more information please visit sbcama.org or call the church at 806-373-1737. Also, our sermons are broadcast on KAMR channel 4 every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. South Georgia Baptist Church 5209 S. Georgia St. You're invited to join us each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for small group Bible study and at 10:30 a.m. for our morning worship service. Our 10:30 a.m. service streams live at sgbc.co/watch. Visit sgbc.co for more information. Southwest Church of Christ Come see us Sunday for Bible class at 9:30 a.m. and for Worship at 10:30 a.m. A list of current classes can be found on our website: www.southwest.org. Trinity Fellowship Family Worship and Prophetic Nights: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Visit TFC.org/Sundays. Church online at 9 and 11 a.m. on all viewing platforms. Triumphant Truth Church, 1701 S Manhattan St. Valleyview Church of the Nazarene, 7601 S. Western St., 806-358-8829, https://www.facebook.com/vvnazarene/ , http://www.vvnaz.org/ Washington Avenue Christian Church, 3800 S Washington St. Real people. Real grace. Real growth. Sunday services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Phone: (806) 352-1442. Visit their website, wacconline.org for more information. Westminster Presbyterian Church Sundays at 10:30 a.m.; available to watch from the churchs website at wpcama.com, click on Sermons. Church is located at 2525 Wimberly Road. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo faith calendar for July 21, 2024 The U.S. Forest Service has seen a high number of unattended campfires this summer, a dangerous trend witnessed in outdoor recreation and a leading cause of wildfires in the region. According to an announcement from the Forest Service, 139 abandoned campfires have been reported to the Pueblo Interagency Dispatch Center through Friday. As National Fire Preparedness Levels rise, and the peak of summer still to come, the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands are urging the public to prioritize proper campfire safety precautions when recreating on national forests and grasslands, the Forest Service said in an emailed news release. Compared with 2023, the rate of unattended fires decreased slightly as the Forest Service saw 156 fires in the past year. According to Forest Service spokesperson Josh Cowden, the majority of the fires reported were witnessed in dispersed campsites throughout the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. "Forest personnel that patrol the forests and grasslands find abandoned and unattended campfires all over," Cowden said. "There are areas in the forest that are identified as 'problem areas,' or popular areas that are in high use and are known to find abandoned campfires. The bottom line is that abandoned and unattended campfires are found throughout all parts of the forests and grasslands and recreationalists have the responsibility to make sure their campfires are dead out," Cowden said. No arrests have been made, he said. On June 11, the Interlaken fire near Leadville erupted from a campfire that had not been properly put out. After burning just over 700 acres, the blaze was deemed 100% contained on June 24. "What happened at Interlaken was the people probably put some water on the embers before leaving their campsite, but not all of them got put out," Lake County spokesperson Betty Benson said. Featured Local Savings "Two or three days later, the wind picked up and caught those embers and reignited those particular embers, which then found some additional fuel nearby. People seem to think Smokey the Bear will come out and put out their fires if they don't, but that just doesn't happen." Benson explained that while people might believe their campfire is extinguished after pouring water on the flame, embers might remain hot and ignitable. It's important to douse the fire with water and ensure the remains are cool enough to be touched. One of the largest wildfires in state history was started by an abandoned campfire northwest of Lake George during a period of severe drought and extreme fire danger in 2002. According to a previous report by The Gazette, the Hayman fire that burned 138,000 acres and destroyed 133 homes erupted after former Forest Service fire spotter Terry Barton set letters from an estranged husband afire at a campground fire pit. Barton was charged with arson. She was found guilty on federal and state charges, sentenced to six years on federal charges and 12 on the state charges. Her sentences were served concurrently. In 2018, Barton received 15 additional years of unsupervised probation. Summer in southern Colorado has brought increased dryness and record-breaking temperatures throughout the Pikes Peak region, creating a perfect environment for wildfires. Ashley Franco, spokeswoman with the Colorado Springs Fire Department, said crews have seen an increased number of structure fires and outside fires in the region this season. Forest Service officials are urging the public to stay fire-aware and to practice safety by being aware of fire restrictions, using fire rings when available, clearing vegetation before starting a campfire, and always bring enough water to extinguish a fire. Come to the forest prepared by bringing a bucket, plenty of extra water, and a shovel to drown and stir the campfire until it is completely out. To completely extinguish your campfire, drown the fire with water, stir with your shovel, drown again, and feel for any heat using the back of your hand. Continue this process until no heat remains, officials said. Individuals who violate fire restrictions or regulations in Colorado are subject to fines up to $5,000, six months of imprisonment, or both. Having conversations and educating one another is a way to hold each other accountable while recreating responsibly, said Cowden, who also urged residents to report abandoned campfires by calling county non-emergency staff or the local district office of the Forest Service. Bored this summer? Check out the quirkiest things to do in MS Think you've done it all in Mississippi? Think again. Over half of the state's population lives in a rural area, and a lot of the remaining population is concentrated in cities such as Jackson or Gulfport, but that doesn't mean there aren't unique and interesting places to visit or things to do outside of the cities. If you're looking for some ideas off the beaten path, then below are a few to get you out of the house this summer: Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum Open on Saturdays and located in Water Valley, The Casey Jones Railroad Museum offers visitors a look at artifacts about the legendary train engineer, Casey Jones, who worked for Illinois Central Railroad. Jones was killed in nearby Vaughn, Mississippi, when his passenger train collided with a stalled freight train. Jones saved the lives of his passengers and crew by emergency stopping the train and sacrificing his own life in the process. Lynyrd Skynyrd Memorial Located in Magnolia, just shy of the Louisiana border, The Lynyrd Skynyrd Memorial is a 7-ton black granite monument commemorating a 1977 plane crash that killed members of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. With its peaceful woodland surrounding and serene stone slabs, the memorial makes a great pitstop if you're headed to New Orleans or just looking for an unusual site. Lynyrd Skynyrd Crash: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/10/20/lynyrd-skynyrd-crashed-miss-38-years-ago-today/74269940/ Canton Movie Museums Calling all film buffs! With full set pieces and props from "A Time to Kill" and "My Dog Skip," which were filmed in Canton, The Canton Movie Museums make the perfect indoor summer activity to beat the heat. Tours must be made by appointment due to recent renovations. Mississippi Movies: 7 best movies ever made in Mississippi and a few bad ones. See our list Rodney, Mississippi Built in 1832, Rodney Presbyterian Church in the sparsely populated "ghost town" of Rodney near Lorman is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. Sarah Warnock, Clarion Ledger Who's afraid of ghosts? Once a populated town on the banks of the Mississippi River, the town of Rodney fell into decline after the Civil War when the river changed course, leaving the town in the dust. Now, people swear the town is haunted. Make sure to check out the Rodney Presbyterian Church and the local cemetery. Who knows? You might be in for a paranormal surprise. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Need to get out of the house? Here's some things you haven't done Dozens of illnesses across 28 states are now linked to a company's 'microdosing' gummies and chocolate bars Dozens of illnesses across 28 states are now linked to a company's 'microdosing' gummies and chocolate bars More than five dozen people reported seeking medical attention after consuming Diamond Shruumz products. A study also found some of the company's gummies contained psilocin, a controlled substance. The FDA reported 36 hospitalizations, as well as one death potentially associated with the products. Diamond Shruumz, the company whose microdosing chocolate bars prompted a Food and Drug Administration investigation in June, has also sold gummies made with an illegal substance, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The FDA first alerted the public about Diamond Shruumz products after eight people in four states fell ill from consuming the retailer's microdosing chocolate bars. As of July 15, the FDA said, those numbers had ballooned to 69 illnesses across 28 states. "Sixty (60) of the 69 people have reported seeking medical care, 36 have been hospitalized, and there is one potentially associated death under investigation," the FDA said. Microdosing is the practice of taking small doses of a drug, typically psychedelics such as psilocybin, to improve creativity and mental health. Microdosing has become trendy in Silicon Valley, even among CEOs. Diamond Shruumz's website said its products didn't contain psilocybin or any other scheduled drugs. But tests conducted by the University of Virginia Health Toxicology Laboratory found psilocin in Diamond Shruumz's Sour Peach Apple and Rainbow gummies. Psilocin is a "psychedelic mushroom alkaloid," according to The Metabolomics Innovation Centre. The Drug Enforcement Administration considers psilocin a Schedule I controlled substance in some states, including Virginia, where the study was conducted. The CDC study says five people underwent hospital evaluations from September to June after eating gummies labeled to contain Amanita muscaria. Although Amanita muscaria can sometimes cause undesired symptoms, the report says it's legal. "Persons who purchase products advertised as psychedelic or nootropic mushroom gummies should be aware that package labels might not accurately represent the contents and that these products could contain substances that might produce unexpected and potentially toxic effects," the report says. Representatives for Diamond Shruumz and the University of Virginia Health Toxicology Laboratory didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Diamond Shruumz recalled all of its products including its gummies and chocolate bars in June after illnesses continued to rise across the country. The FDA said it would monitor Prophet Premium Blends, the company behind Diamond Shruumz, during its recall. "Consumers should not purchase or consume any Diamond Shruumz-brand products," the agency added. Read the original article on Business Insider Ice cream trucks are music to our ears. But are they melting away? RUNNEMEDE, N.J. Zoe Green missed the sound of the Manapua Man, and how the trucks, with their twinkly music and icy treats and candy would bring kids out of their houses and bond neighbors on warm Hawaiian evenings. "It was really hot one day and I said, 'Let's go outside and make some ice cakes (frozen treats made with fruit syrup, evaporated milk and water) and musubi (Spam sushi) and give it out to the neighbors," she recalled. She's not alone in missing that slice (scoop?) of Americana: According to a study by Good Humor, nearly 70% of respondents said they noticed fewer ice cream trucks in their neighborhood, and two-thirds of them said they would be upset or sad to see ice cream trucks become a thing of the past. (Good Humor sold its fleet of vehicles in 1978 to focus on retail sales.) Zoe Green, with her nephew Henry Kamee Makua, is a native Hawaiian who hands out frozen treats in her neighborhood. She received the Good Humor Neighborhood Joy grant for her work to bring her community together through ice cream. Good Humor (and its parent company, Unilever) started the Neighborhood Joy Program, a two-year, $200,000 commitment to support independent mobile purveyors across the U.S. with information, resources and opportunities. Its first initiative: The Neighborhood Joy Grant Program, which gave away grants totaling $100,000 to 16 drivers and pushcart operators, including Green (who was awarded the top prize of $20,000). On that hot day two summers ago, Green put a trailer on her electric bicycle with a portable speaker. She's still doing it, finding a way to build connections with her neighbors even as the high cost of living drives many of them to move from the islands. "We gave out some things and and we got the kids outside," she said. "I gave them a taste of what it was like when we were kids. It's a little taste of simplicity." Mister Softee Vice President Mike Conway stands in an ice cream truck at Mister Softee Headquarters in Runnemede, N.J., on July 15, 2024. 'The quintessential American dessert experience' Steve Christensen, executive director of the North American Ice Cream Association, said that while ice cream trucks might not be roaming neighborhoods as much as they once did, they're still doling out treats. The business model is evolving because of a few factors, he said: Changing consumer habits, cost increases and demographics all mean you're more likely to see an ice cream truck parked outside a Little League game, festival, birthday party or corporate event than driving down the street in a subdivision. Ice cream trucks and carts, from the bike-and-cooler rig Green pedals in Hawaii to the Fudgy Wudgy Man (now men and women) who walk the beaches along the Jersey Shore to the Good Humor and Mister Softee trucks many remember from their childhood "are the quintessential American dessert experience," Christensen said. Zoe Green hands out frozen treats in her neighborhood on the windward side of Oahu. She missed seeing the Manapua Man, Hawaii's well-known ice cream trucks, so she put a trailer with a cooler on the back of her bike. "I dont think ice cream trucks will ever go extinct," he said. "They are something that's essential to our shared memories." But, he said, like any business, "they need to change tactics on how they do business. Being parked or driving around neighborhoods isn't enough anymore." Customers are more discerning, he said, and the ice cream industry as a whole is responding with more organic, locally sourced and smaller batch offerings, nondairy options, more brick-and-mortar shops and direct to retail ice cream. "A lot of the newer generation of ice cream makers is focused on the story behind the ice cream, from cow to cone, where it's sourced from. There's a lot more social responsibility in the business." Mister Softee Vice President Mike Conway at the ice cream truck service department at headquarters in Runnemede, N.J., on July 15, 2024. Rising costs, from ingredients to fuel, force operators to think strategically: Parking their truck at a festival or sporting event draws customers who are already there. Corporate and private events mean a guaranteed payout and the ability to target purchasing more precisely. "I'd encourage people to support their local ice cream shop or vendor," Christensen said, noting that July is National Ice Cream Month and Sunday is National Ice Cream Day. "They are some of the hardest working and nicest people out there," he said. Mister Softee Vice President Mike Conway says his daughter thinks he has a very cool job. Conway and his brother JP are the third-generation owners of the company founded in 1956 and took over from their dad and uncle in 2020. Sweet, icy treats and a sense of community For Green, recognized by Good Humor for her efforts to use sweet, icy treats to bring people together, ice cream trucks are a reminder of community, of shared experience and of a simpler past. She's upgraded her trailer and the bike she calls her "steed" with a generator and small freezer and added more treats (including soda made with lemons from a tree in her yard, Good Humor popsicles and novelties and shave ice, a Hawaiian favorite). She donates treats at community events and hopes to inspire more people with "random acts of aloha," such as donating anonymously to local teachers' wish lists. Mister Softee employee Jim McCullough serves ice cream during a bicycle safety event held in Evesham Township, N.J., on July 15, 2024. Treats from the trailer, which she sometimes gives out for free, usually cost $1-$2, money she plows back into restocking. She lives with her husband and three children on the windward side of Oahu, in a small town where families stay for generations. The Manapua Man "played music, and we'd scrape together what we'd find in the couch," she said. "I really enjoyed it; we'd be with our cousins and then go outside and see all the kids from the neighborhood. We'd pay for our treats and stay outside and play." Green goes out three or four times a week and feels a strong connection to her heritage. "I ask people where the grass grows greener, and it grows greenest where you water it." Her neighbors have responded, she said: "The community has a way of growing things that are planted. When someone starts something thats good for the kids, everyone wants to be part of it." A freshly made cup of Mister Softee ice cream is displayed during a bicycle safety event held in Evesham Township, N.J., on July 15, 2024. Mister Softee: Family-run fun Mike Conway said his 7-year-old daughter, Whitney, "thinks I have the coolest job in the world." In a way, she's right: Conway is vice president of Mister Softee, the largest franchiser of ice cream trucks in the United States. The Runnemede, New Jersey-based business has more than 625 trucks operating in 21 states. Conway and his brother JP are the third-generation owners of the company founded in 1956 and took over from their dad and uncle in 2020. Leila Lugardo of Evesham Township, N.J., snacks on Mister Softee water ice on July 15, 2024. That's right. They took over right before "the whole world changed," and Conway admitted the early days of the pandemic were "difficult and scary," especially when most states forced their trucks and anything else deemed nonessential to shut down. When trucks began to roll again in most places by May 2020, he said, people flocked to them. "Everybody was still home," he remembered. "But seeing the trucks made people feel normal." He said he's seen changes in the business, but he also recognizes the reasons ice cream truck operators need to adapt. Families have fewer children, and more families have both parents working, so there aren't as many kids chasing trucks as they trundle down the street. "Our trucks are still doing well," he said. "But now it's more events, schools, parties. Our phones are busier than ever. "It used to be you'd go out and do a route and maybe a birthday party here and there," said Conway, a former franchisee. "Now there are (jobs) all the time." Mister Softee has also opened brick-and-mortar locations in New Jersey (12), New York and California (one in each). The drivers are changing, too, he said: "Twenty or 30 years ago, it was mostly men, college-age guys. Now it's any age, any gender." The 42-year-old appreciates the tradition and the nostalgia; he and his brother grew up in South Jersey and for a time, their father had a career outside the family business so Mister Softee paying a visit was just as special to them as any other kid. "We try to do a really simple thing: Give people ice cream and make them happy in the moment," he said. "And that's what we push for. Every day our drivers are dealing with people who are happy to see them. Not many jobs give you that." Contact Phaedra Trethan by email at ptrethan@usatoday.com, on X (formerly Twitter) @wordsbyphaedra, or on Threads @by_phaedra This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ice cream trucks are music to Americans' ears. Are they melting away? AUSTIN (KXAN) Sunday is National Ice Cream Day and what better way to beat the summer heat than with ice cream from your local favorites. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, in 1984 former President Ronald Reagan named July National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. A number of local ice cream shops in Austin have already begun planning special menu items and promotions. We have compiled a list of places for you to stop by this Sunday to have a special treat and celebrate. Lick Honest Ice Creams Licks has decided to pay it forward this National Ice Cream Day by partnering with Tiny Pies. They have created a new flavor called Lemon Lime Meringue Pie. With every purchase of this new flavor the proceeds will go to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities chapter located in Central Texas. Amys Ice Creams Texas ice cream chain Amys Ice Creams kicked off their National Ice Cream Day celebration by announcing a giveaway on their social media. Amys is giving away a free three-month subscription to their Sweet Flex Box. For more on how to enter, visit its social media page. Jos Coffee Austin coffee shop Jos Coffee says I scream for national scream day. They wanna make sure everyone gets a chance to eat delicious ice cream on this special day by offering $3 affogatos, an Italian dessert that consists of a scoop of ice cream paired with hot espresso. Uncle Nickys Italian Specialties Uncle Nickys Italian eatery is celebrating this years National Ice Cream Day by serving up their famous Italian custard for only $2. The flavors they are offering are strawberry, espresso, lemon and pistachio. Dairy Queen The multinational fast food chain Dairy Queen is offering special perks exclusively to mobile app members. Members can expect to receive a free Dilly Bar made with DQs signature vanilla soft serve ice cream, with a DQ Texas app purchase. Museum of Ice Cream The Austin Museum of Ice Cream is partnering up with Texass original homemade Blue Bell Creameries. The museum and Blue Bell will give away free vanilla and chocolate ice cream cups from a bright pink ice cream truck that will be located in front of Music Lane. The event will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1011 S. Congress Ave., Bldg. 1, Ste. 120. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Do male mosquitoes bite humans? Turns out, they might be vegans. This all started because we don't have air conditioning. The recent hot spell had pushed my family toward rebellion, and my position as exalted high poobah was in dire peril. Without fast action, I would likely be exiled to a tent in the backyard, forced to eat from the birdfeeder and use the hose as a shower. My pretty rotten solution was to exhume fans from the basement. Some of them needed a thorough cleaning, so I set up camp on the front porch, taking them apart with a screwdriver and wiping down the blades. That's when the mosquitoes moved in. I was swatting, losing screws and randomly squirting Windex into the sky to keep them away. But nothing helped: I was a panicky pincushion at the mercy of voracious vampires. Note the feathery antenna on this male Western rock pool mosquito. It's kind of beautiful! Later, while ruminating over my misadventure with a restorative Yuengling Light Lager, I began to wonder about the relentless blood passion of mosquitoes. Why can't they just munch on trail mix or lick a Popsicle? I turned to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for guidance. I immediately stumbled on three key points: "Female mosquitoes bite people and animals to get a blood meal. Most female mosquitoes cannot produce eggs without a blood meal. Male mosquitoes do not bite people and animals." So it seems my blood is essential for future mosquito generations. I guess that's OK, because I like to think I'm a charitable, pay-it-forward kind of person. But wait: male mosquitoes don't bite? This was a revelation. I always figured every part of the mosquito population was conspiring against me at all times. What the heck are these layabout male mosquitoes up to all day? There was only one thing to do: ring up Gabrielle Sakolsky, superintendent of the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project. Sakolsky loves talking about mosquitoes, but she seemed a bit indifferent toward the males. "I don't pay much attention to them, because they don't bite people," she said. And since male mosquitoes don't bite, they don't transmit diseases to people, one of Sakolsky's biggest concerns. Without those pesky biting appointments cluttering their calendars, male mosquitoes can concentrate on three things, according to Sakolsky: resting, eating and mating. I'm not a nutritionist, but I think we may be able to categorize male mosquitoes as vegans. "They eat nectar from flowers," said Sakolsky. That sounds poetic and peaceful, but remember, those males are key players in future bothersome generations. They just need to find a mate. And they are specially equipped to find females, so the tango of reproduction can continue. Sakolsky said male mosquitoes have feathery antennae that allow them to sense the vibration of female mosquito wingbeats. "If you have a tuning fork at that vibration the males respond to it," she wrote in a later email when I asked more nutty questions. On the hunt for a feathery antennae I decided to head back into the wild and see if I could tell the difference between male and female mosquitoes. I really wanted to see the feathery antennae on the males, but despite my best squinting it all looked like a blur. And some of that blur bit me. So I reached out to the incredibly talented bug photographer Salvador Vitanza, longtime integrated pest management extension agent for El Paso and Hudspeth counties in Texas. Vitanza sent over a humdinger of a pic, showing a male Western rock pool mosquito. The antenna was intoxicating! This scientific quest has kind of mellowed me out about mosquitoes. After all, they are just trying to make a living: sliding along the evolutionary highway, having babies, drinking nectar, wiggling their antennae. Are we that different? This peaceful vibe will probably last a day or two, until they bite my ankles again. Then, it's war! Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X: @capecast. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Do male mosquitoes bite? A look at Cape Cod's forgotten insect. HOLLAND Michigan is a magical place, especially in the summer. The lake is warm, the days are long, and I always visit the local farmer markets to see whats in season. Not only is there an abundance of local produce, but farmer markets also support environmental, social and economic sustainability. The local focus of farmers markets minimizes the distance food travels from farm to table. Most food from retail stores travels 1,000 miles or more. At the Holland Farmers Market, most vendors travel less than 70 miles to the market. Some farmers markets also innovate ways to reduce food waste. The Holland Farmers Market collaborates with Community Action Houses Lakeshore Food Rescue program to address food insecurity in the area. On Wednesdays, Community Action House sets up a booth where shoppers can donate produce. On Saturdays, volunteers go to vendors at the end of the day to collect produce the vendor no longer has a use for. The Holland Farmers Market opened for the season Wednesday, May 15, with clear skies at the Civic Center. Through its Lakeshore Food Rescue program, Community Action House turns excess food into direct access to fresh, nutritious food for those who might not otherwise get it. In 2023, it was able to glean 47,803 pounds and received 1,901 pounds of produce donations. In another benefit, as Holland Farmers Market Manager Kyle Johnson explained, Recipients can get an extra $20 per market day, by matching $20 SNAP tokens for an extra $20 of Double Up Food Bucks tokens through the Fair Food Network. Lyons Fruit Farm of South Haven offers fresh strawberries and vegetables at the Holland Farmers Market on Wednesday, May 15. The Fair Food Network notes Double Up Food Bucks enable 45 million pounds of healthy food to be purchased and supports about 800 local farmers every year in Michigan since 2009. To navigate what benefits can be utilized at your local market, check out the MI Farmers Market Associations Food Assistance Eligibility Guide. Community is further sustained at farmers markets by getting to know the folks who produce the food. Farmers want you to ask them questions about how they grow their food, how to prepare it and so on. Additionally, supporting our farmers is especially important. According to the USDA, from 2017 to 2022 the number of acres in the United States operated by farms has reduced by over 20 million acres, almost the size of Maine. Subscribe: Receive unlimited access to your local news coverage By supporting your local farmers market, local farmer and local shopper, you are helping to build community and food sovereignty. Food sovereignty is a holistic, healthy and sustainable approach for communities to address chronic food insecurity, as explained by the Detroit Black Food Sovereignty Network. Stop by the Holland Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m, or find your local farmers market at mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market/. Morgan Anderson is a produce safety technician, housed at the Ottawa Conservation District and servicing nine counties total within West Michigan. About this seriesMiSustainable Holland is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives.This Weeks Sustainability Framework Theme: Quality of Life: The community, through governmental, religious, business and social organizations, makes decisions that contribute to its own well-being. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: MiSustainable Holland: Farmers markets offer more than just food It's difficult to believe now, but fried clams the essence of summertime at the beach started as a joke. In fact, the very mention of tossing a few clams in the fryer drew astounded stares and even mockery. It all began on July 3, 1916. A Massachusetts fisherman named Tarr (his first name lost to history) was shooting the breeze with his buddy Lawrence "Chubby" Woodman. Woodman and his wife, Bessie, operated a concession stand/grocery market on the main drag in Essex, Massachusetts. Tarr had dropped in to pick up a bag of Bessie's homemade potato chips when "Chubby" started bemoaning the lack of customers and telling his friend business had been "slower than a couple of snails headed uphill" (per Woodman's). Tarr, crunching on his chips while listening to his buddy vent his frustration, noticed a bucket of clams nearby and threw out an offhand suggestion. According to family lore, Tarr said something along the lines of, "Why don't you fry up some of your clams? If they're as tasty as those potato chips of yours, you'll never have to worry about having enough customers" (per Woodman's). And the rest, as they say, is history. Almost. The Woodmans and a few customers who overheard the exchange scoffed at the idea. Chagrined, Tarr muttered, "I wasn't serious, it was just a little joke," and skedaddled out of the market. Maybe he should have stuck around. Read more: 25 Most Popular Snacks In America Ranked Worst To Best An Experiment Led To A Eureka Moment Woodman's of Essex exterior - Tape/Flickr Despite their initial disdain for Tarr's suggestion, the idea of frying clams kept nagging at the Woodmans. It was a slow day, so in a what-the-hell moment they decided to try them. They shelled a few clams and experimented with batters and coatings. When they thought they had the right proportions, Bessie tossed a slab of lard into the fryer she used to make potato chips. Then she dropped the clams into the fryer. The result was delicious crunchy on the outside and succulent on the inside. Stunned, they hailed a few friends to taste their creation. Everyone agreed they were onto something. The following day the Fourth of July Bessie and Chubby distributed fried clams to the spectators near their market to watch the holiday parade. More than 100 years later, Woodman's of Essex is still a family-owned and run establishment. It's expanded to include a rustic dining room, a seasonal raw bar, an ice cream stand, and a souvenir shop. Picnic tables scattered on the lawn overlooking an adjacent salt marsh fill up quickly on warm summer nights. Woodman's of Essex still makes fried clams according to the same recipe Chubby and Bessie developed in 1916. Every order gets a quick milk wash before it's dredged in corn flour and dropped into the fryer. "Our recipe hasn't changed," Chubby's grandson, Steve Woodman, told Phantom Gourmet in 2016. "We still cook in lard. There aren't too many places that cook in lard anymore." Read the original article on Tasting Table. Something old becomes new in customer's hands at Hope is Alive Ministries' Retreads Thrift Amid colorful racks of clothing, shiny displays of jewelry and assorted odds and ends, a sign on the wall of a local store shares a message: "Old Stuff = New Life." Lance Lang said the signage has a dual meaning that is particularly fitting for Retreads Thrift Store, a new enterprise by Hope is Alive Ministries. The ministry, which opened on June 1 at 9470 N May in the The Village, was founded by Lang and his wife Allyson, and the couple currently serve as the nonprofit's co-chief executive officers. "That's kind of what this is about, giving new life to old things, things that might have lost their purpose now have a new purpose," Lang said. "So there's a double meaning of both the products and the store, because all the funds support the ministry." Lance Lang, founder of Hope is Alive Ministries, is seen at the ministry's new thrift store, Retreads Thrift, on July 3 in The Village. The store's name, Retreads, Lang said, means putting new tread on old tires, which also hints at its purpose. Oklahoma City-based Hope is Alive, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, is all about helping individuals in addiction recovery, along with their families, discover hope and the newness of life. More: Hope is Alive celebrates 10 years of helping others 'build a life worth living' with sobriety Retreads Thrift in The Village is seen on July 3. Lang said Hope is Alive's mission is to radically change the lives of addicts, alcoholics and those who love them by providing recovery homes for men and women and support groups for the loved ones of addicts and alcoholics. The ministry has recovery homes in Oklahoma and several other states. Its Finding Hope support groups are for people whose loved ones struggle with addiction, while Hope After Loss support groups are for people whose loved ones died while in the throes of addiction. Lang said in addition to serving as an additional funding source, the Retreads store offers employment opportunities to Hope is Alive alumni and current participants. He said the store also gives Hope is Alive supporters a new way to volunteer with the ministry and also a way to back the ministry by donating items. People have responded favorably to the ministry's request for donated items. On a recent tour of the store, Lang showed that the shop's large back room was filled with bags, bins and boxes items of donations destined for the Retreads sales floor. Purses, clothing and shoes await customers at Retreads Thrift in The Village on July 3. 'Beacon of hope' Hope is Alive leaders began searching for a prime location for Retreads in January. Lang said the storefront near the corner of Britton Road and May Avenue was chosen because of the high traffic there but also because it is not far from some Hope is Alive recovery homes and neighborhood residents who may be inclined to donate items. Jewelry is for sale at Retreads in The Village on July 3. Lang said they were intentional about creating a positive, bargain-filled atmosphere for thrift store shoppers. "We wanted it to feel like a boutique and to have a retail store vibe," he said. The store has a rewards program, a "Last Chance Lane" rack offering 50%-off items, and a variety of merchandise including men's, women's and children's clothing and shoes, plus jewelry, accessories, baby items, toys and books, electronics, household goods and decor. Meanwhile, Lang said just as important as providing a ministry revenue source, Retreads serves as a brick and mortar location to share information about all that Hope is Alive is doing in Oklahoma and beyond. Along those lines, information about the ministry is featured along one wall of the store, including pictures of Hope is Alive participants whose lives have been turned around for the better. Hope is Alive brochures and merchandise are displayed in the store, and customers may take complimentary bibles from a display area near the register. Retreads Thrift is seen in The Village on July 3. Lang said customer after customer has asked store staff members about Hope is Alive and staff members get to share the ministry's story and mission. In that way, he said Retreads offers hope to the community by telling more and more people about a life-changing ministry. How to Help Hope is Alive's Retreads Thrift store at 9470 N May is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, and closes on Mondays. For more information about the store, go to https://hopeisalive.net/retreadsthrift/ or the Retreads Thrift Facebook page. For more information about Hope is Alive Ministries, go to https://hopeisalive.net/. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Retreads Thrift Store opens new shop in The Village When my son was arrested as a teen, I worried about his future. But it was the best thing to happen to him. When my son was arrested as a teen, I worried about his future. But it was the best thing to happen to him. My teenage son started experimenting with drugs and getting into trouble. One incident before his graduation led to an arrest and created massive challenges in our lives. In hindsight, my son could see how the arrest and the following events led him to his best life. A few weeks ago, my adult son called to say, "Getting arrested was the best thing that ever happened to me!" Taken aback, I said, "Oh really?" I vividly remember that event as one of our most challenging times, so his assessment intrigued me. Not only did his epiphany lead to an essential conversation where we shared our different sides of the story, but it helped us connect the dots to where we are now. In 2014, the night before a college sporting scholarship meeting, I learned my son was arrested for possession of marijuana. It was a few months before his high school graduation, and we were wrapping up Johnathan's plans for college and beyond. It wasn't exactly a surprise; he started experimenting with drugs and getting into trouble in middle school and high school. But the arrest changed everything for him and maybe for the better. His future was uncertain after getting arrested Considering his new record, the college he planned on attending would not accept him without the scholarship. As an excessively challenged single mother, I was looking forward to my son's college move-out. I feared the two-year probation would keep him grounded. Thankfully, he could finish his probation in Florida, where he moved in with his father's family and completed electrician trade school. In Florida, Johnathan attended all his classes, and his grades were better than ever. While he barely attended high school and had a very low GPA, he was a straight-A student in trade school. He was engaged with his instructors and made friends with classmates and neighbors. While attending the program full-time, he worked for Best Buy and thoroughly cleaned up his act. He prioritized work and school, stopped attempting to escape reality through substances, and began taking responsibility for living a better life. I remember seeing pictures of him dressed up for work and being surprised by how different he looked. I could see the light in his eyes once again, and I was beyond grateful. At Best Buy, Johnathan quickly became a star employee. Even though he only worked on the weekends, he consistently earned employee of the month, placed at the top of the sales leaderboard, and was named a top producer of credit card applications. I wasn't surprised he was a master at sales. Considering all the trouble he talked himself out of growing up, Johnathan had plenty of practice negotiating, which made his sales job practically effortless. When he returned to Des Moines after trade school, he continued his sales journey at Best Buy. When a gentleman came in for a 55-inch TV and walked out with a 75-inch TV and several luxury upgrades, the customer was so impressed with Johnathan's sales skills that he offered Johnathan a job selling RVs. Johnathan entered the RV industry with vigor and dedication and quickly repeated his race to the leaderboard. A cross-country move solidified his transformation After some tragic times in Des Moines, including a debilitating injury, Johnathan decided to get a fresh start once again. Much like me, he moved to California on a wing and a prayer to start a new life. This time, he was ready to make a permanent move far away from the troubles of his youth. He met his now fiance at his RV sales job and lives a completely different life free of drugs and full of sales, responsibility, and love. When I asked him what helped him make the change, he said, "Focusing on something I liked and was good at. Plus, not having access to the scenarios that got me in trouble." He also remarked that being in a new location allowed him to reinvent himself without the negative influences and judgments of others who knew his history. Having experienced a similar result upon my own move to California, I can say I totally agree. It's beautiful to meet people who see you as the person you are and the one you're trying to become instead of the one you were expected to be. Often, people are surprised to hear about Johnathan's past trouble with the law, considering his current position. I asked him how it feels to shock people in this way. He said, "I always smile like a kid on Christmas when it happens. It feels million times better to be seen as someone who has their shit together than being known as the troublemaker or the kid who's got potential but is fucking up." Read the original article on Business Insider GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Grundy County authorities are turning to the community for help tracking down two suspects accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from a group of people during a violent armed robbery in a restaurant Friday night. According to the Grundy County Sheriffs Office, the 911 center got a call around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, July 19 about a possibly injured person at the Miso Hungry Restaurant, but due to a significant language barrier, dispatch only thought a medic was needed. When Grundy EMS got to the scene, they found seven people laying in a closet, appearing distressed, and asked for assistance, officials said. The Grundy County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) arrived shortly afterward. Then, after emergency personnel realized the victims had reportedly been robbed and beaten, the sheriffs office responded to the scene. Police respond to barricade situation in South Nashville Deputies and investigators noticed a total of seven individuals were inside the restaurant, cleaning and renovating. Authorities said they obtained a description of the suspects who were believed to be on foot and began an extensive search. Through translation, law enforcement said they learned two males entered the back of the restaurant, forcing the victims inside into a small closet area at gunpoint. Some individuals reported feeling a sharp pain in their back that could have been from a knife used by one of the suspects to force them into the closet. Once inside the room, the people were beaten and robbed of their jewelry, wallets, cash, and anything else they had with them, the sheriffs office said. Approximately $1,500 in cash was taken, along with $5,000 to $7,000 worth of jewelry and debit cards. Downtown Nashville businesses reportedly threatened after neo-Nazi protests According to officials, the victims said the suspects also cursed at them and yelled, Get back to your own country. Four of the individuals were brought to the emergency room with minor injuries following the incident, authorities said. The sheriffs office said the suspects were described as roughly 6 feet tall, one with a slender build and the other with a somewhat heavy-set build. They were both reportedly wearing black ski masks, black long-sleeved shirts, blue jeans, black shoes, and black gloves. In addition, the gun was identified as a possible black semi-automatic pistol. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, officials announced both suspects were still at large. However, the victims family members are offering a $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Meanwhile, authorities noted there was a break-in at the Palmer Community Center and a 2007 white GMC single-cab truck with plate number 40727CP was stolen on the same night. While that incident is not confirmed to be connected to the robbery, investigators said they havent ruled it out. If you have any information about Fridays armed robbery at Miso Hungry Restaurant or possible suspects, you are asked to contact Investigator Avery McGinness by calling 931-383-0770 or emailing amcginness@gc-sheriff.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. 1 dead after head-on, wrong-way crash on I-75 in Middletown A Dayton man was killed Saturday afternoon in a head-on, wrong-way crash on Interstate 75. In a news release, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the two cars collided near milepost 33 in Middletown around 3:14 p.m. Troopers said a 2016 Nissan SUV, driven by Geiner Hidalgo, 46, of Dayton, Ohio, was traveling north on I-75 while a 2011 Ford pickup truck was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes. The Ford truck hit the Nissan SUV head-on. Both vehicles then traveled off the left side of the road and stopped in the left shoulder against the concrete barrier wall. The driver of the Ford was taken to Atrium Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. Hidalgo died at the scene of the crash. Troopers with the highway patrol's Lebanon post are investigating the crash. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Warren County wrong-way crash on I-75 leaves pickup truck driver dead 1 person dead, 1 taken into Border Patrol custody after desert search 1 person dead, 1 taken into Border Patrol custody after desert search EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person has died and another was apprehended by Border Patrol Saturday afternoon, July 20 during a multi-agency search of the desert area near Sunland Park, according to Sunland Parks Fire Department. Sunland Park Fire assisted Border Patrol and Dona Ana Fire Rescue in searching the desert area off Bi-National Avenue for two people who called 911 for help. Both were found by Dona Ana Fire Rescue and medical care was given. One person died and the other was taken by Border Patrol, Sunland Park Fire said. The call came in around 1:20 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Barbara Holman-Robinson can only look back at her life and think how shes had a good ride so far. Holman-Robinson, whos known for her fashion sense, styled a wine red, white flowered dress, a sparkled tiara sitting atop her head and a golden sash across her body that read birthday queen in black letters. She achieved the rare feat of becoming a supercentenarian when she turned 110 years old last Tuesday, July 16. Joining her in celebration were relatives, her church family and staff and residents of Atria El Camino Gardens. It was a full house as they filled the dining hall at the Carmichael assisted-living facility, listening to Holman-Robinsons stories and the soothing sounds of a saxophonist tuning classics such as We Are The World. Although the day was about her, she could only give praise to Him. I could have just come through here and gone on with the music and thought nothing about God at all, but thats not me, said Holman-Robinson, who called herself a child of God. I want people to realize that God is real and Hes here to help them if they will let Him. I lean on Him and when things get too hard; I fall on my face before God. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:6, which says, in all of thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct that path. Supercentenarian Barbara Holman-Robinson celebrates her 110th birthday at Atria El Camino Gardens in Carmichael on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Born in Pasadena in 1914, Holman-Robinson grew up in the church her entire life. At 16, she played piano for church services on weeknights while still making it home in time to finish her homework. She met her future husband, Robert Benjamin Holman Sr., at a church convention in Southern California. They had an instant connection. He went on to become a pastor at Christ Temple Church in Sacramento, later renamed to Christ Temple Apostolic Church. Their first date was a trip to the beach. They sent letters back and forth to each other as their affection for one another grew. In 1938, when Barbara was 24, she and Robert married and they moved to Sacramento. When he first asked her to be his wife, Barbara jokingly responded with maybe. Ive been here ever since my husband came and got me, Holman-Robinson said. In fact, he asked for my mother and father, they consented and told him if he ever got tired of me, dont mistreat me, just send me back home. Once she left Los Angeles for Sacramento as a newlywed, she cried because shed never left home to live on her own before. However, she said that her husband reassured her that he was determined to make her happy. I had a beautiful wedding (and marriage), Holman-Robinson said. Robert took care of everything and Barbara never had to work, unless she wanted to. He bought her a car, a blue Cadillac. And eventually bought her another Cadillac, this one burgundy. My husband, he just gave me anything I wanted. If I said I want this (or that) hed say just dont mess up my credit, Holman-Robinson said. Their marriage lasted 58 years until Holman died in 1996. When my husband got sick I took care of him, Holman-Robinson said. I took him to the doctor and did everything I could for him. But God took him on. So I didnt have any excuses. Together, they shared two children who eventually gave them dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Who is Barbara? We laugh a lot One of those grandchildren is Angelique Marlene Reynolds. Born in 1960, Reynolds is the eldest grandchild to Holman-Robinson. Reynolds, 64, was born in Barbaras Sacramento home at 16th and R streets. Holman-Robinson even cut her umbilical cord at birth. Reynolds said shes been with Holman-Robinson just about her whole life. She describes her grandmother as someone who is understanding and encouraging. She said she possesses the traits of a jokester and social butterfly. Reynolds added that her grandmother is used to being spoiled. We have a lot of good times. We laugh a lot, Reynolds said. I spoil her. But shes a lot of fun and she has jokes even at 110 years old. Reynolds, who now resides in Florida, flew to Sacramento for a week to spend time with the woman who practically raised her. Reynolds gets a kick out of her grandmother acting like she cant hear whenever Reynolds suggests something Holman-Robinson doesnt agree with. Sometimes its a simple car ride. Sometimes its educating her on changes in society such as explaining what a GPS navigation system is. We laugh a lot, Reynolds said. Its not a place, its not a time. Its just a set of experiences that I will always carry in my heartits been an experience for me. Everyone calls her Mother Charlotte Coleman, 72, first met Holman-Robinson in 1973 at Christ Temple Apostolic Church, then located at 4809 Roosevelt Ave. Coleman had just moved from Alabama with her husband who was in the military. They were stationed at Mather Air Force Base, now Mather Airport. She became a member of the church after meeting other members. Getting to know Holman-Robinson, Coleman described her as feisty and spoiled, saying she knows what she wants and will stay in pursuit until she gets it. Coleman said Barbara has always been a wonderful person and praised her for her urge to introduce God to other people. Thats her, but shes a loving person, Coleman said. She really encourages people to get to know God. ... Shes a good listener. If you have a problem, she would listen to you and she would try to give you sound advice. She has always been that way and shes still that way. Everyone at the church called Holman Mother and her husband, Robert, was referred to as Dad Holman, dad or elder Holman, Coleman said. When I first came to Christ Temple, she took in a lot of other kids, then they would come and stay at her house, Coleman said. She and Dad took in other peoples kids, not that they didnt have a family, but Mother and Dad were that type, the kids would come to their house and hang out and everything. They had a nice big backyard and they would go and do things. Barbara Holman-Robinson holds hands with friend Dr. Carolyn ONeil during her 105th birthday celebration with family members and friends at Leatherbys Family Creamery on Monday, July 15, 2019 in Sacramento. It wasnt just kids they would take in. It was anyone who needed help and a prayer. Pauline Kirkendoll was 40 years old, living on the streets of Oakland, when she met Mother in 1990. Kirkendoll went to the church because her daughter, Pamela, was studying at Sacramento State at the time and was a member of Christ Temple. She asked for the church to pray for her mother, who was living with her after being homeless in Oakland. I went to the church and they had a program for people on drugs, Kirkendoll, now 74, said. So I went there for that program and it might have been six months later, someone came to me and they said that Mother needed help in the house. Kirkendoll was given a job and a place to stay inside their home for seven years. She didnt want me to leave. I took care of her and her husband, Kirkendoll said. I was a live-in person, but they never treated me like a maid. She never called me a maid. I was a part of the family. Kirkendoll didnt have to worry about paying rent or buying food. She was taught to set the dinner table and cook. She said Mother could cook anything, but her specialty was fried chicken. Kirkendoll was paid $600 a month for her work which helped her save money to buy a car. The Holmans even paid for the car insurance for a year. Now, 34 years later, Kirkendoll hasnt done any drugs or even smoked a cigarette. She remains celibate and praises God for her journey. She remains close with Mother and continues to help her in every way she can, whether its taking her to church, dinner, cooking for her or going to get her nails done once a month. She stuck with me the whole way and Im still there for her. When Colemans mother died in 2013, she grew closer to Holman. She played a major part in most peoples lives, Coleman said. What is a supercentenarian? It is rare for humans to live to age 100, becoming a centenarian, let alone living past 110 to become a supercentenarian. According to the Pew Research Center, there are an estimated 101,000 centenarians in the United States. The majority of 100-plus-year-old citizens (78%) are women. Most of the men and women who live that long are white, making up 77% of the centenarian population in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center. Only 8% of U.S. centenarians are Black. Asians make up 7% and Latino centenarians make up 6%. Supercentenarians are far less common. The Boston University School of Medicines New England Centenarian Study in the early 2010s estimated there to be about 60 in the U.S. and between 200 and 300 worldwide. Estimates have grown some and vary by source, but most still report the global total below 500. Barbara Holman-Robinson poses for photographs as she celebrates her 105th birthday with family members and friends at Leatherbys Family Creamery on Monday, July 15, 2019 in Sacramento. Waclaw Jan Kroczek of the Gerontology Research Group, based in Los Angeles, said the oldest resident of California is Ilse Meingast. Although the GRG is working on validating her age, it is said she was born in Germany on March 14, 1912. If verified, she would be 112. The oldest verified California resident is Maxine Hix, who was born in Arkansas on March 22, 1913. Shes 111. Kroczek said that the oldest African-American person living in California is Rosa Pate, who was born in Texas on May 22, 1913. Shes also 111. The woman validated as the worlds oldest living person was born in California but now lives in Spain, according to the Pew Research Center. Thats Maria Branyas Morera, who is 117. No complaints at age 110 Nowadays, Mother is mostly relaxing and enjoying the days as they come by. She is still pampered by everyone in her presence whether its Coleman, who will cook her favorite dishes, or her kids or grandkids, whenever she brings Mother home to visit. Reynolds hasnt lived in Sacramento since 1987 but she remains in close contact with the Atria staff and those close to her grandmother, such as Coleman and Kirkendoll. Initially, she didnt want to or expect to live this long back then, but shes thankful for the years that she has seen. There are days where she thinks she wont wake up and then she rises in the morning and takes a look around her bedroom. As long as I feel good, Im happy, Holman said. As long as Im not sick. She wonders why and how she made it this far. Sometimes shell tell Coleman, I dont know why God keeps me here. I always tell her, Dont bother God, dont worry God because hes doing what he does, you know, he wants you here, Coleman said. Hes keeping you here. Kirkendoll says all Holman speaks about is heaven. She wants to make heaven her home, Kirkendoll said. Sometimes she talks about it so much that you wouldnt believe it. Thats where she wants to be. And we tell her, Mother you gotta be patient. When God says come, then you will go. One thing for certain Mother knows is that shes had a wonderful lifespan of 110 years and counting. And for that, she said that she cannot complain. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A 13-year-old boy was struck by gunfire early Sunday morning near the area of Buffalos Allentown neighborhood, Buffalo police said. Officers responded to the call just before 2 a.m., as police said the male victim arrived at Buffalo General Hospital in a civilian vehicle after being shot in the vicinity of Main and High Streets. The teen was then transferred by ambulance to Oishei Childrens Hospital where he was taken into surgery, authorities said. Anyone with information is asked to call or text Buffalo polices confidential tip line at (716) 847-2255. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. When President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him on the ticket. "My intention is to earn, and win, this nomination," Harris said in a statement. If Harris does in fact become the Democratic nominee for president, it won't officially happen until the Democratic National Convention (DNC) takes place. The DNC will take place from August 19 through 22 in Chicago, Illinois. "President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years," DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said in a statement today, per the Hill. "The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November." He concluded, "This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people." While the DNC's official website has yet to be updated in response to the Biden news, it currently notes, "During the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Democrats will gather in Chicago to rally behind the Biden-Harris nomination, celebrate our achievements over this past term, and chart a path for the future. Democrats from across the country will tell our story directly to the American people as we come together to energize, organize, and mobilize to win." You Might Also Like Age had been President Joe Bidens biggest political weakness ever since he launched his first campaign against former President Donald Trump five years ago. But his faltering debate performance on June 27 shocked many Americans in what was their most extensive exposure to the president since the last round of debates in 2020. Here are the key events that have shaped one of the most crucial months in Bidens career and would eventually sunset his half-century life in politics: CNNs Marco Chacon and Amanda Steen contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On his 25th birthday, family of Canton man killed by police reaffirm their fight for justice Zachary Fornash's son, 3-year-old Elijah, and his sister Avah, 6, sign and draw on balloons for their father, Zachary Fornash, who was shot and killed by a Canton police officer in 2023. Their aunt Kim Billman helps them prior to a balloon launch commemorating Fornash's 25th birthday. MASSILLON Armed with a blue Sharpie, Elijah Fornash scribbled his name onto a white balloon. He added a few spiderwebs. "I'm sending Spidey (Man) to daddy," the 3-year-old said with a smile. His sister, 6-year-old Avah, drew a picture of her dad on her balloon. Next to him was a red heart. The toddler and his sister were joined by the family of their father, Zachary Fornash, to mark his 25th birthday the first without him. Fornash was shot and killed by a Canton police officer in December of 2023. Fornash's mother, Cassandra White, told family members who had gathered at her Massillon home Saturday that she continues to fight for her son and that his voice will be heard. They released white balloons that read: "In loving memory. Forever remembered. Forever missed. Forever in our hearts." They also included their messages to Fornash. His mother, father and wife released three dove-shaped balloons. As they released the balloons, they yelled "happy birthday." Afterward, they shared a SpongeBob-themed cake that referenced a joke from the show about being 25. Bella Fornash, his youngest sister, said she had laughed over the joke with her brother, and he decided he wanted it to be the theme of his 25th birthday. Zachary Fornash's daughter, Gracie, 1, draws on a balloon for her father with the help of her great-aunt Dora Lee Dennis, left, and Julie Vlach, her great-grandmother, prior to a balloon launch in Fornash's memory. Fornash was shot and killed by a Canton police officer on Dec. 5, 2023. He would have turned 25 on July 18. What happened to Zachary Fornash? On Dec. 5, 2023, Canton police officer Garrett Marino was investigating a report at Skyland Terrace Apartments that a man had shown a gun in an argument, police said. While driving his police cruiser, Marino spotted Fornash standing or walking by an apartment building. Fornash's apartment was nearby across Alan Page Drive SE. Zachary J. Fornash According to his body camera footage later released by police, Marino quickly exited his vehicle with his weapon drawn. He claimed Fornash had a gun and screamed repeatedly at Fornash to get onto the ground and put his hands onto his head or he would be shot. Fornash kept walking away from the officer with his hands at his sides or in his pocket. When Fornash turned his body toward the left, Marino shot him multiple times. Fornash later died at Aultman Hospital. Fornash had a pellet gun or BB gun, not a real gun. Cassandra White, Zachary Fornash's mother, talks about his death at her Massillon home. Fornash was shot and killed by a Canton police officer on Dec. 5, 2023. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation completed and turned its review of the shooting over to the Stark County Prosecutor's Office in June. A spokesperson from the prosecutor's office said the case has not been brought to the grand jury. After Fornash was laid to rest, his family pleaded to talk to Canton city leaders to discuss meaningful change in the Canton Police Department. They want their loss to lead to changes. Nearly six months after her son's death, White is growing impatient. She said she knows Marino likely will not face the consequences of his actions, but she's hopeful. Bella Fornash, 17, the youngest sister of Zachary Fornash, said her brother was the glue that held the family together. On Saturday, the family gathered to celebrate Fornash's 25th birthday. The family released white balloons with personal messages. "There is a 99% chance this is not going to go our way. Ohio is an immunity state and police are protected," White said. "I want him to face his family and admit he did something wrong. No apology is going to make up for what he did." Fornash's younger sister, Bella Fornash, is upset that Marino has yet to face consequences. "He is a police officer. He was supposed to serve and protect. You shot a man who was walking away from you. You didn't serve or protect," the 17-year-old said. The family said no one has taken them up on the offer to talk. When Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II took office in January weeks after Fornash was killed, White emailed him seeking a sit-down. He declined, saying he was advised not to since the family had retained legal counsel, White said. White is hopeful she'll get a chance to talk to city leaders and persuade them to change the police department policy and procedures. The family of Zachary Fornash, who was shot and killed by a Canton police officer in December, released balloons with personal messages on them for Fornash at a party held at his mother's Massillon home to celebrate his 25th birthday. She hopes she can prevent another mother from having to live through the loss of a child at the hands of the police. "It's cruel," White said. "I don't want another mother to have to celebrate a birthday without their child." Fornash, the father of three, wanted to be a good dad, and he didn't feel safe living in the area where he was shot, White said. She can only speculate why he had a pellet gun with him that day likely for protection. But she said he knew the laws and knew his rights. "He wasn't just some thug from Canton," White explained. "He was a kind, loving, good-hearted person. He wanted to be a good father." "He was the glue that kept us together," his sister added. Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com. This article originally appeared on The Independent: Zachary Fornash, killed by Canton police, celebrated on 25th birthday PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Three people, including two brothers, died and six others were injured in a shooting at a block party early Sunday morning in the Carroll Park section of West Philadelphia, police said. During the block party Sunday, multiple shooters pulled guns after an argument turned physical, investigators said. Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a press conference Monday that no block party permit was issued for the large gathering. "Why is it important to go through that [permit] process?" Parker said. "Because when you do, the leadership of our respective police districts, they then know that there is a propensity for a large gathering to occur on blocks where permits have been issued." Police responded to a call about gunshots shortly after 2 a.m. on the 1200 block of North Alden Street. A 33-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, and two other men died at local hospitals, according to police. "It is never OK to put an entire neighborhood at risk like this," Parker said. "It is not acceptable for people to think that it is somehow OK to come into a neighborhood block party and pull out a gun and just start shooting each other." Parker emphasized that Philadelphia residents need to feel safe. "We won't tolerate this behavior and people are going to be held accountable for these actions to the fullest extent of the law," Parker said. "We will not rest until every resident in every neighborhood feels safe." Two people remain in the hospital, and four others were treated and released, authorities said Monday. "Every shooting and homicide in Philadelphia is painful to me, and my administration will not rest until every resident, in every neighborhood, feels safe in their community," Parker wrote on X Sunday following the shooting. Several cars were also struck by gunfire, police said. Police recovered three guns from the scene, and homicide detectives are investigating; they don't have much information on the shooters, police said. Brandy Avery, who lives nearby, said she and her daughter heard the gunshots. "It's just hard to hear that so many people were hurt," Avery said. "There were so many people, children, adults out there that could have been just innocent bystanders that were hit, hurt." Avery said she hopes the leaders who visited her community on Monday will follow through with their promise to keep neighborhoods safer. "I'm hoping it's a reassurance -- it feels like a reassurance to me. I hope this type of energy keeps up so that the neighborhood would be safe, especially for our children and I'm just waiting to see what kind of protocols and everything they're going to enforce," she said. U.S. Open tennis tournament kicks off next week Turkish TV dramas see rise in worldwide popularity Funeral held for glaciers lost to climate change MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) Three Nashville teenagers were taken into custody Saturday afternoon after Mt. Juliet authorities reportedly caught them in a speeding car. Just before 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, the Mt. Juliet Police Department announced on social media that two 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old who is currently on juvenile probation for a gun charge out were apprehended in a speeding Chrysler 300 on Central Pike. The teens allegedly tried to hide from the officer down a dead-end road. Blue Alert: Suspects wanted after Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper shot in Putnam County According to officials, all of the teens were in possession of two handguns, a ski mask, THC vape cartridges, marijuana, and cash. (Source: Mt. Juliet Police Department) (Source: Mt. Juliet Police Department) Authorities said the teenagers were charged with various crimes, but did not share any additional details about the nature of those charges or the individuals identities. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee Police reported the investigation into the teens criminal activity is still ongoing, adding that both of the guns found Saturday will undergo forensic ballistics testing to determine whether they have been used in crimes around the Nashville area. Our officers work hard every day to push back on the outside criminal influence that passes through our community, the department wrote on X. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE (9:36 p.m.): Neighbors and community activists are speaking out after two people were shot to death at an Airbnb in Toulminville. A neighbor who spoke with WKRG News 5 wished not to be identified as she told us what she heard early Sunday morning. She explained that she was getting ready for bed but was interrupted after hearing multiple rounds of gunfire. It sounded like a bomb exploded, she explained. About ten of them. And then another kind of shot. At first, I thought it was a transmission blowing up. And then after I realized it was another sound, I didnt realize it was a gunshot. I was scared. I had to get up and take one of my heart pills. Activists like Levi Wright Jr. say hes devastated after hearing the news, and now its time to discuss solutions. The first thing that we can do to prevent it is to make sure that we as parents, as church leaders, as community individuals, as well as schoolteachers, everyone in the community, stakeholders, have a voice to help our youth to make clear, sound decisions, Wright said. The neighbor says shes lived in this neighborhood for 55 years, and this is the first time shes seen anything like this, which makes her fear for her safety. It just put me cautious, you know, kind of uneasy and kind of scared to go to bed at night because I dont know, retaliation or what, she explained. When them bullets start flying, I dont know when one is coming to my bedroom. Im not, Im not, Im not sure. As of Sunday night, Mobile Police have not named the victims, and they have not named any suspects or made any arrests. Mobile police said anyone with information on this case can call 251-208-7211 or text anonymous tips to 844-251-0644 or visit mobilepd.org/crimetip. UPDATE (11:10 a.m.): Weve learned more about a homicide investigation on Helveston Street in Toulminville. Today, around 2:50 a.m., officers responded to the report of a shooting at a home used as an Airbnb in the 500 block of Helveston Street, according to a Mobile Police Department news release. Upon arrival, officers discovered three male victims were shot, an MPD spokesperson said. One of the victims was found deceased inside of the residence, while a second victim succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local hospital. The third victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The dead victims names wont be released until the next of kin have been notified, police said. Mobile police said anyone with information on this case can call 251-208-7211 or text anonymous tips to 844-251-0644 or visit mobilepd.org/crimetip. Previous Reporting: MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile Police are investigating after the report of a homicide before dawn Sunday morning. The Mobile County Crime Map shows a homicide call was reported at about 4 a.m. on Helveston Street. When we arrived at 10 am, crime scene tape surrounded a home at the corner of Helveston Street and Edwards Avenue in Toulminville. Mobile Police detectives and uniformed officers combed the property for evidence and seemed to be focusing on the backyard. A crowd gathered in the street, watching police as they worked. Police officers at the scene didnt provide more information about what happened. We reached out to a police spokesman, who said they would have more information shortly. We have not confirmed if anyone has been hurt at this time, but we will update this article as we get more information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. After 35 years of talk and planning, Popps Ferry Road soon will connect to the beach Its only a mile long, yet connecting Popps Ferry Road to U.S. 90 in west Biloxi should dramatically improve traffic and the economic picture for that area of the city, said Mayor Andrew FoFo Gilich. Biloxi Council is expected to vote Tuesday to accept the bid to award the contract and start work on the road project thats been envisioned for decades. Right-of-way acquisition, engineering, design and environmental impact studies are already done. Once the bid is approved, the project will take a few months to get started, Gilich said, and about 24 months to complete. The contract includes a penalty and liquidated damages for thousands of dollars a day if the road isnt complete on time, unless for an approved reason, he said. Necaise Brothers Construction Company of Gulfport, which also is working in Biloxi on the infrastructure project along the beach, was the low bidder. The two bids received for the new road were within $28,000 of each other, Gilich said. There had been talk of a connector road since the 1990s. Two years ago it was identified as my No. 1 priority, the mayor said. The city received funds from Mississippi Department of Transportation and other sources to cover much of the project, but was $7 million short of being able to start. While interest rates were low the city moved ahead. We borrowed some money to make it happen, he said. New road forward The route for the Popps Ferry Extension was decided in 2016, after residents met with state and city officials to select which they thought would work the best for the neighborhood. This aerial shot on July 30, 2015 shows the Coast Coliseum and U.S. 90 in Biloxi looking north. The Popps Ferry Extension will connect from the beach to Popps Ferry Road, veering to the west of the Coliseum parking garage. In 2016, the construction cost estimate was $8 million to $10 million for engineering, land and road construction. Eight years later, the low bid to build the road came in at $20.87 million. The Popps Ferry Extension will connect Pass Road to the north with U.S. 90 at the beach, easing traffic and providing the potential for more development along the route. The new four-lane road will continue Popps Ferry Road south of Pass, between Walgreens and Burger King. It will cross the railroad tracks, veer west away from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum parking garage, then turn slightly east just before connecting to Beach Boulevard. It will have an on-grade railroad crossing rather than a bridge over the train tracks, which would have cost millions more to build. A pedestrian tunnel will connect the parking lots at the coliseum so people wont have to cross the four lanes of traffic and the current traffic light on Beach Boulevard will move slightly west to the new road. Safety is a major deal, said Matt McDonnell, executive director of the Coast Coliseum. Another ingress and egress is positive, he said. Hes also concerned that when crews dissect the parking lot to put in the new road, the schedule of events at the coliseum and convention center is considered. The road work also includes improvements at the intersection of Pass and Popps roads. It is a choke point, Gilich said, especially when there are events at the coliseum and during hurricane evacuations. Thats all been redesigned, he said. Bonus benefits of the road The extension of Popps Ferry is important for more than just traffic flow in that area, Gilich said. Once Popps Ferry Road touches U.S. 90, he said, it will be eligible to be designated a state road. That could result in getting funds for the aging Popps Ferry Bridge and at some point for the Biloxi Beach Connector, linking all the way from Woolmarket, across I-10 to the Margaret Sherry Library and the beach. The city already is seeing economic benefits from the new road, he said. The extension is a big reason why Rouses Market decided to open its new store to the intersection of Popps Ferry and Pass roads, he said, and why a Chick-fil-A is planned there. It also will improve access for the new Keesler Federal Credit Union headquarters, he said, bringing 1,500 jobs just down the road. The exterior of the new grocery store on Pass Road in Biloxi is getting a Rouses Markets look. The store is expected to open this summer. The Coliseum Commission owns most of the land on the east of the new road and land west of the extension will be open for development along the new road, he said. This is a result of planning and efforts, he said, and like the recent completion of the main gate at Keesler Air Force Base, will bring big improvements to the city. Its now a straight shot from I-110 to the main gate at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, and the new boulevard has land for development. **Related Video Above: Expert tips to stay safe in the water ASHTABULA, Ohio (WJW) The U.S. Coast Guard went into action Saturday after receiving a MAYDAY call from a distressed boat on Lake Erie. Watch: 5 boaters found clinging to a cooler in Lake Erie rescued by helicopter The 22-foot sports craft was reportedly taking on water in the Ashtabula area, with four people and two dogs aboard. Photo courtesy USCG Great Lakes Photo courtesy USCG Great Lakes Three Good Samaritan boats and the Ashtabula station were called in to help. The Coast Guard was able to help rescue three people and the two animals, meanwhile the captain stayed aboard. With the help of those on scene, the boat eventually stopped taking on water and was escorted back to Ashtabula Harbor, the Coast Guard said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Former President Donald Trump left the Republican National Convention last week with a powerful political wind at his back after the GOP lined up with unquestioned loyalty in his quest to win back the White House. With no opposition whatsoever, the MAGA leader turned his attempted assassination into political gold as he inspired adulation from thousands of his diehard supporters and even one-time doubters. Trump unveiled Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his vice presidential pick, a mostly well-received selection that would have been a dramatic high point of the gathering before Trump was wounded just two days before the convention. Four nights of glitzy and kitschy stagecraft unfolded in Milwaukee as Democrats continued an epic meltdown over President Biden, who is facing widespread calls from his own party to step aside amid questions over his advanced age and fitness. And yet it could have been even better. Trump capped the RNC by delivering a rambling speech in which he moved away from a planned call for unity and resorted to his usual divisive attacks. Here are four key takeaways from the RNC: Trump bounced back stronger after assassination try The convention started just 48 hours after Trump cheated death when a gunman opened fire on a Pennsylvania campaign rally, a stunning attack that reshaped the event into a compelling showcase of his resilience. Trump used the attempted assassination to inspire a quasi-religious fervor among his supporters and even political allies. He wore an oversized bandage to remind the crowd of his wound and brought the firefighters gear worn by slain rally-goer Corey Comperatore as an emotional prop for his marquee speech. In a tribute to his skills as a political showman, supporters turned Trumps defiant shouts of fight, fight, fight in the moments after the shooting into a mantra at the convention that followed. Its Trumps party now Trump enjoyed near-unanimous support from delegates, a remarkable feat for a man who was once considered toxic by major factions of the Republican Party like its business-friendly wing, naitonal security hawks and even evangelical conservative Christians. The real estate mogul and one-time reality TV star capped an improbable Hollywood-style comeback after he lost badly to Biden four years ago, tried to overturn the election loss by force on Jan. 6, 2021 and was recently convicted of 34 felonies by a jury in the Manhattan hush money trial. Just 18 months ago, he was seen as a political albatross for the GOP and a long shot to win a historic third nod with fresher faces like Nikki Haley and especially Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis calling for him to leave the scene. They wound up being happy to be granted the opportunity to shower Trump with praise at the convention in hopes of salvaging their own futures in the party. Hillbilly Vance grabs No. 2 slot First-term Ohio senator and Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance hit the jackpot when Trump picked him to be his vice presidential running mate. At 39, Vance becomes the heir apparent to Trump atop the MAGA political movement. Win or lose in November, he becomes the instant favorite for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. The selection was mostly well received by delegates, although they were likely to cheer anyone anointed by Trump. By picking Vance, Trump signaled that he doesnt feel he needs to reach out beyond his right-wing political base of white working class voters. Sen. Marco Rubio, another name on his veepstakes short list, would have been the first Latino on a major party ticket and Sen. Tim Scott wouldve vied to be the first Black Republican No. 2. Vances nomination acceptance speech failed to rouse the convention, although some said the lack of applause lines might have been a deliberate effort to avoid upstaging Trump. Rambling speech shows hes same Trump Trump went wheels up back to Mar-a-Lago early Friday as the clear front-runner after what pundits from both sides of the aisle called a remarkably successful convention. But Trump may have missed an golden opportunity to seal an even bigger political victory by failing to pull off a message of reconciliation and unity as he heads into the general election campaign where he will need to win over moderates and swing voters. Trump had said he planned to pitch a new message of national unity after the assassination effort, which he has framed as a life-changing moment. He mouthed lines that should have held more heft like vowing to represent more than just half of America and claiming to humbly ask for the votes of those who have opposed him in the past. But the speech went off the rails as Trump switched back to his usual right-wing attacks on Biden, Democrats and prosecutors, albeit delivered in a low-energy style that resulted in shockingly few ovations or even applause lines. He droned on for a record-setting 92 minutes, going on extended sidebars about his friends and family and even "Silence of the Lambs" serial killer Hannibal Lecter, who has become an inexplicable staple of his stump speech. By the time Trump finished after midnight eastern time, some of the estimated 20 million viewers were likely wondering why they stayed up late to watch the same old show. Here are 5 Indiana ties to Joe Biden's decision to drop out of 2024 presidential race President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, becoming the first sitting commander and chief to do so in more than 50 years. Its another historic bit of news in a massively chaotic election cycle. And as usual, this giant national story has ties to Indiana. Here are some examples. U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Cali., a 2020 democratic presidential candidate, addresses the crowd during her speech on the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. Potential new nominee Kamala Harris slated to speak in Indianapolis days from now During his announcement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic nominee. Harris is currently scheduled to address members of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indianapolis on Wednesday. If the engagement stands, it will draw even more attention than before. A former Indiana mayor could find himself on the ticket We wont know whether Harris nabs the nomination until next month, when the Democratic National Committee holds its possibly chaotic convention in Chicago. Delegates and party leaders will have to select a running mate, as well. And that could end up being former South Bend mayor and current U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, one of the most well-known members of Bidens cabinet. That possibility, though, seems remote. According to a Washington Post-ABC News Ipsos poll earlier this month, about 3% of Democrats named him as their choice to replace Biden should he step down. That put him well behind Harris, who nabbed 29%, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who came in at 7%. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, left, greets Manette Vanwinkle of Cannelton, Ind., at Julies Tell Street Cafe in Tell City, Ind., Wednesday afternoon, April 13, 2022. Pundits have also mentioned Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear as a potential VP pick, even though he's never spoken publicly about it. Biden and Beshear toured tornado-ravaged Dawson Springs, Kentucky together together in 2021, and in a statement on Sunday, Beshear simultaneously lauded the president and his decision to step aside. (Biden's) leadership provided infrastructure investments that are bringing clean drinking water and high-speed internet to parts of Kentucky that for far too long had been overlooked and underserved, he said in part. The last time a president dropped out, an Indiana governor stepped in Lyndon Johnson ended his 1968 campaign on March 31, 1968 also a Sunday as trouble around Vietnam and uprisings in his own party forced his hand. That was about a month before Indianas May 7 primary. And despite his exit, Johnson wanted a stand-in in the race to push his policies. He chose none other than Indiana Gov. Roger Branigin, who ultimately finished a distant second to Robert F. Kennedy. Less than a month later, an assassin fatally shot Kennedy at a hotel in Los Angeles. An Evansville mayor tried to play a role the last time this happened Speaking of chaotic conventions, none were more wild and awful than the 1968 DNC which, like this year's convention, took place in Chicago. On the orders of Mayor Richard Daley, swarms of police ruthlessly beat anti-war protesters, journalists and bystanders amassed outside the convention hall, sending the city careening into anarchy. There was unrest inside, too only without the blood and brutality. Despite the pleas of other wings of the party, Democrats eventually nominated Vice President Hubert Humphrey to run in Johnsons place. One person who opposed that? Former Evansville Mayor Vance Hartke. Hartke, who by that time had vaulted to the U.S. Senate, ripped Humphrey at the convention, telling reporters hed be a disaster for the entire Democratic ticket in Indiana. He supported the slain Robert Kennedy who, had he been alive, would have cruised to the nomination, Hartke said. Instead, they were left with a vacuum and a tyranny of fear. Policeman and other guards are in the hotels, hallways and along the streets, he told reporters. I dont like to be involved in something like this. Theres a threat of anarchy and repression. Humphrey went on to lose to Richard Nixon. Birch Bayh speaks at Central Catholic in Lafayette on November 30, 1972. An Indiana senator could have changed the whole look of this race One of the reasons Biden dropped out was his increasingly narrowing road to victory over Donald Trump in key swing states. But if an Indiana senator would have had his way in the 1960s, swing states wouldnt matter. Because the Electoral College wouldnt exist. Sen. Birch Bayh spent years trying to kill the Electoral College, which disenfranchises liberal voters in conservative states and conservative voters in liberal states and ultimately hurls the outcome of the election into the hands of a tiny slice of the populace. Instead, he wanted the presidential election to operate like every other election: whoever gets the most votes wins. According to Indiana Public Media, Birch launched the effort after Alabama Gov. George Wallace a racist who nonetheless enjoyed support in several pockets of the U.S., including Indiana won five states in 1968 as a third-party candidate. Bayh worried someone like Wallace could lead to a locked Electoral College and thereby throw the outcome to pit of the U.S. House of Representatives, who would then choose the winner. He called for a constitutional amendment to end the Electoral College. And despite its passage in the Senate in 1969 and 80% of Americans supporting it, it ultimately died in Congress thanks to filibusters by southern Democrats. He never got another crack, and it persists to this day. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Here are 5 Indiana ties to Joe Biden's decision to drop out A new generation of Democrats is angling to challenge former President Donald Trump now that President Joe Biden has announced he wont seek a second term. Popular governors, including Michigans, are among the crop of rising stars in the party. Heres a look at a some of the most frequently mentioned names with national ticket potential: US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Westover High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on July 18, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris: She made history in 2020 as the first female vice president and would eclipse that in the Oval Office. More than 81 million Americans voted to place her a heartbeat away from the presidency. She's already a national figure and has served as a California senator and attorney general. As a former prosecutor, she would form a stark contrast with Trump, who awaits sentencing on 34 felony convictions in New York. One downside could be her home state. California votes reliably Democratic so it doesn't provide a boost in any of the contested swing states most likely to decide the election. Former US First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during the opening night ceremony of the 2023 US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 28, 2023. Michelle Obama: The former first lady and bestselling author has degrees from Princeton and Harvard Law School. She logs consistently high approval ratings and has built-in name recognition across the country and abroad. Her husband, Barack Obama, was the first Black president and she would provide another historic first as a woman. The downside is she's never held elected office and has said repeatedly that she has no interest in running for president. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) appears with a group of fellow democrats to speak to reporters in the spin room following the CNN Presidential Debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the McCamish Pavilion on the Georgia Institute of Technology campus on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. California Gov. Gavin Newsom: As leader of America's largest state, he boasts ties to Silicon Valley and Hollywood, two major sources of money and influence in Democratic politics. Newsom has been active on the campaign trail nationwide, stumping for both Biden and other Democrats. Like Harris, his California roots aren't likely to provide a boost in swing states in the heartland. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks to the press after the second and final gubernatorial debate at Oakland University in Rochester on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: "Big Gretch" also would make history as the first female president. She has been boosting her national profile with TV appearances, meetings with donors and a new biography "True Gretch." She has formed a political action committee called Fight Like Hell to help elect like-minded candidates. As the target of a kidnapping plot, she can speak personally about the dangers of political polarization. She has won twice in a highly contested state that could help determine the election. One potential downside is she's not as well known as Newsom and others on this list. But she is known to Trump, who as president referred to her as "that woman in Michigan," during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the governor's public health actions shutting down much of the state. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro arrives to deliver remarks at the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 2024 Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton on April 24, 2024 in Washington, DC. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro: Like Whitmer, Shapiro is a proven winner in a highly contested state that is pivotal in the Electoral College map. He brings heartland vibes to a party dominated by the coasts. One downside: He trails Newsom and possibly Whitmer in name recognition nationwide. Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker speaks during the WisDems 2024 State Convention on June 08, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker: A former private equity executive and an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune, Pritzker's net worth is estimated to be $3.5 billion, according to Forbes. He bankrolled a PAC to support abortion rights ballot measures around the country. His sister, Penny Pritzker, served as commerce secretary in the Obama administration. Like Harris and Newsom, he comes from a normally reliably Democratic state, albeit a Midwestern one. Kentucky incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is joined by his wife, Britainy Beshear (R), Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman (C-L) and his family as he delivers his victory speech to a crowd at an election night event at Old Forrester's Paristown Hall on November 7, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear: The son of a former Kentucky governor, Beshear has won twice as a Democrat in a state that went 62% for Trump in 2020. He'd bring heartland credentials to the ticket. Like Whitmer, he has formed a PAC and traveled the country to stump for other Democrats but he struggles with name recognition. A recent nationwide poll of Democrats showed 70% had never heard of him. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 7 Democrats who could replace President Joe Biden in presidential race President Joe Bidens decision to drop his re-election bid and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris means Democrats have to choose a running mate for Harris, assuming she wins the Democratic nomination for president. Here are six of the most likely candidates at least according to political analysts plus one wild card. With two exceptions, theyre all statewide office holders in potential swing states, meaning they could help Democrats pick up a chunk of electoral college votes from the voters who know them best. Theyre also all white, and are mostly men, reflecting a conventional wisdom that it might be smart politics to have demographic balance on a ticket led by Harris, a Black and Asian-American woman. One name not on the list: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who shares a home state for Harris. Under the Constitution, electors from California would not be able to vote for both Harris and Newsom, and both would definitely need Californias 54 electoral votes to hit the 270-vote mark. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Whitmer, 52, has been the governor of Michigan since 2019, and previously served in the Michigan Senate and as a local prosecutor. Her sweeping reelection victory in 2022, built on a relentless focus on protecting abortion rights, resulted in total Democratic control of state government for the first time in decades. That made her a darling of Democratic operatives, who think she could replicate her campaign on a national level. And of course, she could bring with her votes in Michigan, a crucial swing state for Democrats. The big question facing her potential selection: Would the party, still scarred by Hillary Clintons loss in 2016, nominate two women on the same ticket? The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during Wednesday's July 10, 2024 show. CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Shapiro, a moderate who romped to victory in 2022 over a weak GOP nominee, has long been considered a potential first Jewish president. Like Whitmer, he hails from a must-win state for the party. And at just 51 years old, hes also quite young; that contrast could be key if Democrats decide to emphasize Trumps age, given hes now that hes the oldest candidate for the presidency. With six years experience as an attorney general under his belt, Shapiro would amount to doubling down on one of Harris biggest potential strengths: her record as a Democrat willing to be tough on crime. Shapiro is relatively inexperienced as a high-profile government executive, having only served for two years as governor. But with Trumps selection of JD Vance who only has two years of experience in the Senate as his own running mate, that may be less of an issue. Hes also a supporter of school voucher programs, which could alienate teachers unions an important part of the Democratic base. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Cooper, age 67, is another moderate governor with experience as a state attorney general. Hes been the one Democrat consistently able to crack North Carolinas complicated political code turning out Black voters, winning the suburbs, keeping the GOPs rural margins down in the biggest races in recent years. He has a record of bipartisan wins, such as working with GOP state officials to finally expand Medicaid. However, compared to Michigan and Pennsylvania, North Carolina is not seen as a must-win state for the Democratic Party. And in conversations with Democratic leaders, Cooper does not necessarily set hearts aflutter, compared to Whitmer and Shapiro. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper speaks during a even with US President Joe Biden about his Investing in America agenda at the Wilmington Convention Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, on May 2, 2024. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly Kelly, 60, is a former naval aviator and astronaut who defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Martha McSally in 2020 to represent one of the purplest states in the U.S. His wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), is a high-profile gun control advocate who barely survived a 2011 shooting in which six people were killed. As a senator, Kelly has voted as a moderate, repeatedly breaking with Biden on a range of issues, including border security. With Republicans planning to attack Harris on immigration, Kellys bona fides on the issue could make him an attractive selection. I tell them when I think theyre not getting stuff right, like in this case. Theres no plan, Kelly told Politico in 2022, regarding Bidens plan to stop a policy for expelling migrants that had been put in place by Donald Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic. A downside: If he wins, the party will be at risk of losing his seat in the 2026 midterm elections. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Beshear, who has won two terms in one of the countrys reddest states, has proven Democrats do not necessarily need to run away from socially liberal positions: His campaign was built on protecting abortion rights, and he also successfully fended off attacks on transgender rights in his 2023 reelection. Beshear, who is just 46 years old, is also a former attorney general and the son of a former governor. Compared to the other governors on this list, however, he hails from a state wholly irrelevant to Democrats Electoral College strategy. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who is running for reelection, speaks to reporters following a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a new section of highway in 2023. Lexington Herald-Leader via Getty Images Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Buttigieg has been the face of the Biden administrations transportation policy, tasked with handling crises such as the 2023 East Palestine train derailment and a surge of flight cancellations in 2022. Buttigieg pushed a crackdown on airlines over flight delays last year, and this year hes pushed a new rule requiring refunds for flight cancellations. Buttigieg is also a skilled speaker, both on the stump and in TV interviews, and was, like Harris, one of Bidens top rivals in the 2020 Democratic primary. That campaign catapulted the Navy veteran onto the national stage after hed served eight years as Mayor Pete in South Bend, Ind. Mark Cuban Heres the wild card. Cuban, a 65-year-old billionaire and one of the sharks on Shark Tank, has long mused about getting into politics. Hes been active on social media in recent months sparring with Trump-supporting billionaires, and has also won over fans with an online pharmacy offering generic drugs at low cost. If Harris wants an out-of-the-box choice, he could end up on a short list. Related... If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. Today came as a shock for many. President Joe Biden has dropped out of the Presidential race. He announced on the website X, formerly known as Twitter, saying My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. More from SheKnows Today's Top Deals Along with that, he officially endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next President. She was the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to hold national office by a major party; and now, if the DNC accepts this, she could be the Democratic delegate. For those who need a recap on who she is outside of politics, look below: She is the daughter of immigrants Kamala Devi Harris was born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland California to Shyamala Gopalan Harris and Donald Harris. Her father was a renowned economics professor at Stanford and her mother was a leading cancer researcher. Before coming to the US, her father grew up in Jamaica and her mother was raised in India. She inspired a childrens book Kamala Harris niece, Meena Harris is the author of Kamala and Mayas Big Idea an inspiring tale about two sisters who work with their community to inspire change. The idea for the book was inspired by a true story from Kamala Harris childhood. Image: HarperCollins. Kamala and Mayas Big Idea Price: $18.99 $18.99 Buy On Amazon She has written three books In addition to inspiring a childrens book, Kamala Harris also wrote one of her own called Superheroes Are Everywhere. She is also the author of The Truths We Hold: An American Journey and Smart on Crime. Image: Philomel Books. Superheroes Are Everywhere Price: $17.99 $15.79 Buy On Amazon She wants to give every new parent six months of paid leave When Harris was running for president, she proposed the most generous family leave policy of all the candidates. As part of her Childrens Agenda, Harris wants to extend the current Family and Medical Leave Act that allows all U.S. workers 12 weeks of unpaid leave to allow all new parents and caretakers six months of paid leave. Shes a stepmother Harris married her husband Douglas Emhoff in 2014. Emhoff has two adult children named Cole and Ella who lovingly call Harris Momala. She loves dogs While Harris herself doesnt own a pet, she is quite fond of them and warmly welcomes them into her office. Dogs are always welcome in my Senate office here are a few paw-licy advisors who regularly stop by. #NationalPetDay pic.twitter.com/vVbriFTlg5 Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 11, 2019 She attended middle school and high school in Montreal When Harris mom got a teaching job in Montreal while she was in middle school, Harris left with her mom to attend school in Canada. After high school, Harris left Canada to attend college in Washington D.C. She became the first Black woman in California to be elected district attorney Harris ran for district attorney in San Francisco in 2003 against her former boss and incumbent Terence Hallinan. She was elected with 56.5 percent of the vote and became the states first Black female district attorney. A version of this story was originally published in August 2020. Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think youll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. Before you got, click here to see more weddings that took place at the White House. More Top Deals from SheKnows Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. As the calls for Joe Biden to exit the 2024 presidential race continue, so to have the scenarios for what happens after that. Aaron Sorkin, the creator of The West Wing, offered what would be a West Wing-esque path for the party. More from Deadline In an op ed in The New York Times on Sunday, Sorkin wrote that theres something the Democrats can do that would not just put a lump in peoples throats with its appeal to stop-Donald-Trump-at-all-costs unity, but with its originality and sense of sacrifice. So heres my pitch to the writers room: The Democratic Party should pick a Republican. At their convention next month, the Democrats should nominate Mitt Romney. Romney, a Republican, is retiring from the Senate after this term, but has said that he is not voting for his partys nominee, Donald Trump. Sorkins call for Romney as the nominee was greeted with some ridicule on social media, as too much of a bit of fan fiction, but he defended the idea as a clear and powerful demonstration that this election isnt about what our elections are usually about it, but about stopping a deranged man from taking power. Surely Mr. Romney, who doesnt have to be introduced to voters, would peel off enough Republican votes to win, probably by a lot, Sorkin wrote. The double haters would be turned into single haters and the Nikki Haley voters would have somewhere to go, Ms. Haley having disqualified herself when she endorsed the leader of an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government. The latest senator to call for Biden to withdraw is Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) who, in Sunday show interviews, called for the president to pass the torch. He told Face the Nation, Before the convention, I believe there could be an open primary process, and let the cream rise. He singled out two Democratic governors in neighboring states, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, as rising stars. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), though, said that he still supported Biden. He is still in this race. He will be our nominee if he stays in the race, Clyburn said. And I think all of us should look for ways to coalesce around that candidacy. Sorkin wrote in his essay, Part of the wish fulfillment of The West Wing was that oratory can be persuasive. So Barack Obama could come forth at the Democratic convention next month in Chicago and remind us, once again, that were not red states and blue states but the United States by full-throatedly endorsing his old rival. And Mr. Romney could make the case that the Democrats are putting country before party in ways that the MAGA movement will not, and announce his bipartisan cabinet picks at the convention as well. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (KRON) A heated exchange between Elon Musk and Senator Scott Wiener ensued on X over AB1955, a law that supports LGBTQ youth by increasing support for students, including allowing California school districts to choose not to disclose a childs sexual orientation to their parent. The exchange started on Tuesday. Musk reposted an article announcing AB1955s passing, commenting, The state will take away your kids in California. For the following days, Musk hunkered down on his stance, claiming the goal of this diabolical law is to break the parent-child relationship and put the state in charge of your children. Major problem. This California law should be repealed, Musk said, later also announcing that X will be moving its headquarters from California to Texas. PG&E shuts off power to customers in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin counties In reply, Wiener defended the bill by claiming California is responsible for much of Musks success and that Elon Musk is a textbook example of why kids shouldnt be forced to come out to their parents. Wiener continued, Will this be a fake temper tantrum move just like Teslas fake move to Texas? The following day, after reposting an article of the news that Musk will be moving X headquarters, Wiener said the following: Ive long supported keeping tech here & I take plenty of heat for that. But a company HQing here doesnt mean its CEO gets to decide if LGBTQ Californians have civil rights. If protecting LGBTQ kids safety is too much for Elon, that says way more about him than about SF & CA. On Thursday, Wiener shared a large series of direct messages he received from X users accusing him of pedophilia, berating him with homophobic and racial insults and accusing him of being a child molester, among other accusations. X is often a toxic cesspool for LGBTQ people, but the last few days have been really something. The DMs & replies attached in this thread are only a sampling of whats coming my way & accelerated after I spoke out against Elons dangerous comments about LGBTQ rights, Wiener said. By Friday, in an article claiming JK Rowling an internationally recognized author known for writing the Harry Potter series believes gender dysphoria is best solved by enduring puberty, Musk reposted the article and said jk_rowling is absolutely right! Almost every child goes through some kind of identity crisis during puberty. It is deeply wrong to make them permanently infertile with puberty blockers. If they still wish to transition as adults, provided they are fully informed of the risks, they can then make decisions as consenting adults. On the same day, Musk reposted a political cartoon depicting a parent who does not allow their child to get a tattoo because it is too permanent. After reposting a tweet on the dangers of the law on Saturday, Musk also accused Wiener of the following: AB 1955, authored by pedophile-apologist Scott Wiener and which @GavinNewsom just signed into law in California, is a child predators dream, Musk said. In reply to Musk, Wiener said Musk joins Donald Trump Jr., Ted Cruz & Marjorie Taylor Greene (she called me a communist groomer) in calling me a pedophile b/c I think the lives of LGBTQ kids have value & shouldnt be destroyed, he continued, Bigots like Elon have said this about gay men forever. It instigates violence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Adidas has pulled images of supermodel Bella Hadid, whos of Palestinian descent, from its campaign for a retro sneaker inspired by the 1972 Munich Olympics, during which Palestinian attackers infiltrated the Olympic village and killed 11 Israeli athletes. The German-based sportswear company confirmed on Friday it was revising its promotional strategy for the SL72 shoe following fierce backlash sparked by 27-year-old Hadids involvement. Criticism quickly mounted in the days since the campaign appeared online earlier this week, with Israels official account on X leading the charge. Guess who the face of their campaign is? the government asked. Bella Hadid, a half-Palestinian model who has a history of spreading antisemitism and calling for violence against Israelis and Jews. She and her father frequently promote blood libels and antisemitic conspiracies against Jews, the post continued. It also referenced the deadly terrorist attack that took place during the Munich Olympics. On Sept. 5, 1972, eight Palestinians affiliated with the militant group Black September took 11 Israeli Olympic athletes hostage and called for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli and German prisons. While authorities managed to kill five of the eight militants, their rescue attempts were unsuccessful. The American Jewish Committee also took issue with Adidas decision to feature Hadid, saying the use of a vocal anti-Israel model to recall this dark Olympics is either a massive oversight or intentionally inflammatory. Neither is acceptable, it added in a post on X. In response to the backlash, Adidas issued a statement on Friday, saying, We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events though these are completely unintentional and we apologize for any upset or distress caused. The images featuring Hadid were then quickly scrubbed from the companys social media channels. In the wake of Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 which sparked a deadly retaliatory attack Hadid has been vocal in her support of Palestinians living in the besieged Gaza Strip. She has also donated to campaigns dedicated to providing support for those trapped on the strip. Hadid has not commented on the Adidas controversy. The Originals SL72 running shoe campaign was launched on Monday and also features Jules Kounde, rapper A$AP Nast, musician Melissa Bon and model Sabrina Lan. Adidas described the sneaker as a silhouette initially crafted for road running and retro-inspired classic with effortless appeal. Say it ain't so Joe: A look at Joe Bidens intertwined history with Delaware, the nation Love him or hate him, Joe Biden's long political career has had an impact on the nation and his adopted Delaware. Here is a look back the 81-year-old's impact. Through a half-century of life in public service, from his shocking upset of a Republican incumbent in his first Senate run to his years as Barack Obama's right-hand man, Joe Biden has helped reshape Delaware politics while playing a significant role in the course of the nation at-large. Biden's lengthy track record reveals several gaffes that have drawn attacks from rivals throughout the election cycle. But it also shows many significant achievements, including the highest award a civilian can obtain. Jan. 12, 2017: President Barack Obama (right) presents the Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden during an event in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. More: Biden defined: The key issues and events that made Delaware's favorite son Joe Biden's political life has been defined by tragedy. Just weeks before Biden was to be sworn in as a U.S. senator in 1972, his wife Neila and his daughter, Naomi, died in a horrific car accident. Then, decades later, in 2015, Biden's son Beau, Delaware's attorney general, died of brain cancer. The death of his son ultimately diverted Biden's initial plans to run for president in 2016. More: How Joe Biden's political life has been bookmarked by tragedy Joe Biden's first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden, is mostly remembered for the car accident that killed her and the couple's baby daughter and enveloped her husband in a cloud of grief that has shaped his life. But what might not be so well-remembered is she was the woman who helped Biden make his first big splash onto the national political scene. U.S. Sen. Edward "Ted " Kennedy (front) appears at a Sept. 30, 1972, campaign event at Turners Hall in Wilmington to support local Democratic candidates, including Senate candidate Joe Biden (left), with his wife Neilia. Photo by Fred Comegys/ The News Journal More: Neilia Hunter Biden, the brains behind Joe Biden's first victories There's no question the Bidens are Delaware's most famous family. As Joe Biden prepared to begin his term as the 46th president, his family was by his side the entire way. Here's the who's who of the Biden family. More: Joe Biden's family tree: An introduction to Delaware's most famous family In the weeks before his expected announcement of a presidential run, Joe Biden began taking heat for a stance hes held since the 1970s against busing children to achieve racially balanced public schools. A freshman Delaware senator when Wilmingtons school desegregation plan was being fought out in federal court, he vocally opposed busing as an integration method. In his campaign in a Democratic field crowded with progressive candidates, that stance got renewed national attention and criticism. An especially pointed attack came during the debates from California Sen. Kamala Harris now Biden's vice president. News Journal archival story on July 10, 1974 of Biden being heckled by suburban busing opponents in 1974 More: Joe Biden's complicated opposition to busing for school desegregation In 1970, one of the highest-ranking Democrats in all of Delaware was a guy who had just won his first seat on New Castle County Council. He was a 28-year-old with a young family and budding law career. He was a self-described political novice, who at one time thought being on the county council meant long meetings in the state capital of Dover. A vintage Biden campaign pin, featuring a stylish mullet. More: 'Meat on the bone': How Joe Biden changed Delaware politics Joe Biden, Delawares most famous adopted son and the highest U.S. political officeholder in state history, wasn't done making history after serving as vice president. The gregarious politician who climbed from a seat on New Castle County Council to become an influential U.S. senator, sat out the race after serving two terms as Barack Obama's vice president. Then in 2019, he announced he was running for the White House. More: The story of Joe Biden, Delaware's most prominent politician In some ways, the Democratic presidential primary started and ended in Delaware. It began April 25, 2019, when Biden announced he was running for president for a third time, telling the country in a video that he would help repair the soul of the nation as president. Hours later, he answered a scrum of reporters' questions at Gianni's Pizza in Trolley Square. And it ended in April 2020, in Delaware, as Biden became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, following Sen. Bernie Sanders dropping out of the race. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Biden spent weeks campaigning for the highest office in the land out of his basement in his Wilmington home. More: A look back at Joe Biden's run for president: How the primary started and ended in Delaware It sometimes feels like you just can't escape Joe Biden in Delaware. Photos of him with business owners are in shops across the state, our I-95 welcome center and Wilmington's Amtrak station are both named for him and, well, he just might be where you're headed later today. In a small state like Delaware where everyone seems to know each other, Biden is easily spotted whenever he is out and about in his home state, which is often. More: Top 10 places to bump into Joe Biden in Delaware Joe Biden the former vice president for the country's first Black president gave a speech during the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Wilmington the majority-Black city that gave him his political start and taught him about race in America. "There's a saying in our community where he's the homeboy," local business owner Holland Raulston Jr. said. "In his heart, he's a fair man. He was raised among Black men in this city." August 17, 2020; Wilmington, DE, USA; Wilmingtonian Holland Raulston Jr. holds a photograph from when he met Joe Biden many years ago in the city. "I think of Joe Biden as a homeboy," said Raulston Jr. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Habraken/Delaware News Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK That close relationship between Biden and the local Black community has become the stuff of legend. More: A generational divide: Black residents in Wilmington speak their minds on Joe Biden Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. became the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, sworn in to an office that had eluded him for decades at the site of a violent insurrection just two weeks before. He took the oath of office with his history-making vice president, Kamala Harris, on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where on Jan. 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed into the halls of Congress, creating a dark day in American history. More: President Biden: Longtime Delaware leader now takes the nations helm From left, Douglas Emhoff, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jill Biden and President-elect Joe Biden look down the National Mall as lamps are lit to honor the nearly 400,000 American victims of the coronavirus pandemic at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington. As the nation's capital has become a fortress city of roadblocks, barricades and 20,000 National Guard members due to heightened security around Biden's inauguration, 400 lights were placed around the Reflecting Pool to honor the nearly 400,000 Americans killed by COVID-19. More: Biden defined: The key issues and events that made Delaware's favorite son This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 election: A look at his time in Delaware Airlines are falling in love again with the Airbus A380. Here's every route flown by the world's largest passenger jet. Several airlines ditched the Airbus A380 during the pandemic. But it's still soaring high, led by Emirates' fleet of 118 superjumbos. Business Insider compiled a list of every airline operating the A380 and all the routes flown. Airbus took decades to develop the A380 a project announced in 1990 to compete with the Boeing 747. When the airliner first entered service with Singapore Airlines in 2007, it became the world's largest passenger jet. But the high operational costs of the four-engine jet prompted carriers including Air France, Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines to ditch the A380 during or after the pandemic. Now, airlines seem to be falling back in love with the superjumbo. Lufthansa retired all 14 of its A380s during the pandemic but has brought back eight of them since 2022. Etihad plans to reactivate a sixth jet by the end of the year, ahead of a new A380 route to Singapore. Global Airlines, a British startup, has already acquired one A380 formerly owned by China Southern as part of its plan to fly between London Gatwick and New York's JFK airport. Based on data from Ch-aviation of every A380, cross-referenced with Flightradar24, Business Insider has compiled a list of every airline operating the A380 and the routes they've been flying this summer. Ten airlines operate the A380, with Emirates flying far more than any other carrier. Here's what all 82 routes look like on the map. Created with Datawrapper If you're looking for the A380 routes closest to you, try this interactive map. 1. Emirates An Emirates flight attendant behind the bar on an A380. Pete Syme/Business Insider Dubai's airline is by far the world's largest operator of the A380. Emirates has 118, 28 of which are in storage or maintenance, Ch-aviation reported. This means Emirates operates 61% of the world's active A380s. Other Middle Eastern airlines are luxurious, but Emirates' Airbus A380 is perhaps the most opulent. In business class, you can visit the bar or even book a shower. Emirates' plethora of planes comes with a similarly broad route map. Brace yourself for an extensive list. Emirates flies the A380 between Dubai and Amman, Jordan; Amsterdam; Auckland, New Zealand; Bangkok; Barcelona; Bengaluru, India; Birmingham, England; Brisbane, Australia; Cairo; Casablanca, Morocco; Denpasar, Indonesia; Dusseldorf, Germany; Frankfurt, Germany; Glasgow, Scotland; Hong Kong; Houston; Istanbul; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Johannesburg; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; London Gatwick; London Heathrow; Los Angeles; Madrid; Manchester, England; Melbourne, Australia; Milan; Moscow; Mumbai, India; New York; Nice, France; Osaka, Japan; Paris (CDG); Perth, Australia; Port Louis, Mauritius; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Rome; San Francisco; Sao Paulo; Seoul; Singapore; Sydney; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo Narita; Toronto; Vienna; Washington, DC; and Zurich. Emirates also serves Christchurch, New Zealand via Sydney as a fifth-freedom flight. That's a total of 48 destinations. 2. Singapore Airlines A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images The launch customer of the superjumbo jet has the second-most A380s, but the airline actually operates fewer of these models than the third-place carrier. Singapore Airlines has a fleet of 13, per data from Ch-aviation. But two of these A380s are on maintenance, and another is in storage. Singapore Airlines is one of just 10 airlines in the world to receive a five-star rating from Skytrax. Skytrax named Singapore Airlines' business class the world's second-best behind Qatar Airways. The airline offers enormous suites, which have both an armchair and a bed, on its A380s. Two of these can also be uniquely combined to create a double bed. Singapore flies the A380 between Singapore Changi Airport and Delhi, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London Heathrow and Sydney. 3. British Airways A British Airways Airbus A380 approaching to London Heathrow Airport. Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images British Airways has 12 Airbus A380s, and all but one are active. The airline's business class was ranked 15th by Skytrax this year. BA launched a $9 billion "transformation program" in March, which includes retrofitting its A380s with an upgraded first class and is expected to debut next year. "The A380 is an important part of our fleet and rightfully, incredibly popular with our customers," Neil Chernoff, BA's chief planning and strategy officer, told Business Insider in March. Behind Emirates, BA offers the second-highest number of destinations. If you're in the US, it could be your best chance to fly on the superjumbo. BA flies the A380 between London Heathrow and Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Johannesburg; Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Singapore, and Washington, DC. 4. Qatar Airways A Qatar Airways Airbus A380. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images Qatar Airways cleaned up at this year's Skytrax awards, winning both best airline and best business class. Like Emirates, the airline's A380 includes a bar for business-class passengers. It also has huge bathrooms but no showers. The A380s also aren't equipped with its flagship business-class product, QSuite, which you'll find on the A350 and Boeing 777 and 787. Following delays to the Boeing 777X, Qatar reversed plans to retire the A380. Its former CEO, Akbar Al-Bakar, said in 2021 that buying the planes was a "big mistake," given its high operating costs. However, on the sidelines of July's Farnborough Airshow, Qatar's new CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said the quad-engine is getting a second life. "His Excellency, maybe he gave this comment years ago based on the situation of the industry, but today it's different," he said, referring to Al-Bakar. Qatar has 10 A380s, but two are in storage. The airline operates the A380 between Doha and Bangkok, London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Perth and Sydney in Australia. 5. Qantas A Qantas Airbus A380. Sebastian Kahnert/Getty Images Qantas has 10 A380s. One is in storage and three are being serviced, per Ch-aviation. The airline's A380s fly from Sydney to Los Angeles and Singapore, with some continuing to London Heathrow. The A380 is sometimes used instead of the Boeing 787 on flights QF93 and QF94 from Melbourne to Los Angeles. A severe storm warning and "incredibly high" demand during Taylor Swift's Australian tour in February saw Qantas use a standby A380 to fly Swifties from Melbourne to Sydney. 6. Etihad The Residence's bedroom on board an Etihad A380. Etihad Airways via Getty Images Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is the third operator in the Middle East, but it is often overshadowed by Emirates and Qatar. That's the case with its A380 fleet, too. The airline has 10 A380s, but one is on maintenance, and five are in storage. It's the only airline with at least half its superjumbo jets in storage. But Etihad's A380s are unique as they offer the most extravagant ticket in commercial aviation: The Residence. For $24,000, you can book the only three-room suite on an airliner, complete with a bedroom and shower. Etihad flies its A380s from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow and New York (JFK). Two new destinations are also on the horizon: Paris from November 1, and Singapore from February 1, 2025. Etihad plans for one of its jets in storage to be reactivated before the start of next year. "We will have our sixth A380 online next year as we build our capacity further to cater for the travel needs of our guests," said CEO Antonoaldo Neves in a press release. 7. Korean Air A Korean Air Airbus A380. Matej Divizna/Getty Images Korean Air is one of four airlines on this list, and 10 around the world, to be rated five stars by Skytrax. The airline has nine A380s, but four are in storage, Ch-aviation data indicated. Korean Air's superjumbo jets go from Incheon International Airport Seoul to Los Angeles and JFK. But four-engined jets are falling out of favor. CEO Walter Cho told FlightGlobal in 2021 that its A380s would be retired by 2026 and its Boeing 747s retired by 2031. 8. Lufthansa A Lufthansa Airbus A380. Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images The German flag carrier is the second European operator of the A380. Lufthansa has eight A380s, six of which are active. The airline appears to prefer the only other double-decker passenger jet. Lufthansa has 26 Boeing 747 jets the most of any passenger airline, according to Ch-aviation data Lufthansa initially retired all 14 of its A380s during the pandemic before changing its mind as travel bounced back. The other six were sold back to Airbus, Airways Magazine reported last year. Even with the third-least A380s in the skies, Lufthansa operates quite a few routes. Like BA, they mostly go to the US. Its A380s go between Munich and: Boston, Delhi, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), and Washington, DC. 9. Asiana Airlines An Asiana Airlines Airbus A380. FG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Asiana Airlines has six A380s, one of which is undergoing maintenance, according to Ch-aviation. During the pandemic, Asiana flew empty superjumbos to keep its pilots certified, Bloomberg reported in 2020. The second Seoul-based carrier on this list, Asiana plans to merge with Korean Air. The airline is awaiting regulatory approval, but Cho told Bloomberg he expects full approval by October. The combined entity could have 15 A380s, the second-most behind Emirates, but Cho has also spoken of plans to retire the A380 by 2026. Until then, Asiana flies the A380 from Seoul to Los Angeles and Tokyo Narita. 10. All Nippon Airways A ceremony celebrated the delivery of ANA's first A380 in 2019. JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images ANA is the newest customer of the Airbus A380, with its first delivered in 2019. The Japanese airline has three, which are only used between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu. ANA is another five-star airline, with an impressive business-class product. But you'll need to fly on a Boeing 777 to experience "The Room" or in first class, "The Suite," which includes a 43-inch TV. 12. Global Airlines Global Airlines hopes to start operating in 2025. Global Airlines Hi Fly Malta also has an A380, per Ch-aviation data. The charter airline is a subsidiary of the Portuguese airline Hi Fly and has been working with Global Airlines. Global Airlines hopes to fly the superjumbo jet between London Gatwick and New York JFK, but its plans have been questioned due to the high cost of operating the A380. The airline completed its first transatlantic flight in May ferrying its A380 from California to Glasgow via a stop in Montreal. The 11-year-old jet, formerly owned by China Southern Airlines, had been sitting in a Mojave boneyard and is being refurbished. Global Airlines plans to acquire another three A380s, with ambitions to start flights next year. Read the original article on Business Insider Transport providers, businesses and governments on Saturday are rushing to get all their systems back online after long disruptions following a widespread technology outage. The biggest continuing effect has been on air travel. Carriers canceled thousands of flights on Friday and now have many of their planes and crews in the wrong place, while airports facing continued problems with checking in and security. At the heart of the massive disruption is CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm that provides software to scores of companies worldwide. The company says the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows, noting that the issue behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack. With their tightly timed, interwoven schedules and complex technology systems, many big airlines struggle to stay on time when everything goes well. It perhaps was not surprising that the industry was among the hardest hit by the outage, with crews and planes caught out of position. By mid-afternoon Saturday on the East Coast, airlines around the world had canceled more than 2,000 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That was down from 5,100-plus cancellations on Friday. About 1,600 of Saturdays canceled flights occurred in the United States, where carriers scrambled to get planes and crews back into position after massive disruptions the day before. According to travel data provider Cirium, U.S. carriers canceled about 3.5 percent of their scheduled flights for Saturday. Delta Air Lines canceled more than 800 flights, or one-fourth of its schedule for Saturday, and that number did not include Delta Connection regional flights. It was followed by United Airlines, which dropped nearly 400 flights. The worst airport to be, for a second straight day, was HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, where Delta is the dominant carrier. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that thousands of people spent the night at the airport, many sleeping on the floors. European airlines and airports appeared to be recovering slowly, although Lufthansa and its affiliates canceled dozens of flights. Its Eurowings budget subsidiary said check-in, boarding, booking and rebooking flights were all available again, although isolated disruptions were possible. Londons Heathrow Airport said it was busy but operating normally on Saturday and that all systems are back up and running. Flights at Berlins main airport were departing on or close to schedule, German Press Agency dpa reported, citing an airport spokesman. Health care systems affected by the outage faced clinic closures, canceled surgeries and appointments and restricted access to patient records. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, said steady progress has been made to bring servers back online and thanked patients for being flexible during the crisis. Our teams will be working actively through the weekend as we continue to resolve remaining issues in preparation for the start of the work week, the hospital wrote in a statement. In Austria, a leading organization of doctors said the outage exposed the vulnerability of relying on digital systems. Harald Mayer, vice president of the Austrian Chamber of Doctors, said the outage showed that hospitals need analog backups to protect patient care. Meanwhile, Microsoft said Saturday that 8.5 million devices running its Windows operating system were affected by Friday's faulty cybersecurity update. A Saturday blog post from the company was the first estimate of the scope of the disruptions caused by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrikes software update. We currently estimate that CrowdStrikes update affected 8.5 million Windows devices, or less than one percent of all Windows machines, said the blog post from Microsoft cybersecurity executive David Weston. While the percentage was small, the broad economic and societal impacts reflect the use of CrowdStrike by enterprises that run many critical services. Weston said such a significant disturbance is rare but demonstrates the interconnected nature of our broad ecosystem. Windows is the dominant operating system for personal computers around the world. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Ala., Sunday, March 3, 2024. Harris condemned efforts to limit access to voting and reproductive health services. (Will McLelland/Alabama Reflector) Alabamas Democratic Party leaders and delegates to next months Democratic National Convention Sunday threw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris for the partys presidential nomination after President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Alabama Democratic Party Chair Randy Kelley said we will be supporting Kamala Harris over the phone Sunday, though he added that he believes there are a number of Democrats who can beat former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in November. This is not a time to be demoralized. This is a time to be reenergized, Kelley said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Biden on Sunday announced he would not be seeking reelection amid mounting pressure from Democratic allies and questions about his fitness for office following a poor debate performance on June 27. Biden later endorsed Harris for the Democratic nomination. Alabama delegates interviewed on Sunday said they would also support Harris. Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, said Sunday that Bidens announcement was bittersweet. Jones, a longtime ally of Biden, was his state chair during Bidens 1988 run for the White House and raised money and organized for him in 2008. Biden spoke at the kick-off of Jones 2017 U.S. Senate campaign, and later helped the administrations efforts to get U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2022. Ive always believed in him, always wanted him to be president of the United States, always thought that he would be a great one, which he has, he said. Jones said he supports Harris. She is ready to assume this role and its time to unify and make history, he said. Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said shes thankful for Bidens leadership, but also his tenacity that he has to put the country first. I am going to stand with the party because all of those things that we are noting for Bidens leadership that have been a benchmark for this country, from reproductive rights to student loans, and I can go on and on and on are going to be the same with President Harris, Drummond said. She said this is a historic moment for not only for Democrats, but also for women. Many of the rights that we are seeing taken away involve women, reproductive rights, IVF and so forth and so forth Im excited that he took the initiative to go ahead and endorse her right away so that the job can be finished, Drummond said. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, said she was initially disappointed but after seeing how Biden was treated by party elites, but added that shes excited for Harris to be the potential nominee. Coleman said now is the time for the party to unite behind Harris with moderates and independents to not allow a fascist and an authoritarian to be at the reins of the highest position in the land of this country. Our president has endorsed Kamala Harris, and I would urge other delegates also to coalesce around her as well, Coleman said. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said he fully had [Bidens] back, and that his heart is immensely heavy at the announcement, but also threw his support behind Harris. As a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, I look forward to enthusiastically supporting the new Democratic ticket, he said. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmginham, said shes hopeful that Harris can win, especially if shes able to energize the Black vote. Black people tend to really vote and show up at the polls when they have something to hope for. We saw that with Obama. We saw that even with Biden, Givan said. Givan said that as a yellow-dog Democrat, she feels that Democrats are going to have to get off their butt, theyre going to have to stop whining, theyre going to have to stop crying, and support Harris if they want to beat Trump in November. I believe that Kamala Harris, in this moment, in this instance, is the best person to take the helm and move forward, but Democrats are going to have to rally behind her, she said. Tabitha Isner, vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party, said that although Democrats have not replaced a nominee after primaries before, and Harris doesnt have pledged delegates, she supports the vice president for the party nomination. Well just have to see what happens when it comes to convention time. She would be great. Vice President Harris is a qualified and spectacular candidate. I have no doubt she would make an excellent nominee, Isner said. She said she hopes the Democratic National Convention feels transparent and that voters dont want a system where an elite group of people get to pick a nominee. I hope that people do their homework and figure out that we are following the rules and trying to make sure that voices, all the voices, are heard and respected, honoring the democratic process, she said. April Hodges, a delegate pledged to Biden, said she applauds Biden for putting the country first. She said that and that she would be honored to be a delegate for Harris. Although she would support an open nomination process, Bidens endorsement of Harris says a lot. Personally, Ive always really liked Harris, and I look forward to seeing what that looks like, Hodges said. She said its important to focus on whats at stake in the election. Regardless of who our nominee is, we really need to be looking at the bigger picture. Trump is a danger to our democracy, and I truly believe that allowing him to win the presidency again could be the end of what we see as democracy in America, Hodges said. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed posted three statements of support for Biden on social media . I would like to thank President Joe Biden for the progress hes made on behalf of communities across the United States, he wrote on one. He inherited a nation in challenge and by the grace of God has recommitted our country towards equitable growth and justice. In a third social media post, Reed endorsed Harris, writing that he backs her all the way as she gears up to unify and fortify our Democratic ranks. A message seeking comment was left with spokespeople for Reed. U.S. House Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, posted on social media that she was proud to work with Biden and that Democrats should unite behind Harris. For the sake of our democracy, we as Democrats should come together, follow President Bidens lead and unite behind Kamala Harris as our nominee, she wrote. Updated at 3:47 p.m. to include comment from Alabama Democratic Party Vice-Chair Tabitha Isner. This story was updated at 4:55 p.m. with a statement from Reed. This story was updated at 5:01 p.m. with a statement from Sewell. This story was updated at 5:09 p.m. to include comment from April Hodges. This story was updated at 5:33 p.m. with another statement from Reed and at 11:15 p.m. with comment from former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Alabama Law Enforcement Agency: Woman killed who was sitting on I-65 in Cullman County CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A 20-year-old woman who was sitting on I-65 was killed in a crash in Cullman County early Saturday morning, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reports. Madelyn Guerra, of Adelphi, Maryland, was fatally injured when a Toyota Highlander hit her around 2:30 a.m. about six miles south of Cullman. Guerra was pronounced dead at the scene. Dora woman killed in Walker County crash Another person was struck by the Highlander. They were taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. Troopers with the ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he would not be accepting the Democratic Party nomination for president next month. He has also given his endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place on the ticket. Here's what Alabama's lawmakers said about Biden's decision. Sen. Tommy Tuberville U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville released a statement calling for Biden to resign from office in addition to stepping down as the nominee. "Democrats and the complicit media must be held accountable for this massive cover-up," he said. "If Joe Biden is unfit to run again, he is unfit to hold the nuclear codes. I join my colleagues in demanding that President Biden resign immediately. Sen. Katie Britt U.S. Sen. Katie Britt took to X, formerly Twitter, to bash Harris and promote the Trump-Vance ticket. "This administrations 'border czar' is the last person who should be entrusted with our nations future," she said. "Kamala Harris is even more radical on border and immigration policies than Joe Biden." Rep. Phillip Ensler Alabama House Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, gave his endorsement to Harris on Facebook and said that his heart was "immensely heavy" to hear the Biden is stepping down. "As a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, I look forward to enthusiastically supporting the new Democratic ticket." More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates Rep. Jerry Carl Rep. Jerry Carl of Alabama's 1st Congressional District said that Biden's stepping down made it a "great day for America." He followed up with asking "how long until he pardons Hunter?" Rep. Barry Moore Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama's 2nd Congressional district criticized Harris' leadership regarding the U.S.-Mexico border on X. "Kamala Harris is the Border Czar," he said. "More than NINE MILLION illegal aliens have come across our southern border and endangered American families under her leadership." Moore's district was heavily affected by the state's congressional map being redrawn. He won the Republican nomination for the state's 1st Congressional District in March, unseating Carl, to run against Democratic opponent Tom Holmes in November. The nominees for the redrawn district are Caroleene Dobson and Shomari Figures. Rep. Gary Palmer Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabamas 6th Congressional District criticized Bidens mental state and said that no matter who the new nominee is, theyll still promote policies he disagrees with.The question now is whether or not he has the ability to continue to serve as President, he said, what the American people should clearly understand is that it doesn't matter who the Democrats choose because whoever they choose will continue to push policies that will keep the cost of living too high, leave our border open, and make our communities less safe." Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama lawmakers react to Biden stepping down as Democratic nominee Lib and I were invited to speak to the Transylvania Partners for Democracy. This group is reminiscent of the 1773 Committees of Correspondence, formed in North Carolina and other colonies, to spread communications to all colonists prior to the Revolution. Then, as now, patriotic citizens felt threatened by the violence, angry partisan rhetoric and divisive politics. A great many of those present at our event were especially worried about what could happen in another Trump presidency. They had several topics they wanted us to discuss, especially Novembers election and our vision of where things now stand. We told them events were changing so rapidly it was hard to keep up with them, much less understand their impact. FYI, our program was presented before the Biden NATO press conference, his subsequent campaign rally, the horrific assassination attempt on former President Trumps life, and Judge Eileen Cannons pro-Trump decision to dismiss the documents case or the RNC convention. Heads nodded affirmatively when we told them this presidential contest featured one candidate who could not tell the truth and another who wouldnt face the truth. They continued nodding when we suggested that a large number of voters would prefer to mark their presidential ballot by voting for none of the above. I reported that a reliable source informed me that an internal candidate poll showed that Trumps 9.9 percent margin of victory in North Carolina had risen to 11.9 percent following Bidens disastrous debate performance. The current war going on among Democrats is only improving Trumps chances for victory. More from Tom Campbell: The Supreme Court has given us a king | Tom Campbell There is genuine alarm in the NC Democratic Party. Some speculate that unless things change no statewide Democrat could be elected to the Council of State, with the possible exception of Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. There is fear, due to gerrymandering and the confusion within the Democratic Party, that the current split of seven Republicans and seven Democrats in our congressional delegation could easily become 11-3 favoring the GOP. And the loss of a Supreme Court seat could result in Republicans holding a 6-1 majority on our highest court. If true, such a scenario would also elect Mark Robinson to be our next governor, Dan Bishop as Attorney General, Dave Boliek as Auditor and homeschooler Michelle Morrow as our next Superintendent of Public Instruction. Spurred by the Republican red wave, even larger GOP pluralities in our General Assembly would continue and expand the culture wars weve witnessed in recent legislatures. And be assured that their persistent dismantling of traditional public schools will only become more pointed. Many North Carolinians believe this reality would be akin to Armageddon. Its no wonder some 100 people showed up for the Brevard event. Our Transylvania partners were very interested in learning more about Project 2025, the blueprint designed by former advisors and appointees of Donald Trump in conjunction with the Heritage Foundation and the Koch brothers. The 900-page document, A Mandate for Leadership, provides both a governing agenda and the right people in place, ready to carry this agenda out on day one of the next conservative administration. Trump says he doesnt know anything about Project 2025, but his name is mentioned 312 times. It doesnt pass the truth test to think he doesnt know about it. Further, if this isnt what he is planning why not come out and loudly rebuke it, disclaiming what it is in it? In fact, no significant Republican has denied either its existence or intent. More from Tom Campbell: Legislators need to get to work and approve a budget | Tom Campbell Let us categorically and emphatically say that no violence is justified or acceptableespecially in election campaigns. The assassination attempt points graphically to the violence and hyper partisanship evident today. Party principals on both sides mutually agree to the need of toning down the angry, divisive rhetoric, but so far little evidence of de-escalation is evident. Nobody wants to be first holding out the olive branch and urging followers to dial down the tone of our politics. Back in the days of my youth, before television and mass media became so dominant (and before we even knew about social media), summertime was when camp meetings and tent revivals would come to town. Evangelists would call us to self-examination and repentance, to new commitments for our behaviors. We could use such a revival right now. Is it possible that we, regardless of our political, racial, sexual or other affiliations could call a truce on all things keeping us apart and recommit to finding the greater things that unite us? It is right for those who cherish democracy in our republic to be concerned. We should all be Partners in Democracy, sounding the loud voice for the restoration of times when we could earnestly disagree without being violent, disagreeable or divisive. Where we are now isnt healthy. Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965. Contact him at tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tom Campbell writes about divisive rhetoric in politics Bull sharks, like the one in this file photo, prefer saltwater like most sharks. But the bull shark can survive long stretches in freshwater. Andre Seale via Getty Images An increase in water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico has coincided with an increase in the bull shark population, according to a study reported by The Conversation. The study states that coastal ocean temperatures have risen more than 3 degrees Fahrenheit because of climate change. In coastal Alabama, the increase in baby bull sharks is directly tied to the rise in water temperatures, the study found. The study found a similar trend in coastal Texas from Sabine Lake to Matagorda Bay. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unlike adult bull sharks, these baby aquatic animals pose no threat to humans. While most sharks spend their entire lives in the ocean, the bull shark is one of a few shark species that uses freshwater environments as nurseries. Recent studies have revealed that the bull shark has been found in the Alabama River and Mississippi River. The report states that bull sharks have evolved to maintain life in freshwater by reducing their need for salt and urea. They also take in more salt through their food and gills. In Texas, there has been an increase in young bull sharks in Galveston Bay and Sabine Lake over the past 40 years. According to the report, their presence in these estuaries showcases their ability to live in saltwater and freshwater environments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although the young bull sharks thrive in warmer water, the study states that if temperatures get too hot or too cold, it could lead to problems. Previous studies out of Florida reported that baby bull sharks will leave coastal nurseries if the water gets too cold, and those that didnt leave died. Despite the rise in water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, baby bull sharks have yet to face temperatures that are too hot to live in, according to the study. It states that climate change is altering coastal ecosystems like the one involving the baby bull sharks, but the change goes further than just one species. The rise in bull sharks can affect the animals they prey on, like mullets, drums, herrings and catfish. Ultimately, tracking how the distributions of species like bull sharks change over time remains a critical priority for understanding future shifts in fish populations and the health of our coastal ecosystems, the report states. The American Indian College Fund announced on Friday it has published Volume 7 of the Tribal College and University Research Journal (TCURJ) featuring articles on a culturally responsive student support model, teachers awareness of systemic factors impeding student academic outcomes, and the Dine educational philosophy. The journal is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary academic publication featuring the research and best practices of tribal college and university faculty and their collaborators. The College Fund launched the TCURJ in 2016 to support tribal college and university (TCU) faculty in disseminating their research to Indigenous communities and the wider research community. The journal publishes articles from a variety of fields such as environmental science, Indigenous health and wellness, student success, and TCU program development. The Henry Luce Foundation has generously supported publication of the journal since 2018. All volumes of the TCURJ can be found at https://collegefund.org/research/tcurj/. 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 Walter Thorne lives in Providence. I respectfully disagree with Rabbi Barry Dolinger, who is the current president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island ("Boycotting Israel will do nothing to promote peace," Commentary, July 7). His position is that the Providence City Councils creation of an ordinance to forgo purchase of Israel bonds will do nothing to promote peace. He posits that the Providence Council is allying with an antisemitic movement that seeks not peace, but the destruction of Israel. He believes this largely symbolic ordinance will create actual hostility for the Jewish community of Providence, already reeling from years of increasing antisemitism. I encourage all Journal readers to study the Boycott Divestment Sanctions website, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other NGOs focused on the ongoing conflict for a broader perspective. More: Providence mayor, City Council keep clashing. Is it healthy government or dysfunction? More: City councilors call on solicitor to drop charges against 41 Brown student protesters It is likely true that Israeli Jewish citizens and the Palestinians cant peacefully live together in a true democracy, within a single state, with todays borders. The current situation where Palestinians are second-class citizens living under a harsh military occupation, currently under bombardment is, in part, the catalyst of much of the worlds outrage against the current extreme right-wing Zionist government. Since the October 7 brutal massacre by Hamas of 1,200-plus Israelis and the taking of 250 hostages, the Netanyahu government has responded by killing over 38,000 Gazans, mostly women and children. With American acquiescence the Israeli Defense Force has targeted large groups of civilians in order to kill supposed Hamas fighters. We have seen the genocidal actions within Gaza by the IDF with the complicity of our country and corporations such as Palantir, whose artificial-intelligence tools have reportedly been used for targeting. A Palestinian youth carries sacks of salvageable items past piles of waste as garbage collection and any other municipality services come to a halt due to the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Israel cannot kill every Hamas fighter, because for every Palestinian casualty, more young people will be radicalized. I support efforts toward a two-state solution where each country could have its own U.S./U.N. recognition and independent government and military infrastructure. The 1949 U.N. Green Line was a starting point of defining possible land allocation for two states. However the Israeli settlers with government support have expanded Israeli occupation onto desirable locations like East Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank high-ground located above Palestinian residents that was originally proposed for Palestinian occupancy. Many Americans ask what we can do to stop the slaughter. One thing is to stand up, take a position and show that the present military dictatorship over the Palestinians is not working. The Providence City Councils affirming disinvestment from Israeli bonds is a small step saying to all admirers of both Israelis and Palestinians that more killing is going to satisfy no one except the current war cabinet, which is hellbent on creating a Greater Israel with as few Palestinian citizens as possible. Being in a rage about Hamass brutal killing on October 7 and Israels murderous actions in Gaza does not make one anti-Palestinian or anti-Jewish or anti-Israeli. Neither did challenging the long-lived, brutal white supremacy in the Old South make Dr. Martin Luther King a Communist. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The Providence City Councils affirming disinvestment from Israeli bonds is a small step saying that more killing is going to satisfy no one By Angelo Amante and Gavin Jones ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's decision not to back Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission chief was driven by fear of losing rightwing grassroots supporters, analysts say, but may curb her influence over EU choices. The European Parliament elected von der Leyen for a second five-year term on Thursday to lead the bloc's executive with support from centre-right, centre-left, liberal and green groups. She got 401 votes, far above the 361 needed. Meloni's Brothers of Italy, part of the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR), revealed its decision after the vote when it said von der Leyen had shifted too far left, particularly on green pledges. Even though von der Leyen did not need Meloni's 24 lawmakers to win, the vote marked a shift from the prime minister's past efforts to keep good relations with the Commission as Rome grapples with mammoth public debt. "Meloni cares a lot about being consistent. She had said she would never vote with the left. When it became clear that her votes were not needed, she stuck to that pledge," said Giovanni Orsina, politics professor at Rome's Luiss university. However, the move dismayed many Italian commentators who said the Commission may now be less indulgent towards Italy's public finances and its faltering attempts to spend billions of euros of EU post-COVID recovery funds. That remains to be seen, but Meloni's first concern appeared to be fending off internal competition at home from her hard-right coalition ally, Matteo Salvini's League. "She is afraid of exposing herself on the right, and this fear overwhelmed everything else," said Francesco Galietti, from Rome-based political risk consultancy Policy Sonar. CORE VOTERS Brothers of Italy is now polling at nearly 30% - its highest ever - while the League is around 8.5%, but Galietti pointed to volatility in Italian politics and said Meloni could not afford to alienate traditional voters. Before moderating her positions after coming to power in 2022, Meloni was considered further to the right than Salvini, and used to advocate for Italy to leave the euro zone. The Commission declined to comment for this story. Von der Leyen, asked by reporters on Thursday whether she regretted seeking Meloni's support, said only that the vote showed she had taken the right approach in assembling backers who are "pro-European, pro-Ukraine and pro-rule of law." Carlo Calenda, leader of centrist party Action, said in a radio interview on Friday that Meloni had preferred to be "a faction leader rather than a prime minister," and it was "dangerous" for Italy to be in opposition in Europe. Meloni triumphed in Italy's European Parliament elections last month, in contrast to setbacks for French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but since then things have not gone her way. After being left out of a deal on the bloc's top jobs she protested that von der Leyen and other leaders were flouting voters' wishes by ignoring a surge in right-wing support. She refused to back von der Leyen along with groups including the Patriots for Europe, a far-right alliance which includes Marine Le Pen's French National Rally (RN) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz. LESS WEIGHT IN EUROPE? Some analysts are suggesting Meloni did not want to side with the EU's mainstream forces ahead of a possible Donald Trump victory at U.S. elections in November that could boost the bloc's nationalists. Yet Wolfango Piccoli of London-based political risk consultancy Teneo, said such a strategy could backfire as Trump would likely embrace an isolationist foreign policy which would oblige Italy to strengthen European bonds. "A plan like that would not be useful to the Italian national interest," Piccoli said. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera published on Saturday, Meloni said she would still be able to work with von der Leyen and that it would be "surreal" to imagine Brussels would punish Italy when it came to deciding on Commission roles. Rome's candidate is European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto. But her relationship with Brussels looks trickier now and Piccoli said it might be harder to have a say on issues including defence and migration, though budget procedures based on pre-established steps are less likely to be affected. "The real question is to count in Europe," he said. (Reporting by Angelo Amante and Gavin Jones; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) State Auditor Shad White and U.S. Rep. Michael Guest were among the Republican politicians who took to social media to blame Joe Biden and the Democratic Party for the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Reasonable people of all political persuasions agreed the assassination attempt, which resulted in the death of one Trump rally attendee, was tragic and antithetical to American values. But some went further. White, for instance, took to social media as he is wont to do and posted, Biden just called on the nation to lower the temperature in politics. Thats rich. He should have apologized for calling President Trump a genuine threat to this nation, literally a threat, saying he could become the dictator that he promised to be on day one, and on and on. Guest, a former district attorney for Madison and Rankin counties, included the media as part of the blame. For months, President Biden and Democrats have been demonizing President Trump and claiming he was a threat to America. The events of yesterday should not have surprised anyone and the blame lays squarely at the feet of President Biden, progressive Democrats and the liberal media that have amplified these baseless allegations, the congressman proclaimed. Both are correct. Rightfully or wrongfully, there have been many harsh comments leveled at the former president over the threat he poses to America. But what White and Guest conveniently omitted from their recent diatribes is that countless of these such comments have been made by their fellow Republicans and people with firsthand experience with Trumps alarming behavior. Former Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence, when announcing he would not endorse Trump this election cycle, said: I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again. In his book, Pence detailed the attack on the U.S. Capitol that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021. On that day, of course, Pence was fulfilling his constitutional duty to certify Biden as the rightful winner of the 2020 election. But a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol the first such Capitol ambush since the War of 1812 looking to halt the nations constitutional process for certifying a duly-elected president and to stop Pence by force from fulfilling his duty. In the memoir, Pence referenced Trumps tweet that said Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our Constitution. I just shook my head, Pence wrote. The truth was, as reckless as the presidents tweet was, I really didnt have time for it. Rioters were ransacking the Capitol. The president had decided to be part of the problem. I was determined to be part of the solution. Lets look at other claims about Trump, such as from Kevin McCarthy, who on that pivotal-to-democracy Jan. 6 day was the House Republican leader. The president bears responsibility for Wednesdays attack on Congress by mob rioters, McCarthy said at the time. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. Referring to the Jan. 6 riots and the attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power, Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, said, The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people. During Trumps term as president, as Black Lives Matters supporters were protesting near the White House, Mark Esper, appointed by Trump as U.S. secretary of defense, said Trump asked him, Cant you just shoot them? Shoot them in the leg or something. Esper and Trumps other military leaders refused to order action against people exercising their constitutional right of protest, he said. There are countless other examples of harsh criticism of Trumps threat to the nation leveled at the former president by Republicans. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has made many derogatory comments about Trump. Referring to the Jan. 6 riots, Graham said, When it comes to accountability, (Trump) needs to understand that his actions were the problem not the solution. Graham later referred to Trumps 2020 voter fraud allegations as unserious and on the third grade level. Trumps appointed United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who ran unsuccessfully against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination this year, said of Trump in the days following Jan. 6: He went down a path he shouldnt have, and we shouldnt have followed him, and we shouldnt have listened to him. And we cant let that ever happen again. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas called Trump a pathological liar and a sniveling coward. Of course, Cruz made those comments after the former president said the senators father might have been involved in the Kennedy assassination and made fun of Cruzs wifes appearance. Granted, Graham, Haley and Cruz have since backtracked of their criticism of Trump, as most Republican politicians have done at some point. But before White, Guest and others start casting stones and blaming their political opponents for rhetoric about Trumps threat to the nation, they may want to consider their fellow partymates own words. After all, a former roommate of U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, now named as Trumps vice presidential choice for 2024, screen saved and revealed for the world to see a message that Vance wrote in 2016: I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical (expletive) like Nixon who wouldnt be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that hes Americas Hitler. Yes, those Republicans should watch what they say about Donald Trump. This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter. President Joe Biden's decision to pull out of the presidential race Sunday was met by Anderson County Democrats with praise for his service and his decision. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, pictured in an undated photo. Oak Ridge resident Anne Backus issued thanks to the president for his work, saying she thought he'd done a great job. And, she stands in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Biden, for the next president of the United States. "I'm all in," Backus said. "I think she'd (Harris) be a great candidate and president." Backus is running for the 33rd District seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives currently held by state Rep. John Ragan. District 33 includes Oak Ridge and most of Anderson County. She is also the treasurer for the Anderson County Democratic Party. She's the lone candidate for the position on the Anderson County Democratic Primary. In the local Republican Primary, Ragan is facing former Cinton police chief Rick Scarbrough. "President Joe Biden's decision not to seek reelection is a moment of selflessness from a true public servant," read a statement from the county Democratic Party, provided by Chase Lindsey, the communications chair. "Through President Biden's tenure, America's position on the world stage has been fortified, historic investments have been made in American infrustructure, the most significant climate legislation in history has been passed, and millions of Americans are able to enjoy access to lowered prescription costs and quality afforable healthcare. His vision and dedication to the American people have laid a strong foundation for the future infront of us. President Biden embodies true patriotism, putting the nation's good above personal ambition. "This election, we face choices that will shape our democracy and the future of our country. Let's honor President Biden's legacy by electing leaders who will continue advancing the values and initiatives that strengthen America from the middle out and from the bottom up. See you at the polls on Nov. 5," Lindsey concluded in the statement. "As chair of the Anderson County Democratic Party, I want to thank President Biden for all he has done for countryT," stated Elizabeth Ibbotson, the party's chair. "The president has accomplished so much, he brought together the world to support democracy around the globe, made major investments in our infrastructure, helped the elderly with lower drug costs, and the list goes on. As is typical of him, he has put the country first with his decision not to run. We will support who ever is the nominee of our party." The Oak Ridger emailed the local Democratic Party officials seeking comment following the breaking news on President Biden. 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: Anderson County Democrats praise Biden as 'true public servant' COSHOCTON Andrea Schweitzer-Smith, branch manager of the West Lafayette Branch Library, is retiring after working for the library system for 37 years. This included working as a page, circulation clerk, children's programming assistant, preservation department head, branch assistant and branch manager. Andrea Schweitzer-Smith, branch manager for the West Lafayette Branch Library, is retiring after 37 years of service to the library system. I have enjoyed each position held at the library over the years. Each step of the way has offered professional training opportunities, college classes, professional library organization networking and outstanding mentors and coworkers, Schweitzer-Smith said in a press release. She was a member of the Ohio Library Council for more than 20 years, serving on the council's Small Libraries Division and Management. She also earned a Certified Public Library Staff certification and attended Belmont Technical College for staff development. I have been a lifelong learner and have enjoyed learning technology, teaching patron computer classes, and individual technology trainings over the years, Schweitzer-Smith said in a news release. She has been involved in many community organizations over the years, earning her awards and accomplishments for her service. She served as board chair and fundraising chair for the local American Red Cross, marketing chair for Wings Over Coshocton air shows and secretary for the Coshocton Airport Amphitheater board. She also served on the board for Coshocton County Developmental Disabilities, was a graduate of Leadership Coshocton County and worked as the group's board chair and curriculum coordinator. She was awarded the Young Careerist of the Year in Ohio Region 10 by the Business and Professional Womens Organization and the Community Improvement Award by the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce. She was honored as teacher of the year for her work in childrens ministry at the Coshocton Nazarene Church. Recently, Schweitzer-Smith was selected to serve on the West Lafayette Revitalization Committee and was named grand marshal of the 76th annual West Lafayette Homecoming Parade. An open house for her retirement will be from 4 to 6 p.m. July 29 at the branch library with refreshments provided by Friends of the Library. This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Andrea Schweitzer-Smith retiring from Coshocton library system Who is Andy Beshear? Kentuckys governor is on list of possible Democratic VP nominees With the announcement Sunday from President Joe Biden that he will not accept the Democratic Party nomination to run for second term, speculation on potential vice presidential running mates continues to include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Vice President Kamala Harris is widely expected to seek the nomination during the Democratic National Convention in August and was endorsed Sunday by Biden in his announcement. Beshear is one of just several Democratic governors who have garnered attention as possible running mates for Harris, but just who is Andy Beshear? Heres more on Kentuckys governor: Who is Andy Beshear? Beshear is serving his second term as Kentuckys governor. The 46-year-old is the son of former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and was first elected in 2019, when he waged a successful campaign against incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin. While Beshears win over Bevin was extremely narrow, the Democrat has proven popular and has generated much buzz among political pundits as a potential candidate for national office. In 2023, Beshear won a second, four-year term against then-Attorney General and Republican Daniel Cameron by a 5-point margin. Born in Louisville, Beshear graduated from Lexingtons Henry Clay High School. His education includes an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. He ran for office first in 2015, narrowing winning a tight race to become the states attorney general. Beshear and his wife, Britainy, have two children and live in Kentuckys capital, Frankfort. Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? Bidens departure makes history, but 2 other sitting presidents cut it close to Election Day Beshear as governor of Kentucky John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan leads the biggest personal injury law firm in the world. His companys whole selling point is helping clients win their cases. In Gov. Andy Beshear, for whom he and his firm have raised heaps of campaign funds, Morgan sees a winner. When the governors meet the President today I pray the campaign listens carefully to Andy Beshear. He is the only democrat to win TWICE, in a very RED state, Morgan posted to social media site X July 3. Beyond the donor class, Beshears electoral record in Red America may attract party higher-ups and others in Washington. He won by razor-thin margins in 2015 to claim his place as the states attorney general, and then in 2019 against one of the least popular governors in America in Bevin. But this past year, Beshear beat Cameron by five percentage points, an impressive margin in a state that handed former president and current GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump a 26-point win in 2020. Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, a keen observer of electoral results in the state, is no Beshear fan. Still, he spoke with admiration of the governors ability to build a bipartisan brand that can pick off voters from the other side. This is a guy who won the votes of one out of eight Republican voters last year, Adams said. Im sure that got the attention of national Democrats, as you dont see a lot of ticket-splitting nationally. Right now, people are so polarized theyre just going to vote how theyre going to vote, and heres a guy thats managed to pick off Republican voters in a conservative state. Beshear on COVID, disasters and more Beshear came into statewide politics completely fresh from a private law practice in 2015. In 2019, many observers said Bevin fared better than him in debates. But something changed over the next four years.During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor forced himself in front of cameras broadcasting all across the state almost every day. Delivering speeches and comforting constituents to a wide audience became an almost-daily ritual with his now-weekly Team Kentucky updates. That helped, according to Adams. Hes been an effective communicator, and hes certainly gotten lots of experience with the Team Kentucky updates, Adams said. Throughout his 2023 re-election campaign, Beshear made no major gaffes. There have been some crises and controversies the states juvenile justice system is now subject to a federal inquiry, his record on open government has been questioned, a major donor has landed in hot water and the state unemployment insurance system was a boondoggle during the pandemic but his message has not gotten muddled by leaks from the administration or those below him. Thats a key strength identified by many who work with his closest allies in Frankfort. You watch all these other races unfold, and you see all these stories of backbiting, sniping and leaks. No ones written that story about Beshear World because its a very cohesive group of folks and everybody does their jobs well. That extends to the official side, Eric Hyers, Beshears top political consultant, told the Herald-Leader earlier this year. What are Beshears politics? There are reasons to believe that Beshears political brand and identity could pair well with Harris For one, cautious politicos may push for a white man to join the ticket alongside a minority woman. If youre looking to balance a ticket thats headed by the first Black and South Asian woman presidential nominee, then having a young white guy provides pretty good balance, Al Cross, longtime Kentucky political journalist and observer, said. A key to Bidens election was how much better he did with white men than (Hillary) Clinton did, and that part of the electorate is still a weakness for Democrats. We live in an era of identity politics, and his identity is a white guy. Beyond ethnicity and gender, Beshears uniquely wholesome branding might prove helpful. Best known in-state for his response to a triad of crises COVID-19, historic tornadoes in 2021 in the West and horrific flooding in 2022 in the East Beshear was dubbed by the Associated Press as Kentuckys Consoler in Chief. At every turn in his gubernatorial tenure, Beshear has worked to present himself as an empathetic family man. To a large extent, its worked. What is Beshears track record in Kentucky? A POLITICO story ran this month on the most popular governors in the country, a list that includes Beshear. What binds many of them together? An inability to get much done when it comes to policy. It may seem counterintuitive, but these governors position allows them to be choosy about the issues they champion, particularly when it comes to interfacing with supermajority state legislatures such as the GOP-led Senate and House in Kentucky. By picking and choosing their battles, they position themselves to voters as moderate, rational checks in the political center of statehouses otherwise veering to the extreme of either party, the outlet explained. That posturing often frustrates the lawmakers on the other side, who see these governors as unwilling to engage in the legislative trenches, allowing them to remain largely immune from policy risks. Abortion rights and direct teacher raises are prime examples for Beshear. The governor ran hard on those two issues, railing against the states near-total ban on abortion without exceptions for rape or incest and an 11% across-the-board raise for public school employees. Neither of those proposals were seriously considered by the legislature in the immediate aftermath of Beshears win. Cross said while the lack of change in Kentucky may be seen as a policy shortcoming, the low expectations for a Democrat facing four-fifths Republican majorities allow for onlookers to give the governor a pass. In the textbooks, you might say thats not necessarily a good thing, Cross said. In practical politics, it probably is (a good thing). While hes had failures in terms of getting anything passed, I dont think anybody really expected him to get those things done. Hes avoided high-profile, possibly destructive battles with the legislature. A new paper from researchers whose abortion-pill studies were retracted touts C-sections and induced labor as alternatives for pregnant patients in medical emergencies as a federal appellate court revisits a pivotal case in Idaho. (Getty Images) The day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the medical board that certifies OB-GYNs in America released a statement calling legal pregnancy termination and knowledge of abortion procedures essential to reproductive health care. But a small number of influential anti-abortion doctors have spent the last two years trying to change the reproductive health care standards in state and federal health policy, in a way that is potentially dangerous, doctors representing major medical institutions say. The question of when abortion is essential health care that states cant ban is central to several ongoing lawsuits, including Moyle v. United States, a case about whether emergency rooms receiving federal funding have to treat pregnant patients with stabilizing care if it might result in the end of the pregnancy. The U.S. Supreme Court recently kicked the case back to the appellate court, a move that newly allows doctors in Idaho to perform emergency abortions. But the issues remain unresolved, with doctors in Idaho (as in other states) still seeking clarity about whether what theyve long considered necessary care is legal. Now as the case returns to the U.S. 9th Circuit of Appeals, researchers behind retracted studies claiming abortion drugs are dangerous are out with new policy recommendations that say when pregnancy termination is necessary, doctors should opt for procedures considered by the wider reproductive health community to carry bigger health risks, such as cesarean sections, rather than less invasive abortion procedures. [M]any physicians argue that it is almost never necessary to end the life of a child directly and intentionally by an abortion procedure, public health researcher James Studnicki and OB-GYN Dr. Ingrid Skop, of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, wrote in a paper published this summer in Medical Research Archives, a journal of the European Society of Medicine. [W]hen a pregnancy endangering the life of the mother requires termination, a direct dismemberment dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion may be unnecessary, as delivery can usually be performed with a standard obstetric intervention such as labor induction or cesarean section (if indicated). Experts told States Newsroom that Charlotte Loziers claims contradict national standards of care. And they come at a time when states with strict abortion bans like Texas and Louisiana are seeing a rise in surgical incisions like C-sections and hysterotomies to end pregnancies, even though they carry higher risk, delay future pregnancies, and can affect fertility. The end goal of doing a medical intervention to end a pregnancy and save a patients life is the same as when we do an abortion. They are just calling for more complicated, sometimes invasive procedures to get to that same end goal, said Atlanta-based OB-GYN and complex family planning specialist Dr. Nisha Verma. I think this is really dangerous it creates confusion. It prevents the public from understanding that abortion is a necessary life-saving procedure. The Charlotte Lozier Institute has for more than a decade worked to build the anti-abortion movements credibility, by providing research and data to defend anti-abortion laws in the legislature and in the courts. Their claims frequently contradict major American medical institutions on abortion science and safety, and their research methods have faced academic scrutiny while continuing to wield influence. Between 2019 and 2022, Studnicki and Skop co-authored three papers in the journal Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology, two of which were used by anti-abortion plaintiffs and judges to argue for the restriction of abortion pills in a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which the Supreme Court rejected this term for lack of standing. But earlier this year, Sage Journals retracted these studies following a reader-prompted investigation, in part for methodological flaws and data misrepresentation. The Charlotte Lozier researchers have insisted the retractions were meritless and politically motivated. Skop, an OB-GYN from San Antonio, Texas, and Charlotte Loziers director of medical affairs, now has even more influence, after her controversial appointment to Texass maternal mortality review committee. Skop has made unfounded claims, including that abortion bans will improve maternal mortality rates and that rape or incest victims as young as 9 can safely give birth to a baby. But experts say minors are at increased risk for serious complications like preeclampsia and likelier to give birth to low-birth-weight babies. Last year the San Antonio-based OB-GYN served as a state expert witness when Kate Cox from Dallas asked a Texas judge to grant her an abortion for a nonviable pregnancy. Skops sworn affidavit alleged Cox was not at risk of death or substantial impairment of a major bodily function, though Coxs doctor recommended an abortion to preserve her health and future fertility. Denied the abortion in her home state, Cox aborted in New Mexico, and is newly pregnant again. As a fellow for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which has more than 60,000 members, Verma said she has regularly testified before Congress alongside OB-GYNs with minority-held positions on reproductive health policy like Skop and Dr. Christina Francis, the CEO of the anti-abortion American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which comparatively has approximately 7,500 members. It can be really deceptive and confusing for the public who just hear different things coming from two OB-GYNs, Verma said. Studnicki and Skop argue that abortion is not evidence-based because many people do not seek abortions for physical health reasons, and because much of the existing abortion-safety and efficacy data does not involve randomized controls, i.e., comparing groups of people receiving abortion procedures with those delivering unwanted or nonviable pregnancies to term. Based upon the research standard of the Cochrane guidelines, our study shows the science required to consider abortion evidence-based, alone or in comparison to other interventions, does not exist, said Studnicki in an written statement, referring to guidelines for systematic reviews, named after British medical researcher Archie Cochrane. All of us who want the best for women should desire better quality data, including comparison of abortion to other pregnancy outcomes like childbirth, so we can best address the needs of women in heartbreaking circumstances. They do not mention the longitudinal Turnaway Study, produced at the University of California San Francisco, which found short- and long-term improved health and socioeconomic outcomes for women who received versus were denied wanted abortions. (Editors note: Reporter Sofia Resnick contributed proofreading and editing to UCSF professor Diana Greene Fosters 2020 book about the study she led.) Anti-abortion activists have criticized that study, including in a published critique that was retracted following concerns about its peer review. Studnicki and Skop did not agree to an interview but provided a fact sheet for their claims, which notes that OB-GYNs should adhere to guidelines set by ACOG when it comes to life-threatening situations, but also asserts that existing abortion bans do not preclude necessary care. Claim: Almost all induced abortions demonstrate no therapeutic intent or medical necessity. That abortion is not legitimate health care is a similar argument that a coalition of anti-abortion doctor groups including AAPLOG (of which Skop is a member) made in the abortion-pill case. Its an argument Charlotte Lozier advanced in an amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court in Moyle v. United States. And its an argument featured in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundations blueprint for a potential future GOP presidency, which says that the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act should not be interpreted to cover abortions. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025s proposed federal abortion restrictions, though they were authored by officials from his previous administration. But decades of research have established the high safety record and medical benefits of termination. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clearly shows that pregnancy is a condition that can kill you, said Dr. Sarah Horvath, an OB-GYN and complex family planning subspecialist and researcher at Penn State Universitys Hershey Medical Center, in an email. As a mother, I can tell you that the benefits of a wanted child often, but not always, outweigh the risks of pregnancy complications and death. According to the CDC, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world at 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2022, with rates for Black women more than double, at 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. Research in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that by contrast the risks from an induced abortion are smaller than the continuing a pregnancy: In the first trimester (more than 90% of all abortions), the rate of maternal death is less than 1 per 100,000, and for abortions at 18 weeks gestation or higher, the risk of death is 6.7 per 100,000. In the two years since the Dobbs decision overturned federal abortion protections, OB-GYNs in states with near or total abortion bans have reported denying critical care because of these new laws. Many have become politically active, trying to impress upon lawmakers and the public that pregnancy is highly variable and vague exceptions to prevent death are impossible to interpret medically, especially as complications are not always immediately deadly but could become so if not treated promptly. Claim: When the separation of a mother and her baby is necessary, C-sections and inductions should be prioritized over induced abortion to allow parents to express appropriate grief. Referring to a medically indicated abortion as the separation of a mother and her baby, which is not a medical term, Studnicki and Skop pose labor induction or cesarean section as the ethical choice. Beyond 22 weeks gestation, the baby will often survive separation from the mother if given active medical intervention, and even if too young or sick to survive, the family can show the child love and express appropriate grief with the assistance of supportive palliative care, Studnicki and Skop write. No study has compared the well-being of a woman and family who end their childs life in these tragic circumstances to those who continue to allow their child to live until a natural death. Verma said depending on the situation and especially before 20 weeks, induction or a C-section could introduce unnecessary risks and delays of care. And the patient would have to wait longer to try to get pregnant again. I have a hard time even understanding this claim that a C-section is equally invasive and morbid to abortion procedure, Verma said. Thats a major abdominal surgery. We are making a large incision in the abdomen, making incisions in the tissue below the skin, pulling apart the muscles, going into the abdominal cavity, the peritoneal cavity, cutting open the uterus and removing a pregnancy. If the patient wants to get pregnant again, after a D&E procedure, they can start trying a month later, whereas after a C-section, you have to wait months to be able to safely start trying again without as much risk of your uterus rupturing in the next pregnancy. Verma said that sometimes C-sections do make sense in these cases, and that many of her patients do opt for labor and delivery to hold their dead or dying child, but she doesnt believe these options should be forced on patients. Claim: Rape and incest victims who are often adolescents and children dont need abortions. The emotionally provocative scenario of a young adolescent girl seeking to abort a pregnancy conceived in rape or incest is repeated in the media at a rate which is grotesquely disproportionate to the rarity of its occurrence, Studnicki and Skop write. The question of importance is whether an abortion in this circumstance improves the mental or physical health status of the victimized girl. Understandably, there have been no clinical trials addressing this question, so even an abortion in this tragic circumstance cannot be characterized as an evidence-based medical intervention. But there is evidence that children and teens face greater physical health risks from pregnancy and childbirth than adults. And Verma noted that the incidence of young children getting pregnant, often by rape or incest, is small but real. I have treated young kids in, like the 10-, 11-year-old range, Verma said. Its not something thats happening every day, but there are many reasons why people need abortions, and that is something that we see and it is terrible. Lauren Ralph, an epidemiologist and associate professor at UCSF who specializes in the impact of abortion policies on young people, told States Newsroom that initial research out of Texas is showing fewer young people able to access abortions. According to a national 2021-2022 patient survey, about 10% of abortion seekers were 19 and younger, and about 2% were 17 and younger. Ralph noted that many rape and incest cases among young people are likely underreported. The rarity of it, I dont think diminishes its importance in conversations around the reasons why people seek abortion, for young people in particular, who are victims of sexual assault, Ralph said. We know that theyve had their autonomy violated once, and then if you deny them access to a wanted abortion and force them to continue a pregnancy and give birth, that violates their autonomy yet again. When AR-style rifle winds up in the wrong hands, tragedy follows On July 13, former President Donald Trump had his ear grazed by a bullet at a rally in a failed assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. An investigation is still underway, but the latest information is that the bullet came from an AR-style rifle allegedly shot by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, USA Today reported. Former President Trump is in fine health despite some bleeding, for which he received treatment. President Biden, speaking from Delaware, told reporters, "There is no place in America for this kind of violence." More: Trump shooting is horrific. But American violence infects far more than politics. However, gun violence unfortunately occurs daily in many places nationwide. Often, AR-style rifles are used. According to a Time article by Solcyre Burga, an AR-15-style rifle was used at the Allen mall shooting on May 6, 2023. Burga wrote: "Referred to as the 'most popular rifle in America' by the National Rifle Association, it has become a staple across the nation (...)." A Washington Post article concurred, stating, "Today, the AR-15 is the best-selling rifle in the United States, industry figures indicate. About 1 in 20 U.S. adults or roughly 16 million people own at least one AR-15, according to polling data from The Washington Post and Ipsos." AR-style weapons were originally developed for military use because they are lightweight and fire many bullets rapidly, The Washington Post reported. Most of these people are responsible gun owners, I believe. But what happens when a semiautomatic AR-style rifle falls into the hands of the wrong person? Tragedy. President Trump and the nation are fortunate that only one bullet grazed him. A Trump rally attendee was killed by a errant bullet. My thoughts are with this victim and with those, including former President Trump, injured in the senseless attack. As the investigation is underway, and more information is being released, let us keep the victims in our thoughts and prayers. And this time, let us do something to prevent future mass shootings. Because they are not an aberration anymore. Massacres are becoming a pattern in America. According to NBC News, AR-style weapons were used in the Las Vegas shooting of 2017, the Orlando shooting of 2016, the Uvalde, Texas shooting of 2022, and more. Enough is enough. Jordan Barkin is a columnist published by USA Today, US News & World Report, Hearst, McClatchy, and Gannett. He is a former associate editor at Hearst Magazines. Barkin lives in Naples, Florida. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Trump shooting shines light on nation's problem with assault weapons The Colorado Springs City Council faces a pivotal moment Tuesday that requires a commitment to conservative principles of prudence, fiscal responsibility and safeguarding the long-term welfare of our community. The proposed annexation of Amara a 3,000-acre tract southeast of and noncontiguous with the city demands scrutiny for its financial implications and alignment with our core values and vision for logical growth. To help fund this annexation, Colorado Springs Utilities would impose a monthly $8.29 rider on residential utilities bills throughout the city. Commercial customers would see higher increases. It would feel like a tax increase, without a public vote, that delivers nothing to the vast majority who pay it. Our city thrives when decisions are grounded in logic, reason and sound fiscal management. This proposal threatens to upend these principles, imposing an undue burden on Colorado Springs. The annexation of land disconnected from the city and surrounded by Fountain epitomizes the worst type of urban sprawl. The proposal hinges on an artificial connection, using county roads to feign contiguity with Colorado Springs. Known as flagpole annexation, it would undermine the integrity of our citys growth strategy. It creates a scenario where the extension of utilities and emergency services becomes prohibitively expensive and inefficient. The annexation seeks access to our meticulously built water resources a system funded by Colorado Springs residents without having contributed to these essential investments. The fiscal ramifications include increased utility rates for residential, commercial, and industrial customers, delayed infrastructure improvements and strained emergency services. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings Our citys police and fire departments struggle to meet desired response times. Adding 3,000 acres of homes and other structures miles from our city limits would significantly exacerbate the problem at a cost to the health and safety of Springs residents. Proponents of the Amara annexation argue that, in an optimistic economic scenario, the fiscal benefits could potentially offset the costs. This best-case, break-even scenario falls short of justifying the guaranteed costs and disruptions of a proposal that does not align with our communitys embrace of fiscal prudence. Historically, Colorado Springs has championed thoughtful and strategic growth, reserving annexations for truly extraordinary circumstances. The Amara proposal does not meet this high bar. Our city can address housing needs through existing development pipelines, which are poised to accommodate more than 100,000 new residents without resorting to a massive expansion of our footprint. As Ronald Reagan implored, We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. In the context of urban planning, this translates to growth that is logical, appropriate and in harmony with the communitys long-term interests. An affirmative vote would set a poor precedent, opening the door for proposals that similarly compromise our citys integrity and financial health. This decision is not merely about land and resources. It is about upholding the principles that define and strengthen Colorado Springs. Amara can and should succeed without the requested annexation. The proposed development, by a reputable development firm, borders Fountain. It makes good sense for Fountain to annex the land. For Colorado Springs, annexing Amara makes bad sense. We urge the City Council to vote no, reaffirming its commitment to a prosperous and logical future for all residents of Colorado Springs. The Gazette Editorial Board Editorials in many major newspapers in Arab and Muslim countries were relatively restrained in addressing the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, mostly focusing on the well-known problem of violence in America. Social media comments, however, were another story, often reflecting the widespread view of Trump as an enemy of Muslims if not of Islam in general. There were two widely shared theories: One proposed a moamara (Arabic for conspiracy) in which Iran, the most anti-American nation in the region, was behind the assassination attempt. Indeed, statements from top American intelligence experts that they were expecting something from Iran, although they didnt cite anything specific, were seen as further evidence. The second involved masrahiya (Arabic for a staged event). In the 1999 film Al-Walad Mahroos, Adel Imam, an Egyptian actor known throughout the Arab world, played a security guard who is shot protecting a political candidate during an assassination attempt, but survives. The guard then exploits his injuries to gain sympathy and a level of popularity rivaling that of the candidate himself. That popular comedy is often cited in Arabic-language social media as an analogy explaining Trump's apparent increase in popularity after the assassination attempt. Many Muslims seemed convinced that Trump had staged the Pennsylvania incident: One commenter stated that since Trump was al-Shaitan (Satan or the devil), he was clearly capable of doing that. As noted above, more serious commentary was found in some major newspapers, most of it about rising political violence in America, a country often seen as eager to enforce its standards on others. One example came in an editorial in the National, an English-language paper in the United Arab Emirates: The attempt on Trumps life marks an odious moment in Americas darkening political cycle The country has witnessed an unacceptable rise in political violence in recent years. The Gulf Times of Qatar was even more direct: As ugly as it may sound, the attempt to assassinate Trump is somewhat normal, in the sense that it is consistent with a widespread pattern of recourse to brute force in American life. A columnist in Saudi Arabia's Asharq Al-Awsat sought to connect recent events to historical lessons many Americans seem eager to avoid: Violence in America started with the annihilation of the original population by the White invaders later, the importation of African slaves in bottom of ships as if they were animals. Many commenters on Arab and Islamic social media launched personal attacks on Trump, particularly focused on the Muslim ban from the beginning of his presidential term. Curiously enough, some Muslim commenters had apparently paid attention to comments made by evangelicals at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, used to make their point that Trump and his party are opposed to Islam. Commenters noted that Trump was described as a Christian martyr, who had been falsely accused and convicted just as Jesus was. Here are two comments, originally written in Arabic in WhatsApp: Everything shows Trumps hate of Muslims. May Allah cause his hate to unite us, the Muslims, and wake us up from our present miseries. Funny, the Jews enjoy the support of Christian Americans, not knowing the Christians want Israel to disappear, so Jesus Christ returns. There were also many far more sober comments, suggesting that since Trump seems closer to regaining the White House after the assassination attempt, Muslims should expect another travel ban and other forms of U.S. government persecution. One comment on the Arabic-language site Elaf site cited Trumps 2016 campaign promise to get rid of radical terrorist Islam from the face of the earth. A comment on Al Jazeera's Arabic site recalled Trump's proposal to institute an ideological test for Muslim immigrants and visitors to the U.S. A third comment, on the site Al-Itihad, observed that the Americans, looking for an enemy after the fall of the Soviet Union, targeted Islam. Trump's infamous "Muslim ban of 2017 was officially titled Executive Order 13769, Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States. It had numerous legal and logistical problems and never went into full effect. A revised order was issued and the list of countries affected kept changing; there were intergovernmental quarrels along with protests from U.S. allies in the Muslim world. President Biden revoked the entire package as soon as he took office in 2021, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken declaring that the entire affair was a stain on our national conscience. Now Trump hopes to bring the ban back, eight years later. As part of his promise to act as a dictator on "day one" of his administration, he has told supporters he would immediately begin ideological screening for all immigrants and bar those who sympathize with Hamas and Muslim extremists. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Many Pakistani social media posters, writing in English, said they expected further punitive measures from Trump in a second term. Several remembered this Trump tweet from 2018: The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools No more! Commenters also noted recent remarks by Sen. JD Vance, Trumps running mate, who suggested that under the newly-elected Labour Party government, the U.K. might become the first truly Islamist country with nuclear weapons. Vance's supposed joke, presumably intended as a critique of immigration, provoked many angry responses, both in Britain and the Muslim world. More moderate commenters simply observed that the Ohio senator had been chosen to continue Trumps anti-Muslim policies into the next generation. Some commenters also reflected on the apparent rise of Christian nationalism in America, noting that two-thirds of white evangelical Christians saw Trump as an ally in advancing their agenda and that new laws in Louisiana and Oklahoma, respectively, mandated posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms and teaching Bible lessons in public schools. For many Muslims, the ironic question drawn from recent events in America seemed obvious: Who are the real extremists? Archaeologists Found 2 Roman Villas That Tell New Secrets of an Ancient Civilization "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A magnetometer survey of an English estate near a known buried Roman city revealed two previously undiscovered Roman villas outside of the city. The property is owned by Englands National Trust and houses the Attingham Estate in Shropshire. The discovery includes evidence of roads, helping form a fresh map of the ancient site. The Attingham Estate in England, an 18th century mansion open to the public with 200 acres of parkland, invites visitors to stroll through the buried ruins of the Roman city of Wroxeter. Now, theres even more of Wroxeter to unravel. Archaeologists conducted a geophysical survey using magnetometer research and uncovered two previously unknown Roman villas, a roadside cemetery, farmsteads, and a web of roads that all provide a robust story of the 2,471 acres under the care of Englands National Trust. Weve seen tantalizing hints of these remains over the years, Janine Young, National Trust archaeologist, said in a statement, with evidence showing up in cropmarks, aerial imagery, and through small surveys and excavations. But until now, what lies beneath the surface of the ground has never fully been investigated. A magnetometer survey records subtle changes in a local magnetic field, allowing for the surveying of large areas in a relatively short time. The survey of the Attingham Estate property established a comprehensive map of what is below our feet, Young said, providing us with a fascinating picture of the estates hidden past, revealing previously unknown sites of importance. The vast grounds of Attingham in Shropshire feature the estate, parkland, forested areas, and farming. In addition to Woxeter and other Roman activity, studies have previously found prehistoric human activity as well as Anglo-Saxon architecture and farming through medieval and post-medieval periods, according to Newsweek. Earlier research helped tell the tale of Wroxeter. The land was first occupied by what the Romans called the Cornovii, who used the landlocked area for farming. With no evidence of warfare, the inhabitants managed cattle and sheep and, instead of pottery, used vessels of leather and wood. The Roman army first arrived in the late 40s AD and constructed a fort for the 14th legion south of Wroxeter. A decade later, that fort was replaced by a new one built less than a mile north. The fort became the backbone of the future city and likely the demise of the local population, as the soldiers took over extensive amounts of land to construct a new fortress, large enough for 5,000 troops and 500 cavalrymen, along with many workshops, stores, and a hospital. The city grew around the fortress in the 90s AD. Although we know a great deal about the city of Wroxeter in Roman times from surveys carried out in the 1990s, Winn Scutt, senior properties curator at English Heritage, said in the statement, the wider area around the site still has much to reveal. The National Trust says that, while additional research is needed to fully understand the two new villas, previous discoveries in the country show these types of villas often used the popular Roman style of heating known as hypocausts (an underfloor heating system) and featured bath houses, mosaic flooring, and painted plaster walls. A Roman villa is not dissimilar to an English estate, and there are many strewn across England, including six in Shropshire. The newly discovered villas reveal evidence of at least two construction or occupation phases, with floor plans showing internal room divisions and properties that featured associated outbuildings. Finding the two villas outside Wroxeter on a road leading away from the city shows how the ancient city may have grown. The archaeologists also found farmsteads they believe are from the Iron Age or Romano-British time, which would have helped supply food to the larger city. The team also discovered roads that help map the region, as well as the roadside cemetery. Attingham Estate has always been known to have high historical and archaeological significance, Young said, which has now been confirmed. You Might Also Like President Biden has capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world. By any measure, he has advanced our founders charge to build a more perfect union and his own stated goal of restoring the soul of our nation. We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being whats best for the country. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it. Around 20,000 Russians died in Kharkiv offensive, Zelensky says Around 20,000 Russian troops were killed during Russia's failed offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the BBC on July 18. Russia launched its offensive on Kharkiv Oblast in May, pressing towards Ukraine's second-largest city, but the assault quickly stalled. "We stopped this offensive, and their attack failed. This is a fact," Zelensky said. "About 20,000 of their people died. These villages cost them." The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently confirm the figure. In June, Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces said Russian forces suffered around 4,000 losses during their offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast. The number includes troops killed or injured. Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, and BBC Russia have confirmed the identities of 59,168 Russian soldiers who have been killed as of July 12 since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. The research was conducted using open sources, including obituaries published in the media and social networks and photos of graves and military monuments. The true toll may be significantly higher. In the BBC interview, Zelensky declined to provide an updated count of how many Ukrainian troops have been killed in the war, citing security concerns. In February, he said that 31,000 troops had been killed. Read also: We took out so many of them: Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren remain in the presidents corner for now. President Biden speaks at a news conference on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington on July 11. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo) President Biden is facing mounting pressure to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. More than 35 congressional Democrats have now called on Biden to end his reelection bid following his halting performance at last months presidential debate, which reinforced questions about his age and fitness for office. Others have remained noncommittal in public while behind the scenes are reportedly ramping up pressure on the president to reconsider his candidacy, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. There are, however, several notable progressive members of Congress whove publicly defended Biden and are standing by him, despite their stark opposition to some of the presidents policies, particularly concerning the United States material and monetary support for Israels war in Gaza. Sen. Bernie Sanders Sen. Bernie Sanders participates in a ''Get Out the Vote'' rally on June 22 in New York City. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) The independent Vermont senator and progressive firebrand, who lost to Biden in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, has recently emerged as one of the presidents key allies in Congress. Enough! Sanders wrote in a New York Times op-ed published July 13. Its time for Democrats to stop the bickering and nit-picking. 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, Sanders wrote. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York on June 22. (Siegfried Nacion/Star Max/IPx) The progressive congresswoman from New York has joined Sanders in Bidens corner. She slammed fellow Democrats calling for Biden to step aside in a late-night Instagram livestream on Thursday, claiming they didnt have a clear plan forward. If you 10,000% are super-convinced that the candidate, or president, cannot beat Donald Trump, then do what you think is in your good conscience. But I have not seen an alternative scenario that, I feel, does not set us up for enormous peril, she said. Ocasio-Cortez chastised what she calls elite Democrats for trying to push Biden out, claiming they also dont want to see Vice President Kamala Harris replace Biden if he steps aside. Sen. Elizabeth Warren Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks in Washington, D.C., on June 18. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The Massachusetts lawmaker challenged Biden in 2020 for the presidential Democratic nomination, but has been a strong Biden supporter. Warren serves on the presidents campaign national advisory board. The Boston Globe asked Warren on July 8 if Biden should stay in the race following his highly criticized debate performance. She replied, President Biden is our nominee. He is an excellent president. He works hard on behalf of working families every day. Following a wave of congressional Democrats calling for the president to pass the torch, Warren told MSNBC on July 20 that Biden has a really big decision to make. What gives me a lot of hope right now is that, if President Biden decides to step back, we have Vice President Kamala Harris who is ready to step up to unite the party, to take on Donald Trump and to win in November, Warren said. Sen. Chris Coons Sen. Chris Coons in Washington, D.C., on July 11. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) The Delaware senator is a close ally of the president and co-chair of the Biden campaign. Following Bidens June debate performance, Coons told ABCs This Week that Biden is the only Democrat who can beat Donald Trump. But late last week, Coons said the president is weighing the best candidate who could win the November election. I am confident he is hearing what he needs to hear from colleagues, from the public, from folks, Coons said at the Aspen National Security Forum on Friday. There are folks still saying he is not strong enough or capable enough to be our next president, Coons added. I disagree. Gun control Biden comments on Trump assassination attempt, (sacbee.com, July 13) We dont have to grapple with the assassination attempt on Donald Trumps life its pretty simple. For many people, fear promotes anger, and anger promotes violence; especially when its condoned by our leaders. When politicians stock-in-trade is fear mongering, when violence is condoned and when folks have easy access to guns designed to kill people, people are going to get killed. All we have to do is stop condoning violence and decrease access to guns designed to kill people. Steve Anderson Sacramento Even-temper Democrats can relax with Kamala Harris on the presidential ticket. Heres why | Opinion, (sacbee.com, July 17) In a season of bombastic language, opinion writer LeBron Hills column reminds us that an even-tempered argument is often the most persuasive. It also helps to hear the opinions of columnists from Vice President Kamala Harris home state. I miss the days when political op-eds didnt have to shout for our attention its a big turn off. Adam Silbert New York, NY Opinion Blame game California leaders react after Trump rally shooting, (fresnobee.com, July 13) Some say Donald Trump pumping his fist after he was grazed let the audience know he was OK. Others saw the gestures, the extreme facial anger and the repeating of what appeared to be the word fight three times as not just encouraging support for his candidacy, but exploiting the moment to build resentment and perhaps even retaliatory violence. One politician offered, First they tried to keep him off the ballot, then they tried to jail him, and now this. Blame for the event was already being deflected away from the unidentified dead shooter onto the political opposition, the black-hearted demon Democrats of the left. Another politician said, Joe Biden sent the orders. Newt Gingrich took the failed assassination attempt as an indicator of Gods partisan view of the election. He said, It was providential that Trump turned his head at the right moment. Perhaps it was just very lucky. Kimball Shinkoskey Woods Cross, Utah More than bloopers President Joe Bidens post-NATO press conference was a success, despite bloopers | Opinion, (sacbee.com, July 12) Bloopers? Answering a question about the vice president, President Joe Biden said, Look, I wouldnt have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I didnt think she was not qualified to be vice president. Just prior to a recent press conference, Biden introduced Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as President Putin. How could he mistake the two? John Hightower Orangevale Your vote matters With Supreme Courts historic Trump immunity decision, how did California Democrats react? (sacbee.com, July 1) Why vote? No matter who we elect, nothing changes. Government has little impact on my life. Meanwhile, Republicans have packed the courts, handcuffed government regulatory agencies and given corporations special benefits. The Supreme Court is packed with unelected political activists. Theyve reversed Roe and they will ban contraception and undo gay rights. Theyve gutted voting rights, allowed extreme gerrymandering, rejected gun safety laws and enabled big money to buy elections. Now, theyve created presidential immunity, reversing the foundation of our country. Theyve enabled Dictator Donald Trump. MAGA Republicans want a return to the 50s. They want women, Black people, Latinos and the LGBTQ+ community to be considered second-class citizens. Take back our government, before its too late. Vote! Marvin Keshner Sonora Elect Democrats Project 2025 offers conservative attack plan for California, (sacbee.com, June 9) Policy doesnt motivate Donald Trump, just self-interest and greed. He can profit from Project 2025 while retaliating against perceived wrongs. Hell embrace it faster than he fondles the American flag. Weak and compliant politicians like Rep. Kevin Kiley would have no problem consenting to this projects broad assaults on reproductive freedoms, environmental protections and democratic institutions. The Republican Study Group has already made similar promises. The Project 2025 checklist is extensive: Deconstruct the Justice Department, the National Weather Service and Health and Human Services; institutionalize a biblical worldview and demolish the church-state separation; undo more than 60 years of social justice progress; remove oversight of the executive branch, abolish civil service and install political cronies. Every voter must learn about Project 2025 and its threat to our republic. Then, elect Democrats like Jessica Morse to protect our rights and freedoms and provide a bulwark against extremism. Barbara Smith Auburn Climate bond Extreme heat cost California nearly $8 billion in the last decade, a new report finds, (sacbee.com, July 9) Increasing temperatures are costing our state billions of dollars, causing dangerous wildfires, making our grid less reliable, impacting work hours and leading to hardship for many Californians. Californians can address many of those challenges by voting for the climate bond on the November ballot. The bond would protect lives and jobs by providing money to reduce the risk of wildfires, floods, heat-island effects and other dangers our state is facing. It would also fund programs for clean air and healthy drinking water. Making our air and water cleaner and protecting our communities from wildfire are essential in a warmer world. Californians have a chance to make our state safer and healthier for everyone by passing this bond measure. Vote Yes on the climate bond in November for a better future. Lisa Howard Rocklin Britains least punctual railway line will be among the last to fall into public hands under Labours nationalisation plans, Telegraph analysis suggests. Labour has vowed to bring Britains railways under state control but has indicated that it will allow contracts to reach their agreed conclusion before returning them to the public sector, rather than intervening early to seize back those networks with the poorest record of delays and cancellations. The approach means that Avanti West Coast, the worst performer among Britains 20 train operating companies in the three months through March, is likely to remain private until October 2026, when a break clause in its nine-year contract can be activated. Avanti was Britains least punctual firm in both the first quarter of this year and all of last year, with its trains arriving on time at only 44pc of stops, according to data from the Office of Rail and Road. It also ranked bottom in terms of reliability in the first quarter of 2024, with almost 9pc of its services cancelled, and second-worst for the year, the data shows. Avanti delays are particularly disruptive for passengers since it provides the main rail links between London and Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland, operating the busiest intercity network in Europe. Cancellations last week saw hundreds forced to stand for hours after two services from London Euston were cancelled. With the vestibules and aisles packed with people and bags, scuffles broke out as those leaving the train struggled to get off at their station before it departed. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh chose Avanti for her first showdown with a train operator last Tuesday. Andy Mellors was summoned to a meeting with the minister and hauled over the coals for the companys unacceptable performance. Ms Haigh said that she had demanded immediate action to raise standards and was prepared to take bold action to move fast and fix things. The Government is committed to nationalising train operators within the five-year maximum span of the current parliament as part of the creation of Great British Railways, which will also take over track maintenance operations currently the responsibility of Network Rail. Four of the 20 contracts are already being run by the Department for Transports operator of last resort, after being taken over in the wake of the pandemic during the Conservative administration. Six others, including Scotrail, Transport for Wales Rail and London Overground, are run by devolved authorities either directly or through hybrid public-private arrangements. Labours policy document Getting Britain Moving said the remaining 10 private contracts would be nationalised as they expired, or if broken by operators who fail to deliver for passengers. The Kings Speech confirmed the approach, with the Government stating that operators could be taken public early should they fail to meet their commitments. However, despite the tough talk, government sources played down the likelihood of Avanti being stripped of the West Coast contract in the near future. Avanti described the talks with Ms Haigh, which also included Network Rail, as constructive. Avanti was controversially awarded a new contract last September by Ms Haighs predecessor Mark Harper, who suggested that the company was back on track. The company, which is 70pc owned by FirstGroup, with Italys state railway Trenitalia holding the rest, suffered years of disruption as a result of crew shortages and a work-to-rule policy enacted by drivers in a dispute over pay. Avanti is understood to have briefed Ms Haigh on the challenges of improving its operations, including remaining issues with terms and conditions that the company is seeking to resolve. Around half of the cancellations affecting Avanti in the most recent period were attributable to track issues beyond its control. Despite ranking among the worst offenders for cancellations, it saw the biggest reduction among operators last year. If the Government bases its schedule for nationalisation plans on break clauses and the expiry of agreements, as now seems likely, one of the first contracts to be taken public could be Greater Anglia, which ranks as the countrys most punctual operator. The only contract that would remain private for longer than Avanti West Coast would be Cross Country. It ranked second-worst for punctuality and cancellations in the three months through March and had an even worse cancellations record than Avanti for the full year. 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. Students at the University of Cambridge will soon have a revolutionary new housing option that's not just greener it's actually carbon negative. Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios has designed three crescent-shaped apartment blocks made from planet-friendly materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT). The result? Housing that removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it adds, according to Dezeen. This groundbreaking project, called Stephen Taylor Court, will provide 84 much-needed homes for graduate students and fellows. But it's not just meeting a housing need. It's showcasing how we can build for the future without compromising the environment. So, how did they do it? The architects used their own carbon calculation tool to carefully choose building materials and construction methods that would minimize lifetime carbon pollution. By prioritizing recycled materials, local sourcing, and carbon-capturing CLT, they achieved a carbon-negative design. CLT was a key component due to its lightweight, air-sealing properties and built-in carbon storage. The robust timber structure also reduced the amount of concrete needed in the foundation, further shrinking the building's carbon footprint. This project doesn't just help the planet it helps students, too. The Passivhaus design principles will keep the apartments well-insulated and energy-efficient, saving residents money on utility bills, all while providing a comfortable place to live and study. Stephen Taylor Court shows that the technology exists today to build carbon-negative housing that looks great, feels cozy, and helps our planet breathe easier. As Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios partner Hugo Marrack explained to Dezeen: "The project has negative embodied carbon on completion, as more carbon has been sequestered in its production than emitted." With plans to add solar panels in the future to keep the carbon savings flowing, this student housing sets an exciting precedent. Imagine a world where every new building helped remove heat-trapping gases from our atmosphere just by existing. Suddenly, net-zero living feels within reach. The first lucky students will move into these planet-positive digs in the fall term of 2024. Here's hoping this university housing inspires a new generation of sustainable building projects ones that prioritize both people and our one precious planet. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan (Reuters) - Azerbaijan is proposing to sign a document with Armenia on the basic principles of a future peace treaty as an interim measure as they wrangle over a broader deal, a senior Azerbaijani official said on Sunday. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have repeatedly said they want to sign a peace treaty to end the conflict over the former breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Saturday a text of a treaty was 80%-90% ready but repeated it was impossible to sign it before Armenia amended its constitution to remove an indirect reference to Karabakh independence, which Armenia has rejected. Karabakh's ethnic Armenian inhabitants enjoyed de facto independence from Azerbaijan for more than three decades until September 2023, when a lightning Azerbaijani offensive retook the territory and prompted around 100,000 Armenians to flee. Both countries have in recent months sought to make progress on the peace treaty, including the demarcation of borders, with Armenia agreeing to hand over to Azerbaijan four contested border villages. A document on the basic principles could be considered as a temporary measure and form the basis of the bilateral ties and ensure neighbourly relations between the two countries, Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to the president, told Reuters. It can be signed until Azerbaijan holds COP29 climate summit in November, Hajiyev added. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in June that a peace treaty with Azerbaijan was close to completion but that his country would not accept its demands that it change its constitution. After he made those comments, clashes broke out between police and demonstrators, the latest in a series of protests denouncing his policies, including the handing back of ruined villages to Azerbaijan, and demanding his resignation. On July 5, Constitution Day in Armenia, Pashinyan said the country needed a new constitution "which the people will consider to be what they created, what they accepted, what is written in it is their idea of the state they created and the relations between people and citizens in that state". (Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Alison Williams) When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images In many places around the world, stray dogs are a real issue. In the US alone, there are thought to be millions of stray dogs and cats, and there are millions more worldwide. Among the countries where stray dogs are a problem is Turkiye, but new measures put in place in a bid to control the population are proving controversial. The party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the countrys president, submitted the bill to parliament last week, and Erdogan has said that an estimated four million strays are roaming around the country. Critics of the bill including major animal rights groups have voiced concerns that it will lead to dogs being kept in cramped shelters, with none of the best dog beds or any real comforts, and also lead to mass euthanasia. Initially, it was proposed that strays would be rounded up, taken to shelters, and euthanized if not adopted within 30 days. However, this proposal never made it to parliament due to public outcry. In the revised plans, stray dogs would be taken from the streets and neutered or spayed in shelters. Abdullah Guler, a senior lawmaker, told reporters that dogs at risk of rabies, as well as those who display aggressive behavior and cant be rehabilitated, would be euthanized, per Euronews . However, local municipalities would be required to improve the conditions in their shelters, while residents would be encouraged to adopt the dogs. As Erdogans party, and its allies, hold a majority in parliament, the bill is expected to pass. According to a report from the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association, an organization that campaigns for stray dogs to be removed from the streets, strays have attacked and killed 65 people since 2022. And, after a child in the Turkish capital of Ankara was severely injured by dogs earlier this year, the government promised to take action. Legislation requiring stray dogs to be caught, neutered or spayed, and returned to the streets, is already in place. However, the regulations havent been implemented properly, causing the stray population to increase hugely animal rights groups are arguing that, if they were implemented, theyd be enough to control the population. Meanwhile, the UK has recently issued a stray dog warning for tourists heading to Turkiye, letting them know that they can form packs and be aggressive. If youre in the US and you come across a dog in public who looks lost, however, heres what to do if you find a lost dog . Paul Pazen is the former Denver chief of police and now the Public Safety Fellow at Common Sense Institute (CSI). DJ Summers is the CSI director of policy & research. To read the full CSI report or listen to a podcast of the fentanyl event, visit: www.commonsenseinstituteco.org Balloon release and candlelight vigil in honor of Topeka women TOPEKA (KSNT) A candlelight vigil and balloon release took place Saturday, July 20, for a Topeka women who passed away after a domestic violence incident. Dedra L. Simmons died Friday, July 19th. It was the tenth homicide in Topeka this year. The service was hosted by her friends and family, saying many words and prayers to celebrate her life. The community was encouraged to wear purple, in honor of domestic violence awareness. Family and friends left burning candles on the corner of the 1300 Block of SW Western Ave. The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to email telltpd@topeka.org or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online. 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. The News Student protests in Bangladesh appeared to have paused Monday after the countrys top court scrapped almost all government job quotas that had inspired weeks-long demonstrations that have left more than 160 people dead. The government has imposed a strict curfew and an internet blackout. Protest leaders have made several demands of the government: To release protesters, lift the curfew, and reopen universities. They also called for the courts ruling to be made formal law, for more government accountability, and for several ministers to resign. If the demands arent met in 48 hours, the protests will continue, Al Jazeera reported. The unrest started after a lower court reinstated broad quotas on jobs for select classes, including relatives of veterans of the 1971 war of independence, earlier this year. Protestors said the quotas privileged supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose party led the independence movement. Human rights advocates have criticized the ongoing crackdown as characteristic of Hasinas governments unwillingness to tolerate criticism. Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus urged Monday to stop the violence in his first public comments since the beginning of the protests. I urgently call on world leaders and the United Nations to do everything within their powers to end the violence against those who are exercising their rights to protest, he said in a statement. There must be investigations into the killings that have taken place already. Former US President Barack Obama speaks at the meeting of the founders and investors of Bits & Pretzels. Sven Hoppe/dpa Former US president Barack Obama has described Joe Biden as "a patriot of the highest order" after he decided to withdraw from the US presidential race. "Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order." Obama went on to praise Biden's "deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts." He went on to list Biden's achievements, including helping to end the pandemic, creating millions of jobs, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and making "the biggest investment to address climate change in history," among many others. "For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America," Obama wrote. "Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow." Biden served as Obama's vice president between 2009 and 2017. US President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (Not Pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House. Biden has withdrawn from his bid for re-election, saying: "I believe it in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Niall Carson/PA Wire/dpa Barack Obama responds to Biden dropping out of 2024 race: One of Americas most consequential presidents Barack Obama is one of the many politicians that is reacting to Joe Biden withdrawing from the 2024 Presidential race. In a statement, Obama referred to Biden as one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner. The 44th president commended Biden for his character and said that was one of the main reasons he selected him to be his vice president 16 years ago. Biden drops out of the 2024 race: Now what happens? When I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joes remarkable career in public service, Obama said. But what I came to admire even more was his character his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts. Obama praised his former VP for displaying his character while Commander-in-Chief amid a turbulent time in American and world history. Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and againhe helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits, Obama said. Internationally, he restored Americas standing in the world, revitalized NATO and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine. He continued on to say that due to all of his accomplishments, Biden had every right to run for re-election and finish what he started. Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress, Obama stated. I also know Joe has never backed down from a fightfor him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America, he added. This is what Biden said as he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Obama did not go so far as to endorse a nominee for the Democratic Party; several government officials, including Biden himself, have endorsed current Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Other politicians, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, have released statements thanking President Biden for his service. Former President Donald Trump also responded to Biden dropping out, but he was not as friendly, dubbing him the worst president, by far. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Barn fire spreads, burns several acres in Iron County before containment IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A barn fire in Parowan Valley spread to the surrounding area and threatened another structure on Saturday afternoon, according to a press release from the Iron County Sheriffs Office. Officials were first notified about the fire which started in a single-level barn just before 3:20 p.m. on Saturday. READ NEXT: Wildfire breaks out on Ensign Peak near Utah State Capitol building A structure fire in Iron County on Saturday, July 20, 2024, spread to the surrounding area. First responders from several agencies responded to fight the fire. (Courtesy: Iron County Sheriffs Office) A structure fire in Iron County on Saturday, July 20, 2024, spread to the surrounding area. First responders from several agencies responded to fight the fire. (Courtesy: Iron County Sheriffs Office) A structure fire in Iron County on Saturday, July 20, 2024, spread to the surrounding area. First responders from several agencies responded to fight the fire. (Courtesy: Iron County Sheriffs Office) A structure fire in Iron County on Saturday, July 20, 2024, spread to the surrounding area. First responders from several agencies responded to fight the fire. (Courtesy: Iron County Sheriffs Office) The fire later spread to the yard around the barn, threatened a nearby residence, and burned about two acres of sagebrush, according to the release. The barn contained several vehicles, and fortunately, no injuries were reported, the sheriffs office said. First responders from seven different agencies including Brian Head Fire, Color County Fire, Paragonah Fire, Parowan Fire, Gold Cross Ambulance, Rocky Mountain Power, and the Iron County Sheriffs Office responded to the scene to fight the fire. Officials said the fire was extinguished and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Iron County Sheriffs Office would like to extend their gratitude to all the first responders who were involved in managing this incident and ensuring the safety of the community, the press release said. There is no further information 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. (KRON) President Joe Biden has officially dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. This is the first time an incumbent president has terminated his reelection bid since Lyndon B. Johnson. The president posted a letter to the public stating that his presidency was his lifes greatest honor. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, said Biden. Live updates: Biden drops out of 2024 race Numerous Bay Area politicians have weighed in on Biden exiting the race. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents, California Governor Gavin Newsom said. President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history, said Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Bidens greatness and goodness. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan reposted Bidens letter on X, saying, A great leader knows when its time to pass the torch. Joe Biden is a great leader. Thank you, Mr. President, for putting the country first. San Francisco District 6 Board of Supervisors Member Matt Dorsey thanked President Biden and stated, Doubtless this decision was incredibly hard for the president and his family. But theres absolutely no shame in it and it secures President Bidens place in American history as a great president and a George-Washington-caliber patriot. The former Mayor of San Jose Sam Liccardo said, The measure of any leader is their willingness to put country above self. Im deeply grateful to President Biden for his steadfast and historic commitment to our nation. President Joe Biden has been a transformative leader for our country, said San Francisco Mayor London Breed. He came into a time of great peril for our democracy, in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, and he had the courage, wisdom and vision to stablize our nation and move us forward. He has supported cities like ours with unprecedented investments in infrastructure, climate change solutions, public safety and more, and the United States of America is far better off today than it was when he took office. Mayor Breed continued, President Biden has given his entire life to public service and this country, and once again he is showing what it means to put his country first. In every interaction I have had with President Biden, he has done the right thing.whether it was for our troops, womens reproductive rights, domestic violence victims, gun violence prevention efforts. I am overcome with gratitude for his decision to put the country first, former U.S. representative for Californias 14th congressional district Jackie Speier said on X. The Presidents decision to not seek reelection will secure his legacy as the most remarkable and consequential four-year presidential term in modern American history, Bay Area Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) wrote on X. His extraordinary 50-year career in policy leadership has created a record of accomplishments unequaled in modern times. President Biden will continue to guide America into a bright, healthy, and optimistic future. Today, President Biden put our country first, as he has done throughout his public service career, said U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). During his presidency, he led the nation out of a crippling pandemic and revived our economy with record job creation and historic low unemployment. He delivered transformational bipartisan victories to invest in our infrastructure and lower costs for working families. And he restored Americas leadership on the world stage by defending democracy in Ukraine. I salute the committed and consequential work of President Biden, said San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin (D-CA), and I can only imagine how difficult a decision this was for him to make. It is a shining example of an individual who puts his country before his own self-interests, and in that spirit we must all pledge to support the Democratic nominee and work to prevent another Trump presidency. Our nation owes President Biden a debt of gratitude for his service and patriotism, especially in making such a difficult decision, said U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA). Thanks to his leadership, the American people have witnessed historic investments in education, infrastructure, and so much more. President Biden is an extraordinary leader, said State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-CA). He led us out of the pandemic & the disastrous Trump presidency. He delivered critical legislative wins on climate, manufacturing & infrastructure. And once again, hes putting the nation before himself. Thank you, Mr. President. President Biden has led our nation with incredible skill, heart, and determination. His presidency has implemented generational change. Through his leadership, Americas economy is back from the abyss, hes created a record number of jobs for working families, hes reinvested in rural America, doubled the stock market, stood strong for reproductive rights and, because of his steady hand, America is back as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. His leadership has been nothing short of tremendous, especially coming out of a global pandemic. California is deeply grateful for his tireless dedication to this nation we all love to call home, said Senator Mike McGuire. From the Senate to the White House, President Biden has selflessly dedicated his life to serving our country. And nowhere is his ability to govern more apparent than in his tremendous successes as President, Congressman Mike Thompson said. Thompson thanked Biden for his honest leadership. Thompson also said In three short years, President Biden led our country out of the darkest days of a global pandemic, skillfully building our economy into the strongest in the world. He passed the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in three decades, made historic investments in our transportation and infrastructure, made the largest investment in climate resiliency weve ever seen, and so much more. President Biden stands as one of our most effective presidents in modern history. District 1 Supervisor and San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee Member Connie said, President Joe Biden has seen America through some of its darkest days, leading us out of the pandemic and working tirelessly to rebuild an economy that invests in working families. Thank you, President Biden, for your unwavering support for labor unions. It is not an exaggeration to say you have been among the most pro-union and pro-worker presidents in our history. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHESHIRE, Conn. (WTNH) A black bear in Cheshire has been euthanized after biting a woman Saturday, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) responded to the incident around 4 p.m. in the area of Cornwall Avenue and Oak Avenue. Cheshire police said the bear approached the woman while she was sitting in her backyard. The victim suffered minor injuries. Prior to police arriving, the bear fled but was spotted by officers and did not appear to be healthy, according to Cheshire Police. EnCon officers located and euthanized the bear which was turned over to DEEP Wildlife Biologists who will conduct an initial necropsy on the 280-pound, adult male bear. The bear will be submitted for additional testing which may take several days, said DEEP. The investigation into the incident remains 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 WTNH.com. President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid Sunday amid pressure from Democratic leaders, sparking reactions across the country. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) says Bidens decision could not have been easy but was in the best interest of the country and the Democratic party. I want to thank him for his leadership, kindness and for a successful presidency that got big, important things done, Beshear said in a statement. More: Biden out, Beshear in? What Kentucky's governor is saying about potential run for VP In the same statement, Beshear says Biden will be remembered as a consequential president, saying he and Vice President Kamala Harris led the country through the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2020 attack on the Capitol as well as a global pandemic. (Biden) showed up for Kentucky after devastating tornadoes and historic flooding, delivering immediate federal aid that is helping to rebuild our communities, Beshear said. His leadership provided infrastructure investments that are bringing clean drinking water and high speed internet to parts of Kentucky that for far too long had been overlooked and underserved. My statement on President Joe Biden's decision: pic.twitter.com/88dg4ooVu5 Andy Beshear (@AndyBeshearKY) July 21, 2024 Beshear had never called on Biden to resign but in the days following the June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump, Beshear called on the president to discuss his health with the public. I said that our president is known for being a straight talker, telling the American people the truth, and my recommendation was that he have an open conversation with the public about the status of his health, Beshear told reporters in Louisville. Reports: Beshear a contender for VP nod as Biden withdrawals from Presidential race What has Beshear said about spot on presidential ticket? While Beshear has remained a vocal supporter of Biden following the debate, he appeared to keep his options open, despite being tight-lipped on his aspirations, The Courier Journal reported. He told reporters he would only consider putting his name on a presidential ticket if he could help the commonwealth even more through some other opportunity. Who will replace Joe Biden as presidential candidate? Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, is the most logical replacement, and Biden in making his decision to drop out of the race also endorsed her. Many Democrats have resisted rallying behind Harris as the alternative. Thoughts on Beshear as VP? Let us know here These other leaders have been commonly named as other possible replacements: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer California Gov. Gavin Newsom Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Leo Bertucci contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reacts to Joe Biden's decision Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. Members of Washington states congressional delegation and other Democrats responded to President Joe Bidens decision to end his campaign, with some saying they welcomed the news and were prepared to back Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic Party. Others praised Bidens service as president without offering comments on next steps. Biden announced Sunday he was stepping down, following a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump which raised fresh questions about his age and ability to serve as president. Biden is 81. It is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, he announced on Sunday. U.S. Rep. Adam Smith said via social media that Biden made the right decision. I applaud President Joe Biden for making this difficult choice. I think it is the best path forward for our country. I thank him for the great job he has done as President and for his 50+ years as a dedicated public servant. U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, also on social media, praised Bidens service. His legacy of public service is profound, he said. Today, on behalf of the folks I represent, I have a simple message. Thank you for your outstanding service Mr. President. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell also praised Bidens service and called for a standard bearer. The Democratic Party needs a standard bearer who can deliver our economic message continuing the historic accomplishment of building more economic opportunities for working class people and a focus on lowering costs, she said in a statement. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, too, thanked Biden and was unequivocal in her support of Vice President Harris. We must beat Donald Trump and I know Kamala Harris can win. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people not billionaires first. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as our next President. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democratic candidate in the gubernatorial race, was among those who issued a statement Sunday. I am excited that Democrats can now rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who can unify our party and country, part of his statement said. Vice President Harris was Attorney General of California when I was first elected Washingtons Attorney General. She is smart, hardworking, and tough. Shell never back down to powerful interests and she genuinely cares about people. She is a prosecutor who has put away criminals. Shes exactly the fighter we need to take on a convicted felon in November and win, and I am proud to offer her my endorsement and support. State Democratic Party chair Shasti Conrad called for support of the vice president and to avoid any dithering about whether a woman can lead this country. We cannot and will not survive another media cycle of hand-wringing about whether the country will accept a woman as our president. We must be ready to surround her with a wall of support and be ready to stand against the racism and sexism that we know will come. As a Party, we must not perpetuate any of the bigoted and wrong sentiments that we know will come from the Trump-owned Republican Party. The Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago from August 19 to 22. Is Joe Biden already turning into a lame-duck president? Theres evidence that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thinks so and is betting on former President Donald Trump as the next occupant of the Oval Office. In the last couple of weeks, Netanyahu has flagrantly delayed the Gaza cease-fire talks in Doha, creating new demands. He is doing this even as Biden has waxed positive about an imminent deal as recently as his July 11 press conference that would free the Israeli hostages and pause hostilities in the nearly 10-month-old war. There are several reasons Netanyahu is slow-rolling the negotiations, according to a senior Middle East diplomat and experts familiar with the negotiations. One is that he needs to appease two far-right cabinet members, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have threatened to dissolve his government if he makes concessions to Hamas. Another is he believes Hamas has been significantly weakened and is on the run, thanks to devastating Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that killed senior Hamas officials including possibly Muhammad Deif, the commander of Hamas military wing. But a key reason for Netanyahus latest delay tactic that has received less attention appears to be his calculation that the U.S. election is shifting rapidly in Trumps favor. With the U.S. presidential election now a little more than three months away, Netanyahu may believe he can escape the pressure hes getting from Biden to stop the war and that Trump will go easier on Israel and also be far tougher on Iran and its proxies, especially Hezbollah in Israels north. In 2020 Netanyahu described Trump as the best friend that Israel has ever had in the White House. Our assessment is that Netanyahu wants to buy time until the November election, said a senior foreign diplomat from a Middle Eastern nation who is in close touch with the negotiators, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to reveal his government affiliation. The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported last week that a separate intelligence assessment provided to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also concludes the Doha talks may not progress until November because of Netanyahus belief that hell have more maneuvering room under Trump. (The Egyptian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.) The fact that Biden is embroiled in controversy at home over whether he should run again because of his age with a growing number of Democratic Party leaders calling on him to step aside is also helping. I think Netanyahu is feeling less pressure from Washington, said David Makovsky of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who has conferred with the Doha negotiators. He feels Biden is in no place to pressure him. As Netanyahu heads to Washington to meet Biden and address Congress, the Israeli leaders delay of the cease-fire negotiations despite enormous pressure from his own public to free the hostages marks only the latest frustration for the U.S. president, who has sought to tout his leadership and long experience on the world stage. At the NATO summit on July 11, two weeks after his disastrous debate with Trump, Biden repeated earlier assertions that a cease-fire deal was imminent, saying he had proposed a framework now agreed on by both Israel and Hamas. Biden said, Were making progress, the trend is positive, and Im determined to get this deal done and bring an end to this war, which should end now. On Monday, according to the White House, Israel affirmed its full support for the deal as outlined by President Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council, G7, and countries around the world. But at about the same time the White House was touting Israels cooperation, Netanyahu was changing course, stunning his own negotiating team by issuing new demands in the past week. Even before Bidens current political troubles Netanyahu was engaged in regular slow-walking of the cease-fire talks, according to many Israeli critics such as Nimrod Novik, an Israeli commentator who once served as senior adviser to former Prime Minister Shimon Peres. On some occasions, the prime minister delayed his war cabinet deliberations; other times, he prevented the Israeli negotiating team from traveling to Cairo or Doha. But Netanyahu was always prodded back into action by the Biden administration. Time and again it was mounting public pressure and American urgings that forced him to restore the momentum, only to slow it down again, said Novik. Critics say Netanyahus latest diplomatic monkey wrench thrown into the works at the moment of Bidens greatest political vulnerability was more brazen and disruptive than anything hes done before. It came after Hamas delivered a big concession by dropping its demand for a full resolution to the war in phase one and instead agreed to leave the paramount issue of when the conflict would finally end to further negotiations, giving Netanyahu much of what he wanted. Israel agreed to the U.S. framework on May 27. But in the last couple of weeks, in a move that even Netanyahus chief negotiator, Mossad head David Barnea, opposed according to Israeli news reports, the prime minister abruptly reopened an issue both sides thought was no longer an obstacle. Netanyahu insisted on keeping an Israeli military presence in two corridors: along the border with Egypt, the so-called Philadelphi corridor; as well as along the Netzarim corridor that cuts through the center of Gaza. The aim, he said, would be to prevent any armed Palestinians from returning across the border with Egypt and traveling to the cleared-out areas in the north. Previously the cease-fire plan that the Israeli side had agreed to did not address military control over those two corridors, nor did the Israelis insist on inspecting people returning to the northern Gaza Strip. Prior to Netanyahus intervention, Israeli negotiators had also tentatively agreed to a U.S.-brokered compromise in which electronic surveillance and additional physical barriers would suffice to block any new Hamas tunnels across the border between Egypt and Gaza. Netanyahus new demands forced Israel to pause the talks. Bibis bombshell really set the clock back, said Makovsky. This was a bigger deal than [previous delays]. Until now there was a sense that [the cease-fire] was actually going to happen. People could taste this one. There was such optimism that Hamas had delinked phase one from phase two, Makovsky said, that some negotiators felt they could start talking about the specifics of prisoner exchanges to bring out the hostages. It seems likely Netanyahu and his inner circle figure they can basically run out the clock until Trump gets back to the Oval Office in January, said Michael Koplow of the Israel Policy Forum, a peace advocacy group in Washington. Then theyll have any options they want. There wont be any pressure on a ceasefire or hostage deal or anything else. According to Israeli news reports, Netanyahu told his security cabinet Tuesday that the government shouldnt be anxious about the drawn-out negotiations for a hostage release and cease-fire deal. Hamas is the one that should be anxious. The hostages are suffering but they are not dying, he said. Barnea, by contrast, has warned that the female hostages in particular may not have long to live, and he has said publicly that Netanyahus new demand for rigorous monitoring of Palestinians traveling from southern to northern Gaza may upend negotiations. As a result, public dissension has erupted within the Israeli negotiating team Netanyahu and his own defense minister, Yoav Gallant, aren't even on speaking terms and many Israelis are furious at the way Netanyahu is delaying a hostage deal which seems to be in an utmost critical stage, says Gilead Sher, the former chief of staff to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and a senior peace negotiator. There is a broad public sentiment of gross neglect by Netanyahu, due to his flying out [to Washington] before completing a hostage deal and while the bloody war with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in the north still goes on, Sher said in an interview. U.S. politics has even entered into the often furious debate inside Netanyahus security cabinet. According to the newspaper Haaretz, one of the far-right members who opposes any deal with Hamas, Ben-Gvir, said in a cabinet meeting this week that "making a reckless deal now would not only endanger Israel, but would be a slap in the face of Trump, and a win for Biden." Novik says that what he calls the Trump factor is one of several considerations that is allowing Netanyahu who faces corruption charges when he leaves office to string out the war. I believe that his primary motivation is the need to stay in power for as long as it takes to orchestrate his way out of prison, via legislation or otherwise, Novik said. To accomplish that, he needs those extremist coalition partners, who threaten to dissolve his government should he allow the war to end. What remains unclear, however, is whether a second-term President Trump would make a difference. Netanyahu and Trump were not personally close during the latters presidency. The Israeli prime minister also angered Trump when he congratulated Biden for winning in 2020 at a time when Trump was trying to overturn the election. Even so, Trump as president ended up giving Netanyahu almost everything he demanded on both the Palestinian and Iranian issues. In contrast to previous presidents, among them Biden and Barack Obama, who sought to restrain West Bank settlements so as to negotiate a two-state solution, Trump barely mentioned the issue as Netanyahu pursued a strategy of sidelining the Palestinians. In a major blow to Palestinian statehood in 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. did not consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank a violation of international law. In another first for an American president, Trump also recognized the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. Bit by bit, Trump also unilaterally withdrew rights and recognitions from the Palestinians that both sides used to consider final status issues to be negotiated under the Oslo Accords, which Netanyahu had long sought to undermine. Among other things, Trump announced he was moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and pulled funding to support Palestinian refugees all without offering any real solution regarding the future of the Palestinian people. At the urging of his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, Trump embraced Netanyahus grand strategy of cementing Israels strategic ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain under the Abraham Accords. And in 2018 Trump handed Netanyahu the biggest prize of all, pulling out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that Netanyahu had campaigned tirelessly against. In his last speech to Congress in 2015, Netanyahu infuriated Obama by urging that the nuclear deal be scuttled. Israels longest-serving premier has virtually made his career in Israeli politics by advertising himself as the only one who can stiff-arm the Americans. But the deepest current divide between Netanyahu and Biden, one that Trump may be happy to bridge, is on the issue of who will govern Gaza. Biden insists that opening up negotiations toward a two-state solution is once again necessary; Netanyahu refuses to consider even sketching out a rudimentary framework for Palestinian autonomy. As president, Trump sometimes advocated two states but never pressed Netanyahu on the issue. Hes unlikely to do so now, after the Knesset which has grown far more hawkish since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 voted overwhelmingly on July 18 to oppose a Palestinian state. Still, Netanyahu should be careful what he wishes for. Since the war against Hamas began, Trump has been occasionally critical of the Israeli governments ill-preparedness. And in April Trump said Israel was losing the PR war and needed to end the conflict soon. Im not sure that Im loving the way theyre doing it, because youve got to have victory and its taking a long time, Trump said in an interview on The Hugh Hewitt Show. Trump has not been explicit on what he will do. The 2024 GOP platform is only 16 pages long, but Israel is the only country explicitly mentioned as one the U.S. will support unilaterally. We will stand with Israel, and seek peace in the Middle East, the platform says, without elaborating. Some Israeli pundits noted that language appeared to tone down the 2016 platforms pledge of unequivocal support for Israel, and a second President Trump may be more eager to put out the flames in the Middle East than Netanyahu realizes. The new Republican platform, for example, doesnt even address how to confront Iran, and the current Biden framework would also address ways to find a cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel, which Trump would likely support. Trump in 2024 is not the same as Trump of 2016-2020, said Koplow. Hes been emphasizing a lot more of an isolationist bent. We could expect that Trump is going to be rhetorically hawkish on Iran, but if the platform is any indication or the fact that he picked JD Vance as vice president, then his bark on Iran may be a lot worse than his bite. Vance is openly anti-interventionist when it comes to U.S. foreign policy. The Israel stuff is still in a bit of a black box and is even more unclear than other parts of his policy, according to a national security expert who is familiar with the thinking inside the Trump campaign. But I would note that Trump has been critical of Netanyahu, hes clearly not happy with him as an individual, and again Trump has inclinations toward making a deal. I would not be surprised if hes cooler toward Netanyahu and is less willing to do things like the annexation of the West Bank or Gaza. By Steve Holland, Jarrett Renshaw and Bianca Flowers WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden gave most of his aides a mere moment's notice of his decision to quit the race for reelection on Sunday after an agonizing 48 hours poring over polling data which showed his path to victory was closing, two sources said. Only the day before, Biden was telling many aides that he would continue campaigning to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in November. In the words of one source, "the message was proceed with everything, full speed ahead". After digesting the polling data late on Saturday, Biden changed his mind. He gathered his senior White House and campaign team for a call shortly before 1:45 p.m. on Sunday and moments later made his announcement public in a letter to all Americans. One source said top aides showed Biden internal polling with the jarring news on Saturday night that he was not just trailing in all six critical swing states that could decide the election but also collapsing in places like Virginia and Minnesota where Democrats had not planned on needing to spend massive resources. Biden was isolating at his home at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, since testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Still nursing a cough, he had spent most of the weekend stewing over Democratic pressure to force him to leave the race, aides said. With him were long-time senior aides Annie Tomasini, Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon and a top aide to first lady Jill Biden, Anthony Bernal. Once resolved, he shared his decision on the call by reading the letter he would soon release. "He read the letter to us and wanted us to understand his thinking. He said he had wrestled with it over the last 48 hours," said one official. Immediately after that call, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients called senior White House staff together to inform them of the decision. "This was really closely held," the official said. "It came as a surprise to most White House folks." Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had already spoken multiple times during the day on Sunday, a person familiar with their conversations said. At 1:46 p.m., Biden made his bombshell announcement. DIVIDED PARTY The decision followed a disastrous debate Biden had with Trump that raised questions about the mental acuity of the 81-year-old Democratic president. After the debate, Biden began losing ground to Trump in battleground states, and Biden's campaign was pursuing a razor-thin path to reelection. "It became hard with the growing opposition within the party. We have to be united going into November. That was a factor," the senior White House official said, while noting there had still been significant support for Biden across the country. "I'm still processing it," said Marcus Mason, an at-large delegate to the Democratic National Convention in August. "The president will go down in history as a patriot who put his country and party over his own ambitions." Biden had been particularly irked at former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom Biden advisers believed was orchestrating a pressure campaign to get him to stand down. Hours before the announcement, the Biden campaign denied reports he was planning to drop out. "It is false. And I think that it is false to continue to try to gin up this narrative," Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks told MSNBC's "The Weekend" on Sunday morning. There were plenty of signs Biden had been thinking about pulling out for several days, with sources saying the Democratic incumbent had been doing some soul searching. (Reporting By Steve Holland, Jarrett Renshaw and Bianca Flowers; Editing by Heather Timmons, Aurora Ellis, Leslie Adler and Chris Reese) For the chaos that will now ensue, the 81-year-old president only has himself to blame - OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images By giving up the nomination just 107 days before the presidential election, Joe Biden has plunged his party into the biggest political crisis in its history. Only two one-term presidents have decided not to run again, and only Lyndon B Johnson gave up the nomination ahead of a party convention. No Democrat has ever stood down from an election this close to polling day. It is not Mr Bidens fault that he is suffering from an age-related slowdown that has caused so much concern from his colleagues. Even his toughest critics have sympathy for the position that he has found himself in for some months. But the decision to hold out for this long was Mr Bidens alone. For the chaos that will now ensue, the 81-year-old president only has himself to blame. Mr Biden is well aware that his duty to his country and party extend far beyond the consideration of his own career. He knows, intellectually, that he should have assessed the merits of his campaign objectively before deciding to run again this year. That responsibility is one that he has shirked in the last three weeks. The presidential debate on June 27 in which he gave a stuttering, geriatric performance changed everything. Those who waved away criticism of Mr Bidens age, dismissing clips of his gaffes as partisan edits by Republicans and attacking media outlets that reported them, realised that it was not a Beltway issue. It was serious. After the debate, there was probably some way to recover the Biden-Harris campaign, with extensive outreach to concerned Congressmen and an attempt to stem the exodus of donors and high-profile backers. Instead, Mr Biden buried his head in the sand. He refused to speak to his critics for a fortnight, and delayed his conversations with kingmakers in Congress for some days. As recently as July 7, he said that only the Lord Almighty could convince him to stand down a line that was hastily revised in more recent interviews to say that a major health crisis or poll slump would also force him to go. He also continued to make public gaffes. There was shock on all sides in Washington at the annual Nato summit on July 11 when he confused Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, and Donald Trump with Kamala Harris. There was no recognition from the Biden camp that these issues mattered. In speeches, he made jokes about his age and insisted that although he was old, he was still able to tell the truth. For the first time, those close to him began to doubt that. On a recent call with Mr Biden, Nancy Pelosi was forced to ask that his campaign chief, Jen OMalley Dillon, be added to the conversation to give a realistic view on his electoral chances. Barack Obama, long a support of his former vice president, became frustrated that he would not listen. Mr Bidens refusal to listen to his allies was uncharacteristic. He was successful in the 2020 primaries partly because of his ability to unite the Democratic Party, and build a broad coalition behind some of his landmark legislation. But his arrogant approach to this situation has undone that work, dividing the Democratic Party and creating fury on both sides. Those critical of Mr Biden are angry with his supporters for deluding themselves into thinking he could win. Those loyal to him could not understand why so many of the party faithful had turned against their man. If Ms Harris replaces Mr Biden and is unable to catch up on Trump's commanding lead as looks likely he will rightly be blamed - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images People around Mr Biden have been left with the impression he has a messiah complex. Although he only intended to serve one term, he became convinced he was the only nominee who could beat Trump, and cites the Charlottesville riots as the event that persuaded him to stand for a second time. The truth is that Mr Biden has not been in a position to beat Trump for some time. Some of the contenders to replace him have better ratings in the swing states that will have the most impact in November. The collapse in support for the president has not been entirely his fault. He has been a victim of political circumstance and the inevitability of ageing, and the assassination attempt against Trump last weekend only made his campaign more difficult. But the main issue is that Mr Bidens own management of this crisis has been poor. If Ms Harris replaces him and is unable to catch up on Trumps commanding lead as looks likely he will rightly be blamed. A younger, more vigorous candidate will be at least be able to attack Trump in ways Mr Biden simply was not able to over recent months. In many ways, the 81-year-old has been an impactful and successful president. His colleagues, while furious now, will probably admit in time that his presidency was a success. But after five decades in politics, Mr Bidens problem was that he simply could not let go. 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. Biden out, Beshear in? What Kentucky's governor is saying about potential run for VP Gov. Andy Beshear shakes hands with Pres. Joe Biden and thanks him for a promise of federal aid as Biden toured the tornado devastation in Dawson Springs, Ky. on Wednesday evening. Dec. 15, 2021 Sunday's news that President Joe Biden will end his second term bid puts a spotlight on potential contenders for the Democratic ticket, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Beshear has been floated as a possible vice presidential pick, according to numerous media reports including The Hill though he has not publicly expressed interest in the role. Others in consideration, according to reports, include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. Beshear's ability to win three statewide races first as attorney general and then as governor in deep red Kentucky make him an appealing choice in the upcoming race, political scientists and party observers say. Should Andy Beshear be VP pick? Submit your letter to the editor here However, Beshears victories in both 2019 and 2023 were narrow. And despite his popularity here, it may be tough for Beshear to help win Kentuckys eight electoral college votes for Democrats. Former President Donald Trump swept to victory in the Bluegrass State in 2020 with around two-thirds of the vote. Beshear responds to Biden dropping out of presidential race Beshear released a statement on Sunday that said Biden made the right decision by stepping down and thanked the president for his service. "While his decision today could not have been easy, it is in the best interest of our country, and our party," Beshear said. "I want to thank him for his leadership, kindness and for a successful presidency that got big, important things done." Beshear said Biden will be remembered as a "consequential president" for leading the country out of difficult times alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, including the Jan. 6 insurrection and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also praised Biden for showing up for Kentucky after deadly tornadoes and flooding in 2021 and 2022, "delivering immediate federal aid that is helping to rebuild our communities." Gov. Andy Beshear and Pres. Joe Biden talk with residents as they tour the tornado devastation in Dawson Springs, Ky. on Wednesday evening. Dec. 15, 2021 "(Biden's) leadership provided infrastructure investments that are bringing clean drinking water and high speed internet to parts of Kentucky that for far too long had been overlooked and underserved," Beshear said. "President Biden came through on the Brent Spence Companion Bridge Project, getting bipartisan funding for a project that had been stalled for years and is a major thoroughfare for national commerce." Thoughts on Beshear as VP? Let us know here Beshear ended the statement by saying: "Now it is time for our nation to come together. We need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise. We have an opportunity to remember that we are taught to treat our neighbor as yourself and that we are all each other's neighbor." What has Beshear said so far about seeking higher office? While the governor has been tight-lipped on his future political aspirations, he has previously said he would only leave Kentucky's governorship if he felt like he "could help the commonwealth even more with some other opportunity." During a recent Team Kentucky update, Beshear denied having conversations with the White House regarding his potential candidacy. But some political science professors have said his guarded comments suggest he's interested in higher office. Beshear previously met with other Democratic governors at the White House after the Biden's poor debate performance to discuss concerns over the president's health. During the meeting, Beshear called for Biden to speak directly to the American people about his health. Beshear has also been trying to raise his national profile, traveling at least five times to out-of-state Democratic fundraisers and launching a PAC to support Democrats in red and purple states. The PAC, called In This Together, raised over $300,000 between January and the end of May, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. There has also been previous talk of whether Beshear could step up as the presidential nominee, though Biden endorsed Harris as his pick for the nomination in announcing his withdrawal from the race. After the June presidential debate, Beshear was among a few Democrats that national outlets listed as potential candidates as a replacement for Biden, with others including Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. How has Kentucky voted in the presidential and gubernatorial elections? Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Who's replacing Biden? Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear floated as VP pick President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race, ending a weeks-long crisis within the Democratic Party over his viability against former President Donald Trump in November after a disastrous debate performance last month laid bare concerns over his age. In a letter posted on social media and addressed to my fellow Americans, Biden, 81, wrote that it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, wrote Biden, who has been isolating at his Delaware home while recovering from a Covid diagnosis. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. In a second statement posted minutes later, Biden threw his support behind his vice president, Kamala Harris, to replace him as the nominee. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Over several hours on a frenzied Sunday afternoon, senior lawmakers in the House and Senate, as well as several leading democratic organizations, followed Bidens lead, endorsing the vice president and calling on the party to unify. The Biden for President campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission to transform itself into Harris for President, posting a statement from Harris stating her intent to earn the support of her party. My intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Biden had faced growing pressure since his June 27 debate performance in Atlanta from top Democratic lawmakers, who feared Bidens flagging support risked an electoral wipeout from the White House to both houses of Congress. The president resisted calls to drop out of the race for several weeks, vowing to stay in as the Democratic nominee after winning the partys largely uncontested primary. But polling data began to show Biden losing ground in an expanding map of battleground states, wealthy donors started withholding their funds, and leading Democrats in the House and Senate made personal entreaties for him to exit the race, forcing him to reconsider. Most White House officials found out about the presidents decision from his social media post along with the rest of the public. But one official familiar with Bidens thinking told McClatchy that he came to a final decision to withdraw over the weekend. Biden spoke with Harris to inform her of his decision before making it public, the official said. Another source said that White House officials are being told by administration leadership that Biden fully intends on completing his term in office, despite growing calls from Republicans for the president to step down over his age. Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, Trump said in his first reaction to the news, and is certainly not fit to serve. DRAWING HARRIS CLOSE Bidens withdrawal is unprecedented: No nominee for president from a major party has exited the race so close to Election Day. But Bidens endorsement of Harris signals to the party his desire to avoid an intraparty brawl and unify behind one candidate, with less than four months to go before the general election and with Trump, the Republican nominee, ahead in polls across all battleground states. Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? Should the party coalesce behind Harris, she would be able to access Bidens sizable campaign war chest a fund otherwise inaccessible to another candidate and secure ballot access in key states with deadlines that precede the Aug. 19 Democratic convention. Still, Republicans already plan to file legal challenges to thwart any ballot changes in states that are key to victory in November. A Democratic National Committee source told McClatchy that it was unclear whether any changes to the party process would be required to elevate Harris, but noted the partys existing rules state that eligible delegates may vote for the candidate of their choice whether or not the name of such candidate was placed in nomination. In a statement, former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined Biden in endorsing Harris, saying they will do whatever we can to support her. Biden, the Clintons said, had capped his extraordinary career of service with a presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris, they added, and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it. Several top Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, followed swiftly with endorsements of Harris. Still, other party leaders including former President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Hakeem Jeffries stopped short of endorsing the vice president in their statements. We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead, Obama said. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. Breaking News President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing story: With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement California Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to Joe Biden dropping out. Heres what he said Why some say Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear would make a great VP candidate With Biden out, what could be next for NC Gov. Roy Cooper? Even as Biden insisted he would stay in the race under any circumstances, signs emerged shortly after the debate that he was drawing Harris closer than ever. Shes not only a great vice president, Biden said at the NAACPs convention last week. She could be president of the United States. The vice president joined Biden at a critical meeting with Democratic governors the week after the debate, and joined him to watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the south lawn of the White House an exclusively family affair in prior years. Biden began stating in speeches that Harris was prepared to become president if called upon. And when, in private, he opened himself up to the idea of stepping aside, his first question to aides was over Harris prospects against Trump in November. The political crisis dominated press briefings held by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre every time one was held after the debate, with several exchanges with the press corps getting contentious. In one of the first briefings held after the Atlanta event, Jean-Pierre was asked whether Biden remained committed to remarks he had made in the last election cycle, to serve as a bridge to the next generation of the Democratic Party. His statement stands, Jean-Pierre said. One of the reasons why he picked the vice president, Kamala Harris, is because she is indeed the future of the party. TORTURED PATH TO WITHDRAWAL Consistently behind in the polls, Biden and his campaign pushed for an early debate with Trump in an attempt to reset the race. Instead, Bidens halting performance on stage in Atlanta on June 27 prompted panic in the party over the presidents declining acuity and stamina. Public polling in the days that followed found three out of four Americans believed Biden was mentally unfit for office. A day after the debate, Biden rallied supporters in North Carolina and vowed to fight on. I dont walk as easy as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to, he said. But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong, he continued. I know how to get things done. And I know like millions of Americans know: When you get knocked down, you get back up. That weekend, Bidens family urged him to keep going, and senior campaign aides dismissed calls for him to step aside as an exercise in bedwetting a crisis response that shook Democratic donors and supporters as detached from the reality of shifting public opinion over a campaign that, before the debate, had already been in trouble. Biden participated in a handful of public events in the following days. But nearly all of them were scripted, reinforcing concerns within the party that he was incapable of holding his own during engagements that are basic to the presidency. Within a matter of days, Democratic congressmen fearing Bidens political collapse could be a drag on their own races began openly calling on the president to step aside. Democratic leadership phoned Biden for conversations they described as candid over the best path forward. But the president doubled down further, vowing to remain in the race in public engagements, telling one television host that his withdrawal from the race was off the table and sending a letter to Democratic lawmakers attempting to shut down talk of alternative paths. His efforts only temporarily slowed calls for him to leave the race. Two weeks after the debate, as pollsters began producing data showing Virginia, New Hampshire, Minnesota and New Mexico states that have reliably voted Democratic for over 20 years could now be competitive, prominent senators began issuing public warnings that Biden could lose in a landslide. The weekend before the Republican National Convention began in Milwaukee, and hours before an assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, Biden held a tense call with moderate Democratic lawmakers and received Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at his home in Delaware. Schumer quietly urged him to consider the bleak electoral picture he faced in the polling data: victory was slipping out of reach. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued similar warnings in a separate phone call. Biden announced his withdrawal on Sunday, less than a month away from the DNC. Joe has never backed down from a fight, Obama said in response to the news. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. McClatchy congressional correspondent David Catanese contributed reporting from Washington, D.C. Bidens Campaign Went Through 93% of Money It Raised in June (Bloomberg) -- Before his Sunday announcement that he was leaving the presidential race, Joe Bidens beleaguered campaign entered July with $96 million cash on hand, after a spending spree last month that depleted about 93% of the money it raised in June. Most Read from Bloomberg Bidens spending included a $50 million ad blitz ahead of his disastrous June 27 debate performance, which fractured the Democratic Party and prompted the relentless pressure that led him to drop out. His burn rate far outpaced that of his rival, former President Donald Trump, whose campaign spent just 46% of the money it raised in June and entered the final 127 days of the 2024 race with $128 million in the bank. Bidens campaign has spent $243 million through the end of June, Federal Election Commission records show, and hadnt let up in July. Even as dozens of Democratic lawmakers called on him to quit the race, his campaign continued to spend. The Biden team has bought $35 million of ad time in July, according to AdImpact, compared with less than $70,000 for Trump. The spending plans came as Bidens campaign faced a de-facto fundraising freeze, with many Democratic donors reluctant to give more money to a candidate whose mental acuity and ability to serve another four-year term had come into question. Biden, 81, has been isolating with Covid-19 since last week and planned to return to the campaign trail in the week ahead before he dropped out. He and surrogates have at least nine fundraising events scheduled in the coming weeks, and it remains to be seen what will happen with those. Bidens financial misfortune was a stunning reversal from a few months ago, when his campaign was raising significantly more money than Trumps and was poised to vastly outspend its Republican rival. Even as Trumps fundraising has surged, his campaign has maintained a lean operation and has shied away from the costly field offices and large advertising blitzes at the center of the Democrats strategy. The campaigns remaining cash becomes an important consideration now that Biden has stepped aside. Only Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed Sunday for the nomination, can inherit the balance under federal campaign finance law. Should Democrats choose another candidate for the ticket at an open nominating convention, the campaign could either donate its remaining funds to the Democratic National Committee or to a super PAC, but the new nominee would have to start raising money from scratch. Overall, Biden and the Democratic Party entered July with $240 million cash on hand compared with $285 million for Trump, who has seen a cash boost since his conviction at the end of May on charges related to hush-money payments made to an adult entertainer. After a failed assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, figures from the tech and financial industries have pledged their support, including venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. Billionaire Elon Musk has pledged to put $45 million a month into a super political action committee that is focusing on getting out the vote for GOP nominee, though those donations, should he make them, wont be disclosed until October. Trumps main super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc., raised $22.5 million, with aerospace entrepreneur Robert Bigelow and Linda McMahon, Trumps head of the Small Business Administration, each donating $5 million. The group started July with $114 million cash on hand. Future Forward PAC, Bidens main super PAC, raised $33 million in June and ended the month with $122 million. George Soros donated $5 million via Democracy PAC, which he uses to make large donations, the day after the debate. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman gave $3 million, and Eric Schmidt, the former chief executive officer of Google, gave $1.6 million. MAGA Inc. is spending $19 million on advertising in July, compared to $13 million for the Biden-allied Future Forward. (Updates with Biden dropping out of race starting in first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. An automated retail machine selling ammunition, previously seen in states like Alabama, Texas and Oklahoma, will soon appear in Colorado. Biden campaign outraises and outspends Trump campaign in June By Jason Lange (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's election campaign last month outraised and outspent his challenger Donald Trump, according to disclosures published on Saturday that showed the president's coffers initially swelling even after a disastrous debate performance. The main campaign account for Biden, a Democrat, took in $64 million in June and spent $59 million, largely on campaign ads, ending the month with $95 million in the bank, according to a filing submitted to the Federal Election Commission. Republican Trump's main account reported raising $21 million in June and spending about $10 million, while having $128 million in cash at the close of the month. Biden, 81, raised more than $5 million in the three days following his June 27 debate against Trump, 78, in which the president stammered throughout and failed to energetically challenge Trump's attacks, which included numerous false claims. But this month Biden has faced a wave of calls from Democratic lawmakers to bow out of the race, and his fundraising has reportedly sagged so far in the month. Biden and Trump have been locked in a tight race in national polls, though Trump has led in several polls in battleground states that could determine the winner of the Nov. 5 presidential election. Since early July, 35 congressional Democrats have publicly called on Biden to end his re-election bid, with many citing his advanced age and difficulties on the debate stage. Several Biden fundraising events are reportedly on hold as some big-money donors have urged Biden to bow out. Should Biden exit the race, control of his campaign's funds could potentially pass to his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, should she become the Democratic nominee. Alternately, Biden could transfer his war chest to the Democratic Party, which is already a major fundraiser for his re-election effort and reported raising $39 million with its main fundraising group June. The main fundraising account for Trump's Republican Party raised $67 million during the month. Trump had outraised Biden in May, when the former president's supporters stepped up donations in the run-up to his May 30 conviction on business fraud charges, a case that Trump has decried, without evidence, as politically motivated. The largest super PAC supporting Trump, known as MAGA Inc, reported raising over $22 million during the month, including $5 million contributions by hotelier Robert Bigelow and by Linda McMahon, a former professional wrestling entrepreneur. On Biden's side, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman gave $3 million to FF Pac, a super PAC backing the president's re-election effort, a separate filing with the Federal Election Commission showed. (Reporting by Jason Lange in Yucaipa, California; Editing by William Mallard) President Joe Bidens stunning decision Sunday to drop his reelection bid cast Democrats into unprecedented uncertainty less than a month before they gather in Chicago for their national convention and try to unite around a new nominee to challenge former President Donald Trump. Bidens decision also recasts the role of J.B. Pritzker from the conventions home state governor to a potential candidate. A loyal supporter and surrogate for Bidens reelection, Pritzker also has a personal interest in the White House and now faces a decision on whether to back the presidents call to support Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination or seek to join her on the ticket as a candidate for vice president. One state Democratic source, who was not authorized to speak publicly about internal party conversations, said they were told Pritzker, the billionaire entrepreneur and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, would issue a statement about his political future on Monday and that they expected the second-term Illinois governor would be running for something. Gov. J.B. Pritzker endorses Kamala Harris as Democratic nominee for president In a statement, Pritzker did not discuss his own ambitions or mention Bidens call to back Harris, the nations first Black and Asian American vice president, as the partys new nominee. Instead, he hailed Bidens service and warned that Trump threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November, Pritzker vowed. Citing a litany of Bidens accomplishments, Pritzker said that perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House. Former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, a member of the Democratic State Central Committee and a convention delegate, said his strong desire is to support a Harris-Pritzker ticket, though he would back a Pritzker bid for the presidential nomination if the governor made that decision. Pritzkers record in five and a half years as governor is fantastic. You can look at it from a centrist point of view on what hes done with the budget, the credit upgrades, said Cullerton, who served as Senate president from 2009 to 2020. Then theres his overwhelming support for womens reproductive rights that hes invested money in throughout the nation, he said, referring to Pritzkers Think Big America organization, which has spent millions of dollars supporting abortion rights initiatives around the country. Reproductive rights, Cullerton said, is whats going to drive the turnout and thats why were going to win. Leading Democrats, who had been preparing to virtually nominate Biden early next month and who had been working on programming to sell the Biden-Harris ticket to the American public during the Chicago convention set for Aug. 19-22, pledged the party would undertake a transparent and orderly process to select a new nominee. Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, called the partys work in the days to come unprecedented, but said our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Details on the nomination process will come in short order, Harrison said. Minyon Moore, the convention chair, insisted the role of the event hadnt changed despite the political upheaval caused by Bidens decision. Here in Chicago, our mission remains the same. During the convention, we will have an opportunity to show the country and the world who Democrats are and what we stand for, she said in a statement. Over the past year, we have been building the stage literally and figuratively for President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats to tell our story to the American people. The historic progress Democrats achieved under the Biden-Harris Administration will still be central to that story, as will the story of what is at stake in this election, she said. Like Pritzker, many of the states top Democrats issued statements or took to social media to thank Biden for his accomplishments but they also showed that theres uncertainty within the party of selecting a successor nominee by not mentioning Harris. Former President Barack Obama, under whom Biden served two terms as vice president, acknowledged Democrats will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, Obama said in a statement. I believe that Joe Bidens vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the states senior senator and the second-ranking Democrat in the chamber, said, The Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said Bidens decision not to seek a second term ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption. State Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez, who chairs the state Democratic Party, which is heavily influenced by Pritzker, said, We will mobilize, organize, and vote to ensure that the Democratic ticket prevails in November. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the head of the countys Democratic Party, thanked Biden in a social media post for his unwavering and selfless commitment and service to our country, but made no reference to Harris. Illinois delegate and Chicago Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, called on Democrats to regroup and set their sights on November with Bidens support, but when asked, he declined to say whether he supports Harris as the partys nominee. But other Democrats, most notably Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, said they were following Bidens lead and backing his choice of Harris for the nomination. It is vital for our entire party to come together and support Vice President Harris, Johnson wrote in a statement. Vice President Harris is the visionary leader that we need now to defeat the threat of another Trump presidency. Earlier this month, Johnson had proven himself to be one of Bidens staunchest big-city mayoral cheerleaders, questioning why there is a debate over the presidents lackluster debate performance that ultimately led to the presidents decision to bow out of a bid for a second term. State Rep. La Shawn Ford, a convention delegate from Chicagos West Side, said he believed Harris was in the best position to give Trump the greatest challenge in such a short time. He also said he wanted to see Pritzker as her running mate. He understands exactly how to be inclusive in government, and hes also wealthy and hes from Illinois, Ford said. Other than the money, I think that J.B. Pritzker has run Illinois as an inclusive state. Hes been able to do things thats led the nation. And I think other states look to us as leaders. Several members of the states Democratic delegation in Congress also backed Harris as Bidens replacement, including U.S. Reps. Jesus Chuy Garcia of Chicago, Sean Casten of Downers Grove, Brad Schneider of Deerfield, Jan Schakowsky of Evanston and Mike Quigley of Chicago. State Rep. Theresa Mah, another convention delegate from Chicago, pointed to a statement from the Asian American Caucus, a group of elected officials from different levels of government in the state that she belongs to, and its endorsement of Harris, saying its time to rally together to elect our first Black, Asian and woman President! Another delegate, former Democratic state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, of Chicagos South Side, also said she supports Harris to be president since shes spent the last three and a half years in the executive branch and has the intellect and the stamina to bring in younger voters and is the best advocate and spokesperson on abortion rights. Speaking as not only a delegate but as a Black woman, I feel that shes deserved the opportunity to take on the Trumpsters, Collins said. But I believe that as many know by now that Black women, really, they are the foundation of the Democratic party, and I think its going to energize a whole segment of individuals, Democrats who might have felt that they were going to sit it out. Illinois Republicans, following the Trump campaigns lead just days after their national nominating convention in Milwaukee, trained their attention on Harris. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of downstate Hindsboro accused Harris of leading the Democrats cover-up of Joe Bidens severe cognitive decline. Their donors only forced Biden out once they got caught. Tribune reporters Jake Sheridan, Olivia Olander, Dan Petrella and A.D. Quig contributed. CHICAGO President Joe Bidens stunning decision Sunday to drop his reelection bid cast Democrats into unprecedented uncertainty less than a month before they gather in Chicago for their national convention and try to unite around a new nominee to challenge former President Donald Trump. Bidens decision also recasts the role of J.B. Pritzker from the conventions home state governor to a potential candidate. A loyal supporter and surrogate for Bidens reelection, Pritzker also has a personal interest in the White House and now faces a decision on whether to back the presidents call to support Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination or seek to join her on the ticket as a candidate for vice president. One state Democratic source, who was not authorized to speak publicly about internal party conversations, said they were told Pritzker, the billionaire entrepreneur and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, would issue a statement about his political future on Monday and that they expected the second-term Illinois governor would be running for something. In a statement, Pritzker did not discuss his own ambitions or mention Bidens call to back Harris, the nations first Black and Asian American vice president, as the partys new nominee. Instead, he hailed Bidens service and warned that Trump threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November, Pritzker vowed. Citing a litany of Bidens accomplishments, Pritzker said that perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House. Former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, a member of the Democratic State Central Committee and a convention delegate, said his strong desire is to support a Harris-Pritzker ticket, though he would back a Pritzker bid for the presidential nomination if the governor made that decision. Pritzkers record in five and a half years as governor is fantastic. You can look at it from a centrist point of view on what hes done with the budget, the credit upgrades, said Cullerton, who served as Senate president from 2009 to 2020. Then theres his overwhelming support for womens reproductive rights that hes invested money in throughout the nation, he said, referring to Pritzkers Think Big America organization, which has spent millions of dollars supporting abortion rights initiatives around the country. Reproductive rights, Cullerton said, is whats going to drive the turnout and thats why were going to win. Leading Democrats, who had been preparing to virtually nominate Biden early next month and who had been working on programming to sell the Biden-Harris ticket to the American public during the Chicago convention set for Aug. 19-22, pledged the party would undertake a transparent and orderly process to select a new nominee. Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, called the partys work in the days to come unprecedented, but said our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Details on the nomination process will come in short order, Harrison said. Like Pritzker, many of the states top Democrats issued statements or took to social media to thank Biden for his accomplishments but they also showed that theres uncertainty within the party of selecting a successor nominee by not mentioning Harris. Former President Barack Obama, under whom Biden served two terms as vice president, acknowledged Democrats will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, Obama said in a statement. I believe that Joe Bidens vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the states senior senator and the second-ranking Democrat in the chamber, said, The Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said Bidens decision not to seek a second term ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption. State Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez, who chairs the state Democratic Party, which is heavily influenced by Pritzker, said, We will mobilize, organize, and vote to ensure that the Democratic ticket prevails in November. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the head of the countys Democratic Party, thanked Biden in a social media post for his unwavering and selfless commitment and service to our country, but made no reference to Harris. Illinois delegate and Chicago Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, called on Democrats to regroup and set their sights on November with Bidens support, but when asked, he declined to say whether he supports Harris as the partys nominee. But other Democrats, most notably Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, said they were following Bidens lead and backing his choice of Harris for the nomination. It is vital for our entire party to come together and support Vice President Harris, Johnson wrote in a statement. Vice President Harris is the visionary leader that we need now to defeat the threat of another Trump presidency. Earlier this month, Johnson had proven himself to be one of Bidens staunchest big-city mayoral cheerleaders, questioning why there is a debate over the presidents lackluster debate performance that ultimately led to the presidents decision to bow out of a bid for a second term. State Rep. La Shawn Ford, a convention delegate from Chicagos West Side, said he believed Harris was in the best position to give Trump the greatest challenge in such a short time. He also said he wanted to see Pritzker as her running mate. He understands exactly how to be inclusive in government, and hes also wealthy and hes from Illinois, Ford said. Other than the money, I think that J.B. Pritzker has run Illinois as an inclusive state. Hes been able to do things thats led the nation. And I think other states look to us as leaders. Several members of the states Democratic delegation in Congress also backed Harris as Bidens replacement, including U.S. Reps. Jesus Chuy Garcia of Chicago, Sean Casten of Downers Grove, Brad Schneider of Deerfield, Jan Schakowsky of Evanston and Mike Quigley of Chicago. State Rep. Theresa Mah, another convention delegate from Chicago, pointed to a statement from the Asian American Caucus, a group of elected officials from different levels of government in the state that she belongs to, and its endorsement of Harris, saying its time to rally together to elect our first Black, Asian and woman President! Another delegate, former Democratic state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, of Chicagos South Side, also said she supports Harris to be president since shes spent the last three and a half years in the executive branch and has the intellect and the stamina to bring in younger voters and is the best advocate and spokesperson on abortion rights. Speaking as not only a delegate but as a Black woman, I feel that shes deserved the opportunity to take on the Trumpsters, Collins said. But I believe that as many know by now that Black women, really, they are the foundation of the Democratic party, and I think its going to energize a whole segment of individuals, Democrats who might have felt that they were going to sit it out. Illinois Republicans, following the Trump campaigns lead just days after their national nominating convention in Milwaukee, trained their attention on Harris. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of downstate Hindsboro accused Harris of leading the Democrats cover-up of Joe Bidens severe cognitive decline. Their donors only forced Biden out once they got caught. _____ (Tribune reporters Jake Sheridan, Olivia Olander, Dan Petrella and A.D. Quig contributed.) _____ Many of them knew it was coming, but not exactly when. The nations big TV-news outlets appear to have been caught flat-footed by President Joe Bidens Sunday announcement that he would end his 2024 campaign for the White House, with many top anchors not visible on screen in the minutes after the president dropped his bombshell. More from Variety Broadcast networks fielded less familiar faces. CBS News broke into programming at 2:02 p.m. with coverage lead by Kristine Johnson, an anchor at WCBS, the companys New York station, suggesting Norah ODonnell, Margaret Brennan or Major Garrett were not immediately available (ODonnell and Brennan joined about 45 minutes later). NBC News put up a special report 30 seconds later anchored by Hallie Jackson, who was recently named to lead weekend broadcasts of NBC Nightly News. ABC News broke in at 2:04 p.m. with coverage led by Rachel Scott, its senior congressional correspondent. On CNN, viewers watched as Alex Marquardt, the networks chief national security correspondent, anchored coverage, but Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper three anchors who often handle duties in moments of national import were not on screen (Blitzer took cover anchor duties at about 3 p.m.). At Fox News, Bret Baier, who typically co-anchors coverage of top political news with Martha MacCallum, called in to the newsroom. MSNBC dumped out of Jen Psaki leading one of the networks opinion-led hours in favor of Katy Tur, who regularly leads an hour of news coverage on weekdays. Many of the outlets were expected to launch special reports Sunday afternoon or in primetime. More to come Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Joe Biden will meet Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday as the Israeli prime minister visits Washington during a defining week for the Democratic Party. The US president has been facing intense pressure to step down as critics warned it was now or never to replace him. Mr Biden was reported to be preparing the ground to step aside but was said to be holding on at least until the meeting with Mr Netanyahu which is scheduled for noon. Relations between the two leaders have been tense, and the New York Times reported that Mr Biden did not want to give Mr Netanyahu the satisfaction of him standing down in the week of the Israeli prime ministers Washington trip. Mr Netanyahus visit is shrouded in controversy already, with the Democratic Party split on support for Israel, which has been accused of triggering a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Israeli leader is visiting and addressing Congress on the invitation of the Republican Party, which observers said was a plan to dare Democrats to shun him. Israeli media also reported that Mr Netanyahu may visit Donald Trump while in the US, but this was not confirmed by officials. Politico in the US reported that Mr Netanyahu was delaying a ceasefire deal with Hamas, which had appeared to be on the brink of a breakthrough, as he believes Trump would give him more room for manoeuvre. Our assessment is that Netanyahu wants to buy time until the November election, said a senior foreign diplomat from a Middle Eastern nation. A separate intelligence assessment provided to Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian president, says Doha talks may not begin until November for the same reason. Tensions have grown between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu since the Gaza war broke out in October over the supply of arms and Israels policy to continue its offensive until all the 120 remaining hostages are brought home and Hamas is destroyed. Israeli media reported that Mr Netanyahu may visit Donald Trump while in the US, but this was not confirmed by officials - Michael Reynolds/Rex Israels Haaretz newspaper says the chances of Mr Netanyahu meeting Trump are high. However, the Left-wing newspaper also points out that the Republican camps support for the war is also waning as the US public grows ever more vocal in calling for a ceasefire. With almost 40,000 deaths in Gaza, according to Hamas sources, and no signs of a total Hamas defeat in sight, patience is wearing thin as hopes for a ceasefire deal between the two sides continue to falter. The visit will see families of hostages join Mr Netanyahu on what is considered a key trip to progress US support for the long war on Gaza. Last week, the Biden administration eased a major point of contention between the two leaders when it said it would resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel, though it said it would continue to hold back on supplying 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about their use in densely populated Gaza. The two leaders also clashed over the invasion of Rafah, Hamass last remaining stronghold but a key refuge for the Strips refugees taking shelter in the south of Gaza. After Mr Biden said an invasion of the area would cross a red line for US support, Mr Netanyahu struck back, telling his cabinet: We are not a vassal state of the United States, according to Axios. Mr Bidens frustration with Mr Netanyahu came to a head in March when he was captured on a hot mic saying that he and the Israeli leader will need to have a come-to-Jesus meeting. The comments came as he spoke with Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado on the floor of the House chamber following Thursday nights State of the Union address. As Israels political and military leaders remain committed to the war aims of defeating Hamas and returning the hostages, pressure has also mounted on the Biden-Netanyahu bond. The US has been a key negotiator in the ceasefire talks and its proposal in May has remained on the table while details are ironed out by both Israel and Hamas. 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. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference on Nov. 15, 2023. Credit - Brendan SmialowskiAFP/Getty Images President Biden announced on Sunday he was ending his bid for a second term and endorsed Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party's nominee, upending the race for the White House less than four months before Election Day. The stunning move by Biden reflects the precipitous loss in confidence he faced within his party following a disastrous June 27 debate performance in Atlanta against Donald Trump. Biden made the announcement in a letter addressed to "My Fellow Americans" posted on social media. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," the letter reads. "And while it has been the my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. In a separate post, Biden said Harris has "my full support and endorsement." The historic decision makes Biden, 81, the first sitting president to cancel his re-election bid in over half a century, when Lyndon Johnson announced in March 1968 he would not accept the Democratic Party's nomination amid disapproval over his handling of the Vietnam War. Bidens departure opens the door for the party to select a younger nominee at the Democratic National Convention, scheduled for the week of Aug. 19, and lead the party's ticket against the 78-year-old Trump. Although Biden endorsed Harris, 59, others have called for an open primary to decide on a new nominee. Other names that have been floated in recent weeks include three governors: Gavin Newsom of California, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. Democrats were shaken in June when Biden, 81, stumbled his way through his debate with Trump, mixing up names and figures, losing his train of thought, failing to parry back against Trumps lies, and struggling to describe his own accomplishments and vision for a second term. In the days and weeks after, a growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers and donors sounded the alarm, warning that Biden was likely to lose in November, potentially dragging down the party's candidates across the country and handing the House and Senate to Republicans. More from TIME For weeks, Biden insisted he would stay in the race and worked overtime to shore up his main pillars of support: union leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus. He blasted Democratic donors and elites for trying to push him out of the race. But it wasnt enough. The list of prominent Democrats calling for him to step aside continued to grow last week and into this weekend. "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," Biden wrote in his letter. In a post on Trump's Truth Social platform, the former President said, "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!" Other Republicans echoed Trump's suggestion that Biden lacks the mental capacity to finish out his term. "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President," Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X. "He must resign the office immediately." The prospect of Harris replacing Biden at the top of the ticket has drawn concerns from some within the party that she may be as weak or a weaker candidate against Trump. Biden has previously said he wouldnt have picked Harris for vice president if he didnt think she would make a strong President. Contact us at letters@time.com. President Joe Biden is leaving the 2024 race after a halting debate performance against Donald Trump led to questions from Democrats about his age, ability to carry out his campaign and whether he could serve a second term. Biden said in a statement posted Sunday that he will "stand down." "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," he wrote, in part, in a letter posted on X. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term." "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," he added. First lady Jill Biden reposted her husband's post announcing he's dropping out with a hearts emoji. In another post on X, Biden gave his "full support and endorsement" for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party's nominee. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, July 14, 2024. (Susan Walsh/AP) The stunning move upends what has been a long general election rematch between Biden and Trump, both of whom handily won their party's primaries, with less than four months until the November contest. While concerns about Biden's age plagued him since he launched his reelection campaign in April 2023, they reached a fever pitch following his showdown with Trump at the CNN debate in Atlanta in late June. Biden, who at 81 is the oldest sitting president in history, spoke with a hoarse voice that his team attributed to a cold. But coupled with his meandering answers and inability to hit Trump hard on key Democratic issues, his performance left some pundits and politicians speechless. PHOTO: APresident Joe Biden delivers remarks during the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) The White House and campaign chalked up the performance as a "bad night." Biden defiantly insisted he would remain in the race, repeatedly telling Democrats he was the best option to defeat Trump. "I convinced myself of two things. I'm the most qualified person to beat him, and I know how to get things done," Biden told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos in his first post-debate television interview. "Look. I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, 'Joe, get outta the race,' I'd get outta the race. The Lord Almighty's not comin' down," Biden said at the time. But early polling showed the debate's negative impact. In 538's national polling average, Trump now leads by 2 percentage points over Biden, while the two candidates were just about tied on the day of the June 27 debate. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks alongside Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala before a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, April 15, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) And despite Biden and his campaign's furious attempts at damage control, including a press conference after concluding a NATO summit in Washington where he took reporter questions for nearly an hour and tried to make the case he must "finish the job," a steady drumbeat of Democratic lawmakers and public figures called on him to step aside as the nominee. The number of congressional Democrats who called on him to step aside rose to 40 by the time Biden announced his decision to leave the race. "The one thing I know for sure is that we can do better than Joe Biden as a person who can deliver our message in this election cycle," Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., had previously told ABC News. "And we have time to do that. And we should." Biden was also taken off the campaign trail these past few days due to a case of COVID-19, which he is recovering from at his residence in Rehoboth, Delaware. To emphasize how closely held Biden's decision to exit the race was, a source familiar with the matter told ABC Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang that Biden informed his senior team that he changed his mind about staying in the race at 1:45 p.m. Sunday. Biden's letter came out at 1:46 p.m. -- so his staff was told just one minute before the public announcement that he was dropping out. Before Biden's revelation Sunday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had publicly said they supported Biden making a decision during the party's turmoil. But privately, they were said to have been sympathetic to the view held by a growing number of congressional Democrats that Biden was on a path to lose to Trump. Schumer went to Delaware to speak to Biden and made the case it would be best if Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl reported. PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event in Greensboro, N.C., July 11, 2024. (Chuck Burton/AP) As scrutiny of Biden intensified, focus increased on Vice President Kamala Harris as a possible choice to replace him as the Democratic nominee. I wouldnt have picked her unless I thought she was qualified to be president, Biden said of Harris at his press conference on July 11. The Democratic Party's dysfunction stood in sharp contrast to the steadfast party unity shown to Trump, despite his own struggles that include a historic conviction, during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As he accepted his party's nomination, Trump spoke of the "love in the room" and enthusiasm for what's to come. "I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America," Trump said. Harris, in a statement Sunday, thanked Biden for his "decades of service to our country" and said she "will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party -- and unite our nation -- to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda." "I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Vice President Harris said. ABC News' Selina Wang and Fritz Farrow contributed to this report. Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race originally appeared on abcnews.go.com US President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (Not Pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House. Biden has withdrawn from his bid for re-election, saying: "I believe it in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Niall Carson/PA Wire/dpa US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is withdrawing from the race to be the next president, in a historic decision that throws the Democratic Party into uncharted territory as Republican rival Donald Trump's campaign gains steam. Biden said that Vice President Kamala Harris had his "full support" to replace him on the ballot in November's election. He also said that he will finish out the remainder of his term, which ends on January 20, 2025. But with the party's presumptive nominee now gone and just over 100 days to go, the clock is ticking for Democrats to begin the fraught process of replacing him and launching a viable campaign to take on Trump. Hours after Biden's bombshell withdrawal, Harris issued a statement in which she promised to do "everything in my power" to defeat Trump. "I am honored to have the presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she said. It was not immediately clear if other candidates would scramble to put themselves forward to be officially anointed Biden's replacement at the national party convention next month in Chicago. Former Democratic president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton jointly said they would like to have Harris run. The Congressional Black Caucus, a key group of Biden allies in Congress, also threw their support to Harris. Former president Barack Obama described Biden as "patriot of the highest order" but did not say who should replace him. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in a letter. Biden's decision sent shockwaves across the country - and globe - and came after massive pressure from within his own party not to put himself forward as the official nominee. A television debate performance against Trump at the end of June, during which 81-year-old Biden struggled several times to give coherent answers or challenge falsehoods uttered by Trump, prompted nationwide concern about whether he was still mentally fit for office. The issue of Biden's age has since dominated the US election campaign, overshadowed a NATO summit, and been used repeatedly Trump, 78, to attack his opponent as old and feeble. "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!" wrote former president Trump on his online platform Truth Social in response to Biden's announcement. Until now, Biden had insisted that he would run as the Democratic candidate in the November 5 election and that he was fit for office, at one point saying that "only the Almighty" could make him drop out of the race. But there have a been series of high-profile defections - including Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia on Sunday - and influential figures voicing scepticism about the viability of Biden's path to re-election, including the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. Opinion polls at both the national level and in the key battleground states that will determine this year's winner of the presidency have shown Trump pulling ahead by considerable margins. The attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13 reinforced a sense of unity among Republicans, with the party's fervour for their candidate on full display at last week's national convention in Milwaukee. In endorsing Harris, Biden wrote: "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice president. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this." Harris, 59, is the first female vice president in US history, as well as the first black woman and person of South Asian descent. Prior to becoming Biden's deputy, she was a senator from California and the state's attorney general. As anxious Democrats looked ahead to the election, they also recalled Biden's long service to his country. He was first elected to Congress in 1973. The top Democrat in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, said he had "not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being." "His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history," Pelosi wrote. The Clintons said in a joint statement: "We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what's best for the country." US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Munich Security Conference. Sven Hoppe/dpa After Biden drops, Davids says time for new generation but doesnt endorse Harris Kansas Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids praised President Joe Bidens decision to withdraw from the presidential race on Sunday but didnt immediately endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. President Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country and his time as our President has restored decency to the highest office. By stepping aside from the presidential race today, he has once again put the future of our country first, Davids said in a statement. Davids, who represents Kansas 3rd Congressional District, said now was the time for a new generation of leadership capable of defeating Donald Trump and fighting back against the growing extremism in our nation. The statement didnt endorse Harris or any other candidate. Biden endorsed Harris on Sunday. Kansas families remain my top priority, and I am committed to doing everything in my power to deliver for them this November and beyond, Davids said. Davids, who is seeking a fourth term, will face either Prasanth Reddy or Karen Crnkovich, who are both running for the Republican nomination. The 3rd District covers Johnson County and a swath of rural area southwest of the Kansas City metro. Before Bidens announcement, Davids had declined to say whether Biden should exit the race, which Reddy has seized on. On Sunday, Reddy said in a statement that Davids cannot run from this any longer. Her partisan silence is deafening. If President Biden is not in good enough shape to run, how can she continue to support him as President? Reddy concluded by asking if Davids stands by Biden-Harris administration policies. After Biden drops out and endorses Harris, what to know about campaign funds, primaries President Joe Biden announced that he would drop out of the Presidential race Sunday, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in two separate social media posts. Biden endorsed Vice President Harris immediately after the announcement, placing her as the presumptive Democratic nominee. The change at the top of the ticket comes after Biden won the overwhelming majority of delegates with Harris on the ticket. The announcement ends weeks of speculation about Biden's political future after a poor debate performance against Donald Trump. A slate of Democratic party figures, representatives and senators have called for Biden to drop out in the weeks since the debate. Here's why there won't be further primaries for the Democratic presidential nomination. Harris leading ticket makes cash transfer easier The Biden campaign reported to the Federal Election Commission that it raised $127 million in June. Saurav Ghosh, a lawyer at the Campaign Legal Center, told Reuters that Harris remaining on the ticket makes the transference of those funds easier. "If Harris remains on the ticket, as either the presidential or vice presidential candidate, the new ticket would maintain access to all the funds," Ghosh said. Federal law states that a vice presidential candidate has a right to money raised by the campaign, though Dan Weiner, the director of the Brennan Center for Justice's Elections & Government Program, told USA TODAY that the law has grey areas. "Its not crystal clear because Im not sure if the people who drafted the Federal Election Campaign Act anticipated this situation," he said. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 President Joe Biden holds news conference at the 2024 NATO Summit on Thursday in Washington, DC. NATO leaders convened in Washington this week for the annual summit to discuss future strategies and commitments and mark the 75th anniversary of the alliance's founding. All primaries completed, real power in hands of delegates The last suite of primaries took place on June 4, leaving the task of choosing the party's nominee to the delegates that will gather in Chicago. Elaine Kamarck, author of Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates, explained in a Brookings Institution podcast that the substantive power to nominate lies with the delegates at the convention, not primary voters. "The primaries elect delegates to the convention, but the legal authority for choosing the nominee of the Democratic Party, or for that matter, the Republican Party, is not the primaries, it is the delegates voting in convention. When that happens, you have a formal nominee," Kamarck said. The Democratic National Committee rules for delegates voted in by the primaries say that: Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. William Mayer, a political science professor at Northeastern University, told Factcheck.org that the Democratic convention delegate rules allow for pledged delegates to vote for a new candidate. "You are kind of encouraged to vote for the candidates for whom you were elected but in all good conscience you could vote for someone else," Mayer said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happens to primary delegates after Biden withdraws, backs Harris Leading Colorado Republicans and delegates to the party's national convention applauded former President Donald Trump's nomination of Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate Monday, with some lauding the choice of the 39-year-old author as evidence Trump is empowering a new generation of Republicans Fellow Democratic leaders and Republican adversaries from East Tennessee quickly responded to President Joe Biden's announcement July 21 that he was ending his bid for reelection, a decision that has politicians and their constituents scrambling with the November election less than four months away. The decision came amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders concerned that Biden's path to beat former President Donald Trump in November had vanished. While some Democrats are already rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden is now endorsing for president, others are waiting until an official nomination is made. On the Republican side, many elected officials are saying this proves their belief that Biden is not capable of another four years in office. Some are even suggesting he might not be able to finish his current term. Here's what elected officials from Knoxville and East Tennessee are saying. See the list of Tennessees delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Indya Kincannon, Knoxville mayor, Democrat, Democratic National Convention delegate (political leaders and elected officials) Kincannon expressed gratitude for Biden's leadership at a press conference the afternoon of July 21. She said this will be her first time as a delegate at the convention and that she "wasn't too surprised" by Biden's announcement. "I'm not worried because we have so many good things in the Democratic party," Kincannon said. "I know that we're going to nominate someone who unites our party and more importantly unites our country. We're going to nominate someone who pushes forward on democratic values like supporting working people, supporting LGBTQ equality, supporting women's right to reproductive healthcare including abortion and a president who can stand and move forward on climate action." Unlike other Democratic leaders from Knoxville, Kincannon did not explicitly endorse a Harris presidency. "I think Democrats are going to be united in nominating someone who can win in November. That's the bottom line, and that's the person that I'm going to be supporting," she said. It takes courage and humility to step aside and pass the baton to the next generation of leaders. Putting his country first will be Joe Bidens legacy. Mayor Kincannon (@MayorKincannon) July 21, 2024 Before addressing the press, Kincannon said on social media that "it takes courage and humility to step aside and pass the baton to the next generation of leaders." "Putting his country first will be Joe Biden's legacy," her post said. Debbie Helsley, city councilwoman for at-large seat B, Democrat, Democratic National Convention delegate (pledged congressional delegate) As a delegate, I will follow Joes lead and proudly cast my vote for Kamala Harris, Helsley told Knox News. We must beat Donald Trump and I know she (Harris) will lead a vigorous campaign against him for the people.Knoxville has absolutely benefitted from the laws passed by the Biden-Harris administration, she added. Mark Siegel, Democrat, Democratic National Convention delegate (pledged congressional delegate) "President Biden is a great American and has been the most accomplished and best president of my lifetime," Siegel said in a written statement. "I have no doubt about his ability to continue in that capacity, and I fully believe he would have defeated Donald Trump if he had continued to run. "I will fully support Vice President Kamala Harris to be the nominee of the Democratic Party." Gloria Johnson, Tennessee state representative, Democrat Johnson, too, endorsed Harris for president.Democrats are going to be united, she said. They know what is at stake for this country. Literally democracy is now on the line. Sam McKenzie, Tennessee state representative, Democrat "I knew Joe Biden would do the right thing at the right time. He loves this country and thats why he chose to step aside," McKenzie said in a statement to Knox News. "Its time for the Democratic Party to put together a candidate thats going to win this election. We cannot go back to Donald Trump. President Biden has been one of the most effective presidents of modern American history," he added. "His administration brought over $100 million of investment to Knoxville to help with affordable housing, infrastructure, mental healthcare and more. I commend President Biden for making this difficult decision ... most of all I am grateful for his lifetime of dedication to our nation. Amelia Parker, Knoxville city councilwoman for at-large Seat C I am excited and ready to see our country support the election of the nations first woman of African and Indian descent to serve as president of these United States of America," Parker said to Knox News. Gwen McKenzie, Knoxville City Council, Democrat "President Biden served our country well and he definitely made the right decision to step aside," McKenzie said in a statement to Knox News. "Vice President Harris is a smart, strong, assertive leader who will not be afraid to stand up to the challenges our country is facing. I look forward to her first debate." Diana Harshbarger, U.S. Representative, Republican Harshbarger said Biden's announcement confirms what she and Republican leaders already knew: that "Joe Biden is unfit to lead," according to her written statement. The decision, she said, "is an overt admission of his poor condition and his inability to serve out the rest of his term as president of the United States." "I could not agree more with President Trump and Vice Presidential Nominee J.D. Vance who have repeatedly said that if Joe Biden is not fit to run for reelection, he is not fit to be commander-in-chief," she said. Tim Burchett, U.S. Representative, Republican "I do think the convention will be a fist fight," Burchett told Knox News in response to Biden endorsing Kamala Harris to be his successor. "His mental condition was such that he needed to make an exit strategy at some point," Burchett said, adding that "no one's surprised" by the announcement. Glenn Jacobs, Knox County mayor, Republican Jacobs took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to release a statement. "For months, Democrats denied Biden suffered from cognitive decline. Now that they can no longer hide it, they're kicking him to the curb," he wrote. "But the problems go deeper than one man. It's doesn't matter who they run, this country needs @realdonaldtrump (Donald Trump) back in the White House." For months, Democrats denied Biden suffered from cognitive decline. Now that they can no longer hide it, they're kicking him to the curb. But the problems go deeper than one man. It's doesn't matter who they run, this country needs @realdonaldtrump back in the White House. https://t.co/uJYwbiUFDs Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) July 21, 2024 The Tennessee Democratic party delegation had a call scheduled at 4 p.m. EST, Biden delegate and Knoxville political strategist Jack Vaughn told Knox News. Knoxville's Democratic party delegates to the Democratic National Convention are Helsley, Kincannon, William Mendoza-Euceda, Dana Moran, Bill Owen, Siegel and Jack Vaughan. This is a developing report and will be updated. USA Today contributed to this story. Areena Arora, data and investigative reporter for Knox News, can be reached by email at areena.arora@knoxnews.com. Follow her on X @AreenaArora and on Instagram @areena_news. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Biden drops out: Knoxville leaders react WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential race and is endorsing his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris. President Biden said its been the greatest honor of his life to serve as president. He said hes proud of what hes done the last three and a half years in office but its time to step out of the race. He made the announcement on X, writing, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President. Shortly after, he endorsed Vice President Harris. The move comes after intensifying calls for the president to drop out after the June 27th debate. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin told ABC This Week the president would preserve his legacy by withdrawing. So, with that I come with a heavy heart to think the time has come for him to pass the torch to a new generation, said Manchin. Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal said the presidents decision put the country before himself. President Biden has been one of the greatest, most courageous and consequential presidents of American history, said Blumenthal. Former president Donald Trump reacted on Truth Social writing, All those around himknew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt House Speaker Mike Johnson told ABC Democrats could face legal trouble if they try to replace President Biden. 14 million Democrats voted to make Joe Biden the nominee, so it would be wrong, and I think unlawful in accordance to some of these states rules for a handful of people to go in a back room and switch it out, said Johnson. The presidents endorsement of Harris could also complicate the Democratic National Convention according to George Washington University professor Casey Burgat. Remember that she had zero delegates attached to her name, they all went to President Biden, said Burgat. However, Vice President Harris said she intends to earn the nomination and win in November, writing, I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump President Biden is currently isolating at his Delaware home with Covid. He said he will address the nation about his decision later this 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. President Joe Biden has decided not to seek re-election, having failed to salvage his campaign after a disastrous debate performance on June 27 and a series of televised gaffes. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden said in a statement released on Sunday. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. More from Variety Biden said he will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about [his] decision. Biden faced public pressure from figures in the Democratic Party as well as Hollywood donors after he stumbled through the CNN debate, in which he failed to counter points made by former President Trump, fumbling his words and often drifting off mid-thought. Biden was trailing Trump before the debate, and many polls showed him losing ground afterward. Many of his donors and supporters expressed concern about his ability to sustain a campaign, and some elected officials publicly called for him to step aside. George Clooney, who co-hosted the single largest fundraiser supporting any Democratic candidate ever, wrote a July 10 op-ed in The New York Times calling for the president to step down. We are not going to win in November with this president this is the opinion of every senator and congress member and governor that Ive spoken with in private. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly, Clooney wrote. The president also faced pressure from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, according to reporting from CNN and ABC News. The president had sought to reassure Democrats that the debate was simply one bad performance. At a fundraiser in Virginia on July 2, he chalked it up to failing to get enough rest after an overseas trip, though the trip was more than a week before the debate. He also did a sit-down interview with ABCs George Stephanopoulos and NBCs Lester Holt to try to stop the bleeding. On July 11, he did a press conference at the NATO summit that was intended to calm fears about his ability to speak off the cuff. But he inadvertently referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump. In another miscue at the summit, he mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Putin. Biden was asked in an interview on BET on July 16 whether anything would make him reconsider. If I had some medical condition that emerged, he said. If doctors came to me and said, You got this problem, that problem.' He was diagnosed with COVID-19 the following day. For months, the presidents staff have swatted away concerns about his age and stamina, saying that he remained forceful in private meetings and kept up a withering schedule that wore out his staff. But his verbal slip-ups in public have grown increasingly frequent, and his voice sometimes trailed to a whisper. This marks the first time since 1968 that a president opted not to seek re-election. That year, President Lyndon Johnson withdrew in late March, two weeks after an underwhelming performance in the New Hampshire primary. His vice president, Hubert Humphrey, won the nomination at the Democratic convention in Chicago, and lost the general election to Richard Nixon. This years convention will be held in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. Read Bidens full statement below: My Fellow Americans, Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today America has the strongest economy in the world. Weve made historic investments in rebuilding out Nation, in lowering prescription drug cost for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. Weve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. I know none of this could have been without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Weve protected and preserved our Democracy. And weve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked to hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America cant do when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The News US President Joe Biden announced Sunday he will not seek reelection and threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee. Harris said in a statement that she was honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Biden and Harris spoke multiple times earlier Sunday before his announcement, according to a person familiar with their talks. Bidens decision puts the party in uncharted territory; it must either coalesce around Harris or find a new nominee before the Democratic National Convention, which begins Aug. 19. Several Democratic lawmakers had already publicly said they would support Harris if Biden were to step aside, and the political backlash if the party skipped her for the nomination would likely be swift. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made, Biden said in a post on X. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Harris proponents argue that shes positioned to energize young voters and people of color. She made history as the first woman, Black American, and South Asian American to be vice president. If elected, she would be the nations first woman president. She will face the stark political test of moving to the top of the ticket so close to the election, as well as the challenges of racism and sexism. But early polling shows Harris competitive against Trump: In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, she ran ahead of Biden, tying Trump with 44% support each in a Reuters/Ipsos poll. A decade or so ago, the hottest trend in television was imagining what it might look like if politics became unfathomably chaotic. From the murderous hijinks surrounding the Fitzgerald Grant administration on Scandal to the skullduggery that allowed Frank Underwood to climb the federal government like a ladder on House of Cards to the whipsawing reversals of fortune that befell Selina Meyer on Veep, TV was the staging-ground for a feverish national imagination. Writers dreamed of a world that looked different from our own, in which the competent and technocratic Obama administration found itself, after the first midterms, grinding through gridlock. Real-world politics werent grim, exactly, but they tended to lack the element of surprise. As Kamala Harris prepares to, possibily, become the next Democratic nominee for president, after Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he wont run again, the comparison to those days couldnt feel more stark: What a difference 10 years makes. There seems no real need for a dramatization of political chaos, since no one could have scripted the past three-and-a-half weeks of American life. This isnt meant to minimize what will be the very real consequences of the November election, whichever way it goes, or, to cite just one of the many shocking events of this summer, the potentially life-and-death consequences of the attack on Donald Trumps life. More from Variety But all before Labor Day, said to be when most normal, non-online people (whoever they may be) tune into elections we have so far seen a would-be assassin try to kill Trump, which briefly paused the ultimately successful effort to convince the incumbent president to abandon his re-election bid. As no one needs reminding, this pressure campaign was sparked by Bidens historically poor debate performance on June 27 which similarly lacked precedent, given that it took place at a debate between two men who were not yet their partys official nominees. It was one of the most consequential television broadcasts of the century so far; it was also yet another spectacle squeezed into a season that has been bursting with them. Attempting to understand the political developments of 2024 solely through the lens of what was and is on television would be hopelessly facile: To borrow a phrase, everything that has happened so far this year exists in the context of all in which we live and what came before us. But Donald Trump, who emerged out of the bog of American cultures darkest and strangest impulses in 2016, was not simply a candidate, a president, and then a candidate again; he was an assurance that, for as long as he will continue to seek the Oval Office, politics will grant Hollywoods wish as if it were made on a monkeys paw. Presidential elections would never be boring again. The elections of 2016 Access Hollywood tape and all and 2020 conducted largely remotely in the midst of a pandemic and national uprising hardly need retelling. But 2024 has somehow outdone them both, drawing out a series of events so completely novel and strange that the news began to take on a tilty, unhinged texture. Just about anything seemed possible well before, say, Bidens announcement of his decision he wouldnt be running for re-election after all: As a result, that announcements element of shock was sapped somewhat. Whats another pivot point in American history when so many have piled up so far? Crucially, whats changed since House of Cards, Scandal, and Veep is the fact that loopy disarray in the federal government is by now an everyday fact of American life; that the past month or so occurred within the presidency that promised to return, and somewhat succeeded for a time in returning, American political life to a more familiar place is among the sad ironies of the Biden presidencys endgame. On Veep, for instance, Selina Meyers political fortunes as a misstatement-prone and brutally disempowered vice president who eventually becomes president briefly after her boss suffers a misfortune, then has to introduce herself to America quickly come to seem ludicrously implausible, a goofy frame on which to hang some jokes. If looking at the broadest contours, Harris 2024 looks so far not unlike the fictional Meyers 2010s. But the point, or a point, of Veep was its pushing the American political system as far as it seemed possible to go in order to explore Meyers particular psychology. Real life isnt as interested in character development. And it doesnt resolve as neatly. The months ahead have for those inclined to be sympathetic to the Democrats cause promise; they have no small amount of peril as well, simply because we are, as former President Barack Obama said in his statement about Bidens withdrawal, in uncharted waters. In other words, were unburdened by what has been including the by-now-badly-outdated vision of what presidential-level drama might look like. Shows like Veep and House of Cards exist in the context of 24, with its endlessly swapped-out presidents, and of The West Wing: The more cynical and more recent programs seem like a jaded response to the Aaron Sorkin-created NBC drama about the idealists who saved America every week from 1999 to 2006. The day Biden announced his decision, the New York Times published a piece by Sorkin in which he imagined the Democrats, in a show of what Sorkin cast as statesmanlike magnanimity, nominating the Republican Mitt Romney at their convention, in order to save the republic, or something like that. Real life doesnt work like that. It works a little more like House of Cards, the plot twists of which often felt like random happenstance, even as a singular guiding intelligence, that of the shows central character, made it all happen. (Thrumming in the backbeat of coverage of Bidens decision in particular is the sense that Nancy Pelosis version of House of Cards would be far more interesting.) But the fact of the matter is that political drama, as a genre, was already on its way out, and now couldnt feel less relevant. Nothing a writer could invent stands up to the shocking, strange, cant-look-away quality of 2024 reality. And its only July. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. President Joe Bidens announcement that he is not running for re-election and will give his full support and endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee this year puts the focus on the partys delegates and the degree to which they coalesce behind her. That question may be settled ahead of the roll call vote for the partys convention, which is set to take place next month. In a statement released roughly two hours after Biden revealed his decision, Harris thanked Biden for his extraordinary leadership. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said, adding, Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. After Bidens victories in the primaries, the vast majority of the approximately 3,900 delegates who will vote in the first ballot were pledged to Biden. His exit from the race will release them and his endorsement makes Vice President Kamala Harris the clear frontrunner to receive their support. However, in recent days, as pressure mounted on Biden to leave the race, some Democrats have discussed the policy of an open nomination process to avoid the appearance of Harris taking over without the broader party weighing in. It remains to be seen how exactly that process might look and whether any candidate other than longshot author Marianne Williamson decides to make a play for the nomination. The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. In recent weeks, as Bidens future seemed uncertain, a source close to Harris told TPM that she had a break glass in case of emergency strategy and political operation. On Sunday, after Bidens announcement, the source close to Harris said that operation was in full swing. Were whipping delegates now, the source said. Many leading Democrats moved quickly to endorse Harris in the hours after Bidens announcement, including Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), the Congressional Black Caucus, the New Dems coalition, and Rep. Pramila Jayapa (D-WA), who is chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Several Democratic senators also endorsed Harris, as did two high-profile governors who are often discussed as potential presidential contenders, Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Josh Shapiro (D-PA). The rapid round of endorsements for Harris also included dozens of current and former DNC delegates. The New York Times reported that the 77 DNC delegates from Tennessee unanimously voted on Sunday afternoon to endorse Harris. As Bidens running mate, Harris is also in position to take advantage of their campaign war chest and existing team. Bidens current campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, previously worked for Harris 2020 presidential campaign and in Harris U.S. Senate office. Multiple sources familiar with the campaign operations have said that Chavez Rodriguezs role on Bidens team was limited somewhat by his longtime aides. The source close to Harris said they expected she will take a larger role on Harris team. Shes comfortable with Julie, the source said of Harris. Chavez Rodriguez did not immediately respond to requests for comment. While it is unclear if Harris will face any serious challenge, in recent weeks, multiple other sources told TPM that high profile Democratic governors, including Illinois J.B. Pritzker and Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, have their eyes on the race and operations of their own. Spokespeople for Pritzker and Whitmer did not respond to requests for comment. According to Ballotpedia, there are an estimated 4,672 delegates including 3,922 pledged delegates and 739 automatic delegates, better known as superdelegates. Following reforms passed in the wake of the contentious 2016 Democratic primary, the superdelegates, who are not pledged to any particular candidates, do not vote unless no candidate for the nomination has a majority on the first ballot. Due to concerns about general ballot access deadlines, the DNC delegates are set to vote virtually prior to the start of the in-person convention, which begins on Aug. 19. The convention rules committee has said that vote will not take place before Aug. 1. John Light contributed to this article. When the news began to circulate this weekend that Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) died on Friday night from pancreatic cancer, the response to her passing created a metaphorical scale, with Democrats heaping thankfulness for her work as a civil rights supporter on one side, and right-wingers like Laura Loomer tossing disrespect on the other. Still, Loomer's efforts and those of others like her didn't tip the scale much. Among her many achievements throughout her career, Jackson Lee is perhaps best known for helping to lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence, and for working to make sure that Juneteenth will forever be recognized as a national holiday, which President Joe Biden took time from his period of convalescence, after being diagnosed with COVID, to recognize. I had the honor of working with her during her nearly 30 years in Congress, Biden said in a statement Saturday. No matter the issue from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people she was unrelenting in her leadership. And while Biden and most others of a right mind view Jackson Lee as a towering figure in our politics, as the president describes her, Loomer, a white nationalist and MAGA enthusiast, went on a racist tirade to smear her name. "Even on her death bed, this ghetto b***h couldnt keep President Trumps name out of her disgusting mouth," Loomer wrote in a post to X on Friday. "Id say rest in peace, but we all know lying democrats who have destroyed our country are going to hell. Sheila Jackson Lee will be remembered as a destructive force in America and one of the most low IQ members of Congress in the history of our nation. Today she died. Instead of spending her final moments with her family, she was talking s**t about Trump on X and spewing more lies. She wont be missed. But, Im sure she will still be voting Democrat this November. Good riddance!" As The Daily Beast points out, Loomer doubled down on her remarks Saturday afternoon, adding: I meant every word I said, and everything I said about Sheila Jackson Lee is true. In the face of Loomer's hateful words, many others flooded social media to heap praise upon Jackson Lee. "We loved Sheila Jackson Lee. Her legacy will live on in all the good she did and all the people she inspired to follow in her footsteps," writes Hillary Clinton in a post to X. "Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was a tenacious advocate for justice, a tireless fighter for the people of Houston and the people of America, and a dear friend for many years," adds VP Kamala Harris, in a post of her own. "She was relentless one of our nations fiercest, smartest, and most strategic leaders in the way she thought about how to make progress happen." In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com. President Joe Biden is out. Is Gov. Andy Beshear in play? In one of the most shocking moves in American political history, Biden announced Sunday afternoon he is abandoning his campaign to win a second term less than a month before his partys convention. Under pressure from fellow Democrats in the House and Senate, the man who defeated then-President Donald Trump in 2020 capitulated to those who predict he couldnt defeat Trump once more in November. Now, Beshear, the popular two-term governor from Kentucky, quite possibly could land a prominent role in the whats-next-for-the-Democrats sweepstakes, numerous Democrats, national pundits and media outlets have predicted. The 46-year-olds name has long been floated as one of several Democratic governors who could become the next VP. Biden, in Sundays announcement, did not identify his preferred choice for the top of the ticket. But its widely assumed it will be Kamala Harris, the California Democrat who has been his vice-president. Former Kentucky U.S. representative John Yarmuth said Thursday that Beshear was one of three, alongside North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in consideration. Other news outlets have included Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona or a non-traditional pick like former U.S. Navy admiral William McRaven. Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? Bidens exit makes history, but 2 other sitting presidents cut it close to Election Day Asked repeatedly about it during public appearances leading up to Bidens announcement, Beshear didnt say he was seeking addition to a then-hypothetical new ticket. He didnt shut it down, either, saying repeatedly he would leave his current role if he felt he could help the commonwealth even more through another opportunity. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who is running for reelection, speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a new section of U.S. Highway 641 between Murray and the Kentucky-Tennessee state line in Hazel, Ky., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Beshear has the support of many across Kentucky in this endeavor. That includes Rep. Chad Aull, a strong ally of the governors in the state legislature. The Lexington Democrat said the Beshear playbook used to knock off incumbent Matt Bevin in 2019 and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron four years later could appeal to more than just Kentuckys 4.6 million residents. He saved countless lives during the pandemic, responded well to historic flooding and tornadoes, and all while doing that hes led us through some of the greatest and most prosperous times in our state history, Aull said. He can deliver a message of revitalization, management and hope to the American people like hes done here in the commonwealth. The style with which he can deliver that message, honed over a year where the COVID-19 pandemic had him delivering live remarks every weekday, has improved significantly according to many observers. Beshear has almost perfected it, said Jason Perkey, a Kentucky Democratic operative whos served as the executive director of state parties in South Carolina and Kansas. The language that he uses doesnt sound contrived, it doesnt sound poll-tested, it doesnt sound like someone is giving him talking points to use. It sounds like its a value-centric response to the issue hes facing, Perkey said. I know I sound like a drunk on the Kool Aid supporter, but I just think its clear that hes a person that genuinely wants to lead people and isnt doing it in a selfish way, That ability to message, in disciplined fashion, tops the list of reasons cited for Beshears elevation to the national scene. Those include: Political victories over two Trump-endorsed candidates in gubernatorial elections, which has enamored some national politicos. Ability to stay on message, avoid major controversies and pursue vigorous fights when needed. An empathetic and uniquely wholesome political brand. If Harris becomes the new Democratic nominees, which seems likely, Beshear has been mentioned frequently as a potential candidate for the VP vacancy on the ticket. The other names most commonly mentioned for vice president include Democratic governors in more politically purple states Cooper of North Carolina and Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Some have suggested Shapiro over Beshear for his Obama-esque speaking style and strong donor base in the populous Keystone State. Others say Coopers ties to Harris reporting early this month from the New York Times called him the early favorite in the then-hypothetical scenario, citing the fact that they served as state attorneys general at the same time could win the day. A popular view is that Harris should pick one of the two, or another swing state politician like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, to gain an edge in the electoral college. Kentucky Republicans like Jake Cox, who led the re-election campaign of Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, and former commissioner of agriculture Ryan Quarles gubernatorial bid, seem to agree. Shapiro, Cooper and Whitmer are all battle-scarred, nationally vetted, and, most importantly, in charge of states that will decide the outcome of this election, he said. But some arent so sure that Harris, if shes the nominee, should pick based on her replacements state of origin. University of Kentucky political science professor Stephen Voss said research suggests that the vice presidential nominees home doesnt make as much difference as commentators seem to think. If the Harris campaign picked based on state of origin, theyd probably be picking foolishly, said Voss, who has served as a non-partisan political commentator for several years. Hes appeared on more than 1,000 local, national and international newscasts to discuss Kentuckys political scene. Much more important and Im guessing the Harris advisers know this is the chemistry between the presidential candidate and the vice presidential candidate. The main role the VP pick plays is giving us more information about the presidential nominee and what sort of president that person would make. A smart presidential candidate picks a ticket mate who complements them best, not who comes from a particular location. So, what is the chemistry between Beshear and Harris? Observers havent been given many opportunities to assess. The governor, who just made headlines with his support for rescheduling marijuana to a lower class of substance, last appeared with Harris at a roundtable on marijuana policy in Spring. The governors top surrogate on the issue of abortion Hadley Duvall, a young woman who was raped and impregnated by her stepfather and would have been unable to get an abortion if the states near-total ban on the procedure had been in place recently went on MSNBC with Harris. Duvall also shot an ad for the Biden campaign recalling her emotional story. Though his connection with the vice president doesnt go quite as far back as Coopers, Beshear has some attributes that Harris might like, according to Voss. Presidential nominees usually seek a running mate who can provide balance and broaden their appeal. Beshear pitches Democratic policies in a language likely to play better in red state America than Harriss usual rhetorical approach, Voss said. Beshear also would bring a different tone to how he communicates. Its a very laid back and mellow approach to politicking, whereas Harris, in her public appearances, tends to be more frenetic and to say a lot of words. Anna Whites, a Frankfort attorney who works with candidates across the state, sees some of those benefits for the ticket. However, shes not exactly pining for Beshear to leave the state. The ticket could be better served by someone more well-known to the American public, Whites argued. In Kentucky, we may have a false idea that everyone knows Andy, she said. If its Harris at the top, shell need a male, so that does narrow the field. I just am not sure the choice would be Andy. One positive, she said: The fact that nothing very negative has been revealed about Beshear during his 10-year run as a candidate in the remarkably invasive and ugly Kentucky political scene. He is a kind person in many ways, hes a great Dad, he seems to be a great husband and a faithful husband and thats rarer than hens teeth in politics, Whites said. He also just looks good on TV and he speaks well off-the-cuff. Community reaction Bidens decision to drop out was something Robert Flaherty, 78, said he saw coming. I think he probably needed to, Flaherty said while shopping Sunday afternoon at the Florence Mall. I think hes a good man, but based on my observation of how he did in the debate and his public appearances since then, I think he was struggling. Flaherty said he thinks the next Democratic candidate, whomever it is, will present more of a challenge to Trump. And he said hed like to see Beshear not just as the vice presidential nominee, but the presidential one. I would rather him be on the ballot as president instead of vice president. Im not a big fan of Kamala Harris, Flaherty said. I think shes more liberal. I think Beshear tends to be more moderate. Flaherty said he might vote for the Democratic ticket if Beshear is the nominee for either role, but he is still mulling it over. He said he voted for neither Biden nor Trump in 2020. Taheerah Moore James, a 41-year-old Florence resident, described politics as a bleak affair. While she said the potential nomination of Harris didnt move her much, she did note the history that would be made if she were elected. Theres still so much hate against women, and Black women at that, in America, James said. It would be something great to see, being that I am a Black woman. James said she, too, would be excited if Beshear wound up on the ticket. I work with people with intellectual disabilities, so the company I work for deals a lot with Andy Beshear, she said. I like him as a person outside of what hes done for Kentucky. Tim Shields, a 77-year-old Florence resident, said he voted for Trump in 2020 based on his performance in his first term, and he intends to do so again this fall. Fields said he was disappointed Biden had dropped out of the race. I think hed have been easier to beat, Shields said. The Democratic Party is a mess right now, so I was kind of wondering if he would stay in or not. Tonya Meadows, 48, of Clay City, said if Beshear joined the Democratic ticket, it would make for a tougher choice. But she would still vote for Trump, as she did in 2020. She said Beshear is good for Kentucky, but her main voting issue is the southern border. I think Trump, hopefully, will take care of a lot of that. I like Andy, she said, but it would be Trump. President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him on Sunday. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden wrote in a letter posted to his official account on X. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Biden said he will speak to the nation later this week in more detail. In a follow-up post, Biden praised Harris and urged Democrats to unite behind her. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, Biden wrote. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Harris, who was informed of Bidens decision Sunday, said in a statement that she was honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. She is spending the day reaching out to lawmakers, outside organizations and donors, and was slated to make up to 200 calls on Sunday alone, a top Democratic source close to her told CNN. Many prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, quickly came out in support of Harris, although some who released statements reacting to Bidens decision did not mention the vice president, including former President Barack Obama. I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, Obama said in a statement that kept the focus on Biden. An adviser said Obama is taking the same approach as he did in the 2020 Democratic primary, watching closely with the intent of being able to help unify the party when a nominee is chosen whether it is Harris or someone else. Others explicitly called for an open process to determine who should replace Biden at the top of the ticket. Later Sunday, the Biden-Harris campaign formally amended its filings with the Federal Election Commission to rename its principal committee Harris for President. But Harris ascension to the top of the ticket isnt a certainty. The nominee will now be determined by the delegates to the Democratic National Convention. While Biden won an overwhelming majority of the delegates during the primary process earlier this year, they are now free to choose a candidate of their choice and he cannot simply transfer them to Harris. Bidens departure capped off weeks of concern about the 81-year-old presidents stamina and mental capabilities and skepticism of his ability to effectively campaign against former President Donald Trump and govern the country for another four years. While Biden said he is committed to serving out the remainder of his term, his decision sparked immediate calls from Republicans for him to step down as president. Trump said Biden is not fit to serve in a post on Truth Social. In a phone call with CNN after Bidens announcement, Trump said Biden would go down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country and said he thought Harris would be easier to defeat than Biden. Other leading Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, called on Biden to resign the office immediately. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President, Johnson said in a statement. Its the first time a one-term US president has dropped out of a reelection run in decades and recalls President Lyndon Johnsons decision not to seek a second full term in 1968 though Bidens decision comes months later in the campaign than Johnsons. Its also the latest shocking development in a highly charged political campaign that has included an attempt on Trumps life. But not even the attempted assassination on Trump and its tumultuous effect on the race would pause the drain of support Biden was facing among congressional Democrats who became increasingly convinced that a wipeout in November would also drown their down-ballot contests as well. Bidens final decision to leave the race was reached in the last 48 hours, a senior campaign adviser said, as he consulted family and top advisers by telephone. He did not have a final in-person meeting with his top campaign or White House advisers as he recovered from Covid-19 at his beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. As his decision neared its end, first lady Jill Biden remained her husbands most ardent supporter. Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose, Jill Bidens communications director Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement to CNN. The presidents exit from the race sets the stage for the conclusion to a political career that has spanned a half-century, one that saw Biden enter as one of the youngest senators in US history and exit as its oldest president. Age and questions about the presidents mental faculties had been Bidens biggest political liability since he first ran against Trump in 2020. Bidens disastrous performance at a June 27 CNN debate during which the president spoke softly, had a glazed-over look and, at one point, appeared to lose his train of thought mid-sentence while his opponent delivered an animated, while mainly fact-free performance brought those concerns to the forefront of the political conversation and ultimately doomed his reelection push. Bidens campaign had asked for the June debate in the hopes that it would force voters to tune into the race and what Biden had said was at stake earlier than usual. But that strategy appeared to backfire as the president solidified what had been the most persistent concern about his candidacy. The presidents performance shocked his donors, closest allies and the 50 million Americans who saw Biden stumble throughout the 90-minute debate the most extensive exposure to an unscripted Biden since the last round of general-election debates four years ago. It left the White House and Biden campaign in a frenzied scramble to explain away his condition at first, blaming it on a cold, before days later saying the president had been jet lagged by his international travel that wrapped up about 12 days prior to the debate. The presidents surrogates and campaign officials sought to soothe Democratic anxieties, hurriedly calling meetings with donors and top supporters to assure them that Bidens performance was the product of one bad night and ask them to consider it in the context of his three-and-a-half-year presidency. The president himself recognized how poorly the night had gone almost immediately; at a campaign rally the next day, he sought to promote an animated and energized image that had largely been absent from the debate stage. I dont walk as easy as I used to, Biden said. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. But the damage had already been done. By the Monday after the debate, murmurs about replacing Biden on the ticket had grown into a full public conversation. The mood in the White House and at Bidens campaign headquarters in Wilmington had turned sour. Biden, seeking to assert his control over his campaign and the presidency, delivered brief remarks that evening on the Supreme Courts immunity decision earlier that day, asking voters to dissent in a rare political overture from the White House. The next day, Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first member of Congress from Bidens own party to ask him to drop out. The fractures in Bidens support have grown steadily wider every day since. By the time Biden exited the race, dozens of lawmakers had asked him to bow out. So had major donors. Actor George Clooney, who has known Biden for years and was one of Hollywoods biggest boosters of the president, said in a July 10 New York Times opinion piece that Democrats are not going to win in November with this president and called for the party to pick a new nominee. unknown content item - Biden was initially defiant that he would remain in the race. But as the defections in his base of support continued, and leading Democrats in Congress continued to have difficult conversations with the president about his odds against Trump and the damaging effect he might have on down-ballot Democrats in competitive races, Biden opened himself up more to the idea of dropping out of the race. In an interview with ABCs George Stephanopoulos on July 5, Biden laughed off questions about his political future and said only the Lord Almighty could convince him to drop from the race. Days later, Stephanopoulos candidly told a passerby that he also didnt think Biden could serve another four years. Biden told reporters at a NATO news conference he would drop out if polls showed he could not win. About a week later, he said he would reevaluate whether to stay in if he had some medical condition that emerged and doctors told him that would be an issue. The next day, the White House announced that Biden had Covid-19. The attempt on Trumps life on July 13 briefly stemmed the flow of congressional Democrats calling for Biden to drop out and pulled the national attention away from his faltering presidential campaign. But the reprieve didnt last long. California Rep. Adam Schiff on July 17 became the first House Democrat to call on Biden to step down since the assassination attempt, and more followed in the ensuing days. Bidens evolution on his future as the partys nominee tracked closely with efforts among his biggest allies to convince him the path to victory was narrow. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Biden weeks after his debate that polls showed he could not win. A senior Democratic adviser told CNN the president was becoming receptive to conversations about him stepping aside: Hes gone from saying, Kamala cant win, to Do you think Kamala can win? Those conversation accelerated as Biden isolated at his beach home with Covid over the last few days. Saturday night, Biden asked two of his closest advisers to start drafting the letter, according to a person familiar with the matter. Many rank-and-file staff found out about Bidens decision when the post came out. CNNs Jeff Zeleny, Betsy Klein, Ethan Cohen, Abby Phillip and Phil Mattingly contributed to this report. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Biden is out. Now, NJ Democrats roll the dice like Atlantic City gamblers | Stile The Democratic Party, which has been in a state of denial, is now in a state of desperation.The great gamble is finally here. The Democrats are rolling the dice like a hollowed-eyed craps player at 4 a.m. in a dim Atlantic City casino, plunking down his last stack of chips in hopes of a big score. Assuming there is no divisive floor fight in Chicago next month, Democrats are hoping that Vice President Kamala Harris with approval ratings slightly better than those of now-departed President Joe Biden can step into a phone booth and emerge with superpowers to unify a fractured party and defeat the dreaded Donald Trump. Thats a tall order with little time. Charlie Stile: NJ Democrats are itchy about Joe Biden's future as their nominee. Here's why | Stile Editorial: Thank you, President Biden, for your service to our nation What strategy will New Jersey Democrats choose? New Jersey Democrats spent the last nine months in an anguished process of regeneration that began with the corruption indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez and ended with a diminished county party machinery and a new era candidate Rep. Andy Kim as the partys nominee for the Senate. Now, Harris and the Democrats have to make history while making over the party in a sprint. The entire calamity began after Bidens debate fiasco, the worst debate performance in modern political history. It crystallized all the private worries about Bidens age and acuity in a prime-time public spectacle. But that was followed last week by Trump's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, an off-script meandering into grievance-land. It served as reminder of how vulnerable Trump still is as a candidate, a reminder of the chaos of the past now looms in the future, but this time because of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity with no guardrails to halt his pursuit of vengeance. President Joe Biden speaks at the construction site of the Hudson Tunnel Project on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, in New York. It fueled the belief that all the party needed was a new message and a messenger to prosecute the case against Trump. Biden clearly was not capable. Party leaders who held their breath or looked the orther way hoping that it would all resolve itself as a defiant Biden clung to his nomination, are now gushing a with relief. Lets move forward together and unify. The stakes are too high," Kim said Sunday. As if Democrats had any other choice. Charlie Stile is a veteran New Jersey political columnist. For unlimited access to his unique insights into New Jerseys political power structure and his powerful watchdog work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Email: stile@northjersey.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Joe Biden out of race. NJ Democrats ready to gamble Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joes remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts. Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored Americas standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine. More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trumps administration. Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life. This outstanding track record gave President Biden every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started. Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress. I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Bidens vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond. For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on. Former President Barack Obama said in a statement Biden is one of few presidents to end a reelection campaign: Who were the others? (NEXSTAR) With President Biden dropping out of the 2024 race, he becomes one of only a few past presidents who decided to end their campaign for reelection. Bidens withdrawal, though, comes later than any previous incumbent candidates. In recent weeks, Biden had insisted he would continue his campaign despite concerns over his age and mental acuity. But after calls from former supporters and high-ranking Democrats, the president dropped out on Sunday, July 21 less than four months from the election. No other president seeking reelection has dropped out so late. President Harry S. Truman, after serving the better part of two terms (and being eligible for another), pulled out of the 1952 race in late March, after failing to win over a majority of voters at the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary earlier that month. President Lyndon B. Johnson later dropped out of the 1968 election also in late March, amid low approval ratings. Biden withdraws from race in presidential earthquake There have been several other presidents who decided against running for a second term, though they all announced it before launching a reelection campaign. James K. Polk, James Buchanon, Rutherford B. Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge all made it known in advance of the next election cycle that they would not seek reelection, with some announcing their decision very early on, or during their campaigns for a first term. Those who didnt immediately announce their intentions not to run again Roosevelt and Coolidge had also both succeeded to the presidency after the death of the previous president and then won reelection on their own (much like Truman and Johnson). In Roosevelts case, he pledged not to run for a third term while campaigning for his second but he did indeed run again in 1912, ultimately losing to Woodrow Wilson. Coolidge announced in August 1927 that he didnt want to participate in the 1928 election, claiming a second term was too long to be president. In addition to the names above, there were also presidents who had already served two full terms (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, etc.) but declined to run for a third time, despite being eligible to do so. (The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, put term limits on the presidency.)Biden, despite dropping out much later than the aforementioned presidents, has still afforded time for the Democratic party to rally around, and formally name, a new nominee. That, however, is a whole process in and of itself. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. Andrew Espinosa was in his office in Boulder, Colorado, when the first message popped up on the Air Force veterans phone: Andy, is this finally the resolution youve been working for? President Biden had just announced he was righting a historic wrong by issuing pardons for gay veterans convicted of consensual sex, and Espinosa says the text messages didnt stop for hours. Ive got shivers, Mona McGuire, an Army veteran, told The War Horse on that June 26 morning, celebrating the news from her home in suburban Milwaukee in between interviews with CNN and the BBC. I feel relief. More than 25 years ago, both McGuire and Espinosa were kicked out of the military for being gay. Finally, it appeared, they would get a long-overdue reprieve and apology and possibly qualify for health care and other veterans benefits they have been denied because of their bad paper discharges. Then reality struck. In the weeks since the presidents historic gesture, McGuire and Espinosa have dug into the details and learned they and thousands of other veterans are unlikely to qualify under the narrow confines of Bidens pardons. The whipsaw of emotions has renewed the sting of exclusion that has followed them for decades after their military service was cut short. Its another kick in the gut, says Espinosa. The two are among about 100,000 veterans pushed out of the military for reasons related to their sexual orientation from World War II through the repeal of the dont ask, dont tell policy in 2011. Thirteen years after that repeal, Bidens pardons invigorated advocates and LGBTQ veterans who continue to try to undo the harms inflicted on gay veterans, including, for some, imprisonment and convictions that still mar their records today. But it turns out there is a catch: Only those convicted in a military court of nonforcible sodomy qualify for a pardon, and neither the White House nor the Defense Department could tell The War Horse exactly how many veterans that includes or why it excludes so many others. Mona McGuire started her Army career as a military police officer in Germany in 1988. (Photo credit courtesy of Mona McGuire) It doesnt include McGuire, who became a symbol of the injustice stemming from the militarys discriminatory past after sharing her story with The War Horse days before Bidens announcement. The Milwaukee mom was never convicted in a military court because she opted to avoid court-martial by admitting to a lesbian relationship and accepting a bad discharge. The pardons will do nothing to fix her record. Whats also worrying advocates is that the presidential election is only four months away, and a return to the White House for Donald Trump could halt the processing of pardon applications altogether, experts say. Amid the euphoria of Bidens announcement, the White House estimated thousands of veterans would benefit from his pardons, allowing them to upgrade their discharges and receive veterans benefits theyd been locked out of. But Michael Wishnie, a professor at Yale Law School and veteran law expert, is wary. Theres a real danger that no one benefits, he says. Mass pardons are rare By the time the text messages stopped, and Espinosa returned his focus to his real estate job, he had already concluded that the pardon didnt apply to him. He joined the Air Force in the late 1980s with the hopes of eventually becoming an astronaut. In 1993, the Air Force captain was court-martialed for an indecent assault. The incident occurred, he said, in the blurry early morning hours after a party while he was stationed in Turkey. Espinosa was accused of touching a fellow airmans leg and kissing him on the cheek as they watched the playoffs. Espinosa maintains his innocence and believes he was targeted because of homophobia in the military and his superior officers desire to get rid of him. Espinosa, who first told his story to CBS News last year, had a letter written to his mother from a military official that explains homosexuality is a factor in this case but that the key factor is his harassment of another airman. Espinosa says hes largely moved on from his dismissal from the military, but the conviction prevented him from getting a job with the government as a census taker, and he tried and failed to receive a discharge upgrade in the wake of the dont ask, dont tell repeal. Until 1993, the military prohibited gay and lesbian people from serving, but under President Clinton, dont ask, dont tell allowed gay people to serve as long as their sexuality remained hidden. Andrew Espinosa worked as an instructor while in the Air Force and at one time had a top secret security clearance. That was stripped after he was charged for an indecent assault in 1993. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Espinosa) After reading the fine print of the pardon, Espinosa responded to all those congratulatory text messages from childhood and military friends, thanking them for their support but telling them he would not receive any of Bidens goodwill. If it helps one person, its good, says Espinosa. I wish it wouldve been explained more. What adds to the confusion is that rather than granting an individual pardon that names people specifically, Bidens clemency action was bestowed upon a group of unnamed people. Such mass pardons are rare, but not unheard of. In 1977, for instance, President Jimmy Carter pardoned hundreds of thousands of Vietnam War draft dodgers. Wishnie says advocates and veterans should be proud that their persistence likely encouraged Bidens pardon. Still, Wishnie is very disappointed that it is such a narrow program. Biden could have expanded his pardon to more veterans, he said, including those who were convicted for charges like indecent acts due to their sexual orientation. The pardon also could have helped veterans like McGuire. In 1988, while stationed in West Germany, McGuire was outed, arrested, and forced to choose between a court-martial and possible prison time or a less than honorable discharge in lieu of court-martial if she admitted her lesbian relationship. She chose the latter. The discharge has prevented her from accessing veterans benefits, and, though she tried to upgrade her discharge last year, the Armys review board denied her request because as a 20-year-old under interrogation, she admitted guilt to charges of sodomy and an indecent act. McGuire thought Bidens pardon might render her admission obsolete, particularly since the president acknowledged the unjust criminalization of gay service members. But, she says, Im just kind of in the same place, in the same position I was for the last 37 years. These things arent slam dunks When Steve Marose learned of the presidents announcement, it sounded glorious. Justice, at last. He jumped into action, and the Air Force veteran, who lives in Seattle, sent in his pardon application last week. In 1990, Marose was a second lieutenant who followed his fathers footsteps into the Air Force. He was a proud officer and says he was good at his job. But for a few months he lived with another airman, and was eventually convicted of three counts of consensual sodomy. He spent two years in federal prison at Fort Leavenworth. But Marose was also convicted of conduct unbecoming, a charge not included in the pardon. Ive always tried to be optimistic, he says. But these things arent slam dunks. Steve Marose poses in his Air Force mess dress uniform before heading to a formal event. (Photo courtesy of Steve Marose) A White House spokesperson did not respond to requests from The War Horse to explain why the pardons excluded many LGBTQ veterans. There is another route for those who dont qualify, a Department of Defense spokesperson said. LGBTQ veterans can submit a standard Department of Justice pardon application to the secretary of the military branch in which they were convicted. But a decision can take years. Wishnie and other veterans advocates say the Defense Department could have spared LGBTQ veterans the confusion over how far the pardons extend. For years, people have been asking DOD to do the work themself, to identify veterans discharged for being gay, whether they were court-martialed or not, Wishnie says. And for years, DOD has absolutely resisted. As the pardon stands, veterans like Marose who think they are eligible must apply, wait for an answer which could take months and then go through a separate process to upgrade their less than honorable or dishonorable discharges. They are leaving the onus on veterans, Wishnie says, adding that such a multistep process will likely deter many veterans who could take advantage of the pardon. What happens now? If Maroses application is approved before Novembers election, it will remain intact no matter who wins the White House. If Donald Trump prevails, however, its possible that the new administration could slow or stop the process of receiving a pardon certificate that would allow veterans to access benefits, Wishnie says. No one from the Trump campaign responded to questions from The War Horse about whether a Trump White House would follow through on Bidens pledge. Presidents often issue pardons at the end of their terms, says Graham Dodds, an expert on U.S. politics at Concordia University in Montreal. Its unclear why Biden decided to act on this particular issue now. It could be an act of reconciliation, Dodds says, much like Canada, in 2017, apologized for past discrimination against LGBTQ people. But politics, he says, cant be discounted. While the LGBTQ community is not monolithic, it does account for some 7% of the electorate, Dodds says. In a close election every vote might well matter. Still, the military didnt treat each gay veteran in a uniform way. Policies shifted over the years, and a commander had the power to choose among quietly dismissing an LGBTQ service member with an honorable discharge, prosecuting them, or scaring them into accepting a bad discharge to avoid a court-martial. Because of that, Dodds says, this pardon is somewhat messy. In McGuires case, she was not convicted or imprisoned. But she said it felt like she was. After her arrest in May 1988, she waited three months for her discharge paperwork. She was stripped of her security clearance and forced to clean the mens latrines. Soldiers whispered about her and three other women who were being kicked out for homosexuality. They were treated, she says, not even like second-class humans. McGuire didnt walk around alone out of fear of getting beat up. In August of 1988, she was finally handed her orders to leave. Her dream of a career in the Army crumpled, and her heart broke on the spot. I was crying and breathing so hard I couldnt talk, she says. I was devastated. All those years ago, as a 20-year-old soldier, McGuire said she believed that taking responsibility and walking away from the Army would pay off in the long run. Its just kind of ironic that those who were actually convicted and possibly spent time in prison are the ones eligible, she says. But not me. This War Horse investigation was reported by Anne Marshall-Chalmers, edited by Mike Frankel, fact-checked by Jess Rohan, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Abbie Bennett wrote the headlines. Coverage of veterans health is made possible in part by a grant from the A-Mark Foundation. With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement President Joe Biden said Sunday he would not seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, Biden said in a tweet on X. Harris, 59, could make her own history, as the first Black and Asian American woman ever to head a major party ticket. The former California attorney general and U.S. senator still needs to be formally nominated by the Democratic convention, which begins August 19. Democratic insiders have strongly suggested for weeks that shed have little trouble getting the nod. She would replace Biden, 81, who became the first incumbent president since Lyndon Johnson in 1968 to decline to run for another term. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president, he said in an open letter released just before 11 a.m. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a statement on X, praised Biden shortly after the announcement. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump blasted Biden after the presidents announcement. Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president and is certainly not fit to serveand never was, Trump said his Truth Social site. Harris as nominee? As Biden stumbled, top Democrats as well as voters signaled that Harris was the logical successor. Some of her biggest potential challengers, notably Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said they did not intend to run this year. The feeling among many Democratic officeholders is that the election is in many ways a referendum on the job the Biden administration has done the past four years, and Harris has earned a role as the chief defender of that record.. I think she has the experience, the judgment, the leadership ability to be an extraordinary president, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, told NBCs Meet the Press recently before Biden left the race.. Absolutely, said Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., when asked recently if Harris would be his choice if Biden stepped down. Seven members of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee sent a letter to Democratic Chairman Jaime Harrison July 12 urging the selection of Harris if Biden stepped down. What does this mean for CA congressional races? The consequences of Bidens decision for Californias congressional delegation could be enormous. Democrats need a net gain of five seats to win a majority in the House of Representatives, and four California seats are considered toss-ups by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Biden helped Democrats in 2020, trouncing Trump 63.5% to 34.3%. Polls taken before last months presidential debate showed him still winning big, but by a smaller margin. The Public Policy Institute of California survey taken May 23-June 2 had Biden up 55% to 31%. Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, is running against former Assemblyman Adam Gray, a Merced Democrat. Duarte narrowly beat Gray two years ago. Another rematch pits Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, against former Assemblyman Rudy Salas, who nearly won in 2022. Also in play are seats now held by Reps. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, and Mike Garcia, R-Palmdale.. One way Harris could be an asset for Democrats is that she knows California. She was elected attorney general in 2010 and 2014, and easily won a U.S. Senate seat in 2016. The fall of Biden Bidens political momentum with Democrats began to ebb after his disastrous June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump. He tried to regain political stature, with campaign appearances, vigorous support from Congressional Black Caucus members and a nationally televised interview with ABCs George Stephanopoulos July 5.. But when Congress returned to Washington July 8, a steady trickle of Democratic House members saying he should step aside began. Two days later came crushing blows. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, whose opinion carries enormous weight with Democrats, would not give Biden strong backing during an appearance July 10 on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Instead, she said, Its up to the president to decide if he is going to run. Were all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short, The same morning, actor George Clooney, who in June co-hosted a massive fundraiser for Biden in Los Angeles, wrote an op-ed for the New York Times headlined I love Joe Biden. But we need a new nominee. Adding to the drama was how former President Barack Obama may have been lurking behind Clooneys effort. Reports said that Clooney made Obama aware of his op-ed, and Obama did not try to stop him from publishing. Biden tried an unscripted news conference July 11 that ran almost an hour. Even as he showed a mastery of foreign policy, he also referred to Vice President Trump. Harris, meanwhile, had been on the campaign trail, giving energized speeches tearing into Trump. Some polls showed her in a virtual tie with Trump, running slightly better than Biden. Perhaps most comforting for Democrats is her favorability rating which while still a low 40% in latest Reuters/Ipsos July 1-2 poll was slightly ahead of both Biden, who polled 38%, and within range of Trump at 42%. Chris Jackson, Ipsos senior vice president, said the country is divided, and the winner will be whoever wins the undecided. Harris will probably get a fresh look: The poll found 60% of independent voters thought Biden should drop out. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House Rose Garden in May last year. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House Rose Garden in May last year. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Joe Biden was quick to endorse his vice-president, Kamala Harris, for the US Democratic partys 2024 presidential nomination in the wake of his stunning decision not to seek re-election to the White House. In a tweet posted minutes after the publication of his letter announcing his decision to withdraw from the race, Biden said choosing Harris to be his second-in-command for the duration of his term of office was the best decision Ive made. Related: Read Joe Bidens letter announcing he is dropping out of the US election The message also said he was committed to focusing on the rest of his time in the White House while his party made a decision on his successor at the top of the ticket for the November election. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as president for the remainder of my term, Bidens post said. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice-president. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. In response, Harris said in a statement: I am honored to have the presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. She added: Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until election day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Related: Kamala Harris after Biden drops out: My intention is to earn and win this nomination Bill and Hillary Clinton also announced their backing. We are honored to join the president in endorsing Vice-President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, they said. Republicans have ramped up their attacks on Harris, a former senator for California, in recent weeks as speculation swirled that she would become first in line to replace Biden as her partys candidate. In rallies over the past two weeks in Florida and Pennsylvania, and again on Saturday night in Michigan, Donald Trump, the former president and Republican nominee, repeatedly tied Harris to his attacks on Bidens policies, and coined the nickname Laughin Kamala for her. A poll from the Associated Press/Norc Center for Public Affairs Research published on Friday found that six in 10 Democrats believe Harris would do a good job as president. The civil rights activist the Rev Al Sharpton also endorsed Harris, the first woman of color to hold the vice-presidential role, in a sharply worded statement on Sunday. President Biden has turned to her repeatedly for guidance on the most pressing issues facing our community and her fingerprint is on all of the things that the Biden-Harris administration has delivered for Black America, he said. It will be imperative for all Americans, especially Black men, to stand with her in this historic moment. The powerful progressive congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive caucus, also threw her political weight behind Harris. Democrats must immediately unite so we can focus on winning in November. I look forward to casting my vote for Kamala Harris for president and doing everything I can to ensure she becomes our next president, she said in a statement. As did the powerful Congressional Black caucus. She will do an excellent job as president of the United States, it said in a statement. Read more about Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election: Joe Biden stepped down from the US presidential election race on Sunday night and endorsed Kamala Harris to replace him. The 81-year-old president said it was in the best interest of my party and the country to stand aside after weeks of intense pressure over his age and health. Mr Biden informed his family and closest circle of aides about his decision on Saturday afternoon, and wrote his letter to the country with Steve Richetti and Mike Donilon, two of his top advisers. Thanking his supporters and pledging to stay on until the end of his term, Mr Biden said he would set out the process to replace him in the coming days as he gave his full support and endorsement to Ms Harris, his vice-president, in the contest. Ms Harris, 59, said her intention is to earn and win this nomination and pledged to do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party. The announcement came on Sunday afternoon hours after reports that Mr Biden still intended to fight the election despite concerns from top Democrats including Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. Some White House staff heard about Mr Bidens decision by reading about it online, and burst into tears when they saw his letter. Campaign staff working for Mr Biden were informed they now work for Ms Harris. Joe Biden is the first president not to stand for re-election since Lyndon B Johnson in 1968 - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America The decision plunges the Democratic Party into chaos and makes Mr Biden the first president not to stand for re-election since Lyndon B Johnson in 1968, and the first to step back so close to an election day. It was welcomed by senior Democrats including the Clintons, and major donors, who had begun to withdraw their financial support in protest at his decision to stay in the race. Ms Harris has called for donations to her campaign. Mr Obama praised Mr Bidens outstanding track record and said the announcement that he would pass the torch to a younger nominee was surely one of the toughest in his life. But he stopped short of endorsing Ms Harris in the first sign that the party will now head into a contested race to replace Mr Biden. Ms Harris, who becomes the automatic front-runner with Mr Bidens support, has more support than him in some key swing states, but polls show she is less popular than Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Mr Bidens decision has also provoked nervousness among some Republicans, who think Ms Harris has a better chance of beating Trump. Dennis Lennox, a Republican strategist, told The Telegraph that the November presidential election would now be a complete coin flip in November. Some Republicans are expected to launch a legal challenge to Ms Harris taking control of Mr Bidens campaign, which has a $91 million election war chest. On Sunday evening, Trump attacked Mr Biden, describing him as the worst president, by far, in the history of our nation. He was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his complete and total mental, physical, and cognitive demise, he said. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same. Mr Trumps campaign and Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, called for Mr Biden to resign the presidency immediately. The US presidents announcement came in a 323-word statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, from his home in Delaware, where he is self-isolating with a bout of Covid-19. He wrote: It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. First Lady Jill Biden was supportive of whatever road her husband chose, according to the BBC. Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose, Mrs Bidens communications director, Elizabeth Alexander said. Shes his biggest believer, champion, and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be. The decision kicks off a rapid contest to replace Mr Biden before the Democratic National Convention, which begins on Aug 19 in Chicago. He is expected to lay out the process for a new nominee later this week. The 3,896 delegates Mr Biden won during the Democratic primary earlier this year are expected to be free to choose an alternative. But a Harris coronation is likely, as it is understood that governors Gretchen Whitmer and Gavin Newsom will not challenge Ms Harris for the Democratic nomination. All Democratic state party chairs also backed Ms Harris to be the partys new presidential nominee on Sunday night. Biden praised for bravery Mr Bidens son, Hunter, praised his father in an emotional statement. He said: Im so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same. Ms Pelosi, the former House Speaker who has been agitating for Mr Bidens removal, praised his legacy of vision, values and leadership and said he was one of the most consequential presidents in American history. She did not endorse Ms Harris to replace him. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democrats leader in the House, said: America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said he looked forward to working with Mr Biden in the final months of his presidency, writing: I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people. Rishi Sunak praised his joint efforts with Mr Biden on the AUKUS nuclear submarines programme, and on protecting shipping lanes from Houthi rebels in Yemen. Boris Johnson, who served concurrently with Mr Biden for 18 months, said: I salute Joe Biden for the bravery of his decision and also for all he has done as president. He has been a staunch Atlanticist and friend to Britain throughout his career, and it was a privilege to work with him. Shock decision The decision came as a surprise to some of Mr Bidens closest team in Washington, who have been working on his domestic agenda and re-election effort while he self-isolates. We are finding out by tweets, one told Politico. None of us understand what is happening. Mr Bidens campaign was thrown into disarray by his disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27, when he froze and lost his train of thought on national television. Since then, more than three dozen Democrats have called for him to pass the torch and stand down. The situation was worsened by more public gaffes at the Nato summit in Washington earlier this month where he confused Volodymr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin and an assassination attempt against Trump that has bolstered the Republicans support. This week, as Trump was given a heros welcome at the Republican National Convention, senior Democrats made their concerns about Mr Bidens campaign known through leaks to the media. Mr Biden insisted as late as Friday that he would stay in the race. A poll published on Wednesday showed that two-thirds of registered Democrats wanted Mr Biden to stand down. For some months, an overwhelming majority of Americans have said he is too old to seek a second term. Garry South, a veteran California-based Democratic strategist who knows Ms Harris and is also close to Mr Newsom, believed Mr Bidens endorsement would seal Ms Harris nomination. The Democratic Party cannot bypass the first female Vice President, the first black Vice President without facing huge blowback from voters, he told The Telegraph. Thats the base of the party, women and black voters. You cant just ride roughshod over her. Mr South added that with Ms Harris as the Democratic nominee, the huge donations war chest amassed by the Biden-Harris campaign and the Democratic National Committee would still be accessible. Without Ms Harris on the ticket they would be starting from scratch, he said, adding that would be insane. On Sunday, the Kremlin said it was monitoring developments after Mr Bidens decision. The election is still four months away, and its a long time during which a lot can change, said Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman. We need to pay attention, follow what will happen and go about our business. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After three weeks of growing pressure from Democrats following a disastrous debate performance, President Joe Biden said he would no longer be seeking reelection. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden wrote in a letter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Biden followed the letter up with a post endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he wrote. Democratsits time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 The wheels began coming off Bidens reelection campaign at the presidential debate in late June. The Biden campaign had pushed for the timing and for the formatwithout a live audienceexpecting that the debate would give the presidents flagging campaign a shot in the arm. Even the Trump campaign seemed fearful of Biden having a great debate performance; it spent the run-up alleging that Biden would be on performance-enhancing drugs. But Biden was meandering and inchoate. He looked visibly frail and was seemingly unable to rebut Donald Trumps attacks or articulate any positions of his own or of the Democratic Party. In the immediate aftermath, Democrats went from uneasy to total freakout. And yet, the seven days after the debate yielded almost nothing from Bidenno reassuring statements, and no major public appearances beyond a previously scheduled campaign stop in North Carolina. The public calls for Biden to drop out began to pile up. Among elected Democrats, at first it was from a handful of backbench House reps, then a junior senator. There were many reports of Democrats in disarray, fighting with one another and the presidents camp about the future. To add to it, with each successive wave of calls for Biden to withdraw from the campaign came another wave of endorsements for Biden from powerful groups like the Black and progressive caucuses. Jerry Nadler, the House representative from Manhattan, even retracted a statement saying Biden should step aside. When Biden did finally reappear to make the case for himself, the public appearances and media hits didnt help. For ABC, he spoke for 22 minutes with George Stephanopoulos eight days after the debate, and appeared slightly more polished, but his speech was still garbled. He refused to engage with the hypothetical that he might face calls from party leaders to leave the race. Thats not going to happen! he responded emphatically at one point. That media appearance was followed up by a tempestuous call to MSNBCs Morning Joe; Biden angrily shuffled papers and sounded off-kilter without his video on. Two scripted radio interviews that required editorial intervention by the campaign followed, both causing controversy. An appearance on Philadelphias WURD radio station resulted in a station staffer resigning for agreeing to the campaigns prepared questioning; the Biden campaign pressured a Wisconsin radio station hosting a subsequent interview to cut out segments where the president made dicey or nonsensical comments, and they obliged. The station later confessed that it had failed to uphold journalistic ethics. All the while, public polls kept trickling in, trending worse, showing Biden losing in swing states and barely holding on to blue ones. His presence at the top of the ticket seemed more than ever like a drag on must-win House and Senate races. But Biden continued to insist that he had only seen polls showing him neck-and-neck. Then came the George Clooney New York Times op-eda declaration from a top fundraiser for the president that Biden seemed incredibly diminished in person at a recent event and needed to step aside. Trump, buoyed by polling numbers, then survived an assassination attemptand was greeted by ecstatic crowds at a rapturous Republican National Convention. Before Biden announced his decision on Sunday, ongoing meetings with the various Democratic caucuses turned more combative. Finally came reports that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had encouraged Biden, to his face, to bow out, and that Democratic House leadersincluding a very determined emeritus leader, Nancy Pelosiwere also working feverishly in the background to make it so. Biden recovers from COVID-19 in Delaware as his drop out announcement dominates headlines President Joe Bidens COVID-19 symptoms are improving four days after testing positive for the virus, according to a Sunday memo from the presidents doctor. The update on Bidens health came shortly before the president announced in a statement that he would stand down and not seek reelection. He said he would address the nation later this week. More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats Biden tested positive following an event Wednesday in Las Vegas, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement last week, and described his symptoms as mild. In the latest update on his condition, Bidens physician, Kevin OConnor, said the president completed his eighth dose of Paxlovid on Sunday morning and that his symptoms have improved significantly. The President continues to tolerate treatment without any difficulty and will continue PAXLOVID as planned, OConnor said in the July 21 memo. He continues to perform all of his presidential duties. U.S. President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Harry Reid international airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., July 17, 2024. The standard dose of Paxlovid involves two drugs taken together orally twice daily for five days, according to drug manufacturer Pfizer. The longtime physician to Biden, who has been with him since he was vice president, also said the presidents pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature are normal. OConnor added that his oxygen saturation is excellent on room air, and the presidents lungs remain clear. The doctor described initial symptoms last week as mainly upper respiratory, including a runny nose, a non-productive cough and general malaise. Biden canceled a planned campaign event in Las Vegas Wednesday following his positive test and returned to his home in Delaware to self-isolate. This disruption to Bidens campaign schedule came as calls for him to step aside from the 2024 election, particularly from a series of prominent Democrats, reached a fever pitch. This marks the third time the president has tested positive for COVID-19. He first caught the virus in July 2022 after receiving the vaccine and two boosters. He took Paxlovid, self-isolated, and continued to work in the White House. After emerging from a five-day isolation period, Biden tested positive for COVID a second time as a rebound case, but said he experienced no symptoms. Kathryn Palmer is an elections fellow for USA TODAY. Reach her at kapalmer@gannett.com and follow her on X @KathrynPlmr. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Biden in Delaware recovers from COVID-19, doctor says symptoms improve Left: Biden as the Democratic Senate candidate for Delaware in 1972; right: Biden departs after speaking in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on 13 July 2024. Left: Biden as the Democratic Senate candidate for Delaware in 1972; right: Biden departs after speaking in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on 13 July 2024. Illustration: Bettmann Archive/AFP/Getty Images/Guardian Design Legend has it that when King George III heard that George Washington, the first US president, had decided to retire after his second term, he remarked: If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world. Joe Biden, 81, holed up at a Delaware beach house with a bad cough after a Covid-19 diagnosis, ended his presidential re-election campaign on Sunday. It was a selfless decision that put the countrys interests before his own an act of grace that many see as vividly contrasting with the narcissism of his opponent Donald Trump. It also sets the stage for a completely different sort of election in November as top Democrats rapidly rushed to endorse Kamala Harris, which the president himself did. Now the Republicans will have to deal with issues of mental competence and an ageing candidate. Although many fellow Democrats had lost faith in Bidens mental acuity and capacity to beat Trump, they had no mechanism to oust Biden, who won a mandate in the party primary and continued to enjoy the support of Black and progressive voters. Although he had spent decades striving for the crown, and sincerely believed he could finish the job, Biden ultimately realised that it was not about him and never had been. Opinion polls strongly suggest that he would have lost in November to Trump, a twice-impeached felon and instigator of the January 6 insurrection. To cling on and go down in flames, returning the White House keys to Trump, would have destroyed Bidens legacy. He would have been remembered as the man who saved democracy in 2020 only to sacrifice it at the altar of his own ambition in 2024. Instead, whatever happens now, the 46th president will be remembered for steering Americas recovery from the Trump presidency and the coronavirus pandemic, delivering legislative achievements that will long outlast him and giving his party a fighting chance to beat Trump again. Related: Impactful and selfless: Democrats heap praise on Biden after he quits race His withdrawal was one of the most stunning acts of patriotism of my lifetime, Norm Eisen, a former diplomat, wrote on Twitter/X. David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to Barack Obama, added: History will honor him for his many extraordinary accomplishments as president AND for the terribly difficult and selfless decision he made today. Comedian Jon Stewart tweeted simply: Legend. Bidens announcement, via social media, was the latest drama in a month that has shaken US politics: his hapless debate performance on 27 June, a supreme court decision to grant broad presidential immunity on 1 July, an attempted assassination of Trump on 13 July, the collapse of the classified documents case against Trump, and the selection of JD Vance as Trumps running mate on 15 July. Future historians will surely look back at the first of those, the debate, as one of the most spectacular own goals in campaign history. For months Bidens decline had been mostly concealed from the public as he stuck to teleprompter speeches and conducted fewer interviews or press conferences than his predecessors. If this was a conspiracy, it was an inept one: it was Bidens own campaign that sought a presidential debate much earlier than usual to awaken the nation to the danger of Trump. Instead the incumbents halting, doddering showing had the opposite effect, shining a harsh light on his own flaws. From that moment, the writing was on the wall. By Sunday 36 congressional Democrats had publicly called on Biden to drop out of the race. Party heavyweights such as Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and even his old boss, Obama, had sent powerful signals. Yet Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others continued to rally around him. The final excruciating decision was Bidens alone. It immediately scrambled the race for the White House and potentially threw Trump on the back foot. Suddenly he, at 78, finds himself the oldest major party nominee for president that the US has ever seen; now it is his gaffes and name mix-ups that will be in the spotlight. The lesson of elections in Britain and around the world this year is that anti-incumbent sentiment is high. If the US is also on course for a change election, Trump is no longer the change candidate. A man who has spent his entire media and political career as a limelight-hogging disrupter will now have to respond to disruption on the other side. Biden immediately threw his weight behind Harris for the nomination. It is surely her race to lose. Some will back her with enthusiasm, pointing to the historic nature of her candidacy and how, since the fall of Roe v Wade, she has found her voice on the issue of abortion rights. Tim Miller, who was communications director for the Jeb Bush 2016 presidential campaign, told the MSNBC network: If you want to sum up a contrast, a prosecutor versus a convicted criminal, a woman who wants to protect your freedoms versus an old man that wants to take them away. Related: Biden endorses Kamala Harris for president after dropping out of race Others will make a pragmatic case that to bypass the first woman, and first Black woman, to serve as vice-president would be disrespectful, offensive and self-defeating. Cornell Belcher, a Democratic pollster and strategist, said on MSBNC: If the Democrats want to give the White House back to Donald Trump, let them go into an open nomination process and disrespect and step over the first Black woman vice-president of this country and they will be committing absolute suicide. That is a surefire way for Donald Trump to become president again. The events of the past month, and the past eight years, have taught us to expect the unexpected an open nominating process and Democratic melee is still possible. But Bill and Hillary Clinton were quick to endorse Harris and there will be more to come. Having witnessed last weeks Republican national convention in Milwaukee, Democrats understand the value of unity. They are also aware that Trumps entire political career has been built on divisiveness over race and sex, starting with the lie that Obama might have been born outside the US and gendered attacks on Hillary Clinton in 2016. As Biden, Prospero-like, drowns his book, the election of Harris, a Black woman, would provide this eras last word in poetic justice. Read more about Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election: Kamala Harris is now the frontrunner to take on Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her following weeks of pressure on him to step aside. In the hours since Biden announced he was quitting his reelection campaign and Harris confirmed she will run to replace him on top of the ticket, donors have returned to the party in their droves and a string of top Democratic lawmakers and influential figures have thrown their support behind the vice president. Though Harris is yet to be officially crowned the presidential nominee, the Biden-Harris campaign has already amended its filings with the Federal Election Commission to declare her as its chosen candidate a move that will allow her to tap into the campaigns war chest. However former president Barack Obama has yet to formally endorse Harris. After weeks of pressure from Democratic Party insiders and plummeting poll numbers, Biden finally announced on Sunday that he was bowing out from his efforts to secure a second term in the White House. The announcement came less than a month after the presidents disastrous debate performance in Atlanta, which led to some Democrats to call for his exit. It also dovetails the conclusion of the Republican National Convention, when the Republican Party made a strong show of unity behind former president Donald Trump after the former president was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania. Biden made the announcement in a letter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, becoming the first president in 56 years to call off a re-election campaign. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president, he said. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. He also endorsed Harris to receive the Democratic nomination for president, likely to stave off a contested convention when the Democrats convene in Chicago next month. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Biden announced his decision to bow out from efforts to seek a second term in a letter posted to X. He wrote: It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. (via REUTERS) Harris responded in her own statement, calling her service with Joe Biden for nearly four years a profound honor. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win, said Bidens former running mate. Bidens decision to throw his support to his vice president kicked off a show of unified support from Democrats in Congress and within the administration, though some members of the party stopped short of formally endorsing her. The president has not yet officially released his delegates to next months convention, leading Obama to say in a statement that the party will be in uncharted waters. Obama added that he has extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. Biden, pictured at the Nato summit in July 2024, announced his decision not to bow out of his re-election campaign after weeks of intense pressure from Democrats (Getty Images) Numerous Democrats, including numerous Democrats in swing districts and frontline swing states, had called on Biden to step aside, with many questioning his ability to beat Trump. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who served with Biden for many years in the Senate and was the main executor of his agenda in Congress, praised Bidens decision. Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being, he said. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American. House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also commended Biden in his decision to step aside. In less than one term, he rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief, he said in a statement. America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful. But some Democrats--including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, the progressive vanguard--had warned about muscling Biden out too quickly and said the same forces who wanted to push out Biden did not want Harris. The move comes less than a month before Democrats will convene to nominate their candidate for president in Chicago. Numerous Democrats had discussed how they planned to replace Biden at the top of the ticket to make sure that voters felt their voices were heard. But Republican Senators immediately began to rail against the idea that Biden could be replaced at the top of the ticket. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed party of democracy has proven exactly the opposite, House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement. Johnson also blasted Harris in his remarks. As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history, he added. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve. Biden said he would speak later to explain his decision. The move comes as Biden, 81, faced numerous questions about his capacity to govern as the oldest person to ever occupy the White House and the oldest ever presidential candidate in either major partys history. His decision to step aside bookends a career of more than 50 years in public life, beginning with his first upset Senate race in Delaware in 1972, which led to 36 years in the United States Senate, where he served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees and earned a reputation as a consensus builder both within the Democratic Party and with Republicans. Biden first ran for president in 1987 but dropped out before the contests of 1988 began under accusations of plagiarism. In 2008, he dropped out after barely registering in the Iowa Caucuses before Barack Obama selected him to be his running mate. During that time, he began Obamas chief negotiator on Capitol Hill and point person on foreign policy. During the 2012 presidential campaign, he served as Obamas main champion for speaking about the economy and revived Obamas campaign after Obama himself posted a poor debate performance against Mitt Romney. But the death of his son Beau Biden and Obamas not-so-veiled desire for Hillary Clinton to succeed him led to him deciding not to run. In 2019, he announced his decision to run and consistently led Trump in the polls, which led to him overwhelmingly winning the Democratic nomination thanks to the support of African-American voters and leaders. But ever since his decision to run again in 2023, he consistently trailed Trump in the polls as many voters questioned whether his advanced age prevented him from doing the job. During the RNC last week, Biden returned from campaigning in Nevada after he tested positive for Covid-19, while campaigning in Nevada. Now the man who was too young to be sworn in as a senator when he won his first race faces a party that feared his age would prevent him from mounting a strong enough campaign against Trump. He leaves as a president who had some of the most legislative accomplishments as Lyndon Johnson. But like Johnson, another lion of the Senate, he finally saw his journey come to an end thanks to public opinion. Kamala Harris pledged to unite the Democratic Party and win the partys nomination just hours after President Joe Biden dropped out of his reelection bid on Sunday and endorsed her as his replacement. In a statement, Harris thanked Biden for his decades of service to our country and for his support as the party navigates new territory. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she wrote. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. After mounting pressure to elevate Harris and weeks of speculation after a poor debate performance in June, Biden announced on Sunday that he was finally stepping aside. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden wrote on X, three days after former President Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party nomination. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC, which had rallied behind Biden even when many were calling on him to step aside, immediately backed his decision to endorse Harris. She has been instrumental in delivering the accomplishments of the last 3.5 years and has led on lowering maternal mortality rates, protecting reproductive freedoms, and ensuring economic opportunities for all, the group said in a statement. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, who saved Bidens campaign in 2020, also threw his weight behind Harris. I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Partys 2024 nominee for President, Clyburn said in a statement. Some Black voters were equally enthusiastic about Bidens major announcement. Harris has, as some folks would say, waited her turn, Charleston, South Carolina, resident Kenya Cummings told Capital B. I dont see why she wouldnt be a strong candidate. In the weeks after the debate, Democratic leaders, including former President Barack Obama, urged Biden to reconsider his bid, believing that his path to victory in November had significantly narrowed. Black Americans had been some of the most steadfast champions of Bidens reelection bid. The suggestion that any candidate who won their primary should simply step aside because victory appears difficult at the moment is disrespectful to the voters, unjust, and undemocratic, more than 1,400 Black women wrote in a letter published last week criticizing the Democratic Partys lack of unity. Signatories included former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who was the first Black woman elected to Congress upper chamber, and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta. And Clyburn, toward the beginning of the month, voiced the sentiments of many other members of the CBC when he told reporters, Were ridin with Biden. Cummings, who is 35, noted that there was a meaningful generational divide when it came to Black support for Bidens candidacy, saying that their parents believed that Black voters needed to hunker down and back Biden because hes our hope. Others echoed this general feeling of uncertainty. Well, right now, [Harris has] only been [a] sidekick, 55-year-old Chicago resident Dorothy Holmes told Capital B. Maybe she can do the job. Maybe she cant. But she did run the other four years with [Biden] already. Can Harris really win? If Harris wins in November, she would be just the second Black U.S. president, after Obama, and the first woman president. While Obama in a statement on Sunday lauded Bidens legacy, he didnt endorse Harris, focusing instead on the uncharted waters the party is in. I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, Obama said. Harris vied for the 2020 Democratic nomination, and made headlines during a June 2019 debate where she criticized Bidens past efforts to find common ground with segregationists and his opposition in the 1970s to federally mandated school busing. There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day, and that little girl was me, Harris said during the debate. While that exchange instantly went viral Harris campaign started selling That Little Girl Was Me T-shirts the former U.S. senator from California also slammed into backlash. We can be proud of her nonetheless, but her ambition got it wrong about Joe, Braun, who also rallied behind Biden in the 2020 contest, said at the time. He is about the best there is; for her to take that tack is sad. Harris also faced attacks because of her history as a prosecutor: Kamala is a cop was a refrain and a meme among her detractors. Still, Harris was a massive inspiration to many, particularly Black girls. It just feels like Black girls like me can run for class president, Black girls like me can go for the big things in life like she did, then-14-year-old Paris Bond told CNN in 2020. And Black women, often the backbone of the Democratic Party, continued to rally behind her and were among the first to publicly support the endorsement of Harris. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, a former head of the CBC, said thousands of Black women were trying to join a call Sunday evening in support of Harris presidential bid, a show of support for her campaign. The off-record mass call quickly reached capacity. Earlier, Beatty told MSNBC: For us, its personal and we stand with Vice President Harris. Beatty led the CBC from 2021 until last year. Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams quickly pledged her support for Harris. Shes a tenacious fighter, a champion for our rights & defender of our democracy. United, she will lead us as we defeat Donald Trump this November. I am proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as our Democratic nominee. Lets go! The Washington Post averaged 11 post-debate polls and found that Harris and Biden stack up about the same against Trump. While Biden has endorsed Harris, his delegates arent required to support her, though most Democrats strategists believe that shell become the partys official nominee when delegates vote at the Democratic National Convention, which is slated to run Aug. 19-22. Staff writer Adam Mahoney contributed to this report. The post Biden Steps Aside, Makes Way for Harris appeared first on Capital B News. President Joe Biden offered his full support and endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Partys nominee for president in the 2024 race. He made the endorsement minutes after announcing he was bowing out of the campaign. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, Biden wrote on social media. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, both endorsed Harris in a joint statement issued Sunday afternoon: We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her. Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 The Clintons expressed their gratitude to Biden, writing, We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being whats best for the country. Sen. Patty Murray, who serves in the Democratic leadership as president pro tempore of the Senate, endorsed Harris one-hundred percent. We must beat Donald Trump and I know Kamala Harris can win. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people not billionaires first. Sen. Elizabeth Warren quickly endorsed Harris as well. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House, the Massachusetts Democrat wrote. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November. As of publication, Harris had not yet issued a statement on Bidens decision. The Democratic National Convention where the party will decide its nominee will take place from August 19-22. Although other candidates could challenge Harris, Bidens support may make their path more difficult. This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information is released. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Biden unfit to run THE presidency, TX governor says as he urges change in Oval Office Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called on President Joe Biden to resign after announcing an end to his 2024 presidential bid. Biden on Sunday announced in a statement that he was no longer seeking reelection. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. The announcement came after weeks of multiplying calls within his own party for Biden to exit the presidential race following a debate performance that raised questions about his age, fitness and electability. Biden said that his exit from the race was in in the best interest of my party and that he would continue to serve in the White House for the remainder of his term. But Abbott, a Republican who has endorsed former President Donald Trump, on Sunday said that Biden should leave the oval office immediately. If Biden is unfit to run FOR the presidency, he is unfit to run THE presidency, Abbott said in a post on X, previously called Twitter. American security is at risk both at home and abroad. A change in the oval office is essential immediately to ensure the safety of Americans and the security of our country. Abbott was among several Texas Republicans calling on Biden to resign. A spokesperson for Biden did not immediately return a request for comment. If Biden is unfit to run FOR the presidency, he is unfit to run THE presidency. American security is at risk both at home and abroad. A change in the oval office is essential immediately to ensure the safety of Americans and the security of our country. Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 21, 2024 With President Joe Bidens recent decision to end his bid for reelection, speculation has arisen about candidates who could replace him. One name that might come up in such discussions is former President Barack Obama. But the question remains: Can Obama run for president again? The answer is no. Obama cant run for president again because of the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This Amendment was ratified in 1951 in response to Franklin D. Roosevelts unprecedented four-term presidency, which raised concerns about the potential for excessive executive power. U.S. President Joe Biden and former U.S. President Barack Obama share a laugh during a star-studded campaign fundraiser at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 15, 2024. More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates The 22nd Amendment states that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President or acted as President for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. This provision ensures that if someone has served two terms as president, they are constitutionally barred from seeking the presidency again, even after a break. The Democratic nominee to replace Biden will be decided during the Democratic National Convention, which takes place in Chicago from August 19 to August 22. Since Biden cannot appoint a replacement, his delegates will determine the nominee at the DNC. Following his decision to withdraw from the race, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his potential successor. Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can Barack Obama run for president again? Kamala Harris' planned campaign visit to Milwaukee takes center stage after Joe Biden drops out of presidential race WASHINGTON President Joe Biden's decision on Sunday to withdraw from the presidential race gives Vice President Kamala Harris' planned visit to Wisconsin this week new meaning: She could be the presumptive Democratic nominee. Harris is scheduled to campaign in Milwaukee on Tuesday in what could be her first campaign stop after Biden said he was ending his reelection bid as a growing number of Democrats called on him to drop out. The 81-year old president in recent weeks had faced sharp questions about his age and ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in November. Vice President Kamala Harris last campaign in Milwaukee in May. She is scheduled to return Tuesday. The Biden-Harris campaign did not reply to questions about whether there would be changes to Harris' travel plans, but an aide to Harris told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel no changes had been made as of Sunday evening. And Wisconsin Democrats began to throw their support behind the vice president. "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote on X Sunday. In a subsequent post, Biden said Harris has his "full support and endorsement" as he called on Democrats to rally around her. "Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump," Biden wrote. "Lets do this." Harris in her own statement called Biden's decision a "selfless and patriotic act" and said it was her intention "to earn and win" the Democratic nomination for president. "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," Harris said. Biden's move was praised by high-ranking Wisconsin Democrats. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who had declined to say whether Biden should stay in the race as she faces her own tight reelection race, told reporters at a campaign event in Stoughton that Biden's decision to withdraw from the race was "the patriotic thing for him to do." She called Biden someone who has "committed his life to his country" and listed his accomplishments, though she noted she heard from constituents in recent weeks who expressed concerns about his viability. She previously said she conveyed those concerns to the White House but had declined to say whether she shared those worries. Asked whether other Democrats should stand down and back Harris, Baldwin deferred to a statement from Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison, who pledged to move forward with a "transparent and orderly process." Baldwin endorsed Harris as she praised her work as California's attorney general and as a U.S. senator. "She's prepared, and I'm very proud to endorse her," Baldwin said. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, the only congressional Wisconsin Democrat who called on Biden to withdraw, told the Journal Sentinel on Sunday that Biden has done a "tremendous job" but called his announcement to step aside the "right decision" as he's faced pressure from within his own party. Pocan said Biden was "putting country before himself." Pocan said Harris is "absolutely the leading contender" at the moment and speculated that not many Democrats with presidential ambitions "would want to get involved in a few-week-long campaign only to potentially lose." "I know there will be lots and lots of conversations to happen in the coming hours and days," Pocan said. "But I certainly have every confidence in the vice president should she be the nominee." And U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Milwaukee Democrat, said she "will support Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee and will work hard to ensure Democrats win in 2024." "My focus remains on defeating Donald Trump," Moore said. "We must all unite in our efforts to protect our democracy and individual freedoms." Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in a statement Sunday praised Biden's career and accomplishments. He attacked Trump, though made no mention of Harris. On Monday, he gave Harris his endorsement. "Vice President Kamala Harris is a tenacious leader who has vigorously defended our democracy, fought to protect the freedoms we hold dear, and worked tirelessly to do the right thing and deliver for us," Evers said. "She can beat Donald Trump, and Im going to do everything I can between now and November 5th to help make sure she does." Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming on Sunday accused Democrats of "subjecting the American people to chaos, uncertainty, and an incapacitated presidency." "If Joe Biden is incapable of the rigors of running for reelection, then he cannot be trusted to fulfill the duties of his office," Schimming said in a statement. "Everyone from Vice President Harris, Tammy Baldwin, and the Democrat establishment bears responsibility for enabling the vanity and self-delusion of the Bidens." Baldwin's opponent, Republican businessman Eric Hovde, on Sunday noted Baldwin had declined to say whether Biden should continue to seek reelection and accused Baldwin of being part of a "cover-up" regarding Biden's viability. "It really doesnt matter who the Democrats pick," said Hovde, who has sought to tie Baldwin to Biden. "All the top options hold extreme views completely out of touch with our nation and are complicit in this scandal to defraud the American people." Baldwin's opponent, Republican businessman Eric Hovde, on Sunday noted Baldwin had declined to say whether Biden should continue to seek reelection and accused Baldwin of being part of a "cover-up" regarding Biden's viability. "It really doesnt matter who the Democrats pick," said Hovde, who has sought to tie Baldwin to Biden. "All the top options hold extreme views completely out of touch with our nation and are complicit in this scandal to defraud the American people." Still, other Wisconsin Democrats also lined up behind Harris as the new potential nominee. Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs, a Democrat and delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month, posted a joint statement with seven other Milwaukee delegates praising Biden as someone who "always put his country first." "We are excited to support Kamala Harris as our presidential nominee," Jacobs wrote in a joint statement. "We have full confidence in her and are energized to help her win this November!!" State Sen. Kelda Roys of Madison, who on Friday called on Biden to withdraw from the race, praised his decision as "selfless and patriotic." "His presidency is transformational, and my kids and grandkids are going to feel the positive effects of the changes that the Biden-Harris administration made, and that really is an extraordinary legacy," Roys told the Journal Sentinel. Roys said Harris would provide a sharp contrast to Trump as a prosecutor running against a convicted felon. She said Harris would offer energy, charisma and dynamism as a presidential candidate. "Democrats have so much great talent, so many leaders who are doing smart, progressive, thoughtful things to put money back in people's pockets, to protect protect our freedoms and rights, and we're going to be able to focus on that," Roys said. Asked whether it's best for Democrats to line up behind Harris, Roys said it's important for people to come to that decision on their own, but she thinks Biden's endorsement will be "extremely persuasive." And Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly similarly tweeted that Harris "is ready to be President, and I am all in to win with her at the top of the ticket this November." Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson also noted he will "now focus my attention to make sure that we elect Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States." Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson put Harris' future at the top of the ticket this way: "With Bidens blessing it seems a fait-accompli." He floated Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as a potential vice presidential nominee. "Id knock doors for that duo," Nelson said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Biden exit puts Kamala Harris' Milwaukee campaign visit center stage From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch President Joe Biden is not seeking reelection, he announced Sunday, bringing an unprecedented degree of uncertainty into the presidential election just weeks before the Democratic Party was set to renominate him. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president, Biden wrote in a letter addressed to his fellow Americans that he posted on X Sunday afternoon. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. The president also pledged to speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about his decision. In a subsequent tweet, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as Democratic nominee. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he posted. Bidens withdrawal from the race came after weeks of pressure from fellow Democratsincluding elected officials, candidates, and donorsfor the 81-year-old president to step aside. The June 27 presidential debate, in which Biden struggled to speak coherently, prompted the slew of public and private conversations to urge him to reconsider his reelection bid. The emerging picture from post-debate polling demonstrated that Biden was performing worse in nearly every key swing state and risked sinking fellow Democrats in races down the ballot. And the forthcoming Democratic National Convention, which begins in less than a month, meant there was relatively little time to make a change to the ticket before Biden would be formally nominated. What happens next remains unclear, even with Bidens support for Harris. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison issued a statement Sunday afternoon promising to hear in short order from the party on next steps and the path forward. While some party bigwigs quickly followed Bidens lead and endorsed Harris, its hardly a guarantee that the vice president will simply be handed the Democratic nomination. Former President Barack Obama, for example, issued a lengthy statement on Sunday afternoon that did not mention Harris by nameonly that he was confident that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. And what Bidens withdrawal from the race means for the general election is, at this point, anyones guess. Republicans, who had been raising the issue of Bidens advanced age for months before the June debate, have suggested in recent days they would push back or challenge any efforts by Democrats to replace Biden. Hours before the presidents announcement Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on ABC News This Week that Republicans would legally challenge his withdrawal. But Bidens erstwhile opponent, newly nominated Republican standard bearer Donald Trump, appears to believe replacing Biden will not harm his current advantage in the polls. Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation, he posted on Truth Social Sunday afternoon. He was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same. Dispatch members should stay tuned for another email later this afternoon with information on how to tune in to special, emergency edition of Dispatch Live tonight. We will also have more dedicated coverage of this story tomorrow in The Morning Dispatch and Dispatch Politics newsletters. 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. President Biden said he will not be running for reelection, a historic decision that comes after mounting pressure from many within his own party. Biden said he will serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in 2025. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, he said. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. The announcement upends the presidential election just days after former President Trump and his allies gathered in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. Heres what to know about Bidens decision to step aside: Biden made the choice after growing pressure In the end, Biden caved to pressure from within his own party as the number of lawmakers and donors calling for him to step aside grew over the last several days. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) became the latest high-profile lawmaker to call on Biden to withdraw when he told CNNs Jake Tapper earlier on Sunday that the president should pass the torch to a new generation. He joined a growing list of Democratic lawmakers that included Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). The Hill reported Thursday that a decision from Biden was imminent, and that attention had already turned to who would be Vice President Harriss running mate should she end up replacing him. But even on Friday, the Biden campaign insisted that the president was determined to run for reelection. Harris becomes likely successor Biden on Sunday almost immediately endorsed his vice president to be the next Democratic nominee. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden said. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. His announcement comes after Harris held a $2 million dollar fundraiser this Saturday in Cape Cod while Biden was stuck at his Delaware home recovering from COVID-19. Harris later issued her own statement saying she would earn and win this nomination. Bidens decision to back her was expected. In a sign of how many saw her as his likely successor, Republicans gathering in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention had already started attacking her. Harris in a statement Sunday said she was honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. The hunt is on for her possible running mate Now that Biden has fully thrown his support behind Harris, the hunt is on for who could be her running mate. Nobody as of now has expressed public interest in being on the ticket with her, but that will change. Some names that have already been floated include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D), Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (D). Another high-profile name who has been included in the mix is California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), though hes an unlikely choice given that the ticket cant have two candidates from the same state. Decision throws election into uncharted territory Bidens decision sends the election into a tumultuous new phase, the likes of which havent been seen in a U.S. presidential race in more than half a century. To be clear, it will also be a source of relief for a huge swath of Democratic officials and donors, more and more of whom had urged the president to drop out. But it also opens the door to potential chaos. Though Biden endorsed Harris as his successor, observers arent entirely sure how the process will play out from this point. Delegates who were pledged to Biden are not required to vote for Harris, meaning they could back a different candidate and raise the possibility of a contested convention. While it remains unlikely that enough delegates would choose to essentially rebel against Biden, it does raise the specter of more turmoil if Democrats find themselves at odds over who should be the new nominee. Some Democrats, including Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), have emphasized that even though Harris is their favored replacement, the party will hold a mini primary before she is officially chosen. But it also remains to be seen if any Democrats would actually challenge her and risk damaging their future political careers by trying to skip past the first Black and Asian American woman to be vice president. Trump allies have already started pivoting toward Harris Even before Bidens announcement, Republicans had already started sharpening their knives in case Harris became his likely replacement. Trumps allies frequently went after the vice president during the past week in Milwaukee, in particular hitting her as Bidens border czar and tying her to the administrations immigration policies. Trump has already weighed in on the likelihood of going toe to toe with Harris, telling CNN shortly after the presidents decision that she will be easier to beat. And the former presidents running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), attacked Harris during their first joint rally in Michigan on Saturday. Nonetheless, Republicans find themselves in uncharted territory as well, with their main opponent suddenly off the ticket and a new opponent not yet confirmed. Trump and his allies will have to stay on their toes and form new lines of attack as they wait to see whom Democrats ultimately nominate. Updated: 4:39 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. President Joe Biden on April 3, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images It appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made. George Washington, 1796 The most important decision in our early democracy occurred when our first President, George Washington, decided not to run for another reelection in 1796. His farewell address is one of the great testaments to rule by the people, and he articulated a set of enduring principles around just government, realistic foreign policy, and honesty and integrity. He created a unique American tradition of the most powerful politician giving up power voluntarily for the good of the country. Nothing could be a stronger endorsement of democracy than turning over power to someone else. Read More: Why Joe Biden Dropped Out For a century and a half, Presidents followed Washingtons model closely. There were no limits in the Constitution on how long Presidents could serve, but still not a single leader before Franklin Roosevelt dared to run for more than two full terms in office. For most of the 19th century, Presidents did not even campaign personally, embracing Washingtons image of reluctant, modest leaders who did not crave power and were willing to give it up without resistance. Presidents were seen as servant leaders, not bombastic figures of dominance. A number of Presidents certainly could have been elected to third terms but withdrew for the good of the country. This list includes Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Ulysses Grant each of whom left office and was succeeded by a President from the same party who was less popular. Jefferson and Madison, in particular, returned to their farms as private citizens, as Washington had done. Grant toured the world after his presidency and then wrote what is still one the greatest American memoirs as he died of throat cancer. None of them clung to power. President Franklin Roosevelt broke Washingtons mold, getting elected to office four consecutive times in the decades of the Great Depression and the Second World War. His critics condemned his excessive ambitions, not without reason. And Roosevelts death at the beginning of his fourth term, on April 12, 1945, left the country ill-prepared for postwar challenges. His able successor, Harry Truman, was not intimately briefed on any policy matters, including the atomic bombs dropped on Japan four months later. Read More: Read Kamala Harris' Statement on Biden Dropping Out In the aftermath of Roosevelts excesses, Congress passed and in 1951 three-quarters of the states ratified the 22nd amendment, limiting Presidents to no more than two terms. President Dwight Eisenhower, a very popular military hero from the Second World War, opposed the amendment in principle, but he embraced it and humbly stepped back in 1960 to allow two much younger and less experienced men, Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, compete for the presidency. The torch truly passed to a new generation. Lyndon Johnson, a dominant congressional figure, succeeded President Kennedy after his terrible assassination, and then in 1964 won the biggest presidential landslide since Roosevelts time in office. Four years later, on March 31, 1968, Johnson shocked the world when he announced that he would not run again. He was stepping back because of the American military quagmire in Vietnam and the turmoil surrounding the war and civil rights within the United States. Johnson was worn out, and he hoped to focus his energies on healing these conflicts. He did not think his candidacy would help. Johnsons successor also resigned, this time not as a candidate but as the sitting President. Following months of investigations into his cover-up of White House-sponsored crimes, on August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon tearfully left the White House, turning over the most powerful office in the country to Gerald Ford the only President not elected to that office or the vice presidency. Nixon did not have to resign, and it is not entirely certain that the Senate would have convicted him after impeachment. Under a cloud of controversy, he chose to step aside rather than cling to power to the last minute. This history brings us to President Joe Bidens decision to not seek reelection. He clearly wanted a second term, and many would argue that he had a very strong record to justify it. His decision to cede the Democratic nomination to another candidate is an echo of our long presidential history from Washington to Nixon a history of public servants giving up power for the good of the country. That takes courage. Biden certainly faced many pressures to make this decision, especially after recent evidence of his physical frailty. Giving up power, however, is incredibly hard and rare in all of human history. Power is intoxicating and corrupting, as Washington reminded the young nation more than two centuries ago. Biden followed a long line of predecessors who chose democracy and restraint over dictatorship and demagoguery. This is one of the best of our presidential traditions, and it is a defining element of American democracy. No one has a right to power. The presidency is a temporary calling to public service for the person elected to office. Soon they must leave and return to their home as an ordinary citizen. Joe Biden will do that. Lets hope voters choose a successor with the same quality of character and respect for the history of our democracy. Contact us at letters@time.com. Its a big year for wasps in California. Heres why and how to avoid getting stung As high temperatures persist across parts of California, you may have noticed an uptick of stinging insects zipping around your property. Wasp season is typically between March and November but the bugs are especially active now after a mild winter and spring. This is a really big year for wasps, said Lynn Kimsey, director of the UC Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology. Its home to the seventh-largest insect collection in North America. Heres how to identify yellowjackets and other wasps, avoid them and what to do if you see one near your home. Several wasps build a nest to lay their eggs. Hot weather could increase the number of wasps in California. Why are there so many wasps in California? Wasps are looking for large bodies of water such as pools and ponds to cool themselves down, which makes them seem more present compared to past years, Kimsey told The Sacramento Bee. The heat is tough on them. she said via phone. When temperatures become too hot, wasps can be found in shaded areas or near damp places. Hot weather could increase the number of yellowjackets and other wasps in California. Lawns, sprinklers and insects attract the predatory wasps. Is hot weather to blame? Kimsey cautions people not to blame the uptick in wasp activity on the long stretches of scorching temperatures seen in California this summer. I think we as humans tend to make correlations between things that arent necessarily correlated, she said. According to Kimsey, extreme temperatures have made wasps more present but the weather hasnt increased their population size. The fiercely territorial insects, Kimsey said, typically cannot fly in temperatures below 60 degrees and struggle to function in weather exceeding 100 degrees. Warm weather also means wasps could survive longer than normal, she said. What do wasps look like? Yellowjackets? Wasps, which are typically about the size of a paper clip, can be identified by their pointed lower abdomens and narrow midsections, according to National Geographic. The winged insects fall into the order Hymenoptera, which includes bees and ants. Wasps come in a variety of colors from yellow and black to red and blue and are split into two primary groups: social and solitary. Most wasps are solitary, non-stinging insects that do not form colonies, National Geographic states. The group includes cicada killers and tarantula hawks. Several wasps feed on Queens Anne lace plants on June 29, 2012, in Davis, California. Most people dont notice (solitary wasps) ... They tend to be less conspicuous than the social (wasps) do, Kimsey said, adding that they are good to have around to eat other bugs such as caterpillars. There are roughly 300 species of solitary wasps in California, she added. Yellowjackets and paper wasps are the two most common social wasp species in Northern California, Kimsey said. Social wasp colonies are started from scratch each spring by a queen who survives through the winter. Each colony can have up to 5,000 individual insects. Yellowjackets are among the most common social wasp species in California. Where can I find wasps? Youll rarely find wasps indoors, Kimsey said. Instead, they prefer freshly watered lawns, sprinklers and bodies of water. Wasps can typically be found under tiled roofs and near new construction buildings because theyre conducive to heat, said Jeff Lyons, sales and retention representative with Pro-Active Pest Control in Northern California and Arizona. Wasps are pretty resilient, Lyons told The Bee via phone. Hot weather could increase the number of yellowjackets and other wasps in California. Are wasps dangerous to humans? Pets? It depends on which type of wasp it is. A solitary wasp wont sting unless its picked up, Kimsey said. Social wasps use their stingers solely for defense, according to National Geographic. Sting symptoms can range from pain and swelling to redness and hives, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine of Baltimore. Potentially life-threatening symptoms include coughing, sweating and vomiting. People may also feel faint and tightness in their throat or chest. A paper wasp rests on a leaf. Should I call pest control for wasps? How can I avoid them? It depends on your tolerance level, Lyons said. A lot of people dont realize theyre allergic to a sting until it happens to them, he said. Lyons said Pro-Active Pest Control, which has served the Sacramento region for roughly 10 years, has had an increase in calls about wasps since the summer began. On average, 15% to 20% of calls the company gets are about wasps, he said. The majority of the inquiries are from people who are overwatering their plants, Lyons said, noting that this creates the perfect conditions for wasps. A good rule of thumb, Kimsey said, is to steer clear of wasp nests as well as yellowjackets coming out of the ground. Call pest control if the wasps are in high-traffic zones for children and pets, she added. insects What should I do if Im stung by a wasp? A person stung by a wasp should be monitored for a potential allergic reaction, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wash the site with soapy water and remove the stinger with gauze or a fingernail. Do not squeeze the site or use tweezers, the CDC stated. Apply ice to combat swelling and refrain from scratching to reduce the risk of infection. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. It's the largest grocer in America, with around 2,800 stores in operation across 35 different states. We're talking about Kroger, of course ... although you may know it as Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Smith's, or Baker's. Kroger's yearly sales combined from over 20 grocery store brands sits at a whopping $132.5 billion -- making for a remarkably wide-reaching net in regard to the sheer number of customers. Seeing as Kroger serves such a large amount of hungry shoppers on a daily basis, keeping the company's aisles of meat, produce, snacks, spreads, and more safe for consumption at all times is especially important when it comes to public safety. An undeclared allergen on a nutrition label, the presence of an E. coli strain in a batch of meat cuts, foreign material inside frozen nuggets ... any of these situations could prove detrimental for Kroger's very long line of unsuspecting customers. Thankfully, there is a recall process for situations such as these -- and the Kroger corporation has certainly racked up some notable ones in its time. From salad kits and granola bars to dog food and potato salad, here are some of the biggest food recalls in Kroger history. Read more: 6 Canned Meats You Should Buy And 6 You Shouldn't Salad Bowls Kroger salad bowl - Kroger A full and complete list of allergens is arguably the most important element a product can feature, as an accidental rendezvous with gluten, egg, sesame, or peanuts can prove dangerous -- in some cases, even fatal -- for people with sensitivities. That's why the recent salad bowl recall at Kroger grocery stores had the potential to be so problematic; it involved an undisclosed allergen on a pre-packaged product. The Kroger Apple Walnut with Chicken Salad Bowl Kit is a ready-to-go meal featuring a fresh spring mix, grilled chicken chunks, chopped apples, dried cranberries, walnuts, blue cheese crumbles, and a sweet vinaigrette to top it all off. With nothing but a shake, you've got yourself a quick and healthy lunch ... a lunch that appeared to be safe for those with celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities, seeing as there was no wheat listed on the label. Unfortunately, the label was incorrect, and Kroger's salad bowls were yanked from shelves in March 2024 on the basis of this undisclosed wheat allergen. The product reads as unavailable on some of Kroger's restaurant brand's websites, suggesting the issue of the mistaken label is perhaps still being rectified in full. Chicken Strips Tyson chicken strips bag - Douglas Sacha/Getty Images Who doesn't have a bag of frozen chicken strips stashed away in their freezer for quick weeknight dinners? Chicken strips are a coveted go-to for many consumers, and Tyson is perhaps one of the most well-recognized producers of the popular product. However, an incident in 2019 had many shoppers reaching into the recesses of their deep freezers and tossing out their reliable pouches of breaded poultry. Why, you ask? The answer is stranger than you might expect. Kroger, along with 31 other retail giants such as Dollar General, Target, and Walmart, were forced to recall 11 million pounds worth of frozen Tyson chicken strips in 2019 after multiple consumers reported that small metal fragments had been found inside the meat. To make matters worse, some of these unlucky eaters were actually harmed during their meal, with three alleging an oral injury as a result of biting down on the sharp pieces. Ouch. The massive recall amassed dozens of states and international locations alike, making for a wide-reaching chicken toss. Food waste, even when necessary, is always a bummer. Quaker Products Valentine minis from Quaker - Quaker Quaker Oats has become a household name, with its smiling hat-clad logo gracing the aisles of what feels like every grocery store in the United States. From oats and cereal to granola bars and rice cakes, Quaker's breakfast-angled products are plentiful ... which becomes a problem when a foodborne illness is suspected to be potentially lurking within them. In December 2023, the word came down from the Quaker Oats company: A number of its granola bar and cereal products were potentially carrying salmonella. Although this recall was incredibly wide-reaching and stretched across all 50 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and Saipan, it only affected three products sold at Kroger: Quaker Valentine Minis, Quaker Reduced Sugar Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, and Quaker Chewy Dipps Chocolate Chip. Incredibly, reports seem to suggest that no one actually fell ill during the unfolding of this wide-scale callback, but we're sure it was a sad day for Quaker fans everywhere. After all, there's nothing quite as disappointing as being informed you can't eat that favorite snack you just finished restocking your pantry with. Frozen Berries triple berry medley from Kroger - Kroger Hepatitis A is an inflammatory disease of the liver that occurs after a person is exposed to the virus. This can occur in a number of ways, such as by consuming affected food or water. Due to the seriousness of Hepatitis A (which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, and in serious cases, liver failure), any suspicion that a batch of food might be infected should be taken seriously. Thankfully, the Kroger corporation reacted promptly in 2019 when some of its very own frozen berries were found to be carrying the virus. After a sampling performed by the FDA, three frozen berry products put out by Kroger's Private Selection brand were found to be contaminated with Hepatitis A: Triple Berry Medley in both the 16-ounce and 48-ounce sized bags, along with the 16 ounce Frozen Blackberries. Kroger reacted quickly, pulling the products in question from store shelves and contacting those who had purchased the berries, advising them to speak with their doctors if they'd already consumed the product. While this event almost certainly equated to some ruined smoothie plans, it does not appear to have resulted in any sick shoppers thanks to quick action on Kroger's part. Potato Salad potato salad in bowl - Msphotographic/Getty Images Ah, potato salad, the ultimate barbecue side dish. Most versions call for eggs though, which can make it hard for cookout guests with an egg allergy. But if you were shopping at Kroger in April 2024, you may have done a little dance for joy when you encountered Simply Sides Jack's Potato Salad in the cold aisle. The allergen label listed no eggs, giving the impression that, at last, you had found a safe side to provide the egg-sensitive guests at your event. But your excitement was likely short-lived, as the label on the back of this particular batch of Jack's was incorrect. An accidental swap had occurred between another of the company's products, resulting in Jack's Potato Salad being incorrectly labeled as egg-free when it wasn't. Thankfully, the affected batches were recalled from the 21 Kroger locations to which they were sent, and the tubs going forward (we presume, at least) will be slapped with the correct label. Jack's Potato Salad still may be off limits for your egg-free guests, but at least they'll know the truth. Peanut Products peanuts - White Bear Studio/Getty Images It's an unfortunate reality -- sometimes, in order to alert companies to the fact that there's a recall-worthy health risk involving a product, citizens must first become sick. That's exactly what happened in 2012, when a far-reaching outbreak of salmonella led to more than 470 reported cases across 43 states, including six deaths. At first the source of the ever-spreading illness appeared to be a mystery, but the FDA initially pinned it on peanut butter produced by the company Sunland, Inc. The product was immediately pulled from the aisles of Trader Joe's where it was sold, but in the days that followed, the recall extended to whole peanuts, as the true source of the outbreak was revealed to be peanuts from a manufacturer in Georgia. Not only did this corporation source the peanuts for Sunland's peanut butter, but it provided the peanuts for many other companies' products, as well, such as General Mills, Kellogg's, and others. Since potentially-infected peanut products were lying in wait under so many different brand names, a massive food pull-back unfolded across U.S. grocers, Kroger included. This amassed a number of products, including one of Kroger's signature peanut-butter infused ice creams which had been sold in 11 different Western states. Roast Beef roast beef slices - Lauri Patterson/Getty Images Kroger sells a number of different meats in its deli, such as Black Forest ham or sliced turkey, with a level of savory freshness which makes for a perfect sandwich. But while lettuce, mayonnaise, mustard, or sliced cheddar would be a welcome find in your meaty lunchtime Kroger creation, Listeria monocytogenes most certainly would not. In January 2004, Kroger's Private Selection roast beef was recalled from 20 different states after a sample taken from one of its counters in Atlanta, Georgia, was found to be infected. Consuming the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can lead to symptoms such as high fever, stiff neck, nausea, diarrhea -- and in very young, very old, or immunocompromised individuals, it can even lead to death. Thankfully, the Private Selection Angus roast beef and Cajun roast beef variants were not found to be affected; so sandwich-making consumers had something to substitute in their lunch boxes when forced to avoid their favorite sliced meat that January. Moose Tracks Ice Cream extreme moose tracks ice cream - Kroger The original Moose Tracks ice cream flavor was made famous by the company Denali, and consists of a creamy vanilla base with peanut butter cups and chocolate fudge mixed in. Since its inception and incredibly positive reception among consumers, many companies and brands have recreated takes of this iconic flavor with Denali's trademark. One of these is Kroger, whose multiple different Private Select Moose Tracks ice cream variants are staples in its freezer aisle. However, in 2011, 10 states found the freezers of their local Kroger locations suddenly cleared out of their favorite peanut-butter-and-chocolate dessert for a time. The Private Selection Denali Extreme Moose Tracks ice cream was recalled on the basis of an accidental omission of peanut on the allergy label. While this may not seem too offensive to those familiar with the Moose Tracks flavor profile, such an omission could prove extremely dangerous for an individual with a peanut allergy who might be unfamiliar with the flavor and the commonplace inclusion of peanut butter in the recipe. For the sake of avoiding a potentially lethal bout of anaphylaxis, this particular recall -- though it may have seemed unnecessary for many Moose Tracks lovers -- was an important one. Dog Food Abound dog food - Kroger Just as it is in people, vitamin D is a necessary nutrient for our four-legged, barking buddies. In extremely large doses, however, it begins to have the opposite effect -- even to the point of becoming life-threatening. While commercial dog foods take care to maintain safe levels of all vitamins and nutrients included within their mixtures, one unfortunate mishap involving the vitamin D levels of two dog food brands in 2018 caused a recall at Kroger and other grocery chains. Kroger's Abound Chicken and Brown Rice dog food, alongside Lidl's Orlando Grain-Free Chicken and Chickpea Superfood dog food, were both recalled in December 2018 after potentially-deadly amounts of vitamin D were found as a result of FDA testing. Both of these identified dog foods had the same manufacturer -- Sunshine Mills, Inc. -- and six poor dogs fell sick as a result of the incident. Exactly how this nutritional defect was corrected is unclear, but clearly the recipe was fixed somehow; both products are safely available on store shelves today. Assorted Produce veggies and fruits - Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images Since crisp lettuce, fresh berries, cauliflower heads, or ripe avocados only last for a limited time, consumers go to the grocery store most often to replenish produce. So if a dangerous bacteria is hiding out among the piles of greens at your local grocer, it has the potential to be a very serious problem ... particularly if the issue affects multiple different products. In 2022, Kroger was hit with a listeria infestation among its ready-made produce selection that resulted in more than 20 products being recalled. This recall included a mushroom stir-fry blend, snacking peppers, asparagus saute, diced red onions, two different types of salsa, layered bean dip, and a diced bell pepper and white onion packet, among many others. Despite the large number of items that were warned against, listeria was expected to affect only a handful of them, since just one sample that had undergone the testing actually ended up being positive. The unfortunate problem is, you can't really tell which products are infected until it's too late, so we appreciate Kroger being safe rather than sorry in this instance. Cheese Dips Murray's Jarlsberg dip - Kroger Dip and chips is one of the most popular party finger foods, and the propensity to go back again and again for another bite at the appetizer table is a strong one. But if the salsa, hummus, or cheese dip is unsafe for consumption, then every single chip you dunk could become a gamble with your health. Talk about crashing a party. Unfortunately, many parties that had a cheese-dip-and-chip appetizer planned were indeed crashed in 2020 ... and not just because of the COVID-19 quarantine. During this year of worsts, grocer Kroger issued a recall on a whopping 17 different popular cheese dip takes (such as Murray's Jalapeno Jarlsberg Dip, Pimento Cheese Dip, or the Deli Buffalo Blue Cheese Spread, to name a few) on the basis of a potential salmonella contamination stemming from the onions in the recipe. While this was a necessary action given the health risks involved, it was no doubt disheartening for those struggling with the hardships associated with that year, as many relied on their favorite snacks for comfort. Still, we'd argue that a brief bout of disheartenment is better than a case of salmonella -- so we'll cut our losses on this one. Ground Beef ground beef on board - Hand Made Pictures/Getty Images Ground beef is one of the most versatile forms of meat there is. It can be browned for a casserole, shaped into patties or meat balls, or sprinkled atop loaded nachos, and its inherent fat content and depth of flavor seem to make everything it touches extra delicious. However, like anything else ground beef can come with a downside; there is a dangerous bacteria which can sometimes be lurking within the intestines of the cows from which the meat is sourced. It's called E. coli, and in 2008, Kroger found that many of its locations' meat departments were littered with infected packs. Kroger's ground beef recall of 2008 was a particularly nasty one, with over 30 people in the states of Ohio and Michigan falling ill post-consumption. One even went so far as to take legal action against the company as a result of their hospitalization. This is hardly the only instance in which the company has been forced to issue a recall for infected ground beef, but health officials issued a gentle reminder to the public during the 2008 scenario: As long as your meat is fully cooked through, you will successfully kill the infection before it touches your lips. Moral of the story? E. coli can happen under any circumstances, so take care to avoid eating it rare as an extra precaution. Fresh Spinach spinach leaves on white background - Zakharova Natalia/Getty Images Spinach is an incredibly nutritious vegetable, containing antioxidants, potassium, vitamin K, iron, and more. If that bag of beautiful leaves you picked up from the store contains listeria, however? That'll certainly put a damper on this otherwise super-healthy green. In 2021, Kroger's 10-ounce packs of spinach sold in 15 different states found themselves under suspicion for listeria and were immediately put on recall. The product was Fresh Selection, one of Kroger's in-house brands, and the spinach itself was reportedly sourced from NewStar Fresh Foods LLC. Though it appears no one fell sick during the mad rush to clear the affected bags, the fact that such a nasty bacteria can be present atop such a clean, healthy veggie is humbling and off-putting to say the least. We suppose all we can do at the end of the day is perform an extra wash at home, and continue to put faith in the vigilance of both the FDA and our grocery store suppliers. Read the original article on Mashed. Bill and Hillary Clinton lead Dems endorsing Kamala (but Obama makes no mention of her in his statement) Bill and Hillary Clinton were quick to throw their weight behind Kamala Harriss bid for the Democratic nomination, as party leaders rushed to endorse the vice president after Joe Bidens historic announcement that he would be ending his re-election campaign. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, their statement read. Notably absent from the list of those quick to commend Harris was Barack Obama, who did not mention her in a lengthy statement honoring the presidents remarkable career and character. Harris has said she was honored to have Bidens official endorsement on Sunday and vowed to earn and win the Democratic nomination. Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary who previously ran for president in 2016, but was defeated by Donald Trump praised Bidens extraordinary career of service but pledged to do whatever we can to support Harriss bid for the White House. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it, they said. Notably absent from the list of those quick to commend Harris was Barack Obama, who did not mention her in a lengthy statement commending Joe Bidens remarkable career and character (AP) In a lengthy statement, Obama paid tribute to his former vice presidents devotion to public service but stopped short of endorsing Harris, writing instead that he had extraordinary confidence Democratic leaders would be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also did not specifically endorse Harris, but praised Bidens legacy of vision, values and leadership which made him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. Biden was the partys presumptive nominee, but has no direct power over choosing the delegates formal nominee. Harris needs the support of 1,969 of the 3,936 Democratic delegates to secure her nomination at the August convention. Bill and Hillary Clinton led high profile Democrats in endorsing Kamala Harris for the partys nomination, after Joe Biden announced he was dropping his reelection bid (REUTERS) However, despite the silence from Obama and Pelosi, multiple other Democrats were quick to come out in support of Harris, including the chairs of several influential Democratic-led caucuses. Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Nanette Barragan said she had spoken to Harris directly to reiterate that she was all in. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus chair Judy Chu and Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal also posted their respective endorsements online. Earlier, the Congressional Black Caucus said it fully supported Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate. High profile Democratic senators also offered their support for Harris, including Chris Murphy, Tina Smith, Ed Markey, and Elizabeth Warren. Joe Bidens presidency has been transformational. He accomplished more in the past four years to bring back jobs, stand up to big corporations, and build an economy that works for all of us than we have been able to get done in the last forty. He deserves full credit for Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 21, 2024 We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed, said Warren, who added that Harris was a proven fighter. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November. Kamala Harris is battle-tested and ready to serve. She will galvanize voters and make history on Election Day. All in for Kamala, added Markey. Philadelphia Governor Josh Shapiro who has been floated as a potential running mate for Harris should she win the Democratic nomination also urged voters to get behind her. Philadelphia Governor Josh Shapiro, seen by some as a potential running mate for Harris, urged voters to get behind her candidacy (Getty Images) "Ive known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades weve both been prosecutors, weve both stood up for the rule of law, weve both fought for the people and delivered results, Shapiro wrote. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States." The @aftunion Exec. Council just voted to endorse @KamalaHarris for president, subject to ratification by delegates to the 2024 AFT convention. Harris is fighting to restore Roe, fighting for families,for student debt relief and is a powerful advocate for workers. pic.twitter.com/b6wwuA9ZvT Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) July 21, 2024 Other congressmen, including South Carolinas Jim Clyburn and New Yorks Jerry Nadler, also offered their support, with the latter writing that he proudly endorsed Harris as the party nominee. Clyburn said that Biden had demonstrated good judgment in selecting Harris as his vice president and was also proud to follow his lead in supporting her candidacy. As well as high-profile individuals, Harris also scored big wins when both the American Federation of Teachers and the Human Rights Campaign, the nations largest LGBT+ civil rights organization, announced they would back her. The @aftunion Exec. Council just voted to endorse @KamalaHarris for president, subject to ratification by delegates to the 2024 AFT convention. Harris is fighting to restore Roe, fighting for families,for student debt relief and is a powerful advocate for workers, AFT president Randi Weingarten wrote on X. Harris has already scored the backing of major US organizations including the American Federation of Teachers and the Human Rights Campaign, the nations largest LGBT+ civil rights organization (Getty Images) HRC president Kelley Robinson wrote: Vice President Kamala Harris is a trailblazer and has been a champion for LGBTQ+ equality for decades: from leading the fight in San Francisco against hate crimes and her work in California to end the so-called gay and transgender panic defense to her early support for marriage equality and her leadership serving as our Vice President. The Human Rights Campaign could not be prouder to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and commit to channeling our resources and supporters to work to elect the first Black and South Asian woman president of the United States. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A man was fatally shot inside a Birmingham gas station on Saturday afternoon. According to Birmingham Police Department Sgt. LaQuitta Wade, a person spoke to a sergeant at the BPD East Precinct building around 4:45 p.m. and said they shot someone in the 100 block of Roebuck Plaza Drive. Officers arrived at the scene and went inside the building at the Murphy USA gas station in that block. Alabama leaders speak out after 2 mass shootings in a week Police found a man lying unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel pronounced the man dead. The preliminary investigation suggests a physical altercation took place inside the business between the suspect and the victim. The suspect shot the victim and turned himself into police custody. Those with information on the case are urged to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. After months of discouraging polls and a disastrous debate performance, President Joe Biden announced Sunday afternoon the decision to abandon his reelection campaign against former president Donald Trump. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Black folks on the internet are coming in hot with very divided opinions on the decision. Some are excited about the opportunity to vote for a Black woman as president, while others fear that she wont get the support she deserves. Comedian and podcaster Akilah Hughes is uncertain that voters will unite around supporting Harris but is hoping for the best. Okay so now its Kamala. I thinkAGAINevery white person who wanted him to drop out needs to figure out how to defend a Black woman in person and online for the first time in their lives. Thats the job now. Id like to see it, but I never have. https://t.co/CMukwoDb2X Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) July 21, 2024 Journalist and filmmaker dream hampton is pessimistic about Harris electability as a Black woman. I think maybe the people who think Kamala can beat Trump are the same ones who think we're getting reparations. I wonder if they've met America. dream hampton (@dreamhampton) July 21, 2024 Political commentator Bakari Sellers is upset about the conclusion of Bidens campaign in recent weeks, but hes on board with the presidents endorsement of Harris. Democrats should be embarrassed by the way President Biden was treated by his own colleagues the last month. He is one of the most transformative Presidents of a generation. That fight is over. I dare not wage into another. Kamala Harris is battle tested and battle ready. I Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) July 21, 2024 Producer and podcast host Van Lathan said that hes supporting Harris simply because hes upset about the pessimism he sees about her possibility of appearing on the ballot. I am now. In this moment, more dedicated to Kamala Harris being president than I have been to any political endeavor in my life. And its because Im SHOCKED at the number of Black people telling me this cant be done. We have got to throw off the shackles. Van #1 Voice in Wrestling Media Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) July 21, 2024 Journalist Don Lemon discussed other Democratic talent that the party could nominate as Harris running mate, mentioning Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as potential candidates. I dont think people should be discouraged. This could be the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party, and to America, Lemon said in a video. So, lets see. The fight is on. Crawl through TikTok, Instagram and X and youll find no shortage of our thoughts on whats sure to be a wild and divisive few months going into the election. Make no mistakes about it, things are about to get even uglier simply because shes a Black woman. Misognoir knows no limit. Shanita Hubbard (@msshanitarenee) July 21, 2024 For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Engineers from Boeing and NASA have spent much of the last month running ground tests on a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster to get a better idea of what went wrong during the active Starliners flight in early June, and they finally wrapped up this past week. In its latest update, Boeing said the teams were able to replicate the thrust degradation Starliner experienced and are now reviewing all the data. But the date of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams return is still uncertain NASA and Boeing said only that theyll be making the trip in the coming weeks. In the tests at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, the teams simulated the conditions from Starliners recent flight, putting the control system thruster through one of the most stressing launch-to-docking firing sequences with over 1,000 pulses to simulate CFT [Crew Flight Test] conditions, according to Boeing. They also tested undocking and deorbit burn scenarios, which Starliner will experience on its way home. After collecting terabytes of data from those tests, the teams ran additional, more aggressive tests to see if we could more closely simulate the higher thermal conditions the thrusters experienced in-flight, said Dan Niedermaier, Boeings engineer for the thruster testing. The engineers are in the process of doing engine tear downs and inspections NASAs Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, said on Thursday. Following their analyses, NASA says there will be an Agency Flight Test Readiness Review to determine whether Starliner is in good shape to bring the astronauts back. NASA and Boeing said they will release more information in a conference in the coming days. Boil Water Notice placed in section of the City of Radford RADFORD, Va. (WFXR) The Virginia Department of Health has placed residents in the City of Radford west of Wadsworth Street under a boil water notice. According to the city, personnel are currently working to repair a water main break near Oakland Ave, Forest Ave, and Second Street. The City says because of the break, water customers west of Wadsworth Street and those who are experiencing low water pressure or loss of water, are encouraged to boil their water before consumption use. Until further notice, health officers advise to use boiled water or bottled water for drinking, beverage, and food preparation. Boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms in the water, which is the assured method to ensure water is safe to drink. Friends of Evans Spring host forum for city council candidates Customers in these areas are advised to: Fill a pot with water Heat the water until bubbles come quickly from the bottom of the pot to the top Keep heating the water for one more minute Turn off the heat source and let the water cool Poor water into a clean, sanitized container with a cover for storage If you cant boil your tap water: Use liquid household bleach to disinfect water. The bleach product should be recently purchased, free of additives and scents, and should contain a hypochlorite solution of at least 5.25%. Health officials encourage using 8 drops of bleach for each gallon of water. Stir the water and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before using. Use purification tablets by following the manufacturers instructions. The City and health officials say that more information will be known within the next two days. WFXR News will update this story as further information is released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a peace plan that could end the war "on the right terms for Ukraine and the West". Source: Boris Johnson in an op-ed for the Daily Mail Quote: "I believe that Trump can end it on the right terms for Ukraine and the West. I stress that I cannot be sure exactly what he would do, if elected. But this is what he could do". Details: Johnson believes that the first step is to strengthen the hand of the West and to strengthen Ukraine. He believes that US presidential candidate Donald Trump could simply do what comes naturally to him: cut through the red tape and delays, grant the Ukrainians the necessary authorisations, and then, when Putin is pushed back again, he could propose a deal. Johnson emphasised that Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin will have to pull back to at least the pre-invasion borders of 2022. To prevent future conflict and uncertainty, the rest of Ukraine would have to be recognised as a free country with the right to determine its own future, including potential membership in the EU and NATO, and should be welcomed to join as soon as possible. The politician stressed that Ukrainians have more than a million people with weapons, are already well accustomed to working with NATO equipment and are the most effective anti-Russian force in the world. When the war is over, there is no reason "why Ukrainian forces should not backfill for some of the 70,000 U.S. troops still in Europe". According to Johnson, this would enable Trump to save money, bring US troops home, and push Europeans to take greater responsibility for their own defence, which is one of Trump's key objectives. He also suggested that Russian leader Vladimir Putin could claim that the "special military operation" essentially a full-scale war was successful and that he had achieved the denazification of Ukraine. Additionally, special protection measures might be implemented for Russian speakers. Quote: "Above all, with Trump in the White House, there is the real prospect of some global rapprochement with Russia, and with Putin, a return to the days when Russia was a respected partner of the G8 and even of NATO. But there is only one way to achieve this outcome through strength. Washington under Trump will have to show that international borders must be respected, and that the Soviet empire cannot be rebuilt by force. That means backing the Ukrainians to the hilt. If Trump had been in the White House, I dont think Putin would have been so reckless and criminal as to invade Ukraine. Never forget, it was Trump, not Obama or Biden, who gave the Ukrainians the Javelin anti-tank weapons that were so crucial in the Battle for Kyiv in 2022. Trump already has a record of making decisive military intervention on behalf of Ukrainian democracy. If and when he is back in power, later this year, Trump has a massive chance not just to fix his predecessors legacy, but to take the world forward. Donald Trump can see the risk: that a defeat for Ukraine would exact a huge long-term cost on America and the world. On the other hand, a win for Ukraine properly handled could pave the way, paradoxically, for a new and far better relationship with Russia. That would be a big win, for America and for the whole world." Background: On 16 July, Boris Johnson met with US presidential candidate Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Johnson has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, advocating for all necessary assistance to the country. In particular, in April, he urged Western countries to lift restrictions on supplying Ukraine with the weapons it needs to defeat Russia in the full-scale war. Support UP or become our patron! The coast coral tree will now be known as Erythrina affra - JANNICK TESSIER/ISTOCKPHOTO Botanists have voted to change the name of more than 200 plants to remove a word associated with a racial slur. Following a six-day session involving more than 100 researchers, it was agreed as part of the International Botanical Congress that all plants, fungi and algae names that contain the word caffra would be replaced by the word affra. The word caffra is an ethnic slur against black people. Affra will be used instead to denote their African origins. More than 200 species will be affected, including the coast coral tree, which will now be known as Erythrina affra. A special committee ruling on names given to newly discovered plants, fungi and algae was also agreed upon at the meeting. Traditionally, newly discovered species are named by those who first described them in scientific literature. But now the given names can be overruled by the committee if they are thought to be derogatory to a group or race. The changes are the first rule alterations that taxonomists have officially agreed to concerning the naming of species. A more general move to rule on other controversial historical labels is yet to be agreed upon. Sandra Knapp, a plant taxonomist at the Natural History Museum in London, who presided over the six-day nomenclature session, welcomed the changes. She told the Observer: This is an absolutely monumental first step in addressing an issue that has become a real problem in botany and also in other biological sciences. It is a very important start. Among the plants affected by the new rule is the Erythrina affra, a coral tree native to southeastern Africa - MANOLI PEREZ/ALAMY It came after Prof Gideon Smith and Prof Estrela Figueiredo of Nelson Mandela University in South Africa proposed the change to remove the word caffra from species names. The pair have campaigned for years for changes to be made to the international system for giving scientific names to plants and animals so that objectionable names can be altered. We are very pleased with the retroactive and permanent eradication of a racial slur from botanical nomenclature, Prof Smith told the Observer. It is most encouraging that more than 60 per cent of our international colleagues supported this proposal. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A male suffered a gunshot wound in an overnight shooting incident, Buffalo police officials announced Saturday. Officials said the 22-year-old, of Amherst, arrived at ECMC in a civilian vehicle just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning and was listed in stable condition. Detectives are investigating if the shooting happened on Niagara Street. Anyone with information is asked to call or text the confidential tip line at (716) 847-2255. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Martique Laquan Holland, accused in the fatal shooting of Marcus Hairston at Woodside Village a little more than a year ago, was found guilty in his killing Friday morning. The Danville Circuit Court jury deliberated for just 15 minutes before declaring Holland, 31, guilty of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. The jury reached its decision following a trial Thursday that continued Friday morning with closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense. Hollands attorney, Steven Milani, argued that Holland along with his then 14-year-old nephew Amarion Hairston fired at Marcus Hairston, 37, because he was scared he was going to die. The only reason he fired his gun was because he was in fear for his life, Milani told the jury during the defenses opening argument. Amarion Hairston, now 16, was charged as an adult and pleaded guilty last week to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony as part of a plea agreement in which he agreed to testify against Holland, his uncle. Amarion received a hybrid sentence in which he will serve time in a Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice facility until he is 21, when he will be transferred to the penitentiary to serve another 11 years. He will serve roughly 18 years in total. He is not related to Marcus Hairston. The prosecutions case hinged on Holland repeatedly lying to investigators and others, claiming that he wasnt at Woodside Village when the homicide occurred and that two masked men showed up and shot Marcus Hairston. Also, he and Amarion Hairston were laying in wait for Marcus Hairston before they shot him on the early morning of May 1, 2023, firing dozens of rounds down at him from the window of an abandoned second-floor apartment. The shooting stemmed from two days prior, when Holland, avoiding the police due to outstanding warrants, knocked on the door of an apartment where Marcus answered the door. Holland wanted a place to hide. He was like hell no, and shut the door in my face, Holland testified. It made me feel betrayed. He and Marcus Hairston had known each other since childhood. Amarion Hairston testified that Holland wanted to fight Marcus, who did not want to get into an altercation. When Holland later confronted him, Marcus pulled out his gun. That incident led to phone calls and Marcus being upset at Holland and threatening to come over to Woodside Village, Amarion testified. Amarion and Holland told Marcus that if he did, he would not live through the night. Holland and his nephew checked their weapons and made sure they had ammunition, Amarion testified. When Marcus arrived at Woodside Village with two others, Holland and Amarion were hiding in the second-floor apartment with the lights off. Marcus got into an argument outside with TT, Amarions godmother, who was in the breezeway of the apartment building. TT was also Hollands girlfriend. Amarion testified that he and Holland shot Marcus, who was armed, after he had put his weapon away. About 34-35 spent casings were found at the scene near the window inside the apartment and on the ground below. Holland testified that he saw Marcus from the apartment yelling like he was ready to barge up the steps and that he then heard gunshots. It was fairly close, Holland said. I seen somebody pointing with an object. I couldnt tell who it was. It was a group of guys out there. He said he was scared and thought someone was firing at him. I reacted and started shooting, Holland said, adding that he emptied his magazine. Holland, who had already been convicted of six prior felonies, lied to police because he was afraid hed be in trouble for possessing a firearm. I didnt know if I could trust the police, telling the truth, he said. Investigators found a disassembled firearm used by Holland in the shooting underneath a pillow in the bedroom of the home on Jefferson Street where he was apprehended. You told all those lies to try to get away with the murder, correct? Newman said to Holland. Youve done everything you could do to convince people you didnt commit this crime. Marcus Hairston had six wound paths in his body, with one of the bullets entering the top of his right shoulder, breaking a rib, hitting both lungs, his aorta and a vein leading to his heart, Medical Examiner Dr. Amy Tharp said during her testimony. He had lethal blood loss associated with that wound, Tharp said, adding that he bled to death internally. The defense argued that not all the bullet casings came from the guns used in the shooting and that Marcus, who had cocaine and hydrocodone in his blood and a blood-alcohol level of 0.16%, was making threats just before the incident. But tests concluded that all the bullets found at the scene except one came from the 9-millimeter handguns used by Amarion and Holland. Also, Holland changed his story multiple times, telling investigators and relatives repeatedly that he was somewhere else when the shooting occurred. He wouldnt admit to anything, Danville Commonwealths Attorney Michael Newman said during his opening argument. This is nothing more than an ambush, Newman added. Holland is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28. Brazil rules out three potential new cases of Newcastle disease in poultry BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said on Sunday it has ruled out three potential new cases of Newcastle disease in poultry after testing additional samples taken from animals in the area close to where a first case was confirmed last week. Newcastle is a viral disease that affects domestic and wild birds, causing respiratory problems, among other symptoms, and can lead to death. Brazil on Thursday detected its first case of Newcastle disease in poultry since 2006. "The negative results are an extremely positive sign regarding the containment of this sanitary event, which is important for a quick resolution of the situation, and reinforces the robustness of Brazil's agricultural defense system," the ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The additional samples were collected on Friday from birds in three properties within the protection zone established in Rio Grande do Sul, where authorities found the first case of the disease in 18 years, when it was detected in subsistence animals. Last weeks confirmation of the case led the government to enforce a voluntary ban on poultry exports to certain countries. Brazilian meat lobby ABPA and the state poultry association ASGAV welcomed the results of the additional testing on Sunday, saying they corroborated the single case found last week was an isolated event. Authorities reported the single case on Thursday after the death of around 7,000 birds on a small chicken farm, representing 50% of the flock there. Brazil voluntarily adopted export restrictions on Friday, affecting sales to 44 nations, including China, Argentina, the European Union, Japan and Saudi Arabia. "I am confident that with the agility of our teams, we will return to normal export operations very soon," Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro said in Sunday's statement. (Reporting by Marcela Ayres and Ana Mano in Brasilia; Editing by Matthew Lewis) U.S. President Joe Biden has suspended his campaign for reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country to stand down," Biden said in a letter published to social media on July 21. Shortly following his announcement, Biden endorsed Harris as the Democratic party's nominee for president in the 2024 election. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump," Biden said on X. The announcement comes after weeks of increased pressure from high-ranking Democrats for Biden to drop out of the race. Concerns regarding Biden's fitness for office and mental acuity intensified following the president's poor debate performance in June. Biden repeatedly dismissed his detractors, insisting he was the best candidate to defeat Republican nominee Donald Trump in November and that there was no medical reason for him to step aside. Biden, age 81, then tested positive for Covid-19 on July 17. Top Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Adam Schiff, urged the president to drop out of the race. Biden said he would address the nation later this week with more details about his decision. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," he said. Read also: Harris: Putin will threaten entire Europe if US abandons Ukraine, allies A career prosecutor from California, Harris served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as a Senator before running in the 2020 Democratic primary. She dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden, who appointed her as his running mate. She became the first female vice president in U.S. history in January 2021. Harris' work as VP has focused heavily on immigration and reproductive rights, but she has played a role in the Biden administration's foreign affairs efforts. At Ukraine's global peace summit in Switzerland in June, Harris represented the U.S. and announced over $1.5 billion in additional support for Ukraine. The summit also marked her sixth meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky In February 2023, Harris accused Russia of crimes against humanity for its war in Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference, saying the aggressor must be held responsible for their "barbaric" war operations. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said that a Harris presidency would likely maintain the same policy towards Ukraine demonstrated by the Biden administration. He added that regardless of the outcome of the November vote, there are still six months left in Biden's term. Peter Rough, a senior fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute, said it was unclear how Harris would approach Ukraine if elected. "Although we don't know how Kamala Harris would handle the Ukraine file as president, we do know that she is not a foreign policy specialist and holds progressive values," Rough said. "For now, I expect continuity on the campaign trail from Harris as she defends the administration's record and seeks to rally the Democratic party." The Democratic party's official nominee will be named in August at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, have stressed that Kyiv will continue to cooperate productively with any U.S. administration, regardless of the outcome of the November election. Read also: With a Trump victory more likely, Ukraine launches charm offensive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Joe Biden announced today that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race. The decision comes after weeks of mounting pressure from top Democratic leaders, donors, and supporters. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted on social media. "Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a nation," he wrote, highlighting accomplishments such as historic investments in rebuilding the nation, lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Weve protected and preserved our Democracy, said Biden. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. Biden concluded: I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America cant do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America. The pressure on Biden to step aside has been relentless. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries were among the prominent figures urging Biden to reconsider his re-election bid, according to multiple reports. Schumer encouraged Biden to step aside in a private conversation, ABC News reports , while according to Axios, Pelosi detailed for Biden how Democrats would likely lose elections if he stayed. In recent days, former President Barack Obama spoke with Biden about the race, warning him that the Democrats were in trouble, the Washington Post reports . These calls became increasingly public and urgent following Bidens faltering performance in a debate against Trump last month. Bidens recent COVID-19 diagnosis added another layer of complexity to his campaign. Forced to isolate while experiencing mild symptoms, Bidens ability to actively campaign was further hampered. This situation contrasted sharply with Trump, who was preparing to accept the Republican nomination shortly after surviving an assassination attempt. A person close to Biden told NBC News on Thursday, Were close to the end, a sentiment echoed by other allies who believed the writing was on the wall. The Democratic National Committee is now tasked with navigating the nomination process. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president in another post on social media. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this," he wrote. (@) This is a developing story. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images President Joe Biden has announced he will no longer be running for president amid mounting pressure from democrats to step aside. Following intense criticism of his performance in the first 2024 presidential debate against former president Donald Trump, President Biden faced numerous calls from prominent members of his own party to end his reelection campaign. Panic only increased after the assassination attempt against Trump appeared to rally his base earlier this month. If you thought things couldnt get worse for Biden from there, the White House recently announced the 81-year-old had tested positive for COVID-19, leading to further questions about Bidens ability to run. On Sunday, July 21, the president announced his plans to call off his presidential campaign with a statement on X.com. Over the past three and a half years, weve made great progress as a nation, Biden began before listing a series of his administrations accomplishments and praising the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Weve protected and preserved our democracy. And weve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. Biden continued, It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, and while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. President Biden promised to share more details about his decision later in the week. You can read his full statement here: After thanking Vice President Kamala Harris, for being an extraordinary partner in his original statement, he endorsed her as the 2024 democratic presidential nominee in a follow-up post. So, what does this all mean? Technically, President Joe Biden wasnt the official democratic nominee quite yet, as he was scheduled to be confirmed by delegates at the Democratic National Convention, which takes place on August 19 in Chicago. Possible presidential candidates include Vice President Harris, Californias Gavin Newsom, Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois J.B. Pritzker, and Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro. Vice President Harris was Bidens most obvious choice to take over his presidential run. As a sitting member of the Biden Administration, Harris is the only candidate who could easily take control of his campaign's $91 million war chest, according to Axios. Politics Joe Biden Dropped Out of the Presidential Race. Will VP Kamala Harris Take His Spot? President Biden is no longer running for reelection. Heres what happens next. Prior to this announcement, Biden implied he planned to continue his own run as recently as July 19. I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trumps Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone, Biden said in a statement, per ABC News. The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win. Election 2024 The Trump Women All Showed Up to Support the Former PresidentFor Now Melania and Ivanka Trump finally showed up after being conspicuously MIA for all of the 2024 campaign. Originally Appeared on Glamour New bridge, swimming halted, walkout: Some of our most-read Cape Cod stories of the week We've hit the midpoint of summer on Cape Cod and so far it has been a busy one with a Vineyard Wind turbine blade breaking apart, Carnival preparations in Provincetown, and more. Whether you're into sports and have been enjoying the Cape Cod Times coverage of the Cape Cod Baseball League, or maybe fancy the arts and have been following our theater reviews, there's something for everyone. By the way, have you voted for the best beach in Massachusetts? And, while you're at it, vote for the best Cape league pitcher, infielder, and outfielder of the week in our polls. In case you missed all this and more, here are the most read stories of the week on the Cape Cod Times website. Swimming shut down on popular Cape Cod beach Marconi Beach in Wellfleet was closed to swimming earlier this week due to bacterial exceedance. It's safe to swim at Marconi Beach in Wellfleet now, but earlier this week the beach was temporarily closed to swimming due to bacteria levels that exceeded standards, according to a Facebook post from the Cape Cod National Seashore and an alert posted on the Seashore's website. According to the Facebook post, samples collected by Seashore staff prompted the closing. Marconi Beach is on the Atlantic Ocean. It features miles of open beach stretching north and south from the parking area. You can keep track of beach closings across Massachusetts at the state Department of Public Health's Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard website. Swimming not allowed at Marconi Beach: 'Swimming may cause illness.' Popular Cape Cod beach closed to swimming. What we know. Coast Guard experiencing staffing shortages Boatswain's Mate Second Class Fern Webber secures a fender to the response boat as the crew prepares to board a recreational boat in Cape Cod Bay. Staffing shortages across the country in the Coast Guard have caused Coast Guard Station Cape Cod Canal to change its hours of operation. Due to staffing shortages, Station Cape Cod Canal recently become a mission schedule station, meaning it is no longer operating on a 24/7 schedule, said Chief Boatswain's Mate Larry Johnson. The Coast Guard is undergoing its greatest staffing shortage in its history, and the shortage is projected to worsen throughout 2024, said Public Affairs Specialist Diolanda Caballero in a statement. The station will be focusing its patrols around weekends and peak boating times, Johnson said. Time at the station will take place during weekdays. When not at the station, the crew has been spending more time on the water, performing safety checks. To be a 24/7 station, 18 crew members must be on hand. Station Cape Cod Canal only has 12, which is one more than necessary to be a mission schedule station, Johnson added. Everyone has a difficult time right now recruiting, Lt. Adam Schmid said. I just think it's just, you know my opinion some of the interests of some of the younger people. There's other opportunities out there. Coast Guard patrol changing at Cape Cod Canal: 'Difficult time right now.' Fewer recruits at Coast Guard means changes at Cape Cod Canal Time to get to work on new Sagamore Bridge U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, speaks during a press conference along the Cape Cod Canal against a backdrop of the Sagamore Bridge in Bourne. Officials highlighted the recent funding that will now allow the bridge replacement to move forward. Thanks to the newly awarded funding totaling $993 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bridge Investment Program, work on the replacement for the Sagamore Bridge can now get underway. "We now begin what's called the design-build phase of this, and we're looking to have shovels in the ground by no later than 2027," Gov. Maura Healey said at a press conference Tuesday morning at the Sagamore Recreation Area. It will be an 8- to10-year construction period, said state Department of Transportation Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver of the Sagamore Bridge project. The new Sagamore span, Gulliver said, will be built "just on the inside of the existing bridge, interior to the canal." While work on the new bridge is under way, the existing bridge will remain open to traffic. With funding secured and work starting on the Sagamore Bridge replacement, Healey said the Bourne Bridge is next. "We're going to be laser-focused now, pedal to the metal on the next stages of this and moving from Sagamore to the Bourne Bridge." In 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a report concluding that constructing new bridges would improve travel, safety, and accessibility to and from the Cape. With funds secured, work to start on new Sagamore Bridge: 'Pedal to the metal.' With Sagamore Bridge replacement funded, focus is on getting started Wellfleet harbormaster crew walks off job A crew from the Wellfleet Department of Public Works clears pilings from the harbor parking lot on July 16. The town staff and the U.S. Coast Guard stepped in after marina and harbormaster workers walked off the job on July 12. Details are still missing as to why the town of Wellfleet's interim harbormaster Brittany Tilton and a staff member walked off the job last Friday afternoon, leaving officials to scramble to provide marina services that following weekend. The town had appointed Tilton as interim harbormaster after William Sullivan left the Wellfleet post to take the top job in Provincetown on July 1. Tilton could not be reached for comment. Sullivan said there is more to the walkout story, but declined to elaborate. According to Selectboard Chairman John Wolf, "there were no glitches" following the walkout as the Department of Public Works, Police and Fire Department personnel provided assistance. The U.S. Coast Guard has stepped in to provide emergency services for boaters out of Wellfleet Harbor, according to a Tuesday morning press release from the Town of Wellfleet. Staff walkout at Wellfleet marina: US Coast Guard steps in after Wellfleet harbormaster crew walks off job Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: New bridge, marina walkout, swimming closed, and more: Top stories How business leaders and billionaires are responding to Biden dropping out of the presidential race Business leaders are reacting to President Joe Biden's decision to drop his bid for a second term. They include Elon Musk, Mark Cuban, Brad Smith, and David Sacks. The Microsoft exec Smith said Biden had "devoted his lifetime to public service." In yet another shocking turn in this year's presidential race, Joe Biden dropped out Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Recently, numerous prominent business leaders and Silicon Valley investors among them Elon Musk, Bill Ackman, and Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz have publicly come out in support of Donald Trump. Musk and Ackman announced their backing after the former president was shot in an assassination attempt, while the A16z founders Andreessen and Horowitz pointed to Trump's policies on cryptocurrency and taxes in a lengthy podcast. Meanwhile, billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates and LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman have voiced their support for Harris. Now that the race has been upended at the top of the ticket, here's how business leaders are reacting. Elon Musk Musk. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Musk posted on X shortly after Biden announced his withdrawal: "I believe in an America that maximizes individual freedom and merit. That used to be the Democratic Party, but now the pendulum has swung to the Republican Party." "My smartest friends, including those living in the San Francisco Bay Area who have been lifelong Dems, are excited about Trump/Vance," he added. Musk, who pat himself and X on the back when Biden made the announcement on the platform (along with other social platforms), said on July 13 that he "fully" endorsed Donald Trump , joining the list of several top Silicon Valley investors supporting the former president. Mark Cuban Cuban. Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images Cuban was one of the first business figures to react to Biden's announcement, posting on X: "Father time is undefeated." The entrepreneur had earlier said he would continue to support Biden after Biden's disastrous debate performance in late June. "Of our 2 candidates, one I would have no problem hiring as a sales representative," Cuban previously said of Trump in an X post. "He is very good at making people feel comfortable and quickly conveying what he is trying to sell." David Sacks Sacks. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty Images Sacks, the entrepreneur who founded the venture-capital fund Craft Ventures, took to X shortly after Biden's announcement. "Biden says he will address the nation later this week," he posted. "Why wouldn't he do that now? This was rushed. Pelosi wanted him out now." Sacks further posted on X: "First they told us there was nothing wrong with Biden. Then they threatened to destroy him if he didn't leave the race. Now they're calling him a 'hero.' How can you not be sickened by these people?" In a third post, Sacks said that Democratic Party leaders "believe in selections, not elections." Sacks, who previously supported the Democrat Hillary Clinton, helped organize a $12 million fundraiser for Trump in June and donated $1 million to the Senate campaign for Trump's eventual running mate JD Vance. Brad Smith Smith. Getty Images Smith, the president and vice chair of Microsoft, posted on X that Biden had "devoted his lifetime to public service" and called Sunday's announcement "another example of that commitment." "I want to thank him for everything he has accomplished and for his ongoing service between now and inauguration day," he continued. "Microsoft looks forward to working with his Administration for the remaining months of his term." Smith recently testified before the House Homeland Security Committee about Microsoft's security errors. Microsoft came under scrutiny Friday over a global service interruption caused by a defective update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Reid Hoffman Hoffman. Kimberly White/Getty Images Hoffman, the cofounder and executive chairman of LinkedIn, posted on X that Biden was "a leader who acts with the best interests of America in mind." "Not seeking re-election is one of the most selfless acts we've seen from a politician in modern American history," he continued. "This is what's right for our country and our democratic future." Hoffman added that Harris "is the right person at the right time," saying Trump and Vance's agenda would "wreak havoc on the American people." "When presented with the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, I believe in the American people to make the right decision for our country," he wrote. "The Biden-Harris administration has put this country on the right track. It's time for us to unite. I wholeheartedly support Kamala Harris and her candidacy for President of the United States in our fight for democracy in November." In January, Hoffman donated $2 million to the Granite for America super PAC, which led a write-in campaign in New Hampshire for Biden's campaign. Reed Hastings Hastings. Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images Hastings, the cofounder and executive chairman of Netflix, posted on X: "Dem delegates need to pick a swing state winner." Hastings had been one of the large Democratic donors calling on Biden to not run again. "Biden needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous," he previously told The New York Times. Vinod Khosla Vinod Khosla. Steven Ferdman/Getty Images Khosla, the billionaire investor in OpenAI who cofounded Sun Microsystems, posted on X that the Democratic Party should look for a "more moderate candidate" who could beat Trump. He said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania "would be a great thing for America not held hostage between MAGA extremists and DEI extremism." But on Monday, after Biden endorsed Harris for the candidacy, Khosla told CNBC that "she has a good chance of beating Trump, and beating Trump is more important than winning the presidency." In response to a comment from Elon Musk supporting Trump, Khosla responded: "Hard for me to support someone with no values, lies, cheats, rapes, demeans women, hates immigrants like me. He may cut my taxes or reduce some regulation but that is no reason to accept depravity in his personal values. Do you want President who will set back climate by a decade in his first year? Do you want his example for your kids as values?" Khosla said Trump supporters "don't value values enough." Richard Branson Branson. Virgin Branson, the business magnate who cofounded Virgin Group, said on X that Biden's choice was "a smart, principled decision by a smart, principled man and gives the opportunity for the next generation to move America and humanity forward." Earlier this month, Branson wrote on Virgin's website, "Now is the time that he should consider what's at stake and step back from another run," saying the president could "still do enormous good in the world." Andrew Yang Yang. Andrew Yang Yang, the businessman who tried to secure the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, wrote on X that Biden had shown "remarkable leadership" and urged the Democratic National Committee to "show equal leadership by having an open process to determine the best candidate(s) to take on Trump-Vance in November." "The goal should be simple to win," he added, arguing in another post that the way to do this was selecting "a ticket that is more broadly appealing and electable than Trump." Melinda French Gates French Gates. Christophe Ena/AP On Tuesday, French Gates publicly endorsed Harris's bid for the presidency via post to X. "I am proud to support Vice President Harris. During her years in the White House, she has proven that she knows how to lead through crises while pushing for the change we need," French Gates wrote. She highlighted healthcare, racial disparities, and reproductive rights as policies she believes Harris can positively impact. French Gates, the cofounder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said on X that Biden "deserves tremendous gratitude for his many decades of public service and his effective leadership from the White House during an especially consequential time for our nation." French Gates praised Biden's work to keep the economy on track, guide the US through the pandemic, and work toward equality and opportunity for Americans. She also highlighted Biden's advocacy for women and girls. "We have seen what a Trump administration looks like, and we cannot risk another one," she wrote. French Gates formally endorsed Biden in June, the first time she had endorsed a presidential candidate. Marc Benioff Benioff. Evan Agostini Mark Benioff, the Salesforce CEO, shared a link on X to Time magazine's story on Biden's withdrawal and an image showing Kamala Harris walking into the frame as Joe Biden walks out. Benioff last week on X wished a "full and speedy recovery to President Trump" following the assassination attempt. He added: "May his body be healed, his mind be soothed, and his soul be comforted. May he be blessed with strength and courage, and return to health soon. There is no room in our country for political violence." Aaron Levie Levie. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Aaron Levie, CEO of cloud company Box, posted on X praising what he called Biden's "amazing leadership" and encouraged Democrats to take advantage of the opportunity. "The Democratic Party has a clear window to create a superior platform and story that is pro-tech, AI, science, immigration, and entrepreneurship," he wrote. Larry Summers Summers. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images Summers, the former Treasury secretary, wrote on X that he was refocusing on what he called Trump's "rampant dishonesty, demagoguery and dangerousness" now that Biden had removed himself from the 2024 race. "Partisanship apart, Donald Trump demonstrated his unfitness to lead America with his shrill and inappropriate comments today," Summers wrote. "Defeating him is the most important electoral priority of my lifetime." Mark Zuckerberg appeared to comment on Biden but later clarified his mistake Zuckerberg. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Zuckerberg posted a photo on Threads of two people rowing a boat with the caption, "Serene row before a big week." However, his post wasn't related to Biden's decision. "Always important to check your messages before posting...," he wrote in a reply to his post. The Meta founder also hinted at a potential new set of smart glasses when a Threads user named Matthew Karolian asked him about an old photo he posted to celebrate Facebook's 20th anniversary. "Will be ready to share more later this year," Zuckerberg wrote early on Monday morning, once again skirting the topic of a potential Harris presidential ticket. In an earlier interview with Bloomberg , the Meta CEO said Trump's reaction to being shot was "badass," though he did not endorse Trump. Zuckerberg also said Facebook and Instagram would continue to limit how much politics would appear in users' feeds. Mark Pincus Pincus. Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images Mark Pincus best known for founding Zynga, the firm behind FarmVille had some advice for the Democratic Party on how they could leverage Biden's departure into a victory this November. "The Dems need radical not predictable to beat Trump. Step 1 was replace Biden. Step 2 is a compelling candidate," he wrote in an X post on Sunday. "Don't quit now! You accomplished the hardest part." On Friday, Pincus penned an op-ed for the online newsletter, The Free Press, expressing concern over Biden's viability as a candidate given his floundering debate performance. "In December I attended a small lunch conversation with Biden. He was engaging and thoughtful. Our interactions gave me confidence that he still had enough drive to beat Trump a second time and be a reliable leader," Pincus wrote. "Seven months later, I have a radically different perspective. Biden looks even riskier than Trump. His debate performance made his age and competency the central issue in the 2024 election," he added. In his op-ed, Pincus said that he didn't think the Democratic nomination should go straight to Harris and called for an open convention. "There's nothing to lose and everything to gain," he said. "Turning the convention into an open forum would be dramatic and exciting, and offer the best chance to produce a leader with a positive, mainstream agenda for our country." George and Alex Soros Alex Soros. Jared Siskin/Getty Images Alex Soros, the son of legendary investor George Soros and head of the $25 billion Soros Fund Management, has also backed Kamala Harris following Biden's announcement. "It's time for us all to unite around Kamala Harris and beat Donald Trump. She is the best and most qualified candidate we have. Long live the American Dream!" he posted on X. Alex Soros took over his billionaire father's empire in June, with George Soros being one of the largest donors to the Democrats in recent elections. A spokesperson for George Soros told The Wall Street Journal that he also supported Harris. The philanthropist's Open Society Foundation runs charities in more than 100 countries. Mike Bloomberg Mike Bloomberg. Steven Ferdman/Getty Images Billionaire businessman and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg praised Biden for his "act of selflessness" in withdrawing from the presidential race. "President Joe Biden's lifetime of honorable public service deserves the respect of all Americans, no matter their party," Bloomberg said in a post on X. When Bloomberg dropped out of the 2020 presidential election, he endorsed Biden's campaign, but on Monday, he called for Democrats not to get too hasty in choosing a replacement. With the Democratic National Convention less than a month away, Bloomberg said the party has "more than enough time" to find a leader. "We don't need to get a resolution right away, but we do need to get it right," he said on X. "The decision is too important to rush, because the election is too important to lose." Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg. Richard Bord/Getty Images for Cannes Lions Former Meta chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg endorsed Harris in a Monday Instagram post. "Vice President @kamalaharris has already made history once becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to hold her office, and she will do it again in November," Sandberg wrote. "She is an accomplished leader, a fierce advocate of abortion rights, and the strongest candidate to lead our country forward." Sandberg also cited the vice president's opposition to conflict-related sexual violence and history of defending women's rights, saying she is "thrilled" to support Harris. Sandberg left Meta's board of directors in January after 12 years. She also stepped down as the company's COO in 2022. Read the original article on Business Insider Do California Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Your questions answered With President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, California's Democratic delegates are faced with a historic decision. Here's what to know. How many Democratic delegates does California have? California has 496 Democratic delegates. This is approximately 12% of the roughly 4,000 delegates expected at the Democratic National Convention beginning Aug. 19 in Chicago. A total of 35 alternates have also been selected. How were California's Democratic delegates selected? California's Democratic delegates must be registered Democrats. Aside from that however, the means an individual can become a delegate varies by circumstance. Each of California's 52 congressional districts are allocated a certain number of delegates based on voting patterns from the 2020 presidential election. The total number of district-level delegates is 277. Candidates apply through the Democratic Party. A caucus was held April 21 of this year where registered Democrats in each district voted to determine the selection. The Democratic Party also has 92 at-large delegates, which were selected during a May 18 statewide delegation meeting. There are also 55 delegates known as "Party Leaders and Elected Officials," including big-city mayors, state legislators, as well as county and local elected officials, who were selected during the May 18 meeting. The 424 delegates must pledge their support to a presidential candidate. However, the state Democratic Party also has 72 unpledged delegates, who include Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and members of the Democratic National Committee. Do California delegates have to vote for Biden? President Joe Biden won the 2024 California Democratic presidential primary on March 5. Now that he has dropped out, there is no designated system to appoint a new nominee. The Democratic Party has several options, including an "open convention" where delegates would pick from candidates during the convention in Chicago. A virtual vote could also be held prior to the convention to lock in the nominee before the convention. What are Democrats saying? David Weiner, an executive board member of the California Democratic Party and the Chair of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, said in an interview with The Desert Sun shortly after Biden announced he was dropping out that he expected many delegates to coalesce around Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden has endorsed. "Shes already been doing the job of the vice president and has been in a very similar role for three and a half years," he said. "Shes probably the best qualified of the people that I can think of who would step forward at this late date." Still, the unprecedented nature of Biden's decision could cause a chaotic convention, something the Democratic Party hopes to avoid. "Were very focused on making sure that the convention in Chicago is well run, and not showing some sort of division within the party, or some sort of chaos or disorganization," Weiner added. "Were very focused, every Democrat that I know of in the valley, and the state and beyond. That is defeating Trump and continuing to steer our country on the right path." Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Are California delegates required to vote for Biden? California lawmakers had warm praise for President Joe Biden and his decision Sunday to drop out of the presidential race. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents, wrote California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been a fierce defender of the president. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Thank you, @JoeBiden. https://t.co/HMUMEB1fTl Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024 Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, once a U.S. senator and state attorney general for California, to be the Democratic nominee. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Some Democrats were probably relieved to see Biden drop out. Democrats praised a man who in some cases theyve known for decades. And in many cases, a man they seemed to be hoping would end his six-decade political career now. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, helped subtly apply pressure. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, whos leading in the race to be a U.S. senator, urged Biden to drop out. Veteran Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, did the same. President @JoeBiden is a patriot with a lifelong commitment to our democracy. I respect him & am grateful to him. I am confident that voters will quickly coalesce to defeat Donald Trump, who is unfit for office. For Americas future. Zoe Lofgren (@ZoeLofgren) July 21, 2024 California Republicans were at the ready to start attacking Harris record. If you want to know what America would be like under a President Kamala Harris, go visit her hometown of San Francisco. Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) July 21, 2024 Theres little question that the Democratic nominee will win the state. No Republican presidential candidate has won California since George H. W. Bush in 1988. This story is developing and will be updated. SAN FRANCISCO Within minutes of President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, many California lawmakers and Democratic delegates threw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. But there were key Golden State powerbrokers and candidates who stayed silent, opting not to follow Biden in coronating their fellow Californian, who said she will seek the partys nomination and run against former President Donald Trump. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who led an intraparty effort to convince Biden to step aside, somberly praised the president for putting our country first. Pelosis statement didnt mention Harris, a former fellow San Franciscan who shares many of Pelosis supporters and donors. Gov. Gavin Newsom, himself a potential contender for the nomination, has previously said he would support Harris if the president left the race. On Sunday, however, the governors statement also didnt mention Harris. In addition, most Democrats running for swing California House seats sidestepped the vice president in their comments. Among them were state Sen. Dave Min, Rudy Salas, Will Rollins, Derek Tran and George Whitesides who are all vying for battleground seats in Southern California. Rep. Mike Levin, who represents a swing coastal district in San Diego and Orange counties, was the only battleground House Democrat in the state to quickly endorse Harris candidacy. It is time to move forward with Kamala Harris as our new leader. Together, Levin tweeted. But Harris a former California senator, state attorney general and San Francisco district attorney will have no shortage of allies boosting her candidacy from the West Coast. Sen. Laphonza Butler, a close Kamala Harris ally who was appointed to the seat by Newsom, told POLITICO that the vice president is as as well positioned as she could be to lead and lead the ticket forward." Butler cited Harris work in recent years as the Biden administrations top messenger on Democrats efforts to restore abortion rights at the federal level. Other prominent California Democrats who endorsed Harris on Sunday: Sen. Alex Padilla; Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee; and mayors Karen Bass and London Breed, of Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively. Within moments of Biden endorsing Harris, her California allies were already working the phones to secure support from party delegates. How the party will move forward with its nomination process was still up in the air, though. Some party leaders, including former President Barack Obama, are pushing for an open convention. Rep. Robert Garcia, a close friend of the vice president who chaired Harris 2020 campaign for president, was among those trying to shore up delegates. He said he expected Democrats would back Harris well ahead of the partys August convention, arguing shes in the strongest position to take on Trump. This is over. Everyone needs to unite behind the vice president, Garcia told POLITICO. Shes going to prosecute a criminal is what shes going to do. Melanie Mason contributed to this report. Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked President Joe Biden, who announced Sunday he would withdraw from the presidential race, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take up the mantle for Democrats in defeating former President Donald Trump in November. With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trumps dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than Americas Vice President, Newsom said in a post on X on Sunday afternoon. He also described Harris as Tough. Fearless. Tenacious. The endorsement of his fellow Californian came hours after he first acknowledged Bidens decision to drop out of the race. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans, Newsom posted Sunday morning. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Newsom had previously pledged to back Harris if she were to run for president or become the nominee. He affirmed that commitment earlier this month saying of course he would support her. Biden, facing increasing pressure from within his own party to step aside, announced his decision shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday and quickly endorsed Harris to be the partys presidential nominee. At least three dozen Democratic elected officials had publicly called for the president to drop out in the days and weeks following his first debate against Republican nominee Trump, during which he repeatedly trailed off and appeared to lose his train of thought. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden said in a statement released Sunday. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Biden said he would speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about his decision. As Biden has struggled these past few weeks, Newsom emerged as a top possibility for Democrats to replace Biden if he were to drop out. In endorsing Harris, Newsom signaled he would not challenge her ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August. Newsom has previously insisted he does not want the job, and sought instead to keep Democrats focused on defeating Trump, firmly backing Biden after the first debate when questions about the presidents mental acuity broke into the open. We arent going to turn our backs because of one performance. What kind of party does that? he wrote in a fundraising email the morning after the debate. Breaking News President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing story: With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement California Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to Joe Biden dropping out. Heres what he said Why some say Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear would make a great VP candidate With Biden out, what could be next for NC Gov. Roy Cooper? As calls for Biden to step aside grew louder in the weeks following the debate, Newsom remained a top defender for the president. He traveled to swing states to campaign for him and defended Biden in the media. With Biden out of the running, Harris is best positioned to become the partys front-runner, though some Democrats including Speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi have reportedly expressed support for an open convention to choose a replacement. By Sunday afternoon, many Democratic elected officials rallied around Harris as the presumptive nominee. In recent weeks, Newsom has sought to redirect critiques of Biden and to the possibility of a second Trump term, comparing the presidential race as one between light and darkness. The contrast is profound, he said earlier this month. Its a matter of character, decency and honor. Contrast that with the darkness that is Donald Trump. Newsom said no state has more to lose than California if Trump is reelected, citing the federal governments ability to block Californias strongest-in-the-nation vehicle emissions standards and further restrict abortion and other reproductive rights. Millions and millions of women (will) be denied basic freedoms and access, he said. Thats the world were living in under Donald Trump. This is a consequential moment for all Californians and all Americans. San Antonio police said they arrested Gabriel Rene Aleman, 29, on Saturday in connection with the death of a Kerrville woman earlier that day. Authorities said Aleman shot and killed a woman in Kerrville Saturday morning before coming to San Antonio in an attempt to hide from police. Oliver Helbig/Getty Images A man suspected of fatally shooting a woman in Kerrville was arrested in San Antonio on Saturday night, police said. Gabriel Rene Aleman, 29, was arrested around 10 p.m. in the 9400 block of Wurzbach Road, according to a preliminary police report. San Antonio police officers arrested Aleman after surveilling a home in the 400 block of San Gabriel where Aleman was believed to be hiding from police, the report states. Aleman was wanted by Kerrville authorities in connection with the death of Deanna Leann Arispe, 36. Kerrville police said she was shot and killed Saturday morning in the 2800 block of Hunt Street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After Kerrville police notified the San Antonio Police Department that Aleman was hiding from law enforcement at the home on San Gabriel, SAPD set up surveillance outside the residence. SAPD said Aleman was seen leaving the home in a red Ford Fusion and that police followed him. Aleman was arrested on Wurzbach Road while exiting the vehicle. Casandra Carin Moreno, 31, also was arrested, for giving Aleman a ride to San Antonio after the shooting, according to Kerrville police. She is currently being held at the Kerr County jail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Scoop Supporters of California Governor Gavin Newsom are circulating a polling memo making the case for the Democratic nomination for president. The memo, which was shared with Newsoms donors and political supporters before President Joe Biden withdrew from the race Sunday, analyzes seven recent public polls to conclude that Newsom is one of the strongest possible candidates and as strong if not stronger as any of the top Democrats being mentioned as a potential candidate, performing similarly to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and outperforming Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Newsom has better net favorability ratings and lower negatives than Biden and Harris the California pollster Ben Tulchin wrote in the July 18 memo, addressed to Newsom. Tulchin, who has worked for Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris in the past, said he sent the memo independently because he was concerned about the direction of the party. Newsom has told supporters before Sunday that he wouldnt challenge Biden, a person familiar with those conversations said. While the future remains unpredictable and there may not be an opportunity for the Governor to run this election, nevertheless we thought it would be helpful if you had relevant data along with key talking points to be able to make the case that Newsom can win should such an opportunity present itself, Tulchin writes. He said in an interview that both candidates are stronger than Biden would have been. Gavin has strengths, Kamala has strength with younger voters and Black voters, he said. Its just trying to get the party to be open to recognizing that were better with somebody else. Bens view Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by the president and gathering momentum among Democrats, appears on track to be the Democratic nominee. But whether she faces a convention challenge will be up to other potential candidates. Newsom, with his national profile, media savvy, and fundraising ability, is in some sense the only other Democrat obviously able to step onto the national stage. And as the memo suggests, some around him would like him to seize the moment. Room for Disagreement Newsom has his doubters in California as well, CalMatters found recently. Gavin Newsom has become a more politically polarized candidate in a more politically polarized time, one pollster noted. Thats one thing that a governor experiences when they put themselves in the national spotlight. Notable This weeks Republican National Convention is in the books. It got off to an emotional start for the party with the appearance of Donald Trump on Monday after surviving an assassination attempt. That deadly shooting killed a firefighter who took a bullet to protect his family. Two more people were seriously injured. It brought immediate calls to take the political rhetoric down a notch. Those calls wound up being immediately ignored. J.D. Vance started by blaming the shooting on Democrats two days before being announced as Donald Trumps running mate. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin addressed the RNC on national television by calling the Democratic Party a clear and present danger. Democrats have been campaigning on the argument that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, and David Frum, who is a conservative but ardent never Trumper, points to Donald Trumps own behavior where he ridiculed the attack on Nancy Pelosis husband and made fun of the plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. Host Jim Niedelman brings back Kay Pence and Drue Mielke. I am concerned it could get more out of hand, Pence said. A lot of people started pushing blame before they had any idea who caused it or why. We need to focus on issues and facts, not personalities, Mielke said. We need to keep it, [as] people say, high end, classy. To hear more from the panelists, click on the video. Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. As the August Primary approaches, our Candidate Conversations continue in the Missouri Attorney General and Governor races, on both sides of the aisle. Will Scharf, whos taking on current A.G. Andrew Bailey in the GOP Primary, is perhaps best known as an attorney for former President Donald Trump. Scharf discusses his campaign, why hes taking on a fellow conservative, and discusses some of the issues facing an attorney general in the Show-Me state. Watch Republican Andrew Baileys appearance on 4 The People here. Then, Democrat governor hopeful Eric Morrison of Kansas City joins to discuss his third try at the office in Missouri. Morrison is a pastor who has raised little money and has garnered few votes in his last two attempts (2016 and 2020) but explains why once again he is seeking the long-shot nomination. FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up to get top politics headlines in your inbox He also discusses some of the issues facing the next governor, including the states role in stadium funding and state control of the Kansas City Police Department. Watch Democrat Crystal Quades appearance on 4 The People here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Joyce Turner has watched the Capital Lakefair Grand Parade proceed through her South Capitol neighborhood about 40 times. Her reason for doing so year after year: the community coming together. Turner was just one among the crowds of people who came together on Saturday afternoon to watch the parade make its way to Capitol Way and Fifth Avenue. A longtime South Capitol resident, Turner told The Olympian she watches the parade every year she is in town and looks forward to the bands and floats. Its just the community, Turner said. I mean, its a great community event. Its something that brings out all kinds of people from all kinds of places. Though there were no bands this year, there were floats. One float, red-green and bright with faux strawberries and strawberry flowers, was from the annual Marysville Strawberry Festival. Part of the Northwest Festival Hosting Association, the festival has paraded its float in not just Olympia, but Seattle, Portland, Spokane and other cities in the region. As temperatures nudged the 90-degree mark for the second year in a row at the 2024 Capital Lakefair Grand Parade, the hometown royal court (center) staged a quick, pre-parade dance party with visiting royalty before traveling north down Capitol Way. Tom King, vice president and volunteer, told The Olympian that Olympia parade-goers always give great support to the festival, which has entered the parade for about nine years. Its very rewarding to go down a parade route and see families and kids having a great time, King said. It sort of reinstills my faith in humanity. Alongside the floats paraded motorcycles, classic cars, a hearse and even two horses, named Belle and Midge. Ellensburg Rodeo Posse members Morgan Farrell and posse Capt. Roy Chance along with their parade partners Midge and Belle get set for the start of the annual 2024 Capital Lakefair Grand Parade on Saturday evening. Their riders were Roy Chance and Morgan Farrell, captain and member of the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse, which enters parades and rodeos all over Washington to promote the annual Ellensburg Rodeo. A Thurston County posse has invited them to the parade for years, Farrell told The Olympian. Since Ellensburg shows support for Thurston County at the parade, Thurston County shows support for Ellensburg at the Ellensburg Rodeo. Thurston supports us and we support Thurston, Farrell said. Its just kind of a camaraderie with the posses across the state. Before the start of the parade, Capital Lakefair volunteers awarded the posse a Best Horse Drill Team blue ribbon, which Midge wore around her neck for the rest of it. This year, the parade saw over 60 other entries from the region and as far away as Canada. Its wonderful how the neighboring communities all participate. They bring their floats, we bring our float, Turner said. I just think its a way to bring more people to our city, and for many in our city to go to other communities as well. It took a real dummy to be shot out of a cannon by the Shriners parade entourage as spectators and entrants weathered temperatures near 90 at the 2024 Capital Lakefair Grand Parade. Local Milwaukee reporter Pavlina Osta shared on social media Sunday that her father was killed in a shooting at the family's jewelry business in Florida. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported Friday that 83-year-old John Craiger shot and killed Ghazi (Gus) Osta at Volusia Gold & Diamond. Craiger is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said the shooting appeared to be a dispute between Osta and Craiger, who was a customer, rather than a robbery. Daytona Beach Police investigate a shooting at Volusia Gold & Diamond the left one person dead and another injured in Daytona Beach, Friday, July 19, 2024. A GoFundMe set up by the family confirmed Osta was a "victim of a horrific act of violence by a frequent customer." The family said an employee who shot and wounded Craiger saved himself and two other employees. The Osta family is seeking donations to manage hospital and funeral expenses. Just over $1,000 of their $40,000 goal was raised by early Sunday afternoon. "Our dad was always striving to help those around him. He loved his community, and they loved him back. He will be deeply missed," the family wrote. "Our family will never be the same. Our lives will be so empty and quieter without him. This is an overwhelmingly difficult time in our lives, and we are asking for help within our community." Pavlina Osta, one of four children in the family, joined CBS58 in spring as an anchor and reporter after working in Michigan and New York City. In an Instagram post Sunday morning, Osta said "this pain is excruciating." Osta said she is back home with her family, adding she planned to make a weekend visit to Florida before her flights were canceled. Flights were canceled or delayed at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport this weekend due to a global technology outage. "I miss him so so much. Just knowing I was so close to seeing him ... makes it all the more unbearable," Osta said. "Please keep us in your prayers as we try to navigate this new reality." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Local reporter's father killed in Florida shooting at jewelry store Celebrities Respond to Joe Biden Announcing He Is Stepping Down From the Campaign Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, July 21. The President tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and in a statement to his followers on social media, he explained his intention to put all of his energy into his remaining time in office. While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote. In a later tweet on X, formerly Twitter, he endorsed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic nominee he believed best suited to face off against Republican nominee Donald Trump in November. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice-president, he said. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democratsits time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. The news has sent shockwaves through the Democratic party and likely America at large. It can certainly be felt on social media platforms, where people were quick to respond to the news. Amongst them were the celebrities, politicians, and even Bidens family members, many of whom had supported Biden through his 2020 campaign and intended to do so again this year. Here are some of their reactions to the announcement: DNC merch man, who already had them 'IM RIDING WIT BIDEN' shirts printed up for the convention. pic.twitter.com/nR3DlR3rp2 Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) July 21, 2024 Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country. Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 21, 2024 President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 21, 2024 A courageous and selfless decision. The President did what hes done for the last four years - he listened to the American people and put the countrys interests ahead of his own. The exact opposite of Donald Trump. https://t.co/mvpjq3EXMM Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) July 21, 2024 Donald Trump is the oldest nominee in American political history. Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) July 21, 2024 Yall got yall wish. Now what? Because to assume VP Harris is next person up is assuming a lot. https://t.co/a3LF7PKqhL Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 21, 2024 In my heart im tortured, Because I Dont believe the Democrats Can win the Presidency WithPres Biden Joewhom Ive Loved since we met in 2008.I Campaigned for him I believe ITS TIME 2 PASS THE BATON. TIME 4 DEMS 2 THINK WAY OUTSIDE THE BOX. MAYBE EVEN A SPLIT TICKET Cher (@cher) July 21, 2024 Im nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he beenand will continue to bethe most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) July 21, 2024 Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his 4 year term. We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy. Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) July 21, 2024 You Might Also Like AUSTIN (KXAN) The 2024-2025 school year is around the corner and many parents are asking which school districts will offer free lunch. All school districts have the opportunity to apply for the Community Eligibility Provision program but not all districts may eligible for the state program. In order to be eligible for this program each school must have a high enough percentage of students that are automatically eligible for free school meals also known as, an Identified Student Percentage or ISP. Those students are those who participate certain federal programs such as SNAP and others. As of 2023 each school must have at least 25% ISP students enrolled to be eligible for CEP. Schools offering free lunch School not offering free lunch School districts and individual campuses not able to offer free lunch to students through the CEP program during the upcoming school year will offer additional programs to students that qualify. Parents can apply to the federally funded free and reduced lunch program through their school districts website: Central Texas school districts, if you are not on this list and would like to be added please reach out to us at KXANReportITPics@nexstar.tv. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BALTIMORE Baltimore is a city where there seems to be a church on so many corners. As the city ages and its population has dropped, many of these structures are becoming vacant. The Baltimore Archdiocese recently announced plans to close many of the places once considered cornerstones of their communities. So what is the fate of these buildings where infants were baptized, couples married and the dead were memorialized? What is the fate of a Bolton Hill landmark such as Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, a Gothic Revival building filled with England-made stained glass windows and inset mosaic tiles? It sits on the same block as the Maryland Institute College of Art, a pair of architectural monuments given by benefactor Michael Jenkins. It will take a while for the archdiocese to find their fate. They will continue to be used in a limited way for a while. A funeral could be held or perhaps a wedding, although regular Sunday services will disappear after the ending months of this year. But there are other houses of worship suffering declining congregations. The Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church is one such example. It is one of the most photographed structures in Baltimore. Standing as it does at the northeastern foot of the Washington Monument, designed with a mighty spire and clad in unusual Serpentine stone, its a knockout. And its up for sale. The church still has a small congregation and any buyer may have to find a spot for their worship within the structures footprint. There are also other issues. A closed and unattended church building invites trouble. Religious property broker Stephen Ferrandi, who is handling the Mount Vernon Place church sale, notes that a vacant church can wind up costing money. People identify a building as being vacant, they plunder it and take the metal it contains to the scrap yard, Ferrandi said. The first thing they take are outdoor air conditioning compressors. If they get inside, theres old copper water piping to take and sell. If the interior copper is stripped, the repair cost will be hundreds of thousands of dollars. Weve had churches where these metal strippers tore through the walls to get the pipes. Ferrandi identified Wesley Memorial United Methodist on Johnnycake Road and the Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Park Heights as buildings where this happened. As a real estate broker of church structures, many of them historic or at least old with noteworthy interiors, hes seen how time and rain can damage or destroy a structure. On the day when the old Strawbridge United Methodist Episcopal Church in Bolton Hill was up for auction, persons attending filled the building erected in 1881. Church officials, auctioneering staff and bidders were unaware of severe structural damage caused by years of unattended water damage. A church official fell through a rotted floor just inside the church entrance. After years of restoration work, the old Strawbridge church is now emerging as a community space (the former nave) and nine apartments spread through the basement and the old social hall. Strawbridges buyer and developer Daniel Kamenetz said, Its been a long process. Ferrandi says the easiest vacant churches to sell are those with parking on the property. He notes there is a market among Baltimores ethnic communities for church properties and cites how a Burmese Roman Catholic community fought successfully to keep Our Lady of Victory Church open. Sometimes an adjacent former parochial or large church hall can find a ready use. Other former parochial schools St. Mary Star of the Sea in Federal Hill is now the Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy and the old Holy Rosary School in Canton is the Christo Rey Jesuit High School. The Green School of Baltimore is housed in the former Shrine of the Little Flower School in Belair-Edison. But will developers or new congregations want to take on old pipe organs and the upkeep of 1880-era church spires? CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Charlotte airport hallways are still packed as flyers continue to work through issues stemming from Thursday nights global tech outage. The blackout caused thousands of delays and cancellations at airports across the country. Courtney Williams problems started Friday night. Last night, everything was good with the flight. It was in the green light. Everything was great. And then this morning, I got the text about 1115 saying that it was canceled, Williams told Queen City News during a Zoom interview. She was headed to Orlando with her toddler. Williams says confusion started right before the cancellation notification when she received a text message about a voucher for food or drinks. A faulty software update causes havoc worldwide for airlines, hospitals and governments They said in the text that I would get an email to know what to do, and that was at 11:15 a.m. today. And I still havent got a text or email from anybody on the airlines, Williams said. And trying to fix the issue has been even more complicated. I havent been able to get a hold of anyone to know whats going on. If Im going to get a refund or if I can reschedule, Ive tried to get on their app and do a chat because when you call, you dont get any information on that, she said. Williams eventually decided to drive her vehicle to Orlando and says, fortunately, she didnt lose a lot of money from the canceled Spirit flight. But not every passenger dealing with the ongoing impacts of the tech outage has the option of ditching the airport chaos for a road trip. Dorothy Slack and her husband were hoping to get back home to Dallas after vacationing in Cancun, but their flight was canceled. They were able to book a trip from Miami to Charlotte before getting stuck in the Queen City. PREVIOUS: Charlotte airport flights stalled, global tech outage impacting city and state services Then Miami is just a nonstop 1:00, 3:00, 430, 530. I dont even remember what time we originally got out of Miami, but then we got to Charlotte, North Carolina. And so, now our flight will not leave here until tonight at 10:00, Slack said. But their problems didnt stop there. The couple opted to rent a car but ran into an even bigger issue. Each rental car company at the Charlotte airport was either booked, or the car needed to be returned to the Charlotte location, leaving several families to camp out at the airport. We did not know. It was only to this extent. We just thought that, oh, okay, you know, a flight rerouted. I have $200 in my checking account and I can go back to work until possibly Wednesday, Slack said. The boards at the airport showing the slew of flight delays caused by the global tech outage. The Department of Transportation announced new rules in April requiring airlines to automatically give cash refunds to passengers for canceled and significantly delayed flights. Both Williams and Slack say theyve received nothing. Were going have to pay a lot more frontier. So its just now were trying to figure out, do we wait for those flights or are we spending less waiting on those flights? Are we going to spend less by trying to find a rental car or bus or whatever? she asked. American Airlines, Charlottes largest flight provider, says it fully recovered from the global tech outage. FlightAware data shows there were at least 55 cancellations at Charlotte Douglas today, compared to more than 200 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 Queen City News. HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) The trial of a man accused of killing a High Point University student in 2021 before fleeing to Tennessee has begun. Michael Cadogan is accused of killing Gianna Delgado, who was 19 and attending High Point University at the time. Cadogan was 24 at the time of the killing. Authorities say they were called to Pallas Way in High Point on June 21, 2021, to check on Delgado after a report that she had been assaulted. She was not found in her apartment, and Cadogan was identified as a suspect. Allegedly, Cadogan contacted a woman he knew telling her that he had strangled Delgado to death during an argument and needed help disposing of her car and body in Tennessee. She reported a homicide to the local police and they found Cadogan with Delgados body in the car. Man accused of killing 19-year-old High Point University student; taking her body to Tennessee He was extradited to High Point from Carter County and remained in Guilford County jail awaiting trial. Monday On Monday, the court began selecting jurors for the trial, and the High Point Enterprise reported that Guilford County Superior Court Judge Tonia Cutchin believes the trial will take two to three weeks. About 50 prospective jurors were brought in to fill out the 12-person jury. Tuesday On Tuesday, the woman that Cadogan contacted in the hours after he allegedly killed Delgado took the stand to elaborate more on her phone calls with him and her cooperation with the police. She says that she met Cadogan on Snapchat before June 21, and he called her saying that he had messed up. While Facetiming the woman, Cadogan allegedly showed her Delgados body. Father remembers slain 19-year-old High Point University student after man accused of killing her Cadogan had told the woman that he had struck and strangled Delgado during an argument about her allegedly cheating on him. She said she stayed on the phone with him while he bought supplies to clean up the crime scene, and he told her what kind of vehicle he would be in. On the stand, she explained that she had her cousin record the calls Cadogan was making to her. Then she took the recordings they had made of Cadogans calls to the police, and he purportedly continued to repeatedly call her even while she was speaking to officers. An investigator who spoke with the witness the night of Delgados killing took the stand after her and referenced the recorded evidence as well. I am scared for my own life: 911 call offers new details after man accused of killing 19-year-old High Point University student Video was shown to jurors and people in the courtroom that appeared to show Cadogan calling the witness. During the call, the woman tried to get Cadogan to incriminate himself, asking if he intended to throw Delgados body in the lake or drive her car into it. He hung up but called back and said he never thought he would get that mad. Delgados family was in the courtroom and appeared emotional as the video played out for the court, but Cadogan sat surrounded by deputies with a blank expression. Wednesday Wednesday was another day of tough testimony, with court resuming at 9:30 a.m. and more evidence presented to jurors and the courtroom. The testimony brought one juror to the point of tears. The first witness on Wednesday was a woman who had worked with Cadogan at Amazon, who had an off and on relationship with the suspect. She said on the stand that Cadogan had called her on June 21, 2021, and asked for her help moving something, but he wouldnt say what. She declined, but he asked several more times. Then, an investigator for Carter County, Tennessee, took the stand and described the scene after a deputy stopped him that night. They photographed the scene and took the vehicle to a secure location. If her story is able to save one life, I think she will be proud of me; father of murdered High Point University student heads to suspects extradition hearing In court, they showed the photographs the investigator took of the scene. It included letters and items that were addressed to Delgado, $1,500 in cash, a burner phone and prepaid cards. They then showed photographs of what was in the black and red tote that had been found in the car: Delgados remains, covered in bleach and black trash bags. The tote was brought into the courtroom, as well, sealed in a biohazard bag. In the afternoon, members of the High Point Police Department took the stand to discuss the crime scene left in High Point. A detective said they used a spray solution and found blood smeared on the walls of the apartment the two shared. The trial is set to continue on Thursday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The News China and the Philippines reached a tentative arrangement over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea that, for weeks, had been the site of standoff between the Chinese coast guard and the Philippine navy and civilian boats, Manila announced Sunday. The deal allows the Philippines to keep resupplying a deliberately beached ship that Filipino sailors have continued to work on in an effort to maintain the countrys territorial claim. China which controversially claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea has been harassing Philippine resupply missions to the beached ship by ramming vessels, firing water cannons, and, at one point, reportedly boarding a Philippine vessel. The deal could spark hope of Beijing reaching deals with other countries in the region that have similar disputes, including Malaysia and Vietnam, although it remains to seen if this agreement will work in practice, The Associated Press reported. FILE PHOTO: Giant screen shows news footage of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Beijing BEIJING (Reuters) -China released a policy document on Sunday, outlining known ambitions, from developing advanced industries to improving the business environment, with analysts spotting no sign of imminent structural shifts in the world's second biggest economy. The 60-point document's publication follows the closed-doors meeting of the Communist Party's Central Committee, led by President Xi Jinping, which takes place roughly every five years, and is known as a plenum. It was held from July 15-18 as China verges on deflation and faces a prolonged property crisis, surging debt and weak consumer and business sentiment. Trade tensions are also flaring, as global leaders grow increasingly wary of China's export dominance. These challenges have led some economists to urge Beijing to shift focus to boosting consumer demand and away from a debt-fuelled, investment-led model that funnels resources into manufacturing and infrastructure at the expense of households. China's long-term growth potential is at stake, these economists say. But the plenum reasserted China's quest for "new productive forces", a term Xi coined last year that envisions scientific research and technological upgrades of the country's sprawling industrial complex. It set out to "promote revolutionary breakthroughs in technology, innovative allocation of production factors, and in-depth industrial transformation and upgrading," the policy document said. It listed as strategic industries "new generation information technology, artificial intelligence, aviation and aerospace, new energy, new materials, high-end equipment, biomedicine, and quantum technology". "The overall industrial system is large but not strong, comprehensive but not refined, key and core technologies are controlled by others," state media quoted Xi as telling the plenum. The plenum was initially expected late last year, but was postponed without explanation. STATE-LED INNOVATION AND GROWTH Gary Ng, Asia-Pacific senior economist at Natixis, said that the plenum painted a future of "state-led economic growth, innovation and security". "An all-in bet on manufacturing and new productive forces may not be adequate as it is full of uncertainties," Ng said. The document also reiterated that markets will play a decisive role in resource allocation, that the government will work on legislation to improve conditions for the private sector, and flagged fiscal and financial reforms. Other policy targets included boosting affordable housing, improving job opportunities for young people and the standard of living for the elderly. Like most documents of this kind, it did not say how Chinese leaders intended to reach those goals, many of which would require policies that are contradictory in nature, as Party officials acknowledged on Friday. Beijing has never explained, for instance, how to get consumers to spend more when resources flow primarily to producers and infrastructure, or how it plans to stimulate growth, while curbing debt. At a plenum in 2013, Beijing launched a policy agenda that included most of the goals listed in Sunday's document, but also ambitions to liberalise financial markets and make domestic consumption a more prominent driver of growth. A capital outflows scare in 2015 halted many of these plans. Many analysts say national security considerations have pushed China in the opposite direction in recent years, tightening control over large parts of the economy and carrying out regulatory crackdowns on industries, including tech and finance. TAX CHANGES One area where analysts expect to see new measures soon is local government finances, as policymakers look to ease concerns over municipal debt of more than $13 trillion that poses risks to financial institutions and economic growth. In 2023, local governments' fiscal revenues accounted for 54% of the nation's total, while their expenditure accounted for 86%, data from the finance ministry showed. The plenum flagged plans to address that imbalance. It said local administrations would be allowed to gradually retain more of the consumption tax, which is currently fully transferred to the central government and accounts for almost a tenth of all revenues. "It is the most urgent thing to expand the tax sources for local governments," said Zhaopeng Xing, senior China strategist at ANZ. "The current fiscal situation is definitely not good." (Reporting by Sarah Wu, Ellen Zhang, Liangping Gao, Kevin Yao, Li Qiaoyi; Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by William Mallard and Barbara Lewis) (Bloomberg) -- Chinas health regulator urged local authorities to better protect the personal safety of medical staff after a doctor was killed in an attack in the eastern city of Wenzhou. Most Read from Bloomberg A cardiovascular internist was attacked by a patient on Friday and passed away the following day, the Chinese Medical Doctor Association said in a statement on its website. No reasons for the attack were disclosed. Violent harm inflicted on medical personnel is a serious illegal and criminal act and we strongly condemn it, the National Health Commission said in a statement posted on its official wechat account on Saturday night. Local authorities should improve hospital safety prevention systems and effectively implement security measures. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Church of the Servant's new pastor talks about his new OKC post The Rev. Kyle Anderson, newly appointed senior pastor of Church of the Servant, is seen recently in the sanctuary of the church at 14600 N MacArthur in Oklahoma City. The new leader of an Oklahoma City church remembered moving multiple times during his childhood due to his father's job in the oil industry. The Rev. Kyle Anderson, new senior pastor of Church of the Servant, said that he became familiar with the cycle of moving from place to place well before he became an ordained minister with the United Methodist Church, known for its clergy deployment system based on itineracy. "My father works for Halliburton, so I'd say I was itinerant before I became a pastor," Anderson said with a chuckle. Still, when Oklahoma United Methodist Bishop Jimmy Nunn asked him to consider taking the helm of Church of the Servant, 14343 N MacArthur, Anderson wondered if he could leave First United Methodist Church of Stillwater, where he was serving as senior pastor. Anderson, 39, said he knew Church of the Servant had experienced difficulties during a high-profile season of disaffiliations from the United Methodist Church. Ultimately, he committed to leading and guiding the congregation forward so he arrived in June ready to serve. He preached his first Sunday as Church of the Servant senior pastor on June 30. More: Displaced Oklahoma United Methodists say they've found peace in 'lighthouse' churches It wasn't the idea of going to Church of the Servant that initially gave him pause when the bishop asked him to consider the move. Anderson said it was the idea that he would have to walk away from Stillwater-First, where he had been a minister for 13 years. He said he and his wife, Heather, had come to know and love the Stillwater congregation over the years. The couple celebrated the births of their two children, son Kaden, 9, and daughter Rowan, 4, with the congregation. They had also navigated the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic together. Then, Anderson said the Lord shared a message with him as he stood in the pulpit on Palm Sunday at Stillwater-First. He said God told him that "they (Stillwater congregation) are going to be all right." Once he told the congregation he had accepted another pastoral post, one member's understanding response touched the minister's heart. "He said, 'What's good for the kingdom (of God) is good for Stillwater-First,'" Anderson said, his voice filled with emotion. A statue of Jesus is seen inside the sanctuary, known as the Celebration Center, at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City. Focus on servant leadership Anderson said he knew about Church of the Servant long before he was asked to be its newest leader. He said the church that was founded by the Rev. Norman Neaves in 1968 has been well known for years. Perhaps one of the Oklahoma City metro area's first megachurches, the church is generally known for its community outreach and its sprawling building on property in the far northwest metro area. As part of a disaffiliation trend in the international United Methodist Church, Church of the Servant and First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City (known as First Church) separately took the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference to civil court over matters related to ending affiliation with the denomination. Church of the Servant's vote to disaffiliate in September 2022 was unsuccessful. The bid to disaffiliate fell short by less than a handful of votes, indicating that there were many people on both sides of the issue. The church's trustee board subsequently took the Oklahoma conference to district court when conference leaders denied the church another vote on the issue. The cases ultimately went to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which ruled in the conference's favor, saying that the court lacked jurisdiction in the matter because it involved ecclesiastical issues reserved for church entities. Due to the ruling, Church of the Servant did not get a second vote to consider severing denominational ties, and it remains a part of the United Methodist denomination, along with First Church. Anderson said he felt honored when he was asked to lead the church, regardless of disaffiliation issues. "It has such a storied history," he said. The Rev. Kyle Anderson, the newly appointed senior pastor of Church of the Servant More: Oklahoma Supreme Court rules against two churches in United Methodist exit cases Anderson said 402 people people attended weekend worship at Church of the Servant on his first Sunday. He said the church's attendance may not be at the level it was years ago, but it "continues to have amazing faithfulness and fruitfulness." "And there's an excitement here for continuing and expanding upon that," the minister said. His first sermon series has focused on servanthood, with Christ as a model of servant leadership. He said the series is fitting because its focus is at the heart of Church of the Servant's foundation. And there is a statue of Jesus that is featured in the church's sanctuary. It depicts Jesus kneeling in front of a basin of water preparing to wash someone's feet, as he did during the Last Supper for his disciples, as described in the Gospel. Leaning in on the concept of servant leadership, Anderson said is looking forward to the future with his Church of the Servant congregation. The move from Stillwater to the Oklahoma City metro area gave him a chance to be a servant for the Lord, for the church, his family, his previous congregation and the new one. "The beautiful side for me on that is the church doesn't belong to the pastor," he said. Anderson said that knowledge doesn't negate the pain and sorrow of saying farewell to a congregation, but he currently hopes to walk alongside his Church of the Servant congregation in similar fashion. The Rev. Kyle Anderson, the newly appointed senior pastor of Church of the Servant, is pictured July 11 inside the church in Oklahoma City. More: New United Methodist ministers reveal why they're excited for the denomination amid rift "It was very important to me that the church have a voice," he said. "There's times where you have to really step in and really kind of help take the reins, and other times it's 'Y'all got the reins,' and I'm kind of helping out and guiding, directing and giving wisdom. I see that's a positive." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kyle Anderson, new Church of the Servant pastor, talks about the post Support for SLO Countys LGBTQ community Haters showed a porn video at SLO County meeting (sanluisobispo.com, July 12) For the past 50 years, The Episcopal Church has been welcoming LGBTQ+ people. The seven Episcopal churches in San Luis Obispo County all have LGBTQ and non-gender binary members, many of whom are in leadership positions. As welcoming and inclusive churches, we abhor all expressions of hate and anti-gay prejudice such as those seen at the recent Board of Supervisors meeting. We celebrate Pride, and commit ourselves to continuing to build a community here in San Luis Obispo where ALL people are welcome. Episcopal Clergy of San Luis Obispo County Submitted on behalf of the group by the Rev. Caroline Hall Pay to move dirt and debris? Would Measure 24-A block Morro Bay battery plant project? (sanluisobispo.com, July 8) As I understand it, the ballot initiative A-24 in the November election would freeze land use zoning on the power plant site for visitor-serving/commercial only. I have been told this land would be valuable to people who want to start new hotels and restaurants and such. I wonder who would pay to clean up the sites? I know there are legal restrictions on how the land can be used because it is polluted and the giant power plant itself is a huge mess to tear down. Who is going to foot the bill? It just cant be Morro Bay. And no regular developer is going to spend millions cleaning the sites before they even start to build. Maybe an industrial use would be better anyway but you couldnt do that if A-24 passes. A-24 is a bad idea that ties our hands. Lynda Merrill Morro Bay Whats a Democrat to do? I have spent much of the past week watching the Republican National Convention with more than a bit of morbid fascination, much like watching a violent car crash in slow motion. The Republicans seem to be rallying around their partys ticket at the same time Democrats are pulling away from President Joe Biden. Unfortunately, Biden is presenting as an old man whose faculties are failing him, but he refuses to see and acknowledge the loss. While he is still so much better a man and human than DJT, many who are polled say they wont vote for someone who, in their view, is not capable of handling the job of president. If Biden were to step aside, the logical and I think best candidate for the Democrats is Vice President Kamala Harris. So, who might be the best running mate for Harris? I would love to see a uniting step across the aisle with one of the many decent, thinking and morally upright Republicans who have and continue to oppose DJT. I recently saw an interview of former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and was impressed with his views and how he stated them. And I have also been impressed for many years with Liz Cheney, who stood up against DJT, knowing it would cost her dearly. I know. I know. Their stands on many issues are not completely in line with Democrats positions. But having their views heard within the team, behind closed doors, and hammering out compromises is so much better than a radical GOP team that would round up millions, take revenge on opponents and generally operate with the knowledge that anything they do cannot be judged as illegal. Ron Gottesman Arroyo Grande Keep Biden Dont the Democrats realize that by trying to persuade Joe Biden to resign from the 2024 election they are opening the presidency to Donald Trump? Any other candidate for the Democrats wouldnt have a chance of replacing Biden at this late date. Biden should be supported, not picked at constantly about resigning. Janet F. Langton Templeton This makes me angry Democrats complain about Republicans and right wing organizations doing this and that and the other. After decades of this nonsense, Democrats are still behaving as if political decisions are in the hands of Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom. Listen carefully, Democrats. These right-wing organizations and individuals are well-financed, patient and persistent, among other qualities, and play seriously with whatever it takes. They also understand that they are the minority and therefore do what it takes. The serious ones are deadly serious and not interested in democracy. So, Democrats, what will it take to make you behave as if your future is a matter of life and death? How long are you going to let a minority of religious bigots, blind ideologues and ruthless politicians dictate the direction of the nation? How long? Fabrizio Griguoli Shell Beach Immunity ruling The July 1 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court gave too much power to a former president, and the ruling by Judge Eileen Cannon granting him further immunity from prosecution for stealing classified documents when he left the White House is outrageous and a dangerous precedent for our democratic system of government. No one is above the law, including Donald Trump. He is an extremely dangerous person, and should not be allowed to run for any government office. How dare he challenge our democracy and our American rights. He must be held accountable for his many criminal actions. How long do we continue to admire the Emperors new clothes and forgive his many abuses of power? I beg all Americans to realize these facts before voting in the general election. Everyone would lose if he wins, including reduction of Social Security payments, Medicare, civil rights protections and climate change laws. He is a convicted felon (X34) and incited insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, against the U.S. government. What more evidence do you need to oppose him? Peggy A. Woodruff San Luis Obispo City of Chamblee names Kristen Gorham as its next city manager The City of Chamblee has a new city manager, they announced in a news release. Kristen Gorham was appointed at the July 16 city council meeting and will start her new role on Aug. 1. As city manager, Gorham will oversee the day-to-day operations of all city departments and staff. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] We are thrilled to announce Kristen Gorham as our new City Manager, said Mayor Brian Mock. Her vision, expertise, and dedication to public service align perfectly with our goals for the community. We look forward to continuing our work together to enhance the quality of life for all residents. Gorham is replacing former city manager John Walker, who resigned the position in October 2023. TRENDING STORIES: I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as City Manager for the City of Chamblee, said Gorham. I am excited to continue to work alongside the City Council, staff, and residents to achieve our shared vision for a vibrant and thriving city. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The City of Pittsburgh hosted a special event celebrating the life of a beloved iceball stand owner. Gus Kalaris, owner of Gus & YiaYias Cart on the citys North Side, died on June 29. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh legend Gus Kalaris, owner of Gus & YiaYias iceball stand, dies He had served flavored iceballs for decades. The stand opened in 1934 and he took over in 1951. PHOTOS: Gus and YiaYias through the years Pittsburgh officials and community members decided to take some time on Saturday to officially honor Kalaris with a celebration of life event on Saturday. Visitors left flowers on the stand at Allegheny Commons Park and shared photos of Kalaris as they had some flavored iceballs. Mayor Ed Gainey attended the event and later made a special statement about Kalaris. Gus Kalaris embodied Pittsburgh. You got more than just an ice ball when you came to see Gus. You had someone to care about you, even if he didnt know you. It takes somebody special to make others feel special, and Gus did that for so many people, Gainey said. Gus Kalaris embodied Pittsburgh. You got more than just an ice ball when you came to see Gus. You had someone to care about you, even if he didnt know you. It takes somebody special to make others feel special, and Gus did that for so many people. pic.twitter.com/Ms61WrMIVv Mayor Ed Gainey (@MayorEdGainey) July 20, 2024 Gainey encouraged others to continue Kalariss legacy by treating others with kindness and wished everyone a Happy Gus Kalaris Day. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 3 people dead, 1 person hurt in overnight Lawrence County crash Massive hunting property in Pennsylvania, nearly 7K acres, has sold PHOTOS: Emergency crews respond to deadly Slippery Rock Township crash VIDEO: Woman in wheelchair hit by City of Pittsburgh garbage truck DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts It doesnt happen very often: the city government gives you money. But a curious turn of events unfolded in Seattle, leading to 44,000 car owners and businesses getting unexpected $10 checks. This peculiar refund was the result of a bureaucratic oversight: The city had increased a vehicle tab fee without providing adequate public notice. The story begins with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), which oversees a hefty operating fund exceeding $300 million earmarked for the citys transportation services and infrastructure maintenance. Julie Johnson, the citys Office of City Finance chief of staff, told The Seattle Times that the refunds would be drawn from this fund. Despite the significant payout totaling $490,510, SDOT said there would not be an impact on department programs. The plot thickens with a flashback to November 2022, when the City Council voted to raise the Seattle Transportation Benefit District vehicle license fee from $40 to $50. This increase was projected to generate an additional $4 million annually, with the first $1.5 million allocated for safety enhancements on the Northeast 45th Street bridge over Interstate 5. These improvements were just one component of a grander scheme to earthquake-proof the bridge, supported mainly by the $930 million Levy to Move Seattle, which voters passed in 2015. The transportation benefit district itself was established in 2010 to fund city transportation projects. Initially, the vehicle license fee was a modest $20 per year. However, in November 2014, Seattleites voted to hike the fee to $60 and slightly increase the sales tax, thereby boosting King County Metro services and raising over $45 million annually. Fast forward to the end of 2020, when the voter-approved fee expired, and the City Council, doubling as the benefit districts administrators, implemented a $40 fee. Then, in a twist of fate, on November 29, 2022, the council decided to up the fee to $50, aiming to start collections by July 2023. Fee increase notice came too late, leading to $10 checks But fate had other plans. The city clerk posted the fee increase notice in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce on Oct. 18, 2023, and the state Department of Licensing was set to begin collecting the new fee on Dec. 1. But state law mandates a 90-day gap between announcing an increase and its implementation. This legal requirement meant the new fee couldnt be lawfully collected until Jan. 18, 2024. By then, it was too late; the increased fee notices had already been processed. In the aftermath, nearly 50,000 vehicles renewed their tabs during the period from Dec. 1, 2023, to Jan. 18, 2024, and were thus eligible for the refund. This incident serves as a small chapter in the larger narrative of Seattles automotive landscape, which, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, includes approximately 460,000 vehicles. Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X here and email him here. CHICAGO The Democratic National Convention at Chicagos United Center is a month away, and the citys treasurer is joining the ranks of Democrats urging President Joe Biden to step aside so Vice President Kamala Harris can take over as the Democratic presidential nominee. READ MORE: WGNs full coverage of the Democratic National Convention Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin released a statement Sunday morning calling on Biden to end his reelection campaign and endorsing Harris. The DNC is Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. In her statement, Conyears-Ervin praised Biden. But she also said the president is no longer the best candidate to beat former President Donald Trump, who officially accepted the GOP presidential nomination during last weeks Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. I love Joe Biden, and it pains me greatly to ask him to end his campaign to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, Conyears-Ervin said in her statement. But the risk to this country is too great for him to shoulder alone when it is plainly obvious that he is no longer the strongest candidate our party can nominate. Since a poor debate performance, Biden has faced mounting calls from his own party and other congressional leaders to step aside. On Sunday, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) became the fifth senator to call on Biden to drop out of the presidential race. According to some overseas betting sits, Harris odds of winning the 2024 presidential election against Trump have now overtaken Bidens. Despite calls for the incumbent president to step aside, Bidens campaign reiterated in a post-RNC memo that he will be the Democratic nominee once again. In her statement Sunday endorsing Harris, Conyears-Ervin said she will support Biden if he does secure the Democratic nomination in Chicago next month. But shes pushing for Harris to do so instead. If President Biden is our nominee, I will enthusiastically support him, Conyears-Ervin said in her statement. But he should not be. He should pass the torch to the woman he chose to succeed him when the times demand so: Vice President Kamala Harris. Donald Trump is for only one person: himself. To counter the forces of selfishness, division, and hate, we need to respond with selflessness, unity, and love for our country. WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek: What will Biden, Democrats do now? In praising Biden, Conyears-Ervin specifically cited what hes done for the Black community. As a Black woman, he has been one of our nations great presidents, she said in her statement. He has centered his administration, agenda, and nominations around equity and inclusion. He successfully appointed the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, the first Black man to be Secretary of Defense, and he has prioritized the Black community in his signature infrastructure, clean energy, and economic policy accomplishments. He has made me so proud to be an American, and I will forever be grateful to him for not only inspiring me, but my young daughter who will know, from her earliest memory, that Black women have a seat at the table of our highest institutions. Conyears-Ervin says Biden has a chance to do something else historic, to step aside so Harris can run against Trump. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines President Biden has a historic, legacy-defining opportunity to do something only our greatest leaders have ever done: relinquish power because its the right thing to do, Conyears-Ervin said in her statement. I am encouraging him to end his bid for the presidency, endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, and give our country the opportunity to stop Donald Trumps campaign to bring revenge, corruption, and division back to the White House. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Theres a clear case for NC Gov. Roy Cooper to be on the 2024 presidential ticket | Opinion Now that President Joe Biden has left the 2024 presidential ticket, theres a chance that North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper could join it. The Democratic presidential nominee will likely be Vice President Kamala Harris, who has Bidens endorsement. That scenario could bring Cooper into play as Harris running mate. The logic of choosing Cooper is plain. An experienced white, male southern governor would provide balance. Cooper might also tip North Carolina and its 16 Electoral College votes into the Democratic column, a victory that would sharply narrow Trumps path back to the presidency. Cooper, 67, has been loyal to Biden. That continued Sunday after Biden exited the race. Im deeply grateful to call President Joe Biden my friend, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his service to our great nation, Cooper said in a statement Sunday afternoon. Cooper went on to endorse Harris. Appearing on the news talk show Morning Joe on Monday, Cooper waved off questions about his prospects for joining the ticket. I appreciate people talking about me, he said, but I think the focus right now needs to be on (Harris) this week. He added, The vice presidential conversation needs to occur later. The logic behind Cooper as a potential vice presidential candidate is clear. He has won statewide elections six times (four as attorney general and twice as governor) in a state that went for the Republican presidential candidate in the last three elections. Although known for his reserved manner, Cooper is a strong campaigner. He has drawn on his Nash County roots to attract enough rural votes to win in years that have favored Republicans. More rural appeal is something that the Democratic ticket will sorely need. Cooper has strongly supported public schools, which remain a popular issue despite Republican attempts to expand vouchers for private schools. Coopers own ambitions could complicate the issue. Term-limited from seeking reelection, he is said to be eyeing a run for U.S. Senate in 2026 and is named on media lists as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. Joining an emergency ticket this year would complicate those options. Gary Pearce, a longtime adviser to former Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt who now blogs about politics, said Cooper has much to recommend him for national office. Pearce said, Hes the most popular political figure in North Carolina today. He just has a personality that inspires confidence. Cooper is a strong ally of both Biden and Harris, whom he has known since both served as attorneys general. As a former chair of the Democratic Governors Association, Cooper has a clear sense of the national political landscape. Pope Mac McCorkle, a Democratic consultant and now a professor of the practice at the Sanford School of Public Policy, said he thinks its unlikely that Cooper enters the vice presidential picture. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is also being floated as a possible running mate on a Harris ticket. Given the tightness of the race, McCorkle said, Democrats would be likely to use the tickets second slot to shore up support in the crucial blue state of Pennsylvania instead of an uncertain North Carolina. Marc Hetherington, a UNC-Chapel Hill political scientist who researches political polarization, said Cooper is the kind of moderate politician who could unite groups behind a new Democratic ticket. He is a rare talent, somebody who seems to appeal quite well to the less progressive constituencies while at the same time not bothering the progressives because hes not liberal enough, Heatherington said. Not many political figures are able to do that. Its a hard balance to strike. Cooper has a talent for winning, but its more from calculation than inspiration. He has taken a more aggressive and progressive approach in dealing with a hostile, Republican-controlled state legislature, but even his admirers consider the cautious governor charisma-challenged. But Heatherington said that, too, can be an asset. In a turbulent political environment, he said, perhaps we all could use a little bit of bland right now. Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com DENVER (KDVR) A few hours after a text to 911, a climber was safely rescued from a difficult terrain area near North Maroon Peak. Just before 1 p.m. Saturday, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 text from a climber who said they were trapped but not injured. Denver weather: Storms bring heavy rain, hail, flooding, lightning to metro area GPS location showed that the climber was well off the standard climbing route, heading toward the central couloir of North Maroon Peak, the Pitkin County Sheriffs Office said in a release. This embedded content is not available in your region. Another person was nearby and heard the climber yelling for help. The sheriffs office said they used their Garmin device to notify first responders. Rescue efforts began. At 2:45 p.m., a rescue team from Mountain Rescue Aspen started up the trail to the climber while a hoist helicopter from the High Altitude Aviation Training School responded to assist. At 4:15 p.m., the rescue helicopter was above the climber and he was hoisted up within a few minutes. The climber and all of the rescue team members were safely out of the field by 6:05 p.m. The Pitkin County Sheriffs Officer and Mountain Rescue Aspen would like to remind people entering the backcountry they should be knowledgeable of their hiking and climbing routes and not deviate from those routes, the sheriffs office said in the release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. (KRON) President Joe Biden announced the termination of his reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton endorsed Harris. Bay Area politicians react to Biden dropping out of presidential race In a joint statement, the Clintons said, We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, they wrote. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her. The Clintons continued, Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it. Former President Barack Obama released a statement referring to Biden as a patriot of the highest order. Despite Obamas glowing opinion of Biden and his decision to drop out of the presidential race, he did not endorse Harris. Harris is from Oakland and served as the San Francisco District Attorney and the California Attorney General. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Clyburn to Manchin: This is not the Democratic Party of my father and that is a great thing Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) went after Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) after the senator said Sunday that he chose to leave the Democratic Party because the party had changed too much. This is not the Democratic Party of my father and that is a great thing, Clyburn said in a CNN State of the Union interview with Jake Tapper, appearing directly after Manchin. I remember when my father got the right to vote, or cast an effective vote, here in South Carolina. It was not until 1948 that the Democratic Party opened itself up to African Americans, he continued. Manchin announced Sunday that he wants President Biden to leave the presidential campaign and pass the torch, while Clyburn stood by Biden and left the door open to back a new nominee should the president leave the race. Lets go forward with these improvements that weve been making in this party, opening this party up to everybody and keep it open to everybody, Clyburn said, advocating for unity in the party. The veteran Biden ally also warned that if the party does not coalesce around a single nominee, Biden or otherwise, and quickly, it could spell disaster for Democrats. If you go to the convention, have an open process in the convention, It will come out the same way it came out in 1968, 1972 and 1980, Clyburn said, referring to previous contested conventions where the Democratic nominee lost the general election. I support Joe Biden. He is still in this race. He will be the nominee if he stays in the race, Clyburn continued. And I think all of us should look for ways to coalesce around that candidate. Biden and his campaign have remained adamant that the president will be the Democratic nominee despite the rising calls for him to drop out. Joe Biden has made it more than clear: hes in this race and hes in it to win it. Moreover, hes the presumptive nominee, there is no plan for an alternative nominee, Dan Kanninen, Biden campaign battleground states director, wrote in a memo released after the Republican National Convention. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three participants take selfies during the Pride Parade on Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Cologne. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Over 1 million people attended Sunday's Pride parade in the German city of Cologne, one of the largest LGBTQI celebrations in the country. Around 250 groups with approximately 60,000 participants and 90 floats paraded through the city centre as huge crowds cheered them on. Police deployed several hundred officers to protect the festivities in support of the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people. Before the start of the parade on the city's central Deutzer Bridge over the Rhine river, Bundestag President Barbel Bas, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth gave speeches. Roth enthused that Cologne's Pride parade "radiates out into the whole world." She described Cologne's annual celebration, which is one of the largest in Europe, as the "most important" in Germany. Twin brothers Tom and Bill Kaulitz from the German band Tokio Hotel travelled on one of the floats. In a interview with broadcast WDR, Bill Kaulitz spoke about how liberating his coming out had been: "I'm incredibly touched by how many people come to me and find courage in my story." "I simply lived a very private life for the first few years and was never allowed to tell the outside world." Pride commemorates events in 1969 in New York when police officers raided the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, triggering several days of rioting by gay, lesbian and transgender people. For that reason in Germany it is called Christopher Street Day (CSD). Health Minister Lauterbach said that more and more attacks on queer people were being registered. "The CSD is a very important demonstration for democracy, freedom, for the rights of queer people," Lauterbach, who lives in Cologne, told dpa. "I think it's shocking when we see how rights are already being restricted within Europe." Participants take part in the Pride Parade on Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Cologne. Christoph Reichwein/dpa (L-R) Jens Pielhau, Cologne Pride board member, Baerbel Bas, President of the German Bundestag, Claudia Roth, Minister of State for Culture and Media, Martin Hommel, Karl Lauterbach, German Minister of Health, Henriette Reker, Mayor of Cologne, Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science at CSD in Cologne attend the Pride Parade on Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Cologne. Christoph Reichwein/dpa Community coming together to support family of mom found dead at MARTA station The community is coming together to support the family of a woman found dead in her car at a MARTA station on Friday. Chanell Crosby, 35, was found at the West End MARTA station on Lee Street days after her family reported her missing on Sunday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police said she left her home with her boyfriend, Jamal Harvey, on Sunday to go to Macon, and that was the last time her family heard from her. According to a family member, Harvey spoke to Crosbys friends but claimed to not know where she was. He said he left her in middle Georgia but didnt say where. Her family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for her burial and to support her three children. TRENDING STORIES: Police have not provided any updates on Crosbys death. They have also not commented on any possible suspects. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The fight for a union at Washington D.C.-based coffee chain Compass Coffee brewed controversy following what workers claim to be an illegitimate union election. Employees at seven locations of the chain filed a petition to unionize last month under Workers United, the same union behind Starbucks workers' high-profile unionization efforts. But the union vote held among employees on July 16 is being called into question, due to what Compass Coffee United, the branch representing the workers, is blaming on unit packing. The practice involves diluting the voter pool with an influx of new employees who have been hired by the company specifically to vote against unionization. According to a series of posts shared by Compass Coffee United on X, formerly known as Twitter, of the 123 total opened ballots, 101 have been contested based on the employment eligibility of the voters. The union alleges that the company was "muddying the waters through hiring over 100 employees for the petitioned cafes, and engaging in illegal union busting tactics" to draw the process out. Indeed, some of the named "new hires" brought on by Compass Coffee are head-scratchers. The company's list of workers eligible to place a vote reportedly include government employees and various executives and CEOs of other companies. Some have gone on record to say that they have never worked a shift at Compass Coffee, beyond once being involved in a training session (via Restaurant Dive and Bloomberg Law). At least one purported hire denied voting. Read more: 31 Popular Coffee Brands, Ranked Could Compass Coffee Face Legal Repercussions For Alleged Union-Busting? Barista putting lid on coffee cup - Kurmyshov/Getty Images The allegations against Compass Coffee might be compared to claims about other corporate entities, including Starbucks. The years-long struggle for Starbucks baristas to win union representation and bargaining has included similar methods of pushback from the company, including controversial firings of pro-union employees and threats to end or reduce benefits to workers involved in unionization efforts. Last October, Starbucks Workers United even accused the company leadership of encouraging boycotts of unionized locations over tweets regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In response to purported anti-union activity, Starbucks faced multiple lawsuits and was called into question by various U.S. senators, including Senator Bernie Sanders who described the tactics as "shameful" and "blatant and illegal" in a tweet. Now, some legal experts say that Compass Coffee could be facing similar repercussions in response to the apparent unit packing. As labor law professor Michael Fischl told Bloomberg Law, "It's not too much of a stretch to make the claim that this has interfered with the workers' rights to freely organize. To saddle the workers with a bunch of new colleagues who don't really work there only so they can vote against the union seems like a one way ticket to a bargaining order to me." Compass Coffee United has already threatened legal action, writing that both the union and employer could "have avoided months of litigation" if higher-ups, specifically founder and CEO Michael Haft, "had decided to respect workers' rights" and allowed for a fair union vote. Read the original article on Tasting Table. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Fire Departments Combined Search and Rescue Team rescued a hiker at Franklin Mountains State Park on Saturday afternoon, July 20, the department said on its X account. ComSAR responded to the 1000 Steps Trail. One person was assisted down the mountain. That person was transported for medical care with what were called minor injuries (Code 1), according to the Fire Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (Bloomberg) -- For months, US President Joe Biden has been urging Israel to wind down its war on Hamas in Gaza. For more than a year, he pointedly withheld a White House invitation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hoping to use it as a reward for good behavior. Most Read from Bloomberg Yet this coming week, as Israeli warplanes continue attacking Gaza, Biden is due to receive Netanyahu Tuesday in the Oval Office, and, in a rare honor, the Israeli leader will address Congress. Its a visit seen by many including European and Arab allies as a potent symbol of Bidens declining ability to impose his will on the world. Biden has been perceived as old and weak by important Arab leaders for a while, said Rym Momtaz, a researcher at Londons International Institute for Strategic Studies. The difficulty in shaping Israels conduct of its war in Gaza has only added to the perception of weakness. Thats a view shared increasingly among US allies, as well, according to European officials who asked not to be identified discussing confidential matters. And that was before the surprise announcement Sunday from Biden, 81, that hes dropping out of the presidential race but will serve out the rest of his term. Bidens Covid diagnosis had already led Netanyahu to adjust his schedule for the meeting. The White House announced Thursday that Netanyahu will also see Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden Sunday endorsed as his chosen successor on the Democratic ticket in November. By contrast, the visit has the whiff of triumph for Netanyahu, 74. Summoned by both Republicans and Democrats for his fourth speech to Congress, he will surpass Winston Churchill as the world leader with the most invitations. Arriving in grand fashion on a new plane with living quarters and conference room, the countrys longest serving premier, who presided over the worst security breach in its history, one that left 1,200 dead, remains likely to stay in office at least through early 2025. Its a visit doomed to succeed, lamented Nimrod Novik, a former top Israeli government adviser and Netanyahu opponent, who sent a letter to all members of Congress on behalf of 530 former top security officials rejecting his policies. Netanyahu is in a better position than many would have predicted just months ago. His troops say theyre wrapping up major operations in Gaza and have largely dismantled Hamass military infrastructure. They believe they killed its military leader Mohammed Deif recently. Israeli assets bonds and currency have strengthened this month, recovering their heavy losses early in the year. Still, this is a fraught moment for Israel and for Netanyahu, whose popularity remains near lows. After more than nine months of warfare, dozens of hostages taken on Oct. 7 remain in captivity. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is still at large. More than 38,000 have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Lebanons Hezbollah is firing missiles at its north where tens of thousands have been forced out of their homes. A drone from Yemens Houthis penetrated Tel Aviv on Friday, killing a man and spreading terror. Israel retaliated a day later with strikes on a Houthi-held port in Yemen. For Biden, a president who prides himself on his foreign policy prowess, the relationship with Israel since Oct. 7 has underlined the challenges he faces - even before the latest string of electoral setbacks at home. Privately, US officials have long been frustrated by Netanyahu, but worry that being too confrontational jeopardizes Washingtons ability to influence Israels behavior when it comes to important US priorities, including the humanitarian situation inside Gaza. Results there have been limited - the White House this month announced it was giving up on a failed plan to deliver aid with a temporary pier - and done little to calm the uproar of protest from Bidens allies among progressive Democrats over his embrace of Israel. The administration has suggested quietly and not so quietly what it thought that the Israeli government should do, said Ivo Daalder, former US ambassador to NATO and chief executive officer of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. In the main, the Israeli government has not listened to it. Bidens hoping to get a preview of the speech when he meets Netanyahu, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Friday. Politics and speeches are always unpredictable, Sullivan said. But our expectation is that his speech will be one that doesn't look like 2015, when Netanyahu angered then-President Barack Obama with an address to Congress denouncing its nuclear deal with Iran. This time, authorities are preparing for protests from both sides around Netanyahus visit. Some members of Congress say theyll boycott his speech. At the same time, the Israeli leader has been working to patch things up with Donald Trump, now the frontrunner in Novembers election. Close relations between the two had curdled after Netanyahu angered Trump by congratulating Biden on his election victory in 2020, one that Trump refused to accept. As recently as April, Trump laid the blame for the Oct. 7 attack squarely on Netanyahu in an interview with Time magazine. But this month, Trump seemed to signal forgiveness, reposting Netanyahus message of support after an assassination attempt left the US candidate lightly injured. Go-betweens are trying to organize a meeting or phone call on this visit. Where a second Trump administration would stand on Israel and the Mideast is unclear. Trump has told Israel to do what you have to do in Gaza and denounced pro-Palestinian protesters in the US. He invited the family of a hostage still being held in Gaza to the Republican National Convention this month. His calls for a hard line on Iran also echo Netanyahus. But while a new Trump era would likely embrace a strong pro-Israel line, his unpredictability has many wary. And thats worrying some in Israel. Meanwhile, pressures on Netanyahu are increasing, potentially pushing him to accept a hostage deal. Especially notable is that some of Netanyahus top aides and members of the security establishment have grown openly critical of him. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a fellow member of the majority Likud party, sat at his office conference table earlier this month and laid out differences with Netanyahu in what Israel can concede in negotiations with Hamas for hostages. In a briefing with Bloomberg, Gallant said the moment for a hostage deal is now and mustnt be allowed to pass. He said Hamas deemed a terrorist organization by the US and European Union as a military organization is essentially destroyed, calling it a shell without muscles, adding its importing routes have been blocked and arms production facilities blown up. They will no longer be able to smuggle in materials or manufacture arms, he said. The military says its destroyed key tunnels, killed some 14,000 fighters and half the leadership of the military wing. So, Gallant says, Israel must pursue the deal put forward by Biden for a six-week pause in fighting that would yield some of those abducted for many more Palestinian prisoners. The return of hostages, he said, is the highest moral imperative at this time. There are about 120 hostages still left in Gaza but intelligence estimates put the number still alive at around 50. Netanyahu is taking with him on his new executive jet to Washington relatives of hostages and former hostages. Some declined his invitation out of anger that hes making too many demands on the negotiations, making it impossible for them to succeed. Increasingly, hostage families consider him an obstacle to their cause. His critics say Netanyahu yields to his hard-right coalition partners, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, because without them, his government would collapse and they fear that a temporary cease-fire will turn into a permanent one. Critics also say by prolonging the war, Netanyahu delays any investigation of the failures that led to the Hamas attack and extends his time in office. The prime minister and his closest aides and supporters dismiss all that, saying hes focused on Israels security beyond the short term. A key sticking point is whether Israeli forces can yield control of the border area between Gaza and the Egyptian Sinai which they seized in this war and where theyve found some 20 smuggling tunnels. Netanyahu says Israel cant leave, which Hamas is demanding; Gallant says it can, certainly for the six weeks of the deal. Amir Avivi, a retired brigadier general who heads a hawkish organization of ex-security officials, says if Israel leaves the border, a multi-billion-dollar arms smuggling industry will start right back up. We need boots on the ground to control the border, he says, echoing Netanyahus argument. The Oct. 7 attack has driven most of Israel to the right on security and the Palestinian issue, as evidenced by a vote of parliament last week rejecting a Palestinian state under any circumstances. That reversed years of at least officially seeking a two-state solution. For most of the world, a Palestinian state is seen as vital to regional peace, and US officials said so again after that vote. The fact that Israel has become an international pariah due to the war and that worries Israelis. Its leaders are facing sanctions, its scholars and athletes boycotts. Israelis fear another Oct. 7 when thousands of militants broke into Israel, killing and kidnapping is only a matter of time. Thats led many to push Netanyahu to take the hostage deal and repair its international standing in the hope of a stronger regional alliance with countries like Saudi Arabia. While US officials feel Netanyahu has defied them frequently, the view in Israel is that the administrations pressures were actually often successful. Far more food and aid were let into Gaza and almost certainly fewer civilians killed as a result. And a deal over hostages appears to be emerging. Indeed, both publicly and privately, US officials are cautiously optimistic that an agreement can be reached to secure a cease-fire in Gaza. They dismiss Netanyahus tough talk as posturing that will continue until the moment he signs a deal. --With assistance from Courtney McBride, Samy Adghirni and Iain Marlow. (Updates with Biden dropping out of presidential race in fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SOUTH CAROLINA (WSPA) U.S. Congressman, James Clyburn, released a statement on Bidens withdrawal on Sunday. Clyburn said he echoes the good judgement Biden demonstrated in selecting Harris. Ive had the honor and privilege of Calling President Joe Biden a friend for many years. When I endorsed then-candidate Biden in 2020, I noted how I could think of no one with the integrity and no one more committed to the fundamental principles that form the foundation of our great country than him. He has used those principles to bring the American people together through incredible trials and unfamiliar terrain. Hes pursued an agenda that addresses the inequities in our health care system, the unaffordability of higher education, our outdated roads and bridges, the gun violence epidemic, access to affordable high-speed broadband, and so much more. President Biden has improved the lives of countless Americans through his selfless service, and I thank him for his unparagoned leadership. One of President Bidens first decisions as the nominee was to select a running mate that he believed possessed the values and vision necessary to continue this countrys pursuit toward a more perfect Union. I echo the good judgment he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Partys 2024 nominee for President. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Conifer couple trying to recover after their home is destroyed in a fire Conifer couple trying to recover after their home is destroyed in a fire DENVER (KDVR) A Jefferson County man feels lucky to be alive a week after his home burnt down. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, he and his wife are trying to pick up the pieces after losing everything. A little over 13 years, said Kevin Clemmer. Thats how long he and his wife, Trisha, lived in the house. Denver weather: Storms bring heavy rain, hail, flooding, lightning to metro area But the goal was to not live there for much longer. We had a plan of, a lifetime dream, of getting a trailer and traveling around the western United States, Clemmer said. That dream came undone last week when Clemmer first noticed smoke on Saturday morning. All the sudden there was smoke coming in the window, he said. His first thought was a forest fire, but he quickly learned otherwise. I opened the front door and there was just a wall of flame, Clemmer said. He called to his wife to wake up and climb out the bedroom window. She was able to get out while Clemmer dialed 911. The smoke was so thick she couldnt even see me a foot from the window, he said. Meanwhile, next-door neighbor Ryan Smiths security camera caught a burst of flames and a loud bang through the trees. Sounded like somebody had thrown something really heavy into a big, empty dumpster, Smith said. Clemmer requires oxygen tanks to breathe. The fire had gotten to some of his extras and they began to explode. Smith ran down the hill to try and help. I could see Trisha and Kevin lying on the ground, Smith said. Climber heard yelling for help rescued near North Maroon Peak Trisha had been able to get her husband through the window shortly before he passed out. If it werent for her, I probably wouldnt have made it, Clemmer said. Smith helped a first responder carry Clemmer away from the home, where he received CPR and regained consciousness. They hadnt have done that, I wouldnt have been here today, Clemmer said. While he and his wife lost everything they owned in the fire, Clemmer hopes their dream of exploring the country together wasnt lost as well. Ideally, wed like to live that dream, Clemmer said. If it works out, it works out. The Clemmers also lost a dog and two cats to the fire. Their neighbors have set up a GoFundMe to help the couple. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Digital renderings show what an inclusive playground could look like in Southport. Efforts to bring about inclusiveness and accessibility to Southport were instead met with divisiveness and concern. Planning for what would be the first inclusive, accessible playground in Brunswick County has been put on hold after many residents have expressed concerns not with the concept for the park, but for its proposed location. This has been a relatively divisive topic that has put city staff and this board and the community at odds with each another, Southport Alderman Robert Carroll said during the boards June 26 meeting. And I think that our community is bigger than that. Dubbed the Taylor Field of Dreams, the playground would have been fully inclusive and built in the citys Taylor Field Park. Renderings for the playground show a maritime-themed space that nods to the citys waterfront location and history. Taylor Field Park is located at 409 East Nash St. in Southport. Southports Parks and Recreation Director Heather Hemphill told the board late last year that there are several families in the area with children and adults to whom typical playground equipment is not accessible. A boundless playground, she said, looks to remove barriers so that children and adults of all abilities are able to play. Hemphill said the city began working with Unlimited Play, a Missouri-based nonprofit that helps municipalities design, plan and fund these playgrounds in February 2023. Initial plans for the playground showed a rollerslide and wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round with ramping throughout and ships, a treasure chest and pirates supporting the maritime theme. The addition of the playground would have been phase two of the development of the park, which was donated to the city in 2017. Neighbors and residents, however, have expressed opinions that Taylor Field Park is not the best location for the playground, citing concerns regarding parking, traffic and loss of green space. Carroll said while hes in favor of the playground and the Taylor Park location, he wanted to take a step back, regroup and have more conversations with city staff and the community regarding the project. Theres too much negativity surrounding it, he said. We all can vote today to say this is certainly something we want as a board where its gonna go, we dont know. Carroll moved for the board to withdraw and terminate any grant applications and funding that identifies Taylor Field Park as the site for the project, with the caveat that the city would continue to work toward building an inclusive playground. Lowe Davis clarified that while community members have expressed their concerns with the planned location, she has not heard any members of the public speak out against the construction of an inclusive playground in or near the city. STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest Brunswick County news by signing up for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram. The location is the problem, Davis said. And because there is so much interest and desire for it, Taylor Field does not look like the best place, but we dont know for sure. Carrolls motion passed by a vote of 5-1, with Alderman Marc Spencer dissenting. Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Effort to bring inclusive playground to Southport, NC, is on hold This controversial highway may come to Myrtle Beach. What we know about Interstate 73 A highway that was supposed to connect Michigan to Myrtle Beach has been a topic of conversation for almost 50 years and is once again a local issue. Here are five things we know about Interstate 73 and its immediate future in Horry County. 1. Interstate 73 will costs billions. Funding and property rights have halted the slow-churning process of highway construction. In total, the South Carolina Department of Transportation estimates the project will cost about $2 billion to complete. Funding for their first three phases of construction on I-73 South hasnt been formally identified yet, they said on their website. 2. Construction on the highway hasnt started yet in Horry County. According to maps and plans released by the SCDOT, the first phases of both the I-73 South and North routes hasnt started yet. The agency said in a statement online that once they finalize the right of way acquisitions for the first phase of the project, they hope to begin. The first approved phase of the construction extends from I-95 to U.S. Route 501. The other two phases for I-73 South are also still in limbo as they await acquiring the land needed for the project. Phase 2 will extend U.S. 501 to the Marion/Horry County line and Phase 3 will extend that same county line to SC 22. SCDOT is currently acquiring right of way for the project we do not have a construction timeline to share at this point, spokeswoman Kelly Moore said. 3. Theres a ballot measure related to I-73. For Horry County voters, there will be a ballot measure related to transportation funding on their ballot this upcoming November. The measure is called Ride 4. Its a 1% local sales and use tax , or transportation tax, and will be used to complete a list of improvement projects established by the Ride 4 Sales Tax commission for up to 25 years. The total cost of all the projects they identified is around $6.3 billion. If approved, it will go into effect on May 1, 2025. In the referendum, theres a specific item that talks about I-73. Interstate Connector: Provide a local match of up to one half (1/2) of the cost to construct I-73 from SC Hwy 22 to the Horry County line, provided that South Carolina Department of Transportation or related entity has entered into construction contract(s) for the completion of I-73 from Horry County to I-95, the referendum states. During Tuesday nights regular Horry County Council meeting, staff members confirmed to the council that even if the referendum fails, it will not halt SCDOTs plans for construction of I-73. 4. There are environmental concerns with the new Interstate. Building I-73 will impact or destroy about 300 hundreds of acres of wetlands and 22 stream crossings near the Little Pee Dee River, according to the Coastal Conservation League. A national group, American Rivers, named the Little Pee Dee River as one of the nations 10 most endangered rivers due to future highway plans. A report written by the same group and reported in The Sun News said flood water produced by projects such as Interstate 73 could decimate adjacent communities with sewage-tinged runoff and toxic chemicals. 5. Right now the county is debating on changing official maps related to I-73. An objective thats wound its way through the County Council will be up for its third reading next month before a final vote. The purpose of proposed Ordinance 70-2024 is to add Interstate 73 to the current Horry County Official Index Map. By doing so, officials in support of the measure claim it will protect residents and business owners from investing in property that could ultimately be purchased by the state in a few years to construct the highway. The County also said it didnt want to see any major subdivisions or developments asking for permits within the planned path for I-73. Progressive Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a Squad member running a tight race for reelection in Missouri, is backing Vice President Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee. Bush was among the earliest left-wing voices in the House to embrace Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee after President Biden announced that he was suspending his campaign on Sunday. She is competing to hold on to her seat in the states 1st Congressional District against moderate Democratic challenger Wesley Bell, who is St. Louis Countys prosecuting attorney. In 2020, voters turned out to deliver Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House. The peoples vote was a vote not only for President Biden, but a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and her ability to defeat MAGA extremism across the country, Bush wrote in a statement. Bush has been one of the most vocal members on Capitol Hill pushing Democrats to do more toward racial equality and justice, drawing inspiration from her early work as a Black Lives Matter activist. She channeled that advocacy in her full-throated endorsement of Harris. When we say trust Black women, we mean it. Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party and it is past time for us to lead our country forward. Kamala Harris is more than ready to lead at this moment, Bush wrote. As we look forward to November, it is clear to me that Vice President Kamala Harris has the vision to carry this legacy forward, defeat Donald Trump, and I unequivocally endorse her for President of the United States, she added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) Businesses, governments, and airlines across the world experienced hours-long disruptions on Friday after a widespread technology outage caused by a faulty software update. CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm that provides software to thousands of companies around the world, says the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows. The outage was not caused by a security incident or cyberattack, CrowdStrike said. What is CrowdStrike, the company whose faulty update caused widespread outages? The global outage had widespread impacts, as several major airlines canceled flights nationwide on Friday and shipments were briefly interrupted. Delays and cancellations continued into Saturday; according to flight tracking software FlightAware, 279 flights were delayed and a further 90 were canceled at Los Angeles International alone. Consumer technology expert and former Microsoft executive Marbue Brown joined the Weekend Morning News at Nexstars KTLA on Saturday to discuss the global IT crash, including how it happened, what the impacts are, and whether something like this could happen again. This happened because you have so many companies that are using the same cybersecurity provider, and its not just the number of businesses, but the types of businesses, Brown said. You have these major businesses that touch everybodys life and thats why the impact of this was felt so widely. Charlotte airport travelers still impacted by Thursday night tech outage One super important thing to note, Brown told KTLAs Lauren Lyster and John Fenoglio, is that the glitch didnt just affect individual computers, it also affected the servers that host the software that the individual computers and businesses use. Because those servers were affected, once they went down, a lot of other things went down, Brown said. If all of the businesses are using the same cybersecurity firm as the basis for protecting their software and they roll out the same update at the same time, then [theres going to be] a problem since all of these businesses are experiencing the same thing simultaneously. When it comes to why companies that operate on Microsoft went dark while Microsoft applications, such as Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Outlook, did not, Brown says its the specific information that is stored on servers that were affected. Unaffected services, like Teams and Outlook, did not have any information stored on those servers, Brown said. Disneyland cast members vote to authorize strike When you think about whats on those servers, if Teams and Outlook were on the servers, thats what would [have been] affected, Brown stated. But, if critical systems like order taking systems, point-of-sale systems, airline scheduling systems [and] systems that [help to run] hospitals are affected, that [would be] why we had the type of problem that we had. According to Brown, the telecommunications business has gradually shifted from the industry standard five nines reliability procedure which ensures systems are meant to be fully operational 99.999% of the time, or the entire year minus about six minutes due to it being cost-prohibitive or impractical. However, a situation like the one that arose on Friday shows that redundancies like five nines reliability should be put in prior to updates, Brown said. Something obviously went awry here because normally, these updates are heavily tested before they go out, he said. But I think that the whole notion of going back to the five nines and [building] the redundancies will keep us from having these types of situations. When asked about the possibility of another catastrophic IT outage, Brown says that it is still possible and has already happened this year, as seen in February when AT&T had an outage due to a faulty software update. The possibility only increases when redundancies are not properly instituted, he added. Its clear that the type of redundancies that we need to have in place and the type of rollbacks that we need to have in place are not where they once used to be, he said. One of the reasons its taking so long for everything [that went down during the CrowdStrike outage] to come back is because to roll back from this, a lot of systems have to be rebooted manuallythey have to be booted up in safe mode, [have the software file] manually removed and booted up again. For more from Marbue Brown, visit his Customer Obsession Advantage website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. President Biden dropped out of the 2024 race on Sunday and endorsed Vice President Harris to become his replacement, a historic move that now raises the question of who would be Harriss running mate if she gets the nod. Its not guaranteed that will happen. Harris still has to win the support of enough delegates heading into next months Democratic National Convention in order to become the official nominee. But as the current vice president and Bidens handpicked successor, she is the clear favorite. As for who could be her VP pick, theres no shortage of potential candidates. Here are some of the possible picks: Andy Beshear Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshears (D) success as the Democratic governor of his ruby-red state has boosted his profile as the party grapples with its future amid growing polarization between urban and rural communities. Beshear flipped his seat blue back in 2019 and bested his Trump-backed GOP challenger in a competitive reelection race last year, even after Kentucky overwhelmingly voted for former President Trump in both 2016 and 2020. The Bluegrass State governor said earlier this month that he would support Bidens reelection bid as long as the incumbent remained the Democratic candidate, sidestepping a question about whether hed given thought to replacing him. On Sunday, Beshear said in a statement that Bidens landmark decision is in the best interest of the country and party, while lauding the incumbent as a consequential president. While his decision today could not have been easy, it is in the best interest of our country, and our party. I want to thank him for his leadership, kindness and for a successful presidency that got big, important things done, Beshear said. Now it is time for our nation to come together. We need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise. Pete Buttigieg While mayor of South Bend, Ind., Pete Buttigieg rose to prominence when he ran against Biden in the 2020 presidential race, developing an enormous following under his nickname Mayor Pete. When Biden brought him into the administration as Transportation secretary, Buttigieg made history as the first openly gay Cabinet member, and his success has stoked questions about a future presidential run, as well as about whether he could join Harris on a 2024 ticket. Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country, Buttigieg said in a statement on the social platform X after Bidens announcement. At 42, Buttigiegs youth would stand out on a Harris ticket after age-based criticisms contributed to Bidens historic exit from the race, particularly with 39-year-old Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) as Trumps newly named running mate on the other side of the aisle. Roy Cooper North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) won the governors mansion in the Tar Heel State in both 2016 and 2020, even though Trump won the presidential race both cycles. Under Coopers leadership, North Carolina has emerged as a battleground for Democrats, eyeing it as a potential flip. For this reason, some suggest that putting Cooper on a new 2024 ticket could bring the state more into play. Earlier this month, Cooper reportedly brushed off talk of ticket changes as the kind of speculation we do not need right now. On Thursday, he joined Harris at a rally in Fayetteville, and though neither talked directly about the party drama, the North Carolina governor praised the vice president as someone who gets the job done, as reported by local outlet WNCN. Cooper shared a statement of gratitude to Biden after the Sunday announcement, lauding him as among our nations finest Presidents. Mark Kelly Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (D) has become an influential voice for national Democrats, serving in the Senate since 2020. Democratic strategists and donors have named Kelly as among the top contenders best positioned to serve as Harriss running mate. According to a memo from a Democratic-funded polling group BlueLabs, Kelly is among several battleground Democrats that perform better than Biden in their respective states. However, choosing Kelly could come with some risk for Senate Democrats. Arizonas Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs would almost certainly appoint a Democrat to fill Kellys seat, but then that Democrat would have to run in 2026 and then again for a full term in 2028. The scenario mirrors the one Kelly went through when he ran for the special election against former Sen. Martha McSally (R), who was appointed in 2018. Kelly defeated McSally in 2020 and then won reelection for a full term in 2022. Wes Moore Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), another major rising star in the Democratic Party, has made campaign stops for Biden in the battleground states of North Carolina and Wisconsin. The governor was also front and center outside of the White House earlier this month following a meeting between Democratic governors and Biden about his debate performance. The first-term governor has also made news for his handling of the Baltimore bridge collapse, which put him squarely on the national scene. However, like many of the other rising star Democratic governors, Moore would still need to grow his national name ID. Additionally, Moore does not have a lot of experience in federal campaigns. Gavin Newsom California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) emerged this cycle as a prominent surrogate for Biden and has been among the names floated alongside Harris as a possible replacement for the incumbent at the top of the ticket. His defense of Biden and his public sparring with Republicans like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), with whom he debated on Fox News last year, has helped rocket him to party stardom and stoked rumors about 2028 ambitions. But Newsom called talk of replacing Biden this cycle unhelpful and unnecessary, and both he and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) have reportedly communicated theyre not interested in serving as Harriss second-in-command. Newsom and Harris also both hail from the liberal blue state of California, and such a ticket could come under fire from Republicans critical of the Golden State. Theyd also face hurdles from the Constitutions restrictions on presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the same state. In a statement after Bidens exit from the race, Newsom said hell go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. JB Pritzker Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Sunday praised Biden and pledged to work every day to ensure that Trump does not win in November. As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trumps potential return to the White House, Pritzker said. A top Biden surrogate and the second-term governor of his blue state, Pritzker was among those talked about as a potential Biden replacement. He boasts an estimated $3.5 billion net worth, and could easily self-fund a campaign and his abortion rights-focused policy advocacy group has notably invested hundreds of thousands in efforts to enshrine abortion rights in a handful of states this fall. Pritzker will also be the host governor when the Democrats national convention takes place in Chicago next month. The Democratic National Committee chair on Sunday promised a transparent and orderly process to select a new nominee, The Associated Press reported. Josh Shapiro First-term Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has increasingly been floated as a potential pick for Harris as speculation rose over Biden dropping out of the race. Like Harris, Shapiro previously served as the attorney general of Pennsylvania. He also has established himself as a popular governor of a swing state, defeating Republican Doug Mastriano in 2022. Shapiro received praise last week for his unifying tone in the wake of the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pa. The governor has also made headlines for his response to the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, which impacted Pennsylvania, last year. While Shapiro is well known in the Keystone State, he would have a lot of work to do to grow his national name ID before November. Unlike Whitmer and Newsom, he does not have a national super PAC and does not have the same experience campaigning at a federal level. Gretchen Whitmer Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who serves as a co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign, has repeatedly been mentioned as a potential pick for Harris. Whitmer was first elected governor of Michigan in 2018, two years after Trump flipped the state in 2016. Since then, Whitmer has proven herself to be a force for Democrats in Michigan and across the country. Whitmer won reelection at the top of the ticket in 2022 along with several other downballot Democratic candidates in the state. Since then, Whitmer has established her Fight Like Hell PAC, which is dedicated to electing Democrats in federal races. Like Newsom, shes been one of the top Democrats considered as a possible replacement in Bidens place, but in a statement after the incumbent dropped out on Sunday, Whitmer suggested her role will remain the same. My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan, Whitmer said. The Michigan governor also lauded Biden as a great public servant whos done remarkable work on drug costs, supply chains, climate change and global leadership. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris and Gretchen Whitmer have all been touted as possible replacement candidates Vice president Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, are among those being considered to replace Joe Biden after the 81-year-old stood aside in the US presidential election. Following the conclusion of Mr Bidens shaky performance in the first US presidential debate of the 2024 election, Mr Newsom, 56, was mobbed by reporters, with many asking if he would step in for the ailing president who rambled in response to questions from Donald Trump. Mr Newsom, who has the best odds to win the 2024 election of any alternative candidate, attempted to swat aside the question, saying the rumours were unhelpful and unnecessary. But advisers close to three potential replacements for Mr Biden thought to include Mr Newsom said they were bombarded with pleas for their employers to step up as an alternative, according to Politico. At 56, Mr Newsom is a quarter of a century younger than Mr Biden and an adept communicator, who runs the worlds fifth-largest economy. He was re-elected to his second and final term as governor of California in a landslide victory in 2022. With no political threats to fend off in the Golden State, he has focused on increasing his national recognition, giving speeches in other states, and running national TV adverts. He has amplified his political profile by wading into this years White House race, casting himself as an attack dog who is prepared to aggressively take on prominent Republicans. His strategy included challenging Ron DeSantis, Floridas governor and one-time GOP 2024 presidential candidate, to a debate. The actions caused some unease in the White House, where aides feared he could launch a challenge against Mr Biden, although he publicly and privately assured the president otherwise. Mr Newsom has tacked to the Left of the Democrat party, which may dampen appeal among centrist voters who backed Mr Biden in 2020. He has enacted more than a dozen laws aimed at making California a sanctuary for women seeking abortions in states where the procedure is now banned. Mr Newsom has also championed green policies, ordering a ban on the sale of new fossil-fuel cars by 2035. And he has looked to ease obstacles for illegal immigrants, making California the first state to offer health insurance for all undocumented immigrants. Gretchen Whitmer, 52, secured a convincing victory in the swing state of Michigan in 2020. Like Mr Newsom, Ms Whitmer is a rising star of the Democratic party who tends to be sought out by American news networks sniffing out possible future presidents. Mr Biden considered her as a running mate in 2020 she was reportedly one of four who made the all-female shortlist before Kamala Harris was selected and she has publicly clashed with Donald Trump before. She shot down speculation last year about a presidential bid, saying she wanted to see out her second term as governor and supported Mr Biden. But she has hinted at running at the next election in 2029. She successfully turned an insult from Mr Trump that woman in Michigan into a slogan that raised her national profile. Her personal brand is connected with the abortion debate: she has accused Donald Trump of lying about his stance on reproductive rights (she suspects he would seek a national ban on abortion), and won her won reelection in 2022 against a Trump-endorsed opponent, Tudor Dixon, who was considered to be at the extreme end of the anti-abortion right. That victory she came home by a handy 11 percentage points, a much more than polls predicted will only add to her allure for Democrats looking for a candidate who can take on the right. Another name mentioned is Sherrod Brown, the last Democrat senator in Republican voting state of Ohio. A career politician and at 71, he is one of a small clutch of Red State Democrats who owe their political success to a strong personal brand and local issues. Mr Browns brand is messy hair, a rumpled suit and a working man persona. He is an ally of Bernie Sanders and considered one of the most liberal figures in the Democrat party which is one reason he is sometimes suggested as someone who could unify the partys establishment and progressive wings. He was considered as a running mate for Hillary Clinton in her 2016 presidential run. Mr Beshears potential appeal to the Democrats can be summed up in the headline of a recent Wall Street Journal profile of him: This Democratic Governor Knows How to Win in a Red State. Is His Party Listening? He has twice won the governorship in a determinedly Red State. Hes rated as the most popular Democratic governor in the country, and his name has come up as a potential presidential candidate since he first took office in 2019. Like many of the others mentioned as a possible replacement for Biden, he is thought to be considering a run in 2028. In Americas ultra-polarised political climate, a Democrat who can reach across the political divide to Republican voters would be a massive asset. His political brand - which boils down to a mild mannered demeanor and expressing compassion for all - does well in his home state. But not everyone is convinced his appeal is transferable. At home he has the advantage of a local political dynasty - his father was also Kentucky state governor - and the bond he forged with Kentuckians during Covid and a series of natural disasters in the state may be difficult to replicate nationally. And would a Democrat party dominated by liberal coastal cities be ready to nominate a southern White man? The most obvious option in establishment Democrat circles is of course vice-president Kamala Harris. Following his announcement that he would not stand for reflection, Mr Biden endorsed Ms Harris as his replacement. However, she polls worse than the president and may be sunk by her close work with the president. Members of Mr Bidens cabinet, including transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and commerce secretary Gina Raimondo, are also considered viable contenders. Nevertheless, Democrats who are intimately acquainted with Mr Biden insist there is little that can be done to dissuade him from seeking a second term. Insiders suggest the two voices the president plays closest attention to his wife Jill and his sister Valerie remain staunchly supportive of his re-election bid. David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for Barack Obama, told CNN: The idea he would walk away from this is pretty remote. But his job got harder tonight. 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. Thousands of households will be forced to pay five-figure council tax bills for the first time as local authorities target second homeowners. Councils stand to make millions by charging double council tax on second homes under new powers that have been in place since April. Local authorities claim the money raised will be used to fund local services and housebuilding. The tax is designed to disincentive second home ownership which has been blamed for displacing local communities, particularly in holiday hotspots. However, there are concerns innocent accidental second homeowners are being caught up in the tax clampdown, including bereaved families, home movers and landlords trying to sell former buy-to-lets. Councils in holiday not-spots such as Gravesend and Newcastle, where the proportion of second homes is less than 1pc, have also been accused of cynically implementing the tax to shore up their finances with local authority budgets at breaking point. So far, 146 councils have confirmed they are implementing the double tax, which kicks in on second homes left empty for a year. Previously, surcharges only kicked in after two year. Telegraph analysis of council tax intake found some two thousand second homeowners with properties in holiday hotspots face paying 10,000 or more in council tax under the new rules, when tax on both their properties is combined. Most of the homes affected are in band G or H and are in popular holiday destinations like Cornwall and the Cotswolds. In Dorset, almost 400 households are expected to be forced to pay more than 10,000 in council tax once the new rules come into effect, according to Telegraph analysis. This assumes the average tax bill on a principal home is about 2,000. Someone with their principal home in Kensington & Chelsea in band C and a second home in the Cotswolds in band H will pay 10,040 under the new tax system, up from 5,700 today. Having a principal home in Waverley in band D and a second home in East Devon in band G currently costs 6,284 a year. This will rise to 10,197 under the new regime. Having a home in Richmond upon Thames in band H and a second home in Somerset in band E currently costs 7,298. This rises to 10,069 under the double tax system. Benjamin Elks, of the TaxPayers Alliance, said the vindictive double council tax charge would drive up avoidance. He said: In seeking to squeeze every last drop out of taxpayers, successive governments and local authorities have created an absurdly complex tax system which is riddled with loopholes. All levels of government should focus on simplifying the system, reforming rates, and giving hard-pressed households a break. The Local Government Association, which represents councils across England, has repeatedly defended the tax changes. A spokesman said: There is a desperate need for more affordable housing across the country and councils need all options possible to ensure a supply of homes for rent and sale that meets local needs. Charging a council tax premium for long-term empty and second homes is one way of encouraging owners to bring these properties back into permanent use. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After critical debate, Biden and Harris kept visiting swing state NC. What they did here. President Joe Bidens reelection campaign lasted less than a month after the consequential debate that touched off heavy criticism of his mental acuity. The debate on June 27 between Biden and former President Donald Trump led to calls, including from top Democrats, for Biden to drop his reelection bid. Biden announced on Sunday that he would drop out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place. During the critical period between the debate and that decision, Biden, Harris and their surrogates continued to visit North Carolina. Visits by Bidens team had been common throughout the election season, hinting at North Carolinas crucial role for Democrats in the upcoming election. While North Carolina has mostly been won by Republican presidential nominees for years, it is considered a swing state because the victories tend to be by slim margins. In 2020, Trump won the state by just 1.3%. He lost nationwide. In addition to the presidential ticket, Democrats are running against Republicans in races up and down the ballot, including for governor. North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is not running for reelection. There has been speculation that he could be on the short-list to run for vice president alongside Harris. The Democratic National Convention is in August in Chicago. Heres a rundown of the visits after the debate by Biden, Harris, First Lady Jill Biden and former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Biden rally in Raleigh on June 28 President Joe Biden takes the stage during a campaign event at the Jim Graham building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Friday June 28, 2024. Biden debated former President Trump in Atlanta Georgia the previous night. On Friday, just one day after his debate, Biden reassured supporters in Raleigh that he was able to handle another four years. During the rally at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds during which Biden was significantly more energetic than in the debate Biden said, I know Im not a young man. I dont walk as easily as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong and I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done, he said. And I know like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down you get back up, Biden said. Biden was joined by First Lady Jill Biden, who spoke before her husband. Also speaking at that rally were Cooper and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democratic candidate for governor. Biden was joined by First Lady Jill Biden, who spoke before her husband. Jill Biden visits Wilmington July 8 The first lady also visited Wilmington on July 8 to campaign. There, she launched Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris, the Wilmington Star-News reported. Harris visits Greensboro July 11 Vice President Kamala Harris greets a supporter following a campaign event at James B. Dudley High School on Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Greensboro, N.C. At a campaign event at a Greensboro high school on July 11, Harris spoke on the upcoming election and the importance of voting to defeat Trump. Ultimately in this election, we each face a question. What kind of country do we want to live in? she said. Do we want to live in a country of freedom, of compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate? Of Biden, Harris said, he is a fighter. And he is the first to say when you get knocked down, you get back up. So we will continue to fight, and we will continue to organize, and in November we will win. Cooper also joined Harris on stage at James B. Dudley High School. There, he acknowledged the situation. I know that tensions are high right now, but we must, and we will, come together, he said. Harris visits Fayetteville on July 18 Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during a campaign stop at Westover High School on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Fayetteville, N.C. And just one week after her visit to Greensboro, Harris stopped in once more, but this time in Fayetteville. While there, Harris and Cooper both took the stage, using many of the same talking points from Greensboro. Harris also spoke on the Republican National Convention which was ongoing at that time and on Trumps picking Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance to run with him as vice president. Harris said Trump was trying to distract people from his record as president and Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation-written policy plan for a Trump presidency. She also criticized Republicans for abortion restrictions and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. After the attempted assassination of Trump during a rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, the GOP made calls to unify. Harris spoke on this, too, saying if you claim you stand for unity, you need to do more than just use the word. Nancy Pelosi speaks July 20 at NC Democratic Partys annual Unity Dinner Former Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talks with Gov. Roy Cooper and U.S. Rep. Alma Adams during the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 And most recently, on Saturday, Pelosi was the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Democratic Partys annual unity dinner. During speeches by Pelosi and Cooper, Biden rarely came up. Pelosi largely spoke on the importance of electing and mobilizing Democrats and defeating former President Donald Trump. She briefly mentioned accomplishments of Biden and congressional Democrats, saying they know how to do the job. NEW YORK (PIX11)The New York Blood Center has reported a critical shortage of blood, which is affecting hospitals in New York. They urgently need blood donations, particularly O+ and O- blood types, as supplies have reached an all-time low since the COVID-19 pandemic. More Local News We are appealing to our community to step up and donate blood, especially those who are type O. The summer months are always a challenging time for the blood supply, but we are currently experiencing an even lower level of this crucial blood type than at the start of the pandemic, said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. Following the recent surge in blood usage, our local inventory is critically low, and we need immediate support to ensure every patient receives the lifesaving care they need. To meet the requirements for donating blood, individuals must: Be in good health Be 17 years or older Weigh at least 110 pounds Not have taken antibiotics (except for acne) for infection unless they have completed the course and meet all other criteria Be symptom-free for at least 72 hours following a cold or flu Certain medical conditions, medications, recent tattoos, piercings, or travel may impact eligibility. More information can be found here. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A Democratic House primary in Arizona is attracting attention from GOP donors and a super PAC funded by cryptocurrency industry leaders, who are throwing their weight behind one side. Former state Sen. Raquel Teran (D), Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari and physician Duane Wooten are running to replace Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who is running for Senate. Protect Progress, a crypto-funded super PAC, has spent more than a million dollars on independent ads supporting Ansari, whose campaign has also received nearly $200,000 from GOP donors. Its disgusting to watch outside millionaires and billionaires try to buy this seat. Its really abhorrent to see this more and more California and New York rich people thinking Latino politicians and Latino voters are just pawns in their games of power that they can just move around on a game board or spreadsheet, said Chuck Rocha, a Democratic strategist. The whole community and the [Congressional Hispanic] Caucus has come together for Raquel, and we are gonna stand and fight to keep this seat. Teran is backed by Bold PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm, and has been endorsed by Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), the senior statesman and highest-ranking members of the CHC, respectively. This is a blatant effort by an outside group to silence the voices of over half a million Latinos in a majority-Latino district in order to buy a seat in Congress. Raquel Teran has dedicated her career to championing the rights of Latinos across the state, said Bold PAC Chair Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). Instead of supporting an exceptionally qualified Latina and the only one in the race, this group has decided to work against the Latino community by pouring in over $1 million against her. This undermines the ability of Latinos to choose their own representative, and it undermines the progress Bold PAC has spent decades fighting for. Bold PAC leaders are especially sensitive to interference in a Democratic primary by crypto money, after a Sam Bankman-Fried-backed super PAC injected millions of dollars in a 2022 Oregon primary, forcing open the CHC groups wallet. Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) won that race, where her opponent received about $13 million in outside support and Bold PAC invested about 10 percent of its disbursements for that cycle supporting a well-positioned state legislator in a primary against Carrick Flynn, an unknown political rookie. Teran is a major player in the Arizona Democratic Party she resigned as minority leader of the Arizona Senate in March to focus on her congressional run. But Ansari, though less experienced, is no Carrick Flynn. In March, she resigned the Phoenix City Council shed held since 2021, also to focus on the congressional race. Its unclear why Republicans and crypto PACs favor Ansari: Both candidates profess progressive records and have posted similar crypto policies on their websites. Ansari says that part of her support comes from Iranian Americans who, regardless of party, want to see her elected, while Teran says GOP donors fear her and will seek to influence Ansari. I think that these Republican donors know that I will stand up to GOP donors, like I have done through my career, either from ousting Sheriff [Joe] Arpaio or when I was in the state legislature, when I was the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, said Teran. My trajectory shows how I stand up to Republicans and Republican extremists. But Ansari will stand with them. I think that theyre making that case. Though both candidates call themselves progressive, they come from very different backgrounds. Teran started out in politics as a grassroots organizer fighting Arizonas SB1070 immigrant crackdown, grew up in a working class neighborhood in Douglas, Ariz., and had her citizenship challenged after winning her 2018 election. Ansari, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, attended Stanford and Cambridge, and her first job as a graduate was as an adviser in the executive office of then-United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. In a debate in May, Teran accused Ansari of taking money from MAGA donors and said Ansari is a millionaire landlord herself who has benefited from a loan from her father, and has an investment property, and is charging above the average payments rent. Ansari dismissed Terans personal attacks, and went after her legislative record. In the last two weeks of the election, its disappointing to see Raquel Teran continue to resort to misleading attacks. Teran and her supporters are the only ones in this race that have lodged false, negative attacks against Yassamin, with dark money groups supporting Teran spending upward of $1.5M, said Pasquale Luz, a spokesman for Ansari. Teran accepted money from one of Kari Lakes closest advisors and aggressively pursued support from the same organization she condemned today. This desperate strategy does nothing to serve the voters. That is why Yassamin is focused on her progressive record of real accomplishments. Both candidates would mark significant firsts if elected: Teran would be the first Latina federal legislator from Arizona, and Ansari would be the first Democratic Iranian American in Congress. But in a district thats more than 60 percent Latino, Hispanic Democrats are pushing for representatives who share their life experience. Outside money coming in to defeat somebody whos from the district, for the district, by the district, it happens every cycle, said Kristian Ramos, a Democratic strategist. But its really sad see it in this case, again, Raquel Teran organized in those communities, knows those communities, would be incredible member of Congress, I think, on behalf of those communities, and its shameful that outside groups linked to cryptocurrency and Republicans would spend money to oust her, to prevent her from becoming a member of Congress. Latino Democrats thin skin about defending so-called Latino districts goes far beyond the Arizona and Oregon primaries. Bold PAC defines its success by two metrics: defending Latino incumbents, and electing new Latinos to Congress. That attitude stems from the perennial bogeyman of Hispanic underrepresentation in government. [Teran] has been a huge champion of Latino families, immigrant families, and [progressives] want to make sure that they keep we all want to make sure that we keep that seat a Latino, Latina seat, since Ruben was there, and we cant afford to lose any representation, said Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist. We actually, you know, want to continue to gain representation. And so this is a critical, critical, critical seat for us. Though Hispanics make up about 20 percent of the U.S. population, they only make up about 10 percent of Congress. Currently, there are four Hispanic U.S. senators, though Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is expected to resign after his corruption conviction. Gallego would keep the Senate representation number at four out of 100 if he wins in November. Representation aside, Hispanic Democrats are making the case that its bad form to be associated with GOP money and groups like Protect Progress, whose sister organizations support Republican candidates. We in the Democratic Party are open to primaries. I think thats due to the fact that we can discuss issues. Having healthy competition is, is something that we embrace. I embrace it. I know it. But I also what I dont embrace is Republicans meddling in a Democratic primary, Republicans trying to buy a seat, Republicans trying to silence the voices of Latino voters, said Teran. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Do CT Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Your delegate questions answered President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign less than a month before the Democratic National Convention. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." What does that mean for Connecticut's Democratic delegates? Do they still have to vote for him? Heres what to know. How many Democratic delegates does Connecticut have? Out of the 3,896 delegates nationally, Connecticut has 60. This number comes from a Democratic bylaws formula, which is based on each states population and percentage of the total Democratic vote. Do Connecticut's delegates have to vote for Biden? They do not. While all of Connecticut's delegates were committed to Biden, DNC delegates dont technically have to vote for Biden, thanks to a good conscience clause in Democratic delegate selection rules. All delegates to the National Convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them," the rules say. What happens at the DNC now? That depends on whether there is a virtual nomination ahead of the actual convention. The DNC Convention Rules Committee has, according to reporting from USA Today, been debating holding a virtual roll call and nomination to lock in Biden's nomination. With the presumed nominee now out of the race, the party will now either need to hold a virtual nomination or hold an extremely rare open convention to decide the nominee. When is the Democratic Party National Convention The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to run Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago. Who will replace Joe Biden? Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. In her own message, after thanking Biden for his service, she said she intends to win the nomination. "I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," Harris wrote. USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Are Connecticut Democratic delegates required to vote for Biden? Students clash with riot police during a protest against a quota system for government jobs, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajib Dhar) DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) Bangladeshs top court on Sunday scaled back a controversial quota system for government job applicants, a partial victory for student protesters after days of nationwide unrest and deadly clashes between police and demonstrators that have killed scores of people. Students, frustrated by shortages of good jobs, have been demanding an end to a quota that reserved 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971. The government previously halted it in 2018 following mass student protests, but in June, Bangladeshs High Court reinstated the quotas and set off a new round of protests. Ruling on an appeal, the Supreme Court ordered that the veterans quota be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2% will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people. The protests have posed the most serious challenge to Bangladesh's government since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won a fourth consecutive term in January elections that the main opposition groups boycotted. Universities have been closed, the internet has been shut off and the government has ordered people to stay at home. With most communications offline, it was unclear whether the verdict satisfied protesting students, but a lawyer representing some student groups called the court's decision historic. Shah Monjurul Haque said it was a start to reforming the problematic quota system. "Everyone should abide by the verdict. I urge all protestors to return to their homes," said Haque. Law Minister Anisul Haq of the ruling Awami League party also welcomed the courts decision and said it well thought of. The protests turned deadly on Tuesday, a day after students at Dhaka University began clashing with police. Violence continued to escalate as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and hurled smoke grenades to scatter stone-throwing protesters. Bangladeshi authorities havent shared any official numbers of those killed and injured, but at least four local newspapers on Sunday reported that over 100 people have been killed. An Associated Press reporter on Friday saw security forces fire rubber bullets and tear gas at a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who had gathered outside the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, which was attacked and set on fire by protesters the previous day. The incident left streets littered with bullets and marked by smears of blood. Sporadic clashes in some parts of Dhaka, the capital, were reported on Saturday but it was not immediately clear whether there were any fatalities. Hasnat Abdullah, a leader from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, spearheading the protests, said many people have been killed, so the state should take responsibility. Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, soldiers patrolled cities across the South Asian country. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the stay-at-home order will be relaxed from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for people to run essential errands. Meanwhile, the government has declared Sunday and Monday as public holidays, with only emergency services allowed to operate. Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political affiliation. Representatives from both sides met late Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution and Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government was open to discussing their demands. In addition to quota reform, the demands included the reopening of university dormitories and for some university officials to step down after failing to protect campuses. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has backed the protests, vowing to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters have joined the student-led protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling partys accusations of using the protests for political gains. The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the countrys national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures. Hasinas government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote. ___ Saaliq reported from New Delhi, India. Curtis Bashaw talks Menendez verdict and upcoming presidential election NEW YORK (PIX11) U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey was found guilty Tuesday of 16 charges, including bribery, fraud and extortion. Following the announcement, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called on Menendez to resign immediately. As of right now, Menendez is running for the U.S. Senate seat against the Democratic nominee, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, and the Republican nominee, Curtis Bashaw. More Local News Bashaw sat down with PIX on Politics host Dan Mannarino and talked about Menendez and what should happen next. I think New Jersey wants to see him resign. The stench of corruption has been wafting around him many years now and its time to move on, said Bashaw. When asked about the 2024 Republican National Convention, Bashaw expressed his support for former President Donald Trump and said JD Vance will energize things for the Republican Party. More PIX on Politics I think the Republican Party has been unified all year. I think Donald Trump is the right choice this fall for the country to move forward. The Democrats are in chaos, they dont know what to do, and honestly the president can resign, Menendez can resign, I think the Republicans will do well regardless of who is running on the other side, said Bashaw. Watch the video player for the full interview. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Dangerous Independence home could be torn down after overnight fire KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Independence Fire Department is investigating a fire that engulfed a dangerous home in Independence, Mo. on Saturday night. According to IFD, just after 10:30 p.m., crews were dispatched to a home near College and High Street on reports of a structure fire. KCPD investigating shooting that left one man dead in Kansas City Upon arrival, crews saw a heavy fire involving most of the home and worked diligently to extinguish it. IFD said that after the fire was controlled, it was discovered that the home had been tagged as dangerous for previous fires, and utilities had been shut off. When officers with the Independence Police Department arrived on the scene, they told IFD that they had received multiple calls regarding the same address being tied to vagrants and drugs. IFD said that the structure has since been requested to be torn down as soon as possible. UPDATE: 18-year-old killed after crashing into Independence building The cause of the fire has not been released. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. You can only walk so far through the old town of Nicosia before you reach the barricade. There, at the heart of the matter, the impasse quite literally stops you short in closed-off passages and dead-ends. Asklipiou Street suffers the rudest of interruptions, the bars and honeyed houses of its southern end suddenly running out of road where a block of white stone precludes further progress. This is the cul-de-sac to end all cul-de-sacs. It is not meant to be like this. At least, not anymore. The idea of a divided Europe was supposed to have evaporated in November 1989 the winter months at the end of that decade taking with them the sort of barriers which involve bristling barbed wire and machine-gun turrets, separating one-half of a European country from its nominal sibling. Of course, when it comes to Nicosia and when it comes to Cyprus we are not talking about the Cold War. This is not a place where the ghosts of Khrushchev and Kennedy exchange heavy words. Here, in the middle of a sun-kissed country best known for its package holidays and lovely beaches, the Berlin Wall is an irrelevance. The partitioning of the largest island nation in the Mediterranean has nothing to do with East versus West. And yet, in the last few days, it has reached a grim anniversary which demonstrates that Europes most stubborn political chasm has a bitter durability stronger even than that once displayed by the Iron Curtain. These events mark an exact 50 years since Cyprus was sundered into two; since the long-running enmity between its Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities boiled over into war. As yet, there is little evidence that this nastiest of neighbourhood disputes will not endure for another 50. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus resulted in intense fighting and bloodshed - AFP To understand it, you have to look back further than five decades. Should you be so minded, you might trace its root cause the existential antipathy between Greece and Turkey back through 3,200 years of human existence, to the 12th century BC and the clashing swords of the Trojan War. You can certainly find it about half a millennium ago, in 1570, when Ottoman Turkey conquered the island whose people, though under Venetian rule, were almost entirely of Greek origin. The Ottomans would keep it in their grip until 1878, seeding a population of two competing ethnicities, with no great desire to play together nicely. By the time Cyprus emerged, independent, from its time as a British protectorate in 1960, the gulf between the two was too wide to bridge. A power-sharing constitution frayed under the weight of the animosity until 1974 brought its fresh inferno. It would be wrong to say that the acrimony of that blazing July can be blamed solely on Turkish aggression. In a very real sense, Greece started it the military dictatorship which had ruled in Athens since 1967 orchestrating a coup detat whose ambitions were naked; an effective annexation of Cyprus that intended to draw it into a political union (enosis) with the motherland. On July 15 1974, the Cypriot National Guard, taking orders from the Athenian junta, overthrew the Cypriot president (Archbishop) Makarios III, and replaced him with their own man. Ankara rattled its sabres, then sent in the troops. The first soldiers landed on the north coast, at Kyrenia, five days later, on July 20. Fast forward to 2024, and formally at least the situation on the island is much as it was in that furious summer. The Green Line the strangely inoffensive pseudonym for the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus cuts like a ligature around the islands chest, marking the positions where the fighting stopped in the August of 1974, By then, Turkish forces had seized the upper 36 per cent of the landmass. Fifty years on, little has changed. Ankara regards that top third of the country as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; the rest of the world sees it as occupied territory. And while relations between the two halves have warmed to the extent that the border was opened in 2003 there are now nine crossing points dotted along it, including two in central Nicosia the barrier still runs for 112 miles, from Paralimni in the east to Kato Pyrgos in the west. What does this mean for holidaymakers? In reality, not much. Blessed with an affable climate which serves up an unflinching 30C between June and September, Cyprus welcomes around four million tourists every year. About 70 per cent of them arrive on package breaks. Some 1.3 million of them are British. And many of them including plenty of those currently snoozing on sun-loungers in south-coast beach resorts such as Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos, will be blissfully unaware of the blood-stained boundary some 40 miles above them. This is not to criticise, or make pious accusations of geo-political ignorance. It is simply to state the situation as it is. Cypruss big internal problem is of no matter and has no impact if you are flying in to top up your suntan. The border between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus - AFP But it can make for a note of (admittedly lurid) fascination, should you wish to peer at the Cypriot soul. Under occupation it may be, but the North is far from being inaccessible. True, you cannot realistically fly there. While planes coming in from Turkey do land in the Turkish Republic at Ercan International Airport, eight miles to the east of Nicosia the authorities in the Republic of Cyprus (the unoccupied South) consider this an illegal point of entry, and it would be unwise to arrive via this route (indeed, our Foreign Office warns directly against it; see gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus). It is much better, simpler and more respectful to catch one of the many direct flights to Larnaca or Paphos from (a broad selection of) British airports, and if you would like to explore on the other side of the Green Line, continue your journey via one of the border crossings. The Green Line is filled with abandoned buildings and airports (pictured Nicosia International Airport) - Reuters There is, perhaps, an ethical quandary as to whether you are on fragile moral ground if you decide to visit occupied territory; even occupied territory which has settled into the stasis of a ceasefire where the guns are unlikely to burst back into life. And yes, if you feel this way, it is best to stick to the South. There is plenty of it to enjoy (see below). But the North bears closer inspection. While it wears the obvious scars of the last 50 years a paucity of investment, not least compared to its EU neighbour, has left it with a slew of potholed roads, fractured buildings and, to a general extent, a lower standard of accommodation it also has some of the islands most beautiful locations. Kantara Castle, alone on a crag on that under-developed north coast, is a romantic Byzantine relic; its stronghold was once stormed by Richard the Lionheart. The Karpas Peninsula is one of Europes last unknowns; a finger pointing north-east towards Turkey and Syria in a haze of farmland, sand dunes and empty beaches. The Apostolos Andreas Monastery, at its tip, is a key site of Cypriot Orthodox worship, considered sacred by both communities. Then there are the cities. Kyrenia, where that initial stomp of Turkish boots was felt, is an explicit example of the dichotomy known to its residents by its Turkish-Cypriot name, Girne. But whatever you call it, it gleams at the seas edge, its own castle, a 16th-century Venetian bastion built on Crusader foundations, still watching over a horseshoe harbour. And there is a similar air of history in east-coast Famagusta (known locally as Gazimagusa), where the walls of a 13th-century French fortress stand proud, and the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque is still recognisable, below its minaret, as the St Nicholas Cathedral a 14th-century Gothic marvel which underwent an Ottoman transformation. In Famagusta, you can also glimpse the horror of the divide. Prior to 1974, Varosha was a high-end resort, its luxury retreats attracting the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot. For the last 50 years, it has been a hostage, held behind steel fences by Turkish weapons. It remains frozen in that hour of invasion, curtains fluttering raggedly in the windows of homes which had to be abandoned, those fine hotels crumbling to dust. To seek it out and it is not hard to find it, grimacing like a mouth of broken teeth, directly south of the modern coastal hotspot of Kapali Maras; soldiers still guarding its perimeter definitely falls within the bracket of dark tourism. But if you want a snapshot of what happened in 1974 and why it is still a matter of considerable anger in Cyprus this is it. Varosha in Famagusta used to be a popular resort, but has now fallen into disrepair The whole troubled story coalesces in the capital, where the Green Lines intrusion is so specific that it cleaves the city in two. Nicosia also bears the yoke of a dual identity, known to Turkish-Cypriots as Lefkosa but it can be a remarkable experience to wander on both sides of the border (you can go across on foot, with a British passport, via the pedestrian crossing point on Ledra Street). In doing so, you may notice more similarities than differences. There is little more than a stones-throw distance between the 14th-century St Johns Cathedral in the South and the Selimiye Mosque in the North; the latter having been the (13th century) Cathedral of St Sophia until 1570. The Palaia Pineza bar, pressed hard against the wall on the south side of the Green Line, is not radically different from Red Zeppelin, metres away on the north. And if there is an aesthetic gap between boutique patisserie Melissa Confectionary, below the border, and the stalls of the Bandabulya market, above, the sweet treats they offer are much the same. Are they harbingers of a rapprochement, these little likenesses? Probably not. In 2004, a UN-brokered solution, comprising a loose federation of two states, was put to a referendum. The North voted yes; the South rejected the plan, largely because it failed to satisfactorily address the question of compensation for, or the return of, property seized during the invasion. Negotiations have continued on and off ever since but the last set of talks collapsed in 2020 as Covid reared, and have not restarted with conviction. Much of this will be met with a shrug or a puzzled expression in the clubs of Ayia Napa, or on the beach in Paphos but Cyprus remains a fabulous destination, irrespective of its unresolved trauma. And if you fancy casting a closer glance this summer or this autumn, any or all of the following breaks will introduce you to Europes sunniest question mark. Five fabulous Cypriot holidays Party It may no longer have quite the hedonistic image it enjoyed in the Noughties, but Ayia Napa pinned to the east coast, below the border is still an easy option for unfettered fun in the sun. A one-week stay at the four-star Nestor Hotel, flying from Birmingham on August 17, starts at 985 a head with Love Holidays (01234 230 440; loveholidays.com). Ayia Napa beach - Alamy Stock Photo Beach Tucked away at the south-western corner of the island, Paphos is something of a world of its own and offers a more refined take on the Cypriot beach escape. A seven-night getaway to the five-star Elysium Hotel, flying from Gatwick on August 3, costs from 1,362 per person, through British Airways Holidays (0344 493 0787; ba.com/holidays). Cyprus' summer reaches temperatures of around 30C - Alamy History As well as a lovely shoreline, Paphos has some of Cypruss most significant ancient ruins; not least the remains of four Roman villas (dedicated to Dionysos, Aion, Theseus and Orpheus). These slivers of yesteryear form part of the Archaeology of Ancient Cyprus tour sold by Brightwater Holidays (01334 845 392; brightwaterholidays.com) an eight-day escorted odyssey that also calls on the ruins of Amathous (near Limassol), and Nicosia. The next edition is slated for March 25 (2025), from 2,095 a head, with flights. The old city of Nicosia - Alamy Stock Photo Hiking Cypruss interior is as striking as its seafront. The Troodos Mountains, which swarm across the centre of the island, are heaven for those who like to take their holidays on foot sufficiently elevated that they can be snow-capped in winter (Mount Olympus, the predictably named highest peak, hits 6,404ft/1,952m). The Natural Adventure (020 3962 1455; thenaturaladventure.com) serves them up as a self-guided Troodos Mountains and Akamas walking break the second part of that proposition being the rustic peninsula which juts out at the islands westernmost point. From 735 a head, not including flights. The North It is possible to visit the upper reaches of the island via a fully organised holiday. Explore (01252 240 707; explore.co.uk) runs a regular Walking in Northern Cyprus group trip which visits Kyrenia and Famagusta, and wanders in the Besparmak Mountains. This is offered as either an autumn or a winter adventure. Eleven departures are currently inked into the diary for the closing months of this year, the first setting off on September 7, the last amid the Christmas lull of December 28. From 595 per person, not including flights. 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. Chris H. Chambless, the Clay County Supervisor of Elections, reminds voters that the registration deadline for the upcoming Primary Election is Monday, July 22. The Primary Election is set to take place on August 20. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< July 22 is also the final day to change party affiliation. As Florida operates under a Closed Primary system, voters are limited to selecting candidates from their registered party. Democrats can only vote for Democratic candidates, Republicans for Republican candidates, and those registered with minor parties or with No Party Affiliation (NPA) can only vote in non-partisan contests. Voters are encouraged to verify their information at VoterStatusClay.com ahead of Election Day. Registering to vote or changing party affiliation is more convenient than ever through the online platform RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov. Paper registration applications are also available at public libraries and the Elections Office in Green Cove Springs and must be signed and postmarked by July 22 to be valid for the Primary Election. For additional information or inquiries, contact the Elections Office at (904) 269-6350 or visit ClayElections.gov, the official source for verified election information. [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. Russian forces targeted Kyiv with a new unidentified drone overnight on July 19-20, according to Ukraine's Air Force. In its morning update, the Air Force on July 20 reported that Ukrainian air defense units shot down 12 Shahed drones and "one UAV of unspecified type." Images of the downed drone circulating on social media indicate that the new weapon does not resemble the Shahed-136 typically launched by Russian forces. The drone was reported to be flying at a low altitude of 20-30 meters. The news outlet Defense Express obtained additional photographs and details about the unidentified drone. The UAV has "a possible wingspan of more than 4 meters, beam plumage, a push rotor, and a square fuselage," Defense Express reported, citing its sources. Images of the drone show some similarities to the Russian ZALA 421-20 reconnaissance drone, but types of drones are not widespread and no longer appear in ZALA's current catalog, Defense Express reported. The low altitude of the drone shot down in Kyiv also indicates that it was a kamikaze drone, Defense Express said. The drone's fragments are reportedly still being investigated. Read also: Media: Number of Russian drones on front lines has doubled in 3 months Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Reactions poured in from Massachusetts politicians after President Joe Biden announced he was suspending his re-election campaign. Governor Maura Healey gave her thanks for Bidens years of service, saying in part: Joe Biden ran for President to restore the soul of our country and defeat the greatest threat our democracy has ever seen. And thats exactly what he did. Few could have risen to the challenge the way Joe Biden has. He has restored our economy, defended our freedoms, and protected democracy at home and abroad. He has led with decency, empathy and brought Americans together. President Bidens decision today not to seek reelection is the ultimate example of putting the country first something Joe Biden has done over and over again in his unparalleled career. We are all deeply grateful to President Biden for his lifetime of service. Thank you, Mr. President. President Bidens decision not to seek reelection is the ultimate example of putting the country first something he has done over and over again in his unparalleled career. We are all deeply grateful to President Biden for his lifetime of service. Thank you, Mr. President. https://t.co/AfT3poKEcU Maura Healey (@maura_healey) July 21, 2024 Congressman Ed Markey said Bidens political record is unmatched: From reunifying NATO, to passing the largest climate investment in our history, President Joe Biden has helped save democracy and the planet. He has a record unmatched in modern U.S. history, and I am forever grateful for his service and friendship. From reunifying NATO, to passing the largest climate investment in our history, President Joe Biden has helped save democracy and the planet. He has a record unmatched in modern U.S. history, and I am forever grateful for his service and friendship. Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) July 21, 2024 Congresswoman Lori Trahan said that Biden saved democracy in 2020 and says he delivered unprecedented progress for American families. Joe Biden saved our Democracy in 2020, and he has worked with House Democrats to deliver unprecedented progress for the American people. President Bidens decision to pass the baton positions us to defeat Donald Trump again this November and build on the work weve done to lower costs for families, strengthen our economy, and protect womens reproductive freedom. Together with our strong, proven Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats will make a clear, effective case to voters why our commitment to improving the lives of every American is the better choice than Donald Trumps chaotic and extreme Republican Party. Joe Biden saved our Democracy in 2020, and he has worked with House Democrats to deliver unprecedented progress for the American people. President Bidens decision to pass the baton positions us to defeat Donald Trump again this November and build on the work weve done. Lori Trahan (@LoriTrahanMA) July 21, 2024 Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley thanked Biden and expressed confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed for the Democratic ticket. Representative Jake Auchincloss thanked Biden in a short statement, saying in part: Joe Biden is the first president in U.S. history who has had to defend democracy at home & abroad simultaneously. He has done so admirably. Thank you for your service, Mr. President. Now lets win. In a lengthy statement, MassDems said Biden is a man of integrity, saying in part: President Joe Biden will go down in history as one of the greatest leaders our nation has ever had. In the decades that he has spent in service to the American people, there has been no one more committed to decency, no one more fluent in compassion, no one more fervent in his dedication to each and every cause that might improve the lives of the people he represents. MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale says regardless of Biden stepping aside, the Republicans are in a great position to win in November. No matter the nominee, Americans now see through the failed policies of the Democratic Party, she said. From the economy to border security, Democrats have fallen short. Americans want a shift, and were confident that no Democrat will measure up to the Republican ticket. Democratic WHIP Katherine Clark commended President Biden for what she deemed a selfless act. Todays announcement embodies President Bidens steadfast courage and patriotism. At every point in his remarkable career, Joe Biden has put his country first advancing the project of democracy and meeting the needs of the American people, Clarks statement read in part. He has expanded access to affordable health care, brought jobs back to our shores, improved safety in our communities, led the fight against domestic violence, and paved our path toward a greener future. Around the globe, he is admired for his steady, experienced leadership always honoring Americas crucial role as a facilitator of peace, democracy, and human rights. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell remarked that Biden will represent a high standard for public servants for a very long time. Throughout his career in public service including his presidency, President Joe Biden has set the standard for courage, empathy, sacrifice and unity. His model for leadership will be one future generations of public servants look to for decades to come. And with President Biden, we have had a true partner to help us improve the quality of life for everyone in Massachusetts, said Campbell. Put simply: President Biden has allowed Massachusetts to get things done. Together, weve worked hard to relieve the burden of student loans for thousands of borrowers, enacted climate policies for clean air and clean water, and imposed regulations on junk fees to tackle the affordability crisis. Running for president of the United States takes tremendous sacrifice - one that President Biden has continued to make even in times of tragedy in his personal life. And for that selflessness, we should all forever be grateful. Thank YOU President Biden for being the bridge to a future of great opportunity for our country and Commonwealth. New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas said he agreed with Bidens decision to withdraw. The stakes in this election could not be higher, and this moment requires us to be forward-looking and put the needs of everyday Americans front and center, Pappas said. This election is about more than one candidate on the ballot. Protecting reproductive freedom, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, lowering drug prices, and bringing down costs for families are all on the ballot this November. That is why I remain focused on continuing the progress weve made, making a difference for Granite Staters, and putting New Hampshire first. Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating anointed Biden as one the most effective Presidents in US history. Inflation is down, the stock market is at an all-time high, and Joe Bidens term as President has not just been a success, but a historic success in moving us from the economic and healthcare crisis of the pandemic to the number one economy in the world, Keating said. As if the last four years didnt already make it clear, today firmly demonstrates that Joe Biden is the antithesis of Donald Trump, putting country ahead of personal ambition. Congressman Seth Moulton described a level of pride in the 46th presidents decision to step down. Proud of our president, who will go down in history as a great statesman, and proud to endorse our vice president, who has the energy, courage, and vision to beat Donald Trump. Now let's come together and get to work! Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) July 21, 2024 New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan commended Biden for the entirety of his political career. President Joe Biden has devoted his life to public service, demonstrating an unmatched depth of care for the American people and an ironclad commitment to freedom. His leadership has made a positive impact on Americans from all walks of life, but especially those who needed a champion the most, Hassan said. President Biden has shown how to connect democracy to the lives of everyday Americans, and his decades of successes spanning his time in the U.S. Senate, as Vice President, and as President demonstrate what can be accomplished when we are committed to democracys ideals. Bidens decision comes about one month before the Democratic National Convention begins and just over 100 days until Election Day. As late as Friday afternoon, Biden was adamant that he would return to the campaign trail after testing positive for COVID-19. In a memo released to CNN on Friday, Biden said, I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trumps Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone, adding, The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win. The health concern was the latest in a series of events that put pressure on Bidens bid for president. 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 Former Vice President Joe Biden participates in a rally for then Senate Democratic candidate Chris Coons, on November 1, 2010 in Wilmington. It's official: President Joe Biden will not seek reelection. Politicians across the nation have shared their own responses to Biden's announcement, with many thanking the president for his public service. Delaware's political leaders from the U.S. Congressional delegation to local officials across the political spectrum are no exception. U.S. Sen. Chris Coons posted on X that Biden "has an incredible record of public service." "He has been the most consequential president of my lifetime, and his legacy of putting his country before himself is only strengthened by his hard decision today to step aside as a candidate for president," Coons wrote. Live updates as Biden drops out: Delaware's delegation weighs in after Biden drops out of presidential race THE FULL STORY Delaware's own Joe Biden drops out of Presidential race, citing 'best interest' of country U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester thanked Biden "from the bottom of (her) heart" in an official statement. She called him "the most accomplished president in modern history," praising him for his work on reducing the cost of insulin, forgiving student loan debt, handling the pandemic, creating jobs and investing in HBCUs. Blunt Rochester said she's had the privilege of knowing Biden for over 30 years, and thanked him for his support for her family in times of need and tragedy. Blunt Rochester concluded her statement by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. "Today, the fight of our lives continues," Blunt Rochester said. "In November, Democrats are going to beat Donald Trump because we have to and because President Joe Biden showed us how. U.S. Sen. Tom Carper issued an official statement praising Biden's support of veterans and addressing of climate change, calling his record "one that all Americans can be proud of." Its been my privilege to serve the people of Delaware and America with Joe Biden for 50 years," Carper said. "I love him like a brother. Hes a proud Democrat, but hes an American first. From the day he took office, he has consistently said that in the end, his final decision on running for re-election would be based on whats best for America. His decision today meets that standard, and I am immensely proud of him for that." Local officials weigh in New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer praised Biden on X for his efforts related to stabilizing the economy, affordable healthcare and environmental justice, calling him "a champion for working families." "I'm profoundly grateful for President Bidens unwavering dedication and service to our nation," Meyer wrote. Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued an official statement calling Biden "one of the greatest Vice Presidents and Presidents in the history of our nation." She thanked him for ending the war in Afghanistan, investing in infrastructure, combatting climate change, addressing gun safety, choosing the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president, selecting the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court and restoring "dignity and decency to the White House." "I know this was not an easy decision for Joe to reach when so much is on the line for America," Jennings said. "But I also know that he understands how gravely serious the threat to our country is, and I should not be surprised that in a career replete with difficult, consequential decisions Joes patriotism has carried the day. The entire Biden family is in my heart today." Gov. John Carney called Biden a "devoted, effective, and inspirational public servant." "All Americans owe the President a debt of gratitude, which will become only more profound in the pages of history," Carney said. "And here at home, we could not be more proud of Delawares Joe Biden." Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long shared her "love and gratitude" for the Biden family in a statement posted on X. She reminisced on her first time meeting Biden while interning for the U.S. Senate, calling him "a friend and a shining example of a public servant." She said Biden has "made (Delaware) proud," writing that the U.S. "is stronger for his selfless service." "It is time for Democrats and all of us to rally around the ideals and values that President Biden has represented ideals that will lead our nation into a brighter future," Hall-Long said. Both Carney and Hall-Long endorsed Harris for president. Delaware Democratic Party Chair Betsy Maron said in an official statement that "placing the interest of his party and his country ahead of his own is a reflection of Joe Bidens selfless character." For over 50 years, Delaware Democrats have been proud to count Joe Biden among our ranks," Maron said. "Today is no different. We thank President Biden for his years of dedication and service to our state and our nation. We look forward to honoring his consequential legacy for years to come Democrats were not the only ones to thank Biden for his service as president. When is the DNC 2024? Who will replace Joe Biden as Democratic National Convention nears Delaware House Minority Leader Mike Ramone praised Biden in an official statement for giving Delaware a "national voice" and serving the country with honor. Having known and worked with the Biden family for many years, I have witnessed firsthand his love for Delaware and his commitment to our nation," Ramone said. "For his steadfast service to our state and country, and for his deep love for the every man, we thank him. This is a developing story. 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: Joe Biden drops out of presidential race. Delaware politicians respond Earlier this month, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines changed its policy to allow flight attendants to only wear pins depicting the U.S. flag, and some employees arent happy about the change. The airline received criticism after photos of flight attendants wearing Palestinian flag pins began circulating online, prompting the policy change. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A post from the official Delta account on X, formerly known as Twitter, replied to the photos saying, 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 post was later removed and the airline apologized from the official account, saying the employee involved no longer supports Deltas social channels. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, a union representing flight attendants, published a video earlier this week featuring two flight attendants claiming that Delta is allowing them to be harassed and discriminated against by changing the policy. TRENDING STORIES: This is not just about a pin or a picture. This is about defending our dignity, one says in the video. Because our pins are not the problem, harassment and Deltas failure to do anything about it are the problem. The video goes on to say that wearing pins of other nations and ethnicities, which is no longer allowed, served as a symbol of Deltas role in connecting the world via its flights. In an open letter to Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, the AFA-CWA said that Deltas response showed contempt for current employees and is unacceptable. They go on to demand a public apology, protections for crew members and increased social media moderation. The union has also started petitions for flight attendants and the community at large to support its cause. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Just two days before the 2024 presidential election was thrown into chaos with President Joe Bidens stunning announcement that he would not seek re-election, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on a major donor call that left attendees feeling frustrated, according to a new report. The call, attended by some 300 major Democratic donors, was mismanaged and rushed, a source who attended told NBC News. The reportedly disastrous event was organized after weeks and weeks of mounting calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, pressure he finally bowed to on Sunday afternoon, telling the nation that hed decided it was in the best interest of my party and the country to call it quits and endorse Harris as the Democratic nominee. It was a total failure, an anonymous attendee told NBC News. It was damaging. It was poor planning. Another donor reportedly unmuted during the conversation, calling the event ludicrous. The call was organized by Jen OMalley Dillon, Bidens campaign chair, according to NBC News. The sources also noted the frustration was not with Harris herself, NBC News reports. Kamala Harris spoke at a donor call one attendee called disastrous (AP) A source who attended also told NBC News that donors were admonished and told to get behind Biden as the candidate. When the call was held Friday night, 36 Democratic representatives and senators had already publicly urged Biden to drop out of the 2024 race. That number rose to 37 on Sunday, with Democrat-turned-Independent Senator Joe Manchin calling on the president to step down. A group of activists also held a pass the torch rally outside the White House on Saturday afternoon. We only have less than 4 months to figure out how to win this election together, one speaker said at the rally. And we can do it matter of fact, we have to do it. While Biden endorsed Harris in his withdrawal announcement, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is looking to prevent the vice president from automatically taking the nomination, Politico and The New York Times reported. Pelosi is not against a Harris-led ticket, according to the Times. Instead, Pelosi is advocating for an open nomination process at next months Democratic National Convention, arguing that Harris or any other potential candidate would be strengthened by earning the title, the Times reports. As the Democratic party remains in flux, Donald Trump and JD Vance held their first campaign rally this weekend since the deadly Butler, Pennsylvania event last weekend. Trump addressed Thomas Crooks assassination attempt against him at Saturdays rally, telling the audience he shouldnt be here. The Independent has contacted Bidens campaign for comment. Democratic calls for a new nominee ramp up as Biden camp pledges to stay the course President Joe Biden speaks at the 115th NAACP National Convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on July 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was Bidens last event before he left the campaign trail due to testing positive for COVID-19. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Ten more congressional Democrats called on President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid Friday, the most in a single day since a poor debate performance shook confidence among his fellow Democrats in his ability to win Novembers election. The 10 Democrats on Friday, the day after former President Donald Trump officially accepted his partys nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, plus West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin on Sunday, brought the total to 32, increasing the pressure on Biden to withdraw from the race. While no member of congressional Democratic leadership has publicly called for Biden to step down, several top Democrats who were either involved with handling Trumps impeachment trials or with investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol have raised their concerns, citing the former presidents threat to democracy. California Rep. Adam Schiff, who was the lead impeachment manager in Trumps first impeachment trial, called on Biden to drop out, saying in a statement that he had serious concerns about the presidents ability to win a second term. And Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who was a member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol, stopped short of explicitly calling on Biden to step down, but urged the president to reconsider whether he should remain in the presidential race. Biden remained at home in Delaware with no public events scheduled after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday evening. In an interview on MSNBCs Morning Joe early Friday, Biden campaign co-chair Jen OMalley Dillon said the president remained absolutely in the race, even as a growing number of Democrats voiced unease about his ability to defeat Trump. Absolutely the president is in this race, youve heard him say that time and time again, she said. He is the best person to take on Donald Trump. But reports also surfaced Friday that Vice President Kamala Harris, a potential replacement for Biden if he takes the unprecedented step of withdrawing from a race less than four months from Election Day, was scheduled to speak by phone with top Democratic donors in the afternoon. Harris did not respond to reporters questions at an appearance at a Washington ice cream shop Friday, according to a pool report. And 10 more congressional Democrats, including more senior members than had previously broken ranks with the president, said Friday that Biden should step aside. U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois wrote an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune. Reps. Jared Huffman of California, Marc Veasey of Texas, Jesus Chuy Garcia of Illinois and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin wrote a joint open letter to Biden that they posted on social media. The quartet represents important constituencies in the House Democratic Caucus. Veasey is the first member of the influential Congressional Black Caucus, which has been among Bidens staunchest Democratic backers, to join the call for him to step down. He is also a member of the moderate New Democrat Coalition. Pocan is the co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and a former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Garcia is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Reps. Greg Landsman of Ohio, Zoe Lofgren of California also released their own statements. Betty McCollum of Minnesota told the Star Tribune newspaper she wanted Biden step aside and allow Harris to lead the ticket with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, of Kentucky, posted a statement on X. The calls came a day after Sen. Jon Tester, in a difficult reelection race in Montana, said in a statement to the Daily Montanan that Biden should withdraw. Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who was one of few Democrats who called on Biden to step down two weeks ago, expanded on his view in an op-ed Friday. Moulton wrote in the Boston Globe that when he went on a June trip to Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the president didnt recognize him, despite their decade-long relationship. Of course, that can happen as anyone ages, but as I watched the disastrous debate a few weeks ago, I have to admit that what I saw in Normandy was part of a deeper problem, Moulton wrote. It was a crushing realization, and not because a person I care about had a rough night but because everything is riding on Bidens ability to beat Donald Trump in November. This story was updated to include Sen. Joe Manchin. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE WASHINGTON Democratic Party chairs of seven critical battleground states Sunday reaffirmed their support for President Joe Biden, urging their fellow Democrats to focus on beating former President Donald Trump while many in the party are trying to push Biden to drop out. In a joint open letter to Democrats obtained by USA TODAY, the party chairs argued Democrats have a unified message of "freedom, democracy, and an economy that works for working people" that can beat Trump's "MAGA threat of abortion bans, dictatorship, and giveaways to billionaires." "But right now, many voters arent hearing that from our party. We understand the anxiety. But the best antidote to political anxiety is taking action," they wrote in the letter. "When we all lend our voices to contrasting the Democratic vision from Biden-Harris straight down the ticket with the MAGA nightmare, we win." The letter is signed by state Democratic Party chairs Ben Wikler of Wisconsin, Lavora Barnes of Michigan, Sharif Street of Pennsylvania, Anderson Clayton of North Carolina, Nikema Williams of Georgia, Yolanda Bejarano of Arizona and Daniele Monroe-Moreno of Nevada. The seven states are likely to decide the outcome of the 2024 election. President Joe Biden waves on stage during the Vote To Live Prosperity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas on July 16, 2024. Their appeal comes as Biden is in a standoff with Democratic congressional leaders, lawmakers and donors who are convinced he's not likely to defeat Trump in the November election. Alarmed by Biden's poor polling and his disastrous debate performance last month, 35 congressional Democrats have publicly called on the 81-year-old Biden to end his campaign so Democrats can choose a new, younger nominee. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have privately shared concerns with Biden that his candidacy could sink Democrats' chances to win the Senate and House. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has relayed similar concerns about Biden's prospects. Biden has vowed repeatedly that he's not withdrawing from the race. Protesters demand President Joe Biden "Pass the Torch," in front of of the White House in Washington, DC, on July, 20, 2024. "We know tough races," the seven party chairs wrote in their letter. "Weve all experienced the 'poll-er coaster,' the ups and downs, the moments that supposedly change everything only to be superseded by another moment that changes everything a month later. Weve all seen moments when Democrats focused more on arguing with each other than defeating Republicans." They added that Democrats have won during such moments "by refocusing on doing the things that each of us, at every level, could do to advance towards victory." Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison has also remained a loyal supporter of Biden amid the president's growing list of Democratic critics. Biden won six of the seven states represented in the letter, with the lone exception being North Carolina, where the Biden campaign has invested heavily to try to flip the state. Most polling this year, however, shows Biden trailing Trump in all seven of these states, losing ground especially Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina. WisDems Chair Ben Wikler speaks during the WisDems 2024 State Convention on June 08, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "As we enter the final 100-day stretch, President Biden has proven he can beat Donald Trump if we all do the work," the party chairs' letter says. They pointed to three factors they believe are on Biden's side: "voters know Joe" and see him as a "fighter for working people," local communities can point to infrastructure and other projects from the Biden administration, and the majority of American voters support Biden's agenda including protecting access to abortion and expanding Medicare and Social Security. "To voters looking at these two visions of the future, the contrast could not be clearer," they wrote. "So the task for Democrats is to bring the nations attention to the choice between these two visions. As leaders of state parties, thats how we dedicate our time: to the work that will have the biggest impact on winning." Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dem party chairs in 7 key swing states reaffirm support for Biden Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) has called on U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign in the wake of an assassination attempt against former President Trump, making him the first Congressional Democrat to do so. I am calling on Director Cheatle to resign immediately following last weekends shooting of a Presidential candidate in Western Pennsylvania, Boyle said in a statement posted to X Saturday. The evidence coming to light has shown unacceptable operational failures. I have no confidence in the leadership of the United States Secret Service if Director Cheatle chooses to remain in her position. Trump was hit with a bullet in the ear in an assassination attempt at one of his rallies in Butler, Pa., last weekend. He has recently been sporting a bandage on that ear following the shooting. The Secret Service has faced scrutiny in the wake of the shooting, with many questioning how the gunman had access to a roof that had a clear line of sight to Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called on Cheatle to resign on Wednesday and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called for new leadership at the agency on the same day. Last weeks near-assassination of former President Trump was a grave attack on American democracy, McConnell said in a post on X. The nation deserves answers and accountability. New leadership at the Secret Service would be an important step in that direction. Cheatle said in an interview earlier this week that she would not resign from her role. I do plan to stay on, she said. The Hill has reached out to the Secret Service. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Washington erupted on Sunday as President Joe Biden reversed course after weeks of calls for him to drop out and announced that he would not be the nominee for the Democratic Party in 2024. Statements from politicians on both sides of the aisle some clearly having been prepared for days, if not weeks poured in as the 81-year-old Biden said that he would bow to the wishes of Democrats who feared that his campaign was heading for a historic collapse which would have dragged down-ballot Democrats into defeat this fall. Members of the presidents party applauded him and spoke glowingly of his legacy while Republicans, coming of their own nominating contest last week, called for him to step down as president immediately. Many also condemned their rivals for supposedly ignoring the will of the voters, who in actuality were never offered a real primary challenge to Biden this year. Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history, wrote Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country. Hillary and former President Bill Clinton released a joint statement endorsing Harris for the nomination. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiros initial statement did not mention Harris at all, but in a subsequent press release he revealed that after speaking with both Biden and Harris hed decided to throw his support behind the vice president. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President, he said. The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency. Bernie Sanders, who had defended Biden amid calls for the president to drop out, said he has served our country with honor and dignity. As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history, he wrote. Thank you, Mr. President, for all youve done. President Joe Biden announced his departure from the 2024 race on Sunday. (AFP via Getty Images) Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump led the charge for Republicans. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election, said Johnson. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. Trump, who officially secured the GOP nomination last week, wrote on Truth Social: Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt - And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! the ex-presidents post concluded. Noticeably absent in the immediate wake of the news: Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed to win the nomination in his statement withdrawing from the race. She issued a statement around 4pm et, more than an hour after the news and roughly three hours after Biden himself reportedly told his own team. On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office, said Harris in a statement. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. Harris continued: With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Joe Biden immediately endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, for the nomination upon dropping out Sunday. (EPA) Reactions from overseas were a bit more favourable to Biden, whom European allies were reported to have been worried about having been unable to beat Trump, a well-known skeptic of Nato and foreign engagement, this fall. I respect President Biden's decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency, wrote British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, still in his first month in office. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness & admiration. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity & class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best, wrote Irelands Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin on Twitter. I respect Joe Bidens decision not to run for re-election. That justification deserves respect, Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told broadcaster NRK.Biden has been one of Americas most prominent politicians over several decades, and a president who has carried out several important reforms. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career, wrote Israeli President Isaac Herzog on X. As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples. I send him, @FLOTUS Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem. This is a breaking news story. More to follow... Who will be Harris' VP pick? Democrats would be fools to ignore Sen. Mark Kelly Sen. Mark Kelly has what it takes to be vice president and no Im not saying it just because hes from Arizona. That lane opened for Kelly and others when President Biden on Sunday stunned the country announcing hes dropping his reelection bid and quickly endorsed vice president Kamala Harris. Kelly joined a chorus of Democrats expressing their gratitude toward Biden calling him one of the most consequential presidents in history." He led us out of the pandemic, took historic steps to bring back microchip and clean energy manufacturing and rebuild our infrastructure, and he has strengthened our alliances and made our country safer, Kelly wrote on X. Then Kelly turned to Harris, throwing his support behind her as the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future. Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States, Kelly said. Mark Kelly can help Democrats secure swing-state Arizona That means hes ready and willing to the hard work, including becoming Harris' vice president should she tap him. Shed be smart to do just that. Kelly is a serious senator, not a bomb-throwing cranker merely looking to advance his own political career. No doubt he'll help Harris win Arizona, a swing state Biden won by fewer than 11,000 votes. At this point, its anyone guess who would get the nod for the ticket. Democrats have a lot to sort through amid the chaos and uncertainty of Bidens viability following his disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump less than a month ago. Its heartening to see Democratic leaders coalesce behind Harris as the party's next in line instead of wasting more time trying to decide on and rally behind somebody else. Harris is half Black, half South Asian from progressive California. She would need a moderate vice president from a swing state like Arizona who could appeal to independents, women, white and rural voters. A stellar career as astronaut, a poignant love story Kelly, 60, checks all those boxes. Hes as tough as it comes with a brilliant space career and the personal tragedy that touches hearts. The NASA astronaut flew his first shuttle mission in 2001 and his last one in 2011 just a few months after his wife, then Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, was shot at a constituents event. Giffords was shot in the head near Tucson. Six people died and 12 others were wounded. Since then, Kelly have been advocating for legislation to curb gun violence while still supporting the Second Amendment. Hes the type of guy who plunged into politics by necessity rather than personal ambition. That first chance came against Republican Martha McSally, whom he defeated in the 2020 race. He is a no-drama, do-the-hard-work senator Kelly has distinguished himself as a steadfast, no-drama senator focusing on policy and smartly letting fellow senator and mentor Kyrsten Sinema get the spotlight in all the wrong ways. Kelly has been thoughtful in his governing approach, willing to rid of the legislative filibuster to pass a voting-rights bill and pushing for bipartisan border security legislation. Few can better explain and make the case for U.S. investment in semiconductors production domestically. That ability translated into the CHIPS and Science Act to provide billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to do that. Democrats cant afford not to pick somebody like Kelly, free of scandal with cross-over appeal and scientific acumen on local and internal affairs. Whatever happens next, Kelly is ready. Elvia Diaz is editorial page editor for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, (formerly Twitter), @elviadiaz1. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who could be Harris' VP pick? It should be Sen. Mark Kelly Democrats hail Biden as a hero for stepping aside; Republicans want him to resign President Biden was heralded as a selfless hero by top Democrats on Sunday after stepping down from the 2024 race against former President Trump amid concerns about his age and capacity to run the nation. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) among the most influential politicians who have been nudging Biden to step aside called the 81-year-old one of the most consequential presidents in American history and thanked him for the decision. God blessed America with Joe Bidens greatness and goodness, Pelosi said in a statement shortly after his announcement. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) also expressed his gratitude for Bidens decision and praised his presidential record. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first, Schumer said in a statement Sunday. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American. Read more: Harris, with Biden endorsement, says she intends to 'earn and win this nomination' In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Biden will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents, and California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks called him a statesman who put service before self. Meanwhile, Bidens decision incensed Republicans who have been enjoying his flailing polling numbers, with some calling on him to resign immediately and painting Sundays announcement as an invalidation of the voters who put him in office three years ago. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on the social media platform X. Bidens announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation about his future, spurred by a consequential debate with Trump last month that spiked concerns about his performance as he stumbled to collect his thoughts on live television. Now, time is of the essence as election day is less than four months away and a lack of unity in the Democratic Party could further hurt its cause. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in his place on Sunday and others including Bill and Hillary Clinton quickly followed his lead. But much is still unknown about the Democratic Partys strategy in a historically precarious presidential campaign. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term, the Clintons said in a joint statement Sunday. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it. As the oldest president in history, Bidens decision to not seek reelection comes amid mounting pressure from nearly 40 Democrats and independents in Congress, according to a Washington Post tracker. Sen. Joe Manchin III, an independent from West Virginia, was the latest to join those calls, saying just hours before Bidens announcement that he was worried about his health and well-being. The attention to Bidens physical and mental capacity surged last week as he was sidelined from campaigning after contracting COVID-19. For prominent Democrats like Rep. Adam B. Schiff, who called on Biden to drop out of the race last week, his decision comes as a relief and energizes the campaign to beat Trump. Read more: Biden drops out, endorses Kamala Harris as Democratic presidential nominee President Joe Biden will leave office with a legacy unlike any other modern president, said Schiff, of Burbank. Former President Obama, for whom Biden served as vice president, called him a patriot of the highest order and said that he had every right to run for reelection but saw the risk of a Trump presidency as too great. Obama said America owes Biden for beating Trump in 2020 and for steering the nation away from the four years of chaos, falsehood and division that he said would have ensued under the Republican presidential candidate. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America, Obama said in a lengthy statement. Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, of Ohio, meanwhile, called Biden the worst President in my lifetime and slammed Harris for being in lockstep with him on policies such as immigration. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Bidens mental capacity saddling the nation with a president who cant do the job, Vance said on X. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoevers at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Democrats have time to change the focus of the fall presidential campaign but stopped short of calling for President Joe biden to drop out. Speaking Sunday on MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki," Polis said: Its no secret we are down. While he did not call for Biden to be replaced as the nominee, he said that Democratic operatives need to seriously consider if he should focus on the three and a half month sprint necessary for the election, or the remaining six months of his presidency at least hinting that the president's energies might be better used on governing instead of running for office. "What I want to see is not any different from what most Democrats want to see. How do we win and how do we gain those 5, 6, 7 points in the polls? he added. Recent polling from the Times of London and Say24 showed Biden trailing Republican nominee Donald Trump in key swing states Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Polis, who said that another Trump presidency would be bad for womens rights, freedom and the economy, said a successful shift in Biden's campaign would convey to voters that Biden is a better choice for the future of America. He said: That is a question here: Can President Biden project to be that alternative with a positive, optimistic vision for the next four years? But Polis, chair of the National Governors Association, said the campaign trail is rigorous for a candidate for any age and that Democrats need a candidate who has the stamina to deliver that message to Americans. Whether he thinks Biden has the energy is unclear. This is an 18-hour-day ordeal. Youre lucky to sleep a solid night, Polis said. (Bloomberg) -- Notable Democrats including swing-state governors, top lawmakers and Bill and Hillary Clinton were quick to endorse Kamala Harris as the partys presidential candidate after Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Most Read from Bloomberg Other high-profile figures focused their statements on praise for Biden without commenting on who his replacement should be. While some donors have called for an open nominating process to determine the candidate, a large share of prominent Democrats rallied around Harris. Heres a quick roundup of some of the commentary. Harris endorsements: Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer: Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York: California Governor Gavin Newsom: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker: Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich: Congressional Black Caucus PAC: Americans and democracy loving people around the world owe Joe Biden a great debt of gratitude. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC joins President Biden in fully supporting Kamala Harris as our partys nominee. She has been instrumental in delivering the accomplishments of the last 3.5 years and has led on lowering maternal mortality rates, protecting reproductive freedoms, and ensuring economic opportunities for all. She will do an excellent job as President of the United States. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota: I think this is going to be an incredible shot in the arm in terms of theres going to be a lot of excitement, and I cant wait to get started, Klobuchar told CBS News. Biden took the honorable path by bowing out and Harris is a fierce competitor, she added. Maryland Governor Wes Moore: Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear: Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona: Representative Ted Lieu of California: Reactions from high-profile Democrats: Former President Barack Obama: We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Bidens vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond. Representative Nancy Pelosi of California: Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York: First lady Jill Biden: Senator Chuck Schumer of New York: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: Other political commentary: Former President Donald Trump: Kamala Harris is just as much of joke as Biden is. Harris will be even WORSE for the people of our Nation than Joe Biden. Harris has been the Enabler in Chief for Crooked Joe this entire time. They own each others records, and there is no distance between the two. Harris must defend the failed Biden Administration AND her liberal, weak-on-crime record in CA. Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance: House Speaker Mike Johnson: Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang: Democratic donor Rick Caruso: --With assistance from Pierre Paulden. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON Democratic lawmakers on Sunday wasted no time in endorsing Kamala Harris for president after Joe Biden announced he is stepping aside as the partys 2024 nominee and backing his running mate to take the top spot. Today, Im proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States, said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who is up for reelection in November and who last week conveyed her constituents concerns to Biden about him staying in the race. I look forward to her candidacy as a new beginning for our party and our country, said Baldwin. I am excited to work with her to lower costs for Wisconsin families, grow our Made in America economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms. I respect President Bidens difficult decision to step aside in this upcoming election, said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who privately and publicly has raised concerns about Bidens ability to defeat Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in November. While there has to be an orderly process and the decision ultimately rests in the hands of the DNC delegates, I believe Vice President Harris has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation, Warner said. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), one of roughly three dozen Democratic lawmakers who has publicly called on Biden to pass the torch to another presidential nominee, on Sunday praised Biden for having selflessly served our nation with courage, heart and honor. Now, we must come together, build on the legacy of the Biden administration and show voters that Democrats up and down the ballot are improving the lives of all Americans, Schneider said. Im confident that, with Vice President Kamala Harris at the helm of the Democratic ticket, we can do exactly that. We will defeat Donald Trump. Onward, he added. Democrats raced to endorse Kamala Harris to be the party's presidential nominee after President Joe Biden announced he is dropping his reelection bid, caving to pleas from allies, lawmakers and donors. via Associated Press Democratic lawmakers have been in full-blown panic mode about Bidens prospects in November after his disastrous debate performance against Trump last month. They have openly raised concerns about his age, mental acuity and fitness to carry out the demands of the White House job for another four years. Privately, powerful party figures and longtime allies, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former President Barack Obama, have reportedly been orchestrating efforts to pressure Biden to go. Until Sunday, Biden was defiant about staying the course, saying his debate performance was simply a bad night and that he wanted to finish this job of his administration. But between some embarrassing gaffes hes had since the debate and intensifying pressure on him from colleagues, lawmakers and donors, the president ultimately relented to their calls. Democratic lawmakers raved about Bidens legacy and his love of country in their flood of statements on Sunday. But in a sign that some were also relieved by his decision to go, they were quick to pivot to their endorsement of Harris something Biden implicitly gave them his blessing to do when he issued his own endorsement of his vice president. President Biden made a difficult decision for the good of our nation said Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), a vulnerable Democrat who previously called on Biden to step aside. Theres so much at stake in this election lets unite as a country behind Vice President Kamala Harris and rise victorious over extremism this November, she said. There has never been a more critical election than this one for womens reproductive rights, for democracy, and for our future. The Democratic Partys nominating convention kicks off on Aug. 19 in Chicago. Typically, party delegates cast their votes and nominate their presidential nominee at the convention, but this year the Democratic National Committee has been planning a virtual roll call that would wrap up the nomination before the convention even starts. Party officials havent set a specific date for virtual voting, but they have suggested that voting will occur between Aug. 1 and Aug. 7. "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," Vice President Kamala Harris said after President Joe Biden endorsed her to be the 2024 presidential nominee. Anadolu via Getty Images With the president no longer running for reelection, the plan coming into focus is that Bidens delegates will simply cast their votes for Harris who already shares the ticket with Biden and therefore has access to all the same campaign resources, staff and money instead of Biden. Delegates dont have to vote for Harris, but party officials will certainly be pushing for unity behind her as the election nears and Democrats are determined to keep Trump from returning to the White House. With Harris being vaulted to the top spot on the ticket, that creates a new opening for a vice presidential nominee, which the party will be feverishly sorting out in the coming days. Both the presidential and vice-presidential acceptance speeches are expected to be in person at the DNC convention. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said Sunday that the party must now immediately come together around Kamala Harris to defeat Trump. I strongly support and endorse Kamala Harris to be our Democratic nominee for President of the United States, said Kildee. Kamala Harris has already been elected and earned the trust of the American people, and she has served honorably as Vice President. She is uniquely qualified to serve as President of the United States. Harris represents a new generation of leadership for our country, added the Michigan Democrat. I know she has what it takes to win in November. The vice president herself said Sunday that she is honored to have Bidens endorsement to be Democrats presidential nominee. My intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said in a statement. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda, said the vice president. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. President Biden said he was giving his full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. In the moments after President Biden announced Sunday that he had decided it was in the best interest of his party and country to exit the 2024 campaign, Democratic support quickly coalesced behind Vice President Kamala Harris, a move that could potentially spare Democrats a divisive nominating convention next month. Leading the movement for Harris was Biden himself. In a statement shortly after he announced he was dropping out of the race, he threw his full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Last week, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats from her home state that she favored an open convention, Politico reported, so as to avoid accusations of a coronation for Harris. But Democratic donors who had pressured Biden to drop out of the race wasted no time in throwing their support behind Harris, the New York Times reported, quickly raising millions of dollars. My phone is exploding, Gretchen Sisson, a top Democratic bundler, told the paper. Lots of folks are asking where to contribute, what they can do to support the campaign, and wanting to write more. People who were committed but worried are now excited and energized. Harris edge In many ways, Harris is the candidate who makes sense to replace Biden on the top of the Democratic ticket. For starters, because the BidenHarris campaign was registered with the Federal Election Commission under both of their names, Harris could legally use those tens of millions of dollars in the campaign ahead. Harris will also inherit all of Bidens campaign staff, Bidens former campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez told the New York Times on Sunday. Harris cannot simply be anointed as the partys nominee, especially since the primaries have already concluded and Biden, not Harris, amassed the delegates required to be named the Democrats candidate for president. But Biden had yet to be named the 2024 nominee, a formality that is usually decided at a partys convention. Now, about 3,900 pledged Democratic National Convention delegates will be asked to pick the partys nominee, and roughly 99% of them who are pledged to support Biden are no longer required to do so. Another candidate could still step forward to challenge Harris, and if they do so, that could result in a number of scenarios as they compete for delegates' support ahead of the convention, which begins on Aug. 19, where a floor vote could determine the winner. But if the pledged delegates rally around Harris and vote in the first ballot at the convention for her to become the nominee, the nomination fight will quickly be over. Its unclear if Harris will face a serious challenger. News outlets quickly reported that some of the leading contenders like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would not contest the race. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona endorsed Harris campaign, as did California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear, Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement on Sunday. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. Harrison added that the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process. Many Democrats rush to support Harris Sen. Chris Coons of Maryland, a former Biden campaign chair, made clear Sunday afternoon that Harris was his pick to replace the president at the top of the ticket. I support Vice President Harris. I am very hopeful that we will come out of our convention next month united and that everyone who has expressed concerns and hopes and thoughts and fears in the last months will continue to support the ticket that will win this fall, Coons said in an interview with CNN. As the minutes passed following Bidens announcement, a flood of Democrats joined Coons in his support of Harris, including the political action committee representing the Congressional Black Caucus; Reps. Adam Schiff of California, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota; and Sens. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Patty Murray of Washington, Mark Warner of Virginia, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Laphonza Butler of California. Some Democrats did hesitate to commit to endorsing Harris, including Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Peter Welch of Vermont. Welch told the Associated Press that he intended to take a little pause before making an endorsement. Harris pledges to earn and win this nomination As for Harris herself, Sundays announcement by Biden marked the start of a new chapter for her life in politics. But the vice president made clear that she, like Pelosi, did not want a rise to become the partys nominee to be seen as a coronation. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said in a statement Sunday, adding, I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Read more Read the full text of Bidens letter announcing his decision. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down. [Yahoo News] Timeline: Biden exit caps tumultuous three weeks in U.S. politics. Heres a summary of the milestone events in a roller coaster period in U.S. politics. [The Guardian] Biden's 2024 reelection bid meets its ultimate match: Time. Yahoo News' analysis on the president's big decision, and how we got here. [Yahoo News] Political reactions to Biden's decision. America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. [Reuters] Americans react to Biden's historic decision . Finally a brave act from a politician." [USA Today] Obama calls Biden 'patriot of the highest order' after Biden drops out of 2024 race. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. [Yahoo News] House Republicans say Biden must resign after ending reelection campaign. If Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said. [The Hill] Now that Biden dropped out, what happens to his campaign funds? If Vice President Kamala Harris is the new nominee, will she get access to those funds? If one of the other rumored Democratic options gets picked, can they use that money? [Yahoo News] FAQ: How will Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? Whats next for the Democratic Party as they hurtle toward a convention and the November election against Republican nominee Donald Trump? [Yahoo News] Until 1968, presidential candidates were picked by party conventions a process revived by Bidens withdrawal from race. The tradition of picking a nominee through primaries and caucuses and not through what is called the convention system is relatively recent. [The Conversation] Who will replace Biden as the new Democratic nominee? Here are some of the hypothetical Biden replacements being discussed along with how they ranked among voters in a Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted after the debate. [Yahoo News] Harris says she intends to earn and win Democratic nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. [Yahoo News] Harris: What to know about her as she seeks to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee. A brief guide to her background, historic firsts and record as VP. [Yahoo News] Harris' 2020 campaign was a mess. If she ends up atop the ticket, this time could be a lot different. Admirers say that Harris has grown in the job. [NBC News] Would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? But from the start, there has been a hesitancy to fully embrace the countrys second-in-command, with some Democrats openly overlooking her. [USA Today] Harris fans are sharing their support all over the internet. Members of 'KHive' a play on Beyonce's 'Beyhive' fan club are making fancams and memes of the vice president as she now seeks the Democratic nomination. [Yahoo News] Cover thumbnail photo via Evan Vucci/AP Democrats are rallying around Harris as she vows to 'earn and win' party nomination for president WASHINGTON (AP) Democrats quickly rallied around Vice President Kamala Harris as their likely presidential nominee Sunday after President Joe Biden 's ground-shaking decision to bow out of the 2024 race, a volatile fast-moving political situation just months before the November election. Shortly after Biden stepped aside he firmly endorsed Harris, who would make history as the nation's first Black and South Asian woman to become a major party's presidential nominee. Other endorsements flowed from former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the first major female presidential nominee, and prominent U.S. senators, a wide swath of House representatives and members of the influential Congressional Black Caucus. Would-be challengers for the job became instant Harris supporters. As Democrats organize to confront Republican Donald Trump this fall, Biden said choosing Harris as his vice president had been the first and best decision he made. Lets do this, he said. My intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris declared in a statement. Yet, the political and logistical situation ahead for Democrats remains somewhat uncertain as the party that had expected to sail to Novembers election portraying Trump as a quasi-authoritarian leader and threat to American democracy, now must rearrange the top of its ticket in a matter of weeks before the party's nominating convention begins Aug. 19. A groundswell appeared to be gathering for Harris to lead the party within hours Biden's campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation but there are notable holdouts. Former President Barack Obama and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who are widely seen as engineering Bidens withdrawal from the race as they worried about not only keeping the White House but winning control of Congress, did not explicitly endorse Harris, and Pelosi favors an open primary to strengthen an eventual nominee. And West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year to become an independent, is considering reregistering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, according to his longtime adviser Jonathan Kott. Key Democrats believe Harris would benefit from what some call a mini-primary. They argue a fast primary campaign would showcase to the American people, party donors and skeptics that Harris is best for the job, and give would-be contenders a chance to compete or at least debut as potential running mates. Harris was making calls late in the day to congressional lawmakers and racking up support, including from Rep. Annie Kuster of New Hampshire, the chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a moderate caucus on Capitol Hill, who endorsed Harris Sunday. Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke Sunday afternoon, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private conversation. Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison promised a transparent and orderly process. With early voting underway in a matter of months, Democrats have no time to spare if they hope to compete against an energized GOP that has embraced Trump's return. They must quickly pivot to unify a shaken Democratic Party, refocus an entire campaign apparatus around a new presidential ticket and organize the ground game to get out the vote. Trump's team faces its own challenge, refocusing its relentless attacks from Biden's age, 81, stamina and ability to govern to a yet-to-be-named Democratic nominee, which appears increasingly likely to be Harris. Among top potential contenders, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she won't run, and Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Roy Cooper of North Carolina all endorsed Harris on Sunday. She has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity, Cooper said on social media. Before Biden's announcement, Republicans had already signaled their early strategy of criticizing Harris as complicit in standing by him, despite his fumbles, and they are working on legal challenges to the 2024 election. Not only would Harris be a disaster in the White House, but she also helped Biden cover up his declining health while in office, which destroys her credibility, said a statement from the Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley and co-chairman Lara Trump. Even with Bidens endorsement of Harris, theres been an active debate over her rise among Democratic heavyweights lawmakers, deep-pocketed donors and former high-ranking officials of the Biden, Obama and Clinton administrations, according to a Democrat with deep ties to the Biden-Harris administration. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations, said a mini-primary would help Harris seal her bona fides as a strong, sharp candidate and help diminish criticism that shes been undemocratically anointedsomething that the Trump campaign has already sought to use against her. But for a number of Democratic allies and lawmakers who immediately backed Harris for the nomination, it would be untenable for the party to skip past what would be her history-making candidacy. Washington Sen. Patty Murray said she is behind Harris 100 percent. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Harris has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said he will be enthusiastically supporting my friend. Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and California Sen. Laphonza Butler also said they would support Harris, who had served as a U.S. senator, as did a growing number of Democratic House lawmakers. Still, other Democrats have been silent on supporting Harris, or pushing for an open process. Democratic Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont said in an interview with The Associated Press that he thinks the party needs to be making our decisions first and foremost about who can best represent us so we can defeat Trump. Donors are weighing in. Chad Griffin, a member of the campaigns national finance committee and a top Democratic fundraiser in the Los Angeles area, said the party is lucky to have Harris. Shes the trusted, tested leader we need to carry us to victory in November, he said in a statement. The Democratic convention in Chicago that was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer. Biden had won every state primary and caucus earlier this year and only lost the territory of American Samoa. At least 3,896 delegates have been pledged to support him. Current party rules do not permit Biden to pass them to another candidate. Politically, though, his endorsement is likely to be very influential. The immediate burden is on Harris to solidify support across almost 4,000 delegates from the states, territories and District of Columbia, plus more than 700 so-called superdelegates who include party leaders, certain elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents. __ Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Mary Clare Jalonick, Aamer Madhani, Seung Min Kim and Chris Megerian in Washington contributed to this story. Democrats thank Biden for his decision to drop out of race US President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer respond to questions from the news media following a meeting with Senate Democrats for a policy luncheon at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on March 2, 2023. File Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- Supporters of President Joe Biden have thanked him for his "selfless" decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, while stating that he will be remembered as one of the most accomplished one-term leaders in U.S. history. Jason Rae, the secretary of the Democratic National Committee since 2017, called Biden in a post on X a "transformational" president who "made such a positive difference." "Once again President Biden comes through for America, putting country over ego in a way that Donald Trump never could," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, who had asked Biden to step aside after his abysmal debate performance weeks ago. "Now we must move forward to offer a nominee, who can win over disaffected voters and energize Democrats." Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his pick to become the Democratic presidential nominee. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state called Biden's decision "the best path forward" for the country and also thanked the president for serving the nation as a public servant for more than 50 years. Democratic Convention Secretary Jason Rae was among the plethora of Democrats on Sunday who issued statements of praise for President Joe Biden over his decision to not run for re-election and for his achievements during his first -- and now only -- term in the White House. Pool photo by Brian Snyder/UPI "President Biden has accomplished more in four years than most presidents do in eight -- restoring America's place on the world stage, revitalizing our economy and making historic investments in the environment," said Rep. Brad Sherman of California. "Biden's action today was a great act of patriotism." Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts praised Biden for reunifying NATO while Washington Gov. Jay Inslee thanked him for his work in protecting the world "from the ravages of climate change." House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called President Joe Biden "one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history" on Sunday, after Biden announced he was ending his bid for a second term in the White House. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI Rep. Darren Soto of Florida said Biden would go down as "one of the most consequential one-term presidents" in United States history, a point also made by Doggett who related the situation to that faced by former presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson. "Joe Biden, like FDR and LBJ before him, will go down as one of the most consequential Presidents in American history having led our nation's recovery through one of its darkest chapters and making record-breaking investments in American families," Rep. Jerry Nadler said. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate Democrats, called Biden -- a former senator -- a "great legislative leader" and a "truly amazing human being." "His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first," he said. "Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American." Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, who is also the Democratic leader in the House, described Biden as "one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history." "In less than one term, he rescued the nation a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief," Jeffries said in a statment. "America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. "We are forever grateful." Gov. Phil Murphy on Sunday praised Biden's tenure as president as one of the most successful and impactful in history. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) New Jersey Democrats reacted to the news that President Joe Biden is dropping his bid for reelection by calling the decision noble and history-making, praising Bidens term as one of the most successful and impactful in history, and saluting the president for putting our country first. Bidens Sunday afternoon announcement comes weeks before Democrats were planning to nominate him in Chicago to take on former President Donald Trump in Novembers presidential race. But party leaders have been nervous since Bidens performance at a June 27 debate with Trump, one that saw Biden appearing frail and confused. The chorus of Democrats saying they wanted Biden to step aside grew in recent weeks as polls showed Trump defeating Biden in key states. I cannot overstate the gravity of the noble and history-making decision that President Biden just made. The feeling that I have right now is one of profound gratitude, Sen. Cory Booker said in a statement he issued after Biden said he would not seek a second term as president. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11), who earlier this month urged Biden to end his reelection bid, on Sunday said Biden did what he has been doing for the past 50 years putting our country first. Today, Joe Biden has once again shown us why he will be remembered by history as a selfless and accomplished public servant, a defender of democracy, and a force for good during some of the most difficult times in our nations history, she said. Rep. Andy Kim (D-03), who is seeking a U.S. Senate seat in November, said Biden will go down in history as a leader of great consequence. His decision to lift up a new generation of leadership is extraordinary and one that cements his legacy, Kim said. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05) also thanked Biden for his decades of unwavering service, patriotism, and dedication. Now, its time to move forward, united in our shared goals to build an even brighter future for our country, he said. Thank you, Mr. President, for over 50 years of service to our grateful nation. Your time in office will be remembered as one of the most successful and impactful presidencies in American history. https://t.co/jL6u96gbWh Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 21, 2024 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reacted to President Joe Biden ending his re-election campaign by attacking Vice President Kamala Harris, who many are endorsing to be the new Democratic nominee. Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging his duties of the office, DeSantis said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. She also was the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. DeSantis: Abortion, marijuana amendments will make Florida more blue and mess up the state Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, DeSantis said. DeSantis, who at one point was a candidate to be the Republican nominee for president, last week said that he hoped Biden stayed in the race. DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign ahead of the New Hampshire primary and endorsed Donald Trump after failing to gain any momentum. Harris said it is her intention to earn and win the nomination, while thanking Biden for his decades of service to our country. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda, Harris said. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will 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 WFLA. Soon after President Joe Biden announced Sunday hes withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, Pennsylvania elected officials responded to the news, with Democrats praising his years of public service. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who has been mentioned as a possible running mate if Vice President Kamala Harris becomes the Democratic nominee, called Biden a patriot and one of the most consequential presidents in modern history in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom, Shapiro wrote. I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., echoed the gratitude for Bidens exemplary career in public service. President Biden has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of Americans, Casey wrote on X. He deserves our gratitude for his historic achievements, including rebuilding our economy after the pandemic and delivering the largest infrastructure investment in modern history. Bidens decision announced in a Sunday statement follows weeks of speculation and calls from within his own party to exit from the race. A late June debate with former President Donald Trump raised questions about the presidents age, health and electability. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden said in the statement. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Breaking News President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing story: With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement California Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to Joe Biden dropping out. Heres what he said Why some say Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear would make a great VP candidate With Biden out, what could be next for NC Gov. Roy Cooper? State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, said in a statement that Bidens decision demonstrates his tremendous personal strength and selfless leadership. President Bidens influence and impact will be felt for generations to come. Over the past four years, he not only helped restore Americas standing in the world but led us back from a badly mismanaged pandemic and historic threats to our democracy. And in a highly partisan and divided Congress, he successfully championed both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which make transformational investments that will ensure a brighter future for us all. But it is clear that the existential threats to our rights and freedoms have never been more grave. Now is the time to follow our Presidents lead and to come together in defense of our democracy and our future. My full statement on @POTUS ending his re-election bid pic.twitter.com/UIzjC7rJzx Rep. Paul Takac (@RepTakac) July 21, 2024 In a second statement issued Sunday, Biden endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee for president in 2024. On X, State College Mayor Ezra Nanes, who is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, shared a photo of himself with Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and wrote that he joins Biden in endorsing Harris as the partys nominee. @JoeBiden is a class act and a great leader. I am deeply honored to be a delegate for Joe Biden for President. I commend the President on endorsing @VP Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Pres nominee, and I join Joe Biden in endorsing VP Harris. Please join me! pic.twitter.com/QfdPxxwMLD Ezra Nanes (@EzraNanes) July 21, 2024 Casey and Shapiro also put their support behind Harris. While some Republicans were swift Sunday to criticize Harris as the potential nominee, U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson, R-Howard, did not address her in a written statement. I was surprised to learn that President Biden has ended his campaign, pushed out under the pressure of Democratic Party elites, alongside vulnerable House Members and Senators, who saw risk to their own political futures by being tied to an executive who is clearly not up to the task, Thompson said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have posted a series of videos depicting the operation to punish Houthi rebels in Yemen for their deadly drone attack on Tel Aviv early in the week. Named Operation Outstretched Arm, the long-range air strikes focused on destroying fuel storage and other infrastructure at a crucial port in the western coastal city of Hudaydah (also written Hodeida) on the Red Sea. You can read about the strike in our initial reporting here. Israel says the target set was selected because it directly facilitates weapons transfers from Iran to the Houthis. We are also seeing new satellite imagery showing just how effective the Israeli Air Force was at decimating its target area. As you can see below in these high-resolution satellite images taken by Maxar, the majority of the fuel storage area is totally destroyed. We also dont know what parts of the facility were in operation and what parts werent, or the Israeli intelligence that led to their targeting scheme for the site. SATELLITE IMAGE 2024 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES SATELLITE IMAGE 2024 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES SATELLITE IMAGE 2024 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES These are the before images taken prior to the strikes. SATELLITE IMAGE 2024 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES SATELLITE IMAGE 2024 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES Yesterday we mainly got images and video of an unarmed IAF F-15 Baz fighters that supposedly pertained to the strikes. That has changed today with multiple videos being released showing parts of the operation. The video below depicts a man-in-the-loop (MITL) control feed from what is likely a Delilah air-launched cruise missile or a SPICE 2000 guided bomb. MITL allows for very precise targeting, including at standoff distances. You can read all about Israels preference for this guidance method here. In this case, multiple weapons are seen being pumped into the same target or targets heavy dockside cranes. The port has just two of these cranes, both of which appear severely damaged in post-strike satellite imagery obtained by TWZ via Planet Labs and Maxar. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. SATELLITE IMAGE 2024 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES In a very rare move, we get a look at one of the IDFs handful of aging KC-707 tankers from the 120th Desert Giants squadron refueling an F-16I. Getting a view of the KC-707s remote vision system is certainly unique as is the fact that the video is cropped so as not to disclose the weapons and other stores the F-16I is carrying under its wings. An AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is seen on its wing. Its also worth noting that this Sufa is equipped with an expanded satellite communications suite installed along its spine. This system is still relatively new to the F-16Is, but similar installations have been present on F-15A/B/C/D Bazs and F-15I Raams for some time, as well as larger aircraft like the KC-707. The satellite terminals can offer critical, secure beyond-line-of-sight communications for high-performance tactical aircraft, especially when employed on long-range strike operations, which can enable real-time remote command and control and enhanced situational awareness, intelligence sharing, and more. Aircraft equipped with these systems can send datelinked information from all the aircraft that share an active network within line-of-sight back to command centers and support aircraft far away. The IDF has also posted a video of an F-35I Adir that took part in the strikes. A live AIM-120 AMRAAM can be seen in its weapons bay as it opens after coming to a stop at the end of its sortie. The jet is from the 140th Golden Eagle squadron. The Houthis have released an image of what the fire looked like on the ground: ANSARULLAH MEDIA CENTRE The strikes, which are now known to have included F-15, F-16, and F-35 fighters, as well as KC-707s, went far beyond what the U.S.-led coalition has executed in recent months. Those missions were squarely focused on Houthi military capabilities, especially those surrounding the use of weaponry that could threaten shipping, not multi-purpose infrastructure. Israels decision to decimate the fuel reserves in Hudaydah and take out the only two large overhead cranes at the port was clearly focused on sending a deterrent message. The loss in energy reserves alone is very substantial and the cranes will not be easily replaced, slowing shipping at the port considerably. This, in turn, could have much broader ramifications. The United Nations has said in the past that approximately 80 percent of all humanitarian aid and the majority of all foreign imports into Yemen pass through this port. Israel's necessary and proportionate strikes were carried out in order to stop and repell the Houthi's terror attacks after 9 months of continuous aerial attacks toward Israeli territory. Hear from IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari on Israels response to the Houthi pic.twitter.com/VEocconfhJ Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2024 After 9 months of continuous aerial attacks by the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel, IAF fighter jets conducted an extensive operational strike over 1,800km away against Houthi terrorist military targets in the area of Al Hudaydah Port in Yemen. This port serves as an entryway for pic.twitter.com/AGJpjsyfs5 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2024 According to the Times of Israel, the Houthis have fired over 220 long-range weapons at Israel since October 2023. The news outlet also reports that the drone strike that set off this retaliation operation flew an indirect route to its target in Tel Aviv, which made spotting and intercepting it tougher. The Houthis modified Samad-3 which the Houthis may be calling Jaffa, the Palestinian name for the ancient port city out of which Tel Aviv grew, supposedly flew a whopping 1,600 miles over Eastern Africa, including Egypt, before hooking over the Eastern Mediterranean and approaching Tel Aviv from the west. Israel is increasing its radar operator force in order to better spot these slow and small targets coming from abnormal vectors. The U.S. has experienced similar domain awareness gaps, but Israels integrated air defense system is extremely dense and arguably the best on Earth, with unique sensors in place to spot these types of threats if they are looking in the right direction. Overall, this was one of Israels longest-range operations to date and it serves as a reminder to potential foes of its tailored ability to execute complex air operations far from its own borders. The Houthis appear to have already responded to the strike, firing a ballistic missile at Israel, which was intercepted by the IDFs Arrow 3 system. Since then, there have been no additional known attacks. The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that approached Israeli territory from Yemen using the "Arrow 3" Aerial Defense System. The projectile did not cross into Israeli territory. The incident has concluded. pic.twitter.com/gZ3NKmqVWF Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 21, 2024 It will be interesting to see if the Houthis respond further. No kinetic action has yet kept them from stepping back from their constant attacks on shipping and Israel. Now well see if Israels big act of deterrence was effective or not. Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com A developer is planning a commercial spaceport near Las Vegas that includes a pilot school and STEM academy A developer is planning a commercial spaceport near Las Vegas that includes a pilot school and STEM academy Real estate developer Rob Lauer hopes to build a commercial spaceport in Nevada. Investors will pledge $10 million toward the project if it's approved. The first step is establishing the Las Vegas Executive Airport. Nevada could be the new frontier for space tourism. At least, that's what real estate developer Rob Lauer envisions with his plans to build a spaceport near Las Vegas. Lauer, a former US Army military police officer, is the CEO of Las Vegas Spaceport. "Ten years from now, tours will be coming here to the Las Vegas Spaceport and boarding a space plane for their journey," he said in a YouTube video for investors. "Perhaps to a hotel in space. Perhaps to the moon. Or even, perhaps, to Mars." Las Vegas Spaceport would be intended for commercial and private space tourism. The company's 240-acre development site is a 15-minute helicopter ride from the Las Vegas Strip, which centers the city's thriving tourism industry. The city recently embraced Formula 1, which generated $1.5 billion for the local economy in 2023, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal. A report from Billboard said the Sphere in Las Vegas earned $170 million in third-quarter revenue. The Las Vegas Strip is a popular tourist destination. George Rose/Getty Images The FAA's website lists 20 spaceport and launch and reentry sites in the United States, including SpaceX's Boca Chica facility, but none in Nevada. The list includes FAA-licensed, non-FAA-licensed, and US federal sites. Introducing a spaceport could entice more tourists to spend time in the area, which, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, saw 40 million visitors in 2023. But the endeavor can be quite costly. The first seat on New Shephard, a spacecraft from Jeff Bezos' Blue Origins, auctioned for $28 million in 2021. The spaceport would offer educational programs for potential flyers and a STEM program A rendering of a STEM academy by Las Vegas Spaceport. Las Vegas Spaceport Space tourism is more popular than ever. SpaceX, Elon Musk's astronautics company, successfully launched its first all-tourist flight to orbit in 2021. Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic completed its first space tourism mission in 2023. And Blue Origin launched six tourists to the edge of space in May. The aerospace company previously sent four commercial astronauts to space in 2021. Although space tourism is gaining traction, especially with billionaires, it's still out of reach for the everyday traveler. Las Vegas Spaceport wants to make traveling to the stars more accessible. The spaceport would offer civilian space flight acclimation training and a post-high school STEM academy where students can access flight simulators. The company also plans to construct a hotel, passenger terminal, rooftop observation deck, and restaurant at the spaceport. As smaller companies like Las Vegas Spaceport look to enter the industry, some travelers are already excited to take flight. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 35% of respondents would be interested in orbiting Earth in a spacecraft. The survey also said 55% of respondents believed people would "routinely travel" as space tourists in the next 50 years. But first, Lauer wants to develop an airport Before erecting rocket pads and passenger hubs, the company is focused on phase one: securing official approval for The Las Vegas Executive Airport. Las Vegas Spaceport scored a win in May when the Clark County Commission "unanimously" approved construction permits for an airstrip, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Clark County officials told Business Insider that Las Vegas Spaceport applied for airstrip approval near Nye County. "Although the application initially included reference to 'spacecraft' and 'spaceport,' those references were removed from the conditions at the time of approval of the application because the application was only for an airstrip," the statement said. "The County's granting of the application was conditioned upon approval of the FAA for the airstrip." The FAA told BI it received a proposal for an airport from Las Vegas Spaceport. "After a thorough review, the FAA determined that the proposed Las Vegas Executive Airport would not affect the safety or efficiency of the surrounding airspace," the statement read. The FAA added that although the review found the airport wouldn't disrupt airspace, it "does not constitute an approval of the single-runway airport." Still, Lauer considered the FAA's review a necessary step toward reaching his ambitions, saying it is a "significant milestone in the journey toward realizing the Las Vegas Spaceport" in a statement to BI. "This landmark decision paves the way for the next phase of this ambitious project, which is set to revolutionize space travel and tourism in Southern Nevada," he said. The statement added that the project had secured $10 million in pledges from investors, contingent on the FAA and Clark County approval. The company could start construction on the airport in three months. Read the original article on Business Insider A group of researchers wanted to uncover the mysteries behind blushing. To do it, they came up with a downright dastardly method to instantly produce embarrassment in their unwitting subjects: playing their karaoke performances back to them while scanning their brains which is probably the most sobering way possible to come down after a night of feeling like a rockstar. As detailed in their study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the researchers had dozens of 16 to 20 year old volunteers all of them young women, since only two men came forward sing a rendition of several popular songs, including "Hello" by Adele and "Let it Go" from the movie "Frozen." An evil selection, because all are difficult tunes to pull off and this isn't even the first time scientists have pulled off this kind of karaoke stunt to get a rise out of their participants. A week later, the researchers then brought the participants back into the lab, put them in an MRI scanner to monitor brain activity, slapped temperature sensors on their cheeks, and had them watch not only their own performances, but some of the other participants', too. Unsurprisingly, a lot of blushing ensued. But why do we blush? It's an age-old question that bothered scientists going back to Charles Darwin, who called it "the most human of all expressions." The mechanisms behind it aren't clear, nor is its evolutionary purpose though there are several prevailing theories. "Is it just being in the social situation where you are exposed and center of attention, and you feel the exposure, and attention from others," study lead author Milica Nikolic, a psychologist at the University of Amsterdam, told The Guardian. "Or is it more complex and that we start thinking about how we look and appear to other people?" Darwin favored the latter idea. The researchers' findings, however, suggest that he might have been wrong. First, they found that participants blushed more when they watched their own karaoke performances than when they watched others sing. The real kicker, though, is that the blushing coincided with higher activity in the cerebellum, a part of the brain associated with emotional arousal. This suggests that "it may occur independently of higher-order socio-cognitive processes," the researchers wrote. Or, in other words, blushing isn't caused by worrying how we're perceived by others. "Blushing can come simply from being exposed," Nikolic told The Guardian. "In that very short moment you maybe don't think about how do I look and so on. I think it's more automatic than the theory says." More on psychology: iPad Use by Kids Linked to Long Term Emotional Problems Did Biden drop out of the race? Texas leaders react to president ending bid for reelection President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is ending his bid for reelection and withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a written statement. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." President Biden lands at El Paso International Airport aboard Air Force One. Biden will address new border enforcement operations and humanitarian efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border during visit. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reacts to Biden dropping out of race Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has been strongly at odds with Biden's border policies took the news to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, and reacted on X by stating, "Joe Biden has now endorsed and fully supports his 'Borders Czar' Kamala Harris to be the Democrat candidate for president. "I think I will need to triple the border wall, razor wire barriers and National Guard on the border." Rep. Tony Gonzales reaction U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican whose huge congressional district stretches from the San Antonio area to the eastern part of El Paso County, posted a short and quick reaction. "No one ever said American politics was boring," Gonzales posted. No one ever said American politics was boring. Tony Gonzales (@TonyGonzales4TX) July 21, 2024 El Paso US Rep. Veronica Escobar: 'Thank you, Mr. President.' U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, one of the national co-chairs of Biden's reelection campaign, praised the work done by President Biden and said it is time to rally around Vice President Kamala Harris "It's been the privilege of my life to work on behalf of the greatest President of my generation," Escobar stated on X. "As one of Joe Biden's national co-chairs, I was proud to spread the word about the historic investments he championed and ushered into communities like mine, all over the nation. "From funding climate action and infrastructure to lowering the cost of prescription drugs, historic investment for veterans healthcare, providing relief for mixed status families, fighting for women's reproductive freedom, and so much more - the Biden-Harris record is unmatched. "His humility has shone through his lifetime of service. Thank you, Mr. President. "It's time to unite & rally behind @KamalaHarris . She, too, earned 14 million votes in the primary, & will lead the fight for our freedoms against Trump's Project 2025 that seeks end our democracy. "Proud to be #TeamHarris." Texas Sen. John Cornyn jabs Kamala Harris on the border "If Dems think trading Biden for his failed Border Czar is going to change anything, they're dreaming," Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn said in a statement on X. "Under her 'leadership' criminals and terrorists stream across our wide-open border & fentanyl continues to kill thousands of innocent Americans. Vice President Kamala Harris visited the El Paso border at the invitation of U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, to witness the effects of U.S.-bound immigration on June 25, 2021. "If she cant fix the border, how is she going to run the country? Kamala Harris is even more radical, more extreme and less competent than Joe Biden. "And if Pres. Biden is not competent to run for reelection, he should step down from the presidency." Beto O'Rourke reacts to Biden dropping out Beto O'Rourke, the former El Paso congressman who remains one of the best-known Democrats in Texas despite unsuccessful runs for senator, president and governor, apparently reacted to the news of Biden stepping away from the race with a short three-word post on X. "Courageous and selfless," O'Rourke posted. Courageous and selfless. Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) July 21, 2024 President Biden: 'a friend to El Paso' El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser thanked President Biden for helping the border city hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the immigration crisis. President Biden has been a friend to El Paso during his presidency," Leeser said in a statement. "From COVID vaccines when we needed them most, to critical funding as we faced a difficult and challenging humanitarian crisis in order not to put the burden on the backs of El Paso taxpayers, President Bidens Administration has steadfastly stood with our city, and I will always be grateful to him and his team for their support. More: Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden visit Texas: A look back at El Paso, border visit "This country has faced many crossroads before. The ideals and values we embody are bigger than any one party and will prevail because of the strength of the American people. I wish the President success in the remainder of his term, and our country wisdom as we elect a new leader" President Biden 'a true statesman' Julian Castro, Democrat former secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama administration and former mayor of San Antonio, praised Biden for his work as president helping the United States recover from COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden deserves enormous credit for bringing the nation back from Covid, reinvigorating our economy, moving us forward to address climate change, among many other accomplishments," Castro said. Hes been an excellent president. And today, hes shown thats hes a true statesman. USA Today contributed to this report This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Joe Biden drop out of election: Texas leaders react This story previously aired on Aug. 22, 2020. It was updated on July 20, 2024. Produced by Marcelena Spencer, Susan Mallie and Lisa Freed When high-profile physician Teresa Sievers was found murdered in her Bonita Springs, Florida, home bludgeoned with a hammer there were no immediate suspects and her husband had a rock-solid alibi. On Sunday evening, June 28, 2015, the doctor was home alone after cutting short a family vacation leaving her husband Mark Sievers and their two daughters in upstate New York. Who wanted the doctor dead? That question led investigators on a wild chase that ended up more than 1,000 miles away in Missouri with the shocking arrests of Jimmy Ray Rodgers, a career criminal, and Curtis Wayne Wright, the look-alike best friend of the doctor's husband. "Once you started to unwrap it a little bit it was nutty. It was weird," said Jessica Lipscomb, a former crime reporter for the Naples Daily News, who covered the case. But things only got weirder when Wright claimed the man behind it all was Mark Sievers himself. A BRUTAL ATTACK The shocking murder of Dr. Teresa Sievers in Bonita Springs, Florida, was a huge story especially for Jessica Lipscomb, who covered crime for the Naples Daily News. Jessica Lipscomb: I think any time there is a beautiful, successful woman who is murdered that's sort of what society pays attention to for better or for worse. Erin Moriarty: When you first started on this case would you have ever imagined it would end up to where it is right now? Jessica Lipscomb: No. Jessica Lipscomb: To think of this mother of two who was killed brutally inside her home was horrifying to people. The doctor had cut short a family vacation in upstate New York and had flown home alone on Sunday night, June 28, 2015, so she could see patients the next morning. Dr. Teresa Sievers seen on surveillance video after landing at Southwest Florida International Airport on Sunday night, June 28, 2015. / Credit: State's Attorney's Office Jessica Lipscomb: You kind of put yourself in her shoes rolling your suitcase through the door, and then to be attacked by someone from behind is it's hard to imagine. Investigators believe that as soon as Dr. Sievers walked into her kitchen she was killed, struck repeatedly with a hammer. Jessica Lipscomb: The next morning, her office staff got in Sandra Hoskins was Teresa Sievers' long time medical assistant. Sandra Hoskins: It's now 9:00, now it's 9:05 Now it's 9:15. I said, "Where's doctor?" Sandra Hoskins: I was texting back and forth trying to see if, you know, "Where are you at?" And no response. Called. No answer. Mark's out of town he says, "I can't get a hold of her either." Erin Moriarty: How unusual was it for Dr. Sievers not to show up? Sandra Hoskins: Even if it was 9:00 and three seconds after, you would hear her heels coming in. When Connie Reiss heard the tragic news, she contacted her stepbrother Mark Sievers the doctor's husband. Connie Reiss Landy: It was just so unbelievable. Erin Moriarty: how did he react to the death of his wife? Connie Reiss Landy: He couldn't speak. he's not the kind of guy that's been overly emotional on the outside. But he couldn't speak. Connie and Mark became family when her mother married his father. Connie Reiss Landy: I asked him, "What happened to Teresa?" Erin Moriarty: And what did he say? Connie Reiss Landy: "No idea." Mark met his future wife in 2003 when he was visiting St. Petersburg, Florida. Erin Moriarty: pretty much love at first sight? Connie Reiss Landy: Well, I think by the time that he introduced her to mom I think he was pretty much done [laughs]. He was he was off the market officially. Jennie Weckelman [laughs]: Yeah, really. He was working as a nurse, while she was a recently divorced physician. Connie Reiss Landy: Teresa hung the moon [laughs]. she was a remarkable human being and very special. And that's the way Mark treated it from the beginning. You could just you could hear it in his voice. Teresa and Mark Sievers on their wedding day / Credit: Bonnie Sievers They were married on the beach surrounded by friends and family, including stepmother Jennie Weckelman. Jennie Sievers Weckelman: was a sunset wedding. And she had a beautiful gown. it was very nice [laughs]. Erin Moriarty: Was he happy on that day? Connie Reiss Landy: Oh, my gosh! Jennie Weckelman: He was very happy. Six months later their first daughter was born. The Sievers built a large house in Bonita Springs, and in 2007, welcomed another daughter. Erin Moriarty: How did Mark feel about being a dad? Connie Reiss Landy: it was everything to him. It they were his reason for being. But he was also all about Teresa and her mission. That mission was to open a holistic practice where she could heal patients by blending traditional and alternative medicine. She also spread her message in speeches and videos. Sandra Hoskins: We would have patients from all over the world they would come to us after they failed everything else. Sandra Hoskins [crying]: She wouldn't take a no for an answer. Talking about the doctor still makes Sandra emotional. Sandra Hoskins: And as a patient she wouldn't allow you say, "I'm never gonna get better." While patients loved the doctor, Sandra and her husband Frank Pais, who also worked at the practice, admit it wasn't always easy working for Sievers the doctor had a short fuse. Frank Pais: I would hear the doctor screamin' and yellin' in the in back office. Erin Moriarty: Dr. Sievers would yell at patients? Frank Pais: She was there to help you get better didn't have what they call the bedside manner. Erin Moriarty: Would she yell at you? Sandra Hoskins [laughs]: Yes. Frank Pais: And she expected perfection. And if it wasn't perfect, she would get upset. Jessica Lipscomb: She was a big presence. And sometimes that meant that she got really feisty with people. She was the the biggest figure in the room. While Teresa took care of her patients, Mark managed her office and took care of their daughters. Frank Pais: The girls were his pride and joy. And according to her sister Annie Lisa, Teresa was equally devoted to Mark. Annie Lisa: Teresa always said, "I'll never leave Mark." "I won't ever do that to my girls." Nevertheless, within weeks, Mark Sievers, became a person of interest. Erin Moriarty: Did he cooperate initially? Jennie Weckelman: Oh, yes. Connie Reiss Landy: I think he thought he was doing the right thing. Mark spoke to investigators without a lawyer present and even handed over his cellphone and allowed them to download the contents. Erin Moriarty: Was he worried he might be arrested? Jennie Weckelman: He thought "Why would they? what kind of evidence could they possibly have, 'cause I didn't do anything?" In fact, Mark Sievers had an airtight alibi. At the time of Teresa's murder, he and their two girls were with Teresa's family hundreds of miles away. WHO WANTED THE DOCTOR DEAD? Eight days after Dr. Teresa Sievers was murdered, friends and family came together for her funeral, including Mark's stepmother Jennie Weckelman. Jennie Weckelman: There were a lotta people, yes, and it was sad, of course. Sandra Hoskins: Almost all her patients were there. I was numb. Mark Sievers reportedly had a gun strapped to his waist at his wife's funeral. Strange? Well perhaps, but her killer hadn't yet been arrested and, according to stepsister Connie Reiss, Mark was on edge. Connie Reiss Landy: He was very much in protective mode. Erin Moriarty: When you say "protective mode" what do you mean? Connie Reiss Landy: Well, I think, you know, he always keeps an eye and an ear to the ground, so to speak, and is aware of his surroundings and you know he-he was concerned for their [sighs] safety. Jennie Weckelman: I think it was in the back of his mind that there might be some dangers to his daughters because of what happened to their mother. Teresa Sievers / Credit: Charlie McDonald It just didn't make any sense; who would want the vibrant and dedicated Dr. Teresa Sievers dead? And why kill her with such anger and force? Jennie Weckelman: Could've been anybody and I really thought maybe it was just somebody that was in the area and broke in or something. There were signs of a forced entry, pry marks on a side door, but Mark's extensive gun collection and $40,000 in cash discovered inside the Sievers home hadn't been touched. Jessica Lipscomb: So, when this happened, everyone wanted to know what happened with the alarm. And as it turns out. It hadn't been activated. While the family was on vacation, Mark had asked his mother Bonnie Sievers to feed the family pets. She had trouble setting the alarm that Sunday and told detectives her son Mark said not to worry about it. On Monday morning, Dr. Sievers was discovered dead on her kitchen floor. Mark's mother spoke to investigators: BONNIE SIEVERS: So, I really feel it's my fault [crying]. DETECTIVE: You can't, you cannot blame yourself. Around the time of Dr. Sievers murder, the internet was buzzing with reports about the suspicious deaths of other alternative doctors in the U.S. Erin Moriarty: Did Mark hint that her death might be connected with that? Jennie Weckelman: Yes, yes, he did. But with no real evidence to make that connection, investigators turned their attention to the people who might have had an ax to grind with the energetic, often abrasive, Dr. Sievers. Jessica Lipscomb: I think the theory that I heard was was that maybe it was a patient. Obviously, they were interviewing all of her friends and family members so it was pretty much like a wide-open field of suspects at that point. Then, a surprising name emerged. In her police interview, Dr. Sievers' sister, Annie Lisa, said she heard Sandra Hoskins was a disgruntled employee that's the same Sandra who seemed so upset by Dr. Sievers' death. ANNIE LISA [police interview]: You may not like your boss, but you don't bad mouth them to patients that are coming in the doors like "Dr. Sievers, you know, she's a-she's a bitch." Sandra Hoskins: I'm like "Oh, my God, they think I did it." Sandra, who claims she had been treated harshly by Dr. Sievers in the past, had planned to hand in her resignation that very Monday the doctor was found dead. According to Sandra the doctor, told her she was bringing bad energy to the office. Sandra Hoskins: Now I know why I was not received very well at her memorial. Erin Moriarty: Why would anyone think that you did this? Sandra Hoskins: That is shocking to me. A lot of the patients did know the way she treated me. Erin Moriarty: And, so, people thought, "Maybe you had just had enough? Sandra Hoskins: Yeah. Sandra Hoskins was cleared when nearly two months after Dr. Sievers was murdered, there was a stunning break in the case. Police made arrests and the suspects were not from Florida. Jessica Lipscomb: So, we showed up to a press conference I believe that August. And the sheriff gets up there and tells us, uh, simply the name of the first suspect, Jimmy Rodgers and he says he's from Missouri and he's been booked for the murder of Teresa Sievers. Jennie Weckelman: Never heard of him I thought, "Oh well, who is he and what's he got to do with this?" Jessica Lipscomb: And then about an hour later, he calls us in again and says, "We've now picked up a second suspect Curtis Wayne Wright also from Missouri." It was so shocking. To solve this murder, investigators would travel more than 1,000 miles. And, they were in for a wild ride. They would soon discover this case had as many twists and turns as the Missouri river. THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS WINK-TV report: Teresa Sievers was bludgeoned to death with a hammer Neighbors are still waiting for answers. The two arrests for Teresa Sievers' murder, made 1,100 miles away in Missouri, seemed to come out of the blue. Jennie Weckelman | Mark Sievers' stepmother: Why? You know What's going on? Just seemed like such a disconnect. Jimmy Ray Rodgers, left, and Curtis Wayne Wright / Credit: Lee County Sheriff's Office No one had ever heard of the suspect Jimmy Ray Rodgers, but it was the mug shot of the other suspect, Curtis Wayne Wright, that struck everyone. He had an uncanny resemblance to the victim's husband Mark Sievers. Jennie Weckelman: They look alike, yes Erin Moriarty: At least in pictures, they look like twins. Connie Reiss Landy | Mark Sievers' stepsister: And that's that's when I started to believe, you know, that definitely there is not something right with Curtis Wayne Wright. As it turns out, Curtis Wayne Wright, he goes by Wayne, was no stranger to Mark's family. Jennie Weckelman: He was Mark's very good friend. Connie Reiss Landy: from ages and ages. So, I didn't believe it. I didn't. Look-alike friends Curtis Wayne Wright, left, and Mark Sievers. / Credit: Facebook It just didn't make sense. Wayne and Mark had grown up together in Missouri. Wayne was at Teresa's funeral. He had celebrated Mark and Teresa's wedding with them, and just two months before the murder, Mark had been Wayne's best man at his wedding. Wayne was also a familiar face around the office. Erin Moriarty: Did you two know Wayne Wright, how did you know him? Sandra Hoskins | Dr. Sievers' longtime medical assistant: He was the computer guy that looked just like Mark. Wayne would travel from Missouri to Florida to work on the computers in Dr. Sievers' office. Erin Moriarty: How would you describe Wayne? Frank Pais | Employee of Dr. Sievers: He was geeky all he wanted to do was get the computers up and running focused. Sandra Hoskins: But, to me he just seemed like a geeky creepster. Erin Moriarty: Did he make you nervous? Sandra Hoskins: A little bit I can't explain it. It's just a woman's intuition. Erin Moriarty: How would you describe Mark and Wayne's relationship? They appear to be close friends? Sandra Hoskins: Yeah. Frank Pais: He's always said, "he's my brother from another mother" Sandra Hoskins: Yeah, that was his lingo. Back in Hillsboro, Missouri, Greg Bolin knew both Mark Sievers and Wayne Wright when they both had hair. He first met Wright in the third grade. Greg Bolin remembers his high school classmate, Wright, as a tech whiz the kid voted most dependable, and as a fun guy to hang around with. Greg Bolin: He actually ran for and became our class president. Erin Moriarty: Smart? Greg Bolin: Very smart Quite honestly, he was one of the smartest people with computers that I ever met. But it wasn't long before Bolin suspected Wayne Wright had a dark side. In 1996, Bolin's brother, Ronnie Bolin, a preacher, mysteriously disappeared. His body has never been found. And according to police, Ronnie was last seen with Wright. Erin Moriarty: Do you believe Wayne Wright killed your brother? Greg Bolin: Yes, I do. Erin Moriarty: You have no question about that? Greg Bolin: I have no doubt in my mind Bolin believes the motive was money that Wright owed Ronnie. Jessica Lipscomb: they found his car with the car keys still in ignition in a car wash in St. Louis. Wright has never been charged in Ronnie Bolin's disappearance, but he is listed in a police report as a person of interest. And Wright's no stranger to the criminal justice system. In 2011 he was serving time for drug possession when he befriended the other suspect in Dr. Sievers' murder: a young inmate named Jimmy Ray Rodgers who was doing time on a weapons charge. Jimmy Ray Rodgers was released from jail. Tyler Juliette and Jeff Conway hired him to work at a contracting company. Tyler Juliette: You could just tell he needed a job. He wanted a job, you know? Jeff Conway: He liked to tell a lot of stories. A lot of things he told at the time, nobody really believed Jimmy He liked to brag a little bit about things he had done in the past. A colorful criminal past. He says Rodgers would brag about con jobs ranging from stolen merchandise to counterfeit money. Jimmy Ray Rodgers / Credit: WINK Tyler Juliette: I never felt Jimmy was a dangerous guy. I just felt like he was a blowhard honestly, you know. I really felt like he was just a talker. Conway recalls that he had asked Jimmy to work on Monday, June 29. But Jimmy texted him back and said he wasn't available. Jeff Conway: All it said was, "I can't do that. I'm still in Florida." It was on June 29 that Dr. Teresa Sievers was discovered bludgeoned to death with a hammer inside her Florida home and it didn't go unnoticed to investigators that Jimmy Ray Rodgers had a unique nickname Jessica Lipscomb: Supposedly, Jimmy Rodgers' nickname was "The Hammer." But I think it was more like a self-given nickname. If you talk to some of his friends from high school, they say "nobody really called him that." But I think maybe going to jail for the first time, you know trying to make a name for himself maybe that's something he sort of assigned himself to fit in. Why was Jimmy "The Hammer" Rodgers in Florida that fateful weekend? Was Wayne Wright with him? And what led authorities to believe they were involved in a doctor's murder? 1,100 MILES TO MURDER Back in June 2015, practically everyone in Hillsboro, Missouri, knew that Wayne Wright was planning a weekend trip out of town. Jessica Lipscomb: he let it slip to lots of people that he was going down to Florida Told some people he was even going to visit the Sievers. And it wasn't long before police got a tip that Wright had been in Florida at the time of Dr. Sievers' murder. And he hadn't gone there alone. He went with his jailhouse pal, Jimmy "The Hammer" Rodgers. Jeff Conway | Rodgers' boss: He told me a story that his brother had graduated from law school and that he had invited Jimmy down to Florida for the weekend all expenses paid. But he told his pregnant girlfriend Taylor Shomaker another story: he was going out of town for a few days to work with Wright. Jessica Lipscomb: He had told her he was going down to Florida to make some money. Weeks after Rodgers and Wright returned, detectives from Florida showed up in Hillsboro, Missouri. They confronted Wright about that tip placing him in Florida, but he refused to talk. He didn't need to a rental car gave the cops what they needed to know. On the morning of June 27, 2015, Wayne Wright got into a rental car in Hillsboro, Missouri, and then went to pick up Jimmy Ray Rodgers. At some point, an address was put into the GPS and then the two men took off for the 1,100-mile ride to Bonita Springs, Florida. After driving all day and all night, on Sunday, June 28, Wright and Rodgers arrived at the Sievers home the Bonita Springs address entered into the GPS. It was a digital footprint for investigators. When Rodgers and Wright arrived around 6 a.m., authorities believe they turned off the house alarm. That may explain why Mark Sievers' mother Bonnie was so confused about the alarm system: BONNIE SIEVERS: I was not there at 6:09 in the morning. COP: It was turned off at 6:09. BONNIE SIEVERS: . someone was in there? COP: That's what we're trying to work out. BONNIE SIEVERS: Oh, my God. Then, according to the GPS, Rodgers and Wright left the Sievers home and typed in another address for a Walmart to do some shopping. Jimmy Ray Rodgers and Wayne Wright as seen in Walmart surveillance video Jessica Lipscomb: Obviously, looking at that security footage from the Walmart, they're able to pretty quickly determine that that's who was with Wayne Erin Moriarty: They made no effort to cover their faces? Disguise themselves? Jessica Lipscomb: They just waltzed through like they were anyone else. They bought, among other things, trash bags, flushable wet wipes, black towels, black shoes and a lock picking kit. They paid cash for their purchase with a $100 bill. After shopping at Walmart, Rodgers and Wright continued using the navigation system, even to find the beach and soak up some sun. Erin Moriarty: Does it make any sense that this guy who was so good with computers would have left such a trail? Greg Bolin: It does but it doesn't to a lot of people looking at it, it kind of makes it look like these guys were just dumb and dumber, but that's a lot of how he operated. After their beach trip, according to police affidavits, Wayne Wright and Jimmy Ray Rodgers returned to the Sievers home where they hung out for hours in the garage, waiting for an unsuspecting Dr. Sievers to arrive. In the early morning hours of Monday, June 29, the GPS again shows Rodgers and Wright on the highway headed northbound for the 17-hour drive back to Missouri. The electronic trail would eventually lead detectives to Jimmy Ray Rodgers' door, but like Wayne Wright, he denied he had anything to do with the murder. But when police brought in Rodgers' girlfriend Taylor Shomaker, what a story she had a story to tell. Jimmy Ray Rodgers took his girlfriend for a ride along route 47 in rural Missouri. And along the road, he asked Shomaker to throw out parts of his cellphone, which he had smashed earlier, some gloves and a jumpsuit. TAYLOR SHOMAKER: he said, "throw this into the river" and it took me a minute to click in ... And then I threw the gloves out and then waited a minute and then I threw out the jumpsuit DETECTIVE: Did you ask why, or you just did it? TAYLOR SHOMAKER: No, I just did it. I was scared. Shomaker told police that's when she pushed Rodgers to tell her exactly what happened in Florida: TAYLOR SHOMAKER: And he told me about using a hammer on her. DETECTIVE: OK. And he said that he killed Teresa Sievers, Mark's wife TAYLOR SHOMAKER: Yeah. DETECTIVE: with a hammer? TAYLOR SHOMAKER: Yes. Florida detectives now thought they knew who killed Teresa Sievers, but they still didn't know the why. Why would Wayne Wright want to kill his best friend's wife? Erin Moriarty: Did everyone then say, "Oh, my gosh, Mark had to be involved"? Jessica Lipscomb: Definitely. I mean there was really no putting Wayne in Florida in Bonita Springs inside their house without Mark knowing about it. Erin Moriarty: Did it occur to either one of you that Mark might be involved? Connie Reiss Landy: No. Jennie Sievers Weckelman: No. Erin Moriarty: Not even a thought in the back of your mind? Connie Reiss Landy: No. Jennie Sievers Weckelman: No. Absolutely not. But when investigators downloaded Mark's cell phone, they discovered the Sievers' marriage was more troubled than anyone guessed. Despite having $40,000 in cash around the house, they had serious financial problems. And when investigators discovered five insurance policies on Teresa totaling more than $4 million it was a big red flag. Jimmy Ray Rodgers' girlfriend had told police that Teresa's death was a murder for hire and that Rodgers was supposed to be paid $10,000. TAYLOR SHOMAKER: And then asked him how he was going to make money and it was murdering Mark's wife. DETECTIVE: He said that Mark hired Wayne TAYLOR SHOMAKER: Yes, and Wayne hired him. Mark didn't know anything about Jimmy being hired. DETECTIVE: where was the money supposed to come from? TAYLOR SHOMAKER: Insurance from her death. DETECTIVE: OK. And did he ever get paid? TAYLOR SHOMAKER: No. Then, almost 8 months after Teresa Sievers' murder, Wayne Wright Mark Sievers' look-alike best friend suddenly turned on him and took a deal. Wright admitted killing Teresa. JUDGE: Mr. Wright, why are you pleading guilty today to second-degree murder? WAYNE WRIGHT: I'm pleading guilty because of my role in the planning and participating in the murder of Teresa Sievers. He said the murder was all Mark's idea and that's what police needed. Mark Sievers was charged with the murder of his wife. But Sievers' stepsister says he would never risk losing his children. She believes Wayne Wright had long envied his best friend's life and he's the one who killed Teresa on his own. Erin Moriarty: Why would Wayne kill Teresa? Connie Reiss Landy: Because he's a sick man. Erin Moriarty: Do you think Wayne was jealous of Mark? Connie Reiss Landy: I think it's possible whether he's jealous of Mark or wanted to be Mark. I don't have any clue. Family and friends point to how Wayne Wright began to model himself after Sievers, even shaving his own head when Sievers started to go bald. Greg Bolin: They didn't look alike when we were younger. Greg Bolin: How much they morphed into each other over the years if it was by chance or by their plan, I don't know. Mirror image: Curtis Wayne Wright, left, and Mark Sievers / Credit: The News-Press More than four years after Curtis Wayne Wright cut that deal to testify against Mark Sievers and ex-con Jimmy Rodgers, the two men go on trial, but separately Rodgers' case went first in October 2019. Teresa Sievers' mother and siblings were in the courtroom. HAMID HUNTER | ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY: This case was about the perfect marriage. The perfect friendship. The perfect alibi. The perfect murder Assistant state attorney Hamid Hunter told the jury Teresa's Sievers death was a classic case of murder for hire: Mark Sievers was miles away while Curtis Wayne Wright and Jimmy Ray Rodgers killed his wife. HAMID HUNTER: Mr. Wright hit her with the hammer. Hit her again. Mr. Rodgers came out of nowhere Mr. Rodgers engages with his hammer. And he starts hitting, hitting her, hitting her. Kathleen Fitzgeorge is Rodgers' defense attorney: KATHLEEN FITZGEORGE: What you heard from the state attorney is what they believe or expect or hope the evidence will show, but it's a bumpy road because they haven't told you everything. THE TALE OF TWO TRIALS The state actually believes Teresa Sievers was killed with two hammers, but only one was discovered on the Sievers' kitchen floor. They showed the jury that hammer and the damaging video evidence of the two men near the crime scene. PROSECUTOR CYNTHIA ROSS | PROSECUTOR: Is this how you found this jumpsuit on the side of the road in Cadet, Missouri? INVESTIGATOR: Yes. A fiber from the jumpsuit worn by Rodgers was found on Teresa's body. A blue jumpsuit was discovered on the side of Highway 47 in Missouri. Fibers from the jumpsuit matched the fibers found on Teresa Sievers' dress. / Credit: WINK Rodgers' former girlfriend, Taylor Shomaker, appeared shaken when she entered the courtroom. She identified that blue jumpsuit and told the jury Rodgers confessed to her: TAYLOR SHOMAKER: And then I asked him "how" and he said, "with a hammer." Then the state called their star witness: Curtis Wayne Wright. In exchange for his testimony at both trials, Wright was allowed to plead guilty to second-degree murder and will spend 25 years in prison: PROSECUTOR: Mr. Wright, who killed Dr. Sievers? WAYNE WRIGHT: I did and Jimmy Rodgers. PROSECUTOR: How many times did you hit Dr. Sievers with that hammer? WAYNE WRIGHT: Three. PROSECUTOR: Mr. Rodgers came from somewhere and he started hitting her, what did he do? WAYNE WRIGHT: Just started hitting her over and over. PROSECUTOR: How would you describe how he was hitting her? WAYNE WRIGHT: In a frenzy. Rodgers did not testify, and his attorney Donald McFarlane called no witnesses, but told jurors they should not believe Curtis Wayne Wright: DONALD MCFARLANE | RODGERS' DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Curtis Wright's the only one that ever hit that woman and he's lying to you to save his own worthless skin. Jimmy didn't have a hammer. The jury was out nearly two days before reaching a verdict: guilty of second-degree murder. Rodgers showed no emotion. He was sentenced to life in prison. Curtis Wayne Wright testified against Jimmy Ray Rodgers and Mark Sievers. / Credit: WINK Then, in November 2019, Mark Sievers went on trial for the murder of his wife. He spent much of the prior three years in jail, still denying he had any involvement and his family was still behind him. Jennie Weckleman | Stepmother: We just haven't seen any evidence that makes any sense as far as Mark being involved. Both his stepmother Jennie Weckleman and stepsister Connie Reiss Landy vowed to support him through the trial. Connie Reiss Landy: I will do everything that I can [nervous laugh] to be there. Erin Moriarty: Are you nervous about it? Connie Reiss Landy: Yeah, Yeah. Mark Sievers, charged with first-degree murder of his wife, appeared unfazed even though he faced the death penalty. The same prosecutors who tried Jimmy Rodgers will use much of the same evidence in front of a different jury: CYNTHIA ROSS | PROSECUTOR: This is a case which 21st century technology became vital cell towers cell tower dumps, call detail records that allowed massive amounts of data to sorted, organized, and searched But Sievers' defense attorney Michael Mummert says all that evidence only points to Curtis Wright and Jimmy Rodgers as the killers: MICHAEL MUMMERT | SIEVERS' DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Curtis swings that hammer [yells "BANG"] at the side of the head, followed by another one across the bridge of the nose MICHAEL MUMMERT: Curtis says, "I struck Teresa three times in the head with a hammer, but Jimmy did the rest " Testifying again is Jimmy Rodgers former girlfriend, Taylor Shomaker. She says her ex was promised a payday but can't connect Sievers to it: PROSECUTOR: Did he tell you how much money he expected to be making from this? TAYLOR SHOMAKER: Yes. PROSECUTOR: And what did he tell you? TAYLOR SHOMAKER: I think it was $10,000. The case again comes down to that star witness, Curtis Wayne Wright, who will now come face to face with his mirror image and once closest friend: ATTORNEY: Mr. Wright, who killed Dr. Teresa Sievers? WAYNE WRIGHT: Jimmy Rodgers and I physically did it, but Mark Sievers was also involved in the planning. For several hours, Wright testified against Sievers, the man he affectionately called his "brother from another mother." ATTORNEY: Why did you do it? WAYNE WRIGHT: I was asked to do it. ATTORNEY: By whom? WAYNE WRIGHT: Mr. Sievers. Wright told the jury that Sievers and his wife were having marital and money problems and that Sievers believed Teresa was planning to leave him and take the kids. WAYNE WRIGHT: The only option that he had was for her to die and he said that he needed to have her killed. When the judge asked Mark Sievers if he wanted to testify: MARK SIEVERS: I'm not going to testify, but I would like to go home. This time, the jury was out just four hours. The families gathered in the court for the verdict: guilty of first-degree murder. Teresa Sievers' family audibly gasp at the verdict. Mark Sievers, stoic at first, began to cry. In addition to the guilty verdict, the jury asked the judge to sentence Sievers to death. This is how former employee Frank Pais felt before the trial. Erin Moriarty: What should happen to Mark Sievers? He's facing the death penalty. Frank Pais: I think the death penalty is the easy way out I think the pain and torture that he deserves is to sit in jail the rest of his life thinking about his two pride and joy daughters that should be his punishment. On January 3, 2020, Mark Sievers, now a convicted killer, returned to court to find out if he will get life in prison or be sentenced to death. Mark Sievers reads a statement to the judge asking for his life to be spared before he was sentenced to death. / Credit: WINK This time he agreed to speak, to plead for his life: MARK SIEVERS: Although a jury found me guilty, I am innocent of all charges as I have maintained since this heinous crime took place. [Sievers chokes up while reading his statement] Our girls have tragically lost their mommy, and now they are about to lose their daddy, as well. It didn't take long for the judge to rule: JUDGE BRUCE KYLE: I judge people's actions. I don't judge people's souls. That's for somebody else to do. Sir, I am going to go ahead and adjudicate you guilty on each count on the first count, first-degree murder, it's the order of the court that you be sentenced to death, sir. For Teresa's family, it's the end of an agonizing nearly 5-year wait for justice. Teresa's brother [to reporters]: This has been an incredible nightmare from the beginning. Teresa took down three guys that took her from us. Teresa's mother [to reporters]: crying) She was my modern-day mother Teresa. I always called her that because she always was trying to help people. Teresa's brother: Our focus now [voice breaks] Teresa's mother: is to go on, to take care Teresa's brother: take care of the girls and give them the love and support that they need. And we're glad that it's over. Justice has been served. Mark Sievers remains on death row. Meet 90-year-old track star Florence Meiler Rock star: Sculptor Jago on unveiling humankind in marble Pressure mounts as calls grow for Biden to end reelection bid Its an unanswerable question worthy of a novel by Graham Greene. Did Thomas Crooks die believing he had killed Donald Trump? As the first shot hurtled past, Trump grabbed his ear, quickly saw blood on his hands and dropped to the ground. And in the 26 seconds between Crooks first shot aimed at the former president and the Secret Service taking aim and killing him, its conceivable that Crooks thought his mission accomplished. Trump Shooter Crooks Wasnt on Rifle Team or Bullied, According to School A week after the attempted assassination and hundreds of interviews later, no motive for the shooting has yet emerged. Police computer and phone searches suggest Crooks may have simply been looking for a high profile target as he scrolled through news of President Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland and former president Trump. Described by classmates as a classic loner who kept a low profile and sat solo at school lunch, his motive, like that of several school shooters, appears to have been in part to achieve notoriety. A craving to be famous, as The Daily Beast reported last week, is one of the drives assassins have in common. They also tend to be white and acting alone. Crooks was 20. Three of the four previous killers of U.S. presidents were also in their 20s. Stage actor John Wilkes Booth was 26 when he shot President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Anarchist Leon Czolgosz was 28 when he killed President William McKinley in 1901. And U.S. Marine veteran Lee Harvey Oswald was 24 when he murdered President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963. And yet very little was understood about them until The Exceptional Case Study Project, was published by the Secret Service in 1999. After studying 83 assassins and attackers, its authors Robert Fein and Bryan Vossekuil concluded: There are no accurate descriptive or psychological profiles of assassins. Theres no evidence to suggest Crooks shooting was politically movitated. He was a registered Republican, but he had once donated $15 to Act Blue. His mother, like his father is a counselor, and a registered Democrat. Crooks Senior and Thomas older sister are Libertarian. We do know he planned the shooting carefully. On Friday, the day before the rally, he spent much of the day at the gun range. On Saturday, he went to Home Depot at 9:30 a.m. to buy a ladder, and that afternoon bought 50 rounds of ammunition. According to Fox News, investigators said he drove to the rally in his Hyundai Sonata. He left behind two rudimentary explosive devices, a bulletproof vest and a drone that he may have been used earlier in the day. As he lay on the warehouse roof, focused the scope, and pulled the trigger of his fathers rifle, he would have seen Trumps immediate reaction. He had likely spent hours visualizing this very moment. Trumps falling to the ground must have seemed like the grim realization of his plan. He missed his target by a quarter of an inch. The Secret Service, trained for such contingencies, acted with swift precision. But in those final moments of his life, amid the shouts and the chaos, did Crooks believe he had succeeded? The thought is chilling, a grim testament to the depths of his delusion. As we grapple with the aftermath, the question remains a haunting footnote. Did Thomas Crooks, in his final breath, carry the belief that he had changed the course of history? Joanna Coles is the Chief Content Officer of The Daily Beast and the former Chief Content Officer of Hearst Magazines. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The COVID-19 virus helped sweep President Joe Biden into office and the COVID-19 virus helped sweep him out. In the 2020 race, then-President Donald Trump flagrantly mishandled the pandemic, which resulted in the deaths of more than a million Americans. Trumps incompetence combined with a slimmed-down campaign schedule boosted Bidens chances in their first matchup. The race was close, and a Pew poll that showed Americans overwhelmingly trusted Biden more than Trump to handle the pandemic may have swung the swing states. Less than a week ago, COVID struck again. This time it was personal. A July 17 statement from the White House announced that Biden had tested positive. He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms, the statement continued. The White House will provide regular updates on the Presidents status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation. You can almost hear the reverb on the word isolation-n-n-n-n. The illness hit less than a month after the CNN presidential debate where Biden fumbled and mumbled his way through. After the poor showing, Bidens team announced that the president was feeling sick. Despite that, Biden kept to a rigorous schedule knowing that his best move to win over naysayers was by showing unflagging strength and stamina. Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race and Endorses Kamala After 23-Minute Pause He gave a great speech at a rally in North Carolina. He gave an hour-long press conference on NATO. He sat down with Lester Holt at NBC, Ed Gordon at BET, and George Stephanopoulos at ABC. When Stephanopoulos asked if he might step down from the ticket, Biden responded, If the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that. But when the hammer fell on Bidens candidacy, it was not delivered by the Lord Almighty, but by a teeny corona-shaped virus. This time he was not bouncing back quickly. Bidens already raspy voice grew raspier. I talked to him this morning, said campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon on July 19. He sounds like shit because hes not feeling that well. Now Biden is stuck in Delaware, and anyone whos had a case of COVID knows how draggy and achy it can make you feeleven at 20 years old, let alone 81. On top of that, unlike in 2020, Biden has the United States to run. He led with this point in the letter he wrote announcing his decision Sunday. The letter began by listing several accomplishments of his administration, including a strong economy, lower prescription drug costs, expanded affordable health care, support for veterans, passing a gun safety law, passing climate legislation, and naming Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Bidens letter also noted, Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. Bidens pandemic of one was probably the final straw in his decision to make way for another Democrat to run in his stead. He must be terribly disappointed that he will not finish the job himself. But as the Lord Almighty might say: COVID giveth and COVID taketh away. 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. Disneyland employees have voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike, paving the way for what could be the first major work stoppage the Anaheim theme park has seen in 40 years. Members of the Master Services Council an alliance of unions representing custodians, ride operators, candy makers, merchandise clerks and other Disneyland employees on Friday voted 99% in support of a walkout. As a result, union leaders now have the option to call a strike if they are unable to negotiate a new contract with Disney. "We stood up and showed Disney that we wont sit by and allow them to intimidate, surveil and unlawfully discipline cast members for exercising their rights," the union team said in a memo posted online. "A strike is always a last resort," the memo continues, "and we have committed to return to the bargaining table Monday and Tuesday prepared to bargain in good faith." Read more: Disneyland workers cast ballots in strike authorization vote The Disneyland employee contract expired on June 16, and the Master Services Council scheduled the strike authorization vote earlier this month. Disneyland employees haven't staged a major walkout since 1984. That work stoppage lasted 22 days. "We greatly appreciate the important roles our cast members play in creating memorable experiences for our guests, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation," Disneyland spokesperson Jessica Good said in a statement. "Master Services Councils strike date authorization is not unusual as part of a negotiations process, and we look forward to continuing discussions at upcoming meetings on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23. A strike has not been scheduled, and Disneyland Resort continues to welcome guests." Tensions between workers and the company escalated in June when the Master Services Council filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board accusing Disney of threatening to discipline employees for wearing union buttons at work. Read more: Disneyland union files charges against Disney in Mickey button dispute The Master Services Council maintains that wearing the buttons which depict Mickey Mouse's raised fist is a protected form of union activity and that the company cannot take action against employees for doing so. Disney has argued that the pins violate the staff dress code and that only "a handful" of repeat incidents have led to disciplinary action, starting with a verbal warning. Some 14,000 workers at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney are simultaneously bargaining for new contracts. They are seeking wage increases to keep up with the cost of living in Southern California and reward senior employees, as well as stronger safety measures and changes to the company's attendance policy. Disney has publicly stated that Disneyland "will remain open and ready to welcome guests if any number" of employees go on strike. 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. When is the DNC 2024? Who will replace Joe Biden as Democratic National Convention nears As the Democratic National Convention nears, all eyes are on who will replace Joe Biden after the president announced Sunday, July 21, he will end his pursuit of a second term. Biden made the announcement from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he's self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Republican National Convention commenced in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Donald Trump formally accepted the party's nomination and announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance. The RNC began July 15 only a day after an assassination attempt against the former president at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Here's what we know about the 2024 Democratic National Convention. When is the 2024 DNC? The DNC will be held from Monday, Aug. 19 through Thursday, Aug 22. Where is the 2024 DNC? The 2024 DNC will be held at the United Center in Chicago. When was the last time the DNC was held in Chicago? This is the first time the convention will be held there since 1996, when former President Bill Clinton was nominated for his second term. Before that, the last time it was held there was in 1968 when there were protests stemming from the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. This will be the 12th time the DNC has been held in Chicago. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, pictured in an undated photo. Where was the last DNC held? The last DNC was held virtually in Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president. What happens at the DNC? Delegates for the Democratic Party will travel to the DNC to officially nominate the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2024 election. Delegates from each state and U.S. territory will vote based on their primary election results. Why Joe Biden dropped out of the election? Calls for Biden to step down due the appearance of decline health began in late June following his debate performance against Trump, where he stumbled over words and corrected himself with numbers. Biden's team initially attributed his raspy voice to a cold, but also blamed jet lag from recent travels overseas for his poor performance on stage. Biden has said multiple times that he will not resign and that he is the right person for the job. Who could replace Biden as the nominee? Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be the leading candidate to replace Biden as the Democratic Partys nominee in the 2024 election. Others who could throw their name into the ring include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Marianne Williamson is technically still in the race after unsuspending her campaign in late February. However, she has received zero delegates. Rep. Dean Phillips (D- MN) dropped out after Super Tuesday, receiving four delegates overall. Joe Biden endorses Harris During his announcement, Biden endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee in a separate statement on X. He said he would speak to the nation later this week to provide more details about his decision. When is the presidential election? The 2024 presidential election will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When is the DNC 2024? Who will replace Joe Biden as convention nears Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison said Sunday the party would hold a transparent and orderly process to choose their next 2024 nominee after President Biden announced he would step aside. Harrison said in a statement that the country owed President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years. The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November, Harrison said. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrison said the party would be sharing next steps on the process soon. Biden announced in a letter posted to social media Sunday afternoon that he would be dropping out of the 2024 race, stepping aside after weeks of pressure from fellow Democrats over his disastrous June 27 debate performance that fueled concerns about his ability to defeat former President Trump in November. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote. Biden later endorsed Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee. The whirlwind comes just one month before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and days after Republicans formally nominated Trump at their convention in Milwaukee. The DNC had planned to hold a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden in early August ahead of the Democratic convention, though its unclear if Democrats will still hold the virtual roll call. Delegates will play an even greater role in choosing the Democratic nominee. Biden had 3,850 pledged delegates, however those delegates can choose whomever they want now that the president is out of the race, and candidates vying for the presidency need a minimum of 300 delegates signatures to be considered among as a presidential candidate among the delegates. Those pledged delegates will be the first to vote on a nominee, which requires a majority to choose their next candidate. However, if theres no clear majority, superdelegates largely leaders of the party and lawmakers, among others will vote in subsequent rounds until the majority of the party rallies around one person. Updated 4:04 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. As rumors swirled that President Joe Biden could be forced to withdraw from the presidential race, leaders at Democratic National Committee were adamant: Biden would not be dropping out, and the party would move forward with a plan to nominate him through a virtual roll call held online weeks before of the partys convention kicks off in Chicago next month. DNC staff were caught by surprise Sunday when Biden announced his withdrawal, two sources familiar with the situation tell Rolling Stone. The announcement was likely kept as a closely guarded secret because of how regularly the details of private meetings held in recent days were leaked to the press, amid the intense speculation about whether Biden would indeed drop out of the race, one of the sources said. Of course they were caught off guard, a close Biden ally said separately on Sunday. So much of this has been coordinated through leaks and trying to tear down a great president. President Biden and his team are doing this on his terms and no one elses. Following Bidens announcement, the DNC quickly put out a statement, which included no details about whether plans for the virtual roll call would proceed as planned. The statement, from DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, which was sent more than an hour after Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, did not mention Harris by name. The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear, Harrison said. In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. He added: This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. The party had previously intended to nominate a candidate through a virtual roll call that would be completed by August 7, before the convention, which is set to open on August 19. Delegates who spoke with Rolling Stone on Sunday said they had not received guidance from the party about whether that early vote would take place as planned. During the Democratic primary, Biden amassed 3,904 of the partys total 3,933 pledged delegates. With Biden having officially dropped out, those delegates are now free to vote for any candidate who puts their name forward. At least one group was already working to organize Democratic delegates with an eye toward the increasing probability that Biden would be forced to drop out. Delegates Are Democracy has been in contact with hundreds of delegates in recent days as part of an effort to educate them on the rules of an open convention, says Christopher Dempsey, one of the figures behind the campaign. Release is a way that people have been describing this, but its not a technical term [Biden] does not need to issue a letter saying he releases the delegates. His withdrawal from the process is sufficient to essentially waive or or release the delegates from any commitments that are pledges that theyve made, Dempsey explains. Effectively, this is now an open conversation. In order to secure the Democratic presidential nomination, a candidate needs the votes of at least 1,968 pledged party delegates on the first ballot in order to win the nomination outright. If the voting goes to a second ballot, 739 superdelegates would be permitted to cast ballots. For anyone to challenge Harris who racked up a series of high-profile endorsements in the hours immediately following Bidens announcement that person would need a letter nominating them signed by at least 300 delegates, with no more than 50 of those delegates coming from any individual state. While Bidens endorsement of Harris does not obligate his former delegates to support her, delegates reached by Rolling Stone on Sunday said Harris had their full and unconditional backing, even as they voiced frustration about the enormous pressure placed, by donors and party leaders, on Biden to withdraw. Given the pressure from people like [former House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and others, I just think the presidents reelection prospects are just so damaged that he had no other option, says Luis Aleman, a pledged Biden delegate from California. Justin Fleming, a Pennsylvania State Representative and pledged Biden delegate, was similarly frustrated with the effort to force Biden out of the race. Such calls, in his opinion, undermined the fact that millions of voters had cast ballots for him in the Democratic primary. Now that Biden has made the decision, though, Fleming says, The obvious choice is Vice President Harris. She has been side-by-side with the president for the last 3.5 years, doing the work of running the country, doing the work on immigration, doing the work on infrastructure,student loans, health care expansion and other things, Fleming says. Thats where I am. I dont know if my fellow delegates will agree. But, as Ive had a chance to reflect on it, I think the Vice President would make a great nominee. Jennifer Lazlo Mizrahi is an American disability rights activist and a pledged Biden delegate from Maryland. She was in a DNC Zoom meeting about credentials for the convention on Sunday when the news that Biden would be withdrawing from the race broke. I just love this president. Im crying literally crying because hes so great, she said. I look forward to the rest of his time in office, and Im really looking forward to a new candidate, so that we can win. Mizrahi said that she has not heard from any other candidates at this point seeking her support for their candidacy. In conversations with other delegates, she hears uniform support for Harris. As weve seen President Biden have a sort of decrease in his capacities and capabilities, weve seen this tremendous increase in the Vice Presidents capabilities and capacities, Mizrahi adds. Almost all the delegates have seen her in person at live events recently, and weve been really, really impressed with what she offers and how shes going about it. Shes just very strong. Aleman, for his part, was also pleased with Bidens endorsement. Im sure well get more details from the DNC about how this whole thing is going to play out. But with the president endorsing her, shes got, 100 percent, my full support, Aleman says. I think shell be an excellent torchbearer for the party to articulate the things that we as Democrats stand for. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone A week after a shooter injured Donald Trumps ear at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the former presidents campaign released the first public update on his health. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), who served as Trumps physician in the White House, wrote in a letter that the would-be assassins bullet came less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear, noting that it produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially significant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear, he continued. The swelling has since resolved, and the wound is beginning to granulate and heal properly. Based on the highly vascular nature of the ear, there is still intermittent bleeding requiring a dressing to be in place. Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required. Trump wore a bandage on his ear throughout the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week. Some convention attendees donned their own bandages in solidarity with the former president. At least one vendor sold American flag-themed earpieces. In his convention speech, Trump recounted what the shooting felt like, saying: I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear. I said to myself, wow, what was that, it can only be a bullet, and moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down. My hand was covered with blood. Just absolutely blood all over the place. Jackson concluded in his letter that Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon, adding: It is an absolute miracle he wasnt killed. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, reportedly used an AR-15 style rifle. One rally attendee was killed in the shooting. Two attendees were critically injured. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone What does Kamala Harris record show? From California prosecutor to the vice president Vice President Kamala Harris political record and how Republicans will use it against her is center stage now that shes the expected front-runner to top the 2024 Democratic ticket. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would drop out of the presidential contest. He then endorsed Harris to be the Democratic nominee in a post on X. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, Biden wrote. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Harris recent talking points as vice president have centered on abortion, more aligned with her mainstay issues before becoming the first woman and Black and South Asian American vice president in January 2021. Harris, 59, was tapped as Bidens vice president in 2020, after running her own short-lived presidential campaign that year. She left the U.S. Senate seat she had held since 2017 to join the White House. Prior to that, Harris served as Californias attorney general, and San Francisco District Attorney. Republicans not only see an opportunity to attack Harris record as vice president, but also dating as far back to her time in San Francisco. And even among Democrats, Harris has been chastised for changing, or at least muddling, her positions on some issues that will be key to the 2024 race. Heres a look at what those issues might be: Immigration Biden tapped Harris in March 2021 to lead an effort to ease the root causes of migration from Central America a national strategy that would improve economic and safety conditions and encourage potential migrants to remain in three Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. That effort has been mocked by Republicans who dubbed her the border czar, even though immigration analysts contend her work is not really about the southern border. Immigration was not her issue before becoming vice president, said Dan Morain, a veteran California journalist and author of the biography Kamalas Way. She had been to the border. She had talked about transnational gangs, Morain said in an interview this month. This was an issue that she talked about as California attorney general, but it wasnt one of her go-to issues. The White House has said it is on track to meet its goals set in 2021 to give $4 billion to the Central American countries in four years, and that Harris work with the private sector has generated more than $5.2 billion in investments for job creation, internet access and formal financial systems. Abortion and Reproductive Health Harris has traveled the country as part of her Fight for Reproductive Freedoms Tour this year talking about abortion access, warning about what a second Trump administration could do to abortion rights and calling state laws limiting access Trump abortion bans. Since the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections set by Roe v. Wade in 2022, Harris has held more than 90 events in 21 states on the issue, the White House said. Without a doubt, womens health issues, thats been a recurrent issue for her, Morain said. Its an issue that has come up repeatedly in Harris career. As California attorney general and a senator, Harris worked on efforts for womens rights, maternal health and other related issues. Before Harris became District Attorney of San Francisco, she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases in the Alameda County District Attorneys Office. She continued prosecuting domestic violence perpetrators, child abusers and sex traffickers as chief of the Division on Children and Families at the San Francisco City Attorneys Office. Crime, Criminal Justice and the Death Penalty Throughout her career, Harris promoted herself as a tough-on-crime attorney. At the 2016 Democratic convention, she told a New York delegation she was Californias top cop, a moniker that many in the states communities of color criticized. When she became a U.S. senator in 2017, Harris became a leading voice in a bid to reform the nations criminal justice system, notably after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis in 2020. The White House told The Bee this month that Harris spent her career trying to reduce recidivism, help people rebuild after prison and improve childrens civil rights in the juvenile justice system. Harris 2019 presidential campaign platform included seeking a federal moratorium on the death penalty, which she has long opposed. She was embroiled in controversy as a San Francisco prosecutor when she would not seek the death penalty against a suspect accused of killing a police officer. When she ran for attorney general in 2010, many in the law enforcement area opposed her. Four years later, after a federal judge ruled Californias death penalty unconstitutional, Harris appealed the decision: It is not supported by the law, and it undermines important protections that our courts provide to defendants, she said at the time. Healthcare Soon after joining the Senate, Harris publicly supported the Medicare for All plan of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Ind-Vt., and reiterated that view two years later when she started her presidential run: I believe the solution and I actually feel very strongly about this is that we need to have Medicare for All, she told a CNN town hall. In June, during the Democrats first debate, Harris raised her hand when moderator Lester Holt of NBC asked Who here would abolish their health insurance in favor of a government-run plan? But after the debate, Harris said she misinterpreted the question. She said her vision includes private insurance where people can have supplemental insurance. A month later, she wrote in a post on Medium, We will allow private insurers to offer Medicare plans as a part of this system that adhere to strict Medicare requirements on costs and benefits. Marijuana Legalization Harris opposed a 2010 California ballot initiative to legalize pot. But as part of her criminal justice reform package in 2019, she had a different view. It is past time to end the failed war on drugs, and it begins with legalizing marijuana, she said, adding emphasis with the italics. The Biden administration started the federal process of rescheduling weed from the most tightly regulated Schedule I to less regulated Schedule III in May. At a White House event in March, Harris reiterated a position shes held recently: Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed. Understanding the News President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Find out more about what's happening beyond the headlines with these stories: Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? Biden makes history, but 2 other sitting presidents cut it close to Election Day What to know about ballots now that Biden has exited the race What does Kamala Harris record show? Take a look MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are investigating two overnight shootings, one left a man injured and the other resulted in a man losing his life. If you go off your emotions, you can go the wrong way, Jimmy McKinney said. McKinney spends much of his time in the downtown area, spreading positivity and encouraging people to seek alternate ways to resolve their issues. You know my slogan is, Dont shoot, put up them dukes. If we cant get along, lets get it on, McKinney said. Man dead after fatal Beale Street shooting So, he said it was difficult learning that a close friend of his lost their life to gun violence near the intersection of Beale and Fourth. He was a good friend of mine, McKinney said. He was a very likable person. I hate this because you know why? He didnt deserve that. Memphis Police say just before 11 p.m. Saturday, a man suffering from gunshot wounds was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He later died from his injuries. Though police have not released a motive, people WREG spoke with in the area said the shooting stemmed from an argument between the victim and at least two other people. Witnesses say at the time of the shooting, there was an extensive police presence nearby. Horses, bicycles, on feet, standing up in the parking lot, a witness said. Big presence. However, WREG learned it wasnt long before officers were called to another scene. Hours after the homicide on Beale and Fourth, Memphis Police responded to Main and Pontotoc. Thats where they said the victim was taken to the hospital after being shot during an argument. According to the police report, the victim was with his girlfriend when he got into an argument with several men riding inside a newer model two-door Infiniti. MPD: Man shot Downtown after argument Several witnesses told the police that three men got out of the car and started firing at the victim, striking him in his leg. Both of these shootings happened one week after the Memphis Police made more than a dozen arrests in the downtown area with hopes of providing a safer downtown experience. The people have a job to do but they cannot anticipate somebody getting ready to shoot somebody, McKinney said. McKinney, who is now grieving the loss of his friend, has this message for the public. You got to realize that you can make a five-second decision and do fifty years in prison, McKinney said. You can make a six-second decision and the other person is faster than you. Youll be six feet. Yall got to start thinking about what you do before you do it. Mayor Paul Youngs Office released the following statement: The incidents took place outside the Beale Street security perimeter. Any injury or loss of life to gun violence is unacceptable and we are working strategically with MPD to apprehend the individuals responsible for these actions and to reduce overall violent crime across this city. The recent incidents are currently under investigation, and we advise you to contact MPD for any additional information. Ensuring the safety of downtown is our top priority, and we are constantly in close collaboration with stakeholders, the City, and MPD to assess and address safety. Chandell Ryan President and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Mission. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Gun lobby rhetoric falls flat California leaders react after Trump rally shooting, (fresnobee.com, July 13) After the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, there are several things we should consider. First, the weapon was an assault rifle, the type of gun that the gun lobby claims that we need for self-defense; but the assailant was not defending himself, he was using the weapon for its designed offensive purpose. We do not need guns that are reasonably accurate at 150 yards to defend ourselves. The shooter used a legally purchased gun, had no criminal record and no record of mental illness. In short, he was what the gun lobby calls an honest, law-abiding citizen. Another belief of the gun lobby is to stop a bad guy with a gun, we need good guys with guns. There were plenty of armed good guys, but they could not prevent the carnage. David Hudson Fresno Opinion Dangerous surveillance technology Airports using biometric facial recognition in California, (fresnobee.com, March 7) After reading this article, I expected to see the paper continue to cover the growth of dangerous facial recognition technology in California. However, so far Ive seen nothing about Assembly Bill 1814, a dangerous bill the California Senate is considering that would essentially greenlight the use of this technology across the state without addressing any of its harms. Facial recognition technology has been proven to misidentify people, most frequently Black people, leading to false arrests and derailed lives. Not only is this technology unable to become perfectly accurate, too many variables can go wrong. It would still give governments and companies the power to spy on us wherever we go tracking our faces at protests, political rallies, places of worship and putting people seeking reproductive healthcare at increasing risk every day. We cannot allow AB 1814 to become law and must protect the freedom that we hold dear. Just this month, 58 organizations joined together to advocate against the legislation. As a resident of Fresno County, I urge State Sen. Anna Caballero to vote against dangerous surveillance technology. Ericka Kruse Fresno No universal solution After Homelessness Ruling, Cities Weigh Whether to Clear Encampments, (modbee.com, July 13) The vagrancy issue is extraordinarily complex and asymmetric. There is no universal solution. Cities need to have every available tool to do whats best for their community. A ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stripped cities of the law enforcement tool, making it harder not easier to find solutions. The Supreme Court reversed that decision. UC Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky labeled that reversal wrong-headed. But the big picture here is that the Supreme Courts decision gave favor to the rights of 99% of the residents of Grants Pass, Oregon over the 1% of the unhoused. That doesnt sound wrong-headed to me. It sounds like the greater good was served. The Supreme Court reinstated the option to use law enforcement. I am confident that cities will use it in a constructive manner that serves the greater good. Tim Ragsdale Modesto Donald Trump lambasted Joe Biden as 'not fit to run and not fit to serve' - Emily Elconin/Bloomberg Donald Trump pressed for Joe Biden to step aside with immediate effect, as he called his rival the single worst president in history. Trump telephoned CNN, the news channel, minutes after Mr Biden announced that he would stand down from the US presidential race to hit out at his successor in the White House. He followed that up with a post on his social media platform Truth Social in which he claimed the president was not fit to run and not fit to serve, suggesting he thought Mr Biden should leave office sooner rather than later. It will pile the pressure on Mr Biden to quit now rather than waiting until the January inauguration of the winner of the November presidential election. JD Vance, Trumps running mate, also called on Mr Biden to go, writing on X, formerly Twitter: How can he justify remaining president? Not running for re-election would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground. Mr Biden, 81, will continue his presidential duties and is expected to meet Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister in Washington on Tuesday. In his call to CNN, minutes after Mr Biden had announced his exit from the race, Trump declared: He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country. He also boasted to the news channel that he was confident that Kamala Harris, the vice president now in the driving seat to win the Democratic nomination, would be easier to defeat than Mr Biden would have been. Then on Truth Social, in a rallying fundraising call to his supporters, Trump did not hold back as he repeated his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him. He wrote: Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. Trump claimed the medical establishment as well as the mainstream media had covered up the presidents frailties, which had become increasingly evident in recent weeks and were brought to the fore by Mr Bidens disastrous showing at their first television debate. He wrote: All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! It is unclear whether Mr Bidens decision to step aside will give a further boost to the Trump campaign or provide the Democrats with a fresh impetus to defeat the Republican contender. The calls for Mr Biden to go now were reinforced by senior Republicans. Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, declared: If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. Mr Johnson said the Democrats prospects are no better now with Vice President Kamala Harris who he said co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden administration. He also accused the vice president of being a gleeful accomplice in the largest political coverup in US history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve. Mr Biden, who mistakenly announced Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, as President Putin, was forced out of the public sphere after contracting Covid. Reports suggested the virus had badly affected his physical health, leaving him coughing and hoarse. With his campaign on pause, the void was filled by a growing clamour for him to quit the presidential race, with polls showing him being beaten by Mr Trump in the battleground states. The visit of Mr Netanyahu will focus attention on whether Mr Biden should stay in office. There had been suggestions he would remain until after the visit to prevent Israels prime minister from having the satisfaction of being in Washington when he quits. The two men have barely spoken and Mr Netanyahu is reported to be holding out in Israel for a Trump presidency, which he considers to be more supportive of his all-out war with Hamas in Gaza. But in an official statement, Isaac Herzog, Israels president, thanked Mr Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career. He said Mr Biden was the first US president to visit the country in a time of war, calling him a true ally of the Jewish people and a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples. 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. At first glance, its a rather unmarkable, plain-looking, one-story building that sits in an unadorned lot in the dry West Texas town of Marfa. It has off-white adobe walls and a metal roof. On the front, it has two narrow vertical windows and a wooden door. A handful of utilitarian steps with no railings lead inside. And yet Blackwell School is the newest site in the U.S. National Park system because of the remarkable story of what happened here. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland formally established the school as a National Historic Site on Wednesday, according to a news release from the National Park Service. Its one of 76 sites with that designation. The National Park Service now has a total of 430 units, including 63 National Parks, under its wide umbrella. History of Blackwell School Built in 1909, the school serves as a significant example of how racism and cultural disparity dominated education and social systems in the United States during this period of de facto segregation from 1889 to 1965, the NPS release said. Unlike schools in much of the South that primarily focused on segregation of African Americans, Blackwell was established for Mexican and Mexican-American students. By receiving the designation, Blackwell School has permanent protection and can provide physical testimony that helps tell the history of Texas school districts that set up elementary schools for Mexican American children, the release said. A complete history of America must include everyones story. The designation of the Blackwell School National Historic Site is an important step in telling a more diverse and inclusive history of the Mexican American experience in our country, said Chuck Sams, director of the National Park Service. The site has the original 1909 adobe schoolhouse and a smaller 1927 classroom building known as the Band Hall. The buildings hold photographs, memorabilia and panels that display quotes and stories from students and teachers, NPS said. Marfa: Tourist attraction Marfa, population just over 1,700, is about 45 miles east of the U.S.-Mexico border and about 400 miles west of San Antonio on a lonely stretch of high-altitude highway. The town has become something of an essential stop for a West Texas road trip, especially for lovers of avant-garde art. Artist Donald Judd helped get things started in the 1970s with his installation of minimalist aluminum boxes inside buildings at the former Fort D.A. Russell military post. Its now called The Chinati Foundation (La Fundacion Chinati) and features permanent, large-scale works of art. The town is also home to Prada Marfa, a stocked faux boutique by artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset that comments on materialism. Various art galleries also dot the town, covering a range of styles from world tribal art to minimalist, contemporary works. Plan a trip Plan a visit to Blackwell School in Marfa by clicking here. Learn more here. Laws and loopholes still perpetuate school segregation across America Laws and loopholes still perpetuate school segregation across America The city of Eagles decision to declare itself a nonsanctuary city is a political solution without a problem. Even by the city spokespersons own words, the declaration is an empty one chasing after a bogeyman a bogeyman based on what appears to be a false assumption. According to the resolution, Eagle residents had expressed concern over the supposed transport of immigrants into Idaho and Ada County which compromise the safety, well-being and resources of the city residents. Which residents had expressed concern? How many residents? What resources would be compromised? When asked, Eagles spokesperson said she wasnt aware of any current city programs that used taxpayer dollars for such services. So why the need for the resolution? The Eagle city spokesperson said that there is no problem now, but theyre looking to the future. Also concerning is the fact that this resolution was passed on the consent calendar, which means it was done without serious discussion. First, something so significant deserves some debate and discussion. Without such a discussion in an open meeting, it makes us think that theres a possibility of an illegal serial meeting, in which council members discuss a matter offline, outside the public view. How else could they have come to unanimous agreement to pass it? This is no way to conduct the publics business. If a public body is going to pass a resolution of such importance, city council members are obligated to their constituents to state their reasoning to the public. Even when an Idaho Statesman reporter sought comment from Mayor Brad Pike, he refused to return his call to explain his position. Thats pretty cowardly, in our book. What exactly does it mean for Eagle, one of the wealthiest cities in Idaho, to be a nonsanctuary city? Is the resolution sending some sort of implicit message? Is it a move to codify Eagle as an elitist enclave? As Idaho Statesman reporter Nick Rosenberger pointed out in his reporting, there are no statistically discernible differences in violent crime, rape or property crime rates across cities that adopt the sanctuary city status; 86% of people without permanent legal status have jobs, compared with 74% nationally; and workers without permanent status paid millions in sales, property and income taxes. If theres anything positive, Eagles resolution offers yet another reminder of the need for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a more vigorous guest worker program in the United States. The U.S. Senate was close to passing meaningful immigration legislation earlier this year, but former President Donald Trump got his Republican friends in the Senate to kill the bill out of fear that it would hand President Joe Biden a victory in this election year. The United States has a serious labor shortage right now, to the tune of about 2 million more jobs than unemployed workers. Anyone complaining about Bidenflation needs to take a look at the need to bring more workers into the country to fill that labor shortage. We will also point out that many immigrants seeking asylum in the United States are here because of political unrest in their home countries, conditions created, in part, by U.S. foreign policies. One could argue that its incumbent upon the U.S. to provide sanctuary to those fleeing political violence. In the end, Eagles resolution has little effect and is rooted in unfounded fears and concerns without any evidence other than some vague future threat. Those are bad foundations upon which to lay government policy. And without public discussion or disclosure, its just plain bad government. Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Greg Lanting, Terri Schorzman and Garry Wenske. Sicilian wine growers have harvested the first pinot grigio grapes earlier than ever before this year, 12 days earlier than usual, the large Settesoli wine cooperative in the west of the Italian island has announced. The cooperative in Menfi has in past years been the first in Italy to start the harvest, and last year started picking the grapes on July 30. Heat and dry conditions had led to the earlier harvest this year, Settesoli's Filippo Buttafuoco told Italian television. "An average of 500 to 600 millitires of rain fall in Sicily each year, but since last autumn we have recorded only 250 millilitres of precipitation," Buttafuoco said. "That is half the water normally available to the land," he added. High temperatures at an early stage, along with the dry conditions, had led to the grapes ripening around 10 days earlier than usual, he said. The pinot grigio harvest will be followed by harvests for sauvignon blanc, moscato and chardonnay. The red grapes will come later. Sicily has been hit by a severe drought. Winter and spring saw scarcely any rain, and the consequences can now be seen in dried-up reservoirs. Water rationing is being considered in some areas, including the island's capital of Palermo, as the Corriere della Sera newspaper reported. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race amid concern from fellow Democrats that he stood no chance of beating Donald Trump this go-round. "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down," Biden posted to X, before shortly after throwing his "full support and endorsement" behind Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the party's new nominee. "Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump," Biden added. "Let's do this." But can Harris "do this"? It's hard to conclude that Harris would fare worse than Biden, whose cognitive difficulties were so apparent his own party came to view him as a serious electoral liability. Yet if one recalls Harris' own ill-fated run at the Democratic nomination in 2020, and her time in politics before then, the math in this equation becomes somewhat fuzzierHarris was a truly bad candidate. And prior to that, she perpetuated some truly bad policies. Kamala Harris the horrible campaigner and Kamala Harris the cop can be easy to forget if you're only considering what Harris has done lately. Her tenure as vice president has been almost entirely unremarkable. The most distinguishing feature has been a series of bizarre but benign word salads. And political memory is short. So Harris isn't the best orator? Surely that's surmountable. Besides, the lack of distinguishing actions during her vice presidency could even be to her advantage. She's basically a blank slate, at least if you don't look back too far. But what if you do look back? The first thing you'll see is Harris' shambolic 2020 campaign for president. She wouldn't commit to policy positions. She couldn't defend her past actions. There were ongoing stories about her poor treatment of her staff. She entered the race as a top-tier candidate, with glowing press and some big-time backers, and dropped out two months before the Iowa caucuses, polling at just 3 percent nationally. She wasn't even polling as a top-tier candidate in her home state of California. It was impossible in that campaign to ascertain what Harris stood for. This wasn't just a case of national campaigning jitters. One major thread in Harris' careerincluding during her days as district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of Californiahas been flip-flopping on issues to suit the audience or the political moment. This may have worked as a short-term strategy. But it left a long-term impression of her as rudderless and ruthlessa phony. It will be incredibly easy for Republicans to portray her as someone who stands for nothing, or as whatever it is they think you'll hate most, like a representative of "California socialism." (Never mind that the GOP's own candidate isn't exactly a stalwart of consistency.) The image of Harris as slipperyall ambition, no ideologymay contribute to her unpopularity among American voters. It's almost certainly more of a liability than the once-common critique that Harris was an overzealous cop and drug warrior. Harris' tough-on-crime past makes her unpopular among leftists and more radical wings of the Democratic Party, as well as among civil libertarians and criminal justice reformers. There's no doubt that this will come back to haunt her again should she become the Democratic nominee. But this past may have been especially hurtful in 2020, when the protests inspired by George Floyd's death were still raging and criminal justice reform momentum was still vibrant. (Remember "defund the police"?) And it likely mattered more in a Democratic primary than it would in a general election, since the types to find fault with Harris' prosecutorial record are unlikely to find Trump and Republicans a more welcome alternative. If anything, some of the lip-service Harris paid to progressive justice idealsboth in 2020 and in Californiamay be used by Republicans to help turn safety-minded independents against her. That means Harris' turnabouts on justice issuesnot her actual recordmay wind up harming her most. It leaves her vulnerable to attacks from both the left and the right on this frontto allegations that she's been both too aggressive and too lenient on crime, even if only one of these (the aggressiveness) has been borne out beyond just words. I won't pretend to know whether Harris would be a better or worse choice for Democrats than some other potential candidates. I don't know whether she could beat Trump, though I have my doubts. What I do know is that if Harris becomes the party's nominee, the rush to anoint her a saintin the press, on social media, among celebritiesis going to kick into overdrive quickly, both because of her identity and out of desperation to avoid Trump getting elected again. But as much as I want to see a female president sooner rather than later, and as much as I do not want to see another Trump presidency, I can't pretend Harris doesn't have serious and worrying flaws. As much as she's been a pretty benign figure during her vice presidential days, there's nothing to stop her worst tendencies from flaring up again if she becomes president. These tendencies include a penchant for saying one thing during campaigns and then doing the opposite; of using the state to crack down on problemslike truancy and drug usethat many would agree could be better solved through nonpunitive approaches; and of using moral panics around sex in self-serving ways (even while publicly ignoring sexual misconduct among California cops). They include acting cavalierly toward the Constitution, defending dirty prosecutors, and finding new ways for the government to poke into people's lives. Remember: Not only did Harris help put the parents of truant kids in jail, but she wrote in her 2019 book The Truths We Hold that "instituting a statewide plan on truancy was part of the reason I'd run for the office in the first place." That is who Kamala Harris is (though she claims the jailing was unintended). Those who critique Harris for being something of a politically ambitious cipher aren't wrong. But this image is incomplete. There are some things Harris has stood for consistently, and none of them are good. I'll leave you with something I wrote about Harris back in 2019: During her 28-year tenure as a county prosecutor, district attorney (D.A.), and state attorney general (A.G.),in the public eye, she spoke of racial justice and liberal values, bolstering her cred as one of the Democratic Party's rising stars. But behind closed doors, she repeatedly fought for more aggressive prosecution not just of violent criminals but of people who committed misdemeanors and "quality of life" crimes.Every attorney general fights for state power and police prerogatives. It's part of the job. But over and over again, Harris went beyond the call of duty, fighting for harsher sentences, larger bail requirements, longer prison terms, more prosecution of petty crimes, greater criminal justice involvement in low-income and minority communities, less due process for people in the system, less transparency, and less accountability for bad cops.In the early days of her [2020] presidential campaign, Harris has sought to define herself as a liberal reformer who has kept up with the times. But a review of her career shows a distinct penchant for power seeking and an illiberal disposition in which no offense is small or harmless enough to warrant lenience from the state. Now she wants to bring that approach to the highest office in the land. Whoever Harris pretends to be this time, she cannot beto use one popular Harris phrase)"unburdened by what has been." The post It's Been Easy To Forget How Bad Kamala Harris Is appeared first on Reason.com. After President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the party favorite to replace him at the top of the ticket. Biden endorsed Harris on Sunday -- and since then, many others in the Democratic Party are backing her. With just a few months before the Nov. 5 election, all eyes are on Democrats as they work to lock in a candidate. Latest Developments Jul 22, 4:40 PM Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs endorses Harris Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs formally endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday afternoon. PHOTO: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs gives a brief speech prior to President Joe Biden's remarks at the Tempe Center for the Arts, Sept. 28, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) "As the last few weeks have made clear, Americans are looking for a new generation of leadership that will move past the divisiveness and unite us around our shared American values. I believe that leader is Vice President Harris, and I look forward to working with her to lower costs for Arizonans, restore reproductive freedom, and defend our democratic rights," Hobbs wrote on X. -ABC News' Oren Oppenheim Jul 22, 4:39 PM Former AG Eric Holder to conduct vetting for Harris running mate: Sources Former Attorney General Eric Holder and his law firm Covington & Burling is expected to lead the vetting of a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, according to multiple sources briefed on the plans. PHOTO: Former Attorney General Eric Holder attends the official White House portrait unveiling ceremony for former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in the East Room of the White House, Sept. 7, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images) The vetting, which typically consist of requests for various documents along with formal interviews, is expected to get underway almost immediately, the sources said, given the team is operating in a truncated timeframe. Among the names likely to be vetted are Govs. Josh Shapiro, Roy Cooper and Andy Beshear, and Sen. Mark Kelly, according to the sources. -ABC News' Jonathan Karl and Katherine Faulders Jul 22, 4:29 PM Josh Shapiro declines to 'engage in hypotheticals' about whether he would accept VP role Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro repeatedly declined on Monday to say whether he would accept an offer to be Kamala Harris' running mate, telling reporters at an event in Pittsburgh that he would "not engage in hypotheticals." "I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals. This is a deeply personal decision the vice president will make. She will make it on her own timetable and on her own timeline," he said. "She needs to choose someone that she's prepared to govern with, campaign with, and someone that she feels most comfortable with. That decision should be made free of any sort of political pressure." PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speak to the press while making a stop at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, July 13, 2024. (Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images) When asked whether he and Harris, who spoke Sunday, had discussed whether he is under consideration for the position, Shapiro said their conversation was "all about how we beat Donald Trump." "I spoke to the vice president yesterday shortly after I spoke to the president. You know what we focused on? Defeating Donald Trump. Our conversation was all about how we beat Donald Trump to protect our freedoms in this commonwealth," he said. -ABC News' Will McDuffie Jul 22, 4:03 PM Harris campaign says it has raised $81M in 24 hours The Harris campaign claims it has raised $81 million in the last 24 hours. The haul includes donations raised across the campaign, Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees, it said. "The historic outpouring of support for Vice President Harris represents exactly the kind of grassroots energy and enthusiasm that wins elections. Already, we are seeing a broad and diverse coalition come together to support our critical work of talking to the voters that will decide this election," Harris for President spokesperson Kevin Munoz said in a statement to ABC News, in part. ABC News is not able to independently verify this information until the numbers are reported to the FEC. -ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow and Will McDuffie Jul 22, 3:22 PM Biden's chief of staff holds call with White House staff, sources say President Joe Biden's Chief of Staff Jeff Zients held calls Monday with White House staff members and appointees across the Biden-Harris administration following his decision to end his bid for reelection Sunday, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. Zients told team members to "have the president's back," keep their "heads down" and "get work done," the sources said. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference July 11, 2024, in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Biden has told Zients theres more work to do, including lowering costs for families -- from health care to housing, implementing historic bipartisan legislation, protecting the freedoms of Americans and standing up for democracy," the sources said. The sources added that Zients also thanked the team and said: "Together as a team -- and under the vice president's leadership, we did everything from bringing the country back from a once-in-a-century pandemic to historic legislation to restoring America's standing in the world." He closed the calls by telling staff to "run through the tape" and "finish the job," according to the sources. -ABC News' Selina Wang Jul 22, 2:56 PM Jeffries stops short of endorsing Harris yet, says he'll meet with her and Schumer House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stopped short of endorsing Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee yet, but said on Monday that he plans to meet with her and Senate Majority Leader Schumer "in short order." Jeffries praised Harris, saying: "I'm excited for that meeting. Let me say this -- that Vice President Kamala Harris has excited the community. She has excited the House Democratic Caucus. Shes excited the country." PHOTO: House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries walks to the podium at his weekly press conference on Capitol Hill, July 11, 2024 in Washington. (John Mcdonnell/AP) It's not clear when this meeting will occur. "We are waiting on Leader Schumer to get back to town, as well as to get exact confirmation from VP Harris," Jeffries said. "We owe a debt of gratitude to President Biden for his tremendous leadership, and I'm also thankful for the incredible partnership that he has had for the last three and a half years with Vice President Kamala Harris," Jeffries said. Jeffries would not say what he and Biden discussed when they recently met privately. "President Joe Biden is a heroic, patriotic and transformational figure, and he will go down in history as one of the greatest public servants of all time. That much is clear," he said. -ABC News' Jay O'Brien and Lauren Peller Jul 22, 2:35 PM Dem super PAC secures commitments of $150M in withheld donations from after Biden's debate performance In the last 24 hours Future Forward, the preferred super PAC that previously backed President Biden's reelection bid and now Harris' election bid, claims it has secured commitments of $150 million from donors who were threatening to withhold their donations after Biden's debate performance, according to a senior aide at Future Forward. The super PAC had already reserved $250 million in TV and digital advertising earlier this year. "Future Forward will continue working to make sure Donald Trump is defeated in this election and those dangerous consequences are never felt by the American people," the senior aide told ABC News. -ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow and Will McDuffie Jul 22, 1:55 PM Biden to campaign 'aggressively' with Harris in battleground states as soon as doctor clears him: Source President Biden plans to campaign in battleground states "very aggressively" with Vice President Harris as soon as the doctor gives him the COVID "all-clear," according to a senior administration official. Biden tested positive for COVID last week. The president will first return to the White House, then will hit the trail in the coming weeks to campaign for and with Harris, the source added. PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris embraces President Joe Biden after a speech on healthcare in Raleigh, N.C., Mar. 26, 2024. (Matt Kelley/AP) The president is still expected to deliver remarks later this week and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The timing of all of this, the source said, is dependent on Biden's COVID recovery. But the source said they are "hopeful" it will be later this week. The source added that they want to make sure Biden's "voice" is ready to go and that he can clearly deliver his message. PHOTO: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive to speak at a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 29, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) The senior administration official emphasized that Biden is still "going to finish the job" and that his priorities will remain the same. Part of finishing that job, this person added, is making sure Harris gets elected. Another official said the president is still "full steam ahead" on his legislative priorities. -ABC News' Selina Wang Jul 22, 1:40 PM Pelosi endorses Harris Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president on Monday. "Today, it is with immense pride and limitless optimism for our country's future that I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States," she wrote in a statement. PHOTO: Democratic Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi speaks at the North Carolina Democratic Unity Dinner fundraiser in Raleigh, July 20, 2024. (Karl B Deblaker/AP) Read more here. Jul 22, 12:59 PM Whitmer says 'no' to potential VP nod, says she'll stay in Michigan Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, speaking to a local station's reporter on Monday, said she would not take the vice presidency if offered and that she does not plan on leaving Michigan. "No. I am not planning to go anywhere, Whitmer said when asked if she is prepared to take the vice presidency if it were to be offered to her. PHOTO: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, May 4, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md. (Alex Brandon/AP) When asked to confirm that, if offered the position, she would not take it, Whitmer said, "I am not leaving Michigan. I am proud to be the governor of Michigan. I have been consistent. I know everyone is always suspicious and asking this question over and over again; I know you're doing your job. I am not going anywhere." -ABC News' Rick Klein Click here to read the rest of the blog. Elon Musk claimed he was told last week the exact time President Joe Bidena puppet, in Musks words would resign. In a conspiratorial post on his social media platform X, the billionaire Trump supporter said: I heard last week that he would resign at this exact time and date. It was widespread knowledge in DC. The real powers that be are discarding the old puppet in favor of one that has a better chance of fooling the public. They fear Trump because he is not a puppet. Amazing, since half of DC knew this would happen last week Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 21, 2024 In another post, Musk, who is currently said to be the worlds richest man with a $252 billion fortune, said that his smartest friends, including those living in the San Francisco Bay Area who have been lifelong Dems, are excited about Trump/Vance. The posts were among a stream of remarks that he sent in the wake of Joe Bidens withdrawal, variously gloating on Bidens downfall, celebrating Xs speed to respond to and shape todays news, mocking Kamala Harris and portraying the Democratic political establishment as corrupt. is a meme goldmine rn https://t.co/b7D94HkajZ Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 21, 2024 Musk, who threw his weight behind Trump with a full endorsement after the failed assassination attempt last weekend, also posted: I believe in an America that maximizes individual freedom and merit. That used to be the Democratic Party, but now the pendulum has swung to the Republican Party. Musk then reposted, with the comment, Exactly, remarks by another X user which criticized the Democratic elite, corporate media, and billionaire donors for forcing out Biden and concluded, Democrats destroy democracy in pursuit of power. In another post, Musk, who changed his avatar to a parody of the character of Homelander in the hit television show The Boys, trolled mainstream news networks for being so slow to report the news of Bidens withdrawal from the race and gloated over reports that White House aides heard the news of Bidens decision on X. White House aides learned Biden was dropping out by reading https://t.co/9SpfbwcN65 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 21, 2024 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. Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many, including Kyiv, were skeptical that a major war could return to Europe. More than two years on, another shift once unthinkable is underway on conscription. Several European nations have reintroduced or expanded compulsory military service amid Moscows mounting threat, part of a range of policies aimed at boosting defenses that are likely to be scaled up even further. We are coming to the realization that we may have to adjust the way we mobilize for war and adjust the way we produce military equipment and we recruit and train personnel, said Robert Hamilton, head of Eurasia research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, who served as a US Army officer for 30 years. It is tragically true that here we are, in 2024, and we are grappling with the questions of how to mobilize millions of people to be thrown into a meatgrinder of a war potentially, but this is where Russia has put us, he said. The risks for a larger war in Europe have been rising after Russian President Vladimir Putin finally resorted to open conflict in Ukraine, pursuing his aim to recreate the Soviet empire, said Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.), who served as NATOs Supreme Allied Commander Europe. So weve now got a war in Europe that we never thought we would see again, said Clark, who led NATO forces during the Kosovo War. Whether this is a new Cold War or an emerging hot war is unclear, he continued, but its a very imminent warning to NATO that weve got to rebuild our defenses. Those efforts include conscription, he says. Return of conscription underscores new reality A number of European countries halted mandatory conscription after the end of the Cold War, but several nations particularly in Scandinavia and the Baltics have reintroduced it in recent years, largely because of the Russian threat. Failure to enlist can result in fines or even jail time in some countries. Latvia is the latest to implement conscription. Compulsory military service was reintroduced on January 1 this year, after being abolished in 2006. Male citizens will be put up for the draft within 12 months of reaching the age of 18, or graduation for those still in the education system. At first there was a lot of pushback, said Arturs Pilacis, a 20-year-old student. Hes yet to go up for the draft but voluntarily went on a month-long military course. But ultimately, the need for a state defence service was clear, he said. There wasnt really an option where we can stand by and think things will go on as they were before because of the unprovoked aggression in Ukraine. Latvian army servicemen with a M109A5 howitzer attend a military parade to celebrate the anniversary of the independence declaration in Riga, Latvia on November 18, 2022. - Ints Kalnins/Reuters In April, Norway presented an ambitious long-term plan that will nearly double the countrys defense budget and add more than 20,000 conscripted soldiers, employees, and reservists to the armed forces. We need a defense that is fit for purpose in the emerging security environment, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said. Conscription in Norway is mandatory and in 2015 it became the first member of the NATO defensive alliance to conscript both men and women on equal terms. Economics student Jens Bartnes, 26, completed his military training at the age of 19. I am happy I did it, I learned a lot from that year that I wouldnt learn otherwise about myself, about my physical and mental limits and abilities I suppose, but also about teamwork. Its a whole different way of life, he said. I am willing to fight for my country if need be, because I believe in the values that the Norwegian society is built on and I believe those values of inclusion and equality and democracy are worth fighting for, Bartnes added. Max Henrik Arvidson, 25, was conscripted into the Norwegian military for one year between 2019 and 2020. Like Bartnes, he sees military service as an essential duty. I know the only way we can stand against more Russian aggression is by keep supplying Ukraine with weapons and aid, while standing strong together with NATO as a whole and the European Union. Big mental shift Debates about conscription have also been taking place in other European countries that currently dont require it. In the UK, the Conservatives floated the idea of military service in their ill-fated election campaign. But perhaps the most surprising transformation is underway in Germany, which since the end of World War II has had an aversion to militarization. In another first since the Cold War, Germany this year updated its plan should conflict erupt in Europe, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius presented a proposal in June for a new voluntary military service. We must be ready for war by 2029, he said. Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defense, visits the air base in B'chel and talks to soldiers on 18 July 2024. - Thomas Frey/picture-alliance/dpa/AP We are seeing the debate now raging. And thats the first step, said Sean Monaghan, a visiting fellow in the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This doesnt happen overnight, its a big mental shift. Not everyone is ready to answer the call. In Lithuania, for instance, opinions about military service among students vary, said Paulius Vaitiekus, president of Lithuanias National Students Union. Since the country reintroduced compulsory military service in 2015 due to a changed geopolitical situation, about 3,500 to 4,000 Lithuanians between the ages of 18 and 26 are enlisted each year for a period of nine months. Vaitiekus said students have launched initiatives to send supplies to the Ukrainian frontlines. There was a shift in the mindset of the youth towards being more active, although not necessarily through conscripting, he added. With conscription remaining an unpopular topic in some countries, NATO is struggling to meet its new goal of having 300,000 personnel ready to be activated within one month and another half a million available within six months, Monaghan said. While NATO has stated it has already met that goal, the EU has said its members would struggle. NATO relies on American forces to meet its target. European allies need to find new ways to generate personnel. Something has to give here, he said. Another problem is that that target would only allow NATO to fight a relatively short conflict of up to six months, Monaghan added. Large strategic reserve force models A possible solution is a more nimble, modern military. One of NATOs newest members, Finland, has the capacity to activate more than 900,000 reservists, with 280,000 military personnel being ready to respond immediately if needed. However, during peacetime, the Finnish Defence Forces employs only about 13,000 people, including civilian staff. Finland is a good example as its reserve force can be integrated into a very small active force, said Hamilton, of the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Historically, he explained, Finland was wedged between NATO and the Soviet Union, aligned with neither, so needed to be able to defend itself alone. Norway and Sweden, NATOs newest member, have similar models, both maintaining significant numbers of reservists, though not as many as Finland. Sweden, where conscription is now also gender-neutral, called up around 7,000 individuals in 2024. The number will rise to 8,000 in 2025, according to the Swedish Armed Forces. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, what we see is that both knowledge and the attitude have changed, she said. Sweden has had conscription since 1901 so its really part of our culture in a way, said Marinette Nyh Radebo, communications manager at the agency that helps test recruits and reports to the Ministry of Defense. When the conscription was activated again, in the beginning, we said that conscription is good for your CV, for applying for a new job for example, Radebo said. But today our communication is more like, this is a duty that you have to do for Sweden. Soldiers on the parade ground at the base of the Swedish Army's Gotland Regiment near Visby, Sweden, on March 25, 2022. - Mikael Sjoberg/Bloomberg/Getty Images Is NATO ready for war? The NATO alliance has been revising its strategy and boosting capabilities over the past decade in response to the growing threat from Moscow. Russias full-scale assault on Ukraine in 2022, which followed its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, inevitably prompted allies to reassess whether they were ready for war and strengthen their defenses. Since 2014, NATO has undergone the most significant transformation in our collective defense in a generation, NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah told CNN. We have put in place the most comprehensive defense plans since the Cold War, with currently more than 500,000 troops at high readiness. But there are calls for allies to increase their capabilities further and faster. While NATO allies are definitely ready to fight tonight, there is still a question of whether they are ready for a protracted war such as that in Ukraine, Monaghan said, pointing out there is still work to be done in a number of areas. Those include industrial capacity, defense spending and societal resilience where the question of conscription would come in. The way military personnel are recruited and trained is a decision for individual nations, Dakhlallah said, adding: Around a third of NATO members have some form of compulsory military service. Some allies are weighing up conscription. However as an alliance we do not prescribe mandatory military service, Dakhlallah said. The important thing is that allies continue to have capable armed forces to protect our territory and our populations. In addition to the fighting in Ukraine, Russia has also launched a hybrid war across Europe, experts say, involving attacks on infrastructure, cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage, election interference and the weaponization of migration. That has only become more aggressive, Monaghan said. All of which is to say NATO allies face a very different geopolitical situation than they did over the last couple of decades. The situation could be further complicated by the US presidential election in November. Things will look very different if former President Donald Trump who has said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO country that doesnt meet the blocs defense spending guidelines returns to the White House. I think there is a very good understanding among the military leaders of NATO that they must cooperate, and there is a desire to do that, Clark said. This year saw World War II veterans gather for D-Day commemorations, some possibly for the last time. Their descendants may now have to take on the kind of responsibility that it was hoped would not be needed again. I think young people in Europe and the US will come to realize that this generation, like the generation that fought WWII, it didnt ask to be the Greatest Generation, but the circumstances thrust that burden on them, Clark said. In democracies, we dont like to prepare for war, we dont want to think about these things, he said. However, I think people will respond to the circumstances that they see. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Almost a month after his disastrous performance at the first presidential debate on June 27, President Joe Biden put our country before his party. He announced Sunday he would not run for a second term and sought to unite Democrats behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Its a bittersweet moment for a president who brought integrity and sanity to the office after the chaotic presidency of Donald Trump. Biden hit extraordinary milestones in the past 3 1/2 years of his term, passing bipartisan legislation that moves the nations workforce forward on building roads, bridges and technology and helping the nations economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, the obviously too frail 81-year-old president had to be cajoled off the presidential ticket by Democratic party leaders to re-energize their chances of defeating Trump in November. In short, on policy, Biden is the most consequential and transformative president since Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s and Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. But, after the first presidential debate, it became hard to believe he has the mental acuity to serve another four years. If Harris, or another candidate, ends up at the top of the ticket, does that mean Florida a state formerly considered a battleground but now essentially written off by Democrats is back in play for Bidens party? Likely not, and Trump could still replicate GOP gains in 2022 and win Miami-Dade County, a Democratic bastion, in November. Unfortunately, given the Democrats abandonment of Florida, Trump is on track to turn Miami-Dade County into MAGA-Dade county in November, Miami-based Democratic pollster Fernand Amandi told the Herald Editorial Board. If Harris is picked the nominee at the Democratic National Convention, theres no guarantee that she can win the White House and the former president campaigns on Sunday was quick to paint her as too liberal. Harris has her own issues to overcome recent polling shows she is as unpopular as Biden. But Democrats running down the ballot, in local, legislative and congressional races in South Florida and beyond, might have a fighting chance if their candidacy is not tied to an unpopular incumbent president. As a former prosecutor, Harris has shown she is equipped to make the case for democracy and quash Trumps antidemocratic strongman tendencies that have only gotten more intense since he won that first term in 2016. Biden failed to do that effectively at the presidential debate almost a month ago. Harris showed she was capable to make a strong case against the former president as a U.S. senator during Trump impeachment hearings. And as vice president, she rose to be among the fiercest supporters of womens reproductive rights after the Supreme Court that Trump packed with three conservative justices took away an almost half century right to allow abortions nationwide. Biden struggled to articulate his stance on reproductive rights during the debate. As the potential nominee, Harris could also be a boost for the fight over abortion rights taking place in Florida. Amendment 4, on ballot in November, would undo the states draconian six-week ban and make abortions legal up to the point of viability, which is usually at 24 weeks. Harris visited Florida in May to talk about the issue and make the case that Trump is to blame for the end of Roe v. Wade. Republicans sense that abortion is a volatile issue for them the issue barely came up during the Republican National Convention. Trump has tried to soften his stance on the matter. Bidens exit from the presidential race is historic. Florida might be too far gone for Democrats to carry it in November, but that doesnt mean that the presidents decision to drop out isnt going to help shake things up down the ballot. Click here to send the letter. Maybe youve been following the story of Boeing Co.s precipitous plunge from a once-iconic leader in safety and design to a now textbook example of cost-negligence resulting in the deaths of 346 people in two plane crashes. Those were followed by corporate deceptions, lies and withholding of documents in an effort to contain the fallout. The result has been billions paid out in fines, settlements and lost orders, and a recent agreement by Boeing with the Federal Aviation Administration to enter a felony-fraud plea agreement in court. This has special relevance to Iowa because one of the three corporate heads responsible the one who was Boeings president, CEO and board chairman at the time of the crashes is Iowa native Dennis Muilenburg. He knew within weeks what caused the first 737 Max systems failure in a 2018 crash in Indonesia. He even expected it to happen again. Yet he neither had it fixed nor grounded the other 737 Max planes before the next crash came five months later, in Ethiopia. Still, he walked away from the company in 2019 with a $62.2 million payout and no criminal conviction or prison time. Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg sits in front of family members holding photographs of Boeing 737 Max crash victims from two deadly 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people as Muilenburg waits to testify before a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on aviation safety and the grounded 737 Max on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger Dennis Muilenburg focused on his Iowa upbringing before Congress Muilenburgs Iowa heritage shouldnt normally factor into the story, except that he used it in his defense when grilled at a 2019 Senate Commerce Committee hearing after the crashes. He seemed to think it would help resurrect his credibility to tout the wholesome, ethical values of the state he was raised in. Muilenburg also talked a lot about the values he learned growing up in Iowa, reported host Meghna Chakrabarti of National Public Radios On Point in a recent episode on the Boeing plea deal. The values claim backfired from the moment Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal chided him for lying and hiding information that had cost lives. Replied Muilenburg, The premise that we would lie or conceal, it's just not consistent with our values. After the hearing, Muilenburg was confronted by an incensed Nadia Milleron of Massachusetts, whose 24-year-old daughter, Samya Stumo, died in the second crash, on Ethiopian Airlines. Outraged at his lack of remorse or acknowledgment of responsibility, she said we're talking about your performance and how you've done in this company and the mistakes that have been made, and then you start talking about Iowa. You talked about Iowa just like one too many times, and the whole group (of survivors of crash victims in attendance at the hearing) said, Go back to the farm. Go back to Iowa.'" Muilenburgs response to that seemed even more tone deaf than his previous ones. I respect that. I really do, he said. But I want to tell you that what I learned from my father in Iowa was when things happen on your watch, you have to own them. And you have to take responsibility to fix it. Which is laughable, since he did neither. As U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts wrote, 346 people died. And yet, Dennis Muilenburg pressured regulators and put profits ahead of the safety of passengers, pilots, and flight attendants. He'll walk away. This is corruption, plain and simple. Boeing 737 Max problems started with cost-cutting in production Now the bereaved families plan to appeal the plea agreement, which they contend wont increase accountability or change the behavior and corporate culture of Boeing. But they may be stymied, because in 2021, when Donald Trump was president, his Justice Department signed an agreement with Boeing that exonerated senior executives for any wrongdoing. That leaves the current Justice Departments hands tied. And thats even though Boeing officials misled the government about what they had done under an earlier agreement when they pledged to make major changes in ethics and safety. The systemic problems are linked to another culture a corporate cost-cutting one at Boeing that included speeding up production to a degree Muilenburg boasted of. As Peter Robison, author of the book "Flying Blind: The 737 Max Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing" explained on "On Point," Boeing modified its original 737 aircraft to be larger and more fuel efficient. Those larger engines were placed higher and farther forward on the planes, changing the center of gravity, which could require a system known as MCAS to kick in. But in both crashes, that failed to happen, in part because the system hadnt been fully vetted and because pilots hadnt even been informed or instructed on its use. Boeing falsely told Congress and the press that pilots were backups for the system, and that there were no design problems. And Muilenburg, calling one crash an unfortunate incident, blamed pilot error. Former Wall Street Journal aviation reporter Andy Pasztor, also a guest on the recent "On Point" show, said Boeing has now become a textbook example, not only of design problems but also the terrible way it reacted to the accidents. And dealt with regulators, dealt with the public and dealt with their airline customers. Penny-pinching played a big role, and it wasnt just by Muilenburg, who became Boeings president in 2013, its CEO in 2015 and chairman of the board in 2016. Jim McNerney was Muilenburg's predecessor and his opposition to unions reportedly led to the company moving workers to different states, away from headquarters, and separating airplane designers from pilots, including test pilots monitoring operations of the new Max during test flights. Because of that, they werent working closely together when the problem with the MCAS surfaced during test flights. Robison, the author, said, Boeing knew within weeks of the first crash that its MCAS system was implicated in the crash, but Muilenburg stuck very heavily to this story that the pilots should have known, that the pilots had been informed about the system. Commercial airplanes need flexibility, quick thinking, and a willingness to spend when needed, he said: Muilenburg just proved to be the wrong person. Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during a hearing on the grounded 737 Max in the wake of deadly crashes, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., October 30, 2019. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger Who is Dennis Muilenburg, former president and CEO of Boeing? Muilenburg was removed from chairman in October 2019 and resigned as CEO and president in December 2019. For all his boasts about his Iowa past, and his legitimate professional accomplishments, the once rising star born in Orange City, a graduate of Sioux Center High School and Iowa State University where he majored in aerospace engineering, now goes down having tarnished both his own name and the state's. Maybe he grew up with stellar values, which got corrupted along the way by greed, power and an us versus them mentality. But sadly, the same can be said of his home state under its current leadership. Since the era in which Muilenburg was raised, Iowa leaders have sacrificed the states waterways, and their users, to the quest to cater to corporate interests. Now theyre polluted with hog manure, chemical pesticide runoff and more. Still, industrial agriculture is entrusted to monitor itself. A pipeline to carry carbon dioxide has been given the green light in Iowa despite the risks of harmful rupture and over the protest of landowners who say their right to say what goes in their private lands is being violated. Child safety is compromised to feed businesses wish for low-wage labor. The list goes on, and, as in the case of airline safety, any of us could be paying the price. Rekha Basu is a longtime syndicated columnist, editorial writer and reporter, whose work has appeared in all but two U.S. states. She retired in 2022 as a columnist for The Des Moines Register. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dennis Muilenberg of Boeing put corporate interests over safety Three people were killed and one person was injured early Sunday morning after a wrong-way driver crashed head on into a vehicle on Interstate 37 at Loop 1604, San Antonio police said. Theo Esquivel Three people were killed Sunday after a pickup going the wrong direction on Interstate 37 crashed into another vehicle, according to San Antonio police. The crash happened just before 2 a.m. Sunday in the 15600 block of Interstate 37 near Southton Road. A preliminary police report states officers received a call about a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-37 at Loop 1604. The vehicle, a Ford F150, eventually crashed head on into a Ford Mustang, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The pickup rolled over after the crash and caught on fire, the report states. READ MORE: Man sentenced to 37 years in prison for 2021 slaying after pickup basketball game in San Antonio The driver of the pickup died in the fire, and the driver of the Mustang was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. A backseat passenger of the Mustang died while in an EMS vehicle. The driver of the Mustang was identified Sunday afternoon as Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy Meredith Portillo, 20, according to a Facebook post by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Portillo began her law enforcement career with the Bexar County Sheriffs Office last September, at age 19. She graduated from the detention academy in January, the post said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "At this time our thoughts and prayers remain with the Portillo Family," the post continued. Police had not identified the other two people who died in the crash, according to the preliminary police report. A passenger in the front seat of the Mustang who police said was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries also was not identified by authorities in the report. It's not clear why the driver of the pickup was driving in the wrong direction, police said. Orange County students missed sex education classes last school year after the state failed to approve the school districts plans that included lessons on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases. Orange County Public Schools decided to avoid the topic of reproductive health as district officials grappled with the mandates of a new state law that required them either to use state-authorized textbooks focusing on abstinence or to submit their own lesson plans to the Florida Department of Education for review. OCPS and at least six other school districts that submitted their own lessons said the state never responded. In addition to Orange, the Hillsborough and Polk county school districts also chose not to teach reproductive health last school year as a result. But several other school districts, including those in Broward, Collier and Seminole counties, used their sex education curriculum without state approval. They feared that otherwise they would violate a separate portion of the same state law, which says reproductive health is a must-teach topic. All of these districts faced a choice between two unlawful paths sacrificing the required lessons or teaching without authorization, said Brian Moore, an attorney at the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. Whichever one gives the superintendent the least amount of heartburn, he said. Orange administrators plan to shoehorn in last years lessons at the start of the new year, if the state approves them by then, said Superintendent Maria Vazquez. The education department did not respond to emailed requests for comment on why districts got no response to their submitted plans. In a meeting this spring with education department officials, Vazquez said several district superintendents shared their concerns that reproductive health plans had not been approved and were told they would be this month. Florida law mandates sex education lessons in grades six to 12 that focus on the benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the consequences of teenage pregnancy. Until now, districts could fulfill that mandate either by using state-approved textbooks or by creating their own curriculum following state standards. Districts have also been allowed to offer additional instruction. Orange, for example, starts in fifth grade with a class on the physical changes of puberty; Palm Beach Countys high school students get step-by-step instructions on how to correctly use a condom. But the content of reproductive health lessons can differ sharply between those districts that craft their own plans and those that rely on the state. Seminole high school students, for example, read skits where characters discuss the prospect of sex and the need for birth control, according to district lesson plans. A state-authorized textbook used in Lake County high school classes, by contrast, preaches abstinence as the only effective way to prevent STDs and pregnancy and does not mention contraception. It also encourages students to go on group dates rather than spend one-on-one time with a partner. Districts typically provide these reproductive health lessons during a week at the end of a school year. Whatever curriculum they offer, parents can opt their children out of the lessons. Districts often provide online links to parents so they can review ahead of time what will be taught. Maitland parent Arielle Haughee said she learned to her frustration in May just a few days before planned lessons on puberty were to be presented to fifth graders that instruction was canceled. This is core content, she said. Its too important to skip. Years ago, Haughee bought a puberty book for her 11-year-old son, but she wasnt sure she would ever use it. With the school-based lessons canceled, she brought it out. Haughee, whose son was a fifth-grader at Dommerich Elementary School, said because the planned lessons were scheduled for the end of the school year, there was no time to address the issue with the Orange County School Board, even though she was upset. Its irresponsible of the county, she said, because they have a duty to make sure that our children receive all of the content that they need to be successful. But from the countys standpoint, it was in a difficult spot. A new Florida law adopted in 2023 required school districts for the first time to submit their reproductive health curriculum to the state. That same law also expanded the states ban on instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity, dubbed dont say gay by its critics. It restricted the use in schools of pronouns that do not match a persons sex. And it made it easier to challenge school books that include sexual conduct, prompting worried educators to pull classics from shelves such as Anna Karenina and Madame Bovary. School boards that wished to use their own reproductive health curriculum had to provide their materials by Sept. 30, 2023, according to a Sept. 8 memo from the department of education to district superintendents. Orange chose that route, sending a comprehensive sexual education package that promotes abstinence but also recognizes the realities of sexual behaviors among teenagers and addresses issues relating to contraception and STD prevention. The material was the same it had taught in prior years. It includes teaching fifth graders about acne, body odor and menstruation and seventh graders about the reproductive organs. It tells high schoolers, The good news is everyones not having sex! noting that nearly 80% of OCPS students in grades nine to 12 report they never had sex, but also provides detailed information on the pros and cons of various birth control methods. But no word came from the state about whether the curriculum was approved or rejected, and so the district decided late in the school year not to use it at all. After the school year ended, Stephana Ferrell, an Orange County parent of two, asked the school board at its June 11 meeting what it intended to do about the lack of lessons, prompting the board and superintendent to discuss the issue. It was unfortunate the state dropped the ball and left our students hanging, said Ferrell, whose fifth grader missed the scheduled puberty talk. Would I be happier as a parent if I was in a district that decided to deliver the training anyway, even though it wasnt state approved? Yeah, I probably would be happier, Ferrell said in an interview later. But I completely understand why the district did not do that. Seminole, which also never received approval, took a different course: It said it used its own curriculum because the statute requiring districts to submit materials also requires sex education to be taught, according to a Seminole County Public Schools spokesperson. In Lake County, the school district used its own curriculum for elementary and middle school students, though it was not approved by the state. The district used the state textbook for its high school lessons. We followed the law, a Lake County Schools spokesperson wrote in an email. The Osceola County school district used state-approved materials for all grades. Terry Castillo, a member of the Osceola County School Board, said using those gives teachers a clear direction and protects them from accidentally teaching outside state bounds. When there is a mandate that comes down such as this, were typically going to go ahead and implement what the state is requesting of us, Castillo said. In Orange, school board member Alicia Farrant said she wants OCPS to adopt more abstinence-focused lessons. At the June 11 meeting, she urged others to consider a great option for curriculum from the Florida Conservative Coalition of School Board Members. Oranges materials are too graphic, she wrote in an email later, teaching students there are three ways to have sex vaginal, oral and anal. Personally, I did not want my children learning all that detail in school, wrote Farrant, a mother of five. But most Orange school board members, noting parents can opt their children out, said they wished the sex education lessons had been taught in the spring as in the past. When it comes to teaching science, its important that students learn facts about their bodies, how they operate, said board member Karen Castor Dentel at the June meeting. Otherwise, they ask their friends they go online. They go on their phones, she said. I would much rather have them have these guided discussions with a professional. By Nandita Bose, Jarrett Renshaw and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign officials and allies made hundreds of phone calls on Sunday, locking in delegates' support for her presidential nomination ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August while seeking to block any would-be challengers, multiple sources said. At the same time, Democratic state party chairs held a Sunday afternoon call to discuss backing Harris as the party's nominee. Several participants said Harris has the chairs' full support. Harris's outreach to delegates started almost immediately after President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid on Sunday. Locking in their support and the backing of state chairs is essential to ensuring Harris replaces Biden on the Nov. 5 ballot as the party's rival to Republican Donald Trump. "A lot of people are working on it right now," a source familiar with the matter said. "She has made clear she will work to earn their support," the source said. The vice president's office and the Harris reelection campaign declined comment. Several leading Democrats endorsed her on Sunday, but powerful former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama were among those notably silent. About 4,000 Democratic delegates, meeting in Chicago from Aug. 19-22, will pick the Democratic Party's nominee. Most are committed to Biden after state primaries this year. After his abrupt announcement, they are not bound by any law or party rules to back anyone. Although Biden was the party's presumptive nominee, he has no direct power to choose the delegates' formal nominee. Harris needs the support of 1,969 of the 3,936 Democratic delegates to secure her nomination at the August convention. The southern U.S. state of Tennessee became the first to pledge its 70 delegates to the vice president, sources added. Even before Biden stepped aside, Harris began to emerge as the consensus pick and in an open nominating process, the vice president will have several advantages that give her a leg up over any potential challenger for the nomination. Bruce Thompson, a North Carolina attorney and early backer of Harris's failed 2020 presidential bid, said he had been actively calling delegates to get them to support Harris. Thompson, who is also on the Democrats' powerful rules committee, said he was finding broad support for Harris. Chip Forrester, co-chair of the southern region finance committee of the Biden-Harris campaign said the Tennessee delegation voted unanimously to support Harris as president. "Tennessee became the first state in the country to officially unanimously endorse Harris as president," Forrester said. Asif Mahmood, a Pakistani American doctor, delegate and Democratic fundraiser based in California, said he had personally spoken with 60 delegates and all had agreed to back Harris. "There is a new excitement, a new hope that this can be done," Mahmood told Reuters. He said he expected Harris to raise $700 million to $1 billion before the Nov. 5 election, and predicted $30 million would be raised in the next 24-48 hours. Abortion rights groups including Emily's List and Reproductive Freedom for All began reaching out to delegates to make the case also for Harris. The vice president has been the leading voice for abortion rights in the Biden administration. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington and Jarrett Renshaw in Pennsylvania, Jeff Mason in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal. Editing by Heather Timmons and Howard Goller) By James Pomfret and Michael Martina HONG KONG/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Semiconductors and other restricted goods shipped through China and Hong Kong to fuel Russia's war effort fell by a fifth this year previously undisclosed U.S. Commerce Department data shows, but Hong Kong remains a global sanctions evasion hotspot. Transshipments through Hong Kong of Common High Priority Items (CHPL) advanced components including microelectronics deemed by the U.S. and European Union as likely to be used for Russia's war in Ukraine fell 28% between January and May, a U.S. Commerce Department official told Reuters. For the same period, transshipments of those items through mainland China, excluding Hong Kong, fell 19%, the official said. Reuters is reporting the previously undisclosed numbers for the first time. Asked about transshipment of dual-use goods through China into Russia, the Commerce Department referred Reuters to earlier statements outlining its efforts to "restrict Russias access to the technologies and other items that it needs to sustain its brutal war against Ukraine." Both Hong Kong and China are seen by the U.S. government as key global nodes for Russia to source materials for its military, including semiconductors and drone parts. "I think there's some cause for being at least optimistic that we have been able to slow down some of this trade," the official said, but added: "China is still our number one concern." The United States and its allies have accused China of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, in part by exporting parts and equipment needed by Moscow's weapons makers. The U.S. State Department and Treasury imposed several rounds of sanctions on entities around the world with alleged commercial links to Russia's military, including shell companies in Hong Kong that had been diverting semiconductors. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the dip in illicit flows was the result of several factors, including aggressive enforcement by U.S. authorities, as well as engagement with companies whose products are being transshipped. "We are talking to any company whose items are showing up on the battlefield," the official said, without giving names. The official declined to share the full data set with Reuters, citing the need to protect the department's access to the information. "What I can say is we have confidence in the source related to imports into Russia. The Hong Kong government did not respond to questions from Reuters about the transshipment of goods into Russia, but said it "does not implement, nor do we have the legal authority to take action on, unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries." Story continues It added, however, that it was "enforcing vigorously" sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, pursuant to the instructions of China's Foreign Ministry, including those with regard to North Korea. China's Customs Administration and Foreign Ministry gave no response to Reuters' requests for comment. There was no response to Reuters' questions from the Russian embassy in Washington. A separate customs dataset from C4ADS, a Washington-based global security non-profit, showed that over 200 Hong Kong-registered firms shipped nearly $2 billion worth of goods to Russian buyers between August and December 2023. The data, outlined in a new report by The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation (CFHK) and reviewed by Reuters, showed $750 million worth of CHPL items -- ranging from high-end chips by Nvidia and France's Vectrawave, to lower-end chips from Texas Instruments and Intel -- were shipped via Hong Kong between August and December 2023. Some of these restricted goods were shipped to sanctioned Russian firms, CFHK said. Nvidia said in a response to Reuters questions that it halted sales to Russia in March 2022 and requires its customers to comply with all applicable U.S. laws. Texas Instruments told Reuters it "strongly opposes" the use of its chips in Russian military equipment and the illicit diversion of its products to Russia. Intel said it operates in strict accordance with U.S. export regulations and sanctions and holds suppliers and distributors accountable to the same standards. Vectrawave did not respond to a request for comment. "Our research has highlighted numerous instances where Hong Kong-based companies have facilitated the transfer of sensitive technologies and commodities, undermining international security and stability," said Samuel Bickett, a lawyer and author of the CFHK report. HIGH-END CHIPS The 2023 customs data from C4ADS showed that two of the Nvidia shipments, worth $1.58 million and $1.21 million, were shipped to a Moscow-based firm named "Lotos" by a consignor called Malachor Electronics with a secretarial address in a plush office building in Hong Kong's central business district. The director of Malachor, Colin Stevenson, who has a listed United Kingdom address, could not be reached for comment. Between August and December last year, a total of $17.6 million worth of Nvidia goods were shipped into Russia by Hong Kong consignors after being traded in countries including China, Taiwan, Turkey, Thailand, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, according to customs records reviewed by Reuters. Consignments included "Jetson TX2" Edge AI systems, which are among the components used in drones the Ukraine government has discovered on the battlefield. "Pre-owned Jetsons are available through many second-hand channels. Although we cannot track products after they are sold, if we determine that any customer is violating U.S. export controls, we will take appropriate action," said John Rizzo, an Nvidia spokesperson. Rizzo did not give details about the shipments to Lotos. Other high-end consignments included two shipments worth $1 million each of semiconductors from Vectrawave that were labelled as microprocessors. Vectrawave is a maker of specialised semiconductors for high-tech communication and defense systems including radar. The ease of setting up and registering new firms in Hong Kong has led to a proliferation of shipping and logistics firms and other intermediaries that have also facilitated restricted trade and monetary flows with Iran and North Korea, according to the CFHK report and an examination of Hong Kong companies registry filings by Reuters. Some of these have been sanctioned by U.S. authorities. Reuters found shuttered offices on visits to industrial buildings in Hong Kong close to the city's Kwai Chung container port for consigners named in customs records and corporate filings. One firm, Align Trading, the consigner for the Vectrawave chips, had an address that was a mouldy room stacked with hundreds of Hong Kong companies registry letters. Li Yanqing, a Chinese director for Align, had a listed address in Jiujiang in southern China and could not be reached. (Reporting by James Pomfret and Michael Martina; Additional reporting by Max Cherney in San Francisco and Colleen Howe in Beijing; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis) Explainer-Biden will step aside in the 2024 race. What happens next? WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden said on Sunday he would withdraw from the 2024 presidential election race, putting the United States into uncharted territory. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. Before Biden's decision was made, Reuters spoke to Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution think-tank, a Democratic National Committee member and author of the book "Primary Politics" about the presidential nominating process, who explained how the process could work. Reuters also spoke to legal experts and Democratic Party officials. Q: WHAT HAPPENS NOW? A: Biden has spent the last several months accruing nearly 4,000 Democratic delegates by winning primary elections in U.S. states and territories. Those delegates would normally vote for him to be the party's official presidential nominee at the Democratic National Convention, which is to take place Aug. 19-22, but the rules do not bind or force them to do so. Delegates can vote with their conscience, which means they could throw their vote to someone else. By stepping aside, Biden is effectively "releasing" his delegates, potentially sparking a competition among other Democratic candidates to become the nominee. Within hours of Biden's announcement, Harris' allies were working the phones - calling delegates and party chairs to get their backing, sources told Reuters. Q: WHO COULD REPLACE BIDEN? A: Several candidates could step into the fray. Harris is at the top of the list, but she has had her own problems after a rocky start as vice president and poor polling numbers. The U.S. Constitution dictates that the vice president becomes president if the president dies or becomes incapacitated, but it does not weigh in on an inter-party process for choosing a nominee. California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker have all been floated as possible replacements. Up until now they have been Biden supporters working to help get him elected, and Whitmer has said she supports Harris. Q: HOW WILL A NOMINEE BE CHOSEN? A: There could be a free-for-all of sorts between the Democratic heavyweights vying for the job. According to Ballotpedia, there are expected to be some 4,672 delegates in 2024, including 3,933 pledged delegates and 739 so-called superdelegates - senior party members. In order to secure the nomination, a candidate would need to get a majority - that is, more votes than all the others combined. That's what Harris' allies are trying to do right now - secure the pledged support of 1,969 delegates, and shut down any competition. If no one achieves that, then there would be a "brokered convention" where the delegates act as free agents and negotiate with the party leadership. Rules would be established and there would be roll-call votes for names placed into nomination. It could take several rounds of voting for someone to get a majority and become the nominee. The last brokered convention when Democrats failed to nominate a candidate on the first ballot was in 1952. WHAT HAPPENS TO BIDEN'S CAMPAIGN CASH? The Biden-Harris campaign had $91 million in the bank at the end of May, but experts on campaign finance law disagree on how readily the money could change hands. Because Harris is also on the campaign filing documents, many experts believe the money could be transferred over to her if she is on the ticket. There is some debate about whether Biden would need to be officially nominated first as the party's candidate before a transfer could be made. (Reporting by Jeff Mason, Jason Lange and Stephanie Kelly; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, Heather Timmons, Chris Reese and Leslie Adler) RAF FAIRFORD, England The U.S. military is once again accepting deliveries of the newest F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from Lockheed Martin after a yearlong halt caused by problems with the fighters upgrades. The first two F-35As loaded with a truncated, or partial, version of the Technology Refresh 3 upgrade software were delivered to the U.S. Air Force on Friday, the F-35 Joint Program Office said. One went to the Air National Guards 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field, Alabama, the JPO said, and the other went to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. But the lengthy delay in delivering F-35s loaded with TR-3 and the fact that they wont be able to fly combat missions until 2025 has had ripple effects on the Air Forces basing of the jets in Europe, a top general said Saturday. Dont think that the TR-3 problems are over, Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, told reporters at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) air show here on Saturday. We do have a working software in TR-3 that is definitely good enough for training. But theres more to go. The TR-3 upgrades to the F-35 include better displays, computer memory and processing power. They are necessary to lay the groundwork for a broader F-35 modernization known as Block 4, which will include the ability to carry more weapons, better identify targets, and improve its electronic-warfare capabilities. F-35 delivery delays frustrate European air force upgrade plans The TR-3 effort has been hampered by software problems, as well as some delays in hardware production. Lockheed Martin was originally supposed to have TR-3 ready around April 2023. But by July 2023, when the first jets earmarked for TR-3 began rolling off the line in Fort Worth, Texas, the upgrades were still incomplete. The government refused to accept deliveries of these jets, and a backlog of undelivered jets began to grow at Fort Worth. Lockheed Martin and the JPO zeroed in on a strategy to finish an interim version of the TR-3 software that worked well enough to perform some training missions and conduct the test flights necessary for the government to accept planes. But the F-35s with the truncated TR-3 software will not be able to conduct combat missions until 2025, F-35 program executive officer Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt said in the JPOs statement. Schmidt said the F-35 program is taking a phased approach to the delivery of these F-35s. Jets with initial training capability will be delivered in July and August, he said, and jets with a robust combat training capability will come by the end of August. Our focus has been on providing our customers with aircraft that are stable, capable and maintainable, and this phased approach does that, Schmidt said. Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter also said at RIAT on Saturday that the F-35 will receive additional capabilities as software modifications become available. A Lockheed executive pledged to keep delivering subsequent upgrades to bring these F-35s up to their full potential. TR-3 and Block 4 represent a critical evolution in capability and their full development remains a top priority for us, Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martins vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, said in the JPOs statement. These and future software updates over the life of the program will ensure the F-35 continues to be an effective deterrent and the cornerstone of joint all-domain operations now and decades into the future. At least dozens of nearly-completed F-35s are now parked at Fort Worth, though the government has declined to say exactly how many. Hunter, the Air Forces assistant secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, was not sure how long it will take to deliver all backlogged jets but said, Its not overnight, thats for sure. Deliveries of the Air Forces F-35s are proceeding, Hunter said, and the military is working with partner nations to ensure those that are critically dependent on getting their F-35s for operational needs take priority. But the TR-3 delay is going to have ripple effects on the Air Forces operations, procurements and subsequent upgrades to the F-35 for years to come. Weve been trying to get Block 4 of the F-35 for some time now, and its been delayed substantially, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said at RIAT Saturday, noting that TR-3 is the foundation of the Block 4 upgrades. The Government Accountability Office said in December 2023 that Block 4 was originally expected to be done in 2026 at a cost of $10.6 billion. But as requirements for the F-35 have evolved and Block 4s list of added capabilities swelled, its costs rose to $16.5 billion and the schedule slipped to 2029. Hunter said that the team of contractors working with Lockheed Martin on the F-35 including Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Pratt & Whitney have made tremendous progress over the last year on breaking down stovepipes that separated their development processes. The increased cooperation helped the interim version of TR-3 get done, he said, and should continue to benefit the program as Block 4 work progresses. The TR-3 delays also were a factor in the Air Forces decision to dial back its purchase plan for F-35As in the proposed 2025 budget, Kendall said. The service now plans to buy 42 F-35As in 2025, a reduction from its original plan to buy 48 jets next year. And TR-3s delay has led to a slowdown in the number of F-35s arriving at RAF Lakenheath, where the Air Forces two European-based F-35 squadrons are located, Hecker said. Hecker said that fewer than a dozen F-35s intended for Lakenheath had been delayed. He said the Air Force somewhat slowed down production of new F-35 pilots, so existing F-35 pilots and maintenance crews can keep flying and keep their readiness rating up. As the training-only TR-3 jets start to come on board, Hecker said, the Air Force will likely send them to training bases. Combat-capable F-35s that had previously been flying training missions at those bases will then be transferred to Lakenheath, he said. And the U.S. military is still withholding some payments to Lockheed Martin until the updates complete, Hunter said on Saturday. We will not pay for that which we have not yet received, Hunter said. Kendall said imposing further financial penalties on Lockheed Martin would likely not do much more to push the company to get TR-3 done faster. I dont think Lockheeds trying not to deliver, Kendall said. Theres a lot of motivation. Its inherent in the program. They want to get this done. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to Nexstar Saturday that it is investigating an incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight to Tampa Bay, Florida that was forced to divert to Fort Lauderdale last weekend. According to Flightradar24 data obtained by Reuters, the plane descended to a very low altitude roughly 175 feet with 3 miles to go before reaching Tampa International Airport. For context, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 making the flight has a wingspan of 117 feet and 10 inches, according to Boeings website. The plane was so low that a Tampa air traffic controller radioed the crew to warn them, and the flight was diverted to Fort Lauderdale, Reuters reports. The flight, which was traveling from Columbus, was initially scheduled to arrive in Tampa at 6:10 p.m. on Sunday, June 14. A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines gave the following statement: Southwest Flight 425 safely diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 14 after the Crew discontinued their planned approach into Tampa International Airport. The aircraft returned to Tampa after a short time on the ground in Fort Lauderdale. Southwest is following its robust Safety Management System and is in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration to understand and address any irregularities. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees. The investigation follows a June 16 incident that prompted another FAA probe after a a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max fell into a Dutch roll during a flight. Pilots performed the potentially dangerous maneuver, which combines a tail slide and rolling motion, during a May 25 flight from Phoenix to Oakland, according to the Associated Press. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Claim: Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the first known U.S. presidential candidate to be assassinated. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: It's true that Joseph Smith announced a bid for the presidency in January 1844. A mob killed him in June of the same year when he was in custody at an Illinois jail. However What's False: Smith was not on the national ballot, nor was he endorsed by either major political party at the time, the Whigs or the Democrats. A 2008 congressional report recording "Direct Assaults Against Presidents, Presidents-Elect, and Candidates" did not include Smith in its records. What's Undetermined: There is disagreement among historians whether Smith's presidential campaign was a serious political effort or simply a means to bring attention to the church and the issues its members faced. According to historical narratives, Joseph Smith who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church was a contentious figure in the 19th century. Some reports depicted Smith as a pious, humble religious leader; others said he was a tyrant bent on his ways. For years, the claim has circulated online that Smith was the first U.S. presidential candidate to be assassinated, appearing on platforms such as X, Reddit and Quora. It gained renewed attention in July 2024 following a shooting at a rally for former U.S. President Donald Trump. No one who honors the Prophet Joseph Smith should snark at the assassination attempt of a US Presidential candidate, considering that the Prophet Joseph Smith was the first candidate for President ever assassinated, 180 years ago. pic.twitter.com/nGS4vELRy2 Grandpa Lew (@Lew541207) July 14, 2024 Snopes read through historical documents and determined that Smith indeed announced a presidential bid in January 1844. Eyewitness accounts confirmed Smith was killed by a mob in June of the same year when he was in custody at an Illinois jail. However, Smith's name did not appear on the national ballot, nor was he endorsed by either major party at the time. Furthermore, his assassination was not recorded in official congressional records. Scholars have debated the intentions behind his campaign. A 2008 report to Congress, "Direct Assaults Against Presidents, Presidents-Elect, and Candidates," categorized only three incidents as assassinations or attempted assassinations of U.S. presidential candidates: Oct. 14, 1912: former president Theodore Roosevelt was running for a third term when he was wounded by a pistol shot in Milwaukee; June 5, 1968: Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was killed by shots fired from a pistol in Los Angeles; May 15, 1972: Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace was wounded by a pistol shot in Laurel, Maryland. Additionally, in July 2024, authorities were investigating the shooting at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as an attempted assassination. Smith, who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after publishing the Book of Mormon, was born in 1805, according to records published by the church. He went on to serve as the church's first president and elder before being killed on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois. Smith did launch a presidential campaign in late January of that year, but scholars disagree about whether it was a serious political bid or an attempt to serve as "merely a protest candidate running to raise awareness of the Mormons' plight," according to an excerpt published by the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center. His campaign platform was summarized in a pamphlet titled, "General Smith's Views on the Power and Policy of Government," which focused on federal protections for religious worship and abolishing slavery, among other things. (Public Domain) Former Illinois Gov. Thomas Ford published his firsthand account of Smith's death and the events leading up to it in 1850 in "A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847." Smith was in jail because he had been arrested and charged with treason in connection with his actions while serving as mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois. Throughout his term, Smith and fellow church members were at odds with some non-church members who didn't approve of certain religious practices, including polygamy. A local paper, the Nauvoo Expositor, published its first and only issue critical of Smith and his church. In response, church leaders, who also held seats on the city council, called for a "trial and destruction of the heretical press," declaring that the publication was made up of "sinners, whoremasters, thieves, swindlers, counterfeiters, and robbers." The city council declared the newspaper a public nuisance and ordered its destruction, which led to public outrage. Ford noted that Smith and other members of the city council were first charged with inciting a riot, an accusation Smith responded to by declaring martial law. After briefly fleeing Illinois, Smith voluntarily surrendered himself at the county seat in Carthage to face charges of treason. While he was detained at the jail along with his brother Hyrum Smith, an armed mob of around 200 men stormed the building, their faces disguised with wet gunpowder. A bullet struck Hyrum Smith on the "left side of the nose, entering his face and head. At the same instant, another ball from outside" the jail hit him in the back. Two other shots subsequently hit Hyrum Smith and, as he fell on his back, he exclaimed, "I am a dead man." Armed with a pistol, Joseph Smith emptied his weapon toward his attackers before jumping from a second-story window. Ford wrote: The conspirators came up, jumped the slight fence around the jail, were fired upon by the guard, which, according to arrangement, was overpowered immediately, and the assailants entered the prison, to the door of the room where the two prisoners were confined, with two of their friends, who voluntary bore them company. An attempt was made to break open the door; but Joe Smith being armed with a six-barrelled pistol, furnished by his friends, fired several times as the door was bursted open, and wounded three of the assailants. At the same time several shots were fired into the room, by some of which John Taylor received four wounds, and Hiram Smith was instantly killed. Joe Smith now attempted to escape by jumping out of the second-story window, but the fall so stunned him that he was unable to rise; and being placed in a sitting posture by the conspirators below, they despatched him with four balls shot through his body. "Eye witness" Williams M. Daniels also published his account of the events in 1845. It read, in part: When President Smith had been set against the curb, and began to recover, Col. Williams ordered four men to shoot him. Accordingly, four men took an eastern direction, about eight feet from the curb, Col. Williams standing partly at their rear, and made ready to execute the order. While they were making preparations, and the muskets were raced to their faces, President Smith's eyes rested upon them with a calm and quiet resignation. He betrayed no agitated feelings and the expressions upon his countenance seemed to betoken his only prayer to be, "O, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The fire was simultaneous. A slight cringe of the body was all the indication of pain that he betrayed when the balls struck him. He fell upon his face. One ball then entered the back part of his body. This is the ball that many people have supposed struck him about the time he was in the window. But this is a mistake. I was close by him, and I know he was not hit with a ball, until after he was seated by the well-curb. His death was instant and tranquil. He betrayed no appearance of pain. His noble form exhibited all its powers of many strength and healthful agility, yet a muscle seemed not to move with pain, and there was no distortion of his features. As Daniels noted, some accounts claim Smith was fatally struck by a bullet before landing on the ground outside of the jail. (Public Domain) Smith's bid for the presidency and his downfall and violent death shortly after that was also detailed in Spencer McBride's 2001 book, "Joseph Smith for President: The Prophet, the Assassins, and the Fight for American Religious Freedom." As a historian and author, McBride was also the managing editor of the documentary project, the Joseph Smith Papers, an "effort to transcribe, contextualize, and publish all [Smith's] writings and teachings." Sources: A Correct Account of the Murder of Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith : At Carthage, on the 27th Day of June, 1844, Page 14. https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/84/. Accessed 6 July 2024. A Correct Account of the Murder of Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith : At Carthage, on the 27th Day of June, 1844, Page i. https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/103/rec/1. Accessed 6 July 2024. General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States, Page 1. https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/2836/. Accessed 6 July 2024. "Joseph Smith." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, //history.churchofjesuschrist.org/landing/prophets-of-the-restoration/joseph-smith. Accessed 6 July 2024. Remembering the Deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith | Religious Studies Center. https://rsc.byu.edu/joseph-smith-prophet-man/remembering-deaths-joseph-hyrum-smith. Accessed 6 July 2024. "Spencer W. McBride." Spencer W. McBride, https://www.spencerwmcbride.com. Accessed 6 July 2024. The Council of Fifty and Joseph Smith's Presidential Ambitions | Religious Studies Center. https://rsc.byu.edu/council-fifty/council-fifty-joseph-smiths-presidential-ambitions. Accessed 6 July 2024. Thomas Ford, James Shields. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Ivison & Phinney, 1854. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/ahistoryillinoi00shiegoog. "Wasn't Joseph Smith the First Assassinated US Presidential Candidate?" Quora, https://www.quora.com/Wasnt-Joseph-Smith-the-first-assassinated-US-presidential-candidate. Accessed 6 July 2024. https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/. Accessed 6 July 2024. By Trevor Hunnicutt, Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's weekend decision to drop his reelection bid and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic candidate leaves Harris with a major, immediate decision: whom to pick as her running mate. Harris has enlisted the law firm of Eric Holder, the former attorney general, to vet possible running mates, sources told Reuters. These are some of the top people being discussed, according to people familiar with internal policy discussions. ANDY BESHEAR, GOVERNOR, KENTUCKY Kentucky's Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, has carved a successful political career in a heavily Republican state that voted for Republican Donald Trump by a margin of more than 25 percentage points in 2020. Beshear has touted his record of bringing jobs to Kentucky, supporting public education and expanding healthcare access. As governor, he has vetoed legislation banning abortions and gender-affirming care for transgender youth, although the vetoes were overridden by the Republican-dominated legislature. Beshear endorsed Harris on Monday, saying she could help the country "move on to something better." Asked if he would consider the vice presidency, he told MSNBC that he loved serving his state but added: "The only way I would consider something other than this current job is if I believed I could further help my people and to help this country." PETE BUTTIGIEG, U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg built a strong fan base among Democratic Party voters during his 2020 primary run against both Biden and Harris, winning the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus. Seen as a polished defender of Biden policies, Buttigieg later endorsed Biden and was picked to join the incoming administration's cabinet in 2021. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, also has ties in Michigan, a critical state for Democrats in November. On Sunday, Buttigieg backed Harris' candidacy, saying, "Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump and succeed Joe Biden ... I will do all that I can to help her win." ROY COOPER, GOVERNOR, NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has won praise from Democrats for his strong focus on economic development and his ability to win relatively strong approval ratings in a politically competitive state that leans Republican and voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020. "If you want a nominee who can put Donald Trump's destruction of Roe at center stage, if you want a nominee who actually prosecuted criminals like Donald Trump, and if you want a nominee who can put Trump's age and fitness in the forefront, Kamala Harris is the person," Cooper told MSNBC on Monday, one day after speaking with Harris and announcing his endorsement. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade abortion rights in 2022. MARK KELLY, U.S. SENATOR, ARIZONA U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is liked among Democratic Party elites for striking a relatively moderate tone in a hotly contested state that traditionally has favored Republicans, but which Biden won in 2020. A former U.S. Navy captain and astronaut, Kelly is also the husband of former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a 2011 shooting. Gun violence is a major campaign issue for Democrats. "I couldnt be more confident that Vice President @KamalaHarris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future. She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States," Kelly wrote in a social media post on Sunday, referring to his wife. WILLIAM MCRAVEN, U.S. NAVY ADMIRAL (RETIRED) Best known as the commander of the military raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011, Retired U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven stands out as the major figure from outside of politics believed to be making the short list. His extensive experience on national security issues included directing coordinating special operations with NATO and Washington's European allies, as well as running strategic planning for counterterrorism efforts at the White House National Security Council. After leaving government, he served as chancellor of the University of Texas System and was critical of the Biden administration's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. He has also been critical of Trump. "I have been a vocal critic of the former president, but I took no joy in seeing him found guilty," McRaven wrote in June after Trump was convicted in New York of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. "If we are going to continue to be viewed as exceptional, then it is time for both sides to lay down their rhetorical arms and find a way to rise above." JOSH SHAPIRO, GOVERNOR, PENNSYLVANIA Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania's governor, took office just last year but is already seen as a rising national star for the party. Trained as a lawyer, Shapiro served as the state's attorney general, a legal background similar to Harris' own as a prosecutor. He has a history of winning elections against Republicans in a state that Democrats believe they must win to secure the election in November. Shapiro and Harris spoke on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the matter. "I've known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades - we've both been prosecutors, we've both stood up for the rule of law, we've both fought for the people and delivered results. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support," he said in a statement on Sunday. JB PRITZKER, GOVERNOR, ILLINOIS Billionaire Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has proven a major force in the party, tapping his own financial resources linked to Hyatt Hotels to help Biden's campaign effort and to support the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. While Illinois leans heavily Democratic, neighboring Wisconsin is one of the biggest prizes in the 2024 election. Endorsing Harris on Monday, Pritzker said the two had spoken and that he felt it was important for the U.S. to elect a woman as president. "Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans ... she represents our party's best chance to defeat Donald Trump." TIM WALZ, GOVERNOR, MINNESOTA Minnesota's Democratic governor, Tim Walz, also would bring to the presidential ticket a record of defeating Republicans in a Midwestern state. A veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, Walz previously represented in Congress a vast, rural and Republican-leaning district. "Thanks for the call, @KamalaHarris," he said on social media on Monday. "You have my full support." GRETCHEN WHITMER, GOVERNOR, MICHIGAN Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has built a strong base in the closely contested state of Michigan, running on a platform of straight talk and kitchen-table issues. She attracted Biden's attention in 2020, being vetted as a possible running mate before Biden picked Harris. She was a top supporter of and spokesperson for Biden's reelection bid. A Harris-Whitmer ticket would be the first all-woman ticket for a major U.S. political party a potential bonus in an election where women's reproductive rights are a top issue, if such a pairing could surmount any sexism. Whitmer endorsed Harris in a social media post on Monday and said she will serve as co-chair of Harris' campaign. She told CBS affiliate WLNS that she would not take the vice presidential post if offered, saying "I am not leaving Michigan." Harris will focus on lowering costs for Michigan voters, "restoring their freedoms, bringing jobs and supply chains back home from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people," Whitmer said in a separate statement. "We cannot let Donald Trump anywhere near the White House. Let's go!" (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Nandita Bose in Washington; additional reporting by Jasper Ward and Susan Heavey; Editing by Deepa Babington, Stephen Coates and Matthew Lewis) BROCKTON A Fall River man was fatally stabbed inside a park in Brockton on Saturday evening, officials said. Brockton police received several 911 calls for a report of a stabbing inside Finnegan Park, at the corner of Crescent and Montello streets, about 6:13 p.m. "Upon arrival, Brockton police officers located a male victim, and he was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead of his injuries," the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office said in a written statement. Brockton and State Police investigating a fatal stabbing inside Finnegan Park, at Crescent and Montello streets, on Saturday, July 20, 2024. The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Edmar Goncalves, of Fall River. The DA's office said Johnny Richmond, 36, has been arrested in connection with the stabbing. The charges were not immediately released. "Brockton Police contacted Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office and an investigation commenced," the DA's office said. "The investigation is active and ongoing, but preliminarily, this does not appear to be a random act of violence." Richmond is expected to be arraigned Monday in Brockton District Court. No further information was immediately available. Enterprise senior reporter Cody Shepard can be reached by email at cshepard@enterprisenews.com. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton fatal stabbing: Fall River man stabbed in park COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The family of a man who was killed while housed with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction won a settlement with the prison system after accusations of violence and neglect. According to the law firm Friedman, Gilbert and Gerhardstein (FG+G), the family of Dewey McVay Jr. will receive $225,000 to settle claims against the ODRC of violence and neglect. The McVay estate filed the lawsuit in April 2022 to investigate his death, which was believed to have been due to treatment from prison guards and medical staff, the law firm said. One dead in northeast Columbus shooting FG+G stated that McVay was imprisoned at a state facility in Orient in December 2019. During a prison transfer on Dec. 2, McVay reportedly resisted the transport. The law firm said prison guards improperly entered the cell and assaulted McVay, even after he was handcuffed. A release from the law firm said that both officers involved and those that witnessed the incident filed false reports and misleading information about the source of McVays injuries. It also stated medical staff did not seek accurate information about the injuries and did not follow through on a recommended CT scan to assess a head injury. Two weeks later, McVay was found unresponsive in his cell. He was pronounced dead on Dec. 20 due to blunt force trauma. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Bidens unprecedented withdrawal from the presidential race on Sunday, just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, has thrown a new twist in this years election cycle. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden wrote in a letter posted to social media. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term." In another post, Biden offered a full endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him. She accepted the endorsement and the Democratic establishment has rallied behind her fledgling campaign. Whats next for the Democratic Party as they hurtle toward a convention and the November election against Republican nominee Donald Trump? Heres a breakdown. Will Kamala Harris automatically replace Biden? No. Biden is still president and says he has no plans to step down until after his term ends in January 2025. Harris government role as vice president elevates her in the event that Biden vacates the presidency itself not his campaign. The Democratic National Convention has its own process for selecting presidential nominees in this scenario, and Harris will have to follow it to secure the nomination. Who will the Democrats consider as possible presidential nominees? Yahoo News broke down the leading contenders. Some of the most frequently cited names include Vice President Kamala Harris, California. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Is Harris considered the frontrunner? Yes. According to the Associated Press, Harris has several key advantages. She has the ability to access Bidens campaign funds. She would be a historic nominee as a Black and South Asian woman. As her supporters are sure to argue, millions of voters already voted for a Biden-Harris ticket four years ago knowing she would be next in line. And earlier this year, Biden won the Democratic primaries with her on the campaign trail as his intended successor. Biden's explicit endorsement of Harris adds further weight to her candidacy. Much of the Democratic establishment has rallied behind her in the hours since Biden's withdrawal. But her approval ratings arent much better than Bidens, giving an opportunity for other candidates to pitch themselves as more electable against Trump How will Democrats actually select a new nominee? Will there be another vote? The primary elections are over, and Biden won an overwhelming majority of the vote against token opposition. The nomination process moves to the roughly 3,900 pledged Democratic National Convention delegates who will now select the partys candidate. Usually, the nomination is a foregone conclusion by the convention, but these party delegates will have to coalesce around a new nominee. Who are these delegates? Delegates represent their states Democratic voters at the convention. As the New York Times noted, They are lawyers and school board members, labor activists and faith leaders, lifelong Democrats and party newcomers. Some of them just turned 18; others are pushing 80. The delegate selection process varies from state to state; some are elected and others are selected. About 99% were pledged to support Biden. According to the Associated Press, candidates campaigns are allowed to review and alter each states slate of delegates pledged to them, ensuring that they are filled by loyal supporters. In short, many of the delegates are enthusiastic Biden backers. The president's endorsement of Harris is likely to be considered by at least some of them. Convention delegates typically hold a ceremonial role because they are obligated to in good conscience support the candidate they are pledged to, according to convention rules. With Biden out of the race, they are free to vote how they want. These Democrats now hold enormous influence over the direction of their party. What are automatic delegates or superdelegates? In addition to the roughly 3,900 pledged delegates, there are about 700 automatic delegates, sometimes called unpledged delegates or superdelegates. These are governors, members of Congress and Democratic Party officials. But, importantly, they do not get to vote in the first convention roll call vote. Democrats adopted this rule after the 2016 election in order to limit the power of unpledged delegates, AP reported. What is an open convention? An open convention is a scenario in which multiple candidates are competing and the delegates are free to vote for their choice. Now that Biden has withdrawn, this will occur if Democrats dont coalesce around one consensus nominee. What is a brokered convention? A brokered convention occurs if no candidate gets a majority of the first roll call vote. The roughly 700 superdelegates would then join the voting pool, and the convention floor would seek consensus amid more votes. Brokered conventions are also sometimes called multiple ballot or multiballot conventions. Rules would be established and there would be roll call votes for the names placed into nomination, Reuters reported. It could take several rounds of voting for someone to get a majority and become the nominee. The last brokered convention when Democrats failed to nominate a candidate on the first ballot was in 1952. What happens to Bidens millions of fundraising dollars? Because Bidens funds are under a joint Biden-Harris ticket, the vice president would have access to his campaign war chest if she were the nominee, Yahoo News reported. His campaign had about $95 million as of its latest filing at the end of June. If another candidate is the nominee, then the funds could be donated to the Democratic National Committee or a super-PAC, which could then use those funds to back the Democratic campaign. How is the new vice presidential nominee chosen? Elaine Kamarck, a longtime member of the DNCs rules committee, told Politico that the next presidential nominee would be free to select their own vice president, "subject to the fact that the delegates would have to vote on them." Shed need to find somebody who was broadly acceptable, Kamarck said. This could add to the drama around an already busy convention as politicians lobby for both parts of the ticket. Democrats had been moving forward with plans to hold a virtual roll call vote to lock in their nominee in advance of the convention. Its unclear if Bidens announcement will lead the convention rules committee to scrap that effort. The Democratic convention is Aug. 1922 in Chicago. Its unclear if the new nominee and the Trump campaign will agree to any debates. The election itself is Nov. 5. Earlier in-person and mail-in voting options vary by state, with many states sending out mail-in ballots more than a month in advance of Election Day. Read more Read the full text of Bidens letter announcing his decision. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down. [Yahoo News] Timeline: Biden exit caps tumultuous three weeks in U.S. politics. Heres a summary of the milestone events in a roller coaster period in U.S. politics. [The Guardian] Biden's 2024 reelection bid meets its ultimate match: Time. Yahoo News' analysis on the president's big decision, and how we got here. [Yahoo News] Political reactions to Biden's decision. America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. [Reuters] Americans react to Biden's historic decision . Finally a brave act from a politician." [USA Today] Obama calls Biden 'patriot of the highest order' after Biden drops out of 2024 race. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. [Yahoo News] House Republicans say Biden must resign after ending reelection campaign. If Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said. [The Hill] Now that Biden dropped out, what happens to his campaign funds? If Vice President Kamala Harris is the new nominee, will she get access to those funds? If one of the other rumored Democratic options gets picked, can they use that money? [Yahoo News] Until 1968, presidential candidates were picked by party conventions a process revived by Bidens withdrawal from race. The tradition of picking a nominee through primaries and caucuses and not through what is called the convention system is relatively recent. [The Conversation] Who will replace Biden as the new Democratic nominee? Here are some of the hypothetical Biden replacements being discussed along with how they ranked among voters in a Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted after the debate. [Yahoo News] Harris says she intends to earn and win Democratic nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. [Yahoo News] Harris: What to know about her as she seeks to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee. A brief guide to her background, historic firsts and record as VP. [Yahoo News] Harris' 2020 campaign was a mess. If she ends up atop the ticket, this time could be a lot different. Admirers say that Harris has grown in the job. [NBC News] Would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? But from the start, there has been a hesitancy to fully embrace the countrys second-in-command, with some Democrats openly overlooking her. [USA Today] Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris in bid to avert divisive party convention. Democratic donors who had pressured Biden to drop out of the race wasted no time in throwing their support behind Harris, the New York Times reported, quickly raising millions of dollars. [Yahoo News] Harris fans are sharing their support all over the internet. Members of 'KHive' a play on Beyonce's 'Beyhive' fan club are making fancams and memes of the vice president as she now seeks the Democratic nomination. [Yahoo News] Sergio Pinos attorney and family members appeared somber as they were relegated behind police tape along with reporters and TV crews on a muggy morning in Coral Gables as the FBI raided the prominent developers house on Tuesday. His defense lawyer, Sam Rabin, paced the perimeter of the scene with his cellphone pressed to his ear, clearly troubled. About 600 feet away from the home, Pinos girlfriend, 55-year-old real estate broker Nancy Pastor, cried quietly on the steps of the Islands of Cocoplum clubhouse. She declined to speak with a reporter. While the FBIs raid that morning had come as a surprise, it wasnt the first time federal agents had shown up to the 67-year-old Pinos waterfront estate. On June 24, the bureau had raided the home as part of its investigation into a series of threats made against Pinos 55-year-old estranged wife, Tatiana, who was fighting the developer in divorce court. Pastor had defended Pino on social media after the news became public. Baseless comments. Nothing shady about him, she said in reply to another commenter on a @lifestyle_miami Instagram post about the FBIs investigation. Nancy Pastor watches as the FBI and police work the scene outside the home of Miami developer Sergio Pino in the Cocoplum community of Coral Gables, Florida, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Law enforcement had arrived shortly before sunrise Tuesday, with camouflaged SWAT agents and armored vehicles surrounding Pinos house. They had two goals: search Pinos home and arrest him for allegedly heading a scheme in which he instructed two separate crews of hitmen to threaten and kill Tatiana Pino. But the plan went awry during the morning of July 16 when Pino died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Rabin has sharply criticized the level of force used by law enforcement, saying that he had volunteered to surrender his client for arrest. When agents first arrived shortly after 6 a.m., they announced their presence over loudspeakers and ordered Pino to exit his house and surrender, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri. When Pino didnt comply with their commands, Veltri said, the FBI deployed flashbangs, which produce a bright flash and explosive sound, in an effort to gain compliance and distract subjects in order to protect SWAT agents on scene. Unfortunately, Mr. Pino did not respond to any of our efforts to have him surrender, Veltri said. Sergio Pinos house, located at 142 Isla Dorada Blvd., in Coral Gables, Florida, on Friday, June 28, 2024. According to the FBIs account, crisis negotiators attempted to contact Pino on his phone and even enlisted the assistance of friends, family and his attorney, all of whom were unable to make contact, Veltri said. But Rabin disputes that retelling, saying the FBI never gave me any opportunity to speak with Mr. Pino. I advised an FBI agent on the scene that I was Mr. Pinos lawyer and requested the opportunity to speak with Mr. Pino. I was told to remain behind the police line and never contacted again either in person or by phone by anyone from the FBI or Coral Gables Police Dept after I made my presence known, Rabin said in a statement. I was standing with members of Mr. Pinos family on the perimeter of the scene. No one contacted any of his family members on the scene. Rabin said that he and Pinos relatives tried calling Pino throughout the morning but that none of their calls went through. After an hours-long standoff, Miami SWAT agents entered the multimillion-dollar home and slowly and methodically cleared the residence, Veltri said. During that process, they discovered Pino dead in an upstairs bedroom, he said. By 10:20 a.m., Pino was pronounced dead, according to the medical examiner. The FBI did not specify whether Pino was already dead by the time they entered his home. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiners office has not yet released Pinos autopsy report. The FBI did not hear a gunshot on Tuesday morning, Veltri said, meaning they dont know when Pino fired the fatal shot. The evidence has shown that we believe he was alive when we arrived on scene, Veltri said. He declined to specify any other people such as household employees who were at Pinos residence Tuesday morning but said everybody else that was on property was compliant with the FBI SWAT teams commands. Veltri said it was his call to use a SWAT team for the operation. I stand by that decision, he said. As the FBI and police investigate at the Coral Gables home of home builder Sergio Pino, his defense attorney Sam Rabin, at center, is seen on the street near Pinos home on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Pino was being investigated for a possible connection to threats against his wife while they went through a complicated divorce case. Disturbed at the level of brazenness In the days after the FBI raid, Pinos attorney has accused law enforcement of using excessive force. The arrest was designed to isolate, intimidate and frighten him into submission, Rabin said in a statement. They accomplished their goal. But law enforcement officials have defended their strategy, saying the allegations against Pino warranted their response, in part because they feared Tatiana Pino could be in imminent danger. Sergio and Tatiana Pino If investigators knew that a gang member or organized crime leader, for example, was going to kill an innocent bystander, said Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, we would show up and arrest them. And we dont apologize for that. Less than a month ago, according to charging documents, a crew of hitmen tried to fatally shoot Tatiana Pino outside her Pinecrest home an event that accelerated the murder-for-hire investigation. Sergio Pino hired that crew, with the instruction to kill Tatiana before the couples next divorce hearing, Lapointe said. The next day, on June 24, the FBI raided Sergio Pinos home for the first time. We knew he was trying to kill his wife, Lapointe said. What if you give him notice and he decides, You know what, Im going to speed up the process now. Since the two crews couldnt kill [Tatiana], Im going to kill her myself. Im going to figure out a way and kill her myself. That could have happened. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe, left, talks to reporters as FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri, right, stands by during a press conference to address developments in the Sergio Pino murder-for-hire investigation at FBI Miami Headquarters in Miramar, Florida, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. In total, law enforcement has arrested nine people belonging to two different crews that were allegedly hired to kill Tatiana. The first group of individuals including Sergio Pinos part-time employee was arrested in March. Yet Pino proceeded to hire a second crew to kill his estranged wife, according to the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office. He was not intimidated by the fact that law enforcement and the FBI was actively investigating him, Lapointe said. That didnt bother him at all. In fact, law enforcement to the extent we can discuss this at all felt somewhat disturbed at the level of brazenness that he had, even though he knew they were after him, even though he knew they were onto him. Before his death, Pino had denied any involvement in the threats against his wife. Rabin said earlier this week that he was never contacted about the new allegations just as I was never contacted to surrender my client prior to the FBIs Tuesday raid. Although I have not seen any of the evidence that the government claims to have, the narrative that they are putting forth is contrary to the person and character of Sergio Pino, Rabin said Wednesday. FBI and police on the street of developer Sergio Pinos home in the Cocoplum neighborhood of Coral Gables, Florida, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Pino was being investigated for threats against his wife as the two negotiated a complicated divorce case. Disputes over crisis negotiations From behind the police tape, Rabin says he and Pinos relatives were unable to get ahold of the 67-year-old. None of their calls were going through, something he found suspect. The only logical conclusion is that the FBI was using a device to prevent Mr. Pino from making or receiving phone calls while the crisis was ongoing, Rabin alleged. The FBI declined to respond to Rabins allegations. Rabin also said that Pino was prepared to confront the governments case in court. He never indicated otherwise, and he certainly never mentioned an intention to harm himself or anyone else. Men are more three times more likely than women to die by suicide, a risk that is further elevated when a man has access to a gun, said Rafis Nin, a psychotherapist and the board chair of the Southeast Florida chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Nin said men are also more likely than women to cope with feelings of failure or shame by turning to suicide. Justin Paperny, co-founder of the firm White Collar Advice, said its not uncommon for his clients to grapple with depression and hopelessness while under investigation or facing criminal charges. Paperny, who himself went to prison for financial crimes, said he has had multiple clients die by suicide while their cases were pending. Its easy to give up and think theres no way out, Paperny said. Miami Herald reporters Chuck Rabin and Douglas Hanks contributed to this report. Explosion following an Israeli air strike on a residential building, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli forces battled Palestinian fighters in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Sunday, striking areas in the centre of the coastal enclave where thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes have been seeking shelter. Residents in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, said fierce battles raged between Hamas-led fighters and Israeli forces, especially in the centre and in western areas where tanks had advanced in the previous two days. The armed wings of the Islamic Jihad and Hamas Islamist militant groups said fighters confronted Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs. The Israeli military said its soldiers had killed a group of fighters who were moving towards them, and destroyed ammunition, tunnel shafts and infrastructure in Tel al-Sultan, in the eastern part of the city. A ceasefire effort led by Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States has so far failed because of disagreements between the combatants, who blame each other for the impasse. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered a delegation charged with negotiating a hostage deal to be dispatched on Thursday, his office said. Netanyahu held a meeting on Sunday with the delegation and senior members of Israel's defence establishment, a statement said, without giving the delegation's destination. Israeli strikes in the previous 24 hours killed at least 64 and wounded more than 100 others, the local health ministry said. At least 22 were killed by strikes on Sunday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office. Israeli strikes in areas of central Gaza in the past week have been focused on the Al-Nuseirat camp, where dozens of people have been killed. "We hear the sounds of explosions in Nuseirat and we see the smoke rising from here in Deir Al-Balah, the last refuge you can say and we are being terrorized by the feeling tanks may roll here," said Tamer Aburakan, a resident of Gaza City, now displaced in the central area of Deir Al-Balah. "Where should we go next? The entire Gaza Strip is under fire and we are being hunted like deer in a forest. When is enough? When the war will ever end?" he said via a chat app. TENSIONS HIGH Israel vowed to eradicate Hamas after its fighters killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage in an attack on Oct. 7 last year, according to Israeli tallies. At least 38,983 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's retaliatory offensive since then, Gaza health authorities say. Tensions are high in the region, with concerns remaining over a possible spread of violence. Israeli jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemen's Hodeidah port on Saturday, a day after a drone launched by the Iranian-backed group hit Tel Aviv, and separate Israeli strikes targeted a depot storing ammunition belonging to Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, security sources said. Israel said on Tuesday it had eliminated half the leadership of Hamas' military wing and killed or captured about 14,000 fighters since the start of the war. Israel says 326 of its soldiers have been killed in Gaza. Hamas does not release casualty figures and says Israel exaggerates its reports to give the impression of a "fake victory." (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, additional reporting by Ari Rabinovitch, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Giles Elgood) The final days: How Biden and his inner circle blew it By Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to end his reelection campaign on Sunday followed a series of strategic missteps by his campaign team and White House aides that amplified concerns that the 81-year-old president wouldn't be able to win in November's election, or run the country for another four years. Biden's halting performance at the June 27 presidential debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump, pushed even some of his closest allies to question whether he could endure a full campaign, and added gasoline to a smoldering Democratic party movement questioning the wisdom of his second term. Within days, Biden went from the party's figurehead to a liability. He became the first sitting president to stand down from a possible reelection since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. These were some of the key moments that led to Biden's downfall. THE DEBATE COUP: April to June Biden himself set the debate in motion, after he told radio show host Howard Stern in April that he'd debate Trump, despite worries from some of his Democratic allies that a debate might do little to improve his chances or even cast an unflattering light on him. Some Biden aides thought they had scored a coup in agreeing to a June debate. They worked with broadcaster CNN to shape the rules in what they thought was their favor and agreed on May 15 to two debates, including the first on June 27. An earlier debate would serve Biden well, some aides thought, convincing voters that there was no other anti-Trump option in the race, but also cushioning the blow of any mediocre performance by the president. The format - no audience to pump up Trump's punchlines, no third-party candidates, moderators they could trust and a mute button on the microphones- would, they thought, favor Biden's style. JET LAG - JUNE 4 TO 27 Biden flew to Europe twice and to the West Coast over a 14-day period before taking just a few days to rest at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Biden was tired and dragging by the end of the travel, according to several people who observed him during this period. He and his aides headed to Camp David for focused prep sessions on June 21, where they peppered Biden with details, then followed up with mock debates for the better part of seven days. A BAD NIGHT - JUNE 27 In CNN's Atlanta studios, Biden stumbled over his words and lost his train of thought. His delivery, appearance and voice drew the immediate attention of reporters, who asked his aides for an explanation. Officials told reporters as the debate was underway some new information: Biden was sick with a cold, they said. Biden's hoarseness would improve as the debate went on but his disjointed answers took voters, donors and Democratic officials by surprise. One Democratic strategist called it "a disaster." Trump, 78, repeated a series of well-worn, glaring falsehoods during the 90-minute debate, including claims that he actually had won the 2020 election. Biden failed to refute them, leaving sentences and thoughts unfinished. Trump jabbed Biden for being incoherent: "I really don't know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don't think he knows what he said." FALLOUT - JUNE 27 TO JULY 2 "I know I'm not a young man, to state the obvious," Biden said the day after the debate, admitting a poor performance. "Nearly fell asleep on stage," he said on July 2. Calls for Biden to step down would start in the hours after the debate. Calls from Biden aides to worried Democrats facing reelection campaigns who saw their political futures flashing before their eyes, wouldn't start until days later. Some lawmakers started to break ranks, starting with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett on July 2, and then gathering steam. Angry donors told Biden's aides they would need to see a turnaround in the candidate's performance. Senior Democrats and Biden allies also began to hint at changes to the ticket. House of Representatives Democrat Jim Clyburn - a kingmaker of sorts within the Democratic Party who was instrumental in Biden's 2020 win - said on July 2 that he would back Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden did depart and suggested the idea of a "mini-primary" if Biden stepped aside. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a longtime Biden ally, said it was legitimate to ask whether Biden's performance in Atlanta was an "episode" or a condition. She also hinted that Biden would need to examine his choice to say in the race. THE DAM BREAKS - JULY 5 TO 8 Biden would fail to quiet the chorus of dissent. In his first major interview after the debate, on July 5, Biden told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos that only the "Lord Almighty" could cast him from the race. More worrying to some Democrats, Biden said he could accept remaining in the race and losing to Trump "as long as I gave it my all and I did as good a job as I know I can do." Thirty-six Democratic U.S. lawmakers and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats would ultimately call for Biden to step off the ticket over the 24 days that followed the debate. NATO, POLLS - JULY 9 TO 12Biden tried to move on. He gave interviews, held a press conference and gave stern speeches on the campaign trail as well as at the NATO summit of U.S. allies. But the events sometimes raised more concerns than they quieted. At the NATO summit during the second week of July, Biden mixed up the names of his vice president Harris and his Republican rival Trump, and those of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose countries are at war with each other. Polls showed Biden trailing other Democrats in many of the key states and districts Democrats need to win in November, though polls nationwide continued to point to a close race. Biden was unmoved, still believing he was the best candidate to face Trump, that he could rebound from this setback as he has so many times before, a view reinforced by a close circle of aides. TRUMP RALLY SHOOTING - JULY 13 Trump was shot while giving a speech in Pennsylvania. The bullet grazed his ear, bloodied his face, and photos of the former president holding up his fist in defiance were shown widely. Republicans spoke of divine providence, unifying around their candidate. Democrats worried if their own chances were cursed, seeing only a narrower path to any victory in November. Days later, Biden got COVID while campaigning in Nevada. Recuperating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home, he would be left with time, alone and in isolation, to decide whether and how to end his campaign. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell and Leslie Adler) Firefighters walk through the Sandhurst Fire near Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 21, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Utah fire officials said Sunday afternoon that existing firelines continue to hold on the Sandhurst Fire burning in the foothills near Ensign Peak above the Utah Capitol. At noon on Sunday, the wildfire was reported to be about 204 acres with 0% containment, but fire crews believed that nearby neighborhoods are no longer threatened, according to Utah Fire Info. The latest estimate on acreage is based on a flight measurement and GPS support. The previous estimate was 400 acres. Utah Fire Info posted that the current firelines were holding just before 4:30 p.m. but warned: Just because active flames or smoke isnt visible doesnt mean there isnt still fire or heat. Help firefighters by staying away, avoid roads, and stay off trails near the fire area to avoid impacting suppression efforts. Many crews and equipment ordered overnight have arrived at the fire area to support suppression efforts. City Creek is still closed north of Bonneville Boulevard for firefighter and public safety The Sandhurst Fire near Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 21, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Radio towers, the City Creek watershed and multiple other structures were a concern late Saturday, but early Sunday the fire appeared to have missed the radio towers, Brian Trick of Northern Fire Protection told KSL NewsRadio. Fire crews worked through the night focusing on structure protection, as the states Northern Utah Type 3 team took command. Approximately 20 homes have been evacuated with air resources returning Sunday morning, according to Utah Fire Info. On Sunday afternoon the cause of the blaze remained under investigation, fire officials said. Over 100 firefighters had worked on the fire Saturday and Brian LaFontaine of the Type 3 team estimated another 75 were en route to assist Sunday. The fire was first reported as a brush fire shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The fire quickly grew in size, prompting Salt Lake Fire to request assistance from Salt Lake police in notifying community members about evacuations and traffic control. Police also evacuated and shut down Memory Grove Park to allow firefighters to access a water source safely. Some mandatory evacuations are still in place for north of Dorchester, including Twickenham Drive, on Sunday morning while some voluntary evacuations have been lifted. Firefighters are working to keep the fire out of the communities and City Creek drainage, according to Utah Fire Info. Several roads have been shut down to continue to allow access to fire crews and police including East Capitol Boulevard, North Bonneville Road, and City Creek Canyon Road. Officials said five wildland engines, one water tender and two crews were working on the blaze and air support will continue to be used as they prepare for hot, dry conditions. Contributing: Mark Jackson A wildfire was threatening the Lyons Ferry State Park and fish hatchery in Franklin County on Sunday. State firefighting help was authorized at the request of Scott Moore, fire chief for Franklin Fire District 2, according to the Washington State Fire Marshals Office. At 9 a.m. Sunday the Washington State Patrol ordered aerial firefighting to help Eastern Washington firefighters on the ground. The Davin Road Fire near Kahlotus started at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday and had burned about 500 acres by 10:30 a.m. The cause remains under investigation. In addition to the park and fish hatchery, it was threatening rangeland and wheat fields as it burned in grass and brush. Fish species returns to river after vanishing over a century ago: 'This is a fantastic start' A fish species that hasn't been seen since the late 19th century was reintroduced to its habitat. According to Nature World News, the Atlantic sturgeon disappeared from its home in the Gota alv River in Sweden due to pollution and overfishing. The fish is now swimming in the river because of conservation efforts from the Swedish Anglers Association, the Museum of Natural History in Gothenburg, and several universities. This conservation effort will gradually introduce the species once a year over the next 10 years to ensure there will be a population that can support itself. One hundred juveniles transferred from a German farm have been released into Gota alv to start the project. Project manager Linnea Jagrud said, 'This is a fantastic start." The sturgeon is expected to benefit the river's ecology because it eats material at the bottom. In addition, the fish oxygenate the riverbed's sediment, which will help all the small species in the water. The Atlantic sturgeon is a migratory species. They spend their formative years and reproduce in freshwater. The sturgeon may also benefit other migratory species, such as European eels and salmon, whose life cycles depend on healthy river water. This is good news for the Atlantic salmon, which is a protected fish under the Endangered Species Act. Improving the water can encourage the fish to return. For example, another protected salmon species, the coho salmon, was absent from the Olema Creek last year, but in 2024, there were 70 nests recorded. It's believed they returned because of the improved habitat. According to the European Anglers Alliance, Atlantic sturgeon have "cultural-historical value," and archaeological finds dating back to the 15th century have been found in the Gota alv River. The reintroduction of this species will "restore the lost identity of the waterway." You can help ensure that species are not lost again. By using your voice, you can demand that your representatives implement policies to reduce pollution so that it doesn't cause species to vanish. The scientists will monitor the sturgeon by watching their eating patterns and how they maintain the river's health. Johan Hojesjo, Professor of Ecological Zoology at the University of Gothenburg, said in a press release, "It will be exciting to see how the sturgeons affect life in the river. Although Gota Alv is the most fish species rich freshwater river in Sweden, it's surprisingly little studied." Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Five restaurants closed, pests seen at several places in latest Fort Worth inspections Five restaurants were closed due to serious health violations, several places received high scores, and pests were seen in the latest Fort Worth health inspections, according to city data. There were 122 inspections from June 30 to July 13. Fort Worth inspection scores are based on a demerit system. When the total exceeds 30, the restaurant must take immediate corrective action on all identified critical violations, then has 48 hours to initiate corrective action on all other violations. Five restaurants were closed due to violations including inadequate refrigeration, flies, live roaches, and rodent droppings: Fiesta Mexican Foods at 3233 Hemphill St., 28 Super Mercado Monterrey at 2916 Hemphill St., 24 in follow-up Panther City BBQ at 225 East Pennsylvania Ave., 11 Taco Heads at 1812 Montgomery St., 11 Rock Springs Cafe at 3220 Rock Springs Road, 3 Super Mercado Monterrey was the only restaurant to receive more than 30 demerits. It was closed after its follow-up inspection. Sixteen restaurants received high scores of 25 or over including: Taqueria Guelaquetza at 2400 Vaughn Blvd., 29 K Pop Burger at 12404 Timberland Blvd., 26 Black Bear Diner at 9501 North Freeway, 26 Ninja Sushi And Grill at 4714 SW Loop 820, 27 Super Pollo at 805 North Sylvania Ave., 28 Carniceria La Superior at 700 North Sylvania Ave., 28 Campisis Italian Restaurant at 6150 Camp Bowie Blvd., 28 Big Apple Cafe at 14200 Trinity Blvd., 28 Four other restaurants had follow-up inspections: Wings Haven at 5001 East Berry St., 19 Byblos Lebanese Rest at 1406 North Main St., 12 Taco Heads at 1812 Montgomery St., 9 Panther City BBQ at 225 East Pennsylvania Ave., 7 Inspectors observed live and dead rodents and rat droppings at the following restaurants: China Express at 5512 East Lancaster Ave., 18 Union Gospel Mission at 1321 E Lancaster Ave., 15 Crab Pack at 3840 NE Loop 820, 12 Rock Springs Cafe at 3220 Rock Springs Road, 3 Roaches were an issue at several restaurants: Byblos Lebanese Rest at 1406 North Main St., 29 Mariscos Sonora at 730 North Sylvania Ave.,24 Mexican Inn Cafe at 2700 East Lancaster Ave., 21 Waffle House at 251 West Rendon Crowley Road, 21 HG Supply Co at 1621 River Run, 17 Buffalo Wild Wings at 12832 South Freeway, 14 Colonial Country Club at 3735 Country Club Circle, 13 Taco Heads at 1812 Montgomery St.,11 Flies and gnats were seen at thirty-nine restaurants, some of which included: Campisis Italian Restaurant at 6150 Camp Bowie Blvd., 28 54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse at 9251 Rain Lily Trail, 19 Wonderpho Noodles & Springroll Bar at 2747 South Hulen St., 17 Heims BBQ at 5333 White Settlement Road, 16 Velvet Taco at 2700 West 7th St., 16 Blue Goose Cantina at 1600 South University Drive, 13 Texas De Brazil at 101 North Houston St., 10 Wingstop at 501 Carroll St., 10 Fuzzys Taco Shop at 5724 Bryant Irvin Road, 9 Buc-ees at 15901 North Freeway, 3 Hissho Sushi at Target at 301 Carroll St., 3 Mamma Mia Italian Grill & Pizza was warned it would be issued a citation or closure if it did not resolve issues with its air conditioning. According to inspectors, the HVAC in the kitchen was at 107 degrees. The restaurant is also experiencing issues with its ice machine and black organic matter growing inside the ice machine at the register. The establishment received 23 demerits. Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Fort Worth for June 30th - July 13th, 2024. Scores are based on a demerit system. When the total exceeds 30, the restaurant must take immediate corrective action on all identified critical violations, then has 48 hours to initiate corrective action on all other violations. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a keyword or restaurant name. You can also sort by score. Vice President Kamala Harris looks on as President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room in the White House on Jan. 5, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Florida Democrats reacted to President Joe Bidens withdrawal from his reelection campaign by praising his legacy. Some followed his lead in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to top the ticket. Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried had defended Biden as recently as Thursday, and he retained support in the state party notwithstanding his terrible performance during his June 27 debate with Donald Trump. President Biden has been one of the greatest presidents in American history, Fried said in a written statement. As a leader, he has turned our economy around, guided us out of the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuilt our crumbling infrastructure and restored Americas place on the world stage. Florida Democrats are grateful to him for his work and for all of the sacrifices he has made in service to our country. His legacy will never be forgotten. Now is the time for Democrats to step up and secure the future of that legacy because the race may have changed, but our focus has not. This is the most consequential election of our lifetime, and Democrats must stand united to defeat Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in November, Fried concluded. South Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones echoed that praise. President Joe Biden is the greatest president of our lifetime. The nation is forever indebted and grateful for his years of service, Jones said in his own statement. Its time for Democrats to unite in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. She has my full support as the leader needed to meet this moment and defeat Donald Trump. The Trump-Vance ticket is dead-set on taking away Americans rights, destroying democracy, and doing the bidding of greedy corporations price gouging working families. Together, we can beat this threat and continue moving America forward. The right decision State Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orange County said: This is the right decision for the American people and the Democratic Party. I thank President Joe Biden for making this brave and difficult choice and for his leadership in many policy arenas. As Democrats, our values compel us to fight for the underdog, to defend everyday Americans in the face of injustice, and to champion policies that lift up all people. Lets stay focused and energized for the future. The only way we will win is if we are united throughout what will no doubt be a messy, but necessary, process. Too many issues and freedoms are on the line for us to get this wrong. Onward to November and onward to victory. Fentrice Driskell, Democratic leader in the Florida Housem posted a picture of herself with Harris on her X page. Thank you @JoeBiden for your incredible service to our country. @KamalaHarris Cant wait to call you POTUS. Folks we have an election to win lets do this! Driskell wrote. Our country is a better, stronger, more united place because of President Joe Bidens decades of selfless and steadfast service to the American people, state Senate Democratic leader Lauren Book posted. Today, as the President announced his decision not to seek re-election, I thank him and his family for the sacrifices theyve made in service to our nation. State Sen.-elect Carlos Guillermo Smith also had recently spoken in support of Bidens candidacy. Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidential leaders in American History. I am so grateful to him for everything he has done for us and for his selfless commitment to our country. Thank you and we love you, Smith wrote on X. U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost of Central Florida praised Biden and endorsed Harris in a written statement. Many vulnerable communities across the country will not survive another Trump Administration. It is important for our party to come together around a candidate who can beat him which is why I am proud to offer my full support and endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris, Frost wrote. Vice President Harris has been a critical partner to President Biden during his historic presidency and is ready to take Donald Trump to task on the campaign trail and more importantly, to inspire a nation. Its time to get to work to elect Kamala Harris and once again make history. Fit to serve? State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican, welcomed the move. This is the best thing for America. Its time for a real leader. Its time for President Trump. Lets make America great again, close the border and restore our strength around the world, he wrote on X. President Trump was right all along. 6 months is an eternity in a presidency. If Joe Biden cant run, he shouldnt serve. This isnt about politics, this is about confidence in the person running our country, wrote state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, also a Republican. If Joe Biden is too old and infirm to run for President, he is too old and infirm to BE President, Republican state House member Randy Fine wrote, opening a thread. Now the Party of Democracy will nominate someone who did not get a single vote for President, he added. Its insane that we have a President who is so sick he cant even announce he isnt running for re-election live. The fraud that Democrats have perpetuated on this country is criminal. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Coconino County starting at 6:03 p.m. July 20. The warning expires at 7:45 p.m. July 20. Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain in the area from Strawberry to Pine. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing in Pine with flash flood waters flowing through Pine Creek. Reports of water in a restaurant and up to 3 feet of runoff through Pine Creek have been received. Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads is possible. Some locations that could experience flash flooding include Pine, Strawberry, Geronimo Estates, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Fossil Springs Wilderness. This includes the following recreation areas and campgrounds: Geronimo Boy Scout Camp. This includes State Route 87 between mile markers 264 and 273. This includes the following creeks, washes and rivers: West Webber Creek. What are isolated thunderstorms? Here's what to know for Arizona's monsoon season For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather alert page. Tips for flood weather Coconino County officials offered the following tips for residents to prepare for approaching storms and potential flooding threats. Protect your property from floodwaters and purchase flood insurance. Plan for sheltering where you are and for evacuation. Evacuate if advised. Seek high ground (for flash floods) or stay on high ground. Avoid walking or driving in floodwaters. Depth and velocity of the water are not always obvious; the ground or road may suddenly wash away and hidden dangers may exist; do not attempt to evacuate through floodwaters. Know how to avoid injury from debris, contaminated water, carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, and damaged buildings and infrastructure. Seek professional review or inspection of structures and utilities before entering buildings that are flooded. This article was generated by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Flash flood warning issued for Coconino County These Florida Democrats have already lined up behind Kamala Harris After President Joe Biden on Sunday bowed out of the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, many Florida Democrats rallied behind Harris. I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden, 81, wrote on social media. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Biden dropped out of the race after a firestorm of criticism about his age and ability. While endorsing Harris, some Florida Democrats called for unity. Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is challenging Sen. Rick Scott this election, said in an emailed statement that Democrats must stand united behind Harris. I love and respect Joe Biden immensely and I have total faith in Kamala Harris and the American people who will help us beat Donald Trump, said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a former Democratic National Committee chairperson, in a post on X. U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz tweeted, I hereby endorse Kamala Harris! Thats the tweet. State Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando said in a text message that Harris is the clearest choice for the nominee. The only way we will win is if we are united throughout what will no doubt be a messy, but necessary, process, Eskamani added in an emailed statement. Florida Sen. Lauren Book, the highest ranking Democrat in the state as the outgoing Senate minority leader wrote on X that she was proud to endorse Harris for president. Her leadership has been pivotal in advancing policies that benefit working families, and I have been proud to stand with her on numerous occasions in our fight for womens reproductive freedom, wrote Book. State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell from Tampa said that Harris had her backing 100% in an interview. Shes ready for this moment because she has prepared for this moment. So, Vice President Harris can count on my strongest support, Driskell said. I think shes the trusted voice that we need in this election cycle when we face so many threats to our democracy and our freedom. Tampa Bay Democrats weighed in, too. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch endorsed Harris and said, Its time to move our nation forward, together. Alan Clendenin, a Tampa City Council member and member of the Democratic National Committee, told the Tampa Bay Times that he supports Harris 100%. She has four years of on-the-job training, said Clendenin, who called for the president to drop out of the race two weeks ago. Bidens endorsement does not guarantee that Harris will replace him on the ticket this November, said Barry Richard, a Tallahassee attorney and elections expert. Though there is some inherent uncertainty, Richard believes Bidens delegates were now free agents. The fact that he has endorsed Harris doesnt bind them to Harris though it may have an impact on them, Richard said. Some Florida Democrats remained quiet about their hopes for the partys nominee. Florida Democratic Party Chairperson Nikki Fried said on social media that the party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump, but did not elaborate on who should lead the party. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor shared a similar sentiment. Castor tweeted in supportof President Biden but made no mention of Harris. Personal injury attorney John Morgan, a major Democratic donor, said in a text message that he believes Bidens endorsement means Harris will be the nominee but he believes she will lose. In my humble opinion she has no shot, he said. Morgan said he would not be raising money for a Harris-led ticket. You have to be enthusiastic to ask friends for money, he wrote. I would not be enthusiastic. Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau staff writers Lawrence Mower and Alexandra Glorioso, and Tampa Bay Times reporter Olivia George contributed to this report. Florida Democrats seek unity as Biden drops out; Republicans call on him to resign Florida Democrats largely praised President Bidens decision to bow out of the presidential contest on Sunday and back his vice president for the partys nomination, heralding it as a new beginning less than four months before the November election. Their Republican counterparts said he should go one step further and resign altogether. Biden, 81, announced his exit from the race in a letter on Sunday afternoon. His decision ended a weeks-long crisis in the Democratic Party that was defined by internal disputes and growing calls for the president to pass the torch to a new generation after a floundering debate performance last month that raised concerns about Bidens age and fitness for office. Shortly after announcing his exit, Biden threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, catapulting his second-in-command to frontrunner status in the race to succeed him. No other candidate has announced their intention to replace Biden on the ballot. But some Florida Democrats began lining up behind Harris within minutes of Bidens announcement, even as the state party contacted elected officials to encourage them to refrain from commenting publicly until they could get behind a unified message. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from Orlando, told the Herald/Times over text message that Vice President Kamala Harris is the clearest choice and has my support. This is the right decision for the American people and the Democratic Party, Eskamani added by email. Outgoing Florida Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, the highest ranking Democrat in the state, wrote on X that she was proud to endorse Harris for president. Her leadership has been pivotal in advancing policies that benefit working families, and I have been proud to stand with her on numerous occasions in our fight for womens reproductive freedom, wrote Book. U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz also threw his support behind Harris. I hereby endorse Kamala Harris! Thats the tweet, Moskowitz wrote on X. Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried tweeted shortly after Bidens decision to drop out that he would be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes. Fried added: Now, the Democratic Party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump. There is an immediate and pressing question about how the Democratic party will handle the presidential nomination at its convention next month now that Biden has dropped out. Barry Richard, a Democrat and Tallahassee-based elections expert who has represented Republican candidates like George W. Bush, said that though there is some inherent uncertainty, he believed Bidens delegates were now free agents. The fact that he has endorsed Harris doesnt bind them to Harris though it may have an impact on them, Richard said. Fresh start? Bidens decision to end his reelection bid offers Democrats something of a fresh start at a time when polling shows former President Donald Trump leading in key battleground states. Fernand Amandi, a Democratic pollster who worked for former President Barack Obamas 2012 campaign, said that, for all the talk about Bidens age and fitness for office in recent weeks, Democrats will now be able to raise similar questions about Trump, who is 78 years old. We have a brand new race for president, Amandi said. The greatest problem that the Democrats had is now the MAGA Republicans greatest problem, which is an unfit nominee in cognitive decline who is the greatest threat to American democracy ever known in Donald Trump. Other Democrats said Bidens decision not to seek a second term in the White House was a selfless decision that would give the party its best chance of defeating Trump in November. More jobs, lower costs, safer communities, more freedom. That was already the legacy of President Biden, former U.S. Rep. Val Demings, the 2022 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, wrote on X. Now, his legacy also includes a stunning act of unselfish patriotism, grace, and decency. Im proud to support him. We must keep going. Democracy must win on November 5th. Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, whos seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Rick Scott this year, hailed Biden for putting the good of the American people and our democracy first. She called on Democrats to rally behind Harris as their new presidential nominee. We must follow his example and stand united behind Vice President Kamala Harris and continue to fight for the freedom, democracy, and opportunities that brought so many of us to this incredible nation, Mucarsel-Powell said in a statement. Republicans react Shortly Biden dropped out, former President Donald Trump took to his media platform, Truth Social. He described Biden as not fit to run for President and certainly not fit to serve. He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement, Trump said. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt. A while later, Trump co-campaign managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, who is from the Jacksonville area, put out a joint statement calling for Biden to leave the White House immediately. Biden is a national security threat in great cognitive decline and a clear and present danger to every man, woman, and child in our country, LaCivita and Wiles said. Knowing that Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign because of his rapidly deteriorating condition, does Harris believe the people of America are safe and secure with Joe Biden in the White House for six more months? Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X that Democrats backing Harris was akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titantic. Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office, DeSantis said. She also was the the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power said in a statement that Democrats should be fuming. Their party failed them. Rather than allowing Americans to have their voices heard, they will be forced to carry whatever puppet they elect behind closed doors, Power said. Meanwhile, Republicans are united behind President Trump. It doesnt matter which empty suit they put forwardwe will win. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a Naples Republican, slammed what he called Democrats hypocrisy over Bidens candidacy, arguing that the same people who spent years saying President Trump and Republicans are a threat to democracy, just pushed out the sitting president from running for re-election because they dont think he can win. But some Florida Republicans seemed awed by the political moment. Parents, I hope you are talking to your children about what is happening in our politics today. We are living in the pages of history, Erika Donalds, the wife of Florida Congressman Byron Donalds and a leader in Floridas school choice movement, wrote on X. This is a critical chapter in our history, state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, responded on X. Former Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler, whose ouster by the party when a woman accused him of rape took the political world by storm this year, noted on X that an assassin tried to kill Trump just eight days ago. (Ziegler was not charged with a crime.) We are not worthy of the insanity that is this Presidential race, he wrote. The most progressive and one of the most effective Presidents in our countrys history. The President to do the most on ending gun violence, defeating the climate crisis, and protecting working people. I have a lot more to say but for now Ill just say: Thank you @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/ILnMeUJPM6 Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@MaxwellFrostFL) July 21, 2024 Florida Republicans more sure than ever about Trump, unsure about whats next for DeSantis and Rubio Florida Republicans left their national convention more sure than ever that former President Donald Trump will return to the presidency, but uncertain about what the future holds for the states two other favorite sons. The political outlook for the states two other most prominent political leaders, Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, was cloudier as Republicans wrapped up their week in Milwaukee than it was when they began arriving. Trumps selection of U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his pick for vice president was praised by Republicans everywhere, including Florida. But it greatly complicates the political calculus for DeSantis and Rubio, both of whom have had their own presidential ambitions thwarted by Trump before and possibly again by the Vance choice. One thing the Vance pick didnt do is alter the 2024 outlook in Florida. Democratic protestations notwithstanding, there wasnt any evidence suggesting Trump would have any difficulty winning Floridas 30 electoral votes before the convention, and no indication of any change coming out of the convention. DeSantis DeSantis, who was propelled to the governors office in 2018 on the strength of Trumps endorsement, then unsuccessfully challenged him for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is widely expected to run for the nomination again in 2028. Vance, especially if hes the sitting vice president, would be a formidable candidate for the presidential nomination especially if Republicans see him as heir to Trump and his MAGA movement. The thing that we can say with confidence is, should Trump win in November, it will put Senator Vance in a strong position to win the nomination in 2028, said Kevin Wagner, a political scientist at Florida Atlantic University. Analysts and political insiders are divided over whether the Vance selection merely complicates the 2028 strategy for DeSantis or dooms his chances. I think Vance was particularly harmful for DeSantis ambitions, said Mac Stipanovich, a longtime high-level Florida Republican strategist, whos left the party and is now a critic of both DeSantis and Trump. Stipanovich said Vance is the better DeSantis. DeSantis takes great pride in his middle-class background. Well, the author of Hillbilly Elegy (Vance) will see that bet and raise it. DeSantis takes great pride in being a Navy lawyer who did a tour of duty in Iraq. Vance was a Marine in Iraq, not a Navy lawyer DeSantis is awkward and stilted in public. JD Vance is a guy youd want to go have a beer with. Of all the potential candidates that Trump could have picked, Vance was the worst, in my judgment, in the context of DeSantis ambition, he said. Sean Foreman, a political scientist at Barry University, said its a mistake to write off DeSantis. DeSantis lost the primary and he was diminished nationally from his failing presidential campaign. But hes not politically dead, he said. I dont think the selection of Vance precludes a future presidential campaign. Vance now wears the MAGA mantle moving forward, and if the Trump ticket wins hell be the vice president. Hell be well-positioned for a 2028 nomination run, Foreman said. The initial reaction is that the sitting vice president would be the front-runner, but that doesnt make him a shoo-in. Its a whole new cycle. Richard DeNapoli, a convention delegate who is Browards elected state Republican committeeman and a former county GOP chair, also said it would be incorrect to assume Vance dooms DeSantis in 2028. It doesnt mean that (other) people arent going to run, he said. A vice president generally doesnt glide into the nomination and we dont know what kind of a vice president hes going to be because youve seen so many different versions of it in the last 20 years. Michael Barnett, a convention delegate and former Palm Beach County Republican Party chair, said he doesnt think DeSantis would be deterred by a Vice President Vance. Like DeNapoli, he said vice president doesnt automatically translate into presidential nominee. Hell have a break between 2026 and 2028 where people are expecting that hell be on the ballot for president, Barnett said. Whatever happens in 2028 it will be a crowded race. I fully expect to see Governor DeSantis and JD Vance on the ballot. (DeSantis appointed Barnett to fill a vacancy on the Palm Beach County Commission; hes running for a full term in the job.) Convention delegate Michele Merrell, who is Browards elected state Republican committeewoman, termed the futures of both DeSantis and Rubio as extraordinarily bright. Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, scoffed at the notion that DeSantis has a political future. What political aspirations? His political future is over. He has no path, Fried said during a video news conference on the last day of the Republican convention. And so now that Trump has given the nod to JD, that he is going to be MAGA 2.0, I truly dont know where Ron goes from here, and quite honestly, on behalf of myself as a Floridian, it couldnt happen to a nicer person. Fried who lost the 2022 Democratic primary for governor to Charlie Crist, who overwhelmingly lost the general election to DeSantis spent four years criticizing DeSantis when she was state agriculture commissioner during his first term as governor. The key may be who Trump supports as his successor. I dont think it will forestall a primary, but I think whoever Trump endorses, that will be the biggest factor, DeNapoli said. Stipanovich agreed. As long as Trump draws breath, hes going to matter in a Republican primary. And I dont think theres a chance in hell that Trump would endorse DeSantis over Vance, he said. Rubio The states senior senator was one of the finalists Trump considered as vice president. Rubio and Vance were both once fierce Trump critics, but have transformed themselves into Trump champions. The states senior senator was passed over by Trump, even after he repeatedly praised the former president and echoed virtually everything Trump said, often minimizing anything that some people would regard as extreme. Donald Trump Jr. was widely reported to have strongly favored Vance as his fathers running mate. And son Eric Trump told the Florida delegation that the constitutional question remained a hurdle. The 12th Amendment to the Constitution prevents electors from casting a states electoral votes for a presidential and vice presidential candidate from the same state, setting up a scenario under which Rubio would have had to move from Florida. Republicans also hope that Vance, an Ohio senator, can help Trump chip away at the Democrats blue wall of northern industrial states, though political scientists who have analyzed results have concluded that vice presidential picks dont alter the results. People base their votes on the top of the tickets. Though Trump and Rubio had a nasty competition for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, the senator became a strong supporter and influential foreign policy adviser once Trump became president. Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, making him one of the so-called Gang of Eight in Congress who are regularly briefed on highly sensitive information, and a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee. That background has many Floridians hoping Trump would nominate Rubio as secretary of state if he wins the presidency. I wanted Marco as vice president. Well take him as secretary of state, Barnett said. Even if that doesnt happen, Rubio would be in a position to wield significant influence on world affairs, especially if Republicans win control of the Senate, which many political analysts see as a foregone conclusion. Its clear that Senator Rubio would be on a short list of potential cabinet secretaries, with State being particularly one of the places where he could potentially be a choice, Wagner said. Although hes a logical candidate, Foreman cautioned against getting ahead of ourselves too much with such speculation. In the spotlight Rubio (nine minutes) and DeSantis (eight minutes) both had convention speaking slots in prime time. Their rounds also included subsequent breakfasts of the home-state convention delegation. Their televised speeches were on Tuesday, the night reserved for multiple Republicans who had sought their partys nomination Rubio in 2016 and DeSantis in 2024 and were vanquished by Trump. All the former opponents turned acolytes touted Trump, while he watched from his box in the arena, as he basked in the praise. The next night, Rubio got to sit next to Trump and watch some of the proceedings from the nominees box at the convention arena. At least DeSantis got a laugh from Trump, which came when DeSantis referred to President Joe Bidens time in office as the Weekend at Bernies presidency, a reference to the movie in which people pass off the corpse of their dead boss as still alive. Political moves Senate appointment: If Rubio becomes secretary of state or another cabinet position, DeSantis would get to appoint a replacement senator. The ability to fill a vacant Senate seat is one of the more significant powers that a governor has and can be quite influential on a larger political universe, Wagner said. Stipanovich said he doubts the governor would engineer a Senate appointment for himself. It would seem like too much of a shady political maneuver that could leave a negative impression for some voters, he said. Governors race: The convention was a chance for the potential candidates for the 2026 Republican nomination for governor to show themselves off before committed party activists and financial supporters. Term limits prevent DeSantis from running again. Prospects politicking at the convention included Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz. Stipanovich said theres been thought among some he categorized it as happy-hour speculation that because of (U.S. Sen.) Rick Scotts presidential ambitions, he would return to run for governor in 2028 again. Although Scott has served two terms, totaling eight years, as governor, hes been out of that office so he legally could run again. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told NBC News he was thinking of running. And Politico reported from Milwaukee that some Republicans had mused about the idea of Rubio as a possibility to run for governor. Optimistic Republicans Floridians whove been delegates before said this years convention was more unified and more energized than previous quadrennial gatherings theyd attended. The intensity here is something I have never experienced, said Merrell, the state Republican committeewoman from Broward. I never thought we could top 2016. However, this week (has been) in the stratosphere. DeNapoli said everyones been in a happy mood. A lot of positive energy. A lot of excitement, confidence. Barnett described 2024 as having more energy and more excitement, and less uncertainty. More unity. For Florida delegates, thats partly seeing the state as solidly Republican after decades as a swing state that could go either way in presidential contests, and partly from optimism that Trump will win the presidency. Were getting ready to win. Were getting ready to take back this White House, starting with Florida, Barnett said. National attention, and the candidates, are less likely to devote time and money to Florida. Florida is slipping away from the competitive column, Foreman said. Democrats, hoping to avoid a collapse of enthusiasm among their voters that could hurt candidates lower down the ballot, insist Florida could produce a surprise. A state Democratic Party fundraising email blast on Friday asserted that Donald Trumps margin in Florida has NARROWED making it only a 4 point difference. Its evidence: A headline from a news site thats become known largely for clickbait. _____ With the new school year quickly approaching, you can expect some juicy back-to-school sales to crop up soon, too. Most scholarly sales happen around one of Floridas many tax-free holidays. The next one up on the calendar is the back-to-school tax-free holiday, which stretches across two weeks at the end of July and the beginning of August. In Polk County, that means savings of 7%. Heres what to know about the upcoming back-to-school tax-free holiday and what you can get. When is Floridas back-to-school tax-free week? Florida has a two-week back-to-school sales tax holiday that will take place between July 29 and Aug. 11. During this time, people can purchase various school supplies tax free, within some parameters set by the state. What can you buy during Floridas back-to-school tax-free week? Heres what you can purchase: Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less. Most school supplies selling for $50 or less Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less. This means all footwear (except skis, swim fins, roller blades and skates); any clothing (except watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas and handkerchiefs); and wallets or bags, including backpacks, diaper bags, fanny packs and handbags. Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use). This includes things such as calculators, desktops, electronic book readers, handhelds, laptops, tablets and tower computers. It also includes such accessories as keyboards, mice, modems, monitors, nonrecreational software, other peripheral devices, personal digital assistants and routers. It does not include cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data. For a detailed Q&A from the Florida Department of Revenue, click here. A look a Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday. Other Florida tax-free holidays Florida will have two other tax-free holidays before the end of the year. The second Florida disaster preparedness sales tax holiday will run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 6 and provide residents with tax relief on thousands of products related to hurricane season. The Tool Time sales tax holiday, which runs from Sept. 1-7, will allow people to purchase tools tax-free up to a certain dollar amount, depending on the category of tool. When does school start in Polk County? Students in Polk County Public Schools begin classes on Aug. 12. The start dates for certain private schools and public charter schools might be different. See TheLedger.com's back-to-school primer for more. What about school supply lists and uniform policies? They vary from school to school. For uniform policies, including where to purchase uniforms, contact your school directly. Schools provide school supply lists, generally on their social media pages or websites. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Florida's back-to-school tax-free holiday ends Aug. 11. What to know Editors note: The Focus on Research column highlights different research projects and topics being explored at Penn State. The following originally appeared on The Conversation. Everything in biology ultimately boils down to food and sex. To survive as an individual you need food. To survive as a species you need sex. Not surprisingly then, the age-old question of why giraffes have long necks has centered around food and sex. After debating this question for the past 150 years, biologists still cannot agree on which of these two factors was the most important in the evolution of the giraffes neck. In the past three years, my colleagues and I have been trying to get to the bottom of this question. Necks for sex In the 19th century, biologists Charles Darwin and Jean Baptiste Lamarck both speculated that giraffes long necks helped them reach acacia leaves high up in the trees, though they likely werent observing actual giraffe behavior when they came up with this theory. Several decades later, when scientists started observing giraffes in Africa, a group of biologists came up with an alternative theory based on sex and reproduction. These pioneering giraffe biologists noticed how male giraffes, standing side by side, used their long necks to swing their heads and club each other. The researchers called this behavior neck-fighting and guessed that it helped the giraffes prove their dominance over each other and woo mates. Males with the longest necks would win these contests and, in turn, boost their reproductive success. That favorability, the scientists predicted, drove the evolution of long necks. Since its inception, the necks-for-sex sexual selection hypothesis has overshadowed Darwins and Lamarcks necks-for-food hypothesis. The necks-for-sex hypothesis predicts that males should have longer necks than females, since only males use them to fight, and indeed they do. But adult male giraffes are also about 30% to 50% larger than female giraffes. All of their body components are bigger. So my team wanted to find out if males have proportionally longer necks when accounting for their overall stature, comprised of their head, neck and forelegs. Necks not for sex? But its not easy to measure giraffe body proportions. For one, their necks grow disproportionately faster during the first six to eight years of their life. And in the wild, you cant tell exactly how old an individual animal is. To get around these problems, we measured body proportions in captive Masai giraffes in North American zoos. Here, we knew the exact age of the giraffes and could then compare this data with the body proportions of wild giraffes that we knew confidently were older than 8 years. To our surprise, we found that adult female giraffes have proportionally longer necks than males, which contradicts the necks-for-sex hypothesis. We also found that adult female giraffes have proportionally longer body trunks, while adult males have proportionally longer forelegs and thicker necks. Giraffe babies dont have any of these sex-specific body proportion differences. They only appear as giraffes are reaching adulthood. Finding that female giraffes have proportionally both longer necks and longer body trunks led us to propose that females, and not males, drove the evolution of the giraffes long neck, and not for sex but for food and reproduction. Our theory is in agreement with Darwin and Lamarck that food was the major driver for the evolution of the giraffes neck, but with a emphasis on female reproductive success. A shape to die for Giraffes are notoriously picky eaters and browse on fresh leaves, flowers and seed pods. Female giraffes especially need enough to eat because they spend most of their adult lives either pregnant or providing milk to their calves. Females tend to use their long necks to probe deep into bushes and trees to find the most nutritious food. By contrast, males tend to feed high in trees by fully extending their necks vertically. Females need proportionally longer trunks to grow calves that can be well over 6 feet tall at birth. For males, Id guess that their proportionally longer forelegs are an adaptation that allows them to mount females more easily during sex. While we found that their necks might not be as proportionally long as females necks are, they are thicker. Thats probably an adaptation that helps them win neck fights. But giraffes necks arent their only long feature. They have very long legs, proportionally, which contribute to their height almost as much as their necks. Their long legs come at a considerable cost, though particularly for male giraffes. A disproportionate fraction of their body mass is stacked on top of their spindly front legs, which can lead to injury and mobility issues in the long run. Graham Mitchell, a prominent giraffe biologist, has called the giraffe body a shape to die for. In captivity, where staff can determine the cause of death, well over half of male giraffes die from foreleg problems, which shortens their lifespan by 25% compared with females. Very few female giraffes die from health issues related to their legs. Giraffes height also means they cant climb up steep slopes very well. My teams research has shown that this limitation has likely stopped them from traveling across the escarpments of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. But the mating advantage from being tall must outweigh these costs to their health and mobility. This research isnt ruling out the necks-for-sex theory entirely. The long neck likely does play a critical role in male neck-fighting and winning a mate. But our research suggests that male neck-fighting was probably a side benefit that came along with females getting better access to food. In the future, my team will look into the genetic factors that led to the giraffes extraordinary stature and physique. We want to trace and reconstruct the evolutionary path they took to reach toward the skies. Douglas R. Cavener is the Huck Distinguished Chair in Evolutionary Genetics and Professor of Biology at Penn State. A former Chief Warrant Officer in the Army has been sentenced to 1 year in prison for sexual abuse of two teens while flying. On Wednesday, the U.S. District Court in Seattle convicted 42-year-old James Benecke for touching two victims on different flights he was on in 2023. According to court records, in April 2023, Benecke intentionally touched the buttocks of a 16-year-old who sat next to him on a flight from Anchorage to Seattle and two months later touched the buttocks and inner thigh of an 18-year-old on a flight from Dallas to Seattle. In the plea agreement, Benecke admitted to intentionally touching both victims for his sexual arousal and was arrested at his duty station in Alaska in July 2023. Preying on teenagers in the confined space of an aircraft is traumatizing, and is happening far too often, U.S. Attorney Gorman said. Those convicted of this crime are required to register as a sex offender. Some have been banned from certain airlines. We need to get the message across that this conduct is unacceptable and will be prosecuted. Mr. Beneckes actions diminished their sense of personal safety, and turned what should have been joyous, meaningful trips one to a school sporting competition, and one returning home from college orientation into sources of trauma, Gorman said. (WSPA) Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, in regards to Biden dropping out of the Presidential Race. The Clintons said they are honored to join President Biden in endorsing Vice President Harris. President Biden has capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world. By any measure, he has advanced our founders charge to build a more perfect union and his own stated goal of restoring the soul of our nation. We will join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being whats best for the country. We are honored to join President Biden in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Former Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee applauded President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race on Sunday, calling the move a "selfless decision." Biden announced Sunday afternoon that he would no longer seek the Democratic nomination for president, amid pressure from within his party to step down, and increasing concerns over his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Gore, who as Democratic presidential nominee in 2000 against George W. Bush accepted defeat after a legal challenge of the 2000 election results, praised Biden's decision, and his service to the nation. Live updates: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates As President, Joe Biden has been and is an exceptional leader," Gore said in a statement to The Tennessean. "He is responsible for developing and signing the most significant investment in climate solutions into law. He helped our nation navigate a global pandemic, ushered in an economic recovery that has created good-paying jobs for Americans across the country, and restored Americas standing abroad." "I know that he is not done delivering for the American people and will continue to serve this nation with wisdom and dignity in the coming months," Gore said. "In paving the way for a new generation of leadership, President Bidens decision is a fitting testament to his profoundly consequential career. I applaud his selfless decision. Biden presented Gore with the Presidential Medal of Freedom the nation's highest civilian honors earlier this year at the White House, celebrating his lifetime of public service, including as U.S. Army serviceman, a senator from Tennessee, vice president, presidential nominee, and "visionary climate statesman." During the medal presentation, Biden specifically noted Gore's grace in accepting defeat in the disputed 2000 presidential election, calling his acceptance "a historic act of selflessness, and love for country." Tennessee Democrats: Tennessee Democrats express shock over Biden's withdrawal, thank him for service to U.S. "After winning the popular vote he accepted the outcome of a disputed presidential election for the sake of unity and trust in our institutions. That, to me, was amazing what you did, Al. I wont go into that, Biden said, prompting laughs from the crowd. Al, historys going to remember you for many reasons, among them will be your honesty, your integrity, and the legacy of your service." More: With Joe Biden dropping out, how will TN Democratic Party delegates pick a nominee? It's called the 'good conscience' clause This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Biden drops out: Al Gore calls decision selfless From the Free Press archive: The nightmare is not over, shootings show Editor's note: A week ago, the nation was stunned to watch an attempt to assassinate 2024 candidate and former President Donald Trump. Here is a look back at part of the Free Press' coverage of the attempt to assassinate sitting commander in chief, President Ronald Reagan. This article, in which the writer asks some of the same questions posed in the last week and in the aftermath of mass shootings across the country, published March 31, 1981. WASHINGTON We had thought, perhaps, that our long national nightmare was over. It had been 5 years since a shot had been fired at a president and nearly a dozen years from that agonizing era between 1963 and 1968 when John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy were slain. The politics of violence, hatred and confrontation somehow had seemed to be abating. The Vietnam War was now only an agonizing memory from which to make films. In much of the country, not everywhere, racial violence and the threat of violence had seemed to be a memory of the past. A smiling, pleasant president, a man of obvious goodwill and good humor had come to the White House, declaring as he did in his Inaugural address that we Americans "have every right to dream heroic dreams." The Detroit Free Press front page on March 31, 1981 the day after John Hinkley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. BUT WITH brutal suddenness Monday afternoon we learned that the nightmare is not over. We are not out of it. There is no promise of a era of peacefulness to nurse our national wounds. All the old, haunting questions are certain to be raised again. What is it in our society that breeds the madness of blind attempts at political assassination; men seeking to kill national leaders whom they do not even know? Is there a cause? Or better, is there a cure? Can a democratic society survive if men insist on resorting to violence, for whatever reason? How can good men and women be expected to enter public life if they cannot be safe? NEAL RUBIN IN 2024 The political fury factory keeps churning and we keep buying THERE WILL BE those inevitable questions that became so familiar in the 1960s. Who is the would-be killer, and why did he do it? Was the president properly protected? How did a gunman get so close that he was able to fire a half-dozen shots? Can any president be protected anymore? How did the machinery of the government where lines of authority in times of crisis have been a matter of concern, even in the last week respond under pressure? Why was the public misled by the White House staff in the first hour after the shooting, being told that President Reagan had not been hit? AND IT IS inevitable that the national dispute over handguns will once again be raised. Does the easy availability of guns contribute to our national anguish? In a way, these will be the easier questions. Some of them may even be answerable. Perhaps the most difficult question to answer is what we are coming to. It is a bleak prospect indeed if we are destined all our lives to witness these periodic televised scenes of horror, with screaming ambulances and police cars. Some historians have said we are a nation bred to violence, with a tradition of violence. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated only a few miles from where Ronald Reagan was shot. But it also is true that we have seen more attempts to kill presidents in our times than this nation had seen for generations. President Reagan opened his inaugural address a little more than two months ago with the observation that "the orderly transfer of authority" in America, that "we accept as normal, is nothing less than a miracle" to many in the world. "Few of us stop to think," he said, "how unique we really are." But there is nothing orderly about an attempted murder. This has become a recurring national nightmare, and it will be a great challenge to the American people to see if they can learn how to make it go away. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Coverage of attempt to assassinate President Ronald Reagan Ukrainian troops on the front line lack key supplies, particularly ammunition and drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 21. Ammunition shortages have long been an ongoing issue in Ukraine, particularly in the first half of 2024. Over the winter months, Ukraine's Armed Forces suffered a critical shortage of artillery shells, in large part due to delays in U.S. military aid. "What exactly is lacking ... Distribution of ammunition and a sufficient number of drones, above all," Zelensky said. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi visited front-line brigades and reported on the lack of military provisions, Zelensky said. The report comes days after the Defense Ministry announced on July 16 that it would return "a significant amount" of ammunition previously designated as expired to the front lines. "It is very important to ensure that in all key directions, we have the means to inflict maximum losses on the enemy," Zelensky said. Zelensky also commented on the recent arrival of a German Patriot air defense system. "I would like to thank Germany and the United States for this step. We will be able to do more in the skies," he said. Germany's Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Jaeger, said on July 5 that the Patriot system had arrived in Kyiv. Berlin pledged in April to donate a third Patriot to Ukraine, after Russia intensified its aerial attacks on critical energy infrastructure. Read also: F-16s are on their way to Ukraine heres how they can help fight Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. GA man charged with cruelty to children in domestic violence shooting A man is facing charges after police say he shot a woman in a small Georgia town. On Monday, July 15, police responded to MLK Court in Byron, Georgia to reports of a shooting. Officers found a woman with a gunshot wound to her hand. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Their investigation determined that she was shot during what they called a domestic violence incident. The suspect, Tellis Fudge Jr., 23, turned himself in at the Dooly County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday, July 16. Fudge is being held at the Peach County Jail. He is charged with aggravated assault and cruelty to children. If anyone has more information on this case, Byron police ask you to call them at 478-956-2880. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would not seek reelection and will stand down from the 2024 presidential race. Just a few minutes later, the president endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Now, Georgia leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are reacting to the much-debated announcement. Senator Jon Ossoff called President Biden extraordinary and historic. He also passed along his support to Vice President Harris as the right candidate to defeat Donald Trump. Pres. Bidens record and decades of service to the country are extraordinary and historic. Thank you, @POTUS. Vice President Harris is now absolutely the right candidate to defeat Donald Trump and unite our country. @KamalaHarris is prepared, ready to win, & has my full support. Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) July 21, 2024 Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement calling the president an extraordinary American, friend and leader. President Biden is an extraordinary American who has dedicated his entire life to working people. His incredible record on jobs, the economy, climate, reproductive rights, and his leadership on the world stage make him one of the most consequential leaders in history. Andre Dickens (@andreforatlanta) July 21, 2024 Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party Josh McKoon posted on X that if the president does not feel he is fit to run, he should not finish out his term as president. He must resign from office immediately. If he is not fit to run, he is not fit to serve. https://t.co/2nhAXrQ3aR Josh McKoon (@JoshMcKoon) July 21, 2024 U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, described Democrats calling for the president to step down a soft civil war. Theres a soft civil war happening in the deep state and the elites in power. The Democrats, the IC, and their activists in the media have been lying to us saying theres nothing wrong with Biden for years. Next, they start a coup against him demanding he drop out of the race Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) July 21, 2024 RELATED STORIES: Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia and U.S. Representative Nikema Williams issued a statement thanking Biden for his decades of public service and investments she says has created 30,000 new jobs in Georgia. We thank President Joe Biden for his decades of public service. For the past three and a half years, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have led our countrys recovery from a global pandemic and made investments that have already created 30,000 new jobs in Georgia. President Biden said Georgia made him president, and hes right. There is more work to be done. Our eyes are on the prize. We must defeat the twice-impeached, failed, 34-time convicted felon Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We stand firmly behind Vice President Harris to make it happen. Congresswoman Nikema Williams U.S. Representative Hank Johnson says he has been steadfastly loyal to President Biden and threw his support to Harris. I thank President Biden for his leadership and service to our nation. https://t.co/G5HdbhVsds pic.twitter.com/lwzPhXuBmY Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) July 21, 2024 Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has been working on Pres. Bidens campaign, saying she is filled with a profound sense of sadness and admiration for the man who has served our nation with unwavering dedication and grace. Thank you @POTUS for all you have done for America. History will judge you as one of our greatest Presidents. My statement is below: I have had the distinct honor and privilege of knowing President Joe Biden, not just as a remarkable leader, but as a dear friend and mentor. pic.twitter.com/UKOzFp4qb4 Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) July 21, 2024 Dr. Bernice King, daughter of civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King Jr., says that now is the time for sincere prayer and strategic action. Former two-time Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams posted saying that Democrats must unite around whoever becomes the presidential nominee. Throughout his career, Joe Biden has shown resilience and a deep belief in the power of unity and democracy. His steadfast stewardship will continue to inspire us as we move forward to build a better America. Now, more than ever, we must not only unite to ensure that Donald Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) July 21, 2024 The Cobb County Democratic Party also released a statement on Sunday afternoon. Good afternoon, I am sorry to see that President Joe Biden has ended his campaign for the 2024 presidential election. While some have been calling on the president to step down since the June debate, we remained proud supporters of President Biden while he weighed this consequential decision. His 50 years of public service is a testament to his love for our country and our democracy. I do not believe he made this decision lightly, but instead that this decision is what he thinks is best for our country. President Biden has always put his country first. But dont confuse best for easiest. Nothing about this election year promised to be easy, and we still have a long way to go. There are 106 days until the November election, but if there is one thing we know about American politics it's that a lot can still happen. Regardless of who the Democratic nominee is, the threat to our country and democracy remains the same. That threat is convicted felon Donald Trump and his plans to take away American freedoms. Project 2025 is currently underway and will be fully implemented from the first day if Trump is elected. We are going to work nonstop to make sure that does not happen. This is still a battle between a Democracy and a Dictatorship, and the Cobb County Democratic Committee is going to need all hands-on deck. The Cobb County Democratic Committee stands committed to preserving our democracy from the ground up. We will continue to promote our local candidates and tirelessly get out the vote to ensure Cobb County Democratic voters show up at the ballot box in record numbers in November. Together, we can deny the convicted felon, Donald Trump a second presidency and elect Democrats up and down the Georgia ballot. We are so grateful to President Biden for his support of Cobb County and Georgia Democrats and his work to fix what Trump broke. In his four years in office Biden has overcome hyper-partisanship to pass legislation on infrastructure, climate change, health care, gun control, semiconductor industry, and much more. Our work is unceasing; it simply goes on! Please visit www.CobbDemocrats.org to sign up to volunteer today! Many thanks for your continued support and remember to PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY! Essence Johnson, Chair, Cobb County Democratic Committee [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN RELATED NEWS: Pollo Campero a fried chicken restaurant chain that began in Guatemala more than 100 years and six generations ago now has about 400 restaurants in more than a dozen countries. And by the end of this year, plans will be solidified for its move to Nebraska, its 20th U.S. state. "We're growing quickly," says Blas Escarcega, vice president of the restaurant chain's franchise development. Escarcega said the hope is for three locations Lincoln, Gretna and Crete to be finalized by December. The Dallas-based restaurant group is screening a group of potential franchisees. Those cities, he said, with their Central American pockets, know the product and more importantly like it. "It's flavorful and that resonates very well with people from all over the world," Escarcega said. "It's a unique flavor. That's what really sets it apart." Once the ownership issues have been solved, he said they will begin seeking out real estate in the three cities. In Lincoln, the ideal destination is south of Nebraska Parkway. In Gretna, the hope is to build near the Nebraska Crossing outlet mall. The ideal situation would be to have one franchisee own all three restaurants, Escarcege said. He was in Nebraska last month, meeting with potential franchisees and scouting locations. "Nebraska is very important for us because we believe that there's a great opportunity to bring the brand to the Midwest," Escarcega said. "We know it because of people traveling to buy our product." Escarcega said there are reports of people driving from Omaha to Minneapolis to buy Pollo Campero's signature chicken. "It's really a flavorful fried chicken, and it has become very famous in Central America. People go to Central America and they bring back boxes of chicken because they love it so much back. They bring it back to the family members. "We knew that there was a big following in Central America. But we also realized that in the U.S. that these people who have migrated over the last 40 years have the same passion for the brand." That nostalgic taste from home prompted the need for the chain to expand into America. Never could Juan Bautista Gutierrez have fathomed his chicken's popularity or such an expansion in the 1920s when he opened a restaurant in San Cristobal Totonicapan, a Guatemalan town that today is home to about 36,000 people. In the 1970s, his son Dionisio Gutierrez Sr. introduced the fried chicken business, and in 1971, he and his son Dionisio opened the first Pollo Campero restaurant. In 2002, it opened its first U.S. restaurant in Los Angeles. "We realized the brand potential when we had hundreds of people in line who would wait eight hours to buy our chicken," Escarcega said. "It really took off from that point." Top Journal Star photos for July 2024 GEORGIA (WRBL) On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. This is what Georgia officials across the state have to say on the withdrawal. President Biden has done a tremendous job. He is probably the most productive president we have had since LBJ. And I felt like he earned the 14 million votes to get the nomination. And it was his decision whether or not he stepped back. I believe that hes a patriotic individual unlike the gentleman on the other side. I think that hes making decisions that he believes are in the best interest of the American people. U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop/D-Albany I am disappointed that President Joe Biden has ended his campaign to seek re-election to the highest office in the land the U.S. presidency. Having talked with him on Tuesday, I was encouraged he would continue. I accept and trust his decision, as he thinks its in the best interest of our nation. Calvin Smyre/Former Dean Georgia House Columbus resident Dominick Perkins was a political director in the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign. He admits Sunday was a tough day. It was a kind of mix of emotions. My first thought was when I started working for the campaign in 2020 the reason why I did it is I fully trusted the presidents decision making . So, my first thought went back to that. So, my first thought went back to that. That I trusted his decision making then and I trust his decision making now. 2020 Biden-Harris Georgia political director Dominick Perkins Bishop and Smyre were quick to say that Vice President Harris should now be at the top of the ticket. Both men will be delegates to the Democratic National Convention next month in Chicago. I believe at this point in time, she has been in the second chair for the last four years, said Bishop. Shes imminently qualified to be president. I am delighted hes endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as our nominee, said Smyre. And I am honored to join him and endorse her as our nominee. I look forward to supporting her for our future depends on it. Bishop had one last sentiment on Bidens withdrawal. I was the student body president at Morehouse College when Dr. King was assassinated. Two days after having met Robert Kennedy at the Atlanta airport, he was assassinated. I was following the Democratic Convention and the election very closely in 1968 when President Johnson decided not to run because of the uproar over the Vietnam War. So, I have seen it before and history is repetitive. Below are some other statements from Georgia officials: Pres. Bidens record and decades of service to the country are extraordinary and historic. Thank you, @POTUS. Vice President Harris is now absolutely the right candidate to defeat Donald Trump and unite our country. @KamalaHarris is prepared, ready to win, & has my full support. Sen. Jon Ossoff President Biden is an extraordinary American who has dedicated his entire life to working people. His incredible record on jobs, the economy, climate, reproductive rights, and his leadership on the world stage make him one of the most consequential leaders in history. Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens Now this [is the] time to move on and rally around @KamalaHarris. I was the first elected official in Georgia to endorse her in 2020 and once again I will work tirelessly to get her elected in November. #gapol Former member of the Georgia House of Representatives Erick Allen WRBL will update this article as more statements are received. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As Georgia presses on with 'Russia-style' laws, its citizens describe a country on the brink FILE A demonstrator gestures trying to stop riot police during an opposition protest against "the Russian law" near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Thousands of people rallied in Georgia for weeks against the foreign influence bill. Critics compared it to similar legislation Russia uses to stifle dissent, and they worried it would jeopardize Georgia's prospects of joining the European Union. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze, File) Eka Gigauri is used to harsh words from officials about the anti-corruption work she does in Georgia. But seeing her face on posters, accusing her of being an agent of foreign influence, a traitor and a spy, rattled her. Gigauri, who leads one of Georgias main anti-corruption campaign groups, says she and many others have been targeted in connection with a new law, pushed through parliament by the government. The foreign influence law requires media, civil society groups and nonprofit organizations to register as pursuing the interests of a foreign power if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. It also subjects them to intense state scrutiny and imposes steep fines for noncompliance. The government argues the law is needed to curb harmful foreign actors trying to destabilize the South Caucasus nation of 3.7 million. Many journalists and activists say its true goal is to stigmatize them and restrict debate before an election scheduled for October. It could also threaten Georgias bid to join the European Union. ___ This story, supported by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, is part of an ongoing Associated Press series covering threats to democracy in Europe. ___ The law resembles similar legislation in Russia, where it has been used to crack down on opposition supporters, independent media and human rights activists. Georgian Dream, the country's ruling party, got the legislation through on its second attempt. In 2012, after years of turbulence, Georgian Dream came to power. The party was set up by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia and served briefly as Georgias prime minister. He has stayed out of public view since 2013. Georgian Dream promised to restore civil rights and reset relations with Moscow. It also vowed to pursue EU membership and ties with the U.S., reassuring those Georgians who looked to the West to protect them from their overbearing northern neighbor. In August 2008, Russia fought a brief war with Georgia, which had made a botched attempt to regain control over the breakaway province of South Ossetia. Moscow then recognized the independence of South Ossetia and another breakaway Georgian province, Abkhazia, and set up military bases there. In 2022, after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Georgia formally applied to join the EU. Support for EU membership was already high, but after the invasion, polls showed about 74% of Georgians were in favor. Many in Georgia, with its long history of domination by Moscow, supported Ukraine as it battled the Russian invasion. But the Georgian government abstained from joining sanctions against Russia, barred dozens of Kremlin critics from entering the country, and accused the West of trying to drag Tbilisi into open conflict with Moscow. Almost exactly a year later, Georgian Dream first put the foreign influence bill before parliament. Weeks of demonstrations followed, where police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. The EU made clear that the bill, if passed, would damage Georgias membership prospects. In March 2023, the draft legislation was withdrawn. In December, the EU offered Georgia official candidate status, despite concerns about the rule of law. In April 2024, Georgian Dream brought the bill back to parliament and the protesters returned to the streets. Georgias pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili used her veto, but parliament overrode her with a simple majority, and the bill became law. Rights advocates cast the law as an existential threat. By labeling independent groups and media as serving foreign interests, they (Georgias leadership) intend to marginalize and stifle critical voices in the country that are fundamental for any functioning democracy, said Hugh Williamson from the advocacy group Human Rights Watch. The day after the bill was enacted, Georgian Dream introduced proposals to ban media depictions of same-sex relations and any public gatherings endorsing them. Tamar Jakeli, the head of prominent LGBTQ+ rights group Tbilisi Pride, argues that both initiatives are part of a broader strategy by the ruling party to divide society. The West, the opposition, LGBT people, and civil society we are all, together, demonized as spreading LGBT propaganda, trying to impose a Western lifestyle, erase Georgian traditions, said Jakeli, who has moved homes because of safety reasons and carries pepper spray when out. Like the foreign influence bill, the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ provisions mirror Russian legislation. Rumors have swirled for months that Georgian Dream may be acting in coordination with the Kremlin something the party vehemently denies. The evidence for Russia being the power behind Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream is, at this stage, circumstantial. But it is nevertheless compelling, James Nixey, Russia and Eurasia director at the London-based think tank Chatham House, wrote in an analysis in May. Georgias pro-government media sound a steady drumbeat of fear, warning of the Wests supposed attempts to destabilize Tbilisi and stoke conflict with Moscow. In a speech on April 29 that baffled Tbilisis EU partners, Ivanishvili charged that a global party of war is secretly channeling funds into Georgia through nonprofits, to topple the government and turn Georgians into cannon fodder in a war with Russia. Maka Bochorishvili, a Georgian Dream lawmaker who heads the parliamentary EU integration committee, told The Associated Press that the foreign influence law aims to ensure transparency. She argued, without providing evidence, that some nonprofits back nonconstitutional ways of change of government in Georgia, and that as the election looms, some have started to resemble political parties. Most organizations targeted by the new law arent prominent or influential. Major groups like Gigauris Transparency International will face the same level of scrutiny as small news outlets. None of the journalists and campaigners who spoke to the AP said their organizations would voluntarily join the foreign influence register. Gigauri called the decision a matter of dignity. First of all, we are citizens and patriots of this country, she said. But the law means officials can register their publications and organizations anyway. It also allows Georgias justice ministry to conduct detailed audits, potentially seizing laptops and other equipment for months at a time. Nino Bakradze, whose investigative publication iFact.ge has for years tracked secretive offshore companies, corruption and the impact on Georgians of major foreign investment projects, says this would essentially halt their operations. Seizing the equipment also means authorities could access sensitive data on the organizations staff, sources, whistleblowers and those who approach them for assistance. In a country where far-right groups still attack Pride marches, this is especially worrying for LGBTQ+ rights groups like Jakelis, many of which have received foreign grants. Tbilisis modernization in recent decades, and its increasingly active citizenry, appeared to signal that democracy can succeed in post-Soviet states, threatening the Kremlin and other regional autocrats. In October, Georgia faces its next big test: a parliamentary election. Zaza Bibilashvili, an analyst with the Chavchavadze Center, a civil society group, said there was little hope for a meaningful vote if the foreign influence law is applied. Like others, he described an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Opposition figures have suffered extensive injuries they blame on beatings from police or pro-government thugs. Gia Japaridze, a university lecturer and brother of a top opposition politician, told the AP that his assailants freely admitted he had been targeted because of his criticism of the foreign influence law. Right now, we still have a civil society thats trying to survive. In October, well probably have none of that. People will have been arrested (or) expelled, Bibilashvili argued. In Tbilisi, the protests against the foreign influence law have grown less frequent as campaigners shift their attention to the upcoming election. But many still draw comfort from the spirit of the rallies that drew Georgians of all ages and backgrounds. Ive never seen Georgian society so united, said Giorgi Kikonishvili, an LGBTQ+ activist and club promoter in Tbilisi. Right now, things are devastating, but at the same time, its a very beautiful thing to watch, he said. The Pride flag was designed in 2017 by non-binary graphic designer Daniel Quasar. Patrick Pleul/dpa Over 1 million people are expected to attend Pride in the German city of Cologne on Sunday. Around 250 groups with approximately 60,000 participants and 90 floats plan to parade through the city centre during the event. Police have said they will be deploying several hundred officers to protect the gathering. This year the community aims not only to celebrate but also to draw attention to their issues under the the motto: "For human rights. Many. Together. Strong." Before the start of the parade on the city's central Deutzer Bridge, Bundestag President Barbel Bas, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth are scheduled to give speeches. Pride commemorates events in 1969 in New York when police officers raided the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, triggering several days of rioting by gay, lesbian and transgender people. For that reason in Germany it is called Christopher Street Day. The Cologne event is one of the largest annual events for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community in Europe. In Germany, only Berlin Pride is similar in size. People and police clash during a protest against the government's job quota system. Rubel Karmaker/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The Foreign Office in Berlin is currently advising Germans against travel to Bangladesh. "There is a curfew in place following violent clashes, and internet and mobile services are blocked," the office's crisis response centre stated on the social media platform X on Sunday. The travel and safety advisories of the German Foreign Office indicate that further restrictions and deteriorations in the situation in Bangladesh are to be expected. "More than 100 people have already died during the demonstrations and protests," it reported. The office advises following the current curfew and staying in a safe place. Those in Bangladesh should register with the office's crisis preparedness list, it said. The curfew has been in effect since midnight on Friday. The army is stationed throughout the country. Protests at universities across the country began in early July after a court ordered the reintroduction of an old quota system, which had been abolished in 2018 following massive student protests. Many young people feel disadvantaged by the old regulation, which stipulates that more than half of the civil service positions are reserved for specific groups. On Sunday, the Supreme Court issued a compromise: It decided to significantly weaken the planned reintroduction of the quota system, according to broadcaster BBC Bangla. It remained unclear whether the students are satisfied with this. Police prevent students from entering the campus from the main gate of Sylhet Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Md Rafayat Haque Khan/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz speaks during the election campaign launch of the CDU Saxony and Thuringia. Jan Woitas/dpa German politicians are honouring US President Joe Biden's service to his country as they absorb the news that he has withdrawn from the race for another term in the White House. "Joe Biden has served the American people for more than five decades. His decision today deserves the utmost respect," Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's opposition conservatives, wrote on X. Ricarda Lang, co-leader of the Green party that is part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government, said: "Joe Biden has served his country impressively as president. And he is doing the same with this step. My greatest respect!" Ralf Stegner, who is member of the Bundestag for the centre-left Social Democrats and considered a foreign policy expert for the party, struck a similar tone. "US President Joe Biden was a stroke of luck for Germany and Europe. It is hard to imagine what these times of crisis would have been like with a president Donald Trump. His withdrawal deserves respect - even if there was probably no alternative to this step," he wrote on X. Ricarda Lang, Federal Chairwoman of Alliance 90/The Greens (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen), speaks in the Bundestag. Lucas Rohr/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a press conference with Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara after their meeting. Britta Pedersen/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has backed the stationing of long-distance missiles in Germany to deter Russian aggression amid a debate within the country's three-party coalition over plans to deploy nuclear-capable US weapons. Speaking to the Sunday editions of Funke Media Group newspapers, Baerbock said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "constantly expanded the arsenal with which he threatens our freedom in Europe." "We have to defend ourselves and our Baltic partners against this, by means of increased deterrence and additional long-range weapons," the minister, a member of the Greens, said. Rolf Mutzenich, the parliamentary head of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), had earlier spoken of the risks posed by these weapons, given their "extremely short warning time." "The risk of an unintended military escalation is significant," he said. Mutzenich acknowledged the need to improve defence capabilities, but said NATO is already equipped with comprehensive graduated deterrence capabilities. He questioned why the Tomahawks should be stationed in Germany alone. The White House and the German government announced during the July 9-11 NATO summit in Washington that the United States would again deploy missile systems that could reach Russia. These include nuclear-capable Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 2,500 kilometres, SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles and newly developed hypersonic missiles. Baerbock said that Russia under Putin had withdrawn from disarmament agreements. "He aims to frighten us, put us under pressure and divide our societies," she told the newspapers. While Germany wished for a different sort of relationship with Russia, Putin's Russia was the greatest security threat to Germany and peace in Europe, Baerbock said. Ukrainians were bravely defending that peace every day, she added. Who gets President Biden's delegates? How many does Delaware have Joe Biden and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, stop by Gianni's Pizza in Trolley Square in Wilmington in 2019.. President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the race for the presidency has left the race for the Democratic nomination in a confusing state. Here's a look at what happens to Delaware's Democratic delegates. How many delegates does Delaware have? Delaware has 19 Democratic delegates. Live updates: Delaware's delegation weighs in after Biden drops out of presidential race Who are Delaware's delegates pledged to? Delaware did not hold a Democratic presidential primary. According to state code, if only one candidate files for a party's nomination by the deadline, the candidate is declared the winner. Biden was running unopposed in Delaware so all 19 delegates were awarded to him. President Biden's Letter: Read President Joe Biden's full letter to America annoucing he will not seek reelection What happens to the delegates? Since Biden dropped out, the 3,900 delegates already pledged would regroup at the convention and cast their first ballot for a new candidate. The new candidate needs the majority of the delegates. If the vote doesn't produce a clear winner with a majority of delegates, then the additional 700 superdelegates will also vote, and continue to vote until there is a winner. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Who gets President Biden Delaware delegates? Long queues of passengers form at the check-in counters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, amid a global IT disruption caused by a Microsoft outage and a Crowdstrike IT problem, on July 19, 2024 in Manila, Philippines. A significant Microsoft outage impacted users globally, leading to widespread disruptions, including cancelled flights and disruptions at retailers globally. Airlines like American Airlines and Southwest Airlines reported difficulties with their systems, which rely on Microsoft services for operations. The outage affected check-in processes and other essential functions, causing frustration among travellers and lines to back up at many affected airports worldwide. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) Air travel, banking, media and hospital systems were just some of the industries affected by a bug in a software update that scrambled business operations for many globally on Friday. Many of those who use Microsoft Windows are likely experiencing a blue screen of death or an error page. The issue is due to a single bug in a software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which provides antivirus software for Microsoft users. The company pushed out an update to the software overnight, and at 1:30 a.m. EST, CrowdStrike said its Falcon Sensor software was causing Microsoft Windows to crash and display a blue screen, Reuters reported. CrowdStrike President and CEO George Kurtz released a statement early Friday morning on X, saying that the incident was not a security concern or a cyberattack. He added that the issue has been identified and that the company has been deploying a fix. We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website, Kurtz said. The bug was causing major delays and cancellations at airports across the globe. Flight tracking data site FlightAware noted nearly 24,000 delays and 2,300 cancellations globally by 9:30 a.m. Friday. While some airlines have been able to resume operation of their digital systems, others are finding analogue solutions in the meantime. The U.S. Department of Transportation said it was monitoring the situation and suggested those experiencing travel delays and cancellations to use its FlightRights.gov website to help navigate their delays in travel. Some states 911 and non-emergency lines were experiencing issues, including Alaska, Virginia and New Jersey. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released a statement early Friday morning saying that the state had activated its State Emergency Operations Center in response to the disruptions and has provided guidance to other agencies about how to work through the situation. We are also engaging county and local governments, 911 call centers, and utilities to assess the impact and offer our assistance., he said. Microsoft released a trouble shooting guide on X early Friday morning. By 10 a.m. Friday, some global companies were seeing relief in their outages. Downdetector, which tracks real-time outages, showed companies like Visa, Zoom, UPS and Southwest Airlines gaining more normal operations than they were experiencing in the early morning hours. Speaking to the hosts of Today this morning, Kurtz said he was deeply sorry for the impact weve caused to customers, to travelers, to anyone affected. He said some customers have been able to reboot and are seeing progress getting online, and that trend will likely continue throughout the day. Effects from the global IT outage Friday continued to be felt throughout the day, especially by government systems and transportation hubs. Courts in Massachusetts and New York experienced disrupted service, as court transcription recording systems were not operational in some Massachusetts courthouses, the Associated Press reported. The Texas Department of Public Safety, which runs its drivers license offices, also closed their offices for the day, with no current estimate on when they will reopen. Around 4 p.m. EST, Kurtz released more statements on X, reiterating that the outage was not a security breach. We understand the gravity of the situation and are deeply sorry for the inconvenience and disruption, he said. We are working with all impacted customers to ensure that systems are back up and they can deliver the services their customers are counting on. Kurtz said the company is working on a technical update and root cause analysis that they will share with customers, and shared a letter that was sent to customers and partners. We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events like this. I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that youre engaging with official CrowdStrike representatives. Our blog and technical support will continue to be the official channels for the latest updates, it said. Nothing is more important to me than the trust and confidence that our customers and partners have put into CrowdStrike. As we resolve this incident, you have my commitment to provide full transparency on how this occurred and steps were taking to prevent anything like this from happening again, it continued. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The News US President Joe Bidens announcement Sunday that he will not run for reelection was met with praise and gratitude from leaders in Europe and Israel, many of whom celebrated Bidens efforts to reinvigorate NATO and support Ukraine. The almost celebratory reactions to Bidens decision to step down may also reflect doubts about his electability, and fears about a future Trump presidency for the world. The View From Europe Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said he respects Bidens decision to put the country ahead of himself, praised his leadership of NATO, and said he looks forward to working with Biden until the next president is inaugurated in January. Huge thank you to [Biden] for being a great friend to Ukraine, the Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun said. Europeans should always remain grateful for what Joe Biden has done with and for Europe, ex-German ambassador to the US, Wolfgang Ischinger, said on X. The former British MP Rory Stewart said Biden had made a great decision. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a letter to Biden shared on Monday that he admired the presidents courage for his decision, and hailed his work to bolster NATO and US alliances despite multiple geopolitical crises around the world. Andrei Kozyrev, a former Russian Foreign Minister turned a loud critic of Putins authoritarian regime, applauded Bidens decision, saying simply: Democracy works. The loud support could have been a sigh of relief, as many European officials quietly believed that he would not be re-elected in November, potentially opening the door for a Trump White House that would be much less interested in working with Europe or funding for Ukraine. We all want Biden to have a second term to avoid dealing with Trump again, but this isnt really reassuring, one EU official told Politico about Bidens catastrophic debate performance in June. Many European officials had quietly accepted the growing likelihood of a Trump victory, launching a concerted reach out campaign to Trumps advisors to try to convince them of the importance of continued support for Ukraine and NATO. The View From The UK UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer posted on X that he respected the decision, and he hoped to keep working with Biden through his presidency. I respect President Bidens decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people. The View From Israel Even as tensions have grown between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, many Israeli politicians thanked the president for his support for Israel. President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for Israel throughout his career. As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples, Herzog wrote on X. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett said Biden is a true friend of Israel who stood by us in our most difficult moments. Thank you for everything. The View From Brazil Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had utmost respect for Biden, calling his decision to withdraw a personal one, Reuters reported on Monday. Lula also underscored that Brazils relationship with the US should not be dependent on who wins in November. Whether its a Democratic candidate or Trump, our relationship will be a civilized relationship between two important countries that have a centuries-old diplomatic relationship that we want to maintain, he said. The View From Russia A spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs took a different tone in reacting to the announcement while on TV in the country, saying it wasnt clear Biden was acting voluntarily. The decision that was made, look at what the so-called American democracy brought us to: after all, you and I cant even say whether it was made by Biden or if it was made for Biden. Now the whole world is working with the document that was published on his behalf, but, you will agree, it was not an oral statement, it was not a voice statement, it was not a statement made in the presence of journalists, the spokesperson said on Solovylov LIVE. Voters, some hearing for the first time, discuss Biden stepping down, Harris stepping up Outside Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon, where Republicans last week promoted a message of unity and coalesced around former President Donald Trump, two young voters took stock of the news that President Joe Biden was dropping out and upending the presidential race. Lucian Tash, 19, from South Carolina, and Wynn Grame, 22, from Milwaukee prefer Biden over Trump. They like Biden's policies on lowering student loan debt. But they said his debate performance last month was hard to watch. Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden has endorsed, "is the most well-known Democratic figure, so it makes sense to go with her. I don't think she's the strongest candidate," Tash said. "I think other Democrats would probably perform better if they were more well-known." Grame said he likes Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, but "a lot of the candidates (they) would put forward, I do not really know who they are. At this point, it would be late to build an entire candidacy." "Personally, I think Kamala is a safe bet, probably just stick with her," Tash said. "But it's going to be a tough race." Harris planned to visit Milwaukee on Tuesday, though what would be her first stop since Biden's exit and in a crucial swing state to boot was news to Tash and Grame. More: Biden withdrawal puts Kamala Harris' planned Tuesday visit to Milwaukee center stage A few blocks away, outside Mader's Restaurant, Penny Webb from Kentucky learned the news for the first time. She had been on an airplane to attend the Green Bay Packers shareholders' meeting Monday at Lambeau Field. "Biden dropping out was a smart thing and his counsel advised him well, because he can't even call his vice president by her name," said Webb, who tends to vote Republican. "I'm interested to see who the Democratic candidate is going to be ... whoever the candidate they choose will be a big indication of how this race may go." Others said that even at this late date, it gave them an option that was less depressing. Josephine Selvik said Joe Biden's decision to leave the race offered "a bit of relief" from a pessimistic election season. The presidential race in the fall isnt going to be like two really old white men that I don't really feel represented by either of them, said Josephine Selvik, 23, who lives in the downtown Milwaukee area. So it kind of opens up a chance to maybe feel more seen in government. She said the uncertainty following Bidens decision at least offered a bit of relief and a chance to see some promise in what has been a pessimistic election season. Voters in Madison support Harris, but float alternative candidates In Madison, the state's other large Democratic hub, voters along the streets surrounding the state Capitol were shocked about the news but said they would throw their support behind Harris. Are you serious? said Elizabeth Manger, 52, of Milwaukee. Im flabbergasted right now. A delegate to next month's Democratic National Convention, Gerald Sternberg, said Bidens decision to step down was the ultimate act of patriotism and graciousness and will build on his legacy. Hes ready to put his support behind Harris and anticipates other delegates will follow suit. She's a prosecutor, he's a criminal. She speaks beautifully on reproductive rights for women. She's going to bring people of color, women, men, all Democrats and many independents and even some Republican women in support of our campaign, Sternberg said. Not everyone was thrilled with the situation. Kyle Konop, 43, of Madison, said the news was a giant "eye roll" to him. The press has been bored to tears with this rerun election, and they want their shiny chaos convention, and I really, really hope they don't get it. Though he plans to support Harris, he said people forget about the backing Biden had among Black voters and among older voters, two groups he said Democrats are absolutely great at taking for granted at every turn. Kyle Konop, left, of Madison and Elizabeth Manger of Milwaukee, shown in Madison on Sunday, both said they would throw their support to Vice President Kamala Harris for president now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race. Lary Sheffert, a Michigan voter in Madison for the weekend, said its about time to replace Biden. Hes a registered Republican and would have voted for Nikki Haley if she was the Republican nominee, but voted for Clinton and Biden in 2016 and 2020, and plans to vote Democratic again in November. He thinks Harris can win, especially if Trump keeps hammering on the same idiotic rhetoric about Jan. 6 and election falsehoods. It's not my Republican Party anymore. They're a bunch of clowns now, like a bunch of lemmings falling behind Trump. More: Joe Biden came to Madison, Wisconsin, to shore up his presidential campaign. Here's what voters had to say. Asked about Harris VP pick, people threw out names such as Whitmer, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and former first lady Michelle Obama. Probably somebody white male and southern or Midwestern, Konop said. Politically she (Harris) is probably way too Black and female to get away with having anything but a white male down ticket. Voters in Milwaukee are split on Harris Back in Milwaukee, Karol Aguilar and Felix Ruckstuhl, who were sharing a big soft pretzel at the War Memorial beer garden on Sunday afternoon, held different opinions on Harris' chances in November. Ruckstuhl said he is not excited about a Democratic ticket with Harris at the top, but he was not surprised at Biden stepping down. I think theres a lot of campaign money attached to (Harris), so they cant spend that war chest without her, he said. Aguilar, on the other hand, said she thinks Biden dropping out could draw more voters to the polls in November. While she's not sure Harris is ready to become president, she said she would be excited to vote for any Democratic candidate other than Biden. If the Democratic Party plays it correctly, if they have a solid candidate, they could get a lot of Republicans that dont feel tied with Trump," Aguilar said. Terry and Colleen Kline, a married couple from Oak Creek, also are unsure about Harris. I think when someone makes a decision to run, its hard to change your mind, Colleen said about Biden stepping down. I would hope that someone very qualified takes the spot. She said that no one comes to mind to replace Biden. Theres too many people Id be willing to listen to right now, Colleen said, meaning she couldn't decide just yet. I think one of the biggest problems in this race is people are very emotional and not listening to both sides. And I think whichever side youre on, you need to listen. Her husband said he hopes anyone but Harris replaces Biden. I think shes an airhead. I dont think shes professional and I dont think shes qualified to do the job, Terry said. Daniel Schmitt said he was not affiliated with either political party, but would rather vote for a potted plant than Donald Trump. Daniel Schmitt, a voter from West Allis, said he was not affiliated with either political party but would rather vote for a potted plant than Donald Trump. However, no one comes to mind when thinking about a Democratic replacement for Biden, he said. Anyone that is not a convicted sexual molester of women would be a good start. Someone who is not being indicted for business corruption, documentary corruption. Somebody who has a good sense on trade, he added. Michelle Au is a student at Marquette University. Michelle Au, a twenty-year-old Marquette student, said she is disappointed but not surprised Biden dropped out. I didnt like either candidate, but I would have rather voted for Biden, Au said. Au said the news Sunday brought feelings of anxiety. I definitely am really worried, especially for my rights, for womens rights, and Im a supporter of the LGBTQ community, so Im worried about that as well, Au said. Tommy Harry of Milwaukee doubted Kamala Harris would ultimately be the Democratic nominee. Tommy Harry, a 24-year-old from Milwaukee who identifies as an individualist, also is worried. He said he wasn't surprised Biden dropped out of the race. Many people dont see him as reliable due to his age, Harry said. But he wasn't convinced Harris was a lock going forward. Dropping out this far out is idiotic, he said. Clearly people dont want Harris to step in, so theyre going to choose a new candidate entirely. On Milwaukees East Side, voters had a variety of perspectives, and some frustration. Michael Sheeran, 71, a Milwaukee resident from the East Side, said he voted for Trump in 2020, but was put off by the former presidents convictions. He said he would definitely consider voting for Harris in the upcoming election if she was the nominee. Shes good, shes good she seems sharp, Sheeran said of Harris. Star Howard, a 21-year-old resident of Milwaukee, had not heard Biden was leaving the race. They said they would feel much more comfortable with Harris due to age concerns. Im curious to see if she'll be able to garner as much support and publicity, Howard said, adding its about time a Black and Asian American woman led a presidential ticket. Nadine Galloway, a senior from North Milwaukee, said Bidens decision to leave the race was unsurprising, but she was disappointed it came so late. Still she called it brave. Her real frustration was with the Democratic Party, which she said "sat back and did nothing for too long. Everyone was trying to kick him out, because, you know, hes embarrassed the Democratic Party or whatever, because hes too old, Galloway said. "You knew he was old when he ran." Harris could mobilize key groups of Democratic voters Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, feels confident Bidens decision to step down will mobilize significant segments of the party that were concerned about Bidens ability to serve as a strong messenger. Neumann-Ortiz said Voces constituency has been disenchanted the Democratic Party due to limited changes to immigration reform. Since the beginning of 2024, Neumann-Ortiz said, organizers have worked to remind people of the gains made under the Biden-Harris administration, such as protecting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), modifying the immigration process to allow for easier family reunification, and expanding Affordable Care Act coverage for DACA recipients. With Harris at the top of the ticket, the party has the opportunity to activate female voters, young people, and underrepresented and marginalized populations who are most concerned about issues like abortion and immigration, Neumann-Ortiz added. The stakes are high for this election," she said. "I think ultimately it is a good choice, but I think the threat of a Trump administration overshadows anything else. Other organizations that typically support Democrats also have been disenchanted. For months Janan Najeeb, a Listen to Wisconsin organizer and co-chair of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, advocated for Biden to drop out of the race over his administration's financial backing of the war in Gaza. Najeeb, along with more than 48,000 voters across Wisconsin, cast an uninstructed ballot in the April primary to indicate that dissatisfaction. The act of protest aligned with efforts in states like Michigan and Minnesota, where large cohorts of eligible voters cast their ballots as uncommitted. For someone that has become known as Genocide Joe, the possibilities of him winning were slim to none, Najeeb said. That was very distressing for many of us who definitely did not want to see a Trump presidency, because that would be horrific as well. With Bidens endorsement of Harris, Najeeb said there is a strong possibility that more voters will see themselves reflected in the Democratic ticket, but will still be awaiting policy initiatives to end the war. We are not naive to believe that just simply because someone says something that that's going to happen, she said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What Wisconsin voters think about Biden leaving, Harris as candidate FILE - People walk past the Fiserv Forum ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Milwaukee. The convention ended Friday, July 19, and was projected to bring in millions of economic impact dollars to Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) MILWAUKEE (AP) Downtown Milwaukee turned red last week as thousands of Republican National Convention delegates and other party stalwarts gathered in Wisconsin's largest Democratic stronghold to formally rally behind Donald Trump as their candidate for president in the pivotal swing state. Outside the security zone where the convention took place, residents grumbled, ignored or shrugged their way through the event that served to galvanize the GOP and give Trump momentum. Milwaukee's Democratic mayor, Cavalier Johnson, wasted no time in deeming the convention a success even though he will now turn his focus toward making sure Trump loses in November. We demonstrated our citys capacity to host a major and a massive event, Johnson said Thursday. Thats important to the tens of thousands of visitors, and its important to the future of our hospitality industry right here in Milwaukee. But tallying up the economic impact on Milwaukee will take months and complaints have been piling up, including over blocked streets and storefronts, disappointing restaurant bookings and the use of out-of-town officers to police the city. Residents also won't soon forget that Trump described Milwaukee as horrible during a closed-door meeting with congressional Republicans last month, though his defenders later suggested he was referring to crime or election concerns. I think there are a lot of people that are very upset by the horrible stigma that Trump assigned to the city, Jill McCurdy, a Democratic retiree, said Thursday as she strolled through Red Arrow Park, where hundreds protested days earlier. Certainly people who live here, especially those of use who have lived here all our lives, we dont see it that way. McCurdy, 68, said she hopes Republican visitors came away with a positive view of the city, which sits along Lake Michigan about an hour's drive north of Chicago, where the Democrats will hold their convention next month. But after talking to friends who own restaurants and were pretty disappointed by business during the convention, she said she isn't confident the city benefitted much from hosting the GOP's big event. Democrats must perform well in Milwaukee in order to counter Republican strengths in more rural parts of Wisconsin. Trump narrowly won the state in 2016 before losing it to President Joe Biden four years later by only about 21,000 votes. Wisconsin is one of only a few true swing states that could go either way this election and will determine who wins the White House. Four of the past six presidential elections in Wisconsin have been decided by less than a percentage point. As Tyler Schmitt, 28, and his partner Ken Ragan, 24, stretched in the long grass Wednesday at a park west of the convention site, they considered the pros and cons of Milwaukee hosting. Ragan said she could do without the traffic headaches. But Schmitt, an urban farmer, said he sees positives. From a small-business perspective, it brings good energy in the tourism and good press, he said. It's pretty much downtown, and I think downtown is appropriate. But the downtown location still put law enforcement, including visiting officers from across the country, on Milwaukee streets. On Tuesday, officers from Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed Samuel Sharpe, a man who had been living in a homeless encampment about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the convention site. Sharpe had a knife in each hand and moved toward another man, ignoring the commands of police officers before they shot him, authorities said. The shooting remains under investigation. Sharpes sister, Angelique Sharpe, blamed his death on the presence of out-of-state officers. Id rather have the Milwaukee Police Department, who know the people of this community, (than) people who have no ties to your community and dont care nothing about our extended family members down there, she said. At a rally after her brother was killed, Angelique Sharpe said her brother suffered from multiple sclerosis and was acting in self-defense against a person who had threatened him in recent days. Activists in the city also questioned whether the focus on the convention had minimized more pressing, systemic problems in Milwaukee. Hours before Trump took the convention stage Thursday night to deliver his speech to delegates, dozens of protesters held a rally a block from the convention site to call attention to the deaths of Sharpe and another Black man, DVontaye Mitchell, who died last month after he was pinned down by security guards at a nearby hotel. They come here and make money off our city. But when were hurt and we need them, theyre not there, said Karl Harris, Mitchell's cousin. ___ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer and Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, and Jake Offenhartz in Milwaukee contributed. Got plans in Seattle this weekend? Expect heavy delays traveling from Pierce County South Sound residents heading to Seattle this weekend be warned: There could be tons of traffic. Seattle-bound travelers driving north on Interstate 5 should give themselves ample time to get there, according to a post on X (Twitter) by the Washington State Department of Transportations account for traffic in King and Snohomish counties. Its also a good idea to consider taking public transit or alternate routes. Northbound I-5 along Boeing Field will be reduced to two lanes while road crews work on replacing old expansion joints, per the X post. We need good weather, and this weekend certainly qualifies, WSDOT Traffic added. The work is happening on a weekend when several big events hit the Emerald City, including the Sounders FC game at Lumen Field, Mariners games at T-Mobile Park and the Capitol Hill Block Party music fest. This weekends expansion joint-replacement work over Military Road is part of the departments Revive I-5 preservation project, according to a news release. It started the night of Friday, July 19 and will last until 5 a.m. Monday, July 22. Lots happening in Seattle this weekend; if you're heading into Seattle from the south plan ahead, allow plenty of time, consider transit. NB I-5 reduced to two lanes along Boeing Field so we can replace expansion joints. We need good weather, and this weekend certainly qualifies. pic.twitter.com/SLJbyapga9 WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) July 20, 2024 Gov. Kathy Hochul asks Biden for emergency declaration after severe weather devastates parts of NY Photos showing Gov. Hochul at a press conference and a building damaged by the recent storms. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has asked President Joe Biden to issue a federal Emergency Declaration after severe weather devastated portions of the state earlier this week. Hochuls letter to Biden notes the high winds and heavy rainfall that wrought havoc across 15 counties, including Genesee, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oswego, Oneida, Saratoga, Schuyler on both July 15 and 16. The governor also references the unprecedented 17 tornadoes thatve already formed in the state this month, marking the largest number of confirmed tornadoes for New York in July since record keeping began in 1950. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters about the severe storms across the state on July 17. Daniel DeLoach/Utica Observer-Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK New York Gov. Kathy Hochul surveys tornado damage in Rome, N.Y., on July 17. AP The letter was sent to the president on Saturday. Explaining shes already declared a statewide emergency, Hochul said federal assistance was needed to help clear debris from roadways and restore battered utilities. New York has seen an unprecedented 17 confirmed tornados so far this month more than Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Iowa combined, Hochul wrote on X. As we help communities recover from last weeks severe weather, Ive requested a federal Emergency Declaration to support our efforts. The letter asks that the $5 million limit imposed on federal assistance be waived, anticipating more will be needed. Hochul asked President Biden to issue a federal Emergency Declaration due to the tornados. Daniel DeLoach/Utica Observer-Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK While Bidens administration considers the request, the states Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services continues outreach to the impacted counties. If granted, the declaration would set aside moneys to address additional damage caused by storms on July 11 and July 12. NEW YORK Four members of a Brooklyn family including two little children were found stabbed to death in their Bensonhurst apartment, police said Saturday. A relative, believed to be the uncle of the two children, was in custody and being questioned for the grisly multiple murders, cops said. The suspect left his mother dead in a pool of blood in the living room, wrapped his slain sister-in-law in a sheet and stuffed the bodies of the two children in laundry bags in a closet before he fled, police said. The bloody scene was discovered by the suspects brother, the father of the two children, who returned home to the first-floor apartment in the six-story building on West 8th Street near Avenue P at about 10:15 p.m. Friday. As he reached the apartment door, he told police he encountered his sibling, scratched and covered in blood, in the building hallway. When he asked his brother where their mother was, the suspect mumbled something like Go find her, before he left the building, cops said. He went into the apartment and found his mother, 56-year-old Fayzieva Mavlyuda, dead from multiple stab wounds to the neck. The son called 911 to report his mothers death and also reported that he could not find his wife and two children, who should have been home. Responding police officers found his wife, 27-year-old Maftuna Khakimova, stabbed to death in a bedroom, wrapped in a sheet. The bodies of 5-year-old Kamila Shavkatova and her brother, 4-year-old Timur, were found in the closet of another bedroom, stuffed in laundry bags. All of the victims had been stabbed, police said. After the discovery, the man could be seen outside the building, sobbing as other relatives tried to comfort him, neighbors said. There was a lot of people, family members outside here last night. I recognized some of the family members, fifth-floor resident Jennifer Ponzi told the Daily News Saturday. The father was outside crying a lot. His whole world is destroyed, he lost his mother, his wife, and kids, she said. While cops were at the scene, the brother allegedly responsible for the stabbing spree returned home and was taken into custody. Criminal charges were pending. Investigators said they did not immediately find the murder weapon and believe the suspect may have ditched it after he left the home. Detectives think the killing was part of an ongoing domestic dispute, cops said. Residents said the building is home to many Uzbeki, Russian and Georgian families. Neighbors watching the father weeping outside and cops setting up the crime scene said they were rattled by the unhinged violence. After we got home, they put up yellow tape, resident Juan Perez said. We thought it was just maybe a passing of an elderly woman that we always saw out front, but then we got word of what it really was. You dont ever want to hear that, Perez, 35, said about the killing spree. No one deserves that. I have kids, and you dont want to hear that happen to kids. The violent crime marked the second time this month that cops were called to a grisly scene where someone fatally stabbed his relatives. On July 4, cops were forced to shoot and kill a 20-year-old Queens man who fatally stabbed his 8-year-old stepbrother. When cops arrived, the man had been holding a knife to his fathers neck, police said. The man later died of his wounds, according to police. Pass the Torch, a new grassroots group calling for Biden to step out of the 2024 presidential race, held a rally outside the White House on Saturday. Thank you, Joe; its time to go! the group chanted outside the gates. Organizers say approximately 100 people were in attendance. President Biden has faced intense pressure from members of his own party to forfeit the Democratic nomination since his disastrous debate performance at the end of June. As of Saturday, 35 Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step aside. In a statement issued before the rally, Pass the Torch explained their movement is grounded in concerns that Biden is unable to defeat former President Trump, characterizing November as an existential election. We need a presidential nominee who has the best chance to beat Trump, and an increasingly large majority of Democrats believe that President Biden is not that candidate and should step aside, wrote Aaron Regunberg, a steering committee member of the organization. Thats why were organizing something thats harder to ignorea demonstration in front of the White House. Biden has done an amazing job the past four years, Claudia Nachega, a 19-year-old attendee from Maryland told The Hill. I also think that with Bidens falling poll numbers, its definitely time to have a new Democratic nominee that we can be sure that will win in November. Thats why I showed up today to ask Joe Biden to pass the torch so that young people especially can rally behind a new candidate. Some, including the progressive wing of the Democratic party, have characterized those calling for the president to drop out as Democratic elites. I think its like, factually incorrect to say that, Emily OKeefe, a 22-year-old from Virginia who attended the rally said in response. This is a concern thats held by wide swaths of the Democratic Party, echoed Quentin Colon Roosevelt, a 20-year-old D.C. native who attended the rally. I think behind closed doors, there are plenty of members of Congress, progressives included, that want to see a new leader in the Oval Office. It was just, you know, a bunch of us everyday people who care and want to have the best chance of securing a future, OKeefe emphasized. President Biden is currently away in Delaware, where he is isolating as he recovers from COVID. In a statement issued Friday, the Biden campaign once again doubled down on a commitment to stay in the race until November. Donald Trumps dark vision for the future is not who we are as Americans. Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box, Biden said. The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will 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 The Hill. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) When people think of Great Lakes tragedies, several shipwrecks come to mind: the Edmund Fitzgerald, the Lady Elgin, maybe even The Nelson or the ships lost in the infamous November storm of 1913. But depending on the flexibility of your definitions, the deadliest incident on the Great Lakes didnt take place in the lakes at all, but rather on the Chicago River as a passenger boat named the SS Eastland prepared for a trip across Lake Michigan. And it wasnt the wind or the waves that brought the Eastland down. It was a mix of incompetence and greed. THE EASTLAND The Eastland was built by the Jenks Ship Building Company in Port Huron and was widely known as an outlier. Inside woodtv.com: Michigans World War II POW Camps It was the only passenger ship ever designed by the company, known for making cargo ships and tugs. Some post-design changes to increase its speed made the Eastland top-heavy. It was notoriously unstable while loading and unloading cargo. Commissioned in 1902, the Eastland already had several notable incidents before that fateful day on July 24, 1915 109 years ago Wednesday. Shortly after pulling out of South Haven in July of 1904, with approximately 3,000 passengers on board, the boat started to list. According to the Eastland Memorial Society, the boat leaned to the port side by 12 to 15 degrees. The water ballast was adjusted to try to correct the list, which then shifted to the starboard side at approximately 20 to 25 degrees, the vessel now taking on water through the aft starboard gangways. After relocating the passengers, whose concentration on the starboard side of the ship had likely contributed to the listing problem and shifting the ballast again by adding water to the port tanks, the list was soon corrected, a report states. This incident occurred in full view of South Haven and the public was alarmed. The Nelson: 125 years later, one of Lake Superiors darkest tales retold Afterward, pinning the blame on passengers concentrating to one side of the ship, the Eastlands capacity was reduced to 2,800. After another incident in 1906, with 2,530 passengers on board, the capacity was cut again. The S.S. Eastland sails in this 1914 file photo. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) The ship traded hands several times in the following years before being purchased by the St. Joseph-Chicago Steamship Company in 1914. A couple of key decisions made by the new owners, who were considered novices in the industry, contributed at least partly to the Eastlands demise. For one, instead of replacing rotten wooden planks on one of the decks, they covered it with 50 tons of concrete, adding more weight. Secondly, they needed to accommodate the newly passed Seamans Act of 1915. That maritime law, passed following the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, imposed tighter regulations that demanded the Eastland do one of two things: cut its passenger capacity or add more lifeboats. In an effort to maximize profits, the owners chose to add more boats, which were stored on the top deck of the ship and became yet another factor threat to the boats delicate balance. The banner headline of the evening edition of the Grand Rapids Press on July 24, 1915. Early reports estimated 1,100 people drowned on the Eastland. The actual number of victims was only 844. (Courtesy NewsBank/The Grand Rapids Press) JULY 24, 1915 Thousands of people gathered along the Chicago River on the soggy morning of July 24, 1915. The Eastland was one of five ships chartered to take employees of the Western Electric Company and their families to Michigan City, Indiana, for a massive company picnic. People were encouraged to get there bright and early and many rushed to get on the Eastland because it was the first ship of the day and would theoretically give them the most time at the event. New shipwreck discovered in Lake Michigans deep waters Before the first people boarded at approximately 6:30 a.m., Capt. Harry Pederson ordered the ballasts emptied to raise the entrances to help passengers board faster. That, however, forced the boat to sit much higher in the water, again putting more strain on its delicate balance. With the gates open, ticket counters started helping people aboard, anywhere between 50 to 100 people a minute, quickly packing the boat. Notably, ticket takers were only counting tickets, not counting children, which means the ship certainly passed its legal limit of 2,500 passengers. Unbeknownst to the soon-to-be victims, the weather also played a role. What had started as a misty morning had turned to rain. Instead of hanging out on the top decks, most passengers moved inside, packing the interior floors to escape the showers. After about 10 minutes, the vessel started to list starboard. Historians say Pederson ordered his chief engineer, Joseph Erickson, to start filling the ballast on the opposite side to try and restore balance. Lake Michigan Triangle: The might of the Great Lakes is more powerful than any myth At 7:10 a.m., the counters hit 2,500 and stopped boarding. By 7:25 a.m., the boat had righted itself several times, but soon began to list to the port side at 25 degrees. Ted Wachholz, of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, said the crew assumed that the ships balance would get sorted out as they got moving, becoming more stable in motion like a bicycle. Once boarded and underway, with the ship moving, it becomes more of a stable situation, and I believe that the officers of the ship anticipated that once they boarded all the passengers for the picnic, once they got the ship on the way, they would be sailing rather smoothly, Wachholz wrote. The overturned Eastland sits in the Chicago River. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) Chicagos Assistant Police Chief Herman Schuettler issues orders the day after the Eastland disaster. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) Two survivors, Charles Anthony and Norman Ally, sit on the hull of the Eastland after the ship rolled in the Chicago River. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) A rescue diver jumps into the Chicago River. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) The overturned Eastland casts a pall over several signs telling travelers to visit South Haven. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) Rescuers and survivors stand on the hull of the overturned Eastland. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) They were wrong. Just moments after it moved away from the dock, around 7:30 a.m., the Eastland rolled away from the dock and tipped, settling on the riverbed in about 20 feet of water. Long live the king: James Jesse Strang and Michigans last brush with royalty Immediately, onlookers, nearby boats and other passengers jumped into action, and police and fire departments rushed to the scene. The river was suddenly full of people struggling to survive in the water, not to mention those trapped inside the boat. Some people dove into the wreckage to try to find survivors trapped in cabins that managed to hold an air supply. One, a 17-year-old named Charles Bowles who went by Reggie, became known as The Human Frog for the amount of time he spent in the water. Historians said Bowles could hold his breath for nearly three minutes and worked relentlessly to save people and, eventually, to recover bodies. A rescuer searches within the Eastland for victims. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) Two men prepare to explore a partially flooded section of the overturned Eastland. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) A rescue crew uses a stretcher to carry a body away from the Eastland. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) Although Reggie was repeatedly warned, he dived into remote parts of the ship, rarely coming to the surface without a victims body. Throughout the day he labored and was on hand the next morning as soon as it was light enough for him again to enter the ship, the EDHS wrote. Several times first responders advised him to let others do the work, but Reggie was relentless until dusk. He was nearly unconscious from fatigue. A first responder had to force Bowles into a policemans car and take him away to the detectives bureau. He was given hot coffee and a warm blanket and still insisted that he would go back after he got a little rest. Looking back: Grand Havens brush with one of Chicagos most notorious gangsters Bowles isnt the only folk hero from the Eastland. Helen Repa worked for Western Electric as a nurse and took charge of the scene, making a makeshift med center at the dock. She knew they needed a place to be able to tend to the people who still had a chance. They needed a field hospital, historian and author Patricia Sutton said in a Timeline documentary on the Eastland. Repa convinced workers at a nearby warehouse to open up their space as a shelter and went to the nearest hospital to get help and supplies. There are people everywhere, they are in shock, and there are no blankets left. So, Helen said to one of the nurses, Call Marshall Fields. We need 500 blankets right away, and bill that to Western Electric, Sutton said. Repa wore a bright white uniform to the picnic. By the end of the day, after helping countless people, her dress was covered with blood stains and caked with mud. People wait outside the Second Regiment Armory to identify missing family and friends who were aboard the Eastland. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) A funeral service was held on July 28, 1915, at St. Marys Roman Catholic Church for 29 people who died on the Eastland. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) A vehicle carries seven caskets after a funeral service for a family that perished on the Eastland. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) THE AFTERMATH Despite the efforts of Repa, Bowles and hundreds of others, 844 people still died just yards from the dock. Most of the recovered bodies were eventually brought to a nearby armory to serve as a makeshift morgue, where hordes of family and friends lined up to try to identify the victims. The Chicago community was not prepared for the days that followed. Morticians were overwhelmed with work. There werent enough caskets in the city. Churches struggled to accommodate everyone. Some services honored more than two dozen people at a time and, in some cases, entire families who had perished on the ship. The story quickly spread across the world, gripping not only Chicago, but many parts of Europe. The majority of Western Electrics employees were immigrants, notably from Poland, Hungary and the present-day Czech Republic. Local reporters jumped on several storylines, including the fate of Little Feller and the arrest of Capt. Pederson and members of his crew. Pederson was hauled away from the scene by police after interfering with welders who were trying to cut holes in the ship more for his safety and to prevent a riot than anything else. Pigeon Hill: Another piece of West Michigan lost to time While still at the scene, Pederson made his feelings clear, saying, I will not be the goat. I think what Pederson meant by that is that there were those that deserve blame for this. And its not him and hes not going to protect them, Eastland historian and author Jay Bonansinga said in a Timeline documentary. Pederson knew what the owners had done all in the name of profit. A headline from the Dec. 30, 1915 edition of the Grand Rapids Press reporting six officials people were arrested and arraigned on negligence charges related to the Eastland disaster. (Courtesy NewsBank/The Grand Rapids Press) Within days, and pressure mounting from a furious community, investigations were launched by seven different agencies, including local police and the U.S. Commerce Department. But there was little in the way of justice. Shortly after the incident and with vastly different expedition procedures Pederson and other Eastland officials fled to Michigan. The first federal indictment against the Eastlands owners and officers fell flat. An Illinois judge ruled that the prosecutors did not provide nearly enough evidence to convict the six of manslaughter and criminal carelessness. Instead, prosecutors were forced to file an indictment in Michigan, presenting a new hurdle. Clarence Sessions, the federal judge in Grand Rapids at the time, was known for siding with corporations. Also, instead of manslaughter and negligence, prosecutors filed conspiracy charges, which in hindsight were even harder to prove. Western Electric also washed its hands of blame, claiming it was actually an employee group, not the company itself, that had chartered the ship. Between criminal and civil complaints, it took more than 20 years to conclude all of the litigation tied to the Eastland disaster. When it was all said and done, none of the six officials from the St. Joseph-Chicago Steamship Company spent any time in prison or paid any fines. The victims and their families saw little to no money in payouts. A 1927 file photo of the Eastland after it had been resurrected as the U.S.S. Wilmette. (Courtesy of Newberry Library/Public Domain) It took more than two weeks for salvage crews to right the Eastland at a cost near the total value of the ship. Other creditors claimed what they could, leaving nothing for the victims or their families. Two years after the incident, the Eastland was sold to the U.S. Navy and converted into a gunboat. The USS Wilmette never saw any combat but was used as a training vessel until 1945 when it was sold off for scrap. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A years-long effort to launch an anti-poverty initiative in Fresno has finally put cash in the hands of Fresno County families. On Monday, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission distributed the first round of $500 monthly cash payments to 150 families living in parts of southwest Fresno and the west Fresno County city of Huron, two of the highest poverty-dense census tracts countywide. The payments are part of an initiative growing in popularity nationwide known as guaranteed basic income. It gives qualifying recipients unrestricted monthly payments, with the goal of providing an income floor and economic stability to financially struggling families. This week marks an important milestone, said Fresno Economic Opportunities CEO Emilia Reyes during a news conference Wednesday to announce the official launch of the Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income Program. Whether our families need extra support for health care, help putting food on the table, help keeping the lights on, paying rent, or having an opportunity for a better job or to get some assistance in education, this program makes a difference, Reyes said. Participating families were selected from the 93706 zip code in southwest Fresno and the 93234 zip code in Huron through a random lottery. They will receive payments of $500 each month to use however they choose for one year. Volunteers and artists gathered to help paint a large 93706 street mural along Klette Avenue just north of California Avenue as part of the West Fresno California Avenue Neighborhood (CAN) initiative Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Fresno. Area residents and artists gathered to paint the permanent mural as part of a revitalization effort. But the need in Fresno County is far greater: An estimated 21,000 families live below the poverty line, said program evaluation lead Amber Crowell, a sociology professor at Fresno State. Fresno EOC received around 10,000 applications for the program. Patricia Cail said Wednesday she was initially skeptical when she got the call that she was selected as a program participant. She wondered, is this for real? She called her daughter, who confirmed she had applied on her moms behalf. Cail said she plans to use the cash to help her son prepare to go back to school, purchase school clothes for her son and pay bills. But what did she do when she got the cash card? I first went to Costco, she said. Clutching a payment card in her left hand, an excited Patricia Cail, left, thanks EOC and its supporters for being chosen to receive $500 a month for one year as host Amanda Venegas stands to the right at the official launch event for the Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income program Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Fresno. The program will provide $500 a month for one year to 150 chosen families to help fight poverty. Local community advocates have worked on developing the pilot program since fall 2021, gathering community input on the program design. In 2022, the group made an unsuccessful bid for a portion of the $35 million in state grant funding distributed to basic income pilots statewide. For Andy Levine co-director of the Center for Community Voices at Fresno State, the group that will lead program evaluation seeing Fresnos pilot come to fruition was a full-circle moment. After all, he said, the nations guaranteed basic income movement got its start in the central San Joaquin Valley city of Stockton in 2019 under former Mayor Michael Tubbs. (Earlier this week, Tubbs announced his candidacy for California lieutenant governor.) The Guaranteed Income movement started here in the Central Valley and is now coming back to the Central Valley, Levine said to The Bee. There are many similar programs nationwide, but Fresnos is unique because it was designed to target families in rural and urban settings, Levine said. La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California. A blessing for farmworker family Nancy Ramirez has been living in the agricultural community of Huron over 17 years. Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, she came to the area to work in the local fields. But lately, she said, work has dried up. She thinks the recent drought, employers cutting hours in response to the 2016 farmworker overtime law and extreme heat have all contributed to the reduction of local ag jobs. Other Huron farmworkers told The Bee in 2022 the increased mechanization of agriculture has also led to fewer job opportunities. An emotional Nancy Ramirez, right, one of 150 recipients for the new Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income program to fight poverty, thanks the program for being chosen Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Fresno. The program will provide $500 a month for one year to 150 chosen families to help fight poverty. Today, Ramirez is a stay-at-home mom of two and struggles to take care of basic necessities. Her daughters teacher encouraged her to apply for the program. She called the cash aid una bendicion a blessing. This is going to be a big help and less stress for my family, she said. Huron City Manager Virginia Penaloza, left, poses for a selfie with Huron resident Nancy Ramirez and Huron Mayor Rey Leon Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Fresno. Ramirez is one of the 75 families from Huron participating in the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission guaranteed basic income pilot. Huron Mayor Rey Leon said the program would be a huge economic boost to Huron, which he described as one of the most hardworking cities in the state. Huron has been identified as one of the poorest cities in California, he said in Spanish. We as a government, as a city, county, state, must support these types of programs for all working families who are not paid enough to ensure a quality of life. In this Fresno Bee file photo from November 2022, businesses along Lassen Avenue in Huron try to stay afloat, even as the drought takes a toll on work opportunities and family incomes. Hope for program longevity and more support from city leaders The pilot program has funding for one year thanks to private foundations but its creators said more support from local elected officials is key to securing funding long-term. Reyes said in an interview with The Bee that Fresno city elected officials were invited to the program launch press conference, though they did not attend. Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission CEO Emilia Reyes speaks at the official launch event for the Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income program Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Fresno. The program will provide $500 a month for one year to 150 chosen families to help fight poverty. There could be a way for local school districts and education leaders to support these efforts, too. Levine, a Fresno Unified School Board member, wants to see what kind of benefits the program could have on school-aged children. Because this program is for families with young children, Im absolutely interested from my Fresno Unified School Board capacity in what the evaluation findings and the participants themselves tell us about the impact it has on early childhood activities and investments, he said. A recent study published in the academic journal Natural Human Behavior found that this type of program had a significant impact on the amount of time and investments families could spend on early learning activities for children. Program evaluators will produce a final report on the pilot in winter 2025. Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission CEO Emilia Reyes, right, claps along with the crowd as two recipients for the Advancing Fresno County Guaranteed Income program spoke at the programs launch event Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Fresno. The program will provide $500 a month for one year to 150 chosen families to help fight poverty. No, were not the wild, wild West, although it certainly looks like it much of the time. Shootings in this country are at an all-time high, even on movie sets where prop pistols kill people. The attempt to assassinate former president Donald Trump is the most recent example of guns gone wild in America, where weapon access is easy and protection of victims is limited. People are easy to gun down, even past presidents. Dave Trecker Lets look at some metrics. In 2023, Gun Violence Archive says there were over 40,000 firearm deaths and some 650 mass shootings in the U.S. Those attributed to gangs is uncertain as is the number of killings by undocumented migrants. Last month the U.S. Surgeon General said we were in crisis mode. That was followed by pitched gun battles that killed 19 and wounded 84 in Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend. One of the problems is that a huge number of guns are already out there. An estimated 400 million guns are in private hands, more than one for every U.S. citizen. Some have likely been stored in family closets for decades. What about recovering those guns? Take them out of circulation. Force people to turn them in. That wont work. Of those who own firearms, many are hunters. A good friend and former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is an avid hunter who would be loath to give up his rifles. And I worry that a neighbor, also a hunter and a big-time churchgoer, might take drastic steps if someone tried to take away his firearms. People would rather do battle than surrender their weapons. How about restricting new gun sales? Thats not happening either. More guns than ever are pouring into the market, some 5.5 million so far this year, and that doesnt include those manufactured illegally or obtained overseas or from criminal vendors. Florida, a major player, was just named second among U.S. states in gun sales. This is all taking place against a backdrop of Amendment 2 tolerance, including a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that did little to clarify anything. What is clear is that gun control is not a partisan issue. Over 70% of U.S. adults, based on samplings from both political parties, say they want stricter gun laws. What might those include? A background check prior to any gun sale. A mandatory one-month waiting period. A minimum age of 21 for weapon purchase. A ban on sale of all assault weapons. A restriction on ammunition purchase. Registration of all existing guns. None of this stands a snowballs chance. It will be an uphill battle to get major gun legislation passed at the federal level, at least anytime soon. State measures are a different matter, and Florida lawmakers are doing their best. After the Parkland shootings in 2018, Tallahassee raised the age to purchase guns to 21, strengthened background checks, imposed a three-day waiting period and restricted weapons sold at gun shows. More recently the legislators bolstered campus security and limited school entry points. Will this do any good? Probably not. You cant secure every site. More important, with over 400 million guns already out there and with ammunition easy to access, mass murders will continue, and probably assassination attempts as well. Its a near-hopeless situation. Dave Trecker of Naples is a Ph.D. scientist who has written extensively about gun control. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Gun control is a distant hope Hancock & Kelley: Bush-Bell clash, a halt on SLPS hires, could Schmitt be in line for Trump cabinet post? It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley for Sunday, July 21, 2024. Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley discuss the following topics: St. Louis Congresswoman Cori Bush and her chief rival in the upcoming Aug. 6 Democrat primary, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, clashed at an UMSL candidates forum this past week. This weekend, Bush is doubling down on her credentials as a member of Congresss progressive-left Squad by inviting Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts to campaign with her this weekend, as Bell opens up a commanding lead in fundraising and polls. In an exclusive interview with FOX 2 News, Republican Missouri Governor Mike Parson reveals his endorsements for key races in the upcoming GOP primary. The St. Louis City Public School Board halts new hiring and is reviewing recent hires by Supt. Dr. Keisha Scarlett, after Scarletts most recent hire: a new, high-paid communications director who posted on social media that she would not be moving to St. Louis full time after taking the job. A judge has halted St. Louiss guaranteed basic income program, supported by the citys progressive mayor and aldermen. Opponents argued the program, which sends $500 monthly to more than 500 low-income families, violates laws against public money being given to private citizens. It was an up week for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after he narrowly survived an assassination attempt and rolled through a boisterous Republican National convention, and another down week for President Joe Biden, whos tested positive for Covid and dealing with more than 30 members of Congress no calling on him to exit the presidential race. (Note: This segment was recorded before President Biden withdrew his candidacy.) U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt of St. Louis County has grown into a very prominent role nationally in the Republican Party as a confidant of Donald Trump. Schmitt is said to be a potential Trump cabinet pick for U.S. Attorney General should Mr. Trump win election in November. Our quote of the week was from the federal judge in Florida who just threw out whats thought to be the strongest criminal case against Donald Trump: the Florida classified documents case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. What happens with Biden's war chest now that he's dropped out? What happens with Biden's war chest now that he's dropped out? President Joe Biden on Sunday declared he's dropping out of his reelection campaign. Donors and voters alike will now have questions about where funds from his campaign war chest will go. The Biden campaign can refund its donors or pass along its funds to the DNC. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he's dropping out of his reelection campaign, leaving donors and voters alike wondering what will happen to the hundreds of millions of dollars he'd raised to support his bid. While campaign finance experts are split on how the law's intricacies will need to be implemented, one thing is clear: Democrats have options. Biden's war chest surrendered Biden's announcement came after nearly a month of sustained criticism about his ability to remain the nominee following his debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27. In the wake of the debate, in which Biden rambled and repeatedly appeared to lose his train of thought, many Democratic leaders urged Biden to step aside to give the party its best chance at defeating Trump. But the Biden campaign said donor funds had surged after the debate, with the Associated Press reporting his reelection campaign raised $264 million in the second quarter of the year alone, in addition to $240 million cash on hand. Still, other Democratic megadonors, including Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings and Abigail Disney, pledged to withhold funds from the party until Biden dropped out. Now that he has, there's a massive pot of money for Democrats to deal with. Where Biden's money goes now Campaign finance experts disagree on the specifics of what the Biden campaign will be able to do with its money. Charles Spies, a Republican campaign finance law expert, argued in an opinion article in The Wall Street Journal that Biden would have needed to formally accept the Democratic nomination for president before passing the campaign's existing funds to Vice President Kamala Harris as long as she remained on the ticket. Biden endorsed her shortly after announcing his withdrawal from the race. But without having accepted the nomination, Spies wrote that Biden becomes beholden to the Federal Election Campaign Act's rules regulating "excess campaign funds" and can no longer donate more than $2,000 to any other candidate, including Harris. Saurav Ghosh, the director of federal campaign finance reform at the Campaign Legal Center, told Reuters that, as long as Harris remains in the race, she automatically has access to the campaign's shared funds regardless of whether the pair had formally accepted the nomination or not, since both names appeared on the same campaign registration documents. But Spies and Ghosh noted that either way, there are workarounds. The Biden campaign can either refund its donors, Ghosh told Reuters, or, they agreed, the campaign can direct the money to the Democratic National Committee. Dan McMillan, founder and executive director of Save Democracy in America, a nonpartisan campaign to end the influence of corporate and special interest money in politics, told Business Insider it ultimately doesn't matter which expert was right about the formal nomination Biden didn't stay in the race long enough to accept it, and it wouldn't have made a difference if he had. Legal challenges may arise over how, exactly, these types of scenarios should play out, but final determinations in those cases will ultimately be made long after the election is decided. "It's really a nonargument because that money is not going to go to waste," McMillan told BI. "If someone other than Harris becomes the nominee, then the campaign will just give this money to the Democratic National Committee or to other party committees and those committees can then spend that money in ways that benefit the presidential campaign of other Democratic candidates. So the money's not going to go away." If the funds are ultimately transferred to the Democratic National Committee, the party can then spend unlimited amounts on ads promoting a new candidate and up to $32 million directly on a new campaign. The rest of the funds can be divvied up to other other action committees. Whoever ends up as the Democratic nominee, McMillan noted, they'll have no shortage of financial support. "It's not gonna make a huge difference in how the campaign is conducted in a meaningful way," McMillan said. Read the original article on Business Insider What happens to Joe Biden's Michigan delegates after he dropped out of presidential race Remember that early primary we had in Michigan on Feb. 27, brought to you by the Democratic Party? Turns out its results don't mean terribly much now. On Sunday, the winner of that primary and every other Democratic nominating contest held this year, President Joe Biden succumbed to growing pressure for him to step aside as the presumptive nominee amid worries that he can't beat former President Donald Trump given concerns about Biden's age and mental acuity. But can the Democratic Party simply set aside the results of Michigan's primary, which was decided by voters? Yes, it can. In fact, it pretty much has to, given that Biden has decided not to be the nominee (though he says he will serve out his term as president). But wait, you say: Didn't Biden endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket? (He did.) Doesn't that mean all the delegates he won in all the primaries and caucuses to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August have to vote for her? It does not, though it's a good bet a lot of them if not all of them will. A short explanation of the delegate math Primaries like Michigan's actually are used to divvy up a certain number of delegates between a number of candidates running for president. Then, later, delegates are elected, with most of them pledged to support a given candidate based on how well that candidate did in the primary. Case in point: Michigan gets 138 delegates to the national convention. Twenty-one of those are unpledged delegates think Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, state Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes, the state's Democratic members of the U.S. House and Senate. They can vote for whomever they support, once it comes to that. (They're also called superdelegates.) Then there are the other 117 delegates. Based on Democratic Party rules, they're bound to vote at the convention in such a way that "in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them." In Michigan, that meant that 115 were set to support Biden based on the results of the primary; two were "uncommitted." Nationally, Biden already had locked up 3,748 of the total 4,696 delegates, far more than he needed to secure the nomination. Those delegates become free agents now Now that Biden has left the race, all of those delegates are technically free to vote for anyone, pretty much. That increases the chance of a contested convention meaning it would take more than one ballot for one of the parties' delegates to settle on its presidential nominee something that hasn't happened since the Democratic convention in 1952 in Chicago, when Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson won the nomination on the third ballot. But there are several important caveats to that. First, Biden has endorsed Vice President Harris and a slew of Democratic Party officials have followed suit, meaning there is a good chance she will be all but unopposed in picking up the mantle. Democratic delegates may also feel as though since she was already on Biden's ticket, his endorsement and the people's primary votes for him means supporting her reflects those sentiments. Second, it also looks like Democrats may not wait until the national convention in mid-August to settle the question, since the Party had already been discussing holding a virtual roll call for Biden to settle the question for a ballot deadline in Ohio. If that were to happen and top Democrats coalesce around Harris, it's not hard to fathom the Democrats avoiding a contested convention, which can be messy. Then it would just be a matter of Harris naming a running mate and that person being voted on, likely without much fuss, at the convention. What happens if delegates don't coalesce around Harris? Well, let's say some other potential candidates we're not going to float a list of names here, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a co-chair of Biden's national campaign, has been talked about as a possibility, especially given her presumptive strength in the Midwest decide to actively throw their hats in the ring. If that virtual roll call were held and no candidate got a majority, or if it were canceled, then it would fall to the delegates to make a decision in Chicago no matter how many ballots it takes. Those pledged delegates would get to vote on the first ballot (unless the convention secretary has already determined a majority of pledged and unpledged delegates support a single candidate); superdelegates would get to vote on the ballots after that. But candidates would have to do a good bit of work even to be considered: Even before the convention begins, a would-be candidate has to submit a petition signed by at least 300 (and not more than 600) delegates who say they will vote for that person, not more than 50 of which come from any single state. Those delegates may also sign only one nominating petition. If it were to come to that, the scene in Chicago next month could be fractious, with lots of behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing. Democrats will likely be keen on avoiding such a scene, though there are also those who think it could enliven the party and rouse supporters ahead of the fall. Who are Michigan's delegates? Like we said, 21 of them are well-known elected officials like the governor or Democratic Party bigwigs. Another 15 are pledged elected leaders or public officials the list includes Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. The rest of the delegates come from across the state, doled out on an at-large basis or from each congressional district.Here's a list: Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What happens to Joe Biden's Michigan Democratic delegates What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work ATLANTA (AP) With President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year. Democrats are set to hold their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22. What was supposed to be a coronation for Biden now becomes an open contest in which nearly 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new standard-bearer to challenge Republican Donald Trump in the fall. The path ahead is neither easy nor obvious, even with Biden endorsing Harris. There are unanswered questions about logistics, money and political fallout. Can Biden redirect his delegates? Biden won every state primary and caucus earlier this year and only lost the territory of American Samoa. At least 3,896 delegates had been pledged to support him. Current party rules do not permit Biden to pass them to another candidate. Politically, though, his endorsement is likely to be influential. What could happen at the convention? With Biden stepping aside, Democrats technically start with an open convention. But realistically, his endorsement pushes Democrats into murky territory. The immediate burden is on Harris to solidify support across almost 4,000 delegates from the states, territories and District of Columbia, plus more than 700 so-called superdelegates that include party leaders, certain elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents. Will anyone challenge Harris? Even before Biden announced his decision, Democrats floated California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as potential contenders in addition to Harris. Yet some Democrats argued publicly, and many privately, that it would be a no-brainer to elevate the first woman, first Black woman and first person of south Asian descent to hold national office. Given how important Black voters - and Black women especially - were to Bidens nomination and his choice of Harris as running mate, it would be risky, to say the least, for Democrats to pass her over for a white nominee. Democrats already faced historical headwinds before Biden's withdrawal. Newsom and Whitmer, both of whom are white, and any other Democrat would also have to weigh the short-term and long-term benefits of challenging Harris now versus preserving goodwill for a future presidential primary. Yet, fair or not, Harris also has not been viewed as an especially beloved or empowered vice president. The best scenario for her and Democrats is to quickly shore up support and project a united front. Democrats could even go forward with their plans for an early virtual vote a move theyd planned to make sure Biden was selected ahead of Ohios general election ballot deadline. What happens to Bidens campaign money? Bidens campaign recently reported $91 million cash on hand. Allied Democratic campaign committees brought the total at his disposal to more than $240 million. Campaign finance experts agree generally that Harris could control all those funds since the campaign was set up in her name as well as Bidens. If Democrats do nominate someone other than Harris, party accounts could still benefit the nominee, but the Biden-Harris account would have more restrictions. For example, legal experts say it could become an independent expenditure political action committee but not simply transfer its balance to a different nominee. How will a vice presidential nomination work? The vice presidential nomination is always a separate convention vote. In routine years, the convention ratifies the choice of the nominee. If Harris closes ranks quickly, she could name her choice and have the delegates ratify it. In an extended fight, though, the vice presidency could become part of horse-trading again, a return to conventions of an earlier era. Can Republicans keep Harris off state ballots? Any curveball during a U.S. presidential campaign is certain to produce a flurry of state and federal lawsuits in this hyper-partisan era, and some conservatives have threatened just that. State laws, though, typically do not prescribe how parties choose their nominees for president. And some GOP figures Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey have worked already this year to ensure their party did not deny Democrats routine ballot access. What happens next now that Biden has dropped out? President Joe Biden just announced he is dropping out of the presidential race, a seismic moment not only for this years presidential election but American history. So now what? It isnt totally unprecedented for an incumbent president to not seek another term, but the particularities around Biden both concerns about his fitness to hold the office of the presidency and the sheer size of a modern campaign apparatus that he controls pushes the country into uncharted waters. And it comes after he had already dominated the primaries to become the presumptive nominee. There are a lot of questions and a lot of unknowns about this unique moment. Heres what we know so far. Is Biden still the president? Yes. While Biden announced that he was stepping off the Democratic ticket, that doesnt remove him from office. He remains the countrys commander in chief until either the next president is inaugurated in January, or he chooses to step down at a later date. He said in his social media statement announcing his decision that he would finish his term. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, he wrote. Almost no Democrats who called for Biden to step off the ticket have also called on him to resign from office early, although some Republicans in Congress have raised that prospect. Theoretically, Biden could also be removed from office by his Cabinet via the 25th Amendment the same amendment that was frequently discussed but ultimately not invoked for then-President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 riot in 2021 if they feel he can no longer serve. So far, no cabinet official has indicated that. So who is the next Democratic nominee? Bidens endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris gives her a major leg-up in the fight for the nomination, but that doesnt mean its a slam dunk. Although Biden faced only nominal opposition in the Democratic primary and won nearly every contest, he was not yet the partys official nominee, and he cannot make a unilateral decision. Broadly, when Americans vote in primaries, they are not voting directly for a candidate but kicking off a process that will ultimately send delegates to the partys national convention. Those delegates are the ones who officially pick the nominee and the Democrats' convention hasnt happened yet. The convention is scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago although party leaders were considering a virtual roll call to name the nominee earlier in the month. The DNC must now decide if it wants to carry through with its plan. All of those nearly 3,800 Biden delegates have now become free agents. Even with Biden's endorsement, the delegates who were pledged to him are under no obligation, according to the Democratic National Committees rules, to follow his lead and support his chosen successor. Who can run for the nomination? Anyone who can garner enough signatures to have their name placed in nomination. Candidates need signatures from at least 300, but no more than 600, delegates and delegates can sign only one candidates petition. Additionally, a candidate cannot submit more than 50 delegates from a given state a provision to ensure that all candidates placed in nomination earn support from a broad swath of the country. There are roughly 4,700 delegates, capping the number of possible candidates at around 15. But functionally there will be far fewer: The pressure to avoid a messy nomination vote will be enormous. Who are the delegates, and how does the roll call vote work? Of the 4,700 convention delegates, just under 4,000 are pledged delegates awarded according to the results of the presidential primaries earlier this year. Biden won roughly 95 percent of them, according to The Green Papers, a website that tracks the arcane process of delegate selection. There are another roughly 750 automatic delegates the group once known as superdelegates. They are elected officials, party leaders and former luminaries, like former presidents (Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter) and former DNC chairs. After the 2016 campaign, these automatic delegates were stripped of their role in the first round of voting and only get to vote for the nominee in subsequent rounds if no candidate earns a majority on the first ballot or if that rule is waived, as was the case in 2020, when Biden had the support of a majority of pledged delegates. There are questions about whether the DNC will continue with that plan now that Biden has ended his campaign. If the vote instead occurs on the convention floor, DNC rules provide 20 minutes of nominating speeches for every certified candidate prior to the first ballot. If no candidate earns a majority of the vote on that first ballot, automatic delegates join the voting for the second round and voting continues until a majority of eligible delegates have voted for a specific candidate. That candidate officially becomes the nominee upon the conclusion of their acceptance speech, according to DNC rules. What about the vice presidential nominee? Functionally, the presidential nominee selects their running mate. But there is still a DNC process, and its essentially identical to the presidential nominating procedure with one major difference: Automatic delegates get to vote on the first ballot. What happens to Bidens campaign infrastructure and the money? As of the end of June, Bidens campaign had $96 million in the bank, and staffers and field offices across the country. Thats a massive amount of infrastructure who gets it now? There is no real precedent for a ticket switch in this era of big money elections. But many campaign finance experts have argued that as long as Harris remains on the ticket potentially as the presidential nominee, but also if she is nominated for vice president again she can fairly seamlessly assume control of that bank account. The money, after all, was given to a Biden-Harris committee registered for both of them, not just the president. This view is not universally held; Charlie Spies a prominent Republican election lawyer who briefly worked as the Republican National Committees chief counsel earlier this year before reportedly being chased off by Trump and his allies argued in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that Harris was not entitled to that money, raising the specter that somebody would try to block that handoff in court. Campaigns can also make unlimited transfers to their respective party committees, so perhaps the cleanest outcome especially if Harris is not on the ticket would be the Biden campaign giving his cash to the Democratic National Committee, which could then spend it on the upcoming elections. But all of this is unprecedented territory. Has this ever happened before? Most modern presidents have sought a second term with Lyndon B. Johnson as a notable exception. After assuming the remainder of John F. Kennedys term and winning a full term outright in 1964, Johnson was planning on running again in 1968. But he was dragged down by the unpopular Vietnam War, and only squeaked out a win in the New Hampshire primary. A vulnerable Johnson facing the anti-war Eugene McCarthy and a late entrance from Robert Kennedy announced to a shocked nation in March 1968 that he would no longer seek his partys nomination for president. Soon after, Hubert Humphrey his vice president would launch a campaign of his own. The assassination of Kennedy changed the dynamics of the race, and Humphrey won the nomination on the first ballot at a convention in Chicago that turned violent around a debate over the Vietnam War and the party platform. Humphrey went on to lose to Richard Nixon that November. Harris will seek Democratic nomination and could be the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party ticket Vice President Kamala Harris said she plans to seek the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden stepped aside and endorsed her, setting up a push that could make her the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead the ticket of a major political party. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she said in a statement. Bidens historic endorsement and Harriss pledge to unite the party behind her came Sunday after he announced that he is dropping his reelection bid following weeks of disarray within the Democratic Party. The presidents disastrous debate called into question his ability to win a second term and govern for another four years. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee, Biden said. Still, despite the presidents backing, it remains unclear if Harris will become the nominee, or what process the Democratic Party would take to select an alternative. It will now be up to the delegates to the partys national convention to choose their candidate. While Harris allies have sought to secure her path to the nomination, some Democrats have stopped short of backing her or explicitly called for an open nomination process. Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement that in the coming days the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. Logistically, Harris is the natural heir to the ticket as Bidens running mate. The Biden-Harris campaign on Sunday formally amended filings with the Federal Election Commission to rename its principal committee Harris for President, saying that the committee name is different than previously reported. The committee also filed a letter with the commission stating that Vice President Harris is now a candidate for United States President in the 2024 election and will henceforth be conducting campaign activities only in pursuit of that office. Control of the campaign war chest, however totaling $95.9 million at the end of June depends on whether Harris remains on Democrats 2024 ticket. Recent polling has also shown her performing better against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, than Biden and other potential Democratic contenders. Should there be efforts to pass over Harris in favor of Democrats seen as likely to run in 2028, there may be backlash from the vice presidents supporters and prominent Black Democrats. But Harris has also experienced something of a renaissance within her party, as Democrats showered her with praise in the days following the debate. Throughout her vice presidency, Harris has struggled to define herself while juggling an issue portfolio that has included difficult topics such as voting rights and stemming the tide of migrants coming from Central America. On the former, an effort to bolster the Voting Rights Act failed in Congress. On migration, Harris was criticized on the right for not spending enough time on the border and on the left for telling migrants in a speech, Do not come. As recently as last year, some Democrats were worried that negative views of Harris could hurt the ticket, prompting prominent Democrats to urge the party to stop undermining her. But in the weeks since Bidens June debate performance, Harris has settled into a groove, becoming a key surrogate for Bidens reelection campaign on reproductive health as the campaign put it, the threat Trump poses to democracy. Harris allies have argued that much of the criticism is a result of racism and sexism against the countrys first woman of color in such a position. Now, they say, the country is seeing in Harris what her allies have seen for years. Oftentimes Black women are not seen until theyre needed, said LaTosha Brown, a co-founder of Black Voters Matter, a progressive group that works to boost Black voter turnout. Weve seen her constantly berated, marginalized, questioned. I think that the shift is because theres a need. unknown content item - Uncharted territory A growing number of Democratic officials and donors already have rallied behind Harris, including the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Democratic Senate candidates including Andy Kim of New Jersey, Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. Even as Democrats waited for Biden to make his decision, Harris supporters were working behind the scenes for the last week to secure support from delegates - not to push Biden out, but to be prepared in case he left the race. We have been whipping delegates for the last week, a senior Democratic strategist who worked on Harris 2020 campaign told CNN. Her network of backers includes a number of key Black female Democratic allies who have been quietly organizing for weeks to ensure that she would be well positioned to lead the ticket if Biden stepped aside. Those women will meet in a Zoom call Sunday evening. The bottom line is, we are ready to go, said Brown of Black Voters Matter. We are grateful for President Bidens service and thats why we fought for him until the end. We are ecstatic that he has put his endorsement behind Vice President Kamala Harris. We expect the full Democratic apparatus to do the same and if they dont, they will lose this election. Harris allies are describing this moment as uncharted territory but are confident the party will be able to navigate the days ahead because Biden has endorsed her. For donors, Bidens decision to exit the race and endorse Harris represents a seismic change for the Democratic party that many are embracing publicly. Dmitri Mehlhorn, a Democratic political strategist advising several big-money backers, released a statement Sunday following Bidens withdrawal supporting Harris. Kamala Harris is the American dream personified, daughter of immigrants who met at Cal, Mehlhorn said. She is also toughness personified, rising from my home town of Oakland California to become the top prosecutor of the state. With Scranton Joe stepping back, I cannot wait to help elect President Harris. Other donors were less enthusiastic about the Harris pick. Top Biden donor John Morgan called the presidents endorsement of Harris a f you to people who pushed him out. Be careful what you wish for, he wrote on X. Harriss rise Harris, the daughter of Berkeley political activists and immigrants from India and Jamaica, grew up in Oakland and spent much of her political career in Californias Bay Area. After earning her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, she became a deputy district attorney for Alameda County. She later served in the San Francisco district attorney and city attorney offices. In 2003, she was elected district attorney for San Francisco. Seven years later, she was elected Californias attorney general the first woman, first Black person and first Asian American to hold the position. Harriss record in law enforcement would later become both a boon and a burden to her political campaigns for Senate and the White House. Among her more controversial policies was a truancy program she advocated, which allowed parents to be charged with misdemeanors if their children missed too many school days. Harris later said she regretted the unintended consequences of the program. In 2016, Harris won her bid to succeed outgoing California Sen. Barbara Boxer, becoming the second Black woman to ever serve in the US Senate. As a senator, Harris was known for her prosecutorial questioning style during hearings with Trump administration officials and nominees, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions and future Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Three years later, in January 2019, she entered the Democratic presidential primary. From the start, Harris acknowledged the historic nature of her campaign she launched her bid on the federal holiday marking Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday and held a news conference at Howard University, the historically Black college she graduated from in 1986. Harris was one of more than a dozen Democrats, including Biden, who sought the 2020 party nomination. One of Bidens worst debate moments of that cycle came when Harris blasted him over his opposition in the 1970s to court-ordered busing of students to desegregate schools. The dig from Harris, who was close friends with Bidens son Beau before his death in 2015, came as a surprise to Biden and angered some his allies. After she dropped out, Harris became a prominent surrogate for Biden before being named his vice presidential pick in August 2020. Ive decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to help me take this fight to Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021, Biden told supporters in an email. This story and headline have been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Kayla Tausche, Eva McKend, Jeff Zeleny, Ethan Cohen and David Wright contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Harris, with Biden endorsement, says she intends to 'earn and win this nomination' First Lady Jill Biden, President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff watch Independence Day fireworks over the National Mall from the White House balcony. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Bidens decision to bow out of the November election leaves a path for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him that would have seemed unlikely for most of the last three years, when she was seen as a drag on his reelection prospects as her approval numbers in polls lagged behind her boss. But Democratic desperation and Harris own recent performance as a vigorous administration spokesperson and loyal deputy have changed her fortunes. If she receives the nomination, Harris would be the first woman of color to head a national ticket and, if she wins, the first female president. Read more: Biden drops out, endorses Kamala Harris as Democratic presidential nominee Several recent polls show Harris within 1 or 2 percentage points in a head-to-head matchup against former President Trump. Republicans, preparing for a possible Harris candidacy since Bidens poor debate performance in June, have been resurfacing old clips of her, mocking her sometimes awkward public speaking style, blaming her for covering up Bidens frailty and tying her to the high number of arrests at the southern border that have occurred under Bidens watch. Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way, Sen. J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican and Trumps running mate, said on the social media platform X. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoevers at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on. After Bidens statement, Democrats appeared to be coalescing around Harris. Bill and Hillary Clinton, the former president and secretary of State, issued a joint statement endorsing Harris and promising to do whatever they could to support her election. The Biden for President fundraising committee renamed itself Harris for President. Former President Obama was a notable holdout, calling for party leaders to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. Shes going to be the strongest candidate, said Donna Brazile, a former Democratic Party chair and Harris ally. Harris released a statement praising Bidens leadership and legacy of accomplishment ... unmatched in modern American history. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she said. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Many anxious Democrats have clamored for other candidates, including Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California or Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania worrying that Harris remains too polarizing a figure to win a majority of voters. She has ground to make up against Trump, and her national approval rating, while improved, remains at about 39%, compared with 50% of voters who dont approve of her, according to the latest 538 polling average. She also has ground to make up in swing states, according to polls. But Harris, 59, has the advantage of experience on a national ticket, direct access to the campaigns fundraising apparatus and name recognition, all of which make her a favorite to secure what will be an unprecedented nomination for whoever wins it. She can also run on the administrations policy accomplishments, which Democrats believe are popular even if Biden, 81, is not. The advantages vice presidents have is they have depth and reach, said Elaine Kamarck, a Democratic delegate and author of Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know About How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates. Harris spoke multiple times with Biden before the announcement, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Bidens opinion carries weight. But once he releases his delegates, they would be unbound by his wishes, meaning any number of candidates can try to win a majority of more than 4,500 voting party delegates. In his letter Sunday , Biden praised Harris as an extraordinary partner. Read more: Read Biden's letter He endorsed Harris in a subsequent post on X. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, he wrote. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Another advantage for Harris is that many delegates have said they are eager for a smooth process, given the chaotic preceding weeks. Whoever wins the nomination would also have to choose a running mate in time for the convention, probably from among the same group of contenders for the top slot. Despite Harris built-in advantages, someone else could certainly make a race of it, added Kamarck, a Brookings Institution think tank fellow who served as an aide to former Vice President Al Gore. Read more: Biden or not, Democrats face critical choices in squabble over presidential ticket Harris, born in Oakland to immigrants from Jamaica and India, has had a steady rise through Democratic politics, from elected district attorney of San Francisco to California attorney general to U.S. senator and then vice president. She now resides in Los Angeles when she is not staying at the vice presidents official residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington. Harris came into the 2020 presidential primary with massive expectations, touted by many in the party as the fresh face of the future, only to see her campaign falter before votes were cast amid staff infighting and a sense that Harris lacked core ideological convictions. She had trouble, for example, explaining her position in the universal healthcare debate that was a defining issue for progressives. Biden, by selecting her as his running mate, reinvigorated her political career. She proved an able campaigner in a supporting role. But as vice president, she experienced high staff turnover and had to vie with Bidens longtime aides some of whom were suspicious of her after she attacked Biden in the 2020 primary for influence. As the first Black and Indian American woman as vice president, she also contended with racial and gender prejudices. Her top early assignment from Biden, to curb migration by improving conditions in Central America, became a political headache as she appeared to try to dodge responsibility for the record numbers of migrants stopped at the border and stayed away from policy debates on Capitol Hill. During a 2021 trip to Guatemala and Mexico, she told migrants, Do not come, angering the left, and then laughed off questions about why, at the time, she had not yet visited the border, igniting the right. The early impression was a setback given the relatively few opportunities vice presidents have to command the publics attention. Harris improved her standing with the party in 2022, when the Supreme Court overturned the legal right to an abortion and Harris became the administrations leading voice in opposition, helping Democrats outperform expectations in the 2022 midterm elections. She also began traveling abroad more, representing Biden in Europe amid Russias invasion of Ukraine and in Asia as part of a broader strategy to counter Chinese influence. Unlike other vice presidents, who had time to settle into the job during their first term, Harris was immediately under pressure to show she could step in for Biden, the oldest president in American history, said Joel Goldstein, an expert on vice presidents. She was also a rarity in the modern age, when most vice presidents have had more government experience than their boss. If Vice President Harris becomes sort of the determined standard-bearer for 2024, I think that shell have a visibility and importance and people will look at her in a way that they havent looked at her previously, Goldstein said. She will need the second look. In focus groups, many voters say they dont know what she does. And she polls similarly to Biden among key constituencies in recent surveys conducted by Suffolk Universitys David Paleologos for USA Today. Harris was viewed favorably by 30% of independents and unfavorably by 57% in a national poll taken after the debate in late June, compared with a 35%-62% split for Biden. Polls of Black and mixed-race voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania two battleground states taken in early June showed only 55% to 60% of those voters viewed her favorably, similar to Bidens numbers. He and Harris won more than 90% support from Black voters in 2020, according to exit polls. Paleologos said Harris has a little more room to grow support compared with Biden, but its still an uphill climb. Kamala Harris could generate excitement, maybe not to the level of what Trump has, he said. Thats a big deficit right now. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Harris vows to do 'everything in my power' to defeat Trump US Vice President Kamala Harris says she will do "everything in my power" to defeat Donald Trump, as she accepts President Joe Biden's endorsement following his withdrawal from the 2024 race. Harris' statement came a little more than two hours after Biden announced he was stepping aside following weeks of mounting pressure from Democrats worried about his ability to win a second term. "I am honored to have the presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she said. Democrats hold their national convention next month in Chicago to officially choose the party's nominee for the November contest. "With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else," Harris said. She ended by noting there were still 107 days until the election. PORTSMOUTH Mary Carey Foley's reaction to her dear friend Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race was emotional. "My heart is broken," she wrote in response to a text Sunday afternoon. Asked if she would like to talk to share her thoughts, she added, "I just can't do it." Mary Carey Foley holds a photograph of herself hugging former Vice President Joe Biden. Mary Carey has been a long-time supporter and friend of former Vice President Joe Biden. Biden made sure to visit Foley and her mother, Eileen, the beloved former Portsmouth mayor, during many trips over the years to the Seacoast in New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary state. Eileen Foley died in 2016, and Biden's friendship with Mary Carey Foley continued. The relationship goes back nearly 40 years. Mary Carey Foley has said she first met Joe Biden in 1985 or 1986, back in the days when any Democratic candidate who ran in the primary made certain to meet her mother, the longest-serving mayor in Portsmouth history. Not long into the meeting, under the table, here comes an elbow from my mother, and then, a few moments later, I elbowed her, Foley said, describing the instant approval they both felt for Biden. Biden met the Foleys before his first presidential run in the 1988 election, and the relationship with Mary Carey Foley has lasted to this day. After Biden was chosen as Barack Obama's running mate in 2008, Mary Carey was invited by Biden to the January 2009 inauguration. And I never let go, and he never let go of me, she said after Biden was elected president in 2020. Its just been a sweet friendship. Mary Carey Foley always kept faith in Biden Vice President Joe Biden shares a special moment with Eileen Foley, former mayor of Portsmouth, and her daughter, Mary Carey Foley, when he stopped in downtown Portsmouth in 2012. We never gave up on him, she said. I never gave up on the thought that he would be president of the United States. When it finally happened, in 2020, Mary Carey Foley's loyalty was rewarded. She was selected as one of New Hampshire's four Electoral College electors for Biden, along with then-Somersworth Mayor Dana Hilliard, state Sen. Donna Soucy, and state Rep. Steve Shurtleff. More: NH, Maine Democrats and Republicans react as Biden drops out "I think it is unbelievable that I get to cast my vote endorsing my friend Joe," Mary Carey Foley said in 2020, prior to casting the electoral vote. "I never thought for one minute that he would not make this happen. When people ask why I am so dedicated to him, my reply is that he is a character, with character. Long time supporters and friends of then-Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, Eileen and Mary Carey Foley of Portsmouth, smile during a stop as a presidential candidate at a Seacoast Media Group hosted event in November 2007. 2012 story Luck o' the Irish smiles on Carey Foley with White House invitation When Biden decided not to run for president in 2016, following the death of his son, Beau, Mary Coley Foley had a prediction after Donald Trump won the presidency. She said to herself and others, Joe has to run next time because the world is going to be ready for a nice person. Thats been my message. More: Do NH Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Your delegate questions answered Reporting by Jane Murphy and Karen Dandurant from Seacoast Media Group archives is used in this report. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth's Mary Carey Foley 'heartbroken' by Joe Biden exiting race Will Colorado mom's killer get away with murder? This story previously aired on June 14, 2014. It was updated on July 20, 2024. Produced by Lisa Freed Dave Springer drives the same route he did on July 24, 2003 the day the retired Denver cop was in a frantic search for his own daughter. "This is basically the route I took, in the evening to come over here and look for her," Springer tells "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty as they drive. "And I was looking between the houses." "When you were just driving around, what were you hoping you'd see?" Moriarty asked. "Well ... maybe I would see my daughter's car moving, see her somewhere," he replied. Heather DeWild, 30, thought she'd be safe going to her soon-to-be ex-husband's house, in Edgewater, Colorado ... if she took along her two children, Jacob and Hannah. She planned to just stop by to pick up insurance cards for the kids and sign a check. "I told her not to go there," Springer said. "And I didn't think she would. But she did." And then she vanished. "As you're driving around, do you have a sinking feeling?" Moriarty asked Springer. "Yeah, I ... really had a bad, bad feeling about it," he replied. Springer says, he'd been worried what his son-in-law, Dan DeWild, might do as the final divorce approached. "Basically he wanted to keep things under control, his control, and that was slipping away from him and I think it just seemed like he was getting more and more desperate, more and more hostile," he told Moriarty. So when Heather didn't return after going to Dan's house, her anxious mother, Carol Springer, thought the worst and called Dan. "He told me she went shopping, and I says, 'Well, that's not true.' That's what I told him. I says, "No. That's not true." "We knew immediately that was a lie," Dave Springer told Moriarty. Why? "'Cause she, before she left the house ... She didn't take any money with her or credit card." "And he said she went shopping?" Moriarty said. "How much sense did that make to you? "Well it didn't make any sense," Springer replied. And Heather would never leave her children behind, even with their dad, says her sister, Rebecca Barger. "There's no way she would leave without her kids. No way," Barger said. "I just instantly knew - he did something to her." "You were sure it was Dan," Moriarty noted. Barger nodded yes. Heather's mother rushed over to Dan's house pick up her grandchildren. "And what was going through your mind at that point?" Moriarty asked. "Let me get the kids and be gone. I wanted to get outta there," Carole replied. The kids, only 3 and 5 years old, couldn't say where their mother had gone. Local police stopped at Dan's house and looked around, but didn't find anything suspicious. But Heather's father, the veteran cop was convinced something terrible had happened. The next morning, Mark Crider, a detective with the Denver Police Department, was pulled in to assist the Edgewater Police. Heather was now officially a missing person. "Dave was obviously -- extremely concerned," Crider said. "It was -- a little unusual because it was a Denver police officer's daughter who was missing. ... And that ... does personalize it a little." Crider learned that after a rocky six- year marriage, Heather and Dan DeWild were just days from finalizing their divorce. "I had learned that the divorce was getting a little nasty," said Crider. And that Dan was upset when Heather was awarded temporary custody of Jacob and Hannah and he was ordered to pay child support. "He was very angry over that. Because he thought he was gonna lose his home. He couldn't pay all his bills," said Springer. That's when Dan's identical twin brother David came to the rescue by moving in, along with his girlfriend, Roseanne, to help Dan pay the bills. Born a minute-and-a-half apart, Dan and David were inseparable -- even working as mechanics for the transit authority. So the first stop for Crider was the DeWild's house. Heather's husband, Dan, answered the door. "Quickly into our conversation he mentioned that he had an attorney, which I thought was a little odd," Crider explained standing outside the DeWild house. "... and his attorney told him, that he shouldn't talk to the police. ... What lights in my mind is, 'Well, why do you have an attorney? This is a missing persons. We're trying to help you find your wife.'" And when David DeWild pulled into the driveway, Dan made sure his twin brother didn't talk to the police either. "Dan walks over as if to physically grab his brother. And as he's walking over, he's yelling for him not to talk, he doesn't have to talk - to get inside," Crider explained. "I'm thinking now we don't have a missing person, we have a murder." But without the DeWilds' cooperation, Crider couldn't search their house. By the time police got a warrant, Heather had been missing for six days. Inside the home, Crider said there was no sign of a murder weapon, blood or any sign that Heather had been there or killed there. But investigators soon learned that David was taking his suburban 15 miles away to be repaired. "Why? Here he's -- he's a mechanic ... his brother's a mechanic," Crider said. "Did it pique my interest? Absolutely." Investigators wanted to check out the vehicle. They were looking for "some form of decomposing human scent," said Deputy Sheriff Al Nelson. "In other words, had there been a body in there." Nelson and his dogs searched the Suburban. "They hit on the rear, and I believe it would be the driver's side rear door area," said Nelson. "And that's the first hint that maybe Heather's body had been in there," Moriarty noted. "Something had been in there, right," Nelson affirmed. Crider's next step was to confront David DeWild. "We said, 'Da-- there's a decomposing body in your vehicle.' And he talked around things and he talked around things. And at one point we put it to him directly and said, 'Did you kill Heather?'" Crider said. "His head's kinda down. He's a little emotional. He says he needs to talk to an attorney. And he walked into his house." Crider now believed that both brothers had killed Heather. What convinced him even more, was when one day later, David suddenly married his longtime girlfriend, Roseanne. "Suddenly, you know, Dave says to you, 'Let's get married,'" Moriarty commented to Roseanne. "Doesn't that seem strange?" "At the time, it didn't," she replied. "You know I had been hounding him ... And then Heather went missing and it wasn't a happy time so we didn't do that and so I griped a lot you know ... And then all of a sudden, you know, it's like, 'Well, let's go get married then.' So it -- it didn't -- it didn't seem strange at all, no." "It never occurred to you he might be thinking, 'Well, she won't be able to talk to the cops, she won't be able to testify against me if I marry her,'" Moriarty asked Roseanne. "No, I -- I don't know the law," she replied. Two weeks after Heather disappeared, her car was found at an apartment complex five miles from the DeWild home. But there was no sign of Heather. Crime lab investigators searched the white, four-door Nissan Sentra, but found nothing helpful inside. "Each and every hour it's out in the environment, in the elements we lose a little bit more evidence," said Crider. "When the car was found, did that make things worse?" Moriarty asked Springer. "Worse, yeah. That was a major breakdown for me. Right there," he replied. Asked why, Springer said, "You knew at that point for sure she was gone." One month later, Curtis Johnson was moving dirt on a canyon road when he uncovered Heather's body. "Basically the body would have been on that side right there," Johnson pointed towards a mound of dirt. "This is where the body would have been setting." Her death was ruled a homicide. But her body was so decomposed, the cause of death was undetermined. And investigators still didn't have enough evidence to arrest either of the brothers. "I mean -- and let's be honest, detective -- it really does look like they're gonna get away with this," said Moriarty. "Oh, absolutely," Crider agreed. A NEW LOOK AT THE CASE The Springer family couldn't understand why police were dragging their feet in arresting the primary suspect in Heather's death: her husband, Dan DeWild. "The police were saying that they were doing what they could. They were looking into it," Heather's sister, Rebecca Barger said. "After a while, you just think ... is anything ever gonna happen?" "Here you are a member of the Denver Police Department. But, how much were you allowed to know about the investigation into your - " Moriarty asked Dave Springer. "Absolutely nothing," Heather's father replied. "... at times, I would think, 'Well, they're really not doing anything.' They're just telling me they're doing something and they're just letting it slide." "You do start to lose hope. But you try to stay in there. I did," said Carole Springer. Their prayers were answered in 2005, nearly two years after Heather's murder, when Scott Storey became Jefferson County's new district attorney. "They just poured their hearts out about how frustrated they were. How they yearned for justice for Heather," said Storey, who promised to reopen the investigation. "When you made that promise did you realize what you were getting yourself into? Did you have any idea?" Moriarty asked Storey. "Not entirely," he replied. Storey assembled a task force and put investigator Russ Boatright in charge. "What was it that drove you, drove all of you, to try to get this case solved?" Moriarty asked Boatright. "Just at first blush, I think you knew what -- what the case was. And it just -- it seemed solvable. It seemed like it was right there at your fingertips," he replied. Investigators combed through 1,500 pages of reports and retested all the forensic evidence with no luck. "I don't even know how many times we went back through things and double checked things," Boatright said. "We had no DNA. We really had no physical evidence." Not that DNA would have helped. Remember, Dan and Dave DeWild are identical twins. "They could have the same DNA," Storey explained. "So if we had found, you know, one of the DeWilds' hairs in that car, that was not going to be the smoking gun piece of evidence," added Boatright. Along with the brothers, the prosecution team was also convinced that Roseanne, who was living in the house, had to be involved. "We really believed that -- that she had to know what went on. She couldn't just be in that house ... she just couldn't be totally ignorant of what -- what happened," said Storey. There was that suspiciously timed marriage to David. "It was the day after David is confronted on the front porch and told that the cadaver dog hit on -- on his Suburban," said Boatright. And what Russ Boatright says Roseanne told others was the real reason they tied the knot. "She had made the statement -- she had to marry him so she couldn't testify against him. And I really -- I don't know what else that means other than what it sounds like it means," said Boatright. "I mean, it sounds incriminating," Moriarty noted. "Yes," Boatright agreed. Incriminating or not, investigators still didn't have enough evidence to arrest any of the DeWilds. As the years passed, David Springer's frustration and anger grew. "I would be screaming angry at times," he told Moriarty. After pleadings from the family, in 2009 -- six years after Heather was murdered -- Russ Boatright was assigned to the case full time. "And that really was the turning point," said Storey. The files would grow to 30,000 pages, filling more than 15 boxes, as Boatright and his team methodically built a circumstantial case piece by piece. Clearly, the killer or killers had been careful. Heather's car was so clean, there was no evidence that she had ever been in it. "We didn't find any evidence of Heather's DNA being present inside or outside the vehicle. Nor did we find any fingerprints -- or anything else to indicate that -- that Heather used that vehicle," Boatright explained. What he did have was a DVD copy of a videotape police recovered from the residence -- a sex tape that Dan and Heather made years earlier, showing Dan's fascination with bondage and ropes. "What we end up seeing in this videotape -- are images of Daniel tying Heather up in a very similar manner to how she was found," said Boatright. And there was another discovery. "What we have here is Daniel's -- dating profile from an online dating service," Boatright told Moriarty. "... he described himself as a widow/widower." The trouble is Heather's body had not been found yet. "What did that say?" Moriarty asked Boatright. "Well, that said he probably knew he was a widower at that point," he replied. While the pieces of the puzzle clearly pointed at the DeWilds, prosecutor Robert Weiner, who had been assigned to the case, still couldn't answer some important questions. "We didn't know how she died. And you know, the autopsy report didn't say how she died. We don't know--" said Weiner. "You don't even know where she died," Moriarty noted. "No," said Weiner. "You don't know exactly who killed her," said Moriarty. "We didn't," said Weiner. But when Weiner took what evidence he had to a grand jury, he got an indictment. Daniel DeWild, left, and David DeWild, right, were both charged in connection with the murder of Daniel's wife Heather. / Credit: Jefferson County DAs Office On Dec. 14, 2011, more than eight years after Heather's body was found on that canyon road, Dan, David and Roseanne DeWild were finally arrested for her murder. "You still have -- a pretty weak case," Moriarty pointed out. "I mean, you have enough to indict these three. But now you've got to prove these three." "Right," Weiner said. "And that was kinda my -- my thought is, 'Now the work begins.'" Dan's attorneys, Tom Ward and Fran Simonete, were feeling very confident as they prepared for trial. "Was there any physical evidence that tied Dan to the death of his wife?" Moriarty asked Ward. "Not a shred. None," he replied. Until they were hit with a bombshell. "And how did that change the case for the two of you?" Moriarty asked. "It completely flipped it upside down," said Ward. THE BOMBSHELL As prosecutors prepared for trial, District Attorney Scott Storey worried about their purely circumstantial case. "In today's world--with ... the 'CSI' shows and those kinds of shows ... jurors want more than just circumstantial evidence," Storey explained. Their best hope was to somehow get one of the DeWilds to turn on the others. Investigators say it was just a matter of finding the weakest link. "Did you think Roseanne was going to turn against her husband and her brother-in-law?" Moriarty asked investigator Russ Boatright. "I thought there was a possibility Roseanne would," he replied. "And did she?" Moriarty asked. "No," said Boatright. Instead, in a stunning turn of events, it was Roseanne's husband, David, who suddenly broke down. Nine years after Heather was killed, David DeWild admitted that he hid her body after his twin brother, Dan, killed her. "I just fell to pieces," said Roseanne. She claims that until that moment, she never guessed the two brothers were involved in Heather's death. "It's hard to explain my feeling -- denial. No. ... it's not true," she told Moriarty, shaking her head. "But it was true." With David finally ready to talk, it fell to Russ Boatright to uncover all the details. According to David, Dan began planning Heather's death in April 2003, after he was ordered to pay child support. "And that's when I started to realize that this was actually a well thought out plan," said Boatright. "Why would David go through with this and help his brother?" Moriarty asked. "I think David -- describes it as, 'I'm tryin' to talk him out of it most of the time,'" Boatright replied. "But he said when -- Daniel told him, 'Look, I'm doin' this with you or without you,' he said at that point he made a decision to help his brother. ... He said he knew if his brother did this on his own he would get caught." On Aug. 4, 2012, a clean shaven David DeWild agreed to take investigators back to the scene of the crime -- the DeWild's garage -- to show exactly where and how Heather was killed. It was all videotaped. "You could tell it impacted him, you could tell he was upset going back in there again," said Boatright. A warning: some of what David tells Boatright is disturbing. According to the plan, Heather and the kids arrived at noon on July 24, 2003. As Dan went to meet them, David says he tried to stop his brother. David DeWild on video: And I - I stop him right when he's walking up -- and I'm in his way -- and I say, "Dan, don't f-----' do this." ... but he was very calm. As the children played in the house, Heather followed husband Dan into the garage. Prosecutor Robert Weiner believes Dan lured her there with a promise to return the sex tape the couple had made. "He knew he had to use something to get her into that garage. And that was that tape. 'Cause she wanted that tape back," he explained. David DeWild on video: The door opens. Heather walks through. And she says, "What did you want to show me out here?" And my brother walks through, closes the door, grabs her by, like both shoulders, throws her down hard and she ... It just hit her like - like Pearl Harbor. She didn't know what's gonna happen. ... And ... she goes to get up like this. And she looks at me and I look at her. At that moment, David could have stopped Heather's murder, but he didn't. "She knew something was going to happen, was about to happen and kind of looked to him to say, you know, 'Help me here.' And he said, 'I didn't do anything. I didn't do a thing to help her,'" said Boatright. David DeWild on video: And he takes a mallet off the counter and it's - she's trying to get back up. Boom. Whacks. She drops. He tosses the hammer down. He takes his noose, puts it around her neck. Dan then hanged Heather from the rafters. David DeWild on video: I guess cinches it up. Comes over and pulls on the rope. "My jaw dropped. 'Are you kidding me?'" Weiner said. "At that point, he began to stage her body by -- tying her and making it attempt to look like it was -- some type of bondage sex act gone bad. ... Daniel proceeds to place her body in trash bags." As Heather's children continued to play elsewhere in the house, David abandoned Heather's car at the apartment complex parking lot. By the time David returned, Dan had already placed his wife's body in the back of the Suburban. David DeWild on video: I just -- just make sure she's not breathing or anything, you know? I just -- I put my hand on her I -- is what I remember. As David tells it, the brothers were bound by their terrible secret and he revealed how he and Dan managed to erase all evidence of Heather's brutal murder. "They were watching crime shows -- the "CSI"-type shows, any -- any crime shows that they could watch and learn," Weiner explained. "So they double-gloved. They had two sets of gloves on, 'cause they didn't wanna leave any trace evidence. They didn't wanna leave blood." And Heather's body might never have been found if David had made it to a pre-planned burial site. Instead, transmission problems with his Suburban forced him to hide her along that canyon road where Curtis Johnson discovered her. The prosecution believed they finally knew how Heather had been killed, but could they trust David? "I mean David's lied for nine years," Boatright told Moriarty. "He is a liar. And he's certainly capable of lying." So before they gave him a deal, David had to pass a polygraph. "He passed on the issues as far as killing Heather," said Boatright. "But were there some areas that he failed or were..." Moriarty pointed out. "... he had some issues on some other questions," Boatright said. "Primarily the involvement of others." "On the issue of Roseanne?" "Yes," said the investigator. But Roseanne will not go on trial after all. Although prosecutors maintain she was not part of any deal, after spending more than eight months in jail, all charges against her were dismissed for lack of evidence. Asked if he has any regret about putting Roseanne in jail for eight months, Story told Moriarty, "Oh, no. ... I was - very -- confident that -- after the fact that she had some knowledge and that -- very likely she had some participation of one degree or another. We just couldn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt." It's hard to believe that a woman who was in the house when Heather was killed and was married to one of the killers would know nothing or see nothing, but that's exactly what Roseanne says. "Roseanne, did you have anything to do with Heather's death -- and her disappearance," Moriarty asked. "I did not," she replied. "I did not. I had nothin' to do with it. I didn't know anything." "Do you think there are still some people who think you do?" Moriarty asked. "I'm sure," Roseanne replied. As they head to trial, the prosecution is counting on David to convict his twin brother. "I mean, it's kinda like dancing with the devil," said Storey. "In this situation, you know, we, I guess, had agreed to make a deal, you know, with the devil's twin," said Boatright. JUSTICE FOR HEATHER DEWILD? Nine-and-a-half years after Heather DeWild was murdered, her husband, Dan, finally goes on trial at the Jefferson County courthouse. "There was a kind of tension in the air that I've never felt in a courtroom before," said defense attorney Tom Ward. There are no cameras allowed, but the courtroom is packed. "I was worried. I didn't know what I was gonna find out," said Carole Springer. The state's most important witness, David DeWild, is about to testify against his identical twin brother. Without forensic evidence, the whole case rides on David. "I watched him come in. And I was-- holding my fingers and crossing my toes and -" said Prosecutor Robert Weiner. "I mean, you saw him look at his brother," Moriarty commented. "Yeah," said Weiner. "And you're wondering, 'Oh, my gosh. Will he lose his nerve?'" Moriarty asked. "That's exactly what I was thinking," Weiner said. "And then I asked him, 'Who killed Heather?'" "And what did David say?" Moriarty asked. "He pointed to his brother," said Weiner. David tells the court that it was his twin brother who killed Heather in the garage and that he just went along with it. But Dan's defense attorneys claims his client is completely innocent -- that Dan never knew where Heather went after she left his house on July 24, 2003. "She didn't say exactly where she was going. He expected her back in a couple of hours. And she never came back and he didn't know what happened to her," Tom Ward explained. "The story Dan told was always consistent. It never changed." In fact, Dan's defense is that it's David who killed Heather. Just look at David's actions that day. "David, by his own admission -- is responsible for getting rid of the car. He's responsible for getting rid of the body," Weiner said. "All of those things are very hard to believe that someone would do if they weren't the perpetrator." But why would David kill his brother's wife? "David DeWild -- says that he always felt that Heather was attracted to him. ...that there was a possibility that after Dan and Heather's divorce was final that he and Heather would be able to get together," Ward said. "There's no other evidence of any of this besides -- what David DeWild says about it, so I question whether he had some sort of an obsession with Heather." "And he killed her because she wouldn't respond to him?" Moriarty asked. "It's possible," said Ward. But prosecutor Weiner says that's absurd. "I don't think there's any way David could've done it by himself. And looking at the dynamics, it became pretty clear that -- David was set up by Daniel," he told Moriarty. "Daniel's the controlling one. ...David wasn't gonna lose his house. Daniel was losing his house. David had absolutely no motive, none whatsoever, to -- to kill Heather." What's more, says Weiner, why would a man who got away with a murder for almost a decade suddenly tell investigators a story where he implicates himself? "He throws himself under the bus more than anyone else does," Weiner continued. "He could've very easily fashioned a story that made this look like an accident." But defense attorney Tom Ward claims David turned against his brother because he got a great plea deal: instead of life, he got just 12 years. "He was able to give a statement that completely pinned the entire murder on his brother, Dan. And at the same time, completely exonerated his wife, Roseanne, whose case was dismissed," he said. What's more, Ward says, it's David who has a history of violence. He was married once before and attacked his wife. "David at one point -- tried to choke his wife and had his hands around her neck until she passed out and said, 'Next time I'll kill you, bitch,'" said Ward. The jury won't hear the most shocking claim that David makes against his twin brother: that Dan proposed they team up to kill each other's ex-wives. In Dan's mind, committing murder was better than paying child support. "I was shocked when David told me that. I thought, 'You have got to be kidding me,'" investigator Russ Boatright said. "Apparently Daniel, according to David, had worked the whole thing out in his head." The judge rules that information is just too prejudicial. Instead, it's left to prosecutor Weiner, in his closing, to remind the jury which twin he's convinced was pulling the strings. "Dan DeWild is a cool, calculated killer," he said. On Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, after a two-week trial, the case goes to the jury. "One of the first things we did was take kind of a straw poll," Scott, a juror, told Moriarty. "There were six people who voted that they weren't sure. And six people who thought straight away he was guilty." "As time goes, I'm getting more and more nervous," said Carole Springer. "Are you worried that the jury is just going to not know who actually killed Heather?" Moriarty asked. "Yes, that occurred to me in the courtroom, that it's gonna be a problem, and it was," Dave Springer replied. THE FATE OF DAN DEWILD On the second day of deliberations, the vote is now 10 guilty, two not sure. "The two jurors ... came back and they were completely shut down," Vicki, a juror, told Moriarty. "They said ... 'we don't think that there's enough evidence.'" The holdouts wouldn't talk to "48 Hours", but the other jurors say it all comes down to David DeWild's credibility. Did he downplay his own involvement in Heather's murder to get a plea deal and get his wife, Roseanne, out of prison? "They felt that David had too much to gain," Vicki explained. "... so David could have done it. And I think the point that the other 10 of us arrived at was it didn't matter at that point in time because they were both involved." "I think they must have felt like they needed to know exactly what happened ... and they had to have a piece of direct evidence of that happening and the rest of us didn't," juror Chris said. "It wasn't their job to connect the dots," said Vicki. "The prosecutors had to do it for them," said Scott. "I was incredibly frustrated, because I had committed to think for myself.," Vicki said. "I felt that they didn't do their duty." The jurors are able to agree on two lesser charges. They all believe that Dan DeWild planned to kill his wife and that he helped cover up the crime, but they're hopelessly deadlocked on whether Dan is the twin who murdered Heather. Asked how heated the deliberations got, Darren, a juror, told Erin Moriarty, "I walked out ... and I said, 'If you guys are truly done, then we need to go back and tell him that we're done.'" "How did you all feel when you went into the courtroom?" Moriarty asked. "I was angry," Vicki replied. Scott was "discouraged." Dan DeWild is convicted only of conspiracy and accessory to murder, but jurors failed to convict him of first-degree murder. "What was your reaction?" Moriarty asked District Attorney Scott Storey. "We're doing it again," he replied. "Oh, right away?" "Oh, absolutely," he said. Despite Dan being convicted on two counts and being sent to prison, Heather's parents say they were "pretty disappointed" in the verdict. "... he'll get out. And that's a problem," Dave Springer said. "You want him to go away for life," Moriarty commented. "Right," Springer replied. "Well, we've been fightin' this long. We'll keep fightin'." The plan is to retry Dan DeWild on first-degree murder, but just one month later -- fearful of ending up in prison with no chance of parole, he takes a deal and pleads guilty to second-degree murder. On Feb. 28, 2013, Dan Dewild is back in Judge Christopher Munch's courtroom for sentencing. This time cameras are allowed. Dan DeWild comes as close as he ever has to admitting he killed his wife: "I pled guilty to knowingly causing the death of another person..." he addressed the court. He also agrees not to appeal. Judge Munch has nothing kind to say abut the father who destroyed so many lives, including the children he claims to love. "He killed their mother. He did it brutally, and then he lied about it for years," Judge Munch told the court. "I'd just like to say that Daniel ... destroyed the life of his children. He destroyed the life of his own family members. All for unnecessary greed and ego that accomplished nothing," Dave Springer address the court. Not in the courtroom are the children. Jacob and Hannah are now teenagers living with their grandparents, who are raising them the way they think their daughter would. "Do you sometimes think about how much she missed out on with her kids?" Moriarty asked the Springers. "Of course. Yeah. All the time. I'm-- I always think, you know, how proud she'd be," Dave Springer replied. After almost a decade, Heather's family wonders if they'll finally hear from the man who caused so much heartache. Dan DeWild has a chance to apologize, much like his twin brother did in the same courtroom weeks earlier. "I feel horrible about the pain. All I can say is I'm sorry," David DeWild told the court at his sentencing. "I'm just sorry for all the pain I've caused." Judge Munch: You have the right to say anything you want me to consider, Now if you don't want to say anything you don't have to. ...Is it true that you do not want to exercise that right? Dan DeWild: That's true. "Daniel never did. Never did," investigator Russ Boatright said of Dan offering an apology. "It would have taken nothing at sentencing just to turn to the Springer family and just say 'I'm sorry.' But it's just not in Daniel's character to do that." Asked if he thinks Daniel feels any remorse, Boatright said, "No." In fact, David DeWild told Boatright he believes Dan enjoyed inflicting pain on Heather's family. "... that he thought Daniel went to bed every night knowing that Dave Springer thought he killed his daughter and couldn't prove it. And he said, 'Daniel, I know, got satisfaction from that,'" said Boatright. Judge Munch sentences Dan DeWild to 74 years in prison. "I'm glad he got the length of sentence he did. And he deserved more, but that's it," said Scott Storey. It has taken Storey eight years -- his entire two terms as district attorney -- to get justice for Heather. Was it worth it? "Yes, absolutely worth it," he told Moriarty. "... many times- - politicians can't -- can't fulfill their promises. This is one ... promise that was kept." But the question remains: just how close did Dan DeWild come to getting away with murder? "If David had not testified, if he had not turned on his brother, could you have convicted Dan?" Moriarty asked the jurors. "Based on the evidence we saw? ... without that, I don't know that I could have," said Scott. "I don't think any jury would have probably found him guilty," said Vicki. "Those two men would have gotten away with murder," Moriarty pointed out. "Probably," said Vicki. "Probably, yeah," Scott agreed. Dan DeWild remains in a Colorado prison. David DeWild was released on parole in 2020. Meet 90-year-old track star Florence Meiler Rock star: Sculptor Jago on unveiling humankind in marble Pressure mounts as calls grow for Biden to end reelection bid The Nebraska Department of Human Health Services has completed its investigation into how a woman was mistakenly pronounced dead at a Waverly nursing home last month. According to the report, a registered nurse working at The Mulberry at Waverly failed to follow the facility's own policy before declaring the woman dead the morning of June 3, which resulted in her being transported from Waverly to a Lincoln funeral home while she was still alive. Investigators interviewed facility staff and others after the incident involving the 74-year-old woman, who was on hospice care because of a terminal illness. At 9:30 a.m. June 3, a nursing assistant told a registered nurse that the woman was "not breathing." The registered nurse noted that the resident "had no carotid pulse," which can normally be felt on either side of the neck just below the jaw. Ten minutes later, the registered nurse told the hospice nurse that the resident had no pulse, and notifications to the physician and funeral home were sent out. Around 9:55 a.m., the nursing home contacted the woman's next of kin. The person who was contacted had just arrived at the facility and received the call about the resident's death as they were in the facility's parking lot. They entered the building after the call but did not want to see the woman at that time, according to the report. More than an hour later, at about 11:10 a.m., the 74-year-old was picked up at the nursing home by a transport company to be taken to Butherus Maser & Love Funeral Home near 40th and A streets in Lincoln. The HHS surveyor who completed the report interviewed the funeral director on June 4. The funeral director said the woman was brought to the funeral home at approximately 11:45 a.m. in a body bag on a gurney. Staff at the funeral home then moved the 74-year-old from the gurney onto a table to begin the embalming process. After the funeral director adjusted the woman's head, they heard a noise "like a gasp or grunting sound," according to the report. Staff then discovered the woman was breathing and called 911. The woman was transported to Bryan East Campus, where she died later that afternoon. The funeral director said the resident had been at the funeral home for about five minutes total. According to the report, the person who had been contacted about the death of the 74-year-old woman was notified by hospital staff at about 12:40 p.m. that the resident was found breathing while on a table at the funeral home. The person told the HHS investigator that they were upset by the incident because "I would have gone in to see (the 74-year-old woman) while at the facility if I had known (she) was still alive." That person ultimately arrived at the hospital before the resident died. An HHS review of the facility's checklist for a death in the nursing home revealed that several steps had been skipped that morning, likely leading to the mistake. Nurses at The Mulberry at Waverly are instructed to "note the absence of vital signs, no (blood pressure), no pulse, no respirations." Next, they are supposed to have a second licensed nurse verify vital signs. If a second nurse is not available, the director of nursing is to be notified and the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office should be called to come out and verify the death. The registered nurse in this case "failed to take the resident's blood pressure," and did not have a second nurse verify vital signs, despite the fact that another nurse was confirmed to be on duty at 9:40 a.m. that day, according to the report. The facility suspended the nurse. Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said at a news conference the day of the incident that the Sheriff's Office was not called to the nursing home about a death. On June 6, The Mulberry at Waverly updated its process for the death of a resident, revising the checklist it had in place and educating all staff on the new changes. Those changes were not noted in the report. During its investigation, HHS also examined the records of two other residents who had died recently. Another resident's records showed "no evidence of documentation regarding the unidentified nurse completing an assessment to determine the absence of vital signs." The Mulberry at Waverly nurse consultant said an assessment should have been done and documented. A letter sent to The Mulberry at Waverly from HHS on June 24 said the facility "failed to completely and accurately assess patients after they have a change in condition." As a result of the HHS investigation, the facility was put on probation for 180 days beginning July 9. It is the second time this year the facility has been put on probation. It is unclear how this probation affects a previous 180day probation period that started March 13 after the nursing home failed to follow a medical provider's orders in the death of another resident. Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or avargas@journalstar.com. On Twitter @Alex_Vargas1994 President Joe Biden announced Sunday he is exiting from the presidential race for reelection after pressure from Democratic leaders and a poor performance in his debate against former President Donald J. Trump. The party has sounded the alarm that his chances of beating Trump this November have waned. The president's historic withdrawal throws the 2024 race already roiled by an assassination attempt on Trump into uncertain territory. Vice President Kamala Harris widely seen as the Democrat most likely to take Biden's place atop the party's ticket, with Biden's endorsement shortly following his announced exit. No matter what happens in a possible shake-up of the Democratic presidential ticket, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly is also on the national political radar. The Arizona Democrat continues to generate buzz as a potential alternative to President Joe Biden or to replace Vice President Kamala Harris if she ascends to the top of the ticket and needs a running mate. Several congressional Arizona leaders issued swift responses to Biden's announcement to drop out of the presidential race. Here's what they have to say. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. Sen. Mark Kelly said in a written statement that it takes "great humility to make the difficult decision" that President Biden has made to not seek reelection. "(Biden) led us out of a pandemic, took historic steps to bring back microchip and clean energy manufacturing and rebuild our infrastructure, and he has strengthened our alliances and made our country safer," Kelly said. Shortly after praising Biden's decision to step down, Kelly posted to X his endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris as the nomination for the Democratic ticket. Senator Mark Kelly attends the signing of the Colorado River Indian Tribes water rights settlement at the BlueWater Resort alongside the Colorado River on April 26, 2024, in Parker, Ariz. "(Harris) is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future," Kelly said. "Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States." Gabrielle Giffords is Kelly's wife and former U.S. representative from Arizona. In 2011, Giffords was the target of an assassination attempt near Tucson that killed six, including an 8-year-old girl and a federal judge, and wounded 18, plus Giffords, who sustained a near-fatal gunshot wound to her head. Giffords and Kelly were among the first to condemn political violence after news broke of the assassination attempt on Trump. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. Rep. Ruben Gallego issued a statement on Sunday lauding Biden for his work to pass the Violence Against Women Act as a senator, his fight to find a cure for cancer with his Cancer Moonshot as vice president, his work to cut prescription drugs and create more jobs as president. "He put his country first today, as he has throughout his tenure as a public servant," Gallego said. U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego had said on Thursday that Biden needed to prove he can do the job if he stays in on the top of the Democratic ticket. Gallego's comments didn't go as far as his Democratic colleagues on Capitol Hill, Reps. Raul Grijalva and Greg Stanton. Both recently called for Biden to step aside. Rep. Ruben Gallego (right) answers questions during a roundtable in Phoenix on July 18, 2024. On Sunday, Gallego said that Arizona is at a crossroads and that abortion rights, water security, caring for veterans, and more are now on the line. "That's why I will spend the next 107 days laser-focused on defeating Kari Lake and her dangerous plans to ban abortion, endanger seniors' Medicare, and hurt Arizona families," Gallego said. Gallego is running against Lake for the senate seat that will be up for grabs after Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's decision not to run for reelection. Mark Lamb is also vying for the GOP nomination. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz. In the hours after Biden's announced exit, Rep. Juan Ciscomani reposted Biden's statement by adding that the president's policies will be on the ballot in the form of Kirsten Engel. Engel is challenging Ciscomani in the 6th Congressional District race as the democratic candidate. "From our border to your pocketbooks, we cant let Biden-Engel win," Ciscomani said on X. Juan Ciscomani, representative, addresses a crowd at the opening of the new Trump Force 47 office in Casa Grande, Arizona, on July 2, 2024. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., called on Biden to step down as president in addition to stepping out of the presidential race. Biggs posted that Biden is "too weak and feeble" to be prosecuted and to campaign, asking how he would be strong enough to continue serving as commander-in-chief of "the strongest nation in the world." Joe Biden is too weak and feeble to be prosecuted. He is too weak and feeble to campaign. How is he strong enough to continue serving as Commander in Chief of the strongest nation in the world? Joe Biden ought to step down. Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) July 21, 2024 Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz. "Today, as he always has, President Biden put the future of our country first. He will go down in history as one of the most effective chief executives of the modern era. I will forever be proud of what we have been able to deliver for Arizona," Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said in a post to X. Stanton on July 11 called on Biden to step aside from the 2024 presidential race. "The stakes in this election could not be higher. For our country's sake, it is time for the President to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders," Stanton wrote in a social media message. Today, as he always has, President Biden put the future of our country first. He will go down in history as one of the most effective chief executives of the modern era. I will forever be proud of what we have been able to deliver for Arizona. pic.twitter.com/PCBlk0fefC Greg Stanton (@gregstantonaz) July 21, 2024 Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz. While Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., did not issue a statement on Biden stepping out of the race or his subsequent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, Crane did post a video to X criticizing Harris for her border policies. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., issued a statement expressing his gratitude to Biden for his "significant achievements and progress his administration has made." Grijalva was the second sitting lawmaker to push for the incumbent to step down after Biden's debate performance. "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," Grijalva, an 11-term lawmaker, told the New York Times on July 3. Grijalva's announcement followed Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, the first sitting lawmaker to urge Biden to step down. In Grijalva's statement Sunday, he described Biden's decision to step aside as emblematic of his life of public service and that Biden will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most consequential presidents in our history. "It's now time for Democrats to quickly coalesce around Kamala Harris, as President Biden has called on us to do, and form a ticket that will protect our democracy by helping Democrats win up and down the ballot this November," he said. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. About 20 minutes after Biden posted his announcement to X, Rep. Paul Gosar posted "The coup is complete." Republic reporters Ronald J. Hansen and Laura Gersony contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Joe Biden quits race: How Arizona's congressional delegation reacted Credit - Kent NishimuraLos Angeles Times via Getty Images Within a whirlwind 36 hours after President Joe Biden decided on Sunday to drop out of the presidential election and endorse Kamala Harris to take his place leading the Democratic Party against Donald Trump in November, nearly the entire party has gotten behind the Vice President. By Monday, Harris nascent campaign had fundraised a record $81 million and she secured the support of an overwhelming number of DNC delegates, setting herself up to clinch the nomination next month at the partys convention in Chicago. More From TIME While some prominent Democratsnotably former President Barack Obama and congressional leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jefferies have yet to explicitly endorse Harris, hundreds of others have already proclaimed their enthusiasm to elect Harris as the next President of the U.S. Heres a roundup of all the endorsements Harris has received as of early Tuesday. Former Democratic Presidents and presidential nominees Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic nominee for President, were one of the earliest to endorse Harris for President, posting a joint statement on X shortly after Bidens announcement. They said they would do whatever we can to support her. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term, the joint statement said. Hillary Clinton later posted a photo of her with Harris alongside a caption that urged supporters to donate to the campaign. John Kerry, former Secretary of State and 2004 Democratic nominee for President, also endorsed Harris, writing on X: For democracy, alliances, economic fairness, and the future of our planet, now is the time to listen to the only person who has ever beaten Donald Trump, and join with President Biden in every effort to make Vice President Harris the next President of the United States. No citizen of good conscience should stay on the sidelines. Read More: Trump and Other Leaders React to Biden Dropping Out While former President Barack Obama and former Vice President and 2000 Democratic nominee Al Gore each hailed Bidens accomplishments and supported his decision to leave the race, notably absent from eithers statement was any mention of Harris. The Squad and other members of Congress In a major vote of confidence from one of the Democratic partys most influential leaders, former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) endorsed Harris on Monday afternoon: I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November, Pelosi posted on X. Harris has also won the support of nearly 90%, according to the New York Times, of all Democratic members of Congress, including a broad coalition of progressives and moderates. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, endorsed Harris. So too did nearly all of the so-called Squad of left-wing representatives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Cori Bush (Mo.), Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), and others. Ocasio-Cortez, who had warned her followers on Friday about the risks of replacing Biden as the nominee, pledged her full support to Harris on Sunday. Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy, Ocasio-Cortez posted on X. Lets get to work. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) also endorsed Harris, writing on social media: She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) has yet to endorse Harris, though he said on CNN on Monday, Im sure that I will. Read More: A Guide to Kamala Harris Views on Abortion, the Economy, and More Several Democrat senators facing tough reelection battles this year have already announced their support for Harris, including Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio) and Bob Casey (Pa.), as have several representatives from purple districts, such as Susan Wild (Pa.) and Yadira Caraveo (Colo.). Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), who had each previously said theyd resigned themselves to Trump defeating Biden, have so far not endorsed Harris. The youngest and first Gen Z member of Congress, 27-year-old Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-N.Y.), endorsed Harris, posting a photo of him shaking her hand alongside the caption: Lets get to work to defeat Trump and reject fascism. The oldest member of Congress, 87-year-old Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), who is retiring, has not yet issued a statement on Bidens decision to step aside or Harris candidacy. While House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) have yet to formally endorse Harris, other influential Democratic leaders in Congress have, including Senate majority whip Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), House minority whip Rep. Katherine Clark (Mass.) and House Democratic Caucus chair and vice chair Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.) and Rep. Ted Liu (Calif.). Rep. Nanette Barragan (Calif.), who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a post on X that she will work tirelessly to elect Harris in November, and Rep. Steven Horsford (Nev.), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, described Harris as the right person at the right time. Rep. Dean Philips, who had mounted a primary campaign against Biden, is among the few Democratic members of Congressalong with corruption-convicted Sen. Bob Menendez (N.J.) and several otherswho have so far declined to endorse Harris. Phillips called for a competitive process to determine the partys new nominee. Every Democratic governor, including those floated as presidential and vice-presidential contenders All 23 Democratic governors across the country have endorsed Harris, including several who themselves had been speculated as potential challengers for the nomination and still could land on the ticket alongside Harris. Read More: Who Could Be Kamala Harris Running Mate? Heres the Shortlist Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro lent his support and endorsement to Harris in a statement posted to X on Sunday. Shapiro said hes known Harris for nearly two decades and that she is a patriot worthy of our support. The best path forward for the Democratic Party, Shapiro said, is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper similarly shared in a post on X on Sunday that hes known Harris since their days as Attorneys General and that she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket, Cooper said. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Harris and announced that shell be serving as co-chair of the campaign in a post on X on Monday. In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate we can count on to lower our costs, protect our freedoms, and build an economy that works for working people, Whitmer said on video. This is a stark contrast to Donald Trump, a convicted felon who stokes violence, overturned Roe, and drove our economy into the ground the last time he was in the White House. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also endorsed Harris in a post on X on Monday morning. Vice President Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans, Pritzker wrote. She represents our Partys best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November, and I will work my heart out to help her do that. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave his endorsement to Harris in an MSNBC interview on Monday. The Vice President is smart and strong, which will make her a good President, but shes also kind and has empathy, which can make her a great President, said Beshear. Later, the Harris campaign shared a clip of Beshear campaigning against Trump running mate J.D. Vance on CNN. Gov. @AndyBeshearKY: The problem with JD Vance is he has no conviction. But I guess his running mate has 34 pic.twitter.com/dzqnFnjoaQ Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 23, 2024 Americans want to turn the page, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote in a statement on X. Kamala has a vision of hope and a future we all can believe in. When asked if he would accept an offer to be Harris running mate during a CNN interview on Monday, Polis joked: If they do the polling and it turns out that they need a 49-year-old balding gay Jew from Boulder, Colorado, they got my number. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a rising Democratic star who has in recent weeks been a fierce defender of Biden, endorsed Harris in a post on X: With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than Americas Vice President, @KamalaHarris. (Newsom is ineligible to be Harris running mate because they come from the same state.) Other notable Democratic figures Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who ran against Harris and Biden in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary and has also been discussed as a contender for Harris running mate, voiced his support for Harris in a post on X. Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and the most consequential presidents in our history, he wrote. Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as President. Nearly 300 Democratic mayors across the countryincluding New Yorks Eric Adams, Los Angeles Karen Bass, and Chicagos Brandon Johnsonhave also endorsed Harris, according to a statement by the Democratic Mayors Association, which says: As Mayors, we are the closest to the people and understand better than most that too much is at stake for our communities to endure another Donald Trump presidency. Former Georgia state representative Stacey Abrams, who lost bids for governor in 2018 and 2022 but has remained a prominent democracy activist, endorsed Harris in a post on X, saying: Shes a tenacious fighter, a champion for our rights & defender of our democracy. United, she will lead us as we defeat Donald Trump this November. Martin Luther King III, son of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., posted a statement on Instagram from him and his wife Arndrea Waters King. They wrote that Harris will shatter a significant glass ceiling by becoming the first Black woman and first South Asian nominee from a major party for President and that she has demonstrated commitment to what Kings father stood for: a world built on peace, justice, and equity. Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who retired from Congress after suffering a brain injury from being shot in the head in 2011 and is now a gun control advocate, announced her and her PACs support for Harris on Sunday. She will make a great president, and her strong, steadfast leadership will save lives, Giffords said of Harris in a post on X. Mark and I will do everything we can to ensure she is elected in November, she added, referencing her husband Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who has also endorsed Harris and is rumored to be a contender for Harris running mate. The biggest Democratic megadonors, billionaire George Soros and his son Alex, are among the high-profile Wall Street leaders who have endorsed Harris. The pair, who spent over $128 million to support Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections, are known for championing liberal political causes including voting rights, abortion rights, and gender equity. She is the best and most qualified candidate we have, Alex Soros posted on X alongside a photo of him and Harris. Long live the American Dream! PACs, advocacy groups, and labor unions EMILYs List, a political action committee focused on supporting Democratic female candidates, endorsed Harris in a statement on X. She is the only candidate positioned to win against Trump in November, and the best voice to define the stakes in this election, the statement said. History in the making! reads a statement by the Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorsing Harris, which also described her as a champion of democracy, equality, and progress. The AAPI Victory Fund and Latino Victory also endorsed Harris. Priorities USA Actionthe largest Democratic Party super PAC that had supported the campaigns of Obama, Clinton, and Bidenwrote on X that it stands behind Harris. She is the best candidate to beat Donald Trump this November, it said. In a joint statement endorsing Harris, a group of environmental and clean energy organizations, including the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, lauded her as a driving force in delivering the strongest climate action in history and that shes ready to build on those gains from day one as president. LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign also endorsed Harris, describing her as a trailblazer and champion for LGBTQ+ equality for decades. A number of labor unions and trade groups have also come out in support of Harris, including the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations), the SEIU (Service Employees International Union), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), United Farm Workers, the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), (the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU), and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). From day one, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a true partner in leading the most pro-labor administration in history, the AFL-CIO, the countrys largest labor union federation representing over 12.5 million workers, said in a statement. With Kamala Harris in the White House, together well continue to build on the powerful legacy of the Biden-Harris administration to create good union jobs, grow the labor movement and make our economy work for all of us. Celebrities West Wing writer Aaron Sorkin had just published a guest essay in the New York Times making the case for Biden to step aside and Democrats to nominate Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), hours before Biden did step aside but endorsed Harris. I take it all back, Sorkin said in an email, shared on X by West Wing actor Joshua Malina. Harris for America! Other Hollywood celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Spike Lee, have all publicly backed the Vice President for the presidency. So have singer John Legend and rapper Cardi B, both of whom have long used their platforms for political advocacy, among many other musicians. Some of the most prominent Black women in the entertainment industry, including Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes, actors Kerry Washington and Viola Davis, and singer and actor Sheryl Lee Ralph, have also voiced their excitement and support for Harris campaign. When she wins, we win! Ralph wrote on Instagram. Harris candidacy has also excited those outside America. British pop singer Charli XCX, who released her sixth studio album brat last month, gave Harris a nod of approval with a post on X: kamala IS bratan endorsement Gen Zers understand and that the Harris campaign and her supporters have particularly leaned into. With reporting by Chantelle Lee/New York Contact us at letters@time.com. Here's What Happens Now That Biden Is Out of the Election President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would not seek re-election, a decision that upends the 2024 presidential contest. The move marks a stunning reversal for the 81-year-old leader, who had steadfastly insisted on continuing his campaign despite mounting doubts about his age and vigor. He has now endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. In a letter posted on social media, Biden acknowledged the growing concerns within his party and the nation about his ability to effectively challenge former President Donald Trump in a rematch. "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down," he wrote, adding that he would focus on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term. The decision, which Biden is expected to discuss further in an address to the nation later this week, follows weeks of internal turmoil and external pressure from Democratic lawmakers, donors, and key allies who were increasingly convinced that his candidacy could lead to a catastrophic defeat in November. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," he wrote in a second social media post. "Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this." Biden's withdrawal comes on the heels of a disastrous debate performance against Trump last month, where he appeared frail and struggled to articulate his positions effectively. The debate, widely seen as a turning point, exposed vulnerabilities and concerns about his age that had been simmering since his initial run against Trump in 2020. Read More: Biden Endorses Kamala Harris After Ending Re-Election Bid The President's decision not to seek re-election marks a historic moment in American politics, as it's the first time in decades that a sitting President has chosen not to pursue a second term. It draws parallels to President Lyndon B. Johnson's decision in 1968 to withdraw from the Democratic primary race amid growing discontent over his handling of the Vietnam War. Biden, whose political career spans over five decades, leaves behind a complex legacy as the oldest President in American history. His presidency has been marked by efforts to navigate a deeply divided nation, address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and implement ambitious legislative agendas despite fierce partisan opposition. For the Democratic Party, Biden's exit injects uncertainty into an already tumultuous election cycle. With just over 100 days until Election Day, Democrats now face the urgent task of selecting a new nominee capable of rallying the party and confronting Trump, who leads in most major polls. Following Bidens withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election, heres what happens now. Who picks the nominee? After Biden's decision to withdraw, the Democratic Party now faces the critical task of selecting a new nominee to challenge Trump. While Vice President Kamala Harris is widely considered a front-runner for the nominationand has received Bidens endorsementher ascension to the top of the ticket is not guaranteed. Democratic delegates, who will convene at the party's national convention starting on Aug. 19 in Chicago, hold the authority to choose the presidential nominee. The process of selecting a new candidate is expected to begin with a virtual roll call in early August, where delegates are expected to cast their votes. Approximately 4,700 delegates will participate in this pivotal decision-making process, with about 4,000 previously pledged to Biden now free to support alternative candidates. In the event that no single candidate secures a majority of votes in the initial round, a scenario that could potentially lead to an open convention, superdelegatescomprising 700 unpledged delegateswould retain the ability to vote in subsequent rounds. This setup emphasizes the importance of behind-the-scenes negotiations and coalition-building among Democratic leaders and contenders as they vie for delegate support. While Harris remains a leading contender due to her proximity to Biden and significant party support, recent polling indicates a mixed reception among voters regarding her candidacy compared to Biden's. According to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted July 5-9, Harris polled about the same as Biden against Trump in head-to-head matchups, though a July 13-16 Economist/YouGov poll found that Harris would perform slightly worse than Biden. No other Democrats immediately pledged to challenge Harris for the nomination, but possible contenders include California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Additionally, under federal election regulations, funds in Biden's campaign account could be transferred to Harris if she became the nominee since her name is on the paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission. But if Harris is not the nominee, it could get more complicated. However, the campaign could still transfer its funds to the DNC or a super PAC that intends to back the new ticket. The outcome of the delegate vote in early August will therefore carry profound implications not only for the Democratic Party's electoral prospects but also for the broader political landscape as the nation approaches a pivotal election season. Read More: Read Kamala Harris Statement on Biden Dropping Out What would an open convention look like? In the absence of a clear frontrunner, an open and contested convention for the Democratic Party could unfold as a high-stakes battleground where contenders vie for delegate supporta scenario that last took place in 1968. An open convention would likely see candidates scrambling to secure the requisite support from delegates spread across the country. Each candidate would need signatures from at least 300 delegates to get their name in the roll call vote. In the event that no candidate commands a majority in the initial round of voting, the convention could devolve into multiple rounds of balloting. In 1924, the Democratic Party's prolonged convention required 103 rounds of voting, highlighting the chaotic nature and potential pitfalls of extended deliberations, according to Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Princeton University. While party leaders and superdelegates would eventually enter the fray to break deadlocks, the spectacle of competing factions within the party negotiating in real-time could overshadow efforts to present a unified front against the Republican nominee. What are the legal hurdles the Democratic Party faces? Some Republicans have warned that they would try to complicate any efforts to replace Biden as the partys nominee for the upcoming presidential election since he was the overwhelming winner of the partys primaries. Every state has its own system, and in some of these, its not possible to simply just switch out a candidate, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on ABCs This Week just hours before Bidens announcement to withdraw, suggesting that there could be grounds to challenge whether such replacement efforts comply with existing state election laws. I think they would run into some legal impediments in at least a few of these jurisdictions, Johnson added. Well see how it plays out. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, released a memo in June that outlined the intricate and state-specific processes that govern the replacement of a presidential candidate. The memo claimed that several battleground states, including Wisconsin, Nevada, and Georgia, have stringent ballot access deadlines or unclear procedures for candidate substitutions, which could provoke a legal battle after Biden dropped out of the race. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. Louisiana delegates to the Democratic National Convention are likely to support Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new nominee for president after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he's dropping out of the race. Biden endorsed Harris to replace him. Democratic delegates, who had been pledged to Biden, will choose their new candidate Aug. 19-22 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. All of the Louisiana delegates interviewed by USA Today Network Sunday said they intend to support Harris at this point. Louisiana has 53 convention delegates. Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter is the state's only Democrat in Congress and a delegate to the convention. "President Joe Biden's legacy is a testament to his unwavering commitment to civil rights, voting rights, and the rule of law. His transformative leadership has empowered families in Louisiana and nationwide," he said in a statement to USA Today Network. "We honor his substantial contributions, including the historic nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. His selfless decision to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris resonates deeply. I have every confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris to continue their great work." Rep. Mandie Landry of New Orleans also said she plans to support Harris as a delegate. "She was actually my first choice in 2019; I like her spirit and energy," said Landry, who said she had supported Biden "100%" until his decision Sunday. "I really thought the president was going to stay in the race." Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis, who represents about 1 million consitutents in New Orleans and the capital region as a member of the body that regulates utilities, called Biden's decision "an unprecedented and historic moment in history." "I want to recognize (Biden) as transformative for the investments he made in infrastructure and other accomplishments," Lewis said. "I said I would stand by him until he told me otherwise, which he did on Sunday. "He chose Kamala Harris four years ago because he believed she was well-equipped to be the standard bearer if something happened to him and I fully expect to support her at the convention." State Rep. Kyle Green Jr. of New Orleans, an at-large delegate, was stuck in the Phoenix airport when he heard about Biden's withdrawal from the race. "I want to first thank the president for his long, successful service to the nation," Green said. "Now that he has stepped aside I believe Kamala Harris is the best choice to lead our party and to beat former President Donald Trump." Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal Gaines, also a delegate, thanked Biden for his "remarkable leadership" and expects the party to unite behind Harris. Joe Biden's choice to step aside and endorse Kamala Harris isnt just a leadership change; its a bold statement of our party's future direction," Gaines said. "Kamala Harris is now at the forefront of our battle against the extreme right-wing agenda that threatens our democracy, our rights, and our values and we will honor Joe Bidens legacy and the decision that he has made today by throwing our full support behind her in beating Donald Trump again this November." State Senate Pro-tem Regina Barrow of Baton Rouge said she was in church when she heard the news. "I was absolutely shocked; I felt like the air was sucked out of me," Barrow said. "I think he would have done a great job, so I'm disappointed, but I support his endorsement of Kamala Harris." More: Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport predicts red wave for Congress, Trump to take White House Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1 This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here's who Louisiana Democratic delegates support for president after Biden Here's how to comment on MoDOT's high priority unfunded needs project list Missouri Department of Transportation seeks the public's input on determining as yet unfunded transportation priorities. Meetings will happen throughout the state, but the central region meeting is scheduled 4-6 p.m. July 30 in the Muri Room of the Central District office, 1511 Missouri Blvd. in Jefferson City. MoDOT and regional planning partners have outlined a draft high priority unfunded needs listing. It identifies $1.1 billion in annual unfunded transportation needs. The list guides development needs into funded projects as state and federal funding becomes available. MoDOT is seeking public input on the list. The draft list has $4.4 billion in road and bridge needs in three tiers. Tier one includes $477 million and includes needs that could be accomplished in the current five year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Tier 2 is work $1.92 billion and includes needs beyond the current STIP timeframe with broad estimates. MoDOT also has worked with planning partners to identify $1 billion in multimodal (e.g. pedestrian, rail, river, air travel) needs. MoDOT is taking comments on the draft document through Aug. 23. An online comment form is available through the unfunded needs web page. More information is available by calling MoDOT's customer service line at 1-888-275-6636. From 2022: MoDOT has a list of unfunded projects. The department wants public feedback on the list This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: MoDOT seeks public input on unfunded needs list Here's why an Austin-area school district is searching for a new superintendent. Students arrive for the first day of classes at Del Valle Middle School last August. The Del Valle district has hired a firm to search for a new superintendent. The Del Valle school district has launched a search for a new superintendent after Annette Tielle announced in February that she is retiring this year. The district hired search firm O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo PC to find candidates to fill the top administrative position for the 11,300-student district, which covers a swath of East Austin and southeastern Travis County. The district is spending up to $40,000 on the search. Tielle stepped down in April after serving as superintendent since 2020 but plans to remain in an emeritus position with the district through December. In April, the Del Valle school board appointed Jonathan Harris as acting superintendent. Harris is the district's chief compliance, governmental and community relations officer and executive director of curriculum and instruction. The Del Valle district is searching for its new leader as it rolls out a $300 million bond project, which will fund construction of a second high school and new career and technical programs. About 92.5% of Del Valle students are considered economically disadvantaged, according to Texas Education Agency data. Candidates may apply for the superintendent job until Aug. 21. District officials hope to approve a superintendent by Oct. 15. In Texas, school boards must wait 21 days between announcing a finalist and hiring the person. The district plans to host town halls and focus groups and offer surveys as well as other feedback measures for the community to weigh in on the search, according to a district spokesman. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Del Valle, Texas, school district launches superintendent search On Feb. 6, 1816, William Robertsons plat map for the village of Wilmington, present day Utica, was approved and recorded with the county. There is no record as to why he chose the name Wilmington; perhaps he believed it sounded like William, but the name wouldnt last. When the village applied for a post office, officials were informed that there was already a town in Clark County named Wilmington and if they wanted a post office, they would have to choose a new name. On Sept. 27, 1821, the new post office opened in the village of Utica. Roelof Brinkerhoff who in 1960 wrote the book, A Sesquicentennial History of Utica, Licking County, Ohio 1810-1960, commented that once again no one knows why the name was chosen since there was no one from Utica, New York in the village at the time. History column: Licking County, then part of Fairfield County, first settled in 1813 at present-day Utica Robertson was determined to build his community, and he figured prominently in the village. He already owned the sawmill and grist mill, and in 1821 he purchased a wool carding machine. These machines were used to mechanize the process of preparing wool for spinning. He probably owned the first one in the county. He is sometimes referred to as Major Robertson, having attained that rank in a regiment of militia that trained in Granville. One day during training, Robertson and his men were ordered to cross a swollen stream. They tried numerous times and failed. Robertson was court-martialed and fined $50. He resented this and resigned from the Granville militia. After this, he formed his own regiment in Utica. In 1825, he built a new house at South Main Street and Mill Street for his wife and four children. The Robertsons furnished and reserved an upstairs front room for any guest ministers that needed a place to stay in town. History column: Before becoming home to Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill was an Underground Railroad stop William, 54 died Nov. 9, 1840. The cause of death was listed as consumption, resulting from his efforts to develop the area. His wife Sarah outlived him by 37 years when she died Dec. 28, 1877. The founder of Utica and his family are buried at North Lawn Cemetery. The home was eventually sold to the telephone company. The company placed the switchboard in the front room on the first floor. For many years, the manager or chief operator was permitted to live in the home. In March 1965, the telephone company tore the house down and constructed the red brick building that currently inhabits the site, erasing a part of Uticas earliest history. Doug Stout is the Licking County Library local history coordinator. You may contact him at 740.349.5571 or dstout@lickingcountylibrary.org. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why the Licking County village of Wilmington was renamed Utica Israeli President Isaac Herzog has thanked President Joe Biden for his "steadfast support" after he announced he was withdrawing from the US presidential race. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to [US President] Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career," Herzog posted on the social media platform X on Sunday evening. "As the first US president to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples," Herzog wrote. He sent his "warmest wishes" to Joe Biden, his wife - First Lady Jill Biden - and all his family. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) President Joe Biden, 81, announced Sunday on X that he would not be seeking reelection in the 2024 race. The decision comes after several weeks of high-profile Democrats and other political figures calling for him to drop from the race. POLL: Did Biden make the right decision in dropping out of the presidential race? Bidens departure from the race was released in the following statement: My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Now, the shift focuses on the next Democratic presidential nominee, but the question is who will it be? What do you think? Take our poll 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 WFLA. RAYMOND Community members called on the Raymond School Board president to resign, but there is no indication that will happen. During a board meeting last month, parent Mitchell Berman said Audrey Kostuch should step down because she supports a discriminatory organization and violated board policies. Kostuch did not respond to a request for comment. Speaking on behalf of some community members, Berman called for Kostuchs resignation because of a sign in the front yard of her residence. It is unclear when the sign was put up and how long it was displayed in Kostuchs yard, but Berman said he became aware of it in May. On Monday, July 15, the sign was not on display. According to pictures obtained by The Journal Times, the sign says, Natural Family Month: Mothers Day to Fathers Day and has an illustration of a father, mother, son and daughter. At the bottom of the sign is a link to the Natural Family Foundations website. The mission of the foundation is to return the natural family to its rightful place as the foundation of our American culture, according to its website. When we speak of family, we consider that to be without question one biological born man and woman in a lifelong, committed, monogamous relationship with their biological and/or adopted children, the NFF website states. Anything outside of these NATURAL parameters by design causes undue stress on the marriage, children and society. During the public comment portion of the June 17 Raymond School Board meeting, Berman read a statement and said the natural family movement discriminates against LGBTQ+ people and nontraditional families. He said the movement promotes the idea that traditional heterosexual families are superior to all family structures and that our history as Americans depends on the growth of the natural family. Berman told The Journal Times that Kostuch is an elected official who should be held to a higher standard, and he believes displaying the sign in her yard violates school board policy. According to Raymond School Board policy, board members should treat others with respect and dignity at all times, and maintain decorum, and always communicate in a way that does not violate or illustrate disregard for board policy concerning harassment or discrimination. The policy states that forms of harassment include verbal or non-verbal expression related to race, gender, age, religion, disability, pregnancy or sexual orientation and that the board will vigorously enforce its prohibition against harassment based on race, color, national origin, age, sex (including gender status, change of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity). Kostuch displaying the sign not only raises questions about recent actions that were taken by this district, but it undermines the districts duty to foster a safe, inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students and staff, Berman said in June. As a board, you must strongly condemn the harmful and divisive rhetoric promoted by this movement and uphold the values of diversity, equality and respect for all individuals, regardless of their family structure or sexual orientation. Raymond School, 2659 76th St., is a K-8 building with about 400 students. Last year, Raymond School Principal Jeff Peterson, who was placed on paid administrative leave in September 2023 and whose contract was not renewed in December 2023, filed a complaint alleging the school district is discriminating against him because he is gay. A complaint decision has not been issued. In a statement, the Raymond School Board said any notion that the school district or its board members would tolerate any discrimination, including that which is based on sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected classification, is ridiculous and extremely disappointing. Berman in June called on Kostuch to immediately resign. If that doesnt happen, he called on board members to censure Kostuch and remove her as board president for violating board policy. Theres no more room for discrimination in Raymond, he said. Berman told The Journal Times that he spoke for some community members and everyone that falls outside that narrow view of family. It bothers me to think that simply because you dont fit someones perception of perfection or you dont fit into someones mold, that youre any less of a person, he said. Not everybodys family looks the same. It doesnt matter what the situation is, everyone should be accepted. Kostuch was reelected in April to the school board to serve a three-year term with a salary of $2,350 per year. She remains on the board and has not been censured. School board members chose Kostuch to remain board president during a July 8 special meeting. According to Berman, the board members staying with Kostuch as president indicated they were not concerned about his statement. Theyre complicit in her violation of the policy, and/or they support her position, he said. Berman said he has not heard from any school board members during the past month about his statement. I dont believe theyll be looking into it, he said. They have an agenda, and theyre gonna roll with their agenda no matter what the community thinks or what people say They dont care what the optics are. They have a mission. Board member Patty Hren declined to comment about questions related to community members calling on Kostuch to resign and why she voted for Kostuch to remain board president. The three other Raymond School Board members Janell Wise, Ed Robinson and Mike Pauers did not respond to requests for comment. Five photos of the Raymond School Board July 8 meeting The Raymond School Board has a new member. Patty Hren New board member Patty Hren, left, takes the oath of office administered by Nicole Fuchs Monday during a Raymond School Board meeting at Raymo Hren, Kostuch Audrey Kostuch, Raymond School Board president, right, talks with Patty Hren on Monday during a board meeting. Hren, who has lived in Raymond Hren Patty Hren, far left, talks to Janell Wise, far right, Monday during a Raymond School Baord meeting. Hren applied for the opening because she Pauers, Hren Patty Hren, right, listens to Mike Pauers Monday during a Raymond School Board meeting. Hren was appointed to the five-member board and will h Kostuch, Leach Audrey Kostuch, Raymond School Board president, left, talks with Superintendent Michael Leach during a July board meeting. Patty Hren oath of office Raymond School Board 'History will judge him well': Okaloosa County reacts to President Joe Biden dropping out On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced on social media that he would not run for re-election after pressure from other Democrats mounted following the first presidential debate in June. Following the announcement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. The Northwest Florida Daily News reached out to local Democratic and Republican officials to learn their reactions. Gay Valimont A Niceville Pride Event attendee is seen talking to Democratic challenger to Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Gay Valimont "On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend our deepest thanks to President Joe Biden for his dedicated service to our country," said Valimont, the Democratic nominee for Florida's First Congressional District. "While I support his decision, I am saddened to see Joe go. His accomplishments have spanned decades. But what he has done over the last four years has been nothing short of miraculous, bringing us out of a global pandemic and economic disaster. History will judge him well. "Thank you, President Biden, for your steadfast dedication and for your many years of public service. We in the Democratic party will continue the hard work on your behalf." From Destin: Will Joe Biden exiting the race have an effect in Destin/Okaloosa County? Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel "It has been apparent for months that President Biden has been greatly diminished in his mental capacity. The debate between Trump and Biden made that abundantly clear," said Ketchel, a Republican. "I not only believe that he is not capable of running a Presidential campaign but it calls into question if he can continue as commander-in-chief. I have tremendous concerns that our southern border has been erased and whether he can safely conduct Americas foreign policy." Walton County Democratic Women's Club In a Facebook post, the Walton County Democratic Women's Club expressed gratitude for Biden's service to the country. "You brought us out of COVID and created the strongest and most enviable economy in the world," stated the club. "Together, with President Obama, you brought us out of the economic downturn of 2009 and the automotive crisis. You fought to create gun laws that will make our country safe. You have been an advocate for women and their reproductive rights. "You have brought kindness, decency and honor to the presidency. By stepping aside, you've paved the way for the younger generation to lead. You are a hero." The next nominee? What happens to Joe Biden's delegates now that president has dropped out of election? Okaloosa Democratic Executive Committee Campaign Chair Davey Jones said a statement will be released following a conversation with the Florida Democratic Party at 6 p.m. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa political party leaders react to President Biden dropping out Candince Swarm thought she had more time. The Austin police officer who announced the cleanup of a sprawling Walnut Creek homeless encampment last November told Swarm on a Tuesday that crews wouldnt reach her campsite, tucked deeper in the hilly woods, for a few more days. I was told Friday twice. Then they took my van on Thursday, said Swarm, still pained by the difference that one day made. By the time I got down there, it was completely gone. That 1995 Dodge Ram conversion van was Swarms home not only her protection from icy cold snaps and sweltering summers, but the storage for her food and clothes, her laptop and college textbooks, her generator and a cherished T-shirt worn by a boyfriend who died in 2021. A camp neighbor who saw the cleanup told Swarm that the citys heavy machinery tore her van apart, kind of like peeling a can open, she said. Once the Austin Resource Recovery crews left, Swarm told me: I didnt even have a cord to charge my phone with. I had the clothing on my back, and my dog, and my phone, and that was it. Worst of all: Without her laptop and textbooks, Swarm, 37, couldnt finish her online classes at Houston Christian University. Her incomplete grades for the fall semester meant she lost her financial aid so now she cant complete her degree, even as shes responsible for about $11,000 in student loans that she thought were an investment in her goal of becoming a preacher. That was supposed to be my bright future. That was what I was looking ahead to, said Swarm, now living in a tent in the same woods where she lost everything. Candince Swarm, who is homeless, stands in her shelter at an encampment in Northeast Austin last month. Swarm lost nearly everything she owned in a city sweep of the camp in November. Amid the wreckage of that event, Swarm wanted to know: What is Austins policy for homeless camp cleanups? How much advance notice are people supposed to get? And wasnt the city supposed to offer referrals to services? But she couldn't find anything in writing. What she started to see then and what I have found now is that Austin does not have a standard policy on how to conduct homeless camp sweeps. "It is currently in draft form," the city's Law Department wrote last month in response to my public records request for any such policy. Therefore, "the city will withhold this document." Lack of policy creates uncertainty In the three years since Austin voters and state lawmakers adopted homeless camping bans, Austin has spent millions of dollars conducting hundreds of camp cleanups, according to data I reviewed from several city departments. Each cleanup is an opportunity to help people out of homelessness or push them deeper into desperate conditions. Yet without a standard operating procedure on how these sweeps should be done, what happens to those who are unhoused is a roll of the dice. Some are notified days, or even weeks, in advance of a sweep, so they can make plans to move and protect their valuables. Others are given just a few minutes notice. Some are matched to shelter beds or at least referred to organizations that can help. Others, like Swarm, get nothing. Among the items Swarm lost in a homeless camp cleanup were her laptop and textbooks, Without those, Swarm couldnt finish her Houston Christian University online classes, and she lost her financial aid so now she cant complete her degree. The inconsistency adds to the traumatic uncertainty of living on the street. It also undermines the goal we all share helping people exit homelessness when abrupt cleanups lead to people losing their IDs, work uniforms, tools or items needed for school. David Gray, who runs the Homeless Strategy Office that was created last December, told me that coordination among city departments has improved considerably. Instead of Austin Police, Watershed Protection, Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department directing cleanups on their own and handling them differently members of those departments now meet once or twice a week to ensure all cleanups are planned with the Homeless Strategy Office. Importantly, Gray said the city is developing a policy on homeless camp sweeps, with the goal of finalizing it later this year. He said the city is already following key parts of that proposal, including providing at least 72 hours notice before a cleanup, conducting outreach in advance to help match people to shelters or other services, and ensuring important belongings are secured before cleanups start. Gray said the policy would provide exceptions to the 72-hour-notice requirement for emergencies, such as crews removing people from a creek bed thats about to flood, or police taking action when theres a meth lab or narcotics distribution or somebody that was assaulted. Nothing like that prompted the Nov. 15-16 cleanup of Swarms encampment along Walnut Creek, off Sprinkle Road in Northeast Austin. The Austin Police Department told me that cleanup was done following multiple public complaints related to unlawful camping, the presence of motor vehicles within the greenbelt, and an extensive trash and debris field. Candince Swarm rests in her tent. She had been living in a 1995 Dodge Ram conversion van, but when a cleanup crew came a day earlier than expected, the citys heavy machinery tore her van apart, kind of like peeling a can open. Swarm ended up getting just 48 hours notice, with no referrals to services and no assistance in protecting her valuables. Neither the police nor the city could explain why. What happened to her is incredibly tragic, and we do recognize that, Gray told me. He also called it a prime example of something that shouldnt happen. We don't want to be the city that just kicks people out. Thats not a solution to homelessness, Gray said. I think a lot of people have learned that when we move folks off of the major corridors, they're not really leaving Austin. They're just going into your park or they're going deeper into your neighborhood or they're going into a creek, none of which are ends to homelessness. Another sweep was 'a wake-up call' The city faces a tremendous challenge: It must enforce the camping bans, and it is responsible for keeping public spaces safe and clean. It also has a moral obligation to treat vulnerable people with compassion and avoid actions that further destabilize people trying to get their lives on track. Given those stakes, why doesnt Austin already have a policy on how to properly handle camp cleanups? That question predates Gray, who started late last year, so I reached out to Assistant City Manager Stephanie Hayden-Howard, whose portfolio includes the Homeless Strategy Office as well as Austin Public Health, which previously coordinated homeless response efforts. The creation of the stand-alone Homeless Strategy Office provides the structure to create a city-wide policy on cleanups, Hayden-Howard told me in a statement. However, the absence of the official policy does not mean encampment clean-up has been conducted in a haphazard or siloed manner. She pointed to her August 2022 memo outlining the launch of the Cross-Departmental Homeless Encampment Response Process, creating four teams to address different aspects of homeless response. As part of that effort, the city created a system for tracking and prioritizing camps for cleanup. But it did not produce rules for how those cleanups should be done, including how much notice or access to resources should be provided. Even earlier, in the aftermath of voters reinstating the camping ban in 2021, Austin officials promised a responsible and humane approach that would include posting signs about cleanups at least 72 hours in advance and providing a list of resources about housing, social services, and free storage services for personal belongings. Without being codified into a policy, though, such efforts haven't happened consistently. Some cleanups are done in model fashion: Through the citys HEAL Initiative, which has served more than 835 people since June 2021, cleanups are scheduled with advanced notice, and residents are matched with caseworkers and shelter beds that can lead to housing. On the other end of the spectrum are sweeps like the one I saw in March off Brandt Road in Southeast Austin, where a police officer gave residents a few minutes to grab important items before crews with a grapple truck and Bobcats dismantled peoples makeshift homes. No services were offered, leaving people just as homeless as before and really, worse off, without supplies amassed for survival. Gray told me Brandt Road was a case study in what not to do. I think Brandt Road was really a wake-up call for us and APD leadership, he said. That was somewhat of a catalyst to put some wind in the sails of getting that (homeless camp cleanup policy) finalized. After Candince Swarm lost virtually all her possessions in a homeless encampment sweep, she tried to learn what Austins policy for homeless camp cleanups was. But she couldn't find any official written policy. An improving but incomplete picture Some of the nonprofit outreach workers I spoke with have seen improvements in the way camp sweeps have been done since March. More often, theyre seeing signs posted days in advance, with clear information on the date and time a cleanup is expected to start, as well as phone numbers for resources. It seems more notice is being given and resources are being offered more often, especially to larger camps, Sasha Rose, the organizing director with Austin Mutual Aid, told me. But she said displacement remains a problem. Many people who are homeless have nowhere to go. Austin had more than 5,000 people living outside in the past six months, but only 1,375 shelter beds and long waits for housing beyond that. And progress remains uneven. I do see plenty, plenty of people who do not get the 72-hour warning, Lily Hughes, outreach team lead at Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, told me. That could be happening at sites that crews have previously cleared: People can be swiftly removed if they come back. But with so many cleanups displacing those who are homeless, new people could be trying their luck in a spot, not realizing a previous encampment had been removed from there. As part of this reporting effort, I tried to get my arms around the scale and cost of homeless camp sweeps. I found each department keeps its own data, with overlaps and holes that make it nearly impossible to see the full picture. The Police Department gave me a list of roughly 450 camp cleanups between September and March, including some sites cleared multiple times. But the department couldnt tell me which cleanups were initiated by police, particularly with little or no notice, and which were led by other departments that requested an officers presence. A mural in her encampment depicts the November sweep of the camp in which Candince Swarm lost her possessions. Austin Resource Recovery which has seven full-time workers, three temporary employees, a fleet of heavy machinery and $2.5 million dedicated this year to homeless camp cleanups gave me a list of cleanups from September to March in which a total of 1,071 tons of debris were hauled away. But that doesnt include untold tons removed by four city-hired contractors who help with cleanups led by other departments, such as Watershed Protection. Gray, with the Homeless Strategy Office, acknowledged that the data are scattered among a half-dozen departments, leaving policymakers and the public with a fragmented picture of the scope and impact of homeless camp cleanups.Once Austin finalizes its policy on cleanups, Gray said, the Homeless Strategy Office will work on tracking and presenting that data in one coherent place. No place to go Back in the woods along Walnut Creek, outside a workshop built with salvaged wood, Swarms boyfriend documented last November's sweep another way: with a mural. The painting shows a police officer, a grapple truck and the crumpled van, but my eyes kept returning to the lower left, to the image of Swarm, devastated, alongside her beloved white pitbull, Sol. I was already tired before this, Swarm told me. Its hard to get your basic necessities, and then they come in, they sweep you, and it takes all of the resources that you had to fight like hell to get. Just moving us around the city, (saying) you cant be there we already know, added Swarm, who spent a year trying to get housing and hasn't had any luck. That does nothing to resolve it. She hopes to someday cultivate something like Community First Village, a place where people can live safely and with dignity. She has vision and a heart to help others. But right now, her days are about survival. Water. Food. Staying out of the heat. And keeping her tent out of sight. Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or on X at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why doesn't Austin have a policy for homeless camp sweeps? | Grumet From the Dispatch Faith on The Dispatch Happy Sunday! For those with eyes to see it, the natural world never ceases to amaze. The Royal Entomological Societys photography contestfeaturing some incredible looks at some six-legged creepy crawliesis just the latest example. Tragedy has a capacity to melt away bitter division. I will never forget, for example, watching on the afternoon of September 11, 2001, as members of Congress from both parties sang God Bless America on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Whatever resentment there was between rival political parties at the time seemed to melt away in the midst of shared grief and renewed devotion. Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili has seen it in much more personal ways. She saw up close how the Pittsburgh community rallied around Jewish residents after the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting, in which a white supremacist killed 11 people during Shabbat services. But she also has witnessed a spike in antisemitic vitriol in the months since the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. As she writes for us today, the ubiquitous calls for unity following a tragedysuch as what weve seen in the last eight days in the U.S.can quickly erode if we are not vigilant in our words and actions toward each other. Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili: Pittsburghs Jewish Community Has Seen Its Sanctuary Shattered Twice Members and supporters of the Jewish community attend a candlelight vigil in remembrance of those who died earlier in the day during a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) In the days following the horrific terrorist attack at the Tree of Life synagogue on October 27, 2018, Pittsburgh wrapped its arms around the Jewish community of Squirrel Hill. The outpouring of love and support was overwhelming. We felt surrounded by our friends, neighbors, and colleagues and truly loved by everyone in Pittsburgh. It seemed as though our city had come together and found unity around usthat we were all Stronger than Hate, a sign that appeared around the city ubiquitously and in peoples yards to decry what had happened. I grew up at Tree of Life synagogue and celebrated my bat mitzvah there. Like many Pittsburghers, I left the city after high school and never thought Id come back. But I hit the lottery and got a job at the University of Pittsburgh, where Ive been for the past 15 years. It has been the greatest joy to raise my four kids in the city and Squirrel Hill neighborhood, where my husband and I have such a strong community. The day after the Tree of Life massacre, thousandsincluding most local politicians and activistsgathered at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall to remember those who were killed. The outpouring was so strong because Pittsburghers wanted to distance themselves from the largest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Days later, thousands gathered on the lawn at the University of Pittsburgh, where I teach, to proclaim that we are United against Hate. But five years later, in the aftermath of Hamas brutal invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, the feeling of being embraced vanished. The same lawn was the site of a pro-Palestinian encampment that, according to Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel, left behind antisemitic graffiti. Campus is now regularly peppered with graffiti saying Thank you, Hamas. The past year has been very isolating for many Jews, because we felt that we were surrounded with allies after October 27, 2018, Rabbi Seth Adelson of Congregation Beth Shalom told me. On October 8, 2023, we suddenly felt alone. It happened almost immediately. The swift transition from solidarity to solitude has been disheartening and bewildering. After the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, politicians have called on us to be more civil and to work together with compassion to overcome differences. I hope for that too. But what happened in Pittsburgh after October 7an erosion of true unityis a reminder of how tenuous and hollow such calls can become. Undoing polarization and hatred of each other takes real effort. It requires us to exercise muscles of compassion and understanding, which I fear have atrophied. Many of us in Squirrel Hillone of the few remaining urban enclaves of Judaism left in the United Statesbelieved that what happened at Tree of Life was an isolated incident. If it had been, we could surgically remove the cause of our pain. We told ourselves that if there were stricter gun laws or if someone else was in charge in Washington, this never would have happened. How naive we were. What we failed to grapple with at the time was the root cause: antisemitism. At the time, it was simply too painful to admit that the oldest hatred had come roaring backon the left and the right side of the political spectrum. The goodwill we all talked about immediately after the Tree of Life shooting now looks more like an aberration, not a harbinger. Jewish members of our community now find ourselves feeling abandoned, isolated, and increasingly worried about what will happen next. After Tree of Life, many of our non-Jewish neighbors put up signs saying, No place for hate. Now the warm embrace of unity has been replaced by a cold shoulder of indifference, or worse, hostility. Shortly after October 7, when the local Jewish Federation organized a non-political protest to pray for the hostages taken by Hamas and remember those killed in Israel, pro-Palestinian protesters launched an emergency protest right across the street in response. Such acts have given the Jewish community little space to grieve. Whats more, the intentional ratcheting up of rhetoric turns support for Israel and Palestine into a zero-sum game: It means you cannot be compassionate for Palestinian victims of the war and those in Israel. You must choose. But this feeds greater polarization and contributes to the dehumanization of the other, which in turn will only lead to more violence. Along with reports of a spike in antisemitic incidents across the U.S. after October 7, the Pittsburgh Jewish Federation reported a 300 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in the greater Pittsburgh area in the last quarter of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. These incidents ranged from harassment and vandalism to threats against Jewish institutions. Weve seen homes splattered with paint and graffiti. We have seen Jewish children harassed on our streets. Antisemitic graffiti is ubiquitous. Antisemitic pamphlets now pepper our neighborhood. Windows of Jewish-owned businesses have been shattered. At my childrens school an Israeli flag was torn down. My own home was graffitied with antisemitic scrawls, whichfor reasons still unclear to methe city took six months to remove. In response, our community has formed neighborhood watch groups. Countless group chats inform their members of serious incidents taking place. The morning that I wrote this, someone posted to the group that a man in a car was shouting down and following a visibly Jewish teen in Squirrel Hill screaming, You are a terrorist. Parents at my childrens Jewish day school are coming together to demand a protective barrier be erected around the school in case of violence and now volunteer to keep watch over the school. Our kids are sitting ducks, one mother, whose cousin was killed in a kibbutz in Israel on October 7, told me. My own children can now discern antisemitic graffiti that comes from the left versus that coming from the right. There is a warning here for all of us. We may all be talking about more unity following the failed assassination attempt on Trump, but we have to do more to ensure this momentary commitment does not fade. We have to make more foundational changes to how we regard one another and how we grapple with political differences. But here in Squirrel Hill, living in the wake of Tree of Life, were waiting for the next shoe to drop. After Tree of Life we had a feeling of being loved by everyone in Pittsburgh, Adelson told me. Complete strangers came up to hug me because I was Jewish. This sense of love and protection has dissipated, leaving us exposed and vulnerable. Almost five years to the day there were people accusing Jews of genocide before Israel invaded Gaza, he continued. The worst part of the whole thing is the feeling that you are being abandoned. Pittsburgh has become a classic example of what author Dara Horn describes in her book People Love Dead Jews. Horn argues that society often venerates dead Jews while showing little regard for living ones. In Pittsburgh, weve seen this play out even in our local politics. Rep. Summer Leea member of the Squad and our congresswomantweets about American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as supporting white supremacists even after so many of her Jewish constituents died at the hands of a white supremacist at Tree of Life. Leaning into the worst antisemitic tropes and stoking tensions, she tweeted of the group, Theyre just an extremely wealthy white org that operates like so many others: they hate progressive, Black and poor folks fighting for themselves, who they cant control. Since October 7, Lee has refused to address her Jewish constituents about what they have experienced and last October was one of only 23 House members to vote against a resolution condemning the Hamas attack. Within a day of Hamas attackbefore the smoke cleared and before any Israeli ground operation in Gaza commencedour county council representative began tweeting celebratory videos of Hamas terrorists on their way to murder, rape and kidnap Israeli civilians. Rather than consider how her rhetoric might affect her Jewish constituents, she celebrated Hamas barbarity. A council meeting this spring to debate a resolution she introduced calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war only sowed divides in our community and unfurled hateful rhetoric I never thought Id hear after Tree of Life. A Muslim leader publicly stated that Jews deserved the antisemitism that followed because of their support for Israel, stating that, nothing will bring you more antisemitism than the path that you are upon. Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who survived the Tree of Life Massacre, rarely ventures into politics. But he spoke publicly at this hearing, saying that introducing a resolution that has no impact on the conflict only serves to stir local emotions and widen divides. Weve got 446 bridges in Pittsburgh, he said. What can we do to turn down the rhetoric? You are not building bridges, you are building a wall. Politicians often invoke the massacre at Tree of Life and use it as a shield to guard themselves against accusations of antisemitism. Yet these same politicians use the memory of the dead to justify policies and rhetoric that endanger living Jews. They tokenize our tragedy while promoting ideas that could lead to more Jewish suffering. Its a cruel irony that highlights the shallow nature of much of the support we received after 2018. If Pittsburgh is not safe for us, and Israel is not safe for us, then where is it safe to be Jewish? As we move forward, we carry with us the memory of those weve lost, the strength of our community, and a growing unease about our future. While our community remains united, we cant help but feel that were increasingly alone in a world that once claimed to stand with us. We are worried deeply because we understand how high the stakes are. And this is too is a lesson to learn after Tree of Life, after October 7, and after the latest example of political violence in Butler County, Pennsylvania, last weekend: We know that while politicians can talk a good game about turning down the rhetoric, most only benefit from turning it up. The result, I fear, will only be more violence. More Sunday Reads On Wednesday, the state of Utah will celebrate Pioneer Day to commemorate the day in 1847 that Brigham Young and the first Latter-day Saints (LDS) entered the Salt Lake Valley. In a piece on our site today, Samuel Benson explains how the celebration nods to LDS theology and the churchs immigration-friendly posture. The idea of gathering is central to this ethos, he writes. In order to perform some of the rituals and ordinances necessary for salvation, per Latter-day Saint belief, believers must live in close proximity. This closeness is both practical and spiritual: We attain salvation individually, one Latter-day Saint prophets have taught, but we are exaltedor reach the highest level of celestial glorycommunally. Thus, migration became an important part of early Latter-day Saint teaching. Much has been written (including here at The Dispatch) about Sen. J.D. Vance, now the Republican Partys vice presidential nominee. Whatever one makes of his politics, its worth taking the time to read his own accountwritten in 2020 for The Lamp, a Catholic journalof how he went from unchurched Protestant to atheist to eventually converting to Catholicism: As I reflected on these competing views of the world, and the wisdom and shortcomings of each, I felt desperate for a worldview that understood our bad behavior as simultaneously social and individual, structural and moral; that recognized that we are products of our environment; that we have a responsibility to change that environment, but that we are still moral beings with individual duties; one that could speak against rising rates of divorce and addiction, not as sanitized conclusions about their negative social externalities, but with moral outrage. A Good Word Andorraa tiny, Roman Catholic microstate squeezed between France and Spain whose official language is Catalanhas an established yet relatively brief history of being a haven for Jews fleeing persecution elsewhere. Larry Luxner reports for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on the countrys history and the estimated 73 Jews who live among the countrys 82,000 residents. Unlike France and Spain, Andorra has no history of antisemitism, Luxner writes. Maybe its because for most of its existence, not a single Jew lived here. In fact, theres no record of a Jewish presence in this landlocked nation until World War II, when it became a temporary haven for French Jews and others fleeing the Nazisa historical footnote alluded to in the 2023 Netflix miniseries Transatlantic. Being so few, the Jews who do live there have their challengessuch as finding rabbis, keeping kosher, and even being buried. But the trade-offs, they say, are worth it. For the moment, there is no antisemitism in Andorra. Sometimes they ask questions and make faces, but people here dont really know anything about Judaism. 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. A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis media center shows fire and smoke rising following Israeli airstrikes in the port city of Hodeidah, Yemen, 20 July 2024. Photo courtesy of Houthis Media Center/EPA-EFE July 21 (UPI) -- Mohammed Abdulsalam, the head spokesman for Yemen's Houthi movement, promised Sunday that there are "no red lines" in the response by the Yemeni armed faction to an attack carried out by the U.S.-backed Israel. Israel sent F-15 jet fighters to strike the port city of Hodeidah, killing several people and injuring dozens of others, on Saturday. The situation has uniquely led the Houthis and the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which are two factions fighting each other amid Yemen's decade-long civil war, to blast the "terrorist" attack in similar terms, a sign of possible Yemeni solidarity. Abdulsalam, speaking to Al-Jazeera, said the Houthis would continue to attack Israel and would not abide by any rules of engagement in its response. His quotes were also carried by the Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah network. "The confrontation with the Zionist enemy will be open and without borders. We will not adhere to any rules of engagement with the Zionist enemy," Abdulsalam said. "There are no red lines in our response to the Zionist aggression, and the Israelis must expect our response at every moment." Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, the commander of the Houthi movement, said in a televised address that the Houthis "are happy with the direct battle with the Israeli enemy." "The Israeli enemy wants to portray to its angry and frightened audience from the scenes of [Hodeidah strike] that it has accomplished a great achievement and dealt a painful blow to Yemen," he said. He criticized those who argue a talking point common in American and Israeli political circles that the Houthis are backed by Iran and that supporting Palestinians benefits Iran. "The Israeli aggression against our country will contribute to a greater escalation of our operations against it and to the development of our capabilities as well," he said. "The enemy will lose and incur more dangers upon itself." Yemen's official Ministry of Public Health and Population condemned Israeli aggression against Yemen that targeted civilian facilities in Hodeidah. "This aggression will not pass without a harsh and deterrent response," the Yemeni Health Ministry said. "As a result of this terrorist aggression, 80 people were injured, some of whom suffered severe burns." The Yemeni Health Ministry said that the Israeli aggression "is being carried out in coordination with the United States" and "the complicity of some Arab countries that betrayed the Palestinian cause and opened their airspace to the Zionist aircraft to carry out its cowardly strikes." "Yemen will remain free, dignified, and unbreakable, and a permanent thorn in the throat of the Zionists, Americans, and reactionary Arab regimes," the Yemeni Health Ministry said. "The Yemeni people, who have endured years of aggression and siege, cannot be defeated and will continue their struggle and fight without retreat." Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry has called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent bringing further war to the region after the Israeli strike. The Saudi position is complicated because it is an ally of the United States in backing the government amid the civil war, in opposition to the Houthis. However, Saudi Arabia has not yet normalized relations with Israel and has vocalized support for Palestinians amid the war in Gaza -- which is at the root of the current tensions between Israel and the Houthis. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on May 31, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Idaho officials have started to release statements about President Joe Bidens decision to not seek the Democratic Partys nomination for the 2024 presidential election. On Sunday, Biden posted a letter addressed to the American people to his social media accounts stating he would stand down from the race. In another post, he said he endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for the top of the partys ticket. While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in the one-page letter. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, Biden wrote in another post on X. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Biden won Idahos May 23 Democratic caucus handily by pulling in 95% of the votes cast in the six-candidate race. The Idaho Democratic Party reported there were 2,412 votes cast, an exceedingly low turnout, in a caucus held in an election cycle where Biden had already secured enough delegates to clinch the Democratic Partys nomination for president. Heres what Idaho officials are saying in reaction to Bidens announcement: Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, on X: President Biden (@POTUS), thank you for all you have done for our country throughout your career and especially for all youve done for and with Boise the past four years. From passing the most transformational climate package our country has seen, to CHIPS, charging stations, housing, childcare and so much more, you have shown how deeply you care about investing in people. I know this decision must have been terribly difficult. I wish you and your family the best and look forward to working with your administration as you complete your time in the White House. Thank you for your service and leadership. Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea, in an emailed statement: On behalf of the Idaho Democratic Party, I want to thank President Biden for his unwavering leadership and dedication to our nation. Under his administration, weve seen historic economic recovery, once-in-a-generation investments in infrastructure, and the revitalization of American manufacturing, including the largest private investment in Idahos history, thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act. As we look toward November, the stakes have never been higher. We must elect Democrats at every level to continue building on these achievements, to protect our freedoms, and to safeguard our democracy. Correction: Boise Mayor Lauren McLeans last name was misspelled and has been corrected. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The withdrawal of an incumbent president from a re-election bid is one of those events guaranteed to draw strong reactions throughout the country. Both ends of the Illinois political spectrum were quick to respond to President Joe Bidens announcement Sunday that he will not seek re-election in November. The president had been facing pressure from Democrats to step down from the top of the partys ticket since his poor performance in last months debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump. Pritzker praises Joe Biden Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lauded Biden's service to the United States throughout his political career. The climax of that career was one of the most successful presidencies of modern times, Pritzker said. "As President of the United States he led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity," Pritzker said." He worked across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild our roads and bridges while investing in the infrastructure and jobs of the 21st century. Perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House." Previous reporting: As George Clooney asks Joe Biden to step aside, the actor mentions Pritzker Party chairs in Illinois respond to Joe Biden news Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi called Bidens announcement the culmination of years of lies from the Biden White House and Democrats. Democrats are divided, torn apart by their own duplicity trying to pass off President Biden's inability to fulfill his role, while Republicans stand united behind President Trump and an agenda of freedom, prosperity, and safety, Salvi stated. Democrats have become the party of self-service while Republicans have become the voice of this nation. Salvi's counterpart, Illinois Democratic Party Chair Lisa Hernandez, asserted that Biden's political legacy is marked by unwavering service and dedication to the United States. "Under his leadership, President Biden navigated some of the most challenging times in recent history ... and without failure, he showed us that he is a man of the people," she said. Hernandez also emphasized the importance of standing firm against Republicans. "Donald Trump and J.D. Vance represent a return to policies that favor the wealthy, threaten our health care, and undermine our democratic institutions," she said. "We must ensure that their regressive and divisive agenda does not prevail. The Democratic Party of Illinois is committed to this fight. We will mobilize, organize, and vote to ensure that the Democratic ticket prevails in November. Together, we can finish the job and build a stronger, more equitable nation." More: 7 Democrats who could replace President Joe Biden in 2024 presidential race Illinois Republicans critical of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) accused Vice President Kamala Harris of covering up Biden's perceived mental decline. She also excoriated the administration's immigration policies. "'Border Czar' Kamala Harris must answer for the deadly invasion of our southern border and her cover-up of Biden's cognitive decline," said Miller. "The American people deserve to know who is actually running the country right now since the Democrats are finally admitting it is not Joe Biden." U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) blamed the Biden administration for high inflation, a border crisis, and a diminshed U.S. reputation on the global stage. Additionally, he questioned Biden's fitness to serve the remainder of his term. "It's been clear that President Biden cannot serve four more years, but serious concerns remain about whether he can fulfill his duty over the next four months" LaHood said. "No matter who the Democrat Party installs in Chicago next month, Americans are not buying the open-border, soft-on-crime, and out-of-touch policies they are selling." U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) noted that during Biden's political career, he was a champion of organized labor, civil rights, technology and innovation, and building a strong middle class. "In my time in Congress, I have witnessed central and nothwestern Illinois benefitting from his leadership," he added. According to Illinois State Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R IL-69), Biden's legacy is one of chaos at the United States' southern border with Mexico, straining social services in every state, uncontrolled government spending, and a foreign policy that contributed to the outbreak of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "The extreme policies of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris include using the power of the federal government and legal action to force states and communities to allow men to play women's sports, threatening the privacy and safety of women and girls in what should be female-only spaces," Sosnowski added. "The Biden-Harris record also includes weaponization of the U.S. legal system to target individuals and organizations practicing their Christian faith and exercising their First Amendment right to freedom of speech." Illinois Democrats defend Biden's presidency and career of public service Illinois State Sen. Steve Stadelman hailed Biden's history of service to the United States during his lifetime in the public arena as "unprecedented." He also fondly remembered Biden's 2023 visit to the FCA Belvidere Assembly Plant: a car factory in Boone County. "President Bidens decision today to step aside is the mark of a true leader, someone willing to make the difficult choice to place his nation and his partys welfare ahead of his own desires and ambition" Stadelman added. In the wake of Bidens withdrawal, other Illinois Democrats praised the president's achievements since he was elected in 2020 and emphasized the need for party unity. Mark Guethle, president of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association, said, "This November, we must all unite to stop Donald Trump from winning a second term, and President Biden has decided that, for the good of the country, that someone else is the right person for the job. Joe Bidens record of accomplishments as our President is unprecedented. He has fought for unions and working-class families with more people working today than at any point in history. Guethle cited Bidens investment in manufacturing and renewable energy jobs, expansion of benefits and services for veterans, and passage of the first meaningful gun violence legislation in 30 years, as key highlights of his administration. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) stressed Bidens patriotism, saying that the president has always put country first in his six decades of public service. His four years as president made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation, Durbin said. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth concurred with Durbin that Biden has consistently put the United States before himself. Specific achievements included helping write the Violence Against Women Act while in the U.S. Senate, helping draft the Affordable Care Act while vice president, and helping guide the United States into a successful economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself," Duckworth said. "This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption." This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pritzker and Illinois politicians react to historic Biden news Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race on Sunday after weeks of pressure from other Democrats to step down after his disastrous debate in late June. Democratic leaders quickly heaped praise on the president for his lifetime of service. Bidens outstanding track record gave President Biden every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started, wrote Barack Obama. Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress. Related: How do the Democrats replace Biden for the presidential election? The former president described the process moving forward as uncharted waters. But he praised the decision. I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America, Obama wrote. Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. Nancy Pelosi, who reportedly was one of several lawmakers nudging Biden to withdraw, spoke of her love and gratitude in a message following Bidens announcement. President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first, the former House speaker said. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. Though Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor, a question is instantly emerging among Democrats: whether the party will coalesce around the vice-president to take up the baton and run in his stead, or whether the Democratic national convention should have a floor fight for the nomination. Ronald Klain, Bidens former chief of staff, is one of many in the first camp. Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, its time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign our outstanding @vp, @KamalaHarris, Klain wrote on X. Lets get real and win in November! Senators Mark Warner, Tammy Baldwin and others quickly offered their support for Harris in messages on Sunday, as did Bill and Hillary Clinton, ostensibly hoping to avoid a bruising floor fight in Chicago at the convention a month from now. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term, they wrote. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile supreme court will only embolden him to further shred the constitution. Related: Who will replace Joe Biden as Democratic nominee? Here are six possibilities But Cenk Uygur, founder of the Young Turks program, who ran an abortive primary campaign against Biden this year, is firmly in the latter camp. The rebel forces have won! Uygur said. Well have a new Democratic ticket! There is no reason why the new ticket wouldnt instantly be the favorite over Trump. Please Democrats dont trust leadership to pick anymore do an open convention to pick the strongest team! Has he been the picture of sound judgment lately? No, the delegates should pick. Thats the last vestige of democracy left. That contrasts with the sentiment of Black leaders at the state and local level, who view a contest against Harris as a betrayal. Nows the time for us to rally around Kamala Harris and defeat Donald Trump, said Brandon Scott, mayor of Baltimore. Black women have saved this country time and time again. For that reason and a hundred others, there is no other or better option than the vice-president to unite our party and win in November. Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, described some of the next steps the party will take. In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November, Harrison said. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Related: Trump leads Republicans in take-downs of Biden after news hes dropping out Many of the strongest contenders in a contested nomination fight made statements expressing their gratitude for Bidens service, while studiously avoiding discussion about their own potential candidacies. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans, Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, said. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, also praised Biden. President Biden is a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history, Shapiro wrote on X. President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom. I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him. Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan said her role in the race had not changed. President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure Americas global leadership over decades will go down in history, Whitmer said on X. My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan. Michigan and Pennsylvania are swing states critical to Democratic chances in November. Biden had been polling poorly in swing states. Undeterred, the chairpersons of the state parties of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona released a joint open letter endorsing Bidens re-election bid only on Saturday. We understand the anxiety. But the best antidote to political anxiety is taking action, they wrote. You cant wring your hands when youre rolling up your sleeves. That letter underscores just how stunning Bidens decision is. John Ernst, a Democratic insider and former mayor of Brookhaven, Georgia an Atlanta suburb with a purple streak believes this resets the race for Democrats in the state. The voter enthusiasm had been down across the board because they had been seeing the same thing, he said. No one wanted Trump v Biden 2.0. People are tired of the same thing. Joe Biden is probably going to go down in history as one of the greatest one-term presidents, he said. This is an ultimate personal sacrifice for the nation, to take what would be a personally anguishing decision to step aside. The party will decide in a convention like parties have done in numerous years. Theres plenty of time on the clock. This will allow the Democratic party to move forward, to show people that a new day is coming. Read more about Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election: Native Vote 2024. After three weeks of speculation, President Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States, dropped out of the 2024 presidential election at about 1:45 p.m. EDT on Sunday. After a disastrous debate against former President Donald Trump on June 27, 2024, many Democratic donors and members of Congress publicly called for Biden to withdraw from the race. While maintaining he would stay in the race, Biden on Sunday did an abrupt turn and announced he was dropping his bid to become president. Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys Presidential nominee, who will be selected in Chicago during its convention August 19 to 22, 2024. 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. Political and tribal leaders from around Indian Country reacted to Biden's exit from the race on social media and through formal statements to the media, thanking him for his efforts and praising his willingness to put the nation first. On Sunday afternoon, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), who Biden chose as the first-ever Native American to serve in a secretarial post in a presidential cabinet, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that serving in the presidents cabinet has been the honor of her lifetime. What we have achieved under his leadership is transformational and historic. I am committed to seeing through his vision for America, Haaland wrote. Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS), a tribal citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation and one of the first Native women to be elected to the House, said on X: President Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country and his time as our President has restored decency to the highest office. By stepping aside from the presidential race today, he has once again put the future of our country first. Now is the time for a new generation of leadership capable of defeating Donald Trump & fighting back against the growing extremism in our nation. Kansas families remain my top priority, & I am committed to doing everything in my power to deliver for them this November and beyond, Davids wrote. Principal Chief Hoskin, Jr., leader of the Cherokee Nation, released a statement on Sunday after President Bidens announcement. Hoskin said the Cherokee Nation works with presidential administrations in a non-partisan relationship, writing: I could not let todays news pass without expressing my thanks, on behalf of the Cherokee Nation, for the Biden/Harris administration commitment to Indian Country. The Biden/Harris administration has set a tone of respect and meaningful government-to-government relations with tribal nations and has matched that tone with considerable substance and resources. Notably, this includes the appointment of the first Native woman as Secretary of the Interior and six Native women to the federal bench. All of those efforts, of course, often required and received bipartisan support. So, for those reasons, along with his half century in public service, President Biden has in my view earned our appreciation and respect. President Bidens decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race could not have been personally an easy one, which is also the basis for respect without regards to politics. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, who leads the largest Indian reservation in the country, expressed his gratitude to President Biden for his resilient leadership for Indian Country. President Biden has been a steadfast champion for tribes across the United States. His legacy will be etched in history with hope and grace, as he stands among the most impactful presidents. I am honored to call him a friend and to have worked alongside him. President Biden has always supported the Navajo people, and we are profoundly grateful for his vision of a country that rises above its differences. He has tirelessly fought for the soul of our Nation, consistently putting his country first. Through his leadership, we have seen major investments in tribal law enforcement, the American Recovery Plan Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Stepping down from the presidential race takes immense courage and grace, showing his dedication to the greater good. President Biden embodies resilience, fearlessness, and extraordinary public service. The Navajo people are deeply thankful for his commitment and leadership. Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Marshall Pierite sent a text to Native News Online on Sunday afternoon, writing: I am very saddened to hear about President Bidens withdrawal from the presidential race. The bold, courageous, selfless act speaks volumes about his character, his leadership and his love for this great country. He is a genuine leader and his Administration investments in Indian Country were like no other. He instilled faith in our future and strength for every challenge faced by Indian Country, Pierite wrote. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Do Indiana Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Your delegate questions answered President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign less than a month before the Democratic National Convention. What does that mean for Indiana's Democratic delegates, who were elected last weekend to nominate Biden for president? Heres what to know. How many Democratic delegates does Indiana have? Out of the 3,896 delegates nationally, Indiana has 88. This number comes from a Democratic bylaws formula, which is based on each states population and percentage of the total Democratic vote. Do Indiana delegates have to vote for Biden? Joe Biden won the Democratic presidential nomination in Indianas primary elections on May 7. However, Indiana Democrats dont technically have to vote for Biden, thanks to a good conscience clause in Democratic delegate selection rules. Rule 13(J) states that delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. Its existed since the 1980s, but has never affected a nomination. Sam Barloga, communications director for the Indiana Democratic Party, said last week that Indianas delegates will throw their support to Biden. (Indiana delegates) are all pledged to Joe Biden based on the results of the Indiana Democratic Primary where the President received 100% of the vote. They are committed to the President unless something changes, Barloga wrote in an email to the IndyStar. Biden dropping out of the race would presumably qualify as something changing. Who are Indiana's Democratic delegates? The Indiana Democratic Party has not finalized its delegation yet. That decision is expected soon. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Are Indiana Democratic delegates required to vote for Biden? Indiana Democrats reacted with surprise to President Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 Presidential election and supported Vice President Kamala Harris's continuation of the campaign. Ann Delaney, former Indiana Democratic party chairman, said the announcement came as a relief to Democrats who were pessimistic about Biden's chances to win in November after a disastrous debate performance. "I think Biden has done an excellent job as President ... but he was not able to call out Trump on all of the lies he told in the last debate," Delaney said. Delaney said the decision shows Biden's commitment to the good of the country and also serves as a passing of the torch to a younger generation within the Democratic Party. She believes the party will rally around Harris quickly and named Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper as possible picks for Harris' running mate. Democrats were quick to highlight Biden's major accomplishments while in office, particularly in the economic recovery after COVID-19 and the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and to offer their thanks. "More than anyone, President Biden understands the importance of this election and this moment. Thats why after deliberation and thought, he has decided to leave the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump and stop Project 2025," Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl said in a statement. "Now is the time to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump and continue the progress of the last three-plus years." GOP reaction: Indiana's Jim Banks calls for President Joe Biden to step down now or be removed Harris thanked Biden for his endorsement and said she would "earn and win" the party's nomination. Harris will have less than a month to shore up support before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago begins Aug. 19. Democratic U.S. Rep. Andre Carson of Indianapolis continued to praise the Biden administration's record. He said he was proud of the administration's work and that the party remains "on the right side of history.' I'm proud of the work we've accomplished under President Biden, like setting our economy on the right path after COVID-19. Democrats stand for reason and justice, and we stand on the right side of history. Onward. Andre Carson (@RepAndreCarson) July 21, 2024 Ronald Klain, former White House Chief of Staff for Biden and Indianapolis native, blamed donors and Democratic officials for pushing Biden out of the race before endorsing Harris. Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, its time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign our outstanding @vp, @KamalaHarris!! Lets get real and win in November! Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) July 21, 2024 This story will be updated. Tyler Spence is a Pulliam Fellow. He can be contacted at jspence@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Democrats rally around Kamala Harris after Biden withdrawal Indiana's Jim Banks calls for President Joe Biden to step down now or be removed Indiana politicians were quick to react after President Joe Biden announced Sunday afternoon that he will not seek reelection, bowing to weeks of increasing pressure from high-ranking Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, Indiana's GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, joined other Republicans who are calling for Biden to resign immediately if he is unable to run for a second term. If he doesn't, Banks tweeted, he should be removed under the 25th Amendment, which covers what happens if a president is unfit to serve. If Crooked Joe Biden isnt mentally capable to run for re-election, he is not mentally capable to finish out his term. He must resign immediately or we must impeach him. Jim Banks (@Jim_Banks) July 21, 2024 Congressman Rudy Yakym (R-2) echoed Banks statement, also calling for Biden's resignation, and said Vice President Kamala Harris, the most likely new Democratic candidate who received Biden's endorsement, orchestrated a conspiracy to hide Joe Bidens cognitive decline. The Biden-Harris radical agenda has been one of chaos, incompetence, division, and above all, deceit. No one helped orchestrate the conspiracy to hide Joe Bidens cognitive decline from the public more than Kamala Harris. Make America Great Again!! https://t.co/ZY6UNRaAny Congressman Rudy Yakym (@RepRudyYakym) July 21, 2024 Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who kept a low profile at the Republican National Convention last week, made a plug for Hoosiers to vote for Republicans up and down the ticket in November. "Let's be clear every Indiana Democrat has the same policies as Joe Biden," he posted on X. "They are for open borders, inflationary spending, and woke ideology." Let's be clear - every Indiana Democrat candidate has the same policies as Joe Biden. They are for open borders, inflationary spending, and woke ideology. (Continued) pic.twitter.com/mmQew1Jgoa Todd Rokita (@ToddRokitaIN) July 21, 2024 On the Democratic side, Indiana native Ron Klain, Biden's former chief of staff, jumped in to back Harris: "Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, its time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign our outstanding VP Kamala Harris!!" Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, its time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign our outstanding @vp, @KamalaHarris!! Lets get real and win in November! Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) July 21, 2024 Democratic U.S. Rep. Andre Carson of Indianapolis said he was proud of the work of the Biden administration and that the party stands ready for the election season. I'm proud of the work we've accomplished under President Biden, like setting our economy on the right path after COVID-19. Democrats stand for reason and justice, and we stand on the right side of history. Onward. Andre Carson (@RepAndreCarson) July 21, 2024 Republican U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, who's not running for reelection in the 8th Congressional District, struck a much less political tone than most in his party, saying Biden made the right call to step aside and thanking the president for his long years in civil service. President Biden has made the correct decision to end his bid for a second term. It has been clear for a long time that he does not have the mental or physical capacity to serve another term. I want to thank the President for his decades of public service. Larry Bucshon, MD (@RepLarryBucshon) July 21, 2024 This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana politicians react to President Joe Biden dropping out In the end, President Joe Biden exited the political stage in isolation. After weeks of fighting for his political life insisting he wasnt going anywhere following a disastrous debate performance the presidents about-face did not come in an Oval Office address or a speech on the campaign trail. Instead, it came in letter posted to social media as he recovered from Covid-19 at his beach house in Delaware. It was a low-key way to reveal one of the most historic decisions in modern American politics, but time was not on Bidens side to reach a decision or make an announcement. Never before has a president left a reelection race this close to Election Day and for 24 days it seemed as if he were stubbornly planning to ride out the storm that followed the June 27 CNN debate in Atlanta. He spent the three weeks after the debate repeating that he was staying in the race against former President Donald Trump. The president dug in. He insisted he could beat Trump. His inner circle shrank to his closest aides and family. He was forced to retreat to Delaware, where he reached a decision in the last day and a half, finally conceding that a man loyal to the Democratic Party for more than half a century was seen as a drag on the ticket. But in the end, the pressure on Biden from party leaders, rank-and-file lawmakers and donors and the polling showing the perilous and potentially insurmountable path Biden faced amid a growing deficit with Trump ultimately proved too much. Described as being more isolated than he had ever been, Biden could not withstand the push behind the scenes and in public. The blunt reality became a chorus of voices calling for the president to exit the race, like a boulder rolling down a mountain that only picked up momentum with each passing day. The presidents team wanted the June CNN debate with Trump months earlier than typical presidential debates to shake up a race that Biden was trailing. They succeeded, but not in the way they had intended. Instead, Bidens campaign unraveled over the course of the next 24 days. Everything the president and his team tried to do to calm Democrats fears simply failed to shed the perception that Bidens age was too advanced, and his health too fragile, for him to stay in the race. With two posts on X Sunday afternoon, Biden bowed out of the race and threw his support behind his vice president, Kamala Harris, in the hopes of quickly coalescing their party and moving past the chaos that had engulfed Democrats since the debate. Its a high-risk, high-reward gamble for Democrats, resetting a campaign Biden was losing with a new nominee just 107 days before the election. It comes as Trump is at his strongest point in the campaign, coming out of a completely unified Republican National Convention with a base rallying around him after the attempt on his life. How the decision was made Bidens final decision to leave the race was reached in the last 48 hours, a senior campaign adviser said, as he consulted family and top advisers by telephone while recovering from Covid. A source familiar with the matter said the plans to exit the race began Saturday night and were finalized Sunday. The adviser said the president was not dug in but was studying the data coming in and became convinced he would weigh down the ticket and be a complication to defeating Trump. Bidens decision did not have to do with any medical issues, a senior White House official told CNN. When Biden huddled with his two closest advisers Saturday, the information they provided on polling and where top Democratic officials stood underscored that a path to victory was basically nonexistent, according to another person familiar with the matter. There wasnt any single poll number, wavering Democratic official or fundraiser presented in the meeting with longtime aides Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti that pushed Biden toward his decision, the person said. Instead, the information highlighted that the path back to a viable campaign had been severely damaged by declining national and swing-state poll numbers, along with party defections that were likely to rapidly accelerate. The information included polling and details gathered from outreach outside Bidens inner circle. Unlike 2015, when Biden wrote in his book Promise me, Dad that Donilon told the then-vice president he shouldnt launch a 2016 bid for president as he grieved the death of his son Beau, neither aide explicitly told Biden he should get out of the race, according to the person. Biden made clear before the end of the meeting that he was planning to pull out of the race and asked his aides to start drafting the letter he posted Sunday afternoon and preparing the plans for the rollout. Still recovering from a Covid diagnosis, Biden remained at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, all weekend with his wife, first lady Jill Biden. Biden did what he always planned to do before any crucial decision: He held a family meeting Saturday night. He has spoken to all of his family since making his decision to drop out of the race, and his daughter Ashley and son-in-law Howard drove to Rehoboth earlier Sunday, according to a source. He confirmed that decision Sunday morning and, with Ricchetti by his side, started making calls to key players outside of his close-knit group of senior-most aides and family members, the other person familiar with the matter said. Biden consulted only a very small number of close aides on the decision. Some members of his inner circle were left in the dark until minutes before he posted his announcement on social media, including one of his closest communications advisers, Anita Dunn. Multiple sources told CNN that Dunn and a small group of senior aides became aware of Bidens announcement in the minutes before the post. Many rank-and-file staff found out when the post came out. Dunn and her husband, Bob Bauer, were among Bidens debate prep team and had faced the ire of the presidents family in the aftermath of the performance. A Biden aide disputed that her exclusion had anything to do with the debate, telling CNN that she, along with other top aides, was not in Rehoboth Beach, and that the president told his aides that neither he or his family blame them for debate performance. Biden and Harris spoke multiple times Sunday ahead of his announcement, according to a source familiar with the matter. Biden also held separate calls with chief of staff Jeff Zients and campaign co-chair Jen OMalley Dillon informing each of his decision. In Washington on Sunday, Zients led a White House senior staff call with all assistants to the president in the midafternoon, as well as a call with members of Bidens Cabinet. Zients is expected to hold an all-White House staff call Monday morning and to speak with political appointees across the executive branch. But even his vice president, and pick to succeed him, didnt find out until the day he announced his decision. A bad night changes the race In the end, Biden was confronting an untenable path forward: More than three dozen Democrats had publicly called for him to exit the race. Party leaders had told him he couldnt win. And the money was drying up from donors who said they felt betrayed by the lack of disclosure around the condition of Bidens health. I dont know one big donor who is going to write a check for $100,000 or more. And I know a lot of those guys, one major Democratic donor told CNN before Biden dropped out. Biden and his team tried to play off the debate performance as a bad night. He and his aides blamed the presidents overseas trip. He said he would debate again and do better. And he returned immediately to the campaign trail, traveling to North Carolina the following day and delivering an energetic speech while acknowledging his debate shortcomings. President Joe Biden participates in the CNN debate in Atlanta on June 27, 2024. - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images I know Im not a young man. I dont walk as easy as I used to. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth, Biden said. Biden huddled with his family at Camp David the weekend after the debate for a previously scheduled get-together, during which they encouraged him to stay in the race. But in Democratic circles, panic had already set in. The issue problem was plain as day: Bidens biggest problem with voters was they didnt feel he was up to the job for the next four years. The debate had confirmed their fears and brought Bidens biggest political weakness to the forefront. No policy or statement or criticism of Trump could change that. Even as Biden insisted there was nothing that could convince him to get out of the race, Democrats began laying the groundwork and keeping the door open to a change. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went on MSNBC, saying: I think its a legitimate question to say, is this an episode, or is this a condition? Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas on July 2 became the first elected Democrat to call for Biden to withdraw. The following day, Biden met with a group of Democratic governors, telling them he needed more sleep and should stop scheduling events after 8 p.m. On July 5, Biden sat down for an interview with ABC News George Stephanopoulos, in an attempt to demonstrate he was able to keep campaigning. In the interview, Biden said only the Lord Almighty could convince him to leave the race, a comment that angered many Democrats. It was the first of several attempts from Bidens team to put the president in the public eye and quell the growing discontent. All failed to do so. Signs of trouble After July 4, Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, quietly tried to gather a group of Democrats who would hold a meeting with Biden, potentially urging him to exit the race. The idea died, however, when the effort leaked. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a call with House Democrats over that weekend, during which several lawmakers said that Biden needed to step aside. On July 8, Biden fired off defiant a letter to congressional Democrats saying he would continue his reelection bid. I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump, he wrote. The calls for Biden to leave soon started coming from outside Washington. On July 10, George Clooney, penned a New York Times op-ed calling for Biden to step aside. Even more devastating for the president, Clooney said the Biden he saw at a June fundraiser was the same Biden the world saw at the June debate and that the president had declined since taking the Oval Office. Pelosi also continued to raise questions about Biden, declining to endorse him in an MSNBC interview the same day as Clooneys op-ed. Its up to the president to decide if hes going to run, she said, even if that was a decision Biden had already seemed to have made. Several news outlets, including CNN, reported that Pelosi and former President Barack Obama had privately expressed concerns about the future of Bidens campaign. On July 11, Biden held a solo news conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. He opened the door a bit further to the possibility he could drop out, saying he would consider doing so if data showed he cannot win. Biden also made several small verbal slip-ups, including calling Harris Vice President Trump. Earlier in the day, he had referred Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin, before correcting himself. After Bidens news conference, a handful more congressional Democrats called for him to drop out, growing the number to 15. The list included Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, who said he deliberately waited until after the NATO meeting. That weekend, Biden met and held calls with various Democratic caucuses, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the moderate New Democrat Coalition. The call with moderate Democrats was tense, as Biden got into it with Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat who bluntly told him that voters are concerned about his vigor and strength, especially as it is perceived on the world stage. The president responded to Crow an Army Ranger who served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq that he knows Crow is a Bronze Star recipient like his late son Beau, but that he didnt rebuild NATO. At one point, Biden told Crow, I dont want to hear that crap in addressing the lawmakers concerns. A brief respite from demands for Biden to exit doesnt last More Democrats had been expected to publicly call for Bidens exit that weekend, but the chatter came to a halt in an instant when an attempted assassins bullet came within millimeters of killing Trump at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. The assassination attempt turned the political world on its head, draining the public focus on Bidens ability to govern for a second term and turning it squarely onto the bullet that grazed Trumps ear, raising a flurry of questions about how a gunman was able to shoot at the Republican nominee for president five days before he was to accept the nomination. The pause would not last. Behind the scenes, Democratic pollsters circulated memos showing Biden was on track to lose the election, and importantly to congressional Democrats damage candidates in ballot races, too. Some polling showed other Democrats outpacing Biden in battleground states. Lose everything, was how one Democrat described a polling memo Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg had sent to Bidens inner circle. The dam reopened on Wednesday when California Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic Senate candidate and leader of Trumps first impeachment, became the first lawmaker to join the public calls for Biden to withdraw from the campaign after the assassination attempt. Schiffs place in the party as a potential soon-to-be senator and close ally to Pelosi made his voice among the most significant to that point. While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Bidens alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch, Schiff said in a statement. Party leaders deliver a blunt message More voices soon followed. And arguably more importantly, the private pleas for Biden to leave the race became part of a public cacophony of voices urging his withdrawal. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Maryland House Democrat who led Trumps second impeachment, confirmed that he had written a letter to Biden on July 6 encouraging the president that there was no shame in taking a well-deserved bow out of the 2024 presidential election and making his argument with comparisons to George Washington and Red Sox pitching great Pedro Martinez. CNN reported Wednesday that Pelosi privately told Biden that polling showed he could not defeat Trump and that he could destroy Democrats chances of winning the House in November. Biden pushed back, saying he had seen polls indicating he could win. At one point, Pelosi asked Donilon, Bidens longtime adviser, to get on the line to talk over the data. That same day, ABC News reported that Schumer told Biden in their Saturday meeting that it would be best if he bowed out of the presidential race. And a person briefed on the meeting between Biden and Jeffries said that the Democratic House leader stopped short of calling on him to step aside instead pinning the suggestion on his members. The White House and congressional officers tried to tamp down the reports, issuing statements of denial. But the stories about the party leaders delivering Biden a message had their effect. On Friday, a dozen new Democrats released statements saying Biden should exit the race. Among them: Another close Pelosi ally, Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California. A source with direct knowledge described Biden on Friday as seething at Pelosi, a sentiment that only grew in light of Lofgrens letter. Donors revolt, too The public statements from Democrats illustrated one element of Bidens challenge to stay in the race but just as important were the defections from his donors that would have dried up fundraising in the home stretch of the campaign. Major Democratic donors were skeptical of Bidens viability, and multiple said their concerns had received an icy reception from Biden campaign officials. How do you think we feel? a Democratic donor close to the Democratic National Committee and the White House told CNN before Biden dropped out, explaining the mood among donors. We all feel betrayed that they were not honest with us about his health. Two sources told CNN on Thursday that furious donors were also telling House and Senate Democratic campaign committees they would freeze contributions unless and until party leaders took stronger steps to get Biden to step aside. Yes, that card has been played, a senior House Democrat told CNN on Thursday night. They believe if Joe is at the top of the ticket, the House and Senate are gone, too, said a Democratic strategist intimately involved in big-dollar fundraising. They dont want to throw good money after bad. Moments after Bidens announcement, donors abruptly began reaching out to advisers, pouring in money, according to sources involved in the discussions. In the lead-up to Bidens decision to exit the 2024 race, multiple donors had reached out to Harris team proactively to signal they would be willing to support her if she ran at the top of the ticket, according to three people familiar with the discussions. unknown content item - Stubborn resistance gives way Up until the moment he dropped out, Biden and his team insisted he was staying in. Bidens team created a public schedule for the president over the past week that was intended to show his ability to stay in the race. On Monday, he held another television interview with NBC News Lester Holt, where he acknowledged his subpar debate performance while criticizing the media for focusing on his gaffes instead of Trumps falsehoods. Biden again said he had no intention of stepping aside. Biden then traveled to Las Vegas for campaign stops, speeches planned at the NAACP National Convention and the UnidosUS annual conference, and interviews with BET and Univision. Biden told BET News Ed Gordon that the only thing that would push him to reconsider his reelection bid would be a medical condition. The president spoke at the NAACP conference, but before he could make his speech Wednesday at UnidosUS, he was dealt another blow: the positive Covid-19 diagnosis. The president returned to his Rehoboth Beach home that day to isolate, his public schedule shuttered indefinitely while he recovered. On Friday, Biden issued a statement that he would be back on the campaign trail the following week, while Biden campaign chair OMalley Dillon went on MSNBCs Morning Joe to say Biden was absolutely staying in the race. The campaign also put out a memo saying there was no plan for an alternative nominee. Biden called some Democrats over the weekend who were out on TV on his behalf. Two told CNN that the president voiced his gratitude and then his anger at those who were trying to push him out. There was some hurt in his voice but mostly anger, one of the Biden loyalists said. Even on Sunday, Bidens team continued to publicly maintain he wasnt going anywhere. South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, a key Biden ally, told CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union that Biden and Harris have received over 14 million votes to be our standard bearers. Thats where we are, Clyburn. The congressmans 2020 endorsement of Biden ahead of the South Carolina primary was widely seen as instrumental in Bidens victory. Biden spoke to Harris on Sunday before announcing his decision, which came in two messages: The first saying he was dropping out, and the second endorsing his vice president to be the Democratic nominee. Biden told his senior-most team he was getting out around 1:45 p.m., and the public letter went out right around then, a source familiar with the timing told CNN. Before that, it was all steam ahead that hes running, the same source said. This story has been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Kayla Tausche, Dana Bash, John King, Jamie Gangel, Betsy Klein, Sam Fossum, Manu Raju, Samantha Waldenberg, Donald Judd and Kaitlan Collins contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Republican party leaders in Massachusetts are questioning President Joe Biden's fitness to remain in office after the 81-year-old withdrew from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, endorsing his vice president just weeks ahead of the Democratic Party Convention. And they are objecting to the switch of nominees after the primary process has ended. "I dont think anybody expected it to be any different," said Thomas Hodgson, the chairman of former President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign in Massachusetts. He is the former Bristol County sheriff. "The Democrat Party has been hiding what everybody else has seen for a long time: Hes not capable of being president for another term, and frankly he isnt capable of being president right now. He is cognitively challenged, as everybody knows, and so for us for America that's not a good thing. Who knows how it will play out. If he continues to stay in there, as I said, its not a good thing. But given the fact that he's never there, he works limited hours, its the best thing that could happen, and frankly should have happened a lot sooner." Although political pundits have speculated that Biden is suffering from cognitive decline and the president has made misstatements in recent weeks, Biden's statement did not say he was withdrawing because of any health reasons. Geoff Diehl, who ran for the governor in 2022 and is a supporter of Donald Trump also spoke out against Biden. 'I'm glad that President Biden has withdrawn. Our country needs a strong leader & he had no mandate to proceed. Be aware, though, that a sitting President who won the primary process, just had a reelection campaign canceled by a handful of party insiders. An atrocious precedent." The statements echoed many of the state points Chris LaCivita and Susan Wiles, of Trump's national campaign said on Sunday. "Joe Biden cannot take himself out of a campaign for President because he is too mentally incompetent and still remain in the White House," reads the statement. "Biden is a national security threat in great cognitive decline and a clear and present danger to every man, woman, and child in our country. The question then to Kamala Harris is simple: knowing that Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign because of his rapidly deteriorating condition, does Harris believe the people of America are safe and secure with Joe Biden in the White House for six more months?" This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Republicans in Massachusetts want President Joe Biden to resign office JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel said it shot down a missile launched from Yemen on Sunday and the Yemeni Houthi movement said it had fired several missiles at the Israeli city of Eilat after Israel's first public strike against the Iran-aligned group a day earlier. The Houthis have launched missiles and drones at Israel and disrupted global trade through the Red Sea in response to Israel's assault on Gaza, further destabilising the Middle East as war in the Palestinian enclave rages on after nine months. Israel says the Houthis have launched 200 attacks against it since the Gaza war began, many of them intercepted and most of them not deadly. But a rare Houthi drone strike on Friday hit Tel Aviv and killed one person, prompting Israel to announce its first strikes against the group on Saturday. The strikes by warplanes hit near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah and killed six people, local medics said. The Houthi movement, known formally as Ansar Allah, said on Sunday it would continue to attack Israel in response. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam told Qatar's Al Jazeera TV there would be "no red lines ... all sensitive institutions ... will be a target for us." The Israeli military said its Arrow 3 missile defence system had shot down a surface-to-surface missile projectile launched from Yemen on Sunday before it crossed into Israeli territory. Before the interception, air raid sirens sounded in the Red Sea port city of Eilat, sending residents running for shelter. Sunday's attack prolonged an escalation of violence between Israel and the Houthis that began with the Houthi drone strike that hit the centre of Tel Aviv on Friday. One man was killed and four other people were wounded, officials said. The Israeli warplanes' air raid on Hodeidah on Saturday killed six people and wounded more than 80, medical sources in Yemen told Reuters, describing all as civilians. Images from the scene showed a fiery blaze and dense smoke rising from the site of the strike. A Houthi-run TV channel said the strikes had hit an oil facility and power station. Israeli officials say Hodeidah port has been used by the Houthis to receive weapons shipments from Iran. PROXY BATTLE The exchanges are part of a spillover from the Gaza war that has drawn in regional and world powers. Iran-aligned groups including the Houthis have fired rockets and missiles at Israel saying they are doing so in support of Palestinians and the Islamist militant group Hamas that governs Gaza. The United States and its allies back Israel and provide weapons to it. The war began on Oct. 7 after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage back to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Israel has since bombed and invaded Gaza as part of what it says is a campaign to eliminate Hamas, killing nearly 39,000 people, according to health officials in the enclave. The Houthis, who control much of the north of Yemen and other large population centres, have previously claimed targeting Eilat and other attacks directed at Israel, saying they are acting in retaliation for Israel's war on Gaza. The group has also attacked Red Sea shipping routes for months. Hamas' allies include Iran-backed groups such as the Houthis, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iraqi paramilitaries. The Houthi movement consists primarily of members a minority Shi'ite Muslim group in Yemen and has controlled the country's capital, Sanaa, for years. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch, Jaidaa Taha, Muhammad Al Gebaly and Mohammed Ghobari, Writing by John Davison, Editing by Sharon Singleton, Frances Kerry and Timothy Heritage) Israel shoots down missile from Yemen following airstrikes on Houthi port The Israeli military said it shot down a surface-to-surface missile from Yemen on Sunday, shortly after Israeli warplanes hit various Houthi targets in western Yemen. Yemens missile did not cross into Israeli territory, though warnings of rocket and missile fire were issued in case of falling fragments, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on X. It came hours after the IDFs Air Force planes attacked Houthi targets in the western Yemen port of Hodeida, which is used as a supply route for the transfer of Iranian weapons to Houthi rebels, the Israeli military said late Saturday. It was not immediately confirmed the Houthis were behind Sundays missile launch, though a Houthi military spokesperson had pledged a huge and great response to the Israeli aggression on Saturday. The Israeli airstrikes were in response to the hundreds of Houthi attacks in recent months, including a drone strike on Tel Aviv last week that left one Israeli citizen dead, per the IDF. About 80 people were injured from the Israeli strikes in Hodeida, most of whom had severe burns from a massive fire caused by the strikes, the Associated Press reported, citing the Ministry of Health in Sanaa. The fire that is currently burning in Yemen is seen across the Middle East. The blood of Israeli citizens has a price, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said on X Monday. The Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group, have launched a series of missile or drone attacks since last year in protest of Israels war with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group also backed by Iran. The group initially targeted commercial and military ships in the Red Sea in an effort to disrupt trade routes for Israel, the U.S. and other Western nations. The Houthi attacks, in solidarity with Hamas, began shortly after the terrorist groups Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that left 1,200 people dead and kidnapped about 250 others. The Oct. 7 attacks sparked the more-than-nine-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 38,000 people, per the Health Ministry in Gaza. The U.S. formed a maritime task force late last year to counter the Houthi threat in the Red Sea. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Israel strikes Yemen for the first time following deadly Houthi drone attack. Heres what we know For the first time, Israel has struck inside Yemen, following a deadly drone attack launched by Houthi rebels on Tel Aviv. Since the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, the Houthis have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity - they say - with Gaza. After Israel struck back on Saturday, the Houthis said they launched a fresh barrage of missiles towards Israel, promising a response that will be huge and great. Direct attacks on each others soil between the Israeli military and the Iran-backed rebel group now risk creating a new front in a conflict that already threatened to spill over into the region, with Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam on Sunday describing the situation as open war. Heres what we know. Who are the Houthis and what is their role in the Gaza conflict? The Houthis are an Iran-backed Islamist group based in Yemen. The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), is one side in a civil war that has raged in Yemen for nearly a decade. It emerged in the 1990s, when its leader, Hussein al-Houthi, launched Believing Youth, a religious revival movement for a centuries-old subsect of Shia Islam called Zaidism. Since a ceasefire, the Houthis have consolidated their control over most of northern Yemen. They have also sought an agreement with Saudi Arabia, a major rival of Iran, that would bring the war to a permanent end and cement their role as the countrys rulers. Houthi military academy cadets demonstrate in solidarity with the Palestinian people on June 14 in Sana'a, Yemen. - Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images The Houthis are believed to have been armed and trained by Iran. Since Hamass attacks on October 7 attacks and Israels subsequent ground and air offenses in Gaza, the Houthis say they have been seeking revenge against Israel for its military campaign by targeting Red Sea shipping. The US and UK have responded to those attacks by carrying out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. However, Israel has not taken part in those responses. In addition, Israels army spokesman says the militant group has targeted Israeli civilians and civilian infrastructure about 200 times in the same period. Most of those launches were intercepted by US Central Command, the spokesman said, but Israels air defenses have also intercepted Houthi drones and missiles inside and outside Israels airspace. What happened in Tel Aviv? A tipping point for Israel appears to have come on Friday, when a drone attack was launched on Tel Aviv, killing one Israeli citizen and injuring several others. The attack was claimed by the Houthis, with spokesperson Yahya Saree saying the operation was performed by a new drone capable of bypassing the enemys interception systems. We will continue to strike these targets in response to the enemys massacres and daily crimes against our brothers in the Gaza Strip, Saree said. Our operations will only cease when the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted. Israeli police investigate after a drone attack in Tel Aviv on Friday, which Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for. - Oded Balilty/AP The attack marked the first time Tel Aviv, Israels commercial center, has been struck by a drone in an attack claimed by the Houthis. Israel authorities are investigating the circumstances and potential security failures around the deadly drone blast. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the military suspects the drone was an Iranian-made Samad-3 model, launched from Yemen, which had been upgraded to extend its range. A second drone was intercepted outside of Israeli airspace to the east at the same time as the attack, he said, adding that Israel is now upgrading its air defenses and increasing aerial patrols of its borders. How did Israel respond? Israels response came a day later, when Israeli aircraft hit the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. The attack, which marked the first time Israel has struck Yemen, killed at least six people and injured scores more, Yemeni officials said. The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said the strikes targeted oil facilities in the port on Yemens west coast. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said the strikes had also hit civilian targets and a power station. He slammed what he said was brutal Israeli aggression aimed at increasing the suffering of the people of Yemen and pressuring the group to stop its support of Gaza. Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree speaks at a rally against Israel and the US on Friday. - Osamah Abdulrahman/AP Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the port was used by Iran to bring arms into Yemen. The port we attacked is not an innocent port. It was used for military purposes, it was used as an entry point for deadly weapons supplied to the Houthis by Iran, he said in a statement on Saturday. Netanyahu also said the operation, which hit targets 1,800 km (1,118 miles) from Israels borders, showed Israel was serious about responding to threats. It makes it clear to our enemies that there is no place that the long arm of the State of Israel will not reach, Netanyahu said. How big an escalation is this? Neither side have suggested they are ready to back down. Its not in the Houthi DNA to de-escalate with Israel, Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute wrote on X. Houthi army spokesperson Yehya Saree said the Houthis have prepared for a long war with Israel and that Tel Aviv is still not safe. Israels Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, warned that the blood of Israeli citizens has a price, and that if Israelis are attacked, the result will be identical to that which has been seen in Lebanon and Gaza. On Sunday, Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile approaching Israeli territory from Yemen while the Houthis said they launched a number of ballistic missiles. The war in Gaza has already been accompanied by significantly heightened tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The two sides have been trading cross-border fire since October 8, when Hezbollah fired at three Israeli border posts in solidarity with Palestinians. Smoke and flames rise from a site in Hodeidah, Yemen, on Saturday. - AP Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said on Sunday in a televised address on Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV that the group intended to continue the fifth stage of escalation in support of Gaza. Fridays drone attack on Tel Aviv signaled the beginning of that stage, he also said. But while rising tensions with the Houthis undoubtedly creates fresh challenges for Israel, Hezbollah remains the bigger threat given its extensive arsenal and proximity to Israel. Yoel Guzansky, a senior fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) who has served on Israels National Security Council, told CNN he believes Israel has until now been restrained in its response. He believes Israel was trying to send a signal to the US and the international community that enough is enough, and deliberately chose a target with high visibility. You have to signal to a rogue actor that is attacking you that there is a price to pay, and I think this is what Israel tried to do. Like the Houthis, Hezbollah is also heavily backed by Iran, which makes no secret of its animosity towards Israel. Any increase in hostilities between Israel and Irans proxies is seen as deeply destabilizing in the region because it could push the two countries closer towards open warfare. Israel and Iran have already traded one direct exchange since October 7. Few in the international community want to see it happen again. CNNs Eugenia Yosef, Jennifer Hansler, Eyad Kourdi, Kathleen Magramo, Christian Edwards and Ibrahim Dahman contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Campers and instructors perform for family and friends during UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic and Recital held at UTSA Arts Recital Hall on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Daniella Amaya-Salinas came to San Antonio from Houston to sharpen her mariachi trumpet-playing skills, but left knowing she also can please a crowd with her singing. Amaya-Salinas, 17, was recognized as the outstanding vocalist at the first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic and Recital, hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio. But her love of mariachi is grounded in the trumpet, a passion inherited from her grandfather, who was from Mexico. She hopes someday to teach mariachi to young people especially girls willing to learn the trumpet or guitarron, two staples of the genre that are regarded as a guy instrument, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My grandpa gave me my first trumpet, and he recently passed away due to COVID, so I wanted to continue his legacy. He always wanted me to be in mariachi or a Mexican banda, and I just fell in love with showing other people my culture, Amaya-Salinas said after a 40-minute recital at UTSA that rounded out the four-day camp. Daniella Amaya-Salinas, 17, of Houston performs with campers and teachers in UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital at UTSA. She received the most outstanding vocalist award at the end of the closing recital. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News READ MORE: UTSA online cybersecurity degree program ranked near the top Campers pose for a group picture after performing in a recital to end UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic at UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News About 100 people attended the free recital, many recording it on their phones. The concert opened with Bonito Tecalitlan and closed with La Negra. The camp ensembles five instructors led a performance of Volver. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Daniella Amaya-Salinas, 17, of Houston performs with campers and teachers in UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital atUTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. She received the most outstanding vocalist award at the end of the closing recital. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Trumpet player Padraig Salinas-McCoy plays a trumpet solo during UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital at UTSA Arts Recital Hall on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. UTSA faculty awarded him the most outstanding trumpet player during the recital. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Tristan Garcia, 17, a rising senior at Edison High School, sings for the crowd during UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital at UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Campers pose for a group picture after performing in a recital to end UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic at UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Campers Padraig Salinas-McCoy, left, and Tristan Garcia, center, talk after performing in a recital to cap off UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Eric Garcia, a mariachi teacher at John Jay High School, plays violin alongside campers during a recital to cap off UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Campers perform for their family and friends during UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital at UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News UTSA's Mariachi Program Director Michael Acevedo addresses campers family and friends during UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital at UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Mariachi is very important. Its not just something you read on a sheet of paper and you play it and mariachi music happens, Eric Garcia, a UTSA alum and mariachi teacher at Jay High school, told the audience. Mariachi is a lifestyle. Its an opportunity for those who are outside of Mexico, outside the culture, to be a part of it. And so at this moment, tonight, we are Mexico. UTSA mariachi program director Michael Acevedo couldnt stop smiling after the performance, a culmination of years of dreaming, scheming and planning. To actually be in this moment is something really, really special, Acevedo told the crowd. UTSA's Mariachi Program Director Michael Acevedo talks to a camper after UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital at UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News This was the first year UTSA offered the clinic for high school students, helping them improve their craft, build self-confidence and learn pieces theyll have to perform in state competition in the fall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Twenty-eight students attended the $282 camp, some traveling from as far as Abilene and Zapata. One young trumpet player commuted nearly 100 miles every day from Pflugerville to attend the half-day rehearsal sessions. Some families stayed in hotels. UTSAs Mariachi Los Paisanos, performing in traditional trajes bearing the school colors, have been cultural ambassadors for the Hispanic-serving institution for at least 15 years. The ensemble was on hiatus for two years amid budget cuts several years ago, but UTSA restored the ensemble class in fall 2018 and added a secondary one, Mariachi Juveniles, in 2022. UTSAs School of Music will add a new bachelors degree in the fall, in commercial and digital music, allowing students to choose mariachi as part of their degree plan. Acevedo said hes working on ways to further improve the universitys offerings for students who like performing, and for those wanting to teach in the growing number of mariachi programs in public schools, including San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. More students are coming in wanting to teach mariachi. So as the biggest university here in San Antonio, its our job to provide those classes for them, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Arriana Sierra-Alvarado, 14, laughs with her mother Alicia Alvarado as they talk on stage following UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sierra-Alvarado is a sophomore at East Central High School who attended the camp to prepare for her upcoming UIL state mariachi season. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News READ MORE: UTSA seeing growth in research funding Family and friends of Mariachi campers take pictures of the group on stage after UTSA's first-ever Mariachi All-State Summer Clinic recital held at UTSA Arts Building Recital Hall on Thursday afternoon, July 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Next summer, he hopes to expand the camp to include middle school students and possibly offer activities and dorm accommodations on campus. Amaya-Salinas, a senior at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, will perform at an all-state mariachi competition in October. Shes long idolized the late trumpet icon Miguel Martinez, and only recently started singing lead. At the recital, the crowd cheered her soulful delivery of Como Quien Pierde Una Estrella. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once Im on the stage, I feel the love and I feel the people, the audience seeing me, and I want to show them how I feel in my music, Amaya-Salinas said. She wants to major in music business at UTSA, with a minor in music education, and teach mariachi. Amaya-Salinas is a spitfire and the only female trumpet player in her schools mariachi programs, said her mother, Brenda Salinas. Mariachi is a growing field of study in Texas, and UTSAs new camp has launched just in time, she said. The News At least six people are dead and several dozen injured after Israeli fighter jets struck a Yemeni port reportedly serving as a Houthi military base, the Iranian proxy group said Sunday. The Israeli Defense Forces also confirmed targeting Hezbollah weapon depots in southern Lebanon. The retaliatory strikes came after Fridays drone attack in Tel Aviv that killed a 50-year-old Israeli man. The Houthis took responsibility; this is perhaps the first time the group has targeted the city and signals worsening tensions in the region between the Iran-aligned militias and Israel over the war in Gaza. The fighting comes just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit the US. He is due to meet with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday and address Congress on Wednesday. Its a politically fraught moment for both leaders, as Biden faces mounting pressure to drop his reelection campaign while Natenyahu contends with a disenchanted global community pressing him to accept a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. At least 6 killed, Houthis say, as Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen day after Tel Aviv drone attack At least six people were killed and scores more injured in Israeli airstrikes on a Yemeni port, Houthi rebels have said, a day after the Iran-backed group claimed a deadly attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of Yemens Hodeidah Port on Saturday, in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was a direct response to the death of a 50-year-old Israeli in a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv on Friday. This is the first time Israel has struck Yemen, according to Israeli officials. The Houthis said at least six people were killed, three are missing while a further 83 people were injured in the strikes, which hit oil facilities. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said the strikes had also hit civilian targets and a power station. He slammed what he said was brutal Israeli aggression aimed at increasing the suffering of the people of Yemen and pressuring the group to stop its support of Gaza. Houthi army spokesperson Yehya Saree vowed to respond to the strike, saying the Houthis would not hesitate to strike Israels vital targets and warning that Tel Aviv a major city home to scores of diplomatic missions was still not safe. We have prepared for a long war with this enemy until the aggression stops and the blockade on the Palestinian people is lifted, Saree said. On Sunday Israel said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. The projectile did not cross into Israeli territory. Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling shrapnel. The incident has concluded, the IDF said. Oil tanks burn at the port in Hodeidah, Yemen, Saturday, July 20, 2024, following an Israeli strike. - AP Not an innocent port Netanyahu said in a statement on Saturday that Hodeidah was not an innocent port. It was used for military purposes, it was used as an entry point for deadly weapons supplied to the Houthis by Iran, Netanyahu said, adding that Hodeidah had also been used to attack international shipping in the Red Sea. Netanyahu also said the operation, which hit targets 1,800 km (1,118 miles) from Israels borders, shows the enemy Israel is serious about responding to threats. It makes it clear to our enemies that there is no place that the long arm of the state of Israel will not reach, Netanyahu said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a UN statement he was deeply concerned by reports of the strikes. The response to the Israeli aggression against our country is inevitably coming and will be huge and great, Houthi rebels warned in a statement following the attack, adding that they will continue their operations against Israeli, American, and British ships until Israel stops its siege on Gaza. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the strikes were also in response to the roughly 200 missiles and drones the rebel group has launched towards Israel since October, when Israels war with Hamas in Gaza began. Since the start of the war, the Yemeni rebels have regularly targeted the country with drones and missiles, most of which have been intercepted by Israels defenses or those of its allies. However, the Houthis have claimed their drone attack in Tel Aviv Friday which also injured 10 people was performed by a new drone capable of bypassing the enemys interception systems. The Houthis have also regularly attacked US targets and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Both the UK and the US have responded to the attacks on shipping by carrying out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. However, Israel has not taken part in those responses. An Israeli defense official told CNN that this was a 100% Israeli strike. The official said Israel had previously let the US and UK take the lead on responding to Houthi attacks but decided to respond itself this time because of the death of the Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv. According to the official, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin before the strike was carried out. The defense official added that Israel was able to strike so quickly because it had been preparing for this scenario for months. A White House official said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on developments in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said the US had not coordinated with Israel on the airstrikes, but added that the US fully recognizes Israels right to self-defense. An Israeli firefighter seen inside one of the buildings damaged by the Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv. - Matteo Placucci/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images Who are the Houthis? The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah Arabic for Supporters of God is a Shiite Islamist political and military organization backed by Iran, that emerged in the 1990s. Similar to chants used by Lebanon-based Iranian proxy Hezbollah, the Houthis official slogan reads, God is the Greatest. Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse the Jews. Victory to Islam. In 2014, Houthi forces allied with former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh took control of Yemens capital, Sanaa, from the UN-recognized Yemeni government, sparking a civil war that has afflicted the country ever since. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have led a coalition in Yemen against Houthi forces. More recently, the group has come to be seen in parts of the largely Sunni Muslim world and beyond as champions of the Palestinian cause, defending the people of Gaza against Israel. Since October 7, Houthi rebels have carried out numerous missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, asserting that these vessels are linked to Israel and its allies, which has escalated tensions throughout the Middle East. Smoke and flames rise from a site in Hodeidah, Yemen, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, following an Israeli strike. - AP Regional tensions rise In recent weeks Hezbollah has been ramping up cross-border attacks with Israel after months of low-intensity fighting, prompting the Israeli military to warn that it is prepared to launch a large-scale attack on its northern border. Following the Hodeidah strike, Israels Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir congratulated Netanyahu on the operation and said Israel should adopt the same policy against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Gallant echoed Ben Gvirs sentiment. Smotrich said Israel must continue to attack with all its might even in distant places, while Gallant said the blood of Israeli citizens has a price, and that anywhere Israelis are attacked the result will be identical. The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear, Gallant said. Hezbollah in Lebanon condemned the attack on Yemen and said we stand firmly with the Yemeni people in defending themselves, their sovereignty, and their heroic and historic stance alongside Palestine. Hamas also condemned the attack, calling it a dangerous escalation. Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz called on the international community to maximize sanctions on Iran. Iran supports, trains, and finances the Houthi terror organization as part of its regional network of terror organizations aimed at attacking Israel, he said. Iran is the head of the snake it must be stopped now, Katz added. Iran condemned the Israeli strike on Hodeidah. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nasser Kanaani warned of the risk of war in the region, saying Israels actions in Gaza were the root of the escalating tensions. The oppressed but powerful people of Yemen are paying the price for their honorable support of the innocent citizens, women and children of Gaza, Kanaani said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's military said on Sunday it will start offering the polio vaccine to soldiers serving in the Gaza Strip after remnants of the contagious polio virus were found in test samples in areas of the coastal enclave. The military also said that with the cooperation of international groups enough vaccines had been brought in to cover more than a million of Gaza's 2.3 million population. Soldiers will be vaccinated during routine troop turnover, though it is not mandatory, the military said. Much of Gaza's health infrastructure has been destroyed during Israel's nine-month old military offensive, which was sparked by Hamas' Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel. Public health officials and aid groups have warned that without proper health services the population is particularly vulnerable to disease outbreaks. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Sharon Singleton) The Israeli military said Saturday that it has hit Houthi military targets in Yemen as an act of self-defense. A short while ago, [Israel Defense Forces (IDF)] fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of the Al Hudaydah Port in Yemen in response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against the State of Israel in recent months, the IDF said in its afternoon post. A later post by the IDF featured a video of Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari in which he said that in recent months, the Houthi terrorist group, Irans terror proxy in Yemen, has launched over 200 aerial attacks against Israeli civilians and infrastructures. On Friday morning, in one of these [unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ] attacks, the Houthis fired an Iranian explosive UAV from Yemen into Israeli territory, Hagari said in the video. Hagari added that the UAV hit an apartment building in Tel Aviv, near the U.S. Embassy Branch Office, resulting in the death of an Israeli. The Houthis attacks are acts of aggression, a violation of international law and a threat to the international peace and security, Hagari continued. Today, Israel stepped up its actions in self-defense against these attacks. The Israeli Air Force conducted precise strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen. The Associated Press reported that the Ministry of Health in the Yemeni city of Sanaa said due to the strikes, an initial amount of 80 people were injured. A spokesperson for the Houthis, Mohammed Abdulsalam, said in a post on X the blatant Israeli aggression had gone after facilities holding fuel and a power station. Some health officials based in Yemen also said the strikes caused the deaths of multiple people. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Palestinians hold the bodies of their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 people, including women and children overnight in Gaza, according to hospital officials and a body count by an Associated Press journalist on Sunday. The latest strikes occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to leave Monday for the United States, where he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden and address Congress to make his case for the nine-month war against Hamas while cease-fire negotiations continue. A team will be sent to continue talks on Thursday, Netanyahu's office said. The already precarious humanitarian conditions inside besieged Gaza have worsened with the discovery of the polio virus as water and sanitation services have suffered for the territorys population of 2.3 million, most of it displaced. Traces of the virus were found in sewage samples in Gaza. The World Health Organization has said no one has been treated for symptoms caused by the infection. Israels military said that soldiers would be vaccinated, and it would work with organizations to bring in vaccines for Palestinians. Israels latest airstrikes were in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, where nine people, including two children, were killed, and the southern city of Khan Younis, where at least six people were killed, including two girls. Men and women wept and embraced the small bodies in white shrouds. Unknown body of five-month baby was written on one. Smoke also rose from the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, but there was no immediate word on casualties. The war in Gaza has killed more than 38,900 people, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The war began with an assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took about 250 hostages. About 120 remain held, about a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities. Netanyahu has vowed to wipe out Hamas military and governing capabilities and secure the return of the remaining hostages. Families of hostages and thousands of other Israelis have rallied in weekly demonstrations, urging the prime minister to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring loved ones home. Mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States continue to push Israel and Hamas toward a phased deal that would stop the fighting and free the hostages. Concerns about a wider regional conflict continue. Israel on Saturday struck the port of Hodeida in Yemen in the first known Israeli strikes there since the war in Gaza began. The strikes, in response to a deadly Houthi drone strike in Tel Aviv, threatened to open a new front as Israel battles Iranian proxies in the region. On Sunday, the Israeli military said that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen as the Houthis vowed impactful strikes. Proxies also include Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon. On Sunday, Lebanon's military said two of its soldiers were wounded after an Israeli strike hit a watchtower on the outskirts of the border town of Alma al-Shaab. Earlier Sunday, Israel's military said it struck multiple areas in southern Lebanon after a number of drones were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. It said hits were identified in the areas of Hanita and Yaara in northern Israel but no injuries were reported. ___ Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war ___ Associated Press writer Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed. Politicians are reacting after President Joe Biden announced that he has dropped out of the 2024 Presidential race and will not seek re-election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee for the Democratic Party. Read: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 Presidential race, will not seek re-election Below is the statement posted on social media. Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement: On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Republican nominee Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social: Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt - And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Republican Vice President Candidate J.D. Vance took to X. Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these JD Vance (@JDVance1) July 21, 2024 Former President Bill Clinton endorsed Vice President Kamla Harris. Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 Former President Barack Obama called Biden a patriot of the highest order. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. Heres my full statement: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024 Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling for Biden to step down. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 21, 2024 Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Biden. President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 21, 2024 State and local politicians are also starting to weigh in on social media. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office. She also was the the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) July 21, 2024 Florida Democrats Chairwoman Nikki Fried (D) Thank you @POTUS. Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes the nation is eternally grateful. Now, the Democratic Party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump. Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) July 21, 2024 Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) Let me be clear, if Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is not capable of serving as president for the next six months and needs to resign today. Read my full statementhttps://t.co/Ktlx4Z6b02 Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) July 21, 2024 Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan (D) President @JoeBiden has always put the country first as he did today. Im grateful for his transformational leadership and for his belief and investment in Jacksonville. Vice President @KamalaHarris has my full support as the Democratic nominee and our next President. https://t.co/UUrVpTtW6O Donna Deegan (@DonnaDeegan) July 21, 2024 Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Floridas Fourth Congressional District) Though President Biden recognized his political career was going to end in November at the ballot box, forgoing a re-election bid is not enough. His long service to the country must also end, due to his inability to fulfill his oath of office. To the best of my ability, in Aaron Bean (@AaronPBean) July 21, 2024 Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Floridas Thirteenth Congressional District) Duval County Democratic Party Thank you President @JoeBiden. You will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents in American history. pic.twitter.com/KYe5la71XT Duval County Democratic Party (@DuvalDEC) July 21, 2024 Republican Party of Duval County After three and a half years of failure and continued national embarrassments, Joe Biden has decided to not run for a second term. Joe Biden's "selfless" act of not running for re-election is actually one of the more selfish political actions in American History. The Democrat Republican Party of Duval County (@DuvalGOP) July 21, 2024 Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Georgias First Congressional District) My statement on President Biden announcing that he will not run for reelection: pic.twitter.com/Lgz8mPmjOI Buddy Carter (@RepBuddyCarter) July 21, 2024 Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) Pres. Bidens record and decades of service to the country are extraordinary and historic. Thank you, @POTUS. Vice President Harris is now absolutely the right candidate to defeat Donald Trump and unite our country. @KamalaHarris is prepared, ready to win, & has my full support. Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) July 21, 2024 Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Floridas Third Congressional District) With Biden refusing to stand for re-election, there is no doubt that we are in the uncharted waters. If Joe Biden is unfit to run for re-election then hes unfit to serve the remainder of his term. Furthermore, Americans from coast to coast are rightfully furious at the pic.twitter.com/NWSk8LxJLD Kat Cammack (@Kat_Cammack) July 21, 2024 Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Floridas Sixth Congressional District) If President Biden isnt fit to run for re-election, he isnt fit to continue as commander-in-chief. He should resign. We are in a period of maximum danger with a wide open southern border and the world on fire. Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) July 21, 2024 This is a developing story. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [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. JD Vance may be president. Is he even qualified? Former President Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024. Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. tsuddes@gmail.com Donald Trumps selection of Sen. J.D. (James David) Vance, a Cincinnati Republican and Middletown native, to be his vice-presidential running mate up-shifted Democrats Talking Points Machine into overdrive. True, whoever is nominated for vice president, and wins, whether its Vance or Vice President Kamala Harris (assuming Democrats ticket remains as-is) could succeed midterm to the presidency, given Trumps age (78) and Democratic incumbent Joe Bidens (81, turning 82 after Novembers election). True also, Vance to a point has demonstrated chameleon-like politics, his earlier denunciations of Trump supplanted by Vances seemingly slavish support for him opportunism of a very high order. (That said, opportunism is an 11-letter word for American politics.) How did Vance go from "Never Trump:" JD Vance once called Donald Trump 'America's Hitler.' Now he's Trump's VP pick Still, it appears, albeit at a distance, that theres an ideological core to Vances politics, a movement called national conservatism, as cleveland.coms Andrew Tobias reported from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. National conservatism is hard to define but, to cite one facet, appears to be deeply skeptical, if not generally opposed, to so-called free trade deals, which in practice have cost America, especially the industrial Midwest (e.g., northeast Ohio and the Miami Valley) well-paying manufacturing jobs. In 2021, a year before Ohioans sent Vance to the Senate, the Monthly Labor Review reported on manufacturing jobs in the Midwest from 1990 to 2019. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, left, vice presidential nominee JD Vance during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The second day of the RNC focused on crime and border policies. The journal found that The greatest decline in manufacturing employment as a percentage of total nonfarm employment occurred in Ohio. In 1990, manufacturing accounted for roughly 21.7 percent of all employment in [Ohio]. In 2019, manufacturing accounted for 12.5 percent of all jobs in Ohio, after the industry shed roughly 359,000 jobs. Be it noted that the slump in good pay-and-benefits jobs occurred during three GOP presidencies (G.H.W. Bush; G.W. Bush; D.J. Trump) and two Democratic presidencies (W.J. Clinton; B.H. Obama). Is it any wonder why both parties habitually try to distract voters from focusing on those brutal facts by stirring up so-called social issues? Vance is overrated politically Barring the unforeseeable, Donald Trump will carry Ohio regardless of his running mate. Vances real utility for the GOP will be campaigning in states where Trump and Biden (or a Biden replacement) are competitive, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, where Biden is faltering. Maybe thats why Democrats seemed so frantic to immediately unload on Vance, starting with the issue of abortion, access to which Ohio voters guaranteed women last November. Well, as it happens, Vance is Catholic. JD Vance is Trump's VP pick: From 'America's Hitler' to a 'great president': JD Vance VP nomination in 11 cartoons Then there was the fundamentally silly Democratic argument that, yeah, Ohioans elected Vance to the Senate in 2022, but his 53% to 47% margin over the Democratic nominee, then-U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, of suburban Warren, was closer than margins run up by other Ohio GOP candidates that year, such as Gov. Mike DeWine, who drew 62% of the statewide vote to the 37% drawn by Democratic nominee Nan Whaley, once Daytons mayor. Thomas Suddes Implication: Vance is overrated politically. Three points: DeWine has been on Ohios ballot for one office or another since 1976; Ryan lost in his home county (Trumbull) and in neighboring Mahoning, key parts of Ryans congressional district; and Vance may be the first U.S. senator from Ohio (since popular election of U.S. senators began) to have never previously run for any other elected office. DeWine weighs in from RNC: DeWine: Trump made a great choice in picking JD Vance as vice president. That is, Vances 2022 election was no fluke, albeit lubricated with lavish spending by a campaign fund with ties to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, cleveland.com reported. Are there inconsistencies in Vance record? You bet, and in Bidens, too: The New York Times reported in 2019 that Biden, as a U.S. senator from Delaware in the 1970s, emerged as the Democratic Partys leading anti-busing crusader a position that put him in league with Southern segregationists, at odds with liberal Republicans and helped change the dynamic of the Senate [on the issue]. The central agenda for voters is, or should be, set not by partisan yammering but by whether J.D. Vance or Vice President Harris (assuming Democrats ticket doesnt change) is better qualified to serve as president if Donald Trump or Joe Biden, given their ages, falters as either one may. Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. tsuddes@gmail.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: President JD Vance is a real possibility. Does he have the juice? Keen listeners at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and Trump rally in Michigan this week may have noticed a subtle development on the campaign trail: JD Vance officially has a walk-on song. On the surface, the track, 2005s America First by country legend Merle Haggard, seems like a solid fit. After all, it shares a name with one of Donald Trumps signature slogans, and has lyrics that gel with his criticisms of foreign wars. Why dont we liberate these United States/ Were the ones need it the worst/ Let the rest of the world help us for a change/ And lets rebuild America first, goes one part of the song. The song was written during the Iraq War, a conflict JD Vance served in but has also criticized. When I was a senior in high school, that same Joe Biden supported the disastrous invasion of Iraq, Vance said at the RNC. From Iraq to Afghanistan, from the financial crisis to the great recession, from open borders to stagnating wages, the people who govern this country have failed and failed again. JD Vances Merle Haggard walk-on song has a strong anti-war message (Getty) What Vance didnt mention is that Donald Trump also initially supported the Iraq war. In a 2002 interview with Howard Stern, the radio host asked Trump if he supported the invasion. "Yeah, I guess so," Trump responded. "I wish the first time it was done correctly." Trump has later falsely claimed he opposed the war since before it began. The mismatch with America First may go beyond just Trumps record of foreign policy opinions. Haggard, while he was alive, resisted attempts to be claimed by one party or another. There are things I go for on both sides of the fence, he once explained to Variety. I cant be called one or the other, because if I was one of em, Id want to be the other one. America First, he went on, was in fact written from a place of criticism towards George Bush and 9/11-era laws like the controversial Patriot Act, which provided sweeping surveillance powers to federal authorities. Im going to say as an American that I think theyve been disingenuous with the public about the reasons why were there, Haggard said. And I think the United States of America is mature enough to understand the real reasons. Im just disappointed in the fact that (Bush) doesnt level with us I think if were gonna have to suffer sanctions as Americans when it comes to freedom, then we ought to know the entire picture. Haggard also defended fellow country stars The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks), when they were faced with intense public backlash for criticizing George Bush. Haggard called their treatment a witch-hunt and a verbal lynching. I dont even know the Dixie Chicks, but I find it an insult for all men and women who fought and died in past wars when almost the majority of America jumped down their throats for voicing an opinion, he said. Haggard, who died in 2016, wrote a variety of political songs in his time, from one praising Hillary Clinton, to 1969 Okie from Muskogee, a rebuke of the hippie culture during the Vietnam War. When I was in prison, I knew what it was like to have freedom taken away, Haggard once said of the song. Freedom is everything. During Vietnam, there were all kinds of protests. Here were these [servicemen] going over there and dying for a causewe dont even know what it was really all about. And here are these young kids, that were free, bitching about it. Theres something wrong with that and with [disparaging] those poor guys. The track became a touchstone for many conservatives, though Haggard later claimed he was dumb as a rock when he wrote the song. Here are the full lyrics of America First, according to Genius. [Verse] Why dont we liberate these United States Were the ones need it the worst Let the rest of the world help us for a change And lets rebuild America first Our highways and bridges are falling apart Whos blessed and who has been cursed? Theres things to be done all over the world But lets rebuild America first Whos on the Hill and whos watching the valley? And whos in charge of it all? God bless the Army and God bless our liberty And dadgum the rest of it all Yeah, men in position are backing away Freedom is stuck in reverse Lets get out of Iraq and get back on the track And lets rebuild America first Why dont we liberate these United States? Were the ones who need it the most You think Im blowing smoke? Boys, it aint no joke I make twenty trips a year from coast to coast Joe Biden campaigned in Ocala in 2008 and 2012. Check out the images and words from those days Then-Sen. Joe Biden campaigned in Ocala in late October 2008. The rally at Dancing Horses Farm west of Ocala attracted about 3,500 people, the Star Banner reported at the time. "Sen. Joe Biden warmed a crowd of Democratic Party faithful on a chilly Tuesday morning with a fiery speech blasting the policies of President Bush that he said would only be continued if Sen. John McCain won next week's presidential election," the Star Banner reported. Biden and Barack Obama went on to win in November. They won Florida's electoral votes and also prevailed in Marion County, taking 51% of the vote to John McCain/Sarah Palin's 48.2%. Biden was back again on Halloween 2012, addressing about 2,500 people at Tuscawilla Park as he and Obama tried to win a second term. According to the Star Banner's account from that day, the vice president spent his time "blasting his Republican rivals Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as pliable pitchmen who in the final days of the election have softened their rhetoric in order the capture the White House but not their desire to undermine America's middle class." Obama/Biden went on to win Florida again in November and to once again prevail in Marion County, taking 50% of the vote to Romney/Ryan's 49.1%. This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Joe Biden campaigned twice in Ocala. Take a look back at both appearances. With Joe Biden out of the 2024 presidential race, the question is whether and how much chaos Democrats will face in picking his successor. It probably wont be as chaotic as it some might expect, thanks to a process that the partys national convention, which starts August 19, would follow. While the path to picking a replacement candidate can get complicated, there are steps the party has in place to pick a new ticket. Heres a quick guide to what happens next: Now that Biden is out, when will a new candidate be chosen? The new party nominee could be formally chosen in early August, when Democrats could take a virtual roll call. A majority of delegates would be needed to pick a candidate to face Republican nominee Donald Trump. Some Democrats are floating the idea of what they call a mini-primary. Details of precisely what would mean are unclear, and chances are voters would not be able to cast ballots. One idea is that potential candidates would participate in forums prior to the convention. Or the choice could wait until the partys national convention next month. Its unlikely there would be an open convention, since Vice President Kamala Harris is already vice president and has strong support within the party. I think if Biden doesnt run, the party would unify around Harris. Shes the anointed successor, Darrell West, a political analyst at the nonpartisan Brookings Institution, told the Bee earlier this month. How would a new nominee be chosen? Delegates were chosen earlier this year by states according to voting or through other processes such as caucuses. The convention is scheduled to run from August 19 to 22 in Chicago. It takes a majority of delegates to win the nomination. Most of the delegates were carefully chosen by the Biden campaign and are pledged to him. But now that hes out theyre free to vote for anyone. According to Democratic party rules, delegates are pledged to a delegate, not bound. What are the chances of a convention that becomes deadlocked? If no candidate gets a majority after the first ballot, or roll call of the states and territories, there would be a second ballot. Party officials, called automatic delegates, would be given a bigger role in the event that happens. The officials, who used to be called superdelegates, include members of Congress, governors and other top Democrats. There are 739 such delegates, including 70 from California. The last time a national convention failed to pick a nominee on the first ballot was 1952. Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson had not entered the race before the convention, but emerged as a compromise choice once the frontrunners couldnt get a majority. Is there anyone likely to mount a serious challenge to Harris? Harris would be a strong favorite to win a majority of delegates on the first ballot. No prominent Democratic figure has suggested they would challenger her. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said no when asked if shed run if Biden stepped down. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said repeatedly he does not intend to run this year. Others frequently mentioned, notably Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and federal Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, are seen as unlikely to throw their hats in the ring. Most of the intrigue will surround who Harris would pick as a running mate. Two Southern governors are mentioned as good political contrasts to Harris, a former California attorney general and U.S. Senator: North Carolinas Roy Cooper and Kentuckys Andy Beshear. Would a messy nomination fight hurt the Democrats? Chris Jackson, senior vice president at Ipsos Public Affairs, which conducts national polls, noted that the nominee is likely to instantly win support of hardcore Democratic voters. If that bloc is 40% of the electorate, he explained, it wouldnt take much more to win the general election. Democrats are unlikely to jeopardize their chances with a messy convention. Would Harris do better than Biden against Trump? Maybe. A survey taken earlier this month by Emerson College Polling showed Trump leading Harris among registered voters, 49% to 43%. He led Biden 44% to 40%.. Who are the favorites for the vice presidential nomination? Cooper and Beshear lead the list. North Carolina is a swing state that voted for Democrat Barack Obama in 2012 but for former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Kentucky is unlikely to vote Democrat, but Beshear, 46, would be a youthful and a geographic counter to Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance. Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? With Joe Biden out of the 2024 presidential race, the question is whether and how much chaos Democrats will face in picking a successor to take on Donald Trump. Biden supported Vice President Kamala Harris shortly after announcing he would step aside. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said in a statement on X. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. There still are steps for the party to make its official choice. Heres a quick guide to what happens next: When will a new candidate be chosen? The new party nominee could be formally chosen in early August, when Democrats could take a virtual roll call. A majority of delegates would be needed to pick a candidate to face Trump. Some Democrats have floated the idea of what they call a mini-primary. Details of precisely what would mean are unclear, and chances are voters would not be able to cast ballots. One idea is that potential candidates would participate in forums prior to the convention. Or the choice could wait until the partys national convention next month. Its unlikely there would be an open convention, since Harris has support from Biden and others within the party. The party would unify around Harris. Shes the anointed successor, Darrell West, a political analyst at the nonpartisan Brookings Institution, predicted earlier this month. How will a new nominee be chosen? Delegates were chosen earlier this year by states according to voting or through other processes such as caucuses. The convention is scheduled to run from Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. It takes a majority of delegates to win the nomination. Most of the delegates were carefully chosen by the Biden campaign and are pledged to him. But now that hes out, theyre free to vote for anyone. According to Democratic party rules, delegates are pledged to a candidate, not bound. Breaking News President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing story: With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement California Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to Joe Biden dropping out. Heres what he said Why some say Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear would make a great VP candidate With Biden out, what could be next for NC Gov. Roy Cooper? What are the chances of a convention that becomes deadlocked? If no candidate gets a majority after the first ballot, or roll call of the states and territories, there would be a second ballot. Party officials, called automatic delegates, would be given a bigger role in the event that happens. The officials, who used to be called superdelegates, include members of Congress, governors and other top Democrats. There are 739 such delegates, including 70 from California. The last time a national convention failed to pick a nominee on the first ballot was 1952. Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson had not entered the race before the convention but emerged as a compromise choice once the front-runners couldnt get a majority. Is anyone likely to mount a serious challenge to Harris? Harris would be a strong favorite to win a majority of delegates on the first ballot. No prominent Democratic figure suggested they would challenge her before Bidens announcement. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said no when asked if shed run if Biden stepped down. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said repeatedly he does not intend to run this year. Others frequently mentioned, notably Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and federal Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, are seen as unlikely to throw their hats in the ring. Most of the intrigue will surround whom Harris would pick as a running mate. Two Southern governors are mentioned as good political contrasts to Harris, a former California attorney general and U.S. senator: North Carolinas Roy Cooper and Kentuckys Andy Beshear. Would a messy nomination fight hurt the Democrats? Chris Jackson, senior vice president at Ipsos Public Affairs, which conducts national polls, noted that the nominee is likely to instantly win support of hardcore Democratic voters. If that bloc is 40% of the electorate, he explained, it wouldnt take much more to win the general election. Democrats are unlikely to jeopardize their chances with a messy convention. Would Harris do better than Biden against Trump? Maybe. A survey taken earlier this month by Emerson College Polling showed Trump leading Harris among registered voters, 49% to 43%. He led Biden 44% to 40%. Who are the favorites for the vice presidential nomination? Cooper and Beshear lead the list. North Carolina is a swing state that voted for Democrat Barack Obama in 2012 but for former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Kentucky is unlikely to vote Democrat, but Beshear, 46, would be a youthful and a geographic counter to Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance. Joe Biden is done. The president who brought us back from the brink after four years of Donald Trumps atrocities, a horrible COVID pandemic and multiple subversions of democracy by the U.S. Supreme Court bowed out of his re-election bid Sunday after more than 30 Democratic officeholders, the partys mega donors asked him to go. Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. It started with a horrible debate performance and was accentuated by a letter that actor George Clooney submitted to the New York Times two weeks ago urging Biden to step aside. The donors and the elites have told us the voters dont matter, Mary Trump said on her Nerd Avengers show Sunday. It was a decision driven by the white, power elite, she added. This happened just days after The Republican Party nominated a convicted felon, former president Donald Trump, for president. This is just a reminder that the 2006 movie Idiocracy directed by Mike Judge, featuring Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews and Dax Shepard was meant as satire. It wasnt supposed to be a documentary. Yet there was Hulk Hogan channeling President Camacho on the closing night of the MAGA convention in Milwaukee. Prior to introducing Trump, I half expected Hogan or UFC head Dana White to say, I know shit's bad right now, with all that starving bullshit, and the dust storms, and we are running out of french fries and burrito coverings. But I got a solution. Instead, he just ripped open his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance tank top. And the WWE fans went wild. All he needed was a monster truck. Thats MAGA politics. All show and no go. Trumps former attorney Ty Cobb, quoted in the Independent Friday, gave the convention high marks for its theatrics but said Trump is an empty suit of blind ambition and no principles. The repetition of that message sounds like tinnitus to some, a song of hope for others, and just nothing worth listening to for all those at the convention who bought t-shirts picturing Jesus hugging Trump. There sure was plenty to laugh at as the MAGA party closed out its convention in Milwaukee this week, leaving behind fetid flies, rotting garbage and tons of soiled linen, and thats just following the 92-minute self-congratulatory filibuster that constituted convicted felon Trumps acceptance speech. He was supposed to call for unity, and Im sure in what passes for deep thought in the shallow recesses of his mostly empty skull, he nailed it. Yet, as the AP reported, as quickly as he called for an end to the demonization of political enemies, he turned the issue exclusively toward Democrats, wherein he pushed his greatest hits of accusations that the justice system was weaponized against him, he was a victim, the Democrats were evil and hes the victim, savior and best dancer of all time. About the only specific policies he mentioned in his 92-minute excremental, self-aggrandizing speech was promising to roll back Biden administration efforts to combat climate change, redirect infrastructure spending and impose steep tariffs. Afterward, his bobbleheaded sycophants took to the airwaves where they dutifully regurgitated the mantra of a unified party, while also assuring us Trump walks on water and if he lays hands on you he can cure you of warts. The bobble-headed anchors on most major networks nodded their approval and reflected on the unity of the GOP and the pensive nature of Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump. Lost was the fact that the Republican Party only appears unified because no one but MAGA members are left in the party. Anyone capable of cogent, critical thought has abandoned that unholy alliance years ago, seeking shelter from the racism, misogyny and authoritarian policies it has embraced. All thats left are so-called Christians arguing about how to engage in mass deportations of anyone who doesnt think like they do. If the "Man in the High Castle" and "The Handmaids Tale" ever made a baby together, it would look a lot like the Republican Party in 2024. Im sure the Hunger Games and The Purge are looking on in envy. All the Republican National Convention did well was scare the living crap out of Democrats who are trying to figure out how they can take down Trump. They seemed to have a sure thing in President Joe Biden until he stared off into space at a debate with Trump nearly a month ago. It does say something about the Democrats that they are trailing or within the margin of error in most polls to a convicted felon who once suggested sunlight and bleach injections could cure COVID. Still, the Democrats had a president who has a long list of legitimate accomplishments in the last four years, but 30 Democratic officeholders, including West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, said with heavy heart they had to recommend he leave. They torched Biden as if hes a witch in Old Salem. With their own hair on fire, theyre babbling like theyre binging on hallucinogenics and washing it down with multiple shots of espresso. Ahead of the presidents surprise announcement, I spoke with a Biden staffer bewildered by the push to get him out., My God, what do we have to do? Another Democrat, who wanted Biden to drop out echoed the sentiment Friday, My GOD why cant we come together on this? God has as little care for Biden and his minions as he has for Trump and his, but everyones calling out his name seeking help, salvation, and the proper numbers for this weeks Lotto. It aint working. Were on our own folks. Friday Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio became the fourth Democratic senator to call on Biden to step down from his re-election efforts. NBC exclusively reported that Brown, who faces a competitive race in November said his constituents have told him over the last few weeks that they are concerned about growing jobs, giving law enforcement resources to combat fentanyl as well as protecting Social Security and Medicare from cuts and preventing a national abortion ban. At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the President should end his campaign. Wait. What? Thats a hell of a leap and a horrible non-sequitur. The issues Brown names have been the central theme of the Biden administration and contain some of his greatest victories. The Democratic cartoon carnival of chaos due to freaking out over Donald Trumps polling ahead of Biden in July is sardonically and tragically funny if you discount the fact that should Trump win, whats left of this country will be wrapped up and sold to Russia within a week of Trump crawling back into the Bully Pulpit to kiss Vladimir Putins flaccid backside. Maggie Hagerman will no doubt get the New York Times exclusive on that. The Democrats are scared. But, now so are the Trumpers. They had figured out Biden, but they are scrambling to figure out who will replace Biden. Preparing poignant hate-filled rhetoric takes time. We had to settle with Trumps immediate reaction; Harris is the same as Biden and complicit in the worst presidency in history. Thats why watching the Democrats dissolve into a puddle of tears on a nationwide stage while tar and feathering their own president is both entertaining and horrifying. There is no consensus on who will replace Biden. Hopefully the Democrats will listen to the presidents recommendation for his successor, but there is no guarantee of that since his party already burned him to the ground. For a second, I hope that voters remember Biden supported the first Black president, named the first female black vice president, and at the end showed his patriotism like a modern day Cincinnatus he walked away. Some say the best way to move forward is for Biden to go one step further: resign now and welcome Kamala Harris as president and let her run as an incumbent. That would unify the party, Wajahat Ali said on The Nerd Avengers Sunday. That wont happen. Consider this; We have two political parties in this country. One has kicked out all dissenters who wont cast their lot with an authoritarian, empty vessel, convicted felon. Thats their candidate for president. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. The other party controls the White House and kicked to the curb a president who negotiated a pandemic, created record job growth, passed a historic infrastructure bill, relieved student debt and lowered the cost of prescription medication while supporting unions, women, minorities and the Constitution. He was very good at doing the job. He was horrible at communicating that fact. It ultimately cost him a second term. Make no mistake, the person most frightened by Bidens Sunday decision is Donald Trump. And the MAGA Republicans are now pointing their finger at the Democratic donor class, accusing them of staging their own version of Jan. 6 - unable to accept that Biden won. The question for the Democrats now is, can they close this cannibal buffet and come together in time to defeat the felon? Kamala Harris is the only viable candidate, but who could she get as a vice presidential candidate to appeal to the voters who love Joe Biden, but who arent necessarily as fond of her? Sunday afternoon, the name of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat in a Republican state, emerged as a possible answer. Hes actively interested, a Beshear advisor told me. Late Friday afternoon, Harris, at the request of the White House many of us were told, met with donors to discuss urgent, emerging needs and that the call was centered around ending the infighting and pivoting to winning. Suffice it to say the more than 81 million people who voted for the Biden-Harris ticket four years ago would like to see that too. President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. The president's disastrous debate performance in late June sent shockwaves through the party. Biden's campaign had argued he had a path toward winning despite trailing Donald Trump in polls. In a stunning turnaround, President Joe Biden on Sunday announced he would withdraw his candidacy for reelection in 2024. "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in a letter posted on social media. "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision." Biden on Sunday also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him in the Oval Office. The president's decision to forgo his reelection came weeks after his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump in late June. Biden struggled to deliver coherent answers to numerous questions, reigniting concerns about his age that had been simmering among Democrats for months. In the days following the debate, Biden faced growing pressure to step aside, with an increasing number of Democratic politicians urging the 81-year-old president to do so. The White House looked to have stymied a massive outcry from members of Congress, but as lawmakers returned to Washington, more seemed unwilling to accept Biden's decision to stay in the race. Earlier this month, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was "up to the president to decide if he is going to run," which was odd as Biden had already declared he wasn't going anywhere and had committed to staying in the race. Polling had long shown Biden trailing Trump both nationally and in key swing states, and the debate represented a key opportunity for the president to turn the race around. Instead, some national polls showed that the former president cemented his lead. Election prognosticators also moved Minnesota and New Hampshire closer to Trump with the possibility that even a state like New Mexico could become competitive. On Thursday, Biden's top campaign officials conceded that the president had taken a small step back since the debate but emphasized that Trump was still beatable. "There is a long way to go between now and Election Day with considerable uncertainty and polls in July should not be overestimated, but the data shows we have a clear path to win," Biden's campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, and campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, wrote in a memo to staffers. It's the first time in recent American history that a major party has had to finalize a nominee so close to a general election. President Lyndon B. Johnson dropped out of the 1968 race amid widespread protests over his handling of the Vietnam War, though he did so in the midst of the primary season, giving Democrats plenty of time to rally around another candidate. Vice President Hubert Humphrey ultimately claimed that year's Democratic nomination amid a chaotic convention in Chicago, only to lose to Richard Nixon. Read the original article on Business Insider President Joe Biden took the unprecedented step of bowing out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday after concerns about his health and ability to run reached a fever pitch among key Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi and, according to media reports, even former president Barack Obama as well as ardent former celebrity supporters including George Clooney. Shortly after his initial announcement, the president announced that he is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. In a post, he said, My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 In his earlier statement released Sunday, Biden wrote, It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelectino, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Biden promised to make a public address later in the week about his decision. Read the presidents letter making the announcement below: The presumptive Democratic nominee is now Vice President Kamala Harris: Online chatter began to focus on her taking Bidens place on the ticket after the presidents disastrous June 27 debate, further fueled by the White House calling her the future of the party on July 3. The 81-year-old presidents poor showing during the CNN live debate with Donald Trump raised a flurry of questions about his fitness to lead the country for four more years. During the 90-minute event, Biden appeared frail and confused, which his campaign later attributed to a cold and exhaustion. In subsequent unscripted speeches, the president appeared stronger and considerably more focused as he defended his ability to lead and championed his achievements, including a just-wrapped NATO conference, but the damage to his perceived electability had already been done. One by one, newspapers, journalists, celebrities and politicians joined the chorus for Biden to step aside for a younger candidate who might have a better chance at beating Trump in November. A post-debate sitdown with ABC News George Stephanopoulos on July 5, during which Biden reassured the nation he had simply had a bad night, did not dissuade the growing loudness of Democratic detractors, especially when Stephanopoulous, who didnt know he was being recorded, said that Biden had no chance to win. The ABC News anchor later apologized for his remarks. One of the most devastating defections came on July 10 from Clooney, who had co-hosted a major fundraiser in Los Angeles for Biden just last month but now argued in an op-ed for the New York Times, We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we wont win the House, and were going to lose the Senate. The Biden camp chalked up the the Clooney defection to previous tensions involving the actors wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who wrote in May that she believes Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has committed war crimes in the countrys continued assault on Gaza, a military assault the Biden administration has continued to support with only occasional reprimands. The day after the debate, the editorial board of the New York Times was the first of several publications to call for Biden to step aside. The board referred to Bidens candidacy as areckless gamble. They added, Its too big a bet to simply hope Americans will overlook or discount Mr. Bidens age and infirmity that they see with their own eyes. Other media outlets who quickly joined the New York Times, including The Chicago Tribune, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Economist and The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Amidst the speculation Biden still had a number of vocal supporters in Hollywood, including The View co-host Ana Navarro, who said on July 3 that she was disgusted by Democrat pundits calling for Biden to drop out. Following Clooneys July 10 critique of the president, Navarro said that the media pile-on against Biden has been full of inaccuracies, exaggerations and unfounded conclusions which in turn is shaping public opinion and that it needs to stop. Actor and comedian D.L. Hughley also strongly disagreed with Clooney: The Def Comedy Jam Star argued that a Biden backup plan already existed: VP Kamala Harris. The worst that could happen is if Joe Biden couldnt do it, a competent, capable woman would step in and do it. So how is this a real argument?, he told TMZ on July 10. Democrat governors also backed Biden at a July 4 meeting, after which New York governor Kathy Hochul tweeted, JoeBiden is in it to win it. The stakes this November could not be higher. However, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was far less definite about her support, saying Its up to the president to decide if he is going to run. Were all encouraging him to make that decision. Mike Roe also contributed to this story. The post Joe Biden Drops Out of the 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris appeared first on TheWrap. Editor's note: This page reflects the news of Joe Biden stepping aside from his 2024 presidential campaign on Sunday, July 21. For the latest news on Kamala Harris' efforts to secure the Democratic nomination, follow our live election updates for Monday, July 22. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden said Sunday he is ending his bid for reelection amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November had vanished. The president's historic withdrawal throws the 2024 race already roiled by a shocking attempt on Trump's life into uncertain territory, with Vice President Kamala Harris widely seen as the Democrat most likely to take Biden's place atop the party's ticket. Biden made the announcement from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he's self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night. Biden quickly endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee in a separate statement on X. Harris responded that she's honored to have Biden's endorsement, and her "intention is to earn and win this nomination." The president and vice president spoke several times on Sunday morning ahead of his announcement. Biden said he would speak to the nation later this week to provide more details about his decision. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." In his statement, Biden reflected fondly on his four years in office, saying the U.S. has built the strongest economy in the world while touting efforts to lower prescription drug prices, expand health care, tackle climate change and appointing the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The decision upends the 2024 campaign 107 days before Election Day, with Democratic National Committee members now tasked with choosing an alternative nominee to take on Trump, whose polling lead has swelled while Democrats have fought internally. Biden's departure will soon mean the end of a five-decade career in Washington that began in 1972 with an upset victory for U.S. Senate in Delaware. He served as a senator for 36 years, then as Obama's vice president from 2009 to 2017. Biden returned to public life to run against Trump in the 2020 presidential election. He framed the race as a "battle for the soul of the nation" and defeated Trump 51%-47% in the popular vote. It marks an extraordinary turn for Biden, who for three weeks remained defiant in the face of growing calls from Democratic lawmakers that he withdraw after a disastrous June 27 debate with Trump raised scrutiny over the president's mental fitness. Keep up with the USA TODAY Network's live updates. Louisiana Democratic delegation endorses Harris While President Biden's delegates at the upcoming Democratic National Convention are not formally obligated to follow his lead and back Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement at the top of the ticket, the Louisiana delegation is already onboard. "This evening, the LA delegation to the @DemConvention met virtually, and by an overwhelming majority vote, officially endorsed Vice President @KamalaHarris to be our 2024 Democratic Presidential Nominee," the state party reported on X. -Ben Adler Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC endorses Harris In a sign of coalescing Democratic Party unity around Harris, the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, BOLD PAC, announced Sunday night that it is endorsing President Biden's chosen successor. Just a few days ago, BOLD PAC stood squarely behind Biden amid growing calls for him to drop out. "President Biden's tenure will be remembered for his accomplishments that stand among the best in history, said BOLD PAC Chair Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., in the statement Sunday. "As we look ahead, we know that these accomplishments would not have been possible without Vice President Kamala Harris and CHC BOLD PAC is proud to endorse her for president. This administration has led with working families in mind and shown an unwavering commitment to Latinos. There is so much work left to do and the stakes couldnt be higher. Make no mistake, Latinos nationwide will bear the brunt of the consequences of a Trump second presidency, just like they did in the past. BOLD PAC will remain laser focused on doing what it takes to ensure that Trump remains a one-term president. Vice President Harris is the leader we stand behind at this critical moment. -Ben Adler How Harris would run against Trump A campaign ad from Harris' 2020 Democratic presidential primary campaign sheds light on how she might run against Trump if she becomes the Democratic nominee. The ad, which was shared Sunday afternoon by a pro-Harris account on X, characterizes Harris as the antidote to Trump. It leans heavily on her work as a prosecutor and contrasts that record with Trump's alleged misdeeds. "She prosecuted sex predators, he is one," the narrator notes, followed by the recording of Trump's crudely phrased statement that he grabs women by their genitals. The ad goes on to draw similar comparisons. Whereas Harris prosecuted for-profit colleges that swindled students, Trump ran a for-profit university that was sued by former students who said they were misled by false claims. Trump agreed to a $25 million settlement BREAKING: This Kamala Harris ad from 2020 still goes hard. Retweet to ensure every American sees it. pic.twitter.com/PM1SZLcMG7 Harris Wins (@harris__wins) July 21, 2024 -Ben Adler Democrats raise nearly $50 million online since Bidens exit Democrats have raised nearly $50 million online since President Joe Biden announced his decision on Sunday to drop out of the 2024 race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. ActBlue, the leading site processing Democratic donations, said as of 9 p.m. ET it has raised $46.7 million from supporters, making Sunday its biggest fundraising day of the 2024 election cycle. Most of the Democratic Party has coalesced quickly around Harris as the nominee, making her the strong favorite to take on Trump in November. Joey Garrison Joe Manchin is considering seeking Democratic nomination Sen Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is considering switching his party affiliation from independent to Democratic to seek the party's presidential nomination after President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he will exit the 2024 race, according to Manchin's adviser Jonathan Kott. He is the first Democrat to openly consider challenging Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination. Manchin, 76, previously flirted with the idea of launching an independent campaign for the presidency, and at one point even floated appearing on a ballot with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, but decided not to in mid-February. Manchin is unlikely to receive much support from Democrats, given his record of bucking some of the partys major legislative proposals and his decision to register as an independent in May. -Karissa Waddick Harris makes the rounds Vice President Kamala Harris spent her afternoon working the phones, calling Democratic Party leaders and members of Congress as she sought to quickly coalesce lawmakers and potential competitors around her candidacy. Among the Democratic officials she spoke to were Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising star in the party who leads a must-win battleground state, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford, according to a source familiar. Harris has plans to be in Milwaukee on Tuesday and Indianapolis on Wednesday at previously scheduled events. It was not immediately clear when she planned to hold her first campaign event after Biden's surprise dropout and endorsement on Sunday. -Francesca Chambers AOC endorses Harris for Democratic nomination Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a key progressive Democrat, endorsed Harris for the Democratic nomination Sunday night as Harris continues to coalesces most of the Democratic Party around her bid. Kamala Harris will be the next President of the United States. I pledge my full support to ensure her victory in November, Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement on X. Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy. Lets get to work. While 35 congressional Democrats publicly called for Biden to end his campaign prior to his announcement, Ocasio-Cortez was among those who remained behind the president. Joey Garrison Trump raises questions about the next debate Is Trump laying the groundwork to forgo a debate against Harris (or any other Democrat)? In a Truth Social post late Sunday, Trump noted that his Sept. 10 debate with Biden "was slated to be broadcast" on ABC. "Now that Joe has, not surprisingly, has quit the race, I think the Debate, with whomever the Radical Left Democrats choose, should be held on FoxNews, rather than very biased ABC." In an interview with CBS News, Trump gave a somewhat equivocal answer to the debate question: "I dont know who I'm going to debate. So far, we havent determined who is going to be on that side. But I think whoever it is, Id like to debate. Yeah, sure." -David Jackson Tennessee Democrats become first delegation to formally endorse Harris for president Tennessees 77 Democratic delegates voted by conference call Sunday afternoon to formally endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, becoming the first delegates previously pledged to Biden in any state to formally back her. The decision comes as much of the Democratic establishment, including former President Joe Biden, has quickly coalesced behind Harris following Bidens announcement to end his 2024 campaign. Its very compelling to me that the president decided not to run and to endorse her, Chip Forrester, one of the Tennessee delegates, told USA TODAY. He has worked with her for four years. He chose her as his running mate four years ago. For the president to have that kind of confidence is important to me. Forrester said Harris also holds as strong strategic position because she will inherit Bidens $240 million cash on hand that his campaign reported at the end of June. The Harris campaign took over the Biden campaign committee following Bidens announcement to drop out. -- Joey Garrison and Melissa Brown Potential lawsuits to keep Biden as Democratic nominee would be fruitless: election experts Republicans argued Democrats will be ignoring 14 million voters who supported President Joe Biden in the primaries after he declined to become the nominee, but election experts said Sunday that potential lawsuits aiming to keep Biden as the nominee would be fruitless. Democrat party bosses just proved that they have absolutely no respect for their own voters,House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said in a statement. After lecturing others about democracy, they just forced Joe Biden off the ticket, trashing the primary choice of 14 million of their own voters. But David Becker, a former Justice Department lawyer who enforced election laws and is now executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, said potential lawsuits from Republicans or allies of former President Donald Trump couldnt force the Democratic Party to stick with Biden because parties choose their own nominees. These claims are less than frivolous, Becker said. That would not succeed and will not succeed in any state. Biden was not yet the Democratic nominee because the party has not yet held its convention scheduled for late August. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in March that Colorado election officials couldnt keep Trump off the states primary ballot because allowing states to set qualifications for federal office would lead to chaos. --Bart Jansen More: Who will be Kamala Harris' VP? Here's the possible contenders. John Kerry supports Kamala Harris as partys next nominee John Kerry, former Secretary of State under the Obama administration, in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, indicated he will join in on supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as the partys next nominee. President Biden deserves the gratitude of every American for his extraordinary presidencyI know how difficult todays selfless decision must have been for someone who spent his entire life in service to country, he said. He added that now is the time to listen to the only person who has ever beaten Donald Trump, and join with President Biden in every effort to make Vice President Harris the next President of the United States. -- Sudiksha Kochi Election expert says no way to hold more Democratic presidential primaries David Becker, a former Justice Department lawyer who enforced elections law and who now advises state and local officials who conduct elections, slammed the door Sunday on the potential for holding more presidential primaries before the Democratic National Convention in late August, calling it a fantasy. President Joe Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee after winning state primaries. Some political analysts, such as GOP podcaster Mike Murphy, have suggested Vice President Kamala Harris would be a stronger nominee if she beat potential rivals in a new set of primaries. She needs to become a winner, which means winning a nomination process, Murphy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. That would give her a lot more strength coming out of the convention. But Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, said states such as Arizona and Florida are still holding local primaries into September, so there is no way election officials could create a new set of primaries within days or weeks. The idea that election officials who are already running elections could somehow put together a snap primary in days, and voters would know what to do and where to show up and to cast ballots for candidates we cant even imagine who might be running is fantasy. There is no feasible way to hold any kind of primaries right now, said Becker, who is also executive director of the Election Official Legal Defense Network. There is no way to do open primaries. --Bart Jansen LaPhonza Butler, only Black woman serving in U.S. Senate, backs Harris Californias Laphonza Butler, the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate, applauded Bidens service and urged support for Harris. Butler was tapped to serve in the seat when Biden picked Harris for his running mate. The threat to all that progress remains, and we must now do everything we can to ensure Vice President Harris succeeds, Butler, the first woman of color to head EMILY's List, an organization that supports Democratic, pro-abortion rights women candidates, said in a statement. There's no one better prepared for this challenge. Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, was the second Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. Others vying to make similar history praised Harris bid for president. Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat and a Black woman running for the U.S. Senate in Maryland, said she is 100% behind Harris. She will provide a clear and stark contrast to the regressive vision Donald Trump has for this country, she said in a statement. She will make this race about the future and the kind of country our children deserve to inherit. -- Deborah Barfield Berry Harris takes over Biden campaign committee The former Biden campaign is now officially the Harris for President campaign. The campaign formerly known as Biden for President in a filing Sunday afternoon with the Federal Election Commission changed its name to the Harris for President campaign. The move makes Harris bid for the Democratic nomination official, with her campaign apparently assuming control of Bidens campaign funds. The move also allows Harris to begin raising money for her presidential bid. Harris named Keana Spencer her treasurer. -- Joey Garrison Emilys List endorses Kamala Harris for president Emilys List, an organization that supports Democratic, pro-abortion rights women candidates, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in a post on X, formerly Twitter. .@kamalaharris was made for this moment, they wrote. Throughout her career, she has been a steadfast fighter for women and reproductive freedom a role that is more important than ever before. Were proud to endorse her for president. -- Sudiksha Kochi Rep. Cori Bush endorses Kamala Harris for president Bush is currently in a tight primary race and said this month that her constituents had concerns about President Joe Bidens viability as a candidate. She praised him for prioritizing our nations needs and threw her support behind Harris. When we say trust Black women, we mean it. Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party and it is past time for us to lead at this moment, Bush said. Rachel Barber 'There are many questions now' Shannon O'Brien, a presidential history professor at the University of Texas, called Biden's announcement "huge:" "We've never had a candidate drop out willingly so late before." The professor also explained how the Democratic convention could potentially function next month. "There are many questions now. The pledged delegates for each state are bound by state rules to vote for their candidate X number of times under state law," O'Brien explained. "If Biden has enough to win, then he can decline, which will throw it immediately into a brokered convention. I don't know what it means with Harris on the ticket and much of this would come down to state law on whether or not she wins those pledged delegates." Darren Samuelsohn National Ice Cream Day: A fitting day for Biden Its no secret: Joe Biden loves ice cream. There are so many photos of the president enjoying the classic summer dessert. The president's connection to the delightful treat continued Sunday. Biden happened to announce his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race on National Ice Cream Day, July 20. Then again, according to Biden, everyday is National Ice Cream Day. Karissa Waddick US President Joe Biden speaks to the press as he stops for ice cream at Baskin Robbins in Portland, Oregon, October 15, 2022. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) Democratic lawmaker calls on Trump to step down too Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., in a statement said Biden made the difficult but selfless decision to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders in the Democratic Party to ensure that our democracy remains strong and true. The American people have made it clear that they want a new generation of leaders to run for President, he said. Goldman urged Trump to follow Bidens footsteps. I urge Donald Trump to follow President Bidens lead and put the country first by passing his partys baton to a younger and healthier candidate who is not a convicted felon, he said. Sudiksha Kochi NC Gov. Cooper does not weigh in on VP chatter North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper could be among those being considered to join the Democratic presidential ticket as Kamala Harris' vice president, if she is chosen to replace Joe Biden as the party's nominee. But Cooper didn't address those rumors in a brief statement posted to social media Sunday about Biden's departure from the race. "I'm deeply grateful to call President Joe Biden my friend, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his service to our great nation," Cooper said in a post on X, which mainly focused on Biden's achievements as president. Karissa Waddick California senator endorses Harris for president Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., from Kamala Harris home state, endorsed her for president Sunday. Padilla replaced Harris in Congress when she was tapped to join Joe Biden on the 2020 Democratic ticket. From California to the White House, Vice President Harris has always led with courage and conviction, Padilla wrote in a post on X, Im proud to endorse @KamalaHarris to unify our party and defeat Donald Trump. Rachel Barber Rep. Clyburn, credited for helping Biden win the 2020 primary, has endorsed Harris for president South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, a long serving House leader who helped Biden secure the nomination in 2020, said in a statement he endorses Vice President Kamala Harris' bid to become the nominee now that Biden has dropped out. One of President Bidens first decisions as the nominee was to select a running mate that he believed possessed the values and vision necessary to continue this countrys pursuit toward a more perfect union," Clyburn said. "I echo the good judgement he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Partys 2024 nominee for president. Sarah D. Wire When is Biden's address to the nation after dropping out of 2024 race? According to Joe Biden's Sunday announcement, Americans can expect to hear more from the president in the coming days. "I will speak to the nation later this week in more to detail about my decision," the president wrote. He did not give an exact date or time. Natalie Neysa Alund When is the DNC? Here's what to know about 2024 convention after Biden drops out of race On the heels of Joe Biden's decision to end his bid for reelection amid intense pressure from scores of his own party leaders, all eyes are now on Chicago where the Democratic National Convention is set to kick off next month. The DNC is slated to take place August 19 through August 22. Natalie Neysa Alund JD Vance slams Biden and Harris Former President Donald Trumps running mate J.D. Vance criticized Joe Biden and Kamala Harris tenure in office in statement Sunday. The Ohio senator, 39, called Biden the worst president of his lifetime and said Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on," Vance said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Rachel Barber Sen. Coons, one of Biden's closest allies, backs Harris for Democratic nomination Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., and national co-chair of Bidens election campaign, told CNN Sunday that he supports Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Partys next nominee. I support Vice President Harris. I am very hopeful that we will come out of our convention next month united and that everyone who has expressed concerns and hopes and thoughts and fears in the last few months, we'll continue to support the ticket that will win this fall, he said. And we'll see what happens in terms of the choice for a running mate. But I think our President Joe Biden has made his endorsement clear. And I think that is the most important endorsement that we could all be paying attention to today. He said earlier in the interview that Harris has fought hard for freedoms and for rights of Americans and she is a genuine leader. Sudiksha Kochi President Joe Biden during the debate at CNN's studios in Atlanta. CNN Anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are moderators of the debate on Jun 27, 2024. Illinois Gov. Pritzker praises Biden, jabs Trump in statement Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, another Democrat who could be vetted to join the Democratic presidential ticket now that Joe Biden has dropped out, praised the former president Sunday before focusing on Donald Trump. In a post on X Pritzker commended Biden for working across the aisle to pass infrastructure legislation and shepherd the country past the COVID-19 pandemic. He then criticized Trump for his 34 felony convictions and stances on issues like abortion. As we extend our gratitude toward President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trumps potential return to the White House, Pritzker said. I will work everyday to ensure that he does not win in November. Karissa Waddick The 'ultimate statesman' The Congressional Black Caucus PAC in a statement called Biden the ultimate statesman in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. Hes dedicated his entire career, amid great personal sacrifice, in service to the values of democracy; civility, freedom and opportunity Americans and democracy loving people around the world owe Joe Biden a great debt of gratitude, the statement says. The group added that it joins Biden in supporting Kamala Harris as our partys nominee. Sudiksha Kochi Biden among most significant US presidents, Pete Buttigieg says Transportation Secretary and former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Sunday lauded Joe Biden as one of the "most consequential presidents in American history," after the president announced he would not seek another term. Buttigieg has popped up as a potential vice presidential running mate for Kamala Harris, who is the frontrunner to replace Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. But the former South Bend, Indiana mayor did not address those rumors in his brief social media statement that focused on Biden's presidency. "I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country," Buttigieg said. Karissa Waddick Kamala Harris thanks Biden for service, says she will seek nomination Kamala Harris said in a statement that she is deeply grateful to Joe Biden and his family: With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. She said she is honored to have his endorsement. "My intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda, she said. Sarah D. Wire Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he commends Biden for stepping down Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that he commends President Joe Biden for stepping out of the 2024 race. His infirmities were evident to any unbiased observer from the beginning. It was this progressive deterioration and his abandonment of Democratic Party principles that prompted me to enter the race and ensure American voters had a viable, vigorous alternative to Donald Trump, said Kennedy. He also called on the Democratic Party to return to its traditional commitment to democracy and exemplify it with an open process. Instead of anointing a candidate hand-picked by DNC elites, the party should use neutral polling to identify the candidate who can best beat Donald Trump. The delegates should then select a nominee based on this information, he said. If they had done this to begin with, I would not have had to leave the Democratic Party. Sudiksha Kochi Young voter group endorses Harris for president Voters of Tomorrow, a political advocacy group representing Gen Z, endorsed Kamala Harris for president in a statement Sunday. The organization has chapters in 20 states and a volunteer presence across the country. It had previously endorsed Joe Biden. As vice president, Kamala Harris has been one of Gen Zs fiercest champions, the statement said. Harris has presented a clear vision for our future a vision that will undoubtedly fire up young people this election to defeat Donald Trump. Rachel Barber Obama: Biden is a patriot of the highest order Former President Barack Obama praised Bidens decision to end his campaign for a second term, saying he selflessly put the countrys interests ahead of his own. Bidens outstanding track record while in office gave him every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started, Obama said. But, Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress. Biden, who served as vice president during the eight years of Obamas presidency, has never backed down from a fight, Obama said. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life, the former president said. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, Obama said, and a patriot of the highest order. Obamas statement made no mention of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is considered the frontrunner to replace Biden on the ticket. Michael Collins Biden adviser Klain bemoans donors and electeds who pushed the president Joe Bidens former White House chief of staff Ron Klain called on Democrats to unite behind Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee and took at shot at Bidens Democratic detractors in doing so. Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, its time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign our outstanding VP, Kamala Harris! Lets get real and win in November! Klain wrote in a post on X. Klain, a longtime Biden aide and among the president closest advisors, had been serving as a campaign adviser for Biden. Joey Garrison President of conservative think tank linked to Project 2025 calls for Biden to resign Kevin Roberts, president of the right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation that's linked to Project 2025, joined calls for Joe Biden to resign the presidency. Project 2025 is a 900-page, sweeping conservative plan for the next GOP administration. If President Biden is incapable of running a presidential race, how can he lead our nation for another six months? Roberts said in a statement Sunday. In the interest of national security and the safety of our citizens, President Biden must immediately resign. Rachel Barber Whitmer says her job 'remains the same' after Biden drops out Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Sunday that her role in the 2024 election is unchanged in light of Joe Bidens decision to leave the race, though she didn't explicitly say she wouldn't seek the Democratic nomination. Whitmers name has risen to the top of the list of potential vice presidential nominees who could join a new Democratic ticket led by Kamala Harris. However, the Michigan governor said in a social media post, that her job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan. Karissa Waddick Sanders praises Bidens tenure in office Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., thanked Joe Biden for serving the country with honor and dignity after the president announced he would end his reelection campaign. While the list of Democrats calling for Biden to exit the 2024 race grew, Sanders continued to back the president until he dropped out Sunday. As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history, Sanders wrote in a social media post. Thank you, Mr. President, for all youve done. Rachel Barber Bill and Hillary Clinton endorse VP Harris for president Bill and Hillary Clinton have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee for president. The former president and the former secretary of state, who was the Democratic nominee for president in 2016, pledged to do whatever we can to support Harris.Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term, the Clintons said in a joint statement. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it. The Clintons also offered praise for Biden, saying he lifted the country out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened democracy and restored Americas standing in the world. Michael Collins Who will replace Biden? Harris is the immediate frontrunner Kamala Harris appears to be the leading candidate to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic Partys nominee in the 2024 election, after the president dropped his reelection bid amid rising concerns about his age following his debate with former President Donald Trump. Biden emphatically endorsed Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee in a social media post Sunday shortly after announcing his decision to step out of the 2024 race. If formally nominated, Harris, 59, would become the first Black woman at the top of a major party presidential ticket. She has served as Bidens vice president for more than three years and before that represented California in the U.S. Senate. Karissa Waddick Read Biden's full statement as he drops out of 2024 presidential race Joe Biden announced that he's dropping out of the 2024 race in a reflective letter penned to his fellow Americans. You can read the full message here. James Powel Mike Johnson calls on Biden to resign presidency House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called on Biden to resign as president following his decision not to seek a second term. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president, Johnson said in a statement. He must resign the office immediately. Nov. 5 cannot arrive soon enough. Johnson said Bidens decision to leave the race under pressure from Democrats who feared he would lose to Trump invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president. The partys prospects are no better now with Vice President Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden administration, he said. As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve. Michael Collins President Joe Biden speaks on economics during the Vote To Live Properity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024. Pelosi calls Biden 'one of the most consequential Presidents in American history' Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement on Bidens decision to withdraw from the race, said Biden is a patriotic American who has always put his nation first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history, Pelosi said. The former House speaker added: With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Bidens greatness and goodness. In recent days, Pelosi had reportedly shared concerns privately to Biden about his grim prospects to defeat Trump and that his candidacy could doom Senate and House Democratic candidates. Joey Garrison Potential VP nominee Beshear says Biden's decision in best interest of country Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called Joe Bidens decision to drop his 2024 reelection bid in the best interest of the country and party, in a statement Sunday. President Biden will be remembered as a consequential president. Along with Vice President Harris, he led us through the aftermath of the January 6th attack on our Capitol and steadily steered us out of a global pandemic, Beshear wrote. He is among a handful of Democratic governors believed to be on the short list to now join the Democratic presidential ticket. Now its time for our nation to come together, Beshear added in the post. We need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise." Karissa Waddick Hakeem Jeffries: 'We are forever grateful' House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., issued a statement that praised Biden's accomplishments as president but did not address whether Harris should be the nominee. "America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," he said. Kathryn Palmer DNC chair says Democrats will launch process of choosing new candidate Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison said in the coming days Democrats will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. Harrison said the process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people, Harrison said, adding that the American people will hear in short order from the Democratic Party on the next steps in the nomination process. The DNC convention is set for Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago, but Democratic National Committee leaders have planned for a virtual roll-call vote before Aug. 7 to satisfy concerns with ballot deadlines in several states. Joey Garrison Josh Shapiro calls Biden a 'patriot' Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro hailed Joe Biden as a patriot and commended his work as president in a social media post on Sunday shortly after the president announced he was dropping out of the 2024 race.President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom, Shapiro wrote on X, formerly Twitter.Shapiro has been floated as a potential Democratic presidential nominee to replace Biden, or as a vice presidential nominee if Kamala Harris takes over the top of the ticket. Shapiro did not mention Harris in his message Sunday.I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him, Shapiro said about Biden in the post. Karissa Waddick Schumer says Biden put 'his country, his party, and our future first' Chuck Schumer shared in a post on X that "Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being." "His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American," he added. Marina Pitofsky Biden exits race amid widespread pressure, mounting concerns about his age Biden's exit came after he received bleak warnings from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., that his candidacy could lead to massive losses for Democrats in the Senate and House. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared similar concerns to Biden. More than 30 congressional Democrats had called for Biden to bow out. Former President Barack Obama reportedly also relayed fears privately to Democratic allies about Biden's prospects of beating Trump. Democratic donors from Hollywood to Wall Street also came out against Biden continuing his reelection bid. Biden, 81, has battled Americans concerns over his age since he took office but it turned into panic for Democrats after last month's first debate with Trump, the Republican nominee. Biden's voice sounded faint, he struggled to complete sentences and finish thoughts, and he failed to rebut many of Trump's claims on the debate stage. Biden's campaign was in a free fall over the past few weeks with his future in doubt. Instead of focusing solely on Trump, Democrats spent as much time and energy debating whether Biden could even defeat his predecessor. Fundraising for the Biden campaign took a dramatic hit. And Biden not only fell behind in key battleground states that will decide the election, but his growing unpopularity seemed to put recent Democratic strongholds like Virginia in play for Trump. Joey Garrison and Swapna Venugopal Biden becomes first incumbent not to seek reelection since LBJ Biden becomes the first incumbent president not to seek reelection since Lyndon B. Johnson who, in 1968 amid national unrest and turmoil within the Democratic Party over the Vietnam War, stunned the nation with his decision not to seek a second full term. Joey Garrison Who could replace Biden? With Biden's endorsement, Harris is the clear frontrunner to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee, but the party's bench of Democratic governors could also be in the mix including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gavin Newsom of California. Joey Garrison Trump knocks Biden after exit Donald Trump, in a post on his social media web site Truth Social after Bidens exit, wrote: "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly, Trump added. Joey Garrison Jill Biden reacts to Joe Biden dropping out of 2024 race First lady Jill Biden on Sunday reposted the president's message with heart emojis. She also retweeted her husband's message endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Marina Pitofsky This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden drops out of 2024 election, endorses Harris: Recap WASHINGTON President Joe Biden said Sunday he is ending his bid for reelection amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November had vanished. The president's historic withdrawal throws the 2024 race already roiled by a shocking attempt on Trump's life into uncertain territory, with Vice President Kamala Harris widely seen as the Democrat most likely to take Biden's place atop the party's ticket. Biden made the announcement from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he's self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." Biden quickly endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee in a separate statement on X. He said he would speak to the nation later this week to provide more details about his decision. It marks an extraordinary turn for Biden, who for three weeks remained defiant in the face of growing calls from Democratic lawmakers that he withdraw after a disastrous June 27 debate with Trump raised scrutiny over the president's mental fitness. In his statement, Biden reflected fondly on his four years in office, saying the U.S. has built the strongest economy in the world while touting efforts to lower prescription drug prices, expand health care, tackle climate change and appointing the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. President Joe Biden speaks on economics during the Vote To Live Properity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024. The decision upends the 2024 election less than 110 days before Election Day, with Democratic National Committee members now tasked with choosing an alternative nominee to take on Trump, whose polling lead has swelled while Democrats have fought internally. Biden's departure will soon mean the end of a five-decade career in Washington that began in 1972 with an upset victory for U.S. Senate in Delaware. He served as a senator for 36 years, then as Obama's vice president from 2009 to 2017. Biden returned to public life to run against Trump in the 2020 presidential election. He framed the race as a "battle for the soul of the nation" and defeated Trump 51%-47% in the popular vote. Keep up with the USA TODAY Network's live updates. DNC chair says Democrats will launch process of choosing new candidate Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison said in the coming days Democrats will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. Harrison said the process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people, Harrison said, adding that the American people will hear in short order from the Democratic Party on the next steps in the nomination process. The DNC convention is set for Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago, but Democratic National Committee leaders have planned for a virtual roll-call vote before Aug. 7 to satisfy concerns with ballot deadlines in several states. Joey Garrison Josh Shapiro calls Biden a 'patriot' Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro hailed Joe Biden as a patriot and commended his work as president in a social media post on Sunday shortly after the president announced he was dropping out of the 2024 race.President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom, Shapiro wrote on X, formerly Twitter.Shapiro has been floated as a potential Democratic presidential nominee to replace Biden, or as a vice presidential nominee if Kamala Harris takes over the top of the ticket. Shapiro did not mention Harris in his message Sunday.I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him, Shapiro said about Biden in the post. Karissa Waddick Schumer says Biden put 'his country, his party, and our future first' Chuck Schumer shared in a post on X that "Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being." "His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American," he added. Marina Pitofsky Biden exits race amid widespread pressure, mounting concerns about his age Biden's exit came after he received bleak warnings from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., that his candidacy could lead to massive losses for Democrats in the Senate and House. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared similar concerns to Biden. More than 30 congressional Democrats had called for Biden to bow out. Former President Barack Obama reportedly also relayed fears privately to Democratic allies about Biden's prospects of beating Trump. Democratic donors from Hollywood to Wall Street also came out against Biden continuing his reelection bid. Biden, 81, has battled Americans concerns over his age since he took office but it turned into panic for Democrats after last month's first debate with Trump, the Republican nominee. Biden's voice sounded faint, he struggled to complete sentences and finish thoughts, and he failed to rebut many of Trump's claims on the debate stage. Biden's campaign was in a free fall over the past few weeks with his future in doubt. Instead of focusing solely on Trump, Democrats spent as much time and energy debating whether Biden could even defeat his predecessor. Fundraising for the Biden campaign took a dramatic hit. And Biden not only fell behind in key battleground states that will decide the election, but his growing unpopularity seemed to put recent Democratic strongholds like Virginia in play for Trump. Joey Garrison and Swapna Venugopal Biden becomes first incumbent not to seek reelection since LBJ Biden becomes the first incumbent president not to seek reelection since Lyndon B. Johnson who, in 1968 amid national unrest and turmoil within the Democratic Party over the Vietnam War, stunned the nation with his decision not to seek a second full term. Joey Garrison Who could replace Biden? With Biden's endorsement, Harris is the clear frontrunner to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee, but the party's bench of Democratic governors could also be in the mix including Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gavin Newsom of California. Joey Garrison Trump knocks Biden after exit Donald Trump, in a post on his social media web site Truth Social after Bidens exit, wrote: "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly, Trump added. Joey Garrison Jill Biden reacts to Joe Biden dropping out of 2024 race First lady Jill Biden on Sunday reposted the president's message with heart emojis. She also retweeted her husband's message endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Marina Pitofsky This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden drops out: President leaves 2024 race amid party pressure Joe Biden drops out: Details on his five visits to Naples, Fort Myers since 2008 Since 2008 Joe Biden has visited Southwest Florida five times once as the President of the United States and four times when he was the vice-president. Biden came to Naples and Fort Myers for a variety of reasons, including one time for some rest and relaxation on an island off the SWFL coastline. On Sunday Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump. He will finish his term. It remains unknown who will take his place at the top of the Democratic ticket. Here is a review of Biden's trips to this region in the last 16 years: October 5, 2022: Hurricane Ian damage assessment Biden was on the ground on Fort Myers Beach a week after Southwest Florida was clobbered by Hurricane Ian. Fort Myers Beach was one of the hardest hit areas. After arriving at Southwest Florida International Airport, Biden was taken to the beach by helicopter where he got a first-hand look at the devastation. Today, we have one job and only one job, and that's to make sure that people in Florida get everything that they need to fully thoroughly recover, Biden said when he spoke. January 2014: Vacation time on Keewaydin Island at the 'Biden Bungalow' In a story published on news-press.com on Jan. 3, 2014, Vice President Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, spent a mini-vacation at Keewaydin, an 8-mile long barrier island between Naples and Marco Island. The Bidens stayed at the beachfront home of Bidens brother. James Biden Sr. and his wife bought a 5-acre Keewaydin lot and house for $2.7 million on Dec. 23, 2013. It was pointed out in the story the Bidens trip was unique because it brought temporary flight restrictions for three nautical miles surrounding Keewaydin Island. The Federal Aviation Administration issued three temporary flight restrictions for VIP Movement in the Fort Myers/Naples area. The story also included a line about how Naples officials said their historically Republican city and county would be supportive of the Democratic Bidens. A story on naplesnews.com published on June 27, 2018, reported the Keewaydin Island vacation home of Bidens brother, known as the Biden Bungalow, sold quietly for $1.35 million in February to the owners of a Florida-based architecture and design firm. Collier property records showed the buyer of the 4,000 square-foot home as a limited liability company titled, SC-Keewaydin, registered to John Cooney with Randall Stofft as an authorized agent. September 2012: Campaign rally for Barrack Obama in Fort Myers Biden came to Fort Myers on Sept 29. 2012 as vice-president, campaigning for President Barrack Obama. He led a rally that day at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Park Recreation Center on Bass Road in Fort Myers. More than 2,000 people crowded into a community center to see Biden talk about Medicare, the federal deficit and tax cuts for the wealthy. That campaign stop was part of two-day swing through Florida for Biden. 2008 and 2010: A pair of private fundraising events in Naples The Naples Daily News reported on Jan. 16, 2010 Biden would visit South Florida that weekend, including making a stop in Naples on Sunday for a private fundraiser. The visit by Biden and his wife, Jill Biden was hosted by Naples Bay Resort developer Jack Antaramian and his wife, Mona, at their home on Gordon Drive. The event required a minimum donation of $1,000 to attend, and guests could contribute up to $10,000, a White House spokesperson said. The also couple played host to a fundraiser in October 2008, just weeks before the presidential election. Biden also appeared at that event. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Joe Biden drops out: His Florida visits included Naples, Fort Myers U.S. President Joe Biden has announced he no longer plans to seek reelection, a decision that follows weeks of growing pressure from some Democratic Party supporters, including high-profile tech investors and executives. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a statement. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term." In a subsequent post, Biden offered his "full support and endorsement" for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Party's nominee. https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1815087772216303933 The announcement comes after Biden's appearance at the June 27 presidential debate reignited concerns about the 81-year-old candidate's age, prompting parts of the Democratic Party and its donor base including notable names in the tech world to pressure him to drop out. Venture capitalist Michael Moritz said this week that Biden must step aside, and he said he was putting his donations to the Democratic Party on hold in the meantime. Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and Zynga co-founder Mark Pincus had also called for Biden to drop out of the race. Another VC, Ted Dintersmith, co-authored a plan for a proposed "blitz primary" process designed to select Biden's replacement. Other tech industry Democrats have been visible in the process even if their positions on Biden were less clear Harris met with a group of Silicon Valley donors including LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman on Friday. Since Biden announced he was dropping out, Hoffman said, "I wholeheartedly support Kamala Harris and her candidacy for President of the United States in our fight for democracy in November." Hastings did not endorse Harris but said the Democrats "have hope now" and said party delegates "need to pick a swing state winner." The announcement also comes after the weeklong Republican National Convention, where former president Donald Trump officially accepted the party's nomination and named JD Vance (a former VC with deep ties to Silicon Valley) as his running mate. X owner Elon Musk declared his support for Trump, as did VCs Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, who argued that "the future of our business, the future of technology, and the future of America is at stake" in this election. Biden's term has been an eventful one for tech: He signed the CHIPS Act with $52.7 billion aimed at revitalizing domestic semiconductor production, funded EV and battery manufacturing and signed another bill that will ban TikTok if its parent company ByteDance doesn't sell the app. He also appointed an FTC chair who's been more than willing to challenge big tech companies over antitrust issues. President Joe Biden will leave the presidential ticket, bowing to pressure from top donors, moderate representatives and strategists within the Democratic Party. After an uninspiring debate performance sent party leaders and pundits into chaos which was only intensified by the deepest-pocketed Democratic financiers pulling their support of the candidate Biden will not be moving forward in his plan to beat Donald Trump, clearing the way for another candidate to pick up the fight in his stead. In an official letter from Biden posted to social media on Sunday afternoon, he writes, "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term." Biden thanks Vice President Kamala Harris in his letter for "being an extraordinary partner in all this work," but makes no mention of handing the reins to her, although he does so in a later post to social media, writing, "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this." Biden, who was approached by the senior-most Democrats in each chamber of the legislature earlier this week, caved to pressure to step down after serving a wildly successful term, by most indications. However, a three-week civil war within the Democratic Party dashed his hopes of continuing the work he started. What happened? At the start of a second term, Joe Biden, 81, would have been the oldest elected president in U.S. history. But the vast majority of Democratic voters embraced his candidacy during the partys primary, with Biden winning over 87% of the vote. Struggling to improve favorability and poll numbers in a stagnant race, Biden headed into the first presidential debate in a dead heat in polling averages. His performance during the CNN debate in which he gave rambling answers in a quiet, at times barely intelligible voice, while his opponent delivered lies and racially charged rhetoric with comparable vigor opened a flood of questions about his fitness to serve, and crucially, his chances of winning in November. Initially steadfast, President Biden received the vocal support of top Democrats including former President Barack Obama and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and took to the campaign trail to crush chatter, making roughly two dozen stops in the two weeks following the debate. Immediately after the debate, a handful of congresspeople and a more significant chunk of Democratic donors voiced their public opposition to the aging presidents candidacy, with voters expressing discontent with both candidates in polls following the event. But days after the performance, the president remained committed to sticking in the race, as calls against him climbed slowly and fundraisers froze in their tracks. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Top strategist James Carville went so far as to tell donors to put pressure on down-ballot candidates, instructing them to turn off the faucet for candidates who didnt call for ticket change. The president and his critics stood at a stalemate until actor George Clooney penned a call in the New York Times for the beleaguered Biden to leave the race, calling it his duty to save democracy by calling it quits. The op-ed opened the floodgates amongst donors, who pulled millions of dollars in planned donations contingent on a new candidate. Biden, who left the door open to dropping out in an interview with ABCs George Stephanopoulos, saying hed only leave the race if pollsters told him theres no way you can win, apparently heard just that from congressional leaders, including Pelosi, House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in closed-door meetings over the past weeks. Schumer and Jeffries reportedly scrambled the presidents efforts to secure a virtual confirmation vote ahead of the partys official convention on August 19, sowing further doubt in the presidents candidacy. President Bidens late-campaign COVID diagnosis forced the candidate to step back from the trail, keeping him from campaigning and fundraising amid the highly publicized Republican National Convention, where surrogates and sycophants for his opponents took shots at Bidens advanced age and increasingly commonplace verbal flubs. But perhaps a more imminent concern than the presidents health was his support amongst the billionaire and millionaire elites of the party, who his campaign relied on for fundraising. Per NBC News, the Biden campaigns original big donor fundraising projections were slashed by 75% by Thursday, as the Trump campaign pulled in hundreds of millions of commitments from tech and business leaders like Elon Musk. President Joe Biden stunned American politics on Sunday when he announced his withdrawal from the presidential race and waited 23 minutes before he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to become his replacement nominee. Support for Harris to become the heir apparent presidential nominee grew as quickly as calls had for Biden to step aside, and her new backers included those who had strongly defended Biden's ability to stay in the race. And while she wasn't instantly a presumptive nominee, Harris in very short order became the frontrunner. The presidents initial announcement, made on X, amounted to a reversal of defiance against a growing chorus of donors, lawmakers and other Democratic officials who said they didnt believe Biden had the cognitive or physical stamina to defeat Donald Trump and serve four more years in the White House. While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as president for the remainder of my term, Biden said in the statement. The next statement came 23 minutes later when he endorsed Harris to take his place atop the Democratic presidential ticket. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, Biden posted on X. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democratsits time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. The pregnant pause between the presidents initial announcement that he was standing down and his second statement in which he explicitly endorsed Harris was not intentional, a source familiar with Bidens thinking said. Rather it was another blunder in a series of mishaps, starting with his disastrous presidential debate performance, that led to his ouster from the race. When White House aides and other Biden insiders noted that the presidents statement made no mention of his support for Vice President Harris, the president then issued his second statement endorsing Harris. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else, Harris said in her own statement released Sunday afternoon. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she said, noting that there are just 107 days until Election Day. Harris almost immediately got a full endorsement from former president Bill Clinton and a series of other major Democratic figures. But notably they did not include former president Barack Obamawho released a statement making no mention of Harrisor former speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had been a key figure in orchestrating Bidens exit. She had said she favored an open nomination process. Donald Trump seized on the Democratic chaos set off by Bidens move to call him the worst president ever. But other Republicans demanded that Biden step aside immediately and also hinted they will try to stop a new Democratic candidate from getting on the ballot, claiming that Bidens move is undemocratic. The presidents allies and aides defended him and promoted his candidacy to the very end. One of them, Ron Klain, Bidens former chief of staff and longtime political adviser, told The Daily Beast on Sunday that he regretted the presidents decision because he believed he was our best candidate in 2024. Having made his choice, its time for the political fanfiction writing among Democratic elites to stop and unite behind the only other national election winner we have in our party: our outstanding vice president, Kamala Harris, Klain said in a text message. It was as if Klain was speaking directly to powerful donors, who had frozen millions of dollars critically needed by the Biden-Harris campaign and then threatened to withhold funds from House and Senate races as Democrats are hoping to retake the House and hold onto the Senate. While elite donors have privately voiced concerns about Harris becoming the nominee, they may have little choice if the Democratic Party hopes to avoid a tumultuous scene at its nominating convention next month. By endorsing Harris, Biden is essentially asking his pledged delegates to now back Harris. Klain, who sat next to Harris in the West Wing and watched her on the job, including in the Situation Room and Oval Office, gave as ringing an endorsement of her as the president did. She will be a strong candidate and a great president, he said. With the full force of the White House behind her, Harris was on a trajectory Sunday to become the official Democratic nominee for president pending completion of election and campaign finance paperwork to officially end Biden's candidacy for president and declare hers. The big outstanding question, of course, became: Who will Kamala Harris choose as her vice presidential running mate? Several candidates on her new short list were mentioned over the past few weeks as potential replacements for Biden to head into the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19. Among them are Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. Kelly, a former astronaut and combat veteran who has twice won as a Democrat in a red border state, is a name that began generating more buzz as the walls began closing in on Biden and it appeared inevitable he would be forced to abandon his campaign. (Kelly's current Senate term doesn't end until January 2029 and the state's governor, Katie Hobbs, is a Democrat who could appoint a party loyalist to fill Kelly's seat.) I couldnt be more confident that Vice President @KamalaHarris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future. She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States. Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) July 21, 2024 Black Democrats and progressive womens political leaders have been rushing to shore up Harris's bid, expecting that the president would eventually cave to the pressure campaign. We need to fight this election on the two Ds: Dobbs and democracy. And there is simply no better person to communicate that than Vice President Harris, Shaunna Thomas, founder and CEO of UlraViolet, a leading progressive womens group, told The Daily Beast. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the powerful congressman who endorsed Biden in 2020 and was widely perceived to be the tipping point for Bidens victory, supported Bidens 2024 candidacy until Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris. On Sunday, he once again threw his support behind Harris. I echo the good judgment [Biden] demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Partys 2024 nominee for President, Clyburn wrote in a statement. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had been leading the charge behind the scenes for congressional Democrats who wanted Biden out of the race, said Sunday that Biden is a patriotic American who has always put out country first. 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. Joe Biden endorsed Kamala Harris after dropping out of the race. Here's what she said Vice President Kamala Harris thanked President Joe Biden for his "extraordinary leadership" and "decades of service to our country" in a 300-word statement Sunday, on a day of momentous announcements and fast-moving developments. Earlier, Biden announced he was dropping out of his bid for a second term, which he followed up with a strong endorsement of his vice president. Democrats must now choose a candidate at their convention in Chicago next month. Biden picked Harris as his running mate in 2020 when she was a U.S. senator for California. Prior to that, she was California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney. She was the first Black woman to appear on a presidential ticket of a major political party, and if nominated would be the first to lead one. "I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Harris wrote, concluding, "We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win." Here is her statement in full: "On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father-and the kind of man-he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe's leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party-and unite our nation-to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Read Kamala Harris' statement after Biden stepped down from race Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images President Joe Biden is no longer running for reelection in 2024. Instead, hes throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden has been facing mounting pressure to call off his presidential campaign since last months debate against former president Donald Trump. Nearly a month after the highly criticized performance, the 81-year-old sitting president announced his plan to stand down in a statement posted to X.com on July 21. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, and while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term, Biden told the American people. News BREAKING: Joe Biden Steps Down From Presidential Run The president made a major announcement on July 21. Though he promised to provide more details about his decision later this week, President Biden quickly followed up his post with an endorsement of Vice President Harris. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democratsits time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. As Bidens endorsement post points out, the president was not technically the official democratic nominee yet. However, he was scheduled to be confirmed by select delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19. Instead, those delegates will now vote for a new pick, with some other possible candidates including Californias Gavin Newsom, Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois J.B. Pritzker, and Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro. As a sitting member of the Biden Administration, VP Kamala Harris is the candidate with the easiest claim to President Bidens $91 million campaign war chest, according to Axios. Politics Joe Biden Dropped Out of the Presidential Race. Will VP Kamala Harris Take His Spot? President Biden is no longer running for reelection. Heres what happens next. In his initial announcement, President Joe Biden praised Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner throughout his presidency and extended his heartfelt appreciation to the American people for their faith and trust. Over the past three and a half years, weve made great progress as a nation, Biden wrote, in part. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Weve protected and preserved our democracy. And weve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. Originally Appeared on Glamour Iowa Democrats reacted with a mixture of relief, sadness and praise as President Joe Biden announced he would end his campaign for a second term in the White House, a historic development that at once felt both shocking and inevitable. Many applauded him for doing what they said is the right thing for the country. Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, who was among those initially calling on Biden to step aside, on Sunday congratulated him for "taking this courageous and unselfish step." "He has been not only a great president, but also a great public servant for almost 50 years," Harkin said. "I believe the Democrats will get very excited, and I believe it's going to be a very spirited campaign." Polk County Democratic Party Chair Bill Brauch said Sunday he is "relieved and not surprised" by the president's decision. "I feel disappointed that the president's health was not sufficient to serve another term, because I think he's been the best president of my life and has done a superb job," Brauch said. " I'm relieved, because I think it would have been extremely difficult for Joe Biden to win this election. And I'm also relieved, (because) I think we will have an opportunity to defeat Trump once again." Biden made the announcement from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he has self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as president for the rest of my term." President Joe Biden waves on stage during the Vote To Live Prosperity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas on July 16, 2024. Shortly after his announcement Sunday, Biden also publicly endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to take his place at the top of the ticket. Iowa's delegates to next month's Democratic National Convention were scheduled to hold a virtual meeting Monday night to discuss who they are supporting with Biden off the ticket. Several delegates said they are excited to support Harris, who Biden endorsed Sunday. The drumbeat of calls for Biden to step aside had been sounding for weeks, ever since his disastrous debate performance against Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump on June 27. In that debate, Biden appeared frail and confused, stumbling through sentences and trailing off mid-sentence. Polk County administrator John Norris, who led Iowa presidential campaigns for Jesse Jackson and John Kerry, said Biden's debate performance was "painful." He told the Des Moines Register Sunday he thinks Biden's decision to step aside is for the best. "I think it's the best thing for Joe Biden. I think it's the best thing for the Democratic Party, and it's the best thing for the country," Norris said. "This gives us a chance to really offer voters an alternative to Donald Trump that doesn't have the question marks that were surrounding the president." Iowa Democrats heaped praise on Biden for making a difficult but important decision. "This is a shining example of public service over self and a bright opportunity for America to turn the page to the future," Auditor Rob Sand, Iowa's lone statewide elected Democrat, said in a text message Sunday. President Joe Biden during the debate at CNN's studios in Atlanta. CNN Anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are moderators of the debate on Jun 27, 2024. Former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorksy said she believes Biden made the right choice and emphasized that she feels "remarkable gratitude for who he is and what he has done for this country." "I believe that Joe Biden has spent an entire career doing what, in his view and in his heart, was the best thing that he could do for America at the time," Dvorksy said. "And I think he did that today. And I think it was brave, and I think it was patriotic. And it does not surprise me that he was brave and patriotic. He has been a remarkable president." After debate, most Iowa Democrats initially stood by Biden Biden's appearance in the June debate stood in sharp contrast with the Biden who campaigned heavily for the presidential nomination throughout Iowas 2020 Democratic caucuses. That year, Biden earned the endorsement of many of Iowas top Democratic officials, including state Sen. Pam Jochum of Dubuque, then-U.S. Reps. Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer, and former governors Tom Vilsack, who now serves in Bidens Cabinet as secretary of agriculture, and Chet Culver. None of those politicians publicly called on Biden to step aside following the debate. But some, like Jochum, offered lukewarm support. "It really is up to Joe Biden. The ball is in his court to make that final decision," Jochum told the Des Moines Register, adding that the Democratic Party needs to come together and refocus its attention on contrasting Biden's accomplishments with Trump's record. Harkin was among the first to voice grave concerns after the debate, saying in a note to family and friends that was later publicly released that the debate was a disaster from which Biden cannot recover. He said Biden should release his delegates ahead of the convention so the party could choose a new nominee. But few elected Democrats followed behind him. Two Democratic congressional candidates, Christina Bohannan and Sarah Corkery, both said in July statements they believed Biden should step aside. Sarah Corkery Corkery, the Democratic nominee in northeast Iowas 2nd Congressional District, said Sunday she admired Bidens willingness to do so. We have to be bold, she said. And bold leaders call the truth when they see it. Iowans know the truth. Millions of people saw what they saw, and that toothpaste could not be put back in the tube. And Im glad that President Biden got good counsel. Hes been an amazing president. His legacy will live on forever and he made the right choice. Corkery said shes energized by Bidens decision and proud to be a Democrat because it shows that the party can adapt. Democrats can be nimble, we can change the plan when we know the plans not working, we can reunite and align behind anybody, she said. In a statement Sunday, Jochum thanked Biden for all that he's done for American workers and their families. "What truly sets the president apart is his heart," she said. "Many Iowans, including myself, have heard from Joe personally when tragedy struck our lives. He always made time for people. President Biden is a statesman who has always put our country before himself. I urge all Americans to thank President Biden. Now, more than ever, its crucial for Democrats to come together in our quest to defeat Donald Trump this November. More: 'I had to turn the loss into purpose': How Joe Biden shares Iowans' grief on the campaign trail State's Democrats quickly focus on the election ahead Jennifer Konfrst, Iowa House minority leader, praised President Biden as someone who "has always done whats best for the American people, and his decision today is just the latest example." But she quickly pivoted to issues troubling Americans and the opportunity posed by the presidential race. "So many Americans are frustrated and tired of politics these days, and its reached a fever pitch this summer. I dont blame people who just want to tune out," Konfrst said. "The presidents decision today gives an opportunity to turn the page on this chapter of our history and put people over politics again. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart told reporters that she's confident Democrats will unite behind a candidate and continue Biden's legacy. "I'm personally sad that President Biden has decided he is unable to continue the work that he has started by running for a second term," she said. "But I recognize that this action means that Joe is telling us that it's time for us to finish the job." Some Iowa Democrats excited about the prospect of a Kamala Harris nomination Hart said the democratic process still needs to play out, but she believes Harris would be more than qualified to lead the Democratic ticket in November. "(Biden's) willingness to put his legacy into Kamala Harris' hands speaks volumes," Hart said. "It speaks volumes about her competency, her experience that she has gained as vice president. And so that means a great deal. I also am sure that the delegates recognize that this is going to be their decision, their process. But I absolutely think that Iowa Democrats can rally around Kamala Harris as our nominee. But we're very early in this process." In her July 11 statement calling for Biden to drop out of the race, Corkery said it was time for him to pass the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris." She praised Bidens decision Sunday to endorse Harris for the presidency. She is the best one. She is the vice president, Corkery said. That is the role is to be ready to step up. President Biden said he would have never picked her if she wasnt ready on day one, and she has been. Corkery said shes excited because she believes its time for a woman to be president. Its time to put a woman in charge, she said. So as a woman Im thrilled that we will have a woman at the top of the ballot. Dvorsky, who was one of Harris' biggest Iowa endorsers, along with her husband, said she's excited to bring out all of her Kamala Harris caucus gear and get behind her 100%. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speak to members of the media as they visit the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt "I know where the Kamala Harris shirts are. They are fresh. They are laundered. They're ready," Dvorsky said. "We have a yard sign that will be up in the front yard very, very shortly, and already the picture of it is on my Facebook page. So we're ready to go. We're thrilled." She said she believes the base of the party will begin to coalesce around Harris given the stakes of the election. "I don't think a single one of the top tier candidates is going to go into Chicago with the idea that this is a good time to create chaos with what we're up against," she said. "I absolutely believe that the base of this party is going to get behind the vice president of the country." Rob Johnson, a state House candidate who worked with Harris' 2020 Iowa presidential campaign, said he's confident in Harris' ability to lead. "I have full confidence that after the years of her serving and doing what she's done to even just become the vice president, to even just get there I believe she will have the full support of the Democratic Party," he said. "And I believe she will be able to sway a lot of people who may be on the fence as well." Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She is also covering the 2024 presidential race for USA TODAY as a senior national campaign correspondent. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Democrats react with relief, sadness as Joe Biden ends 2024 bid Joe Bidens exit elevates Kamala Harris against Donald Trump and leaves his legacy to all of us | Opinion President Joe Biden is out, Vice President Kamala Harris is his choice to be the new Democratic Party nominee, and former President Donald Trump is still Trump divisive but ascendant a week after an assassination attempt amid an ongoing seismic shift in this election. The complicated reality is that Bidens campaign exit is the right thing for the nation even if some see it as a party coup that disenfranchises millions of voters. There are many Americans like me who watched last months disturbing debate and thought, This is the best we can do? Biden was clearly not up to the task of campaigning while running the country. Republicans could see it. Democrats could see it. Independents could see it. Many people will now question whether hes able to be president, but dont expect him to resign. Still, that wont quell GOP calls for that. In other words: Buckle up, America. Last week, the nation wondered if the political rhetoric would ratchet down. As if. Trumps harsh remarks at a Michigan rally Saturday showed it wouldnt. Bidens departure means the next debate and nasty campaign ads could be between Harris, the prosecutor, and Trump, the prosecuted, but thats not guaranteed. Either way, expect the rhetoric to be at a perpetual boil between now and November. On Sunday, Trump called Biden a complete disgrace while former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called him a patriot without endorsing a replacement, signaling both the great debate over Bidens legacy and the great uncertainty over the next steps before the Nov. 5 election that had long been cast as Biden-Trump II, a rematch of 2020. The most chaotic U.S. presidential election in history may become the most consequential. That could mean it also has the greatest turnout in any presidential election. Thats strange to say when Democrats are waiting to see who theyll even be voting for, and Republicans are waiting to see if the GOP mounts legal challenges in any or all 50 states. But the stakes are high. Democratic leaders are left with the task of picking a replacement while Republican leaders reconsider their attacks. They were already saying a vote for Biden was a vote for Harris, whom they disdain. Now theyll say a vote for Harris is the same as a vote for Biden would have been. Hours after the announcement, it was clear Harris had major support. Bill and Hillary Clinton endorsed her, and Rep. Jim Clyburn, who helped Biden become president by endorsing him as South Carolinas most powerful Democrat before the states 2020 primary, endorsed her, too. If its Harris, Democrats will frame the election as a choice between the first female and the first felon to be president while Republicans frame it as a choice between someone who will secure the border and a vice president who failed her first job as border czar. The ads will write themselves, leaving voters to choose a president to cement U.S. policy and Bidens legacy. We are only three and a half months from the Nov. 5 Election Day, two months from the earliest voting starting in four states and one month from the Democratic National Convention. Emotions are high, and any process ultimately will be assailed to some degree. But there is a process. Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison said the path forward will be deliberate, writing on X: The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Are those reassurances from Harrison, another prominent South Carolinian, going to be enough for anyone who feels disenfranchised after tens of millions of Americans selected Biden as their candidate during this years primaries? Will those votes be explained away as votes for Biden and Harris in hindsight? Are the nomination procedures going to be as airtight as they need to be to hold up in court against legal challenges? And who will be the vice presidential pick? The Americans who are already turned off in large numbers by presidential politics are now going to be surrounded by stories and conversations about presidential election policy. Beyond the election, of course, is the question of whether Trump (and hard-core supporters like those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when the last election legitimately, legally didnt go his way) will accept the results of a loss to Harris or some other Democrat after any legal challenge. He should be asked as soon as possible and again and again if he doesnt definitively say yes. The bottom line is neither Biden nor Trump knew when to exit the biggest stage in the world. Trump urged his supporters to storm the Capitol. Biden refused for weeks to listen to a swelling chorus of Democratic leaders and one-time supporters who nudged him out, promising a legacy in exchange for leaving. He also refused to listen to Father Time who has clearly had an impact on Biden in the last three years. He sounds and looks frail. He did in his debate and he has since in subsequent interviews. The day after the debate, he seemed vigorous in North Carolina, reading prepared remarks in front of a supportive crowd. But he failed to stem criticism. Sunday, he let a letter speak for him. What a two-month span. A defiant Trump became a convicted felon on May 30. A feeble Biden had a disastrous debate on June 27. The U.S. Supreme Court granted Trump broad presidential immunity on July 1. A bloodied Trump pumped his fist in the air and urged supporters to Fight, fight, fight after a would-be assassins bullet grazed his ear on July 14. A judge dismissed a classified documents case against Trump on July 15. Biden got COVID-19 on July 17. Just like that, last week, Trump, 78, was so strong a bullet couldnt stop him, and Biden, 81, was battling disease and demands from longtime supporters in public and private who were urging him to withdraw from a race they said he couldnt win, stewing and recovering out of view. Millions of Americans who have had to take car keys away from their elders will feel the poignancy of the moment while millions of others who have been calling Bidens mental acuity into question for months despite pushback from Bidens team will feel vindicated. Looking back, a big question is who knew what when about Bidens condition, including Harris? So much to think about, and the nation hasnt even had time to fully process the other stunning developments in this election. All of it was shocking. But now Bidens legacy will definitively be decided by voters on Nov. 5 and by his successors deeds. Who will that be? Who knows. Ultimately, the future of this election seems likely to energize both Democrats and Republicans. And isnt that a good thing for the great American experiment and its two-party system? It matters less how we got here, and more that were here. Let the Republicans be excited, and let the Democrats be excited, and let those in the middle listen and vote our conscience. Send me 250-word letters to the editor here, 650-word guest essays here and email here. Say hi on X anytime. Joe Biden is leaving the race. What does it mean for Florida? Will Bidens name appear on the ballot in November? Probably not. President Joe Biden announced Sunday he would exit the presidential race, ending weeks of speculation and throwing the 2024 election into a state of uncertainty. Much is unknown at this point. But in Florida, we can answer a few key questions at this early stage. What role did Florida Democrats play in Bidens decision? The Florida Democratic Party had been one of the most pro-Biden state parties in the country. The party canceled the presidential primary earlier this year, allowing Biden to take every delegate. In an interview on July 17, state party chairperson Nikki Fried said her party was unified around Biden. The people on the ground here are more energized on the ground today for Joe Biden than they were a month ago, she said. As calls grew for the president to step down, few Florida Democrats were among the chorus. To the contrary, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Frederica Wilson were among the presidents most vocal defenders in the wake of Bidens widely panned June 27 debate performance. One of the few Democrats to call for Bidens exit was Tampa U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who on Friday said Biden should pass the torch. But Biden faced pressure from senior Democrats and donors who worried that the downward trajectory of his campaign could cost their party the Senate this fall. Republicans openly hoped for Biden to stay in the race. At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis called that the best possible scenario for Republicans. Last week, U.S. Marco Rubio argued that if Biden is not up to running for reelection, he should resign his post. His Senate colleague Rick Scott said the same thing Sunday in reaction to Bidens announcement. What happens at the Democratic Convention? Never in the modern era has a presidential candidate won the majority of their partys delegates only to bow out before the convention, said David Greenberg, a history professor at Rutgers University. But thats exactly whats happened with Biden. Officially, his 3,896 delegates could be released to vote for whichever candidate they wanted at the August Democratic National Convention in Chicago. But practically, the Democratic party is likely to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris for both political and logistical reasons. Biden, still his partys standard bearer, endorsed Harris in a statement Sunday. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden posted to X. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Numerous prominent Democrats followed suit, including Broward-area Rep. Jared Moskowitz. Logistically, Harris presents fewer hurdles than choosing a nominee who wasnt already on the presidential ticket. The Biden-Harris campaign has already hired dozens of staffers around the country, including in Florida. The Biden-Harris ticket had raised hundreds of millions of dollars for what until today had been Bidens reelection run. Harris can more easily access the campaign infrastructure than any other hypothetical candidate, said Aubrey Jewett, an associate professor of political science at the University of Central Florida. Its sort of like having a joint bank account, Jewett said. What does the polling say? There hasnt been much substantive polling done of Florida with Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee. However, most surveys showed Biden trailing by between 5 and 10 points to Trump, according to the forecasting site FiveThirtyEight. Will Bidens name still appear on the ballot in November? In Florida, parties submit the names of their candidates to officials after their conventions, according to the state elections website. Since Biden stepped down before the convention, the new Democratic nominee will appear on state ballots. Joe Biden is out of the presidential race. What happens now? President Joe Biden ended his campaign Sunday, saying that it is in the "best interest" of the Democratic Party and the nation that he "stand down" and end his reelection bid. The president threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris and said he will address the nation later this week. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president," Biden wrote in a letter posted to social media. Bidens decision to exit the race marks a stunning end for the 81-year-old presidents political career. Biden will not resign his role as president and will remain in the White House until January. The president faced significant pressure from his own party to end his campaign after a disastrous debate against former President Donald Trump in June. Democrats worried that Biden was not up to the task of campaigning against Trump or running the country for another four years. For weeks, Biden insisted he would remain in the race and was the best chance Democrats had to defeat Trump. But as the calls grew louder and the Democratic National Convention grew closer Biden reconsidered. Trump was already leading in battleground state polls before the debate, and his margins have only grown. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term, Biden said. Joe Biden steps aside: would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? What does Joe Biden ending his campaign mean for Arizona? There's ample time in Arizona to get a new Democrat on the ballot ahead of the November election. Ballots aren't finalized until late summer and the first ballots don't go out until Sept. 21. It's unclear whether another Democrat will have a better shot at winning Arizona than Biden, experts say. Biden won Arizona by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2020, the smallest margin of any state on the electoral map. Biden faced calls from Arizona's congressional Democrats to exit the race after the debate or at least prove to voters that he could run. Biden was behind Trump in Arizona before he dropped out, according to statewide polls. Trump led the race with 51% of support to Biden's 46% in June, according to a Fox News poll conducted in June. Those numbers sank even lower in July. An Emerson College poll conducted after the debate and Trump's attempted assassination showed Biden with 36% of support in Arizona when third-party candidates are added to the mix. Biden was 10 percentage points behind Trump in Arizona in that poll. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which handicaps political races, has shifted its Arizona Electoral College rating from a toss-up to lean Republican. Biden faced particular issues among voters, who have said for months that he was too old to seek another term. Any Democrat is likely to face a challenge, though, because polls show more than three-quarters of voters here say the economy is in trouble and two-thirds think the country is headed in the wrong direction under the Democratic administration. Did Biden endorse Vice President Kamala Harris? Biden endorsed Harris to replace him on the ticket shortly after announcing he would exit the race. He thanked Harris for serving as his second-in-command in the White House and told Democrats it is "time to come together and beat Trump. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," Biden said. "Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this." For weeks, Harris has been floated as a potential replacement for Biden and has been campaigning in the battleground states that Democrats need to win to keep ahold of the White House. Harris has been to Arizona six times during her time in the Biden administration, campaigning on abortion rights and promoting the president's economic agenda. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff was in the state as recently as Friday to campaign for the Biden-Harris ticket and catch the beginning of the WNBA All-Star weekend in Phoenix. He said during that trip that voters should not focus on the "drama" about whether Biden would drop out of the race. Presidential election: Mark Kelly could bring pluses, minuses to Democratic ticket Who will replace Biden on the presidential ballot? There are 29 days until Democrats gather in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. It's not clear who the party's nominee will be. Democrats had planned to nominate Biden before the convention formally began to meet an earlier ballot deadline in Ohio. Some Democrats say the party should nominate Harris, who was running alongside Biden and will have the most seamless access to his campaign operation and war chest. Others, though, have floated could-be candidates like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly's name is also on the list, along with a number of other Democrats. The party will also need to select a vice-presidential running mate for its eventual presidential nominee. Some Arizona delegates to the DNC said on Sunday that they would support her at the convention. Paul Weich, a DNC delegate for Arizona and an attorney, said he plans to vote for Harris. He said Harris delivered "powerful" remarks on abortion when she came to the state last month. As we move forward as a party and as a country, we must come together and rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris as our next president of the United States, Markus Ceniceros, another Arizona DNC delegate, told The Republic in a text message. I look forward to voting for Vice President Kamala Harris at the DNC convention in Chicago and defeating Donald Trump. For its part, the party did not name any possible replacements for Biden but said Americans will hear from the Democratic National Committee in short order about choosing a new candidate. The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said in a written statement. What are Republicans saying? Trump slammed Biden in a statement on Truth Social, saying that Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation" and shifting his focus to his next opponent. He was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same, Trump said. Others in the GOP echoed that sentiment. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., said that party leaders gave the middle finger to voters who cast ballots for Biden during the primary process. By rigging their own election and forcing Joe Biden to quit, billionaire Democrat donors, Hollywood leftists and Democrat party elitists just gave the middle finger to the 14 million Democrats who selected Biden to be their nominee. The Democrat coup is complete, Gosar said in a written statement. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., took it a step further, calling on Biden to resign the presidency along with his campaign. Joe Biden is too weak and feeble to be prosecuted. He is too weak and feeble to campaign. How is he strong enough to continue serving as Commander in Chief of the strongest nation in the world? Joe Biden ought to step down, Biggs said on social media. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Biden supports Harris, calls to beat Trump after dropping from race Joe Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris | WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during an event celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with actress Lucy Liu (L) and U.S. Vice president Kamala Harris (R) in the Rose Garden of the White House May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, the culture, and the achievements of the nation. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race after weeks of speculations and concerns about his ability to moving forward as the Democratic candidate. Biden announced his decision on his X account on Sunday, saying its best for himself and the country to focus solely on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision, Biden stated. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America cant do when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America. Biden also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in a follow-up statement. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, Biden wrote. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 According to CNN, many of Bidens opponents and some of his colleagues have been increasingly raising concerns about his stamina and mental capability. The 81-year-olds debate performance on June 27 especially brought concerns for many viewers and political experts who noticed that the president was struggling to focus and speak clearly. Bidens campaign tried to explain the poor performance, first saying that he was dealing with a cold, then stating the he had jet lag due to his recent international travel. Biden appeared to be more energized when he appeared at a rally on the day after his concerning debate performance. I dont walk as easy as I used to, Biden said at the rally, per CNN. I dont speak as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. Still, Biden continued to face increasing pressure from Democrats and Republicans who were urging him to drop out of the race. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas was the first member of Congress from Bidens party who told the president to give up his candidacy, CNN reported. Biden, however, remained defiant. Speaking with ABCs George Stephanopoulos on July 5, the President said only the Lord Almighty would persuade him to drop out. Earlier this week, Biden announced that he has COVID-19, adding more fuel to the concerns about his long-term health. After Biden officially withdrew from the race on Sunday, Harris now appears to be set to face Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw himself from the 2024 presidential race. Bidens decision comes 24 days after his concerning showing at the first presidential debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump and with less than four months to go until Election Day, on Nov. 5. More from TVLine Biden announced his decision in a statement posted on X, writing, It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. In a subsequent X post, Biden formally endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Partys new nominee. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made, he wrote. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Broadcast networks will air special reports to address Bidens exit from the race. ABCs two-hour special Biden Stands Down: The Race for the White House will begin at 7 pm ET; Norah ODonnell will host CBS Evening News at 6 pm, followed by a special report at 7 pm; and Lester Holt will anchor NBC Nightly News at 6:30 pm, followed by a two-hour special starting at 7 pm (pre-empting American Ninja Warrior). Bidens stammering, misstatements and intermittent, glassy stares during the June 27 debate sparked a national conversation about the 81-year-old incumbents age and mental acuity, to a degree that inner D.C. circles worried that his candidacy was no longer strong enough to fend off Trumps bid at a second White House term. Nearly 70% of all TVLine readers said that Trump bested Biden in their first face-off of the election cycle. Recently, Biden allegedly confided in one ally that if he has two more events like that first debate, he may not be able to savage his candidacy and thus will decide to step down, the New York Times reported on July 3 though a White House spokesperson said at the time that the hearsay was absolutely false. The day after that debate in Atlanta, Biden addressed his most vocal critics during a rousing speech in North Carolina. I know Im not a young man, he said. I dont walk as easily as I used to. I dont talk as smoothly as I used to. I dont debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job, I know how to get things done. And I know what millions of Americans know: When you get knocked down, you get back up. In the wake of Bidens scrutinized debate performance, his reelection team aimed to change the narrative by lining him up for a campaign trail sitdown with Good Morning America and This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos. He also called in to MSNBCs Morning Joe on July 8, reaffirming to hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski that he planned to stay in the race. The first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle came four weeks after Trump, now a convicted felon, was found guilty on all 34 counts in a hush money trial tied to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump made headlines once again on July 13, when he became the target of an apparent assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa; he recounted the ordeal on July 18, while speaking at the closing night of the Republican National Convention. In a Truth Social post reacting to Bidens withdrawal announcement on Sunday, Trump wrote, Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation. He has done everything possible to destroy our Country, from our Southern Border, to Energy Dominance, National Security, International Standing, and so much more. He was annihilated in an Earth Shattering Debate, and now the Corrupt and Radical Democrats are throwing him overboard. He was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter 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 The News US President Joe Biden announced he will not seek reelection in November on Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee, a momentous move that will have unknown influence on the partys chances this election. The decision came after weeks of political turmoil, headed off by the disastrous June 27 debate performance against former President Donald Trump that threw Bidens future into doubt. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden said in a statement. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made, Biden wrote. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Calls for Biden, 81, to step aside have swirled for years, but they reached new heights in the aftermath of the debate. The Democratic Party now enters uncharted territory as it scrambles to build consensus around a new nominee ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off on Aug. 19 in Chicago; Harris is perhaps the most obvious choice, especially given Bidens endorsement, although some Democrats are also interested in an array of governors, including Californias Gavin Newsom, Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro, and Kentuckys Andy Beshear. Step Back Even as Biden sought to show strength and energy with a volley of post-debate interviews and public appearances, Congressional Democrats and high-profile donors began backing away from the president as polling showed him slipping. By July 15, nearly two-thirds of Democrats said the president should step aside. And while Biden publicly brushed off the bad press, increasingly powerful Democrats urged him to reconsider. The stakes of the decision reached new heights when a gunman attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a rally on Saturday, July 13. Republicans coalesced around Trump following the attack, while Biden remained under intense scrutiny. Adam Schiff, a top California Democrat and ally to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for Biden to step aside on Wednesday, July 17. Reports suggested Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries privately warned the president that staying in the race could imperil the partys chances of controlling either chamber of Congress next year. Biden suffered a further setback when a COVID-19 diagnosis yanked him off the campaign trail. But the decision ultimately came down to Biden; Its almost impossible to replace nominees without their consent. Those closest to the president have long said there are only a handful of people he trusts on issues like this, notably his wife Jill and sister Valerie. Beyond his family, Semafors Ben Smith wrote after the debate there are probably only seven people who could convince the president to withdraw: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Pelosi, Schumer, Jeffries, and Jim Clyburn. Now What? Vice President Kamala Harris is perhaps the obvious choice to step up as nominee recent polling showed her performing slightly better against Trump than Biden would and California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigans Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg have also been floated as possibilities. As far as what this means for Democrats chances in November, that depends who you ask. As post-debate calls for Biden to step down intensified, some pundits warned voters to stick with the devil they knew. Democrats should face the hard truth that attempting to replace Biden at the convention in August could be even more perilous than sticking with the lame horse they are riding, Washington Post columnist Karen Tumulty wrote. She pointed out that a clear frontrunner emerging from the chaos seems far-fetched, and even if the party could settle on one, they wouldnt have endured the rigorous tests of a national primary. But as Financial Times columnist Edward Luce put it, the risks of Biden bowing out were already known, but now, the upsides are suddenly clearer. Everything about this race is unprecedented, he argued. Whats one more variable? Notable CBS News kept tabs on the list of Democratic lawmakers who called for Biden to step aside. NPR explains what the convention could look like in August. Stateline breaks down what this means for already-printed state ballots. President Joe Biden (C) and First Lady Jill Biden (L), with granddaughters Finnegan Biden (2-R) and Naomi Biden (R) watch fireworks on the National Mall from the Truman balcony of the White House during a celebration of Independence Day in Washington, DC, on Sunday, July 4, 2021. File Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- First lady Jill Biden quickly reacted on social media on Sunday about her husband Joe Biden's announcement not to seek election for a second term as president. She reposted Biden's letter announcing his choice on Instagram, along with the double pink heart emoji. "Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose," Elizabeth Alexander, the first lady's communications director, said in a statement to CNN. "She's his biggest believer, champion, and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be." The president had been relying on Jill Biden for advice. NBC News reported last week she also has been consulting with his son Hunter and his younger sister, Valerie Owens. Owens was senior advisor to his successful 2020 presidential campaign, as well as U.S. Senate runs. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk across the South Lawn towards the White House after landing in Marine One on Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. The President and First Lady are returning to the White House after campaign events in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI Biden's consulted family and top advisers by phone at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., recovering after announcing Wednesday he tested positive for COVID-19. A return date to Washington hadn't been announced. He held a family meeting Saturday night. Jill Biden has plans to be in Paris to lead the U.S. delegation at the Summer Olympics, which start Friday. Originally, she was to be part of a fundraiser on Thursday in Paris hosted by former U.S. Ambassador to the EU Tony Gardner, Belinda de Gaudemar, and Lorna Johnson. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will lead the delegation to the closing ceremony on Aug. 11. Biden was also expected to attend some Olympic events during her trip to Paris, a White House official said. Hunter Biden said: "Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad." "Over a lifetime I have witnessed him absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans who he's given his personal phone number to, because he wanted them to call him when they were hurting," he said in a statement shared by his daughter Naomi. "That unconditional love has been his North Star as a President, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years." Naomi Biden also wrote on Twitter: "To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours." She said she was proud of her "pop," who has served the country "with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction." "Not only has he been -- and will continue to be -- the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation's history," Naomi said. "He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him." Naomi Biden became the first granddaughter of a president to get married at the White House in November 2022. Biden has seven grandchildren from his two sons: Hunter and Beau from his first wife, Nelia Hunter -- who died in a car crash with one daughter in 1972. Naomi's father is Hunter Biden. Joe and Jill Biden have a daughter, Ashley, who has not yet publicly commented on her father's decision. Senator Joe Manchin has become the third member of the Democratic caucus in the upper chamber to call on Joe Biden to step aside. No longer officially a Democrat himself, Manchin is retiring at the end of this year rather than seek re-election. His seat in deep-red West Virginia is thought to be a likely pickup for Republicans, led by their nominee Jim Justice. Despite leaving the party he was a member of for decades, Manchin continued to caucus with the Senate Democrats after registering as an independent this past May. I came to the decision with a heavy heart that its time to pass the torch to a new generation, said the West Virginia senator. He would go on to subtly hint that he did not think Vice President Kamala Harris should be the partys pick either, explaining that he was partial to the idea of his party selecting a state governor instead. Im very hopeful it would be done in an open process, he continued. I think we have a lot of talent on the bench. A lot of good people. And Im partial to governors, because governors cant affort to be [partisan]. Biden hands a pen that he used to sign the Inflation Reduction Act to Manchin, left, in August 2022, as Chuck Schumer, who is believed to also want the president to quit the race, stands between them (Getty Images) Asked on ABC by Martha Raddatz whether Harris could beat Trump in November at the top of the ticket, Manchin replied: The process will show that. His statement follows two other Democrats in the Senate, Martin Heinrich and Peter Welch, calling for the incumbent president to step aside and let another Democrat run in the wake of a shocking debate performance in June. The senator made his comments in two inteviews on ABCs This Week and CNNs State of the Union. Manchin joins dozens of other elected Democrats, counting both senators and members of the House of Representatives, in his view. Its also one that largely follows American public thinking, where clear majorities of both Democrats and voters as a whole believe that Biden is too old to run again. The presidents loyalists have fought this tooth and nail, insisting that the polling of their own parties voters is wrong and that the presidents worsening deficit behind Donald Trump is surmountable by November. Biden, as vice-president, swears in Manchin as US senator for West Virginia in 2010 (Getty Images) One of those loyalists, Bidens close ally in the Congressional Black Caucus, Jim Clyburn, urged his party to coalesce around their presumed nominee in a separate interview Sunday following Manchins on CNNs State of the Union. The decision by Manchin to speak up comes on the same day as a new poll of Michigan suggests that Joe Biden has slipped out of the margin of error and is now significantly trailing the opponent he beat in that state in 2020. Former Vice President Joe Biden links arms with Sen. Kamala Harris and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Detroit, March 9, 2020 | Andrew Roth A little more than four years ago, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer jogged into the Renaissance High School gym, high-fiving folks as she made her way onto the stage. She would be joined by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and future Vice President Kamala Harris as they rallied the Detroit party faithful for soon-to-be President Joe Bidens campaign the day before Michigans 2020 presidential primary. In what seemed like an iconic moment, Biden linked arms with his three younger supporters and announced, I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else. Theres an entire generation of leaders you saw stand behind me. They are the future of this country. For years, that night was etched into my brain because it would be the last time my son and I would go anywhere indoors with throngs of people for a very long time. The next night, just hours after Biden scored his decisive primary victory, Whitmer would announce that COVID had moved to Michigan and the world seemed to stop for awhile. But now I look back at that rally and marvel how much stronger Biden sounded while articulating a much clearer vision, savaging Trump as a bully who must be defeated compared to his his hoarse, halting speech at the same high school a little over a week ago. And keep in mind, Biden generally won good reviews for that last Detroit appearance certainly compared to his rambling, mumbling debate performance. Its even more striking when I recall covering Bidens speech at that same high school back in 2012 during President Barack Obamas reelection campaign. Now that Joe Biden had the Detroit crowd of seniors, students and union members eating out of his hand. But of course, he was a spry 69-year-old back then. Its become painfully clear that hes not the same man now than he was 12 years ago or even four years ago. Nobody would expect him to be, as he holds the most stressful job in the world (if youre doing it right) its little wonder that Obama left office almost completely gray. And indeed, Biden is the best president of my lifetime, bolstered by his decades of experience. He has stood up to Putins tyranny and held the western coalition together to defend Ukraine. He yanked us out from Trumps chaotic and conspiratorial COVID response and administered an admirably efficient vaccine rollout. He marshaled sweeping economic stimulus, infrastructure and climate packages through Congress, leaving us with the strongest economy in the developed world. But that doesnt mean hes the best person to run for president in 2024. Campaigning takes a different skill set, requiring a level of energy and laser-like focus that is clearly hard for Biden (and Trump) to sustain. After assessing the situation for the last few weeks, Ive somewhat reluctantly come to the conclusion that Biden is the biggest problem for Democrats this year and theyd be better off replacing him. (I fully expect to get even more hate mail than usual for this, but thats the job). Now I wasnt one of the Chicken Littles after the debate last month. Although I was taken aback by the presidents apparition-like appearance and worryingly weak, meandering answers, I didnt think it was a fatal blow. For over a week, I thought the pundit reaction was borderline hysterical and the volume of backbiting, anonymously sourced stories was ridiculous. The idea of replacing a presidential nominee and risking a chaotic convention that would leave the party even more bitterly divided seemed laughable. And most of the loudest voices bashing Biden were smug analysts who tend to view politics as just a game, even after watching Trump supporters desecrate our Capitol in a violent insurrection three years ago. But you have to be able to adjust your priors in the face of new evidence (and yes, sometimes the Onions Worst Person You Know meme is dead on). There are several reasons why I now believe Biden is a unique liability for the Democrats. Stories started featuring more people including longtime Biden allies openly talking about their concerns about his deteriorating health in recent months, with striking details that matched up with what my sources were telling me off-the-record. In other words, the debate didnt really seem like just an off night anymore. Then elected officials and donors started calling on Biden to step aside which is highly unusual, to say the least. Meanwhile, progressives like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who have been fierce critics of Bidens Israel policy and repeatedly tried to push him leftward on domestic issues, have emerged as some of his strongest defenders. That would seem to me to be pure strategy, so as not to torpedo any mainstream effort to replace him. (Note that U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), who helped lead the uncommitted vote against Biden in the primary over his record with Palestinians, has largely stayed silent as of late). But even more interesting to me was that leaders like former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) were keeping the door open for Biden to bow out. Rather than firmly shutting down questions about Bidens nomination and fitness, theyve been practically begging Biden to take the hint. Its happened with such regularity that its impossible to ignore. Thats culminated in reports about private conversations Pelosi, Obama and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have had with Biden about staying in the race which they havent denied. As I wrote last week, that was one of the key things I was looking for to see if the effort to ditch Biden was real. What Biden backers come back to again and again is that its just elites clamoring for him to exit the stage, but the people are with him. Yet polling has consistently showed that Bidens age is a drag and hes trailing Trump, even after soundly beating him four years ago, portending an electoral wipeout for Democrats. Thats in spite of the fact that most voters dont like Trump and prefer Democrats on most issues. There are promising numbers for other potential Democratic candidates against Trump, i.e. those who are what can be, unburdened by what has been, as Harris is fond of saying. And at this late juncture, you cant ignore that almost two-thirds of Democrats want the president to withdraw. That dovetails with what Im hearing from Democrats who are busy canvassing for Michigans upcoming Aug. 6 partisan primary. Theyre consistently hearing from Democratic voters at the doors who want to see someone new at the top of the ticket and thats a marked change from before the debate. In an ideal world, Biden would have acknowledged his shortcomings and decided against running for reelection, allowing Democrats to pick a new nominee through a traditional process. I suppose its folly to expect anyone to relinquish being leader of the free world without one last fight. But personally, Ive never longed to live through the depressing saga of King Lear. Biden seems to fervently believe hes been a great president and winning a second term will solidify his place in the history books as the man who beat back authoritarianism twice. At this point, its not just that hes lost a bit of the spin off his fastball. Too much of the time, he cant even get the pitch across the plate. And with democracy itself at stake this election, its not enough to just hold our collective breaths and hope hes got enough gas in the tank until November to finally turn the polls around. No, Mr. President. This isn't about you. If this election is truly about the future of our basic rights, our freedom, our nation as you've said so many times before you'd best be damn sure that you're the best person to stand between us and the abyss. Susan J. Demas Hes also become increasingly irritable again, not helping assuage peoples doubts about his advanced age reportedly ignoring counsel from people he trusts like Obama and Pelosi and publicly declaring that hell only get out of the race if the Lord Almighty instructs him to. When he was asked in a recent interview how hed feel if he stayed in and Trump is elected and everything youre warning about comes to pass, Biden gave an absolutely maddening answer: Ill feel as long as I gave it my all and I did the good as job as I know I can do, thats what this is about. No, Mr. President. This isnt about you. If this election is truly about the future of our basic rights, our freedom, our nation as youve said so many times before youd best be damn sure that youre the best person to stand between us and the abyss. Yes, replacing Biden on the ticket is an extraordinary move and an undeniable gamble. Truth be told, Democrats might be primed to lose either way. But it was Biden himself who drew attention to the immense talent coming up behind him at that March 2020 speech in Detroit. Letting go and being that bridge to the future would be a legacy worthy of the presidency he built. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST John Dillinger saw his last movie at the Biograph Theater 90 years ago For years, sightseeing buses have paused at an alley next to the Biograph Theater on Lincoln Avenue. Compared to other stops, there is not much to see. Passengers might wonder where they are and why. Look, at the mouth of the alley, their driver/guide announces. Thats where John Dillinger was killed on July 22, 1934. He and a pair of lady friends had just seen the movie Manhattan Melodrama. Was one the woman in red? a sightseer excitedly responds. Dillinger was the archetype of a peculiarly American folk hero: An outlaw famed for his or her crimes. Contemporaries included fellow bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde, predecessors were often cowboys like Billy the Kid. But only Dillinger had the magnetism that made elected officials vie for a share of his tainted celebrity. The Chicago Crime Commissions president was outraged when an Indiana prosecutor posed for a newspaper photographer with his arm around Dillinger earlier in 1934 while the hoodlum awaited trial for killing a police officer during a bank robbery. Perhaps it isnt unethical but it is certain that such familiarity breeds contempt for law enforcement in the minds of criminals, Frank Loesch told the Tribune. For her role in helping the feds nail Dillinger, Ana Cumpanas, a Romanian-born brothel keeper who went by the name Anna Sage, is known as the Woman in Red by devotees of the dark side of Chicago lore. Sage was cooperating with the feds, and told authorities shed wear a distinctive color on the night of the movie outing so theyd be able to know the guy with her was Dillinger. Its often reported as red, but it may have been orange. At any rate, the authorities in return promised to try to have her impending deportation squashed. They cut a deal because Dillinger was shredding the FBIs image as untouchable super-cops. The cops claimed he was a master of disguise. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover said that Dillinger sometimes dressed as a nun, so that he could scout around the intended scene of a robbery or raid, the Tribune reported. Fear that Dillinger will stage one of his well-known bank robberies is costing bankers of Illinois and other central states more than $1,000 a day as pay for extra guards, the Tribune reported in March 1934. Dillinger had recently escaped from the Crown Point, Indiana, jail. Thats what might be expected of having a woman sheriff, Loesch said of the escape. Lake County (Indiana) Sheriff Lillian Holley, fired back, declaring to the Tribune that Im not a sissy. She set out to find Dillinger, promising: If I ever see John Dillinger Ill shoot him dead with my own pistol. While accounts of his jail escape vary, the Tribune reported that Dillinger used a wooden gun he had carved with a safety razor and painted black with shoe polish. During his escape he encountered the wardens wife and her mother. The faux gun convinced them to do as he said. Dillinger escaped in the sheriffs car, which he commandeered after asking men in a garage near the jail, Whats the fastest car in the joint? Earnest Blunk, the deputy sheriff, was forced into the getaway car. Dillinger was singing The Last Roundup. One line stuck in Blunks memory: Git away, lil doggy git away, Dillingers crime spree came at a time when the public often had easy access to alleged criminals in custody. At some point, Dillinger was put in front of a group that asked questions about his craft with the reverence of fledgling artists in a master class. Someone asked Dillinger how long it took him to clean out a bank, the Tribune reported of the scene in an Indiana jail. Oh, about a minute and 40 seconds, he replied. He was fiercely protective of his image as Public Enemy No. 1. Ill be the laughing stock of the country, he cried when arrested in Tucson, Arizona, prior to being shipped to the Crown Point jail to stand trial. How could a hick town police force ever suspect me? Dillingers life of crime started early. He apprenticed himself to Edward Singleton, an older unsavory character, and the two robbed an elderly grocer. His father advised him to cop a plea and implicate Singleton in return for a light sentence. Instead, the judge gave Dillinger 10 to 20 years. Singleton served two years. In May 1933, Dillinger was paroled. He immediately started robbing banks but before long he was captured and tossed into a jail cell in Lima, Ohio. That October, a gang of confederates helped bust him out. Posing as Indiana deputies, they were asked to see their credentials. These are our credentials, they said, flashing guns. While Dillinger continued his life of crime, East Chicago police Sgt. Martin Zarkovich was furloughed to search for the hoodlum, who had killed his partner while robbing an East Chicago bank. Zarkovich turned to a hoodlum whose ex-girlfriend had become Dillingers girlfriend. Jealousy induced the hood to talk to Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent hunting Dillinger, and a trap was set. Anna Sage proved a crucial link. On July 4, 1934, Dillinger moved into Sages apartment at 2420 Halsted St. On July 22, she slipped out to phone an update to the feds. She reported that she, Dillinger, and his girlfriend were going to the Biograph Theater. As the trio left the movie house, the agents approached Dillinger. I ran downstairs when the shooting started, Ed Garber who was in an apartment above the alley, told the Tribune. As I reached the plate glass door to the street two agents pushed me back inside and told me to stay there. Mrs. Pearl Doss, who as a child she lived near Dillinger in Indiana, was visiting a sister in Chicago and happened to be walking along Lincoln Avenue when the FBI shot her onetime neighbor. cq comment= ] As he slumped to the ground, the thought flashed through my mind that his face resembled Dillingers, Doss told the Tribune. I heard him utter: Theyve got me, at last. People stuck their handkerchiefs in the pool of blood where Dillinger was shot. There was a ghoulish encore at the morgue. At every available window and door crushed groups of men and women who hoped to get a glimpse of Americas most famous outlaw dead, the Tribune reported. Afterward, Dillingers father took his sons corpse to Indianapolis and buried him in the Crown Hill Cemetery. The gravestone had to be replaced three times. Die-hard fans repeatedly chipped off pieces. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com Johnson says Trump has 'the strength and bravery' to bring peace to Ukraine Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Republican nominee Donald Trump's chances to end the Russian war in Ukraine in a July 19 opinion for Daily Mail. The opinion was published days after Johnson and Trump met in Washington on July 16, during the Republican National Conference, where Trump was officially nominated as the partys candidate in the upcoming presidential election. Johnson wrote that Trump won the November presidential election by showing his strength of character when he pumped his fist to his supporters moments after being shot at during a rally on July 13. He said that Trumps gesture sent a message to the Americans that with him as their leader, they wont be bowed. I believe that indomitable spirit is exactly what the world needs right now, and exactly what is needed in the White House, Johnson wrote. Having discussed the Russian-Ukrainian war with Trump during their meeting, Johnson wrote that he is more convinced than ever that (Trump) has the strength and the bravery to fix it, to save Ukraine, to bring peace. Known for his long-term public sympathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin and having repeatedly criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, Trump had claimed during his presidential campaign that he would end the war within 24 hours if elected, refusing to discuss the details of his plan. During the debate with U.S. President Joe Biden last month, Trump said that Putin's declared terms for a ceasefire, demanding that Ukraine surrender four of its regions, partially occupied by Russia, and abandon the effort to join NATO, were "not acceptable." However, earlier reports in the media said that Trump privately talked about ending Russias war by pressuring Ukraine to cede Crimea and Donbas to Moscow. He also publicly said in May 2023 that he would not commit to providing Ukraine with defense assistance if he won the 2024 election. Nevertheless, Johnson said he is convinced that Trump understands that a defeat for Ukraine would be a massive defeat for America, and that he could end it on the right terms for Ukraine and the West. As the British Prime Minister, Johnson was a major supporter of Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian all-out war, and has continued to push for the West to provide Ukrainians with military aid after his resignation in 2022. Johnson suggested that as a President, Trump could first strengthen Ukraines position in the possible peace talks by ending bureaucratic delays in providing military aid and allowing Ukrainians to strike the Russian airfields with the U.S.-provided long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Then, he could pave the way for a new and far better relationship with Russia in the aftermath of a win for Ukraine. Johnson specified in his article that it should involve Russias retreat at least to the pre-invasion boundaries of 2022 and recognition of Ukraines right to join EU and NATO. If and when he is back in power, later this year, Trump has a massive chance not just to fix his predecessors legacy, but to take the world forward, Johnson wrote. Read also: Zelensky, Trump hold call, discuss future of US support Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Vice President Harris is the most obvious successor to President Biden should he withdraw from the Democratic ticket amid mounting pressure, a situation that would immediately raise the question of who would be Harriss running mate. Here are some of the possible picks. Andy Beshear Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who has also been discussed as a replacement for Biden, might be the ideal running mate on a Harris ticket. Beshear, 46, represents one of the most conservative states in the country, and just won an impressive reelection victory last year, boosting his profile to the national stage. Hes one of the most popular governors in the country and one of the youngest, which coupled with Harris, 59, would introduce a much more youthful ticket to one headed by Biden or, for that matter, former President Trump. Hes young, handsome, smart, popular, wins a red state convincingly, said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish. Beshear has said he plans to remain governor amid the speculation and has not had any conversations about serving, but he left open some room for joining. I feel like were on a roll here in Kentucky, and this job is more than enough for me, that I could fulfill this next term, which I fully intend to and be happy if this is the last public service role I ever had, he told reporters. But Ive said before, the only way Id step away from this role is if I felt like I could help the commonwealth even more through some other opportunity. Roy Cooper Coopers governorship has been a bright spot for Democrats in recent years in North Carolina, a state that the party has hoped to flip blue in presidential and Senate races but fallen short a few times. Putting him on the ticket might put the Tar Heel State in play for Democrats, who havent won the state in a presidential election since 2008. Cooper, 67, was elected governor in 2016 and 2020 despite Trump having won the states electoral votes both times and a Republican-dominated Legislature. Reinish said putting Cooper, who is term-limited this year, on the ticket could give Democrats another more realistic chance at winning or at least seriously competing in the state. Two sources close to the Biden-Harris campaign told The New York Times that Cooper is one of the top favorites for a possible Harris presidential candidacy. Beshear is also reportedly one of the top names, but Coopers state is much more likely to be in play, which could be an edge. Harris and Cooper appeared together on Thursday for a Biden campaign rally in North Carolina. Josh Shapiro Shapiro, 51, has been frequently discussed as a possible Harris running mate. Hes seen as a rising Democratic star, and he governs one of the key swing states in the country. If he doesnt join the ticket, hell be seen as a potential presidential candidate down the road. Shapiro comfortably won election in 2022 to become Pennsylvanias governor. He has a reputation as a more moderate Democrat, as does Biden, but he ran and won on key liberal issues like protecting reproductive rights. Democratic strategist Adrian Hemond said Shapiro would be at the top of his list of possible choices, as he would lean in to the idea of a ticket that represents generational change. He said Shapiro could also detail his accomplishments. After the collapse of a bridge in Philadelphia last year, Shapiro worked to devote $7 million for repairs that helped reopen Interstate 95. On Friday, he declared success in working with a divided Legislature, the only one in the country, to reach a bipartisan budget agreement with major initiatives and lower taxes. He also has a story about competence to tell, Hemond said. Hes got pretty good numbers himself in Pennsylvania, so theres a pretty good chance that he could deliver the state where he seems to be popular. JB Pritzker Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 59, will be welcoming fellow Democrats to Chicago next month for the Democratic National Convention. Another rising star who has been included in conversations about possible Biden replacements, Pritzker would bring executive experience to a ticket. Hed also bring a lot of money. Pritzker is worth an estimated $3.5 billion and could self-fund a campaign. Pritzker has been publicly supportive of Biden in the aftermath of last months debate, but he was recently heard on a hot mic saying, Were going to do what we have to do. I dont like where we are. A spokesperson for the governors office confirmed he was talking about the status of the presidential race. He would have a record to run on as a leader with a range of liberal victories, including protecting abortion access and gun control. He would also bring geographic diversity as a Midwesterner but may not have as much appeal to swing voters as a governor of a solidly blue state. Gretchen Whitmer Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, 52, is often discussed as a future Democratic presidential candidate. Her easy reelection victory in 2022 brought with it a Democratic trifecta, and she now leads a state firmly in Democratic control. Whitmer said on The View on Tuesday that she would be eager to support Harris if Biden steps aside. She said she is committed to serving out her term as governor but would never say never to serving as a vice presidential candidate. Would Democrats want an all-woman ticket? It would be historic, but it also might make some delegates nervous about winning. I think it would be a winning ticket because I think Gretchen Whitmer is extraordinary, Reinish said, adding that she is super popular and dynamic. Hemond said he wouldnt be surprised if she was offered the position but would not expect her to accept, as other paths may better lead to the White House in the future if she has those ambitions. Gavin Newsom California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has become increasingly prominent in the party, and he has been considered one of the main choices to become the nominee if its not Biden. But a few complications would exist if he were the choice to be Harriss running mate. The Constitution makes it difficult for individuals from the same state to run as president and vice president. In the case of Newsom and Harris, voters in the Electoral College from California would be prohibited from voting for both of them since they are both officially residents of the Golden State. The issue has come up before and solved with one candidate changing their residency to another state, but its not clear that would come off well politically for Harris and Newsom. Two Californians running for office could be easy fodder for Republican attacks, as they often slam the state for its liberalism and accused elitism. It also would not have as much geographic appeal to swing voters in key states, with both candidates coming from a state not in play 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 ABC27. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro praised President Joe Biden following the Presidents announcement that he is no longer running for re-election. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Pennsylvanias 48th governor referred to Biden as a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom, Shapiro wrote. I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him. There has been increasing speculation that Shapiro could be in the mix to either take Bidens place as the Democratic nominee or serve as a vice presidential candidate alongside current Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden has endorsed. Shapiro has also endorsed Harris for President. When our founders came together in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to declare our independence and establish our democracy, they did so with the clear understanding that we would only succeed if we were united. In the 248 years since, our country and our people have been tested but the American spirit has always triumphed. Despite our individual differences, when our safety was threatened, when our values and freedoms were attacked, when the stakes were high, Americans have found ways to come together and unite behind common cause and common purpose. Thats the lesson of our founders who gathered in Pennsylvania two-and-a-half centuries ago and its the lesson our Party must learn from now. Ive known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades weve both been prosecutors, weve both stood up for the rule of law, weve both fought for the people and delivered results. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President. The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency. The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania where this collective work began. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States. Shapiro joined Harris in Philadelphia just last week saying he and the Vice President have been friends for 20 years. Shes an outstanding Vice President. Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (L) speak to the press while making a stop at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. (Photo by RYAN COLLERD / AFP) (Photo by RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (L) speak to the press while making a stop at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. (Photo by RYAN COLLERD / AFP) (Photo by RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (L) speak to the press while making a stop at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. (Photo by RYAN COLLERD / AFP) (Photo by RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speak to the press while making a stop to pick up food at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. (Photo by RYAN COLLERD / AFP) (Photo by RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images) Recent polls showed Shapiro could perform better than Biden in several swing states, including Pennsylvania. The New York Times also reported over the last 24 hours that Donald Trumps campaign was paying especially close attention to Shapiro as a potential Vice Presidential candidate. Muhlenbergs Spring 2024 survey found Shapiro with a 64% approval rating in his first term as Governor, something that could help entice Democrats with the hopes of picking up Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes in November. Shapiro campaigned with Biden in Harrisburg earlier this month after Bidens historically poor performance in the debate against Donald Trump. The Governor had come to Bidens defense several times, including immediately after the debate. A 2023 Muhlenberg Colleges Institute of Public Opinion poll found Shapiro beating Trump 48% to 37% with 11% leaning toward another candidate and 4% unsure in a head-to-head race. In addition, an Engagious/Sago focus group study released by Axios last year found Pennsylvania swing voters wanted to see Shapiro run for president over Biden. Earler this year former Pennsylvania Lieutenant and Acting Governor Mark Singel called Shapiro the real deal and someone whos going to be a star. He was a member of the (State) House of Representatives, hes been running for President since he was 12 years old, and hes good at it, right? He doesnt really miss a trick, and he presents himself well and he handles the press so beautifully. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Who is Josh Shapiro? Pa governor mentioned as Kamala Harris vice president Josh Shapiro is known for his practical approach to politics and ability to work with both parties. As things progress on the campaign front, you could be reading his name more. Pressure is building on President Joe Biden to give up his seat at the top of the ticket in favor of someone - likely Kamala Harris - who would be a stronger opponent to the surging Donald Trump. But, it means Democrats also need a solid pick for a vice presidential running mate. Thats where Gov. Josh Shapiro potentially comes in. Heres a primer on the Pennsylvania Democratic governor. Who is Josh Shapiro? The 51-year-old Josh Shapiro grew up in Pennsylvania and started his political career in the state House of Representatives, serving there for seven years until 2012 and then served as Pennsylvania's Attorney General from 2017 until he was elected governor in 2022. Beyond his political resume, Shapiro is known for his dedication to his family. He and wife Lori Shapiro have four children: Sophia, Jonah, Max, and Reuben. Shapiro is also a die-hard Philadelphia Phillies fan. In the political arena, Shapiros tenure as Attorney General was marked by his efforts to tackle the opioid crisis, protect consumers, and uphold civil rights. As governor, he has focused on expanding access to education, improving healthcare, and fostering economic development. Shapiro played a significant role in the response to the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia, ensuring swift action and coordination to reopen the crucial highway ahead of schedule. In recent polls, Shapiro has shown strong numbers compared to Vice President Kamala Harris, indicating his potential appeal as a vice-presidential candidate alongside her. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Who is Josh Shapiro and why is Pa governor a potential VP pick Who is Josh Shapiro? Pennsylvanias governor is on list of possible Democratic VP nominees With the announcement Sunday from President Joe Biden that he will not accept the Democratic Party nomination to run for a second term, speculation on potential vice presidential running mates continues to include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Vice President Kamala Harris is widely expected to seek the nomination during the Democratic National Convention in August and was endorsed Sunday by President Biden in his announcement. Shapiro is one of just several Democratic governors who have garnered attention as possible running mates for Harris, but just who is he? Who is Josh Shapiro? Born in Kansas City, Missouri, but raised in Upper Dublin Township in the Philadelphia suburbs, Shapiro became the 48th governor of Pennsylvania after assuming office in January 2023. After working as a legislative assistant and later chief of staff for a Montgomery County congressman, Shapiro in 2004 ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 153rd district, which contains Abington Township and part of Upper Dublin Township in Montgomery County. Shapiro earned reelection in 2006, 2008 and 2010 before winning election to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners in 2011, marking the first time Republicans lost control of the countys commissioners board. Shapiro, who earned a law degree from Georgetown, launched a campaign for Pennsylvania Attorney General in January 2016 and narrowly defeated State Senator John Rafferty Jr. He was reelected in 2020 before launching his gubernatorial campaign in October 2021. Bidens departure makes history, but 2 other sitting presidents cut it close to Election Day Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? As attorney general, Shapiro inherited an investigation of allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by members of the Catholic Church, which produced an extensive grand jury report alleging the sexual abuse of more than 1,000 children by more than 300 priests. His office also led efforts to protect health care access for nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians by forcing an agreement between UPMC and Highmark. In 2021, Shapiro helped negotiate $1 billion for Pennsylvania as part of a national opioid settlement. Recently, Shapiro has publicly voiced support for abortion access in Pennsylvania and, during his gubernatorial campaign, vowed to veto bills banning or restricting abortion in the commonwealth. Shapiro recently signed a $47.6 billion budget for Pennsylvania that increases public education funding, supports economic development and provides a brief boost for transit systems. Notably, the budget does not include some of Shapiros own revenue-generating ideas, such as legalizing recreational cannabis or regulating slot-like skill games. Who is Andy Beshear? Kentuckys governor is on list of possible Democratic VP nominees Shapiro, who is Jewish, has repeatedly voiced support for Israel in the Israel-Hamas war and issued statements condemning antisemitism. The 51-year-old governor has used executive power to make a number of notable changes in Pennsylvania since taking office. Highlights include enacting automatic but optional voter registration services when Pennsylvanians renew or receive their drivers licenses, as well as removing requirements for four-year college degrees from most public sector jobs. Shapiro met his wife, Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro, in high school. They have four children and live at the Pennsylvania Governors Residence in Harrisburg. FILE - This undated file photo provided by the U.S. A man convicted of plotting to blow up a Chicago bar will have to spend another 11 years in prison. The Chicago Tribune reports a judge resentenced Adel Daoud to 27 years in prison on Friday. (U.S. Marshals office via AP, File) CHICAGO (AP) A man convicted of plotting to blow up a Chicago bar will have to spend another 11 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly resentenced Adel Daoud to 27 years in prison on Friday, the Chicago Tribune reported. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman originally sentenced Daoud to 16 years in prison in 2019 but a federal appellate court threw that sentence out in 2020, saying the punishment wasnt tough enough, and ordered him resentenced. Daoud, of suburban Hilldale, was arrested in an FBI sting in September 2012 after pushing a button on a remote he believed would set off a car bomb outside the Cactus Bar & Grill. Daoud said he wanted to kill at least 100 people, according to government court filings. He was 18 years old at the time. Daoud entered an Alford plea, a legal maneuver in which a defendant maintains innocence but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him if he were to go to trial. He also entered Alford pleas to charges that he solicited the killing of an FBI agent who participated in the sting and that he attacked a person with whom he was incarcerated with a shank fashioned from a toothbrush after the person drew a picture of the prophet Muhammad. The Chicago Tribune reported that Daoud represented himself at the resentencing on Friday but online court records indicate attorney Quinn Michaelis is representing him. Michaelis didn't immediately respond to an email early Friday evening from The Associated Press seeking comment on the resentencing. The AP called Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Center, where the Chicago Tribune reported Daoud is being held, in an attempt to reach him and offer him an opportunity to comment, but the phone there rang unanswered. Two St. Louis residents are suing to halt the city's guaranteed basic income program. Art Wager / Getty Images A judge halted a St. Louis basic income program after a lawsuit called it unconstitutional. The city planned about $220,000 in payments before it was blocked. Missouri Mayor Tishaura Jones says the city will continue exploring legal options. A basic income program designed to help the poorest residents in St. Louis will have to hold off on payments after a judge sided with conservatives who called the program "unconstitutional" in a lawsuit. Two residents Greg Tumlin and Frank Hale filed the lawsuit against the city in June, challenging a program that would have given 540 low-income families payments of $500 a month. The lawsuit cites a clause in the state's constitution prohibiting all municipalities and political corporations from granting "public money or property to any private individual." St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Joseph Whyte barred the program from sending out payments for at least 15 days starting on Friday, according to The Center Square, a news site that covers local and state politics. The city planned to deposit about $220,000 into recipients' accounts before the block, the outlet reported. In April, the Texas Supreme Court blocked a similar program in Houston after the state attorney general filed a lawsuit also questioning its constitutionality. That lawsuit followed a request from Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt. Bettencourt said in a letter to the attorney general's office that the Texas constitution prohibits state lawmakers from giving any county the power to grant public money for the aid of an individual. Tumlin previously told Business Insider in a statement that the program in St. Louis is unconstitutional because the city can't give people cash if they haven't "performed a service for the city or sold any goods" that would warrant payment from the city. Whyte wrote in his filing that the payments would cause "immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage" and "would be nearly impossible to recover" once distributed, according to The Center Square. "In addition, the court finds that there is a strong public interest in temporarily halting the distribution of funds until this court can determine whether ordinance No. 71591 violates the Missouri Constitution or the St. Louis City Charter," Whyte wrote. Attorneys for Tumlin and Hale told the outlet that the injunction represented "another good day for the taxpayers." "We uphold constitutional norms or the city will fail," attorney W. Bevis Schock told the outlet in a statement. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider on Sunday. Jones told Center Square that the city would follow the judge's order while continuing to explore legal options. Read the original article on Business Insider Judge Rinder: Using they as catch-all term for Jews is deeply disturbing Judge Rinder, who is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, said the use of the word 'they' to describe Jews could lead to 'depravity' - HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY/HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY Judge Rinder has revealed hes very, very worried about the language to describe Jewish people increasingly being used in so-called polite company. The criminal barrister and television star took issue with the word they being applied as a catch-all term for Jews, saying the terminology was deeply disturbing. Rinder, 46, warned the use of they could be the slow, dark, slippery slide into what can be depravity. Rinder urged people to call out any Islamophobia or anti-Semitism they heard and stop letting things slide. Asked if he felt frightened or antagonised as a Jewish man in London, he told the Off Air podcast: I havent personallyI grew up in a racially and ethnically and class-blended community and being Jewish was a rather lovely cultural aspect of my life. Despite being the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, so deeply aware of anti-Semitism in the most extreme form imaginable, I never felt ever existentially threatened or different. It was a celebratory aspect of my identity, never a fearful one. But the truth is that I now have people I know and love who are fearful of walking in the streets with a star of David on. He added that when people want to discuss [Israel] issue in a way thats nuanced they feel very fearful of doing so. Rinder does not defend the actions of the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu - OHAD ZWIGENBERG/AP Rinder added: I want to be very clear about this I do not mean defendingthe actions of the Netanyahu government, but want to be able to communicate and share why Israel as a state is sacred to Jewish people. 250,000 of us in a nation of in excess of 60 million. They feel excluded and dehumanised from that conversation. Thats the first time that Ive ever experienced that, being a Jew in this country, he said. The barrister said it was the first time he had heard language with negative connotations to describe Jews being openly used by people across the political spectrum which has disturbed him. He said: Ive been at dinner parties or events where things that are said, both on the left and the right, but I have to say its been more present for reasons which I suppose are just basically social where Im more likely to hang out on the left, casually, loosely, that are deeply disturbing. Jews being described as they, the influence they have on the media, the disproportionate power they have over the professions and so on and so forth. You can hear that now in so-called polite company. You shut your eyes and you imaginethats the starting point for all of the horrors that ensue. The power to stop hate Rinder said that rather than visiting Auschwitz, people must make an effort to understand how things unfolded before the Holocaust. He continued: This is the most advanced Western liberal democracy of its time, the absolute apotheosis of Western civilisation, Germany. And what did you need? Well, you need people to feel aggrieved by a treaty, catastrophic economic events, and the wrong person in the right place at the wrong time to identify others. And then this conversation starts, well, you know, they, the they, they are very powerful, you know, disproportionate impact. All the things that youve begun to creep into, like a malignant force branded on the tongue in conversations that exist now in ways and spaces that would have been intolerable when I was young. And Im very, very worried about that. The power to stop hate really does start and end with you, he added. 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. Junkies take over NYC block near office of Democrat who applauds woke harm reduction policies She reaps what she sowed. A junkie horde has taken over an East Harlem block, brazenly shooting up and terrorizing businesses right under the nose of a lefty city councilwoman who has cheered on woke harm reduction policies. This week, The Post observed a half-dozen strung-out addicts shooting up less than 250 feet from Councilwoman Diana Ayala (D-Manhattan/Bronx) East 116th Street office with one woman shoving a needle into her neck as a young mother rushed past with her two young children. Addicts have set up an open-air drug-den less than 250 feet from Councilwoman Diana Ayalas office J.C. Rice My son should not see that its traumatizing, East Harlem resident Donald Scott, 59, told The Post, adding he and his 16-year-old child have repeatedly stepped over dead bodies across their neighborhood. If [Ayala] is letting this go on, she should pay for my sons therapy. East Harlem residents say their neighborhoods daily horror show has worsened in recent years, in part thanks to the nearby OnPoint NYC overdose prevention center. There, under the controversial idea of harm reduction, addicts are given clean syringes and paraphernalia, which they can use to shoot up outside or onsite under medical supervision. Critics say this approach simply enables addicts, rather than treating their addiction. Ayala quickly embraced the citys decision to open the nations first safe injection site in 2021 just outside her district, which then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and other lefty pols promised would help address the spiraling opioid epidemic. Shes very sympathetic to [addiction], and my feeling is Why do you think we have to live like this? said resident Jenny Scobel, 69. The Post observed a half-dozen people injecting on Park Avenue between East 115 and 116th streets. J.C. Rice Residents complain that the open-air drug use in their neighborhood has worsened in recent years. J.C. Rice I cant walk out my door and see somebody in between cars shooting up in their leg or their neck. OnPoint has received $1.38 million in taxpayer funding earmarked for programs to prevent and treat opioid abuse, although it has said it relies on private funding because it is not legally allowed to use public funds to operate an overdose prevention center. Ayala also has provided trainings in her district on how to use the overdose reversal drug naloxone and, as head of the councils General Welfare Committee, introduced legislation in 2022 to pay drug users up to $10 a day to return their spent needles. Earlier this month, she griped how it is insane she has had to go out and pick up used sharps littering the community and called on the citys Health Department to implement her proposed buyback program, which the council approved. Councilwoman Diana Ayala introduced legislation in 2022 for a used needle buyback program, which the city has yet to implement DianaAyalaNYC/X Crime in the 25th Precinct, which covers Ayalas office, has increased more than 12% so far this year. J.C. Rice Residents said polices efforts to curb public drug use have been minimal. In 2021, NYPD brass ordered cops to effectively let addicts to shoot up in public after Albany decriminalized the possession and sale of hypodermic needles. The police come once, twice a day, the drug users move, but then come back, said Laura Medellin, 49, co-owner of the Arcoiris thrift store on East 115th Street, where needle-wielding addicts are regularly seen shouting and fighting outside, and have even shattered their buildings window. A lot of customers dont come here because they feel afraid. In the 25th Precinct, which covers East Harlem, major crime has soared more than 12% so far this year compared to the same period in 2023, even as mayhem citywide has dipped 2%, according to NYPD data. Drug arrests have increased over 40% this year, to 511, compared to the same period in 2022, after the safe injection site opened, per police data. Addict Katt Jensen, 36, lamented that the safe injection sites have been a magnet for dope pushers from outside her longtime East Harlem community. They know drug addicts go there, thats whats bringing [dealers], she said. Meanwhile, the overdose epidemic has continued to ravage the city. An estimated 3,143 people died from drug overdoses in New York City in the 12 months ending in February, up 10% percent from the year ending in February 2022, according to the most recent data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Yet even with the scenes of abject misery and human suffering, Ayala insisted to The Post this week that OnPoint has helped the neighborhood and reduced open-air drug use, instead chalking up the junkie horde on her block to the prevalence of drug dealers. An estimated 3,143 people died from drug overdoses in New York City in the 12 months period ending in February J.C. Rice Once you address the drug dealing, you see an immediate impact, and decrease in open drug use, she said, adding she has requested additional NYPD officers to battle that scourge. If we dont address the actual dealing, were not going to see a decrease. Sam Rivera, OnPoints executive director, said staff at the safe injection sites have been used over 145,000 times and staff have intervened in over 1,500 overdoses. [Drug users] lives matter and we will continue to support their path of healing and wellness, he said. But neighbors have simply abandoned any hope that their urban nightmare will improve. I feel like they cant control [the drug use], said Sara Mercedes, 35. Ive been here for three years and Im desperately trying to get out. Additional reporting by Jon Levine Just Askin': Which presidential election in last 50 years brought most Ohioans to polls? Ohioans will vote for a president this fall. How many have turned out for presidential elections in the past? The Enquirer's Just Askin' series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, not even Google. With presidential debates underway, more Americans are thinking about who they are going to vote for this fall. Tuesday, Nov. 5, will be a historic election because for the first time in more than 100 years, voters may be choosing between a former president and a sitting president. That has a lot of voters riled up to get to the polls in November to choose between the same Republican and Democratic candidates that were on the ballot in 2020: Joe Biden and Donald Trump. It's a highly anticipated presidential race, but many in years past have also been contentious. Which presidential elections brought the highest voter turnout in Ohio? The Ohio Secretary of State's office started tracking voter turnout in 1978. Since then, the election that brought the most Ohioans to the polls was in 1992 when Bill Clinton beat George Bush by a nearly 7-point margin. That election brought out 77.14% of Ohio's registered voters more than 5 million people. Ohio went to Clinton. The worst Ohio voter turnout for a presidential election since 1978 was in 2000 when George W. Bush won against Al Gore. That year, 63.73% of Ohio voters cast their ballots, about 4.8 million people. The state's electoral votes went to Bush. Do you have a question for Just Askin'? Send it to us at localnews@enquirer.com. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Which election had highest voter turnout in Ohio? Vice President Kamala Harris began a race to lock up the Democratic nomination Sunday afternoonwith her allies working flat out to stop the partys other top candidates from running. She secured an instant boost after Gretchen Whitmer, the two-term Michigan governor, indicated she would not run. All 50 state Democratic Party chairs also threw their weight behind Harris candidacy following a conference call Sunday, Reuters reported. Following President Bidens announcement, our members immediately assembled to unite behind the candidate who has a track record of winning tough elections, and who is a proven leader on the issues that matter to Americans: reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, climate protection, justice reform, and rebuilding the economy. That person is our sitting Vice President Kamala Harris, Ken Martin, president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, said in a statement. But it had only been hours since some of the most powerful Democrats were pushing for a free-for-all open process should Biden drop out. Ahead of Bidens announcement, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi told colleagues she would be in favor of such a competitive scramble, rather than an anointing, The New York Times reported. A Friday call between Harris and party donors also left some fuming when she did not address concerns about Biden. Even former President Barack Obama demurred on Harris, writing in a statement, I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. The major vulnerability for Harris is that she has two Democratic presidents in her campJoe Biden and Bill Clintonbut does not have the most important, Barack Obama, in lockstep. Leah Millis/Reuters Given Harris history-making standing as the first Black, Asian, and female vice president, passing over her in favor of another candidate would be a blow to some of Democrats most loyal constituencies. Now, Harris allies are quickly moving to head off potential rivals, and it starts at the very top. In a statement announcing the end of his bid, Biden thanked his vice president for her service. Minutes later, he issued a full-throated endorsement. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, he wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. His nod alone is likely to box our other Democratic hopefuls who might have been eyeing the presidential nomination. Despite the calls in recent weeks for Biden to drop out of the race, he remains the partys leader and elder statesman, and crossing him could sink the long-term political prospects of the partys rising stars. Furthermore, the delegates Biden locked down during the primary are loyal to him, which means theyre likely to take his suggestion to heart. The most powerful move by the Harris camp was to lock up the endorsement of President Joe Biden, 23 minutes after he announced he was stepping aside. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who had reportedly advocated for Biden until the end, backed him up again on Sunday. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, he posted. Leaders in the Black community and advocates for women are already lining up behind her. The Congressional Black Caucus is one of the most influential groups that endorsed her immediately. As The Daily Beast reported earlier this month, there was growing concern among Black Democrats that a replacement ticket might not even include Harris. Members of the CBC were among the first to proclaim their support for Harris on Sunday afternoon. Now that President Biden has suspended his campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is the most qualified and best choice to lead us forward, Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), who lost his primary last month, posted minutes before Biden made his endorsement. Harris moved rapidly to shore up support from the Congressional Black Caucus. She hosted its then leadership in the Oval Office in 2023, including (second left) the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), who was key to Bidens 2020 victory, put his thumb on the scales, too, writing in a statement, I echo the good judgment he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Partys 2024 nominee for President. Endorsements of Harris soon rolled in from other CBC members, including Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO). In 2020, voters turned out to deliver Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House, Bush wrote. The peoples vote was a vote not only for President Biden, but a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and her ability to defeat MAGA extremism across the country. When we say trust Black women, we mean it. A slew of other Democratic lawmakers, especially politicians of color, expressed the same sentiment. She earned near-immediate backing from Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Harris, the most prominent woman in Democratic politics, has also been one of the administrations most vocal spokespeople on abortion. She is already getting a further boost from advocates of womens rights. About an hour after Biden dropped out, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), quickly came to her side. Our mission in this race has been and will continue to be to beat Donald Trumpand Vice President Harris is the best candidate to do that, the groups CEO, Mini Timmaraju, said in a statement. We must unite behind her as the Democratic nominee. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The question everyone has been asking in hushed tones now grows to a roar: Does Kamala Harris have what it takes to beat Donald Trump? God, I hope so. The future of American democracy might depend on it. Opinion Harris sudden candidacy represents hope that is desperately needed among the centrist and left-leaning American electorate, many of whom could not imagine President Joe Biden beating Trump. Now that the party has listened to voters and Biden has been convinced to step aside, its time for us to line up behind Harris. But as much as centrists and progressives alike would love to see a woman of color in the Oval Office, its going to be a tough campaign over the next few months for 59-year-old Harris, whose vice presidency has been marred with embarrassing political missteps as much as theres been rampant racism and misogyny to block her way. Harriss approval rating slumped drastically in the first year, making her one of the least popular vice presidents in history. But partially, at least, that narrative comes from one bad poll conducted in 2021, in the depths of the early pandemic and during a downturn in the economy. The title of the first female vice president was always going to make it tough for the person breaking that barrier. And historically, the possibility of a female president hasnt gone well for the candidate. (See: Shirley Chisholm, Michele Bachmann, Jill Stein and Hillary Clinton.) But do Americans share enough disgust over Trump this year to forget their traditional misogyny when it comes to the top job? Harris may be the right candidate to overcome it. Important swing states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada have large Black communities, who may energized to put the first Black female president in office. And women, pregnant people and those who love them of every gender may also see an ally in Harris to help reinstate the protections Roe v. Wade once offered. Trump is leading in the polls, but his lead can be overcome. From The Opinion Team President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing news event, from our Opinion team: Bidens withdrawal solves one of Dems many problems. But it creates one, too With Biden out, Michelle Obama would be Donald Trumps worst self-inflicted nightmare Once again, Joe Biden is giving America its best chance to defeat Donald Trump However, believing well be OK here in California regardless of who wins is a false comfort. The truth is that nowhere in this country will be safe if Trump wins the presidency again, and we have to vote like it. The Democratic Party did what we asked them to do they convinced Biden to step aside, no easy feat and now its our turn to line up behind that candidate. There may even be some asking if this is the right time to run an all-female ticket. Theres certainly Michigans governor, Gretchen Whitmer, waiting in the wings. She recently said she would never say never to serving as Vice President Harris running mate. I think one day perhaps in four years she would be an excellent presidential candidate. Or perhaps the name the Dems choose will be that of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who recently reaffirmed her support for Biden as long as he stayed in the race. Frankly, its embarrassing that other major countries like the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Iceland, Finland, Peru, Norway and now even our close neighbor Mexico, have all had female leaders, while the U.S. lags, shackled by the misogyny in our political system. But this countrys continued sexism is exactly why I think the Democrats shouldnt name two women to the ticket. It may still be too much of an issue for too many voters in this country to put to the test in such a crucial election. I would suggest the Dems name a moderate male politician from a crucial swing state who will appease left-leaning centrists looking for anything that resembles tradition and stability in the White House for the next four years even if thats not the ultimate direction many progressives and liberals would like to see the party go, myself included. Democrats need votes more than they need sweeping change, and a female candidate may already be pushing away votes that are desperately needed. Regardless, whoever shares the ticket with Harris has my vote. She has my support in a way I could never give to Biden. Now we wait and see if a majority of Americans are ready to support a new Democratic ticket for the presidency. Kamala Harris said in 2016 that she was Californias top cop. She was also a leader in trying to reform criminal justice four years later. She was a polarizing figure in California. Her positions on criminal justice issues often shifted. So did her take on marijuana and some other issues. Harris, now the vice president, was endorsed Sunday as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president by President Joe Biden as he announced he was leaving the race. Her record on criminal justice as a former district attorney, California attorney general and U.S. senator will face increased scrutiny once again. We want to help you get up to speed: When she was first being mentioned as a vice presidential candidate four years ago, we wrote several stories looking at shifts in her views. Harris was often a polarizing figure during her years as a California official: We described how she moved on controversial issues only once she saw what was politically viable. When she ran for president, she fielded criticism on her criminal justice record from fellow Democrats: We found that in the late 2010s, Harris supported legalizing marijuana. But earlier, as a San Francisco prosecutor and California attorney general, she often had a different view. Heres Harris as top cop and then top cop reformer: Kamala Harris, First Female VP, Now Poised to Break Even More Historic Barriers: Here's How President Joe Biden offered Harris his "full support and endorsement" for president after announcing that he would no longer seek reelection in November Alexander Drago-Pool/Getty Kamala Harris speaks at a hearing of the Homeland Security Committee in June 2020 Kamala Harris earned President Joe Biden's "full support and endorsement" to become the Democratic presidential nominee shortly after he announced that he was dropping out of the 2024 race on Sunday, July 21. While Harris' time as vice president has already broken barriers in American politics, becoming the Democratic nominee for commander-in-chief would certainly break a few more. In November 2020, the 59-year-old politician made history following Biden's victory over Donald Trump in the presidential election. Not only did Harris become the first woman elected vice president, but she also earned the distinction of becoming the first Black person and first person of Asian descent to be voted into the office. Through Harris' political triumphs, her husband Doug Emhoff also earned a new title at the time, becoming the nation's first-ever "second gentleman." Related: Kamala Harris: From Beyonce to Her Vision for the Future, Read Her Revealing PEOPLE Interview (Exclusive) Alex Wong/Getty Kamala Harris is sworn in as the first female vice president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, alongside her husband, Doug Emhoff If Harris earns the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August, it would add to her list of historic firsts. She would become the first Black woman to lead a major party's White House ticket, and the first person with South Asian roots. She would also be the first female presidential nominee on a major-party ticket since Hillary Clinton in 2016, as well as the first Black person since Barack Obama in 2012. Related: Who Would Kamala Harris Pick as Her 2024 Running Mate? Possible VP Candidates to Fill Out New Democratic Ticket And if elected to office in November, Harris would notably become the first-ever woman to hold office as the president of the United States a barrier that Clinton tried to break in 2016, when Donald Trump was elected to office. (Emhoff, in turn, would become the first man to hold the title of "first gentleman.") If elected president, Harris would also become only the second person born in the state of California to hold the office. Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, Calif. Arturo Holmes/Getty Kamala Harris speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture Speaking to PEOPLE in November, Harris said that "some people are limited in their ability to understand whats possible" and "just cant see what theyve never seen." "Thats why we have people who break ground, break glass, break barriers," she said at the time. Biden's public endorsement of Harris following his decision to drop out of the race does not officially make her the nominee. The nominee must be chosen by delegates at the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off on Aug. 19, and in theory she could face challengers though she will have a strong head start on earning delegates' support. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Vice President Kamala Harris speaks as President Joe Biden looks on in June 2021 Biden released a lengthy statement on July 21 that explained his decision to step aside amid mounting pressure from members of his own party. "Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. Weve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans," Biden began in a statement. "Weve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world." Related: Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race, Gives Kamala Harris His 'Full Support and Endorsement' Noting that "America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today," Biden added, "I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Weve protected and preserved our Democracy, And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world." "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," he added. Related: President Joe Biden Pulls Out of 2024 Election Race, Endorses Kamala Harris: Live Updates Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden leave an event in the White House Rose Garden on May 13, 2021 Biden also wrote in his statement that he will "speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," noting, "For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected." "I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me," he concluded. "I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America." 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. In a later statement, Biden called his choice to select Harris as his 2020 running mate "the best decision I've made." "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee for our party this year. Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump," he wrote. "Let's do this." Related: Kamala Harris Speaks Out After Joe Biden Endorses Her for 2024 Presidential Nomination: 'Together, We Will Win' In her own statement shared by the Biden-Harris campaign on Sunday afternoon, the vice president said that she intends to "earn and win" the 2024 Democratic nomination. "Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election," she said. "And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda." Harris concluded her statement with a rallying message: We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Who is Kamala Harris and what is her connection to Wisconsin? Vice president's age, ethnicity, parents Vice President Kamala Harris is on track to become the new Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden on Sunday announced his decision to drop out of the race. Harris plans to visit Milwaukee Tuesday, the state's largest, blue city that will be critical to her campaign. But Harris also has ties to Madison, also a crucial hub of Democratic voters. Here's what to know about Harris' ties to Wisconsin. Vice President Kamala Harris visits the house she lived in with her parents from age 3 to 5 in Madison, Wis., when her parents worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Harris was in Madison on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, to tout the Biden administration's efforts at expanding union jobs. Did Kamala Harris grow up in Wisconsin? From the ages of 3 to 5, Harris lived on the west side of Madison, before leaving in 1970. Harris visited her childhood home when she campaigned in Madison in March. At that event, Harris said the home had been renovated from the cabin it was when she had lived there, and stood with the current homeowner on the back patio overlooking Lake Mendota. I dont remember the house as much as I remember the path down to the lake, she told reporters. Welcome to my Madison roots. Harris told the crowd at the campaign event that the thing she remembered most was Lake Mendota. So I do feel a very strong personal connection, and Im very happy to be here with all of you doing the work were going to do together, Harris said. More: Kamala Harris rallies voters, and works in a visit to her childhood home, in return to Madison Kamala Harris was born in California, but considers herself a Madison native In 2018, Harris joined Sen. Tammy Baldwin at a rally in the state's capital where she told the crowd she was a Madison "native," Madison365 reported. Little-known fact: I lived in Madison," Harris said. She added the rally was "kinda personal" for her. Harris was born in Oakland, California. She also lived in Illinois before her few years living in Madison. Did Kamala Harris' parents work at UW-Madison? Both of Harris' parents worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison during her childhood. At the time, her father, Donald Harris, was an associate professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, worked as a breast cancer researcher in the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research. In her autobiography, "The Truths We Hold," Harris cited the move to Madison as the reason for her parents' separation. More: Kamala Harris won't get her moment in Milwaukee but her roots are deeper in the state than some realize Where did Kamala Harris go to school? While she has connections to Madison, Harris is not a Badger. Kamala Harris studied political science and economics at Howard University, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1986. She earned a law degree in 1989 from the University of California, Berkeley Hastings College of Law. What is Kamala Harris' ethnic background? Her father was born in Jamaica and her mother was born in India. Harris is the first woman and the first African American and the first person of South Asian descent to be vice president. How old is Kamala Harris? Harris, born on Oct. 20, 1964, is 59 years old. USA TODAY and Lawrence Andrea of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Kamala Harris, her connection to Wisconsin? Age, race, parents Who Will Kamala Harris Pick as Her 2024 Running Mate? Possible VP Candidates to Fill Out New Democratic Ticket Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the party into November on Sunday, July 21 NOAH BERGER/AFP via Getty Vice President Kamala Harris With Joe Biden's departure from the presidential race on Sunday, July 21, the long-solidified 2024 Democratic ticket has a new opening. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the party into November, allowing her to quickly secure the necessary delegates ahead of the Democratic National Convention, but her top choice for a vice presidential nominee remains up in the air. Related: J.D. Vance Isn't the Bridge-Building VP That Moderates Wanted: What He's Said About Women, Voting and Project 2025 Harris' ideal running mate would be able to make up for her weaknesses and neutralize the Trump-Vance ticket's strengths. In a perfect world, that person would represent a swing state, have foreign policy and military experience, have a compelling family or personal story, and hit different marks in terms of gender and race. They would also need to be willing to serve in a famously powerless role, and to do it under the leadership of Harris. Speculation only bears so much weight in the turbulent world of politics, but considering the criteria and rumors trickling out of Washington these eight candidates are getting some buzz as the search for a running mate ramps up. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Greg Eans/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear makes a campaign stop in Owensboro on Nov. 4, 2023 Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, 46, has proven capable of attracting a broad voter base, winning reelection in 2023 to a second term at the helm of one of the most conservative states in the nation. His knack for coalition-building in a divided political climate has made him a rising star in the Democratic Party. Beshear, one of the nation's youngest sitting governors, could also drum up excitement among voters who were concerned about Biden's age, and neutralize Trump's choice to put a 39-year-old on the Republican ticket. His only downfall would be that, while he might appeal to voters on the national stage, he doesn't hail from a must-win state. Prior to becoming governor in December 2019, Beshear served four years as Kentucky's attorney general. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly Courtney Pedroza/Getty Then-Senate candidate Mark Kelly speaks in Tucson, Ariz., on Election Night 2020 Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut who flipped John McCain's Senate seat blue, has been tossed around as a possible candidate to fill out the ticket, both because of his bipartisan appeal and his ties to an important battleground state. Kelly, 60, is married to former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who narrowly survived an assassination attempt in 2011 when a man shot her in the head during a community event. Together, Kelly and Giffords have spoken out against political violence and, in June, wrote an essay for PEOPLE about reproductive freedoms both significant topics in the 2024 election. Though plenty of anonymous sources have offered conflicting takes to media outlets on who Harris would pick, multiple sources have said that Kelly either is, or should be, at the top of her list. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Rachel Wisniewski/Bloomberg via Getty Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during an interview at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on Feb. 28, 2024 Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, like others on this list, followed the attorney general to governor pipeline when he was elected to lead his state by a 15% margin in the 2022 midterms. Related: GOP Leaders Endorse Josh Shapiro for Pennsylvania Gov. After Republican Candidate Seen Wearing Confederate Uniform Prior to the VP buzz, Shapiro, 51, was relatively unknown outside the Keystone State, but he's now seen as a strong candidate for the simple reason that he could help Democrats win over the Rust Belt. It has long been said that Democrats' best chance to Electoral College victory in November is to secure the "blue wall," which includes Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota and on Shapiro's home turf his popularity ratings soar, demonstrating his bipartisan appeal. Though Shapiro has been characterized as "inexperienced" in comparison to other possible running mates, since he's only in his second year as governor, he is not a newcomer to politics. Prior to serving as the state's attorney general he was chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, and he spent seven years in the Pennsylvania state House. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Scott Olson/Getty Pete Buttigieg as he announces the end of his 2020 presidential campaign in South Bend, Ind., on March 1, 2020 Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, 42, made a name for himself in the party for his ability to clearly articulate a message a skill that's been on display in recent House hearings, as he's gone viral for fact-checking Republican lawmakers' claims with counter-statistics in live time. Dubbed "Mayor Pete" when he joined the 2020 Democratic primary race as the little-known mayor of South Bend, Ind., Buttigieg ultimately placed fifth. In the process, though, he made waves as one of the first openly gay men to launch a major party presidential campaign, and would make history again as a vice presidential nominee. Related: Pete Buttigieg Denies Rivalry with Vice President Kamala Harris: 'No Room' for 'Parlor Games' Like his would-be opponent J.D. Vance, Buttigieg is an Ivy League graduate (he studied history and literature at Harvard), a veteran (he was an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve), and a millennial. He is also a former Rhodes Scholar who has worked on multiple Democratic campaigns. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz STEPHEN MATUREN/AFP via Getty Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz welcomes Vice President Kamala Harris as she touches down at the St. Paul airport on March 14, 2024 Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, 60, is a former teacher, national guardsman and high school football coach who turned to politics in 2006 when he successfully ran for U.S. Congress as a Democrat in a historically Republican district. After 12 years in the House, during which he became a senior member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Walz soundly won the 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial race. Since his reelection, Walz has adopted a platform that aligns with a significant portion of the Biden-Harris administration. He's signed legislation into law that protected Minnesotans' access to abortion, legalized marijuana and addressed calls for police reform. Though he was once given an "A" rating by the NRA, Walz shifted his views on the organization after a series of mass shootings in 2017 and 2018, and redirected money he received from the NRA. He has since helped shepherd gun safety legislation in Minnesota. Aside from his political track record, Walz stands out as another experienced politician who could help Harris better reach rural and Midwest voters in the quest to lock down 270 Electoral College votes. And in recent media appearances on behalf of the Harris campaign, he's been able to articulate a sharp ideological divide between J.D. Vance and everyday Americans. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant on Jan. 27, 2020 Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, 52, first entered the national conversation when it was rumored that she was on Biden's running mate shortlist in 2020. Now in her second term as governor, she remains an appealing pick for a divided party. Whitmer has been handily elected to statewide office twice in a key battleground state that could determine this year's presidential winner. She has also been an outspoken voice on the effort to protect abortion, and like Trump has first-hand experience with violence, after a widely reported plot to kidnap Whitmer and overthrow the state government was thwarted by law enforcement. Related: Gretchen Whitmer Says She Thinks About Her Safety 'Everywhere I Go' in Wake of Attempted Kidnapping Outside of the governorship, Whitmer's experience would prove useful: She previously served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and has been a co-chair of the Biden-Harris reelection campaign. She also has experience in the Michigan state House and as the state Senate minority leader, and was a county prosecutor. Still, The Hill cited a familiar source in claiming that Whitmer is not interested in joining the ticket as vice president this year, and Whitmer has publicly said that she wants to serve out her full gubernatorial term in Michigan. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker sits during a Chicago interview on Feb. 23, 2023 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, 59, has emerged as an unlikely champion of the progressive movement since taking office in 2019, particularly on the issues of reproductive rights and gun safety. He is also known to hold no punches when he goes on the offensive against Trump. A more practical benefit, though, than his track record in executive office is that Pritzker is the wealthiest politician in the United States: His family founded the Hyatt hotel chain and his net worth is estimated at more than $3 billion, which would certainly come in handy as the Democratic Party scrambles to recalibrate. Plus, his Midwest familiarity could theoretically translate into an argument that he understands the region's concerns (though Illinois' solidly blue politics may undermine that argument a bit). Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Kevin Dietsch/Getty Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo testifies at a House hearing on Sept. 19, 2023 Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, 53, is a powerful member of President Biden's Cabinet who is not expected to slow her career any time soon. The former Rhode Island governor is reportedly being vetted by the Harris campaign as a less likely, but possible, pick for vice president. Raimondo may do little to appeal to Middle American voters (she's an East Coast venture capitalist who went to Harvard, Oxford and Yale), but she earns bonus points for helping the Biden administration implement the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act a landmark piece of economy-boosting legislation that responded to the global microchip shortage by investing in domestic manufacturing. While some have expressed fears about the electability of an all-female ticket, Raimondo, for one, disagrees. Look, I think the American people are ready for the team that can lead whoever that is, regardless of, you know, gender or race or background, she told CBS News on July 25. She added that "it would be an honor" if Harris asked her to join the ticket. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Kamala Harris has said she will run for the Democratic Partys presidential candidate to beat Donald Trump. Here is her statement in full: On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honour to serve as his vice-president, and I am deeply grateful to the president, Dr Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as attorneys general of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his dad. The kind of father and the kind of man he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as president: his honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. Ms Harris said she was honoured to have Mr Biden's endorsement as a presidential nominee With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honoured to have the presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year I have travelled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until election day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. 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. Vice President Kamala Harris waves to the group of press gathered under the wing of Air Force Two before getting into a vehicle for the drive up to Provincetown. Vice President Kamala Harris arrived at Air Station Cape Cod Saturday, July 20, 2024. Air Force Two landed shortly before 1 p.m. at the Coast Guard air station. She was greeted by a group of officials before getting into a vehicle for a caravan to Provincetown. Harris attended a fundraiser at the Pilgrim Monument Saturday afternoon. Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times President Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential election race in November. What does this mean for Kamala Harris? Vice President Kamala Harris is now considered the front runner for the upcoming election, but that can change. The Democratic Convention is coming up on Aug. 19-22, when the party's 3,900 delegates will select and cast their votes for the party's new nominees for president and vice president. If the vote doesn't produce a clear winner with majority of delegates, then the additional 700 superdelegates will also vote, and continue to vote until there is a winner. Is Kamala Harris now the president? Kamala Harris is not automatically president now. The current vice president only becomes president if the sitting president becomes incapacitated or resigns the office. Biden has only said hes leaving the race for the next four-year presidential term. His Sunday statement about ending his campaign for a second term suggested hes not leaving the office before his first term ends on Jan. 20, 2025, when the next president is sworn in. He said instead of campaigning, hell focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. There are several other contenders that are being floated as possible Democratic candidates. They include Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gavin Newsom of California. Whoever the new nominee is, they also need to name a running mate. Kamala Harris was Joe Bidens running mate in 2020 and was, until Sunday, his running mate in the November election. This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Is Kamala Harris president? What Biden quitting means for vice president While Vice President Kamala Harris has not yet earned the backing of Democratic leaders in Congress, now that President Joe Biden has stepped aside she looks like the presidential candidate to beat ahead of the partys convention next month bringing renewed attention to her record on issues of concern to the Jewish community, including her views on Israel and her record on speaking out against antisemitism. In recent months, Harris has been a tougher critic of Israel than President Joe Biden, who frequently describes himself as a Zionist, and as a voice more sympathetic to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Shell certainly be making it clear, as weve said many times before, that we believe that Palestinian people need a vote and a voice in their future, and that they need governance in Gaza that will look after their aspirations and their needs, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said in December, describing the role Harris would play pertaining to the war in Gaza. Three days after the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel, she sat with Biden as he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Dougs and my prayers are with the victims of the heinous terrorist attacks in Israel. @POTUS and my support for Israels security is unwavering. Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 7, 2023 She was also present virtually for a meeting with the White House national security team after Israel responded to a barrage of missiles fired from Iran in April. Our support for Israels security is ironclad, and we stand with the people of Israel in defense against these attacks, she tweeted at the time. President Biden and I met with our national security team following Irans attacks against Israel. Our support for Israels security is ironclad, and we stand with the people of Israel in defense against these attacks. pic.twitter.com/jG8La2mHnk Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 14, 2024 Harris is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he is in Washington this week. She also hosted an event at the White House last month highlighting conflict-related sexual violence, with a particular focus on Hamas sexual abuse of hostages and on Oct. 7. We cannot look away and we will not be silent. My heart breaks for all these survivors and their families, and for all the pain and suffering from the past eight months in Israel and Gaza, she said after meeting with Amit Soussana, a former hostage who has described being sexually assaulted while in captivity. But Harris is the only senior member of the Biden administrations foreign policy not to have traveled to Israel after Oct. 7, making her an outlier alongside Biden, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Harris first traveled to Israel in 2004 as the San Francisco district attorney on a trip organized by the Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council. In March, Harris said she had not ruled out whether there would be consequences for Israel if Israel moved ahead with an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Several weeks later, Biden echoed this point by announcing on CNN that he would withhold transfers of large-payload weapons if Israel mounted a major invasion of Rafah. Harris national security team also skews more progressive than Bidens. Phil Gordon, her national security advisor, was former President Barack Obamas top Middle East advisor in his second term. Gordon was one of the biggest boosters of the Iran nuclear deal at the time. In June, Gordon delivered an address in Israel warning that the U.S.-Israel partnership has been tested, perhaps as never before as Israel faces growing international criticism and pressure from the United Nations and other international bodies. Urging Hamas to accept a hostage and ceasefire deal, Gordon added that We remain Israels strongest, and best friend in the world. profile The Obama Mideast expert guiding VP Harris on foreign policy Read more The White House has insisted that Biden and Harris are on the same page. There is absolutely no divergence in worldviews, a White House official told Jewish Insider in December. Another official echoed that sentiment to Politico in March. Still, some experts have acknowledged the political differences in their messaging, suggesting Harris may be appealing to a different audience than Biden is. [Bidens] commitment to stand by Israel is deeply unpopular among some in the Democratic Party, Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel who served as the U.S. envoy to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process from 2013 to 2014, told JI in December. At his side during critical moments, [Harris] is in a position to provide reliable advice on the political dimensions of his decisions. She has also played an important role in publicly signaling Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu when the president feels his message is not getting through. David Makovsky, a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, questioned in March whether Vice President Harris has been deliberately tasked with the tough cop [role] when it comes to Israel, enabling others to play the good cops. Harris has also diverged from Biden in relation to pro-Palestinian protesters in the U.S. Biden defended Americans right to protest while also calling out antisemitism at anti-Israel encampments and urging protesters to obey the law. They are showing exactly what the human emotion should be, as a response to Gaza. There are things some of the protesters are saying that I absolutely reject, so I dont mean to wholesale endorse their points. But we have to navigate it. I understand the emotion behind it, she told The Nation in June. Harris political ascension, from California attorney general to U.S. senator to vice president, has benefited from close ties to the Jewish community in her home state of California. Her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, is the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president. He has emerged as a vocal advocate against antisemitism, a position Harris has supported proudly. At a Rosh Hashanah reception last year, Harris praised her beloved Dougie for fighting hate in all of its forms, and in particular antisemitism. She ended her remarks by quoting from Jewish text: It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it. Harris quickly earned the endorsement of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, whose CEO, Halie Soifer, served as a national security advisor to Harris when she was in the Senate. In a statement, Soifer described a trip to Israel with Harris and Emhoff in 2017, where she witnessed their deep commitment to Israels security and strong ties to the Jewish community. Rachel Rosen, chief communications officer for Democratic Majority for Israel, called Harris a strong pro-Israel Democrat to JI, but the group did not endorse Harris on Sunday but in a statement released after Bidens announcement, DMFI was careful to refer to the Biden-Harris administration, and not just Biden. The Biden-Harris Administration has provided Israel with billions in additional military aid so that it can defeat Hamas and defend itself from Iranian-back[ed] terrorist groups like Hezbollah, DMFI said. J Street also refrained from weighing in. Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal Israel advocacy group, declined to comment on Harris. In a tweet, he called Bidens choice to end his campaign difficult and selfless. Just hours after President Joe Biden endorsed her as his successor, Vice President Kamala Harris quickly jumped into the 2024 presidential contest, saying My intention is to earn and win this nomination. She has a decent chance. Polls show she runs slightly better than Biden against Republican nominee Donald Trump The latest CBS News/YouGov poll of likely voters, taken last week, showed Trump leading Harris 51% to 48%. He led Biden 52% to 47%. This will be Harris second attempt at winning the White House. Her first, in 2019, fizzled quickly. It began when she announced her bid before a crowd of thousands in Oakland, but got no momentum and was over by December. Her poll numbers could still use some work. A recent Economist/YouGov poll last week found her viewed favorably by 55% of registered voters. Trump and Biden also topped 50% in unfavorable ratings. But at least at the start, Harris run will be much different than in 2020. She not only starts with the backing of the incumbent president, but with strong support from the Democratic rank and file. A YouGov poll earlier this month found 82% of Democrats viewed her favorably. The new nominee will be formally chosen by Democratic delegates to the partys national convention, which formally convenes next month. Harris issued a lengthy statement Sunday praising Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. Harris praises Biden She added was grateful for his friendship, saying it reached back years. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as attorneys general of our home states, she said. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. Beau Biden, who died in 2015, was Delawares attorney general from 2007 to 2015. Harris was Californias attorney general from 2011 to 2017. She left after being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016. Harris Sunday praised Bidens decision to step down. Breaking News President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing story: With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement California Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to Joe Biden dropping out. Heres what he said Why some say Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear would make a great VP candidate With Biden out, what could be next for NC Gov. Roy Cooper? With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else, she said. She called herself honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. And she declared herself ready to run for his job, saying, Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Trump has not endorsed that conservative agenda. Shortly after President Biden announced he was stepping down from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris praised Biden for the selfless and patriotic act and announced her intention to run for the job herself. Biden resigned from the race after a dismal debate performance against former President Donald Trump. Biden endorsed Harris, his vice president since 2021, as his successor. In a statement, 59-year-old Harris thanked Biden for putting the American people and our country above everything else after he stepped down from the race. She said Bidens remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. If Harris becomes the Democratic nominee and beats Trump in the presidential election, she would become the first woman to serve as president. We have 107 days until Election Day, she wrote in her statement. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Read Harriss full statement below. On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father and the kind of man he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and family. And his love of our country and the American people. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Read more Read the full text of Bidens letter announcing his decision. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down. [Yahoo News] Timeline: Biden exit caps tumultuous three weeks in U.S. politics. Heres a summary of the milestone events in a roller coaster period in U.S. politics. [The Guardian] Biden's 2024 reelection bid meets its ultimate match: Time. Yahoo News' analysis on the president's big decision, and how we got here. [Yahoo News] Political reactions to Biden's decision. America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. [Reuters] Americans react to Biden's historic decision . Finally a brave act from a politician." [USA Today] Obama calls Biden 'patriot of the highest order' after Biden drops out of 2024 race. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. [Yahoo News] House Republicans say Biden must resign after ending reelection campaign. If Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said. [The Hill] Now that Biden dropped out, what happens to his campaign funds? If Vice President Kamala Harris is the new nominee, will she get access to those funds? If one of the other rumored Democratic options gets picked, can they use that money? [Yahoo News] FAQ: How will Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? Whats next for the Democratic Party as they hurtle toward a convention and the November election against Republican nominee Donald Trump? [Yahoo News] Until 1968, presidential candidates were picked by party conventions a process revived by Bidens withdrawal from race. The tradition of picking a nominee through primaries and caucuses and not through what is called the convention system is relatively recent. [The Conversation] Who will replace Biden as the new Democratic nominee? Here are some of the hypothetical Biden replacements being discussed along with how they ranked among voters in a Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted after the debate. [Yahoo News] Harris: What to know about her as she seeks to replace Biden as the Democratic nominee. A brief guide to her background, historic firsts and record as VP. [Yahoo News] Harris' 2020 campaign was a mess. If she ends up atop the ticket, this time could be a lot different. Admirers say that Harris has grown in the job. [NBC News] Would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? But from the start, there has been a hesitancy to fully embrace the countrys second-in-command, with some Democrats openly overlooking her. [USA Today] Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris in bid to avert divisive party convention. Democratic donors who had pressured Biden to drop out of the race wasted no time in throwing their support behind Harris, the New York Times reported, quickly raising millions of dollars. [Yahoo News] Harris fans are sharing their support all over the internet. Members of 'KHive' a play on Beyonce's 'Beyhive' fan club are making fancams and memes of the vice president as she now seeks the Democratic nomination. [Yahoo News] (Bloomberg) -- US Vice President Kamala Harris launched a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination following Joe Bidens exit from the 2024 race, seizing the endorsement of her boss to quickly become the partys frontrunner. Most Read from Bloomberg I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said in a statement on Sunday. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump. Biden, the oldest US president in history at 81, said earlier Sunday he would not seek reelection, reversing his decision after weeks of mounting pressure from fellow Democrats to end his bid. A calamitous debate performance in June sparked a political nightmare for Democrats who feared Biden would not be able to keep Trump from returning to the White House. Biden endorsed Harris, 59, to be the Democratic nominee, saying she had his full support. The president and Harris spoke multiple times on Sunday before he announced his decision, according to a person familiar with the discussions. California Senator Laphonza Butler, a close Harris ally who advised her 2020 presidential campaign, said the vice president is making calls to members of Congress, governors, delegates and organizational leaders. Butler said she spoke with Harris on Sunday, but declined to offer details of the conversation. This is a sprint, Butler said in an interview. She is making the calls to make sure that people know what she said in her statement: that shes ready to earn this nomination. The presidents move comes with just weeks left until the partys convention in Chicago, potentially opening the door to chaos if other candidates decide to enter the race. Harris the first female, Black and Asian vice president is popular with key parts of the Democratic base and could coalesce voter support. The optics of passing over Harris would also be politically risky for the party, which relies heavily on turnout from people of color, including Black women. Celina Lake, a pollster who worked with the Biden campaign, said voters will be taking a fresh look at Harris now that she is running. Lake believes Harris is well-positioned to energize crucial parts of the Democratic base, including young voters, women and people of color. She has been persistently polling better with those groups to begin with, Lake told Bloomberg TV. Shes a great candidate at just the right moment. A number of prominent Democrats and liberal groups offered their support for Harris shortly after Bidens announcement, including former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee in 2016, as well as progressive icon Senator Elizabeth Warren and major Democratic donor Reid Hoffman. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer does not intend to challenge Harris for the nomination, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Governor Gavin Newsom of California also does not plan to run against Harris, according to CBS News. Newsom and Whitmer were both considered potential contenders for the nomination. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said Sunday that the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process. Harris remains untested atop a ticket. She ran for president in 2020 but ended her campaign before a single vote was cast. Trump told CNN in an interview Sunday that he believes Harris will be easier to defeat. Polls in recent weeks, however, showed Harris performing better against Trump head-to-head than Biden. Her standing among swing-state voters has also improved after a shaky start to her tenure in office. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll conducted in July found that 77% of Democrats said they would support Harris if Biden were no longer able to continue his campaign. The Biden campaign has charged its staffers with working to elect Harris, according to a source familiar with an all-hands call with the team on Sunday. Bidens campaign chairwoman, Jennifer OMalley Dillon, described Sunday as a day of anger and sadness in light of Bidens dropping out, but expressed words of optimism for the vice president. Harris was the target of attacks earlier in the presidential race as polls showed voter unease over Bidens age and fitness, with Republicans saying that a vote for the incumbent was a vote for his running mate. A major reason Harris emerged as the most practical successor to Biden was her legal ability to tap the campaigns war chest. She also carries the highest name recognition among possible alternative candidates. Some observers have expressed concern that immediately crowning Harris as the heir apparent could appear undemocratic, particularly given that Biden won the nomination during the primaries. Some Democrats called for an open convention, where possible candidates could jockey for the nomination. Its unclear if other party figures, however, will challenge Harris. Will Jawando, a Democratic delegate from Maryland and former Obama administration official, said he would not support a so-called mini-primary, stressing the need for the party to unite with just three months until Election Day. We dont have time for that, Jawando said. The only way Donald Trump wins is by us being divided at this moment and not getting behind the vice president. --With assistance from Kailey Leinz. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Kamala Harris Speaks Out After Joe Biden Endorses Her for 2024 Presidential Nomination: 'Together, We Will Win' The vice president wrote that Biden is "putting the American people and our country above everything else" Spencer Platt/Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris Vice President Kamala Harris said she is "honored" after President Joe Biden endorsed her as the Democratic presidential nominee. Following growing pressure to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, Biden, 81, officially announced his decision to exit in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, July 21 at which point he endorsed his current vice president to replace him on the Democratic ticket. Harris responded to the endorsement on Sunday, in a statement shared by the Biden campaign, writing that Biden's decision is "selfless and patriotic." On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country," her statement began. "His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office." It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states," Harris, 59, continued. "As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people." Harris then shared her thoughts on Biden's decision to not run for reelection. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else," she wrote. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," she continued. "Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda." Harris concluded her statement with a rallying message: We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Related: Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race, Gives Kamala Harris His 'Full Support and Endorsement' Win McNamee/Getty Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff Harris, who is the first woman, the first Black person and the first person of Indian descent to hold the office of vice president, ran her own presidential campaign during the 2020 election cycle, before joining Biden as his running mate once he secured the nomination. In his announcement that he was dropping out of the race, Biden wrote that "while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term." The president then announced he will "speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," noting, "For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected." "I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me," he concluded. "I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America." In a later post on Sunday, Biden endorsed his vice president, writing that selecting her for the office was "the best decision I've made." "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee for our party this year," he continued. "Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this." After a poor debate performance against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on June 27 and rising concerns over his ability to defeat Trump come Novembers election, Biden rescinded his previous statement that he would remain in the race. Maya Harris/Twitter Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Related: Trump Gunman Also Looked Up Joe Biden's Event Dates Before Attempted Assassination Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, Joe, get outta the race, Id get outta the race, he said to George Stephanopoulos during a primetime interview on ABC on July 5, adding, The Lord Almightys not comin down. During a press conference before the debate on June 11, Biden was asked directly whether he would step aside if polling showed Harris as a more viable candidate in defeating Trump. No, unless they come back and say, Theres no way you can win, he replied, adding, no polls saying that. The White House also recently announced that Biden tested positive for COVID-19 after an event in Las Vegas on July 17. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was experiencing mild symptoms, and that he returned to Delaware to self-isolate. Related: Kamala Harris Would Outperform Joe Biden in 2024 Matchup Against Donald Trump: New Poll Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. PROVINCETOWN, Massachusetts How do you sell a presidential ticket when you arent sure whos running? Talk around it. Vice President Kamala Harris had the unenviable job Saturday of asking high-dollar donors in this exceedingly liberal slice of Cape Cod to keep contributing to President Joe Bidens joint fundraising committee, even as questions swirl about whether he will even continue to be a candidate. Harris, who could be a presidential candidate in her own right soon, touted the ticket as it stands: In this election, we know which candidate for president puts the American people first: our president, Joe Biden. She lauded Bidens legacy as one of the most consequential presidents in American history. And she sought to reassure anxious donors that we are going to win this election. But Harris also conceded that its not going to be easy." She sought to redirect attention onto former President Donald Trump, yoking him to Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for the next Republican administration from which the former president has tried to distance himself. And, in a town thats a haven for the LGBTQ+ community, she warned that the Republican nominees newly minted running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), would be a rubber stamp for Trumps extremist, anti-LGBTQ agenda. Go get him, Kamala! someone shouted from the crowd in response, prompting a cacophony of cheers. With Bidens reelection bid in peril after an abysmal debate performance and the president himself sidelined with Covid Harris is serving as cheerleader in chief for her running mate while also trying to position herself to lay claim to the top of the ticket if he steps aside. Its an ascension that is far from guaranteed. Its a challenging weekend. I think were on the cusp of possibly a transition, one attendee, Lisa Gledhill of Eastham, Massachusetts, said in an interview after Harris and a star-studded cast of speakers that included Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Sen. Ed Markey and actress Jennifer Coolidge took the tented stage underneath the historic Pilgrim Monument. I wouldve liked to possibly have heard a little more strength in her positioning and where she where they are going to take this. But I understand thats a very difficult place for her to be in at this time, Gledhill added. The awkwardness was hardly of Harris own making. The Provincetown fundraiser, organized by event planner Bryan Rafanelli and a host committee of nearly four dozen people, was on the books well in advance of last months debate. And, in a positive sign for the Biden-Harris campaign at a time when donations are drying up, the sold-out event raised $2 million for the Biden Victory Fund double the organizers initial goal. About $1 million of that total was amassed before the debate. But more money wont solve Democrats problem. Harris appeared in Massachusetts on the heels of a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll that showed nearly two-thirds of Democrats and left-leaning voters in this reliably blue bastion want someone other than Biden at the top of the ticket. Healey, the states top executive, was the first Democratic governor to publicly call on Biden to reevaluate his campaign (Harris still praised her on Saturday). The chorus of prominent Democrats calling on Biden to pass the torch is growing by the day. Momentum has been building around the vice president as the pick. More than half a dozen Democratic lawmakers who have called for Biden to step aside have publicly endorsed Harris as his replacement. Others, including party heavyweights Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have publicly lauded Harris in recent days. Joe Biden is our nominee, Warren, who has not publicly called for Biden to step aside, said Saturday on MSNBC. But what gives me a lot of hope right now is that if President Biden decides to step back, we have Vice President Kamala Harris, who is ready to step up to unite the party, to take on Donald Trump and to win in November. But other prominent Democrats most notably, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have signaled support for an open convention. And if Biden bows to overwhelming pressure for him to drop out of the race, the vice president is not a lock to replace him. Instead, the Democratic Partys deep bench has high-ranking officials, donors, operatives and rank-and-file voters playing a parlor game of who should take over as the partys standard-bearer. While several people attending the Cape Cod fete conceded that Bidens political position is precarious, if not irredeemable, there appeared to be little consensus around who should replace him. It would be really exciting if we could have a real Democratic convention where there would be candidates available even though they didnt go through the primary to kind of make their case, said John George, who attended the Saturday fundraiser and who splits his time between Massachusetts and Washington. Obviously including Harris, and a number of others. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear were among the top alternatives on donors lips on Saturday. Less so: Buttigieg, the former 2020 presidential candidate who delivered an impassioned pitch for another four years of the Biden-Harris ticket on Saturday. Trumps campaign and his allies are preparing for the possibility of running against Harris while also working to undermine the process of selecting a new Democratic nominee. MAGA Inc., the principal pro-Trump super PAC, has been doing opposition research and message testing against prospective Biden replacements, including Harris and Whitmer. Meanwhile, Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita keeps referring to Democrats switching out the top of the ticket as a coup. But even as they angle for an alternative to Biden, some Democratic donors openly worried on Saturday whether Harris could defeat Trump. Kamala, I think shes brilliant, Jill Mays, a Truro resident attending the event, said. Unfortunately, because shes a woman, people say shes strident, shes this, shes that. Because theres always bias against women. And not everyone is ready to publicly pontificate on a hypothetical Biden-less ticket, even as calls for the president to reevaluate his reelection bid drown out his repeated assurances that hes staying the course. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who wrote Biden a letter earlier this month saying there is no shame in taking a well deserved bow, wouldnt discuss a replacement when talking to a pair of POLITICO reporters after the Provincetown fundraiser, which he attended while on a break from his vacation nearby. Its up to President Biden now, Raskin said. He will make the best decision. Kamala Harris, unburdened by what has been, now free to run for president US vice-president Kamala Harris ran for president in 2020 before getting on the Biden ticket. How different is she after four years? (Getty) Kamala Harris, unburdened by what has been, finally sees what can be . My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made, wrote President Joe Biden on X, shortly after announcing he would not run for re-election. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. With the departure of Biden, Harris is now the partys presumptive nominee (although others may throw their hats in the ring) and this years presidential election has been turned upside down. No longer will the nation be forced to participate in a re-run between two old men. The meaning of this race has shifted, and so have all of the previous assumptions about how it would end. Should she win, Harris would be a history-making president: simultaneously the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first person of Asian descent, to hold the highest office in the land. Not only that, she would have prevented Donald Trump from a second term in office for a second time, making her the most important political figure in the pushback against this countrys anti-democratic forces. Harris embraces Biden after a speech on healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina, earlier this year (AP) But it will not be a straightforward journey. Harriss vice presidency has been rocky dogged by dismal approval ratings and a policy portfolio that has seen her take on politically tricky issues, like the root causes of an immigration crisis thats brought hundreds of thousands to the US in recent years. Her difficulty finding her feet as vice president has reinforced concerns which emerged during her first run for the Democratic nomination in 2020 that she would not be the best or most obvious replacement for Biden. Other names were regularly floated instead such as Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and Gavin Newsom of California. That all changed one night in June, when Biden gave such a halting performance on the debate stage opposite Donald Trump that senior leaders in his party urged him to step down from the 2024 race as soon as possible. Suddenly, Harris seemed inevitable. She has access to the money raised for the Biden-Harris campaign, and her selection would avoid a messy fight just a few months before election day. Prominent Democrats and donors began to rally around her. One Democratic strategist who spoke to The Independent earlier this month said Harris would enjoy broad support from young voters and other party factions that have soured on Biden. Harris waves to the crowd at San Francisco Pride in 2019 when she was a presidential candidate (Getty) People who are unhappy with Trump versus Biden now get to say: We got somebody else. Maybe it wasnt who exactly they wanted. But everybody loves a good comeback story, and she has a great comeback story, he said. A survey by CNN and SSRS taken immediately after the debate showed Harris in a near statistical tie with Trump, 45 per cent to the ex-presidents 47 per cent, a showing that was several points better than the 43 per cent Biden garnered against Trumps 49 per cent in the same poll. That survey found that Harris currently outperforms Biden among two key voting blocs women and independent voters even though 538s average of political surveys shows that she trails him by two points when voters are polled on their approval of each of them. But Harris will also face the same challenges she had to battle during her 2020 campaign, which ended unexpectedly early. Born in Oakland, California, to an Indian mother and Jamaican father, Harris drew comparisons to Barack Obama early in her career. She rose from a local prosecutor in San Francisco to become Californias attorney general, then went on to become only the second Black woman to serve in the Senate. Harris as the attorney general of California attends a same-sex marriage in San Francisco in 2013 (AFP) She served four years of a six-year Senate term, but it was her time as attorney general that gave her opponents the most ammunition during her 2020 primary campaign. While Harris characterised her record as that of a reformer, critics said she followed a more conservative tough on crime agenda. In her career, Ms. Harris did not barter or trade to get the support of more conservative law-and-order types; she gave it all away, Lara Bazelon, a law professor and former director for the Loyola Law School Project for the Innocent in Los Angeles, wrote in a New York Times article . She attempted to counter those criticisms by releasing a criminal justice plan aimed at reducing mass incarceration and ending the war on drugs. Harris peaked in national polls during her presidential run at 15 per cent after a June 2019 debate clash with Biden. But she was never able to regain those heights, and her campaign was beset by organisational and money problems. The annual Women's March in Los Angeles, 2019 (Getty Images) In a letter to her supporters announcing the end of her campaign, she wrote: Our campaign uniquely spoke to the experiences of Black women and people of color and their importance to the success and future of this party. Four years later, Harris has a new record to campaign on and none of the organisational problems. She will now be able to take advantage of the nationwide apparatus already built by the Biden-Harris campaign. She can also lean on Bidens economic successes and his historic pace of legislation in the first two years in office. Republicans are already preparing for a Harris-led ticket. Trump has increasingly criticised her at rallies, and a digital ad from the National Republican Congressional Committee attacked her as the nations border czar. At the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin earlier this month, Charlie Kirk, the head of Turning Point USA who has become Trumps liaison to younger voters, said the party was already preparing for Biden to be off the ticket. If its Kamala, were ready to pivot, he told The Independent. If its Gretchen Whitmer or Gavin Newsom, were ready to roll. Were unified, theyre not, and good luck figuring out whos going to run. But it is not obvious how effective a Republican campaign geared to attacking Bidens age could pivot to face vice-president Harris. And she has also significantly improved as a campaigner during her time in office. Kamala Harris walks in a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during a commemoration of the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, March, 2024 (AFP) At a Black outreach event packed with Democratic heavyweights in Philadelphia this summer, she proved the unexpected star of the show. She received some of the biggest reactions during a slick performance where she rattled off a list of the Biden administrations accomplishments that specifically benefit the Black community from a $35 cap on the cost of insulin and student debt forgiveness to record investments in historically-Black colleges. She has been a formidable campaigner on the end of Roe v Wade. In Philadelphia, she underlined how the Supreme Courts decision to end protections on abortion disproportionately affected Black women, noting that one in three women and more than half of Black women of reproductive age live in a state with an abortion ban a Trump abortion ban. There are also areas where Harris may perform better than Biden, such as among Arab Americans who are angry at Biden for his support for Israels war in Gaza. I will say its not gone unnoticed that [vice-president] Kamala [Harris] has been more empathetic towards Palestinians than Biden, Natalia Latif, a spokesperson for the Uncommitted movement, told Mother Jones . Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority take photos as Harris, one of their own, spoke to 20,000 members earlier this month in Dallas, Texas (Getty Images) In the weeks since the Trump v Biden debate, there has been a noticeable bump in enthusiasm from Harriss supporters online, who call themselves the KHive. Memes featuring Harris laughing and delivering her infamous and often-repeated quotes are going viral again among them a four-minute supercut of her saying her favorite line: What can be, unburdened by what has been. ironic khive posting is unironically the most energized the twitter Dem electorate has been in about a year and I think theres probably something optimistic in that, Kelly Weill, a journalist and author, wrote on X . Harris was in a difficult position while Biden was still weighing whether to step down. Now he has stepped aside, her campaign can begin in earnest. She is unburdened. Jacksonville has been a go-to destination for Vice President Kamala Harris. She has made three trips to Jacksonville for events that highlighted a massive pandemic relief bill, rallied against how the state of Florida was teaching about Black history, and denounced tighter restrictions in Florida on access to abortion. The trips have given Jacksonville residents an up-close view of Harris while she acted as an ambassador for President Joe Biden's administration and built some alliances with local Democrats such as state Sen. Tracie Davis and Mayor Donna Deegan. Biden's decision to stand down as the Democratic Party's nominee for the November presidential election opens a path for Harris to run for president. Deegan reacted to Biden's announcement by saying he "has always put the country first as he did today. Im grateful for his transformational leadership and for his belief and investment in Jacksonville." She said Harris "has my full support as the Democratic nominee and our next president." President @JoeBiden has always put the country first as he did today. Im grateful for his transformational leadership and for his belief and investment in Jacksonville. Vice President @KamalaHarris has my full support as the Democratic nominee and our next President. https://t.co/UUrVpTtW6O Donna Deegan (@DonnaDeegan) July 21, 2024 Democratic delegates to the party's upcoming convention will decide who will take Biden's place on the ballot. Whether Harris returns to Jacksonville during the presidential campaign would be a sign of whether Democrats view Florida being in play. Former President Donald Trump won Florida in 2016 and 2020. The Jacksonville area also is a media market for Southeast Georgia. Biden won Georgia in 2020. Here are the three visits Harris made to Jacksonville as vice president. March 2021: COVID-19 vaccination site and Feeding Northeast Florida Harris toured a COVID-19 vaccination site on March 22, 2021 to see U.S. Navy personnel prepare shots at Gateway Town Center and also went to Feeding Northeast Florida where she heard about how the pandemic had made hunger an even more serious problem. "The work you all have been doing is extraordinary," Harris said. "I'm certain that history is going to show that this was a moment of extreme crisis that challenged us, and there were the heroes that just showed up." Her stop in Jacksonville was part of a "Help is Here" message for a $1.9 trillion federal relief package that Biden won support for in his administration's first major legislative victory. She also urged people to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they were eligible for it. "You know, when it's your turn, go get it," Harris said told reporters when she arrived in Jacksonville on a flight from Washington. July 2023: Engaging in battle over teaching Black history In a quickly organized trip, Harris picked Jacksonville for a July 21, 2023, speech delivering a rebuttal to new state standards for school curriculums she said replace history with lies. I do believe this is not only about the state of Florida. There is a national agenda afoot, Harris told about 400 people packed into the Ritz Theatre and Museum. Harris came to Jacksonville after the Florida Board of Education made changes to the states African American history courses for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. A controversial change involved adding a benchmark for middle schoolers to understand ... slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Harris said "extremist so-called leaders" in Florida were banning books and had "passed a law, Don't Say Gay, trying to instill fear in our teachers that they should not live their full life and love who they love. And now, on top of all of that, they want to replace history with lies. Middle school students in Florida [are] to be told that enslaved people benefited from slavery. Gov. Ron DeSantis said Harris was the one spreading lies about what Florida was doing. Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children, he tweeted. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies. May 2024: Denouncing Florida's six-week abortion ban In a campaign stop, Harris spoke against Florida's six-week abortion ban hours after it took effect and linked bans in Florida and other states to former President Donald Trump, saying he has bragged about ending national abortion protections through his appointments of three conservative Supreme Court justices. Here's what a second Trump term looks like: more bans, more suffering, less freedom, Harris said during her campaign speech on May 1 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. But we are not going to let that happen. Mayor Donna Deegan greets Vice President Kamala Harris at the Jacksonville International Airport before her address at the Ritz Theater and Museum on July 21, 2023. Trump has said the decision on abortion polices would be up to the states. Its irrelevant whether Im comfortable or not," Trump said in an April interview with Time Magazine. "Its totally irrelevant, because the states are going to make those decisions. Harris said Trump would sign a national ban if he becomes president again. Political fallout: Biden quits 2024 presidential campaign. What will impact be for Florida Democrats? Florida reaction: Politicians respond to Biden's drop out news Donald Trump was the president who took away the protections of Roe, Harris said. Joe Biden will be the president who puts the protections of Roe back in place. Biden's announcement Sunday means regardless of what happens in the presidential election, he won't be making any decisions in the White House after his current term ends. But the debate over abortion access will continue in the presidential election. Florida Times-Union staff writers Hanna Holthaus and Steve Patterson contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Vice President Kamala Harris has made Jacksonville a go-to city Vice President Kamala Harris said Sunday she would work to win the Democratic presidential nomination in the wake of President Joe Bidens shock decision to drop out of the race. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said in a statement. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. She is now the frontrunner to replace Biden at the top of the ticket and the only person to get his support. In her statement, Harris also thanked Biden, who picked the former California senator and state attorney general to be his running mate after she did poorly in the 2020 Democratic primary contest. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else, she said. She said she first knew Biden through his son, Beau Biden, who died in 2015. The qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. Harris said she would continue to traveling across the country and do everything in my power unite the Democratic party. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win, she said. Related... President Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Harris for president Sunday immediately after announcing he wouldn't run, placing her as the presumptive Democratic nominee. The question remains: Who would replace Harris as the vice-presidential candidate? More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats Various pundits, journalists, political scientists, and likely voters have floated more than a dozen options. Daniel Cassino, a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the executive director of FDU Poll, said there are three basic strategies for selecting a vice president: pick a politician from a critical swing state, pick someone who balances out the presidential candidate in terms of demographics, region and ideology, or pick a candidate who magnifies the characteristics of the presidential candidate, as former President Donald Trump did with his selection of U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio. When it comes to the most common strategy, the balancing strategy, Harris could pick someone older and more liberal, such as U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cassino said. Warren, a Rutgers Law School graduate, was briefly the front-running candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. If the party wants to double down on Harris with a younger and more moderate Democrat, Cassino mentioned a few relatively well-known personalities. Julian Castro, the secretary of housing and urban development under former President Barack Obama fits the bill. Also in that category is Cory Booker, the U.S. senator from New Jersey. Another would be Pete Buttigieg, the current U.S. transportation secretary and former naval officer who rose to prominence during his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential election. Possible 'swing states' VP candidates for Kamala Harris Finally, there are options from swing states. "There's a perception, but not much data to support it, that a vice presidential candidate could help you win in a swing state," Cassino said. In that realm, Harris finds several more potential running mates, including the front-runner in Cassino's opinion: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. North Carolina's former attorney general, Cooper was elected governor in 2016 and reelected in 2020. Due to state term limits, he is unable to run this year and would be free to take on another role in 2025. Vice President Kamala Harris stands in the House of Representatives ahead of President Joe Bidens State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on March 7, 2024. Cassino also mentioned U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former astronaut born in Orange, Stacey Abrams, a former candidate for Georgia governor, and the "very well-liked governor of Pennsylvania," Josh Shapiro. Shapiro beat a Trump-backed candidate in Doug Mastriano in 2022, has bipartisan support and, like Cooper, has executive experience. However, Shapiro recently took office and party bosses may be loathe to remove him, Cassino said. Notable outliers for Dem VP candidate role Some other names being mentioned seem to have very slim odds, according to Cassino. California Gov. Gavin Newsome has been positioning himself as an "emergency candidate" to replace Biden, Cassino said. He debated former candidate for the Republican presidential nomination Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier his year. However, due to the vagaries of Electoral College rules, either he or Harris would likely have to move out of California and establish residency in another state to be paired on the same ticket. Other names that may be eyeing a presidential run and would probably keep themselves out of the running for Harris' potential vice-president are Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Cassino said. Recent polls for Kamala Harris VP candidates A SurveyUSA/FairVote ranked choice poll in early July found that initial first-choice votes for Harris' potential running mate were closely divided among likely Democrats and independent voters in six swing states. Of the 2,050 likely voters polled in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, 20% picked Buttigieg, 19% selected Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and 14% opted for Shapiro. Whitmer, who has been discussed as a potential presidential candidate for the Democrats, is another potential option for the swing state strategy, with Michigan expected to be crucial in the path to the presidency. Biden won the state in 2020 but has been trailing Trump in recent polls. The Harris-Whitmer ticket would be the first all-women ticket in history. Other contenders are Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Jamie Raskin and Pritzker, who each received 5% of the first-choice vote to be paired on the ballot with Harris. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Cooper both garnered 3%, while 4% of voters preferred Harris to run with someone else and 19% were unsure. In a ranked choice poll for a Harris running mate, Buttigieg narrowly beat Whitmer 52% to 48%. The poll also found Harris was the clear favorite to replace Joe Biden among likely Democrats and independent voters in those same six swing states. Results showed that 37% ranked Harris their first choice to replace Biden and 56% ranked her in their top three. A separate poll conducted this month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found adults have a more favorable opinion of Harris (43%) than both Biden (38%) and Trump (37%). Center officials said 70% of the 1,253 adults polled said Biden should drop out of the race and allow his party to select a different candidate, while 57% said Trump should withdraw. Among Republicans, 26% said Trump should withdraw. Meanwhile, 65% of Democrats polled said Biden should drop out. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Pete Buttigieg possibility for VP pick if Kamala Harris replaces Biden A brief guide to her background, historic firsts and record as VP. Vice President Kamala Harris already secured the delegate votes necessary to become the Democratic nominee for president earlier this month, but she will formally accept the nomination at the party's national convention in Chicago this week. The DNC will be the party's opportunity to officially introduce Harris, who was endorsed by President Biden to replace him on the Democratic presidential ticket when he dropped out of the race last month, to the country. Heres what to know about her before she takes the stage at the DNC. Her bio (in brief) Vice President Kamala Harris tours the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., in 2022. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Name: Kamala Devi Harris Date of birth: Oct. 20, 1964, Oakland, Calif. Education: Howard University (BA, 1986); University of California, Hastings College of the Law (JD, 1989) Parents: Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer researcher from India, and Donald Harris, an economist from Jamaica; Gopalan died in 2009 Sibling: Maya Harris, younger sister Spouse: Doug Emhoff, second gentleman (m. 2014) Children: None together; Emhoff has two children, Cole and Ella, from his previous marriage Her historic firsts Kamala Harris attends an event in Washington, D.C., in 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) Harris was the first Black woman in California to be elected district attorney when she won the race to become San Francisco's DA in 2003. Harris was the first woman and first African American to be elected attorney general of California. Harris was the first woman, first African American and first Asian American to be elected vice president in the history of the United States. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, became the first second gentleman in U.S. history, and is the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president. If elected, Harris would be the first woman and first Asian American president in U.S. history. Her record as VP Vice President Kamala Harris watches as President Biden addresses the nation on July 14, a day after former President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally. (Nathan Howard/Reuters) Abortion rights: Harris has been a key figure in the administration's response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. During the 2022 midterms, she pushed Democrats to prioritize the issue of reproductive rights. And earlier this year, she gave a fiery speech during a reproductive freedom rally at her alma mater, Howard University, blasting the "extremist so-called leaders" in states that have passed restrictive abortion bans. Voting rights: Harris has also been heavily involved in the White House effort to codify voting rights. In 2023, she pushed for Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act that would have extended the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and required federal approval for some local election law changes. But the effort failed when then-Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema opposed changing the Senate's filibuster in order to pass it. Immigration: Shortly after taking office, Harris was tapped by Biden to spearhead the administration's efforts to address the crisis at the southern border. But she didn't visit the border for months and then appeared to downplay the crisis, drawing criticism from Republicans and some Democrats. Read more Read the full text of Bidens letter announcing his decision. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down. [Yahoo News] Timeline: Biden exit caps tumultuous three weeks in U.S. politics. Heres a summary of the milestone events in a roller coaster period in U.S. politics. [The Guardian] Biden's 2024 reelection bid meets its ultimate match: Time. Yahoo News' analysis on the president's big decision, and how we got here. [Yahoo News] Political reactions to Biden's decision. America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. [Reuters] Americans react to Biden's historic decision . Finally a brave act from a politician." [USA Today] Obama calls Biden 'patriot of the highest order' after Biden drops out of 2024 race. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. [Yahoo News] House Republicans say Biden must resign after ending reelection campaign. If Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said. [The Hill] Now that Biden dropped out, what happens to his campaign funds? If Vice President Kamala Harris is the new nominee, will she get access to those funds? If one of the other rumored Democratic options gets picked, can they use that money? [Yahoo News] FAQ: How will Democrats pick a new presidential nominee? Whats next for the Democratic Party as they hurtle toward a convention and the November election against Republican nominee Donald Trump? [Yahoo News] Until 1968, presidential candidates were picked by party conventions a process revived by Bidens withdrawal from race. The tradition of picking a nominee through primaries and caucuses and not through what is called the convention system is relatively recent. [The Conversation] Who will replace Biden as the new Democratic nominee? Here are some of the hypothetical Biden replacements being discussed along with how they ranked among voters in a Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted after the debate. [Yahoo News] Harris says she intends to earn and win Democratic nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. [Yahoo News] Harris' 2020 campaign was a mess. If she ends up atop the ticket, this time could be a lot different. Admirers say that Harris has grown in the job. [NBC News] Would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? But from the start, there has been a hesitancy to fully embrace the countrys second-in-command, with some Democrats openly overlooking her. [USA Today] Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris in bid to avert divisive party convention. Democratic donors who had pressured Biden to drop out of the race wasted no time in throwing their support behind Harris, the New York Times reported, quickly raising millions of dollars. [Yahoo News] Harris fans are sharing their support all over the internet. Members of 'KHive' a play on Beyonce's 'Beyhive' fan club are making fancams and memes of the vice president as she now seeks the Democratic nomination. [Yahoo News] "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Tonight, Kamala Harris will formally accept the Democratic nomination for president, following a whirlwind month which began when President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 election. As the nominee, Harris's family and career is firmly in the spotlight. In January 2021, she made history as the first woman, first Black American, and first Indian American to serve just a heartbeat away from the nation's highest officeand now, she could very well be the Democratic nominee for president. Speaking about the inauguration on Good Morning America, Harris previously explained, "I was raised by a mother who said that to me all the time: 'Kamala, well, you may be the first to do many thingsmake sure you're not the last.' And that's how I feel about this moment." In her work as a prosecutor, Senator, and on the campaign trail, Harris often discussed how paramount this familial background is in shaping her beliefsand specifically, Harris has credited much of her success to her mother, who passed away in 2009. The Senator once called Shyamala Gopalan Harris "the reason for everything." Maya Harris, Kamala's sister, once tweeted, You cant know who Kamala Harris is without knowing who our mother was. You cant know who @KamalaHarris is without knowing who our mother was. Missing her terribly, but know she and the ancestors are smiling today. #BidenHarris2020 pic.twitter.com/nmWVj90pkA Maya Harris (@mayaharris_) August 12, 2020 Here's what we know about Harris's mother, a gifted scientific researcher and activist. Shyamala Gopalan Harris immigrated to the United States from India. Born in Madras (now Chennai), India, Gopalan was just 19 years old when she left India alone. Having graduated from Delhi University, she went to study at the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her doctorate in nutrition and endocrinology. It was 1958 when Gopalan entered the U.S. and, at the time, most Indian households didnt have phones. The only way for a young Gopalan to stay in touch with her family was through handwritten letters, known as aerograms, which often took about two weeks to arrive. But despite the distance, the family remained close. She was a world-renowned scientist. After receiving her PhD, Gopalan stayed at UC Berkeley and became a breast cancer researcher. Her success in this field took her to universities around the world, where she continued conducting research and teaching. She worked at the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin, spent time in France and Italy, and then received tenure at McGill University in Montreal. Gopalan brought her two daughters with her to Canada. Kamala lived there from age 12 until high school graduation. My mother always use to say, Dont just sit around and complain about things. Do something. I dearly wish she were here with us this week. pic.twitter.com/RHO2VnlZs4 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 13, 2020 Gopalan's breast cancer research was notably influential. Her work "sparked many advances regarding the role of progesterone and its cellular receptor in breast biology and cancer," said Breast Cancer Action's obituary. "The world of women affected by breast cancer changed for the better because of [Gopalan's] presence in it." Gopalan was a civil rights activist and met her husband at a protest. In the 1960s, Gopalan met the man who would become her husband and the father of her children: Donald J. Harris. Both were immigrants (Harris from Jamaica) getting doctorates at UC Berkeley and were actively involved in the civil rights movement; they met at a protest. The pair married in 1963 and remained involved in the movement, even bringing their daughters along from time to time. Thats how they metas students, in the streets of Oakland, marching and shouting for this thing called justice, in a struggle that continues to this day, Harris said in her first public remarks as Bidens running mate. And I was part of it. My parents would bring me to protestsstrapped tightly in my stroller. Gopalan and Harris eventually divorced in the early 1970s, when Kamala was 7, but Gopalan continued fighting for racial equality. She mentored students of color, counseled African-American women battling breast cancer, and instilled political activism in her daughters. "My mother had been raised in a household where political activism and civic leadership came naturally," Kamala Harris wrote in her 2019 autobiography, The Truths We Hold. "From both of my grandparents, my mother developed a keen political consciousness. She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul." Harris recently told Vogue that her experiences of "being in a stroller" surrounded by activists informed her view of the ongoing fight against structural racism. "The Black Lives Matter movement, this movement that we are witnessing and had witnessed through the summer, is an extension of that movement," she said of the civil rights movement. She mentored countless students. According to her obituary, Gopalan spent much of her time as a scientist teaching and helping students in her lab. Many of these students had backgrounds similar to her own. "Often of color and the first in their families to pursue careers in science, these students eagerly sought Shyamala's mentorship, which often stretched beyond the lab to encompass lessons in life," the obituary said. "Whether helping a student negotiate the UC bureaucracy, find an affordable apartment, or enjoy a home cooked meal, Shyamala was there." Gopalan was also known for her work ethic and dedication to her students. According to the Los Angeles Times, after she had back surgery, Gopalan worked from an adjustable mattress in her Oakland apartment, a sea of papers spread around her. Kamala and her mother were very close. After Gopalan's divorce, she raised Kamala and Maya mostly as a single mother. Because of this arrangement, Kamala and her mother developed an incredibly close relationship, one that Kamala still views as incredibly formative. In her speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Senator Harris extensively discussed the impact her mother made on her life. She noted how Gopalan's grit and strong moral code shaped her both as a person and a politician. "Even as she taught us to keep our family at the center of our world, she also pushed us to see a world beyond ourselves," Harris said of her mother. "She taught us to be conscious and compassionate about the struggles of all people. To believe public service is a noble cause and the fight for justice is a shared responsibility." While Harris clearly misses her mother, who passed away in 2009 from colon cancer, she places great value on continuing her legacy. "My mother taught me that service to others gives life purpose and meaning. And oh, how I wish she were here tonight but I know she's looking down on me from above. I keep thinking about that 25-year-old Indian womanall of five feet tallwho gave birth to me at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, California," Harris said. "On that day, she probably could have never imagined that I would be standing before you now speaking these words: I accept your nomination for Vice President of the United States of America." Harris continues to honor her mother's legacy. Gopalan passed away at age 70, but eleven years later, both of her daughters make clear that their mother's influence is constantly present in their lives. In a 2018 New York Times op-ed, Senator Harris wrote about her mother's battle with cancer in the context of healthcare accessibility and in inspiring her political career. "And though I miss her every day, I carry her with me wherever I go. I think of the battles she fought, the values she taught me, her commitment to improve health care for us all," Harris wrote. "There is no title or honor on earth Ill treasure more than to say I am Shyamala Gopalan Harriss daughter. As I continue the battle for a better health care system, I do so in her name." Harris continues to speak about her mother often, whether through social media, political ads, or public addresses. Gopalan clearly made a major impact on her daughters' lives, and continues to do so. "She was the kind of parent who if you came home complaining about something, shed say 'Well what are you gonna do about it?'" Kamala wrote in a 2019 Instagram post. "So I decided to run for President of the United States." On the night she and Biden were declared the winners of the 2020 election, Harris's mother was on her mind. "I thought about what her life meant" and how it enabled Harris to get to that point, she told Vogue. Harris was thinking about her mother at the inauguration ceremony. When Harris was sworn into office as the Vice President of the United States. Last year, during an appearance on Good Morning America following the November election, interviewer Robin Roberts asked Harris what will be going through her mind as she makes history that day. "I'll be thinking about my mother," Harris replied. "But I feel a very big sense of responsibility, as I said recently, that I will be the first, but I will not be the last. I was raised by a mother who said that to me all the time: 'Kamala, well, you may be the first to do many thingsmake sure you're not the last.' And that's how I feel about this moment." You Might Also Like President Joe Biden delivers remarks as Vice President Kamala Harris look on after former President Donald Trump was injured following a shooting at a July 13 election rally in Pennsylvania in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on July 14. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- Two hours after President Joe Biden announced he is ending his campaign run, Vice President Kamala Harris said she was "honored" to receive Biden's endorsement and intends to "earn and win" the Democratic nomination. Harris quickly received the endorsement of politicians, including members of Congress and governors. Some of them earlier had urged Biden to drop out of the race without endorsing Harris. "I am honored to have the president's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," said the first Black person and first woman to serve as vice president. "Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party -- and unite our nation -- to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda." With their campaign account registered with the Federal Election Commission in the name of both candidates, Harris could use those funds for her own presidential effort once Biden drops out, according to Kenneth Gross, senior political law counsel at Akin Gump and former associate general counsel for the FEC. The campaign has $95.9 million cash on hand. The Biden-Harris campaign formally amended filings with the FEC to rename its principal committee. The committee also filed a letter with the commission stating: "Vice President Harris is now a candidate for United States President in the 2024 election and will henceforth be conducting campaign activities only in pursuit of that office." Donors have indicated a willingness to resume giving to the presidential campaign after many didn't want more money to go to Biden. "This is transformative," the text from a major contributor read, according to Alan Kessler, a longtime Democratic fundraiser, Harris has already made a fundraising social media post "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party -- and unite our nation -- to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. If you're with me, add a donation right now," Harris wrote on X. The link goes to an Act Blue donation page. In the first several hours after Biden left the race, ActBlue says it raised $46.7 million in small-dollar donations. "This has been the biggest fundraising day of the 2024 cycle," it said on X. "Small-dollar donors are fired up and ready to take on this election." She is attempting to become the first female presidential nominee of a major party since 2016 when Hillary Clinton lost to Trump. Biden, 81, and Kamala Harris, 59, spoke Sunday, according to a CNN source familiar. After announcing Sunday afternoon he wasn't seeking re-election, Biden threw his support behind Harris to become the next Democratic nominee for president, calling on the party to come together. Harris appeared at a campaign fundraiser in Provincetown, Mass., on Saturday that raised $2 million, according to event organizers. Harris will deliver remarks Monday at the White House honoring 52 NCAA championship teams. She had been set to travel to Milwaukee on Tuesday in her fifth visit this year to Wisconsin, a battleground state. Harris also planned to attend the Zeta Phi Beta sorority's Grand Boule in Indianapolis. Most of the party is already coalescing for Harris. But independent Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is considering re-registering as a Democrat and running for president, sources close to the outgoing senator told CNN. Before Biden's decision, Mancin said he hoped there would be an "open process" to pick a new presidential nominee. At least 27 of the 50 Senate Democrats have publicly endorsed Harris' candidacy for president. Two members of leadership: Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Senate majority whip Richard Durbin of Illinois have not endorsed her yet. Also, Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries hasn't backed Harris yet. Niether has Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the former House speaker. Shumer and Jeffries spoke with Harris on Sunday, sources told CNN. All 50 Democratic party state chairs are backing Harris to be the party's new nominee, on a call held by the Association of State Democratic Committees, according to a CNN source familiar with the matter. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorsed Harris. Key Black female Democratic allies are planning to meet in a Zoom call later Sunday, according to an individual familiar with their plans. "The bottom line is, we are ready to go," voting rights organization Black Voters Matter said. LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matter said the group was grateful for Biden's service, which is why it "fought for him until the end." "We are ecstatic that he has put his endorsement behind Vice President Kamala Harris. We expect the full Democratic apparatus to do the same and if they don't, they will lose this election," Brown said. The Democratic Convention is less than one month away in Chicago. On Friday, the party announced plans to conduct an early virtual roll call vote will not take before Aug. 1 or after Aug. 7. The committee said a final date would be set by DNC leadership after a second committee meeting next week. The 3,896 pledged delegates will be given 24-hour notice before the virtual ballot window opens. Biden won 99% of the pledged delegates. These delegates aren't just pledged to vote for Biden; they're also approved by his campaign. There also are 700 automatic "superdelegates," which include members of the House and Senate, governors, state party chairs and DNC members. They are not permitted to vote on the first ballot unless it's determined that one candidate has an absolute majority of pledged delegates. Harris, a U.S. senator from California, was selected as Biden's vice presidential running mate in August 2020 before the convention. "I've decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to help me take this fight to Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021," Biden, then the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, wrote in an August 2020 email. Harris ran against Biden for president but dropped out before the primaries. She served as a senator from 2017 to 2021. Previously, she was California's attorney general from 2011 to 2017 after being the district attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. Harris, born in Oakland, Calif., of Jamaica and Indian descent. She graduated from Howard with a degree in political science and economics. Her law degree is from the University of California. Kansas Republicans and Democrats offered differing perspectives on the decision by President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign for president. Here the Democratic president speaks at the 115th NAACP National Convention on July 19. It was Bidens last campaign event after testing positive for COVID-19. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) TOPEKA U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and Gov. Laura Kelly were among Kansas Democrats who praised Sunday the dedication to public service of President Joe Biden, while U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes questioned the presidents ability to complete the final six months of his term. Biden said on social media that he would withdraw as a candidate for reelection. He urged the Democratic Party to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris. For more than five decades, Kelly said, President Biden has made it his lifes work to better our country for hardworking Americans. Above all, he has been firm in his desire to safeguard democracy in a time of hyper-polarization and divisiveness. I thank him for his service and steadfast leadership. Davids, who serves the 3rd District and is running for a fourth term in Congress, said Biden restored decency to the presidency following the single term of President Donald Trump. By stepping aside from the presidential race today, he has once again put the future of our country first, Davids said. Trump lost to Biden four years ago, but accepted the Republican Partys nomination for the third time during last weeks convention in Milwaukee. Marshall, a Republican who entered the U.S. Senate in 2021, said Biden ought to resign. On Jan. 6, 2021, Marshall joined a small group of dissident Republican senators who objected to counting of electoral votes from Pennsylvania and Arizona in the presidential contest won by Biden in 2020. If Joe Biden is unable to serve another term, then he must resign right now, Marshall said. If hes unfit to campaign, he should not have the nuclear codes. Its that simple. Estes, a Republican representing the Wichita-based 4th District, said Biden ought to step down immediately. Estes said Bidens decision to suspend his campaign was an admission of something that Americans have observed for a long time he is not fit to be president, which also means he can no longer serve as commander in chief. Estes said Vice President Kamala Harris was among a collection of Democrats and journalists who shamefully ignored and willfully misled the American people by hiding the true cognitive state of President Biden. The congressmans statement didnt reference the dozens of Democrats who urged Biden to withdraw. Kelly Arnold, former Kansas Republican Party chairman, said it could be a mistake to insist upon Bidens resignation. He said it didnt make sense to invite Harris to assume the office of president so she could run as an incumbent in the November election. Hey, fellow Republicans, said Arnold, state GOPs chairman from 2013 to 2019. Maybe we should rethink the calls for Biden to resign from office. I dont know why we would want to elevate Kamala to president while she is running for president. How does that strategy help defeat her? Former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, a Democrat seeking the 2nd District nomination for Congress, said on June 28 that Biden ought to end his campaign for president. She said Biden had to muster the courage to suspend his campaign and retire at the end of his term because the party needed a nominee capable of defeating Trump. The Democratic Party was at risk of placing welfare of an individual above welfare of the nation, she said. When we look like we care about one person that much over the well being of our country, what do we look like? As Democrats, within the party, we look like nice people. Outside of the party, we look weak, Boyda said. She said Biden deserved credit for preventing another four years of Trumps outrageous judicial appointments, historic tax cuts for powerful corporations and the further erosion of our global standing in the eyes of our allies and enemies abroad. She said Bidens accomplishments during his term were in stark contrast with those of his ill-qualified predecessor. Matt Kleinmann, who also is campaigning for the Democratic Partys nomination in the 2nd District, said Biden led the nation with dignity and resilience during one of the most challenging periods in our history. He said Harris was a steadfast advocate for the United States while serving as vice president. I fully support her efforts and look forward to working with her or whomever the next presidential nominee is, Kleinmann said. We need leaders who will fight for economic fairness and protect the interests of all Americans, not just the wealthy. Prasanth Reddy, one of two candidates competing for the Republican congressional nomination in the 3rd District, raised the issue of Bidens competence to remain president, but posed the question in terms of Davids reelection campaign: If President Biden is not in good enough shape to run, how can she continue to support him as president? Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly thanked President Joe Biden for his service after he announced Sunday he was withdrawing from the presidential race. Kelly, who is in her second term, had previously voiced support for Biden as he faced pressure to drop out following a disastrous debate performance in late June. For more than five decades, President Biden has made it his lifes work to better our country for hardworking Americans, Kelly said in a statement. Above all, he has been firm in his desire to safeguard democracy in a time of hyper-polarization and divisiveness. I thank him for his service and steadfast leadership. Kelly, who is in automatic delegate to the Democratic National Convention, didnt immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. Biden endorsed Harris on Sunday shortly after announcing his decision to drop out in a letter. As an automatic delegate, Kelly would likely not vote on the conventions first ballot but would have a vote if multiple ballots are required to choose a nominee. Democrats are scheduled to gather in Chicago for the convention in mid-August. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) President Joe Biden announced Sunday afternoon that he will not seek reelection. While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, said Biden in a letter on X. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. Biden also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Partys nominee on Sunday. Biden is one of few presidents to end a reelection campaign: Who were the others? Kansas lawmakers react Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D-Kan.) via X: For more than five decades, President Biden has made it his lifes work to better our country for hardworking Americans. Above all, he has been firm in his desire to safeguard democracy in a time of hyper-polarization and divisiveness. I thank him for his service and steadfast leadership. Laura Kelly Representative Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) via X: President Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country and his time as our President has restored decency to the highest office. By stepping aside from the presidential race today, he has once again put the future of our country first. Now is the time for a new generation of leadership capable of defeating Donald Trump & fighting back against the growing extremism in our nation. Kansas families remain my top priority, & I am committed to doing everything in my power to deliver for them this November and beyond. Sharice Davids Senator Dr. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) via X: If Joe Biden is unable to serve another term, then he must resign right now. If hes unfit to campaign, he should not have the nuclear codes its that simple. Dr. Roger Marshall Representative Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) via emailed statement: President Bidens open southern border, big government spending and overreach, and weaponization of the federal government has hurt all Americans, said Rep. Mann. I am confident that the November elections will give Republicans success up and down the ballot. No matter the Democratic nominee, Republicans have better ideas to unite Americans and save the country. Americans continue to voice their desire for leadership that will restore order and get our country back on track, and I am committed to doing that. Representative Ron Estes (R-Kan.) via emailed statement: President Joe Bidens announcement that he will suspend his reelection campaign is an admission of something that Americans have observed for a long time he is not fit to be president, which also means he can no longer serve as commander in chief. Vice President Kamala Harris, numerous congressional Democrats, and the media have shamefully ignored and willfully misled the American people by hiding the true cognitive state of President Biden their deception is a disgraceful disregard for the American people. For the good of the country and for our national security, President Biden should resign immediately. While Joe Biden may be withdrawing from the 2024 race, Kansans are still suffering from three-plus years of devastating policies from the Biden-Harris administration that passed with emphatic support from nearly every Democrat in Congress, leading to crushing inflation, a dangerous open border, skyrocketing national debt, wars in Europe and the Middle East, and burdensome government regulations. Theres no question about it the Democrats nominee will continue pushing the same extreme, out-of-touch policies that were championed by Joe Biden, border czar Kamala Harris and congressional Democrats. Ron Estes Other reactions Kansas Dems via X: The Kansas Democratic Party would like to thank President Biden for his years of service to our country. We look forward to the process of nominating the Democrat who will defeat Donald Trump in November. We remain focused on supporting Kansas Democrats up and down the ballot. Kansas Dems Sedgwick County Democratic Party via emailed statement: Sedgwick County Democrats thank President Biden for his many years of loyal service to our nation. We will continue to remain steadfastly focused on the real issues we face right here at home, such as expanding Medicaid and protecting public education, by breaking the Republican supermajority in the Kansas House of Representatives and protecting Governor Kellys veto. Kristi Kirk, SCDP Chair Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison via Facebook: The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years and we will honor that legacy, and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November who will carry that torch into the next four years. The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November. As we move forward to formally select our Partys nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to make this case to the American people. In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process. Jaime Harrison KSN has reached out to lawmakers and will share those responses if/when they are shared. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Joe Biden suspended his campaign after receiving pressure from the Democratic Party following drops in polls and a disappointing performance in his first scheduled debate with former President Donald Trump and subsequent news appearances. Gov. Laura Kelly responded to the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. "For more than five decades, President Biden has made it his lifes work to better our country for hardworking Americans. Above all, he has been firm in his desire to safeguard democracy in a time of hyper-polarization and divisiveness. I thank him for his service and steadfast leadership," Kelly said. President Joe Biden announced Sunday he wouldn't accept the Democratic nomination for president and threw his support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Kansas governor had defended Biden's campaign efforts Kelly, the only Democrat that holds office from a statewide election, previously supported the president as concerns grew about the aging president's ability to meet the demands of holding office and campaigning. 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, Kelly said after the debate as pressures began to mount against the President. For more than five decades, President Biden has made it his lifes work to better our country for hardworking Americans. Above all, he has been firm in his desire to safeguard democracy in a time of hyper-polarization and divisiveness. I thank him for his service and steadfast Laura Kelly (@LauraKellyKS) July 21, 2024 Congresswoman Sharice Davids, KS-2, said it is time for a new generation of Democrats to lead. "Now is the time for a new generation of leadership capable of defeating Donald Trump and fighting back against the growing extremism in our nation," she said in an X post. "Kansas families remain my top priority, and I am committed to doing everything in my power to deliver for them this November and beyond." In a separate post, she said Biden is putting the country over himself. "President Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country and his time as our President has restored decency to the highest office," she said in an X post. "By stepping aside from the presidential race today, he has once again put the future of our country first." Biden's exit came after he received bleak warnings from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries that his candidacy could lead to massive losses for Democrats in the Senate and House. More than 30 congressional Democrats called for Biden to bow out, and former President Barack Obama reportedly relayed similar fears to Democratic allies about Biden's prospects of beating Trump. Democratic donors from Hollywood to Wall Street also came out against Biden continuing his reelection bid. Biden subsequently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, calling choosing her as his running mate one of the "best decisions" he's made as a nominee and president. The process for the nominating process, though, is unclear. "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," Biden said in the letter announcing the suspension of his campaign. Kansas Democratic state officials respond Rep. Brandon Woodard, D-Lenexa, called the move "an extraordinary show of leadership" in the wake of the decision, and Sen. Usha Reddi, D-Manhattan, thanked the president for his service. Also, the Kansas Democratic Party thanked Biden for his years of service. "The Kansas Democratic Party would like to thank President Biden for his years of service to our country," the Kansas Democratic Party said in an X post. "We look forward to the process of nominating the Democrat who will defeat Donald Trump in November. We remain focused on supporting Kansas Democrats up and down the ballot." Kansas Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes thanked Biden and said she looks forward to nominating the next Democratic presidential candidate. She made a second post leading with an image of Harris followed by two of herself in the White House with Biden. "Thank you President Biden for your years of service to our country," she said in an X post. "I look forward to the process of nominating the Democrat who will defeat Donald Trump in November. Kansas Senate Democrats remain focused on supporting and electing Kansas Democrats up and down the ballot." .@JoeBiden will be known as one of the most historic and consequential Presidents of our lifetime. This is an extraordinary show of leadership, and I am thankful for President Bidens decades of leadership. #ksleg https://t.co/JZludN8uzL Brandon Woodard (@Woodard4Kansas) July 21, 2024 A historic moment indeed! Thank you for your service to our country. https://t.co/HnyNkdbVYL Usha Reddi (@UshaReddiKS) July 21, 2024 Kansas Republicans respond Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who worked closely with former President Donald Trump on several issues, noted the historic week in U.S. politics after a failed assassination attempt and now a sitting president declining to run. "Within eight days, an assassination attempt, and and now a sitting president declining to run after telling tens of millions of Democrat voters that he was going to run. If I were a Democrat, I would be furious with my party right now," Kobach said. Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, R-Ottawa, wondered who will replace Biden on the ticket. "Okay, bets are open, who's tapping in?" Schmoe said. Republican Congressman Ron Estes, KS-4, said the announcement is an admission that Biden "is not fit to be President," and called on him to resign. Kansas candidates respond Matt Kleinmann, a Democrat competing in a primary for Kansas's 2nd District in the U.S. Congress, thanked Biden for his work as president and supported Harris as his replacement. "Vice President Harris has been a steadfast advocate for our country, and her leadership is crucial moving forward. I fully support her efforts and look forward to working with her or whomever the next presidential nominee is to advance our shared goals," Kleinmann said. Kleinmann's opponent in the Democratic Primary, Nancy Boyda, previously called for Biden to step down. "It is time for President Biden to suspend his campaign and retire at the end of his term. It is imperative that we have a nominee who can defeat Donald Trump," Boyda said last month. Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is running for the Republican nomination in the 2nd District, said no matter who the Democrats nominate they won't succeed. "Regardless of who the Democrats nominate, one thing is certain: Another Democrat would carry on the exact same failed Biden policies that have hurt our country and our people," Schmidt said via X. "When I was your Kansas attorney general, I came to know then-California AG Kamala Harris. And I will just say: We do not want her leading our country." Joey Garrison and Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy of the USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas Democrats react to Joe Biden stepping down as candidate Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas touted President Joe Biden as one of the finest public servants in our nations history after Biden announced Sunday he was dropping out of the presidential race. Lucas, in a post on X, also thanked Biden for his service. His presidency saw us rise from challenges of the pandemic era to rising health, safety, and prosperity for our country, Lucas said. I thank him for his work for the American people. Lucas, who is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, said he looked forward to the Democratic Party presenting voters with a clear choice for progress for allparticularly in areas too often overlooked in Middle Americaover division and chaos. The Kansas City mayor did not directly announce an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. However, in a follow up post, he posted a screenshot indicating that he donated money to Harris. Lucas, in another post, said he met with Harris earlier this year and described her as brilliant, experienced, personable, relatable, and cared deeply about issues confronting our families in Americas towns and cities. I am excited for all to get to know her, he said. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City Police Department is investigating a homicide after a man was shot and killed in Kansas City, Mo. Saturday night. According to KCPD, officers were dispatched on reports of a shooting near 9th Street and Prospect Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday. However, KCPD officers found a crime scene one block east of the original reports, at 9th Street and Chestnut Avenue. BNSF train derails in Ottawa, spilling large amounts of corn After officers arrived, KCPD found 25-year-old Melquan T. West-Yancy suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and began performing life-saving measures before EMS arrived. West-Yancy was then taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead, KCPD said. According to police, the shooting is being investigated as a homicide, and patrol officers were able to find several witnesses. Crime scene investigators will continue to canvass the area for evidence. Multiple people arrested in connection with Kansas City theft ring KCPD asks anyone with information to contact homicide detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Kehoe campaign for Missouri governor riding on bus owned by lobbyist for Chinese pork producer Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe exits his campaign bus in Cuba, Missouri, on July 11 (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent). In his campaign for governor, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe has promised Republican voters he will stop China from buying up our farmland. Hes doing so while traveling the state in a bus owned by Jewell Patek, a former legislator who is the only Missouri lobbyist employed by the Chinese business that owns a significant chunk of agricultural land in the state. The Republican primary for governor has nine candidates listed on the ballot, with three Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel running full-scale campaigns. The issue of foreign land ownership, especially by China, has been one of the major issues. Eigel made it the subject of his first advertisement of the campaign, and Ashcroft has backed legislation to bar China and other hostile nations from owning farmland and enlisted his father, former Gov. John Ashcroft, to deliver the message. The cost of using Pateks bus isnt listed among the expenses reported in Kehoes latest campaign finance report. Instead, his campaign spokeswoman Gabrielle Picard said the bus cost is covered by a June 4 entry showing Kehoe himself made a $25,000 in-kind donation. The bus, she wrote in an email to The Independent, was personally leased by Kehoe. The exterior wrap on the bus, with campaign messages and a larger-than-life photo of the candidate and his wife Claudia, is reported among the campaigns expenses. It cost $15,591 at Impact Signs Awnings Wraps Inc. in Sedalia. The Kehoes personally didnt want to use the campaign funds for a bus, Picard said in an interview. The reason that it was reported as an in-kind donation by Mike Kehoe is for that reason, because we just didnt want to use money that people have donated for a bus. And he wanted to personally make that contribution himself. Charter bus rental can cost $1,200 to $1,700 a day plus mileage, depending on the size and interior amenities. The bus owned by Patek is a 2000 model, according to records in the Moniteau County Collectors office, and is assessed at the nominal value of $100. Picard would not say whether the reported amount is how much Kehoe is paying Patek for use of the bus. All fuel and associated costs with the bus tour are being covered by the campaign, she said in a message Saturday. The lease for the bus was negotiated between Mike Kehoe and the owner. Everything has been reported to the MEC as required. Since 2007, Patek has lobbied for Smithfield Foods, which in 2013 was acquired by Shuanghui International, now known as WH Group, Chinas largest pork producer. Smithfield operates a facility once known as Premium Standard Farms on more than 40,000 acres near Princeton in northern Missouri. Patek is Smithfields only lobbyist but the pork producer is not Pateks only client. Patek became a lobbyist in 2003 and his Missouri Ethics Commission filings list 44 other clients, including utility providers Evergy and Spire, the Heavy Constructors Association of Kansas City and Cheyenne International, a discount cigarette manufacturer. Patek did not return a call seeking comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Prior to 2013, Missouri law banned foreign ownership of agricultural land. To accommodate the sale of Smithfield, lawmakers that year made it legal for up to 1% of the states farmland to be foreign owned. Kehoe, a member of the Senate at the time, voted for the bill and to override a veto by then-Gov. Jay Nixon. In his veto message, Nixon wrote that the allowance for 1% foreign ownership was never debated until it was inserted into the legislation at the last minute without the benefit of a hearing that would have allowed for public testimony and over the objections of agricultural groups. Criticism of the legislation didnt take long to develop backers of Josh Hawleys campaign for attorney general broadcast an ad in 2016 with actors speaking Chinese attacking his Republican primary opponent, then-state Sen. Kurt Schaefer, for backing the legislation. Schaefer, of Columbia, this year is seeking the Republican nomination for Congress in the 3rd District. Despite growing bipartisan support for repeal or revisions to the 2013 legislation 13 bills altering the 1% allowance were introduced by Republicans and Democrats this year alone nothing has passed to the governors desk. Eigel won Senate approval this year of an amendment barring foreign ownership of Missouri farmland within 500 miles of a military base, but it was stripped out before the bill was sent to Gov. Mike Parson. In January, Parson issued an executive order banning land purchases by foreign adversaries within 10 miles of critical military facilities. In an interview earlier this month with The Independent, Kehoe said he doesnt believe an enemy of our country should own anything here. He defended his 2013 vote, saying youre talking about very different circumstances in the relationship the U.S. had with other countries than today. That happened 11 years ago, he said. Times have changed, and so we would move forward with the position that I have very clearly stated that I do not want any enemy of this country owning anything. Using a bus owned by Smithfields lobbyist and obscuring that fact by calling it a donation from Kehoe drew fire from Eigel and Ashcrofts campaigns, who have both worked to portray him as too close to interest groups. China has owned Kehoe for a long time, and of course theyll own him as governor, too, said Sophia Shore, campaign manager for Eigel. He voted four times to sell Missouri to the Chinese; everything that has followed is completely unsurprising. The bus is symbolic of Kehoes whole campaign, said Jason Roe, an adviser to Ashcroft. Kehoe has hundreds of lobbyists supporting his campaign, Roe said. Any lobbyist could subsidize the bus for him, but this one is pretty interesting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear: Biden's withdrawal is 'in the best interest of our country' Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and President Joe Biden talked with residents after a devastating tornado in Dawson Springs, Ky. in 2021. Kentucky Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear commended President Joe Biden's historic withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race Sunday. He said in a news release that while the decision cannot have been an easy one for the longtime Democrat to make, "It is in the best interest of our country, and our party." Rumors about Biden's withdrawal have been floating around since his heavily criticized debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27. Biden officially ended his reelection campaign Sunday afternoon. Beshear, who has been able to win an otherwise staunchly red state in two successful gubernatorial bids, is reportedly on the short list of potential vice president nominees, The Courier-Journal reported. He said in a statement, "President Biden will be remembered as a consequential president. Along with Vice President (Kamala) Harris, he led us through the aftermath of the January 6th attack on our Capitol and steadily steered us out of a global pandemic." Beshear also commended Biden's support for the historic $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, federal aid for Kentucky communities that fell victim to devastating tornadoes and flooding, and support for other infrastructure improvements throughout the state. My statement on President Joe Biden's decision: pic.twitter.com/88dg4ooVu5 Andy Beshear (@AndyBeshearKY) July 21, 2024 "Now it is time for our nation to come together," he said in a statement. "We need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise. We have an opportunity to remember that we are taught to treat our neighbor as yourselfand that we are all each others neighbor." Beshear has not publicly said he is interested in higher office. In addition to Beshear, USA TODAY reported other prominent Democrats that are eyed for the vice presidential nomination include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Gov. Andy Beshear commends Biden's withdrawal from presidential race Kentucky shooting results in attempted murder charge, police say A man is charged with attempted murder and wanton endangerment after a shooting in Bardstown on Saturday night. The Nelson County Sheriffs Office responded to a verbal disturbance on Boston Road Saturday afternoon around 12:30 p.m. When they arrived, they started life saving measures on 41-year-old Ashe Lydian of Bardstown. Ashe Lydian was transported to Flaget Helipad by Nelson County EMS where AirMethods then transported Ashe to University of Louisville. During the investigation and while processing the scene, 75-year-old Joseph Lydian of Bardstown was detained and questioned. He was later taken to the Nelson County Correctional Center and charged with attempted murder and wanton endangerment, according to officials. The shooting is still under investigation. LOCK HAVEN, CLINTON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Officials say they have charged two staff members at Keystone Central School District for sending explicit messages to a child. According to the Clinton County District Attorneys Office, 36-year-old Dana Ann Kitchen from Lock Haven and 29-year-old Brittany Kay Koch of Beech Creek allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old juvenile. Man in custody after sending officers on foot chase Kitchen and Koch sent those messages while employed as staff support members at the Keystone Central School District, officials note. Both have been charged with corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor. Officials say they are both in Clinton County Prison with bail set at $25,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. A months-long WREG investigation examined the deadly problems families across the Mid-South are most likely to face. From gun violence and drugs to learning who is at the highest risk for cancer, the News Channel 3 Investigators uncovered numerous health problems plaguing our community. We discovered major hazards and hidden dangers in our homes and in the air we breathe that are not only making us sick but killing us. WREG also uncovered data revealing your life is more likely to be cut short, depending on where you live. Yolonda Spinks was born and raised in South Memphis, surrounded by a village in a community she still calls home today. Like when I say this community is a part of my life, like my cousins grew up here, my sisters and brothers, said Spinks. She recalled moments from childhood at Riverview Park where we sat and talked on a park bench. Just remember you know, going to the community center, playing in the park, said Spinks. For miles and miles around the same South Memphis community, you can see industrial companies nestled near homes, schools, and parks. Spinks explained, Never knew about air pollution, didnt know that all the railroads in our community were noise pollution. Just didnt put two and two together, like this is my community. Sometimes it didnt smell pleasant, it smelled like rotten eggs or something. Spinks said growing up around it was their normal. No one really talked about it. It was just there, added Spinks. These days, Spinks uses her voice to sound the alarm as an environmental justice advocate. She serves as the Communications Director for Memphis Community Against Pollution (MCAP). This is not happenstance, this is not an accident. Pollution in this community is killing people. Its killing my people! Spinks said. Shelby County is home to 85 toxic release facilities, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. A closer look when considering the toxicity of the chemicals and the potential health impact from long-term exposure shows southwest Shelby County, South, and North Memphis are hit with almost half of the countys toxic releases. That includes the same community where WREG shared that park bench with Spinks. I should be able to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and have clean soil no matter my zip code, said Spinks. Click here to learn more about toxic releases in your community. Patrick Anderson is an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. He told WREG, There are more polluters in southwest Memphis than you would expect to see in most big cities. SELC began working alongside advocates with MCAP during their fight against the Byhalia Pipeline and most recently, against Sterilization Services of Tennessee. Sterilization Services closed this spring after operating for nearly 50 years in South Memphis and emitting ethylene oxide, a carcinogen associated with lymphoma, leukemia, stomach, and breast cancer. South Memphis plant that used toxic chemical closes We looked at tools that EPA puts out and they showed that communities in Memphis face some of the absolute highest risk of cancer from toxic air pollution in the country, explained Anderson. The News Channel 3 Investigators reviewed some of the same data revealing cancer risk from air pollutants in poor and primarily Black communities in Memphis is extraordinarily high. Anderson explained, When you see that 99th percentile, it means that your cancer risk is worse than all but 1% of communities in the country. Enter your address to find out how your community compares to others You have generations of family members that are dying from various types of cancers. Some people have more than one type of cancer at one time, said Spinks who lost her own mother she said to stomach cancer more than 12 years ago. Spinks added, I often hear people say, Oh, cancer was in my family. Cancer doesnt run in your family, your community where you all grew up and where you live is a common denominator! According to research WREG uncovered, where you live dictates how long you live. Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor is a pediatrician by trade. When a child is born in Shelby County and frankly, in a lot of places in the country, they are born with a different set of choices depending on who they are born to, said Taylor. She says details on a babys chart reinforce how life expectancy is predicted at birth. Taylor explained, In some zip codes and some census tracts, theres a 20-year difference in life expectancy depending on where that child is going home to. But long before heart disease, diabetes or even gun violence can take someone out, Taylor says children are forced to face immediate dangers that can shorten their lifespan. She continued, Are they living in a home thats older, that hasnt had the lead service lines switched out? Right. So that means there may be lead in the water that theyre using in the tap water. Is there peeling lead paint in the house? There are more questions than answers these days for Alisha Warr after testing for her 2-year-old Natalie revealed the toddler, who is also on the autism spectrum, had elevated blood lead levels. Will she be alright, how long will it take for the lead to get out of her body? I want to know where did she come in contact with the lead, said Warr. Warr shared Nataliess results with WREG revealing levels more than double whats considered an acceptable range. Warr raised questions such as, Will my babys organs shut down? How will this affect her? Natalies treatment includes taking multivitamin/iron drops and re-testing. Warr, her husband, and their four children live in a recently remodeled home in the Alcy-Ball community, but for years lived nearby in a house built in the 1940s. Warr doesnt know how the lead got into little Natalies system. Children living in older homes, built before 1978, when the United States banned lead paint, are at greater risk for lead poisoning. This is something serious, very serious, Warr said. Since 2019, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the City of Memphis and Shelby County more than $10 million to help get lead paint out of homes. Just under 200 homes have been remediated, according to HUD. That number represents only a fraction of the more than 200,000 homes in Memphis built before 1978. Spinks told the WREG Investigators, At the end of the day, this is about community. This is about human lives. Assuring more families live healthier, longer lives requires an intentional commitment to eradicate decades of policy that put our community where it is today, Spinks said. Spinks continued, Now that we know the implications of all of these toxins in humans, what are we going to do to change what Memphis looks like? One of the latest concerns for MCAP is xAI, Elon Musks supercomputer thats headed to Memphis. MCAPs concerns with xAIs plans are multifaceted, the most alarming issue is that xAI has made plans with our public utility MLGW and our Memphis Chamber but has not hosted a meeting here with our community. The community that will bear the brunt of the environmental impact of this facility. We are concerned about how this corporation was able to circumvent all levers of governance and oversight from the MLGW Board of Commissioners and our City Council, said MCAP President KeShaun Pearson. xAI supercomputer may need 1M gallons of water, plenty of power, group says Pearson added, A facility of this magnitude will require the equivalent amount of power for 100,000 homes and 1 million gallons of water from our Memphis Sands Aquifer. We are concerned about how that will affect the pollution plumes headed to our aquifer and the integrity of our power grid that has shown to be inadequate with rising climate temperatures with over 5,000 homes going without power due to strain from increased A/C usage. MLGW chief shares numbers behind xAI supercomputer in Memphis Resources for Your Family Live in an older home in Memphis and concerned about lead in your home? Apply for a Healthy Home Assessment here or call (901) 636-LEAD. Shelby County residents can apply using this form. Shelby County Health Department Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. What to know about Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Biden as his successor U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends a moderated conversation with former Trump administration national security official Olivia Troye and former Republican voter Amanda Stratton on July 17, 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Chris duMond/Getty Images) WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Sunday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new Democratic presidential nominee, passing the torch to the California native who has helmed administration initiatives on reproductive rights and gun control. A former U.S. senator from California who vied for her partys presidential nomination in the 2020 primaries, Harris, 59, would represent a new generation at the top of the ticket after Biden, 81, withdrew from the race under pressure from Democratic leaders following a disastrous late June debate performance. Harris, the nations first woman vice president, now has a chance to become the first woman president, depending on what Democrats decide. She is also the first Black vice president and first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. Some in the party publicly floated her as a potential replacement for Biden following the debate. Biden initially refused to end his reelection bid despite a growing number of calls within the Democratic Party for him to step aside. He bowed out on Sunday. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, Biden said in a Sunday post on X. Policy initiatives During her time as vice president, Harris became a leading voice in the administrations fight for reproductive rights and abortion access often seen as Democrats strongest issue since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which ended nearly half a century of the federal constitutional right to abortion. Harris launched a Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour in early 2024, bringing her to several swing states. And after touring a Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota, Harris was believed to be the first sitting president or vice president to tour an abortion clinic. Harris has also focused on gun safety throughout her vice presidential tenure. She announced the launch of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center in March to assist states, local governments and others in optimizing the usage of red flag laws, according to the White House. She also called on states to pass so-called red flag laws which enable law enforcement to petition civil courts to take away firearms from those who could pose a danger to themselves or others and use Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding to to help implement laws already enacted. The administration championed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Biden signed into law in June 2022. The measure was regarded as the most comprehensive federal gun safety legislation in almost 30 years. Shes also been a sharp opponent, alongside Biden and other Democrats, of Project 2025 the nearly 900-page document from the Heritage Foundation that proposes a sweeping conservative agenda if former President Donald J. Trump is elected. Though Trump has distanced himself from the platform, some former members of his administration helped write it. Harris has also drawn criticism on both sides of the aisle for her efforts surrounding immigration. Biden tapped her in 2021 to help address the root causes of migration in Central America. She visited the U.S.-Mexico border in June 2021 after making stops in Guatemala and Mexico earlier that month, the first international trip for her as vice president. Republicans have repeatedly called her a border czar despite her focus being on migrations root causes in Central American countries. During the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was one of several speakers who dubbed her a border czar, adding the barb that appointing Kamala Harris to oversee the border is like appointing Bernie Madoff to oversee your retirement plan. Harris also holds the record for the highest number of tie-breaking votes cast in the U.S. Senate. Public polling and perception Since the fallout from the June 27 debate, a slew of polls have offered mixed outcomes as to whether voters would choose Harris over Trump if the two were up against each other. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted July 13-16 shows both Harris and Biden narrowly behind Trump, with Biden performing slightly better than Harris. Only 39% said they would choose Harris, compared to 44% who would vote for Trump. Similarly, 41% said they would vote for Biden, compared to 43% choosing Trump. As of mid-July, her approval ratings also appeared dim, with 50.4% of Americans disapproving of her and 38.6% approving. California background Prior to serving as vice president, Harris was a U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021. With a long career in law enforcement, she served as the attorney general of California and was also the district attorney of San Francisco. Harris vied for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential election before ultimately withdrawing her candidacy months later and subsequently endorsing Biden. She dropped out prior to the Iowa caucuses, ending her bid in December 2019, despite being initially viewed as a top Democratic contender. She was born in Oakland, California, in 1964 to immigrant parents. She is married to Doug Emhoff, who is the first Jewish spouse of either a U.S. president or vice president, according to the White House. Hes also the first second gentleman in U.S. history. Harris is an alumna of Howard University, a historically Black institution, and received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE What to know about Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Biden as his successor U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends a moderated conversation with former Trump administration national security official Olivia Troye and former Republican voter Amanda Stratton on July 17, 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan (Chris duMond/Getty Images). WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Sunday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new Democratic presidential nominee, passing the torch to the California native who has helmed administration initiatives on reproductive rights and gun control. A former U.S. senator from California who vied for her partys presidential nomination in the 2020 primaries, Harris, 59, would represent a new generation at the top of the ticket after Biden, 81, withdrew from the race under pressure from Democratic leaders following a disastrous late June debate performance. Harris, the nations first woman vice president, now has a chance to become the first woman president, depending on what Democrats decide. She is also the first Black vice president and first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. Some in the party publicly floated her as a potential replacement for Biden following the debate. Biden initially refused to end his reelection bid despite a growing number of calls within the Democratic Party for him to step aside. He bowed out on Sunday. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, Biden said in a Sunday post on X. Policy initiatives During her time as vice president, Harris became a leading voice in the administrations fight for reproductive rights and abortion access often seen as Democrats strongest issue since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which ended nearly half a century of the federal constitutional right to abortion. Harris launched a Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour in early 2024, bringing her to several swing states. And after touring a Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota, Harris was believed to be the first sitting president or vice president to tour an abortion clinic. Harris has also focused on gun safety throughout her vice presidential tenure. She announced the launch of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center in March to assist states, local governments and others in optimizing the usage of red flag laws, according to the White House. She also called on states to pass so-called red flag laws which enable law enforcement to petition civil courts to take away firearms from those who could pose a danger to themselves or others and use Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding to to help implement laws already enacted. The administration championed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Biden signed into law in June 2022. The measure was regarded as the most comprehensive federal gun safety legislation in almost 30 years. Shes also been a sharp opponent, alongside Biden and other Democrats, of Project 2025 the nearly 900-page document from the Heritage Foundation that proposes a sweeping conservative agenda if former President Donald J. Trump is elected. Though Trump has distanced himself from the platform, some former members of his administration helped write it. Harris has also drawn criticism on both sides of the aisle for her efforts surrounding immigration. Biden tapped her in 2021 to help address the root causes of migration in Central America. She visited the U.S.-Mexico border in June 2021 after making stops in Guatemala and Mexico earlier that month, the first international trip for her as vice president. Republicans have repeatedly called her a border czar despite her focus being on migrations root causes in Central American countries. During the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was one of several speakers who dubbed her a border czar, adding the barb that appointing Kamala Harris to oversee the border is like appointing Bernie Madoff to oversee your retirement plan. Harris also holds the record for the highest number of tie-breaking votes cast in the U.S. Senate. Public polling and perception Since the fallout from the June 27 debate, a slew of polls have offered mixed outcomes as to whether voters would choose Harris over Trump if the two were up against each other. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted July 13-16 shows both Harris and Biden narrowly behind Trump, with Biden performing slightly better than Harris. Only 39% said they would choose Harris, compared to 44% who would vote for Trump. Similarly, 41% said they would vote for Biden, compared to 43% choosing Trump. As of mid-July, her approval ratings also appeared dim, with 50.4% of Americans disapproving of her and 38.6% approving. California background Prior to serving as vice president, Harris was a U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021. With a long career in law enforcement, she served as the attorney general of California and was also the district attorney of San Francisco. Harris vied for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential election before ultimately withdrawing her candidacy months later and subsequently endorsing Biden. She dropped out prior to the Iowa caucuses, ending her bid in December 2019, despite being initially viewed as a top Democratic contender. She was born in Oakland, California, in 1964 to immigrant parents. She is married to Doug Emhoff, who is the first Jewish spouse of either a U.S. president or vice president, according to the White House. Hes also the first second gentleman in U.S. history. Harris is an alumna of Howard University, a historically Black institution, and received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings. What to know about Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Biden as his successor Vice President Kamala Harris holds a roundtable at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Feb. 22, 2024, as part of her Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour. (Photo by Andrew Roth) WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Sunday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the new Democratic presidential nominee, passing the torch to the California native who has helmed administration initiatives on reproductive rights and gun control. A former U.S. senator from California who vied for her partys presidential nomination in the 2020 primaries, Harris, 59, would represent a new generation at the top of the ticket after Biden, 81, withdrew from the race under pressure from Democratic leaders following a disastrous late June debate performance. Harris, the nations first woman vice president, now has a chance to become the first woman president, depending on what Democrats decide. She is also the first Black vice president and first person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. Some in the party publicly floated her as a potential replacement for Biden following the debate. Biden initially refused to end his reelection bid despite a growing number of calls within the Democratic Party for him to step aside. He bowed out on Sunday. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, Biden said in a Sunday post on X. Policy initiatives During her time as vice president, Harris became a leading voice in the administrations fight for reproductive rights and abortion access often seen as Democrats strongest issue since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which ended nearly half a century of the federal constitutional right to abortion. Harris launched a Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour in early 2024, bringing her to several swing states. And after touring a Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota, Harris was believed to be the first sitting president or vice president to tour an abortion clinic. Harris has also focused on gun safety throughout her vice presidential tenure. She announced the launch of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center in March to assist states, local governments and others in optimizing the usage of red flag laws, according to the White House. She also called on states to pass so-called red flag laws which enable law enforcement to petition civil courts to take away firearms from those who could pose a danger to themselves or others and use Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding to to help implement laws already enacted. The administration championed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Biden signed into law in June 2022. The measure was regarded as the most comprehensive federal gun safety legislation in almost 30 years. Shes also been a sharp opponent, alongside Biden and other Democrats, of Project 2025 the nearly 900-page document from the Heritage Foundation that proposes a sweeping conservative agenda if former President Donald J. Trump is elected. Though Trump has distanced himself from the platform, some former members of his administration helped write it. Harris has also drawn criticism on both sides of the aisle for her efforts surrounding immigration. Biden tapped her in 2021 to help address the root causes of migration in Central America. She visited the U.S.-Mexico border in June 2021 after making stops in Guatemala and Mexico earlier that month, the first international trip for her as vice president. Republicans have repeatedly called her a border czar despite her focus being on migrations root causes in Central American countries. During the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was one of several speakers who dubbed her a border czar, adding the barb that appointing Kamala Harris to oversee the border is like appointing Bernie Madoff to oversee your retirement plan. Harris also holds the record for the highest number of tie-breaking votes cast in the U.S. Senate. Public polling and perception Since the fallout from the June 27 debate, a slew of polls have offered mixed outcomes as to whether voters would choose Harris over Trump if the two were up against each other. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted July 13-16 shows both Harris and Biden narrowly behind Trump, with Biden performing slightly better than Harris. Only 39% said they would choose Harris, compared to 44% who would vote for Trump. Similarly, 41% said they would vote for Biden, compared to 43% choosing Trump. As of mid-July, her approval ratings also appeared dim, with 50.4% of Americans disapproving of her and 38.6% approving. California background Prior to serving as vice president, Harris was a U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021. With a long career in law enforcement, she served as the attorney general of California and was also the district attorney of San Francisco. Harris vied for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential election before ultimately withdrawing her candidacy months later and subsequently endorsing Biden. She dropped out prior to the Iowa caucuses, ending her bid in December 2019, despite being initially viewed as a top Democratic contender. She was born in Oakland, California, in 1964 to immigrant parents. She is married to Doug Emhoff, who is the first Jewish spouse of either a U.S. president or vice president, according to the White House. Hes also the first second gentleman in U.S. history. Harris is an alumna of Howard University, a historically Black institution, and received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings. Following Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race in the United States, the Kremlin has said it will "closely monitor" the situation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reminded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had characterized Biden as a predictable candidate, who Russia would have preferred. However, Peskov added: "The election is still four months away, and that is a long time during which much can change." "We have to be patient and closely monitor what happens next," Peskov said. The priority for Russia, he said, is to achieve the objectives of the war against Ukraine. The chairman of Russia's State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, demanded that Biden be held accountable. Volodin stated, "Biden has created problems all over the world and in his own country, the United States." He added that Biden should "be held responsible: for the unleashed war in Ukraine, the destruction of the economies of European countries, the sanctions policy against Russia and other countries." According to the Russian narrative, the West bears the blame for Russia's war against Ukraine. US President Joe Biden arrives for a welcome ceremony at the G7 leaders' summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort. Biden has withdrawn from his bid for re-election, saying: "I believe it in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Christopher Furlong/PA Wire/dpa Russian kamikaze drones targeted Kyiv Oblast on the night of 20-21 July. Although the UAVs failed to reach their target, they caused a grass fire and minor damage. Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration Details: The authorities reported that no residential or critical infrastructure had been hit, nor had there been any casualties. However, operational groups have recorded that wreckage from Shahed UAVs crashed in two districts of Kyiv Oblast, causing damage to the facade and windows of two houses and a car. In addition, a grassy area caught fire due to the falling wreckage. Background: All Russian UAVs heading for Kyiv had been destroyed by Ukrainian air defence units on the outskirts of the city. Support UP or become our patron! The Labour partys decision to restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza is a disgrace that shames Britain. Support for the agency was cut when allegations were made that a number of its staff had taken part in the October 7 pogrom, with the then Conservative government rightly taking the view that it could not fund an organisation so closely linked to Hamas. Yet Foreign Secretary David Lammy has made the decision to restore the flow of British money, stating that he has been reassured that the UNRWA is now meeting the highest standards of neutrality and strengthening vetting. Addressing the Commons, Mr Lammy cited casualty figures that appeared to have originated with the Hamas-run health ministry, said that civilians in Gaza were trapped in hell on earth, claimed that the Palestinian people had been in purgatory for decades, and stated that they had been denied the state that is their inalienable right. Combined with Labours manifesto pledge to recognise a Palestinian state effectively irrespective of Israels position, it is a grim sign of things to come. If the Government genuinely wants a two-state solution, then it should understand that funding the UNRWA works directly against this outcome. In maintaining the idea that refugee status is hereditary, it undermines any basis for a reasonable settlement. Schools run by the agency have spread an anti-Israel ideology that has helped to radicalise generations of young Palestinians, and Israel has alleged that over a thousand of the agencys workers are affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. It is these ties that have caused the Israeli Foreign Ministry to allege that it is impossible to say where UNRWA ends and Hamas begins. It should be a source of deep concern that British money will now be flowing to an organisation so tightly intertwined with an existential threat to Israel. As memories of October 7 fade, the Labour party appears to have forgotten why this war started in the first place, and that the utter dismantling of Hamass military apparatus is a necessary prerequisite for any viable peace. The result is a short-sighted decision that works against any longer-term peace, and against our national interest. 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. Large school supply drive held in Clayton County as students prepare to return to class Hundreds of people came out to a school supply drive in Clayton County on Saturday. Earlier this month, the Walmart Supercenter in Hampton, Georgia set up giant donation bins to allow customers to donate school supplies. On Saturday the store held a large block party in their parking lot complete with bounce houses, food trucks, and a live DJ. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A school bus was filled with donated school supplies. Walmarts wellness center also provided free blood pressure screenings and the barbershop gave attendees free haircuts. The donated items will benefit Clayton County students. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the amount of cable the ship is capable of laying. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Horry Countys development boom isnt just happening on land. A 467-foot French vessel was spotted moving across the Myrtle Beach coast early Sunday morning that ocean traffic data identified as the high-tech Rene Descartes. It was captured by a News13 Storm Tracker camera. Built by Orange Marine in 2002, the Rene Descartes is a cable-laying ship able to stay at sea for up to two months while deploying 4,970 miles of uninterrupted product. Looks like we have a huge ship off the Myrtle Beach coast this morning. Look at the marine traffic data, it looks to be a cable layer originating out of France. pic.twitter.com/y06QQSH1W8 Scotty Powell (@ScottyPowellWX) July 21, 2024 As she is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, she answers at best the highest market requirements, Orange Marine says of the ship, which is outfitted with seven propellers. According to global ship tracking site MarineTraffic.com, the Rene Descartes was moving at 4 1/2 knots after departing from Charleston. Orange Marines fleet has traversed oceans all over the world laying subterranean infrastructure, including projects around Cuba, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar and Singapore. Specifics on the Descartes work was not immediately known, but Myrtle Beach is emerging as a hub for transcontinental data movement. In October, DC BLOX opened a $31.5 million, 125,000-square-foot facility at the International Technology and Aerospace Park a site that will host up to five subsea cables and colocation space for network and cable operators, communications providers, local enterprises, and partners. Three of them are in use by Google and Meta, and connect to countries including Brazil, Portugal and Spain. The company in May said work had been completed on a dark fiber network tying Myrtle Beach to Atlanta * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. With the news that President Joe Biden is dropping out of the presidential race, the 2024 election cycle is entering uncharted territory. While many questions remain about who will replace Biden on the Democratic party ticket, this isn't the first time in history that an incumbent president lost their party's nomination while they were running for reelection. (Though Biden framed this decision as his choice, it was clearly at the pressure of the Democratic caucus and polls showing the opinions of voters.) The only other elected president to lose their party's nomination was President Franklin Pierce, back in 1856, while other incumbents (like Calvin Coolidge and Lyndon B. Johnson) have decided not to seek reelection. And, in the 19th century, four separate presidentsall who became president following the death or assassination of the incumbentdid not win their party's nomination, losing during the convention. Here, a brief history of the other times incumbent presidents lost their party's nomination. The only other elected president to lose his party's nomination: Franklin Pierce Heritage Images - Getty Images In 1856, Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the U.S., was running for re-election. But Pierce's position against the abolitionist movement, his enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, and the fact that he signed into law the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854which repealed the Missouri Compromise and left open the question of slavery in new territoriesmade him unpopular among his own Democratic Party. At the 1856 Democratic National Convention, delegates ditched Pierce and instead nominated former Secretary of State James Buchanan. Pierce ultimately endorsed Buchanan, who won the election and served as the 15th president from 1857 to 1861. Pierce was the first (and until Biden, the only) elected incumbent president who was did not get his party's nomination for a second term. Other incumbent presidents that also lost their party's nomination Print Collector - Getty Images Throughout U.S. history, four other incumbent presidents lost their party's nomination, but none of them were elected for their first termall became president following the death the incumbent president. They are, in chronological order: John Tyler, who became the 10th president in 1841 upon the death of William Henry Harrison, was expelled from the Whig party just a few months later. Therefore, he wasn't eligible to earn the Whig party nomination in 1844, which instead nominated Henry Clay. Clay would go on to lose to the Democratic nominee, James K. Polk. Millard Filmore, the 13th president, ascended to the president upon the death of Zachary Taylor in 1850. At the 1852 Whig National Convention, Taylor, whose enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act was unpopular with Northerners, lost the nomination to General-in-Chief Winfield Scott. Scott lost the 1852 election to Franklin Pierce (above), who would go on to lose his own party's nomination four years later. Andrew Johnson, the 17th president, took the office of president in 1865 upon the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln, a Republican, had selected Johnson, a Southern Democrat, to run on a unity ticket in 1864. So during the 1868 election, Johnson tried to earn the Democratic nomination but lost to Horatio Seymour, the former Governor of New York. Seymour lost in the general election to Ulysses S. Grant. Chester Arthur, the 21st president, succeeded to the presidency after the assassination of James Garfield in 1881. Arthur was unsuccessful in clinching the Republican nominee for a second term, losing to Secretary of State James G. Blaine. Blaine would lose in the general election to Grover Cleveland. Incumbent presidents who decided not to run for reelection Bettmann Biden technically also falls into the category of incumbents who decided not to seek a second term, though he initially did try to get reelected. There have been seven other elected incumbents in American history who didn't seek a second term: James K. Polk (in 1848), James Buchanan (in 1860), Rutherford B. Hayes (in 1880), Calvin Coolidge (in 1928), Harry S. Truman (in 1952), and Lyndon B. Johnson (in 1968). Coolidge, Truman, and Johnson all served more than four years, but they were still eligible to run again; Coolidge became president upon the death of Warren G. Harding in 1923, Truman succeeded to the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, and Johnson took office upon the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. You Might Also Like Latvia to send medical products to Ukraine for Okhmatdyt hospital Latvia intends to send medical products for the Okhmatdyt childrens hospital in the city of Kyiv which was destroyed in a Russian missile attack. Source: European Pravda with reference to the Delfi media outlet Details: The Ministry of Health of Latvia on 18 July received a letter from Ukraines Health Ministry about the support Ukraine needs. Riga is preparing to send bandages, adhesive tape, tourniquets, needles, syringes, and different antibiotics to Ukraine. The aid may be allocated from state financial reserves of the Latvian healthcare sector. Earlier it was reported that Latvia was planning to allocate 100,000 to support the operation of Ukrainian medical facilities. At the same time, the Assistance Fund of the Tallinn Childrens Hospital raised 60,000 in donations from the residents of Estonia for the rebuilding of the Okhmatdyt hospital destroyed in a Russian attack. Before that it was revealed that Germany would supply Ukraine with 10 million for the rebuilding of the Okhmatdyt childrens hospital. Lithuania transferred 1 million to Ukraine for the rebuilding of Okhmatdyt. Support UP or become our patron! This article was originally published in Washington State Standard. Washington lacks qualified special education teachers and teachers aides, but the state doesnt know how bad the problem really is just that at least 1.5% of the teachers arent qualified for their jobs. Thats according to a new state audit, which found that alongside high vacancy rates in special education, a significant number of those in the classroom do not hold full teaching endorsements for special education or are comparatively inexperienced in this field. While the percentage may appear relatively small, its nearly three times higher than the percentage of instruction statewide provided by underqualified teachers in other content areas. The next highest percentage of under qualified instructors is in elementary education, at 0.6%, according to data from a 2024 Professional Educator Standards Board report. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Roughly 143,000 eligible students in Washington receive special education and related services, according to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The office did not immediately provide the exact number of total special education teachers in Washington, but reported 5,813 full-time equivalent classroom teachers in the special education program during the 2022-2023 school year. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction said it appreciated the efforts of the auditors office to study the issue and said theyre making good progress in this area. In our state and across the nation, special education is consistently an area with above-average educator turnover, Katy Payne, the offices spokesperson, said in a statement. We are proud of our efforts to attract and retain high-quality educators into these critical positions. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction touted its teacher residency program, which is focused on training future special education teachers. Several residents from the first cohort just got hired for permanent jobs, Payne said. The agency has also advocated for funding a hiring bonus for teachers within a districts special education program and pointed to multiple requests to provide more funding for special education and data tracking to accurately estimate vacancies. Its not surprising that there are comparatively more under-credentialed special education teachers in Washingtons classrooms than in other content areas, said Josh Taylor, assistant professor of special education at Washington State University. I was surprised the number was as low as it was, Taylor said. Taylor said shortages in special education are routine across nearly every state in the country, if not every state. Districts hire teachers without special education certifications because turnover and vacancies are so high, and they need staff but then those teachers leave because they arent well-prepared. That becomes this nasty, cyclical problem, Taylor said. We just need to devote more resources at a systemic level, both in preparing more teachers, preparing them better and then supporting them when theyre in a place to stick around until they can become experienced teachers and mentor others. Washington does not track statewide teacher vacancy data, but the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction said in a 2024 state budget proposal that the vacancy rate for special education teachers was much higher than for general elementary teaching positions. A 2021 University of Washington study analyzing district job postings found that about 20% of vacant teaching positions were for special education, a rate three times higher than for elementary education teachers. Inexperienced teachers and teachers aides, also known as paraeducators, are also common in special education settings, the audit found. Paraeducators are particularly important in special education, Taylor said, and the profession has long seen high turnover rates. Nearly 50% of Washington paraeducators have less than five years of experience, the audit says, citing a 2023 study from an education research center that includes 11 universities, including the University of Washington. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction attributes paraeducator turnover to low wages. The average hourly wage for paraeducators in Washington is $22 an hour, according to the agency. The office recommended the Legislature raise wages by $7 an hour during this years legislative session. Instead, lawmakers gave districts additional funds that they can use on paraeducator wages but arent required to. Taylor, a former paraeducator, said the profession needs much more support from lawmakers. He also wants to see lawmakers support more pathways for aspiring special education teachers many of whom begin as paraeducators and incentivize pursuing special education as a profession. Mentorship and guidance once educators begin teaching, he said, is also sorely needed. Research also suggests high turnover could be partly attributed to changing perceptions of the field of education, according to Taylor. Some of the criticism, I think, of K-12 education has had a detrimental impact on morale, Taylor said. I talk to teachers who are wavering about staying in the field and feel like theyre just not valued by society in the same way they felt like they were when they went into the field. And that stinks. Hopefully, itll change, because education is really important, and our teachers should deserve to know that the work that theyre doing matters, he added. Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X. Vice President Kamala Harris campaigning in Las Vegas in early July. (Photo: Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current) Nevada Democrats praised the achievements of President Joe Biden and his administration after he announced he was bowing out of the presidential race Sunday, and some Democrats and allied organizations wasted little time before echoing Bidens endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee. I cannot thank President Biden enough for saving Americas democracy in 2020 and paving the way for a new era of leadership, said Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in a statement. I look forward to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket so we can once again defeat Donald Trump and far-right extremism. Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, had been an outspoken defender of Biden continuing at the top of the ticket in recent weeks. But Sunday Horsford, in a statement issued jointly with Gregory Meeks, chair of the CBCs Political Action Committee, said they were fully supporting Kamala Harris as our partys nominee. Sen. Jacky Rosen, who is being challenged in a competitive relection contest by Republican Sam Brown, has refrained from endorsing or even mentioning Bidens name in statements since Bidens shocking debate performance last month. In an initial statement Sunday, Rosen continued keeping the Democratic presidential ticket at arms length, saying she is focused on my job working for Nevada and continuing my record as one of the most bipartisan, independent, and effective Senators. However within hours Rosen issued another statement saying Harris has my support as she works to earn and win the Democratic nomination. Similarly, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto issued an initial statement in which she praised Biden but refrained from commenting on the top of her partys ticket going forward. But later Sunday Cortez Masto endored Harris, saying Harris has the experience and proven record to be our next President. Shes a fighter who we can count on to deliver for our working families, defend womens rights, and protect our democracy and Im proud to stand with her. Rep. Dina Titus issued an initial statement saying Biden has made the most difficult decision of his five decades of public service, adding, Ultimately, he chose to put the interests of his nation above himself. That is the essence of a great President. And like Rosen and Cortez Masto, Titus later in the afternoon issued a statement saying It is time for Democrats to unite behind Kamala Harris as our nominee. Nevada Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford, in a joint statement with his Democratic Attorney Generals Association co-chair Kathy Jennnings of Delaware, did not explicitly back Harris as the nominee. But Ford in subsequent statements endorsed Harris. While stopping short of explicitly endorsing Harris as the nominee, the Nevada State Democratic Party issued a statement Sunday saying President Biden is absolutely right that Kamala Harris has been a phenomenal choice to serve as his Vice President. Her commitment to expanding health care coverage for thousands of Nevadans, lowering costs, and keeping our communities safe has helped grow Nevadas economy, create good-paying union jobs, and protect our fundamental rights. The Nevada Republican Party issued a statement seeming to relish Bidens announcement, saying it underscores the deep divisions and uncertainty within the Democratic Party. That statement was also included in a fundraising email to supporters from the party, in which the Nevada GOP said Bidens dropping out of the race brings a whole new set of challenges against whatever Democrat we will face in November. Obama and the Clintons Former President Barack Obama, in a statement praising his vice president, said the the decision to leave the race is a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead, Obama wrote. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. Several other prominent national Democratic figures and organizations quickly declared who they want that nominee to be. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris, said Bill and Hillary Clinton in a joint statement. Priorities USA, one of the Democrats largest Super PACs, said Coming off of the past month, it is imperative that voters online hear clarity and not chaos for the remaining weeks of the election, said the PACs executive directory, Danielle Butterfield. Priorities USA fully stands behind Vice President Kamala Harris as our next Democratic nominee. She is the best candidate to beat Donald Trump this November, Butterfield said. This story was updated to include late Sunday afternoon statements from Rosen, Cortez Masto, Titus and Ford endorsing Harris. My earliest memory of the legacy of Fiorello LaGuardia dates to my senior year in high school when my English teacher escorted my class on a train ride from St. Louis to Chicagos Shubert Theater where we would see the Broadway musical production of Fiorello. (You can still access one of its most entertaining numbers, Politics and Poker, on the Internet.) From the moment this impressionable kid saw the play, LaGuardia became one of my favorite public servants in American history. LaGuardia was a politician held in the highest regard, but never cared for that word, politician, referring to himself as public servant. A new book on LaGuardias impact on political life in America by Terry Golway underscores LaGuardias disdain for politics by using one of Fiorellos famous quotes, I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorella LaGuardia Became Americas Mayor, and Why He Still Matters. LaGuardias record in office as congressman and later mayor of New York was beyond reproach. He never made a crooked dime from the jobs he held, something the recently convicted Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, and Donald Trump would have a hard time claiming as Trumps family members fed at the public trough when he was president. LaGuardia is famous for many things, none more applicable to Boise than claiming there is no Republican or Democratic way to cleaning the streets. But dont tell that to some Republican legislators in Idaho who want to insert partisanship into the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, introduced a bill this legislative past session that would require candidates to run with a partisan label in contrast to the nonpartisan nature of current elections to ACHD. The bill also adds two commissioners to ACHD and forces the entire board to be reelected in 2024, terminating half of the boards remaining terms. The bill gives the Ada County Commissioners the power to draw the district boundaries for ACHD members, a bald-faced effort by Republicans to take partisan control of ACHD. The bill did not make it through the legislative process, but its likely to be resurrected by the same zealots intent on making inroads into Boises more moderate brand of politics. There was a significant municipal reform movement during the Progressive era in the early 20th century to remove partisan labels on local offices to counter the graft and corruption of the party bosses in charge of local governments. Those reforms have worked well over the years for most local governments and Boise certainly does not need to buck the trend that has been in place for at least a century. If the state legislature was to make any changes in ACHD, they should dissolve it and hand over the maintenance of city streets to the City where it is found in a majority of municipalities across America. But dont place any bets on that happening anytime soon. Republicans from Governor Little on down will tell you what a great practice our form of governing city streets is even though its well-nigh impossible to find other cities who have no control over their own streets. The partisan ambitions of Republicans in the legislature know no bounds. Given how hyper partisan our politics has become, its refreshing to read about LaGuardias experience. He served in Congress as a Republican from 1916 to 1920 and then, after his service as a World War I pilot, from 1922 to 1930. Then he served as New York City mayor from 1934 to 1946 when author Terry Golway explains how Republican LaGuardia got along famously with Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt and had easy access to the Oval Office which he used to secure federal funding for NYC projects, including the airport named after him to this day. We have traveled a long way from that brand of bipartisanship whether its in the Congress of the United States or the state Legislature in Idaho. LaGuardia was the genuine article and should serve today as the model public servant for politicians who have lost sight of whom they represent. Golways biography reminds us that even those with no vote received representation by LaGuardia. During his mayoral administration, the delivery workers who transported the newspapers to the reading public walked off the job and LaGuardia worried about the kids who followed the comic strips, so he took it upon himself to read the comics to New Yorkers over the radio during the strike. LaGuardia had already announced he wasnt running for office, so it wasnt a political stunt to impress voters for an upcoming election. He simply cared. He acted on behalf of kids who couldnt read the Dick Tracy or Little Orphan Annie comic strips. Golway contends that Uncle Fiorello, as he was dubbed by the New York Times, is remembered in American folklore as a public servant who entertained kids and reminded his constituents that he cared about the ordinary people of New York City. Golway tells the reader in his acknowledgements that his editor thought LaGuardia was as relevant today as he was three-quarters of a century ago. Its tough to disagree once we read about this remarkable public servant. Today, our politics has turned nasty and brutish with too many folks seeking office out of revenge and vindication for some ill-conceived fault with no basis. Since the assassination attempt on Trump, there have been renewed pleas for our public officials and those who challenge them to turn the volume down and shut off the ad hominem attacks on public officials There must be a better way to engage in our public discourse than the kind of mean-spirited, often inaccurate charges leveled against those who serve us. LaGuardia is the perfect embodiment of integrity and compassion in the public service and lets hope his example can be replicated in todays political arena. Its time to turn a new page in this chapter of American history and devote more attention to the ways of LaGuardia when it comes to how best to serve the American people. Bob Kustra served as president of Boise State University from 2003 to 2018. He is host of Readers Corner on Boise State Public Radio, and he writes a biweekly column for the Idaho Statesman. He served two terms as Illinois lieutenant governor and 10 years as a state legislator. The U.S. Supreme Court building is seen in Washington, D.C., on July 1, after the ruling was announced that former President Donald Trump can be tried for any of his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss that were not taken in his official capacity. I am in disbelief with what is happening in our country, especially with the highest court in the land, the U.S. Supreme Court. How can those judges sleep at night after not holding Donald Trump accountable for encouraging and inciting a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol? If you recall, there were Republican legislators as well as Democrats running for their lives on that horrible day. Now they are supporting a man who wants to be a dictator his own words. How can these same people believe that he stands for our sacred U.S. Constitution, fought for by many American lives? How can they hold up Old Glory next to him? I see it all the time pickup trucks with a giant American flag on it and everyone knows that driver most likely supports Trump. He is as far from representing a patriotic American as I can imagine, yet the indoctrination and brainwashing by the extreme right continues. So many good American people seem to think he is their savior. He is a danger to our democracy and I don't understand how those supporters do not see it. Now he can do anything he wants if he becomes president again. Thank you, Supreme Court judges you have now created an extremely dangerous precedent. I will not vote for him in November and I am praying to God that those who plan on casting their vote for him will wake up. It's not even about Democrats versus Republicans it is about not putting a tyrannical, egotistical and out-of-control man in the White House again. Orquidia DeArriba, Jacksonville Dangerous, foolhardy new Florida laws Among the new Florida laws taking effect in July is one that prohibits local governments from requiring heat protections for outdoor workers during the summer months. I was flabbergasted to read about some of the new Florida laws taking effect this month. First, students cannot discuss or be taught about menstrual cycles before sixth grade. Many girls start their first period by age 10 (fourth grade) and the average is continually falling, now 11.9 years, often before sixth grade. Breast development normally begins at age 8 (third grade). Should we make that a no-no as well? Children need to be prepared as best as possible for these normal but life-changing events. We do kids no favors by allowing them to be surprised and embarrassed. Second, local governments are prohibited from requiring heat and water breaks for Floridians working outside. This is unbelievable. Record heat levels are being set every day and it is the No. 1 weather-related cause of death. Heat illness is one of my clinical interests, but you don't need to be an emergency physician to know that this is foolhardy. Last, I see that the governor also signed a law allowing the radioactive waste of phosphogypsum (a fertilizer byproduct) to be studied for possible use in paving roads. So, "road rash" may take on a whole new meaning. Seriously, the real risk is to the workers who will work around this material, touch it, inhale the fumes of now radioactive asphalt and take it home on their clothes. These laws are poorly considered at best and dangerous at worst. No doubt there are others. David J. Vukich M.D., FACEP, FAAEM, professor emeritus in emergency medicine (retired), University of Florida A suggestion for Duval Schools dilemma The board of Duval County Public Schools is faced with a huge financial dilemma that threatens to cause the closing of many of our schools. The board blames the crisis on the high numbers of students leaving for charter schools. But in fact, I believe the crisis is caused by schools not doing the job of educating students, causing parents to opt out for either charter schools or homeschooling. The answer is to improve our public schools. To do this, a radical change is needed. I suggest that we make our school system into a three-track program: college prep (higher level math or science), general education (the old basics, perhaps this program could end in the 10th or 11th grade with a high school diploma ) and vocational education (and 18- to 24-month program). All three tracks must be first class and equally funded. One advantage of this system is that students wouldn't all be forced into the same standard track one they are either incapable of coping with or one that simply doesnt interest them. Remember do what you've always done and you get what you've always gotten. Terry Weaver, Jacksonville Deegans distorted view of love A Pride flag flies over the southeast corner of Jacksonville City Hall on June 28. It was reported on July 1 that Mayor Donna Deegan was proud to celebrate the city's first official LGBTQ+ Pride Month and promised to continue such events in the future. She was quoted as saying, For the community love is love and love will always win are the themes that drive you forward. I believe the mayor has a distorted sense of love. This concept that love is love is very troubling, for the simple fact that real love has a set of rules. There are many actions done in the name of love that are unloving. If you truly love someone then you would not lie to them, steal from them or cheat on them, for example. Because of the sinful nature of man, it is easy to distort the true meaning of love and put a selfish spin on it. By flying the Pride flag at City Hall, I think Mayor Deegan is enabling sexual perversion, which is a recipe for depression, STDs and suicidal thoughts. She should reevaluate her position, because enabling a destructive lifestyle is not an act of love even though she may think it is. Calvin Johnson, Jacksonville Thoughts on free meal programs A youngster and her grandmother pick up their lunch, provided by the Lee County School District. The summer feeding program was set up a few years back with help from the community for volunteers and donations. The number of kids coming in for lunch was four times what was expected. Recently a few states, including Florida, refused federal money to continue meal programs that qualified families receive for children during summer months when school is out. This is the same benefit they receive during the school year. In another state, where funding was also not accepted, a single mother spoke of the difficult time she had with living expenses. Two things occurred to me here. First, why refuse federal money to help needy families? Federal aid has strings attached is a poor excuse, and it doesnt cost Floridians anything. Second, the single mother who is affected by the discontinued free or reduced meal program mentioned having two grown children (ages 18 and 22) at home. Helping children who need it with a meal is what we do, or should. Accept the federal money, but draw the line at school-aged children. At 18 and older, youre an adult. There are options not necessarily easy but neither is life. There's a fine line between helping to fill a need and creating dependence. The goal should be helping to develop independence. Gary Schuran, Middleburg Public schools have failed In her July 7 letter, Karen Adler suggested rejecting the Moms for Liberty movement, stating their support of charter schools and banning of certain books. I dont normally support book banning myself; but the reason why so many parents are opting for charter schools could be because of the failed liberal policies of public schools. These schools have dumbed down American students and embraced social movements, instead of teaching core subjects. Parents are rejecting discussion about sexual feelings and lifestyle to young children, because there is no place in schools for that. Nor do they want to have their children taught social issues that are extremely divisive. These types of things should be taught at home or in other places, like community support groups. I blame the teachers unions. I suggest they look in the mirror, see how they have failed our students and move in a different direction. Joey Stevens, Jacksonville DeSantis civic cruelty Recently Gov. Ron DeSantis blocked a federal program to fund groceries during the summer for low-income families. This raised concerns about their youngsters receiving breakfasts and lunches when schools are closed. This was after DeSantis vetoed a local ordinance in South Florida requiring contractors to provide water and shade breaks for workers to relieve some of summer's excessive heat. He also vetoed state legislation funding several arts programs across the state. These actions build on even earlier ones, such as refusing to accept federal expansion of the Medicaid program for families unable to afford health insurance. My wife says, he must be a cruel man. I agree. Laura and Jim Crooks, Westminster Woods, Jacksonville Congressmans false choice John Rutherford's July 7 guest column poses a false choice that service personnel supposedly had to make between country and religious beliefs. I wonder how many people died because of seeing the COVID vaccine as a dangerous mandate imposed by the government. We had two good friends gifted pastors who died of COVID after following the "Christian" injunction not to take the shot. I also wonder how many service personnel were saved from COVID in crowded barracks or on ships by their fellow soldiers and sailors who got the injection. Dr. Phoebe Smith, Saint Johns This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: How can Trump supporters not see that he is a threat to democracy? WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is investigating after two people died and dozens more have been hospitalized in relation to a Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats. Several people in this outbreak report getting sick after eating meats sliced at deli counters. Investigators are gathering information to determine the specific products that may be contaminated, and as of the organizations latest update, the CDC has not issued any recalls. The illness has been reported across 12 states, with 28 hospitalizations and two deaths as of July 19, according to an investigation notice released by the CDC. The states with the highest confirmed cases are New York (seven) and Maryland (six). The two people who died were from Illinois and New Jersey. More pet owners come forward after dogs death at PetSmarts PetsHotel boarding facility in Potomac Yard The CDC said the outbreak may not be limited to states with confirmed illnesses, and the actual number of sick people is likely higher than the reported number due to some people recovering without undergoing testing. What is Listeria?: Listeria are bacteria that can contaminate foods, and people who eat those foods can get infected with Listeria (listeriosis). According to the CDC, Listeria is especially harmful to pregnant women, people 65 or older and people with weakened immune systems. For more information on Listeria symptoms, visit the CDC website. What people at higher risk should do: Do not eat meats you get sliced at any deli counter unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until steaming. Let it cool before consumption. Clean your refrigerator, containers and any surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms: People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures. Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches and tiredness. Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Biden drops out of the 2024 race: Now what happens? (WFLA/NEXSTAR) President Joe Biden has announced that he is dropping out of the 2024 race following calls from former supporters and high-ranking Democrats that he step aside to allow another candidate to challenge former President Donald Trump for the White House. Biden, in previous weeks, had insisted he would continue his campaign, despite concerns over his age and mental acuity. Primary ballots around the nation have already been cast, too, and the Democratic National Convention is just around the corner. So what happens now that Biden has dropped out? After Biden drops out of 2024 race, does Kamala Harris become the Democratic nominee? Not exactly Since President Biden withdrew ahead of the formal nomination, scheduled to take place during a virtual roll call in early August ahead of the Democratic National Convention, it means that the 3,900 or so pledged delegates would meet at the convention to cast their ballots for a new nominee. Biden has formally endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to become the Democratic Partys nominee as he announced he would not seek reelection. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, he wrote in part on X. Harris stands as the partys instant favorite to win the nomination during Augusts Democratic National Convention in Chicago. She is also the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaigns war chest under federal campaign finance rules. She is not, however, guaranteed a smooth road to the partys nomination. Does Kamala Harris become the Democratic nominee? While Biden has endorsed Harris, he cannot pass the nearly 3,900 delegates who pledged to support him earlier this year. Now, the Democratic party is on track to have an open convention in August. That means those roughly 3,900 would get to cast their ballots for a different nominee. If a candidate wins a simple majority, that person becomes the new Democratic nominee. If one candidate is not agreed on, then the superdelegates would also vote. Under party rules, pledged delegates are basically required to vote for the candidate chosen by voters. Unpledged delegates, or superdelegates, are free to support the candidate of their choosing. There are nearly 740 such superdelegates, according to Ballotpedia. The superdelegates plus the pledged delegates will all continue to hold votes until a candidate receives a winning majority. There may be a virtual delegate vote before the convention, Tara Newsom, a professor at St. Petersburg College told WFLAs JB Biunno on Sunday. She notes, however, that any candidates who want to vie for an open convention may push for that instead. Biden is one of few presidents to end a reelection campaign: Who were the others? Sometimes you need to burn the house down to rebuild, Newsom said while discussing an open convention. As of Sunday, it remains to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris or how the party may need to adjust its rules again to smooth Harris nomination on the floor. In a statement released Sunday, Harris said she intends to earn and win this nomination while nothing she is honored to have the Presidents endorsement. More information on the delegation selection process is available at the Democratic Party website. The Democratic National Convention will take place Aug. 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. This summer, Democrats will come together to build on our progress, lay out whats at stake in this election, and unite around our shared values of democracy and freedom to create a future for all Americans, reads a message that was posted to the DNCs website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Biden drops out of the 2024 race: Now what happens? (WFLA/NEXSTAR) President Joe Biden has announced that he is dropping out of the 2024 race following calls from former supporters and high-ranking Democrats that he step aside to allow another candidate to challenge former President Donald Trump for the White House. Biden, in previous weeks, had insisted he would continue his campaign, despite concerns over his age and mental acuity. Primary ballots around the nation have already been cast, too, and the Democratic National Convention is just around the corner. So what happens now that Biden has dropped out? After Biden drops out of 2024 race, does Kamala Harris become the Democratic nominee? Not exactly Since President Biden withdrew ahead of the formal nomination, scheduled to take place during a virtual roll call in early August ahead of the Democratic National Convention, it means that the 3,900 or so pledged delegates would meet at the convention to cast their ballots for a new nominee. Biden has formally endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to become the Democratic Partys nominee as he announced he would not seek reelection. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, he wrote in part on X. Harris stands as the partys instant favorite to win the nomination during Augusts Democratic National Convention in Chicago. She is also the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaigns war chest under federal campaign finance rules. She is not, however, guaranteed a smooth road to the partys nomination. Does Kamala Harris become the Democratic nominee? While Biden has endorsed Harris, he cannot pass the nearly 3,900 delegates who pledged to support him earlier this year. Now, the Democratic party is on track to have an open convention in August. That means those roughly 3,900 would get to cast their ballots for a different nominee. If a candidate wins a simple majority, that person becomes the new Democratic nominee. If one candidate is not agreed on, then the superdelegates would also vote. Under party rules, pledged delegates are basically required to vote for the candidate chosen by voters. Unpledged delegates, or superdelegates, are free to support the candidate of their choosing. There are nearly 740 such superdelegates, according to Ballotpedia. The superdelegates plus the pledged delegates will all continue to hold votes until a candidate receives a winning majority. There may be a virtual delegate vote before the convention, Tara Newsom, a professor at St. Petersburg College told WFLAs JB Biunno on Sunday. She notes, however, that any candidates who want to vie for an open convention may push for that instead. Biden is one of few presidents to end a reelection campaign: Who were the others? Sometimes you need to burn the house down to rebuild, Newsom said while discussing an open convention. As of Sunday, it remains to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris or how the party may need to adjust its rules again to smooth Harris nomination on the floor. In a statement released Sunday, Harris said she intends to earn and win this nomination while nothing she is honored to have the Presidents endorsement. More information on the delegation selection process is available at the Democratic Party website. The Democratic National Convention will take place Aug. 1922 in Chicago, Illinois. This summer, Democrats will come together to build on our progress, lay out whats at stake in this election, and unite around our shared values of democracy and freedom to create a future for all Americans, reads a message that was posted to the DNCs website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is dropping out of the 2024 election. "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in an afternoon social media post. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place. Here's how Florida's elected leaders and others in politics are responding to the news: Rick Scott wants Biden forced out of office After urging President Joe Biden to resign earlier in the day, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said Sunday evening that he would introduce a resolution urging Biden's cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. The Constitution's 25th Amendment allows a process to replace a president who is deemed unfit to serve. If that is done, Vice President Kamala Harris would take Biden's place. "Biden is not capable of fulfilling the requirements of the job, and that poses a threat to our national security," Scott wrote in a social media post. Miami mayor doubles down on Trump support (MIAMI, FL - July 21, 2024) - Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez Statement on President Joe Bidens Retirement pic.twitter.com/q0GVu53W8M Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) July 21, 2024 Republican Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said, despite the news, he believes former President Donald Trump remains "the best person to lead our nation with energy, strength and vision." Saurez ran for president himself but dropped out in August 2023, the first GOP candidate to do so. "The crisis for Democrats should be laid on the lap of the Democratic elites who have bypassed a Democratic nomination process," he said in a statement. "At the same time it's clear that Joe Biden isn't capable of governing and or campaigning. It should never have come to this." Some concerns were raised after that politics-laced statement was posted on the City of Miami's official Instagram account, but it has since been removed. State Senate Democratic Leader endorses Harris As Democratic Leader of the Florida Senate and the highest ranking elected Democrat in the State of Florida, I am proud to endorse Vice President @KamalaHarris for President of the United States of America. Vice President Harris has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment pic.twitter.com/GbK1X6AQko Lauren Book (@LeaderBookFL) July 21, 2024 Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for a White House run. "Vice President Harris understands the challenges facing our country and has the experience and vision to lead us forward with compassion and competence," said the Broward County Democrat in a statement, echoing support already provided by multiple of her Florida legislative allies. "Together, let's continue to move forward toward a brighter future for all and elect our first woman President this November!" Dueling takes from former Republican Party of Florida chairs This clears the deck. An open primary would have been a disaster with no time really left. VP selection is critical. Trust she has the wisdom to pick a very good choice. I like senator Kelly but there are other good choices as well https://t.co/JQqJMkZetn Al Cardenas (@AlCardenasFL_DC) July 21, 2024 Al Cardenas, a former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, believes the timing of President Joe Biden's announcement was "brilliant." "He waited until after (the Republican National Convention) when all of the bullets were wasted on him to announce his decision," Cardenas said on social media. He is a Republican but opposed to former President Donald Trump. "This clears the deck," he wrote in another post, referring to Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. "An open primary would have been a disaster with no time really left." REMINDER: The @FlaDems CANCELLED their Presidential Primary and handed the delegates to @JoeBiden who is now trying to hand them to @KamalaHarris. Rank and file Democrats in FL never even had a say. The party of choice didnt even give their voters a choice. So much for Blaise Ingoglia (@GovGoneWild) July 21, 2024 But state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, another former chair, had a completely different take. "REMINDER: The @FlaDems CANCELLED their Presidential Primary and handed the delegates to @JoeBiden who is now trying to hand them to @KamalaHarris," wrote the Spring Hill Republican in a social media post. "Rank and file Democrats in FL never even had a say," Ingoglia continued. "The party of 'choice' didnt even give their voters a choice. So much for 'saving democracy' huh?" The Florida Democratic Party nominated Joseph R. Biden Jr. as its only candidate, meaning there wasn't a presidential preference ballot for state Democratic voters. Nikki Fried, the Florida party chair, has justified it by citing how that was also the case when Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama ran for election, as previously reported by the Florida Phoenix. In first post-announcement remark, DeSantis focuses on Harris Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office. She also was the the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) July 21, 2024 Gov. Ron DeSantis' first remarks following the announcement were largely targeted at Vice President Kamala Harris. "Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office," he said in a post on social media. "She also was the the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic." A Gen Z congressman gives the oldest president his gratitude The most progressive and one of the most effective Presidents in our countrys history. The President to do the most on ending gun violence, defeating the climate crisis, and protecting working people. I have a lot more to say but for now Ill just say: Thank you @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/ILnMeUJPM6 Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@MaxwellFrostFL) July 21, 2024 U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Z member elected to Congress, had a lot of complimentary things to say about the oldest U.S. president on Sunday. "President Joe Biden will go down as one of the most effective and progressive presidents in our countrys history," the Orlando Democrat said in a statement. He also joined other high-profile Democrats in promoting Vice President Kamala Harris to take on former President Donald Trump in the 2024 race. Make no mistake, the threat of fascism and authoritarianism is real in our country," he said. "Which is why now, we must look forward." Analysis: Will this help or hurt Democrats? President Joe Biden's exit from the 2024 presidential race is unlikely to change predictions of how Florida's valuable electoral votes will be allocated, writes the the Palm Beach Post's Antonio Fins. But Fins writes that the decision might make the state's "down ballot" races more competitive. "In politics, like in sports, you sometimes take one for the team," said Florida politics watcher Susan MacManus. "And there are a lot of people running for down-ballot races, including in Florida, where they might have some chance to pick up some seats. In that I think it could be helpful." Read it here: Biden quits 2024 presidential campaign. What will impact be for Florida Democrats? Florida congressional Democrats begin to weigh in I love and respect @JoeBiden immensely and I have total faith in @KamalaHarris and the American people who will help us beat Donald Trump. I am so proud and thankful for what President Biden has done for our nation and party. https://t.co/8ixEvPZgsZ Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) July 21, 2024 U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston said on social media that she had "total faith" in Vice President Kamala Harris and "the American people" beating former President Donald Trump in the 2024 race. "I am so proud and thankful for what President Biden has done for our nation and party," said Schultz, who is the former chair of the Democratic National Committee. He is a patriot! And one of the most successful public servants in American History. His record of service may never be seen again. https://t.co/7kJVWSEZ1J Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) July 21, 2024 U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz also endorsed Harris and applauded Biden. "He is a patriot!" the Parkland Democrat wrote on social media. "And one of the most successful public servants in American History. His record of service may never be seen again." Rick Scott says Biden should resign Let me be clear, if Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is not capable of serving as president for the next six months and needs to resign today. Read my full statementhttps://t.co/Ktlx4Z6b02 Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) July 21, 2024 U.S. Sen. Rick Scott called on President Joe Biden to resign. "Let me be clear, if Joe Biden cant run for re-election, he is not capable of serving as president for the next six months and needs to resign today," he said in a statement. While we welcome the news that one of Americas most destructive presidents will be denied a second term, it changes very little as to the stakes of this election," Scott continued. "We cannot allow the American dream to be destroyed and replaced with California socialism." John Morgan with some fiery words John Morgan, the Democratic fundraiser and founder of law firm Morgan & Morgan, used some fiery words when learning about President Joe Biden's drop out decision and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. "Joe Bidens endorsement of Kamala is his f---- you to all who pushed him out," he wrote on social media. "Be careful what you wish for." Tallahassee lobbyist makes emotional post Ive been proud to be on this journey since Day 1. Spend more than one minute with him, and youll understand the loyalty he has earned from those closest to him. He is one of the finest humans in public service, period. https://t.co/NhWMUEEEoh pic.twitter.com/HnlCQ8hZP7 Steve Schale (@steveschale) July 21, 2024 Tallahassee lobbyist and longtime Democratic strategist Steve Schale typed an emotional post lauding President Joe Biden. "Ive been proud to be on this journey since Day 1," Schale, who worked on former President Barack Obama's campaign, wrote on social media. "Spend more than one minute with him, and youll understand the loyalty he has earned from those closest to him. He is one of the finest humans in public service, period." Support floods in from state Democratic lawmakers President Joe Biden is the greatest president of our lifetime. The nation is forever indebted and grateful for his years of service. Its time for Democrats to unite in support of Vice President @KamalaHarris. She has my full support as the leader needed to meet this moment and https://t.co/nGACJH8nC1 Shevrin Shev Jones (@ShevrinJones) July 21, 2024 State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, vouched for Vice President Kamala Harris, who President Joe Biden called on to take his place in the election. "She has my full support as the leader needed to meet this moment and defeat Donald Trump," Jones wrote on social media. He's also the chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. "The Trump-Vance ticket is dead-set on taking away Americans rights, destroying democracy, and doing the bidding of greedy corporations price gouging working families." x.com Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, issued a statement supporting Biden's move and called him "brave." "Let's stay focused and energized for the future. The only way we will win is if we are united throughout what will no doubt be a messy but necessary process," she wrote on social media. USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida's Ana Goni-Lessan contributed to this update. Power bashes Democrats for 'propping up someone unfit' Evan Power, chair of the Republican Party of Florida, released a statement predicting a win for President Donald Trump. "Meanwhile, Republicans are united behind President Trump," he said. "It doesn't matter which empty suit they put forward we will win. "Thank you for your 'service' President Biden, we will take it from here. He also bashed Democrats of "propping up someone unfit to do the job," referring to the worries about Biden's health. "Every Democrat party leader, especially Vice President Harris, is complicit in this sham presidency and voters will hold them accountable this November," Power said. Florida Democratic Party chair thanks Biden Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic Party chair, made a post on social media thanking the president. "Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes the nation is eternally grateful," she wrote. "Now, the Democratic Party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump." Thank you @POTUS. Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes the nation is eternally grateful. Now, the Democratic Party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump. Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) July 21, 2024 Only a couple of days ago, Fried had signaled support for Biden in a press call, saying, "President Biden has delivered for Florida, and we need to deliver for him. But she added at the time that she trusted him to "make the right decision for our nation" about whether to keep running. Trump responds to news, insults Biden Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the White House, may have been the first Floridian to respond to the news. "He is the worse president in the history of our country," Trump said in a phone call with CNN minutes after the announcement. "He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place a little while later. Trump, according to CNN, said he believed she would be easier to beat. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Live reaction: Florida politicians respond after Joe Biden drops out President Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, caving to pressure from Democrats who agitated for him to step aside after a debate performance that left the political world in shock. Biden announced his decision in a social media post Sunday afternoon. On Sunday, he also endorsed Vice President Harris to become the Democratic Partys nominee as he announced he would not seek reelection. The debate set off weeks of calamity around Bidens campaign with Democratic lawmakers, donors, high-profile political analysts and celebrities abandoning any chance he had of winning in November against former President Trump. It culminated this week in reports of senior Democratic leaders in Congress urging Biden to step aside. Matters were not helped when Biden tested positive for COVID-19, which forced him to go into isolation. Biden had secured enough delegates during this years primary season to formally accept the Democratic nomination at the partys convention, which was slated to begin Aug. 19 in Chicago. Biden withdraws from race in presidential earthquake Catch up with live updates on this 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 PIX11. Live updates: Delaware's political leaders weigh in after Biden drops out of election race President Joe Biden will not seek reelection, announcing Sunday that he will instead endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. The announcement was made on X about 1:45 p.m. in a letter posted to the site. A little before 2:15 p.m., a second post endorsed Harris. That message said it is "time to come together and beat" former President Donald Trump. Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination this week and announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his vice presidential pick. Sunday's decision came as Biden spent weeks repeatedly rejecting calls for him to end his campaign. He had said he would only consider dropping out if doctors diagnosed him with a medical condition. The president is expected to address the nation about his decision later this week. He is isolating in his Rehoboth Beach home after testing positive for COVID-19. READ: Delaware's own Joe Biden drops out of Presidential race, citing 'best interest' of country All quiet outside Biden HQ in Wilmington All was quiet outside Bidens campaign headquarters in Wilmington Sunday night. The doors to the Brandywine Building were locked and a security guard was not letting anyone in. Two women who walked out of the building about 8:45 p.m. declined to comment when asked if they worked for the Biden campaign. Lights could be seen lit on several floors in the building. Esteban Parra Delaware NAACP president Richard "Mouse" Smith: Biden's a 'hero' Richard "Mouse" Smith, president of Delaware's NAACP, recently sensed something different about his friend Joe Biden, a man he's known for decades. The president was speaking at the 115th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas last week when Smith said he noticed unfamiliar in his friend. It was like an aura of sadness, he said. "I knew that a decision was going to be made that he was not going to continue," Smith said. No one told Smith anything. He just sensed it. Richard "Mouse" Smith gives President Joe Biden a tie of Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech during the dedication of the pool facility being renamed in his honor as the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Aquatic Center in 2017. "I sensed the spirit that came to me from everything," Smith said, adding he was begging Biden family members to urge him to stay in the race. Smith added that Biden's departure brings him sadness, as the president has done so much for Black and brown people. "He's a hero to me," he said. Esteban Parra Biden helped re-shape Delaware, national politics Biden has spent more than a half-century in the public eye, beginning his political career in 1970 at age 28 when he ran for New Castle County Council. He served two years before turning to the national stage in 1972. In a shocking upset that year, he beat Republican incumbent Caleb Boggs. He served in the Senate for three-and-a-half decades before being tapped as former President Barack Obama's right-hand man. A HISTORY OF BIDEN: 'Meat on the bone': How Joe Biden changed Delaware politics That Senate race more than 50 years ago helped usher in a new era of Democrats in Delaware both in the party's ideology and how it campaigned. Today, the First State is predominantly blue. Yet even before becoming president, Biden also left his mark on the national stage including for his work on a 1994 crime bill that disproportionately affected Black communities. When running for president in 2019, he called the legislation "a big mistake." READ Biden says he regrets 1990s crime bill, calls it a 'big mistake' Still, his longtime public service earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction in 2017. The nation's highest civilian honor, Obama said when presenting Biden with the medal that "to know Joe Biden is to know love without pretense, service without self-regard, and to live life fully." At the time, then-Delaware Gov. Jack Markell called the honor "a fitting tribute to a lifetime of work that has improved quality of life, economic opportunity and security for millions of people across the country." "We also know that while President Obama can elevate him with one of the nations highest honors ... for Delawareans, hell always be our Joe. STORY: Obama awards Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom If Kamala Harris becomes presidential pick, who would be her VP choice? Many questions remain unanswered in the wake of Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, namely: Who will become the Democratic nominee for president and vice president? The most likely pick for president is Vice President Kamala Harris, as Biden has endorsed her. But should she be chosen, who might be her running mate? US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Westover High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on July 18, 2024. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper could be among those being considered to join the presidential ticket, as could California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Neither man addressed those rumors on Sunday. Yet a poll conducted in two swing states, Pennsylvania and Michigan, also floated Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro. and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as possible candidates. Those polled favored a Harris-Shapiro ticket over a Harris-Whitmer ticket. When comparing a Harris-Shapiro ticket to a Trump-JD Vance ticket, respondents were equally split. READ: Who will replace Joe Biden? Kamala Harris top Democratic candidate as endorsements roll in What happens to Biden's delegates? Prior to dropping out, Biden received 3,896 pledged delegates ahead of the Democratic National Convention, where he would have officially become the party's presidential nominee. There is no system for Biden to appoint someone to take his place as the presumptive Democratic nominee. If no candidate wins the majority of the roughly 4,000 delegates, then the party's more than 700 superdelegates, or automatic delegates, will be able to vote at the convention. Delaware has 19 Democratic delegates. While the state did not have a primary election, according to state law, if only one candidate files for a party's nomination by the deadline, the candidate is declared the winner. Biden was running unopposed in Delaware so all 19 delegates were awarded to him. DELEGATES, EXPLAINED: Who gets President Biden's delegates? How many does Delaware have Sen. Carper on Biden: 'I love him like a brother' Sen. Tom Carper, who has served with Biden for 50 years, said he was "immensely proud" of the president for his Sunday announcement. "From the day he took office, he has consistently said that in the end, his final decision on running for reelection would be based on whats best for America," Carper said. "His decision today meets that standard, and I am immensely proud of him for that." The longtime politician, who spent years riding Amtrak with Biden to and from Delaware and Washington, D.C., also said he loves the president "like a brother." Like U.S Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester wrote in a statement issued earlier Sunday afternoon, Carper noted Biden's achievements, saying the president's record "is one that all Americans can be proud of." DELAWARE POLITICIANS SPEAK: Delaware politicians react, honor Joe Biden's legacy after news he's dropping out Sen. Chris Coons tears up as he speaks of Biden, calls him 'greatest Delawarean' Sen. Chris Coons became emotional on Sunday as he spoke with CBS News about the president's decision to withdraw his reelection bid. As a reporter asked the senator about Biden's grounding in Delaware and why he waited to come home to reach the decision to drop out, Coons teared up. Then-former Vice President Joe Biden participates in a rally for then Senate Democratic candidate Chris Coons, on November 1, 2010 in Wilmington. "He did make the hardest decision I suspect of his whole life in a way that was informed by, and grounded by, everything that has sustained him in his decades of public service," Coons said. "He is the greatest Delawarean in our history," the senator added. When pressed by a reporter why it took Biden so long to drop out, Coons said he wouldn't put words in the president's mouth. But, he said, Biden "is someone who has always fought hard. He is tough. He is a fighter." "He has survived blows that would have leveled any lesser man. And so in the last few weeks he has struggled with that instinct, that toughness, that determination to keep fighting and to keep showing what America is all about," Coons said. The senator cited the death of Biden's son, Beau, several years ago, as well as the 1972 deaths of his wife and daughter in a car crash. Ben Mace Former Sen. Bill Roth's widow weighs in on a politician not dropping out In a letter to the editor published on Delaware Online/The News Journal website on Saturday, the widow of longtime Sen. Bill Roth wrote that the newspaper's comparisons of her husband's failed reelection bid in 2000 to Biden's weeks-long refusal to heed calls to drop out "stirred up some painful memories." SEN. BILL ROTH: The veteran Delaware politician who wouldn't retire. It's not who you think Jane Roth said she was "very concerned" when her husband sought reelection, writing she worried he "was not up to the heavy demands of being a senator and a committee chair." She, their son and Bill Roth's chief of staff staged an intervention of sorts, urging him not to run. Despite the concern of the man's loved ones, he ran and lost. Jane Roth said her husband's "heart was broken." U.S. Sen. William Roth Jr., left, and Sen. Joe Biden, right, listen to President Bill Clinton during a NATO meeting on July 7, 1997. Three years later, Roth would lose his Senate seat to Delaware's then-Gov. Tom Carper. While Jane Roth did not mention Biden in her letter, she wrote that her husband's loss to now-Sen. Tom Carper "was a very sad ending to his 30 years in the Senate." "I think he never got over it. As his spouse, I believe he would have been happier if he had bowed out. His remaining years would not have been touched with a sense of loss but instead with one of accomplishment." READ JANE ROTH'S FULL LETTER: 'I have witnessed the grief of a politician' who did not bow out, ran against age and lost Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester calls Biden 'the most accomplished president in modern history' In a statement issued just before 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Blunt Rochester touted Biden's achievements. Her notes of his highlights included capping the cost of insulin to $35 a month for seniors on Medicare, "forgiving $160 billion in student loan debt, helping entrepreneurs open small businesses, investing over $16 billion in HBCUs and creating good-paying jobs." "Joe Bidens accomplishments have secured his legacy as a great president," the statement continued. On a more personal note, she cited her decades-long friendship with the Biden family, calling him "the Comforter-in-Chief because of his empathy and compassion for every person." A TIMELINE: President Joe Biden through the years Trump rants on Truth Social, calling Biden 'not fit' to run On Truth Social Sunday afternoon Trump's social media answer to X the former president and Republican presidential nominee issued a series of messages, repeatedly calling Biden "crooked." The first message said Biden "was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve And never was!" He further claimed the president "has done everything possible to destroy our Country." Sen. Chris Coons notes Biden's 'legacy of putting his country before himself' U.S. Sen. Chris Coons posted on X Sunday that Biden "has been the most consequential president of my lifetime." "His legacy of putting his country before himself is only strengthened by his hard decision today to step aside as a candidate for president," the post said. "I look forward to working with President Biden this fall as Democrats unite to defeat Donald Trump, and I will work hand-in-hand with him as he continues his important efforts to strengthen the middle class at home and our nations standing abroad. When is the DNC 2024?: Who will replace Joe Biden as Democratic National Convention nears Biden not running: Thank you, President Biden, for your service to our nation This is a developing story. Return to delawareonline.com for updates. Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Biden drops out: Live updates from Delaware after president's letter President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. 8:46 p.m. Update Trumps campaign quickly pivots to Harris after Biden announces decision to leave the race Donald Trump s campaign has spent the last year-and-a-half viciously attacking Joe Biden, ridiculing his policies, mocking his fumbles and relishing a rematch they felt they were winning. But they have also spent weeks preparing for the possibility that Biden might exit the race, readying a bevy of attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris that they unleashed as soon as Biden made his stunning announcement Sunday that he would step aside. Biden soon after endorsed Harris, who was quickly winning support from Democrats to be the partys nominee. Though Trump aides had wanted Biden to remain in the race, they have argued a campaign against Harris who they believe is the most likely Democratic nominee wouldnt be all that different from their race against Biden. 6:42 p.m. Update Bidens wife Jill supported his decision, whatever it was, her spokesperson says Down to the last hours of the decision only he could make, she was supportive of whatever road he chose, said Jill Bidens communication director. Shes his biggest believer, champion, and always on his side, in that trusted way only a spouse of almost 50 years can be. 6:36 p.m. Update Harris receives her first delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination The Tennessee Democratic Party posted on X that its delegation voted during a meeting Sunday to back Harris after Bidens departure from the campaign. During a meeting today, the Tennessee Delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention voted to support @KamalaHarris for President of the United States. Tennessee Democratic Party (@tndp) July 21, 2024 5:35 p.m. Update Harris inherits Bidens campaign infrastructure, AP said. President Bidens campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation a sign of the prohibitive leg up she has in the race for the Democratic nomination. Democratic groups, including the Democratic National Committee, also filed paperwork changing the names of their joint fundraising committees to reflect Harris candidacy. 5:18 p.m. Update A partys presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. President Lyndon Johnson, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term after just a single states primary, AP said. 4:37 p.m. Update Democrat endorsements for Harris roll in, AP said. Many Democratic lawmakers immediately backed Vice President Harris for the nomination, including the Congressional Black Caucus and a swath of Democratic senators. Washington Sen. Patty Murray said she is behind Harris 100 percent. South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn , one of Bidens closest allies, said, I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said she has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said he will be enthusiastically supporting my friend. Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono , Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith , Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and California Sen. Laphonza Butler also said they would support Harris. Along with many Democratic House lawmakers, the Congressional Black Caucus a key constituency for any nominee said it fully backs the vice president. AP said, not every Democrat praising President Biden has offered Harris an endorsement. Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Peter Welch of Vermont stopped short of throwing their support behind Harris. Welch said in an interview with The Associated Press that he thinks the party needs to take a little pause and express our appreciation for the president. We have to be making our decisions first and foremost about who can best represent us so we can defeat Trump, Welch said. 4:29 p.m. Update Governor Ron DeSantis released a statement on X regarding President Biden ending his campaign. Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office. She also was the the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. DeSantis said. Kamala Harris was complicit in a massive coverup to hide and deny the fact that Joe Biden was not capable of discharging the duties of the office. She also was the the border czar during the worst border crisis in American history. Democrats are just rearranging the deck chairs Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) July 21, 2024 4:21 p.m. Update Obama calls his former VP one of Americas most consequential presidents, the Associated Press said. According to the the Associated Press, the Former President Barack Obama called Biden, his former vice president, one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Obama said Sunday in a statement that when he picked Biden as his running mate in the 2008 campaign, what I came to admire even more was his character his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts. As president, Obama said Biden has displayed that character again and again, citing Bidens leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and achievements on climate change legislation, among others. Obama also said Biden, in defeating Trump four years ago, reminded us of who we are at our best a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life. In opting to shutter his reelection bid, Obama said Biden has never backed down from a fight, adding that he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. Of whats to come, Obama said he has extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. Heres my full statement: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024 4:14 p.m. Update Harris pledges to earn and win the nomination with Bidens support Vice President Harris says shes honored to have Bidens endorsement and that she intends to earn and win this nomination., the Associated Press said. She released a statement calling Bidens decision to end his campaign a selfless and patriotic act. She also thanked Biden for his extraordinary leadership and argued that his legacy as a one-term president would surpass the records of many chief executives who served two terms in office. On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 21, 2024 My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for president during an event at West Allis Central High School, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in West Allis, Wis. (Kayla Wolf/AP Photo) Vice President Kamala Harris was in Wisconsin Tuesday for her first campaign appearance since President Biden announced that he was dropping out of the race and endorsed her as his successor. One day after launching her campaign, Harris had already secured enough support among Democratic delegates to become the party's presumptive presidential nominee, the Associated Press said late Monday. Biden announced his decision to exit the race in an open letter posted to social media on Sunday, following a weeks-long pressure campaign from fellow Democrats that began in earnest following his much-criticized debate performance in late June. He announced in a post on social media Tuesday that he plans to address the nation at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on "what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people." Follow along below for live updates, and sign up here to get breaking news direct to your inbox with Yahoo News email alerts. The former president spoke for close to two hours in Grand Rapids on Saturday. Former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance on stage in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday. (Evan Vucci/AP) Former President Donald Trump and his freshly announced running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, held their first rally together in the battleground state of Michigan on Saturday. Vance briefly spoke before introducing Trump, who talked to the crowd in Grand Rapids for close to two hours. It was Trump's first time back on the campaign trail since surviving an assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pa., last weekend. The event was held indoors at the Van Andel Arena, and security was reported to be tighter. Michigan is a key battleground state for Trump. He won the state by just over 10,000 votes in 2016, but President Biden flipped it blue in 2020. Biden, meanwhile, is facing calls from a growing number of congressional Democrats and others in the party to step aside and make room for someone they think could beat Trump in the November election. Biden has been self-isolating at his beach house in Delaware this week after being diagnosed with COVID. (FOX40.COM) A natural icon of the Sacramento Valley, the Sutter Buttes, has become a point of discussion in Sutter County as the name of the worlds smallest mountain range has been put in question. According to documentation from the U.S. Board Geographic Names, a part of the United States Geological Survey, a proposal to change the name of the Sutter Buttes to Sacred Buttes was submitted on March 21. The proposal, sent in by Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust Board Director Rachel Rein, states that the desire to change the name comes from the potentially offensive nature of the name. The buttes, along with Sutter County itself, take their name from Swiss colonizer John Sutter who founded Sutters Fort in Sacramento. Native American sites in the Sacramento area Sutter is also known to have treated the native peoples of California extremely harshly by enslaving, whipping, starving, executing and stealing babies from them. In 2020, a statue of John Sutter was removed from the Sutter Medical Center in Midtown Sacramento. Hospital spokespersons at the time said the statue was removed out of respect for some community members viewpoints, and in the interest of public safety for our patients and staff. Rein wrote in her proposal that it seemed harmful that a place so sacred to Californias native peoples bear the name of a person that caused them so much pain. Wilton Rancheria reclaims 77 acres from the federal government, places them into trust The Sutter Buttes are so sacred to Native Americans that they historically were not held in any one tribes territory, but were territorially shared by the surrounding tribes, Rein wrote in her proposal. The Buttes are known as Estom Yanim in Nisenan, Histum Yani or Esto Yamani in Maidu, and Olonai-To in Wintun. On July 23, the Sutter County Board of Supervisors will be presented with the name change proposal where they will provide direction to staff of Boards response to (the) proposal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Voters in Charlotte had mixed reactions to the announcement Sunday that President Joe Biden would no longer be running for reelection. North Carolinas reputation as a swing state is well known, and Channel 9s Eli Brand spoke with voters in Mecklenburg County who will help decide the election this November. UPDATES >> Biden ends his reelection bid I think that its good, [Bidens] health looks like he needs to look out for himself, said Taliqua Scott, a voter in Mecklenburg County. And then just where the country is right now, I think bringing somebody else in can help as well. Sandra Smith said the announcement surprised her. I didnt expect that. Not sure if I even wanted that, but it is what it is, Smith told Brand. What do you think about him endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris? Brand asked her. If thats the option we have then I guess thats what were exposed to, Smith said. Joe Turner, a Republican voter in Mecklenburg County, told Brand that hes not worried about whoever the Democrats choose as Bidens replacement. It looks like it may be Kamala Harris, I guess its up to them in Chicago on what to do with it, but Im OK with that, Turner said. Were all [Donald] Trump supporters, so whoever they put up against us, we intend to beat them. Tom Rudisill, another Republican voter, said he was disappointed that Biden dropped out. I wanted him to stay in because frankly, I think hes beatable, Rudisill told Brand. Now with Kamala, this is a whole new ballgame. I cant call it now. Prior to this, it was better than 50/50 for Trump. ALSO READ: North Carolina elected leaders respond to Biden dropping out of election Brand also spoke with Lewis Hagerman, a voter who said Bidens announcement was bittersweet. I support Biden and I support the Democrat candidate no matter what, Hagerman said. To say I was sad to see him go -- Im happy with what hes accomplished but what I really think is we needed a fresh, youthful candidate to really bring us into the next phase of our democracy. Biden is expected to address the nation later this week. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to begin on Aug. 19. (WATCH: President Biden visits families of officers killed in Charlotte) Shirley Halperin has resigned as editor-in-chief of Los Angeles Magazine just a year after joining the publication amid rising complaints that it has failed to pay overdue bills to freelancers and vendors, TheWrap has learned. In a statement to TheWrap on Saturday, the magazines president and publisher Christopher Gialanella wrote, We are proud that Los Angeles Magazine will have a profitable year in a challenging media environment and circulation is way up. We will be announcing our new Editor-In-Chief in the next two weeks. It wasnt immediately clear who would oversee the publication in the interim as Halperin is set to depart on Friday. Halperin did not respond to a request for comment. For months, the outlet has faced complaints from freelancers who say that the new owners, prominent L.A.-based trial lawyers Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas, have refused to pay freelance writers, reporters, photographers and graphic artists. Geragos and Ben Meiselas bought L.A. Magazine, one of the oldest city magazines in the country, in late 2022 for more than $6 million from Detroit-based Hour Media, with promises to invest in the magazine, which was losing money at the time. Instead, the financial situation has worsened considerably, according to numerous insiders. A spokesperson for Geragos and Meiselas did not respond to requests for comment about late payments and layoffs. Greg Gilman, who Halperin hired as executive editor for the LAMag.com website, left a month ago over his freelancers going unpaid and seeing a complete lack of vision and strategy by new owners who have little or no regard for journalists and media industry, as one former staffer told TheWrap. I just think its two lawyers who have no respect for journalism, the former staffer said of the owners. Very sad. The magazine has chosen to pay 10 vendors per pay period, with those classified as vendors including all freelance contributors, a second insider told TheWrap. Freelancers were moved from contracts requiring payment with 30 days to contracts that dont require payment for 60 days, but multiple sources tell TheWrap that freelancers still arent getting paid after 60 days. Freelancers who werent paid for their work include L.A. Press Club winner Jon Regardie, among others. Another employee, according to the first source, was owed more than a years worth of salary. The insiders told TheWrap that the company that used to print L.A. Magazine, Southwest Offest Printing, dropped the media outlet as a client after it wasnt paid for its services theyd announced their partnership in July 2023. The magazine instead scrambled to find an out-of-state printer. Southwest Offset Printing wasnt immediately available for comment when contacted by TheWrap on Saturday. A source also said the magazines account with photo provider Getty Images was shut down after L.A. Magazine didnt pay their bill. The company remains far behind on payments and it appeared unlikely they would be able to catch up any time soon. They have also struggled to be able to find new freelancers as word of others not being paid has gotten out as the outlet even struggled to pay their staff. Its a shell of its former self, a former staff member told TheWrap, describing the company as a communication company that doesnt communicate. The company has laid off multiple staff members recently as it continues to cut costs. Writer Sam Youngman, a journalist brought in by co-owner Ben Meiselas along with two other staffers from his publication MeidasTouch to help grow the digital audience on LAMag.com, is leaving that position but remaining an editor-at-large for the organization. The effort was part of a strategic shift similar to one pursued by a number of digital outlets, who have opted to deliver a greater quantity of short posts focused around political news rather than more resource-intensive original reporting. Those laid off include Eric Mercado, an editor with the magazine for the past 26 years, along with production manager Michelle Mondragon. Former Los Angeles Magazine executive editor Joseph Kapsch previously sued the outlet for lost wages and violating California labor law. Sharon Waxman contributed to this report. The post Los Angeles Magazine Editor-in-Chief Resigns Amid Charges of Payment Problems | Exclusive appeared first on TheWrap. 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. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on gun violence during an event at John R. Lewis High School on June 2, 202,3 in Springfield, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) With President Joe Bidens decision to back out of his reelection campaign, attention is turning to whether Democrats who will be delegates at next months party nominating convention will back his choice of Vice President Kamala Harris. In Louisiana, Democrats are rallying behind Harris while heaping praise on Biden for decades spent in elected office. The plaudits for the president contrast with criticism he faced from many of the same officials after an abysmal debate performance against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump last month. Randal Gaines, chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, will lead the state delegation at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In a phone interview, he said the party would back the vice president if she is the nominee, saying she would energize our core voters to an unprecedented level. Well make history and save the country at the same time, Gaines said. New Orleans City Councilwoman Helena Moreno, an at-large DNC delegate, posted Sunday evening on X that Louisiana delegates had voted and endorsed Harris for president. The Louisiana delegates just voted and endorsed @KamalaHarris as the nominee for President of the United States. Helena Moreno (@HelenaMorenoLA) July 22, 2024 The mounting pressure around Biden to leave the race robbed all momentum from Democrats to promote his candidacy for November, Gaines said. He and his fellow Democratic state party chairs held a conference call at 4 p.m. Central to discuss Sundays developments. Like Gaines, U.S. Rep. Troy Carter of New Orleans is one of five automatic delegates to the Democratic National Convention. In a text message, he praised Bidens legacy and unwavering commitment to civil rights, voting rights, and the rule of law and elevating Justice Ketani Brown Jackson as the first African-American woman on the Supreme Court. His selfless decision to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris resonates deeply, Carter said. I have every confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris to continue their great work. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX State Sen. Gary Carter of Algiers, the congressmans nephew and also an automatic delegate, said he was heartbroken that Biden dropped out of race, describing him as a calming influence in a dangerous time. Im excited to have this opportunity to cast this historic vote for Kamala Harris, Gary Carter said. What a historic day. State Rep. Kyle Green of Marrero, one of the state partys elected leader delegates, said he supports Harris as the Democratic nominee and endorsed the choice of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as vice president. I dont care if America is ready or not, Green said when asked whether America was ready to support a two-woman ticket. If not now, then when? Arthur Morrell, the former top elections official in New Orleans as its clerk of criminal court, is a DNC delegate representing the 2nd Congressional District. Like Biden, he is 81 years old and referred to the president as one of my heroes. Morrell said he would support Harris as the nominee. We know she would follow the path to keeping our country a democracy Kamala would be an excellent leader. Matthew Wood, an AFL-CIO lobbyist, is a Democratic delegate from the 6th Congressional District. He said he had been behind Biden firmly but will back Harris now that the president and Gaines have endorsed her. State Rep. Denise Marcelle of Baton Rouge, another 6th District delegate wasnt ready to throw her support behind Harris. Shes not against Harris being the nominee, but she wants to hear from others in the party about who they think the best candidate would be, she said. In addition, she wants to know how Harris as a presidential nominee could impact Democrats involved in close U.S. House and Senate races. Former state lawmaker Barbara Norris of Shreveport, an alternate DNC delegate, said she would also go along with Bidens choice of his vice president as the nominee. If that is the wish of his, Im supporting whoever he supports, Norton said. Former U.S. Congressman Cedric Richmond, though not a delegate for the upcoming convention, has consistently been a close ally of Biden and was one of his White House advisers. In his role as co-chair of the Biden 2024 campaign, Richmond appeared Sunday morning on the CBS program Face the Nation, when he said the president had not lost control of the Democratic Party and fully intended to stay in the election. In a midafternoon Sunday interview with the Illuminator, Richmond said he would support Harris as the nominee. President Biden does what he always does: Put his country first, Richmond said. Hes been the best president of my lifetime He focused on people. Never himself. Another Biden campaign co-chair from Louisiana, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, voice his support for Biden in a social media post. The contrast in November will be clear a distinguished prosecutor versus a convicted felon, Landrieu wrote. She will prosecute the case about the real risk of Donald Trumps chaos, division, and greed while offering an optimistic vision for the future. Other DNC delegates made statements on social media indicating they would support the presidents pick of Harris as his successor. President Biden fought hard and delivered. We are tremendously grateful for this true patriot. Now he passed the torch to VP @KamalaHarris who is the obvious, unifying and exciting choice for nominee to win the presidency. God bless President Biden. He always put country first. Helena Moreno (@HelenaMorenoLA) July 21, 2024 Under @JoeBidens leadership, weve seen historic investment in solutions for a changing climate. As a Commissioner, I am grateful for what this has meant for renewable energy growth. & as a delegate, I will proudly vote for the next leader of the Democratic ticket. Commish. Davante Lewis (@davantelewis) July 21, 2024 Yes I am supporting @VP, as a delegate to the @DNC. She was chosen as the VP for a reason: because she might need to assume the role of President. Ive been a fan since she ran in 2019. I was very much prepared to continue to support the President @POTUS as the nominee 1 Mandie Landry (@votelandry) July 21, 2024 It is essential for all Dems to come together& support VP Kamala Harris as our candidate for the U. S. Presidency. VP Harris has shown dedication &leadership in her role, & it is crucial that we unite behind her to continue the progress &values of the Dem Party. Let us UNITE pic.twitter.com/Tef2ACunli Rep.Delisha Boyd (@DeeBoydBroker) July 21, 2024 As a Louisiana delegate, Im proud to support VP Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for President. Shes the right leader to make the case to America that we cannot go back. Lets Geaux!!! https://t.co/9AnayjjIMa Dustin Granger (@GrangerForLa) July 22, 2024 Loved Babydog at the RNC? Milwaukee museum is making a bobblehead to commemorate her fame The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is producing a bobblehead to commemorate Babydog, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice's English bulldog, who appeared at the Republican National Convention. A lot of big names appeared on stage at the Republican National Convention, including former President Donald Trump, vice presidential nominee and Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance, and American wrestler Hulk Hogan. And there was one big dog who stole the show: Babydog. The English bulldog sat on her own armchair while her owner, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, gave his speech Tuesday night. Now, RNC attendees and fans of Babydog can get a unique souvenir to commemorate her fame. Mere hours after the convention ended, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee announced it is producing the first Babydog bobblehead. Already popular among West Virginians, Babydog added many more people to her growing fan club with her appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee," museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said in a press release. More: Who is Babydog Justice? Meet the English bulldog charming RNC attendees in Milwaukee More: Wisconsin delegate's service dog Lambeau is taking hundreds of selfies a day at RNC Only 2,024 bobbleheads will be made and are only sold online. Pre-orders are available now, but the bobbleheads aren't expected to ship until December. Each bobblehead is $30 with a $8 shipping fee per order. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum also created 2,024 red, white and blue elephant bobbleheads for the RNC. The elephant bobbleheads are still in stock, according to the museum's website. The museum offered a commemorative donkey when Milwaukee was selected to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020, though the conventions were mostly-virtual that year due to the pandemic. The museum also offers a donkey bobblehead for this year's DNC, held in Chicago from Aug. 19 to 22. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A Milwaukee museum is making a Babydog bobblehead after her RNC fame FILE - LSU safety Javien Toviano (25) during an NCAA football game, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Toviano surrendered to authorities Sunday, July 21, 2024, on charges of video voyeurism, the East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's office said. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File) BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) LSU sophomore cornerback Javien Toviano surrendered to authorities Sunday on charges of video voyeurism, the East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's office said. Toviano, 19, of Arlington, Texas, is accused of recording himself having sex with a woman without her consent, according to an arrest warrant. The woman told detectives she found videos of the two on Tovianos iPad that were recorded through a clock with a built-in camera placed near the bed, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported. The woman told detectives that Toviano had recorded them having sex in the past without her consent and she told him she did not want to be recorded. Toviano, in an interview with detectives, admitted using a hidden camera to record the sexual encounters, the arrest warrant states. Bond information was not immediately available. It was unknown if Toviano has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Toviano has been suspended from all team activities, in accordance with departmental policies, LSU said in a statement. We will not have further comment out of respect for the legal process, the university said. Toviano signed with LSU last year. He appeared in every game as a freshman and made three starts over the last five games. He finished his freshman season with 33 tackles and one pass breakup. LSU begins preseason practice on Aug. 1, and Toviano was expected to compete for playing time at cornerback. Potential starting LSU cornerback Javien Toviano has been arrested on charges of video voyeurism, according to a report from The Advocate. Toviano turned himself in on Sunday, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office. According to the arrest report, Toviano is accused of recording himself having sex with a woman without her consent using a bedside clock with a built-in camera, the woman reportedly told police after finding two videos on Tovianos iPad. Toviano admitted to using the hidden camera to film the two having sex, according to the police report, and the woman reportedly told police that Toviano had previously recorded her without her consent. LSU sophomore cornerback Javien Toviano has been accused of video voyeurism and turned himself in to the EBR Sheriff's Office.https://t.co/g1utEZQcsl Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) July 21, 2024 LSU announced that Toviano is suspended from all team activities, though the university declined to comment further on the situation. Toviano is entering his sophomore season, and the former four-star recruit from Arlington, Texas, appeared in 13 games with three starts as a true freshman in 2023. He was expected to compete for a potential starting spot this season, as well. Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno Story originally appeared on LSU Tigers Wire (Bloomberg) -- Frances Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the minimum wage could be increased, opening the door to a key proposal of the leftist bloc thats vying for influence over policy in the next government. Most Read from Bloomberg Raising the floor on the basic wage known as the SMIC by around 200 ($217.64) to 1,600 a month net is a core proposal of the New Popular Front, which won the largest share of seats in a snap election two weeks ago, but not enough to govern alone. The increase in the minimum wage defended by the left is not a bad debate and we would be wrong to dismiss it, Darmanin said in Sundays Journal du Dimanche. The minimum wage can be increased: it would be a significant boost for working people who deserve it. Before Darmanins comments, there was little sign of common ground on the proposal among different political groups that have the potential to form alliances in Frances hung parliament. The current Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire have both said such a move would spark a wave of redundancies and create unemployment. Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau has also warned that small businesses cant afford to be burdened by an excessive increase in the SMIC that would immediately hurt employment. The central banks monthly survey already showed a sharp increase in uncertainty during the elections, partly as companies worried about labor costs. It remains highly uncertain who will form the next government in France. The New Popular Front which spans the far-left France Unbowed to moderates in the Socialist Party is struggling to agree on a candidate for Prime Minister as some parts of the alliance refuse broader coalitions across party lines. On Friday, the Socialist Party proposed a vote within the New Popular Front by Tuesday to settle the matter. But France Unbowed has rejected the idea and said its opposed to the Socialists candidate, veteran climate negotiator Laurence Tubiana. Even if the left settles on a candidate, President Emmanuel Macron is free to choose somebody else. He can keep the caretaker government in place for several months until greater consensus emerges in the renewed National Assembly. Elections to key posts in the lower house have not delivered much more clarity. On Saturday, France Unbowed scored a victory as lawmakers reelected a senior member of the far-left party to head the National Assemblys powerful finance committee. But that came after Macrons party defeated the left in a vote that returned centrist Yael Braun-Pivet to the presidency of the house. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President Joe Biden (center) on Air Force One with (right to left) independent Sen. Angus King and Democratic Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, all of Maine. (Rep. Chellie Pingree/ Facebook) Following news that President Joe Biden was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, Maines members of Congress and other leaders praised his decision as well as his leadership. Joe Biden has been an exceptional president and its been an honor to work with him and his administration. We have achieved so much, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree wrote on X. Once again, President Biden has met the moment and made the careful decision to withdraw from the 2024 race putting whats best for the American people and our country first and passing the torch to the next generation of leaders. Our goal remains the same: ensure Donald Trump does not end up back in the White House, Pingree continued. The stakes could not be greater. Comparing him to former President George Washington, who chose to retire after serving two terms, U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent, called Bidens decision the ultimate act of patriotism. In his farewell address, George Washington said, that, in withdrawing the tender of service which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect, King wrote on social media. Like our first president, Joe Biden recognizes that the presidency is not about one person, or one party. Its about the American people, he continued. And today, in one of the most challenging geopolitical moments in history, the American people are in need of a new leader who can take on those abroad who are trying to destroy freedom and democracy, while also meeting our challenges here at home and ensuring our nation lives up to its highest ideas. President Bidens decision to step aside from his reelection run will cement his legacy among some of the greatest statements in our countrys history, King added. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat who stopped short of calling for Biden to step down, said the presidents decision not to seek the nomination is the right decision for the good of the country. In his statement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic Party nomination, which is set to officially take place next month. While members of Congress so far declined to mention Harris, Gov. Janet Mills a Democrat who has been campaigning on Bidens behalf said she will do everything she can to elect Vice President Kamala Harris, a friend and former colleague as Attorney General and fighter for the people, as our next president. Of Biden, Mills said the president is a person of great integrity and great heart, and he has been a true friend to the State of Maine. Pointing to his accomplishments, Mills said she has no doubt that history will recognize President Biden as the most legislatively successful president since Lyndon Johnson. Maine House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland), who when elected was the first Black woman to serve on the Legislature and is now the first African American in Maine legislative leadership, wrote on social media that Harris has my full support and I will be doing everything I can to see her elected our next President. Maine Sec. of State Shenna Bellows also indicated her support for the vice president. 2024 would be a very good year to elect our nations first black woman President, Bellows wrote on social media. Ryan Fecteau, who previously served as Speaker of the Maine Legislature and is among the Maine delegates elected to attend the Democratic National Convention next month, wrote of Biden: One of the greatest presidents in a long time and he cements that legacy by putting his country before his ego. I look forward to being part of a history making convention in Chicago. Republicans react Maine GOP chair Joel Stetkis issued a statement imploring Republicans to vote in November. Joe Biden has been a terrible president for Maine, Stetkis wrote in a statement posted to social media. Mainers should remember that whoever the Democrats choose to run will have been a supporter of Bidens policies that have crushed the working class in our state. Austin Theriault, a freshman Republican legislator, only asked if Golden who he is challenging for the 2nd District U.S. House seat would now support Harris. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins did not respond to a request for comment. This story was updated to include comments from Speaker Talbot Ross and Republicans. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's coast guard said on Sunday it had located and intercepted a large oil tanker that was involved in a fiery collision with another vessel two days ago off Singapore. The coast guard said on Saturday that the Sao Tome and Principe-flagged tanker Ceres I had left the location of the collision that caused a fire and injured at least two crew members. The ship was also believed to have turned off its tracking system, the coast guard said. The Ceres I was found in Malaysian waters with two tugboats towing it, the coast guard said in a statement on Sunday. The Ceres I and the two tugboats have been detained by the coast guard for further investigation, it added. Meanwhile, aerial surveys conducted by the coast guard found minor traces of an oil spill at the location of the collision between the Ceres I and the Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile, the coast guard said in the statement on Sunday. "The environment department has been informed and will conduct further monitoring," it said. (Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Man, 26, dies after being pulled from Lake Michigan off Illinois Beach State Park, authorities confirm Man, 26, dies after being pulled from Lake Michigan off Illinois Beach State Park, authorities confirm NOTE: Attached video before WGN received confirmation that the victim had died. ZION, Ill. A 26-year-old man has died after being pulled from Lake Michigan by local authorities off Illinois Beach State Park in the far north suburbs Saturday night, the Lake County Sheriffs Office confirmed. 7-year-old boy shot while riding in car on Dan Ryan Expressway, Illinois State Police say According to the Sheriffs Office, the department launched its Lake Michigan boat after receiving a call about the distressed swimmer just after 8 p.m. Saturday. The Sheriffs Office says authorities, including local fire agencies and Illinois Conservation Police, searched the water for two hours and recovered the victim just after 10 p.m., about 30 feet from the shore. On Monday afternoon, the man was identified as Akshith Reddy Bhandra, 26, of New York. He was taken to an area hospital and subsequently pronounced dead, the Sheriffs Office says. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines A preliminary investigation showed that Bhandra, along with another 26-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, were swimming from the shore to a rock wall, according to the Sheriffs Office. Bhandra was not able to make it to the wall or back to shore when he went under the water. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Man fatally stabbed after hopping out of cab to see if favorite Queens taco spot open An immigrant construction worker was stabbed to death on a Queens street after hopping out of the cab he was sharing with his girlfriend to see if his favorite taco spot was open, devastated relatives said Sunday. Cops were called about 3 a.m. Saturday to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, where Maurico Bravo Quinonez, 29, died after arriving by private means. Investigators soon determined he had been stabbed multiple times all over his body near 31st Ave. and 92nd St. in Jackson Heights. Quinonezs brother, Anival Bravo, 32, said the victim and his girlfriend were headed to her home when they stopped to get tacos, but the shop appeared to be closed. Quinonez got out of the cab to make sure and was confronted on the street. The girlfriend wanted to get out and help, but the frightened taxi driver locked the doors of his cab and drove her home instead, Bravo said. She called some of her friends in the area to help and found out soon after that hed been stabbed. Bravo said he couldnt fathom who would have wanted to kill his brother. I have no idea, he told the Daily News. I just know that the detectives told us that it was gang-related. Im like, Hows it gonna be a gang, other than they mistook them and they chased them all the way over here? Bravo was joined by a group of family members at a makeshift memorial for Quinonez Sunday at the scene of the slaying. He liked party, dance, cumbia, stuff like that, Bravo said. He was funny. We used to make fun of each other, me and him. We used to make jokes. Practically we were the clowns of the family. We used to see the family quiet, we used to make them laugh, just make them laugh, he added. Right now I got no one to laugh with. Quinonez was about 5 when he and relatives immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, settling in Sunnyside, where the family still lives. He dropped out of school at about 16 and started doing construction work for his uncle before going solo. The victim planned to one day start his own construction company so he can hire people and give a little help to his friends or whoever needed work, Bravo said. Cops have made no arrests. Eventually they are gonna get him, and things are gonna get right, Bravo predicted. Quinonezs death marks the second homicide this year in the 115th Precinct, which saw four slayings in all of 2023, NYPD stats show. Man, 32, shot and killed in Auburn Gresham neighborhood during physical altercation, police say CHICAGO A 32 year-old man was shot and killed following an apparent physical altercation early Sunday morning in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on the citys South Side. 7-year-old boy shot while riding in car on Dan Ryan Expressway, Illinois State Police say According to Chicago police, the victim was involved in a physical altercation with two other men around 4:15 a.m. Sunday in the 7600 block of South Halsted Street when shots were fired. The 32-year-old man was shot multiple times and taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police say. According to police, the offenders fled the scene in a dark gray Ford Escape in an unknown direction. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines No other injuries were reported, and Area Two detectives are investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man arrives at hospital with stab wounds after police respond to calls for group fight ESCONDIDO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A man is in critical condition after arriving at a North County hospital with stab wounds Saturday afternoon following a group fight in Escondido, police say. Escondido Police Dispatch received a 911 call at 1:42 p.m. Saturday for a group fight in the 300 block of W. El Norte Pkwy in Escondido, the Escondido Police Department reports. When officers arrived at the location, police say there was no one at the scene. SDSO: Four arrive at hospital with gunshot wounds; man, 19, dies from injuries However, just 15 minutes later, police were notified by the Palomar Medical Center that a man with stab wounds arrived in the emergency room. According to police, the man, who has not been identified, is in critical condition. Officers at the hospital were able to determine the victims injuries were related to the group fight. Police say nobody is in custody and there is no suspect description available at this time. 28 rifles, 30 high-capacity magazines among weapons seized during traffic stop Escondido Police Detectives are investigating the possibility of this being gang-related. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has more information is asked to call the Escondido Police Department at 760-839-4722 or Detective Pat Hand at 760-839-4985. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A 46-year-old Attleborough man died Saturday after his jet ski overturned in Turkey Hill Pond in Rutland, the Police Department said in a press release. Rutland police and firefighters went to the pond shortly before 4:30 p.m. after receiving a report that a man who had been operating a jet ski had disappeared under the water after appearing to be in distress. With help from other local fire departments as well as the Massachusetts State Police and Environmental Police, units searched for the man in boats and along the shore. His body was recovered just before 8 p.m., the Rutland police said. The man has been identified as Athanasios George Mitros, according to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office. Rutland police say the cause of the incident remains under investigation. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Man dies in Rutland jet ski accident SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A man was fatally shot and a woman was stabbed in the Tenderloin District, according to the San Francisco Police Department. SFPD responded to the 6th Street for a possible shooting at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Responding officers found a woman suffering from stab wounds and a man with gunshot wounds. The couple were taken to the hospital where the man succumbed to his injuries and died. Fremont PD investigate fatal shooting, residents advised to avoid the area The SFPD Homicide Detail has taken over the investigation. San Francisco PD said the case is ongoing and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at (415) 575-4444. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) An unhoused man was hospitalized after someone shot him Friday evening, Fresno Police say. Around 7:30 p.m. officers were called to the 2000 block of East Tyler Avenue, near Clark Street, in Central Fresno for a victim of a shooting. Officers say they arrived to find a man, an adult white male, with a gunshot wound to his thigh. Investigators believe the victim was in an altercation with the suspect before the shooting. Not much has been shared publically about the suspect, other than he drove a light-colored sedan. Law enforcement is still looking for him at this time. The victim was transported to the hospital with what officers say was a non-life-threatening wound. If anyone has information on this case, Fresno Police ask that they call the departments non-emergency dispatch line at 559-621-7000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 sentenced to 2 years in prison for making false bomb threat on flight diverted to JIA Evan Sims. the man arrested in December for making a bomb threat on a plane, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. In December, Sims was escorted off a flight from Orlando by JSO and the FBI. The flight was diverted to the Jacksonville International Airport after two passengers got into an argument and started talking about bombs. Read: Passenger escorted off flight diverted to JAX facing federal charges Sims was sentenced by a judge on June 17. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] According to court documents, the court also made the following recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons: Incarcerated as close to Orlando, Florida as possible Mental health programming Enrolled in the residential substance abuse treatment program (RDAP), including alcohol treatment [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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was shot in Southeast D.C. on Sunday afternoon. MPD said that at about 2:50 p.m., it responded to the 2600 block of Stanton Rd. for the report of a shooting. One injured after tractor-trailer hits bridge, car on I-495 in Montgomery County When police arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot. MPD said the man died. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) said on Sunday he believes it is time for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race, after previously saying he supported him in the race. I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it's time to pass the torch to a new generation, Manchin said in an interview with host Jake Tapper on CNNs "State of the Union." He also called on Biden to step down on ABCs This Week, using very similar phrasing. "He will go down with a legacy unlike many people, as one of the finest and truly a patriot American," Manchin said on "This Week." "So with that I come with a heavy heart to think the time has come for him to pass the torch to a new generation." Manchins call to withdraw comes after Democratic senators in swing states, such as Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, have made the same plea. He is now the fifth senator to call on Biden to not seek reelection. The president has reiterated that he does not plan to leave the ticket. "While the majority of the Democratic caucus and the diverse base of the party continues to stand with the President and his historic record of delivering for their communities, were clear-eyed that the urgency and stakes of beating Donald Trump means others feel differently. We all share the same goal: an America where everyone gets a fair shot and freedom and democracy are protected," Biden campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement. "Unlike Republicans, were a party that accepts and even celebrates differing opinions, but in the end, we will absolutely come together to beat Donald Trump this November." Manchin, who was elected as a Democrat but became an independent on May 31, also supported an open primary process for Democrats as the next step if Biden were to step down. He did not name Vice President Kamala Harris, but said there is a lot of talent on the bench," and the former West Virginia governor said he is partial to governors. A governor can't afford to be partial, they can't afford to be partisan, strictly because that pothole or that bridges doesnt have a D or an R on it, Manchin said. I've got two tremendous governors right next door to me, Andy Beshear in Kentucky and Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania, who are operating with legislatures either evenly split or completely opposite of their party affiliation. They haven't divided their state. He added, This is what an open process would do. I think it would bring more people out in a process that could bring Democrats like me back. Manchin said he didnt know what that open process would look like considering there are only three weeks until the Democratic National Convention, but that once they get to the convention, everything will change. He also ruled out a presidential run for himself, saying he would rather support a new generation. People keep talking about race and gender its not about race and gender, it's about positions, it's about basically who we are, Manchin said. I left the Democrat Party because it's not the Democratic Party that I grew up in, that I always knew. The independent senator, who has had his own disagreements with the president over the past four years, said he wants Biden to stay in the presidency through November. He specifically said in five months Biden could help heal this nation and "bring the world together" and that the president should be solely focused on that. That takes a full-time 24/7 president not being worried about where you got to go campaign, got to give a speech, got to go out, raise money, Manchin said. And I think his legacy will be one of the greatest legacies of any of our leaders. Manchin added that as someone who has been through statewide campaigns, it is challenging to anybody physically, mentally, every way, shape and form. Right now, the country and the world needs our President Joe Biden with a compassion hes always had and the ability to bring people together, to use all of his forces and energy toward that," Manchin said. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) became the fifth senator to call on President Biden to leave the presidential race on Sunday, urging the president to be a uniter and pass the torch to another Democratic candidate. I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think its time to pass the torch to a new generation, Manchin told CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union on Sunday. I want him to be the president in the last five months of this presidency of his term, to do what he can do is unite our country, to calm down the rhetoric and be able to focus attention to peace in the world, Manchin said. Campaigning, Ive been to statewide campaigns many times, its an unbelievable challenge to anybody, to anybody physically, mentally, every way, shape and form. And right now, the country and the world needs our President Joe Biden, but the compassion hes always had and the ability to bring people together to use all of his forces and energy towards that. Manchin also appeared on ABCs This Week, telling Martha Raddatz that hes concerned about Bidens ability to go through with a full presidential reelection campaign despite confidence in his ability to lead. I think he has that ability, Manchin told ABC. You know, its the total of a campaign is unbelievable. I can tell you on a statewide campaign its relentless. I can only imagine on a national campaign. The former Democrat, who left the party in May, also advocated for an open process in the coming weeks to select a replacement. I think that we have a lot of talent on the bench, a lot of good people, Manchin told CNN, adding that his top picks include Govs. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) and Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) Ive got two tremendous governors right next door to me, and Andy Beshear in Kentucky and Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania, who are operating with legislators either evenly split or completely opposite of their party affiliation, he said. They havent divided their state. They havent made you pick a side and demonize the other side. They brought people together. This is what an open process would do. The senator said an open process and selecting a younger candidate could encourage voters who have grown skeptical of establishment Democrats to return to the party. They have to win me back, he added. Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have also called on Biden to leave the race, as have numerous House members. But Biden and his campaign have remained adamant that the president will be the Democratic nominee despite the rising calls from members of the party for him to step aside. Joe Biden has made it more than clear: hes in this race, and hes in it to win it. Moreover, hes the presumptive nominee, there is no plan for an alternative nominee, Dan Kanninen, Biden campaign battleground states director, wrote in a memo released after the Republican National Convention. Vice President Harris is considered a front-runner should Biden step aside, a decision that is expected to be reached this week. The Biden campaign again doubled down on the presidents commitment to the race in a statement to The Hill on Sunday. While the majority of the Democratic caucus and the diverse base of the party continues to stand with the President and his historic record of delivering for their communities, were clear-eyed that the urgency and stakes of beating Donald Trump means others feel differently, spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said. Unlike Republicans, were a party that accepts and even celebrates differing opinions, but in the end, we will absolutely come together to beat Donald Trump this November. Story was updated at 10:53 a.m. ET Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Stephanie Kelly, Nandita Bose and Bianca Flowers (Reuters) - Many Democrats on Sunday quickly backed Vice President Kamala Harris to run as the party's presidential nominee against Donald Trump after President Joe Biden's abrupt departure from the race, but some powerful party members, including former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stayed quiet. After weeks of fighting among Democrats on whether Biden, 81, should stay in the race, a rush of support coalescing behind Harris, if she is to be the nominee, is crucial with just over 100 days before the November election. But there are plenty of doubts inside the Democratic Party about whether Harris can beat Trump, the Republican nominee and former president. Some Democrats have suggested the party should hold a mini-primary before the August convention. Biden himself endorsed Harris on Sunday, in a separate statement following his letter saying that he is stepping down. He was quickly followed by the powerful Congressional Black Caucus, several key donors, various lawmakers and super PACs including Priorities USA and Unite the Country. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," Biden said on social media platform X. "Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this." The list of Democratic lawmakers endorsing Harris grew as the day progressed. By Sunday evening, the list included California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, U.S. Senator Patty Murray of Washington state, U.S. Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina, and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington. Dmitri Mehlhorn, an adviser to Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn founder and a major Democratic donor, called Harris "the American dream personified," noting she is the daughter of immigrants. "She is also toughness personified, rising from my home town of Oakland California to become the top prosecutor of the state. With Scranton Joe stepping back, I cannot wait to help elect President Harris." All 50 Democratic party state chairs will support Harris as the party's new presidential nominee, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing multiple sources. The Democratic delegations to the nominating convention from Tennessee, Louisiana, South Carolina and North Carolina said they support Harris. Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, who served as secretary of State under President Barack Obama, also endorsed Harris in a statement. Still, others, including Pelosi and Obama, under whom Biden served as vice president for eight years, thanked Biden for his patriotism but did not yet throw their support behind Harris or any other candidate. "We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead," Obama said in a statement. "But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges." Just as he did in 2020 once Biden earned the Democratic nomination, Obama believes he will be uniquely positioned to help unite the party once it has a nominee, said a source familiar with the matter. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who praised Biden's decision to step aside, also was silent on who should be the Democrats' nominee. U.S. Senator Peter Welch, the first Democratic senator to call on Biden to drop his reelection run, called for an open nomination process. The Democrats should have "an open process so that whoever our nominee is, including Kamala, has the strength of having a process that shows the consensus position of the party," Welch said. "The debate in the Democratic Party is who can carry on the legacy of President Biden and defeat Trump." One Democratic donor told Reuters they would support a ticket for Harris as the presidential candidate and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her vice president, as a way to gain votes in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state. It is not known yet whom Harris would pick as her vice president if she does become the nominee. And a group appealing to supporters of former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley who had been backing Biden under the name Haley Voters for Biden, changed its name on Sunday to Haley Voters for Harris. (Reporting by Stephanie Kelly, Nandita Bose, Bianca Flowers, Jarrett Renshaw, Andrea Shalal, Jonathan Landay, Kanishka Singh, Douglas Gillison and Jeff Mason; Editing by Heather Timmons, Matthew Lewis, Chris Reese, Leslie Adler and Lincoln Feast.) How many Democrats, Republicans are there in RI? Here's the voter breakdown. Ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election, Rhode Island has 723,135 registered active voters, as of July 2024, according to the Secretary of State's website. That's out of a 1,095,962 total population, and 779,607 total voter records in the state. Here's how Rhode Island's registered voter demographic breaks down, and how it compares to the November 2020 Presidential election: How many total registered voters are there in Rhode Island? How many are active vs. inactive? According to the latest data published by Rhode Island's Secretary of State Gregg Amore, there are 779,607 total voter records in Rhode Island as of July 2024. But not everyone in that number is an active voter. Breaking down the numbers further, there are: 723,135 total active voters 51,686 inactive voter registrations 4,786 pending voter records According to the SOS website, 97% of Rhode Island's voter roll is in active status. How many Democrats and Republicans are in Rhode Island? Rhode Island is a heavily Democratic-led state, with only a handful of Republicans occupying elected office. That is reflected in Rhode Island's party affiliation breakdown. Here's what that looks like for each party: 38% or 278,374 voters are registered as Democrats in Rhode Island 14% or 103,216 voters are registered as Republicans in Rhode Island How many unaffiliated voters are there in Rhode Island? Continuing Rhode Island's fierce tradition of independence, most of Rhode Island's voters are registered as unaffiliated, and unaffiliated voters represent nearly half of all of Rhode Island's registered voters 47% or 341,542 voters are registered as unaffiliated in Rhode Island How many registered voters were there for the Nov. 2020 election? According to records on the Secretary of State's website, in Nov. 2020 there were 732,125 registered active voters in Rhode Island more than there are currently ahead of the 2024 election. When is the deadline to registered to vote for the 2024 election in Rhode Island? According to Rhode Island's 2024 election calendar, Oct. 5 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 5 2024 general election. Additionally, Oct. 15 is the last day to submit a mail ballot application. And early voting starts on Oct. 16. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How many registered voters are there in RI? Here's the breakdown Each week, this series shares MarionMade! stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more positive stories of Marion, or to share some of your own, visit us as marionmade.org or on social media. Hundreds of local law enforcement officers started at Marion Technical Colleges police academy. Thirty classes have passed through the doors of the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy (OPOTA) since 1995. I wanted to be a police officer since I was little, said Marion Police officer Katrina Rostorfer, a graduate of the OPOTA class of 2021. My dad was a firefighter. I wanted to help people. The community, now more than ever, needs good police officers. In 2024, 100% of the graduates passed the state exam. Over the years, graduates have a 99% passing rate. Class sizes average 15 students. June graduates of the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Academy pose with their instructors. The academy's 25 instructors include many local law enforcement leaders. The academy moved from the main campus to downtown Marion in 2021. The classroom is named after alumni Brandy Winfield, a Marion County deputy who was killed in the line of duty in 2004. His son, Landon Winfield, graduated the academy in June. Seven graduates had job offers within a week of graduating. All are anticipated to have jobs by the end of summer. An experienced team of instructors The instructors have deep law enforcement experience. Robert Chidester, a retired FBI agent, started the academy. The current commander, Greg Perry, is an attorney, former prosecutor and current Morrow County Sheriffs Office deputy. I cant speak highly enough of the instructors. The commander is phenomenal, said Lt. Ed Brown of the Marion Police Department. We use him here at the department. When I need to put on a class, Ill ask him to do it. Landon Winfield received the Top Physical Fitness Award from Commander Greg Perry at the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Academy graduation in June. His father, Brandy, was a member of the second class at Marion Tech. His grandfather and uncle also served in local law enforcement. Its 25 instructors include many local law enforcement leaders. They include Maj. Chris Adkins and Maj. B.J. Gruber, Marion Police Department; Chief Adam Lakey, Mount Gilead Police Department; and Morrow County Sheriff John Tinton. Matt Creps with the MARMET Drug Task Force presents for the class on narcotics and other illegal drugs. Officers Adkins, Brown and Creps are alumni of the academy. Trooper Kamal Nelson graduated with the first class in 1995. He drives to Columbus every day and comes home to Marion at night to teach for us. He enjoys giving back to the community, Perry said. In my mind, society benefits when their police are members of their own community." That practical experience benefits students. The officers have the experience and may be handling a call one night and teaching about it the next day, Brown said. Chief Jay McDonald was with officer Katrina Rostorfer after she received an excellence award from the Central Ohio Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 2022 for her work keeping impaired drivers of the streets. Law enforcement is so awesome because you can do so many things. Its never the same thing every day," Brown said. "Im a hostage negotiator, a crisis intervention specialist, an evidence tech, a field training officer, I teach classes not only to law enforcement but also to citizens on scams and internet crimes. Theres so many different avenues you can go down. Its an awesome career. I wouldnt be where Im at without MTC. If you wouldve asked in 1996 if I would be sitting here as a major, I would have said no way, Adkins said. But I stayed in my town, stayed where I grew up and raised my kids here. MTC afforded me to stay close to home and not leave my community that I wanted to work in. I love every minute of it. Local support plays key role The partnership with local law enforcement benefits the students and the community. The Marion Police Department donated a cruiser to the academy so students can practice driving. Im an MTC alumni. Weve hired a lot of MTC alumni because we know what were getting and we know the quality of the education that theyre getting that were getting so its just a natural fit for us to bring those people on board, Brown said. The Marion Police Department donated a cruiser to the academy so students can practice driving and traffic stop skills. Around the car are Mike Stuckey, left, Greg Perry, Dr. Ryan McCall, Chief Jay McDonald and Dr. Amy Adams. A Pell grant or the G.I. Bill cover the entire cost of college tuition. Students also are eligible for loans and other financial aid. Graduates earn 30 hours of college credit, which is one year of an associates degree. Those looking to advance in their careers can finish with either an associates degree in criminal justice or law enforcement and then transfer credits to earn a bachelors degree. The next academy starts Aug. 26. This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Technical College training law enforcement officers Mark Kellys name is being floated for the ticket. Who else is on the list? President Joe Biden sent a shockwave through the nation Sunday when he ended his reelection campaign after weeks of pressure from his own party to drop out of the race. Now, Democrats are scrambling to determine who should go up against former President Donald Trump. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris shortly after announcing his exit from the contest, but it's not certain whether Democrats will follow his advice and coalesce behind her. The revised process to form a presidential ticket wasnt immediately clear, and the candidates for it could include a half-dozen governors and Arizonas U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly. The pressure is on for Democrats, who face an uphill climb to erase Trump's electoral advantage. The former Republican president is leading in all battleground state polls. The GOP became even more united after Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt and accepted his party's nomination last week at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison left the door open to an intra-party fight on Sunday, saying in a written statement that the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward with a candidate. Regardless of who the party selects as its nominee, that person will also need to select a vice presidential running mate. Heres a rundown on the leading contenders to join an overhauled presidential ticket. Kamala Harris Harris is next in line to the presidency, has Biden's endorsement and would have the easiest access to his campaign operation and multi-million dollar bank account. But shes less known among voters than Biden is and could face competition from other Democrats for the partys nomination. Harris was tasked with handling some of the most controversial issues in the Biden administration, like immigration, making her the face of a difficult policy area for Democrats. Harris also struggled as a presidential candidate in 2020, ending her campaign before the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made," Biden said on social media. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this." Some Democrats in the party have already suggested they would support her. Two Arizona delegates to the Democratic national convention told The Arizona Republic on Sunday that they plan to vote for her to be the nominee, and Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., encouraged the party to coalesce behind her. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said in a written statement. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Mark Kelly Senator Mark Kelly answers questions from the media after the signing of the Colorado River Indian Tribes water rights agreement at the BlueWater Resort on April 26, 2024 in Parker, Ariz. In the weeks after Bidens disastrous debate performance until his decision to exit the race, Kelly stood squarely behind the Biden-Harris ticket. With the shakeup, its less clear what he intends to do. Kelly was quick to throw his support behind Harris, setting off speculation that she could choose him as her running mate if she clinches the nomination. Kelly, 60, has been in the Senate since 2020 and has a relatively prominent national profile apart from politics. He flew four space shuttle missions, became a spokesman for gun-control reforms after his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head, and was an author and motivational speaker. His military background, interest in foreign affairs and centrist persona could complement a Harris-led ticket. At the same time, Democrats know their best chance to hang onto the White House requires winning in the Rust Belt, where at least two governors may be seen as more helpful. Gavin Newsom Newsom has been a visible face of the Biden campaign, courting the media at Republican presidential primary events and on cable news. His frequent appearances in the media were twofold: Promote Democrats and raise his own national profile. Newsom went as far as to debate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a Biden stand-in on Fox News last fall. As a fellow Californian, Newsom could defer to Harris as the top Democrat from the Golden State. But the governor did not immediately throw his support behind Harris after Biden dropped out of the race. He also canceled a Monday appearance at a judicial conference in Sacramento. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents, Newsom said on social media. Gretchen Whitmer Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces Giovanni Manu, a tackle from British Columbia, after the Lions traded up for the 126th pick on Saturday, April 27, 2024 for the third day of the NFL Draft in Detroit. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has won two terms in a state that is a near-must win for Democrats. She remained fully committed to the Biden-Harris ticket throughout the post-debate period and has seldom entertained speculation about theoretical presidential ambitions. Polling shows Whitmer, 52, has remained relatively popular in Michigan into her second term. She delivered the Democrats response to Trumps 2020 State of the Union address, but Whitmer isnt especially prominent nationally outside political circles. In a social media post Sunday, Whitmer remained coy about how, if at all, she factors in a revamped ticket. My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, she said. Whitmers future could hinge on whether Harris is the presidential nominee. If Harris is, Democrats might be averse to running an all-woman ticket on short notice. At least five prominent Democrats in Michigans congressional delegation quickly endorsed Harris as the new presidential pick. Josh Shapiro There are few states more important to Democrats than Pennsylvania on the battleground map. That makes Shapiro an attractive candidate. He won his race for governor by nearly 15 percentage points against a Republican with ties to Trump. Shapiro also has the highest approval rating among his own constituents of any governor in the presidential conversation, according to Morning Consult. Shapiro, though, is less familiar to voters than Harris and even some of his fellow Democratic governors. Shapiro dodged questions Saturday about whether hed throw his hat in the ring as a presidential or vice presidential candidate. "I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals, Shapiro told KDKA News, reiterating his support for Biden. The Pennsylvania governor lauded Biden in a statement on Sunday, calling him a patriot who has served our country honorably and one of the most consequential presidents in modern history. Shapiro did not mention Harris, who Biden endorsed to replace him. J.B. Pritzker Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks to Indiana Democrats Friday, July 12, 2024, during the Hoosier Hospitality Dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Billionaire Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is seen as a presidential contender after serving as a Biden campaign surrogate, visiting key electoral states outside of the Midwest and using his considerable wealth to promote Democratic issues like abortion access across the country. Pritzkers family made its fortune through the Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Forbes estimates his net worth is $3.5 billion. Pritzkers personal wealth could also bolster Democrats. Bidens cash advantage over Trump disappeared during the most recent fundraising quarter, campaign finance reports show. Now that the president is out of the race, Pritzker said in a written statement that he will work every day to ensure Trump does not win in November. Roy Cooper Cooper, 67, has a long history of success with North Carolina voters, with four wins as attorney general and two as the states governor. It extended a run of Democratic wins in state-level races, but the party has struggled in federal contests, something that Cooper could help change. Democrats are hoping to make North Carolina a battleground this year, which could help offset their standing in states Biden won in 2020, such as Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. Cooper has battled a Republican-controlled legislature and made extensive use of his veto authority on many bills, especially on cultural issues, such as transgender rights. As he is term-limited out of office later this year, Cooper retains strong public approval, polling shows. He is older than other possible contenders and, like many of the governors, has a limited public persona outside his state. He issued a statement Sunday thanking Biden for his service but not showing an interest in joining the presidential race. The New York Times has reported that he has warm relations with Harris. Andy Beshear Beshear, 46, has won statewide in Kentucky three times since 2015, once as attorney general and twice as the states governor. That is no small feat in a state that Trump won by 26 percentage points in 2020. Hes regarded as a moderate who has made improving Kentuckys infrastructure and access to health care his priorities. The state suffered devastating tornado damage in 2021 and extreme flooding in 2022, making government-led recovery efforts a major storyline in his tenure. Beshears handling of the disasters has helped make him one of the most popular governors in the country, polling shows. He is not especially well known outside his state, a matter he has joked about amid speculation about his potential in a presidential ticket. In a statement after Bidens announcement, Beshear thanked the president for his service but didnt address his own political plans. Instead, he called it a time for our nation to come together. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mark Kellys name is being floated. Who else is on the VP list? President Joseph R. Biden announced his intent not to seek a second term in a letter to the American people on Sunday, calling his decision one in the best interest of my party and the country. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden wrote. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Biden indicated in the letter that he plans to speak to the nation about his decision in more detail later in the week. The announcement, coming less than a month after the first presidential debate and less than a month before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill., brought a swift response from elected and would-be elected officials in Maryland. Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris looks on as Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event, their first joint appearance since Biden named Harris as his running mate, at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., August 12, 2020. US. Sen. Chris Van Hollen President Biden has always put our country first, and in making this decision, he has once again done what he thinks is best for the future of our democracy, said United States Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., in a statement. Rep. David Trone I commend President Bidens decision to allow a new generation of leaders to take this country to new heights leaders who will continue his legacy of unity and strength, of focusing on what brings us together, not what tears us apart, said United States Rep. David Trone, D-6th, in a release. Democratic US Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks It is paramount that Democrats come together quickly and unite behind a qualified leader, said Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the states Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. She called current Vice President Kamala Harris that leader. President Biden fought for the soul of this nation, and I believe it is a fight he has won. He led with decency and moral clarity, said Alsobrooks, in a statement. Vice President Harris, she said, will provide a clear and stark contrast to the regressive vision Donald Trump has for this country. Republican US Senate candidate Larry Hogan The Republican candidate for the states U.S. Senate seat, former Gov. Larry Hogan also commended Biden. I respect President Biden for his decades of public service, said Hogan, in statement. He should be commended for putting the country ahead of personal ambition. The only way out of this cycle of chaos, divisiveness and dysfunction is to elect principled, common sense and experienced leaders who will focus on the day-to-day challenges facing Americans, he said. Thats why Im running for U.S. Senateto overcome all of the toxic politics and to bring strong, independent leadership to Washington. US Sen. Ben Cardin The man whose seat both Alsobrooks and Hogan are aiming to fill, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., pointed to Bidens record. America has earned back respect and leadership around the free world, said Cardin, the chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, in a statement. Joe Biden has earned the right to determine his own future and I respect his decision. I thank him for his incredible service with all my heart. Moore condemns political violence: Maryland governor condemns political violence after attack on former President Trump While Cardin, who is not seeking reelection after three terms in the Senate, did not reference in his statement another Democratic candidate, he did reference the current Republican presidential nominee. Donald Trump is unfit to hold elected office, said Cardin, who, like Biden, served over five decades in public office. Democrats, along with Independents and Republicans, now must be united and focus our attention on preserving our nation, our Constitution and our way of life under the rule of law. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: President Joe Biden won't seek re-election, Maryland leaders react Do Mass. Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Your delegate questions answered President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign less than a month before the Democratic National Convention. What does that mean for Massachusetts's Democratic delegates? And who is running for President now? "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." Heres what to know. Who will replace Joe Biden? Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. In her own message, after thanking Biden for his service, she said she intends to win the nomination. "I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," Harris wrote. How many Democratic delegates does Massachusetts have? Out of the 3,896 delegates nationally, Massachusetts has 92. This number comes from a Democratic bylaws formula, which is based on each states population and percentage of the total Democratic vote. Do Massachusetts delegates have to vote for Biden? Joe Biden won the Democratic presidential nomination in Massachusetts primary elections on March 5. However, Massachusetts Democrats dont technically have to vote for Biden, thanks to a good conscience clause in Democratic delegate selection rules. All delegates to the National Convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them," the rules say. What happens at the DNC now? That depends on whether there is a virtual nomination ahead of the actual convention. The DNC Convention Rules Committee has, according to reporting from USA Today, been debating holding a virtual roll call and nomination to lock in Biden's nomination. With the presumed nominee now out of the race, the party will now either need to hold a virtual nomination or hold an extremely rare open convention to decide the nominee. How will this affect the ballot in Massachusetts? According to Secretary of State William Galvin, ballots for the national elections in November have yet to be printed, so any changes in the coming weeks will not affect them. Ballots are not printed until the certificates of nomination are presented to Galvin. These are usually presented once the national conventions have been held. According to Debra OMalley, Galvins spokesperson, the parties have until Sept. 10 to present the certificates. When is the Democratic Party National Convention? Where is the DNC? The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to run Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago. USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: What happens now that Biden dropped out? How it will affect MA at DNC Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) on Sunday criticized the Democratic National Committees (DNC) plans to hold a virtual roll-call vote to nominate President Biden ahead of the convention next month, arguing the party needs more time to discuss the best solution for the party moving forward. That roll call should happen at the convention, Ive been publicly clear about that, Auchincloss said on Fox News Sunday. Because the party needs the time and the space to have this debate. And I dont think thats a sign of weakness. Actually, parties are meant to have vigorous conversations about who best can win an election in order to effectuate policy for the American people. Unlike the Republican Party, which right now is a mosh pit on a human hand grenade. They call it unity, I call it an impending disaster because they are going to underperform and hes going to try to steal the election again, he added. The virtual roll-call plan, which will likely take place some time between Aug. 1 and 7, was originally intended to ensure Biden appears on the ballot in all 50 states after Democrats were notified earlier this year that their convention didnt meet an Ohio deadline to certify the partys presidential nominee before the Aug. 19 convention. However, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) in June signed legislation to extend the deadline from Aug. 7 to Aug. 31. Since then, a growing number of Democrats have expressed concerns with Bidens viability as a candidate following his poor debate showing against former President Trump last month. Auchincloss revealed he has concerns about the Democrats performance at the polls in November, while noting that the election is still four months away. If the election were held today, Democrats would be in trouble. I think theres no empirical way to say otherwise, he said. But the election is four months from now. And we have not just very strong candidates at the House and Senate level, we also have strong surrogates. Weve got [Vice President] Kamala Harris who can prosecute a case, which is good because Trumps a convicted felon. Weve got [Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg] who can talk about infrastructure in the economy for swing state voters. We got [Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo], a successful governor who is now leading the strategy to outcompete China, he added. A group of House Democrats warned the DNC in a letter last week against going ahead with the virtual roll-call plan. There is no legal justification for this extraordinary and unprecedented action, which would effectively accelerate the nomination process by nearly a month, the letter read, adding that the justification for the virtual roll call is no longer valid. The Biden campaign defended the virtual nomination plans when speaking to reporters last week. When questioned on why a virtual roll call is still necessary ahead of the convention, Biden principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks told reporters in Milwaukee that Ohio Republicans decided to play games. We have an obligation to make sure, as we have said, to stand by free and fair elections and make sure that the process runs as smoothly as possible, he said. It is our obligation as a campaign to make sure that President Biden is on the ballot, as well as Donald Trump, for anybody who is trying to play those games. Reporters then accused him of dodging questions about why they are moving forward with the virtual roll call. I didnt dodge the question, Fulks said. Its the fact that they solved it with a legislative fix, he said, putting up air quotes with his hands. We moved forward, we instituted this before they had a fix, and were going to continue on that path because were not going to leave it up to them to change the rules again, he added. A number of House Democrats, along with some senators, have publicly urged the president to step aside in the 2024 race over concerns, arguing the stakes of Trump winning reelection are too high. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 news alerts from a service our journalists use arrived on my phone simultaneously Saturday evening as my wife and I watched television. They mentioned posts on X about shots possibly being fired at former President Donald Trump. A quick channel change to cable news confirmed something indeed had happened. My phone began to beep incessantly as I headed to my home office. Within a few minutes our weekend producer Bryce Houston had published our USA TODAY Network's breaking news story on a bloodied Trump being rushed away by Secret Service agents and sent an alert on our mobile app and to email subscribers. That was the start of what became an exhausting week for our team, including two staffers sent to Pennsylvania to join a network team of reporters and photographers covering the assassination attempt. Others in Columbus sought reaction from local leaders, pastors and political scientists. We already knew it would be a busy week with Ohio Sen. JD Vance on the short list of contenders to become Trump's pick for vice president at the Republican National Convention. Statehouse Bureau reporter Haley BeMiller was in Milwaukee for the possibility and additional coverage. When Trump announced Vance on Monday afternoon, we immediately published a wave of prepared content on Vance's political history, connections to Columbus and collections of his past opinion columns we've published. Almost immediately, tens of thousands of people searching Google for information on Vance flocked to Dispatch.com. Then on Tuesday, BeMiller notified our team that Columbus police working in Milwaukee to assist with convention security had fatally shot a man, a tip we were able to quickly verify. That news spurred another major breaking news response by our journalists again working with our network colleagues in Milwaukee and at USA TODAY. Columbus Dispatch Executive Editor Michael Shearer. For all three of these stories the information we were able to deliver to readers was greatly strengthened by our entire network of more than 200 local news sites working together, especially Tuesday with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel journalists feeding us information, images and video from the scene. We were able to share the first confirmation that Columbus officers were involved and additional information throughout the day, including body camera video released by the city that night. In Pennsylvania, photographer Doral Chenoweth arrived late Saturday night and was at the site early Sunday morning to get drone images and video of the location where Trump and three others were wounded. One of his images, shared via our wire service, was used by the New York Times on its Monday front page. He was joined Sunday morning by Dispatch reporter Sheridan Hendrix and journalists from other Ohio and Pennsylvania sites in our network. They spent three days chasing down information about the shooter and victims, while speaking to residents about their reactions. In these situations, our rapidly assembled national teams largely communicate by instant messages in Microsoft Teams. Reporters and editors coordinate logistics and share information. It can be a chaotic and confusing conversation as journalists working nationwide communicate questions that need answered and report back confirmed information. But as I watched messages fly this past week, I was struck by the great care used in verifying information before it was shared publicly. This is nothing new, but it's a side of our work that often gets overlooked in this age of social media rumors and speculation. I'm grateful to all of our USA TODAY Network journalists who jumped into these stories to ensure we had complete and accurate coverage. Michael Shearer is the executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch and Dispatch.com. He can be reached at mshearer@dispatch.com or 614-245-0358. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: A big week of news shows power of Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY Network DALLAS Heartbreak and grief continue for a Dallas church congregation after a massive fire destroyed their historic sanctuary late Friday. The sight of devastation and the smell of smoke remained outside First Baptist Dallas one day after a four-alarm fire tore through the original sanctuary. Dallas Fire-Rescue continued monitoring hot spots on Saturday. No injuries were reported. The sound of fire engines and the sight of stunned onlookers filled the heart of downtown Dallas Saturday morning. Executive pastor Dr. Ben Lovvorn said the building appears to be a total loss. "It's hard to see," Lovvorn said. Church members were coming to terms with the surreal images of the charred shell that holds so many memories. "My family's been in this church for five generations, over a hundred years. I was raised in the sanctuary, trusted in Christ in that room, got engaged, got married there, so it's a special place," Lovvorn said with tears in his eyes. The historic sanctuary, which opened in 1890 and was used until a new facility opened in 2013, is a significant downtown landmark. It has hosted visits from Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and Donald Trump. Sari McCoy has been coming to the church since she was a baby. "Just heartbreak, it's really heartbreak for the loss for the place of the memories, the beautiful moments we had, and the reverence we had in there," McCoy said. The sanctuary was built in 1890, and the church used it to worship until it moved into the new building in 2013. "Really, what a loss, but at the same time, I have mixed emotions that no one was hurt and that the church is still intact because the church is the people," McCoy said. Dallas Fire Rescue believes the fire started in the basement of the sanctuary around 6 p.m. Friday. it took several hours for crews to bring it under control. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is assisting with the investigation into how the fire started. "It is not standard, but not unheard of," said Robert Borse, with Dallas Fire-Rescue, of calling on ATF. "We requested because initial callers said they heard a 'boom.' That has since been proven inaccurate." "We move forward, and God has his hand in everything," McCoy said. The scorched walls overflow with more than a century of memories. The congregation hopes it can rebuild the sanctuary. First Baptist Dallas will hold one service at 11 a.m. Sunday, taking place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center's main arena. Free parking is available. No childcare will be provided. The service will be streamed live at icampus.firstcampus.org. "We'd encourage everybody to join us and to come worship with us," Lovvorn said. Church leaders must provide a structural engineering report Sunday to determine whether the building needs to be demolished. Sneak peek: Stephen Smith: A Death in Murdaugh Country Video shows moment Terrell Davis was handcuffed on a United Airlines flight What polls say about a Trump-Harris matchup President Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential race, he said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Sunday afternoon. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," the post read. Biden said he would address the nation later this week with more details as to why he bowed out of the race. The withdrawal comes after weeks of mounting pressure from those within the Democratic party who believed Biden no longer had a path to re-election and about a month before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In the wake of the news, elected Democratic leaders from Memphis and Shelby County and across Tennessee expressed gratitude for Biden's leadership but also threw around some names of possible replacements for the Democratic nominee for president. Many local leaders threw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Tennessee's two Republican U.S. Senators also weighed in on the president's decision Sunday afternoon. Sen. Raumesh Akbari State Sen. Raumesh Arkbari took to X as well and said she was "disappointed," and had been looking forward to four more years with Biden. "Well, Im completely shocked and disappointed. In the last three years, the #Biden administration has accomplished so much. Was looking forward to another 4 years," Akbari wrote. She also said in the post she hoped for "all parties to unite behind" Harris. Well, Im completely shocked and disappointed. In the last three years, the #Biden administration has accomplished so much. Was looking forward to another 4 years. I do hope the party unites behind @KamalaHarris. I dont know that any other choice moves us forward. https://t.co/7mcVSJeDvk Senator Raumesh Akbari (@SenAkbari) July 21, 2024 Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green kept her message about the matter short, by simply posting a photo of Harris with the words "Let's go" and "#OneToughMother" on the social media platform X. Sen. London Lamar State Sen. London Lamar posted on X that she wanted to be put on Harris' campaign team. Somebody put me on Vice President @KamalaHarris campaign team!!! Senator London Lamar (@SenatorLamar) July 21, 2024 U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, posted a thread on X about Biden stepping out of the race. "Finally, Joe Biden has realized what the rest of the American People and even his own party already knewhe is not only the wrong leader for America, but is wholly incapable of doing the job of President of the United States," Blackburn wrote. Finally, Joe Biden has realized what the rest of the American people and even his own party already knewhe is not only the wrong leader for America, but is wholly incapable of doing the job of President of the United States. But he didn't go far enough. Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) July 21, 2024 U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen Congressman Steve Cohen wrote in a text to The USA Today Network-Tennessee and posted on social media that Biden has "done the right thing for the country and the world." "His presidency will be seen as the most impactful since Lyndon Johnson. Infrastructure, the environment, healthcare and historic minority appointments as well as restoring international ties that strengthen democracy. He has been very good for Memphis with the $393 million for the new bridge across the river as well as other infrastructure investments, and judicial appointments of the finest caliber," Cohen said. #JoeBiden has done the right thing for the country & the world. His presidency will be seen as the most impactful since LBJs. Infrastructure, healthcare, the environment, historic minority appointments, restoring our credibility with our international allies & more. Thanks Joe! Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) July 21, 2024 Cohen echoed much of what he posted on X in a later statement. He praised investments made by various legislative pieces Biden has pushed through Congress in his term and the impact they have made on Memphis. Tennessees Ninth District has felt the great impact of President Bidens work. Memphis will have a new bridge as was just announced last week, there have been major investments in MATA, the Memphis International Airport has undergone a generational transformation with even more upgrades on the way, and weve been able to secure funding for important community projects in TN-9 like housing, support for the homeless, healthcare, criminal justice, post-incarceration counseling, and education," the statement read. State Rep. Antonio Parkinson Tennessee Rep. Antonio Parkinson also threw his support behind Harris in the wake of Biden dropping out. The post included a photo of himself with Harris. "Let's go Kamala Harris for President," Parkinson wrote in a post on X. State Rep. Karen Camper Tennessee State Rep. and House Minority Leader Karen Camper expressed gratitude for Biden and his "unwavering service to our country." "Throughout his tenure, he has kept his commitment to the American people, delivering on numerous campaign promises that have led to substantial progress in our society," Camper's statement read. Camper also endorsed Harris's bid for the Democratic nomination, echoing similar sentiments to those of other Tennessee and Memphis Democratic leaders. "(Harris's) commitment to equality, justice, and the well-being of all Americans reflects the values we hold dear. Together, we will work to ensure a brighter future for our country," said Camper in the statement. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris thanked Biden for his "many years of service" on X. He also said there are several more months to create change. Thank you, President Joe Biden, for your many years of service and for one of the most successful presidencies in American history. Several months left to create even more change. Lets run through the tape. #BidenHarris https://t.co/SjoGA5Cjqz Lee Harris (@LeeHarrisfor901) July 21, 2024 U.S. Sen, Bill Hagerty U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, a Republican, posted a series of posts on X. Hagerty said that Biden is "endangering" the nation by staying in the presidental office in the wake of stepping out of the race. He also said that Harris, who Biden has endorsed in his place, is responsible for the "worst border crisis in our nations history." "The American people have been lied to time and time again, and now, we have a President who just admitted to being unfit for the job," one post read. If @JoeBiden is unfit in four months, hes unfit now. Resign and stop endangering the nation. The American people have been lied to time and again, and now, we have a President who just admitted to being unfit for the job. Bill Hagerty (@BillHagertyTN) July 21, 2024 Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell Shelby County Commission Vice Chair Charlie Caswell posted on Facebook that he is proud to endorse Harris for president, but did not say anything about Biden bowing out of the race. U.S. Rep. David Kustoff U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, a Republican from Germantown, took to X to share his thoughts on Biden leaving the race. Kustoff said that the Democratic party has "admitted what Americans already knew: Joe Biden is not fit to be President of the United States." He joined other conservatives around the country in saying the Biden-Harris Administration is not the choice for Americans. "The Biden-Harris Administration created the invasion at our southern border, skyrocketing inflation, and chaos on the world stage. America cannot handle four more years of this mayhem," Kustoff said in the post. By forcing Joe Biden off the ticket, Democrats have admitted what Americans already knew: Joe Biden is not fit to be President of the United States. The Biden-Harris Administration created the invasion at our southern border, skyrocketing inflation, and chaos on the world David Kustoff (@DavidKustoff) July 22, 2024 Reporter Vivian Jones contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis leaders react to Biden dropping out of 2024 presidential race President Joe Biden tours the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Sept. 14, 2022. Biden was joined on the tour by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell. (Andrew Roth | Michigan Advance) Within minutes after President Joe Biden unexpectedly issued a letter announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race following weeks of criticism and speculation, Michigan Democrats hurriedly fired off social media posts praising him, while several Republicans demanded that he resign immediately. Attorney General Dana Nessel, who had issued what many interpreted as a subtweet about Biden needing to resign earlier this month, posted a magnanimous statement on social media Sunday afternoon comparing him to the nations first president. President Biden will be remembered as one of the most successful and transformational presidents in U.S. history. His sacrifice of putting country before self makes him a modern-day George Washington, she wrote. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been a co-chair of Bidens reelection campaign and been on pundits short list of his potential replacements, slammed former President Donald Trump while lauding Biden. President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure Americas global leadership over decades will go down in history, Whitmer said. My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) said that Biden has dedicated his life in service to the American people. He has been a remarkable and effective president with historic accomplishments. Joe Biden will go down in history as one of Americas most effective presidents. Not only has he been an extraordinary leader with many accomplishments, but he has also shown the American people how to lead with honesty, decency and empathy. All Americans owe President Biden a debt a gratitude for his decades of service to the American people, Kildee continued. Kildee also strongly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Democrats must immediately come together around Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump. Kamala Harris has already been elected and earned the trust of the American people, and she has served honorably as Vice President. She is uniquely qualified to serve as President of the United States, he said. Kamala Harris represents a new generation of leadership for our country, and I know she has what it takes to win in November. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.), who chairs the Democratic U.S. Senate campaign effort, said Bidens decision will help the partys fight to keep control of the upper chamber. President Biden has been and will continue to serve as one of our countrys greatest presidents, achieving tremendous results on issues that matter most to American families, and leading with purpose, dignity and resolve. His decision unifies our party and ensures Democrats are in the strongest possible position to defend our Senate majority, Peters said. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) wrote that Biden has done more for MI during his presidency than any other president in my lifetime. In the past three & a half years, weve fixed thousands of roads & bridges, boosted manufacturing, brought jobs home, lowered the cost of prescription drugs & tackled the climate crisis. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes said that in the face of devastating loss and hardship, he has been a model to the nation of what it means to lead with grace, empathy, and kindness. President Biden has always been there for Michigan, and Michigan Democrats will always be grateful for his vision of a country that sets aside its differences and finds hope in a brighter future, together. Mr. President, you have been our fearless leader, our friend, and an incredible public servant and we can never thank you enough, she said. Some Republicans dispensed with the niceties and blasted Biden in their initial statements. Once again, the Democrats have proven they put power ahead of our nations best interest. They are more concerned about the November elections than Biden being unable to do his job, said Dr. Sherry ODonnell, a GOP candidate for U.S. Senate. He should not be just stepping aside from the Presidential race, but he should also be resigning. As a physician, I am appalled he is still going to be in the Oval Office for another six months. Michigan GOP Chair Pete Hoekstra simply retweeted Trumps social media post slamming Biden: Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Michigan Democrats start to coalesce around VP Harris but no word from Gov. Whitmer yet A slew of important Michigan Democrats immediately threw their weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party's presidential pick, a move seemingly to coalesce support around the former California senator after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race Sunday. The move came quickly after Biden put his own public support behind his vice president who formally announced her presidential bid Sunday afternoon. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election," Harris said in a statement. "And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump. ..." But a handful of equally powerful Democrats including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not immediately endorse in the race, indicating the party may need more time before they formally choose the person to face former President Donald Trump in the fall. U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters both endorsed Harris. "Shes an exemplary leader, knows what it takes to deliver when it matters most, and has my full support," Peters said. U.S. Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Flint; Debbie Dingell, D- Ann Arbor; Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids; Haley Stevens, D- Birmingham; and Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, all immediately announced their support for Harris. "There's much at stake this election let's unite as a country behind Vice President Kamala Harris and rise victorious over extremism this November," Scholten said in a statement. Hillary Scholten, the democratic candidate for Michigan's 3rd Congressional District, speaks to a crowd of supporters during a canvassing event ahead of the upcoming Nov. 8th election Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Grand Rapids. As of 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the only members of Michigan's Democratic delegation in the U.S. House not to immediately endorse Harris were U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit. More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates More: Kamala Harris campaigns on abortion rights in Michigan, addresses Trump shooting Slotkin, running to succeed U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, did issue a statement supporting and thanking Biden. But Tlaib, who has remained critical of Biden's approach to the war in Gaza, did not immediately release any comments. Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, also called for his party to choose Harris. "It is now our responsibility as Democrats and Americans to unite behind Vice President Harris and carry our candidate through to victory in November. This decision by President Biden is an example to us all and we cannot squander his sacrifice on division and posturing," Tate said. Harris has repeatedly made visits to Michigan, both as a candidate before the 2020 election and as vice president. Democrats and Republicans agree the road to the White House likely runs through Michigan. Todd Spangler contributed to this report. Contact Dave Boucher: dboucher@freepress.com and on Twitter, formerly called X, @Dave_Boucher1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Dems start to coalesce around Harris but no word from Whitmer yet Michigan Democrats largely said President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race did not change their focus this fall: defeating former President Donald Trump. But the messages of a united front against Trump belie the uncertainty that awaits a party awash in turmoil since a disastrous debate performance spurred calls for the 81-year-old Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee. They also come amid Republican calls, sensing a clear advantage, for Biden to resign the presidency immediately. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer a popular name bandied about by those speculating on possible Biden replacements heralded Biden's accomplishments while vowing to remain committed to her party's cause. "President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure Americas global leadership over decades will go down in history," Whitmer said in a statement Sunday afternoon posted to X, previously called Twitter. President Joe Biden delivers a fiery speech at Detroits Renaissance High School on Friday, July 12, 2024. "My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan." Whitmer did not specifically say Sunday she would not seek her party's nomination and did not endorse any other candidate. But before Biden's decision, she repeatedly denied any immediate White House interest and expressed support for the president. More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats President Joe Biden hugs congresswoman Debbie Dingell at the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville before he delivers a speech to a large crowd at Renaissance High School in Detroit on Friday, July 12, 2024. After weeks of calls to step aside for a younger Democratic nominee, Biden, 81, announced Sunday he would endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for his party's presidential pick. Many other Democrats followed suit, almost immediately announcing their support for Harris, including U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, a longtime friend of Biden and his wife, Jill. Dingell told the Free Press she cried when she heard the news Biden was stepping down. Biden, she said, "is a dedicated public servant and a dear friend who has helped me through some of life's most challenging moments. ... I am proud of his legacy of service to our nation and know he remains committed to continuing his important work through the remainder of his term. His leadership has helped build a stronger and more unified America and he has changed our country for the better." The pressure had been building on Biden for weeks as dozens of Democrats called for him to step aside ahead of the Democrats' nominating convention next month in Chicago amid worries he would lose to Trump in November. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a written statement issued shortly before 2 p.m. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes praised Biden's lengthy history of service, especially to Michigan. President Biden has always been there for Michigan, and Michigan Democrats will always be grateful for his vision of a country that sets aside its differences and finds hope in a brighter future, together. Mr. President, you have been our fearless leader, our friend, and an incredible public servant and we can never thank you enough. In Grand Rapids on Saturday, Trump joked that he wanted Biden to stay in the race. He and other Republicans have repeatedly suggested Biden presented them their best chance at winning. A Free Press poll released Sunday showed Trump up seven percentage points against Biden in Michigan, an unheard of margin for a Republican president in the state in decades. During the rally at Van Andel Arena, Trump conducted a tongue-in-cheek poll of audience members: would they prefer he take on Biden or Harris in the fall? Judging by the roars of the audience, they wanted Biden. In a statement Sunday sent to supporters, Trump called Biden "the worst president ever" while asking for donations to defeat whoever gets the Democratic Party nomination. Democrats praise Biden, largely line up behind Harris as nominee U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, who is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination to Michigans open U.S. Senate seat, posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, a statement saying, Few public servants have given more to our country than Joe Biden. His record of accomplishment as a senator, vice president, and as president of the United States is unmatched. Over the last four years Ive been proud to partner with his administration to take on Big Pharma, bring down the cost of prescription drugs, and to secure the biggest federal investment in Michigans infrastructure since the 1950s, to say nothing of delivering the biggest expansion of veterans healthcare benefits in decades, Slotkin continued. Joe Biden has always put country first, and with todays announcement hes doing so again. Over the next four months, everyone who cares about our fragile democracy Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike must work together to defend it by electing a Democratic president this November. Slotkin had seen the race for the Senate seat, previously rated as lean Democrat, changed to toss-up by the influential Cook Political Report because of what was seen as Bidens drag on the Democratic ticket nationwide. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, who is stepping down at the end of this term, praised Bidens lifetime of service and said he has been a remarkable and effective president with historic accomplishments. Because of President Bidens leadership, America came out of the pandemic with the strongest economy in the world. Working with a Democratic Congress, President Biden signed historic legislation to cut taxes for working families and rebuild our countrys infrastructure. He made the single largest investment to combat climate change and for the first time in three decades passed a law to reduce gun violence. President Biden restored Americas reputation around the world, strengthening our alliances, expanding the NATO, and helping to promote democracy around the globe, Kildee said in a statement. Joe Biden will go down in history as one of Americas most effective presidents. Not only has he been an extraordinary leader with many accomplishments, but he has also shown the American people how to lead with honesty, decency and empathy. All Americans owe President Biden a debt of gratitude for his decades of service to the American people. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, also thanked Biden. "President Biden will be remembered as one of the most successful and transformational presidents in U.S. history. His sacrifice of putting country before self makes him a modern-day George Washington," Nessel posted on X. Benson asked supporters to continue to focus on winning in November. "It is up to all of us we, the people to harness our power, rise above the noise, and work together to ensure the promise of democracy survives and thrives," Benson said. Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, called Biden a patriot for his decision. "Joe Biden stands for what is good and decent, and his selfless choice is yet another example of his commitment to public service and to our great country," Tate posted on X. Michigan Speaker of the House Joe Tate talks to a crowd following the Labor Day parade Roosevelt Park in front of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit on Monday, September 4, 2023. Both Kildee and Tate endorsed Harris to replace Biden as the party's nominee, as did Democratic U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens, of Birmingham, and Shri Thanedar, of Detroit. Stevens called Biden's decision to step aside "yet another example of his extraordinary leadership and lifelong dedication to doing what he believes is right for our nation." "While I wanted to help him secure reelection in November, I respect his decision. Thank you, Mr. President, for a lifetime of service," Stevens said. "I will now turn my attention to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as our Democratic nominee, as Mr. Biden has asked of us. I look forward to making her the first woman president of our great nation." Thanedar called Biden "the most effective President in American history," adding, "We owe you a debt of gratitude." Also coming out for Harris to be the Democratic nominee was U.S Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, the only member of Michigan's congressional delegation who had joined the more than 30 others in the U.S. House and Senate who had openly called for Biden to step aside as nominee. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued a poignant statement about Biden's decision. "There is no greater dedication a leader can make than sacrifice," he said. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, also D-Michigan, called Biden's stepping aside as nominee "another courageous action in his long history of service to our country. Stabenow endorsed Harris "without hesitation," she said. Peters did the same, some hours later. "Shes an exemplary leader, knows what it takes to deliver when it matters most, and has my full support," he said. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, also posted on social media almost immediately after Biden announced his decision shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday and used it as an opportunity to blast Trump, who has been leading in the polls in Michigan and held a rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday night. One man says I alone can do this and demands you fall in line or be destroyed, McMorrow wrote, referring to Trump. One man knows the fate of a nation of 330 million is far bigger than one man. This is a selfless decision that the country will recognize for the rest of our history. And I know which side Im on. Senator Mallory McMorrow speaks to the crowd on Monday, May 22, 2023, outside of the 44th District Court in Royal Oak. Decision comes after weeks of criticism Calls for Biden to step aside grew in volume after a shaky debate performance in late June, when the president verbally stumbled through several remarks. After the debate, a growing chorus within his own party began calling for Biden to step down before the Democratic National Convention in August. Biden initially batted down calls to leave the race, including at a raucous rally in Detroit on July 12 where a crowd of thousands chanted dont you quit, during his remarks. But public opinion polling shows Trump leading Biden in several key swing states crucial to winning the election, Michigan among them. Many of the Democrats who said Biden should step aside directly referenced the partys need to defeat Trump. Bidens age has long been a concern surrounding his campaign, even dating to his 2020 run. A recent bout of COVID-19 that forced him from the campaign trail did not help his efforts to stay in the race. And even as Democrats were showing praise on Biden for his decision Sunday and many were calling for unity around Harris to replace him as nominee, Republican voices from Michigan and elsewhere growled that they wanted more from the president: namely, that he resign the office. Posting on social media, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, said the media and the Democrats "have told us for over a year to 'not believe our lying eyes,' " but questioned how, "If he can't handle being a candidate, why would he be able to handle the daily rigors of the presidency?" He also said Harris is "as culpable" as other Democrats in a "scheme to subvert democracy" by replacing Biden as the nominee after he made it through the primary season. U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, sounded a similar note. "If Joe Biden is unfit to run for re-election, he is unfit to run our country. This is a major national security crisis. Joe Biden should resign the presidency immediately," he wrote on X. U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, added, "Every Democrat has lied, misled and covered up Bidens cognitive decline for years now. Kamala Harris was complicit in this cover-up and would be an even more disastrous president than Biden." She also called for Biden to resign the presidency, though he has clearly indicated he intends to serve out his term. Is it Harris? With Biden no longer being the party's candidate, the political calculus now turns to who will replace him atop the Democratic ticket in November, though the early front-runner was obviously Harris, given the early support she was receiving. More: As President Joe Biden steps aside, would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? Harris had already been considered among the front-runners at the Democratic National Convention if it was to be decided there. With Harris name already being attached to the campaign as Bidens running mate, she can assume the campaign, along with its infrastructure and funding. United States Vice President Kamala Harris greets the crowd after speaking at the Charles H. Wright African American museum in Detroit on her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour on Monday, May 6, 2024. But other popular Democratic figures have been floated as potential Biden replacements California Gov. Gavin Newsom is another Biden ally who has been cast as a potential replacement. He spent July 4 in Michigan, meeting with Democrats on the west side of the state. With Harris receiving Biden's endorsement, others will focus on her possible vice presidential pick. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper are names mentioned among those guessing at potential running mates. Democrats formally nominate their party's pick at the Democratic National Convention, slated for Chicago in mid-August. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Democrats react to Joe Biden dropping out of race (Bloomberg) -- California governor Gavin Newsom threw his support behind Kamala Harris, describing her as tough, fearless and tenacious on social media, ending speculation that he could challenge the vice president for the nomination. Most Read from Bloomberg Newsoms backing came several hours after he praised president Joe Biden in the aftermath of his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, in a post that notably failed to mention Harris. Others, such as North Carolina governor Roy Cooper and Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro offered their support for the vice president against former president Donald Trump in November. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer hasnt yet endorsed Harris, but she doesnt intend to compete for the Democratic presidential nomination, said a person with knowledge of the matter. Whitmer plans to let either Harris or another Democrat take the lead and run against Republican nominee Donald Trump, said the person, who asked not to be named because the discussions were private. Whitmer is said to view the situation as complex and not an ideal time to make a bid. Whitmer has been governor of Michigan, a swing state, since 2019. She has backed Biden since his disastrous presidential debate, but in the aftermath warned the White House that Michigan could be tough to win in November. Michigan pollster EPIC/MRA released a poll Sunday showing that Biden is losing ground to Trump. The most recent poll gave Trump a lead with 49% to Bidens 42%. Biden trailed 41% to 38% in June. A spokeswoman for Whitmer didnt directly respond to questions. Instead she replied by sending the governors post on social media. Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, who like Newsom, Whitmer and Shapiro have been floated as potential vice president or even presidential nominees, also offered praise for Biden without mentioning Harris. (Updates with Newsom in lead) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President Joe Biden's decision to end his bid for reelection amid intense pressure has energized local Democrats by giving the party an opening to reframe their faltering narrative and bolstered Republicans' confidence as they come out of the national convention to run against what has been described as a "fragmented" party. Biden made the announcement on Sunday from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he has been self-isolating since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. He said he would speak to the nation later this week to provide more details about his decision. Over the past couple of years, the Biden administration has grown its presence in the Hudson Valley with visits by both the president and first lady to Dutchess County. He and senior members of his team have been touting the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act. Local Democrats praised Biden's decision saying it was a difficult one to make but showed the president had the country's best interests in mind. They saw the decision as one that could galvanize voters, especially independents and those who may have already decided not to vote, to take more of an interest in who the candidates are and what they stand for. "I think this will change the news cycle," said Dutchess County Democratic Committee Chair Michael Dupree, adding "anything that will drive interest toward understanding better who Vice President Harris is, if she's a nominee, who her vice president candidate will be, is something that will help voters decide, help animate Democrats." The Republican Party has held the nation's attention over the past couple of weeks before unveiling former President Trump's running mate, JD Vance. Democrats hope their nomination process will hold a similar sway on the nation's attention. Dupree hopes the nomination process, which he described as "uncharted territory," will allow for a more democratic process to enfold depending on who steps into the ring to vie for the Democrats. This gives voters the opportunity to learn more about the candidates, both at a local and national level, and their positions on hot-button issues such as the economy and constitutional rights. "Voters can now sort of breathe a sigh of relief, take a breath and start to get excited about what it's going to mean to vote in this election," said Zak Constantine, chairman for the Orange County Democratic Party. "Instead of simply just being a referendum on these two parties over the last four to eight years, we can now count on a nominee that can make a case to the American people about what they're fighting for, what they're voting for in the next election." Republicans, however, are using this moment to cast doubt on the Democrats' ability to lead the country and also use the momentum from the national convention to show that their party is unified behind former President Donald Trump. More: What happens to Joe Biden's delegates now that president has dropped out of election "The fact that President Biden has stepped away is very interesting and frightening in reality, because if he cannot run for office, if he feels himself not fit to run for office, how can he feel fit enough to run the country," asked Dutchess County Republican Committee Chair Michael McCormack. While Republicans do not see Biden's decision as impacting local races in the long run, or change how their candidates are campaigning, Democrats believe this could bring more voters out to the polls this year, helping down-ballot candidates. McCormack believes Republicans have already made headway with independent voters, who in the past, have been the deciding factor in local elections. However, Orange County's Democratic Committee chair feels those voters frustrated with current presidential candidates will see this as an opportunity to reconsider how they cast their ballot. This year, there are several state races and congressional races that are highly competitive. Congressman Pat Ryan who represents the 18th Congressional District is running in a tight race against Republican candidate Alison Esposito. Ryan, earlier this month, supported the Democrats' calls for Biden to step down. Opinion: Rep. Pat Ryan: Biden, its time to step aside. For the good of our country. "The top of the ticket always leads down ticket, so the locomotive in front of the train is what pulls the train along, and in this case we have (former) President Trump," said Dutchess County Republican Committee Chair Michael McCormack, who described the Democratic Party as "fragmented." Even before Biden decided to step down, Republicans were taking aim at Harris during high-profile Republican speeches in Milwaukee during the convention. However, polling from earlier this month showed Harris with better odds of beating Trump than Biden, though not by much. "Make no mistake, the Biden-Harris administration, in my opinion, has been the most productive presidential administration in modern history," said Constantine. "That is why as a party leader, as a young party leader, I stepped up, and demonstrated my support by joining the team as a pledge delegate." Saba Ali: Sali1@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-451-4518 This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: With Biden out of race, NY party leaders expect energized voters House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that replacing President Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic nominee would be unlawful, just hours before the president announced that he is officially stepping aside. In an interview on ABCs This Week, the Louisiana Republican claimed that some states would face legal challenges to putting another Democratic candidate on their ballot instead of Biden. It would be wrong, and I think unlawful, in accordance to some of these states rules, for a handful of people to go in a back room and switch it out because they dont like the candidate any longer. Thats not how this is supposed to work, Johnson said, repeating the same statement on CNNs State of the Union. Speaker Johnson tells @MarthaRaddatz that Democrats might run into some legal impediments if they tried to replace Joe Biden on the ticket. It would be wrong and I think unlawful...for a handful of people to go in the backroom and switch it out. https://t.co/YHfB2tipgbpic.twitter.com/T2PcBgtxdl This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 21, 2024 On Sunday afternoon, Biden released a letter formally announcing his decision to drop out of the race to become the Democratic Partys presidential nominee for the November election. Biden announced his endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place. Biden said that while he is dropping out of the race, he will continue to serve the remainder of his tenure as president. Following his announcement, Johnson called on Biden to resign immediately. But is Johnson right that there would be legal issues with a different candidate? Earlier this month, election law expert and UCLA professor Rick Hasen said there is no reason Democrats should be unable to legally put forward a different person. I dont put any credence to it. Joe Biden is not the partys nominee now, and states generally point to the major partys nominee as the one whose name is on the ballot, Hasen wrote on July 3 on his website, Election Law Blog. President Joe Biden speaks on economics during the Vote To Live Properity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024. (Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/AFP via Getty Images) KENT NISHIMURA via Getty Images While Johnson failed to specify any specific legal argument, his comments may be in reference Ohio, which had a law requiring parties to choose their official nominees 90 days before the election. The states lawmakers have since changed the law, effective Sept. 1, so that Ohio would allow Democrats to submit their nominee after the DNC. Republicans and affiliated groups like the Heritage Foundation, the architect behind the Project 2025 blueprint to dismantle much of the federal government will likely still file legal challenges to the Democratic Partys nominee in multiple states. Speaking in passive language on Sunday, Johnson did not explicitly say that it would likely be his party filing the lawsuits. In a post following Bidens announcement, the speaker claimed that Democrats forced the president off the ballot. A Heritage memo compiled in April said there is a potential for pre-election litigation in some states that would make it difficult to replace Biden on the ballot. Weve zeroed in on a few states that we think are the best case, Mike Howell, executive director for Heritages Oversight Project, told NOTUS. It all depends on when and how they do it. And then what state that were looking at now that matches up to be the right one, going in there and working with the right people. Johnsons comments come just days after the Republican National Convention, where he and the GOP officially nominated former President Donald Trump, a convict who led a false voter fraud campaign and directed his followers to riot at the Capitol in an effort to overturn the 2020 election. J.D. Vance and Mike Johnson were among a number of Republicans who called on Joe Biden to resign from the presidency Sunday, asserting bluntly that if the president is unfit to campaign, hes unfit for office. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President, said the House speaker. He must resign the office immediately. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 21, 2024 Biden, 81, dropped out of the presidential race just before 2 p.m. Sunday in a shock decision that has thrown the Democratic Party into chaos, just 106 nights from Election Day. Just hours prior to Bidens Sunday announcement, Vance posted to X that Biden should resign should he ever bow out of the presidential race. If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President? said Vance. Not running for reelection would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground. If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President? Not running for reelection would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground. JD Vance (@JDVance1) July 21, 2024 Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, in a follow-up statement 23 minutes after he announced hed suspended his campaign. Johnsons statement quickly followed. In it, he said Harris has been a gleeful accomplice to Biden and his administration. The House speaker also claimed the VP had known about Bidens incapacity to serve as long as anyone. The partys prospects are no better now with Vice President Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden Administration, Johnson said. As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplicenot only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve. Harris has been widely regarded as the favorite to top the Democrats ticket in November. Its unclear, however, how the party will settle on who will opposed Donald Trump in November. The DNC is slated to begin in Chicago on Aug. 19, where the partys eventual nominee will be confirmed. 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. Military volunteers who fought on Ukraine's side summoned for questioning in Georgia Georgian military volunteers who fought on Ukraine's side in the war against Russia have reported being summoned for questioning by Georgia's State Security Service (SSS). Source: European Pravda, citing Georgian news outlet Sova Details: In particular, it became known that Lasha Chigladze, an activist with the Anti-Occupation Movement who fought in the war in Ukraine, had been questioned in the Tbilisi City Court. "I was told that a year ago, an investigation was started regarding the coup d'etat, and there were some related questions... [They asked me] when I left, when I came from Ukraine. There were general questions," Chigladze said. Lashas lawyer, Lasha Tkesheladze, described the case as political. "This case is absurd, and it has nothing to do with the law, and Lasha was summoned today because he fought in Ukraine against Russia," Tkesheladze said. The pro-government Imedi TV channel reports that Chigladze is being investigated in a case of conspiracy to overthrow the government. In addition, another Georgian volunteer, Nadim Khmaladze, reported being summoned for questioning. "I, Nadim Khmaladze, am being summoned by the SSS under articles on coup d'etat and terrorism," he noted on social media. Background: Earlier, a survey revealed that the majority of Georgian citizens consider Russia to be their country's main enemy, and this figure has increased compared to previous years. The results come at a time when the ruling Georgian Dream party is gradually drifting closer to Russia, reportedly planning to reinstate diplomatic relations with it and adopting Moscow's rhetoric on the war in Ukraine and the West. Support UP or become our patron! Vice President Kamala Harris emerged Sunday as the chosen presidential candidate of multiple prominent Minnesota Democrats, as the party scrambled to unify behind a successor to President Joe Biden. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Reps. Ilhan Omar and Dean Phillips quickly voiced support for Harris, as Democrats reckoned with Biden's extraordinary decision to step aside just weeks before the party's nominating convention, and endorse his vice president. "I think she'll make a great president," Klobuchar said of Harris in an interview Sunday. "She was there for every major decision." Smith posted on social media that Harris "is the very best person in this moment to unify the Democratic Party and lead us forward to victory." Omar posted that she would "remain committed to working alongside (Harris) to defeat Donald Trump in November." Rep. Betty McCollum, who on Friday had called on Biden to drop out, endorsed Harris at that time and suggested that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz should be her running mate. Multiple Democratic governors were the subject of similar speculation on Sunday. Walz reserved his own public comments on Sunday on accolades for Biden. "Joe Biden is and has always been an American hero. History will look fondly on his legacy," he said in a prepared statement, echoing other Democratic leaders in similarly effusive praise for Biden and his decision. After criticizing Biden during his ill-fated campaign earlier this year, Phillips was all praise for the outgoing president on Sunday. He posted online that Biden "is an American hero and patriot whose legacy will rank among the most important in our history." Phillips said in an interview on CNN that he would not reenter the presidential race, and he threw in with Harris, writing on X that she is "talented, experienced, and well-prepared to beat Donald Trump and serve as our President." Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican and member of U.S. House leadership, said he did not think it mattered who Democrats nominated. He echoed fellow Republicans who said Biden should also step down as president. "If the Democratic party has deemed Joe Biden unfit to run for reelection, he's certainly unfit to control our nuclear codes," Emmer posted on X. Biden's decision appeared to take many Democratic leaders by surprise. State DFL Chair Ken Martin said he was attending the opening of a Biden-Harris campaign office in Minneapolis when he saw the news. Martin rapidly came out for Harris, suggesting the party's leadership establishment would quickly coalesce behind her campaign. "We need to unify quickly," Martin said at a press conference Sunday afternoon in St. Paul. He pointed to what could be a theme of Harris's candidacy her background as a prosecutor. "There is no one more qualified than her to prosecute the case against Donald Trump," Martin said. export const sampleFunction = props => props.isValid ? props.value : props.error; Walz, whose national profile has risen as chair of the Democratic Governors Association and a with a prominent counterprogramming slot during last week's Republican National Convention, did not publicly endorse Harris on Sunday. Earlier this month, in response to reporters' questions about his political ambitions, Walz deflected. "It's an honor but these things are parlor games that get out there. I have never prepared my life to run for these offices but I think my life prepared me well," he said at the time. After the shaky debate performance from Biden last month, Klobuchar said she was eager to see Harris face off against Donald Trump. "I'm looking forward to the next debate," she said. She counted herself out as a possible running mate for Harris: "I'm running for the Senate," said Klobuchar, who's on the ballot in November for a fourth term. Biden's exit will make the Democratic National Convention more consequential. Biden had enough committed delegates to win the nomination on the first round of ballots. His exit disrupts that balance and could give more sway to the "uncommitted" delegates, many of whom opposed Biden during the 2024 primary over his support for Israel's war in Gaza. "It does change everything and it makes the role a lot different," said Dan Engelhart, an uncommitted delegate from the Fifth Congressional District. Engelhart said he would support any candidate who shows they oppose the United States sending arms to Israel." Whichever candidate wins his support, Englehart said he wants to see a nominee who can beat Trump. "This is about winning or losing in November," he said. Latonya Reeves, a Biden delegate from Minneapolis heading to the party gathering next month in Chicago, said she was sad to see the president exit the race. Reeves said there were many "boots-on-the-ground" activists who wanted him to continue. But she is happy Biden endorsed Harris. "There's already a lot of confusion about what's going on, so it's good that he's clear that he wants it to be Harris," said Reeves. She was also excited about the historic opportunity that Harris represents. "I think it's wonderful," Reeves said. "As a Black woman I couldn't be more proud that she could be the nominee for president." Star Tribune staff writer Briana Bierschbach contributed to this story. ROCKFORD, Mich. (WOOD) A teenager from Cedar Springs who left her home at the end of May has been found safe in Rockford. Penelope Penny Wise, a 17-year-old, had been missing for more than seven weeks. Around 11 a.m. on Sunday, someone contacted police after seeing Penelope leaving a Rockford home on a bicycle. Deputies were able to find Penny. The Kent County Sheriffs Office said she had been living with a 44-year-old man at a Rockford home. They had met around 2 a.m. on June 1 and have since become engaged. Hope is waning six weeks after Cedar Springs teen vanished Penelope walked away from her family home, located near Morley Park in Cedar Springs, on the evening of May 31, according to the sheriffs office. Around 6 p.m. that day, she was spotted on surveillance video on Rockford Park Drive near Northland Drive. On June 1, she was captured on camera walking alone by the Corner Bar in Rockford, deputies said. A still image taken from surveillance video shows Penny Wise on Rockford Park Drive on May 31, 2024. Deputies had considered Penelope a runaway, and Silent Observer had offered up to $1,000 for information that helped to find her. As weeks went by with no word on where her daughter was, Penelope Wises mother said she had given up hope. I struggled with keeping hope she was gonna be found safe and alive just because as time went on she didnt reach out to anybody and that didnt seem like her, Mishael Wise told News 8 Sunday. Your mind starts going through the worst-case scenarios. So I was preparing myself in a way in case something bad had happened. Mishael Wise said it was very heartbreaking to go more than seven weeks wondering whether her daughter was alive. It was tough to live through, Wise said. It was like living a dream. It was very surreal. David Wise, Penelopes father, said it was like having a terrible nightmare over and over again. This cant possibly be true, Wise said. Then it hits you, this is actually happening to us. Penelopes parents handed out fliers and posted frequently on social media, hoping someone knew where she was. The biggest thing was just trying to get the word out because especially at first we didnt know which way she had gone or anything, she had completely disappeared, David Wise said. Her parents said they hadnt yet been reunited with her as of Sunday afternoon as she remains in the juvenile facility. Although theyre grateful Penelope is okay, theres so much more they want to know. Was she being held against her will? Mishael Wise said. Was she there voluntarily, where she knew the guy, or was this just somebody that picked her up? Just what shes been doing for the last seven weeks. During their investigation, deputies knocked on doors in downtown Rockford. Undersheriff Bryan Muir told News 8 the man she was staying with had never been on their radar. Police arent sure if Penelope was staying with him for the entire time or at multiple places. Deputies have questioned the man, and theyre still trying to piece everything together. Its probably gonna be a few days before we have a clear understanding as to his involvement in Pennys disappearance or how long he had contact with her, Muir said. Penelope Wise is staying at the juvenile facility because police are still trying to figure out where shes been. Muir said she hasnt cooperated with the investigation as much as they hoped. He said Penelope Wise is physically OK, but his team is connecting her with emotional support resources. Were hoping in the coming days as Penny gets reacclimated shell be able to communicate better with our detectives and fill in the gaps, Muir said. Muir said the sheriffs office invested thousands of hours working with local, state and federal law enforcement to help find Penelope Wise. The sheriffs office used drones, dive teams, marine patrol, search and rescue teams and K9s over the last several weeks. Deputies continue to trace teen girl missing since May While were doing that, there are other cases that arent actively being worked as much as they could be, Muir said. Muir said they tried to strike a balance between providing closure for Penelopes family while still investing enough time in other cases. Now that Penelope has been found, it will free up resources for many others. Having her found at least now physically safe will allow us to work and pay attention to those other cases coming into the sheriffs office, Muir said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. NEWTON COUNTY, Ark.- The truck of a Little Rock man who went missing was discovered by a Newton County deputy. According to the Newton County Sheriffs Office, a truck belonging to 41-year-old Clyde Holmes, AKA Clyde Boatwright. Jr. of Little Rock was discovered along Highway 74 between Jasper and Piercetown on July 11. Investigators said Holmes was last seen in Little Rock on July 10. Arkansas State Police report 17-year-old missing from West Memphis, may be near Little Rock A Newton County deputy discovered the abandoned truck, which was locked and pulled to one side of the roadway, around 5:00 a.m. and checked the surrounding area for the owner. The truck was then towed and entered into a nationwide law enforcement computer network as impounded. On July 19, Little Rock Police contacted Newton County deputies about the truck. Deputies secured a search warrant and searched the truck but found no new information. Investigators said Holmes has no known ties to Newton County. Newton County authorities have been working with Little Rock police, with deputies conducting a ground search with K-9 teams. I have met with Clydes family, and they are rightfully worried about him, Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said. Our prayers go out to him and to his family. We dont have a lot of information to go on at this point, but are hopeful that, as the investigation and search continues, we will have more information to work with. Little Rock family wants answers 9 months after Mabelvale Cutoff homicide Investigators said Holmes is described as 510 with black dreadlocks and its uncertain what clothes he was wearing before he was last seen. Sheriff Wheeler is asking Newton County residents to contact his office at 870-446-5124 if they may have seen Mr. Holmes anywhere in the Newton County area since July 10. Anyone with possible information about the investigation can contact the Newton County Sheriffs Office or Little Rock Police Department detectives at 501-404-3016. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mohammed and Ghadir Alrayyes sit with their five children in their sister's home in Nepean. The family fled the war in Gaza and arrived in Ottawa last week. (Nick Persaud/CBC - image credit) After waiting more than half a year for their visa, a family that fled the war in Gaza has finally arrived in Ottawa. Now nestled in a home in Nepean, Mohammed, 42, and Ghadir Alrayyes, 33, are living with their five children in Mohammed's sister's house. CBC sat down on Friday to speak with the family, who arrived one week earlier. They said their last six months have been filled with terror and living through that with children as young as three months old, and one who has a disability, was extremely difficult. As the parents did not speak any English, Mohammed's niece Lana Alrayyes translated for them. "At any moment it was between life or death [at] any moment a bomb could just fall," she said. The family had to ration food, water, formula, diapers, and at one point lived in a tent. Sometimes they were getting displaced every five days, she said. "It was terrifying." Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing on Monday, Oct.16, 2023. Palestinians wait to cross at the Rafah border crossing last October. The Alrayyes family crossed the border into Egypt in March and spent the next several months waiting in Egypt. (Fatima Shbair/The Associated Press) Applied for extended family visa With the help of Mohammed's sister Ola in Canada, the family applied for the extended family visa program when it was launched in January by the federal government. The visa allows them to stay in Canada for three years. In June, Immigration Minister Marc Miller increased the number of available visas from 1,000 to 5,000. But as of that announcement, only 41 people had made it to Canada under the program. As the Alrayyes family waited to be accepted, they made their way to Cairo in March to escape the horrors. "The way they left was with all their savings even what they had wasn't enough at times," said Lana. To cross the Rafah border, Mohammed said it cost $5,000 US for each adult and $2,500 for each child. It was a necessary cost, he added, as there was no milk, diapers, or other crucial resources for their children in Gaza. One of the greatest challenges was the lack of medical care, he said. As their eldest daughter has a physical disability, she often had to go to the hospital to get treatment but their regular hospital was bombed and crumbled to the ground, as were several others. "She was very close to basically passing, and they didn't know what to do at that point. Their hands were tied it was a very tough time," said Lana. Lana Alrayyes is the niece of Mohammed, and was the interpreter of the family's interview with CBC. Lana Alrayyes, Mohammed's niece, said the family fled with all their savings and even then it wasn't enough at times. (Nick Persaud/CBC) A 'huge wish' came true When the family found out they were headed to Canada, it was "like a huge wish [had] come true," Lana said. Mohammed said since their arrival, their children have been able to sleep through the night, free of fear. "Since they knew that no more bombs [would fall] in the middle of the night, they didn't have to wake up every two to three minutes," said Lana. Still, challenges persist: the family said they still haven't been able to get health care for their eldest daughter. While there have been difficulties seeking coverage through the federal program, they're hoping they can be resolved in the near future. The hope, Lana said, is that the family's children will be enrolled in school and that Mohammed will get a work visa so they "can get their life back to normal and start fresh." Ola, Mohammed's sister, said she's happy she could help them escape from the war, but still thinks about her friends and other family members who are still trying to survive it. "There are two million people in Gaza. They're not as lucky as them," she said. She said she wants the federal government to do more to bring the war to an end, while also preventing them from losing their life savings as they try to flee. "It's not about us. It's about all the people in Gaza," she said. "We want to help all of them." Alarmed group texts that buzz with the latest news. Rank-and-file staff dusting off resumes. A desperate rush to finish top initiatives before the clock runs out. As President Joe Bidens reelection campaign buckles under mounting pressure for him to step aside, federal workers throughout Washington are feeling anxious and scared. They have been nervously looking on as Bidens abrupt evaporation of support has embroiled the Democratic Party in an unprecedented crisis, prompting thousands of employees to game out whether they should be preparing for a change at the White House and mourning the possible end of the Biden administration that brought relative peace after the volatility of the Trump era. Interviews with dozens of federal employees revealed a grim mood within the sprawling apparatus of the U.S. government, including the White House, after weeks of uncertainty. Some of these employees are overwhelmed and dejected by Bidens conundrum and gripped by worries about the lack of clarity over who will be leading the federal government after November. Many were granted anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly. One White House official described feelings of sadness from the question swirling around whether Biden should continue his candidacy. We have to make some tough choices. Were in battle, the official said. We need someone who can represent us. I am incredibly loyal to our president, but its hard when youre putting your life on the line like many of us working every night, every day, when you dont know who is going to be on the top of the ticket. Large group text chains of alarmed USDA staff started to light up the night of Bidens disastrous debate, as administration officials shared their panic over the president and the future of his administration, according to two current USDA officials and one former Biden USDA official. Some USDA staff are now openly talking with colleagues about making plans to leave their posts early, according to the three current and former USDA officials. One set of folks that seem to be the most concerned and bewildered would be the civil servants within USDA, who have endured so much and that really went out of their way to carry out the Biden rural agenda, said one of the USDA officials. Those are the folks that really seemed to be like, do they stay or do they go? Because they just cannot endure another phase of uncertainty. Several USDA branches, including the team that oversees the countrys largest anti-hunger program, have already had significant turnover of senior career staff this year and are currently operating with a number of vacancies. Yet much of the anxieties among federal employees are not centered on Biden, but rather his rival and what a second Trump administration would entail. When he first came to Washington, former President Donald Trumps drain the swamp mentality left many federal workers feeling despondent, even paranoid, about their standing, fostering a widespread sense of dread that permeated throughout his administration. Trump proceeded to slash department and agency budgets, paralyzing research and productivity, and his officials even buried the work of employees viewed as contradictory to the administrations priorities, like at the Agriculture Department. In some cases, Trump named political appointees who critics said were hostile to the missions of the departments they oversaw, such as former Education Secretary Betsy Devos, who had wanted to limit the federal governments role in education. The first rendition of the Trump administration was really, really difficult, and we saw a mass exodus of employees retiring, said a U.S. Park Service employee. If we do have an administration shift, other employees will also reconsider their positions and move to the private sector. I dont know what Ill end up doing. When theres a change in administration, the president hand-picks a new team of officials to lead departments, positions referred to on the inside as politicals. But many of the rank-and-file staff, known as career employees, have been employed by the federal government for decades, transcending multiple administrations from both parties. The demographics of federal employees reflect the demographics of the country at large, according to data from the Office of Personnel Management. One current Health and Human Services employee said there isnt a consensus among their peers about whether Biden should stay or step aside but many do fear Democrats losing the White House in November. Worries that major health policies could be gutted in a future Trump administration have eclipsed discussions about whether Biden should stay in the race, especially as officials have sprinted to finish their long list of priorities before the end of the year, the health agency staffer said. A former Biden administration official who recently left a financial regulator told POLITICO theyve been hit with a flood of text messages in recent weeks from former colleagues still in government freaking out about the looming possibility of unemployment should Trump win, while asking for help. The temperature has gotten a lot hotter over the last few weeks, said the official. It feels a lot more likely now than it did prior to the debate that theyre going to be out of work. The clock is ticking louder for the Rockefeller Institute, which accepted the challenge of modernizing a formula used to distribute $25 billion in state dollars to New York's almost 700 school districts. For three hours on Tuesday, dozens of New Yorkers from school superintendents to parents told Rockefeller officials that New York's "Foundation Aid" formula is out of date, inaccurate, and absolutely deficient at measuring the rising costs of students' post-pandemic needs. They also demanded that the Rockefeller Institute fix it. "Will there be the political will to make the changes we know need to be made?" asked Marian Bott, education finance specialist for the League of Women Voters of New York State, at the first of five public hearings the Rockefeller Institute is holding this summer. Story continues after gallery. There is a lot at stake because of the sheer sum of money involved representing 10.5% of the entire state budget. Additionally, the state's Foundation Aid is supposed to reduce the opportunity gap that separates students in affluent school districts from those whose communities can't raise as much in local property taxes. The state budget set aside $2 million for the Rockefeller Institute, an Albany-based think tank that is part of SUNY, to come up with recommendations for Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature. But it only gave them until early December to figure things out about 20 weeks from now so that modifications could affect next year's budget. Several educators said Tuesday that it's simply not enough time. "Your challenge is not to listen to the noise but to come up with a better formula ... One competent recommendation for you could be 'We need more time,' " said Harrison Superintendent Lou Wool, the Lower Hudson Valley's senior schools chief. Not surprisingly, nearly all speakers wanted more aid for more things, something Hochul may not want to hear. Foundation Aid formula does not measure post-pandemic challenges Representatives of Westchester school districts came out in force to the first hearing, at the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan, as did officials and parents from New York City. Officials from New Rochelle, Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytowns, Yonkers, Rye City, Ossining, and Mount Vernon were among those who addressed four representatives of the Rockefeller Commission, including its president, Robert Megna. Most comments fell into two broad groups: familiar complaints that the formula does not even accurately measure basic things like a school district's poverty and regional costs; and more recent worries that Foundation Aid does not reflect the growing numbers of students with disabilities, English language needs, and especially since the pandemic mental health and other challenges. "We, like many of our fellow school districts, are faced with the Herculean task of educating ever-changing students during ever-changing times," said New Rochelle Superintendent Corey Reynolds, also speaking on behalf of the state Association of Small City School Districts. Corey Reynolds The plight of the Bedford school district shows how badly the Foundation Aid formula measures the actual financial need in school districts, Erika Pierce, a Westchester County legislator who represents Bedford, told the panel. While part of the district is home to a small number of wealthy people, Mount Kisco Elementary School serves an immigrant community; half of students are English language learners and 78% are economically disadvantaged. But out of 46 districts in Westchester and Putnam, Pierce said, Bedford is 38th in Foundation Aid per pupil. If the formula measured median income instead of mean income, Pierce said, Bedford would move from the top 5 wealthiest districts in the region to nearly the bottom quarter. Right now, she said, "our kids lose." The Yonkers school district, New York's third largest with almost 23,000 students, winds up with a budget deficit every spring because of unreliable state aid, forcing the city to beg for more, John Liszewski, the city's commissioner of finance, told the panel. "Yonkers is situated in affluent Westchester County and borders N.Y.C., which means our property values are relatively high," he said. "That works against us in the Foundation Aid formula." Seventy-seven percent of Yonkers students were classified as economically disadvantaged in 2022-23, but the city ranked 222nd statewide in Foundation Aid per student. The city has increased its contribution to the schools by $498 million over the last 13 years, increasing the burden on local taxpayers, Liszewski said. "Our children deserve to have the same educational opportunities as every other child in the state," he said. Tanesha Grant, a parent, grandmother and community organizer from New York City, noted that the Rockefeller Institute officials at the hearing were all white. "This panel doesnt reflect me at all," she said. "This has been one of the big problems in education ... Our students seem to never get what they need." Ossining High School holds their graduation ceremony at Pace University in Pleasantville on Saturday, Jun 22, 2024. Numerous NY school costs should get state aid, speakers say The main concerns voiced about the Foundation Aid formula were these: The formula calculates student poverty rates using data from the 2000 Census, a fact that was widely mocked. Poverty calculations should move beyond the number of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, an outdated measuring stick. The formula groups school districts into only nine regions across New York when calculating costs. Westchester is grouped with northern counties, instead of Long Island and New York City, artificially reducing its costs in the formula. Some called for the high-priced Lower Hudson Valley to be a new region. Growing numbers of students with disabilities have very different needs with different educational costs, which are not reflected in the formula, but need to be. The rising costs of educating immigrant students, migrant students and others with limited English proficiency are also not reflected, but need to be. These students "have varying degrees of educational attainment, including newly arrived pupils with no prior formal education," Tarrytowns Superintendent Ray Sanchez said. The formula should recognize students in temporary housing and foster care, several New York City educators and advocates said. Additionally, Michael Rebell, a key figure in a lawsuit that produced the Foundation Aid formula in 2007, said the state has completely failed to calculate what it costs to give New York students a "sound, basic education," as required by the state Court of Appeals in 2003. So Rebell said that the Center for Educational Equity at Columbia University's Teachers College, where he is executive director, will calculate the cost and develop its own new Foundation Aid formula for Albany's consideration. Ray Sanchez is superintendent of the Tarrytowns school district. Does fixing Foundation Aid mean spending more? A question hanging over the entire process is whether calls to update and improve the Foundation Aid formula will necessitate more aid. Nearly all speakers at the first hearing asked for additional Foundation Aid for new or changing school costs. But Hochul, after supporting major increases in Foundation Aid for two years, sought to end the windfall in 2024-25. She proposed Foundation Aid cuts to half of New York's school districts seeking to smash a rule that previously prevented any year-to-year cuts. The Legislature wouldn't have it, though, and no one took a cut in the final state budget. In asking the Rockefeller Institute to review Foundation Aid, she asked them to consider affordability. Gov. Kathy Hochul in Rockland on July 10. On Tuesday, only Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission, a nonprofit watchdog group, suggested that aid to districts that "have enough money" would have to be reduced if aid to needy schools can be increased. He said districts should be eligible for Foundation Aid cuts and that New York's STAR program, which provides tax relief primarily to those in "wealthy regions," should be ended. The Empire Center, a conservative think tank that has been a leading critic of overspending on education in New York, is preparing its testimony for the Rockefeller Institute. But Empire Center President and CEO Tim Hoefer told The Journal News/lohud that New York's approach to aid has pushed school spending to almost $30,000 per student while "outcomes have been middling, at best." He said Foundation Aid increases are counted upon when teachers and others negotiate salary increases. "If done properly, the study wont make recommendations solely based on the wants of countless special interests, but will consider, for example, how the Foundation Aid formula can improve outcomes, best practices from other states, and work to solve difficult fundamental problems like funding for special education services," Hoefer said in an email. Legislative leaders may battle Hochul on any proposed changes that would result in aid cuts. Sen. Shelley Mayer, D-Yonkers, chair of the Senate education committee, told The Journal News/lohud she was not in favor of "any district losing what they get. Upcoming hearings are scheduled in Buffalo, Long Island, Central New York and the Capital Region. The Rockefeller Institute is accepting written comments on their website. Although there is no hearing in the Lower Hudson Valley, state Sen. Bill Weber said Thursday he will host a discussion and testimony session on July 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rockland Community College's Cultural Arts Theater. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY school aid: More needed for student poverty, special needs Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on July 20 that most Ukrainian prisoners of war who were released had never been visited by the Red Cross representatives while in Russian captivity. His post on social media came in response to a recent interview of Boris Michel, the head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Russia, with the Russian state-controlled media RIA Novosti. In the interview, Michel said that ICRC staff visited 3,100 prisoners of war in Russia and Ukraine, adding that these visits are very important for the prisoners of war themselves and their relatives, as they await news about their loved ones. Lubinets said that Michel didnt specify how many visits were paid to POWs separately in Russia and Ukraine because almost all the POWs who received the visits were Russian prisoners held by Ukraine in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. When talking with our defenders who returned from enemy captivity, I learned that the vast majority of them had not seen or communicated with representatives of the ICRC during the entire time of their captivity, he said. Russia has released 3,310 Ukrainians from captivity as part of 53 POW exchanges since 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in July. As of January, 8,000 Ukrainians, both military and civilians, remained in Russian captivity, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Previously, the ICRC refused to disclose the number of Ukrainian POWs it visited in Russia. The organization had been criticized by Ukrainian society before for violating its principles of neutrality and failing to fulfill its duties related to Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. Lubinets added that during meetings with families of Ukrainian prisoners of war, representatives of the ICRC under the guise of neutrality announce that 'both sides' should provide access to the organization. And they forget to add that it is the Russian side that should change the practice of not allowing ICRC workers to places where Ukrainian defenders are held, he said. The ICRC reports are one of the few sources of information for many Ukrainian families whose loved ones are in Russian captivity. Russian authorities have consistently limited the right of Ukrainian POWs to communicate via letters, which is secured by international humanitarian law in the Geneva Conventions. In April 2024, the Ukrainian government denied the petition from the families of Ukrainian POWs asking to limit the right of Russian captives for calls until the same rights are granted to Ukrainians held by Russia. For all this incredibly long time, the text of the petition by Inna Turova goes, some of us received only a formal written notification from the International Committee of the Red Cross about the stay of our loved ones in captivity. We write letters to our husbands, sons and brothers, but we don't even know if they reach them. The ICRC is silent about this as firmly as the Russians are, the petition stated. Read also: Stuck in legal limbo, Ukrainian civilians endure torture in Russian prisons Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Motorists could face traffic delays at First Colonial Rd and Virginia Beach Blvd VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Motorist traveling near the intersection of First Colonial Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard may experience traffic delays. The Virginia Beach Department of Public Works will be performing utility work at the intersection between July 21 and July 25. Virginia Beach police will be on-site to assist with traffic control near the work zone. As always, work is dependent on weather, and is subject to change. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. After 81-year-old President Joe Biden officially backed away from his presidential campaign Sunday afternoon, Mississippi Democratic leadership told the Clarion Ledger that the party's executive committee now plans to hold an emergency meeting sometime this week. The meeting could decide on a candidate and even possibly create a way for the state's Democratic voters to weigh in before the August convention. As the presumptive Democratic nominee, who was to be finalized during next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Biden has endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place. However, there are others who could seek the nomination now. State Party Chair Cheikh Taylor told the Clarion Ledger that the party had just met earlier this week to confirm Biden as their choice amid the previously thought-to-be speculation that Biden was bowing out. Now, they'll meet again to do that all over again. Biden made the announcement from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he's self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday night. The announcement comes just a month after a dismal performance at the first Presidential debate against Republican Nominee and former President Donald Trump. Biden's decision also comes just more than a week after Trump was shot during a rally in Pennsylvania. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a written statement on social platform X, formerly Twitter. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." With less than four months left to go before voters head to the polls in the general election, here is what can happen in Mississippi as far as a new candidate. More on Trump shooting. Donald Trump offered prayers, support from MS leaders following rally shooting Pastor Jerry Young embraces President Joe Biden during church services at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson in 2020. On Sunday, Biden announced he is bowing out of the Presidential election. The state's Democratic Party is now planning to hold an emergency meeting to decide on a candidate to support. Will there be another primary before the November election? A Mississippi Secretary of State's spokesperson told the Clarion Ledger Friday that if Biden conceded the race now, there would not be enough time left before the national convention for the Mississippi Democratic Party to have qualifiers and a primary. "We would have to refer (that) to the rule/bylaws of the Democratic National Party on the process for selecting a new candidate," Communications Director Elizabeth Jonson said in a text. "A new primary would not be held in Mississippi as state law sets a specific time for presidential preference primaries to be held." Taylor also confirmed the party is not entertaining the idea of a traditional primary. What can the Mississippi Democratic Party do? Taylor told the Clarion Ledger that with Biden out of the race, there will be "heated" debates at the convention next month as delegates from all 50 states converge to select a new candidate even with Harris as Biden's pick. "We'll have heated and robust discussions, and probably some discourse," Taylor said. "We know at the end of this convention, we will be unified. I could care less about the arrows and the shots being taken at this point. This is the process as far as the American way that we've had in place for the last 100 years, and that's not going anywhere anytime soon." Taylor said that the state party's executive committee will have to meet again to confirm its choice for a nominee before heading to Chicago next month. Taylor declined to comment on who he thinks the Mississippi Democratic Party should stand behind. "We have to regroup," Taylor said. "We have to strategize, we have to have those same type of conversations before getting to the DNC so that we're unified in whatever direction we want to go in." As for the state's voters, Taylor said the executive committee may attempt some form of an online voting platform to give the voters a say in the delegation's choice. However, Taylor did not give specifics on how it would work other than it would not involve the Secretary of State's Office. "If those things are options where we can have an electronic vote within the state of Mississippi before August starts, or before the convention, then that's something that we may consider," he said. Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How MS will choose Democratic nominee after Joe Biden backs out of race Multi-vehicle crash cleared after backing up I-65N traffic for miles in Williamson County WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Motorists in Williamson County were urged to seek alternate routes due to a crash that backed traffic up for several hours on Interstate 65 Sunday. According to the the Tennessee Department of Transportations (TDOT) SmartWay Map, the crash involved an overturned vehicle and was reported just after 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 21, in the northbound lanes of I-65 near Highway 96. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The Franklin Police Department posted about the incident on X formerly known as Twitter just after 11:30 a.m., asking motorists to find alternate routes. A multi-vehicle crash on I-65 north at the Murfreesboro Rd. exit is causing delays in the area. FPD units are on the scene. Please seek an alternate route if possible, the department said. (Source: TDOT SmartWay Map) (Source: TDOT SmartWay Map) (Source: TDOT SmartWay Map) At 12:25 p.m., TDOTs map showed that the northbound lanes remained closed at Exit 65 due to the crash and police activity in the area: (Source: TDOT SmartWay Map) Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Traffic cameras in the area captured vehicles in the northbound lanes backed up for miles in Williamson County. According to police, three vehicles were involved in the crash. Injuries were reported, but all are believed to be non-critical at this time, officials said. Shortly before 3 p.m., authorities announced all lanes were back open on I-65 North, but TDOTs traffic camera at mile marker 64 showed traffic nearly at a standstill. However, traffic returned to its normal flow later Sunday afternoon. It remains unclear what led to the crash. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Multimillion-dollar restoration project aims to restore rare species habitats in urban spaces: 'An exciting opportunity to create more spaces for nature' A new project in Barnsley a town in South Yorkshire, England aims to revitalize wildlife habitats impacted by wastewater treatment sites, according to an article by BBC News. Yorkshire Water, a water supply and treatment center, has announced it will help restore four habitat areas located in Lundwood, Worsbrough, Wombwell, and Darton. By planting trees and creating new ponds, the habitat treatment project is expected to significantly improve the conditions for wildlife native to the four sites. The restoration efforts will greatly help amphibians, dragonflies, wading birds, and woodland wildlife, some of which are endangered. One endangered species the project hopes to help is the willow tit. A rare bird species that is endangered across the United Kingdom, the willow tit population has declined by 94% since the 1970s. Due to their rapid decline, willow tits are the U.K.'s most threatened resident bird. Since the willow tit is already extinct across most of southern England, it's rarer than the southern white rhino, according to an article from Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Aside from protecting species like willow tits, the project has already dedicated 13 million to reduce the amount of phosphorus in treated wastewater returned to the River Dearne. The restoration project plans to not only restore the contaminated areas but also support the local biodiversity. "We will create new ponds for dragonflies and amphibians whilst also planting trees to encourage a greater diversity of species and create habitat for woodland wildlife," said Yorkshire Wildlife Trust regional manager Mike Winstanley. Restoration projects like the Yorkshire Water initiative are major steps toward creating a cleaner, more sustainable future. By treating water pollution, the team at Yorkshire Water is protecting habitats while also providing safer outdoor spaces for the local community. "Our work with Yorkshire Water provides an exciting opportunity to create more spaces for nature in post-industrial and more urbanized areas," said Mike Winstanley. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Murder charges for Brooklyn man accused of killing four family members, including two children Police have charged a Brooklyn man in the gruesome quadruple murder of his relatives, including two small children. Shahboz Rajabboev, 24, faces first- and second-degree murder for stabbing his mother, sister-in-law, 5-year-old niece and 4-year-old nephew in the familys first-floor Bensonhurst apartment Friday night. The suspects brother father of the two slain children walked into the bloody scene after returning home to his six-story building on W. Eighth St. near Avenue P around 10:15 p.m. He encountered Rajabboev, who was scratched and covered with blood, and after asking him where their mother was, the killer mumbled something like Go find her, cops said. The sibling went into the apartment and found his mother, 56-year-old Fayzieva Mavlyuda, dead from multiple stab wounds to the neck, then called 911 saying he couldnt find his wife and two children. When police arrived, they found the remaining victims Maftuna Khakimova, 27, stabbed to death in a bedroom, wrapped in a sheet, and Kamila Shavkatova, 5, and her brother, 4-year-old Timur, dead in the closet of another bedroom, stuffed in laundry bags, police said. There was a lot of people, family members outside here last night. I recognized some of the family members, fifth-floor resident Jennifer Ponzi told the Daily News on Saturday. The father was outside crying a lot. His whole world is destroyed, he lost his mother, his wife, and kids. As police searched the apartment for evidence, Rajabboev, who also lived there, returned and was taken into custody, police said Saturday. He was claiming it was someone else when they took him, said neighbor Paul Saviam, 40. They arrested him right on the sidewalk outside the building. He was walking and police was here. When they questioned him he was drinking. He was casually looking around when he [was] walking to the building. Saviam added: He looked scary, had the eyes of a pit bull. A small memorial remained outside the building Sunday morning. One family friend, who lives nearby, said the victims surviving kin wasnt ready to comment. Rajabboev was awaiting arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Sunday. 'We must unify to win the race': Gainesville reactions after Biden drops out President Joe Biden on Sunday announced that he has ended his re-election campaign. A horrible debate performance by Biden on June 27 against Republican Donald Trump led to a growing number of Democratic politicians calling for him to end his bid for a second term. "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a statement issued early Sunday afternoon. The announcement makes Biden the first incumbent not to seek re-election since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are greeted by Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward on Sept. 2 after they arrived at Gainesville Regional Airport. The Bidens then boarded a presidential helicopter to tour Hurricane Idalia devastation around Live Oak. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected, Biden said in the statement. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Haris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. Cynthia Chestnut, a longtime local and state politician, current member of the Gainesville City Commission and former chair of the Alachua County Democratic Executive Committee (2016-2020), said she was surprised that Biden decided to not see re-election. I was surprised by his announcement today, Chestnut said. He sounded so adamant about staying in the race, and now it's time for the party to unite. We must unify to win the race. Voters must understand Project 2025, established by the Heritage Foundation, which has been reported by the USA Today and other reputable news outlets to have been developed by numerous people who worked in Trumps first administration from 2017-21, Chestnut said. "Now people will truly have to evaluate Trump's policies for the future, his age, and his readiness to be president," Chestnut said. Chestnut also said she was pleased Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic Partys nominee in the Nov. 5 presidential election. Kamala Harris is a prosecutor, and no one argues a case better than a prosecutor, Chestnut said. Her case now is to prosecute to the voters why she should be the next president of the United States. She has been on the battleground throughout her tenure as vice president and on the campaign trail fighting for abortion rights, effective immigration legislation, foreign policy and other issues. 'My intention is to earn and win': Harris seeks Dem nomination after Biden drops out 2024 election: Joe Biden warns of Donald Trump's 'dark vision' amid more calls for him to drop out of race Despite almost all of the minority caucuses in the Democratic Party supporting Biden staying in the race, Chestnut said all aspects of the party will get behind the next person nominated to lead the party coming out of its national convention next month in Chicago. Democracy is on the ballot, Chestnut said. Biden was forced out of the race in an undemocratic fashion by a group of elites in the Democratic Party, said state Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville. I was not surprised he decided to withdraw from the race because he was facing mounting pressure from the elites who run the party, not the voters, Perry said on Sunday. Its very undemocratic for them to have done it in this way. Its not surprising, its unfortunate. Biden, 81, is a lifelong politician who was first elected to public office when he won a seat on the New Castle City Council in Delaware in 1970 before becoming, in 1972 at the age of 29, the seventh youngest person elected to the U.S. Senate. Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said he is saddened by the news of Biden dropping out of the race. Im heartbroken that President Biden will not be in the race, Ward wrote in a text message to The Sun. Joe Biden is a selfless patriot. But I am enthusiastically all-in, without hesitation, for Vice President Kamala Harris to be our next president. David Arreola, a Democrat running for the Florida House of Representatives District 22 seat being vacated because of term limits by Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, agreed with Ward that Biden dropping out of the race is a great example of patriotism. I want to thank President Joe Biden for his service and leadership, said Arreola, who in 2017 became the youngest person ever elected to the Gainesville City Commission. He is following in the footsteps of George Washington by putting the country before himself and is own aspirations. There could be no more better contrast to his opponent (Trump) than this selfless act by President Joe Biden. Like others, Arreola says he is in total support of Harris being the Democratic Partys nominee for president. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville, Florida reaction after Joe Biden leaves presidential race The surviving piping plover chick on Montrose Beach now has a name. The chick, born this summer to parents Imani and Searocket, was named Nagamo, which means he/she sings in Ojibwe, one of the languages spoken by the Anishinaabe people. The city of Chicago is located on their traditional homeland. Imani was born in 2021 to beloved couple Monty and Rose. Nagamos name, announced Saturday, was selected via a communitywide contest organized by the Chicago Bird Alliance, Chicago Ornithological Society and Illinois Ornithological Society. Participants were encouraged to submit ideas reflecting Chicagos heritage, culture and diversity. A panel of leaders from local environmental and birding organizations made the final decision to select the name submitted by Mike Doty. Piping plovers are known for their melodic pi-low chirp. Their scientific name, Charadrius melodus, also pays homage to their songlike call. So far, Nagamo seems to be wearing the name well. On the day of the naming selection, Imani and Sea Rockets little chick was heard piping, according to the Chicago Piping Plovers Instagram account, which provides regular updates on the Montrose Beach bird family. Nagamo and parents are being closely monitored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Chicago Park District and volunteers from Chicago-area birding organizations. Researchers have yet to determine Nagamos sex. Piping plovers in Chicago: How the love story between Monty and Rose unfolded at Montrose Beach Piping plovers are federally protected endangered species native to the Great Lakes and known for pairing up to rear young. The Montrose Beach family is part of an ongoing effort to restore the piping plover population, which reached an all-time low of 13 pairs in the 1980s. Historically, 500 to 800 piping plover pairs nested in the Great Lakes, according to the Great Lakes Piping Plover Conservation Team. Today, Imani and Searocket are one of 80 pairs of piping plovers in the region. Conservationists celebrated earlier this summer when Searocket became one of the first captive-reared piping plovers to lay eggs in Illinois. Her four chicks hatched on June 30 and July 1, but Nagamo is the lone survivor. The three siblings all died in the span of five days, about two weeks after they were born. One disappeared and was later found dead with a growth on the side of its neck. The other two were observed being lethargic and died within hours of being taken to the Lincoln Park Zoo for care, despite showing no earlier signs of illness or injury. Nagamo appears healthy and was banded with a U.S. Department of Agriculture tag on its right leg for continued monitoring. Nancy Pelosi to NC Democrats: What comes next is very important for our country Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi addresses North Carolina Democrats at the party's Unity Dinner in Raleigh on July 20, 2024. (Photo by Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told North Carolina Democrats on Saturday that elections were not about rewarding you for what you have done, but about what youre going to do next. As Pelosi blasted former President Donald Trump addressing him just as whats his name and Republicans, she lauded the states elected Democrats. And as she touted the partys accomplishments in Washington, she urged them not to rest on their laurels ahead of November. This is about what comes next, and what comes next is very important for our country, she said. Pelosis remarks at the annual Unity Dinner come as she and other top Democratic elected officials, donors and operatives battle over the partys presidential ticket. She has reportedly told President Joe Biden she thinks he cannot win in November; endorsed an open nomination process in private discussions; and fielded calls with vulnerable House members who worry Biden could hurt their chances of victory down the ballot. She has not openly called for Biden to step aside as the party nominee. Pelosi, who was the first woman to lead the U.S. House, made her own decision in November 2022 to step down from party leadership. North Carolina Democrats watch a video featuring President Joe Biden In her roughly half-hour speech, Pelosi said the presidents name only sparsely, and primarily in reference to his role in passing legislative priorities. She reserved her most fervent praise for North Carolinas Democrats, including gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Josh Stein and Gov. Roy Cooper, who both also spoke. In contrast, Pelosi sharply criticized Trump and his GOP allies, spending significant time on the Heritage Foundation-authored Project 2025 agenda. They dont believe in science, they dont believe in governance, they dont believe in justice, Pelosi said. They believe in this goofy plan. As she concluded her speech, the former speaker urged Democrats to mobilize across the state and communicate the partys message. She also sketched out three nos. No wasted time, no underutilized resources and no regrets the day after the election, said Pelosi. NC GOP says party is more unified than ever in wake of Democrats event Biden has repeatedly said he intends to stay in the race. Currently sidelined in Delaware with COVID-19, he said in a Friday evening statement that he looks forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week. While the top levels of the party feuds over Bidens candidacy, his campaign has continued to hold events in North Carolina. Nancy Pelosi speaks to North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton Vice President Kamala Harris who has emerged as the most likely successor to Biden if he steps aside spoke in both Fayetteville and Greensboro within a week. Her speeches made no mention of the ongoing party infighting, instead focusing on former President Donald Trump, his running mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance and their policy agenda. Ahead of the dinner, the North Carolina Republican Party mocked its title while touting widespread support of their presidential nominee. If this is Unity for them I cant imagine what it looks like when theyre divided, NC GOP communications director Matt Mercer said in a statement. On the other hand, Republicans are more unified than ever behind President Donald J. Trump, Senator JD Vance, and Republicans up and down the ballot. Cooper, Stein rally support as they lambast Robinson North Carolinas governor and the Democrat running to succeed him both rallied attendees to prepare for a tough race, while castigating the GOP nominee Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as divisive and dangerous. Attorney General Josh Stein and Gov. Roy Cooper wave to North Carolina Democrats Cooper tied Robinson to Trump, saying workers would get the shaft under their leadership and abortion would be banned. And Stein called him a conspiracy theorist who says the most awful things about other people. Coopers name has been floated in political circles as one possibility to serve as Harris running mate in the event that Biden drops out. But he praised the current ticket in his remarks Saturday. They are all in on North Carolina, Cooper said. Over 900 people attended Saturdays event. Outside the convention center, around two dozen pro-Palestinian protesters gathered. U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California spoke briefly to the group, according to a video posted to his social media. Another crew of NASA astronauts is getting ready to travel to the International Space Station. On Friday, NASA officials gave a news conference to provide mission updates. Crew-9 is set to launch in mid-August. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague, Stephanie Wilson, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexsandr Gorbunov will head to the ISS. Read: Leaders discuss deorbiting the International Space Station A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the crew on a Dragon spacecraft. It will blast off from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center. This will be NASAs ninth crew rotation mission. It will also be Gorbunovs first trip to space and the station, as well as the first spaceflight for Cardman. Read: NASA to celebrate 55th anniversary of first moon landing at Kennedy Space Center Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. WASHINGTON In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently. SBA Announces New Grant Funding for Native American-Owned Small Businesses On Friday, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Bidens Cabinet for Americas more than 33 million small businesses, announced a funding opportunity for Native American-owned small businesses under its new pilot Native American Trade Expansion Program (NATEP). The new program will provide up to $240,000 in grants to expand exporting opportunities to Native American-owned small businesses. The deadline for eligible small business concerns to submit proposals to the NATEP Program is July 31, no later than 11:59 p.m. (EDT). Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has remained committed to increasing economic opportunities for tribal communities and creating pathways to entrepreneurship for Native American and Indigenous small business owners, said Administrator Guzman. With the launch of the Native American Trade Expansion Program, we can help Native American entrepreneurs grow their businesses through exports abroad. The more than 341,000 Native American-owned small businesses can help us lift communities and power U.S. global competitiveness for a brighter future for us all. The SBAs Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) established this funding opportunity as part of its mission to ensure that Native American-owned small businesses have full access to the business development and expansion tools available through the SBAs entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement programs. Applications must be submitted on or before July 31, via www.Grants.gov and must consist of the following elements (i) a cover letter; (ii) a technical proposal; (iii) budget information; (iv) certifications, forms and assurances; and (v) attachments and exhibits. To learn more about this grant opportunity, visit here FCC Releases Tribal Workshop Agenda The full agenda is now available for the FCCs Tribal Workshop that will focus on Broadband Data Collection (BDC) and Mapping on July 24-25, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Billings, Montana. In addition to the presentations planned, the Office of Native Affairs and Policy and the Broadband Data Task Force are offering technical assistance for mapping and BDC related questions during the afternoon of July 25, 2024. If you are interested in taking advantage of the onsite FCC Technical Assistance support please bring your laptop. The TA session will begin after the formal agenda concludes at 12:00 PM on July 25th. Registration for the FCC Tribal Workshop is required for onsite technical assistance. For more information, visit the FCC event page here: FCC Tribal Workshop at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Billings, MT | Federal Communications Commission. To register for the event, visit the event registration page here: Event Registration - Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) Workshops and Consultations | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov) 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. HHS Awards $598,408 to the University of North Dakota The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $598,408 through the Indian Health Service to the University of North Dakota (UND). The funding will be distributed to the following programs and initiatives: $396,925 to the Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) program at UND, which provides support services to American Indian students enrolled in pre-nursing, undergraduate, and graduate nursing programs. $201,483 to the Indians into Psychology Doctoral Education (INPSYDE) program at UND, which provides mental health services and professionals for Native American populations across the Midwest. 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 Welcome to the governors race edition of our Under the Dome politics newsletter. Im Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief. The North Carolina State Board of Elections has posted the latest campaign finance reports for both the Republican candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, and the Democratic candidate, Attorney General Josh Stein. Stein significantly outpaced Robinson on donations. You can read my coverage here, with several charts and graphs from our data reporter David Raynor about whos giving, how much they are giving, and where the money is coming from both inside and outside the state. In NC governor race, Stein outpaces Robinson in fundraising. Heres whos giving. Robinson gains national attention at RNC Robinson made his debut on the national stage this past week, giving a speech on the first night of the Republican National Convention. You can read my coverage of his speech, which included some of his personal story, here: NCs Mark Robinson introduces himself at Republican National Convention. What to know. New chief of staff for Gov. Cooper Outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers name is still being floated as a potential vice presidential candidate if Vice President Kamala Harris becomes the Democratic nominee instead of President Joe Biden. Regardless of what Cooper is planning when his term is up, he had a major staff change on Friday. Chief of Staff Kristi Jones, who has had the job since 2017, is leaving in mid-August, Coopers office announced. Julia White, already a longtime adviser to Cooper, will fill the job. Jones is going into the private sector. In addition to being Coopers senior adviser, White previously served in other staff leadership roles and for the late Senate leader Marc Basnight when Cooper was majority leader. Stay informed about #ncpol Dont forget to follow our Under the Dome tweets and listen to our Under the Dome podcast to stay up to date. Our new episode posts Monday morning, and Im joined by Raleigh politics reporter Anna Roman to talk about the mayoral and city council races and downtown development. You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters. Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up. In NC, Nancy Pelosi says: Elections are about what you are going to do next Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in Raleigh on Saturday, headlining the North Carolina Democratic Partys annual Unity Dinner as questions swirl around whether President Joe Biden will remain at the top of her partys presidential ticket. Biden was mentioned in speeches but briefly, with the focus on electing and mobilizing Democrats and defeating former President Donald Trump. What comes next is very important for our country, Pelosi said, and the two differing visions of Democrats and Republicans. She said Democrats are about liberty and honoring values. She said that Republicans are about greed and nationalist populism. Pelosi has previously talked about what the nomination process should be if Biden stepped aside, Politico reported. And the Associated Press reported that Pelosi has privately told Biden he may lose and bring down other Democrats on the ballot, too. But she did not talk about any notion of Biden stepping aside in the campaign. She spoke about why the 2024 election is important for reproductive rights, affordable child care, a child tax credit and other issues. Pelosi said that elections are not about rewarding you for what you have done. They are about what you are going to do next. She briefly mentioned accomplishments of Biden and congressional Democrats, saying they know how to do the job. N.C. State Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton talks with former Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after she spoke during the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 Pelosi also talked about how North Carolina General Assembly battles are similar to Congress, over issues like state budget, education funding and teacher pay. She didnt talk about the uproar in the party over the presidential ticket, nor did other speakers, instead focusing on state races and defeating Trump. Pelosi urged Democrats in the room to own the ground during campaigning and work on their message. She also told them not to waste time or resources. N.C. Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said she needs Democrats to knock on doors and work to be a new South again. Top Democrats speak The most lively speech of the night came from state House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, who talked about party unity in his speech. Reives said that in the country and in North Carolina it is required that we hold hands, and its required that we are unified. He said the need to move forward, without specifying exactly what that means. As a party and as North Carolinians, he said, whether youve been here for 50 years or five months, we owe it to the people of this state to save our government. The theme of unity, which was also a theme at the Republican National Convention last week after the attempted Trump assassination, has been a priority for Democrats as some of them have called for Biden to step aside. North Carolina is a swing state, so there is national focus here, including because Coopers name has been floated by several Democrats as a potential vice presidential pick if Biden were to step aside and Harris become the nominee. The Democratic National Convention is in August in Chicago. Harris has been in North Carolina twice within a week this month, first in Greensboro, then in Fayetteville on July 18. Cooper spoke at both events. In his speech Saturday night, Cooper said he had met recently with Biden and Harris and pointed to what their administration has done around the state for health care, for transportation, for clean water, child care, good paying jobs. Former Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talks with Gov. Roy Cooper and U.S. Rep. Alma Adams during the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 He called the election the biggest election of our lifetime. And that is not hyperbole, not hyperbole. So why is this year so important? Ill tell you why, because this is just about what kind of leaders we want to have, Cooper said. Cooper also talked about Republican nominee for governor, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running against Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. Donald Trumps America is where the president is a convicted felon, a chronic liar and the king of chaos. Do we want Donald Trumps America? Mark Robinsons North Carolina is where women cant lead, teachers are evil and political violence is OK. Do we want Mark Robinsons North Carolina? Absolutely not, Cooper said to cheers from the crowd of about 1,000 Democrats dining on Carolina-rubbed chicken breast, hydroponic bibb salad and honey mousse. Cooper talked about legislative, Council of State and judicial races before introducing Stein. Stein also talked about his own race and legislative races. He called Robinsons campaign about culture wars and division. Gov. Roy Cooper introduces Democratic nominee for governor Josh Stein during the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 Here in North Carolina, the stakes facing our state could not be higher, and the choice could not be clearer, Stein said, adding that his vision is about being positive, welcoming and creating opportunities for every person. Like Cooper, Stein urged Democrats to work to get out the vote for all races. We will keep the White House and defeat Donald Trump, Stein said as he ended his speech. Before the banquet, Pelosi came into the room about an hour early and spent 20 minutes talking to Democratic supporters, including Clayton, the state party chair, and state Rep. Caleb Rudow, who is running for Congress. Rudow told The News & Observer that he was part of a group of Buncombe County Democrats who met Pelosi before the event began, and that Pelosi told him good luck, and we need you in Congress. Rudow is challenging the Republican incumbent, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, in the 11th Congressional District. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi greets supporters before the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 During the event, N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs talked about a movement of voters who demand transparency and the highest ethical standards from their judges and a movement of judges who recognize that no person, no matter the rank, is above the law. Riggs, who was appointed and is running for election this fall, said that voters will reject extremism in the courts. Senate Democratic leader Dan Blue told the audience that the General Assembly is the beta site for all these crazy ideas that Republicans have across the country. He said Republicans at all levels want Democrats to be scared of each other and turn against each other. Blue said that instead of unity through fear, he wants unity through hope. Blue said he hopes Democrats launch a blue tidal wave in November. In the Spotlight designates ongoing topics of high interest that are driven by The News & Observers focus on accountability reporting. In NC, Nancy Pelosi says: Elections are about what you are going to do next Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in Raleigh on Saturday, headlining the North Carolina Democratic Partys annual Unity Dinner as questions swirl around whether President Joe Biden will remain at the top of her partys presidential ticket. Biden was mentioned in speeches but briefly, with the focus on electing and mobilizing Democrats and defeating former President Donald Trump. What comes next is very important for our country, Pelosi said, and the two differing visions of Democrats and Republicans. She said Democrats are about liberty and honoring values. She said that Republicans are about greed and nationalist populism. Pelosi has previously talked about what the nomination process should be if Biden stepped aside, Politico reported. And the Associated Press reported that Pelosi has privately told Biden he may lose and bring down other Democrats on the ballot, too. But she did not talk about any notion of Biden stepping aside in the campaign. She spoke about why the 2024 election is important for reproductive rights, affordable child care, a child tax credit and other issues. Pelosi said that elections are not about rewarding you for what you have done. They are about what you are going to do next. She briefly mentioned accomplishments of Biden and congressional Democrats, saying they know how to do the job. Pelosi also talked about how North Carolina General Assembly battles are similar to Congress, over issues like state budget, education funding and teacher pay. She didnt talk about the uproar in the party over the presidential ticket, nor did other speakers, instead focusing on state races and defeating Trump. Pelosi urged Democrats in the room to own the ground during campaigning and work on their message. She also told them not to waste time or resources. Former Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledges the crowd as she comes to the stage during the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 N.C. Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said she needs Democrats to knock on doors and work to be a new South again. Top Democrats speak The most lively speech of the night came from state House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, who talked about party unity in his speech. Reives said that in the country and in North Carolina it is required that we hold hands, and its required that we are unified. He said the need to move forward, without specifying exactly what that means. As a party and as North Carolinians, he said, whether youve been here for 50 years or five months, we owe it to the people of this state to save our government. The theme of unity, which was also a theme at the Republican National Convention last week after the attempted Trump assassination, has been a priority for Democrats as some of them have called for Biden to step aside. North Carolina is a swing state, so there is national focus here, including because Coopers name has been floated by several Democrats as a potential vice presidential pick if Biden were to step aside and Harris become the nominee. The Democratic National Convention is in August in Chicago. Harris has been in North Carolina twice within a week this month, first in Greensboro, then in Fayetteville on July 18. Cooper spoke at both events. In his speech Saturday night, Cooper said he had met recently with Biden and Harris and pointed to what their administration has done around the state for health care, for transportation, for clean water, child care, good paying jobs. He called the election the biggest election of our lifetime. And that is not hyperbole, not hyperbole. So why is this year so important? Ill tell you why, because this is just about what kind of leaders we want to have, Cooper said. Cooper also talked about Republican nominee for governor, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running against Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. Donald Trumps America is where the president is a convicted felon, a chronic liar and the king of chaos. Do we want Donald Trumps America? Mark Robinsons North Carolina is where women cant lead, teachers are evil and political violence is OK. Do we want Mark Robinsons North Carolina? Absolutely not, Cooper said to cheers from the crowd of about 1,000 Democrats dining on Carolina-rubbed chicken breast, hydroponic bibb salad and honey mousse. Cooper talked about legislative, Council of State and judicial races before introducing Stein. Stein also talked about his own race and legislative races. He called Robinsons campaign about culture wars and division. Here in North Carolina, the stakes facing our state could not be higher, and the choice could not be clearer, Stein said, adding that his vision is about being positive, welcoming and creating opportunities for every person. Like Cooper, Stein urged Democrats to work to get out the vote for all races. We will keep the White House and defeat Donald Trump, Stein said as he ended his speech. Before the banquet, Pelosi came into the room about an hour early and spent 20 minutes talking to Democratic supporters, including Clayton, the state party chair, and state Rep. Caleb Rudow, who is running for Congress. Rudow told The News & Observer that he was part of a group of Buncombe County Democrats who met Pelosi before the event began, and that Pelosi told him good luck, and we need you in Congress. Rudow is challenging the Republican incumbent, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, in the 11th Congressional District. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi greets supporters before the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 During the event, N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs talked about a movement of voters who demand transparency and the highest ethical standards from their judges and a movement of judges who recognize that no person, no matter the rank, is above the law. Riggs, who was appointed and is running for election this fall, said that voters will reject extremism in the courts. Senate Democratic leader Dan Blue told the audience that the General Assembly is the beta site for all these crazy ideas that Republicans have across the country. He said Republicans at all levels want Democrats to be scared of each other and turn against each other. Blue said that instead of unity through fear, he wants unity through hope. Blue said he hopes Democrats launch a blue tidal wave in November. In the Spotlight designates ongoing topics of high interest that are driven by The News & Observers focus on accountability reporting. Nepals new prime minister seeks vote of confidence in parliament, secure more than two-third votes Newly elected Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli is being sworn by President Ram Chandra Paudel, unseen, at the Presidential residence in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, July 15, 2024. Khadga Prasad Oli, the leader of Nepals largest communist party, was named prime minister on Sunday following the collapse of a previous coalition government.(AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) Nepals newly appointed prime minister secured overwhelming support in parliament on Sunday with more than two-thirds of members voting in his favor. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli got the support from members of his Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), his main coalition partner Nepali Congress and several smaller parties. During voting in the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, 188 out of a total of 275 members voted in his favor during the vote of confidence motion, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire announced. Supporting members applauded soon after the announcement was made and they lined up to shake hands with Oli to congratulate him. Oli was named Nepal's prime minister last week after the previous coalition government collapsed after Olis party withdrew their support earlier this month. The next election in Nepal is scheduled for 2027. This is the fourth time that Oli, 72, is serving as prime minister of the Himalayan nation. Olis biggest challenge as prime minister will be balancing Nepals relationship with its giant neighbors India and China, as both seek to wield influence over the small nation. Landlocked Nepal is surrounded by India on three sides and imports all of its oil and most supplies from the country. It also shares a border with China. Oli was born in a village in east Nepal and has been involved in politics since he was young. He worked his way up the ranks of the communist party and was jailed a total of 14 years for opposing the autocratic rule of Nepals monarchs. The royals banned political parties until 1990, when street protests forced then King Birendra to hold free elections that turned Nepal into a constitutional monarchy, which was formally abolished in 2008. Oli has had two kidney transplants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Joe Biden on Tuesday afternoon, the Israeli leader's office said on Sunday. Netanyahu is expected to depart for the United States on Monday, his office announced. Biden and Netanyahu last met in person in Tel Aviv shortly after the massacres by the Palestinian militant Islamist organization Hamas on October 7. According to media reports, the discussion is expected to focus primarily on efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. In Israel, there has been criticism of Netanyahu's overseas trip. Protesters demanded that he should only leave the country after an agreement on the hostages' release has been reached. On Wednesday, Netanyahu is to address both chambers of the US Congress regarding Israel's military actions in the Gaza. Relations between Biden and Netanyahu are considered strained. Netanyahu recently sparked a crisis with a video in which he harshly criticized the US government for holding back a weapons delivery. Netanyahu says Israel will send delegation for hostage deal talks on Thursday JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a delegation charged with negotiating a hostage deal with Hamas to be dispatched on Thursday, Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Sunday. The statement said Netanyahu held a meeting on Sunday with the delegation and senior members of Israel's defence establishment. The statement did not specify the delegation's destination. Until now a ceasefire effort led by Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States has failed to produce any deal, with both sides in the more than nine-month-old Gaza conflict blaming each other for the impasse. (Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Frances Kerry; Editing by Susan Fenton and Frances Kerry) LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevada lawmakers reacted to the news Sunday that President Joe Biden would no longer be seeking reelection in the 2024 presidential race. Sam Brown, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, commented on the development, saying, While the Democrat Party is in disarray and more divided than ever before, the Republican Party is united behind President Trump to take back the White House and reclaim the Senate Majority. Together, we will continue championing working class families and working to save the American Dream. Congressman Steven Horsford took to X thanking Biden saying, From creating millions of jobs to tackling gun safety, President Biden has been an outstanding and important lifelong public servant. Im proud of all weve done together. Thank you for your patriotic leadership and enduring service. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said, Im grateful for President Bidens lifetime of service and contributions to our nation. Time and time again, he has delivered for hardworking Nevadans. I respect his deeply personal and courageous decision and look forward to working with him as he finishes his historic term, in a post to social media Sunday afternoon. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford posted to X Sunday morning saying, Both profoundly saddened and proud this morning. @POTUS @JoeBiden is a patriot who puts country over self, and Im so very grateful for his service. May God bless him. And may God bless our country. Senator Jacky Rosen released a statement saying in part, President Biden has served our country in public office with dignity and integrity for decades. Under his experienced leadership in the White House and with a Democratic Senate majority, we passed major bipartisan laws to rebuild our nations infrastructure, expand health care for veterans, and keep our communities safer from gun violence. We took on powerful special interests to make historic progress on lowering prescription drug costs and fighting the climate crisis. It is a remarkable legacy of accomplishment, and I thank President Biden for his leadership and respect his decision not to seek reelection. Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D) said Here is to a dedicated public servant who gave most of his adult life in service to this great country. Thank you for restoring the soul of our nation, in a post on X. Congresswoman Susie Lee said in a statement, President Biden, during his storied and effective career, has put our country first. Today, he demonstrated immense patriotism and selfless leadership. I have had the honor of helping President Biden secure his standing as one of the most impactful and bipartisan presidents of our lifetime a legacy which includes securing once-in-a-century infrastructure investments, bringing back American jobs, passing historic climate change and bipartisan gun safety legislation, expanding veterans healthcare, and taking on big drug companies to lower costs for seniors and working families. I cannot thank President Biden enough for saving Americas democracy in 2020 and paving the way for a new era of leadership. I look forward to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket so we can once again defeat Donald Trump and far-right extremism. Congresswoman Dina Titus said, President Biden has made the most difficult decision of his five decades of public service. Ultimately, he chose to put the interests of this nation above himself. That is the essence of a great President. President Biden has brought us unprecedented progress in health care, job creation, protecting the environment, and preserving individual rights, He wants to focus on finishing the job he began. That too is the sign of a great leader, in a statement released Sunday. Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno released a statement saying, President Joe Biden has been the most successful president of our lifetimes. From passing the American Rescue Plan, Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that ignited the fastest economic recovery in American history, created thousands of jobs for Nevadans, and capped prescription drug prices for our seniors to signing the most historic climate action legislation and the first common sense gun safety package in 30 years aimed at keeping our communities safe for generations to come. President Biden has been an ardent defender of our fundamental freedoms including by signing the Respect for Marriage Act, fighting to secure voting rights, and fighting like hell to protect reproductive freedom. President Biden has given his entire life to service, he has been a transformational president, and Nevada Democrats thank him for his service to our state and this nation. President Biden is absolutely right that Kamala Harris has been a phenomenal choice to serve as his Vice President. Her commitment to expanding health care coverage for thousands of Nevadans, lowering costs, and keeping our communities safe has helped grow Nevadas economy, create good-paying union jobs, and protect our fundamental rights. 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. Whats next for Democrats with Biden out of the presidential campaign The White House is seen on June 24, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum | Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that got much more complex Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew as the presumptive nominee. The timeline, which was set in motion months ago, provides a small window for Democratic delegates throughout the 50 states to unify around any one candidate, an uphill battle, even with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates votes for the presidential nominee were supposed to reflect the will of voters in their home states, a hallmark of the Democratic primary process that is no longer possible. Party leaders have insisted for weeks that Democrats must formally nominate their presidential candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August to avoid any potential issue getting their candidates name on the Ohio ballot. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released a written statement on Sunday after Biden announced he would step aside as the presumptive nominee following weeks of pressure from members of Congress and party loyalists concerned about the presidents cognitive abilities. Harrison wrote that in the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party, Harrison added. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrisons statement did not mention Harris or a specific date for when the Democratic Party would formally nominate a presidential candidate. Harris wrote in a statement of her own that it is her intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, Harris wrote. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Deadlines and requirements Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a letter on Wednesday pledging the virtual roll call process would not be rushed. The letter, obtained by States Newsroom, notes the various deadlines and requirements that states have for putting a presidential candidates name on the November ballot. Ballot access paperwork must be filed in the State of Washington on August 20, the second day of the in-person Convention. Deadlines in Montana and Oklahoma follow the next day, with California on August 22 and many states, including Virginia, on August 23, Daughtry and Walz wrote. These filings involve notarized signatures from the candidates and party officials, and often must be filed in hard copy, the two added. We cannot and should not allow these timing complications to jeopardize whether the Democratic ticket appears on the ballot in must-win states. A public meeting about how the process will likely play out took place this weekend, with at least one more meeting expected this week, though likely with many more questions than before Biden withdrew. Before the DNC can set the date for the virtual roll call, its Rules Committee needs to approve the rules for the convention, which will contain the format for the roll call vote. After that takes place, the DNC Chair and the DNCC Chair will announce the exact day of the roll call. Whats next for Democrats with Biden out of the presidential campaign The White House on June 24, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum | Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that got much more complex Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew as the presumptive nominee. The timeline, which was set in motion months ago, provides a small window for Democratic delegates throughout the 50 states to unify around any one candidate, an uphill battle, even with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates votes for the presidential nominee were supposed to reflect the will of voters in their home states, a hallmark of the Democratic primary process that is no longer possible. Party leaders have insisted for weeks that Democrats must formally nominate their presidential candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August to avoid any potential issue getting their candidates name on the Ohio ballot. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released a written statement on Sunday after Biden announced he would step aside as the presumptive nominee following weeks of pressure from members of Congress and party loyalists concerned about the presidents cognitive abilities. Harrison wrote that in the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party, Harrison added. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrisons statement did not mention Harris or a specific date for when the Democratic Party would formally nominate a presidential candidate. Harris wrote in a statement of her own that it is her intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, Harris wrote. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Deadlines and requirements Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a letter on Wednesday pledging the virtual roll call process would not be rushed. The letter, obtained by States Newsroom, notes the various deadlines and requirements that states have for putting a presidential candidates name on the November ballot. Ballot access paperwork must be filed in the State of Washington on August 20, the second day of the in-person Convention. Deadlines in Montana and Oklahoma follow the next day, with California on August 22 and many states, including Virginia, on August 23, Daughtry and Walz wrote. These filings involve notarized signatures from the candidates and party officials, and often must be filed in hard copy, the two added. We cannot and should not allow these timing complications to jeopardize whether the Democratic ticket appears on the ballot in must-win states. A public meeting about how the process will likely play out took place this weekend, with at least one more meeting expected this week, though likely with many more questions than before Biden withdrew. Before the DNC can set the date for the virtual roll call, its Rules Committee needs to approve the rules for the convention, which will contain the format for the roll call vote. After that takes place, the DNC Chair and the DNCC Chair will announce the exact day of the roll call. Whats next for Democrats with Biden out of the presidential campaign The White House is seen on June 24, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that got much more complex Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew as the presumptive nominee. The timeline, which was set in motion months ago, provides a small window for Democratic delegates throughout the 50 states to unify around any one candidate, an uphill battle, even with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates votes for the presidential nominee were supposed to reflect the will of voters in their home states, a hallmark of the Democratic primary process that is no longer possible. Party leaders have insisted for weeks that Democrats must formally nominate their presidential candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August to avoid any potential issue getting their candidates name on the Ohio ballot. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released a written statement on Sunday after Biden announced he would step aside as the presumptive nominee following weeks of pressure from members of Congress and party loyalists concerned about the presidents cognitive abilities. Harrison wrote that in the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party, Harrison added. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrisons statement did not mention Harris or a specific date for when the Democratic Party would formally nominate a presidential candidate. Harris wrote in a statement of her own that it is her intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, Harris wrote. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Deadlines and requirements Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a letter on Wednesday pledging the virtual roll call process would not be rushed. The letter, obtained by States Newsroom, notes the various deadlines and requirements that states have for putting a presidential candidates name on the November ballot. Ballot access paperwork must be filed in the State of Washington on August 20, the second day of the in-person Convention. Deadlines in Montana and Oklahoma follow the next day, with California on August 22 and many states, including Virginia, on August 23, Daughtry and Walz wrote. These filings involve notarized signatures from the candidates and party officials, and often must be filed in hard copy, the two added. We cannot and should not allow these timing complications to jeopardize whether the Democratic ticket appears on the ballot in must-win states. A public meeting about how the process will likely play out took place this weekend, with at least one more meeting expected this week, though likely with many more questions than before Biden withdrew. Before the DNC can set the date for the virtual roll call, its Rules Committee needs to approve the rules for the convention, which will contain the format for the roll call vote. After that takes place, the DNC Chair and the DNCC Chair will announce the exact day of the roll call. Whats next for Democrats with Biden out of the presidential campaign The White House is seen on June 24, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that got much more complex Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew as the presumptive nominee. The timeline, which was set in motion months ago, provides a small window for Democratic delegates throughout the 50 states to unify around any one candidate, an uphill battle, even with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates votes for the presidential nominee were supposed to reflect the will of voters in their home states, a hallmark of the Democratic primary process that is no longer possible. Party leaders have insisted for weeks that Democrats must formally nominate their presidential candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August to avoid any potential issue getting their candidates name on the Ohio ballot. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released a written statement on Sunday after Biden announced he would step aside as the presumptive nominee following weeks of pressure from members of Congress and party loyalists concerned about the presidents cognitive abilities. Established rules and procedures Harrison wrote that in the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party, Harrison added. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrisons statement did not mention Harris or a specific date for when the Democratic Party would formally nominate a presidential candidate. Harris wrote in a statement of her own that it is her intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, Harris wrote. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Deadlines and requirements Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a letter on Wednesday pledging the virtual roll call process would not be rushed. The letter, obtained by States Newsroom, notes the various deadlines and requirements that states have for putting a presidential candidates name on the November ballot. Ballot access paperwork must be filed in the State of Washington on August 20, the second day of the in-person Convention. Deadlines in Montana and Oklahoma follow the next day, with California on August 22 and many states, including Virginia, on August 23, Daughtry and Walz wrote. These filings involve notarized signatures from the candidates and party officials, and often must be filed in hard copy, the two added. We cannot and should not allow these timing complications to jeopardize whether the Democratic ticket appears on the ballot in must-win states. Another meeting this week A public meeting about how the process will likely play out took place this weekend, with at least one more meeting expected this week, though likely with many more questions than before Biden withdrew. Before the DNC can set the date for the virtual roll call, its Rules Committee needs to approve the rules for the convention, which will contain the format for the roll call vote. After that takes place, the DNC Chair and the DNCC Chair will announce the exact day of the roll call. Whats next for Democrats with Biden out of the presidential campaign The White House is seen on June 24, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that got much more complex Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew as the presumptive nominee. The timeline, which was set in motion months ago, provides a small window for Democratic delegates throughout the 50 states to unify around any one candidate, an uphill battle, even with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates votes for the presidential nominee were supposed to reflect the will of voters in their home states, a hallmark of the Democratic primary process that is no longer possible. Party leaders have insisted for weeks that Democrats must formally nominate their presidential candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August to avoid any potential issue getting their candidates name on the Ohio ballot. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released a written statement on Sunday after Biden announced he would step aside as the presumptive nominee following weeks of pressure from members of Congress and party loyalists concerned about the presidents cognitive abilities. Harrison wrote that in the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party, Harrison added. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrisons statement did not mention Harris or a specific date for when the Democratic Party would formally nominate a presidential candidate. Harris wrote in a statement of her own that it is her intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, Harris wrote. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Deadlines and requirements Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a letter on Wednesday pledging the virtual roll call process would not be rushed. The letter, obtained by States Newsroom, notes the various deadlines and requirements that states have for putting a presidential candidates name on the November ballot. Ballot access paperwork must be filed in the State of Washington on August 20, the second day of the in-person Convention. Deadlines in Montana and Oklahoma follow the next day, with California on August 22 and many states, including Virginia, on August 23, Daughtry and Walz wrote. These filings involve notarized signatures from the candidates and party officials, and often must be filed in hard copy, the two added. We cannot and should not allow these timing complications to jeopardize whether the Democratic ticket appears on the ballot in must-win states. A public meeting about how the process will likely play out took place this weekend, with at least one more meeting expected this week, though likely with many more questions than before Biden withdrew. Before the DNC can set the date for the virtual roll call, its Rules Committee needs to approve the rules for the convention, which will contain the format for the roll call vote. After that takes place, the DNC Chair and the DNCC Chair will announce the exact day of the roll call. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Whats next for Democrats with Biden out of the presidential campaign The White House is seen on June 24, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that got much more complex Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew as the presumptive nominee. The timeline, which was set in motion months ago, provides a small window for Democratic delegates throughout the 50 states to unify around any one candidate, an uphill battle, even with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates votes for the presidential nominee were supposed to reflect the will of voters in their home states, a hallmark of the Democratic primary process that is no longer possible. Party leaders have insisted for weeks that Democrats must formally nominate their presidential candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August to avoid any potential issue getting their candidates name on the Ohio ballot. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released a written statement on Sunday after Biden announced he would step aside as the presumptive nominee following weeks of pressure from members of Congress and party loyalists concerned about the presidents cognitive abilities. Harrison wrote that in the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party, Harrison added. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrisons statement did not mention Harris or a specific date for when the Democratic Party would formally nominate a presidential candidate. Harris wrote in a statement of her own that it is her intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, Harris wrote. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Deadlines and requirements Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Bishop Leah Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a letter on Wednesday pledging the virtual roll call process would not be rushed. The letter, obtained by States Newsroom, notes the various deadlines and requirements that states have for putting a presidential candidates name on the November ballot. Ballot access paperwork must be filed in the State of Washington on August 20, the second day of the in-person Convention. Deadlines in Montana and Oklahoma follow the next day, with California on August 22 and many states, including Virginia, on August 23, Daughtry and Walz wrote. These filings involve notarized signatures from the candidates and party officials, and often must be filed in hard copy, the two added. We cannot and should not allow these timing complications to jeopardize whether the Democratic ticket appears on the ballot in must-win states. A public meeting about how the process will likely play out took place this weekend, with at least one more meeting expected this week, though likely with many more questions than before Biden withdrew. Before the DNC can set the date for the virtual roll call, its Rules Committee needs to approve the rules for the convention, which will contain the format for the roll call vote. After that takes place, the DNC Chair and the DNCC Chair will announce the exact day of the roll call. Whats next for Democrats with Biden out of the presidential campaign The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The Democratic Party has just weeks before its delegates are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that got much more complex Sunday when President Joe Biden withdrew as the presumptive nominee. The timeline, which was set in motion months ago, provides a small window for Democratic delegates throughout the 50 states to unify around any one candidate, an uphill battle, even with Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates votes for the presidential nominee were supposed to reflect the will of voters in their home states, a hallmark of the Democratic primary process that is no longer possible. Party leaders have insisted for weeks that Democrats must formally nominate their presidential candidate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in late August to avoid any potential issue getting their candidates name on the Ohio ballot. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released a written statement on Sunday after Biden announced he would step aside as the presumptive nominee following weeks of pressure from members of Congress and party loyalists concerned about the presidents cognitive abilities. Harrison wrote that in the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party, Harrison added. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. Harrisons statement did not mention Harris or a specific date for when the Democratic Party would formally nominate a presidential candidate. Harris wrote in a statement of her own that it is her intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, Harris wrote. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Deadlines and requirements Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released a letter on Wednesday pledging the virtual roll call process would not be rushed. The letter, obtained by States Newsroom, notes the various deadlines and requirements that states have for putting a presidential candidates name on the November ballot. Ballot access paperwork must be filed in the State of Washington on August 20, the second day of the in-person Convention. Deadlines in Montana and Oklahoma follow the next day, with California on August 22 and many states, including Virginia, on August 23, Daughtry and Walz wrote. These filings involve notarized signatures from the candidates and party officials, and often must be filed in hard copy, the two added. We cannot and should not allow these timing complications to jeopardize whether the Democratic ticket appears on the ballot in must-win states. A public meeting about how the process will likely play out took place this weekend, with at least one more meeting expected this week, though likely with many more questions than before Biden withdrew. Before the DNC can set the date for the virtual roll call, its Rules Committee needs to approve the rules for the convention, which will contain the format for the roll call vote. After that takes place, the DNC Chair and the DNCC Chair will announce the exact day of the roll call. Do NH Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Your delegate questions answered President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign less than a month before the Democratic National Convention. What does that mean for New Hampshire's Democratic delegates? Do they still have to vote for him? "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." Heres what to know. Who will replace Joe Biden? Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. In her own message, after thanking Biden for his service, she said she intends to win the nomination. "I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda," Harris wrote. How many Democratic delegates does New Hampshire have? Out of the 3,896 delegates nationally, New Hampshire has 25. This number comes from a Democratic bylaws formula, which is based on each states population and percentage of the total Democratic vote. New Hampshire almost didn't have any delegates this year, over a bitter feud between the state and party over New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation-primary. Last year, the DNC announced South Carolina would be the first state to vote instead of New Hampshire, calling it an effort to have a more diverse state lead the way. New Hampshire refused to break tradition and held an unsanctioned primary (before South Carolina's primary) where President Joe Bidens name was absent from the ballot. But through a write-in effort led by Democrats in the state, Biden won anyways, garnering almost 64% of the vote. Do New Hampshire's delegates have to vote for Biden? They do not. DNC delegates dont technically have to vote for Biden, thanks to a good conscience clause in Democratic delegate selection rules. All delegates to the National Convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them," the rules say. What happens at the DNC now? That depends on whether there is a virtual nomination ahead of the actual convention. The DNC Convention Rules Committee has, according to reporting from USA Today, been debating holding a virtual roll call and nomination to lock in Biden's nomination. With the presumed nominee now out of the race, the party will now either need to hold a virtual nomination or hold an extremely rare open convention to decide the nominee. When is the Democratic Party National Convention? Where is the DNC? The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to run Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago. "Heartbroken": Portsmouth's Mary Carey Foley sad to see her friend Joe Biden exit race Margie Cullen and USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Biden dropped out. Do NH delegates have to vote for him at DNC? In March 2024, a curious post appeared on Facebook users' feeds, claiming that Aldi's bacon, sold under the store's brand name Appleton Farms, was composed of lab-grown cells, rather than pigs. It continued by naming the company from which Aldi supposedly sourced its bacon: Appleton Meats. Accompanying it was a picture of Aldi's premium sliced bacon in its packaging. Chalk it up to another wild conspiracy theory. This one is both terrible and easily debunked; the two companies don't even have the same names. The mix-up (whether intentional or not) apparently occurred with the similarities in the "Appleton" portion of the names. Appleton Farms is one of Aldi's house brands, which sells deli or charcuterie-type meats, as well as bacon. The post describes Appleton Meats, per Snopes, as a "privately funded company exploring multiple cellular agricultural methods," which was true. However, the Canadian company, founded in 2017, does not even appear to be operational any longer, having shut its doors around 2019. Read more: The Surprising Way Costco Slices Up Its Pizza To Uniform Perfection Aldi's Short And Sweet Response Aldi Appleton Farms smoked bacon - Sandra Reyes Copson/Facebook Aldi responded briefly to the unfounded allegations that its bacon was lab-grown, telling AP News that products sold under the Appleton Farms name are "not produced through cultivated lab practices." So rejoice! You can continue to eat Aldi's Appleton Farms bacon without worrying about the meat being sourced from cells in a lab. It comes from a pig, with the package ingredients listed as bacon, water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrate. This storm-in-a-teacup is in stark contrast to one of Aldi's most epic meat scandals to date: In 2013 the company found that the beef in some of its lasagna sold in Europe contained between 30% and 100% horse meat. Yes, rather than simply an internet rumor, tests confirmed the presence of horse meat in the lasagna, and Aldi hasn't quite lived down the controversy. Naturally, the company issued a stern statement at the time that called out its meat supplier. So Where Is Aldi Bacon From? overhead view of livestock barns - Maksim Safaniuk/Shutterstock Unfortunately, Aldi has yet to reveal the actual source of its bacon. Let's back up, though. One of the ways Aldi can offer its items for such low prices is that it sells mostly house brands meaning it sources its products from the same manufacturers as name brands, but puts its own label on it. This saves Aldi, and its customers, some money. However, when an item is recalled, the FDA recall website, as well as Aldi's own site, lists not only the store brand, but the original manufacturer of the product as well. This is how Aldi shoppers can learn that Simply Nature Organic Poppy Seed Dressing was, as of 2021, actually made by Drew's Organics, LLC. On the one hand, it's lucky that so far, Appleton Farms bacon hasn't been the subject of a recall; on the other, it does mean inquiring minds still don't know the actual manufacturer of the product. It could very well be a variety of suppliers, as Aldi sources some of its meat from different regional farms. One thing we do know is that the bacon certainly comes from a farm in the U.S., as the company must state the country of origin if the meat is sourced internationally. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. I feel good Biden croaked to a small crowd of reporters as he inched up steps towards Air Force One. With great exertion, the president willed his left leg to hover upwards. A pause. Another step. Then another. Slowly, achingly slowly, the President of the United States of America attempted to climb a flight of stairs. He had just tested positive for Covid-19, and cancelled a round of interviews intended to prove his ability to cling on to the nomination. This surreal scene last week was, in retrospect, one of many signs that Joe Bidens position was no longer tenable. And yet, his sudden announcement without fanfare or warning that he no longer intends to stand for re-election feels like a shock. This is history making in the most unfortunate way. Listing off his achievements in office (the first African American woman elected to the Supreme Court! The first gun safety law passed in 30 years!) the president attempted to portray the progress his administration has impressed upon the country over the past three-and-a-half years. A nod in the statement towards Vice-President Kamala Harris was quickly followed by a full-throated endorsement ahead of the Democratic Convention next month. Bidens invocation of party and the country as his reason for standing back is cheap. As vice-presidential hopeful JD Vance pointed out earlier this week, if Biden isnt fit to run, he isnt fit to be president. The party is hardly blameless in this mess. Why did Democrats wait for him to stand down, furiously briefing against him while publicly insisting that nothing was wrong? Why, knowing that Biden would be a positivity ancient 86 at the end of his prospective second term, did they dismiss any discussion of an open primary as infeasible? And why have they the self-styled defenders of the constitution refused to invoke the 25th amendment? This is no dignified exit. The president for weeks ignored advice from former allies as broad-ranging as George Clooney, Nancy Pelosi, and his former boss Barack Obama. He at least found an ally in Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, the representative for New Yorks 14th district and self-styled democratic socialist, who urged her many Instagram followers to stick by Joe. Oh, and one other our Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who insisted that Biden was on good form at the Nato summit earlier in the month. In his desperation, Biden began borrowing from the tenets of Trumpism bragging about his good health, railing against shadowy elites, dismissing polls and even taking swipes at The Donalds hated Lyin New York Times. He flirted with the far-Left, suggesting a truly ludicrous piece of rent-control legislation that destroyed whatever economic credibility he had left. There is nothing noble or dignified about the Bidens, something those wishing to draw a distinction between the 46th and 45th presidents have always failed to realise. This announcement is no great act of statesmanship. The legacy of the former president and the electoral chances of ones favoured party should not come before the well-being of the American people a simple rule the denizens of the Washington swamp have been only too happy to discard when it comes to their own allies. Prior to the 2020 election, Jill Biden announced that decency is on the ballot. In her mind, the election was a choice between a selfish, scandal-prone charlatan and a serious politician with a genuinely transformative agenda. She was right if you switched the candidates. If this is the sort of decency the Democrats can manage in power, the choice in November is no choice at all. 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. Now that President Joe Biden has stepped aside from seeking the Democratic nomination for his reelection, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is one of a handful of potential names to join the new Democratic ticket, particularly as a VP nominee alongside current Vice President Kamala Harris. Its uncertain what happens next. What that ticket looks like could be decided by Biden himself, Democratic power brokers in Congress, his delegates or, in the event this drags on for weeks, on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. Plenty in Kentuckys political orbit have thoughts about Beshear. That includes many who say hes overhyped by national pundits less familiar with his governing style in the Bluegrass State. Others say the assets that helped him in Kentucky arent so translatable to the national stage. Andy Beshear is definitely an influential big fish in a small pond. I think he would get eaten alive if he moved to the ocean, said Tres Watson, a former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky. Brad Shattuck, a Lexington-based strategist, said he couldnt think of a starker contrast with former president Donald Trumps running mate J.D. Vance, given Vances humble beginnings and Beshears rearing as the son of a governor. So what are all the knocks on Andy Beshear? The Herald-Leader reached out to several people involved in Kentucky politics to get their perspective. Heres what they had to say about Beshears record and his potential future: Tres Watson, former Kentucky Republican Party spokesperson: Andy Beshears biggest problem is his greatest political asset: Luck. He ran against a wounded Matt Bevin, and he ran against a Cameron campaign that was poorly run and had the abortion issue hanging over it. I dont know if thats translatable. Beshear has had some uneven debate performances, so I think how he performs when the spotlight burns brighter is an open question. Another question is what does the Beshear fundraising arm look like when hes not in his own state? He doesnt come from a state thats winnable, and its not like Kentucky is a hotbed of Democratic donors. What would he really bring to the ticket other than some sense of racial and gender balance? Anna Whites, Frankfort Democratic attorney: In Kentucky, we may have a false idea that everyone knows Andy. If its Harris at the top, shell need a male, so that does narrow the field I just am not sure the choice would be Andy. Idrees Kahloon, Lexington native and Washington Bureau Chief for The Economist: He has governed with a Republican super-majority, making his accomplishments somewhat thin. Also, national Democrats have fallen out of love with the small-state governors that served them well in the 1990s. They prize fundraising ability, name recognition and pugnacious appearances on cable news and social media. Jake Cox, former campaign manager for Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, and commissioner of agriculture Ryan Quarles: Governors Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Cooper of North Carolina, or Whitmer of Michigan are all battle-scarred, nationally vetted, and most importantly in charge of states that will decide the outcome of this election. National politics is a box-checking game, and, unfortunately for Andy Beshear and his local sycophants, silver spoon-fed nepo-babies with zero accomplishments aside from a milquetoast demeanor and a slew of administrative scandals do not make a national leader. And sure, Beshear can perpetuate his annoying lies taking credit from people who actually govern but that wont translate to a national level when hes up against leaders who have flexed their political muscle and won real Democratic policy goals. Rebecca Blankenship, Kentuckys first openly transgender elected official and former Democratic State Central Executive Committee member: There is probably some risk in choosing somebody whos relatively unvetted at the national stage like Gov. Beshear. Its not out of the question, in my view, that baggage could emerge for Gov. Beshear that has not been important to Kentucky voters but would be at the national level. Im also not sure to what extent voters from out-of-state have accurate perceptions of his record. Its really difficult to point at anything other than medical marijuana after 2021 or so and say, Thats a direct result of Gov. Andy Beshears efforts. Chris Kirkwood, University of Kentucky political science Ph.D candidate: What Ive heard as a case against him is that hes much more religious than other potential candidates. Some worry that that might turn off portions of the Democratic base. He also doesnt really bring a key state to the table. Sure hell help in the South, but adding Cooper might secure North Carolina or Shapiro could secure Pennsylvania. Beshear is essentially only good as a blunt tool, whereas Cooper and Shapiro both help to secure their respective states and are good as broad instruments as well. Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge: Andy Beshear has succeeded at obscuring the components of his political beliefs which do not resonate well with Kentuckians. He is perceived as a moderate Democrat, when in reality he is supportive of left-leaning priorities such as gun control, unrestrained government spending, LGBTQ activism and green New Deal initiatives. Brad Shattuck, Lexington GOP strategist: What most national folks dont realize is that the successes of the past four years are a direct result of GOP super-majorities in the state legislature. Republicans pass strong conservative legislation, Beshear vetoes it, both chambers override, and Beshear takes credit. Beshear was great at holding Kentucky back while taking credit for Republican legislation that lowered taxes and put Kentuckians back to work after his own draconian COVID lockdowns. The bench for the Democrat Party must be more like a tiny stool if Beshears name is in consideration. If Democrats want someone who was born on third base and profited from billing opioid clients, hes their guy. I couldnt think of a starker contrast with Republican Sen. J.D. Vance, whose story is rooted in poverty with a family struggling through addiction. Dan Bayens, Lexington Republican media strategist: The big downside in running with Kamala Harris: He would likely foreclose any opportunity to compete statewide in Kentucky again. Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington: Federal, state and local races have very different issues. I think voters were willing to cross for him as governor but may not be willing to do so on federal issues. Thus, not sure his appeal nationally is as strong as it may appear. Jeffrey Tyler Syck, political science professor at the University of Pikeville: Beshears weakness as a potential vice president is that it is unclear if his ability to reach across the aisle and win Republican support extends beyond the borders of Kentucky. It certainly may, but it is also possible that his unique blend of folksy charm and liberal Christian ethics are peculiarly appealing to voters in the Bluegrass. No matter how you feel about Joe Biden, he deserves our thanks | Opinion No matter how you feel about President Joe Biden whether you love him, hate him, wanted him to stay in the race he deserves our thanks. He has served our country nearly his whole career, and near the end of it, he made a bigger sacrifice than many of us could imagine. Could he have recognized the inevitable toll his age was taking on the campaign and dropped out the race sooner? Of course. But he will be remembered for the many accomplishments of his time as president, and for the selflessness he showed when it was needed most. Despite what the opposing side will say, we are safer, stronger and more economically productive than we were four years ago. Biden brought the country out of COVID. He passed a huge bipartisan Infrastructure law that has sent $1 trillion dollars to long-ignored bridges, roads and construction sites. He worked on laws to lower drug prices and expand healthcare to more Americans. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden meet in Lost Creek, Ky., on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, with people whose homes were destroyed by the flash floods in Eastern Kentucky in late July. When Kentucky faced two of its greatest natural disasters (the tragic tornadoes in Western Kentucky and the equally horrific floods in Eastern Kentucky), Biden appeared with federal relief dollars following close behind. He rejoined the Paris climate accords, dealing head one with an existential crisis that we in this state are already facing. He protected Americas interests abroad, particularly in sending aid to Ukraine in the wake of Russias invasion. Biden has lost much along the way: His first wife and daughter, and later a son, Beau, who died of brain cancer that many believe was associated with exposure of toxic chemicals in burn pits overseas. In 2022, Biden signed legislation that extended health benefits veterans exposed in places like Iraq. Now, he has lost a second term that he badly wanted. However late, the 81-year-old president recognized the concerns of the American public about his age were too numerous to overcome. He has pledged to fulfill the last five months of his term, and is correct to do so. But five months is very different from four more years, and he is correct to recognize that his age and infirmities were not going to improve. The upcoming four months will be chaotic on many fronts, and they could prove especially interesting if Gov. Andy Beshear is somehow woven into the mix. Partisan rancor will spark everywhere. But for right now, we should agree that Biden has spent a lifetime working on our behalf. For the time that remains in office, we should simply say, Thank you for your service. From The Opinion Team President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing news event, from our Opinion team: Bidens withdrawal solves one of Dems many problems. But it creates one, too With Biden out, Michelle Obama would be Donald Trumps worst self-inflicted nightmare Once again, Joe Biden is giving America its best chance to defeat Donald Trump Wooden crosses were passed around Saturday evening in Cole Park for community members to sign their names and write their condolences to later send to Caleb Harris' family in memory of the loss of their son. Nearly 40 people were in attendance for a candlelight vigil for Harris, the 21-year-old Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student who went missing in March. Human remains were later found in late June and were identified as Harris July 17. The vigil started off with a prayer and then several community members shared their thoughts and condolences for Harris. Sarah Brizeno, left, and Tammy Willett open a vigil for Caleb Harris with a prayer on Saturday, July, 20, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Harris, a 21-year-old Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student went missing from his off-campus apartment in March. His body was recovered from a wastewater plant last month. Tammy Willett led the speakings off with a letter to Harris' family. "Our hearts are heavy with the sorrowful news of Caleb's passing," Willett said to the crowd. "As we observe Bereaved Parents Awareness Month, which is July, we're reminded of the profound pain faced by those who lost a child. This month serves to bring awareness and support to parents. This loss touches us all." Questions left unanswered Plenty of questions still surround the case of Harris, even after Corpus Christi police informed the community the human remains found inside a wastewater collection well are his. Last month, city workers discovered the 21-year-old's body in the Perry Place Wastewater Lift Station off the 5300 block of Lexington Road, about a block from his off-campus apartment where he was last seen. The remains, in an advanced state of decomposition, were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, where forensic analysts confirmed they belonged to Harris though DNA analysis, according to a release sent out by the Corpus Christi Police Department Wednesday. Local officials are now awaiting results from the Nueces County Medical examiners final autopsy report, which will rule the cause and manner of death to inform how the investigation will move forward. 21-year-old Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student Caleb Harris went missing on March 4. The lift station is located close to where Harris was last seen by his roommates the night he disappeared. But because the investigative search began with local law enforcement searching ditches, fields and brush areas in the immediate areas of Harris' apartment, many are wondering how Harris body wound up where it did. CCPD Assistant Chief Todd Green said the case is the most unusual one that he has been involved in during his 34 years with the department. On Friday, he explained how the police investigation involved a two- to three-day search of city storm water and wastewater drains and facilities directly outside of the Cottages at Corpus Christi apartments. Crews began by lifting all the manhole covers on the storm drains lining the sidewalks along the road in the initial days after his disappearance. The drains are about 4-feet deep on average and allow storm water that drains off the roads to flow into the citys storm water system, Green said. We opened all the manhole covers on the storm drains from South Padre Island Drive all the way back to Holly Road, Green said. Theres always an opening for the drains, so potentially someone could get in there. He pointed out that sewage manhole covers are found in the middle of the streets in the area, but police did not check those due to their location and the difficulty involved in opening them. 'No one noticed that' At the time, people were unaware that a manhole cover was located in one of the adjacent fields across Harris' apartment complex that was part of the drainage system. It was situated about 110 feet from the sidewalk. To our knowledge, no one noticed that, found it or reported it during that initial search, Green said. We dont know if it was open at that time or not. Green said on April 17, a woman was walking her dog through that field and noticed the manhole was open and the cover was missing. She posted the finding on Facebook and then notified CCPD, he said. Human remains were found in a deep well at a wastewater collection point located off of Lexington Road near South Padre Island Drive on Monday afternoon, according to Corpus Christi Police Department spokesman Antonio Contreras. Around 3:30 p.m., police responded to the scene were a city employee reported the remains in a 40-foot-deep wet well filled with wastewater. Fire department officials in hazmat suites waited for the city to drain the well before removing the remains. The age and gender of the body are unknown. CCPD detectives went to the field the next day and located the open manhole, which was partially filled with water, Green said. Though they saw nothing suspicious, they contacted Corpus Christi Water's wastewater department and went over to the Perry Place lift station to talk to wastewater personnel. They manually activated the pump to lower the water to a level that would allow the police to see down to the bottom. Green said they did not notice anything or have a way to enter the sewer. With the water level in the lift station collection having been pumped to a low-enough level to inspect it, the crew began to search for a body or missing items. Harris' remains found The lift station is designed to convey wastewater to treatment facilities through a system of pipes and pump stations. As the name implies, it operates by pumping, or lifting, wastewater to a higher point from low areas of land from pipes that lie deeply underground, allowing the water to flow by gravity or to be pumped under pressure to a treatment plant. These manholes are from the 50s and are made out of brick, and brick is porous, Green said. When you get a lot of rain, rain will soak through the soil and the brick, and a lot of water will start entering into the sewage system. The pipes that comprise the sewage system range in size from smaller pipes to larger pipes about 12- or 15-inches in diameter, Green said. Manholes that are about 24-inches in diameter drop down about 18-feet to a concrete pit. Corpus Christi Police Department Assistant Chief Todd Green describes the sequence of events that led police to find the remains of missing Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student Caleb Harris. The pit provides an access point to the well for the wastewater department and is covered by a steel grate secured with a padlock. Workers inside the building were checking on the pumps when they first discovered clothing that alarmed them, Green said. An alarm will sound if something jams the pump, Green said, which happened the day the remains were found. Green said when the Corpus Christi Fire Department went outside to open the pit, a portion of Harris' body was visibly clear through the grate including his head. No evidence of foul play The next day, members of the wastewater department returned to the lift station with a large tanker truck to pump the rest of the contents of the well into the truck and transport them to another facility, finding clothing and bones. A week after finding Harris' body, police returned to the lift station to run a camera up the length of pipe leading from the pump station to the manhole in the field to see if they could find any other items, such as Harris' phone which has been missing since the day he disappeared. "We cant say with certainty how that body got in the system, Green said. We dont know for a fact. We dont have any definitive proof one way or the other. A missing poster of Caleb Harris, a Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student, hangs on a wall down Chaparral Street in downtown Corpus Christi Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Harris has been missing since Monday, March 4, 2024. Throughout the investigation, police have stated they have never found a single piece of evidence that suggested foul play. After a thorough preliminary search of the area by detective patrol officers, they interviewed Harris' roommates, who agreed to polygraph tests, Green said. "After we searched that area as thoroughly as we did, the thought was that maybe he reached out to somebody for a ride," Green said. "We didn't find anything like that on his phone. All the vehicles that came into that area during the time period where he went missing we were able to identify through phone records, the tower dumps, the geofence and there was no connection. They just happened to be in the area at that time." There was nothing about Harris' background that led police to believe someone may have wanted to harm him, Green said. 'He is at peace now' Visiting from Rockport, Tiffany Gough spoke at the candlelight vigil about how she lost her daughter 10 years ago and knows the pain Harris' family is feeling is "immeasurable." "I pray Caleb's family finds peace," Gough said. "I know they won't find out everything they need, but I pray they know he is at peace now. The grief never ends, but it gets easier as time goes on." A group locks hands and prays to close a vigil for Caleb Harris on Saturday, July, 20, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Harris, a 21-year-old Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student went missing from his off-campus apartment in March. His body was recovered from a wastewater plant last month. Willet said the community needs to unite and stand in solidarity to honor Harris' memory. "This is not a journey that is over in a week or two," Willett said. "We need to acknowledge even though his family has faith, they will be plagued with unanswered questions that will keep them up at night. Let us not forget them in the weeks, months or even years to come. Our lives may go on, but their's will stand still." The group ended the hour-long ceremony with a prayer circle before parting ways. RELATED COVERAGE More: Remains found in wastewater well last month identified as TAMU-CC student Caleb Harris More: Community members, family show support for loss of missing TAMU-CC student Caleb Harris More: Investigation points to 'recent activity' on missing student's cell phone, police say This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Caleb Harris: Questions left unanswered, vigil held in memory Do North Carolina delegates have to vote for Biden? The aftermath of Biden dropping out President Biden officially ended his campaign July 21 for a second term in the White House after weeks of speculation and calls for him to step down. The announcement also came with a full endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. The Democratic National Convention takes place in less than a month in Chicago, Illinois, where the party must officially nominate the team that will run against Donald Trump and his newly appointed running mate JD Vance. But what happens to the North Carolina delegates now that Biden is no longer in the race and the Tar Heel primary already passed? More: Biden exit: Western NC Democrats back Harris and Gov. Cooper or Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly How many Democratic delegates does North Carolina have? According to chair of the state Democratic Party Anderson Clayton, North Carolina is sending 163 delegates to the national convention starting Aug. 19. Of those, 130 are voting delegates, with several alternates also attending the convention. Most of them, 116, were pledged to Biden after he won North Carolina's Democratic primary on Super Tuesday with over 85% of the vote. Vice President Kamala Harris speaking to North Carolinians in Greensboro, North Carolina on July 11, 2024 Do North Carolina delegates have to vote for Biden? Despite the primary already passing, the Democratic nominee selection process includes a clause allowing delegates to vote for whatever candidate they want under "good conscience." The rule, which comes from the Democratic National Committee, says "Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them." DNC delegate rules: What Biden means when he says DNC delegates are 'free to do whatever they want' In essence, the rule means North Carolina delegates can cast their nomination vote for another candidate who represents the Democratic Party. For a candidate to win the Democratic presidential nomination, they would need around 1,976 votes, according to USA Today reporting. More: North Carolina leaders react to Biden dropping out of the race, endorsing Harris This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Do Democratic delegates in North Carolina have to vote for Biden? If races were always won by the party that raised and spent the most money, Democrats should have no trouble winning big races in North Carolina this cycle. Josh Stein, for example, has raised more than twice as much than Mark Robinson. The Biden campaign has been pouring resources into North Carolina for months. In races for lieutenant governor and state superintendent, Democratic candidates have a large fundraising advantage over their Republican opponents. Considering how much money flows into these races, youd think fundraising would matter a lot. After all, when election season rolls around, it feels impossible to watch the evening news or even a YouTube video without seeing some sort of political ad. These races will still be as competitive as ever, though, because its not that simple. While Democrats have had success in big races at the state level, theyve struggled to win presidential and U.S. Senate contests in North Carolina, even when they outraise and outspend their opponents. Cheri Beasley wielded a significant cash advantage over Ted Budd in North Carolinas 2022 U.S. Senate race, and the Biden campaign spent more in North Carolina than Trumps in 2020 (though outside spending in both races favored Republicans). In 2016, Hillary Clinton outraised and outspent Trump in North Carolina but still lost the state. Youd think that fundraising prowess would make North Carolina a bit more purple. But victory continues to elude Democrats, at least at the federal level, even when that strategy pays off in other states. Biden and his allies have so far outspent Trump by a wide margin in North Carolina and other key swing states, including Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. The same happened in 2020, when spending in those states comprised the bulk of TV ad spending in the presidential election. It worked in most states, and Biden became the first Democrat to win in Arizona and Georgia in years. But North Carolina still has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 2008. The problem is that politics today are so polarized that the advantage of fundraising has significantly diminished, particularly in federal elections, Mac McCorkle, a former Democratic consultant who now teaches at Duke University, said. Whereas some conservative voters in North Carolina have demonstrated a willingness to split their ticket and vote for a Democratic governor, federal elections tend to be much more ideological. North Carolina may be a swing state, but it doesnt have many swing voters, and Republicans have a natural advantage simply because the state tilts more conservative. McCorkle also said that, compared to other states, the nature of North Carolina makes advertising more difficult and more expensive. North Carolina has several major media markets spread out across the state, whereas states like Georgia have a large portion of the electorate concentrated in just one market. Its a very dispersed, geographically dispersed space, and thats an oddity of North Carolina, McCorkle said. The same is true when it comes to spending money on turnout operations. Democrats in Georgia can focus most of their efforts on Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs, but theres no one part of North Carolina that will help push Democrats over the edge. Rather, campaigns need to focus on the entire state, which is financially and logistically more difficult. Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said that more money does not mean a greater chance of victory, but candidates generally do need to raise a certain amount of money in order to be competitive. More money doesnt always mean better, and at a certain point you do get diminishing returns, Cooper said. For example, Stein is raising more money than Robinson, but Robinson is raising plenty of money, and hes not going to have a hard time getting a message out there. These days, McCorkle said, fundraising provides the biggest advantage when ones opponent isnt spending much at all. He pointed to Pennsylvanias 2022 race for governor, in which Republican Doug Mastriano did not have much of an ad presence at all and ultimately lost the election. Its kind of this arms race where you dont want to be stuck not having ads, but do the ads really have that much effect? McCorkle said. Well, unless you really have a strong ad, the ads kind of cancel each other out. RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) The North Carolina School Boards Association recently launched a statewide ad campaign to build support for public schools, the organization said in a news release. The campaign, titled Public Education Does the Public Good, uses social media and billboard ads to spread NCSBAs message that healthy, well-funded public schools are good for everyone, not just those who attend them, because a well-educated populace enjoys economic success, freedom, democracy and sound government. Thriving public schools uplift society as a whole, no matter what type of education fits your familys needs, said Jennifer Thompson, president of NCSBAs board of directors. Public education was a cornerstone of the foundation of America for many reasons. Everyone benefits from a strong public school system. We all need to support our public schools. NCSBA said the campaign notes the states low teacher pay, but it is not aimed at specific legislation or policy choices. Its designed to remind everyone that healthy public schools make North Carolina stronger, more competitive and more prosperous for each and every one of us, the release said. Learn more about the campaign at NCSBAs website. Watch the campaign video on YouTube. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. PASSAIC From a young age, Khameryn Oliver was always searching for ways to make a difference in her community as a member of the Girl Scouts. Sadly, she did not get to complete her latest, most ambitious project after a March car crash that claimed her life two months later. But those closest to Oliver wanted to ensure her name would live on through her initiative created to help others in need. On Thursday, that vision became a reality at Passaic High School. A sign welcomes visitors to "Khameryn's Kloset" in a room of the Passaic High School library Thursday, July 18, 2024. The room is named in honor of Khameryn Oliver, 17, who started the project as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award before her death in a car crash May 8. Family members, school officials and others in Girl Scout Troop 95322 gathered in the high school library to celebrate the opening of "Khameryn's Kloset." The room provides a central location for students to take any personal items they need, including toothbrushes, wipes, lotion, combs and feminine hygiene products. Oliver, 17, died after nearly two months in a coma following the March 16 crash on County Road 508 in Kearny that also killed her parents, Rhakeem Oliver and Shavonn Stewart-Oliver. Stewart-Oliver was vice principal of School 6 in Passaic at the time of her death. Oliver was posthumously honored with the Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts, for her project at Thursday's ceremony. She had already planned out the initiative and was beginning to solicit donations prior to the fatal crash, according to her longtime Girl Scout troop leader, Kristy Wellins. "Her vision was to bring supplies and products to people who may be experiencing some sort of crisis, whether it's homelessness or a fire at their home or just some sort of need that was not being fulfilled," Wellins said. "She said, 'I know that I can bring people together to help fulfill that need.'" Personal hygiene products line the shelves of "Khameryn's Kloset," which opened in the Passaic High School library Thursday, July 18, 2024. The project is named for Khameryn Oliver, a 17-year-old who started the initiative prior to her death in a car crash May 8. Oliver was a student at Paramus Catholic and member of the indoor track team. On Thursday, Khameryn Oliver's grandmother, Karen, and great-uncle, Robert, were on hand to accept the Gold Award certificate and pin from Charisse Taylor, chief program officer of the Girls Scouts of Northern New Jersey. "Earning the highest award in Girl Scouting celebrates your contributions to today's world and to our collective future," Taylor read from the certificate. "It certifies your ability as a leader and a positive force who has changed the world for a better tomorrow." Charisse Taylor, chief program officer of the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, right, presents Khameryn Oliver with a posthumous Gold Award for the opening of "Khameryn's Kloset" Thursday, July 18, 2024. Looking on are Khameryn's great-uncle Robert Oliver, left, and grandmother Karen Oliver. Robert Oliver thanked the roughly 50 attendees who came out to support the family, saying, "I'm sure my nephew Rhakeem and his beautiful wife would have been so proud of Khameryn to be here." He called his great-niece's project "truly an asset to this city that we all grew up in." Khameryn's Kloset Khameryn's Kloset is the latest facet of the partnership started this year between Passaic and Full Service Community Schools, a program that provides various community resources to give students a brighter future. Upcoming plans in the district include the establishment of a mental health clinic, a food pantry and a professional mentorship program. A sign inside "Khameryn's Kloset" remembers Khameryn Oliver, the founder of the initiative, and her parents, Rhakeem Oliver and Shavonn Stewart-Oliver, in the Passaic High School library Thursday, July 18, 2024. All three died from injuries sustained in a March 16 car crash. Wellins, who is also the Full Service associate project director, said the partnership allows the program to expand even further than Khameryn Oliver ever imagined. But whenever students stop in to Khameryn's Kloset for some necessary items, the sign above the door will always remind them who set everything in motion. "She was thinking, 'I'll just do this one little project,'" Wellins said. "But look at us all here today and how much inspiration and how many lives she's touched." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Passaic High School honors teen killed in car crash North Koreans work on a field near a North Korean military guard post, seen from the Unification Observation Post in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea said Sunday it was bolstering its anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts across the tense border with rival North Korea, after the North launched more trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea. The Cold War-style psychological battle between the two Koreas is adding to already-high tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with the rivals threatening stronger steps against each other and warning of devastating consequences. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean balloons were flying Sunday morning north of Seoul, the South Korean capital, after crossing the border. It said later Sunday that the South Korean military was responding by expanding loudspeaker broadcasts at all major sections of the Koreas' 248-kilometer (154-mile)- long border. The North Korean militarys tension-escalating acts can result in causing critical consequences for it, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The responsibility for this situation is entirely on North Koreas government. Details of the expansion of South Korea's loudspeaker operations were not immediately available. On Thursday, it resumed blasting frontline propaganda broadcasts for the first time in about 40 days in response to the North's previous balloon activities. But observers say South Korea hadn't been conducting the broadcasts around the clock and it also hadn't yet mobilized all of its loudspeakers. The latest South Korean broadcasts included K-pop songs and news on BTS member Jins torch-bearing ahead of the Paris Olympics and the recent defection of a senior North Korean diplomat. The broadcasts also called the mine-planting works by North Korean soldiers at the border hellish, slave-like lives, according to South Korean media. Experts say South Korean propaganda broadcasts can demoralize frontline North Korean troops and residents, posing a blow to the North's efforts to limit access to outside news for its 26 million people. South Korean officials have previously said broadcasts from their loudspeakers can travel about 10 kilometers (6 miles) during the day and 24 kilometers (15 miles) at night. North Korea hasn't made an official response to the ongoing South Korean broadcasts. But in 2015, North Korea fired artillery rounds across the border in response to South Korea's first loudspeaker broadcasts in 11 years, prompting the South to return fire, according to South Korean officials. No casualties were reported. The North's latest balloon-flying on Sunday is the ninth of its kind since late May. North Korea has floated more than 2,000 balloons to drop waste paper, scraps of cloth, cigarette butts, waste batteries and even manure on South Korea, though they have so far caused no major damage in South Korea. North Korea has said the initial balloons were launched in response to South Korean activists sending political leaflets to the North via their own balloons. Like South Korean frontline broadcasts, North Korea views the South's civilian leafleting activities as a major threat to its authoritarian government led by Kim Jong Un. In furious responses to past South Korean leafletting, North Korea destroyed an empty South Korean-built liaison office in its territory in 2020 and fired at incoming balloons in 2014. In a statement last week, Kim's powerful younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, threatened new countermeasures against South Korean civilian leafleting as she warned that South Korean scum must be ready to pay a gruesome and dear price" over their actions. She said more South Korean leaflets had been found in North Korea. That raised concerns North Korea could stage physical provocations, rather than balloon launches. South Korea's military said North Korea may fire at balloons or scatter mines downriver. In early June, South Korea suspended a 2018 tension-reduction deal with North Korea, a step required for it to restart propaganda broadcasts and conduct live-fire military drills at border areas in response to the North's balloon campaigns. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have already been running high because of North Korea's provocative run of missile tests and the expansion of U.S.-South Korean military drills that North Korea calls invasion rehearsals. Experts say North Koreas expanding ties with Russia could embolden Kim Jong Un to stage bigger provocations. A North Texas man convicted of child pornography and recording himself molest a toddler was sentenced on Thursday to 120 years in prison, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced in a news release. Leslie Michael Alt, 40, of Forney, was indicted in Sept. 2022 and pleaded guilty a year later to two counts of production of child pornography and three counts of transportation of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Ada Brown gave him his sentence on Thursday. Alt admitted to using concealed cameras to record sexually explicit videos of two preteen girls, according to court documents. The videos were found in Alts computer recovered from his home in August 2022, according to prosecutors. During a subsequent search of the defendants residence, an FBI electronic detection canine alerted to a safe located in Alts closet. The safe was open and appeared to be empty, but the canine continued to alert to the safe, according to the release. Agents removed the carpeted flooring of the safe and found SD cards and a concealed camera, according to the investigation. In one of the SD cards, authorities found videos of Alt sexually abusing a toddler, the release says. Seeing the images he had of my daughter as a toddler shattered me. Unable to voice she was uncomfortable, unable to communicate to me, her mother, that any of this was happening to her, the victims mother testified at the sentencing. She currently does not have a conscious memory of what has happened. One day, I will have to tell her. One of the teenage victims said the news of Alts crime shattered them. My trust had been used against me, and I would never fully recover, she said. It makes me sick to my stomach. The Texas Department of Public Safetys Criminal Investigations Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with the assistance from the Grand Prairie Police Departments Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandie Wade and Camille Sparks prosecuted the case. Northern California to see another heat wave early this week. Whats different from last time? The Sacramento Valley and Sierra foothills will experience more triple-digit heat early this week in yet another mid-summer heat wave. But heres some good news: This sweltering span is predicted to be much shorter and not a record-breaking couple of days, said Dakari Anderson, a meterologist at the National Weather Services Sacramento office. The weather service issued a heat advisory beginning at 11 a.m. and ending 11 p.m. Wednesday as temperatures are expected to rise about 10 degrees higher than what is typical for this time of year, Anderson said. With this next run of warm temperatures, we have major heat risk developing throughout the Valley with localized areas of extreme heat risk, which is our highest category, Anderson said. Extreme heat risk advisories were issued for more elevated parts of the region, including foothill spots east of Chico and Yuba City. Highs in Sacramento will reach 103 to 110 degrees. While these temperatures are not nearly as high as recent heat records, the weather service warned that people should still prepare for heat related illnesses and outdoor activities being impacted. Overnight temperatures will reach the low 70s in Sacramento, and the region is supposed to be milder by Friday, when the predicted high is 93 degrees. South Lake Tahoe will see a similar spike in hot days, but with temperatures only reaching the mid 80s. Lows at night will go down to 60 degrees, according to the NWS forecast. Hot days have already plagued the region throughout the past month, when a heat wave broke the record for the hottest 20 days in Sacramentos history, and they may continue throughout the rest of the summer. The hottest day on record in Sacramento was in September of 2022. It should be considerably shorter, were only hoping it will be those three days ending that Wednesday night, and then were not going to see as warm of temperatures, Anderson said. The Democrats running to represent portions of Kansas City, Kansas, in Congress thanked President Joe Biden after he said he will leave the presidential race and one came close to endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination. Former Rep. Nancy Boyda and Matt Kleinmann, a Wyandotte County community organizer, both made clear they would support the eventual Democratic nominee. Kleinmann praised Harris but left room if someone else emerges. Vice President Harris has been a steadfast advocate for our country, and her leadership is crucial moving forward, Kleinmann said in a statement. I fully support her efforts and look forward to working with her or whomever the next presidential nominee is to advance our shared goals. Boyda and Kleinmann are running in Kansas 2nd Congressional District, which includes portions of Wyandotte County and much of the eastern half of the state. Boyda, who had called for Biden to drop out soon after his disastrous debate performance in late June, said she decided to do so after realizing he wasnt capable of leading the country for four more years. Im not joyous today. This is not a joyful day at all but it needed to happen and we just need to get going as quickly as we possibly can at this point, Boyda said. I dont have an opinion about what we should do from here. I will trust the party to move forward in the way that they believe to be best. Neither Boyda nor Kleinmann are delegates to the Democratic National Convention, meaning they have no formal role in choosing the nominee. Biden quickly endorsed Harris on Sunday after announcing his decision to withdraw. Whoever wins the Democratic race for Kansas 2nd District faces an uphill general election battle. Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner, who is retiring, won nearly 58% of the vote in 2022. The major Republicans running in the 2nd District include former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, former LaTurner staff member Jeff Kahrs and rancher Shawn Tiffany. In the end it came as no surprise, but it delivered a shock all the same: Joe Biden issued a letter on Sunday afternoon, declaring that he will not run for reelection. There has been nothing like this in American history. Other presidents have decided not to seek a second term, but under very different circumstances. In March 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson, at the end of a 40-minute televised address, said, in an unexpected stunner, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president. But LBJ took this step in March, at the start, not the end, of the nominating season. Only one primary had taken place, and Johnson won it. The blow was that his main challenger, Sen. Eugene McCarthy, came in a close secondwith 42 percent of the vote, to LBJs 50 percent. But Johnson, though not quite 60 years old, was exhausted by the Vietnam War, the massive protests, and poor health; hed talked with his wife and with aides about dropping out for some time. He died five years later of a heart attackhis fifth. In 1952, Harry Truman decided not to run for a second term. Crushed by a stagnant economy and a stalemate war in Korea, Trumans approval rating had sunk to 22 percent in a Gallup poll at the start of the year. Sen. Estes Kefauver challenged him in the New Hampshire primary that March and wonwith 55 percent of the vote, over Trumans 44. (Trumans bowing out opened up the Democratic contest. Sen. Adlai Stevenson won the nomination at a multiballot convention; he was defeated by Gen. Dwight Eisenhowerwho had been courted by Truman as a possible Democratic successorin the general election.) The biggest difference between now and these previous two elections is that Biden had the nomination wrapped up. He had won all the primaries, with no serious challenge. The vast majority of delegates set to attend next months Democratic National Convention were committed to the Biden-Harris slate. He dropped out, reluctantly, after insisting repeatedly that he was staying in the race, because of pressure from party leaders, owing to steadily declining showings in polls, a disapproval rating that had risen to 57 percent, and clear evidence of physical and cognitive declinebeginning with the disastrous debate, which subsequent public appearances, meant to mollify concerns, only intensified. Other cases of presidential dropouts differ from Bidens case more vastly still. Calvin Coolidge was very popular when he decided not to run for reelection in 1928. After rising from vice president as a midterm replacement to Warren Harding, who died of a heart attack amid a corruption scandal, Coolidge easily won in 1924. But he decided, even then, not to run again, writing in his autobiography that another term would have put him in the White House for 10 years, longer than anyone else and longer than anyone should spend there. He had also been in a state of depression ever since his son, Calvin Jr., died, not long after the 24 election. Theodore Roosevelt didnt run for reelection in 1908 because he had already served nearly two termsas vice president, he replaced William McKinley, who was shot just months into his first termand he promised the American public that he would not run for what would have been, in effect, a third term. (The 22nd Amendment, which barred third terms, wasnt passed until 1951, but George Washingtons decision to leave after two terms set a tradition that all presidents until Franklin Roosevelt followed.) Teddy Roosevelt came to regret his restraint, running in 1912 on the independent Bull Moose Party, but, like most third-party candidates, he lost. Rutherford Hayes pledged not to run for a second term in 1880, mainly because he had won his first term amid enormous controversy. The election could not be settled the usual way owing to splits among several states electors, so it was decided by the House after Hayes agreed to a compromise that pulled federal troops out of the South, thus ending the era of Reconstruction. His term was marked by reforms; some Republicans urged him to run again, but he stuck by his pledge. James Buchanan decided not to run for a second term in 1860, mainly because the Democratic Party was splintering over the issue of slavery, the country was on the eve of Civil War, and he had done little but exacerbate the conflicts. (Two other candidates slugged it out at the convention, with Stephen Douglas winning on the 57th ballot.) Finally, there is James Polk. He emerged as the Democratic candidate at the deadlocked convention of 1844 by pledging to serve only one term, if elected, so the other aspirants would get another chance in just four years instead of having to wait for eight. He kept his promise. The interesting thing about Polka thought that Biden might find reassuring on what might be an otherwise frustrating dayis that he was a remarkably successful president. He set out three goals: reduce tariffs, create an independent treasury; take federal control of California and most of the Oregon territory. He accomplished all of them. Polk was the first president to step down voluntarily after just one term. Yet, as Politico noted a few years ago, his presidency left an enduring influence. Its impossible to imagine an alternate reality in which the map of the United States stood frozen in 1844. Yet, the article went on, at the same time, his territorial conquests led in no small way to the Civil War. Bidens one term will also be seen as consequential. In what way, we have no way yet of knowing. View of Yucca Mountain showing coring activities in 2006. (U.S. Department of Energy Photo) A victory by Donald Trump in November could revive Americas long-shuttered nuclear weapons testing program in Southern Nevada, as well as the stalled effort to bury the nations radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. This is a new ballgame, former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, chairman of Nevadas Commission on Nuclear Projects, said during the panels meeting Thursday on Project 2025, the policy playbook for the next Republican administration. The 900-page document, widely criticized as an autocratic blueprint, is the work of the Heritage Foundation and a cadre of former Trump administration officials. Were not quite sure what might happen if Donald Trump is elected. Bryan, a stalwart opponent of burying nuclear waste in Nevada during his time as governor and in the Senate, told the commission that in the past, Trump has come down on both sides of Yucca Mountain. Hes been against it before he was for it. So we really just dont know, he said. I think its a very critical time for us. Congress designated Yucca Mountain as the nations nuclear waste dumping ground in 2002, during Pres. George W. Bushs first term. In 2009, thanks in large part to the political clout of former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, Pres. Barack Obamas administration discontinued the licensing process and put a lid on funding for the proposed nuclear repository. Trump, while president, tried unsuccessfully to revive funding for Yucca. But in 2020, while seeking a second term, Trump told Nevadans in a tweet I hear you on Yucca Mountain and said his administration was committed to exploring innovative solutions. He did not commit to abandoning the effort. Nevada is one of a handful of battleground states in the presidential election between Trump and Pres. Joe Biden, who has made no effort during his term to resurrect Yucca Mountain. Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025, simultaneously claiming he knows nothing about the document, and that some of its proposals are abysmal. Advisers to Project 2025 include Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows and adviser Stephen Miller, while 140 of Trumps former employees are among the documents authors, according to a CNN analysis. A spokeswoman for Gov. Joe Lombardo, who endorsed Trump, said the governor does not support Project 2025s advocacy for a nuclear waste site and atomic testing in the state. Nevadans have long been opposed to the effort, according to polls. Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Sam Brown briefly embraced a waste site at Yucca Mountain, but quickly reconsidered. The state is currently a party in five lawsuits involving aspects of Yucca Mountain, including water rights and the transportation of radioactive waste. The white whale Radioactive waste from the nations nuclear energy plants is currently stored at a variety of sites. Providing a plan for the proper disposal of civilian nuclear waste is essential to the promotion of nuclear power in the United States, says Project 2025. The document calls for a number of needed reforms, including a review of the Department of Energys (DOE) permit application for Yucca and the licensing process. According to both the scientific community and global experience, deep geologic storage is critical to any plan for the proper disposal of more than 75 years of defense waste and 80,000 tons of commercial spent nuclear fuel, says Project 2025. Yucca Mountain remains a viable option for waste management, and DOE should recommit to working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as it reviews DOEs permit application for a repository. The review would not mean that Yucca Mountain will be completed and operational; it merely presents all the information for the State of Nevada, Congress, the nuclear industry, and the Administration to use as the basis for informed decisions. The document notes the DOE, under Biden, announced $16 million to support local communities in consent-based siting, calling it a means of delaying any politically painful decisions about siting a permanent dump. The next Administration should use the consent-based-siting process to identify and build temporary or permanent sites Project 2025 says the government is holding $46 billion in utility and ratepayer funds designated for a permanent disposal site, adding DOEs violation of its contractual obligation to take the waste has resulted in the payment of approximately $10.1 billion in settlements and judgments to contract holders. The document calls for reconstituting the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management to allow additional industry responsibility for managing waste, market pricing and competition for waste services, and the opportunity for Nevadans to have more partnership involvement with any nuclear facility at Yucca Mountain. We have to worry about it, and we have to take it seriously, Fred Dilger, executive director of the states Office for Nuclear Projects told commission members Thursday. But its not something that is imminent. Im not going to panic because of the technical obstacles that are going to be in the way. Dilger noted the state is aware of the remaining few pro-Yucca interests, including the industry-allied Nuclear Energy Institute, which he says still trots out its 25 year-old presentation on the project. Dilger said even the Department of Energy, which once spearheaded Yucca Mountain, has become weary of NEI efforts to pursue the site. It just cannot happen anymore, he said. So please, let the white whale go. Rebound for proving ground? Project 2025 seeks to restore the nuclear infrastructure and to restore readiness to test nuclear weapons at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), formerly the Nevada Test Site, to ensure the ability of the U.S. to respond quickly to asymmetric technology surprises. I find it almost thematic in tone, state Commission on Nuclear Projects vice-chairperson Michon Mackedon said of Project 2025. It is very pro-nuclear. It talks about advancing nuclear warheads. Its kind of specific on what I will call war features for the nuclear scenario. The last of 828 underground nuclear weapon tests took place at the Nevada Test Site in 1992 30 years after the last of nearly 100 atmospheric tests conducted at the site between 1951 and 1962. When these tests were conducted, they were necessary to provide confidence in the performance, safety, and reliability of Americas nuclear weapons stockpile, National Nuclear Security Administrator Jill Hruby said in February at the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas. As a result, we currently have no plans to conduct nuclear explosives tests again. Today, the NNSS, according to its website, is a premier national security resource that supports the stewardship of the nations nuclear deterrent and other missions. Project 2025 notes U.S. defense operations are based on nuclear deterrence. The next Administration will need to focus on continuing the effort to modernize the nuclear triad while updating our strategy and capabilities to meet the challenges presented by a more threatening nuclear environment. Project 2025 calls for rejecting ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which was adopted by the United Nations in 1996, and signed but not ratified by China, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the United States. India, North Korea and Pakistan have not signed the treaty. Russia ratified it but later withdrew its ratification. Project 2025 calls on the next administration to indicate a willingness to conduct nuclear tests in response to adversary nuclear developments if necessary. I like to joke that Project 2025 should have been labeled Project 1995 because the ideas are all old and out of date as far as nuclear issues, Dilger told the commission members, adding a retired senior official from NNSS told him they want nothing to do with full scale underground testing. There is no need for full-scale underground testing. But that knowledge hasnt made its way inside the beltway, into the think tank world, apparently. This is the first in an occasional series of stories on Project 2025 and its potential impact on Nevadans. Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com. Follow Nevada Current on Facebook and X. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joes remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts. Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored Americas standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine. More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trumps administration. Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life. This outstanding track record gave President Biden every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started. Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress. I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Bidens vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond. For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on. Obama releases statement after Biden drops out of 2024 race: One of Americas most consequential presidents (KTLA) Former President Barack Obama is one of the many politicians who is reacting to President Joe Biden withdrawing from the 2024 Presidential race. In a statement, Obama referred to Biden as one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner. The 44th president commended Biden for his character and said that was one of the main reasons he selected him to be his vice president 16 years ago. Biden drops out of the 2024 race: Now what happens? When I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joes remarkable career in public service, Obama said. But what I came to admire even more was his character his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts. Obama praised his former VP for displaying his character while Commander-in-Chief amid a turbulent time in American and world history. Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and againhe helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits, Obama said. Internationally, he restored Americas standing in the world, revitalized NATO and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine. He continued on, saying that due to all of his accomplishments, Biden had every right to run for reelection and finish what he started. Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress, Obama stated. I also know Joe has never backed down from a fightfor him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America, he added. More Local News Obama did not go so far as to endorse a nominee for the Democratic Party; several government officials, including Biden himself, have endorsed current Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Other politicians, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, have released statements thanking President Biden for his service. Former President Donald Trump also responded to Biden dropping out, but he was not as friendly, dubbing him the worst president, by far. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A 9-year-old has died at the hospital after being pulled from the water at a Grand Rapids park, officials say. Crews were called around 5 p.m. to the northern section of Riverside Park, which is located on Monroe Avenue near 3 Mile Road NE, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. Authorities say a child was missing and was believed to be in the river. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Grand Rapids Fire Department and GRPD responded. Firefighters and police officers immediately went into the water to seek the 9-year-old, a release from the departments says. After several minutes, officials say the child was found and brought to shore. CPR was administered and the 9-year-old was taken to the hospital, where they later died, according to the release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Ohio leaders react: Democrats praise Biden while Republicans call for him to resign now Top Ohio elected officials are reacting to President Joe Biden's decision to end his reelection bid some Democratic members of Congress are already backing Vice President Kamala Harris, while some Republicans are calling for Biden to resign now. Biden struggled during the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump three weeks ago, and reinforced Democrats' worst fears about Biden's age and health. Donors, candidates and colleagues urged Biden to drop out of the race and endorse a more viable contender. More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement that he wishes Biden "all the best." "I have known President Biden since 1995, when I entered the U.S. Senate and served with him on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Fran and I wish President Biden and the first lady all the best as he serves out the remainder of his term and in the years ahead," he said. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will address the ballot access issue on Thursday keeping President Joe Biden from the Ohio ballot. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat facing Republican Bernie Moreno in a key U.S. Senate race in a state that has swung toward the GOP, called for Biden to end his reelection campaign on Friday and thanked him after the announcement Sunday. "I thank President Biden for his years of committed service to the country we love as senator, as vice president and as president," he said. Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters said she was deeply grateful for Biden's service to Ohioans. "His time in public service has been defined by courage to push big ideas, to stand up to special interests, and today, to step away from the presidential race." Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance says Joe Biden should resign Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who is running with Trump, said Biden should resign now. He made the comments on X before Biden's announcement. "Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way," Vance wrote on X Sunday. "Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden's mental capacity - saddling the nation with a president who can't do the job. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoever's at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on." More: To Democrats, it's not just their nominee but democracy on the ballot Ohio's Democratic members of Congress praise Biden Cincinnati Rep. Greg Landsman a Democrat who flipped the Southwest Ohio congressional seat from longtime Republican Rep. Steve Chabot in 2022 also called for Biden to step down on Friday. He called Biden's decision patriotic on Sunday. "The president is putting the country and our democracy first, as he has done for decades," he said in a post on X. U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, said she was "sure this decision was not easy" for Biden. "The future prosperity of our country is a serious matter, and right now, more than ever, we need leaders that are looking toward the future and willing to work with anyone to find common ground and deliver meaningful results to our communities," she said. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, said in a statement Biden "has walked fiercely at libertys side at home and abroad" during his five decades in office. "I deeply respect his selfless decision to step aside, and know he will continue to use his talents to look for allies and partnerships in our complicated world to help our region and nation thrive for the generations to come," she said. Ohio Republicans call on Biden to resign Ohio Republican Party Chair Alex Triantafilou said the president should resign immediately in a statement on X. "If Joe Biden is not fit to be president in January, he is not fit to be president today," he said. U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, also called on Biden to resign. "While the Democratic Party wondered if Joe Biden could serve for another four years, I have publicly stated my concerns that hes not up to the job for the next four days. Our national security demands a full-time president," Turner posted on X. "President Bidens cabinet must take immediate action and determine if he is capable to govern for the remainder of this year." Some Ohio members of Congress already backing Vice President Kamala Harris Biden put his support behind Harris. Some Ohio members of Congress are already publicly backing Harris. "Im proud to endorse Kamala Harris. The choice this November could not be more clear. Lets unite as a party and get to work, U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Cleveland, posted on X. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, also endorsed Harris in a post on X. "President Joe Biden has led our nation with remarkable dedication and vision, leaving an indelible mark on American history. While difficult, his decision to leave the race and endorse Vice President Harris demonstrates his commitment to our country's future, Beatty said in a statement. Thank you @JoeBiden. I stand with you in endorsing @KamalaHarris to lead Democrats to victory in November. Its go time! pic.twitter.com/sWQXoNnhMS Joyce Beatty (@JoyceBeatty) July 21, 2024 Jessie Balmert and Erin Glynn are political reporters for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Biden drops out: Ohio governor, congressmen react to the decision A Clinton County man is scheduled to be court this week on multiple felony charges accusing him of stealing a truck with a sleeping teenager inside, then crashing that truck after the teenager was able to escape. >> Charges filed against mother in connection with AMBER Alert for her son Anthony Rucker, 36, of Cuba, Ohio, remains in the Fayette County Jail on charges of motor vehicle theft, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, felonious assault, kidnapping and drug possession, Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said in a social media post. A preliminary hearing for Rucker is scheduled for this week, according to the sheriffs office. Heres what happened: On July 13, the owner of a 2023 Toyota Tundra called sheriffs dispatch at 12:52 p.m. to report that his truck -- in which his 15-year-old child was asleep -- had been stolen from the TravelCenters of America, at the state Route 435 and I-71 interchange, according to the preliminary investigation by the sheriffs office. The teenager called 9-1-1 from inside the truck as deputies were being dispatched. Dispatchers said they could hear the juvenile asking the suspect to let her go. About 1 p.m., the teenager, still speaking with the dispatch center, said she got out of the truck when the suspect stopped. She said she didnt know where she was. Off-duty sheriffs Lt. Matt Weidman located the teenager a short time later, in the 4000 block of Palmer Road, and alerted dispatch the teenager was safe. >> Middletown residents say they are ready for VP candidate Vances hometown rally Dispatch alerted deputies that the truck was headed north on Palmer, toward the Village of Milledgeville. Deputy Tylan Martin encountered the truck on state Route 729 near Milledgeville and tried to stop it, but the suspect continued north of 729. The deputy pursued the truck across state Route 435 onto Bluegrass Parkway, where the vehicles collided near the L-H Battery (Honda) construction area. The suspect, identified as Rucker, was taken into custody. Rucker and Martin were treated at Adena Fayette Medical Center for minor injuries and released. On July 16 in Washington Municipal Court, Rucker was ordered held without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for next week. He has warrants for his arrest pending in Highland and Clermont counties, according to the sheriffs office. The juvenile was unharmed and reunited with parents. The Fayette County Prosecutors Office will review the case and determine whether additional charges are warranted, Sheriff Stanforth said. Ohioan Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon 55 years ago Neil Armstrong shortly before the Apollo 11 launch, with a model of the lunar module that he and Buzz Aldrin would use. On July 20, 1969, awestruck viewers around the world watched on television as Ohioan Neil Armstrong become the first person to walk on the moon. Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and spent his childhood moving because of his fathers career as an auditor with the state. He lived in 16 different Ohio towns before his family returned to Wapakoneta in 1944, where he began taking flying lessons at age 15. Armstrong got his pilots license on Aug. 5, 1946, at age 16 before he got his drivers license. He enrolled at Purdue University when he was 17, and studied aeronautical engineering with the financial support of the U.S. Navy, who trained him as a pilot. A young Neil Armstrong smiles on January 14, 1933, with his mother Viola, center, and two friends. After serving in the Korean War and completing his degree, Armstrong returned to Ohio, flying test flights in Clevelands Lewis Research Center, now known as the Glenn Research Center after another former Ohio astronaut and U.S. Senator, John Glenn. Armstrong worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), a predecessor of NASA, for 17 years, and he was selected as an astronaut in 1962. Neil Armstrong visited Ohio State University to speak at a commencement ceremony. From right, Robert Dorsey, Novice Fawcett, and M. Merle Harrod share with Armstrong the first known photograph of the moon, taken in 1851. Glenn's first mission to space was Gemini 8. In 1969, he was named commander of the Apollo 11 mission, which led to his famous first steps on the moon at the age of 38. His words on touching the moon surface: "That's one small step for man ... one giant leap for mankind." He and astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin placed the first U.S. flag on the moon. The Apollo 11 crew and their wives cutting a cake at an event in their honor. On the right is Neil Armstong and his wife, Janet; along with Buzz and Joan Aldrin and Michael and Pat Collins. The Apollo 11 crew returned to Earth on July 24, 1969, their capsule with its parachutes splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean. Armstrong eventually returned to Wapakoneta for a homecoming celebration with his family and community. Neil Armstrong, center, with his wife, Janet, holding flowers on Sept. 6, 1969, at his Wapakoneta homecoming after the successful Apollo 11 moon landing. To Janet Armstrong's left is Ohio Gov. James Rhodes, for whom the Rhodes State Office Tower in downtown Columbus was named. Neil Armstrong at his Wapakoneta homecoming on September 6, 1969, where a former classmate, Columbus resident Kathryn Dunnavant, pins on his name tag. Armstrong decided not to return to space again and retired from NASA in 1971. Once again, he returned to Ohio. After completing his masters degree, Armstrong taught for eight years in the aerospace engineering program at the University of Cincinnati. He continued to have ties to NASA, helping to investigate both the Apollo 13 mission and the Challenger disaster. Neil Armstrong's parents, Stephen and Viola Armstrong, admire a gourd version of their son on display at the 1969 Ohio State Fair. Armstrong passed away in Cincinnati on Aug. 25, 2012, following complications from cardiac surgery. He was 82. Megan Sheeran is a librarian with the Columbus Metropolitan Library. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio astronaut Neil Armstrong was the talk of the world 55 years ago One dead, one arrested after stabbing in Brockton A man is dead and another man is in custody after a stabbing in Brockton Saturday night. Police responded to a reported stabbing at a park at the intersection of Crescent and Montello Street around 6:13 p.m. Responding officers found Edmar Goncalves, 39, of Fall River suffering from stab wounds. Goncalves was rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced deceased. Brockton Police identified the stabbing suspect, Johnny Richmond, 36 on the scene, and placed under him under arrest. Brockton Police contacted Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office and an investigation commenced. The investigation is active and ongoing, but officials say the incident does not appear to be random. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW One person wounded in stand-off with Springfield Police; two other shooting victims located nearby A total of three people were shot and Springfield Police officers were shot at in a stand-off in the 2100 block of South 15th Street early Sunday morning. Springfield Police Emergency Response Team and Crisis Response Team members were called in after multiple persons were uncooperative with officers and barricaded themselves inside a home. A person from inside the home shot at officers at least twice, striking a rescue vehicle occupied by multiple Springfield Police officers both times. More: Crump: Body camera footage in Sonya Massey shooting will 'shock the conscience of America' Springfield Police returned fire, said Deputy Chief Sara Pickford. One person inside the house had a gunshot wound, but Pickford couldn't confirm that the person was struck by Springfield Police gunfire. Springfield Police on the scene of a shooting in the 2100 block South 15th Street early Sunday morning. Another person from inside the home eventually emerged to tell police about the injured person inside. ERT members, accompanied by a trauma doctor assigned to the team, then got inside the home. Police secured all the people inside and gave medical aid to the injured person, who was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two men with gunshot wounds were located in the same block after Springfield Police arrived on the scene shortly after 1 a.m. The two victims, who were also taken to the hospital, were able to verbally direct police to the house in question. Pickford said she didn't immediately know the connection between the two shooting victims and the persons inside the home. Springfield Police were on the scene for several hours "trying to peacefully resolve the situation," Pickford said. Police were trying to piece together what led up to the shooting, Pickford said. They were originally alerted to the area by ShotSpotter, though there were several callers about the initial shooting, she added. No officers were injured during the stand off. Pickford didn't say how many personnel responded to the scene. Illinois State Police was contacted to start an independent investigation because of the officer-involved shooting. Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: One hurt in stand-off with Springfield Police, two others shot nearby An ongoing health study in Cahokia Heights to see how chronic flooding and sewage backups might be affecting residents health has uncovered more concerning findings in the community. The study is led by Washington University professor Theresa Gildner and University of Colorado professor Tara Cepon-Robins, with help from other professors and research assistants. When they started working in Cahokia Heights in 2022, they found more than 40% of the 42 adults in their initial sample had the same stomach infection from the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. And nearly half of them had intestinal inflammation. They returned in 2023 and found fewer H. pylori infections, but an even higher rate of intestinal inflammation 60% in a sample of 52 adults. Gildner discussed the new findings at the Cahokia Public Library on Saturday. H. pylori is a bacteria that is thought to spread through contact with feces or contaminated food or water. It infects the stomach lining. In severe infections, it can cause ulcers. Some research has also linked long-term H. pylori infection to a higher risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer. Intestinal inflammation is an immune response, but too much inflammation for too long can cause tissue damage and other health issues, according to the research team. Gildner said they tested some people in both 2022 and 2023 and found individuals with high levels each year. It is still concerning that theres these high inflammation levels, Gildner said. And thats one of the things that we want to keep following up on. Maybe H. pylori is causing that, but what else might be driving those high inflammation levels? Gildner said the team hypothesizes that Cahokia Heights might have had fewer infections in the latest results 23% because the community had less rain in 2023 than 2022. In 2022, it was a lot like this year where it was really wet, Gildner said. When we were out collecting data, it had rained a lot. There was a lot of standing water. And we know one of the ways that H. pylori can spread is in the environment through contaminated water. Theyre planning to test their theory by analyzing whether the people who tested positive for H. pylori live in areas where more flooding occurs. They also plan to collect more data from additional participants in the coming weeks. Since this years really wet again like 2022, itll be interesting to see if we see higher rates of infection, Gildner said. At the library on Saturday, resident Arianna Norris said her block had sewage overflows for the first time since she lived there during the flooding from the heavy rainstorm that hit southwestern Illinois July 15-16. She said her shower and kitchen both smelled like sewage. Carlye Chaney, a postdoctoral research associate at Washington University who is also involved with the study, said Saturday that they discovered new insights about residents health through further analysis of the 2022 participants experiences with flooding. Sewage-contaminated water floods a Cahokia Heights residents property on in spring 2024, after rain caused a sewage pump station to overflow over three days prior. The participants who said they had visible mold in their homes had greater intestinal inflammation. And those whose homes were affected by flooding through things like roof leaks and sewage backups had fewer types of gut microbes. Typically, you want to have a lot of different microbes in your gut, Chaney said. That richer community, more microbes, is associated with better health in a bunch of different aspects like cardiovascular health and risk for other chronic diseases. These are preliminary results but kind of a concerning finding that greater flooding is associated with fewer gut microbes, she added. Gildner said additional analysis is underway on 2023 soil samples and swabs taken from residents kitchen faucets, which were both collected to help researchers understand how residents might be getting exposed to bacteria and other pathogens. Researchers are working in Cahokia Heights again July 25-Aug. 9. Anyone who wants to participate in the health study can contact Gildner at gildner@wustl.edu. She said both past participants and new ones are welcome. The study is open to residents of southwestern Illinois, particularly Cahokia Heights, East St. Louis and Belleville. The researchers are interested in studying Cahokia Heights, specifically, because deteriorating infrastructure there has caused sewage to spill from pipes into streets and homes for decades, a problem made worse by flooding. Local, state and federal officials started working together to find money to fix it after lawsuits and media reports about the effects on residents drew more attention to the issue starting in 2020. A total of 85 projects are now either underway, completed or being developed to address the problems with local, state and federal money, according to a comprehensive compilation of project and funding information by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Since researchers shared their initial preliminary findings and the Belleville News-Democrat reported that state and local health agencies had failed to investigate the possible health effects, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski sent a letter requesting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conduct a public health assessment in Cahokia Heights. Durbin and Budzinski said in an April visit to the community that they hadnt gotten a commitment from the CDC that it will conduct the assessment. The lawmakers said at the time that they would continue to follow up to make sure it happens. The tragedies of the Biden family have played out on the national stage. Over 1,000 people attended the funeral of President Bidens firstborn child, Beau, which was broadcast live and featured a eulogy from President Obama. His other son, Hunter, was humiliated last month during a trial that spotlighted for the world his sordid history of addiction and infidelity. Both boys had already survived a fatal car crash, which robbed Joe Biden of his first wife and one-year-old daughter in 1972. Biden had just been elected to the U.S. Senate for the first time and was officially sworn into office at the hospital where he watched over the surviving boys. His public life was always intertwined with personal catastrophe. This time, in 2024, the Biden clan desperately tried to keep the unfolding tragedy out of the public glare. Stepping down after one successful term as president is hardly on the same level as losing your wife and children, but Biden had been fixated on ascending to the White House for decades and will be devastated to give that up prematurelyespecially while feeling betrayed by so many of his closest colleagues at a time of crisis. Many families will recognize the tragic, unexpected and sudden onset of major cognitive or physical decline. The instinct to keep the frailties of your newly vulnerable loved-one as a family secret is the most natural thing in the world. That strategy imploded in epic fashion during the debate against former President Trump, which exposed the truth of Bidens health to the entire country. It was an historic humiliation with no precedent in six decades of televised presidential debates. Once again, the familys reaction was to go underground. While pundits screamed that the president needed to hit the TV studios to prove debate night was a one-off, the Bidens huddled at Camp David alone. The president and first lady spend the July 4 weekend at Camp David. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images Reports of the countryside retreat revealed a striking new twist in the dynamic of a family that weve seen all over our television screens for more than 50 years. Weeks after he was convicted on 11 felony charges, Hunter Biden was now taking center stage in the worlds most powerful inner circle. A troubled man whose crack addiction and illegal handling of a firearm had just been paraded in front of the media was suddenly being portrayed as his fathers rock and most trusted figure of support. In less than a month, Joe Biden had gone from powerful father comforting and protecting a wayward son to struggling grandfather relying on his family to rally around and prop him up. For his whole life, hes been trying to protect Hunter, encourage Hunter to step up, encourage Hunter to be the person he wants him to be. Finally, Hunter is doing exactly that. Hes stepping up. And who is he protecting? Its not the father protecting the son. Its the son protecting the father, a senior Administration official told Politico. The inevitable shift of the generations that so obsessed William Shakespeare had taken place at lightning speed with no regard for the standing of either man. All the worlds a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances His youthful hose, well savd, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. William Shakespeare, As You Like It Sans everything but family, Biden was becoming increasingly isolated, frustrated and paranoid, literally hunkered down at his family home in Rehoboth, Delaware. His main support coming from his wife, Dr. Jill Biden; his sister, Valerie Biden Owens; and, of course, Hunter. As influential supporters like President Obama and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi withdrew their backing behind the scenes, Bidens power began to ebb away. He was reduced and humbled. He and his son are playing this victimhood thingI was mistreated under Obama, the senior official continued. Its insane. He wasnt mistreated. But he conjures this up in his head and once its there, its very hard to get out. One of the few men still inside the Bidens inner circle to speak out publicly is Ron Klain. I think hes feeling the pressure, Bidens former White House chief of staff admitted on MSNBC. The Washington Post reported that those closest to the family have become increasingly pugilistic as more and more Democrats came forward publicly to push for Biden to leave the ticket. They saw it as a swirling Game of Thrones-style battle between warring factions in the party, suggesting that people were settling old scores. His family insisted that this must be Bidens decision and his alonenot Obamas or even George Clooneysalthough sources close to the family have said they are taking the external voices into account: They are not in a bubble. They dont have their head in the sand Theyve been very clear-eyed about this from the beginning. And that has continued. Hunter Biden was last seen in public outside Nobu in Malibu. MEGA/GC Images Being stuck down by COVID was the final blow to an increasingly bitter Biden. Not only was he isolated politically, he was now in physical isolation to ensure the virus didnt rip through the entire campaign. A few hours after Biden announced that he was pulling out of the race, his son issued a heartfelt public statement. For my entire life, Ive looked at my dad in awe. How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others? Hunter said. Unconditional love has been his North Star as a President, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years. One of the great political survivors, Biden will be hailed and celebrated for his decision to voluntarily step down and pass on the torch. After a life scarred by tragedy, he will now experience the rare pleasure of being able to read his own obituaries. Nico Hines covered U.S. politics in Washington, D.C. for The Times of London and was London Bureau Chief for Newsweek before becoming The Daily Beast World Editor. As a foreign correspondent he has reported from NATOs front line with Russia in the Arctic Circle, camped out with the families of trapped Chilean miners in the Atacama desert, and chased down terror suspects in Sydney. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. It is time for the Democratic Party and the people of the United States to unite in support of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next president of the United States. There are few challenges greater than running for president of the United States. But for the Vice President, those challenges will be compounded by the fact that her situation is unprecedented. Yet, it is vital to recognize that the alternatives to Harris smooth selection as nominee of the Democratic Party and her election as president of the United States are disaster for the country and the likely end of democracy in America as we have known it. Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race and Endorses Kamala After 23-Minute Pause President Bidens decision not to run, announced in a letter released at midday on Sunday, was an act of grace and courage the likes of which we have not seen from an American political leader in recent memory. Asserting it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden provided a capstone to what will be seen by history as a remarkable presidency. His accomplishments, some of which were cited in the letter, from revitalizing a pandemic ravaged economy to restoring American leadership in the world, from making unprecedented investments in infrastructure, technology and protecting our climate to reducing prescription costs, exceed in scope and impact those of any president of the past sixty years. And then when, recognizing the peril posed by the possible election of a Republican nominee for president who has promised to be a dictator from day one, Biden concluded that it was his responsibility to the country he has served for half a century to step aside. This, he has concluded, is to ensure not only victory for Democrats in November but the preservation of our system of government and the rule of law in the United States. History books will sing his praises. But we need not wait for historians to do their assessments. All of who have supported Biden, regardless of how they may have felt about his decision not to run, can show their respect and appreciation for Biden by immediately doing all in their power to support the Vice President. Biden wrote in a Tweet, My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democratsits time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. In another statement, Harrisafter paying fulsome tribute to Bidensaid she was honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris with spouses Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff during an Independence Day celebration in Washington, U.S., July 4, 2024. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters Senior Democrats with whom I have spoken on Capitol Hill, and who have been working on the Biden campaign, expect that with Bidens strong endorsement the likelihood of a hotly contested race to succeed Biden as the nominee is reduced substantially. Conversations had begun within the White House during the past several days that hinted at how the transition to Harris might be managed. I have also heard that some initial very preliminary discussions regarding potential Harris running mates have taken place. Nonetheless, the first hurdle following the Biden announcement will be the clarification of the process to replace him as the nominee. It is critical given the limited time remaining before Election Day, for these details to be worked out as soon as possible by party leaders. In addition, of course, the focus of the Democratic Convention, which is scheduled to begin in Chicago on August 19, will have to shift dramatically to highlight the new nominee, presumably Harris, her vice presidential pick, their vision and how it differs from that of the Republican as revealed during last weeks GOP convention. The contrasts between the two campaigns should be dramatically heightened should Harris top the ticket. Clearly, Harris is much younger, the first Gen X presidential candidate. She is a woman. She is the first African American to serve as Vice President and the first Asian American. Her parents were immigrants. Her mother was a scientist working on breast cancer research. Her father is a professor of economics. Harris is of course, well-known for having been a prosecutor, the attorney general of California and a Senator. Finally, she has been at the right hand of Joe Biden throughout his extraordinarily successful first term of office. Her profile makes Harris the ideal nominee the Democrats could pick to challenge and defeat Trump. Her youth contrasts with the fact that he is elderly and has shown signs of mental deterioration. Kamala Harris looks on as Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., August 12, 2020. Carlos Barria/File Photo/Reuters As a woman, she has led the administrations advocacy for womens reproductive freedom, perhaps the central issue in American politics since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade with its Dobbs decision. Trump and Vance have been characterized as the most anti-woman ticket in American history. They likely will be running against a woman who, should she win, will become the first woman president in U.S. history. Her background as an African-American and Asian-American will contrast starkly with the white supremacist, racist themes and attitudes of Trump, Vance, and the MAGA GOP. As the daughter of immigrants, she will be able to speak persuasively against the inhumane, in many cases illegal, anti-immigrant policies that were the centerpiece of the GOP platform revealed at last weeks Milwaukee convention. That her mother was a scientist plays well in counterpoint to the anti-science biases of Trump and, for that matter, of third party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And as a prosecutor, Harris can be expected to make her case effectively to the American public and to make any potential debate with Trump miserable for the GOP candidate. Once the question of Harris nomination is settled, of course, there are other big hurdles to clear to ensure that Bidens act of self-sacrifice in the interests of the country is not in vein. First, Harris must be enabled to put in place her own campaign team and to truly lead the ticket and the party. While she should take advantage of the work done to date by the Biden team and the fact that that it has a national operation in place and significant funding in hand, it is vital that she trusts those atop the campaign apparatus and knows that they will follow her lead. As a senior Democratic strategist put it to me, The campaign cannot be a two-headed monster. The president must be able to govern and lead in his constitutional capacity. She must continue to support him in that but she must be seen as the leader of the party and, if you will, as the commander-in-chief of the campaign. Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, at White House in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2024. Bonnie Cash/Reuters As importantly, beginning right now, the Democratic Party must unite behind Harris. The debates of the past few weeks following the presidential debate must be set aside. There must be no recriminations. Every part of the party and all those who are independents or Republicans or former Republicans who seek to preserve and protect American democracy, the rights of women and people of color, must not only unite but commit to working tirelessly on behalf of the Democratic ticket. It will take a massive, coordinated effort to ensure that not only are Trump and Vance soundly beaten, but that Democrats succeed up and down the ballot. The good news is that while Bidens poll numbers have been stagnant or struggling, Democratic candidates for the Senate, the House and state offices are doing well, often better than Biden. That means the partys brand is solid, and the basis for a Harris win in the fall is there. A major win for the Democrats in November is now possible. If the party and Americans at large respond as they should to Sundays stunning news, then, the party should emerge newly energized and the prospects that Vice President Kamala Harris is sworn in next January as President Kamala Harris will be excellent. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Opinion: The Supreme Court is power hungry. There is one sure way to rein it in President Biden's initiative to establish Supreme Court term limits and an enforceable ethics code could help restore much needed public trust in the court. Just as importantly, its a reminder that we need not surrender to a court that has aggrandized itself at every turn. The presidents proposals will require congressional approval, and that in turn highlights the role every American can play in reining in a court that has tilted into ideological activism: The key is what we do on Nov. 5. You were probably taught that the justices have the final say on our laws, but in reality that power belongs to voters. Read more: Biden may endorse big Supreme Court reforms. Do term limits for justices have a chance? To start, there is no question that the court would be better off with term-limited justices who can no longer play politics with the timing of their retirements, and with an ethics code that has teeth and could eliminate even the appearance of impropriety in the justices behavior. But the president should be asking for more congressional action that responds specifically to the alarming decisions issued by the courts current conservative supermajority. Its most dangerous ruling, delivered on July 2, was its holding that Donald Trump enjoys presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution based on his official acts. The upshot is that the court, not a jury of ordinary Americans, will likely get to make the final call on Trumps accountability for his 2020 election falsehoods and schemes. Read more: Opinion: From legal bribery to Trump's immunity, a dark theme ran through the Supreme Court's term In another sweeping decision , the court set aside four decades of precedent and arrogated power long held by federal agencies. Instead of deferring to, say, the Environmental Protection Agency on the technical how-tos of applying laws like the Clean Water Act, the court claimed that it should have the final say expertise and democratic accountability be damned. The court similarly substituted its judgment for the otherwise apparent meaning of federal statutes by upending what constitutes a machine gun and obstruction of official proceedings . As Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in her dissent from the latter ruling, the majority had to do textual backflips to find some way any way to get to its preferred outcome. In doing so, it blocked a crucial gun safety measure and narrowed the basis for charging those involved with the Capitol attack on Jan. 6. Fortunately, as supreme as the Supreme Court is, it doesnt have to be the final word on these cases. The court gets to interpret the law, but we voters, through our representatives, decide what that law is. Read more: Opinion: We should all dissent from the Supreme Court's immunity decision, and not respectfully For those who object to the current courts power grab, that means showing up at the polls this year and voting for a Democratic majority in Congress, despite reasonable, good-faith disagreements with President Biden and his party. Those concerns will matter little if an unaccountable Supreme Court continues to aggrandize itself at the peoples expense. Heres how a Democratic majority could push back. In the presidential immunity case, one worry is that even if lower courts deem much of Trumps Jan. 6 conduct to have been unofficial, and thus subject to prosecution, the Supreme Courts conservative justices will simply band together to reverse that determination. Read more: Calmes: The Supreme Court's immunity decision makes a mockery of the Fourth of July And yet Article III of the Constitution allows Congress to make exceptions from the Supreme Courts power to hear appeals. A reestablished Democratic House majority could pass a law declaring the lower courts ruling final, and a Democratic majority in the Senate could do the same by voting for a one-time suspension of the filibuster, just as the Republican majority did when it confirmed Neil M. Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. As for the courts takeover of deference to federal agencies, a Democratic majority in Congress could amend the Administrative Procedure Act to unambiguously grant agency experts the benefit of the doubt on reasonable regulations. Likewise, a Democratic Congress could enact legislation to override the courts aberrant interpretations of laws regulating machine guns and defining the obstruction of official proceedings. If voters in November keep the court in mind as they mark their ballots, they can not only undo this terms most harmful decisions, but also send a forceful message to the power-hungry justices: The highest court in the land can either have the final word on the hard cases that divide us, or it can lurch the law far to the right. But it cant do both. Aaron Tang is a law professor at UC Davis and a former law clerk to Justice Sonia Sotomayor. He is the author of " Supreme Hubris: How Overconfidence Is Destroying the Court and How We Can Fix It ." @AaronTangLaw." 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. Democrats praised President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the election campaign on sunday, July 21, 2024, saying they now needed to focus on defeating former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images) Democrats praised President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the election campaign on sunday, July 21, 2024, saying they now needed to focus on defeating former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images) Minutes within the announcement that President Joe Biden is withdrawing from the presidential campaign, Democratic leaders in Oregon reacted to the news. Comments came from U.S. congressional members, candidates for congress, the governor and local leaders in emailed statements and on social media. They sounded a chorus of praise for Bidens leadership and legacy and stressed their commitment to defeating former President Donald Trump in November. At the same time, a congressional Republican called on Biden to step down from office while the Republican party bashed Vice President Kamala Harris as Bidens replacement. Oregon Democrats U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer fired off the first statement via email. Blumenauer is the only Oregon congressional member facing retirement at the end of this term, and hes also the only Oregon congressional member who publicly called on Biden to step down. He praised the breadth of Bidens accomplishments, noting they came as the country was stumbling out of the pandemic and recovering following an insurrection on Capitol Hill against his election. The president led our nation back from the brink, Blumenauer said. He reestablished our reputation on the international stage. He enacted landmark legislation to rebuild and renew America, lower prescription drug prices, bolster domestic manufacturing, and combat the climate crisis in the single largest investment made by any government at any point in history. Today, President Joe Biden cemented his legacy in American history as the greatest president in the last 50 years. He made the right decision to spend the remainder of his presidency implementing his landmark achievements rather than fighting a campaign against Donald Trump. I am encouraged that President Biden can devote his full attention to this work. U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas also issued a statement, calling Biden a faithful public servant who had rebuilt the middle class and bolstered working families in times of crises. The next focus, she said, is winning the November election by defeating Trump. This is not a choice between Republican or Democrat. Its a choice between democracy and authoritarianism, Salinas said. We must make our voices heard loud and clear at the ballot box this November and protect democracy for future generations. U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, said in a statement that the Biden-Harris administration has been one of the most successful for working people, citing the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, semiconductor funding and other legislation that helped the country recover from economic turmoil caused by the pandemic. Joe Biden is a kind and decent man who always put this country first, and today he did so again because he knows how much is at stake in Novembers election, Hoyle said. I have been proud to stand with and support Joe Biden as hes been the most pro-worker, pro-union president in my lifetime and the only president to have ever walked a picket line with striking workers. Hoyle also retweeted a post from a Democratic strategist that says, RT if youre all-in with Kamala Harris for president! with an emoji of a palm tree and a coconut. Harris supporters have used those emojis to refer to a viral quote from Harris: You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said in a statement hes proud to work with Biden on a record of Democratic successes, including over Big Pharma, tax policy and the climate crisis: History will judge well those landmark achievements. Im all in to support Vice President Harris with all my energy to go forward building on that impressive record and defeating Donald Trump a convicted felon who wants to yank America backward with his checkered and erratic past of right-wing extremism on womens health care, dirty energy and more. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley released a statement at the end of day, hailing Bidens investments in manufacturing, renewable energy and infrastructure. He said the U.S. was now safer and had better global relationships. But Merkley did not say whether hed support Harris at the Democratic National Convention in August, instead focusing on Bidens humanity. Throughout decades of public service, President Biden has led with humility and compassion, with a laser-focus on making life better for ordinary Americans, Merkley said. Gov. Tina Kotek tweeted a thank you to Biden for decades of leadership and his steadfast dedication to making life better for working families. Oregon, and the whole country, are so much better off today safer, healthier, and more secure because of Joe Bidens years of service, Kotek said. State Rep. Janelle Bynum, the Democrat running against Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the 5th Congressional District, thanked Biden for his work in a post on X: Thank you to President Biden for your tireless work and dedication to our country. In the midst of crisis, this administration created the strongest economy in the world and lifted up the middle class, Bynum wrote. This November, we must come together to stand up for democracy, reproductive rights, and all Oregonians. The work continues! State Rep. Maxine Dexter, the Democratic nominee to replace Blumenauer in the Portland-based 3rd Congressional District, said Biden has once again shown what true leadership looks like. The country owes him a debt of gratitude for creating millions of new jobs, historic investments in our infrastructure, and bold climate action that will make a difference now and for generations to come, Dexter tweeted. Kevin Stine, a Medford city councilor who will serve as one of Oregons delegates to the Democratic National Convention, said it was the right decision and that he plans to cast his vote as a delegate for Harris. As 1 of 4,000 delegates to the convention, this was the right choice, and I look forward to what is next. All the best to Joe Biden for his service to the nation, Stine tweeted. The Oregon Democratic Party waited hours to react, issuing a statement near the end of day supporting Biden but staying silent the question of whether it would support Harris as the presidential candidate, as Biden has. What President Biden has achieved during his presidency is unparalleled and should make all Americans proud. We look forward to supporting him as he completes his term of office and to working to support our new Democratic nominee to soundly defeat the existential threat of a Donald Trump election in November, said Rosa Colquitt, the partys chair. Oregon Republicans Chavez-DeRemer, in a fierce battle to retain her divided district, questioned Bidens ability to fulfill the remainder of his term in a statement directed at her opponent: After weeks of dodging questions, Oregon voters deserve to know if Janelle Bynum believes President Biden is fit to serve as commander-in-chief for four more months. Additionally, Democrats will be scrambling to choose their new nominee as we quickly approach Election Day. Liberals like Bynum owe it to the millions of Americans who voted for Biden to be transparent in who they will support during this process, senior advisor Nick Trainer said. The Oregon GOP did not mention Bidens decision, but on X lashed out against Harris, saying, No one has been more central to the coverup of Bidens unfitness for office than Kamala Harris. And in a separate post, it fired a shot at news organizations: The media colluded with the Democrats around Biden to hide his severe decline from the American public, openly lying to us. Oregon Department of Forestry hires two new specialists in battle with beetles PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) The battle against invasive beetles has gained two new champions. The Oregon Department of Forestry hired two support specialists to aid communities in responding to the infamous emerald ash borer, which are spreading across the state and pose a devastating threat to native ash trees. PHOTOS: PDX airport debuts immersive, forest-like terminal Aug. 14 The hope is Matt Mills and Kat Bethea will help mitigate the threat the green beetles pose. We are pleased to have found two who are so well qualified and highly motivated to do this important work, said Scott Altenhoff, ODF Urban and Community Forestry program manager. Portland General Electric shares five tips to avoid potential scammers Emerald ash borers originated from Asia and were first spotted domestically in Michigan in 2002. The tree ravagers have since spread across the west, locally hitting Forest Grove in 2022. Their main target is in the name ash trees. The females lay eggs on the trunks, and the larvae eat tunnels under the bark through the cambium layer. That makes it impossible for the trees to move water and nutrients from the roots to leaves, eventually killing them. 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. Oregon wildfires to be extremely challenging over weekend, fire marshal says PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Extreme heat and dry conditions continue to heighten the risk of wildfires throughout Oregon, and officials worry that current weather forecasts could mean worsening conditions over the weekend. The next 24 to 36 hours are going to be extremely challenging with the weather forecast calling for thunderstorms to move across the state, the Oregon Fire Marshal said in a post on social media. Man sentenced to 4 years in prison for 2013 Baby Precious homicide As of Saturday, 80 wildfires are burning throughout the state with at least 406,284 total acres burned, according to the State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard. So far, these wildfires have destroyed at least 13 homes and 25 other structures. At least 25 people have been injured. Red Flag Warnings are in place for a significant portion of the state, and excessive heat warnings are also impacting areas like the East Columbia River Gorge, the Foothills of the Blue Mountains, the Grande Ronde Valley, the John Day Basin and more. Red Flag Warnings are in place for much of the state, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal on July 20, 2024. (OSFM) Although thunderstorms and high winds pose a significant threat to these dry areas, officials also warn of the consequences related to fires caused by humans. Firefighters are working their tails off to protect life and property. Please help them out by doing everything you can to prevent sparking a human-caused fire, according to the Oregon Fire Marshal. Activist Ammon Bundy declares bankruptcy In fact, the Forest Service recently reported that at least 100 wildfires in Oregon and Washington have been caused by people since June. We are asking the public for help keeping human caused fires off the map, said Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations with the Oregon Department of Forestry. We have our hands full already and more lightning coming, we can address that as long as our resources are not busy dealing with other human caused fires. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has already declared a wildfire state of emergency, freeing up deployment of the National Guard along with firefighters and structural equipment from California and Washington. Description of evacuation levels courtesy of Clackamas County. But as the summer continues to heat up, Kotek warned that it could be a long wildfire season. To be very honest, our wildfire season is off to a very aggressive start, Kotek said. Just this past week, Ive declared five conflagrations. The governor and officials urge residents to sign up for local emergency alerts and be aware of fire evacuation levels, warning of the hot weather and lightning expected to strike this weekend. Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For the latest wildfires updates, go to this story. Nearly 100 fires were burning across the state on Monday, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. The weekend saw red flag warnings, wind, lightning and thunderstorms that rolled through the state. Conditions were set to remain challenging for firefighters on Monday. Temperatures were forecast to be in the high 70s and 80s throughout much of this week. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is asking Oregonians to pay attention to the fire danger and take steps to avoid sparking a fire. Our firefighters are doing everything thing they can to rise to this immense challenge, but they are taxed, and we need our fellow Oregonians help," Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in a press release Sunday. "Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home. Here's the latest updates on wildfires burning across the state. Level 3 evacuations ordered for Microwave Tower Fire near Mosier Residents in Mosier west of the Columbia Gorge are being asked to evacuate due to the Microwave Tower Fire, which is being driven by strong winds. Here are the evacuation levels for areas in Mosier related to the fire: Level 3 go now: From Highway 30 south of Proctor Road, east to Huskey Road and the border of Mosier and west to the Hood River County line. Level 2 get set: Mosier and from Huskey Road east to Mosier Creek Road and south to Jasper Lane. There is a Red Cross shelter available for evacuees at Hood River Middle School, 1602 May St.,, Hood River, OR., 97031. The fire started Monday afternoon west of Rattler Ridge west of Mosier. A large airtanker has been ordered to help with the fire. The fire is burning in grass and timber and is being pushed eastwards by strong westerly winds. The fire is estimated to be 100 to 150 acres. For info on evacuation levels, go to the Wasco County Sheriffs Office Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff/ Campfires prohibited on BLM public lands in Northwest Oregon District Campfires will be prohibited on all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout the Northwest Oregon District starting Tuesday. Fires, campfires, smoking in vegetated areas, using vehicles in unmanaged vegetated areas, operating a chainsaw, welding, cutting or grinding, or using an internal combustion engine without a spark arrestor will be prohibited. The BLM announced Monday these stronger restrictions will remain in effect until rescinded. More information on restrictions and closures can be found at blm.gov/orwafire Air quality advisory issued for southern, central and eastern Oregon The Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory due to fire smoke on Monday. The air quality advisory is for the following counties: Baker, Grant, Wheeler, Crook, Union, southern Morrow, southern Umatilla, Klamath, eastern Douglas, northern Harney and northern Malheur. The DEQ expects intermittent smoke in Deschutes, eastern Lane, Jackson, Josephine and the northern Lake County through Wednesday due to the Diamond Complex Fire. The Pyramid Fire is burning in Willamette National Forest. Pyramid Fire, Ore Fire, High Prairie Fire burn in Willamette National Forest Interagency crews are tracking 24 in the Willamette National Forest, with 22 started by lightning last week. Ten of those fires have been contained, according to a news release. "Crews are working hard, and resources are stretched across the region to meet the need as new starts are detected," the release said. The Pyramid Fire was 535 acres as of Monday morning east of Sweet Home in the Tombstone Pass area north of Highway 20 and south of Detroit near Santiam Junction. The Red Flag Warning expired Sunday and near-normal temperatures and humidity are expected for the rest of the week due to onshore flow pushing cooler marine air inland, according to a Monday morning update. The control efforts for Monday were set to focus on using heavy equipment to open and improve the 2041 Road and the forest road near Shedd Camp. The lightning-caused fire was reported last Wednesday. Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan issued a level 3 "go now" evacuation order for a large area of the Sweet Home Ranger District that mostly includes hiking trails and campgrounds in the Old Cascades region. The evacuation was coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service, and a closure of the area was likely. View a map of the closure area at tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap. California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 took command of the fire on Sunday morning. "The fire is burning in old-growth forests with heavy timber and steep rugged terrain, making access difficult for firefighters," according to an Sunday update. "Crews have been constructing indirect containment lines using heavy equipment, opening up old roads, and clearing trails in an effort to keep the fire from spreading into the Middle Santiam Wilderness, private industrial timberlands, and communities." The Ore Fire, burning 7 miles northeast of Blue River, was reported to be 645 acres as of Monday morning. Rugged terrain of the Cascades and hot and dry weather pose difficulties for crews battling the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Sunday, aviation resources dropped water to moderate fire behavior and the fire slowly backed down the hillside above the FS 15 Road where it was met and held by crews on the ground. Crews continued strengthening control by widening roads and removing vegetation along the FS 15, 1509 and 1513 Roads, according to a news release. On Monday, crews were set to continue to scout additional sites where they can build control lines and stop the fire from spreading. The Ore Fire is burning 7 miles northeast of Blue River. On Monday morning, the fire has reached 645 acres in steep and rugged terrain. Willamette National Forest issued a closure order around much of Blue River Reservoir due to the Ore Fire. The closure included the following sites: Buck Mountain Trail, Tidbits South and West Trail, Gold Hill Trail, Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, and Saddle Dam Boat Launch. A map and breakdown of the closure can be found at bit.ly/4f2uzQi. Willamette National Forest issued a closure in the Middle Fork Ranger District for the Chalk Fire. East of Saddleblanket Mountain, the lighting sparked fire has grown to 600 acres since last Wednesday. Closed recreation sites and campgrounds include North Fork Segment #2 Trailhead and Trail 1912 and 1919. Willamette National Forest has also issued closures due to the 300-acre Pyramid Fire in the Sweet Home Ranger District. Fire closure orders for public and firefighter safety were also issued for the Tire Mountain Fire and Moss Mountain Fire near the Diamond Peak Wilderness. For closure info, go to: fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices Fires that are contained or controlled include, according to Willamette National Forest: Skipper, Alpine, Deer Creek, Deer Butte, 199 MR, 202 MR, 226 MR, 212 SRZ, 225 SRZ, and Westfir-Oakridge Road. Burn ban issued for Linn County A burn ban was issued Saturday for Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Scio, Tangent, Brownsville, Halsey-Shedd and Harrisburg due to extreme weather conditions. The Linn County Fire Defense Board is prohibiting open flames, including campfires, fire pits and warming fires. Gas grills are permitted during the ban, according to a news release from the Lebanon Fire District. People are asked to use power equipment like mowers, weed trimmers, welders and grinders during the cooler early part of the day and to have water available when using gas-powered equipment. Sharps Creek Day Use Area and Campground before the closure Friday, July 18, 2024. BLM closes public lands due to wildfires southeast of Cottage Grove Bureau of Land Management public lands southeast of Cottage Grove are closed due to wildfires in the areas of Sharps Creek and Clark Creek. "The closure is for public and firefighter safety, and to allow fire suppression crews to continue to safely respond to the incident," according to a Saturday news release from the BLM Northwest Oregon District. The closure area includes: The Sharps Creek Campground and BLM-managed public lands southeast of the town of Dorena, surrounding Sharps Creek Road (County Road 2460 / BLM Road No. 23-1-12) and Clark Creek Road (BLM Road No. 23-1-13). It includes BLM lands in Township 22S, Range 1W, and Township 23S, Range 1W, Sections 1-3, 11-14, 22-24, 26-27, 33-34. These areas are closed to the public and for activities including hiking, mining, hunting and camping. BLM said Sharps Creek Road and Clark Creek Road are open to residents in the closure area. For more info and a map, go to: blm.gov/orwafire. Cluster of fires southeast of Dorena There were cluster of fires burning southeast of Cottage Drove and Dorena as of Sunday morning, including the Lane 1 Fire (562 acres). The Adam Mountain Fire (60 acres) was reported Thursday but has not been updated since. Level 3 evacuation orders issued for Lemolo Fire The Douglas County Sheriff's Office on Saturday night issued level 3 "go now" and level 2 "be ready" evacuation orders for the Lemolo Fire. The fire was reported to be at least 373 acres as of Sunday night. Level 3 evacuations were issued for: Bunker Hill Campground Lemolo KOA Campground Poole Creek Campground/Boat Ramp Kelsay Valley Campground The North Umpqua Trail between USFS 2612 Road and Windigo Pass intersection, west to North Umpqua Trail as it intersects with USFS 2612 Road. This includes all areas on north and northeast side of Lemolo Lake, according to the sheriff's office. Level 2 evacuation orders have been issued for: East Lemolo Campground USFS 2614 Road south of Inlet Campground, including Kelsay Valley, Pumice Flat and Elbow Butte areas. An evacuation map can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations Find more info at the Diamond Complex Fire Information Facebook page. The Trail Fire is burning at Diamond Lake and Mount Thielsen in southern Oregon. 12 fires burn at least 2,385 acres in the Diamond Complex Twelve lightning-caused fires were burning at least 2,385 acres in the Diamond Complex in Umpqua National Forest. These are the active fires in the complex: Pine Bench: 1,107 acres (north of Highway 138 near Dry Creek) Trail: 744 acres (east of Highway 138 on the west slope of Mount Thielsen) Lemolo: 373 acres (north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill) Pig Iron: 27 acres (Pig Iron Mountain north of Highway 138) Watson: 77 acres (north of Highway 138 on Watson Ridge) Brodie: 67 acres (about 5 miles south of Highway 138 and south of Devils Canyon) Trep: 58 acres (about 4 miles south of Highway 138) Garwood: 5 acres (about 3 miles southwest of Mount Bailey) Slide: 0.1 acres (northeast of Pine Bench) Potter: 242 acres (north of Highway 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mt.) Ooya: 95 acres (north of Highway 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point) Clearwater: 3 acres (south of Highway 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake) A level 2 "be set" evacuation warning was issued due to the Boulder Flat/Pine Bench Fire east of Roseburg and Glide in the North Umpqua Canyon near Toketee Falls. The evacuation was for homes in the Slide Creek area downstream to the Soda Springs area due to a fire near Soda Springs and Pine Bench in Toketee. A map of the evacuation area can be found here: bit.ly/4dc3qsB. On Sunday, "Dozer lines were reinforced with water delivery hose lines from Hwy 138 to the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness boundary. Firefighters continued active suppression on the Pig Iron fire and made good progress to protect critical infrastructure. Firefighters worked to keep the Pine Bench fire west of Forest Road 4775 and away from critical infrastructure as the fire moves north into the Boulder Creek Wilderness," according to a Monday new release. The weather in the area will begin a warming trend with drier weather expected to continue into Wednesday. This will add to the challenging fire behavior due to rugged and steep terrain. Round Mountain, Wickiup fires burn in Central Oregon The Round Mountain and Wickiup fires on Deschutes National Forest are at a combined 276 acres as of Monday morning, according to Central Oregon Fire Info. Wickiup Fire is now at 40% containment and Round Mountain is at 10%. Level 2 and 3 evacuation orders were issued around Wickiup Reservoir. All lines held overnight into Monday morning on the Wickiup and Round Mountain fires. On Monday, crews were set to continue to use equipment and water to secure and strengthen lines to keep the fires in their current footprint. Evacuation maps can be found at bit.ly/3Wr3y1B. Highway closures due to Jackpine Fire The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has closed Highway 31 north and southbound due to the 180-acre Jackpine Fire. The fire is 15% contained. According to Central Oregon Fire Info, firefighters improved dozer lines around the perimeter, installed hoses and cooled hot spots on Saturday. A lever 2 "be set" evacuation was issued west of Highway 97 to the Deschutes County line south of Masten Road. Find current evacuation areas at: deschutes.org/emergency Durkee Fire in Eastern Oregon grows to 173,758 acres The Durkee Fire in Baker County grew to 173,758 acres as of Monday morning and was 0% contained. On Saturday, Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire. On Friday, the Oregon State Fire Marshal sent structural protection resources in the form of firefighters and equipment to fight the fire in Eastern Oregon. The fire was first reported last Wednesday and sparked by lightning strikes. The fire has brought level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations around Baker County. An evacuation map can be found at bit.ly/3YaNUJ0 Pilot Rock Fire reaches 19,000 acres in Umatilla County The Pilot Rock Fire is burning in Umatilla County and was 19,000 acres and 94% contained as of Sunday morning. Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for a series of fires in Umatilla County near Pilot Rock last Wednesday. The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized its Green Incident Management Team to protect homes in the area. Falls Fire roars to 132,751 acres in Grant and Harney counties The Falls Fire burning in Grant and Harney counties near Burns reached 132,751 acres and was 15% contained as of Monday morning, according to the morning update. The Sunday evening update indicated fire activity increased on the north side of the fire. Crews were going to work overnight to build control lines. The Oregon State Fire Marshal requested help from California to protect life and property against the fire on Friday. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services provided three strike teams with 15 fire engines and 80 firefighters from nine different counties to provide structural protection. Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders remained in place in Grant and Harney counties. The Harney County Sheriffs evacuation map can be found at bit.ly/4d1XvX2 for the most accurate evacuation notices. Ten residences and 13 "other" structures were destroyed in the early stages of the fire, according to Oregon State Fire Marshal structure teams. This fire forced the closure of several areas in the Malheur National Forest. Emigrant Creek Campground, Falls Campground, Yellowjacket Campground and Delintment Lake Campground were all closed. Larch Creek Fire drops all remaining evacuations The Larch Creek Fire was reported to be 18,286 acres and 81% contained as of Monday morning. On Monday, the Wasco County Sheriff's Office dropped all remaining evacuation orders. Fire restrictions in place for Willamette and Siuslaw national forests, majority of places in Oregon The majority of Oregon's national and state forests outlawed campfires, except in campgrounds. Willamette National Forest and Siuslaw national forests, to the east and west of the Willamette Valley, implemented fire restrictions this week. Fire restrictions prohibit all campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires or other open fires outside of designated campgrounds. Building, maintaining or using a fire, campfire or stove was still permitted in designated metal campfire rings or grills in designated recreational sites. Restrictions for smoking, off-highway vehicles and chainsaws in campgrounds were also in effect. Restrictions and updates to restrictions as they change can be found at fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire. Statesman Journal outdoors intern Emma Logan contributed to this report. Jonathan Williams is the news editor at the Statesman Journal. Reach him at JCWilliams1@salem.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfires: level 3 evacuations issued for Microwave Tower Fire TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Flight cancellations and delays continued Saturday as airlines worked to recover from a global IT outage that caused turbulence at Tampa International Airport. My cousin from Houston is already home, my cousin from Maryland already at home, so it depends on your airline, traveler Eric Black said. Southwest flight heading for Tampa diverted to Fort Lauderdale after descending to 150 feet His family was told to buckle up for the long wait ahead. They said due to the outage, they wont be taking off for days. Our flight was supposed to leave at 6, it was pushed back to 7:34 then pushed back to 8:33, then an attendant from Delta told us, well it probably wont leave out of here for two to three days, Black said. CrowdStrike, a cyber security technology company, said what happened Friday was not due to a cyber-attack. The software issue has since been fixed, but for others, it could take longer to get things back up and running. What is CrowdStrike, the company whose faulty update caused widespread outages? I did not have another night on my hotel stay, I did not have anywhere else to go, Detroit is home. I am missing family, so we will get there whenever we get there, said traveler Alyssa Welch. The tech issue paralyzed airlines, banks and more. Travelers at TPA said they are feeling the ripple effect of the disruption. It is very frustrating, you dont have much assistance because you have to call a number to get a refund, Black said. Airport officials are asking for people to check with their airline before they arrive at the airport for the most up-to-date information on their flight status. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Outdoor NYC rage room nearly goes haywire when cops called over people destroying car This was almost breaking news. An attempt to make an outdoor rage room amusement on a Lower East Side street almost went bad Saturday when the play violence looked so real someone called police to say a riot was going on. The Ragery where for $5-a-pop patrons can use a bat to smash a car as the ultimate stress relief looked so much like the bad old days of the city on Essex Street that cops swooped onto the scene with sirens flashing. A good Samaritan called 911 to report people smashing a car on Essex Street. William Farrington They said that somebody called, that they were worried that somebody smashing the car, owner Roman Lupu told The Post. The NYPD said a good Samaritan called 911 to report three men hitting a vehicle around 2:45 p.m. just an hour after the sanctioned battering began. What the well-meaning citizen didnt mention was that the thugs were wearing matching hard hats, safety glasses, earmuffs and aprons. Or that the already beat-up truck was neatly positioned on top of a tarp and strapped into a trailer for easy clean-up. Officers descended onto the chaotic scene to find each of the vandals had signed a waiver before picking up a bat. The Ragery collected $5 from each New Yorker looking to take out their frustrations on the beat-up pick-up. William Farrington They were very puzzled. The looks on their faces were super puzzled, Lupu said. They took a while, and they kind of came closer, and I went to talk to them, and said, Hey guys, dont worry. This is all a plan, its just a promotional, kind of fun event for our customers for a new rage room here in the city. The Summer Smash event, which Lupu said was a creative way to bring attention to The Ragery, had been advertised on the businesss website for weeks and was even pushed back a week for rain but the NYPD and the well-meaning neighbor had apparently not caught wind of the violent party. About 50 people seized the opportunity to lend a hand in destroying the car. William Farrington The Westchester resident opened the break room for unparalleled rage relief in January with partner Bogdan Zhukovsky as an outlet for New Yorkers famous aggression. About 50 people seized the opportunity to destroy a car Saturday, Lupu said. Although they probably needed the stress relief the most, the confused police were not among the sanctioned vandals. The cops responded and finalized the job, the NYPD said. Since his election as mayor of Chicago in April last year, Brandon Johnson has raised $2.6 million, nearly half of which has come from a variety of labor organizations some of them key backers from his election campaign, others that came around afterward. The progressive first-term mayors continued reliance on union support is no surprise after his campaign was mostly bankrolled by major labor groups such as the Chicago Teachers Union and the Service Employees International Union two organizations whose leaders retain close access to the mayor, per his public schedules and text records. But an analysis of his political campaigns receipts show increasing variety among his labor backers and an overall broadening of his political fundraising sources, including a large check from a Grammy-winning rapper with ties to Chicago. Of the $2.6 million in political contributions Johnson has pulled in since being elected mayor, $1.2 million came from unions, according to quarterly filings due last week. He had about $2 million on hand at the end of last month, compared with $576,000 just before winning the April 4, 2023, runoff. Johnson, who beat opponent Paul Vallas despite being outspent nearly 2-to-1, also raised more funds since he took office than his predecessors did in about the same time period. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot raised about $2 million between winning the 2019 runoff election and a little more than a year after she was inaugurated. And Rahm Emanuel raised just $360,000 in the year-plus after his 2011 victory, though he had a whopping $2.7 million on hand when he easily won the election, and had the ability to quickly turn on his fundraising machine. Since the April 2023 runoff, Johnsons labor fundraising has diversified to feature prominent support from more moderate trade and industrial unions, according to an analysis of his latest batch of state campaign finance records. During the mayoral race, nearly all his union donations came from the left-leaning CTU, SEIU and affiliates. New Johnson mayoral donors include the Laborers International Union of North Americas local chapter and the Mid-America Carpenters union, each contributing $200,000 shortly after he got elected. The two are tied as his top donors since the runoff. This June, the mayor celebrated a LIUNA trainee program with Chicago Public Schools, while earlier that month he hosted the carpenters regional council at City Hall, according to Johnsons calendars, which the Tribune received through public records requests. The business manager for Laborers Local 1001, which represents city sanitation and maintenance workers, publicly blasted Johnsons administration last month for the botched handling of hundreds of workers checks. Its not uncommon after a candidates political star ascends. Lightfoot picked up LIUNAs endorsement in the 2019 runoff after the key trade group spent heavily in support of Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who got knocked out in the first round of mayoral voting. That contribution was Lightfoots single biggest during her runoff against Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. After LIUNA and the carpenters union, Johnsons biggest union backer since the runoff was the CTU, whose PAC kicked in $111,643 a $75,000 contribution last June and several in-kind contributions for canvassing, videos ads and phone banking that were logged in the weeks following the runoff. During the election, the labor organization was Johnsons top financial backer, contributing $2.3 million by the April runoff. That doesnt include other affiliated teachers unions who also contributed to Johnsons run. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Illinois PAC gave Johnson $105,000 soon after the runoff and later hosted him for a convention in August. None of the three trade unions donated to Johnson during his mayoral campaign, which kicked off in late October 2022. The teachers union where Johnson rose through the ranks as an organizer before running for county commissioner has a notable amount of direct access to the mayor. That access comes with perks, as the Tribune reported last month after learning the mayors letter to Illinois Senate President Don Harmon vowing not to shut down selective enrollment schools was directly edited by a CTU lobbyist. From his May inauguration through June of this year, Johnsons public schedule included a dozen events or meetings with the firebrand labor groups leadership or at its headquarters. Johnson has had four meetings with CTU President Stacy Davis Gates at City Hall, his daily books show. The mayors 2023 cellphone texts, though generally sparse, show Davis Gates was the union leader he messaged with the most. But he also corresponded with SEIU Healthcare Illinois Vice President Erica Bland-Durosinmi as well as Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter. SEIU Healthcares political committee contributed $48,000 in the quarter following his runoff victory. Bland-Durosinmi appears four times in the mayors schedule, while union President Greg Kelley does once. The umbrella organization, which donated $4.5 million to Johnsons mayoral campaign, appears eight times in the mayors schedule, including one meeting at City Hall with SEIUs state council. Since winning the mayors seat, Johnson has seen a name outside of Chicagos usual political world crop up as one of his biggest financial backers: the rapper Lil Durk. Durk, a Chicago native whose real name is Durk Banks, contributed $150,000 in June 2023 shortly after meeting with Johnson twice. He ranks as Johnsons third-biggest political donor since the April runoff. Before the donation made via his company, The Voice Touring, Durk met with Johnson when he was mayor-elect and another time over Zoom the Friday after his inauguration, per social media and mayoral calendars. The first meeting was featured in hip-hop blogs and by podcaster DJ Akademiks in an Instagram post, leading Durk to defend himself against criticism that he was using the opportunity to market his upcoming album. I done sat with the mayor and politicians, Im tryna change the image, he raps in All My Life, a Grammy-winning song released days after the first meeting, ahead of Johnsons inauguration. Johnson last August also attended the rappers Financial Literacy Event with Bank of America and city Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervins office as well as a Lil Durk Holiday Event in December. On the expenditure side, one recurring controversy has been Johnsons growing hair and makeup bill. The local business Makeup Majic has ranked fifth in all of his political funds costs and racked up $32,700 in costs since he became mayor. Before that, he paid the South Side artist Denise Milloy $4,000 throughout the mayoral race. A total of 40 receipts to Milloys business are recorded in Johnsons expenditures since his inauguration. Though the mayor is recorded as the beneficiary each time, Milloy only appears 17 times on his daily schedules. Johnsons campaign did not respond to a question about whether he was paying for services for others. Johnson does not have many corporate and large business donations compared with his predecessors, likely a reflection of his stridently pro-worker positions that have left him frequently at odds with the business community. Lightfoot, by contrast, received several large campaign infusions from the citys business leaders shortly after clinching the mayoralty in 2019. That included DRW Holdings CEO Donald Wilson, real estate investor Sam Zell and his wife, Helen, and Lester Crown. Lightfoot would later count Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts and Newsweb founder Fred Eychaner as top donors. One major exception for Johnson is the political action committee Leaders for Tomorrow. Run by Austin-based GMA Construction Group founder Cornelius Griggs and GMA vice president and general counsel Erica Kirkwood, the PAC has donated $74,000 to Johnson since the April runoff. The firm has done city business in the past, and Griggs last month was tapped to serve on the mayors Cut the Tape initiative task force. The PAC also donated a total of $124,100 to Lightfoot in 2022 and 2023. Another PAC created by Ashlaur Construction CEO Zollie Carradine, whose firm is an active city contractor, contributed $50,000 to Johnsons fund in September. Johnson previously refunded a donation from Griggs daughter, Kyla, after a Chicago Sun-Times investigation found several donations from business interests violated the citys ethics rules. In all, Johnson has refunded $72,602 in contributions, campaign records show, including more than $10,000 in this most recent quarter. The citys ethics ordinance limits companies to a $1,500 donation cap if they have more than $10,000 in city contracts in any consecutive year (within the last four years), but donations via PACs are far more complicated, according to Steve Berlin, longtime executive director of the citys Board of Ethics. The board would have to probe the facts to determine whether a PAC could be considered a single person under the city code, Berlin said. The PAC could be covered by those limits if the board determines the company has a high degree of control of it. Corporate donations via PACs might also be subject to the contribution limits if any PAC transfers more than half of its annual receipts to a particular elected official or candidate in the same calendar year. Anyone who contributed to that PAC, in that case, would be deemed to have contributed to the candidate in the amounts they contributed to the PAC, Berlin said. Asked about this quarters refunds and whether those PAC donations exploited a loophole in the city code, campaign spokesman Jake Lewis said, Our campaign is proud to have the support of donors across Chicago and the nation, and we work diligently to ensure compliance with all state and local campaign finance laws and regulations. Alisa Kaplan, executive director for the ethics advocacy group Reform for Illinois said the board should probe both issues. Chicago limits campaign contributions from city contractors for good reason: to prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption. Contractors should not be able to use PACs or any other loophole to get around those limits, Kaplan told the Tribune. The city needs to aggressively enforce existing rules meant to prevent quid pro quos, but they also need to tighten the rules. Company executives are not subject to that $1,500 cap. They can donate up to $6,900. Kaplan said thats a problem too. The mayor and City Council need to stop stalling and close that loophole, she said. Political groups that have donated to Johnson since his election include $7,000 from the Asian American Midwest Progressives and $47,400 from the Mijente statewide. The mayor also got $49,000 from the United Working Families PAC, a CTU-affiliated political organization whose former executive director, Kennedy Bartley, was tapped to join the Johnson administration this spring. Grassroots PAC, run by the executive director of Warehouse Workers for Justice, Marcos Ceniceros, has given $75,400, while the North Side-based One Peoples Campaign contributed $3,200. ayin@chicagotribune.com aquig@chicagotribune.com Los Angeles Unified parents of children with special needs say they are facing a backlash after the district tried to remove members of a state panel advocating for improved services for the students. The Improving Special Education Resolution, aimed at making services better for special needs children, was proposed by members of the Community Advisory Committee, a panel of about 20 parents, teachers, and community members. Members called for an increase in information available to parents and a wider range of services for students. When CAC members proposed the resolution a year ago, the district attempted to remove members advocating for special education, parents charge. Although the attempt did not succeed, parents said the move calls into question the districts priorities and willingness to work with them. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter I think that especially under superintendent (Alberto) Carvalho, they are cracking down on attempts to empower families to ask for what they want, said Ariel Harman-Holmes, CAC chair and parent of a special needs child. We used to have, as a committee, excellent open communication with[the district]now all we get is canned commentary where its clear they have a very small number of talking points. Carl Petersen, a father and CAC member said he has struggled to to get his daughters the help they need in LAUSDs special education programs. Petersens wife visited their daughters classroom while preparing for a lawsuit against the school and was disturbed by what she found. Basically, the teacher just put the special ed kids in the back and said, Here, play, and taught the class without them. Its not inclusion just because they were sitting in the same classroom. Members of the CAC charge that such challenges have been an ongoing issue and have only gotten worse after the proposed resolution. An LAUSD spokesperson declined to comment on the parents allegations, referring a reporter to the Office of ADA compliance and the districts special education plan. The charges come just three years after a lawsuit was brought against LAUSD by parents for neglecting students with disabilities during online learning. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Education found that over 66,000 students were affected. LAUSD rolled out a compensatory plan the following year to provide students with extra services. However, parents are still dissatisfied, with many claiming services promised to their students had yet to be received. Advocates say resources in the wake of these two events have been increasingly limited, even requiring parents to file Public Records Act requests for basic information, said Harman-Holmes. Lisa Mosko, a former LAUSD parent, and founder of Speducational, an organization encouraging parents to speak up for their children, said that at a recent meeting she attended a student was denied access to a program she ultimately qualified for. After the parents pushed back and hired a lawyer, Mosko said, the child was admitted to the program. Theres a lot of misinformation literally given at IEPs (Individualized Education Program), said Mosko. That parent (had to) now go through due process for her childs accessibility. It comes down to cost savingbecause they know only a certain number of parents will go to due process. This article is part of a collaboration between The 74 and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Paul Lisnek: Trump officially accepts GOP nomination at RNC. What will Biden, Democrats do now? Paul Lisnek: Trump officially accepts GOP nomination at RNC. What will Biden, Democrats do now? Its been a week-plus full of major political news. Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt and then officially accepted the GOP presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention, held this past week in Milwaukee. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden continues to face mounting requests from Democrats to step aside, including from Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley, with the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Aug. 19-22 looming just ahead. READ MORE: Manchin says Biden must pass the torch WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek stopped by the Weekend Morning News on Sunday to discuss recent political events and take a look at what could lie ahead for the 2024 presidential race. Paul Lisnek on calls for Biden to step down, the RNC, Trumps VP pick & more See the video attached to this story for Lisneks full breakdown Sunday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. State Rep. Alicia Rule is seeking a third straight two-year term for the 42nd Legislative District House Position 1. Rule, a Blaine Democrat, is one of two House members serving the 42nd District, which includes the northern neighborhoods of Bellingham and the northern part of Whatcom County. In the other 42nd District state House race, Kamal Bhachu, a Republican from Blaine, is challenging state Rep. Joe Timmons, D-Bellingham. The districts senator, Belllingham Democrat Sharon Shewmake, was elected in 2022 to four-year term so she is not on the ballot. Voters in the 42nd District elected three Democrats to the Legislature in 2022, taking control of a district that had been represented by Republicans for more than a decade. One Republican and one Democrat are challenging Rule in the primary, where the two candidates with the most votes advance to the Nov. 5 general election regardless of party. Following are the candidates biographies, in the order that they appear on the ballot: Raymond Pelletti Blaine real estate broker and appraiser Raymond Pelletti is seeking the 42nd District House seat as a Republican. At his campaign website, Pelletti said he is a U.S. Air Force veteran, who has always prioritized serving his country and community. He is a member and former president of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors, and a former board member of Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center and the state Make-A-Wish Foundation. According to his website, Pelletti is focused on public safety, the economy, and social issues such as his opposition to abortion and gender-affirming care for minors. We need to make a change. We need to restore common sense in Washington, Pelletti said at his website. In an interview with the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County, he called himself a moderate conservative criticized recent legislative reforms aimed at police accountability. I think the Legislature in the last several years has done a disservice to our state. Theyve almost made the police the victim in all cases in the sense that they then become prosecuted for doing their job, he said. He lists no endorsements at his website. Pelletti raised $7,297 for his primary bid, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Of his contributions, $5,000 came from the party caucus, and $1,250 from the party. About $105 came from individual contributions. Janet Melman Janet Melman of Bellingham describes herself as a progressive Democrat. She has a bachelors degree in biological sciences from the University of California at Irvine, and studied performance craft at UCLA Extension. I am a health-care and transgender rights advocate, working with lawmakers in Olympia and in Washington, D.C., to protect the rights of transgender Americans in this increasingly hostile political climate, Melman told The Herald in an email. Melman said she also works with organizations to help relocate LGBTQ youth and adults affected by anti-trans laws in other states, providing housing outreach, healthcare on-boarding and planning, and job resources. She is a content creator, voice actress, comic book author and a 20-year member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. My work in our marginalized communities and beyond gives me a firm grasp of the challenges that we all face in our daily lives, and I seek to keep corporate and religious interests out of policy-making in Olympia in order to protect our hard-won victories to make Washington one of the best states to live in, Melman said. She is endorsed by the Washington State Stonewall Democrats and LPAC, which works to support LGBTQ women and nonbinary candidates. Melman raised $5,352 for her primary bid, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Alicia Rule Alicia Rule, who has served in the state House since 2020, is a social worker and a therapist in private practice. Shes also a former member of the Blaine City Council and founder and former head of the Blaine Downtown Development Association. In her first year in the House, Rule worked to secure funding and commitments to support small businesses and farmers that became part of a $20 million budget proviso for a statewide program to assist small businesses recovering from the November 2021 flooding, according to previous Bellingham Herald reporting. In the most recent legislative session, Rule sponsored House Bill to extend a tax preference for dairy, fruit and vegetable and seafood processors statewide. It would help food producers thrive, Rule said during floor discussion on the measure. We produce some of the very best food in the world right in our own backyard and across Washington. Its critical that we stay competitive in the global market and keep our locally produced food products as affordable as possible right here at home. With grocery prices skyrocketing as they have, my priority was and will continue to be to work to keep costs down and local food on the table, Rule told The Bellingham Herald in an email. Her priorities for the next legislative session, shes planning to introduce a diaper tax exemption. Good hard-working families are struggling to keep the lights on and that will continue to be my focus and priority until this pressure eases up along with fighting for protecting and creating good paying union jobs, and creating opportunities for more local businesses to be better supported and thrive in our community. Rule said. In addition, Rule told The Herald that reproductive choice and freedom continues to be of critical importance at the state level and I am working on multiple bills to protect access to birth control, protecting IVF, and ensuring women maintain decision making over their own bodies. Shes also been a leader on public safety and behavioral health issues, forming a caucus to promote this issues. We believe we need to do better in addressing both violent crime and property crime because its vulnerable people who are traumatized and impacted the hardest by these crimes, Rule said. Rule is endorsed by several dozen statewide and local elected leaders and a range of labor unions, including those representing the skilled trades, teachers and nurses. Further support comes from the 42nd District Democrats, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, the Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs and the Washington Fraternal Order of Police. She raised $148,659 for her primary bid, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. President Joe Biden speaks at the United Steelworkers Headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Steve Mellon/Pittsburgh Union Progress) Reaction across the political spectrum to President Joe Bidens Sunday announcement he was bowing out of his reelection bid was swift, with Democrats praising his decision as selfless and courageous and Republicans largely criticizing him, with some calling for him to resign the presidency altogether. President Biden is a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history, Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote in a social media post. President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom. I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him. He later posted a statement endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a longtime friend of Biden both are Scranton natives had continued to back the president despite criticism from GOP opponent Dave McCormick. He lauded Bidens decision on Sunday. President Biden has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of Americans. Casey said in a statement emailed to the Capital-Star. He deserves our gratitude for his historic achievements, including rebuilding our economy after the pandemic and delivering the largest infrastructure investment in modern history. He has had an exemplary career in public service. He is a patriot who has always put our country first. McCormick said in a statement Sunday that Biden was not capable of serving as Commander-in-Chief. Bob Casey is very close to Biden hes known this but in typical Casey fashion, hes been weak in his refusal to admit to Pennsylvanians that Biden is simply not up to the job, McCormick added. A spokesperson for Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said a change in the Democratic presidential nominee would not cause complications for the election in Pennsylvania. Under the Pennsylvania Election Code, the presidential and vice presidential nominees selected at the Democratic National Convention will appear on the general election ballot as the Democratic candidates for president and vice president, spokesperson Amy Gulli said in a statement. Because the 2024 Democratic National Convention has not yet taken place, no nominees have been selected at this time. Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Sharif Street and other Democratic Party chairs from battleground states wrote an open letter to Democrats published earlier on Sunday encouraging them to continue to support Biden. As of 4 p.m. Sunday, Street had not commented on the news of Bidens decision to not seek reelection. Street did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday. State House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) said Sunday she was grateful for Bidens leadership. President Biden has dedicated his life to public service and has set an example for countless others who have followed in his path, she said in a statement. The policies he and Vice President Harris have advanced over the last three years are making a difference in the lives of every Pennsylvanian. State Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery) said Sunday he anticipates that Harris will be the Democratic nominee and that the new ticket will be energizing for the partys base. President Biden is showing a real commitment to the Democratic party and recognition of whats at stake with a Trump presidency, Briggs said. I think President Biden would have been successful but that a new course improves our chances in November. Like others, Briggs said making the decision quickly will be key. We spent three weeks wringing our hands about the best path forward. The sooner we know that path, the sooner we can get to work supporting our candidate, Briggs said. Winning Pennsylvania will remain a crucial challenge for the successful candidate. I dont think Pennsylvania is ever going to be chalked up for one side or the other, Briggs said. Weve had elections where people have taken Pennsylvania for granted and it hasnt worked out well. Gov. Shapiro on the ticket would not only be our best chance to win Pennsylvania, but also battleground states across the country, Briggs added. U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd District) called Biden a patriot on social media. He selflessly put personal ambition aside to do what he thinks is best for our country, Boyle wrote. Today, and every day, both in dark passages and bright days, I am always proud to be one of Joe Bidens biggest supporters U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District) said in a statement that Biden has offered this country decades of faithful service. As President, he has made this country safer, stronger, and more prosperous and his election to the Presidency was critical to the enduring promise of American democracy. He is the most pro-union President of my lifetime, and he signed the most consequential legislation for veterans of my generation. State Rep. Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) is Deluzios GOP challenger. The last four years have been a leadership failure. If Joe Biden can no longer lead, its time to resign. The American people deserve leadership that puts partisanship aside & moves our country forward, Mercuri wrote on social media. Joe Bidens selfless choice put the interests of the nation and our democracy first one more historic decision in a hugely consequential presidency, state Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) said in a statement. Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, a Democrat, went a step further: President Harris has a nice ring to it, he wrote on Sunday afternoon. State Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) also endorsed Harris, writing on social media Bet your ass Im going into my wallet for the next President of the United States, @KamalaHarris. I hope you do the same. Republicans from across the Commonwealth were largely critical of Biden, with several echoing U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnsons comments that if Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. Democrats like to self-style themselves as defenders of democracy, yet party elites came together in the shadows to force Joe Biden to drop out and endorse Kamala Harris, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity said in a post. In that process, they invalidated millions of honest primary voters who chose the idea of Joe Biden as their nominee. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) who is running for state auditor general, expressed his support for Harris on Sunday: In January we will drop the vice and simply call her Madam Presdient, he said in a social media post. Kenyatta, a Biden campaign surrogate, said of the president Ive been fortunate to know the man, not just the politician. In a profession often marked by ego, excess, and expediency, he has never let these erode his true gifta pure decency and unflappable kindness. State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) is running against U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-7th District) for the congressional seat in the purple Lehigh Valley. Donald Trump and Republicans highlighted the failures of Democrats like Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Susan Wild this week at the RNC Convention, and Kamala Harris or whoever Democratic insiders install as their nominee will continue to have run away from their failed record that is hurting everyday Americans, Mackenzie wrote on social media. Wild, the highest profile Democratic elected official in Pennsylvania to question Bidens electability following his poor debate performance, sent out a statement a few hours after Bidens announcement. Wild said she was proud to have worked alongside Biden to pass the biggest infrastructure package in modern history, lower health care costs for seniors and working families, and defend democracy both at home and abroad. Joe Biden has been one of the most effective presidents of our time, and his patriotism and selflessness are an example for us all, Wild wrote, adding shes supporting Harris for president. U.S. Reps. Summer Lee (D-12th District) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5th District) also sent out statements endorsing Harris. We thank President Biden for doing what he believes is best for our country and making the difficult decision to step down, Lee said. We have no time to waste whats at stake for communities like mine isnt abstract. We need to unify and move forward to defeat Trump and fascism in November. Thats why I endorse and encourage unity behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Former Congressman Bob Brady, who serves as the Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman, posted to social media announcing his support for Harris, adding that Shapiro would be an excellent running mate and Vice President. Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, who is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, announced his support for Harris shortly after the news broke on Sunday afternoon. A pair of Democratic congressional challengers also lauded Biden after his announcement. President Biden has spent his life in public service to our country and is one of the best presidents our nation has ever known, Ashley Ehasz, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvanias 1st Congressional District wrote. President Biden is putting our country first and making the right decision. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of new leadership in Washington, Janelle Stelson, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvanias 10th Congressional District wrote. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, a Democrat, called Biden a valuable partner to the city in a statement Sunday. From helping rebuild Fern Hollow Bridge to our designation as a workforce hub his support has been vital for the future of our city. I thank him for once again showing leadership by stepping aside for the good of our country and our party, Gainey said. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) suggested Democratic leaders were not as concerned about the presidents health as that of his reelection campaign. Ward said that Harris is subject to the same criticism as Biden for her handling of immigration issues as the administrations border czar. If she becomes the nominee, it would change little for the Trump-Vance campaign. I dont think it matters a hill of beans for President Trump, I think hes going to still win and walk away with it, Ward said. U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-8th District) who represents the district in northeast Pennsylvania that includes Bidens boyhood home of Scranton, thanked the president in a statement on Sunday. He took the top job in a badly turbulent time, during a worldwide pandemic and its aftermath, and at a time when political compromise was especially difficult to achieve, Cartwright said. Ill always remember fondly the chance to work with a son of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the Oval Office, and Ill always wish him and his family all the best. Cartwrights opponent Republican Rob Bresnahan took the opportunity to appeal directly to voters in PA-08. To the many hardworking, blue-collar people of Northeastern Pennsylvania who are tired of a Democrat Party that only cares about its far-left, extremist base for an America that Bill Clinton, JFK, and Franklin Roosevelt wouldnt recognize, I invite you to join us, Bresnahan said in a statement. You have my word that I will always vote for what is best for Northeastern Pennsylvania. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-9th District), who is the Pennsylvania campaign co-chair for GOP presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, wrote Democrat leaders deceived the American people for well over a year by hiding the realities of Bidens mental decline and failed policies. A chance to reset Berwood Yost, director of the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College, said on Sunday that he had been doubtful that Biden would drop out immediately after his poor debate performance. But with the growing chorus of Democrats calling for him to do so in the last week, it became clear that Biden would have to concede. This a chance for the Democrats to reset the race, Yost said, adding that it will be important for party leaders to act decisively. I think Democrats are going to have to find a way to quickly unify and not have a huge convention fight. Then they could salvage this. Yost noted that even before the debate last month, the race was moving away from Biden, whose poll numbers were dropping. Following the debate, Biden spent on advertising, did interviews and gave several public addresses without improving in polls. Pressure mounted as concern grew among high-profile Democrats that a poor campaign performance from Biden would affect down-ticket races and the partys ability to maintain control of the U.S. Senate and possibly flip the House of Representatives. The decision and the change is a risk but its probably a risk they needed to take, Yost said. Anticipating objections from Republicans who say replacing the Democratic candidate after voters have cast primary ballots is anti-democratic, Yost noted that Biden is stepping back voluntarily. And although its unprecedented in modern memory for a sitting president to withdraw from consideration so late in the process, presidential nominees have historically been chosen by convention delegates, as is expected to be the case this year. Before primary elections were reformed in 1972 to be binding upon delegates, nominees were selected by party bosses, Yost said. Parties are voluntary associations and the rules for how they select their candidates are whatever they say they need to be, Yost said. Update: This article was updated at 9:45 p.m. July 21, 2024 with comment from Rep. Cartwright. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Here's a roundup of our top stories from the past week. With a subscription to the Pensacola News Journal, you will receive full access to the work done by our journalists and photographers as they head out every day to help inform and explain the important issues affecting your community. Community Maritime Park apartment, hotel plans win preliminary support Renderings show what a proposed apartment and hotel development at Community Maritime Park would look like if a lease is approved by the City Council. A majority of the City Council seemed supportive of a proposed $150 million hotel and apartment development at Community Maritime Park, but the real debate will be next month when the council will dive into the details of the project. The City Council voted 7-0 to approve a 30-day extension for Inspired Communities of Florida's option to lease the property, which will allow the council to vote in August on an actual lease. Inspired Communities of Florida is partnering with EJ Smith Enterprises, the real estate development company owned by Emmitt Smith, to build a 240- to 280-unit apartment building and a 125- to 150-key hotel building. Continue reading: Community Maritime Park developer gets a month to sell City Council on project Beulah interchange project gets $240 million in state funding. When construction will start. A long-awaited transportation project to alleviate traffic and accommodate growth near Interstate 10 in Beulah got a huge push forward with $240 million approved in state funding for the Beulah interchange. Sen. Doug Broxson confirmed the Legislature approved funding for the project during its last session and it was included when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget. It's a big deal list, and the money's already been set aside, so it's not a matter of future allocations, said Broxson, who worked with legislators to move money from several federal projects that had stalled to fund the interchange. We're going to get $240 million to do the exchange. It's amazing and I'm proud to be part of it. Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh is also pumped about the multi-million funding allocation for the interchange. He represents District 1 where the project will be built. The Beulah interchange has been a priority for Escambia County since he took office and for years it looked like the project would not make it past the planning phase anytime soon. Bergosh credits teamwork among local leaders and Broxsons persistence in securing the funding to get started. Keep reading: Beulah interchange project gets $240 million in state funding. When construction will start. Pineapple Express Hawaiian Grill to permanently close Barrancas Avenue restaurant this month Pineapple Express employee Kendra Wasley shows off some Hawaiian-inspired burgers on the menu at the Barrancas Avenue eatery on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Pensacolas Pineapple Express Hawaiian Grill is closing its doors permanently on July 26, according to a social media post from the company Wednesday morning. The Hawaiian-style restaurant located at 1400 Barrancas Ave. made its debut in February. Thank you everyone who came and supported the business up to this time! Well update you more regarding the future of the business next month, the Pineapple Express owners wrote in a statement. Keep reading: Pineapple Express Hawaiian Grill to permanently close Barrancas Avenue restaurant this month Pensacola must refund between $18M and $20M to gas customers, judge rules Pensacola will have to repay between $18 million and $20 million in unlawfully collected natural gas franchise fees, a judge ruled Thursday. Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford ordered the city to return the fees plus interest to Pensacola Energy customers inside the city limits after ruling the city has been collecting those fees without legal authority. City spokesperson Jason Wheeler said the city is reviewing the order. "We are currently working with outside counsel to determine our next steps, which may include an appeal," Wheeler said. "Therefore, it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further." The ruling came from a 2015 lawsuit that has been quietly circulating through the courts for the past nine years. Keep reading: Pensacola must refund between $18M and $20M to gas customers, judge rules This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola top stories: Pineapple Express closes, 12-story apartment Grosse Pointe businessman Sandy Pensler abruptly Saturday evening dropped his campaign for the Republican nomination for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat, saying the party needs to be unified and endorsing former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, who had been his rival for the bid. Pensler had spent months attacking Rogers, who he criticized widely as being insufficiently conservative despite Rogers having received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Pensler made his decision public at a Trump rally in Grand Rapids, appearing on stage with the former president and Rogers. "President Trump endorsed Mike Rogers. Tonight, so am I," Pensler said. "Mikes going to make a heck of a senator." Rogers, who is considered the GOP frontrunner, still faces former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Charter Township, and west Michigan physician Sherry O'Donnell in the Aug. 6 Republican primary. Democrats that same day will decide the nomination between U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Holly, who is considered that party's frontrunner, and Detroit actor Hill Harper. More: 'Safest place in Michigan': Police chief, attendees feel safe at first Trump rally post-assassination attempt More: Watch live: Donald Trump, JD Vance rally in Grand Rapids Pensler said he ran to help the country enact Trumps agenda and continuing a contentious primary wouldnt help. Rogers thanked him for his support and promised Trump hell have a partner in the U.S. Senate. Were bringing the party together. That was beautiful to watch, Trump said as Rogers and Pensler left the stage. Pensler has spent some $4 million on his campaign, almost all of it in funds he loaned it himself. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sandy Pensler drops US Senate bid, endorses Mike Rogers at Trump rally LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas Fire & Rescue rescued one person in a building fire in the northewest Las Vegas valley on Saturday afternoon. Around 2:50 p.m. LVFR responded to a report of a building fire with a trapped victim in the 9100 block of Echelon Point Drive near Fort Apache Road and Deer Spring Way. When crews arrived they found a garage fire that extended to the residence. LVFR units had ladders thrown and the trapped victim on the balcony was rescued. Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire by 3:17 p.m. The victim was taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump is a stark piece of evidence that we are destroying ourselves from the inside out. The shooting follows the disaster of Jan. 6, a gunman outside the house of a Supreme Court justice, polls showing historic levels of polarization, and massive levels of distrust in government, business, academia and religion. As I watch our trust in institutions and each other dwindling, what comes to mind is this exchange in the movie adaptation of the play A Man for All Seasons, about the life of Sir Thomas More: Sir Thomas More: And go he should if he were the Devil himself until he broke the law. William Roper: So, now youd give the Devil benefit of law! Sir Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil? William Roper: Yes, Id cut down every law in England to do that! Sir Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you, where would you hide the laws all being flat? And if you cut them down ... do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, Id give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safetys sake! I cannot help but think that we are all at least a little bit guilty of cutting down our most foundational institutions: free and fair elections, the rule of law, separation of powers and an independent judiciary, religious institutions, news organizations, and the educational system. The guilt is everywhere, spread among many politicians, academics, media personalities, journalists, publishers, and all of us who listen to them. Just think of the past few years alone. Both the far left and right made us doubt the legitimacy of our elections, first by accusing Donald Trump of collusion with Russia, then by claiming Joe Biden rigged the election. Law professors and media personalities attack the Supreme Court endlessly, focusing not on academic criticism of the theory and logic of the opinions but challenging the character of the justices and the legitimacy of their practices. The sheer volume of sarcastic tweets from academics on that subject alone is disheartening. To make matters worse, some judges have responded in kind, rather than rising above the fray. Some Americans have convinced themselves that parts of the government are controlled by a Satan-worshipping cabal. The news media too often refuses to report on the good done by religious institutions. Others assail the media with an endless stream of charges of bias and dishonesty. And too often, members of the news media do just enough to at least justify those suspicions. Meanwhile, some on the left undermine the police incessantly, often using horrific and real anecdotes to accuse them of systemic harms that do not exist. Many on the right unceasingly disparage our schools and institutions of higher learning. Some in academia attack our history, emphasizing only the negative and never the positive. Extremists on the both the right and the left invoke constitutional rights only when they protect their interests, then disparage them when they dont. Along the way, the observers and news consumers are buying all this hook, line and sinker embracing the hot takes that align with their political instincts. Is it any wonder our children are growing up skeptical of every institution in their world? Of the validity of their own country? Of their ability to forge a successful future? Is it any wonder that more and more people feel as if they must take any means necessary to prevent what they believe is a coming catastrophe? I suspect that at least some of us are thinking that we are not morally equivalent to those monsters on the other side. But that is precisely the problem: people on both extremes are thinking that. That stubborn certainty of ones own rightness is what has gotten us into this mess. We must stop this way of thinking. Lest there be any doubt, let me be as clear as I can be. I am blaming all of us for what is happening to our country. I am not suggesting that we cannot criticize individuals and institutions in power. We can and should disagree on many things, but we must remember to do so with civility, within the institutions that humanity has painstakingly developed over centuries: the rule of law, free and fair elections, separation of powers and an independent judiciary, universities that put the pursuit of truth above political preferences, journalists who do the same, religious institutions that help many of us make sense of the world and contribute far more to humanitarian efforts than is ever reported, and police forces focused on protecting health and safety. One thing I have learned in my study of peacemakers is that they see the good in others, including those with whom they disagree. The rest of us strut around thinking that the world is comprised of three kinds of people: those who agree with us, monsters and fools. In fact, if we can spend even just a little time connecting with others, we will realize that many who disagree with us are operating in good faith from reasonable positions. To do so, we must get off social media. We must talk to our neighbors. We have to get to know people and understand their concerns; hunt for and listen to sophisticated arguments from those who disagree with us. If we dont believe they exist, were not working hard enough. Arguments against our preferred positions always exist, on nearly every issue. Our nation, our people, our entire society needs us all to try harder. Politicians who are knowingly lying about elections and the courts and institutions of higher learning and religion need to stop. The media need to return to standards of journalistic integrity and reduce their bias both on the right and the left. They need to stop with the sensationalist headlines and characterizations. Journalists can do more to report on the good that religion is doing in our society, instead of focusing only on the extraordinary stories involving a few bad actors. Religious leaders can ensure their institutions are reflecting the best of their teachings, and focus on being places of worship, not of politics. Academics can engage in critical analyses of our history without ignoring our ancestors impressive achievements upon which our society is built. And we all need to be more judicious and stop providing a market for polarized journalism. The left and the right need to stop claiming that the United States will collapse if someone from the other party gets elected. It wont. The ad hominem attacks in the name of some cause or another must stop. If you disagree with Trumps policies, critique those policies, not the man. If you disagree with a decision of the Supreme Court, decry its logic, reasoning and evidence, not the character of the justices or the institution itself. If you believe Bidens decisions have been disastrous, explain why in thoughtful ways, not through snarky memes. For any given topic, read at least two stories from two different news outlets with conflicting biases. We need to engage in real learning and not rely on partisans to inform us about the world. If you feel change is needed at any level of government, vote, run for office, express your opinions in respectful and considerate ways to elected officials. Propose alternative ideas. And if you cant persuade elected officials or judges, accept the results and plan for the next election. In the meantime, look to help and uplift the people around you, the people in the real world. Now I am sure there are some among us who would like to see all our systems broken down, dismantled, and deconstructed so they can rebuild our society according to their own vision. But I dont think they fully understand the cost of what they are doing and what they have to lose. I also believe they are in the minority. As for the rest of us, if we continue to weaken our foundational institutions at every turn, I fear we, and our posterity, will regret it forever. The devil will turn on us, and we will have nowhere to go. Steven T. Collis is a First Amendment law professor at the University of Texas, Austin, and the author of the forthcoming book Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues. (Bloomberg) -- Philippines and China are already at odds over the details of a provisional arrangement that will govern resupply missions to Manilas military outpost in the South China Sea, just hours after announcing the agreement. Most Read from Bloomberg The Philippines on Sunday said it had reached an understanding with China on the resupply of its troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the Second Thomas Shoal thats been at the center of tensions between the two nations. Manila didnt elaborate on the interim pact. On Monday morning, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson provided some details including two key points that the Philippines disputed right away: that Beijing must be informed in advance if Manila will send living necessities to its troops in the grounded ship, and that it will monitor the entire resupply process. Chinas statement about prior notification and on-site confirmation is inaccurate, the Philippines Foreign Affairs Department said on Monday. It added that the agreement was reached without prejudice to their respective claims as the two sides sought to de-escalate. Chinas foreign ministry also said Beijing will resolutely stop the Philippines if it were to send large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost. Manilas statement didnt address this particular issue. We emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith and the Philippines remains ready to implement it. We urge China to do the same, the Southeast Asian nation said in its latest statement. While the provisional deal adds to signs that both parties are open to defusing tensions that hit a high point in June when a Philippine sailor lost a thumb in an encounter, the disagreement over the details of the deal reflects the challenges the two nations face in managing the dispute. Last week, media reported that the two countries were planning to elevate a sea dispute hotline to the offices of Presidents Xi Jinping and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and their foreign ministers. The BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel beached on the shoal, has been a flashpoint between the countries in recent months. Vessels from the two countries have engaged in testy confrontations when the Philippines send supply missions to the Sierra Madre. China frequently used water cannons that damaged Philippine boats and injured Filipino sailors. Read: Ax-Wielding Chinese Sailors Raise Stakes in Disputed Seas The Philippines said the provisional arrangement was agreed upon during bilateral talks on the dispute earlier this month. Beijing stressed that it has sovereignty over the shoal, and reiterated that the Philippines should remove the Sierra Madre. Manila, for its part, said it will continue assert its rights and jurisdiction in its maritime zones, including the Second Thomas Shoal. --With assistance from Andreo Calonzo and Philip Glamann. (Updates with latest comments from Manila disputing some of Beijings remarks.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: Aerial view of the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines and China have "reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement" for resupply missions to a beached Filipino naval ship in the South China Sea, Manila's foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) did not provide details on the arrangement for the Philippines' resupply missions to the Sierra Madre on the Second Thomas Shoal. But it said it followed "frank and constructive discussions" between the two sides at the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism earlier this month. "Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each others positions in the South China Sea," the DFA said. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed the "temporary arrangement" with the two sides agreeing to jointly manage maritime differences and de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea. "The Chinese side still demands that the Philippine side tow away the ship and restore the original status of (Second Thomas Shoal) as if it were unmanned and without facilities," a spokesperson said in a statement released early on Monday. Manila deliberately beached the Philippine naval ship in 1999 to reinforce its claims over disputed waters around the shoal and it has since maintained a small contingent of sailors. "If the Philippines needs to provide supplies to the ship's occupants before the Philippines tows away the beached warship, the Chinese side is willing to allow the Philippine side to carry out the transportation and replenishment on humanitarian grounds," the spokesperson said. China still stood firm over its territorial claims regarding the disputed waters. "If the Philippines transports a large amount of building materials to the ship and tries to build fixed facilities and permanent outposts, China will never accept it and will resolutely block it in accordance with laws and regulations, so as to safeguard China's sovereignty," the spokesperson added. PHILIPPINES ONLY OPERATION Philippine security officials also said on Sunday they will carry out the resupply missions on their own despite an offer from the United States for help. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday the U.S. "will do what is necessary" to ensure its treaty ally can resupply the Sierra Madre on the Second Thomas Shoal. Sullivan's Filipino counterpart, Eduardo Ano, said the resupply will remain "a pure Philippine operation". "There is no need at this time for any direct involvement of U.S. forces in RORE (resupply) mission," Ano said in a statement. Reuters previously reported that the Philippines turned down offers from the U.S. to assist its operations in the South China Sea. Tensions in the disputed waterway have boiled over into violence in the past year, with a Filipino soldier losing a finger last month in a clash that Manila described as an "intentional-high speed ramming" by the China Coast Guard. The Philippine military's spokesperson said in a separate statement on Sunday the Philippines "will exhaust all means before seeking foreign intervention" in its resupply missions. Manila and Washington are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, a pact that can be invoked in case of an armed attack against Philippine forces, public vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea. U.S. officials including President Joe Biden have affirmed its "ironclad" commitment to aid the Philippines. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, overlapping maritime claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. In 2016, a Hague-based tribunal said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores; additional reporting by Bernard Orr in Beijing; Editing by Tom Hogue, Hugh Lawson and Lincoln Feast.) SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Sandhurst Fire, which sparked on Ensign Peak in Salt Lake County Saturday afternoon, is currently mapped at 204 acres, according to Utah Fire Info. The wildfire is 0% contained at this time. Crews worked the perimeter of the blaze overnight and saw little growth, fire officials said. The Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Management Team has reportedly taken command of the fire. No structure damage has been reported. READ: Wildfire breaks out on Ensign Peak near Utah State Capitol building At around 4:50 p.m. on July 20, Salt Lake City Fire requested the help of Salt Lake City Police to notify community members about evacuations and traffic control due to the fire. SLCPD officers reportedly went door-to-door making sure the public knew about the evacuation zones. To help ensure the safety of firefighters, and to allow for quick access for incoming fire units, officers shut down several roads, including East Capitol Boulevard, North Bonneville Road, and City Creek Canyon Road, a release from SLCPD states. Officers will continue blocking all access to the evacuation zones. Those who do not live in the evacuation zones will not be permitted to pass. The wildfire, located just above the Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City, quickly proved to be an emergency situation on Saturday, with the Capitol building opened as an evacuation shelter. Officers also evacuated and closed Memory Grove Park to allow firefighters to access water amid the blaze. The SLCPD on-duty incident commander reportedly requested the help of all available on-duty officers during the incident. The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes all the first responders from throughout the region who assisted with this rapidly unfolding situation. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Placer County police seek help returning lost tortoise to its owner (FOX40.COM) The Lincoln Police Department is seeking help from the community to return a lost tortoise to its rightful owner, the agency said on Facebook. Police said the friendly animal was found safely around 9:45 p.m. Invasive Species: Californias three-billion dollar problem Lets find the tortoises family and bring them back together! Lincoln police said. If anyone is searching for their missing tortoise or knows who it may belong to, the Lincoln Police Department asks you to contact them at 916-645-4040. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Placer County sheriffs deputies searching for 70-year-old hiker last seen over the weekend Placer County sheriffs deputies announced Sunday that they are searching for a man last seen hiking on a trail. On Friday, Warren Elliott, 70, was last spotted on the Rubicon Trail wearing a blue denim short-sleeve shirt and shorts to match, the Placer County Sheriffs Office wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. The 22-mile off-road trail travels through the Sierra Nevada, between Georgetown and Lake Tahoe, according to Visit El Dorado. Its considered a challenging route, according to outdoor traveling company AllTrails. Placer County deputies said roughly 100 searchers from nine Northern California agencies were deployed on Sunday for the search and rescue operation. The National Guard is also part of the search mission, using a Black Hawk helicopter to help locate Elliott. Three people, the pilot and two passengers, were killed in a plane crash on Friday in Ohio, authorities say. Around 6:45 pm ET in Vienna, Ohio, a Beechcraft BE-60 airplane at the end of runway 14 at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport made an emergency landing after the pilot reported a loss of engine power, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said. The Patrol's Warren Dispatch Center received a call at 7:09 p.m. ET, and troopers arrived on the scene shortly thereafter to find that the plane had crashed near one of the runways due to a suspected mechanical failure, according to a press release by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Deadly plane crash: 3 killed after small plane crashes in rural North Carolina Plane crash under investigation The NTSB has opened an investigation into the plane crash. "Two NTSB investigators are en route to the accident site today," Peter Knudson, NTSB media relations, told USA TODAY. "They will document the airplane wreckage, which will then be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the organization will work alongside the NTSB to investigate the accident. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation. Witnesses to the crash or those with relevant information that could help the investigation are encouraged to email the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com . Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio plane crash at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport leaves 3 dead This Plant Is So Extreme Scientists Think It Could Thrive on Mars Mosses are among Earth's great terraformers, turning barren rock into fertile soils, and now a team of scientists is proposing these non-vascular plants could do the same on Mars. Whether we should introduce life from Earth onto our red neighbor is another question we don't have a great track record with this on our own planet. But if we decide it's worth messing with soil on Mars to create a second home for us Earthlings, ecologist Xiaoshuang Li and colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have a candidate that they think should do just the trick. Earth's surface was once extremely inhospitable to life, but that didn't stop a group of organisms called the bryophytes which today includes mosses, liverworts, and hornworts from wrenching themselves out of the fertile safety of the oceans in search of new horizons. The success of these terrestrial trailblazers hinged on their ability to harness and digest the nutrients that seep from or flow over rock, while surviving utterly hostile conditions that would reduce other living things to dust. But as they spread across Earth's rocky frontier they created soils, which paved the way for other less hardcore lifeforms to gradually step foot on dry land. This genetic gumption continues to serve mosses across the world, and the researchers think we could harness their inbuilt talents to colonize Mars, laying the groundwork for other less-durable lifeforms, like crops. Unlike the luscious forest mosses you might be picturing, which have it pretty easy compared to their ancestors, Syntrichia caninervis is committed to upholding a severely frugal way of life. It thrives in the deserts of China and the US, along with the icy mountains of the Pamir, Tibet, the Middle East, Antarctica, and circumpolar regions. The Gurbantunggut Desert in northwest China is a hub for S. caninervis, which grows more densely here than anywhere else in the world, despite temperatures that range from -40 C to 65 C (-40 F to 149 F) and a relative humidity that gets down to 1.4 percent. Li and colleagues put this moss to the test and pushing S. caninervis out of its extraordinarily broad comfort zone is no easy feat. In a lab, they tested the plant's responses to and recovery from extreme dehydration, prolonged freezing (-80 C for 3 or 5 years, and -196 C for 15 or 30 days), radiation (at doses of 500 to 16,000 Gy), and Mars-like conditions in the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Planetary Atmospheres Simulation Facility (PASF). In the Mars simulation, the plants were subjected to pressures of around 650 pascals (Pa), similar to the 680790 Pa on Mars. At night, the temperature was -60 C, and during the day, 20 C, which is equivalent to conditions on Mars in equatorial to mid-latitude regions. They also simulated the atmospheric gas composition and the ultraviolet radiation levels to be closer to those on Mars. Dehydration was, for S. caninervis, a walk in the park. And in the extreme cold, it shrugged. All the frozen plants regenerated after defrosting, with plants that were dehydrated prior to freezing recovering much faster than their soggy peers. In the face of radiation levels of 50 Gy that would kill humans, S. caninervis didn't blink an eyelid. At 500 Gy, its growth even seemed to speed up. Mosses that had been dehydrated and then exposed to Martian-like conditions were able to act as if it never even happened after just 30 days' recovery. Their hydrated counterparts took a little longer to recover, but still lived to tell the tale. "Although there is still a long way to go to create self-sufficient habitats on other planets, we demonstrated the great potential of S. caninervis as a pioneer plant for growth on Mars," the researchers write. "Looking to the future, we expect that this promising moss could be brought to Mars or the Moon to further test the possibility of plant colonization and growth in outer space." Even if moss on Mars turns out to be a terrible idea, the fact that S. caninervis can turn totally arid land into a 'living skin', even after surviving such extreme conditions, offers some hope for life on our own planet, which is, it seems, more resilient than we sometimes give it credit. This research was published in The Innovation. Related News Please, please, please build and grow metro Phoenix more. We aren't hot enough yet Joan Mendoza takes a water break on July 10, 2024, while working on a home under construction in Mesa. To all leaders and policymakers in Valley cities, please, please, please, make more pavement. I am tired of seeing wasted green space and vacant areas not covered with black pavement. Nighttime temperatures dipped to below 90 degrees the other night. Enough is enough. Parks and greenspaces serve no purpose and just result in allowing all of our precious heat to escape into space at night, causing air conditioners to cycle off during the night. You need to do whatever it takes to develop more and ensure that no piece of ground goes unoccupied. Streets, highways, apartment complexes, high-density housing subdivisions (with wonderful heat absorbing block walls), and many more asphalt parking lots. Get out there and do your jobs, and make certain we develop, develop and develop. If we dont get going, we run the risk of losing ground against the heat island effect (our equivalent of the aurora borealis). Think what that will do to tourism and the efforts to grow our population. And if we dont move from the fifth- to the fourth-largest city in the country, who is going to use up all the excess water we have? If youll excuse me now, Im late for my heatstroke therapy. Warren Kotzmann, Gilbert Stop making a big deal of candidates' veteran claims Child of the sixties, I can remember when it was unpopular to be in ROTC and the military. Now everyone wants to be a veteran, so much so that the Arizona Republic thinks it needs to vet the veteran claims. Show me your papers! An entire Republic newspaper story on Chandler Vice Mayor Harris's National Guard service and active-duty discharge document DD214 possible lack thereof seems like overkill though. It also seems to be a double standard. Where, for example, is The Republic's full-length vetting of Andrei Cherny's military service? Does he have a CAR for, example, something you'd expect of someone who volunteered after 9/11. My other complaint about the story is its apparent contempt for someone who served as a private. Every soldier, airman and sailor matters. Every meal cooked and every tire changed matters. The enlisted men and woman, no matter how humble, are the backbone of America's armed forces. Jim McManus, Phoenix High-profile positions aren't the standard of progress Greg Moore ("Republicans and Democrats agree on one thing: Black voters are key to winning White House") applauds President Biden for "providing seats at the table" for Blacks and then reels off a list of high profile positions filled by Blacks. Hey Greg, that's nothing but window dressing! That gonna put food on the average black family's table during this period of Bidenflation?? Ken Doerfler, Glendale Here's the real definition of 'school choice' in Arizona This is what school choice really means. Upper-class families using Empowerment Scholarships to send their kids to private schools see the taxpayers spending more than $11,600 annually per student on their kids ($864.4 million spent on just 75,000 kids). But people whose kids are attending public schools see the taxpayers paying just $8,800 annually per student on their kids, according to teaching-certification.com. So, empowerment really means taking money from the poor and the middle class and giving it to the wealthy. Bruce Dockter, Surprise Didn't know he is what nation's founders had in mind So, if the religious right believes that the Founding Fathers were Christian, then why are they supporting a person like Trump? Mike Kiehl, Phoenix A proven program to help Native Americans thrive academically Native students are underrepresented in American colleges and universities. According to research from the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, only 22% of Native Americans aged 18 to 24 were enrolled in college, compared with 40% of the overall population. Recently, 97 students including 17 from Arizona representing 19 states and 33 tribal nations, Alaska Native villages and Hawaiian islands took part in College Horizons 2024 in Philadelphia. College Horizons (headquartered in New Mexico) and the University of Pennsylvania partnered to ensure that Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students have a chance to pursue higher education. It was Penns third time hosting the program, which provided high school sophomores and juniors 30% are first-generation college applicants with a comprehensive preparatory program. Ninety-nine percent of students who participate in College Horizons attend a four-year university and, of those, 85% graduate within four to five years. With a success rate like this, its imperative that we remain focused on programs like this. Carmen Lopez, Pena Blanca, NM The writer is executive director of College Horizons. Whats on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Please grow and generate more heat. Phoenix isn't hot yet Poland is urging the European Union to fight Russian disinformation campaigns in the United States by stressing the importance of the bloc's alliance with Washington, Reuters reported on July 20. Experts have warned that Russian propaganda efforts in the U.S. are intensifying ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Warsaw will present a paper at a meeting of E.U. foreign ministers on July 22 calling for the E.U. to launch its own campaign countering Russian disinformation. "At this critical moment in history, it is imperative that we collectively take swift and robust action to strengthen the transatlantic relations through strategic communication about the E.U. in the U.S.," the paper reportedly says. Poland warned that Russia's propaganda aims to create tensions between the U.S. and the E.U., and said that it is critical for the E.U. to counter this messaging with American audiences. "This means scaling up our de-bunking and, even more importantly, pre-bunking of Russian disinformation and launching campaigns which set the record straight about where Europe stands today and about the benefits of diplomacy, collective security and open society," the paper says. According to the paper, online accounts associated with the Kremlin are disseminating narratives that catastrophize the immigration situation at the U.S.-Mexico border and portray immigrants as criminals in a bit to sway voters ahead of the November elections. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has made immigration policy a focal point of his reelection campaign. Congressional Republicans also used concerns over border security to obstruct U.S. military aid to Ukraine for months, ultimately demanding harsh anti-immigration concessions before agreeing to the bill. U.S. officials have said that Russia engaged in a widespread campaign of digital disinformation and hacking in the past two presidential elections, particularly in 2016. "We should expect much more is to come, as eroding support for Ukraine remains Russia's top priority," Poland's paper says. Poland said the E.U. should appeal to younger American audiences and emphasize the value "our decades-long partnership has brought to the U.S. economy." The E.U. should also make the U.S. public more aware of the scale of European aid to Ukraine "and how that effort helps save Ukrainian lives." Read also: Russia aims to undermine support for Ukraine during US election, intelligence warns Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Poland is calling on the European Union to initiate a campaign in the United States to raise awareness of the importance of joint relations. Source: a paper prepared for a meeting of EU foreign ministers, seen by Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: In the paper, Poland calls for positive action to be taken before the US presidential election on 5 November to counter Russian disinformation aimed at sowing division between the EU and Washington. "At this critical moment in history, it is imperative that we collectively take swift and robust action to strengthen the transatlantic relations through strategic communication about the EU in the US," Reuters quoted the document as saying. Poland noted that this means expanding the scope of the EU's work to debunk Russian disinformation and launching campaigns that give a clear picture of "where Europe stands today and about the benefits of diplomacy, collective security and open society." "We should expect much more is to come, as eroding support for Ukraine remains Russia's top priority. We need to remind the American public, especially the younger generation of the deliverables our decades-long partnership has brought to the US economy," the paper says. Poland reported that it has been the target of numerous Russian attempts to destabilise and interfere in its elections due to its role in providing military support to neighbouring Ukraine. Background: On 12 July, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen noted that European countries have recently been subjected to various hybrid attacks with a Russian trail and believes that the reaction of Western countries is "too polite". On 10 July, a senior NATO official told the media that he believed a NATO member could invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty to seek protection from allies in response to Russia's hybrid operations and cyberattacks. Support UP or become our patron! UPDATE: 1 victim in Eastside bar shooting has died; other remains hospitalized UPDATE: 1 victim in Eastside bar shooting has died; other remains hospitalized EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Police continue to investigate an early Sunday morning shooting outside an East Side bar that is now considered a murder. Police responded just after 12:20 a.m. Sunday morning, July 21 to reports of a shooting at Legendz Bar at 1610 N. Zaragoza. Two men were injured in the shooting, which happened out in the parking lot in front of the bar, police said. One of the victims, a 24-year-old man from Fort Bliss, has died, police said. The second victim, a 26-year-old man from Fort Bliss, remains hospitalized. Police did not say if the men were soldiers. The Crimes Against Persons and Criminalistics units responded to assist in the investigation. El Paso Police are continuing to investigate this incident. No other information has been released at this time. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this deadly shooting to call El Paso Police at (915) 832-4400 or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The United Nations is predicting the worlds population will reach 10.3 billion in the 2080s. The prediction appears in a new U.N. report. The report also suggests that the population will then slightly decrease to about 10.2 billion by the end of the century. John Wilmoth is head of the U.N. Population Division, which prepared the report. He told The Associated Press (AP) that there is a high probability that the worlds population will reach its height, or peak, within the current century. He said the probability of that happening is about 80 percent. Wilmoth described that estimate as a major change compared to predictions from 10 years ago. At that time, the estimated probability was about 30 percent. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development Navid Hanif recently spoke about the report at a briefing. He said the expectation that the worlds population in 2100 will be lower than previously thought has important policy implications for the sustainability of our planet. The worlds population has continued to grow during the past 75 years, from an estimated 2.6 billion in 1950 to 8 billion in November 2022. Since then, it has increased about 2.5 percent to 8.2 billion. The report notes the population has already peaked in 63 countries and territories. These include China, Germany, Japan and Russia. Within this grouping, the total population is estimated to drop 14 percent over the next 30 years. In another 48 countries and territories, the population is predicted to peak between 2025 and 2054. Those countries include Brazil, Iran, Turkey and Vietnam. For the remaining 126 countries and territories, the population is expected to increase through 2054. The countries in this grouping include the United States, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan. The report said these areas would see their populations peak in the second half of the century or later. For nine of these nations, the U.N. estimates the populations will double between 2024 and 2054. Wilmoth said these differences are notable. But he said, its important to understand that all populations are following a similar path. The U.N. report suggests the earlier population peak is predicted for several reasons. These include lower fertility levels in some of the worlds largest countries, especially China. Estimates for China suggest the countrys population will drop sharply, from 1.4 billion in 2024 to 633 million in 2100. The report noted that worldwide, women are having an average of one less child than they did in 1990. In addition, the average number of live births per woman is below 2.1 in over half of all countries and territories. This is a level experts have identified as being necessary for a countrys population to keep its size without migration. Wilmoth said the report shows that nearly 20 percent of the world has ultra-low fertility, with women having fewer than 1.5 live births. In China, the current number is about one birth per woman. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. _________________________________________ Words in This Story implication - n. a result or effect that seems likely in the future sustainability n. the quality of causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time fertility n. the quality of being able to produce young It turns out the MGM Resorts hacker may just be a 17-year-old teenager. A teenage boy may be responsible for a ransomware attack that shut down MGM Resorts in Las Vegas last year. The West Midlands Police Department in England confirmed that they arrested an unidentified 17-year-old on Thursday from the town of Walsall who allegedly shut down the resort and casino on the Las Vegas strip last year. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of blackmail and violating the UKs Computer Misuse Act. He was released on bail, according to a statement from the police department. Police officials tracked the teenage suspect as part of a joint investigation with the UKs National Crime Agency and the FBI. The police department said they recovered evidence at the teenagers address including a number of digital devices which will undergo forensic examination. The statement also said the teenager was part of a global cyber online crime group but did not specify which group. The ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware group announced their responsibility for the MGM Resorts cyber outage. The attack happened on Sep. 12, 2023 allegedly with a simple 10 minute phone call to a Help desk employee using information obtained from LinkedIn. The group has also claimed responsibility for a similar ransomware attack on the beauty brand Estee Lauder. "All ALPHV ransomware group did to compromise MGM Resorts was hop on LinkedIn, find an employee, then call the Help Desk," the organization wrote in a post on X. MGM Resorts system shutdown lasted for nine days and created a massive outage across all of its casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. News later surfaced that other casinos like Caesars were also targeted by a different group but chose to pay the hackers tens of millions of dollars to prevent private company data from being released. Police ask for help in shooting death of man at apartment complex Police ask for help in shooting death of man at apartment complex EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Police continue to investigate the deadly shooting of a 24-year-old man early Saturday morning, July 20 at a far East El Paso apartment complex, they said. Police have identified the victim as a 24-year-old Hispanic man, the victim of a shooting at the Gonzalez Place Apartments in far East El Paso. They have not released his name at this time. Crime Stoppers is using this as their featured Crime of the Week. 1 person dead in shooting in far East El Paso At 3:54 a.m. Saturday, patrol officers responded to multiple calls of gunshots that were heard in the area of 4101 Rich Beem Blvd. at the Gonzalez Place Apartments. When the officers arrived, they found the victim, fatally wounded in the parking lot. Detectives from the Crimes Against Persons Unit and Criminalistics Unit investigators responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. Investigators processed the scene and collected any possible evidence, police said. In addition, detectives have been identifying possible witnesses to the shooting. Investigators are asking anyone with any information on this deadly shooting to call the El Paso Police Department at (915) 832-4400. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS). You may be eligible for a cash reward through Crime Stoppers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A person is suffering from life-threatening injuries from a shooting overnight in Charlotte. MEDIC says it happened Saturday night shortly before midnight off Lasalle Street and Burbank Drive. This is near the University Park neighborhood. Were asking CMPD what led up to the shooting and if anyone will face charges. Were also asking to see how the gunshot victim is recovering. Well keep you updated as we learn more. RELATED STORY: 9 Investigates: Charlotte shooting spree suspect ordered to be deported in 2022 LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas police are searching for a vehicle of interest in a deadly hit-and-run crash in the central valley. Around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Metro police responded to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian near Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road. Police said evidence at the scene and witness statements showed that the pedestrian was attempting to cross Harmon Avenue, west of Paradise Road outside of a marked crosswalk when a midsized SUV traveling westbound on Harmon Avenue crossed paths with the pedestrian. The SUV hit the pedestrian and projected him onto the roadway. The SUV driver failed to remain at the scene and fled the area. The 62-year-old pedestrian was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to Metro police. Police are searching for the SUV which is described as having damage to the right front headlight assembly and hood. It also has a dark tint and apparent chrome rims, police said. Detectives are seeking the publics assistance in identifying a vehicle of interest in reference to a fatal hit and run collision that occurred on July 21, 2024. (Las Vegas Metropolitan police) Anyone with additional information about this ongoing investigation can contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at (702) 828-3535 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555. 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 KLAS. DENVER (KDVR) Police in Aurora are searching for a suspect after two people were shot, one while driving. According to a preliminary report from the Aurora Police Department, the shooting happened near 19th Avenue and Dayton Street. When officers arrived, they found a man with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a hospital. Police said that a preliminary investigation suggests that the man was shot while he was driving on 19th Avenue between Dallas Street and Dayton Street. This embedded content is not available in your region. Soon after, officers learned that another man took himself to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm. His injuries are not life-threatening, police said. As of now, investigators do not have any suspects identified, nor do they have a motive, APD said. Police are still working to find out what led up to the shooting and how those who got shot were involved. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to submit a tip to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers online or by calling 720-913-7867. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Police say they are treating a body that was found in a Lower Valley neighborhood on Sunday morning, July 21, as suspicious. Police responded at about 10 a.m. Sunday to Lafayette and Alameda about reports of a person lying in a vacant lot. When officers arrived, they found a dead woman who is believed to be in her 30s. The Crimes Against Persons and Criminalistics units are responding to assist with the investigation. Photos by Gabriela Rodriguez/KTSM Photos by Gabriela Rodriguez/KTSM Photos by Gabriela Rodriguez/KTSM While the womans death is being treated as suspicious at this time, police do not know how she died, they said in a media alert. Anyone with information on any suspicious activity in the area of the 200 block of Lafayette in the past 24 hours should contact El Paso Police at (915) 832-4400. You can also stay anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race. The former vice president who was elected to be the country's leader in 2020 announced July 21 that he's withdrawing from the race, bringing an end to the anticipated rematch with Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. Biden's announcement that he will no longer be seeking reelection came with an endorsement of current Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President," Biden announced on X. "And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump." My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 The president's exit from the 2024 race followed multiple calls for him to withdraw by members of his own party. Adam Frisch, the Democratic candidate for Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, was among the first candidates to publicly call for Biden's exit from the presidential race. "We need a president that can unite America to realize our nation's unlimited potential," Frisch said in a July 2 video. "We deserve better. President Biden should withdraw from this race. I thank President Biden for his years of service but the path ahead requires a new generation of leadership to take our country forward." Shortly after Biden's announcement, Frisch told the Chieftain that he was among the "75% of Americans" unenthused about a rematch between Biden and Trump in 2024. He also said that he was happy that Biden's "inevitable" withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race "played out." "I think there's enough time to try to figure out how to come up with a candidate that's supported by a lot of people," Frisch said. "I hope there's enough time to do some type of mini-primary and making sure that there's not just an anointment. Of course, the vice president should be part of that conversation, but I hope others are as well." Bri Buentello, chair of the Pueblo County Democrats, shared a statement with the Chieftain in which she said Pueblo Democrats were thankful for Biden's "years of extraordinary service" in "one of America's darkest hours." The statement also expressed support for Harris as the Democratic nominee. "We are so excited to support vice president Harris as she clinches the nomination, and look forward to helping defeat Donald Trump this November," Buentello said. Colorado elected officials react to Biden's withdrawal Several Colorado elected officials released statements about Bidens exit Sunday afternoon. U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said Biden has unselfishly "put the country before any personal concern or ambitions" during over 50 years spent as a senator, vice president and president. His presidency and career will be remembered alongside Roosevelts and Johnsons for its scale, magnitude, and lasting impact on American society," Hickenlooper's statement reads. More than anything, Im thankful Joe Biden has given so much to this country over a lifetime of service." Fellow Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet also had high praise for Biden in a July 21 news release. Bennet called Biden a champion of working American families through his expansion of the Child Tax Credit, efforts to lower drug prices and creation of semiconductor industry jobs, among other accomplishments. "Today, we owe President Biden a debt of gratitude that we may never be able to repay," Bennet's statement reads. "We may not know what comes next, but by passing the torch to a new standard bearer, President Biden has again given us the chance to beat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve." Congresswoman Lauren Boebert speaks to the crowd during the Colorado Republican State Assembly at the Southwest Motors Events Center on Friday, April 5, 2024. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who currently represents Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, shared a statement on X with a starkly contrasting view of Biden's presidency. She referred to Biden's time in office as "total failure" and said Trump will defeat any candidate chosen by the Democratic party to run against him. "The problem was never just Joe Biden, though he was a major problem, it was and is the Democrat agenda," the Republican congresswoman said. "Trump will resoundingly defeat whichever failed candidate they put up in Biden's place. Onwards to victory!" Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a visit from President Joe Biden at the CS Wind turbine factory in Pueblo on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called Biden a true partner to Colorado, and a proud patriot, who has helped lead the United States through many great successes. Polis also praised Biden for his assistance with delivering affordable clean energy, addressing climate change, improving infrastructure and supporting public land preservation. This could not have been an easy decision but it is the right one, and Joe Biden promised Americans he would always do whats right for our country and once again he has delivered. I know President Biden and Jill are making this choice with the future of Americans in their hearts." Polis also said that the U.S. cannot afford four more years of a "disastrous Trump presidency that would trample on rights and freedoms, derail our economy, increase costs and harm our international standing. Pueblo library projects: Pueblo library district raising funds for big expansions of two libraries Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What Pueblo and Colorado leaders said about Biden's withdrawal A New Political Dynasty: How Maya and Kamala Harris Have Reinvented the Role of the Political Sibling A New Political Dynasty: How Maya and Kamala Harris Have Reinvented the Role of the Political Sibling "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." In light of the news that President Biden is dropping out of the 2024 election, and has endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, we're resharing this story from 2020. Maya L. Harris a different kind of political sibling. There is a long and storied history of the screw-up brothers of presidents, from Roger Clinton (who was accused of taking cash and a gold Rolex to lobby for pardons) to Barack Obama's Trump-supporting half-brother Malik to the late Billy Carter, who once told Senate investigators, "I do not deny I brought most of my notoriety on myself, nor do I apologize for it." Kamala's sister on the other hand, follows a far more distinguished tradition in the annals of presidential politics. Younger by two years, she is the trusted advisor, the ultimate consigliere who knows the candidate's most intimate strengths and flaws. There is a greater level of integrity in the way [the Harris sisters] conduct themselves," Kate Kendall, a friend of Mayas, once told Talking Points Memo. "You think back to John Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy as an example of a very political, intensely ambitious and thoughtful individuals. Jason Binn - Getty Images As a matter of fact, it's a great year for political relatives. Joe Biden's sister Valerie Biden Owens eschews the spotlight, but she has been at the former vice president's side for most of his career, leading most every major campaign he's ever run. Maya, like Owens, isn't trying to get famous. She is a Stanford-educated lawyer who, at 29, became dean of Lincoln Law School in Sacramento, one of the youngest law school deans ever. She worked for Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign as a policy expert and John Podesta was a huge fan, telling TPM, Maya would cut through the bullshit, brief her quickly, and give her something to think about. I think most people who know Maya will tell you shes one of the smartest people they know, Kamala once told Politico. Mike Coppola - Getty Images The younger Harris prefers the anonymity of a private citizen, except when it can help others. In the spring, when Donald Trump encouraged people to take hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure for coronavirus (its not, studies show), she came forward with a highly personal piece about her own battle with Lupus and the medical value of taking hydroxychloroquine for a disease for which its actually prescribed. While the piece is candid, its really a meditation about inequities in the healthcare system. It is in keeping with her life's work, working for the American Civil Liberties Union of northern California and the Ford Foundation. And, of course, the piece is rooted in the sisters' shared interest in women's healthcare. Consider that a centerpiece of Kamala Harris's platform is the Maternal CARE Act, which seeks to address the discrepancies in maternal fetal medicine. Still, what's charming about the Harrises is the sisterly warmth they display on the stump. Somehow, it's hard to picture Bobby Kennedy sharing something as sincere as this tweet Maya posted when Biden formally tapped Kamala as his running mate. "So incredibly proud of you, sis!" she wrote. That day when a little girl from Oaktown became the first black woman to be a major-party vice-presidential nominee... So incredibly proud of you, sis! pic.twitter.com/sm4ctGCNPU Maya Harris (@mayaharris_) August 11, 2020 Mayas 34-year-old daughter, Meena, paid tribute to the sisters' bond in the children's book she recently authored about her mother and aunt, which Senator Elizabeth Warren called "a must read for little girls around the world. Shop Now Kamala and Mayas Big Idea amazon.com A Stanford Law graduate herself, and entrepreneur, Meena is also helping her aunt on social media as one of her staunchest defenders, tweeting about how she is ignoring the birthers and "staying positive". The excitement Meena felt was the joy a lot of us felt about this epochal first, a Black woman of Indian descent on a presidential ticket. History being made by women never gets old. The Trump administration has been marked by its own peculiar form of familial loyalty. A daughter and son-in-law have become trusted advisors despite their notable lack of qualifications. And those children who remained outside the administration, ostensibly to run the family business, have not stayed out of politics. They can be seen regularly slinging insults and mistruths on cable news and Twitter. If the Biden-Harris ticket becomes the Biden-Harris administration youre going to see a lot more of Maya and Meena, and I for one would love to see it. It's about time we had a political dynasty filled with smart, fierce, eminently qualified women. You Might Also Like After President Joe Biden announced he was ending his campaign for reelection in 2024, political leaders across the United States began reacting to the news. PHOTOS: Joe Bidens political career through the years Once Biden announced his decision, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. >> President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 Presidential race, endorses Kamala Harris Democrats and Republicans took to social media to share their thoughts after the announcement and endorsement. Harris thanked Biden, saying it is an honor to serve as his Vice President, and that its her intention to earn and win this nomination. On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, posted a statement to Truth Social on Sunday afternoon, saying Biden was not fit to run for president and not fit to serve. Former President Barack Obama issued a statement calling Biden a patriot of the highest order. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joes remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts. Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored Americas standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine. More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trumps administration. Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life. This outstanding track record gave President Biden every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started. Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress. I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Bidens vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond. For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on. Donald Trumps running mate, JD Vance, called Biden the worst president in his lifetime. Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these JD Vance (@JDVance1) July 21, 2024 Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running for president as a member of the We The People party, took to X with a statement commending Biden for stepping down. I commend President Biden for stepping down. His infirmities were evident to any unbiased observer from the beginning. It was this progressive deterioration and his abandonment of Democratic Party principles that prompted me to enter the race and ensure American voters had a Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 21, 2024 Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement calling Biden a patriot who has served our country honorably, referencing his time in the Senate and as Vice President. President Biden is a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history. President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) July 21, 2024 Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey issued a statement saying Biden was a valuable partner in his work to make Pittsburgh the safest, most welcoming city in America. President Biden has been a valuable partner in our work to make Pittsburgh the safest, most welcoming city in America where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. From helping rebuild Fern Hollow Bridge to our designation as a workforce hub https://t.co/ugEL1m3OIQ Ed Gainey (@gainey_ed) July 21, 2024 Donald Trump Jr. offered remarks on Bidens decision to endorse Harris, calling her even more liberal and less competent than Joe. Kamala Harris owns the entire leftwing policy record of Joe Biden. The only difference is that she is even more liberal and less competent than Joe, which is really saying something. She was put in charge of the border and we saw the worst invasion of illegals in our history!!! Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 21, 2024 California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Biden will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Thank you, @JoeBiden. https://t.co/HMUMEB1fTl Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024 Sen. Bob Casey posted a statement to X on Sunday afternoon. Dave McCormick, whos currently in his own campaign for the U.S. Senate, posted a statement as well. Joe Biden is not capable of serving as Commander-in-Chief. Bob Casey is very close to Biden hes known this but in typical Casey fashion, hes been weak in his refusal to admit to Pennsylvanians that Biden is simply not up to the job. Keeping his head down when times get Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) July 21, 2024 Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton posted a joint statement. Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 House Speaker Mike Johnson posted a statement urging Americans to be clear about what just happened. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 21, 2024 Nancy Pelosi said Biden has always put our country first. President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 21, 2024 Sen. Bernie Sanders said Biden served America with honor and dignity. Joe Biden has served our country with honor and dignity. As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history. Thank you, Mr. President, for all youve done. Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 21, 2024 Sen. John Kerry said Biden deserves the gratitude of every American for his extraordinary presidency. President Biden deserves the gratitude of every American for his extraordinary presidency. History will record that, with the thinnest imaginable majority in the Senate, he achieved a domestic agenda unseen since the New Deal, and made America lead like America again on the John Kerry (@JohnKerry) July 21, 2024 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared her thoughts on Bidens decisions. Theres a soft civil war happening in the deep state and the elites in power. The Democrats, the IC, and their activists in the media have been lying to us saying theres nothing wrong with Biden for years. Next, they start a coup against him demanding he drop out of the race Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) July 21, 2024 Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 Presidential race, endorses Kamala Harris Political leaders, including Trump, VP Harris react to President Bidens decision to end 2024 campaign 3 people dead, 1 person hurt in overnight Lawrence County crash VIDEO: Woman in wheelchair hit by City of Pittsburgh garbage truck DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts How political and religious leaders reacted to Biden dropping out of the race California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters on Monday, July 8, 2024, in a donut shop, in Hooksett, N.H. Newsom, who is considered by some to be a possible Biden replacement on the Democratic ticket, thanked President Joe Biden for his leadership after Biden dropped out of the presidential race on Sunday, July 21, 2024. | Steven Senne President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential election on Sunday, prompting a wave of social media reactions from political and religious leaders. Former President Barack Obama praised Biden in a statement, calling him a patriot of the highest order. We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Bidens vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond, Obama wrote. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is considered by some to be a possible Biden replacement on the Democratic ticket, as the Deseret News previously reported, thanked Biden for his leadership. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents, Newsom said. Pete Buttigieg, another favorite to fill Bidens shoes or to run alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, said Biden is one of the best presidents in American history. Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country, said Buttigieg, who serves as secretary of transportation. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Sen. Bernie Sanders, who previously ran for president, thanked Biden for all hes done for the country. Joe Biden has served our country with honor and dignity. As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history, Sanders said. First Lady Jill Biden reposted the presidents announcement with a heart emoji. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, published a lengthy critique of the Democratic Party on X, arguing that Democratic leaders have disrespected Democratic voters. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed party of democracy has proven exactly the opposite, Johnson wrote, in part. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 21, 2024 Religious leaders from a variety of backgrounds praised Biden for doing what they feel is the right thing for the country. The right call for our country. Thank you Mr. President, said Russell Moore, a prominent evangelical leader who serves as editor in chief of Christianity Today magazine. In this Oct. 28, 2014, file photo, Rev. Russell Moore, director of the Southern Baptist's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, speaks in Nashville, Tenn. | Mark Humphrey A selfless and humble decision, recognizing his own humanity, said the Rev. James Martin, a prominent Catholic priest and writer. We join the chorus of voices thanking President Joe Biden for his selfless decision to put country before ego after a lifetime of public service. Now while the Democratic Party decides its next steps, Faithful Americas members will remain steadfastly focused on defeating Donald Trump and white Christian nationalism at the ballot box, said the Rev. Nathan Empsall on behalf of members of Faithful America, an organization that has called out former President Donald Trump for his rhetoric and policy priorities. Brent Leatherwood, who leads the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said Americans of all stripes should thank Biden for leaving the race. Not only is this a historic decision, it is the right decision for our nation. The role of president takes a heavy toll and, based on what has been apparent for some time, it was unrealistic to ask President Biden to endure another four years of the incredible burdens placed on the one who occupies this office. We should all express our appreciation that President Biden has put the needs of the nation above his personal ambition. Despite what some partisans will say, to walk away from power is a selfless act the kind that has become all too rare in our culture, Leatherwood said in his statement. This day should come as no surprise. Still, it is a historic moment. And this decision by President Biden is the right decision for our nation. https://t.co/rJDcI23kQ1 Brent Leatherwood (@LeatherwoodERLC) July 21, 2024 Faith in Action, a religious organization that works with people of faith to promote racial justice, praised Biden for his service to the country. We are in a critical moment in our nations history. President Bidens decision to withdraw his name from nomination demonstrates humility and acknowledgment that protecting our democracy is bigger than any one person. We are grateful for his legacy of public service, including the progress made during his Administration to transition the country to good, clean jobs available to people of color, the statement read, in part. Michael Wear, who worked with the Obama administration on faith outreach, emphasized the need to be mindful of the possibility of a backlash among Democratic voters. I am particularly interested to hear what steps will be taken to mitigate this driving further distrust & nihilism. Unfortunately, I fear this development which was made possible by a series of reactionary, crisis-driven decisions will lead to other crises down the road, Wear said in a post on X. The political world is reacting to the historic, stunning news that President Joe Biden is ending his re-election bid and has endorsed Vice President and former Senator from California Kamala Harris. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden said in an open letter posted to X, formerly Twitter. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Douglass Emhoff watch as President Joe Biden raises the hand of Vice President Kamala Harris as they view the Independence Day firework display over the National Mall from the balcony of the White House, Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Former President Donald Trump wasted no time making a statement on Sunday, and turning it into a campaign message as he seeks the Presidency once again as the Republican nominee. Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement, Trump posted to Truth Social at 11:29 a.m. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Staunch Biden-supporters, meanwhile, are congratulating the 81-year-old President for his career and life devotion to public service. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was previously one of the potential candidates rumored to be in consideration to be Bidens replacement, praised the President in a post to X. Gavin Newsom and Joe Biden President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans, Newsom said. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez, who serves most of the City of Los Angeles in Congress, praised Bidens accomplishments in a statement. As he has done throughout his public service career, President Biden is once again prioritizing the American people and doing all possible to secure the strongest, brightest and most stable future for our nation, Gomez said. The presidents decision to step aside is bigger than one election or one candidateit is about the kind of country we want to be in the long run. Now is the time to unify and continue Democrats longtime fight for working people across this country. U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House who represents San Francisco, thanked Biden for his service in a post to X. President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history, Pelosi said. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Bidens greatness and goodness. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass called Biden one of the most successful and consequential Presidents in American history, in a statement. I know that this work will continue through the remainder of the Presidents term, and I look forward to continuing to partner with him and Vice President Harris to deliver results for those whom we serve, she said. On behalf of the people of Los Angeles, I want to thank President Biden for his continuing service to this city, this state and this nation. Bass later endorsed Kamala Harris for President. Senator from California and former L.A. City Council Member Alex Padilla said Biden put our country first, and praised his long career. During his presidency, he led the nation out of a crippling pandemic and revived our economy with record job creation and historic low unemployment, Padilla said. He delivered transformational bipartisan victories to invest in our infrastructure and lower costs for working families. And he restored Americas leadership on the world stage by defending democracy in Ukraine. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) praised Bidens tremendous track record and commended him for bringing the United States out of a difficult period. I must start by saying thank you, President Biden, for your tremendous track record of selflessly serving the American people over five decades in public office, Kamlager-Dove said in a statement. [Thank you] for leading with empathy and integrity and for working to forge a nation that lives up to its founding ideals of liberty, equality and justice for all. America is better because of your courageous leadership. California Sen. Laphonza Butler also remarked on Bidens service and patriotism while remaining cautious of the threat to the progress he has made during his time in office. Our nation owes President Biden a debt of gratitude for his service and patriotism, especially in making such a difficult decision, Butler said. Thanks to his leadership, the American people have witnessed historic investments in education, infrastructure and so much more. The threat to all that progress remains, and we must now do everything we can to ensure Vice President Harris succeeds. Theres no one better prepared for this challenge. The chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Mark Ramos, expressed his deep appreciation for Biden and his legacy in a statement. Incredible leadership and steadfast moral character are how I describe President Joe Bidenhis policies and legislative victories guided us through a dark time in our history and laid the foundation for returning manufacturing jobs to our country, Ramos said. His presidency was the steady hand we needed to prepare our country for a prosperous future and a better tomorrow for working people in America. Now, we must continue carrying forward his legacy into a new chapter of leadership for the Democratic Party. Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) stated that Biden restored American leadership and moral authority throughout the world without kowtowing to dictators who threaten global stability. President Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest Presidents of our timeI know his decision to step aside was a difficult one, but as always, he put our country first, Brownley said. When he took office in 2021, he faced the daunting task of uniting the country during unprecedented times. Our economy was in free fall from the crippling effects of a global pandemic and our democracy was endangered by insurrectionists and those who sought to destroy our Constitutional process and democratic electionsonly Joe Biden could have been up to this challenging task and succeeded. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. POLL: Who do you think will be the new Democratic nominee? POLL: Who do you think will be the new Democratic nominee? TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) With Sundays announcement by President Joe Biden that he will be ending his re-election campaign, speculation swirled over who will be the new Democratic nominee. Several names have been floated, including Vice President Kamala Harris who received Bidens endorsement. Other names being tossed around are Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Let us know what you think in the poll below. No sign-up needed. Bidens decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide detail about his decision. Senior campaign and White House staff were notified just minutes before the letter went out, according to people familiar with the matter. Biden had been reflecting on his future for the past couple days and the decision was closely held. The White House confirmed the authenticity of the letter. The decision marks a swift and stunning end to Bidens 52 years in electoral politics, as donors, lawmakers and even aides expressed to him their doubts that he could convince voters that he could plausibly handle the job for another four years. Biden won the vast majority of delegates and every nominating contest but one, which would have made his nomination a formality. Now that he has dropped out, those delegates will be free to support another candidate. Harris, 59, appeared to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaigns war chest, according to federal campaign finance rules. Bidens backing helps clear the way for Harris, but a smooth transition is by no means assured. If Kamala Harris were the next nominee, it would be up in the air who her running mate would be. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced that it would hold a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. It remained to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris for the nomination or how party may need to adjust its rules again to smooth Harris nomination on the floor. 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 WFLA. The head of security at a chain of upmarket health food shops which he claims loses 900,000 a year to shoplifting has said posh totty customers are partly responsible. Richard Fowler said some shoppers felt entitled to steal from Planet Organic, which has nine stores across London and claims all the products it sells are organic, because they shopped there regularly. He claimed shoplifting happened at its Chiswick branch every day and that well-off customers are one of the three causes of the problem. He told the BBC: Weve got our homeless ... Then we have what I would call the posh totty people. They shop in Planet Organic on a daily basis, they spend a lot of money with our business. Richard Fowler, head of security at Planet Organic, said middle-class customers were part of the problem - BBC [They think] Today Im a little bit short of money, so Im entitled to steal something. The third type of shoplifters were opportunists who drop something into their bag when they think they are going unnoticed. The Government has pledged in the Kings speech to scrap laws introduced in 2014 that downgraded thefts of less than 200 to a minor offence. It said the new legislation would give the police greater powers to deal with antisocial behaviour and strengthen support for victims. Figures from the Metropolitan Police show that 57,453 offences were reported across the capital last year up from 38,157 in 2022. Professor Emmeline Taylor, of City University, said the problem was linked to police's 'operational approach' to shoplifting - BBC Most were not attended to by an officer, but the force said that where a suspect is on the scene and the situation is likely to become heated or violent call handlers would dispatch officers where appropriate. Emmeline Taylor, professor of criminology at City University, told the BBC: Its widely known that the police have been overstretched and under-resourced for over a decade. It is not just about the number of police that have been taken off the streets, its also the operational approach and the strategy. We have seen a removal of neighbourhood policing and that can really stamp out issues antisocial behaviour, shoplifting, criminal damage before they escalate. 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. Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. Justin Tallis/PA Wire/dpa The prime ministers of the Czech Republic and Poland have paid tribute to US President Joe Biden's achievements following his withdrawal from the presidential race. "Dear President Joe Biden, you have often made difficult decisions, thanks to which Poland, the US and the world are safer, and democracy and freedom are stronger," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on the social media platform X. He asserted that Biden was also guided by this in making his current decision. Tusk added that this "may have been the hardest decision of Biden's life." "This is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades," Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala wrote on X. The liberal-conservative politician expressed hope for the US that a good president will emerge from the November election. The Czech Republic, like Poland, is regarded as a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its defensive struggle against the Russian invasion. A potential victory by the Republican Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed criticism of arms deliveries to Kiev, is viewed with some concern in Prague and Warsaw. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala attends a panel discussion at a science conference in Dresden. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa President Biden Just Dropped Out of the 2024 Election. What's Next for Democrats? President Biden Just Dropped Out of the 2024 Election. What's Next for Democrats? "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." After mounting pressure, President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 election, and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to replace him on the top of the ticket. But there are many unanswered questions left for Democrats about what's next. Here's what we know so far: Has this ever happened before? Throughout American history, there have been multiple times an incumbent president declined to run for reelection, but only one other time when an elected incumbent did not clinch his party's nominantion (Franklin Pierce, back in 1856). There were seven other elected incumbent presidents in American history who didn't seek a second term, including most recently, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. Is Kamala Harris the Democratic nominee for president now? No, she is not the de facto nominee. Biden endorsed Harris, writing, "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this." MSNBC reported that Biden spoke with Harris ahead of his announcement. Despite this, Biden's endorsement does not guarantee Harris will be the Democratic nomineethough it ensures her frontrunner status. Harris has yet to comment. Is anyone else running? Not officially. But there have been a few names floated, including five Democratic governors: Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gavin Newsom of California, and JB Pritzker of Illinois. Does Biden need to be replaced on any ballots? No; while every state's deadline for their ballots is different, the earliest was Ohio's, August 7, but that was changed to September 1. Who will be the Democratic nominee for vice president? That will be determined at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) next month. When's the Democratic National Convention? The DNC will be held August 19 through 22 in Chicago. Will Biden go to the DNC? It's not yet clear if Biden will be there, but it's likely he could attend. What's an open convention? An "open convention" is where multiple candidates compete for the presidential nomination at the convention. Per the Washington Post, "Biden could try to tip the scales toward unity by asking his nearly 3,900 delegates to back his preferred candidate. They wouldnt have to comply, but they were chosen for their loyalty to him and may be inclined to do what he asks." They added, "But if there is no consensus before the delegates arrive in Chicago, the Democrats would have their first open and contested convention since 1968. That one, also in Chicago, went so catastrophically awry that the party overhauled the way it chooses candidates." What happens to Biden's campaign funding? Per the New York Times, "The Biden-Harris campaign has, as of May 30, $91 million. If Ms. Harris is the candidate, that money is hers. If it is another candidate, the Biden-Harris money could be returned to donors (highly unlikely) or transferred to a federal super PAC, which could spend it on behalf of the Democratic ticket." Essentially, if Harris remains on the ticket, all money that was donated to the Biden-Harris campaign will stay with the campaign. If she isn't on the ticket (as president or vice president), there are no guarantees the new nominee will get access to that funding. What happens to Biden's campaign staff? It's as yet unclearmost likely, they can decide to stay on and work for the new candidate, or leave the race with their boss. Did Biden resign the presidency? No. Even though he dropped out of the election, Biden is still president. You Might Also Like With President Biden out of the race, what could be next for NC Gov. Roy Cooper? With President Joe Biden no longer running in the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris could become the nominee and she may be looking to North Carolina for a running mate. Biden left the race for president on Sunday and offered his full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper could be considered as a vice presidential nominee, as Democrats prepare for their convention in August. His name has been repeatedly mentioned as a possibility, along with half a dozen other prominent Democrats, including former astronaut and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper addresses a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Westover High School on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Fayetteville, N.C. Finishing up his second term, Cooper has said that he wants to continue in public service, but has continuously demurred on all questions related to the presidential race, being a VP pick or running for office. Cooper has long been expected to find his next job working somehow with Biden and Harris. For most of the year, that looked like being named as a Cabinet pick if Biden won reelection, given that Coopers term ends Dec. 31. As previously reported by The N&O, Coopers name has appeared on several lists as a potential running mate for Harris. They are longtime friends and both served as attorneys general. NC Gov. Roy Coopers lengthy career in public service: A life in photos On Sunday evening, Cooper endorsed Harris in a social media post. Kamala Harris should be the next President. Ive known (her) going back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity. I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket, Cooper wrote. Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden and Gov. Roy Cooper join each other on stage after speeches on heath care during a campaign stop at the Chavis Community Center in Raleigh on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Cooper statement about Biden Cooper issued a statement Sunday afternoon about Biden, but did not mention Harris or his own potential future. President Biden has cemented his place among our nations finest Presidents. When our democracy faced danger, President Biden stood strong as the rarest type of leader who could help us forge ahead with a vision to repair our countrys soul, Cooper said. He went on to praise Biden for being able to pass transformative legislation that will benefit our economy, our families, and our country for generations to come. Just as impactful as the laws he passed, though, is his ability to listen to everyday people, related to their struggles, and give them hope. Im deeply grateful to call President Joe Biden my friend, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his service to our great nation, Cooper said. The Democrats July Cooper joined Biden and Harris on a meeting with Democratic governors on July 3, during fallout from Bidens dismal debate performance with Trump on June 27. Cooper called in to that meeting, while others went to Washington, D.C., in person. Cooper said in a statement after the meeting that he would continue to support Biden, and called former President Donald Trump a threat to our democracy. We had a good meeting with the President talking about whats needed to win. Donald Trump is an existential threat to our democracy, and everyone in the room agreed that defeating him is imperative, Cooper said. President Biden told us he is definitely running for reelection, he is our nominee and well continue doing everything we can to deliver North Carolina for him, Cooper added. Gov. Roy Cooper speaks during a campaign event for President Joe Biden at the Jim Graham building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Friday June 28, 2024. Biden debated former President Trump in Atlanta Georgia the previous night. In the weeks that followed, the number of Democrats calling for Biden to drop out of the race increased, though Cooper continued to support a Biden-Harris ticket. Cooper has also cheered on the Biden-Harris ticket during three campaign stops in North Carolina after that debate: first the day after the debate when Biden rallied in Raleigh, then at Harris visit to Greensboro on July 11 as well as Harris visit to Fayetteville on July 18. Cooper cautioned in his speeches about Donald Trumps America and the importance of defeating Trump. On July 20, the night before Biden stepped down, U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi was the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Democratic Partys annual unity dinner. She and Cooper barely mentioned Biden at all in their speeches. Pelosi, who was among the top Democrats urging Biden to leave the race, said in Raleigh that elections are not about rewarding you for what you have done. They are about what you are going to do next. Former Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talks with Gov. Roy Cooper and U.S. Rep. Alma Adams during the North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center Saturday, July 20, 2024 Coopers two terms as governor As governor, Cooper has been most known in the state for his response to the coronavirus pandemic and his relentless push for Medicaid expansion. Medicaid expansion was at the center of several state budget battles with the Republican-controlled General Assembly. During his entire time in the governors mansion, Republicans have controlled the legislative branch. That divided government led to more moderate governing than other states, and Cooper, Republican Senate leader Phil Berger and Republican House Speaker Tim Moore had to work together to recruit new businesses to the state, including Apple. Gov. Roy Cooper holds up the Medicaid expansion bill after signing it into law during a ceremony at the Executive Mansion Monday, March 27, 2023. He won election to governor first in 2016, when he narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who faced fallout over House Bill 2, known as the bathroom bill. In 2020, Cooper defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest in a governors race that was largely a referendum on his COVID-19 response. Before becoming governor, Cooper, who is from Nash County in Eastern North Carolina, served as attorney general as well as in the state Senate and House. Like Cooper, his wife Kristin Cooper is a lawyer by trade. They have three grown daughters. Cooper was criticized by Republicans while he put COVID-19 restrictions in place, which included closing schools, restaurants, bars and other businesses, a mask mandate and limiting the size of gatherings over many months. He and his Cabinet pick, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, who now leads the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, described the gradual loosening of restrictions as a dimmer switch approach. It led to lawsuits from those impacted by the mandates. Criticism of Cooper has focused on those pandemic restrictions and his administrations response to hurricane relief. He hasnt had any personal scandals in office. His demeanor is even-keeled, and he is polite and personable, though he requires loyalty from Democrats in the legislature. Before Republicans gained a supermajority, which means they can easily override Coopers vetoes, Cooper would call swing Democrats to the mansion to pressure them to support his priorities. On occasion when Democrats have voted with Republicans, Cooper has supported and funded primary opponents in the next election. Harris rally-goers view of Cooper At Harris rally in Fayetteville last week, Kimberly Naff told The News & Observer that if Harris is the nominee and chooses Cooper, she thinks the two of them could bring forward something that is really amazing, and start to bring down the age of presidents in the last 10 years. Cooper is 67. Harris is 59. Melissa Wicksel, also at Harris Fayetteville rally, said Cooper gets stuff done and it seems like Kamala and him are eye-to-eye. At the state partys unity dinner on Saturday night in Raleigh, some Democratic lawmakers declined to talk about Bidens future. But Sunday was different. State Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, of Raleigh, told The N&O that he cant think of a better a better vice presidential candidate for Kamala Harris than Roy Cooper. He also said that it would be Cooper and his familys decision to make if Harris picked him. Emmy Martin and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi contributed to this story. President Joe Biden has decided to halt his re-election campaign and no longer seek a second term in office. Biden announced the news via his official social media on Sunday, and noted he will speak to the nation later this week. More from The Hollywood Reporter It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected, he continued (full statement below). I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. In a follow-up message, Biden explicitly endorsed Harris to take his place at the top of the ticket. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Harris issued a statement a few hours later thanking Biden for his endorsement and praising him for his service. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she wrote. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party-and unite our nation-to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025. The extraordinary decision marks the first time a sitting U.S. president has declined his partys nomination for a second term since Lyndon B. Johnson opted out of running in 1968. No presidential nominee has ever dropped out during the general election campaign. The move follows three weeks of Democratic party chaos, anxiety and finger-pointing over Bidens catastrophic debate performance on June 27 against his Republican candidate Donald Trump. During the 90-minute debacle, the president appeared fragile and struggled to make coherent arguments. Calls for Biden to drop out began immediately, with several CNN panelists quickly suggesting the president should consider ending his campaign. The calls steadily escalated to include numerous elected officials and pundits urging the president to step aside. Donors vowed to no longer give money to the Biden campaign, with some refusing to give money to any Democrats until the president stepped aside. Biden and his most strident defenders pushed back, repeatedly insisting the president simply had a bad night, was sick with a cold and was jet-lagged and maintained that he was still the best Democrat to face Trump in November. Yet a flurry of reports suggested Bidens debate behavior was not a one-off and that the president has had many episodes in recent years where hes struggled both behind the scenes and while meeting other officials also that such struggles have increased in frequency and severity during the last six months. Bidens inner circle and his political and media supporters have been accused covering up the extent of the presidents decline by regularly insisting Biden was sharp as a tack despite mounting private and public evidence to the contrary. The impact of Bidens debate performance showed in the polls. While post-debate surveys demonstrated only a modest increase for Trump on a national level, at least one leaked poll suggested the debate had a dire impact on swing state races critical to electoral victory. In recent days, the the calls to step aside have reportedly come from the highest levels of Congress, with both former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer having spoken to Biden privately urging him to step down. The failed assassination attempt on Trump last weekend briefly suspended the pressure on Biden. The shooting, with its viral photo of Trump defiantly raising his fist on stage, caused some to speculate that the Republican nominee was now unbeatable and that Democrats should just ride out the election with Biden rather than risk one of the partys rising stars on a quixotic effort. Others suggested the opposite: If the assassination attempt strengthens Trump, its all the more reason to put a candidate on the ticket with a better chance of winning. Yet Biden remained defiant until nearly the end, rather angrily declaring to MSNBCs Morning Joe last week: The bottom line here is, were not going anywhere. Im not going anywhere. If any of these guys dont think I should run, run against me. Go ahead. Announce for president challenge me at the convention. Biden even suggested to ABC News George Stephanopoulos that if he lost in November, what mattered is he gave the campaign his best effort (If Trump wins in November, Ill feel as long as I gave it my all and did the job I know I could do, thats what its all about). So while the most probable spin from Bidens announcement is that the president put the country first and stepped down for the good of the country, his actions over the last few weeks will likely forever undermine that heroic platitude. Given that the media, donors, and Congress had to make an unprecedented and ever-increasing effort to forcefully push for Biden to exit amid collapsing poll numbers its perhaps more accurate to say that while Biden did choose to step down, he also held out to a point where he no longer had a choice. Trump reacted to Bidens withdrawal by writing on Truth Social that the president goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country. In a post on social media, Bill and Hilary Clinton both thanked Biden for his service to the country, and endorsed Harris for president. Barack Obama also released a statement, honoring Biden in a lengthy statement that notably did not mention Harris. The big question now becomes: Who will be the Democratic nominee instead of Biden? And by what process, exactly? Some have suggested Harris should be the uncontested new standard bearer. She has the benefit of Bidens endorsement and will also have ready access to the majority of the $240 million in Biden-Harris donor funds. Stories in recent days suggested that Dem party leadership was coalescing around the idea that the smoothest path forward would be for the party to rally around the veep. With Harris poll numbers trailing Bidens up until the debate, however, others say nobody should automatically get the top spot, and that the best way to insure Trumps defeat is to hold a mini primary that allows other potential contenders such as Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and California governor Gavin Newsom to make their case along with Harris. Moreover, that it would become tough to make a case that the Democrats are protecting democracy if a single contender is coronated by party leaders. Under such a scenario, each prospective candidate could present their leadership vision for how best to move the country forward, amid rounds of voter polling and debates, to get a sense of which candidate might fare best in November. The campaigning would lead up to the Democratic Convention in Chicago set for Aug. 19-22, when delegates who were previously pledged to Biden would be freed up to make another choice instead. Best of The Hollywood Reporter President Joe Biden on Sunday afternoon issued a letter announcing he would not seek re-election this fall. Shortly after that announcement, powerful U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn was among the host of Palmetto State officials reacting to the news, and echoed Biden in offering his support for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Partys nominee. Biden, who had been facing calls from some Democratic circles to exit the race since a widely-panned debate performance in June, said in a letter shared to social media Sunday that it has been the greatest honor of his life to serve as president the last three-and-a-half years, but that he would not run for the office again. I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duty as President for the remainder of my term, Biden said. A short time later, Biden shared that he is endorsing Harris for the nomination. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, Biden said on X. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Just moments after Biden, 81, announced he was dropping out of the race, prominent Democrats and other officials in South Carolina began weighing in. Clyburn weighs in Clyburn, long a Biden ally, said in a Sunday afternoon statement that he could think of no one with the integrity and no one more committed to the fundamental principles that form the foundation of our great country than (Biden). Clyburn added that Biden has pursued an agenda that addresses the inequities in our healthcare system, the unaffordability of higher education, our outdated roads and bridges, the gun violence epidemic, access to affordable high-speed broadband, and so much more. Clyburn, one of the highest ranking members in the House of Representatives, also issued his support for Harris to get the Democratic nomination. I echo the good judgment (Biden) demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead the nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Partys 2024 nominee for President, Clyburn said. Democrats ready to support Harris Bakari Sellers, a Columbia attorney, CNN contributor, author and former Democratic state representative, was quick to note Harris has his support for the nomination. Democrats should be embarrassed by the way President Biden was treated by his own colleagues the last month, Sellers shared on X. He is one of the most transformative Presidents of a generation. That fight is over. I dare not wage into another. Kamala Harris is battle tested and battle ready. I look forward to working damn hard to make her the next PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. SC Rep. Kambrell Garvin, a Columbia Democrat, thanked Biden for his work in Washington. Thank you for your service, President Biden, Garvin tweeted. America is better because of your leadership. Later, responding to Bidens endorsement of Harris, Garvin tweeted Lets go! and the fire emoji. SC Democratic Party chair to Biden: Thank you South Carolina Democratic Party Chairwoman Christale Spain issued a statement on Bidens decision on Sunday afternoon. President Biden holds a special place in the hearts of South Carolina Democrats, Spain said. There are only two words to be said - Thank you. Thank you to the President for his extraordinary leadership and selfless sacrifice for our nation. President Bidens leadership brought our country back from the brink after the pandemic and the worst economic crisis in 80 years. South Carolina Democrats will always be proud we played a small part in President Bidens nomination in 2020. The presidents decision today exemplifies his dedication and love for our country. Biden struggled in the early presidential preference primaries in 2020. However, South Carolina served as a firewall for the former longtime U.S. senator and vice president. With a key endorsement from Clyburn, Biden dominated the 2020 Democratic primary in the Palmetto State, and was off to the races after that. He demonstratively won this years Democratic primary in SC, picking up more than 96% of the vote against opponents such as Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. National Democratic Party chair: Enormous debt of gratitude owed to Biden National Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, who hails from South Carolina, said on X Sunday that the American people owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Biden. Harrison also said it is time for Democrats to unite after weeks of debate on whether Biden would continue. Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November, Harrison tweeted. As we move forward to formally select our Partys nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to make this case to the American people. SC Republicans react Meanwhile, reactions also began rolling from across the aisle on Sunday afternoon, with South Carolina Republicans also taking in the news that Biden wouldnt run again. The Democrats tried to kick President Trump off the ballot in multiple states, then they turned the judicial system into a pawn of political warfare, and now theyre making Joe Biden tap out in hopes it will fix their problems, S.C, Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick said in a statement. I recommend they simply admit the truth: The American people dont support their ideas or their record. No change of players can fix that for them, and Donald J. Trump will be the 47th President of the United States of America. Gavin Smith is a former staffer under Republican President Donald Trump and currently a Lexington Town Councilman. On social media Sunday, he keyed on the idea that Biden was forced out of the race by forces in the Democratic party. During the 2024 Primaries, millions of Americans voted for @JoeBiden. They didnt vote for the donors, Pelosi, Schumer, or others, Smith tweeted. Now that Dem elites have forced Biden out and disenfranchised the votes of millions, I never want to hear them talk about saving democracy again. SC Democrats praise, thank Biden SC House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, a Columbia Democrat, said Bidens decision to not seek re-election was a country first move. President Biden is putting our country first, as he has throughout his career, Rutherford said on X. Now lets come together to keep Donald Trump out of the White House. Meanwhile, former S.C. state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, a Charleston Democrat, praised Biden for what Kimpson sees as an unselfish move to bow out of the race. Thank you for your service to our country @POTUS, Kimpson shared on X Sunday. Once again, youve proven to be unselfish and focused on healing and unity. I will never forget the weak kneed Democrats who threw you under bus rather than focus on the convict. See you Chicago my friend. I have a vote. Later Sunday, Kimpson shared a message on X expressing his support for Harris. Democratic SC Rep. Jermaine Johnson said on social media that he expects the history books will look kindly upon Biden. President @JoeBiden history will smile upon you, Johnson shared on X. Thank you for your service to the country that we all love so much. The Dems that called on his to exit so loudly I fully expect yall to lead the charge in ensuring whoever the nominee is has all the resources needed. The Democratic National Convention is set for August in Chicago. Democratic state Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, a former two-decade Columbia city councilwoman, expressed gratefulness for Bidens time in office. Thank you Mr. President for your leadership. Your accomplishments in the last (3.5) years have made this country stronger and better, Devine shared on X Sunday. You are a wonderful President and we are grateful for all you have done and will still do as our President. Your story is not over! Just days ago, Devine was among 1,400 prominent Black women who signed a letter in support of Bidens candidacy. My statement on President Biden. pic.twitter.com/xEq1tsQhAl Jim Clyburn (@ClyburnSC06) July 21, 2024 President @JoeBiden history will smile upon you. Thank you for your service to the country that we all love so much. The Dems that called on his to exit so loudly I fully expect yall to lead the charge in ensuring whoever the nominee is has all the resources needed. #ThankYouJoe https://t.co/N4jmJ6gUco Jermaine Johnson (@Dr_JLJohnson) July 21, 2024 Democrats should be embarrassed by the way President Biden was treated by his own colleagues the last month. He is one of the most transformative Presidents of a generation. That fight is over. I dare not wage into another. Kamala Harris is battle tested and battle ready. I Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) July 21, 2024 Thank you for your service, President Biden. America is better because of your leadership. https://t.co/DkzCDKfBuQ Rep. Kambrell Garvin (@Kambrell) July 21, 2024 Thank you for your service to our country @POTUS. Once again, youve proven to be unselfish and focused on healing and unity. I will never forget the weak kneed Democrats who threw you under bus rather than focus on the convict. See you Chicago my friend. I have a vote. pic.twitter.com/JmTdAncF7L Marlon Kimpson, Esq. (@KimpsonForSC) July 21, 2024 Thank you Mr President for your leadership. Your accomplishments in the last 3 1/5 years have made this country stronger and better. You are a wonderful President and we are grateful for all you have done and will still do as our President. Your story is not over! pic.twitter.com/J26oQInkJY Tameika Isaac Devine (@TIDEVINE) July 21, 2024 A statement from SCDP chair @ChristaleSpain : pic.twitter.com/5L0GFuXNd6 South Carolina Democratic Party (@scdp) July 21, 2024 The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years and we will honor that legacy, and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) July 21, 2024 During the 2024 Primaries, millions of Americans voted for @JoeBiden. They didnt vote for the donors, Pelosi, Schumer, or others. Now that Dem elites have forced Biden out and disenfranchised the votes of millions, I never want to hear them talk about saving democracy again. https://t.co/euYvqhQweT Gavin J. Smith (@iamgavinjames) July 21, 2024 President Biden is putting our country first, as he has throughout his career. Now lets come together to keep Donald Trump out of the White House. https://t.co/xCmxY6AoGA Todd Rutherford (@RepRutherford) July 21, 2024 U.S. President Joe Biden participates in the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Justin Sullivan | Getty Images WASHINGTON President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, he said in a letter posted to social media, creating an unprecedented vacancy atop the Democratic ticket one month before he was scheduled to officially accept his partys nomination. In a follow-up post less than 30 minutes later, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic nominee. And Harris said she intended to earn and win the nomination. Bidens withdrawal came after a weeks-long pressure campaign from party insiders following a disastrous June 27 debate performance against GOP candidate former President Donald Trump. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The move throws an already-unusual presidential race into further chaos, and it was not immediately clear Sunday how Democrats would choose a replacement for Biden in Novembers election, though Harris would have a strong claim to lead the ticket. In a statement emailed by the Biden-Harris campaign, Harris called Bidens decision a selfless and patriotic act. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. In a written statement, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said the party in picking a new nominee would proceed under established rules and procedures. The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear, Harrison wrote. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people. In his letter, Biden praised Harris as an extraordinary partner in the administrations accomplishments. Arizona Democrats rallied around Vice President Kamala Harris as the partys new presumptive nominee for president after Joe Biden announced Sunday that he was ending his reelection bid. Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano praised the Biden-Harris administration for its success in improving the American economy and the work it had done to protect fundamental rights. Donald Trump is the biggest threat to our democracy, our rights, and the future of our country, she said in a written statement. President Biden has fought to make the lives of working families better, and we thank him for his incredible service. Today through November 5, we are steadfast in our commitment to defeating Donald Trump once and for all, and electing Democrats up and down the ballot. Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, who many believe is on the short list of contenders to be chosen as Harris vice presidential running mate, full-throatedly backed Harris. I couldnt be more confident that Vice President @KamalaHarris is the right person to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country into the future. She has my support for the nomination, and Gabby and I will do everything we can to elect her President of the United States, he said on social media, referring to his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Gov. Katie Hobbs praised Biden as the embodiment of a public servant. Throughout his career, he has led with integrity, selflessness, and unparalleled empathy. His decision today is a clear reflection of these qualities and his commitment to putting the American people first, she said on X. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes thanked Biden for his decades of service, but said she was ready to help move America forward and am honored to support Harris as she seeks the nomination next month at the Democratic National Convention. Likewise, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said she was wholeheartedly supporting Harris, who she praised as committed to delivering results on health care, climate change and the economy, and will do whatever it takes to elect her to the White House. Biden says decision in nations best interest Biden, who has been fighting a COVID-19 infection at home in Delaware since last week, was not specific about his reasons for stepping aside, but said he believed it was in the countrys best interest. It has been the great honor of my life to serve as your President, he wrote in the one-page letter. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Biden, 81, appeared frail and confused at several points throughout the debate, leading to worries among elected Democrats and the partys voters that he was no longer up to the task of governing or contesting Trumps bid to win back the White House. As several congressional Democrats called for him to quit the race, others asked that he ramp up his public schedule and include more unrehearsed appearances that could demonstrate his fitness. But a more robust schedule of news interviews, press conferences and campaign rallies did not sufficiently quiet the Democratic voices saying Bidens candidacy was likely to throw the presidential race to Trump whom Biden and others have described as an existential threat to U.S. democracy and deeply handicap Democrats in other races up and down Novembers ballot. On Friday, Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico brought the number of senators calling on Biden to drop out to four. A day earlier, Montana Sen. Jon Tester said Biden should drop his reelection campaign and that Democrats should hold an open nomination process at their Chicago convention next month. In the U.S. House, 29 Democrats had called for Biden to withdraw from the race by the end of the day July 19. In a post following the announcement to his social media site, Truth Social, Trump said Biden was never fit to serve as president. Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve And never was! Trump wrote. He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt And now, look what hes done to our Country. More details of announcement In the letter, Biden praised his administrations accomplishments over three-and-a-half years, saying hed worked to make historic investments in the country, lowered prescription drug costs, nominated the first Black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court and passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. Together we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Biden wrote. Weve protected and preserved our Democracy. And weve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. Biden said he would speak to the Nation later this week about the decision. He praised Harris and other supporters. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected, he wrote. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. In follow-up posts, Biden said he was endorsing Harris and added a fundraising link. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, he said. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Trump gains in polls The about face in what was to be a 2020 presidential election rematch leaves Democrats searching for a new candidate as Trump, who promises authoritarian-style leadership, has gained support in recent polls. With just 107 days until Election Day, Bidens move marks the latest date in modern presidential history that a candidate has withdrawn from the race. President Lyndon Johnson announced in March 1968 that he would not seek reelection that year, leaving Democratic delegates to decide on a replacement ultimately Vice President Hubert Humphrey at the partys convention that summer in Chicago. Harris appears to be in a strong position to replace Biden as the partys standard bearer, though questions remain about how the process will play out and who would become the vice presidential nominee. Democrats praise decision Reaction poured in shortly after the Sunday afternoon announcement, with Democrats largely praising Bidens record and calling his decision courageous. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that he understood Bidens decision to step out of the race was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being, the New York Democrat said. Several high-ranking Democrats endorsed Harris as Bidens successor. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement. Statements from other party leaders, including Schumer, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama did not include endorsements. Several Republicans called for Biden to resign his office. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President, House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. A crescendoing chorus to step down Biden faced calls for him to abandon his reelection bid from congressional Democrats, even as he tried to stabilize the debate aftershock by holding a series of campaign rallies, sitting down for interviews and holding a press conference at the annual NATO conference. Democratic lawmakers largely presented a public front of support for Biden in statements and passing interviews in the U.S. Capitol hallways with reporters. What began as a trickle of dissent from rank-and-file Democrats beginning with Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas and a handful of doubtful senior House Democrats steadily grew to a torrent by Friday. 50-year career in Washington Bidens exit marks the closure of a long, storied career in Washington, including 38 years in the U.S. Senate, featuring stints leading the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees, and eight years as vice president under President Barack Obama. Bidens presidency was punctuated with major economic wins for Democrats, beginning with nearly $2 trillion to combat the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership with a Democratic majority in Congress resulted in substantial nationwide infrastructure investments, drove financial incentives to tackle climate change and revive the U.S. global role in semiconductor manufacturing, and strengthened flagging tax enforcement. However, low approval ratings followed Biden throughout his presidency as Americans aimed their frustrations over inflation at the White House and assigned blame for record numbers of border crossings as a divided Congress after Democrats lost their House majority in the 2022 midterms failed to pass immigration restrictions negotiated with the administration. Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war also hurt his support among young and progressive voters as Israels continued offensive against Hamas militants in the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip killed tens of thousands of civilians. Protesters against the U.S. supply of weapons to Israel interrupted dozens of Bidens reelection campaign events through 2024. Ariana Figueroa contributed to this report. ***UPDATE: This story has been updated with additional comments and reporting. After weeks of calls to drop out of the race, President Joe Biden has announced he will not run for re-election though social media. The announcement comes about one month before the Democratic National Convention begins and just over 100 days until Election Day. As late as Friday afternoon, Biden was adamant that he would return to the campaign trail after testing positive for COVID-19. In a memo released to CNN on Friday, Biden said, I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald Trumps Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone, adding, The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win. The health concern was the latest in a series of events that put pressure on Bidens bid for president. The first presidential debate in June revealed a candidate who, according to CNN, was hoarse and displaying little vocal range, was often unable to express his differences with Trump with clarity. After the debate, Biden, 81, participated in several media interviews to try to assuage doubts that he has the vigor needed to beat former President Donald Trump. Read: President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns But missteps and Bidenisms have hampered efforts by the Biden campaign to calm the nerves of even the strongest Democratic supporters, especially donors. As Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention, Biden was self-isolating in his Delaware home, having testing positive for coronavirus mere days after the attempted assassination of Trump. One Democratic governor told his aides on Thursday, This cant go on much longer, CNN reported. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 Read: Florida man made threats to kill President Biden, federal investigators say Rep. Nancy Pelosi is among prominent Democrats who doubt Biden could win, The New York Times reported. Pelosis spokesperson did not deny that the former Speaker of the House showed the president data that shows a Biden win is unlikely. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries each have told Biden in private of their concerns not only about Bidens chances but also about down-ballot races for House and Senate. By Thursday, sources told The Times, some people close to Biden said he showed signs of warming to the idea that he should drop out and that he may not win in November. A virtual DNC vote had been scheduled to officially nominate Biden before the convention, but the convention rules committee said no virtual voting will begin before August 1, CNN reported. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement President Joe Biden said Sunday he would not seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, Biden said in a tweet on X. Harris, 59, could make her own history, as the first Black and Asian American woman ever to head a major party ticket. The former California attorney general and U.S. senator still needs to be formally nominated by the Democratic convention, which begins August 19. Democratic insiders have strongly suggested for weeks that shed have little trouble getting the nod. She would replace Biden, 81, who became the first incumbent president since Lyndon Johnson in 1968 to decline to run for another term. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president, he said in an open letter released just before 11 a.m. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a statement on X, praised Biden shortly after the announcement. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump blasted Biden after the presidents announcement. Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president and is certainly not fit to serveand never was, Trump said his Truth Social site. Harris as nominee? As Biden stumbled, top Democrats as well as voters signaled that Harris was the logical successor. Some of her biggest potential challengers, notably Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said they did not intend to run this year. The feeling among many Democratic officeholders is that the election is in many ways a referendum on the job the Biden administration has done the past four years, and Harris has earned a role as the chief defender of that record.. I think she has the experience, the judgment, the leadership ability to be an extraordinary president, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, told NBCs Meet the Press recently before Biden left the race.. Absolutely, said Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., when asked recently if Harris would be his choice if Biden stepped down. Seven members of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee sent a letter to Democratic Chairman Jaime Harrison July 12 urging the selection of Harris if Biden stepped down. What does this mean for CA congressional races? The consequences of Bidens decision for Californias congressional delegation could be enormous. Democrats need a net gain of five seats to win a majority in the House of Representatives, and four California seats are considered toss-ups by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Biden helped Democrats in 2020, trouncing Trump 63.5% to 34.3%. Polls taken before last months presidential debate showed him still winning big, but by a smaller margin. The Public Policy Institute of California survey taken May 23-June 2 had Biden up 55% to 31%. Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, is running against former Assemblyman Adam Gray, a Merced Democrat. Duarte narrowly beat Gray two years ago. Another rematch pits Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, against former Assemblyman Rudy Salas, who nearly won in 2022. Also in play are seats now held by Reps. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, and Mike Garcia, R-Palmdale.. One way Harris could be an asset for Democrats is that she knows California. She was elected attorney general in 2010 and 2014, and easily won a U.S. Senate seat in 2016. The fall of Biden Bidens political momentum with Democrats began to ebb after his disastrous June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump. He tried to regain political stature, with campaign appearances, vigorous support from Congressional Black Caucus members and a nationally televised interview with ABCs George Stephanopoulos July 5.. But when Congress returned to Washington July 8, a steady trickle of Democratic House members saying he should step aside began. Two days later came crushing blows. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, whose opinion carries enormous weight with Democrats, would not give Biden strong backing during an appearance July 10 on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Instead, she said, Its up to the president to decide if he is going to run. Were all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short, The same morning, actor George Clooney, who in June co-hosted a massive fundraiser for Biden in Los Angeles, wrote an op-ed for the New York Times headlined I love Joe Biden. But we need a new nominee. Adding to the drama was how former President Barack Obama may have been lurking behind Clooneys effort. Reports said that Clooney made Obama aware of his op-ed, and Obama did not try to stop him from publishing. Biden tried an unscripted news conference July 11 that ran almost an hour. Even as he showed a mastery of foreign policy, he also referred to Vice President Trump. Harris, meanwhile, had been on the campaign trail, giving energized speeches tearing into Trump. Some polls showed her in a virtual tie with Trump, running slightly better than Biden. Perhaps most comforting for Democrats is her favorability rating which while still a low 40% in latest Reuters/Ipsos July 1-2 poll was slightly ahead of both Biden, who polled 38%, and within range of Trump at 42%. Chris Jackson, Ipsos senior vice president, said the country is divided, and the winner will be whoever wins the undecided. Harris will probably get a fresh look: The poll found 60% of independent voters thought Biden should drop out. President Joe Biden is stepping out of the 2024 race, so now what happens? The Democratic National Convention is just weeks away and the process of choosing another Democratic nominee isnt as simple as removing President Joe Biden from the top of the ticket. Biden announced on Sunday that he was stepping aside in the 2024 race and was endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the President. His primary and caucus wins earlier this year secured him the support of nearly 3,900 delegates. So what happens now that Biden has said he will no longer run in 2024? Casey Burgat, assistant professor at George Washington University told Channel 2 Washington Bureau reporter Kirstin Garriss that there are several possible scenarios. We havent seen this play out in a long time and Democratic politics or Republican politics for that matter, said Casey Burgat, assistant professor at George Washington University. Burgat said while Vice President Kamala Harris is already on the ticket, she wont automatically become the next presidential nominee. Delegates could choose her or anyone else. RELATED STORIES: She was not on the ballot, it was only a singular person, you were voting for a presidential nominee, and then that authority to pick the running mate goes to the president and confirmed by that convention, said Burgat. Burgat said delegates will make the case for a nominee and then vote. And the first one to a majority will be the presumptive nominee, or in fact, the official nominee heading into November, he said. Theres a separate process if President Biden were to step down after accepting the nomination next month. In that case, Burgat said the Democratic National Party would consult with Democratic congressional and gubernatorial leaders to select a new nominee. So if were thinking this is a backroom deal right now headed into Chicago if President Biden drops out, it will literally be party elders selecting their nominee without any sort of down-ballot approval process from voters or even delegates, said Burgat. Biden will now remain in office until the next President takes the oath on Jan. 20, 2025. RELATED NEWS: A presidential campaign is 'a $2-billion startup.' If she gets the nod, Harris has 3 months President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House in May. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) The Democratic Party is about to find out what it's like to compete in a snap election, like the ones in Great Britain, France and other parliamentary systems that hold quick elections with little notice. Only in this case, it will be one-sided. They will be facing an opponent, former President Trump, who has been running since 2022, secured his party's nomination in March and staged a highly choreographed convention last week. There's "no template for it," said David Axelrod, former President Obama's lead strategist. Building a new campaign around Vice President Kamala Harris, or whoever secures the Democratic nomination, will be an immediate and daunting challenge now that President Biden announced Sunday that he will bow out of his reelection campaign. A presidential campaign now is a $2-billion startup that's open for business for two weeks," said Stuart Stevens, lead strategist for Republican Sen. Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. "Starting from scratch is not impossible, but it's a great disadvantage." Read more: Joe Biden steps down as Democratic presidential nominee, endorses Kamala Harris Stevens, who opposes Trump, said selecting Harris to replace President Biden atop the ticket is "100% the best" scenario for building a campaign infrastructure and crafting a message. She could inherit hundreds of campaign workers and an organization that is built around ground-level organizing in anticipation of a close election and a message geared toward Biden's accomplishments. Within hours of Biden's announcement Sunday, the campaign changed the name of its fundraising committee from "Biden for President" to "Harris for President," giving her control of its $91-million account. People will be out walking the precincts this afternoon for her, Stevens said, compared with an alternate nominee who would need to start hiring staff and building a machine after the Aug. 19-22 Democratic National Convention. But whether it's Harris or not, the process is certain to be tough. She would have to pick a running mate, which normally takes weeks of extensive vetting, and she would have to hope that running mate blends in with her team, which she also has not selected. In her statement Sunday, she nodded to the compressed time frame, noting that she has traveled extensively for the last year. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win, she wrote. Her first big decision would be deciding how much of Biden's team to keep. Harris ran in the 2020 Democratic primary. But the campaign ended in recriminations among top advisors, like many losing efforts. She took only a handful of staffers with her when Biden selected her as his running mate, making her almost entirely dependent on his team. Many of the people who worked on her 2020 primary campaign, who overlap extensively with Gov. Gavin Newsom's political operation, were kept at arm's length during much of her vice presidency. Read more: This is Kamala Harris' moment: Everything you need to know And as speculation around Biden's withdrawal began to swirl last month, Harris was extremely careful to avoid any sign that she was looking at her own potential future, stymieing her ability to assemble a staff or draft extensive plans. Axelrod said the most difficult piece will be building trust with key campaign advisors, and fast. "You're asking folks you may not know to jump into a foxhole with you in a battle that is already in full fury," he said, which may argue for retaining much of Biden's structure. Donna Brazile, a Harris ally who led former Vice President Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign, said Biden's staff needs to take a breath after placing all of their emotional energy behind him. Give them an opportunity to mourn," she said. "Give them an opportunity to grieve." She insisted there would be plenty of time to build a plan around Harris. I could do a 90-day campaign without opening my eyes," she said. "In the past the summer was the time we squandered in getting ready for the fall. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Civil rights activist Cornel West dances on stage as Wyclef Jean performs at the Keep the Promise on HIV/AIDS rally celebrating the opening of the International AIDS Conference on the National Mall in 2012 in Washington. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- Independent 2024 presidential candidate Cornel West has formally requested protection from the U.S. Secret Service after it was extended to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ahead of the election in November. West's campaign noted that he has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Israel and Zionist ideologies which have caused him to face downright "hostile" portrayals by some media outlets, "emphasizing the need for consistent and unbiased protection." "While we follow the required processes, we also directly urge President Biden to uphold the principles of democracy and fairness in the distribution of Secret Service protection," said his spokesman, Edwin DeJesus. "It is imperative that all presidential candidates receive equal treatment under the law, ensuring their safety as they engage with the public on critical national issues." West is a celebrated philosopher and theologian who chose California State University Professor Melina Abdullah as his vice president candidate. "Our aim is and will always be to unite in solidarity with movements of truth and justice, who seek a choice beyond empire, white supremacy, capitalism, patriarchy, and the confines of the corporate-dominated two-party system," his campaign said in an April statement. Candidates like Kennedy, West and the Green Party's Jill Stein often face uphill battles campaigning because Republicans and Democrats have established mechanisms like ballot access laws that make it harder for them to even get on the ballot. Republicans and Democrats also collectively benefit from the ways campaign finance laws are written and don't generate as many news headlines. In June, Stein filed a Federal Elections Commission complaint against CNN for allegedly being in cahoots with the campaigns of former President Donald Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden ahead of a planned debate that didn't include her. The debate became a disaster for Biden, who continues to face calls for him to drop out of the race because of his poor performance facing off against Trump. Presidential debate was 'beginning of the end' for Biden, Georgians say President Joe Biden attended more than 20 events in the weeks after the CNN Presidential Debate on June 27. He appeared more alert than he did that fateful night in Georgia. He stayed on message and his voice was stronger. But it didnt seem to matter. As far as some Georgia politicians and voters were concerned, his matchup against former President Donald Trump that night was the tipping point for Biden as the Democrats presidential nominee. It was only a matter of time before he dropped out. 'A hard watch': Students at Georgia Tech, site of Biden-Trump clash, react to debate The debate was definitely the beginning of the end, said Joe Clark, president of the local Democratic Party in Fayette County, Georgia. If hed had a strong debate that night, we wouldnt be here today. While there had already been talk among some that Biden was too old for the job, that sentiment spread across the Democratic party on debate night. For Clark, all 150 of the attendees at his debate watch party were disappointed. In our political climate, people are always looking for the ah hah or the gotcha moment, Clark said, This was it. Democratic Rep. Edna Jackson, who represents District 165 in Savannah, agrees that the debate was a turning point for Biden and his campaign. But she says his schedule and advisors are partially to blame for his poor debate performance. His advisors didnt have him rest. When youre at that age, you have to rest," she said. "He had three events that day and it tired him out. Debate performance aside, Jackson believes that it was the right thing for Biden to do. I congratulate him on making that very sound decision. Im also very happy that the party will continue with Vice President Harris. Clark also was ready to throw his support behind Harris as the nominee. Were still enthused. Well coalesce around Harris, he said. But it will be an interesting convention. In a statement, state Sen. Gloria Butler, the Senate minority leader who represents Georgias 55th District, called Bidens retirement an immense loss for our country. But like her fellow Democrats, Butler sees hope in Harris as the presumptive nominee. "We will elect Kamala Harris this November. We will stop Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. And we will continue President Bidens incredible work over the last four years. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during her visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on March 14, 2024. Some Georgians expressed relief that Biden had dropped out. Madison English, 32, of Atlanta, said she initially argued that Biden couldnt be that bad until she saw the debate. It was his soft-spoken, trailing voice that threw her off. English was in another room when the debate first started, she explained. I couldnt hear what he was saying, so I walked into the living room where the debate was on," she said. "Thats when I realized I was hearing things fine; thats just how he sounded. I knew after that night hed have to drop out. Im glad he did. Other Georgia voters were not feeling that same sense of relief. Natasha Bertrand, of Atlanta, said the overall mood felt ominous after hearing Bidens announcement. Its probably for the best since so many people were calling for it," Bertrand said. "I dont see how his campaign could have continued anyway. Bertrands main worry wasnt Bidens announcement, but what comes after with a new nominee. I dont think Kamala Harris can do it. Theyre going to have to find someone new, she said. But I really cant think of anyone off the top of my head that can beat Trump. Melissa Cruz is an elections reporting fellow who focuses on voter access issues for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her at mcruz@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, at @MelissaWrites22. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia reacts to Biden dropping out, saying debate was to blame Presidents dont matter? Maybe if all you care about is stocks. What about democracy? | Opinion Wall Street might not care about elections, but you should Peter Crabb, in his July 17 op-ed regarding the presidential election not really affecting many of us, focuses on Wall Street. There are other voices claiming the same namely Wall Street bankers, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, etc. However, at issue in this election is something more pernicious that will affect many, many of us. Crabb does mention, though very briefly and in almost a whisper, that the executive branch has become more powerful than it should be. Has he not familiarized himself with the people Trump would bring into that branch? Start with J.D. Vance and Stephen Miller and the Heritage Foundation fellas. Does Crabb not worry about Trumps affinity with autocrats? Is Crabb not concerned about our allies fears? Wall Street, Dr. Crabb, may be OK regardless of the outcome. We, on Main Street, have more serious concerns. Steve Rostron, Boise More lanes on State Street I am writing to express support for 5 lanes of traffic on State Street between N 8th and N 14th streets. This is a main corridor in and out of downtown Boise and is heavily traveled by commuters and residents daily. Creating 5 lanes of traffic to include dedicated turning lanes at the intersections with arrowed lights is the safest option. Flashing lights around the Walk/Dont Walk signal can increase the awareness of pedestrian presence. Diverting bicycles to alternative streets like Jefferson or Bannock and adding bike lanes to discourage them from using State Street or its sidewalks. If State Street is reduced effectively to 2 lanes of traffic, it will create a significant bottleneck, drivers will get frustrated, and commute time would significantly increase. It will also make it very difficult for emergency vehicles if there are fewer lanes because cars will have difficulty pulling over to let them through. Motorists may decide to avoid State Street and congest side streets, which will not make it safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, children, or animals. Please consider all of the people adversely impacted if the lanes are reduced on State Street. Mary Armstrong, Boise You know a persons character by their friends Where has our morality gone? How do we justify a vote for a convicted felon as our leader of this great country? Trump has the highest turnover in Presidential history. Fourteen Trump aides, donors, advisors have been indicted or imprisoned. He is the only president who has been associated with convicted criminals and now a criminal himself found guilty of 34 counts by his own peers! His associates in legal trouble include Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Rudy Guiliani, Roger Stone, Michael Cohen, Peter Navarro, Kenneth Chesebro, Sidney Powell and many more. Are these the kind of people we want in out government? Taking down our democracy? Think hard when you vote. It is not the man but the good competent people around him that make him great. Joe Biden might be aging but he knows government and is an honorable man and he has very qualified moral people working for him and the American people. Save America vote Biden/Harris. Cory Samson, Boise Private property rights are paramount Many people have recently moved to this valley and built homes and subdivisions next to or on farm ground. Now some of those same people are protesting the Powers Butte Solar Project in Canyon and Ada counties, saying they want to Save our Farms. This isnt our farm, its mine. And my family has the right to sell our land investment just as everyone else has the right to sell their investments. Ive been in the dairy business since we moved to Kuna in 1958. Its been a good life. Weve seen lots of changes and improvements throughout the years. But I am 81 years old. We decided to sell our land now because land prices are strong. We chose to sell to Savion Energy rather than to residential developers because they made a good offer and because we felt it would be better for the community. A solar plant doesnt impact the schools, traffic, or water table like a residential development would. Property rights are held in the highest regard in Idaho. Some peoples preference for what my land looks like now should not impact my familys fundamental right to develop our land as regulations permit us to do. Steve Beus, Kuna Anyone under 75 for president Its time to take the car away from grandpa. This is a tough decision, but its one thousands of families face every year. Grandpa has always been a careful and considerate driver,and he would never want to hurt anyone. But hes showing his age hes less focused, his vision has blind spots,and his reflexes are no longer sharp. It would be ideal if grandpa realized this and voluntarily surrendered his car keys. But hes stubborn and proud. So its the familys job to tell him he can no longer be a responsible driver. This is the situation both political parties face today. Theres buzz that the Democrats may seek to oust President Biden as their nominee. They should. Unfortunately, theres no talk about cutting Donald Trumps run short. If Joe Biden drops out, Trump will be the oldest person to ever run for president older than Biden when he was elected in 2020. America deserves better than two old men well past their prime running for the most important job in the U.S. and the world. William Rice, Boise If Trump wins, get ready for the return of graft The recent decision by the United States Supreme Court to hold former president Donald Trump immune from prosecution for actions taken as part of his official duties is tantamount to approval of all the plans for the dismantling of the U.S. government as set forth in the Project 2025. This makes a mockery of all the lives sacrificed to free people from autocratic dictators in the American Revolution that freed us from the tyranny of a king, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm and the War on Terror. This also removes the separation of powers that the founders of this country kept at the forefront of their efforts in the establishment of our great country. Project 2025 is a blueprint, generated by former staffers of the former Trump administration, for either elimination of the regulatory agencies or for replacing the staffing with Trump loyalists. These will be people with no expertise in the areas covered by the agencies. The experts that have been running these agencies will be replaced by political appointees. Could this also apply to the U.S. military? William Brudenell, Boise Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic presidential nominee now that President Joe Biden has exited the race and has endorsed her. She also has won enough delegates to secure the nomination. She brings a long and strong record of support for LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and other progressive causes. If she wins in November, Harris will make history as both the first woman to be president and first woman of color in the nations highest office the first Black woman and the first one of South Asian heritage. She'd also most likely be the most pro-LGBTQ+ president. Harris was born October 20, 1964, in Oakland, Calif., and grew up in Berkeley and the surrounding East San Francisco Bay Area, along with spending a few years in Montreal. She is the daughter of two immigrants her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in India, and her father, Donald Harris, in Jamaica. Gopalan was a research scientist and Harris an economist. Her parents were active in the civil rights movement and took young Kamala to marches in a stroller. She is a graduate of Howard University, one of the nations preeminent historically Black universities, and earned a law degree from the University of California Hastings College of Law. In 2014, she married Douglas Emhoff, a lawyer. They have two children, Ella and Cole. Harris and same-sex marriage Harris began her law career in 1990 in the district attorneys office in Alameda County, Calif. There, she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases. In 2003, she was elected district attorney for San Francisco City and County. The following year, when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declared same-sex marriage legal in the city, Harris conducted marriages for same-sex couples (the marriages were later nullified, however). One of the most joyful [moments of my career] was performing the marriages in 2004. Truly joyful, Harris told The Advocate in 2023. This year, she reunited via a video call with a couple she married, Bradley Witherspoon and Raymond Cobane. Ill never forget pulling up to see all the families of every configuration and just pure joy, pure happiness, she said on the call. It was such a special moment, and it was all about love. She established a hate-crimes unit in the DAs office as well as an environmental justice unit. She also created a program to give first-time drug offenders the opportunity to earn a high school degree and find employment. The U.S. Department of Justice called it a national model of innovation for law enforcement. In 2010, she was elected California attorney general, overseeing the largest state-level justice department in the nation. As AG, she played a key role in restoring marriage equality in the Golden State. One of the signature issues in her campaign was her opposition to Proposition 8, the voter-approved ballot initiative that revoked marriage equality in California in 2008, undoing the state Supreme Court decision that allowed same-sex couples to marry. Both she and Jerry Brown, who was elected governor in 2010, said they would not defend Prop. 8 in court, and Browns predecessor as governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, had done the same. If Steve Cooley, Harriss opponent in the AG race, who had pledged to defend Prop. 8, had won, it might have changed the ballot measures fate. As it was, the propositions supporters had to defend it against court challenges, and courts all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court agreed they didnt have legal standing to do so, and because of that Prop. 8 was struck down. After Prop. 8 bit the dust in 2013, she officiated the first post-Prop. 8 same-sex marriage in California, between Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, who had been part of the court case. Harris on gay & trans 'panic' defenses As AG, she went on to lead efforts to abolish gay and transgender panic defenses in criminal trials. She received some criticism for a position she took as AG, backing the state of California when it sought to deny gender-affirmation surgery to a trans prisoner. But Harris has pointed out that when she was attorney general, the states Department of Corrections was a client of hers, and she had to represent its interests but she worked behind the scenes to get the policy changed so that any inmate requiring such procedures could receive them. Also as AG, she won a $20 billion settlement for state residents who had lost their homes to foreclosure and a $1.1 billion settlement for those who were cheated by a for-profit education company. She defended the Affordable Care Act in court and enforced environmental laws. She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016. She received perfect 100 scores on the Human Rights Campaign Congressional Scorecard, which measures support for LGBTQ+ equality, before leaving the Senate to become vice president. Her record likewise includes perfect ratings from reproductive rights groups such as Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America (now known as Reproductive Freedom for All), and NARAL Pro-Choice California. Harris on access to PrEP, protecting trans kids As a senator, she introduced a bill to mandate insurance coverage of pre-exposure prophylaxis, the HIV prevention method, and she notably stumped Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh with a question on marriage equality during his confirmation hearings. Further, she championed legislation to fight hunger, provide rent relief, improve maternal health care, expand access to capital for small businesses, revitalize Americas infrastructure, and combat the climate crisis, according to her official White House biography. Her advocacy for progressive causes has continued during her vice presidency. She has spoken out against the rash of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in conservative states around the country, such as dont say gay laws affecting education and bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. I hate bullies, she told The Advocate in the 2023 interview. She noted that the politicians attacking LGBTQ+ people and reproductive rights are usually the same. The intersection on the issue of reproductive care and trans care, and the ability of families to be able to have care for their children and their families, is really, again, an intersection around attacks that are on an identity, she said. She has hosted Pride Month receptions and visited New York Citys Stonewall Inn, where an uprising against police harassment of gay bars in 1969 jump-started the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. She met with WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle Griner, before Brittneys first game after her release from captivity in Russia. Harris and the Supreme Court President Biden honored her work on marriage equality by gifting her with the pen he used to sign the Respect for Marriage Act in December 2022. The act wrote marriage equality into federal law, protecting it against future negative Supreme Court action. The possibility of that action became top of mind with the high courts 2022 ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that established abortion rights nationwide, in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. States are now free to ban or severely restrict the procedure, and about half of them have. While Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the opinion, said it shouldnt be read as opening attacks on other precedents, both he and fellow conservative Justice Clarence Thomas have said theyd like to see the courts 2015 marriage equality ruling overturned. Thomas also called for overturning decisions that struck down sodomy laws and state bans on contraception. That would take a case on any of the issues coming to the Supreme Court, but thats possible. Since the Dobbs ruling, Harris has talked extensively about the importance of reproductive freedom. She and Biden have called on Congress to pass a law restoring the protections of Roe. Americans need to send a message to anti-choice politicians that their actions are not acceptable, she said at a reproductive rights rally this year in Virginia. She has remained equally outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights. The fight for equal rights is patriotic, she said at a 2023 Pride reception. We believe in the foundational principles of our country; we believe in the promise of freedom and equality and justice. And so the fight for equal rights is an expression of our love of our country. Harris celebrates Queer Eye In June, Harris welcomed current and former cast members and creators of Queer Eye, initially known as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, to a White House reception celebrating the program's 20th anniversary. Among those in attendance were original cast members Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez, current cast members Karamo Brown and Jonathan Van Ness, and co-creators and executive producers David Collins and Michael Williams. Harris and the Queer Eye team engaged in a frank conversation about the intersectionality of struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Harris remarked on the interconnected nature of civil rights movements and the necessity of collective freedom. She ended the conversation by noting the importance of engagement to move forward the progress Queer Eye has helped push for. This election in November is asking each of us a very fundamental question: What kinds of country do we want? And we each have the power to answer that, Harris said. She added, It gives me a sense of optimism... knowing that the majority of us, I think, do value certain things, including that we fight for each others dignity, that we agree to the foundational principles of our country. All are equal and entitled to certain freedoms and certain rights that cannot be taken. - YouTube www.youtube.com Mary Strevel We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It was 248 years ago on July 4 that the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence. This document served as the official termination of authoritarian British rule over the United States and became the foundation of our Constitution. Have you heard about Project 2025? This is the Heritage Foundations 900-page manifesto for the first 180 days if the Republicans capture the White House in the upcoming Presidential election. https://globalextremism.org/post/project-2025-june-25th-update The Heritage Foundation is a conservative, politically active non-profit with strong ties to dark money and Christian Nationalists. The 2025 Project lays out an authoritarian form of government. By eliminating the checks and balances built into the three branches of government, the plan will expand control to the executive branch. I have highlighted five points of the Project. The Project will terminate thousands of employees from the civil service replacing them with party loyalists whether they are qualified or not. The Department of Justice and the FBI will be rearranged. The department will go from being independent from political pressure to alliance to the administration. This will alter who is accountable and equal under the law. The Project specifically targets the LGBTQ+ and racial communities. Discrimination protections provided under the Equality Act will be eliminated denying access to housing, education, employment opportunities, credit and more just because of who they are or whom they love. Project 2025 calls for the elimination of climate and environmental policies. How will new policies affect our natural resources and air pollution? Whose pocketbook reaps the financial benefits? Public education will be overhauled. Will the new reforms stifle history and global issues? Critical Race Theory, a higher academic approach examines how race and racism function in American institutions. CRT is not a general curriculum in grades K-12. The governor of Virginia established a hotline allowing parents and community members to report CRT in the classroom. Educators across the US are being censored for broaching controversial topics. Since January 2021, free speech PEN America researcher Jeffrey Sachs says thirty-five states have introduced 137 bills limiting what schools can teach regarding race, the Holocaust, American history, politics, sexual orientation and gender identity. A conservative moms group in New Hampshire is offering $500 to catch teachers who break a state law prohibiting certain teachings about racism and sexism. According to Moms for Liberty, Monroe County has a chapter. https://www.momsforliberty.org/chapters/ What better way to control the masses than to keep them ignorant of the world around them? Womens health will be at risk. Reproductive choices for women, aside from abortion, will be narrowed to following a fertility schedule also known as the non-reliable rhythm method. The Burwell v. Hobby Lobby ruling by the US Supreme Court ruled that for profit organizations could refuse to cover birth control based on their religious beliefs. Senate Bill 8 in Texas encourages private citizens from around the country to sue anyone who aids or abets a person more than six weeks into their pregnancy seeking an abortion. https://www.sll.texas.gov/faqs/abortion-senate-bill-8Will we see bounties and special rights granted to those who tell on their neighbors? Will we lose our privacy protections provided through HIPPA? Our country is far from perfect, and we have big problems. They did not begin with Joe Biden or Donald Trump. Project 2025 is a roadmap to subvert democracy. The Bill of Rights laid out such rights for American citizens as freedom of speech, religion, peaceful protest, privacy and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances to name a few. Remember these rights on Election Day in November. Be informed. Our voices matter. Cynthia Vincent is a member of Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good of all. She resides in Temperance and can be reached at mcneil102@icloud.com. This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Project 2025 Negates the Bill of Rights Screens displaying the logo belonging to the cybersecurity technology company CrowdStrike can be seen here on July 19, 2024, amid an extensive global IT outage. Credit - Stefano RellandiniGetty Images The Microsoft IT Outage that impacted services worldwide on Friday was caused by a software update by third-party cybersecurity technology company CrowdStrike. According to Microsoft, the outagewhich continues to cause disruptionaffected 8.5 million Windows devices. Though they note that this is less than one percent of all Windows machines, the outage crashed systems worldwide, with online banking portals and air travel among the services impacted. The outage was not caused by a cyberattack, but concern has since grown from both CrowdStrike and government-affiliated agencies as to how scammers are capitalizing on the outage and the resulting confusion surrounding malicious cyber activity. Americas Cyber Defense Agency, the U.K.s National Cyber Security Centre, and Australias National Anti-Scam Centre are among the organizations to issue warnings for consumers to be wary of scams at this time. Read More: CrowdStrikes Role In the Microsoft IT Outage, Explained According to CrowdStrikes blog, a likely eCrime actor is using file names capitalizing on July 19, 2024, specifically utilizing a malicious ZIP archive named crowdstrike-hotfix.zip to take data from customers. Here is how you can protect yourself from scammers as disruptions from the outage continue to unfold. Be alert Youve already begun this first step. Be aware of phishing scams that have cropped up to capitalize on the CrowdStrike outage and do not download zip-files or software from unknown sources claiming to help with the outage. When receiving requests for personal information by unknown numbers, be aware, and never share sensitive information to unverified sources. The U.Ks National Cyber Security Centre has a robust guidance sheet for how organizations and businesses can protect their employees from phishing. This guidance includes four layers of mitigation tactics, from employing anti-spoofing controls to ensuring employees are aware of what phishing looks like and the tactics used to trick users into handing over information or making unauthorized payments. Go straight to official websites David Brumley, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, tells TIME he has seen a few different kinds of scam tactics over the weekend. The most prominent of these include malicious actors pretending to be CrowdStrike, offering to help businesses after the outage. Hes also noticed scammers pretending to be airlines and other organizations, again pretending to offer help to those impacted. The best course of action, Brumley notes, is always to contact business representatives directly. If you get a text that purports to be from one of [these businesses] and you feel uncomfortable, always just call them directly, Brumley says. CrowdStrike has its own Remediation and Guidance Hub on its blog to help those affected, and Microsoft also has its own support page. Be sure to contact these companies via their official pages and help desks, rather than by responding to texts or emails claiming to be sent from the companies or affiliated parties. Dont rush According to Catriona Lowe, deputy chair of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, these scammers often create a sense of urgency that you need to do what they say to protect your computer and your financial information. The best way to combat this is to slow down and ensure that you are not giving out personal details over text and email, especially to unverified sources. Report the scam Different countries have designated websites where you can report scams. In Australia, people can head to Scamwatch for further help. In the U.K., those impacted or concerned can send an email to report@phishing.gov.uk. Meanwhile, in the U.S., people can report instances of fraud via the Federal Trade Commission. Check in with vulnerable friends and family members According to the U.S. National Institute of Aging, older adultsdefined generally as those above the age of 65are often the target of scams. When possible, check in with older friends and family to ensure that they have the above tools and are aware of the rise in phishing scams as a result of the outage. Clare O'Neil, Australias Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security, has also pointed out the need to protect those most vulnerable to falling victim to scams. In a series of posts shared on X (formerly Twitter) she said: It is very important that Australians are extremely cautious of any unexpected texts, calls or emails claiming to be assistance with this issue. She continued by specifying that people can help by making sure vulnerable people, including elderly relatives, are being extra cautious at this time. Contact us at letters@time.com. Protest at airport before Netanyahu's departure for US trip On the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's departure to Washington, hundreds of Israelis demonstrated at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Participants in the rally called on the prime minister not to embark on the trip until he has signed an agreement for the release of 120 hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, Haaretz newspaper reported online. Among the demonstrators were relatives of the abducted. The nephew of a man who was abducted by Hamas into the Gaza Strip, on October 7 last year, said, "Most citizens know that Netanyahu only decides based on his personal interests." Most citizens, he said, would see that he was leaving the hostages in the lurch and was sabotaging the indirect talks for their release. Netanyahu governs in a coalition with ultra-religious and far-right parties, which oppose concessions to Hamas and threaten to dismantle the government alliance. In the event of early elections, according to polls, Netanyahu would not stand a good chance. Netanyahu is scheduled to depart for Washington on Monday. He plans to meet US President Joe Biden on Tuesday and deliver a speech before both chambers of the US Congress on Wednesday. National Urban League President Marc Morial speaks during the 2024 Essence Festival at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 7, 2024, in New Orleans. National Urban League President Marc Morial speaks during the 2024 Essence Festival at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 7, 2024, in New Orleans. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Essence) NEW ORLEANS Starting next week, the National Urban League, the civil rights organization headed by former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency hotel in the Central Business District. The conference is expected to bring thousands of attendees to the city to discuss the challenges facing Black Americans and how best to tackle them. Beginning Wednesday, the six-day event will feature rallies, panels and workshops about voting rights, equity and inclusion and economic empowerment all in line with the conference theme of Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, and Defeat Poverty. In addition to that, the conference will feature a job fair, a community service day and networking events. The event comes to town at a time when Louisiana residents particularly Black residents are facing a host of their own challenges. New Orleanians are pessimistic about the state of the city and its future; the state is suing the Environmental Protection Agency to limit its ability to clean up pollution in Black communities using the federal Civil Rights Act; and multiple tough on crime bills passed this year by the state Legislature could double the states incarceration rate in the near future. Verite News spoke with Morial, who served as mayor from 1994 to 2002 and as president of the National Urban League since 2003, about race and poverty in New Orleans, environmental and criminal justice and the 2024 election. This interview was edited for length and clarity. Verite News: How is the National Urban League conference going to help New Orleanians who are most vulnerable? Marc Morial: The most important thing is theres up to $10 million in economic impact when we bring our conference to New Orleans. And millions of media hits, social media, television and radio, thats number two. And number three, with family and community day, which takes place on Saturday (July 27), we have a chance to provide services, backpack giveaways, health zones and a number of other things for the city and for the people of the city. Those are open to the public. Verity News: As a former mayor and someone who is always looking at the state of Black America, what would you say is the current state of the city? Morial: I think New Orleans is facing a crossroads. Some of New Orleans long-standing issues, like the racial wealth gap and poverty, are plaguing the city, the region and the state and particularly plaguing Black America. The Katrina crisis of now, [which started] almost 20 years ago, caused lots of [the] African-American middle class to relocate to places like Atlanta, Houston and Dallas. Many, many people who were homeowners have left the community. The city continues to fight, but the city needs an accelerated plan to build its economy. The difficult issues that face New Orleans are the same issues that faced New Orleans 30 years ago. It cant be fixed by politicians alone. You need the cooperation of the state. You need the business and economic actors to understand the nature of the issues and the nature of the problems. These are the challenges. I think many of the challenges New Orleans faces are the challenges that other cities face. But I think New Orleans poverty and racial wealth gap is more extreme and more challenging than many other cities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Verite News: With the ruling in Louisiana v. EPA, which was referenced in the Urban Leagues State of Black America report, how can environmental justice be protected with the use of the Civil Rights Act? Morial: Its a continuing fight when many industries are just hell bent on challenging laws, challenging regulations, and they have the full support of many Louisiana politicians like the governor and his administration. Its not an easy fight because many of the business leaders and political leaders in Louisiana are complicit. They just deny the existence of the problem. And when the federal government steps in and wants to do something, they fight them. They oppose them. Its shameful, because environmental justice is a public health issue. Its about health, its about clean air, its about clean water, its about wholesome and healthy living conditions. Verite News: For those who are opponents of the Civil Rights Act, where do you think theyll draw the line on restricting that law? Morial: I cant tell you. I think some of them want to just water it down. Were in a fight like no other, a fight in the courts and a fight in the court of public opinion around the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. And one of the biggest challenges we have now is a Supreme Court which is highly conservative and very complicit in this fight. This Supreme Court should be standing up for peoples individual rights, standing up for peoples individual liberties, standing up for a strong equal protection clause. Standing up for the right to vote and the right to fair apportionment. Jeff Landry is wrong. Period. He's going to cost the state money. His pandering to this tough-on-crime crowd is not going to make Louisiana safer. Marc Morial, National Urban League president Verite News: When Gov. John Bel Edwards was in office, he signed significant criminal justice reforms into law. But this year, Gov. Jeff Landry signed a number of tough-on-crime bills into law. What is your response to the change in attitude on criminal justice from the governors office? Morial: Jeff Landry is wrong. Period. Hes going to cost the state money. His pandering to this tough-on-crime crowd is not going to make Louisiana safer. Its not going to help communities heal. Its wrong-headed policy. Louisiana made tremendous progress, saved money, healed a lot of lives with what I would call modest justice reform. Jeff Landry is just pandering to the far right. Verite News: As head of the Urban League, what do you hope people will think about as they vote in this upcoming election? Morial: I hope they think about democracy and the future of America and realize its not personalities. Its the agenda of the candidates we vote for, and that people willrealize the race for presidency is not an American Idol contest. Its not Celebrity Apprentice on steroids. Its a contest between two separate agendas. And I think people need to do their research and understand these agendas as they cast their vote this fall. Verite News: Its been 60 years since the Civil Rights Act was passed. Where do you see the state of civil rights 60 years from now? Morial: The civil rights community is as strong as ever in working to defend these laws and defend this progress realistically. This is a fight. You have this guy who just got nominated for vice president [Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio]. He wants to repeal civil rights laws. You have people who are trying to turn the hands of America back, literally, not to the 1900s but to the 1800s. And people of goodwill who want an America for all have to resist it and fight. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The National Urban League conference starts Monday for virtual attendees and Wednesday for those attending in-person. For more information, visit the conference website. This article first appeared on Verite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference July 11 in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House today (Macau time), ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. The decision comes after escalating pressure from Bidens Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon ET on Jan. 20, 2025. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account. Bidens decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide detail about his decision. The White House confirmed the authenticity of the letter. Nearly 30 minutes later, Biden throw his support behind Harris, the partys instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said in another post on X. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. The announcement is the latest jolt to a campaign for the White House that both political parties see as the most consequential election in generations, coming just days after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. A partys presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. The closest parallel would be President Lyndon Johnson who, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term. Now, Democrats have to urgently try to bring coherence to the nominating process in a matter of weeks and persuade voters in a stunningly short amount of time that their nominee can handle the job and beat Trump. And for his part, Trump must shift his focus to a new opponent after years of training his attention on Biden. The decision marks a swift and stunning end to Bidens 52 years in electoral politics, as donors, lawmakers and even aides expressed to him their doubts that he could convince voters that he could plausibly handle the job for another four years. Biden won the vast majority of delegates and every nominating contest but one, which would have made his nomination a formality. Now that he has dropped out, those delegates will be free to support another candidate. Harris, 59, appeared to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaigns war chest, according to federal campaign finance rules. Bidens decision to not explicitly endorse Harris appears to set the stage for the partys mess to continue up to the convention. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced that it would hold a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. The date for the roll call hasnt been set, and its unlikely that will happen since the field is suddenly wide open. Harris would likely have competition from others looking to replace Biden. But that could create a scenario in which she and others end up lobbying individual state delegations at the convention for their support. In 2020, Biden pitched himself as a transitional figure who wanted to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders. But once he secured the job he spent decades struggling to attain, he was reluctant to part with it. Biden was once asked whether any other Democrats could beat Trump. Probably 50 of them, Biden replied. No, Im not the only one who can defeat him, but I will defeat him. Biden is already the countrys oldest president and had insisted repeatedly that he was up for the challenge of another campaign and another term, telling voters all they had to was watch me. And watch him they did. His poor debate performance prompted a cascade of anxiety from Democrats and donors who said publicly what some had said privately for months, that they did not think he was up to the job for four more years. Concerns over Bidens age have dogged him since he announced he was running for reelection, though Trump is just three years younger at 78. Most Americans view the president as too old for a second term, according to an August 2023 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. A majority also doubt his mental capability to be president, though that is also a weakness for Trump. Biden often remarked that he was not as young as he used to be, doesnt walk as easily or speak as smoothly, but that he had wisdom and decades of experience, which were worth a whole lot. I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didnt believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job, he told supporters at a rally in North Carolina a day after the debate. Because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high. But voters had other problems with him, too he has been deeply unpopular as a leader even as his administration steered the nation through recovery from a global pandemic, presided over a booming economy and passed major pieces of bipartisan legislation that will impact the nation for years to come. A majority of Americans disapprove of the way hes handling his job, and hes faced persistently low approval ratings on key issues including the economy and immigration. Bidens age surfaced as a major factor during an investigation of his handling of classified documents. Special counsel Robert Hur said in February that the president came across in interviews with investigators as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. The presidents allies seized on the statement as gratuitous and criticized Hur for including it in his report, and Biden himself angrily pushed back on descriptions of how he spoke about his late son. Bidens motivation for running was deeply intertwined with Trump. He had retired from public service following eight years serving as vice president under Barack Obama and the death of his son Beau but decided to run after Trumps comments following a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when white supremacists descended on the city to protest the removal of its Confederate memorials. Trump said: You had some very bad people in the group, but you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. On both sides. That a sitting president didnt unequivocally condemn racism and white supremacy deeply offended Biden. Then, Biden won the 2020 election and Trump refused to concede and stood by for hours while his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, beating and bloodying law enforcement in a failed attempt to overturn the certification of Bidens win. If Trump wasnt running, Im not sure Id be running, Biden once said during at a campaign event. Trumps campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bidens decision to leave the race, but he and his team had made their preference for facing Biden clear. MDT/AP By COLLEEN LONG, ZEKE MILLER and DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Washington MSNBCs Rachel Maddow lauded President Joe Bidens decision to bow out of the presidential race on Sunday, saying there was no greater or more consequential act of service and sacrifice to this country. Maddow, joining anchor Katy Tur after a run nowhere near civilization, noted that Bidens sudden Sunday decision didnt compute with his trajectory as a politician. Biden announced on Sunday that he would end his re-election campaign, saying it was in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as president for the remainder of my term. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor in a follow-up post. Its time to come together and beat Trump, he wrote. Lets do this. This is the opposite of something that is natural or easy for him, Maddow noted. He is just not built to do something like this, because his superpower is being underestimated, and thats why hes been so resolute and resisting all these calls for him to drop out. Biden had repeatedly resisted calls from Democrats to step aside, ruling out completely the idea of dropping out earlier this month. It followed years of stubbornness by the career politician, who relied on his underdog status to win the Democratic nomination in 2020 and later the general election. But because Biden ultimately succumbed to calls from his party leaders to step aside, Democrats may have the best shot at beating Donald Trump, she said. Him making this decision today is to give the country a chance, a reasonable chance, at not putting Donald Trump back in the White House, Maddow said. Not putting a president back in the White House who refused to leave the last time and summoned an angry mob to try to overthrow the government. 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. Raleigh fraternity donates fans for those most vulnerable to extreme heat RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) On Saturday, a local fraternity once again did its part to help keep people cool during these hot days. The men of the Eta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity raised money and purchased fans for the Cool for Wake Fan program. This year, the Raleigh fraternity donated 176 fans to Wake County Health and Human Services, two dozen more than last years donation. Phi Beta Sigma has conducted the fan drive for many years and donated hundreds of fans. Cool for Wake is a seasonal weather relief program that provides free fans to vulnerable residents who are adversely affected by extreme summer temperatures between May and September. Homes, where a child, a senior, or a disabled person is living without air conditioning, are eligible for a fan. Click here to learn more about the program. Click here for more heartwarming news across the Carolinas Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mae V. Islar smiled, waved and blew kisses to former colleagues and students during a ceremony that led to the unveiling of a street named in her honor. Hosted by the Eastside High School class of 1983 on Saturday, the ceremony was held at the school to honor Islar as the first woman principal at Eastside High School for her dedication, leadership and wisdom she provided to students and the community throughout her years as an educator. Islar's 35-year career as an educator, besides serving as principal at Eastside from 1977-83, includes a stint teaching 10th-grade English at former all-Black Lincoln High School from 1964-69. She retired in 1992 as principal of Buchholz High School and held other positions throughout her career. The street that was dedicated in her honor is Southeast 11th Place as it intersects with Southeast 43rd Street on the school's campus. Guardian newsletter: Gainesville Guardian will transition to an email newsletter format "You have truly lived up to our motto, 'We are second to none,'" Islar said after listening to the congratulatory speeches and watching a performance by the EHS Richard E. Parker Alumni Band. "I am overwhelmed with joy and I am so proud of you all. You need to have love in your heart when you are doing the work. When you do, it doesn't feel like work." A street sign is unveiled on Saturday at Eastside High School in honor of Mae Islar, the first woman principal of the school. Born in Tampa in 1935, Islar was the valedictorian of her class at Middleton Senior High and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee on a Lewis State scholarship for teachers that covered her books and tuition for four years. Mae Islar, first woman principal at Eastside High School (1977-1983), was the guest of honor at a street-naming ceremony in her honor at the school on Saturday. Islar went on to teach at Euclid High School in Deland, Mebane High School in Alachua and Lincoln. About 100 people attended a street-naming ceremony on Saturday at Eastside High School in honor of Mae Islar, the first woman principal of the school (1977-83). Furthering her education, she attended Florida State University in Tallahassee on a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) scholarship for a masters degree in English and attended the University of Florida on a fellowship for an Education Specialist degree in administrative leadership. The Gainesville Eastside High School Richard E. Parker Alumni Band perform during a street-naming ceremony in honor of Mae Islar, the first woman principal of the school. It took the cooperation of teachers and administrators at the school that made her years as a principal at EHS successful, Islar said. "So many of you touched me in my life and I am a representation of you," Islar said. I know you all give credit to people like me and Mr. Richard Parker, but you must give credit to yourself. One thing we did at Eastside High School was teamwork. We did it together." Islar encouraged the audience to never ignore the spark in their lives to make a change. "That spark is there to be better than you were," Islar said. "He [God] didn't bring us here to forget us. Nothing can go wrong when you have faith in him and yourself. You never forget the people who are important to you. We may forget names but the memories are just as strong and potent as ever. Everybody makes a difference in somebody's life. Let's go out there and make a difference today." The ceremony included speeches by Leroy Williams, principal of EHS, and Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Shane Andrew, who served as EHS principal from 2016-2021 and is a graduate of Buchholz High Schools Class of 1984, Islar's first graduating class as principal of Buchholz. "Thank you for all of your compassion," Andrew said. "You never forget when someone gives you that second chance and opportunity. It's attributed to you why we are all here. Thank you for your dedicated service." JoAnn Jenkins, a former colleague of Islars, said Islar expected the best from those around her. "Our honoree [Islar] had high expectations and wanted teachers to be proficient and knowledgeable in their subject area in order to prepare students for success in their chosen profession," Jenkins said. The audience viewed a video presentation by MyQueal Lewis, an 2017 EHS graduate, that displayed pictures of Islar during her years as principal at EHS. Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, a 1985 EHS graduate, presented a proclamation to Islar. Ward briefly talked about the impact Islar made on his life in his freshman year and proclaimed July 20, 2024, Mae V. Islar Day in the city of Gainesville. Cathy Norman, a 1983 EHS graduate and a coordinator of the alumni band, awarded medals to Mildred Parker, Richard Parker's widow, and Islar for the legacies they left behind at EHS. "It is so wonderful to be here," Mildred Parker said. "Thank you for all you've done to honor my husband since he passed away. We can't thank you enough. As we continue to remember Richard [Parker] and Mrs. Mae Islar for what they have done, remember to uplift each other and support each other, and stop tearing each other down." This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: G'ville's EHS Alumni band performs at event honoring former principal The Big Apple has seen an alarming 11% jump in rapes this year with some sections of the city seeing their numbers more than double. There were 880 rapes reported citywide from Jan. 1 through July 14, compared to 796 in the same period last year, NYPD stats reveal. This should be a wake up call, said Jane Manning, director of Womens Equal Justice.The NYPD needs to allocate more investigators to its understaffed Special Victims Unit, so that every case is investigated well and dangerous offenders are apprehended. There were 880 rapes reported citywide from Jan. 1 through July 14, compared to 796 in the same period last year, NY Post Illustration Areas with the sharpest increases include: Manhattans 10th Precinct covering Chelsea, Hells Kitchen South and Hudson Yards saw a 300% increase, with eight so far this year compared to two at this point in 2023. Rapes more than doubled Times Squares Midtown South Precinct, to 19 from nine a 111% climb. The 101st Precinct in the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens saw rapes shoot up 100% to 14 from 7. The 105th Precinct in eastern Queens saw rapes increase 70% to 17 so far this year from 10 last year. Most rapists know their victims, according to the NYPD, but a handful of recent stranger rapes have rocked the city. In the Bronx, a deranged attacker was caught on video May 21, throwing a belt around a womans neck, dragging her between two cars and raping her at East 152nd Street and 3rd Avenue. Christian Inga, a Venezuelan migrant who lived in Corona, was arrested for the rape of a 13-year-old girl at knifepoint in a Queens park on June 13 after cops released a police sketch and surveillance photo of him. The man used a belt to pull a woman to the ground between cars and rape her in the Bronx. The teens father, whose identity The Post isnt revealing to protect the victim, said the family has been in despair since the vicious attack. We have been going through hell, the devastated dad has told The Post. It just turned my world upside down, and the healing process has yet to begin. He previously told The Post he blamed President Bidens disastrous open-border policy for allowing career criminals to easily enter the US. In Central Park, a 21-year-old sunbather was laying out in her bikini in a remote area on June 24 when a man exposed himself and jumped on her, cops said. Venezuelan migrant Christian Inga was arrested for the rape of a 13-year-old girl at knifepoint in a Queens park. Paul Martinka The alleged attacker, Jermaine Longmire, 43, was caught after an intense manhunt. Longmire, who was charged with attempted rape and sex abuse, had at least eight prior arrests in the city. There have been two rapes in the park so far this year compared to none in 2023, the stats show. Experts suggested several factors could be behind the increase, including the NYPDs dwindling manpower, the surge in the migrant population, and failing bail-reform policies. Its no secret that the NYPD is down significantly in terms of force size. Because its down, whenever it decides to prioritize something say for example subway offenses thats going to make the topside slightly more vulnerable, as far as more cops are now below ground, said Rafael Mangual, a criminal justice policy expert and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Mangual said the risk of crimes like rape also has also increased because of controversial policies including discovery reform, which requires prosecutors to hand over their evidence to defenders earlier in the legal process; New Yorks Raise the Age law, which in 2018 bumped up the age of criminal responsibility to 18 from 16, as well as soft-on-crime prosecutors, including Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg. The rate of cases being dismissed has gone up [and] the rate of cases not being pursued has gone up because of the progressive prosecutorial methods of Bragg, [Brooklyn DA] Eric Gonzalez and [Bronx DA] Darcel Clark, he said. Migrant shelters could also be partially to blame for the increase in rapes in certain areas, but its impossible to tell without information on the addresses of the attacks, according to Mangual. The NYPD would not immediately release that data to The Post. Youre talking about potentially vulnerable populations in environments that are not as easy to police, Mangual said. These are very densely populated buildings Its behind closed doors. Theres probably a lot of fear. Rapes are also up in areas where open-air prostitution thrives. Jermaine Longmire was charged with attempted rape for allegedly trying to force himself on a sunbather in Central Park. Curtis Means/POOL In the 115th Precinct in Queens, which covers East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, its up 50%, from 14 at this point in 2023 to 21 so far this year. And Queens 110th Precinct, home to the infamous Market of Sweethearts along Roosevelt Avenue saw a 38% increase in rapes, with 22 so far this year compared to 16 in the same period last year. The NYPD said it takes all rapes seriously. Migrant shelters could be partially to blame for the increase in rapes in certain areas, according to experts. Jeenah Moon The NYPD vigorously investigates every single rape complaint and will continue to work to bring justice to the survivors of these heinous crimes, a department spokesperson said. Vice President Kamala Harris declared her candidacy for President on Sunday, vowing to build on President Joe Bidens legacy and secure the Democratic nomination after he withdrew from the 2024 race amid mounting concerns about his age and ability to compete with former President Donald Trump. In a statement issued through the Biden-Harris campaign, Harris expressed gratitude for Bidens endorsement, emphasizing her commitment to earning the nomination. "I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," she declared. "We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win." You can read Kamala Harris full statement further down. Harris, 59, has been a historic figure in American politics, becoming the first woman, Black person, and person of South Asian descent to serve as Vice President. Her career path has been marked by groundbreaking achievements and challenges, including a brief and turbulent run for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination before joining forces with Biden. Read More: Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Harris to Replace Him Bidens decision to back Harris, made public on social media, came after weeks of internal party debate over his re-election viability following a poorly received debate performance against Trump. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," Biden wrote, urging Democrats to unite behind Harris to defeat Trump. The endorsement also signaled a shift in Democratic strategy, leaving the party to grapple with whether to fully embrace Harris or explore alternative nominees in the coming weeks. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else, Harris said in her statement. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Trumps campaign managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles swiftly criticized Harris, asserting she would be even WORSE for the people of our Nation than Joe Biden. In a statement, they lambasted both Biden and Harris for what they termed as failed leadership and policy shortcomings, describing Harris as Bidens Enabler-in-Chief. Despite the endorsement from Biden, Harris may face skepticism within her own party, with recent polling showing mixed opinions on her candidacy. According to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted July 5-9, Harris polled about the same as Biden against Trump in head-to-head matchups, though a July 13-16 Economist/YouGov poll found that Harris would perform slightly worse than Biden. Read More: Biden Has Dropped Out of the 2024 Presidential Election. Heres What Happens Now Harris, a former prosecutor and U.S. Senator from California, has navigated a varied political career, grappling with issues ranging from criminal justice reform to economic policy. As Vice President, she has mostly focused on efforts to stem illegal immigration and advocate for reproductive rights amid mounting challenges from conservative legal rulings. The Democratic National Convention in Chicago, scheduled to start on Aug. 19, is expected to serve as a crucial testing ground for Harris candidacy as she seeks to rally support and define her vision for the countrys future. Read Kamala Harris full statement here: On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. Below is the full, unedited text of President Joe Biden's letter to America sharing he will not seek reelection. My Fellow Americans,Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. THE FULL STORY: Delaware's own Joe Biden drops out of Presidential race, citing 'best interest' of country It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to al those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. Iwant to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Read President Joe Biden's own words: He won't seek reelection Donald Trump donated to Kamala Harris' campaigns twice while he was a private citizen, records show Donald Trump contributed $6,000 to Kamala Harris when she ran for California attorney general. Trump donated $5,000 to her 2011 campaign and $1,000 in 2013 as a private citizen. Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday and endorsed Harris to replace him. Donald Trump donated to Kamala Harris twice while she was a candidate for California attorney general, according to public records available on the California secretary of state's website. Records show that Trump donated a total of $6,000 to Harris: $5,000 in 2011 and $1,000 in 2013. He made both donations while he was a private citizen. His daughter Ivanka Trump also donated $2,000 to Harris in 2014, records show. Trump launched his first presidential bid in 2015. Harris served as California's attorney general from 2011 to 2017 before her election to the US Senate. Trump could now face Harris in a general election for the US presidency after President Joe Biden, Trump's presumptive 2024 Democratic opponent, ended his reelection bid on Sunday. Harris, Biden's vice president, is now widely viewed as a top contender for the Democratic nomination. The Washington Examiner reported in 2019 that Trump had said in an affidavit that he made the $5,000 donation at the request of New York's attorney general at the time, Eric Schneiderman. "Mr. Schneiderman's former transition committee leader asked my daughter Ivanka if she would arrange for me to make a contribution to a fundraising event sponsored by Mr. Schneiderman for newly elected California Attorney General Kamala Harris," Trump wrote in the affidavit. "In response, I made a $5,000 contribution to Ms. Harris' campaign the highest level of sponsorship listed in the invitation and Ivanka attended the event together with some of Trump Org.'s other top executives." A Harris spokesperson told The Sacramento Bee that in 2015 she donated the money Trump gave her campaign to a nonprofit group that helps Central Americans. Harris served as California's attorney general from 2011 to 2017. HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images In 2020, Trump's senior advisor Katrina Pierson told PBS NewsHour's Yamiche Alcindor that the president had "donated to candidates across all aisles" and that she hoped his donation to Harris, as a Black woman, could "squash this racism argument now." Trump's history of donating to Harris and other Democratic candidates first resurfaced in 2020 after Biden tapped Harris to be his running mate. On Sunday, following mounting pressure from Democratic politicians and donors, Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee. "I am honored to have the president's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," she said in a statement. Trump released a statement on Truth Social on Sunday calling Harris "just as much of a joke as Biden is" and criticizing what he called her "liberal, weak-on-crime record" in California. An earlier version of this story was published in August 2020. Read the original article on Business Insider How to register to vote in Virginia RICHMOND, Va. (DC News Now) The 2024 Presidential Election is set to take place on Nov. 5. In order to cast a ballot, youll need to make sure youre registered or that youve updated your existing registration. (Nothing surprising there.) Heres some important information to get you to the polls on (or before) Election Day. First off, the first day of in-person early voting at your registrars office in Virginia is Sept. 20, 2024. You can find informatino about your local office here. DMV leaders react to President Biden dropping out of 2024 presidential race If you need to register to vote or update your registration, the deadline technically is Oct. 15, 2024, but you may register after that date and through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot. The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is Oct. 25, 2024. Your local voter registration office has to receive your request by 5 p.m. that day. Voter registration offices open for early voting on Oct. 26, 2024. The last day of early voting at your voter registration office is Nov. 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. Men from Virginia, Maryland sentenced for Jan. 6 insurrection You always can check who is on your ballot by looking at the candidate lists, and youll find much more informatino through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DaLyn Marthaler, executive director, checks on a cooper hawk at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah is working around the clock to be able to resume nursing Utahs injured wildlife back to health at its new home after having to relocate and for the centers staff and community volunteers, that process has included putting in a lot of elbow grease. I didnt have power tools before this, and now Ive got power tools, DaLyn Marthaler, executive director of the nonprofit center, said in an interview with the Deseret News. In early 2023, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah was notified by the city of Ogden the owner of the centers previous location at 1490 Park Boulevard that it would need to vacate the building that it had called home for more than a decade to make way for the expansion of its neighbor, the George F. Eccles Dinosaur Park. I was in shock, Marthaler said. Gut punched and sick. Could not believe it was real, I cant even describe it. The center was eventually granted an extension one that came with so many mountains, according to Marthaler until early March of 2024 to be out of the property. The centers time at the Park Boulevard property came to an end earlier this year and the building has since been demolished to make way for the dinosaur parks new project. The center typically helps wildlife from all across the northern half of Utah, including Utah County, covering the Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming borders. Prior to the centers move, it helped an average of 4,000 animals every year, according to Marthaler. The nonprofit rehabilitates animals and places them in Utah and across the nation, whether that is back in the wild, in an educational setting or in a zoo. The center estimates that 3,000 4,000 human impacted animals went without the proper treatment and care in 2023 due to having to stop taking patients to prepare for this move, according to its site. DaLyn Marthaler, executive director, poses for a portrait in front of some bird enclosures at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News How a moving company and a wildlife center joined forces When Bijan Pishevar, the general manager of the Ogden branch of nationwide moving company Two Men and a Truck, saw a Reddit post last year about the wildlife centers uncertain future, he knew that he and his team were going to help make the transition to a new location as easy as possible for Marthaler, her staff and the animals. We have a bunch of animal lovers, Pishevar told the Deseret News. This was a really cool opportunity for us to help even more in the community. Pishevar kept in touch with Marthaler for months after the initial notice. It was probably six months to maybe even a year until we had the final move date down, he said. I got the news and within a week, he was calling me, Marthaler said of Pishevar. Two Men and a Truck offered their moving services to the center completely free of charge. The move took roughly two days. It was awesome, our guys all enjoyed it, Pishevar said. Weve had people, like Two Men and a Truck, that stepped up, Marthaler said. We would be not here, it would be a done deal if it wasnt for that offering. Community support has been incredible. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utahs new home for now The centers new home is a collection of small residential-style buildings, and its a stark contrast to the old location not just in appearance, but size as well. The centers previous location was roughly about 10,000 square feet and the new location is just under 5,000 square feet, according to Marthaler. We were on a very nice, quiet river parkway. And it was very conducive and fit our lifestyle. Basically, it was perfect, she said. The new property on 332 S. Washington Boulevard which includes a former vacuum repair shop and a 100-year-old lathe and plaster home that once belonged to the maternal grandparents of the Osmonds, according to Marthaler is in the middle of Ogdens asphalt jungle, she said. Its been an adjustment to get used to the traffic, sirens and cars racing by. The temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden is pictured on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News When Marthaler first saw the property, I was very concerned about the condition of everything, and if I knew then what I know now, I may not have bought it, she said. I mean, Im glad we did now, because we can make this work. Marthaler has dubbed the property pandora, because its the gift that keeps on giving in terms of unexpected repairs. She and her team, along with volunteers, have done extensive renovations throughout the new property, including leveling floors, installing a raised bathtub, ripping down layers of wallpaper, rebuilding walls and more. We need people with construction or building skills. Were doing the work ourselves just because weve got to save what little funds we have, she said. This was a very costly thing for us. Working to return to fully operational Were still walking that line of not being ready to open, but still having animals to care for, Marthaler said. Previously, most of the centers intakes came from the public. When the center had to stop taking new intakes last May, it hit Marthaler hard. I had to stop taking phone calls. I cant know whats going on and not help, she said. We need to be opened up. Now at their current location, the centers staff are working as fast as they can to fully reopen, but the new property is not without significant limitations. Because of the downsizing and location change, the center isnt able to help as many animals as before. Theres a lot of species were not going to be able to take, Marthaler said. We cant do waterfowl, we dont have any facilities to house them properly. We just cant. So beaver, otter, any of the aquatics, we cant do right now. So those are ones that are not going to have help until we get this other location running. With its current scaled down operations, the center is mainly taking what few intakes it can from its partners, including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Tracy Aviary and HawkWatch International, Marthaler said. Still, the center is buzzing with various cheeps of a dozen or so birds and a seemingly endless cycle of timers going off (each of the patients are on a very strict, customized eating schedule). Walkie-talkies for the staff to communicate throughout the disjointed layout of the property have become the centers best friends. The center is aiming toward being able to answer incoming calls for help soon, albeit it will only be able to help birds and small mammals at that point. Normally in the summer, we are taking in about 20 patients per day, she said. This few we have here is not open. Many of the animals the center cares for, including the select fortunate patients at the new location, wind up at the center due to humanmade causes about 80% of patients, according to Marthaler. The center nurses animals back to health in cases of electrocution, trees being cut down, glue traps and more. One of the few lucky feathered patients at the new location is a baby hummingbird, whose nest was destroyed after being power-washed down. If we werent available, he would be left to die, Marthaler said while feeding the tiny hummingbird. Jennifer Runsvold, wildlife rehabilitator, feeds a crow at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Building from the ground up Although the past year and a half have been chock-full of challenges for the center, Marthaler, her team and the community have a bright spot in the future to look forward to the center will one day have a home of its own. We do have super exciting news we just actually purchased property, Marthaler told me among the choir of chirps and caws. We closed on it. Done deal. We got the title. Its about 4 or 5 miles up the road, its on Harrisville Road, she said. Its almost 3 acres ... Were going to have to build. Theres just no purchasing what we had. When the time comes to move to the centers eventual home, Two Men and a Truck will be there to assist with the move and bring the centers journey full circle. Well be involved for sure, Pishevar said. The new building will take years to build, so it will be a while until the center is able accommodate the range of species it was previously able to. But in the meantime, the centers three-person staff is working to save and care for as many animals as it can at the interim location on Washington Boulevard. Two of their current patients include a great-horned owl recovering from electrocution and a bald eagle whose wing had to be partially amputated, who are affectionately referred to as Big Girl and Sweet Girl among the staff. Ive got to do something, Marthaler said. Every day were closed, animals are dying, and thats not acceptable. Not for the animals, not for our community, not for us. A great horned owl is pictured at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. The owl was electrocuted and healing in a kennel as the first step of rehabilitation. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Bird cages are pictured in one of the rooms at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News A bald eagle is pictured at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News One of the rooms is pictured at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. The organization is still in the process of getting the temporary facility up and running after having to move out of their previous location. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News DaLyn Marthaler, executive director, poses for a portrait in front of some bird enclosures at the temporary location of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), a former White House physician, shared an update on former President Trumps gunshot wound in a Saturday memo. As the former appointed Physician to the President for President Donald J. Trump, I was naturally very concerned, as was the entire world, about his wellbeing after the assassination attempt on his life, Jackson said in the memo. As such, I met him in Bedminster, New Jersey, late that evening to personally check on him, and offer my assistance in any way possible. Trump faced an assassination attempt last weekend at a rally in Butler, Pa., during which a bullet struck one of his ears. The former president has been recently seen sporting a bandage on the ear that got hit. I have been with President Trump since that time, and I have evaluated and treated his wound daily, Jackson said in his memo. He is doing well. As reported and witnessed by the entire world, he sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear from a high-powered rifle used by the would be assassin. The bullet passed, coming less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear, Jackson continued. The bullet track produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially significant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear. The swelling has since resolved, and the wound is beginning to granulate and heal properly. Based on the highly vascular nature of the ear, there is still intermittent bleeding requiring a dressing to be in place. Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required. According to an interview published earlier this week in The New York Times, Jackson had been onboard Trumps plane the day following the rally. He redressed Trumps ear while flying to Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention. The bullet took a little bit off the top of his ear in an area that, just by nature, bleeds like crazy, Jackson told the Times. The dressings bulked up a bit because you need a bit of absorbent. You dont want to be walking around with bloody gauze on his ear. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Who will replace Biden? Kamala Harris is the immediate frontrunner to replace him Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be the leading candidate to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic Partys nominee in the 2024 election, after the president dropped his reelection bid amid rising concerns about his age following his debate with former President Donald Trump. Biden emphatically endorsed Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee in a social media post Sunday shortly after announcing his decision to step out of the 2024 race. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he added. More: As President Joe Biden steps aside, would America be ready for President Kamala Harris If formally nominated, Harris, 59, would become the first Black woman at the top of a major party presidential ticket. She has served as Bidens vice president for more than three years and before that represented California in the U.S. Senate. Harris is not the only person who has been floated as a potential replacement for Biden on the ticket. The Democratic Party will not officially name its presidential nominee until its convention in August. Biden, 81, announced he would not run for reelection after his low-energy, stumbling debate performance against Trump sparked concern about his mental fitness and prompted a drop in voter support. His exit is expected to ignite a battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. Others who could throw their name into the ring include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Oct 7, 2020; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sen. Kamala Harris speaks on stage during the Vice Presidential debate between Republican nominee Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Sen. Kamala Harris held at Kingsbury Hall at The University of Utah. Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief for USA TODAY, is the moderator. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Harris, however, has several advantages. She has already been vetted for national office during her tenure as Bidens second-in-command. She has also been a part of Bidens reelection apparatus for months. Prior to Bidens official announcement and exit from the 2024 race, Reuters reported that the California native would inherit the money the Biden campaign already raised and would take over its existing infrastructure. Leading Democratic figures, including South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, who was key to Biden's 2020 win, have previously said they would back Harris as the nominee if Biden stepped aside. If chosen, Harris would be the second Democratic vice president in recent memory to assume the nomination following a presidents decision to back-out. In 1968, then Vice President Hubert Humphrey received the Democratic nomination after former President Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to seek reelection. Humphrey was later crushed by former President Richard Nixon in that years general election Biden is the first incumbent president since Johnson to step aside with another term available. The U.S. Constitution allows a person to serve two full, 4-year terms in the White House. If Harris is chosen to lead the Democratic ticket, the former prosecutor will need to choose another vice-presidential nominee, opening the door for the partys other rising stars to join the ticket. This is a developing story and will be updated. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will replace Biden? Kamala Harris is Democrats' top alternative Businessman Sandy Pensler (L) endorsed U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R) for U.S. Senate at the former President Donald Trump rally in Grand Rapids, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski As former President Donald Trump and his newly selected running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) played to their supporters in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Republican businessman Sandy Pensler and former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) briefly stole the spotlight. Pensler and Rogers took the stage alongside the former president as Pensler made the surprise announcement that he would be ending his campaign for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat, giving Rogers his endorsement. My campaign was always about making America better. The best way to do that is to enact President Trumps policies, Pensler said. To do that we need control of the Senate. A divisive continued primary effort hurts the chances of that, and thats not okay. So tonight Im doing the right thing and ceasing Senate candidacy, Pensler said. With Pensler ending his campaign, the Trump-endorsed Rogers will face physician Sherry ODonnell and former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (I-Cascade Twp.) in the Aug. 6 primary. However, Penslers name will still appear on the ballot, with the April 26 withdrawal deadline long past and absentee voting having opened on June 27. The race for Michigan Senate is expected to be a tight race, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rating the seat as a tossup. On the Democratic ballot, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) is set to face actor Hill Harper. The seat is open because U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) is retiring at the end of her term. Following Penslers announcement, Sam Chan, spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic party released a statement blasting Rogers, referencing previous comments from Pensler made in a social media post. As Sandy Pensler said, Mike Rogers is an unprincipled career politician with a selfish pattern of using political influence to personally profit. Its clear that Rogers is only in this race for himself, and thats why Michiganders cant trust him in the Senate, Chan said. Advance reporter Lucy Valeski contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Former state Rep. Jim Pitts served in the Texas Legislature from 1993 to 2015. He died July 20, 2024. Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune Former state Rep. Jim Pitts, a Waxahachie Republican who served as chief budget writer for the Texas House for close to a decade, died shortly before midnight on Saturday. He was 77. Pitts died at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas surrounded by his loved ones, according to a Sunday statement. Details regarding memorial services have not yet been announced. The Republican lawmaker represented House District 10, which included Ellis County, Hill County and part of Henderson County, from 1993 to 2015. He was chair of the Appropriations Committee for the majority of his last decade in office. Representative Pitts was known for his commitment to education, fiscal responsibility, and advocating for the needs of his constituents, a statement from the family read. Beyond his legislative achievements, Jim Pitts was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend." Pitts was part of a small group of Republican lawmakers who led an effort in 2009 to challenge then-House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland. They united behind Joe Straus, who replaced Craddick. In a statement Sunday, Straus called Pitts "a friend to everyone who knew him." "People trusted Jim because they liked him and saw in him a person of character, integrity, and goodness," Straus wrote on social media. "He was strong but never mean. Jim brought real joy to public service and to the lives of all who came in contact with him, and we will always remember him as a source of light in the Legislature and in our lives." U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey, a Republican whose congressional district includes Ellis County, also praised Pitts. "Jim was a loving father, husband, and grandfather who dedicated his life to serving the people of Ellis County," Ellzey said on social media. "His mark on our community will be felt for years to come." In office, Pitts was routinely praised by colleagues for drawing support from both sides of the aisle. He is one of the truly great lawmakers of his era, Texas Monthly wrote in 2013. He is also one of the nicest members ever to set foot in the Capitol, the article stated. Everybody likes him. 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! When Cory Mills reflects on last weekends attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, he thinks of the exact moment the bullets were fired: 6:11 p.m. And he links that time to a Bible verse calling for worshippers to "put on the armor of God" in the face of evil. Go read Ephesians 6:11, the Florida Republican congressman told a crowd of GOP Wisconsin delegates Wednesday, and you will understand exactly why he has been saved and why we continue to move forward. More: 'Fashion statement?' Ear bandages to support Donald Trump became accessory at RNC; drew mixed opinions I truly believe, Mills added, that what saved President Trump was divine intervention. Religion references common thread at Republican convention References to divine providence and Gods will have been a common thread throughout the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week. Elected officials, delegates and other attendees frequently make such allusions when referring to Saturdays shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania that left one man dead and saw Trumps right ear grazed by a bullet. More: North Carolina at the RNC: What do Trump, Vance picks mean for the state and country? Some have suggested that the hand of God spared Trump for a particular reason as he seeks to return to the White House in a race against Democrats presumptive nominee, President Joe Biden. The references are not necessarily new for a party that has tied itself to faith and portrayed its leader as a messiah-like figure. But the comments made in Milwaukee this week have been more frequent and at the forefront of conversations surrounding the shooting. God spared President Trump from that assassin because God is not finished with him yet, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Republicans in Fiserv Forum Tuesday night. And he most certainly is not finished with America yet either. A prayer vigil before Trump's arrival The religious undertones crept into the city before the convention officially kicked off. On Sunday, one day after the assassination attempt, the conservative, youth-focused nonprofit Turning Point held a prayer vigil at Zeidler Union Square park. State Rep. Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, bows his head during a Prayer Vigil for America on Sunday at Zeidler Union Square in Milwauke. Vigil attendees heard from pastors and state elected officials who proclaimed God was with Trump the day of the shooting. They waved Trump flags and signed a board emblazoned with the words Get Well Soon that stood next to a giant photograph of Trumps face, which was laid flat on the park grass. More: Heres what North Carolina needs to know ahead of the November election May God continue blessing all that you do for us, one note read. You are loved! You are anointed Blessings to you Thank you, another message said. The woman who created the board said she intended to deliver it to the former president. One pastor, Kevin Vigneault of Lakewood Baptist Church in Pewaukee, told the park crowd that Trump was "created in the image of God," and Vigneault later prayed for Biden's salvation. Biden is a devout Catholic and was attending Mass the Saturday of Trump's shooting. Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump attend a prayer vigil hosted by Turning Point Action near the venue for the Republican National Convention (RNC), at Zeidler Union Square in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 14, 2024 the day after shots were fired at a Trump rally and he was injured in Butler, Pennsylvania. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly And Wisconsin Republican state Rep. Chuck Wichgers, of Muskego, said: "We have been warned not to let politics become our religion, our faith and to let Christianity guide our politics." If you do not support Trump for president, Wichgers said, what are you supporting (sic) is contrast to the message that hes delivering. Hes putting himself out there against those people that are guiding and ruling you that arent with God. Trump's Truth Social: 'It was God alone ...' Those same themes persisted throughout the convention with nearly every speaker who addressed the shooting. Proverbs 28 reads: The wicked flee, though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion, Lara Trump, Trumps daughter-in-law and the RNCs co-chair, said in a speech Tuesday. And that truly epitomizes Donald Trump. He is a lion. Trump, too, referred to God in a post on his media platform Truth Social the morning after the shooting. ...it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening, Trump wrote. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. While the religious rhetoric has dominated Republican talk in Milwaukee, leading Democrats caution against the mix of religion and politics. Democrats: No problem with religious tone Quentin Fulks, Bidens deputy campaign manager, said this week he saw no issue with people believing God had a role in protecting Trump from the would-be assassin. But he suggested the idea of divine intervention should not be used as a reason to justify policies that deny people bodily autonomy, referring to abortion. I wont knock down anybody saying that they believe that God is the reason, said Fulks, when asked about Republicans linking God to Trumps survival. But I think that God cant be a reason to continue to double down on divisive things that are going to hurt many other people. Still, Republicans see Gods intervention in Saturdays shooting. The Secret Service says the shooters bullets were fired at approximately 6:15 p.m. on the east coast. And other estimates put the time at about 6:12 p.m. But for Mills, the Florida Republican, 6:11 p.m. works just fine. Let us understand that it is always darkest before the light, Mills said Wednesday morning. We will rise like never before. But we must don the armor of God. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Did hand of God save Trump? RNC faithful declare a resounding yes. Donald Trump describes the assassination attempt during a speech at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday. Donald Trump describes the assassination attempt during a speech at the Republican national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday. Photograph: Joeff Davis/Rex/Shutterstock More than a week after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump with an assault weapon, his political supporters and fellow members of the Republican party have remained silent on the issue of tightening Americas notoriously lax gun control laws. That intransigence plays out against the backdrop of a US election that was already deeply marred by fears of political violence and the possibility of civil unrest before a 20-year-old gunman fired a AR-15-style rifle at the former president, injuring him and two others and killing one rally-goer at an event in Pennsylvania. Opposition to almost any form of gun law reform, such as a ban on assault weapons, has become a modern-day litmus test for Republicans seeking public office, according to experts in the field. The week since the shooting has seen no meaningful statements on gun control from Republican figures. The Republican party is dead set against any new gun reform, and any Republican that opposes that view is subject to a primary challenge, said Adam Winkler, a UCLA law professor and gun rights expert. That marks a change from the aftermath of previous assassinations, or assassination attempts, of people like former US president Ronald Reagan, when lawmakers from both parties approved legislation to tighten gun laws. After John Hinckley Jr shot Reagan and three others, including the presidents press secretary, James Brady, in 1981, Brady and his wife, Sarah, spearheaded a successful effort to establish a federal background check system for prospective gun purchasers, which federally licensed dealers were eventually required to use. Reagan, a Republican, expressed support for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and former president Bill Clinton signed it into law in 1993. Clinton also approved a Federal Assault Weapons Ban in 1994 with significant bipartisan support, including from Reagan and some congressional Republicans. But to gain their support, lawmakers limited the ban to 10 years, and Republicans allowed it to expire in 2004. Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to kill Trump at a campaign rally on 13 July in Pennsylvania with an assault weapon, an AR-15-style rifle, which has been used at many mass shootings in recent decades, including in 2012 at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut and in 2017 at a music festival in Las Vegas. Gun control groups like Brady: United Against Gun Violence and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America have since advocated for a ban on assault weapons, but Republican lawmakers have opposed those efforts. Winkler and other experts do not expect that Republican intransigence to change despite Trumps popularity. If the shooting of 20 kindergarten students at Sandy Hook doesnt prompt reconsideration of gun safety reform, then its not clear what will, and I think that from the perspective of conservatives, the answer is typically: more guns, Winkler said. The National Rifle Association, which has led efforts to oppose gun reform, declined an interview request, but a spokesperson said in a statement, Given what information has been shared thus far, there isnt a single gun control law that could have prevented this heinous and cowardly attack including so-called universal background checks. But, as we all know, that will not stop the gun control lobby and their allies from engaging in the usual calls for gun control. A senior Trump campaign adviser also told Reuters that if the Republican is elected, well see a continuation of supporting and defending the second amendment. Kris Brown, president of the Brady campaign, disagrees with the NRAs assertion that stricter gun laws, like an assault weapons ban, could not have prevented the shooting at the Trump rally. Crooks chose this weapon because he was sitting on top of a building that was about 400ft away and the only way he would have made that shot that injured the president, that killed someone else, that injured another person, is with an assault-style weapon. So by definition, if we had an assault ban in effect, yeah, that could have made a difference, Brown said. Joshua Horwitz, a professor in gun violence prevention and advocacy at Johns Hopkins University, expects that Republicans in Congress will focus on the Secret Service and questions about how the shooter was allowed to get so close to Trump rather than a discussion about the weapon used. The Republicans in the US House are not going to hold hearings on banning assault weapons, Horwitz said. Interestingly, the Republican National Committee platform, which was released about a week before the assassination attempt, mentions defending the right to keep and bear arms in a preamble but otherwise makes no mention of gun policy. That is the first time the party has not included firearms issues in its platform since the 1970s, according to Robert Spitzer, an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School who has studied gun policy for decades. But Spitzer does not see that as an indication of a new openness to strengthening gun laws. I think its purely pragmatic on Trumps part to avoid controversial issues that might cut into support he would otherwise get, Spitzer said. Still, gun control advocates have made progress at the state level. In recent years, states such as Illinois and Delaware have passed bans on assault weapons. Nine states now prohibit the purchase and possession of such weapons, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group. In 2022, the federal government also passed legislation with support from Democrats and some Republicans that included measures to expand background checks on people between the ages of 18 and 21 seeking to buy a gun and provided incentives for states to pass red flag laws, which allow people to petition for the temporary confiscation of an individuals firearms if that person is considered a risk to themself or others. Theres a clear plan for building a strong gun-violence-prevention infrastructure and passing legislation and changing policies and spending more money on community violence intervention, so Im optimistic about a lot of where the movement is going, Horwitz said. I guess I would say Im pessimistic that this particular shooting is going to change the debate. One of the defining issues of the 2024 campaign was mostly absent from this years Republican convention, underlining the partys desire to sidestep its own push to enact restrictive abortion policies in red states across the country. At the 2020 GOP convention, anti-abortion activists Abby Johnson and Deirdre Byrne were given speaking slots to argue Democrats were extreme on the issue. This year, only one of the everyday Americans who addressed the convention touched on the issue. Business owner Diane Hendricks told the crowd she got pregnant when she was 17. That was not part of my plan, but I truly believe that every life is a sacred gift from God. I give thanks every day for my son, she said, going on to detail her journey as a business owner. The lack of attention to abortion underscores the degree to which Trump has shifted the partys rhetoric on the issue. And it reflects how it is viewed as perhaps the partys biggest vulnerability headed into November, the first presidential election since a conservative majority on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In Trumps 2020 RNC address, he blasted Democrats as supporting extreme late-term abortion of defenseless babies and vowed that all children, born and unborn, have a God-given right to life. The former president regularly boasts about ending Roe v. Wade and returning the issue of abortion to the states, but in his keynote address on Thursday night, there was no mention of abortion or talk of the end of Roe v. Wade. His vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), also made no mention of abortion in his remarks on Wednesday night, as his past comments supporting a federal abortion ban and opposing exceptions for rape and incest have gotten new attention. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), head of the Senate GOP campaign operation, told the audience on Thursday night a Republican majority would build the border wall, drill, baby, drill, protect gun rights, back the military, support Israel and keep men out of womens sports. But there was no mention of limiting abortion federally or protecting unborn children, as would have been commonplace at conventions before Roe was overturned. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), head of the House GOP campaign arm, similarly made no reference to abortion when outlining what a Republican House majority could deliver. Abortion has become a central focus of the 2024 campaign for Democrats, whose voters have been energized since the Supreme Court decision in June 2022. The issue has helped Democrats retain control of the Kentucky governors mansion and the Virginia Legislature and win other key races, and the party is hoping it will deliver again in November. Trump has attempted to portray himself as more moderate than others in his party on the issue, stressing his support for certain exceptions to allow for abortions, saying states should be left to decide how to handle the issue and dodging calls to support a federal limit on the procedure. Vance has moderated his position as well. The GOP on Monday adopted a platform that significantly scaled back its language on reproductive rights. It dropped previous language calling for an amendment to the Constitution to extend protections to unborn children, and it dropped language opposing same-sex marriage. I think its a recognition of the reality of politics in the country. The states are handling it, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said at a CNN-Politico Grill event Thursday, rejecting that Republicans now accept that blue states will approve abortion access. There were some signs at the convention of a conservative movement still focused on limiting abortions. The Faith and Freedom coalition, an evangelical conservative group that is advocating for legislation at the state and federal level to curb abortion, hosted a breakfast Thursday with Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), among others. RNC co-chair Michael Whatley told the social conservatives in attendance the party had put together a very strong, pro-life platform. Johnson highlighted in his remarks that a core part of the GOP world view is the sanctity of human life. Faith and Freedom coalition founder Ralph Reed introduced Youngkin as a man who stands for the unborn, for traditional marriage and for the conservative faith-based values we hold dear. Concerned Women for America, a conservative group, had a large pink bus parked near the convention center with the words American Women Want painted on the side and choose life listed among the priorities. Trump has significant credibility with those groups because of his first-term in office, when he appointed anti-abortion judges and rolled back federal support for abortions. But he and those around him have largely shrugged off the concerns of anti-abortion activists during the 2024 campaign, arguing it is more important to be able to win elections than take a clear stance on the issue. Hes always been there on those issues to tell you the truth. I think thats reflective of who my father is and what he believes in and my wife Lara who runs the RNC and what she believes in, Eric Trump told NBC News this week. At the end of the day, this country has real holes in the roof, and youve got to fix those holes and stop worrying about the spot on the wall in the basement. Democrats have shown they are unwilling to let Trump off the hook or portray himself as a moderate on the issue. The Biden campaign has aggressively tied Trump to Project 2025, a policy blueprint from the conservative Heritage Foundation that outlines how the next GOP administration could severely curtail abortion access. The campaign has also highlighted the stories of women who have had medical emergencies or had to leave their home state to receive care in the face of abortion bans. Matt Bennett, a co-founder of left-center think tank Third Way, said the GOPs efforts to downplay abortion is a kind of desperate attempt to, you know, wave peoples attention away from an issue that is very, very damaging for them. Trump gave the Evangelicals what they wanted, which was a majority on the court that would overturn Roe and, and send this decision to states, he said. And what he did not reckon with was how radical the states would be, and how horrible the stories would be coming out of those states. I mean, these are terrifying, and very real stories and the Republicans just somehow didnt see this coming and now it is a gigantic problem for them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A group of Western University students are creating technological prototypes to study and collect data on hailstorms in Alberta as part of the Northern Hail Project. (Craig Ryan/CBC - image credit) A group of Western University students are camping out in rural Alberta to collect hail data in hopes of developing the first major hail study in the province since the 1980s. Southern Alberta is known for its destructive hailstorms, but the group is predicting that the Edmonton region could also see more storms in the next few years. Julian Brimelow, the executive director of the Northern Hail Project, has 12 crew members for the program running from June to August this year. Based out of Olds, Alta. which sits between Red Deer and Airdrie the group employs innovative technology to help track hailstorms in the province. Brimelow says the goal of this project is to establish the most accurate data on storms in the province. "We decided it was time to study hail in Canada because it's becoming an increasingly big problem," he said. "It's a growing problem and it's something we really wanted to better understand." Julian Brimelow is the executive director of the Northern Hail Project. He's leading a 12-member crew to study Albertan hailstorms. Julian Brimelow is the executive director of the Northern Hail Project. He's leading a 12-member crew to study Albertan hailstorms. (Craig Ryan/CBC) Alberta is one of the areas in Canada that are most prone to severe hailstorms, especially in the south, and is home to what experts call hailstorm alley. Alberta needs more hailstorm research The region is more elevated as compared to the Edmonton area, meaning that the freezing level is lower to the ground. As a result, the storm has a deeper portion of sub-freezing temperatures, so these areas will have a higher likelihood of hail formation. Alberta has not had any critical hail research studies since 1984, the year that the Alberta Hail Project ended. The study lasted nearly 30 years and looked at hail physics and dynamics, information that was later used in efforts to suppress hailstorms. But as hailstorms get worse, especially in southern Alberta, Brimelow said it's important to establish a study dedicated to the issue. "What we're trying to understand is why these storms are developing where they are, what's driving them," he said. "Then we hope to develop, for example, a climatology of hail across Canada, which we don't have right now." The Northern Hail Project was started after the successful Northern Tornadoes Project. Crew members follow and track hailstorms in the province using data collection technologies. The Northern Hail Project was started after the successful Northern Tornadoes Project. Crew members follow and track hailstorms in the province using data collection technologies. (Craig Ryan/CBC) So far, the team has developed drones and weather stations which can track weather conditions, and hail pads to measure stone impacts. The group is made up of three teams. One team operates the drones, another assesses stones they collect and freeze from storms, and another team forensically assesses the damage left behind by the hail. John Hanesiak, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Manitoba offered his research on hail and other severe storms for the Northern Hail Project. He said hailstorms generally are poorly reported, especially in Alberta. "Hail is a fairly localized phenomenon," he said. "If there's nobody there to either see it or people just tend not to report it, then it's rare for us to know exactly what happened." For now, researchers have typically relied on weather radars to predict where and when hailstorms crop up. But it's not a foolproof method. A model of the largest hailstone found in Canada. The stone fell in Markerville, Alta., 35 km southwest of Red Deer in 2022. A model of the largest hailstone found in Canada. The stone fell in Markerville, Alta., 35 km southwest of Red Deer in 2022. (Emma Zhao/CBC) By developing better research and technology with the Northern Hail Project, Hanesiak said meteorologists will be better equipped to send out more accurate weather warnings. Edmonton to see more hailstorms in the future This will be necessary, as Hanesiak predicts that the Edmonton region, which is not usually known for having hail, might see an increase in hailstorms and other related weather events. Unlike most of Canada and the U.S., which would expect more severe hailstorms but with less frequency, Alberta stands alone in that they will see more severe and more frequent hailstorms, he said. As temperatures get hotter more frequently, that will allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture, which makes storms more intense. "We'll expect to see more frequent and potentially more damaging hailstorms in Alberta in the future." Rick Barr is a farmer just 30 minutes outside Edmonton. He runs a winery with the fruits that he farms. In recent years, he's noticed that the weather has become more and more unpredictable. Intense storms that occur more frequently could threaten his business. "Especially if the fruits have already started on the plants, the hail won't necessarily kill the plants, but knock all the fruit off," he said. "We've had years where we've lost a lot of raspberries just from the hail knocking it on the ground and then it's pretty much wasted." While he is interested in the Northern Hail Project and what he could do with the data when it comes out, he recognizes that there's no way to avoid the severe weather issues that are predicted. Even then, he'll still continue to farm his berries. "Even with the best of knowledge, I don't think there's anything that we could do to avoid hail other than move," he said. "But we're here. It is what it is. Mother Nature does what Mother Nature does." TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Several residents have been evacuated after a large ground depression opened up underneath a home in Florida Saturday night. At 6:30 p.m., the Groveland Police Department was called to the home after the hole was discovered. Fire crews arrived shortly after to assist. As of now, the hole is 18 feet by 25 feet wide and 10 feet deep, Lake County officials said. Boil water notice issued after power outage causes citywide water outage in Bradenton Only one home has been forced to evacuate so far and two other homes were told to evacuate as a precaution. According to officials, the primary home has been deemed uninhabitable by the city until further mitigation. No injuries were reported. Credit: Lake County Government Credit: Lake County Government Credit: Lake County Government NBC affiliate WESH spoke with residents who said the ground depression is worrisome. We have been staying at that house for 18 to 20 years, and so its been like my childhood, but you know, Im just praying all is good, Christopher Zingo Jr., who was staying at his grandparents home when they were told to evacuate, said. The city offered hotels for the families impacted and the Red Cross is also assisting them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The Mast Quay development (right) has serious deviations from the original plan (left) - Royal Borough of Greenwich/X.com A Labour-run council has been criticised by local residents over its decision to demolish a newly built mutant tower block in London. In a petition sent to Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, a group of residents and local businesses have urged officials not to raze the block of 204 flats. The council has decided to tear down Mast Quay just two years after it was built because the Thameside development breached planning conditions. The building deviated from its original planning permissions in dozens of ways, leading one council to dub it a mutant development. An inquiry into the councils decision to demolish the tower will start this week, increasing pressure on Mr Pennycook, who is also the Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich. The petition signed by residents said: While we recognise it is wrong that the building was built to different specifications, it is wholly unreasonable that the remedy to this problem is for a perfectly good building to be demolished and for current tenants to be evicted. The thought of being forced out of our homes is absolutely terrifying. London is in the midst of a housing crisis. Surely there is a solution that doesnt result in families evicted and homes destroyed. We want common sense to prevail. We are asking that all parties come together to negotiate a compromise that allows all existing tenants to stay in their current homes. Labours new housing minister has already been scrutinised since his appointment after it emerged earlier this month that he tried to block a separate 770m development. It is understood he has been asked by residents to visit Mast Quay. The controversies will also raise questions over the Governments housing goals, particularly after Sir Keir Starmer vowed to rip up planning rules to build 1.5m new homes. The Royal Borough of Greenwich, which is dominated by Labour councillors, last year took the unprecedented step to order the demolition of Mast Quay after counting 26 major deviations from the original planning permission it granted. Anthony Okereke, leader of the council, said at the time: This decision is not one that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken lightly, but I believe it is reasonable and proportionate to the scale and seriousness of the situation. The right thing to do is not usually the easy thing to do. His views were echoed by Councillor Aidan Smith, cabinet member for regeneration, who said Comer Homes, which delivered the scheme, was responsible for creating a mutant development that is a blight on the landscape. Comer has vowed to correct the councils inaccuracies, describing the proposed demolition as disproportionate. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: We are aware that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken enforcement action against the Mast Quay development in Woolwich, and this has been appealed by the developer. The appeal will be determined by the planning inspectorate, and it would be inappropriate to comment further. A spokesman for the Royal Borough of Greenwich added: We have not seen a petition from local residents and are unable to comment further, as the applicant has exercised their right to appeal the enforcement notice. 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. Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. The News Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said Sunday that hed be open to seeking the Democratic nomination if party elders urged him to, at a press conference where he began to label Vice President Kamala Harris, not President Biden, as the races status quo candidate. Im the only presidential candidate who can beat Donald Trump, he told reporters outside the Kennedy familys Massachussetts compound. If I were them, I would do that. The transition wasnt instant, and Kennedy repeatedly referred to a choice between Trump and Biden that no longer existed. Nine months after he quit the Democratic Party primary, Kennedy said that Democrats had hurt their chances by making it hard to compete against Biden for the nomination. He denounced Harris as one of the primary authors of the school-to-prison pipeline. Democrats were getting behind her, he said, because its the easiest way to hold onto the money. Kennedy attacked Trump, too his pick for vice president is a salute to the CIA but aimed most of his criticism at Democrats. I predicted that President Biden suffered from a degenerative condition that was not going to improve, he said. The reaction of the DNC to that obvious condition was to hide it from the American public. Had he run, he surmised that hed be in the same position that Dean Phillips is today, or Marianne Williamson, which is sidelined. A lifelong Democrat, Kennedy entered the partys primary in April 2023, but got little traction. By September, he was accusing the party of rigging the contest against him; in October, he ended his campaign and announced that he was running outside the major parties. Kennedy started a new party, We the People, to ease his way onto as many state ballots as possible. He also won the ballot lines of the Natural Law Party in Michigan and the American Independent Party in California, and flirted with the Libertarian Party, eventually allowing supporters to nominate him at its Memorial Day convention. He lost handily, but some state Libertarian Parties embraced Kennedy anyway, over LP nominee Chase Oliver. On Friday, Kennedy formed a joint fundraising committee with the Libertarian National Committee; party chair Angela McArdle explained that Kennedy would help open up additional fundraising opportunities while, officially, Libertarians campaigned for Oliver. Davids view Kennedys criticism of his old party might draw attention to the DNCs Rube Goldberg process. The party is currently planning, still, to pick a nominee with a virtual vote before the convention starts on Aug. 19. The Biden campaigns quick transformation into a Harris campaign may preempt the open convention that some pundits and donors were calling for, and obviously wont help Kennedy. But Kennedy quit the primary when he was polling in the low teens against Biden, and his appeal to Democrats that they would win if they let him be the nominee was rote. The pledged delegates wholl pick the nominee were overwhelmingly elected to support Biden, and many have already followed him to Harris. Kennedy is also far less popular with rank and file Democrats than he was last year. His campaign has emphasized positions most Democrats oppose ending support for Ukraines war, pausing NIH research on vaccines and his media hits have been overwhelmingly on conservative or anti-liberal outlets. He polls best with young voters and non-white voters, and well learn soon how much of those voters angst was about Bidens policies, and not his advanced age. Notable Are any big name Democrats going to run against Harris? As Benjy Sarlin and I write, the raft of early endorsements for her since Biden dropped out may scare off some of the most-discussed names. Correction An earlier version of this story described Kennedys family compound as in a different state. Do Rhode Island's Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Here's what comes next. President Joe Biden has ended his re-election campaign less than a month before the Democratic National Convention. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." So what happens now to Rhode Island's Democratic delegates? Are they still committed to vote for him at the DNC? Here's what we know: More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates How many Democratic delegates does Rhode Island have? Rhode Island's Democratic party will send 30 delegates and two alternates to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19-22. That's out of a total of 3,896 delegates nationally. That number includes the state's two U.S. senators, two U.S. representatives, the governor and other notables. The other 14 spots were chosen during the April 2, 2024, primary. More: What happens to ballots in Rhode Island now that Biden has dropped out of the race? Do the Democrat's delegates need to vote for Biden at the convention? Delegates do not need to vote for Biden at the convention. Like many other state parties, Rhode Island's Democratic Party has a "good conscience" clause in their delegate selection plan for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. That plan was created in March 2023. That rule, 13.J, says: Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them The Journal has reached out to Liz Beretta-Perik, the chair of the state Democratic Party, for further comment and clarity. Perik, in a statement, said she looks forward to "the Democratic Party began the historic process of rallying around Kamala Harris." Who will replace Biden as the nominee? There is no official replacement for Biden as the Democratic nominee for president yet. When he announced his decision to withdraw from the race, Biden threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who can inherit much of Biden's campaign warchest. Other political heavyweights have since followed suit, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, South Carolina Rep. Rep. Jim Clyburn and others. But even with Biden's support, Harris is not the official nominee. Other names that were widely in the mix to replace Biden on the ticket, according to reporting by USA Today, include: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (who has since said she is not running) California Gov. Gavin Newsom Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear What happens at the DNC now? That depends on whether there is a virtual nomination ahead of the actual convention. The DNC Convention Rules Committee has, according to reporting from USA Today, been debating holding a virtual roll call and nomination to lock in Biden's nomination something Rhode Island's delegation was against. With the presumed nominee now out of the race, the party will now either need to hold a virtual nomination or hold an extremely rare open convention to decide the nominee. Journal reporter Kathy Gregg, Katie Landeck of the USA Today Network New England and USA Today contributed to this report This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's Democratic delegates don't have to vote for Biden at the DNC JD Vance was right the first time In a time when the right is calling on the left to tone down the divisive rhetoric, we only have to look to former President Donald Trumps VP choice to find the most inflammatory language of anyone. JD Vance famously referred to his running mate as a total fraud, "cultural heroin," "reprehensible," "a cynical a**hole," "a moral disaster" and "Americas Hitler." Vance has now, of course, changed his mind and professed his love and admiration for the man he publicly trashed when he was a never Trumper. During the Republican National Convention, many commentators tried to paint this flip-flop as a positive. Dont we want people to change and grow? Isnt it a politician's job to try to convert people to their side? While that may sound admirable, it is just more proof that the Republican Party has become a bunch of Trump lackeys. No one dares to speak out against this "reprehensible man for fear of losing their political careers. Compromising their morals so that they can hold on to power. We need to heed JD Vances first impression of Donald Trump. His disingenuous change of heart is as disgusting as he once thought his running mate was. David Cash Detroit Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum. The third day of the RNC focused on foreign policy and threats. Mandatory Credit: ORG XMIT: USAT-890643 That's not what 'RoboCop' was about The criticisms raised in Neal Rubin's article on the RoboCop statue in Detroit are off the mark. "RoboCop" is not "raw bigotry," nor is it an attack on the people of Detroit. ("Some Detroiters view RoboCop film, statue as raw bigotry," Detroit Free Press, July 4.) It is an indictment of a corporate capitalist system that puts profits for corporations and the rich over the needs of the people. "RoboCop" attacks the deindustrialization and disinvestment that characterized America in the 1980s. The corporate fat cat villains have privatized just about every public service, all to make a buck. The film could have occurred in Pittsburgh, Gary, Flint or any American city left behind in the "greed is good" decade. We are still dealing with the outcomes of those policies, yet these critics think it's more important to go after a movie criticizing them. What have they done to fight against plant closures, tax giveaways to the super-rich or the destruction of our environment? Those are all worthier targets than a film trying to warn audiences about where Reaganomics would lead. Hank Kennedy Hazel Park Nancy allen and Peter Weller in a scene from the 1987 film "RoboCop." Tell us what you think about RoboCop or anything else at freep.com/letters. I'm a Detroiter and I don't support a residency requirement This letter is in response to Free Press reporter Dave Boucher's article on city officials who don't live in the city of Detroit. ("45% of high-ranking officials in Duggan's office dont live in Detroit, analysis shows," Detroit Free Press, July 19.) I was a Detroit police officer when the city had a residency requirement. It didn't bother me, because I grew up in the city, and chose to live in it. When I would tell people where I lived, the usual response was the assumption that I lived in the city because I was forced to. I saw first hand the resentment officers had at being forced to live in the city. Often, their families for many reasons, including jobs lived in other communities. Trust me, that didn't make for a happy, committed public servant. After being laid off from the city, I joined the Los Angeles Police Department where there was no residency requirement. My observation was that where an officer lived had no bearing on the level of their commitment to their profession, to their employer, or to the community they served. If anything, the employees were able to use off-duty time to decompress and to de-stress. They became better employees. Residency requirements also hinder the recruitment and retention of the best workers Wayne State University Assistant Professor Jeff Horner told Boucher that he supports a residency requirement, although he notes that when the city had an employee residency requirement, police officers concentrated their housing in a few so-called "Copper Canyons." What advocates for residency don't seem to recall is that many city workers would combine resources and rent a small apartment which they would call home, whether they lived there are not. In the meantime, their families lived in other communities. Think about that how does that impact morale or family life? Negatively, for sure. In addition, the enforcement of residency required a residency squad that would follow city workers to see where they spent the night, where they shopped, etc. A waste of money and personnel that only bred resentment. The mayor and city officials should focus on making the city safer, cleaner, more tax-competitve with other communities, along with improving transit, schools, and recreation. Do that, and more people will want to live in the city. Thomas E. Page Detroit Should Detroit reinstate the residency requirement? Tell us all about it at freep.com/letters. Don't wait to use a life jacket until it's too late A recent incident in Macomb County highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket. Four fishermen fell into Lake St. Clair after their boat capsized due to choppy waters. Fortunately, they were all wearing life jackets and were rescued, but that isnt always the case. In the most recent U.S. Coast Guard boating statistics, three out of every four boaters who died in a boating accident drowned, and of those deaths, 87% were not wearing a life jacket. Many of these people considered themselves long-term boaters who knew how to swim, but if knocked unconscious when entering the water, it can be impossible to swim. You wouldnt try to put a seatbelt on in the middle of a car crash. Likewise, it is not possible to try to put on a life jacket when you are in the middle of a boating emergency. When going out on the water, ensure everyone on board has a life jacket that fits properly. If you need one to borrow, check out one of the Sea Tow Foundations Life Jacket Loaner Stations. You never know just how life saving it could be. Gail R. Kulp Southold, New York This new law would support moms Mental health conditions that occur after pregnancy are the most common pregnancy complications, and impact one in five postpartum individuals. There is currently no standard for how, when and by whom mental health screenings should occur, which leads to wide disparities in screening, symptoms being recognized, and treatment being received. Lack of treatment increases the risk of long-term negative consequences for the mother, infants, and their families. If screening consistently occurred, it would help ensure timely detection and treatment, which would, in turn, translate into better health outcomes for the individual and child, as maternal mental health conditions are a significant risk factor for long-term negative outcomes for a child. House Bill 5169 would amend the Michigan Public Health Code to implement universal screening for postpartum depression. Passing this bill would ensure that these individuals and their children are protected from the detrimental effects of postpartum depression. Please contact your state lawmaker to support this bill. Alyson Halsted Onondaga, Michigan Divine intervention, or ...? Tell us your theory in a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. I see the hand of God in Donald Trump's rise I've said that former President Donald Trump is God's candidate. When many asked why I would say that my response is that God uses people in certain situations. Saturday's colossal security failure proves my assertion. Obviously, the security team couldn't keep Trump safe from a gunman on a rooftop 150 yards away with a clear line of fire. If Trump hadn't moved a few inches at that precise second I think God protects and gives Trump strength. Could any other man but Trump have gone through all the investigations, impeachments, indictments, and now an assassination attempt, without God's help? Patrick Gilligan Sterling Heights Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online or in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Vance and Trump, 'RoboCop,' life jackets, postpartum care | Letters MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) With President Joe Biden on Sunday announcing an end to his re-election campaign, prominent Republicans from South Carolina beyond quickly pressured him to vacate the White House immediately. If you are unfit to run for President, youd shouldnt be the President, U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-7th District and a close Trump ally, said on his X account. We all know President Biden wont resign, but he should. If you are unfit to run for President, you shouldnt be the President. We all know President Biden wont resign, but he should. https://t.co/H0FR8QRoio Russell Fry (@RussellFrySC) July 21, 2024 Vice presidential candidate and Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance said there is no middle ground left for Biden. If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President? Not running for reelection would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground, he said on X. South Carolina Republican Party chairman Drew McKissick also weighed in. The Democrats tried to kick President Trump off the ballot in multiple states, then they turned the judicial system into a pawn of political warfare, and now theyre making Joe Biden tap out in hopes it will fix their problems, he said on X. I recommend they simply the truth: the American people dont support their ideas or record. This is a developing story. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. The town of Hlyboke, Kharkiv Oblast, marked with a red dotted line. Photo: Screenshot from Deepstatemap Russia has transferred additional assault units to the area near Hlyboke, Kharkiv Oblast, in preparation for an offensive operation. Source: Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group of Forces, in a comment for Interfax-Ukraine Quote: "The enemy has transferred additional assault units from the 155th Separate Guards Marines Brigade and the 18th Guards Motor Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps to near the town of Hlyboke in order to prepare for offensive operations. [Russian forces] are deploying UAVs to remotely plant mines in the area." Details: Voloshyn also said that additional personnel from the 41st Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorised Rifle Division have been transferred to the city of Murom, Russia, in order to compensate for the regiments current personnel shortage. Meanwhile, assault groups from Russias 138th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade, 109th Motorised Rifle Regiment of the 6th Army, and the 128th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 44th Army Corps, are regrouping in order to undertake assault operations. "It has also been confirmed that the assault detachment of the 153rd Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has been withdrawn for recovery. The personnel from the 128th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 44th Army Corps and the Akhmat Detachment have taken their positions," Voloshyn said. Support UP or become our patron! Andrei Klimov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, stated that Russia is willing to assist the ruling party Georgian Dream in retaining power if Tbilisi requests it from Moscow. Source: Sova, as reported by European Pravda Details: When asked if Russia is prepared to thwart an attempted coup in Georgia, the Russian diplomat recalled Syria and its tyrant Bashar al-Assad, who contacted Moscow and obtained military aid. Quote: "Any coup d'etat is an interference of external powers in the internal affairs of another state, which is a violation of the UN Charter," Klimov said. According to him, after Assad turned to the Russian Federation for military assistance, "the situation in Syria has stabilised." Previously, a study found that the majority of Georgian citizens believe Russia to be their country's biggest enemy, a percentage that has climbed in recent years. The findings are presented at a time when the Georgian Dream ruling party is steadily drawing closer to Russia, supposedly intending to restore diplomatic relations and adopting Moscow's rhetoric on the war in Ukraine and the West. Support UP or become our patron! The Russian defence ministry said it had scrambled fighter jets to intercept two US B-52H bombers - Stocktrek Images Russian fighter jets buzzed two US bombers over the Arctic on Sunday in what Moscows ministry of defence described as an operation to defend its state borders. The two MiG fighter jets were scrambled when radar detected two US air force B-52H bombers approaching Russian territory over the Barents Sea. As Russian fighters approached, the American strategic bombers turned away from the state border of the Russian Federation, said the ministry. The Barents Sea is divided between Russia and Norway, and stretches from the Kola Peninsula in northern Russia to the Svalbard Archipelago towards the North Pole. US bombers flew over Finnish airspace Antti Hakkanen, Finlands defence minister, later said two US bombers had flown over Finnish airspace on Sunday morning, although it was unclear whether these were the same planes. It is important that our membership in Nato and our alliance with the United States is also reflected in concrete action. Finland is no longer alone, he said. Finland joined Nato last year in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Analysts said this was the first time US bombers had been allowed to fly over northern Finland. The Kremlin has identified the Arctic region as a priority area to challenge Nato, and Vladimir Putin has ordered his forces to boost their presence in the region. Neither the US nor Nato have commented on the incident, but earlier this month Russian warplanes buzzed a Norwegian Air Force bomber above the Barents Sea, and in March Russian warplanes intercepted two US bombers in the same area. Meanwhile, the Russian ministry of defence said its forces on the frontline in Ukraine had captured two more villages in the eastern Donbas region. Russian forces have steadily been making gains over the past six months, battering Ukrainian resistance but suffering losses of more than 1,000 men every day. Analysts said Ukrainian forces were now too weak to mount a counter-offensive this year, but Russian forces were too exhausted to break through. On Sunday, the UK Ministry of Defence said Russia was now relying increasingly heavily on under-trained and under-equipped volunteers, highlighting its desperation and resource strain. Overnight, Russia launched its fifth drone attack on Kyiv in two weeks, part of a combined missile and drone attack across the country. No casualties were reported, although the Sumy regional administration, in north-east Ukraine, said a Russian missile had hit unspecified critical infrastructure. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Russian forces launched a "double-tap" attack on first responders as they were curbing the aftermath of the previous attack in Sumy Oblast on July 21, the State Emergency Service said. Overnight, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack with 39 drones and five missiles across Ukraine. At least one missile successfully hit critical infrastructure in Sumy Oblast, and two drones were downed over the region, according to local authorities. Russian troops also shelled Sumy Oblast 20 times overnight with mortars, and deployed mines and FPV (first-person view) drones, causing 44 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported. No casualties had been reported at the time of publication. The overnight attacks caused five fires in the region. As rescue workers were extinguishing one of the fires at a residential building in the morning, Russian forces attacked again, according to the State Emergency Service. Since first responders at the site took shelter, there were no casualties in the "double-tap" attack. They were able to finish extinguishing the fire afterward. While there is no proof that Russian troops intended to target the rescue workers in the attack, they have previously used the tactic of hitting the same places again shortly after the first strike in Ukraine, known as double-tap attacks, multiple times. Over the past months, Russia's double-tap attacks escalated, killing nearly 30 rescue workers in Odesa, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia and wounding more than 20 in March and April of 2024 alone, according to Timothy Hanway, the acting U.S. envoy to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In a recent interview with the Ukrainian media Interfax on July 19, the head of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service Andrii Danyk said that 93 emergency workers were killed and almost 400 wounded since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion. We lose people almost every day, he told Interfax. Recently, the enemy has generally announced a hunt for our employees. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia says it scrambled fighter jets to intercept 2 US B-52H Stratofortress bombers approaching the Russian border Russia says it scrambled fighter jets to intercept 2 US B-52H Stratofortress bombers approaching the Russian border Moscow said it scrambled fighter jets to intercept two US bombers approaching the Russian border. Russia's defense ministry said two B-52H bombers "withdrew" as the jets approached. The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range heavy bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Russian fighter jets scrambled to intercept two US Air Force B-52H bombers approaching Russia's border, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a post on Telegram. "Russian airspace control systems located a group aerial target over the Barents Sea waters approaching the State border of the Russian Federation," the post said. It said MiG-29 and MiG-31 jets were called into action to intercept the bombers and "prevent a violation of the State border." As the jets approached, the department said, the bombers "adjusted the flight course," making a "U-turn away from the State border." "The Russian aircraft returned safely to the home airfields. There was no violation of the State border," it added. In a statement shared with Business Insider, the US Air Force (USAF) said its "aircraft did not change course due to the intercept and continued along their scheduled flight plan without incident, allowing the B-52s to perform their pre-planned mission which included integration alongside NATO fighter aircraft." The US aircraft later landed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, the USAF said. It's not the first time Moscow has said it's stopped a Western aircraft from crossing the Russian border over the Barents Sea, which is off the northern coasts of Norway and Russia. In August last year, Russia's defense ministry said a MiG-29 fighter jet intercepted a Norwegian P-8A Poseidon aircraft as it approached the Russian border, according to the TASS news agency. The ministry said the plane withdrew as the Russian MiG approached. In March, Russia also said a Russian MiG-31 scrambled to intercept two US B-1B strategic bombers in the same region, per TASS. Once again, the Russian defense ministry said the bombers pulled away. NATO has said its air forces in Europe scrambled more than 300 times last year to intercept Russian planes threatening to enter the alliance's airspace. "Along NATO's eastern flank, Russian military aircraft have a history of not transmitting a transponder code indicating their position and altitude, not filing a flight plan, and not communicating with air traffic controllers," the alliance said while adding that most encounters between its jets and their Russian counterparts were "safe and professional." It added that "breaches of NATO airspace by Russian military aircraft remained rare and generally of short duration." A B-52H Stratofortress. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele The B-52H Stratofortress The Stratofortress is a multi-purpose, long-range heavy bomber that can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet. Capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons, the B-52 is designed to conduct "strategic attack, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations," according to the USAF. The branch says the B-52 was responsible for dropping 40% of all the weapons used by coalition forces during the Gulf War's Operation Desert Storm, which saw the US and its allies drop 88,500 tons of bombs. The Air Force describes the plane as "the backbone" of the US' strategic-bomber force. Read the original article on Business Insider Fifteen civilians have been injured in Russian attacks on Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts over the past 24 hours. Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration; Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Details: Russian forces left eight residents of Donetsk Oblast injured on 20 July: two in the towns of Chasiv Yar and Toretsk and one in each of the settlements of Lyman, Yampil, Siversk and Selidove. Meanwhile, the Russians targeted the village of Dovzhyk in Kharkiv Oblast at 07:05 on Sunday, 21 July. A car was set on fire due to a First-Person View (FPV) drone strike. Before that, at 04:30, the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz was attacked with S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems. A man, 69, was injured, and another man, 54, suffered an acute stress reaction. Two men, aged 48 and 33, and two women, aged 62 and 44, were injured in the village of Ivashky on Saturday, 20 July, in a Russian FPV drone strike on a local shop. Another drone hit a house, leaving a 57-year-old woman injured. Support UP or become our patron! The aftermath of the Russian attack on Sumy Oblast. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service Russian forces launched an airstrike involving missiles on critical infrastructure facilities in Shostka district, Sumy Oblast, on the morning of 21 July. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on Telegram Details: All necessary services are working at the scene. The information on the aftermath of the Russian attack is being gathered. Background: On the night of 20-21 July, the Russians attacked Ukraine with Shahed loitering munitions. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces occupied the village of Prohres in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk Oblast on 20 July. Source: DeepState analysts Quote: "The enemy has managed to quickly turn the tide of the battle for Prohres over the past 48 hours. Fighting on the outskirts of the village broke out in the last days of April, and in fact, for the previous three months, we have been relatively successful in repelling enemy attacks, though there have been occasional losses of positions. A strip consisting of the village itself was held by one of the [Ukrainian] infantry brigades. When the enemy launched a large-scale assault on 19 July, almost the entire village was abandoned. Immediate help was brought in from another mechanised brigade stationed on the western street of the village. Lacking sufficient infantry, [Ukrainian] forces had to retreat on 20 July this time, behind the village. This is forcing the other brigade, positioned along the railway, to expand its positions to the flank. In addition, the risk of encirclement exists. There is no order to align the [front] line. The enemy's further advance has two simultaneous goals. The first is to approach or cut the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka road. In addition, there is high ground of 229.0 metres to the west of Vozdvyzhenka. The second is to move along the ridge along which the railway runs with further access to high ground at 224.8 metres and Novohrodivka." Details: The Russians also advanced in the settlements of Krasnohorivka, Pishchane, near Lozuvatske, Novooleksandrivka, Prohres and Andriivka. Support UP or become our patron! Salem Police will provide updates on the city's body-worn camera program among other topics at the City Council meeting on Monday. Salem Police Department leaders will deliver a mid-year update on several key department programs and reports to Salem City Council Monday. The presentation will provide updates on the city's body-worn camera program, Community Violence Reduction Initiative, policy updates and the 2023 Use of Force and Vehicular Pursuits Annual Report. The program and initiative were created to increase community safety, livability and transparency. Salem police began using body-worn cameras in early 2023. That year, they recorded a total of 84,835 events. "The detailed documentation provides critical and reliable evidence for investigations," police officials said in the report to council. "(Body-worn cameras) played a pivotal role in resolving 42% of the 122 community complaints received in 2023, including complaints of theft, sexual harassment, improper investigations, missing property, unethical behavior, rudeness, and use of force." The 2023 Use of Force Annual Report shows a downward trend in incidents involving officers using firearms, tasers, pepper spray, control holds, physical countermeasures and canine bites. In 2023, 666 use-of-force incidents were reported compared to 835 in 2021. While calls for services, arrests and cases remained mostly stable, the use-of-force incidents in 2023 decreased 9.1% from the three-year average. Other Salem City Council agenda items A vote on authorizing the city manager to apply for project funding under the Oregon Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Program. If successful, the program would fund a pedestrian crossing near Parrish Middle School on Market at 15th Street and school zone safety improvements on Pringle Road near Leslie Middle School. A presentation on the community belonging survey results by the Human Rights Commission. The study was done in conjunction with Western Oregon University students to gauge discrimination and sense of belonging felt by people in the city. A vote on transferring $39,990 for a Community Services Department fee study. The study will inform staff on aspects related to current fees and provide context for future fee proposals. How to participate in the Salem City Council meeting The meeting is at 6 p.m. It will be held in person in the City Council Chambers at the Salem Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. SE, and can be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish. Those wishing to comment in person can sign up on the rosters at the chamber entrance before the start of the meeting. Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or preregister between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom. For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem Police to give community violence update at City Council meeting A week after the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill came under scrutiny for tweeting a dead body is more competent than Trump to be president. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Utah GOP chair Rob Axson all criticized the tweet in posts on social media, calling it indecent and a new low. When asked for comment by the Deseret News, Gill said, My tweet was not about Trumps body, I came out and have been against any type of violence. It was that you could elect a dead person and that person would do more good for this country than him. If it was taken as anything else that was, and never would be my intent. That is why I tweeted the second tweet clarifying what I had meant. When Trump was speaking at a campaign rally earlier this month in Butler, Pennsylvania, a shooter identified by FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire. Trump was injured on his ear. Corey Comperatore, a firefighter, was killed, and two others were also injured. Lee, Cox and Axson voiced criticism of Gills tweet in the wake of this rally shooting. Ask yourself: Where does this lead? This is not okay, said Lee at the beginning of a multi-tweet thread. He expressed concern that the rhetoric could embolden people who are not stable. I get it: you dont like Trump, said Lee. Better said, you dont like Trumps policies the things he would do (and did do) as president. But when people say things like this, it cheapens the entire debate we should be having as a country about what we want in a president. Cox said on social media, A new low for Sim following a literal assassination attempt. Disgusting. This type of rhetoric makes clear that any degree of (prosecutorial) impartiality is absent as is the decency that we should expect of any public servant, said Axson on social media. @SimGillDA is void of the judgment his office demands and Salt Lake County would be far better with his resignation. Gills full tweet read, What people already know. Truly, a dead body is more competent than Trump to be President. It would do exponentially less harm to our democratic republic & honor our ideals more. On Sunday morning, Gill tweeted, In case you missed the point or misconstrued it, the point is that there is more thought in a pile of rocks, tree stump, a bucket of water than the current GOP nominee for President. That is all. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Politicians nationwide are responding after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race, including those in San Diego County. Heres a breakdown of what local lawmakers have to say about his decision, as well as Bidens endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris: Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52) President Biden is a good, decent man who has dedicated his life to serving the American people. Under his Administration, we have seen historic progress to combat climate change, invest in domestic manufacturing, expand veteran benefits, provide student debt relief, and more. He has done an outstanding job as Commander in Chief and our country owes him an enormous debt of gratitude for leading us through deeply challenging times. There has never been a shadow of a doubt that he cares about this nation and all those who call it home. This was President Bidens decision to make, and I respect his choice. Now, we turn to the task at hand defeating Donald Trump. Trump is an existential threat to our democracy, our freedoms, and our economy. With gratitude to Joe Biden and all he has accomplished in his many years of public service, we look ahead to November. My full support will be behind the Democratic nominee. Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) Im so grateful for @joebidens lifetime of service to the American people. Hes been the most effective president of my lifetime if not our entire nations history and will go down in the history books for his selflessness, empathy, patriotism, and vast accomplishments. Im all in for @KamalaHarris! Whos with me? Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50) Joe Biden is a selfless, patriotic man with a servants heart who history will remember for his tremendous accomplishments and for making this heroic decision to put country over self. I know how difficult this decision must have been for President Biden and his family, but I feel strongly that it will help our party defeat Donald Trump. I have full confidence in his ability to continue leading our country as he has done dutifully for the past three and a half years. We all owe President Biden immense gratitude. Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) President Bidens decision is incredibly patriotic and the right thing to do. He put country first. I want to thank President Biden for his decades of public service to our country and his historic presidency. He has led our country with unwavering courage, conviction and strength. Our nation, and the entire free world, is better off because of his leadership. Now, we must come together to prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy. Trump seeks to overthrow the values and principles that have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries. We cannot let him do that. Im proud to follow President Bidens lead in endorsing Kamala Harris to be our Democratic Presidential nominee. Vice President Harris is the right person to lead our nation forward and defeat Donald Trump and his extremist policies. It is time to move forward with Kamala Harris as our new leader. Together. Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48) Weve had 4 years of Democratic chaos at the border, in business, overseas, in our schools and on our streets. Joe Biden, Kamala Harris led all of it. California Governor Newsom responds to Bidens withdrawal from 2024 race State Sen. Toni Atkins @POTUS has always been about our country first and foremost. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his personal sacrifice and responsibility to us all. A class act every step of the way. Thank you to @FLOTUS and the Biden family. Most especially, thank you President Biden! Honored to have known and worked with @KamalaHarris for years. I was honored to support her in 2020 and I am proud to endorse her again to be the our next President of the United States. State Sen. Catherine Blakespear I applaud President Biden for his decades of contributions to the United States of America and his incredibly productive and positive four years as President. He is a good man, and his strong moral character is what leads him to put the countrys interest first in declining the Democratic Partys nomination. Im elated by the prospect of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President. She is the pride of California, with a multi-decade record of leadership, culminating in the last four years as Vice President. She will have the confidence of the American people and can ably lead this great country as our first female President. State Sen. Steve Padilla President Biden has dedicated his entire life to the service of the American people. Faced with tragedy and hardship, time and time again, he has always answered his countrys call for leaders of quality. Under his leadership as President, America made unprecedented investments in our response to climate change, lowered health care costs for millions, and overcame the deadliest pandemic in over a century. He entered office in a time of uncertainty, but will leave with a legacy and body of work the likes of which few politicians will ever achieve. His decision to step aside will be remembered as one of the single most selfless acts of patriotism in our countrys history. He is an exemplary leader Americans can be proud of and for that we owe him every measure of our gratitude and respect. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria I love Joe Biden. He is a leader, patriot and true public servant who has always put the good of our country first. His record of accomplishment means history will surely count him as one of Americas most effective presidents. His decision today reinforces all of these facts. I must also express my gratitude to the President for his support of San Diego. He has delivered for our city and its people time and time again. Every time he visits he says how much he loves San Diego. His actions as president always proved it. I agree with the President that Kamala Harris should be the Democratic Partys nominee. She is ready to lead our country as our next President. Lets unite around the VP and defeat Donald Trump and his extreme agenda again this November. County Supervisor Nora Vargas President Biden fought for our Democratic values, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for all he accomplished to uplift working class families over his long career in public service. As Democrats, we must now come together in unity to support the next Democratic nominee for President of the United States. There is no one better qualified to serve in this role than Vice President Kamala Harris. I will work tirelessly to help get her elected to the White House in November. She is exactly the leader we need to lead our country and make the American Dream available to all, not just an elite few. Ive had the great opportunity to work with Kamala Harris on issues affecting California and our country. I believe that shes a fierce, smart, compassionate leader who wont back down until the job is done and everyone has a true chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. Kyle Krahel-Frolander, Acting Chair of San Diego County Democratic Party President Biden has been one of the most consequential leaders in our nations history. His decision to pass the torch is yet another act of selfless public service. The Democratic Party will move forward and unify against the threat posed by Donald Trump to our democracy and fundamental freedoms. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diegos 50th annual Pride Festival is underway and thousands took to the streets of Hillcrest Saturday to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The San Diego Pride Parade kicked off festivities Saturday morning, starting at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, ending at Quince Drive. The total route was 1.5 miles long. Spirit of Stonewall rally kicks off Pride weekend in San Diego This years theme, Making History Now, is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ+ pride marches in San Diego. The first Pride Parades, there were people who had bags on their head, because they could get fired if anybody recognized them; it was way smaller, remembered Pride Parade attendee Ryan Moore. How the pioneers of San Diego Pride helped shape the global movement Its now considered one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the U.S., attracting over 300,000 people. Must have been 10 years ago, there was a tear gas incident in front of Richs, said attendee Kenny Ard. The parade got tear gassed, they never found out who did that, said Moore. Security was top of mind Saturday. Attendees were joined by additional officers from state and federal agencies as well as agencies from across San Diego County. We have all the different resources and tools that are available to us to help keep everybody safe, said new San Diego police chief, Scott Wahl. Security enhancements planned for San Diego Pride weekend San Diego Pride: Everything you need to know from parking to road closures This year, police chief Wahl wanted to show a different side of law enforcement, and decided San Diego Police would march out of uniform. I really wanted to show the human side of our police officers, said Wahl This is really a great opportunity for us to show support for the LGBTQ community, show support for the members in our organization that are a part of the community. Pride-themed storytimes planned at dozens of San Diego Public Library branches The parade led into the two-day San Diego Pride Festival in Balboa Park. The festival, which requires paid admission, began shortly after the parade wrapped up Saturday, and resumes Sunday, July 21 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $38. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sarasota's older residents don't cook like Guy Fieri. Where are the recipes for us? A Herald-Tribune letter writer says the newspaper should provide more recipes and food information for older readers. Give readers recipes they can use Do you know who your newspaper readers are? We are mostly older, retired Floridians. The Herald-Tribune's July 17 Food section had nothing for us: The article on nutrition (McDonalds breakfast) told readers about the number of calories, but not the salt content. Salt is the main killer for our age group, our cardiologists warn. Meanwhile, with one lonely exception, your recipes called for the following numbers of ingredients: 19, 18 and three with 16. We dont cook that way anymore. Does anyone? Carol DeChant, Sarasota Save Sarasota arts from state, county ax I remember my Florida arrival six years ago and eagerness to embrace the vibrant arts scene. Hello, Florida Studio Theatre, Asolo, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Venice Theatre, Urbanite Theatre, operas, symphonies, Chalk Festival, Sarasota Film Festival and many more. Wow! And then, my shock at reading these recent headlines: Why? The governor thinks fringe festivals are sexual festivals? I was a frequent attendee at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival and looked forward each year to a two-week celebration of theater, art, music, film, dance and everything in between: 170 performances of 35-plus presentations, an opportunity for artists to present independent works and unusual productions. Add in screenings, gallery visits, concerts, workshops, classes, awards and nightly parties. And a program with ratings (e.g., PG-13) for each event. How generous (and sad) of the Florida fringe festivals to offer to give up their funding so that other groups could be funded. If those entering Florida see Welcome to the Free State of Florida, then we should all be working to free and fund the arts and banish book banners. After all, as the artist Henri Matisse wrote, Creativity takes courage. Elaine Jarchow, Venice Project 2025 would dismantle NOAA Having grown much of my own food for most of my life, accurate and free weather reports are highly important to me. Therefore, I was shocked to read that Project 2025, widely considered the blueprint for a second Trump administration, seeks to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which gives us our weather data, advisories and forecasts. In this summer of extreme need for reporting on daily severe weather in our country and accurate hurricane data, all voters must be aware of such sociopathic plans. Google Project 2025 (created largely by former Trump staffers) to inform yourself of the unbelievable agenda, which includes things like abolishing the Department of Education. You may be asking why anyone would want to dismantle NOAA. In addition to forecasting weather, NOAA possesses a vast storehouse of information on climate change that proves human-induced global warming. The Heritage Foundation, the creator of Project 2025, receives considerable funding from fossil fuel companies. Get the connection? Our national security is only as strong as our ability to predict the weather. Making Americans more ignorant about climate wont eliminate the fact that it is changing. It will only make those changes more deadly. Peter Burkard, Sarasota We need a Gandhi to heal America The banner headline in the July 15 edition of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune was An attack on our democracy. The entire country is up in arms about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Donald Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents immediately after a gunman on a nearby rooftop fired several shots, striking Trump in the ear, killing a man and critically wounding two others. The media and our elected officials are swarming with these questions: What was the assassins motive? How did he gain access to the roof only 150 yards from Trump? Was it a failure on the part of the Secret Service? What can be learned from accessing the shooters cellphone? But these are not the issues, only minor details. Our country is at an impasse due to our polarization and not knowing how to proceed for the United States to become 50 united states. Our divide is so extreme and rife with incendiary anger that our democracy is under threat. To rescue us from the toxic conditionweve created, what we need is a person or a committee with the insight and vision of Gandhis to effect a massive cultural change, especially in the way we regard and treat one another. This is the challenge were facing. Nothing less will do. Certainly not turning down the rhetoric or fresh legislation. John Marcus, Sarasota Biden wearing emperors new clothes In the tale The Emperor's New Clothes," the tailor convinced the emperor that his new clothes, although nonexistent, could only be seen by others who are of high caliber. President Joe Biden waves on stage during the Vote To Live Prosperity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas on July 16, 2024. In order not to look stupid, his subjects lauded his clothes, thus perpetuating a lie. The emperor wasgullible enough to believe it. Im afraid President Joe Biden cannot see beyond the lie and admit he has no clothes. Marie Baumann, Sarasota Write to us: How to send a letter to the editor This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Older people live in Sarasota, too. Where are the recipes for us? Satellite images show damage to Russian airfield in Rostov Oblast after reported drone strike The Millerovo military airfield in Russia's Rostov Oblast was damaged after a reported overnight drone strike, according to satellite data from July 20. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine attacked the region with 26 drones overnight on July 19-20. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel then reported that a fire broke out at the Millerovo airfield as a result of the strike. The airfield's technical-operational unit and the fuel and lubricant warehouse were damaged in the attack, according to satellite imagery compiled by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The data indicates that fires broke out at the warehouse, the technical-operational unit hangar, and an area of open field. The photos also appear to substantiate Russian officials' claims that no aircraft were damaged in the strike. Ukrainian forces regularly conduct drone strikes and sabotage acts on Russian territory, targeting military assets, oil refineries, and industrial facilities. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) on July 9 attacked the Akhtubinsk military airfield in Astrakhan Oblast. President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western allies to provide Kyiv with more long-range weapons and grant permission to use them in strikes against military air bases deep within Russia. Read also: Zelensky addresses UK Cabinet, urges Starmer to show leadership on long-range strikes Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) praised President Biden as a true patriot Sunday after the president announced that he would stand down and not run for reelection, focusing instead on his Oval Office duties over the next five to six months. Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first, Schumer said in a statement Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and a great American, Schumer said. Biden announced his decision not to run for reelection after Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told him in separate meetings that many Democratic lawmakers had major doubts about his ability to defeat former President Trump in November. Schumer met with Biden at his beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on July 20 and told him a majority of Democratic senators did not think he could win reelection, according to sources familiar with the message delivered to the president. A spokesperson for Schumer last week said the leader conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden. Other Democrats applauded Bidens decision to get out of the race after multiple polls showed him losing ground to Trump after his disastrous debate performance on June 27. For more than 50 years in public service, President Biden has always put the country before any personal concern or ambitions. Its just who he is, said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) in a statement. His presidency and career will be remembered alongside Roosevelts and Johnsons for its scale, magnitude, and lasting impact on American society, the senator added. More than anything, Im thankful Joe Biden has given so much to this country over a lifetime of service. A new Detroit Free Press poll of likely Michigan voters published Sunday showed that Trump had taken a 7-point lead over Biden in the state, which Democrats had counted as part of the so-called Blue Wall along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The poll, conducted by EPIC-MRA in Lansing, found Trump leading Biden 49 percent support to 42. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Scientists urge divers, recreational charters, residents and visitors exploring the waters of South Florida to look for an invasive soft coral species that has been reported on the nearby surrounding shores of Cuba. The invasive pulse corals, a species within the Xeniidae family, are native to the Indo-Pacific and the Red seas. Several species of pulse corals have been discovered growing outside their native range into Hawaii, Venezuela, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Pulse corals reproduce rapidly, including asexually by fragmentation, and can overgrow coral reefs and seagrass meadows, with potentially devastating impacts. A coral called Xenia-umbellata is one of the invasive pulse corals detected in Puerto Rico and Cuba that are native to the Red Sea. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has partnered with the University of Florida and other federal and state agencies to encourage people who believe they have spotted the invasive soft coral in Florida waters to report their sightings through the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species website. Corals reefs and our seagrass beds are some of the most delicate habitats we have in our Florida ecosystem and, given the nature of these corals, these areas are most likely to be impacted, said Paul Evans, research coordinator for UF/IFAS Invasion Science Research Institute (ISRI). Ecologically, the pulse coral form large carpets of monocultures that suffocate and outcompete native species. This will change and shift whole marine habitats, making it critical for public input from those who are out and about this summer in the Florida reef tract. While there is currently no evidence of its presence in Florida waters, scientists want to determine if the species has reached South Florida before it impacts marine life and causes economic harm. The introduction of new invasive species would exacerbate the already deteriorating condition of U.S. coral reefs and hard-bottom habitats. "We'd like SCUBA divers and snorkelers to keep a lookout for potential invasive pulse corals while out enjoying Florida's Coral Reef and report any sighting, said Shelly Krueger, Monroe County Florida Sea Grant Extension agent. Underwater invasions are especially difficult to eradicate once a species takes hold as we have seen with invasive lionfish that are native to the same regions." Pulse corals are highly sought-after in the marine aquarium trade because of their attractive coloration and ability to thrive in various aquatic conditions. However, their invasive nature and ability to reproduce prolifically poses a significant threat to local environments. "The health and integrity of Florida's Coral reef is vital to our state. Not only does Florida's Coral Reef protect southeast Florida from wind and waves generated by hurricanes, but our reef also generates 60,000 jobs and $2 billion in local income. We need all eyes underwater to be on the lookout for this invader, adds Ana Zangroniz, Monroe County Florida Sea Grant Extension agent. Seagrass meadows and mangrove systems, which serve as vital habitats for commercially and recreationally fished species, also could be colonized by invasive soft corals. Additionally, these ecosystems play a crucial role in shoreline protection and safeguarding upland properties from storms and erosion. Although much is still unknown, several agencies, universities and federal partners are engaged and actively working to raise awareness, perform necessary research and implement removal plans, said Evans. Here is what scientists know about the species: Unlike the hard stony corals that build coral reefs, invasive species can outcompete and kill coral reef-building stony corals, sea grass meadows and mangrove systems as well as other organisms living on the ocean bottom. The competition can lead to a decrease in biodiversity and disrupt native coral reef ecosystems, which are critical habitats for numerous marine species. These soft corals could directly impact seven species of stony corals listed under the Endangered Species Act, seven of which are found on Florida reefs. The suspected causes of invasive coral outbreaks include intentional releases by marine aquarists, illegal aquaculture activities, attachment of coral fragments to boats, shops and fishing gear, and the incidental transport through ship ballast water. Public engagement is critical at this stage to address issues and raise awareness of activities that promote the spread of soft corals through fishing, boating and marine aquarium dumping. For more information, visit invasionscience.ufl.edu. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Scientists seek help in spotting invasive coral in Florida waters SDSO: Four arrive at hospital with gunshot wounds; man, 19, dies from injuries UPDATE: Authorities ID 19-year-old killed in Vista shooting VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Authorities are investigating after four men arrived at a North County hospital overnight with gunshot wounds. The San Diego Sheriffs Office Communications Center received a 911 call from a cell phone near Civic Center Drive in Vista around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, just before five men arrived at the Palomar Hospital, four of them suffering from gunshot wounds, the San Diego County Sheriffs Office reports. Four killed in suspected DUI crash on SR-163 According to the sheriffs office, one of the victims, a 19-year-old man, died from his injuries; two of the victims, who have not yet been identified, are in critical condition. Homicide detectives are now collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses as they work to locate the crime scene. Unsheltered woman, 23, fatally shot in Chula Vista, police say The San Diego Sheriffs Office is asking anyone with more information to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330/after hours at 858-565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A second chance: How Oklahoma prison programs help inmates return to life after their release Christie Luther poses for a photograph July 11 at the R.I.S.E program's diversion school in Oklahoma City. The program teaches inmates and formerly incarcerated people skills in cosmetology. Christie Luther recalled that moment washing hair when she knew she wanted to start a cosmetology school at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, Oklahoma. Her professional license gave a little glimmer of hope that she could get a job once she was released from prison. With over 35 years of experience, she worked in the beauty shop at Mabel Bassett. Other women wanted to work there, too, but many didnt get a chance to learn or finish their cosmetology education. She wanted other women to feel the same hope. I always say I met God at the shampoo bowl," she said. Released after four years, four months, four weeks and one day, Luther promptly got in touch with the Department of Corrections and the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, both of which supported her idea for a prison program to give incarcerated women job skills to use when they're released. In 2015, the program called Re-Entry Investment Student Education or R.I.S.E., got its nonprofit status. The doors opened at Mabel Bassett two years later in 2017 with about 20 students out of 200 to 250 applications. Today, there are 28 students enrolled at the prison and 11 enrolled in the diversion school in Oklahoma City, including the schools first male student. More: 'The sky is the limit.' Co-workers, mentors help Tulsa woman rebuild her life So far, not one graduate has returned to prison. Oklahomas prison experience often includes violence and death, and the state sends more people to prison than the national average, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report. The state ranks fourth in the nation with an incarceration rate of 563 per 100,000 people, while the national average is 355 per 100,000. However, Oklahoma has a relatively low rate of recidivism, which the Corrections Department attributes in part to prison programs to help inmates and former inmates find second chances through education, career skills, behavioral changes and treatment. The state's Transparent Oklahoma Performance (TOP) says Oklahoma's recidivism rate is 15.6% and dropping. The Governors Dashboard of Metrics says the rate is 18.5%, giving the state the second-lowest recidivism rate in the U.S. Outside sources like World Population Review says Oklahoma has a 22.6% rate, ranking it fifth-lowest. Programs under Corrections Department make effort to change lives The department's motto, "We Change Lives," is supported by programs focusing on education, substance abuse treatment and support, cognitive behavioral programming, career and technical skills training and reentry, says Kay Thompson, a department spokesperson. We can get these people good careers, and then they dont have to rely on dealing drugs or stealing or things like that, Thompson said. Its a public safety effort. When people enter the prison system, theyre placed in programs based on assessed level of need, time to projected release and available resources. Some programs for drug and alcohol offenders are court ordered, and instead of a lengthy prison sentence, release depends on completing a boot camp-type program and good behavior, Thompson said. Men attend class to earn their Christian studies degree from Oklahoma Baptist University's Prison Divinity Program, hosted at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. One example is a partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation Services through which inmates at the Oklahoma State Reformatory transcribe books for visually impaired children. The Braille Education Program teaches participants those skills and allows them to work toward earning a Library of Congress Braille Certification. Out of the approximately 21,000 incarcerated people in state prisons, 8,000-9,000 are participating in programs designed to help them when released, Thompson said. She added that before the COVID pandemic participation was about 15,000, and the numbers are bouncing back. Thompson said the department's budget was cut by $8 million this year, making it more challenging to devote resources to the programs. She said the department has found ways to be efficient by going paperless, adding technology and streamlining processes. Opinion: We need to boost child outcomes. Investing in adult mental health system would help She said the department also is encouraging programs run by volunteers such as Poetic Justice, based in Tulsa, that offer restorative writing and creative arts programs to women in prison. The department only provides the space for these programs. Thompson said volunteer numbers were about 4,000 before the pandemic, and they are slowly increasing. OBUs Prison Divinity Program helping inmates find value in themselves One privately funded endeavor is Oklahoma Baptist Universitys Prison Divinity Program, which started in 2022. Men who are serving 12 years or more and have a high school diploma or equivalent at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center can apply and if accepted, earn a liberal arts degree in Christian studies. For many of them, theyve been written off by society sometimes with no family and they feel like life is over, Bruce Perkins, director and lead professor, said, adding it restores value and dignity in themselves. When you begin to understand, Hey, I do matter, and I can be useful, and I can be successful. Currently, 62 men are enrolled with about half expected to graduate next May, while the other half just completed their first year. Another cohort is expected to start in fall 2025. Students who complete two years in the program can receive an internship that allows them to enter the maximum-security yard and talk to inmates about the program. Since the program operates at the reception center, they can also talk to incoming inmates, Perkins said. He said the program's next phase would be expanding into other prisons and deploying graduates into service as field ministers. Bruce Perkins is the director and lead professor of the Prison Divinity Program at Oklahoma Baptist University. He teaches class weekly at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. Students R.I.S.E. up in cosmetology program Luther said a key to the success of the R.I.S.E. program is what she called "wraparound support." The program partners with salon franchises in Stillwater, Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman, Edmond, Jenks and Tulsa that will hire graduates when they are released. The program provides more than job training. One day Luther asked her students if they had a plan after they were released. She said a few had tears trickling down their cheeks and onto their written answers. One woman said shed go to the Tulsa Day Shelter, and when Luther asked why, the woman said she didnt have her family or her children anymore. Right that minute standing in the classroom, I was like we have to get a transitional home, Luther said. A church member bought a house in partnership with R.I.S.E. and then one day, signed it over to the nonprofit. Now there are two transitional houses. Christie Luther helps Michael Espinosa on July 11 at the R.I.S.E program's diversion school in Oklahoma City. He is the first male student at the school, which teaches inmates and formerly incarcerated people skills in cosmetology. The pandemic shed light on another challenge: canceled class days and early commutations. The class missed 247 days, during one period, and one woman who was released on early commutation wouldnt be able to continue her education, Luther recalled. R.I.S.E let her finish the last 100 hours. She said the pandemic revealed the need for a diversion school in Oklahoma City where students could finish their education. The school receives donations of household goods, clothes and unused supplies and equipment from other salons and those going out of business. The diversion school opened on June 10, and holds two classrooms, a room for spa services and a new addition for 20 styling stations. The school also provides a family that understands what its like to be in prison and return to life. We understand what its like to drive a broken-down car to work and to school, to go to the food bank, she said. Sometimes they might only be able to come to school for an hour and a half after theyve worked all day, but theyre here that hour and a half and that matters. Watching her students graduate, return to life, get a job and be a productive citizen is a great comfort for Luther, but it comes full circle when they want to visit and encourage women who are still in prison, she said. Another challenge is breaking down the narrative and stigma of people who have been in prison. Weve all made mistakes, and we just all want a second chance, she said. Theyre doing great stuff with their second chance. Jeri Crow got her second chance after she served 12 years over two separate prison sentences one for manslaughter resulting from a car wreck. She knew she wanted to change. Jeri Crow styles hair July 11 on a mannequin at the R.I.S.E program's diversion school in Oklahoma City. I didnt want to live with an addictive mindset, she said. When she entered R.I.S.E., it changed her completely. When I got out, I knew from past experience how hard it is to get a job because when you get out, it doesnt matter if you have college degrees or what, people wont give you a chance and they will not give you a job. Eight days after Crow was released, she chose a job from an offer of three and has worked ever since. It just makes all the difference in the world. You dont have to go back to any old ways of life because you have hope. Michael Espinosa served nine months in prison for a DUI charge in 2022. When he was released, he met someone who was in the program. After a near-death experience in a wreck, his friend said he should meet Luther. They met and he shared his story with her and wanted to better himself. Luther helped him get a scholarship, and Espinosa is now the schools first male student. Luther said shes grateful to have the support of the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and to the Corrections Department for giving them the spot at Mabel Bassett. Another school is expected to open near the end of 2024 at the Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Department of Corrections programs help newly released inmates Donald Trump's security has been upgraded since the shooting, granting him the same level of protection as a sitting president - Gene J. Puskar/AP The US Secret Service admitted it refused requests from Donald Trumps security team to increase his protection in the two years leading up to his attempted assassination. Agents guarding the former president had asked for more personnel, magnetometers, snipers and speciality teams for outdoor events, but were reportedly told by officials that they lacked the resources. The Secret Service initially denied the reports following the shooting at Trumps rally last week, when a gunman fired eight rounds at the former president and grazed his ear. Specialised units However, Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, has now acknowledged that it turned down requests for additional federal resources in a statement to the New York Times. In some instances where specific Secret Service specialised units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protectee, he said. This may include utilising state or local partners to provide specialised functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee. Agents guarding the former president had asked for more snipers and speciality teams for outdoor events - Gene J. Puskar/AP The news is likely to further inflame criticism of the Secret Service and its director, Kimberley Cheatle, following days of coverage of security failings leading up to the attack. A rooftop was left unsecured 150 yards from the rally stage, where 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to take up position with his fathers gun and shoot at Trump. Security flaws Bystanders attempted to alert local law enforcement minutes before he opened fire, according to witnesses and video evidence. One said they could not understand why Trump remained on the stage. Trump, who says the bullet was a quarter of an inch away from killing him, has criticised the security flaws in excerpts from a Fox News interview broadcast Monday. Nobody mentioned it, nobody said there was a problem. I wouldve waited for 15, they couldve said lets wait for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 5 minutes, something. Nobody said, he said. I think that was a mistake, he added. How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasnt he reported? Sensitive tactics Ms Cheatle, who is under pressure to resign from both Republicans and Democrats, is set to testify before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Monday about the assassination attempt. Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, has said that Trumps security has been upgraded since the incident, granting him the same level of protection as a sitting president. He refused to go into details, citing sensitive tactics and procedures, but clarified that personnel and other protective resources, technology, and capabilities have been added. 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. See who MS Democratic leaders want as their next choice for presidential nominee Editor's note: This story was updated Monday to reflect more state officials' responses to President Joe Biden bowing out of the 2024 Presidential Election. With President Joe Biden officially backing away from his 2024 Presidential Campaign, Mississippi leaders from party chairs to elected officials have weighed in mixed opinions about the decision. Most notably, state Democrats who support Biden early on in the race, such as Congressman Bennie Thompson and State Democratic Party Chair Cheikh Taylor thanked Biden for his service and are looking forward to a united party after the August Democratic National Convention. In Mississippi, there is only one U.S. Congress member that is a Democrat. The party also holds a minority in the state Legislature and boasts no elected statewide offices. Biden's announcement comes only a week after his opponent, former President Donald Trump, was shot during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, and about a month after Biden's poor performance during a presidential debate against Trump. More on Biden decision How will MS choose Democratic nominee after Joe Biden backs out of 2024 presidential race? MS Dems leaders will travel by train? MS Democratic Party delegates taking a unique route to DNC Convention in Chicago. See how Former Vice President Joe Biden sat down with the Clarion Ledger for a one-on-one interview ahead of his campaign rally at Tougaloo College on March 8, 2020. After that night, those within Biden's party began to call for him to respectfully bow out, according to reporting by USA Today and others. Several Mississippi Democrats still supported Biden at the time, such as Thompson and Taylor, to name a few. Here is how state leaders and elected officials responded to the news as it unfolded Sunday afternoon. State Democratic leadership Thompson posted to X, formerly Twitter, not long after the announcement was made by Biden. Thompson said it is time for the party to unite and support Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden endorsed to take his place Sunday. "As Democrats, we have faced a lot lately, and although I wish President Biden would be leading the Democratic ticket, I am committed to supporting our nominee," he wrote. "We have to unite; democracy depends on it!" Taylor declined to say who he would endorse as the next candidate. However, the party's executive committee plans to meet this week to decide a new nominee. He added to Thompson's words with a call for unity at the convention to beat back Trump. In the Mississippi Legislature, House Minority Leader Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, and Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, both thanked Biden for his efforts as President and plan to support Harris if she is the nominee chosen at the Democratic National Convention in August. "I'm grateful that the President was not selfish and thought about what is the best way to protect our democracy, and what's the best way to to defeat Donald Trump in November," Johnson said. "I didn't necessarily agree with that. But if he made that choice, he made it because he thought it was best for the country to have a candidate that could make sure that we protect democracy, and that candidate will come out of the Democratic Party." "As a strong supporter of President Biden, and his policy that we have seen and that have been successful and beneficial to all Americans over the last four years, I believe that we have a great chance of continuing those policies increasing our chances for reelection by his endorsement of Kamala Harris," Simmons said. Other Mississippi legislators' response District 3 Republican Rep. Michael Guest also posted about Biden's decision, saying that bowing out doesn't go nearly far enough and that Biden should resign now. "During his time in office, the Democratic Party has covered up Joe Bidens inability to serve as President," Guest wrote. "We saw in the debate he is not able to handle the duties of the office and by him dropping out of the race today, Biden admits he is not able to do the jobFor the good of the country, he should step down and resign immediately." Other Republican House Representatives Trent Kelly and Mike Ezell had not spoken publicly about the announcement as of Monday afternoon. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker took to X as well, quoting Greek poetry to say that Biden did what was right. "Biden made the right choice: 'Old age hath yet his honor and his toil,' 'Death closes all: but something ere the end,' 'Some work of noble note, may yet be done...'- Ulysses," Wicker wrote. Sen. Cindy Hyde Smith as of Monday afternoon had not responded to Biden stepping down. Statewide offices and leaders: Of the Mississippi statewide office holders, all being Republicans, no one had kind words for the President. Gov. Tate Reeves took the decision as proof of Trump's strength. "Have you ever seen a politician so strong and talented he made his opponent quit in the middle of the race? I have: Donald J. Trump," Reeves wrote. State Auditor Shad White simply reposted a few words he wrote on July 18, saying that Democrats have lied about Biden's capability to maintain his office and his faculties. "Democrats lied to you for years about one of the most important things: whether President Biden was mentally equipped to be president," he wrote. "If they force him off the ticket, they will be admitting they have lied. Dont forget this when you hear them talk about anything else under the sun." Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann in a written response to the Clarion Ledger said it does not matter who the Democratic nominee is, voters should continue to support Republican policy agendas and Donald Trump. "No matter who the Democrats nominate, their policies on illegal immigration, taxation, foreign trade, energy, inflation, etc., will not change," Hosemann wrote. "President Trump and Republicans have a totally different path for our country. As of Monday afternoon, House Speaker Jason White, R-West, had not posted any comments about Biden's decision, nor had his staff returned requests for comment that were made Sunday. Secretary of State Michael Watson did not post anything himself, but as of Monday, he had reposted several attacks Harris's character and her politics. Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and State Treasurer David McRae had not yet said anything about the Biden decision as of Monday afternoon. Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi legislators react to Joe Biden dropping out of 2024 race Democratic leaders in Greater Cincinnati supported President Joe Biden's decision Sunday to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Biden released a statement just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, saying it was in the "best interest of the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term." In this 2022 file photo, President Joe Biden tours United Performance Metals in Hamilton, Ohio. The announcement came after weeks of growing pressure from Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Greg Landsman, of Mount Washington, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, of Cleveland, for the president to withdraw from the race, following a rocky June 27 debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump. On Sunday, following the announcement, Landsman put out a brief statement on X. The president is putting the country and our democracy first, as he has done for decades," said Landsman, who represents Ohio's 1st Congressional District. "His decision is truly a patriotic one. This is quintessential Joe Biden. Rep. Greg Landsman had called for President Joe Biden to end his bid for reelection. Although Ohio is dominated by Republican representatives, Cincinnati remains a Democratic stronghold. Local Democratic leaders on Sunday supported the president's decision. "President Biden has made the decision he believes is in the best interest of our nation," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. "His leadership saved Cincinnati from an economic crisis and helped transform our economy and infrastructure. I have no doubt this decision was difficult, but consistent with his entire career, President Biden put his country before himself." Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, whose name has been discussed as a possible candidate for the Democratic ticket, said Biden will be remembered as "a consequential president." "Now it is time for our nation to come together. We need to dial down the anger, rancor and noise. We have an opportunity to remember that we are taught to treat our neighbor as yourself and that we are all each others neighbor," he said in a statement. President Joe Biden put the country before himself in deciding to drop out of the race for reelection, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said Sunday. Other local Democrats likewise thanked Biden for his decision. Ohio Rep. Rachel Baker called Biden "selfless." "He has always done the right thing by our country. My heart goes out to him, and his family and I hope that this is the right decision to beat Donald Trump in the fall." Baker said that she will support "whoever is our best chance at being extremism" to replace Biden on the ballot. David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, said Biden "pulled Ohio and national economy out from a deep recession, brought America out of the depths of COVID, and restored Americas reputation in the world." Pepper added: "All over Ohio, job-creating projects are under way due to his policies and bipartisan legislation he championed. Politics these days can make things over-complicated, but Bidens legacy will be of a good man and a patriotic American with a very strong record. Cincinnati City Council member Meeka Owens said she was "beyond hopeful for the future of our country, after Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place. The weight of the world rests on the shoulders of a Black woman, and I believe she is ready to meet this moment," said Owens, who is Black. "Lets not forget the courage it took for Vice President Harris to make the decision to run for president of the United States. Her courage and tenacity in doing that is what inspired me to step up and serve my community in this way, and I am so grateful. Butler County Democratic Party Chair Kathy Wyenandt said dropping out of the race was the most patriotic thing Biden could do. Hes been an incredible president and has done so much for the state of Ohio, Wyenandt said, including seeing our country through a pandemic. Its more important than ever in the fight against MAGA extremism and the agenda of project 2025, she added. Kentucky state Rep. Rachel Roberts, D-Newport, offered "absolute gratitude" for Biden. "He's given everything to serve the American people," she said. "There will be plenty of time in the coming days for other analysis and speculation and for everyone to sort things out. But I think what's important today is for all of us to sit and reflect on what a true life of service has looked like." Kelly Sakalas, Warren County Democratic Party chair, said that whoever replaces Biden as the Democrats' candidate "will be a whole lot better than the disaster that will befall this nation if Donald Trump and JD Vance are elected and allowed to implement their far-right agenda spelled out in Project 2025." Crimson MacDonald, former chair of the Campbell County Democrats, said she felt emotional when Biden announced his decision. "I just had a little crying fest," she said. "I've been a big Joe Biden fan my whole life It's just (like) taking the keys away from grandpa. It's sad. It's just sad. There's no other way to put it. MacDonald said Kamala Harris is ready to step in. "My hope is that now that it's decided, we will see Democrats unite in the effort to get the best candidates forward that are going to continue the mission of Joe Biden, that will actually make our lives better and stop the reality show that is Donald Trump. Ron Washington, who will take over as mayor of Covington next year, said Biden's exit would increase voter turnout in the traditional democratic areas of Covington. "As a nonpartisan, I could tell that Trump had more momentum; this has now changed in our city," Washington said. "Both parties will show up in large numbers to the local polls Cincinnati City Council member Reggie Harris, a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, called Biden's impact on Cincinnatians "immense," from the "billions of infrastructure dollars that came to this city to his leadership in housing, which has made our work possible, to his unwavering support of the LGBTQ community in the face of violence and discrimination. Cincinnati NAACP President Joe Mallory said he respects Biden for announcing his withdraw before the Democratic National Convention. "At this point its not about the person but about the policies that will help lift all who need it the most instead of an ideology that will cater to an exclusive group," Mallory said. Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairwoman Gwen McFarlin said Sunday she supports Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate for president in November. In a late-day Sunday press conference, Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairwoman Gwen McFarlin said she was surprised by Biden's decision. Unlike other Democrats, her support for Bidens campaign never wavered. But now, the Hamilton County Democratic Party is prepared to support Kamala Harris. We are fired up and ready to go, McFarlin said. Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney also weighed in her support for Kamala Harris. "She is strong, smart, and a fearless leader with broad appeal," Lemon Kearney said. Meanwhile, in Covington, the Democratic hub of Northern Kentucky, Ron Washington said Biden's exit would increase voter turnout in the traditional democratic areas of Covington. "As a nonpartisan, I could tell that Trump had more momentum; this has now changed in our city," said Washington, the city's next mayor. "Both parties will show up in large numbers to the local polls. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky politicians react as Biden ends campaign Sen. Joe Manchin calls on Joe Biden to 'pass the torch,' drop out of 2024 election Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., on Sunday joined the expanding chorus of lawmakers who think President Joe Biden should call it quits in the 2024 election. The West Virginia independent, who left the Democratic Party in May, said in a series of appearances that the 81-year-old incumbent should let someone else run against former President Donald Trump. "I come with a heavy heart to say the time has come for him to pass the torch to a new generation," Manchin said on ABC' "This Week." Biden's shaky debate performance against his 78-year-old Republican rival in June has released a cascade of concerns about his ability to serve a second term or win this November. A recent AP-NORC survey found 70% of U.S., including roughly two-thirds of Democrats, think the president should withdraw. More: If President Joe Biden steps down, is America ready for President Kamala Harris? If Biden exits the contest, Manchin, who is not seeking reelection, said Sunday, he will "go down with a legacy unlike many people, as one of the finest and truly a (patriotic) American." President Joe Biden gives Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., the pen he used to sign The Inflation Reduction Act. Other senators, such as Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Jon Tester,, D-Mont., have also added their names to the list of lawmakers pushing Biden to bow out. Both are Democrats who are considered at risk of losing their seats this fall, which could given Republicans control of Congress' upper chamber. Biden and his reelection team have resisted the mutiny for weeks by arguing he won Democratic primaries from coast to coast with little opposition and with the support of millions of Democratic voters. "I don't know how many more times we can say it, but the matter to us is the voters" Quentin Fulks, who serves as Biden's deputy campaign manager, said Sunday on MSNBC. "They are going to decide this election, and that is who our campaign is focused on communicating with." The president has blamed the intra-party inferno largely on liberal mega-donors, although there are reports that bigwig leaders in Congress have shared their misgivings and have been pressuring Biden to drop out. "I'm getting so frustrated by the elites in the party," Biden said in a July 8 phone call into "Morning Joe" on MSNBC. Manchin's call is also bound to generate push back from some Democrats given that he left the party after flirting with a third-party run for president himself. Others will likely spotlight how the West Virginia moderate regularly thwarted more progressive elements of the Biden administration's agenda including efforts to combat climate change. "Since when does Joe Manchin have the best interests of Democrats in mind," Joyce Alene, a former U.S. attorney nominated by then-President Barack Obama, asked Sunday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Since when does Joe Manchin have the best interests of Democrats in mind? https://t.co/zGfpwyT2lu Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) July 21, 2024 Over the weekend, Democratic party chairs in seven critical battleground states reaffirmed their support Biden and urged the party to focus on defeating Trump. The state leaders said Democrats can win if they focus on the, "MAGA threat of abortion bans, dictatorship and giveaways to billionaires." Reporters Rebecca Morrin and Joey Garrison contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Manchin calls on Joe Biden to drop out of 2024 election West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin on Sunday joined growing calls for President Joe Biden to bow out of the 2024 presidential race. During an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper, Manchin said, with a heavy heart, that its time for Biden to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders. Manchin claimed a lack of confidence in Bidens ability to win in November is having an effect on state-level elections and causing donor money to dry up behind the scenes. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Some Dems Want Biden and Kamala Off Ticket With all that being said, my prayers are with the health and wellbeing of my friend, the president, said Manchin, who left the Democratic party to become an independent this year. Off the ticket, Biden has an opportunity to unite the country, said Manchin, The way he has always done. When Tapper asked Manchin about how the party should go about deciding a new presidential nominee, Manchin said it should be an open process to give other political players a time to shine. I think that we have a lot of talent on the bench, said Manchin. And Im partial to governors because a governor cant afford to be partisan. Specifically, Manchin said he had two tremendous governors next door to him in Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. They havent divided their state. They havent made you pick a side and demonized the other side, said Manchin. Theyve brought people together. This is what an open process would do, I think. It would bring more people out in a process that could bring Democrats like me back, he said. Manchin nevertheless acknowledged he didnt know what that open process would look like. People keep talking about race and genderits not about race and gender, its about positions, its about basically who we are, Manchin added. I left the Democrat Party because its not the Democratic Party that I grew up in, that I always knew. 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. Uproar over Biden's campaign shows no signs of abating. Manchin is latest to call for a new nominee FILE - President Joe Biden, with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., right, speaks outside the White House in Washington, June 24, 2021. Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, is urging Biden to drop his reelection bid and focus on the remaining months of his presidency. Manchin tells CNN Sunday, July 21, 2024, that he "came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it's time to pass the torch to a new generation." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The uproar over President Joe Biden's reelection bid showed no signs of abating Sunday with a fifth senator urging him to withdraw from the race and let Democrats hold an open process for a new nominee. The Biden campaign acknowledged differing opinions but said the party would unite to defeat Republican Donald Trump. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent who considered a White House run this year and as a Democrat often bucked his party's leadership, was the latest member of Congress to suggest Biden focus on the remaining months of his presidency, even as the 81-year-old incumbent plans a return to campaigning this week after isolating at his Delaware beach home with COVID-19. I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think its time to pass the torch to a new generation, Manchin said in a series of Sunday news show interviews. Nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress have said it's time for Biden to leave the race. Four Democratic senators Peter Welch of Vermont, Jon Tester of Montana, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sherrod Brown of Ohio have said Biden should bow out. Biden's debate performance raised open questions about his ability to mount a convincing campaign to defeat Trump, but the president's team has made clear that Biden is committed to winning a second term and that the campaign is built to prevail a close election. Unlike Republicans, were a party that accepts and even celebrates differing opinions, but in the end, we will absolutely come together to beat Donald Trump this November, Biden campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said. Manchin said he was confident that Biden had the capacity to fulfill his term, but the senator was concerned about the toll from a campaign. Im concerned about the presidents health and well-being I really am, said Manchin, who became an independent in May after decades as a Democrat. He is not seeking reelection to the Senate. The president's doctor said Sunday that Biden's COVID symptoms have improved significantly, and Biden has said he is ready to return to campaign this week and counter a dark vision laid out by Trump. Biden has insisted he can defeat Trump in a rematch from 2020 and has been meeting with family and longtime aides as he resist effort to push him aside. The Biden campaign on Sunday promoted a joint letter from Democratic Party chairs for seven swing states that urged Democrats to unite around the president and to stop focusing on his political weaknesses. We understand the anxiety. But the best antidote to political anxiety is taking action. You cant wring your hands when youre rolling up your sleeves, said the chairs for the party in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Nonetheless, Manchin said Biden should clear the way for other Democrats and spend the remainder of his term as the president he always wanted to be, be able to unite the country, bring it back together" and focus on the war in Gaza and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The result, Manchin said, would mean being "able to show the rest of the world the orderly transfer of power from the superpower of the world. He also said, I truly believe the Democratic Party needs an open process in picking a new nominee. Manchin said he was not trying to have Kamala Harris, the vice president, replaced. A healthy competition is what its all about, Manchin said. Manchin, himself a former governor, said, I think that we have a lot of talent on the bench, a lot of good people, and Im partial to governors, because a governor cant afford to be partial. They cant afford to be partisan strictly, because that pothole or that bridge doesnt have a D or an R on it. He mentioned Govs. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Josh Shapiro of of Pennsylvania who, he said, havent divided their state. They havent made you pick a side and demonize the other side. They have brought people together. This is what an open process would do, I think. It would bring more people out in a process that could bring Democrats like me back. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., who unsuccessfully challenged Biden in the primary, said he knew that doing so would mean the end of his career in Congress. Joe Biden has had an extraordinary career. I cannot come close to what he has done, Phillips said. But it is hard to leave this and I recognize that. But he has to. He's got to put this country first. But the Democratic National Committees rulemaking arm is pressing ahead with plans for a virtual roll call before Aug. 7 to nominate the presidential pick, ahead of the partys convention later in the month in Chicago. Some of the president's supporters on the news shows fought back against the calls for him to withdraw. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said Biden has a coalition of support that includes African American women, blue-collar workers and older people who voted for him in the primary. If he feels bullied out, those voters are going to be feeling that they were bullied out, Khanna said. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who is credited with helping Biden win his first term, said Democrats should look for ways to coalesce around Biden's candidacy. I support Joe Biden. He is still in this race. He will be our nominee if he stays in the race, Clyburn said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also warned that an effort to replace Biden at the top of the ticket could run into legal challenges after some 14 million people voted for him in Democratic primaries around the country. It would be wrong, and I think unlawful, in accordance to some of these states rules for a handful of people to go in a back room and switch it out because they dont like the candidate any longer. Thats not how this is supposed to work," he said. Manchin was on CNN's State of the Union, ABC's This Week and CBS' Face the Nation. Khanna was on ABC. Johnson was on ABC and CNN. Phillips was on CBS and Clyburn appeared on CNN. ___ Superville reported from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. US President Joe Biden joins G7 leaders as they gather to watch a parachute drop at San Domenico Golf Club. Biden has withdrawn from his bid for re-election, saying: "I believe it in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Christopher Furlong/PA Wire/dpa The top Democrat in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, and other senior members of the party are paying tribute to President Joe Biden after his historic decision to drop out of the 2024 race. "Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American," Schumer posted on X. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a rising star in the party who has long been seen as having White House ambitions, praised Biden as an "extraordinary" president. "President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents," he posted on social media. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, who had expressed worries publicly about Biden's path to re-election, said Democrats were now in a better position to retain the presidency. "We owe President Biden a debt of gratitude that we may never be able to repay," he wrote on X. "We may not know what comes next, but by passing the torch to a new standard bearer, President Biden has again given us the chance to beat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve." Transportation Secretary Pete Pete Buttigieg posted: "Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history." Democrats across the key battleground of Pennsylvania quickly lauded President Joe Biden for his decades of public service Sunday after Biden announced he was dropping his re-election bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose name continues to surface as a possible Harris running mate, called Biden a "patriot" and "one of the most consequential presidents in modern history. More: As President Joe Biden steps aside, would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? "President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy, and protect real freedom," Shapiro said in a statement. "I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania the Commonwealth that raised him." Shapiro spoke with both Biden and Harris Sunday. Following those discussions, the 51-year-old Shapiro also offered his endorsement of Harris, saying in a subsequent statement that it was critical for the party to unite. More: Erie-area Democrats praise Biden for putting 'country first,' look forward to Harris nod Ive known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades weve both been prosecutors, weve both stood up for the rule of law, weve both fought for the people and delivered results," Shapiro said. "Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as vice president and she is ready to be president. The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency," he continued. "The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania where this collective work began. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States. "President Biden has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of Americans," Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey said Sunday after Biden dropped his reelection bid. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a three-term Democrat whose own re-election campaign can determine the balance of power in the upper chamber of Congress, also praised Biden. Casey has remained quiet about calls for Biden to exit the race following his June 27 debate performance, even as other Democratic senators in tough re-election campaigns, including Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Montana Sen. Jon Tester, urged Biden to leave the race. "President Biden has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of Americans," Casey said in a statement. "He deserves our gratitude for his historic achievements, including rebuilding our economy after the pandemic and delivering the largest infrastructure investment in modern history. He has had an exemplary career in public service. He is a patriot who has always put our country first." Casey's Senate colleague, Sen. John Fetterman, who has been a vocal backer of Biden's in the weeks following the debate, expressed frustration to a reporter for the news site Semafor. "People pushed out an honorable man, loving father and a great president before an absolute sleazeball (sic) like (Sen. Bob) Menendez. Congratulations," he told Semafor political reporter Dave Weigel, referring to the New Jersey Democrat who was recently convicted on 16 corruption charges for allegedly acting as a foreign agent. Sen. John Fetterman: People pushed out an honorable man, loving father and a great president before an absolute sleazeball like Menendez. Congratulations." David Weigel (@daveweigel) July 21, 2024 U.S. Rep. Chris DeLuzio, of Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District, said Biden's 2020 victory over Donald Trump "was critical to the promise of American democracy." Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa wrote on X, "Thank you, Mr. President for four years of leadership with integrity. You inherited a divided nation and brought us together, leaving us on a path of economic recovery and growth. We are better and stronger thanks to President Joe Biden." This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What PA's Democratic leaders said about Biden's 2024 race exit Sharks have undeservedly earned a bad reputation, striking fear in the hearts of many, who often describe oceans as "infested" with the creatures. But it's not technically possible for them to infest their own home. Indeed, sharks have roamed the oceans for 450 million years, producing giants like the Megalodon, the Otodus and the Ptychodus. For many ages of world history, sharks could be regarded as the unchallenged masters of the ocean. With such robust evolutionary versatility, these cartilaginous fishes have survived not one, not two, but five mass extinctions in Earth's history. On geological timescales, nature regularly goes on killing sprees, wiping out countless species forever. But sharks have surprising resilience and have weathered the Late Devonian Extinction, which ended the "golden age" of sharks; the Permian-Triassic mass extinction that wiped out 90 percent of marine species; and even the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction, which famously wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs about 66 million years ago. Despite how resilient sharks may seem, though, they may not be able to dodge the fate of the dodo or the passenger pigeon. Human activity, which seems to be driving a sixth mass extinction, is making it harder and harder for them to survive. It begs the question: Will sharks be able to outlive us? Sharks have been getting a raw deal from humans for a long time. Almost sixty years before the classic 1975 creature feature "Jaws" scared moviegoers away from the beaches, President Woodrow Wilson infamously declared a "war on sharks" to retaliate against the species for a series of New Jersey shore attacks. Countless innocent sharks were slaughtered by hunters eager to claim state rewards. As humans pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, out-of-control heat waves are causing "weird" weather while killing thousands of humans. Sharks are also heavily impacted by these rising temperatures, as they inhabit an ocean that traps increasing quantities of heat causing sea levels to continuously rise and millennia-old ocean current patterns to shift. "Temperature is the most pervasive climate change stressors on sharks, affecting their metabolic rates, distribution patterns and overall survival, as it influences every aspect of their physiology and behavior, from growth and reproduction to prey availability and habitat selection," Dr. Jodie L. Rummer, a James Cook University marine biology professor, told Salon. "Elevated water temperatures increase metabolic rates in sharks, necessitating higher food intake while reducing prey availability. For instance, a 3 C increase can significantly impact energy levels and recovery times of reef shark pups, making them vulnerable to predation and exhaustion." The sharks aren't just tired from this global heating, they are also shrinking, less resembling the Hollywood "monsters" from "Jaws" and "The Meg." "Warmer temperatures are causing sharks to grow to smaller sizes, which can limit their ability to swim long distances and migrate to new habitats as their current ones become unsuitable," Stockholm University zoology assistant professor Dr. Valentina Di Santo said. "Ocean acidification, driven by higher levels of carbon dioxide, affects the mineralization of shark skeletons. This makes their bones denser and heavier, reducing their buoyancy and increasing the energy they need to swim." As if being punier is not bad enough, the sharks also become inferior hunters. "Acidification also interferes with their ability to detect prey," Di Santo said. "These combined stressors not only affect individual sharks but also have broader implications for shark populations and the health of marine ecosystems." Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Sharks are even vulnerable to global heating before they have been born. "Early life stages, such as newborn and juvenile sharks, are particularly vulnerable due to their narrow temperature tolerance ranges and the dynamic conditions of their coastal nursery habitats," Rummer said. "For example, epaulette 'walking' sharks, which develop in an egg (i.e., kind of like a chicken), show a reduced incubation time (i.e., from 4 to 3 months) under warming conditions, and those neonates hatch smaller, with less yolk reserves (energy), but with higher metabolic costs than their current day temperature counterparts." Rummer added, "Finally, being K-selected species characterized by slow growth, late maturity and low reproductive rates, makes sharks more vulnerable to these changes, as they cannot adapt quickly enough (i.e., over generations) to keep pace with the rapidly shifting environmental conditions around them." In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, sharks are endangered by human activities such as overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and as the unintended victims of commercial fishing, or "bycatch," in which the become tangled in commercial fishing gear, leading to injury or death. "Sharks are heavily targeted for their fins, meat and liver oil," Rummer said. "The global shark fin trade is particularly devastating, with millions of sharks killed annually." The animals also rely on habitats like coral reefs and mangroves that humans are destroying, all of which makes "it harder for sharks to find suitable breeding, nursery and feeding grounds," Rummer said. Finally, "chemical pollutants and plastics accumulate in sharks, causing health issues and impacting reproductive success." Both Rummer and Di Santo agree that sharks are worth protecting because of their intrinsic value. Rummer works for The Physioshark program, which works to establish and protect marine protected areas and shark sanctuaries. Predominantly doing field work in French Polynesia, Rummer works in the world's largest shark sanctuary which "provides an ideal environment for studying and protecting shark populations without fishing pressures." "My teams work with newborn sharks in Mo'orea involves capturing, tagging, and studying these animals in their natural habitats," Rummer said. "These experiences deepen our understanding and commitment to shark conservation, highlighting the importance of protecting these vulnerable stages of shark life. Since we have been doing this for over a decade now, we are starting to see the babies of our first babies, which is really remarkable." She recalled several special moments: "Capturing a newborn shark that was probably born within the hour, learning to tell how old a newborn shark is by how much their umbilical scar (i.e., their belly button) has healed, using an ultrasound on a female blacktip reef shark to confirm shes pregnant, and of course learning from Polynesians about the rich culture surrounding sharks." Di Santo, by contrast, has a formative shark memory with which millions can immediately identify. "When I was about three years old, my older brother thought it would be hilarious to watch 'Jaws' with me," Di Santo said. "I was absolutely terrified For weeks, I was convinced there was a shark lurking in our bathtub. Over the years, Ive been lucky enough to study many different shark species. While Hollywood loves to spotlight the great whites, Ive gravitated towards the less glamorous, but equally fascinating benthic sharks (and stingrays and skates.) These bottom-dwellers might not get the same attention, but their unique locomotor adaptations (some can walk and swim!) are endlessly intriguing to a biomechanist like me." Shooter who murdered off-duty NYPD officer 40 years ago released from prison, 42nd cop killer freed in seven years A convicted murderer who fatally shot an off-duty NYPD officer during a robbery in the Bronx more than 40 years ago will soon be released on parole the 42nd cop killer in the state granted their freedom in seven years. Jose Curet, who gunned down Officer George Werdann on Feb. 21, 1982, will be sprung from Fishkill Correctional Facility after the Parole Board decided in favor of his release earlier this month, state records show. Retired NYPD Lt. Donald Pagani was a childhood friend of the murdered 23-year-old and attended 16 hearings to try to convince the board to keep Curet, now 62, behind bars. Retired Lt. Donald Pagani fought for four decades to deep the killer behind bars. Aristide Economopoulos Our primary mission was to make sure that he was in jail for as long as Georgies father was alive, Pagani, 64, told The Post. Our second goal was that he stayed in prison until he died. Werdann was off duty when he spotted Curet, then 19, and his 17-year-old brother Roberto running from a Bronx grocery store after a Feb. 21, 1982 robbery. The young cop gave chase, following the brothers in his personal car down as they ran down Valentine Ave. An old photo of NYPD Officer George Werdann with his police academy class. Courtesy Don Pagani He didnt know Curet was crouching behind a car with a gun as he drove by, taking three shots. As the car went by, Jose steps out behind the car and fires, Pagani said. The third shot hit Georgie in the back of the head. The two brothers were arrested six weeks later in Puerto Rico, where their mom lived. They were pictured in The Post smiling as they shared a meal after their arrest. NYPD Officer George Werdanns 1976 senior high school yearbook photo from Mt. St. Michael Academy in the Bronx. Courtesy Don Pagani Jose pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years to life. Roberto pleaded guilty to robbery and served more than 20 years because of alleged contraband infractions in prison, state records show. Of the 42 cop killers released in the state since 2017, 38 murdered officers from the NYPD. Changed rules for the 17-member parole board, along with an increasingly left-wing slant of its members, are responsible for the surge in freed cop killers, a law enforcement source said. The Post put the story of the arrests in Puerto Rico on the front page with a photo of the teens eating a meal after they were captured. Courtesy Don Pagani The board, whose members are appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate, now gives more weight to factors such as an inmates age and record in prison. The decision to free Curet is yet another shameful insult to cops, said Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry. There needs to be a complete restructuring of the current Parole Board to replace the progressive activists who are looking for any excuse to release these violent cop-killers, the police union head said. We need parole commissioners who will prioritize the pain of the victims of these heinous crimes and keep these menaces to society where they belong in prison for the rest of their lives. A memorial for NYPD Officer George Werdann at the 47th precinct. Courtesy Don Pagani Pagani and Werdann grew up in Norwood in the Bronx, near the NYPDs 52 Precinct on Webster Avenue and Mosholu Parkway the same precinct where Werdann was killed. PS/MS 20 P.O. George J. Werdann III was named after him. The two friends would often watch the police in awe. Wewould sit up at the top there on the bridge and watch them when they did the platoon change, said Pagani, who retired after 35 years on the job. Back then, they actually did it formal where they marched out with the batons and we thought that was the greatest thing in the world. Six people injured in Kherson as a result of Russian attacks Six people were injured on 21 July as a result of Russian attacks on the city of Kherson. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram Details: After 16:00 on 21 July it was reported that Russian forces launched attacks on residential quarters in the Dniprovskyi district of the city of Kherson. A 65-year-old man who was outside at the time of the attack was injured. He received a blast injury and a hip injury. Later it was revealed that three more people had been injured in the attack. Two men aged 22 and 33, who received blast injuries and cut wounds of a leg and stomach, turned for help. They have been hospitalised in the surgical department. Another 58-year-old civilian man suffered a shrapnel wound and a forearm fracture. The Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that at about 16:00 a 52-year-old resident of Kherson who was in a car at the time of the attack had come under fire from the Russians. He was hospitalised with a blast injury, contusion and a shrapnel head injury. After 20:00 it was reported that a 25-year-old local man was injured in the Russian attack. He suffered a blast injury, a traumatic brain injury and contusion. An ambulance treated him on the spot. Support UP or become our patron! Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on 20 July. Source: Slovak news agency TASR, citing the Slovak government's press service, as reported by European Pravda Details: During his conversation with Shmyhal, Fico criticised the inclusion of the Russian energy giant Lukoil in the sanctions list, as its oil was also used by Slovak refinery Slovnaft. According to Fico, these sanctions are "meaningless" as, from his point of view, they do not harm Russia but mainly some EU member states. "Slovakia doesn't intend to be a hostage to Ukrainian-Russian relations, and the decision of the Ukrainian president means that the Slovak refinery Slovnaft, a member of the Hungarian MOL group, will receive 40 percent less oil than it needs for processing. It will have an impact not only on the Slovak market, but it may also lead to the halt of deliveries of Slovnaft-produced oil to Ukraine, while these make up almost one tenth of the entire Ukrainian consumption," the Slovak prime minister said. The Slovak government office stated that Fico has been discussing the issue with relevant cabinet members and MOL representatives for several days. Background: Earlier this week, the Slovak Ministry of Economy confirmed that Russian oil transit had been halted. The ministry stated that while Lukoil supplied part of the oil to Slovnaft, the refinery obtained Russian oil from other suppliers and has placed orders with alternative sources. On 18 July, Slovakia and Hungary stated that Ukraine had suspended the transit of Lukoil oil. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called Ukraine's suspension of Lukoil's oil transit to Hungary "incomprehensible and unacceptable" and wants to raise the issue at a meeting of the Council of the European Union. Lukoil has been under sanctions in Ukraine since 2018, though they were limited, affecting only capital withdrawal, trade restrictions, and bans on involvement in state property privatisation or leasing. In June 2024, Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) significantly expanded them, adding, among other things, a transit ban. Support UP or become our patron! Danielle Tuttle tries the door to a department of motor vehicles location to find it locked and the location closed due to an outage Friday, July 19, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) NEW YORK (AP) An owner of a consumer insights research firm couldn't pay her employees, make Friday's deadline to sign a contract for a new business or send key research to a key client. A psychiatrist, who runs a virtual mental health practice in Maryland, saw his business hobbled as some of his virtual assistants and therapists couldn't either make phone calls or log on to their computers. And a restaurant owner in New York City was worried about how he was going to pay his vendors and his workers. Businesses from airlines to hospitals have been grappling with a faulty software update that caused technological havoc worldwide on Friday, and its repercussions continued through the weekend. The breadth of the outages highlighted the fragility of a digitized world dependent on a few providers for key computing services. But the problem appeared to divide those affected into haves and have-nots. Major customers of Microsoft and CrowdStrike are getting IT support to resolve the issues, but many smaller businesses whose Windows PCs may have received the problematic update are still struggling. Take Tsvetta Kaleynska, owner and founder of the Manhattan-based consumer insights company RILA Global Consulting, which has Fortune 500 clients. As of Saturday, she resolved the payroll issue and she got an extension until Monday on the research project. But the prospective client will not move forward with the new contract, cutting her annual earnings by nearly 25%, she estimated. The problem: she couldn't sign the contract because Docusign, which runs on Microsoft software affected by the faulty update, was down. If I were part of a big company, then I would be able to delegate and get support from computer science or security services, Kaleynska said. But as a small business owner, I am depending only on myself. It's pretty devastating." On top of Kaleynska's business issues, she had to bring her ill daughter to a local hospital Friday because the hospital's phone lines were down. Kaleynska, an immigrant from Bulgaria who became a U.S. citizen in 2023, said she's learned a hard lesson: Our lives are very fragile because theyre based on technology, and we depend on technology. CrowdStrike is one of the largest cybersecurity firms in the U.S. and has a list of customers that includes more than half of the Fortune 500 companies as well as small and medium-sized businesses. Following the outage, the company provided an initial fix through a software update. But many computers are expected to need hands-on work that could take days, if not longer, to complete. For many small businesses that are impacted, that could mean working around the clock this weekend to make sure their systems are up and running, said Wedbush tech analyst Dan Ives. Small businesses rely on third parties for this not to happen and instead, it became a code red situation, Ives said. Overall, Ives noted tech problems can be easier to fix for big companies that have a sizable number of experts on their payroll as opposed to small businesses who could face more of an uphill battle because they have fewer technical resources. The ripple effects from this could be felt for days and weeks ahead, Ives said. It's not just a black eye moment for CrowdStrike, but for the broader industry. You cant have one fat finger update take down a global ecosystem. Ari Lightman, a professor of digital media at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Heinz College, agreed, noting the amount of money big companies spend on Microsoft and CrowdStrike is likely a large portion of their IT budget. On the other hand, small businesses can look at information online on how to resolve the outage. CrowdStrike has posted step-by-step manual fixes to its blog, but it can be intimidating for those who are less tech savvy. Lightman said those corporations could sue for a loss of business, but small ones might use class action suits to go after CrowdStrike for compensatory damages. The issue is affecting small businesses differently. Heather Garlich, a spokeswoman at Arlington, Va., grocery industry group FMI, said the outages were somewhat spotty and inconsistent depending on how businesses use certain Microsoft tools. She said she was aware of one with an issue with a human resource system, while another had problems with their routing system for distribution. Yet another had issues with its cash registers. Chris Seabrook, who owns a locksmith services business in Melbourne, Australia, called Asguard Locksmiths, told The Associated Press in a Friday email that the IT outage had thrown a significant wrench in his daily operations. He hasnt been able to send and receive emails, access critical files, manage his schedule or create invoices. My Microsoft PC is essential for many important functions in my business, he wrote. As a one-man business, every minute counts and this disruption has forced me to adapt quickly to ensure my services remain as uninterrupted as possible. To minimize the disruption, Seabrook borrowed a non-Microsoft device from a friend that enabled him to sign into his accounts and access some of his critical tools and information. Hes also using his smartphone for important messages and organizing his schedule. And he's been contacting clients to update them on the situation. Seabrook didn't immediately respond to a follow-up email sent by The Associated Press on Saturday. Some small business owners have improvised to get work done. Dr. Ozan Toy, a psychiatrist, and chief medical officer at the Maryland-based Telapsychiatry, which has 25 employees across the U.S., said some employees with Microsoft phone lines instead turned to the Ring Central System, while others shifted from Microsoft Teams to Zoom. Toy said his business was fortunate to have several backups of its electronic medical record system, allowing them to resume communications with each other and their patients. As of Sunday, the practice's cloud based services were running, he said. Toy noted financial losses were minimal as it has an external answering service taking calls from patients. Chris Delmond, the co-owner of Handcraft Hospitality, which operates three restaurants in Manhattan and one in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, said his restaurants remained open for business. But the outage meant he could not have access to his cloud-based accounting software app on the Microsoft platform. That prevented him from seeing receipts and invoices, and slowed his ability to process checks to his employees and suppliers. He had to resort to calling his banks to see whether deposits had been made and check balances. Im a small business owner. I have two other partners and we kind of do everything, he said. So its up to us to find out what the issues are. I dont have large platforms that help me track. But by late Friday afternoon, all the issues related to his business' cloud based systems were back to normal, Delmond said. He noted he didn't suffer any financial losses, but he added, It's frustrating, but as a small business owner you deal with the ups and downs." Smoke and heavy fire seen through roof of York County home YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) York County Fire and Life Safety responded to a house fire on Saturday. Around 4:35 p.m., the fire department was dispatched to the report of a residential structure fire in the 100 block of Nanticoke Turn. Upon arrival, units found a two-story single-family dwelling with heavy fire. Occupants were not home at the time of the fire. The cause is under investigation. Poquoson Fire and Rescue and Langley Air Force Base Fire Department provided mutual aid assistance on-scene. Additionally, Hampton Fire and Rescue provided fire station coverage. The York-Poquoson Sheriffs Office assisted with traffic and crowd control. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Collecting evidence of a murder and connecting it to a single person is rarely easy, but imagine if there are two prime suspects and that these suspects are identical twins? That was what investigators in Jefferson County, Colorado, faced in the summer of 2003 when a young mother disappeared and was later found murdered. Police believed she was killed by her husband with help from his identical twin, but couldn't find enough evidence to prove it. It became a cold case that I couldn't resist investigating for one major reason: I am also a twin. And as close as I am to my fraternal twin sister, I can't imagine committing a crime with or for her. The facts of the case made me wonder: are the thoughts of identical twins the same mirror images as their bodies? Does an identical twin, by nature, feel the same murderous impulses as his other half? The case of Heather DeWild just might provide some answers. Heather DeWild Heather DeWild, 30, disappeared on July 24, 2003, after she went with her two small children to the house of her estranged husband Daniel DeWild. Daniel DeWild admitted he had seen his wife, but claimed she had left the children with him to go shopping and never returned. That story made no sense to Heather's dad, David Springer, a Denver police officer. The couple was in the middle of a contentious divorce. And according to Springer and Heather's sisters, she would never have left her children behind, even with their father. Two weeks later, Heather's car was found; a month after that, Heather's body was discovered under a mound of dirt on a canyon road. She had been murdered, her body bound with ropes and wrapped in plastic. Dan DeWild, the estranged husband, was a prime suspect, along with his identical twin, David. The two brothers, 31 years old at the time of Heather's disappearance, were very close. They did everything together, even lived in that same house where Heather was last seen. Not only did the same blood run through the brothers' veins, but the same DNA made up both bodies. Their rough upbringing brought them closer together, even as they grew into adults and got married. Twins David, left, and Dan DeWild. Police searched the brothers' house days after Heather's disappearance and found no evidence to tie them to a crime. No sign of a struggle, no blood. Her car appeared to be wiped clean, so clean that even her own fingerprints, which would presumably be found on the steering wheel, were missing. Decomposition dogs did alert on David DeWild's Suburban vehicle indicating that something dead might had been in the car. That supported the investigators' belief that David had helped his brother by disposing of Heather's body, but wasn't conclusive evidence. None of Heather's clothing, DNA or blood was found in the Suburban. What's more, no one else's DNA was found on Heather's body....and police couldn't trace the rope or plastic used to bind her. Investigators would eventually learn that Heather's death was no spur-of-moment, heat-of-passion murder. The brothers had planned it carefully by studying television crimes shows like "CSI." That's why a new disposable razor was used to cut ropes instead of scissors. New razors couldn't be traced. They saw that on TV. The brothers wore long sleeves and double gloves to prevent any of their hair, fibers or DNA ending up on her body. Again, a lesson learned from TV. And while they had hoped her body would never be found, even when it was, the state of her body prevented the medical examiner from determining the cause of death. Whoever killed Heather covered the tracks well and the case went cold. Over time, however, it became clear that Dan and David DeWild weren't quite as "identical" as everyone believed. Investigators detected small differences in the personalities of the two men. Dan appeared to be the dominant twin, the leader of the pair. He refused to talk or sit down for a police interview and kept David from doing the same (although Dan did make three rambling phone calls to an investigator, denigrating his wife and accusing her of affairs). David, on the other hand, seemed troubled by the investigators' questions, more likely to crack under pressure. Eventually, that's exactly what happened. How do you explain the differences in two identically made human beings? Apparently, genetics don't explain or control everything. What we think of as a "conscience" grows out of our experiences that are deeply unique and personal: what we read, the people we encounter, the emotions we feel. David DeWild somehow developed a sense of responsibility that made him a very different man from his twin brother. The two may have planned a murder together, but living with it was what ultimately divided them. As Russ Boatright, an investigator with the District Attorney's Office described it, "you know, DNA will say these two are identical twins, but David is a very different person than Daniel." We may never know exactly why David broke with his twin, but he alone took responsibility and even apologized to Heather's family. Shooter's father called police before Trump assassination attempt What to know about the Microsoft outage Pressure mounts as calls grow for Biden to end reelection bid Son charged with attempted murder after attacking his mother: Sheriff Son charged with attempted murder after attacking his mother: Sheriff LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Denver man was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, according to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. Deputies were called near the 700 block of North Little Egypt Road in Denver on July 19 after the victims son called 911 to report he attacked his mother. When deputies arrived on the scene, they took the victims son into custody. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Lincoln County EMS quickly aided the victim and transported her to the hospital. The 77-year-old woman was hospitalized with severe head and bodily injuries. She is currently in critical condition. According to detectives, the son of the victim admitted to becoming upset with his mother and beat her. Lynard Edward Hunter, 58, was charged with attempted first-degree murder. He is being held at the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center with no 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 Queen City News. Sonya Massey Death: Illinois Deputy Charged With Murder After Shooting Black Woman In The Face And Not Providing Aid Sonya Massey Death: Illinois Deputy Charged With Murder After Shooting Black Woman In The Face And Not Providing Aid | Photo: Douglas Sacha via Getty Images Funeral proceedings have taken place to honor the life of Sonya Massey as new information emerges regarding her fatal shooting. Grayson was fatally shot in the head allegedly by former Sangamon County Sheriff Deputy Sean Grayson after calling 911 to report a possible burglar at her residence. As the investigation continues to unfold, Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder and other unlawful acts on July 17, NBC News reported. He pleaded not guilty, but the judge presiding over the case granted the prosecutions request for no pretrial bail. If youre unfamiliar with the case, it all began on July 6. At around 1 a.m., Grayson and his partner, whose name was not disclosed, arrived at Masseys residence, according to new evidence collected via the Illinois State Police. When they showed up at Masseys door, she was allegedly distraught and not thinking clearly, so they entered her apartment. From there, things quickly escalated between Massey and Grayson over a pot of hot water she had on the stove. Confused about the cops presence, she asked what they were doing inside her apartment. Getting away from your hot, steaming water, Grayson commanded. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, Massey replied. Grayson then responded, I swear to God. I will shoot you right in your f***ing face. Grayson then pulled out his gun and pointed it in Masseys direction while asking her to put down the pot. Immediately, Massey followed orders and raised her hands to show she wasnt a threat before ducking down. Still holding his gun, Grayson walked toward Massey. She stood up, grabbed the hot water she initially set down and threw it at a chair near the area she was hiding behind. Thats when Grayson shot in her direction three times with one bullet hitting her face per the documents. The second deputy called for medical assistance and stayed by her side until medics arrived despite Grayson advising them not to do so. According to NBC News, a statement from Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell confirms Grayson was terminated because he did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. Graysons next court date is scheduled for August 26. South Korea to play full-scale loudspeaker broadcasts in response to North Koreas trash balloons North Korea on Sunday sent a new batch of balloons likely carrying trash toward South Korea, which vowed to play full-scale loudspeaker broadcasts in response. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the balloons crossed the border on Sunday morning and flew north of Seoul, the South Korean capital, the Associated Press reported. The military said it would expand loudspeaker broadcasts at all major sections of the 154-mile-long border between the Koreas, the news wire added. The North Korean militarys tension-escalating acts can result in causing critical consequences for it, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, per the AP. The responsibility for this kind of situation is entirely on North Koreas government. The Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff said the loudspeaker broadcasts were expected to begin at 1 p.m. local time Sunday. The broadcasts played K-pop songs and news stories, South Korean state media Yonhap reported. The move comes days after South Korea resumed frontline propaganda broadcasts for the first time in 40 days to respond to North Koreas previous balloon launches, the AP added. North Korea began floating trash-carrying balloons in late May, deepening already tense relations with South Korea. Trash balloons in previous launches have not carried dangerous substances, but have included cigarette butts, wastepaper, vinyl and plastic bags. South Korea temporarily turned on its loudspeakers along the border in early June in response to the first waves of balloon launches. The initial launches were an apparent response to a campaign organized by South Korean activists and North Korean defectors who have launched balloons with anti-North Korea leaflets and other items, the AP reported. North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns sister, Kim Yo Jong, warned last week the South Korean scum should be prepared to pay a gruesome and dear price for the leaflet activities, the AP added. The loudspeaker blasts were previously stopped in 2018 after a rare meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Reuters reported. Experts told the AP the propaganda broadcasts can demoralize frontline North Korean troops and residents while working directly against the Norths attempts to limit access to external news. The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. South Korea warns North Korea will pay a fatal price after new wave of trash balloons File A balloon presumably sent by North Korea, is seen in a paddy field in Incheon, South Korea, on 10 June (AP) South Korea has warned that North Korea will pay a fatal price after Pyongyang flew a new wave of trash-filled balloons across the border, as Seoul blared propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts for the fourth day in a row. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the balloons appeared to be flying towards the north of the capital, Seoul, after crossing the border. The residents in the most populous northwestern Gyeonggi province were advised to be on alert for objects falling from the sky and not to touch the debris. South Korea on Sunday said it would respond with full-scale loudspeaker broadcasts and warned that the Norths actions were raising tensions and could have fatal consequences. As we warned several times, the military will carry out loudspeaker broadcasts in full scale and on all fronts starting 1pm today, the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff said, calling the Norths launch of balloons vulgar and shameful. South Korean army soldiers patrol along the barbed-wire fence in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Sunday (AP) The two Koreas have ratcheted up tensions with a Cold War-style psychological battle after the suspension of a 2018 tension-easing deal that blocked the two neighbours from using such tactics. North Korea began floating large balloons carrying waste paper, scraps of cloth, cigarette butts, waste batteries and manure in May, and more than 2,000 have landed in the country since. The balloons have sparked warnings for residents and led to flight diversions, as well as a brief shutdown of Seouls Incheon International Airport after balloons landed on the tarmac. The latest launch on Sunday, the ninth since May, came after days of South Korean loudspeaker broadcasts towards North Korea in response to an earlier balloon launch on Thursday. The broadcasts ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 10pm from speakers installed near the heavily fortified border, Yonhap reported. The North Korean militarys tension-escalating acts in frontline areas may lead it to pay a fatal price and we sternly warn that all responsibility for this situation lies with the North Korean regime, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Visitors watch North Korean side from the Unification Observation Post in Paju, South Korea (AP) The speakers blast K-pop songs and news on BTS member Jins torch-bearing ahead of the Paris Olympics as well as the recent defection of a senior North Korean diplomat the kind of information that is banned from reaching North Koreans. The broadcasts also called the mine-planting works by North Korean soldiers at the border hellish, slave-like lives, according to South Korean media. These broadcasts can travel about 10km (6 miles) during the day and 24km (15 miles) at night. After the suspension of the pact, the South Korean military resumed the propaganda broadcasts for about two hours on 9 June as a warning but refrained from using them again to avoid further tensions. The South Korean military believes that the broadcasts can demoralise frontline North Korean troops and send out information to ordinary citizens, making a dent in Kim Jong-uns authoritarian rule. Southwest Airlines blames the boiling summer heat for exploding soda cans that have injured 20 flight attendants Southwest Airlines blames the boiling summer heat for exploding soda cans that have injured 20 flight attendants Exploding soda cans have injured 20 Southwest Airlines flight attendants this summer. A representative told BI that hot weather caused the explosions. High temperatures are scorching the globe this summer. The sweltering summer heat has caused an unexpected problem for flight attendants: exploding soda cans. At least 20 Southwest Airlines flight attendants sustained injuries this summer when trying to open the beverages, according to The Washington Post. The outlet said the airline doesn't use refrigerated trucks because it doesn't provide guests with meals or perishable food, so the beverages are typically stored inside airports. A Southwest Airlines spokesperson confirmed the report to Business Insider, saying the scorching temperatures blanketing the United States are to blame. "We're aware of the issue and have been taking steps to keep onboard beverages cooler, especially in our airports experiencing extreme temperatures," a statement read. "It's a cross-functional effort between our airport teams and those in the air." "Airports where we have a large presence such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and many in Texas continue to receive record temperatures, with severe heat arriving earlier and persisting throughout the summer," the statement continued. "For the safety of our employees and customers, we are taking education and mitigation measures on all heat-related hazards." Cyprus Forests Department firefighters extinguish a fire that broke out in June 2024. IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/Getty Images Parts of the world have been engulfed by extreme heat this summer. Climate scientists said 2023 was the hottest year on record since 1850, and 2024 appears to be following suit. Up to 85 howler monkeys dropped dead from trees in Tabasco after a heat wave hit southeast Mexico this May. And wildfires erupted on the Greek island of Cyprus in June after a heat wave. Temperatures soared this month in Italy, too, where the health ministry placed 12 cities under its most intense heat warning, NPR reported. In the United States, the heat is exacerbating problems in Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The Weather Channel reported that at least six people in the Houston area have died due to skyrocketing temperatures, and officials said the death toll is expected to rise. CenterPoint Energy, the main energy provider in Houston, said more than 2 million customers lost access to power following the hurricane. Read the original article on Business Insider Leadership has no gender is an off-repeated tenet of Lorelie Quiambao Osial, president and chief executive of fuel giant Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. That said, Lori is out to break the gender barrier in all fields of endeavor. She is also an ardent advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and digital transformation. - Advertisement - Journalist Joanne Rae Ramirez described Osial as a size-XS Iraq veteran who bakes, bikes and boxes when not in the high-fueled corridors of power. Osial shares her upbringing lessons include squarely confronting her personal and professional challenges. Taking the bull by the horns, so to speak. Growing up, I was sheltered but what they ingrained in me is I can be whoever I want to be. And the first barrier for me is actually myself, that it is in me to try new things and to not be afraid to do something different, she says in the interview with Ramirez. If I go through my leadership journey or even my journey in Shell, and in what colleagues have come to ,accept, is that I am a unique individual and I am multi-dimensional. One dimension is my gender, but I am a leader, I am an innovator. I am also a daughter, I am a mother, I am a sibling, I am a wife, and that makes me a whole person. All of those make me the unique whole person that I am, she says. On gender equality, Lori says everyone has to fight for a seat at the table, regardless if youre male or female. To be honest, it is a question also of which table. Because as a finance person, then it could be that you are fighting for that seat as a finance person. It could be that you are fighting for that seat as an Asian. It could be that youre fighting for that seat as a female, or in some cases where it is now, as a male. So I think we all do that, to be honest, depending on what table it is, and who else is at the table. Its your skills, your capabilities, competencies, and the values that you bring, she explains. As the top executive of Shell in the Philippines, Osial looks clearly into the corporate road they are taking. We have been in the Philippines for 107 years, and we aim to continue powering progress, continuing to grow, continuing to innovate and evolve our business for our customers, investors, society, our planet, and to partner with the country in nation-building. This feisty woman was appointed to the top Pilipinas Shell post on Dec. 1, 2021, becoming the first female to lead the fuel giant since its incorporation 109 years ago. She is also the vice president for global finance operations-expenditure which governs Shells exposures in more than 50 countries with 80,000-strong workforce across the globe. She had a stint as finance manager for the Basrah Gas Co. in Iraq, reputedly the worlds largest flare reduction project and one of the toughest external environments within the Shell portfolio. Osial graduated cum laude with Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the Silliman University. She is a certified public accountant and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Western Australia. Political leaders from across southwestern Illinois reacted Sunday to President Joe Bidens decision to drop out of his re-election campaign: U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Springfield: Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro: Republicans in Congress and concerned citizens across America have questioned President Bidens fitness for office for months. After dismissing those concerns at every turn, Bidens allies have now forced him out of the campaign in hopes of salvaging races up and down the ballot. Unfortunately for them, its too late. The American people are hungry for change and for real leadership, and you arent going to get that from Vice President Harris or any of the other top Democrats who helped create this mess in the first place. President Trump is the clear front runner heading into November, regardless of who the Democrats nominate at their convention. U.S. Representative Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Chicago: President Joe Biden has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are all the better for it. His is a storied political career culminating in one of the most accomplished and effective presidencies of our lifetime. As President of the United States he led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity. He worked across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild our roads and bridges while investing in the infrastructure and jobs of the 21st century. Perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House. As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trumps potential return to the White House. Donald Trump is a 34 time convicted felon, adjudicated to have committed sexual assault, a racist, homophobe and misogynist. Trump brags about taking away a womans right to choose, wants to rip healthcare away from tens of millions of people, proposes economic policies that will cost the middle class thousands of dollars a year, and threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, IL: Kamala Harris led the Democrats cover-up of Joe Bidens severe cognitive decline. Their donors only forced Biden out once they got caught. Border Czar Kamala Harris must answer for the deadly invasion of our southern border and her cover-up of Bidens cognitive decline. U.S. Representative Mary Miller, R-Oakland U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois: No one has done more for working Americans than Joe Biden and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for everything hes done to improve our country. Over more than 50 years in public service, hes built an unparalleled record of accomplishments. From helping write the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate to shepherding the Affordable Care Act into law as Vice President and from helping guide our nation out of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to overseeing historic wage and job growth during his Presidency, Joe Biden has always put our country first and worked to change so many aspects of our lives for the better. From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself. This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield: Joe Biden has been the most productive and consequential president of my lifetime. His leadership has allowed us to deliver historic investments to communities in Central and Southern Illinois that will benefit working people for generations to come. I thank him for his lifetime of public service and for putting our country first as he passes the baton to Vice President Harris. Its time that we come together and defeat Donald Trump in November. U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), D-Springfield. This is a breaking news story and will be updated as statements are obtained. Speaker Johnson calls on Biden to resign after the president announces he wont seek reelection House Speaker Mike Johnson called on President Joe Biden to resign immediately in the wake of Bidens announcement that he will not seek reelection. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately, Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, said in a statement Sunday afternoon. Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him on Sunday, in a major and historic move that upends the presidential race. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed party of democracy has proven exactly the opposite, Johnson said. As speaker of the House, Johnson is second in the line of presidential succession behind Harris. The White House said that Biden is looking forward to finishing his term when asked about some congressional Republicans who are calling on Biden to step down from the presidency. Biden also said in his initial statement that he will complete his term. President Biden inherited an economy in freefall, a skyrocketing violent crime rate, and alliances in tatters from his predecessor. He turned that around to deliver the strongest economic growth in the world and the lowest violent crime rate in nearly 50 years, while making NATO bigger than ever. He looks forward to finishing his term and delivering more historic results for the American people, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement to CNN. Bates continued: That includes continuing to lower costs, create jobs, and protect Social Security while standing against the MAGAnomics agenda that would worsen inflation and drive us into recession. And hell keep fighting to protect Americans freedoms from radical abortion bans and attacks on the rule of law. Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell in a statement similarly accused the Democratic Party of trying to upend the expressed will of the American people in primary elections across the country. In contrast, however, McConnell did not call on Biden to resign the presidency. While other Republican senators and members of Congress call for Biden to resign and accuse Democrats of disregarding their own primary results, GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska praised the president for his decision. I respect President Bidens decision to act in the best interest of the country by stepping aside in the 2024 presidential election, she said. GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina said that she plans to introduce a resolution on Monday that calls on Harris to invoke the 25th Amendment and assume Bidens duties. If Joe Biden does not have the cognitive ability to seek reelection, he does not have the cognitive ability to serve the remainder of his term, she said. GOP Rep. Chip Roy introduced a similar amendment the day after the CNN Presidential Debate. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Betsy Klein, Micheal Williams and Owen Dahlkamp contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) An overnight shooting and police standoff in Springfield landed three men in the hospital early Sunday. It happened around 1:04 a.m. The Springfield Police Department received an alert from ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection service, indicating gunfire in the area of South 15th and East Ash Streets. 3 hurt in pair of overnight Champaign shootings Upon arrival, two men were found with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. They directed officers to a house with rifle casings in the yard. The victims were then taken to local hospitals for treatment. Police tried to speak with the houses residents, but said the occupants were uncooperative and barricaded the door. Officers spent a long amount of time trying to contact the residents with a loud speaker. Eventually, someone inside the house shot at Springfield Police, hitting a rescue vehicle occupied by several officers. More shots were fired from the home and towards police, once again striking the rescue vehicle. At this time, an officer returned fire. Police said they continued their attempts to communicate until a home occupant stepped out and told officers that someone within the home had been shot. Car totaled after sinking into Lake Springfield First responders entered the home, secured all occupants, and rendered aid to the hurt individual. His wounds were considered non-life-threatening and he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Springfield Police said no officers were hurt during the incident. Both they and the Illinois State Police continue to investigate the situation. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Springfield Police Department at 217-788-8311. Tipsters may also anonymously call Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Despite being well aware of the brutality of the prison system he was in a Siberian jail for four years Fyodor Dostoevsky is unlikely to have ever said one of the quotes most often associated with him: The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons. The sentence, used with cookie-cutter regularity on T-shirts, mugs and inspo-quote Instagram posts, appears to have been originally used with mis-attribution to the Russian novelist by John Herbert, the 20th-century Canadian playwright. He was looking for nothing more substantial than some publicity for his play about a prisoner. Ilya Vinitsky, professor of Russian Literature at Princeton University who wrote a lengthy treatise on Dostoevsky and prisons in the Los Angeles Review of Books in 2019, wondered why this particular set of 14 words had become so ubiquitous. I think the answer to that is simple. The reason for the repetition is not who said it, it is the power of what it conveys. A civilised society can indeed be judged on how it treats its criminals, particularly those who are not a threat to society, have mental-health problems and are trapped in mix of poverty, drug addiction and social chaos. Herbert, who died in 2001, may have actually been misquoting Sir Winston Churchill who said when Home Secretary in 1910: The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilisation of any country. By that test, the UK is, indeed, failing. Prisons are now so overcrowded and dysfunctional, one of the new Justice Secretarys first acts was to announce the early release of 5,500 prisoners who have served just 40 per cent of their sentences. It is now clear that by September of this year our prisons will overflow, Shabana Mahmood said. That means there is only one way to avert disaster. Labour will point, with some justification, to 14 years of Conservative government. During the years of austerity, one of the unprotected departments was the Ministry of Justice, which is ultimately responsible for people in jail and the overstretched probation service. Its funding declined by a quarter between 2008 and 2018. People tend not to take to the streets to demand more money for the care of criminals. But the UKs prisons crisis goes back far further than that. The prisons expert Ian Acheson says Sir Tony Blair was a misplaced enthusiast for lock em up and policies have lurched from one failed initiative to another. Lord Blunketts 2005 policy of indeterminate Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences abandoned in 2012 is still affecting 2,800 prisoners even though the former Home Secretary has himself said he regrets the way the policy was implemented. We were surprised by how the judges interpreted it, he told me. Twelve years on, and the problem of thousands of people languishing in jail with no prospect of release (one person has served 12 years for stealing a mobile phone) remains unresolved. Chris Graylings shambolic reorganisation of the probation service in 2014 was so ill-thought through it was abandoned again, still by the Tories. Theresa Mays Prison Estate Transformation Programme of 2016 promised 10,000 new jail places by 2020. A National Audit Office report of that year revealed it delivered 206. The systemic failure of the prison and probation service contains a lesson on policy making that should give Sir Keir Starmer pause for thought. The problems are not all to do with more money a constant call from too many who want to see change. They are to do with political expediency, policy inconsistency and lack of leadership and management skill. In last weeks Kings Speech, the Prime Minister bet the farm on ministers and the public sectors ability to deliver, and the skill of quangos new and old to regulate away mistakes. Top down from Whitehall is the direction of travel and the market has been relegated to hand-maiden. The Man from the Ministry is in charge. Britains railway service will be put back in public hands. A new industrial strategy will give the Government a leading role in defining the economic sectors where the UK can win. A National Wealth Fund will support it. Green energy will be funded by a publicly owned investment business. Great British Energy will take tax-payer funded equity stakes in businesses. The Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, has spoken enthusiastically about the ownership of British assets by the British people for the benefit of the British people. This is the old Clause 4 of the Labour constitution on the public ownership of assets by another name. There has hardly been a squeak of protest from the public. That is understandable. In the official briefing on the Kings Speech, the Government pointed out that TransPennine Express taken into public ownership under last resort rules by the previous Conservative government is the most improved train operator in the UK on the number of cancellations. LNER, also in public hands, returned a surplus back to the taxpayer. Fifty-four per cent of people support public ownership of the railways, where, ridiculously, 30 per cent of trains arrive late under the present system. The political cycle has turned, away from the small state and markets of Margaret Thatcher, towards public sector activism. Please, God, fix things is the cry Labour is hoping will see them through an extended honeymoon period. Starmer, Rachel Reeves and Wes Streeting know they have a unique moment that will not be repeated. But these are shark-infested waters as the 1970s collapse of the government, business and unions collective bargaining system proved. Last week, the first report into how the government responded to the Covid pandemic detailed a litany of failures by ministers, public sector leaders and the scientific community. On the same day the review of the Criminal Cases Review Commission a legal quango following the wrongful imprisonment of Andrew Malkinson for rape found a deep-seated reluctance to acknowledge our criminal justice system will make mistakes. The report into the scandal of infected blood products given to people with haemophilia showed criminal levels of defensiveness in the NHS. It was the same with the Hillsborough tragedy. In September the final report into Grenfell will be published. Those that back markets and the private sector should not be smug. If the technology outage of the past four days has taught us anything it is that private company blunders can be just as calamitous in their effect. And much of the public sector operates all day, every day, soberly offering the public who pay for them competent services. Everything is not broken. But systems are imperfect. Starmer should beware a blind belief in his new active state mantra. Dostoevsky did write The Gambler. The new Prime Minister should take care he is not caught with all his chips on the wrong colour. 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. Vice Presdient Kamala Harris, left, with Colorado Rep. Leslie Herod, who was Colorado co-chair of Harris' 2020 campaign, in an undated photo. (Courtesy of Leslie Herod) Democratic delegates in Colorado began to show strong support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the partys nominee for president almost immediately after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he would not seek reelection. One of those delegates, state Rep. Leslie Herod of Denver, was Colorado co-chair of Harris 2020 campaign. I will be supporting Kamala Harris as our next president, Herod told Newsline on Sunday, adding that she has seen Harris leadership qualities up close. She really is committed to not only our country, but the people in it Shes not an isolated leader. She is one that leads with the people and alongside of them. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Delegates of the Democratic Party are scheduled to vote for a presidential candidate during a virtual roll call in early August, a process that had been established before Biden dropped out of the race. In exiting the race, Biden endorsed Harris to replace him on the presidential ticket. Other people who have been mentioned as possible Democratic presidential nominees include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Some commentators also cite Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who endorsed Harris, as a contender. Democratic delegate Jeri Shepherd said she signed a letter of support for Harris thats circulating among Democratic delegates from around the country. On a version of the letter that she shared with Newsline, other Colorado delegates who signed include former state Rep. Joe Salazar and Howard Chou. Salazar, a Democratic delegate who had previously called on Biden to exit the race, told Newsline he endorses Harris as the presidential candidate. He said members of the Democratic state central committee met Sunday afternoon. The members generally expressed strong support for Harris as the nominee, and no members expressed support for any other nominee, Salazar said. U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, the assistant Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, also announced support for Harris. Vice-President @KamalaHarris is a dedicated public servant and trailblazer who has delivered real progress for the people of our country, Neguse said in a post on X, with a photo of him posing with Harris. I couldnt be more excited to endorse & support her campaign for President of the United States. A spokesperson from U.S. Brittany Pettersen told Newsline that Pettersen is endorsing Harris. Other members of Congress from Colorado who threw support behind Harris include Reps. Diana DeGette of Denver, Jason Crow of Centennial and Yadira Caraveo of Thornton, and U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper. Secretary of State Jena Griswold also declared support for Harris in an X post. I am proud to support @KamalaHarris, a tremendous leader who is ready to serve this country as the next President of the United States, Griswold, a Democratic delegate, wrote. Democratic delegate Wanda James, a University of Colorado regent, signaled her support for Harris in a post on X. State Rep. Meg Froelich of Greenwood Village, also a delegate, told Newsline she supports Harris, and she confirmed that the Democratic central committee meeting Sunday was characterized by strong support for Harris, and no members expressed support for an alternative. Ive long wanted, and felt it was overdue to have, a woman president, Froelich said. But I also think that this is a natural progression. She said developments Sunday were a shot of adrenaline for the process of putting a Democratic nominee up against the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. My phone has just been blowing up with excitement, Froelich said. You couldnt have two more different sets of values, so I think this moment today is part of that context, where people are really feeling so much is on the line. The stakes are so clear. She added, We were already feeling our guy was the better choice. This takes it to another level. Herod said she had long supported Biden. Ive always appreciated Biden for stepping up and putting a Black woman on the ticket with him, and running this country with her at the helm alongside of him, she said. She said that when she worked on the Harris campaign she got to know her personally, and that experience contributed to her support for Harris candidacy for president. Ive always seen her as someone Ive vastly respected, but mostly I held very dear the private conversations that Ive had with her that have helped me to be the leader that I am today, Herod said. I have been able to receive her wisdom on multiple occasions right here in Colorado, while Ive fought for various bills across the state I very much have valued that kind of personal touch she brings to everything that she does. Editors note: This story was updated to add remarks from state Rep. Med Froelich, to add context about the nominee selection process, and to mention additional members of Congress who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST A news crawl appears on the side of the Fox News building in New York, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in the wake of President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 race for the White House. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) In an intensely visual news world, a seismic week of politics was transformed again in an instant on Sunday by something almost old-fashioned: a printed statement. President Joe Biden's announcement that he would not run for a second term was dropped into his social media feed at 1:46 p.m. Eastern, followed 33 minutes later by an endorsement of his vice president, Kamala Harris. Still recovering from COVID, the president did not appear on camera. Which meant, for news outlets, scant to no visuals. There was also virtually no warning, leading to initial concerns that the president's X feed had been hacked. The Associated Press filed a flash alert at 1:54 p.m. Eastern. Television networks broke into programming between 1:50 (Fox News Channel) and 2:04 p.m. (ABC). It was, the Associated Press wrote, a late-season campaign thunderstrike unlike any in American history. CBS News analyst Ashley Etienne called it an incredible day in American history. Hungry for visuals, and not finding them After a week saturated with the endlessly repeated and parsed video of former President Donald Trump being shot at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, and the carefully choreographed four-day television show of the Republican National Convention that followed it, here was a dramatic news story that lacked the visual element in almost every way. News shows on cable, particularly when covering live events or breaking news, rely on video from a scene and its aftermath to provide the all-important connecting thread between talking heads and anchor updates. With no video Sunday other than b-roll, or old footage of Biden, news channels had to turn elsewhere. But they even had to scramble to find people who could talk about it at all. CBS' White House correspondent, Ed Keefe, sounded out of breath when he was reached on the phone. Because it was a summer Sunday afternoon, TV news' first string wasn't immediately available, giving opportunities to ABC's Rachel Scott, CBS' Kristine Johnson and NBC's Hallie Jackson to anchor the initial reports. As the news sunk in, others interrupted their weekends to rush into an office Wolf Blitzer on CNN, John Roberts on Fox News Channel, Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. ABC and CBS spent more time on the story than NBC, which switched after a half hour for NASCAR coverage. Biden's former White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, was in a studio after finishing her Sunday show, which put her in place to break the news about her former boss. The networks quickly pivoted to talking about a Harris-Trump general election matchup, even before Harris announced again, via a printed statement about two hours after Biden's endorsement that she would be a candidate. Look how fast politics moves, ABC's Terry Moran said by phone. Joseph Biden, after 50 years in politics in which he reached the highest level, is now yesterday's news. Echoes of history The day was reminiscent of March 31, 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson shocked the country at the end of a 40-minute televised address to the nation by saying, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president. That was a complete surprise, compared to the seemingly endless discussion that absorbed the political world during the past three weeks about whether the 81-year-old Biden could effectively continue as a candidate following his disastrous performance in a June 27 debate against Trump. But Biden had repeatedly and emphatically insisted he was staying in the race, and the Sunday morning political talk shows featured surrogates pushing that line. He's going to do what the American people need him to do, and that's to beat Donald Trump, Cedric Richmond, a Biden campaign co-chairman, said on CBS' Face the Nation. Several reporters spoke about how even Biden White House and campaign staff members were taken by surprise by the announcement. Biden is expected to address the nation later in the week. The TV political junkies were nearly giddy at the prospect of the news that will be created up to and including the Democratic national convention, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 19 in Chicago. This is going to be a really amazing, historic sprint to the finish, said ABC News White House correspondent Mary Bruce. Said Fox News commentator Dana Perino: The politics in the next four weeks is going to be absolutely insane." ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://twitter.com/dbauder. A duo zip along on Johnson's Pond in Coventry. The town seized the pond, its dam and about 30 acres of neighboring land by eminent domain last month to settle a prolonged dispute with its owners. Wishing luck to Coventry, Johnson's Pond Reading the Journal article "Why Coventry seized Johnson's Pond - and what comes next" (Political Scene, July 16), by Antonia Noori Farzan, I have some thoughts. The homeowners around the pond knew from day one they owned no water rights or land rights. Rightly they, not the town, should have banded to purchase or work a deal with the owners for at least use of the pond. The people of Coventry should not be on the hook for recreation of these homeowners and the increase in the value of these private properties. Secondly, the idea that the town will develop a town water recreation area on the pond will be interesting when NIMBY homeowners nearby will come to the fore. Not next to me. Also, the people of the town are now responsible for an aging dam in bad condition with all the liabilities downstream bring, and insurance and the regulatory requirements are added. I wish the town of Coventry luck with this venture. Bill Falcone, Newport The writer is the former staff director of the R.I. Water Resources Board, past president of the R.I. Water Works Association, and chair emeritus of the Nationwide Public Projects Coalition. Democrats and their politics of hating Trump For the past eight years the leadership of the Democratic Party and their allies in the mainstream media have been on a mission to demonize Donald Trump. They have collaborated to convince members of the public that the former president is the devil incarnate.I am often shocked to hear how some people talk about Mr. Trump. They express an almost visceral hatred of a man whom none have actually met or had any personal interaction with that would justify such loathing.More recently, Democrats have characterized Trumps candidacy as posing an existential threat to our democracy. Last week, it appears one deranged individual heeded their inflammatory rhetoric and decided to act to remove the perceived threat. As a result, Donald Trump was nearly assassinated.How do we push back against the Democrats politics of hatred and personal destruction? I say vote for Donald Trump in November. Lets re-elect him in a landslide. Maybe then the Democrats will be persuaded to change their evil ways.A. H. Liddle, Warwick Presidents and criminal prosecution In his column Why are liberal SCOTUS justices overreacting in their dissents?" (Commentary, July 6), Dace Potas takes the three dissenting SCOTUS justices to task for raising alarms about a presidents immunity should he break the law as POTUS. He mentions that Barack Obamas drone strike could have been prosecuted (actually there were 540 such strikes during Obamas eight years in office, killing nearly 4,000 in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia). He also mentions George W. Bushs invasion of Iraq in 2003 as having been a possible prosecutable crime. (In that war 4,500 U.S. troops died and 32,000 were wounded, along with countless Iraqis). Maybe your readers will recall that Bush promoted a lie about Iraqs possession of weapons of mass destruction in order to sell that war. My point here is simple. If presidents were certain that they could now face criminal prosecution for such actions, they might be a bit more hesitant to carry them out. Mr. Potas declares that he understands the concerns about a president who is proven to be willing to break the law and frequently teetered on doing so. He claims that only impeachment can resolve the problem. He seems to have forgotten that Trump broke the law twice (at least), and was twice impeached. During his present campaign, Trump continues threatening patently illegal actions if he were elected president, e.g. deporting all immigrants, and taking revenge on his many political enemies. The Supremes have made clear that such actions, under the cloak of his, or any presidency, would by law be permitted. Presidents have done horrible things in the past ... with impunity. Now they can do them ... with immunity. Jim Luken, Peace Dale Wasteful military budget wish lists The news story about the NATO summit ("Biden hosts high-stakes NATO summit," News, July 9) focuses on Article 5 to support member organizations who are attacked. However, a primary rationale for the formation of NATO is voiced in the preamble The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the ... United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and governments... and in Article 1 The Parties undertake ... to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered. (quoted from the Official Text, NATO, April 4, 1949). Sen. Jack Reed understands these principles yet continues to vote for military budgets bloated by mandated wish lists (unfunded priorities) that require the Department of Defense commands to create additional drains to the nations expenses. No other cabinet department has this mandate to pad the budget submitted by the Department. Even the Pentagon opposes the wish-list practice. We call on Senator Reed to vote for ending the mandate for the wish list (unfunded priorities list) so that the national budget is better able to support affordable housing, health, and education that will bring security on the home front and create more programs to assure friendly and peaceful programs with other nations. Eugenia Marks, Providence 'Incredible' acts in US history Shortly after the July 14 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania Donald Trump tweeted: "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country." In 2021 a violent mob manipulated and encouraged by then-President Trump attacked the Capitol, injured and killed people and came close to overturning a fairly won election. The January 6 insurrection and its aftermath irrefutably signaled a major American political partys institutional acceptance of the first disruption to the peaceful transfer of power since the Civil War. If we're going to call anything incredible how about we start there? Kirk Feather, Providence This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Sunday letters: Wishing good luck to Johnson's Pond; Democrats' hatred of Trump A man accused of a deadly shooting earlier this month is now behind bars in North Carolina. Eric Watson is accused of shooting and killing Derrick Byas on July 8 in south Charlotte. Watson was arrested by the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday. He was then extradited to Mecklenburg County on Friday. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Byas body was found not far from a disabled vehicle with its hazards on along Rea Road. According to court documents, investigators say minutes before his death, Byas was at a bar and was seen on surveillance video on the phone talking about exchanging locations with someone and coming to meet them. Detectives said Byas left the bar and, 15 minutes later, was shot in the head along Rea Road. License plate readers and cellphone data led police to Watson. They pinged his phone at the scene during the shooting. Police say phone records connect Watson to the scene. Hes been charged with murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Jail records show hes being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County jail. Judge Jennifer Fleet upheld that decision during Watsons first court appearance Monday, saying it could be reviewed again at a later time. Always the light of the room After Watsons court appearance, Channel 9s Hunter Saenz spoke with Byas older brother, Dwan Byas. He was relieved to know Watson wouldnt be back out on the streets. I almost thought that she wasnt going to give him the no bond, he said, adding, Thats a little peace to know that he cant be out here on the streets just out here running around like nothing didnt happen. Byas told Saenz he and his brother were close. Growing up, everyone thought we were twins cause our mother would dress us alike, he said. He was very smart. He wasnt a bad person. He was always the light of the room. He touted his brothers military service as well, saying he served honorably. He also told Saenz the last time he spoke to his brother was not long before he died. Our last conversation, which was the week that he passed, we did tell each other that we loved each other and thats how our mother always raised us, he said. It was no small feat to attend Watsons hearing Monday, Byas said. It was the first time he had faced his brothers alleged killer. To see the person who is being accused of killing my brother standing that close to me it was very hard, he said. Its a lot. Just my brother didnt deserve what happened to him. Im still looking for answers. Until he finds those answers, Byas left with only questions. Why did he have to do that to my brother? Because my brother wouldnt hurt nobody, he said. (VIDEO: 1 charged with murder after man found shot in south Charlotte) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) has reported significant gains in Internal Security Operations, Territorial Defense, and Disaster Response Operations during the 1st Semester 2024 Campaign Progress Review and Assessment (CPRA). This was attended by Joint Task Force Commanders, TRIAD Staff, Area Police Command Northern Luzon, and other field commanders at Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Thursday and Friday. - Advertisement - According to NOLCOM, from January 1 to June 30, 2024 it neutralized 75 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members, with 15 killed, 56 surrendered, and 4 captured. Additionally, 162 individuals withdrew support for CTGs, and NOLCOM confiscated 95 assorted firearms, reducing CTGs operational capacity, NOLCOM Public Information Office Chief Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Lutao said. The unified command also reported that several provinces have been officially declared as having Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) such as Nueva Vizcaya on January 23, Zambales on March 1, Aurora on March 13, and Pampanga on May 30. In territorial defense, NOLCOM conducted 74 air patrols and 40 surface patrols, covering maritime areas including Bajo De Masinloc, the Philippine Rise, and the Batanes Strait. It has also supervised joint patrols with US INDOPACOM, involving PAF F/A-50 jets and USAF B-52H bombers and F-15 jets over the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone. NOLCOM participated in the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) with the US, Australian, and Japanese forces in the West Philippine Sea on April 7, 2024, and the US-PH Balikatan Exercise 39-2024, Lutao remarked. For humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts, NOLCOM executed heli-bucket operations in Benguet and Ilocos Norte to combat forest fires and conducted cloud seeding operations, to address drought conditions in South Cagayan, North Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya. Meanwhile, 480 Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) Teams and various Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) assets were placed on high alert in anticipation of a possible typhoon onslaught. NOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca credited the Commands success to the dedication of its line units, including the Philippine Armys 5th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon, and the Area Police Command Northern Luzon. Buca also urged troops to continue pursuing their targets, enhancing readiness, intelligence, collaboration with allies, and logistical capabilities. He emphasized integrating military and socio-economic initiatives for national development, focusing on civil-military coordination, legal adherence, and performance metrics. Buca also highlighted the need to intensify and improve information operation efforts to make internal and external stakeholders take positive actions in the West Philippine Sea in Philippine favor. We also need to develop strategies and tactics to counter the illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, and Deceptive actions of China, NOLCOM stated. NOLCOM assured it remains relentless in its mission to ensure the security and stability of Northern Luzon, protecting its territorial integrity, and providing timely disaster response to safeguard the lives of the Filipino people. DENVER (KDVR) Both an officer and a suspect were shot after a single-car rollover crash in Fort Collins on Sunday afternoon, according to the Fort Collins Police Services. In a press release issued at about 4 p.m., the agency said the incident began at about 12:41 p.m. when officers responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash at the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Mountain Avenue. According to the Fort Collins Police Services, the driver exited the vehicle with a firearm and exchanged gunfire with officers before running into Grandview Cemetery. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Officers chased the suspect and more gunfire occurred, according to the agency. A Fort Collins police SWAT unit arrived with an armored vehicle. Officers used the vehicle to safely approach the suspect who was injured and rendered aid. The suspect was arrested and taken to a local hospital. An officer was also shot in the incident. The officer was taken to a hospital and is expected to recover. The Critical Incident Response Team and the Larimer County Sheriffs Office are investigating the incident. Roads reopened late Sunday, but initially, the streets around City Park and Grandview Cemetery from Bryan Avenue to West Mountain Avenue and Grandview Avenue to Laporte Avenue were closed for 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 FOX31 Denver. 1 suspect in THP-involved shooting captured in KY; Reward for info about shooter raised to $20K PRINCETON, Ky. (WKRN) One of the suspects wanted for his connection to a shooting that left a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) trooper injured has been captured in Kentucky, but now the reward for information that leads to the shooters arrest has been increased. On Sunday, July 21, THP announced that 29-year-old Braze Rucker who was added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) Most Wanted list had been captured by Kentucky State Police (KSP) in Princeton, Kentucky. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Officials said they had obtained warrants against Rucker for criminal responsibility of facilitation of a felony in connection with a shooting on I-40 that left Trooper Adam Cothron injured during a traffic stop in Putnam County near the Burgess Fall exit on Friday, July 19. (Courtesy: Tennessee Highway Patrol) (Courtesy: Tennessee Highway Patrol) (Courtesy: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) (Courtesy: Tennessee Highway Patrol) According to THP, Cothron pulled over a white Kia Forte for a traffic violation and was shot during the interaction. Rucker, who was identified as a passenger in the vehicle, and the unidentified driver then fled on Highway 109 near Gallatin. The car was later found abandoned in Sumner County. Officials alerted the public to the incident shortly after, issuing a Blue Alert and describing Rucker as an armed and dangerous individual. On Saturday, July 20, THP announced that there was reward of up to $10,000 being offered for any information that could lead to Ruckers arrest. PREVIOUS | Blue Alert: Suspects wanted after Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper shot in Putnam County THP released a video Saturday night to discuss the shooting and the search for Rucker, during which time Col. Matt Perry said, Should Mr. Rucker see this, I strongly encourage you to turn yourself in. Law enforcement across Tennessee and the country are looking for you. Just before 3:30 a.m., on Sunday, authorities reported KSP arrested Rucker in Princeton. Troopers used Cothrons handcuffs to place him into custody, officials said. The search for Braze Rucker is over. Today, troopers with Kentucky State Police used THP Trooper Adam Cothrons handcuffs to take Rucker into custody in Princeton KY. Thankful to KSP, TBI, and all law enforcement agencies in Tennessee and to the citizens of Tennessee for your support, said THP. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee Cothron was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center Friday night and is reported to be in critical, but stable condition. On Sunday afternoon, Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter shared an update from Cothrons wife on his condition: Adam is doing much better than when we arrived! Hes such a trooper through and through. Hes getting some muscle response movements in his legs now and his arms are improving as well. The bullet will remain where its at unless his body starts to try getting rid it of on its own. The doctors tell us that it should not cause any problems to leave it. The good news: the bullet is not lodged in his spinal column like originally thought. Its actually in his right scapula area. It almost exited. This gives us hope that recovery of mobility in his legs will be better. We know this is all in the hands of our almighty and wonderful God we serve. We appreciate each and every phone call, text, donation, visit, and prayer that has been lifted up on behalf of Adam. I believe in the power of prayer, please keep them coming. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Cothron is a member of the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 13, which announced Sunday it is taking donations to help Cothrons family with expenses. If you would like to donate, you are asked to contact Brandon Janco at 615-788-2732 or by email at bjanco@hvillepd.org. THP released a video Sunday morning, which showed KSP and THP troopers taking Rucker to the Hopkinsville Police Department. Meanwhile, according to authorities, efforts to identify the driver of the vehicle involved in Fridays shooting are still ongoing. Just before 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, THP announced the reward for info leading to the arrest of Cothrons shooter is now $20,000. Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the other suspect(s) is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A 27-year-old suspect in Clinton skimming incidents was in custody Saturday in Scott County Jail on charges involving unauthorized use of a credit card in Bettendorf, according to court documents. Sorin Tabac faces four aggravated misdemeanor charges of unauthorized use of a credit card under $1,500, an aggravated misdemeanor charge of identification theft under $1,500, and a serious misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree theft, court records show. Sorin Tabac (Scott County Jail) On Nov. 1, 2023, Bettendorf Police say Tabac used a victims credit/debit card number without authorization to get cash from an automated teller machine (ATM) at the gas station, according to arrest affidavits. The victim, affidavits say, noticed four ATM withdrawal attempts in Bettendorf at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 3470 Middle Road, with these results: First attempt at 2:23 p.m. $102.50 Second attempt at 2:23 p.m. $102.50 Third attempt at 2:23 p.m. $102.50 Fourth attempt at 2:25 P.M. $102.50 Previously, the victims card information had been used without authorization at Kwik Star, 2283 53rd Ave., Bettendorf on June 15, 2023, according to affidavits. Affidavits say video was obtained from Kwik Star showing the ATM during the transactions. Police say Tabac was observed at the ATM attempting transactions with multiple cards while wearing a hat and sunglasses in the store. A still photograph was obtained from Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh for the November 1, 2023, incident, affidavits say. The suspect from the Kwik Star video was identified as the same person using the victims card information at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh. An Attempt to Identify Alert was sent state-wide to investigators who are part of the Iowa Law Enforcement Intelligence Network, affidavits show. Photographs taken of Tabac after his Feb. 12, 2024, Clinton arrest identify him as the same person. The Clinton incidents In an earlier news release, Clinton Police say they received several reports of credit card fraud in the Clinton area on Jan. 30. After an investigation, officers determined that someone had been using a device to obtain credit card information at 11 businesses in Clinton, according to bank records. A suspect vehicle was identified as a gray 2011 Audi with Illinois registration. The suspect was described as being a man with a gray beanie, blue coat and black pants and shoes. A license plate reader observed the Audi in Clinton on Feb. 12. Officers found the vehicle in the 400 block of Eighth Avenue South. The only occupant in the vehicle was identified as the suspect from the Jan. 30 incidents. Officers learned that the suspect had just used skimmed cards at three local businesses, the release said. Sorin Tabac (earlier photo from Clinton Police) The man was identified as Sorin Tabac, then 26, from Romania, who admitted he was in the United States illegally, the release says. Officers obtained search warrants, which led them to find skimming devices. Tabac, whose address also is listed as Chicago in court documents, was charged with credit card fraud over $1,500 and under $10,000, a class D felony, and credit card fraud under $1,500, an aggravated misdemeanor. He made an initial appearance in Clinton County Court on Feb. 13. Tabac was being held on a total $16,000 cash-only bond in Scott County Jail. He is set for a preliminary hearing July 30 in Scott County Court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Taiwan must protect its sovereignty, know its own history, president says By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan must protect its sovereignty and know its own culture and history, President Lai Ching-te said on Sunday, rejecting what he said was the previous mistaken belief the island could serve as a base to "retake" China. Lai, who took office in May, and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), champion Taiwan's separate identity from China, a position that frequently angers Beijing which views the island as an inviolable part of Chinese territory. Speaking to the DPP's annual convention, Lai said those who fought to bring democracy to Taiwan - martial law only ended in 1987 - had a clear understanding of the island's place in the world. They "did not hesitate to shed blood and used their lives to debunk the mistaken idea that 'Taiwan is a base to retake the mainland', and instituted the national policy of putting Taiwan first," said Lai, who is also DPP chairman. Chiang Kai-shek and his defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists. Chiang hoped to regroup his forces on Taiwan and attack China to destroy Mao's People's Republic of China. Chiang died in 1975 without achieving that dream. Lai said Taiwan had different priorities. "Now, our responsibility to unite the people, oppose annexation (by China) and ensure national sovereignty," he said, speaking in Taiwanese, also known as Hokkien, rather than the main language of government, Mandarin. "We must do our best to let the whole country's people understand Taiwan's own history and culture, and establish a national identity that the 23 million people living in Taiwan are a community of destiny," he added. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours on Sunday. China calls Lai a "separatist". Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. He has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but been rebuffed. China staged war games shortly after Lai's inauguration, and has continued to send warplanes and warships around Taiwan on a daily basis. Taiwan starts is annual Han Kuang war games on Monday, which this year aim to be as close as possible to actual combat. Lai said the DPP will always adhere to a democratic and free constitutional system. "We will never allow Taiwan to suffer the danger of extinction due to the failure of democratic politics," he added. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) In a Taiwan war, the US could find itself fighting China without its top allies In a Taiwan war, the US could find itself fighting China without its top allies The US military may be forced to confront a Chinese invasion of Taiwan without top allies. Japan, Australia, the UK and Canada are likely to provide no military forces to counter China. RAND Corp. analysts said these "middle powers" could help in other ways, however. If the US decides to defend Taiwan from Chinese invasion, it may have to do so alone. Several of America's biggest allies are unlikely to commit troops to save Taiwan, either because they lack the military capability or don't want to risk all-out war with an increasingly formidable China, according to a new report by the RAND Corp.. For Japan, Australia, the UK and Canada, aid "would be confined to diplomatic support for Taiwan and endorsement of likely US sanctions on China," concluded RAND, an American think tank, which surveyed experts in the four nations. If this proves right, it means that any military response to a Chinese invasion would be limited to American forces. "Our respondents believe that the US will receive logistics and materiel support from other countries, but its forces will have to go it alone in responding to an invasion by China," Rafiq Dossani, a RAND senior economist who co-authored the study, told Business Insider. However, there was more support in Japan and Australia to commit their navies to assisting an American-led effort to break a Chinese blockade of Taiwan. That Canada, for example, might not be able or eager to rush to Taiwan's defense isn't a surprise. But for Japan, whose security would be gravely affected by a Chinese takeover of Taiwan, the issue is more complicated. "Despite its military power, commitment to the region, and US backing, Japanese pacifism (both popular and constitutional) and the fear of a retaliatory attack by China are likely to limit Japan's military support for Taiwan, perhaps only to logistics and supplies," RAND said. "Any support that they would offer to a US-led military response would likely be limited to logistics and materiel support." The goal of the RAND study, which was sponsored by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was to examine how America's medium-sized allies may deter or mediate a conflict between China and Taiwan, a democratic island that China's communist leaders consider a breakaway province. The US is highly dependent on its regional allies like South Korea and Japan for basing, but the prospect it would have to fight without their ships and troops against what's likely to be a larger Chinese force may tarnish its deterrent power. Researchers classified Japan, Australia, the UK and Canada as "middle powers," which RAND defined as nations "that are not small but lack the sheer size and influence to significantly disrupt the global order." The study excluded nations that already faced a risk of direct conflict with China, the US and their respective allies. India and South Korea were also excluded "because those countries have declared that they will not play a mediating role in a cross-Strait conflict." RAND sent questionnaires to 49 diplomats, defense officials, policy analysts, business executives, journalists and legislators in the four nations. The various responses shared "remarkably common" views about a China-Taiwan war. What is especially striking is the pessimistic self-image. The British experts, for example, felt that "the UK's distant location and weak military assets, in addition to its trade dependence on China, lead to limited UK interest in defending Taiwan militarily." Nor do the four US allies believe that Beijing fears them enough to refrain from attacking Taiwan. "Our respondents thought that China views these four middle-power countries as too weak militarily to take on China on their own and as marginal players in a US-led coalition," the report found. On the other hand, America's top allies don't share American fears that a massive Chinese military buildup and Chinese leader Xi Jinping's avowed determination to "reunify" Taiwan with China are steps toward war, but rather may be nationalistic posturing. "According to our respondents, China's main goal is to legitimize its current domestic political system (i.e., the rule of the Chinese Communist Party)," the report said. "To accomplish this goal, China must be seen within as a great power, preeminent in Asia, and able to achieve high economic growth. An invasion of Taiwan would jeopardize such perceptions and thus be deemed an unacceptable risk relative to the status quo." Taiwan's military is not inconsequential, with nearly 200,000 active-duty soldiers, anti-ship missiles and mines, and soon F-16 fighters and submarines. But this is a fraction of China's military might, and Taiwan would probably need outside assistance to repel an invasion or break a blockade. While the US would provide the bulk of such a relief effort, allied contributions would be vital, as would unfettered use of bases in Japan and Australia. To American hardliners already resentful that some NATO nations aren't spending enough to defend Europe, the reluctance of its allies may smack of cowardice, and stick the US with the burden of Pacific security. But this may also reflect military and geographic reality. Canada's small military could muster only a token force for Taiwan's defense. Britain's shrinking armed forces, which already have European commitments, would struggle just to dispatch a small carrier task force 6,000 miles to the South China Sea. Though Australia is a Pacific nation, and has diesel-electric submarines and F-35 stealth fighters, it still lacks the ability to project and sustain military operations 5,000 miles away in Taiwan. But the biggest question mark is Japan: Okinawa is about 500 miles from Taiwan, Japan has territorial disputes with China over various islands in the East China Sea, and the Japanese military is rated among the 10 most powerful in the world. Furthermore, Japan's territory and the US military bases it hosts will be essential to any US effort to counter China. Yet if Japan, Australia, Britain and Canada are reluctant to confront China, there are actions they can take to help Taiwan. RAND recommends that they create a joint plan for trade sanctions to deter China from attacking Taiwan. In addition, the four middle powers could play a role in mediators to prevent a Taiwan war from happening. "Indeed, middle powers might be the only ones that can play a mediating role in such a conflict if tensions between the great powers were to escalate," the study noted. "However, as of this report's writing, no middle power has enough influence over both great powers to play such a role, even in coalition with other middle powers." Which means these middle-ranked nations need to build up their capabilities, military and otherwise. "To build credibility with both great powers, the four middle powers need to rebuild and bolster their strategic autonomy, material power, and commitment to the Asia-Pacific region." The study also implicitly raises questions about how much the US can count on its NATO allies for support outside Europe. While NATO nations did send small contingents during the Afghan war, confronting China is different. "I think that NATO should take seriously the possibility of European middle powers preferring not to be involved in a conflict in which their adversary does not directly threaten their national security," Dossani said." 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 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansans took to the national stage this week with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock met with Congressman French Hill to discuss concerns over Secret Service protection for presidential candidates and his views on GOP presidential nominee Donald Trumps policies. Roby then talks with the new Northwest Arkansas UAMS Vice-Chancellor Ryan Cork who discusses his new role and what he sees on the horizon for the school. Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to TalkBusiness.net. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com. How will Nevadans, - especially the one in five of them aged 30 to 44 who told a poll the system needs to be torn down entirely - feel if, along with democracy, the rule of law is discarded? (Photo: Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) This weekend I did a bit of doomscrolling about the global erosion of support for democracy, which research indicates is particularly pronounced among people in their 30s and 40s. I was reminded of a finding in one of those NYT-Sienna polls a while back that showed Trump crushing Biden in Nevada. Which comes closest to your view about the political and economic system in America, even if none are exactly right? the poll asked. Among Nevada voters aged 30 to 44, an unsettling (to me anyway) 22% more than any other age group picked The system needs to be torn down entirely. Needless to say poll respondents said Trump was the one most likely to tear down the system completely. I was also reminded of remarks (that have been getting a lot of attention this week) made by Republican nominee for vice president J.D. Vance in 2021 as he was ramping up his 2022 Senate bid. I think Trump is going to run again in 2024, Vance said on a podcast. I think that what Trump should do, if I was giving him one piece of advice: Fire every single midlevel bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state, replace them with our people. And when the courts stop you, Vance continued, stand before the country, and say the chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it. That last line of course is reportedly what Andrew Jackson infamously said after the Supreme Court ruled against the state of Georgias unconstitutional seizure of Cherokee land in the 1830s. (Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall could not enforce a ruling its not like the Supreme Court has federal troops to enforce its ruling. But Jackson had some, which he sent to help Georgia push Cherokees into the deadly forced march to Oklahoma.) Early this month the Supreme Court ruled that Trump (and theoretically any president, but the ruling was specifically aimed at protecting Trump) can break the law with immunity. Vances earlier concern that the U.S. Supreme Court might attempt to stop Trump from doing anything at all now seems outdated. When people, their businesses, their families, their assets or their property, are hurt or jeopardized, sometimes they seek or rely on protection or remedy from the law. How will Nevadans, especially the one in five of them aged 30 to 44 who say the system needs to be torn down entirely feel if, along with democracy, the rule of law is discarded, replaced with an arbitrary cronyism that rewards those who are in favor with Trump and his courtiers and punishes those who arent? Meanwhile, polling also suggests a number of voters, including and especially those in younger cohorts, may not be MAGA, but have become numbed enough by years of relentless Trumpism to consider voting for him anyway. If for no other reason than to, you know, shake things up. Polling also suggests a number of voters have no use for Trump but theyre sick of the whole show and wont vote at all, a decision which also works to Trumps favor. The U.S. has been flawed from the start, and still is. But relative to other world-historical global powers, it has a hell of a story to tell about the expansion of rights and freedom and prosperity. Good gawd yes its imperfect. Opportunity, prosperity, and economic and social justice are not near as broadly and fairly shared as they should be. But tossing aside the nations political and legal institutions and empowering a narcissistic sociopath as a quasi-monarch because prices went up a lot after covid seems a bit much. A framed photograph of Theodore Roosevelt greeting some of the people who came to see him Aug. 31, 1910, at Osawatomie. The photo is on display at the Osawatomie History Museum. A framed photograph of Theodore Roosevelt greeting some of the people who came to see him Aug. 31, 1910, at Osawatomie. The photo is on display at the Osawatomie History Museum. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector) Theodore Roosevelt arrived at 9:30 in the morning at the Osawatomie depot on the Missouri Pacific from Pueblo. The 51-year-old former president must have been weary, because on the previous day he had been greeted by thousands in Colorado, met with dignitaries, and laid the cornerstone of the new YMCA. Since his return from an extended African safari a few months earlier, he had been pressed into civic service at appearances across the nation, placing stones in wet mortar or otherwise helping dedicate new public buildings and parks. But today Aug. 31, 1910 in Kansas, he aimed to lay a metaphorical cornerstone for a new political philosophy. He would call for Americans to come together to work for the good of all, instead of for the robber barons who dominated society The turmoil of the current election cycle has me thinking about Roosevelts New Nationalism, and how relevant it remains today. The former president was concerned, as many of us are now, about the future of American democracy and the welfare of the common people. Roosevelt carefully chose the location for the most important speech of his political career. Osawatomie was a town of about 5,000 on the banks of the Marais de Cygnes River in east-central Kansas, but it had outsized political significance. It was here, on another August day, in 1856, that several hundred pro-slavery men had attacked the free-state settlers, killed five of them, then sacked and burned the town. It had been founded just two years earlier by the New England Emigrant Aid Company, which provided support to free-staters to relocate in Kansas Territory. The Battle of Osawatomie was one of the defining moments in the history of Bleeding Kansas, the grim prelude to the Civil War. John Brown, a zealous abolitionist, had been among the defenders who were routed. The town was rebuilt after the attack, the war over slavery would come and eventually end, and Osawatomie would become one of those small Kansas towns like Baxter Springs, Fort Scott or Dodge City remembered mostly for its past. When Roosevelt came in 1910, the battle was still within memory of some of those attending, but for most had receded into the safety of the past. It was for the history books. The radicalism of abolitionists like Brown, which in 1856 had burned with a sometimes murderous intensity he and his informal militia shot and hacked to death five pro-slavery neighbors along Pottawatomie Creek had cooled from the passage of time. The question was settled, Brown was dead, Kansas had been admitted as a free state, and the war was long over. The Republican Party formed in 1854 to oppose the expansion of slavery. Its first presidential nominee, pathfinder John C. Fremont, lost to Democrat James Buchanan, but the party found a winner in Abraham Lincoln of Illinois. The Kansas Republican Party was founded in 1859 at Osawatomie, at the Jillson Hotel. In attendance was Horace Greeley, publisher of the New York Tribune, and one of the founders of the national party. So it was that Roosevelt came to Osawatomie in 1910 with his own radical vision of what his party, the Republican Party, could be. The party of Lincoln had originally stood for labor, he knew, but in the intervening decades had become the party of capital. Roosevelt, the running mate of William McKinley, became president in 1901 when McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist at the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo. At 42, he was the youngest U.S. president ever. He had previously served as governor of New York, and of course was already famous because of his Rough Rider regiment during the Spanish-American War. He was also a rancher, historian, naturalist and writer. His foreign policy although brutally imperialistic, especially when it came to the Philippines paved the way for the United States to become a world power. In many ways, he was the first modern American president. During his two terms in office, Roosevelt drifted left of his party, so much so that by 1908 he was railing against predatory wealth and urging an unmoved Congress to adopt new labor laws. William Howard Taft, with Roosevelts blessing, was the Republican nominee in 1908 and won handily against Democrat William Jennings Bryan. But Roosevelt soon became disillusioned with Taft because he saw the new administration falling in line with the partys rigid, pro-monopoly political conservatives. By the time Roosevelt came to Osawatomie in 1910, he had already formulated his new political philosophy of New Nationalism, an extension of his Square Deal domestic policies. One of his official duties that day was to dedicate the new Battleground Memorial Park. His political agenda was to lay out his progressive vision for America. Most of the items on his agenda had appeared in one or another of his annual messages as president, the historian H.W. Brands notes in his 1997 biography of Roosevelt. Yet he had never stated his objectives so comprehensively or packaged them so concisely as a single approach to the countrys problems. There is a photograph, reproduced in an issue of a scholarly journal, that shows Roosevelt delivering his remarks. The ex-president is standing on what appears to be a dining room table draped with an American flag. Hes dressed in a dark three-piece suit, a sheaf of papers in his hand. Theres a knot of listeners around him, some of them perhaps other speakers, and the former president and his plinth-like table and all the rest are in the middle of a grove of trees within battlefield park. Our country this great Republic means nothing unless it means the triumph of a real democracy, the triumph of popular government, Roosevelt told the crowd. There had been two great crises in American history, he said, the first being the challenge of its founding and the second when it threatened to fracture during the Civil War. With this second period of our history the name of John Brown will forever be associated, Roosevelt said, and Kansas was the theater upon which the first act of the second of our national life dramas was played. It was the result of the struggle in Kansas which determined that our country should be in deed as well as in name devoted to both union and freedom, that the great experiment of a democratic government on a national scale should succeed and not fail. Roosevelt advocated that day for equal opportunity and the rewards of hard work, for curbing the influence of special interests, for ending political contributions by corporations. The object of government is the welfare of the people, he declared. At another point: Political action must be made simpler, easier, and freer from confusion for every citizen. And this: No matter how honest and decent we are in our private lives, if we do not have the right kind of law and the right kind of administration of the law, we cannot go forward as a nation. Part of what had propelled Roosevelt to activism was a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Lochner v. New York, which found a law limiting working hours for bakers was unconstitutional. Roosevelt said the decision was an example of the court using the Constitution as a means of thwarting the will of the people, rather than establishing the absolute right of people to rule themselves. In 1912, Roosevelt challenged Taft for the Republican nomination and lost. He then formed the Progressive Bull Moose Party and ran a third party campaign, with a platform that included womens suffrage and an eight-hour workday. Roosevelt ended up beating Taft 27% to 23% of the popular vote but both lost to Democrat Woodrow Wilson, who received 42%. By 1918, the Bull Moose party had all but evaporated. But the influence of Roosevelts New Nationalism remains. Many of the reforms proposed by the Bull Moose party eventually became part of everyday American life a standard 40-hour work week, through the Fair Labor Standards Act, for example, and the right of women to vote, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Other changes that Roosevelt outlined in the New Nationalism, such as economic equality and limiting the influence of corporate influence in politics, continue to elude us. In 2011, President Barack Obama came to Osawatomie to deliver a speech in which he talked about a make or break moment for the American middle class. The financial downturn and years of ideological gridlock, he said, had battered working families. Like Roosevelt, Obama was using our nations collective memory to make a point about the choices that were before us and to set the tone for his reelection campaign. As Americas first Black president, it was appropriate that he came to where the fight over slavery began. Obama delivered his remarks in the local high school gym festooned with patriotic bunting, and he stressed the consequences of economic inequality. Inequality also distorts our democracy, Obama said. It gives an outsized voice to the few who can afford high-priced lobbyists and unlimited campaign contributions, and it runs the risk of selling out our democracy to the highest bidder. The fact that Obama, a Democrat, would come to deep-red Kansas to deliver an important address on the economy left some bewildered, but not those who knew the history of Theodore Roosevelts 1910 address. Looking back at Obamas speech from a distance of 13 years, what strikes me now is its civility. Although Miami County would vote for Mitt Romney over Obama by a margin of more than two to one in 2012, Obama was welcomed by the community. I know, because I was in Osawatomie that day and, despite political differences, observed none of the meanness that marks so much of politics today. Obamas visit to Osawatomie may not have had the impact he had hoped for, but it was another stone in the foundation of democracy. These stones are not the domain of one party or another as Roosevelt demonstrated but belong to all of us. We build on the civic materials that have been left to us by those who have gone before. Roosevelt died in 1919, but some of his goals of were achieved by his distant cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, during the New Deal of the 1930s. While it is easy to become discouraged by the stream of depressing political headlines that assault us daily, its important to recognize that American democracy is a long game. The vision that Theodore Roosevelt articulated in 1910 is undimmed by time. The call for economic equality that Obama made in 2011 is even more important today. We dont know who will prevail in our current political strife, but if we are to go forward if we are to make progress on critical issues that have plagued us for more than a century then we must recognize that our challenges will not be met in a single day, a single election, or perhaps not in a single lifetime. But that should not dissuade us from the important work of building foundations or leaving blueprints for generations yet to come. Correction: Osawatomie is in east-central Kansas. An earlier version of this article misstated the location of the city within the state. Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. How a Teen Helped Solve Her Own Murder 10 Years Ago: Revisiting the April Millsap Case April Millsap was out walking her dog when she was kidnapped and beaten to death Millsap family photo/Michigan State Police/AP April Millsap Nearly 10 years ago, a 14-year-old girl from a small town in Michigan was brutally murdered while walking her dog. Unbeknownst to the killer, however, the girl would help solve her own murder thanks to a fitness tracking app on her phone. April Millsap was last seen alive on July 24, 2014. She was out walking her dog in Armada, Mich., when she sent a text to her boyfriend. I think I almost got kidnapped omfg, April wrote, according to reports from the Detroit Free Press, WDIV and Fox 2. Moments later, the Free Press reported, citing authorities, April was hit over the head with a motorcycle helmet, stomped on and beaten to death in an attempted sexual assault. Aprils body was found hours later after her dog alerted two joggers to her body in a drainage ditch, CBS reported. The outlet also reported that a police officer would later testify that her blouse was torn and wrapped around her waist. A medical examiner would later rule that April died of blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation caused by neck compression, according to the outlets. No DNA was found at the scene, but a boot print on her body would later be used to help identify Aprils killer and so would key data from her phone. WDIV reported that prosecutors said a witness saw a man with a teen on his motorcycle on July 24. The witness provided a description for a sketch of the suspect. A month after Aprils death, police named James VanCallis, a 32-year-old from Goodells, Mich., as a person of interest after he was arrested on an unrelated marijuana charge, the Free-Press reported. VanCallis had been riding his motorcycle in Armada the day April was killed. He maintained that he had nothing to do with Aprils death. Using tracking data from a fitness app on Aprils phone, authorities alleged that after killing the teen, VanCallis kept her phone. Data from the app indicated that her phone was traveling at a high speed after her death, before it was eventually dumped. The phone was found a day after Aprils body was discovered in a different location, the Free Press reported. The Macomb Daily also reported that the boot print found on Aprils body matched the print of VanCallis shoe. Todd McInturf/Detroit News/AP James VanCallis In 2016, VanCallis was convicted on charges of first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, according to prison records. He was sentenced to life in prison. 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. CBS reported that VanCallis attempted to appeal his conviction, saying that there was no DNA linking him to the crime and that the witnesses used by the prosecution were not credible. A court declined to reverse his conviction. The Free-Press reported that Aprils mother, Jennifer Millsap, addressed VanCallis during his sentencing hearing. "You, James, are a damn thief. You stole my beautiful daughter's life and you stole the rest of mine," she reportedly said. "My life has totally changed since April was killed. My life will never be the same, she continued. I will always miss April and will continue to hold her in my heart. I never thought this could happen to my daughter or me. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Tennessees Democratic delegates to the partys national convention unanimously backed President Joe Bidens endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris during a call hours after the president announced July 21 he is not seeking reelection. Biden delegate and Knoxville political strategist Jack Vaughn told Knox News their decision makes Tennessee the first state to put forth an endorsement. Democratic State Party Chair Hendrell Remus was in contact with other state party chairs, who said their states had not yet made an endorsement at the time of Tennessee's decision. The delegates joined a scheduled Zoom call at 4 p.m. and discussed the partys path forward following the presidents surprise announcement in a letter to Americans. While not every Tennessee delegate to the Democratic National Convention was on the call, participants decided to endorse Harris in the election many top Democrats thought was impossible for Biden to win against former President Donald Trump. Vaughn said all Knoxville delegates are on board to support Harris. Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon is among them, though her initial statement regarding Biden's withdrawal unlike those from many Democrat colleagues did not mention Harris by name. "I know that we're going to nominate someone who unites our party and more importantly unites our country," Kincannon said after the presidents announcement. "We're going to nominate someone who pushes forward on democratic values like supporting working people, supporting LGBTQ equality, supporting women's right to reproductive healthcare including abortion and a president who can stand and move forward on climate action." Many Republicans, on the other hand, are rejoicing in Biden's announcement, saying his decision proves their belief he is not capable of completing another four years in office. Some are even saying he should not be able to complete his current term. If Harris receives the nomination, she'll have to pick a vice president to fill her place. There are plentiful options for the vice presidential pick, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee DNC delegates back Kamala Harris as presidential nominee JERUSALEM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to deliver a landmark speech to the US Congress on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) as he fights off intense pressure to quickly cut a Gaza war ceasefire deal with Hamas. Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving premier, will become the first foreign leader to address a joint meeting of the two chambers four times pulling ahead of Britains Winston Churchill on three. - Advertisement - But analysts say the Gaza war since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks has created worrying tensions between Israel and the United States, its main military and diplomatic backer. Washington fears a backlash from the mounting civilian toll in the Gaza Strip, while protests in Israel by families of hostages taken by Hamas are also causing headaches for Netanyahu. Biden and some Israeli ministers say a deal negotiated through Qatar, Egyptian and US mediators is possible. A plan outlined in May proposed a six-week ceasefire when some Israeli hostages would be swapped for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that negotiators were inside the 10 yard line and driving toward the goal line. Hamas has accused Netanyahu of seeking to block a deal however and Blinken said he wants to bring the agreement over the finish line when Netanyahu is in Washington. An expected meeting between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden is still not confirmed. Israel has intensified its air strikes on Gaza in recent weeks and Netanyahu has insisted that only piling on military pressure can free the hostages and beat Hamas. This double pressure is not delaying the deal - it is advancing it, Netanyahu told troops in Gaza on Thursday. The October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Hamas militants also seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom are still in Gaza, including 42 the Israeli military says are dead. Israels retaliatory campaign has killed at least 38,919 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to data from the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Publicly, Biden has voiced strong support for Israel. But he expressed concern over an offensive on the southern city of Rafah in May and for a while suspended deliveries of heavy bombs to Israel. Supplies of 2,000-pound bombs remain embargoed. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) President Joe Biden announced he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race Sunday after a growing number of Democratic lawmakers called for him drop his re-election bid. In a statement released on the social platform X just before 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, Biden said, I believe it is in my best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Biden withdraws from race in presidential earthquake Now, Biden is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Partys nominee. Various Tennessee lawmakers released statements and posted on social media in response to Sundays news, with some thanking Biden for his service and/or sharing their support for Harris, while others called on Biden to resign as president immediately: Finally, Joe Biden has realized what the rest of the American people and even his own party already knewhe is not only the wrong leader for America, but is wholly incapable of doing the job of President of the United States. But he didnt go far enough. If Joe is too weak to stay in the race for the presidency, he should resign as our Commander-in-Chief immediately. Dont be fooled: the Democrat Party is no better off today than they were yesterday. It doesnt matter who is the new face of the ticket in November; it will still be the same old Biden-Harris policies that have made the lives of hardworking Americans more difficult. We cannot afford another four years of economic instability, chaos abroad, and crisis after crisis in our communities. That is why we must elect President Donald J. Trump and JD Vance to reverse these terrible policies and restore American prosperity. U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R) This is an unprecedented and disgraceful crisis of presidential leadership. If President Biden isnt capable of running for President, he cannot be capable of serving as President. He should resign and stop endangering the nation and stop risking the security and well-being of the American people. Whether or not Joe Biden is aware, the left-wing puppeteers of the Biden Administration have done serious damage to our nationfrom inflation to a collapsed border, diminishing opportunity, and a deteriorating worldand its time to clean house, end the dysfunction and destruction, and rebuild America. Biden is one of few presidents to end a reelection campaign: Who were the others? Due to the Presidents condition, I did not see any other path forward. #JoeBiden has done the right thing for the country & the world. His presidency will be seen as the most impactful since LBJs. Infrastructure, healthcare, the environment, historic minority appointments, restoring our credibility with our international allies & more. It is no secret the President Bidens health has been in decline for quite some time. I am glad to see that he has made the best choice for himself, his family, and for the country. If President Biden isnt fit to run for reelection then its clear he also isnt fit to hold office. The Commander-in-Chief should be able to command. Joe Biden clearly cannot. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for reelection, he is not fit to be commander-in-chief. Now resign. Harris says she intends to earn and win this nomination after Biden drops out Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Hendrell Remus In 2020, while everyone around me was choosing sides and lining up behind their preferred Democratic candidates for President, I patiently awaited the entry of Vice President Joe Biden into the race. Once Vice President Biden entered the race, I was locked in and vowed that I was Ridin with Biden come hell or high water. Today, as President Joseph R. Biden announces his intention not to seek re-election, I am saddened but I am forever proud of having supported the man who defeated Donald Trump and restored hope in America. President Biden delivered for the American people on election night in 2020 and every day during his term in office. Our nation is better today because President Biden served. The next Democratic President will inherit a historic record of accomplishments to build on. Our party must do everything in its power to ensure that we protect President Bidens legacy while fighting to make the lives of ordinary people better. At this critical moment with so much on the line, we must unite as a party and deliver for the American people. The path ahead is clear. We have one objective and that is to make sure that Donald Trump does not return to the White House. Mr. President, we will carry out the mission and finish the job of building back better. Although saddened by Bidens announcement not to see re-election, Remus and other Democratic leaders remain optimistic for November. He has a record of accomplishments that he will walk away from the political arena with as being one of the most effective presidents in modern historyBut Im also very glad that finally were putting all of the noise and chaos of whether or not the president should stay in or stay out behind us that has consumed the airwaves over the last three weeks, Remus told News 2. Later Sunday afternoon, the Tennessee Democratic Party wrote on social media platform X, During a meeting today, the Tennessee Delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention voted to support @KamalaHarris for President of the United States. Tennessee has 72 delegates for the Democratic National Convention, which starts Aug. 19 in Chicago. The vast majority of our delegates are fully behind Vice President Harris, and we are ready to go to Chicago and help to nominate her for president of the United States, Remus added. As a @JoeBiden delegate and a firm supporter of the #BidenHarris administration, I plan to do everything I can to support @KamalaHarris to become our democratic nominee and our next #POTUS. Thank you, #JoeBiden. I dont know that there is a person living thats done more for this country. Now lets all unite as @TheDemocrats and remember whats at stake in this election. Read #Project2025 and you will understand the urgency of now. Akbari also posted a joint statement with House Minority Leader Karen Camper on X, adding, As the first black women to serve as minority leaders in the #Tennessee State House and Senate, Leader @KarenDCamper and I firmly support Vice President @KamalaHarris as @TheDemocrats nominee for President of the United States. Somebody put me on Vice President @KamalaHarris campaign team!!! Can someone please tell me how Wisconsin and Nevada will replace Biden on their ballot? Bidens willingness to step down is an historic act of selflessness as we face the greatest threat to democracy since the civil war. Thanks to his bipartisan bill Tennessee is making huge strides in infrastructure improvements- he deftly avoided a recession- a great president! Thank you, @POTUS. Our nation is grateful for your life-long service to our country. I stand with you as we unite our Party and elect the first woman President! #ThankYouPresidentBiden#KamalaHarris2024 .@JoeBiden gave us the strongest economy post-covid and did more for working people in my lifetime. Voters stood with you, but we respect your selfless courage to put country over party. Its time to focus on beating Trump. Im all in to make @VP Kamala Harris our next President. It is now more important than ever that we elect President Donald J. Trump as our next president. Just based on her horrible record of failing to secure our border, Kamala Harris clearly cant be trusted to serve as president. As a nation, we simply cant afford four more years of the disastrous policies of the Biden-Harris administration. Thank you @JoeBiden. Thank you for your lifetime of service. Thank you for a presidency that has and will continue making life better for so many. And thank you for your selflessness, for your fundamental decency, and for always putting the country first. Trump campaign: Harris will be even worse than Biden Tennessee House Minority Leader Karen Camper (D) oday, we acknowledge a significant moment in our nations history as President Joe Biden has announced his decision not to seek re-election. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to President Biden for his unwavering service to our country. Throughout his tenure, he has kept his commitment to the American people, delivering on numerous campaign promises that have led to substantial progress in our society. President Bidens leadership during these challenging times has been commendable, and his dedication to the principles of democracy and justice has been inspiring. We thank him for his steadfast resolve and the positive changes he has championed. In his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President, we see a continuation of this legacy of leadership and progress. Vice President Harris has demonstrated exceptional service and dedication in her role, and her experience and vision make her an outstanding candidate to lead our nation forward. I fully support Vice President Harris in her bid to become the next President of the United States. Her commitment to equality, justice, and the well-being of all Americans reflects the values we hold dear. Together, we will work to ensure a brighter future for our country. Thank you, President Biden, for your service and commitment. And thank you, Vice President Harris, for your unwavering dedication. We stand with you as we embark on this new chapter for America. A historic day. @POTUS accomplished more for families in <4yrs than most do in 8. Record job gains, economic growth, invested billions in vital infrastructure, lowered Rx costs, passed major gun safety bill & expanded healthcare for vets. Truly thankful for real leadership. Clemmons told News 2 hes excited to see new momentum. Once upon a time, this is how presidential candidates were selected. It came down to the conventions and thats when it took place and then it was a sprint for the last three or four months until Election Day, and so we get to see that again for the first time in modern historyI think theres a lot of excitement across the Democratic Party right now and I think across the country because we really have a lot of great leaders, young leaders, who are ready to step up and continue the leadership that hes provided, he explained. Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell My focus will always be on whats best for Nashville. Weve been working closely with federal partners since taking office, and the Biden administration has been a great friend to Nashville. In just the last two weeks, we have celebrated $20 million in federal grants for affordable housing, healthy moms and babies, and improved transportation, as well as opened a new permanent supportive housing facility to house people experiencing homelessness funded, in part, by federal ARPA dollars. Additionally, if Nashville voters approve it in November, our transportation improvement program will greatly benefit in scope and speed from strong federal partners. For decades, Joe Biden has served this country with grace and distinction. As President, hes built a strong economy and restored the way the world sees us. Rare is the leader who puts country ahead of self. Im grateful for President Bidens leadership. Now, in this critical election where democracy is on the ballot, I look forward to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee. How can anyone trust the Democratic Party and whomever they nominate? Covering up the presidents condition for 3 years and then when he cant win to hold their power, the Dem elites dump him. They ignore their own 14M voters, believe me, they will ignore you. President Biden has been one of the most influential presidents of our time. His legacy will go down in history; job growth, infrastructure, reducing drug costs for seniors, and more countless wins than ever before. Thank you President Biden for your commitment to the American people, today and everyday. Excited to endorse the next President of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris. Her relentless commitment to justice and democracy by showing up for our fight in Tennessee, demonstrates the type of leader she will be for the nation. Lets make history! .@JoeBiden has been one of the most effective presidents of modern American history. His administration brought over $100 million of investment to Knoxville to help with affordable housing, infrastructure, mental healthcare, & more. (1/2) I commend President Biden for making this difficult decision but most of all I am grateful for his lifetime of dedication to our nation. (2/2) Thank you President Biden!!! The Infrastructure Act will continue for years to come to have Republicans show up at groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings for something they didnt vote for. I whole-heartedly endorse Vice President Harris for President of the United States.! Thank you, President Biden for your leadership and courage and commitment to this country and to our democracy. Lets win this election! @POTUS @VP Timeline of events leading up to Bidens exit from the race Davidson County Register of Deeds Karen Johnson Today, we proudly honor the selflessness of our President Joe Biden. He has led us with honor, with courage, and with wisdom. He stands tall as one of our greatest American Presidents, and our nation is in a better place because of him. I pray that we will go forward in this election with dignity, with truth, and with our eyes open to the choice in front of us. I stand with President Biden in his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is my AKA Soror. Thank you, Mr. President, for your service. As the first woman and African American elected in her position, Johnson hopes to see a woman rise to the nations highest office after November. You saw how the country was moved when we saw Barack Obama become president. This is equally monumental reason being is because of womenI think shes going to galvanize not only women, but our young people, and it is truly getting ready to spark the excitement that the Democratic Party needs, and I cant wait to see her accept the nomination, Johnson told News 2. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he will not seek reelection this year. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, the Democrat wrote in a letter addressed to the American people. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Bidens extraordinary move came after a jumbled debate performance late last month where the president failed to make coherent statements and often confused his points. The debate highlighted growing concerns about his advanced age. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin was the first Democrat in Congress to ask Biden to withdraw from the race. A slow drumbeat of similar calls echoed Doggett for the next two weeks, including a statement from fellow Texan Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth. Other Democrats, including Dallas congressman and Senate nominee Colin Allred, avoided taking a position. Biden is the first president to withdraw since Lyndon Baines Johnson, who represented Texas for two decades in Congress, announced he would pull out of the 1968 election. President Johnson surprised the nation with his statement at the end of a speech one Sunday evening in March, just days before the Wisconsin primary. The party will now likely select their next nominee at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. It will be the first contested convention since 1968, also held in Chicago, and 273 Texas delegates will vote for their pick for the nominee. Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to be the next nominee. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, he wrote on social media. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. The president, losing in many national and battleground state polls, had hoped for a boost of energy during his debate last month, but it instead sent a shockwave of worry through his party. This came just months before Democrats planned to confirm him as the nominee at the Democratic National Convention in August. Pressure continued to mount as the bloc of pro-withdrawal Democrats grew to more than 30 members of Congress, while congressional leaders more gently prodded the president in private discussions, according to numerous news reports. Still, Biden retained the support of a close circle of advisers and a larger group of steadfast supporters in Congress that included eight Texas Democrats. The presidential race was thrown into yet more chaos when a gunman shot at former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The incident, being investigated as an attempted assassination, drew outrage from Texas Republicans and forced Biden to postpone a campaign stop to Austin. The horror of political violence gave rise to rallying cries of unity at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Bidens polling, already under water in most battleground states, slipped further. Democrats fretted that the attempted assassination would lock in a Trump victory. Harris has polled slightly better against Trump, though one poll in Texas found that Harris was slightly more unpopular than Biden in the state. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Texas man finds unexpected solution in Whataburger app during statewide power outages: 'It doesn't get more Texas than that' A Texas resident's unexpected discovery in the Whataburger app provided crucial information to others in the Houston area after Hurricane Beryl left millions without power. As detailed by The Washington Post, Bryan Norton realized that Whataburger's app was a helpful tool for discovering which nearby businesses might still have electricity. The Whataburger app works as a power outage tracker, handy since the electric company doesn't show a map. Still nearly 1.9 million power outages. pic.twitter.com/d8srWmw1oV BBQ Bryan (@BBQBryan) July 9, 2024 At the time, CenterPoint Energy's power-restoration tracker was down. This left people in the dark about where to obtain food, gas, and other necessities, and how to escape the heat after the Category 1 hurricane had made landfall on July 8. However, after the 55-year-old tech worker and podcast host found himself craving something comforting, he downloaded the Whataburger app and made an intriguing observation. "You could see, like, this whole wave of gray and a couple of orange, and they changed little by little," Norton told the Post. "I was like, 'Holy cow! Now we can see the scope of the issue.' Obviously, it's not a perfect tool, but it's pretty solid." The Tomball resident shared his findings on X, formerly known as Twitter, from his account BBQ Bryan (@BBQBryan). The post took off, with others retweeting the findings more than 6,000 times. "It's crazy and incredibly ironic that we're leaning on a Texas staple like Whataburger to tell us where the electricity is," Michelle Guillot Thibodeaux told the Post. The 49-year-old used the app to get an idea about the status of her Galveston Airbnb properties, with the orange symbols indicating which Whataburger locations were open. A CenterPoint spokesperson explained to the news outlet that its outage tracker has been unavailable since May, when another powerful storm created "technical challenges," but the utility provider expects to launch a new version by the end of July. Extreme weather events aren't unnatural. In fact, weather patterns like El Nino and La Nina can make intense storms more likely. However, human activities have caused global temperatures to rise, supercharging our weather events. Last year, the United States saw a record number of billion-dollar disasters. To create a more balanced tomorrow, the country has passed legislation to support a cleaner infrastructure, with high-speed rail projects and tax incentives for energy-efficient appliances among the initiatives. Meanwhile, Whataburger president and chief executive officer Ed Nelson cautioned the Post that the app isn't intended as an outage tracker and should "only be used as a general idea of power availability." However, Nelson said he was happy it was useful. Norton's comments also highlighted the importance of bringing communities together in times of crisis, with his innovative solution doing more than just connecting people with material needs. "The fact that Whataburger's app is giving us that bit of hope well, it doesn't get more Texas than that," Norton told the Post. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. AUSTIN (KXAN/Nexstar) President Joe Bidens announcement to drop out of the 2024 presidential race is causing a wide range of reactions from elected officials across the nation. Biden stated he will no longer seek reelection, saying dropping out would be best for the Democratic Party. The president said he will focus on finishing his current presidential term. Sundays bombshell announcement is drawing a variety of reactions from political leaders. The president swiftly followed up on his announcement with an official endorsement of his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris said in a statement she is honored Biden endorsed her and praised him for what she calls extraordinary leadership. My intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris said. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. Pressure on the president to exit the race had been growing rapidly in less than a month, following what many Democrats described as a disappointing performance in the first debate with former President Donald Trump Republicans nominee for president. Calls for Democrats to coalesce around a new nominee for November began to pick up after longtime Austin Congressman Llyod Doggett became the first member on Capitol Hill to publicly ask Biden to drop out. BACKGROUND: US Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin calls on President Biden to withdraw from 2024 race How are Texas Democrats reacting? Doggett expressed gratitude for Bidens decision. In a statement online, Doggett called the announcement courageous. Once again President Biden comes through for America, putting country over ego in a way that Donald Trump never could, he said. Todays courageous action caps decades of selfless service and opens the door to a Convention that can build on our progress and prevent a takeover of our country by Trump and his gang. Doggett also said he believes Vice President Kamala Harris should be the new leading candidate for the race. State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, said he would like to see Harris at the top of the ticket this November. However, he said this moment should also be about honoring Biden. I thought it was a stunning act of patriotism, Talarico said Sunday. President Biden is putting the good of the country over his own personal ambitions, and its something that Donald Trump would never do. It just shows that with President Biden, its always country first and so I just couldnt be prouder of our president, of the Democratic Party and of this democracy for responding to the needs of the people and putting our nation ahead of the needs of one individual. Talarico also speculated about how Harris possibly becoming the Democratic presidential nominee could affect other races in Texas. I think just in the last couple hours, Vice President Harris candidacy is energizing Democrats across the state of Texas, across the country, he said. Its also energizing people who may not belong to the Democratic Party, but dont want to see a second Trump administration and know the danger that Donald Trump poses to our democracy. On Sunday evening, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, posted on X that she also plans to support Harris candidacy. She noted Harris met with several of the Texas House Democrats in 2021 when they left Austin to go to D.C. in an attempt to sink new voting measures pushed by Republicans. The measures eventually ended up passing once the Democrats returned to Texas. When TX House Democrats took our fight for voting rights to DC we had no bigger backer than @VP, Hinojosa wrote on social media. @KamalaHarris gets it. She knows the stakes & knows us. While some natl Dems write off TX, @VP has repeatedly empowered Texans & thats why #ImWithHer. Austins Mayor Kirk Watson shared his support for Biden by saying, Im proud of President Biden for doing what he believes is best for America, and ready to get to work for our new Democratic ticket. Lets go! Watson also shared his support for Harris in a social media post Monday morning. Im proud and excited to endorse Kamala Harris for President. The Biden/Harris Administration has been truly exceptional in providing support to cities, where so much critical work happens to serve the needs of communities, and I credit Kamala Harris with understanding how to lift up the people who need that service. I preach Affordability First and the Biden/Harris White House gets it. I thank President Biden for his service to our country and his extraordinary selflessness, and am now 100% committed to ensuring that Kamala Harris occupies the Oval Office on Monday, January 20, 2025. Despite pressure from a growing number of high-ranking Democrats, not everyone in the party wanted Biden to step aside from the race. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas shared her frustration with the presidents announcement, saying the blame should be on Democrats, not Biden. I know one thing, I will only work for @KamalaHarris! If its anyone OTHER than her, enjoy campaign season I hope all of my disenchanted colleagues are able to find some walking shoes and get to work because I WILL NOT! Austin Congressman Greg Casar thanked Biden for his service to the country, in posts on his social media accounts. He united Democrats to save our democracy from Trump and our economy from COVID. He stood up to corporations and protected workers like no other president in my lifetime, Casar said. Casar also shared in a statement his support for Vice President Kamala Harris saying, I am ready to elect Vice President Kamala Harris as President. Beto ORourke, who previously served as a U.S. representative for Texas, said in a statement that Democrats must focus on defeating Donald Trump and rally behind the new Democratic presidential nominee. Its not just the White House on the line, but control of the U.S. House and Senate, as well as many important state and local positions, ORourke continued in his statement. How are Texas Republicans reacting? Gov. @GregAbbott_TX implying he will double down on border security infrastructure if @KamalaHarris becomes president. https://t.co/NH2tAyaYDL Monica Madden (@themonicamadden) July 21, 2024 Gov. Greg Abbott said he will ramp up Texas physical border security infrastructure if Harris becomes president. In a separate post, Abbott implied he thinks Biden should step down from his role right now. If Biden is unfit to run FOR the presidency, he is unfit to run THE presidency, the governor said. A change in the oval office is essential immediately to ensure the safety of Americans and the security of our country. Longtime Trump ally, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, simply shared, Trump for the Win! on social media. Former Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush grandson of former president George H.W. Bush and nephew of former president George W. Bush applauded Biden for making this decision. While Joe Bidens announcement today is stunning, its the right thing for the country. America deserves two candidates who are up to the task of doing the worlds most demanding job for the next four years, he said. Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan took to social media platform X to say, President Bidens decision confirms what Republicans have known for a long time: the Biden-Harris Administration is unfit for four more years in the White House. Phelan also said replacing Biden at this point in the presidential race has created chaos and division and called upon Republicans to unite as a party to elect strong conservative leaders up and down the ballot this 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 KXAN Austin. Just two days after his campaign chair insisted the president was staying in the race, Joe Biden stunned the country with an announcement Sunday that he would end his 2024 reelection campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement at the top of the ticket. Politicos and elected officials in Texas stopped in their tracks to weigh in on the announcement, which came less than a month after Biden's disastrous performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump ignited speculation about whether he could win the election and serve four more years. After the June 27 debate, Democratic pundits and politicians began calling on Biden to desist. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, who on July 2 led the charge among Congressional Democrats in urging Biden to step aside, joined many others including members who had not publicly called for Biden's ouster in expressing gratitude to the incumbent. "Once again President Biden comes through for America, putting country over ego in a way that Donald Trump never could," Doggett said in a statement Sunday. "Now we must move forward to offer a nominee who can win over disaffected voters and energize Democrats." More: Austin Rep. Lloyd Doggett's first call for Biden to withdraw sparked a national movement The decision also set off what is likely to be several days or weeks of breathless speculation about who will be selected as the Democratic nominee at the party's national convention next month in Chicago and how that process will work. State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, was ecstatic Sunday about Biden's endorsement of Harris, who could become the first Black or Asian woman to be nominated by a major political party for president. She said Biden has had "an incredibly successful presidency" but that his withdrawal from the race represents the party "harvest(ing) an opportunity from what was a deep concern." "I'm a delegate to the convention, and I feel super invigorated," Eckhardt told the American-Statesman in a phone interview Sunday afternoon. "I feel like, 'Wow, I am going to be part of history.' I'm really enthusiastic about going to Chicago now.'" But not all state Democrats were excited by the news. "Some folks really treated @JoeBiden the @POTUS like dirt & turned on him after all he and @VP did," Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, wrote in a post on X Sunday afternoon. "Stabilizing economy. Record jobs. Of course we still have issues to tackle but the record of accomplishment is uncontested. May Jesus Christ bless you, Mr. President." Another Austin political fixture, state Rep. Donna Howard, told the Statesman that "as Democrats, we're very grateful for the good work that President Biden has done: getting us through the pandemic, the bipartisan infrastructure act, protecting the planet and a long list of (other) accomplishments." "We've got to make sure that we come together and we unify for our ticket, because the ultimate goal here, no matter what, is to beat Donald Trump," she said in a phone interview Sunday. She said she hadn't endorsed a replacement candidate yet, but that she appreciates Harris' commitment to reproductive justice during her vice presidency. Some Democrats have highlighted continued concerns about the logistics of a post-primary switch, including potential legal challenges and the abbreviated timeline of a replacement campaign. Republicans are likely add to those fears: State Rep. Briscoe Cain of Deer Park, an attorney, responded to Biden's announcement by saying, "Open door for the 25th Amendment to be put to use." But Eckhardt, who is also an attorney, said she has spent the past several months reviewing the rules for nomination, which are governed by the Democratic Party rather than federal or state law, and she isn't concerned. "I am not worried that a legal challenge would be successful," she said. "We will certainly probably have legal challenges, but merely filing a case does not mean it's a strong case." The Democratic senator from Austin also said she isn't worried about the four-month period the new nominee would have to campaign, noting that most countries limit nationwide election run-ups to roughly that time period. "Eighteen-month-long campaigns are not normal across the rest of the world, and they have big downsides," Eckhardt said. "So this is an opportunity for us to see what a compressed campaign cycle looks like in a truly competitive race with a ticket that truly looks like America." As Democrats begin the process of choosing a new leader, Republicans are lashing out. U.S. House Speak Mike Johnson, R-La., insisted that Biden resign immediately from the presidency, arguing that if he is not fit to run for reelection, then "he is not fit to serve as president." Here's how other Texas politicians reacted to the news Sunday: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin In a statement sent to the press and posted on X Sunday, Doggett said: "Todays courageous action caps decades of selfless service and opens the door to a Convention that can build on our progress and prevent a takeover of our country by Trump and his gang." While Doggett acknowledged Harris as the Democratic Party's "leading candidate," he said that "we should be open to all talented individuals who wish to be considered." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Abbott led the reactions among Texas Republican politicians, writing in a social media post minutes after Biden announced he was withdrawing from the race, "It looks more and more like that very early debate was a set up to force Biden to step aside. Todays announcement may not have happened without that disastrous debate." U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin Casar, who had continued to express support for Biden after the debate, thanked Biden for his decision to step down Sunday. "He united Democrats to save our democracy from Trump and our economy from COVID," Casar wrote in a social media post. "He stood up to corporations and protected workers like no other president in my lifetime. There's much more to say, but for now: Thank you, Joe Biden." U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz Cruz posted a picture of Richard Nixon on the phone before sharing a sarcastic endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., for president. U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth Veasey, who became the first Congressional Black Caucus member to ask Biden to "pass the torch" Friday, wrote on X: "Our nation would not be where it is today without the tireless work of President Biden. He deserves an enormous amount of credit for his service to the American people, and I have been incredibly proud to work alongside him." State Rep. John H. Bucy III, D-Austin Bucy noted that "over 14 million people voted for the Biden-Harris ticket" and endorsed the sitting vice president for the Democratic Party's nominee. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson Watson said he was "proud of President Biden for doing what he believes is best for America." The longtime politician said he is "ready to get to work for our new Democratic ticket." State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin Hinojosa said the president "pulled us from the abyss. ... We know the job is to beat Trump and save America." State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin In a post on X, Talarico called the withdrawal "a stunning act of patriotism," writing, "President Biden is putting our country over his own ambitions. Donald Trump would never." State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie Turner thanked Biden, saying that he "will leave a legacy as one of our most effective and consequential presidents." State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth Schatzline endorsed Trump's bid for the presidency and called Biden "unfit." "We are watching the left's kingdom of lies crumble around them and Donald Trump is the wrecking ball of truth," he said. Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke "Courageous and selfless," O'Rourke wrote in a social media post. President Joe Biden's announcement that he would drop out of the race came less than a month after his disastrous performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What Texas politicians said about President Biden dropping out of race Within minutes of President Joe Bidens Sunday announcement that hes withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, Texas elected officials responded to the news. Democrats praised President Bidens years of service while some Republicans called on him to resign from the White House. We are a better and stronger nation as a result of his selfless public service, State Rep. Chris Turner, an Arlington Democrat, said on X, formerly called Twitter. His many accomplishments will benefit America for decades to come. Thank you, Mr. President. U.S. Rep. Mark Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat, credited Biden with tireless work for the country. Veasey on Friday called on Biden to resign from the race. Our nation would not be where it is today without the tireless work of President Biden, Veasey said on X. He deserves an enormous amount of credit for his service to the American people, and I have been incredibly proud to work alongside him. Veasey added, Thank you, President Biden, for once again putting our great nation above all else. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat challenging Sen. Ted Cruz to represent Texas in the Senate, shared a similar sentiment, thanking Biden for his service and his willingness to put country before self. Its something we need more of in our politics, Allred said in a post on X. My sincere hope is that this moment brings our nation one step closer to healing, uniting and fixing our broken politics. Biden made the announcement that he wouldnt seek reelection in a Sunday statement. Bidens decision follows amid amplifying calls within his own party for his exit from the race following a debate performance that raised questions about the presidents age, fitness and electability. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, Biden said. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president 2024. Lets go! Turner said in a post on X, responding to Bidens endorsement and later endorsing Harris himself. State Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. said President Biden has tremendous shoes to fill in an American climate where its all about blaming the other side rather than putting people of the United States first, in a series of posts on X. I have no doubt that Vice President Kamala Harris will fill the role well and will work to mend our country back together, he said. The pick wasnt welcomed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other Texas Republicans. Joe Biden has now endorsed and fully supports his Borders Czar Kamala Harris to be the Democrat candidate for president, Abbott said on X. I think I will need to triple the border wall, razor wire barriers and National Guard on the border. Some Republicans also called on Biden to resign as president, including Abbott, state Rep. Nate Schatzline, a Fort Worth Republican and U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, an Irving Republican. Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who represents Texas, criticized Harris as the potential nominee while also calling on Biden to step down. If she cant fix the border, how is she going to run the country? Cornyn said on X. Kamala Harris is even more radical, more extreme and less competent than Joe Biden. And if Pres. Biden is not competent to run for reelection, he should step down from the presidency. Schatzline, criticized Biden, Democrats and his possible replacements as the partys 2024 presidential nominee. The Democrats have abandoned and sold out the American people, and the perceived choices to replace Biden as nominee are worse, Schatzline said in a statement. We are watching the lefts kingdom of lies crumble around them and Donald Trump is the wrecking ball of Truth. There is quite literally only one option: Trump 2024. Many House Democrat have said in recent days that Biden should withdraw to allow for the nomination of another member of the party. We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House, Veasey, the Fort Worth congressman, said in a July 19 joint statement from himself and three other House Democrats. But opinions on whether Biden should stay in the race havent been harmonious within the party, including among those representing Texas. While Veasey and Austin Rep. Lloyd Doggett are among those that believe its time for Biden to step aside, others like U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas have supported Biden remaining in the race. Listen, when it comes down to it, we have a democratic process, and he was duly elected as our nominee. He has said that hes not stepping down, and at the end of the day, he has a record to run on, Crockett told PBS on July 9. Crockett said she would only work to get Harris elected, following Bidens announcement. Well I hope the geniuses that pushed the most consequential President of our lifetime out, have a plan, Crockett said on X. Later adding, Joe wasnt the problem dems were. I know one thing, I will only work for (Harris)! If its anyone OTHER than her, enjoy campaign season I hope all of my disenchanted colleagues are able to find some walking shoes and get to work because I WILL NOT! Doggett said hed like to see a fair, open, and democratic process to select the nominee best able to convince battleground voters to reject Trumps dark, retribution-fueled plans. While, with President Bidens endorsement, Vice President Harris is clearly the leading candidate, we should be open to all talented individuals, who wish to be considered, he said on X. A poll from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University found that 55% of likely Texas voters have an unfavorable opinion of Biden. Vice President Kamala Harris, who 56% percent of those polled found unfavorable. The poll was conducted between June 20 and July 1, with about two-thirds of its field work done before the June 27 presidential debate between Biden and Trump. But despite scrambling within Democratic Party and speculation over whether hed withdraw, Biden and his campaign had insisted the president would stay in the race. You have heard from the president directly time and again: He is in this race to win, and he is our nominee, and hes going to be our President for a second term, Bidens Campaign Chair Jen OMalley Dillon said in a Friday interview on Morning Joe. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Massachusetts' Democratic political leadership has started to react after President Joe Biden announced he was no longer running for reelection Sunday. Biden's announcement came after weeks of turmoil for the Biden-Harris campaign. Many within his party began to call on him to withdraw after the president's poor performance at the June debate against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president. The president is 81 years old and has held elected office for 50 years, previously as a Delaware county councilor, U.S. senator and vice president. Here are the reactions of the Massachusetts congressional delegation and Gov. Maura Healey, who was one of the first to question if he should withdraw. On Sunday, she issued the following statement. What Gov. Maura Healey said "Joe Biden ran for President to restore the soul of our country and defeat the greatest threat our democracy has ever seen. And thats exactly what he did. "Few could have risen to the challenge the way Joe Biden has. He has restored our economy, defended our freedoms, and protected democracy at home and abroad. He has led with decency, empathy and brought Americans together. "President Bidens decision today not to seek reelection is the ultimate example of putting the country first something Joe Biden has done over and over again in his unparalleled career. We are all deeply grateful to President Biden for his lifetime of service. Thank you, Mr. President." Earlier in July, Biden saved our democracy in 2020 and has done an outstanding job over the last four years, Healey said in a statement released to Politico on July 5. What U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said "From reunifying NATO, to passing the largest climate investment in our history, President Joe Biden has helped save democracy and the planet. He has a record unmatched in modern U.S. history, and I am forever grateful for his service and friendship," Sen. Ed Markey posted on X, the platform formerly called Twitter. 'Time to go in another direction': Central Mass. reaction to Biden's withdrawal What U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said "Joe Bidens presidency has been transformational. He accomplished more in the past four years to bring back jobs, stand up to big corporations, and build an economy that works for all of us than we have been able to get done in the last forty. He deserves full credit for beating Donald Trump in 2020, and his selfless decision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 2024," Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote on X. "While Donald Trump tried to tear down our democracy to maintain his grip on power, Joe Biden willingly stepped aside in order to protect our democracy. President Bidens selfless action is a profound gift to the people of the United States and its on all of us not to waste it. I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. "As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November." What Congressman Jim McGovern said "Joe Biden has cemented his legacy as one of the most consequential presidents in my lifetime and in American history," Congressman Jim McGovern wrote on X. "He promised to restore the soul of our nation, and he delivered on that promise bringing us back from the brink of authoritarianism, rebuilding our economy after a global pandemic, and repairing our standing in the world as a beacon of freedom and hope. "Look at his record: he passed the largest infrastructure bill in a generation, the largest climate bill in world history, and the most significant gun safety legislation in decades all while creating more jobs in a single term than any other president ever. He has focused on bettering the lives of the American people heeding my call for a second White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health that has led to groundbreaking, transformational changes in our local, state, and federal work to end hunger and improve nutrition. "Just as importantly, President Biden is a selfless, honorable, decent man who has led with humility, grace, and integrity. His decision to pass the torch to a new generation is a historic act of incredible patriotism. He put our country ahead of himself something Donald Trump has never done and is incapable of doing. "Im proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris moving forward. As Attorney General of California, she stood with those who had nowhere left to turn, prosecuting sex offenders and victims of for-profit college scams. As a Senator, she championed legislation to fight hunger and combat the climate crisis. As Vice President, she has stood up for women's rights and worked to represent Americas interests on the world stage. She is proven, she is experienced, and she will unite this country and be an incredible leader." What Congressman Jake Auchincloss said "Joe Biden is the first president in U.S. history who has had to defend democracy at home & abroad simultaneously. He has done so admirably," Congressman Jake Auchincloss wrote on X. "Thank you for your service, Mr. President. Now let's win." What Congresswoman Katherine Clark said "Todays announcement embodies President Biden's steadfast courage and patriotism. At every point in his remarkable career, Joe Biden has put his country first advancing the project of democracy and meeting the needs of the American people," Rep. Katherine Clark wrote on X. Clark is the Democratic Whip in the House. "I am deeply grateful for @POTUS and his unfailing commitment to America. As he closes this chapter of unparalleled service to our country, his leadership and legacy of progress will chart the way toward a future that realizes our ideals of liberty and justice for all." I am deeply grateful for @POTUS and his unfailing commitment to America. As he closes this chapter of unparalleled service to our country, his leadership and legacy of progress will chart the way toward a future that realizes our ideals of liberty and justice for all. pic.twitter.com/ZjVONo7lAc Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) July 21, 2024 What Congressman Bill Keating said Keating praised Biden as one of the "most effective Presidents in our history." Inflation is down, the stock market is at an all-time high, and Joe Biden's term as President has not just been a success, but a historic success in moving us from the economic and healthcare crisis of the pandemic to the number one economy in the world. As if the last four years didn't already make it clear, today firmly demonstrates that Joe Biden is the antithesis of Donald Trump, putting country ahead of personal ambition," said Keating in a statement provided to the Cape Cod Times. As our country faces threats to our personal, civil, and financial rights from the prospect of a Trump-Vance administration, I am excited to support Vice President Harris as our Democratic nominee," said Keating. "A Harris Presidency will protect women's reproductive rights, protect Medicare, and continue to cut prescription drug costs and expand healthcare access for all - and a Harris Presidency will keep our nation safer and more secure from global threats. As great as the accomplishments of the past three and a half years have been, Kamala Harris will take those successes forward into the next four years. What Congressman Seth Moulton said "Proud of our president, who will go down in history as a great statesman, and proud to endorse our vice president, who has the energy, courage, and vision to beat Donald Trump. Now let's come together and get to work," Rep. Seth Moulton wrote on X on Sunday. Moulton had called for Biden to step down last week. On the Pod Save the World, he said, "The only chance we have is a change at the top of the ticket." "The President has earned an amazing legacy. Now he can be remembered not just for leading serving as commander-in-chief, but also for giving it up," he wrote on X on Friday. What Congressman Richard Neal said "As he has throughout his career in public service, @POTUS puts his country first. He will go down as one of Americas greatest leaders, delivering the worlds strongest economy & making historic investments in our workers, families, patients, & veterans. Thank you, Mr. President," said Rep. Richard Neal, on X. As he has throughout his career in public service, @POTUS puts his country first. He will go down as one of Americas greatest leaders, delivering the worlds strongest economy & making historic investments in our workers, families, patients, & veterans. Thank you, Mr. President. pic.twitter.com/y7xqAmb64L Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) July 21, 2024 What Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley said Pressley, a Progressive Democrat, had said she supports Biden remaining at the top of the ticket, and had said "We're losing the plot here," according to ABC News earlier in July. On Sunday, she released an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed to run in his place. "Thank you for your dedicated service President @JoeBiden. And KamalaHarris, Im all in, lets go. #BlackWomenLead," Pressley tweeted along with a photo of herself and Harris. What Congresswoman Lori Trahan said "Joe Biden saved our Democracy in 2020, and he has worked with House Democrats to deliver unprecedented progress for the American people. President Bidens decision to pass the baton positions us to defeat Donald Trump again this November and build on the work weve done," wrote Rep. Lori Trahan on X. "Together with our strong, proven Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats will make a clear, effective case to voters why our commitment to improving the lives of every American is the better choice than Donald Trumps chaotic and extreme Republican Party." Congressman Stephen Lynch Congressman Stephen Lynch, D-Boston, who represents the 8th Congressional District, had not issued a statement reacting to Biden's decision as of Monday morning. Massachusetts Democratic Party issues statement "President Joe Biden will go down in history as one of the greatest leaders our nation has ever had. In the decades that he has spent in service to the American people, there has been no one more committed to decency, no one more fluent in compassion, no one more fervent in his dedication to each and every cause that might improve the lives of the people he represents," reads a statement from the Massachusetts Democratic Party. "It takes a man of great honor and breathtaking humility to commit his entire life to the service of others, and we are incredibly lucky to have a President who possesses perhaps the greatest trait of any leader: the willingness to relinquish a position of power and allow another to take his place," they wrote. "The Biden Administration has been some of the most progressive years in our nations history. Joe Biden led us through a pandemic, codified same-sex marriage into law, championed student loan forgiveness, and passed a bipartisan infrastructure law that infused funds into countless communities. And he did it all with the same down-to-earth, empathetic style that caused the people of Delaware to elect him to the Senate back in 1972. "And now, by making the selfless choice to step aside, he has set the Democratic Party on a course for the future in which all of us, everywhere, are motivated not by preservation of the status quo, but by those bold, decisive, but necessary actions by which we change society for the better. "Joe Biden believes in a better world, in a world that views us all as equals and aims always to preserve our rights and freedom. Soon, there will be more to be said about the man he beat to take the White House, and the urgency of the work that must be done to ensure the poison he aims to spread across this country is resoundingly rejected. For now, though, our message is this: Thank you, President Biden." What Trump's Massachusetts campaign chair Thomas Hodgson said "I dont think anybody expected it to be any different. The Democrat Party has been hiding what everybody else has seen for a long time: Hes not capable of being president for another term, and frankly he isnt capable of being president right now. He is cognitively challenged, as everybody knows, and so for us for America that's not a good thing. Who knows how it will play out. If he continues to stay in there, as I said, its not a good thing. But given the fact that he's never there, he works limited hours, its the best thing that could happen, and frankly should have happened a lot sooner." This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: President Joe Biden drops out: Elizabeth Warren and MA leaders react The CNN debate held here in Atlanta was a pivotal moment for President Joe Biden. Biden announced Sunday that he was stepping out of the 2024 race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Before the debate, many questioned Bidens ability to lead because of his age, but after the debate, the presidents allies party strategists and rank-and-file voters alike descended into all-out panic. Im not the only one whose heart is breaking right now. Theres a lot of people who watched this tonight and felt terribly for Joe Biden, former Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill said. During the debate, the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. Bidens 2024 reelection campaign was always based on a gamble that voters would ultimately support a lifelong politician with weak approval ratings in a rematch that few Americans want. Despite such liabilities, Bidens team insisted that he was uniquely positioned to stop Trump from returning to the White House just as he did four years ago. They have long predicted that Bidens winning political coalition would eventually embrace the Democratic president after being sufficiently reminded of Trumps chaotic leadership. But there were little signs of such confidence in the wake of Bidens underwhelming debate performance. Since that debate last month, there was a growing call for Biden to step aside. His poor debate performance prompted a cascade of anxiety from Democrats and donors who said publicly what some had said privately for months, that they did not think he was up to the job for four more years. RELATED NEWS: Concerns over Bidens age have dogged him since he announced he was running for reelection, though Trump is just three years younger at 78. Most Americans view the president as too old for a second term, according to an August 2023 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. A majority also doubt his mental capability to be president, though that is also a weakness for Trump. Biden often remarked that he was not as young as he used to be, didnt walk as easily or speak as smoothly, but that he had wisdom and decades of experience, which were worth a whole lot. I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didnt believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job, he told supporters at a rally in North Carolina a day after the debate. Because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high. But voters had other problems with him, too he has been deeply unpopular as a leader even as his administration steered the nation through recovery from a global pandemic, presided over a booming economy, and passed major pieces of bipartisan legislation that will impact the nation for years to come. A majority of Americans disapprove of the way hes handling his job, and hes faced persistently low approval ratings on key issues including the economy and immigration. Bidens age surfaced as a major factor during an investigation of his handling of classified documents. Special counsel Robert Hur said in February that the president came across in interviews with investigators as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. The presidents allies seized on the statement as gratuitous and criticized Hur for including it in his report, and Biden himself angrily pushed back on descriptions of how he spoke about his late son. Bidens motivation for running was deeply intertwined with Trump. He had retired from public service following eight years serving as vice president under Barack Obama and the death of his son Beau but decided to run after Trumps comments following a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when white supremacists descended on the city to protest the removal of its Confederate memorials. Trump said: You had some very bad people in the group, but you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. On both sides. That a sitting president didnt unequivocally condemn racism and white supremacy deeply offended Biden. Then, Biden won the 2020 election and Trump refused to concede and stood by for hours while his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, beating and bloodying law enforcement in a failed attempt to overturn the certification of Bidens win. The Associated Press contributed to this article. RELATED NEWS: The scheme enables people to surrender their driving licences for a year's free public transport, known as the "Deutschlandticket" - IZUSEK/E+ Germans are handing over their driving licences in exchange for free public transport. Around a thousand people in North Rhine-Westphalia, a populous western German state, have relinquished their driving licences as part of a scheme designed to reduce the car-loving countrys reliance on automobiles. Aimed primarily at senior citizens, the incentive enables people to surrender their driving licences for a years free public transport, known as the Deutschlandticket. The ticket, which normally costs 49 (41) a month, allows holders to travel on all local transport across Germany, including regional trains. In Leverkusen, near Cologne, nearly 600 people over the age of 75 have opted into the scheme so far, saving them just under 500 on public transport for the year. The benefits of the scheme vary from state to state. Leverkusen pioneered the initiative in 2023, with other Rhineland areas such as Dortmund, Kleve, and the former capital Bonn following suit this year. Public transport is a heated political issue in Germany, as its car industry makes up around 5 per cent of GDP - FLAVIJUS/ISTOCK EDITORIAL The Deutschlandticket was established in 2023 as a permanent replacement for the nine euro ticket, which aimed to help citizens with the cost of living crisis by charging passengers only 9 per month to travel on local and regional transport throughout Germany. The regional transport association, Rhein-Sieg, hailed the scheme as a valuable alternative for people who want to be mobile and want to part with their driving licences for age or health reasons, as well as for climate reasons. The initiative was welcomed by the states climate and transport ministry but was entirely funded by local councils. Public transport is a heated political issue in Germany, with the Handelsblatt newspaper comparing it to discussing gun control in the US. Germanys car industry makes up around 5 per cent of GDP, and the country is one of the few in the world without a speed limit on its famous autobahns. Speed limits and combustion engines A recent survey by the Leibniz institute for economic research found that almost two in three Germans support introducing a speed limit of 80 miles per hour (130 km/h), but the issue remains deeply polarising. Speed limit advocates hoped for stricter rules when the Greens entered the traffic-light government in 2021, but reform by the centre-right FDP, which controls the transport ministry, has not been forthcoming. Around two-thirds of Germans are against the phase-out of combustion engines, planned across the EU in 2035. Markus Soder, the Bavarian state leader, called on Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission president, to scrap the ban. The fundamental ban must go. We should rely on openness to technology instead of ideology, Mr Soder told the tabloid Bild on Sunday. 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. Historic claims, while important, do not override the specific provisions and legal structures established by UNCLOS The South China Sea dispute involves several nations, but the primary contention lies between China and the Philippines. The area is rich in natural resources and holds strategic maritime importance. - Advertisement - Before the 2016 tribunal decision, China claimed most of the South China Sea based on the nine-dash line, asserting historic rights. The Philippines, on the other hand, asserted its rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, particularly regarding its Exclusive Economic Zone. The Philippines brought a case against China in 2013, seeking clarity on maritime entitlements and the status of features in the South China Sea under UNCLOS. In 2016, the tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating Chinas claims based on the nine-dash line were incompatible with UNCLOS, and several features claimed by China were not entitled to EEZs or continental shelves. Philippine perspectives UNCLOS Framework: The 2016 tribunal decision was made under the UNCLOS framework, which both China and the Philippines are parties to. The tribunal was established under Annex VII of UNCLOS, allowing for arbitration even without the participation of one party. Jurisdiction: The tribunal determined the issues raised by the Philippines were not covered by Chinas Article 298 declaration, which excludes certain disputes from compulsory arbitration. This gave the tribunal jurisdiction to proceed with the case. Invalidity of Historic Rights: The tribunal ruled that Chinas historic claims, represented by the nine-dash line, had no legal basis under UNCLOS. The convention supersedes any historical claims not explicitly recognized by UNCLOS provisions. Status of Features: The tribunal concluded certain maritime features claimed by China, like Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, were low-tide elevations and not entitled to EEZs or continental shelves. This was grounded in Articles 13 and 121 of UNCLOS. Chinas grounds Historic Rights: China argues its claims in the South China Sea are based on historic rights that predate UNCLOS. Beijing asserts these historic claims are legitimate and should be recognized alongside the provisions of UNCLOS. Exceeding Jurisdiction: China maintains that the tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction by ruling on issues that it considers to be matters of territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation, which are excluded from compulsory arbitration under its Article 298 declaration. Non-Participation: China chose not to participate in the arbitration, claiming the tribunal lacked authority to adjudicate the dispute. Beijing argues the tribunals decision is therefore illegitimate and not binding. Western Conspiracy: China often frames the ruling as part of a broader strategy by Western nations, particularly the United States, to contain its rise and influence in the region. Assessment The Philippines appears to have the upper hand from a legal standpoint. The tribunals decision was made under the auspices of UNCLOS, to which both countries are signatories. The tribunal meticulously addressed jurisdictional issues, concluding the matters brought by the Philippines were within its purview. By dismissing the nine-dash line, the tribunal reinforced the primacy of UNCLOS in maritime disputes, a cornerstone of international maritime law. Chinas arguments, while significant politically, do not hold the same weight legally within the UNCLOS framework. Historic claims, while important, do not override the specific provisions and legal structures established by UNCLOS. Furthermore, the decision by China to non-participate did not affect the legal binding nature of the tribunals ruling. Recommendations For the Philippines: Diplomatic Engagement: Continue to seek diplomatic channels to engage China, leveraging the support of international law and the tribunals decision. Regional Alliances: Strengthen alliances with ASEAN nations and other supportive countries to present a united front in upholding the tribunals ruling. Economic Development: Focus on economic development in its EEZ, including exploring resources and enhancing maritime security to reinforce its sovereignty. For China: Constructive Dialogue: Engage in constructive dialogue with the Philippines and other claimant states to find mutually acceptable solutions while respecting international law. Confidence-Building Measures: Implement confidence-building measures such as joint development agreements and maritime cooperation initiatives to reduce tensions. Adherence to International Norms: Consider aligning its policies more closely with international norms and laws, potentially re-evaluating its stance on the tribunals decision for long-term regional stability. The 2016 arbitral tribunal decision represents a significant legal ruling in the South China Sea dispute, favoring the Philippines interpretation under UNCLOS. While China continues to reject the decision, the international legal community largely views the ruling as binding and legitimate. Moving forward, both nations would benefit from diplomatic engagement and adherence to international law to ensure regional stability and cooperation. Thousands of people gathered at the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in Lviv on July 21 for a memorial service dedicated to Iryna Farion, a former Ukrainian lawmaker and linguist who was assassinated on July 19. An unidentified man opened fire on Farion, 60, on the street outside her home in Lviv the evening of July 19. She underwent an operation and was pronounced dead later that night. Farion was a controversial figure, known for her nationalist politics and incendiary statements on the use of the Russian language in Ukraine. The public service began at 7 p.m. local time and will last until 10 p.m., according to information provided by Farion's daughter, Sofiya Semchyshyn. A funeral for Farion will be held at the Garrison Church on July 22. Officials are currently investigating the assassination. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 20 that all possible leads are being investigated, and that Russian involvement has not been ruled out. "All the necessary forces of the National Police of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine have been deployed to search for the criminal," Zelensky said. Read also: Who was Iryna Farion, the nationalist professor-politician assassinated in Lviv? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Protest against mass tourism and gentrification in Palma de Mallorca By Horaci Garcia PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain (Reuters) - Thousands of anti-tourism activists protested in Spain's Palma de Mallorca on Sunday in the latest demonstration against a key industry for the Iberian nation. Carrying makeshift models of planes and cruise ships, protesters walked through the streets of the capital of Mallorca with posters reading 'no to mass tourism' and 'stop private jets'. Anti-tourism activists have staged a series of protests this year in Barcelona, and other popular holiday destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and the Canary Islands, saying visitors drive up housing costs and lead to residents being unable to afford to live in city centres. About 10,000 protesters took part in the Mallorca demonstration on Sunday, police said. Some tourists supported the march while others appeared uncomfortable. Pere Joan Femenia, of Menys Turisme, Mas Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) which organised Sunday's protest in Mallorca, told Reuters protesters wanted less tourists on the island. "Mass tourism is making it difficult for local people who cannot afford to live on their own island because tourist flats push up prices. Tourists fill up beaches and put a strain on public services in the summer," he said. "We want to cut mass tourism and to ban non-residents from buying houses which are just used for a few months a year or for speculation." After Catalonia, the Balearic Islands was the second most popular region of Spain for tourists last year, attracting 14.4 million holidaymakers, the Spanish National Statistics Institute said. Tourism generates 45% of the Balearic Islands' gross domestic product, according to data from Exceltur, an industry organisation. In the first quarter of this year, 16.1 million people visited Spain, an increase of 18% compared with the same period last year. Visitors spent 109 billion euros ($118.56 billion) in Spain last year, versus 63.5 billion euros in France. ($1 = 0.9194 euros) (Reporting by Graham Keeley, additional reporting by Catherine Macdonald and Horaci Garcia; Editing by Susan Fenton) MEMPHIS, Tenn. The search for Braze Rucker, a suspect in the shooting of Trooper Adam Cothron, is over. The Tennessee Highway Patrol announced that Rucker was apprehended in Princeton, Kentucky. They said that the Kentucky State Police used Cothrons handcuffs to take Rucker into custody. The search for the other occupants of the Kia Forte that were involved in the shooting is still ongoing. Cothron remains in critical condition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Three arrested, charged with murder of North Carolina man missing since 2021, Scotland County deputies say SCOTLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) Three people are facing murder charges connected to the 2021 disappearance of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald, the Scotland County Sheriffs Office announced on Saturday. Michael Anthony Blue Bethea Jr., 32, Shelena Lynn Clark, 37, and LaKeithan Joe JuJuan Tyson, 25, have all been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and concealment of death. All three are slated to make initial appearances in Scotland County District Court at 9 a.m. on Monday. A combined task force involving the Scotland County Sheriffs Office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have worked the case since McDonald was last seen leaving his home in Clarkton en route to Laurinburg on March 25, 2021. Detectives began re-examining the case in May. After countless hours of continued investigation and newly generated information, the investigation began to move from a missing person to a homicide investigation, authorities said in a statement. That development led to the Scotland County District Attorneys Office offering resources to assist the task force. According to The Charley Project, a website that tracks missing persons cases, McDonald left his home about 3 a.m. without saying where he was going. His cell phone last pinged in the area of Cooper Street in Laurinburg. At 7:10 a.m., McDonald called his father to say he was headed back home within the hour, but he was never heard from again. His wrecked pickup truck was found abandoned in Hope Mills roughly 37 miles from Laurinburg. We are appreciative of the multiple law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, canine units, fire departments and emergency services wo have spent countless hours over the past three years assisting in the investigation, the Scotland County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Additionally, we are grateful for the family members and friends of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald who never stopped pursuing justice for him, the department said. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. E. Haywood at (910) 276-3385, the NCSBI at (800) 334-3000 or Scotland County Crimestoppers at (910) 266-8146. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. 'Time to go in another direction': Central Mass. reaction to Biden's withdrawal News Sunday that President Joe Biden would not seek reelection brought praise from Central Massachusetts Democrats for the job Biden has done while in office. However, some comments suggested uncertainty over whether Vice President Kamala Harris should be the automatic choice to top the party's ticket in the general election. On the Republican side, the reaction was largely to describe Biden's legacy as one of failed policies. Meanwhile, some Republicans hope Harris is the choice to replace Biden, because they think Donald Trump can beat her in November. Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, said Biden has done a good job, especially when dealing with a Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, since Biden's poor performance in last months debate against Trump, Moore said it was time to go in another direction. The latest Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris after he drops out of 2024 election: Recap I felt we needed someone younger, or someone who can handle the stress of the election and the next four-year cycle. Moore was one of seven Massachusetts state senators who on Thursday night released a letter calling on Biden to withdraw from the race. Moore said he considered Harris a leading contender to replace Biden, though he would prefer an open process. He said other strong choices would include Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Gov. Joshua Shapiro of Pennsylvania. There are good choices out there for the [Democratic Convention next month] to choose from, to come out strong, and take us through the election," said Moore. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, also signed the letter calling on Biden to leave the race. Saddened and appreciative was Eldridge's reaction. He said Biden's presidency turned the country around. "Today, President Biden put the Democratic Party and the nation ahead of himself," said Eldridge. While there was a lot of talk of donors and major Democratic officials urging Biden to step aside, Eldridge said the overwhelming number of rank-and-file Democrats who in polls indicated they wished for someone else to be the party's nominee was a major factor. Eldridge is one of the more than 4,000 Democratic delegates who will vote on Biden's replacement, and said he "thinks highly" of Vice President Harris, but that it's important for the democratic process to play out on who the nominee will be. To reach a decision, Eldridge said, some officials think there could be a virtual vote among all delegates to choose the nominee before next month's convention in Chicago. However, Eldridge said he needed to gain a better understanding of the process to get a better picture of how decisions will move forward. U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern called Biden one of the most consequential presidents in his lifetime, and supported Harris to win the party's nomination in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "He promised to restore the soul of our nation, and he delivered on that promise bringing us back from the brink of authoritarianism, rebuilding our economy after a global pandemic, and repairing our standing in the world as a beacon of freedom and hope," said McGovern of Biden's term in office. Biden's accomplishments, said McGovern, include the infrastructure and climate bills, gun safety legislation, job creation, and efforts to end hunger and improve nutrition. McGovern described Biden's decision to step aside as an act of patriotism. "He put our country ahead of himself something Donald Trump has never done and is incapable of doing." McGovern made it clear in his post that he's firmly behind Harris becoming the party's nominee. "Im proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris moving forward. As Attorney General of California, she stood with those who had nowhere left to turn, prosecuting sex offenders and victims of for-profit college scams. As a Senator, she championed legislation to fight hunger and combat the climate crisis. As Vice President, she has worked hand-in-glove with President Biden to advance opportunity for all and represent Americas interests on the world stage. "She is a proven, experienced leader who will unite this country and be an incredible leader." U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan said on X that Biden saved democracy in 2020 and worked with House Democrats to deliver unprecedented progress to the American people. "President Bidens decision to pass the baton positions us to defeat Donald Trump again this November and build on the work weve done," said Trahan's post. Another Trahan post supports Harris for the nomination, calling her "strong" and "proven." While not agreeing with all of Biden's presidential decisions, state Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-Worcester, said his leadership in the Oval Office "brought our country back from some of the darkest days" in American politics. The Build Back Better Act that established a family medical leave program was one of Biden's signature achievements, said Kennedy. Kennedy supports Harris as the nominee, stating her primary vote for the Biden/Harris ticket was an endorsement of the vice president to step into the highest highest office in the land if needed. However, Kennedy said she will support whomever the convention delegates vote as the nominee. Gov. Maura Healey praised Biden in a prepared statement. "Few could have risen to the challenge the way Joe Biden has," said Healey. "He has restored our economy, defended our freedoms, and protected democracy at home and abroad. He has led with decency, empathy and brought Americans together. "President Biden's decision today not to seek reelection is the ultimate example of putting the country first something Joe Biden has done over and over again in his unparalleled career. We are all deeply grateful to President Biden for his lifetime of service." Republican reaction It was no surprise to state Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, that Biden dropped out. "[Republicans] have been saying for years that Biden is in cognitive decline. It's unfortunate it took a debate for somebody to say that the 'emperor has no clothes,'" said Durant. Biden's policies have failed, according to Durant, including mandates for electric vehicles and other energy initiatives that he said contributed to rising inflation. It's unclear what Biden's decision will have on Trump's election prospects, said Durant. He would like to see Harris take Biden's place at the top of the ticket, believing Trump can beat her in the general election. Harris was supposed to be the Southern border czar, but her performance has been lacking, said Durant. She also promoted Green New Deal policies that fell short of the mark, he said. Durant would like to see policies in place that increase domestic oil and gas production to boost America's economy, policies he said the Democrats, especially Harris, don't support. However, Durant said, a dynamic Democratic challenger could emerge who could give Trump a run for his money. "At the end of the day, I'd rather run against the devil you know than the devil you don't," he said. State Rep. Michael Soter, R-Bellingham, said its hypocritical the Democratic Party preaches protecting democracy when a primary process that chose Biden is subverted so party delegates can choose his replacement. Since its unknown who the Democratic nominee will be, Soter said Trump and the Republicans must stay the course and ask the voters to decide if they are they better off today then they were four years ago. They aren't, said Soter, as inflation is rising and many families are struggling to pay their bills. "We in the Republican Party and here in Massachusetts, we're trying to make sure to protect what the future will bring and what the economy will bring," said Soter. The state's Republican Party views Biden's presidency as failed policies, a point included in a statement on its Facebook page. "No matter the nominee, Americans now see through the failed policies of the Democratic Party. From the economy to border security, Democrats have fallen short. Americans want a shift, and were confident that no Democrat will measure up to the Republican ticket." Stay with telegram.com on this developing story. Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Central Mass. politicians react to Joe Biden leaving presidential race TIMELINE: Another round of heavy rain could cause more flooding More rain is on the way Sunday night, and parts of the Charlotte area are at risk of flooding after Saturdays storms. Spots around Gaston County saw 3-5 inches of rain Saturday night, and just a few more showers could cause more flooding issues. After parts of the Carolina's saw 3-5 inches of rain last night, we will see another round of heavy rain this evening. These slow moving storms and high rain rates could cause flash flooding this evening. I've got the full details coming up tonight on Eyewitness News at 6. pic.twitter.com/uQLj9Nmjdw Joe Puma (@JoePumaWSOC9) July 21, 2024 Heavy rain is expected to move into the region overnight. Were not expecting severe storms, but there could be downpours, according to Severe Weather Center 9s Joe Puma. TIMELINE: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Scattered showers will build up in eastern counties like Gaston, Lincoln, and up north to Burke County. 9 p.m. - Midnight: Heavier showers are likely closer to the Charlotte metropolitan area, Overnight: Downpours are possible throughout western North Carolina Going into this week, well have daily shower and storm chances continue. We may get a nice break from the rain on Monday, but we will likely see more widespread showers and storms on Wednesday through Friday with several inches of rain possible. This week could have a big impact or at least some impact on our drought conditions. WEATHER RESOURCES: FOLLOW OUR TEAM ON TWITTER: The tone has to be set at the top. New Beaufort County boss pledges changes are coming With a handful of vacancies in top positions and public trust to regain, Beaufort Countys new administrator vows county leadership will be different going forward. In a wide-ranging interview, Michael Moore talked about the importance of people and structure, transparency, the departure of a key leader and tried to distance himself from past controversies, including the secrecy around his own hiring. The interview provides an important first insight into Moores priorities and philosophy as he takes over Beaufort Countys top office. Moore started his new position July 1. Asked about the challenge of rebuilding trust between the public and the county, Moore said he will prioritize open communication with the media, engagement with the public and ethically structuring the county. I think the tone has to be set at the top, he said. Then I have to be held accountable for the performance of the staff and what were doing and how were doing business. Moore spoke cautiously, however, when talking about the process around his hiring and the lack of transparency the county has shown around the investigation into the misuse of p-card and contract procurement, some of which has dribbled out into the public but which has yet to be fully addressed. Moore said he believed his hiring was done following South Carolina law. As far as I could tell, yes, it was done properly, he said, without specifically addressing the question of whether the public should have been brought into the process or whether he preferred the secrecy over a forum with the community before being selected. As for the p-card and contract investigation and the $350,000 outside audit the county paid for and not only hasnt released but has failed to even say what information exactly it has in its possession, Moore deferred to the council without offering an opinion or saying what counsel he would provide. The council is currently reviewing it, and the council will make the decision on the release of that, Moore said. Moore was more forthcoming on the topic of forming the right team and his vision for a department that has hemorrhaged employees recently, saying he will break tradition and look outside of the current employee pool to fill key vacancies. Hiring a chief financial officer will be his top priority, Moore said. Other vacancies include the deputy administrator position, the assistant administrator for information technology and communication position and the capital improvement director position. Added to the list this week was the position of county attorney with Thomas Keavaneys announcement that he is stepping down. Keavany has long been a key voice in county decisions, including its most controversial ones. Moore said the timing of Keavaneys resignation was coincidental to the new administrators arrival. Moore also spoke of the possibility of creating new positions as he settled on the right structure and mentioned that while he always favored performance management, he would not tolerate poor conduct from employees. The administrator said that he hopes that in two or three months, hell have everything in place as far as personnel and structure are concerned. Moores predecessor, Eric Greenway, was fired by council almost a year ago in late July. At a hearing requested by the former administrator to contest the action, Chairman Passiment cited Greenways failure to follow the statutes on hiring outside contractors, his relationship with a former contractor turned employee and his disregard for the countys procurement process as the reasons for his termination. The former employee accused Greenway of sexual harassment and retaliation. A series of questionable actions came to light in the wake of the Greenway firing including a mysterious purchase of nearly $36,000 worth of weighted blankets, reportedly from a company owned by then Deputy Administrator Whitney Richlands husband. It was later discovered that the county was quietly in possession of the blankets, which were all still boxed and on the floor in a county warehouse. Officials had previously denied that the county ever took possession of the order. Richland resigned on an unknown date following the press coverage of the blankets. US President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (Not Pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House. Biden has withdrawn from his bid for re-election, saying: "I believe it in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Niall Carson/PA Wire/dpa Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson has called on Joe Biden to resign from his office "immediately" following his withdrawal from the US presidential race. Johnson wrote on the social media platform X: "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough." Johnson characterized Biden's withdrawal as an unprecedented moment in US history. "We must be clear about what just happened," he wrote. "The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. "Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed party of democracy has proven exactly the opposite." Johnson also used his post for an attack on Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden has proposed as his replacement candidate. Johnson described Harris as "a gleeful accomplice" who "co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden Administration." "Regardless of the chaos in the current White House, our adversaries around the globe should be reminded that the US Congress, the US military, and the American people are fully prepared and committed to defend our interests both at home and abroad," Johnson wrote. Biden said he intends to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends on January 20, 2025. Reactions to President Joe Biden's bombshell announcement that he will end his bid for reelection are rolling in from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. Biden said Sunday that he is dropping out of the race, a historic withdrawal plunging the Democrat party into an unprecedented clamber as the Democratic National Convention approaches in mid-August. The 81-year-old and former vice president has faced immense pressure over the last few weeks from Democratic colleagues over his ability to beat former President Donald Trump in November. Live Updates: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take Biden's place atop the party's ticket. Several prominent Hill leaders such as Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragan, D-Calif., and the entire Congressional Black Caucus, joined in, though a number of Democrats called instead for an open nomination process. Biden made the announcement Sunday from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where he's self-isolated since testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. It throws the 2024 race already roiled by an attempt on Trump's life at a campaign rally last week into unprecedented territory. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer applauds Biden for putting his party, and our future first. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 18: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) looks at his notes during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on June 18, 2024 in Washington, DC. During the news conference Senate Democrats spoke on a number of topics including the upcoming anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling and the U.S. Supreme Court recently striking down a federal ban on bump stocks. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first, Schumer said in a statement Sunday, adding: Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American." U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, said in a statement, "I am so proud to call Joe my President, and I have such a profound respect for his willingness to pass the torch." "We must beat Donald Trump and I know Kamala Harris can win. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent she is exactly the woman we need to prosecute the case against Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people not billionaires first," she said. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson says the president should resign his presidency immediately, brushes off Harris election chances. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson meets with delegates and politicos during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The final day of the RNC featured a keynote address by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Congressional Republican leaders were bullish about their chances of beating Harris. The partys prospects are no better now with Vice President Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden Administration. As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement. Earlier Sunday he indicated that Democrats would face legal challenges supported by the Republican National Committee if they tried to change candidates. Johnson also joined a chorus of Republicans who have indicated that Biden needs to resign the presidency. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough, Johnson said. Republicans appeared to coalesce around calling for Bidens Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Biden from office if he will not step down. If Biden is willing to admit that he cant defeat President Trump and cant serve a second term, how can we be sure he can even finish the rest of his current term? The executive cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment if Biden does not resign. Our national security depends on it, Florida Rep. Ana Luna said in a statement. If Biden were to step down, it would rob Democrats of their tie breaker in the Senate. The vice president replacement would be nominated by Harris, but would have to be confirmed by the Senate, something that would be particularly difficult if Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., resigns following his felony conviction last week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didnt directly address whether Harris should be the vice president, but said, We cannot afford four more years of failure. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party has been busy in recent weeks trying to upend the expressed will of the American people in primary elections across the country. Washington Democrats have not proven themselves any more capable than the President of delivering the secure borders, safe streets, and stable prices that working families deserve. House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries praises Biden's accomplishments, mum on Harris U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks at his weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol Building on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., issued a statement that praised Biden's accomplishments as president but did not address whether Harris should be the nominee. "America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful," he said. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, the lone Democrat in Tennessee's congressional delegation said about Harris, "She has the prosecutorial chops to make mincemeat of the mendacious malefactor Trump." This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Congress reacts to Biden dropping out, endorsement of Harris THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The top United Nations court said Friday that Israels presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called on it to end, and for settlement construction to stop immediately, issuing an unprecedented, sweeping condemnation of Israels rule over the lands it captured 57 years ago. PG&E shuts off power to customers in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin counties Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly denounced the nonbinding opinion issued by the 15-judge panel of the International Court of Justice, saying the territories are part of the Jewish peoples historic homeland. But the resounding breadth of the decision could impact international opinion and fuel moves for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The judges pointed to a wide list of policies, including the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, use of the areas natural resources, the annexation and imposition of permanent control over lands and discriminatory policies against Palestinians, all of which it said violated international law. The court said Israel had no right to sovereignty in the territories, was violating international laws against acquiring territory by force and was impeding Palestinians right to self-determination. It said other nations were obliged not to render aid or assistance in maintaining Israels presence in the territories. It said Israel must end settlement construction immediately and that existing settlements must be removed, according to a summary of the more than 80-page opinion read out by court President Nawaf Salam. Israels abuse of its status as the occupying power renders its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful, the court said, saying its presence must be ended as rapidly as possible. The courts opinion, sought by the U.N. General Assembly after a Palestinian request, came against the backdrop of Israels devastating military assault on Gaza, which was triggered by the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7. In a separate case, the International Court of Justice is considering a South African claim that Israels campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide, a claim that Israel vehemently denies. The court said the General Assembly and Security Council where staunch Israeli ally the United States holds a veto should consider the precise modalities to end Israels presence in the territories. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will promptly transmit the advisory opinion to the 193-member world body and it is for the General Assembly to decide how to proceed in the matter, U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said. The secretary-general reiterates his call for Israel and the Palestinians to engage on the long-delayed political path towards ending the occupation and resolving the conflict in line with international law, relevant U.N. resolutions and bilateral agreements, the spokesperson said. Guterres also stressed that a two-state solution is the only viable path to seeing Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security, Haq said. Israel, which normally considers the United Nations and international tribunals as unfair and biased, didnt send a legal team to the hearings. Instead, it submitted written comments, saying that the questions put to the court are prejudiced and fail to address Israeli security concerns. Israeli officials have said the courts intervention could undermine the peace process, which has been stagnant for more than a decade. The Jewish people are not conquerors in their own land not in our eternal capital Jerusalem and not in the land of our ancestors in Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office, using the biblical terms for the West Bank. No false decision in The Hague will distort this historical truth and likewise the legality of Israeli settlement in all the territories of our homeland cannot be contested. Speaking outside the court, Riad Malki, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, called the opinion a watershed moment for Palestine, for justice and for international law. He said other nations must now uphold the clear obligations outlined by the court. No actions of any kind to support Israels illegal occupation. Hamas welcomed the courts decision and said in a statement that serious steps on the ground need to be taken in response. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek all three areas for an independent state. Israel considers the West Bank to be disputed territory, the future of which should be decided in negotiations, while it has moved populations there in settlements to solidify its hold. It has annexed east Jerusalem in a move that isnt internationally recognized, while it withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but maintained a blockade of the territory after Hamas took power in 2007. The international community generally considers all three areas to be occupied territory. The courts decision strikes at the heart of the ambiguity of Israels administration of the territories. Israel hasnt annexed the West Bank though settler groups have pressed it to do so but it calls it part of its homeland and has effectively treated it as an extension of the nation. Along with the settlements, it has appropriated large swaths of the territory as state lands. At the same time, Netanyahus government has repeatedly rejected the creation of any Palestinian state. Abbas Palestinian Authority has been restricted to control over divided enclaves scattered around the West Bank. The Palestinians presented arguments at hearings in February, along with 49 other nations and three international organizations. In the hearings, Malki accused Israel of apartheid and urged the United Nations top court to declare that Israels occupation of lands sought by the Palestinians is illegal and must end immediately and unconditionally for any hope for a two-state future to survive. Erwin van Veen, a senior research fellow at the Clingendael think tank in The Hague, said before the decision that a ruling that Israels policies breach international law would isolate Israel further internationally, at least from a legal point of view. He said such a ruling would remove any kind of legal, political, philosophical underpinning of the Israeli expansion project. It could also increase the number of countries that recognize a Palestinian state, in particular in the Western world, following the recent example of Spain, Norway and Ireland, he said. Its not the first time the ICJ has been asked to give its legal opinion on Israeli policies. Two decades ago, the court ruled that Israels West Bank separation barrier was contrary to international law. Israel boycotted those proceedings, saying they were politically motivated. Israel says the barrier is a security measure. Palestinians say the structure amounts to a massive land grab, because it frequently dips into the West Bank. The court said that Israels construction of settlements in the West Bank violated international laws prohibiting countries from moving their population into territories they occupy. Israel has built well over 100 settlements, according to the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now. The West Bank settler population has grown by more than 15% in the past five years to more than 500,000 Israelis, according to a pro-settler group. Their residents are Israeli citizens governed by domestic law and served by government ministries, services, banks and other businesses effectively integrating them into Israel. Israel also has annexed east Jerusalem and considers the entire city to be its capital. An additional 200,000 Israelis live in settlements built in east Jerusalem that Israel considers to be neighborhoods of its capital. Palestinian residents of the city face systematic discrimination, making it difficult for them to build new homes or expand existing ones. The international community considers all settlements to be illegal or obstacles to peace since they are built on lands sought by the Palestinians for their state. Netanyahus hard-line government is dominated by settlers and their political supporters. Netanyahu has given his Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a former settler leader, unprecedented authority over settlement policy. Smotrich has used this position to cement Israels control over the West Bank by pushing forward plans to build more settlement homes and to legalize outposts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Writing in these pages on Friday, Fraser Nelson pointed out that every minister in the government, bar one a Tory defector had opposed leaving the EU. Yet we are supposed to believe that these people will stand by their commitment not to go back into the EU, its customs union, or its single market, and will happily just reset the relationship. I say: dont trust them. All the warm words we saw at the Blenheim Palace Summit this week, all the innocuous-sounding promises to improve trade, are designed to reassure, in the hope that we drop our guard. I worked in government for 30 years. I know the Whitehall instincts. They never really accepted the referendum result. They never believed Britain could prosper with its own economic and trade policy. Their ideas produced Theresa Mays disastrous Chequers policy. Labour will have no difficulty in turning them to their purposes. They also know at least they think they know how to manage hostile public and political opinion. After all, they have been dealing with it for many years. They will try to deny, to restrict the information flow, and to obfuscate. They have very low regard for Brexiteers, whom they believe can be satisfied with meaningless language about sovereignty, whatever the underlying realities. We refused to use this playbook in 2020. Boris Johnson and I set out our aims unambiguously from the start, made clear what we needed, and delivered. But otherwise weve seen it consistently. We saw it in David Camerons half-hearted renegotiation in 2015 a nothing result sold as a decisive change. We saw it in Theresa Mays withdrawal deal, with the attempt to make us believe that the text didnt say what it said and that we would not end up stuck in the customs union for ever. And its what we saw under Rishi Sunak with the Windsor Framework, with his claim that it would remove any sense of a border in the Irish Sea, a view unthinkingly accepted by far too many Conservative Brexiteers. So expect it again. For the new Labour Government is serious about its EU policy and its calming words hide the reality. We can tell that from the way its setting up the bureaucracy. When a government is in status quo mode on Europe, it leaves policy to the Foreign Office. When it wants to achieve something, it puts it in the Cabinet Office or No10. Thats what Boris Johnson did and its what Labour have done now. Indeed, the new Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, is responsible for both EU relations and the British Constitution, a juxtaposition which shows you how Labour think of these things, and which should worry us. There are many other straws in the wind. Starmer clearly talked to French President Emmanuel Macron about asylum and migration at Blenheim. He had to. Having dumped the Rwanda scheme, all he can now do is prevail on the French to stop the boats at their end. That wont happen unless we agree to share the European asylum burden, that is, take lots of their asylum seekers in return. Labour wont mind that, because fundamentally they believe we should take large numbers of asylum seekers into Britain. So expect this to be where we end up. A second straw in the wind is the Product Safety Bill slipped into the Kings Speech this week. The briefing says this will give us the sovereign choice to mirror or diverge from EU rules. But, as I said above, when they use the word sovereign, count your spoons. We dont need new legislation to diverge. We only need it if we intend to mirror. The Government goes on to note that the Bill will have specific powers to make changes to GB legislation to manage divergence between GB and Northern Ireland that is, once again, to mirror EU law. Take all this together, and you have what we always feared: an intention to use Northern Ireland as a Trojan Horse to force us to follow EU legislation. This is the Chequers deal once again by the back door. And finally, we know the Government wants a security and defence agreement with the EU. But since we are the only serious military power in Europe apart from France, the EU has more interest in this than we do: after all, we have Nato already. Thats why in the 2020 talks our message to the EU was if you want a security deal, make it worth it for us. They never did. Labour has now offered it up for nothing. So we can see the direction of travel. These measures begin the process of subordination. For sure, dont cry wolf: these measures dont in themselves amount to abandoning Brexit. But they are a step on that road and will be a significant constraint on our national freedom. If Labour get away with them they will move to the next stage. Both Conservatives and the Reform Party need to get ready to expose whats going on. Theres nothing in the Labour manifesto about mirroring EU laws. There is nothing about sharing the EUs asylum burden. These measures can legitimately be opposed. We must make Labour pay a political price and raise doubts on the EU side about how politically sustainable any deal might be in the medium term. And we need to gear up to this now while it can still be stopped. 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. Trump Boasts Of Elon Musks Huge Donations; Says We Have To Make Life Good For Him And Other Smart People Donald Trump was back at the lectern in Michigan last night, telling his supporters that he loves Elon Musk. This was the first joint event with his recent vice-presidential pick Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and the first campaign rally since the attempted assassination attempt at last weekends rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and Trump took the opportunity to tell his supporters: More from Deadline I love Elon Musk he endorsed me recently. Hes great. I read he gives me $45million a month. I talked to him a while ago, and he didnt even mention it. Other guys give you two dollars and you got to take them to lunch. Trump included a quick reference to electric cars, the potential fulcrum for any future clash of interest between him and the Tesla chief. Im totally for them, if its 10%, 20% of the market, but you cant have 100%. And he lavished praise on Musks space program, calling his rocket engine returning to Earth the coolest thing Ive ever seen. How long would it take government to come up with that one? He concluded: We have to make life good for our smart people, and hes as smart as you get. Trump is clearly relishing this kind of support from a tech titan with such a purse, although other voices were sceptical of the uniquely great relationship of which the former president boasts. Barbra Streisand posted on X: Elon Musk, who has gotten rich from government subsidies and contracts, announced he was supporting Trump with a 45 million dollar a month contribution. He was joined by Silicon Valley billionaires who are libertarians and dont want the government to build for the common good. Their only interest is money in their pockets. Democrat former presidential contender Pete Buttigieg told Bill Maher on his show: These are very rich men whove decided to back the Republican Party who do good things for very rich men. Musk did endorse Trump for president last week, following the assassination attempt on the latter in Pennsylvania. But he has already debunked the $45m figure, previously responding to a social media post with fake gnus. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump described the authoritarian leaders of Russia and China in glowing terms at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 20. The speech marked Trump's first campaign event since he survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 14. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are "smart, tough," leaders who "love their country," Trump said during the course of a lengthy speech. The comments are similar to remarks Trump made shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At a rally in March 2022, weeks after the invasion, he praised Putin's intelligence. "They asked me if Putin is smart. Yes, Putin was smart," Trump said. During the July 20 rally, Trump claimed that Xi reached out to him with words of support following the assassination attempt. "(Xi) wrote me a beautiful note the other day when he heard about what happened," Trump said. Trump also described Xi as "brilliant" and said "he controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist." The campaign speech comes one day after Trump spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky via phone in their first conversation since Trump left office. Trump reportedly called it a "very good call," while sources close to Zelensky said the talk went "exceedingly well." Zelensky previously said that working with a Trump White House would be "hard work." Trump's newly appointed running mate, outspoken Ukraine critic J.D. Vance, also spoke briefly at the rally before Trump took the podium. Vance did not address the war in Ukraine directly, but said that if elected, he and Trump would work to end U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts that "are none of our business." Read also: Opinion: Could Ukraine survive a JD Vance vice presidency? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Trump leads Republican taunts of Biden after president drops out of 2024 race Donald Trumps vicious attack on Joe Biden and his legacy led the Republican partys reaction to the presidents decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve and never was! Trump, the Republican nominee, said in a post to Truth Social, repeating his favored insult for the man who beat him in the 2020 election, and rehashing a familiar litany of unsubstantiated grievances. Related: How do the Democrats replace Biden for the presidential election? He only attained the position of president by lies, fake news, and not leaving his basement. All those around him, including his doctor and the media, knew that he wasnt capable of being president, and he wasnt. And now look what hes done to our country, with millions of people coming across our border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. JD Vance, Trumps newly installed running mate, called Biden the worst president of my lifetime in a tweet, and attempted to link Vice-President Kamala Harris to his scam policies. Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Bidens mental capacity saddling the nation with a president who cant do the job, he said. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoevers at the top of the Democrat ticket. Bring it on. A statement from the Republican National Committee chair, Michael Whatley, and co-chair Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, claimed the Democratic party was in decline and disarray. As Democrats fall apart, President Trump is uniting the American people behind his winning agenda, they said. Mike Johnson, the House speaker and a Trump loyalist, issued a statement calling on Biden to also resign the presidency, as well as suspending his candidacy for re-election. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough, Johnson said. He also attempted to paint Bidens decision to stand aside as a coup staged by the Democratic party, a position that became a popular talking point for Republicans and the Trump campaign in recent days. We must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election, Johnson said. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed party of democracy has proven exactly the opposite. The partys prospects are no better now with Vice-President Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden administration. A slew of other senior Republicans fell in line Sunday to add their condemnation. Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, called out Washington Democrats in a statement steering largely clear of direct criticism of Biden. The Democratic party has been busy in recent weeks trying to upend the expressed will of the American people in primary elections across the country, he said. Washington Democrats have not proven themselves any more capable than the president of delivering the secure borders, safe streets, and stable prices that working families deserve. We cannot afford four more years of failure. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), called Bidens withdrawal a scandal of historic proportions in a statement posted to X. He also questioned if Biden was capable of finishing his term. If the president is mentally unfit to campaign, he is mentally unfit to have the nuclear codes, he said. Judgment day is coming in November. Attacking Democrats for removing their leader was a familiar theme among other leading Republicans, even though Biden said the decision and its timing were his alone. Democrat party bosses just proved that they have absolutely no respect for their own voters. After lecturing others about democracy, they just forced Joe Biden off the ticket, trashing the primary choice of 14m of their own voters, the House majority leader, Steve Scalise, said in a tweet. Meanwhile Elise Stefanik, chair of the Republican House conference, aired a conspiracy theory, also on X. Back-room donors, Democrat elites, and their stenographers in the mainstream media conspired in this direct attack on democracy by successfully forcing out the candidate who secured the necessary votes to serve as the general election candidate, she said. The Missouri senator Josh Hawley, a leading Biden critic in the upper chamber, accused Democrats of rigging their own elections. Resign your office. If you cant run a mere political campaign, you cant be president, Hawley said. Not all Republicans were so quick to condemn the news of Biden dropping out. Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio and a frequent critic of Trump, had kinder words for the president in his own statement. I have known President Biden since 1995, when I entered the US Senate and served with him on the Senate judiciary committee, he said. Fran and I wish President Biden and the first lady all the best as he serves out the remainder of his term and in the years ahead. Read more about Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election: It has happened. Two conclusions seem inevitable. First, that we are looking at a second Trump presidency, barring an act of God. Second, that between now and November lie four months of relentless identity politics. Welcome to the American election 2024, Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris edition. With Joe Biden succumbing this evening to the ravages of age and Covid, he used whatever judgment he had left to nominate Harris as his heir and successor. History will not view that decision kindly. For one thing, Harris is one of the least popular politicians to have ever occupied a post this senior. As I pointed out three weeks ago, a poll last year granted her the ignominious status of worst vice president this millennium. In recent weeks, her popularity has bumped along marginally ahead of the Presidents, but still well into double-digit negatives, and about five points behind Donald Trump. Is it any wonder? A quick Google reveals that her stock-in-trade is that most toxic political currency, the gaff. She has quipped bafflingly about coconut trees, clapped along enthusiastically to a song attacking her in Spanish, sung The Wheels On The Bus idiotically to the cameras to a tune that nobody recognised, and repeated her gnomic motto what can be unburdened by what has been no fewer than 62 times in speeches, providing fodder for an eye-wateringly effective Republican attack ad this month. On top of this, her record is yet to be tested. Take, for example, her checkered history as a self-proclaimed progressive prosecutor. In her 2019 campaign tract, she wrote: America has a deep and dark history of people using the power of the prosecutor as an instrument of injustice. I know this history well of innocent men framed, of charges brought against people of colour without sufficient evidence, of prosecutors hiding information that would exonerate defendants, of the disproportionate application of the law. Her words were later used to describe her own failings. Her worst moment probably came in 2010, when 600 drug-related cases were voided after her office failed to disclose key information about the mishandling of evidence to defence attorneys. She made things worse later that year by opposing a San Francisco initiative to legalise marijuana 1,560 people were jailed for marijuana offences during her tenure as attorney general then later supporting decriminalisation legislation. Similarly, she opposed the softening of minimum mandatory sentences, but rolled out a criminal justice plan while running for president that proposed ending them. The list goes on. Harris has also been criticised for her handling of wrongful convictions, resisting DNA testing that may have exonerated suspects and failing to disclose crucial evidence that may have tipped the scales against the accused in sexual abuse cases. Ironically enough, she was also criticised on race grounds, rejecting demands from civil rights activists to investigate cop shootings in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the wake of the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014, resisting legislation that mandated body cameras for all police officers a year later, and prosecuting parents of truanting pupils, despite complaints that this hit poor black people hardest. All this was some time ago, it is true. But when youre running for president as a Democrat candidate, this is the sort of record that will be scrutinised by the Republicans and the press, and subsequently the electorate. They will also pick over her attitude towards Israel, which has been hostile to say the least, when 80 per cent of American voters support the Jewish state. How will she explain the fact that she insisted that the Rafah operation was impossible just weeks before it was successfully carried out by the IDF? How will she explain her blatant Jew-baiting when she demanded an immediate ceasefire, then allowed the longest pause to extend before adding caveats about Israels security? To put it another way, Donald Trump will eat her for breakfast. Before that expected fate becomes a reality, however, we have a carnival of identity politics to look forward to. There were several far more popular and competent candidates than Harris for the position, such as Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, or the Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer, who has the significant modern political advantage of XX chromosomes. There was also Josh Shapiro, the openly Jewish Governor of Pennsylvania, a divided swing state, who is one of the most popular politicians in America, winning praise from even from Republicans after his dignified and compassionate response to the attempted shooting of Trump and the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore. These figures now must content themselves with a possible vice president slot on the ticket. Why? None of them are well-known amongst the electorate, it is true. But also, none of them is black. For this is 2024 America, and for the Democrats at least, race matters more than at any point since the civil rights movement. And not in a good way. With pressure mounting on Biden to step down, Harriss team let it be known that it would be offensive if he were to name a white successor, even it was implied if that person was of far greater competence than her. Remove race from the equation, and Harris is a terrible pick for VP. Add it to the mix and she is still a terrible pick, but one that is far more difficult to avoid without igniting a row over identity politics. The Democrat party of today is composed of a sensible wing in mortal combat with a radical fringe, led by the lunatic Alexandira Ocasio-Cortez and her fellow members of the squad. If Biden would have allowed his successor to be elected at the upcoming party conference, the radicals would unite with the trade unions and may seize the nomination. Such a disaster is likely avoided by the appointment of Kamala Harris. But who will she choose for her running-mate? Someone from the moderate, Biden tradition or a sacred cow from the radical Left? Frankly, at this point it doesnt matter at all. Biden has screwed America. Arise, President Trump, and God help us. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. On Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden posted a statement announcing an end to his bid for a second term. He has announced he will endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to run for President instead against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Since the announcement, politicians on both sides of the aisle, as well as foreign leaders, have come forward to comment on his historic choice. Read More: Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race, Upending White House Contest Heres a look at some key reactions to Bidens stunning decision. Donald Trump Trump, who lost to Biden in the 2020 presidential election, posted on his Truth Social account, saying that Biden or, Crooked Joe Biden, as he calls him was not fit to run for PresidentAnd never was. He continued, He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt - And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Trump also urged in a subsequent post that the next presidential debate, with whomever the Democrats will nominate as their candidate, should be held on Fox News instead of Fake News ABC. In another post, Trump said: So, we are forced to spend time and money on fighting Crooked Joe Biden, he polls badly after having a terrible debate, and quits the race. Now we have to start all over again. Shouldnt the Republican Party be reimbursed for fraud in that everybody around Joe, including his doctors and the Fake News Media, knew he was not capable of running for, or being, President? Just askin? Barack Obama Former President Barack Obama, who Biden served under as Vice President from 2009 until 2017, posted his thorough response on his Medium page. The former President called Biden a patriot of the highest order for his choice to step aside. Obamas post chronicles his journey in picking Biden as his running mate in 2008, as well as his admiration of the Presidents deep empathy and hard-earned resilience Obama praised Bidens leadership throughout his last four years in office, pointing to specific policies and accomplishments, from lower[ing] the cost of prescription drugs to mobiliz[ing] the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine. I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldnt make this decision unless he believed it was right for America, his statement continued. Its a testament to Joe Bidens love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow. Notably, Obama did not endorse Harris for President in his statement. J.D. Vance Ohio Senator and Trumps recently-announced running mate in Novembers election, J.D .Vance, also took to X to respond to Biden, calling him the worst President in [his] lifetime. Vance criticized Harris support of the Presidents policies, signing the statement with a challenge to whoever receives the Democratic bid: Bring it on. Over the last four years [Harris] co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries, he wrote. She owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about Biden's mental capacity--saddling the nation with a president who can't do the job. Bill and Hillary Clinton Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for President Hillary Clinton posted a joint statement on X. The two thanked Biden for his leadership during the pandemic and in the economy, stating that he has advanced our founders charge to build a more perfect union and his own stated goal of restoring the soul of the nation. They endorse Harris for President and say we will do whatever we can to support her. The Clintons statement said that nothing has made [them] more worried for the country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom, Gov. of California, thanked Biden on social media, saying that he will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans, he said. Pete Buttigieg Pete Buttigieg, who ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primaries, praised Biden on X, saying that the President has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. The Secretary of Transportation went on to say he was proud to serve under Biden and is thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country. Ted Cruz Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, opted for a simple, wordless response to the news of Bidens choice to end his bid: a photo of former President Richard Nixon, who was the only President to resign from office. Nixon did so in 1974 as a result of the Watergate scandal. Biden is not resigning the presidency, but he has decided to drop his campaign for a second term. Mike Johnson House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, bashed the Democratic Party on X, as well as the Vice President Harris. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election, he wrote. The partys prospects are no better now with Vice President Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden Administration, he added. He went on to argue that Biden should resign ahead of Election Day, saying, November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 21, 2024 Greg Abbott Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reacted by assailing Vice President Harris, calling her Bidens Borders Czar, because immigration was in her policy portfolio as Vice President. I think I will need to triple the border wall, razor wire barriers and National Guard on the border, he wrote on X. Bernie Sanders Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a progressive and Bidens opponent in the 2020 Democratic primary election, praised Bidens presidency and thanked him for all [hes] done. As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history, Sanders wrote. Elizabeth Warren Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren wrote a statement of support for the President on social media, calling his decision to step aside a selfless action and a profound gift: Joe Bidens presidency has been transformational, she said in the statement. He accomplished more in the past four years to bring back jobs, stand up to big corporations, and build an economy that works for all of us than we have been able to get done in the last forty. He deserves full credit for beating Donald Trump in 2020, and his selfless decision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 2024. She also endorsed Vice President Harris for President, stating that Harris can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November. Mitt Romney Republican Senator Mitt Romney, an outspoken Trump critic, said that he respects Bidens decision to withdraw from the race and extended his well wishes to the President and his wife, Jill. Im a classic Republican and hes a classic Democrat; obviously, President Biden and I usually didnt see eye-to-eye, Romney said in a statement. I opposed many of his initiatives. But we did find common ground on infrastructure, Ukraine, the Electoral Count Act, adding religious liberty protections to the marriage bill, gun safety measures, and chip manufacturing. Others will judge his presidency. However, having worked with him these past few years, I respect President Biden. His decision to withdraw from the race was right and is in the best interest of the country. Steve Scalise House majority leader Rep. Steve Scalise criticized Bidens move to drop out from the presidential race, saying in a post on X that Democrat party bosses just proved that they have absolutely no respect for their own voters. After lecturing others about democracy, they just forced Joe Biden off the tickettrashing the primary choice of 14 million of their own voters. Scalise argued that Democrats have maligned those who question Bidens fitness to run for office, and said that every single one of these peopleespecially Vice President Harriswho participated in this cover up must answer for their involvement. It is not just Biden-Harris who have been polling so poorly, it is their entire administrations failed, extreme agenda that is crushing hardworking families, causing record inflation, the worst border crisis in our lifetime, and chaos around the world, he added. Nancy Pelosi Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stated her love and gratitude to President Biden on X. [Bidens] legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history, she wrote. God blessed America with Joe Bidens greatness and goodness. Mitch McConnell Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Senator released his statement on Biden on his official Republican Leader page. In the statement, McConnell argued that the U.S. is less prosperous and less secure than when Trump was in office. Washington Democrats have not proven themselves any more capable than the President of delivering the secure borders, safe streets, and stable prices that working families deserve, he said. He continued by assailing Democratic stances on key issues: They are selling open borders, higher prices, climate radicalism, and soft-on-crime policies, and the American people are not buying. Elise Stefanik Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New Yorks 21st congressional district also called for Bidens resignation in a statement on X, saying that if he could not run for re-election in November, he is unable and unfit to serve as President. The Democrat Party is in absolute free fall for their blatantly corrupt and desperate attempt to cover up the fact that Joe Biden is unfit for office, she said. Keir Starmer Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, shared his respect for Biden on X, and said that he looks forward to working together during the remainder of his presidency. He also stated that he believes Bidens decision to step aside was based on what he believes is best for the American people. Simon Harris Ireland's Prime Minister, Taoiseach Simon Harris, thanked Biden in a statement shared on social media, crediting the U.S. president as a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. He praised Bidens efforts to support Ukraine in their war with Russia, and urged the President to focus on a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in his last months as President. When we spoke on the phone last month, President Biden and I discussed his plans for a ceasefire in Israels war in Gaza. This plan remains the only way on the table to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, release hostages and allow aid to flow freely. Harris referenced Bidens visits to Ireland, and the pride the President was taught to have in his Irish heritage. On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul, he said. Volodymyr Zelensky Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for his support of Ukraine in their war with Russia in a post on X, and said that Ukraine respects today's tough but strong decision. We will always be thankful for President Biden's leadership, he wrote. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history, assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country, and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war. The Kremlin Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian government, told Russian media outlet SHOT after Bidens announcement that it was monitoring the situation. The elections are still four months away, and that is a long period of time in which a lot can change. We need to be patient and carefully monitor what happens. The priority for us is the special military operation, Peskov said, referring to the Ukraine war. Isaac Herzog In a post on X, Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden for the friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people, and sent well wishes to him and his wife, Jill Biden. As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples, he wrote. Olaf Scholz German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that his friend Biden has achieved a lot for his country, Europe and the rest of the world during his tenure. Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us, Scholz said. His decision not to run again deserves respect. Anthony Albanese Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Biden for his leadership and ongoing service in a post on X: The Australia-US Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations. Christopher Luxon After Bidens announcement, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on X that the U.S. President has dedicated his life to public service, and that is something that deserves much respect. Luxon then thanked Biden for his leadership of the U.S. and his commitment to New Zealand. I look forward to working with him for the remainder of his presidency, he said. Donald Tusk Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed Biden in a brief post on X, saying that his decision to withdraw from the U.S. presidential race was probably the most difficult one in your life. Youve taken many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger, Tusk wrote. I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Justin Trudeau Following Bidens announcement, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a photo of him and the U.S. President together. Ive known President Biden for years. Hes a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadiansand a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you. Ive known President Biden for years. Hes a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you. pic.twitter.com/5mQvFn8INn Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 21, 2024 Nicolas Maduro Venezuelas authoritarian president Nicolas Maduro, who is also facing a hotly contested election, had warm words for Biden, saying that the U.S. leader made the most sensible and correct decision. "He prioritized his family and his health, Maduro said at a campaign event Sunday. He realized that at that age and with weakened health he could not assume the reins of his country, let alone a presidential candidacy." Maduro then told Biden to be at peace with your conscience for the wise and correct decision. Pedro Sanchez Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in a post on X, extended his admiration and recognition for Bidens choice to pull out from the U.S. presidential race, calling it a brave and dignified decision. A great gesture from a great president who has always fought for democracy and freedom, Sanchez said. Sanchez also applauded the Biden administrations handling of major crises. Thanks to its determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis after the pandemic and the serious assault on the Capitol and has been exemplary in its support for Ukraine in the face of Putin's Russian aggression, he wrote. Petr Fiala Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called Bidens departure from the U.S. presidential race the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable, Fiala wrote on X. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates. Jonas Gahr Stre In a statement to Reuters, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said he respects Bidens decision not to run for reelection. He justifies the decision by saying that he wants to put the country before himself, he said. That reasoning commands respect. "Joe Biden has been one of America's most prominent politicians over several decades, and a president who has carried out several important reforms, Stre adds. I particularly commend him for his leadership in NATO and look forward to working with Biden as the president of the United States until the end of January." Correction, July 21 The original version of this story misstated Pete Buttigieg's role in the Biden Administration. He is not the former Secretary of Transportation, he is currently serving in that role. An updated version of this story misstated Pedro Sanchez's title. He is the Prime Minister of Spain, not the President. Contact us at letters@time.com. Former presidentand current presidential candidateDonald Trump has already previewed his attacks on Kamala Harris, now a leading candidate to become the Democratic Presidential nominee after President Joe Biden's decision to step aside. In a campaign rally yesterday in Grand Rapids, Michiganhis first since the assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania a week agoTrump said, I call her Laughing Kamala. Have you watched her laugh? She is crazy. You know, you can tell a lot by a laugh. No, she's crazy. She's nuts. Trump and senior Republicans have been preparing the groundwork for attacks on Harris for weeks, ever since Biden's disastrous debate appearance three weeks ago. A week after that debacle, in a July 4th message, Trump debuted the line on Truth Social: Respects to our potentially new Democrat Challenger, Laffin Kamala Harris. But Trump's Laffin Kamala nickname is sure to be only one of the attack lines that Republicans will unleash on Harrisand may not even be the most important. As the New York Times reported earlier this weekend, The Trump team has already prepared opposition research books on Ms. Harris, and has similar dossiers on other Democrats. But the bulk of the preparations so far have been focused on Ms. Harris. Kamala Harris Must Be the Candidate. This Is How She Beats Trump A glimpse into how else Trump and the Republicans will frame their attacks on Harris was revealed last week when Chris LaCivita, co-chair of the Trump campaign, sppokeat the RNC in Milwaukee: Every single thing that Biden did is an issue that she is complicit in. LaCivita, according to political site The Hill, claimed that the clearest line of attack against Harris would be the phrase border czar. And just like that, last week in Milwaukee speaker after speaker referred to Harris as the border czarciting, not entirely accurately, the role she assumed in 2021 when Biden named her the lead on immigration issues. with specific responsibility for looking at the root causes of migration from central America. Senator Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, accused Biden and Harris of welcoming a third world invasion; Senator Eric Schmitt, from Montana, accused the Biden-Harris ticket of opening the border to terrorists, to criminals. But Trump and the Republicans will not stop at the border. Another lightning rod for attacks on Harris will be her role as a district attorney in San Francisco and, later, her role as California Attorney General. On July 5, a day after the first Laffin Kamala attack, one of Trump's senior campaign officials, Jason Miller, said of Harris that, she owns all of the Biden incompetence and failure, plus she adds radical ideology. Biden kowtows to California liberals. She actually is one. A few days later, Trump, speaking at a rally in Miami, worked this line into his speech: I don't think Kamala Harris's California socialism is going to go down well with the people of Doral, the people of Miami or the people of Florida. Because in Florida we don't like socialism, we want our freedom. But the Trump attacks are not without electoral jeopardy. Women vote in larger numbers than men, and Trump could risk alienating voters with personal attacks on an opponentif Harris is the nomineethat he casually refers to as nuts. Additionally, Harris will also be a formidable opponent on women's reproductive rightsa key issue for Democrats after the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision in 2022 to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling and the subsequent move by Republican states to restrict access to abortion. Just as Republicans are trying to bury the issuethe word abortion was not mentioned once from the RNC stageHarris, who has already been campaigning vigorously on this, has the ability to turbo charge this issue. And at a time when Republicans are attempting to court more voters of color, personal attacks on Harris might well alienate voters that Republicans are trying to attract. Trumps Unity Speech After Shooting Turns Into 93-Minute Ramble The only certainty is that Trump's attacks will be vicious, relentless and brutal. The new spiritual, changed man who would dedicate himself to uniting the nation after his near-death experience in Pennsylvania is long gone. And the attacks, particularly those focusing on her handling of the border, are likely to get even uglier. Republicans last week linked the Democrats border policies to crime and safety with a number of emotive and highly-charged RNC speeches: One of those came from Anne Fundner, a California woman whose 15-year-old son died from a fentanyl overdose in 2022. Fundner described her son's death as the tragic reality of open borders, and added, I hold Joe Biden and Kamala Harristhe border czar, what a jokeand (California Governor) Gavin Newsom and every Democrat who supports open borders responsible for the death of my son. (Many studies have found that undocumented immigrants are not more likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born Americans.) Another came from former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, speaking in Milwaukee as a former Trump rival turned supporter and driving home a message that Trump and others will work to perfect over the coming weeks and months: Kamala had one job. One job. And that was to fix the border, she said. Now imagine her in charge of the entire country. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operation Center of the British military recently reported a suspected Houthi rebel attack on a tanker in the Red Sea Friday morning. The crew aboard the tanker was unharmed. It is the latest in an ongoing campaign by the Yemen-based Houthi rebels in their ongoing war against shipping off the coast of Yemen in response to the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. Authorities reported the ship was struck by a missile off the coast of the port city of Hodeida but an inspection in the light of day found no evidence of damage. The private security firm Ambrey reported the same attack and said the tanker, which has a contingency of armed guards, had a near miss on Thursday night in the Gulf of Aden. It said the ship was affiliated with Israel but ownership was changed last month. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack and identified the ship as the Panama-flagged, Vietnamese-owned Pacific 01. It had been owned by the Eastern Pacific Shipping company out of Singapore. The parent company has been repeatedly targeted by the Houthis. Eastern Pacific Shipping is run by Idan Ofer, an Israeli billionaire. The rebels also claimed to have targeted a U.S. destroyer, which has been repeatedly targeted by Houthi missile and drone attacks but to no avail. Most of the ships targeted by the Houthis have little or no connection to Israel, the United States, or any other nation involved in the war. The Houthi rebels are members of the Shiite Zaydi sect of Islam, which had ruled Yemen for 1000 years until 1962. Recently, the rebels claimed to have a hypersonic missile, but there is as yet no evidence of the group having such an advanced weapon. One that the United States military has only recently obtained in the last decade. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Democratic Republic of Congo is suffering an "exponential rise" in the number of monkeypox cases, the government said Saturday. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the cumulative number of suspected cases had hit 11,166, including 450 deaths, for a fatality rate of four percent. He said a report by the country's health ministry revealed "an exponential increase in the number of cases". Muyaya added that the western province of Equateur was worst affected. The report said the government was taking a series of measures to combat the disease, notably "medical care, monitoring of contacts with the respective health zones (and) promotion of community-based surveillance." The report came just days after the World Health Organization warned of the threat to global health posed by the "Mpox" disease amid concern of a potential epidemic outbreak of a new, more deadly strain of the virus in the DRC. The latest outbreak shows "no sign of slowing down", said WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He cited 11,000 reported cases and 445 deaths, with children worst affected. Rosamund Lewis, specialist in monkey pox at the WHO, also warned of the risk of the virus crossing borders. South Africa recently reported 20 cases, including three deaths. Mpox was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what was then Zaire, now the DRC. Since then it has been mainly limited to countries in the west and center of the continent. Historically, most sufferers were contaminated by infected animals. But since May 2022, health officials have reported Mpox virus infections worldwide, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men. Since last September, a new, even more deadly strain has been spreading in the DRC, also being transmitted through sexual contact between men. The new strain has so far been transmitted exclusively from person to person, Lewis said. 2024 AFP Trump says Biden 'not fit to serve - And never was!' US former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum Arena in Milwaukee. Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump has responded to Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race for the White House with numerous accusations against the Democrat. "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was!" wrote the former president on his online platform Truth Social. "He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement," Trump wrote. Trump also accused people close to Biden, as well as his doctor and the media, of knowing that Biden "wasnt capable of being President." In the rest of his statement, the Republican resorted to his usual incendiary campaign rhetoric on the issue of immigration. Trump, who is 78, frequently went after 81-year-old Biden's age and mental fitness on the campaign trail. US President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (Not Pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House. Biden has withdrawn from his bid for re-election, saying: "I believe it in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down". Niall Carson/PA Wire/dpa Trump Says He Took a Bullet for Democracy at Michigan Campaign Speech Sporting a new, flesh-colored ear bandage at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday night following the failed attempt on his life last week, Donald Trump claimed, I took a bullet for democracy. The former president also broke the promise he made in his convention speech to never talk about the shooting again because he said it was too painful for him to recount. I begin this evening with a very special thanks to Americans nationwide including all of you here today for your extraordinary outpouring of love and support in the wake of the horrific last Saturday event, Trump began. And when you think of it, it was exactly one week ago today, almost to the hour, even to the minute, he said. Terrible, incredible. What a day it was. As I said earlier this week, I stand before you only by the grace of Almighty God. I shouldnt be here. They keep saying, hes a threat to democracy, Trump explained to the crowd. Im saying, What the hell did I do for democracy? Last week I took a bullet for democracy. What did I do against democracy? Crazy, he continued to a roaring crowd during his rally. Crazy. Last week, I took a bullet for democracy. President Trump in Grand Rapids, Michigan pic.twitter.com/hRYPZ21Qyz RSBN (@RSBNetwork) July 20, 2024 The reported crowd of over 10,000 people had chanted, fight, fight, fight, a reference to the iconic moment when the former president appeared from a huddle of Secret Service agents after narrowly surviving the assassination attempt and fist-pumped the air while shouting the phrase. Trump made reference to the victims of the Pennsylvania shooting, describing it as an evil attack, confirming he is still in touch with the two recovering victims while paying homage to Corey Comperatore, a hero attendee who died while shielding his family from the shots. Yet, despite hopes the near-death attempt may have convinced the former president to change his tune, his old-fashioned election denialism and petty insults remained on full display. The rest of Trumps speech was riddled with many of the maniacal quirks and barely comprehensible ramblings of the old Trump, not the reborn version of the former president touted at the party convention in Milwaukee last week. Early on at the Michigan rally, he went on a nonsensical rant about mail-in voting. J.D. Vance Wastes No Time Calling Out Kamala Harris at Trump Rally In an attempt to endorse early voting for his supporters, Trump put himself on shuffle, repeating a litany of random and verifiably untrue grievances from the 2020 election. Trump began the off-the-rails portion of his speech on mail-in voting by promising to institute voter I.D. and, he would later say, by mandating a one day election, despite states having the constitutional authority to maintain their own voting laws. Until then, Trump said of the largely unspecified legislation and arguably unconstitutional executive actions, Republicans, we must win. We have to win. Win, win, win, win, win, win. Trump Shooter Crooks Wasnt on Rifle Team or Bullied, According to School Trump said he wants a landslide that is too big to rig, Ive said it beforeIll say it 100, 200, 300 timesbefore, that spectacular date, he continued, referring to the November election. Yet immediately after he said, you know, remember, November 5 is not really the date. It starts early September in North Carolina and a few others. Trump then began to mount the most minimal of efforts to endorse mail-in voting before quickly contradicting himself. First, he told supporters to you gotta vote early, vote absenteeI dont care how you vote, but the former president couldnt keep up the act for longer than a few seconds. They all go, Sir, youve got to vote early. Well sometimes you vote early, and thats gone Youve gotta vote, youve gotta follow your vote. Make sure it doesnt get canceled out. He tried endorsing mail-in voting again before giving a literal shrug. Think of it, you vote two months early, Trump said later on in the same rant. Nobody knows what the hells going on The former president repeated an unsubstantiated election fraud conspiracy theory about Georgia election officials shoveling ballots into wheelbarrows, moving em around shortly thereafter. Notably, the speech also had a rare mention of abortion, if not by name. We will protect innocent life, Trump said earlier in his remarks, despite the issue failing to appear in either his or vice presidential nominee J.D. Vances speeches at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 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. While speaking at his first campaign rally since the July 13 assassination attempt on his life, former president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump uncharacteristically defended the media and its coverage of the shooting at his rally last weekend. Trump told the crowd in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to stop booing the media and explained, The fake news reported it correctly. Theres never been such unity. "The fake news reported it correctly. There's never been such unity" Trump on the media's RNC coverage pic.twitter.com/w9yejmrBm2 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 20, 2024 Trump said the press covered [the shooting] fairly and added, They couldnt believe what they were seeing. While defending the media, he also took the opportunity to defend authoritarian leaders during his speech. Theyre all smart, tough, Trump said of authoritarian leaders. They love their country, or they want to do well with their country, whatever it is, all ideology. But we have to have somebody that can protect us, and [Hungarys Viktor] Orban was right: we have to have somebody that can protect us. Right now we have really low IQ people in there, Trump added in an apparent dig at Joe Bidens administration. And the president in particular, he has about a 70 IQ and hes going against 210, and that never works out, it never works out. The Michigan rally was also Trumps first since J.D. Vance like Trump, a fellow apparent admirer of Hungarys Prime Minister Orban was announced as Trumps running mate going into this weeks Republican National Convention. Vances performance at the rally was criticized by journalist Aaron Rupar, who tweeted, Vances delivery is way too schoolteacher for a Trump rally. Vances delivery is way too schoolteacher for a Trump rally pic.twitter.com/pR8CY6Sc2a Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 20, 2024 Vance praised Trumps record as president. He did it so successfully for four years, Vance said, going on to emphasize the unique dynamic between Biden and Trump running against one another. Think about this: we have never had an election where you have four years of one guy and four years of the other guy. And who could possibly reject the idea that four years of President Trump has been a hell of a lot better than four years of Joe Biden, right? You can watch more of the Trump-Vance rally in the video below: The post Trump Tells Crowd to Stop Booing Press, Defends Shooting Coverage: The Fake News Reported It Correctly | Video appeared first on TheWrap. FILE - President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, participate in a presidential debate hosted by CNN, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. In the ensuing two years following the pandemic, as inflation slowed but persisted, the confidence Biden hoped to instill steadily waned. And when he showed his age in a disastrous debate in June against Donald Trump, he lost the benefit of the doubt as well. That gave him the legacy of having built the legislative scaffolding of a renewed America without convincing voters that better days were ahead. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) | Gerald Herbert Theres an old adage that goes, Be careful what you wish for. In the case of former President Donald Trump and his campaign, the wish was to paint President Joe Biden as old and incompetent. But, not so old or so incompetent that he dropped out of the race. Their entire campaign has been based on the calculations they thought they needed to defeat the current president. They deliberated, poll-tested, prepared and took action, jumping on every stumble, hesitation or mis-statement. Theyve even set aside millions for an advertising blitz this fall. According to Tim Alberta, writing in The Atlantic earlier this month, only one thing could disrupt that plan: a change of candidates at the top. They just got it. Fellow Atlantic writer McKay Coppins tweeted, After a year of trying to convince America that Joe Biden was diminished and in cognitive decline, Trump campaign officials are getting worried that they might have been *too* successful. After a year of trying to convince America that Joe Biden was diminished and in cognitive decline, Trump campaign officials are getting worried that they might have been *too* successful. @TimAlberta on the view from Trump world: https://t.co/S8asJEf2hB McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) July 10, 2024 That potential scenario unfolded on Sunday, when President Biden announced that he was withdrawing from the race and endorsing Kamala Harris to be his successor. Alberta posted shortly after Bidens announcement, That sound you hear is the Trump campaign ripping up a detailed, brilliant, and suddenly useless blueprint for beating Joe Biden. That sound you hear is the Trump campaign ripping up a detailed, brilliant, and suddenly useless blueprint for beating Joe Biden Tim Alberta (@TimAlberta) July 21, 2024 He followed up with a post that said, Really cannot overstate how problematic this is for Trumps operation. Everything they built was customized for a contest with Biden. And I mean ... *everything.* Since Biden withdrew his candidacy, the race will require a dramatic reset, Alberta wrote less than two weeks ago. Not just for the Democrats, but for Trumps campaign as well. Even though the top two people running Trumps campaign told Alberta that any Democratic replacement would inherit the presidents deficiencies, and that the Trump blueprint for victory would remain unchanged, Alberta writes that they know thats not true. They know their campaign has been engineered in every way from the voters they target to the viral memes they create to defeat Biden. And privately, they are all but praying that he remains their opponent. That tracks with the responses Sam Benson got from some in the Utah delegation at the RNC convention last week. Rep. Blake Moore told Benson that Biden would be the likely easiest candidate to beat and Burgess Owens said, As a Republican ... run, Joe, run. Even though Harris has Bidens endorsement, that does not necessarily mean that she will be the only Democratic candidate to appear before DNC delegates. She and any other candidate who may run will be choosing a vice-presidential candidate before Aug. 7. That date comes before the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19-22. The DNC is holding an early, virtual roll call this year because of a law in Ohio (recently changed) that requires nominees to be finalized 90 days before the election. The VP rumor mill is running wild, of course, with Pete Buttigieg in the mix, along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. More names Ive already heard: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Also mentioned is California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Wes Moore and Sen. Raphael Warnock. Probably not Mitt Romney, however, in spite of Aaron Sorkins suggestion that he become the Democrats presidential pick. So who will pick the nominee? Just like we saw at last weeks RNC, it will be the delegates to the DNC. Typically, delegates will choose (and are sometimes bound to choose) the primary winner in their state. Now that the candidate who won the primaries is no longer in the race, all his delegates have become free agents. There is no calendar issue, either. No state currently requires major parties to certify their presidential ticket earlier than Aug. 21. (Ohio, as mentioned, just changed their law). The election is in 107 days. Having Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket will allay fears that the candidate is too old and too feeble. In fact, Donald Trump is now the oldest presidential nominee in history and is about 20 years older than Harris. Republicans are largely united behind the Trump/Vance ticket, but Harris could be the unifying influence the party has needed. Reports indicate Democrats brought in $5 million in just over an hour following Bidens announcement. At this point, only one thing is certain. Any October surprise is going to have to involve space aliens. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski One week out from the assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally, former President Donald Trump returned to Grand Rapids with his newly nominated running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), where they were met with thunderous cheers from thousands of supporters. Trump, who sported a smaller bandage on his ear than he had at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, delivered a nearly two-hourlong speech covering a wide range of topics, including the assassination attempt on him, electric vehicles, immigration, international affairs and the former presidents fear of sharks. He also continued attacking and name calling Democratic leaders, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Saturdays rally in West Michigan marked the first campaign event for freshman senator Vance as a member of the Trump ticket, following the RNC. The convention concluded Thursday with Trumps nomination acceptance speech exceeding 90 minutes, a party convention record. Vance emerged on the political scene with the publication of his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, a somewhat controversial take on the causes of rural poverty in Appalachia. A former vocal Trump critic, he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 after picking up an endorsement from the former president. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) said in a press call Saturday morning that Vance is a clone of Trump, and that he would say whatever the former president told him to during the campaign. In 2016, Vance floated that Trump could be Americas Hitler in private texts. We already knew that Donald Trump cares about Donald Trump, but now we also see that J.D. Vance cares about J.D. Vance in terms of changing his positions in order to be part of the ticket, Stabenow said. Biden visited Detroit a little over a week ago and Harris stopped near Kalamazoo Wednesday. Both Trump and Biden are hoping to win Michigans 15 electoral votes in November. While Trump triumphed in Michigan over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016, the state flipped back to Democrats in 2020 with Biden. This election, Trump has consistently led in state polls. Michigan Republican Party Chair Pete Hoekstra; U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton), Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) and Brian Mast (R-Fla.); and former state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), the presumptive Republican nominee for Michigans 7th Congressional District, offered their support for Trump ahead of his speech. While Democrats have referred to Grand Rapids and Michigans 3rd Congressional District held by U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) as part of their blue wall, Huizenga countered, saying, Joe Biden, just like Hillary Clinton in 2016 is going to find out that that blue wall here in the Midwest Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania that wall is crumbling for them like a cookie. Donald Trump knows that, thats why hes here, and in fact he even took a guy from Ohio to come here OK, pause for boos from the Michigan fans, Huizenga said in a joking nod to the rivalry between Ohio State University Vances alma mater and the University of Michigan. Notably, Scholten is among the group of about two dozen federal lawmakers who have called on Biden to withdraw after his poor debate performance underscored ongoing concerns about his age and health. While a few members of the crowd chanted O-H as Vance took the stage, the Ohio Senator jokingly said he would not respond to the chants to respect Michigan. We got to win Michigan, thats the most important thing this election cycle, Vance said. Vance shared the story of his upbringing in southern Ohio, where he was raised by his grandmother due to his mothers struggles with drug addiction. She kept me on the straight and narrow and gave me a chance at the American dream. And what is this campaign about if not restoring the American dream for every child in the country, Vance said. He called both the Democratic and the Republican parties broken in very profound ways criticizing politicians on both sides of the aisle for offshoring manufacturing jobs. Vance called on attendees to reelect Trump in order to close down the border and bring a sense of security to the country. While welcoming Trump to the stage later on, Vance blasted Biden for supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Iraq war, both of which Trump opposed. NAFTA lifts tariffs from products exchanged between Canada, Mexico and the United States, a trade agreement that Trump has criticized for reducing jobs in the country. Even though he [Trump] was a real estate developer in New York, he knew instinctively what this country needed and had put the interests of the citizens of this country first, Vance said. Trump thanked his followers for the outpouring of support following last weeks assassination attempt, saying his campaign continues to pray for the families of the injured. Corey Comperatore, a firefighter, was the one person killed during last weeks rally by the gunman trying to assassinate Trump. Trump also recapped the Republican National Convention, calling it a four-day love fest, while criticizing Democrats for scrambling over Bidens nomination, as calls for the current president to drop from the race continue. After asking the audience if theyd rather run for president against Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump called Whitmer a terrible governor, saying hed like to run against her for president. At this very moment, Democrat Party bosses are frantically trying to overthrow the results of their own partys primaries to dump crooked Joe Biden from the ballot, Trump said. Couldnt happen to a nicer guy. In a video posted to social media ahead of the rally, Whitmer welcomed Trump and Vance to the state, saying its residents werent interested in implementing a nationwide abortion ban, while touting efforts to lower costs on prescription drugs, education and housing. Welcome to Michigan, Donald Trump and JD Vance. Heres what you need to know: pic.twitter.com/AiRALGWtpC Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) July 20, 2024 Whitmer also told Trump and Vance the state would reject your extreme Project 2025 agenda. In recent weeks Democrats have slammed the Trump campaign over the list of far-right policy proposals for a far-right presidential administration assembled by the Heritage foundation. Trump further attempted to distance himself from Project 2025, calling some of the proposals seriously extreme. While Trump has previously denied knowing any of the authors of the conservative policy wishlist, he conceded he knew who some of the authors were, calling them very conservative. Theyre sort of the opposite of the radical left. Okay, you have the radical left, and you have the radical right, and they come up with this I dont know what the hell it is, this Project 2025, Trump said. I dont know anything about it. I dont want to know anything about it, he said. A review from CNN found that 140 former members of the Trump administration had contributed to the collection of far-right policy proposals, including six former cabinet members. Trump also continued to stoke fears around crime and immigration, citing examples of migrant crime within Michigan, including burglaries of high-end homes in Oakland County, which Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said are tied to Chilean gangs. While many Republicans have argued undocumented immigration leads to increased crime, research from Stanford University found first-generation immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than individuals born in the U.S. An investigation from the Marshall Project has also found no link between undocumented immigrants and increased crime. While the FBI reported a 15.2% decrease in violent crime in its latest quarterly crime report, Trump argued crime was on the rise, and renewed his pledge to launch the largest deportation operation in the history of our country. Throughout the course of his speech he also promised to bring the auto industry and manufacturing back to Michigan, cut taxes and restore law and order and patriotism in schools alongside a number of other proposals attacking LGBTQ+ individuals and schools teaching inappropriate racial, sexual, political content. In May, Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in a New York State Court for falsifying business records in relation to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. He is also facing charges for attempting to overturn the 2020 election, as well as anti-racketeering charges in Georgia. In her post, Whitmer also called Michigan a proud-union state, saying, UAW workers here still remember when Donald Trump broke his promises to Michigan Workers. Trump continued to blast United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain, who has spoken out against the former presidents record on labor rights and endorsed Biden in January. In his RNC speech, Trump called for Fain to resign and said union and non-union workers should vote for him in the presidential race.Trump also praised Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who recently endorsed him. Musk, who is currently embroiled in a lawsuit to declare the National Labor Relations Board unconstitutional, has said he will pledge around $45 million a month to Trumps campaign. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers speaks at a Grand Rapids rally for Former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers speaks at a Grand Rapids rally for Former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Businessman Sandy Pensler (L) endorsed U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R) for U.S. Senate at the former President Donald Trump rally in Grand Rapids, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski The crowd at a Grand Rapids rally for former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski The crowd at a Grand Rapids rally for former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Grand Rapids rally, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance speaks at a Grand Rapids rally for former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski The crowd at a Grand Rapids rally for former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman speaks at a Grand Rapids rally for Former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance speaks at a Grand Rapids rally for former President Donald Trump, July 20, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Trump also renewed his promise to pass the Trump reciprocal trade act. If China charges us a 100 or 200% tariff or tax, we will charge them a 200% tax, Trump said. You screw us and well screw you; its very simple, he said. He also promised to put an end to the Biden-Harris administrations push to expand EV production calling the goals a mandate and the Green New Scam. He blasted efforts to transition the U.S. to renewable energy sources, continuing calls to drill baby, drill expanding oil drilling in the U.S. Trump also promised to cut taxes even further than we did before, promising to ax taxes on tips. The plan could result in budget deficits, and Democratic lawmakers say it doesnt address the need to raise the federal minimum wage. He continued to falsely accuse Democrats of election fraud, furthering a repeatedly debunked conspiracy that Democrats are registering non-citizens to vote. The former president celebrated his recent legal victory in Florida, before falsely claiming he had been indicted more than Al Capone, and calling the indictments Biden indictments. On Monday, federal District Judge Aileen Cannon dropped charges alleging Trump mishandled national documents on the grounds that the U.S. that the Department of Justice unlawfully appointed special counsel Jack Smith. Trump closed his speech by promising to restore peace through strength by building an iron dome missile defense shield across the U.S., saying much of it would be built in Michigan. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Former President Trump said on Saturday he wanted to run against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) as some Democrats have called on President Biden to step aside from the presidential race. Well, you have a terrible governor here who did a terrible job Whitmer, Trump said while campaigning in Grand Rapids, Mich. Id like to run against her. He also reminded attendees about an instance during the COVID-19 pandemic when Whitmers husband sought to use his proximity to the governor to get his boat docked in time for Memorial Day, during a period when Whitmer had cautioned residents regarding heading to the lakes. Whitmer later addressed the incident during a press conference, saying I wish it wouldnt have happened and said that it was a failed attempt at humor. Her husband was sailing in the middle of your lake, your beautiful lake hes out there sailing, and everybody else had to be locked up, right? Trump said during the rally. No, shes done a terrible job, but I hope Id be very happy with her, he added. Whitmer has been among a handful of Democrats floated as potential replacements for Biden amid lingering questions over the presidents candidacy. The Michigan governor has disavowed the speculation that shes eyeing the presidency this cycle. The former president also quipped about Democrats uncertainty over their presidential nominee, saying, Number one, they have no idea who their candidate is, and neither do we. Thats a problem. Trump wasnt the only one that took a jab at Whitmer. Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Trumps running mate, also dinged the Michigan governor while introducing Trump, calling her a problem. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trump scored a significant court win Saturday as a state judge in Florida turned down attempts by the Pulitzer Prize Board to toss out a libel lawsuit Trump filed in 2022 relating to a series of reports in the New York Times and Washington Post on the 2016 Trump campaigns ties to Russia. In a 14-page ruling issued Saturday, Senior Judge Robert Pegg turned down arguments from the prominent journalism awards panel that their decision to bestow the national reporting prize on the staffs of the two newspapers in 2018 amounted to a statement of pure opinion rather than fact. The libel suit does not hinge directly on the articles the Times and Post published about the Trump campaigns links to Russia or on the decision to award the Pulitzer to the newspapers. Instead, the case focuses on the boards decision in 2022 to publicly reaffirm those awards despite repeated complaints by Trump that the the stories contained numerous falsehoods and were undermined by the findings of special counsel Robert Muellers two-year investigation into those issues. Trump appears to have zeroed in on the boards 2022 statement about the reviews it ordered of the earlier prizes because Florida law has a two-year statute of limitations for defamation cases. In a post on his Trump Social platform on Saturday, Trumps touted Peggs ruling, saying the judge issued a Powerful Decision totally and completely DENYING the Pulitzer Prize Boards desperate attempt to dismiss my ironclad Defamation Lawsuit against them for awarding the once respected Pulitzer Prizes to Fake News Stories about the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax by The Failing New York Times and The Washington Compost. Trump said Pegg stated that Muellers report on his probe debunked the Times and Post reports, but the judges decision actually says that Trump claimed in the suit that the special prosecutors work demonstrated that the newspapers reporting was incorrect. However, Peggs ruling does suggest he believes the Pulitzer Boards review of Trumps complaint was shoddy. He noted that the groups statement reaffirming the awards failed to address if or how the independent reviewers were able to verify the anonymous sources that appear throughout the Awarded Articles and were critical to advancing the larger Russia Collusion Hoax narrative. Instead, the reader is left to wonder if that was even attempted, wrote Pegg, who retired in 2018, but was later named as a senior judge to help courts cope with crowded dockets. Muellers report, released in March 2019, indicated that the investigation he conducted did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. In another decision Saturday, Pegg dismissed a bid by most of the defendants in the case to be dismissed from the case on grounds that they lack sufficient ties to Florida for the courts there to have jurisdiction over them. The rulings mean Trumps suit will likely continue into a discovery phase, where the former presidents lawyers will be able to question Pulitzer board members about discussions related to the awards to the Times and Post. Trumps attorneys are also expected to seek to expose who conducted the two reviews the board said it commissioned that reaffirmed the accuracy of the newspapers work. Pulitzer officials and their attorneys did not immediately respond to requests late Saturday for comment on the decisions. The Philadelphia-based law firm representing the awards panel members, Ballard Spahr, also represents POLITICO and other news outlets in various matters. Trumps suit names as defendants the board members and administrative staff of the Pulitzers at the time the 2018 prizes were awarded. He filed the case in December 2022 in Okeechobee County, which is in the central portion of the state, about 60 miles northwest of Trumps home in Palm Beach. In Trumps social media post about the case, he echoed his previous calls for changes to the nations libel laws, calling the landmark New York Times v. Sullivan precedent deeply outdated and from a bygone Era, before the Media went Radical and Woke, as they suffer from a terminal case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. 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: David Ayares, president and chief scientific officer of Revivicor, holds a package of frozen meat during an interview at the companys offices in Blacksburg, Va., on May 30, 2024. His company genetically modified pigs, known as GalSafe pigs, so they no longer carry a sugar responsible for alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat. Credit: AP Photo/Shelby Lum Some people who develop a weird and terrifying allergy to red meat after a bite from a lone star tick can still eat pork from a surprising source: Genetically modified pigs created for organ transplant research. Don't look for it in grocery stores. The company that bred these special pigs shares its small supply, for free, with allergy patients. "We get hundreds and hundreds of orders," said David Ayares, who heads Revivicor Inc., as he opened a freezer jammed with packages of ground pork patties, ham, ribs and pork chops. The allergy is called alpha-gal syndrome, named for a sugar that's present in the tissues of nearly all mammalsexcept for people and some of our primate cousins. It can cause a serious reaction hours after eating beef, pork or any other red meat, or certain mammalian products such as milk or gelatin. But where does organ transplantation come in? There aren't enough donated human organs to go around so researchers are trying to use organs from pigs insteadand that same alpha-gal sugar is a big barrier. It causes the human immune system to immediately destroy a transplanted organ from an ordinary pig. So the first gene that Revivicor inactivated as it began genetically modifying pigs for animal-to-human transplants was the one that produces alpha-gal. While xenotransplants still are experimental, Revivicor's "GalSafe" pigs won Food and Drug Administration approval in 2020 to be used as a source of food, and a potential source for human therapeutics. The FDA determined there was no detectable level of alpha-gal across multiple generations of the pigs. Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics, isn't a food companyit researches xenotransplantation. Nor has it yet found anyone in the agriculture business interested in selling GalSafe pork. David Ayares, president and chief scientific officer of Revivicor, holds a package of frozen meat during an interview at the companys offices in Blacksburg, Va., on May 30, 2024. His company genetically modified pigs, known as GalSafe pigs, so they no longer carry a sugar responsible for alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat. Credit: AP Photo/Shelby Lum Still, "this is a research pig that FDA approved so let's get it to the patients," is how Ayares describes beginning the shipments a few years ago. Revivicor's GalSafe herd is housed in Iowa and to keep its numbers in check, some meat is periodically processed in a slaughterhouse certified by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Revivicor then mails frozen shipments to alpha-gal syndrome patients who've filled out applications for the pork. Thank-you letters relating the joy of eating bacon again line a bulletin board near the freezer in Revivicor's corporate office. Separately, pigs with various gene modifications for xenotransplant research live on a Revivicor farm in Virginia, including a GalSafe pig that was the source for a recent experimental kidney transplant at NYU Langone Health. And that begs the question: After removing transplantable organs, could the pig be used for meat? No. The strong anesthesia used so the animals feel no pain during organ removal means they don't meet USDA rules for drug-free food, said United Therapeutics spokesman Dewey Steadman. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Inside Look is a Sacramento Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. The Sacramento area has never seen a restaurant like Cantina Pedregal. Most U.S. metropolitan regions havent. The Northeastern Mexican fine dining restaurant will open Monday in Folsom Pointe shopping center, combining the flavors of Nixtaco Kitchen & Distillery owners Patricio Wise and Cinthia Martinezs youth with Canon and Franquette partners Brad Cecchi and Clay Nuttings elevated approach. Cantina Pedregal will have the small plates, shareable platters and seasonal ingredients of Canon, Cecchi and Nuttings Michelin-recognized East Sacramento concept (Nixtaco, too, has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award). But the Folsom restaurants food will be tied to Monterrey, the Mexican city where Martinez and Wise grew up. Were opening a restaurant that should live in the same category in peoples minds as Canon or Ella (Dining Room & Bar) or Camden (Spit & Larder) or, you know, the more special occasion dining options, Cecchi said. This just happens to be in the Northeastern Mexican flavor profile. We built a beautiful restaurant ... Were going to have thoughtful service touches that are making this not (only) part of what people perceive as Mexican cuisine, but what people perceive as the great restaurants of their Sacramento region. Cantina Pedregals co-owner Brad Cecchi labels ingredients for dishes in the new restaurant in Folsom on Tuesday. Cecchi and Wise will start Cantina Pedregals food program before largely turning the reigns over to chef de cuisine Bucky Bray, an alumnus of Canon and The Kitchen. General manager Paolo Ruffi, a native of Sardinia, Italy, previously oversaw operations at late celebrity chef Michael Chiarellos Napa Valley restaurant Bottega. Monterrey was founded by Sephardic Jews working as shepherds in the late 16th century, and theyre credited with laying the groundwork for the citys flagship dish of cabrito al pastor, kid goat roasted on a spit. Cantina Pedregals version roasts, then braises adult goat meat in a salsa thats heavy on cumin and oregano, a flagship option available in tacos or as a platter. The style of Northeastern cuisine is very distinctive game meat like goat, Wise said. Eventually people started keeping cattle as well, and it became everything open-fire, whatever you can put on the fire. Orange groves also abound in Nuevo Leon, the Northeastern Mexican state home to Monterrey, and the fruit is often used as seasoning along with cumin, oregano and black pepper. Cantina Pedregals cazuela de asado Norteno features diced pork belly in an orange-guajillo chile stew, topped with avocado slices. Other marquee platters include arroz meloso (creamy short-grain rice from West Sacramentos True Origin Foods mixed with sofrito, pork belly and assorted shellfish) and whole snapper zarandeado, a traditional Nayarit method of splitting the fish head to tail before grilling. A grilled snapper dish called Pescado Zarandeado is served Tuesday during a soft opening at Cantina Pedregal, a new restaurant opening in Folsom by chefs Brad Cecchi and Patricio Wise. Tostadas and gorditas grilled on the plancha will be served with salsa in lieu of tortilla chips, and a raw menu section features scallop aguachile, oysters on the half-shell section and beef tartare with salsa negro. The cornerstone of the kitchen is its Vesuvio, a combination charcoal grill/oven from Mexico. Itll be used for about 70% of the menu, including the major proteins, whole roasted onions for salsas and the kinds of small plates for which Canon has become known. Esquites, essentially elote in a cup, gets reimagined at Cantina Pedregal with Brentwood corn grown in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, peanut chipotle salsa and bone marrow. Queso panela (a Mexican cheese similar to halloumi) is charred in the Vesuvio before being tossed with Chiltepin hot honey and oregano oil and served with preserved orange. If you want to have a couple of botanas because youre on a budget or youre only here for a quick lunch, we can do that. If you want to have a finer meal, you can do that as well, Wise said. Cantina Pedregal co-owner Patricio Wise prepares sopes for a soft opening in the new restaurant on Tuesday in Folsom. Wise said that the masa is made fresh at the restaurant daily for tortillas, tetelas and tostadas. Botanas, Spanish for snacks, start at $8, with plenty of options in the $10-$20 range. Platters can cost up to $55 aside from 36-ounce rib-eye steaks with grilled scallions and sweet garlic puree, which goes for $104. Nixtaco added a distillery wing in 2021, and Cantina Pedregal bar manager Chris Mansury (formerly of Zuzu and The Bitter Bar in Napa) has been developing bespoke infusions and bitters there over the past few months. Hell source wine from the Sierra Nevada foothills as well as South America, where some varietals are designed to complement spicy food. Unlike many fine dining restaurants, Cantina Pedregal will open its 3,300-square foot interior and outdoor patio seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The restaurant will have a bright, energetic vibe akin to Nixtaco before dinner, when the lights dim and its going to get sexy in here, Cecchi said. A variety of dishes offered at Cantina Pedregal sit on the bar on Tuesday in Folsom. Sacramento architecture firm Studio Oxeye and construction company Hive Contracting redesigned the former Broderick Roadhouse and Flock Pizza space with matte brown walls and a semi-open kitchen. Monterreys famous mountain Cerro de la Silla, Wises favorite rock climbing wall during his childhood, is featured on Cantina Pedregals logo as well as custom plates and mugs produced by ALMa, a Sacramento design studio owned by Mexican natives Alejandra & Luis Magana. Cantina Pedregal, 185 Placerville Road, Suite 150 in Folsom, will be open starting Monday from 5-9 p.m. seven days a week until Aug. 21, at which point theyll be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. More than half the reservations for its first week in business were claimed as of July 17, and people were already making reservations two months out, Wise said. A plate of grilled beets is one of the side dishes offered at Cantina Pedregal in Folsom. A Tetela filled with beans and cheese and topped with corn and herbs is served at Cantina Pedregal on Tuesday in Folsom. Ingredients for recipes sits on a counter at Cantina Pedregal, a new restaurant opening in Folsom by premier chefs Brad Cecchi and Patricio Wise. A bowl of freshly made tostadas with house salsas is served with a drink called Almas Perdidas at Cantina Pedregal in Folsom on Tuesday. Tuetano Asado, grilled bone marrow, is served at Cantina Pedregal on Tuesday in Folsom. Two Ukrainian photojournalists come under Russian artillery fire, one injured Two Ukrainian photojournalists came under Russian artillery fire on July 19 while documenting the war in Ukraine from a trench near the front line in Donetsk Oblast. Olga Kovalyova, senior project manager for the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPP), was evacuated and hospitalized after receiving three shrapnel wounds, the UAPP said in a statement. She is in stable condition. Another photographer, Vladyslav Krasnoshchok, suffered a concussion but did not require hospital treatment. "I was saved by a bulletproof vest and a helmet. The shrapnel got to a place where there was no protection," Kovalyova said, according to UAPP's statement. "It's a pity that it happened on the first day of the business trip." According to the statement, two of her three three shrapnel fragments were removed, while removal of the third was deemed too risky. "At the moment, my right hand does not work at all," Kovalyova said. Krasnoshchok said they were in a trench with Ukrainian artillerymen who had fired at Russian forces that day, when the Russians returned fire. Twelve Russian shots hit positions near their trench in the Toretsk direction of Donetsk Oblast, before a 13th entered the trench. According to the Institute of Mass Information, a Ukrainian NGO monitoring violations of freedom of speech, 70 media workers have been killed in Ukraine since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Of those 70, 10 died performing journalistic tasks, while other died after joining the army, or due to Russian shelling or torture. At least 30 media workers have been injured while performing journalistic tasks. Read also: Recent campaigns against journalists raise concerns about press freedom in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) In this weeks episode of Big Country Politics, Jodey Arrington, the U.S. representative for Texass 19th congressional district, talked about the attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump, current national security concerns, immigration policies, and the financial challenges facing America. Trump holds first rally after assassination attempt with his new running mate, Vance, by his side July 13, 2024, will go down in the history books as the day an attempted assassination was made on Former President Donald Trump. When historical events occur, many people often ask, What were you doing that day when you found out? For Arrington, he was with the Western Caucus, a group of lawmakers who rally together around issues of ag energy and rural communities. We got the news; I was shocked like everybody else. I thought it was a very sad and tragic day for our country. As I said in my initial statement, it was an attack on our republic, not just an assassination attempt on President Trump, Arrington recalled. As more time went on, I gathered my children and my wife; we prayed for President Trump, for the man who ultimately died and his family, and for those who were injured. Because in a situation like that, you feel powerless to do anything, and yet, most people in West Texas believe, as I do, that we serve an all-powerful God. We just got on our knees, literally, and prayed for all involved and for our country. Many questions have arisen from this incident, with people wondering how the shooter was not seen or stopped by security. Arrington suggested that an independent investigation by Congress should be conducted. Objective conclusions that the American people will trust is to be supremely naive about where we are as a country after watching the weaponization of the Department of Justice, after seeing this president with a DEI sort of quota-driven agenda that makes people question whether weve kept our standards as high as they need to be for the military, for other important security agencies like the Secret Service, the FBI, CIA, Arrington said. We as a house, and Im sure the Senate feels the same way. But House Republicans have to have a sense of urgency and be eternally vigilant until we get the answers to that because I dont think anybodys going to sleep peacefully after knowing what they know and seeing what they saw in Pennsylvania in this attempted assassination. Trump shooters search history: What we know He added that there are many questions to answer, such as how this security breach happened and why accommodations for more protection were denied. I think there are tremendous questions. I think theres a tremendous amount of indignation by the American people, and rightly so, that there was such a glaring and obvious security oversight. How could this individual breach the perimeter with a rifle and climb up on a roof less than 200 yards with a clean line of sight at the President when the public was noticing and notifying the local law enforcement who were there on the scene? And he was able to take that many shots, Arrington asked. I think its nothing short of a God thing or providential that the President wasnt mortally wounded in that, that more people werent hurt. So there are more questions and answers from Why didnt Secretary Mayorkas accommodate both candidates? Kennedy and President Trump were the Republican candidates for president, so why werent they accommodated when they were requesting more protection? They were denied. Thats one question. The other is, again, the Secret Service is accountable for the entire event, the perimeter, and the entire security package; they partner with state and local law enforcement. We need to find out what happened and whos responsible, and we need to hold them accountable. But at this point, I think there are more questions and answers. Arrington shared that he has observed a shift in Americas tone, including political rhetoric, to more profound issues. I feel like for the last almost eight years, representing the good people of West Texas, weve put our best foot forward to stay focused on the policies and the different policies and consequences of those policies for the country. I think theres a massive divide, a stark difference between the current president, his agenda, and the disastrous effects on our country, whether its the border or cost of living crisis, the instability around the world, the weakness that weve projected, I think political leaders would be better served, quite frankly, to focus on the policies and the results of the political leaders in question, in this case, the presidential campaigns, Arrington shared. We have a breakdown in our society where we have more unstable individuals and more crazed killers than ever. I think there are deeper-seated issues than just political rhetoric. But I certainly have tried to lead by example; I actually led the effort during my freshman term with my class, the 115th Congress, to commit to civil discourse. I think weve been very successful as a class in focusing on the policies and attacking those policies and having a robust debate over the policies without going after each other personally, and I just, thats been my philosophy, thats been my leadership approach. My whole career. Trump campaign releases letter on his injury, treatment after last weeks assassination attempt Trump has chosen J.D. Vance, a former Marine Corps member in his first term as a senator in Ohio, as his running mate. Arrington said this choice is vastly different from his previous running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence. Mike Pence is more your traditional Republican base selection. J.D. Vance is more Americas First conservative policy-oriented. Hes young, hes smart, hes talented, hes articulate. Hes a great addition to President Trump and Team America. I think their policies have always been very similar, from a focus on border security, to concern about unending wars and having our military spread too thin and us being involved in international conflicts where we dont have a direct security interest, Arrington shared. He is very much a product of the rust belt and of working communities and working families and folks who are economically disadvantaged, as he describes his story in that best-selling book, Hillbilly Elegy. So, from a West Texan perspective, I think the whole forgotten men and women in rural America and the working class of Americans is in our part of the country. Youre talking about ag and energy producers, middle-class families, and small businesses. I think J.D. Vance is an ideal pick because he wont forget flyover country and communities that are really the backbone of our nation. And in our case, providing food security and energy independence. Arrington stated that while managing the countrys finances, he observed a significant impact from current immigration policies. For context, our nation is in rapid financial decline. Were now costing taxpayers about 150 billion, which is a conservative estimate every year, which breaks down to about $9,000 per illegal immigrant in this country. Well, $9,000 per illegal immigrant is more than we spend on our most vulnerable Americans for health care in the form of Medicaid. Its more than we spend for every retired military person and their retirement benefits. But its unsustainable the path were on. We focus a lot on the security implications of our border crisis, and we focus on the humanitarian disaster that it is, but theres a fiscal component. And its a big number. Its a travesty that is happening because of a self-inflicted cause, an open border policy by this administration, and one an administration thats not only invited this, the loss of people because of their open border policies. But theyve obstructed Governor Abbott and Texans from actually doing the job that they refuse to do. So, I think its adding insult to injury here for the good people of Texas. Supreme Court says states cant overrule Biden on whom to deport In order to address this, Arrington emphasized the need for a commander-in-chief who prioritizes safety and security. The first thing that I want to encourage my fellow West Texans and the voters in this part of the country: go to the polls and make your voices heard. The question is the acid test, right? Is, is your life better off today? Are you safer? Is the economy better? Do you feel like you have more freedom and that there are more opportunities for your children? If the answer is no, compared to what we were under President Trump, I think theres a pretty straightforward decision to make, Arrington said. President Biden, in his first 100 days, took 93 executive actions to undo all the effective programs, from remaining in Mexico to holding sanctuary cities accountable to expedited deportation for those whove had their due process. All of these things were undone by President Biden. So theres a clear choice to make. I think its pretty obvious to the people in West Texas, I hope its becoming more obvious to people outside of West Texas, and throughout the country. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio calls on President Joe Biden to end reelection campaign Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has become the latest Senate Democrat to call for President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign, just weeks before the Democratic National Convention. Brown faces a tough reelection bid against Republican businessman Bernie Moreno in a state where voters have picked former President Donald Trump twice. Brown had said little about Biden's political future since the disastrous debate performance that reinforced Democrats' worst fears about the president's age and political future. But that changed Friday when Brown joined fellow Democratic members of Congress calling for Biden to drop out of the race. "Over the last few weeks, I've heard from Ohioans on important issues, such as how to continue 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," Brown said in a statement. "These are the issues Ohioans care about and it is my job to keep fighting for them. "I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me. At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the president should end his campaign." In response, Moreno called on Biden to resign the presidency and asked Brown to join him. "If Joe Biden is unfit to run, he is unfit to serve," Moreno said in a statement. "Make no mistake, Brown was fully aware of Joe Biden's mental decline, covered it up, and used Biden as a vessel to pass the most liberal agenda in American history." Brown believes Biden should serve out the rest of his term and will not weigh in on who should be the Democratic nominee instead, according to his campaign. Moreno had criticized Brown for largely staying silent as other high-profile Democrats have called on Biden to call it quits. Ohio Democrats: Early virtual Biden nomination avoids ballot deadline confusion, lawsuits "I'm not a pundit," Brown told reporters earlier this month, adding that Ohioans had legitimate questions about Biden and he would keep listening. Brown is the fourth Senate Democrat to call for the president to abandon his effort to seek their party's nomination. Sens. Peter Welch of Vermont, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Jon Tester of Montana previously called on Biden to step down. U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, of Cincinnati, also said Friday that it was time for Biden to step aside. Biden is facing increasing pressure from donors and fellow Democrats to drop out of the presidential race. Democrats are poised to select a presidential nominee in a virtual roll call vote in early August in part to ensure Biden made the Ohio ballot. But that date has not yet been set. The statements come just two days after Ohio's other U.S. senator, JD Vance, accepted the Republic Party's nomination for vice president during its national convention in Milwaukee. USA TODAY NETWORK Ohio Bureau reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown calls on President Joe Biden to end campaign Russia continues to employ irregular military formations in offensive operations against the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 21 July on Twitter, as reported by European Pravda Details: Moscow utilises them despite their lack of training, artillery, and air support, rendering them more vulnerable than regular army forces. Russia is increasingly utilising pro-Russian irregular forces in offensive operations. They are unprepared, untrained and lack artillery or air support making them more vulnerable than their regular counterparts. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/384etQV0UC Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) July 21, 2024 "One example is the Volunteer Corps established in 2023. The Volunteer Corps is made up of over 20,000 volunteers, reservists, mercenaries, and ex-convicts," the report said. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, these forces are organised into irregular units with a common command and control structure. "...these formations have likely sustained proportionally higher casualty rates in the last 9 months compared to Russian regular units," the analysts summarise. Earlier, UK Defence Intelligence noted that Russia's main offensive efforts along the war zone in Ukraine are focused on the Avdiivka front. In a review dated 16 July, UK Defence Intelligence analysed how Russia is trying to prevent potential recruits from escaping the country. Estonian intelligence stated that Russia maintains the intensity of attacks on the battlefield despite significant losses and the gradual supply of Western weapons to Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian air defense shot down 35 of the 39 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on July 21, the Air Force reported. In addition to drones, Russian forces launched three Iskander-M ballistic missiles and two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles. The Air Force said that the Kh-59/69 missiles didn't reach their targets due to Ukraine's "countermeasures." The military didn't specify where Iskander-M missiles hit and the extent of damage as a result. Overall, air defense was working in 10 Ukrainian oblasts overnight. No casualties have been reported as a result of the attack as of publication time. Russian forces regularly attack civilian areas across Ukraine using drones and missiles, often targeting residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure. Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid have intensified in recent months, resulting in the destruction of or severe damage to multiple energy facilities and forcing Ukraine to impose lengthy rolling blackouts. On the night of July 21, Russian forces launched missiles and drones from three locations, including Russia's Kursk Oblast, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, a town in Krasnodar Krai on the Azov Sea coast, and occupied Crimea, according to the Air Force. All the drones targeting Kyiv were destroyed by the air defense outside the city, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. Over the past two weeks, this is at least the fifth real attempt by the enemy to attack the capital with drones, Serhii Popko, the head of the citys military administration, wrote on social media. At least one missile hit some critical infrastructure in Sumy Oblast this morning, Sumy Oblast Military Administration said. Rescue services were working at the site as of 7:30 a.m. No information about casualties was reported. Two drones were also shot down over Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia's Kursk Oblast. Drones were also downed over Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv oblasts, according to reports by local authorities. Read also: Hard work underway to reopen Kyiv childrens hospital hit by Russian missile Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine war latest: Around 20,000 Russians killed in Kharkiv offensive, Zelensky says Key updates on July 20-21: Around 20,000 Russians died in Kharkiv offensive, Zelensky says Front-line troops lack ammunition, drones, Zelensky says Zelensky on Trump's peace plan: No one can push Ukraine to give up territory for peace Most Ukrainian POWs haven't seen Red Cross while in Russian captivity, ombudsman says Satellite images show damage to Russian airfield after reported drone strike Ukraine's sanctions on Russia's Lukoil may result in fuel crisis in Hungary Ukraine increases defense spending by almost $12 billion in 2024 Around 20,000 Russian troops were killed during Russia's failed offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the BBC on July 18. Russia launched its offensive on Kharkiv Oblast in May, pressing towards Ukraine's second-largest city, but the assault quickly stalled. "We stopped this offensive, and their attack failed. This is a fact," Zelensky said. "About 20,000 of their people died. These villages cost them." The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently confirm the figure. Read also: We took out so many of them: Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive Front-line troops lack ammunition, drones, Zelensky says Ukrainian troops on the front line lack key supplies, particularly ammunition and drones, Zelensky said on July 21. Ammunition shortages have long been an ongoing issue in Ukraine, particularly in the first half of 2024. Over the winter months, Ukraine's Armed Forces suffered a critical shortage of artillery shells, in large part due to delays in U.S. military aid. "What exactly is lacking ... Distribution of ammunition and a sufficient number of drones, above all," Zelensky said. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi visited front-line brigades and reported on the lack of military provisions, Zelensky said. The report comes days after the Defense Ministry announced on July 16 that it would return "a significant amount" of ammunition previously designated as expired to the front lines. Zelensky on Trump's peace plan: No one can push Ukraine to give up territory for peace Zelensky said in a July 20 interview that no one can force Ukraine to give up territory in order to achieve peace. Zelensky was responding to former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's comments that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. As Trump's victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election becomes more likely, his proposal for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia is coming under close scrutiny. "If one person in the world, and this person is Donald Trump, can stop the war in 24 hours, the question is at what price, and who will pay?" Zelensky said in an interview with BBC. Zelensky and Trump held a phone call on July 19, five years after a fateful 2019 phone call between the two led to Trumps first impeachment. President Zelensky announced on Twitter that the two discussed the "vital importance of bipartisan and bicameral" U.S. support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader also noted that the leaders agreed to a future "personal" meeting to discuss peace with Russia. "Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror," Zelensky said Read also: Zelensky, Trump hold call, discuss future of US support Most Ukrainian POWs havent seen Red Cross while in Russian captivity, ombudsman says Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on July 20 that most Ukrainian prisoners of war who were released had never been visited by the Red Cross representatives while in Russian captivity. His post on social media came in response to a recent interview of Boris Michel, the head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Russia, with the Russian state-controlled media RIA Novosti. In the interview, Michel said that ICRC staff visited 3,100 prisoners of war in Russia and Ukraine, adding that these visits are very important for the prisoners of war themselves and their relatives, as they await news about their loved ones. Lubinets said that Michel didnt specify how many visits were paid to POWs separately in Russia and Ukraine because almost all the POWs who received the visits were Russian prisoners held by Ukraine in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. Read also: Most Ukrainian POWs havent seen Red Cross while in Russian captivity, ombudsman says Satellite images show damage to Russian airfield after reported drone strike The Millerovo military airfield in Russia's Rostov Oblast was damaged after a reported overnight drone strike, according to satellite data from July 20. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine attacked the region with 26 drones overnight on July 19-20. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel then reported that a fire broke out at the Millerovo airfield as a result of the strike. The airfield's technical-operational unit and the fuel and lubricant warehouse were damaged in the attack, according to satellite imagery compiled by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The data indicates that fires broke out at the warehouse, the technical-operational unit hangar, and an area of open field. The photos also appear to substantiate Russian officials' claims that no aircraft were damaged in the strike. Ukrainian forces regularly conduct drone strikes and sabotage acts on Russian territory, targeting military assets, oil refineries, and industrial facilities. Ukraine's sanctions on Russia's Lukoil may result in fuel crisis in Hungary Hungary is facing a fuel shortage following Ukraine's decision to ban Russian oil passing through its territory. In June, Kyiv imposed sanctions blocking the transit of pipeline oil from Lukoil to Central Europe to cut off the Kremlin's source of income used to support its military. Yet, Ukraine's ban does not apply to other Russian oil exporters who still use the pipeline. The restrictions have created supply shortages in Budapest, which depends on Russia for 70% of its oil supply, with Lukoil providing half of that volume, according to Politico. Following Ukraine's move, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said this measure could threaten Hungary's long-term energy security. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized Ukraine's sanctions against the Russian company Lukoil in a phone conversation with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on July 20, the Slovak news agency Tasr reported. "Slovakia doesn't intend to be a hostage to Ukrainian-Russian relations," Fico reportedly told Shmyhal. Read also: Fico criticizes Kyivs sanctions against Russian oil in call with Shmyhal Ukraine increases defense spending by almost $12 billion in 2024 The government has increased defense spending by Hr 495.3 billion (nearly $12 billion), providing funds for all Ukraine's law enforcement agencies, the Defense Ministry announced on July 19. "Financing the needs of Ukrainian forces is now a top priority. Additional funds for weapons, fortifications, and salaries for servicemen are a critical component of countering the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine," Deputy Defense Minister Yurii Dzhyhyr said. According to the statement, Hr 373.7 billion (nearly $9 billion) will be allocated to the Defense Ministry, with 269.5 billion (nearly $6.5 billion) of this amount will be spent on military salaries and one-time financial assistance in the event of the soldiers' death or injury. The government also allocated Hr 47 billion (nearly $ 1.1 billion) to purchase and modernize weapons, military equipment, and ammunition, and Hr 4.7 billion (nearly $113 million) will be spent on logistics. More than Hr 40 billion (nearly $965 million) will be allocated for the construction of fortifications by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the State Security Service, while Hr 8.9 billion (nearly $215 million) will be transferred for the needs of the State Special Transport Service. Ukraine finances the country's defense sector through taxes and military bonds. The state budget expenditures for the security and defense sector amounted to Hr 732.8 billion (nearly $17.6 billion) from January to May 2024, or 58.3% of the total expenditures, the Finance Ministry reported in June. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian air defence units have destroyed all Russian UAVs heading for Kyiv on the city's outskirts. There were no casualties or damage in Kyiv. Source: Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram Details: The official further noted that this was at least the fifth consecutive real attempt by the Russians to attack the capital with drones in the last two weeks. Quote: "These systematic drone attacks by Ruscists [Russian forces ed.] once again prove that the invaders are actively looking for an opportunity to hit Kyiv. They are testing their new tactics, looking for routes to the capital, and trying to expose the location of our air defence systems. Therefore, Kyiv residents should not forget about the reality of the threat. Do not ignore the air-raid warnings! When an air-raid warning is issued, always seek shelter! Take care of yourselves." Background: On the night of 20-21 July, Ukrainian air defence units were responding to a Russian air raid involving drones in Kyiv Oblast and on the outskirts of the capital. Support UP or become our patron! Thirty-five Shahed loitering munitions have been destroyed. Photo: Ukraine's Air Force Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 3 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 2 Kh-59 guided missiles and 39 Shahed loitering munitions, 35 of which were shot down, on the night of 20-21 July 2024. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: In addition to the destroyed UAVs, the Kh-59/69 missiles did not reach their targets due to active electronic warfare countermeasures. The Russians are known to have fired missiles from Russias Kursk Oblast and occupied Crimea. The Shaheds attacked Ukraine from three areas: the Russian cities of Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and occupied Crimea. During the nighttime attack, Radio-Technical and Special Troops of Ukraine's Air Force detected and monitored aerial targets in over 10 Ukrainian oblasts. Air defence systems responded to the Russian attack in Sumy, Poltava, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Odesa and Cherkasy oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Civilians killed and wounded as Russia and Ukraine trade attacks. Russia claims gains in the east This photo, taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, July 15, 2024, shows a Su-25 fighter jet firing rockets during a mission over Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia and Ukraine exchanged drone, missile and shelling attacks on Sunday. At least two people were killed in Ukrainian strikes on the partly Russian-occupied Donetsk region, Russian state media said, while Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes wounded at least five people. Along the front line in the east, Russia said it had taken control of two villages, one in the Kharkiv region and one in the Luhansk region. Ukrainian shelling of Russia-held areas of the Donetsk region killed two people in the village of Horlivka, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said. Three people were wounded by Russian drone strikes in southern Ukraines partly occupied Kherson region, local officials said Sunday morning. In the countrys northeast, officials in the Kharkiv region said two people were wounded when a village was hit by Russian shells. Overnight into Sunday, Ukraines air defenses intercepted 35 of the 39 drones launched by Russia, according to air force commander Mykola Oleschuk. In addition, Russia launched three ballistic missiles and two guided air missiles, which did not reach their targets, he said. Russia's Ministry of Defense said Sunday that its troops had taken control of two villages: Pishchane Nizhne in the Kharkiv region and Andriivka, sometimes referred to as Rozivka, in the Luhansk region. Kyiv did not immediately comment. Officials in the northern Sumy region said Sunday that Russia launched a missile strike on critical infrastructure facilities in the city of Shostka. City mayor Mykola Noha specified that two heating facilities had been destroyed and called on residents to use electricity sparingly and stock up on water. With few changes reported along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, where a recent push by the Kremlins forces in eastern and northeastern Ukraine has made only incremental gains, both sides in the war have taken aim at infrastructure targets seeking to curb each others ability to fight in a war that is now in its third year. Russian air defense systems overnight destroyed eight drones over the countrys Belgorod region and over the Black Sea, the Russian Ministry of Defense said. Russian air defense also shot down two long-range ballistic ATACMS missiles in the sky over the Kherson region heading for Russia-annexed Crimea, Russia-installed Kherson governor Vladimir Saldo said. Nine people were wounded over the previous day in shelling in the town of Shebekino in Russias Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Sunday morning. Olha Kovalova during her work in Donetsk Oblast in June 2024. Photo: Heorhii Ivanchenko Ukrainian photographers Olha Kovalova and Vladyslav Krasnoshchok, who were working with artillery gunners from Ukraine's Armed Forces, came under Russian artillery fire in Donetsk Oblast. Source: Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers Details: The photographers came under Russian artillery fire while documenting the Russo-Ukrainian war. It happened on 19 July 2024 near the line of contact on the Toretsk front in Donetsk Oblast. On that day, Ukrainian soldiers fired several shots on the Russians and hid in a dugout with the journalists, the association said. Olha Kovalova sustained shrapnel wounds to her armpit, supraclavicular and chest areas and arm, and a fractured chest. "I have three shrapnel wounds. Two shrapnel pieces were removed from my body. All of them were near large vessels. However, the doctors do not risk taking out one shrapnel piece to avoid damaging something. My right arm does not work completely at the moment," Olha said. Ukrainian troops provided her with first aid. Olha said a military medic took her to the nearest field hospital and from there to military hospital in the town of Pokrovsk. Later, the photographer was taken to civilian hospital, and now she is in hospital in Kharkiv. Her condition is currently stable. Vladyslav Krasnoshchok and the soldiers sustained contusions. "Fortunately, everyone else in the dugout is intact. I got injured because I was sitting in the corner near a pipe an improvised hood and shrapnel pieces fell from it. My body armour and helmet saved me. The shrapnel hit where there was no protection. It's unfortunate that this happened on the first day of my business trip," the photographer said. Background: The Institute of Mass Information reports that Russia has killed 70 media workers in Ukraine over the two years since its full-scale invasion began. Of these, 10 were killed while on journalistic assignments, 47 died as combatants, and 13 were killed in Russian bombardments or through torture. Earlier, military photographer Arsen Fedosenko was killed in action. Support UP or become our patron! Joe Bidens late exit from the presidential race plunges a divided nation into uncharted territory while providing a fresh alternative to Donald Trump that many Americans have been yearning for. There is precious little time to reframe this race into what it should have been all along, a referendum on Trump, who only honors an election if he happens to win. Trumps election would place this country into the hands of an unhinged authoritarian. Democrats need to rally voters to their side by making the case that their policies can improve their lives while maintaining a democracy, our constitution, our laws and our institutions. Biden endorsed Kamala Harris, his vice president, to be his successor. Procedurally, the delegates attending the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month can vote for whomever they want, now that Biden has withdrawn from the race. Bidens logical succession preference will go a long way toward avoiding a divisive and chaotic convention with no clear top of the ticket. Opinion Biden has given Harris little time to pick her vice president, establish herself at the top of the party and make her case for the nations highest job. But it is enough time, with a huge caveat. The Democratic Party, mired in intramural squabbling, finally needs to get its act together. It needs to frame the choice between two very different futures for this country. The Democrats must be united in making an articulate, full-throated argument for a better nation that finally leaves Trump and Trumpism in the past. Trump gave the most incoherent performance of all presidential candidates in the history of debates last month, devoid of facts and filled with fantasies about how women never wanted the federal government to protect their right to choose. In a normal election cycle, Trumps declining cognitive capacity, his mentions of movie serial killers as a way to talk about immigration, would have the undivided attention of the country. It took a calamitous performance by Biden to make himself the focus of aging and mental decline. Try as he may, Biden simply could not run from his own failing body. The more he tried to deflect attention about his own physical and mental well being, the more many Americans simply could not focus on anything else. Biden finally decided he had to leave this race to try to turn the focus back on Trump. Amid history, it is nearly impossible to judge it. The historic choice just made by this president comes closer to the nominating convention than any similar, previous choice. Americans appear to be united in how the stakes are extraordinarily high this election. Biden clearly made this decision with those stakes in mind. And now it could be Harris moment to shine or wilt in the unforgiving spotlight of presidential politics. Her candidacy would be historic. She could be the first Black woman - the first woman - to be elected president. There is reason to hope that she is also the right person at the right moment to save this country from Trump. Harris has been most comfortable in her career as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Californias attorney general. Now, she must prosecute her case against Donald Trump. Her background in law enforcement gives her a standing that a career politician like Biden simply never had. From The Opinion Team President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing news event, from our Opinion team: Bidens withdrawal solves one of Dems many problems. But it creates one, too With Biden out, Michelle Obama would be Donald Trumps worst self-inflicted nightmare Once again, Joe Biden is giving America its best chance to defeat Donald Trump The daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, the 59-year-old Harris represents a generational change in American presidential politics. She has succeeded at every step of her remarkable career. To the open question of whether the United States is ready to elect a Black woman, or any woman, to the Oval Office, the answer to that question can and should be yes. Harris is qualified. She is ready. Trump undoubtedly will try to debase and diminish her every step of the way, trying to obfuscate the underlying choice to voters about our future. For Harris, a storm isnt coming. It has arrived. She has the potential to weather it. She is younger, smarter and more in command of reality than her opponent. This is the time for undecided voters to size Harris up for who she truly is, not what others say she is. Serious candidates for president do not want to be introduced by celebrity wrestlers and ultimate fighting executives. What just happened at the Republican National Convention was nothing short of a sick joke. We have witnessed the complete capitulation of a once vibrant and vital party into a puppet dictatorship led by a deranged liar who keeps secret his medical and tax records. That should frighten Republicans and Democrats alike. This should not be a close race. The Democrats have managed to make it one. A frightened world is hoping that America gets its act together. This election is all about Donald Trump. He belongs in Mara-Lago, not the White House. Joe Bidens late exit from the presidential race plunges a divided nation into uncharted territory while providing a fresh alternative to Donald Trump that many Americans have been yearning for. There is precious little time to reframe this race into what it should have been all along, a referendum on Trump, who only honors an election if he happens to win. Trumps election would place this country into the hands of an unhinged authoritarian. Democrats need to rally voters to their side by making the case that their policies can improve their lives while maintaining a democracy, our constitution, our laws and our institutions. Biden endorsed Kamala Harris, his vice president, to be his successor. Procedurally, the delegates attending the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month can vote for whomever they want, now that Biden has withdrawn from the race. Bidens logical succession preference will go a long way toward avoiding a divisive and chaotic convention with no clear top of the ticket. Opinion Biden has given Harris little time to pick her vice president, establish herself at the top of the party and make her case for the nations highest job. But it is enough time, with a huge caveat. The Democratic Party, mired in intramural squabbling, finally needs to get its act together. It needs to frame the choice between two very different futures for this country. The Democrats must be united in making an articulate, full-throated argument for a better nation that finally leaves Trump and Trumpism in the past. Trump gave the most incoherent performance of all presidential candidates in the history of debates last month, devoid of facts and filled with fantasies about how women never wanted the federal government to protect their right to choose. In a normal election cycle, Trumps declining cognitive capacity, his mentions of movie serial killers as a way to talk about immigration, would have the undivided attention of the country. It took a calamitous performance by Biden to make himself the focus of aging and mental decline. Try as he may, Biden simply could not run from his own failing body. The more he tried to deflect attention about his own physical and mental well being, the more many Americans simply could not focus on anything else. Biden finally decided he had to leave this race to try to turn the focus back on Trump. Amid history, it is nearly impossible to judge it. The historic choice just made by this president comes closer to the nominating convention than any similar, previous choice. Americans appear to be united in how the stakes are extraordinarily high this election. Biden clearly made this decision with those stakes in mind. And now it could be Harris moment to shine or wilt in the unforgiving spotlight of presidential politics. Her candidacy would be historic. She could be the first Black woman - the first woman - to be elected president. There is reason to hope that she is also the right person at the right moment to save this country from Trump. Harris has been most comfortable in her career as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Californias attorney general. Now, she must prosecute her case against Donald Trump. Her background in law enforcement gives her a standing that a career politician like Biden simply never had. From The Opinion Team President Joe Biden withdrew Sunday from the 2024 presidential race. Read more on this developing news event, from our Opinion team: Bidens withdrawal solves one of Dems many problems. But it creates one, too With Biden out, Michelle Obama would be Donald Trumps worst self-inflicted nightmare Once again, Joe Biden is giving America its best chance to defeat Donald Trump The daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, the 59-year-old Harris represents a generational change in American presidential politics. She has succeeded at every step of her remarkable career. To the open question of whether the United States is ready to elect a Black woman, or any woman, to the Oval Office, the answer to that question can and should be yes. Harris is qualified. She is ready. Trump undoubtedly will try to debase and diminish her every step of the way, trying to obfuscate the underlying choice to voters about our future. For Harris, a storm isnt coming. It has arrived. She has the potential to weather it. She is younger, smarter and more in command of reality than her opponent. This is the time for undecided voters to size Harris up for who she truly is, not what others say she is. Serious candidates for president do not want to be introduced by celebrity wrestlers and ultimate fighting executives. What just happened at the Republican National Convention was nothing short of a sick joke. We have witnessed the complete capitulation of a once vibrant and vital party into a puppet dictatorship led by a deranged liar who keeps secret his medical and tax records. That should frighten Republicans and Democrats alike. This should not be a close race. The Democrats have managed to make it one. A frightened world is hoping that America gets its act together. This election is all about Donald Trump. He belongs in Mara-Lago, not the White House. Trump cant help himself from recounting attack before returning to familiar disses in RNC speech Donald Trump had vowed to never again discuss the moment a gunman grazed him with a bullet during a packed rally in Pennsylvania, claiming it was too painful. But when the Republican nominee returned to the campaign trail seven days after he was rushed off stage by a gaggle of Secret Service agents, he couldnt help himself. After the attempt on his life, Trump basked in the deafening screams of his thousands of supporters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as he regaled them with stories about the attempt on his life. Last week I took a bullet for democracy, Trump said to a rapturous applause from the audience, who waved a sea of placards emblazoned Trump and Vance. And when you think of it, it was exactly one week ago today, almost to the hour, even to the minute, he later added, with his fans breaking out in chants of fight, fight, fight. Among the crowd were Josh Williams, 17, and his sister Lydia, 19, whose nervous parents let them drive four-and-a-half hours to the rally from Indiana on the condition they did not sit behind Trump. Security at Trump's rally was very tight - GETTY IMAGES Security had been enhanced at the Van Andel Arena in light of the assassination attempt in Butler, with more than 100 police officers stationed inside the venue and positioned on each street corner outside. Punters had to walk past a row of officers holding sniffer dogs and bags were meticulously searched. Even laptops were fired up on the door to ensure they werent disguised sinister devices. Some eager Trump fans had camped outside the arena the night before the event in a bid to get a prime position inside the venue. Meanwhile, industrious merchandise sellers were flogging the latest Trump wares outside, including freshly printed T-shirts emblazoned with pictures of Trump pumping his fist in the air in the seconds after the shooting last week. Josh and Lydia, the siblings, both wore $20 t-shirts saying fight, fight, fight on them when interviewed by The Telegraph. Saturdays rally was held in one of the vital blue wall swing states Joe Biden needs to retain if he is to beat Trump this November. Appearing unfazed by the attempt on his life, Trump, 78, lapped up the chants of his name as he sauntered on stage. JD Vance arrives at a campaign rally - AFP The Republican nominee savoured every moment of his lengthy and at times meandering speech, which spanned more than 100 minutes longer than his record-length remarks at the Republican convention. Dressed in his usual armour of a red tie and navy suit, Trump was just like old. There was no evidence he had changed his tone to offer a new unifying message to heal the nation after the shooting. Trump branded his election rival Mr Biden crooked and a sick, weak, pathetic man and called Kamala Harris crazy and nuts. He also attacked Nancy Pelosi, who is among senior Democrats to have reportedly privately suggested Mr Biden consider dropping out of the presidential race. Did you see Nancy Pelosi is selling out now? Did you see she turned on him like a dog? Trump said, prompting a rapturous laugh from the audience. Where did that come from? She was 100 per cent and all of a sudden shes not sure. Shes crazy as a bedbug, he said. Julie Bryant, 51, and Rebekah Sebring, 51, cheered on Trump - SUSIE COEN Buoyed by the sea of red MAGA hats, Trump also paused while attacking the White Houses flagship Bidenomics programme to joke about Joe Bidens very severe combover. Thats a severe sucker. Whats with that one? It looks OK from the other side, he said, turning his head to the right, before adding: But that is very severe. I apologise. He also mocked the Democrats for having no idea who their candidate is amid growing calls for Mr Biden to step aside from within his party. But although he boasted some new material, Trumps speech was at times repetitive and irrelevant as it veered off on tangents about electrocution and shark attacks. His calls for national unity in the wake of last weeks shooting also appeared to be a distant memory as he launched personal attacks against radical Left. Throughout his speech, Trump also derided the states Democrat governor Gretchen Whitmer, whose name has been floated among possible contenders to replace Mr Biden on the ballot. Id love to run against her, Trump told the crowd. Smart and tough leaders Trump also went off script to praise Chinas autocratic leader Xi Jinping. He said Xi had written him a beautiful note the other day after hearing of the assassination attempt. He described Xi as a brilliant man, who controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist, adding that he makes people like Mr Biden look like babies. He said leaders like Xi and Putin are all smart and tough. They love their country or want to do well with their country, whatever it is, its all ideology, he said. Trump also found time to turn to his favourite subject of migration. Theyre dumping their criminals in the United States, and were not gonna take it anymore, Trump said, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd as he promised to deliver the largest deportation operation in history. When I return to the White House, we will stop the plunder, rape, slaughter and destruction of our American suburbs and cities. Finding middle ground However, the speech showed some attempt by Trump to find middle ground with voters, as he defended himself against claims from the Democrats that he and his allies want to instigate Project 2025. The project is based on an ultra-conservative instruction manual setting out proposals for Trumps second term in the White House. It contains plans to restrict abortion access, deport immigrants en masse, and sack thousands of civil servants in favour of political appointees, among other ideas. Trump has claimed not to know anything about the document, despite many of its proposals matching his own priorities, and his name being mentioned in the document several hundred times. He told the crowd: Im not an extremist at all. Some on the Right, the severe Right, came up with this Project 2025 and I dont even know... I mean, some of them, I know who they are, but theyre very, very conservative, theyre sort of the opposite of the radical Left. I dont know what the hell it is. I mean, theyre seriously extreme, but I dont know anything about it. I dont want to know anything about it. Sharon Anderson refused to miss the rally - SUSIE COEN Despite the fatal attack at last weeks rally, attendees on Saturday were unconcerned about threats to their safety. Sharon Anderson, 68, a Republican delegate from Tennessee, said no liberal with a gun was going to keep her away from her 55th rally. Tim Dolan, a 65-year-old bricklayer dressed in a MAGA hat, drove almost three hours across Michigan to attend the rally. Asked if he was concerned about his safety after the attack in Butler, he replied curtly: No, Ill duck. Asked on Sunday whether Trump had missed a chance to give a more unified message at the rally, House Speaker Mike Johnson said: No, he hasnt. Look, theres campaign rhetoric on both sides. 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. Now that Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the nominee, it will ultimately be up to Democratic National Convention delegates to formally select a new nominee for their party. This will mark the first time in over 50 years that a major party nominee was selected outside of the democratic process of primaries and caucuses. Many Democrats had already begun discussing how to replace Biden. They worried that having the convention delegates, the majority of whom were pledged at first to Biden, select the nominee would appear undemocratic and illegitimate. The Republican Speaker of the House has claimed that having the convention replace Biden would be wrong and unlawful. Others have conjured up the image of the return of the smoke-filled room. This term was coined in 1920 when Republican party leaders gathered in secret in Chicagos Blackstone Hotel and agreed to nominate Warren G. Harding, a previously obscure and undistinguished U.S. senator from Ohio, for the presidency. He won that year, becoming a terrible president. Presidents Biden statement on his intention to drop out of the presidential race, writing that its in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down. X.com The tradition of picking a nominee through primaries and caucuses and not through what is called the convention system is relatively recent. In 1968, after President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not run for reelection, his vice president, Hubert Humphrey, was able to secure the Democratic nomination despite not entering any primaries or caucuses. Humphrey won because he had the backing of party leaders like Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, and these party leaders controlled the vast majority of the delegates. Many Democrats saw this process as fundamentally undemocratic, so the party instituted a series of reforms that opened up the process by requiring delegates to be selected in primaries or caucuses that gave ordinary party members the opportunity to make that choice. The Republican Party quickly followed suit, and since 1972 both parties have nominated candidates in this way. In 1968, Hubert Humphrey got the Democratic presidential nomination which hes seen accepting here despite not entering any primaries or caucuses. Associated Press Some Democrats are worried that a new nominee, selected by the convention, will, like Humphrey, lack legitimacy since she or he will have secured the nomination without direct input from Democratic voters around the country. In response, theyve suggested whats being called a blitz primary in which Democratic voters will decide on a nominee after a series of televised candidate town halls hosted by politicians and celebrities like Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift. From the perspective of a scholar who studies political parties and elections, this proposal seems like wishful thinking since theres no mechanism for setting up a workable election process in such a short period of time. The usual process of primaries and caucuses takes months, if not years, of preparation. Some good picks in the past While many associate the convention system with less than impressive nominees, like Harding, the record isnt that bad. At the very first convention, held by the National Republicans ancestors of todays Republican Party party leaders and insiders nominated Henry Clay for president. Although Clay lost to Andrew Jackson the following year, he is considered one of the greatest politicians of the 19th century. The convention system in both parties went on to nominate Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, all of whom were elected president. Of course, conventions also nominated lesser figures like Horatio Seymour, Alton Parker and John W. Davis. But whos to say that the current system has done any better to produce electable candidates? Yes, theres Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, but there have also been less successful candidates like George McGovern, and weaker presidents like Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush. Furthermore, had the old system been in place this year, theres a chance that the Democrats might have avoided their current predicament. In 1952, Tennessee Democratic Sen. Estes Kefauver was the favorite for the nomination. Party leaders didnt want him and gave the nomination to Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson, left, with running mate Sen. John Sparkman, who was not even a candidate before the convention. Bettman/Getty Images A way to avert trouble To the extent that Democratic Party leaders were aware of Bidens decline, they might have been able to ease him out in favor of a better candidate if they had been in control of the nominating process. In fact, party leaders in previous decades often knew more about the candidates than the public at large and could exercise veto power over anyone they thought had serious vulnerabilities. For example, in 1952, U.S. Sen. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee came into the Democratic National Convention the clear favorite in party-member polls. He also won the most primaries and had the most delegates. Party leaders, however, had serious reservations about Kefauver since they considered him too much of a maverick who might alienate key Democratic constituencies. The party bosses also knew that Kefauver had problems with alcohol and extramarital affairs. As a result, party leaders coalesced around Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson, who was not even a candidate before the convention started. Stevenson ran a losing but respectable race against the immensely popular and probably unbeatable Dwight D. Eisenhower. In addition, Stevensons eloquence and intelligence inspired a generation of Democratic Party activists. Not bad for a last-minute convention choice. With Bidens withdrawal, it remains to be seen if the new Democratic nominee will be a strong candidate or, if elected, a good president. But theres no reason to think that this years unusual path to the nomination will have any effect on those outcomes. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College Read more: Philip Klinkner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Headlining his first public rally since a failed assassination attempt against him a week ago and two days after formally accepting the GOP's nomination, former President Donald Trump told a raucous, enthusiastic crowd at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday evening that Republicans will win Michigan this year having reestablished themselves as "the party of the people." "We're a failing nation," Trump said early in his speech. "We cannot let it slip by. We cannot let people cheat. ... Or we're not going to have a country." Former President Donald Trump speaks in front of thousands during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 20, 2024. During the address, Trump attacked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, calling her "terrible" and saying, "I'd like to run against her, actually," with President Joe Biden facing pressure from his own party to step down as nominee and Whitmer being mentioned by some as a possible replacement. Trump also rejected Democrats' contention that he is a threat to democracy, arguing it is the Democrats who want to overturn the results of the primary season by talking about getting Biden to step aside. More: Watch replay: Donald Trump, JD Vance rally in Grand Rapids More: 'Safest place in Michigan': Police chief, attendees feel safe at first Trump rally post-assassination attempt "Last week, I took a bullet for democracy," said Trump, who wore a small flesh-colored bandage over his right ear, which was injured in last week's shooting. "What did I do against democracy?" Speaking amid heightened security to a packed audience of supporters that waved signs with Trump's picture and the words, "Never Surrender," and others reading "Joe Biden, you're fired," Trump repeated several false assertions about creating auto jobs in Michigan when he was president and that he was given a "Man of the Year" award in Michigan several years ago, which did not happen. He also blamed immigration for an increase in crime; violent crime has been down across the U.S. An attendee stands up wearing a bedazzled jean jacket stating Trump won 2016, 2020, and 2024 on the back, during a Trump rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 20, 2024. He also excoriated efforts to push automakers to produce and sell electric vehicles while praising Tesla's Elon Musk, who has committed to giving a pro-Trump Super PAC $45 million a month toward reelection. He said he would get rid of federal emission rules that have been characterized as a mandate by Republicans to force the sale of electric cars and trucks. Trump also falsely suggested an impending invasion of Chinese-run automotive plants operating in Mexico in an effort to flood the U.S. market. The Biden administration has pushed substantial tariffs to prevent Chinese-made EVs from entering the U.S. Trump was introduced by his running mate, 39-year-old U.S. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, who Trump said he picked because Vance is "for the worker." Trump and Vance have spoken at length about using tariffs to protect American workers and products, even though economists argue tariffs cost consumers more, and Vance, specifically, has talked at length about the U.S. staying out of foreign conflicts. Vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, left, stands next to former President Donald Trump during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Van Andel Arena, with a capacity to hold some 12,000 people, appeared full. Trump's speech was ongoing at the deadline for this edition. Go to www.freep.com for updated details about the rally. Trump talks about shooting, jokes about sign The rally took place at a time when the presidential campaign has been upended by events, including the tragic shooting last Saturday at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In that incident, Trump's ear was wounded, a spectator was killed and two others were critically wounded. Law enforcement shot and killed the would-be assassin, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. The FBI has uncovered no specific motive for the attempt. U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who was Trump's White House physician, issued a letter Saturday saying he has been seeing Trump regularly since the incident and that, while healing normally, Trump still needs to wear a dressing over the wound. Trump addressed the shooting again in his speech, crediting the news media for covering it fairly and saying, somewhat pensively. "It was exactly one week ago today, almost to the hour, almost to the minute. ... What a day it was." "I shouldn't be here," he said. "Something very special happened, let's face it." He also joked that but for his turning toward a large sign with immigration statistics on it at the instant before the shot passed him, he would have been killed. "That sign was very good," he said. "I think I'm going to sleep with it tonight." For someone who had undergone such an incident, Trump's demeanor was easygoing throughout the speech, though he also expressed his sympathies for the family of the man who died and his concern for the other two people who were injured. Trump says he's not extreme, has 'great common sense' Meanwhile, Trump's rival, Biden, who is the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, remained isolated with COVID-19 in Delaware, as a growing number of members of his own party called on him to step aside as the nominee ahead of the August convention in Chicago amid worries he is too old and frail at age 81 to beat the 78-year-old Trump. So far, Biden has resisted calls for him to step down as the nominee. Worries about Biden's ability to beat Trump have grown since he gave a poor performance in a June 27 debate in Atlanta, where he often seemed confused and unable to give coherent responses. As he has battled to retain his spot at the top of the Democratic Party, Biden and his allies including Whitmer, a co-chair of his national campaign have urged the media to focus on the threat posed by Trump, arguing that he lies to the American people and constitutes a serious threat to democracy given his efforts to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Ahead of the rally, Democrats issued warnings about the Republican ticket's agenda. State Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes accused Trump and Vance of "championing a dangerous Project 2025 agenda," a reference to an effort by former aides and advisers to Trump to enact sweeping changes to the federal government, eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving the president more control over Justice Department decisions and hiring and firing civil servants. Trump and his campaign have said repeatedly they do not endorse Project 2025 and have not said they intend to enact it but Democrats have continued to use it as a warning to voters. On Saturday, Trump specifically said of the project, "I don't know what the hell it is" but called some of the recommendations he has heard about "seriously extreme," suggesting he could not support them. "The other side is going around trying to make me sound extreme," he said. "Im a person with great common sense, Im not extreme at all." A crowd of thousands awaits to welcome former President Donald Trump and vice-presidential nominee JD Vance during his first rally since an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 20, 2024. The fact that Trump selected Grand Rapids as the site for his first rally after the shooting and his successful nominating convention isn't surprising, given that he has concluded his campaigning in the city in both of the last two elections and west Michigan is home to a significant bloc of Republican voters. Fans filled the lower bowl of Van Andel arena, sporting an array of Trump gear. Many included references to the shooting Trump survived in Pennsylvania, a theme throughout the evening. U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, said Trump's survival is evidence of God's presence, while Vance marveled at how the shooting was only days earlier. But the crowd roared appreciatively at a few lighthearted jokes aimed mainly at Vance's status as an Ohio native. During a brief speech before Trump took the stage, Vance said he heard some in the crowd chant "O-H", the first half of a well-known Ohio State University cheer. He laughed and said he'd have to avoid responding in Grand Rapids, instead noting Republicans from both states need Michigan to win the White House. Vance spoke briefly earlier in the rally After giving a brief summary of his biography, Vance, in a speech that lasted about 10 minutes earlier in the event, criticized Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and blamed both parties for allowing manufacturing jobs to leave the Midwest for overseas. Though there are more manufacturing jobs in the U.S. now than at any time during Trump's presidency, total manufacturing employment in Michigan is below its top mark during Trump's time in office, though it had fallen during the former president's tenure even before COVID-19 shutdowns, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Vice-presidential nominee JD Vance addresses thousands of supporters during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Vance also suggested he and Trump will help get the U.S. out of foreign conflicts that are none of our business, presumably referring to American support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. The rally was Trump's fifth visit to the state this year, having had rallies in Waterford and outside Saginaw, as well as a roundtable discussion in Grand Rapids on immigration and an event at a Detroit church. A Democrat who represents Grand Rapids, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, is the only member so far of Michigan's congressional delegation to join more than 30 others calling for Biden to step aside as nominee. Biden was most recently in Detroit for a rally last Friday. Michigan is a key battleground state Michigan, as it has in recent elections, remains a key swing state and one that appears to have swung more toward Trump in recent polls. Trump narrowly beat Hillary Clinton by two-tenths of a percentage point on his way to winning the White House in 2016; four years later, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden won the state by about 3 points. Whitmer released a video in which she welcomed Trump and Vance to Michigan, then excoriated them on their records on abortion rights, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and, in Trump's case, breaking his promises to bring more auto jobs back to Michigan while he was president. "Have a good trip! she concluded. But Trump has put himself in a strong position heading into the final four months of the campaign, barring a dramatic change in the Democratic ticket's trajectory. At last week's convention in Milwaukee, Vance well-known for writing "Hillbilly Elegy," a memoir in which he spoke about addiction and abuse in his family in Ohio made clear the Republican Party's intention to try to win in the so-called Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump rallies in Michigan after last week's assassination attempt FILE - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the Kirya military base, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Dec. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, Pool, File) JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for Washington on Monday, leaving behind a brutal war to make a politically precarious speech before the U.S. Congress at a time of great uncertainty following Joe Bidens withdrawal from the presidential race. With efforts ongoing to bring about a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, rising concerns about the war spreading to Lebanon and Yemen, and the U.S. in the midst of a dizzying election campaign, Netanyahus speech has the potential to cause disarray on both sides of the ocean. The risks only increased with Bidens decision Sunday to drop out of the race for president, especially since the choice of a replacement Democratic nominee and the potential next American leader are still up in the air. Before stepping on the plane, Netanyahu said he would emphasize the theme of Israel's bipartisanship in his speech and said Israel would remain America's key ally in the Middle East regardless who the American people choose as their next president. In this time of war and uncertainty, it's important that Israel's enemies know that America and Israel stand together, he said, adding that he will meet Biden during his trip and thank him for his support for Israel. A person familiar with Biden's schedule confirmed Sunday that the president will host Netanyahu at the White House. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, said the exact timing of the meeting has not been established because Biden is recovering from COVID-19. Netanyahu is scheduled to address Congress on Wednesday. He is also expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, who is seeking the Democratic Partys presidential nomination. Netanyahu will deliver his congressional address with an eye on several audiences: his ultranationalist governing partners, the key to his political survival; the Biden administration, which Netanyahu counts on for diplomatic and military support; and Donald Trumps Republican Party, which could offer Netanyahu a reset in relations if he is reelected in November. His words risk angering any one of those constituencies, which the Israeli leader cannot afford if he hopes to hold on to his tenuous grip on power. There are a few land mines and pitfalls on this trip, Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel relations at Israels Bar-Ilan University, said before Biden's withdrawal. He is thought of as a political wizard who knows how to escape from traps. I am not sure he still knows how to do that. It is Netanyahus fourth speech to Congress more than any other world leader. During his address, his far-right governing partners will want to hear his resolve to continue the war and topple Hamas. The Biden administration will look for progress toward the latest U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and details on a postwar vision. Republicans hope Netanyahu besmirches Biden and bolsters the GOPs hoped-for perception as Israels stalwart supporter. The war, which was sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, has tested Israels ties with its top ally as never before. The Biden administration has stood staunchly beside Israel. But it has grown increasingly alarmed about the conduct of the Israeli military, the continued difficulties of getting humanitarian aid into Gaza, especially after the short-lived U.S. military pier off Gaza coast, as well as Israels lack of postwar plans and the harm to civilians in Gaza. Similar concerns will likely persist if Americans elect a new Democratic president. Biden earlier this year froze the delivery of certain bombs over fears they would be used in Israels incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which at the time sheltered more than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million. The U.S. abstained from a United Nations Security Council vote in March that called for a cease-fire and the release of hostages but did not link the two. Netanyahu called the decision a retreat from a principled position by Israels ally. Biden has had to walk a fine line of his own. He has faced harsh criticism from progressive Democrats and many Arab Americans. Even Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking elected U.S. Jewish official, lambasted Netanyahu in March for his handling of the war. Some Democrats will likely demonstrate their anger toward Biden and Netanyahu by skipping Wednesdays speech. Netanyahu is also likely to be hounded by pro-Palestinian activists during his trip. The last time Netanyahu spoke to Congress in 2015 was at the invitation of the Republican Party. The trip drove Israeli-American politics deep into the partisan divide as Netanyahu railed against then-President Barack Obamas Iran nuclear deal. Netanyahu has not shied away from making Israel a partisan issue. With his nationalist conservative ideology, he has been perceived as throwing his support behind Republican candidates in the past, rankling Democrats and Israelis who want to keep the U.S.-Israel relationship bipartisan. It's unclear if he will meet Trump. If there is a meeting, it could expose Netanyahu to accusations that he is once again taking sides. But if he doesnt meet with Trump, the former president could feel slighted. The speech also offers Netanyahu opportunity. He will be able to show Israelis that despite the tensions with the Biden administration, U.S. support for him remains ironclad. He wants the Israeli public to believe that he is very much still very welcome in the United States. And this shows that the American people are with him, said David Makovsky, director of the program on Arab-Israel Relations at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. For critics of Netanyahu, that embrace is unacceptable and grants legitimacy to a deeply polarizing leader whose public support has plummeted. Netanyahu faces widespread protests and calls to resign over the failures of Oct. 7 and his handling of the war. In a letter to Congress, 500 Israeli writers, scholars and public figures expressed their dismay over the invitation to Netanyahu, saying he will use the platform to advance misguided policies that align with his far-right governing partners. His only interest is preserving his own power, they wrote. Does the United States Congress wish to support such a model of cynical and manipulative leadership in these times? Israeli media reported that Netanyahu will be joined by rescued hostage Noa Argamani and her father. But for many of the families of hostages held in Gaza, the trip is an affront. This is not the time for trips, Ayelet Levy Shachar, whose daughter Naama was kidnapped on Oct. 7, told reporters. Netanyahu: First a deal, then you can travel. Reuters has reported that the US plan to produce more missiles for Patriot air defence systems supplied to Ukraine at factories in Japan has been delayed due to a shortage of a critical component manufactured by Boeing. Source: Reuters, citing four anonymous sources Details: In order to expand production of Patriot missiles in Japan, the US needs to supply more missile seekers, which guide the missiles during the last stages of the flight and which are manufactured by the US company Boeing, sources told Reuters. Japans Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) already makes about 30 missiles a year under licence from defence contractor Lockheed Martin and could increase that number to 60, according to two Japanese government officials and two industry sources. A person familiar with the programme said that the US hopes to increase production from about 500 per year to more than 750 per year globally as soon as possible. "It could take several years before MHI is able to raise output" because of the shortage, one of the industry sources told Reuters. Boeing began expanding its facilities to increase production by 30% last year, although the additional production lines will not come online until 2027. Even if there is a supply of enough seekers, expanding the annual production of Patriot missiles in Japan beyond 60 will require MHI to increase capacity, Reuters reported. In light of this, MHI or the United States will have to find the funds to build a new missile production plant, which could cost tens of millions of dollars, according to one Japanese government source. Background: On 11 July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believes additional air defence systems from Ukraines partners will arrive in Ukraine as soon as possible. During the opening of the NATO summit in Washington, DC, on 9 July, US President Joe Biden announced the supply of five air defence systems to Ukraine, including Patriot. Support UP or become our patron! By Tyler Clifford (Reuters) - The western part of the United States is sweating through another round of record-breaking heat as a wave is forecast to produce triple-digit temperatures in cities from Southern California to northern Idaho through the middle of the week. Some 30 million people are under heat advisories or excessive heat warnings in effect through Wednesday, with some projections topping 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius), the National Weather Service (NWS) said on Sunday. Those states include parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Central Oregon and parts of Washington are also under elevated threats of wildfires due to hot and dry weather conditions, the NWS said. Firefighters are battling multiple wildfires in Oregon, including the Lone Rock Fire that has scorched more than 116,000 acres (470 square kilometers) in the northern part of the state, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. About 40% has been contained. Thunderstorms moving through the state could make the response more difficult, officials said. The Malheur County Sheriff's Office on Saturday ordered some residents to evacuate due to the Durkee Fire spreading in the eastern part of Oregon. In western Canada, wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia also forced evacuations over the weekend. Research shows fossil fuel-driven climate change is helping to produce dangerous heat waves across the world. Officials are warning of major health risks associated with extreme heat, including heat stroke. "At least for the next four days it looks pretty hot across a good part of the western U.S., and at least in the next two days there's definitely potential for some record high temperatures across parts of interior Pacific Northwest and down towards the desert southwest," NWS meteorologist Bob Oravec said. The northwest part of the U.S. will experience the largest weather anomalies, including much of Washington state where temperatures are 20 degrees higher than usual this time of year, according to Oravec. Major cities like Seattle and Portland will be spared the extreme heat. Temperatures are forecast to climb above 100 F (38 C) and break records in cities like Yakima, Spokane and Mack in Washington. Boise, Idaho could tie a record of 107 F (42 C), Oravec said. Much of the West Coast will see temperatures that are about 10 degrees above normal. Las Vegas could tie a record of 113 F (45C) on Sunday, while Death Valley National Park in California is expected to rise above 120 F (49 C). "For Monday, the records drop off, like the potential to break records, but it doesn't mean it's going to be any significantly cooler. They're still going to be well above average across the same general areas," Oravec said. On Saturday, records were broken in Baker, Oregon and Alturas, California, Oravec said. (Reporting by Tyler Clifford in New York City; Editing by Mary Milliken and Chris Reese) President Joe Biden exits the stage after speaking at a political rally at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 17, 2023. Moments after Biden announced he would suspend his reelection bid on Sunday, July 21, 2024, some Utah Democrats expressed disappointment about his decision. | Joe Lamberti Moments after President Joe Biden announced he would suspend his reelection bid Sunday afternoon, some Utah Democrats expressed disappointment about his decision but were split about whether they should file in behind Vice President Kamala Harris. In a letter released Sunday, Biden announced he would stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. He offered his full support and endorsement for his vice president, Harris, to be the partys nominee. The Democratic Party will now have to decide how it selects its nominee either by a virtual vote prior to next months national convention, or an open vote among delegates in Chicago. In Utah, Democratic party leaders and elected officials are undecided on how they wish the party to proceed. A statement released by Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis focused on thanking Biden for being one of the most transformational presidents in the history of our country and outlined his policy accomplishments. But Lewis a superdelegate at next months convention did not offer an endorsement of Harris, nor did she express a preference as to how the party should proceed. It is critical that Democrats remain united against Donald Trump, and that we keep his MAGA agenda from undoing all of President Bidens accomplishments, Lewis concluded. We remain dedicated to getting Democrats elected across our cities, our state, and our country. If the nominating process is postponed until next months convention, Lewis and other superdelegates will not vote until after the first round of voting is finished meaning she may not have the chance to vote, should a candidate reach a majority in the opening round. Utah Democrats wont yet endorse a candidate to replace Biden Thom DeSirant, the executive director of the Utah Democratic Party, said the state party plans to withhold from an endorsement at this time. We understand that this is a difficult time, he said. We respect President Bidens endorsement, although I think that we want to respect the elected delegates position. Its those people who get to make this vote. Bidens announcement, DeSirant added, was a difficult event for us to swallow. Right now, a lot of us are a little bit in shock, he said. Rep. Angela Romero, minority leader of the Utah state House of Representatives, echoed the sentiment. I think President Biden has done an amazing job for our country, and Im a little disappointed to see him not be our nominee, she said. However, Romero president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators offered her endorsement of Harris. I support his decision 100% to endorse our vice president to be our party nominee, she said. Utah state Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla said she commended President Joe Biden for his unwavering integrity and commendable leadership in making the difficult decision to step down from the nomination, a move that resonates with the American values of resilience and unity. Scott Howell, the former Utah Senate minority leader and a Biden-Harris surrogate in Utah, called on Biden to drop out in early July if hes not up to the rigors of the job. On Sunday, Howell said Biden put America ahead of himself. I have always had complete confidence, trust and faith in Joe Biden, he said. I can tell you that this day is not the worst day for President Biden. The tragic accident that took his wifes life and the pain of losing his son to cancer will always be the most challenging time in his life. Howell said he and his wife are backing Harris for the nomination. Linda and I had the privilege of attending an intimate reception with Vice President Harris in Park City. We were genuinely impressed by her deep understanding of both foreign and domestic issues, clearly qualifying her to be an excellent leader for our country and the world, he said. Her dedication to the Constitution and her commitment to keeping democracy alive and well for all citizens stood out to us, he continued. We are proud to support Vice President Harris as the nominee for President of the United States of America. Democratic donor Mark Gilbert is backing Harris Mark Gilbert, a former U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa and a major Democratic donor, said this is a sad day. This is a man who spent the last 52 years of his life serving the country, Gilbert said. He has been an excellent president. The way the party treated him was really pretty harsh. Gilbert has hosted fundraisers at his Park City home for Biden, Harris and First Lady Jill Biden within the last calendar year. He noted he hasnt spoken to the president today, so he isnt sure what went into his decision. But Im sure he felt, considering the circumstances, it was the right thing for the party, the country going forward, Gilbert said. Gilbert expressed his support for Harris. I think the vice president has earned the presidents trust, and she will make a remarkable nominee for the party, he said. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox looks toward the stage for the National Governors Associations summer meeting at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on July 11, 2024. (Courtesy of the Utah Governors Office) Its been a year since Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was elected as chairman of the National Governors Association and launched his Disagree Better campaign. At the time, Politico columnist Jonathan Martin pointed out that the NGA, which he described as a once-vital forum for common ground, had appeared to have fallen prey to polarization, noting that of the nations 26 Republican governors, only three showed up to that years summer meeting, including Cox. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Cox, Martin reported, used his first speech as the NGAs chairman to beg his fellow governors to turn the NGA into a model of civil debate, saying, If were ever going to find our better angels again, it has to start with us setting the example of how to disagree better. But its hard to do much disagreeing, or have a conversation at all, when nobody is listening: Fewer than a half-dozen governors were still in attendance for his remarks Friday, the sessions closing day, and they were all Democrats, Martin wrote last year. After more than a century of bringing together the nations governors, the NGA long a wellspring of ideas, forum for best practices and platform for innovating policymaking is at grave risk of falling victim to the silos plaguing most every other element of American politics. Though Martin also offered some hope, writing, if any governor can reverse or at least slow this trend, its Cox. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (left) and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speak at the National Governors Associations summer meeting at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on July 12, 2024. (Courtesy of the Utah Governors Office) Now the year is over. At the NGAs summer meeting this month in Salt Lake City with big-name speakers including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey Cox closed out his NGA chairmanship. He passed the baton to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who pledged to continue the Disagree Better work within the NGA while launching his own initiative as chair titled, Lets Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success. Governors who attended the National Governors Associations 2024 summer meeting in person, July 11-12 in Salt Lake City Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Republican (2023-2024 NGA chairman) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Democrat (2024-2025 NGA chairman) Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin, Republican Delaware Gov. John Carney, Democrat Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Democrat Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, Democrat Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Democrat Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Democrat Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Democrat New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Democrat Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Democrat So how did Cox do? Are enough governors listening to the Disagree Better message? If governor attendance to the summer meeting is any indication, it appears Cox was able to bring along slightly more Republican governors that is, one more than last year. Including himself, four GOP governors attended the conference in person: Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The rest of the 13 total governors who attended, according to what Utah News Dispatch observed and a list verified by the Utah governors office, were Democrats. Overall governor attendance to the summer meeting which is usually not as robustly attended as the NGAs winter meeting was on par with whats expected for summer meetings (roughly 10 to 20 governors out of a total of 55). But impact goes beyond just the governors attendance. When considering total attendees, this summer gathering saw the most attendance in the last five years with over 1,100 registrations, including 60 members of the media, according to the Colorado governors office. And that doesnt include others who tuned in online or have participated in the Disagree Better campaign in some other form or another. When pressed by a reporter during a media scrum on Friday morning on whether enough governors are listening to his Disagree Better campaign, Cox said hes been pleased with the number of governors that have participated in the effort. Weve had over 20 governors that have participated in Disagree Better, and its split about 50-50, Republicans and Democrats, he said, adding that about 40 governors attended this years winter meeting that had some similar presentations, including two members of the (U.S.) Supreme Court, a conservative member and a liberal member. So we believe its been incredibly, incredibly positive, Cox said, and the feedback weve gotten from governors has also been positive. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, listens to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speak at the National Governors Associations summer meeting at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on July 12, 2024. (Courtesy of the Utah Governors Office) But during his speech closing out the two-day event that served as a capstone to his Disagree Better campaign, Coxs remarks hinted governor participation in NGA was on his mind and could be better. His comments also indicated NGA isnt immune to the polarization hes been trying to combat and could be threatened because of it. Cox focused much of his speech on urging Americans to focus not so much on tearing down, whether its institutions or people or parties. Building is hard, he said, and its something the U.S. needs more of. We need some architects. We need more builders. And thats exactly what were trying to do. After that speech, for which he was given a rowdy and drawn-out standing ovation, Cox said he had one more thing to say and it was focused on the NGA itself. This institution, of the National Governors Association, please dont tear it down, he said, his voice straining with emotion. Its worth saving. He paused while gathering his composure. Its one of the last organizations on earth, in this country, that brings people of both parties together to actually get stuff done, he said. And we need that more than ever. Cox acknowledged governors schedules are often already jam-packed with meetings. Look, I know its hard. I know its hard to go to all the meetings, he said, listing off several other acronyms for government organizations. Theres always a reason to make an excuse for the other things. But Im just telling you, we need you. I know you guys are here, but there are a lot of us that arent here. He thanked the governors who did attend, while begging them, Please, please, please, please help me convince our colleagues how important (NGA) is. Cox also said hes confident under the leadership of Polis, as the NGAs new chair, we will be strong. He then announced the new lineup of NGA leadership, including Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt as vice chair. (Each year, the organization switches its chairmanship between Republicans and Democrats). Screenshot from the National Association of Governors video recording announcing the NGAs new leadership team for 2024-2025. After Polis officially accepted the NGA gavel from Cox, the organizations new vice chair Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, said he and Polis want to continue (Disagree Better). I think its so important, a conversation that all of us need to have. Polis before presenting his new NGA chairs initiative titled Lets Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success applauded Cox for taking a new kind of initiative with Disagree Better. Instead of focusing on usual issues like perhaps infrastructure or mental health, he said Cox really broke the mold and said what we need is this kind of moral progress as a nation and about how we can disagree better, the way that governors can play a constructive role in helping to heal this national spirit, learning how to engage in meaningful conversations and disagreements with one another again. Polis said the Disagree Better effort is even more important today than when we began this work, and I know it will live on. Bill McBride, executive director of the NGA, told attendees in an opening speech on July 11 that although NGA chairs initiatives technically last a year, their impact continues. That would certainly be the case with Disagree Better. As a bipartisan organization representing our nations governors, finding common ground is essential to the work of the National Governors Association, he said. In response to a request for further comment on the matter of governor participation and Coxs plea to not tear down the NGA, Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman said the Colorado governor encourages all governors to participate in the open, meaningful and bipartisan discussions at the (NGA) about the challenges we face, and will continue to make NGA a welcoming space for everyone, no matter their political affiliation. Wieman said the summer meeting was very productive with governors from both parties and across the country joining together to discuss issues facing our country. She noted that the governors met directly with Zelenskyy, spoke with McConaughey about improving discourse, and met with King Abdullah II of Jordan, along with other panel discussions. Hundreds of attendees and thousands more viewed these important conversations, she said. The NGAs public summer meeting discussions were taped and can be viewed on the NGAs website. Disagree Better is more important now than ever for governors and all Americans, Wieman said. Many governors have been engaged in the initiative and it is having an impact on how Governors interact with one another and Americans. As chair of the NGA, Governor Polis will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats alike to advance good ideas, no matter where they come from. Contributing: Quentin Young, Colorado Newsline Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (right) and his wife first lady Abby Cox applaud at the National Governors Associations summer meeting at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on July 12, 2024. (Courtesy of the Utah Governors Office) Utah News Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com. Follow Utah News Dispatch on Facebook and X. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Police confirmed they shot and killed a suspect wielding a crowbar and metal rod while responding to a stabbing incident in Virginia Beach Saturday. One victim is dead and two others are critically injured. On Sunday, police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Marques Hasbrouck of Virginia Beach. Around 7 p.m., officers responded to a stabbing on White Beam Court. Upon arrival, they said Hasbrouck confronted them with a 20 crowbar and a 27 metal rod. According to police, Hasbrouck ignored commands to drop the weapons, and a taser was deployed. Police said the taser was ineffective and Hasbrouck charged at officers. VBPD Chief Paul Neudigate said officers needed to resort to using their firearms, resulting in the suspects death. More than one officer fired their weapons and shot Hasbrouck, according to police. Hasbrouck was pronounced deceased by EMS personnel. While inside the residence, officers found three victims, including a deceased woman. Police identified the woman as Victoria Lane Hasbrouck, 58, of Virginia Beach. The other two victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition. At this time police are not looking for additional suspects. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy, said Neudigate. Responding to domestic incidents is one of the most dangerous aspects of our job, with every encounter carrying with it the possibility of danger. These situations are often volatile and unpredictable, as was the case last night. We support our officers, the affected family, and our community as we navigate this difficult time together. The VBPD Homicide Unit is conducting a criminal investigation into this incident. Once the investigation is complete, all evidence will be turned over to the Virginia Beach Office of the Commonwealth Attorney (OCA) who will review for compliance with existing law. Additionally, the OCA will conduct their own parallel, independent criminal investigation. Upon conclusion of the criminal investigations, the VBPD Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an administrative review to determine compliance with department policy, procedure and training. If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Do Vermont Democratic delegates have to vote for Biden? Your delegate questions answered President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign less than a month before the Democratic National Convention. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden said in a letter addressed to Americans. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to stand down and to focus solely on my duties as President for the rest of my term." What does that mean for Vermont's Democratic delegates? Do they still have to vote for him? Heres what to know. How many Democratic delegates does Vermont have? Out of the 3,896 delegates nationally, Vermont has 16. This number comes from a Democratic bylaws formula, which is based on each states population and percentage of the total Democratic vote. Do Vermont's delegates have to vote for Biden? They do not. While all of Vermont's delegates were committed to Biden, DNC delegates dont technically have to vote for Biden, thanks to a good conscience clause in Democratic delegate selection rules. All delegates to the National Convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them," the rules say. When is the Democratic Party National Convention The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to run Aug. 19 to 22 in Chicago. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Biden dropped out. Do Vermont's delegates have to vote for him at DNC? Very slowly and then all at once, Joe Biden got out of the presidential race. In a Sunday afternoon statement and subsequent tweet, Biden announced that while he intends to serve the rest of his term, he will no longer be seeking reelectionand that he believes Vice President Kamala Harris should be the Democrats nominee in his place. The possibility of an open competition to replace Biden gained support among (some) Democrats in the aftermath of his poor debate performance on June 27. But Harris subsequent performance under scrutiny on the campaign trail, Bidens endorsement, and the tighter time frame Dems now face because of the amount of time the president took to consider his options mean that she will likely consolidate near-unanimous support within the party immediately. This had already begun as of Sunday afternoon, with endorsements from top Democrats rolling in as we speak. Once the rally around Harris is complete, shell need to find a vice presidential candidate before the Democratic convention opens on Aug. 19 in Chicago. Heres a quick rundown of whos probably on her list and who (despite being a big name) probably isnt. In alphabetical order with ages in parentheses, those are Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (46), Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (51), and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (52). The presidential race is expected to come down to independent voters in a handful of swing states. Some of these voters, moreover, may assume Harris is a relatively liberal Democrat because shes from California. While this is not actually trueHarris lock em up history as a prosecutor was one of the things that hurt her in the 2020 primarypresenting herself as a pragmatic, unifying candidate will likely be job one for her campaign. (Well, that and coming across as younger and more trustworthy than Donald Trump, but thats an easy box to check.) Thered be no better way to make that point than picking one of the govs above, all of whom have won elections by impressive margins in purple states (or in Beshears case, a flat-out red one). Beshear and Whitmer have also won reelection, giving them even further credibility as experts on inclusive governance. Their executive experience might also be appealing to Harris, who served only part of one term in the Senate before jumping to what was, until now, not one of the more active VP roles in history. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (59) and outgoing North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (67) will also be names that get brought up, and while both have their strengths, Im guessing that theyre starting behind the three above. Pritzker has governed as an out-and-out progressive in deep-blue Illinois, while Cooper is relatively old and wouldnt scream next generation in the way Democrats likely want to be doing now. Thatd be Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet (59), Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (60), and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy (50). Bennet and Murphy would present similar advantages. Theyre both polished TV talkers who have experience helping put together substantive bipartisan legislation (both worked on the recent border security deal that Donald Trump told Republicans to kill, and Murphy was instrumental in passing 2022 gun safety legislation). They also both fit in the FDR-like, muscular-liberalism-but-not-quite-leftism lane that Biden carved out for himself and which Harris is likely to run in because, you know, shes got to throw a presidential campaign together from scratch. Kelly is less of a known quantity as a legislator but has an incredible biography (hes a former astronaut and is married to Gabby Giffords, the congresswoman and mass-shooting victim turned gun control advocate) and has won two elections in razor-divided Arizona. Crucially, all three live in states whose governors are Democrats, which means theyd be replaced by fellow Dems in the Senate for two years. (The same is not true for Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, who would otherwise be a qualified candidate.) Im also going to throw Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin (61) in here even though hes not technically a senator because hes also a good (and frequently viral) orator who knows his stuff when it comes to the issues. As a member of the Jan. 6 committee hed also be a logical choice if Harris wants someone who can make the case against Trump. This is where Im putting California Gov. Gavin Newsom (56) and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (42), who were both mentioned as potential presidential alternatives to Harris during the period in which a miniprimary seemed vaguely possible. Theyre going to get brought up again, but it may be in everyones interest to keep them off the ticket. Newsom and Harris arent just from California; theyre both from San Francisco, which is not the kind of place that many working-class voters from northern Wisconsin and western Pennsylvania think that the rest of the U.S. should be modeled after. Buttigieg might make somewhat more sense as a native Midwesterner, but he too does best with the kind of college-educated suburban demographic that Harris likely has locked down already. You can bet, though, that both will be hitting the airwaves (and bringing in truly disgusting amounts of fundraising money) in hopes of earning party cred (and perhaps prestigious Harris administration appointments) that would keep them in position to run for the big job in four or eight years. Tier 4: Hunter Biden. Hes reportedly taken a major interest in politics recenthey, where are you going? Too soon? (WSPA) Vice President, Kamala Harris, released a statement regarding the honor of being endorsed for the Presidential Race. Harris said she is honored and has the intention to earn and win the nomination. On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office. It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of fatherand the kind of manhe was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joes leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people. With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will 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 WSPA 7NEWS. As news of President Joe Bidens decision to drop his re-election bid spreads, so do partisan responses to that decision. Democrats, as expected, are expressing remorse yet optimistic their party will keep the White House while Republicans say his stepping aside only intensifies Donald Trumps chances of regaining 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. One Virginia state legislator took it one step further to say that Biden should give up more than just re-election hopes. Time for the 25th amendment, state Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Colonial Heights, posted on X (formerly Twitter). If Biden cant run, he cant continue in office. The cognitive decline is obvious, especially to our countrys enemies. The Cover Up by Dems prior to the debate was bad enough. Putting the country at grave risk for the next six months is criminal. Time for the 25th amendment. If Biden cant run, he cant continue in office. The cognitive decline is obvious, especially to our countrys enemies. The Cover Up by Dems prior to the debate was bad enough. Putting the country at grave risk for the next six months is criminal. Glen Sturtevant (@GlenSturtevant) July 21, 2024 Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a fellow Republican, agreed. For years Washington democrats knew that @joebiden was not capable to serve as president yet they stood with him to hold onto power, Miyares posted on X. This is one of the greatest political scandals in American history; the White House hid from the American public his decline, jeopardizing each and everyone one of us. They lied and just disenfranchised 14 million primary voters. More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates Ungrateful SOBs State Sen. Mamie Locke, a Hampton Democrat, said her party was essentially throwing Biden away, calling those who pushed him to step aside ungrateful SOBs. I am so sorry to hear President Biden is stepping away, she posted on X. The leadership of this party has been so disrespectful to an individual who has done so much for them and this country. Ungrateful SOBs. Anyway, if support does not go to VP (Kamala) Harris, whats the justification? I am so sorry to hear President Biden is stepping away. The leadership of this party has been so disrespectful to an individual who has done so much for them and this country. Ungrateful SOBs. Anyway, if support does not go to VP Harris, whats the justification. Mamie Locke (@SenatorLocke) July 21, 2024 State Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, immediately voiced her support for Harris as successor. As a former Virginia co-chair and surrogate for Vice-President Harris I fully endorse her candidacy for president and am committed to supporting her, Aird told The Progress-Index. Vice President Harris has stood side by side with President Biden to uplift our country when we needed it most and there is no one better equipped to be the nominee than her U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, one of several Democrats to question concerns about Biden after the June 27 debate, said in a statement that the nation owes Biden debt of gratitude for running in 2020. He also said he respects the presidents difficult decision to step aside, and he hopes Democrats will rally behind Harris as the partys nominee. While there has to be an orderly process and the decision ultimately rests in the hands of the DNC delegates, I believe Vice President Harris has the experience, energy, and resolve to lead our nation. This November, we must defeat Donald Trump and his backwards agenda. Warners colleague, Sen Tim Kaine, said in a statement that Bidens decision reflects his patriotism. For more than five decades, he has served this country admirably as a senator, vice president, and now president, Kaine said. His decision today reflects the same patriotism that George Washington and Teddy Roosevelt demonstrated when they selflessly put their country above their own political ambitions. 'Tremendous legacy of achievement' Up to now, Virginia's first Black congresswoman and a member of the Biden-Harris National Advisory Board was one of the staunchest supporters for Biden's re-election, saying just last week that the Democrats could beat Trump "with Joe Biden on the ticket." On Sunday, Rep. Jennifer McClellan saluted what she called Biden's "tremendous legacy of achievement" in just one term and cited his support of bolstering the economy, infrastructure and climate change. "The Biden-Harris Administration is the most consequential presidential administration of my lifetime," McClellan said in a statement Sunday afternoon. I know this was a difficult decision for the president, and I thank him for always putting the good of the country first." McClellan immediately threw her support behind Harris "Vice President Harris is a champion for reproductive freedom, civil rights, and a fair economy that leaves no one behind. Vice President Harris is the most qualified person to be president on Day 1," she said. "There remains a stark choice in this election between Donald Trumps campaign of personal retribution and extreme policies as outlined in Project 2025, and Kamala Harris campaign to protect our rights and create economic opportunity for all. "I call on Democrats to unite behind Vice President Harris to defeat Donald Trump and build on the progress of the Biden-Harris administration." 'Weak leadership on the ballot' Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who reportedly was on Trump's list of potential running mates before Ohio Sen. JD Vance was chosen, said with Biden out of the picture, "it's time for our nation to now come together" under Trump and Vance. "Make no mistake, whether its border czar Kamala Harris or someone else, its the Biden/Harris Adminstrations weak leadership and resulting chaos around the world and here at home that is on the ballot this November," Youngkin said on X. "Its time for our nation to now come together with resolve to secure our borders, structure safe communities, grow an economy that lifts up all Americans and restores peace through strength." Make no mistake, whether its border czar Kamala Harris or someone else, its the Biden/Harris Adminstrations weak leadership and resulting chaos around the world and here at home that is on the ballot this November. Its time for our nation to now come together with resolve to Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) July 21, 2024 Youngkin, who lauded Trump in a speech at last week's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, has 17 months left on his term as Virginia governor and under state law, cannot run for re-election. Many pundits saw Youngkin's address at the convention as advancing his stock toward a future Virgiia senatorial bid or perhaps a candidate for the 2028 GOP nomination. What are others saying? Meanwhile, reaction to Biden's decision continues to mount. Here's what some of them say: Derrick Anderson, Republican candidate in Virginia's 7th Congressional District: Joe Bidens decision not to seek re-election is the right one. During his time as President, our country has become less safe, less secure, less prosperous, and our enemies are more empowered than ever. My opponent, Eugene Vindman, has refused to say if hes supporting Biden for weeks. He should now step up and say who hes supporting for president. Does he support Kamala Harris? Will he actually let the voters of VA-07 know where he stands? VA-07 doesnt need another finger-in-the-wind politician - we need strong leaders who will help get this country back on track. Vindman's response (via X): "Joe Biden is a patriot who served his country faithfully for nearly 50 years. Today in his most selfless and patriotic act, he put country first. I am proud to endorse @KamalaHarris for President. She has the track record, leadership skills and support to win the November election. As a fellow prosecutor, I know Vice President Harris has taken on the tough fights and routed out corruption in our system. Let's all unify behind Vice President Harris so she can lead our country forward." Anderson and Vindman are vying for the seat now held by Abigail Spanberger, who is leaving Congress to focus on a bid for governor next year. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia: "Once again, I thank President Biden for his decades of service to our country and for his remarkable leadership as President. In announcing this decision, he has put his country first, and his legacy has been cemented as one of extraordinary, patriotic public service. Defeating former President Trump is essential to defending our democracy, protecting the rights of our fellow Virginians, and passing a better country and world on to our children. The stakes of this election are enormous, and thats why I endorse Vice President Harris to serve as the next President of the United States. Not only will she defeat former President Trump, but she will set an example for our children. She will demonstrate how to be a strong, principled leader who is focused on the needs of the American people not herself. Democratic Party of Virginia: "President Biden has never been in politics for himself. Though his decision not to run is painful for so many of us, it represents his greatest quality: unwavering patriotism and service to the American people. Joe Bidens decision to step aside is one that we deeply respect and we thank him for everything that he has done and will continue to do." Indian American Impact Fund: "We are deeply grateful to President Biden for his steadfast service and the profound, tangible impact he has made on people and communities across the nation. As one of Kamala Harriss most vociferous supporters from the very beginning of her political career, Impact is thrilled to throw our support behind her candidacy for president. Harris possesses an extraordinary ability to unite our nation at a time when the stakes have never been higher. We are ready to leverage our extensive network of resources to mobilize South Asian voters, confident that they will be instrumental in delivering the White House to Kamala Harris in November. Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah County and Virginia House of Delegates minority leader: "The 'save democracy' crowd in the Democrat party finally ousted their democratically-chosen nominee. No matter who emerges from this mess of their own making, Democrats will continue to make life harder, less prosperous, and more dangerous for all Americans." REPRO Rising, a Virginia pro-choice group: "Today, President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw his presidential nomination. This is a courageous decision by the President and a significant moment and opportunity for our nation. In the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and stripped Americans of their right to abortion, millions of people have been forced to travel for care after multiple states passed abortion bans and severe restrictions that pushed abortion care out of reach. The consequences of the lack of reproductive healthcare protection at the federal level have had devastating ripple effects throughout our country. The next Democratic nominee must be a candidate who puts the protection and expansion of reproductive rights and access to healthcare at the forefront of their campaign." Read President Joe Biden's full statement on dropping out of the race here. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Va leaders react to Biden bowing out, endorsing Harris for president Yes, vote Even if I disagree with you, I will respect your opinion. But if your decision regarding our options for the November presidential election is not to vote, my respect for your opinions from the weather to the Supreme Court disappears. I know a few people who have threatened to not vote, or to waste their votes, because they are unhappy with the choices. But think about the fact that if the wrong person wins, and you didnt do anything to try keeping him out of office again, your opinion goes from whatever it was to absolutely inconsequential. I wish there would be stickers available on Nov. 5 stating, I didnt vote, so we would know who to count on and who to count out. If you dont vote, you have nothing to say that I want to hear. There is no excuse this time. You have made it clear that you want everyone else to be responsible so you can continue to complain and not do anything about solving our problems. As much as I do not care for the previous occupant of the Oval Office, I resent more anyone who might send him there again by self-righteous ignorance. - Ellen Murphy, Mission Hills Wrong appeal Please God, let us stop hating one another this much, said your July 15 front-page editorial. Oh, really? Can we hate not quite as much but still seek what Donald Trump calls Second Amendment people seeking their own solutions to political problems? The editorial board insults people who have an authentic belief in God. The editorial says, What happened on Saturday night was a shock, after all, but it wasnt a surprise. I say, of course it wasnt a surprise, not in a country where there are enough guns for every man, woman, child, infant and fetus. I say its never a surprise when some disaffected person can readily take up the weapon of war that is sitting in the corner at home. We tease with the language of guns in our speech, and we have so many guns at the ready. Rage? Yes, I have rage: rage that I cant go to a peaceful protest, a parade, a festival, a voting place, playground duty, church or the PTA without fearing gun violence. I have rage and fear yet you think to petition God to soothe this? Action! Dont vote for the catastrophe of unbridled gun freedom. I will write letters and strive for meaningful dialogue and action with politicians and the community. - Suzann Geringer, Kansas City One answer The attempted assassination of Donald Trump followed an all too familiar path. An evidently disturbed person used a legally purchased assault weapon to carry out his fantasies of death and glory. He committed no illegal act, however, until he took the rifle from his vehicle and climbed to his perch on top of a building. There are no federal laws to control the sale and use of military assault weapons. Most everyone is free to own one and carry it on the street. What was the young mans motive? We will probably never know. And it makes no real difference. What we do know is that given current gun laws, mass shootings and deaths will continue. - Keith Evans, St. Joseph Tax flows The Star Editorial Board recommended a yes vote for Amendment 1 without addressing the massive resultant property tax shifts from child care providers to increases on utilities, the industrial sector, railroads and others. (July 18, 11A, The Stars endorsements on Amendments 1 and 4) This is hidden in the amendment and could result in rate increases for customers, since counties will be required to raise the tax rates to recover the lost revenues. Did the editorial board consider these impacts on Missouri residents? Will voters have any idea that approval of this amendment could result in these huge tax changes? - Jerry Patterson, Lees Summit Public crisis Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General issued the first ever national advisory recognizing gun violence as a public health crisis. Although the official recognition may be new, its certainly not news to medical professionals supporting the gun-safety movement or to local nonprofit groups such as Grandparents for Gun Safety. In 2015, Dr. Rex Archer, then Kansas Citys Health Department director, was the featured speaker at Grandparents annual Community Forum. His keynote speech? Gun Violence A Public Health Issue. Six years later, the forums keynoter was Megan Ranney, a nationally recognized public health expert and researcher. Her topic? Strategies to Curb This Public Health Epidemic. Talking about the devastating effects of gun violence is important, but Grandparents for Gun Safety has worked to prevent it before it happens here. Since 2017, our Lock It For Love program has distributed more than 6,500 free gun locks at more than 250 community events. Some 4.6 million children live in homes with at least one loaded, unlocked gun, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows gun violence is the No. 11 cause of death of American children. A public health crisis? No question. Just ask the surgeon general. - Barb McNeile, Chair, Lock It For Love, Grandparents for Gun Safety, Overland Park Heavy weapon Watching a TV commercial for Missouri attorney general candidate Will Scharf, in which he uses a grenade launcher to blow up phony legal documents related to Donald Trump, makes you wonder: How does a civilian get his hands on a grenade launcher? - Richard Nastav, Kansas City, Kansas Supreme mistrust I am not the only one looking askance at the shenanigans of our Supreme Court. As he articulated in his July 18 guest commentary Theres still one recourse for Supreme Court justices who lied, (12A) Brian Vukadinovichs list of certain justices misdeeds included lying during their Senate confirmation hearings, their decisions overturning settled precedents of law, as well as deciding bribes are legal. The actions of these justices seem quite unjust to me. According to long-term Gallup polls, confidence the Supreme Court reached a high of 80% in 1999. Sadly, as of 2023, Americas approval of the court has eroded to 40%. Why? Using their judicial chopping block, they eviscerated long-held public rights. Campaign finance restrictions, abortion, voting rights, affirmative action, clean air and water standards, gun regulations they all fell under the thumb of this Supreme Court. The justices have now granted absolute immunity to Donald Trump for his criminal acts while in office, something the founders would absolutely disavow. Showering justices with lavish gifts, the wealthy, the powerful, the polluters have found friends on this court. No doubt, these justices plan more of the same for our country in the coming years. Court reform is necessary. - Angela Schieferecke, Prairie Village Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) arrives to the U.S. Capitol following a private meeting between Senate Democrats and U.S. President Joe Biden's senior advisors Mike Donlion, Steve Richetti and campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images) Washington state Democratic leaders voiced broad support on Sunday for President Joe Bidens decision to exit the presidential race, and some were swift to back Vice President Kamala Harris as the best choice to replace him atop the ticket. Calls for Biden to drop out began after a disastrous June 27 debate performance against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president. Washington lawmakers including Reps. Adam Smith and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez were among those who urged Biden to quit the race, or questioned whether he was up to the task of running. Though Biden endorsed Harris to take his spot on the ballot and she said Sunday she will seek the nomination, it was unclear how Democrats would select a replacement candidate. Below is a roundup of what elected officials and others in Washington had to say about Bidens announcement, which he made Sunday afternoon in a letter posted to social media. Support for Harris U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, Democrat America owes a deep debt of gratitude to Joe Biden for his historic leadership. . In 2020, he saved American democracy by beating Donald Trump, and he has led one of the most successful Presidential administrations in history. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent. U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle President Joe Biden has been the most progressive and effective President on domestic and economic policy in my lifetime. I applaud his full-throated endorsement of Vice President Harris to be our Democratic nominee who will continue President Bidens legacy, defeat Donald Trump, win the House and the Senate and defend our rights and freedoms. Vice President Harris has proven time and time again that she can prosecute the case against Donald Trump and campaign vigorously for Democrats down the ballot. U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue I believe Joe Biden made the right decision. I applaud President Joe Biden for making this difficult choice. I think it is the best path forward for our country. I strongly support Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president. U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Tacoma President Biden has faithfully and honorably served our nation. We owe him deep gratitude for all he has done with a sharp focus on improving peoples lives. VP Harris has been his partner, and is the most qualified to succeed him. She has my full endorsement and support. Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party He is a true patriot who ensured the Democratic Party denied Donald Trump a second term and has accomplished more in one term than many presidents have accomplished in two. I call on his delegates to support Vice President Kamala Harris. We must offer our full-throated support for Vice President Harris. We cannot and will not survive another media cycle of hand-wringing about whether the country will accept a woman as our president. Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Democratic candidate for governor Like many Washingtonians, I am grateful that President Joe Biden has decided to suspend his campaign for re-election. While the decision was clearly difficult for him and his family, it was the right decision to make for America, and for his legacy as an outstanding President. I am excited that Democrats can now rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who can unify our party and country. I am proud to offer her my endorsement and support. U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee Joe Biden has been the most consequential president in modern history. His legacy will be one of principled leadership with a focus on families and communities, striving to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all. This fall, Democrats will take back the Peoples House to build on his legacy and defend our rights, our freedoms, and our democracy for generations to come. DelBene, in a statement on Monday morning, said that she was proudly endorsing Kamala Harris. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett I laud President Bidens vision and leadership. With him in the White House our agenda became a reality for the American people. I believe that we can build on these accomplishments and continue to deliver results that matter. when we elect the Democratic ticket. Larsen later issued a statement on social media endorsing Harris. Going out on top Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Democrat As hes done for five decades, Joe Biden put his country first. In the long scope of history, his work to protect us from the ravages of climate change will be seen as an historic achievement. Biden is going out on top with a long record of accomplishments we can all be proud of. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Democrat The Democratic Party needs a standard bearer who can deliver our economic message continuing the historic accomplishment of building more economic opportunities for working class people and a focus on lowering costs. President Biden led our nation to accomplish these historic victories. Just like our partys victories on Social Security, Medicare, and family leave, Bidens policies on infrastructure, manufacturing, and lowering drug costs will be tremendous legacies. On social media, Cantwell added: Kamala Harris is a fierce advocate for working-class Americans, for reproductive rights, for investing in our nation and every citizen. The contrast between her and Donald Trump couldnt be more clear U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania County My prayers are with the president and his family. Im sure this was not an easy decision for him to make, and I believe he made it with the national interest in mind. My job is to represent everyone in Southwest Washington, and most of them do not have confidence in the Presidents fitness to serve. They deserve to have their confidence restored. Gluesenkamp Perez also said on social media: Its time to move forward and put the past behind us. The next President must clearly be fit enough to do the job, and that fitness must be prosecuted publicly. U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Sammamish President Bidens decision to not seek reelection is another example of his selflessness and commitment to our country. By passing the torch to a new generation of leaders, President Biden sets an inspiring example of putting country above self. I have no doubt in my mind that he will go down as one of the most consequential presidents in our nations history. State Sen. Mark Mullet, Democratic candidate for governor He is an extremely successful president that has never lost an election against Republicans in his life, choosing to step aside for the good of our democracy. His capacity for humility and selflessness is all but extinct in politicians today, but sorely needed. Republicans weigh in Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party Its troubling that President Joe Biden is quitting his campaign for re-election at this late point in our nations process. Many American voters chose him over other candidates in his Partys caucuses and primaries. Now, Biden is allowing Party elites to override the voters choice and select someone new to be his Partys presidential candidate. This is not democracy. Its a small groupwhich tends to be more extreme in its politics than ordinary votersputting Party over People. Carmen Goers, Republican candidate in the 8th Congressional District President Biden showed real strength in announcing today that he will no longer seek a second term. Regardless of how I feel about his policies or politics, making this decision isnt easy and should be given the respect it deserves. I will work with whoever is in the Oval Office to ensure that my constituents in the 8th Congressional District are being heard. Washington state Democratic leaders voiced broad support on Sunday for President Joe Bidens decision to exit the presidential race, and some were swift to back Vice President Kamala Harris as the best choice to replace him atop the ticket. Calls for Biden to drop out began after a disastrous June 27 debate performance against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president. Washington lawmakers including Reps. Adam Smith and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez were among those who urged Biden to quit the race, or questioned whether he was up to the task of running. Though Biden endorsed Harris to take his spot on the ballot and she said Sunday she will seek the nomination, it was unclear how Democrats would select a replacement candidate. More: Do Washington Democratic delegates for Joe Biden switch to Kamala Harris? Below is a roundup of what elected officials and others in Washington had to say about Bidens announcement, which he made Sunday afternoon in a letter posted to social media. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) speaks during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on June 18, 2024 in Washington, DC. Support for Harris U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, Democrat America owes a deep debt of gratitude to Joe Biden for his historic leadership. . In 2020, he saved American democracy by beating Donald Trump, and he has led one of the most successful Presidential administrations in history. I am behind Vice President Harris one-hundred percent. U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle President Joe Biden has been the most progressive and effective President on domestic and economic policy in my lifetime. I applaud his full-throated endorsement of Vice President Harris to be our Democratic nominee who will continue President Bidens legacy, defeat Donald Trump, win the House and the Senate and defend our rights and freedoms. Vice President Harris has proven time and time again that she can prosecute the case against Donald Trump and campaign vigorously for Democrats down the ballot. U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue I believe Joe Biden made the right decision. I applaud President Joe Biden for making this difficult choice. I think it is the best path forward for our country. I strongly support Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee for president. Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party He is a true patriot who ensured the Democratic Party denied Donald Trump a second term and has accomplished more in one term than many presidents have accomplished in two. I call on his delegates to support Vice President Kamala Harris. We must offer our full-throated support for Vice President Harris. We cannot and will not survive another media cycle of hand-wringing about whether the country will accept a woman as our president. Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Democratic candidate for governor Like many Washingtonians, I am grateful that President Joe Biden has decided to suspend his campaign for re-election. While the decision was clearly difficult for him and his family, it was the right decision to make for America, and for his legacy as an outstanding President. I am excited that Democrats can now rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who can unify our party and country. I am proud to offer her my endorsement and support. More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris: Live updates Hes going out on top Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Democrat As hes done for five decades, Joe Biden put his country first. In the long scope of history, his work to protect us from the ravages of climate change will be seen as an historic achievement. Biden is going out on top with a long record of accomplishments we can all be proud of. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Democrat The Democratic Party needs a standard bearer who can deliver our economic message continuing the historic accomplishment of building more economic opportunities for working class people and a focus on lowering costs. President Biden led our nation to accomplish these historic victories. Just like our partys victories on Social Security, Medicare, and family leave, Bidens policies on infrastructure, manufacturing, and lowering drug costs will be tremendous legacies. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett I laud President Bidens vision and leadership. With him in the White House our agenda became a reality for the American people. I believe that we can build on these accomplishments and continue to deliver results that matter. when we elect the Democratic ticket. Republicans weigh in Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party Troubling that Biden is quitting at this late point. Many American voters chose him in caucuses & primaries. Now, Biden is allowing Party elites to override the voters choice. This is not democracy. Its a small group more extreme than ordinary voters putting Party over People. Carmen Goers, Republican candidate in the 8th Congressional District President Biden showed real strength in announcing today that he will no longer seek a second term. Regardless of how I feel about his policies or politics, making this decision isnt easy and should be given the respect it deserves. I will work with whoever is in the Oval Office to ensure that my constituents in the 8th Congressional District are being heard. This story was initially published by Washington State Standard, a nonprofit news organization and part of the States Newsroom network, covering state issues. Read more at washingtonstatestandard.com. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Washington leaders react to Biden dropping out of presidential race Watch: The six gaffes that show why Biden had to quit The president has a long history of slip-ups, stumbles and gaffes Joe Biden has announced he is standing down as the Democratic nominee. For several years the US president has made a string of embarrassing missteps and stumbles while in public, which were brushed off by the White House as harmless gaffes. Here are six key moments in the past few years which help tell the story of his decline. Sleepy Joe Cop26 November 2021 Mr Biden appeared to briefly fall asleep during opening remarks at his first COP26 climate change summit as US president. During the event in Glasgow, Mr Biden was seen closing his eyes for around 20 seconds during disability rights activist Eddie Ndopus speech. He was then approached by an aide. Mr Biden applauded with the other delegates and then rubbed his eyes. The footage went viral and was picked up by both Left and Right-wing outlets which speculated as to whether Mr Biden had fallen asleep. These can be embarrassing situations, NBC News broadcaster Kelly ODonnell said at the time. You have the contrast of leaders including President Biden calling for the urgency of these issues, of addressing climate, and a moment like that in a session can be a political obstacle, she said. The moment didnt help Mr Bidens image. The Democrat leader, who was 78 at the time, had been dubbed Sleepy Joe by his political rival Donald Trump. Questions had already been raised about Mr Bidens physical, and mental fitness, after a series of gaffes, including falling three times while climbing the stairs of Air Force One and referring to his wife Jill as his sister. Wheres Jackie? September 2022 In one of his most alarming gaffes, Mr Biden called out for congresswoman Jackie Walorski at a White House conference a month after she had been killed in a car crash. Weeks earlier the US president had put out a statement saying he was shocked and saddened by her sudden death aged 58 and offered his deepest condolences to her family. But at the White House conference on tackling hunger he called out: Jackie, are you here? Wheres Jackie? Appearing confused at her absence, Mr Biden added under his breath: I think she was going to be here. The Republican representative from Indiana and two of her staff members also died in the crash, which was widely publicised in the US. The embarrassing gaffe went viral and renewed questions over whether Mr Biden, who was 79 at the time, maintained the mental capacity to be president. Following the remarks, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said the comments were not all that unusual and refused to acknowledge that Mr Biden had misspoken or that he had forgotten that Ms Walorski had died. She said the congresswoman was simply at the top of his mind. Mr Biden later met with the Walorski family to privately apologise, with the conversation lasting about 30 minutes, the New York Post reported. He did apologise for the Wheres Jackie? comment and our family assured him we have no hard feelings. We forgive him for his gaffe, the late congresswomans brother, Keith Walorski, said. After his shambolic debate performance on June 27, Axios reported that Mr Bidens teleprompter had included remarks that made clear she had passed away. Fall at military graduation June 2023 Mr Biden tripped and fell over on stage while handing out diplomas at a military graduation ceremony. While at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado, Mr Biden shook hands with the final graduate and then appeared to look for how to get off the stage. He then stumbled and fell forward, putting his hands out to stop himself, and ended up on the floor. Mr Biden then sat on his side and appeared to struggle to get up. He was helped to his feet by three men including a Secret Service agent. Mr Bidens aides said he was fine and the smiling US president later told reporters: I got sandbagged. The fall was the latest in a string of stumbles Mr Biden, who was 80 at the time, had suffered. Trump, who was on stage at a campaign event when he found out, said He was at the Air Force academy? He actually fell down? Well, I hope he wasnt hurt. The Republican nominee in 2020 faced questions over his health after he walked slowly down a ramp which he later described as very slippery. The clip was hoovered up by the Trump campaign machine which has repeatedly put out ads attacking Mr Biden for his age with the footage. Mr Bidens fall sparked further questions about whether he was fit to serve another term as president, but his doctor had declared him healthy and fit for duty and he is running for re-election in 2024. Recent polls suggested a majority of US voters were concerned about his advanced age. Macron or Mitterand? February 2024 Mr Biden has long been known to mix up names, but at a Las Vegas campaign event in February, he appeared to bring a French president back from the dead. He was telling an anecdote about Emmanuel Macrons reaction to a G7 meeting in 2020 when Mr Biden said America is back. The president wanted to make the point that the US would be more forceful on foreign policy under his guidance, but he mistook Mr Macron for Francois Mitterand, the president between 1981 and 1985 who died in 1996. And Mitterrand from Germany I mean, from France looked at me and said, You know, what why how long you back for? Mr Biden said. The White House later published the remarks with the name Mitterrand crossed out and replaced with Macron. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russias national security council, mocked Mr Bidens gaffe. He said the world is in danger as the main owner of the nuclear codes is in conversation with the deceased French president Mitterand. Shortly afterwards he twice confused former German Chancellor Angela Merkel with her predecessor Helmut Kohl, who is also deceased, at a donor event. Presidential debate June 2024 The presidential debate last month was the most consequential moment in Mr Bidens decline. While previous gaffes, falls and missteps could be brushed off as gaffes, the Democrat leaders disastrous performance in the 90-minute unscripted debate set off alarm bells throughout the party. The Atlanta CNN debate was a moment for Mr Biden to silence his critics, but he struggled to string sentences together, lost his train of thought and at points appeared confused. When Trump, the Republican nominee, was speaking, Mr Biden often stood with his mouth agape, appearing old, confused and feeble. It didnt help that days of intense preparation had led him to lose his voice. He sounded hoarse and the White House quickly briefed out that he had a cold. The disastrous performance was a wake-up call for top Democrats who quickly began turning on the US president, with many voicing their concern on television and social media. It saw a significant shift in the media landscape. Two days after the debate, The New York Times called on Mr Biden to stand down from the presidential race and relinquish the Democratic nomination to a stronger candidate. In an article by its editorial board, the Times accused Mr Biden of a reckless gamble in continuing his reelection bid. Nato press conference July 2024 Mr Bidens campaign to keep his place at the top of the ticket stressed that he was holding a big boy press conference at the Nato summit in Washington on July 12. He made a terrible start, when just hours before he was due to address journalists he introduced Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky on stage by the name of his nemesis Vladimir Putin. Now, I want to hand over to the President of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination, Mr Biden said. Ladies and gentlemen: President Putin. The gaffe drew gasps from the press corps and world leaders standing by him visibly flinched. Mr Biden returned to the microphone and attempted to explain the error. Im so focused on beating Putin, he said. Ninety minutes later, during a second press conference, Mr Biden was asked whether Kamala Harris was qualified to take over his job if necessary. I wouldnt have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, that I think she was not qualified to be president, he replied. Donald Trump immediately seized on the moment, writing on social media: Great job, Joe! Within minutes, the clips were being circulated online by official Republican Party accounts. Mr Biden later defended his health, but said he must do more to allay concerns by appearing more often at public events. In the days that followed the president did indeed appear at more rallies and give more interviews but almost every single one produced a notable gaffe. In the end, he appears to have understood the slips were undermining his and his partys chance of winning on Nov 5. 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 water supply from the river Don was cut off in temporarily-occupied Donetsk due to power shortages in Russia that caused the pumping stations of the Don-Donbas water supply to falter. Source: National Resistance Center of Ukraine Quote: "Due to power shortages in Russia, the pumping stations of the newly-built Don-Donbas canal failed, and the water supply was completely cut off. It takes months to repair, and the situation with water in the occupied territories has gotten worse," the report said. Residents of Donetsk have been experiencing water supply interruptions as a result of combat actions affecting the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas water pipeline. To address the issue, Russians took two years to construct a new water pipeline from the Don, but its capacity was insufficient. The National Resistance Center points out that under international law, Russia is responsible for maintaining living conditions in the occupied territories. Support UP or become our patron! NC State Capitol (Photo: Clayton Henkel) Stein, Robinson raise millions in NC governors race as Democrat holds fundraising lead Josh Stein and Mark Robinson By Galen Bacharier The election for governor in North Carolina is garnering millions in donations and spending but in recent months, Attorney General Josh Stein has hauled in significantly more money than Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in one of the most closely-watched races this cycle. Fundraising is happening in full force down the ballot, too, as well-financed contests develop for lieutenant governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and more. Stein, a Democrat, raised $13,792,245 in the quarter spanning February 18 through June 30. Thats by far the most of any North Carolina state-level candidate in that time, as Democrats aim to maintain control of the office. [Read more...] US Rep. Don Davis outraises challenger in NCs most competitive congressional race an image of rake collecting paper By Christine Zhu More money is flowing into the campaign coffers of candidates in North Carolinas first district than any other congressional contest in the state. Its the states most competitive congressional election. The district covers much of the northeastern part of North Carolina. Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Davis was the only congressional candidate to break into seven figures for fundraising in the second quarter, taking in slightly more than $1 million. Hes seeking his second term in office. [Read more] In Fayetteville, Harris warns Trump will usher in a period of chaos, fear and hate Vice President Kamala Harris By Ahmed Jallow Vice President links GOP nominees to Project 2025, makes no mention of controversy surrounding Bidens status An upbeat Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a forceful speech in Fayetteville on Thursday, even as President Joe Biden struggles to assuage concerns among Democrats about his fitness and ability to defeat Donald Trump in the fall election. This marks the vice presidents 15th trip to North Carolina, a crucial battleground state where Democrats are intensifying efforts to win. [Read more] Bonus reads: * Biden-Harris campaign ad on Black maternal health and abortion rights to run in NC * Nancy Pelosi to NC Democrats: What comes next is very important for our country Trump describes assassination attempt in speech accepting GOP presidential nomination Donald and Melania trump By Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray MILWAUKEE Donald Trump in an unusual speech accepting the GOP presidential nomination Thursday at the fourth and final night of the Republican National Convention gave a detailed account about the attempt on his life last weekend when a gunman shot at him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. I will tell you exactly what happened. And youll never hear it from me a second time because its actually too painful to tell, Trump said in his first public remarks about the shooting that killed one rally goer and injured two others. The gunman was killed by law enforcement at the scene.[Read more...] NC elections board approves a new party, allowing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the ballot Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. By Lynn Bonner The state Board of Elections voted to authorize the alternative We the People party, allowing presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to appear on North Carolina ballots in November. The Board rejected with a 3-2 vote along party lines the Justice for All party, Cornel Wests alternative party. Democrats rejected the Justice for All attempt to become a recognized party in part over questions about signatures on its petitions. [Read more...] Bonus read: Justice for All party says it will sue the NC elections board North Carolina ranks 33rd in new national scorecard on womens health, reproductive care a mother holds her newborn By Clayton Henkel A new state-by-state scorecard of womens health released this week by the Commonwealth Fund raises concerns over the care women receive and the ripple effects of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The 2024 State Scorecard on Womens Health and Reproductive Care is based on 32 measures of state health systems and examines how state policy actions are changing the way women can access and use health care. Based on the evidence and data, one thing is absolutely clear, womens health is in a very fragile state, said Dr. Joseph Betancourt, president of the Commonwealth Fund, during a briefing with reporters on Wednesday. [Read more] North Carolina consumers score court win against one of nations largest debt-buyers a gavel and the scales of justice By Greg Childress The North Carolina Justice Center has received final court approval for a $5.75 million settlement of a class action lawsuit brought against one of the nations largest debt buyers, Portfolio Recovery Associations (PRA). The lawsuit, which was filed in 2016, alleged that PRA violated North Carolina debt collection law by obtaining default judgments against debtors without filing sufficient evidence to substantiate the debts claimed to be owed. [Read more] Pennsylvania shooting should be a wake-up call for the next three-plus months (commentary) By Rob Schofield As with all such horrific acts of political violence throughout American history, this past weekends attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has prompted an array of immediate and widely varying responses. And this reality has, of course, been only enhanced by the tumultuous politics of the present moment. Now, add in the frequently toxic ingredient of social media platforms that provide a vehicle for the voicing of peoples darkest emotions and instincts and the recipe for a descent into a destructive cycle of violence is clearly present. [Read more] West must 'let go' of 'irrational fears' of escalation with Russia, FM Kuleba says Western allies need to "let go" of their fears of escalating conflict with Russia and give Ukraine the assistance it needs to end the full-scale war, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a Q & A on Reddit on July 19. Key allies, such as the United States and Germany, have repeatedly cited the threat of escalation as a reason to withhold long-range weapons or authorization to use foreign weapons to strike military targets within Russia. "Over the last two and a half years, nothing has harmed Ukraine's war effort more than the concept of 'controlled escalation,'" Kuleba said in a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" session. Kuleba described the fear of escalation as "irrational" and said that evidence indicates that greater military support for Ukraine has not led to escalations with Russia. "Everyone needs to finally let go of this fear. Putin does not require any reasons to escalate. ... Instead, we must take the initiative and make Putin fear our next move, not the other way around." Kuleba was straightforward about the type of assistance that would accelerate Ukraine's path to victory over Russia. "A sufficient number of Patriot batteries, a sufficient number of F-16 jets, a sufficient amount of artillery ammunition, and sufficient freedom to target legitimate military targets in Russia," he said when asked what Kyiv needs to win the war. Kuleba addressed a number of topics in the Q & A, including military aid, the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Polish-Ukrainian relations, Ukraine's accession to NATO and the European Union, and historical Russian imperialism. Regarding the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine, Kuleba said Kyiv offers "the best deal U.S. can get in the world" in terms of its military investment. Any White House administration should bear in mind that Ukraine is transparent about its use of weapon and is rapidly accelerating domestic defense production to reduce dependency on foreign aid, he said. These remarks were in part a response to questions about how a second term for former U.S. President Donald Trump would affect Washington's support for Kyiv. "We will work with any administration that emerges from the American people's vote in November," Kuleba said. Read also: Zelensky, Trump hold call, discuss future of US support Kuleba also offered a historical perspective on Russia's full-scale invasion and the role of U.S. intervention. He referred to the Budapest Memorandum, the 1994 agreement in which Ukraine voluntarily gave up its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarentees, as "a strategic mistake." "Looking back, it is clear that Russia, rather than Ukraine, should have been disarmed after the Cold War ended," he said. "I could argue the U.S. owes us support today for stripping us of our nuclear defense shield years ago, but I guess that doesn't sell." Kuleba said that a historical understanding of Russia's imperialist ambitions in Ukraine is critical. "This war did not begin in 2022, not even in 2014. Its roots are much deeper, and if you dig deeper, you will find that it stems from Russia's imperial attitude toward other nations, particularly those in its neighborhood," he said. "Many policy mistakes could have been avoided if our partners had not looked at Ukraine through the lens of Russia." Read also: F-16s are on their way to Ukraine heres how they can help fight Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. CHICAGO Authorities are searching for a group of individuals responsible for a string of burglaries at businesses on the citys West Side. Chicago police say three burglaries unfolded at businesses in Austin and Garfield Park between June 27 and July 17. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland According to police, during each burglary, a group of up to five individuals, with two people acting as lookouts, broke through the front windows or doors of the businesses before stealing money from the cash register or ATM machine. Officers say in some instances, the people responsible stole the entire ATM machine. This embedded content is not available in your region. Chicago police provided the following list of dates and locations where the burglaries unfolded: 5200 block of West Chicago Avenue at 5:17 a.m. on June 27 3900 block of West Monroe Street between 7:30 p.m. on June 28 and 7:55 a.m. on June 29. 4800 block of West Fulton Street at 1:16 a.m. on July 17 Officers say the people responsible were spotted wearing hoodies, face masks and gloves during the incidents. Authorities are searching for a group of individuals responsible for a string of burglaries at businesses on the citys West Side. Authorities are searching for a group of individuals responsible for a string of burglaries at businesses on the citys West Side. Authorities are searching for a group of individuals responsible for a string of burglaries at businesses on the citys West Side. On Friday, Chicago police shared surveillance video that captured one of the burglaries. Police advise businesses to keep the perimeter of their property well-lit and to report any suspicious activity. Police say businesses should keep doors and windows secured and advise owners to quickly repair any broken windows, doors, or locks. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Officers say anyone who falls victim to a burglary should not touch anything and call police as soon as possible. If surveillance video of the burglary is available, businesses should make a copy of it for authorities. Anyone with information on the string of robberies is asked to contact CPD Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8253 or dial 911. Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Western New York politicians react to Biden dropping out of 2024 presidential race BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) President Joe Biden announced in a social media post Sunday he is withdrawing from the 2024 race following weeks of mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party. Bidens decision comes on the heels of a poor debate performance that prompted many rank-and-file lawmakers to urge him to withdraw from the race. The president said he will address the American people later this week in more detail about my decision. He went on to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination in a follow-up social media post. Several Western New York and state politicians from both major parties reacted to Bidens decision Sunday, including Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said the presidents decision to step down shows (he is) a true patriot and great American. Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being, Schumer said in a statement. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Schumers colleague, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, offered a similar sentiment on Biden, saying the president has served our country with courage, compassion, integrity and decency. President Biden has improved the lives of millions of Americans and leaves behind a legacy that will echo for generations, Gillibrand said in a statement. On behalf of myself and every New Yorker: Thank you, Joe. Gillibrand endorsed Harris for president on Monday morning. Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement that Bidens decision required great courage and patriotism. She also endorsed Harris for president in the statement. When President Biden picked Kamala Harris to be his Vice President he unleashed incredible excitement for a new generation of political leadership, Hochul said. That same energy will carry us to November 5 with Vice President Harris leading our ticket. Rep. Tim Kennedy (NY-26) said in a post on X that Biden made a choice to put the country above himself. We are forever grateful to President Biden for a lifetime of service fighting for families, and leading our country out of the darkness to preserve the soul of our nation. In a statement, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown thanked Biden for his dedication to our country and his strong support for the City of Buffalo. Im honored to have worked with him to continue to grow our city, enhance public safety and utilize federal funds to improve Buffalos infrastructure, Brown said. I will always be grateful for President Bidens presence and incredible compassion after the terrible 5/14 racially motivated mass shooting. While Democrats praised President Biden, prominent Republicans in Western New York called on the president to step down from his post immediately. Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) took to X to call on Biden to resign, saying he should end this national embarrassment. She also responded to Biden offering his support to Vice President Harris, calling it a clap back at the Democrats who forced him out in a calculated attempt to undermine the millions of Democrat primary voters who supported Biden. Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23) echoed Tenneys demand in a post on X, saying that If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Latest Local News Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the WIVB News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Vice President Kamala Harris has officially thrown her hat in the ring for the 2024 presidential race with President Joe Biden's endorsement, following his announcement Sunday he's stepping aside. As the nation begins to envision a possible Harris presidency, her history of environmental policy is receiving renewed attention. As a U.S. senator, Harris was an early co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, a non-binding blueprint for transitioning the country to 100% clean energy within a decade. The Green New Deal was first introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Edward Markey in February 2019. MORE: Earth Day 2024 report card: Experts address America's climate change action The climate proposal also includes job guarantees for displaced workers and a call for a national healthcare system. In 2019, as a candidate for president, Harris unveiled a plan to spend $10 trillion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a goal of getting to a zero-emissions economy by 2045. PHOTO: A handmade sign for Vice President Kamala Harris appears on a lawn, July 21, 2024, in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Harris also called for a "climate pollution fee" that would "make polluters pay for emitting greenhouse gases into our atmosphere," and she indicated that a Harris administration would strengthen its enforcement and prosecution of fossil fuel companies. During her presidential campaign, Harris said in 2020 that she would establish an independent Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability that would "represent the views of frontline communities, conduct research on issues and trends in frontline communities, measure the costs and benefits of federal actions on frontline communities, and monitor government compliance." During a CNN forum on climate change in 2020, Harris said she opposed fracking and offshore drilling. She said she would also ban fossil fuel leases on public lands if elected as president. MORE: Trump says 'drill, baby, drill,' but the record for US oil production isn't his As California's attorney general in 2016, Harris investigated Exxon Mobil over concerns that the company misled the public and its shareholders about the risks of climate change and whether its public statements violated securities laws and other statutes. PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Constitutional Convention of the UNITE HERE hospitality union in New York on June 21, 2024. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) Harris also sued Plains All-American Pipeline over a 2015 oil spill off the California coast and obtained a criminal indictment of the company. She also secured an $86 million settlement for the state from Volkswagen for allegations of cheating on diesel emissions tests. MORE: Biden vs. Trump on climate: Will environmental policy be addressed in the debate? When she was San Francisco's district attorney, Harris created what she called the nation's first environmental justice unit. "Crimes against the environment are crimes against communities, people who are often poor and disenfranchised," Harris said in 2005. "The people who live in those communities often have no other choice but to live there." Harris supports the Paris Climate Agreement and has said she will make the climate crisis a top national security priority. Where Kamala Harris stands on Green New Deal and climate initiatives originally appeared on abcnews.go.com White House staff were blindsided by Joe Bidens decision to drop out of the presidential race on Sunday. The US President reportedly told senior aides on Saturday that he was committed to fighting the election, despite weeks of bad publicity following his disastrous debate performance and pressure from senior Democrats to step aside. He then told them he had changed his mind just moments before his public announcement that he would stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President, Politico reports. The decision was so last-minute that Mr Bidens staff were phoning delegates ahead of the Democratic National Convention next month when he announced his withdrawal from the race. Mr Biden summoned Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon, two of his closest advisers, to his home in Delaware on Saturday afternoon to draft his withdrawal letter, the New York Times reports. The trio are said to have worked into the night, with Mr Donilon helping draw up the 325-word letter and Mr Richetti focusing on when and how to inform campaign staff. Annie Tomasini, Deputy chief of staff, and Anthony Bernal, the senior adviser to First Lady Jill Biden, are also said to have been present for the discussions. Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to the President, told shocked staff that the decision came down late. She added that the decision had been taken by an extremely small group of people and appeared to imply that she had not been made aware beforehand. Ms Dunn was one of several advisers who found out about the move exactly one minute before the statement went public, according to the New York Times. Some White House staff are said to have been shocked and tearful at the decision, while others were relieved following weeks of pressure on the US President. Kamala Harris, chief of staff Jeffrey Zients and campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon were informed earlier on Sunday. A senior administration official said Mr Biden decided to step down after failing to shift the attention from his dire debate performance in late June. Campaign staff in Delaware had concluded a call with state aides just minutes before Mr Biden published a letter when he announced the end of his re-election bid. I dont think a soul in Delaware knew, an official said. Cedric Richmond, a co-chair of the Biden campaign, insisted on Sunday morning that the US President was determined to fight on and beat Donald Trump in Novembers election. I want to be crystal clear. Hes made a decision and that decision is to accept the nomination and run for reelection, win reelection, he told CBS News. Mr Bidens letter ending his presidential run made no mention of a successor, prompting questions early on about whether he would endorse a successor. He did not issue an endorsement of Ms Harris, his vice president, until roughly half an hour later, offering his full support and urging Democrats to unite behind her. The delay may have been an oversight caused by Mr Bidens last-minute decision to drop out, and the fact that he only had a small team handling his exit. It is also possible that Mr Bidens team wanted to focus media coverage on his legacy and departure from the race, rather than on who would replace him. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. You might notice flags around Wisconsin flying at half-staff on Sunday. The gesture, ordered by Gov. Tony Evers, is in memory of a longtime state employee and National Guard veteran. Here's what to know about the flags at half-staff and the Wisconsinite they're honoring. Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin on Sunday? Flags are at half-staff by an executive order from the governor to honor Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jerald David Jerry Slack, who died May 18 at 78 years old. Slack served in the National Guard for 37 years, starting in Illinois in 1959 and eventually transferring to Wisconsin. In 1989, Slack was appointed as Wisconsin's adjutant general, the senior officer in the state's National Guard. For seven years, he directed more than 12,000 Wisconsin Guardsmen and oversaw major military operations, including deployments in Desert Storm, Southern and Northern Watch, and Operation Deny Flight. The general also worked as a civil engineer in the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and later served as chief engineer for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Services. He finished his civilian career at the Wisconsin Department of Administration.General Slack will be remembered for his integrity, bravery, and unwavering commitment to service, which left a mark on all those who knew and served with him, Evers said in a news release. How long will flags be at half-staff? Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on July 21. Where will flags be at half-staff? According to Evers' order, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag will fly at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the State of Wisconsin. Why do flags fly at half-staff? U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff in the wake of national tragedies or after deaths government officials, military members or first responders. They also fly half-staff during Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance. "The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning," USA.gov says. "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags flying at half-staff in Wisconsin on Sunday? An increased number of marine birds are getting tangled in discarded fishing gear near Vancouver lakes and rivers, according to the Wildlife Rescue Association of British Columbia. What's happening? Seven instances of birds with fishing lines tangled around their legs and hooks through their beaks were reported to the Wildlife Rescue Association during two weeks in mid-June alone. "There's a lot of things that are left behind unintentionally or forgotten around these smaller lakes in (the) Metro Vancouver area that can be harmful for wildlife," Wildlife Rescue Association executive director Linda Bakker told CTV News Vancouver. Why is this increase in reports important? The increase in reports shows how devastating discarded fishing gear can be for marine birds and wildlife. Fishing line, often made of plastic or silk, can easily entangle wildlife and restrict their movements. This can cause injury or even death. Birds and wildlife can also ingest fishing gear like hooks and lures, which can puncture the inside of their bodies with sharp edges and create a false sense of being full, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This may make the animal ill or cause it to starve. Research by the NOAA estimates that a monofilament fishing line takes 600 years to biodegrade more time than it takes a plastic bottle to degrade (450 years). According to the United Nations, more than 1 million sea birds die from marine debris each year, including discarded fishing gear. As the Wildlife Rescue Association said in an Instagram post, these cases display "human negligence's devastating impact on local wildlife." What's being done about the birds entangled in fishing gear? The Wildlife Rescue Association is working to rescue birds injured by fishing lines, hooks, and related gear, but it isn't always easy. Of the seven impacted birds reported to the organization in mid-June, rescue staff and volunteers were able to capture and treat three. "When a bird is still flighted, it's very difficult to grab them or to rescue them," Bakker told CTV News Vancouver. "Usually, you only have one shot one chance to grab an animal because then they will be spooked." The rescue asks locals to be extra careful when disposing of lines, lures, and hooks. "At a lot of lakes, it's really easy to dispose of your fishing line there are special bins set up," Bakker added. "If it does wash up on the shore or you notice it somewhere, please pick it up and take it out, even if not yours." If you find wildlife entangled in fishing gear, call your local wildlife rescue organization for help from trained professionals. If you want a more hands-on approach to wildlife rescue, consider volunteering with your local rescue. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. No universal solution After Homelessness Ruling, Cities Weigh Whether to Clear Encampments, (modbee.com, July 13) The vagrancy issue is extraordinarily complex and asymmetric. There is no universal solution. Cities need to have every available tool to do whats best for their community. A ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stripped cities of the law enforcement tool, making it harder not easier to find solutions. The Supreme Court reversed that decision. UC Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky labeled that reversal wrong-headed. But the big picture here is that the Supreme Courts decision gave favor to the rights of 99% of the residents of Grants Pass, Oregon over the 1% of the unhoused. That doesnt sound wrong-headed to me. It sounds like the greater good was served. The Supreme Court reinstated the option to use law enforcement. I am confident that cities will use it in a constructive manner that serves the greater good. Tim Ragsdale Modesto Country first Donald Trump Shooting Silences Republican Dissent, (modbee.com, July 17) The attempt on Donald Trumps life shows that there is a need for all of us to unite and stand together as one nation. I hope that Trump stops making racist, extremist rhetoric, and stops attacking President Joe Biden if he wants to be president. Lets pray for our country and for former President Trump because our country comes first not violence or extremism. John Huerta Merced Opinion Worry about the future Donald Trump Shooting Silences Republican Dissent, (modbee.com, July 17) For a quick minute here, forget if you are a Democrat or Republican and think as an American. Forget if you like or dont like Donald Trump or Joe Biden. All this rhetoric about Bidens mental capacity and whether he can win an election is consuming the conversation. Democrats are worried if he can beat Trump. Its painfully obvious there are cognitive problems for Biden. Lets say he wins the election (which, at this point, is all the Democrats seem to be worried about), is he capable of running this country for another four years? No one seems to be worried about what happens if he wins. Anyone who thinks they are not voting for a President Kamala Harris ticket is fooling themselves. And, if hes not capable of running, how is he capable of running this country now? Worry about the future of the country. Marty Garber Modesto Blame game California leaders react after Trump rally shooting, (fresnobee.com, July 13) Some say Donald Trump pumping his fist after he was grazed let the audience know he was OK. Others saw the gestures, the extreme facial anger and the repeating of what appeared to be the word fight three times as not just encouraging support for his candidacy, but exploiting the moment to build resentment and perhaps even retaliatory violence. One politician offered, First they tried to keep him off the ballot, then they tried to jail him, and now this. Blame for the event was already being deflected away from the unidentified dead shooter onto the political opposition, the black-hearted demon Democrats of the left. Another politician said, Joe Biden sent the orders. Newt Gingrich took the failed assassination attempt as an indicator of Gods partisan view of the election. He said, It was providential that Trump turned his head at the right moment. Perhaps it was just very lucky. Kimball Shinkoskey Woods Cross, Utah Screenshot from Sarah Godlewski's post on X endorsing Kamala Harris for president. Shortly after President Joe Biden announced that he will no longer seek the nomination for president, Wisconsin Democratic leaders who will serve as delegates to the Democratic National Convention released statements praising Biden and joining him in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be his successor. All of the Democrats representing Wisconsin in the U.S. House and Senate endorsed Harris. Today Im proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said in a statement. I look forward to her candidacy as a new beginning for our party and our country and I am excited to work with her to lower costs for Wisconsin families, grow our Made in America economy, and restore our fundamental rights and freedoms. Wisconsin U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore also issued statements endorsing Harris. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who helped bring the just-concluded Republican National Convention to his city and who will be a delegate at the Democratic National Convention next month, said in a statement: Just as hard as I worked to support President Joe Biden, Ill now focus my attention to make sure that we elect Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States. Wisconsin State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, also a delegate, posted a picture of herself with Harris on X and wrote: Lets go @KamalaHarris! Fired up to break that presidential glass ceiling! #Forward Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler put out a statement praising Biden as one our nations greatest presidents a transformational leader who dedicated a lifetime of service to our country, and underscored the importance of the fight to defeat MAGA extremism and win the battle for the soul of America, but stopped short of endorsing Harris. Likewise Gov. Tony Evers praised Biden and in a statement, but did not endorse Harris. President Bidens decision today doesnt change the fact the choice remains clear this November. Donald Trump wants to be a dictator on day one, Evers said. There is much work ahead of us, and Wisconsin Democrats and I will spend every moment of every day for the next 107 days working to defeat him. Wisconsin will send 95 delegates and seven alternates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Aug. 19-22. Bidens endorsement of Harris could help persuade the delegates he releases from their pledge to support him to vote for Harris at the convention, but they are not obligated to do so. Harris has pledged to fight for delegate votes in Chicago. Wisconsin is among a small handful of closely divided swing states that will determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A woman is in critical condition after she was repeatedly stabbed at Miami International Airport on Saturday night, causing chaos in the terminal. The stabbing occurred around 11:33 p.m. on the fourth floor of Terminal J in International Arrivals. Residents evacuated after large ground depression opens up under Florida home According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, a man repeatedly stabbed the woman and tried to throw her over the railing. Luckily, she was able to escape and ran to the third floor where police officers found her. Police said they initially received reports about a possible active shooter. The incident halted airport operations until authorities could determine the chaos stemmed from the stabbing. There is no impact at all to airport operations, and it is considered an isolated incident, Miami-Dade Police spokesperson Angel Rodriguez said. The suspect was arrested in the terminal where the stabbing happened. Police also found the knife used in the attack. A passenger spoke to WTVJ and said she and her family had an argument before chaos erupted. We heard the escalation of the fight and somebody said run, Dana, a Delta Airlines passenger said. When they said run, we all ran. Florida woman accused of punching beloved 97-year-old bartender Authorities are trying to determine the relationship between the suspect and the woman. The reason for the attack is unclear at this time. It is also unknown if the two were passengers. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she is in critical condition. Operations at the airport have since returned to normal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Airports start to return to normal after global outage United Airlines employees wait by a departures monitor displaying a blue error screen in Newark International Airport. Photo: Reuters Planes were gradually taking off again on Saturday after global airlines, banks and media were thrown into turmoil by one of the biggest IT crashes in recent years, caused by an update to an antivirus programme. The Hong Kong Airport Authority said most systems are operating normally again, but contingency plans remain in place, and mainland state media said Beijing's airports had not been affected. Passenger crowds had swelled at airports on Friday as dozens of flights were cancelled after an update to a programme operating on Microsoft Windows crashed systems worldwide. By Saturday, officials said the situation had returned virtually to normal in airports across Germany and France, as Paris prepared to welcome millions for the Olympic Games starting on Friday. Multiple US airlines and airports across Asia said they had resumed operations, with check-in services restored in Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand, and mostly back to normal in India, Indonesia and at Singapore's Changi Airport as of Saturday afternoon. Microsoft estimated Saturday that 8.5 million Windows devices were affected in the global IT crash, adding that the number amounted to less than one percent of all Windows machines. "While the percentage was small, the broad economic and societal impacts reflect the use of CrowdStrike by enterprises that run many critical services", it said. Microsoft said the issue began at 1900 GMT on Thursday, affecting Windows users running the CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity software. In a Saturday blog post, CrowdStrike said it had released an update on Thursday night that had caused a system crash and the infamous "blue screen of death" fatal error message. CrowdStrike said it had rolled out a fix for the problem, and the company's boss, George Kurtz, told US news channel CNBC he wanted to "personally apologise to every organisation, every group and every person who has been impacted". The company also said it could take a few days for things to fully get back to normal. Britain's National Health Service was hobbled by the crash on Friday, preventing doctors from accessing patient records and booking appointments. A "majority of systems... are now coming back online in most areas, however they are still running slightly slower than usual", an NHS spokesperson said, warning of disruption continuing into next week. Media companies were also hit, with Britain's Sky News saying the glitch had ended its Friday morning news broadcasts. Australia's ABC also reported major difficulties. Australian, British and German authorities warned of an increase in scam and phishing attempts following the outage, including people offering to help reboot computers and asking for personal information or credit card details. Banks in Kenya and Ukraine reported issues with their digital services, some mobile phone carriers were disrupted and customer services in a number of companies went down. "The scale of this outage is unprecedented, and will no doubt go down in history," said Junade Ali of Britain's Institution of Engineering and Technology, adding that the last incident approaching the same scale was in 2017. While some airports halted all flights, in others airline staff resorted to manual check-ins for passengers, leading to long lines and frustrated travellers. Thousands of US flights were grounded, although airlines later said they were re-establishing their services and working through the backlog. A senior US administration official said Friday that "our understanding is that flight operations have resumed across the country, although some congestion remains". India's largest airline Indigo said Saturday that operations had been "resolved", adding in a statement on X that the process of resuming normal operations would "extend into the weekend". Low-cost carrier AirAsia said it was still trying to get back online and had been "working around the clock towards recovering its departure control systems". CrowdStrike said the issue was "not the result of or related to a cyberattack". (AFP) Pittsburgh Police are investigating a reported hit-and-run crash. Officers were called to the intersection of Commonwealth Place and the Blvd. of the Allies Downtown after receiving reports of a vehicle that had hit a woman on a bike. A woman with injuries was found and taken to a hospital where she is in stable condition. Police say they believe the vehicle involved was a green Ford Escape. Anyone with information on this scene is asked to contact Pittsburgh Police at 412-255-2827. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 3 people dead, 1 person hurt in overnight Lawrence County crash Massive hunting property in Pennsylvania, nearly 7K acres, has sold PHOTOS: Emergency crews respond to deadly Slippery Rock Township crash VIDEO: Woman in wheelchair hit by City of Pittsburgh garbage truck DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts The broken zipline laid on the quay next to Dnipro River as search and rescue operations are carried out - GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE/GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE A young woman is feared to have drowned in the Dnipro River in central Kyiv after the zip wire attraction she was riding on snapped. Eyewitnesses said that the unnamed woman was travelling at high speed across the river on the zip wire when it suddenly broke and she plunged into the river. A video showed dozens of men heaving the zip wire up from the river in a desperate attempt to rescue her. Unfortunately, she was not there, Pavlo Petrov, an eyewitness, told the Ukrainskaya Pravda website. Both the police and the diving and rescue departments of the State Emergency Service are currently working at the scene and are examining the river. Rather than holding onto a raised handlebar in typical zip wire style, riders on the Kyiv Flyline! are strapped into a bucket seat. Sodden, this heavy strapping may have weighed the woman down and dragged her under the water. More videos showed divers and boats scouting the river for the lost woman. Rescuers on boat during a search and rescue operation in the Dnipro river - GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE/GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE Onlookers on Dnipro River Snapped zipline cables In one video, shot from the adjacent pedestrian bridge, a man said: The woman fell in here but we fear she has drowned as we havent seen her. The Kyiv city state administration said that traffic in central Kyiv would be affected by the accident and that it would investigate the company operating the attraction, which only opened in 2021. A rescue and search operation is underway, involving special equipment and boats with divers, it said. Kyiv Flyline! advertises itself as the main zipline in Ukraine, promising an experience that delivers vivid impressions and the joy of experiencing free flight as well as a focus on safety. Reliable ropes and highly professional instructors ensure your guaranteed safety during the flight on Kyiv Flyline! it says on its website next to videos of customers clearly enjoying the ride. The Kyiv Flyline! zip wire sends people across the wide Dnipro River from near the Soviet-built Friendship of Nations Arch to Trukhaniv Island, a ride that measures 500m in length and lasts 65 seconds, according to the website. The company has not commented. 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. MIAMI A woman is fighting for her life at the hospital after she was stabbed "multiple times" and almost thrown over a balcony in an unprovoked attack at Miami International Airport late Saturday night, police said. Just after 11:30 p.m., uniformed officers were called out to the International Arrivals section of Terminal J regarding a stabbing. Miami-Dade Police said early Sunday morning that the woman and a man, identified as 29-year-old Alexander Love, were on the fourth floor of the terminal when he suddenly "attacked her by stabbing her multiple times and attempted to throw her over the railing." The woman was able to escape from Love and ran downstairs to the third floor, where officers found her, according to police. Additional responding officers took Love into custody on the fourth floor and recovered the knife. No charges were announced as of publication. A video shared with CBS News Miami showed the woman sitting down in the waiting area of the airport's terminal and bleeding. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and transported the woman to JMH Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition. A witness told CBS News Miami that several flights were arriving when the incident happened, and people either tried to help the woman or ran away from the terminal. "We heard the escalation of a fight," the witness said. "And somebody said 'run!' So, you literally had a line of 100 to 200 people easily because we had just come off the plane." Many who were there at the time of the attack said they were shocked that it happened in such a congested part of the airport. "There was a lot of people saying how it was really scary telling their kids to pick up their stuff and everyone was running," another witness told CBS News Miami. The airport briefly shut down services in the area during the incident and evacuated Terminals J and H, but has since resumed normal operations, Miami-Dade Police Detective Angel Rodriguez told CBS News Miami. "There were people that were conducting business in the airport while this happened," he said. "And so, it's expected that it can create some sort of chaos." We are aware of an incident that occurred this evening at Miami International Airport Concourse J international greeters lobby. We want to assure the public that the situation is under control and the safety of our passengers, staff, and visitors remains our top priority. pic.twitter.com/UT5BIJUbwV Miami Int'l Airport (@iflymia) July 21, 2024 MIA also shared a statement on X regarding the incident, reiterating that the situation at the terminal was now "under control." "We want to assure the public that the situation is under control and the safety of our passengers, staff, and visitors remains our top priority," MIA stated. "Authorities responded immediately, and the situation was swiftly contained." Meanwhile, officers had also received reports of a possible active shooter on scene but they were able to determine that was not true after further investigation. Detectives are currently talking to Love, who remained under custody, as the investigation continues. Police have not identified the woman nor released further details about the stabbing. Meet 90-year-old track star Florence Meiler Rock star: Sculptor Jago on unveiling humankind in marble Pressure mounts as calls grow for Biden to end reelection bid Sowing fear When I read Paige Mastens July 15 Opinion column, I was disappointed that some members of Congress and our state legislatures are wasting time trying to pass laws that are not necessary. They know that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in state and federal elections. Instead of working on legislation that would positively impact constituents, such as passing a budget, N.C. legislators spend time misleading voters. Either they want to create fear and have voters believe that problems exist when they dont, or maybe they really dont know much about civics. Regardless of the reason, voters need to educate themselves so they vote for candidates who are problem-solvers, rather than those who mislead and sow fear. Tara Bissette, Fuquay-Varina Biden must go The writer is active in the Durham Democratic Party, but not speaking for it. The Democratic National Committee is trying to railroad Joe Bidens nomination through. The party Ive supported all my life is refusing to listen to a large swath of members. The president continues to repeat that millions of voters elected him in the primary where there was no opposition, no opportunity to debate. What we realize now is that we were voting for someone whose cognitive and physical decline were withheld from us. We were deceived. The party runs the risk of losing the presidency and both houses of Congress and also an energetic, passionate base. Party leaders must tell Biden that he no longer commands the confidence of ordinary Democrats. This isnt a rebellion of elites, Hollywood or the press. This is widespread frustration with Biden, his small circle of advisers and the DNC. Never have I ever... felt so betrayed by the myopic misuse of political power and by the utter disregard for the power of the people. Marjorie George, Durham Mark Robinson Interviewees in the July 15 article about Mark Robinson described him as hilarious. A man whos said some folks need killing, tells women its not your body anymore and you werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down is not in any way amusing. History has shown that when we dont take politicians at their word, when we think theyre just kidding, we regret it. Robinson has shown us clearly who he is and hes not someone who should ever be governor. Jennifer Tlusty, Raleigh Hungry kids The writer is program manager of School Meals for All NC. Hungry children cannot learn. Thats why our coalition of educators, parents, faith and community leaders couldnt agree more with Wake school board member Toshiba Rice, who said June 25: Feed these babies so they can learn and not be hungry during the day. One in six N.C. children go hungry every day. In some rural parts of the state, its one in three. Its important that school districts stop creating obstacles that prevent students from accessing meals at school. Instead, lets find a way to remove the costs, shame and other barriers that prevent every public school student from getting a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost. Maybe that means changing policies. Maybe it means requesting more funding to expand meal programs. If we truly care about the health and well-being of our students, well do whatever it takes. Marianne Weant, Cary Climate hell The writer is professor emeritus of Earth Sciences at Duke University and co-author of Escaping Nature. As climate change milestones go, the past few weeks of extreme heat have been historic. More than 1,300 worshipers died in the heat during the Hajj pilgrimage. Heat is killing howler monkeys in Mexico, who fall dead from trees due to dehydration. Closer to home, new heat records were set again in June. Globally, last year was the hottest in 120,000 years, triggering coral bleaching in Australia, record drought in Brazils Amazon. Climatologists predict this is just the beginning unless we take serious steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the UN Secretary General said: we are heading for climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator. What science tells us about climate change is irrefutable, but it also tells us that its not too late to stem the tide and reduce emissions. Orrin H. Pilkey, Durham (Bloomberg) -- World leaders paid tribute to Joe Biden after the US president announced that he wont be standing for reelection in November. He is the first sitting president since 1968 to drop out of a presidential race. Most Read from Bloomberg Biden, 81, had been under intense pressure from senior figures in the Democratic party to step aside after a catastrophic debate performance against Donald Trump last month fueled doubts about whether he would be able to beat his Republican rival and raised alarm about mental acuity. The prospect of a return to the White House for the 78-year-old Trump had traditional US allies in Europe bracing for a more abrasive and transactional foreign policy, with the focus away from Ukraine and with tariffs deployed as a geo-economic weapon on China and Europe. Vice President Kamala Harris is the front-runner to take over, although she isnt that well known in Europe and Asia. Here are reactions from leaders around the globe: Europe and Middle East Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister Mr. President @JoeBiden, you have many times made difficult decisions that made Poland, America and the world safer, and democracy and freedom stronger, Tusk said on X. I know you had the same in mind when you announced your last decision. Perhaps the hardest thing in life. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian President Simon Harris, Irish Prime Minister Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this, Harris wrote on X. On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home. Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister All my admiration and respect for the brave and dignified decision by President @JoeBiden, Sanchez said on X. Thanks to his determination and leadership, the US overcame the economic crisis after the pandemic and the grave assault on the Capitol and been exemplary in its support for Ukraine. A grand gesture from a great president who always fought for democracy and freedom. Petr Fiala, Czech Prime Minister It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades, Fiala said on X. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates. Isaac Herzog, Israeli President I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career, Herzog said on X. As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples. I send him, Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem. Americas Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazils President Lula considers that US Democrats still have time to turn the tables as the appointment of a new candidate creates an opportunity to boost support among voters and donors, according to two foreign affairs advisers to the Brazilian leader. Lula and his government see Harris with great sympathy. She may be able to win the female vote something that eluded Hillary Clinton in 2016 because society is changing and misogyny is ever less tolerated, the advisers said. That should make it more difficult for Trump to attack Harris, they said. Their thinking: While its easy for Trump to call Biden senile, it will be more complicated to attack a Black woman without offending millions of female voters in the country. Indo-Pacific Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister President Biden is someone whose standing will only grow as a result of this decision, Albanese said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, describing the US leader as an incredibly decent, honorable man of integrity, who has always put his nation first. Albanese praised Bidens policy record, including the Aukus partnership and the Inflation Reduction Act, which he said was the most significant piece of climate change legislation carried anywhere in the world. He also said Vice President Harris is a good friend of Australia. Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Prime Minister President Biden has dedicated his life to public service, and that is something that deserves much respect, Luxon wrote on the X social media platform. I thank the President for his leadership of the United States and his commitment to New Zealand. And I look forward to working with him for the remainder of his presidency. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Philippine President President Bidens decision to withdraw from his candidacy is a demonstration of genuine statesmanship. We thank him for his constant and unwavering support for the Philippines in a delicate and difficult time. We wish him well for the rest of his presidency and for all his future endeavors, Marcos posted on X. Fumio Kishida, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida told reporters in Tokyo that he thought Biden saw the move to withdraw as being the best political decision. The premier wanted to refrain from commenting directly on the matter because its related to domestic US politics but added Japans alliance with the US is the cornerstone of Tokyos diplomacy and security. Japan will be watching developments closely, Kishida said. Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korean President The support for South Korea-US alliance is bipartisan in the US and our government will continue close cooperation with the US to further develop the global comprehensive strategic alliance between South Korea and the US, Yoons office said in a statement, declining to comment further on the matter relating to another countrys domestic politics. --With assistance from Jorge Valero, Simone Iglesias, Andreo Calonzo, Ben Westcott, Ryotaro Nakamaru, Soo-Hyang Choi, Takashi Hirokawa, Andrea Dudik, Natalia Ojewska, Alex Morales and Daryna Krasnolutska. (Updates with comments from leaders of New Zealand, Philippines.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President Joe Biden participates in a bilateral meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the Oval Office of the White House on July 18, 2023. File photo by Shawn Thew/EPA-EFE July 21 (UPI) -- World leaders reacted Sunday after U.S. President Joe Biden announced he is ending his campaign for a second term, praising his work for international relations. Among the first to comment was a leader of one of top U.S. allies: Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described Biden as a "true ally of the Jewish people" in a post on X on Sunday night from Jerusalem. He wrote: "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades-long career. As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true ally of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples.I send him, @FLOTUS Jill Biden, and all his family, my warmest wishes from Jerusalem." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to come to Washington this week for a joint session of Congress. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X: I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people." His predecessor Rishi Sunak wrote on X: he "saw first-hand his love for America and dedication to service." Starmer met with Biden for the first time during a gathering of NATO leaders in Washington, D.C., from July 9-11. On July 11, Biden conducted a solo news conference after the meetings. NATO, which was founded 75 years ago, includes 32 members across Europe and North America. Western leaders there rallied around Biden, despite his age and ability to serve another term. On Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X: "I've known President Biden for years. He's a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians - and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on X said: "Joe Biden has achieved a great deal: for his country, for Europe, for the world. Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves respect." The prime minister of another NATO member, Polish's Donald Tusk wrote on X: "You've taken many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger. I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life. During the summit, Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin. Zelensky has been seeking entry into NATO amid its war with Russia. "Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times," Zelensky said on X. "We will always be thankful for President Biden's leadership." Former President Donald Trump said he had a "very good call" Friday with Zelensky. Zelensky said in a statement on X. "I spoke with Donald Trump to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future." Another NATO ally, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Biden's "leadership and ongoing service" in a post on X. "The Australia-US Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations," he wrote. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: "I refrain from commenting directly on this issue because it involves domestic politics in the US but I recognize that President Biden's decision is based on his desire to make the best possible political decision." Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin on X described Biden as "an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US. This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity & class." Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President didn't want to comment on the political situation in the United States. Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken posted on X that Biden "restored U.S. leadership around the world and delivered historic accomplishments as President." Blinken added on X: "It has been - and remains -the honor of my life to work for @POTUS for the past twenty-two years." Doctors have treated hundreds of heatstroke victims in Pakistan's largest city as scorching temperatures reached record levels. A rescue agency recorded about 700 deaths at its morgues during an eight-day period in June in Karachi, according to New York Times reporting. What's happening? The Times reported that hospitals and morgues have been overwhelmed in Karachi. The port city sits on the Arabian Sea, where hot summers and monsoonal flooding are common. This summer, heat has been unprecedented at times. According to Pakistan Today, Karachi experienced its hottest night on record in July, when the minimum temperature on one night exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The city has had to endure several days with temperatures topping 100 degrees. Mohenjo Daro, a town in the southern province of Sindh, hit a high of 125.6 degrees in May, as reported by Reuters. Akbar Ali, a 52-year-old rickshaw driver, has seen firsthand the sweltering heat's impact. He has driven several people with heat-related health issues to the hospital in Karachi, according to Times reporting. "It feels like living in a furnace," Ali told Times. "It's terrible seeing people collapse on the street." According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is fifth among the countries most vulnerable to changing global temperatures, as reported by the Pakistan government. Because of economic disparities, some of its poorest citizens suffer the most. Officials have urged people to stay indoors, but those who work outside can't afford to go without a paycheck. Why is Pakistan's scorching heat important? Pakistan is one of several countries enduring extreme heat and humidity this summer. Record-breaking heat waves have hit Mexico and many parts of the United States, including the West Coast, East Coast, and Gulf Coast regions. Human activities primarily the burning of dirty fuels have led to an excess of heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere. June was Earth's 13 consecutive warmest month on record, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. The changes in our climate are making heat waves longer, more intense, and more frequent, and they have supercharged other extreme weather events like hurricanes. What's being done about an increasing number of heat waves? A shift to cleaner, renewable energy sources will help curtail the rise of gases trapping heat in our planet's atmosphere. Pakistan government officials say they intend to increase the country's share of renewable energy to at least 60% by 2030, according to the International Trade Administration. Technological advances in the renewable energy sector offer hope, too. For example, researchers recently unveiled innovative technology that uses the sun and "cold universe" energy to outperform conventional solar panels. We can all do our part to limit pollution. Energy-efficient appliances, like heat pumps, induction stoves, and washers and dryers, are better for the planet and can reduce electric bills. Using LED light bulbs can even save you hundreds of dollars every year. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Former President Donald Trump took to social media to rip his now-former adversary, President Joe Biden, on Sunday, just after Biden announced he was withdrawing from the upcoming election. In a post to Truth Social, of which Trump is majority-owner, the former Commander-in-Chief and current Republican Nominee for the office called Biden the worst President in American history. Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation. He has done everything possible to destroy our Country, from our Southern Border, to Energy Dominance, National Security, International Standing, and so much more, he said in one post. He was annihilated in an Earth Shattering Debate, and now the Corrupt and Radical Democrats are throwing him overboard. He was not fit to serve from the very beginning, but the people around him lied to America about his Complete and Total Mental, Physical, and Cognitive Demise. Whoever the Left puts up now will just be more of the same. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Trump made three posts about Bidens withdrawal by 12:42 p.m. PST. In the first, Trump said crooked Biden was not fit to run for office. At 81, Bidens age and mental fitness has come under scrutiny as calls for him to step aside intensified in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Trump, 78, criticized several Biden policies on Sunday. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt, Trump said. And now, look what hes done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. At last, in true Trump fashion, the former President took shots at Biden in a post made at 12:21 p.m. Crooked Joe just got knocked out, so now Ill have to do it a FOURTH TIME!!!, the post reads. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- President Xi Jinping unveiled sweeping plans to bolster the finances of Chinas indebted local governments, as the ruling Communist Party announced a long-term blueprint for the worlds second-largest economy that offered few major surprises. Most Read from Bloomberg Chinas top leader mapped out measures for fixing the debt crisis facing regional authorities in a near-22,200 character resolution of a major meeting published by the official Xinhua News Agency on Sunday. Those plans already hinted at by state media centered around shifting more revenue from the central to local coffers, such as by letting regional governments receive a larger share of consumption tax. Xis proposals mark the third major taxation and fiscal reform in recent history, said Ding Shuang, chief economist for Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered Plc. He cited the 1994 move to increase central governments share of revenue over regional authorities, and a string of decisions starting in 2013 that allowed localities to issue bonds on their own, as the other major shifts. The central governments income was set too high and now its being adjusted, Ding said of the framework set under then President Jiang Zemin. The changes will alleviate the imbalance between the central and local governments spending responsibilities and income, he added. The yuan was little changed in early Monday trading as investors digested the plenum statement and a surprise cut to short-term interest rates. More specific policies could be unveiled later this month by a meeting of the 24-man Politburo which focuses on economic policies for the year in July. The four-day Third Plenum in Beijing was the first reform-focused meeting of the Central Committee that Xi presided over since securing a precedent-defying third term in power. Some 400 senior officials endorsed his vision for advanced manufacturing to propel Chinas $17 trillion economy, suggesting no major shifts to his overarching plans. Xi last used this meeting to chart economic reform in 2013, when leaders vowed a decisive role for markets spurring hopes of more liberal policies ahead. The top leader has since well-telegraphed his vision for greater state control over the economy and his determination to wean the nation off boom-and-bust debt cycles. The resolution reflected that, serving as an affirmation of his long-term vision. What seems clear is that Chinas leadership is quite happy about its supply-centric growth model, no matter the complaints from the rest of the world, said Alicia Garcia Herrero, Chief Economist Asia Pacific at Natixis. The reason probably lies on the urgency with which Xi Jinping wants China to reduce its technological dependence from the US and become self-reliant. Instead, Xi seemed to be fine-tuning policies to address risks. Officials are under pressure to resolve local governments 66 trillion yuan ($9.1 trillion) hidden debt crisis and rebalance the economy, as leaders in the US and Europe accuse Beijing of using exports to compensate for weak domestic demand. Giving a larger portion of consumption tax to regions could address both issues by incentivizing officials to lift consumer spending and offering them a new finance stream. While details of how that policy will be rolled out were omitted from the broad resolution, slapping additional taxes on goods would risk further stifling consumer sentiment, as the property slump hits citizens primary store of wealth. Retail sales rose at the slowest pace last month since December 2022, as Chinas second-quarter growth figures undershot expectations. Officials also pledged to give city governments more autonomy in regulating local property markets, in line with policies over the past two years that allowed localities to better arrest the housing downturn. They also vowed to build more subsidized housing, as well as reforming the pre-sale model, which has led to developers being unable to deliver millions of homes already paid for by residents. Chinas most-powerful leader since Mao Zedong said in a separate explanation that national security had been put in a more prominent position by the four-day conclave, suggesting its preeminence over the economy. The official resolution, however, stated Beijing would strive to achieve positive interactions between development and security. Officials also signaled a potential expansion to Beijings surveillance architecture, vowing to explore and establish a national unified population management mechanism. That marked the first use of that phrase by senior leaders. Xis emphasis on security shows that the development is eventually aimed at protecting national security, said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapores Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Advancing high quality development featured prominently in the report as expected a vague slogan typically interpreted to emphasize the quality of economic growth over its absolute pace. It centers on Xis ambitions to propel Chinas economy by moving up the value chain through tech innovation, such as electric cars and solar panels. The plenum called for private enterprises to step up participation in major national technology projects, and pledged to open major national infrastructure of science research to private enterprises. That explicit invitation for private-sector participation broke new ground and elevated the role of private firms, according to Bloomberg Economics. China also pledged policy improvements for developing sectors including artificial intelligence, new materials and quantum technology. The nation vowed to develop more controllable supply chains for areas including integrated circuits and advanced materials. Developing chips and AI is central to Beijings broader vision of replacing technology from the US, which is increasingly trying to ring-fence China. Economists have listed technology self-sufficiency as among the top three economic issues Chinese leaders must tackle in the medium-to-long term. I think the third plenum did not change the governments policy objectives, said Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, but it introduced new measures to achieve such objectives. --With assistance from Jessica Sui, Cormac Mullen, James Mayger, Yujing Liu, Lucille Liu, Josh Xiao, Tian Ying and Alan Wong. (Updates with more details, analyst voices.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has raised demands for several development funds for the state in the Union Budget 2024-25. In a post on the social media platform X, CM Stalin said, "In the upcoming Budget 2024, the people of Tamil Nadu are expecting the release of three years of pending funds for the Chennai Metro Rail, approval for the express flyover between Tambaram and Chengalpattu, a reduction in income tax, which has been a long-standing expectation of the middle class for the past 10 years, approval for the Coimbatore and Madurai metro rail projects, allocation of funds for pending projects under old and new railway schemes in Tamil Nadu, and an increase in the slab rate for houses being constructed under rural and urban housing development schemes." Earlier in February this year, he penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the expedited approval of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) Project. In his letter to the Prime Minister, M K Stalin wrote, "I would like to draw your kind attention to the inordinate delay in the approval for Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) project and request that you expedite the process. Phase I of the CMRL Project has been successfully implemented as a 50:50 joint venture between the Union Government and the Government of Tamil Nadu. Based on its success, we have approved Phase II under the same model, comprising three more corridors covering 119 km, at a cost of Rs 63,246 crore. The same was recommended to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) for approval in January 2019." The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) and NITI Aayog have endorsed the eagerly anticipated Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) project. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has expressed concerns over the delay in Central Government approval, impacting the timely execution of Phase II. Along with the Chennai metro rail project, he also demanded approval for the Coimbatore and Madurai metro rail projects and fund allocation for pending railway schemes in the state. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her seventh Union Budget. The Monsoon Session of Parliament will commence on July 22. Last month, the Finance Minister met with the Finance Ministers of states and UTs in New Delhi to discuss their expectations from the Union Budget. Additionally, the minister met with different stakeholders of the economy, including representatives from trade unions, the education and health sectors, employment and skilling, MSMEs, trade and services, industry, economists, the financial sector and capital markets, as well as representatives from the infrastructure, energy, and urban sectors. (ANI) Armed rebels of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration. Osamah Yahya/dpa Yemen's Houthis said on Sunday they had attacked "important targets" in Israel, a day after the Israeli military confirmed strikes in the militia-controlled port city of Hodeidah, fuelling regional escalation. The attack on Hodeidah in western Yemen followed a Houthi strike in Tel Aviv on Friday in what the Iranian-allied militia said was retaliation for Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip. Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree said on Sunday the group had fired ballistic missiles at "important targets" in Eilat in southern Israel. "The operation has achieved its goals successfully," he added in a televised statement, without elaborating. The Israeli army said it had "successfully" intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that approached Israel from Yemen. "Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling shrapnel. The incident has concluded," the Israeli army added. The militia's chief, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, on Sunday sounded defiant: "The Israeli aggression on our country will contribute to escalating our operations against it and developing our capabilities," he said in a televised address. "We are very happy about the direct battle between us and the Israeli enemy," he added. "In this battle, we are stronger than before. Capabilities are constantly developed to face challenges at any level." Al-Houthi said the drone which targeted Tel Aviv on Friday was developed and launched by Yemenis, implicitly denying claims it had been provided to his group by Iran. He added that targeting Tel Aviv marked a new phase of escalation. "The Israeli enemy won't have deterrence and will not restore it towards our [pro-Palestinian] support operations. The results will be more escalation and targeting," he said. The Houthis said at least six people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes in Hodeidah. The militia's mouthpiece, the al-Masirah television broadcaster, citing the Houthi-controlled health ministry, reported that the Israeli attack had targeted civilian facilities in Hodeidah, leaving six people dead, three others missing and 83 injured. Initially it had reported three were killed. Houthi militants have also been attacking ships in the Red Sea and said they want to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, which followed the unprecedented massacre by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas in Israel in October. ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) A Zanesville man pleaded guilty after he was caught on camera committing acts of domestic violence. Gunner D. Lent, 18, pleaded guilty to one count each of felony strangulation, felony abduction and misdemeanor domestic violence. On March 7, Lent and the victim drank alcohol and got into several arguments, during which Lent struck the victim, according to a release from the Muskingum County Prosecutors Office. The release said he then also grabbed her by her throat, restricting her breathing, and pinned her down. Man guilty in fatal 2023 AutoZone shooting On May 9, the two argued again. During the argument, Lent unplugged a security camera inside the house and struck the victim, according to the prosecutor. Afterward, Lent left the home and the victim alerted law enforcement. She provided them with the video footage of Lent striking her and pinning her down. While this domestic violence incident was caught on video, too many times domestic violence goes unseen and reported, Muskingum County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John C. Denver said. Reporting ensures that violent offenders like Lent face real consequences. Denver also said he believes Lents prison sentence of 14 months reflects his violence while considering his youth. NBC affiliate WHIZ reported he was temporarily at large in March before he was apprehended. The guilty plea did not mention an additional charge of tampering with evidence, which Lent was also facing at the time of his arrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Ukraine has strengthened its air defences against Russian attacks with another German Patriot system. "The German Patriot has arrived," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Sunday. Germany has now provided Ukraine with three Patriot air defence systems, and according to Zelensky, the third system has likely reported readiness for deployment. "We will be able to do more in the sky," Zelensky added. "Of course, there is still much to be done, and protection is by no means guaranteed, but it is nevertheless a gain for Ukraine." Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized in recent weeks that Ukraine needs additional air-defence systems to achieve comprehensive protection of its airspace. The numbers he has cited for the required Patriot systems range between six and 25. It is unclear exactly how many systems have been delivered so far and whether all of them are still operational. Zelensky on Trump's peace plan: No one can push Ukraine to give up territory for peace President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a July 20 interview that no one can force Ukraine to give up territory in order to achieve peace. Zelensky was responding to former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's comments that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. As Trump's victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election becomes more likely, his proposal for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia is coming under close scrutiny. "If one person in the world, and this person is Donald Trump, can stop the war in 24 hours, the question is at what price, and who will pay?" Zelensky said in an interview with BBC. A simple way to achieve a 24-hour peace would be to force Ukraine to make territorial concessions and drop its sanctions on Russia, but "no one in the world" could force Ukraine to do this, Zelensky said. Zelensky added that the war is not about one president or ten people, but a whole nation, and noted that after so many Ukrainians had been killed by Russians, "we can't forget it, and we can't forgive it." Read also: Trump claims he could get Zelensky, Putin to make peace deal in one day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Zelenskyy: No one will agree to a war that lasts another 10 years President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that "no one will agree" to a long-term war, but if it persists, Ukraine will seek a solution to hold elections. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC Details: The journalist asked whether Zelenskyy would remain president if the war in Ukraine lasted ten years, as critics may argue that Ukraine is not a democracy in this event. Quote: "First and foremost, no one will accept a war that will last another ten or more years. It's quite hard. Its hard for the world, its hard for everybody. And I believe that is not quite possible. This is the first point. There would be a lot of victims. There is quite a lot already, and there would be more. This cannot be allowed. This is the second point. Third, I would like to hold an election if I can. And if the war drags on (I repeat, we will do everything possible to keep it from dragging on), a solution must be found. I'm not sure which one yet. This is tough because this implies revisions to Ukraine's Constitution. The Constitution cannot be amended during a war, and elections cannot be held during martial law." When asked if he may reach a point when he would need to delegate power to someone else, Zelenskyy said yes, but only "after the war". The president also emphasised the importance of ending the war and removing Vladimir Putin from power in the Russian Federation. "We have to end it [the war ed.] and we have to end with him, it is very important for our people and our state," he said. When asked if he was talking about Putin, Zelenskyy replied: "Yes." Background: In the same interview Zelenskyy stated that the world must put pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table and discuss the end of the war. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that a Patriot air defence system provided by Germany has arrived in Ukraine. Source: Zelenskyys evening address Quote: "We can now say that our air defence has been bolstered. The German Patriot system has arrived in Ukraine, and I would like to thank Germany and the United States for this step. We will be able to do more in the skies. Of course, there is still much work ahead, and this is far from guaranteed protection, but nevertheless, it means more strength for Ukraine." Details: Zelenskyy also referred to a report by Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), and reported "good results in countering [Russian] collaborators". "There are also some things that we cannot publicly disclose at the moment. It's just not worth it. The occupier must feel it," he added. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces lost 20,000 personnel during the offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC Quote: "Russia attempted to make a breakthrough towards Kharkiv, with the goal of occupying the city, which is a home to 1.5 million people. But we stopped this offensive; their offensive failed, and that is a fact. Their maximum depth of incursion was 10 kilometres from the border. We stopped them. Approximately 20,000 people died. This was the price they paid for the villages in the grey zone. I say the grey zone not because we or the Russians designated it this way, but simply because it was fired on, and people were evacuated ahead of time. I don't think this operation will be successful. And once we have reserves, we will take back our positions." Background: On 10 July, Colonel Viktor Solimchuk, Deputy Commander of the Kharkiv Operational Tactical Group (OTP) and its Chief of Staff said that the Russian forces have deployed 10,350 troops for the offensive in the border areas of Kharkiv Oblast, which commenced on 10 May. The colonel reported that, as of early July, Russian losses included 2,939 soldiers killed in action and 6,509 wounded in action. Additionally, 45 Russian troops have been captured by Ukrainian forces. Support UP or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to US presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposal to end the Russian-Ukrainian war in 24 hours, saying that Ukraine would not agree to "just stop and forget everything". Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC Quote: "Everybody will be happy if one person in the world, and this person is Donald Trump, can stop the war [in] 24 hours. The question is, what the price is and who will pay? I'm not meaning that his idea is to push us to pay. But if he wants to do it [in] 24 hours, the simple way is to push us to pay, because it's understandable how it means just stop and give [Ukrainian land to the Russians] and forget. Sanctions out, everything out. Putin will take the land. Putin will... make a victory for his society, for the world. And no, nothing, nobody in prison nothing, any accountability nothing, tribunal nothing, zero. Yes, it's a very simple way. But we will never [agree to] this, never. And there is not any guy in the world who can push us to do it. Because it is not about one president or ten people; it is about a country. The Russians slaughtered so many people, how can you simply forget it? We will not forgive it." Details: Zelenskyy also reacted to Republican JD Vance's statement that it doesn't matter what happens in Ukraine, suggesting that the American may not fully comprehend what is going on there. However, the Ukrainian leader stated that if a new team comes to the United States following the elections, he is willing to work with it "without fear of hard work". Support UP or become our patron! Zelenskyy on Ukraine's losses: number changes every day, and it doesn't get any smaller President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the number of Ukrainians killed in the combat zone is changing every day, and not in a positive way. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC Quote: "I know how many people we lose every day. For me, this is a very painful and very important issue. I see these changes every day, and they are not positive. [The number] doesn't get any smaller." Zelenskyy explained that in Ukraine the ratio of killed and wounded soldiers is 1 to 6-8, while in Russia it is 1 to 3. Quote: "This suggests that they are not fighting for the survival of their troops, they leave them on the battlefield." Support UP or become our patron! Gujarat exported 689.5 metric tonnes of mangoes in 2023-24, according to data from the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC). From 2019-20 to 2023-24, the state has exported over 2,500 metric tonnes of mangoes. Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat is not just leading in cultivating traditional crops but also stands out in horticultural production. The state has earned national acclaim for its mango production, especially for Kesar mangoes. The thriving mango industry is a vital component of Gujarat's agricultural economy and enjoys robust demand internationally. In Gujarat, a total of 449,389 hectares are dedicated to horticultural fruit and flower crops, with 177,514 hectares specifically dedicated to mango cultivation, a press statement stated on Sunday. Mangoes grow primarily in the Valsad, Navsari, Gir-Somnath, Kachchh, and Surat districts. The Kesar mango from Talala Gir is praised globally for its superb quality and has been honoured with the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. Beyond Gir, Kesar mangoes are also produced in Kutch. Additionally, Gujarat's mango production includes other special varieties such as Hafus (Alphonso), Rajapuri, Totapuri, and Sonpari. This year, the Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility in Bavla, Ahmedabad, has irradiated and exported 210 metric tonnes of Kesar mangoes. This facility is the first USDA-APHIS-certified irradiation unit in Gujarat and the fourth in India, the press statement added. Under the guidance of Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, more than 2 lakh kg of Kesar mangoes were irradiated and exported last year. Before this unit was set up in Bavla, Ahmedabad, mango farmers in Gujarat had to travel to Mumbai for irradiation and then export the mangoes, which led to wastage and higher transportation costs. Now, with the new irradiation plant in Bavla, farmers can process their mangoes locally, reducing costs and earning the best prices for their produce. Further, under the Indo-Israel Work Plan, farmers receive technical guidance and training in mango cultivation at the Center of Excellence for Mango in Talala, Gir Somnath district. The program also offers training in intensive farming techniques and innovative practices to enhance production per unit area. So far, 2,601 farmers have been trained, and 9,382 grafts have been cultivated and sold. The Gujarat Horticulture Department has allocated Rs 15.29 crore in financial assistance to farmers to boost mango production. The Horticulture Department is implementing a scheme to revamp old mango orchards and farms with low production capacity. In addition, the department also assists in various schemes, including assistance for intensive fruit planting, support for close-spacing fruit planting, and aid for fruit crops grown with standard spacing, excluding high-cost cultivation crops. Financial aid covers up to 90 percent of quality planting materials for horticultural crops, with special assistance available for fruit crop plantations. (ANI) You are the owner of this article. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The Union Budget for 2024-25 will be tabled in Parliament this Tuesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the first under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term. An Interim Budget was presented by Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 of this year to take care of the financial needs of the in-between period. With the Union Budget 2024 around the corner, Indian financial markets, corporates, and entrepreneurs have various expectations from the government. Many have voiced their requests and made presentations before the government as part of pre-budget consultations. These stakeholders provide liquidity and capital, and their participation plays an important role in the nation's economic growth and stability. While talking about the upcoming Budget 2024, CEO and Founder of Fhero Accounting Solutions, Prashant Bothra talked about regulatory changes that may be needed. He anticipates changes in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) and taxes on long-term capital gains, and short-term capital gains (LTCG, STCG), and intraday transactions. As per definition, any profit or gain that arises from the sale of a 'capital asset' is a capital gain. "Additionally, we expect tighter regulations on futures and options (F&O), potentially removing some derivative products to reduce speculative trading. We also request the government to consider extending the LTCG holding period for listed equity shares from one year to two or three years, encouraging longer-term investments," Bothra added. A Research Analyst for Trustline Securities Limited, Ankur Saraswat added to this by saying, for agrochemicals, implementing Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) benefits and lowering GST rates can boost local production and reduce costs for farmers. "The IT sector seeks digitalization and technological advancement, while the healthcare sector needs increased spending on technology integration. The specialty chemicals Industry calls for faster capital expenditure approvals and R&D incentives. Lastly, the steel sector expects reduced taxes on raw materials and higher import duties on Chinese steel to enhance competitiveness. These measures aim to bolster growth and sustainability across sectors," Saraswat added. The MSME sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the past decades. This sector contributes significantly to the economic and social development of the country by fostering entrepreneurship and generating employment opportunities. About creating a more favourable financial environment for MSMEs, Bothra of Fhero Accounting Solutions, adds, "Enhancing MSME competitiveness through ease of doing business is crucial. We anticipate initiatives aimed at reducing compliance burdens, paperwork, and streamlining approval processes." Further aligning it with the Viksit Bharat vision, he adds, "The upcoming budget is expected to provide a concrete action plan to support MSMEs. Additionally, the reduction or abolition of the Angel Tax is essential for better funding mechanisms, enabling more investments in MSMEs and fuelling growth. We also expect significant budget allocations for upskilling and reskilling programs in automation, AI, and data analytics to support workforce development and job creation for MSMEs." To this, Ankur Saraswat (Trustline Securities) also added, the upcoming budget is expected to significantly impact Indian startup investment. "Key areas like digital infrastructure, AI, and cybersecurity are likely to see increased allocations, positioning India as a global tech hub. Support for SMEs and skill development, along with encouraging public-private partnerships, will drive innovation and growth. More domestic capital allocation and tax incentives for investors and promoters will further boost the startup ecosystem," Saraswat added. Moving on to the bullion sector, another key sector of the economy, there is an expectation that the government will keep focus on continuation of pro-growth and pro-gold policy reforms including further ease of doing business that will aid the industry's reform and organized growth. The gold industry is integral to the Indian economy, contributing 1.3 per cent to Indian GDP and employing approximately 2-3 million people. "In the current Union Budget, we are expecting there will be a general policy thrust aimed at higher economic growth that will provide tangible benefit for gold as well, as it is well established that income growth is the single dominant factor in long term gold demand," said Sachin Jain, Regional CEO, India, World Gold Council. The World Gold Council also urged the government to significantly reduce import duty on gold from current highs of 15 per cent. "Government is cognizant of the fact that gold prices have risen to historic highs of Rs 74,000/10 gram and at present total taxes on gold is over 18 per cent (including 15 per cent of import duty) and such high taxes act as incentives for getting gold into the country from illicit routes, impacting tax compliant industry stakeholders," said Jain. Jain also suggested that there is a need to facilitate the orderly growth of the digital gold market to protect and promote micro-savings through transparent digital gold channels and to deter any unscrupulous fly-by-night operators from misusing the emerging opportunity. "The government should consider bringing out appropriate guidelines and regulatory oversight that would introduce checks and balances to ensure customers of digital gold are protected and a transparent way to buy and hold gold digitally, aligned with the broader economic agenda on digitalization of assets, is promoted," Jain asserted. Gold, considered a safe investment bet, has been in demand for a considerable period, with its prices rallying to hit record highs now and then. Gold is a scarce commodity, and any mismatch in demand-supply conditions may invariably trigger a sharp price rise. Further, Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India, also weighed in and suggested his industry's recommendation to the government. Research and development (R&D) in agriculture, he said, demands significant investments and long-term commitment, involving multi-year, multi-environment evaluations requiring extensive resources. "To encourage private-sector investments in R&D in agriculture, particularly, seeds, the industry seeks a conducive policy and regulatory environment. Establishing a mechanism to recognize R&D-focused seed companies based on certain qualifying criteria, through creation of a National Register is the foremost expectation from Budget 2024," Rana said ahead of Budget. (ANI) As violence continues to grip neighboring Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to welcome refugees into the state. Speaking at the TMC's 'Martyrs Day' rally in Kolkata on Sunday, she assured that Bengal will certainly provide shelter to those in need. Banerjee cited the United Nations Resolution on refugees to justify her stance on the potential humanitarian crisis resulting from the severe law and order breakdown in Bangladesh over the past few days. I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since that is a sovereign nation and whatever needs to be said on the issue is a subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter, Banerjee said. The Bengal CM drew an example from the past, noting how Assamese people were allowed to live in the Alipurduars area of North Bengal for a significant period during the Bodo conflict in the northeastern state. Thats because there is a United Nations Resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those under turmoil, the Bengal CM said. Banerjee also urged the people of West Bengal to remain calm and not be provoked by the current situation in Bangladesh. New Delhi: The Kanwar Yatra is all set to begin on the first day of Sawan on Monday and will conclude on August 2. The Delhi Police on Sunday released a traffic advisory detailing extensive preparation for the approaching Kanwar Yatra, emphasizing potential congestion at various locations. A large number of Kanwariyas are expected to reach Delhi, with some planning to travel to Haryana and Rajasthan through Delhi's border. According to the advisory, the expected number of people is about 15- 20 lakh. As per the advisory, at the time of Kanwarias' movement period, traffic violations will be monitored and enforced through on-the-spot prosecution and by photography or videography of violations. The devotees carrying Kanwars will traverse multiple routes, including Apsara Border, Shahdara Flyover, Seelampur 'T' Point, ISBT Flyover Boulevard Road, Rani Jhansi Road, Faiz Road, Upper Ridge Road, Dhaula Kuan, NH-8 and exit from Rajokri Border for Haryana, the advisory said, according to PTI. To facilitate a smooth yatra for the Kanwarias, the advisory stated that heavy transport vehicles (HTV) will be redirected by the Uttar Pradesh Police from Mohan Nagar to NH-24. Additionally, HTV traffic will not be permitted towards Wazirabad road through Bhopura and towards GT road via the Apsara Border during this period. The movement of Kanwarias and setting up of Kanwaria camps on the side, traffic congestion or obstruction is likely to be experienced at several places, the advisory stated. Normally, heavy traffic congestion occurs in the area near Najafgarh Firni, Rohtak Road, Pankha Road, Outer Ring Road, Rani Jhansi Road from Baraf Khana Chowk to the fire station, Boulevard Road, Maujpur Chowk, Badarpur T-Point, Mathura Raod etc, the advisory said. New Delhi: Amidst the deadly violence in Bangladesh over job reservation, the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday informed that more than 4,500 Indian students have returned home, and 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan, and one from the Maldives have also arrived in India. The High Commission and our Assistant High Commissions continue to be in regular touch with local authorities for the safety and security of Indian nationals and also in regular contact with remaining students in various universities in Bangladesh for their welfare and assistance, the statement said. As per the statement, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has been organizing security escorts to ensure the safe travel of Indian nationals to land border crossing points. "The High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions of India in Bangladesh remain available for any assistance required by Indian nationals through the emergency contact numbers listed below," the statement read. The High Commission and assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna, have been facilitating the return of Indian nationals home and following the recent developments in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Supreme Court made a significant decision on Sunday to reduce the quota for government jobs. In the order, the court said that 93 per cent of government job positions will now be allocated based purely on merit, while the remaining seven per cent will be reserved for specific categories, including descendants of individuals who fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday, labeling him as the head of the 'Aurangzeb Fan Club.' Shah also criticized NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, calling him the sargana (ringleader) who has entrenched corruption in the country. Shah accused Thackeray of consistently aligning with questionable figures, saying, "Who is the Aurangzeb fan club? Those who serve biryani to (26/11 terror attack convict) Kasab, those who seek pardon for Yakub Memon, those who give (controversial Islamic preacher) Zakir Naik a messenger of peace award and those who support the (banned Islamist outfit) PFI. Uddhav Thackeray should be ashamed of sitting with these people. He asserted that this Aurangzeb fan club cannot secure this country. Only the Bharatiya Janata Party can ensure the country's safety. The BJP is the only party capable of securing Maharashtra, Home Minister added. This isn't the first instance of Shah publicly criticizing the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief. During the Lok Sabha elections, he accused Thackeray of abandoning ideology in favor of power. In a harsh speech, Shah also criticized Rahul Gandhi for his "arrogance" despite the Congress party's repeated losses in the Lok Sabha elections. This is Amit Shah's first visit to Maharashtra following the BJP's significant setback in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where the party's seat count dropped from 23 in 2019 to just 9. Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor, who smashed the box-office records with his last release Animal, is set to appear on Nikhil Kamaths podcast titled WTF People. The teaser of the upcoming episode of the podcast was unveiled on Saturday sending the fans of the actor in a frenzy given the actor isnt much in the public eye. Ranbir Kapoor will join the Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath for an unfiltered discussion on navigating fame, the nuances of Bollywood, and his journey in the film industry. Watch The Promo Here: The promo shows Ranbir speaking about his father, the late actor Rishi Kapoor, as he said that he was a very short-tempered man but very good at heart. He said that he never saw the colour of his fathers eyes as he always used to keep his head down while speaking to him. He also shared that he never said No to his father. The podcast allows the viewers to explore insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and candid reflections from Ranbir as he shares his perspectives on stardom, challenges faced, and lessons learned along the way. This episode promises to be a deep dive into the mind of Ranbir Kapoor, offering listeners a unique glimpse into the life of an actor at the top of his game. The new episode of WTF People podcast is all set to release next week. Bangladesh Quota Protest: Amidst the widespread protests regarding reservation policies in Bangladesh, the Supreme Court made a significant decision on Sunday to reduce the quota for government jobs. In the order, the court said that 93 per cent of government job positions will now be allocated based purely on merit, while the remaining seven per cent will be reserved for specific categories, including descendants of individuals who fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Earlier, there used to be a 30 per cent job reservation for relatives of war veterans. Recently, protests erupted across the country demanding improvement in the reservation system in government jobs. As tension escalated, a nationwide curfew was imposed on Saturday, and military forces were deployed in Dhaka to maintain order. Tragically, the protest caused several casualties in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi authorities have not released official numbers of the dead and injured. However, according to a report by the newspaper 'Prothom Alo' on Saturday, at least 103 people have been reported dead. Responding to the continuous violence in Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to welcome refugees into the state. Banerjee stated that Bengal will certainly provide shelter to those in need. I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since that is a sovereign nation and whatever needs to be said on the issue is a subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter, She said. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, effectively ending his reelection campaign. This decision follows significant scrutiny and pressure from Democratic leaders, sparked by a controversial debate with Donald Trump on June 27. US President Joe Biden tweets, "My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this" After pulling out of US Presidential election, Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's Presidential nominee https://t.co/Zcm3VSrDZd ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2024 During the debate with Donald Trump, the 81-year-old president struggled with coherence, provided unclear responses, and did not counter Trumps numerous inaccuracies, raising serious concerns about his suitability for office just four months before the election. US President Joe Biden drops out from the Presidential race for re-election. pic.twitter.com/A4YOEG6xh3 July 21, 2024 Biden's choice to withdraw came while he was secluded at his Delaware beach house following a COVID-19 diagnosis last week. He has been consulting with a limited group of close advisors and family about his political future. Biden plans to speak to the nation later this week to offer further details on his decision. The White House has verified the legitimacy of the announcement letter, reported Associated Press. A drone attack in central Tel Aviv early Friday that killed one man and injured at least eight others has been claimed by Yemen-backed Houthi militia, according to reports. Israeli officials said a long-range Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle struck an apartment building about a block away from a branch of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, the BBC reported. "Our estimation is that it arrived from Yemen to Tel Aviv," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters at a briefing, identifying the drone as an Iranian Samad-3 model, Reuters reported. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack and warned it would continue to target Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. A residential building in Central Tel Aviv was struck by an Iranian UAV launched from Yemen, leading to at least one civilian casualty and many injured. We will continue operating to better protect Israelis against terrorism on all fronts. pic.twitter.com/SqGdcDRVT7 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 19, 2024 The drone did not set off alarms, and the Israeli military said it had detected the drone but did not try to shoot it down because of "human error," the BBC reported. The Israeli Air Force said the attack "shouldn't have happened," adding that the incident is under investigation and that it will ramp up patrols by fighter jets in Israel's airspace. Yahya Saree, a Houthi spokesman, said Tel Aviv is a target "within the range of our weapons." He said the type of drone used was capable of avoiding interception systems and was not detectable by radar. "The operation has achieved its goals successfully," Saree said, Reuters reported. Here, Israelis go to work. Here, tourists go to the beach or shop. Here, you can sit for a coffee and enjoy a Friday morning in Tel Aviv. Here is where today an Iranian UAV from Yemen struck a residential building. pic.twitter.com/1SWQpFQxOA Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 19, 2024 A man who lives near the site said the explosion came out of nowhere. "I went to bed and suddenly I heard an explosion like I've never heard before. I thought maybe I hadn't heard the sirens," the man told Israeli media, the Times of Israel reported. "After seven months serving in the reserves, I thought we had left the country in a better state. The whole building is covered in dust and things fell on us in the apartment," he said. After Bigg Boss, fans of Abhishek Kumar are excited to see his new adventurous side in the upcoming season of 'Khatron Ke Khiladi', which is hosted by Rohit Shetty. During a conversation with ANI, Abhishek shared his first thought that came when the show was pitched to him. He said, "First I wasn't signing. I was very scared. I had claustrophobia. I couldn't swim. I had a problem in my hand. But then I talked to the people who were in Khatron, like Ravi sir, Karan Wahi bhai. I talked to them. And they said, man, are you crazy? It's such a big show. Why are you refusing? And you will learn so much. There will be so many things that you will take them for a lifetime." Abhishek added, "Then I watched the episodes. Then I discussed it with my family. Then I said, man, everyone doesn't get a chance. There are only 12-13 lucky people who get a chance every year. So you are one of those 12-13 people. Because I think the whole of India wants to do it. So everyone boosted me that I can do it, you have that potential. Sometimes it happens that you don't see the potential in yourself, but the other person knows because they have seen something in you. So one day at night I sat down with closed eyes, and when I closed my eyes, I was signing. So, after that, I decided that let's do it." Talking about his bond with the host of the show Rohit Shetty, he said, "I have a great bond with Rohit Sir. We used to have fun on the shoot. He was a fan of my English (jokingly said). He told me a very nice thing that I will always remember. He said you are leaving this platform with a transformation from a boy into a man. He also said, wow, Abhishek. You have changed my perception. There is a drastic change in you from Bigg Boss to this show. I told him, that after meeting more people here, I have learned after seeing them how can you stay calm and move forward. How can you control your emotions? How can you control your anger? And you can apply it to good things. So I'm learning." The show hosted by Rohit Shetty is based on the format of the American show 'Fear Factor'. The KKK 14th season also features Aditi Sharma, Shilpa Shinde, Krishna Shroff, Shalin Bhanot Kedar Aashish Mehrotraa, and Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia. The 14th season was shot in Romania. It will be out on Colors from July 27. (ANI) In a move that involved personal diplomacy akin to negotiating with royalty, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and director Shawn Levy successfully convinced Madonna to license her iconic 1989 hit 'Like a Prayer' for their upcoming film 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' The Shawn Levy-directed movie, set to hit theatres on July 26, promises to be a blockbuster, further fueled by the inclusion of Madonna's timeless track, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Reynolds and Jackman, both known for their charismatic roles in the 'Deadpool' and 'Wolverine' franchises respectively, knew from the outset that securing Madonna's approval wouldn't be a walk in the park. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the trio revealed the lengths they went to secure the song in a recent interview on a chat show. "It did involve a personal visit to Madonna, where we showed Madonna the sequence where 'Like a Prayer' would be used," Levy explained. Reynolds added, "It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it. We went over and met with her and sort of showed her how it was being used, and where, and why," according to The Hollywood Reporter. The encounter with Madonna felt like a brush with royalty, according to Levy. Reynolds even shared a humorous anecdote about seeking guidance on how to address the pop icon. "Like am I allowed to just say, 'Madonna?'" Reynolds joked saying, "Hello Madonna, I'm Ryan." Despite the initial hurdles, Madonna eventually granted permission for her song to be featured in the film, offering valuable feedback that improved the scene dramatically. "She gave a great note," Reynolds recounted, adding, "She watched it, and I'm not kidding, she said, 'You need to do this.' And da*n it, if she wasn't spot on." Levy emphasized the impact of Madonna's input, noting that the team promptly acted on her advice, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to do this note," Levy remarked adding, "It made the sequence better." 'Deadpool & Wolverine' hits theatres on July 26. (ANI) Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday took a pot-shot on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that when his party (Hindustani Awam Morcha) separated in 2015, Nitish raised doubts that how he would run the party without any funds. He also emphasised that now his party is not only functioning but is running at great speed. "I want to thank Nitish Kumar ji, when we separated in 2001 and formed the party he raised doubts- 'Jitan Manjhi se party chalegi? Na paisa hain na kuch'. How will he run the party? Today, I can say with pride that our party is not only functioning but is running at great speed. And you people are behind this, that is why I congratulate you too," Manjhi said. Jitan Ram Manjhi, in 2015, parted ways with the Janata Dal (United) along with 18 others and formed his own party, Hindustani Awam Morcha, during the 2015 Bihar political crisis. In the current political scenario, HAM is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the centre and in Bihar also. The party's head, Jitan Ram Manjhi is a Minister in Prime Minister Modi's cabinet. Earlier, amid the opposition attack on Nitish Kumar over series of bridge collapses in Bihar, Manjhi defended the latter, saying that the unusually heavy monsoon rains were the primary cause of the incidents. "It is monsoon time. There has been an abnormal amount of rain, which is the reason behind the collapse of bridges. But the Chief Minister of the state is very sensitive towards the investigation," Manjhi told reporters. Five bridges in Araria, Siwan, East Champaran, Kishanganj, and Madhubani districts collapsed across the state in June last month. The first in the series was the bridge collapse in Araria on June 18. (ANI) Following the protest of the INDIA bloc against the alleged failure of law and order situation in Bihar, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha slammed the opposition and said that there is no similarity between their words and actions. The INDIA bloc's comes after the recent murder of Jitan Sahni, father of Mukesh Sahni, founder of the Vikasheel Insaan Party in Bihar. "We had already said that if the opposition is serious about law and order, then they should take a pledge and declare that they will not give tickets to any criminal, will not send any extremists to the House, and will not make the liquor mafia or sand mafia as candidates. There is no similarity between their words and actions," he said on Saturday. "I have openly said that the BJP does not give preference to criminals or, the mafia anywhere. If anyone can teach a lesson to the criminals, then it is the NDA alliance, the BJP," Sinha added. Reacting to the INDIA bloc protest, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that the situation in Bihar has improved. "They have the right to hold protests, but before that, the RJD should look into themselves. Earlier, there used to be kidnappings in the daylight in Patna, (under their regime)...The situation has got better...Nitish Kumar's government is looking into this (law & order situation in Bihar," BJP MP said. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on Saturday said that the law and order in Bihar collapsed under Lalu Prasad Yadav's government, and added that the situation in the state is now normal. "Law and order collapsed under Lalu Prasad Yadav's government in Bihar. He (Lalu Prasad Yadav) should first give an account of the injustice done to the people of Bihar for 15 years," Chaudhary told reporters. On July 17, the leaders of the INDIA bloc parties met to discuss the current law and order situation given recent incidents and planned to hold demonstrations at all district headquarters on July 20 to protest the law and order situation in the state. Earlier, VIP chief Mukesh Sahani's father, Jitan Sahani, was killed at his residence in Darbhanga. The incident sparked a political uproar and the opposition criticized the Nitish Kumar government, alleging a breakdown in law and order. (ANI) Amid the ongoing countrywide protests in Bangladesh against job quotas, around 150 Indian students from Bangladesh arrived through the Integrated Check Post here. The students arrived in Agartala on Saturday. Rajeev Agnihotri DIG, Sector Commander, Border Security Force (BSF), said that around 150 students have comeback through different ICPs. "Due to the current situation in Bangladesh, the Indian and foreign students who were studying there are coming back through different ICPs (Integrated Check Post)...till now around 150 students have come back through different ICPs. BSF is making all the necessary arrangements for this," he said. Vishal Kumar, District Megistrate, West Tripura, said, "In the last 4-5 days, anti-reservation protests have been going on in Bangladesh, and especially the students and other citizens of neighbouring countries like India have been greatly affected by them. Almost their entire system is under seizure. Due to this, many of our citizens are coming to our country, including many people from Tripura, especially yesterday and today, many students and many of our Indians who have gone there due to different occupations are coming." Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar said on Saturday that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in Bangladesh. Sharing the update on the return of Indian nationals in Bangladesh on X, which was posted earlier by the official spokesperson of MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, the EAM wrote, "Appreciate the concern of families and well wishers of Indian nationals in Bangladesh." "MEA is fully focused on ensuring their safety and well being. The current situation is as below," Jaishankar said further. In its official release earlier Saturday, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home following the recent developments there. In order to facilitate safe travel, the MEA is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and Border Security Force (BSF) authorities. The protests in Bangladesh have been driven by demands for reform in the country's quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan. Bangladesh has imposed a curfew, and the authorities have disabled mobile internet services nationwide, citing the need to curb disinformation, according to The Washington Post. (ANI) Highlighting the increase in drug consumption in India in recent years, Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera criticised the Union Home Ministry for making bold claims about controlling drugs in the country. Taking to social media platform 'X' on Saturday, Pawan Khera tweeted, "Mr. @HMOIndia, in June 2023, you had said, 'The Modi government will root out drugs from India; not allow smuggling of narcotics through the country.' But Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy DG at Narcotics Control Bureau, claims that 'The consumption of drugs among the youth is increasing, and there are roughly around 10 crore Indians who consume drugs. It used to be around 2 crore, 15 years ago.'" "The DRI Report, 2021-22, mentions the seizure of 2,889 kg of heroin at Mundra Port, owned by Adani Port & SEZ (worth Rs21,000 crore), the highest ever so far in the world. In September 2020, heroin worth Rs9,000 crore was seized from the same port. Drug traffickers reportedly had links with Pakistani terror outfits," Khera wrote in a post on X, shedding light on the increase in drugs in India. He further stated that the Union Home Ministry itself has yet to respond to the Delhi High Court regarding the missing 70,000 kilogrammes of heroin, valued at Rs5 lakh crore, from seizures between 2018-2020. Citing data from the International Narcotics Control Board, Khera stated that the INCB 2023 report indicates over 40% of the world's opioid users reside in India. "The UN Office on Drugs and Crime's World Drug Report 2022 revealed that Punjab is leading in India's epidemic of opioid users, while Gujarat is now the third worst state in terms of drug overdose deaths," he mentioned on X. He added that around 15.8 million children aged between 10 and 17 years are addicted to substances in India, as informed by the Indian government to the Supreme Court on December 14, 2022. "The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment estimated the number of opioid users in India at 23 million in 2018, a 600 percent increase since 2004," Khera pointed out. He stated that "interagency collaboration" in India is not up to the mark, which has led to an increase in drug trafficking. Pledging to make India drug-free, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that India will not allow "even a gram" of drugs to enter the country nor will it allow its borders to be used for drug trade in any manner. "Now, drug syndicates are trying to enter through the maritime border. Officials were casually telling me about these drugs' destinations. We should make a resolution that we will not allow a single gram of drugs to come into India from anywhere, nor will we allow India's borders to be used for drug trade in any way," Amit Shah said while emphasising how drug syndicates are trying to infiltrate through the maritime border. Shah was speaking at the 7th Apex Level Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) Meeting at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on Thursday, where he pledged to make India free from drugs. He further appealed to the states to adopt a "ruthless" approach towards the drug supply chain, emphasising a commitment to preventing any drugs from entering the country and ensuring that India's borders are not used for drug trafficking. During the meeting, Shah informed that major drug syndicates were busted and a huge quantity of drugs had been seized from 2014 to 2024, three times more than from 2003 to 2013. The meeting aimed at coordinating and synergizing the efforts of various central and state government agencies involved in countering drug trafficking and abuse in India. Addressing the meeting, Union Minister Amit Shah said, "Today, in NCORD's 7th Apex Meeting, I want to express gratitude to all the officials involved in the fight against narcotics from 2019-2024. But, in this duration, we have achieved only 1/10th of the target. An infrastructure has been built up and seriousness has been built in all departments of the government. We have succeeded in promoting it as a campaign." He added that the motto of the agencies was 'Need to Know,' but now they should move towards 'Duty to Share,' and this major change will have to be adopted by all agencies. Shah also mentioned that the government is going to provide kits for primary testing of narcotics at a cheaper rate, which will make filing cases much easier. "But we can't win this fight until individuals below the age of 33 hold a resolution to fight against narcotics and individuals beyond the age of 35 decide to guide them. The government can provide directions to these fights, that's why our approach is to take these fights among 130 crore people. I believe all the departments and officials of states need to integrate this approach into their targets," said Shah. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has set a target to make India first in every field by 2047, which is possible only by keeping the younger generation away from the scourge of drugs. Specifying about hardships of 'Nasha Mukt Bharat,' Shah said, "The resolution of 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' is a big resolution along with a challenge and target. But it is also one of the biggest opportunities to win this fight against drugs. We have examples of several Western countries. I have deeply researched this topic. They have removed it from being a criminal offense, not due to a liberal and lenient approach, but due to their helplessness, as their jails do not have enough space. Again, I urge all of the departments to take a little time from their busy schedule and fight against drugs." Stating the facts, Shah said, "In the past 5 years, we tried to grapple with drugs and implemented various structural, institutional, and informational reforms. Between 2004 to 2013, around 1 lakh 52 thousand kg of drugs worth Rs 5,933 crores were seized, while between 2014-2024, we seized 5 lakhs 43 thousand kg of drugs worth Rs 22,000 crore, which means we succeeded by 3 times. We busted various drug networks too." Amit Shah directed officials in the NCORD meeting, saying, "The drug trade is now associated with narco-terror, posing a serious threat to the security of the nation. This trade also strengthens the channels that weaken our economy. The drug cartels get involved in hawala transactions and tax evasion. This is a multi-layered crime and we need to deal with it harshly. I want to urge all agencies and state police to set their target to detaining drug businesses and syndicates rather than detaining drug users, for which a top-to-bottom and vice versa investigation is needed." Addressing the issue of synthetic drugs, Shah stated, "Now, we have to tackle the problem of synthetic drugs in our country. We have busted various illegal labs. I want every anti-narcotics agency to take inputs about these labs from NCB and bust such activities in their state." He concluded the meeting with a resolution to adopt a ruthless approach and said, "The meetings of NCORD should be outcome-based and result-oriented, with an approach to achieve the fixed target made on a regional basis. On a serious note, we need to continue with a ruthless approach to bust the drug supply chain, a strategic approach to demand reduction, and a human approach to harm reduction." (ANI) Another fresh batch of pilgrims left for the Amarnath yatra from the Panthachowk Srinagar base camp under tight security measures on Sunday morning. The pilgrims set out for the sacred site, heading towards the base camps of the Baltal and Pahalgam Yatras, where they will connect with their faith and seek blessings. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board organises the Amarnath Yatra, which is divided into two routes: one through Pahalgam and the other through Baltal. Baltal serves as the camping ground for pilgrims in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pradeep Reddy from Hyderabad expressed enthusiasm over the pilgrimage journey and said, "It feels great that I have come here for the first time for the darshan. There is no rain and the weather is also very good. There is great enthusiasm because I have been planning the holy pilgrimage for a long time." Rajat, another devotee from Bengaluru, said, "I arrived here with my friend. The arrangements are very good. We are going to Amarnath through the Baltal route. We will go through the convoy and I am very grateful to the Indian Army for the safety efforts here. I am very happy because this is my first time coming here." This year, the Amarnath Yatra is taking place amid a significant increase in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. On Monday, July 15, a brief exchange of fire occurred between security forces and terrorists late at night in the Bhatta area of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district. Four soldiers lost their lives in the encounter that broke out in the Desa Forest area. Another encounter between security forces and terrorists took place in the Kastigarh area of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, police said on Thursday. The Jammu and Kashmir police and the army have been working together to search for terrorists in those areas. This year, the yatra started on June 29 and will end on August 19, lasting 52 days. Devotees of Lord Shiva undertake this arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave located in the Kashmir Himalayas. (ANI) Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the "nameplate" order on Kanwar routes, a heartwarming display of brotherhood and unity shines through in the work of Kanwar artisans in Haridwar. The Kanwar Yatra, which originates from Kumbhnagari Haridwar, stands as a beacon of Hindu-Muslim harmony. Each year, during the month of Sawan, millions of Shiva devotees flock to Haridwar to collect the sacred waters of the Ganga. Remarkably, the Kanwars that these devotees carry on their shoulders are crafted with meticulous care by Muslim families in the Haridwar district, who dedicate many months to this labour of love. Months before the Kanwar fair commences, the Muslim community immerses itself in the preparation of Kanwars. This craft is a family affair, engaging everyone, from the eldest members to women and children, who work tirelessly day and night. "We have been doing this since childhood. It brings me joy to be deeply involved in serving Bhole Baba. We craft all types of Kanwars and Dolis, feeling a great sense of fulfilment both while creating and sharing them. Our hearts connect and we are all one," said Istkar, a Kanwad artisan. "I have been doing this for 15 years, and it brings me great joy. We also create Ravana effigies. It's all about love and brotherhood; the entire Hindu community is like family to us," said Abrar, another Kanwad artisan. This noble initiative by Muslim families has garnered widespread appreciation from the Hindu community. Many Hindus believe that the Kanwars made by Muslim families is a testament to brotherhood and unity. "We've been doing this for 8-9 years. There's no distinction between Hindus and Muslims here. It doesn't bother me at all; we're all brothers. We never question why we should work for Hindus. I've been doing this since childhood. In two or three days, all our Kanwads will be sold out," said Imran, another Kanwad craftmaker. A row over the Kanwar Yatra "nameplate" order broke out after the Uttar Pradesh government directed food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners' names.The order gained widespread attention from various political figures and the opposition, criticising the Yogi government for its "divisive agenda."Earlier, Muzaffarnagar Police said that the police have urged all the eateries to "voluntarily display" the names of their owners and employees, adding that the intention of this order is not to create any kind of "religious discrimination" but only to facilitate the devotees.All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi said that it reflects the hatred towards Muslims in India."Fear on UP's Kanwar routes: This is the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims, credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties, leaders of Hindutva and so-called lip servicing Secular parties," Owaisi said in a post on 'X', sharing a photo of an egg stall displaying the name of its owner.Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also took a dig at this move, asking whether the Kanwar Yatra route is the same as the journey towards 'Viksit Bharat'."Kanwar Yatra Route UP directs eateries including roadside carts to display the names of owners! Is this the route to a "Viksit Bharat"? Divisive agendas will only Divide the country!" Sibal said in a post on 'x'.Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government over this move, likening it to Nazi Germany."The Uttar Pradesh government is destroying the Constitution of India by issuing such orders...A whole community is being humiliated. They are trying to divide society. This type of targeting was done by Nazis in Germany. I condemn it," Karat said, speaking to ANI on Saturday.TV actor Sonu Sood was also trolled online after he took to X to express his views on the matter, stating, "There should be only one name plate on every shop: "HUMANITY"Samajwadi Party chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the move and urged the court to take suo-motto cognizance on the matter. (ANI) On the occasion of Guru Purnima, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered his prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur on Sunday. CM Adityanath was seen pouring milk on Lord Shiva and offering his prayers to Lord Gorakhnath at the temple. Adityanath also interacted with children, distributing chocolates on the temple premises. Adityanath also took to X, wishing the people of the state on the occasion of Guru Purnima. "Heartiest greetings to the people of the state on the sacred festival of 'Guru Purnima'! Guru's grace protects the disciple from all kinds of obstacles. It removes the physical, divine, and material sufferings of the surrendered disciple and grants him salvation. My heartfelt greetings and salutations to all the teachers," he said. On the occasion of Guru Purnima, many devotees across the nation reached the temple to pay their respects and seek blessings from their spiritual teachers. They also took a dip in holy waters and paid their respects to their gurus. In Uttar Pradesh, thousands of devotees took a dip in the holy Saryu river in Ayodhya. There was a similar situation at Prayagraj Sangam and Kanpur, where devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga. Devotees were also seen offering their prayers to Lord Shiva in Garhmukteshwar. Devotees at Haridwar in Uttarakhand were also seen taking a holy dip in the Ganga River. Speaking on this auspicious day, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Chief Priest, Acharya Satyendra Das, said, "It is a very significant festival. On this day, devotees visit the temples to pray in the name of their gurus and also take their blessings." "There is a lot of pride in being called a guru... A guru's responsibility is to end the ignorance in their students and provide them with knowledge. The way God is worshipped, the same way one's guru should also be worshipped," he further added. Today is also the end of the month of Ashadh and the beginning of the month of Sawan. After taking a holy dip, devotees go to the temple. The devotees who have taken initiation from their guru and have taken Guru Mantra will go to their guru and worship them today. Guru is considered an important link for the success of one's life. Thousands of people come to see their respected gurus on this day and please them by giving gifts to their gurus as per their abilities. The belief behind this is that respecting the gurus on the day of Guru Purnima brings positive changes in life. There is also a tradition of taking the Guru Mantra on this day in Varanasi. Today, i.e., on the day of Ashadha Purnima, bathing and giving donations are considered very auspicious. Guru Purnima is also known as Ashadhi Purnima and Vyas Purnima because Maharishi Ved Vyas was born on this day. A guru has special importance in this worldly life. This is the reason why, in Indian culture, a guru is considered more important than God. This festival is celebrated not only by Hindus but also by people of the Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh religions. In Buddhism, Lord Buddha gave the first Dharma Chakra Pravartan on this day. (ANI) An all-party meeting is currently underway at Parliament ahead of the budget session commencement. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is hosting the meeting, with attendance from various political leaders. Notable attendees include Tiruchi Shiva, AIUML leader E.T. Mohammad Basheer, Jana Sena Party leader Bala Krishna, BJD leader Sasmit Patra, JDU leader Sanjay Jha, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale, Praful Patel, Chirag Paswan, and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi. Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and BJP President JP Nadda are also present. However, leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are absent as they are in West Bengal observing Shahidi Divas (Martyrdom Day), a significant event for the state. Party sources clarified that this is not a boycott but a reflection of the day's importance. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav is in Kolkata, attending the observance on the invitation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar commented on the meeting, stating, "This meeting is a formality as the Parliament session starts tomorrow. However, it is our responsibility to raise public issues, and we will definitely do that. The biggest issue is NEET; it needs to be cancelled." CPI-M MP John Brittas said that the parties are insisting that issues affecting the people should be brought to the house including Manipur, situation in Jammu and Kashmir, "communal polarisation" in UP, exam frauds and umeployment. "Parliament should function properly and there should be debate and discussion, which was not happening from the past 10 years...We want the government to understand the ground reality...The unemployment rate is at its peak, and people are starving. There has been an assault on the power of the states," Brittas said. The meeting marks a crucial gathering of political leaders as they prepare for the upcoming budget session. (ANI) Israeli jets reportedly struck fuel tanks and a power station in Yemen on Saturday, sparking a massive blaze and wounding at least 80 people following a deadly drone attack against Tel Aviv. Residents of Hodeidah told Reuters that explosions were heard across the port city during the intensive bombing campaign. Most of those injured suffered severe burns, according to Al-Masirah TV, which is controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group. . pic.twitter.com/xkawBZmf9v (@Saher95755738) July 20, 2024 In addition to the wounded, an unconfirmed number of people were killed, the Associated Press said, citing Yemeni health officials. Israel said it struck "military targets" in Hodeidah, where it said the port "serves as an entryway for Iranian weapons for the Houthi terrorist regime." Israel said the move, which AP said appeared to be the first on Yemeni soil since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war, was a response to what it called hundreds of Houthi attacks. The most recent, on Friday, killed one person in the center of Tel Aviv and wounded 10 others near the U.S. Embassy. "The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement. "The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required." Israel said it alerted its allies before Saturday's bombardment, which it said was carried out by F-15 fighters that all returned safely. A Houthi spokesperson, Mohammed Abdulsalam, called the airstrikes "blatant Israeli aggression" intended to "increase the suffering of the people and to pressure Yemen to stop supporting Gaza." Abdulsalam also said on social media that the attack would "only increase our determination, steadfastness, continuity." Mohamed Ali al-Houthi of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen vowed to retaliate against Israel, saying on social media, "There will be impactful strikes." Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the newly renovated Khodiyar Gram Panchayat Bhavan and Modern Anganwadi Kendra-1 in Ahmedabad's Khodiyar village on Saturday. On this occasion, Ahmedabad District Collector Praveena D.K., District Development Officer Videh Khare, Daskroi Taluka officials, and a large number of villagers were present. The Chief Minister was warmly welcomed by children at the inauguration of the Modern Anganwadi Kendra-1. Khodiyar village in Daskroi Taluka has been renovated with public donations from donor Kanaiyalal Tribhuvandas Thakkar. The Gram Panchayat Bhavan's renovation cost an estimated Rs25 lakh. A Modern Smart Anganwadi Kendra-1, built at a cost of Rs6 lakh 20 thousand, has also been inaugurated in Khodiyar village. The former sarpanch, Badarji Thakore, donated Rs1 lakh 20 thousand for the renovation of this Anganwadi Kendra. "Inauguration of the renovated Khodiyar Gram Panchayat Bhavan and Modern Anganwadi Center-1 in Khodiyar village of Daskroi Taluka in Ahmedabad district. It was a pleasure to meet the children and villagers on this occasion. I appreciate the generosity of the donors who contributed to the renovation," the Chief Minister wrote in a post on X. Additionally, the Gujarat Chief Minister reviewed the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Project to get information about the drainage project of village Nalakantha in Viramgam taluka of Ahmedabad district. Work is ongoing to increase the irrigation facilities in Sanand, Viramgam, and Bawala talukas in the Nalakantha area and Kowada area of the Fatewadi Canal and Narmada project command area. This scheme is being prepared at a cost of Rs 1400 crore for the development of pipelines. It aims to increase irrigation facilities in 38 villages around the Nalakantha area and the fringes of Fatewadi Canal, Sanand, Khawda of Narmada Canal, and Viramgam Taluka in Ahmedabad district. Parthiv Vyas, Director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd, said this is a project of Rs 1400 crores, of which Rs 377.65 crores worth of work has started in the first phase, and the remaining Rs 1020 crores worth of work will start in the second phase. In a letter dated August 28, 2021, Union Home Minister Amit Shah instructed that this project should be planned to increase irrigation facilities in 38 villages around Nalakantha, at the end of the Fatewadi Canal, and in Sanand, Bawla, and Viramgam talukas of the Narmada Yojana. The Sardar Sarovar Project is one of the largest water resources projects in India, covering four major states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The dam's spillway discharging capacity (30.7 lakh cusecs) would be the third highest in the world. (ANI) Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav left his residence in Lucknow on Sunday to join the Trinamool Dharmatala Rally, held later in Kolkata on the same day. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is observing its annual 'Shahid Diwas' (Martyrs' Day) today, in remembrance of the 13 people shot dead in Kolkata in 1993 during a protest by the West Bengal Youth Congress. A large crowd has gathered in Esplanade, Kolkata, for the TMC rally. On July 20, Mamata Banerjee took to her social media account on platform X to write about the upcoming Shahid Diwas. Banerjee wrote, "21st July is a blood-soaked day in the history of Bengal. 13 lives were brutally taken away by the repressive regime of CPI (M) on this day in 1993. I lost 13 of my co-fighters in my battle against repression. 21st July is, therefore, an emotive milestone for us. 21st July is an integral part of Bengal's public culture today." She further remembered the heroic martyrs who died that day and wrote, "We remember those heroic martyrs every year on this historic day with love and respect. Along with them, we also remember all who have sacrificed their lives in movements for our country and fellow human beings." She added, "Simultaneously, we observe this day as 'Ma-Mati-Manush Divas', and dedicate our democratic electoral victories to the people of West Bengal. There lies another abiding significance of the day." Inviting people to the program at Esplanade, she wrote, "Tomorrow, at this Martyrs' Day program at Esplanade, I invite all of you in Bengal. Like every year, this year too, I trust our congregation will find meaning through your eager participation in the collective homage to the martyrs." As I wrote in a poem: "21st July is soaked with blood and tears. Tributes galore in remembrance of the martyrs," she added. (ANI) Three people are dead and eight were injured in a landslide in the Chidwasa region of Rudraprayad district of Uttarakhand on Sunday. The incident occurred on the Kedarnath Yatra route this morning when the devotees were on their way to Kedarnath Dham from Gaurikund on foot. The District Control Room in Rudraprayag informed the State Disaster Response Force team that some people have been trapped under debris due to a landslide in that region on the Kedarnath Yatra route. On receiving the information, the SDRF team immediately reached the spot with the necessary rescue equipment and carried out rescue operations. SDRF evacuated eight injured people and took them to the hospital. Three people died on the spot and SDRF handed their bodies over to the district police. Speaking on this incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to X to express his grief and his condolences to the family of the deceased. "The news of some pilgrims getting injured due to debris and heavy stones falling from the hill near the Kedarnath Yatra route is very sad. Relief and rescue work is going on at the site of the accident, I am constantly in touch with the officials in this regard. I have given instructions to provide better treatment to the people injured in the accident immediately. May God grant the departed souls a place in His feet and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense sorrow," Dhami said. (ANI) On the occasion of Guru Purnima, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended a programme on the premises of Goraknath temple in Gorakhpur on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, CM Adityanath said that the Rishi Parampara of India is for the welfare of the people and nation. He further said that every moment in one's life should be dedicated to Sanatan Dharma and the nation. "Every deed which will be favourable for society, nation, or religion will be favourable for the person itself... The 'Rishi Parampara' of India is for the welfare of the public and nation... Rishi Parampara never divides us into caste or colour; it inspires us to take steps for the welfare of society and the nation...Every moment of our lives should be dedicated to Sanatan Dharma and the nation," he said. Earlier today, CM Adityanath offered his prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Adityanath was seen pouring milk on Lord Shiva and offering his prayers to Lord Gorakhnath at the temple. Adityanath also interacted with children, distributing chocolates on the temple premises. Adityanath also took to X, wishing the people of the state on the occasion of Guru Purnima. "Heartiest greetings to the people of the state on the sacred festival of 'Guru Purnima'! Guru's grace protects the disciple from all kinds of obstacles. It removes the physical, divine, and material sufferings of the surrendered disciple and grants him salvation. My heartfelt greetings and salutations to all the teachers," he said. Several other leaders also took to X, extending their greetings on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his best wishes on X, expressing his greetings to all countrymen on this holy festival. "Many best wishes to all the countrymen on the holy festival of Guru Purnima," Modi said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his wishes, emphasising the crucial role of Gurus in society and national development. "Gurus are the main carriers of the development of any society or nation. With the knowledge gained from years of penance, research, and experience, they take disciples from darkness to light and sow the seeds of character-building and patriotism in them. On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I pay my tribute to all such Gurus and wish 'Guru Purnima' to all the countrymen," Shah said. (ANI) The Indian National Team is set to leave for Brazil on Monday to participate in International Olympiad of Linguistics. The team will be undergoing training and participating in a workshop at the IIIT Delhi campus before leaving for the Olympiad in Brazil. While speaking to ANI, Manish Shrivastava, an assistant professor at IIIT Hyderabad (International Institute of Information Technology - Hyderabad) said, "International Linguistic Olympiad is a two-decade-old Olympiad, one of the newer ones, which focuses on puzzles coming out of languages all across the world, and these are based on linguistic phenomena that are required to deeply understand language. This is a school-level event. Participants from all over the world from their school times, come there to participate in teams of four. Most countries send two teams. We are sending two teams of four students each coming from all across India." Manish Shrivastava works in the language technologies research centre of IIT Hyderabad specifically in the areas of natural language processing and information extraction. Explaining the mode of selection of students, Shrivastava said that these students were chosen from the Indian version of the linguistics Olympiad, the Panini linguistics Olympiad that happens in February, registration opens in December, and students from schools all across India apply for it. "These national exams happen at various partner institutes, such as triple IIIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and many other centres across the country and use their performance as a measure for their capability. A team of 40 is chosen to go for the Asia Pacific linguistics Olympiad and the top performers in that exam are chosen to represent India in the International Olympiad of Linguistics," Shrivastava said. "India is a linguistically very diverse country. We have a lot of languages. So, even for more harmony within the country, exposure to multiple languages is important, and more than that, if we want to drop this language barrier, language AI becomes important and language AI depends on linguistics. Current language AI models are largely neural models, which are learning the meaning of words by looking at the context. That is the most basic implementation or most basic usage, of linguistic theory in AI. Similarly, a deeper understanding of linguistic principles will allow us to build better, more capable AI systems," the professor added. "When it comes to the Indian context, we want our young student population to be more aware of this linguistic diversity and the need to understand this linguistic diversity and become capable language researchers to contribute in the language research which would aid the development of the country itself," Shrivastava added. "If I bring it to the Indian context, very often for many languages, that much digital content is not available. If we want to create capable AI systems like large language models, we have to link language studies, linguistics and AI together so that the model can learn faster without needing all of that large volume of data," he further said. Anshul Krishnadas Bhagwat, enrolled in the CLD programming at IIIT Hyderabad who will be accompanying the Indian national team to the International Linguistics Olympiad this year said, "I had gone last year as a student in my 12th grade. I received an honourable mention there in Bulgaria. IIIT has a CLD program, which is a Dual Degree program in Computational Linguistics with Computer Science, Bachelor of Technology, and Competition Linguistics Master of Science through research. So in IIIT, we have one of the best MT-NLP (Machine Translation and Natural Language Processing) labs which is machine translation and natural language processing and Artificial Intelligence and generative intelligence." "So when it comes to language, human language and computer language are very different. Any tool that has to be used by people has to incorporate linguistics because the common person cannot code or cannot use binary language to communicate with a computer. Whenever it comes to Artificial Intelligence, linguistics is at the forefront of it. At the actual helm of interaction between the user and the product is linguistics. So natural language processing is an up and coming field right now and it's booming," Bhagwat added. He further said that the prospects with respect to generative models like ChatGPT in India will be in the field of Computer Science that will include natural language processing and machine translation-related tasks. An 18-year-old graduate participant from Mumbai, Faraz Ahmed Siddiqui said, "So, firstly, it acts as a sort of an event, you know, to, like a get together for a young budding linguist of the world and in the like, general overall sense and like if you look at the prospects of the events overall, linguistics, as a field is very important especially in the current age if you look at say people developing language models all although that that is a part of computer science, linguistics is definitely a great part of it." Siddiqui is a freshman at IIT Kanpur studying physics and has represented India at the International Olympiad of Linguistics on the past two occasions, where he won the silver medal. "People that have participated in the event in the past and are now working at the edge of, you know, developing superior language models. So it is important in that sense. And in like, the overall development of us, just getting people from other nations to interact with them, because we share common interests and because simply linguistics is interesting. It is interesting to understand Human Sciences, its interesting to understand how human languages forms, how they evolve, etc," Siddiqui added. Another participant, Shri Laxmi, who is 14 year old and a first time participant said, "When I found out about this, the first thing I found was that this Olympiad is not like a conventional multiple-choice Olympiad where you can just write it on an OMR sheet because this kind of offers you a new perspective on you know, human thinking, language and logic, and it gives you a fresh perspective of how to view the world in general. So I find that very interesting." "Language is an integral part of human society in general. So obviously, linguistics plays a very important role, and when I was at IIIT Hyderabad as part of this, I was introduced to computational linguistics. I didn't know about it before, but it's about AI and linguistics and tying up everything together. And that can help a lot in education itself nowadays, and it can help you connect with more people around the world, and know about new cultures. So I think that's good," Laxmi added. 18-years-old participant Dia from Bangalore, who will be at MIT this year and is a second-time participant said, "So at first it was a very new experience for me. It was my first time in a long time going abroad, meeting people, performing at such a big level of competition, you know, meeting people who are so good at what they do. So I feel like I have certainly improved this year and I hope to do much better this year than I did last year." Dia called it a very good opportunity to build linguistic strengths, logical thinking and problem-solving skills. "It exposed me to the world at large, meet people who are also doing linguistics, but at the same time doing other things as well. And I feel like that opened a lot of doors in the sense that I was able to find more opportunities for myself, in what I like to do, especially in logical thinking, problem solving and things like that. So I would say linguistics is a very nice starting point to discover more about yourself and what you like," Dia said. Raghava, associate professor at the CSE department, IIIT Delhi said, "Before the students fly out to the event, they have a workshop here and we are providing accommodation and classroom for them to get involved in the workshop and have some sort of training. This also acts as team event. So they are from different schools, different part of India." "I feel since India is represented at a global event, everyone should come together and help in whatever way they can. So, it helps the nation and the students to know the linguistic part of it and represent India at the global level. IIIT Delhi is happy to help," Raghava added. (ANI) Amid a Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Sunday that it seems ironic that the prevalence of these illnesses is so widespread in a state where the health system is considered the best in India. "It's a tragic thing. A young boy has been taken seriously ill and we all pray for his recovery. Kerala has dealt with these viruses before. We seem to be an incubator of many viruses, sadly. Particularly in a state that is so advanced and where the health system is considered the best in India, it seems ironic that the prevalence of these illnesses is so widespread. On the other hand, we also have the confidence that if any state can deal with these things effectively, it is Kerala," Tharoor said. The 14-year-old boy who tested positive for the Nipah virus at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital succumbed to the disease on Sunday afternoon, Health Minister Veena George stated. "A case of Nipah virus has been detected in Mallapuram district of Kerala. A 14-year-old boy from Mallapuram exhibited AES symptoms and was admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna before being transferred to a higher health center in Kozhikode. However, the patient later succumbed to the disease. The samples were sent to NIV, Pune which has confirmed a Nipah virus infection," Govt of India said in a press release. The Centre has advised immediate public health measures to be taken by the state government, such as an active case search in the family of the confirmed case, the neighbourhood, and areas with similar topography. The centre has also advised active contact tracing (for any contacts) during the past 12 days, strict quarantine of the contacts in the case, isolation of any suspects, and collection and transportation of samples for lab testing. A multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National 'One Health Mission' of Union Health Ministry will be deployed to support the State in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages, and providing technical assistance. It is important to note that outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) have been reported in Kerala in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district. Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits, the press release stated. Earlier, Veena George convened a high-level meeting on Saturday in the Malappuram district after reports of a suspected case of the 'Nipah' virus in the state. (ANI) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continues to lead firefighting efforts onboard the merchant vessel Maersk Frankfurt, which is currently 35 nautical miles southwest of Mangalore, as the firefighting efforts enter day three of the operations on Sunday. The operations are led by the ICG ships Sujeet, Sachet, and Samrat off the Karwar coast. At the moment, the fire has reduced in scale but heavy smoke persists, obscuring the flames. The fire has extended to the starboard side of the vessel, particularly affecting lower stacked containers. According to an ICG official, the body of one of the missing Filipino members of the 21 crew has been found dead. The Indian Coast Guard is taking all measures to control the fire, he further added. Earlier, the fire in the forepart of the vessel had been suppressed, but heavy smoke continued to emanate. Unfortunately, the fire has reignited in the midship area. ICG ships Sachet, Sujeet, and Samrat are still actively engaged in firefighting operations. A Coast Guard Dornier aircraft has conducted an aerial assessment of the situation. Additionally, an ALH Dhruv helicopter was launched from New Mangalore for Goa, conducting an assessment of the vessel route and evaluating the feasibility of deploying dry chemical powder (DCP) bags on Saturday. Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 11 (Goa) is arranging the provision of DCP bags and balls to aid in firefighting operations. The specialised pollution control vessel, Samudra Prahari, is being deployed to the scene today to provide further assistance. At present, there is no requirement for the evacuation of the crew. The master of the vessel has indicated that anchoring is not feasible due to the inaccessibility of the forecastle area, which has been compromised by melting containers, posing significant risks to the crew. The ICG remains committed to ensuring the safety of the crew and the vessel while mitigating the impact of this incident on maritime safety and the environment. Continuous monitoring and response efforts are underway to bring the situation under control. Late on Friday night, July 19, the Indian Coast Guard control room in Mumbai received a distress call from container carrier MV Maersk Frankfurt 50 NM off Karwar regarding a major fire onboard. ICG Dornier and the ships Sachet, Sujeet, and Samrat were immediately pressed into action. An additional aircraft was also mobilised to augment search and rescue efforts. The Coast Guard said that firefighting was in progress to avert ecological disasters and ensure the safety of the vessel and crew. (ANI) The flood in Assam has claimed lives of 215 animals including 13 one-horned rhinos at Kaziranga National Park this year so far, officials said. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park said that, 13 one-horned rhinos died after drowning in flood water in the national park. "168 Hog Deer, 2 Swamp Deer, 5 Wild Pig, 8 Porcupine sp., one each Wild Buffalo and Sambar died in drowning in flood waters, 2 Hog Deer died in vehicle hit, 18 others animals died under care and one Otter (pup) died in other reason during flood time," Sonali Ghosh said. The Field Director of the national park further said that, during the flood time the park authorities rescued 157 wild animals including two rhino calves and two elephant calves. "Out of which 137 animals were released after treatment and 7 animals are currently under treatment," Sonali Ghosh said. On the other hand, only 3 forest camps out of 233 camps of the park are currently under water - one each in Agratoli, Kaziranga and Bagori range. Earlier an eight-member high-level Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) from different Ministries of the Government of India visited various districts of Assam for assessment of the flood damages from July 18 to 20. The team led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mihir Kumar, wrapped up their flood damage assessment after deliberating with the senior officials of Government of Assam at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Dispur on Saturday. The Inter-Ministerial Central Team was divided into two groups and visited the flood-affected districts of Dibrugarh, Majuli, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Cachar, Karimganj & Hailakandi. The Central Team inquired and assessed the damages and loss of the livelihood and properties of the visiting districts of Assam in the meeting. During their visit, they interacted with local officials and visited flood-damaged sites. The meeting on Saturday was chaired by Ajay Tiwari, Additional . Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam. Speaking on the impacts of floods, Tiwari said that Cyclone Remal triggered the first wave of floods and the state has already encountered two waves that have affected humans, livestock, and wildlife alike. Mihir Kumar said the team had a bird's eye view of the damages caused by the recent Assam Floods. He elaborated on the assessment done by the team on the grounds and highlighted the severe inundation of agricultural lands that these two waves of floods had caused. He also appreciated the level of preparedness displayed by the districts and the Govt of Assam and the prompt and effective relief operation undertaken in the flood-affected areas. (ANI) Gunotsav-2025 will be held in over 45,600 schools in 35 districts of Assam from January 6 to February 9 next year, Assam Education Minister said. Assam Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu said that, the Gunotsav-2025 will be held in three phases starting from January 6 next year. "All preparations are progressing on time. 43,23,499 students in 45,629 schools will be assessed in Gunotsav," Dr Ranoj Pegu said. According to the state education department, the self-evaluation of the first phase of the 6th round of Gunotsav will be held on January 6, and the external evaluation in 11 districts will be held on January 7-9 next year. "The self-evaluation of the second phase of Gunotsav will be held on January 18, and the external evaluation in 13 districts will be held on January 20-22 next year. The self-evaluation for the third phase of Gunotsav will be held on February 6, and the external evaluation will be held in 11 districts on February 7-9 next year," said Samagra Shiksha, Assam, in a letter. The letter also stated that, Gunotsav for Bajali and Tamulpur will be conducted by Barpeta and Baksa, respectively. Gunotsav is an initiative of the Assam government to improve the quality of school education. The four core areas, viz., scholastic (learning by outcomes of children), co-scholastic, infrastructure, and community participation, are evaluated in the Gunotsav exercise. Schools are graded as A+, A, B, C and D on the basis of performance (90% on Scholastic , 5% each on Co-Scholastic & other areas, and Community Participation & Contributions). This exercise helps in identifying the learning gaps and ensuring that all children take appropriate remedial measures to attain grade specific learning outcomes. (ANI) The police in its advisory said that residents should leave their homes only if necessary and take precautions. In case of any emergency, number 100 has also been issued. Earlier, the Mumbai civic authority urged residents to avoid going out unless necessary, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for the city, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall. "The IMD has issued an orange alert (heavy to very heavy) rainfall for Mumbai today. People are requested to avoid going out unless necessary," the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said in a statement. An orange alert was also issued for Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra's Konkan region. Several roads in Mumbai have been waterlogged, and traffic snarls have been reported due to the heavy rains. Mumbai has been experiencing heavy rains for the past couple of weeks. Additionally, on July 21, the IMD issued an orange alert for several districts in Himachal Pradesh, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall. The weather department also informed that light to moderate rainfall would be accompanied by thunderstorms, with lightning likely to occur in various districts of Himachal. Rainfall was predicted for Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Chamba, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Kullu. (ANI) Russia scrambled fighter jets to prevent U.S. bombers from crossing its border over the the Berent Sea in the Arctic, the Kremlin said in a statement posted on social media Sunday. Russian MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighter jets identified two U.S. Air Force B-52H heavy bombers nearing the border, according to the statement. "As the Russian fighters approached, the American strategic bombers corrected their flight course, moving away, and then turning away from Russia's state border," said the message issued by Russia's Defense Ministry, Radio Free Europe reported. The report hasn't yet been confirmation by the U.S. The U.S. military routinely carries out flights over international waters in the area in neutral airspace, noted Radio Free Europe But Moscow has responded to the patrols more aggressively in recent months. It warned last month that American drone flights over the Black Sea risked triggering a "direct" military clash. A meeting of the Central government with floor leaders of all political parties was held under the Chairmanship of Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh on Sunday, before the commencement of the Budget Session of Parliament. Rajnath welcomed all the leaders in the first meeting of the floor leaders of both Houses of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha. In total, the meeting was attended by fifty-five Leaders from forty-one political parties. In his opening address, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju informed that the Budget Session of Parliament will commence on July 22 and subject to exigencies of government business, the session may conclude on August 12. The Session will provide 16 sittings spread over 22 days. Rijiju also informed that this session will mainly be devoted to the financial business relating to the Union Budget for 2024-25 which will be presented to Lok Sabha on July 23. "However, essential legislative and other business will also be taken up during the session," Rijiju said. The Economic Survey of India will be laid on the table of the Houses of Parliament on Monday. The Budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2024 will also be presented on July 23. Tentatively six items of legislative business and three items of financial business have been identified for being taken up during this session. The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs further stated that the Government is always ready to discuss on the floor of the House, any issue as permitted under Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business by respective Presiding Officers. He also requested all party leaders for active cooperation and support for the smooth functioning of the two Houses of Parliament. The meeting was also attended by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, JP Nadda, who is also Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law & Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan. Concluding the meeting, Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Defence, thanked all the leaders for raising and drawing attention to important issues highlighted in the meeting which have been noted. He also stated that we should maintain the sanctity of the Parliament during its proceedings. "The Government is ready for discussion on all these issues subject to the rules of the respective Houses of Parliament and the decisions of the respective Presiding Officers," he said. The list of bills that are likely to be taken up during the 2nd session of the 18th Lok Sabha and 265th session of Rajya Sabha includes-- the Finance (No. 2) Bill, 2024, the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Boilers Bill, 2024, the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, the Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2024, the Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2024. Concerning financial business, the house will see a general discussion on the Union Budget, 2024-25, Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants for 2024-25, and introduction, consideration, and passing/return of the related Appropriation Bill and Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the financial year 2024-25 and introduction, consideration and passing/return of the related Appropriation Bill. After the all-party meeting, Revolutionary Socialist Party leader N.K. Premachandran, said, "Opposition has to be provided sufficient time, to highlight the issues of the opposition. The Yatra issue in Uttar Pradesh and mob lynching have to be discussed in the Parliament." JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha asserted that Bihar should get the status of a special state. "Bihar should get the status of a special state, this has been the demand of our party (JDU) since the beginning. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has held big rallies for this demand. If the government feels that there is a problem in doing this, then we have demanded a special package for Bihar. We have also raised the problem of floods in Bihar... these are the two main issues we have raised," he said. Congress MP K. Suresh reiterated the issue of the post of the Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha. "We raised the issue (about Deputy Speaker)...The Deputy Speaker position is the right of the opposition and the Deputy Speaker should be elected in this session. Kanwar Yatra, terrorist attacks in J&K and the train accidents were discussed in the meeting," Suresh said. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said that he raised the issue of the misuse of central agencies citing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. "ED and CBI are being misused openly, Kejriwal ji has been kept in jail... I raised this entire issue, our 2 ministers have been arrested and kept in jail, I also raised that issue and this matter of installing nameplates is against the Constitution of India. This is against the Dalits, backwards, tribals, minorities of this country," he said. (ANI) Reacting to the recent outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala, Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Sunday that the state had become an "incubator" of many viruses, but he was confident Kerala could effectively deal with the infection. "Kerala has dealt with these viruses before. We seem to sadly be an incubator of many viruses. Right now, there's Nipah, there's H1N1...various other things being talked about, and people are worried about it, particularly in a state which is so advanced, where the health system is considered the best in India," Tharoor said while speaking to ANI on Sunday morning. "It seems, on one hand, ironic that the prevalence of these illnesses is so widespread. On the other hand, we also have confidence that if any state can deal with this effectively, it is Kerala," he added. "There is nothing to do with politics; it is essentially about building up a credible public health infrastructure, anchored in the communities and with the public's full involvement and participation. This was in evidence during COVID and was widely recognized around the world. I hope that Kerala will also be able to handle Nipah and these viruses without too much of setbacks," Tharoor further said. The Congress leader also prayed for the recovery of a 14-year-old boy who tested positive for the infection on Saturday. The teen from Kerala's Malappuram, however, succumbed to the disease on Sunday afternoon. "A case of Nipah virus has been detected in Mallapuram district of Kerala. A 14-year-old boy from Mallapuram exhibited AES symptoms and was admitted to a healthcare facility in Perinthalmanna before being transferred to a higher health center in Kozhikode. However, the patient later succumbed to the disease. The samples were sent to NIV, Pune which has confirmed a Nipah virus infection," according to a government release. The Centre has advised immediate public health measures to be taken by the state government, such as active case search in the family of the confirmed case, the neighborhood, and areas with similar topography. The Centre has also advised active contact tracing (for any contacts) during the past 12 days, strict quarantine of the contacts in the case, isolation of any suspects, and collection and transportation of samples for lab testing. A multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National 'One Health Mission' of Union Health Ministry will be deployed to support the State in investigating the case, identifying epidemiological linkages, and providing technical assistance. Additionally, at the State's request, ICMR had sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management, and a mobile BSL-3 laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts has arrived in Kozhikode. The monoclonal antibodies had reached before the patient died but could not be used due to his poor general condition. It is important to note that outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD) have been reported in Kerala in the past, with the most recent one occurring in 2023 in the Kozhikode district. Fruit bats are the usual reservoir of the virus, and humans can become infected by accidentally consuming bat-contaminated fruits, the release added. Earlier, Kerala Health Minister Veena George convened a high-level meeting on Saturday in the Malappuram district after reports of a suspected case of the Nipah virus in the state. The meeting discussed the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the public. The officials also reviewed the current situation and the steps taken so far to control the outbreak. She reached Malappuram to lead the efforts to control the outbreak. The government has also constituted committees to oversee the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Nipah virus control. The meeting was attended by top officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the Director of the National Health Mission, and the District Collectors of Malappuram and Kozhikode. On Sunday, Health Minister Veena George stated that the state is fully prepared to tackle the issue. The Health Minister said that after the Nipah virus was confirmed in Malappuram, preventive measures have intensified. Based on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) formed as part of the government order for Nipah control, 25 committees have been constituted. Contact tracing started on Saturday morning. "There are 214 people on the primary contact list. 60 people who were closely involved in this are in the high-risk category. 30 isolation rooms have been arranged at Manjeri Medical College. Apart from this, necessary isolation wards have also been arranged at Kozhikode Medical College. A route map will be published," she added. The minister requested those who were in those places at the time to contact the control room. George said that all high-risk contacts will have their samples tested. A 24-hour Nipah control room has been opened. Those with Nipah symptoms should call the control room. Fever can be accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: headache, fits, cough, and breathing problems. "If you have respiratory symptoms, you are more likely to spread it to others. In the case of Nipah disease, the symptoms may increase with time, and the risk of spreading the disease may increase as the severity of the disease increases," she added. (ANI) Ahead of the Kanwar Yatra 2024, which is scheduled to start on Monday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Haridwar Parmendra Dobhal said that the entire Kanwar Mela area has been divided into 14 super zones and 35 zones. He said that over 5,500 police personnel have been deployed in this Kanwar Mela, and apart from this, a plan for route diversion has also been kept in it for crowd management. Speaking exclusively to ANI, the SSP said, "Police officers have been deployed in 132 sectors, which include central security forces as well as police officers. Police is ready for traffic control and crowd management. It is worth mentioning here that RAF and other forces are deployed in the Haridwar Mela area in view of security. The Uttar Pradesh Police said on Saturday that all preparations for the Shravan Shivratri festival have been successfully completed. They expressed confidence that the festival would be conducted smoothly. "In the context of the upcoming Sawan Shivratri festival, a final phase meeting was held today. Officers from the neighbouring districts of Delhi were also invited and participated in this inter-departmental meeting. All preparations have been completed successfully, and we are confident that the festival of Shravan Shivratri will be conducted smoothly. All aspects, including security, cleanliness, and other necessary arrangements, were discussed in the inter-departmental meeting," ASP Manish Kumar Mishra told ANI. Shravan Shivratri is a holy Hindu festival, solely dedicated to Lord Shiva. During this auspicious month of Saawan, Lord Shiva is worshipped all over the country. It is believed that Lord Shiva got married to Parvati on this day. During the month of Shravan, devotees of Lord Shiva, keep a fast every Monday to seek his blessings. While married women wish for a happy marital life, unmarried women pray for a suitable life partner, just like Lord Shiva. The month of Shravan is famous for the Kanwar Yatra; devotees bring Ganga Jal and offer it to Lord Shiva on the day of Shivratri. Shravan Shivratri falls in the month of July or August every year. Shravan Shivratri is celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm in North Indian states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. Temples across North India perform puja and shiva darshan during Sawan month. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit out at the opposition alliance in Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) referring to it as "Aurangzeb fan club" and alleged that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is the club leader. While addressing the BJP conclave in Maharashtra's Pune on Sunday, Shah also targeted Congress, accusing the party of spreading "misconceptions" about reservation, as he alleged that the Congress party cannot do anything for the upliftment of poor people. The BJP conclave comes in the wake of the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections in Maharashtra. The state is likely to go to poll for the 288-member legislative assembly later this year, as the tenure of the current government ends in 2024. However, the Election Commission is yet to announce the dates. "Maha Vikas Aghadi is Aurangzeb fan club. This Aurangzeb fan club cannot ensure India's security. Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of this Aurangzeb Fan club. This Fan Club cannot make Maharashtra and India safe. It's only the BJP that can ensure the safety and security of all," Shah said while addressing the gathering in Pune. "Uddhav Thackeray shares his meals with people involved with Kasab, he supports PFI and stands against renaming Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar," he added. Launching an attack on the Congress party, Shah said, "Many misconceptions were spread in the country, but we should not fall for their (opposition) misconceptions. They (the opposition) said that BJP will end reservation. I want to remind you all that it was under the leadership of Modi ji that reservation was extended." "For decades, Congress ruled this country, but what did they do to uplift the poor? They cannot do garib kalyan," he added. Shah accused Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) supremo Sharad Pawar of "disabling" Maratha reservation whenever his party comes to power in the state. Shah also vowed to continue the Maratha reservation in the state if voted to power. "Whenever the BJP government comes to power in Maharashtra, Marathas get reservations, and whenever Sharad Pawar's government comes to power, Maratha reservation disappears. The Pawar government disables it whenever they get a chance. But I want to say that the 10-year extension was given only during the time of Modi Ji and despite having absolute majority, the work of strengthening reservation was done by our leader Modi Ji," he said. "In 2014, under Devendra Fadnavis as the CM, you got the Maratha reservation. If you want to continue the Maratha reservation, you must make the BJP win," he added. Shah further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi worked to provide 33 per cent reservation to women representatives in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas by bringing Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Highlighting the Lok Sabha election results, Shah said that the BJP won for the third time while the Congress party failed to breach the 240-mark. "For the first time in 60 years, a leader has got the honour of taking oath as PM for the third time in the country. Our leader, Narendra Modi became PM for the third consecutive time... Who is sitting in the opposition?... I have seen many people becoming arrogant after winning... But Rahul Gandhi is giving a unique example to the world, he became arrogant after losing," he added. "BJP got 240 seats, NDA got 300 seats and the entire INDI alliance did not even get 240 seats. Even if we combine the seats won by Congress in the past 3 elections, even then they can not breach the 240-seat mark. In this election also, the people of India gave Modi ji their stamp of approval. BJP stood victorious for the third consecutive time," he said. "It's after 60 years that a Prime Minister has taken oath for the third consecutive term. It is only because of the able leadership of PM Modi ji. In Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections, we must strive to get a greater mandate than before!," he added. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched sharp attacks on former Union Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) supremo Sharad Pawar over corruption accusing him of "institutionalising" corruption. "They (the opposition) are speaking about corruption. The biggest mastermind of corruption in Indian politics is Sharad Pawar and I have no confusion in that. What will they accuse us of now? If somebody has done the job of institutionalising corruption, Sharad Pawar, it is you. And you are accusing us of corruption?" Amit Shah said while addressing BJP conclave in Maharashtra's Pune on Sunday. Shah hit out at the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Sharad Pawar over the alleged milk powder import circular that is making rounds in the state. He accused the MVA of "spreading lies" and announced that not even 1 gram of milk powder will be imported in the next five years. "They are spreading lies using an old and outdated circular. Even I was confused so I called Piyush Goyal ji (Commerce and Industry Minister). Then Piyush Goyal ji said it was not ours, it was Sharad Pawar's. He (Sharad Pawar) is saying milk powder will be imported. Don't be confused. They had issued such circulars. In the last 10 years, not even 1 kg of milk powder was imported under PM Modi's government and for the next 5 years also not even 1 gram of milk powder will be imported, this is my word here to you. They want to spread misconceptions and win the elections," Shah said. Maharashtra is likely to poll for the 288-member legislative assembly as the tenure of the current government is ending in 2024. However, the Election Commission is yet to announce the dates. Shah further accused Sharad Pawar of "disabling" the Maratha reservation whenever his party came to power in the state. Shah also vowed to continue the Maratha reservation in the state if voted to power. "Whenever the BJP government comes to power in Maharashtra, Marathas get a reservation and whenever Sharad Pawar's government comes to power, Maratha reservation disappear. Pawar government disables it whenever they get a chance. But I want to say that the 10-year extension was given only during the time of Modi Ji and despite having an absolute majority, the work of strengthening reservation was done by our leader Modi Ji," he said. "In 2014, under Devendra Fadnavis as the CM, you got the Maratha reservation. If you want to continue the Maratha reservation, you must make the BJP win," he added. Launching an attack on the Congress party, Shah said, "Many misconceptions were spread in the country, but we should not fall for their (opposition) misconceptions. They (the opposition) said that the BJP would end the reservation. I want to remind you all that it was under the leadership of Modi ji that reservation was extended." "For decades Congress ruled this country, but what did they do to uplift the poor? They ruled for decades but what did they do for the welfare of the poor? They cannot do garib kalyan. Only Bharatiya Janata Party can do garib kalyan," he added. Shah further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi worked to provide 33 per cent reservation to women representatives in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas by bringing Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit out at the opposition alliance in Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) referring to it as the "Aurangzeb fan club" and alleged that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is the club leader. Shah also targeted Congress accusing the party of spreading "misconceptions" about reservation and alleged that the Congress party cannot do "garib kalyan." "Maha Vikas Aghadi is Aurangzeb fan club. This Aurangzeb fan club cannot ensure India's security. Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of this Aurangzeb Fan club. This Fan Club cannot make Maharashtra and India safe. It's only the BJP that can ensure the safety and security of all," Shah said while addressing the gathering in Pune. "Uddhav Thackeray shares his meals with people involved with Kasab, he supports PFI and stands against renaming Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar," he added. Highlighting the Lok Sabha election results, Shah said that the BJP won for the third time while the Congress party failed to breach the 240 mark. "BJP got 240 seats, NDA got 300 seats and the entire INDI alliance did not even get 240 seats. Even if we combine the seats won by Congress in the past 3 elections, even then they can not breach the 240-seat mark. In this election also, the people of India gave Modi ji their stamp of approval. BJP stood victorious for the third consecutive time," he said. "It's after 60 years that a Prime Minister has taken oath for the third consecutive term. It is only because of the able leadership of PM Modi ji. In Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections, we must strive to get a greater mandate than before!," he added. (ANI) Swami Sri Govindananda Saraswati Maharaj of the Jyotirmath Trust on Sunday came out strongly against Swami Avimukteshwaranand labelling him a "fake baba" and alleging that he has the backing of the Congress party. "One fake baba named Avimukteshwaranand, the Prime Minister is touching his feet, industrialists like Ambani are welcoming him at their home... Avimukteshwaranand is fake no.1. Forget about Shankaracharya, adding 'sadhu', 'sant' or 'sanyasi' to his name is also inaccurate," he said. Swami Sri Govindananda Saraswati Maharaj, while addressing a press conference said, "This is Varanasi Court's order. A non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against him and he (Swami Avimukteshwaranand) was declared absconder. For a long time, he didn't visit Varanasi and kept hiding in Madhya Pradesh, upon which we scolded him, after which he filed legal cases against us. We want to tell all of this to the Supreme Court but they keep giving next dates. We want justice." Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, who is known as Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth had recently claimed that 228 Kilos of gold had been stolen from Kedarnath, a claim that was rubbished by Swami Govindananda. "Avimukteshwaranand is killing and kidnapping people, raising questions against the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram, he is attending weddings pretending to be a 'Sanyasi'. He is saying that 228 kg of gold in Kedarnath is missing, does he even know the difference between gold and brass, probably not, because he himself is a duplicate. If we keep telling his tales, it may create a problem, but we will probably do that and he can't snatch anything from us, as we are saints who fight for 'dharma'." Govindananda Saraswati Maharaj further accused the Congress of backing Swami Avimukteshwaranand. "When our Guruji became 'Brahmleen', these people asked for a letter from the Congress. The Congress issued a letter and Avimukteshwaranand reached the Supreme Court. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote a letter on September 13, 2022, addressing him as revered Sankharachayra Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Ji. How did Priyanka Gandhi Vadra write a letter addressing Avimukteshwaranand as the Shankaracharya when the Supreme Court had issued a stay?... Will Congress decide who the Shankaracharya is?" he said. "He is standing against PM Narendra Modi, and who is backing him? Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Avimukteshwaranand will stand with Rahul Gandhi when he makes anti-Hindu remarks. Why? This letter is the reason. The Congress is playing a game and Avimukteshwaranand is the toy. I want to ask Priyanka Gandhi Vadra that she should either issue a public apology for writing this letter or we will file a contempt in the Supreme Court against her," he added. Swami Sri Govindananda Saraswati Maharaj also alleged that Avimukteshwaranand had a long criminal record. "When Varanasi Court issued a non-bailable warrant against him, he did a meeting with lawyers to get bail. In the group of 51 members, everybody got bail, except him. He went to the court secretly without his Sanyasi attire, probably to escape from the media, and surrendered in front of the judge that too cleverly and has been telling lies. He (Swami Avimukteshwaranand) said to the court that I am Shankaracharya and devotees from all over the nation are saddened. We should provide them with dharmic guidance and my arrest could lead to a loss for 'dharma'. He lied by presenting false facts. Is he James Bond or any Avatarpurush? For bail, he went to the Court," he said. Citing the court order, Swami Sri Govindananda Saraswati Maharaj stated, "It is written in the court order that he got anticipatory bail by paying a fine of Rs 50,000 to the court. There is another court order in which he had to pay Rs 20,000 for the bail. He has a long history of criminal records." Earlier, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati had visited Matoshree, the private residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray.(ANI) A day after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti challenged the victory of BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on the grounds of alleged corrupt practices, Swaraj said that she would stand firm against the allegations. Swaraj said, "Bharti is finding it difficult to digest his defeat." "Somnath Bharti has lost the Lok Sabha elections and not just the Lok Sabha but also in the Malviya Nagar assembly constituency from where he has been MLA for so long. So he is finding it difficult to digest his defeat. A question is also getting raised over his political survival. So to justify his defeat he has filed this petition against me. "I will stand firm against the lies of MLA Somnath Bharti and the lies of AAP," said Swaraj while talking to ANI on Sunday. Somnath Bharti sought direction from the court to the concerned Returning Officer, calling for records pertaining to the elections held in the 04-New Delhi parliamentary constituency elections held on May 25, 2024. The bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Arora is scheduled to hear the matter on July 22, 2024. Plea stated that the petitioner (Somnath Bharti) contested the election to the House of the People from the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency in the election held on May 25, 2024, by the Election Commission of India and was declared lost by the returning officer, while Bansuri Swaraj was declared the winner on June 4, 2024. It further stated that the petitioner secured 3,74,815 votes and the Bansuri Swaraj secured 4,53,185 votes, as per the returning officer. Raaj Kumar Anand, though a candidate set up by the Bahujan Samaj Party, was in reality set up by Bansuri Swaraj's party to help her against the petitioner because Raaj Kumar Anand was a minister in the Aam Aadmi Party's government in Delhi and was active in campaigning for the petitioner till April 9, 2024, and suddenly on April 10, 2024, he resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party. He resigned from his ministry because of the misuse of agencies like ED, CBI, and IT against him, the petition claimed. The petition further claimed that on inquiry, Raaj Kumar Anand revealed that he was under tremendous pressure from the investigating agencies and hence had no option but to resign or else he would be arrested. On May 6, 2024, Raaj Kumar Anand filed his nomination as an MP candidate from the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency on the ticket of the Bahujan Samaj Party, the plea added. In line with the practice adopted by the Bahujan Samaj Party across India, Raaj Kumar Anand was set up by the party of Bansuri Swaraj to help her win by cutting into the votes of the candidate of INDIA Alliance. He secured 5629 votes, as per the Returning Officer. On July 10, 2024, Raaj Kumar Anand formally joined the BJP, i.e., the party of Bansuri Swaraj, confirming the real intent of Raaj Kumar Anand's leaving AAP, i.e., the party of the petitioner. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that her government would provide shelter to individuals from Bangladesh who seek refuge, amidst ongoing protests in the neighbouring country. Her statement comes amid protests in Bangladesh over demands for reforms of the country's quota system for civil service jobs. Addressing the TMC's Martyrs Day rally in Kolkata, CM Banerjee said, "Don't worry if any of your family members or relatives are in Bangladesh for work or study. We're ready to help them in return back... I can't comment on Bangladesh (issue), as it's a separate country. Whatever needs to be said, the Indian government will say. But if helpless individuals knock on Bengal's door, we will shelter them because a United Nations resolution allows neighbouring regions to assist those in trouble. Urging people not to resort to utter negative comments or get provoked on Bangladesh protests Banerjee said, "I urge everyone not to comment on Bangladesh (issue), to avoid falling into provocations. We feel compassion and sympathy for those whose blood is shed," Chief Minister Banerjee added. The protests in Bangladesh have erupted due to demands for reforming the quota system that reserves civil service jobs for specific groups, including descendants of 1971 war veterans. The unrest intensified after students opposed a new policy allocating government jobs to descendants of freedom fighters, leading to violence, including attacks on state television headquarters and police booths in Dhaka. The situation prompted a government curfew, school closures, and nationwide suspension of mobile and internet services. Following the protests that resulted in over 100 fatalities, Bangladesh's Supreme Court intervened, slashing the quota reserved for relatives of war veterans from 30 per cent to 5 per cent while allowing 93 per cent to be allocated based on merit and the remaining 2 per cent will be earmarked for members of ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled, Al Jazeera reported, citing, local reports. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived at the Bharat Mandapam to inaugurate the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee. India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time. It will take place from July 21 to 31 July, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a "matter of immense joy," as the nation is set to host the meeting of the World Heritage Committee for the first time. "It's a matter of immense joy that India is hosting the meeting of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. This is the first time our nation is hosting this committee. I look forward to attending the programme at 7 PM tomorrow evening. This is an important forum to exchange views on ways to preserve our heritage," PM Modi said in a post on X. According to a PMO release, the Prime Minister will also address the gathering on occasion. The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, will also attend the inaugural event, the release said. The World Heritage Committee meets once a year and is responsible for managing all matters pertaining to World Heritage and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage List. During this meeting, proposals for nominating new sites on the World Heritage List, State of Conservation reports of 124 existing World Heritage properties, International Assistance and Utilisation of World Heritage Funds, etc., will be discussed. The meeting will be attended by more than 2000 international and national delegates from more than 150 countries. Along with the World Heritage Committee Meeting, the World Heritage Young Professionals' Forum and the World Heritage Site Managers' Forum are also being held on the sidelines. Further, various exhibitions will also be set up at Bharat Mandapam to showcase India's culture. The Return of Treasures Exhibition will showcase some of the retrieved artefacts brought back to the country. To date, more than 350 artefacts have been brought back. Further, by using the latest AR and VR technologies, an immersive experience will be offered for 3 world heritage sites in India: Rani ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat; Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, Maharashtra; and Hoysala Temple, Halebid, Karnataka, the release said. Also, an 'Incredible India' exhibition will be set up to highlight India's rich cultural heritage, age-old civilisation, geographical diversity, tourism destinations and modern developments in the field of information technology and infrastructure, it added. (ANI) Earlier, mushrooms were cultivated only for three to four months each year. Now, young farmers are adapting to new techniques and technologies, starting their own mushroom cultivation units. The Youth Setup control cropping unit allows for continuous mushroom production by maintaining controlled conditions with high-tech air conditioning systems. Kathua Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Sanjeev Rai Gupta told ANI, "Mushroom cultivation, which was previously 900 to 1,000 quintals per year, has now increased to 9,000 quintals per year, generating a revenue of Rs 10 crore for farmers." Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the Jammu and Kashmir Government is supporting young farmers with various benefits. Gupta noted that four control cropping units for mushrooms, each estimated to cost Rs 20 lakhs, have been established in Kathua. Farmers receive a subsidy of Rs 8 lakhs under HADP, and three more projects are planned for Kathua. "In the last three months, 800 quintals of mushrooms have been produced in the district. The state's demand for mushrooms is increasing, driven by the hotel and tourism industries, and a large portion is still imported from other states," Gupta added. Young agripreneurs Arun Sharma and Vishav Singh have established their own control cropping units, producing one to two quintals of mushrooms daily and achieving high incomes. "We previously cultivated seasonal crops, but now we have set up control cropping units to ensure year-round production, which is in high demand in the market," Arun Sharma said. The government's schemes aimed at encouraging farmers and doubling their income have significantly motivated these young agripreneurs. (ANI) Gearing up for a new rival in the presidential race, Donald Trump at a weekend rally slammed Vice President Kamala Harris as "crazy" and "nuts." "Kamala, I call her 'laughing Kamala,'" Trump scoffed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday. "Have you seen her laughing? She is crazy. You can tell a lot by a laugh. She is nuts." The slam at Harris is a Trump signature attack he usually reserves for women that focuses on stupidity and hysteria and looks. Underscoring that bent, Trump noted at the rally that Harris is "not as crazy" as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). He repeatedly attacked his primary rival Nikki Haley as a "birdbrain" (whom he made his United Nations ambassador when he was in the White House). In a hugely controversial attack on Megan Kelly after a contentious interview in his first campaign in 2015, Trump said Kelly was so "off base" that she had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever," apparently referring to menstruation. He also called Kelly a "bimbo." While campaigning against Hillary Clinton he said if she "can't satisfy her husband," who cheated on her, "how is she going to satisfy the country?" Trump on Kamala Harris: "She's crazy. She's nuts. She's not as crazy as Nancy Pelosi. Crazy Nancy." (Strange how Trump likes to call women crazy ) pic.twitter.com/Bj1WTuIn9e Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 20, 2024 Social media slapped back at the Harris dig. Spoken like a chauvinist male afraid of powerful women Denison Barb (@DenisonBarbs) July 20, 2024 Wow he is such a diplomat, and not dividing the country at all Behind the Barn (@bluedevil0826) July 20, 2024 A smile does say a lot! pic.twitter.com/HmE7a1cLXr Sue D (@SueDeWitt4) July 20, 2024 Trump always calls strong women "crazy ". That's a common tactic among abusive spouses, especially malignant Narcissistic ones. King Farouk (@KingFar19701120) July 20, 2024 The MAGA message of unity. Ryan D. Office B-Ball Allstar; 2nd team (@FakeRyanCDS_209) July 20, 2024 The Haryana government tightened security and ordered the suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in Nuh district ahead of the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra. This suspension will be carried forward till 6 pm on July 22, 2024. Following last year's violence during the event, this decision came to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Twitter, etc. on mobile phones and SMS. However, it will not affect the commercial or financial interests of the state and the basic domestic needs of individuals. All telecom service providers of Haryana are hereby directed to ensure the compliance of this order. The order issued by the Haryana Government reads, "There is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public & private property and disturbance of public peace & tranquility in the district of Nuh. Whereas, there is a clear potential of disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in district Nuh on account of misuse of internet services by way of spread of inflammatory material and false rumours." "In order to stop the spread of misinformation and rumors through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Twitter, etc. on mobile phones and SMS for facilitation and mobilization of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities," reads the order. (ANI) The Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Arvind Panagariya, was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar on Sunday. He was accompanied by distinguished members of the Finance Commission, who were also extended a warm welcome. Earlier, the 16th Finance Commission constituted an Advisory Council with five members -- DK Srivastava, Neelkanth Mishra, Poonam Gupta, Pranjul Bhandari, and Rahul Bajoria. Poonam Gupta shall be the Convenor of the Advisory Council. The role and functions of the Advisory Council will be to advise the Commission on any of the Terms of Reference (ToR) or related subjects that may be of relevance. To assist in the preparation of papers or research studies and to monitor or assess studies commissioned by the Finance Commission, thereby enhancing the Commission's understanding of the issues in its ToR. To help broaden the Commission's ambit and understanding by seeking the best national and international practices on matters pertaining to fiscal devolution and improving the quality, reach, and enforcement of its recommendations. The 16th Finance Commission was constituted by the President on 31st December 2023 with Arvind Panagariya as Chairman. The commission has been constituted to make recommendations covering a period of five years commencing on April 1, 2026. Additionally, the commission is also mandated to review the present arrangements for financing Disaster Management initiatives, with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (53 of 2005), and make appropriate recommendations thereon. According to the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations, the centre should allocate 41 per cent of tax collection to states. This is known as vertical devolution. The distribution among states, or horizontal devolution, is based on several criteria like demographic performance, Income, population, area, forest and ecology, tax and measures to check fiscal deficit by individual states. (ANI) Supporting the Uttar Pradesh government over its directive for food shops to display their owners' names along the Kanwar Yatra route, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Sunday that there is nothing wrong in the order and it should not be viewed through a religious lens. "There is nothing wrong in it. It should not be viewed through a religious lens," Manjhi said. Earlier today, opposing Uttar Pradesh's government's directive for food shops to display their owners' names along the Kanwar Yatra route, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) and Rashtriya Lok Dal Chief Jayant Chaudhary said that it doesn't appear to be a well-thought-out and well-reasoned decision. Jayant told ANI, "It doesn't appear to be well thought out and well-reasoned decision. Any decision shouldn't cause harm to the sense of well-being of the community and harmony in the community. All those who go on Kanwar yatra and people who serve them, all are same. This tradition has been there from starting and no one saw who was serving them. This thing of identifying people and pointing out them, I couldn't get that." Amid the row in Uttar Pradesh, the Haridwar Police Administration also issued an order for restaurant owners to display names on the Kanwar Yatra route. Earlier, another ally of the NDA, JDU asked the Uttar Pradesh government to review the Muzaffarnagar order or to take the order back. "A Kanwar Yatra bigger than this (in UP) takes place in Bihar. No such order is in effect there. These prohibitions that have been imposed are in violation of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' that the PM speaks of. The order is not in effect in Bihar nor in Rajasthan and Jharkhand. It would be good if it is reviewed. This order should be taken back," JDU leader KC Tyagi told ANI. He also slammed the INDIA bloc and said that they have no right to comment on law and order of the state. "The leaders of the INDIA bloc have no right to comment on the state of law and order. Proper action is being taken on the incidents. The law and order situation in Bihar is good," he said. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Kumar Jha on Sunday said that Bihar seeks both special state status and a special package. He also said that the demand for special status for Bihar has been there since the division of Bihar and Jharkhand. "This demand of Bihar (special state status) is called unrealistic by many people... This demand has been there since the division of Bihar and Jharkhand... Apart from political parties, we want a change in the policies of the central government which considers Bihar as a centre of labour supply... We want both, special state status and special package," Jha told ANI. In a recent all-party meeting before the upcoming budget session, JD (U) leader also pressed for Bihar's special category status. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, wrote, "In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter". Ramesh also pointed out that Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader reminded Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) President JP Nadda of the BJP's 2014 election manifesto, which had promised special category status to Odisha. "How the political climate has changed! In the all-party meeting of floor leaders, the BJD leader reminded the Defence Minister and BJP President JP Nadda that the BJP's manifesto for the 2014 assembly elections in Odisha had promised special category status to the state," Jairam Ramesh stated in a post on X. Meanwhile, JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said that the demand for special state status for Bihar has been a priority for the JDU party. However, if the government encounters any issues with this, the party has requested a special package for Bihar instead. "Bihar should get the status of a special state, this has been the demand of our party (JDU) since the beginning. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has held big rallies for this demand. If the government feels that there is a problem in doing this, then we have demanded a special package for Bihar," he said. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, said on Sunday that the silent sacrifice and spirit of patriotism among the women of soldiers' families would continue to inspire courage and patriotism among future generations. He was speaking at a Veer Nari Samman Ceremony organised in Patna on the occasion of silver jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Sunday. "Terming brave women of the families of the soldiers as the source of inspiration, Union Minister of State for Defence noted that the courage, determination, silent sacrifice and spirit of patriotism of these women would continue to inspire courage and patriotism among the future generations," as per a press release from the Ministry of Defence. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth today reiterated the Government's commitment for the welfare of soldiers, veterans and their families. He was speaking at a Veer Nari Samman Ceremony organised in Patna on the occasion of silver jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas on 21 July, 2024, as per the Ministry of Defence release. "Sanjay Seth said that in today's digital age, the government is making efforts so that the benefits of welfare schemes reach them in real time and no-one remains deprived of such measures," as per the release. As per the release, the Union Minister of State for Defence paid rich tributes to all those brave men who laid down their lives for this country in the Kargil War, and saluted the brave mothers who gave birth to those brave sons who made the supreme sacrifice for the Nation. Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26 in India, commemorates the victory of Operation Vijay in 1999. This event marks the conclusion of the Kargil War between India and Pakistan, which began in May 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists. The day honours the courage of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defence of the nation and celebrates the determination and strength of the Indian armed forces. Kargil Vijay Diwas serves as a tribute to their sacrifices and reaffirms the nation's commitment to protecting its sovereignty and integrity. (ANI) Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule said that she laughed hearing Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on party supremo Sharad Pawar referring to him as "mastermind of corruption". Sule said that 90 per cent of people accused of corruption by the BJP are now part of the BJP. "I laughed hearing this because it was the same Modi government which Amit Shah ji is also part of, not the NDA government now but the previous Modi government that awarded Sharad Pawar with Padma Vibhushan," Sule said while speaking to ANI on Sunday. "Today in Amit Shah's program, the person who was accused of the most corruption, Ashok Chavan, was sitting behind him, so 90 per cent of the people who have been accused of corruption by BJP are in BJP today because of the washing machine," she added. Earlier in the day, while addressing the BJP conclave in Maharashtra's Pune, Amit Shah launched sharp attacks on Sharad Pawar and accused him of "institutionalising" corruption. "They (the opposition) are speaking about corruption. The biggest mastermind of corruption in Indian politics is Sharad Pawar and I have no confusion in that. What will they accuse us of now? If somebody has done the job of institutionalising corruption, Sharad Pawar, it is you. And you are accusing us of corruption?" Amit Shah said while addressing BJP conclave in Maharashtra's Pune on Sunday. Shah further accused Sharad Pawar of "disabling" the Maratha reservation whenever his party came to power in the state. Shah also vowed to continue the Maratha reservation in the state if voted to power. "Whenever the BJP government comes to power in Maharashtra, Marathas get a reservation and whenever Sharad Pawar's government comes to power, Maratha reservation disappears. Pawar government disables it whenever they get a chance. But I want to say that the 10-year extension was given only during the time of Modi Ji and despite having an absolute majority, the work of strengthening reservation was done by our leader Modi Ji," he said. (ANI) Canada is "deeply concerned" by the escalation in violence following protests in Bangladesh and has called on all parties involved to work together for a peaceful resolution, Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly said on Saturday. In a post on X, Melanie Joly stated, "Canada is deeply concerned by the escalation in violence following the protests in Bangladesh. We call on all parties involved to work together to end further violence and come to a peaceful resolution." Canada's Minister of National Defence Bill Blair also expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, and termed the loss of lives and attacks on student protesters "troubling and unacceptable." Taking to X, Bill Blair stated, "I'm deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Bangladesh. The ongoing loss of life - including attacks on student protesters - is troubling and unacceptable. Democratic freedoms and the rule of law are essential and must be respected." The protests in Bangladesh have been driven by demands for reform of the country's quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan. As the student-led anti-government protests surge in Bangladesh, the country has imposed a curfew, and the authorities have disabled mobile internet services nationwide, citing the need to curb disinformation, The Washington Post reported. Following the curfew, the authorities have also shut down schools and universities indefinitely. Bangladesh announced a nationwide curfew on Friday evening after clashes between police and various student groups killed dozens of people, according to The Washington Post. Moreover, the protesters attacked the state television headquarters in Dhaka and set fire to police booths on Thursday as they called for a "complete shutdown" of the country. The ongoing running street battles between security forces using rubber bullets and tear gas have forced life in several neighbourhoods of Bangladesh to a halt, The Washington Post reported, citing Bangladeshi media. (ANI) Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman said on Saturday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is willing to dissolve the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for fresh 'transparent' elections, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. In a statement, Maulana Fazalur Rehman said that PTI is willing to dissolve the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and resign from other assemblies, which would pave the way for fresh 'transparent' elections, according to ARY News report. The JUI-F chief suggested that the provincial assemblies be dissolved to pave the way for fresh elections and proposed that parliamentary and local body elections be conducted simultaneously. Rehman said that the JUI-F formed a committee to hold talks with PTI to develop a strategy. He further said that the committee will be led by Kamran Murtaza and comprises Maulana Lutfur Rehman, Fazl Ghaffar, Aslam Ghori, and Maulana Amjad, according to ARY News report. The JUI-F chief stressed that fabricated cases should not be filed against any political leader, including PTI founder Imran Khan. He further said, "The establishment should change its policy or else the country will not run. The martial's law or emergency will no longer work in the country," ARY News reported. Imran Khan (71), who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023 on multiple charges, including the Toshakhana case, the cypher case and the unlawful marriage case. Pakistan held its 12th national general election on February 8, amid allegations of rigging and the shutdown of cellular and internet services. Earlier on June 19, the JUI-F leader said that PTI will need to show sincerity in its approach to result-oriented dialogue. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor said that JUI-F and PTI have had a significant rift for the past 10 to 12 years and added that it would take some time to break the ice. Ghafoor said the two parties have reservations with each other and these will need to be addressed before any progress can be made. He also confirmed the meeting between Maulana Fazalur Rehman and PTI leader Asad Qaiser. (ANI) Taiwan is gearing up for the annual Han Kuang military exercises slated for July 22-26, with the focus this year including unscripted combat scenarios aimed at testing troops' responses to decentralized command, updated Rules of Engagement (ROE) and nighttime operations, a report by the Central News Agency of Taiwan said. The annual Han Kuang exercises, Taiwan's major war games, have been held since 1984 to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion. The Central News Agency says the term "unscripted" means that the simulated "enemy attack" could happen anytime and anywhere with any available weapon systems, to better simulate real-life battlefield conditions. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defence Taiwan, which was presented on X by a virtual anchor, the exercise seeks to refine operational plans in light of an increased threat from the Chinese PLA. "In recent years, the PLA has increasingly intensified military threat to our country. With the enemy's possible actions and operational thinking rapidly evolving, the ROC armed forces refine the operation plans for the defence to meet our needs. The scenarios in Han Kuang exercise are developed with possible PLA actions in an invasion against Taiwan, as well as the reviews of previous exercises. Throughout the exercise, all branches of our forces will be given the said scenarios, which our forces will respond to with their current capacity under the guidance of our joint operation plans," the statement said. The statement further said that the defence forces would engage in the exercise non-stop. "What's different in this year's field training exercise is that the chief of general staff will be the chief referee, while the commanders of the three branches will be his deputy referees. Our forces will engage in the exercise non-stop with their current capacity in their area of responsibility. A small part of our naval and aerial forces will be sent for force-on-force drills. We will be focusing on cross-branch joint operations and nighttime operations and put our capacity in force protection, air defence, joint interception, and joint territory defence operation to test in this five-lay long exercise. The endeavour of our service members is going to be presented live to our citizens," the statement said. "We are going to be honest with ourselves, dive into the review of what happens when we execute our plans, and take a close look at the effectiveness of the training of our forces. We are going to come up with solutions that address the issues we encountered to achieve high readiness level and build up credible combat capacity for our country to ensure her safety," the statement added. According to Taiwan's Ministry of Defence, the Han Kuang exercises will not feature live-fire drills on the island of Taiwan, but troops stationed in Kinmen and Matsu will still use live ammunition during the exercises. The focus will be to allow troops and commanders to familiarize themselves with the environment they will be defending should a war break out and practice their defensive plans. For the first time, the Han Kuang exercises will also be held at night to test the armed forces' 24-hour defence capabilities. This year's exercises will be carried out across key strategic locations around Taiwan, including Greater Taipei, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. (ANI) Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is eyeing a two-third majority in the parliament as he prepares to take vote of confidence today. Appointed as Prime Minister in mid-July this year, Oli will be tabling the trust motion in parliament during a meeting scheduled for 1 pm (local time) on Sunday. According to the parliamentary meeting schedule made public by the Parliament Secretariat, PM Oli will be tabling the trust motion in parliament. As per the parliamentary mathematics, Oli might secure two-third majority, provided the support extended to him during his appointment over the post continues. The CPN-UML, led by Oli himself, has 78 seats, while the Nepali Congress, the main ally of the alliance, has 88 seats, the Janata Samajbadi Party has seven, and the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party has four seats in the parliament. All these parties are also on board the government, which Oli formed last Monday. In addition, Oli is expected to secure votes from the Janata Samajbadi Party, which has 5 seats, the Janamat Party with 6 seats and the Nagarik Unmukti Party with 4 seats. The combined strength of all these parties is 192, eight seats more than the required two-thirds majority in the 275-seat hung parliament. "All the lawmakers have been mandated to participate in today's vote of confidence. We have issued whips to all our party lawmakers in the lower house to vote in support of the Prime Minister as well as the Party Chair, KP Sharma Oli," Mahesh Bartaula, the chief whip of CPN-UML, said. Oli, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninists (CPN-UML), returned to power after striking a deal with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on July 2, past midnight. The deal, which is yet to made public, stipulates that Oli will remain in power for two years and then handover to Deuba, as per the leaders from both the parties. Those who have decided to vote against Oli are the CPN-Maoist Centre, the CPN-Unified Socialist Party, Rastriya Swatantra Party and the right-wing pro-monarch the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). RPP in the floor test of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had voted against the trust motion on July 12. Conveying a parliamentary committee meeting on Saturday, the party decided to vote against the trust motion to-be-presented by Oli later on Sunday. "Incumbent Prime Minister have comfortable majority in the parliament. The deal which was struck earlier this month hasn't been made public till now and both the major parties does not appear to be serious about revisiting the constitution. We can work on the constitution amendment but we won't be voting in favor of the trust motion in parliament," Rajendra Prasad Lingden, Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party told ANI over phone. Moreove, RPP has 14 seats in the House. Earlier, the Maoist Centre (32 seats), Rastriya Swatantra Party (21), and CPN-Unified Socialist (10) decided to vote against Oli in the motion. (ANI) Press Release July 20, 2024 CHIZ HAILS ENACTMENT OF CRITICAL LAWS ON GOV'T TRANSPARENCY, FINANCIAL PROTECTION Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero on Saturday welcomed the enactment of two critical and timely measures aimed at enhancing government transparency and protecting Filipinos from financial fraud. Escudero was among those who personally witnessed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sign the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) and the Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act (AFASA) in Malacanang. "The signing of these two critical pieces of legislation marks a significant step forward in our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of our citizens from financial scams," Escudero said. "These laws will provide a stronger framework for ethical governance and safeguard the public against fraudulent activities," he pointed out. The NGPA, which amends Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, aims to enhance government procurement processes, ensuring efficient and effective use of public funds. "This revised act addresses key issues in our procurement system, promoting greater efficiency and reducing opportunities for corruption," Escudero said. "It is essential that we have a transparent and accountable procurement process that delivers the best value for taxpayers' money," he stressed. The AFASA, on the other hand, introduces measures to combat financial scams and enhance protections for individuals and businesses, ensuring greater financial security. "With the rise of digital transactions, financial scams have become more sophisticated," Escudero said. "AFASA will give law enforcement the tools needed to detect, prevent, and prosecute these crimes more effectively, protecting the financial well-being of our citizens," he added. Escudero noted the impact these laws will have on the daily lives of Filipinos. "By strengthening our procurement processes and protecting our financial systems, we are not only promoting good governance but also fostering a safer and more secure environment for our people," he said. These laws, according to the Senate chief, "will help build a more resilient and trustworthy system that our citizens can rely on." Escudero commended the collaborative efforts of both houses of Congress and the executive branch in passing these important measures. "This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared commitment of our legislators and the executive branch to address the needs of our nation," he said. "I thank my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as President Marcos, for their unwavering support and dedication to these causes," he concluded. The recently opened Trophy Tea Cafe in Katy serves poke bowls, lattes and unusual boba and fruit teas. Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Several new restaurants and a popular drink spot are now open or planning new locations in Fort Bend County. Here are some of the planned additions to the area, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation permit filings, required by the state to ensure compliance with ADA standards. HIBACHI AND HALAL: Japanese hibachi restaurant serving halal opens Sugar Land location Advertisement Article continues below this ad Details from the TDLR filing are estimates and could change. Absolute Thai Cuisine Absolute Thai Cuisine in Fulshear serves authentic Thai street food and favorites. Absolute Thai Cuisine Absolute Thai Cuisine opened its doors on July 9. The restaurant serves authentic Thai street food and favorites like Pad Kra Pao Kai Dao and Thailand Chiang Mai Noodles. The restaurant is located at 6420 FM 1463 Rd Suite 800 , Fulshear. Revive Cafe Revive Cafe in Fulshear serves coffee, smoothies and boba tea. Revive Cafe Locally owned Revive Cafe opened in Fulshear in late June. The kid-friendly, drive-thru cafe serves boba tea, specialty coffees, smoothies and snacks. It is located at 6520 FM359 Suite 500, Fulshear. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trophy Tea Cafe Oreo Cheesefoam Milk Tea is a popular option at Trophy Tea Cafe. Trophy Tea Cafe The recently opened Trophy Tea Cafe serves poke bowls, lattes and unusual boba and fruit teas like Jasmine Cheesefoam Milk Tea. Poke bowls can be made with tuna, salmon, shrimp, crab or tofu. Trophy Tea Cafe is located at 23660 Westheimer Pkwy, Unit 660C, Katy. Pho to Go Missouri City is set to welcome Pho to Go, a new Vietnamese restaurant, with construction expected to be finished by October 2024. The restaurant will be located at 2710 FM 1092 Road, Suite B, Missouri City, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Salad and Go Drive-thru salad chain Salad and Go is planning to expand its footprint in the Houston market by opening several new locations. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Drive-thru salad chain Salad and Go is planning to expand its footprint in the Houston market by opening several new locations. 2024 is a breakout year for Salad and Go. We have the right offering and the right team at the right time, said Charlie Morrison, CEO of Salad and Go in a statement. Its what people want affordability and healthy food. Three new Salad and Go locations are on track to open later this year: 7111 FM 1464 in Richmond, 11703 Highway 6 S in Sugar Land, and 11111 West Airport Boulevard in Stafford. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Swig Utah-based dirty sodas drive-through chain Swig is busy expanding its footprint in Texas with the opening a new location in Missouri City Swig Utah-based dirty sodas drive-through chain Swig is busy expanding its footprint in Texas with the opening a new location in Missouri City. The project is currently under construction and is anticipated to be completed by spring of next year. The new Swig will be located at 20210 Fort Bend Parkway, Missouri City. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A survey by Taiwan-based Academia Sinica has claimed that nearly 60 per cent of Taiwan's residents say China's threat against Taiwan has increased in the last few years, reports the Voice of America. James Lee, an assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica's Institute of European and American Studies, was quoted as saying, "The broad themes that the survey addresses are the credibility of the United States and how that has changed over time, the threat of China, and how respondents in Taiwan interpret U.S. and Chinese signals." The survey found that 80.6 per cent of Taiwan residents believe Taiwan and China do not belong to the same country, while 13.6 per cent said Taiwan and China belong to the same country. The report also showed an increase of 7.2 percentage points in U.S. credibility, from 34 per cent in 2023 to 41.2 per cent this year, reported the Voice of America. Taiwan residents were split on the likelihood of the U.S. defending Taiwan if Trump is reelected, compared to the Biden administration. "An overwhelming percentage of people in Taiwan do not believe that China is credible. Such trend is very consistent and stable for the last four years. Only about 10 per cent of Taiwanese believe that China is credible," Jude Blanchette, Freeman chair in China studies at CSIS told Voice of America. The survey comes at a time of heightened tensions between Taiwan and China. On Sunday the Ministry of Defence of Taiwan detected 22 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan until 6 a.m. 15 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. The Ministry said that they monitored the situation and responded accordingly. The escalation comes even as Taiwan is gearing up for the annual Han Kuang military exercises slated for July 22-26. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defence Taiwan, the exercise seeks to refine operational plans in light of an increased threat from the Chinese PLA. "In recent years, the PLA has increasingly intensified military threat to our country. With the enemy's possible actions and operational thinking rapidly evolving, the ROC armed forces refine the operation plans for the defence to meet our needs," the Ministry of Defence said. The focus this year is on unscripted combat scenarios aimed at testing troops' responses to decentralized command, updated Rules of Engagement (ROE) and nighttime operations, a report by the Central News Agency of Taiwan said. (ANI) Human rights advocates have stressed the need for solidarity and measures to ensure accountability for human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet, requiring urgent international attention and action. The situation in Xinjiang and Tibet is seen as a humanitarian crisis, and human rights activists have emphasised the need for support for independent investigations for human rights violations. United Nations bodies, including the Human Rights Council, have repeatedly raised concerns and called on China to allow independent observers access to Xinjiang to investigate allegations of human rights violations. Governments and parliaments of various countries, including Canada and the United States, have made statements and passed resolutions condemning China's actions in Xinjiang and Tibet. These actions underscore international concern and solidarity with affected communities. In 2009, the Canadian Parliament had also passed a non-binding motion declaring China's actions against Uyghurs in Xinjiang as genocide. Recently, in a groundbreaking ruling, the Court of the Citizens of the World (CCW) delivered a verdict against China for its alleged perpetration of genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang (East Turkistan) and Tibet. The tribunal, convened in the Hague, Netherlands, from July 8 to 12, marked a significant moment in international justice as it addressed accusations of systematic atrocities committed by Beijing. Representatives of the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE), speaking on behalf of the Uyghur and Tibetan communities, welcomed the tribunal's decision as a pivotal step towards accountability. ETGE underscored the historical context of East Turkistan as an area with aspirations of independence, now subjected to what they describe as Beijing's relentless campaign to suppress dissent and assimilate the region into a unified Chinese nation. ETGE took to X, and stated, "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." During the hearings, harrowing testimonies from survivors and experts painted a bleak picture of life in Xinjiang, where reports of mass internment camps, forced labour, and coercive assimilation have drawn global condemnation. Similar accusations were levied against China's policies in Tibet, where Tibetan culture and autonomy have long been targets of Chinese state control. The findings of such tribunals can have significant moral and political weight, influencing public opinion, international diplomacy, and calls for accountability. While the CCW may not have the enforcement power of a national court or an international judicial body, its rulings can contribute to the broader discourse on human rights and potentially spur further action by other entities, including governments and international organisations. (ANI) Tensions are rising in the South China Sea after Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) rejected claims made by the Philippines and Vietnam for an extended continental shelf in the disputed waters, Focus Taiwan reported. In a statement released on Friday, MOFA asserted that the actions of the two countries infringe on Taiwan's sovereignty and rights under international and maritime laws. "The actions by the Philippines and Vietnam have infringed upon our country's sovereignty and rights under international laws and maritime laws in the South China Sea," MOFA said in a press release on Friday. MOFA said the claims made by the two nations were "unacceptable" and stressed the sovereign rights of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to its islands in the South China Sea. However, MOFA also said that Taiwan was willing to address issues related to the South China Sea with the international community "on the basis of equal consultation." The move comes after Vietnam filed its claims to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), following a similar move by the Philippines over a month ago, as per Focus Taiwan. The Southeast Asian countries are seeking UN recognition of their claims to the continental shelf beyond the current 200 nautical miles from their shores. Many countries have made territorial claims in the contested waters of the South China Sea, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. On June 17, Beijing denounced the Philippines' submission to CLCS on June 15 for recognition of an extended continental shelf, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China saying that Manila's claims had infringed upon China's sovereign rights. The statement from the Taiwan MOFA comes even as the Taiwan Ministry of Defence is ready to kick of military exercises Han Kuang from July 22. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defence Taiwan, the exercise seeks to refine operational plans in light of an increased threat from the Chinese PLA. (ANI) Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on July 15 announced that the government was seeking to ban the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party and press treason charges against Khan under Article 6 of the country's Constitution. The decision was met with immediate criticism with the PTI quoting Imran Khan as saying that banning of any political party amounts to "murder of democracy." "Our party was already banned, it was not allowed to contest the elections, the chairman, vice chairman and president of the party were already in jail, they still say that the party is banned. It will be done," Khan said. Even the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) did not get on board with the government decision while the other ally PML-Q also questioned the decision. Civil society immediately raised objections, with the Human Rights Council of Pakistan expressing concern over the decision and calling it to be in violation of fundamental rights. Author Zahid Hussain, in his column in Dawn, called it a sign of state desperation. "The decision to ban PTI is yet another sign of the state's desperation. It is a desperate move that may bring down the entire edifice. The plan to ban the most popular political party in the country is the most senseless, self-destructive action the government can take. It is nothing short of hara-kiri. Whether or not the decision is implemented, its very announcement has jolted the foundations of the existing political power structure. The ruling coalition is already in tatters." Zahid Hussain wrote in Dawn. A day later, the government back-tracked partially with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar telling the media that no final decision had been reached. "We need to consult our leadership and allies in this regard. Any decision to ban PTI will be made in accordance with the law and Constitution," Ishaq Dar was quoted as saying by Dawn. Fearing widespread protests, the government may not hold its threat to ban the PTI but holds steadfast on its decision to challenge the Supreme Court's reserved seats ruling. The development comes after the top court ruled that the PTI was eligible for the allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the full bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court announced the 8-5 majority verdict, nullifying the Peshawar High Court's (PHC) order wherein it had upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision denying the reserved seats to the SIC. Following the verdict, the PML-N filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against its verdict. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz openly criticised the court saying judges should allow the country to progress "I would like to ask the SC judges to let the country function. Who are those (people) who do not like the country making progress and re-write the Constitution," Maryam said addressing an event in Lahore. In response, the PTI accused the government and the PML-N of acting like the mafia. "In the case of reserved seats, the Supreme Court did full justice and corrected the Election Commission's misinterpretation of the Supreme Court's decision to take away the bat symbol from the Tehreek-e-Insaf, recognizing the political and parliamentary status of the Tehreek-e-Insaf, but the word law. The Supreme Court judges are being threatened on behalf of the Sicilian Mafia, that is illegally in power," the PTI said. While the PPP has come on board and supported the decision to review the court verdict an editorial in Dawn called it a dangerous step. "The PML-N's confrontational stance and overt refusal to respect court orders on arguably flimsy pretexts is a dangerous sign. The party seems to be throwing a tantrum over being denied a two-thirds majority, which it had only secured due to a series of patently unjust and illegal decisions taken by the ECP. It is unjustified for it to escalate tensions on this matter to the point where they may bring two branches of the state into direct conflict with each other," the column read. The next few weeks will be critical with the Shehbaz Sharif government's decisions being closely watched the world over. (ANI) The Pakistani Army is reportedly planning to set up internment centres in Balochistan, like those previously set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and likened to the Guantanamo Bay prison complex reports the Balochistan Post. According to the International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (IVBMP) more than 45,000 Baloch men, women, and children have been disappeared by Pakistani forces and are languishing in such centres. The IVBMP said that "For the last few years, the forced disappearance of Baloch at the hands of Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies has intensified across Balochistan." Former Senator Farhatullah Babar is one of the many voices in civil society that have come out in criticism of this move. "Deeply concerned over reports of setting up internment centres in Balochistan. These opaque centres run by non-civilians arbitrarily without allowing access to family/legal aid in merged districts of KP, are Guantanamo Bay prisons and used to formalise enforced disappearances," the former senator posted on X. "Petitions against internment centres in KP already pending before SC. No hearing since Dec 2019. Urge Balochistan govt not to fall for this monstrosity. Will regret but it will be too late," he added in another post. In 2019, the Peshawar High Court ruled that these centres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were unconstitutional, stating that indefinite detention without trial violates fundamental human rights and due process. Despite this ruling, reports suggest that similar facilities continue to operate in KPK and could now formally expand into Balochistan, reports the Balochistan Post In recent years, internment or "torture" centres are reported to have proliferated inside military cantonments in Balochistan. However, neither the Army nor the Pakistani Government has publicly acknowledged their existence. Baloch rights groups describe these centres as places "where people are disappeared, tortured, and interrogated outside of the law." Meanwhile, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has organised the Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) in Gwadar on July 28 in response to the alleged Baloch Genocide. Ahead of that massive march. Ahead of that rally the Balochistan Post has released its report on the crisis of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. The report states that the Genocide continues to cast a dark shadow over the region and that these disappearances have targeted individuals from various walks of life, including students, activists, journalists, and politicians. According to the report, 19 individuals were forcibly disappeared in the past two weeks and continue to be missing. In Kech and Balochistan the families of the forcibly disappeared Baloch, taken by Pakistani forces, have been protesting for months for the return of their loved ones. (ANI) Pakistan is strugglin with a severe energy crisis as energy demand continues to rise while the supply of conventional energy sources remains insufficient, and as the gap between energy supply and demand widens, the nation faces surging power costs and increased reliance on imports, according to Geo News. Notably, in October 2023, Pakistan had an energy deficit of 6,000 megawatts, incurring an import bill of USD 7 billion. According to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority's (Nepra) 2022 annual report, Pakistan's installed generation capacity adds up to 43,775 MW, of which merely 7% comes from renewable energy sources, according to Geo News. Addressing this crisis demands strategic investments in renewable energy infrastructure and comprehensive policy reforms to secure a sustainable energy supply for the country's future. The roots of Pakistan's energy crisis date back to the 1970s when the country avoided a major energy crisis by launching the Mangla and Tarbela dams. These projects were initiated during a brief period of robust hydro-driven energy generation, which met the nation's demands at the time. However, the 1980s saw a period of strong economic growth that caused energy demand to surge. Despite government efforts to increase generation, they failed to keep up with the escalating demand. Pakistan's energy crisis is primarily driven by its heavy reliance on non-renewable and expensive fossil fuels, which make up 59% of the energy mix, according to Geo News. This dependence is worsened by outdated transmission lines, infrastructural flaws, and issues such as line losses, power theft, and inefficient energy usage. Pakistan's energy infrastructure is overburdened by overpopulation, rapid urbanisation, as well as industrialisation. A report by the World Bank projects that Pakistan's energy demand will hike by 70 per cent by 2030, while supply is expected to grow by only 45 per cent. To address Pakistan's energy crisis, a multifaceted approach is needed. The country must diversify its energy mix by investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, Geo News reported. Given that only 7 per cent of Pakistan's energy comes from renewable sources, increasing this share is crucial. This transition will not only reduce dependency on expensive fossil fuels but will also align with global trends toward sustainable energy. Another way to mitigate the issues of line losses and power theft is to expand and upgrade the transmission infrastructure is important. Also, addressing corruption and inefficiencies within the generation and distribution companies (Gencos and DISCOs) is essential, Geo News reported. Ths situation has come to such a head that PML-N patron Nawaz Sharif himself lamented the state of affairs. "Electricity bills become a trouble for everyone, not only for poor people but for everyone," he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan media. The PML-N president claimed that his government "eliminated loadshedding and controlled electricity rates", "The decision-makers will have to think now and care about our people," he added. Nawaz Sharif has asked the Shehbaz Sharif-led administration "to do everything to provide relief to the masses". (ANI) https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1814313929935298895 BYC Shared a post on X, and stated, "The Baloch Yakjehti Committee booklet on Baloch Raaji Muchi, "Baloch National Gathering," has been published. " Recently, the committee conducted a corner meeting in Dera Ghazi Khan on July 19 to raise awareness regarding Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering). BYC shared some pictures of X, which show a gathering in the Naal and Khuzdar districts. The BYC members distributed pamphlets and wrote slogans on walls to spread the word about the gathering. In a post on X, BYC said, "Baloch Yakjehti Committee Naal Zone is raising awareness for the Baloch National Gathering on July 28th in Gwadar. Pamphleting and wall chalking were carried out in Naal, Khuzdar. Also, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee team has conducted a corner meeting in Dera Ghazi Khan to raise awareness regarding Baloch Raaji Muchi." Additionally, BYC Karachi Zone has conducted corner meetings in areas of Khator Malir and distributed pamphlets in Lyari, Baghdadi and Sharafi Goth for the Baloch National Gathering "Baloch Raaji Muchi" in July in Gwadar," BYC added. At the same time, the BYC Gwadar zone conducted similar meetings throughout various neighbourhoods in Gwadar to raise awareness about the event's significance. In Kech, the BYC Kech Zone actively distributed pamphlets and organised chalk campaigns across different areas to ensure widespread understanding and encourage active participation in the forthcoming event. These initiatives were communicated by BYC via a post on social media platform X. Following this, Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch, speaking on behalf of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee in a video statement, announced plans for a Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar on July 28, 2024. She passionately addressed several critical issues, highlighting the committee's firm opposition to the ongoing Baloch genocide perpetrated by Pakistan. Mahrang pointed out various forms of genocide affecting the Baloch community beyond direct violence, including fatalities from road accidents, illnesses exacerbated by neglect, and drug-related issues among Baloch youth. (ANI) Ahead of the Baloch National Gathering scheduled for July 28, Baloch rights activist Maharang Baloch has issued a warning to Pakistan and stated that if the state uses force to suppress the peaceful protests of the Baloch people, it will be unable to control the resulting backlash. https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1814683417029611556 "If the state tries to use force to stop this peaceful public flood, then it will be impossible to control this public flood, and then the consequences will be that which is not even in the imagination of the state," Maharang Baloch said in a statement on X. The Baloch rights activist released a statement on Saturday in which she made an appeal to the Baloch nation and urged the Baloch people to come together and prove their unity to the world on July 28. Further, she emphasised that this day is an opportunity for the Baloch nation to show its strength and civilisation to the world and encouraged them to demonstrate their unity and solidarity on this day. "I appeal to the Baloch nation once again that if you want to save the Baloch nation, if you want to present proof of a united nation to the world, then July 28 is the day to prove Baloch as a united and civilised nation," said Maharang Baloch She also appealed to the other countries to pressure the Pakistani state to refrain from sabotaging their peaceful and legal struggle for human rights. "We want to tell the entire civilised world to give the State of Pakistan a hard rein and give up its intentions and ambitions to sabotage our own peaceful, legal and human rights struggle on our own soil and to obstruct reconciliation. Never try," Maharang Baloch said. Following this, she emphasised that they remained committed to peaceful protests as always. "We were peaceful, we are peaceful and we will remain peaceful. National knowledge, awareness and consciousness are our first priorities. Baloch National Unity Caravan is today a responsible organisation for the entire Baloch nation and understands and fulfils its national responsibilities well," Maharang Baloch said (ANI) Amid China's growing assertiveness and provocations of North Korea, the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies of Japan and South Korea recently pledged to boost trilateral cooperation to achieve regional and global peace. Chiefs of Defence of the three countries opposed "any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force" in the Indo-Pacific region, given China's "escalatory, dangerous, and aggressive behaviour supporting unlawful maritime claims" in regional waters, including the South China Sea, as per a joint statement released after their talks in Tokyo, the US IndoPacific Command said. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown, Jr, Japan's Chief of Staff, Joint Staff General Yoshida Yoshihide, and South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Kim Myung-soo, convened the trilateral Chiefs of Defence meeting on July 18 in Tokyo. The three top-ranking officials agreed to "continue to strengthen trilateral security cooperation to advance peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific, and beyond," the joint statement read. The chiefs of defence also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as "an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community." "There is no change in their basic positions on Taiwan, and they called for peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues, the joint statement read. Chinese Communist Party continues to stifle Taiwan's air and maritime training space and response time through grey-zone tactics, restricting Taiwan's right to self-defence. China has also intensified military drills after Lai Ching-te was sworn in as the president of the island nation, raising tensions in the region. China continues to make its claim on the self-governed island. Meanwhile, ahead of the trilateral meeting in Washington, Japanese Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida said China was trying to "change the status quo by force" in the East China and South China seas, CNN reported. Last month, the three countries held joint military exercises titled Freedom Edge involving US aircraft carrier and Japanese and South Korean ships and planes across multiple domains including land sea and air and cyber. "The goal of the exercise, which is set to expand in future years, was to allow the militaries to better work together against a common adversary," CNN reported. The meeting of the defence chiefs of US, China and Japan followed in the heels of the 75th anniversary summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held in Washington, in which the 32 member countries of the military bloc highlighted their concerns about Beijing's nuclear arsenal and its capabilities in space. China's ambitions and coercive policies "continue to challenge our interests, security and values," the NATO communique stated after the Washington summit. "The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and China and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut and reshape the rules-based international order, are a cause for profound concern. We are confronted by hybrid, cyber, space, and other threats and malicious activities from state and non-state actors," the NATO communique read. China's assertiveness in the South China Sea has resulted in heightened tensions with other claimant countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. Over the years, the SCS has emerged as an area of US-China strategic competition. Meanwhile, North Korea has stepped up its ballistic missile tests despite prohibitions by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Pyongyong has also threatened to launch a preemptive nuclear strike to defend its territory from what it claims is an impending invasion. Earlier this month, US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met in Washington and reaffirmed the advancements in security cooperation between their two countries on extended deterrence. The US Defence Department and South Korean Defence Ministry announced the signing of "Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula." Japan and South Korea imposed sanctions in May this year targeting firms and people for providing North Korean weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine. (ANI) The German chapter of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), on Saturday organized demonstrations raising their voice against the genocide orchestrated by Pakistan's defence forces in the Bannu region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a post on 'X', PTM Khyber stated, "PTM Germany held a large protest in Germany against Pakistani policies, state terror, the genocide of Pashtuns, a military attack on peaceful protest in Bannu. It is no longer possible for this state to live under such policies. On October 11, there will be a big judicial meeting of the Pashtuns. We should all prepare for it." https://x.com/ptmkhyber/status/1814874394285551836 Previously, in a shocking incident, the Pakistani military reportedly opened fire on peaceful Pashtun protesters who had gathered to raise their voices against the increasing incidents of terrorism in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district. At that time thousands of people had gathered to protest against the rising terror incidents in the region and to demand measures for peace. The incident resulted in the death of at least five individuals and around 20 people were reported injured. Pakistan has been receiving severe condemnation from around the world. Previously, in a post on 'X,' the South Asia chapter of Amnesty International said, "Pakistan: Firing by officers on peaceful protestors in Bannu today resulting in the death and injury of several protestors, is a violation of their rights to peaceful assembly under international human rights law and Pakistan's own Constitution. The use of lethal force at a peaceful rally advocating for peace is unlawful and is at odds with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials." https://x.com/amnestysasia/status/1814305805136433447s=46&t=nbusnwoIYo9hUrDuoWfhwQ The statement added, "Further, restrictions on mobile internet services in Bannu curtail the people's ability to mobilise, increase the spread of misinformation during emergencies, and create panic. The Government of Pakistan has repeatedly failed to promote and facilitate peaceful assembly, and to ensure the safety of protestors. @amnesty urges the government to promptly investigate and hold to account officials responsible for the attack. We also urge the Pakistani government to issue strict directives in line with the UN Basic Principles on the use of weapons." The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had similarly, condemned Pakistan by stating, "HRCP is appalled to learn that at least five protestors have been killed and over 20 injured after security personnel allegedly opened fire on peaceful protestors in Bannu, thousands of whom had assembled to demand an end to militancy and further security operations and to express their long-standing desire for peace and stability in the region." "This seemingly state-sanctioned violation of citizens' right to life and right to freedom of peaceful assembly is reprehensible and reflects a dangerous contempt for citizen-led calls for peace," the post added on X. https://x.com/HRCP87/status/1814269991346434352 "The provincial and federal governments must immediately engage with the protestors and their legitimate concerns, and hold to account those responsible for protestors' deaths and injuries. Moreover, any actions taken to restore law and order in the region must be debated transparently in Parliament and account for the rights of those affected" the HRCP further added. (ANI) Elizabeth Sander is a Suburban Education Reporter at the Houston Chronicle covering ISDs, private and charter schools. She can be reached at elizabeth.sander@houstonchronicle.com. Previously, Elizabeth was a Hearst fellow covering education, local politics and breaking news for the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News. https://x.com/SGinIndia/status/1814861178851442855 In a post on X, Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong on Sunday wrote, "Happy Sunday, everyone! Ladakh is a must-make spiritual journey in Incredible India." Ladakh is a popular destination for spiritual seekers and adventure enthusiasts, known for its stunning mountains, lakes, and monasteries. The region is home to several important Buddhist sites, including the Hemis Monastery and the Thikse Monastery. "These were pictures by First Secretary (Political) Sean Lim. I hope you enjoy them! - HC Wong" he added. Recently, the envoy visited the World Skill Centre in Odisha and expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by the institution. Wong reiterated Singapore's commitment to supporting the skill development of young people in Odisha. https://x.com/SGinIndia/status/1814213756853109063 "Visited the @WorldSkillCentr in #Odisha, and I'm happy that it had continued to make good strides. Singapore-Odisha relations are underpinned by our strong cooperation in Skills Development. Singapore will continue supporting the skills development of #Odia youth," the Singapore envoy said on X. https://x.com/SGinIndia/status/1814266498661437751 Following this, he also shared a post saying that he was back in Delhi after a productive visit to Odisha. "So happy to be back in Delhi after a successful trip to #Odisha. Massive software outage. And I am holding a manual ticket. HC Wong #Crowdstrike #Microsoft #Windows," said Singapore envoy. Notably, the ties between India and Singapore have a history rooted in strong commercial, cultural, and people-to-people links across a millennium, according to the Indian High Commission in Singapore. The relations between the two nations are based on shared values and approaches, economic opportunities, and a convergence of interests on key issues. (ANI) The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally in the ruling coalition, advised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday to reconsider its decision to file a review petition in the Supreme Court regarding the reserved seat verdict for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, according to Dawn. The PPP also suggested that pursuing this legal challenge might not yield any relief for the government. In a major legal victory for Imran Khan's PTI, the nation's top court on July 12 ruled that the party was eligible for the allocation of reserved seats. The decision has not only paved the way for the PTI's return to the parliament, which was kicked out of the February 8 polls owing to the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) December 2023 ruling, but has also increased the pressure on the coalition alliance as the judgement will change the composition of the National Assembly. Also, the PPP urged the government to handle the issue of banning the PTI democratically. Notably, the Pakistan government's move to contemplate a ban on Imran Khan's PTI drew flak from political parties all across the spectrum, with several leaders slamming the idea and saying that the move is undemocratic and will have far-fetched implications if executed. Leaders from other political parties besides PTI, like- PPP, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, and Jamaat-i-Islami criticized the decision. President Asif Ali Zardari chaired the meeting where Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Awan represented the PML-N side, while Sherry Rehman, Farooq Naek and Nayyar Bokhari represented the PPP. The meeting was called after the PPP stated that despite being a significant coalition partner, it was not consulted by the PML-N before making the decision. The PML-N at the meeting tabled two main issues -- filing of a review petition on the Supreme Court decision on reserved seats and the proposed ban on the PTI for being allegedly involved in anti-state activities. Sources further said that the PPP told PML-N that it would convene an in-house meeting to decide about backing the government on both issues, according to Dawn. (ANI) In a recent post on X Wong shared stunning photographs taken by First Secretary (Political) Sean Lim capturing Ladakh's serene landscapes, highlighting its appeal as a place of profound natural and cultural richness. https://x.com/SGinIndia/status/1814861178851442855 "Happy Sunday everyone! Ladakh is a must make spiritual journey in Incredible India. These were pictures by First Secretary (Political) Sean Lim. I hope you enjoy them!" said Singapore's High Commission to India, HC Wong in a post on X. High Commissioner Wong emphasised the significance of Ladakh as a destination that blends spiritual exploration with awe-inspiring scenery. The High Commissioner's endorsement of Ladakh's charm underscores Singapore's appreciation for India's diverse cultural and geographical wonders. Visitors and spiritual seekers alike are encouraged to explore Ladakh's ancient monasteries, participate in local cultural festivities, and engage with its hospitable communities. The region's blend of spirituality, history, and natural splendour continues to captivate global travellers, making it a destination of choice for those seeking meaningful travel experiences. The close ties between India and Singapore have a history rooted in strong commercial, cultural and people-to-people links across a millennium. India-Singapore relations are based on shared values and approaches, economic opportunities and convergence of interests on key issues. Ethnic Indians constitute about 9.1 per cent or around 3.5 lakhs of the resident population of 3.9 million in Singapore. Singapore has the highest concentration of IIT and IIM alumni in any one city outside India. Tamil is one of the four official languages of Singapore. (ANI) Dozens of Nepali students managed to return to Nepal from violence-hit Bangladesh on Sunday. Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the returnees could not contain their emotions as they recounted the situation they encountered back in Dhaka. It only had been three months since Sadiskhya Basnet flew to Bangladesh for her medical studies but had to flee back to Kathmandu due to the rising violence and communication blackout in Bangladesh. "Back there all the communication means are down, so that the information cannot pass out. All the means of communication have been seized, and the situation there is critical," Basnet told ANI upon arrival at the airport on Sunday afternoon. Basnet, a medical student in Inam Medical College claimed that security personnel came in search of the students who participated in the protest to detain them. "Those Bengali friends who went onto the protests in the daytime, the Police used to come to our college during the night in search of them, after this we started to worry and phone communication with family was also not working. We were able to contact our family through the consultancy and come back to Nepal after making all the arrangements on our own," Basnet explained further. "Curfew also has been imposed there, no internet and communication means, even we could not go out of the hostel, we could not remain disconnected with our family, how could we have sat back there?" she added. Another medical student stood beside her father at the exit of the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu relaxed and happy to be back from the violence-hit areas. "I feel safe obviously upon being back," the student, Krishpa Rai replied. Rai said that the communication blackout had made it scarier with the situation turning grim for not being able to contact the family. "We were pretty scared because we couldn't contact our parents. We couldn't contact anyone, all of us were really scared." As per Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an estimated three thousand five hundred Nepali students are in Bangladesh in the course of their studies. On Saturday, the ministry said that approximately 800 Nepali students left Bangladesh for Nepal by air or via land border points. "We packed our belongings and arranged the vehicle and moved out in the night all on our own. We stayed in the airport all night waiting for the entry and caught our flight in the morning and flew back to Kathmandu, all these were done by ourselves," Maulata, another Nepali student shared her story with ANI about how she along with her friends managed to land Kathmandu from Dhaka. Nepal's Foreign Ministry has reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Nepali students in the South Asian country that has witnessed violent agitation in the past week. "The Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka has coordinated with most of the students to facilitate their safe travel from various places in Bangladesh to Dhaka airport or to related border points," the ministry said in a post on X late evening on Saturday. "It has been closely coordinating with universities, concerned authorities, and law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh." Bangladeshi students intensified their agitation against the quotas for government jobs, which included 30 per cent reservation for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. The Bangladesh government has ordered all offices and institutions to stay closed for two days after over 120 people were killed this week during the protests, according to international news agencies. In the capital city Dhaka, the epicentre of the protests, security forces have set up roadblocks to enforce a curfew. Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli updating a status on Facebook, claimed the government made arrangements for Nepali students to return home. "As per the demand of the student's family members, arrangements have been made to repatriate 17 students studying at Savar-based Enam Medical College via Dhaka airport at 4 am on Sunday," Nepal Prime Minister Oli wrote on social media late on Saturday evening. In the post, he stated that the initiative came after meeting family members of some students in Bangladesh. He has also asked the concerned people to fill up the online forms as arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, posting an 'urgent notice' on X, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba urged the students, their guardians and kin to submit applications through the online link arranged by the ministry for the same purpose. As the student-led anti-government protests surge in Bangladesh, the country has imposed a curfew, and the authorities have disabled mobile internet services nationwide, citing the need to curb disinformation. Following the curfew, the authorities have also shut down schools and universities indefinitely. Bangladesh announced a nationwide curfew on Friday evening after clashes between police and various student groups killed dozens of people. The protests started after the students' violent backlash against a new policy to reserve a portion of government jobs for descendants of the nation's freedom fighters. Moreover, the protesters attacked the state television headquarters in Dhaka and set fire to police booths on Thursday as they called for a "complete shutdown" of the country. The ongoing running street battles between security forces using rubber bullets and tear gas have forced life in several neighborhoods of Bangladesh to a halt. The protests have been driven by demands for reform of the country's quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 War of Independence against Pakistan. Students like Sushmita Kumari who returned back from Bangladesh vow to return back for her degree after the situation calms down. "I am in final years of my studies, I want to complete my studies and need my degree, I would return there if the situation goes right. If they hold talks and solve it..." Sushmita Kumari said. (ANI) Ashadha Purnima holds significant importance as it marks the occasion when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his initial five ascetic disciples at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. This sermon, known for introducing the 'Four Noble Truths' and the 'Noble Eightfold Path', is commemorated as the 'First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma', following Lord Buddha's enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. https://x.com/IndiaInNepal/status/1814922586771374263 The celebrations at the embassy included ceremonial prayers led by the Theravada Sangha, Mahayana Sangha, and Vajrayana Sangha. Participants also engaged in the recitation and dedication of prayers from the Buddhist Sutras, reflecting the spiritual depth and cultural heritage shared by India and Nepal. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Prasanna Shrivastava highlighted the profound impact of Lord Buddha's teachings, emphasising the enduring cultural ties and mutual respect for sacred Buddhist sites between India and Nepal. DCM Shrivastava underscored Buddhism as a unifying force that has fostered strong bilateral relations over centuries. The event at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu not only celebrated the teachings of Lord Buddha but also strengthened the cultural bonds between the two nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting peace and harmony through ancient wisdom. The embassy also organised a programme on the eve of Ashadha Purnima in Lumbini to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Vaisakha Buddha Purnima. The vibrant cultural evening was widely attended and showcased shared cultural heritage of India and Nepal. The Embassy's initiative underscores India's commitment to nurturing cultural diplomacy and fostering deeper understanding among communities that share a rich Buddhist heritage. (ANI) Following protests that resulted into the deaths of over 100 fatalities over contentious civil service hiring rules, Bangladesh Supreme Court ruled to slash the quota reserved for relatives of war veterans' from 30 per cent to 5 per cent while allowing 93 per cent to be allocated based on merit and the remaining 2 per cent will be earmarked for members of ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled, Al Jazeera reported, citing, local reports. The unrest was sparked by students who have long demanded an overhaul of the quota system, which originally reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for descendants of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971. Critics argued that this system favoured allies of the ruling Awami League party, which spearheaded the liberation movement against Pakistan. In response to the escalating protests, the Supreme Court ruled to slash the quota reserved for veterans' descendants from 30 per cent to 5 per cent. The majority of government jobs, 93 per cent, will now be allocated based on merit, while the remaining 2 per cent will be earmarked for members of ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled. The verdict, delivered on Sunday, comes after weeks of demonstrations led predominantly by students. Tensions reached a peak when clashes erupted between protesters and groups allegedly linked to the Awami League, resulting in accusations of excessive force by the police against demonstrators, as reported by Al Jazeera. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government had previously attempted to abolish the quota system in 2018, but the High Court reinstated it last month, reigniting public outrage and prompting renewed protests. Throughout the unrest, the government imposed stringent measures, including a curfew, the deployment of military forces, and a communication blackout that isolated Bangladesh from the outside world. Reports emerged of police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades to disperse protesters, exacerbating public anger. Hasina defended the quota system, emphasising the contributions of veterans to the nation's independence regardless of their political affiliations. However, her government's efforts to portray demonstrators as unpatriotic further fueled discontent among the protesters. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced a temporary easing of the curfew to allow residents to stock up on essentials, but uncertainty loomed over its duration. The government's decision to sever phone and internet connections contributed to what was described as an "information blackout." The heavy-handed response from authorities intensified calls for broader political reforms beyond the quota issue, with demands growing for the government's resignation. Protesters asserted that the demonstrations were not just about job quotas but also about the loss of lives, the destruction of property, and the stifling of information flow. Political analysts viewed the protests as a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, suggesting that the government faced a significant challenge to its legitimacy. Despite the turmoil, opinions diverged on the potential outcomes, with some predicting political survival for Hasina's administration while others speculated on the protesters' ability to sustain pressure for systemic change. The court's decision to reduce the quota system was met with cautious optimism by some protesters, although the broader implications remained uncertain amid ongoing restrictions and tensions. In response to the escalating crisis, Hasina's government declared public holidays and restricted non-essential services to manage the situation, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) Families of forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals have launched a hunger strike unto death in Turbat district of Pakistan's Balochistan, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the Pakistani government's handling of the issue. The protest, now in its seventh day, aims to highlight the plight of family members of those who were abducted and demand their safe return. According to a statement from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a Baloch rights organisation, "The sit-in camp by victim families of the disappeared people has completed seven days." On July 18, they announced a hunger strike. These families, from various areas of Kech district, have been protesting in front of the DC office in Turbat. On July 19, they began their hunger strike. https://x.com/BYCKech/status/1814367805342392603 This protest underscores longstanding grievances within the Baloch community over enforced disappearances. The BYC expressed frustration with the district administration, noting previous unsuccessful negotiations. "The sit-in camp in Turbat in front of the DC office has entered its seventh day for the third time after deceptive negotiations with the district administration," the BYC statement highlighted. The deteriorating health conditions of the protesting families have also become a major concern. "Due to the harsh weather conditions, the health of the families is continuously deteriorating. They have received no proper response from the so-called district administration. Two days ago, the families initiated a token hunger strike," the statement continued. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1814689490281414775 The situation has become dire, with reports of health emergencies among the protesters. "Yesterday, an 80-year-old woman named Bibi Sharathoon, protesting for her son, Jan Muhammad, who disappeared 11 years ago, became unconscious. Similarly, the sister of Nisar Kareem also lost consciousness and was later shifted to the hospital," the BYC emphasised. The protest camp includes families of 10 missing persons, spanning from elderly individuals to infants, all demanding the release of their loved ones. In a separate statement on social media, prominent Baloch rights activist Maharang Baloch condemned the administration's inaction, stating, "The families of Baloch missing persons in Turbat have been protesting for months with only false promises from the administration. Now, they're on a hunger strike in extreme heat, and their health is deteriorating. Their loved ones must be released immediately." This ongoing protest underscores the urgent need for international attention to the human rights violations and challenges to survival faced by the Baloch community in Balochistan. The situation remains tense as families continue their protest, calling for concrete action and resolution from authorities amid deteriorating health conditions and escalating grievances. (ANI) Eight Indian nationals, victims of a scam centre in Hpa Lu, Myawaddy, were successfully rescued and handed over to Myanmar police and immigration authorities yesterday. The Indian Embassy in Myanmar expressed gratitude to the Myanmar authorities and local support for their crucial role in the rescue operation. https://x.com/indiainmyanmar/status/1814955783379157438?s=46 According to a statement by the Embassy of India in Myanmar, the victims had fallen prey to an international crime syndicate operating in the Myawaddy region on the Myanmar-Thailand border. The embassy reiterated its advisory against fake job rackets that lure Indian youth through social media and other unverified sources. "8 Indian nationals, victims of a scam centre in Hpa Lu, Myawaddy, were rescued and handed over safely to Myanmar police/immigration yesterday. Support of Myanmar authorities and local assistance was crucial. We thank them, and strongly reiterate our advisory on fake job rackets," said the Indian Embassy in a post on X. The advisory emphasised the increasing incidents of Indian nationals becoming victims of such criminal activities in the Hpa Lu area, south of Myawaddy town. Victims are often recruited from India, as well as from countries like Malaysia and the UAE, and trafficked via Thailand into Myanmar under false pretenses. "In view of the escalating threats posed by international crime syndicates in the region, we strongly advise Indian nationals to exercise caution and verify the credentials of foreign employers through the Indian Embassy before accepting any job offers abroad," the advisory stated. The embassy provided contact details for Indian nationals to seek assistance and verify job offers, emphasising the importance of consulting with the embassy to avoid falling victim to scams. The ongoing conflict and instability in Myanmar have created an environment conducive to criminal activities, including cyber fraud, phishing, and illegal gambling. The region of Myawaddy, which has seen sporadic rebel control and clashes with the military junta, has become a hotspot for such illicit operations. Indian Ambassador to Thailand, Nagesh Singh, highlighted the challenges posed by the lawlessness in Myanmar's border regions, where armed groups operate with impunity, facilitating criminal enterprises. He underscored the tragic plight of individuals from various countries who are deceived by promises of lucrative jobs, only to be exploited and trafficked. "The situation in Myanmar's troubled regions remains volatile, and the lack of central authority has exacerbated the security challenges," Ambassador Singh remarked in an interview with ANI earlier. He noted the complicity of criminal syndicates, including Chinese mafia networks, in exploiting vulnerable individuals across Myanmar's lawless territories. The Indian Embassy in Thailand has been actively warning Indian nationals about the risks associated with accepting job offers without proper verification, especially those that involve crossing into Myanmar. The embassy continues to collaborate closely with local authorities to address these issues and protect the interests of Indian citizens abroad. (ANI) Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, while tabling the trust motion in the parliament, made the seven-point agreement reached with the Nepali Congress public. Oli, also the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal--Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), read out the contents of the agreement that was sealed past midnight on July 2. The Prime Minister also said that the agreement between the two major parties was part of the two largest parties' efforts to address the country's pressing issues. "We (CPN-UML and Nepali Congress) compete in our ideologies, but there are instances of collaboration between the Congress and the UML. This is a continuation of that collaboration. We have agreed to work together to protect national interests, control corruption, improve governance, expedite development activities, and ensure political stability, in accordance with the public desire," Oli said, addressing the lower house of the federal parliament. The prime minister has made the details of the midnight deal public three weeks after it was signed by Oli and Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Leaders from Congress and other parties were raising questions over keeping the deal secret for weeks. According to Oli, the seven points of the agreement reached between the Congress and the UML at midnight of July 1 are as follows: 1. Form a national consensus government under Article 76(2) of the constitution, involving other political parties as well, to protect national interests, control corruption, improve governance, accelerate development activities, and ensure political stability. 2. The national consensus government will prioritise reviewing the strengths, weaknesses, and complexities observed in the course of implementing the constitution, and will focus on amending the constitution and enacting related laws in order to ensure political stability. 3. To end the prolonged economic slowdown, prepare a reliable business environment, and rejuvenate economic activities. This includes encouraging both domestic and foreign investments to create sufficient and dignified employment opportunities within the country. 4. CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli will lead the national consensus government for the first two years and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba will lead the election government until elections in November-December 2027. 5. To prepare common minimum programmes to protect the national interest, to ensure good governance by ending corruption, to determine the basis of the national consensus government and to run the government on the same basis. 6. The national consensus government will ensure equal participation of the two leading political parties, while also including other political parties in the government. 7. Provincial governments will be formed as per the spirit and intent of the national consensus government, and efforts will be made to accelerate development activities at the provincial and local levels as per the public sentiment. (ANI) Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli garnered a two-thirds majority in the vote of confidence motion tabled in parliament on Sunday. Oli received 188 votes in the 275-member parliament, with 74 votes in opposition and one abstinent, the house Speaker announced. On Sunday, a total of 263 lawmakers were present at the meeting. The Prime Minister required at least 138 votes to win the trust motion. "The number of honourable members of parliament present in today's vote division stands at 263. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, as per Article 76 (4) of the Constitution, presented the trust motion in the House of Representatives, the votes in favour stand at 188 votes, against the motion 74 and one abstinent," House Speaker Devraj Ghimire announced. [{6b3625d0-0912-4606-b59d-8fd62fad29aa:intradmin/ANI-20240721133945.jpeg}] "The trust motion proposed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as per the Constitution of Nepal, Article 76(4), claims the confidence of the House of Representatives, which has 188 votes in support and that number is the majority on the basis of the number of members present in the meeting. I hereby announce that the proposal of trust motion filed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been endorsed with majority," the house speaker added. Oli was appointed prime minister as per Article 76(2) of the constitution, and the prime minister thus appointed must take a vote of confidence within 30 days. Oli was appointed as the prime minister by President Ramchandra Paudel on July 15 based on the signatures collected from 166 lawmakers. Earlier while tabling the motion, Oli made public the content of the seven-point agreement reached between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML earlier this month. Prime Minister Oli said that the agreement between the two major parties was part of the two largest parties' efforts to address the country's pressing issues. [{40fe6c31-3241-4ce7-84fc-b84e5ea71d96:intradmin/ANI-20240721133953.jpeg}] "Constitution is a document that can be amended. It indeed is a dynamic vibrant document. It can be and would be amended on the basis of the demand of the public. It is not subjected to be amended on the basis of interest, it rather moves according to the need of the time. Constitution amendment is not something that is done when someone wants to. We also don't move forward with it being driven by insistence or prejudice, we are not rigid about the provisions of the constitution rather it would be free of insistence but driven by the need of the people, country, need of time and development. It would be only updated on the basis of these needs," Oli said. Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel earlier on July 12 had called the political parties in Nepali parliament to stake a claim for the Prime Minister as Pushpa Kamal Dahal lost a confidence motion. The President had called for the claim of stake as per the Article 76 (2) of the constitution. On the same day, Oli had stacked claim over the post in support of Nepali Congress. Oli and Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly signed an application for the President to appoint the UML chief the new prime minister on Friday evening right after the results of vote of confidence. Oli, with the backing of the Nepali Congress and smaller parties the same day had submitted signatures of 165 lawmakers claiming majority support in the parliament for the Prime Minister Ship. The Constitution of Nepal mandates a Prime Minister to cross a majority of 138 in the 275 strong House of Representatives to take over as the Prime Minister. Also, the Prime Minister is also mandated to take the vote of confidence within 30 days of appointment to prove support. Oli became the Prime Minister for the first time in October 2015 soon after the promulgation of the constitution that year and remained in power until August 2016. Right after the general election in 2017, Oli, who was able to usher nationalist sentiment amongst the people siding with China formed a government and remained in power from February 2018 to May 2021. Oli again was appointed as Prime Minister under the constitutional provision of 76 (3) from May 2021 to July 2021 after staking claim as the parliamentary leader of the largest party in parliament. While in power for about three years, Oli had dissolved the parliament twice, which was reinstated by the Supreme Court issuing a mandamus. As per the July 2 deal between Congress chief Deuba and UML chairman, Oli, the two parties will lead the government on a rotational basis until the next general elections in 2027. (ANI) Julian Pardo takes a photo of the biological isolation garnet worn by Apollo 11 astronaut Mike Collins when he returned from the first moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Visitors pass by portraits of space mission crews during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong, command module pilot Michael collins and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Gene Kranz, who served as flight director on Apollo 11, listens during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong, command module pilot Michael collins and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Visitors gather to watch archival footage of the first moon landing during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer An image of Gene Kranz, who served as flight director on Apollo 11, (second from right) is seen as he speaks alongside Integrated Communications Officers Tom Hanchett, Ed Fendell and Flight Activities Director Spencer Gardner, during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong, command module pilot Michael collins and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Portraits of space mission crews, including Apollo 11, left, are seen during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong, command module pilot Michael collins and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Tom Hanchett, who served as an integrated communications officer for Apollo 11, holds up a copy of the communication diagram signed by astronauts on Apollo 16 during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Luca Salinas, dressed in a costume astronaut space suit, plays with a toy space shuttle during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Spencer Gardner, flight activities director for Apollo 11, (right) laughs alongside Ed Fendell, who served as a integrated communications officer on the mission during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer The afternoon crowd in the main plaza of Space Center Houston knew what to expect as they watched Apollo 11s Lunar Module Eagle spacecraft descend slowly. That wasnt the case 55 years ago when millions across the world watched on small televisions as the module landed on the moon. Saturdays crowd didnt have to squint to see what was happening. They watched footage of the famous landing on a large screen in the museum and at 3:17 p.m., the famous words, The Eagle has landed, sounded across the speakers the same time they were said 55 years ago. The Space Center visitors responded by bursting into cheers and waving small American flags. Even 55 years after Apollo 11 landed on the moon, the mission still draws awe and wonder Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its as close to the day as you would get, said Johanna Dresel of attending the celebration, which she did with her two sons, Cody and Hunter Matthew. Johanna Dresel and her sons, Hunter Matthew, right, and Cody, below, gather to watch archival footage of the first moon landing during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Saturday was the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the first time humans landed a crewed mission on the moon. After the capsule landed, Neil Armstrong took his famous leap to become the first man on the moon. Buzz Aldrin would later join him on the lunar surface while Michael Collins circled the moon in the command module Columbia. The moment has become a milestone in Houston, American and world history. The sense of the accomplishment is not lost over the years, Brian Odom, NASA chief historian, said earlier in the week. That hasnt faded. I think people still understand every time we celebrate an anniversary of Apollo 11, its a moment to kind of reflect on whats possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BACK IN 2019: Spotlight on Houston, NASA as world celebrates 50th anniversary of moon landing Saturdays visitors to the Space Center got to relive some of that history. In addition to the various activities such as the moon landing recreation video, the museum hosted a panel featuring four men who were in NASAs control room for Apollo 11: Gene Kranz, Tom Hanchett, Ed Fendell and Spencer Gardner. Gene Kranz, who served as flight director on Apollo 11, (right) speaks alongside Integrated Communications Officers Tom Hanchett, Ed Fendell and Flight Activities Director Spencer Gardner, during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer The hour-long panel, hosted by Space Center Houston President and CEO William Harris, touched upon how those four men wound up at Apollo 11, what it was like working in the control room for Apollo 11 and other missions, and other reflections on their lives in the space program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Right now, its such a special time to be able to get to know these individuals and hear from them directly, Harris said. Theyre all so generous with their time and so candid about their experiences. Its not lost on them how significant these achievements are for humankind. Attending the panel was a major highlight for Michael Del Ray, who was 14 years old when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. 'TOUGH AND CONFIDENT': NASA legend Gene Kranz reflects on career in book He has been visiting Houston and while looking for activities at the Space Center, he saw Gene Kranz was going to be on the panel. Del Ray couldnt believe Kranz, the flight director for Apollo 11 and other lunar missions, was going to be speaking. He knew he couldnt miss it. So when he arrived at Space Center Houston, he ran in through the doors and immediately asked someone what room was hosting the panel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its just an honor to be here, Del Ray said. No question, its an honor. The phone of Gene Kranz, who served as flight director on Apollo 11, lis seen during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Del Ray wasnt the only one who stumbled upon the anniversary while looking up things to do in Houston. Some didnt even know about it until they had arrived on site. Michael Kwenin, on vacation from Connecticut with his wife and three children, didnt realize the anniversary was Saturday until he went to buy tickets Friday. Hes glad their trip worked out so they could be at the museum on such an important day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Today is a special day, Kwenin said. If we had come yesterday, it would have just been another day but today being that anniversary adds a little bit of significance. MISSION MOON: Apollo 11 lunar landing leaves lasting legacy 50 years later At the end of the panel, Fendell told a story underscoring that significance. After Fendells shift at Mission Control finished 55 years ago, he went home and slept only for three hours before returning to work. But he stopped at a restaurant, where he grabbed a thick newspaper and ordered scrambled eggs. Two gas station workers soon walked in wearing grease-stained coveralls and sat down next to Fendell. Ed Fendell, who served as an integrated communications officer on Apollo 11, speaks during a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Space Center Houston, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston. The mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, columnated in commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrins landing on the moon on July 20 and ended when they and command module pilot Michael Collins splashed down safely back on Earth on July 24. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer One of them all of a sudden turns to the other one and he says, You know, I landed at D-Day on the Beach at Normandy. Fendell told the crowd. He says, I never felt prouder to be in an American than I did yesterday.' When Fendell heard that, he said he threw his money down on the table, went out to his car and broke down crying. Twelve-member teams, including four divers from India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have joined the Nepali search teams to locate two buses that have gone missing in the Trishuli River for a week since the July 12 landslide that wreaked havoc in the Himalayan nation. Two buses carrying 65 passengers along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section were hit by a landslide in the wee hours of July 12 and swept away by the Trishuli River. Three of the passengers somehow managed to get outside the bus and swim to the bank. The Indian team which arrived in Chitwan yesterday started the search operation on Sunday morning, Chief District Officer of the district confirmed ANI over the phone. "A 12-member team of India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been carrying out the search operation since this morning," Chief District Officer Indra Dev Yadav confirmed. Rescue and search teams from Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) have been searching the bus and the passengers since the incident, but they haven't been able to trace the buses so far. The buses were washed away by a landslide at Simaltal on the Narayanghat-Mugling road. More than 200 security personnel have been deployed to search for passengers. So far 25 bodies have been found in different locations and 17 people have been identified. The whereabouts of the two buses and 37 passengers on them are still unknown. The rescue team from India arrived in Nepal at the request of the government due to a lack of manpower and proper equipment in the country. (ANI) After days without power, irate locals gathered on the streets close to residential buildings and chanted, "Give me light," as seen in several videos shared on social media. Evgeny Naumov, the mayor of the city, stated on Saturday that efforts to fix the accident are underway and that residents are receiving drinking water. "We all need to remain calm and understand what is happening, although this is not easy," he said in a Telegram post. According to Russian state news agency TASS, the power outages occurred on Friday, the fourth day in a row that a daily record was established, coinciding with the city's abnormally high temperatures. According to TASS, the highest temperature on Friday was 39 degrees Celsius. The functioning of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant, the "abnormal heat," and inadequate capacity during peak load hours were among the factors that caused the outages, according to Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev on Saturday. A technical issue earlier this week forced the temporary closure of one of the major units of the Rostov plant. "There has been abnormal heat in the Krasnodar region for a week now. The load on the energy system is colossal," Governor Kondratyev said, according to CNN. "I know and understand all the indignation of residents due to the power outages," he added. (ANI) Speculation and informal discussions within the Democratic party have intensified over the potential succession of Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee should President Joe Biden step aside, CNN reported. The process of selecting a new nominee remains uncertain, but an increasing number of Democrats believe that any transition would likely culminate swiftly with Harris assuming the mantle. Discussions regarding the contingency plan to replace Biden at the top of the ticket have been ongoing behind closed doors for weeks. However, the ambiguity surrounding the process has caused hesitation among some Democrats who have reservations about openly challenging Biden's candidature, wary that the ensuing process could prove even more chaotic. "F*** it, I'm coconut pilled. I just want this to stop," expressed one prominent Democratic operative, alluding to an online meme derived from a viral video featuring the vice president recounting her mother's humorous metaphor about unexpected occurrences. While consensus has not universally coalesced, a prevailing sense of exhaustion is beginning to solidify into agreement. Internal polls suggesting Harris could potentially enhance Democratic enthusiasm and support down-ballot have circulated among party circles. Arguments in favour of her ability to swiftly organise a campaign have gained traction. Furthermore, there is a growing sentiment that Harris could vigorously confront Donald Trump, a prospect that resonates favourably in many quarters. Despite the reluctance of some to engage in hypothetical scenarios, Biden's aides have indicated his intention to resume campaigning next week following his recovery from COVID-19. Nonetheless, several leading Democratic figures and operatives have conveyed to CNN their difficulty envisioning any outcome other than Harris assuming the nomination if circumstances suddenly change. Efforts are being made to advocate for a rapid and streamlined process where delegates would ratify the transition as part of a planned pre-convention virtual nomination strategy. However, opinions are divided on the notion of a coronation, with some preferring alternative candidates or objecting to the optics of such a move. The feasibility of instituting a series of rapid-fire primaries or town halls remains contentious, particularly given the tight timeline of just over 100 days until the election and the imminent Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Nevertheless, supporters of Harris are supportive of the idea, confident that few serious contenders would challenge her candidature despite her behind-the-scenes bravado. Notably, several Democratic members of Congress who have publicly called for Biden to consider stepping aside declined to explicitly endorse Harris as the alternative nominee when queried by CNN on Friday. Amidst the deliberations, concerns persist about the potential fallout of a prolonged and open process at the convention, which could exacerbate internal party strife and undermine support from influential groups like the Congressional Black Caucus, renowned for its grassroots mobilisation efforts and impact on voter enthusiasm. Reflecting on the political landscape, some Democratic lawmakers representing swing districts have expressed reservations about embarking on a protracted struggle to test a new figurehead for the party. The risk of challenging Harris and potentially jeopardising one's own political future in subsequent elections looms large for many. "The internal fight is killing us. There is no world in which you can push Kamala to the side," commented one Democratic member anonymously to CNN, underscoring the delicate political predicament facing the party. Despite the growing momentum towards Harris, not all Democrats have softened their longstanding reservations about her. Concerns persist about her previous campaign missteps and early challenges in the vice presidency, factors that continue to influence deliberations within the party. Texas Representative Vicente Gonzalez, currently campaigning in a competitive race, expressed surprise at the swift pivot in discussions from skepticism about Harris's electoral appeal to contemplation of her assuming the presidential ticket. "I just don't understand how we go from that to the idea that she should be leading the ticket," Gonzalez remarked, highlighting the persistence of certain facts amidst the evolving discourse. Republican strategists, on the other hand, have seized upon the prospect of Harris assuming the nomination, anticipating potential vulnerabilities to exploit. They aim to revive past criticisms and leverage concerns about her role in the administration's decision-making processes, particularly regarding Biden's health and the effects of ageing. Moreover, questions have arisen regarding the procedural legitimacy of replacing Harris on the ballot, with House Speaker Mike Johnson's recent comments on preliminary research into the matter fueling such uncertainties. Legal challenges concerning her constitutional eligibility, previously mooted during the 2020 campaign, could resurface in any contested scenario. The prospect of navigating these complexities has prompted dissent even among segments of the Democratic donor class and political elite, wary of endorsing a move that could sow further discord within the party ranks. "If you think that's going to be an easy transition, I'm here to tell you that a huge amount of the donor class, a huge amount of the elites, and a huge amount of these folks in these rooms that I see that are pushing for Joe Biden to not be the nominee are also not interested in seeing the vice president be the nominee," noted New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in an Instagram live chat, reflecting progressive skepticism about Harris's alignment with their policy agenda. Conversely, others argue that the broader political conversation may be trailing behind public sentiment regarding Harris's potential candidature. Supporters contend that her current role in the administration positions her favourably to bolster confidence in Biden while projecting readiness for higher office. "To some degree, she's auditioning for the presidency right now," remarked Ashley Etienne, Harris's former communications director and a seasoned Capitol Hill aide. "She's well positioned to shore up confidence about Joe Biden while assuring people that she's ready. The campaign needs to create opportunities for her to do that." For Representative Jared Golden of Maine, who has expressed reservations about supporting Biden, endorsing a move towards Harris appears increasingly logical given the electoral dynamics. "I think that many Americans are thinking that there's a very high likelihood that if the Biden-Harris ticket wins, Kamala will finish that second term," Golden observed. "So, it might beg the question: Why not just settle that matter in this election?" In assessing the potential for Harris's elevation, the historical context of Biden's own political journey remains pertinent. Few envision Biden relinquishing office without endorsing his running mate to succeed him, a decision seen as both respectful and politically astute given Harris's pivotal role in securing Biden's nomination and her continued support among crucial demographics, including African American voters. Eleni Kounalakis, California's Lieutenant Governor and a Democratic convention delegate, underscored the significance of honouring the primary voters' choice by supporting Harris in the event of a presidential succession. "When people voted for him as the nominee, they were voting for this ticket, so it just has to be concluded that the best way to validate the vote of the primary voters is to support the vice president as our nominee," Kounalakis asserted. "There's so much respect for President Biden that if he asked delegates to support her, even with a chaotic public media swirl, I believe most delegates would honour his wishes." The possibility of Harris assuming the nomination represents not just a political decision but a potentially transformative moment for the Democratic Party, fraught with implications for the upcoming election and beyond, CNN reported. (ANI) Angry Afghan Pashtuns stormed the Pakistani consulate building in Frankfurt to protest state atrocities in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, specifically condemning the recent killing of Gilaman Wazir in Islamabad. During the protest, demonstrators forcefully removed the Pakistani national flag from inside the consulate building. Video footage of the incident has since gone viral on multiple social media platforms. According to Pakistani journalist Arzoo Kazmi, who reported on the incident via social media platform 'X', two individuals were subsequently arrested. She posted, "#Germany: Afghan Nationals Storm Pakistan Consulate in Frankfurt, Pull Down Pakistani Flag; 2 Arrested." In response, the Embassy of Pakistan in Germany swiftly condemned the act of vandalism, stating, "We condemn the reprehensible vandalising act at @pakinFrankfurt by miscreants on 20th July 2024. We are in contact with German authorities to ensure such a situation doesn't arise again and that the miscreants face legal consequences. We appeal to our community to be patient and calm." Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed strong condemnation on social media platform 'X', asserting, "Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the German government. We have urged the German government to fulfill its responsibilities under the Vienna Conventions and ensure the security of the diplomatic missions and staff in Germany." The unrest among the Pashtun community, both within Afghanistan and abroad, stems from ongoing incidents of human rights abuses and atrocities committed in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Alleged acts of brutality by Pakistani security forces, coupled with Islamabad's perceived inaction, have fueled dissent and anger toward the government and security agencies in Pashtun-majority areas. Recent events highlight a troubling pattern of severe crackdowns by Pakistani authorities. In one of the most alarming incidents, Pakistani security forces reportedly opened fire on peaceful protesters in the Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to more than 20 civilians. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], July 21 (ANI/TPS): Israel's airstrike on Yemen's Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah marks a significant shift in Jerusalem's response to the more than 200 missiles and drones launched by the Houthis since October. While Israel has chosen to ignore the Iran-backed Houthi attacks until now, it was a matter of time before the attacks caused casualties demanding a response. The operation sent shockwaves through the region. The port of Al Hudaydah, a critical lifeline for the Houthis, was set ablaze, leading to widespread panic among residents. Eyewitnesses reported long lines at gas stations as people scrambled to fill their tanks amidst fears of further attacks. The flames and explosions from the burning port were broadcast across the Arab world. Weapons warehouses were damaged, but striking 20 fuel depots also caught regional attention for two reasons. Targeting fuel underscores Israel's strategic intent to disrupt and dismantle the Houthis' support systems. It also sends a message to Tehran that Israel may also hit sensitive Iranian oil facilities. The Houthis responded swiftly, albeit unsuccessfully, launching a surface-to-surface missile toward Tel Aviv -- which was intercepted near Eilat. Speculation abounds if and which Arab nations may have facilitated the Israeli strike. Saudi Arabia, whose oil facilities have been previously targeted by the Houthis, denied any involvement. Iran, meanwhile, condemned the airstrike and warned against what it called Israeli "adventurism." The strike was in retaliation for a drone attack on Tel Aviv on Friday, which killed an Israeli man and injured seven others. Killed in that attack was Yevgeny Ferder, a 50-year-old Belarussian immigrant. The Houthi drone took an unusual path from Yemen over Egyptian airspace before circling back over the Mediterranean towards Tel Aviv. The Houthis have launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel since October, but Friday's attack was the first to result in casualties. IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters Israel acted alone in launching the airstrike on its own and called on the international community to stand by Israel. "Israel expects the countries of the world to stand on one front, this is a common international interest," Hagari said. The Houthis vowed in early December to target any Israel-bound ship in the Red Sea, regardless of its ownership. They have attacked or harassed numerous ships, hijacked the MV Galaxy Leader in November and are holding its crew of 25 hostage. From bases along the Yemeni coast, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have threatened ships in the Red Sea as they traverse the Bab el-Mandeb Straits, a narrow maritime choke point between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa. The majority of the world's oil passes through the strait from the Indian Ocean towards the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea. (ANI/TPS) Reposting the post shared by Jaishankar earlier today, the Embassy of Colombia in India wrote, "The Embassy of Colombia in India on behalf of the Government of Colombia, expresses deep gratitude to HE @DrSJaishankar for his kind words on our National Day." The post shared by the Colombian embassy also lauded the ties shared between the two countries. "We look forward to intensify the cooperation and mutual admiration and respect that have united us in these 65 years," the embassy said. https://x.com/IndiaEmbCol/status/1814969299510960535 Notably, Colombia celebrates its national day each year on July 20. It is a public holiday there. Meanwhile, Qutub Minar was also lit up in Colombia's national flag on the occasion of the Latin American country's Independence Day on Saturday. The Colombian Embassy in India expressed gratitude to India's Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India for the honour. On Saturday, the Colombian Embassy in India celebrated Independence Day in Delhi. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita was the chief guest at the celebration of the 214th Independence Day of Colombia. On July 20, the EAM had wished his Colombian counterpart, Luis Gilberto Murillo on the occassion of the country's National Day. Sharing a post on X the, Jaishankar wrote "Warm greetings to FM @LuisGMurillo and the Government and people of Colombia on their Independence Day." It is pertinent to note that India and Colombia share warm and friendly bilateral ties. The External Affairs Minister had visited Colombia in 2023 as well. Jaishankar's Colombia visit was the first Foreign Ministerial level visit from India to the Latin American country. (ANI) Biden chews over mounting calls for him to quit 2024 race as Pelosi said to be seeking to avoid Harris coronation As President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure to drop out of the 2024 presidential race while isolating in Delaware with Covid-19, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly looking to prevent the vice president from automatically taking the nomination. The California representative hopes to avoid Kamala Harris automatically becoming the Democratic candidate if Biden drops out, Politico and The New York Times report. Earlier this week, reports emerged that the influential Democrat told Biden privately he cant beat Donald Trump in November. Pelosi is not against a Harris-led ticket, according to the Times. Instead, Pelosi is advocating for an open nomination process at next months Democratic National Convention, arguing that Harris or any other potential candidate would be strengthened by earning the title, the Times reports. Representative Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat, made a similar argument on Friday. Should he make that decision, there will have to be quick steps, Lofgren said on MSNBC. I dont think we can do a coronation, but obviously the vice president would be the leading candidate. And representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said this week on a widely discussed social media post: "If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave.... that they will support Kamala, Vice President Harris, you would be mistaken. Pelosi, right, reportedly argued for an open convention to help strengthen Harris as the Democratic candidate if Biden leaves the race (AFP) Harris hit the campaign fundraising circuit on Saturday in breezy Provincetown, Massachusetts, and picked up a nod from the states prominent Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who said before the visit that if Biden were to step aside, his vice president is "ready to step up". At the event, which organizers said raised $2m and was attended by 1,000 guests, Harris did not mention the calls for Biden to leave the race or for her to replace him, instead repeating one of her regular campaign lines: Were going to win this election, she said. Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in equality? Do we believe in the promise of America? Then are we ready to fight for it? she called to a cheering crowd. When we fight, we win. An open convention could happen if Biden drops out of the race, as he would surrender the delegates he won during the Democratic primary and leave them free to back someone else at the convention. In an open convention, new candidates would have to try to convince delegates who were previously pledged to Biden to back them for the nomination. Pelosi isnt the only one reportedly urging Biden to not run. Thirty Democratic lawmakers and several influential public figures have called for the president to step down from the ticket. On Friday, Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts said the president didnt seem to recognize him at a D-Day event in Normandy, France in a recent op-ed for The Boston Globe. Of course, that can happen as anyone ages but, as I watched the disastrous debate a few weeks ago, I have to admit that what I saw in Normandy was part of a deeper problem, Moulton wrote. Meanwhile, at least three 6 January congressional committee members joined the growing number of Democratic officials urging Biden to bow out. These members include Representatives Adam Schiff and Jamie Raskin. Schiff warned in a statement this week that a second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November. In a recent four-page letter to Biden, Raskin also told the president that everything we believe in is on the line in the next four-and-a-half months and that we have an overriding obligation to defeat the forces of resurgent monarchy and oppression. Everything else pales in comparison to this struggle, he added. Meanwhile, one Democratic strategist told The Hill that Bidens campaign has yet to present a clear plan for victory in November. What everyone has said is we need to see more and, frankly, the last two weeks has been worse than the actual debate in a lot of ways because they havent put a plan together and havent executed it, the anonymous strategist told The Hill. Eerie Way Out Cue the controversy, because Switzerland is about to test the world's first portable "suicide pod." Known as Sarco, its sleek design is meant to take away from some of the uneasiness around assisted suicide. Arguably, though, the jarring contrast between its looks and its morbid purpose makes the whole thing feel even eerier. The assisted-suicide device was first unveiled in 2019 by its divisive inventor Philip Nitschke, and its use has since been championed by The Last Resort, a newly formed euthanasia organization which is now saying that the Sarco pod will be tested "soon." "Since we have people indeed queueing up, asking to use the Sarco, it's very likely that it will take place pretty soon," CEO Florian Willet told a press conference, as quoted by NDTV. "I cannot imagine a more beautiful way (to die), of breathing air without oxygen until falling into an eternal sleep." Press to Kill How the pod works is this: a person who has consented to end their own life lies down inside, the lid is closed, and a button is pressed that replaces oxygen with nitrogen in the chamber. Gradually, they lose consciousness, and "peacefully" die of hypoxia within 10 minutes. The easy, tech-inflected design of Sarco has caused an ethical and legal stir in Switzerland. Assisted suicide is legal there, but only if it's administered by the patient themselves not by a third party. Technically, the pod is designed to be activated by the patient, either through a button or through gestures, voice controls, or even a blink. But as Swiss public prosecutor Peter Stiche argued last week, "there is no reliable information about the method of killing." "[It is] completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process," he told the Swiss newspaper Blick, as quoted by The Independent. Tough Questions Assisted suicide is a fraught subject, and the fact that the Sarco pod offers it at a literal button push and at a mere 18 francs, or $20 is bound to inflame debates further. It's understandable why assisted forms of suicide should be available to someone afflicted by a terminal, painful disease, for example, but many argue that giving such easy access to it could be dangerous. "What if it is accessed by someone not in their right mind?" Stephen Duckworth, the founder of Disability Matters Global, wrote in an opinion piece for The Independent in 2021. "Or a child? Or if it is used to abuse others? What if it doesn't result in immediate or peaceful death and the individual is left alone without any recourse to call for help?" The Last Resort hasn't disclosed who the pod's first user will be, but it expects that the test will take place later this year. More on assisted suicide: Couple Gets Assisted Suicide Together Your doughnut fix may have to wait: Structure fire closes Krispy Kreme in Clive The Urbandale Fire Department assisted the Clive department in responding to a structure fire at the Krispy Kreme store in Clive, 1880 N.W. 46th St., on Saturday night, July 20, 2024. A structure fire Saturday night at the Krispy Kreme store in Clive caused severe smoke damage throughout the building, prompting what's expected to be an extended closure, according to a news release from the Clive Fire Department. The Clive store provides doughnuts to the two other metro Krispy Kreme stores, in Ankeny and West Des Moines, the Register reported previously. A person who answered the phone at the West Des Moines store on Sunday said it was closed but would reopen when an alternative source is developed. The Clive Fire Department responded at about 11:09 p.m. to the fire at 1880 N.W. 46th St. and found "heavy fire in the kitchen area," the release from Clive fire marshal Blake Boyle said. Crews from Urbandale and Windsor Heights also responded. The main fire was quickly suppressed, but fire personnel remained at work for about two hours to ventilate the building and ensure the fire wouldn't rekindle, the release said. The worst fire damage was to the kitchen area. Its cause remains under investigation. The Clive store, which opened in 1999, was the first Krispy Kreme in Iowa, according to Register archives. It was planned to be the first of three locations in Iowa that year, but it would take until 2018 before a second store opened in Ankeny. A third store opened in Council Bluffs in 2014, completing the trifecta, and a fourth opened in West Des Moines last year. Ryan Magalhaes is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at rmagalhaes@dmreg.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Fire damages Krispy Kreme in Clive; extended closure is expected Sierra McClain, in yellow shirt, surrounded by her volunteers at the All Real Radio headquarters at Project Row Houses on Friday, July 19, 2024, in Houston. McClain and #WeGotUs volunteers distributed much-needed baby items to parents in need after Beryl, and she distributed them out of Project Row Houses where her All Real Radio is headquartered. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Tommy Lampkin, 38, poses for a photograph at his house Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Houston. Lampkin was evacuating with his family and driving to Dallas during Hurricane Beryl when an elderly woman flagged him down near Spring area. Lampkin helped the woman removing a tree that blocked her driveway. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Volunteers put food in cars at Bethels Church days after Beryl, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Houston. The church opened to provide supplies to at-need citizens in Houston. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer Mackenzie Cooper helps carry buckets of pine needles to a compost pile as she and other volunteers help clean up debris around Hermann Park after damage from Hurricane Beryl on 713 Day, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Jake Ruiz cuts up tree limbs as he and other volunteers help clean up debris around Hermann Park after damage from Hurricane Beryl on 713 Day, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Tracy Hamblin carries out a bag full of wet insulation and other debris as volunteers with the nonprofit West Street Recovery help Deborah Powell muck out her home after damage from Hurricane Beryl, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Houston. Powells family has own the home since 1960 and Beryl was the first storm that resulted in damage to the home since Powell took over the property 25 years ago from her parents. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Volunteers sort fresh foods at Bethels Church days after Beryl, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Houston. The church opened to provide supplies to at-need citizens in Houston. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer Sierra McClain at All Real Radio headquarters at Project Row Houses on Friday, July 19, 2024, in Houston. McClain and #WeGotUs volunteers distributed much-needed baby items to parents in need after Beryl, and she distributed them out of Project Row Houses where her All Real Radio is headquartered. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Tracy Hamblin removes wet insulation from the ceiling as volunteers with the nonprofit West Street Recovery help Deborah Powell muck out her home after damage from Hurricane Beryl, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Houston. Powells family has own the home since 1960 and Beryl was the first storm that resulted in damage to the home since Powell took over the property 25 years ago from her parents. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A sign that reads Let go and let God hangs on the wall of Deborah Powells kitchen as volunteers with the nonprofit West Street Recovery muck out her home after damage from Hurricane Beryl, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Houston. Powells family has own the home since 1960 and Beryl was the first storm that resulted in damage to the home since Powell took over the property 25 years ago from her parents. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Religious magnet and inspiration are seen on the refrigerator in Deborah Powells home as volunteers with the nonprofit West Street Recovery help muck out her home after damage from Hurricane Beryl, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Houston. Powells family has own the home since 1960 and Beryl was the first storm that resulted in damage to the home since Powell took over the property 25 years ago from her parents. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Volunteers pass out donated ice in Galena Park on Friday, July 12, 2024. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer When Hurricane Beryl hit Houston knocking out power to more than 2 million customers in the Houston area, Tommy Lampkin took a few moments out of his family's evacuation to Dallas to help an older woman remove a tree that blocked her driveway. But to the woman, who Lampkin said was waving down drivers for help, those moments were life-changing. Lampkin "saved (her) life" by moving the tree, the woman, who did not disclose her name, said in a Houston Chronicle survey. Tommy Lampkin, 38, poses for a photograph at his house Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Houston. Lampkin was evacuating with his family and driving to Dallas during Hurricane Beryl when an elderly woman flagged him down near Spring area. Lampkin helped the woman removing a tree that blocked her driveway. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer "Something told me, put it on my heart, to just stop and help," Lampkin said. "I think the lady was scared. She had tears in her eyes...She said, 'I didn't think anyone would stop.'" Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Chronicle asked Houstonians to name Hurricane Beryl heroes who went above and beyond for their community. Even as residents grew weary of the "Houston Strong" mantra, many still embodied the phrase as they braved debris-strewn streets and their own unlit homes to serve their community after the storm. Sierra McClain at All Real Radio headquarters at Project Row Houses on Friday, July 19, 2024, in Houston. McClain and #WeGotUs volunteers distributed much-needed baby items to parents in need after Beryl, and she distributed them out of Project Row Houses where her All Real Radio is headquartered. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Collecting for the children The lights were still off at Sierra McClain's home the morning after the storm hit, but that didn't stop the local community leader and doula from organizing a #WeGotUs fundraiser for families affected by the storm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I'm a single mom, so anytime anything like this is going on, I go into full preparation and protection mode. That includes my city," McClain said. "I'm blown away by the volunteers...if people who themselves are going without and are suffering didn't agree to do this and see the vision and believe, then I couldn't do anything." McClain, who already had baby supplies due to her profession, had developed a network of volunteers who assisted mothers after Winter Storm Uri. On Saturday, McClain, her volunteers and partners Soul Food Vegan and All Real Radio passed out more than 3,000 diapers and other childrens' supplies as part of their largest donation drive yet in Houston's Third Ward. "Not knowing if you have enough for your child is the worst feeling, and I have experienced that before," McClain said. "Thankfully, things have changed in my life, but I will never forget that feeling, and I don't want anyone else to feel that way." Sharing power While Zuri Dale didn't have power at her own home for eight days, the Texas Southern University professor, epidemiologist and business owner invited her Montrose salon clients to use the space to charge devices, get cold water and even wash and dry their clothes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As power outages continued, Dale opened up the Artistry by Zuri space to anyone in need. She put together hygiene packs for Houstonians experiencing homelessness. "While it may seem like this was just a hurricane, it's not really just about the hurricane itself," Dale said. "It's about all of the other social factors that contribute to people being in the situations that they're in." Helping the homeless Although organizations including Search Homeless Services, Sewa International and Harris County's Precinct 4 Commissioners' Office are prepared for emergencies, Beryl proved trickier than past storms due to more widespread power and cell service outages. Search Homeless Services, which provided food, water and transportation to those experiencing homelessness after Beryl, had to force the gates open at its office after losing power, president Alexis Loving said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The long-term impact of Hurricane Beryl continues. Residents whowere on the brink of homelessness often lose their homes in the wake of a disaster, Loving said. Others may lose resources needed to gain housing. The organization will help residents reestablish identification, receive federal help and support with utilities and emergency food stamps. Gratitude from residents will keep volunteers going as post-Beryl recovery continues. "We always say you don't do it for the paycheck, you do it for the emotional paycheck," Search program manager Kelly Ward said. "We're honored." Sewa to the rescue Hours after the storm left debris strewn throughout southwest Houston, Sewa International members Ranjesh Patwari and Abhishek Bhat were bringing water to a Cambodian refugee community in Rosharon that had lost water and power. "When we heard the news that people needed water, and luckily, in our offices in Rosenberg, we had crates of water available for an event, we just decided to pick that up and donate it," Patwari said. "It really was decisions on the fly." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nikhil Jain, who shouted out Patwari, Bhat and fellow volunteer Santosh Jha in the survey and received a shout-out himself, said Sewa International has partnered with community leaders and organizations to pass out thousands of cases of water and hundreds of ready-made hot meals to senior citizens, graduate students and everyone in between. Count on Harris County Precinct 4 Najat Elsayed, who was described as the MVP of Commissioner Lesley Briones' Precinct 4 office in Harris County, left a wedding when she was activated to help residents in the precinct. She brought food, ice and water to senior living communities. Volunteers, including Elsayed, Briones and their children, provided hundreds of residents across three senior centers with supplies, cooling buses and hot meals after the storm, with help from their partners. The precinct also conducted wellness checks and operated cooling centers into Tuesday. Elsayed had no power herself and spent the night working at Houston TranStar, but she was more impressed with the resilience of the seniors they helped, as well as her fellow volunteers. ONE WEEK LATER: How Houstonians survived a week without power after Hurricane Beryl Nicolas Maduro flashes victory signs at a campaign rally in Caracas this week - but the polls tell a different story - Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Image It was early on Wednesday morning when police forced their way into the Caracas home of their former colleague Milciades Avila. Mr Avila, who for a decade has provided personal security for Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader currently taking Venezuela by storm, was charged with gender violence, they said, as they whisked him away. The arbitrary detention the 71st this year of members of the Unitarian Democratic Platform, the opposition umbrella alliance is just the latest example of kleptocratic strongman president Nicolas Maduros dirty tricks before elections scheduled for Sunday July 28. After more than two decades of runaway corruption, gross economic mismanagement and widespread human rights abuses, even many of the poorest Venezuelans, traditionally the Chavista regimes strongest supporters, have turned against it. Polls show the authoritarian socialist government losing by a landslide unless, as many fear, it rigs the vote. Opposition figures arrested include around a dozen of Ms Machados inner circle. Meanwhile, six of her aides, including her press secretary, have been holed up in the Argentine embassy in Caracas for months after seeking asylum there. Mr Avila was targeted after several female Maduro supporters suddenly barged their way towards Ms Machado on July 13 in the central region of Carabobo. Mr Avila did his job, physically blocking the womens path. He was eventually released on bail on Friday. But not before Ms Machado, 56, an industrial engineer who has long been one of the most fiery critics of Mr Maduro and his late mentor Hugo Chavez, claimed the incident was a set-up. Milciades Avila at the wheel of Maria Corina Machado's car as she greets supporters during a rally in Merida state last month - Gaby Oraa/Reuters There are dozens of witnesses and videos that prove this was an act of planned provocation to leave us without protection, she posted on X, formerly Twitter. Maduro has made violence and repression his campaign. For Mr Maduro, 61, facing a laundry list of potential serious criminal charges, defeat next week is not an option. Barring a deal with the opposition, he would lose not only power, but his freedom. Separately, he would also need to negotiate immunity with the US, which has placed a $15 million bounty on his head for large-scale drug trafficking. That explains why the former bus driver and union leader, anointed in 2012 as the next leader of Venezuela as Mr Chavez was dying of cancer, has this week been warning of a bloodbath and fratricidal civil war should the fascists a term he appears to use for anyone who believes in the rule of law win. The florid rhetoric may be more than scare tactics. The regime has heavily armed its civilian supporters ever since a failed coup against Mr Chavez in 2002. A show of support in Caracas by supporters of the Maduro regime, who have been heavily armed since a failed coup in 2002 - Miguel Gutierrez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock And force may be all that is left to keep a once popular, but now deeply loathed, government in power. Initially, after Mr Chavez was first elected president in 1998, his colloquial but sweeping oratory, anti-American posturing and petrodollar-fuelled largesse, even distributing televisions to the poor, saw his approval ratings soar. But since then, his regime has transformed the only country with larger oil reserves than Saudi Arabia into one stalked by hunger where hospital patients die for lack of basic medicines. The humanitarian crisis has prompted an exodus of seven million Venezuelans, roughly one in four of the population. It is statistically the western hemispheres greatest refugee crisis ever. Meanwhile, Mr Maduro and his inner circle are accused of embezzling billions of dollars and running the state-owned oil company PDVSA, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of exports, into the ground. But the regime may finally have met its match in Ms Machado. The mother of three grown children, who like so many Venezuelans now live abroad, is frequently mobbed by emotional supporters as she criss-crosses Venezuela on the campaign trail. Expectation of her imminent triumph is at fever pitch. Some commentators say the fervour is reminiscent of the heyday of el Comandante as Mr Chavez, a former lieutenant colonel in the army who first rose to national prominence following his own botched coup attempt in 1992, was once known. Maria Corina Machado has been prevented from being a candidate for the presidency but is widely expected to be the real leader if Edmundo Gonzalez is elected - Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images Yet Ms Machado, who counts Margaret Thatcher as one of her political heroes, is not even a candidate in the presidential race. After winning more than 90 per cent of the votes in the UDPs primary last year, she was barred from public office by a Chavista-packed court for supposed corruption and supporting US sanctions against the dictatorship. She promptly threw her support behind a back-up candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, 74, a little-known, softly spoken retired diplomat and amateur birdwatcher. The pair often campaign together now, braving police roadblocks and government harassment as they travel by car because of a ban on Ms Machado flying. Hotels where the pair have stayed and restaurants where they have eaten have often been shuttered by the regime, prompting the pair to rely on the hospitality of local supporters. Should the opposition win, Ms Machado is widely expected to be the de facto leader of a government formally led by Mr Gonzalez. Polls show him on more than double the level of support for Mr Maduro. The remainder of the vote is shared by around a dozen smaller candidates widely viewed as stooges of the regime. Its hard to imagine they will hand over the keys Im sure they [Ms Machado and Mr Gonzalez] represent change, for a prosperous Venezuela, where theres no persecution and those of us who see things differently to the government can be adversaries, not enemies, Milagros Gomez, a retired lawyer who attended a rally held by the pair at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas last Sunday, told The Telegraph. But for that to happen, Mr Maduro must be prepared to relinquish power, something that strikes Michael Shifter, a Latin America expert at the InterAmerican Dialogue, a Washington DC think tank, as pretty far-fetched. Its hard to imagine that without guarantees for Maduro and those in his inner circle, and all the accusations, including of crimes against humanity, that they are just going to hand over the keys and walk away, he says. Nevertheless, even with electoral fraud, this months vote and the oppositions new-found unity could signal the start of a long, painful democratic transition, Mr Shifter believes: There will be significant actors within Chavismo who will see the writing on the wall. But for that to happen, citizens will need to make their weight felt and vote in significant numbers next Sunday, even if the Maduro government ultimately manages to fake, at least temporarily, an improbable electoral comeback. 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. SILVER CITY Terrell and Valerie Ramsey had the fixings Sunday morning: Homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee, their in-laws and a bright sunny morning on the first day of RAGBRAI. But as with many things on the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, they had to take the good with the bad. As they ate cinnamon rolls in the kitchen of a home where Valerie Ramsey's mom once lived, about four riders peed behind a shed across from their kitchen window. See thats the problem right there. Theyre peeing behind the shed, Terrell Ramsey said. Are they? No!" Valerie Ramsey said. No, one is blocking and one is peeing. A little girl was peeing," her husband replied. RAGBRAI riders stop in Silver City, Sunday, July 21, 2024. Over the years, rude riders and people urinating in lawns have been the scrooge of opponents of the event who say that riders are often disrespectful and that it's not worth the hassle. In 2022, Lance Hamann held what he intended to be a simple church fundraiser. Instead it turned into a rolling version of Woodstock with riders climbing on a bike sculpture he created. Still, Hamann left the experience grateful as he, his son and others on his property educated riders from metropolises about farm life and food sources. "This is a better experience than I thought it'd be," Hamann said in 2022. Silver City runs out of pie early Sunday Fog as thick as pea soup coated roads into Silver City between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Sunday. White-out conditions created travel conditions as dangerous as a winter storm. One rider crashed about 7.5 miles outside of Glenwood, where the ride started Sunday. But the fog mostly lifted by the time riders got to the Ramsey's house near the Silver City limits around 9 a.m., creating sunny conditions around 75 degrees. Numerous riders, including Iowa Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Luke Hoffman, rested in shade under trees on the Ramsey property. Terrell Ramsey, Valerie Ramsey and her parents Rex and Gloria Burgoin watched riders come through town on the porch of their house, which was built in 1914. Valerie Ramsey, left in the foreground, and Terrell Ramsey right in the foreground, and Rex and Gloria Burgoin, watch RAGBRAI riders pass through Silver City on Sunday July 21, 2024. Their experience was mostly positive. They got up at 5:30 a.m. to watch riders come through. They also watched it come through in 2003 and 2011. RAGBRAI also visited Silver City in 1980. "A guy came up to me from Savannah, Georgia, wanting to shoot the s---, Terrell Ramsey said. He saw I had a Harley Davidson hat on so he came up and talked about motorcycles. Gloria Burgoin has ridden RAGBRAI about a dozen times. Her husband, Rex, worked support as a support driver for the Pork Belly Ventures charter for 20 years. Terrell Ramsey is a former city councilperson in the town of about 250 residents and works as a machinist in a shop on Main Street, where an oatmeal vendor from New York state set up shop Sunday. Valerie Ramsey works as a nurse in the oncology department at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak. RAGBRAI will take Highway 48 out of Red Oak Monday morning, which Valerie Ramsey has to cross to get to work. Im going to be headed into it tomorrow, Valerie Ramsey said. RAGBRAI gave each pass-through town $5,000 to cover expenses. But it barely covered portable toilet rentals, Terrell Ramsey said. The city had to raise money from other sources to sell food for fundraisers, he said. They love RAGBRAI, but other than nuisances like riders peeing in yards, it stresses the town, Valerie Ramsey said. Its a lot, Valerie Ramsey said. Last time there werent as many vendors here. The town tried to feed everybody. There was a lot left over. I dont know with all the vendors in town how thats going to affect the businesses and nonprofits here. Riders make their way to the first pass-through town on the RAGBRAI route, Silver City, on Sunday, July 21, 2024. At 8 a.m. the town faced its first RAGBRAI crisis: The Silver City Historical Society ran out of pie. Terrell Ramsey's mom, his sister and a niece baked 400 slices. They offered to make more, but he told them to be prudent, make enough to make money and be done with it. You cant make pie to feed all these people, Terrell Ramsey said. There were a few hiccups, but overall the day felt great. On Friday, RAGBRAI Director Matt Phippen told staff members there would be challenges this week. Despite some rude riders, the town supported the venture, Terrell Ramsey said. "It causes some hardship for a town, but people are excited about it," Terrell Ramsey said. "I don't think it's a negative thing." Philip Joens is riding his 19th RAGBRAI. He has completed the river-to-river trek seven times. He covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register and can be reached at 515-284-8184 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowans shrug off peeing riders, grateful to watch RAGBRAI Day 1 route The Amherst County Planning Commission unanimously voted July 18 to recommend the approval of a companys request for a special exception permit for construction of a new solar farm capable of powering hundreds of homes. The 43-acre solar facility including 8.75 acres under about 15,600 panels planned by New Leaf Energy would be able to produce five megawatts of power per day, assuming the land receives a typical 10 to 12 hours of sunlight per day, company civil engineer Andrew Kavanaugh said. Its proposed location is the 700 block of Ebenezer Road in Amherst. The new facility is a part of Appalachian Power Companys shared solar program, which aims to increase access to clean energy and provide lower costs to those who enroll in the program, Claire Habel, the project developer, said. Shared solar programs connect people with solar farms and allow them to subscribe to electricity without owning solar panels themselves, writes the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The solar proposal is the first to be presented to the county following the board of supervisors updating the county solar ordinance to limit acreage to no more than 50 acres under panel in March. Commissioner Derin Foor said, I think [the project] checks all the boxes of the updated ordinance. A nearby resident expressed concern that the construction and operation of the solar facility could negatively impact nearby streams and lakes. They dont anticipate any effect to the lake well, what if theyre wrong? said Amherst property owner William Scott. The risk is too great for eight acres of solar panels. In response, New Leaf emphasized previously mentioned planned measures to protect the given and surrounding land, including maintaining the existing trees and foliage, bringing in native pollinating species for the vegetation, implementing a native vegetative firebreak around the entire solar facility, preserving a 100-foot buffer around a known family cemetery on the property, breaking the grading plan into three phases to mitigate any environmental mishaps during construction and following all regulations related to protecting nearby bodies of water. Kavanaugh added New Leaf has not received violations from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. New Leaf, based in Massachusetts, has several other projects in Virginia, representatives told the commission. Amherst resident Ed Wilkes, who lives across from the proposed site, explained his worry that the facility would disrupt the scenic views from his home and that the construction would generate noise and traffic. I dont believe its going to be a visual impact, Commissioner Jim Thompson told Wilkes. He assured Wilkes the planned buffers would ensure his view remained unindustrialized. Following New Leafs note that 36.34 acres of the site would be leased, Commissioner Leslie Gamble noted the idea that the company might sell the lease to someone else distressed her. Other than that, I think its a fabulous project, Gamble said. County Director of Community Development Tyler Creasey highlighted a section of the staffs recommended conditions that mandated any owner of the lease facility shall notify Amherst County within 48 hours of the lease being transferred to a new owner, he said. Construction of the utility-scale solar farm is estimated to take six to nine months if approved, Habel said. Lynchburg youths now have the opportunity to develop their leadership, teamwork as well as discipline skills through the Peaks View unit of the Young Marines, a national organization devoted to teaching and instilling the values of the Marine Corps in children ages eight to 18. Young Marines units began popping up across the country following the organizations founding in 1959, including a unit in Lynchburg that was eventually disbanded in 2008. Now, the program has returned to the city largely thanks to Unit Commander Justin Gregory, a former Young Marine himself. Gregory participated in the program in the 1990s before graduating high school and enlisting in the Marine Corps. He explained that the program had given him a great deal of fond memories, and he wanted todays Lynchburg youth population to have the same opportunities. The Young Marines [were] such a big part of my early development years, Gregory said. He added that his experience offered him the tools that set the stage for his future successes. In order to start the process of returning the program to Lynchburg, Gregory reached out to John Koda, another former Young Marine who served in the Marine Corps after high school. Koda, who now serves as the Peaks View units executive officer and oversees training, was happy to work with Gregory on the initiative. Weve had a lot of successful people come out of the Young Marines program, he said, and we want to try and bring that back. Gregory explained that his primary responsibilities in the program include ensuring smooth operation, supervising activities, engaging the kids and keeping them safe, maintaining records of attendance, achievements and promotions as well as finding volunteers. Those looking to participate in the program go through an application process to do so. The only prerequisite is that the applicant must be in good academic standing. After completing an orientation, the future Young Marines begin their journey with a boot camp, completing activities such as physical fitness exercises, team sports, drill, marching, drug-resistance training as well as class instruction on the history and interworkings of the military. Following the boot camp, the participants graduate and officially become Young Marines. They then complete similar tasks with the addition of activities such as visiting military bases and museums as well as completing community service. Were really trying to create that pride of being a citizen in this great county, Gregory said. Koda looks forward to aspects of the program that make a positive impact on our youth such as its color guard, drill and silent drill teams as well as hands-on activities like airsoft shooting. More information, including the program application, can be found at youngmarines.org. TOKYO, Jul 21 (News On Japan) - Tsutomu Shirosaki, a former member of the Japanese Red Army, who was serving time for his involvement in the 1986 attack on the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, died on the 20th of July at the age of 76. According to sources, Shirosaki passed away at Fuchu Prison in Tokyo. It is reported that he choked on his dinner. Shirosaki was convicted for his role in the "Jakarta Incident" of 1986, where explosives were launched at the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia. He was serving a prison sentence at Fuchu Prison for attempted murder and other charges related to the incident. Source: ANN TOKYO, Jul 22 (News On Japan) - The demand for advanced semiconductors, driven by AI technology, is rapidly increasing, creating high expectations for Japanese semiconductor material manufacturers. We spoke with Takahashi, CEO of Resonac, a leading manufacturer in semiconductor materials, about Japan's competitive advantages. Resonac, formed from the merger of the former Showa Denko and Hitachi Chemical, is a top-tier semiconductor materials manufacturer. Semiconductor production involves front-end processes for circuit formation and back-end processes for packaging, with Resonac excelling in the latter. The company holds a leading global share in six types of materials used in back-end processes. Semiconductor materials must protect circuits from thermal shock, ensure insulation, adhesion, and heat resistance. The rise of AI-generated content has boosted the demand for advanced semiconductors. A key focus in enhancing performance is advanced packaging, which involves stacking multiple chips with different functions into a single package. Resonac's materials, particularly their adhesive sheets, are in high demand. These sheets ensure secure attachment of memory chips, connect electrodes, and maintain uniform thinness, enhancing computing power and reducing energy consumption. To explore Resonac's strengths, we visited their development hub in Kawasaki. The Packaging Solution Center, an open development facility, houses all back-end manufacturing equipment, significantly accelerating development speeds. Additionally, Resonac has established the Joint 2 consortium with 14 other companies to address next-generation semiconductor manufacturing challenges. Japan remains strong in materials, equipment, and substrates. The challenge lies in maintaining and expanding this strength through collaboration rather than competition. Resonac's formation stemmed from Showa Denko's acquisition of Hitachi Chemical for 960 billion yen, orchestrated by Takahashi, then the head of strategic planning. Takahashi views Resonac's formation as creating a new company, considering himself a founder. Resonac aims to evolve from a petrochemical-centered company to a global leader in functional materials. A key focus for Takahashi is fostering competitive talent. Imai, the head of HR, emphasizes that the core of the company's value lies in innovative, front-line personnel collaborating across divisions. At a recent "Moyamoya" meeting in Kawasaki, employees voiced concerns and brainstormed solutions using Resonac's core values. Takahashi and Imai have held 50 such meetings, fostering a culture of open dialogue. Ensuring psychological safety is vital for fostering innovation. In an interview, Takahashi discussed Japan's semiconductor strength. While Japan's semiconductor companies have declined, equipment and materials companies remain strong, holding the top global shares in many back-end materials. Resonac excels in combining resin-based organic materials with inorganic fillers, a process that requires extensive collaboration with customers to optimize formulations. The Joint 2 consortium enables simultaneous collaboration with equipment and material manufacturers, enhancing development efficiency. This consortium is crucial for developing next-generation packaging solutions, which involve stacking memory and logic chips on a single substrate. Resonac is also establishing a similar platform in Silicon Valley, anticipating that tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon will design their own AI semiconductors. This US Joint initiative aims to align with these companies from the concept stage, ensuring Resonac's materials meet future needs. Takahashi sees continuous innovation and collaboration as keys to maintaining Resonac's competitive edge in the rapidly growing semiconductor market. Source: TBS TOKYO, Jul 22 (News On Japan) - The fireworks festival scheduled to be held in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, was canceled approximately 20 minutes before it was set to begin due to the threat of lightning. The Arakawa riverside in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, was set to host the 'Adachi Fireworks' festival on July 20th, with around 13,000 fireworks to be launched from 7:20 p.m. However, about 20 minutes before the start, the event was called off. According to Adachi Ward and other organizers, announcements were made at the venue urging attendees to return home, and security staff guided the crowd. It was reported that there was no significant confusion. Last year, approximately 740,000 people attended the 'Adachi Fireworks', and a similar turnout was expected this year. The decision was made with a primary focus on human life, considering the threat of lightning. In the Kanto region, the atmospheric conditions were unstable, and from the afternoon of July 20th, various areas, including Tokyo, experienced sudden heavy rain accompanied by lightning. Source: TBS HIROSHIMA, Jul 22 (News On Japan) - A junior high school girl drowned on Sunday while trying to save her younger sister at a beach in Saka Town, Hiroshima. According to the fire department, just before 11 a.m. on July 21st, the manager of Bayside Beach Saka in Saka Town reported that a girl might have been swept away and drowned, and her whereabouts were unknown. After a search involving helicopters and boats, the girl was found near the seabed about an hour and a half later in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. She was transported to a hospital, where her death was confirmed. According to the police, the girl had been visiting the beach with her family and had tried to rescue her younger sister, who was about to drown. Source: FNN TOKYO, Jul 22 (News On Japan) - Japan's space business, predicted to grow into a 200 trillion yen industry, is on the cusp of innovation as global competition intensifies. Associate Professor Masashi Miura from the JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, who founded the JAXA-affiliated venture Rocket Link Technology last year, is spearheading the development of cost-effective rockets by incorporating groundbreaking technology into solid rocket fuel. With tens of thousands of satellite launches planned worldwide, can Miura's vision for Japan's space development spark a revolution? Novelist Jin Mayama delves into Miura's aspirations for the future of Japan's space industry. This time, Mayama explores a passionate pioneer in space development. After a 40-year gap, Miura is tackling a project through a JAXA-born venture. Hes a fascinating character, and I hope everyone enjoys reading about him. Renowned for his economic novels and diverse human dramas, novelist Mayama gets up close with pioneers shaping the future. Fifty-five years ago today, Apollo 11 made history by landing on the moon. Half a century later, the world has entered a new era of space development, with private companies joining the fray and competition intensifying. The market is projected to grow to 200 trillion yen. What does the future hold for Japan? For many, space projects may seem like a waste, often sparking debates on the potential benefits. However, beyond national projects, the space industry as a commercial venture is gaining momentum in Japan, thanks to emerging start-ups like Rocket Link Technology. Rocket Link Technology, led by Miura, focuses on solid rocket fuel, a key technology for rockets. Miura, also an associate professor at the JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, has overseen various cutting-edge projects, including the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer, which successfully returned samples from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth. Next to Hayabusa2 in the institute is the unmanned probe SLIM, which achieved Japan's first successful moon landing earlier this year. Miura explains the significance of solid rocket fuel: "It burns rapidly, providing a powerful thrust essential for launches. Japan has been a leader in solid rocket fuel technology since the Pencil Rocket era, and we continue to develop world-class capabilities." Global space competition is fierce. Last year, India succeeded in landing a probe on the moon ahead of Japan. China, too, made headlines by landing a probe on the far side of the moon and returning samples to Earth, a world first. Meanwhile, established space powers like the United States and Russia have long been investing heavily in space exploration. Miura emphasizes the budgetary constraints Japan faces, with limited funding compared to other nations. While other countries have industrialized their space endeavors, Japan is still catching up. In this context, Miura and his team at Rocket Link Technology are working to transform Japans space industry. Their breakthrough technology, imbued with JAXAs pioneering spirit, aims to make a significant impact on the global stage. Source: BIZ KYOTO, Jul 22 (News On Japan) - Japan experienced a scorching heatwave over the first weekend of summer vacation, with temperatures soaring from Okinawa to Hokkaido. Despite comprehensive heatstroke measures at festivals, numerous incidents were reported. In Hyogo, guerrilla thunderstorms caused severe weather, with intense rain and wind shaking cars and frequent lightning. Meanwhile, Kumagaya in Saitama held its annual Uchiwa Festival in over 40C heat, emphasizing extensive heatstroke precautions. Despite this, some festival-goers needed medical attention. Kyoto's Blue Impulse air show captivated spectators despite the 37.3C heat, and the end of the rainy season brought high temperatures to Hiroshima and Osaka. Sunflowers bloomed in Sayo Town, Hyogo, while children enjoyed summer activities in Fukushima. A tragic drowning incident occurred at a beach in Saka Town, Hiroshima, where a 13-year-old girl drowned. Record-breaking heat affected much of Japan, with heatstroke alerts issued for 34 prefectures. Over 800 locations exceeded 30C, covering about 90% of the country. In contrast, the Otake Limestone Cave in Akiruno City, Tokyo, offered a cool refuge with temperatures around 11-13C, attracting many visitors seeking relief from the intense heat. By Victor Ahiuma-Young .Task LG chairmen on people-oriented projects The Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, DSTRC, has called on the Federal and the Delta State Governments to immediately begin the reconstruction of Okuama community destroyed in the aftermath of the brutal killing of 17 soldiers in March this year. In a four point communique issued at the end of their meeting in Asaba, the royal fathers also implored the newly elected Local Government Council chairmen to embark on people-oriented projects. The Chairman of DSTRC, and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major General Felix Mujakpuero Rtd, Orhue 1, who presented the communique, said The reconstruction of Okuama Community will alleviate the sufferings of the people and facilitate the early return of the displaced residents to their ancestral home. We want to specially thank the leadership of the Ukoko Irie Urhobo led by its Chairman and Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom who recently visited Okuama Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp at Okuama community and presented several food items to the embattled people. This gesture will go along way to alleviate their sufferings. It will also be a great relief to the people particularly in meeting their daily basic needs. We congratulate the newly elected Council Chairmen on their electoral victory. We urge them to embark on meaningful development projects in their various Council areas to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate. The monarchs commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of the state for the various developmental projects being commissioned across Delta State particularly the Ibusa/ Okpanam bypass to decongest vehicular traffic around the Koka junction and reduce man hour loss in gridlock along the Okpanam / Koka junction corridor. During the Council -in session, the Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in charge of Delta, Edo and Ondo States, Mr Effa Okim, solicited for the support of the monarchs in addressing the moral decadence among youths. He appealed that youths should return back to the core Traditional values of hardwork, honesty, perseverance and shun the-get- rich syndrome which has triggered high incidence of corruption , cyber crime, internet fraud and other forms of criminality in the country. The meeting was attended by Traditional Rulers from across the three senatorial districts including the 1st vice Chairman and Pere of Akugbene Mien, Pere SP Luke Kalanama V111, the 2nd Vice Chairman and Obi of Ubulu Unor, Agbogidi Henry Kikachukwu 1 PHD and the immediate past Chairman of the Council and Obi of OWA, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor 11 among others. By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka THE governing council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has sacked Professor Joseph Ikechebelu after two months in office. In his place, the Council appointed a law teacher, Prof Carol Umobi as as the Acting Vice-Chancellor. Ikechebelu took over from the former Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, whose tenure ended in May this year. A letter from the governing council of the university, which was signed by the chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe congratulated Umobi on her appointment. The appointment letter which was presented to Umobi read: Dear Professor Umobi, APPOINTMENT AS ACTING VICE-CHANCELLOR OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY 1 am pleased to inform you that by the provisions of Section 4 of First Schedule, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act CAP 139, LFN 2004 as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amended) Act 2007, the Governing Council has approved your appointment as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on the recommendation of the University Senate. Your appointment is for a period not later than six (6) months, effective Monday, July 22, 2024. The terms and conditions of your appointment are as approved by the Federal Government for all Federal Universities. On behalf of the Governing Council, 1 extend our warmest congratulations on your appointment. We have full confidence in your ability to lead our esteemed institution during this period and wish you great success in this rule. Please note that a copy of this letter is being forwarded to the Honourable Minister of Education for the information of the Visitor to the University. Before the appointment of Umobi, there was tension in the university and a detachment of soldiers and the police positioned themselves in front of the Senate building where the emergency meeting of the governing council took place. It was gathered that the new chairman of the governing, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe had convened an emergency meeting of the council, primarily for the removayof Ikechebelu as Acting Vice Chancellor. Earlier, a memo from the university stated that two professors of the university were positioned to replace Ikechebelu. They were Professor Carol Arinze-Umeobi and Professor F. J. C. Odibo. It was learnt that the Mbadiwe led council had empowered a few professors in the university to hold the Senate meeting, and had penciled down the two professors, with the aim of removing Ikechebelu. After their meeting, a memo released therefrom read: RESOLUTION OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF SENATE HELD ON 19 JULY, 2024 AT THE UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM In response to the memo by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, titled RE: APPOINTMENT OF ACTING VICE-CHANCELLOR dated July 11, 2024, requesting the Secretary to Council to convey to the Senate the directive of the Governing Council to nominate and furnish the Council with the names of two (2) former Deputy Vice-Chancellors who are above 66 years, but below 70 years for consideration for appointment to the position of Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the Senate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in the emergency meeting of this day, Friday, July 19, 2024, nominated the following as the only two qualified candidates for Council consideration: (1) Professor Carol Arinze-Umeobi. Date of birth: 7" July, 1957 Retirement Date: 7 July, 2027 (2) Professor F. J. C. Odibo Date of birth: 13 April, 1955 Retirement Date 13" April, 2025, The bodies of a couple, Briton Sarah Packwood and her Canadian husband Brett Clibbery have been discovered on a washed-up life raft nearly six weeks after they embarked on a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean. The couple, who set off from Nova Scotia in their 13-meter (42-foot) eco-friendly yacht, Theros, were last seen on 12 July when their life raft was found on Sable Island near Nova Scotia. Sarah Packwood and Brett Clibbery were reported missing on 18 June, having departed Nova Scotia a week earlier with plans to sail to the Azores, approximately 3,228 kilometers away. The journey was expected to take 21 days. In a Facebook post, Mr. Clibberys son, James, confirmed the couples deaths, expressing the profound grief felt by their family. He wrote, There isnt anything that will fill the hole that has been left by their, so far unexplained passing. The circumstances surrounding the couples tragic end remain unclear, and an investigation is currently underway, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told the BBC on Sunday. One theory being explored by investigators is that the yacht may have been struck by a passing cargo ship that did not notice the collision. According to Canadian news website Saltwire, an anonymous source suggested that the sailboat crew might have been unable to avoid the collision or could have been below deck with Theros on automatic pilot. The Canadian coastguard and military aircraft have not located any wreckage or signs of the boat, Saltwire reported. In a video posted to their YouTube channel, Theros Adventures, the couple detailed their ambitious Green Odyssey trip, which aimed to demonstrate sustainable travel using sails, solar panels, batteries, and an electric engine repurposed from a car. Were doing everything we can to show that you can travel without burning fossil fuels, Mr. Clibbery said in the video from 12 April. Ms. Packwood added, Its probably the biggest adventure of our lives so far. The couples journey began with a chance meeting in London in 2015, when Ms. Packwood was preparing to donate a kidney to her sister, and Mr. Clibbery, a retired engineer, was visiting the city. They married a year later on their yacht in Canada and reaffirmed their vows in a traditional handfasting ceremony at Stonehenge in 2017, as detailed in Ms. Packwoods personal blog. By Chijindu Emeruwa The Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has backed calls for part-time legislature at both federal and state levels. Senator Kalu, who represents APC from the Abia North senatorial district said this would help the nation cut costs and enhance the citizenrys trust in the polity. The former Abia Governor said this during an interview over the weekend. On calls for a part-time legislature, Senator Kalu said, I think it will be a very good idea if my colleagues and other members of the Houses of Assembly will agree that we can sit for three months and do constitutional amendment first. So we can sit four times a year and if theres any emergency, there will be emergency sitting. We can come to do a presidential bid on that basis and go back instead of sitting on a full-time basis. Not only the Senate and the House of Representatives but all the legislative houses in Nigeria will be part-time. Senator Kalu maintained that this would be part of austerity measures to reduce the cost of governance, arguing that regional government is another viable alternative. If were going for a regional government, it also means that the ministers, the legislators, will be the same. Ive been tinkering with the idea of how we can save money to run Nigeria because the country needs money. I will encourage the President, the National Assembly to make these kinds of laws. This will help him, and this will help the system, and this will help everybody, he said. The ex-governor explained that contrary to misconceptions among Nigerians, senators are not paid enough. But I want Nigerians and my colleagues to do a quick constitutional amendment so we can go and be a part-time sitting Senate and part-time sitting House of Representatives and other 36 state houses of assembly in Nigeria. That will bring trust and bring relief to the Nigerian people, the ex-governor said. The Algerian regime has been smacked with the remarks of U.S. Ambassador to Algeria Elizabeth Moore Aubin who affirmed that the American recognition of Moroccos full sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory is a historical fact and an irreversible decision as evidenced by the Biden Administration which has maintained the U.S. stand announced by former President Donald Trump. In an interview with Algerian newspaper La Patrie News (close to ruling junta), the U.S. diplomat confirmed the unchanged position of the United States on the Moroccanness of the Sahara, dealing a hard blow to the Algerian rulers who spent billions of Algerian taxpayers money on a lost cause. I arrived in Algeria in February of 2022, ex-President Trump announced U.S. recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara in 2020, and President Biden maintained the decision because its a historical fact, said the U.S. Ambassador. In parallel, the Biden administration took a different path, supporting the leadership of the United Nations, through the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for Sahara to find a lasting solution to the Sahara issue, said Mrs. Moore Aubin. Asked about Washingtons opposition to self-determination referendum in the Sahara and its vision for resolving the conflict, the U.S. ambassador said: the solution we want is one that meets the needs of the Sahrawi people, describing Moroccos autonomy plan offered for the Sahara under its sovereignty as a viable solution. Since 2008, We have not changed our view and stand on the Sahara, underlined the U.S. ambassador, giving the Algerian authorities a bitter reality check about the failure of their anti-Moroccan policy, while their military and financial supports of the Polisario are becoming a liability and a threat to regional stability. A woman wipes her face during a vigil for Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief shot and killed at a weekend rally for former President Donald Trump, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. Matt Slocum/AP The funeral procession for Corey Comperatore passes, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Sarver, Pa. Comperatore, a former fire chief, was shot and killed while attending a weekend rally for former President Donald Trump. Matt Slocum/AP For Texas youngsters not too many years ago usually boys, occasionally girls a gun represented a more common rite of passage. Graduating at a tender age from leather-holstered cap pistols and backyard shoot-outs with black-hatted bad guys astride broomstick horses, a kid anticipated the next step: a long, narrow package under the Christmas tree signaling that Santa had dropped in with a Daisy Red Ryder BB rifle in his gift arsenal. Daisy was, and is, the BB gun manufacturer. Red Ryder was a popular comic strip character, who, with his Native American sidekick Little Beaver, rode the range and kept the peace in the 1890s, Red astride his mighty steed Thunder, Little Beaver trying to keep up on a pony called Papoose. Back then, a few years firing BBs at tin cans or birds (or another kids rear end) might lead during the early teen years to a real gun a .410 shotgun for dove or quail hunting with dad, maybe at some point a .22 rifle for deer hunting, almost always accompanied by strict instructions about gun safety. The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump by a young man barely out of his teens is the latest horrific example that things have changed drastically in this country since Red Ryder and his pal rode off into the sunset. Too many youngsters around the country seem to be skipping the BB guns phase and, with various levels of parental acquiescence, graduating to weapons of war designed not just to kill human beings, but to pulverize them. These days, birds and squirrels are relatively safe; humans are the hunted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We live with that fatalistic reality, a reality so disturbing that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a first-ever advisory last month declaring gun violence a national public health crisis. Murthy recommended that we start taking firearm violence as seriously as the alarming statistics: Since 2020, for example, firearm-related injury has been the leading cause of death for U.S. children and adolescents, ages 1 to 19. Heres another statistic that underscores how our national gun obsession warps everyday life: In 2021, gun deaths hit a three-decade high, driven by increases in homicides and suicides. The 20-year-old shooter at the Trump rally July 13 used an AR-15 his father had bought a dozen or so years ago and apparently kept around the house. Firing his military weapon from about 450 feet away, the shooter reportedly came within a quarter of an inch of killing a once and perhaps future president. Incidentally, USA Today reported that the brand of the rifle, DPMS, is now owned by the parent of South Carolina-based Palmetto State armory, which Trump visited just last year on the campaign trail, snapping photos with the owner and admiring the grip of a Glock engraved with his face. Although the would-be assassins weapon of choice has been used to destroy human beings in schools, movie theaters, churches and grocery stores, it had never been used to try to assassinate a former president. Until that Saturday. Im not supposed to be here tonight, Trump on Thursday told a Republican National Convention crowd that stood riveted, some in tears, as he recounted the shooting. Yes you are! the crowd chanted back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thank you, but Im not, Trump responded. And Ill tell you, I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of Almighty God. One of the rally attendees didnt survive. Corey Comperatore, a small-town firefighter and engineer, died trying to shield his family. Two other people suffered critical injuries but Trump said they were on the mend. The Pennsylvania shooter, shot and killed by law enforcement after he fired at Trump, appears to have taken advantage of family inattention or irresponsibility in obtaining his fathers weapon. Hes not the first. An uncle, perhaps unwittingly, drove the18-year-old Uvalde shooter to the gun store to buy the AR-15 he used to slaughter 19 schoolchildren and two teachers in May 2022. After a 19-year-old fatally shot seven people at a Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago, also in 2022, his father, Robert Crimo Jr, initially faced several felony counts of reckless conduct. Prosecutors said he helped his son acquire the guns despite warnings that he could be a public safety risk. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As far back as 2012, Nancy Lanza, the mother of a 21-year-old who killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, collected powerful weapons and began taking her deeply troubled son to shooting ranges to practice using her guns together. Her son used her .22-caliber Savage Mark II rifle to kill her first. Earlier this year, Jennifer and James Crumbley of Michigan became the first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. They were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for ignoring signs that their 15-year-old son was a danger to himself and others. For Christmas one year, his parents had bought him a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun. In 2021, he took the gun to school and murdered four of his classmates, injuring seven more. So, this is the world we live in or, rather, this is the nation we live in, a nation where approximately 400 million guns are in circulation, including some 20 million of the AR-15 military-style rifles; where more than 1,500 school shootings have occurred since 1997, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Tens of thousands of gun deaths every year are a uniquely American phenomenon. Other nations have dealt with outbursts of gun violence by taking swift and effective action; Australia and New Zealand come to mind. In this country, courts, Congress and state legislatures, not to mention well-funded lobbying organizations, make it almost impossible to take sensible action. We choose to live with the threat, or, more precisely, to die with it. Just last week, a federal appeals court ruled that Minnesotas ban preventing residents ages 18 to 20 from carrying handguns in public is unconstitutional. It was merely the latest of numerous gun laws overturned after the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark decision last month that said gun laws must align with history and tradition. If Trump returns to the White House, sensible gun-safety measures will likely become history (despite his own brush with dying at the hands of a shooter). Advertisement Article continues below this ad If a nation has to acquiesce to gun ubiquity, there has to be another way to protect ourselves. Surgeon General Murthys recommendation is a long-range proposal designed to support research and apply science to the gun-violence crisis. Under the rubric national crisis, institutions and experts will collect data, develop and test prevention strategies and endorse programs found to be effective. (We might find out, for example, whether holding parents responsible for their childrens actions is an effective technique.) Declaring gun violence a public-health crisis, Murthy hopes, will lead eventually to reforms similar to those that brought about drastic reductions in deaths and injuries from tobacco and from motor-vehicle crashes. I want people to understand the full impact of firearm violence in our country, and I want them to see it as a public health issue, Murthy said in a Washington Post interview. I know its been polarizing, and I know its been politicized, but if we can see it as a public health issue, we can come together and implement a public health solution. Once upon a time, Americans smoked on airplanes and in restaurants and theaters; smokers some years back died of cancer at alarming levels. Once upon a time, motorists entrusted their lives to vehicles unsafe at any speed. Over time, we managed to implement life-saving reforms. In the face of our gun obsession, those efforts seem almost as quaint as Red Ryder and his buddy, Little Beaver (who, by the way, relied on a bow and arrow to help subdue the bad guys). Gun-safety advocates may feel like theyre astride Little Beavers pony Papoose in their daunting battle with the gun lobby, but they must not surrender. Labeling gun violence a crisis is the least they can do and, these days, probably the most. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, earlier this week, led a delegation to Niger to discuss uranium supplies, Bloomberg reported. The delegation wants to tap Nigerien supplies of the fissile mineral to fuel Turkeys nascent nuclear-power industry, it said. The two parties agreed to boost cooperation on energy, mining, intelligence, and defense, at a time Niger saw its ties with its traditional western partners worsen following the military coup. Niger, following the example of its neighbors, Mali and Burkina Faso, has asked western troops to leave the country, while building a stronger alliance with Russia. Last month, Iran reportedly bought 300 tons of uranium from Niger to be used for its nuclear program in exchange of drones and surface-to-air missiles, London-based media Iran International reported. French Le Monde also confirmed the deal between Iran and Niger, noting that the mine in Arlit where concentrated uranium is abundant is extracted by French company Orano. Nigers authorities denied the deal. Tunisias Kais Saied, who made the unsurprising announcement of his re-election bid, has been using the judiciary to ban political opponents from partaking in October 6 elections, amid worsening economic prospects and social stability. Saied made his re-election bid public the same day a court in Tunis handed an eight-month in prison sentence to leader of the Republican Union Party Lotfi Mraihi, an outspoken critic of Kais Saied. The same court banned Mraihi from running for election for life accusing him of using money to influence voters, a charge he denied. Speaking on a video, Saied dismissed his opponents as traitors and asked citizens to be warry of them! Saying he runs for elections to continue to battle for national liberation. Saied has been surfing on a tide of populist rhetoric, accusing the opponents of his authoritarian rule by being agents of foreign powers. He went further to stoke racism and xenophobia by pinning self-inflicted economic hardships on poor migrants using Tunisia as a transit to Europe. Saied, who concentrated all powers in his firm grip, has dismantled parliament in 2021 and undermined the independence of the judiciary, which he has recently used to silence critics and presidential presidency candidates. Potential candidate, Abir Moussi, a vocal critic of Saied and head of the Free Destourian Party, has been jailed since October last year. Issam Chebbi, a leader of the main opposition National Salvation Front who was arrested in February 2023 for plotting against the state, dropped out of the race on Thursday, his party said. Abdellatif Mekki, a former health minister and leader of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha movement who now heads the Amal w Injaz party, also said last month he was withdrawing his candidacy. Tunisias rights watchdog I Watch denounced complicated procedures and a methodical absence of transparency for elections in the North African country. Photo: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images President Joe Biden announced Sunday he is dropping his reelection bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee to run against Donald Trump this fall. Democrats have since rallied behind Harris so completely that its now a matter of when, not if, she will receive the nomination and select a VP. Below are live updates on this developing story. This post has been updated. Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images It took 24 days from President Bidens befuddled debate performance to persuade him to surrender the job hes been working toward for more than five decades. It may have felt like months, but history will record that the Democratic Party made a dramatic course correction in rapid time. The Democrats had been drifting slowly toward disaster for two years, paralyzed by an inability to organize an alternative to Biden, whose abilities had obviously declined since his election (when he was a slower but still-recognizable version of his vice-presidential persona). Gleeful Republicans seized upon the dysfunction, which seemed to mitigate the humiliation they felt over Donald Trumps takeover of their party. You see, they sneered, we are not so different after all. Republicans were not alone in their helplessness. But the Democrats, contrary to Will Rogerss famous quip, turn out to be an organized political party, after all. And Biden turns out to be a very different man from Trump not only in his respect for democratic norms and basic human decency but in his willingness to subsume his personal goals for the greater good. He has an ego, yes, but it is bounded. And he is willing to surrender power rather than tear down the Republic to hold onto it. At the same time that the Democratic Party was loudly organizing a campaign to persuade Biden to step down, it was quietly assessing its alternatives. That apparent choice is Vice-President Kamala Harris. The evolution in her appraisal over the past three and a half weeks has been subtle, and much quieter than the public effort to un-draft Biden, but revealing. A party that once had little confidence in her political abilities now regards them with optimism (if not quite confidence). My assessment of Harriss political skills has also risen during this period. For a time in 2019, I thought Harris might be the Democrats best nominee. That time was short and unhappy. Harriss campaign was a misery, beset by disorganization and fundamentally misguided strategy: She was trying to appease progressive activist groups that commanded a much smaller percentage of the partys actual voting base than most candidates and journalists understood at the time. She forfeited her primary biographical advantage, as a tough prosecutor, in a failed effort to chase what turned out to be a minuscule pool of voters and ceded the ground she had once inhabited to Biden, who won the nomination by staying in the same place he had stood since his vice-presidency. Her performance as vice-president won few raves. But the job of a vice-president is difficult to measure. It is mostly rumors and vibes. Since Bidens debate, Harriss words have attracted Talmudic levels of scrutiny. She has navigated an extremely difficult situation deftly simultaneously previewing the messages she would use if nominated without giving the faintest whiff of disloyalty. That itself is a feat of discipline many politicians could have failed. Her rhetoric during this period has been relentlessly strategic. She is hitting Trump over his threat to abortion rights, his radical plutocratic agenda, and his criminality. The rumors around Harriss possible selections for a running mate have also been promising. The three names that have circulated are Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and Andy Beshear of Kentucky the three most moderate governors in the party. What this leak indicates is that Harris understands the assignment. She is no longer running for the approval of the California Democratic Party or the left-wing NGO apparatus. Her fate will rise and fall almost entirely on the question of whether she can convince a few hundred thousand voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and Omaha, Nebraska, that she is not too liberal. Thats the job. Enthusiasm of the base? Not a problem. The base consists of people who vote for you every time, and theyre ecstatic. Raising money? Shes going to need a bigger bank account. All at once, the Democratic Party has roused itself from the torpor that has defined its mood for the last year and risen to the task before it. The members of the party will not just surrender to the inevitability of a mentally disordered aspiring caudillo getting his hands on the worlds most powerful democratic government. They did not go gently into that good night. Two years of drift and decay has disappeared instantly into a blinding light of hope. The cop against the criminal. Lets do this. Correction: This column originally misidentified the contested electoral vote as taking place in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is in Omaha. I swear if they try to cancel it... Reply Thread Link itsbeen84years.gif I would absolutely be here for an Old Guard franchise of movies. The cast was fantastic and they have a practically limitless universe/timespan to tell stories in. I know the movies are based on the comics which I haven't read so idk if there's a set plot already but yeah, give me everything please. Reply Thread Link The first movie diverted enough from the comics that they wouldnt really be able to make the second film follow along without changes. If Im remembering right, in the comics Andy doesnt regain a sense of purpose. Reply Parent Thread Link No it ends on a cliffhanger where it seems she lost all hope and she went to join Noriko. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I hate how long Netflix and the others are holding onto properties nowadays. And they just continue to raise prices left and right. Reply Thread Link They better give it to me soon. I'm still so excited for it. I don't know why but I just don't get sick of watching it. I would love for it to be a franchise. The cast had good chemistry and I liked the fight sequences. Reply Thread Link Netflix u are my enemy Reply Thread Link Oh man, this better not go down the route of already filmed but cancelled movies. I really loved the first one and want to see more of that world and characters! I don't care if some of it was a bit cheesy (song choices I'm looking at you) I sometimes just want a silly action movie I can melt into. Reply Thread Link GIVE ME THIS GOD DAMN MOVIE NOW Reply Thread Link Give it to me now GDI Reply Thread Link along with new cast members Uma Thurman and Henry Golding RELEASE IT NOW COWARDS I WANT TO SEE HENRY!!! Reply Thread Link Really hoping they will finally release it! These are the kind of ~business decisions~ that make absolutely no sense to me. This is one of the few pieces of art I know where the adaptation is an improvement compared to the original. Im really curious to see tho how they will handle the story going forward as some of the changes they made create more questions/issues around what happens in the comics. Reply Thread Link The writer of the comics also wrote both movies, so I'm sure he knows what he's doing haha Reply Parent Thread Link I hope my comment didnt come out as I think the comics were bad because that wasnt my intent! But I do think its a case where the writer was able to improve/fix things while revisiting his work. (As I understand some of that was due to Therons influence on her character as well.) Reply Parent Thread Link Time for a rewatch. I didnt even know they already filmed the 2nd one. Reply Thread Link Yeah, two years ago now LOL. Reply Parent Thread Link What about the Atomic Blonde sequel that they were supposedly making. Netflix is a mess unless they're pushing Stranger Things. Reply Thread Link I don't care who makes it, but I need that promised Atomic Blonde 2!! Also the Old Guard sequel. Keeping Charlize from us like this is a crime tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Netflix, I swear to God. Reply Thread Link Netflix doesn't like nice things. Reply Parent Thread Link GIVE IT TO ME NAAAAAOOOOOWWWWWWW Reply Thread Link I forgot this movie even existed. Add it to the endless list of things lost to the covid time vacuum, and with the strikes causing further delays its not entirely surprising that Netflix is hitting breaks on it. People have moved on. Reply Thread Link Kazakhstan is pressing ahead with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to develop electricity export capacity, even as Astana faces challenges in securing the power needed to fuel domestic economic growth. The Kazakh Ministry of Energy has published for public comment a draft agreement on its strategic green-energy partnership with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The agreement would put some flesh on the bones of a memorandum of intent the three countries signed in May. Emphasizing the importance of green and clean energy in global action to combat climate change, the Parties encourage mutual cooperation in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, green hydrogen and green ammonia to improve energy system security and the stability of supply, the draft states. The draft goes on to commit Kazakhstan to jointly implement new energy infrastructure initiatives that will contribute to the diversification of energy supplies and transit routes in Europe, Central Asia and the Caspian region. It also declares an intention to achieve rapid, deep and sustainable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The parties likewise express interest in facilitating the interconnection of the energy systems of Central Asia and Azerbaijan for the purpose of sustainable export of green energy and broad strategic energy expansion. The trilateral initiatives main market for green energy appears to be the European Union, which has contended with energy shortages and high costs, due to the disruption caused by the Kremlins unprovoked attack on Ukraine and the resulting imposition of sanctions on Russia As outlined in the memorandum of intent signed in May, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan seek to lay a high-voltage power transmission line on the Caspian seabed to facilitate Westward-bound electricity exports. Neither Julys draft agreement nor the May memo provide insight into key details, including investment costs, specific infrastructure projects and construction timelines. Climate and geographic conditions in Kazakhstan, with its vast windswept steppes, create favorable conditions for the development of wind-power plants. According to the Ministry of Energy, the energy potential of wind energy in the country is at least 920 billion kWh per year. Kazakhstan is actively developing its green energy potential. Today, renewable energy sources account for only about 6 percent of total power generation in Kazakhstan, while coal-fired production accounts for about 80 percent. Under an ambitious government plan, however, the green-energy share of power production is set to rise to 15 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050. If the government keeps to those targets, some experts question where all the power production will come from to meet export ambitions and growing domestic needs. A Russian media outlet cited Kazakh energy expert Olzhas Baidildinov as saying Kazakhstan will face an electricity deficit of about 6 Gigawatts by 2030. The wild card in Kazakhstans power-generation deck is atomic energy. In June, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced an intention to hold a nationwide referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, a country that served as the Kremlins main atomic proving ground during the Soviet era and has the environmental scars to prove it. A nuclear plant could provide for domestic needs, leaving production from wind and hydro sources for export. Despite the legacy of atomic-inflicted harm on Kazakhstans environment, polls indicate that slightly more Kazakh citizens support the construction of a nuclear facility than oppose it. But attitudes could shift depending on which entity might be tapped to build a plant. Some local observers believe Rosatom, the Russian state-controlled entity, has an inside track on securing the contract, in the event the Kazakh government proceeds with plant plans. But given the checkered history of Soviet/Russian nuclear energy, a Russian design may raise the level of popular opposition to plant construction more than would a French-, South Korean- or even Chinese-built facility. No date has yet been set for the referendum. By Almaz Kumenov via Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend a UK Cabinet meeting to discuss strategies aimed at further disrupting Russian oil sales as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to reverberate through global oil markets. While critics of Western sanctions against Russia have argued against their effectiveness, Zelensky's presence at such a high-level meeting speaks to Ukraines push to weaken Russias economic foundation, which is heavily reliant on its oil exports. The timing of this initiative is curious. Russia, in response to Western sanctions, has recently decided to cut its crude oil exports to retain more barrels for domestic refiners as the nations refineries come back online after maintenance and drone attack repairs. Russias oil exports are now at the lowest level since January, and will likely stay that way through the warm months, resulting in a fewer barrels offered to Asia, who has been feeding on Russias cheap crude since the sanctions began after Russia invaded Ukraine. While Russia sends more of its crude to its own refineries, it appears that the West, led by the UK, is doubling down on its efforts to further strain the Russian economy by targeting its oil sales. The Battle Over Energy Sanctions The primary focus of these sanctions is to cut off the financial lifeline that Russia's oil exports provide, thereby diminishing its ability to fund the war effort in Ukraine. Energy sanctions have emerged as a powerful tool in this regard, but their effectiveness and impact are subject to intense debate. Western nations, particularly the United States and the European Union, have been at the forefront of imposing sanctions on Russian energy exports. These measures were designed to reduce Russia's oil revenue, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP and federal budget. However, the global nature of the oil market complicates these efforts. While Western nations have cut back on Russian oil imports, countries like China and India have stepped in to fill the gap, purchasing Russian crude at mouthwatering discounted prices. This realignment has softened the wishful blow to Russias economy, but it has also exposed the vulnerabilities and limitations of unilateral sanctions. The global oil markets interconnectedness means that sanctions can lead to unintended consequences, such as higher energy prices and supply shortages, affecting global oil prices and economies worldwide. Related: U.S. Oil, Gas Drilling Activity Sees Rebound Russia's Domestic Maneuvering Russias prioritization of its domestic refining is highlighted by its crude oil flows, which Rystad Energy sees limiting out at 2.7 million barrels per day in both July and August, before rebounding in September to 2.9 million bpd. This compares to 3.6-3.7 million bpd that Russia exported just a couple of months ago in April and May. While this reduction in oil export revenue will put a strain Russias budget, it will stabilize fuel prices at home, ensuring enough fuel both for civilian and military purposes. Global Energy Market Implications The ramifications of this shift in oil flows are being felt across the global energy marketalthough perhaps more muted than Western-sanctioners had hoped for. The reduction in Russian oil exports has contributed to increased volatility in oil prices, affecting everything from gasoline prices at the pump to the cost of petrochemical products. For the oil and gas industry, these developments underscore the importance of flexibility and adaptability in an increasingly unpredictable market. Another ramification of this shift in oil flows is reduced revenue for Russia from oil sales. But perhaps not nearly as much as the sanctions had promised. Before the war, Russia was raking in about $1.1 billion per day from energy exports. Last month, Russias energy revenues capped out at $720 milliona reduction indeed, but a far cry from the hope of depleting Russias war chest, which is replenished largely through oil money. What is working when it comes to the sanctions and price caps is Russias nat gas exports via pipelines to Europe, which has shrunk to all but nothing. But its crude oil and refined products exports are alive and welland the higher crude oil prices are working against the sanctions, offsetting Russias reduction in exports. Russia may have a price cap of $60 placed on its crude oil exports, but the price of oil is high enough now that countries like China and India, who dont use Western insurers anyway and are therefore mostly immune to the cap, are paying more than this $60, lining Putins pockets as he stays in Ukraine. The shadow fleet of tankers available to move Russias oil to and fro irrespective of price caps is alive and well. It simply cannot be 100% enforced, as many critics had suggested from the outset. In the end, nearly everyone is happy aside from Ukraine. Western powers get the luxury of boasting that they are tough on Russia, and on paper they are correct: tanker by tanker they are sanctioning some who are involved in transporting Russian crude. Putin gets to claim that the West was unable to strip him of oil revenues and hes mostly correct. Major traders get the benefit of heightened oil volatility as a result of the war and sanctions, on which they are reaping fat profits, and China and India are still getting oil on the cheap. Even the critics who argued that the sanctions would be ineffective have Russias revenues to point to, to say that they told you so. Investments in alternative energy sources and technologies are also gaining traction, reinvigorated by the specter of oil-related doom as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war. Only Ukraine is unhappy. The truth is, that Russias oil revenues are still funding the war, and sanctions and price capping mechanisms have failed to deprive Russia of its revenues. Zelenskys plans to meet with the powers that be to find alternative solutions are a validation of that very truth. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: For the first time since the IsraelHamas war erupted last October, the Israeli military has deployed fighter jets to strike Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This action follows an incident where the rebels penetrated Tel Aviv airspace with a kamikaze drone (also for the first time) on Friday, resulting in the death of one civilian. Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on social media that a "brutal Israel aggression against Yemen" had just occurred. He noted that the airstrikes hit "fuel storage facilities and a power plant" in the Yemeni port of Hodeida "to pressure Yemen to stop supporting" Palestinians in the Gaza war. Footage of the attack has surfaced on X by early Saturday afternoon. 12 Israeli warplanes, including advanced F35 jets, participated in aerial strikes on the port of #Hudaydah in Yemen. pic.twitter.com/aoOyKwtNvT Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) July 20, 2024 Twelve Israeli warplanes, including the advanced F35 jets, took part in aerial attack on the port of Hudaydah in Yemen pic.twitter.com/gJ8vCyWhhm PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) July 20, 2024 Axios reports US and Israeli officials confirmed the Israeli Air Force strikes in retaliation for the Houthi drone strike in Tel Aviv on Friday morning, killing one and wounding eight more. We noted that this Houthi drone strike risked "sparking escalation of warfare between Yemen's Houthis, Hezbollah, and the State of Israel." "This attack makes it crystal clear to the Houthis and Iranians that strategic, energy-linked economic targets are fair game in retaliation for attacks on Israeli strategic locations like Tel Aviv," Scott Modell, CEO of Rapidan Energy Group, tells us. Modell points out, "The Houthis are really taking a big risk because any tankers who supply them will now be in the crosshairs for retaliatory attacks by Israel. The US & NATO allies will continue to do practically nothing." Mario Nawfal on X points out that Israel destroyed Yemen's main port: Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah port reportedly killed dozens and crippled the Houthis' ability to unload containers. Hodeidah port is a crucial lifeline for Yemen, handling 70% of the country's imports, including vital humanitarian aid. This strategic blow aims to disrupt supplies and intensify pressure on Yemen. Axios cited a senior Israeli official who said the strike on the port was 'purely Israeli action.' "This was a targeted operation at the port of Hodeida. We carried out the strike after many months of restraint in the face of Houthi attacks that included the firing of dozens of items, including surface-to-surface missiles," the official said. The IDF releases images and videos of F-15 fighter jets being prepared ahead of the strike in Yemen. The attack also involved F-35 fighters, refueling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft. pic.twitter.com/lTfhTbkzss Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) July 20, 2024 Furthermore, Houthis have been increasing their aerial and surface drone attacks on the critical maritime chokepoint in the southern Red Sea, which has disrupted global shipping, sending the capacity of containers lower while pushing freight costs higher. The Biden administration's Operation Prosperity Guardian has failed to secure the maritime route so far. Copper futures in New York are 15% below their May all-time high and have hit a two-week low. Goldman analyst Adam Gillard suggests that a "surplus market" could pressure prices of the base metal lower in the "short term." In recent weeks, copper has been stuck in a narrow range and is down about 15% from the record in May. The surge in prices was driven by global supply fears, a squeeze in the market, and energy transition demand. In May, Jeff Currie, who led commodities research at Goldman Sachs for nearly three decades and now serves as the chief strategy officer of the energy pathways team at Carlyle Group, appeared on Bloomberg's Odd Lots and said: "You know, it is the most compelling trade I have ever seen in my 30 plus years of doing this. You look at the demand story, it's got green CapEx, it's got AI, remember AI can't happen without the energy demand and the constraint on the electricity grid is going to be copper." By early June, following the peak in prices, we quoted Trafigura Chief Economist Saad Rahim, who told investors, "Prices of non-ferrous metals have moved much higher than fundamentals in the physical spot market might indicate or justify, especially for copper." We also noted that the all-important multi-month ascending trend line was broken in early June. Since then, China's unwrought copper and copper product exports hit a record last month, as fears of soaring demand in the world's second-largest economy have shifted the market into a surplus, pressuring prices lower. For more on the copper market and where prices are headed, Goldman's Gillard published a note Thursday morning explaining, "Continued deteriorationit's a surplus market, and I think price goes lower in the short term." Here's Gillard's chart pack: Trade flows: Chinese cathode exports reached a new ATH during June due to tolling (export) arb strength. LME inventory: Elevated China exports are currently being delivered to Asian LME warehouses; we think another 30k MT is due to become visible in Asia into month end from legacy Chinese exports Chinese (cathode) demand: What's striking is that Chinese inventory has built (seasonally adjusted) despite record exports, resulting in a 6% apparent demand contraction during June Downstream de-stocking: Locally the bull thesis is in part predicated on a price related downstream de-stock, which is temporary, thus if end demand (grid) returns, cathode demand will return in force due to a lean supply chain. Whilst we concede the data is sketchy (at best), a/o June month end downstream inventory remains elevated at +8% y/y whilst wire & cable operating rates (grid ?) are still down 12pts y/y Scrap: Negative spot smelter margins (weighted remains positive) have resulted in Chinese smelters diversifying feed away from expensive concentrate towards scrap (which explains 7% YTD growth in Chinese refined supply despite negative TCRCs). Whilst we concede that scrap is opaque and Monday's BBG headline around tax quotas could limit 2H supply growth, during 1H Chinese blister production from scrap increased by 12% y/y (92k MT), which explains anode RC strength. This supply creep can quickly erode a deficit. Africa: Think DRC + Zambia supply growth is under appreciated given significant Chinese investment which is hard for consultants to track (modelling 40k MT ish artisanal mines isn't easy). Think IVN + CMOC et al will continue to surprise which will result in persistent Chinese SXEW import strength (which won't be ARB sensitive), which we are starting to see in the official trade data; China's refined imports from DRC, Zambia and South Africa is now 42%, an ATH Chile: Whilst we're not disputing the medium term supply challenges (it's getting harder not easier to build a new mine, outside of Africa at least), note that copper supply from Chile increased by 12% y/y Jan May, because exports outperformed production, presumably on TC related mine level concentrate destocking (although we are surprised they held this amount of inventory in a high rate environment). At some point this ends, but locally Chilean supply growth is healthy. Positioning: Whilst specs are still long, albeit from good levels (a lot was put on sub 9k LME) Gillard's takeaway of the current market environment for the base metal: "All in: Think market is trying to look through 2024 surplus because thinks negative treatment charges means a 2025 deficit is difficult to avoid. Think that thesis is going to be challenged given African supply creep, Chinese demand headwinds, and mechanical balance shift (into surplus, it's not just deficits that carry! ), and price should go lower as a result given positioning." The analyst did not specify how much further prices could drop in the short term. However, many top Wall Street analysts maintain long-term views of a global copper shortage. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris embraces President Joe Biden after a speech on healthcare in Raleigh, N.C., March. 26, 2024. Harris has been the White House's first line of defense after President Joe Biden's faltering performance in last week's debate with Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File) Matt Kelley/Associated Press President Joe Biden confirmed Sunday he is ending his campaign for reelection amid cresting criticism that the 81-year-olds performance in the June 27 debate was worrisome at best. Shortly after announcing he would leave the race, Biden threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee for president. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted to his account on X, formerly Twitter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As news broke Sunday afternoon, reactions from both sides of the aisle were swift and steadfast. ELECTION 2024: President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns Houston Mayor John Whitmire briefly addressed Bidens decision at a Sunday afternoon news conference about the citys response to Hurricane Beryl. I respect the presidents decision. Hes made all of us proud with his public service record. I think he competes with me for spending most of your adult life as a public servant, so I wish him well, Whitmire said. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo thanked Biden for his accomplishments and his unwavering support for Harris County. She said on X that she wholeheartedly supports Harris for president. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not only does supporting her demonstrate our commitment to equality and justice, but supporting a candidate who represents these values is our only way to ensure a Democratic victory, Hidalgo wrote. State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, called Biden's decision an extraordinary personal sacrifice and display of statesmanship. She didn't throw her support behind Harris specifically. Im looking forward to a convention where my fellow delegates and I will unify around the candidate who will beat Trump in November, Alvarado wrote on X. Houston City Controller Chris Hollins, a Democrat, took to social media shortly after the president announced his decision and praised Bidens time in the White House as vice president and president. You were my favorite VP ever (hands down!), and you are the most impactful president of my lifetime, he wrote on X. I fully support your decision, and I thank you on behalf of millions for your life of selfless service to our nation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee thanked Biden for his service in an X post and immediately threw his support behind Harris after the announcement. As an elected official in Texas, and a voting delegate from one of the largest state delegations heading to the DNC, Im with Vice President Kamala Harris, he said. I plan to do everything I can to make sure she is our Democratic nominee and beats Trump. Harris County Republican Party Chairman Cindy Siegel, however, criticized Democrats who pressured Biden out of the race. This comes as a surprise to absolutely no one, she said. The Democratic machine has been sewing the threads for months to make this happen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other Texas Republicans also repeated an unsubstantiated conservative talking point that the Biden campaigns push for an early debate was meant to drive him out of the race. They also shifted to attacking Harris for her handling of the southern border. Gov. Greg Abbott said Bidens decision may not have happened without his disastrous debate performance in June. It looks more and more like that very early debate was a setup to force Biden to step aside, Abbott wrote. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had a similar take about the early debate but he also asserted some of his opinions and theories, presenting them as facts. The June debate was a hit job on Biden by his own party; humiliating him was step one to run him out, Patrick wrote. Obama has been running the White House and will continue to run it with Michelle or Kamala. They picked Biden in 2020 so Obama could serve a third term, and now Obama seeks a fourth term. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When it came to Harris, Abbott returned to his routine rhetoric blaming Democrats for issues along the southern border with Mexico. Joe Biden has now endorsed and fully supports his Borders Czar Kamala Harris to be the Democrat candidate for president. I think I will need to triple the border wall, razor wire barriers and National Guard on the border, Abbott wrote on X. Biden gave Harris a diplomatic assignment to address the root causes of migration into the United States, but never made her formally in charge of the broader issues with the border. Still, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also blamed Harris for the border crisis. If Dems think trading Biden for his failed Border Czar is going to change anything, theyre dreaming, Cornyn wrote on X. If she cant fix the border, how is she going to run the country? Kamala Harris is even more radical, more extreme and less competent than Joe Biden. Cornyn also called on Biden to step down from the presidency if hes not competent to run for reelection. WHOS NEXT: Here are 4 Democrats most likely replacements to Joe Biden and their Texas ties U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and regular Biden antagonizer, responded to the news with a cryptic post on X that included a black-and-white photo of Richard Nixon, the only American president to resign from office. Texas Democrats, meanwhile, lauded Bidens accomplishments in office and rallied behind Harris as the new nominee. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, wrote in a statement that shes proud to give her full support for the presidential nomination to Harris, whom she called a friend. I have limitless respect for the President and therefore respect the decision he has made. I was fully committed to supporting him this November, and I am truly saddened by his departure from the race, Garcia wrote. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, the Austin Democrat who called for Biden to bow out weeks ago, called for an open nominating convention as he praised Bidens decision to step down from the race. Todays courageous action caps decades of selfless service and opens the door to a Convention that can build on our progress and prevent a takeover of our country by Trump and his gang, he said on social media. State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, commended Biden for stepping down and in a series of tweets supported Harris, calling her President Harris, the True 47. God Bless Joe Biden, Savior of the Republic, he wrote on X. A man who willingly gave up power to protect the nation. He is the example for us all. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas-Fort Worth-area Democrat, bashed members of her party who pressured Biden to bow out of the race while also throwing her support behind Harris to be the nominee in a social media post. Well I hope the geniuses that pushed the most consequential President of our lifetime out, have a plan, she wrote on X. Joe wasnt the problem Dems were. ENDORSEMENT: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Heres how that might work Julian Castro, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama administration and former San Antonio mayor, wrote on X that Biden deserves enormous credit for spurring the countrys recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, reinvigorating the economy and making progress to address climate change, among many other accomplishments. Hes been an excellent president. And today, hes shown that hes a true statesman, Castro wrote. Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa applauded Bidens decision and said it reaffirms the commitment to the fundamental American idea that no one man nor any one party comes before the interests of our nation and the people of the United States. Hinojosas statement continued: The path forward is clear: Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike must unite, mobilize and vote to once again reject Donald Trump, whose extreme defining principles are in opposition to the values of the middle class, he said. Members of Bidens family also chimed in on social media after the presidents announcement. Naomi Biden, his granddaughter, praised his accomplishments while in office and paid tribute to her grandfathers half-century of public service. He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years, she wrote on X. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours. JEFFERSON CITY A top deputy in Gov. Mike Parsons administration is running for Congress in Florida, raising questions about how much time hes spending on his six-figure state job in Missouri. Aaron Dimmock, who earns $103,000 as a leadership training supervisor in the governors Office of Administration, is seeking to topple U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Republican primary for a district in the Florida Panhandle. Dimmocks campaign told the Post-Dispatch in an email Wednesday that he works remotely from northern Florida, although he travels to Missouri for certain in-person events and conferences about once a month. Aaron works 20-40 hours per week in this role, depending on the program volume, the campaign said in a statement, adding that he notified his supervisor that he was running for the position. Parson spokesman Johnathan Shiflett confirmed Wednesday that Dimmock discussed his candidacy in Floridas Aug. 20 primary with his superiors before launching his run in April. Mr. Dimmock did inform the Office of Administration of his decision to run for political office. His candidacy is not prohibited under Missouri law, Shiflett said. Mr. Dimmock continues to fulfill his responsibilities to the State of Missouri. Remote work from out-of-state locations is outlined in a 2021 administrative policy statement. The worker must receive written permission from a supervisor. The provision was instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Louis County property records show Dimmock and his wife, Kimberly, own a house in Chesterfield, Missouri. On his campaign website, Dimmock describes himself as a former naval aviator who retired after 20 years. He says he resides in Pensacola, Florida, with his wife and four children. In the Navy, Dimmock flew missions over Bosnia and Serbia, as well as anti-drug missions in Central and South America, the website notes. According to Dimmocks LinkedIn page, he teaches business executives how to lead with candor, which he describes as the ability to give feedback in a way that shows people you care about them personally and are willing to challenge them directly. In Missouri, as part of an initiative first pushed by former Gov. Eric Greitens that has continued under Parson, Dimmock has led classes of state employees seeking to improve their leadership skills. Dimmock reported raising $285,000 in the most recent quarter. The lone contribution from Missouri came from former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, who wrote a check for $3,300. Gaetz, who has been in Congress since 2017, played a key role in the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023. In May, Politico reported that a top McCarthy adviser helped vet Dimmock for the challenge. Dimmocks campaign committee also has the same treasurer as American Patriots PAC, an organization linked to McCarthy during the previous election cycle. Although publicly available polling shows Gaetz favored by voters in the district, Shiflett said, Dimmock will leave the state payroll if he wins. Should he win election to political office, he would need to resign or his position with the state will be terminated, Shiflett said. A man on a motorcycle died after colliding into the side of a truck in Council Bluffs. Shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday, medics and Council Bluffs police officers went to the crash at the South 17th Street and Second Avenue intersection. Medics took the man to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. The police in Kebbi are investigating the murder of a housewife and her three-year-old daughter in Dole Kaina village of Dandi Local Government Area of the state. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed this while briefing journalists on Friday in Birnin Kebbi. According to him, the housewife, Balkisu, 27, and her three-year-old daughter, were found dead on Saturday by her husband, Malan Zayyanu, in his house after he came back from a trip. Mr Abubakar said the housewife and her daughter were found killed when her husband travelled to Tsamiya village. He described the incident as unfortunate, adding that the police in the state were doing their best to fish out the criminals and bring them to justice. The spokesperson said the investigation has commenced but no arrest has been made. (NAN). The passage of the Religious Preaching Regulations Law by Kaduna State House of Assembly is generating angry reactions from Christian leaders. Just the way the bill attracted criticisms from different religious bodies and individuals when it was initiated three years ago, many are kicking over the passage at the twilight of the last House of Assembly in the state. The bill now awaits assent by Governor Nasir El-Rufai to become law. The law seeks to regulate religious preaching in the state with a view to promoting harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst residents. Specifically, the legislation states that any person who plays religious cassette and uses a loudspeaker for a religious activity outside a church or mosque commits an offence. It also provides that the person, on conviction, would be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years or a fine. It further stipulates that in each of the 23 Local Government Areas, LGAs, of Kaduna, a committee to be known as the Local Government Inter-faith Committee has to be established. The law also says that any person who publicly insults or seeks to incite contempt against any religion by making false statements, in such a manner as likely lead to a breach of peace shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or a fine of not less than N100, 000 or both. Law worrisome Omobude, PFN President Regardless of the things the law seeks to achieve, many Christian leaders told Sunday Vanguard that it may create religious disharmony in Kaduna. National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Rev. Felix g, who described the law as worrisome, called on President Muhammadu Bubari to prevail on the El-Rufai administration to abolish the legislation. He said: We hope that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is out to stamp out corruption from Nigeria, would urge the governor to abolish the law. There is a court injunction against the action of the House of Assembly. The PFN President, who is also the General Overseer of Gospel Light International Ministries, said the PFN is working with Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on the appropriate way to respond to the matter. We will respond appropriately after ongoing consultations among the other arms of CAN and the leaders of the Church in the country. But suffice is to say that what the Kaduna State government is seeking to do amounts to fanning the embers of a religious war, Omobude added. No consultation Pam, Northern CAN Chairman On his part, Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Rev. Yakubu Pam, said there was no adequate consultation before El-Rufai initiated the legislation. Pam said:The preaching law in Kaduna is worrisome because there was no consultation before it was initiated. I thought the state governor would have sat down with some influential religious leaders in the North to discuss the bill. Even as the governor is trying to look for solution to insecurity, he should know that the security issue is beyond his state now. I have always said that preaching in whatever language people are using is an issue to be properly handled. The Kaduna State governor came up with a Muslim-Muslim ticket which is not going down well with the people of the state. Everybody is trying to manage the situation now by adapting to the reality of the situation. I believe that whatever Gov. El-Rufai had in mind for the Muslim-Muslim ticket has not been properly defined for the people of Kaduna State and Nigerians as a whole. But we must do everything possible to uphold the unity of this country because we still believe in the unity. That is why some of us are talking to our young people to refrain from unwholesome activism that may set the country on fire. It cant stand Uche, Methodist Prelate On his part, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Chukwuemeka Uche, described the law as unconstitutional, adding that it would not stand. The new law against religious preaching in Kaduna State is against the Constitution of Nigeria. The Constitution of Nigeria provides for freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and press freedom. Anybody who attempts to stop people from exercising their freedom is working against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Such a person is working against God and man. The Kaduna State governor and the House of Assembly should have a rethink because nobody owns Nigeria. We must honour God and honour men while allowing men to exercise their freedom. Our Constitution makes it clear that Nigeria is not a religious country. It is a secular state. If Nigeria were to be a religious country, any religion can be imposed on the people. What we need in this country is tolerance. I dont support radicalism in preaching the word of God whether you are a Christian or a Muslim. Those who are reasonable and responsible should be allowed to do their work the way they want and there is nothing wrong with people praying at night. Stopping night vigil is an act against God. I believe Kaduna State government should have a rethink. Asked if they would take steps on the issue, he said: We have options so long as there is rule of law in this country. We are not going to fight or take the law into our hands but CAN would meet and fashion out ways of resolving the impasse. We are not going to allow our members to become violent. I dont think the President would allow such a law in any part of this country because it would cause more problems. Religion is sensitive and people must be very careful about how they handle religious issues. Even if I am not a Christian, I cannot dabble into religious issues knowing that they can lead to security issues I may not be able to handle. Religious liberty has been removed Ladi Thompson Also making his position known on the matter known, Rev Ladi Thompson asserted that Kaduna is being used as a pilot case for a sinister scheme. Thompson, an expert on anti-terrorism, said the state government has removed religious liberty. Governor El-Rufai is turning Kaduna where there is religious liberty into a state that is dominated by supremacist agenda. He is not the first person to propose this particular bill, he said. What he has done is a global phenomenon which involves the eradication of religious liberty by regulating religious preaching. Without doubt, El-Rufai has intimidated the people of Kaduna State and has physically divided the state to the extent that Christians live on one side while Muslims live on another side. Kaduna is no longer the Kaduna we used to know in those days. It is important for Christians to understand that what is happening in Kaduna is not a war between Christians and Muslims. There are many Muslims who are being intimidated and killed by a little group of people, who are behind this agenda. It is a supremacist agenda with a religious cover. This is not a Fulanisation or Islamisation agenda but a supremacist global agenda that will use religion, herdsmen and their militia to destroy institutions. It is even going to alter the entire emirate structure in Nigeria. Christians and Muslims in the country should join hands to stop the agenda. The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that some members of the group heading to the burial of his parents were reportedly stopped on the way by officers of the Nigerian Army. Kanu made this public in a statement on his Facebook page. He stated that the mourners were intercepted in three coaster buses on EnuguPort Harcourt expressway on Friday. Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra on Friday defied the order of the Abia State Police Command to attend the burial of the parents of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The remains of the deceased Israel Kanu and wife, Sally, were laid to rest at their country home at Isiama Afaraukwu in the Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state. The monarch died at 85 while his wife, Sally, died at 67. Breaking Times learnt that riot police and other security agents closely monitored the burial process. Commissioner of Police in the state, Ene Okon, had warned that the command would not allow miscreants disguising as IPOB members to hijack the burial. He also said the police would not allow IPOB members to display Biafran flag and other insignia. The CP said the police would provide security during the burial and beyond in the state. The members of pro-Biafara group had followed the remains of the deceased closely in human shield from a mortuary to the Umuahia North LGA headquarters where they were received by local government officials and traditional rulers. Alhough the IPOB members didnt come in their uniforms, they chanted pro-Biafra and Nnamdi Kanus songs. A member of the group, who identified himself as Maduka Okeke, told one of our correspondents that no amount of threat could stop them from attending the burial. He said, We didnt come in our uniforms because we are mourning and in the Igbo culture we have a dress code for burials. Among the dignitaries that attended the funeral were the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Senator Victor Umeh. The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, expressed surprising support for President Muhammadu Buhari on the extension of the lockdown order in the battle to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country. Obi on Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily on Wednesday monitored from Lagos, emphasized that the extension of the lockdown order by President Buhari was necessary and important because Nigeria does not have the facilities to handle the pandemic if it escalates. He maintained, in agreement with President Buhari, that containing the spread of coronavirus is the best option for the country now. .. the extension of two weeks is necessary and important. It is necessary and important because we dont have the resources to fight the pandemic if it escalates and spreads. The only thing we have now is containment. But in doing so, it is critical we look at ways we can manage this process effectively. Obi advocated that the Federal Government should establish more testing centres that will empower the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to detect more coronavirus cases in the country. Obi further remarked: Right now, our testing process is very low compared to our pairs even in Africa. Obi expressed dismay over the persistence of hunger in Nigeria; he counseled President Buhari to hasten the administration of palliatives to minimize the hardship of the stay-at-home order. PV: 0 Jorge Castrejon with Insulators Local 22 works to clear a tree that fell during Hurricane Beryl onto a truck and home of Adrian Leura shown Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer When Hurricane Beryl left Adrian Leura with no power and significant damage from a fallen tree, he wasn't expecting anyone to help. But he called Harris County anyway to report the massive tree that smashed his truck and banged up his Aldine home. A few days later, to his surprise, a crew of union workers arrived with a chainsaw to remove the debris. On a scorching hot Tuesday, Leura put out a cooler of water and oranges for the crew and got to work alongside them, hauling away giant branches. After a week without power and no idea how he'll get the money to replace his truck, Leura was hot, exhausted and depressed. Asked how he felt when help arrived, he started to cry and said it felt like a sign of relief. Beryl came ashore July 8, knocked out power for more than 2.2 million customers, uprooted thousands of trees and may have caused as much as $600 million in losses to insured homes and businesses in Harris County. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While local officials are responsible for clearing debris after Beryl, they are limited to clearing public property, leaving many property owners with a tree in the middle of their home in a county where nearly 50 percent of survey respondents have said they can't afford to pay for an emergency. Now, looking to a future with more frequent natural disasters, Harris County officials are exploring whether they can do more to help low-income residents with severe storm damage. Chin Kim with Plumbers Local Union 68 helps clear debris at the home of Adrian Leura damaged from Hurricane Beryl shown Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer In Leura's case, he got lucky when he reached out to Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia's office. Garcias team has been connecting struggling property owners with a local nonprofit called NEW Houston that mobilizes skilled labor to assist with disaster cleanup. Paying to get a tree cleared is simply out of reach for many residents, according to Jay Malone, political director of Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Foundation, who is coordinating NEW Houston's workers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "A job like this, if you hire a professional crew, this is like $800 to $1,200," Malone said. "Half of Harris County residents can't afford a $400 emergency so where the hell is this money supposed to come from?" Some people are left with dangerous alternatives, Malone added. "What people are doing is they're doing these jobs improperly and we've heard stories of people's houses burning down from poorly done electrical jobs," Malone said. "But what else are people supposed to do? They need their power to get back on." Compared with the scale of damage across Harris County, the resources for sending out skilled workers are extremely limited. NEW Houston's efforts are funded by a $25,000 donation from Precinct2gether, a nonprofit managed by Garcia's office that's powered by donations from organizations including the Astros. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When Harris County Commissioners Court convened Monday for its first post-Beryl meeting, all five members agreed the county should explore whether they're allowed to use funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help private property owners like Leura. The county relies on FEMA to reimburse much of its disaster expenses. With federal approval, the county could offer help on a much wider scale. But it would also mean "crossing the Rubicon" when it comes to disaster relief, according to Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey. "It's always been difficult, this issue of private property," Ramsey told the court. "Once we cross that line, now we're in picking winners and losers. I've got a real concern about that." Though the court unanimously voted to look into the idea, it's far from certain that they would move forward with it, even given a green light from FEMA. Garcia shared Ramsey's reluctance to use public funds on private property, noting that "there's a lot of social vulnerability across this county and we're going to leave people out undoubtedly." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said that shouldn't prohibit the county from offering the assistance they're able to provide. "On most things we do, by the way, rarely are we able to help everybody," Ellis said. Despite their differences, the court's vote reflected a unanimous frustration with the status quo. "We're still cleaning up from the derecho," said Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. "And patience is not a virtue I possess. So I look forward to hopefully getting a positive answer on this private property issue. And as we even focus on government property, we need to find better ways to go faster." Like Garcia's office, Precinct 4 is working with NEW Houston to respond to calls their office has received. They also operate a nonprofit called Precinct4Forward that was created last year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Beryl isn't the first storm to raise the question of using public funds on private property. First Assistant County Attorney Jay Aiyer told the court it came up "three disasters ago" but it's unclear whether the county would be prohibited under state law. "When we've looked at this in the past, it has not been super favorable," Aiyer said. "But we're obviously willing to look at it again, because we know these are sort of compelling circumstances." Other areas have enacted similar initiatives as part of disaster recovery, including California, Florida and as close as Galveston County, county officials told the court. That doesn't necessarily mean Harris County would get the go ahead. "Of course sometimes we get a little more scrutiny than the norm," Ellis said. CHICAGO Nearly four years after an appeals court threw out his first sentence for being too lenient, a suburban Chicago man was resentenced Friday to 27 years in prison for plotting to detonate a car bomb outside a bar in downtown Chicago in what turned out to be an FBI terrorism sting. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennellys sentence adds more than a decade to Adel Daouds original 16-year term, and means hell likely not be eligible for release until 2035. It also puts an end barring further appeals to a high-profile terrorism case that has lingered at the Dirksen Courthouse since September 2012, when the then-17-year-old Daoud was arrested while trying to detonate what he thought was a bomb outside the Cactus Bar & Grill, intending to kill scores of people in the name of jihad. In addition to terrorism charges stemming from the bomb plot, Daoud pleaded guilty to separate indictments accusing him of soliciting the murder of the undercover FBI agent at the center of the sting operation and attacking a fellow inmate with a jailhouse shank while awaiting trial in 2015. It was an unusual deal known as an Alford plea, where the defendant admits guilt to the specific charge but not to the alleged underlying conduct. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman sentenced Daoud in 2019 to 16 years in prison, far less than the 40 years requested by prosecutors. But the the 7th Circuit U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that ruling a year later, saying the judge paid only lip service to the seriousness of the crime and overplayed the defendants immaturity at the time the FBI caught him in the sting. Daoud, now 30, has been held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago since the case was sent back to Kennelly for resentencing. In addition to the 27-year sentence, Kennelly ordered him to serve the rest of his life on supervised release once his time in prison is done. Daoud, of Hillside, had just turned 17 when he came under FBI scrutiny in 2011 while exchanging messages online about his hatred of the U.S. government and his desire to die a martyr. FBI analysts posing as terrorists eventually got Daoud to meet with an undercover agent, who was purportedly their cousin interested in waging jihad. Over several months, Daoud and the agent met a few times in the Chicago area to discuss potential targets for an attack, including movie theaters, a suburban mall and military recruiting centers, prosecutors alleged. Daouds handwritten notes he brought to one meeting made reference to a big bomb. In one meeting in Villa Park in August 2012, Daoud allegedly told the agent he wanted to maximize the carnage so he would feel like he accomplished something. If its only like five, 10 people, Im not gonna feel that good, Daoud said in a recording that was played at his sentencing hearing. I wanted something thats massive. I want something thats gonna make it in the news like tonight. Daoud was arrested in an alley across from the Cactus Bar & Grill on Sept. 14, 2012, after he twice pressed the detonator to what he thought was a 1,000-pound car bomb hed parked outside the crowded pub. Two months after his arrest, Daoud was being held at the Kankakee County Jail when he offered to pay $20,000 to his cellmate to have fellow street gang members track down and murder the agent whod deceived him, saying that all spies must die, according to prosecutors. In May 2015, Daoud attacked a fellow inmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, using a toothbrush hed fashioned into a shank to slash the victim while he slept in his cell, prosecutors said. Daoud was allegedly angry the inmate had previously drawn a picture of the Prophet Muhammad, which Daoud considered an insult to his religion. In early hearings on the charges, Daoud was prone to frequent outbursts in court and once accused Coleman of being a reptilian overlord. The judge eventually found Daoud mentally unfit for trial and sent him to a federal facility for treatment. A year later, he was found to be rehabilitated. In issuing her sentence in May 2019, Coleman chided both sides for infusing their arguments through the years with hyperbole and hysteria and said it was clear in many of the recorded conversations that Daoud was an immature young man who was easily egged on by the undercover agent. (Daoud) continued to do what teenage boys do, which is to talk big, Coleman said. He clearly stated he did not know how to build a bomb. But the 7th Circuit said in its opinion that Coleman had given short shrift to Daouds intentions. Not only was Daoud undeterred when the FBI offered him opportunities to call off the bombing, but the possibility of mass casualties excited and motivated (him), the opinion stated. 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 CHICAGO Senate President Don Harmon on Thursday indicated lawmakers will take another look at stalled legislation that aims to protect victims of domestic abuse from gun violence in light of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to uphold a law prohibiting people under restraining orders from their partners from owning guns. Some lawmakers had been concerned that a ruling against such laws would have put the legislation, known as Karinas bill, in jeopardy. Harmon acknowledged that he didnt expect a high court dominated by a conservative majority to issue the ruling it did. We were waiting on the Supreme Courts decision and they surprised me in saying that we can, in fact, regulate that intersection of guns and domestic violence, Harmon said at a City Club of Chicago event Thursday afternoon. And we need to. The Network, an organization that advocates against domestic violence, said last month that that the Supreme Court ruling had reinvigorated efforts to pass the bill. The Illinois legislation would require that law enforcement remove firearms from individuals who have orders of protection against them, clarifying when and how law enforcement can confiscate such weapons. As it stands now, firearms arent always removed from people involved in those situations even if the owners firearm identification card is technically revoked. Many local police departments have filed opposition to the legislation. Balancing the needs of survivors and law enforcement is one of the challenges with the bill, Kathleen Sances, president and CEO of the gun violence prevention organization G-PAC said at Thursdays City Club event. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, who was also at the event, said a key issue will be ensuring that law enforcement continues to have budget stability and resources to support them. The legislation is named after Karina Gonzalez, a Chicago resident whom prosecutors say was shot and killed by her husband last year. Her husband, Jose Alvarez, also killed his 15-year-old daughter Daniela Alvarez and wounded his 18-year-old son, prosecutors said at a hearing last year. Gonzalez had obtained an order of protection against her husband about two weeks before she was killed, and Alvarezs firearm owners identification card was revoked, according to prosecutors. But Alvarez never received the order of protection, and the Chicago Police Department said at the time its firearm investigation team had not received notification of the FOID card being revoked. Harmon did not specify a timeline for when the legislation could come before lawmakers. Advocates are eying the two-week fall veto session in November, when the General Assembly will return to consider legislation for the first time since May. Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center At first glance, the policy sounds absurd, especially to many Americans: In Sweden, grandparents are now eligible for government subsidies to babysit their grandchildren. As a proud grandparent myself, I would be willing to pay to babysit my grandkids. (I dont have to, but I would.) It would feel wrong to accept government money for my services. And even in the Swedish context, the program seems excessive. The country has long had first-rate and well-subsidized child-care facilities, which is another reason not to pay grandparents anything, and Sweden already has high levels of government spending and taxation. Is this additional benefit and expenditure really what it needs? But sometimes even apparently foolish ideas have compelling rationales so compelling, in fact, that you begin to rethink whether theyre foolish at all. These are often the cases that require the hardest thinking. If you look at Swedens policy closely, it adheres pretty well to some basic economic principles: namely, the notion of Pareto improvements, which benefit all parties involved. Start with the fact that Swedish parents currently receive extensive paid leave upon the birth of a child, and so it can be said they are already paid to look after their children. Whether or not you agree with that policy, it is longstanding and well-established. Take it as a given. Now imagine that you are an ambitious Swedish doctor or lawyer, climbing the career ladder, and are self-aware enough to realize you do not always have entirely the right degree of natural patience necessary for parenting. In that case, you might prefer to go back to work following the birth of your child. Under the status quo ex ante, you could not work and draw your normal salary and still get the full child-care benefit, even though some child benefits are paid automatically. There is thus a potential inefficiency in the system. You may stay at home just to get the money, even when an alternate arrangement might be better for everyone. Now add grandparents to this equation. If the grandparents can be paid to take care of your child, all of a sudden the extended family as a whole doesnt lose the money by having the parent go back to work. Instead, that money is transferred to the grandparents, so the work disincentive is diminished. And economists will tell you that the parents and grandparents can do their own settling up. If the grandparents are well-to-do, for instance, and eager to spend time with their grandkids, they might funnel some of that money back to the parents or the child, either directly or indirectly. In some cases, on net, the grandparents may not end up getting paid anything at all. In essence, you can think of this policy as a model designed to maximize gains from trade. One side effect is that, to the extent the parent who returns to work is a high earner, government tax revenue will increase. That will help pay for the policy, partially if not entirely. The logic for this policy may hold all the more for single parents. In that case, the costs of giving up work may be even higher, since on a single income climbing the career ladder and investing in future earnings will be all the more important. Enlisting aid from grandparents may also be more necessary, given the higher burdens on a single caregiver. A defender of the policy would cite these accommodative benefits, whereas a critic might allege they encourage single parenthood too much. More broadly, fiscal conservatives might point out that the policy still costs some money upfront, while social conservatives might argue that it commodifies family relationships. The policys supporters, on the other hand, might note that it can help some people get back to work and also make the grandparents happier. The children might benefit, too. As for myself, I am still unsure whether this new policy is a good idea, though it has stronger virtues and benefits than I first thought. But I am all the more certain of one final lesson: Framing is everything. The very same policy, described in different terms, can sound eminently reasonable or badly out of whack. Keep that in mind next time you are tempted to render a quick verdict on someone elses idea. An oft-repeated $1.1 billion demand from Chicagos mayor would actually wind up costing state taxpayers $5.5 billion. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is turning a big thumbs down. Chicago Public Schools made the huge mistake of putting a ton of temporary federal pandemic aid into its permanent spending base for years and that money is just about gone. It also recently over-estimated some state tax revenues. Mayor Brandon Johnson also dumped $170 million in pension costs onto the district from his own budget, and the Chicago Teachers Union is asking for the moon in its contract negotiations. The end result is deficits as far as the eye can see. Johnson has suggested CPS borrow money in the interim, but he has said over and over again that the state owes CPS $1.1 billion and he wants the state to pony up. But does the state really owe CPS that much money? No is the simple answer. First, a quick primer. The states Evidence-Based Funding law was passed in 2017 after years of work. The idea of EBF was to move to a system based on adequate state and local funding levels. A lot of factors determine adequacy, like regional salaries, how much districts spend, how much they have the capacity to spend, the types of district students (with an emphasis on low income, English learners and special education), and more. The legislation was designed to help districts eventually reach 90% of adequate funding. This fiscal year, the state will spend $8.6 billion on evidence-based funding. Negotiators realized from the beginning that the state didnt have enough money to fund every school at 90% adequacy right away, so its been spending $350 million more each year (except Fiscal Year 21) in order to reach the eventual target where all districts have 90% adequacy. $50 million of that goes to property tax relief grants. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, if the state had decided last fiscal year to just all of a sudden abandon the funding ramp and immediately reach 90 % adequacy, the total state cost wouldve been $2.5 billion. Of that $2.5 billion, the ISBE says, Chicago wouldve received $503 million, less than half the $1.1 billion that Mayor Johnson claims the state owes. So, where does the $1.1 billion number come from? According to the state board, that amount wouldve been owed to Chicago last fiscal year if the state immediately funded schools at 100% of their adequacy levels. However, the board points out that 100% funding is not in state law, despite what the mayor is saying. Johnson has always said that all Illinois schools should get whats coming to them right away, not just Chicago. But EBF funding for all public schools at 100% last fiscal year wouldve cost taxpayers a whopping $4.85 billion, according to the State Board of Education. But wait, theres more. Mayor Johnsons spokesperson released a statement to me saying in part: (T)he State of Illinois provides all other school districts with nearly $3,000 more per student by fully paying their teacher pensions, and went on to say they would work with the state to make that happen. Thats about $969 million. Take out what the state already gives CPS for teacher pensions and you wind up with a tab of $615 million. And now youre at $5.47 billion. The mayor hasnt mentioned that state law gives Chicago a special pension carveout. The Chicago school districts ability to pay (known as the local capacity target) portion of the formula is reduced by whatever CPS spends on teacher pensions. This reduces the citys amount that it has to pay for its own schools. Last fiscal year, CPS was given a nearly $700 million reduction in its local capacity target. Gov. Pritzker told me this past Friday that, despite all the public rhetoric, Mayor Johnson has never once personally asked him to help fund that $1.1 billion. I told Pritzker that I assumed other school districts also put temporary federal money into their permanent spending bases and would also be demanding more state aide. I don't think that that's the job of Springfield, to rescue the school districts that might have been irresponsible with the one-time money they received. Poor fiscal management on the part of a local government is not necessarily the responsibility of Springfield, he added. Is CPS poorly fiscally managed? Pritzker at first hedged, then, when pressed, said he'd like to answer the question his own way. "One-time money shouldn't be spent for ongoing operations." In sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Justice Clarence Thomas many undisclosed gifts as possible criminal ethics and tax violations, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Ron Wyden are standing by their duty to protect the legitimacy of the federal government and the balance between the branches. As much as Thomas and his fellow out-of-control justices try to reinterpret the Constitution, one thing they cant reason away is that the document constrains all branches and attempts to make them somewhat coequal. It does not give the judiciary the ability to sit above the others, untouchable. The prospect of a criminal investigation is very serious, but so is the conduct alleged. It seems like every week there are revelations that Thomas took another gift from his wealthy benefactors, in particular the hyper-conservative and very politically active donor Harlan Crow. The senators detailed 16-page letter included yet more hidden gifts, including a yacht trip to Russia and a ride on a private helicopter. The justice can hardly continue to claim ignorance of the rules or expectations when hes been pushed over and over to fully disclose what hes received and when, yet new information just keeps coming out. Thomas can rule the way he sees fit on cases (including his horrible view that guns can never be regulated which is at odds with his eight colleagues), but he must follow the laws and rules related to accepting free stuff. Justice Abe Fortas, who was nominated to be chief justice in 1968, instead resigned when gifts he received were disclosed. Fortas had in fact returned the gifts three years before and their value was far less than what Crow has bestowed on Thomas. Its worth remembering that were not talking about a meal here or there. Thomas is now known to have accepted at least some $2.4 million in gifts, almost all completely undisclosed until reporters started digging around. In addition to the yacht trip and helicopter ride, the senators letter details nearly three dozen other likely undisclosed gifts provided by Crow and other donors. A special counsel could examine and act on the totality of the evidence; the appointment of one does not in itself mean that an investigation target will be prosecuted, of course. Garland appointed one special counsel who investigated, prosecuted and convicted First Son Hunter Biden. Another Garland special counsel examined President Biden and found no basis to move forward with a prosecution. If Thomas truly has committed no wrongdoing, then he can expect the same. If the justice has committed criminal violations, thats something the American public deserves to know. And, though filed a bit prematurely by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, it would give some teeth to the articles of impeachment against Thomas (and, a little more tenuously, Justice Samuel Alito). Judges are the federal officials historically most likely to be impeached, and this conduct plus failure to recuse including in cases involving the Jan. 6 insurrection, in which Thomas wife Ginny had a hand are definitely worth considering that option. But let an impartial investigation establish all the facts first. Three suspects have been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a baby in Kasoa in the Central Region. The suspects allegedly feigned the death of the baby and took her to Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region. The suspects, Magdalene Nana Adwoa Boafo, 28, Faustina Binney, 32, and Eunice Koomson, a 36-year-old teacher at Ebenezer High Academy, a private basic school in Ofaakor, are currently in the grips of the Kasoa Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit assisting in investigations. According to Citi News sources, Nana Adwoa Boafo, the prime suspect, reportedly approached the mother of the baby who sells sachet water in the traffic at Ofaakor in the Kasoa municipality during her eighth month of pregnancy and offered to assist her financially. She later introduced her to the two other suspects, Eunice and Faustina, who pretended to be offering genuine support. In order to cover up their intentions, the suspects reportedly relocated the mother from Ofaakor-Jei River, where she lived, and rented an apartment for her at Lamptey, a suburb of Adam Nana, also in Kasoa, and continued to offer little forms of support until she delivered at the Kasoa Polyclinic on July 10, 2024. But things got twisted just after the mother, 29-year-old Abigail Addison, and the baby, who was in a healthy condition, were discharged. The three suspects introduced another woman to Abigail, claiming that she was a medical staffer at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and that it was recommended for the toddler to be taken there for treatment because she had some infections, a ploy the new mother fell into. The three suspects allegedly returned to the victim two days after and, amidst uncontrollable weeping, announced to the mother that the baby had died at Korle-Bu and was already buried. The landlord of the victim, who spoke to the media, said he got suspicious of their actions and reported the matter. The collaborative efforts of the Kasoa DOVVSU commander, DSP Doris Laryea and other individuals led to the arrest of the lead suspect, Nana Adwoa, who had questionably resigned from her workplace in Ofaakor, which was the only place the victim could trace her. She initially insisted that the toddler was dead, but upon further interrogation, she admitted the baby was alive and with her sister at Madina. She later changed her statement that the baby was rather with the second suspect, Eunice, in Alico City, a suburb of Ofaakor. Eunice, after she was arrested through painstaking investigations, also mentioned the third suspect, Faustina Binney, a resident of Ablekuma, as having custody of the toddler who was also subsequently arrested. The victim, who has become traumatised as a result of the events, wants the suspects punished for their actions. Source: Citinewsroom Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will commence effectively its 2024 election campaign on July 27, 2024, in Tamale in the Northern Region. The party is keen on winning the December 7 presidential election. Before their official campaign started, the NDC on Saturday, July 20, 2024, held a health walk dubbed Get Fit and Ready Mahama Walk in Accra. Flagbearer John Dramani Mahama addressing the crown urged them to be vigilant during election day. He also emphasised the need for collective effort during the campaign to win more votes. The campaign is for all of us. it is not for Joshua Alabi, he is the campaign manager. It is not for your constituency campaign taskforces; it is not for your regional campaign taskforces. It is for every one of you. Any spare time you have, wear your T-shirts, we are going to send you leaflets and you go from house to house and distribute the leaflets to your neighbours and tell them the message of the NDC he said. On that day, you are not just going to vote and go home. You will wait and protect the ballot box. I dont want to call agents or executives and your lines are switched off, he stated. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A July 12, 2024 aerial view of a wildfire near Canada's northeastern town of Wabush. A forest fire in northeastern Canada that forced the evacuation of more than 9,000 people a week ago is now under control, allowing those displaced to begin returning home, authorities said Saturday. The risk to the towns of Labrador City and Wabush is now "very low," Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador province told reporters. "We're breathing another sigh of relief here," he said. "As a result, we're in the good position today to be able to partially lift the evacuation order" for what he called the "largest evacuation in provincial history." For now, only workers deemed essentialhospital employees, supermarket workers and government staffwill be allowed back as they prepare for the return of the remaining evacuees beginning Monday, he said. The evacuation had been challenging. Residents from this remote region had to travel 300 miles (500 kilometers) to reach safety on the lone available road. While the fire situation in eastern Canada is improving, the country's west has seen more and more forest fires erupt in recent days. More than 320 fires are now burning in British Columbia province on the Pacific coast, including three particularly large blazes. Several thousand people remain on alert, ready to evacuate if necessary. And in Alberta province, more than 5,000 people from isolated Indigenous communities were under evacuation orders, with out-of-control blazes threatening the only road providing access to each community, officials said. The federal Environment Ministry has issued several smoke-related air pollution advisories in the Rockies and the north, where Edmonton, the province's second-largest city, is impacted by the smoke. Authorities blame a deadly combination of thunderstorms and extreme temperatures of 86 to 104 Fahrenheit (30 to 40 Celsius) for the outbreakconditions they expect to persist for several more days. Experts say climate change has resulted in drier and hotter conditions in many regions, sharply raising the risk of major fires. 2024 AFP President Joe Biden attends an event on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington, July 11, 2024. Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, July 21, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. Susan Walsh/AP President Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris raise their arms as guests cheer after watching the Independence Day fireworks from the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) Mandel Ngan/AFP/TNS President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race so close to the election creates a time crunch for Democrats to pick an alternative nominee, including in Texas where the deadline to get someone new on the ballot comes at the end of August. The party is expected to wrap up the selection process at the Democratic National Convention, which is set for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. How the delegates choose a new nominee remains up in the air. The party could schedule a virtual vote in early August ahead of the convention or it could hold essentially a mini-primary at the convention. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas is expected to play a major role in the selection with the third-highest number of delegates 273 behind California and New York. Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. But other Democrats could still jump into the mix. Timing will be tight to get the chosen replacement on the November election ballot in Texas. Now that Biden has withdrawn from the race, the state partys chair must submit the replacement nominee's name to the secretary of state by 5 p.m. Aug. 26. TEXANS WEIGH IN: Elected officials in Texas share mixed reactions to the news Biden is exiting the race Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other states deadlines vary. States Newsroom, a nonprofit news organization, informally surveyed 39 states and found that Iowa is among the earliest with an Aug. 16 deadline. Legal experts have said that a late dropout could elicit lawsuits from Republicans. It would be a complicated mess with an unpredictable outcome that very likely could end up at the steps of a very conservative United States Supreme Court, Emory Law professor Alicia Hughes told States Newsroom. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson warned Sunday in an interview on CNN of possible litigation. I think they've got legal hurdles in some of these states, he said. And it'll be litigated, I would expect, on the ground there. 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: Dogs with progressive retinal atrophy have normal sight at birth, but by the age of four or five they will be totally blind. There is no treatment. Credit: University of Cambridge Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of inherited diseases that causes progressive degeneration of the light sensitive cells at the back of the eye. Dogs with PRA have normal sight at birth, but by the age of four or five they will be totally blind. There is no treatment. Now a team led by the University of Cambridge has identified the genetic mutation that causes PRA in English Shepherd Dogs, and developed a DNA test for it. By identifying dogs carrying the disease before their eyesight starts to fail, this provides a tool to guide breeding decisions so the disease is not passed on to puppies. Owners usually don't realize their dog has PRA until it is middle-aged, by which time it might have bred and passed on the faulty gene to its puppies. This has made it a difficult disease to control. The new discovery means that progressive retinal atrophy can now be completely eliminated from the English Shepherd Dog population very quickly. The results are published in the journal Genes. "Once the dog's eyesight starts to fail there's no treatmentit will end up totally blind," said Katherine Stanbury, a researcher in the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine and first author of the report. She added, "Now we have a DNA test, there's no reason why another English Shepherd Dog ever needs to be born with this form of progressive retinal atrophyit gives breeders a way of totally eliminating the disease." The new DNA test means there is no reason why another English Shepherd Dog ever needs to be born with progressive retinal atrophy, which causes total blindness. Credit: University of Cambridge The genetic mutation identified by the team is recessive, which means it only causes blindness if the English Shepherd Dog inherits two copies of it. If the dog only has one copy, this makes it a carrierit will not develop PRA but can pass the mutation on to its puppies. If two carriers are bred together, about one in four of the puppies will be affected with PRA. Dog breeds are very inbred, so many individuals are relatedgiving them a much higher chance of being affected by recessive diseases than humans. The team began the research after being contacted by a distraught owner of an English Shepherd Dog that had been recently diagnosed with PRA. The dog had been working as a search and rescue dog but had to retire due to visual deterioration that has resulted in total blindness. The researchers put out a call for DNA samples from other owners or breeders of this breed, and received samples from six English Shepherds with PRA and 20 without it. This was enough for them to pinpoint the genetic mutation responsible for PRA using whole genome sequencing. The team offers a commercial canine genetic testing service providing DNA tests to dog breeders to help them avoid breeding dogs that will develop inherited diseases. As part of this, they will now offer a DNA test for Progressive Retinal Atrophy in English Shepherds. Anyone can buy a testing kit, costing just 48, to take a swab from inside their dog's mouth and send it back for testing. Shola has Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) an incurable inherited disease that has caused her to go blind. Credit: University of Cambridge Shola worked for the Edale Mountain Rescue Team before she was unable to carry on due to failing eyesight. Credit: University of Cambridge "An owner won't necessarily notice their dog has got anything wrong with its eyes until it starts bumping into the furniture. Unlike humans who will speak up if their sight isn't right, dogs just have to get on with things," said Dr. Cathryn Mellersh in the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine, senior author of the report. She added, "For the price of a decent bag of dog food, people can now have their English Shepherd tested for Progressive Retinal Atrophy prior to breeding. It's about prevention, rather than a cure, and it means a huge amount to the people who breed these dogs. They no longer need to worry about whether the puppies are going to be healthy or are going to develop this horrible disease in a few years' time." The English Shepherd is a breed of herding dog popular in the United States and is closely related to the Border Collie. The new discovery is the 33rd genetic mutation causing an inherited disease in dogs that the team has found23 of which cause eye diseases. They say that the health and well-being of many dogs has been compromised because of how they have been bred by humans. PRA occurs in many dog breeds, including the English Shepherd Dog. And it is similar to a disease called retinitis pigmentosa in humans, which also causes blindness. The researchers say that their work with dogs could shed light on the human version of the disease and potentially identify targets for gene therapy in the future. More information: Exonic SINE insertion in FAM161A is associated with autosomal recessive progressive retinal atrophy in the English Shepherd, Genes (2024). www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items 3c-9c4c-e8ed75c561b2 Journal information: Genes 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 Chebika, as in other rural areas in central Tunisia, many farmers' fields of prickly pear have been spoiled by the cochineal, which swept through North Africa 10 years ago. Amor Nouira, a farmer in Tunisia's Chebika village, has lost hope of saving his prickly pear cacti, ravaged by the cochineal insect spreading across North Africa. The 50-year-old has seen his half-hectare of cactus crops wither as the invasive insect wreaked havoc on about a third of the country's cacti after an outbreak in 2021. "At first, I wanted to experiment with prickly pear production and gradually develop investments while looking for customers outside the country, especially for its natural oil," said Nouira. "But... as the cacti became damaged, I abandoned the idea of investing and stopped thinking about it altogether." Prickly pear is consumed as food and used to make oils, cosmetics and body-care products. In Chebika, as in other rural areas in central Tunisia, many farmers' fields of prickly pearalso known as Opuntiahave been spoiled by the cochineal, which swept through North Africa 10 years ago, beginning in Morocco. The insect, like the prickly pear, is native to the Americas and feeds on the plant's nutrients and fluids, often killing it. The infestations have resulted in significant economic losses for thousands of farmers reliant on prickly pear, as authorities struggle to combat the epidemic in a country where its fruit is widely consumed as a summertime snack. Cochineal infestations have resulted in significant economic losses for thousands of farmers reliant on prickly pear, as authorities struggle to combat the epidemic. Livelihood Tunisian authorities estimate that about 150,000 families make a living from cultivating Opuntia. The North African country is the world's second-largest producer of its fruit, after Mexico, with about 600,000 hectares of crops and a yield of about 550,000 tonnes per year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Only production allocated for exportabout a third of overall cropshas remained in good condition, said Rabeh Hajlaoui, head of the department of plant health at Tunisia's agriculture ministry. "We're making every effort to save these plants, which are an important source of income to some locals," he explained, as one liter of extracted Opuntia oil can be sold for as much as $4,200. Farmers also plant prickly pear cacti for their resistance to drought and desertification, and sometimes use them to demarcate and fence property in Tunisia and neighboring Libya. In Morocco, where the first cases of cochineal were found in 2014, Opuntia is cultivated over a total of 160,000 hectares. One solution to cochineal infestations is spreading the Hyperaspis trifurcata ladybird -- also native to the Americas -- among the cacti, which preys on cochineal. In 2016, the Moroccan government issued an "emergency plan" to combat cochineal infestation by experimenting with various chemicals, burying infected cacti and conducting research on developing variants resilient to the insect. Despite the plan, by August 2022, about 75 percent of Opuntia crops in Morocco had been infested, according to Mohamed Sbaghi, a professor at Rabat's National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) and the emergency plan coordinator. In neighboring Algeria, authorities recorded an outbreak in 2021 in Tlemcen, a city near the border with Morocco. Prickly pear cultivation in the country covers around 60,000 hectares, and the fruit is so cherished that a festival dedicated to it is held every year in the eastern Kabylia region. 'Public safety' Neither the plant nor cochineal is native to North Africa, but the region's dry climate helped them spread, said Tunisian entomologist Brahim Chermiti. "Climate change, with increasing drought and high temperatures, facilitates their reproduction," he told AFP. Hajlaoui fears total contagion, as 'sooner or later, it will spread, with the help of many factors such as the wind and livestock' The region has experienced severe drought in recent years, with declining rainfall and intense heat. Chermiti believes it's a matter of "public safety" to combat cochineal infestation, requiring "strict border crossing monitoring and public awareness". The researcher fears total contagion, as "sooner or later, it will spread, with the help of many factors such as the wind and livestock". Hajlaoui, from Tunisia's agriculture ministry, said the issue could even cause social unrest if it spreads to farms in marginalized areas, such as Tunisia's Kasserine governorate, where Opuntia is nearly the only source of livelihood for many. He said the "slowness of administrative procedure" during the first major outbreaks in Tunisia impeded efforts to stem the spread of cochineal. At first, Morocco and Tunisia burned and uprooted infected crops, but authorities now aim for "natural resistance" to the insect, said Hajlaoui. Last summer, Morocco's INRA said it identified eight cochineal-resistant Opuntia varieties that could potentially be cultivated. In 2016, the Moroccan government issued an 'emergency plan' to combat cochineal infestation, including by experimenting with various chemicals. The other solution, added the expert, is spreading the Hyperaspis trifurcata ladybirdalso native to the Americasamong the cacti, which preys on cochineal. In Morocco, farmers began raising the ladybird "so that it is always ready" in case of outbreaks, said Aissa Derhem, head of the environmental association Dar Si Hmad. Last month, Tunisia received 100 ladybirds along with an emergency budget of $500,000 to battle cochineal, allocated by the FAO. 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: Mouth of Tijuana River. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Rickbramhall Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. The amount of contaminated water laced with raw sewage that is flowing across the U.S.-Mexico border into San Diego County exceeded 44 billion gallons in 2023, the most on record in the last quarter-century. And this year's volumes could surpass all records should the region get more damaging rainstorms. As of June, the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has recorded 33.55 billion gallons of polluted water, or flows, in the river, which makes its way into the Tijuana River Valley and the Pacific Ocean. That's enough water to fill 50,800 Olympic-size swimming pools. Flows are comprised of stormwater, groundwater and raw sewage. Rainstorms in the past couple years have brought staggering amounts of that polluted stew over the border into San Diego County, flooding some South Bay roads where people have had to be rescued, extending beach closures, and bringing sedimentation and trash to the Tijuana River Valley. A Jan. 22 storm filled a north levee near the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant with more than 1,100 tons of debris. The IBWC finished cleaning it up in late May. The data was presented during a USIBWC Citizens Forum meeting, where agency officials gave updates on wastewater infrastructure projects on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border that are expected to reduce the amount of untreated wastewater in the river. "There's a lot of moving pieces that we're monitoring and managing in order to address these transboundary flows and right now there's a lot of catchup work that needs to be done," said Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner, who heads the U.S. section of the binational agency. On the U.S. side, the IBWC is focused on repairing and expanding the South Bay plant. The 1997 facility has not been properly maintained for decades and is noncompliant with its Clean Water Act discharge permit. But it should reach compliance by next month, officials said. To get there, several parts that have been inoperable for years are being repaired or replaced. For example, all five of the plant's primary sedimentation tanks, which separate solids from the flow, were down since March 2023. Two are now running and a third is expected to come online next week, said Morgan Rogers, the plant's area operations manager. A minimum of three is required for its permit and all five should be operational by September. The facility also has most of its influent pumps running again, after Tropical Storm Hilary broke five of six. It had no spares. These pumps, costing about a half-million dollars each, serve as the entryway into the facility's treatment process. Four new pumps have been ordered, three of which will be spares, said Rogers. "We were down to one pump because of all the excessive flow and trash and sediment that came through," he said. "This is critical. We almost shut the plant down." The August 2023 storm also took out all four of Hollister Pump Station's pumps, located on Hollister Street near Monument Road where several horse ranches are based. All pumps have been replaced but the facility is still experiencing malfunctions. In June 2024, a pressure relief valve on a surge tank stuck open, causing hundreds of thousands of gallons of wastewater to spill onto Hollister Street. Rogers said sediment buildup caused the valve to fail. Hollister remains out of service with no flows going through it while the agency works to replace the tank. At the same time, the agency is trying to double the South Bay plant's capacity as part of a major plan to reduce cross-border pollution. The IBWC expects to award a construction contract sometime August 2024. Even with more than $400 million Congress has allocated to the agency to date, officials estimate a shortage of about $200 million for the expansion project. On the south side of the border, the Mexican military is rebuilding a defunct sewage treatment plant in Baja California that has discharged 40 million gallons of wastewater per day into the ocean. Mexican officials said the plant will be ready by the end of September or early October. "We think that's pretty aggressive," said Rogers. "Hopefully, we're on schedule. We'll see some improvement in the water quality in the ocean down south." Mexico is also working on rehabilitating an international collector pipeline. Though its purpose is to transport wastewater into the South Bay plant, its several fractures and leaks contribute to polluted flows in the Tijuana River. And when construction work is facilitated on the pipeline, a Mexican pump station is shut down, typically resulting in tens of millions of gallons per day of extra wastewater into the South Bay plant or the Tijuana River channel. Construction on the pipeline should be completed this summer, officials said. The juggling act of fixing longstanding issues and repairing new malfunctions has many South County residents and environmentalists questioning when they'll find relief from pollution, which has compromised public health, the environment and the economy on both sides of the border. San Diego Coastkeeper Executive Director Phillip Musegaas is among them. He attended Wednesday's Citizens Forum. "We're appalled," he said. "This is outrageous that we've had this little progress over this amount of time despite the large infusion of federal funding that we've seen over $400 million in the past three years. We need to see more progress." Coastkeeper and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation are suing the binational agency over water-quality permit violations for discharging "pollutants such as fecal bacteria, contaminated sediment, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals" into the ocean. On the federal side, San Diego's Congressional delegation is pushing to add more funds to cover the South Bay plant costs by asking several federal entities to pitch in, such as the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Rep. Scott Peters is also working to secure hazard pay for Border Patrol agents working in polluted waters. And the state Assembly is considering a bill from state Sen. Steve Padilla that would require multinational companies doing business in California to reduce their wastewater discharges or face penalties. 2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent's fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, delivered less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations. The president intent on serving out the remainder of his term in office quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump and encouraged his party to unite behind her, making her the partys instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago. The announcement is the latest jolt to a tumultuous campaign for the White House, coming a week after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. A partys presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. President Lyndon Johnson, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term after just a single state's primary. Biden's July decision comes after more than 14 million Democrats cast votes supporting him through the primary process. Harris, in a statement, praised Bidens selfless and patriotic act and said she intends to earn and win her partys nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party and unite our nation to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda, she said. Biden's decision to bow out came after escalating pressure from his Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in a letter posted Sunday to his X account. Nearly 30 minutes after he delivered the news that he was folding his campaign, Biden threw his support behind Harris. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," he said in another post on X. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Harris faces a staggering political to-do list in the coming days: securing the votes of delegates to claim her party's nomination, picking a running mate, and pivoting a massive political operation that had been built to reelect Biden to boost her candidacy instead. There were early signs that the party was moving to coalesce around Harris, who scored the endorsements of the Congressional Black Caucus and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even before she had commented on Biden's decision to quit the race. But notably, former President Barack Obama held off, pledging support behind the eventual party nominee. We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, the Clintons said in a statement. But Obama, who had privately shared doubts about Bidens reelection chances, stopped short of endorsing Harris even as he praised Biden for his decision to leave the race. I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, he said in a statement. Biden's decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide detail about his decision. Harris found out about Biden's plans on Sunday morning and senior campaign and White House staff were notified just minutes before the letter went out, according to people familiar with the matter who commented on the private discussions on condition of anonymity. Biden had been reflecting on his future for the past couple days and the decision was closely held. Now, Democrats have to urgently try to bring coherence to the nominating process in a matter of weeks and convince voters in a stunningly short amount of time that their nominee can handle the job and beat Trump. And for his part, Trump must shift his focus to a new opponent after years of training his attention on Biden. The decision marks a swift and stunning end to Bidens 52 years in electoral politics, as donors, lawmakers and even aides expressed to him their doubts that he could convince voters that he could plausibly handle the job for another four years. Biden won the vast majority of delegates and every nominating contest but one, which would have made his nomination a formality. Now that he has dropped out, those delegates will be free to support another candidate. Harris, 59, appeared to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaigns war chest, according to federal campaign finance rules. Bidens campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation a sign of the advantage she has in the race for the Democratic nomination. Democratic groups, including the Democratic National Committee, also filed paperwork changing the names of their joint fundraising committees to reflect Harris candidacy. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced it would hold a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. It remained to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris for the nomination. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had been discussed as a possible replacement for Biden last year, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who challenged both Biden and Harris for the Democratic nomination in 2020, threw their support behind her Sunday. The Democratic National Committee's chair, Jaime Harrison, said in a statement that the party would undertake a transparent and orderly process" to select "a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year to become an independent, is considering re-registering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, according to Jonathan Kott, a longtime adviser to Manchin. Harris was spending Sunday afternoon calling Democratic elected officials and delegates as she works to lock up the nomination. Harris received her first delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sunday. The Tennessee Democratic Party posted on X that its delegation voted during a meeting Sunday to back Harris after Bidens departure from the campaign. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly each from a swing state and mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris also endorsed Harris Sunday evening. Trump reacted to the news in a post on his Truth Social site, in which he said Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly, he added. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! While Trump and his team had made their preference for facing Biden clear, his campaign had nonetheless ramped up its attacks on Harris as pressure on Biden to step down intensified. Democratic officials, including many who were behind the effort to push Biden from the race, quickly released statements praising Biden's decision. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York praised Biden as one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Biden should immediately resign if he is not fit enough to run for office. In a statement, Johnson said, November 5 cannot arrive soon enough. In addition to his planned address to the country, Biden still intends to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week, according to a person familiar with the presidents schedule who was not authorized to comment publicly. The exact timing of the meeting is still not set in stone as Biden continues to recover from COVID. Netanyahu is scheduled Wednesday to deliver an address to Congress and he is also expected to meet with Harris while in Washington. In 2020, Biden pitched himself as a transitional figure who wanted to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders. But once he secured the job he spent decades struggling to attain, he was reluctant to part with it. Biden was once asked whether any other Democrats could beat Trump. Probably 50 of them, Biden replied. No, Im not the only one who can defeat him, but I will defeat him. Biden is already the countrys oldest president and had insisted repeatedly that he was up for the challenge of another campaign and another term, telling voters all they had to was watch me. And watch him they did. His poor debate performance prompted a cascade of anxiety from Democrats and donors who said publicly what some had said privately for months, that they did not think he was up to the job for four more years. Biden often remarked that he was not as young as he used to be, doesnt walk as easily or speak as smoothly, but that he had wisdom and decades of experience, which were worth a whole lot. I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didnt believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job, he told supporters at a rally in North Carolina a day after the debate. Because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high. But voters had other problems with him, too he has been deeply unpopular as a leader even as his administration steered the nation through recovery from a global pandemic, presided over a booming economy and passed major pieces of bipartisan legislation that will impact the nation for years to come. A majority of Americans disapprove of the way hes handling his job, and hes faced persistently low approval ratings on key issues including the economy and immigration. Bidens motivation for running was deeply intertwined with Trump. He had retired from public service following eight years serving as vice president under Obama and the death of his son Beau but decided to run after Trumps comments following a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when white supremacists descended on the city to protest the removal of its Confederate memorials. Trump said: You had some very bad people in the group, but you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. On both sides. Biden's wife, first lady Jill Biden, responded to the president's announcement by reposting Biden's letter announcing his decision and adding red heart emojis. Granddaughter Naomi Biden Neal said on social media, Im nothing but proud of my Pop. She said he has served the country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction and our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. Superville reported from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. Yellowstone National Park recently released its Final Bison Management Plan. The NPS Preferred Alternative 2 is better than the existing bison management, though not as good as its Alt. 3, which was not chosen. When it comes to bison management inside the park, Yellowstones overall plan enhances and helps preserve bison's ecological and evolutionary values. However, the NPS proposal falls short when the bison reach the park's border. It misses the mark by failing to advocate for preserving Yellowstones bison evolutionary and ecological heritage, which is of unparalleled international significance. These bison, the least domesticated in the lower 48 states and the only herd large enough to preserve genetic diversity and evolutionary traits are a unique and irreplaceable part of our natural heritage. I have empathy for the Parks dilemma. Yellowstone faces several daunting challenges that are largely outside of its control. These challenges, both natural and human-induced, contribute to the domestication of wild bison, making the task of preservation even more difficult. The first is the state of Montanas irrational opposition to wild bison roaming on public lands. To appease the livestock industry, the state uses the lame excuse that Yellowstone bison pose a threat of brucellosis transmission to domestic cattle. Brucellosis can cause calves to abort and complicate the shipment of livestock out of state. Although theoretically possible, there are no known instances of bison transferring the disease to livestock. In fact, all 27 documented cases of brucellosis transmission from wildlife to domestic cattle involve elk. The state has established a small bison tolerance zone in the Gardiner Basin that extends to Yankee Jim Canyon, about 15 miles north of Gardiner. Unfortunately, in most years, bison never get to fully exploit this zone due to tribal slaughter of migrating animals. The Final EIS bison plan suggests: The NPS has committed to continue fulfilling its trust responsibilities (USDOI and USDA 2021) to American Indian Tribes by sustaining a large population of bison that supports hunter harvests outside the park and restoring more brucellosis-free bison to tribal lands. There is no legal obligation for Yellowstone to sustain park bison so that Indian marksmen can shoot them. There is insufficient space to explain why the tribal assertions about treaty rights may not apply to public lands near Gardiner, but suffice it to say there is ambiguity over tribal interpretations and presumed hunting rights regarding the specific Gardiner Basin landscape; more detail is available at thewildlifenews.com/2023/04/06/tribal-bison-slaughter-illegal/. No matter what the tribes want, the Parks Public Trust Obligation is to advocate for what is best for the Parks bison by preserving our collective heritage of wild bison. Tribal slaughter and transfer to reservations are not in the bisons best interest. It furthers the domestication of bison by selectively removing the animals most likely to migrate, which is one of the bison's most significant evolutionary adaptations to climate and predators. Tribal kills and transfers to reservations remove the bison biomass that might otherwise support Park wildlife, either alive or as carrion, from grizzlies to eagles and the evolutionary influence of bison vegetation, thus degrading the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Reducing the bison population diminishes density-dependent ecological and evolutionary influences, such as harsh winters, drought, and predation on herds. Population reduction also affects genetics, allowing defective allenes to impact bison resistance. Even if the tribal slaughter of the parks globally significant bison was halted, the park plan also calls for the privatization of the publics bison through transfer to tribal reservations as well as co-management of the publics bison. If public bison are to be transferred, the Montana Wild Bison Preservation Coalition believes they should be placed on other public lands. Numerous tribes sell licenses for trophy hunting bison (all fenced in) on their reservations, including Fort Peck, Fort Belnap, and Blackfeet Reservations. Why should public bison be transferred to reservations just so trophy hunters can shoot them? While Park bison management inside the parks border largely preserves wild bison, Yellowstone's bison plan fails when it perceives its role as fulfilling a tribal cultural agenda rather than a biological preservation goal. It must protect Yellowstone bisons evolutionary heritage and fulfill its Public Trust obligation to all Americans. Unfortunately, the current plan falls short of this goal. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised a tentative deal between Serbia and the European Union signed on Friday that paves the way for the disputed excavation of lithium, a mega project that could reduce Europe's dependency on China but one that has been fiercely criticized by environmentalists and opposition groups. Scholz attended a critical raw materials summit in the Serbian capital where a memorandum of understanding between the EU and Serbias government on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery supply chains and electric vehicles was signed. He said after the signing ceremony that this is an important European project, adding that it's necessary for Europe to remain sovereign in a changing world and not be dependent on others, which is why new sources of raw materials should be discovered. Im glad the decision was made, Scholz said. "I admit, this decision required courage, but it was made at the right moment. Germany, the largest carmaker in Europe, is seeking to secure lithium for its electric vehicle makers as the EU struggles to reduce its dependence on imports from China. Lithium is a critical substance in making batteries for electric vehicles China currently dominates the supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. This is a project that is good because it will be developed in an environmentally compatible way, and is good because it creates economic activity and prosperity where world history made it possible to bury raw material in the earth, and we are now extracting it, Scholz said. Serbias constitutional court earlier this month overturned a previous ruling to cancel a $2.4 billion mining project launched by British-Australian mining company Rio Tinto in the fertile western Serbian valley of Jadar, which is believed to be the largest lithium discovery in Europe. The Serbian governments decision to cancel the excavation plans came after thousands of protesters in Belgrade and elsewhere in Serbia blocked major roads and bridges in 2021 to oppose Rio Tintos plans because of potential hazards to the environment. The protests were the biggest challenge yet to the increasingly autocratic rule of Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i?. A heavy police presence on Friday prevented groups of protesters from coming close to the government building in the new part of Belgrade where the signing ceremony took place. Zlatko Kokanovi?, an anti-mining activist from the region where the lithium excavations would take place, said that we will defend ourselves with all means, because we have no other backup state. "I'm a father of five and I would like to see those who will come to push me out of my land, he told the regional N1 television. "There are some of us who think with our own heads and not with Scholzs head, who only has in mind his own profits and interests. Vu?i? has said the lithium excavation will only go ahead with the highest ecological standards, and if automakers and battery producers in Germany and other EU states build factories in Serbia, rather than directly exporting raw materials to those countries. Vu?i? praised the landmark deal as groundbreaking that will bring into Serbia, a developing country, billions of dollars in investments. This day fills me with great hope for our country," Vu?i? said. This will be a turning point and a big change and a quantum leap into the future of Serbia. Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but has maintained close political and economic ties with China and Russia, despite Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The signed agreement is seen by analysts as a major boost for Vu?i? and his hard-line policies. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) A Ukrainian former lawmaker best known for her crusade to promote the Ukrainian language has died after being shot in the street by an unknown assailant. Iryna Farion, 60, initially survived the assault in the western city of Lviv on Friday, but later died from her wounds in a hospital. A manhunt is currently underway for her attacker, who fled from the scene. Ukrainian officials said an investigation is being carried out and that the attack is being treated as an assassination. All available surveillance cameras are being worked on, witness interviews are ongoing and several districts are being surveyed. All leads are being investigated, including the one that leads to Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on his official Telegram channel Saturday. All necessary forces from the National Police of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Security Service have been deployed to search for the criminal. Farion served as a member of the Ukrainian parliament between 2012 and 2014, and was best known for her campaigns to promote the use of the Ukrainian language by Ukrainian officials who spoke Russian. She controversially criticized Russian-speaking members of Ukraines Azov regiment who defended the port city of Mariupol in the first days of the full-scale invasion. Police are considering personal animosity toward the former MP due to her social and political activities as a likely motive behind the attack, said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, who will oversee the investigation in Lviv. Elsewhere in Ukraine, at least two people were killed and three more injured after a Russian missile strike on infrastructure in the country's northeastern Kharkiv region, Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said Saturday. Ukrainian officials also confirmed that the death toll following a Russian strike Friday on the city of Mykolaiv, had risen to four. A child was among the victims, said the citys mayor, Oleksandr Sienkevych. Writing about the Mykolaiv strike on social media, Zelenskyy said that a projectile had hit a playground next to an apartment block. Russia proves every day with its terror that pressure is not enough, he said. This destruction of life must be stopped. We need new solutions to support our defenses. Russia must feel the power of the world. Ukraines air force said Saturday that Russia had launched four missiles and 17 drones overnight, of which 13 drones had been shot down. The attacks have left thousands of people without power or running water in the Poltava region of central Ukraine, Gov. Filip Pronin said. Russia has continuously targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, leading to blackouts across the country. A pulverizing Russian onslaught in recent months has forced Kyivs troops to withdraw from some towns and villages in the eastern Donetsk region, The latest targets are the mining town of Toretsk and the city of Pokrovsk, where Russia is stepping up its assaults. Ukrainian forces repelled 20 and 27 attacks on those areas respectively over 24 hours, Ukraines General Staff said Friday. That was almost double the number of assaults recorded at other hot spots along the front line, it said. Russias Defense Ministry also announced Saturday that it had shot down 26 Ukrainian drones over Russias southern Rostov region, several hundred kilometers (miles) from the front line. Three more drones were destroyed over the Belgorod region, as well as one over the Smolensk region, it said. No casualties were reported. Kathmandu, Nepal, July 21, 2024: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is going to take a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives (HoR) today. As Prime Minister Oli decided to seek the trust vote in the parliament within a week of his appointment, the HoR has scheduled today for the vote of confidence. Oli, who is also the chairman of the CPN UML, was appointed as the Prime Minister on the basis of the Article 76 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 after immediate part Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal failed to secure vote of confidence from the HoR. Prime Minister Oli is supported by Nepali Congress, his own party, CPN-UML, Janata Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), Rastriya Janamorcha Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) and an independent lawmaker. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee with Congressman Al Green and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during a press conference to discuss Houston ISD's plans to convert libraries at most NES and NES-aligned campuses to team centers at City Hall on Monday, July 31, 2023 in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer FILE - U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, center, D-Texas, speaks during an immigration rally in Guadalupe Plaza in Houston, Texas, April 10, 2006. Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, has died Friday, July 19, 2024, after battling pancreatic cancer, according to her chief of staff. DONNA CARSON/AP Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, bows her head in prayer as she attends a Memorial Day ceremony at Houston National Cemetery on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer President Joe Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Washington. From left, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif, Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., Opal Lee, Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., obscured, Vice President Kamala Harris, House Majority Whip James Clyburn of S.C., Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas. Evan Vucci/AP U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks during a press conference regarding to recovery and assistance from last weeks storms Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Fonde Community Center in Houston. Whitmire and Jackson Lee competed in the mayoral race in last years election. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and HISD Deputy Superintendent for school services Faye Bryant put books in to yellow barrel at Turner Elementary as they announce Tuesday, May 14, 2002 that HISD students will be asked to donate old story books, pens and pencils for students in Afghanistan. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, speaks to her supporters during her election night watch party on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Houston. Jackson Lee is facing Amanda Edwards in the race for re-election for 18th congressional district seat. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee cries during a press conference calling for gun control measures after the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at the George Thomas Mickey Leland Federal Building in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee addresses marchers on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at City Hall in downtown Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Sheila Jackson Lee had a mission. She was determined to live up to the standard that U.S. Rep. Mickey Leland, a Houston icon, had set when he represented Fifth Ward in Congress before his tragic death in a plane crash in Ethiopia in 1989. I just have his spirit in my soul, she told me in an interview last year as we talked about her approach to being a member of Congress for nearly 30 years. Jackson Lee died Friday at the age of 74. Advertisement Article continues below this ad READ MORE: No one loved Houston more than Sheila Jackson Lee While it is a common story for members of Congress to lose touch with their districts, Jackson Lee said Leland, despite being an important national player who also worked on international issues like addressing famine in Africa, was always in the district making sure people felt represented. He was a reverent and consistent fighter for his district, Jackson Lee said of the lesson she tried to apply during her decades in office. To that end, Jackson Lee built a reputation of working in her district like few other members of Congress do. It wasnt just attending ribbon cuttings and a few community meetings. She would also seek out unadvertised community picnics and take time to pay her respects at constituents' funerals, even when she didnt know the deceased. I just want to be called an Energizer bunny that keeps on working for the people of this great district, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It explains why she rarely faced any opposition in her races for Congress. In 2020, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs surprise victory in New York over a 30-year incumbent inspired hundreds of younger Democratic candidates around the nation to challenge veteran members of Congress. Jackson Lee drew six challengers. She took the competition seriously and campaigned vigorously. She said she would take nothing for granted. Its indicative of being a vocal member of Congress, Jackson Lee said of all the primary opponents. Its easy to draw individuals to run against you. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She said her plan was to listen to voters and talk about the issues that are important to improving the economy. She easily won the primary and cruised to another term in Congress. Jackson Lee was first elected to Congress in 1994 after having served two terms on the Houston City Council. In Washington, she distinguished herself as a prolific filer of legislation. Jackson Lee loved to tout her work to restore funding for childrens health insurance programs, protect early education programs like Head Start and her commitment to demanding more funding for public education. She also became known as an outspoken critic of then-President Donald Trump while a member of the House Judiciary Committee, which played a key role in his first impeachment. Yet she could also sway Republicans, even Trump, to support some of her causes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2020, Trump signed a bill she authored to commission a federal study for a 51-mile Emancipation Trail between Galveston and Houston a first step toward establishing the national landmark commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston. The trail would begin at the former Osterman Building in Galveston, where Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865, declaring all slaves free. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, but slaves in Texas were not freed until the Union Army arrived to enforce the order. The trail would extend along Texas 3 and Interstate 45 to Freedmens Town and Emancipation Park in Houston. Freedmens Town was a center of opportunity for freed people in the years after Grangers order and home to more than 400 African American businesses by 1915. By 1920, a third of Houstons population lived there. I feel like doing a dance, Jackson Lee told me after Trump signed the bill. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She told me her congressional district was not an easy one to represent given its history. Before Leland, it was the iconic Barbara Jordan who represented the district. She said she felt the weight of both Leland and Jordan as she worked to live up to a standard she felt was worthy of them. Federal inspectors seize illegal boat, gear and catch off island of Holbox Holbox, Q.R. Federal inspectors have seized an illegal fishing boat with its gear and catch off the island of Holbox. The boat, gear and 70 kilograms of fish products were seized by elements of the Mexican Navy and inspectors from the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) Thursday. Fishing vessel Sarita was located during a federal tour of Quintana Roo waters. During the tour, they happened upon Sarita and her four crew. Photos: Conapesca July 19, 2024. The onboard fishermen were found without fishing permits, which resulted in the seizure of the boat, gear and catch. Federal inspectors with Conapesca (Comision Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca) proceeded to confiscate 500 meters of line with 200 hooks as well as 50 kilograms of snapper and 20 kilograms of grouper. A festival rooted in the story of Americas westward migration returns to Radford and Pulaski County this month. Named for the colonial legend Mary Draper Ingles, the upcoming celebration runs July 26-28 at several area venues, according to a release from the Glencoe Mansion Museum & Gallery. The release references the historic events that made Draper Ingles famous: In 1732 Ingles was born in Philadelphia to immigrant parents from Donegal, Ireland. Eventually the family traveled down the great Valley of Virginia and settled in Drapers Meadow (todays Blacksburg). There in 1755 Native Americans attacked Marys settlement, and she and other family members were taken to Ohio. She later escaped and completed a treacherous trip back to her home on the New River. That journey was made famous by the New York Times bestselling book, Follow the River. Something new to this years event, is a Chautauqua-style presentation by West Virginian Doug Wood, who will interpret the life of Ostenaco, a Cherokee military leader during the French and Indian War. History records that Ostenaco led an army of Cherokees against the Shawnees, the tribal nation responsible for the attack on the settlement in Virginia. Also new to this years line-up is the duo Kim and Jimbo Cary, who will present traditional music of early America on a variety of instruments including mandolin, fiddle, guitar and gourd banjo. Headlining Saturdays literary activities will be award-winning Southern writer Sharyn McCrumb, best known for her Appalachian Ballad novels. She will discuss her book, Kings Mountain, that is set in the same era as the Mary Draper Ingles saga and tells the story of one of the important battles of the Revolutionary War. McCrumb will be joined by another New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Grissom, who has written Crow Mary, about a strong indigenous woman caught in a clash of cultures in 19th-century North America. Also on Saturday, Kathleen Harshberger, a local playwright and actress, will present a living history interpretation of Draper Ingles. Harshberger has played the role of the colonial heroine in some form for the last several decades. The festivals three days will feature more than 75 activities, including old-time crafts and skills, art exhibits, vendors and a petting zoo. The Long Way Brewing, a craft beer company whose name is a take on the frontierswomans journey, will showcase live music, historical dancers, food trucks and a childrens play zone. The brewery also will sponsor a short reenactment of the Ingles play, Long Walk to Freedom, featuring Radford University and local actors. Two historic landmarks, Ingles Tavern and La Riviere, also known as Ingles Castle and built by Marys great-grandson, will be open for tours. Wilderness Road Regional Museum in Dublin is also sponsoring 18th century living history interpretations by the Fincastle Company and music by such regional musicians as Willard Gayheart. Reservations for floats, tubes and paddles are available with the outfitter, Radford On The River, at Bisset Park. Art exhibits are also part of the festivities with shows at the Radford University Museum on Tyler, The Highlander Hotel and Glencoe Mansion. The hotel will also feature a meet and greet with Mary Draper Ingles descendants and reenactment actors. For the full schedule, visit www.glencoemansion.org/mdifestival or phone (540) 731-5031. The Highlander Hotel is the festivals official hotel and is offering a special lodging promotion. The event is funded in part by grants from Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, according to the release. Press Release July 21, 2024 Senate gears up for 3rd Regular Session Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero will bang the gavel to open the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress Monday, July 22, 2024, ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA). Legislative mills start to grind as senators buckle down to work to pass priority measures addressing economic woes of the country. "We will focus on what was agreed upon during the recent LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) meeting under the Common Legislative Agenda," Escudero said. Ten bills agreed during the meeting include amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA); Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) bill; and, Amendments to the Foreign Investors' Long-Term Lease Act. Escudero said changing some provisions in the EPIRA law is long overdue. Amendments to the EPIRA should accelerate national efforts toward a more energy-secure country, he said. The CREATE MORE Act, on the other hand, would help improve the current regulations by enhancing the tax and administrative incentives available to companies, and clarifying rules on implementing VAT incentives, he said. He said amendments to the Foreign Investors' Long-Term Lease Act would also reinforce the opening of the economy to foreign investments by extending the lease of private lands (excluding agricultural lands) to foreigners from a maximum of 75 years to 99 years from the current 50 years. This will stabilize long term leases with the grant of a certificate of leasehold while allowing leaseholders to collateralize the land. Aside from these three proposed measures, other priority bills in the Common Legislative Agenda are: Reforms to Philippine Capital Markets to facilitate capital raising for Filipino companies through the stock market and boost the value of pension funds invested in the Philippine stock market by reducing taxes on stock transactions and equalizing the dividend tax; Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act to strengthen the country's sovereignty over its archipelagic waters and maritime resources; Amendments to the Right-of-Way Act to expedite the implementation of critical infrastructure projects by streamlining the right-of-way acquisition; Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics to encourage sustainable consumption and production, and reduce plastic waste generation; Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime to enable the nation to better reap the benefits of the Philippines' rich mineral resources by introducing a straightforward and streamlined fiscal policy; Department of Water Resources to institutionalize a primary agency responsible for comprehensive and integrated water resources development and management; and, Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law which aims to enhance and refine the existing legislation governing rice importation and trade. To hasten the passage of these bills, Escudero said the Senate will hold legislative sessions on Thursdays to boost the number of working session days. that are usually affected by the rainy season as well as breaks for the upcoming midterm elections. "We will set aside an extra day, Thursday, to discuss these measures, approve these as far as we can because we only have about 70 days left before this Congress ends. 70 session days absent any typhoons, calamities that might cause us to declare suspension of session or work," he said. To include session days on Thursdays, Escudero said the Senate will have a total of 93 session days. Escudero also said the Senate is committed to upholding and prioritizing transparency and accountability. Hence, the importance of conducting hearings and investigations while balancing legislative responsibilities. "We must also ensure the thorough and transparent conduct of these hearings. All voices must be heard," he said. The Senate chief further maintained that the President is the chief architect of the country's foreign policy. "As an independent, co-equal branch of government, the Senate will be supportive of passing legislation or ratifying treaties that it deems consistent with our national interest and constitutional principles," he stressed. Hana Ikramuddin is a Hearst Fellow in Connecticut. She spent the first part of her fellowship at the Houston Chronicle. Raised in the Twin Cities, Hana majored in journalism and political science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She has held internships with the Star Tribune, APM Reports and Sahan Journal. In her free time, she loves to cook, make chai and take care of her houseplants. Jamais vu (French for "never seen") is considered the opposite of deja vu (French for "already seen"), but thought to be even rarer. Those who have experienced jamais vu may mistake it for short-term memory loss, but it's entirely different, says Chris Moulin, Ph.D., a memory researcher at the Laboratory of Psychology and Neurocognition at the University Grenoble Alpes in France, and one of the foremost experts on jamais vu, deja vu and the like. "In memory loss, someone will appear unfamiliar to us, even if we have met them recently, because we have forgotten some crucial piece of information," he says in an email. "Jamais vu, on the other hand, is the feeling of unfamiliarity for something which is not lost or forgotten." Advertisement One example of jamais vu is when you look at someone very familiar like your father and suddenly find his features new or unusual. He may even appear to be a stranger, yet at the same time, you know that he is your father and not some impostor, Moulin explains. (That is an important distinction we'll discuss later.) This odd feeling is only momentary, lasting only a matter of seconds or minutes before dissipating. It may be dismissed by the person experiencing it because explaining it to another person may be met with skepticism. This may be why the phenomenon is so rare and likely underreported, Moulin explains. His research seeks to label jamais vu and raise awareness of it in hopes that doing so will help broaden the understanding of memory disorders and ultimately benefit those who have them. " " Another example of jamais vu is when you look at someone very familiar like your spouse and suddenly find their features new or unusual. golero/Getty Images One dead from Nipah virus in India's Kerala state, state health minister says on local TV A patient is shifted to an ICU of Nipah isolation ward in Kozhikode Medical College in Kozhikode district KOCHI, India (Reuters) - Authorities in southern India's Kerala state are taking preventive steps after the death of a 14-year-old boy from the Nipah virus and the identification of 60 persons in the high-risk category, the state's health minister said on Sunday. Parts of Kerala are among those most at risk globally for outbreaks of the virus, a Reuters investigation showed last year. Nipah, which comes from fruit bats and animals such as pigs, can cause a lethal, brain-swelling fever in humans. Nipah is classified as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of its potential to trigger an epidemic. There is no vaccine to prevent infection and no treatment to cure it. "The infected boy died on Sunday after a cardiac arrest," Veena George, the state health minister told local TV reporters, speaking in the Malayalam language. Earlier, in a statement on Saturday, she said as part of Nipah control, the government has issued orders to set up 25 committees to identify and isolate affected people. Dr. Anoop Kumar, director of critical care medicine at Aster MIMS Hospital in Calicut, said one positive case of Nipah had been diagnosed in a school-going boy and persons who had been in contact with him were being watched. "There is a minimum chance of an outbreak of Nipah virus at this stage," he said, adding that the situation would be monitored for the next 7-10 days. There are 214 people on the primary contact list of the boy, the statement said. Among them, 60 are in the high-risk category, it said, and isolation wards have been set up at health institutions to treat patients. Family members of the affected patient were kept at a local hospital for observation, after a case of Nipah virus was confirmed in Malappuram, a town about 350 km (220 miles) from Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram, local media reports said. Other people who might be at risk were asked to isolate at home. The state government said it is working to trace any affected people to contain the spread of the virus. Nipah has been linked to the deaths of dozens of people in Kerala since its first appearance in the state in 2018. The virus was first identified 25 years ago in Malaysia and has led to outbreaks in Bangladesh, India and Singapore. (Reporting by Sivaram Venkirasubramanian in Kochi and Manoj Kumar in New Delhi; Editing by Tom Hogue) Hahahahahahaha, oh, OK. Wow. Wow! Well, here we go, losers: time for another unprecedented moment in American history! It took just over three full weeks for Joe Biden to drop out of the race after the Very Bad Debate, so long that we almost got used to the breathless, minute-by-minute will-he-or-wont-he news cycle. And, look, maybe this is good news? The polling was against him, the donors were dropping out, and members of his own party were turning against him: Joe Biden was never going to make it into a second term of his presidency. He lost the minute he did those C. Montgomery Burns arms while shuffling away from a podium. So his decision Sundayafter weeks of speculation that he was finally coming to terms with his own limitations as a candidatefeels like the only possible path toward the election. Its not even that surprising that he wont be on the ballot in November. And yet. And yet! There I was, learning about the end of this particular chapter of democracy while trying on jorts 50 percent off at a Gap Outlet, my mouth agape at the not-surprising but still-shocking news. Its Joever, I told the cashier as he rang my jorts through. ($19.99, what a deal!) What is? he asked. I didnt know what answer to give. The United States is currently operating like its in a late season of a show thats been going on for too long and the writers have kind of run out of stuff to plot out. What if we give them a plague? one writer suggested in 2020. Ooh, I know: a coup! another offered in 2021. This year, the writers seem to have collaborated together on one final plot line for this show thats maybe been going on for a little too long. Either Bidens decision to leave the race will save a deeply flawed democracy still in need of a reset or the whole thing collapses in on itself like a sandcastle when it gets wet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres the glass-half-empty version: The Democrats remain a weakened party, now going into an election with a candidate whos been so memed to death that I can no longer think about her without also thinking about coconuts. Vice President Kamala Harris, though more popular than Biden has been in the past few months of his presidency, is still not more popular than Donald Trump. Her appointment to the head of the ticket is in no way a guarantee that a new kind of calm might be restored. Besides, there remain big questions around what a Harris ticket looks like, from whom her vice presidential pick will be to how she plans to address the most potent Republican presidential candidate in the history of this television show I now hate. This doesnt mark an inevitable turn for the Democrats; in fact, a Harris candidacy might mean an even more dynamic enemy for the Republicans to lobby against. After all, Harris is not just a woman running for president, but shes the first woman of color to cinch the Democratic nomination. The Democratic Party continues to look stressed and unsure of themselves; meanwhile, the Republicans are staying the course, even if the course in question feels demonstrably evil at times. Advertisement Meanwhile, the mood following Bidens announcement seems to be swaying wildly from establishment Democrats who feel like Biden was bullied out of the job to establishment Republicans who really wanted to run this election against a remarkably weak candidate. Between those two poles is everyone else: people who knew Bidens path to victory was unlikely, that he needed to drop out. What would have been ideal is if he had made that decision monthsyears?ago, as opposed to now, when the election is happening in about 45 seconds. And sure, a lot of countries handle their elections in mere weeks, but what is this, Canada? Disgusting. Advertisement After all the lack of clarity of the past few weeks, we now have a more solid plan going forward. So what now? Well, thats the thing. No one knows! Biden had to drop out; it was the only way forward, and it is indeed a blessing that he did it now instead of losing the election (and perhaps bankrupting the entire party). But there are no sureties in this race. The writers who are plotting this storyline dont seem to follow any kind of clear logic. Weve jumped the shark a thousand times already. Anything could happen, because everything has already happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In place of the low-grade dread around Bidens possible loss is now a low-grade dread about how this still might not work. We still might get another Trump term, now made worse by J.D. Vance, a large balloon with a face drawn on it who believes women should stay in violently abusive marriages. Soon, well have to stomach plenty of hand-wringing about whether a woman of color can be president, discourse that Im sure wont send me directly to a psychiatric ward. It feels like a relief, but not one we can trust, like diving into a pool on a hot day only for the water to be made of Baja Blast. Thank God! But also: What the fuck is this?? Kamala Harris said it herself, quite famously now, after she and Biden won the first election. We did it, Joe, she said, joyous in victory. But the it in question wasnt always clear; she had no idea what we were in for, nor did we. We never do. But I sure am excited to see her debate Trump face-to-facethats one episode of this cursed show Im actually looking forward to. In the end it came as no surprise, but it delivered a shock all the same: Joe Biden issued a letter on Sunday afternoon, declaring that he will not run for reelection. There has been nothing like this in American history. Other presidents have decided not to seek a second term, but under very different circumstances. In March 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson, at the end of a 40-minute televised address, said, in an unexpected stunner, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president. But LBJ took this step in March, at the start, not the end, of the nominating season. Only one primary had taken place, and Johnson won it. The blow was that his main challenger, Sen. Eugene McCarthy, came in a close secondwith 42 percent of the vote, to LBJs 50 percent. But Johnson, though not quite 60 years old, was exhausted by the Vietnam War, the massive protests, and poor health; hed talked with his wife and with aides about dropping out for some time. He died five years later of a heart attackhis fifth. In 1952, Harry Truman decided not to run for a second term. Crushed by a stagnant economy and a stalemate war in Korea, Trumans approval rating had sunk to 22 percent in a Gallup poll at the start of the year. Sen. Estes Kefauver challenged him in the New Hampshire primary that March and wonwith 55 percent of the vote, over Trumans 44. (Trumans bowing out opened up the Democratic contest. Sen. Adlai Stevenson won the nomination at a multiballot convention; he was defeated by Gen. Dwight Eisenhowerwho had been courted by Truman as a possible Democratic successorin the general election.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest difference between now and these previous two elections is that Biden had the nomination wrapped up. He had won all the primaries, with no serious challenge. The vast majority of delegates set to attend next months Democratic National Convention were committed to the Biden-Harris slate. He dropped out, reluctantly, after insisting repeatedly that he was staying in the race, because of pressure from party leaders, owing to steadily declining showings in polls, a disapproval rating that had risen to 57 percent, and clear evidence of physical and cognitive declinebeginning with the disastrous debate, which subsequent public appearances, meant to mollify concerns, only intensified. Other cases of presidential dropouts differ from Bidens case more vastly still. Advertisement Calvin Coolidge was very popular when he decided not to run for reelection in 1928. After rising from vice president as a midterm replacement to Warren Harding, who died of a heart attack amid a corruption scandal, Coolidge easily won in 1924. But he decided, even then, not to run again, writing in his autobiography that another term would have put him in the White House for 10 years, longer than anyone else and longer than anyone should spend there. He had also been in a state of depression ever since his son, Calvin Jr., died, not long after the 24 election. Advertisement Theodore Roosevelt didnt run for reelection in 1908 because he had already served nearly two termsas vice president, he replaced William McKinley, who was shot just months into his second termand he promised the American public that he would not run for what would have been, in effect, a third term.* (The 22nd Amendment, which barred third terms, wasnt passed until 1951, but George Washingtons decision to leave after two terms set a tradition that all presidents until Franklin Roosevelt followed.) Teddy Roosevelt came to regret his restraint, running in 1912 on the independent Bull Moose Party, but, like most third-party candidates, he lost. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Trumps View of the World Is a Delusional Fantasy Read More Rutherford Hayes pledged not to run for a second term in 1880, mainly because he had won his first term amid enormous controversy. The election could not be settled the usual way owing to splits among several states electors, so it was decided by the House after Hayes agreed to a compromise that pulled federal troops out of the South, thus ending the era of Reconstruction. His term was marked by reforms; some Republicans urged him to run again, but he stuck by his pledge. James Buchanan decided not to run for a second term in 1860, mainly because the Democratic Party was splintering over the issue of slavery, the country was on the eve of Civil War, and he had done little but exacerbate the conflicts. (Two other candidates slugged it out at the convention, with Stephen Douglas winning on the 57th ballot.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, there is James Polk. He emerged as the Democratic candidate at the deadlocked convention of 1844 by pledging to serve only one term, if elected, so the other aspirants would get another chance in just four years instead of having to wait for eight. He kept his promise. The interesting thing about Polka thought that Biden might find reassuring on what might be an otherwise frustrating dayis that he was a remarkably successful president. He set out three goals: reduce tariffs, create an independent treasury; take federal control of California and most of the Oregon territory. He accomplished all of them. Polk was the first president to step down voluntarily after just one term. Yet, as Politico noted a few years ago, his presidency left an enduring influence. Its impossible to imagine an alternate reality in which the map of the United States stood frozen in 1844. Yet, the article went on, at the same time, his territorial conquests led in no small way to the Civil War. Bidens one term will also be seen as consequential. In what way, we have no way yet of knowing. Very slowly and then all at once, Joe Biden got out of the presidential race. In a Sunday afternoon statement and subsequent tweet, Biden announced that while he intends to serve the rest of his term, he will no longer be seeking reelectionand that he believes Vice President Kamala Harris should be the Democrats nominee in his place. The possibility of an open competition to replace Biden gained support among (some) Democrats in the aftermath of his poor debate performance on June 27. But Harris subsequent performance under scrutiny on the campaign trail, Bidens endorsement, and the tighter time frame Dems now face because of the amount of time the president took to consider his options mean that she will likely consolidate near-unanimous support within the party immediately. This had already begun as of Sunday afternoon, with endorsements from top Democrats rolling in as we speak. Once the rally around Harris is complete, shell need to find a vice presidential candidate before the Democratic convention opens on Aug. 19 in Chicago. Heres a quick rundown of whos probably on her list and who (despite being a big name) probably isnt. Tier 1: The Swing-Vote Governors In alphabetical order with ages in parentheses, those are Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (46), Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (51), and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (52). The presidential race is expected to come down to independent voters in a handful of swing states. Some of these voters, moreover, may assume Harris is a relatively liberal Democrat because shes from California. While this is not actually trueHarris lock em up history as a prosecutor was one of the things that hurt her in the 2020 primarypresenting herself as a pragmatic, unifying candidate will likely be job one for her campaign. (Well, that and coming across as younger and more trustworthy than Donald Trump, but thats an easy box to check.) Thered be no better way to make that point than picking one of the govs above, all of whom have won elections by impressive margins in purple states (or in Beshears case, a flat-out red one). Beshear and Whitmer have also won reelection, giving them even further credibility as experts on inclusive governance. Their executive experience might also be appealing to Harris, who served only part of one term in the Senate before jumping to what was, until now, not one of the more active VP roles in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (59) and outgoing North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (67) will also be names that get brought up, and while both have their strengths, Im guessing that theyre starting behind the three above. Pritzker has governed as an out-and-out progressive in deep-blue Illinois, while Cooper is relatively old and wouldnt scream next generation in the way Democrats likely want to be doing now. Tier 2: The Replaceable Senators Thatd be Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet (59), Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (60), and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy (50). Bennet and Murphy would present similar advantages. Theyre both polished TV talkers who have experience helping put together substantive bipartisan legislation (both worked on the recent border security deal that Donald Trump told Republicans to kill, and Murphy was instrumental in passing 2022 gun safety legislation). They also both fit in the FDR-like, muscular-liberalism-but-not-quite-leftism lane that Biden carved out for himself and which Harris is likely to run in because, you know, shes got to throw a presidential campaign together from scratch. Kelly is less of a known quantity as a legislator but has an incredible biography (hes a former astronaut and is married to Gabby Giffords, the congresswoman and mass-shooting victim turned gun control advocate) and has won two elections in razor-divided Arizona. Crucially, all three live in states whose governors are Democrats, which means theyd be replaced by fellow Dems in the Senate for two years. (The same is not true for Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, who would otherwise be a qualified candidate.) Advertisement Im also going to throw Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin (61) in here even though hes not technically a senator because hes also a good (and frequently viral) orator who knows his stuff when it comes to the issues. As a member of the Jan. 6 committee hed also be a logical choice if Harris wants someone who can make the case against Trump. Advertisement Tier 3: Big Names but I Dont Think So This is where Im putting California Gov. Gavin Newsom (56) and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (42), who were both mentioned as potential presidential alternatives to Harris during the period in which a miniprimary seemed vaguely possible. Theyre going to get brought up again, but it may be in everyones interest to keep them off the ticket. Newsom and Harris arent just from California; theyre both from San Francisco, which is not the kind of place that many working-class voters from northern Wisconsin and western Pennsylvania think that the rest of the U.S. should be modeled after. Buttigieg might make somewhat more sense as a native Midwesterner, but he too does best with the kind of college-educated suburban demographic that Harris likely has locked down already. You can bet, though, that both will be hitting the airwaves (and bringing in truly disgusting amounts of fundraising money) in hopes of earning party cred (and perhaps prestigious Harris administration appointments) that would keep them in position to run for the big job in four or eight years. Tier 4: Hunter Biden. Hes reportedly taken a major interest in politics recenthey, where are you going? Too soon? https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/cairo-says-concerned-about-israeli-airstrikes-on-yemens-hudaydah-1119446857.html Cairo Says Concerned About Israeli Airstrikes on Yemens Hudaydah Cairo Says Concerned About Israeli Airstrikes on Yemens Hudaydah Sputnik International Egypt is concerned about the recent Israeli airstrikes on the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 2024-07-21T02:52+0000 2024-07-21T02:52+0000 2024-07-21T02:52+0000 world benjamin netanyahu yemen cairo israel egypt egyptian foreign ministry israel defense forces (idf) newsfeed https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/16/1118585544_0:228:2830:1820_1920x0_80_0_0_a519ea6b7884968e62367f2b5b2ff32c.jpg "The Arab Republic of Egypt expressed concern over the Israeli military operation in Yemen, which further increases the current tensions," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Egypt calls on all parties to exercise restraint and de-escalate, the statement added. Earlier on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes on Hudaydah, calling the strikes a response to attacks carried out against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacked port had been used for military purposes, including importing weapons from Iran. Yemeni media reported that at least 80 people were injured as a result of the attack on Hudaydah. yemen cairo israel egypt 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 israeli strikes on yemen, response to israeli strikes on yemen, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/democratic-voters-may-get-disappointed-in-party-after-bidens-dropout---ron-paul-institute-1119452860.html Democratic Voters May Get Disappointed in Party After Biden's Dropout - Ron Paul Institute Democratic Voters May Get Disappointed in Party After Biden's Dropout - Ron Paul Institute Sputnik International American voters were betrayed by the Democratic party, who hid US President Joe Biden's mental decline until after the primary process was nearly completed, says Daniel McAdams, the Director of the Ron Paul Institute. 2024-07-21T22:10+0000 2024-07-21T22:10+0000 2024-07-21T22:10+0000 americas joe biden donald trump us kamala harris ron paul institute for peace and prosperity democratic party 2024 us presidential election https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/1b/1115241861_0:222:3072:1950_1920x0_80_0_0_ba3050b94f5f9b71800a28dae9ee8c73.jpg "What does this mean for the millions of people who already voted for Biden? What is the Democratic Party going to tell them after they had been lied to throughout the entire primary process?," McAdams said. "They were told that Biden is fine so they voted for him. But the claim was fraudulent and the Democratic Party officials and media knew it. They were betrayed by their own party. That may well suppress enthusiasm among Democratic Party voters." US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he would withdraw from the presidential race. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party's nominee for US president. McAdams went on to say that right now, especially after the assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump's chances of winning are growing by the day. "There is no Democrat candidate waiting in the wings who can hope to gain the necessary traction in the short period between now and the election," he said. "The American people have already rejected Kamala Harris when she ran for president last time she won zero delegates and the least number of votes. She is deeply unpopular and for good reason."McAdams concluded by saying that the US electoral process is in a state of "total chaos." "Chaos favors the ambitious and avaricious. Look for bad things to happen," he said. US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday called on President Joe Biden to resign after he announced withdrawal from the presidential race. US presidential candidate Donald Trump in response to Biden's decision said his former rival was never fit to serve as US president, adding that the country has suffered greatly because of his presidency. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/us-hasnt-had-functional-president-since-biden-took-office---senate-hopeful-1119452393.html americas 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 biden drops out, who will replace biden, effects of a candidate dropping out on the election https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/democrats-likely-to-skip-challenging-harris-to-avoid-contentious-convention---expert-1119453047.html Democrats Likely to Skip Challenging Harris to Avoid Contentious Convention - Expert Democrats Likely to Skip Challenging Harris to Avoid Contentious Convention - Expert Sputnik International Democrats are likely to avoid putting up a credible challenger to Vice President Kamala Harris to avoid a contentious convention in August, political analyst Keith Preston told Sputnik 2024-07-21T22:42+0000 2024-07-21T22:42+0000 2024-07-21T22:42+0000 americas kamala harris donald trump joe biden chicago ohio democratic national convention democrats us 2024 us presidential election https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/01/1117676200_0:0:1216:685_1920x0_80_0_0_93fe9f24991390bf55dcec7b0e707f5b.jpg Earlier on Sunday, US President Joe Biden announced that he would withdraw from the presidential race and endorsed Harris to be the Democratic Partys nominee. "Its possible there could be a challenge to her nomination at the convention, but at the present moment, it looks like the Democrats want to rally the party behind her and avoid a potentially contentious convention. The partys leadership and donor class are likely to wish to avoid an appearance of divisiveness and call for unity behind Harris. However, there may be mavericks within the party that potentially challenge her nomination at the convention, with the possible endorsement of dissident party factions," Preston said, adding that it was still too early to tell. When asked about Harriss chance to beat former President Donald Trump, the expert pointed out that while she is currently polling the same as Biden, i.e. just behind Trump, but polls are not an accurate way to estimate a possible outcome of the election. The Democratic National Convention will be held August 19 to 22 in Chicago. The Democratic presidential nominee is usually confirmed at the convention, but this year a nominee could be named sooner in order to avoid any legal challenges from the Republican party over a ballot issue in Ohio. americas chicago ohio 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 who will replace joe biden, democratic national convention 2024, dnc chicago https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/france-unbowed-leader-melenchon-calls-for-withdrawal-from-nato-1119450182.html France Unbowed Leader Melenchon Calls for Withdrawal From NATO France Unbowed Leader Melenchon Calls for Withdrawal From NATO Sputnik International Jean-Luc Melenchon, founder of the left-wing France Unbowed party, told Spanish newspaper El Pais in an interview out Sunday that he would pull France out of NATO if elected the country's president. 2024-07-21T13:24+0000 2024-07-21T13:24+0000 2024-07-21T13:24+0000 world europe france jean-luc melenchon florian philippot nato el pais https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105297/51/1052975181_0:94:2342:1411_1920x0_80_0_0_4c33f92efb7f0118349c5d5eed504ac4.jpg "I choose the logic of disarmament and appeasement If I were at the Elysee Palace, I would certainly systematically and in an organized manner withdraw from the joint military command, from NATO. Especially during the war, to avoid seeing the country involved in this story," Melenchon told the newspaper. In late June, Florian Philippot, the leader of French euroskeptic party The Patriots, called for France's withdrawal from NATO after Ukraine launched a deadly missile strike on a crowded beach in Crimea. He called this an escalation and accused NATO of seeking a total war. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/natos-calls-for-surging-defense-spending-fuels-winds-of-war---politician-1119360603.html france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International jean-luc melenchon interview to el pais, melenchon on nato, will france leave nato, left-wing france unbowed party, florian philippot, french euroskeptic party the patriots, florian philippot on nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/iran-hold-israel-us-for-potential-spillover-from-attacks-on-yemen-1119449895.html Iran Hold Israel, US for Potential Spillover From Attacks on Yemen Iran Hold Israel, US for Potential Spillover From Attacks on Yemen Sputnik International The Iranian Foreign Ministry warned Israel and the United States on Sunday that Tehran would hold the two responsible for any regional spillover from attacks on Yemen and Gaza. 2024-07-21T11:28+0000 2024-07-21T11:28+0000 2024-07-21T11:28+0000 world israel yemen benjamin netanyahu iranian foreign ministry https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/15/1119449736_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_87e7896e8b14d1065acb7a326b62140f.jpg "The Zionist regime and its supporters, including the US government, are directly responsible for the dangerous and unpredictable consequences of the continuation of crimes in Gaza as well as the adventuristic attacks on Yemen," the ministry quoted spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying. Kanaani condemned Israel's unprecedented airstrikes on the western Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, which killed at least three people and injured more than 80 others on Saturday, saying Israel risked unleashing a wider war in the Middle East.Iran sees Israel's continuing siege of the Gaza Strip and mass killings of civilians as "the main root-cause" for tensions in the region, the spokesman said, adding that there could be no prospect of peace for the Middle East as long as Israel pressed on with its Gaza offensive. The Israel Defense Forces said on Saturday that the airstrikes on Yemen were in retaliation for attacks carried out against Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the port was being used to ship weapons from Iran. Yemen's Houthis responded by striking the southern Israeli city of Eilat. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/explosions-heard-in-southern-lebanon-after-israeli-strikes-on-ammunition-depot---reports-1119446348.html israel yemen 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 yemen hudaydah, idf strike on hudaydah, yemeni port city of hudaydah under fire, benjamin netanyahu about hudaydah strike, us israel escalation on middle east https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/moroccan-coast-guard-rescues-195-migrants-from-sinking-vessel-1119446737.html Moroccan Coast Guard Rescues 195 Migrants From Sinking Vessel Moroccan Coast Guard Rescues 195 Migrants From Sinking Vessel Sputnik International The Moroccan coast guard recused 195 migrants aboard a sinking vessel that was headed to the Canary Islands. 2024-07-21T02:27+0000 2024-07-21T02:27+0000 2024-07-21T02:27+0000 world canary islands morocco europe spain immigration https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0c/1a/1091821039_0:143:3072:1871_1920x0_80_0_0_86bc3ecc563f91357e4dcf5e405aa02e.jpg A patrol ship rescued migrants about 157 kilometers northwest of the city of Dakhla, the Morocco World News portal reported on Saturday, adding that among those rescued, the coast guard found one dead person. In June 2023, the Moroccan Interior Ministry reportedly said that over the past five years, the country's forces prevented a total of 366,000 migrants from reaching Europe. Over 5,000 migrants have died in the first five months of 2024 while trying to reach Spain by sea, which equals 33 deaths per day, Caminando Fronteras, a migrants' rights group, said in June. Of them, 4,800 died trying to reach the Canary Islands. Large groups of irregular migrants regularly attempt to cross Spain's southern and island borders. The Spanish Interior Ministry said that nearly 20,000 irregular immigrants had arrived in the country since the beginning of 2024 to June 30, which is a 167% increase compared with the same period last year. https://sputnikglobe.com/20221129/spanish-soastguard-saves-three-african-migrants-on-ships-rudder-1104826706.html canary islands morocco spain 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 migrants in canary islands, african immigrants in europe, immigration in europe https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/russian-troops-liberate-villages-of-rozovka-peshchanoe-nizhneye---defense-ministry-1119450030.html Russian Troops Liberate Villages of Rozovka, Peshchanoe Nizhneye - Defense Ministry Russian Troops Liberate Villages of Rozovka, Peshchanoe Nizhneye - Defense Ministry Sputnik International The Russian army liberated Rozovka and Peshchanoe Nizhneye, eliminating up to 1,700 Ukrainian forces in the past 24 hours of fighting, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. 2024-07-21T12:16+0000 2024-07-21T12:16+0000 2024-07-21T12:16+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine kharkov lugansk peoples republic defense ministry m109 paladin howitzer https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/1d/1119179168_0:76:3150:1847_1920x0_80_0_0_b5a32f3e6ce6bd5f0ccc64dbd79b939a.jpg "The West group of troops has liberated the villages of Rozovka in the Lugansk Peoples Republic and Peshchanoe Nizhneye in the Kharkov Region by successful military action and have taken more advantageous positions," the ministry said in a daily news bulletin. Ukraine lost up to 520 fighters in the area of responsibility of the Zapad battlegroup. The Yug battlegroup eliminated up to Ukrainian 510 troops and destroyed an armored fighting vehicle and two ammunition depots.The Tsenter battlegroup repelled seven Ukrainian counterattacks, destroying a US-made M109 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer and a UK-made L119 105mm howitzer alongside other weapons. The Sever battlegroup of troops repelled four Ukrainian counterattacks in the Kharkov Region and eliminated up to 145 troops. Kiev also lost up to 115 fighters in the area of responsibility of the Vostok battlegroup. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240718/watch-russian-forces-destroy-us-made-self-propelled-artillery-unit-with-lancet-drone-1119416445.html russia ukraine kharkov 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 village of rozovka, village of peshchanoe nizhneye, who controls rozovka and peshchanoe nizhneye, tsenter battlegroup destroyed m109 paladin, l119 howitzer destroyed in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/russias-priority-achieving-goals-of-special-military-operation-not-us-election---kremlin-1119451402.html Russia's Priority Achieving Goals of Special Military Operation, Not US Election - Kremlin Russia's Priority Achieving Goals of Special Military Operation, Not US Election - Kremlin Sputnik International Following the withdrawal of US President Joe Biden from the presidential election, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia's focus is on Ukraine, not US elections. 2024-07-21T19:39+0000 2024-07-21T19:39+0000 2024-07-21T20:13+0000 russia dmitry peskov joe biden russia kremlin ukraine us 2024 us presidential election https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/1d/1119179168_0:76:3150:1847_1920x0_80_0_0_b5a32f3e6ce6bd5f0ccc64dbd79b939a.jpg "Our priority is to achieve the goals of the special military operation, not the results of the US election," he told the Life news outlet, commenting on US President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race. There are still four months until the election in the United States, a lot can change during this period, Peskov added. Latter, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova repeated that the election was an issue for the United States.Earlier in the day, Biden announced his withdrawal from the race, endorsing his Vice President Kamala Harris. He added that he will not resign the presidency and will finish out his current term. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/biden-will-stand-down-not-run-for-reelection-1119450906.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International joe biden drops out, russia's response to joe biden dropping out, russia on the us elections, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/south-koreas-reactor-venture-highlights-loss-of-nuclear-expertise-by-western-powers-1119452061.html South Korea's Reactor Venture Highlights Loss of Nuclear Expertise by Western Powers South Korea's Reactor Venture Highlights Loss of Nuclear Expertise by Western Powers Sputnik International South Koreas plan to build two nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, effectively making a bridgehead for nuclear plant exports to Europe, raises a number of interesting questions, says Dr. Chris Busby, a physical chemist and scientific secretary of the European Committee on Radiation Risk. 2024-07-21T20:30+0000 2024-07-21T20:30+0000 2024-07-21T20:30+0000 analysis opinion south korea european union (eu) nuclear reactor https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/07/0f/1083392988_0:203:3077:1933_1920x0_80_0_0_2ed2f25b22cbba0e38cc748f603fc612.jpg Why cant Europe build its own reactors? Why is South Korea suddenly involved? he inquires, noting that South Korea apparently also plans to export more reactors to the UK, the Netherlands, Poland and other countries.The United Kingdom essentially gave up on building their own and while France did jump in the French EDF just cant seem to complete one, and costs go up and up and up, he notes. As for the US reactors, they have all kinds of problems including cost problems. South Korea must have seen a gap in the market and dived in, Busby adds. The Czech government cannot deal with Russia because it is in the EU basket and mustnt talk to the Russians. No doubt there was a good deal offered by South Korea, and the agreement was signed. Russian political scientist and nuclear energy expert Alexey Anpilogov also suggests that South Koreas foray into the nuclear reactor market is the result of the loss of expertise in nuclear power field not only in the United States but also in the EU and even in France who until recently remained an island of stability of sorts for nuclear energy. Meanwhile, French nuclear power plant projects, both in France and in Finland, took much longer to complete than originally intended and cost a lot more than originally planned, he adds. In my opinion, it became apparent in the modern world that if you halt all production activity in some high-tech sphere even for 10-15 years, you end up losing key expertise because during that specialists [in that area] leave you so there is no more succession i.e. the passing of technology to new generations, he explains. Thus, the problems that could have been easily solved by American and European engineers in the 1970s or 1980s pose a serious challenge for their successors today, which, in the nuclear power field, leads to safety issues and to a serious increase of time and money spent on nuclear projects, Anpilogov concludes. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240710/peaceful-nuclear-power-where-is-russia-building-facilities-1119327664.html south korea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Andrei Dergalin Andrei Dergalin 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 Andrei Dergalin south korea nuclear reactors, south korea nuclear energy https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/syrian-president-assad-russias-policy-confirms-strive-for-peace-1119450554.html Syrian President Assad: Russia's Policy Confirms Strive for Peace Syrian President Assad: Russia's Policy Confirms Strive for Peace Sputnik International Russia's policy confirms its position as a force for peace that respects other nations' sovereignty, Syrian President Bashar Assad has said in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. 2024-07-21T15:00+0000 2024-07-21T15:00+0000 2024-07-21T15:02+0000 world russia syria syrian arab news agency (sana) bashar assad russian diplomats https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106455/60/1064556091_0:214:2885:1836_1920x0_80_0_0_7d348f9dee58786f218c06b70a31d9b6.jpg "Russian policies and stances are based on respect principles of states sovereignty," Assad was quoted as saying by Syrian state-run news agency SANA. The presidents exchanged congratulatory telegrams to mark the 80th anniversary of establishment of Russia-Syria diplomatic relations.The Syrian president wished the Russian government and the people continued progress and prosperity.Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message addressed to his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad, that Moscow was committed to upholding the Arab Republic's security and sovereignty.President Putin stressed that a deeper Russian-Syrian relationship was beneficial to both nations as it underpinned regional and international peace and stability. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/us-must-stop-illegal-presence-in-syria-support-for-terrorists--syrian-foreign-ministry-1117567660.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/syria-russia-ties-excellent-cooperation-high-on-many-levels---vice-foreign-minister-1113847062.html russia syria 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 syrian president bashar assad, russia syria ties, russian syrian relations, russian politics in middle east, how russia acts in middle east, russian presence in middle east, 80th anniversary diplomatic relations between russia and syria https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/us-hasnt-had-functional-president-since-biden-took-office---senate-hopeful-1119452393.html US Hasn't Had Functional Leader Since Biden Took Office, Dems Have Few Alternatives - Senate Hopeful US Hasn't Had Functional Leader Since Biden Took Office, Dems Have Few Alternatives - Senate Hopeful Sputnik International Independent candidate for US Senate in New York, Diane Sare, told Sputnik that the United States has not had a functional president since Joe Biden entered office in 2021. 2024-07-21T20:43+0000 2024-07-21T20:43+0000 2024-07-21T21:53+0000 americas kamala harris donald trump joe biden us us senate newsfeed https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/15/1119452236_0:156:2048:1308_1920x0_80_0_0_6de7664566fcd218a27219ea9b3d4c35.jpg "My initial reaction to President Biden's announcement that he is withdrawing from the presidential election is that a glimmer of reality has entered the political scene," Sare said. "The truth of the matter is that we have not had a functional President since he's been in office, which has created the possibility for great instability, which instability has increased with the attempted assassination of leading presidential candidate Donald Trump." US President Joe Biden said earlier in the day that he would withdraw from the presidential race. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party's nominee for US president. Sare told Sputnik that the Democratic Party will unlikely have a candidate who would be able to defeat former President Donald Trump as the party seems to be set not to allow any qualified person to run for presidency.US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he would withdraw from the presidential race. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party's nominee for US president."While I disagree with some of his policies, especially his support of Israels genocidal war against the Palestinian people, former President Donald Trump has pledged to end the Ukraine-Russia war," Sare said. "He has truthfully stated that Ukraine is not and cannot win that war, and he has publicly stated that NATO expansion was a factor in causing the conflict."Sare went on to say that the United States is in a moment of transition where an old colonial system dominated by the British Imperial policy is coming to its long-awaited end.Sare also believes that the United States is in a very dangerous period."Because the owners of the old bankrupt system are very desperate and seemingly will stop short of nothing to preserve their dying Empire," she explained. "The good news in this situation is that the dinosaurs are vastly outnumbered by the majority of the world's population and there are an increasing number of voices for peace, even coming from within the morally bankrupt institutions, as we see with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban's efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war."US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday called on President Joe Biden to resign after he announced withdrawal from the presidential race.US presidential candidate Donald Trump in response to Biden's decision said his former rival was never fit to serve as US president, adding that the country has suffered greatly because of his presidency.Sare will be on the ballot against Kirsten Gillibrand (D) in New York this November. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/biden-will-stand-down-not-run-for-reelection-1119450906.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/us-is-in-a-serious-state-of-crisis-as-bidens-withdrawal-from-presidential-race-hurts-democrats-1119451817.html americas 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 diane sare, independent candidates for senate, third party candidates, joe biden steps down https://sputnikglobe.com/20240721/us-to-document-determination-to-defend-japan-with-various-means-nuclear-weapons-1119449392.html US to Document Determination to Defend Japan With Various Means, Nuclear Weapons US to Document Determination to Defend Japan With Various Means, Nuclear Weapons Sputnik International Japan and the United States will draw up the first joint document on the expanded deterrence policy, which will include a clause on the United States' determination to protect Japan by various means, including nuclear weapons, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter. 2024-07-21T08:36+0000 2024-07-21T08:36+0000 2024-07-21T08:36+0000 military japan washington tokyo us nuclear weapons https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/1c/1113769593_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_5e3007412f5bb8971ab00f56dcf8158d.jpg The joint document will contain both countries' stance on the deterrence policy realization, the newspaper reported. The document will reportedly include a clause on the US's determination to contribute to regional deterrence of Japan by various means, including nuclear weapons, and identify the opportunities that Washington can use in peacetime and during possible emergencies. The document will also identify the types of situations facing Japan, in case of which the United States can take retaliatory steps against third countries and outline possible directions of such response, the report said. The Japanese and US defense chiefs are expected to discuss the possible contents of the document during a meeting in Tokyo in late July, the report also said. The move comes against the backdrop of the alleged "strengthening of the nuclear threat" from China and Russia, the report added. In 2010, the Japanese and US governments established the Extended Deterrence Dialogue to discuss ways to sustain and strengthen extended deterrence and started regular consultations on the issue involving officials in charge of foreign policy and defense affairs. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/us-japan-and-south-korea-agree-to-massive-drills-in-increasingly-militarized-asia-pacific-1118748144.html japan washington tokyo 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 japan and the united states will draw up the first joint document on the expanded deterrence policy, which will include a clause on the united states' determination to protect japan by various means, including nuclear weapons, japanese newspaper yomiuri shimbun reported on sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Harness racing returned to Manitoba's Miami Fair on Saturday, July 20 for the first of two summer Saturday cards of harness racing. With racing cancelled at The Loop last week, the scheduled divisions of the Lady Crocus for three-year-old pacing fillies were contested as the feature on the Miami card. Both divisions had impressive winners, and both winners crossed the wire in 1:58.4. Grit N Grace prevailed in the first division, featuring five fillies and a purse of $11,250. Dean Rey popped the pocket on favoured pacesetter Im Outrageous Too (Richard Remillard) after initial fractions of :29.1 and :59.2, then motored home to win by 11 lengths in her her maiden-breaking score. Lazar Mania (Michel Rey) and Im Outrageous Too rounded out the top trio. Bred and owned by trainer Lorraine Rey, Grit N Grace (Im The Pied Piper - Dragonart) returned $8.60 to win. Choozetocruise ($5.60) has found her stride as a sophomore, now two-for-two in 2024 after a six-start winless rookie season. Remillard sent the daughter of Lambretta - Kilo Dream to the front in her $11,050 Lady Crocus division and repelled all rivals, winning by more than seven in a lifetime best effort. Chasin Rainbows (Dean Rey) and Is He Watching (Michel rey) were next across the line. Trevor Williams owns and trains Choozetocruise, now a winner of $11,610 in her career. With the win from Choozetocruise, Trevor Williams concluded the card with a training triple. His previous Saturday wins came courtesy Texasdrifter and driver Marc Fillion ($13.40; 2:00.1) in the opener and Shots Fired ($8.60; 1:58.1) and Michel Rey in the fourth. Racing returns to Miami next Saturday, July 27. For the results from the Saturday card of harness racing at Miami, click the following link: Saturday Results - Miami Fair. (Standardbred Canada) Last seen on Canadian soil on Pepsi North America Cup night five weeks ago, Nijinsky and Its A Love Thing once again made headlines with their efforts on Saturday, July 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Nijinsky the 2024 Pepsi North America Cup champ and Its A Love Thing the 2024 Fan Hanover victress became harness racing's newest millionaires by virtue of their respective tallies in the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold Mid-Season Finals. In the Mid-Season Final for three-year-old pacing fillies, Its A Love Thing landed midpack early for driver James MacDonald as Lightning Lizzie (Brett MacDonald), Coco Jo Jo (Tyler Borth) and Greatest Pleasure (Louis-Philippe Roy) took turns on the leads through a spicy :26.2 opening quarter and :53.2 half. With Greatest Pleasure on top, Odds On Platinum (Sylvain Filion) started a challenge up on the rim from fourth. MacDonald followed that move with Its A Love Thing, towing the favourite into second over striking range. After the field hit the third station in 1:21.4 and straightened for home, MacDonald angled Its A Love Thing into the three path and she responded with ample pace under a hard drive. The mile was timed in 1:49.2, with stablemate Pass Line (Doug McNair) closing to be a good second and Odds On Platinum at the bottom of the triactor. "I was just ecstatic," said MacDonald after the victory. "I mentioned to Dave before, I said 'we're probably gonna have to rough at first up again, you know, everyone's gonna be looking for her' and just that's the thing... you put some money on the line, you just never know how the race is gonna go. "Fortunately it worked out terrific today and we didn't have to, you know, go right to the well with her because it's a long year." Paying $2.20 to win, Its A Love Thing (Bettors Delight - Love For Sail) lifted her bankroll to $1,068,974 with the victory, her 11th in 19 career appearances. Dave Menary trains for Eric Good of Davidsonville, Md., Thomas Biederman of Lexington and Josh Green of Midway, Ky., and Rich Lombardo Racing LLC of Solon, Oh. "She just keeps proving it week in and week out," added Menary. "Hopefully we can keep the ball rolling. You know, it's a long time until the end of the year but right now I'm pretty proud of the way things are going." With dual eligibility, Menary indicated that Its A Love Thing might be pointed for Kentucky Sires Stakes action at The Red Mile. Nijinsky joined the millionaire's club two races later, winning the OSS Mid-Season Final for three-year-old male pacers with a mile that appeared to be as close to a walk in the park as his connections and backers could hope. Driver Louis-Philippe Roy didn't want to get pinned down to the rail, and maintained his two-path position around the opening turn as Storm Shadow (Bob McClure) hit the first quarter beam in :26.4. Roy asked Nijinsky to forge on as the field straightened up down the backside, and the colt cleared to the top before a tepid :55.1 half. There was nary an anxious moment from there for Nijinsky, passing the third station in 1:23.3 all by himself. Storn Shadow took a shot in the lane, but he missed and Nijinsky cruised to an effortless 1:50.2 tally. Storn Shadow finished 1-1/4 lengths in arrears, with Crush Kill Destroy (McNair) completing the top trio. "By the half there I was already really confident," stated Roy in the winner's circle of the $2.10 returning winner. "On paper, I feel like there's a gap between him, maybe Storm Shadow and then the other horses, and that's pretty much what happened on the track." Nijinsky (Bettors Delight - Pirouette Hanover) is trained by Anthony Beaton for West Wins Stable of Wellington, FL, John Fielding of Scarborough, Ont. and Mark Dumain of Pine Bush, N.Y. The colt's bankroll now stands at $1,044,082 lifetime, with Beaton indicating this start on home soil was by design. "That was kind of our intention, get him back home out of that heat in New Jersey and hopefully have an easier start for him here. None of them are easy but it's a little easier what he's been up against the last few weeks." There are options for Nijinsky's next start, with Beaton indicating that the Cane Pace and the Milstein Memorial as possible destinations. For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Campbellville, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) An accident in First Tracks Cumberland's second race on Saturday, July 20 prompted the cancellation of the remainder of the 12 races scheduled for the afternoon card. Cumberland reported in a social media post that a serious accident occurred going to the quarter pole in race two. Drivers Garrett Mosher, Mike Stevenson and Walter Case Jr. were all transported to local hospitals for treatment. The extent of the injuries sustained by the drivers was not reported by Cumberland, but the track noted that all three drivers were alert and conscious with no life-threatening issues. Cumberland also reported that all of the horses walked off the track under their own power. The afternoon's first race was a $22,152 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies, with Chasing Dudes leading the charge. Discounted at 10-1 in lieu of previous winners, the daughter of Dudes The Man led every call as driver Nick Graffam cruised through moderate fractions of :30.1, 1:02.4 and then a swifter 1:32.3 third panel. Around the final turn, Whisper Of Luck (Kevin Switzer Jr.) took aim at the leader and was first-up and applying ample pressure. While the pacesetter was able to gain some separation at the head of the stretch, the pursuer tracked her down and got to within a quarter length at the wire. Chasing Dudes prevailed in 2:03.1 for her first career win in four attempts. Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam, she was bred and is also co-owned by leading conditioner Bob Marston. The filly paid $22.60 to win. Last weeks victor, Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) was third. The Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Thursday, July 25 when the three-year-old colt and gelding pacers return to Bangor for their annual Fair stint. This is immediately followed by the three-year-old filly pacers on Friday, July 26 at Cumberland, with all the two- and three-year-old trotters on Saturday, July 27. Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing all drivers involved in the accident a full and speedy recovery. (With files from First Tracks Cumberland and Maine Sire Stakes) The $16,438 Winners Over Trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday, July 20 got off to an unusual beginning when, in a field reduced from eight to six by scratches, the three lowest priced horses at post time all left the gate on the gallop. While May Baby and Seven Sins lost all chance, Makadushin N Cheez caught back quick and driver Ridge Warren slid his charge over to the rail in fourth as Heavens Pic set honest fractions for Aaron Byron, clicking off a half in :58. On the backstretch, Warren sent Makadushin N Cheez on a purposeful first-over bull rush to eyeball the leader by the 1:26.2 three quarters. Off the final turn, Heavens Pic was spent and succumbed to the pressure as Makadushin N Cheez edged away to an easy 1:55 win, a new personal best. Promise For Life was second best for Bruce Aldrich, Jr. while Swans Eye (Jim Taggart Jr.) got in third. David Dewhurst trains the winner, a five-year-old Conway Hall-Tawesome More gelding, for his own interests along with Joe and Molly D'Agostino and Phil Kadushin. Sunday afternoon's racing features the promise of future stars as the New York Sire Stakes for freshman pacing fillies will be contested in a single $108,200 USD division with four Excelsior races to complement it. Post time is 1 p.m. (Tioga Downs) 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 IT field services technician works on software on an information display near United Airlines gates at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, in Chicago, Friday, July 19, 2024. Transport providers, businesses and governments are rushing to get all their systems back online after long disruptions following a widespread technology outage. Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster As the world continues to recover from massive business and travel disruptions caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, malicious actors are trying to exploit the situation for their own gain. Government cybersecurity agencies across the globe and CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz are warning businesses and individuals about new phishing schemes that involve malicious actors posing as CrowdStrike employees or other tech specialists offering to assist those recovering from the outage. "We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events like this," Kurtz said in a statement. "I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that you're engaging with official CrowdStrike representatives." The UK Cyber Security Center said they have noticed an increase in phishing attempts around this event. Microsoft said 8.5 million devices running its Windows operating system were affected by the faulty cybersecurity update Friday that led to worldwide disruptions. That's less than 1% of all Windows-based machines, Microsoft cybersecurity executive David Weston said in a blog post on Saturday. He also said such a significant disturbance is rare but "demonstrates the interconnected nature of our broad ecosystem." What's happening with air travel? With their tightly timed, interwoven schedules and complex technology systems, many big airlines struggle to stay on time when everything goes well. It perhaps was not surprising that the industry was among the hardest hit by the outage, with crews and planes caught out of position. By mid-afternoon Saturday on the U.S. East Coast, airlines around the world had canceled more than 2,000 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That was down from 5,100-plus cancellations on Friday. About 1,600 of Saturday's canceled flights occurred in the United States, where carriers scrambled to get planes and crews back into position after massive disruptions the day before. According to travel data provider Cirium, U.S. carriers canceled about 3.5% of their scheduled flights for Saturday. Only Australia was hit harder. Canceled flights were running at about 1% in the United Kingdom, France and Brazil and about 2% in Canada, Italy and India among major air-travel markets. Robert Mann, a former airline executive and now a consultant in the New York area, said it was unclear exactly why U.S. airlines were suffering disproportionate cancellations, but possible causes include a greater degree of outsourcing of technology and more exposure to Microsoft operating systems that received the faulty upgrade from CrowdStrike. Jose Angel Saavedra, left, and his wife Sara, of Johnston, Iowa, look at their cell phones while trying to book a flight after their original flight was cancelled, Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa. Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall Which airlines are getting hit the hardest? Delta Air Lines canceled more than 800 flights, or one-fourth of its schedule for Saturday, and that number did not include Delta Connection regional flights. It was followed by United Airlines, which dropped nearly 400 flights. The worst airport to be, for a second straight day, was HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, where Delta is the dominant carrier. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that thousands of people spent the night at the airport, many sleeping on the floors. European airlines and airports appeared to be recovering slowly, although Lufthansa and its affiliates canceled dozens of flights. Its Eurowings budget subsidiary said check-in, boarding, booking and rebooking flights were all available again, although "isolated disruptions" were possible. London's Heathrow Airport said it was busy but operating normally on Saturday and that "all systems are back up and running." Flights at Berlin's main airport were departing on or close to schedule, German Press Agency dpa reported, citing an airport spokesman. How are healthcare systems holding up? Health care systems affected by the outage faced clinic closures, canceled surgeries and appointments and restricted access to patient records. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., said "steady progress has been made" to bring its servers back online and thanked its patients for being flexible during the crisis. "Our teams will be working actively through the weekend as we continue to resolve remaining issues in preparation for the start of the work week," the hospital wrote in a statement. In Austria, a leading organization of doctors said the outage exposed the vulnerability of relying on digital systems. Harald Mayer, vice president of the Austrian Chamber of Doctors, said the outage showed that hospitals need analog backups to protect patient care. The organization also called on governments to impose high standards in patient data protection and security, and on health providers to train staff and put systems in place to manage crises. "Happily, where there were problems, these were kept small and short-lived and many areas of care were unaffected" in Austria, Mayer said. The Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in northern Germany, which canceled all elective procedures Friday, said Saturday that systems were gradually being restored and that elective surgery could resume by Monday. Passengers wait at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, Friday, July 19, 2024. Some flights were canceled and others were delayed amid a global technology outage. Credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte Will the tech industry face a reckoning? "I wasn't that surprised that an accident caused severe global digital disruption. I was a little surprised that the cause of it was a software update from a very well-respected cybersecurity company," said Oxford University management professor Ciaran Martin, a former chief executive of the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Center. "There are some very hard questions for CrowdStrike. How on earth did this update get through quality control?" he said. "Clearly the testing regime, whatever it is, failed." Martin said governments in the U.K. and the European Union will be powerless to take steps to prevent such breakdowns "because we have become dependent on a very American version of technology, and the power to do anything about that doesn't rest in this continent." Other analysts doubted that the outage would lead Washington or any other government to propose new mandates on tech companies. "I don't know what the mandate would be. Do better QA?" said Gartner analyst Eric Grenier, using an acronym for quality assurance. What did scam artists learn from the outage? Grenier expects that a majority of affected machines will be fixed in about a week, with more time needed to reach laptops used by far-flung workers because the work can't be done remotelyit's a hands-on operation. In the meantime, there will be scammers trying to take advantage of businesses that have indicated they were affected by the outage. "The threat is very real," Grenier said. "Bad actors have the information to send targeted phishing emails and calls. They know what endpoint-protection tools you use. They know you use CrowdStrike." Grenier said affected businesses need to make sure they use a fix supplied by CrowdStrike. "Don't accept the help of somebody coming out of the blue and saying, 'I'll fix that for you,'" he said. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A technician works on an information display near United Airlines gates at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Friday, July 19, 2024, after a faulty CrowdStrike update caused a major internet outage for computers running Microsoft Windows. Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster Transport providers, businesses and governments on Saturday are rushing to get all their systems back online after long disruptions following a widespread technology outage. The biggest continuing effect has been on air travel. Carriers canceled thousands of flights on Friday and now have many of their planes and crews in the wrong place, while airports facing continued problems with checking in and security. At the heart of the massive disruption is CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm that provides software to scores of companies worldwide. The company says the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows, noting that the issue behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack. Here's the Latest: Microsoft: 8.5 million devices on its Windows system were affected Microsoft says 8.5 million devices running its Windows operating system were affected by a faulty cybersecurity update Friday that led to worldwide disruptions. A Saturday blog post from Microsoft was the first estimate of the scope of the disruptions caused by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike's software update. "We currently estimate that CrowdStrike's update affected 8.5 million Windows devices, or less than one percent of all Windows machines," said the blog post from Microsoft cybersecurity executive David Weston. "While the percentage was small, the broad economic and societal impacts reflect the use of CrowdStrike by enterprises that run many critical services." Weston said such a significant disturbance is rare but "demonstrates the interconnected nature of our broad ecosystem." Windows is the dominant operating system for personal computers around the world. Austrian doctors' group calls for better data protection for patients In Austria, a leading doctors organization said the global IT outage exposed the vulnerability of health systems reliant on digital systems. "Yesterday's incidents underscore how important it is for hospitals to have analogue backups" to safeguard patient care, Harald Mayer, vice president of the Austrian Chamber of Doctors, said in a statement on the organization's website. The organization called on governments to impose high standards in patient data protection and security and on health providers to train staff and put systems in place to manage crises. "Happily, where there were problems, these were kept small and short-lived and many areas of care were unaffected" in Austria, Mayer said. Germany warns of scams after major IT outage BERLINThe German government's IT security agency says numerous companies are still struggling with the consequences of a far-reaching technology outage. "Many business processes and procedures have been disturbed by the breakdown of computer systems," the BSI agency said on its website. But the agency also said Saturday that many impacted areas have returned to normal. It warned that cybercriminals were trying to take advantage of the situation through phishing, fake websites and other scams and that "unofficial" software code was in circulation. The agency said it was not yet clear how faulty code ended up in the CrowdStrike software update blamed for triggering the outage. European airports appear to be close to normal LONDONEurope's busiest airport, Heathrow, said it is busy but operating normally on Saturday. The airport said in a statement that "all systems are back up and running and passengers are getting on with their journeys smoothly." Some 167 flights scheduled to depart from U.K. airports on Friday were canceled, while 171 flights due to land were axed. Meanwhile, flights at Berlin Airport were departing on or close to schedule, German news agency dpa reported, citing an airport spokesman. Nineteen flights took off in the early hours of Saturday after authorities exempted them from the usual ban on night flights. On Friday, 150 of the 552 scheduled inbound and outbound flights at the airport were canceled over the IT outage, disrupting the plans of thousands of passengers at the start of the summer vacation season in the German capital. German hospital slowly restoring its systems after widespread cancellations BERLINThe Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in northern Germany, which on Friday canceled all elective surgery because of the global IT outage, said Saturday that it was gradually restoring its systems. In a statement on its website, it forecast that operations at its two branches in Kiel and Luebeck would return to normal by Monday and that "elective surgery can take place as planned and our ambulances can return to service." Britain's transport system still trying to get back on track LONDONBritain's travel and transport industries are struggling to get back on schedule after the global security outage with airline passengers facing cancellations and delays on the first day of summer holidays for many school pupils. Gatwick Airport said "a majority" of scheduled flights were expected to take off. Manchester Airport said passengers were being checked in manually and there could be last-minute cancellations. The Port of Dover said it was seeing an influx of displaced air passengers, with hourlong waits to enter the port to catch ferries to France. Meanwhile, Britain's National Cyber Security Center warned people and businesses to be on the lookout for phishing attempts as "opportunistic malicious actors" try to take advantage of the outage. The National Cyber Security Center's former head, Ciaran Martin, said the worst of the crisis was over, "because the nature of the crisis is that it went very wrong very quickly. It was spotted quite quickly and essentially it was turned off." He told Sky News that some businesses would be able to get back to normal very quickly, but for sectors such as aviation it would take longer. "If you're in aviation, you've got people, planes and staffs all stranded in the wrong place So we are looking at days. I'd be surprised if we're looking at weeks." Germany airline expects most of its flights to run normally BERLINEurowings, a budget subsidiary of Lufthansa, said it expected to return to "largely scheduled" flight operations on Saturday. On Friday, the global IT outage had forced the airline to cancel about 20% of its flights, mostly on domestic routes. Passengers were asked to take trains instead. "Online check-in, check-in at the airport, boarding processes, booking and rebooking flights are all possible again," the airline said Saturday on X. "However, due to the considerable extent of the global IT disruption there may still be isolated disruptions" for passengers, it said. Delta Air Lines and its regional affiliates have canceled hundreds of flights DALLASDelta Air Lines and its regional affiliates canceled more than a quarter of their schedule on the East Coast by midafternoon Friday, aviation data provider Cirium said. More than 1,100 flights for Delta and its affiliates have been canceled. United and United Express had canceled more than 500 flights, or 12% of their schedule, and American Airlines' network had canceled 450 flights, 7.5% of its schedule. Southwest and Alaska do not use the CrowdStrike software that led to the global internet outages and had canceled fewer than a half-dozen flights each. Portland, Oregon, mayor declares an emergency over the outage PORTLAND, Ore.Mayor Ted Wheeler declared an emergency Friday after more than half of the city's computer systems were affected by the global internet outage. Wheeler said during a news conference that while emergency services calls weren't interrupted, dispatchers were having to manually track 911 calls with pen and paper for a few hours. He said 266 of the city's 487 computer systems were affected. Border crossings into the US are delayed SAN DIEGOPeople seeking to enter the U.S. from both the north and the south found that the border crossings were delayed by the internet outage. The San Ysidro Port of Entry was gridlocked Friday morning with pedestrians waiting three hours to cross, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Even cars with people approved for a U.S. Customers and Border Protection "Trusted Traveler" program for low-risk passengers waited up to 90 minutes. The program, known as SENTRI, moves passengers more quickly through customs and passport control if they make an appointment for an interview and submit to a background check to travel through customs and passport control more quickly when they arrive in the U.S. Meanwhile, at the U.S.-Canada border, Windsor Police reported long delays at the crossings at the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor tunnel. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The Collective Hub, a business incubator supported by Bahrains Tenmou, has launched a workshop on film-making and photography in cooperation with the French Embassy in Bahrain. The workshop, titled All Things Media 2.0 started on July 18 and will run till July 29. It has attracted a large number of participants including individuals interested in filmmaking and digital marketing. Earlier, The Collective Hub signed a cooperation agreement with the French Embassy for the workshop during a visit of Eric Giraud-Telme, the Ambassador of France to Bahrain, to its headquarters in the Yateem Center complex in Manama. The agreement was signed by Abdul Rahman Al Kooheji, a member of the Board of Directors at The Collective Hub. The French ambassador toured its innovatively designed offices and spaces crafted to provide an ideal environment for meetings and work, catering to entrepreneurs, project owners, and startups. The facilities also include designated areas for entrepreneurs and their diverse projects, spanning sectors such as e-commerce, digital marketing, and technology. Khawla Alshaikh, Director of The Collective Hub, highlighted the hubs cooperation with the French Embassy. Alshaikh gave a brief note on the launch of All Things Media 2.0" initiative by the hubs partnership with the Labour Fund Tamkeen. The programme focuses primarily on Bahraini startups and creators, enriching their talent and developing their skills in media and the creative industry. The participants will showcase their work through high-level training programmes which would give them opportunity to participate in prestigious exhibitions, public events, and workshops in collaboration with various media agencies and embassies in Bahrain, she said. - TradeArabia News Service The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (Asry), the leading ship and rig repair yard in the Arabian Gulf, said it has signed a cooperation agreement with DHL International -Bahrain-, the global leader in the logistics and shipping industry, for express international door-to-door transportation of documents and parcels. Asry said the alliance is aimed at streamlining its supply chain processes and optimizing its operations through the implementation of the integrated logistics solutions that DHL will commit to provide for the next two years as per the signed agreement. This partnership will enable Asry to enhance its delivery capabilities; improving efficiency, bringing agility to the business, and ultimately streamlining the ability to serve customers, it stated. "We are extremely proud to embark on this collaboration with DHL Bahrain; that is one of the worlds leading companies who possesses extensive experience in logistics and international shipping," remarked Asry Acting CEO Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa after signing the deal with DHL General Manager for Bahrain at an official ceremony held at its headquarters in Hidd, in the presence of senior officials from both parties. "DHL Bahrain has been our logistic partner for many years during which it has demonstrated its outstanding capabilities and competitive abilities," he noted. "We are excited to further develop this fruitful relationship and look forward to a successful and sustainable partnership, he added. The Arabian Gulfs most experienced maritime repair and fabrication facility, Asry was founded in 1977 in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Its leading range of facilities includes a 500 K dwt dry-dock, two floating docks of 252m and 227m in length, 15 repair berths with a total length of approximately 5,000m, twin 255m slipways, and a full range of workshops and service centres. Asry operates in four sectors ship repair and conversion, rig repair and conversion, naval repair and conversion, and fabrication and engineering. Kamco Invest, a regional non-banking financial powerhouse with one of the largest assets under management (AUMs) in the region, has released its 2023 Sustainability Report titled "Simplifying Complexity, Maximizing Impact." The report offers a comprehensive overview of Kamco Invest's sustainability initiatives and accomplishments, highlighting the company's commitment to creating value for stakeholders while advancing towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. The year 2023 marked the companys 25th anniversary, a milestone that not only celebrates its dedication to excellence but also highlights its ongoing commitment to adapting to the ever-changing landscape of regional and international investment and asset management, where sustainability has become a critical imperative. The theme "Simplifying Complexity, Maximizing Impact" reinforces the belief that consistent everyday actions pave the way for significant progress. Over the past year, Kamco Invest has made substantial progress in its sustainability journey, adhering to its core values of transparency, innovation, commitment, and value creation. In 2023, Kamco Invest prioritized social sustainability with a key focus on people. This included supporting and empowering women and celebrating the contributions of its employees. In addition to its continued commitment to the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles, the company recently partnered with the Kuwait Womens Economic Empowerment Platform (KWEEP) to promote gender equality and inclusive professional environments. The company also increased the percentage of its female employees, including those in executive positions in 2023, compared to the previous year. In addition, it has seen a 200% increase in the number of female interns in comparison to 2022. This progress exemplifies the companys belief that empowering women is both a moral imperative and a strategic business decision, it added. Nawal Mulla-Hussain, Managing Director of Support Operations, said: "Our approach to sustainability helps us maintain transparency, uphold ethical standards, and prioritize environmental consciousness in all our operations. We believe that integrating sustainability into our core business strategies is crucial for long-term success and societal impact." "Our efforts this year reflect our commitment to responsible business practices and our mission to create positive change in society while delivering value to our stakeholders," he stated. Mulla-Hussain said: "By simplifying processes and focusing on continuous improvement, we aim to maximize our positive impact and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to becoming a more resilient and sustainable organization." Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Kamco Invest honored its employees, recognizing their dedication as the foundation of the company's success. The anniversary celebrations included various staff tournaments to foster team spirit and highlight the value of each employee, emphasizing that they are the cornerstone of the company's achievements and growth. Furthering its commitment to youth empowerment, Kamco Invest supported educational initiatives, collaborating with the Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait and participated in the "Live Your Major" initiative at the Gulf University of Science and Technology to enhance professionalism and financial literacy. The company also partnered with Kuwait Hospital, URC, and Burgan Bank on community well-being initiatives like the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. In 2023, the Kuwaiti financial powerhouse hosted 25 interns as part of its internship and mentorship program and continues to create job opportunities for young professionals. Its continued annual support as a Gold sponsor in the American University of Kuwaits career fair, also aims to attracts top-tier talent and support the professional development of nationals. Additionally, Kamco Invest dedicated its 2024 calendar to eco-conscious artworks created by young sustainability artists. The initiative aimed at promoting sustainable practices and supporting the local youth sustainable art community. In addition to this, since its sustainability strategy is aligned with the New Kuwait Vision, which emphasizes supporting nationals, Kamco Invest continues to support Kuwaitization and hiring nationals, and has increased its local procurement to 70% in 2023 compared to 55% in 2022. Economically, the group saw significant growth, with assets under management (AUM) increasing by 7.8% to reach $14.9 billion as of December 31, 2023, compared to 2022. Furthermore, the inauguration of Kamco Invest London and the expansion into alternative investments, particularly real estate operations and private debt in 2023, marked a strategic leap towards sustainable growth and value creation for its stakeholders. This expansion leads to an extended network, more diverse offerings, and sustained business growth, reinforcing our path toward stability and sustainable success. Its efforts in contributing to the knowledge pool through reports, whitepapers, and events have also added significant value to stakeholders. Kamco Invest continues to implement its digital transformation internally and promote innovation in the investment industry. As such, it organized an exclusive event on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on investment strategies, highlighting its dedication to technological advancement as part of its broader transformation journey.-TradeArabia News Service The iconic Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons in the Middle East has opened a new cafe in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - the brands 300th in the region. The coffee shop chain is known for its freshly brewed coffee made with 100% premium Arabica beans, as well as for its wide variety of freshly baked goods, donuts, Timbits and sandwiches. Since its establishment, Tim Hortons Middle East said it has captured the hearts and taste buds of guests by demonstrating unwavering commitment to delivering premium quality and ensuring a consistently enjoyable customer experience. Celebrations to mark the milestone were hosted at Tim Hortons stylish Roshn Front location in Riyadh, in the presence of the Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jean-Philippe Linteau, the Chairman of Apparel Group and AG Cafe International Nilesh Ved, and the CEO of Tim Hortons Master Franchisee in the Middle East Hesham Almekkawi, along with other guests. Rapidly expanding in the region, Tim Hortons Middle East, represented by its master franchisee, AG Cafe International a joint venture entity owned by Apparel Group, a leading global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate, and Gateway Partners, an emerging markets alternative investment firm has been aggressively focused on widening its presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in recent years. The first Tim Hortons Middle East Cafe & Bake shop opened in Dubai in 2011. Since then, AG Cafe International has opened 299 cafes across KSA, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. During the last decade, Tim Hortons Middle East has found countless opportunities in the region to grow and thrive said Chairman Ved. Besides being loved by many guests here, the Middle East boasts an attractive investment environment, offering a state-of-the-art infrastructure and many business incentives that encourage us to move forward with our expansion plans in the region. We have also expanded our footprint into India, where we already have over 35 cafes. Almekkawi, said: By taking advantage of the brands popularity, our strategic development will ensure that Tim Hortons iconic coffee is accessible to customers across the Middle East. We enjoy offering customers comfort, refreshments, and a relaxing environment. With the opening of our 300th branch, we reaffirm this mission once again, empowering people and bringing them together over a good cup of coffee, a hearty meal and exciting conversations. Ambassador Linteau said: Tim Hortons is an iconic Canadian brand, symbolised by the maple leaf, and seeing it thrive in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC makes me very proud. The opening of the 300th store in the Kingdom reflects the strong economic ties and mutual appreciation between our countries. The brands popularity here also highlights the quality of the Canadian food and beverages and the meaningful connections many Saudis have with Canada. It is noteworthy that Tim Hortons Middle East lends innovation, design and creativity a key role in its growth strategy. It has been rewarded for the same two years in a row, not only by securing Superbrands status in the UAE, but also by being recognised by RetailME with multiple awards across a diverse set of categories covering campaigns and concepts executed across the GCC. TradeArabia News Service Adnoc and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to create 13,500 new private sector jobs for UAE Nationals in Adnocs supply chain by 2028. The agreement supports the UAEs goal to create 100,000 private sector jobs for Emiratis over the next three years and will unlock high-skilled jobs in advanced sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), engineering and manufacturing. As part of the agreement, job and training opportunities will be offered to UAE Nationals in the Al Dhafra region during the current year. Additionally,1,000 vocational training opportunities will be provided by Adnoc for UAE university graduates in private companies operating in Adnoc's supply chain through Nafiss Apprentice Program. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc Managing Director and Group CEO, said: Nurturing and empowering local talent is a top priority for Adnoc, and we are extremely proud of the impact of our ICV program in upskilling our people. Through this new agreement with Nafis, we will provide more private-sector job opportunities for local talent that enable them to contribute to the UAEs industrial and economic growth, as we grow our diversified portfolio to ensure a secure, reliable, and responsible supply of energy to the world. The collaboration builds on the achievements of Adnocs In-Country Value (ICV) program which has created 11,500 jobs for UAE Nationals in the private sector since it was launched in 2018. This new agreement will take the total private sector jobs created by Adnoc to 25,000 across its supply chain by 2028 as it accelerates UAE talent development and expands the scope of its ICV program. Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, said: This agreement with Adnoc reaffirms our commitment to empowering Emirati youth and enhancing their integration into the workforce. Through strategic partnerships with the government and private sectors, we aim to create more opportunities for UAE Nationals and ensure their meaningful participation in the countrys economic growth and development. This commitment aligns with our wise leaderships vision of empowering local talent and enhancing their contribution to the sustainable development process. By urging private sector companies to prioritise employing Nationals, we are not only investing in the future of our youth but also enhancing economic sustainability through a diverse workforce. As part of the next phase of Adnoc's ICV program, the company is expanding the scope to partner with more local and international companies and empower the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs), and talented UAE Nationals to improve the countrys self-sufficiency. Target sectors include advanced technology including artificial intelligence (AI), manufacturing, transportation, and lower-carbon solutions. In recent years, Nafis and Adnoc have signed several agreements focused on creating highly skilled jobs for UAE talent in Adnocs supply chain. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service Envision Energy has unveiled a strategic joint venture (JV) with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Vision Industries. This venture aims to accelerate the wind power growth throughout the Middle East, committing to driving the region's journey towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. The JV will focus on manufacturing and assembling the wind turbines and components, including blades, nacelles and hubs. Under the agreement, Envision Energy holds the majority share in the JV, while PIF and Vision Industries hold the remainder. The collaboration will support Saudi Arabia's goal of localizing 75 per cent of renewable energy components by 2030, in line with the Saudi Ministry of Energy's National Renewable Energy Program. PIF is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and one of the world's most impactful investor. It embraces the Kingdom's energy transformation mission by developing upcoming renewable energy initiatives, including wind power, photovoltaics, hydrogen, energy storage, etc. Vision Industries is a leading investor and developer of green energy industrial projects and local supply chains. Globally, PIF chose Envision as its JV partner due to Envision's leading position in green power, encompassing smart wind power, energy storage systems, and green hydrogen solutions that address the challenges of climate change. The company has topped the wind power order intake for two consecutive years, making it a key player in the worldwide energy transition. Envision's JV with both parties brings together PIF's robust investment capabilities and Envision Energy's cutting-edge wind power technology, highlighting the profound international cooperation and shared vision for transitioning to clean energy. This partnership marks a significant step toward Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives and advances global efforts in the clean energy transition and sustainable future. The ceremony was attended by Yasir Othman Al-Rumayyan, the Governor of PIF, Lei Zhang, Chairman of Envision, and board members of Vision Industries, among others. -TradeArabia News Service Wego, a leading travel app and one of the largest online travel marketplaces in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), has announced a strategic partnership with CzechTourism, aimed at promoting the Czech Republic as a top travel destination for summer. This collaboration is set to enhance travel experiences and provide exclusive offers for travellers seeking to explore the stunning landscapes, and historical landmarks of the Czech Republic. Through this partnership, Wego and CzechTourism will launch a series of joint marketing initiatives, social media campaigns, and promotional activities to showcase the unique attractions and hidden gems of the Czech Republic. The campaign will highlight key destinations such as Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary, and the picturesque countryside, encouraging travellers to discover the beauty and charm of this Central European gem. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Business Officer of Wego, said: "We are thrilled to partner with CzechTourism to bring the allure of the Czechia to our users. This partnership aligns with our commitment to providing diverse travel options and exceptional experiences to our travellers. With its breathtaking scenery and charming cities, Czechia is an ideal destination for summer travel, and we are excited to showcase it to our audience. The collaboration will feature tailored content on Wego's platform, including travel guides, destination highlights. Additionally, travellers will benefit from seamless booking processes, personalised travel recommendations, and competitive pricing, making their journey to the Czechia both enjoyable and affordable. Barbara Andelova, International Marketing Manager New Markets, CzechTourism spokesperson, said: "Partnering with Wego allows us to reach a broader audience and inspire more travellers from the Mena region to visit the Czech Republic. We are eager to share our country's unique heritage, cultural festivals, and natural beauty with Wego's extensive user base. Together, we aim to create unforgettable travel experiences and boost tourism to the Czech Republic." This strategic partnership is set to drive increased visitor numbers to the Czech Republic, contributing to the growth of its tourism sector and strengthening the bonds between Czechia and travellers from the Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service THE theme for this years World Sight Day: Love your eyes, kids, is a call to action, says co-founder of the Trinidad Eye Hospital (TEH) and Hummingbird Medal Gold recipient, Dr Ronnie Bhola. One of the main problems affecting our young population that is causing concern among health care professionals like Bhola is myopia a condition in which people can see close objects clearly but objects farther away appear blurred. TRINIDAD Petroleum Holdings Limited (TPHL) has put the matter of Patriotic Energy Services Company Limited submitting allegedly fraudulent documents in its bid to acquire the former Petrotrin refinery in the hands of its legal team. The claim, first made by Energy Minister Stuart Young during the budget debate last Friday, was again denied yesterday by Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) president Ancel Roget. TPHL stated in a media release yesterday that it had received a document submitted by Patriotic Energies in its non-binding offer for the refinery, which specifically identified as evidence a wire transfer of US$1.5 billion into a local bank, and which document identified Patriotic Energies as the beneficiary. The Sheikh Hasina led government in Bangladesh likes to promote itself as anti-communalis[st] and democratic. But in reality, this is an extremely authoritarian government. Two elections, 2018 and 2023, have been won by them through extreme rigging, the level of which is unachievable currently by any party in India. The raging student movement against quota culture in Bangladesh and the repression that the thugs and lumpens of Awami League is unleashing on it, is rare in India except in Kashmir. Right now, Bangladesh has been functionally turned into a prison and a graveyard. Students have observed a nationwide strike across Bangladesh on Thursday (18th July 2024) which have been called Bangla blockade. What is the reason behind this movement? Is this primarily a movement of traitors, razakars? Is this protest just against quotas? This movement was sparked off by the recent judgement of the countrys high court that has ruled to bring back the quota system which was halted in the year 2018. Government education and jobs in Bangladesh are 56% under quota, out of which 30% consists of the freedom fighter quota. The Bangladeshi system is not a quota system for marginalized or deprived peoples, which we are used to in the Indian reservation system. Rather, this is an attempt by Awami League to permanently create a vote bank for themselves through the creation of a privileged class that receives preferential treatment. It is worth noting that this time many descendants of freedom fighters have spoken in support of the movement. In 2018, the government under pressure from a mass movement was forced to order a halt this quota. This order was challenged in court. Why had the government not passed a clear cut law regarding the same issue where affirmative action for genuinely deprived peoples is initiated and separated from the muktijoddha quota (trans: freedom fighter quota)? In 2018, students had demanded a reform of the 30% quota for the families of freedom fighters. And the Hasina government had completely removed the 26% reservations kept for marginalized and deprived peoples along with these quotas. When the same was taken to court, the quota system in its entirety has been brought back. It is not impossible that some people in the movement are conservative, and some are against quotas for women. However, the arrowhead of the movement is pointed at the freedom fighter quota. This movement is so strong because under late capitalism there are very few jobs in underdeveloped Bangladesh resulting in hundreds of thousands of young people hopefully applying annually for a few thousand secure government jobs. The Bangladeshi government does not look after the interests of the many. They serve international capital, including big capitalists of China and India and look to line the pockets of the ruling party and political leaders with profit. One of the slogans of the student movement is Bhuya! Bhuya (trans: Fake! Fake!). The underlying meaning is that freedom fighter family is often a bogus label given to those close to the Awami League. Sheikh Hasina has tried to label this movement as one of Razakars. In 1971, Razakars assisted the Pakistanis and were traitors to the Bangladeshi cause. The protesters have responded with the slogan Ami ke? Tumi ke? Rajakar! Rajakar! Ke bolechhe? Ke bolecche? Shwoirachar! Shwoirachar! (trans: Who am I? Who are you? Rajakar! Rajakar! Who says so? Who says so? Who says so? Dictator! Dictator!) The word Razakar from the mouth of Sheikh Hasina is similar to the utterance antinational or terrorist from the mouth of Narendra Modi. Masses of students have joined this movement in Bangladesh. As of 6 pm, 18th of July, 2024, 64 people have been martyred. But this movement has not been able to organize itself in a clear leftist direction. Organizations like Jamaat-e-Islami exist in Bangladesh. Haseena has labelled the movement as one completely of Razakars in order to exploit the presence of these organizations. This is of course a failure of left organizations that they have not been able to create a strong counter polarity in their favour. Out of these, the Workers Party (known to be close to the CPIM) and sections of JASAD/JSD are completely subservient to Hasina. Others are supportive of the movement but we cannot claim that they are giving any direction to it. We support the democratic movement of Bangladesh against unjust quotas and at the same time support the system of reservation directed at removing social discrimination. We support the democratic movement of the people against the authoritarian Bangladeshi government and support the demand for democratic and free and fair elections which was raised by a united left in 2023. It is an important task in India to stand in solidarity with the movement in Bangladesh for history will read the progressive movements of both countries as intertwined. We also strongly condemn the actions of the Kolkata police who detained protesters in solidarity with Bangladesh and sent them to Lalbazar (HQ of Kolkata police). May the democratic movement of the people stand strong against the union of dictators! Radical Socialist 19th July, 2024. This past week lasted approximately four months, while also passing by in no longer than 50 hours. The entire world may be going mad, but we urge you to anchor yourself, using the power of facts. Learn about the panics of the past, and of predictions of the future. Learn of battles underwater and up in the air. You might even learn something about potatoes, if you read very carefully. 15 Moon Shot The manager of the New York Giants once noted that a pitcher of his, Gaylord Perry, couldnt hit well. There would be a man on the Moon before Gaylord Perry would hit a home run, he said. Perry went on to hit a home run on July 20, 1969, shortly after Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon. 14 Lucky Mistake In 1982, Baltimore police went to an apartment, suspecting theyd find marijuana and cash. They knocked on the wrong door by mistake. This apartment turned out to also have a bunch of marijuana and cash, so they made an arrest. The resulting legal case went all the way to the Supreme Court. 13 Wicked Ways One American town in the 19th century was known as the wickedest town in the west. A single saloon there had seven murders in two years, and such killings generally went unpunished. This town was Bismarck, North Dakota. 12 Valium and Sour Cream In the mood for some benzodiazepines? You can find some just by eating potatoes! You wont find a lot, to be fair, but youll encounter trace amounts. Advertisement Advertisement 11 The Slime Defense The hagfish has a method for fending off any sharks that attack: slime. It just needs to squeeze out a teaspoon of the stuff. Then, once outside the fishs body, the slime can expand to 10,000 times its original volume in a matter of seconds. Vincent Zintzen, et al. Fine in the ocean but catastrophically messy when we transport the slime. 10 We Have to Go Back Toasters 70 years ago were better than they are now. You didnt need to lower bread into the toaster with a lever. The toaster detected the weight of inserted slices, automatically lowered them, and then smoothly raised them again once toasting completed. Advertisement Advertisement 9 Loose Lips An armed naval ship from Venezuela rammed into a German passenger cruise ship in 2020, attacking it. The cruise ship had no way to fight back, but the naval ship split itself open in the process and sank. 8 No Law in the Sky The first airplane thief was acquitted. The case went in 1931 to the Supreme Court, who noted that there was no law against stealing planes just against stealing vehicles, and airplanes werent deemed vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement 7 Aurora Bore-ARGH-lis Norway launched a rocket to study the northern lights in 1995. Russia handed the nuclear briefcase to Boris Yeltsin so he could respond, because they thought this rocket came from the United States. 6 Cup of Flower If you want real vanilla, instead of the synthetic stuff, thatll cost you. Thats because its cultivated by individually pollinating the flowers by hand. Its unclear why youd want real vanilla, though, since the synthetic stuff is chemically identical. NPS Probably the same reason youd want real diamonds, which is, uh, hold on. Advertisement Advertisement 5 The Ides Eve The best sort of death would be sudden and unexpected, said Julius Caesar. He said this on March 14th. The next day, he was stabbed to death by (along with other people) the guy whod been next to him when hed said that remark. 4 The Drunken Prince Saudi Arabia has opened its first liquor store, following a ban that was in place since 1952. The country didnt simply ban alcohol because of Islamic law, as many think. They banned it after the kings son got drunk and shot a British diplomat. Advertisement Advertisement 3 Erectile Robusta In the 1600s, a petition circulated around London, protesting coffee. It claimed to be written by the citys women, complaining that the drink had rendered their husbands impotent. 2 Legacy After he stopped being president, Andrew Johnson ran for Congress. That would have been quite a step down. But he lost. He came in third place. Advertisement Advertisement PHOENIX Foes of Proposition 314 are making a last-ditch effort to convince the Arizona Supreme Court that allowing local police to arrest border crossers and setting enhanced penalties for selling deadly fentanyl are not the same subject. Hanging in the balance is whether voters will see it on the November ballot. In new filings, attorney Jim Barton told the justices that lawmakers are free to put multiple provisions into a single measure and send it to the ballot for voter consideration. But he said the Arizona Constitution puts limits on what can be in a package, spelling out that every act shall embrace but one subject and matters properly connected therewith. Barton, representing Living United for Change in Arizona, a Latino activist group, said what Republican lawmakers put into the package under the name of the Secure the Border Act hardly qualifies under what is known as the single-subject rule. The act embraces at least three distinct subjects: unlawful entry, unlawful presence, and importing foreign-made illicit drugs, he wrote. Barton called it a classic example of the pernicious practice ... of logrolling, putting multiple issues into a single take-it-or-leave it package so that voters who want one provision have to also agree to take the rest of it. He told the justices that for those reasons, it should not appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Attorney Andrew Gaona, representing several different Latino rights groups also opposed to the ballot measure, told the justices in his own legal filing that they might be able to consider the provisions dealing with immigration as a single subject. One would allow state and local police to arrest those who enter Arizona from Mexico at other than a port of entry. It carries criminal penalties but also allows judges to drop the charges against those who agree to deportation. Two others deal with the use of false documents by those not lawfully present in the country to obtain employment or public benefits. But prescribing a new crime for every adult for the sale of lethal fentanyl has nothing to do with an individuals immigration status, Gaona said. The way the law is worded, the provision, which would impose a presumptive 10-year sentence if someone sold fentanyl that caused the death of another, would apply to any individual, whether in this country legally or not. Supporters of the measure argued that some of the fentanyl does come from Mexico. They got Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Minder to accept legislative findings essentially an intent clause in the proposal about the dangers of fentanyl and the impact of bringing it across the border, including the claim that it entices people to enter this country illegally. Minder ruled that makes the proposed new crime logically or in popular understanding connected to illegal border crossing. Gaona said that misses the point. The mere fact that some fentanyl may come through what the Legislature declares to be an unsecure border is of no moment, particularly when considering that fentanyl is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain-related) and anesthetic, he told the justices. Gaona acknowledged that lawmakers are free to declare any number of items that might cross the border harmful, ranging from fruits and vegetables to exotic animals, bulk cash, firearms or dangerous consumer products. But he told the justices they would have to do any of these things in legislation or ballot measures that did not also include the provisions related to border crossers and use of false documents by people not here legally. GOP lawmakers did make a last-minute change to try to tie the issues of fentanyl sales and illegal immigration together: They said someone charged with a crime could escape that presumptive 10-year prison term by providing proof that the fentanyl or the chemicals that made it were either manufactured in the United States or were lawfully imported. That provision drew derision from House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras when the measure was being debated. I dont think the fentanyl pills going to have a stamp on the back that says hecho in Mexico, said the Avondale Democrat. Attorney Kory Langhofer, representing the Legislature, conceded during arguments earlier this month in Minders court that it would be rare for a person charged with the offense to prove a negative: that the drugs didnt originate in Mexico. But he told the trial judge that doesnt affect the legality of the enhanced penalty and putting it into a border security proposal even if it is unlikely that someone might be able to use that legal defense. The justices themselves will have to decide the question of whether Prop. 314 appears on the ballot on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Thats because if they conclude that one or more provisions violate the single-subject rule, they cannot simply excise the offending provisions but have to reject the proposition in its entirety. Greening firms is a global trend, but Vietnamese companies have struggled to mobilize green capital locally. As a result, they are looking to foreign markets for green capital mobilization. Nguyen Xuan Thanh, a lecturer at the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, stated at a scientific conference on 'Sustainable Development of Vietnams Financial Market,' held in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday, that many firms are compelled to seek green capital from foreign markets, as this type of capital typically yields low profit rates and the concept is still unfamiliar to Vietnamese investors. He assessed that Vietnams green and digital finance systems lag behind those of many countries in the world. Multiple Southeast Asian nations have already issued legal frameworks allowing the development of digital finance and banking, while Vietnam has yet to follow suit. Therefore, it is vital to have a breakthrough policy on green and digital finance in Vietnam. Nguyen Duc Lenh, deputy head of the State Bank of Vietnam branch in Ho Chi Minh City, also stated that green credit currently reaches a modest rate of some 4.5-5 percent against the total outstanding credit. The journey of sustainable economic growth should go hand in hand with green - digital - circular economic transition, Lenh said. The central bank has launched a series of action programs for the banking industry to boost green economic growth. Meanwhile, commercial banks are ramping up their green credit to green projects in the energy and agriculture fields, as well as other activities producing green products. The banking industry has recently seen a positive growth pace of green credit due to big pressure for green credit development," Lenh said. "Specially, firms exporting goods to Europe and the United States are paying more attention to green origins, contributing to driving up green credit expansion." Associate Prof. Dr Nguyen Duc Trung, president of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking, delivers his speech at a scientific conference on sustainable financial market development in Vietnam, July 18, 2024. Photo: Anh Hong / Tuoi Tre Appropriate policy for sustainable financial market Dr. Nguyen Anh Vu, head of the finance faculty at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking, said that since 1992, three pillars, including banking, insurance, and securities, have thrived stably. To develop sustainably, these industries need incentives, appropriate policies, and favorable legal and investment environments, Vu said. Besides, firms should change their perceptions to build a transparent financial information system that can meet all Vietnamese and international standards to help local firms access capital and diversify funding mobilization sources. Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Trung, president of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking, observed that new technologies have impacted both the financial market and its governance. He asserted that developing financial infrastructure, elevating the position of the financial market, and promoting green finance present both opportunities and challenges for Vietnams financial system. He underscored the need for timely measures and relevant policies to support the local financial market. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Members of an uncontacted Amazon Basin tribe and their dwellings are seen during a flight over the Brazilian state of Acre along the border with Peru in this May 2008 photo. Photo: Reuters Leaders of more countries have sent telegrams and letters of condolences to Vietnam over the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, honoring the contributions and visions of the Vietnamese leader. The condolences were sent to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Vietnamese State President To Lam, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, the Vietnamese people, and the family of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The content of their telegrams and letters of condolences is as follows: On behalf of the government and people in Thailand, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin offered his deepest condolences to the government and people in Vietnam as well as the family of comrade Trong over the huge loss. The Thai leader expressed his admiration for Party General Secretary Trongs important and exemplary contributions to the cause of national building and development as well as to the enhancement of the Vietnam - Thailand relations, especially the elevation of the two countries ties to a strategic partnership during the Vietnamese Party chiefs historic visit to Thailand in 2013. Leaders of India, on behalf of the government and people in the South Asian country, expressed their sincere condolences on the great loss of Vietnam and the respect for the life and career of Vietnamese Party leader Trong. They affirmed that they would stand side by side with leaders and the people in Vietnam, as well as the family of Party General Secretary Trong during this heart-rending period. General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Un said that Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong devoted his whole life to the struggle for the development of the Party and the state of Vietnam, as well as the Vietnamese peoples happiness. He spent great efforts on strengthening and developing the cooperative partnership between North Korea and Vietnam in line with the agreements achieved during Kims visit to Vietnam in March 2019. Kim also stressed that the Vietnamese Party chiefs contributions will remain forever in the revolutionary history of the Vietnamese people as well as the friendship between the two countries. In his telegram of condolences, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his grief over the passing of Party General Secretary Trong, a great leader of Vietnam. On behalf of the government and people in South Korea, he sent a message of condolences to the family of the Vietnamese Party leader and the Vietnamese people for losing a highly-respected leader. He affirmed that Party General Secretary Trongs achievements and wishes for the enormous growth of Vietnam and the cooperative partnership between Vietnam and South Korea will remain forever in the minds of the two countries peoples. U.S. President Joe Biden sent his deep condolences to the family of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the people of Vietnam on the loss. He wrote, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a champion of the deep ties between the American and Vietnamese people whose leadership helped nurture the friendship and partnership our countries enjoy today. His 2015 historic visit to the White House was a milestone in our bilateral relationship. Thanks to his vision, during my 2023 state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam and the United States became 'comprehensive strategic partners,' the highest level of partnership in the Vietnamese system. The people of Vietnam and the United States and people across the Indo-Pacific region enjoy greater security and opportunity today because of the friendship between the two countries. That is thanks to Trong, the U.S. leader added. Biden noted that the United States and I personally will remember and appreciate his commitment to reconciliation and to building a future oriented toward peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and around the world. We honor his legacy and mourn his passing alongside the people of Vietnam. Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio was stunned and mournful to receive news that Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, passed away, according to his condolence telegram. On behalf of the government and people in Japan, he offered the deepest condolences to the government and people in Vietnam as well as the entire family of the Vietnamese Party leader. Kishida added that meetings with Vietnamese Party chief Trong had become his unforgettable memories. He also expressed his profound gratitude for the significant contributions of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong to boosting the Vietnam-Japan relations in various fields. Kishida expressed his heartfelt condolences and wished Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong to rest in peace, honoring his exceptional leadership in fostering the cooperative partnership between the two nations across various sectors. In their letter, Australian leaders sent their deepest condolences to the National Assembly, the government, and the people in Vietnam as well as the family of Party General Secretary Trong over this great loss. They appreciated the affection and sincerity that Party leader Trong devoted to the relations between Vietnam and Australia, especially in upgrading the two countries bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. They also emphasized that the Vietnamese Party chief's great contributions to the cause of building and developing a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam will always be remembered by the international community. The Australian leaders added that they would continue to attach importance to cultivating 'strategic trust' in the Vietnam - Australia relationship, as desired by Party General Secretary Trong. Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared the great pain and loss of the Vietnamese people over the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. As the General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee since 2011, Trong was a leader with a key role in Vietnam's contemporary history. Under his leadership, Vietnam continues its strong development path to become one of the world's fastest-growing economies and an important partner of the UN, Guterres stressed. President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis praised Trong as a dedicated leader who devoted himself to his country for more than a decade. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko also sent their condolences to Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. Vietnams Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 1:38 pm on July 19 in Hanoi, Nhan Dan (People) newspaper cited information from the Central Committee on Health Care for Senior Governmental Officials. The Party chief drew his last breath at 108 Military Central Hospital despite the efforts of leading doctors and healthcare experts to treat his serious illness. General Secretary Trong was born in 1944. A state funeral for General Secretary Trong will be held at the National Funeral Hall in Hanoi on July 25 and July 26. A burial service for the Party chief will take place from 3:00 pm on July 26 at Mai Dich Cemetery in Hanoi. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping on Saturday visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing to mourn the passing of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong. Party General Secretary Trong passed away at 1:38 pm on July 19 in Hanoi. The top Chinese leader was present at the Vietnamese Embassy around 4:00 pm on Saturday (Beijing time) to express his grief over the death of his Vietnamese counterpart, according to Chinese media. He was accompanied by several Chinese officials, including Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party and Chief of the CPC Central Committees Office, and Wang Yi, Politburo member, Director of the Office of the Chinese Communist Partys Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the hall of condolence at the embassy, wreaths sent by Xi and other members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi were laid in front of a portrait of Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong. There were also wreaths sent by the Central Committee of the CPC, the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Central Military Commission, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Beijing Municipal Government, and relevant people's organizations. After Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi paid homage in front of the portrait of Vietnamese Party chief Trong, he bowed down three times, and then wrote in the condolence book, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The Chinese leader told Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai that Party General Secretary Trong was a staunch Marxist and a great leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping (middle) visits the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing, China to mourn the passing of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on July 20, 2024. Photo: Xinhua Xi emphasized that Party General Secretary Trong dedicated his entire life to the Vietnamese Party, state, and people. He led the nation to significant achievements in building socialism in Vietnam and earned the support and admiration of the Party, military, and people. Over the past 10 years, comrade Nguyen Phu Trong and I had several close meetings and established deep comradeship, the Chinese official said. Xi also underscored a key milestone marked last year when he and the Vietnamese leader declared that they would jointly build a community with a shared future. The passing of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong made us lose a good comrade who boosted the China - Vietnam ties and accompanied in the development of socialism, he expressed his great sadness. China always keeps in mind the significant contributions by comrade Nguyen Phu Trong to fostering the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries as well as the socialist movement in the world." General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping writes in the condolence book, Great grief for comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, a great leader of Vietnamese people and a great friend of Chinese people. Photo: Vietnam News Agency The Communist Party of China Central Committee steadfastly supports the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to unite and lead Vietnamese people toward powerful development. Chinas Party, state, and people believe that Vietnams Doi Moi (Renovation) and the cause of building socialism in Vietnam will generate greater achievements in the future. China is willing to join hands with Vietnam to bolster the comprehensive strategic partnership and build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance in a deeper and more substantive manner. General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (R) meets General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping in Hanoi, December 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Vietnamese Ambassador Mai stated that the Chinese leader's visit to the Vietnamese Embassy to mourn the passing of the Vietnamese Party chief, along with the condolences extended earlier by Chinese leaders, demonstrated that China's Party and state highly value their relationship with the Vietnamese Party and state. The diplomat affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, state, and people always see the development of the relationship with Chinas Party, state, and people as one of the formers top priorities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The management of Da Nang International Airport in the namesake city in central Vietnam on Sunday confirmed the sudden death of an Australian tourist at the airport. The tourist, identified as Roger F. B., 75, was conducting procedures for a flight from Da Nang City to Singapore on Saturday afternoon when the passenger passed out. He was quickly given first aid and had his health checked by medical workers at the airport, but he passed away shortly afterward. His death may have been linked to a stroke. Roger F. B. and his wife, a Singaporean national, entered Da Nang on July 13 for tourism purposes. Police officers and relevant units are completing procedures related to the sudden death of the Australian visitor. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Da Nang International Airport welcomes up to 150 flights each day. The services provided at the terminals of the airport meet the highest international standards. Typically, the airport is equipped with medical equipment for emergencies for passengers who feel ill. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! What you need to know in Vietnam today: Society -- Moderate to heavy rains are expected throughout Vietnam on Sunday while people in the southern region might suffer downpours with a rain volume of up to 120 millimeters late in the afternoon and at night, according to the national weather center. -- Border guards in Lai Chau Province, northern Vietnam on Saturday searched and rescued a 64-year-old man who fell down a cliff in a local forest on Tuesday. -- The Department of Planning and Investment of Lam Dong Province in the Central Highlands region announced on Saturday that it had suspended the operations of Dalat Prince Hotel in Da Lat City owing to the hotel using its premises for unauthorized purposes. -- Seven border guard officers and two speedboats were mobilized to rescue 23 people, including 20 tourists, on board a sinking speedboat in the waters off the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam on Saturday. Politics -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping on Saturday visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing to mourn the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong. Business -- Vietnam exported over 1,330 metric tons of fish roe worth US$22.2 million in the first half of the year, an 84-fold year-on-year surge, according to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Education -- All six Vietnamese students competing at the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad held in the United Kingdom won five medals and an honorable mention, the Ministry of Education and Training announced on Saturday. World News -- Wildfires raging through the northern part of Canada's Alberta have forced evacuations of three communities, a provincial body said on Saturday, as the oil-rich province continues to fight five different 'wildfires of note' in separate areas, reported Reuters. -- Security experts said CrowdStrike's routine update of its widely used cybersecurity software, which caused clients' computer systems to crash globally on Friday, apparently did not undergo adequate quality checks before it was deployed, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security announced on Friday the indictment and temporary detention of Nguyen Thi Nhu Loan, CEO of Quoc Cuong Gia Lai Joint Stock Company, for allegedly violating regulations on the management and use of state assets causing losses and waste. She was apprehended in a case involving state-owned Vietnam Rubber Group, Ba Ria Rubber JSC, Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and other relevant entities. On the same day, dozens of police officers raided her residence on Tran Quoc Thao Street in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Investigators from the Ministry of Public Security are collecting evidence to expand their probe into the case, clarify violations Quoc Cuong Gia Lai JSC and relevant units are accused of committing, and fully recover state assets. Police officers confiscate many boxes of documents from Nguyen Thi Nhu Loans residence in Ho Chi Minh City, July 19, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre Police officers confiscate many boxes of documents from Nguyen Thi Nhu Loans residence on July 19, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre Loan, 64, established Quoc Cuong Gia Lai JSC in 1994. She is currently the largest shareholder of the company with a 37.05-percent stake, equivalent to some 102 million shares. On July 17, the Ministry of Public Security detained Tran Ngoc Thuan, former member of the board of directors and general director of Vietnam Rubber Group, for allegedly receiving bribes; Nguyen Thi Hong, former vice-chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, on charges of abusing positions and powers while on duty; and Vo Sy Luc, former chairman of the board of directors of Vietnam Rubber Group, along with Tran Thoai, a member of the board of directors and deputy general director of the group, amid allegations of violating regulations on state asset management and use, causing losses and wastefulness. Police officers reach Nguyen Thi Nhu Loans residence in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre Police officers arrive at Nguyen Thi Nhu Loans residence in Ho Chi Minh City on July 19, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre In late May, police arrested Doan Ngoc Phuong, deputy director of the Department of Land Resources Planning and Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, over bribe-taking allegations. Le Quang Thung, former general director and acting chairman of Vietnam Rubber Group, and Huynh Trung Truc, former deputy general director of the roup, faced the same fate for allegedly violating regulations on state asset management and use, causing losses and wastefulness. Police officers move many boxes from Nguyen Thi Nhu Loans residence in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre Police officers leave Nguyen Thi Nhu Loans residence in Ho Chi Minh City at 3:45 pm on July 19, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Both domestic and international tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City can sign up for the Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour, offered by BenThanh Tourist travel company, from Monday. A representative of BenThanh Tourist said the tour is meant to introduce special cultural and historical values as well as typical architectural works in the southern hub to Vietnamese and foreign travelers who want to explore the city. The Free Walking Tour is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am and end at 1:00 pm every day. Tourist guides wait for tourists at a departure site at 3-5 Nguyen Hue Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City and take them to well-known destinations in the city, such as Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the edifice of the municipal People's Council and People's Committee, the Municipal Theater, the Saigon Central Post Office, and the Reunification Palace. The tour ends with a lunch featuring local specialties at Ben Thanh Market. The tour will satisfy tourists interested in the citys history, food enthusiasts, and those eager to explore the local culture, streets, and architecture. "We hope that through the tour to famed destinations in the city, tourists will gain good impressions and widen their knowledge about Ho Chi Minh City, one of the most attractive cities in Southeast Asia," BenThanh Tourist said. Tourists should put their names down for the tour before 4:00 pm on the day before the departure day. In 2017, Vietravel, another local travel company, launched the Free Walking Tours program. It resumed the program last year after a period of suspension. A Vietravel representative said the company still offers the tour to both domestic and international visitors. They can register for the tour via the companys hotline and representative offices. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A tropical depression in the East Vietnam Sea has strengthened into a storm, internationally named Prapiroon, marking the second storm to hit the waters so far this year, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting. At 1:00 pm on Sunday, the storm was centered in the waters west of Vietnams Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, packing sustained winds of 62-74 kph and gusts of 102 kph, the center said. The storm has moved northwest at a velocity of 10-15 kph toward Chinas Hainan Island since then. It is expected to hit the island on Monday with the same strength and then cross it to enter the Gulf of Tonkin on the evening of the same day. Storm Prapiroon is expected to move to the waters between northern Vietnams Quang Ninh and southern Chinas Guangxi Province, where it will weaken into a tropical depression. It is likely to make landfall in the Chinese province and further downgrade into a low-pressure area. Affected by the storm, the central area of the East Vietnam Sea, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands), has experienced rough seas with powerful winds reaching up to 74 kph and squalls up to 102 kph since Sunday morning. The waters off the south-central coast between Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan Provinces, as well as the southern area of the East Vietnam Sea, including the waters west of Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, have been hit by rough seas and winds of 49 kph, with gusts reaching up to 74 kph. The Central Highlands and the southeastern region will have moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, with precipitation ranging from 20 mm to 100mm on Sunday evening. On Sunday night, the northwestern region will have scattered showers and thunderstorms with rainfall of 10-60mm. The center has warned that whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts are likely to occur during these rainstorms. In addition, flash floods and landslides may occur in mountainous areas, while flooding may hit low-lying and urban areas. The agency also forecast that the northern region and north-central Thanh Hoa Province will experience moderate to heavy rains due to the impacts of storm Prapiroon from July 22 through 25. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! At the end of the day, its a guessing game, Im just pointing at briefcases. Maybe Ill point at them really fast and get it done quick. Open them now, open them now! says Tom Gleeson ahead of his Deal or No Deal: Celebrity Jackpot Special. The special marks his first appearance on a Grant Denyer-hosted vehicle, which he views as returning a favour to a showbiz mate. I didnt have to do this. Im just doing this for fun because its Grant. I was supposed to do Celebrity Name Game. But Grant went to Bali and shat himself, got too sick and they had to cancel, so I ended up not being able to do it. Ive been meaning to go on his show for years. So I finally got asked to do this, he explains. I wanted to return the favour because he came and did my Hard Chat segment three times in the end. So I felt like the least I could do was turn up whenever I got invited. It helps that in that time Gleeson has become a 10 host on Taskmaster Australia, but in his trademark ambivalent style, he is even non-plussed about that too. If we get some cross promo for Taskmaster, good luck! TV is arguably at peak-Gleeson right now with two editions of Hard Quiz on screen -not including repeats- plus Taskmaster seasons and now a Deal or No Deal special. That could make him a contender for Most Overexposed in 2024. I know, I know! Its kind of not my fault. I do them so that theyre all spaced apart. But you know, they keep on moving the schedule, he insists. I know it seems silly, especially when you look at exactly what youre saying. Because theres too much on. But this is what it looks like when I only say Yes to things I want to do. Hard Quiz was all in the bank, all shot last year. Taskmaster was shot earlier this year. Theres another season thats also in the can and then theres Hard Quiz Kids thats already in the can. So theres a lot of TV. I think Ive got like 50 episodes of TV that hasnt been aired yet and Im going to make some more soon. But having said all that, right now Im just doing one stand up gig a week. Like right now lifes pretty cruisy. So theres a lot of stuff on air, but Im home all week and just going out and doing one show on the weekend. Joining him in the special holding briefcases are the likes of Sam Taunton, Tom Ballard, Geraldine Hickey, Dilruk Jayasinha and Lizzy Hoo and more. Further specials will feature MasterChef Australia Judges Andy Allen and Sofia Levin, cast from Gogglebox, Collingwood Premiership Captain Darcy Moore, Matildas champion Kyah Simon, and Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! winner Skye Wheatley. All are playing for charity, with Gleeson competing for Feel the Magic. Its a charity that helps families come to terms with the grief of losing a parent or significant loved one. Its a charity I learned about recently because of a cousin I lost about nine years ago. His wife, Penny, is doing a charity lunch where shes trying to raise money and raise the profile of the charity. So that was an easy one for me. But Gleeson is making no apology for any anti-Deal humour, including any punchlines about former game show hosts? Ive gotten very good at knowing the edgy stuff that you can say that will make it. There are things that you just know. Im not the producer on this show, but I know what Ill hit the floor. Having said that, Ill probably just say it for my own amusement, he teases. Youve put it in my head now. Deal or No Deal: Celebrity Jackpot special 7:30pm Monday on 10. By Sam Jahan and Sudipto Ganguly DHAKA (Reuters) -Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Sunday scrapped most quotas on government jobs after nationwide action led by students spiralled into clashes that killed at least 139 people, but some organisers said the protests would continue. Dismissing a lower court order, the Supreme Court's Appellate Division directed that 93% of government jobs should be open to candidates on merit, Attorney General A.M. Amin Uddin told Reuters. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government had scrapped the quota system in 2018, under which 56% of jobs were reserved for groups such as freedom fighters' families, women and people from underdeveloped districts. But the lower court reinstated it last month, sparking the protests and an ensuing clampdown that included an internet shutdown and a curfew with the army on the streets. The recent clashes followed similar violent protests ahead of January's national elections by Hasina's opponents in response to what they called her authoritarian rule, and by garment workers demanding better pay amid high inflation. "Students have clearly said they are in no way part of the violence and arson that have taken place in Bangladesh since Monday," Amin Uddin said. "I am hoping normalcy will return after today's ruling and people with ulterior motives will stop instigating people," he added. Internet and text message services in Bangladesh have been suspended since Thursday, as security forces cracked down on protesters who defied a ban on public gatherings. At least four protest coordinators told BBC Bangla that they planned to continue their action until they secured the release of some detained student leaders and the restoration of internet and other cellular services. "The judgment of the Supreme Court seems unclear to us. There is no clear-cut solution for all types of quotas," said Abdul Quader, one of the coordinators. Soldiers have been patrolling the largely deserted streets of the capital Dhaka since the government ordered a curfew late on Friday. A tank was stationed outside the Supreme Court gates at the time of the hearing. Local media had reported scattered clashes earlier in the day between protesters and security forces. At least 139 people have been killed so far, according to data from hospitals. OUTLOOK UNCERTAIN The government on Saturday extended the curfew indefinitely, according to local media. Restrictions were eased for two hours on Sunday to allow people to shop for supplies. Tanvir Hasan, a grocer in Dhaka, said, "As curfew eased, people swarmed in like bees. We just had couple of very busy hours." The clashes have injured thousands across the country in recent days, as police used tear gas, rubber bullets and sound grenades to disperse protesters throwing bricks and setting fire to vehicles. Experts attribute the unrest to stagnant job growth in the private sector and high youth unemployment, making public sector jobs with regular wage hikes very attractive among the group who make up nearly a fifth of the population. Bangladesh also faces economic difficulties and secured a $4.7 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in January last year after struggling to pay for energy imports, which cut into its dollar reserves and fanned inflation. Hasina, 76, who won power for a fourth straight term in January, has been credited with turning around Bangladesh's economy and its garment industry. But critics also accuse her of authoritarianism, human rights violations, crackdowns on free speech and suppression of dissent, charges her party denies. The Supreme Court directed the government to cut the job quotas for families of independence fighters to 5% from 30%, the attorney general said. The remaining 2% of jobs still subject to quotas are for people from so-called backward groups and the disabled, he added. There was no immediate reaction from groups affected by reduced quotas following Sunday's verdict. The court asked protesting students to return to classes and also asked the government to issue orders on the quotas. Many opposition leaders, activists and student protesters have been arrested in the current crackdown, said Tarique Rahman, the exiled acting chairman of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Police arrested Nahid Islam, a leading student coordinator, on Saturday, the protesters said. Universities and colleges have been closed since Wednesday. India said on Sunday that over 4,500 Indian students have returned home over the past few days. It also said 500 Nepalese students and 38 from Bhutan had arrived in the country. (Reporting by Sam Jahan and Mohammad Ponir Hossain in Dhaka, Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai and Shivam Patel in New Delhi; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Tom Hogue, William Mallard and Giles Elgood) Karbala: Misunderstandings and Message The teachings of Karbala should not inspire us only during the month of Muharram but the whole year. The most important lesson from Karbala is to stand against falsehood even if you are handful in number Sunday July 21, 2024 12:17 PM , Raqif Makhdoomi Abdullah ibn Saba, a Jewish man who took Islam as a cover, sowed the seeds of division in the Muslim Ummah during the time of Hazrat Uthman bin Affan (RA). He went to people and told them its Hazrat Ali (RA) who should have been the Caliph but Hazrat Uthman (RA) took away his right. Both Shia and Sunni share the view that this man was the first Ghulat. But this man isnt spoken of commonly while event of Karbala is narrated. For whatever the reason may be but this man Abdullah ibn Saba has a very big role in creating division among Muslims. The misconception that Hadhrat Ali (RA) is the only one who had the right to be the first caliph was introduced by this man. Another man Named Abu Lulua Firuz or Abu Lulu - the cursed man who killed Hadhrat Umar Al-Farouq (RA). Ironically, he has a tomb in Iran and a festival named Omar Koshan (The killing of Umar) used to be celebrated. But due to the pressure from the Muslim world the shrine of this cursed man is closed. While Hazrat Ali (RA) become the Caliph, Hadhrat Muawiya (RA) refused to accept him as Caliph. But he never was against Hazart Ali (RA) or his Caliphate. He just wanted Hadhrat Ali (RA) to take action against those who were involved in the brutal murder of Hazrat Uthman (RA) which for various reasons is a valid thing to demand. Time passed and finally Hazrat Muawiya (RA) became the Caliph. Hadhrat Hassan (RA) and Hazrat Muawiya (RA) both were on the edge of a war that fortunately didnt happen. Hazart Hassan (RA) wanted Hazrat Muawiya (RA) to accept some points and only then Hazrat Hassan (RA) would accept Hazrat Muawiya (ra) as the Caliph. Hazrat Muawiya (RA) sent a blank paper with a stamp on it to Hadhrat Hassan (RA) and asked him to write whatever he wants to. The treaty was signed and Hazart Hassan (RA) accepted him as Caliph. The twenty-year rule of Hadhrat Muawiya (RA) are regarded as among the best years in the Islamic history. Peace prevailed everywhere. No wars were fought. No injustice was done. Everything was at total peace. Hazrat Muwaiya (RA) is being held responsible for the martyrdom of Hazrat Hassan (RA). The reasons are best known to the people who make fake and false allegations against Muwaiya (RA). People unfortunately have no knowledge of what happened before and after the Karbala. Now the question here arises from where these people get explanations to abuse and curse Hazrat Muawiya (RA). Hadhrat Muawiya (RA) was Katib e wahi. His sister, Hadhrat Umme Habiba (RA) was one of the noble wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) made dua for Muawiya (RA). I dont think a true Muslim should have doubt that was Muawiya (RA) on the right path or not when the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself makes dua for the guidance of Muwaiya (RA). Instead of concentrating on the teachings of Karbala people are busy cursing Hazrat Abubakar (RA), Hazrat Umar (RA), Hazrat Uthman (RA), Hazrat Ayesha (RA), Hazart Hafsa (RA), Hazrat Muwaiya (RA) and many others. When asked for the reasons behind it they - instead of giving a valid reason, start abusing for asking them for the reasons. Hazrat Hussain (RA) and the other 71 martyrs of Karbala sacrificed their sacred lives for standing with truth and against the falsehood. Nobody can say that the martyrs of Karbala didnt had the most heart-breaking martyrdom in the history of Islam. But the martyrs dont die and every Muslim desires to die as martyr. Theres no point of mourning the martyrs or offer them condolences. The martyrs are paid tribute. The Islamic history is full of martyrs. The first martyr of Islam is Hadhrat Yasir (RA) and Hazrat Sumayya (RA). Hazrat Yasir (RA) was tied to health camels. His two arms to two camels and two legs to other two camels, and the camels were made to run in opposite directions. His body tore into pieces. Hazrat Sumayya was martyred by shooting an arrow in her anus. The first and the most heart-breaking death in the history of Isalm. But are these deaths mourned? No, because theres no reason to mourn a martyr. A dead man is mourned, a martyr never dies. I quoted this event because when they are asked why do they mourn martyrs of Karbala, they reply because they were martyred in a very brutal way. No one denies that. I say the most brutal martyrdom that anyone can have but theres no reason to mourn the martyrs. We take inspiration from Karbala. The teachings of Karbala should not inspire us only during the month of Muharram but the whole year. The most important lesson from Karbala is to stand against falsehood even if you are handful in number. No compromise is what Hadhrat Hussain (RA) taught us. He could have accepted the terms and could have lived a normal life but he left us with a great and very important lesson which we must not forget till we are alive. All the 71 martyrs of Karbala have a very special place in our hearts. May their supreme sacrifices keep inspiring us all through our lives. [The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi, is a law student and Human rights activist. The featured image used here for representation is generated by AI.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Tech giants complicit in genocide of Palestinians: IIT-M 'Best Student' IIT Madras student Dhananjay Balakrishnan, who received governors Best Student prize at the institutions 61st convocation Friday, accused the tech giants of being complicit in Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinians Sunday July 21, 2024 5:30 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies Chennai: IIT Madras student Dhananjay Balakrishnan, who received governors Best Student prize at the institutions 61st convocation Friday, accused the tech giants of being complicit in Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinians. This is a call for action. There is a mass genocide going on in Palestine. People are dying in vast numbers and there is no visible end insight", he said the jam-packed IIT Madras auditorium. (But) why should we bother by this one could ask, he asked and then replied: Because STEM as a field in itself has historically been used to advance the ulterior motives of the imperialist powers such as Israel. STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. As engineering students we work hard to get top level jobs at tech giants who offer very lucrative payments and benefits. However these tech giants control various aspects of our life today as you know better than anyone, Dhananjay said in his award acceptance speech to a round of applause. Many of these prestigious companies are all directly or indirectly implicated in the war against Palestine Providing the state of Israel with technology. Technology which is used to kill, he said. Dhananjay also warned the fresh graduates to be aware of the misuse of the technology and its exploitation by tech giants. There is no easy solution to this and I dont have all the answers. But I do know this. As engineers graduating into real world it is our job to be aware of the consequences of the work we do. And also to interrogate our own position in these complex systems of power imbalance, he said. Dhananjay also urged the fresh graduates to become ambassadors of change and take hard decision howsoever hard these decisions may be. I hope that we can incorporate this awareness more into our daily life attempting to understand what we can do to liberate the oppressed on lines of castes, creed, class and gender. I believe this is the first step to curb the never ending cycle of sufferings, he said. Inaction is complicity and I hope you, I and all of us can take action to make the right decision howsoever hard they might be, he concluded his award acceptance speech to another round of applause. As Dhananjay Balakrishnan highlighted the Palestinian issues at the IIT Madras convocation, thousands of miles away in The Hague, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), called the Israeli control over the Palestinian lands illegal occupation. Watch Video The ICJ in its landmark verdict also ruled that the Palestinians living under illegal foreign occupation have the right to self-determination. To strengthen its illegal occupation of the Palestinian lands, the Zionist regime has systematically encouraged settlements. The ICJ in its verdict Friday also called the Jewish settlements in West Bank and other Palestinian lands illegal. During its occupation of Palestinian lands since 1948, the Zionists have unleashed multiple wars killing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. In the latest was which began on October 07, 2023 and termed a textbook case of genocide by global academicians, the Israeli Occupation Forces have killed close to 39,000 Palestinians over 80% of the women and children. In the war which is going on since 288 days the occupation forces have also destroyed partly or completely, more than 60% of Gaza infrastructure which included hospitals and medical facilities, mosques and churches, schools and colleges, and also the refugee camps and shelter homes. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home MPSC Prelims 2024 deferred, candidates wonder centre to centre in confusion The Maharashtra Public Service Commission Preliminary Examinations (MPSC Prelims 2024) scheduled today i.e. Sunday July 21, 2024 was postponed last minute and the candidates got to know only when they reached the exam centres Sunday July 21, 2024 8:04 PM , ummid.com Staff Reporter Mumbai: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission Preliminary Examinations (MPSC Prelims 2024) scheduled today i.e. Sunday July 21, 2024 was postponed last minute and the candidates got to know only when they reached the exam centres. The Maharashtra Public Service Commission had issued MPSC Prelims 2024 Hall ticket, also known as Admt Card, about a week ago. And, there was a huge enthusiasm among the civil services aspirants when they reached the exam centres Sunday to appear for the MPSC Prelims 2024 a gateway to one of the most secured government jobs in India. However, to their worst nightmare, they found the centre gates closed and there was no one to help them out. MPSC Prelims - Two Papers The MPSC Prelims consist of two papers Paper 1 and Paper 2. The Paper 1 supposed to start at 10:00 am Sunday. The reporting time was 08:30 am. When we reached the exam centre, to our shock, the gates were closed. We searched here and there but found no one at our disposal, a state civil services aspirant told ummid.com. There were murmurs around that the exam has been cancelled. But, we were in complete dark in the absence any official word, he added. Panicked, we searched Internet for any official notification or announcement. There was however none, and still none, he said. Revenue Department strike He said it was a non-teaching staff at another centre who informed them that todays exam was cancelled. In total confusion, we went to another exam centre that was nearby. Failing to get a response from there we wondered from one centre to another." "Finally, there was a peon at one centre who said the exam has been cancelled due to the strike by Revenue Department staff, the civil services aspirant, who had travelled about 60 kms for the exams, told ummid.com. Meanwhile, a Revenue Department official in Malegaon confirmed that they are on strike since last eight days. He also said that the MPSC exams are conducted under the supervision of the Revenue Department. "Our organisation has a scheduled meeting with the Chief Minister Tuesday where our demands will be discussed. Till then the strike will continue", he said. MPSC 2024 New Date There is no official word till now about why the MPSC Prelims July 2024 supposed to be held today was cancelled. The MPSC official website's notification section is also silent on the MPSC Prelims postponement or the new exam date. Unofficial sources however said the MPSC 2024 Prelims will now be held on August 25, 2024. [The featured image used with this story is generated by AI and is used here only for representation.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HA NOI Viet Nam has always considered Brazil as a major and important partner in South America, with bilateral trade reaching US$7.11 billion in 2023, Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi has said. During a meeting with Wilson Miranda Lima, Governor of the northern state of Amazonas, Ambassador Nghi emphasised that Viet Nam was one of Brazil's significant trade partners and the two countries had ample room to enhance exchanges in various fields. They included politics, diplomacy, trade and investment, science and technology, innovation, agriculture and agricultural processing, climate change mitigation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The Vietnamese ambassador expressed his hope that the two countries would continue to support each other's socio-economic development and closely coordinate at international organisations and multilateral forums. Governor Lima highlighted that the state of Amazonas and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) share many climatic similarities, and he said that Amazonas would facilitate businesses interested in cooperation in this region. In a working session with the Vietnamese ambassador, General Director of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) Everton Rabelo Cordeiro praised the high quality of rubber trees grown in Viet Nam and suggested this valuable genetic resource to be preserved. He also introduced the economic value of the Amazonian peach palm, which has high productivity and can thrive in barren lands. Ambassador Nghi agreed that this plant is well suited to the climate, soil and needs of Viet Nam, and he looked forward to cooperating with Brazil in cultivating this crop. During discussions with the Fiocruz Research Agency, a prominent centre for biological science research and development in Brazil, Ambassador Nghi proposed exchanges between Fiocruz and the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center, and the Institute of Tropical Biology in the research of vaccines for malaria, dengue fever and other tropical diseases. The ambassadors visit to Amazonas was part of the diplomatic activities of the ASEAN Committee in Brazil. Amazonas is Brazil's largest state, located in the north of the country and covered by the Amazon rainforest, with an extremely diverse ecosystem. VNS HA NOI Even though domestic rice exports experienced growth in both production volume and value in the first quarter of 2024, stocks in the industry still struggled due to several reasons. Viet Nam's rice exports reached over 2.18 million tonnes in the first three months, generating revenue of US$1.43 billion, up 17.6 per cent over last year in quantity and 45.5 per cent in value, according to the General Department of Customs. The average export price of rice reached $653.9 per tonne, a 23.6 per cent increase year-on-year. The country mainly exports to the Philippines, Indonesia, China and Malaysia. Viet Nam emerged as the largest rice exporter to the Singapore market for the first time, commanding a market share of 32.03 per cent. This figure surpassed both India (6.96 per cent) and Thailand (8.28 per cent) in terms of export value. So far this year, the Vietnamese rice industry has seen many positive signals, such as seven companies secured ten out of 17 bidding packages, supplying over 300,000 tonnes of rice to Indonesia. This country plans to continue importing 2 million tonnes of rice this year. Viet Nam also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to sell 1.5 - 2 million tonnes of rice annually to the Philippines for five years. Divergence picture But despite these strong rice export figures, stocks of several companies are volatile. TAR shares of Trung An Hi-Tech Farming JSC face trading restrictions, AGM shares of An Giang Import - Export Company (Angrimex) are under scrutiny while LTG shares from Loc Troi Group have decreased due to adjusted profits for 2023. TAR shares are also at risk of delisting as auditors refused to provide opinions on its financial reports. Trung An High-Tech Agriculture awaits verification on issues raised by the Securities Commission. Trung An High-Tech posted a loss of nearly VN15.6 billion (US$614,370) in 2023. Currently, the company has not disclosed the schedule for the shareholders' meeting or the business plan for 2024. As for AGM shares, they were placed under control on April 5, due to the negative net profit in the past two years (2022-2023). It also received a qualified opinion from the auditing firm regarding the 2023 financial report. Angrimex is actively striving to restructure its operations and generate positive profits, taking advantage of favourable conditions in the rice export market amid global supply shortages. Some traditional rice-importing countries of Viet Nam, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, have shown rising demand for imported rice. LTG and PAN shares of Pan Group are currently the only two rice stocks that are actively traded on the market, analysis team of Viet First Securities Corporation told Viet Nam News. At 1.45pm (local time), LTG was traded at VN24,400 a shares, down 7 per cent from the beginning of the year, while PAN reached VN21,450 per share, a 5.1 per cent increase. The rice segment is a major contributor to the revenue of Loc Troi Group, accounting to 70 per cent, but the profit margin in this segment is relatively low, ranging from 2-3 per cent. As a result, the agricultural supplies segment has become the backbone of the company. In contrast, Pan Group has a more extensive and diverse agricultural product ecosystem, with rice products only contribute 23 per cent to their revenue. While the profit margins of the rice segment have expanded compared to the previous year, it do not make a significant contribution to the company's overall profits. As a result, stocks in the sector are mainly driven by speculative trading based on rice price trends rather than business prospects, primarily due to the thin profit margins and the challenge of achieving substantial profits, said the analysis team of Viet First Securities. However, the industry's general outlook remains highly optimistic, characterised by rising export volumes and the growing recognition of Vietnamese brands, Viet First Securities added. In addition, the global warming and the influence of El Nino are expected to maintain the rice prices at a high levels. India, which accounts for 40 per cent of global rice trade, continues to restrict rice exports. According to the World Bank's report Global Commodity Outlook, global rice prices are unlikely to decrease before 2025. VNS HA NOI - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has always paid great attention to cultural issues, and he has made important contributions to preserving and developing the national culture, and promoting Viet Nams international integration, said Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son, permanent member of the National Assemblys Cultural and Educational Committee. With his widespread influence, the Party chief has guided and directed the development of the cultural sector, the official said. Highlighting the General Secretarys love of culture, Son said it was nurtured by various factors, from his birthplace a land where national cultural quintessence converges, and his family, to his university major of literature and his positions relating to ideology and culture at the Communist Review, a magazine of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), between 1967 and 1996. He then worked as Chairman of the CPV Central Committees Theoretical Council for 2001 2007, the period when the adverse impacts of the market economy and international integration on the cultural life were felt clearly, posing unprecedented issues in cultural and human building. Besides great improvements in the living conditions, various problems appeared when individualism and foreign cultures spread and traditional cultural values were eroded, negatively affecting the morality of the community and individuals. All of those problems required sound, clear cultural development orientations, according to the Associate Professor. Against the background, General Secretary Trong, with his deep knowledge about political and cultural theory and his holding of important positions, had a crucial role to play in cultural development, Son stressed. As a scholar with extensive and in-depth knowledge in political and cultural theory, the Party leader wrote a large number of articles and research works on Ho Chi Minhs ideology, Party building and the national culture. According to Son, those works reflect not only the Party chiefs extensive knowledge but also his concern over national development path where traditional values should go with integration and modernity. President Ho Chi Minhs profound ideals on culture and traditions have strongly influenced General Secretary Trong, he continued, adding the General Secretary always advocated the preservation and promotion of traditional and revolutionary culture during his political leadership and his love of culture was demonstrated in every instruction, article and talk of him. The official noted that the Party leader actively attended many cultural conferences and forums, as well as meetings with writers, artists and intellectuals to listen to their ideas and aspirations, thus contributing to building suitable cultural policies. According to Son, a milestone in Viet Nams cultural development was the national conference on cultural development in 2021. The Party leader's keynote speech at the conference sent out many messages and gave inspirations to artists and those working in cultural industries to contribute more to the national culture. Such views of the late leader were made clearly in his book on building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, he said, calling it a lodestar for the management work in the cultural sector in the time ahead. The official affirmed that the Party leader always considers culture one of the important foundation of the country. The love of culture is not merely a personal preference of the Party leader but a strategy for the countrys long-term, sustainable development, Son said, stressing that General Secretary Trong is one of great men of culture of Viet Nam, who have, and are laying the foundation for the comprehensive development of the country, from economy and politics to culture and society. VNA/VNS SYDNEY - Professor Carl Thayer from the Australian Defence Force Academy, the University of New South Wales, has emphasised that the conferment of the Gold Star Order, the highest decoration in Viet Nam, on Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong acknowledges his very special contributions to the country. In an interview granted to the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA), the professor noted major achievements the Party leader made, including his anti-corruption campaign, during which he declared no off-limits zones and no exceptions. The drive has eliminated many corrupt officials and held a number of leaders accountable, even those at the highest positions, Thayer added, affirming with the Party chiefs blazing furnace campaign, Viet Nam has made marked progress in the fight against corruption. The campaign is just part of the General Secretarys efforts in Party building and rectification in order to place individuals with talents and good ethics in the Partys high-ranking posts, and resolutely dismiss those who no longer deserve public trust, the professor said, calling them strategic decisions. Thayer said the General Secretary devoted his lifetime to Party building, and that he overhauled many Party regulations, particularly those on things that Party members should do and are not permitted to do, with an emphasis that Viet Nam is a rule-of-law State under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV). Regarding the top leaders contributions to Viet Nams foreign policy, the professor stressed that he established the legitimacy and reputation of the CPV and its leadership during meetings with foreign leaders. General Secretary Trong had met with President Joe Biden of the US, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China and President Narendra Modi of India, and in joint statements issued after those meetings, the countries all expressed their respect for Viet Nams political system, Thayer continued. The professor also took note of the late leaders noteworthy imprint on Viet Nam's external policy with the phrase bamboo diplomacy, using the image of the Vietnamese bamboo tree, with strong roots and sturdy but flexible trunks to describe Viet Nams foreign policy of more friends, fewer foes. General Secretary Trong remained steadfast in protecting socialism in Viet Nam, as well as its independence and self-reliance, but he is also very practical in promoting national interests, Thayer said. He held that Viet Nam has made many important decisions in recent times, including strengthening and upgrading its relations with the Republic of Korea, the US, Japan and Australia to the highest level that is the comprehensive strategic partnership. Asked about the Viet Nam-Australia relationship, the professor said it has received support from the two major parties in Australia, and highlighted contributions by the large number of Vietnamese in Australia to the bilateral ties. VNA/VNS VIENTIANE Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is an exemplary leader of the Party and State of Viet Nam, who is trusted and loved by the people, said former Party General Secretary and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone. Speaking to the Viet Nam News Agency in Vientiane, he expressed deep sadness at the passing of General Secretary Trong, a close friend of the Lao people, as well as of himself, saying it is a great loss for the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, as well as for the Party, State and peoples of Laos. Recounting the time he worked with General Secretary Trong, Sayasone said the Vietnamese Party leader has brought warm feelings and invaluable lessons to him as well as the Party and State of Laos. Amidst many complex problems in the world situation, together with other leaders, General Secretary Trong led the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) to come up with wise and flexible policies, helping Viet Nam overcome all obstacles and acquire more strategic friends. The former Lao leader said he had learned a lot from General Secretary Trong, especially in Party building work, cadre training, and handling negative phenomena. He noted that Party General Secretary Trong had been very resolute about the wrongdoings of some leaders at all levels, determining to completely resolve the problem, even when they are high-ranking leaders. He highlighted that Trong devoted his whole life to Viet Nam's revolutionary cause, setting an example in practical action and in all fields. Also during the time he worked with the Vietnamese leader during 2011-2015, Sayasone said that he was most impressed by and learned the most from Trong's viewpoint on building political bases and developing new rural areas - lessons that have helped Viet Nam succeed. Laos has learned and built a policy following Viet Nam's model for rural development. This showed that the two Parties and two economies have similarities and have the same basic development, so the lessons of Viet Nam can be applied by Laos, he said. He recounted that General Secretary Trong had visited Attapeu Province of Laos and encouraged Vietnamese firms investing in the locality to support local economic development and rural building. At present, the two governments are still implementing many cooperative projects, which Sayasone believes will reap success, thus promoting economic growth and bringing a better life for people in each country. According to Sayason, under Party General Secretary Trong's leadership, the content of cooperation between the two Governments of Laos and Viet Nam has been carried out in line with the guidance of President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane on comprehensive cooperation and special solidarity, which is very special and unique as such a relationship exists only between Laos and Viet Nam. He underlined the need for the two countries to preserve and continue to develop their special solidarity and cooperation relationship. Sayasone expressed his gratitude to the Party and State of Viet Nam for always providing support for Laos. He said he will continue educating the younger generation to follow the example of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. He believes that other Vietnamese leaders will continue to preserve, nurture and develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Viet Nam. VNA/VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has left a deep imprint on Viet Nam's national progress and development over the last few decades, Indian Ambassador to Viet Nam Sandeep Arya told the Viet Nam News Agencys reporters while expressing his feelings for the late leader. The diplomat said the General Secretarys vision, wisdom, and overall direction and guidance for the countrys growth have been well laid out and developed. According to Ambassador Arya, Viet Nams achievements in socio-economic development, solidarity of the national people and working together for the future of the country are well recognised and widely respected around the world. The depth of his contribution is very well respected, very well regarded in Viet Nam and around the world, Arya said. The ambassador also expressed his impression of the Party General Secretarys vision with the bamboo school of diplomacy, saying that the vision had been laid out in his various speeches on the bamboo school of diplomacy. His vision of the bamboo school of diplomacy is a very well thought through and a very wise step for leading the foreign policy of Viet Nam, Arya said, adding that the bamboo school of diplomacy as elaborated by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is really a very important aspect of that principle. Besides, the diplomat hailed General Secretary Trongs contributions to the development of the friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and India. Regarding his sentiment to the General Secretary, Arya highlighted the late leaders ability of thinking very thoroughly and systematically and planning a path for Viet Nam's national growth and progress. He mentioned the book the General Secretary had published about a year ago. According to him, it contains the collection of the Party leaders thoughts in different areas. So I think the fact that he had a vision for the overall governance of the country, he had the vision for economic development, the vision for agriculture, the vision for industry, the vision for workers, the vision for international relations, and the vision for the culture and identity of Vietnamese people, the ambassador said. He said he is so deeply impressed by the way the Party leader had steered Viet Nam's growth and progress, saying this has been a window for me to understand Viet Nam and to understand the vision of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. I personally feel that he has been a very strong driving force for achievements over the last few decades of Viet Nam's path. And the vision that he has laid will be continued to, and has put Viet Nam on a path. The General Secretary's devotion has contributed to developing that path of Viet Nam's progress and growth over the last decades, Ambassador Arya affirmed. VNA/VNS HA NOI - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong holds an enormous role in the development and achievements of Viet Nam, in terms of both domestic and external affairs, said foreign diplomats who used to work in the country. His passing leaves great sadness among international friends, especially the people of Cuba, former Cuban Ambassador to Viet Nam Fredesman Turro Gonzalez told the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA). Fredesman described Trong as a great friend of Cuba who was the Vietnamese leader visiting the Caribbean nation the most, for five times, in different positions. He maintained personal relations with the key leaders of Cuba, always had a good grasp of the countrys situation, and worked to promote the sentiment of the Vietnamese people, especially the young, towards Cuba. He also promoted economic - trade ties along with the sharing of experience in economic development and political affairs between the two Parties, particularly in the field of ideology. Recalling memories of the deceased, Fredesman said he had met and worked with Trong many times, from when he acted as Editor-in-chief of the Communist Review to the times he served as Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, National Assembly Chairman, and Party General Secretary. The former ambassador always admired Trong for his simplicity, cordiality, sharpness, and firmness in criteria. The diplomat perceived that under General Secretary Trongs leadership, the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) led the country to new and significant successes in socio-economic development, and work towards new goals, including to become a prosperous nation with upper-middle income in the time ahead. Apart from a leader, Trong was also an eminent scholar whose books give theoretical and practical explanations about the reform process as well as the transitional period towards socialism in Viet Nam, he added. Echoing the view, Feda El Taify, Director of the Egyptian Public Libraries Fund and former Ambassador of Egypt to Viet Nam, said Party General Secretary Trong was an excellent leader playing a substantial role in the modern history of Viet Nam. Under the leadership of the CPV headed by Trong, Viet Nam obtained a number of important attainments and made many big miracles in various spheres, especially in economic, social, and diplomatic affairs. He highly valued the late leaders extremely important leadership over the development of Viet Nams cooperation and friendship with countries around the world such as Egypt, Arab countries, those in Africa, and many others worldwide. Over the past years, the General Secretary and other leaders of Viet Nam have promoted the countrys prosperity in all fields, especially socio-economic aspects. Under the leadership of the CPV headed by Trong, Viet Nam has made strong changes and made a considerable economic breakthrough. Vietnamese goods have been exported to markets around the globe, and the country has emerged as an economy with enormous potential, El Taify said, voicing his admiration for the capitalisation of the Vietnamese peoples strength as seen in economic development miracles. In terms of external relations, the former ambassador said that with a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and also flexibility that is called bamboo diplomacy, Viet Nam has become an extremely important member of the international community and a crucial economic and diplomatic partner in not only Asia but also the whole world. He expressed his belief that those succeeding Trong will continue upholding the General Secretarys vision on Viet Nams development strategies. For his part, John McCarthy, who served as Ambassador of Australia to Viet Nam between 1981 and 1983, perceived that under the Party General Secretarys leadership, Viet Nam has shown a smart and flexible foreign policy, along with its consciousness of strategic independence and self-reliance. He told the VNA that during Trongs terms, Viet Nam has emerged to the top place among the Asian relations of Australia as seen in the two countries recent upgrade of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which was a particularly important move. Present in Viet Nam before the economic reform in the 1980s, McCarthy has witnessed the country transforming from a war-torn nation to an economy comparable to many others in the region. This is truly an admiring thing, he added. Susan Boyd, another former Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam, said that at the time she worked in Viet Nam, from 1994 to 1998, the country was conducting oi moi (Renewal) and opening its economy to the world. Since then, especially in recent years, under General Secretary Trongs leadership, it has expanded relations in multiple areas, from politics and diplomacy to education and arts, with many countries. Viet Nam has made use of the quickly expanding economy and broader political ties to develop and generate well-being for its people, according to the diplomat. VNA/VNS BEIJING Many Chinese experts and scholars have expressed deep sadness about the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong while affirming the leaders important role in the development of Viet Nam and the two countries relations. Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Prof. Xu Liping, Director of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS), said General Secretary Trong was a great revolutionary, strategist, and ideologist who significantly contributed to not only the oi moi (Renewal) and door-opening cause of Viet Nam but also the two countries relations. The leader, who breathed his last on July 19, left highly diverse political legacy for Viet Nam and even the world basing on which successive generations will continue promoting Viet Nam on the path of unceasing development to become a powerful socialist nation and bring the cause of renewal and door opening to a new height, Xu noted. The expert held that being granted the Gold Star Order the noblest reward of the Vietnamese Party and State was the recognition of Trongs outstanding dedication to the fields of Party building and national and social governance, as well as his enormous contributions to the international community. He said the General Secretary put forth theoretical reforms in such areas as building a socialist-oriented market economy, developing a progressive culture deeply imbued with the national characteristics, fighting corruption and negative phenomena, and building the Party and the political system. All the ideas centre on the people, come from the peoples demand, and match the countrys conditions and situation, becoming precious spiritual legacy he left for the country. Mentioning the Party chiefs contributions to Viet Nam - China relations, Xu noted General Secretaries Trong and Xi Jinping, as the top leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, stepped up Party-to-Party exchanges to strengthen strategic trust, thus creating a solid foundation for cooperation and trust between the two States and the two peoples. Dr Cheng Hanping, Director of the Viet Nam Research Centre at the Zhejiang University of Technology, also shared the view that Trong made outstanding contributions to the development of bilateral relations and the long-lasting friendship between the countries. In 2022, the General Secretary was granted the Friendship Order by the Chinese Government, which reflected the Chinese Government and peoples recognition of his considerable dedication to bilateral ties, Cheng said. He noted that the bamboo diplomacy policy, initiated by Trong, is not only an inheritance of Viet Nams history and President Ho Chi Minhs thought on diplomacy, but also based on the current situation and the special context that big countries compete with one another. Thanks to the bamboo diplomacy, Viet Nam has made friends with major nations, expanded friendship without affecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maximised its national interests. This policy has helped create big economic miracles for Viet Nam and raise the countrys stature in the international arena, according to Cheng. Researching Viet Nam for many years, Prof. Yu Xiangdong, Director of the Institute for Viet Nam Studies at the Zhengzhou University, held that General Secretary Trong was a theorist and politician staying steadfast in Marxism - Leninism and leading the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and people on the path towards socialism. He said the leader inherited and brought into play Ho Chi Minhs ideology, promoted the reform of the theoretical mindset and the cause of oi moi (Renewal) and door opening to relentlessly improve the quality of peoples life, especially via the 13th National CPV Congress, which set the goal of developing a modernised and powerful country in the medium and long terms. He made outstanding contributions and was beloved by people. Under Trongs leadership, Viet Nam built the new model of bamboo diplomacy to make use of the favourable external environment for national development. In late 2023, Chinese Party General Secretary Xin Jinping and CPV General Secretary Trong reached common perception on building a China - Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, heralding a new period for the countries neighbourliness and friendship, practically generating happiness for the two peoples, and contributing to peace and development of humankind, Yu told the VNA. VNA/VNS Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away on July 19 at the age of 80. During his lifetime, the Party leader published dozens of books which are significant documents for officials and people to refer, learn and apply in the work of building the country. Here are some selected outstanding books by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. 1. "The National Assembly in the Reform Process Meeting the Requirements for Building and Perfecting the Rule of Law State of Socialist Viet Nam" (Original title: "Quoc hoi trong tien trinh oi moi ap ung yeu cau xay dung, hoan thien Nha nuoc phap quyen xa hoi chu nghia Viet Nam") The book consists of 95 articles, speeches and interviews of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, reflecting his deep strategic thinking and vision on building and perfecting the Rule of Law State of Socialist Viet Nam, by the people, for the people. It also reflects his close attention and guidance in renewing the organisation and operation of the National Assembly to meet the requirements of the new situation. 2. "Building and Developing the Advanced Vietnamese Culture With Strong National Identity" (Original title: "Xay dung va phat trien nen van hoa Viet Nam tien tien, am a ban sac dan toc") The book is a collection of 92 articles, speeches, talks, notes, and interviews of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on building and developing the Vietnamese culture, with the earliest article dating back to 1968. The content of the speeches and articles reflects the General Secretary's deep concern for building, preserving and developing the Vietnamese culture with both traditional and modern elements, national identity and integration, mobilising the internal resources and the strength of Vietnamese culture and people in the process of building a prosperous and happy country. 3. "Turning Challenges into Opportunities, Determining to Make a Breakthrough to Achieve Fast and Sustainable Development of the Country" (Original title: "Bien thach thuc thanh co hoi, quyet tam tao ot pha ua at nuoc phat trien nhanh, ben vung") The book features a selection of speeches, articles, interviews, letters, and telegrams of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from April 2021 to December 2022. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted the entire world and severely affected the country, the strategic guidance from the Party Central Committee, led by the General Secretary, has been an important driving force for the Party and people to overcome difficulties and challenges, quickly concretise and implement the Resolutions and goals of the 13th Party Congress with the highest determination to create a breakthrough, turn challenges into opportunities, seize all opportunities, and strive for the best possible outcomes. 4. Building a Clean, Strong Party and Political System, Contributing to the Successful Implementation of the 13th Party Congress Resolution (Original title: "Xay dung ang va he thong chinh tri trong sach, vung manh, gop phan thuc hien thang loi Nghi quyet ai hoi XIII cua ang") The book presents the speeches, articles, remarks, letters, and telegrams of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during the 2021-2023 period, in which he led the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. The book reflects the comprehensive leadership and guidance of the General Secretary across various fields, sectors, levels, and localities. This publication is the continuation of a series of books published earlier by the General Secretary during the 11th and 12th Party terms. 5. Building and Developing a Comprehensive, Modern Vietnamese Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy with a Distinct Vietnamese Bamboo Identity (Original title: "Xay dung va phat trien nen oi ngoai, ngoai giao Viet Nam toan dien, hien ai, mang am ban sac cay tre Viet Nam") This book systematises the leadership and direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in building and implementing the foreign policies and diplomatic guidelines. The publication helps party committees, government at all levels, party members, Vietnamese people at home and abroad, and international friends to clearly understand the Party's foreign policy guidelines and policies. The book introduces speeches, articles, remarks, interview responses, letters, and telegrams of the General Secretary, reflecting the consistent and pervasive thinking of the top leader of Party on Viet Nams foreign policy and diplomacy in the new era. 6. Determination to Prevent and Push Back Corruption (Original title: Quyet tam ngan chan va ay lui tham nhung) The book includes 31 speeches, articles, and interview responses by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on anti-corruption efforts since the 11th National Congress of the Party, especially from the 12th Congress to the present. VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs great contributions to the Party and the nation have left deep impressions on Party members and people nationwide, who have special sentiments for the late leader. Pham ai Duong, Secretary of the Party Committee and head of the delegation of National Assembly deputies of the central province of Phu Yen, said upon hearing the news of the Party chiefs passing, officials, Party members and residents in the province expressed their boundless grief. The Party leader set a bright example of simplicity, approachability, and modesty, Duong said, calling him a great personality of the nation, who has been loved and respected by not only people at home but also international friends. His direction on Party and political system building, socio-economic development, national defence and security, and new-style rural area building during a visit to Phu Yen have been materialised over the past years, with significant achievements reaped, Duong said. The leaders guiding principles, and theoretical and practical lessons will continue to be widely spread among local officials, Party members and people, he pledged, emphasising their absolute confidence in the Party leadership and the State governance, as well as their solidarity, unity and consensus in realising targets set at the 13th National Party Congress and the 17th provincial Party Congress. Nguyen Thi Dieu, a kindergarten teacher in the mountainous district of Song Hinh, Phu Yen Province, who had a chance to meet the Party chief in Ha Noi last year as a role model in studying and following President Ho Chi Minhs example, expressed her deep respect for General Secretary Trong, saying he was a very approachable leader. For Trieu uc Thanh, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and former Chairman of the Peoples Committee of northern Ha Giang Province, the General Secretary was a staunch, capable, knowledgeable and respectable communist. I myself and officials and people in Ha Giang always have absolute trust in the Party leadership, and stay united to successfully complete the targets set at the 13th National Party Congress, he said, highlighting the Party chiefs anti-graft crackdown, with zero tolerance on corruption. Hang Mi De, former head of the provincial Party Committees Information and Education Board, said in any circumstances, the General Secretary always skillfully handled domestic and foreign affairs, contributing to the Party's strength, the country's development, and a prosperous and happy life for all people. Duong Thi Phuong, a resident in residential area No 5, Tran Phu Ward, Ha Giang City, showed her grief at the Party leaders death, and her belief that the country will grow firmly and strongly under the Party leadership. Mai Van Tri, a Party member in Thuan Loc Ward in the central city of Hue, said General Secretary Trong was an eminent son of the nation, noting he and the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat had rolled out various guidelines to help Viet Nam overcome difficulties and steadily move forward. What the leader did contributed to consolidating the Partys position, and won the absolute trust of officials, Party members and people nationwide, he affirmed. Nguyen Van Thuan, a retired official in Vinh Ninh Ward, Hue City, said General Secretary Trong was an excellent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, and that he was always dedicated to taking care of peoples lives. The great achievements in national construction and development over the past time saw the huge contributions of the Party leader, he said. VNS HAVANA The death of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has evoked a profound sense of loss and regret from experts across Latin America. Acknowledging his pivotal role in Viet Nam's development, Party building, the fight against corruption and the theoretical underpinnings of socialism, these voices from many Latin American countries have highlighted his legacy with respect and admiration. "Today the world loses a great leader, a great human being, and a great example not only for socialism but for the entire world," Dr. Ruvislei Gonzalez Saez, a leading expert on Viet Nam in Latin America and a senior researcher at the Centre for International Policy Research in Cuba (CIPI), told Viet Nam News Agency in Havana. He said General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a leader who not only brought unity, progress, and motivation to his nation but also earned respect and admiration of people worldwide. The Cuban scholar praised the General Secretary as role model of social systems in every independent nation and international community, not only for his style but also his humility, simplicity, and integrity. He said Trong demonstrated that leadership must be transparent and modest, asserting that a better world stems from simplicity, unity, and the noble qualities of a leader. He also underscored the Vietnamese leader's stature as one of the greatest theorists of socialism. He affirmed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's death represents a significant loss to global socialism and highlighted the General Secretarys substantial contributions to Viet Nam's socialist transition, strengthening the Party's foundations and its bond with the people. Under his leadership, the Communist Party of Viet Nam continued to pioneer and effectively address the nation's needs and transformations. Ruvislei Gonzalez Saez, author of "Cuba - Viet Nam: Two Nations, One History," published by the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House, also underscored General Secretary Trong's role in deepening the special Vietnam-Cuba relationship. Trong's visits to the Caribbean archipelago in different capacities have cemented the precious fraternal ties between the two peoples. The conferment of the Jose Marti Medal, Cuba's highest honour, in 2012 recognised General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's outstanding contributions to enhancing the solidarity and friendship between the two parties, states, and peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba. In Buenos Aires, Carlos Aznanez, Editor-in-Chief of Resumen Latinoamericano, a respected newspaper in Latin America and Spain, affirmed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a great figure who developed and promoted continuous practical ideas to enhance the quality of life for the Vietnamese people. He said General Secretary Trong's work in recent decades as the Party's leader was firmly rooted in the legacy left by President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved father of the Vietnamese nation. He highlighted that the fundamental premise of these efforts has always been the struggle against foreign aggression, reinforcing the nation's right to self-determination, safeguarding territorial integrity, and maximising happiness for the people. Aznanez emphasised that General Secretary Trong has synthesised and crystallised Marxist ideology to strengthen and affirm the system of thought, political struggle, and organisational discipline based on the principles of democratic centralism, criticism and self-criticism, always listening to the opinions and aspirations of the people. Regarding corruption, Aznanez described General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as one of the strictest "judges" in uncovering the roots of corruption. He lauded the General Secretary's relentless efforts to combat the political and lifestyle decadence, corruption, waste, and nepotism. The journalist also praised the late leader's theoretical contributions on socialist and market-oriented economic issues as valuable references for development in other countries. He stressed that his theoretical and ideological contributions not only serve Viet Nam's development but also aid in understanding the challenges faced by people in Western countries in asserting their right to self-determination. Aznanez concluded by emphasising that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will be remembered by the people as an outstanding leader who tirelessly carried the full responsibility of state management for the benefit of the people on the path of developing a socialist country. Reporting the Vietnamese Party leader's passing on July 19, Resumen Latinoamericano also ran an article commemorating his contributions, extolling his role as one of the great leaders in the nation-building efforts of the Communist Party of Viet Nam in recent decades.VNA/VNS SEOUL - Cho Chul-hyeon, who penned a book on Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong published in the Republic of Korea (RoK) in May, said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the Vietnamese Party chief. Chos book is the first dedicated to the leader published abroad. Its Vietnamese version is being compiled by the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA)s Publishing House and expected to be made public soon. The author told the VNAs correspondents in Seoul that he will fly to Ha Noi hoping to have a chance to pay last respect to the Party chief, even from a distance, expressing his deepest condolences to the Vietnamese people over the General Secretarys death. Praising the Party leaders contributions to the Party, the State and the people of Viet Nam, Cho said he was an eminent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, and that he devoted his entire lifetime to the nations prosperity as well as Party building. The writer held that the Party chief constantly sought ways to bring the Party closer to the people as reflected through his doctoral dissertation topic, and his pen name of Party builder while working for the Communist Review in the 1970s. The General Secretary truly became an ideologist of communism with profound theories, he said, elaborating that the leader interpreted the theory of the superiority of socialism in an understandable, humane way, which is a great achievement of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. Cho highlighted the leader's imprint on the fight against corruption, stressing the Party chiefs firm perception that ensuring integrity and ethics within the Party should begin with Party members to build a Party strong enough to lead the country. As the top leader, General Secretary Trong worked hard to attract foreign investors and promote Viet Nam as a country of democracy and high economic growth for years. He was commended by the world with his blazing furnace anti-corruption drive, one of the keys of Viet Nams reform policy, according to the author. In addition, the leaders bamboo diplomacy has been held in high regard in the international arena as it has proven effective in the relations with the three powers of the US, China and Russia, Cho said, further explaining that within one year, the Presidents of all the three countries visited Viet Nam, drawing global attention. Through such important diplomatic events, Viet Nam has reaped many positive cooperation outcomes, and seen its reputation and position elevated in the international arena, the writer said. Cho said that the General Secretary remained steadfast in his policy of expanding international cooperation and strengthening integration. In 2014, as Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly, he visited the RoK and established many foundations for the future bilateral cooperation. Regarding his book on the Party leader, Cho said it highlights the legacy of the General Secretary, stressing not only young Vietnamese but also people worldwide should follow his example. Cho affirmed the General Secretary himself embodies the image of the Vietnamese bamboo tree, with strong roots and a sturdy but flexible trunks, and that he is a profound theorist, who led the Vietnamese people with high intellect and humane spirit, thereby raising the Vietnamese culture to a new level. VNA/VNS HA NOI Many overseas Vietnamese (OVs) have grieved for the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who was an excellent leader of the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam and devoted himself to working for the peoples sake. Mai Thao, Chairman of the Vietnamese Peoples Association in Cuba, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that Vietnamese people in Cuba are deeply saddened by the news of the leaders death, which is a great loss to the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam. He described General Secretary Trong as an eminent cadre who dedicated his entire life to the revolution and people and always worked with a strong revolutionary spirit to serve the Party and join hands with people to develop Viet Nam into an increasingly beautiful nation as President Ho Chi Minh wished. The Party chief had special sentiment towards Cuba and used to visit the Caribbean nation many times while serving in different positions, Thao continued, noting that he used to meet the General Secretary several times and still remembers the leaders request that political ties are the No. 1 priority of the Viet Nam - Cuba relations, but economic links have yet to match that, so it is necessary to bring bilateral economic partnerships on par with the political ties. Highlighting the leaders substantial contributions, Nguyen Hong Son, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan, said while acting as Secretary of Ha Noi Party Committee, Trong greatly helped with the development of the capital city. The policies on urban development, cultural heritage preservation, and infrastructure improvement he initiated helped create a modern and civilised Ha Noi that still maintains its traditional beauty. Japanese friends, on many occasions, were surprised with Ha Nois development and perceived that this result was largely attributed to the local leadership, Son said. As the National Assembly Chairman, Trong made a number of important decisions helping build and perfect the legal system, boost administrative reform, and enhance the parliaments supervisory role. His clear-sighted and strong leadership made considerable strides in improving the legislative bodys efficiency and contributed to the building of a law-governed, democratic, and civilised state. Meanwhile, as Party General Secretary, he continued showing his leadership talent and devotion to the country, Son added. Son voiced his belief that OVs will further trust and support the homeland thanks to the leaders working for the peoples sake like the General Secretary. In particular, the anti-corruption campaign, launched by the Party leader, has reinforced trust among the Vietnamese community in Japan. Impressed by the General Secretarys high sense of responsibility and care for every aspect, from economy, society to peoples life, Le Trung Thanh, a PhD postgraduate in Beijing (China), described Trong as a talented leader who always paid attention to peoples life. Thanh also expressed his admiration for the Party chiefs determination in the corruption fight, adding that the leader led and took many strong measures to clean the state apparatus, enhance transparency, and promote social equality, which subsequently reinforced peoples trust in the Party and State. He shared that Trong not only stood out in terms of politics but also made large contributions to education, cultural and social affairs. He always exerted all-out efforts for national development and peoples happiness and put the Fatherlands interests above all. The diversity and comprehensiveness in his leadership style helped generate various achievements for the nation and raise Viet Nams stature and prestige in the international arena. In Thanhs eyes, the leaders simplicity, accessibility, and willingness to listen to peoples opinions made him like a gentle and beloved uncle, the postgraduate said. Expressing the sadness about Trongs passing, Ninh Viet Thong, a Vietnamese in Thailand, said he could feel the leaders warm and sincere sentiment towards OVs when the General Secretary visited Thailand or the time Thong returned to the homeland and had a chance to meet the Party chief, who always promoted the Party and States policy of considering OVs as an integral part of Viet Nam. Nguyen Van Hoa, another expatriate in Thailand, said the OV community are always grateful to the General Secretary, who pushed Viet Nam on the path of development and reform to become a rich and strong country and be known widely at international forums. For her part, Phan Bich Thien, member of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Chairwoman of the Fund for Hungary - Viet Nam Relations, President of the Vietnamese Women Forum in Europe, and Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Peoples Association in Hungary, said the passing of General Secretary Trong was a great loss, praising the deceased as a bright example of dignity, a dedicated and visionary leader working for the peoples sake, a citizen devoting himself to the nation, and also a humanistic person. She said the leader always paid attention to the intensification of the great national solidarity. To OVs, he became a symbol of their trust in the Party, Government, and homeland. Recalling the General Secretarys meeting with OV representatives in Hungary during his visit to the European nation in 2018, Thien said the leader enquired after each person. Though the meeting was initially scheduled to not last for long, he still allowed the event to be extended so that he could listen to all opinions and aspirations of OVs. This was a vivid demonstration of a leader always open to peoples feelings and working for the peoples sake. VNA/VNS An Nam, 29, is a rising star in the Vietnamese fashion industry. Nam, a graduate of Can Tho University, has a deep affinity for traditional materials and ao dai, which is evident in every collection he creates. To pursue his dream, Nam established his own brand, An Closet, under which numerous collections have been developed. Viet Nam News reporter Thu Ngan interviews Nam about his passion for fashion, ao dai, and the inspiration behind his collections. Inner Sanctum: Why did you choose to pursue a career in the fashion industry and establish the An Closet brand after graduating as a construction engineer? Fashion has not only been a childhood dream for me but also my chosen career path. Due to many challenges and difficulties, including family circumstances, I could not study the fashion industry. Thats why I chose to study construction engineering. However, after a period, I found that I had never lost my passion for fashion and I could not live without fashion. While working in various jobs in HCM City, I continued to nurture my love for fashion. A significant moment for me was in 2019 when I received the Best Dress Award for the best-dressed male guest at Aquafina Vietnam International Fashion Week, as voted by Harper's Bazaar Vietnam Magazine. This event brought me in contact with industry icons like Trang Le and Thien Huong who encouraged me to further explore my fashion talents. This encounter motivated me to pursue fashion-related opportunities for both work and education. In 2021, following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, I embarked on creating An Closet. The pandemic served as a reminder of life's transience, prompting me to contemplate the legacy I wish to leave behind. An important question that lingered in my mind was whether, in the end, I would be remembered and if my life had carried true significance. With the establishment of An Closet, my aspiration is to make a distinct impact by infusing a sense of nostalgia within a fashion context, reflecting my personal style and journey. Inner Sanctum: An Closet draws inspiration from Vietnamese traditional cultural elements and materials. What is your special connection to traditional cultural features, and can you talk about your collections that prominently feature Vietnamese traditional cultural elements and materials? I am a true nostalgic at heart. I consider myself fortunate to have been born in the mid-90s and experienced a wonderful childhood in the countryside. I have inherited valuable lessons from past generations while also embracing the advancements of modern civilisation. For me, fashion is a means to revive the positive aspects of the past and intertwine them with the fast-paced lifestyle of today. I harness memories from my upbringing to craft unique narratives and designs. For instance, my Summer 2023 collection ong Dao draws inspiration from childhood nursery rhymes and the bountiful harvests of the countryside. The Tet 2023 collection Minh Oi! is influenced by the traditional proverbs and folk songs that highlight marital virtues. Moreover, the Fall Winter 2023 collection Son Son Thep Vang and Miet Mai pay homage to the exquisite beauty of Vietnamese lacquer art. Most recently, in April 2024, An Closet unveiled the Parfum du Sud spring/summer collection, celebrating the life and grace of Queen Nam Phuong, known as "the last diamond of the Nguyen dynasty". I believe that the vast array of folk materials and elements within Vietnamese culture offer a treasure trove of inspiration for emerging designers. Constant learning and exploration are key prerequisites to channelling these rich cultural influences into creative endeavours. Inner Sanctum: Many designers incorporate traditional cultural materials into their creations. How does An Closet differentiate itself from other brands in this aspect? I am not overly concerned about conforming to conventional standards of differentiation. My approach centres on following my inner instincts and finding contentment in my pursuits. The fundamental values that An Closet aims to embody are evocation and resonance. Our designs are crafted to evoke a sense of gentle familiarity within you. This feeling may be reminiscent of the hues of a rural landscape, the quaint pathways of a village, or the wisps of blue smoke on a tranquil afternoon. It could evoke memories of your mother's elegant ao dai, your grandmother's timeless attire, or the delicate peach blossom motifs adorning your sister's traditional costume. It might also manifest subtly, like the strains of a folk melody or a soothing breeze carrying hints of grapefruit and areca blossom incense on a serene afternoon in the countryside. These are the precious moments from the past that have left a lasting imprint on me. Inner Sanctum: Could you share more about your ao dai collection and the steps you have taken to make ao dai a part of everyday wear? Ao dai is always an important value that An Closet wants to aim for and preserve. That is the soul of the Vietnamese people, which helps us be easily recognised every time we appear in the national costume. Ao dai holds a special significance as a cultural treasure that An Closet is dedicated to honoring and preserving. It serves as the symbolic soul of the Vietnamese people, offering a distinctive identity that instantly sets us apart whenever we don this traditional attire. Each year, I make it a point to feature at least one collection that pays homage to ao dai, in addition to incorporating ao dai designs into other collections. For instance, Mua An was unveiled during Tet (Lunar New Year) 2022, showcasing ao dai designs intertwined with the essence of traditional Tet games. The Minh Oi! collection, launched for Tet 2023, drew inspiration from profound folk songs and proverbs that extol the virtues of marital harmony. The Tam Xuan collection, introduced during Tet 2024, captures the opulence of a prominent southern family from the era of King Le - Lord Trinh. While upholding the intrinsic characteristics of the Vietnamese ao dai, all designs incorporate innovative elements and enhancements, aiming to present styles that are both fresh and familiar, ushering in a new chapter in ao dai fashion. I envision a future where ao dai becomes a cherished everyday outfit, eliminating the need to reserve it solely for special occasions. Inner Sanctum: What are your future plans for developing the An Closet brand? Starting out as a non-businessman, I am relatively new to this field. I lack extensive experience and structured plans for brand development. Nevertheless, I am dedicated to learning and enhancing my skills to better refine An Closet. Vietnamese cultural elements remain key to our brand's narratives and values that we aim to continue leveraging. My aspiration is for An Closet to become a sought-after choice for Vietnamese inside the country due to its sense of familiarity. For overseas Vietnamese, An Closet can serve as a means to reconnect with cherished memories. It can be a symbol of remembrance and identity pride that we can carry with us. VNS Karnataka HC Recalls Order Stating Only Viewing Child Pornography Is Not an Offence 2 The Karnataka High Court has recalled its recent order, which stated that only viewing child pornography is not an offense under the IT Act. A division bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna withdrew the order stating that the bench had earlier misread Section 67B (b) while passing the order on Thursday. We are also human beings and mistakes do happen on our side. There is always an opportunity for corrections. An inquiry will be done in this regard and a new order will be delivered. This order is cancelled, the bench said. It also noted that the order was passed under Section 67B (a) of the IT Act, following a petition filed in this regard by the state government. Section 67B (b) of the IT Act states that creating text or digital pictures, collecting, searching, browsing, downloading, making advertisements, circulating, exchanging, or picturising children in an obscene, indecent manner is open for investigation under the section. The high court had earlier observed that only watching child pornography is not an offense under the provisions of the IT Act, granting relief to a man accused of viewing a website containing child pornography for 50 minutes. The complaint was registered against the petitioner under Section 67B of the IT Act (publishing or transmitting material containing children) in March 2022. The petitioners counsel argued that Section 67B could not be applied in the case as his client had only viewed the website, and not circulated anything. DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 12 years, but things have changed. We sleep in separate beds, we both work and we spend little time together, and we cant have a decent conversation. I feel like I have a roommate who just comes and goes as he pleases. He always has an excuse for not spending time with me and our daughter. I dont feel like we are married anymore. What should I do? -- DISSATISFIED IN VIRGINIA DEAR DISSATISFIED: Tell your husband you feel like you are living with a roommate rather than a spouse. Tell him you miss the closeness you once shared, and ask if he is willing to work on it. What is currently happening isnt fair to you or your daughter. Then make an appointment with a marriage counselor to discuss the state of your marriage -- with him, if hes willing -- or without him. Read more Dear Abby and other advice columns. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. High profile X/Twitter users ranging from celebrities to national politicians quickly reacted to the news that President Joe Biden will not seek reelection in 2024. Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Jon Stewart, Roy Wood Jr., Pete Buttigieg, Ida Bae Wells, Bakari Sellers, Jemele Hill and many others took to the social media app to share their thoughts on the historic decision by the 81-year-old Biden. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee moments after he announced he has bowed out of the race. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. The decision comes after escalating pressure from Bidens Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon ET on Jan. 20, 2025. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order. Heres my full statement: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024 DNC merch man, who already had them 'IM RIDING WIT BIDEN' shirts printed up for the convention. pic.twitter.com/nR3DlR3rp2 Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) July 21, 2024 Legend. Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) July 21, 2024 Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country. Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 21, 2024 President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 21, 2024 A courageous and selfless decision. The President did what hes done for the last four years - he listened to the American people and put the countrys interests ahead of his own. The exact opposite of Donald Trump. https://t.co/mvpjq3EXMM Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) July 21, 2024 Donald Trump is the oldest nominee in American political history. Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) July 21, 2024 L.F.G. George Conway (@gtconway3d) July 21, 2024 Trump is too old to be President. N O S I O S (@scottderrickson) July 21, 2024 Have you ever seen a politician so strong and talented he made his opponent quit in the middle of the race? I have: Donald J. Trump Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) July 21, 2024 Yall got yall wish. Now what? Because to assume VP Harris is next person up is assuming a lot. https://t.co/a3LF7PKqhL Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 21, 2024 My deep sense of foreboding only deepens. Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) July 21, 2024 I expected that Biden would step aside. But I never imagined that he would do it via a paper statement on a Sunday afternoon. Does this timing and format make any sense? Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 21, 2024 The images bounce around in her brain multiple times a day -- almost as if they are on a never-ending loop, a stubborn loop that refuses to leave her. But when Delanie Richardson seeks comfort, she conjures up thoughts of the moment that brought her joy and closure. She thinks about the one-arm hug. Decatur police say a Laceys Spring man died Saturday morning in a two-vehicle crash. The incident happened at about 11:46 a.m. Saturday on U.S. 31 near Fairway Drive S.E. Police, Decatur Fire, and Morgan County EMS were dispatched to the crash, where Billy Hydrick, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene. During the preliminary investigation, police determined Hydrick was traveling south on U.S. 31, entered northbound lanes of traffic and collided with another vehicle. Investigators believe Hydrick suffered a medical emergency, but the investigation is ongoing. The driver and passenger of the second vehicle were transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. On @CNNSotu, @Sen_JoeManchin tells @jaketapper that I came to the decision with a heavy heart that its time to pass the torch to a new generation and that President Biden should step aside. pic.twitter.com/glujXQ0hJf State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) July 21, 2024 Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, has urged President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid and focus on the remaining months of his presidency. I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think its time to pass the torch to a new generation, the West Virginia lawmaker told CNNs Jake Tapper during the Sunday episode of State of the Union. Nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress have said its time for Biden to leave the race, including four Democratic senators Peter Welch of Vermont, Jon Tester of Montana, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sherrod Brown of Ohio who have said the Democratic president should abandon his reelection campaign against Republican Donald Trump. The Associated Press reports Bidens debate performance raised open questions about his ability to mount a convincing campaign to defeat Trump. Manchin said he did not speak publicly about Bidens debate performance to give the president a week to evaluate the strategy moving forward. He also said he wanted to allow his colleagues who are in tight races to comment. I thought the first week was needed for the president to evaluate, talk to his family, his staff, and make some decisions, Manchin told Tapper. Im concerned about the presidents health and well-being I really am, Manchin said on ABCs This Week, per the AP. Manchin also said he believes Biden has the opportunity to use the remainder of his term to unite the country, calm political rhetoric and show the world how a peaceful transfer of power can be done by the superpower of the world in a most respectful way. Im hoping for that because I think itll leave him with a tremendous legacy as one of the greatest leaders that weve had, Manchin said. He also said replacing Biden on the ticket should be in an open process. He said he is partial to governors because governors cant afford to be partial. He singled out Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, as leaders who havent divided their states and have instead brought people together. Right now, the country and the world needs our president, Joe Biden, with the compassion hes always had and the ability to bring people together, to use all of his forces and energy towards that, Manchin said. The AP reports Manchin said he was not trying to have Kamala Harris, the vice president, replaced. A healthy competition is what its all about, Manchin said. Manchin, who became an independent in May after years as a Democrat, is not seeking reelection to the Senate. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl Sunday said the Democratic establishment has once again shown their true colors following President Joe Bidens decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. Wahl, in a statement posted on X/Twitter, accused the partys leadership of pushing Biden out of the race, calling it a shameful manipulation of the election process. This group of power-hungry globalists will stop at nothing to keep themselves in control, Wahl wrote. He went on to say Bidens declining support was the result of failed and ineffective policies. "This group of power-hungry globalists will stop at nothing to keep themselves in control." - @ChairmanWahl Full ALGOP statement on Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race below. pic.twitter.com/jbvq7rbdQk ALGOP (@ALGOP) July 21, 2024 The DNCs solution seems to be Kamala Harris, but as Vice President, she has been an integral part of those same failed policies, he said. Her nomination would represent nothing more than a continuation of the same destructive agendas that have made America weaker, our citizens poorer, and our communities less safe. Last week, Wahl said the media was partially responsible for the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump because of its relentless demonization and vilification of Donald Trump. Their political bias towards a presidential candidate only serves to sow division and discord within our nation, Wahl said. The American people deserve better. It is time for everyone to step back from political rhetoric, and look at every person as an individual made in the image of God. I call on the Democratic Party and mainstream media to stop their inflammatory attacks, which incites individuals against Donald Trump and his supporters. Democrats in Alabama and across the U.S. Sunday afternoon praised President Joe Biden following his announcement Sunday to suspend his presidential re-election campaign. Former Sen. Doug Jones praised Bidens work as a public servant and also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Joe Biden has been an extraordinary public servant who I believe will be judged as one of Americas greatest Presidents, Jones wrote on X/Twitter. Its been a difficult month but now it is time to unify. I am encouraging everyone to rally around @KamalaHarris as our nominee. Joe Biden has been an extraordinary public servant who I believe will be judged as one of Americas greatest Presidents. Its been a difficult month but now it is time to unify. I am encouraging everyone to rally around @KamalaHarris as our nominee https://t.co/KHRZMWuOsx Doug Jones (@DougJones) July 21, 2024 Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, responding on social media platform X, quickly threw his support behind Harris, saying Lets get to work!: President @JoeBidens endorsement of Vice President Harris speaks volumes. Her leadership, resilience, and commitment to progress have been evident throughout his administration. Proud to stand with @KamalaHarris. Lets get to work! pic.twitter.com/TV8CVJ5D4e Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) July 21, 2024 Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed thanked Biden for his leadership and public service. Thank you President Joe Biden for your leadership and public service. You leave an indelible mark of progress as one of the most consequential leaders and patriots in our nations history. https://t.co/erTGpHoHOu Steven L Reed (@stevenlouisreed) July 21, 2024 State Sen. Merika Coleman, a Biden delegate, called Biden a real American hero and pledged her support to Harris. @JoeBiden is a real American hero and should be treated as such. Although I dont agree with his decision, I respect it! Thank you for all that youve done to help save democracy in this country! pic.twitter.com/d7DowYqOgL Sen. Merika Coleman, M.P.A., J.D. (@RepColeman) July 21, 2024 Democratic Alabama Rep. Phillip Ensler, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama, immediately threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. My heart is heavy at the announcement of President Biden stepping down from the race. As a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, I look forward to enthusiastically supporting the new Democratic ticket. I fully endorse Vice President Harris for the top of the ticket. Phillip Ensler (@EnslerPhillip) July 21, 2024 Shomari Figures, the Democratic candidate in Alabamas redrawn 2nd Congressional District, released a statement on Biden, thanking the president for his public service, highlighting his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, the infrastructure bill and more. President Biden gave his entire life to public service. Through the tragic deaths of his wife, his young daughter, and his son Beau, he continued to lead. He gave his all to this nation, and answered the call to restore the soul of America at a time when we needed it most. Figures for Congress (@ShomariFigures) July 21, 2024 Former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, praised Biden for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and endorsed Harris, pledging support for her. Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton pic.twitter.com/R7tYMFWbsu Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 21, 2024 Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Biden a patriotic American who has always put our country first. President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history. With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 21, 2024 Democratic Chair Jaime Harrison, responding to the news, pledged a transparent and orderly process moving forward as the party settles on a nominee. DNC Chair @harrisonjaime - In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process." pic.twitter.com/0mWXDsiItr Jim Acosta (@Acosta) July 21, 2024 Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg said Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country, Buttigieg said on X. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer thanked Biden as a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure Americas global leadership over Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) July 21, 2024 Bidens decision comes after escalating pressure from his Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 election. Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Biden will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Thank you, @JoeBiden. https://t.co/HMUMEB1fTl Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 21, 2024 Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), called Biden a true patriot and great American. A bystander and first responders revived an 11-month-old baby who nearly drowned at a Destin beach on Friday evening, the authorities said. The baby was face down and unresponsive in the water at Norriego Point Beach Access and Park, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office. A family member and bystander pulled the child out of the water around 7 p.m., the sheriffs office said in a release on Facebook. Okaloosa County is in northwest Florida along the Alabama state line. An 11-month-old child from Mississippi was pulled unresponsive from the water at Destin's Norriego Point Public Beach... Posted by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, July 20, 2024 The family member and bystander performed CPR until the U.S. Coast Guard arrived. The baby and parents waited at a Coast Guard station until a helicopter arrived to transport them for further medical assistance. We applaud their intense efforts and send our heartfelt prayers for the baby and its family, the sheriffs office posted on Facebook. The baby was breathing and responsive before being transported. Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance wasted no time weighing in on President Joe Bidens decision to bow out of the 2024 campaign, asking how he can remain in the office. If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President? Vance asked on a post on the social media platform X. Not running for re-election would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground, Vance stated. If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President? Not running for reelection would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground. JD Vance (@JDVance) July 21, 2024 Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville reposted Vances comments on his X account. Biden announced he was abandoning his campaign for re-election Sunday afternoon. In a phone call with CNN, former President Trump said of Biden, He is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country. Trump went on to say he believes Vice President Kamala Harris, if she ends up being the Democratic nominee, will be easier to defeat in the November presidential election. Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. An inmate in the Lee County Jail was found dead in his cell Saturday, according to the sheriffs office. Correctional officers reportedly were conducting cell checks and serving breakfast Saturday at about 4:45 a.m. when they discovered a 39-year-old male inmate unresponsive in his cell. Opelika Fire and Rescue and ETS medical responded, but the inmate was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m. There did not appear to be any signs of trauma, according to the sheriffs office. The inmates name has not yet been released. Authorities said he was booked into the Lee County Detention Facility on July 17 on four failure to appear warrants, involving charges of domestic violence, misdemeanor drug possession and two traffic violations. Russell County Sheriffs investigators have assumed primary investigation responsibilities, and the body has been transported to the Department of Forensic Sciences for a postmortem examination. The results of the investigation will be submitted to the Lee County District Attorney for grand jury review. Rep. Terri A. Sewell, Alabamas lone Democratic congresswoman, released a statement praising President Joe Biden after he announced he would not seek reelection this year and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential election. President Joe Biden will go down in history as one of the most consequential and transformational leaders America has ever seen, Sewell said in the statement. At a time of great uncertainty, President Biden rescued our nation from a pandemic, beat back attacks on our democracy, and restored decency to the White House. I was proud to work alongside him to deliver billions of dollars in infrastructure investments to Alabama, lower health care and prescription drug costs, cancel student debt, and so much more. Novembers election remains the most critical of our lifetime, when our rights and freedoms hang in the balance. For the sake of our democracy, we as Democrats should come together, follow President Bidens lead, and unite behind Kamala Harris as our nominee. Sewell then emphatically endorsed Harris and said she plans to help her beat former President Donald Trump in November. I plan to do everything in my power, from now until November, to make Kamala Harris the next President of the United States, Sewell said. Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. The decision comes after escalating pressure from Bidens Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former presidents many falsehoods. Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon ET on Jan. 20, 2025. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A number of celebrities and VIPs of the radical left, including one who betrayed our Vietnam veterans while they were putting their lives on the line for this country, have been warning that if President Trump returns to office, life in America will not be livable, as it presumably is under Biden. Whoever believes this must also believe, or pretend to believe, that America is more livable when the following conditions are in place: Immigration laws are violated to allow foreigners to enter this country illegally, disregarding the warnings, official and unofficial, against terrorist infiltrators. Hows that for a more livable America? You can go to prison for disagreeing with the governments policies, dictatorship style, and to hell with the Constitution. Hows that for a more livable America? Cities under Democrat mayors make the list of worst in the country to live in. Hows that for a more livable America? Crime is promoted instead of fought, with policies that decriminalize felony and make the police stand down where it occurs. Hows that for a more livable America? Increasingly less of your income is yours to keep, as taxes keep growing, unabated. Hows that for a more livable America? Small businesses are crushed under excessive regulations, forcing many out of business. Hows that for a more livable America? Big businesses send jobs overseas, leaving American workers and their families struggling to survive. Hows that for a more livable America? Babies that are not wanted are killed before they leave their mothers womb and disposed of like trash. Hows that for a more livable America? It is necessary for one to be totally insensitive, brainwashed, and uninformed to permit such conditions, and to have missed the fact that President Trump acted vigorously to end such barbaric attacks against the American people. Like millions of Americans, he was aware of the track toward ruin that this country had been put on by the Uniparty in Washington and by its copycats in blue states. What could be the motivation, besides personal gain, for such irresponsible political action such as we are seeing in these described instances? A truthful answer would bring up the political name for such infidelity to this republics constituents: treachery. And it would bring up the influence of those who deeply hate America, which are the same people who deeply hate Trump and his supporters. The truth regarding a livable America annihilates the twisted narratives of radical leftists. The reality is that life in America was far better under Trump than under Biden. And all bets are off in the fact-checking. Cynics might ask, did Trump win in 2016 because he was taking political advantage of the mood of a majority of Americans? Anyone who saw even one Trump rally knows that is total nonsense. He in fact captured the spirit of the majority of Americans who, like himself, were sick and tired of the damage done to America by most Democrats and their Republican partners the Uniparty and with growing speed after 2000. Their actions revealed the aims of the radical left against this country, against its people, against its Constitution, against its sovereignty, against all that millions of Americans sacrificed, fought and died for. Trump and his supporters were saying, loud and clear, stop the America-bashing and lets get this wonderful country back on track. The departure from true democracy, demonstrated by elected officials who follow the rules of radicals instead of the rules of the Constitution, is why life in America had been sliding downhill long before 2000. A comment I make occasionally, in part as a joke, is that Ive been waiting all my life for that Golden Age promised every four years, while America keeps getting worse instead of better. In short, the level of governmental indifference to the people in defiance of Constitutional mandates and rising to insane levels after Obama, is now too obvious to mistake or hide. High tech censorship is no match for the charade. For by their actions the members of the Uniparty have solidified that indifference and indicted themselves for fraudulent occupancy of office. To put it more bluntly, they are deaf, dumb, and blind to the people they represent. They are also blind to the fact that politics as usual has reached a dead end. Those pretending otherwise not only demonstrate a profound ignorance of the reality but a disabling lack of respect for their primary function in government: service to the American people. Whatever its legitimate purpose in society, politics cannot act as an extension of the will of society when, as the Founders of this country warned, morality does not accompany its operations. The Founders understood, as all who govern must understand regardless of calendar date, that democracy disconnected from morality assures the ascendance of tyranny and depravity, starting at the top of government. Todays display of madness in world politics how else to characterize the push for another World War and a conspicuous show of pride in reaching for the bottom of human decency, are among the reasons why millions are shouting this has gone far enough and demanding a return to our senses. Anthony J. DeBlasi is a veteran and longtime defender of Western civilization. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License An outward sign of an inward grace. This phrase came through the works of St. Augustine. He may not have been the first to use it, but through him it has become well known. He described a sacrament as an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace. He was speaking of the Sacraments in the Church. To me its not a phrase exclusively used for sacraments. Most who read his works know his thoughts penetrate deep, beyond the obvious tenets of faith and intellect. Way beyond what we can see. To me its a phrase that hints at certain moments in time as unique, bringing revelation; watershed moments in history that will imprint themselves on generations. We seem to be at such a moment. Or a series of moments that make for something bigger than now. The moment of the bullet seen round the world is surrounded by lots of other moments, enveloped by so much other than its own message, we need to pay attention. Something profound, something deeply spiritual, something deeply historical, something extraordinary is happening. A recent observation: There are several Old Testament stories of the foes of Israel being infected with a spirit of confusion and fear leading to their self-destruction. We are watching as the left repeats these stories in front of our eyes. The spirit that is the ugly essence of the left has been let loose on themselves. The Biden dementia moment had the left unraveling. This moment was surrounded by others, but it started the attempt by the leftist media to try to make Joe resign. As noted, it has caused Biblical style confusion to reign in front of our eyes. When the bullet struck Trumps ear, it was a bigger sign than the leftist meltdown, it was a sign of Gods grace to a struggling nation. Quite clearly, those who support Trump and have spiritual leanings saw this: It was God who saved Donald Trump, God who stopped the country from falling into civil war, God who confounded the plans to get rid of him. That is a constant among a majority of his supporters. God stepped into history in a remarkable way. God showed his grace in giving us another chance. The turning of his head at just the right millisecond. His rising up to encourage supporters he was fine, that they should fight, are epic events. Many saw the spiritual side of this, many have voiced it, many continue to understand that as what they saw. Half of Trump supporters see that as real, and the other half are contemplating it. A bonus gift is the left now sees it as well. They are done. Back to our moment(s). Because we are far from done. We are in the midst of a sea change. Poignant moments have been happening since the bullet heard round the world. Here was Trumps deeply humble, forgiving, powerfully spiritual statement after it was over: Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from 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 Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin. He broadcast that to all who would hear. An outward sign of an inward grace. The decision was made not to postpone the convention. To continue the quest for a change in our countrys direction in spite of the violent act just perpetrated. The choice for VP was given as JD Vance. Tucker Carlsons comment on the selection: Every bad person hes ever met in Washington is against JD. Coming from a revitalized Tucker, that is another physical sign of grace. In the last months there has been a noticeable series of spiritual awakenings in many of the most important commentators todayTucker being early in this group. He was possibly the first to say, and keep saying, this is no longer a matter of Democrat/Republican, or left and right, but the playing out of good versus evil. Others have followed. Joe Rogan. Russel Brand. Candace Owens. Jordan Peterson. Many others have had the same turn. A recognition that we need something good that is higher than ourselves. Other people already there have now reset their minds in clarity. Something has happened. Something is happening. More is yet to come. Back in early June, Tucker interviewed Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, about his success in going from the most violent country in the world to perhaps the most crime-free and peaceful. It was an overwhelming interview. Undeniably one of the most riveting Ive seen. So staggering, in the middle of the interview Tucker blurts out: Thats why I came here. What your success says about the country I live in. They had been speaking about how victory had come to El Salvador. Speaking about MS-13, Bukele said dealing with the gangs was an impossible task. He said they experienced a miracle. Tucker asked for the real story. The answer: We prayed. Apparently, the whole cabinet prayed. For wisdom. To win the war they were in. To prevent casualties. Bukele says they won the physical war, by winning the spiritual war. From that time on, El Salvador had measurable physical change from the worst murder rate in the world to a peaceful culture. An undeniable fact. An incredible miracle as an example to us all. Moments. Our world is filled with these moments. We are now involved intimately with one of the biggest transformations of our history. One thing is clear. What we are experiencing is very real. You could cut it with a butter knife. The left here is in melt-down. They have been exposed for the dark forces they have become. They have been exposed as not being smart, not being nice, nor being invincible. They are in full retreat. They cannot find their footing; their confusion is breathtaking. A majority of Americans are waking up to this new realization: The bullet meant for Donald Trump was meant for us. He turned his head just before death arrived. What we do with this moment, or moments will define us generations from now. We can ignore it, make fun of it, or scoff at it like our media will do. And they will do that. It is their modus operandi. Or we can immerse ourselves in the moment with the majority of our fellow Americans. My hope is we will walk through the door that has been opened, giving our hearts and minds to the renewal of the American spirit. Seeing clearly that we are being given a second chance to renew ourselves and our culture. An American revolution in which the world can rejoice. Image: Public domain. Remember that schoolyard game we used to play as children, where one person turns their back and everyone else runs toward them, until they turn around and you have to stop in your tracks? Then they turn their back again, and you see how close you can get before they spin back around? Note that, if youre one of the runners, you never have to go backward. You just stop and remain in place until theyre not looking, then move forward again. That is essentially the story of Marxist leftism over the past 100 years or so, in the United States and throughout the West: Whenever conservatives notice what the Marxists are doing and call it out, they stop -- but only for a little while, until once gain were not paying attention. Then they move their agenda another few steps forward. They never go back, nor do conservatives really succeed in undoing anything theyve done. We may at times think we have done so and thus become a little complacent --only to find that, while our backs were turned, the Left advanced their agenda far beyond where we last saw it. This dynamic is evident in almost every aspect of public policy, from taxpayer-funded social programs to illegal immigration to the definition of marriage. But all you really have to do, to see the truthfulness of what Im saying, is ask yourself one simple question: Are our mainstream political views, as a nation, further Left of where they were, say, 50 or 60 years ago? And the obvious answer is yes, of course. Someone from 1964, transported in time to 2024, would hardly recognize a country where half the population receives some form of government assistance, men can marry each other, and third-graders check out pornographic books from their school libraries. Sure, the pendulum has occasionally swung over the decades. America was more conservative overall in the 80s and 2000s, under Reagan and Bush, than it was in the 70s and 90s, under Carter and Clinton. But one thing Ive noticed about the pendulum is that, with each sweep, it seems to stop further to the Left before swinging back not quite as far to the Right. We see this scenario playing out today in two key areas: DEI and transgenderism. Lately, the right appears to be gaining ground on these issues. You might even say were ascendant -- or at least, from what Im seeing on social media, many conservatives feel like we are. And no doubt there have been some important victories: the apparent dismantling of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion infrastructure at some of our universities and private corporations; the passing of laws in several states banning men from womens sports; and the Cass Report in Great Britain, which led that nation to halt gender-affirming hormone treatments and surgeries for minors. But leftism is like some creature of nightmare that seems to disappear only to reform later, perhaps in another place, perhaps under another guise, but always, always closer to its ultimate goal. So a state like Texas passes a law banning DEI in its public universities. Conservatives rejoice, thinking they have defeated DEI. But they havent. The leftists in the universities may pretend to comply, but theyre really just biding their time until they can go back to pushing the same destructive ideology under another label -- like belonging. And so we look around a few years after this great victory and realize the university system has migrated even further Left than it was before. The same thing happens in government. I truly hope Donald Trump wins the presidency in November, and I hope that if he does, he actually cleans house this time. But I also know that, even if he does to some extent drain the swamp, it probably wont matter all that much in the long run. The leftists in the federal government will just go underground, plotting all the while how to continue advancing their anti-American agenda, and then reappear even stronger and with their policies more firmly in place during the next administration, or the one after that, or the one after that. Leftists call this playing the long game, and it is what they excel at. Indeed, it is their entire game plan. Gramsci gave that away many years ago. They learned the hard way that people in the free and prosperous West dont respond well to being hit with their Marxist ideas all at once. So they take a little ground whenever they can, when the climate is favorable -- notably, in this country, during Democratic administrations -- stop or slow down (but never retreat) when they have to, perhaps during a Reagan or Trump presidency, wait until a more opportune moment, and then move forward again. The Left can employ this strategy because their objective, as Barack Obama freely admitted, is fundamental change -- in Marxs words, the ruthless criticism of all that exists. Fundamental change is by its very nature incremental. It takes time. And leftists can wait. As far as theyre concerned, they have all the time in the world. Theyve waited over a hundred years; why not four more? (This, by the way, is why we now hear politicians on the Left saying theyre resigned to a Trump presidency. They would prefer otherwise, but they dont believe that, in the long run, it will prevent them from doing what they want.) Conservatives, meanwhile, cannot play this game, though were often told by right-wing pundits that we should. But while its true that we should always have an eye toward the future, not least to avoid the dangers of unintended consequences, the long game just doesnt work for conservatives, for the simple reason that our objective is not change but preservation. The purpose of conservatism is to well, conserve, to hold fast to those elements of our western tradition that are most conducive to human flourishing: free speech, God-centered religion, human dignity, the nuclear family. Its the Left that is trying to change all those things, to advance their anti-freedom, anti-God, anti-human, anti-family agenda. Were just trying to hold our ground. I dont say this in a spirit of defeatism. Far from it. I just think its important that we understand what were up against. The bottom line is that, while its terribly important for us to get Trump back in the White House and temporarily arrest the Lefts agenda, one presidency will not make all the difference. Conservatives must govern well enough that Americans will entrust them -- perhaps in the person of J.D. Vance or Ron DeSantis -- with another four years, and another four years after that. Most important of all, conservatives must remain ever vigilant. While its fine to celebrate our victories, we can never relax. We must never think that the battle is over, that weve finally won. Because, for the Left, its never over, and they havent lost. Image: Pexels/Belle Co Today marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the 1954 Geneva Conference on Indochina, which brought to an end more than seven years of war between France and Ho Chi Minhs Communist Viet Minh Front. It produced a ceasefire agreement (signed by France and the Viet Minh) and an unsigned Final Declaration that most participants verbally embraced. However, the United States and South Vietnam explicitly rejected it. In speeches and debates during the Vietnam War, critics regularly misrepresented the documents and their legal status, something many Americans still misunderstand. This seems like an appropriate time to clarify the matter. I wrote about the Geneva Conference in 1966 in my 450-page undergraduate honors thesis and in a 1972 monograph based largely on documents in the so-called Pentagon Papers. (Unless otherwise cited, the following material is documented in that monograph.) Image: The plenary session of the 1954 Geneva Conference. Public domain. Although presented as temporary, the documents legal effect, like the postwar partitions of Korea and Germany, was to establish separate de jure and de facto legal entities possessing the rights of all sovereign nations. Thus, in June 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea, seeking a forced reunification, the UN Security Council denounced the aggression and authorized the United States to lead a coalition force under the UN flag to drive out the invadersan event we know today as the Korean War. While many assert that no one expected the partition to last more than a couple of years, Article 14(d) of the cease-fire treaty provided: From the date of entry into force of the present Agreement until the movement of troops is completed, any civilians residing in a district controlled by one party who wish to go and live in the zone assigned to the other party shall be permitted and helped to do so by the authorities in that district. Roughly 860,000 people from North Vietnam fled south at the timea strong indication that, as in Germany and Korea, people expected a more prolonged partition. The Pentagon Papers noted that the number of refugees fleeing communist rule might have been much greater had the communists not impeded their escape. The Soviet Union and Great Britain co-chaired the conference. In addition to France, the Viet Minh, and the three Associated States of [South] Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, the participants were communist China and the United States (which emphasized it was only there as an observer). In May, the head of the Viet Minh delegation, Pham Van Dongwho would later serve as Communist Vietnams Prime Minister from 1955 until 1987proposed that Vietnam be divided into two zones with supervision of [unification] elections by local commissions. The Pentagon Papers documented that Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov expressly rejected the American plan, supported by the Indochinese delegation and Great Britain, to have the United Nations supervise a cease-fire. The Pentagon Papers noted that Dr. Tran Van Do, the head of the South Vietnamese delegation (with whom I met and discussed these issues in Saigon in 1968), proposed a cease-fire on present positions and control by the United Nations...of the cease-fire...of the administration of the entire country [and] of the general elections, when the United Nations believes that order and security will have been everywhere truly restored. The same papers reveal that the United States believed the UN should have two separate functionsoverseeing not only the cease-fire but the elections as well. Both these points in [Undersecretary of State Walter Bedell] Smiths remarks were to remain cardinal elements of American policy throughout the negotiations despite French (and Communist) efforts to induce their alteration. According to the Pentagon Papers, the South Vietnamese nationalists rejected the inadequately supervised elections that the communists proposed because they were convinced that Hanoi would not permit free general elections by secret ballot, and that the ICC [International Control Commissionwhich included communist Poland and required unanimity for substantive decisions] would be impotent in supervising the elections in any case. The Pentagon study observed that South Vietnams rationale for keeping the country united was, as matters developed, eminently clearsighted. To make certain there was no misunderstanding, when the conference ended, Under Secretary Smith announced that the United States is not prepared to join in a declaration by the conference such as is submitted. He unilaterally declared, In the case of nations now divided against their will, we shall continue to seek to achieve unity through free elections supervised by the United Nations to ensure that they are conducted fairly. [My emphasis.] South Vietnam was equally clear in disassociating itself from the conference documents. In subsequent years, communist North Vietnam repeatedly acknowledged that it had reached an agreement with France at Geneva. However, long before any agreements at Geneva, France had formally granted South Vietnam all the rights of sovereignty, including the power to conduct its own foreign policy. Thus, France had no legal authority to commit South Vietnam to anything in July 1954. It is important to remember that the partition gave the communists a substantially larger portion of the population than in the South. And, as I documented in my 1975 book Vietnamese Communism, in the bogus elections that occurred in North Vietnam thereafter, Ho Chi Minh and his senior Politburo colleagues never received less the 98.75% of the vote. Perhaps the most important controversy involving the issue of reunification elections was that war critics routinely charged that the United States violated the Geneva Accords by blocking free reunification electionsusually reinforcing their point by alleging that even President Eisenhower admitted Ho would have won by at least 80% of the vote. This myth is easy to dispel by simply reading Ikes full quotation from Mandate for Change: I have never talked or corresponded with a person knowledgeable in Indochinese affairs who did not agree that had elections been held as of the time of the fighting, possibly eighty percent of the population would have voted for the Communist Ho Chi Minh as their leader rather than Chief of State Bao Dai. Indeed, the lack of leadership and drive on the part of Bao Dai was a factor in the feeling prevalent among Vietnamese that they had nothing to fight for. [My emphasis.] Thus, Ike was not talking about an election in July 1956, but one before the end of fighting two years earlierand he was clearly not saying that Ho Chi Minh was popular with the Vietnamese people. The Pentagon Papers noted: It is almost certain that by 1956 the proportion which might have voted for Hoin a free election against Diemwould have been much smaller than eighty percent. Diems success in the South had been far greater than anyone could have foreseen, while the North Vietnamese regime had been suffering from food scarcity, and low public morale stemming from inept imitation of Chinese communism. I wrote former president Eisenhower in 1966 asking whether he was being misquoted, and the response assured me that was the case. Far more importantly, Ikes comparison was not between Ho Chi Minh and Ngo Dinh Diem but between Ho and the notorious French puppet Bao Dai, who lived on the French Riviera, drove a Ferrari, and owned a casino in return for signing whatever the French government put in front of him. It is akin to predicting the outcome of an election between George Washington and Benedict Arnold in 1789. In reality, as the Pentagon Papers acknowledge, Diem was among the most respected Vietnamese nationalists whom the communists had not killed. Even French scholars praised him for his competence and integrity. Because of Diems popularity with the people of Vietnam, Bao Dai and the Japanese imperialists who occupied Indochina during World War II tried to persuade Diem to serve as a puppet Prime Minister. Indeed, Ho Chi Minh himself sought to recruit Diem for a figurehead position in his government. In 1971, I was driving back to Saigon from the Mekong Delta with arguably the most important Vietcong defector in the entire war, Bui Cong Tuong. I asked him what he thought about Diem. He said that when they heard Diem had been murdered in a coup, they thought it must be some sort of a trick because surely the Americans could not be so foolish as to allow anything to happen to Ngo Dinh Diem. He explained that because Diem would not follow the Partys orders, they had to use their propaganda apparatus to portray him as a corrupt American puppet. In reality, he said, senior Party leaders held Diem in the highest esteem as a great Vietnamese patriotin the same league as Ho Chi Minh. Professor Turner served extensively in Vietnam, including tours as an Army Lieutenant and Captain. The U.S. Embassy created a special position for him as an expert on Vietnamese Communism. The three top stories of the week are the Crowdstrike failure that interrupted internet service to millions; the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, and the ongoing Democratic coup against President Biden. You may recall that Crowdstrike was the source of the lie that Russians hacked the DNC files, so I have no sympathy for them. Apparently, there is little legal recourse for the victims of this outage, but I can imagine many institutions and businesses will be reconsidering continuing this service. As for the attempted assassination, it bears a resemblance to the Crowdstrike outage in that it underscores the growing incompetence, lack of resilience, and poor preparation that marks so much of modern life here. Many have linked to a wonderful must-watch video of Ugandan kids reenacting the event. To me, the most amazing thing is that within 24 hours of the event, these kids in apparently a poor neighborhood in Africa, saw what happened, reenacted it with Trump as the hero, and then it was videoed, posted on Tik Tok, and seen around the world without filtering. The ability to instantly see, video, and transmit around the globe is amazing and underscores how rapidly the news business is changing. (Its another reason why X, the largest free speech platform in the world, is so successful.) As for the performance of the Secret Service, the number of shooters and the backstory about the attempted assassin itself, there are many questions that require further investigation and analysis. For one thing, there are reports that the Service was shorthanded because it had to assign its best agents to another event that day by Jill Biden in Pittsburgh. Was this a deliberate attempt to draw off agents? One commentator thinks it was suspiciously so. Heres the White House press release that announced Jill Bidens trip to Pittsburgh on the evening of Saturday, July 13th, to address the Italian Sons and Daughters of America dinner. Note the date is July 10th, and the time is 11:58 a.m. Pre-credentialed media had but two days to sign up to accompany her. Judging by the lack of pool reports, it appears she traveled without a press contingent. Her speech was brief and personal -- relating more to her Italian heritage than stumping for votes. It was about 10 minutes in duration, and she spoke ever so briefly about Joe and his accomplishments -- only three sentences [snip] Theres no indication she stayed for the dinner. Probably she took some photos, gave her speech, and then left. Her total time on the ground was maybe an hour and a half. Why? Why such a short, apolitical trip, to that area at that time? Why indeed. The earliest public announcement Ive seen of Former President Trumps now infamous rally at the Butler Farm Show Grounds, roughly 40 miles from Pittsburgh, was the evening of July 3rd, ten days before the attempted assassination in the evening of July 13th. Ten days is a reasonable amount of time for a presidential candidate to alert the public of his plans to address them in person. Trumps campaign clearly was acting reasonably with their preparations for his appearance in Butler. The Secret Service contingent that was assigned to the Butler event failed to properly secure the perimeter, allowed the shooter to surveil the area with a drone, approach the grounds with a range finder, rifle, and ladder, and mount the roof of a building which provided the clearest shot of Trump. Kimberly Cheatle, the head of the Secret Service, preposterously defended not covering the roof the shooter used because it was sloped and dangerous, but it was practically flat and the agencys snipers shot him from a roof with a much greater slope. The administrations refusal to date to answer legitimate inquiries adds to suspicion. Conspiracy or Miscommunication and Conflicting Recollections? And then theres the question of whether this was a lone shooter or not. As usual the FBI, before a serious investigation, announced it was a lone assassin. (Compare to the JFK assassination where 50 years later 61 percent of Americans discount the single-bullet explanation and believe the killing was part of a conspiracy.) But without more, we have no reason to credit an agency that in recent years does not warrant it. The first account made it seem as though the Secret Service sniper shot Crooks immediately after he shot Trump, but then how to explain the murder of one spectator and the wounding of two others? Apparently, there were more shots than just Crooks and the snipers single shots. Here's a simulation which shows that Trump and David Dutch were hit in Crooks first three-shot volley and Corey Comperatore and James Copenhaver were struck by Crooks follow-up volley a few seconds later. On the other hand, as Stephen Bryen details, the theory of a second shooter is gaining momentum: Crooks home environment is another issue and is mostly being swept under the rug. Crooks lived at home with his parents, both of whom are licensed social workers. My eldest daughter also is a licensed and experienced social worker. Having been an army officer and a specialist in family problems and PTSD, she can spot a person under trauma from ten thousand yards away. Could the parents not know there was a problem with the younger Crooks? It isn't possible for at least two reasons. The first related to the delivery of bomb-making materials to their home, with packages marked Hazardous Materials. Since Crooks worked during the day, the packages were probably picked up by one of the parents. Were they curious? [snip] The second has to do with the alleged call by Crook's father to the police allegedly worrying there was a problem. This was a kid who apparently went to a gun range fairly regularly, and going on Saturday would not be out of the ordinary. Maybe they could not reach him by cellphone, although we do not know that. What problem were they worried about? [snip] But the argument for a second shooter is based on eyewitness accounts that say that the shots came from two separate directions (and we are not talking about the shot or shots fired by the Secret Service snipers). Many have attempted to account for the shots, and there is video of at least two bullets striking a railing on the edge of the stands on Mr. Trump's left. Witnesses say that the angle is wrong for those shots to have come from Crooks' AR-15. A key candidate for an alternative location is the water tower, which is much further away than Crook's rooftop location. We have no report on how many shell casings were found on the roof or how many rounds Crooks actually fired. His body was found with three bullet magazines nearby (presumably fully loaded, though we don't know). These clips are presumed to be 30-round magazines, which are legal and common in Pennsylvania. (A few states limit ammunition magazines to 10 rounds. Crooks reportedly bought 50 rounds of ammunition the morning of the shooting from a gun supply store, but that would not fill up three magazines plus the one already in his weapon.) We have no information if spent bullets were found and collected by the FBI or law enforcement. Ballistic information could prove to be important in determining if only one weapon was used. There is audio of the attempted assassination. Initial analysis says there were eight shots, plus potentially a ninth which could be the round that killed Crooks. There is less definitive information that up to 15 rounds were involved, but the audio is somewhat inconclusive and cries out for laboratory analysis. The water tower could have been a firing point for a second shooter. The FBI has one of the best forensic laboratories in the world in Quantico, Virginia. It is state of the art, or even beyond. Has the evidence been taken there? Has the chain of custody been properly maintained? Given the utter sloppiness and cumulative incompetence of the Secret Service and local law enforcement assets in Butler, we don't know how the aftermath of the shooting was managed, if it was. For example, there is no evidence that eyewitnesses were systematically interviewed, or even if any of them were queried. Likewise, the area was cleared and no effort was made to ask people to remain for questioning. Nor is there any evidence of systematic evidence gathering. The "rush to judgement" to borrow Mark Lane's famous book title, is incredibly appalling and indicative of a cover-up. Worse still, Mr. Trump's life is still in danger and there is no reason to expect that someone won't try to kill him again. The Democrats Attempted Coup against Biden Having for some time by dirty tricks, lies and lawfare tried to undermine Trump when he was president and tie him up to prevent his run for a second term, the Democrats now have turned their efforts to getting Biden to drop out of the race. No one better explains the Democrats Stalinist machinations than Victor Davis Hanson: Never in modern presidential history has a political party staged a veritable inside coup to remove their current president from his ongoing candidacy for his partys nomination and reelection. Stranger still, the very elites and grandees, who now are using every imaginable means of deposing Biden as their nominee, are the very public voices that just weeks ago insisted that candidate Biden was sharp as a tack and fit as a fiddle. And they damned any who thought otherwise! They are also the identical operators whose machinations ensured that there would not be an open Democratic primary. They demonized the few on the Left who weakly challenged Biden in the primaries. Yet now they will select a replacement candidate who likely never received a single primary vote. Note further: Bidens impending forced abdication is not because he is non compos mentis. Rather, the inside move is due to Bidens disastrous debate exposure that confirmed his dementia could no longer be disguised by a conspiracy of leftist politicos and media. But far more importantly, the impetus for removal is driven by the admission that the cognitively [challenged] Biden is headed for a climactic November defeat. Were Biden now ahead in the polls by five points, these same backroom machinists would be insisting that he was still Pericles. Yet now Biden is being un-personed and Trotskyized, as we prepare the new groupthink narrative of his likely surrogate -- a soon to be praised eloquent, mellifluous, and articulate Cicero-Harris. That Biden will likely remain as president until January 20, 2025, should remind the country the Left is more worried about its own next four-year continuance in power than the fate of the country that now admittedly will be guided in the next six months by a president judged unfit by his own supporters to run for the very office that he will still keep holding. Further irony arises when those who, as supposedly guardians of democratic norms, pontificated to the country the last nine years about the Trump-Hitlerian threat to democracy. Yet now they so cavalierly work overtime on how: a) to pull off the removal of their candidate from the November ballot on grounds of senility, b) but not the removal of the same president from office (their own fate is more precious than our collective fate as a nation), c) while trying to select, rather than elect, a replacement candidate, d) without ever offering any explanation, much less an apology, how a Democrat president from January 20, 2021, was daily declared vibrant, dynamic, and engaged but suddenly one day after June 27, 2024, was remanufactured as not? [snip] So, to make sense of what these self-appointed and sanctimonious protectors of democracy are trying to pull off demands an Orwellian vocabulary -- memory hole, newspeak, unperson, and groupthink. Yet there is one more irony. Very soon, those who welcomed the protests of summer 2020 radicals, and exempted the rioting and violence, and then again did nothing in 2024 as mobs tore apart campuses and shut down public facilities, will host a Chicago convention -- where those very same liberated forces may wreak havoc on the outside, while their backroom progenitors, with threats, money, and the media, will wreak havoc on democracy on the inside. Watching all this, I keep thinking of Yiddish expressions Gornish Helfin (Nothing will help) and Az der soyne falt, tor men zich nit freyen, ober me heybt im nit oyf! (When your enemy falls, you shouldnt gloat, but you dont have to pick him up either!) Or maybe, since both Trump and Vance have Scottish ancestry I should look to Robert Burns: The best laid schemes oMice anMen Gang aft agley. Agley their schemes seem to be going. The University of California (UC) is one of the most left-leaning education institutions in America, a legacy going back to the 1960s Free Speech Movement. However, in a major change, the UC regents are reining in, although not entirely stopping, employees who use the UC systems website to post their political statements. Two UC campusesLos Angeles and Daviswere at the forefront of the pro-Hamas campus protests that arose when Israel responded to the October 7 massacres and kidnappings. This was a bit weird, given that UCLA used to be the most Jewish of all the UC campuses (both students and faculty), while Davis was, famously, the most staid. But no longer. Theyd joined Berkeley and Santa Cruz for radicalization and Riverside and Irvine for antisemitism. Its the UC way. Image by AI, imagining what a studies class in the UC system might look like. Now, though, things are changing. Maybe its because most Americans dont like virulent Islamo-leftist antisemitism. Or maybe its because calmer heads, watching the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate and recognizing the potential for societal collapse if that were to happen, have decided that enough is enough. We dont need to know the reason. Its enough to know that UC has decided that its employees can no longer use primary UC internet pages as personal political platforms, although (shamefully, to my mind) they can still use secondary pages to trumpet their private political views: The University of California Board of Regents voted Thursday to ban employees from posting political statements on the homepages of university websites, saying such comments could be interpreted as the university systems official view. Political statements and personal opinions will be allowed on secondary pages and must include a disclaimer saying they dont represent UCs official views under the new policy. University employees can also post political opinions on their personal university webpages or social media accounts. [snip] Recently, political opinions have mainly been posted on the homepages of ethnic studies departments and carried pro-Palestinian messages. A message on the homepage of the UC Santa Barbaras Department of Feminist Studies that remained online Thursday expresses support for Palestinians and criticizes the University of California for its numerous attacks on free speech. The faculty in the Department of Feminist Studies are unflinching lovers of freedom and proud members of the collectives at UCSB fighting for Palestinian liberation and an end to the genocide in Gaza, the message says. Since the above article was published, it seems that the Department of Feminist Studies at UC Santa Barbara has removed its angry little tirade about being silenced. However, I must share with you the departmental information on the homepage so you can get a sense of who and what these pro-Hamas people are: They are the kind of people Hamas would gleefully slaughter. You noticed, I hope, that taxpayers and parents are paying for twelve core faculty [and] 50 affiliated faculty members, all in service of that toxic, cultural Marxist garbage. That doesnt even count the support staff keeping this feminist studies department alive. I checked out the bios for those twelve core faculty members, and have summarized below the main information on those pages. Many have long personal statements that are...well, kind of stunning in their cultural Marxism and pure narcissism (i.e., their studies are all about validating themselves and their fetishes). Edwina Barvosa has a Ph.D. and M.A. from Harvard, an M.A. from Cambridge, and a B.A. from Pomona College. Her areas of study are Political Philosophy & Social Theory, Identity & Intersectionality, Chicana/Latina Feminist Thought, Race, Ethnicity and Politics, especially U.S. Latina/o Politics, [and] Gender Studies. Eileen Boris, a 1960s-era feminist, has a Ph.D. and an M.A. from Brown, and a B.A. from Boston University. Her specialties are Labor Studies, Gender, Race, Class, Women's History, [and] Social Politics. Debanuj DasGupta has a Ph.D. from Ohio State, an M.A. from the University of Akron, and a B.A. from the University of Calcutta. His specialization is Transgender Studies, Queer Theory, Transnational Feminism and Sexuality Studies, Queer Migration Studies, South Asia Studies, International Development and Human Rights, Scholar & Activist Methodologies, while his areas of study are Racialized regulation of space, immigration detention, Queer migrations and the global governance of migration, Sexuality, [and] HIV. Jigna Desai has a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and to B.S.s from MIT. Her specializations are Queer of Color Critique, Women of Color Feminisms, South Asian Diasporic and Migration Studies, Asian American Studies, Critical University Studies, Critical Disability Studies, Public Engagement and Humanities, [and] Media Studies. Caleb Luna has a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and a B.A. from the University of Texas. His specializations are fat studies, queer of color critique, performance studies, media studies, disability studies, [and] women of color feminisms. Mireille Miller-Young has a Ph.D. and M.A. from NYU and a BA from Emory. Her specializations are Black Cultural Studies, History of Sexuality, [and] Pornography and Sex Work. Laury Oaks has a Ph.D. and M.A. from Johns Hopkins, and a B.A. from the University of Illinois. Her specializations are Sexual and reproductive politics; health advocacy movements; feminist analysis of public health, medicine and science; [and] qualitative research methods. Matt Richardson doesnt list any academic credentials. However, his interests are Black feminist studies, queer studies, trans studies, literature/cultural studies and film studies,} and his specializations are Black queer theory, Trans theory, Black feminist theory, Literature and cultural criticism, LGBTQ history, [and] Culture and film theory. Leila J. Rupp, another 1960s-era feminist, has a long discursive bio that explains her long path to degrees through a variety of leftist college programs. Her specializations are Womens Movements, Sexualities, [and] Transnational History. Jennifer Tyburczy has a Ph.D. from Northwestern, an M.A. from the University of Texas, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina. Her specializations are LGBTQ Studies, queer theory, genders and sexualities, race and nation, performance studies, social justice, transnational American studies, popular culture, ethnography, cultural politics, political economy, visual art and culture, [and] museum and archive studies. And then theres Jane Ward, the Department Head, who has a Ph.D. from UCSB. Her specialties are Feminist and queer theory; sex practices; sex cultures; dismantling the patriarchy; creating feminist futures; [and] witchcraft. The problem isnt that these people (all of whom are a microcosm of all the studies departments across the UC system) are still allowed to publish their politics on secondary pages within the UCs official website. Its that they have jobs at all. In my opinion, theyre crackpots who harm the young minds in their classrooms. It is undeniable that past president Obama was vehemently anti-Israel. One can only ponder how he felt about American Zionists. In this context, the definition of Zionist is one who celebrates Israels existence and stands for her survival. Obamas policies towards Israel were of disdain and destruction. Under his administration, he forbade moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israels capital, and heinously decreed that Jews born in Jerusalem were not Israeli. Moreover, Obama accepted, among other anti-Israel, anti-American policies, the terms of an egregious agreement with Iran, which culminated in the transfer of multi-millions of U.S. dollars to Iran. Those dollars were delivered on pallets airlifted to Iran. Obamas then-vice president, Biden, could not contradict these anti-Israel policies. Obama was followed by President Trump, who immediately reversed them! Trump went many steps forward to ensuring Israels security and advancing peace in the whole region by brokering the ground-breaking Abraham Accords. These created still-standing peace agreements between Israel and multiple Arab countries. Image: YouTube screen grab. President Biden, who succeeded Trump, was faced with the Middle Easts cauldron of misery. This exploded on October 7, 2023. As we all know, Hamas mounted a bestial attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and violently kidnapped over 200 more. Over 100 are still in captivity. More than half are presumed dead. Many are Americans. Bidens initial reaction was to solidly stand with Israel. He immediately flew to Tel Aviv to cement that commitment. But in the ensuing months, he has faced an unprecedented American outburst of ugly Jew-hatred and anti-Israel sentiment. So, while still ostensibly for Israel, Biden has tried to master a tightrope between warring sentiments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is coming to America this week. By invitation, he will address Congress on Wednesday. This is Bidens golden opportunity to cement his legacy as a man of moral courage and keep his initial commitments against the attacks. It is his last opportunity to embrace Israel and rage against the heinous violence of Hamas and the revolutionary Islamists who crave an Islamic global caliphate. He can loudly denounce the violence, the Islamic extremists, and Hamas. He can boldly embrace Netanyahu and give him the 500 pound bombs that Biden has, so far, withheld, as well as all other assistance required to fight extremists on multiple fronts. From this bold move, which will leave Israel in a position of strength and security, Biden can forge a peace agreement that Netanyahu can live with and, along with obtaining the release of the remaining hostages. Both acts would muzzle the turncoats from Obama on down and permit Biden to keep his nomination. In an event unprecedented in American political history, the Democrats pressure campaign against the manifestly demented Joe Biden has worked. Via letter, Biden announced today that he is dropping out of the campaign, although he will remain in office. This puts a new spin on the race because Kamala has historically been even less popular than Biden. What we can expect next is a battle to name a competent vice presidential candidate, a PR campaign to convince voters that they should ignore the Democrats years-long fraud, and (possibly) a debate about whether Biden can remain in office. On June 27, Biden exposed to the world what we conservatives have long known: He has dementia. Beginning on June 28, the Democrats struggled to figure out what would be more harmful to the presidential race: a demented candidate or Kamala Harris. Image: Joe Biden. YouTube screen grab. Two weeks ago, the Obama camp, which is still the real power behind the Democrat party, used a proxy to let it be known that it wanted Biden out. By yesterday, the Obamaites were no longer being subtle. Rather than having proxies suggest that Biden drop out, their leaks (that is, covert press releases) let it be known that Obama himself wanted Biden to go. Today, Biden finally yielded to the pressure and, in a first for a sitting president at this stage in an election, withdrew from the race: After a couple of paragraphs about how wonderful hes been as president, Biden gets to the nitty gritty: ...while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. Although the letter praises Kamala, Joe does not endorse her: I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. That was very telling. However, approximately an hour thirty minutes after releasing the letter, Biden finally did endorse Kamala. BREAKING: PRESIDENT BIDEN ENDORSES VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year." Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 21, 2024 Biden never explicitly says why hes dropping out, offering only the vague statement that it would be in the best interest of winning the White House if he does. My prediction a few days ago was that hed do exactly thisdrop out but stay in officealthough I thought hed use COVID as the reason rather than just acknowledge that hes going to lose: The virtue of COVID is that Biden can drop out of the race without triggering the 25th Amendment. We'll be assured that, while COVID may make him too frail for the rigors of the campaign trail, he's still perfectly capable of being president until January. Andrea Widburg (@Bookwormroom) July 18, 2024 We can expect to see a huge battle over who gets the vice president spot on the ticket. Im betting that Gavin Newsom is weeping in his soup over the fact that, rather than vetoing the latest anti-parent, LGBTQ+ bill in California, he signed it last week. But theres something more important than political machinations. Will anyone on the Democrat side of the aisle question Bidens continued fitness to hold office and demand that he be subject to the 25th Amendment? Its that last point thats really the most important because it goes to the nature of politics in America today. Biden is, and has been since Day One, a figurehead. The Democrats have already acknowledged that hes had dementia for years now. The subtext is that, since January 2021, a faceless, unelected cabal has been carrying out the constitutional office of the presidency. For statists, this is fine. After all, once the dominant individual powers in the Soviet Union (e.g., Lenin and Stalin) died, the rest of the leaders were just figureheads for the commissariat doing the work behind the scenes. For everyone who is not an American Marxist, it should be horrifying that our government is controlled by unidentified, unelected people. Ideally, what should happen is that all Americans rise up against the fraud thats been committed against them. Those who perpetrated the fraud, whether in the government or the media, should be held criminally liable. However, as long as Merrick Garland heads the DOJ, thats not going to happen. In the short term, the only way to address this problem is for Trump to win the biggest victory in American history. Unfortunately, we know thats not going to happen. America is no longer a country in which people have the same goals and are voting for the person they believe will most competently execute those goals. Instead, we are in a (thankfully) bloodless civil war (so far) that pits two entirely different visions of America against each other. On the one hand, there is a constitutional vision. It revolves around individual liberty complete with small government, a strong foreign policy, a sovereign border, and a belief in the Judeo-Christian principles that always bound Americans together. (And you dont need to believe in God or the Bible to value those principles, especially the Ten Commandments.) On the other hand, there is a Marxist vision. It revolves around an all-encompassing government, a minor American role on the world stage, a non-existent border, and a belief in cultural Marxism, which works to destroy every vestige of the traditional Western world. In the coming election, Americans who have been paying attention arent voting for a candidate; theyre voting for a worldview. And we who support the constitution worldview have only three-and-a-half months to convince those who havent been paying attention that ours is the view that will ensure our nations continued prosperity and happiness and that the Democrat worldview is a one-way ticket to America failing as surely as Venezuela, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe have. Oh, the wonders of ethanol! The magical fuel thats supposed to save the world, one cornfield at a time. Stellantis, the worlds largest carmaker, operating under 14 brands, including Fiat, Peugeot, and Jeep, is investing a whopping $6 billion into South America to develop engines that can run on both gasoline and ethanol. Because whats better than one inefficient fuel source? Two inefficient fuel sources! Lets burn through our food crops with ethanol and drain our power grid with electric battery power, all at once! Stellantis proudly announced its investment plan to create Bio-Hybrid technologies that combine electric and ethanol power. These flex-fuel engines can switch between gasoline and ethanol at will. Fantastic, right? Now we can burn through both fossil fuels and food crops simultaneously. Brazil, the source of much of this ethanol, must be thrilled. After all, who wouldnt want his agricultural produce turned into car fuel instead of food? Ethanol is hailed as an environmentally friendly fuel because it supposedly generates less carbon during combustion. Ask any mechanic which fuel provides more engine power: ethanol or gasoline. And lets not forget the inconvenient truth: producing ethanol requires massive amounts of water, land, and energy. Some experts argue that when you factor in the entire production process, ethanol may actually consume more natural resources than petroleum. But who cares about the details when were saving the planet? Stellantiss grand plan includes several types of Bio-Hybrid engines. Theres the standard Bio-Hybrid, integrating a gas engine with electric drive. Then we have the Bio-Hybrid eDCT, with an electric dual clutch. And lets not forget the Bio-Hybrid Plug-In, which can be recharged from the mains. Because nothing says efficiency like plugging your car into the same power grid thats already stretched to its limits. And we must not overlook the electric elephant in the room: the exponentially accelerating thirst for more electricity required to power all the massive A.I. data centers. But wait, theres more! Ethanol is being touted as the answer to our energy prayers, overshadowing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs). Its a breakthrough, they say. Yet despite all the hype, ethanol still faces the same old criticism. Its a resource hog. It diverts crops from food production, sending food prices sky-high. So what good is it to have an efficient car when you can't afford to drive it to the grocery store since you cant afford a $10 loaf of bread? Meanwhile, in the realm of genuinely innovative solutions, we have thorium salt reactors. These reactors are highly efficient and safe, offering a truly sustainable energy source. But of course, they dont get nearly as much attention. Why? Because theres no political agenda to push with thorium. Its just a boring, practical solution that doesnt fit the narrative. Its time we take the politics out of the equation. Lets focus on finding the best, safest, and most cost-effective energy solutions without woke fear-mongering and gross misrepresentation. Ethanol may have its uses, but lets not pretend its the silver bullet for our energy needs. If were serious about sustainability, we need to look beyond the politically convenient options and embrace the technologies that can genuinely make a difference. Too bad this logic wasnt embraced by the worlds biggest automaker before it made what may be the worlds biggest blunder. Image via Picryl. For Congress to get to the bottom of the assassination attempt against Trump, it must ask the right person the right question. (Hint: Kimberly Cheatle is not the right person.) The good news is that Congress wants to get to the bottom of the security failure at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally last week. James Comer (R-Ky), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, noted that there are questions about how a rooftop within proximity to President Trump was left unsecure. He has announced that his committee will convene a hearing on July 22 to investigate. The bad news is that Rep. Comer plans to begin his inquiry into the debacle by examining the Secret Services director, Kimberly Cheatle. However, all knowledge about the debacle lies with the agents on the ground. Shes a desk jockey. The typical command structure of a federal agency, from bottom to top, is something along the lines of Agent to Manager to Deputy Assistant Director to Assistant Director to Director. The agency director and all the intermediate supervisors know nothing about the debacle except what the agents on the ground tell them. Image: The U.S. Secret Service Sniper. X screen grab. Director Cheatles job is to take the information that wafts up from the ground through her subordinates, package it neatly with political acceptability, and deliver the package to Congress. Director Cheatle will no doubt discharge her function with aplomb, and Congress will only hear what Director Cheatle wants Congress to hear. Therefore, we will very soon witness the customary congressional committee hearings. If nature is allowed to take its natural course, these hearings will drone on and on, focusing only on the agency heads and subheads. But the true center of factual gravity of the entire episode is the Secret Service (SS) sniper who killed Crooks. If light is to be shone on what actually happened, that SS sniper is the one who must be deposed. We do know that on Saturday, July 13, one Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate Trump. Crooks fired seven rounds (some reports say eight), striking Trump in the ear, killing one bystander and wounding two others. We do not know whether the seven rounds were from seven trigger pulls or were a burst of automatic fire. But from the very git-go, questions began to arise. Politico commented, Moments after Saturdays attempted assassination, when live images of Trump clutching a bloody ear and raising his fist in defiance appeared on cable news and social media, critics almost immediately began to question why Secret Service snipers didnt fire sooner amid reports that onlookers were pointing to Crooks, who was positioned and crawling on a nearby roof, before he managed to fire seven shots at Trump and the crowd. Three days after the event, Ron Paul wrote, Video has emerged showing that for at least two minutes law enforcement knew someone with a gun was on a roof aiming at the former President and no one communicated the need to pull Trump from the stage. You can clearly hear the crowd warning law enforcement that someone was on the roof. Yet he was unhindered until the first shots rang out. MSNBC reported that a U.S. Secret Service sniper killed Crooks within seconds after Crooks shot Trump. How many seconds? Ten? Two? Was the USSS sniper aware of Crooks presence before Crooks fired? Did the SS sniper have Crooks in his telescopic sights when Crooks fired? If so, why did not the sniper fire first? No wonder that, only one day after the shooting, Rep. Cory Mills told FOX News host Jesse Watters, This is massive negligence to the point of me speculating on what was intentional and what wasnt. Elon Musk said that the almost-successful assassination attempt was Extreme incompetence, or it was deliberate? Ground Zero of the information food chain regarding this event is the USSS sniper who killed Crooks. It is with this USSS sniper that Comer should commence his examination. The relevant details about the event will fall somewhere between these bookends: (a) Either the USSS sniper is enjoying the rally, innocently humming a hymn, patiently surveying the crowd and the horizon for trouble, when suddenly he hears the telltale Pop! Pop! Pop! of nearby rifle fire. The sniper quickly locates the rooftop rifleman and quickly neutralizes him. (b) Or, through his telescopic sight, the USSS sniper has been intently watching the rooftop rifleman for some time, planning to neutralize the rifleman the instant he hears the pop of the rifle. His telescopic sight is focused on the riflemans head; he hears the pop and observes the barrel of the rifle jump, and he then fires. The key question that Comer and his committee should propound to the USSS sniper that will tell us just where between those two bookends the facts of the scenario actually fell is this: Mr. USSS sniper, exactly where were you and exactly what were you doing when you heard the pop of the rifle? The answer to that question and its logical follow-up will illuminate the entire scenario. Joe Biden's open borders may be about more than just replacing the electorate. The New York Post found that one of the most malevolent of the border surgers, a Venezuelan illegal named Leonel Moreno, who famously urged other illegals to squat in Americans' homes and waved hundred-dollar bills around to boast of his public benefits on TikTok, is being investigated by the feds for his military intelligence work for the Marxist dictatorship back home. According to the Post: Federal authorities believe that the migrant TikTok influencer who became a social media sensation for encouraging others to squat in US homes was a sergeant in Venezuelas military intelligence unit before he illegally entered the country, a federal source told The Post. Leonel Moreno who went viral for bragging about all the money he was making in government benefits was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in March for skipping out on the terms of his probation after he crossed the southern border illegally. Since his arrest, intelligence officers have taken a closer look at Morenos history and his life in Venezuela, noting that he allegedly was a sergeant of the Venezuelan general directorate of military intelligence, according to a Homeland Security source. Moreno, 27, crossed the border illegally into Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 23, 2022, and was released into the country, but skipped out on required check-ins with ICE, which led to his arrest. The Post didn't go into it, but the only military intelligence outfit in Caracas is known as the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, or (DGCIM by its Spanish initials) and is one of the most feared and repressive of Venezuela's internal organs, reportedly run by Cubans. It was known as "military intelligence" in various iterations in its past before taking on its 'counterintelligence' identity. Its counterpart, the Bolivarian Intelligence Agency, also heavily penetrated by the Cubans, is known as SEBIN by its Spanish initials, and is a non-military spy agency. So most likely, Moreno was a sergeant in the DGCIM, or at least is being investigated as one. That probably explains why the ICE lawmen detained him, and why he protested so loudly that he was such a good person as well as a loving dad after he was hauled off to migrant jail in Ohio. We know his taunting videos wouldn't have moved anyone in the Biden administration, but the opportunity to catch a spy might. Who is DGCIM? Well, according to the Treasury Department, Human Rights Watch, and a 2019 Reuters 'Special Report,' they're the torturers of dissidents as directed and controlled by the Cubans. Human Rights Watch, citing a report from the Caracas Chronicles, says they like to round up family members of dissidents and torture them. Intelligence agents subjected several detainees, including some of the family members, to physical and psychological abuse. They were brutally beaten, asphyxiated, the soles of their feet cut with razor blades, given electric shocks, deprived of food, forbidden to go to the bathroom, and even threatened with death. Several detainees did not have access to their families or lawyers for days. During their detention in prisons or military intelligence headquarters, they did not have access to adequate medical treatment. They are accused of crimes that include treason and instigating rebellion. Lawyers representing them, who had access to judicial files and hearings in these cases including some prosecutions of civilians in military courts, said the charges were fabricated and not supported by any real evidence. Human Rights Watch asked the Venezuelan government to describe the actions on which the charges were based, and what evidence it had against suspects in these cases, but received no response. These are not isolated cases. In fact, they are part of a pattern of widespread abuses by Venezuelan security forces that we have documented since 2014, including thousands of people arrested, hundreds of cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment against real and imagined government opponents, and at least 31 cases of torture. The Treasury Department slapped sanctions on the outfit in 2019 during President Trump's term for beating a dissident to death. Reuters did a good report about how the Cuban internal security organs (originally trained in torture by the East Germans) pretty well control the operation, back in 2019: Under Cuban military advisors, Venezuela refashioned the intelligence unit into a service that spies on its own armed forces, instilling fear and paranoia and quashing dissent. Now known for its repressive tactics, the DGCIM is accused by soldiers, opposition lawmakers, human rights groups and many foreign governments of abuses including torture and the recent death of a detained Navy captain. According to the documents reviewed by Reuters, the agreements, signed in May 2008, allowed Cuba's armed forces to: - Train soldiers in Venezuela - Review and restructure parts of the Venezuelan military - Train Venezuelan intelligence agents in Havana - And change the intelligence service's mission from spying on foreign rivals to surveilling the country's own soldiers, officers, and even senior commanders. Even if this migrant didn't engage in any of these activities and maybe just pulled guard duty or picked up cigarette butts from parade grounds, he may have lied on his asylum application that he was ever involved in this kind of repression, which is an automatic disqualifier for asylum privileges. And as for thugcraft from within the operation, well, he got promoted to 'sergeant' so he certainly pleased some of those people running it for something. One wonders what it was. At this point, it is impossible to say whether he came here on his own, or was actually dispatched here by the Castroites running Caracas military intelligence as part of an inflict-chaos-on-America operation. We know that Castro, Venezuela's own leaders, both the late Hugo Chavez and the current Nicolas Maduro, and their close buddy ally Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua all have made statements about wanting to use "migrant warfare" against the U.S. in the past. Ortega has actually used that phrase. The Castro oligarchy of Cuba pioneered this kind of chaos activity in 1979 and 1980 when it emptied its prisons and mental institutions in the Mariel boat lift. These other regimes pretty well follow the Cuba playbook. That this creep would come here and encourage squatting in Americans' homes is highly Marxist and sounds very much like a possible chaos operation, a move to end rule-of-law as well as property rights in the U.S. by taking advantage of the current shambling state of prosecution and law enforcement and intensifying the disaster through millions of illegal migrants. If so, and if this is what the investigators find, it would suggest a far larger operation from the U.S.'s socialist enemies to our south to wreak havoc in the U.S. even from their positions of military weakness. And if this creep can be induced to talk, maybe we'll learn even more about what their masterplan is in utilizing Biden's open border to their own advantage. If they can get this information and find it has legs, then the U.S. needs to take far harsher retaliatory measures than just sanctions. It ought to cut off all remittances and trade and seize Venezuelan assets within the states, as well as make international criminal court referrals to the extent possible. Migrant warfare is real, and the investigators may just find an astonishing array of attacks on the U.S. coming from Biden's open border. It means Biden left the U.S. open for attack and at least one enemy took advantage. It's not just moms and kids crossing the border. They are letting in all comers, including those least worthy of asylum. What a miserable, wretched president he is. Image: Screen shot from New York Post video, via YouTube Secret Service director Kim Cheatle, who by all accounts got the job because shes Jill Bidens pal, will reportedly appear before Congress this week. Here are a few questions Senators and Congresspersons might want to ask: *Should Secret Service (SS) agents tasked with bodily covering a protectee be large enough to bodily cover a protectee? If not, why not? Graphic: X Screenshot *If agents dont need to be large enough to cover a protectee, does this vindicate your goal of a 30% female Secret Service? *The population is roughly 50% female. Why only 30%? Why not 50%? Why not more? *Should SS agents be able to holster their handguns? If they shouldnt, why not? Graphic: X Screenshot *At Former President Trumps Pennsylvania rally, how many actual SS agents were present? *How many personnel from other government agencies were carrying out protective roles normally reserved for SS protective detail agents? From which agencies and how many from each? How many were female? *It has been reported there were no canines helping to secure the premises. If not, why not? *It has been reported unauthorized persons were allowed backstage that day. Is this true, and if so, why? You have said the SS was solely responsible for all aspects of security at the rally. Who, specifically, allowed it and why? *It has been reported the SS operated no drones that day. If not, why not? *It has been reported the assassin flew a drone that day over the rally scene and more than once. Was that drone spotted by anyone? Did anyone do anything about it? *It has been reported the assassin was seen near a magnetometer at least three hours before Trump spoke. He was using a rangefinder. Would you think that suspicious? Why didnt anyone detain and question him? *Reports indicate he was seen again at least once with a rangefinder, and was also seen on separate occasions carrying a ladder and carrying a backpack. No one detained or contacted him on any of those occasions. Is this the performance you expect of SS agents? *Shouldnt any SS agent seeing someone using a rangefinder at such a site think they were setting up a killing shot, or doing it for someone else? Shouldnt they immediately detain and question such a person? *Wasnt the rooftop of the building from which the assassin killed one and wounded three, including Mr. Trump, an obvious danger of just that sort of attack? If so, why wasnt it completely secured? Graphic: X Screenshot *Youve said no agents were posted on the roof because it was too steep. It wasnt too steep for the assassin, and after he was dead, agents had no difficulty mounting and working on it. SS agents work on rooftops with much steeper pitch, including the White House, every day. Would you like to retract your excuse? If not, why did you make that statement? *You said three snipers were positioned in that building. Were they each accompanied by spotters? *You have said those personnel were supposed to look out windows. Isnt putting snipers in rooms, looking out ground floor windows, limiting them? Isnt that a waste of highly trained personnel? *Shouldnt every counter sniper team be on high ground with a specific zone to cover rather than securing a building from the inside? *How many SS personnel and other personnel were stationed in that building? From which agencies, and will you provide their numbers from each agency? *You said they were ordered to secure the building from the inside. Why would anyone secure a building from the inside when every threat against Mr. Trump was outside? *Do you now wish you has assigned personnel to secure the outside and roof of that building? If so, why? *Would you agree that your decisions regarding SS coverage of President Trump created security vulnerabilities the assassin was able to exploit? If you do not agree, would you agree personnel under your command made such decisions and created such vulnerabilities? *It has been reported your counter snipers saw the assassin on the rooftop, with a rifle, at least 20 minutes before he fired. Is this true? If so, can you explain why they allowed him to shoot first? *It has been reported SS spokesmen said SS personnel on the scene did not consider the assassin a threat until he produced a gun. Is that the SS standard for threat identification? Do assassins get to shoot first? *Despite your personnel seeing the assassin, on the rooftop, with a rifle, no one kept President Trump from taking the stage, and no one removed him from the stage until after he was shot. Can you explain this? *You have said the buck stops here, and said you take responsibility for the failure of the SS. Do you likewise accept any consequences for those failures, and if so, what might they be? *Finally, Madam Director, what the hell is wrong with you? 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. In the absence of any official statement about the injury Donald Trump suffered when he was shot in Pennsylvania one week ago, critics of the former president, especially cable news hosts such as Joy Reid and guests on MSNBC, have expressed doubts that he was hit by a bullet. Instead, they claimed, it might have been shrapnel or glass from a Teleprompter. Yesterday, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), a medical doctor who served as the physician to Presidents Obama and Trump between 2013 and 2018, released a statement on his official House of Representatives stationery about his treatment of President Trumps injury starting on the night of the assassination attempt. The full statement, which was also released yesterday to the media by President Trump's campaign, reads as follows: July 20, 2024 MEMORANDUM FOR: CONCERNED CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM: RONNY L. JACKSON, MD FORMER PHYSICIAN TO THE PRESIDENT SUBJECT: Update on the health of President Donald J. Trump As the former appointed Physician to the President for President Donald J. Trump, I was naturally very concerned, as was the entire world, about his wellbeing after the assassination attempt on his life. As such, I met him in Bedminster, New Jersey, late that evening to personally check on him, and offer my assistance in any way possible. I have been with President Trump since that time, and I have evaluated and treated his wound daily. He is doing well. As reported and witnessed by the entire world, he sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear from a high-powered rifle used by the would be assassin. The bullet passed, coming less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear. The bullet track produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially significant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear. The swelling has since resolved, and the wound is beginning to granulate and heal properly. Based on the highly vascular nature of the ear, there is still intermittent bleeding requiring a dressing to be in place. Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required. The President was initially treated by the medical staff at Butler Memorial Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania, who did an excellent job of evaluating him and treating his wound. I want to thank them for their outstanding care. They provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head. He will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him. In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon. I am extremely thankful his life was spared. It is an absolute miracle he wasn't killed. I am heading to the rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan with President Trump now, and I will remain at his side throughout the weekend to provide any medical assistance he needs. I plan to return to Washington, DC on Monday, and then I will return home to Amarillo, Texas at the conclusion of the week. Signed, Ronny L. Jackson Former Physician to the President Rep. Ronny Jackson, M.D. Official Congressional portrait // public domain After completing his work in the White House in 2018, Dr. Jackson was appointed by President Trump in 2019 as assistant to the president and chief medical advisor, a new position in the Executive Office. In 2020, Jackson was elected to represent the 13th Congressional District in Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was reelected in 2022. Dr. Jackson has been a persistent critic of President Biden, including the years long cover-up of the 46th presidents health, as I reported here on June 25, 2024. Yesterday, while they were in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the former presidents first public rally since the assassination attempt on him seven days earlier, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance sat for an interview with FOX News prime time host Jesse Watters. The full interview will be run on Watters World, Monday July 22 on the FOX News channel at 8:00 p.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT. Late Saturday, FOX News Media sent selected journalists, including me, two salient excerpts from the interview. They put both candidates on the record responding to Watters questions about the inadequacy of the Secret Services actions to protect the former president on that fateful day, July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, when he was literally millimeters away from a kill shot by a would-be assassin wielding a long gun. As FOX News Media notes, President Trumps sit down with Jesse Watters is the first joint interview [with Trump and Vance]. In addition, This is Trumps first extensive television interview since both the attempted assassination and the RNC. The breaking news from the interview clips is that Vance said that I dont trust the [FBI] bureau leadership. From the transcript courtesy of FOX News Media, starting with whether former President Trump was told not to take the stage ahead of the attempted assassination at his rally: JESSE WATTERS: Mistakes were made. They were monitoring this guy [the would-be assassin] for an hour beforehand. No one told you not to take the stage? DONALD TRUMP: Nobody mentioned it, nobody said there was a problem. I would've waited for 15, they could've said let's wait for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 5 minutes, something. Nobody said. I think that was a mistake. How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasn't he reported? Because people saw he was on the roof. You had Trumpers screaming, the woman in the red shirt, she was screaming "there's a man on the roof" and then other people said "there's a man on the roof who's got a gun" and that was quite a bit before I walked on the stage, so you would've thought someone would've done something about it. President Trump, Sen. Vance and FOX News Host Jesse Watters, Grand Rapids, Michigan July 20, 2024 Screenshot by Peter Chowka of FOX News video used with the permission of FOX News On whether there is trust in the FBIs investigation of the attempted assassination: JESSE WATTERS: The FBI is doing an investigation on the assassination attempt, do you trust the bureau? JD VANCE: I dont trust the bureau leadership, but I certainly think there are a lot of good field agents, guys on the ground, but what the hell was going on? How was that guy ever allowed to be there in the first place? I think somebody, whether its someone higher up or somebody else involved really did screw up. DONALD TRUMP: Theres some things going on with our government that we have to really worry about. Did we have enough people? Why didnt we have enough people? Somebody said that a lot of people were put on Bidens detail, the problem is Biden doesnt draw anybody, he draws flies. The videos of the segment are online here and here. President Trump during his interview July 20, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan with Jesse Watters Screenshot by Peter Chowka of FOX News video used with the permission fo FOX News In the video, President Trump is sporting a smaller flesh-colored bandage on his ear compared with the larger white bandage that he wore covering his wound and most of his right ear during the four day Republican Convention that concluded on Thursday. 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. on July 20th can be listened to here. His web page with links to his work and a bio is http://peter.media. Peters extensive American American Thinker archive: http://tinyurl.com/pcathinker. His X/Twitter account is @pchowka. How many times have you witnessed the following scenarios? Scenario 1: A GOP leader appears on Fox News and pledges to hold the corrupt accountable. He makes some stunning revelations and claims to be draining the swamp. He talks in detail about an inquiry and an investigation. He pledges support for Donald Trump. He promises accountability for targeting Trump and his supporters. Scenario 2: This is a public hearing on the Hill to hold wrongdoers accountable. The individual being questioned has engaged in an abuse of power as he targeted President Trump and his supporters. A GOP leader seems righteously indignant. The first question booms across the room. The witness attempts to filibuster, but the GOP leader interrupts: Please answer me is that a yes or a no? Remember, you are under oath! The witness appears sweaty, crooked, helpless, and clueless, whereas the GOP leader looks triumphant. The GOP leader lambastes the witness in the harshest possible language and pledges to get to the bottom of this. Scenario 3: This seems to be a recent phenomenon, a version of sting journalism, but this time, the stinger is the GOP leader. Much like the hearing in Congress, there is one that the Trump supporters justifiably despise for the harm done to the nation. Unlike the previous two scenarios, the quality of the video is grainy, and the camera is shaky, but this adds to the realism. The GOP leader spots this enemy figure and excoriates him. Will you apologize to the American people? is the first question. The individual looks baffled. Is it true that you ? is the next question. The individual gets uncomfortable and looks for an escape route. Dont dodge a representative of the American people! booms the seemingly angry leader. The individual flees, and the footage abruptly ends. In time, some or all of these scenarios are viral on social media. The caption is usually provocative: GOP Leader ABC humiliates/destroys XYZ. At times, there are thug life clips with the music and the graphics. For the citizens starving to see any of the guilty being held accountable, these clips seem God-sent. They are elated to see the villains squirm, left speechless as their representative subjects them to a brutal grilling. This is a topic of conversation during lunchtime at the office and on Sundays with friends. That exchange was enough for me, declares one. He has my vote. He is a patriot and a soldier for MAGA. The rest nod and raise their wine glasses to join the pledge. The GOP leader gets good press in right-leaning echo chambers and a heros welcome upon returning to his constituency. Some conflate words with actions; others assume that tough words will be followed by action. The publicity over three scenarios remains in voters memory, and the leader is re-elected. What few bother to verify is the aftermath of the pompous pledges on Fox News and the dramatic display during hearings or sting operations. Usually, the pledges are empty, and the theatrics during hearings and sting operations lead to no remedial measures. The guilty are unaffected and live well, while citizens suffer. The media are divided into right and left and are usually involved in attacking each other and dealing with the latest scandal. In all the chaos, the media fail to perform their fundamental function: holding their side accountable. Rarely will any right-leaning journalist or commentator hold the GOP accountable. Perhaps in a few decades, a picture will surface on social media where the accused and the GOP leader are seen sharing a laugh at a social gathering. Soon the realization dawns upon the voter that he has been conned. The GOP leader was speaking from a prepared script when the camera was on. After the act, he retreats to his office, places his feet on his desk, and boasts to his staff: I was brilliant, wasnt I? They laugh, knowing that no action will be taken, but the act will earn another term in office. The leader is hence similar to social media influencers, whose aim is for their social media clips to go viral. There needs to be a paradigm shift in evaluating politicians. A politician is your employee, not at all different from a plumber or a lawyer. The politician is paid from your taxes, whereas the plumber is paid from your bank account. Lets assume the water tank at your home is leaking due to a poor job done by the plumbing firm you had engaged. You attempt to contact the plumbing firm on numerous occasions, but the people there are non-responsive. Hence, you engage a lawyer to sue a plumbing firm. When would you consider the job done? Choice 1: When the lawyer boasts about holding the plumbers accountable? Choice 2: When the lawyer confronts a representative of the plumbers, verbally humiliates him, and shows you the footage? When the lawyer exposes a representative of the plumbers during cross-examination in court? Choice 3: When the plumbers are found guilty and are ordered to pay to fix the leak and the impact of the leak? Choice 4: When the guilty plumbers fix the leak and the impact of the leak? The obvious answer is 4. We consider the job done only when we see action. When we hear pledges or boasts, this attitude must prevail for politicians, especially GOP leaders, who are your representatives. Once upon a time, it used to be said that a politician is one who talks a lot but says very little. That quote was usually accompanied by another: a politician is one who pledges to build bridges even when there are no rivers. In the age of social media, a politician is one who performs before a camera but does nothing. There are a lot of individuals in high places who need to be held accountable in D.C. Joe Biden, who remains President despite being generally non compos mentis. Dr. Anthony Fauci for his conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas for leaving the border open. Director of the Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle for the catastrophic failure during the attempted assassination of President Trump. Those who concocted the Trump-Russia collusion hoax and myriad other hoaxes during and after the Trump presidency. The list of individuals in high places who need to be held accountable is long. Voters must not be fooled by bombastic proclamations, shouting matches, or sting videos. The only way to hold people accountable is via action resignation in disgrace, prison time, fines, etc. Every vote is precious. They must be given to doers and not pretenders. Image via Picryl. Sales of Ray-Ban Meta AI-powered smart glasses have increased in recent months. The segment appears to be growing at a sufficient pace to attract the attention of big tech companies. One of those companies would be Google, which would seek a deal with Ray-Ban to manufacture smart glasses with Gemini. However, Meta seems to have the upper hand. Meta, driven by the success of Ray-Ban smart glasses with its Meta AI assistant, wants to buy 5% of EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Bans parent company. According to recent reports, negotiations between both companies are at an advanced stage. However, Google might be trying to get in the way. Google might be trying to hijack the Ray-Ban and Meta deal for smart glasses Google reportedly wants to bet heavily on the smart glasses segment. These devices seek to offer a smart assistant and AR navigation experience in a compact and comfortable format. The company is also working with Samsung on an XR headset that will arrive this year, as the South Korean giant confirmed this month. Currently, Google seems to be looking for the ideal partner to launch Gemini-powered smart glasses, and the Ray-Ban brand seems like a strong candidate. EssilorLuxottica already has experience in the segment after working with Meta. Also, the company worked with Google in the past, manufacturing Google Glass. While Googles previous attempt in the segment didnt go well, the industry has changed a lot. Its been almost a decade since the Google Glass launch. Now, sales of this type of product are increasing, so they seem more accepted by people. Also, integrating the glasses with the Gemini assistant would give them a strong additional appeal. Google stealing the Ray-Ban deal from Meta is extremely unlikely That said, according to The Verge, it is extremely unlikely that Google can stop the deal between Meta and EssilorLuxottica. After all, the negotiations seem to be in a very advanced state. Still, the source claims that the Mountain View giant has recently approached EssilorLuxottica to talk about possible Gemini-powered glasses. So, its quite likely that Google will have to find another partner. It will be interesting to see who the company chooses to make its smart glasses a reality, or even think about the (distant) possibility that Google steals the Ray-Ban brand from Meta for its glasses. One in five (20%) parents believe social media might be better suited to teach their children about money than they are, a survey has found, despite the potential risks of scams and fake profiles. Around two-fifths (42%) of parents surveyed said they do not feel they know enough about money management themselves to guide their children. The vast majority (95%) of parents surveyed agree they should have a role in teaching their own children about money, according to the research for Santander UK. Parents who have difficulties discussing money with their children said they would find various forms of help useful. These include official guidance from schools or government about how to approach financial topics (24%), and an online community to provide them with support and advice (24%). Nearly a quarter (23%) would like tips from their bank about how to explain financial topics. Many banks have money tips for consumers on their websites, including Santander which has a section on ways to cut your spend. Mark Weston, director of financial support at Santander UK, said: Teaching our kids about personal finance can be an uphill battle at the best of times but especially when we lack confidence in our own money management skills. There are trustworthy influencers and online resources to help children to grapple with financial education, but there are obvious risks without a parent to help guide them. Picking up money habits from social media with no parental involvement could leave young people learning poor financial habits or even open to scams. He added that financial education is a key priority for the bank, saying: If parents are well-prepared to start teaching their kids the basics, it helps give teachers a springboard to take financial education to the next level at school. Opinium Research carried out a survey of more than 1,000 parents in May for Santander. A British woman and her Canadian husband have been found dead in a boat after trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Sarah Packwood and Brett Clibbery were discovered after an inflatable raft washed ashore on Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia. The pair were reported missing on June 18 after leaving Nova Scotia for the Azores, a 3,228km trip which was planned to take 21 days, the BBC reported. In a video posted to the pairs YouTube channel, they said their trip would rely on green energy. Were doing everything we can to show that you can travel without burning fossil fuels, Mr Clibbery said. Ms Packwood added: Its probably the biggest adventure of our lives so far. Mr Clibberys son James paid tribute to the pair in a post on Facebook. They were amazing people, and there isnt anything that will fill the hole that has been left by their, so far unexplained passing, he said. Living will not be the same without your wisdom, and your wife was quickly becoming a beacon of knowledge, and kindness. I miss your smiles. I miss your voices. You will be forever missed. An investigation into their deaths is under way, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told the BBC. The boss of HMV has said more shoppers are buying physical movies and TV shows again despite the recent streaming boom. Blu-ray and DVD sales are back in growth after significant decline in recent years, sparked by the rise of streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+. Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV, said the retailer is good health, with all its core product areas back in growth despite a challenging consumer backdrop. He said the recovery of its physical visual business has been a particular highlight, with collectors helping to support increased sales. Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV (HMV/PA) Mr Halliday added that the category has grown as households have witnessed an increase in the number of streaming services, uncertainty over which shows or films are on certain platforms, and rises in the price of many subscriptions. The managing director said: Its been really positive to see the physical products in visual back in growth 4K and Blu-Ray have been doing particularly well. Its a bit like people buying music physically, in that we are getting a lot of people wanting to collect certain titles. Releases have picked up as well, and we have some really good titles like Challengers coming out at the moment. When streaming first came out I think a lot of people saw it as cheap and with huge breadth of choice, but Im not sure people see it like that now. People are willing to pay for a physical copy of shows or films they know they will rewatch. He said this adds to strong recent trading for music, technology and merchandise across its 120 stores across the UK and Europe. The retailer which was bought in a rescue deal by Doug Putman in 2019 has also increased investment across its store estate in recent years. Late last year, HMV returned to its historic Oxford Street store following a four-year absence, during which time the unit had been occupied by an American-style candy shop. Mr Halliday said the store has been performing well since it reopened. Its been a step up for the business, he said. The store is a big site and its been really fun to work on it and bring it back to life properly. But its important to say that we arent just shops like Oxford Street. To be honest, our bread and butter is that we have so many brilliant stores in communities all across the UK. At the moment, I think we have really good coverage in terms of locations in the UK, and were pleased with how their trading right now. Lady Gaga has paid tribute to Tony Bennett on the first anniversary of his death and said she is grateful for the legacy of jazz music he left. Jazz singer Bennett, who was a long-time collaborator of the US pop star, died in July 2023 at the age of 96 after suffering Alzheimers. Gaga, 38, real name Stefani Germanotta, shared a photo of her and Bennett on Instagram, writing: Its been one year since Tony passed away. This picture says it all. Im so grateful for my continued friendship with his wife Susan the legacy of jazz music he left and for the community of jazz musicians I still work with who all knew and loved Tony. Were gonna keep on swingin. Miss you. life is a beautiful thing. Gaga said last year that losing Bennett to Alzheimers had been painful. Ive been grieving the loss of Tony for a long time. We had a very long and powerful goodbye, she said in an Instagram post. Though there were five decades between us, he was my friend. My real true friend. Our age difference didnt matter in fact, it gave us each something neither of us had with most people. We were from two different stages in life entirelyinspired. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on the results show for BBC Ones Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 (Guy Levy/BBC/PA) Losing Tony to Alzheimers has been painful but it was also really beautiful. An era of memory loss is such a sacred time in a persons life. Theres such a feeling of vulnerability and a desire to preserve dignity. At the age of 88, Bennett broke his own record as the oldest living performer with a number one album on the US Billboard 200 chart for his 2014 duet project with Gaga titled Cheek To Cheek. He had topped the US charts three years earlier with Duets II, featuring Gaga and other stars including Carrie Underwood and Amy Winehouse, in what was her last studio recording. Bennett retired from performing in 2021 after revealing he had been diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2016. Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK and its symptoms are associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning, according to the NHS website. Bangladeshs top court has scaled back the quotas on government jobs that led to widespread student-led protests and violent clashes that killed more than 100 people. On Sunday afternoon the supreme court overturned a ruling that had reintroduced quotas for all civil service jobs, meaning that 30% were reserved for veterans and relatives of those who fought in the Bangladesh war of independence in 1971. The supreme court ruling, which was brought forward in light of the protests, stipulated that only 5% of jobs would now be reserved for descendants of freedom fighters and another 2% for those from ethnic minorities or with disabilities, with the rest open to candidates based on merit. The return of the quotas, which had been scrapped in 2018, sparked anger among students, who argued they were unjust at a time of economic decline and unfairly benefited those in the ruling Awami League party, which was founded by those who fought in the independence war. Related: Bangladesh police given shoot-on-sight orders amid national curfew Peaceful demonstrations initially broke out on university campuses across the country as students mobilised through social media to demand an end to the quotas. However, the unrest turned violent last week as pro-government groups were accused of attacking the protesters with weapons and riot police used rubber bullets and teargas to break up protests. Protesters hit back at police with bricks and stones in clashes across the country and stormed the headquarters of the state broadcaster in Dhaka, setting it alight. In another city, protesters broke into a prison and released hundreds of inmates. The clashes between pro-government forces and protesters have left thousands injured and killed about 150, though the government has refused to release official data on the death toll. Witnesses have alleged that police violence is responsible for a large number of the fatalities. The government has also imposed a communications blackout, with the internet shut down and phone lines widely jammed. At least 70 leaders of the political opposition and several student leaders and activists have also been arrested, accused of stirring up unrest. As the court ruling was given on Sunday, the country remained under a strict indefinite curfew, with people banned from leaving their homes and gathering in any capacity. Police were granted shoot on sight orders for those who violated the curfew and the capital, Dhaka, resembled a war zone, with military personnel and tanks patrolling the streets and army helicopters flying low over the city. While the roads were largely deserted, protests continued in some quarters of the capital. Student organisers said the supreme court ruling did not mean the end of the protests, which have escalated into the greatest challenge in years to the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, with many calling for her resignation. Hasina, who has been in office since 2009, has been accused of authoritarianism and rampant corruption and her re-election in January was widely documented as rigged. Mahfuzul Hasan, a protest coordinator from Jahangirnagar University, said they still had several demands that the government must meet before they would call off the demonstrations. Now we want justice for the lives lost of our brothers. The prime minister has to apologise and those who are guilty have to be tried, he said. Hasan said student groups were also calling for the removal of vice-chancellors of universities where protesters faced violence, and politicians who spread inflammatory remarks about the protesters. He said he was among many student protest leaders who now feared for their safety and were concerned about being abducted by law enforcement agencies, as has often happened to critics of Hasinas government. Hasib Al-Islam, a Dhaka university student and protest coordinator, said he saw the supreme court verdict as positive but said students were waiting to see how Hasinas government responded and were demanding that a quota reform bill be passed through parliament. Islam said: Our protest against the quota system is already under way, and it will continue until the government issues a executive order in line with our reform demands. Among those calling for justice was the family of Abu Sayeed, a final year English student who killed in the protests on Thursday, allegedly by the police. A video of Sayeed being fired at by police during a protest at a university in the city of Rangpur had gone viral on social media before the government shut down the internet. Hospital sources said Sayeed had rubber bullet wounds on his body when he was brought in dead. Sayeeds brother Abu Hossain said Sayeed had been the only one in the family to make it to university. The entire family was so proud of him; we had such high hopes for him, said Hossain. My parents are in shock; our only hope is lost. Hossain said his family stood behind the protesting students and wanted justice for his murder. My brother died for demanding fair rights for every student, he said. He died a martyr. I hope hell be remembered for it and his death was not in vain. Barcelona is likely to increase the tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers - Cesc Maymo/Getty Images Barcelona is set to raise tourist taxes for cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours to deter excessive tourism. The tax hike, announced on Sunday by the citys mayor, is the latest pushback by popular southern European holiday destinations struggling to manage a post-Covid tourism boom. Jaume Collboni, Barcelonas mayor, said the seven euros tourist tax for stopover cruise passengers will likely be increased to combat the intensive use of public space without any benefit for the city and a feeling of occupation and saturation among locals. We want to have tourism that is respectful of the destination, Mr Collboni told the Spanish daily El Pais. The move follows a similar announcement from city authorities in Venice, whose controversial five euros per person daytripper tax earned the city over 2.2 million (1.8 million) in revenues this summer season, and could be as much as double next year. It also comes after tourists were doused with water pistols by crowds of angry protesters in central Barcelona earlier in July. Jaume Collboni, Barcelona's mayor, said the tax rise will combat 'the intensive use of public space without any benefit for the city' - Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/Getty Images Across the Mediterranean basin, from Santorini to Spain, traditional tourist meccas are struggling to balance the need to welcome an influx of tourists without sacrificing cultural authenticity and liveability for local residents. In Florence earlier this week, English-speaking tourists packed the narrow streets between the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio bridge near the Uffizi museum. The Russians are gone, but the Americans are definitely back, one wine shop manager near Piazza della Signoria told The Telegraph, as he poured a glass of Chianti reserve in 100-degree heat. According to the Italian daily Repubblica, southern Europe has seen a 30 per cent rise in US visitors to Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece this season compared to years past, fueled by a favourable exchange rate and inflated prices back home. In Milan this month, Taylor Swifts two sold-out concerts at San Siro Stadium injected nearly 180 million (151 million) into the economy, according to a report by Confcommercio, the retail traders association. The pop stars 130,000 fans created a Swiftonomics boost in the hotel, restaurant, catering and transportation sectors. Some stayed on to visit the sites, despite torrid temperatures. On Saturday a fire brigade alpine rescue unit in Milan lowered a 39-year-old woman from Brooklyn down from the facade of the citys massive cathedral on a stretcher with ropes after she felt too faint to descend on her own from the 147-foot viewing terrace. In Florence, authorities are still trying to track down and prosecute the drunk female tourist filmed last weekend kissing, humping and grinding against a statue of Bacchus, the god of wine and sensuality. Italy is no stranger to bad-behaving visitors from all over the world. Last year two Australians were caught trying to surf in Venices Grand Canal and a Saudi man drove a Maserati down Romes iconic Spanish Steps. Many residents are fed up not just with obnoxious behaviour, but also how the hot tourist economy is changing the nature of their cities. In recent weeks, anti-tourism activists have staged protests in popular holiday destinations across Spain, such as Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and the Canary Islands, saying visitors drive up housing costs and lead to residents being unable to afford to live in city centres. Last month, Mr Collboni, announced Barcelona will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028 to rein in soaring housing costs making city living more difficult for residents. In Bologna, Italy, the message f$%KTourists was scrawled on one colourful palazzo in the university district, where students have been struggling to find housing due to apartments being transformed into Airbnb lodging for foreign visitors arriving mostly on low-cost flights. Locals grumble that the citys traditional and informal restaurants, known locally as trattorie, are being replaced by samey charcuterie board tourist trap snack stops open at all hours of the day. An estimated 150,000 Britons flew to Turkey for cosmetic surgery over the past year Marianne Green, 30, is one of an estimated 150,000 Britons who flew to Turkey for cosmetic surgery over the past year. The experience was brilliant, she says. We had a hotel stay in Istanbul included in the price. They picked me up from the airport, took me to my hotel, took me to my appointments. Green paid 3,100 for breast implants and chose to go to Turkey in April for the same reason so many are flocking to clinics across Europe for cosmetic surgery: cost. Its cheaper abroad, she says. Quotes from plastic surgeons near her home in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, came out around the 7,000 mark. Green paid less than half that and got a holiday with her partner at a four-star hotel in a package deal. This week, it was announced that the SK:N Clinics company, which owns the cosmetic surgery firm Harley Medical Group, had collapsed. Its website has been replaced by a static message saying: The company has undertaken an extensive process to secure investment to enable it to continue trading, but sadly we have been unsuccessful. The Birmingham-based firm, founded in 1990, was one of the first to capitalise on Britains cosmetic surgery boom. It became one of the nations largest providers, with 70 branches across the UK. Across its brands, it provided services from acne and rosacea treatment to breast surgery, rhinoplasty and liposuction. Its collapse highlights a broader problem facing Britains cosmetic surgery industry how can it complete with much cheaper sun-and-surgery packages offered abroad? Figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) published earlier this year reveal a challenging climate. A total of 25,972 surgical procedures were performed in the UK in 2023, a 16 per cent drop from the previous year. There was a stark fall in some of the most popular cosmetic procedures for younger women: breast augmentation was down 26 per cent, breast reduction down 17 per cent, and abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck) down 19 per cent. The president of the BAAPS, Marc Pacifico, said: This trend appears consistent with the increasing number of individuals opting to travel abroad to destinations like Turkey. However, this choice comes with significant consequences, not only for the individuals undergoing surgery overseas but also for the NHS, which often bears the burden of correcting complications upon patients return to the UK. The difference in price is significant. Before it went under, fees for the most popular cosmetic procedures provided by the Harley Medical Group ranged from 4,850 for liposuction and 9,950 for a facelift. Other private British practitioners would charge more than double that. Yet at a popular Turkish clinic, liposuction starts from 3,000 and facelifts from 3,300. An uncertain economic climate in the UK, coupled with a boom in medical tourism, means that British cosmetic surgery providers struggle to compete. Dr Ash Soni is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with clinics in Ascot, Berkshire, and London. As a trend in general, people are looking at European countries to go to simply to save money, he says, with Turkey being the most popular destination. And I can tell you we get calls every month from people whove gone and had an issue or a complication from these countries. People are doing it to save money, but with the issues that can arise, they have to call someone [closer to home] to take care of it anyway. He admits this is a challenge for the industry. Surgeons who cater for international patients with more disposable income for Soni, this includes patients who travel from Dubai fare better than those who treat only UK patients, who are spending less across the board. Im grateful that my clinics, especially my London-based clinics, are targeting both a UK and an international audience, he says. That helps in terms of the number of procedures that I end up doing per day. Meanwhile, Britons especially younger women continue to travel to cheaper countries in Europe, where results may wildly vary. Patients who opt for a cut-price package abroad can broadly expect a worse result, Soni says. In the UK, 10-15 years of training is required to become a specialist, whereas some in Turkey may have trained for just three years. Soni adds that some clinics offer non-surgical procedures such as filler or Botox for less than I buy my materials for, which tells you everything about the [materials] theyre using in that clinic. You can broadly expect that the conditions will not be the same as they would be here, he says. People are throwing in a hotel room and all that stuff, but when push comes to shove and theres an issue thats developed as a consequence of it, patients are being left stranded. In the UK youre paying for the skill of the provider, and the quality of the products being used. Soni is one of many practitioners and experts who have raised concerns about the safety of some procedures abroad. At the most extreme end of the spectrum, there have been rumours of surgeons carrying out consultations mainly via WhatsApp and failing to provide sufficient aftercare. At least 25 British citizens have died following surgery in Turkey in the past four years. Thats not to say most patients who have visited Turkish clinics arent happy with the results. Green used Clinic Center and says, Im confident in the level of support they offered. She had a remarkably swift recovery: They dropped me back to my hotel the day afterwards and provided a translator so I could understand everything that was going on. I was up and about within three or four hours after my surgery, she says. The day after, I was out of the hospital, shopping, everything. I had a check-up appointment two days after my operation. Her procedure included a four-night hospital stay (the NHS recommends you do not fly for five to seven days after breast surgery). Like many people, Green heard about the clinic via social media: I follow celebrities on Instagram and saw one person, a Hollyoaks and Coronation Street star, had used the same clinic [in Turkey]. So I went with them. For her, it was worth taking the risk of flying abroad for a better deal. Its boosted my confidence; now I dont mind wearing low-cut tops and dresses. Im happy to wear a bikini on holiday. Compared with sun, sand and cut-price surgery, British surgeons just cant compete. Bill Clinton, pictured with Kamala Harris, said in a joint statement with his wife Hillary that they would do everything to support her - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Kamala Harriss hopes of a smooth coronation to become the Democrats nominee for president took a blow on Sunday when she failed to secure the immediate endorsement of the partys most influential figure. The vice-president was backed by Joe Biden after he announced he was standing down from the race, and several major party figures including the Clintons weighed in to offer their support. But Barack Obama, who was reported to have been involved in the campaign to convince Mr Biden to step down, called for a thorough process to select an outstanding nominee. The delegates who will select the nominee at the Democrat National Convention later in August 2024 are bound to Mr Biden following his victory in the party primaries. They may follow his wishes and switch allegiance to Ms Harris but they are not legally obliged to do so and the coming days may see further efforts to promote an alternative. Minutes after announcing the end of his re-election bid on Sunday, Mr Biden, 81, called his selection of Ms Harris as running mate the best decision Ive made and called for Democrats to unite behind her. I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he said. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this. Mr Bidens endorsement was quickly echoed by Bill and Hillary Clinton, the former president and secretary of state, whose voices still carry significant weight in the party. We are honoured to join the president in endorsing vice-president Harris and will do whatever we can to support her, the Clintons said in a statement. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on her. Responding to Mr Bidens endorsement, Ms Harris said: I am honoured to have the presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. But Mr Obama, the former president, along with senior Democrats Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and Hakeem Jeffries, praised Mr Bidens decision without openly endorsing Ms Harris on Sunday evening. Writing on his blog, Mr Obama said: I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. That suggested he did not consider Ms Harris outstanding enough to immediately green-light her elevation to the top of the ticket. Several weeks remain until the Democrat National Convention begins on Aug 19. A person familiar with Mr Obamas thinking told the New York Times he was staying above the political fray as he had in the 2020 primaries, and was ready to help unite the party once we have a nominee. There is widespread scepticism about Ms Harris ability to appeal to blue-collar voters in the battleground Midwestern states, where Mr Biden was able to perform strongly in 2020. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan governor, and Gavin Newsom, the California governor, had their names floated as potential replacements to Mr Biden following his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. However, sources close to both figures told CBS News that both were preparing to stand down and would not seek to challenge Ms Harris at the convention in Chicago. If they had, it would have caused a messy fight on the convention floor. Sources close to Joe Manchin, the 76-year-old West Virginia senator, told US media that he may seek to challenge Ms Harris for the nomination. Having left the Democrats to sit as an independent this year, he would have to register with his old party before doing so. Ron Klain, Mr Bidens former chief of staff and an ally of the Democrat for decades, urged the party to unify behind Ms Harris. Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, its time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign our outstanding VP, Kamala Harris, he said. Major Democratic donors have also lined up behind Ms Harris, amid reports that they were refusing to sign campaign cheques as Joe Biden fought to maintain his election campaign in the weeks following his disastrous debate with Donald Trump. A source told CNN: President Biden made the right decision. Now big donor money will start flowing again. His selfless act will save our republic. Another source close to Democratic donors said: Its an avalanche of money. Tory Gavito, president of Way to Win, a group for donors aligned with Democratic causes, said she believed that Ms Harris was the right person to head into the election. We are ready to lock in and support vice-president Harris in her new role, she said. Shes had a stellar track record in all of her political positions. She has refined her case for voting rights, her case for reproductive freedoms, her ability to govern on the economy and shes ready. If no major candidate emerges as a potential challenger to Ms Harris, then attention will quickly turn to who will join her ticket as running mate. The Washington Post reported this weekend that major Democratic donors have been funding a preliminary vetting process which normally takes months for potential vice-presidential nominees. Sources said that those involved had contacted the teams of top Democratic figures, including Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear. Mr Shapiro leads a swing state that will be critical in the election and has proven appeal to rural voters, while Mr Beshear has been elected twice in a deep-red state. Both may be able to eat into Trumps base of support. Donors were also thought to be interested in vetting North Carolina governor Roy Cooper, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and Arizona senator Mark Kelly. Donald Trumps team had drawn up a plan of attack to take on Ms Harris ahead of Mr Bidens announcement on Sunday. While they believe she may be able to land some attacks more effectively than the US president, such as abortion rights, they also think she will have to take responsibility for unpopular Biden-era policies. She is thought to be particularly vulnerable on illegal migration as Mr Bidens border tsar, having been tasked with tackling crossings from Central America. Those attack lines were visible in the immediate aftermath. The Trump campaign said: Harris will be even worse for the people of our nation than Joe Biden. Harris has been the enabler in chief for crooked Joe this entire time. They own each others records, and there is no distance between the two. Donald Trump Jr, the son of the former president and one of his most effective campaign surrogates, said: Kamala Harris owns the entire Left-wing policy record of Joe Biden. The only difference is that she is even more liberal and less competent than Joe, which is really saying something. She was put in charge of the border and we saw the worst invasion of illegals in our history. Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, labelled the vice-president a gleeful accomplice of Mr Biden who had failed to get a grip on illegal immigration. The partys prospects are no better now with vice-president Kamala Harris, who co-owns the disastrous policy failures of the Biden administration. As second-in-command and a completely inept border tsar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security and prosperity, but also in the largest political cover-up in US history. She has known for as long as anyone of his incapacity to serve, Mr Johnson added. Possible legal trouble ahead There could also be legal trouble ahead, with the conservative Heritage Foundation previously saying it would sue if the Democrats replaced Mr Biden on the ballot. A memo drawn up by the think tank suggested there were certain states where pre-election litigation would make his replacement difficult and perhaps unsuccessful. Mr Johnson told ABC News earlier on Sunday that switching to a new candidate three months before election day could clash with ballot rules in certain states. Every state has its own system and in some of these its not possible to simply just switch out a candidate. Fourteen million Democrats voted to make Joe Biden the nominee, he said. So, I think they would run into some legal impediments in at least a few of these jurisdictions and I think there will be a compelling case to be made that it shouldnt happen. Katharine Birbalsingh founded her own free school in Brent, outer London - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph Katharine Birbalsingh has led a head teachers backlash over Government plans to soften measures tackling bad behaviour in the classroom. The high-profile head, whose London school was ranked best in the country last year for pupil progress, warned that disadvantaged children would pay the price under Labours reported plans. It is thought that Sir Keir Starmers new Government is set to overhaul measures introduced by the Tories to deal with disruptive pupils in favour of a more inclusive approach to poor behaviour. Ministers are said to be planning to stop schools from repeatedly suspending children with special educational needs who fail to meet strict behaviour rules. Behaviour hubs a flagship Department for Education (DfE) scheme introduced by the Conservatives to support schools with poor discipline could also be stripped of funding. Isolation booths, designated areas where children are sent to calm down, may be scaled back and ministers are said to be planning to stop schools telling children with special educational needs they would be better off at another school. But head teachers are concerned the result will be more chaotic and dysfunctional schools, with less-advantaged children bearing the brunt. Ms Birbalsingh, the head of Michaela Community School and a former chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said: Disadvantaged kids are set to suffer if Labour do what they are saying they will do. The Government may roll back Conservative behaviour measures - Peter Cade Writing on X, formerly Twitter, she warned that all the gains that have helped poorer kids over the last decade will be eradicated if current measures are stripped back. I was never a Conservative. But I knew that what the Conservative Party was doing for kids was right. We are all about to find out what Labour policies are going to do instead, she wrote. If Labour do what they say they will do to schools, disadvantaged kids will pay the price. The politicians will feel good about themselves and all the gains that have helped poorer kids over the last decade will be eradicated. Fears of chaotic classrooms Mouhssin Ismail, the principal of top-performing Newham Collegiate Sixth Form in London, suggested the plans would remove some of the few tools schools can use to try and crack down on poor behaviour. Any attempt to roll back on the good work done to support schools in managing behaviour will disproportionately impact schools serving disadvantaged communities, he said. We will end up with more chaotic and dysfunctional schools, with staff leaving the profession or finding jobs in schools serving middle-class communities. Behaviour in schools has deteriorated since the pandemic. Ministers are thought to have been rattled by official statistics published earlier this week showing a record number of school suspensions last year. Pupils in England were temporarily removed from school 787,000 times in the 2022/23 academic year, a 36 per cent jump in a single year and the highest suspension rate since records began. In total, 304,000 pupils were suspended at some point over the year, meaning a large group received multiple suspensions. Things have to change Anne Longfield, the former childrens commissioner whose Centre for Young Lives has been working alongside Labour, said it was clear that a large group of kids have been made to feel school isnt for them and that has to change. She told The Observer, which first reported Labours plans to overhaul behaviour measures: Ive talked to kids who werent able to cope with all the rules, who kept ending up in isolation, and some children said it was happening week after week. DfE figures published earlier this week also showed a record number of permanent exclusions last year, with 9,400 children expelled from schools in England, up from 6,500 in the 2021/22 academic year. Children with complex needs were more likely to face punishment than their peers, the department said. Pupils eligible for free school meals were four times more likely to be suspended and five times more likely to be expelled. But teachers warned that keeping poorly-behaving pupils in school would make it hard to tackle problems and would place additional pressure on an already stretched workforce. Nat Nabarro, the head teacher of Blaise High School in Bristol, said it was a bizarre approach, and Labour should instead focus on fixing all the things that are causing more challenging behaviour in schools. Hint, these are 99 per cent external to schools, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. These rules safeguard staff Matt Jones, the principal of Ark Globe Academy and chair of head teacher organisation The Elephant Group, added that, while supposedly cruel, behaviour rules that lead to suspensions are related to safeguarding, bullying, sexism, racism or physical assaults. No child or adult should be expected to tolerate any of the above, he said. The DfE said earlier this week that persistent disruptive behaviour was the main driver of sanctions on pupils last year, accounting for almost half of all suspensions and 39 per cent of expulsions. The figures also showed rises in the number of pupils suspended or expelled for bullying, physical assault, racist abuse and drug or alcohol use. Meanwhile, the number of children permanently excluded for verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult leapt 56 per cent last year, while suspensions for the same reason rose by a third. Neil OBrien, the former Tory health minister, suggested that scrapping current protections would mean disruptive kids [are] to be kept in class. Earlier this week, Stephen Morgan, the schools minister, described the figures as shocking and said they should serve as a wake-up call about the problems that have grown in our schools in recent years. He said the new Labour Government was determined to get to grips with the causes of exclusions in schools and had pledged to recruit 8,500 mental health specialists for classrooms. The party will fund the measure through its plan to start charging VAT on private schools. The DfE was approached for comment. Joe Biden and Boris Johnson chat at a G7 meeting in Germany last month - BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP Boris Johnson commended Joe Bidens brave decision to stand down as he branded him a staunch Atlanticist and friend of Britain. The former prime minister led British politicians in praising the president after he announced his decision on Sunday night not to seek re-election. In a post on X, Mr Biden said it was in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down from the race. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said Biden has had a remarkable career while Rishi Sunak said the president had shown his love for America and dedication to service during their time working together. Mr Johnson said on X: I salute Joe Biden for the bravery of his decision and also for all he has done as president. Sir Keir with Joe Biden at the White House for a bilateral meeting - SIMON DAWSON/No 10 Dopwning Street He has been a staunch Atlanticist and friend to Britain throughout his career and it was a privilege to work with him. Sir Keir said on the social media site: I respect President Bidens decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency. I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people. Mr Sunak said: Working with Joe Biden, I saw first hand his love for America and dedication to service. Perhaps Rishi Sunak is laughing at how Joe Biden once pronounced hia name - SIMON WALKER/No 10 DOWNING STREET Our partnership has led to significant achievements, including Aukus, steadfast support for Israel and joint efforts in defending our people from Houthi threats. I wish him all the best. Scottish First Minister John Swinney said on X: Joe Biden has served the people of the USA with devotion and total commitment. Now, in a typically selfless act, he steps aside to do what he thinks is right for his people. He came to Scotland for COP26 and made a powerful contribution. He has our best wishes for the future. Clinically extremely vulnerable people have reported days of delays in being able to obtain treatments, even when following procedures. Photograph: Eyesite/Alamy Clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people with Covid are struggling to get timely access to treatments such as antiviral drugs, charities, patients and doctors have warned amid a summer wave of the virus. People with certain health conditions or who meet other specific criteria are eligible for medications that can help the body fight the virus that causes Covid. They include those 85 years or older or who have Downs syndrome, an organ transplant, a weakened immune system, lung cancer or sickle cell disease. Before June 2023, CEV patients in England who tested positive for Covid were contacted directly by their local Covid Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU). But responsibility for prescribing drugs was devolved to the 42 NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) in England, with experts warning this has led to a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing treatment. Concerns have been raised after patients reported needing to make repeated calls to secure access to drugs, often while seriously ill, despite the requirement that medications must be given within five days of symptoms starting. The reports have also caused concern as patients have reported having to argue for their eligibility, even though they meet current guidelines. The British Liver Trust has received calls from people with liver conditions who have experienced difficulty in accessing antiviral treatment, expressing frustration and anxiety, said Vanessa Hebditch, the director of communications and policy at the charity. People with advanced liver disease are extremely vulnerable if they contract Covid, and we must ensure that anyone who is vulnerable including those who are immunosuppressed or who have had a transplant are able to get treatment as quickly as possible. This is particularly important in light of information about new strains of Covid. Fiona Loud, the policy director at Kidney Care UK, said: We are still seeing people in the kidney community finding it difficult to access lateral flow tests and Covid treatments due to the lack of clarity as to how CEV people should do this. There has been no recent communication from the government, which has led to us at the charity producing guidance for patients. For our community it feels like we are out of sight, out of mind and the pandemic simply isnt over for people with compromised immune systems, she said. Aaron Foulds, from Keighley in West Yorkshire, has multiple health conditions and previously received antivirals in hospital when he caught Covid for the first time. He also confirmed with his asthma consultant that he would be entitled to antivirals under the latest National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines should he catch the virus again. ice But after testing positive for Covid earlier this month he faced a series of barriers to accessing treatment. Foulds initially called NHS 111 the afternoon he tested positive and was told a clinician would call him back to assess his eligibility. The clinician phoned and confirmed he was eligible for antivirals. Foulds was then told an ambulance would attend him to carry out health checks, and he would receive another call regarding a prescription. I thought great, sorted, said Foulds. How wrong I was. Half an hour later, a healthcare worker called and said he could not confirm Fouldss eligibility and did not understand why an ambulance had been called. Instead Foulds was told he would receive a call from a GP. Three hours later, after receiving no call, Foulds phoned 111 again, to be told the ambulance had been cancelled and a GP would be calling. Around 11pm a GP called but said the CMDU would need to call the following day to confirm Fouldss eligibility as they were now closed. When the CMDU called at 10am the next day, he was asked to explain again why he thought he was eligible for antivirals before telling him he needed to speak to another doctor. I said, Ive spoken to God knows how many people already, and youre ringing and Ive still got to speak to somebody?, said Foulds. Eventually a doctor called. He seemed like his job was very much about finding a reason not to give me medication, Foulds said. At this point, I was absolutely wiped out. I mean I was really unwell at that point. Eventually, Foulds received a prescription, but it was not until 8pm on the day after his first phone call that the antivirals were finally delivered. Azeem Majeed, a professor of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, who is also a GP, said the devolution of responsibility for prescribing antiviral drugs left patients themselves having to work out how to obtain treatment. This decentralisation may lead to variable uptake of treatment and increased health inequalities as people from poorer backgrounds, with lower educational levels or limited English language skills, will find it more difficult to navigate the new system and are therefore less likely to receive treatment, he said. Covid is now seen as a much lower priority for the NHS compared to a few years ago, he added. Much of the infrastructure that was in place during the pandemic has been dismantled, and NHS managers are focusing on other priorities. The Department of Health and Social Care said it would be for local ICBs to comment on individual cases. Independent MP Zoe Daniel says Labor must resolve issues with the CFMEU and an independent administrator may not be enough. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP The Albanese governments plan to appoint an independent administrator to take control of the CFMEU will not be enough to clean up the embattled unions toxic elements, the independent MP Zoe Daniel says, suggesting the industry may need a new watchdog. The leftwing union has been under fire after Channel Nine and its mastheads began publishing allegations of organised crime links within the construction branch in Victoria. The workplace relations minister, Tony Burke, announced on Wednesday he would empower the Fair Work Commission to appoint independent administrators to CFMEU branches. He flagged that new legislation could be introduced as a priority at the next sitting of parliament if the union put up a legal fight. Related: Alleged crime links and the CFMEU: what to know about the political furore over the construction union Burke also said he had asked the AFP to investigate the allegations in tandem with state police. Daniel, the journalist turned teal MP, said a broader approach was necessary to deal with the issue and that could include the creation of a new building union watchdog with teeth to respond to any misconduct. The toxic elements of the CFMEU absolutely have to be cleaned out. And so maybe thats an administrator and a police investigation and then a form of watchdog as well, Daniel told ABCs Insiders on Sunday. Everyone has known to some degree that it has been going on, and it does feel like it has been convenient to turn a blind eye and it is now Labors problem. Theres risk and they have to resolve this. The Australian Building and Construction Commission was established in 2016 under the former Coalition government and abolished in early 2023 under Labor. Daniel, who voted in favour of its abolishment as part of an omnibus bill, said it had been so heavily politicised by the Coalition it was rendered ineffective. The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, described Labors move to appoint an independent administrator as the weakest possible path and pledged to introduce a bill to parliament to restore the ABCC in the next sitting period. On Sunday, the assistant climate change minister, Jenny McAllister, said it was pretty difficult to take lectures from Dutton given the ABCC had done little about the allegations during its seven years in operation. When asked about Duttons 2019 claim that outlawed motorcycle gangs had their fangs in the CFMEU, McAllister asked why something hadnt been done about it then. Related: Leaders had many chances to scrutinise the CFMEU before now and may have to explain why they didnt | Karen Middleton If he knew about it, why didnt he do something about it? We are not talking about this issue. We are acting on it, she told Sky News Sunday Agenda. The shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor, said Albanese should deregister the union, bring back the ABCC and hand back any political donations the CFMEU had given to Labor. This organisation is clearly rotten to the core, he said on Sky News. On Thursday, the ALP federal executive announced it was suspending the affiliation rights of the Victorian, NSW, Tasmanian and South Australian branches of the CFMEUs construction division. The federal executive wont take any fees from the CFMEU during this time and delegates will not be allowed to vote. McAllister said: We dont want them to be involved in our party until it is clear that there are no criminal elements at all involved. Thats the right thing to do. Guardian Australia contacted the CFMEUs national branch for a response. Earlier in the week, the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, announced he had asked for the unions affiliation with the state Labor party to be immediately suspended and donations and fees to be stopped. He also said the unions state boss, Darren Greenfield, should step down while he faces charges of bribery. In response, the union wrote to Minns this week threatening to release a list of government MPs, some of which are now ministers, and senior public servants who had previously met with Greenfield. Acting opposition leader, Damien Tudehope, said the premier should immediately refer the letter to the states independent corruption watchdog and disclose the terms of the meetings with the CMFEU before the last election. A spokesperson for Minns on Sunday confirmed that ministers in the current and former governments had met with the union in recent years and said the government will not resile from the actions it has taken. Irelands premier Simon Harris has thanked Joe Biden for his friendship to the Irish nation after the US president withdrew his bid for re-election. The Taoiseach said Mr Biden had been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Mr Biden was warmly welcomed to Ireland last year for a trip that included addressing the Irish Parliament as well as tracing his family roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo. He also visited Northern Ireland and met then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast as well as undertaking an engagement at the Ulster University. US President Joe Biden delivers a speech at St Muredachs Cathedral in Ballina, on the last day of his visit to the island of Ireland (PA) Mr Harris paid tribute to Mr Biden following the announcement on Sunday evening that he had withdrawn from the US presidential race. In a statement, the Taoiseach said: On behalf of the people and government of Ireland, I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election. He said Mr Biden had expressed a fierce pride in his Irish ancestry and had acted as a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this, he said. My statement on US President @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/5WltCqip06 Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024 On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home. The outpouring of love and support from the public, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina was testament to how highly the President is held in his ancestral home. Earlier Irelands deputy premier reacted to Mr Bidens withdrawal decision with sadness and admiration. US President Joe Biden receiving a standing ovation after addressing the Oireachtas Eireann during his visit to the island of Ireland (Tony Maxwell/PA) Tanaiste Micheal Martin described Mr Biden as an abiding friend of Ireland. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness and admiration, Mr Martin said in a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness & admiration. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/pbamsn5Tmx Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 21, 2024 His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best. Taylor Swift has said she is completely blown away at the chart success of her album The Tortured Poets Department. The US pop stars chart-topping 11th original studio album was released in April and has subsequently spent eight non-consecutive weeks at the top of the UK albums chart. The record has also spent 12 consecutive weeks at the top of Billboards US albums chart and Swift said this has never happened to an album of mine before. The 34-year-old, who is currently touring Europe, spoke about the achievement and reflected on her most recent shows in the German city of Gelsenkirchen. In a social media post she said: Those 3 Gelsenkirchen crowds were AMAZING, and so thoughtful??? There were signs and paper hearts, the betty wave, and tons of DIY willow orbs made out of balloons + phone flashlights. Thank you!!! I also wanted to say to everyone whos supported The Tortured Poets Department, I am completely blown away by what youve done it stayed at #1 for the first 12 weeks of its release and thats never happened to an album of mine before, not even close!! Youre just the greatest. Anyway, now that weve officially kicked off our shows in Germany, I cant wait to see you all in Hamburg next! It comes after Swifts record was named the biggest album of 2024, in the UK, by the Official Charts Company in its mid 2024 update. Taylor Swift performing on stage at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA) Including re-recordings, the album is Swifts 12th UK number one, matching Madonnas long-held all-time chart record. The Tortured Poets Department also saw the biggest opening week of any artist since Ed Sheerans Divide in 2017. As part of her Eras Tour, Swift arrived to the UK in June and performed a number of memorable gigs in cities including Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool. Among the A-listers in attendance at the London shows were: Sir Paul McCartney, Hugh Grant and Tom Cruise. Swift will be returning to the capital in August for five gigs at Wembley Stadium. Israeli soldiers will be provided polio vaccines, which will be available to possibly half of Gaza's population, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday after remnants of the highly contagious virus were found in wastewater testing in the embattled territory. The discovery of a virus that can cause paralysis further threatens the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, who have been subjected to repeated bombardments and are contending with food and water scarcity, deteriorating health conditions and a severely damaged infrastructure after more than nine months of Israel's war with Hamas. The Gaza Health Ministry announced the discovery of polio last week, and it was confirmed by the World Health Organization, whose leader said six environmental samples were found in the southern city of Khan Younis and the central city of Deir al Balah. "The decimation of the health system, lack of security, access obstruction, constant population displacement, shortages of medical supplies, poor quality of water and weakened sanitation are increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio,'' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the X platform. "This poses a risk for children and creates the perfect environment for diseases like polio to spread.'' Tedros said relief organizations are assessing how to limit the virus' spread, adding that before the war the polio vaccination rates in Gaza were "optimal.'' The Israeli military said that, in addition to its forces being offered the vaccine, more than a million shots have been brought in with the help of international groups to inoculate Palestinians. That figure would be enough for only about half the Gaza population, but it's not clear how many haven't been vaccinated already. Palestinians say an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp in Al-Mawasi in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 13, 2024. Troubled pier program: Pentagon ceases pier program after 20 days of ferrying aid in Gaza Israeli retaliation against Houthis kills six, injures 80 Six people were killed and 80 injured Saturday as Israeli fighter jets struck Yemeni oil and military facilities in the port city of Hodeidah in response to a weekend drone strike and previous attacks, Reuters reported. The outlet cited residents of the western city on the Red Sea reporting numerous explosions during an intense bombardment. Houthi rebels have been disrupting shipping in the Red Sea since November in what they say is a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza during Israel's war with Hamas. On Friday, a drone strike claimed by the Houthis killed one person and injured others in the center of Tel Aviv. "IDF fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of the (Hodeidah) port in Yemen in response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against the state of Israel in recent months," the Israeli military said. Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Polio discovery adds to woes of Palestinians in Gaza Headlining his first public rally since a failed assassination attempt against him a week ago and two days after formally accepting the GOP's nomination, former President Donald Trump told a raucous, enthusiastic crowd at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday evening that Republicans will win Michigan this year having reestablished themselves as "the party of the people." "We're a failing nation," Trump said early in his speech. "We cannot let it slip by. We cannot let people cheat. ... Or we're not going to have a country." Former President Donald Trump speaks in front of thousands during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 20, 2024. During the address, Trump attacked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, calling her "terrible" and saying, "I'd like to run against her, actually," with President Joe Biden facing pressure from his own party to step down as nominee and Whitmer being mentioned by some as a possible replacement. Trump also rejected Democrats' contention that he is a threat to democracy, arguing it is the Democrats who want to overturn the results of the primary season by talking about getting Biden to step aside. "Last week, I took a bullet for democracy," said Trump, who wore a small flesh-colored bandage over his right ear. He was injured in last week's shooting. "What did I do against democracy?" Speaking amid heightened security to a packed audience of supporters that waved signs with Trump's picture and the words, "Never Surrender," and others reading "Joe Biden, you're fired," Trump repeated several false assertions about creating auto jobs in Michigan when he was president and that he was given a "Man of the Year" award in Michigan several years ago, which did not happen. He also blamed immigration for an increase in crime; violent crime has been down across the U.S. An attendee stands up wearing a bedazzled jean jacket stating Trump won 2016, 2020, and 2024 on the back, during a Trump rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 20, 2024. He also excoriated efforts to push automakers to produce and sell electric vehicles while praising Tesla's Elon Musk, who has committed to giving a pro-Trump Super PAC $45 million a month toward reelection. He said he would get rid of federal emission rules that have been characterized as a mandate by Republicans to force the sale of electric cars and trucks. Trump also falsely suggested an impending invasion of Chinese-run automotive plants operating in Mexico in an effort to flood the U.S. market. The Biden administration has pushed substantial tariffs to prevent Chinese-made EVs from entering the U.S. Trump was introduced by his running mate, 39-year-old U.S. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, who Trump said he picked because Vance is "for the worker." Trump and Vance have spoken at length about using tariffs to protect American workers and products, even though economists argue tariffs cost consumers more, and Vance, specifically, has talked at length about the U.S. staying out of foreign conflicts. Vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, left, stands next to former President Donald Trump during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Van Andel Arena, with a capacity to hold some 12,000 people, appeared full. Trump talks about shooting, jokes about sign The rally took place at a time when the presidential campaign has been upended by events, including the tragic shooting last Saturday at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In that incident, Trump's ear was wounded, a spectator was killed and two others were critically wounded. Law enforcement shot and killed the would-be assassin, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. The FBI has uncovered no specific motive for the attempt. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who was Trump's White House physician, issued a letter Saturday saying he has been seeing Trump regularly since the incident and that, while healing normally, Trump still needs to wear a dressing over the wound. Trump addressed the shooting again in his speech, crediting the news media for covering it fairly and saying, somewhat pensively. "It was exactly one week ago today, almost to the hour, almost to the minute. ... What a day it was." "I shouldn't be here," he said. "Something very special happened, let's face it." He also joked that but for his turning toward a large sign with immigration statistics on it at the instant before the shot passed him, he would have been killed. "That sign was very good," he said. "I think I'm going to sleep with it tonight." For someone who had undergone such an incident, Trump's demeanor was easygoing throughout the speech, though he also expressed his sympathies for the family of the man who died and his concern for the other two people who were injured. Trump says he's not extreme, has 'great common sense' Meanwhile, Trump's rival, Biden, who is the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, remained isolated with COVID-19 in Delaware, as a growing number of members of his own party called on him to step aside as the nominee ahead of the August convention in Chicago amid worries he is too old and frail at age 81 to beat the 78-year-old Trump. So far, Biden has resisted calls for him to step down as the nominee. Worries about Biden's ability to beat Trump have grown since he gave a poor performance in a June 27 debate in Atlanta, where he often seemed confused and unable to give coherent responses. As he has battled to retain his spot at the top of the Democratic Party, Biden and his allies including Whitmer, a co-chair of his national campaign have urged the media to focus on the threat posed by Trump, arguing that he lies to the American people and constitutes a serious threat to democracy given his efforts to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Ahead of the rally, Democrats issued warnings about the Republican ticket's agenda. State Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes accused Trump and Vance of "championing a dangerous Project 2025 agenda," a reference to an effort by former aides and advisers to Trump to enact sweeping changes to the federal government, eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving the president more control over Justice Department decisions and hiring and firing civil servants. Trump and his campaign have said repeatedly they do not endorse Project 2025 and have not said they intend to enact it but Democrats have continued to use it as a warning to voters. On Saturday, Trump specifically said of the project, "I don't know what the hell it is" but called some of the recommendations he has heard about "seriously extreme," suggesting he could not support them. "The other side is going around trying to make me sound extreme," he said. "Im a person with great common sense, Im not extreme at all." A crowd of thousands awaits to welcome former President Donald Trump and vice-presidential nominee JD Vance during his first rally since an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 20, 2024. The fact that Trump selected Grand Rapids as the site for his first rally after the shooting and his successful nominating convention isn't surprising, given that he has concluded his campaigning in the city in both of the last two elections and west Michigan is home to a significant bloc of Republican voters. Fans filled the lower bowl of Van Andel arena, sporting an array of Trump gear. Many included references to the shooting Trump survived in Pennsylvania, a theme throughout the evening. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, said Trump's survival is evidence of God's presence, while Vance marveled at how the shooting was only days earlier. But the crowd roared appreciatively at a few lighthearted jokes aimed mainly at Vance's status as an Ohio native. During a brief speech before Trump took the stage, Vance said he heard some in the crowd chant "O-H", the first half of a well-known Ohio State University cheer. He laughed and said he'd have to avoid responding in Grand Rapids, instead noting Republicans from both states need Michigan to win the White House. Vance spoke briefly earlier in the rally After giving a brief summary of his biography, Vance, in a speech that lasted about 10 minutes earlier in the event, criticized Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and blamed both parties for allowing manufacturing jobs to leave the Midwest for overseas. Though there are more manufacturing jobs in the U.S. now than at any time during Trump's presidency, total manufacturing employment in Michigan is below its top mark during Trump's time in office, though it had fallen during the former president's tenure even before COVID-19 shutdowns, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Vice-presidential nominee JD Vance addresses thousands of supporters during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Vance also suggested he and Trump will help get the U.S. out of foreign conflicts that are none of our business, presumably referring to American support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. The rally was Trump's fifth visit to the state this year, having had rallies in Waterford and outside Saginaw, as well as a roundtable discussion in Grand Rapids on immigration and an event at a Detroit church. A Democrat who represents Grand Rapids, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, is the only member so far of Michigan's congressional delegation to join more than 30 others calling for Biden to step aside as nominee. Biden was most recently in Detroit for a rally last Friday. Michigan is a key battleground state Michigan, as it has in recent elections, remains a key swing state and one that appears to have swung more toward Trump in recent polls. Trump narrowly beat Hillary Clinton by two-tenths of a percentage point on his way to winning the White House in 2016; four years later, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden won the state by about 3 points. Whitmer released a video in which she welcomed Trump and Vance to Michigan, then excoriated them on their records on abortion rights, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and, in Trump's case, breaking his promises to bring more auto jobs back to Michigan while he was president. "Have a good trip! she concluded. But Trump has put himself in a strong position heading into the final four months of the campaign, barring a dramatic change in the Democratic ticket's trajectory. At last week's convention in Milwaukee, Vance well-known for writing "Hillbilly Elegy," a memoir in which he spoke about addiction and abuse in his family in Ohio made clear the Republican Party's intention to try to win in the so-called Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump: I 'took a bullet for democracy' in first rally after shooting The Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle. Photograph: Charles Rex Arbogast/AP The Pennsylvania congressman Brendan Boyle has become the first Democrat to call for the director of the US Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, to resign as more security lapses that may have contributed to the near-assassination of Donald Trump on 13 July continue coming to light. In a statement issued after the Washington Post reported on Saturday that the presidential protection agency had for two years denied Trump requests for additional security, Boyle said he had no confidence in the Secret Service leadership. I am calling on Director Cheatle to resign immediately following last weekends shooting of a presidential candidate in western Pennsylvania, Boyle said in a statement posted to X Saturday. The evidence coming to light has shown unacceptable operational failures, he added. I have no confidence in the leadership of the United States Secret Service if Director Cheatle chooses to remain in her position. Senior Republicans, including the House speaker, Mike Johnson, and the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, have called for new leadership. McConnell said: The nation deserves answers and accountability. New leadership at the Secret Service would be an important step in that direction. On Sunday, Johnson addressed Republican complaints that Trump was not adequately protected because Cheatle had prioritized diversity recruiting initiatives in the agency a position not shared by the former presidents family or his campaign for a second White House term. No, maam that is not your top priority, Johnson told CNN. We want the most capable officers regardless of gender. Their job is protection, not diversity. That was a frustrating thing for people to see in the light of the lapses that took place apparently last weekend. People just dont understand why basic tasks were not taken. Director Cheatle said people were not on that roof because of the slant, and she was worried about the health and safety of her agents. That makes no sense to us. She has a lot to answer for. Johnsons comments came a day after the homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, issued a statement dismissing assertions that female Secret Service agents had performed inadequately as baseless and insulting. Mayorkas had also praised women serving in law enforcement across the US for risking their lives on the frontlines for the safety and security of others. Boyle was the first elected Democrat to call for Cheatles resignation. The Secret Service director, a Biden White House appointee, was confronted by Republican senators at their partys recent national convention demanding she step down, but she has said through her office that she has no plans to do so. Pressure on Cheatle to resign has increased since it was revealed that 20 minutes passed between when Secret Service snipers first spotted the would-be assassin on a nearby rooftop and the time he fired at Trump. Related: Secret Service director: the buck stops with me after Trump rally shooting By the time the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the former presidents ear had been hit by a bullet, one spectator had been killed and two others were wounded. On Saturday, it was reported that Crooks operation to assassinate the former president was more elaborate and planned than previously known. He had visited the fairgrounds in Butler on several occasions and flown a camera-equipped drone over the rally site on the morning of shootings. It was also reported that top officials repeatedly rejected requests from Trumps security detail for more manpower and equipment for two years before the assassination attempt. According to the Washington Post, agents with Trumps security detail requested magnetometers and more agents to screen audience members at indoor events the former president attended as well as additional snipers and specialty teams at outdoor events. The requests were denied by agency officials who typically cited a lack of resources. At the Butler rally, areas outside the perimeter, including the glass research factory that Crooks used as a perch, were assigned to local police. Crooks was able to fire about seven rounds from his position with an AR-15 despite warnings from the public that a man with a gun was bear-crawling on the roof with a rifle. Cheatle has also told lawmakers that the Secret Service considered the roof too sloped to place a counter-sniper team atop. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi had denied that the agency had rejected Trumps requests for additional security. But on Saturday, he said that new information had come to light. The Secret Service has a vast, challenging, and intricate mission, Guglielmi said in a statement. Every day we work in a dynamic threat environment to ensure our protectees are safe and secure across multiple events, travel, and other difficult environments. Guglielmi said the agency is committed to better understanding what happened before, during, and after the shooting to ensure it never happens again. Cheatle is set to face lawmakers at a hearing on Monday to explain the security lapses that led up to the attempted assassination. Americans demand answers from director Kimberly Cheatle about the Secret Services historic security failures that led to the attempted assassination of President Trump, murder of an innocent victim, and harm to others in the crowd, Kentucky Republican James Comer, who heads the House oversight committee, said in a statement. At a rally in Milwaukee on Saturday, Trump told the crowd he took a bullet for democracy. In an interview with Fox News set to air on Monday, the Republican nominee for Novembers presidential election questioned how Crooks had got on the roof and why he wasnt reported. You had Trumpers screaming Theres a man on the roof whos got a gun, he said. And that was quite a bit before I walked on to the stage. So you wouldve thought somebody wouldve done something about it. At least six people were killed and scores more injured in Israeli airstrikes on a Yemeni port, Houthi rebels have said, a day after the Iran-backed group claimed a deadly attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of Yemens Hodeidah Port on Saturday, in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was a direct response to the death of a 50-year-old Israeli in a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv on Friday. This is the first time Israel has struck Yemen, according to Israeli officials. The Houthis said at least six people were killed, three are missing while a further 83 people were injured in the strikes, which hit oil facilities. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said the strikes had also hit civilian targets and a power station. He slammed what he said was brutal Israeli aggression aimed at increasing the suffering of the people of Yemen and pressuring the group to stop its support of Gaza. Houthi army spokesperson Yehya Saree vowed to respond to the strike, saying the Houthis would not hesitate to strike Israels vital targets and warning that Tel Aviv a major city home to scores of diplomatic missions was still not safe. We have prepared for a long war with this enemy until the aggression stops and the blockade on the Palestinian people is lifted, Saree said. On Sunday Israel said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. The projectile did not cross into Israeli territory. Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling shrapnel. The incident has concluded, the IDF said. Oil tanks burn at the port in Hodeidah, Yemen, Saturday, July 20, 2024, following an Israeli strike. - AP Not an innocent port Netanyahu said in a statement on Saturday that Hodeidah was not an innocent port. It was used for military purposes, it was used as an entry point for deadly weapons supplied to the Houthis by Iran, Netanyahu said, adding that Hodeidah had also been used to attack international shipping in the Red Sea. Netanyahu also said the operation, which hit targets 1,800 km (1,118 miles) from Israels borders, shows the enemy Israel is serious about responding to threats. It makes it clear to our enemies that there is no place that the long arm of the state of Israel will not reach, Netanyahu said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a UN statement he was deeply concerned by reports of the strikes. The response to the Israeli aggression against our country is inevitably coming and will be huge and great, Houthi rebels warned in a statement following the attack, adding that they will continue their operations against Israeli, American, and British ships until Israel stops its siege on Gaza. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the strikes were also in response to the roughly 200 missiles and drones the rebel group has launched towards Israel since October, when Israels war with Hamas in Gaza began. Since the start of the war, the Yemeni rebels have regularly targeted the country with drones and missiles, most of which have been intercepted by Israels defenses or those of its allies. However, the Houthis have claimed their drone attack in Tel Aviv Friday which also injured 10 people was performed by a new drone capable of bypassing the enemys interception systems. The Houthis have also regularly attacked US targets and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Both the UK and the US have responded to the attacks on shipping by carrying out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. However, Israel has not taken part in those responses. An Israeli defense official told CNN that this was a 100% Israeli strike. The official said Israel had previously let the US and UK take the lead on responding to Houthi attacks but decided to respond itself this time because of the death of the Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv. According to the official, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin before the strike was carried out. The defense official added that Israel was able to strike so quickly because it had been preparing for this scenario for months. A White House official said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on developments in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said the US had not coordinated with Israel on the airstrikes, but added that the US fully recognizes Israels right to self-defense. An Israeli firefighter seen inside one of the buildings damaged by the Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv. - Matteo Placucci/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images Who are the Houthis? The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah Arabic for Supporters of God is a Shiite Islamist political and military organization backed by Iran, that emerged in the 1990s. Similar to chants used by Lebanon-based Iranian proxy Hezbollah, the Houthis official slogan reads, God is the Greatest. Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse the Jews. Victory to Islam. In 2014, Houthi forces allied with former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh took control of Yemens capital, Sanaa, from the UN-recognized Yemeni government, sparking a civil war that has afflicted the country ever since. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have led a coalition in Yemen against Houthi forces. More recently, the group has come to be seen in parts of the largely Sunni Muslim world and beyond as champions of the Palestinian cause, defending the people of Gaza against Israel. Since October 7, Houthi rebels have carried out numerous missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, asserting that these vessels are linked to Israel and its allies, which has escalated tensions throughout the Middle East. Smoke and flames rise from a site in Hodeidah, Yemen, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, following an Israeli strike. - AP Regional tensions rise In recent weeks Hezbollah has been ramping up cross-border attacks with Israel after months of low-intensity fighting, prompting the Israeli military to warn that it is prepared to launch a large-scale attack on its northern border. Following the Hodeidah strike, Israels Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir congratulated Netanyahu on the operation and said Israel should adopt the same policy against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Gallant echoed Ben Gvirs sentiment. Smotrich said Israel must continue to attack with all its might even in distant places, while Gallant said the blood of Israeli citizens has a price, and that anywhere Israelis are attacked the result will be identical. The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear, Gallant said. Hezbollah in Lebanon condemned the attack on Yemen and said we stand firmly with the Yemeni people in defending themselves, their sovereignty, and their heroic and historic stance alongside Palestine. Hamas also condemned the attack, calling it a dangerous escalation. Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz called on the international community to maximize sanctions on Iran. Iran supports, trains, and finances the Houthi terror organization as part of its regional network of terror organizations aimed at attacking Israel, he said. Iran is the head of the snake it must be stopped now, Katz added. Iran condemned the Israeli strike on Hodeidah. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nasser Kanaani warned of the risk of war in the region, saying Israels actions in Gaza were the root of the escalating tensions. The oppressed but powerful people of Yemen are paying the price for their honorable support of the innocent citizens, women and children of Gaza, Kanaani said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Joe Biden announced that he would drop out of the presidential race on Sunday afternoon, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in two separate social media posts. Biden endorsed Vice President Harris immediately after the announcement, placing her as the presumptive Democratic nominee. The question remains: Who would replace Harris as the vice-presidential candidate? More: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race amid growing pressure from top Democrats Various pundits, journalists, political scientists, and likely voters have floated more than a dozen options. Daniel Cassino, a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the executive director of FDU Poll, said there are three basic strategies for selecting a vice president: pick a politician from a critical swing state, pick someone who balances out the presidential candidate in terms of demographics, region and ideology, or pick a candidate who magnifies the characteristics of the presidential candidate, as former President Donald Trump did with his selection of U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio. A composite photo of Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, and Pete Buttigieg. When it comes to the most common strategy, the balancing strategy, Harris could pick someone older and more liberal, such as U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cassino said. Warren, a Rutgers Law School graduate, was briefly the front-running candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. If the party wants to double down on Harris with a younger and more moderate Democrat, Cassino mentioned a few relatively well-known personalities. Julian Castro, the secretary of housing and urban development under former President Barack Obama fits the bill. Also in that category is Cory Booker, the U.S. senator from New Jersey. Another would be Pete Buttigieg, the current U.S. transportation secretary and former naval officer who rose to prominence during his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential election. Possible 'swing states' VP candidates for Kamala Harris Finally, there are options from swing states. "There's a perception, but not much data to support it, that a vice presidential candidate could help you win in a swing state," Cassino said. In that realm, Harris finds several more potential running mates, including the front-runner in Cassino's opinion: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. North Carolina's former attorney general, Cooper was elected governor in 2016 and reelected in 2020. Due to state term limits, he is unable to run this year and would be free to take on another role in 2025. Vice President Kamala Harris stands in the House of Representatives ahead of President Joe Bidens State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on March 7, 2024. Cassino also mentioned U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former astronaut born in Orange, Stacey Abrams, a former candidate for Georgia governor, and the "very well-liked governor of Pennsylvania," Josh Shapiro. Shapiro beat a Trump-backed candidate in Doug Mastriano in 2022, has bipartisan support and, like Cooper, has executive experience. However, Shapiro recently took office and party bosses may be loathe to remove him, Cassino said. Notable outliers for Dem VP candidate role Some other names being mentioned seem to have very slim odds, according to Cassino. California Gov. Gavin Newsome has been positioning himself as an "emergency candidate" to replace Biden, Cassino said. He debated former candidate for the Republican presidential nomination Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier his year. However, due to the vagaries of Electoral College rules, either he or Harris would likely have to move out of California and establish residency in another state to be paired on the same ticket. Other names that may be eyeing a presidential run and would probably keep themselves out of the running for Harris' potential vice-president are Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Cassino said. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive to speak from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on July 14, 2024. Recent polls for Kamala Harris VP candidates A SurveyUSA/FairVote ranked choice poll in early July found that initial first-choice votes for Harris' potential running mate were closely divided among likely Democrats and independent voters in six swing states. Of the 2,050 likely voters polled in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, 20% picked Buttigieg, 19% selected Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and 14% opted for Shapiro. Whitmer, who has been discussed as a potential presidential candidate for the Democrats, is another potential option for the swing state strategy, with Michigan expected to be crucial in the path to the presidency. Biden won the state in 2020 but has been trailing Trump in recent polls. The Harris-Whitmer ticket would be the first all-women ticket in history. Other contenders are Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Jamie Raskin and Pritzker, who each received 5% of the first-choice vote to be paired on the ballot with Harris. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Cooper both garnered 3%, while 4% of voters preferred Harris to run with someone else and 19% were unsure. In a ranked choice poll for a Harris running mate, Buttigieg narrowly beat Whitmer 52% to 48%. The poll also found Harris was the clear favorite to replace Joe Biden among likely Democrats and independent voters in those same six swing states. Results showed that 37% ranked Harris their first choice to replace Biden and 56% ranked her in their top three. A separate poll conducted this month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found adults have a more favorable opinion of Harris (43%) than both Biden (38%) and Trump (37%). Center officials said 70% of the 1,253 adults polled said Biden should drop out of the race and allow his party to select a different candidate, while 57% said Trump should withdraw. Among Republicans, 26% said Trump should withdraw. Meanwhile, 65% of Democrats polled said Biden should drop out. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Who could be Kamala Harris' VP pick? Here are the candidates. Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy have been in a relationship since the summer of 2020 VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy in 2023 Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy found love when they least expected it. Duffy was married to ballet dancer Carlyn Rosser from 1974 until her death in 2017. After Rossers death, the Dallas actor wasnt sure he would find love again until he reconnected with an old friend. Purl and Duffy were casual friends years ago but subsequently lost touch. However, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that brought them back together after being in the same group text chain. Their connection was obvious once the texting dwindled to just the two of them. I loaded up my car and drove 20 hours and ended up on her doorstep just to see if it was real, Duffy told PEOPLE in November 2020. We havent been apart since. The actor said that his late wife would want him to move on, and believes that his relationship with Purl is keeping with the desires of [his] wife. So when [happiness is] offered, think about it, do whatever you do, but dont let it pass you up if its the right thing, he explained of finding love after loss. I never thought for a minute this would happen again," he commented of his romance with Purl. "I never thought I'd feel this way again." Heres everything to know about Linda Purl and Patrick Duffys relationship. They first met in 2000 Linda Purl/Instagram Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy in Japan in 2024 The actors have been friends for decades. They first met in London in 2000 when their mutual friend, actor Richard Thomas, introduced them while he and Duffy starred in the production of Art on the West End. After their first interaction, they met again at a media convention. Duffy was sat at the Dallas signing table while Purl had headed over to see Linda Gray. In a roundabout way, Linda Gray introduced us. Patrick and I were at one of these big conventions for autographs and Linda Gray was meant to be there, Purl explained to Senior Planet in May 2023. Wed done a movie together and I adored her, so I bolted over to the Dallas table to say hi to Linda who was not there. But Patrick was. Their relationship blossomed over Zoom Linda Purl/Instagram Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy in 2023 A romance for the technical age, Purl and Duffy fell in love via video call. After keeping in touch with frequent texts, the now-couple transitioned over to Zoom calls, which lasted two to three hours every single night. The conversation went from chatty and fun until, after a few months, it moved to a deeper level, Purl told Senior Planet. I was by myself in a big house surrounded by acres with nobody else around, Duffy added. She was isolated in her home in Colorado with just her dog so we each wanted to communicate with somebody and it just kept building. Duffy would read poems to Purl over Zoom, and one night he professed his love to the actress as they said their goodbyes. He explained, One night, as we were signing off, I said, Sleep tight, I love you. I pushed the off button and went, Oh my god. I said the L-word! Their common ground was the key to finding love later in life Michael Tullberg/Getty Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl in 2022 When talking about finding love in their 60s and 70s, the couple credit their similar job roles and outlook in life for helping them in their relationship. Our careers were vastly different. Patrick had this meteoric rise whereas mine was more as a journeyman, Purl explained to Senior Planet. However, we were in the same work culture, in the same era, with similar friends and life reference points. Both Purl and Duffy are boy parents; Purl shares Lucius Carey with her ex-husband Alexander Cary, while Duffy is a father to sons Padraic Terrence and Conor. Duffy says keeping up with Purl is a joyful full-time job Patrick Duffy/Instagram Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl in 2022 The Dont Look Behind You actor admitted that he has become more sedentary as he ages, but Purl likes to keep him on his toes. She is getting me more active. I had became a bit sedentary, he told Senior Planet. But keeping up with her is a joyfull full time job. He also said that he has embraced getting older. At our age, I find that youve come to grips with the aging factor and the inevitability so you dont run from the end of your life, he commented. You run towards what youre going to do during the interim which is a much more joyful attitude. They own a bread company Patrick Duffy/Instagram Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl in 2022 The couple collaborated to create their very own sourdough starter company, Duffys Dough. At the beginning of their relationship, Duffy made sourdough pancakes for Purl using a decades-old family sourdough starter recipe, which in turn sparked an idea to start a business. "Now I didn't think I was ever going to start a business, but Linda is Linda and took it and ran with it instantly," Duffy told PEOPLE in September 2021. "We have been dehydrating the original sourdough starter. So it's absolutely pure from the time that my mother received it." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Defending Joe Biden and ripping into Donald Trump, Kamala Harris got one of her most roaring responses in years as she spoke at a fundraiser Saturday afternoon in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The vice president didnt directly address the turmoil facing her running mate whom she referred to at points as our president and one of the most consequential presidents in American history but she did speak to the anxiety pulsing through the white tent in the shadow of the Pilgrim Monument by repeating, We are going to win this election, and asking the crowd to tell that to their friends. Its not going to be easy. But we are a group of people who understand anything worthwhile takes a lot of hard work, Harris said. It takes grit. It takes believing in something and then going forward. The event was scheduled weeks ago, in very different political circumstances. By the time she took the stage, Harris was greeted with the excitement of many in the crowd who clearly believed they might be looking at a replacement nominee and, soon, potential next president. A $1 million fundraising goal for the afternoon was more than doubled; a large oil portrait of Harris face was positioned on an easel; toward the back; and a woman shouting out, Go get em, Kamala! was greeted with a huge cheer and applause. Harris who stood in front of a giant sign declaring the location to be VPTOWN, a riff on the towns Ptown nickname wasnt the only one to get a warm reception. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is seen by some leading Democrats as a potential running mate should Harris become the nominee, spoke before she did. Buttigieg likewise expressed support for Biden and touted his accomplishments. We arent so much holding on to a democracy as we are building one, making it more perfect, in this extraordinary American project that will turn 250 years old in 2026, during the presidents next term, Buttigieg said. Addressing the mood of many Democrats, Buttigieg added, Thats what is possible if we say no to the people out there banning books and yes to the people out there building bridges. Thats why I dont just have dread about the worst that could happen, but hope for what comes next. Organizers said the event raised more than $2 million, even as some big-dollar donors have held back from writing checks amid growing concerns about Bidens candidacy, raising serious concerns about how long the campaign can continue operating in full force if circumstances dont change. Harris, who is being very careful with what she says during this period, did not speak separately to reporters traveling with her. But as she boarded Air Force Two and one shouted to ask whether she has spoken to Biden and whether hes well, she flashed a thumbs-up and said yes. At the event in front of a largely LGBTQ crowd, Harris talked about her record on key issues, including performing same-sex weddings early as San Francisco district attorney in 2004, and contrasting that to her new opponent, Trumps running mate JD Vance, who opposed marriage equality and gender-affirming care. That, on top of Trumps own record rolling back LGBTQ protections, Harris charged, is enough reason to oppose them. Harris closed by invoking Harvey Milk, the famed gay political pioneer in San Francisco. Those who oppose progress will always try to suggest that a movement for freedom is somehow subversive and it undermines who we are as a nation. Harvey Milk liked to say, Hope will never be silent and neither will we, Harris said. CNNs Samantha Waldenberg contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Experts weigh in on the best way to buy and store raspberries. Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images I'm first in line to buy a basket of raspberries when they grace my local farmers market. Sometimes I'll even buy them at the grocery store in the off-season. I'm a huge fan of these sweet-tart berries. And that's why it's the worst when I place them in the fridge to top my yogurt with granola the next morning, only to find some have gone mushy. Why do plump, juicy-looking raspberries go bad so quickly? Are there any tricks for storing them so that they don't get mushy and gross? I reached out to raspberry experts to find out. What To Look For When Buying Raspberries The color of the raspberry should guide your selection. "Ensure that most of the raspberries are the same color in the container [so] that some will not rot before the rest," says Rebekah Alstede Modery, second-generation owner of Alstede Farms in New Jersey. A consistent color means the berries have a similar ripeness. Pay attention to the shape of the berries, too. "Look for well-shaped, bright orange/red raspberries," says Brian Bocock, Naturipe Farms Vice President of Product Management. "The best raspberries have plump cells and appear to have an almost sheen to them." Visiting a U-pick farm? "Raspberries should easily fall off the stem without any resistance," says Modery. "They should be a medium shade of pink without being too deep purple or white." The second best to harvest them yourself is to buy them at the farmers market. "Farmers like ourselves, harvest our raspberries the morning that they are sold," says Modery. "This ensures that we are harvesting them at their ripest and selling them on the same day with limited time in storage." Simply Recipes / Getty Images Moist Conditions Cause Raspberries To Get Mushy Raspberries are delicate and most sensitive to moisture. Similar to blueberries, raspberries won't continue to ripen after they've been picked. "If they are harvested too early, they will not get sweeter, only darker in color and start to mold if they are in moist conditions," says Modery. Take a close look at the container that's holding the raspberries. "Avoid any containers that look like there has been moisture built-upthis will make it quicker for mold to reproduce," she says. If there is moisture in and around the container, I'd avoid buying them. If they get wet at home, transfer the raspberries into a dry bowl lined with paper towels. The Best Way To Store Raspberries One of the easiest ways to ensure your raspberries don't get too mushy too soon is to store them properly. "Put your raspberries in the refrigerator as soon as you get home," says Bocock. "Keep them there until youre ready to eat them." Don't wash the berries until you're ready to enjoy them. Modery adds, "Keep them as dry as possible so they do not mold too quickly." Elana Lepkowski When To Wash Raspberries I like to wash and prepare my produce when I arrive home so everything is ready to go when I want to make a meal. Raspberries are an exception because moisture can cause them to get mushy. "Wait until youre ready to eat them to wash them, as excess moisture can cause them to go mushy faster," says Bocock. If you're not sure you'll indulge in the whole container, wash them as you go. "We recommend washing them in smaller handfuls so the portion you are saving for later doesnt get wet and will last longer in the fridge," he says. Read the original article on Simply Recipes. A wildfire in Salt Lake City forced people living uphill from Utah's state capitol to evacuate, and it remained uncontained Sunday as more than 100 firefighters worked to protect nearby homes. Helicopters and airplanes were dropping buckets over the flames as ground crews tried to contain the fire on Ensign Peak. Firefighters were working to save homes about about 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) up East Capitol Boulevard, and evacuees were offered a space in the capitol complex where they could escape the heat. With the heat, as well as the wind direction and just the temperatures out here and the fuel moisture, its kind of a recipe that we could have a quickly running fire, Division Chief Bob Silverthorne of the Salt Lake City Fire Department said at a Saturday news briefing. The first fire crew was dispatched around 4:30 p.m. Saturday and more than six different emergency agencies joined the effort, Silverthorne said. Police officers knocked on doors to warn homeowners after the fire department ordered a mandatory evacuation for an area of 40 homes on Sandhurst Drive, north of Dorchester Drive. A voluntary evacuation was ordered Saturday along East Capitol. There were no immediate reports of injuries or structure damage, he said. Officials did not know the exact cause or origin of the brush fire, which grew to about 200 acres. By Sunday morning, the Utah Fire Info website listed the blaze as human-caused, and zero-percent contained. Hot and dry conditions were expected to continue Sunday. Overall, Utah has had 585 fires burning over 40,000 acres so far this wildfire season, and 421 of them have been human-caused, the website says. Tennessee Democratic National Convention delegates are ready to throw their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their new presidential nominee after President Joe Biden announced Sunday he would drop his reelection campaign. On a Sunday afternoon call, the Tennessee delegates unanimously voted to support Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination, four delegates said, a signal of a fast-moving effort to coalesce behind the vice president in the hours after Biden dropped out. "Her name is already out there. She's connected with donors and voters in a large way," said Megan Lange, a Tennessee delegate and member of the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee. "She has the stage presence that is needed, and we have 107 days left until Election Day. That is more than enough time for someone who has such a strong platform to simply expand it." Vice President Kamala Harris shares a laugh with a graduate during the Tennessee State University graduation ceremony at Tennessee State University Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Live updates: Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris The DNC, which will be held in Chicago in four weeks, is now shaping up to emerge as one of the most historic political conventions in modern American politics. Tennessee delegates were previously pledged to nominate Biden, who won Tennessee's spring primary, but Democratic bylaws do not legally require them to stick to that pledge. With Biden out of the mix and open convention in play, Democrats could see a brokered convention, a rarity in U.S. politics. However, many Tennessee Democrats are already pledging their support to Harris. If a cohesive Harris coalition emerges among delegates, it could stave off a heated, drawn-out convention. Tennessee's delegation was already scheduled to meet on a 3 p.m. CDT convention logistics calls when Biden's announcement and Harris endorsement dropped in quick succession. Soon, the call turned into endorsement talks, and Tennessee's delegation appeared to be the first delegation to formally endorse Harris on Sunday. For Kyler Gilkey, a Tennessee delegate from Memphis, it was an easy vote to make, given her vice presidential experience. Though Biden's Sunday announcement threw the U.S. political sphere into disarray, Gilkey praised the president for his decision to step aside during a pivotal presidential election. "The Democratic Party isn't about one person. It's not about just Joe Biden," Gilkey said. "For him to give up his position as president for another term, it's telling of the idea of the Democratic Party and what we stand for. It was easy for me to put my full support by the vice president. She has been doing this job and understands what it takes. I feel like she will be capable on day one." Freda Player, a delegate and Metro Nashville school board member, said she "cannot wait" to nominate Harris in Chicago, noting Harris' experience in local, state and federal politics. This is the most consequential election of our liftime," Player said, calling Harris the "future" of the Democratic Party. "Democracy is on the line." Chris Anderson, a Tennessee delegate from Chattanooga, believes Harris will bring her prosecutor skill set to the table to be a sharp match against Trump. "She has the experience and unmatched ability to prosecute the case against Trump/Vance and their Project 2025," Anderson said. As the Biden news broke on Sunday, some warned an open nomination could throw the Democrats into total disarray. Lange is confident the party can pivot to a new ticket in time to mount a serious autumn challenge against former President Donald Trump. "People have short memories," Lange said. "I'm not worried about the timing," Lange said. "I do believe there will be young women and young voters of color who will be more energized by the idea of voting for someone who looks like them and experiences life more like them." More: As President Joe Biden steps aside, would America be ready for President Kamala Harris? Are Tennessee delegates not already pledged to Biden? Yes, but there have long been DNC bylaws in place to allow pledged delegates to change their votes due to extenuating circumstances. With Biden declining the nomination, pledges can now take advantage of the good conscience clause, as its known. Originally adopted in the 1980s, the "good conscience" clause was added so delegates at the DNC can vote for anyone they choose if they, in all good conscience, represent their beliefs even if the person didn't win the primary in their state. Rule 13(J) reads as follows: "Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them." The 'right move': Americans react to President Biden's historic decision Will all of Tennessee's DNC delegates swap to Harris? Yes, the Tennessee delegates appeared poised to back Harris after Sunday's vote, though they may not be required to. Anderson, the Chattanooga delegate, said he sees a "ton of support coalescing" around Harris among delegates right now. He himself supports Harris, but has "no problem" with other candidates running and delegates being released to choose who they feel is best. "The last time Republicans nominated someone besides Trump, it was Mitt Romney 12 years ago," Anderson said. "I'm thrilled at how deep our bench is compared to theirs." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's Democratic delegates vote to endorse VP Kamala Harris When Sarah Huckabee Sanders faced what she described as relentless attacks from the left, it was former President Donald Trump who comforted her, she said. Trump attorney Alina Habba described the Republican nominee as her friend. And Kai Trump, his oldest grandchild, made a surprise appearance to share the side of my grandpa that people dont often see. A common theme rang through speeches from women at this years Republican National Convention: Despite how Trumps public treatment of women may seem to some, he is an advocate for them behind closed doors. In speech after speech in Milwaukee this week, women spoke of quiet moments when they said Trump comforted them in the wake of Democratic attacks or media criticism, advocated for them professionally or showed compassion or familial care. They described him as a friend and a loving father and grandfather in the moments people dont see. Trump has long been known for the brash, even vulgar way he sometimes speaks about women. He has also been dogged by allegations about sexual misconduct and extramarital affairs. Accusations of sexism plagued his 2016 presidential campaign, a race he won despite the October release of a video in which he bragged about being able to grab women by their genitals because hes a celebrity. In 2023, a civil court found Trump liable of sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s. The former president was later ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages for his defamatory statements disparaging Carroll and denying her rape allegations. Speeches from women, including his family members and people who have worked for him, fit into a broader effort at the convention to soften his public image. I was insulted as a guest at the White House Correspondents Dinner, my family was denied service and kicked out of a restaurant, and a parent at my 3-year-old sons preschool spit on my car, Sanders, who served as one of Trumps White House press secretaries, said during her Tuesday night address. And in those moments, it was President Trump who defended me. Sanders, now the governor of Arkansas, said at one point the former president pulled her aside and told her, Sarah, youre smart, youre beautiful, youre tough, and they attack you because youre good at your job. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks at the RNC in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. - Bernadette Tuazon/CNN Habba, one of Trumps lawyers, said she wanted to take the audience behind the headlines to reveal his character, his kindness and his commitment to the country. President Trump championed my journey, empowering me to be who I became today, Habba said. Kellyanne Conway, Trumps 2016 campaign manager and White House senior counselor, praised the former president for elevating women to key roles in his campaign and administration. He saw something in me and the other working moms that perhaps we did not see in ourselves, Conway said. Family members, from his granddaughter who said the former president bragged to friends when she made the honor roll to his sons partners shared their personal experiences with him. I know what you hear out there about Donald Trump, Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law and the co-chair of the Republican National Committee, said in her speech. But when I look at Donald Trump, I see a wonderful father, father-in-law and, of course, grandfather to my two young children, Luke and Carolina. History of sexism and misconduct allegations The effort to reframe Trumps treatment of women was part of a larger push to soften the former presidents image in the wake of the assassination attempt last weekend. The medias negative portrayal of President Trump and his treatment of women is entirely false, Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary, said in a statement. President Trump is loved by millions of women across the country, and those who know him personally, myself included, will tell you hes supportive, generous, and kind. Leavitt added that during Trumps first term he supported policies such as expanding access to paid family leave and child care and that he would do so again. Broadening the former presidents appeal to women will be key in November. Bidens success in swing states in 2020 is attributable in part to his stronger support among women turned off by Trumps brashness. In 2020, Biden won 57% of women, compared with 42% who backed Trump, according to CNN exit polls. But its not clear whether praise of the former presidents private behavior will impact how people perceive years of his public behavior. Trump had faced allegations of sexism since he sought the Republican nomination in 2016. During a 2015 GOP primary debate, moderator Megyn Kelly asked then-candidate Trump about his history of referring to women he disagreed with as fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals. He later blasted Kelly and said she had blood coming out of her wherever. During that first campaign, he insinuated that both Carly Fiorina, one of his Republican opponents, and the wife of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, another 2016 rival, were unattractive. And in the final weeks of that election, old Access Hollywood footage of him bragging about being able to kiss women and grab them by their genitals prompted mass condemnation from members of his own party. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, his 2016 Democratic opponent, argued that Trumps past treatment of women made him unfit to be president. When I think about what we now know about Donald Trump and what he has been doing for 30 years, he sure had spent a lot of time demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women, Clinton said at a Florida rally days before the election. Clintons loss, and fears over what a Trump presidency would entail, prompted global Womens March protests. Since then, other parts of his background have been scrutinized. Earlier this year, Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up an alleged extramarital affair with a porn star. And then there is Carrolls allegation that Trump sexually abused her in a luxury department store dressing room in the spring of 1996. Trump faced no jail time in the civil trial, but he was ordered to pay $88 million total for defamation. Trump has denied the affair at the center of the hush money case and denied assaulting Carroll. The former president has also denied about a dozen other sexual misconduct allegations, including groping and sexual harassment, that took place before he took office. In 2017, Trump called the claims fake news. Sanders, the White House press secretary at the time, was asked whether the White Houses official position was that all the women were lying. Yeah, we have been clear on that from the beginning, and the president has spoken on it, she said at an October 2017 press briefing. For much of the 2024 campaign, Democrats have focused their criticisms of Trump on his policies, specifically his appointment of Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn federal abortion protections. But as President Joe Biden has faced increased pressure within his own party to step aside, he has started to broaden his attacks. During a rally in Detroit earlier this month, Biden referenced both the hush money case and the civil case involving Carroll. Mr. Trump raped her, Biden said, referencing what the judge in the Carroll case wrote. In Milwaukee, however, Trumps criminal cases were framed as further evidence of persecution hes suffered for his supporters. Every attack on President Trump only strengthens our movement, said Habba, who represented Trump in the Carroll defamation suit. Sham indictments and baseless allegations will not deter us, because the only crime President Trump has committed is loving America. This headline has been updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Joe Biden fought off suggestions he step aside from the presidential race, while Trump survived an attempt on his life, before Bidens eventual decision to step aside. Composite: EPA, Reuters They may go down as the wildest three weeks in the history of the US presidency, when the prospects of Joe Bidens candidacy surviving until polling day seemed to change from day to day sometimes even from hour to hour. Heres a summary of the milestone events in an rollercoaster period in US politics. It began with a political debate on national TV that triggered a Democratic rebellion, took in a shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump and ended with Biden withdrawing his 2024 candidacy and endorsing his deputy Kamala Harris. 27 June Biden and Donald Trump face off in the earliest debate ever staged between two main candidates in a presidential election, largely in response to demands by a White House team eager to allay doubts over the presidents advanced age (81) and suspicions that his cognitive powers are fading. Instead, Biden puts in a perplexing performance that intensifies the concerns. Over 90 minutes, he appears at times confused, mangles his sentences, repeatedly loses his train of thought and fails to combat a rush of lies from a bullishly confident Trump, who cannot conceal his glee over his rivals discomfiture. Democratic operatives exchange frantic messages calling for Biden to abandon his campaign even while the debate unfolds. Related: Al Sharpton on Joe Bidens re-election bid: Let him make up his mind 28 June The president, realising his campaign is suddenly in deep trouble, tries to launch a counteroffensive, telling a rally of supporters in North Carolina that he is staying in the race. I know Im not a young man, he shouts reading his remarks from a teleprompter. I dont debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know When you get knocked down, you get back up! Few are convinced. Within hours, the New York Times, the most influential newspaper in the US, publishes a searing editorial telling Biden to step aside, calling his candidacy a reckless gamble that risks a second Trump presidency. 3 July As pressure mounts and with a Democratic member of Congress, Lloyd Doggett of Texas, already having called for him to withdraw, Biden meets virtually with state governors in an effort to set minds at rest. But although he wins statements of support, doubts persist after it is reported that he tells them that he is trying to refrain from holding events after 8pm to conserve energy. There is unease at his response when one governor, Josh Green of Hawaii a medical doctor inquires about his health, eliciting the puzzling response: Its just my brain. 5 July Biden gives his first mainstream interview since the debate, an eagerly awaited 22-minute affair with George Stephanopoulos of ABC in a school library in Wisconsin. It is an improvement on the disastrous debate showing but hardly reassuring. The president declares that only the Lord almighty could persuade him to step aside from the race. Many Democrats also express deep misgiving about his response to being asked how he would feel if he ran against Trump in November only to lose. Ill feel as long as I gave it my all and I did as good a job as I know I can do thats what this is about, he replies. Some condemn the statement as out of touch, given the Democratic fears of a second Trump presidency. 7 July Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, holds crisis talks with senior party House members, at least four of whom say the president should step aside as candidate. 8 July Biden strikes back in anger. As members of Congress return to Washington DC after a recess, the president sends a letter to the entire Democratic congressional contingent telling them he is unequivocally committed to staying in the race and reaffirming his belief that he can beat Trump. He follows up with an unscheduled live telephone interview to MSNBCs Morning Joe programme in which he throws down the gauntlet to his critics by telling them to challenge me at the [Democratic] convention, due to take place in Chicago in August. Jeffries meets with a full complement of House Democrats on Capitol Hill, some of whom tearfully voice fears about the effect Bidens plunging popularity in the polls might have on their own election prospects. Yet many Democrats appear resigned to Biden staying on the ticket. 10 July With the mutiny apparently fizzling out, the New York Times gives it renewed impetus by publishing an opinion article from George Clooney, one of the Democrats biggest fundraisers, urging Biden to stand down. Proclaiming his love and admiration for the president, Clooney cites his personal experience of a fundraising event in Hollywood last month attended by Biden, who he says cut the same disturbingly diminished figure that millions saw on the debate stage in Atlanta on 27 June. 11 July With the pressure on and mounting numbers of Democrats calling for his withdrawal, Biden holds a rare news conference marking the close of Natos 75th anniversary conference in Washington DC. Facing massed ranks of international journalists and speaking for an hour without the aid of a teleprompter, the president gives an admirable yet still flawed performance. He expounds on intricate details of foreign and economic policy. At the same time, he commits embarrassing gaffes, referring to his vice-president, Kamala Harris, as Vice-President Trump without correcting himself, having earlier mistakenly introduced the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as President Putin. The performance seems enough to buy him time. 13 July Donald Trump survives an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler county, Pennsylvania, a stunning development that puts the discussions on Bidens candidacy on hold just as the president has been holding talks on his future with leading party figures, including Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate majority leader. 14 July Bidens staff temporarily suspends all campaign events and political advertising in a display of solidarity over the attempt on Trumps life. The president gives a prime-time televised speech from the White House urging that both parties rhetorically lower the temperature to stave off a rise in political violence. 15 July With no Democrats having called for Bidens withdrawal since the assassination attempt on Trump, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) tries to lock in the presidential nomination for him by unveiling plans for an early electronic roll call of delegates meaning that the president would effectively have secured his candidacy weeks before the partys convention starts on 19 August. The plan triggers an immediate backlash among Democrats who still believe Biden must step aside. Meanwhile, Biden gives an arresting answer to NBCs Lester Holt in another prime-time interview when asked who he listens to on whether he should remain or drop out of the race. Me, he replies. Ive been doing this a long time. 17 July While campaigning in Nevada, the president tests positive for Covid and immediately returns to his home in Delaware to isolate. The announcement seems to mark an end to the brief respite in the efforts to persuade him to end his candidacy. The DNC, reportedly following an intervention by Schumer, announces it is postponing the planned electronic roll call by at least a week giving Bidens critics more time to muster. On the same day, senior Democrats including Adam Schiff, the Democratic candidate for US Senate in California, the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, and the House majority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, privately confront Biden about continuing his re-election bid. 18 July With Trump preparing to accept the Republican nomination in at the GOP convention in Milwaukee, reports emerge that Biden is at least listening to arguments that he should withdraw and asking if Harris would fare better. It is also reported that Barack Obama has told associates that he believes the presidents path to winning the election has greatly diminished and that he should reconsider the viability of his campaign. 19 July Ten congressional Democrats nine House members and one senator call for Biden to stand aside as the candidate, bringing the total who have done so publicly to 32. The president insist he will continue as the nominee and is ready to resume campaigning after isolating from Covid, seemingly confounding speculation that he could be preparing a withdrawal announcement. Biden reiterates that he will stay in the race. The Biden campaign chair, Jen OMalley, says Biden is absolutely in the race. Joe Biden is more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump, she says. 21 July Biden announces that he will not seek re-election, and endorsed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, aiming to avoid further party chaos. Earlier on Sunday, Biden lost the support of the West Virginia senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat turned independent, who urged Biden to drop out but called for an open process to select a successor. While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term, Biden says in a letter announcing his decision. Democrats will hold their convention in Chicago in August, in what was expected to be a Biden coronation but which will now free 4,700 delegates to select a candidate. They are not obliged to select Harris. Ohers potentially waiting in the wings include the California governor Gavin Newsom, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Donald Trump responded to Bidens announcement, saying his ex-rival was not fit to run for president and not fit to serve, Trump added: We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. Read more about Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election: by Joseph Masilamany Heir to the first seminary opened in 1665 to train the local clergy in Ayuthia in present-day Thailand, the College General has seen more than 50 graduates give their lives for the Gospel, including the martyrs of the Vietnamese persecution in the 18th century and those who perished in Pol Pots Cambodia. For Card Francis, May the exemplary and courageous spirit of these martyrs continue to inspire todays priests in Malaysia. Penang (AsiaNews) The College General on Tanjung Bungah Hill in Penang has trained generations of priests for Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, which Pope Francis is getting ready to visit. Its long history has been marked by the memory of more than 50 former students who have given their lives for the Gospel over the centuries; for this reason, it is also known as the College of Martyrs. The College is the heir to an historic place of training for local clergy founded in 1665 in Ayuthia, Thailand; it is here that young Vietnamese priests victims of harsh persecution in the 18th century studied. The College General eventually moved to Pondicherry, India, and then to Penang in 1808. Upon entering the compound, one sees a monument that commemorates Saint Philip Minh Van Doan and fellow martyrs Saint Peter Quy Cong Doan, Saint Paul Loc Le Van, Saint John Hoan Trinh Doan, and Saint Peter Luu Nguyen Van. All five priests studied at the seminary opened by the French missionaries of the Missions Etrangeres de Paris (MEP), Frs Francois Pallu and Pierre Lambert de la Motte, whose beatification process opened in Vietnam a few months ago. Some 42 seminarians of the College General were also killed after returning to their homeland to serve their people and were proclaimed saints as a group of Vietnamese Martyrs, canonised by John Paul II in 1988. The persecution they endured in Vietnam was among the harshest in the history of the Church: torturers hacked off limbs joint by joint, tore the flesh with red-hot tongs, and used drugs to enslave the minds of the victims. Christians at the time were branded on the face with the words "ta ao", "members of a sinister religion" and their families and entire villages were erased for the simple fact of being Christian. In addition to Vietnamese priests and seminarians, two French priests who taught at the General College Fr Laurent Imbert and Fr Jacques-Honore Chastan were also martyred in Korea during a wave of Christian persecution in the mid-18th century. They too were proclaimed saints by John Paul II in May 1984 along with 103 Korean Catholics. Another former student raised to the glory of the altars is Fr Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung, persecuted in Thailand and left to die in prison in 1944. He was beatified by John Paul II on March 5, 2000. The College preserves some relics of its martyrs: bone fragments from the five Vietnamese priests, a prayer book that belonged to Saint Philip Minh, and bone fragments of Saint Laurent Imbert and Saint Jacques-Honore Chastan. A relic of Blessed Nicolas is set on the altar of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Penang. I have been deeply influenced by the fact that this college, from my seminary days until now, is referred to as the College of Martyrs, said Card Sebastian Francis, bishop of Penang, who taught for many years at the seminary. The former students were martyred mostly in Vietnam and two teachers were martyred in Korea. Therefore, we have a proud legacy of more than 50 martyrs who were trained at College General. The martyrdom of these men has left a lasting and permanent impact on me, to know that I belong to an institution which has lasted for centuries and was able to adapt and be relocated to many places beginning in Ayuthia (Thailand), India, and finally Penang. It is deeply imprinted in me that so many of our brothers from College General surrendered their lives for the Gospel. Card Sebastian remembers that among his fellow students in the 1970s there was a Cambodian seminarian named Marcel Truang. After completing his studies at the College General, he was given the opportunity to go to France, since the Cambodian genocide under Pol Pot had already begun. Truang freely chose to return to Cambodia and be with his suffering and persecuted people, even though he knew the dangers that it would entail, explained the Malaysian cardinal. He returned to Cambodia and within a short time, we never heard from him anymore. His cause is up for canonisation in Cambodia, the prelate added. This is the kind of sacrificial spirit that we hope to cultivate in our past, present, and future seminarians who are studying for the diocesan priesthood in Malaysia. May the exemplary and courageous spirit of these martyrs continue to inspire a missionary zeal in all seminarians who embark on their formative years and journey at this College of Martyrs here in Penang, he said. In addition to holy martyrs, over the course of its more than 350 years of existence, the College General has elevated more than 30 of its alumni to the episcopate in Burma (now Myanmar), Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak). Among the figures who graduated from the College of Martyrs, we have Mgr Dominic Aloysius Vendargon (1909-2005), first Asian bishop of Kuala Lumpur; the late Anthony Soter Fernandez (1932-2020), the first Malaysian cardinal; and Cardinal William Goh, Archbishop of Singapore. ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. 21 July 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Azerbaijan's victory in 2020, which ended the 30-year occupation of Armenia, started a new era of renaissance in Garabagh and the South Caucasus. The old traditions inherited from the Soviet Union had remained unchanged during the long conflict. The greatest victory of Azerbaijan also laid the foundation for the beginning of a new era with new traditions. Certainly, when the topic of Garabagh comes up, Shusha first comes to mind. This beautiful city is which was freed from the Armenian invaders with great heroism, and she has become the cradle of our culture and international events in the last 4 years. When it comes to Global Forums and International Conferences, there is no need to mention Brussels, Strasbourg or the UN Headquarters first. Shusha has already become one of the most famous centres among those venues. The second Global Media Forum on the theme "Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation" once again brought together media representatives from 50 countries in Shusha. The opening of the event continued with the speech of President Ilham Aliyev, as well as answering the questions of the participants. The opening of the event lasted over two hours in the format of questions and answers shed some light on many global issues. It should be noted that President Ilham Aliyev's answer to journalists' questions was also a global message. While addressing the event, the Azerbaijani President stated that historical transformation and geopolitical changes have taken place in the South Caucasus in the last four years. After the Soviet Union, the weakening of traditional alliances led to a kind of disconnection between the countries. In such a case, it became necessary to develop new cooperation formats. The inadequate approach of the global powers to the former Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and the observation of the non-objective approach in choosing the side already created a special basis for strengthening the unity of the Turkic states. Today, the fact that Azerbaijan is part of the organisation of the Turkic-speaking states increases its prestige and adds strength to its political will. In September last year, Azerbaijan, which regained its territorial integrity and full sovereignty, went down in history with the most important event. Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev's celebration of the victory parade in Khankindi also meant the rooting out of separatism that lasted for more than a century. "I had to put aside all my personal emotions for the sake of peace and the liberation of our territories," President Ilham Aliyev emphasized in his address at the forum. We remember that at that time, the role of the foreign press, along with the Western political circles and international institutions, was strong in applying pressures against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan, which was subjected to a boycott campaign in the eyes of the world community, had to show patience and resistance against all these injustices. This statement of President Ilham Aliyev expresses the restraint of the head of state in the face of unjust accusations against the statehood of Azerbaijan in those times. On the eve of the outbreak of lies and disinformation, it was extremely important to create a mechanism to fight against it, as well as to strengthen the Azerbaijani media. Unity between the state and the people played an important role in all processes during the Patriotic War and after that. Because, as the head of state emphasized, the liberation of land was a matter of dignity. If we look at the most recent history, we can say that Azerbaijan has been a victim of manipulation of facts and false narratives for many years, from the 1980s until today. Distortion of Garabagh facts and covering up of Armenian crimes was a hateful policy directed against Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev noted that the mobilization of the Armenian diaspora, pro-Armenian politicians and media representatives attacked Azerbaijan, spread false narratives, and presented Azerbaijan in a way far from reality. Indeed, after the Patriotic War, we witnessed this again. However, as the head of state noted, it has become common to face such situations frequently. "Incomplete, inaccurate and manipulated reports originate from the West. It becomes our daily life. We were surprised and disappointed, but now we are indifferent," the President said. Today, Azerbaijan wants to objectively cover the events happening both within the country and in the region. For this, there is a need for an active role of the media subject who can reflect the spirit of impartial and objective approach. The influential people in the Western political circles, who once accused Azerbaijan, are beginning to change their vectors over time, and when we observe, we see that Azerbaijan is now treated as an equal partner. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the holding of COP29 The strengthening position of Azerbaijan on a global scale already allows it to host many prestigious international events. The balanced policy pursued by Azerbaijan and the proportionality of its relations with the states close to the region allowed solving the vast majority of both political and economic problems. As President Ilham Aliyev emphasized today, Azerbaijan has focused all its attention on problems related to the country's national interests. Whether it is the Parliament of the European Union or the Council of Europe, in a word, gossips against Azerbaijan are out of interest. At present, the staff assigned to the COP are working hard on many fruitful tasks. The priorities in the agenda is a diary that is completely clear and focused on goals, objectives and results. During his speech, President Ilham Aliyev also expressed his opinion on those who do not want COP29 to be held in the country. He emphasized that this event is extremely important for Azerbaijan and added that since the COP is one of the most important events on a global scale, its holding for the first time in the post-Soviet space will enter Azerbaijan into the highest league. In addition, the head of state emphasized that he wants the COP29 to be held in Azerbaijan to be a solidarity event. Thus, Azerbaijan, preparing for an international event, gave many important messages to the world from the platform of the second Global Media Forum held in Shusha. The parties, which have already fully armed themselves against Azerbaijan, clearly understand today that it is futile to confront a state like Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus. Even a strong country like the USA, unlike France, prefers to be extremely careful in its relations with Azerbaijan. This, of course, is an indicator of the professional approach of a diplomat or a head of state or government who has an understanding of policy. Recall that the 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum, organized on the occasion of the 149th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national press, was attended by more than 150 foreign guests from 50 countries, including information agencies of 30 countries, 3 international organizations, and 82 media subjects. Among the participants of the Global Media Forum are representatives of foreign media, as well as media representatives, experts, and officials of Azerbaijan. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 18:47 (UTC+04:00) This is the first time I am in this beautiful holy land - the city of Shusha. It's great to see the city being restored. Azernews reports, citing Azertag that Bekzat Zhusip, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan "Gazkontent" Joint Stock Company, said these words during his speech at the 1st meeting of the Executive Committee of the Alliance of Turkish News Agencies held within the framework of the 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum. Emphasizing that several events were held at the initiative of colleagues at Anadolu Agency, Bekzat Zhusip pointed out that he recently organized "Journalism during the war" training in Turkiye. "We should organize such projects on the example of Turkiye, which will further strengthen our relations," he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 11:16 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan has repeatedly been a victim of disinformation, Azernews reports, citing Azertag that this was told by Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration, while giving a speech at the second working day of the II Shusha Global Media Forum. H. Hajiyev reminded that when the territories of Azerbaijan were occupied for 30 years, Armenia presented itself to the world as a victim of Azerbaijan. "During the 44-day war, Azerbaijan fought against disinformation. President Ilham Aliyev's numerous interviews with the international media were one of the success stories against disinformation," he said. As the official said disinformation is not a new phenomenon. Hajiyev noted that information is a very powerful tool. "But how it is used is a big question. The most dangerous thing is that disinformation has turned into manipulation and psychological warfare against the people of Azerbaijan," he added. The assistant to the President noted that disinformation can be a means for certain groups to achieve their goals and lead to wars. The main victims of disinformation are the media and journalists. Having brought to the attention of the forum participants, Hikmat Hajiyev said that Azerbaijan was under occupation for many years, but the foreign media showed it from a different angle. "Some foreign media reported that we allegedly committed a crime against Armenia, and they were the ones who were under occupation. However, we have activated the means of denial in a serious attempt. Through official statements and press conferences, we communicated correct information and truth to the world. Our media played a big role in this case. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 11:44 (UTC+04:00) Academician Isa Habibbeyli, president of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), got acquainted with the construction works of the Shusha-Dashalti Deep Well seismic station, which was created for the first time in the territories freed from occupation. Corresponding member of the Academy, Gurban Yetirmisli, director of the Republican Seismological Service Center under ANAS, gave detailed information about the work done at the newly established station. He also presented the project of the Regional Complex Seismological Monitoring Center for Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, which will be established at the base of the station. It was noted that the first phase of works at the Dashalti Deep Well seismic station, which was established near the city of Shusha, was mostly completed. It has been a few days since the initial data recorded here have been transferred to the Earthquake Research Bureau of the Seismological Service Center. In the center, the process of data recording, analysis, and forecasting has been started. In the near days, works will be carried out on the creation of service-technical infrastructure, improvement of the access road, and construction of green areas around the Shusha-Dasalti Seismological station. Sharing his views on the project of the Regional Complex Seismological Monitoring Center for Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur to be established here, the head of ANAS expressed the importance of building retaining walls around the station, creating appropriate working conditions, and brought to attention the tasks of accelerating the commissioning of the institution. It should be noted that the Shusha-Dasalt Deep Well Seismic Station and the Regional Complex Seismological Monitoring Center for Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur will be established at the base of the station and the Republic Seismological Service under ANAS with the Disaster and Emergency Management Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye (AFAD) It is built together by the center. The Republican Seismological Service Center under ANAS will establish a seismological station in 8 places in the liberated territories of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 15:34 (UTC+04:00) Within the framework of the II Shusha Global Media Forum themed "Unmasking of false information: Confronting disinformation", by order of the Baku Initiative Group, a report by a well-known expert of the UN, a citizen of the United States, Dr. Carlisle Corbin entitled The Evolution of French Colonialism: A Political and Constitutional Study will be launched on July 22. The presentation will be made by the author and executive director of the Baku Initiative Group, Abbas Abbasov. In a study of about 140 pages, former and current French colonies - Vietnam, Algeria, New Caledonia (Canacs), French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthelemy, Mayotte (considered the territory of the Union of Channel Islands), Reunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe and the history of the colonization of French Guinea, as well as information on the current colonial policy of France. The report, compiled on the basis of international legal documents, shows the crimes committed and currently committed by France (ethnic cleansing, slave trade, repression of the local population, arrests and murders, starvation, etc.), non-implementation of UN resolutions, and France, which is at the root of these ugly acts. political, military strategic, and economic interests are widely discussed. It is especially noted that the root of the ongoing processes in New Caledonia was French President Emmanuel Macron's disregard for the demands of the local population regarding the decolonization process, and his desire to advance his political colonial policy by force. In addition, it is noted that the association of the French officials with the recent unrest in New Caledonia with the intervention of foreign forces, especially Azerbaijan, is unfounded, and it is emphasized that this is aimed at distracting the international community from the legitimate demands of the local Kanak people. It should be noted that the study will serve to increase the awareness of the international community about the actions of the French government in the colonies that are against international law, and to draw attention to the problem of colonialism, which is one of the problems of the modern era. It is planned to send the study to the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as to the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Union, the African Union, the OSCE, and other international organizations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 17:22 (UTC+04:00) Italian media outlets have devoted a lot of space to the views expressed by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum on Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation. Azernews reports, citing Azertag that in the materials published on news portals such as "Color News", "Agenzia Nova", "Avia-pro", and "MarketScreener", the detailed answers given by the President of Azerbaijan to the questions of journalists from different countries, international experts, and political scientists were put in the spotlight. The articles quoted President Ilham Aliyev's views on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "There is a provision on independence in the Armenian constitution, and there is a threat to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan." There is talk of the unification of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. That is, as long as this provision is in that constitution, a peace agreement is not possible. I want to say once again that everyone understands me well. There is no question of our interference in the internal affairs of Armenia. However, the existence of such an article in the constitution makes the peace agreement impossible. Because the constitution is a superior document to any international agreement." In addition, it was mentioned in the materials that the President of Azerbaijan stated that our country will help the French colonial territories to ensure their independence. Emphasizing that many countries were victims of colonialism in the past and are still suffering from it, these views of the head of our country were included: "For example, Gamar Islands, Mayotte Island. They are still under colonial rule. We want to help these countries to free themselves from this disgusting remnant of the past." Also, in the spring, it was noted that Azerbaijan is optimistic about the continuation of transit transportation of Russian natural gas to Europe via Ukraine. It was reported that President Ilham Aliyev mentioned that our country is negotiating with Russia regarding this issue, that Azerbaijan wants to be a helper here, and that the agreement can be extended. At the same time, it was noted in the materials that the President of Azerbaijan stated that there is no unsolvable issue in the bilateral relations between our country and Russia, and all issues are settled taking into account mutual understanding, respect, interests and the centuries-old history of our peoples' relations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 19:06 (UTC+04:00) On July 21, an exhibition dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the late journalist Rashbil Zakharyayev was opened at the Heritage Center of Mountain Jews located in the Red Settlement. Azernews reports that the opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by deputies of the 6th Milli Majlis, representatives of local executive authorities, Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan George Dick, son of the deceased journalist, president of the International Charitable Foundation of Mountain Jews German Zakharyayev and residents of Qrmz Kasaba. they did. In the event, the late journalist Rashbil Zakharyayev, whose 85th birthday was celebrated, was given detailed information about his short life and activities. It was reported that the young writer, a graduate of the journalism faculty of Baku State University, started working in the editorial office of the "Shafaq" newspaper published in Guba in November 1966. Rashbil Zakharyayev, who died at the prime of his life - at the age of 39, was one of the employees of the "Shafaq" newspaper who stood out for his unique style. Along with his journalistic activities, Rashbil Zakharyayev was also known for his lyric poems. His poems were often published in periodicals. Speaking about the tolerance and traditions of our country, the speakers emphasized the special importance of the exhibition. A new edition of the book "Ethno-cultural diversity of Azerbaijan" was also presented at the exhibition, and a documentary film dedicated to Rashbil Zakharyayev was shown. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 19:35 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan invited Armenia to the COP29 climate summit. Azernews informs referring to "The National" that Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, told foreign journalists at the II Global Media Forum. H. Hajiyev said that an official invitation was sent to Yerevan. "Mukhtar Babayev (President of COP29) sent an invitation letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia." He noted that sending this letter in the absence of official diplomatic relations between the two countries is an example of Azerbaijan's goodwill and inclusive approach. The president's aide added that COP29 is a global effort and the crucial negotiations "go beyond the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan." "Now is the time for the Armenian government to make a decision," H. Hajiyev emphasized. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 13:34 (UTC+04:00) Saudi security authorities have arrested a total of 19,817 foreigners who had violated the kingdoms residency, labour and border security laws in one week as part of an ongoing nationwide clampdown on illegals. Azernews reports, citing gulfnews that as reported by Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry, the arrests were made over the period of July 11-17. They included 12,436 violators of the kingdoms residency rules, 4,881 for infringing the border security system, and 2,500 others for breaching labour laws. A total of 17,067 illegals, including 1,673 women, are currently being subjected to deportation measures, according to the ministry. Around 7,139 others have been transferred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents ahead of deportation, while 4,242 more violators are finalising their travel reservations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2024 20:08 (UTC+04:00) The Finnish Ground Forces together with the Border Guard conduct exercises in the border regions with Russia. Azernews reports, citing foreign media that this was stated in the press release of the headquarters of the Finnish Ground Forces. About 1,700 people and about 300 pieces of equipment are participating in the "South 2/24" exercise. Due to the exercises, the highway to the Vaalimaa checkpoint will be closed until early August. The Vaalimaa crossing point, closest to St. Petersburg, was opened in 1958 as the first border crossing point between Finland and the Soviet Union. It is one of the busiest land border crossing points in the European Union. By the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Finland, from the end of November 2023, all road crossing points on the border with Russia were closed until further notice. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz One of the things that the Democrat National Committee did to rig the primary process for Joe Biden was to prevent any debates during the Democrat presidential primaries. Now a Democrat Congressman is calling them out on that. Congressman Adam Smith (D-Washington), speaking on MSNBC, has declared that Biden would not today be the Democrat nominee if Democrat primary voters could have seen him in a debate before the primaries. The DNC also reordered the primaries to push states like Iowa and New Hampshire, which have gone first for years but were not friendly territory for Biden and might have given a challenger momentum, to later slots and moved Biden-friendly South Carolina to first place. They also worked with Democrats at the state level in places like North Carolina to keep Biden's primary challengers off of the primary ballot completely. https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2024/07/20/dem-rep-smith-biden-wouldnt-be-nominee-if-voters-saw-debate-before-primaries/ The Democrat Party establishment did a cram down of Biden on their voters, and now at the last minute are trying to pull an undemocratic "bait and switch" to a different candidate, orchestrated by Obama. Voters should soundly reject this diabolical scheme in November. Today's US armed forces are like the old Soviet Red Army in a sinister way. They are (or were in the case of the Red Army) riddled with "political officers" who push an ideology. This is something new and harmful that has come in with the Biden-Harris regime which has flooded our armed forces with DEI officers. Now a new year long study by Arizona State University's Center for American Institutions has detailed the harm this politization of our military is doing, both in terms of cohesion and skills. DEI creates harmful and unnecessary divisions in an institution whose success depends on operating as a team and also detracts from training time on skills actually necessary for their mission. "The massive DEI bureaucracy, its training, and its pseudo-scientific assessments are, at best distrractions that absorb valuable time and resources, and at worst they communicate the opposite of the military ethos, e.g. that indvidiual demographic differences come before team and mission," the executive summary of the study states.. "The founders of our nation understood and feared a politicized military. History had shown them that a politiczed army easily became the tool of tyranny." https://www.thecollegefix.com/bulletin-board/asu-study-vast-dei-bureaucracy-hurting-u-s-armed-forces/ https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3088823/alphabet-soup-federal-failures-deepen-skepticism-dei/ The Biden-Harris Democrats are hollowing out our military. It is time for a change in November. Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health plans to enter a new state by acquiring Blount Memorial Hospital, a 304-bed community hospital in Maryville, Tenn. The board of Blount Memorial Hospital on July 18 voted to join Prisma, an 18-hospital system. Both parties have signed a non-binding letter of intent and enter a period of exclusive negotiations, due diligence and integration planning. After a competitive evaluation process involving several health systems, Blount Memorial's board, the Blount County Commission and hospital leaders chose to join Prisma "because of our outstanding results in quality, safety, patient experience, community health status, operating performance and market-leading growth," Prisma President and CEO Mark O'Halla said in a statement shared with Becker's. Under the proposed deal, Prisma would commit to investing $364 million into Blount Memorial Mr. O'Halla described the deal as an "exciting new chapter for Prisma" as healthcare shifts to a multi-region model" and the number of systems operating in multiple states rapidly increases. "Expanding to desirable nearby markets with respected regional hospitals like Blount Memorial strengthens our scale, capabilities, relevance, resources, and attractiveness to top talent and industry partners all attributes of leading health care organizations," Mr. O'Halla said. July 18 kicks off a four-month exclusive negotiation, due diligence and integration planning period. During this time, both parties will learn more about each other and begin planning for Blount Memorial to officially join Prisma in late 2024. The transaction is subject to regulatory review and closing conditions. Police have been granted an extension to question two people arrested as part of a sudden death investigation in south Belfast. They now have an additional 36 hours to carry out questioning of the man and woman after a body was found in a property on Donegall Avenue on Saturday during searches for a missing person. In a statement, police said: Police have this morning (22 July) been granted a 36-hour extension to question a man and woman arrested in connection with an investigation into a sudden death in the Donegall Avenue area of Belfast on Saturday July 20. US President Joe Biden addressing the Oireachtas Eireann, the national parliament of Ireland, at Leinster House in Dublin (Government of Ireland/PA) Irelands premier Simon Harris has thanked Joe Biden for his friendship to the Irish nation after the US president withdrew his bid for re-election. The Taoiseach said Mr Biden had been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Mr Biden was warmly welcomed to Ireland last year for a trip that included addressing the Irish Parliament as well as tracing his family roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo. He also visited Northern Ireland and met then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast as well as undertaking an engagement at the Ulster University. US President Joe Biden delivers a speech at St Muredachs Cathedral in Ballina, on the last day of his visit to the island of Ireland (PA) Mr Harris paid tribute to Mr Biden following the announcement on Sunday evening that he had withdrawn from the US presidential race. In a statement, the Taoiseach said: On behalf of the people and government of Ireland, I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election. He said Mr Biden had expressed a fierce pride in his Irish ancestry and had acted as a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this, he said. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home. The outpouring of love and support from the public, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina was testament to how highly the President is held in his ancestral home. Earlier Irelands deputy premier reacted to Mr Bidens withdrawal decision with sadness and admiration. US President Joe Biden receiving a standing ovation after addressing the Oireachtas Eireann during his visit to the island of Ireland (Tony Maxwell/PA) Tanaiste Micheal Martin described Mr Biden as an abiding friend of Ireland. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness and admiration, Mr Martin said in a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best. Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Heavy fighting in Sudan has severely curtailed humanitarian aid deliveries across vast areas of the southeast, the UN World Food Programme, WFP, said on Friday Jeremy Hunt served as health secretary between 2012 and 2018, and was responsible for pandemic planning during that period (Aaron Chown/PA) Jeremy Hunt has apologised for failures in the UKs pandemic preparations highlighted by the Covid inquiry. In its first report, published on Thursday, the inquiry found the former government had failed the public due to significant flaws in preparing for a pandemic. On Sunday, Mr Hunt acknowledged that as health secretary between 2012 and 2018, he had been part of a groupthink where we over-prepared for pandemic flu, we didnt think about other types of pandemic. Jeremy Hunt was responsible for pandemic planning in the years before Covid (Lucy North/PA) Speaking to the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, he said: I apologise unreservedly to the families. That was the most terrible tragedy what happened to this country during Covid. He also urged the new Government to take up the recommendations of Baroness Heather Halletts 217-page report. The report said the inquiry had no hesitation in concluding the processes, planning and policy of the civil contingencies structures within the UK government and devolved administrations and civil services failed their citizens. Among the problems identified by the inquiry were a failure to plan for the pandemic that actually occurred, with too much focus on pandemic flu, labyrinthine structures for emergency planning, and a failure to learn sufficiently from planning exercises. In her recommendations, Lady Hallett called for a pandemic strategy to be developed and tested at least every three years, with a UK-wide crisis response exercise. She said the Government and political leaders should be properly held to account on a regular basis for systems of preparedness and resilience. She also said external experts from outside Whitehall and government should be brought in to challenge and guard against the known problem of groupthink. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said ministers will carefully consider Lady Halletts recommendations, adding it is a top priority for his Government. He said: The Governments first responsibility is to keep the public safe, and as Prime Minister I am personally committed to each and every family that lost loved ones, and whose lives were changed forever, that this Government will learn the lessons from the inquiry. The King and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle (Chris Jackson/PA) US President Joe Bidens decision to withdraw his bid for re-election spells the end of a political career that has lasted more than 50 years. The 46th US president has been a fixture in Washington politics since the 1970s, having served in high-powered roles in the Senate, as vice-president under Barack Obama, before getting the top job after an ugly duel with Donald Trump in the middle of the Covid pandemic. The second Catholic president had family roots in the UK and, in particular, Ireland, so it was no surprise that he frequently crossed the Atlantic both in Air Force One and, earlier in his career, by other means. Joe Biden with the King on a visit to the UK (Kin Cheung/PA) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks to US President Joe Biden during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India (Dan Kitwood/PA) US President Joe Biden arrives for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (Andrew Milligan/PA) US President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One at RAF Aldergrove airbase in Co Antrim (Charles McQuillan/PA) Mr Biden had long sought the presidency and in 1988 an unsuccessful run for the Democratic Party nomination was in part halted by plagiarism claims, including that he had incorporated lines used by former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock into his speeches. When Mr Obama picked Mr Biden as his running mate in 2008 for his successful White House campaign, he selected a man from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who understood and knew how to communicate with the working class voters that were kingmakers in the swing states. With a life touched by personal tragedies including the loss of his first wife and a child in a car crash just after he was elected as US senator for Delaware in 1972, tragedy struck again in 2015 with the death of his son Beau Biden. It was possibly a factor in his decision not to seek the Democratic nomination eventually won by Hillary Clinton. Four years later he was seen as the only candidate who could prevent a second term for Donald Trump and successfully won an ill-tempered contest carried out against the background of the pandemic. US President Joe Biden visiting Knock Shrine and Basilica in Mayo with Fr Richard Gibbons (Andrew Downes/Julien Behal/PA) US President Joe Biden arriving to address the Oireachtas Eireann, the Parliament of Ireland, at Leinster House (Liam McBurney/PA) US President Joe Biden walks with Sabina Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain, in Phoenix Park, Dublin, on day three of his visit to the island of Ireland (Brian Lawless/PA) He wasted no time in returning to the UK and Ireland after taking the keys to the Oval Office. His visit to the island of Ireland saw him greeted by large crowds as he noted he was visiting the land of his ancestors. US President Joe Biden embraces James Martin, who starred in the Oscar winning short film An Irish Goodbye, as he visits Ulster University in Belfast (Aaron Chown/PA) US President Joe Biden and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with camogie players at Farmleigh House, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive for a reception hosted by the King at Buckingham Palace (Markus Schreiber/AP) US President Joe Biden addresses US Air Force personnel at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk (Joe Giddens/PA) Queen Elizabeth II speaks to US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill at a reception at the Eden Project (Jack Hill/The Times/PA) Mr Biden had already forged important personal relations with British and Irish leaders during his spell as Mr Obamas number two. Then prime minister Gordon Brown meets then US vice president Joe Biden (right) (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Britains then prime minister David Cameron greets then US vice president Joe Biden at the British Residence in Washington (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Joe Biden with other world leaders in Cornwall (Leon Neal/PA) The president met Pope Francis during the G7 summit in Italy. A week earlier he had been in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. And the 75th anniversary summit for Nato gave him a chance to meet another UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the fourth person to occupy that role during Mr Bidens presidency. (Left to right) Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden attending the D-Day 80 International Ceremony at Omaha Beach, Normandy (Abaca Press/Alamy Stock/PA) US President Joe Biden (right) welcomes Pope Francis ahead of a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean, during the G7 leaders summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Puglia, Apulia, Italy (Christopher Furlong/PA) President Joe Biden speaks to the media as he arrives to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, last week. AP Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for president following Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 race and endorse her. "I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Harris said in a statement on Sunday. Joe Biden announced he will not be standing for re-election in the upcoming American presidential campaign at around 6.46pm (GMT) on Sunday. The current US President ended his re-election campaign via a statement posted on social media, saying "it is in the best interest of my party and the country. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, he wrote, addressing the American people. "And while it as been my intention to seek re election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. He backed his Vice President as his replacement. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this, he wrote on X.. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content More of the 81-year-old Presidents Democratic colleagues have been calling on him to end his re-election bid in recent weeks, particularly after two excruciating verbal slip-ups he made earlier this month. The first came during a Nato summit event on Thursday when Mr Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin, Mr Biden said at summit in Washington, drawing gasps from those in the room before correcting himself. Later he mixed up the name of his vice president, Kamala Harris, and his Republican rival Donald Trump. Responded to a question about his confidence in Ms Harris at a solo press conference, Mr Biden said: Look, I wouldnt have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if she was not qualified to be president. So start there. This time he failed to correct the gaffe. Joe Biden confuses Kamala Harris with former President Trump Read more Trump turns sights on Harris after Biden abandons race for the White House Reacting to the news, Donald Trump posted on his platform Truth Social: "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve - and never was!" "He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. "All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasnt capable of being President, and he wasnt. "We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary who is also currently the chancellor for Queens University Belfast, released a statement thanking President Biden for his service and joining him in endorsing Vice President Harris. "[We] will do whatever we can to support her, they said. Weve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything weve got to elect her. Americas future depends on it. 'It is Donald Trump's election to lose' - expert reacts to Biden's withdrawal Niall Stanage, a US-based journalist from Northern Ireland who reports on The White House, said President Bidens decision is an historic moment in American politics. He told Sky News: This is the first president since Lyndon Johnson in the late 1960s to decide against a run for re-election - more dramatic, if anything, in President Bidens case in deciding to step aside. I think its an effort to perhaps protect his legacy but also a recognition that following that catastrophic debate performance on June 27, he was almost inevitably going to lose to Donald Trump if he pressed ahead. And even I think his staunchest allies would have thought that would be a very sad way to go out for a man who has been in public service for half a century. He said Bidens decision to remain in the White House for now meant he was in a tricky situation to say the very least. Although he doesnt really go into the details of why he is not running, everyone saw the worrying signs as far as his faculty was concerned in that debate performance I just mentioned, he added. So in effect he is saying that he accepts the criticism that he wouldnt be capable of serving a second term or at least he accepts that perception. And I think it is legitimate then to question whether it is prudent for him to remain in the Oval Office until January of next year when the next president will be inaugurated. Now I do think its important to disentangle that from the fact that Trump is saying it and Republicans are saying it in order to get some political advantage as well and to try to stick the Democrats generally with the charge of irresponsibility. Not shy of stirring up controversy knowingly, the Commander In Chief will be remembered across the island of Ireland for various off-the-cuff remarks he made during his visit here last year. In a fleeting visit to Northern Ireland last April which lasted less than 24 hours he gave a speech at Ulster Universitys new Belfast campus, where he expressed hopes for a return to power-sharing at Stormont, as he praised 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement. In a landmark address, he described how Belfast has transformed from the city he visited in 1991, saying it was an incredible testament to the power and the possibilities of peace. He then visited the Republic, including his ancestral homeplace of Ballina in Co Mayo. In May 2023, after the trip, he told supporters he came to Ireland to make sure the Brits didnt screw around during a speech in New York. He also joked about getting into trouble with the Catholic Church for the way he blesses himself these days. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Irelands Taoiseach Simon Harris thanked Mr Biden following Sundays news. He said Mr Biden had expressed a "fierce pride" in his Irish ancestry and had acted as a voice for "reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions". "Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this," he said. "On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home. "The outpouring of love and support from the public, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina was testament to how highly the President is held in his ancestral home." Earlier Ireland's Tanaiste reacted to Mr Biden's withdrawal decision with "sadness and admiration". Micheal Martin described Mr Biden as an "abiding friend of Ireland". "I heard the news of President Biden's decision with both sadness and admiration," Mr Martin said in a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter. "He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island. "His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US "This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. "I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best." Hollywood stars and singers back Kamala Harris after Joe Biden withdraws from presidential race Director of new Kneecap movie: Unionists will enjoy it too, if they turn out for it Rich Peppiatt insists the dark comedy biopic about Belfast Irish language rappers has genuine cross-community appeal Kneecap in west Belfast (Photo: Kevin Scott) Kurtis Reid Sun 21 Jul 2024 at 09:30 The director of a film based on the rise of Irish language rap group Kneecap has urged unionists to watch it. NI actor James Nesbitt hungry to get back to work after baby break: Im looking for the next thing Coleraine actor took time off to help raise his partners little girl James Nesbitt and Katy Gleadhill in 2019 (Photo: Getty) Kelly Allen Sun 21 Jul 2024 at 11:00 James Nesbitt is hungry to get back to work after taking some time off. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. New Green River Farms occupants want to prove regenerative farming can work in Williamstown and it can be profitable, too GREAT BARRINGTON For Mark Giarrusso, construction is like sports, and he teaches his workers the same lesson he instilled in his children: By the time the gate or, in this case, the truck door opens, you should know your game plan. On Wednesday afternoon, Giarrussos training was in full effect. Sixteen construction workers moved across the dirt lot on Thrushwood Lane at high speed, carting beams and unpacking the frame of the five-bedroom home they were set to assemble that day. The goal? Beat the rain and thunder. Giarrusso and his Maine-based construction team are in the process of installing two hybrid houses on the Thrushwood Lane plot. The homes arrived in prefabricated sections last week from a factory in Pennsylvania. One is now standing, waiting for siding, a screened porch and the two-car garage to be completed. The men were unpacking and assembling the other that afternoon. The houses arrived with the electrical wiring, kitchens and bathrooms already installed, cutting down on construction time for Giarrusso and his team. Besides saving time, Giarrusso said the hybrid model also reduces waste considerably and cuts costs. He estimates that he saves 20 percent right out of the gate, plus additional savings during construction. I say lets get whatever we can from the factory, Giarrusso said. Youre not going to be able to tell its modular. No way. The houses cost Giarrusso just under $400 per square foot to build, totaling between $1,430,000 and $1,600,000. Giarrusso plans to sell the homes on Thrushwood Lane at market value between $1.5 million and $1.7 million. Giarrusso studied civil engineering in school, and worked in carpentry to pay for it. After graduating, he stuck with it; for 11 years he served as president and owner of the Giarrusso Co., a high-end remodeling firm. In his new role as president of Hybrid Built Homes, Giarrusso draws on his engineering and architecture background to put his own spin on the designs, both during assembly at the factory and once the pieces have arrived on-site. As I see it, Im not ordering a house per se, Giarusso said. Im ordering boxes. The whole process takes about eight weeks, Giarrusso said, plus time to complete driveways and landscaping. To build a non-hybrid single family home takes an average of about seven months, according to a 2019 construction survey from the Census Bureau. That timeline may extend further, with construction workers in high demand in Massachusetts and across the nation. Giarrusso said his goal is to list the houses by Labor Day. If they make a profit, he and his partner, David Margulies, who owns the land, plan to build three more homes on Thrushwood Lane: Two this fall and another next spring. A gun owner inserts a magzine into a handgun that he keeps in a portable case with biometric fingerprint access in Louisburg, Kan., on March 21, 2022. In Massachusetts, legislative leaders on Thursday passed a compromise gun safety bill and sent it to Gov. Maura Healey's desk. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. A man facing a spate of theft charges has told a Judge he couldn't sign on at a Garda station on 29 occasions - because he was too busy working in the bog. Martin O'Hara was brought before Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal by detectives for continually breaching his bail conditions. Advertisement The 38-year-old told Judge Eiteain Cunningham that this was his first job for years and that he simply couldn't make it to Ballyshannon Garda Station to sign on. O'Hara is due to sign on three times a week at Ballyshannon Garda Station but has missed signing on 29 times since April. Detective Garda Shonagh Rowley told the court that she met O'Hara by arrangement and was now applying for O'Hara's bail to be revoked. Solicitor for O'Hara, Mr Rory O'Brien said his client has employment for the first time in a considerable number of years and he is finally putting a right step forward. Advertisement O'Hara said he held his hands up and told Judge Cunningham that he was trying to better my life and was not seeking to make excuses for not signing on. O'Hara said he was working in the bog and also doing some painting, adding I do a bit of everything. A jack of all trades and a master of none. He said that he was homeless, has been sleeping in a van, but has been working since April, which is his first employment since the early 2000s. Mr O'Brien asked Judge Cunningham to give O'Hara one last and final chance and to reset the bar in terms of his bail. A letter speaking highly of O'Hara was shown to gardai. Advertisement Sergeant Maurice Doyle asked O'Hara why he did not apply to vary his bail conditions when he last appeared in court. That was my downfall, said O'Hara, who admitted that he made a mistake in not telling his solicitor about his employment at an earlier date. Sergeant Doyle put it to O'Hara that he had shown a blatant disregard for bail conditions and the defendant said he was begging the Judge for one more chance. Ireland Israeli tech firm ordered to pay 35,000 to Irish... Read More Judge Cunningham said it was concerning that there were 29 alleged breaches of the condition and said: When the court considers bail, it does so on condition that they are adhered to rigorously. Judge Cunningham said on the basis that there did seem to be some form of rehabilitation in place, she would afford one final opportunity to O'Hara. I want to be extremely clear that the court will keep this under strict monitoring to ensure there is not one deviation, Judge Cunningham said. Judge Cunningham warned him that the matter will be kept under very close monitoring, and he faces a spell in custody if he is found in breach of conditions again. Taoiseach Simon Harris has thanked Joe Biden for his friendship to the Irish nation after the US president withdrew his bid for re-election. The Taoiseach said Mr Biden had been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Advertisement Mr Biden was warmly welcomed to Ireland last year for a trip that included addressing the Dail as well as tracing his family roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo. He also visited Northern Ireland and met then UK prime minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast, as well as undertaking an engagement at the Ulster University. US President Joe Biden delivers a speech at St Muredachs Cathedral in Ballina, on the last day of his visit to the island of Ireland. Photo: PA. Advertisement Mr Harris paid tribute to Mr Biden following the announcement on Sunday evening that he had withdrawn from the US presidential race. In a statement, the Taoiseach said: On behalf of the people and government of Ireland, I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US presidential election. He said Mr Biden had expressed a fierce pride in his Irish ancestry and had acted as a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions. Joe Biden, in all the offices he has held, has always been an unwavering voice and passionate worker for peace on the island of Ireland and our country owes him a great debt for this, he said. Advertisement My statement on US President @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/5WltCqip06 Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 21, 2024 Advertisement On a personal level, President Biden is a proud American with an Irish soul. When he arrived into Belfast, Louth and Mayo last year he himself said it was like coming home. The outpouring of love and support from the public, even in the pouring Irish rain, from Carlingford to Ballina was testament to how highly the President is held in his ancestral home. Earlier, the Tanaiste reacted to Mr Bidens withdrawal decision with sadness and admiration. Advertisement US President Joe Biden receiving a standing ovation after addressing the Oireachtas Eireann during his visit to the island of Ireland. Photo: Tony Maxwell/PA. Tanaiste Micheal Martin described Mr Biden as an abiding friend of Ireland. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness and admiration, Mr Martin said in a post on the social network X, formerly Twitter. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace and prosperity on this island. I heard the news of President Bidens decision with both sadness & admiration. He has been an abiding friend of Ireland, providing invaluable support for peace & prosperity on this island. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/pbamsn5Tmx Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 21, 2024 Ireland Taoiseach pressed over need for talks after Cooloc... Read More His visit last year will long be remembered as a powerful & joyous celebration of our relationship with the US This has no doubt been the toughest of calls, but one done, as ever, with dignity and class. I know that the people of Ireland will wish President Biden the very best. US President Joe Biden says he is ready to return to the campaign trail next week, but he faces a growing chorus of Democrats calling for him to step aside. Mr Biden has been resting at his beach home in Delaware since contracting Covid, and the White House said on Saturday his symptoms continue to improve steadily. Advertisement But his time away from the spotlight has done nothing to diminish the focus on him, with Democrats churning over whether he should stay in the race for the White House after his dismal debate performance raised open questions about the 81-year-olds ability to mount a convincing campaign to defeat Donald Trump. Nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress have now said it is time for Mr Biden to leave the race. There is also party turmoil over whether his Vice-President Kamala Harris is next in line for the job or if a mini-primary should be quickly launched to choose a new nominee before the Democrat convention in August. US vice-president Kamala Harris has led the Democrats campaign this week in Joe Bidens absence (Erin Schaff/The New York Times/AP) Advertisement Ms Harris hit the campaign fundraising circuit on Saturday in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and picked up a nod from the states prominent Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren. She said before the visit that if Mr Biden was to step aside, his vice-president is ready to step up. At the event, which organisers said raised two million US dollars (1.5 million) and was attended by 1,000 guests, Ms Harris did not mention the calls for Mr Biden to leave the race or for her to replace him, instead repeating one of her regular campaign lines: Were going to win this election. To a cheering crowd, she added: Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in equality? Do we believe in the promise of America? Then are we ready to fight for it? When we fight, we win. Advertisement Later as she boarded her plane to leave, Ms Harris flashed a thumbs-up after reporters asked how Mr Biden is doing as he recovers from Covid-19. Installing Ms Harris at the top of the ticket, which would be a history-making moment for the party elevating the first woman, black person and person of South Asian descent as its presidential nominee, is not at all certain. Nancy Pelosi is a key voice within the Democrats (Karl B DeBlaker/AP) Advertisement Officials from the highest ranks, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, prefer an open process, some believing it would strengthen any Democratic nominee to confront Republican Mr Trump. Speaking herself to a room full of North Carolina Democrats on Saturday, Ms Pelosi did little to quell speculation on Mr Bidens path forward. An event billed as the annual Unity Dinner came during a time of significant national discord within the Democrats. Ms Pelosi gave a speech largely absent of mentions of Mr Bidens presidential bid. Advertisement She spent most of her address recounting battles over budget and policy in the US House, highlighting the importance of funding public education and reiterating the dangers of the Republican agenda. When she did mention Mr Biden, it was mostly to tout his administrations policies. At the end of her speech, Ms Pelosi shifted to discussing the partys plans in the coming months and chose to focus on Democratic mobilisation efforts rather than who to mobilise behind. Are you ready for a Democratic president? Ms Pelosi said amid cheers. I thought so. House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted that Republicans would challenge whether Democrats can legally replace Mr Biden as the nominee if he steps down. I think they have got legal hurdles in some of these states, and itll be litigated, I would expect, on the ground there and they will have to sort through that. They have got a real problem, Mr Johnson said on CNNs State Of The Union. On Sunday, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia who became an independent in May after years as a Democrat urged Mr Biden to drop his re-election bid and focus instead on the remaining months of his presidency. He told CNN: I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think its time to pass the torch to a new generation. The Biden campaign is touting a joint letter by state Democratic Party chairs from seven swing states that urges Democrats to unite around Mr Biden. We understand the anxiety. But the best antidote to political anxiety is taking action. You cant wring your hands when youre rolling up your sleeves, said the party chairs from Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. Democratic politicians hailed US President Joe Bidens historic decision on Sunday not to seek re-election, praising him for putting his country and his party before himself. Republicans called on him to resign from office, saying that if he could not run for another term, office, then he is unable to serve as president. Advertisement Mr Bidens announcement came after more than two weeks of Democrats urging him to withdraw from the race. Advertisement Nearly three dozen lawmakers had publicly called on him to end his re-election bid. Others had voiced concerns privately about what the ramifications would be for down-ballot Democrats if he remained in the race. When the president heeded those concerns, Democrats called it a selfless move. Advertisement Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Republicans have seized on Mr Bidens poor debate performance last month to batter him as incapable of serving four more years. Now that he is out of the presidential election, many said he should resign his office, too. If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough, House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement. If the Democratic party has deemed Joe Biden unfit to run for re-election, hes certainly unfit to control our nuclear codes. Biden must step down from office immediately, tweeted Minnesota Republican Representative Tom Emmer. Advertisement Donald Trumps running mate, JD Vance, who was initially expected to face off against Kamala Harris in a debate, linked her on Sunday to all Mr Bidens policies. Joe Biden has been the worst President in my lifetime and Kamala Harris has been right there with him every step of the way. Over the last four years she co-signed Biden's open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. She owns all of these JD Vance (@JDVance1) July 21, 2024 Advertisement Mr Vance said Ms Harris co-signed Mr Bidens border and climate policies and that those drove up prices for housing and groceries. She owns all of these failures, Mr Vance said on X, formerly Twitter. President Trump and I are ready to save America, whoevers at the top of the Democrat ticket, the Ohio senator said. Bring it on. Mr Bidens former chief of staff, Ron Klain, called on Democrats to quickly unite around Vice President Kamala Harris as the natural successor to Mr Biden, saying on social media that its time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign. Lets get real and win in November, Mr Klain said. But in their initial statements, many Democrats made no mention of Ms Harris. Some are calling for an open process in selecting the next Democratic presidential nominee. Mr Schumer and Senator Dick Durbin, the top two Senate Democrats, did not offer support for Ms Harris. Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort, Mr Durbin said. Rep Lloyd Doggett of Texas, the first House Democrat to call on Mr Biden to step down, said once again President Biden comes through for America, putting country over ego in a way that Donald Trump never could. He said that while Ms Harris is clearly the leading candidate to replace Mr Biden, we should be open to all talented individuals who wish to be considered. Many Democrats did quickly assemble behind Ms Harris. The leaders of two of the largest Democratic House caucuses, Representatives Pramila Jayapal, chair of the left-wing Congressional Progressive Caucus and Annie Kuster, chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, endorsed Ms Harris on Sunday afternoon. The endorsements were part of an effort among Democrats in Congress to quickly assemble behind a candidate and try to put behind them the weeks of intraparty tension that have marked the aftermath of the June 27 debate. Millions of Americans cast their ballots for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the primary. Vice President Harris has proven time and time again that she can prosecute the case against Donald Trump and campaign vigorously for Democrats down the ballot, Ms Jayapal said in a statement. The Congressional Black Caucus also, through its political action committee, gave its support to Ms Harris as the next Democratic nominee. The black caucus had stood by Mr Biden since the debate last month even as many other Democrats called for him to step aside. Several Democratic senators individually weighed in with support for Ms Harris, including Patty Murray of Washington, Mark Warner of Virginia, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. The reaction to Mr Bidens announcement reverberated around the county and the world. Then-president Barack Obama presents then-vice president Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in 2017 (Susan Walsh/AP) Former President Barack Obama saluted his vice president of eight years. Joe Biden has been one of Americas most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, weve also been reminded again that hes a patriot of the highest order, Mr Obama said. Internationally, Israels president, Isaac Herzog, offered heartfelt thanks to Mr Biden for supporting the Israeli people over his long career. Mr Herzog wrote on social media that Mr Biden was the first American president to visit Israel at a time of war, after the October 7 Hamas attack and called Mr Biden a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our two peoples. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Mr Biden for his leadership and said the alliance between their two countries has never been stronger. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged the difficult decision Mr Biden had to make and said: Poland, America and the world are safer and democracy stronger because of the US president. The Israeli military issued call-up notices to 1,000 members of the ultra-Orthodox community on Sunday in a move meant to bolster the army's ranks but which could further inflame tensions between religious and secular Israelis. The Supreme Court ruled last month that the defence ministry could no longer grant blanket exemptions to Jewish seminary students from the conscript military. Advertisement That arrangement had been in place since around the time of Israel's establishment in 1948 when the number of ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, was tiny. The new policy shift has been opposed by the two religious parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, placing severe strains on the right-wing coalition as the war in Gaza continues. Leaders of the rapidly growing ultra-Orthodox community say that forcing seminary students to serve alongside secular Israelis, including women, risks destroying their identity as religious Jews. Some rabbis have urged anyone in their community who receives call-up orders to burn them. Still, not all Haredim refuse to serve. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have created a number of units for the ultra-Orthodox. Advertisement A number of new Haredi recruits already in the system who had not sought exemptions reported for duty on Sunday, even though they hoped a middle ground could be reached. "If you want to draft Haredis, first learn what you need to do to draft Haredis. Don't do it forcefully," said Netsach Cohen (19) before entering the recruitment base. Others from more devout Haredi communities said they would never agree to serve in the military. "Whoever does not understand the value of study cannot understand why Haredis do not want to be recruited," said David Mizrahi, 22-year-old seminary student from Jerusalem. Advertisement Forcing the issue will make the dispute worse, he said. Following the first set of call-ups, further notices for an initial total of 3,000 ultra-Orthodox conscripts are expected to be sent out in coming weeks. The government is still trying to pass a conscription law that would potentially create some limited compromise and resolve the issue before it threatens the stability of the coalition. However, with Israeli troops still fighting in Gaza, more than nine months after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7th, and a growing threat of war in Lebanon, pressure from the army and secular Israelis to spread the burden of serving in the military has grown sharply. Israelis are bound by law to serve in the military from the age of 18 for 24-32 months. Members of Israel's 21-per cent Arab minority are mostly exempt, though some do serve. - Reuters As business leaders, celebrities, sporting bureaucrats and miscellaneous grifters head to Paris for the Olympics, one group that will be largely sidelined is politicians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wont be making the trip to Paris to cheer on the Australian Olympic team. Official duties will instead fall to Sports Minister Anika Wells. Not even Governor-General Sam Mostyn will be there. In Sydney back in 2000, proximity and host-nation status made it politically acceptable for prime minister John Howard and his wife, Janette, to turn into Games super-fans. However, straitened times have now even prevented politicians of 2032 host city Brisbane from attending. Missing out: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Neither Premier Steven Miles nor Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, who is rated a good chance of winning Octobers election, will be in Paris. As far as we can tell, the most senior Queensland politician heading to Paris will be Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Earlier this month, the owner of prominent provider BailSafe was arrested and charged as part of an ongoing investigation into the bail compliance industry. BailSafe director Jackson Oppy, 48, has been charged with possessing methylamphetamine and possessing steroids. BailSafe has been involved in numerous bail hearings since it was founded in 2022. Another 63-year-old man from Sunshine North linked to the same investigation has been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing heroin and possessing methamphetamine. In April, the operator of Australian Forensic Treatment Rehabilitation, David John Millar was arrested and interviewed as part of perjury investigation related to the work of AFTR. Millar has not been charged. The rehabilitation service has provided assessments and testimony since 2020 on behalf of a number of serious organised and violent criminals. Loading Victoria Polices Taskforce Lunar has several active investigations in relation to privately operated bail support or compliance companies, a police spokesperson said. Victoria Police will pursue all relevant investigations to identify where criminal offences are suspected to have occurred or have been committed by individuals and/or companies operating these bail support services. Victoria Police declined to comment on the circumstances of the individual cases. Millar was under investigation for perjury in relation to testimony he provided earlier this year in the successful bail application of a lieutenant in the Hamad crime syndicate, a shadowy underworld crew that has been linked to dozens of firebombings and shootings related to Melbournes tobacco war. Loading Police have alleged in court that Millar provided Majid Alibadi with a fake GPS tracker despite testifying the accused would be under constant monitoring. Information provided to police and the court in relation to the capabilities and activities of AFTR were not accurate, Detective Leading Senior Constable Matthew Lindsay told Melbourne Magistrates Court in May. The device provided to Mr Alibadi was a watch and did not have the capacity to provide GPS tracking. The device provided to Mr Alibadi could be removed from his wrist and there was no alert when it occurred. Its not the first time Australian Forensic Treatment Rehabilitations capabilities have been called into question in court. The organisation, which claims in promotional materials that 99 per cent of AFTR clients are bailed or subject to court orders, purports to provide 24-hour GPS monitoring. During a court hearing in February, it emerged that there were potential gaps in its services as staff generally only check their notifications during business hours or thereabouts, limiting the ability of breaches being promptly reported to the [police]. [The offender] openly stated he was willing to change his version of events in order to achieve the desired outcome, namely, bail Judge Concerns have also been raised about a plan to bail an accused arsonist-for-hire to a Shepparton rehabilitation facility, The Cottage, following testimony of a police officer about alleged criminality and security lapses at the centre. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Ferwerda told a court there was an active investigation related to drug trafficking at The Cottage, and staff had previously failed to report a person as missing. Loading I dont believe its a fit place to send someone on bail, Ferwerda said. The Cottage general manager Aaron Gilhooley denied the claims. In February 2019, a drug rehab service known as the Wellbeing Planet was raided and shut down by police after the discovery of a secret doorway connecting the Elsternwick facility to a clandestine drug lab next door. The Department of Justice and Community Safety declined to comment on the emergence of the bail industry or its lack of regulation. The Department of Health said complaints about privately run facilities that offered drug and alcohol programs should be made to the health complaints commissioner. Court Services Victoria, which is responsible for the administration of the court system, said: Any allegation of criminal conduct or the misuse of bail support services and programs is deeply concerning. It said it was up to the parties in individual cases to challenge evidence presented in court, because judicial officers do not conduct investigations or inquiries outside the courtroom. But there has been mounting disquiet among some members of the judiciary about the services. In July 2023, Oppy from BailSafe testified about the proposed bail and rehab arrangements for an offender accused of firing a 12-gauge shotgun into a car window as part of an armed robbery. A difficulty is that Mr Oppy does not appear to me to have the requisite qualifications to diagnose a severe substance disorder and there is no properly qualified medical professional to make these assessments, Justice Lex Lasry found in his decision to deny bail. The arrangements to be made by BailSafe are almost entirely online. Perths leafy western suburbs are bearing the brunt of an exotic pest that is threatening the future of the citys already dismal urban tree canopy. Data obtained by this masthead shows inner-city councils have logged the highest number of premises infected with polyphagous shot-hole borer with Nedlands leading the pack with 345 cases followed by Melville (145) and Claremont (105). Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development deputy director-general Mia Carbon said the $44 million response to the south-east Asian beetle was the single biggest biosecurity response undertaken in the departments history. The pest kills trees via boring holds in trees, in which it plants a fungus that it farms for food but which stops trees transferring nutrients, slowly killing them. Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (45) 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) In some places, Fridays mass tech outage resembled the beginning of an apocalyptic zombie movie. Supermarket checkouts were felled across the country and shoppers were turned away, airports became shelters for stranded passengers, and live TV and radio presenters were left scrambling to fill airtime. The iconic Windows blue screen of death hit millions of devices globally and rendered them effectively useless. The ABCs national youth station Triple J issued a call-out for anyone who could come to their Sydney studio to DJ in person. One woman was reportedly unable to open her smart fridge to access her food. Credit: Jim Pavlidis All because of a failure at CrowdStrike, a company that most of us least of all those who were worst hit had never heard of before. Its thought to be the worst tech outage in history and Australia was at its epicentre: the crisis began here, and spread to Europe and the US as the day progressed. Surgeries were cancelled in Austria, Japanese airlines cancelled flights and Indian banks were knocked offline. It was a horrifying demonstration of how interconnected global technology is, and how quickly things can fall apart. I sent my first-ever email in 1997, the year of Princess Dianas death and Hotmails birth, using my housemates email address during a working holiday in London. During the months before that, Id met travellers who were excited about this new way of keeping in touch, but I eschewed the new technology. Instead, I spent a day sitting in the Istanbul sun writing 30 postcards, none of which ever arrived (likely thanks to the circular conversation Id had in the post office: Austria? No, Australia). My email address has been my identity. I cant dispense with it lightly. Credit: Shutterstock Fast-forward more than 25 years and Im encountering a modern-day version of those wayward postcards. Three months ago, the trusty email addresses I set up after returning home to Australia stopped fully working. Mysteriously, and for reasons Im not technologically qualified to explain, I could send emails from my phone or my service providers archaic webmail platform but not from my laptop. Suffice to say, Optus recognises its not just me. This is a wider problem. And for a freelancer like me, who runs a business largely via email, its a big problem. It seems that both Optus and Telstra are ceasing support for their email addresses (optusnet and bigpond respectively). I say seems because finding official information is proving difficult. From what I can find (mainly thanks to a PC repair business blog), Telstras decision to gradually ditch bigpond emails was announced back in 2022, accompanied by an option for users to set up a slightly different and possibly paid address via Microsoft. The only info I can find about Optus is Reddit rumours. From what I can gather, telcos initially offered email addresses as a customer loyalty tactic because, unlike mobile phone numbers being transferrable when you switch providers, its not possible to transfer an optusnet email address to another telecommunications company. For me, at least until now, that loyalty drive has worked extremely well. Jet lag: June 4 to 27 Biden flew to Europe twice and to the West Coast over a 14-day period before taking just a few days to rest at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Biden and wife Jill Biden at the Normandy American Cemetery on June 6 after a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Credit: AP Biden was tired and dragging by the end of the travel, according to several people who observed him during this period. He and his aides headed to Camp David for focused prep sessions on June 21, where they peppered Biden with details, then followed up with mock debates for the better part of seven days. A bad night: June 27 In CNNs Atlanta studios, Biden stumbled over his words and lost his train of thought. His delivery, appearance and voice drew the immediate attention of reporters, who asked his aides for an explanation. Former president Donald Trump debates Biden in Atlanta on June 27. Credit: AP Officials told reporters some new information while the debate was under way: Biden was sick with a cold, they said. Bidens hoarseness would improve as the debate went on but his disjointed answers took voters, donors and Democratic officials by surprise. One Democratic strategist called it a disaster. Trump, 78, repeated a series of well-worn, glaring falsehoods during the 90-minute debate, including claims that he actually had won the 2020 election. Biden failed to refute them, leaving sentences and thoughts unfinished. Trump jabbed Biden for being incoherent: I really dont know what he said at the end of that sentence. I dont think he knows what he said. Fallout: June 27 to July 2 I know Im not a young man, to state the obvious, Biden said the day after the debate, admitting a poor performance. Nearly fell asleep on stage, he said on July 2. Calls for Biden to step down would start in the hours after the debate. Calls from Biden aides to worried Democrats facing re-election campaigns who saw their political futures flashing before their eyes, wouldnt start until days later. Some Democrats started to break ranks, starting with US Representative Lloyd Doggett on July 2, and then gathering steam. Amid the fallout from the disastrous debate, the Bidens campaign in North Carolina the following day. Credit: AP Angry donors told Bidens aides they would need to see a turnaround in the candidates performance. Senior Democrats and Biden allies also began to hint at changes to the ticket. House of Representatives Democrat Jim Clyburn a kingmaker of sorts within the Democratic Party who was instrumental in Bidens 2020 win said on July 2 that he would back Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden did depart and suggested the idea of a mini-primary if Biden stepped aside. Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, a longtime Biden ally, said it was legitimate to ask whether Bidens performance in Atlanta was an episode or a condition. She also hinted that Biden would need to examine his choice to say in the race. The dam breaks: July 5 to 8 Biden would fail to quiet the chorus of dissent. In his first major interview after the debate, on July 5, Biden told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos that only the Lord Almighty could cast him from the race. More worrying to some Democrats, Biden said he could accept remaining in the race and losing to Trump as long as I gave it my all and I did as good a job as I know I can do. Loading Thirty-six Democratic US lawmakers and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats would ultimately call for Biden to step off the ticket over the 24 days that followed the debate. NATO, polls: July 9 to 12 Biden tried to move on. He gave interviews, held a press conference and gave stern speeches on the campaign trail as well as at the NATO summit of US allies. But the events sometimes raised more concerns than they quieted. At the NATO summit during the second week of July, Biden mixed up the names of his Vice President Harris and his Republican rival Trump, and those of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose countries are at war with each other. Biden introduces Ukrainian President Zelensky (right) as President Putin at the NATO summit on July 11. Credit: AP Polls showed Biden trailing other Democrats in many of the key states and districts Democrats need to win in November, though polls nationwide continued to point to a close race. Biden was unmoved, still believing he was the best candidate to face Trump, that he could rebound from this setback as he has so many times before, a view reinforced by a close circle of aides. Trump rally shooting: July 13 Trump was shot while giving a speech in Pennsylvania. The bullet grazed his ear, bloodied his face, and photos of the former president holding up his fist in defiance were shown widely. Trump is hustled offstage by Secret Service agents shortly after being shot in Pennsylvania on July 13. Credit: AP Republicans spoke of divine providence, unifying around their candidate. Democrats worried if their own chances were cursed, seeing only a narrower path to any victory in November. Days later, Biden got COVID-19 while campaigning in Nevada. Recuperating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home, he would be left with time, alone and in isolation, to decide whether and how to end his campaign. Israeli Airstrikes in Yemen Kill and Injure Dozens After Houthi Drone Hits Tel Aviv (Photo: Sam Al-Sabri/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain ) Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, following a deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi movement. The airstrikes reportedly hit storage facilities for oil and diesel at a port in Hodeidah, causing substantial damage and casualties. According to Al-Masirah TV, controlled by the Houthi movement, the airstrikes also targeted a local electricity company, resulting in widespread power outages. Health officials in Yemen confirmed multiple deaths and injuries but did not provide specific numbers. The strikes ignited a large fire at the port, exacerbating the chaos. The Israeli military stated that its fighter jets targeted military assets of the Houthis in the Al Hudaydah Port area in retaliation for the recent drone attack on Tel Aviv, which killed at least one person and injured eight others. "The strikes were in response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against the State of Israel in recent months," the military said. A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that Israel conducted the airstrikes independently, with no involvement from the United States. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the Israeli actions, describing them as a "blatant Israeli aggression" aimed at increasing the suffering of the Yemeni people and pressuring Yemen to stop supporting Gaza. The Houthi rebels have been embroiled in a decade-long civil war against Yemen's internationally recognized government. They have also launched numerous attacks on Israeli targets and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, in solidarity with Hamas. The Houthis claim their latest strike on Tel Aviv marks a "new phase" in their operations against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the airstrikes, asserting that the port targeted was used for military purposes and as an entry point for weapons supplied by Iran to the Houthis. "I have a message for Israel's enemies: don't get us wrong, we will protect ourselves in every way, on every front. Anyone who harms us will pay a very heavy price for his aggression," Netanyahu said. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the seriousness of the retaliation, noting that this was the first instance where the Houthis had directly harmed an Israeli citizen. "The blood of Israeli citizens has a price. This has been made clear in Lebanon, in Gaza, in Yemen, and in other places - if they dare to attack us, the result will be identical," Gallant stated. The drone attack in Tel Aviv caused a large explosion early Friday morning, shattering windows and spreading shrapnel. Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, boasting that the attack showcased a new drone capable of bypassing enemy interception systems. However, U.S. officials believe the drone used was an existing model with a modified fuel tank to extend its range. The explosion occurred near the U.S. consulate in Tel Aviv, but no American casualties were reported. The incident has heightened security concerns and underscored the Houthis' expanding reach and capabilities. Since January, U.S. and British forces have been conducting airstrikes in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. These strikes have had limited success in deterring the Houthis, who continue to launch drones and missiles at Israeli and Western targets. Israeli officials have decided to take a more direct approach, with Defense Minister Gallant informing U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin of the airstrikes in advance. Gallant stated that the swift response was possible due to months of preparation for such a scenario. The airstrikes have drawn condemnation from various quarters, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas, both of which have expressed solidarity with the Houthis. Iran, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, condemned the Israeli action, warning that it risks igniting a broader conflict in the region. This year will witness two budgets - an interim one in February and a full one this month. This is because an incumbent government cannot present a full Budget just before general elections Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to create history when she presents her seventh straight Budget on Tuesday for the fiscal 2024-25, surpassing the record of former prime minister Morarji Desai. Sitharaman, who will turn 65 next month, was in 2019 appointed as India's first full-time woman finance minister when Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a decisive second term. Since then, she has presented six straight budgets, including an interim one in February this year. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The full Budget for the 2024-25 fiscal (April 2024 to March 2025) will be her seventh straight. She will better Desai's record, who presented consecutive five full budgets and one interim budget between 1959 to 1964. This year will witness two budgets - an interim one in February and a full one this month. This is because an incumbent government cannot present a full Budget just before general elections. The presentation on July 23 will be the first Budget by the BJP-led NDA government since it was re-elected last month. Here are some facts related to Budget presentation in Independent India: First Budget: The first-ever Union Budget of independent India was presented on November 26, 1947, by the nation's first finance minister RK Shanmukham Chetty. Most number of Budgets: Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai holds the record for presenting the most budgets. He has presented a total of 10 budgets during his tenure as finance minister under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and later under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He presented his first budget on February 28, 1959, and presented full budgets in the following two years before presenting an interim one in 1962. This was followed by two full budgets. After four years, he presented another interim budget in 1967, followed by three full budgets in 1967, 1968, and 1969, presenting a total of 10 budgets. Second highest number of Budgets: Former finance minister P Chidambaram presented the budget on nine occasions. He first presented the Budget on March 19, 1996, during the United Front government led by Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. He presented another budget under the same government next year and returned to the hot seat when the Congress-led UPA came to power in 2014. He presented five budgets between 2004 and 2008. After a stint as Union Home Minister, he was back in the finance ministry and presented budgets in 2013 and 2014. Third highest number of Budgets: Pranab Mukherjee presented eight budgets during his tenure as finance minister. He presented budgets in 1982, 1983 and 1984 and five straight ones between February 2009 and March 2012 in the Congress-led UPA government. Manmohan Singh: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presented five straight budgets between 1991 and 1995 when he was finance minister in the P V Narasimha Rao government. Longest Budget speech: Sitharaman holds the record for the longest budget speech when her presentation on February 1, 2020, lasted two hours and 40 minutes. At the time, she cut short her speech with two pages still remaining. Shortest Budget speech: Hirubhai Mulljibhai Patel's interim Budget speech in 1977 is so far the shortest at just 800 words. Timing: The Budget was traditionally presented on the last day of February at 5 pm. The timing followed a colonial era practice when the announcements could be made in London and India at the same time. India is 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the British Summer Time, and so presenting the budget at 5 pm in India ensured that it was happening in the daytime in the United Kingdom. The timing was changed in 1999 when the then finance minister Yashwant Singh in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government presented the budget at 11 am. Since then budgets are presented at 11 am. Date: The Budget presentation date was in 2017 changed to the 1st of February to allow the government to complete the Parliamentary approval process by March-end and allow implementation of the Budget from the start of the fiscal on April 1. Presenting the Budget on February 29 meant that the implementation could not start before May/June after accounting for 2-3 months of the parliamentary approval process. Jayant Acharya tells Ishita Ayan Dutt about the positives on the operations side even as low-cost imports played a spoiler. Edited excerpts: The countrys largest steelmaker by domestic capacity JSW Steel reported a 63.9 per cent year-on-year drop in consolidated net profit to Rs 845 crore in Q1FY25. In an audio interview, JSW Steel joint managing director and chief executive officertells Ishita Ayan Dutt about the positives on the operations side even as low-cost imports played a spoiler. Raw material prices had softened and yet JSW recorded a sharp drop in net profit. What led to the weak performance? Actually, from an operations perspective, the performance is not weak. 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Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) posted a record net profit of Rs 39,619 crore ($ 4.7 billion) on a revenue of Rs 8.66 trillion ($ 104.6 billion) in the 2023-24 (April 2023 to March 2024) fiscal. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The company will continue to invest in fossil fuels and new energy avenues to have a balanced portfolio that will help achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2046, company chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya said in its latest annual report. It will expand oil refining capacity, and invest in petrochemical units that will convert crude oil into value-added chemicals directly, while also increasing its focus on gas, biofuels and clean mobility. "With India's economy on the rise, the energy needs of the country are growing exponentially. As 'The Energy of India', we have been stepping up the pace and expanding our capabilities. We aim to become the nation's lead energiser, fulfilling 12.5 per cent (1/8th) of India's energy needs by 2050," he said. IOC, he said, "embarking on an aspirational journey to become a 'One Trillion Dollar Giant' by 2047". "Our goal to attain a revenue of one trillion dollars is set against the backdrop of India's vision to transform into an economy of over $ 30 trillion by 2047," he added. IOC will "make significant capital investment in both brownfield and greenfield expansions to ensure uninterrupted energy," Vaidya said. "Petrochemical integration will also be a key focus area that will greatly enrich our value chain." While the first phase of petchem expansions at Panipat in Haryana and Paradip in Odisha is complete, the one at Gujarat refinery is scheduled for commissioning in 2024-25. The firm is also setting up a polypropylene unit at Barauni refinery. "We are scaling up our capacity, targeting an increase to 13 million tonnes and achieving a petrochemical intensity index of 15 per cent by 2030," he said. "By integrating petrochemicals into our refining investments, we are expanding our product range to include niche offerings like speciality chemicals and biopolymers." Alongside, it will pursue green initiatives, including hydrogen mobility, hydrogen transportation, biofuels, electric mobility, solar cooktops and minimising water footprint, he said. "In pursuit of our vision for a greener future, your company has resolved to consolidate its green initiatives under a single umbrella by setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary Terra Clean Limited. This new entity will undertake low carbon, new, clean, and green energy businesses," he said. By putting all green initiatives under one arm, IOC is looking to optimise resource allocation, enhance innovation, and implement cutting-edge solutions more efficiently. "As part of its carbon-neutral energy vision, your company plans to establish 1 GW of renewable energy capacity with an investment of over Rs 5,000 crore," the chairman said. "This green arm will spearhead our initiatives in renewable energy, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the energy transition and contribute significantly to India's ambitious renewable energy targets." The firm aims to enhance its renewable energy capacity to 31 GW by 2030, primarily through solar and wind projects, Vaidya said, adding that IOC is integrating renewable power into its refinery operations. It is also energising fuel stations and installations with solar power. IOC has formed a joint venture with Israeli technology company Phinergy for aluminium-air batteries and with Panasonic Energy of Japan for advanced cell manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries in India. "With a vision to propel 'Make in India' for the world, the JV plans to establish a one GWh capacity factory by 2027, with an ambitious expansion to 5 GWh by 2031," he said on the joint venture with Panasonic. IOC also has a joint venture with Sun Mobility Pte Ltd to establish one of the largest battery-swapping networks in India by 2030. In the realm of compressed bioGas (CBG), it plans to set up 30 CBG plants nationwide this year. On hydrogen, the firm is looking to convert half of its current hydrogen consumption to green by 2030. "Our plan involves setting up green hydrogen plants across all refineries and propelling the advent of hydrogen mobility in the country," the chairman noted. IOC is betting big on battery swapping solutions, particularly for the two and three-wheeler segment, with plans to expand this avenue for heavy-duty vehicle applications. Vaidya said India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had in 1956 stated that "oil, everyone knows, is of vast importance in the world today..." "Born from this vision of progress, sovereignty, and self-sufficiency, your company took roots, and today stands at the forefront of India's economic transformation," he said. The firm every single day processes over 1.6 million barrels of crude oil, dispenses fuel to millions through its over 37,500 petrol pumps, delivers more than 26 lakh LPG cylinders and fuels over 2,300 flights. It operates 9 refineries with a cumulative capacity to turn crude oil into fuel of 70.25 million tonnes per annum. It also operates 19,700 km of cross-country pipelines. The firm added 1,260 petrol pumps in 2023-24 to take the total strength to 37,472. It also has 2,110 CNG stations and 9,059 EV charging stations (including 91 battery swapping stations). "As 'The Energy of India', your company is firmly geared up to meet India's evolving energy needs," Vaidya said. Oil demand in India, the world's third-largest energy consumer, is projected to rise from 5.4 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2023 to 9.3 million bpd by 2040. Fulfilling this rising demand will require augmenting the country's refining capacity progressively, from the current 256.8 million tonnes per annum to 450 million tonnes. In addition, the country is set to add 50 GW of renewable energy capacity annually, aiming to achieve 500 gigawatts (GW) of installed renewable capacity by 2030. "As the energy needs of an ascendant India rapidly grow, your company is fully prepared to ramp up both conventional and non-conventional energy options to cater to this increasing demand," Vaidya said. Sameer Nigam, chief executive officer and founder of fintech giant PhonePe, on Sunday evening, offered an unconditional apology if his recent statement related to Karnataka's job reservation bill had hurt anyones sentiments. Nigam recently voiced strong opposition to the Karnataka governments proposed private jobs quota bill, which seeks to reserve a substantial portion of private sector jobs for locals. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Though Karnataka has paused the bill after pushback from tech companies, Nigam of PhonePe has drawn the ire of many Kannadigas following his criticism of the state government's proposed job quota bill. I read some recent media articles, relating to a few personal comments that I made last week regarding the draft job reservation bill. I would first and foremost like to clarify that it was never my intention to insult Karnataka and its people, said Nigam on Sunday. If my comments hurt anyones sentiments in such a way, I am truly sorry and would like to offer you an unconditional apology. I have the highest regard for Kannada, and all other Indian languages. In fact, I truly believe that linguistic diversity and rich cultural heritage are a national asset that all Indians should be proud of; and all Indians should be respectful of and celebrate local and cultural norms, said Nigam. Earlier, in a post on X, Nigam, who has created over 25,000 jobs across India through his ventures, described the bill as unfair to individuals like him who have lived in various states due to their parents employment. I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ years. My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country, he wrote. He further questioned the bills fairness, pondering whether his children, who have grown up in Karnataka, do not deserve jobs in their home city despite his contributions to employment nationwide. Shame, he said on X. The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, was proposed on July 16. It mandated reserving 50 per cent of management-level jobs and 70 per cent of non-management-level jobs for locals. Industry body National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) warned that the restrictions could drive startups and IT companies out of the state, leading to a loss of investment and jobs. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon, also expressed her disapproval of the proposal. Nigam on Sunday said that PhonePe was born in Bengaluru. He said the firm is proud of its roots in this city, which is well known for its world-class technology talent and vibrant diversity. From Bengaluru, over the past decade, he said PhonePe has expanded across the length and breadth of India and been able to deliver secure and efficient digital payments for over 55 crore Indians. He said that Bengaluru's reputation as the "Silicon Valley of India" is truly well-deserved. The city thrives on an incredible culture of innovation, and attracts the most brilliant young minds from Karnataka and the rest of India. Nigam said the firm is deeply grateful for the supportive business environment that Karnatakas governments and its local Kannadiga populace have offered it. Without such an inclusive ecosystem and progressive policies, Bengaluru would not have become a global technology superpower, said Nigam. As a company, we also thrive on celebrating diversity; we have always tried hard to deliver fair, unbiased and meritocracy-based employment opportunities for all Indians - including to all local Kannadigas, said Nigam. We believe such an approach gives every Indian a good job a chance to shine, and ultimately helps create more societal and economic value for Bengaluru, Karnataka and India. Nigam said that Bengalurus Indian startups are competing against trillion-dollar giants like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. To do so, he said these companies must be able to employ the very best talent available in India purely based on their technology skills and proficiency in fields such as coding, design, product management, data sciences, machine learning, AI, and beyond. As a nation, that is the only way we can build world-class companies that can compete in the global village that we live in today, said Nigam. I also want to help create lakhs of jobs for Bengaluru and Karnataka. And, I believe with more dialogue and discussion, we can find ways to create more sustainable employment avenues. Lets all work together to do this meaningfully and while creating long-term impact. Calls for stronger regulations and legal recourse for users to get back their funds have intensified after Indias leading cryptocurrency exchange WazirX suffered a data security breach, leading to theft of digital assets worth $230 million. Last week, the crypto exchange confirmed the security breach on its platform which led to a theft of about 50 per cent of its total assets. While WazirX has called it a force majeure event beyond its control, the company has said it is trying to locate and recover the lost funds. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Recovering the amount from a sophisticated cyber attack on its platform may not be an easy feat, crypto executives and those close to the development have said. Recovering stolen crypto is hard as a lot of them are converted to other tokens, and since crypto is dealt with internationally, it can go to any exchange in any country. The silver lining is that transactions can be tracked and in a few past cases it has been recovered too, said Ashish Singhal, co-founder, CoinSwitch; a crypto exchange platform. He noted that recovery of funds following a cyber attack of this scale was a tedious process as the stolen quantum can remain in a wallet for many years at a stretch. In the backdrop of a lack of regulatory environment for crypto in India, it becomes a challenge to terminate transactions that involve stolen tokens. Although it is trackable, you still cannot stop its usage everywhere. That becomes the real problem as there will always be a decentralised platform where these tokens can be converted from one to another, or one wallet to another one, said Edul Patel, CEO, Mudrex, a crypto platform. Legal experts tracking the sector believe that users who have lost their funds can look at the countrys consumer protection laws for recourse. In terms of consumers, there is no specific law which you can go to and refer to in this instant cyberattack. But in any case, consumer laws would be applicable if there is any negligence found on the part of WazirX, claiming that there was a deficiency in their services, further depending on the remedies sought by the customers relief under the Information Technology Act, 2002 or Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 said Navodaya Singh Rajpurohit, Legal Partner, Coinque Consulting and founder, Pravadati Legal. On Sunday, WazirX announced a bounty programme to track and freeze the stolen amount. The company has promised that it will reward those assisting in recovery with a bounty pegged at 5 per cent of the recovered amount as part of the programme. "In response to the cyber attack, we have filed an online police complaint and are processing a physical complaint. We have reported the incident to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and CERT-In. We are reaching out to over 500 exchanges to block the identified addresses," WazirX said in a statement. Meanwhile, with the Union Budget around the corner, calls for better regulatory clarity for the sector have grown stronger. What should now come out of this is that there should be conversations around active regulations, making self-custody a real possibility for people, allowing decentralised exchanges to conduct transactions, which is one of the ways to secure a users money, Patel from Mudrex said. Home-grown cryptocurrency firms had earlier suggested that regulating the sector may necessitate the involvement of multiple agencies, given the approaching deadline to develop a unified framework, Business Standard reported this month. Industry participants said that creating comprehensive legislation through a single regulator could be complex and time-intensive ahead of the 2025 timeline. This incident could potentially prompt regulatory changes in India. To date, no regulatory body has taken the initiative to regulate crypto in the country. While the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) exists, its primary mandate is the prevention of money laundering, not addressing cyber attacks, which may limit its jurisdiction in this matter, unless it is found in the investigation that the money has been laundered through this cyberattack, legal expert Rajpurohit said. WazirX suffers security breach on its platform leading to a theft of about 50 per cent of its total assets The crypto exchange announces bounty programme to track, trace and recover funds Experts feel it is difficult to claw back lost funds as txns are complex India plans to seek flexibility to offer concessions to each of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) partners bilaterally in the review meeting of the trade agreement signed between both sides nearly 15 years ago. The third round of the review meeting is scheduled to take place in Indonesias Jakarta from July 29 to 31. Both sides aim to complete the review by 2025. If agreed upon, varied duty concessions for the 10 nations instead of a common tariff schedule will not only help India secure a better deal but also allow it This time the BJP buoyed by the success of Lok Sabha polls in which it win all seven seats, is hoping to come back to power in Delhi after a gap of over two and half decades. The BJP will soon start working to intensify outreach in 30 assembly segments, including 12 reserved seats, with a significant number of SC voters, in the national capital ahead of next year's polls, according to party leaders. Dedicated 'vistarak' (senior Delhi BJP workers) have been appointed to intensify door-to-door contact with people living in these 30 constituencies, comprising mostly unauthorised colonies and slum clusters, said a senior party leader. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The party performed well in the recent Lok Sabha polls in the 12 Scheduled Castes (SC) reserved assembly segments spread across the seven parliamentary seats. It got more votes than INDIA bloc candidates in 8 out of 12 constituencies, he said. "This has enhanced confidence within the party that these seats with dominance of Dalit voters can be won in the Assembly polls as well," the BJP leader added. The BJP has failed consistently to win the Dalit-dominated seats since 2013 and the party faces a tough task in forming a government in Delhi unless it registers an improved performance in these constituencies. Besides the 12 reserved seats, there are also around 18 constituencies such as Beejwasan, Narela, Nangloi, and Shahdara, among others where Dalit voters play a crucial role in deciding fate of candidates in the polls, said Mohan Lal Giraha, president of Delhi BJP SC Morcha. Giraha said those appointed as 'vistarak' by the party will focus on around 4,000 booths, of the total over 13,000, where Dalit votes count. Each of these 30 assembly seats will have one dedicated 'vistarak' who will work to strengthen the party's outreach by deputing 10 workers for each booth to ensure regular house-to-house contact with the voters, he said. The Delhi Assembly polls are due in February next year. In 2020 elections, BJP won 8 out of the total 70 assembly seats and none of the SC reserved seats. The AAP won 62 seats, including all the reserved seats. This time the BJP buoyed by the success of Lok Sabha polls in which it win all seven seats, is hoping to come back to power in Delhi after a gap of over two and half decades. The union urged the government to rethink and warned that any attempt to go with the amendment will be an open challenge to the 20 lakh employees working in the IT/ITeS sector in Karnataka, it said. Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees' Union (KITU) has urged the Siddaramaiah-led government to reconsider its reported plans to extend the working hours of the IT/ITeS/BPO sector. According to the union, the government plans to increase the working hours to 14 hours a day. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act in this regard, was presented in a recent meeting called by the labour department with various stakeholders in the industry, it said in a release. Labour Minister Santosh Lad, officials from the Department of Labour and IT-BT Ministry attended the meeting, in which the representatives of the union took part. The union strongly opposed the proposed amendment which, it said, poses an "attack on the basic right of any worker to have a personal life." The labour minister agreed to have one more round of discussion before taking any decision, it added. Noting that the proposed new bill 'Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2024' attempts to normalise a 14-hour work day, the union said, the existing act only allows a maximum of 10 hours work per day, including overtime. This amendment will allow the companies to go for a two shift system instead of the currently existing three shift system, and one third of the workforce will be thrown out of their employment, it claimed. Noting that during the meeting KITU pointed out the studies on the health impact of extended working hours among the IT employees, it said, "the Karnataka government in their hunger, to please their corporate bosses, completely neglects the most fundamental right of any individual, the right to live." This amendment shows that the Government of Karnataka is not ready to consider the workers as human beings who need personal and social life to survive. Instead, it considers them as only a machinery to increase the profit of the corporates to whom it serves, it added. The union further pointed out that this amendment comes at a period when the world starts to accept the fact that increased working hours are negatively impacting productivity and more countries are coming with new legislations to accept the "right to disconnect" as a basic right of any employee. The union urged the government to rethink and warned that any attempt to go with the amendment will be an open challenge to the 20 lakh employees working in the IT/ITeS sector in Karnataka, it said. "KITU calls upon all the IT/ITeS sector employees to unify and come forward to resist this inhuman attempt to impose slavery on us," it said. By SA Commercial Prop News Edcon the parent company of Edgars, which had already been under a financial strain, said it may not reopen after lockdown. Edcon, which had already been under a financial strain, revealed that the coronavirus has had a negative impact on the company and it would lose close to a billion rand during the 21-day lockdown period. The bell may be tolling for Africa's biggest non-food retailer after Edcon CEO Grant Pattison told suppliers last week the company would not be able to honour its contracts. In an emotional conference all to suppliers, Pattison broke down, telling suppliers the company only had sufficient liquidity to pay salaries but was "unable to honour any other accounts payable during this period." Following the presidents first announcement on Sunday, 15 March, Edcons turnover has declined 45% in comparison to the same period last year. The company said by the time lockdown began, it expected to be around R400 million below forecasted sales and cash for the month, and expected to lose a further R800 million in turnover during the 21-day lockdown. Edcon management will this week begin focusing on a reopening strategy for the post-lockdown period, but Pattison is on record as saying that he was unsure if this would even be possible, given the groups long-standing woes and the general state of the economy. ALSO READ: Office Vacancies remain stubbornly High in SA Edcon owns popular retail outlets Edgars and Jet and books and stationery outlet CNA. Its peer clothing giant The Foschini Group (TFG) plans to stop rental payments as a result of the lockdown. Edcon alone has some 750 Edgars and Jet stores countrywide, covering around a million square metres in retail space. Better-performing TFG, which has around 29 retail brands including Foschini, American Swiss and Sportscene, has more than 2 500 stores in South Africa covering around 750 000 square metres of retail space. In 2019, Edcon received a lifeline received a lifeline of R2.7 billion from the Public Investment Corporation and lenders, and rent reduction from landlords in return for equity to aid in restructuring its business model to restore competitiveness. The landlords who participated in this transaction included the likes of Vukile Properties, Attacq Limited, Liberty Two Degrees, Growthpoint Properties, Hyprop Investments and Redefine Properties. Due to the square footage occupied by the group, they had some leverage to negotiate, it should be noted since the rental transaction closed, the likes of Massmart, and TFG have also announced they would be looking at some sort of rental reduction. ALSO READ: Big Property Developments expected to fire up Cape Town The group has faced a heavy debt burden amid an environment of weak consumer spending and slow economic growth. In 2016, Bain Capital Private Equity handed Edcon over to creditors after a 2007 buyout, in which Edcon was delisted from the JSE, turned sour. The Covid-19 lockdown is forcing more retailers into a position where they may not be able to pay their property rentals, which is set to add to the pressures being experienced by retail landlords and South Africas struggling listed property sector. Clothing groups, DIY stores and general merchandise retailers such as Edcon, TFG, Mr Price, Pepkor (including JD Group), Truworths, and Massmart chains such as Builders Warehouse are set to be hard-hit during this period, with Easter holiday trade being affected. ALSO READ: End of the road for Massmarts Dion Wired stores Although yet to recover from Edcons woes, landlords are set to face even more intense pressure as Walmart-owned Massmart announced recently the closure of 23 DionWired stores accross the country. Massmart, which also owns the South African chains Game Stores, Makro, Dion, Builders and Jumbo Cash and Carry, slumped to a loss in the first half of last year as shoppers stayed away amid an economic downturn. Coronavirus crisis in South Africa Minister of Health has announced that there are now 1,353 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa, as of 31 March 2020 on day five of the nationwide lockdown. This follows president Cyril Ramaphosa announcing 1,326 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa on 30 March meaning 27 new cases over the past 24 hours. Globally, coronavirus cases have reached 853,127, with 41,983 deaths recorded and 176,834 recoveries to date. ALSO READ: A look at Midrand's massive new R9bn beachfront apartment development South Africa is also facing additional headwinds after ratings firm Moodys downgraded the countrys credit rating to below investment grade, late Friday evening. Moodys downgraded South Africas long term foreign and local currency debt ratings to Ba1 from Baa3 with a negative outlook. 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. Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee Finally breaking his silence, Abhishek Banerjee ' title=' Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee '>Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee gave his message on the occasion of the partys annual Martyrs Day programme in Kolkata on Sunday calling for the continued movement against the anti-Bengal forces. On June 12, just days after the results of the Lok Sabha elections were declared, Banerjee announced his decision for a short hiatus from political and organisational activities on medical grounds. Since then he went into total silent mode and also was out of Kolkata reportedly for treatment purposes. Unlike previous years, this time he was also not visible during the preparatory processes for the mega annual event of the Martyrs Day programme. He also remained absent from his social media participation during the interim period. He returned to Kolkata a couple of days ago and continued to stay away from his regular political activities. Finally, on Sunday morning, he broke his silence and posted a message on his official X-handle explaining the significance of Martyrs Day. July 21st represents the courage and defiance against tyranny; a story of the people, by the people and for the people. On this #ShahidDibas, as we honor our martyrs, we pledge to relentlessly fight for the rights of the people. I deeply thank and honor the people of Bengal for showing the Bangla Birodhis, time and again, that Bengal will never bow or surrender under any circumstances. Jai Hind! Jai Bangla!, the message posted on his official X handle read. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, Banerjee not only got elected from the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency in South 24 Parganas district for the third consecutive term but also won by a record margin of over seven lakh votes. Chattanooga PD requested ERPD support with a crash on Brained Road. Police determined a stolen black sedan was involved in a three-vehicle crash, and two occupants fled the scene. Police also determined the two fleeing occupants were potential suspects in an Attempted Murder. ER Police located one suspect and detained him until CPD arrived on scene. East Ridge Police along with THP assisted in establishing a perimeter with CPD which led to the capture of the second suspect. Police responded to this location after Chattanooga Police requested assistance in apprehending an aggravated robbery suspect. Officers moved in on the location and where able to take the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect was transported by CPD for questioning. East Ridge Police along with GSP, HCSO, CPD, Catoosa County and others assisted THP search the area for a vehicular homicide suspect who ran from them. A man was found sleeping on the sidewalk. He was checked for warrants and given a courtesy ride. Police observed the residence's front door open with the leasing resident's vehicle parked in the driveway. Officers entered and cleared the structure and found no one home. Police secured the residence. Police spoke with the complainant who stated she has an ex-boyfriend harassing her through social media and text messages. She informed police the harassment had occurred since the day she broke up with the man. Harassment charges are pending further investigation. A burglar alarm at the business was found to be an accidental activation by a worker. Police responded to the apartment after a concerned neighbor observed two young children walking around the property by themselves. Police located the children, who returned to their apartment. The caller reported the tag for her new vehicle was sent by the tag and title office to her old address and needed to file a report to receive a new one. Police responded to the report of an unconscious male. Medical personnel determined the homeless person was dehydrated but refused further care. The male was given a Gatorade and sent on his way. The reporting party reported his ex-girlfriend had been harassing him through texts and work emails. He was advised to stop communicating with her and was advised on steps to obtain a TPO. A man was served with an Alias Capias at the Hamilton County Jail. The original charge for the Capias was Driving on Revoked, Suspended, or Canceled License. Staff reported that a man destroyed flowers outside their building following a verbal dispute. The facility did not wish to prosecute for the damages but requested a report in case there was another incident. East Ridge Police responded to the residence after the ER Fire Department forced entry into the house. A fire originated in the kitchen of the home but was contained by the responding firefighters. Police made a report to document the front door damage. Police were called to this location on reports of a white vehicle speeding through the neighborhood. The reporting party also reported hearing a small caliber gun shot. Officers checked the area but did not locate any vehicles or evidence of gun fire. Hamilton County Deputies attempted to stop a stolen red 2022 Ford Maverick near 400 E Brainerd Road, but the vehicle ran fled. HCSO Deputies pursued the vehicle and requested the assistance from other agencies. ERPD patrol units set up spike locations near the I75 and I24 off ramps; however, the vehicle never left the interstate when traveling through East Ridge. HCSO units eventually lost the vehicle near the intersection of South Seminole Road and Brainerd Road. A 55-year-old man from Philadelphia went to the Wills Eye Hospital because he was experiencing pain and worsening vision in his right eye. It turns out that part of a bee stinger was still lodged in his eye after he was stung by the insect. Two days prior, the man had gotten stung by a bee. He visited the local emergency department to get the stinger removed. However, some of the stinger was left in his cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped part that covers the front portion of the eye. Its like your eyes windshield. The main function of the cornea is to refract or bend light. A man suffered a bee sting directly to his eye, resulting in an intense ocular inflammatory response which affected his vision, said Talia Shoshany, an ophthalmologist at Wills Eye Hospital. The patient reports walking by a bee hive at work and being stung. He was not otherwise tending to the bees. When he was examined, the doctors found that the vision in his right eye was limited to counting fingers. There was swelling of the cornea and a collection of inflammatory cells at the nasal limbus, a region of the cornea with a piece of stinger present. In addition, the stinger caused vessels in the iris to bleed. Trauma of the iris caused a hyphema, which is when blood collects within the eye. The iris is the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. It controls the amount of light that enters the eye using muscles to adjust the size of the pupil. It is located between the cornea and the lens. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Have you ever tried to repair a relationship with someone after they hurt you, but your resentment still lingered and affected things? One man is torn as to whether or not he should bring his wife on the European vacation hell take with his son because he still resents her for cheating on him two years ago. He and his wife are in their 30s and have been married for nine years. They have a seven-year-old son together. Two years ago, his wife admitted to cheating on him with an ex who had come into town, and the news broke his heart. I was devastated, and I really did not see any path to reconciliation, but I also had to take my son into account, he said. My wife was extremely remorseful, and she could have kept her infidelity hidden forever, but she didnt. I was still extremely sad and resentful, but my wife took all possible steps to reconciliation. While its been two years, and his wife has worked hard to repair their trust, he still feels resentment towards her and has almost forgiven her. That slight lack of forgiveness has affected certain areas of their relationship. For instance, hes been planning a month-long European vacation to visit his sister in Finland with his son for the last few months. While his sister is still angry at his wife and doesnt want her to go, he cant decide whether he wants her there. However, his sister continued to push against the idea of his wife going, telling him she wanted sibling bonding time and that she didnt feel comfortable around his wife because of what she did. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Recently, a dog was found abandoned in a dumpster. Thanks to an animal rescue in South Carolina, the dog Sydney (formerly known as Sadie) was able to find a safe place to stay. According to the Cumberland County Animal Services in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Sydney soiled in the house and bit her owner after being physically disciplined. Afterward, the owner threw the dog in the dumpster. Cumberland County Animal Services discovered the pup in the dumpster and brought her to its shelter. They started searching for a rescue to take Sydney in rather than an adopter due to her history of biting. The agency reached out to rescue partners and spread the word on social media of the urgent need for a new home for Sydney. Her hold at the county shelter was quickly coming to an end, which meant she would be euthanized soon. Under the post, many people left comments, expressing their outrage over the way Sydney had been treated by her previous owner. Several called for the owner to get charged with animal cruelty and neglect. Fortunately, Dochas n Gra Animal Rescue of Chesterfield, South Carolina, came to Sydneys aid. The rescue picked Sydney up and brought her to a nonprofit rescue and sanctuary for animals in need of medical care. She was on her last day. She was going to be euthanized, and she was sick with an upper respiratory infection, said Victoria McGonigal, the founder of Dochas N Gra Animal Rescue. When McGonigal heard that Cumberland County Animal Services was looking for a no-kill rescue home for Sydney, she immediately volunteered Dochas N Gra Animal Rescue. Sydney has been doing well since her arrival to her new home. She has greeted everyone she meets with love. She also enjoys kisses and snuggles and is a very good listener. At present, she is focusing on healing from her upper respiratory infection. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. For 22 years, the body of Bill Stampfl, a 58-year-old mountaineer, has remained missing until now. Stampfl and his two partners, Matthew Richardson and Steve Erskine had been in the Andes of Peru, trying to reach the top of the highest mountain. But on June 24, 2002, they perished in an avalanche on Huascaran, the 22,205-foot peak that they were climbing. Now, warming temperatures have melted the ice on the mountain, revealing Stampfls body. Two American brothers, Ryan Cooper and Wesley Waren, were coming down Huascaran when they saw something strange. It turned out to be a mummified human body. The body was undisturbed and exposed to the elements. It was still wearing a helmet, jacket, boots, and gold wedding ring. There was also a fanny pack that contained cash, sunglasses, a camera, a passport, and an identification card. Someone loved him, and someone wanted him to come home, Cooper said. As soon as I found out he was an American climber, I knew we had a responsibility to track down the family and give them the news. Cooper and his group of mountaineers had been trying to reach the summit of Huascaran, but when the conditions became too dangerous to go on, they began to make their way back down the mountain. They happened to take an older route that was no longer in use, which was when they came across Stampfls body at an elevation of about 17,060 feet. While still on the mountain, Cooper called his wife, who was at their home in Las Vegas, to tell her what he had found. She helped him track down Stampfls family. After sifting through old newspapers, she learned what had happened to the mountaineer over two decades ago. Two days later, Cooper contacted Stampfls son, Joseph, who was now 51 years old. He also spoke to Stampls widow, Janet Stampfl-Raymer, and his 53-year-old daughter, Jennifer. The family was grateful to Cooper and was relieved to have finally received closure. They hired a rescue team to recover Stampfls body. His remains will be transported to a morgue in Lima, where they will be cremated. Then, he will be returned to his family in the United States. They plan to go to Californias Mount Baldy to scatter his ashes. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Three killed in landslide on Kedarnath Yatra route At least three devotees were killed and six others injured in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath in a landslide triggered by rain on Sunday, officials said. The landslide occurred between Gaurikund and Chirbasa in Kedarnath. After receiving the information about the incident, the Gaurikund police along with the District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) team reached the site. The police team rescued six injured and admitted them to the nearby hospital. Uttrakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences on his X-handle. He said that relief and rescue was going on at the site and he was in constant contact with the operation team. He also has issued instructions to provide the best medical treatment for the injured. Landslides triggered by heavy rain over the past few weeks have blocked some of Uttarakhand's key highways. In 2017, a pilgrim died on the spot after being hit by a falling rock at Chauri. A heavy landslide in 2018 in Bhimbali led to the death of a pilgrim, whose body was found two days later under the debris. Last year, three people died due to falling rocks from a mountain. Home News Archaeologists discover ancient Christian palace in Bahrain An archaeological discovery has unveiled one of the earliest Christian structures in the Arabian Gulf, shedding light on a long-lost Christian community that thrived in the region before the widespread adoption of Islam in the early seventh century. The findings reveal the first physical evidence of the Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, in Bahrain. Researchers from the University of Exeter and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities have found the structure that is believed to be a palace belonging to a bishop and dates back to between the mid-fourth and mid-eighth centuries, as confirmed by radiocarbon dating, announced the university on its website. The structure was found beneath a mound in a village cemetery in Samahij, an area central to modern settlements yet steeped in historical significance. The site was occupied until its abandonment following the communitys conversion to Islam. 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 Professor Timothy Insoll of the University of Exeter, who co-led the excavation, described the structure as a large building with eight rooms, including a kitchen with several hearths, a refectory or dining room, a possible work room, and three living quarters. We were amused to find someone had also drawn part of a face on a pearl shell in bitumen, perhaps for a child who lived in the building, Insoll was quoted as saying. This is the first physical evidence found of the Nestorian Church in Bahrain and gives a fascinating insight into how people lived, worked and worshiped. The presence of multiple Christian symbols and artifacts, such as plaster crosses and early Christian symbols like Chi-Rho and a fish scratched into plaster, further solidifies the Christian identity of its inhabitants. The discovery also includes textiles, possibly used in worship, and spindle whorls and copper needles, suggesting textile production at the site. The excavation unearthed a dozen copper coins from the Sasanian Empire, adding to the evidence of an economically prosperous community. This sites excavation, which began in 2019 and concluded in 2023, was motivated by local lore. They had a mound under a ruined mosque/shrine in their cemetery, which they said contained something important, Daily Mail quoted Insoll as saying. No one listened, but eventually, when it was taken seriously, they were right, and the building was found. The researchers plan to continue their work at the site, with a museum scheduled to open in 2025 to preserve and exhibit these discoveries. Home News Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories violate international law, top UN court rules The International Court of Justice has declared Israel's "prolonged occupation" and settlement policies in Palestinian territories since 1967 are unlawful and must end swiftly. This non-binding advisory opinion may intensify the legal and diplomatic scrutiny on Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The United Nations court ruled Israel's settlements in the West Bank, along with the "annexation" of East Jerusalem and continued control over certain aspects of the Gaza Strip, violate several international laws and norms, including The Hague Regulations and the Fourth Geneva Convention. "The Court considers that the violations by Israel of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force and of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination have a direct impact on the legality of the continued presence of Israel, as an occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the ICJ said. 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 It added, "The sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying Power, through annexation and an assertion of permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continued frustration of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful." The findings urge Israel to cease further settlement activities, dismantle existing ones and pay reparations for damages caused by these violations. The court said Israeli laws, like the 2018 Nation State Basic Law, and governmental policies promote permanent Israeli control over these territories, challenging the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside other senior government officials and settlement leaders, vehemently rejected the court's decision. They argued that the Jewish people's historical connection to areas like East Jerusalem and the West Bank referred to as Judea and Samaria in Israel legitimizes their claim, despite international opposition. Israel captured parts of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, areas the Palestinians wanted for an independent state, in the 1967 Six-Day War. "The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land, including in our eternal capital Jerusalem nor in Judea and Samaria, our historical homeland," Netanyahu said in a statement. "No absurd opinion in The Hague can deny this historical truth or the legal right of Israelis to live in their own communities in our ancestral home." Israel didn't take part in the oral hearings and submitted a written statement calling the court's questions "prejudicial" and "tendentious," according to Agence France-Presse. The Palestinian leadership welcomed the ICJ's opinion, seeing it as a validation of their long-held views on Israeli policies. The office of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas described the decision as "historic" and called for its immediate implementation. Similarly, Hamas, the Islamic terror group that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, saw the ruling as a step for the international community to act against Israeli "occupation." The opinion, though not enforceable, carries weight in international diplomacy and has the potential to influence Israel's international standing as it continues its war against Hamas in Gaza following the terror group's Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 in southern Israel. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports over 38,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began. That figure doesn't differentiate between combatants and civilians. Home News Pastor Robert Jeffress says Trump reached out after fire engulfed historic First Baptist Dallas sanctuary Church holding Sunday worship service at different location Pastor Robert Jeffress said former President Donald Trump sent him a note after he was informed that the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas was engulfed in flames. This historic sanctuary that burned to the ground was the site that presidents visited when they came to Dallas. Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, President George H. W. Bush were all worshipers in that sanctuary, Jeffress told CBS affiliate KTVT about the 134-year-old church building in downtown Dallas that was reported on fire just after 6 p.m. Central time Friday evening. Trump, who previously spoke at the church on Dec. 19, 2021, sent Jeffress a note and "offered his help to do anything he could, Jeffress added. 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 When asked if he thought the church was attacked because someone was angered by his vocal support for the former president, Jeffress responded that he did not believe there was any connection. I dont believe my support for President Trump has anything to do with this fire," he maintained. On Saturday, fire investigators were joined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI to investigate the cause of the fire. I am back at the scene of whats left of the historic sanctuary from First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas. It is a total loss. @KRLD@firstdallas#breaking#firepic.twitter.com/iQvfJuBe67 Joe Kelley (@talkradiojoe) July 20, 2024 When asked if arson was suspected as a cause of the fire, Dallas Fire-Rescue Interim Chief Justin Ball said Friday evening that investigators would have to determine that as the cause was yet unknown. Ball said it appeared the fire may have started in the basement and moved up to the second floor where firefighters first battled the blaze. As many as 100 firefighters responded to the four-alarm fire. "Thank God [there were] no casualties," Ball added. The basement housed the churchs library where the churchs historic records were stored. Were not going to let those flames have the final say, Jeffress told KTVT. The truth is, the church is not made up of wood and brick and mortars; it is made up of the people who are in that worship center. First Baptist Dallas had just wrapped up its Vacation Bible School, which was attended by 2,000 children, and used a portion of the historic sanctuary for some of its events. The fact that the fire started after VBS ended and no one was injured was miraculous protection by God, Jeffress said. The church announced Saturday morning that because smoke affected newer areas of the church built in 2013, Sunday worship would be held as one service at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center at 11 a.m. local time. On Saturday, the Dallas Fire Department told church staff that what remains of the historic part of the church built in 1890 will have to be torn down because it has no "structural integrity" and will have to be demolished soon so that the street can be reopened to traffic. The red brick building, known as the church's old sanctuary, was built in 1890. It was the church's home before the new $130 million worship center was built in 2013. "We have experienced a fire in the Historic Sanctuary. To our knowledge, no one is hurt or injured, and we thank God for His protection. He is sovereign even in the most difficult times," Jeffress wrote on X Friday night. "'And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.' Romans 8:28." In an interview with Fox 4, Jeffress said that the sanctuary was the site of many personal events, including his baptism when he was 6, and ordination for the ministry at 21. "It holds a lot of memories," Jeffress said. "We thank God nobody was hurt. I'm grateful that the church is not brick and mortar, its people. The people of God will endure. First Baptist Dallas will endure. We thank so many of our friends around the country who are praying for us right now." U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who noted that world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham was once a member of the church, extended his prayers to its pastors and members in a post on X, adding, I am confident Gods Light will shine down on First Baptist. While the late Graham didnt reside in Dallas, he was a member of the church from 1953 until 2008, when he moved his membership closer to his home in North Carolina, The Dallas Morning News previously reported. Denny Burk, the director of the Center for Gospel and Culture at Boyce College of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, wrote on X that he and his wife were members of the church before moving to Louisville. He called the fire a grievous loss. The church had back-to-back historic pastorates in the twentieth century. Two pastors who each ministered for 50 years. Two pastors in a hundred years! George W. Truett followed by W.A. Criswell. Both of them preached in that building. Both of them towering figures in the SBC. Home News This week in Christian history: Word of Faith Fellowship accused of abuse, Albert Schweitzer licensed in theology Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths. Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while others might be unknown to many people. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events that occurred this week in Christian history. They include Albert Schweitzer being licensed in theology, Dionysius becoming pope, and Word of Faith Fellowship being accused of labor exploitation. Home Opinion Is Trump's close death similar to George Washington's? Did God providentially spare former President Donald J. Trumps life on Saturday, July 13, 2024? The front-runner presidential candidate could easily have been killed in an assassination attempt, had he not turned his head about an inch or so. As everyone knows, Trump was campaigning in Butler, Pennsylvania, a city north of Pittsburgh at an outdoor rally when he was shot at by a 20-year old with a rifle on the roof of a nearby building. On Sunday, Trump gave honor to the Almighty, writing that it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. 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 Bill Maher, the irreverent comedian, in effect, made the same observation but not attributing the miraculous outcome to God. Trump was very lucky to be alive after this incident, said Maher in his own profanity-laced way. It certainly wouldnt be the first time Gods Providence touched America. Indeed, I believe that He helped create America itself, which despite all its flaws, has become the freest and most prosperous nation. Butler, Pennsylvania was named after Richard Butler (1743-1791), who was a Revolutionary War officer. He served at Yorktown, where the war ended when the British General Cornwallis agreed to surrender. Washington gave Butler the honor to receive Cornwallis sword. Butler passed that honor to his immediate subordinate, Ebenezer Denny. At a Yorktown victory meal, General Washington made a toast to The Butlers and their five sons! George Washington was a man who believed in Providence. Providence is simply an old-fashioned term referring to the Biblical Gods governance of the world He provides for us and He answers prayers. Dr. Peter Lillback, founding president of Providence Forum, and I wrote a book on the faith of our first president, George Washingtons Sacred Fire. Lillback donated Providence Forum to Coral Ridge Ministries, and I am privileged to serve as its executive director. In our Providence Forum documentary series on the Christian roots of America, we have a whole episode on our first president, demonstrating that Washington was not a Deist, but rather an orthodox 18th-century Anglican. In that film, Lillback told our viewers, [Washington] believed in prayer, which Deists did not believe. There are over a hundred written prayers that can be found in his writings. He loved the doctrine of Providence; he uses it over 270 times. One incident in the life of the future first president was remarkable. On July 9, 1755, the 23-year old George Washington could easily have been killed in a battle that became a massacre. It occurred near Fort Duquesne outside of what is today Pittsburgh. As the British and American troops led by British General Edward Braddock were in a forest by the Monongahela River, their path into the forest suddenly came alive with French and Indian troops shooting them. Eyewitnesses said that they looked at Colonel Washington, expecting him to die at any minute, but he didnt. One of these witnesses to the Battle of Monongahela said, I expected every moment to see him fall. Nothing but the superintending care of Providence could have saved him. By the end of the massacre, Washington was the only British or American officer unharmed, with 714 Americans and British either killed or wounded. In contrast, the French and Indians lost three officers and 30 men. Washington wondered how it is that in that battle men all around him were dying, while he was spared. He wrote a letter his brother, John Augustine Washington: I now exist and appear in the land of the living by the miraculous care of Providence, that protected me beyond all human expectation; I had 4 Bullets through my Coat, and two Horses shot under me, and yet escaped unhurt. Jump ahead, and we see on multiple occasions during the American War for Independence, that Washington felt that God helped us repeatedly in that conflict. As our first president, in his first official Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving (to God), Washington stated the goal, That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war. Without Gods help, we would not have won this thing, said the father of our country. Thus, said Washington in a proclamation for the ages: It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor. What happened on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania may well have been another example of God in His sovereign care keeping watch over America. Home Opinion Why a former high priest left Mormonism Mike and Lynn Wilder joined the Mormon church in 1977 after Mormon missionaries knocked on their door. Lynn would go on to become a professor at Brigham Young University, and Mike eventually became a high priest in the church. They raised their children according to the precepts of the Mormon religion but would eventually come to believe the Gospel and learn the truth about the Mormon church, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or LDS. In 2001, Mike and Lynn's oldest son, Micah, left home to serve a two-year LDS mission. "Micah wrote emails home while he was on his mission, dropping hints about the internal faith questions with which he struggled ... Lynn's own concerns regarding her church became a 'burgeoning internal conflict.'" Micah ended up meeting the real Jesus and being born again through faith in Christ. (Watch Micah's compelling testimony.) God was obviously doing something special in the Wilder family. "On a chilly October evening in 2006, Lynn, Mike, and their daughter Katie huddled together to watch the movie Luther. Lynn's heart pounded as the movie portrayed Martin Luther's struggle against the legalistic system of the Roman Catholic Church. She could readily identify with Luther; she was facing the same struggle within herself. Did she believe the Mormon system of obedience to laws and ordinances would secure her forgiveness and eternal life? Or did she believe what the Bible taught, that Jesus alone was the Way, the Truth and the Life? Lynn relates, 'I was simply overwhelmed by the Spirit. I went face down in surrender to Christ'" (Read Lynn's testimony.) 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 And Mike's video testimony reveals his love for his Savior and also for his many friends in the Mormon church. Like his wife, Mike came to understand that Jesus died on the cross to pay for his sins, and that God accepts us through faith in Christ, rather than through our obedience to God's Law. Mike's powerful two-hour testimony should be heard by every Mormon. This former high priest who came to faith in Christ said, "I took off my Mormon garments I had been wearing for 30 years ... and I put on a cross at that point ... because in 30 years in the LDS church I never heard one sermon about the blood and the cross." Mike added, "The Scriptures just became alive ... now when I travel I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I will speak His Word. I will speak His love. I will never be angry with people. I want them to understand what it really is. I did not have the good news for 30 years. I did not have the cross or the blood and I want some people, especially my LDS friends, to know there is a better way than to be locked under the Law." Mike loves his Mormon friends and wants them to meet the real Jesus. It is very important for those of us who know Christ to have compassion for those who are blinded by false teachings. In addition to instructing people that they must earn their way to Heaven by their works, Mormonism also rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. Mormonism "teaches that there are many gods, with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being three separate gods among many others. Furthermore, it is also possible for humans to ascend to godhood," according to the Mormon religion. Mike was taught that the Book of Mormon is at least as important as the Bible, if not more so. Mormonism teaches that the Book of Mormon contains "the fullness of the Gospel" of Jesus Christ (Doctrines and Covenants 20:9). Mike accepted that line of reasoning because he did not know any better. Mike said that in those days, "I would have given my life to protect the LDS church. I really believed that it was God's church on the Earth, that it was the only way man could get closer to God It actually says that in their own scriptures, that God told Joseph Smith that this was the only church on the face of the Earth in whom He is well pleased. All the other churches were an abomination." It is very sad when people are brainwashed into believing things that completely contradict Scripture. If it wasn't for the Bible, we would be unable to distinguish true doctrine from false doctrine. And we would remain clueless to the Gospel. Mike said, "Jesus is everything ... When you go to the foot of the cross and you surrender, there is nothing you can add to what Jesus did." When Mike and Lynn and their children practiced Mormonism, they tried to follow all of the LDS regulations in hopes of being righteous in God's eyes. But when they placed their faith in the Gospel, they learned that only the blood of Jesus can place a person in right standing with God. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him!" (Romans 5:9) "In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7). Thankfully, the former high priest and his family came to recognize that all of our good works can never wash away a single sin. You see, without the cross, we would be lost forever! Four misunderstood works of classic literature with deep Christian meaning that are great for book clubs Modern interpretations of classic books often betray a complete misunderstanding of the author's intentions and worldview. The writers came from an era that was deeply Christian, even if not known to be a great believer, and many modern readers do not understand this. Of course, most Christians are aware of the deep spiritual significance within books such as JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, or CS Lewis's Narnia series, or the works of Dostoyevsky and GK Chesterton. However, there are many other classic books with underlying spiritual themes that can deepen and enrich our faith. Therefore these books are great food for thought for the thinking Christian, and excellent subjects of discussion for a book club. With an added bonus - there aren't the lurid depictions of sex and violence that modern novels so often contain. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare This Shakespeare play is usually understood by modern readers to be a great 'love' story: two people who adore each other yet were unjustly kept apart due to the stupidity of their warring families. However it is unlikely that this was Shakespeare's intended meaning. Looked at through the lens of a Christian understanding of love, Romeo's behaviour in particular is less a great example of romance, and more a warning tale of emotion-led stupidity. This is the conclusion of Joseph Pearce, visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University, in his introduction of the Ignatius Critical Edition of the play. "What Romeo calls 'love' is not really love at all at least it is not love in the deeper and deepest sense of the word," he says of Romeo's desire for Rosaline in the first scene. Romeo's fickle transfer of his 'love' for Rosaline to Juliet is one example of its shallow depth. "Romeo and Juliet do not know each other," continues Pearce. "They do not even know each other's names. Romeo declares his 'love' before he has even spoken a single word to his beloved. How can such love be anything but superficial, a bewitchment of the eye in response to great physical beauty? This, at any rate, seems to be the question that Shakespeare ... is asking." Pearce has just begun a more accessible series of articles on Shakespeare, starting with Romeo and Juliet, in the online magazine Aleteia. Therefore the play is a great vehicle to discuss one of the most important questions of life: what is love? The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson This short novel is more modest than some of the other recommendations, but just as misunderstood. My Collins edition (2010) describes Mr Hyde as suffering from "schizophrenia". The term was not in use at the time the novel was written, and even now it is a controversial diagnosis, as it covers a wide variety of symptoms that can appear to be unrelated. Yet even through a modern psychiatric lens, it is an incorrect description of Dr Jekyll. Schizophrenia is not an illness that demonstrates two alternate personalities as he experiences. The Collins edition further states that he suffers from the "feelings of suppression that Stevenson felt in Victorian society." As often happens, the writer imports a modern Western understanding on the book that was unlikely to be that of the author. Instead, a Christian reading of the work fits more neatly: the battle between the new redeemed nature and the old, sinful self, as described succinctly in Romans 7 and 8. The novel was a favourite method to illuminate these Bible passages by the late pastor Tim Keller. For example, one passage where Mr Hyde laments his experience was quoted in his book 'The reason for God': "I resolved in my future conduct to redeem the past; and I can say with honesty that my resolve was fruitful of some good. You know yourself how earnestly, in the last months of the last year, I laboured to relieve suffering; you know that much was done for others... "[But as] I smiled, comparing myself with other men, comparing my active good-will with the lazy cruelty of their neglect... at the very moment of that vainglorious thought, a qualm came over me, a horrid nausea and the most deadly shuddering... I looked down... I was once more Mr Hyde." Most committed Christians will recognise Mr Hyde's inner drive to be good, only to be horrified by the selfish pride that comes along with that thought, and the transportation back to the sinful self. Therefore the story is best understood as the battle for the human soul, the good and evil within, and the war with temptation, and is a rich source of discussion about these topics. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte Like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, modern literary interpretations of Jane Eyre tend to inaccurately impose modern ideas onto it. It is often described as a great feminist work, due to the independence and struggles of the novel's female protagonist. The assumption is that Eyre, and Bronte, disliked Victorian patriarchy just as much as today's women do. Not so, according to the Ignatius Criticial Edition. "One of the finest novels ever written, Jane Eyre is also one of the most misunderstood masterpieces of world literature," says the series website. "Whereas most modern teaching of the text misreads or misinterprets Charlotte Bronte's devout and profoundly ingrained Christian faith and intentions, this critical edition emphasizes the semi-autobiographical dimension of the novel, exposing feminist critiques of the work as being woefully awry and illustrating Bronte's belief in the hard-earned, hard-learned blessings of sanctity and reverence." Readers of the work can reflect on questions such as: how should a Christian cope with suffering, with unmet desires, with heartache? How can such trials be used to develop virtue? Les Miserables by Victor Hugo When I first watched the Hollywood adaptation of this beautiful story, I left the cinema saying: 'That was a Christian film'! After sobbing my heart out at the many emotional scenes, of course. The book is not for the faint-hearted as it is very long, though there are 'abridged' versions that leave out some of the meandering passages of the original. But careful readers will perceive some deep theological themes in the work beyond the more obvious, such as the beautiful mercy of the priest and the subsequent conversion of Valjean. For example, the persecuting policeman Javert represents the law Valjean must be punished for his sinful past. The priest and Valjean demonstrate the gospel of mercy and redemption. Thus, the tension between law and grace exists throughout the book. The plight of the poor is another important Christian theme, as well as whether revolution from which Hugo's native France suffered brutally before he was born - is an acceptable response. Whether watching the film or reading the book, there is spiritual depth to be discovered in this heart-rending work. Heather Tomlinson is a freelance Christian writer. Find more of her work at https://heathertomlinson.substack.com/ or via X (twitter) @heathertomli The Ridge Fire broke out Saturday afternoon near the border of Lake and Colusa counties. ALERTCalifornia The fast-spreading 2,300-acre wildfire Ridge Fire that broke out Saturday afternoon east of Clear Lake is threatening approximately 50 buildings, with 10% containment as of 9:25 p.m., Cal Fire said. Sheriffs officials ordered evacuations for Brim Road, Walker Ridge, and the Wilbur Hot Springs area shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday. Mandatory evacuation orders later expanded north to the Indian Valley Reservation area, Leeseville Road area, and Bear Valley Road to Highway 20. An evacuation warning is in effect for south of Highway 20 in Lake County. Wilbur Hot Springs, an off-the-grid mineral hot springs area within a large nature preserve, includes a clothing-optional resort that dates to about 1865. As of 2019, the resort included a European-style inn with multiple cabins and a central building with two large dining rooms, a library, a kitchen and a wraparound porch, as well as yoga studios, massage rooms and saunas, according to an article in SFGATE. (SFGATE and The San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 2014 fire damaged the 1910-era lodge, the article said, but it was restored a year or two later. The smoke plume from the Ridge Fire is visible from satellite imagery. The blaze threatens 30 structures in Lake County and 20 in Colusa County, according to Cal Fire. The fire had been heading northeast, but a change in wind direction was expected as night fell, the agency said. Fire officials began responding to the fire at Walker Ridge Road and Highway 20 before 5 p.m. Wind quickly drove the blaze. By 7 p.m., about 300 firefighters were battling the fire, with 29 engines, seven bulldozers, seven fixed-winged aircraft and five helicopters. Road closures are in effective Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks at Route 53, Highway 16 from the city of Brooks, Leeseville Road at King Road, and Leeseville Lodoga Road at Bear Valley Road. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cal Fire said that firefighters' priority Saturday night was hold the fire west of Bear Valley Road, south of Brim Road & at Highway 20 on the south side. Hawaii isnt known as a cheap destination, but if youre set on visiting the Aloha state, choosing the right island can make a big difference in the cost of your trip. If youre looking to save on a trip to Hawaii, head to the island of Oahu. Of the four main Hawaiian islands for tourism Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit by multiple metrics. Oahu has the lowest daily average hotel room rate of the islands and the lowest average daily spending per tourist, according to May 2024 data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The cost of hotel rooms on Oahu Though the average room rate in May 2024 across all of Hawaii was $342, Oahu hotel rooms average about 21% less, coming in at $272. That translates to about $70 per night less than the average. In a breakdown of average daily room rates in May 2024 by island, Oahu shines. One reason for Oahus lowest average room rate? The island also has the biggest supply. In fact, Oahu had more than double the number of hotel room nights than Maui, the next closest contender. Even when broken down by hotel class, Oahu still has the most affordable room rates across every level, from economy and midscale to luxury options. Midscale and economy rooms in Oahu cost $151 per night on average. Thats 30% less than the average price for the same class of room across the entire state. And if you have a penchant for the finer things in life, youll save on Oahu, too. In fact, you could save about $223 per night by choosing to vacation at a luxury hotel in Oahu versus Maui. Oahu, like other islands, offers opportunities to book stays using hotel points and credit card rewards. For example, Oahu is the only island with a Hampton Inn & Suites outpost, a midscale brand where you can redeem Hilton Honors points and avoid pesky resort fees on award bookings. One of Oahus most famous luxury hotels, the historic Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach, can be booked using Marriott Bonvoy points. Those can be earned through Marriott credit cards as well as general travel credit cards that accrue points that transfer to Marriott. On the other side of the island sits another famous property, Turtle Bay Resort. The luxury hotel will soon become a Marriott property when its rebranded as The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay in August 2024. The cost of activities on Oahu More goes into a vacation budget than just a hotel. Theres food, tours, ground transportation and souvenirs. And once again, travelers arriving by air spend less per day on Oahu than any other island. Across all trip expenditures (including lodging), Oahu is the best bargain in average daily spending per person in May 2024, according to a separate study by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. So why is spending on Oahu lower than on other islands? Not only are there more hotels, but also more restaurants and other types of businesses. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Honolulu County in Oahu had more than 21,000 businesses in 2020, while Maui County in Maui had fewer than 5,000. The increased competition lowers prices for consumers. Theres also just a lot of free and cheap stuff to do on Oahu. Many of the top activities including visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, lounging on Waikiki Beach and hiking the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail are free. It costs just $5 per person to enter Diamond Head State Monument (though its an additional $10 for parking). And because of Honolulus robust bus network and walkability, its easy to get around Honolulu without a rental car. For places more difficult to get to, its possible to rent a car for just a day or rely on rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. There are plenty of ways to save on a Hawaiian vacation. Start by finding affordable flights to Hawaiis cheapest island, Oahu. The higher concentration of hotels and businesses means more affordable options. More From NerdWallet Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: sfrench@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SAFmedia. The article Whats the Cheapest Hawaiian Island to Visit? originally appeared on NerdWallet. A 40-year-old cold case in Dixon has come to a close, with the convicted killer sentenced over a woman found in a cornfield. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2021 The killer of a 21-year-old woman found dead in a cornfield in Dixon in 1980 was sentenced to prison last week in a case that had remained cold for decades. Herman Lee Hobbs, a 76-year-old tied to a long history of violent crimes, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the murder of Holly Campiglia, according to the Solano County Sheriffs Office. The New Jersey womans body was found with multiple gunshots to the head and neck. She also experienced sexual assault, the sheriffs office said. Her body went unidentified until 1992, as Campiglia had been erroneously dropped from a national missing persons database at a critical time, according to SFGATE. (SFGATE and the Chronicle are both Hearst publications but operate separate newsrooms.) The question of who killed her remained unsolved for three more decades. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2021, Campiglias family requested that the case be reviewed for additional DNA analysis, according to the Solano County Sheriffs Office. Male DNA was found and identified as belonging to Hobbs. Hobbs entered a no-contest plea to one count of second-degree murder earlier this month. Hobbs is already serving time in prison. About 20 years ago, he was convicted for the 1975 killing of 13-year-old Terri Pata in Sacramento County. She reportedly went missing on the way home from school and was found several days later stuffed in a drainpipe, raped and stabbed to death. In 2000, Hobbs was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl in Yuba County, according to SFGATE. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee, bowing to weeks of growing pressure by his own party members to quit his re-election bid against former President Donald Trump. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden wrote in a post on the social media site X. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote. "I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," wrote Biden, whose bombshell decision came after a sharp spike in recent days in the number of congressional Democrats publicly calling for him to step aside for another nominee. Biden in a subsequent tweet wrote that his "very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President." "And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump," Biden wrote. "Let's do this." Harris in a statement said, "I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination." Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a joint statement from the Democratic power couple, said, "We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her." Biden, who has been isolated at his Rehoboth, Delaware, beach home after being diagnosed with Covid-19, and Harris spoke on Sunday before he announced he would drop out of the election race. NBC News reported that Biden at 1:45 p.m. ET Sunday told his senior campaign team that he had changed his mind about remaining in the contest. On Sunday evening, on a campaign staff call, Biden campaign co-chair Jen O'Malley Dillon called for staff to rally behind their new candidate and said that their jobs would safely transfer to the Harris campaign, three sources familiar with the call told NBC News. She also acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment: "It is ok to grieve, it is ok to be unsure but also be optimistic about our path forward." Trump in a phone interview with NBC News said of Biden's decision, "He should never have been there in the first place." "He should have stayed in his basement," said Trump, who was formally nominated as the Republican Party's candidate last week, days after narrowly avoiding being killed in an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania campaign rally on July 13. Democratic National Committee Jamie Harrison in a statement said, "In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November." "This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people," Harrison said. Travelers wait in line at a Delta Airlines counter at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on July 19, 2024. Airlines around the world experienced disruption on an unprecedented scale after a widespread global computer outage grounded planes and created chaos at airports. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian apologized and offered frequent flyer miles to travelers for thousands of flight cancellations as the carrier struggled to recover from Friday's globe-spanning IT outage, disruptions that sparked criticism from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The Atlanta-based airline canceled over 4,600 flights from Friday through Sunday, more than any other airline, according to aviation data firm OAG. By Monday evening, Delta had already canceled another 900 flights, or 23% of its mainline operation, making up most of the day's cancellations in the U.S., according to flight tracking site FlightAware. The delays and cancellations have put Delta in a rare spotlight for the carrier whose leaders pride themselves on reliability and punctuality, and who market the airline as a premium carrier. Bastian said in an internal video interview on Monday that it will "take another couple of days before we're in a position to say that ... the worst is clearly behind us." He said he spoke to Secretary Buttigieg on Sunday. "We continue to receive reports of unacceptable disruptions and customer service conditions at Delta Air Lines, including hundreds of complaints filed with our Department," Buttigieg said in an emailed statement late Sunday. "I have made clear to Delta that we expect the airline to provide prompt refunds" to customers who chose to call off their trips because of the disruptions as well as "timely reimbursements for food and overnight hotel stays to consumers affected by the delays and cancellations, as well as adequate customer service assistance to all of their passengers." The disruptions have persisted at Delta while most other carriers have recovered. American Airlines said it was almost back to normal by Saturday. United Airlines had elevated flight disruptions on Sunday with 9% of its schedule canceled, or 260 flights, according to FlightAware, but still below Delta's. "I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events," Bastian said in a message to customers over the weekend. The airline was offering flight attendants extra pay to pick up shifts, a staff memo on Sunday said. The carrier called some of them on their personal phones to come in, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the media. High demand during some one of the busiest periods of summer challenged the airline to find alternative flights for affected travelers, Bastian said in his note. On Sunday, Raymond James analyst Savanthi Syth forecast a financial hit of more than $160 million for Delta. Delta has a number of Microsoft tools that were impacted in the outage, "in particular one of our crew tracking-related tools was affected and unable to effectively process the unprecedented number of changes triggered by the system shutdown," Bastian said in his note. That would make the event similar to an issue Southwest Airlines suffered, on a much greater scale, at the end of 2022 when it failed to recover from severe winter weather for days. A botched software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that paralyzed some Windows-based programs also hit the banking and health-care industries. Protesters demonstrate in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act near Trump Tower in New York in 2017. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images 2017 The anti-immigrant rhetoric we are seeing from politicians is unfortunately nothing new, but, as before, it is based on prejudice, ignorance and racism rather than fact. Immigrants work tirelessly to build this country, performing dangerous and demanding jobs. The sacrifices they make should be celebrated, not criminalized or demonized. Its time to cut through the hysteria and tell the truth about immigration: Our economy and country are stronger because of it. Some leaders would have us think its a zero-sum game when our country takes in immigrants but thats not true. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the U.S. economy will grow by $7 trillion over the next 10 years thanks to immigrants. Moreover, in 2021 immigrants paid $524.7 billion in taxes. Thats money that fuels schools, Medicaid and Social Security. Contrary to the lies told by Donald Trump, undocumented immigrants are barred from collecting the billions they have put into Social Security. So much for immigrants taking money from American citizens. So stop the anti-immigrant rhetoric and end the zero-sum mindset. Immigration is essential for our economic growth and prosperity. Nora Privitera, Oakland Advertisement Article continues below this ad See S.F.s greatness Regarding This is the San Francisco billionaire who bashed his hometown at the RNC (Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, July 16): I question how much of San Francisco David Sacks has seen from the windows of his $39 million Pacific Heights mansion or his car as his chauffeur speeds him off to his private jet. Has he watched the roller skaters or the Lindy hoppers in Golden Gate Park? Has he strolled the aisles of my store, Green Apple Books, or visited the Cartoon Art Museum? Has he enjoyed a cold beer in the bleachers at a Giants game or joined the cold water swimmers at Aquatic Park? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Has he sat outside and enjoyed a panini at Marios Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe? I would venture the answer is no to these and many other pleasures Sacks could be enjoying in this great city. Instead, he is watching Fox News and sharing horror stories with billionaire friends like Elon Musk. Come on, Dave, get out and enjoy this city you spent so much money to live in and that helped make you rich. Kevin Ryan, San Francisco Bucking the party After 60 years of being a loyal member, I can no longer support my partys choice of presidential nominee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The reasons are many. He is a narcissist, unable to see past his selfish desires. He is more focused on holding onto the powers and privileges of office rather than what it takes to lead the nation and defend democracy. And he has surrounded himself with sycophantic friends and family who wont tell him the truth for their selfish reasons. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Sadly, the party cant do better. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im not voting for Donald Trump, either. A giant fire erupts at an oil storage facility following Israeli strikes in Yemen's Houthi-held port city of Hodeida on July 20, 2024. Israeli warplanes struck the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeida on July 20, a day after a drone attack by the Houthi rebels killed a civilian in Tel Aviv, both sides said. Israeli fighter jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemen's Hodeidah port on Saturday, killing at least three people and wounding 87, a day after a drone launched by the Iranian-backed group hit Israeli economic hub Tel Aviv. Most of the wounded suffered severe burns in air strikes that targeted oil facilities and a power station, Al-Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by Yemen's Houthi movement, quoted the health ministry as saying. Hodeidah residents told Reuters by phone that explosions were heard throughout the city during an intensive bombardment, and Al-Masirah TV said civil defense forces and firefighters were trying to extinguish fires in the port's oil tanks. Israel's military spokesperson said the port had been used by the Houthis to receive weapons shipments from Iran. The targets, more than 1,700 km (1,056 miles) from Israel, included dual-use sites such as energy infrastructure, he said. Israel had informed allies before the strike, which the military said was carried out by Israeli F-15 fighters that all returned safely. The Houthis' Supreme Political Council said there would be an "effective response" to the strikes. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the Houthis "will not hesitate to strike vital targets of the Israeli enemy." The strike on Yemen, which Israeli officials said came after more than 200 Houthi attacks on Israel, underlined fears that the Gaza war, triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, could spiral into a regional conflict. "The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement. "The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required." On Friday, a long-range Iranian-made drone launched from Yemen hit the center of Tel Aviv in an attack claimed by the Houthis, killing one man and wounding four others. watch now Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday received President Joe Biden's endorsement to replace him at the top of the Democratic ticket in the race against Donald Trump. "I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination," Harris said in a Sunday statement. "We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win." Biden's endorsement puts Harris on a glidepath to the Democratic nomination. The 59-year old vice president offers a younger alternative for Democrats who grew increasingly concerned about Biden's age and fitness following his disastrous debate performance against Trump in June. "Democrats will rally around her. I'm sure they will," said Carol Hamilton, a member of Biden's campaign finance committee, told CNBC in an interview. "You can't get a much better resume than hers running for president." Harris, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, would be the first Black woman and individual of South Asian descent to secure the nomination of a major party. But she still has several tasks on her to-do list before anything becomes official. Veepstakes A major open question about Harris' path forward is who would be her running mate. The following names have already been floated: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Even before Biden announced he would drop out, Democratic donors were reportedly pouring in money to launch a vetting process to select a new vice presidential candidate. Many of those same names are also on the list of contenders to take the top of the ticket for Democrats who have not immediately endorsed Harris and instead want an open nomination process. Secure nomination Though Harris has a significant leg-up with Biden's endorsement, she is not the Democratic nominee until the necessary number of delegates say so. Biden has released the more than 4,000 delegates whom he won during the primary. Those delegates are now free to select any new candidate. The nomination process is set to start as a virtual roll call in early August ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which begins Aug. 19. A candidate has to win a majority of delegates to secure the nomination, per the DNC's rules. If no one wins a simple majority, over 700 superdelegates will cast their own votes. The voting process will repeat itself until a candidate wins a majority and can be officially designated the Democratic nominee. Inherit Biden funding Should Harris become the official Democratic nominee, she is likely the easiest heir to the Biden campaign's war chest of donations because her name is already on the Federal Election Commission filings. "As of right now, there's some debate between different election lawyers over whether or not the money can be transferred before the nomination is officially made," said Anna Massoglia, a researcher at the nonprofit campaign finance database OpenSecrets. She noted that there is a general consensus among election lawyers that believe Harris can "just take over" the Biden campaign's war chest. But "a very small sliver" of dissenters, as she put it, claim Harris would need to officially become the nominee before she can access the full pot. If Harris does not ultimately become the nominee, the scenarios become more complicated. Among them, the campaign could convert the funds into a political action committee or issue refunds to donors who would reallocate their gifts. Gaining support Shortly after the endorsement, the Biden for President campaign filed Federal Election Commission paperwork to change its name to "Harris for President." But it wasn't just the big donors who responded to Biden's announcement: The progressive donation platform ActBlue initially said it raised $27.5 million from small-dollar donors in the five hours after Biden endorsed Harris. Later, the company announced it raised over $45 million. Among the top party fundraisers now planning to help Harris is longtime Wall Street executive Marc Lasry, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Lasry helped raise money for the vice president when she ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary. He later raised campaign cash for Biden when he beat Trump during that election cycle "I've been in touch with many of her supporters from New York to California and we are getting organized to start up the fundraising machine," said Jon Henes, the vice president's national finance chair during her 2020 run for president. "I had more than 200 texts, calls, and emails today of people wanting to host events and make donations." Moments after Biden announced he would drop out of the race for president and endorsed Harris, major donors who helped raise money during her failed 2020 Democratic primary fight and successful 2016 Senate campaign immediately mobilized and began outreach to wealthy contributors, according to these people, who spoke to CNBC did so on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely. Vice President Kamala Harris is already seeing a wave of big money donor support following President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, with the help of bundlers who have assisted her in past races, according to people familiar with the matter. But the renewed energy among some of the party's top financiers was particularly significant because several of them had announced they would hold back funds from a Biden-led ticket, after his disastrous debate performance on June 27 against former President Donald Trump. Venture capitalist Reid Hoffman plans to donate even more in support of Harris' candidacy than he did when he backed Biden over Trump throughout the 2024 presidential election cycle, according to a person familiar with the matter. Hoffman has donated at least $10 million to supportive Biden political action committees so far this election, according to Federal Election Commission records. Hoffman endorsed Harris in a social media post. Hoffman's spokeswoman declined to comment. Before Biden dropped out, Harris' allies were planning a fundraiser in the ritzy New York Hamptons region for early August, which was set to feature Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, some of the people explained. Some donors were deleting the emailed invite out of frustration with Biden, these people explained. Now, the expectation is that a Hamptons event next month will likely sell out with many donors getting off the sidelines to help Harris, according to a person familiar with the event. Alexander Soros, the son of Democratic megadonor George Soros, said in a social media post on Sunday after Biden dropped out that "it's time for us all to unite around Kamala Harris and beat Donald Trump." But the major donor support for Harris isn't universal across the Democratic Party, suggesting she has some work to do in order to get them on her side. Stewart Bainum Jr., the chairman of Choice Hotels and a major Biden donor, told CNBC he is still sitting on the sidelines and won't jump in to help Harris because he feels there should be a battle at the upcoming convention with other potential nominees having the chance to lead the party. The Democratic National Convention is set to take place in Chicago in August. Another veteran Biden fundraiser said there should be a "mini primary" over the coming weeks heading into the convention for Harris and anyone else who wants to compete for the nomination. But for Harris, having some donors immediately jump on board is a sign that she could bolster the over $95 million campaign war chest she'll control after Biden departed from the race. Harris can likely get immediate access to the Biden campaign's roughly $96 million donation pot, according to Anna Massoglia, an investigations manager at the campaign finance research center, OpenSecrets. "The general consensus among most people that I've spoken with is that she can use the funding," Massoglia told CNBC in an interview. Massoglia noted that some conservative election lawyers believe Harris needs to officially become the Democratic nominee before getting full access to the campaign war chest, though she added that they represent "a very small sliver" of lawyers' opinions. Still, until election lawyers resolve the debate over whether Harris needs to be the official nominee, her campaign funding access is still an open question. The same goes for the donations of the Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees, Massoglia said. The scenarios get more tangled, however, if Harris does not secure the Democratic nomination. In that case, the campaign could convert its funds into a PAC or another type of political committee that would spend in support of the new nominee. That option comes with several disadvantages, Massoglia said: PACs are subject to more expensive advertising rates and are not allowed to coordinate with the candidate. An alternative would be to refund donors and ask them to contribute to another committee. That would come with the added risk of donors potentially deciding not to donate to the new campaign, Massoglia said. U.S. President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to U.S. Representative and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 3, 2024. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., spoke with President Joe Biden on Saturday about the fallout from his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump and how it's hurting his legacy, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. A day later, Biden announced on social media that he was dropping out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. The phone call between the two was described as "cordial" by the source and it's unclear if the two spoke on Sunday, the same day Biden made his decision to leave the race. This source was granted anonymity in order to speak freely about a private conversation. Press representatives for Pelosi and Biden did not immediately return requests for comment. A spokesman for Pelosi later told CNBC after publication of this story "not true. Speaker Pelosi has not spoken to the president since she left Washington more than a week ago." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., spoke this afternoon with Biden, according to NBC News. Biden told his senior team he changed his mind about staying in the race at 1:45 pm on Sunday, according to a source who spoke with NBC News. Biden previously said he had no plans to drop out of the race, despite Democrats in both the House and Senate calling on him to leave the race. Pelosi praised Biden in a statement after he dropped out of the race. "His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history," said Pelosi on Sunday. "With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment." For Pelosi, the call came after the former House speaker reportedly told Biden that polling since his debate effort versus Trump shows he could not defeat the former president and, if he stayed in the race, it could ruin Democrats' chances of winning the House in November. It remains unclear if Pelosi will endorse Harris. U.S. President Joe Biden looks on at the 115th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., July 16, 2024. Republican lawmakers are calling on President Joe Biden to resign after he announced Sunday that he will no longer seek reelection. "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President," Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said in a post on X after Biden announced his decision. "He must resign the office immediately." Other congressional Republicans, including House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, echoed Johnson's message. "Biden is a national security threat in great cognitive decline and a clear and present danger to every man, woman, and child in our country," former President Donald Trump's campaign said in a statement. "The question then to [Vice President] Kamala Harris is simple: knowing that Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign because of his rapidly deteriorating condition, does Harris believe the people of America are safe and secure with Joe Biden in the White House for six more months," Trump's campaign said. Some Republican lawmakers have even raised the prospect of invoking the 25th Amendment, which dictates the order of succession if a president is no longer able to perform the duties of the office. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said in a post on X that she planned to introduce a resolution on Monday urging Harris to invoke the 25th Amendment. With just days left in Trump's term in office, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives in 2021 passed a measure calling on then-Vice President Mike Pence and Trump's Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. Pence refused to do so. Biden, 81, has faced calls to drop out of the presidential race ever since his poor debate performance in June, where his verbal stumbles and hoarse voice elevated concerns about his age. But the president did not cite those concerns nor his age in his announcement, and he made clear he will serve the 6-month remainder of his term in office. "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in the letter posted to X. After Biden's annual physical in February, White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor said that the president "is a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male, who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency." Biden was also briefly seen by a doctor following the June 27 debate, he told Democratic governors the following week, and was told his health was fine. The president is currently isolating in Delaware after testing positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday. O'Connor said on Sunday that Biden's symptoms have improved "significantly." "The President continues to tolerate treatment without any difficulty and will continue PAXLOVID as planned," O'Connor wrote in the latest update. "He continues to perform all of his presidential duties." Republicans' calls for Biden to resign began even before the president announced he would no longer seek reelection. "If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President?," Sen. JD Vance, Trump's running mate, said on X Sunday morning. "Not running for reelection would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief." But not all Republican members of Congress called on Biden to resign. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in their statements both stopped short of saying Biden should not serve the remainder of his term. Former US President Donald Trump exits after attending the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Monday, July 15, 2024. The Secret Service denied some of former President Donald Trump's requests for additional security resources over the past two years, an official with the agency confirmed to NBC News. The Secret Service official said extra security accommodations could not always be made for Trump due to the department's limited resources. The Washington Post was first to report the Secret Service's acknowledgement. The requests that were denied did not pertain to the July 13 shooting at Trump's Pennsylvania rally where the former president was injured, one person was killed and two others were critically wounded. "In some instances where specific Secret Service specialized units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protectee," Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told NBC News. "This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee." Guglielmi's statement represents a change of script. Last Sunday, he said the assertion that the Secret Service had rebuffed the Trump team's requests for additional security were "absolutely false." In the wake of the attempted assassination of Trump, the Secret Service has been under intense scrutiny. Lawmakers are pressuring the agency and its director, Kimberly Cheatle, to explain any security lapses that allowed a gunman to mount a rooftop 148 yards from Trump, open fire on the rally, and graze the former president's ear. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., are among the top Republicans calling for Cheatle's resignation, though she has maintained that she will remain in her post. "Of course she needs to be fired," House Intelligence Committee chair Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio., said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. "President Biden should fire her. She's clearly not going to resign." Turner will be among the lawmakers questioning Cheatle on the record this week on Capitol Hill where she is expected to testify in several hearings about what went awry in security protocols at the rally shooting. WYOMING Groups sue to protect wolves in northern Rockies CHEYENNE Six conservation groups have filed a lawsuit challenging a recent federal government decision not to protect wolves in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountain region under the Endangered Species Act, arguing that states are exercising too much leeway to keep the predators' numbers to a minimum. The groups sued the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the directors of those agencies July 2 in U.S. District Court in Missoula, Montana. The lawsuit follows a Fish and Wildlife Service decision in February to reject conservationists' requests to restore endangered species protections across the region. Wolves are in no danger of extinction as states seek to reduce their numbers through hunting, the agency found. The decision not to return wolves to endangered status in the region violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to properly analyze threats to wolves and rely on the best available science involving the animals, the six groups wrote in their lawsuit. The lawsuit critiques state wolf management programs in the region. Montana and Idaho plan to sharply reduce wolf numbers while Wyoming allows wolves outside a designated sport hunting zone to be killed by a variety of means, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit singled out how a Wyoming man last winter ran down a wolf with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut and brought it into a bar before killing it. The killing drew wide condemnation but only a $250 state fine for illegal possession of wildlife under Wyoming law. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit filed by Animal Wellness Action; the Center for a Humane Economy; Project Coyote, a project of the Earth Island Institute Inc.; the Kettle Range Conservation Group; Footloose Montana; and the Gallatin Wildlife Association. Wolves have been protected as an endangered species in the region off and on since they were first delisted in 2008. They were first listed in 1974 and populations were successfully reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park and Idaho in the mid-1990s. UTAH 3 hikers die amid triple-digit temperatures SALT LAKE CITY Three hikers died in early July in suspected heat-related cases at state and national parks in Utah, including a father and daughter who got lost on a strenuous hike in Canyonlands National Park in triple-digit temperatures. The daughter, 23, and her father, 52, sent a 911 text alerting dispatchers that they were lost and had run out of water while hiking the 8.1 miles Syncline Loop, described by the National Park Service as the most challenging trail in the Island in the Sky district of the southeast Utah park. The pair set out on July 12 to navigate steep switchbacks and scramble through boulder fields with limited trail markers as the air temperature surpassed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Park rangers and a helicopter crew with the Bureau of Land Management began their search for the lost hikers in the early evening on July 12, but found them already dead. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office identified them on July 15 as Albino Herrera Espinoza and his daughter, Beatriz Herrera, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Their deaths were being investigated as heat-related. Later on July 13, first responders in southwest Utah responded to a call about two hikers "suffering from a heat related incident" at Snow Canyon State Park, which is known for its lava tubes, sand dunes and a canyon carved from red and white Navajo Sandstone. A multi-agency search team found and treated two hikers who were suffering from heat exhaustion. While they were treating those individuals, a passing hiker informed them of an unconscious person nearby. First responders found the 30-year-old woman dead, public safety officials said. Her death was being investigated by the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department. She had not been identified publicly. NEW MEXICO Village ravaged by wildfire hit by floodwaters RUIDOSO Roads throughout a mountain village in southern New Mexico that was recently ravaged by wildfire were closed on July 9 as authorities tried to keep vehicles out of the path of rushing water. Officials in Ruidoso reported that several bridge crossings were closed as mud and debris-laden water could be seen rushing down creeks and across streets as the National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency. A mobile home park was evacuated, and village officials reported multiple natural gas leaks caused by the floodwaters. Residents posted videos of the roiling water, saying they were unable to get home because of the flooding. Police cars blocked traffic, and concrete barriers were in place along some roads as the strong current carried debris downstream. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque reported that there had been multiple water rescues and that the storms had produced up to 1.5 inches of rain and warned that more rainfall was expected. Forecasters also issued flood watches and warnings for other areas, including in northern New Mexico where many residents have yet to recover from the aftermath of a 2022 blaze that was sparked by a pair of government-planned fires that went awry. OKLAHOMA Survivors of Tulsa Race Massacre appeal ruling OKLAHOMA CITY Attorneys for the last two remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court on July 2 to reconsider the case they dismissed last month and called on the Biden administration to help the two women seek justice. Viola Fletcher, 110, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109, are the last known survivors of one of the single worst acts of violence against Black people in U.S. history. As many as 300 Black people were killed; more than 1,200 homes, businesses, schools and churches were destroyed; and thousands were forced into internment camps overseen by the National Guard when a white mob, including some deputized by authorities, looted and burned the Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street. The lawsuit was an attempt under Oklahoma's public nuisance law to force the city of Tulsa and others to make restitution for the destruction. Attorneys argue that any money the city receives from promoting Greenwood or Black Wall Street should be placed in a compensation fund for victims and their descendants. In a petition for rehearing, the women asked the court to reconsider its 8-1 vote upholding the decision of a district court judge in Tulsa last year to dismiss the case. Attorney Damario Solomon Simmons also called on the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into the massacre under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007, which allows for the reopening of cold cases of violent crimes against Black people committed before 1970. A spokesperson for the DOJ declined comment. NEBRASKA Buffett to cut off Gates Foundation after his death OMAHA Investor Warren Buffett announced another $5.3 billion in charitable gifts on June 28, but in a major shift of his longtime giving plan he said he plans to cut off donations to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation after his death and let his three children decide how to distribute the rest of his $128 billion fortune. Buffett laid out his new plan for his estate in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. The 93-year-old billionaire, who leads Berkshire Hathaway, said Howard, Susie and Peter Buffett will have to unanimously agree where to give his Berkshire Hathaway stock after his death. Buffett has given about $55 billion worth of Berkshire stock to five foundations since he outlined his giving plan in 2006, with the biggest share by far going to the Gates Foundation. The other four foundations are affiliated with his family, including the ones each of his children run. Buffett will leave it up to his kids to decide what to do with his Berkshire stock, much like he does now when he lets the foundations decide how to use his gifts. He said they already know the goal of his giving. "It should be used to help the people that haven't been as lucky as we have been," Buffett told the Journal. "There's eight billion people in the world, and me and my kids, we've been in the luckiest 100th of 1% or something. There's lots of ways to help people." President Joe Biden speaks about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump with Vice President Kamala Harrison on July 14. On Sunday, Biden withdrew as a candidate for reelection and endorsed Harris. Susan Walsh/Associated Press President Joe Biden did the right thing. Poignant? Extremely, because President Biden has been a national political force for a half a century. His dramatic exit comes a week after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, whose convention was arguably the most disturbing political gathering America has ever seen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The only analogous political event to Bidens exit was President Lyndon Johnson declining to run again on March 30, 1968. That moment was historically fraught, but it didnt equal the drama of this sad moment. Bidens catastrophic debate performance three weeks ago led to this historic juncture in American history. President Bidens endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris adds yet another layer of high-voltage electricity to this moment. Should Harris become the Democratic nominee and defeat Trump in November, shed be the first woman and Asian American ever to be elected. Her election is not a done deal, but at least this lances the boil of Democratic discontent that had been festering since Bidens implosion on the debate stage. Biden knows that Harris is a historic choice, not just as vice president but as the 2024 Democratic nominee. Expect the Democratic Party to close ranks immediately, not wanting to squander another minute in the race against Trump. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump stands as a singular, existential threat to American democracy, and now the national discussion can return to his dreadful record, his detestable plans, his racially divisive xenophobic rhetoric and the Silicon Valley billionaires David Sacks and Elon Musk who have bankrolled his operation from the start. Dont expect the rhetorical temperature to drop. In Harris, Trump would face someone who can rightly eviscerate him in a debate. She can and should ask for a debate every week after September because the American voter deserves a full discussion. Maybe she can instruct him and his racist clan on how her first name is pronounced. Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general, has been effective in many situations, most famously in Senate hearings where she left her witnesses quivering on the floor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Black voter enthusiasm for the Democrats has been somewhat tepid this cycle. Harris, who is Black and South Asian, could be a galvanizing force with Black women, a voter bloc pivotal in major cities in must-win swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Can Harris meet the moment? Any of them would be strong, effective and prepared candidates. Democrats shouldnt worry about having a bench. The 2028 bench just got put on the field. Particularly intriguing is the notion of a two-woman ticket. Why not? Weve had centuries of all-male presidential tickets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Is there a chance that Harris could go to a unity ticket with a Republican like former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger or any other Never Trumpers who love the country more than they love the GOP cult? Maybe not, but she should give the idea some thought. Perhaps there would be some intraparty resistance, but it would likely be greeted well in this deeply divided country. Bidens decision may well save the country. Historians will treat this decision as the most selfless patriotic act since President George Washington declined to seek a third term, sending the message that the United States isnt an autocracy or a monarchy which is precisely the America Trump and his waterboys and handmaidens crave. While Bidens immediate endorsement of Harris may dismay some Democrats, hes probably correct: No more turmoil. Get the job done as fast as possible, and give Democrats a month to unite and rally around Harris. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Historian Jon Meacham noted that Biden is truly a modern Cincinnatus, who dropped his plough to serve the people and not his ego. Once the job was completed, he returned to his field. Biden, his family and his staff are no doubt mightily anguished about his decision, as they see a man who saved the country in 2020 and wanted the chance to do it once again. He did it this time with this decision. This nation faces a wide fissure, and only Joe Biden, the middle-class guy from Scranton, Pa., who still drives a Corvette muscle car, showed the ultimate muscle. Biden helped return America to global leadership through his steadfast support of Ukraine and a strengthened NATO, and he put Russias Vladimir Putin on notice. Democrats can now turn their attention to exposing the Big Lie campaign of the emotionally disturbed Trump and his feckless running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, whose careerism is his true elegy. Joe Biden did not go gentle into that good night. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Biden went into it under tremendous personal agony, another sign of his character, which is pathetically lacking in his former opponent. The Whoopee Cushion is obviously a phenomenal invention, whether youre using it to prank someone, or enlisting a group of giggling children to provide flatulent accompaniment to a piece of classical music. But where did this marvel of faux fart sounds come from? As The New York Times once reported, presumably on a slow news day, there have been suggestions that the origin of the Whoopee Cushion can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when jesters turned pig bladders into flatulence simulators. Although, as the Times noted, these stories are likely apocryphal. Don't Miss It turns out that the Whoopee Cushion, like Rush, insulin and every current celebrity named Ryan, originated in Canada. Around 1930, the JEM Rubber Company in Toronto came up with the device thanks to factory workers experimenting with sheets of rubber. It was originally called the poo-poo cushion, then the boop-boop a doop until they finally landed on Whoopee. The Whoopee branding was possibly inspired by the popular 1920s tune Makin Whoopee, which was really all about sex. This may explain why the product sold so remarkably well. Despite coming out smack-dab in the middle of the Great Depression, the fart simulators sold like hotcakes, no thanks to the not-so-catchy tagline: It gives forth noises that can be better imagined than described. What??? Advertisement Advertisement The rubber-makers initially offered to partner with practical joke magnate Samuel Sorenson Adams, who had invented 650 gags, including the joy buzzer and sneezing powder. But he turned them down, believing the Whoopee Cushion to be too indelicate. Harsh words from the guy who created the stink bomb. We dont have to tell you that the Whoopee Cushion quickly became a ubiquitous part of modern life. Even now its a fixture of contemporary culture, as evidenced by the family of contestants on Americas Got Talent who were willing to risk breaking their necks nose diving into an oversized Whoopee Cushion. But it all started with a random discovery in an old-timey Toronto factory. Thankfully, that moment in Canadian history/fart joke history is now getting the respect it deserves. In 2023, Heritage Toronto, a city agency that promotes public awareness, understanding and appreciation of Torontos cultural, architectural, archaeological and natural heritage announced that the location of the former JEM Rubber Company factory would be outfitted with a plaque honoring the landmark invention in comedic history. Advertisement Advertisement The historic plaque, which has already been created and unveiled at an event last December, will reportedly be installed publicly at a later date. It should really brighten up the nondescript stretch of road between a grocery store and an apartment building where the factory used to be. Until then, those looking for a public monument to fart jokes will just have to seek out Leslie Nielsens grave. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Vice President Kamala Harris introduces President Joe Biden during a campaign rally at Girard College on May 29 in Philadelphia. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images President Joe Biden arrives for a news conference following the Supreme Courts ruling that presidents have some level of immunity from prosecution. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images President Joe Biden delivers a nationally televised address from the Oval Office on July 14 in Washington, D.C. Pool/Getty Images President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris take the stage at a campaign rally at Girard College on May 29 in Philadelphia. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images President Joe Biden salutes as he boards Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on June 20, on his way to Camp David in Maryland. SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images President Joe Biden departs after speaking to the media following the Supreme Court's ruling that presidents have some level of immunity from prosecution. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images President Joe Biden announced Sunday he is ending his presidential campaign after weeks of escalating Democratic distress over his ability to beat former President Donald Trump, thrusting the party into uncharted territory. The announcement marks an abrupt end to Bidens half-century in elected office and kicks off an unprecedented scramble for the party to settle on a nominee less than four weeks before its national convention. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden said in a letter Sunday. Minutes after announcing his decision to end his campaign, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, Biden posted on X. Harris responded Sunday by saying Bidens accomplishments in office rival those of presidents who served two terms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else, Harris said in a statement. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Many Democratic lawmakers rushed to follow Bidens lead and offered their support for Harris, including Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank, the leading contender for a U.S. Senate seat. Other California leaders backing Harris include Sens. Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla and Reps. Jared Huffman of San Rafael, Ami Bera of Sacramento, John Garamendi of Fairfield, Mark Takano of Riverside, Judy Chu of Pasadena (Los Angeles County), Barbara Lee of Oakland, Nanette Barragan of Carson (Los Angeles County) and Salud Carbajal of Santa Barbara. Harris also captured the endorsement Sunday of several national Democrats, including North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Washington Sen. Patty Murray, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, as well as the Congressional Black Caucus. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praised Harris for extraordinary leadership and said he will do all that I can to help her win this election to lead America forward. But others, including some of the highest-profile members of the party were more cautious in their reactions and did not comment on who should become the nominee. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama all praised Bidens decision and his presidency, without mentioning Harris or a possible successor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges, Obama wrote in a statement. Bidens decision comes after a disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27 snowballed into full-blown panic over Bidens candidacy. The president insisted in the ensuing weeks that he was up to the task and would remain in the race, but a growing list of elected Democrats many worried about the impact on their own campaigns called for the Biden to exit the race. Eventually, the calls became so loud and consistent that they drowned out other aspects of the race, including Bidens record and policy proposals. Democrats lost faith in Bidens ability to beat Trump. Enthusiasm for him among key parts of the constituency that propelled him to victory four years ago namely young voters and people of color have markedly dropped, in large part due to concerns about his age and frustration with how he has handled the Israel-Hamas war. Biden insisted for weeks after that he would stay in the race, but finally received enough opposition from his own party including high-profile Democrats such as California Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer that he decided enough was enough. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Schumer said Bidens decision put his country, his party, and our future first. Pelosi called Biden a patriotic American who has always put our country first and one of the most consequential Presidents in American history in a statement after the presidents announcement. Her statement did not include a mention of Harris or any potential new nominee. Its not yet clear whether Harris will become the Democrats presidential nominee, although some in the party coalesced around her in early July as his replacement. Some of the top contenders to potentially replace Biden have said they are not interested. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she would not be a candidate even if Biden exited the race. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow Californian who came up through San Francisco politics, endorsed Harris late Sunday afternoon. With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trumps dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than Americas Vice President, @KamalaHarris, Newsom wrote on X. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Democrats nominee will now need to be chosen by party delegates. That typically takes place at the Democratic National Convention, though the party has planned to do a virtual nominating process in early August ahead of the convention a process that caused its own inner turmoil. Candidates must gather 300 delegate signatures to be considered. To win, a candidate will need to persuade a majority of delegates to vote for him or her. Bidens decision means that his 3,896 pledged delegates are free to vote for the candidate of their choice. The partys national convention begins Aug. 19 in Chicago. Bidens delegates are not obligated to vote for Harris, and while she is now the leading contender to replace him at the top of the ticket, other candidates could emerge. Anticipating a change in the Democratic ticket, Republicans insulted and criticized Harris frequently throughout the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Part of Democrats reluctance to embrace Harris can be traced to her failed 2020 presidential campaign, which began spectacularly with Harris announcing her run at a rally before 20,000 people in downtown Oakland, but never caught on with voters. Her campaign was seen as erratic as she toggled between the moderate and progressive wings of the party, with neither fully embracing her. While she was progressive on some issues such as her support for debt-free college tuition, many on the left couldnt let go of her history as a career prosecutor. Harris was polling fourth in her home state before she ended her campaign in December 2019. But Harris has seen a resurgence in popularity as she has become a fierce proponent of abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. She has forcefully kept the issue front and center for the campaign in a way that Biden, a Catholic who often struggles to even say abortion, has not. The growing interest in Harris is rooted in the belief that she would be more competitive against Trump than would Biden, a notion which is backed by post-debate polling. She also could access the tens of millions of dollars in the Biden-Harris campaign fund, unlike any other would-be candidate. A Harris-Trump showdown would be a study in contrasts: Harris is a younger, Black and Asian American woman and has spent most of her career in public service; Trump is two decades older, a white man who came up in business, real estate and eventually reality TV before the presidency became his first stint in elected office. Trump, however, has other campaign issues to contend with, starting with being convicted of 34 felonies in connection with falsifying business records as part of a plan to pay hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, with whom he allegedly had a sexual affair while he was married to Melania Trump, the former first lady. He was initially set to be sentenced in July, but that has been delayed until Sept. 18. In May 2023, a jury found that Trump had sexually assaulted and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll, and it awarded her $5 million. Trump was found after that to have defamed Carroll, and a jury awarded her an $83 million judgment. He is appealing both. In February, a New York state court found that Trump, his adult sons and his former associate Allen Weisselberg fraudulently reported the value of properties in the hope of securing better loans or lowering his tax bill and increasing his net worth. The court reduced the amount he must pay from $464 million to $175 million; Trump has appealed the case. Trump was also facing 37 felony counts in connection with his removal of documents from the White House, but that case was dismissed July 15 when a Trump-appointed judge found Special Counsel Jack Smiths appointment was unconstitutional. Smith has appealed the ruling. Trump was also indicted on four felony counts related to his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 presidential election. That trial was delayed due to the Supreme Court deciding that a president is immune from prosecution for official acts and will require separate decisions on whether those counts are official or unofficial acts. But Republican voters have been as united behind Trump as ever after he survived an assassination attempt just days before accepting the GOP presidential nomination in Milwaukee. Although Trumps injury was relatively minor, the gunman killed a rally-goer. The incident opened a new wave of discussion about polarization and political violence in America, but Republican candidates at the RNC continued to enthusiastically embrace guns. Trumps reaction to Bidens exit was in keeping with the spirit in which hes conducted his current and previous campaigns: Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve And never was! he wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. Republican lawmakers followed Trumps lead, bashing Biden and Harris and some went even further, calling for Biden to resign immediately. What was expected to be the busiest weekend for travel since before Covid struck has been the most chaotic and most miserable for thousands of holidaymakers. All airlines that cancel a flight are duty-bound to provide passengers with a means of reaching their destination as soon as possible and to cover costs of accommodation and meals while those passengers But will they? Particularly considering the massive scale of disruption and the fact it was not caused by the airlines. Anyone with travel insurance may recoup some losses but inevitably face a laborious and lengthy process. Hardest hit will be those who booked flights and hotels separately and not in a package. The fact is that airlines and travel companies that have lost millions of pounds this weekend will need to make that back. Which, of course, means higher prices. Some companies reputations will emerge from this in a better state than their rivals. Chaos at Stansted airport on Friday morning following the IT outage. Airlines are duty bound to provide passengers with a means to get to their destination as soon as possible and to cover accommodation and food costs until then, but travellers face a lengthy process to claim their money back Huge queues at Gatwick airport on Saturday morning. Whats clear is that with more flights than ever taking off and landing in Europe, the infrastructure is creaking, writes MARK PALMER This crisis represents a baptism of fire for new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. On Friday, she said her department was working at pace with industry and across government on the issue. However, no details were offered. Yesterday, she was pleased to report that UK airports and train operators have their IT systems back up and working as normal. Until the next debacle, that is. Whats clear is that with more flights than ever taking off and landing in Europe, the infrastructure is creaking. The holiday season has got off to an appalling start. What makes it especially dispiriting is that no one seems overly surprised. The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, today declares in The Mail on Sunday that she is committed to economic growth and prosperity. Indeed, she says she is pledged to lead 'the most pro-growth, pro-business Treasury in our country's history'. Everyone must be pleased by that, as without such policies, the country will decline and fail. She even compares herself with Margaret Thatcher's bold chancellor, Nigel Lawson, famous for his 'Big Bang' deregulation of the City of London in 1986. Ms Reeves promises her own 'Big Bang', saying: 'Previous governments have talked about a big bang on tax or regulation. I want to lead a big bang on growth because that is the only way we can fix the foundations, so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of our country better off.' The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has pledged in today's Mail on Sunday to lead the 'most pro-growth, pro-business Treasury in our country's history' She makes a special point of pledging to improve the position of pensioners, while at the same time ensuring that this country's pension schemes invest in fast-growing British firms, so providing a new locomotive to drive growth and to benefit investors. She suggests that 8 billion of investment could be released in this way. She also predicts that this policy could boost some pension pots by around 11,000, by ensuring they are well-managed and deliver better value for money. These are praiseworthy targets and they contrast sharply with Whitehall suggestions that the new Chancellor is under pressure from the Treasury to launch an Inheritance Tax raid on some types of pension savings. Like every Chancellor in modern history, Rachel Reeves also promises to get a grip on waste, but perhaps she will forgive us for wondering if that will add up to much. This is the life Chancellors must lead, an endless battle between politics and finance, ceaseless lobbying by Cabinet colleagues for more money, trying to keep down politically sensitive taxes, and the ever-growing need to pay interest on the huge loans that still hang round the nation's neck. One illustration of this struggle is our information that Ms Reeves backed by PM Sir Keir Starmer is also supportive of the long-delayed third runway at Heathrow Airport, which might seem to be an ideal part of her proposed 'dash for growth'. Yet here and in other areas she faces the potential opposition of the Green lobby, and of its Cabinet champion, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Unlike more centralised and autocratic nations, Britain's government cannot just build new airports, roads or railway lines. There are plenty of forces and laws that can, and will, get in the way, and plenty of people ready to use them. However much the new government rips up regulations, it will still encounter the growing power of environmental campaigners, linked as they so often are to anti-oil, anti-road and net zero lobbyists. Ms Reeves will find she comes up against resistance, including from the Green lobby and its Cabinet champion Ed Miliband, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is keeper of the socialist flame Ms Reeves will also find she comes up against Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, fulfilling her role as the keeper of the socialist flame and pursuing her package of workers' rights. More technocratic ministers may hope to sideline Ms Rayner, but the signs are that she will be a tough voice for Labour's traditional and trade union wing, not necessarily as committed to dashing for growth as the Chancellor is. This is, after all, a Labour government and many in the new Parliamentary Labour Party will be enthusiasts for the standby Labour weapons of tax and spend. It is a pity that the Chancellor has pandered to these forces by her insistence that she has 'inherited the worst set of economic circumstances since World War II'. But we still hope that she will stick by her pro-growth, pro-business message. You know the logos - but did you know the stories being some of the most iconic cartoon faces of America's most popular chains? While they may exist in the land of takeaway, some of the most recognizable logos in the world are based on real people - some of whom are still alive today. Here, FEMAIL looks at all the iconic - and recognizable - logos that you may see on a daily basis. The real life Wendy, whose real name is Melinda - with Wendy being her nickname - is the daughter of founder R. David Thomas The logo features an adorable red-headed girl, with a smattering of freckles and blue bows in the hair Wendy's You know the fast food chain's logo for the bright red hair and cheeky smile - but did you know the adorable cartoon girl is based on a real person? Fast food chain Wendy's was founded by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969. Their logo features an adorable red-headed girl, with a smattering of freckles and blue bows in the hair. The real life Wendy, whose real name is Melinda - with Wendy being her nickname, is the daughter of the founder. At eight-years-old, Wendy was chosen by her father as the face of chain, posing in a red-and-white dress to be immortalized as the emblem of the fast food restaurant. In a piece for People in 1990, Wendy recalled beating out her two older sisters, Pam and Molly, and her brother, Kenny, for the honor as the mascot. In a 2019 blog post, Wendy said she still loves being the face of the famous fast food chain - even after all these years. 'I will always love this brand, but not because my name is on the buildings,' Wendy wrote in a post published to the website. 'I love our products. I love our hamburgers. I just love everything. Why wouldn't I? It's our business. Our family business.' Harland Sanders was born in 1890 and grew up on a farm in Indiana, he started selling fried chicken from his restaurant in 1930 The KFC logo features Colonel Harland David Sanders - the chain's founder KFC The iconic KFC logo was conceived in 1952, using a portrait on Colonel Harland David Sanders - the chain's founder. Harland Sanders was born in 1890 and grew up on a farm in Indiana, he started selling fried chicken from his restaurant in 1930. As per Business Insider, Sanders received the title of Colonel in 1950 from Kentucky's governor and began dressing in a white suit and growing a signature goatee, making him a perfect, recognizable mascot and logo. The current iconic logo features a black outline of the Colonel, with his glasses on, a goatee, and a bow tie, with red stipes on either side. The famous restaurant founder stayed as the face of the fast food chain even after he sold the company in 1964. Debbie (pictured) is the daughter of the brand's founder O.D. McKee and his wife, Ruth, who founded McKee Foods in 1934 The adorable logo shows a rosy-cheeked young girl with curly brown hair resting just above her shoulders and a straw hat and a light-blue colored dress Little Debbie Little Debbie, the brand of tiny snack cakes that originates from the south, features a logo of an adorable little girl - who is based on a real person. The design shows a rosy-cheeked young girl with curly brown hair resting just above her shoulders complete with a straw hat and a light-blue colored dress. The adorable cartoon is an almost identical to the portrait of the real Debbie McKee-Fowler - who was four years old when she was snapped. The daughter of the brand's founder O.D. McKee and his wife, Ruth, who founded McKee Foods in 1934. Debbie McKee-Fowler is still in the business today, and currently holds the position of Executive Vice President and serves on the McKee Foods Board of Directors. According to the Wall Street Journal, the McDonald's mascot is based on the TV host Willard Scott Ronald McDonald has since become the most recognizable clown there is Ronald McDonald He's the most recognizable clown there is - and Ronald McDonald is based on a real person. Although he may look too unrealistic to be true, the mascot was in fact based on a clown from Washington, D.C. According to the Wall Street Journal, the McDonald's mascot is based on TV host Willard Scott. Scott, who was a television presenter and broadcaster in D.C, played a character called Bozo the Clown in 1959 to 1962. McDonald's advertising executives reached out to Scott, who worked as a clown for several years. But they ended up dumping him as the famed clown in 1966 when they decided to introduce other Ronald McDonald's and make the clown a national figure - noting it would be hard to find people in each market with the same big build. The real chef, Hector Boiardee, was born in 1897 in Piacenza, Italy, and immigrated to New York City where he started working in restaurants Chef Boyardee is a beloved brand of Italian canned pasta products - and the cartoon chef himself is based on a real person Chef Boyardee Chef Boyardee is a beloved brand of Italian canned pasta products - and the cartoon chef himself is based on a real person. The logo features a smiling chef in his whites with a siren-red scarf. A noticeable difference in the modern logo to the actual chef is Chef Hector's dark moustache. Hector Boiardee was an Italian chef born in 1897 in Piacenza, Italy, and immigrated to New York City and started working in restaurants. He eventually made his way to head chef at the the famous Plaza Hotel, and later opened his own restaurant, Il Giardino d'Italia, in Cleveland in 1924. He launched the Chef Boyardee Company with his brothers Mario and Paul, in 1928. They made the decision to spell the name phonetically so American's could pronounce it. Lorraine Collett Petersen was 17 when she became immortalized in the logo after being asked to hold a basket and pose for a watercolor painting in 1910 Sun-Maid are known for their raisins and dried fruit - and their logo, featuring a smiling woman in a bright red bonnet, is based on a real girl Sun-Maid Sun-Maid are known for their raisins and dried fruit - and their logo, featuring a smiling woman in a bright red bonnet, is based on a real girl. Lorraine Collett Petersen was 17 when she became immortalized in the logo, after being asked to hold a basket and pose for a watercolor painting in 1910. The Missouri native worked as a seeder, packer, and promoter for a subsidiary of the Sun-Maid company in Fresno, California, at the time. Many know Noel Radford as the smiling, hardworking and doting patriatch of Britain's biggest family and star of the television sow 22 Kids and Counting on Channel 5. He is married to Sue Radford and the pair, based in Morecambe, Lancashire, met when she was aged seven and he was 11. She then became pregnant with their first child Christopher, when she was just 14 and Noel was 18. The couple are both adopted and whilst Sue did not want to know about her birth parents, Noel was intrigued to find out more about them after his daughter fell ill. He was born on Christmas Eve in 1970, was adopted when he was just ten days old in January 1971 by his mother and father. Noel is married to Sue Radford and the pair, based in Morecambe, Lancashire, met when Sue was aged seven The clan - dubbed Britain's largest family - appear on Channel 5's show, 22 and Counting During the third series of the show, Noel opened up about some of the ways in which being adopted had affected his adult life - including a lack of knowledge about his biological family's health history. This issue reared its head when their teenage daughter Ellie was taken to the doctors for tests after she was not feeling well. Her liver function was high and medic suspected that she may have Gilbert's Syndrome, a hereditary condition that is passed through genetics. Sue said: 'Basically Gilbert's Syndrome is hereditary, it's genetic, it can get passed on, so she said either I'm a carrier or Noel is a carrier. It might mean that some of the other children might have it.' Ellie's result prompted both Noel and Sue to get tested themselves for the condition, as none of them know their family history. After the tests were conducted, Noel admitted that he wanted to find out more about his biological side of the family. He said on the show: 'After doing that test it's got me thinking, we're both adopted and we know absolutely nothing about our medical history at all. 'I'd quite like to find out more about my family, where I'm from, just anything about myself.' Sue said did not want to find out more about her biological parents, whereas Noel said he was interested to dig deeper into his family background. Noel said: 'I don't really know much about my biological family so something like this will shed a bit of light about what the history might bring, health wise. Sue then became pregnant with their first child Christopher, when she was just 14 and Noel was 18. Above: Pictured on their wedding day at Kendal Parish Church in 1992 Noel was born on Christmas Eve in 1970, was adopted when he was just ten days old in January 1971 by his mother and father 'It might tell me a bit more about who I am, where I'm from, possibly my birth parents. Now as I'm getting older, I do think about it a bit more often.' The father said he didn't really think about his birth parents when he was younger and saw his adoptive parents as 'mum and dad'. Noel's DNA test showed he had been born in Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport and his birth date was the same as his birthday. He fought back tears as he said: 'I don't even know why I don't like talking about it. I just don't like it. I have a lot of respect for my mum and dad. 'To be honest, I'm glad I was adopted, otherwise I wouldn't have the life I have now.' Noel's adoptive father said he was supportive of the search and told him that his birth mother was a 'young mum'. 'My birth mum was 16, so she's about 68 or 69 now. There's a good chance she's still alive and kicking. Hopefully she is. I don't know the situation she was in. 'I do wonder sometimes, especially when it's my birthday, I can't imagine that she doesn't at some point in the day, think about me.' At the end of the series, Noel reveals that the document has his real birth mother's name on it, perhaps hinting that he will continue his search. Sue and Noel Radford are pictured with their children at Christmas time on This Morning in 2018 In the couple's joint memoir, The Radfords: Making Life Count, which was published in February, Noel gave an update about his birth mother. He wrote: 'My birth mum is still none the wiser that I have been looking to find out more information about her, unless she watches us on the TV and shes maybe put two and two together.' 'I dont think she would have been told details about who adopted me, where they were from and what my surname was going to be. I think things are completely different now compared with the time I was adopted. "I could be wrong but I think that in the 1970s after you were given up, that was it. Though there may have been a six-week cooling off period, where you could change your mind and have the child back but then there was no going back after that.' 22 Kids and Counting continues with season five airing on 21 July. Princess Elisabeth cut an effortlessly elegant figure as she joined King Philippe and Queen Mathilde for Belgium's National Day celebrations. The European royal, 22, who has recently completed History and Politics degree at Oxford, opted for a hot pink outfit for the annual event. Every year, the country marks National Day to celebrate the anniversary of Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg swearing allegiance to the Belgian Constitution - making him the first King of Belgium. The future Queen, who linked arms with her brother Prince Emmanuel as she walked up the steps of Brussels Cathedral, looked suitably sophisticated in a fuchsia midi dress and matching headband. The royal's form-fitting dress featured a chic cape detail that covered her shoulders for the religious ceremony this morning. Pictured: Princess Elisabeth seen holding her younger brother Prince Emmanuel's arm as they arrived at Brussels Cathedral Elisabeth finished off her ensemble with a matching hot pink clutch bag, silver dangly earrings and some nude heels. Princess Eleonore, 16, also looked equally as chic as her older sister in a red-and-white floral silk dress while their brothers Emmanuel, 18, and Gabriel, 20, were dapper in morning suits for the occasion. Meanwhile, Queen Mathilde, 51, was stylish in an ivory button-down dress with a full skirt and matching hat. The Queen paired her chic dress with some tan suede gloves, which went perfectly with her high heels. King Philppe, 64, was dressed in his military uniform as he led his family into the Cathedral this morning. Independence Day celebrates the separation of Belgium from the Netherlands in 1831, as well as the formal establishment of the Kingdom. Today sees a varied programme of festivities, from the Place du Jeu de Balle to Brussels Park, taking in the various districts of Brussels for National Day. Earlier this month, Princess Elisabeth officially bid farewell to the University of Oxford after three 'wonderful' years. Princess Eleonore, 16, also looked equally as chic as her older sister in a red-and-white floral silk dress while their brothers Emmanuel, 18, and Gabriel, 20, were dapper in morning suits for the occasion Queen Mathilde, 51, was stylish in an ivory button-down dress with a full skirt and matching hat and gloves King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, Princess Eleonore pose outside the Cathedral King Philippe and Queen Mathilde's four children pose for a group photo outside the Cathedral in Brussels this morning Belgium's Royal Family was out in full force this morning to mark National Day during a ceremony at Brussels Cathedral Pictured: Princess Elisabeth seen greeting royal fans outside of the Brussels Cathedral this morning Belgium's annual National Day celebrates the separation of the country from the Netherlands in 1831 Princess Elisabeth's form-fitting dress featured a chic cape detail that covered her shoulders for the religious ceremony this morning The European royal, 22, who has recently completed History and Politics degree at Oxford , opted for a hot pink outfit for the annual event The Queen paired her chic dress with some tan suede gloves, which went perfectly with her high heels The future European Queen enrolled at the institution under the name 'Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg' and was a member of Lincoln College. Speaking about her time there, a spokesperson for the Belgian Royal Palace told the Oxford Mail: 'The Princess loved studying in Oxford and had a wonderful time in Lincoln College.' As well as being an active member of her college's boat club, Elisabeth would have completed around six written papers and a thesis in History or Politics in her final year to complete the degree. Princess Elisabeth's next endeavour is the renowned Harvard University in Boston, where the Princess passed entrance tests to. The Brussels Times reports she will be at the college's Kennedy School campus. The palace told the outlet: 'The Princess was also selected for an 'Honorary Award' from the Fullbright Program, the US Department of State's international educational exchange programme.' And it seems Princess Elisabeth is already immersing herself in American culture. In March, She hosted former US president Barack Obama when she joined her father King Philippe in Brussels. She took time out of her studies her studies at the time to carry out the rare royal engagement in her home nation. Elisabeth is next in line to the Belgian throne as she is the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Vice President Kamala Harris attends a moderated conversation with former Trump administration national security official Olivia Troye and former Republican voter Amanda Stratton on Wednesday in Kalamazoo, Mich. Chris duMond/Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 13 in Philadelphia. Drew Hallowell/Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris makes remarks before a moderated conversation with former Trump administration national security official Olivia Troye and former Republican voter Amanda Stratton on Wednesday in Kalamazoo, Mich. Chris duMond/Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at James B. Dudley High School on July 11 in Greensboro, N.C. Sean Rayford/Getty Images With the abrupt end to President Joe Bidens presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris could become the first Black and Indian American woman to lead a major party ticket. First, she must convince naysayers in her party that she has learned from her past mistakes and can unite voters behind her candidacy. If she succeeds, it would tee up a potential contest between a longtime prosecutor and a convicted felon, former President Donald Trump. The 59-year-old Harris, who was born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley, graduated from UC Law San Francisco and served as San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general and U.S. senator from California before Biden asked her to join the presidential ticket in 2020. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, she wrote in a statement Sunday. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. The party now finds itself in the unprecedented position of weighing candidates at the 11th hour, though discussion of Harris strengths and weaknesses as a candidate for the top of the ticket has swirled for weeks after Bidens disastrous debate performance against Trump on June 27. More than 30 Democratic lawmakers eventually urged Biden to exit the race. Bidens decision means that his 3,896 pledged delegates are free to vote for the candidate of their choice. Biden endorsed Harris on Sunday, just minutes after announcing his decision to exit the race. Harris will still need to persuade a majority of Democratic delegates to vote for her. Harris will also need to quickly choose a vice presidential running mate if she gets enough support for a presidential run. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear have been mentioned as vice presidential contenders should Harris become the presidential nominee. She appeared at events with Cooper and Shapiro in the weeks before Bidens announcement. Whats working against her Part of the reluctance to embrace Harris can be traced to her failed 2020 presidential campaign, which began spectacularly with the candidate announcing her run at a rally before 20,000 people in downtown Oakland but never caught on with voters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her campaign was seen as erratic as she toggled between the moderate and progressive wings of the party, with neither fully embracing her. While she was progressive on some issues such as her support for debt-free college tuition, many on the left couldnt let go of her history as a career prosecutor. Harris was polling fourth in her home state before she ended her campaign in December 2019. She reemerged on the national stage and performed well on the campaign trail when Biden selected her as his running mate, but it was a different story when she entered the White House. There, she was handed a portfolio of the nations most difficult challenges, from taking on the causes of illegal immigration to bolstering voting rights. She made little headway on either. Several attendees of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee falsely referred to Harris as the administrations border czar and warned that America would be less safe with her at the helm. Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita was asked onstage during an RNC event what he believed to be Harris biggest vulnerability. Border czar, he responded. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For much of her time as vice president, Harris has been excoriated on social media by right-wing critics and assorted trolls. Trump has insulted Harris from almost the moment she became a candidate. At a 2020 rally in North Carolina he said, People dont like her. Nobody likes her. She could never be the first woman president. She could never be. That would be an insult to our country. Several speakers at the Republican National Convention including Trumps son Eric, failed presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and San Francisco venture capitalist David Sacks demeaned Harris intelligence and abilities and even routinely mispronounced her name. As speculation about Bidens campaign heated up, Republicans warned that Harris was too inexperienced to take over something Biden disputed. Harris has had a far longer tenure in elected office than Trump or his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance. Part of that negativity toward Harris is rooted in her position as the first woman and the first woman of color in that role, said Ashanti Gholar, president of Emerge, a national organization dedicated to recruiting and training Democratic women to run for office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gholar, who has served as the director of African American engagement for the Democratic National Committee, said it is what women have to deal with if theyre the vice president, if theyre in Congress, if they are the mayor, Gholar said. The rules change, and the expectations are higher, and unfortunately for some people, youre never going to meet their expectations. Whats working in her favor Even as Biden insisted he would stay in the race, interest in Harris grew, rooted in the belief that she would be more competitive against Trump. She is also the only candidate who could access the tens of millions of dollars in the Biden-Harris campaign fund. Harris already had support from congressional Democrats before Biden withdrew. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One of Bidens most important allies, Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, told NBC on July 14 that he would support Harris if Biden dropped out. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, posted to X on July 11: If/when President Biden passes the torch, Im all-in for Kamala Harris! A group of Democratic lawmakers from swing states also reportedly told House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that Harris would be a better nominee in their districts than Biden. Some believe that Democratic hopes to stop Trump rest with Harris, who was ignored during much of her term as vice president and even overlooked by many in the immediate wake of Bidens disastrous debate performance for the likes of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. But choosing anyone but Harris could alienate Black women, the most loyal voters in the Democratic Party. After initially struggling, Harris found her vice presidential voice taking the lead on touting abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. She has forcefully kept the issue front and center for the campaign in a way that Biden, a Catholic who often struggles to even say abortion, has not. Nevertheless, some Democrats have long thought she would be the strongest candidate against Trump. As calls for Biden to leave the race ramped up, some of Harris greatest hits as a senator and candidate began circulating online. A pro-Harris super PAC that supported her 2020 presidential run produced a 60-second ad that featured the then-senator annihilating Republican Attorneys General Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh during Senate hearings. The tagline: Kamala Harris is the Democrat for president that Donald Trump fears most. The video was scheduled to air on the day Harris dropped out of the race. Harris previewed what she might sound like as a presidential candidate during a July 18 campaign event in North Carolina. Princess Diana's astrologer has labelled Prince George a 'sensitive' and 'highly responsible' character as she noted how the royal is taking after his parents. Debbie Frank, who counted the late Princess of Wales among her high-profile clients, has analysed Prince George's star sign ahead of his 11th birthday tomorrow. Speaking to HELLO!, the expert claims the exact timing of Prince George's birth - 16:24 on 22 July 2013 at the Lister Hospital in London - means he is 'empathetic, and giving'. The astrologer noted how both Prince William and Prince George have Cancer star signs - just like Princess Diana before them. According to Debbie, people with a Cancer star sign are 'self-protective' and the expert noted how Diana and William were 'shy as young people' but then 'blossomed' into their public roles. Pictured: Prince George - who is turning 11 tomorrow - seen arriving at St George's Chapel in Windsor in April 2023 As a result, Debbie said the public can expect George to start growing in confidence with his public appearances as he approaches his teenage years. What's more, Debbie also compared George's star sign to his mother's and highlighted how the future King is also taking after the Princess of Wales. Debbie explained: 'His mother Princess Kate was born under the opposite sun sign of Capricorn and interestingly she has the Moon in Cancer. 'Their charts are reversed as George is a Sun Sign Cancer with Moon in Capricorn, and Kate is Sun in Capricorn, Moon in Cancer creating a positive and magnetic flow of energy between them.' On top of this, Debbie also used George's star sign to predict what he will be like as a King one day. According to the expert, George will be a 'heart over head' kind of monarch. Debbie claims the Prince and Princess of Wales' eldest son will make 'gut instinct' decisions as he doesn't have any planets in Air signs. Last week, Prince George travelled to Berlin with Prince William to watch England compete in the Euros final against Spain. Debbie Frank (pictured), who counted the late Princess of Wales among her high-profile clients, has analysed Prince George's star sign ahead of his 11th birthday tomorrow Pictured: Princess of Wales - who was one of Debbie Frank's client - at Bayan Palace in March 1989. After Spain scored earlier in the match, Prince George looked visibly disappointed as he took a seat next to his father. But Cole Palmer's glorious goal reignited the royals' dream of a Euros win last week. The father-and-son looked visibly tense and holding their heads in their hands as Cole neared the goal. William and George then jumped up out of their seats and shouted in celebration alongside Keir Starmer. Following their celebration, Prince William turned to hug Prince George, who appeared overwhelmed with joy. However, William and George's joy was short-lived as Spain scored again just minutes later - thereby securing the Euros 2024 victory. The father and son appeared visibly heartbroken as they stared out at the pitch with their heads in their hands. Posting from the official Kensington Palace account just seconds after the final whistle, he commiserated with the team after watching them closely miss out on victory. William wrote: This time it just wasnt meant to be. Were all still so proud of you. Onwards @England. W. The love child of King Albert II of Belgium ensured all eyes were only on her by wearing a dazzling pink and red pant suit emblazoned with a striking butterfly on the front and the word 'love' on her back. Artist Princess Delphine, 53, formerly known as Delphine Boel, wore the mesmerising candy and fuscia striped outfit to National Day 2024 celebrations at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium. The annual day commemorates the investiture of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831. Delphine, 55, who accessorised her tailored suit with an elegant and matching wide-brimmed hat, white clutch purse and chunky ivory platform heels believes she has a strong claim to attend such celebrations given her blue-blooded genes. She is thought to be the result of an 18-year affair between former monarch, King Albert II, 89, who abdicated in 2013 in favour of his son King Philippe, 63, and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 82, that began in the 1960s. Artist Princess Delphine, 53, formerly known as Delphine Boel, wore a mesmerising candy and fuscia striped outfit to the event at the Royal Palace in Brussels Love is all around: Princess Delphine, love child of King Albert II of Belgium, ensured all eyes were only on her as she attended National Day celebrations in Brussels on Sunday Delphine, 55, accessorised her tailored suit with an elegant and matching wide-brimmed hat Delphine is thought to be the result of an 18-year affair between former monarch, King Albert II, 89 and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 82, that began in the 1960s The stylish artist rounded off her outfit with a white clutch purse and chunky ivory platform heels. Pictured: Delphine with her partner, James O'Hare The annual National Day commemorates the investiture of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831 Delphine attended the national event alongside her half-brother, Prince Laurent Delphine was legally named as King Albert II of Belgium's daughter only three years ago Delphine said her battle to be recognised as a royal was not about money or status, but rather to be treated with the same 'respect' as her half-siblings For decades, the former King distanced himself from Princess Delphine and her mother to preserve his marriage. Pictured: Delphine walks towards the Palace with partner James O'Hare It's not the first time Delphine has worn - quite literally - a statement outfit. In January, she was spotted with a shawl featuring the words 'Never Give Up' on an Instagram post, just months after asking to be officially considered a royal by her government. The artist also posted a snap of herself holding up a 495 graffiti-style scarf which featured the phrases 'when the system is corrupt', 'when the future looks f*****' and 'when the going gets tough'. Delphine has had a rocky road to recognition as the love child of her country's former monarch. She was legally named as King Albert II of Belgium's daughter three years ago - but in 2023 she reportedly penned a legal letter to the government asking to be invited to official events like her half-siblings Princess Astrid, 61, and Prince Laurent, 60. Speaking after a court officially acknowledged her as the love child of Belgium's former king in October 2020, Delphine said her battle to be recognised as a royal was not about money or status, but rather to be treated with the same 'respect' as her half-siblings. For decades, the former King distanced himself from Princess Delphine and her mother to preserve his marriage. After Princess Delphine was born in 1968, the King initially remained in frequent contact with his child and her mother. But when Delphine reached her 16th birthday, the King began to distance himself. In 2013, the same year King Albert abdicated the throne due to health reasons and was succeeded by his son King Philippe, Princess Delphine launched a legal bid to be officially recognised as Albert's daughter - which she won in October 2020. Now Delphine has the right to bear the royal name de Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family as are her two children Princess Josephine of Belgium, 19, and Prince Oscar of Belgium, 14, who she shares with partner James O'Hare. Speaking to Tatler last year, the princess, who is an artist, revealed her father's rejection when she was young still hurts, but added she doesn't blame him and holds no ill-will towards him. She argued that royal life is 'isolating' and she believed her father had been badly advised at the time. However, she said: 'You don't just have a child and kick it.' Delphine (pictured in 2022 in France) has the right to the royal name de Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family Artist Princess Delphine, 53, formerly known as Delphine Boel, has placed messages on her clothing before - pictured here in December with a shawl Now Delphine has attended royal engagements and says her relationship with her father has healed after years of bitterness. She met her brother, King Philippe of Belgium who is one of 20 Belgian royals she is related to - in 2020, where they posted a socially distanced picture to Facebook, describing it as a 'warm meeting.' When she was granted her royal title Princess Delphine was also invited to Belvedere Castle in Brussels where she had an official meeting with her father and his wife Queen Paola. A Kentucky woman was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and given just six months to live, despite never smoking and being physically active. Leah Phillips was just 43 years old in September 2019 when she developed a dry, nagging cough. Two weeks later, doctors dismissed it as just a remnant from a generic virus she had contracted. A few days taking corticosteroids eased the cough, though it returned several weeks later, along with shortness of breath. A distance runner, Ms Phillips now had trouble keeping up with her jogging group and suffered a 'heaviness' in her chest. After returning to the doctor and pushing for more tests, scans showed consolidation in her right lung, which occurs when air in the airways is replaced with fluid, blood, or other materials. It can be a sign of multiple health complications, and the mother-of-three was diagnosed with pneumonia. Leah Phillips (top right with her husband and children) was diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer at 43, despite never smoking 'It knocked my mom and my husband and I over with a feather because none of us even knew that you could get lung cancer without smoking,' Ms Phillips told The Patient Story She was prescribed antibiotics, but halfway through treatment she started coughing up blood. Doctors gave her stronger antibiotics and later admitted her to the hospital for four days for further testing and observation. The medical team insisted Ms Phillips just had a persistent case of pneumonia, despite the fact she now was losing weight, coughing, could hardly walk up the stairs, and had pain in her right shoulder and right rib. 'I looked awful,' Ms Phillips, now 47, told The Patient Story. 'I was standing in the doctor's office crying at the front ladies, saying, "There's something seriously wrong with me. I need someone to see me. I need someone to listen to me." 'I said, "I'm not leaving here until someone sees me."' A few months later, in December 2019, CT scans and bone biopsies revealed stage four non-small cell lung cancer. She said: 'It knocked my mom and my husband and I over with a feather because none of us even knew that you could get lung cancer without smoking. 'That oncologist told me I had six to 12 months to live and that I need to get my affairs in order. I was 43 with small kids. 'I remember sitting there, bursting into tears. I was like, "This can't be happening. Metastatic cancer is what you die from, and I'm living now."' Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It accounts for one in five cancer deaths, and just over half of cases are diagnosed after the disease has spread to other organs. In Ms Phillips' case, her cancer had spread to her spine and pelvis. Only one in four lung cancerpatients survive after five years. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type, accounting for nine out of 10 lung cancer diagnoses. It typically grows more slowly than small cell lung cancer and usually doesn't cause any symptoms until it has progressed. The mother of three (left), here with her family, had been physically active and was part of a running club when she received her lung cancer diagnosis Ms Phillips, pictured with her son, is stable, though she 'will never been in remission' due to the aggressive nature of the cancer Ms Phillips is among a growing group of people being diagnosed with early-onset cancer - a diagnosis before the age of 50. One in 10 lung cancer diagnoses in the US are in patients under 55, but experts have warned that rate of early cases has been increasing for the past two decades. And though cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, the share of young patients who have never smoked is also on the rise. Genetic testing revealed Ms Phillips had a mutation in her EGFR gene, which is most common in female, nonsmoking lung cancer patients patients. About 10 to 15 percent of the 234,000 patients diagnosed with lung cancer per year have an EGFR mutation. She also wrote for Project Environmental her doctor believes exposure to radon increased her risk of developing cancer. Radon, a known carcinogen, is an invisible odorless gas produced from the radioactive decay of uranium in rocks, soil, and water. The World Health Organization estimates radon is responsible for three to 14 percent of lung cancers. She believes that living in Kentucky has increased her radon exposure, as the chemical is common there. Dr Laura Mezquita, a medical oncologist in Spain, said at an oncology conference earlier this summer: Radon is the main cause of cancer in non-smokers. Radon is a risk factor also in young populations.' She said this could be due to radon exposure from birth, which could occur if radon enters a home through contaminated soil. And a 2019 report in Nature found radon exposure in homes is increasing due to modern construction being more airtight and trapping in chemicals. GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement Ms Phillips quickly began taking the oral chemotherapy medication osimertinib, which is used specifically to treat non-small cell lung cancer in patients with genetic mutations. After a year of treatment, the main tumor in her right lung had shrunk by 70 percent, and the disease in her bones had diminished. In November 2020, she began eight sessions of intensive radiation to attack the remaining cancer. The cancer has been stable since then, though the chemotherapty drug is only estimated to the cancer at bay for two to three years. It then can grow and spread again. While Ms Phillips' condition has been stable on the drug for four and a half years, her doctors believe the medication will run its course. And even if it continues to work, her tumors will not shrink anymore. 'It's not a matter of if I will progress, it's a matter of when,' she said. 'I'm on, I guess borrowed time. There is no official next step. 'I'll never be in remission. I'll never be cured.' Though Ms Phillips' outlook is grim, she is now urging other young people to advocate for themselves to doctors and not take no for an answer. She said: 'What if I were not educated? What if I wouldn't have stood up for myself? What if I didn't have the financial means or the insurance to keep going back. That's who my heart breaks for. 'Being dismissed has never been my style. I'm not a confrontational person, but when I'm passionate about something... I will stand up for what I believe in, and I knew I deserved better care than what I was getting. 'You've got to be your own self advocate, and if you don't feel like you can be, you need to find someone who will be.' SEVERAL times a year I get a strange bonfire smell in my nostrils. Ive read this could be a sign of something really sinister. Is this true? GETTING an altered sense of smell would usually imply some sort of problem within the nose or the sinuses. Doctors call this phantosmia where patients detect smells that arent there. The smell of smoke is one of the most commonly reported, but some people experience the scent of rotting food and chemicals. The smell of smoke is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of phantosmia A more common cause of phantosmia is a sinus infection However, it is not necessarily anything sinister. A general rule that GPs follow is that any symptom which has been around for a long time but has not worsened, is unlikely to be dangerous. A tumour in the sinuses could cause a change in smell, but this would get worse over time, and would likely be accompanied by other symptoms. A more common cause of phantosmia is a sinus infection or a condition called sinusitis, where the sinuses become inflamed. It is not unusual to suffer repeated sinus infections, which might explain why someone would experience a change in smell several times a year. A change in smell could also be caused by a blockage in the nose. Nasal polyps, fleshy growths of tissue inside the nose, often block the nasal passage and become more common in later life. Allergies cause the nose and sinuses to be inflamed, so some people experience phantosmia if there is a lot of pollen in the air. It would be worth trying a steroid nasal spray from the pharmacist when this arises. A salt water spray may also be helpful to flush out anything blocking the nasal passages. I HAVE ankylosing spondylitis and used to take steroid tablets which limited the pain. However, my doctor has said I have to stop taking these because apparently steroids can thin the bones. Im now only able to get three steroid injections a year, and Im in pain all the time. What should I do? ANKYLOSING spondylitis is a long-term condition that occurs when the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed. It typically causes significant pain and stiffness in the back and the neck but it can also cause stiffness elsewhere. Some patients also experience uncomfortable bowel issues as well as swelling in the eyes. While there are some treatments designed purely to control the pain, such as anti-inflammatory tablets, others tackle the inflammation and stop the condition from flaring up. These include steroids, which can suppress the immune system and calm inflammation. One risk of taking regular steroids is that, over time, they raise the risk of the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis. Moreover, there is an even greater danger for those with ankylosing spondylitis, who already have an increased risk of osteoporosis. For some elderly patients, this can put them at high risk of life-threatening falls. Patients who do not have any signs of osteoporosis and have already benefited from a small daily dose usually should be considered for steroid treatment. When the patient is dealing with a lot of pain, the benefits clearly outweigh the theoretical risks. Patients who find themselves in this position should consider going back to their specialist and explicitly stating that they understand the risks and want to go back on steroid tablets. SINCE the death of my father last year Ive struggled to sleep. I try to get to bed at the same time every night. I fall asleep straight away, but then at around 3.30am I wake up again and stay up for hours. What can I do? IF you have difficulty sleeping, you are not alone millions of people in the UK struggle with this issue. Also known as insomnia, the condition can be brought on by stress, anxiety and bereavement. However, for some people, it can begin for no clear reason. When its fairly clear what the underlying problem causing the insomnia is such as a death in the family it is important to directly tackle this issue. This might involve talking therapy to help manage the symptoms of grief. Prescribing sleeping tablets is not a permanent solution and carries risks, including drowsiness throughout the day. Some patients also become reliant on them to sleep. Doctors recommend improving your sleeping environment or your sleep hygiene as its also called. One of the most important aspects of sleep hygiene is having a comfortable, supportive mattress. It might also include getting blackout blinds or ear plugs. There are safe and non-addictive medicines to help improve your sleep. GPs can prescribe melatonin a sleep hormone that naturally occurs in the body to patients over the age of 55. This is because it is thought that melatonin levels in the body drop as people age. The NHS also recommends a sleep therapy app called Sleepio, which provides online cognitive behavioural therapy sessions talking therapy that helps patients change they way they think to manage insomnia. Dont lecture patients on climate IT ALWAYS frustrates me when doctors think they have the right to speak out on complex issues that arent patient-centred. And last week was no exception when the Royal College of Physicians a professional membership group for doctors issued guidance urging members to talk to their patients about climate change. The college said doctors should use their place as a trusted member of the community to warn about the dangers of global warming and repeat it often. It also recommended that doctors reduce their carbon footprint by working from home and cutting back on prescriptions and tests. I wonder if anyone from the college has been in a GP consultation recently. Yes, these are important issues, but they are not my patients priority and nor should they be. When patients are sick or scared about their health, the last thing they need is a lecture about sustainability. Whats behind the record viagra boom LAST week, figures revealed that prescriptions for the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra are at an all-time high. According to the NHS, more than 4.5 million prescriptions for the little blue pill were given out to men last year. And that doesnt include those who buy it from their pharmacist or from an online medical firm. Its something Ive seen in my surgery myself. Every week, I hear from men who are struggling to perform sexually. One reason for this is that the population is ageing and erectile dysfunction becomes more common in later life. Rising rates of obesity and diabetes are also probable causes, as both conditions are linked to the problem. However, I do worry that many men have an unrealistic expectation due to porn of how often and how long they should be able to get an erection, which could be partly to blame for this increase in demand. Have you recently got a Viagra prescription? If so, Id love to know why. Please write to me using the email address at the bottom of the page and let me know your thoughts. Young people are far more likely than older generations to visit A&E with non-urgent medical issues such as headaches, cuts and even acne, new data shows. Almost a quarter of 25 to 34-year-olds admitted to trying to get a doctors appointment for a self-treatable condition, according to research by consumer healthcare association PAGB. Of the over 65 age bracket, just nine per cent reported doing the same. Experts say the 'worrying trend' may be the result of social media advice or that young people don't ask older relatives for help. Around eight per cent of those surveyed admitted to seeking hospital care for sprains or strains. Five per cent said they had gone to A&E for acne. Young people are far more likely than older generations to visit A&E with non-urgent medical issues such as headaches, cuts and even acne, new data shows (Stock image) Around eight per cent of those surveyed admitted to seeking hospital care for sprains or strains. Five per cent said they had gone to A&E for acne (Stock image) PAGB CEO Michelle Riddalls called the 'automatic-pilot reliance' on doctors among the younger generation 'worrying'. 'In the majority of cases, consumers would have received treatment and diagnosis far more swiftly if they had sought advice from a pharmacist instead attending A&E,' she said. 'There is still work to be done to educate consumers on self-care.' Self-treatable conditions account for at least 25 million GP appointments and five million trips to A&E each year, according to analysts from Frontier Economics. Better utilisation of pharmacies and online medical support could save the NHS at least 1.7 billion a year in avoidable appointments and prescription costs as a result. Mark Burdon, pharmacist and advisor to PAGB, said the reliance of younger adults on primary care providers for health advice and treatment may be related to their social media use. 'Young people see the worst case scenarios of not visiting a doctor about a cut or a UTI on social media and worry it could happen to them,' he says. 'Information isn't handled properly online. In the old days, you would ask older relatives for advice but it seems TikTok has replaced Granny's wisdom.' Thousands of people suffering from eczema could soon see their painful symptoms disappear, as the NHS announces the roll-out of a pioneering new jab. The monthly injection can be used by adults and children over the age of 12 affected by the inflammatory condition, which causes uncomfortable patches of itchy, cracked and dry skin. Approved by EU regulators last year, studies show lebrikizumab completely banishes eczema rashes in four out of five people given the drug. It soothes symptoms by targeting a protein in the body that causes inflammation. And now the groundbreaking treatment is set to be available for prescription in England and Wales, after the NHS spending watchdog gave it the green light. For Kymmene Dawson, 39, starting lebrikizumab has been life-changing. 'It's given me a new lease of life where I can wake up in the morning and know that I can go about my day without feeling self-conscious or having to cancel plans,' she said. Thousands of people suffering from eczema could soon see their painful symptoms disappear (stock image) The monthly injection can be used by adults and children over the age of 12 affected by the inflammatory condition, which causes uncomfortable patches of itchy, cracked and dry skin (stock image of eczema) Pictured: A close-up view of Atopic Dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, one of the most common forms of eczema Kymmene, who runs a beer bar in Salford called Joule, was offered the jab in March after previous dugs failed to treat her severe eczema, which primarily affected her face. 'I've had eczema all my life but, for the past ten years, I've needed hospital treatment and immunosuppressant drugs,' she said. 'Last summer I was housebound as my skin was so bad. I'd tried everything and was in a poor state.' She was prescribed dupilumab in 2021, which also at first appeared to transform her skin. But after six months, she again began experiencing very bad flare-ups. Within the first month of taking lebrikizumab, however, Kymmene saw her skin begin to clear and the itchiness ease. 'It had a positive effect very quickly and now I'm in the best state I've been in for a while,' she said. 'I don't feel like a person with eczema any more that's a pretty big deal.' Kymmene did experience a few side effects including little cuts on the inner and outer corners of her eyes but said they largely went away, leaving her eyes feeling better than ever. She also has some minor joint pain for a few days after she receives the lebrikizumab jab. Pictured: A woman applying ointment to eczema on her elbow 'Overall, I'm very happy with everything and plan on continuing to use the medication for as long as it works,' she added. Andrew Proctor, the chief executive of the National Eczema Society, welcomed the news that lebrikizumab would be available on the NHS, saying: 'Most people have heard of atopic eczema, but don't realise how it can dominate the lives of patients and their families. If you live with more severe atopic eczema, you have to constantly plan and prepare. 'Along with a time-intensive and messy skincare regime and regularly disturbed sleep, life with eczema can be all-consuming for sufferers and parents of children with the condition. 'It's important we have a range of treatment options, so patients have the chance to access a treatment that works well for them.' More than 5.2million adults and 2.5million children in the UK currently suffer from moderate to severe cases of eczema. The condition is generally first treated with prescription washes and steroid creams to reduce swelling and redness. In more severe cases, immunosuppressant drugs which can negatively affect immunity and the liver are given. The revolutionary new drug dupilumab received NHS approval in 2021 for patients who had not responded to other treatments. The revolutionary new drug dupilumab (pictured) received NHS approval in 2021 for patients who had not responded to other treatments Professor Tony Bewley (pictured), a consultant dermatologist at Bart's Health NHS Trust in London, said the roll-out will be 'most welcomed for patients and clinicians alike' Targeting two proteins developed in the immune system interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 which cause inflammation, the jab was shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms of eczema. However, it can also lead to side effects such as conjunctivitis where the eyes become red and sore and joint pain. Trials of lebrikizumab, which targets only the interleukin-13 protein, showed the drug triggered far fewer side effects than dupilumab. Research also revealed that 80 per cent of participants with moderate to severe eczema who took lebrikizumab for two years maintained clear or almost clear skin, with experts claiming this may allow those who come off the drug to continue to live eczema free. Earlier this month, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which decides whether the NHS will fund new treatments, concluded that lebrikizumab could be offered to patients who have responded already to an immunosuppresant or when these drugs are not considered suitable. Professor Tony Bewley, a consultant dermatologist at Bart's Health NHS Trust in London, said the roll-out will be 'most welcomed for patients and clinicians alike'. 'Atopic dermatitis often has a greatly underestimated psychosocial burden for the patients and their families,' he said. 'Both adults and children frequently face stigmatisation, 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 therapy is an important step forward and most welcomed for patients and clinicians alike.' A breakthrough needle-free treatment that experts claim can banish a double chin in only 20 minutes is being offered at UK cosmetic clinics. The 1,000 procedure hones and tones neck fat using a pad placed under the chin that emits high-intensity electromagnetic energy. This means it uses pulses of energy to activate the nerves that control the muscle in the neck. This causes it to contract spontaneously, effectively acting as a workout which tones the chin area and reduces skin looseness. Some clinicians claim it mimics the effect of 20,000 sit-ups in one 30-minute session. Studies show the same painless technology is highly effective at reducing fat around the midriff and improving muscle definition. BEFORE AND AFTER: Louise Tarbuck didn't reveal her secret but now feels far more confident Now, clinicians are using the device called the EMFACE Submentum to combat double-chins, which they claim could improve the lives of countless people in the UK. One of the first places in the country to offer the procedure is Aesthetically You, a Liverpool skin clinic, which has carried out the treatment on 50 patients. Experts say the device could be transformative. 'I've been using this technology for over a decade now, and this device is the most effective version yet,' says Dr Rita Rakus, a cosmetic doctor in London. 'For most patients who want to get rid of a double chin I would recommend this over an invasive procedure. It is highly effective and has little-to-no side effects.' Studies suggest nearly four out of five people say they are self-conscious about their neck fat, also known as submental fullness. The saggy skin problem is most common in people who are overweight. However, it also becomes more of an issue as people age because skin loses its elasticity. Other options include liposuction, which is an invasive operation involving making an incision in the chin and removing fat by sucking it out via a surgical tube. Patients may also get a neck lift which involves tightening the skin under the chin. This is done using small clips, called sutures, which are attached to the edges of the neck muscle the digastric muscle to shorten it, pulling the chin skin in closer to the neck. However, these procedures are not without risks. Liposuction often triggers bruising and swelling, as well as a numbness in the skin. In some cases patients experience severe side effects including bleeding and infections. Moreover, patients also have to be given general anaesthetic, meaning they often stay in hospital overnight. But the new EMFACE procedure is much faster, and carries far fewer risks. Alongside electromagnetic energy, the chin pad also uses another type of energy called synchronised radio frequency which research suggests can also help combat skin sagginess. Patients are advised to get four 20-minute sessions, seven to ten days apart. The procedure usually costs upwards of 250 per session. Michelle McLean, from Aesthetically You, says many patients notice a positive change after one session, with the best results usually seen after 90 days. In a clinical trial, carried out by EMFACE, the technology was shown to reduce face wrinkles by about 27 per cent in three months. In 2018, the company launched its EMsculpt, which uses the same electric energy technology to combat stomach paunch. Studies suggest the EMsculpt can reduce the depth of the fat layer that covers the stomach by up to 20 per cent, or 3.4mm on average. A similar US trial is ongoing assessing the effectiveness of the EMFACE at reducing excess chin fat. One patient who benefited is Louise Tarbuck, a florist from Liverpool who began treatment in March this year. The procedure, called EMFACE hones and tones neck fat using a pad placed under the chin that emits high-intensity electromagnetic energy Louise, 45, spent years suffering from low self-confidence because of her double chin. Her insecurities grew to the point where she was afraid to go outside or exercise because she was embarrassed by her chin. 'When I heard about the EMFACE, I thought, 'well, I'll give it a go I can only try', she says. 'And to be honest, I was completely blown away, even after the first session, so it was brilliant and I just thought I'd carry on.' She finished treatment in mid-April and now feels like a 'completely different' woman. She says the procedure was painless and without side effects. 'Nobody knew that I'd been anywhere,' she says. 'But then a couple of weeks later, somebody said 'Oh, your face has got a lot slimmer, you've lost a lot of weight.' Her husband has also noticed her growing confidence. When I had photographs taken, I would always put my hand under my chin to hide what was ther,' she says. 'Now I don't, I just smile.' 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. G.J. writes: Seven years ago I retired, having been told by Lloyds Bank's pension managers Willis Towers Watson (WTW) that my pension from the bank would give me a lump sum of 90,000 and a monthly pension of 1,200. Now I have received a letter from WTW which has turned our world upside down. It says the figures given seven years ago were overstated due to an 'administrative error'. It wants me to repay 45,000 of the lump sum and a further 50,000 which it says has been overpaid as monthly pension. Huge, rich company: But its mistake left reader on medication Tony Hetherington replies: When many pensioners struggle to meet day-to-day bills, I can only imagine what it must have been like to open a letter demanding that you find 95,000, on top of which WTW planned to cut your pension by about 500 a month. You told me: 'After 40 years of service, we took WTW's figures on trust, never imagining that it could make such a fundamental mistake. We are at our wits' end. I have had to seek medication for anxiety, and my wife is worried it will seek a legal charge on our home.' WTW's letter explained that it had 'a legal responsibility to only pay benefits in line with a member's entitlement'. Its only concession was to add that it would take into account any irreversible change to your finances that had been caused by its mistake. But even this was hardly helpful. Simply having spent the money was not good enough. WTW told you: 'If you spent the overpayment on a particular asset, for example a car, you can sell the car and use the funds to repay the trustee.' Nor would paying off your mortgage give you any leeway, as WTW added that 'you would have been required to repay your mortgage in any event'. I asked Lloyds to comment, and it told me its pension scheme was operated by an independent company which had appointed WTW as administrator. It added: 'We recognise Mr J's long service and contribution to the group, and the difficulty and stress that the discovery of this error with his pension is now causing.' The bank is seeking a speedy solution. I also contacted WTW, and asked why its mistake should not be regarded as negligence, with WTW footing the bill. The multi-national company would only say that it would make a compensation offer 'once we have sufficient information'. In short, it would not put forward a figure until you revealed full details of your finances and WTW could see what you could afford to hand over. If you had been thrifty in retirement, WTW would offer less compensation than if you had been a spendthrift and ended up in debt which would be an absurd outcome that penalised you for being sensible. What WTW did not say was why it should escape paying for its own negligence, so I repeated the question. WTW is a huge, rich company. You and your wife are pensioners. Demanding 95,000 from you would have a massive impact. Writing off 95,000 from its own profits would barely be noticeable. This time my question struck home. WTW has now said: 'On this occasion, WTW have advised the trustees that we will make a payment to the pension scheme equivalent to the amount of overpaid benefits, and as a result the trustees have confirmed that there is no need for Mr J to repay any money.' It may now be left to the Pensions Ombudsman to give a ruling on whether WTW can cut your future monthly pension, but you and your wife can rest easy in the knowledge that your home is safe. There will be no more demands for 95,000. WE'RE WATCHING YOU 'Expertise': Yield Gallery's Jon Sullivan An art investment company linked to a convicted fraudster is facing a High Court winding-up petition after investigations by The Mail on Sunday and the Insolvency Service. Yield Gallery Limited operates galleries in Soho and Blackheath in London, and has announced plans to expand in Dubai. Its creative director Jon Sullivan says: 'With our expertise, we are able to advise, educate and help inspire new collectors and art enthusiasts seeking financial security.' But last October, I revealed that Sullivan was previously known as Jonothan Piper. And under his old name, he was jailed for five and a half years in 2016 after pleading guilty to charges of fraud, money laundering and evading tax. Piper ran Embassy Wine UK Limited, which marketed vintage wine as an investment but cheated clients out of 300,000. Piper was also banned from acting as a company director for 11 years, but under his new name he had illegally formed two companies, an art retail business called YG Group Holdings and a financial intermediary firm, Jerry Peggy Limited. Yield Gallery also employed as a salesman another disqualified director, Anthony Allen. He is banned from running any company until 2031, after he ran Global Neutral Limited, a scam firm which marketed investments in carbon credits. No date has yet been fixed for the High Court to consider the winding-up petition, and the Insolvency Service declined to comment. However, lawyers for Yield Gallery said: 'It is proposed to strenuously contest the petition'. 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. Guess which are the best performing stock markets over one, three, five, seven, 20 and 30 years?,' asks Vipul Mehta, manager of Nomura India Equity Fund, expectantly. With no answer forthcoming (would you know?), Mehta reveals: 'The US and India. The two markets take it in turns to be number one and number two. Yet India has not yet got the recognition it is due.' The Nomura India Equity fund has been investing in a carefully-selected portfolio of 25-35 Indian companies since its inception in 2017. Firms include Indian heavyweights ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries and Tata Motors. The portfolio is selected across all sectors, and involves deep dive analysis and visits to Indian companies to assess their outlook. It has grown to around US $1,876.9 million assets under management as of the end of May, and has turned a 100 investment into 156 over three years compared to 149 for the average India fund. And while the Indian market has already produced 8 per cent compounded returns over the past 30 years, in dollar terms, Mehta is confident there is much more to come. 'If everything is going great guns globally and locally, I think India will grow at 7 per cent,' he says. 'But if everything goes wrong, we will probably end up growing at 5 per cent. But if we assume that growth is 6 per cent per annum for the next five years and I don't see any reason why it will not happen India becomes the third largest economy by the turn of 2027 overtaking Germany and Japan.' Mehta is clear that there could be obstacles on the horizon, but says there are big drivers that will push further momentum. The first is the young population. India has a population of 1.4 billion with an average age of 30. That continues to grow productivity, consumption and all activity. However, Mehta adds that the risk is the six to seven million people coming into the workforce every year and a necessity to create jobs for them. 'If that doesn't happen, it results in social insecurity or disturbances,' he says. The second driver is the amount being spent on infrastructure. 'There are now 160 airports and many cities are putting in a metro network,' says Mehta. And the third is a big focus on manufacturing and exports. Mehta points to a recent Made in India campaign. Defence and trains are being made in India and some manufacturing is shifting to the country from China. The combination of recent growth and further potential means domestic and international investors are cottoning on to the prospects to be found investing in India. However, Mehta still sees opportunities. 'Valuations are expensive, but they are not in bubble territory and I see no reason for collapse,' he says. Not even the outcome of India's election could dampen Mehta's optimism. Narendra Modi of the BJP party returned for a third term as prime minister. However, his previous majority was reduced and his party formed a coalition with two allies. India's stock market fell by 7 per cent on the news, but recovered most of its losses once the coalition was formed. 'Markets fell because there was an expectation of an overwhelming majority,' says Mehta. 'There doesn't seem to be any threat to the survival of the Government over the next five years and to Modi being the prime minister unless he hands over the baton.' The fund has an ongoing charge of 0.93 per cent. The Post Office has plunged into more turmoil after the lawyer leading its response to the Horizon IT inquiry stepped back. Ben Foat has taken a leave of absence on full pay from his role as the group's general counsel the top in-house legal role at the taxpayer-owned organisation. It comes as the independent investigation into the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history is about to enter its final phase. The scandal saw the Post Office prosecute hundreds of innocent post-masters and post-mistresses following the introduction of the faulty Horizon computer system. More than 700 of them were wrongly prosecuted and jailed for theft, false accounting and other offences between 1999 and 2015 in cases brought by the Post Office using flawed data. A bad sign: The Post Office has plunged into more turmoil after the lawyer leading its response to the Horizon IT inquiry stepped back Many more were bankrupted and suffered terrible stress and public shame based on evidence from the supposedly 'secure' 1 billion Horizon software system. Thousands of victims are still awaiting compensation. News that Foat has stepped back is the latest spin of the revolving door in the Post Office boardroom. The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that chief executive Nick Read will keep his full salary despite his deputy being drafted to do his day job while he prepares for the last stage of the Horizon inquiry, which is due to begin in September. The 60,000 Read is set to receive over seven weeks is slightly more than the 54,000 bonus he was forced to hand back for his previous work on the Horizon inquiry amid a public outcry. Read has also faced calls to quit over a letter in which he said the Post Office would stand by the prosecution of more than half of the sub-postmasters convicted in the Horizon scandal. MPs on the business and trade committee expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership, accusing him of giving misleading evidence. Read also came under fire from the Post Office's former human resources director for being 'obsessed' about his pay, which last year totalled 573,000. He also denied a claim made by former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton that he had threatened to resign unless he was paid more than 1 million. Staunton was sacked by former business secretary Kemi Badenoch in January. He was dismissed after claiming the Government had stalled compensation payouts to sub-postmasters until after the airing of the hit ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office starring Toby Jones that month. More upheaval followed last month when finance director Alisdair Cameron retired with an estimated 1.2 million pay-off after being off sick since last year amid a reported clash with Read. Foat, 45, was forced to apologise on behalf of the Post Office to the public inquiry last year after a document surfaced which used racist terms about wrongly convicted sub postmasters, referring to some of them as 'Negroid types'. The document predated Foat's time at the Post Office. It was a guide for fraud investigators, who were asked to group suspects based on racial features from the colonial era of the 1800s which refers to people of African descent. Foat also came under fire from inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams for the Post Office's late disclosure of evidence, including the controversial racial profiling document. 'It is clear to me that the evidence he (Foat) has provided to me both in writing and orally is largely dependent upon his understanding of information provided to him by others,' Williams said. Foat was due to give further evidence last month. The session was cancelled at the last minute after an inquiry team member fell ill. Foat is now due to appear at the inquiry in the autumn. The Post Office confirmed that Foat is 'temporarily away from the business'. 'We cannot comment on individual employment matters,' a spokesman added. He is being replaced by legal director Sarah Gray who will take up Foat's day-to-day duties on an interim basis. John Dillon, former legal director at lottery operator Camelot, has been appointed as interim general counsel for the Horizon probe, the Post Office added. Read, meanwhile, is being replaced on an interim basis by Owen Woodley, the Post Office's deputy chief executive. Gov. Gavin Newsom, seen during a news conference in Oakland on public safety on July 11, has said he would not challenge Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination if President Joe Biden stepped down. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle SACRAMENTO Gov. Gavin Newsom quieted speculation Sunday evening that he would seek the Democratic presidential nomination by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trumps dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than Americas Vice President, @KamalaHarris, Newsom wrote on X. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Newsom was seen as a leading contender for the nomination once President Joe Biden announced he would drop out of the 2024 campaign. He stoked speculation he might seek the nomination in the immediate aftermath with a statement praising Biden, but not immediately endorsing Harris. President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans, Newsom wrote on X a few minutes after Biden announced his decision to drop out. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Spokespeople for Newsom also did not immediately answer questions about whether Newsom would seek the nomination. Biden made the possibility of a Newsom candidacy far less likely by endorsing Harris for the nomination shortly after announcing that he would drop out of the race. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, the president wrote on X. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Newsom had previously said he would not challenge Harris for the nomination if Biden stepped down. He was asked earlier this month whether he still felt that way. Of course, he told reporters at a July 10 event. Yes. Newsom repeatedly said he would not seek to challenge Biden for the presidency and has insisted he has sub-zero interest in a presidential run, even as he has laid the groundwork for a campaign by developing a national support base and building a formidable fundraising operation. Earlier this year he took on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a televised debate as DeSantis was in the midst of his own presidential campaign. Newsom also began a national campaign to amend the U.S. Constitution to enact sweeping gun-control measures. But even as he sought the national spotlight, Newsom has long been a staunch ally and top surrogate for Biden. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He doubled down on his support after the debate even as pundits speculated that Bidens days as a candidate were numbered and floated Newsom as a potential replacement. Newsom flew across the country this month to stand with Biden during a White House meeting with Democratic governors and participate in a campaign swing through battleground states on Bidens behalf. He left behind political turmoil and a scorching heat wave in California, risking bad optics back home to highlight his commitment to the president. Shay Franco-Clausen, a Bay Area Democrat who will serve as a delegate at the partys convention next month, said she didnt see Newsom as a realistic contender for the nomination. Franco-Clausen said she 100% plans to cast her vote for Vice President Kamala Harris at the convention. Franco-Clausen said that she doesnt see Newsom as a possible alternative to Harris because it would be too difficult logistically to switch the nominee to anyone but Harris. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I dont think thats a possibility at all, she said. People really need to unify. Steve Maviglio, a longtime Democratic strategist who will serve as an alternate delegate, said on Friday before Bidens announcement that he would also be inclined to vote for Harris. Maviglio noted that because Harris is also from California, she will likely have support from most of the states Democrats, meaning it would be very difficult for Newsom to build a competing coalition. Newsom also likely cant serve as Harris running mate because the Constitution prohibits two people from the same state from being elected as the president and vice president. Cybersecurity boss: Darktrace's Poppy Gustafsson They are the entrepreneurs who have built billion-pound businesses from scratch and kept going. Now a list of 56 of Britain's most successful company founders has been compiled and ranked in order of the value of the firms they created. Top of the pile is chemicals king and Manchester United part-owner Jim Ratcliffe, whose Ineos weighs in at 29 billion. He didn't start Ineos until his mid-40s, proving it is often not too late to make a fortune. 'Every big business was once a small business,' says the report's author, Robert Watts. The top ten include two women. Denise Coates started her Bet365 online gambling firm from a portable cabin in Stoke-on-Trent. Today it is valued at 6 billion, putting her in seventh place. Coates, 56, pioneered 'in-play or 'live' betting, where punters bet on a game after it has begun. Poppy Gustafsson grew Darktrace into a 4.1 billion cybersecurity giant, partly on the belief that experience can be over-rated. The 41-year-old cites the fact that it was a young graduate rather than an old hand who queried why it took Darktrace three months to prove a concept when it could be done in three weeks. Sharing ninth spot with her is Richard Harpin, 59, who sold his emergency repairs group HomeServe for 4.1 billion last year. He now fosters the next generation of entrepreneurs through his Growth Partner fund and Business Leader, the magazine he owns, which publishes the research tomorrow at businessleader.co.uk. Harpin lists the ability to 'copy and pivot' as the first of his secrets for entrepreneurial success. 'Everyone is in a rush to be first,' he said. 'Second movers have the advantages. Watch, correct and adapt.' Most difficult is 'hiring your replacement', he added. 'I was rubbish at the day-to-day side of the business,' he also revealed. So he got a managing director to run HomeServe's UK operation while he focused on overseas expansion. The rest, as they say, is history. The future of Anglo American's huge fertiliser mine in the North York Moors National Park has been thrown into fresh doubt. The FTSE 100 company has warned it may need to write down the value of the troubled 6 billion Woodsmith project in its first-half results this week. Anglo bought Woodsmith in 2020 for 405 million after its previous owner, Sirius Minerals, nearly collapsed after a failed fundraising. The project has been lauded by Anglo's chief executive Duncan Wanblad and was championed by his predecessor Mark Cutifani. But in May, Anglo said it would slash funding at Woodsmith as part of a radical strategy to convince shareholders it was right to reject two takeover bids from rival miner BHP. Big plans: Anglo American bought Woodsmith in 2020 for 405 million after its previous owner, Sirius Minerals, nearly collapsed after a failed fundraising This is likely to affect hundreds of jobs at the site which was supposed to be a reliable local employer in an economically deprived region. The radical cuts to investment and delays to construction could affect Woodsmith's value, Anglo cautioned last week, even after taking a 1.7 billion hit from a writedown last year. Another one could make it even more difficult for Anglo to convince already sceptical shareholders that the project should be kept afloat and crucially to attract new investors. The Mail on Sunday understands that a number of groups are considering taking a stake in Woodsmith and a source close to the company said a large Asian conglomerate had visited the site multiple times as it considered an investment. Market sources believe Anglo may even go cap-in-hand to the Government and seek cash from Labour's new 7.3 billion National Wealth Fund. The fund provides investment for 'industries of the future', which could arguably encompass Woodsmith as Anglo sees fertiliser as a crucial green commodity that will help the growing global population produce food more efficiently. John Meyer, mining analyst at broker SP Angel, said: 'BHP's run at acquiring Anglo American has prompted Anglo's board to rethink its spending and to prioritise funding towards near-term returns.' Anglo will produce an obscure type of fertiliser called polyhalite from the Woodsmith mine that does not yet have a sizeable market and has made some shareholders nervous about whether it will be as successful as the company believes. The first extraction of fertiliser was due in 2027 but will almost certainly be delayed, possibly by a couple of years. Anglo essentially wants to wait until it makes a final investment decision on the project next year before ploughing in more cash. Despite insisting Anglo is 'committed' to the project, Wanblad said in May that it would spend just 160 million on Woodsmith next year and nothing at all in 2026. It previously planned to spend 800 million each year. Wanblad's blueprint to justify his position as chief executive also includes hiving off diamond business De Beers. Anglo declined to comment. Plotting a takeover bid: Philip Jansen The former boss of BT is plotting a takeover bid for the FTSE 100 pest controller Rentokil, according to reports. Philip Jansen, who stepped down from the telecoms giant at the start of this year, is seeking private equity funding for a deal that would see him become executive chairman. Rentokil is the world's largest pest control company and operates in 80 countries. But the 11.6billion group has struggled since it took over US rival Terminix in 2022. Last October it was rocked by a profit warning after it struggled to win new customers in North America. Jansen, 57, is keen to improve the company's performance in the US, The Sunday Times reported, especially the integration between Rentokil and Terminix. Private equity firms that could be interested in a bid include CVC and Bain Capital, The newspaper said. Activist investor Nelson Peltz who has previously taken on the boards of Disney and Unilever disclosed last month he had built a stake in Rentokil that makes him one of its top ten shareholders. The move on Rentokil is the latest in a slew of takeovers of London-listed firms this year. CVC and Bain declined to comment. Jansen could not be contacted for comment. Defence contractor Leonardo will this week make its pitch to seal a 1billion deal to replace the UK's ageing Puma fleet of helicopters. The Italian-owned firm is battling with rivals Airbus and America's Lockheed Martin for the Ministry of Defence contract, with the winner to be announced next year. Despite pressure on the Government to hike defence spending, there are fears the deal could be scrapped after Labour's defence review. One industry source said it was an 'obvious candidate'. The Puma fleet's life could be extended to the 2030s instead. Leonardo will argue the case for its AW149 helicopters, made in Yeovil, at this week's Farnborough Airshow. It employs more than 3,000 staff at Yeovil, where helicopters have been made for 80 years. It already sells the AW149 to Poland and others. Making a pitch: Leonardo is battling with rivals Airbus and Lockheed Martin for the Ministry of Defence contract to replace the Puma Airbus and Lockheed would also make the helicopters in the UK if they win the contract, with Airbus building a facility in Wales where it already makes wings. The helicopters replace Pumas, which date back to the 1970s. Joe Biden stunningly dropped out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday in a political earthquake never seen this close to an election. As he ended his campaign America's oldest ever president admitted it was in the 'best interests of the country' for him not to seek re-election for a second term. Biden, 81, endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic nominee to take on Donald Trump in November. Harris said she would be the one to 'unite' the party. The President had faced an increasingly frenzied clamor to step aside after a disastrous debate performance against Trump last month. Biden announced his seismic decision in a one-page letter posted on social media. In it he committed to serving until the end of this term in January. However, Republicans called on him to resign immediately, arguing that if he is not 'fit to run' then he is 'not fit to serve'. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and ended his reelection bid after a slew of backlash for his car crash debate performance on June 27 against Donald Trump 'It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,' Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account on Sunday. 'And while it has been my intention to seek reelection,' he went on, 'I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.' Although Biden had been under immense pressure the announcement came with no warning and many of his own staff and supporters in Congress appeared to be blindsided. 'No one had a heads up before the tweet posted,' one Biden campaign worker told DailyMail.com. 'Which, to me, is an insane way to treat the 1,300 people that work for you on the campaign.' Earlier on Sunday a slew of Biden's allies went on the airwaves to insist the President was not stepping down and would continue his re-election efforts. Biden campaign senior aide Anita Dunn claimed he made the decision at the last minute, sources told ABC News. Dunn told the campaign to shift towards 'defending and protecting' Harris now. Biden said in his drop-out letter that he would speak in more detail about his decision in remarks to the country later this week. He also sent a quick follow-up post pushing for Harris to take over his campaign. VP Harris released a statement where she seemed to accept Biden's endorsement as a de facto primary win and said she will lead the party to victory in November. However, just because Biden backed his No. 2 to take his spot doesn't mean she automatically will receive the nomination. 'With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else,' Harris wrote a few hours after Biden ended his bid. 'I am honored to have the President's endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,' she added before listing her credentials for getting the nod from her boss. 'Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election,' she wrote. 'And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Partyand unite our nationto defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.' 'We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.' Moments after his announcement, Biden posted to X an endorsement of Harris to take over his campaign and theVP responded with a statement urging for the party to 'unite' and allow her to lead them to victory in November Protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday urging Biden, who was ailing from COVID, to drop out of the race and allow a different candidate to lead the Democratic ticket Harris has a jam-packed week already with three different campaign stops while Biden continues to serve in his official duty as President. Meanwhile, Republicans insisted on Sunday that if Biden is not fit to run for president, he must also resign from the job right now. 'If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,' House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote on X. Sen. J.D. Vance, who last week became Trump's running mate, questioned: 'If Joe Biden ends his reelection campaign, how can he justify remaining President?' Last week, Biden was pulled from the campaign trail after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time in the middle of a west coast swing. This led to even more speculation that he would soon drop out of the race. It came after the showdown against Trump last month where Biden was often seen on split screen with his mouth agape and a million-mile blank stare. During his time to speak at the podium, the President would stumble, freeze, lose his train of thought and mumble his way through answers to moderator's questions. At one point just 12 minutes into the debate, Trump said: 'I really don't know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don't think he knows what he said either.' Trump went on to a post-debate rally in Chesapeake, Virginia where he said he was skeptical Biden would actually drop out of the race, claiming Democrats don't have a better option against him in November. The former president's immediate response to Biden's decision came in a call to CNN on Sunday. 'He is the worst president in the history of our country,' the former president said. 'He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country.' Trump added that he thinks Harris will be even easier to defeat than Biden. At his first rally after being shot, Trump already tried out a new nickname for her as he saw the writing on the wall for Harris taking over the Democrats' campaign. 'From the moment we take back the White House from crooked Joe Biden and Kamala ... I call her laughing Kamala. You ever watch her? She's crazy,' Trump said at his rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday. He added: 'You can tell a lot by laughter she's crazy. She's nuts. She's not as crazy as Nancy [Pelosi].' Biden announced his historic decision to step aside in a one-page letter posted to X where he committed to completing his term, but did not fully endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement until a follow-up social media post The former president also took to his Truth Social account on Sunday afternoon to respond to the news that he will no longer face Biden in November. 'Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement,' he wrote. 'All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn't capable of being President, and he wasn't.' Trump concluded: 'We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly.' Biden was not yet the Democratic Party's official nominee and there is still a short time to replace him before the Democratic National Convention next month and avoid an open convention. The party's nomination event falls August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. It now appears that Harris will be at the top of the Democratic ticket by the end of that week after primary voters cast their ballots for Biden to be the nominee. Harris was initially furious over reports she was not being considered for the spot but it soon became clear to Democrats she was the best option to replace Biden. Now kicks off the veepstakes for the current VP to choose her No. 2. Among the short list could be the likes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, both previously floated as potential replacements for Biden if he would drop out. A local NBC affiliate in Sacramento, California reported on Sunday that Newsom has abruptly canceled his appearance at the U.S. Ninth Circuit judicial conference scheduled for Monday without any reason given. Trump was among those that speculated former First Lady Michelle Obama would jump in the race and lead the 2024 Democratic ticket. She so far has polled best out of any other potential Biden replacements. But Biden made it clear that he is backing his VP for the 2024 race. 'My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,' the President wrote on X. 'And it's been the best decision I've made.' He added: 'Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this. ' Others flocked to endorse Harris, including Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who wrote on X: 'Democrats must immediately unite so we can focus on winning in November. I look forward to casting my vote for Kamala Harris and doing everything I can to ensure she becomes our next president.' What now? VP Harris is the most likely replacement for Biden since she was already on the ticket with him and served four years as his No. 2. Pictured: Harris campaigns in the swing state of North Carolina on Thursday, July 18 Some speculate either California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could be selected as Harris' running mate Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said before Biden's bombshell announcement that the party needs to unite behind a candidate. He said an open convention would cause Democrats lose in November against Trump. 'If you go to the convention, have an open process in the convention, It will come out the same way it came out in 1968, 1972 and 1980,' Clyburn told CNN State of the Union host Jake Tapper on Sunday morning. 'When we had a contested process on the floor of the convention in 1980, we lost an incumbent president, and in 1972, we carried one state, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia,' he explained. 'And all of us know what happened in 1968 when we ran Lyndon Johnson out of the race, with a great record Lyndon Johnson had, got rid of him over one issue, the Vietnam War.' 'Here, we are now using one issue to get rid of a president, the result would be the same.' House Speaker Johnson warned earlier on Sunday that Democrats will 'run into some legal impediments' if they tried to replace Biden on the ticket. Speaking to ABC This Week host Marth Raddatz, he said: '14 million Democrats voted to make Joe Biden the nominee.' 'It would be wrong and I think unlawful in accordance with some of these states' laws for a handful of people to go in the backroom and switch it out because they don't like a candidate any longer.' 'That's not how this is supposed to work,' Johnson added. Both Newsom and Whitmer have denied before and after the debate that they are seeking to replace Biden on the ballot and Newsom said he would not run against friend and ally Harris. 'President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump,' Whitmer posted to X on Sunday after the President ended his reelection bid. She added: 'My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families' costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan.' Newsom responded by claiming Biden's single term was 'extraordinary' and 'history-making.' 'He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.' Biden and his team and allies spent the weeks after the debate in damage control mode trying to quell concerns that the President is no longer fit for a second term. And despite many party leaders and campaign officials defending Biden's performance, Democrats were in an all-out panic after the President stumbled and mumbled his way through the debate. The campaign said Biden's raspy and hard-to-hear voice was the result of a cold and tried to sell the line that it was just a 'slow start.' But lawmakers saw through that and nearly 40 Democratic members of Congress called on Biden to end his reelection campaign in the weeks after the debate. Among those lawmakers were some top Democrats like Rep. Adam Schiff and close allies of Biden. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke with Biden this afternoon, a source familiar with the call confirmed to DailyMail.com. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden held a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina the day after the debate where the President appeared more energetic and defended his viability as a candidate while acknowledging his debate performance could have been better Some felt First Lady Jill Biden was the only pushing for her 81-year-old husband to remain on the ballot. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wy.) accused the first lady of 'elder abuse' and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) wrote on X: 'As a geriatric nurse practitioner who cared for so many older adults with cognitive impairment, this [debate] is heartbreaking to watch' Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison and Biden's campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez held a call the weekend after the debate where they sought to reassure rank and file members of the party of his continued viability as a candidate. According to some on the call, the party leaders largely ignored Biden's weak showing in Atlanta on Thursday and downplayed the avalanche of criticism that followed. No one was able to ask questions and the chat function was disabled. The members felt gaslighted by Harrison and Rodriguez and claimed they were being asked to ignore the ire situation of the party's predicament either toe the line and get behind Biden's candidacy or scramble to find a replacement in just one month's time. Harrison offered what they described as a rosy assessment of Biden's path forward. 'I was hoping for more of a substantive conversation instead of, 'Hey, let's go out there and just be cheerleaders,' without actually addressing a very serious issue that unfolded on American television for millions of people to see,' Joe Salazar, an elected DNC member from Colorado who was on the call, said, according to the Associated Press . He added: 'There were a number of things that could have been said in addressing the situation. But we didn't get that. We were being gaslit.' Chinese migrants seeking to illegally enter the U.S. are already establishing new routes into the country after a key transit hub was shut down. Messages between migrants suggest those fleeing Beijing are now flying to Bolivia before embarking on the arduous journey through South and Central America to the U.S. southern border. It comes after Ecuador withdrew visa waivers for Chinese nationals after it became flooded with travelers seeking passageway to the U.S. The news that migrants are simply shifting their starting point is a blow to the Biden administration as it seeks to get a grip on unprecedented border crossings. Gil Guerra, an immigration policy analyst at think tank the Niskanen Center, told DailyMail.com that he didn't think the closing of the Ecuador loophole would bring down numbers in the 'long-term.' Chinese Migrants attempting to cross in to the U.S. from Mexico are detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border November 11, 2023 in Jacumba, California. Chinese migrants are now plotting various alternative routes to the U.S. since Ecuador closed its doors. Some are fraught with danger, while others are prohibitively expensive for most A staggering 31,309 Chinese nationals have been intercepted at the U.S. southern border in the 2024 fiscal year to date. That is already almost 30 percent more than the 24,314 who crossed the border in 2023, with four months of the 2024 count still remaining. It marks an explosion in numbers since 2022, when only 2,176 Chinese nationals were apprehended. The unprecedented wave of illegal migration has sparked national security fears. Officials have linked some arrivals to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated People's Liberation Army (PLA). Ecuador had turned into the destination of choice for flights from Beijing as it offered visa-free entry for Chinese nationals. More than 48,000 travelers entered Ecuador from China in 2023, but only half left the country legally, according to official data by the Ecuadorian government. La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, appears to be turning into the new transit hub for Chinese migrants seeking passageway to the U.S. after Ecuador suspended visa free entry The discrepancy was the highest among any nationalities, according to the Niskanen Center, suggesting a significant proportion were using the country as a transit hub for illegal migration. In June, however, Ecuador temporarily suspended its visa waiver. The announcement was welcomed by the Department for Homeland Security, although it is unclear whether the move was the result of pressure from Washington. It left Suriname as the only other mainland country in the Americas that offered visa-free entry to Chinese nationals. This led some commentators to suggest that the former Dutch colony would become the next hotspot for Chinese migrants, citing growing economic ties between the countries. But messages on Telegram, an app where many Chinese migrants share their stories, indicate that some instead plan to start their journey from Bolivia, which offers Chinese citizens a tourist visa upon arrival, Al Jazeera reported. 31,309 Chinese nationals have been intercepted at the U.S. southern border in the 2024 fiscal year to date. That is already almost 30 per cent more than the total for 2023 An asylum seeking migrant from China holds up his passport and paperwork as he is photographed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in an open-air holding area in San Diego Others are turning to more convenient but costly routes, such as flying to Japan, where it is possible to obtain a multiple-entry visa to Mexico. This option has the advantage of skipping the perilous Darien Gap, a treacherous stretch of jungle on the border of Colombia and Panama, where barbed wire fences block several passageways. But Guerra said the exorbitant costs involved - it is likely around $15,000 more expensive than most other routes - meant he didn't expect it to be the path chosen by most. The immigration expert said he expected Bolivia to take the bulk of Ecuador's traffic because the route was 'essentially the same'. So far this year, 3,732 Chinese nationals have entered Bolivia, but around a quarter are either yet to leave or are unaccounted for, according to government data. The unprecedented wave of illegal migration has sparked national security fears , with some already have been found to have links with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) The latest figures available from the Suriname government are only from 2021, when 944 Chinese nationals arrived in the country. Guerra said he thought it unlikely the latter would become a new migrant hub as it was difficult to access and the route north would involve passing through volatile parts of Venezuela or northern Brazil. He did, however, predict a temporary dip in the number of Chinese migrants arriving in the U.S., as new networks took time to establish themselves. Guerra also pointed to the deportation of 116 Chinese migrants from the U.S. earlier this month, the first action of its kind in five years, as a potential deterrence. But he said the political and economic factors behind the migrations would remain the same and numbers would likely push up again after alternative routes were set up. The Darien Gap is lawless and deadly, with armed and violent gangs robbing and raping the desperate travelers. This map shows the journey many of the migrants are making 'Ecuador was a really critical piece of the journey,' he added. 'Repealing visa free travel, alongside China's cooperation with U.S. immigration, will likely dampen the current wave of migration. 'But meaningful long term change will be a much more difficult challenge.' Wang Zhongwei, a 33-year-old Chinese migrant who arrived in the U.S. after flying to Ecuador in May 2023, said there had been 'heated' debate among his compatriots over the South American country's decision to suspend visa waivers. 'This has a great impact [because] more than 80 percent of the people came through Ecuador,' he told Voice of America. But he added that the desire to come to the U.S. was still strong and his countrymen were already looking at Cuba and Bolivia as alternatives. The narrow 93-mile waterway between Cuba and the southernmost tip of Florida has been a smuggling route for decades. But Guerra said it has historically only been used by natives due to the local knowledge required to go undetected on a small island, as well as the hazards of crossing by boat. Back in Quito, Ecuador's capital, a cottage industry of businesses catering to Chinese migrants had established itself to smooth their journey north. Visitors could find everything from Chinese-run hostels to Mandarin road signs, but guidance often came at a cost. Figures from US Customs and Border Protection show how many Chinese migrants have been encountered at the US southern border since 2021 Even for those who chose to gather intelligence themselves and make their own way up through Latin America, the journey would cost around $5,000 - more than a third of a Chinese factory worker's average annual salary, according to CNN. That includes flights out of Asia, often via Chinese passport-friendly countries like Turkey, accommodation and transport. It could cost up to $12,000 to pay smugglers to arrange transport for parts of the journey, as well as a boat and guide to get through the Darien Gap, where there are no roads. The Japan layover route would be closer to $20,000, CNN reported. Chinese migrants encountered by DailyMail.com in San Diego in recent months described traveling from their homeland to South America and then flying into Mexico or walking there along with South American migrants. Then, they paid Chinese smugglers known as 'snakeheads' who are operating in synchrony with Mexican cartels to get into the US at the southern border, DailyMail.com was first to report in February. Chinese migrants are largely entering the US through the southern border, with most of them illegally crossing into the San Diego, California, area before asking for asylum. Call Palm Beach a beacon of Florida's gold coast. Call the sun-splashed destination a winter playground for America's rich. Just don't dare call it a 'suburb.' Residents of the long, beach-lined strip off Florida's southeast coast were left fuming after the ritzy locale was lauded as one of the richest spots in America on a list that also - gasps - labeled it a suburb. Financial website GoBanking.com ranked the 50 wealthiest suburbs in the country based on average household incomes and property prices. Palm Beach - not to be confused with the mainland's West Palm Beach - came in at No. 11 on the list. But the idea that the wealthy enclave is a suburb has sparked outrage among locals. A Palm Beach resident has reacted to the town being labeled a suburb by financial website GOBankingRates.com 'A suburb of what?' one unnamed real estate expert griped to the Palm Beach Daily News, disputing the neighborhood's connection to a major city rather than standing on its own. Indeed, the firm deemed Palm Beach a suburb of the MiamiFort LauderdaleWest Palm Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area - a designation also used by the US Census. But despite the much bigger West Palm Beach being right across the bay from the island and linked by three bridges, many think it's a misnomer. The unnamed real estate expert spoke to the Palm Beach Daily News - attempting to cast doubt over the description On Reddit, a user compared the several cities packed from Miami-Dade County to Palm Beach County being comparable to 'like 10 cities.' 'And it's almost seven million people. A hundred cities, one metropolitan area/continuous urban agglomeration,' another added of the sprawling 100-mile stretch of suburbs, many of which far away from its hub. The distinction of a suburb also implies that it is more affordable than its city counterpart. 'In the 10 largest metro areas, suburban homes are an average 24.2 percent less expensive than homes in the urban core,' Realtor.com's economic analyst Hannah Jones said. 'On a price-per-square-foot basis, suburban homes are an average 23.2 percent less expensive in these large metro areas.' This is not the case for Palm Beach. The study found the 'typical' household income in Palm Beach is $365,991, leaving it just shy of the top ten. The average home value, meanwhile, was pegged at $11.57 million - based on data from real estate site Zillow. The town has 2,278 single-family homes for just under 10,000 residents - as well as 5,279 condos and 946 coops. Housing costs there can skyrocket into the nine-figures - while most remain well into the eights for a mere four to seven bedrooms, listings show. These include oceanfront mansions complete with pools and private compounds, in contrast to the still-costly studio condominiums commonly priced over $1 million. The island - separated from the mainland by the series of bridges over the Intracoastal Waterway - has thus earned a reputation as being a hive for the ultra wealthy. There is even a social media page 'Class of Palm Beach' now dedicated to documenting the town's best dressed residents. Housing costs there can skyrocket into the nine-figures - while most remain well into the eights for a mere four to seven bedrooms, listings show. Pictured, a seven-bedroom currently priced at just under $23 million The city - located across the water from glitzy Palm Beach - has proven popular with newcomers who swarmed from New York and California during the Covid-19 lockdown Celebs Who Live in Palm Beach Donald Trump The Stallone family Howard Stern Jon Bon Jovi Tiger Woods Serena Williams Tommy Hilfiger Advertisement Despite its relatively small population, the town boasts some star-studded residents. In addition to Mar-a-Lago's owner Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone and his family also call the tightknit community home. Other locals include Howard Stern, Jon Bon Jovi , Tiger Woods, Serena Williams and Tommy Hilfiger to name a few. Palm Beach was beat out by suburbs of cities like Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, along with two distinct ones centered around New York City, which has some of the most satellite commuter towns in the country. Those two unsurprisingly claimed the top spots, with Scarsdale and Rye unmasked as numbers one and two, respectively. In third was West University Place in Texas, located less than six miles south from Houston. Los Altos, California, came in fourth, thanks to its proximity to San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara. Fifth place was claimed by Paradise Valley, a town of less than 13,000 just outside Phoenix, Arizona. Pictured: Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone, Howard Stern and Jon Bon Jovie all call Palm Beach home Texas made an appearance again in the six-spot, thanks to University Park near Dallas, which has seen a rush of new residents since the pandemic. Hinsdale, Illinois, ranked seventh as a suburb of Chicago, while Great Falls in Virginia scored eighth due to it being an outpost of Washington, DC. Orinda in The Bay Area took ninth, while Wellesley in Massachusetts rounded out the top ten. Then came Palm Beach, the sole entry to be located in a full-fledged ocean. Palm Beach remains mostly Republican, with influential supporters of Donald Trump out in full force. (Pictured: Trump's Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach estate) This helped the island town rank No. 11 on a list of 'Americas Wealthiest Suburbs', spurring at least one to insist it is not a suburb of West Palm Beach. Feds running the US Census disagree Compare that to West Palm, which is still on the Florida mainland, on the cusp of the Intracoastal Waterway. The city boasts some 121,000 residents, and has an average household income of just under $100,000. Palm Beach, meanwhile, is home to 61 billionaires - including Donald Trump and his Mar-a-Lago mansion. A road sign in Cornwall has been slammed for its 'ludicrous' placement, with local residents seething at the situation. The speed limit sign, which is located in the village of Tuckingmill, near Camborne, has been blasted for its positioning in the middle of a pavement. One local resident named Mr Berry labelled the situation as 'utterly ridiculous', as he was quick to note the inconvenience it poses to pedestrians and families in the area. He said that choosing to build a sign in such a spot was 'most absurd' - adding that it posed an obstruction to everyday activities. In response to the backlash from locals, Cornwall Council said they would remove the sign and place it elsewhere in the local area. A road sign in Cornwall has been slammed for its 'ludicrous' placement, with local residents seething at the situation The speed limit sign, which is located in the village of Tuckingmill, near Camborne, has been blasted for its positioning in the middle of a pavement A spokesperson for Cormac, a Cornwall Council company told CornwallLive: 'We are implementing the 20mph limit scheme in Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth to make roads safer, healthier, and greener for everyone. 'While we have installed a significant number of new road signs, the sign in Tuckingmill was incorrectly positioned. 'We have already identified this issue and the post will be re-sited in a more suitable location. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.' Reacting in the comment section of regional publication Cornwall to the positioning of the sign, others agreed that it was an error to place it on the pavement, as they wrote: 'The sign is not for motorists it's for electric scooters and cyclists because that's where they ride all the time..' 'I agree with you! I find Im moving off the pavement and walking in the road because of them'. 'Just what mobility scooter riders need, another obstacle to negotiate. Come on Cornwall Council - WAKE UP AND USE COMMON SENSE'. 'Why don't they employ staff with common sense? It should have been glaringly obvious to normal people that it wasn't the correct place. 'Money to install it - wasted. Money to remove it, and reinstate the surface - wasted and they then have to start again.' It comes after Southampton City Council banned local residents from parking on their own driveways because they have to mount the curb and cross the pavement to access their homes. For 50 years, Ed Fisher and his wife had no problem parking their two cars outside their home until they and neighbour Treena Smart received a threatening letter three weeks ago. Ed Fisher (pictured), 78, said he was 'incensed' by Southampton City Council after he and his neighbour were told they would have to foot a 1.3k bill for a dropped curb Mr Fisher has now been told he cannot park on his drive (right) as it means he would have to mount the council-owned curb to do so Mr Fisher, 78, told MailOnline: 'We used our driveway to park our two cars for 50 years, up until two weeks ago. 'We have to be responsible for paying for the dropped curb ourselves! It smacks of 'we haven't got much to do, so we'll go and get 'em'. 'For all these years we've parked there, I used to put little bits of wood to help me up on to the curb. The council pointed out it was an obstruction and had to be removed. 'What incenses me is they are spending time doing that and there are lots of other issues here like potholes. 'The only way this will come to an end is if we get a dropped curb. You have to pay so much just to get a quote. 'I would hope our neighbours are receiving letters, they shouldn't have singled us out.' The son of a multi-millionaire restaurant tycoon has been charged with choking and assaulting his fiancee and stealing her $40,000 engagement ring. Daniel Jackson Drakopoulos, 28, is accused of breaking into his partner's house at night and allegedly throwing her mobile phone against a wall, choking and seriously assaulting her before taking the ring. The 28-year-old former private schoolboy was arrested the morning after the alleged attack and charged at Manly police station, just a short drive from one of his father's famed restaurants. Daniel is the son of renowned restaurateur Bill Drakopoulos, who owns a string of luxury venues in Sydney's most elite waterside suburbs. The empire, which has seen him dubbed the 'King of the Waterfront', includes Manta at Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf - a favourite of celebrities including Elton John and Jon Bon Jovi. He also owns Sails on Lavender Bay's harbourside in Sydney's north shore, Ormeggio at The Spit in Mosman, Ventuno on Walsh Bay, and Ripples at four locations around the city. Daniel and his three siblings, who all work as directors of their father's Sydney Restaurant Group, live an idyllic life flying around the world on luxury escapes to places such as the Maldives, Ibiza, Tokyo and Greece. Police allege that on February 4 Daniel went to the Paddington address of his then-partner and broke into her terraced house. Daniel Drakopoulos (left), pictured with his father Bill (centre) and brother Perry (right), has been charged with choking his fiancee and stealing her $40,000 engagement ring One of Bill Drakopoulos's venues, Aqua, located on Sydney Harbour, is pictured Daniel (left) and members of the Drakopoulos family, whose father Bill (third from left) is known as 'king of the waterfront' in the restaurant trade for his 15 luxury location eateries He then allegedly destroyed or damaged her phone by throwing it against the wall, choked her and assaulted her twice, 'causing physical harm'. According to court documents, Daniel then allegedly stole the young woman's engagement ring, worth $40,000. He was charged and released on bail to live at his parents' spectacular $10million trophy home at Seaforth on the northern beaches, which boasts panoramic views. Bill Drakopoulos and his wife Kathleen are pictured Police allege Daniel broke into his fiancee's Paddington house (above), choked and assaulted her, smashed her phone and stole her $40,000 engagement ring Daniel Drakopoulos (right) and his brother and father traditionally pose in their swimming shorts every Christmas A graduate from the exclusive St Ignatius College at Riverview, Daniel has more recently developed new ventures to expand his father's hugely successful business beyond its high-end Sydney restaurants. Along with his younger brother, Daniel is 'growing Drak Hotels, another part of Sydney Restaurant Group', which includes the Coast Hotel at Budgewoi on the NSW Central Coast. Daniel Drakopoulos has been charged with six offences, including intentionally choking a person without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, aggravated break and enter, destroying or damaging property and larceny. His case is before the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court. The McMartin preschool trial held in Los Angeles in the '80s featured claims of child molestation, bestiality and satanic rituals, and is largely considered one of the biggest wastes of resources in US judiciary history. Prosecuted by then-Los Angeles District Attorney Ira Reiner, it surrounded a daycare in scenic Manhattan Beach, and claims from a parent who painted it as a den of debauchery and sin. The family-run school once had an impeccable reputation before more than 360 children would come forward to make sex abuse claims of their own. However, the case ended with zero convictions. The legal drama that ensued started with a story centered around altars, candles, a decapitated baby, and a so-called 'goat man,' before it became of the most expensive criminal case of all time. The McMartin preschool trial was an infamous sexual abuse case held in California the '80s, surrounding a daycare in scenic Manhattan Beach, and claims from a parent who painted it as a den of debauchery and sin 'My 2-year-old son has been molested at the McMartin Preschool,' claimed local mother-of-two Judy Johnson, in testimony that claimed one of the school's teachers had sodomized her two-year-old son 'My 2-year-old son has been molested at the McMartin Preschool,' local mother-of-two Judy Johnson said in her testimony that claimed one of the school's teachers, Ray Buckey, had sodomized her two-year-old son. Johnson told cops her son had come home one afternoon with a rash on his backside. She said he was suffering from rectal bleeding. He also had painful bowel movements, she claimed - leading her to take him to a pediatrician out of fear he had been sexually abused. The doctor 'found something consistent with molestation,' she said - a diagnosis that led her to her speak with police. Interviewed by Detective Jane Hoag, the child identified Buckey, who had worked at the school founded by Buckey's grandmother Virginia McMartin for two years, as his attacker, which led to his arrest. What ensued was a costly probe, which included cops' searching of 37 cars, 11 residences, seven businesses, three churches, two airports and a farm only to come away with no physical evidence Still, the case continued, before eventually earning the reputation as one of the biggest wastes of the resources in US judiciary history One of the primary defendants was Ray Buckey, a staffer who spent five years in prison despite not being convicted of any crime Due to a lack of evidence, he was released the same day - a development that was met with even more allegations from Johnson. Detailed in a letter to Reiner, she said her son had taken part in secret satanic rituals held at the school. The letter claimed her son told her two other children in his class had also been abused by Buckey as well, and that a number of the school's staffers were having sex with animals. The local police department responded by sending a letter to 200 other parents of McMartin Students, asking them to question their children about whether they had witnessed similar activity. An excerpt read: 'Please question your child to see if he or she has been a witness to any crime or if he or she has been a victim. 'Our investigation indicates that possible criminal acts include: oral sex, fondling of genitals, buttock or chest area, and sodomy, possibly committed under the pretense of "taking the child's temperature." 'Also photos may have been taken of children without their clothing,' the letter went on, before mentioning the then-sole suspect. 'Any information from your child regarding having ever observed Ray Buckey to leave a classroom alone with a child during any nap period, or if they have ever observed Ray Buckey tie up a child, is important.' More than 360 children would come forward to make sex abuse claims of their own, but the case ended with zero convictions Johnson told cops her son had come home one afternoon with a rash on his backside. She said he was suffering from rectal bleeding He also had painful bowel movements, she claimed - spurring her to take him to a pediatrician out of fear he had been sexually abused The doctor 'found something consistent with molestation', she said - a diagnosis that led her to her parlay with police The letter's contents quickly spawned outrage - as well as panic within the small beach community. Town hall meetings were held, and panicked parents went to authorities - all as rumors of secret tunnels, unauthorized field trips, orgies at carwashes and parking lots, and secret sex from swirled. By spring of next year, the parents of more than 360 children had come forward. Startlingly strange allegations from the children included Buckey 'flying' in the classroom before taking one child to meet a shrouded figure known only as the 'goat man.' One child even claimed Buckey took another child to a house where he let lions roam free, one kid said, and animal sacrifices- some involving a horse and rabbits, others other classroom pets - were committed. The student said they were performed by McMartin teachers wearing robes and masks in a candle-lit ceremony at St. Cross Episcopal Church. Other students wildly recalled how teachers and students would also allegedly visit a cemetery to routinely dig up bodies, and children were 'flushed' down toilets to sewer rooms for abuse. Children said they were also regularly transported to off-site abuse locations in a hot air balloon, and one bizarrely identified Hollywood actor Chuck Norris from a photograph as someone they believed to be present for some of the abuse. In a letter to District Attorney Ira Reiner, she said her son had taken part in clandestine satanic ritual practices held at the school. The letter claimed her son told her two other kids in his class had also been abused by Buckey, and that a number of staffers were having sex with animals Despite the impossible nature of some of the claims, they ended up indicting seven staffers that March, with several members of the McMartin family singled out. Employees Mary Ann Jackson, Babette Spitler and Betty Raidor were also pegged as defendants, and as a collective, the group was hit with 115 counts of molestation. The number of charges rose to 321 soon after, all stemming from testimony from 48 different children. After a 20-month preliminary hearing, charges were dropped against Virginia, Peggy Ann, Jackson, Spitler and Raidor, after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to take the cases against them to trial. One prosecutor branded the purported evidence 'incredibly weak', leaving behind Buckey and Peggy McMartin, Virginia's daughter, and the main administrator of McMartin Preschool. She was also the mother of Buckey. Johnson reported Peggy had taken her son to a church, where the boy supposedly saw a baby beheaded. Peggy then allegedly forced the boy to drink the dead babys blood, and stick his finger in the anus of a goat. Both faced 65 counts of molestation as a result, paving way for the next saga in the sordid proceedings, which would cost California taxpayers roughly $15 million over the course of seven years. That did not include the cost of cops' searching of 37 cars, 11 residences, seven businesses, three churches, two airports and a farm only to come away with no physical evidence. Still, the case continued. the McMartin Preschool, founded by matriarch Virginia McMartin, was one of the most sought after schools in the district. Virginia was Buckey's maternal grandmother, and at one point, a defendant Peggy McMartin, Virginia's daughter, and the main administrator of McMartin Preschool, is seen here outside court in January 1990, after she too was exonerated. Johnson had Peggy had taken her son to a church, where the boy supposedly saw a baby beheaded At the time, Peggy's bail was set at an astounding $1 million, whereas Buckey was denied the option altogether. A total of three years of testimony would ensue - after authorities had already excavated the school's yard to find only a series of plywood boxes that the children allegedly crawled through during playtime instead of the aforementioned tunnels. By 1990, Peggy McMartin was acquitted on all counts, while Buckey was cleared of 52 out of 65 and finally released on bail. He had spent five years in prison. But his plight was not over, as nine of 11 jurors told reporters that they still believed the kids had been molested, but could not peg Buckey as the one responsible. Eleven out of the overall 13 elected to acquit Buckey, but the two who remained defiant spurred a mistrial. He would be re-tried on the remaining 13 counts, but within six months, he was cleared of all of them. Meanwhile, Johnson, the woman responsible for the initial allegations, would never appear or speak at any of the hearings. Unmasked as an alcoholic and schizophrenic, she was found dead in her apartment on December 19, 1986. Within six months, Buckey was cleared of all charges as well, putting the dubious case to bed. It cost LA County at least $15million to prosecute, and is widely considered a failure. Buckey attended law school after the trial, and changed his name and moved to the Northwest She died from a 'metamorphosis of the liver,' and experts later said it was her mental instability and the later impact it may have had on her perceptions that led to the costly probe. It also led to one of the longest and most expensive legal cases of all time, as it was later revealed that Johnson had claimed her dog had also been sodomized by the McMartin family - and that her estranged husband had also raped one of their children. Experts have since questioned the interrogation techniques used by social workers enlisted to do so, claiming the kids were coerced into making some of the statements. Meanwhile, the McMartin preschool that graced the neighborhood for years has since been closed, dismantled in 1990 as several of the accused have since died. In 2005, one of the male accusers retracted their allegations, telling local news outlets, 'Never did anyone do anything to me, and I never saw them doing anything. I said a lot of things that didn't happen. I lied. 'Anytime I would give them an answer that they didn't like, they would ask again and encourage me to give them the answer they were looking for,' he continued of the interviewing practices that launched the contentious case. 'I felt uncomfortable and a little ashamed that I was being dishonest. But at the same time, being the type of person I was, whatever my parents wanted me to do, I would do.' Buckey attended law school in the wake of the trial, and changed his name and moved to the Northwest. Both his mother and grandmother have passed, in 2000 and 1995, respectively. US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a moderated conversation on July 17, 2024 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Chris duMond/Getty Images Pedestrians walk by the marquee at the Grand Lake Theater which displays a message of support for U.S. President Joe Biden, who earlier in the day ended his reelection campaign in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, July 21, 2024. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle After President Joe Bidens announcements Sunday that he will not seek reelection and has endorsed his vice president as the Democratic nominee, many Bay Area politicians within hours joined the president in throwing their support behind Oakland-born Kamala Harris. The reaction from potential voters in the deep-blue Bay Area, however, was more mixed. While some residents said they support Harris and were optimistic about her chances of beating former President Donald Trump, others said they feared Harris who easily ascended through local and state offices wont be able mount enough support of a nation far less enthused about Californias brand of politics. Harris was one of the first candidates to drop out of the 2020 presidential bid, though Biden later named her as his running mate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Biden announced his decision to stand down weeks after a stumbling debate performance that raised questions about his age and suitability to serve another term, and set off calls from leading members of his own party that he step aside. State and local politicians including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and state Sen. Scott Wiener applauded Bidens decision, though Pelosi has not yet commented on the choice of Harris. Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown on Sunday praised Harris as a good choice and encouraged the Democratic Party to quickly approve her nomination at the upcoming convention. The former mayor, who was in a relationship with Harris from 1994 to 1995, said he hoped Harris would select a female running mate. Trump will not know how to deal with two women. He will mess it up badly, Brown said Sunday evening. U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that he will not seek re-election and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. This file photo shows them in Philadelphia in May at a campaign rally on May 29, 2024. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images While politicians were uniting in support of Harris, some voters were uncertain. Sitting on the steps of Mission Dolores Basilica Sunday afternoon, Patric Prado said he felt increasingly convinced that Trump would prevail in November. A lot of my friends have already lost hope, Prado, 37, said, adding he was not optimistic about Harris, who he said was often pilloried on social media as an ineffective leader. If Hillary couldnt win, what are the chances that not only a woman but a Black woman could be elected President? he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prado didnt feel Bidens decision would much alter voter sentiments in California, where he is from, or New York, where he now lives. Biden dropping out is not going to change anything in blue states, he said. Our votes dont count. Jrae Mason, a Richmond resident, said she thinks Biden could have served another four years as president if he didnt appear to have health issues. He doesnt seem well, but I dont think he did a bad job as president, said Mason, who was selling jewelry at the farmers market at Jack London Square in Oakland on Sunday. Hugh Kieve, 10, of Washington, holds a sign outside the White House in Washington, Sunday, July 21, 2024, as he and his family come out to show support for President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh/Associated Press Mason said she thinks Harris could be a good president but doesnt think she can beat Trump. Working-class white people will not vote for no Black woman, said Mason, who is Black. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Democrat, Mason said she still plans to vote in the election. Id vote for a homeless person before I vote for Trump. Trump is a racist. He doesnt care for Black people, she added. Others were more optimistic. Denise Cooper and Amy Lehtonen of Bernal Heights were on their way to a rave across from the Ferry Building Sunday when they heard the news. At first I was really sad Cooper said. Joe is doing a great job and I hate to see him go. But after being sad I am really energized about Kamala because shes competent and shes young and shes a Californian. She can bring in the youth vote and the diversity vote. Drew Taylor, a 49-year-old resident of Santa Clara, said he fully supports Bidens decision to drop out and to endorse Harris. He appeared confident of the Democratic Partys ability to win the election and energize the party, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Drew Taylor, a 49-year-old resident of Santa Clara, said he fully supports Bidens decision to drop out and to endorse Harris. He appeared confident of the Democratic Partys ability to win the election and energize the party, he said. Jessica Flores/The Chronicle I think itll actually create more (voter) turnout, including people who he says are on the fence of voting in the election, Taylor said. Across the Bay in Harris hometown, many of those at Oaklands Jack London Square Farmers Market on Sunday said they supported Bidens decision to drop out of the race, but some questioned her ability to beat Trump, who was leading Biden by 6 percentage points in polls. Howard Brown, owner of sunglass shop HS Finest, said Biden shouldve bowed out earlier. To be honest, I think it is a little too late, said Brown, a 34-year-old Democrat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brown, who said he didnt feel Harris was ready to be president, said hell still vote for the nominee. Howard Brown, owner of sunglass shop HS Finest, said Biden shouldve bowed out earlier. To be honest, I think it is a little too late, said Brown, a 34-year-old Democrat. Jessica Flores/The Chronicle I guess anybody better than Biden right now is going to be the best thing for the party, he said. Im probably just going to have to pray that my vote makes a difference. Harris, an Oakland native who served as San Francisco district attorney before becoming the states Attorney General and then U.S. senator, on Sunday afternoon thanked Biden for his extraordinary leadership and decades of public service. I am honored to have the Presidents endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination, Harris wrote on X. Soon after Bidens announcement, Breed called him a transformative leader for our country, praising his governance throughout the pandemic and his support for investments in infrastructure, public safety and climate change solutions. She quickly also supported Bidens decision to back Harris to become the Democratic nominee. Harris, Breed said, has the experience, the strength, the judgment and the integrity to defeat Donald Trump and serve as our next President. Its time for Democrats to unite and focus on winning this election. San Francisco Mayor London Breed supported President Joe Biden's decision Sunday to withdraw from the race and backed his decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. Loren Elliott/Special to the Chronicle Newsom also took to X to praise Biden as extraordinary and endorse Harris, saying on X that no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trumps dark vision. Wiener also endorsed Harris on X, noting that he volunteered on her campaign when she ran for District Attorney. Shes a rock star and I support her with all my heart, he wrote. I cant wait to call her President Harris. Attorney General Rob Bonta also backed Harris, writing on X that shes as tough as they come. With our democracy and rights at stake, no one is better prepared to defend our values and defeat Trump. Im all in! San Francisco leaders including Supervisors Matt Dorsey, Ahsha Safai and Rafael Mandelman all announced their support of Harris, with Dorsey penning a thread on X to praise her record on criminal justice, marriage equality, infrastructure and climate change. If you dont think @KamalaHarris will be a great president and if you dont think this is a dream matchup in favor of Democrats I gotta ask: 'You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?! ' Dorsey concluded the thread, referencing a well-known Harris quote. GO GET 'EM, KAMALA! Pelosi called Biden a patriotic American who has always put our country first and praised him for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment, but had not yet endorsed Harris as of late Sunday afternoon. In Oakland, Robin Albee-Kesich, a 67-year-old resident of Sacramento County, was quick to voice her support for Harris and hopeful that Harris could beat Trump. In Oakland, Robin Albee-Kesich, right, a 67-year-old resident of southeast Sacramento County, was quick to voice her support for Harris and hopeful that Harris could beat Trump. Shes shown with her husband, Frederick Kesich. Jessica Flores/The Chronicle Theres a lot of people Id like to see (as the presidential nominee), but I think shes the most qualified, she said of Harris. Her husband Frederick Kesich, who is an independent, said it was a smart decision for Biden to drop out. He said he doesnt have a problem with Harris being president, but he does not plan to vote for Harris. She hasnt impressed me, he said. Theres still time, Robin said. Frederick agreed. Thats her job to win people over. A real estate agent was shocked to discover one of the houses he manages was being occupied by six people he had never met before. Amir Jahan, 25, the owner of A-Class Estate Agents, went to inspect the two-bedroom, two-bathroom rental property in Merrylands, western Sydney, after the landlord was unable to make contact with the tenant. When Mr Jahan arrived to inspect the home and check on the welfare of the tenant, they were nowhere to be seen - but the house hadn't been abandoned. Instead, six people were living there after reaching a 'rental agreement' with the person they thought was the owner. It emerged the tenant was pretending to be the landlord and subletting the rental for a tidy profit - something Mr Jahan says happens all the time. 'I tried to do a health check on the tenant and when I got to the property, six other people were living there,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Mr Jahan asked one of the occupants where the principle tenant was. 'The people told me, "We went through him, he is the owner",' he said. Amir Jahan, 25, (pictured) wants renters to be on the look out for illegal properties and has urged them to become vigilant 'I had to tell them, "No, he is the tenant".' The real estate agent said his first reaction was to feel sorry for the six people living in the home who had been misled and overcharged. He now wants to warn prospective tenants about cowboy subletters who 'lease out' rentals for hundreds of dollars more per week than what they pay the landlord. 'The lease was for $450 a week. The tenant had placed it on Facebook Marketplace for a weekly rent of $750,' Mr Jahan said. 'The question now is what will happen to the six people [living there] because they weren't in a contract and living there illegally. 'It's not their fault. I am concerned they are being kicked out, have the stress of moving and now need to try to find somewhere to live.' Mr Jahan said the dodgy practice was becoming more prevalent as people become increasingly 'desperate' to find a place to live. 'When they're not getting approved from real estate agencies they will try and find other services to find rentals,' he said. 'And the main one that is popping up at the moment is Facebook Marketplace, which is free for the owner and free for the tenant. 'Some people are renting the property and then subletting it straight away for more money.' The agent said his team had been working hard to find the six people, who are all students, alternative accommodation, but so far only three have a new tenancy. Mr Jahan (pictured) said he doesn't have a problem with private rentals but has urged prospective tenants to always get a contract and make sure they are dealing with the owner and not a subletter 'Because there was not a contract and they weren't the principle tenant, it is considered a break-in to the property so we don't have to give them notice to leave,' he said. But Mr Jahan said the landlord was a 'nice guy' and had been allowing them to stay. Despite this, the owner wants to follow legislation and the correct procedure, which includes sending the original renter, who cannot be found, a termination notice. 'If we haven't heard back from him after 14 days, his lease will be immediately terminated,' he said. Mr Jahan said the tenants, who had been in the property for at least six months, could take the subletter to tribunal - but without a contract, it would be difficult to win. 'They had no paperwork, no bond, no deposit and no contract,' he said. Mr Jahan wants tenants to know how important having a contract is. 'I know sometimes it is difficult to get approved the right way, but do it the right way,' he said. 'Make sure you are renting through the owner [if it's a private agreement] or that you have a contract with the owner. 'Don't be blind because you need a place to live.' The agent said there was a rising trend of people subletting or advertising on Airbnb. 'Some are doing it just as a full-time Airbnb and have never lived there, and in other cases tenants want to make more money,' he said. 'They could be paying $600-a-week rent in Parramatta's CBD but list it for the weekend and get $600 a night.' Mr Jahan emphasised that tenants must obtain the owner's permission to sublet. 'I have seen so much of this over the years, but it is becoming more often now,' he said. 'Even when I was a leasing officer, one woman rented out an apartment and was using it as a brothel with multiple people working there.' A week after her daughter's first birthday, a pregnant Tess Goode, 33, said goodbye to her partner as he left for a solo camping trip. A happy family life beckoned with the man she planned to marry, daughter Ava and soon-to-arrive second baby. But he never came home. Brendan Hancock, 33, known as Brenny, from Murphy's Creek in Victoria's west, died by suicide in the early hours of the morning on July 1. Mr Hancock's family had reported him missing after he failed to show up at work and was unable to be reached. Friends have rallied around his heavily pregnant partner, Tess Goode, 33, and set up a GoFundMe Page to help ease the financial burden as she prepares to raise two kids under the age of two on her own. 'Brendan was the sole provider for his family,' the page read. Brendan Hancock (pictured left) took his own life on a camping trip earlier this month 'He was a devoted, loving partner and father, and a friend to all who knew him. 'He put others first, and would always lend a hand to anyone in need. He's certainly left a ginormous hole in so many hearts.' Narelle Taylor, a friend of the couple launched the fundraiser with another friend 'to bring hope to a family in need'. She said she could scarcely imagine how daunting it must be to care for two babies after experiencing such a horrible loss. 'I know that Tess would be grateful for any help, even a small amount would mean so much,' Ms Taylor told Daily Mail Australia. 'If a few people here and there give $5, that adds up.' Ms Goode worked as a nurse before becoming a stay-at-home mum, but now she has been forced to rely on Centrelink for the first time in her life. Mr Hancock was a shearer who worked tirelessly to provide for his family, but he often had to take on other jobs to make ends meet during the wetter months. Mr Hancock (pictured) was a country boy who worked as a shearer and dreamed of buying a little house in the bush for his family The pair moved in with Ms Goode's mother, where they planned to stay for a few years, while they saved for a wedding and a little home in the bush to call their own. Ms Goode hopes she will eventually be able to get that place where she will be able to raise her children. 'Tess is obviously really struggling,' Ms Taylor explained. 'She's staring down the barrel of a single future, so she doesn't feel good... and having to deliver a baby without him there, it's all very sad.' Ms Taylor said she hopes to raise awareness about men's mental health to 'prevent any of our men losing their lives this sad way'. She also said 'there would have been many, many, many people that would have been there to help him' if they had known how much he was 'battling'. 'Eight Australians die every day by suicide - it's too many,' she said. 'We all need to talk to each other and check in with each other.' A fundraiser has been set up to help Tess Goode (pictured right) who is 32-weeks pregnant with her second child She urged anyone struggling with their mental heath to reach out for support. 'You can call a friend day or night... and some people might not have someone they think they can call but there's Lifeline and things like that,' Ms Taylor said. 'Just make the call. Let someone know. 'Brendan was extremely loved, and had he had just made a call I don't think this would have happened.' The unexpected news of Mr Hancock's passing has devastated his family and friends, who said 'he will be really missed'. 'He was a really known member of the community out here and he had a wealth of knowledge of the area,' Ms Taylor said. 'He was just a really good young fella with his whole life ahead of him.' A funeral service was held at Murphy's Creek Fire Station on Thursday morning. For confidential 24-hour support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. Horrific details of sexual torture carried out by Hamas on October 7 are revealed in a new documentary, with the sisters of one female hostage begging for her release. The 60-minute film 'Screams Before Silence,' created by Israeli production company Kastina Communications, and presented by Sheryl Sandberg was shown at the Southampton Arts Center Wednesday night. The film shines a light on the atrocities and sexual violence against women and girls - specifically to those who deny they occurred. Nearly 100 gathered for the private screening that featured special guests - Shani, 26, and May Yerushalmi, 21, whose sister Eden, 24, has been in captivity in Gaza for nearly 300 days. Sandberg is pictured throughout the deeply emotional film speaking to eyewitnesses, released hostages, survivors, first responders, and medical and forensic experts. In a previous interview, she told The Wall Street Journal that being part of the documentary 'is the most important work of my life.' Shani Yerushalmi, 26 (pictured left) and May, 21, have been advocating for their sister, Eden, 24, release. Both women attended the private screening, 'Screams Before Silence' on Wednesday night at the South Hampton Arts Center Eden Yerushalmi, 24, was working as a bartender at the Nova Music Festival when she was captured by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Her sisters said there has been no proof of life Sandberg has been outspoken about Hamas using sexual violence as a war tactic. In December, she told the United Nations that 'rape should never be used as an act of war,' CNN reported. In the film, Sandberg interviews Dr. Ayelet Levy Shachar, the mother of Naama Levy whose 19-year-old daughter, and IDF soldier, was kidnapped, and is still being held hostage by the terror group. Viewing those horrifying moments on October 7 that is excruciating to watch, Levy said her daughter's 'face looks terrified.' 'She's barefoot and in her pajamas and they're bloodstained,' she said. ''They're grabbing her by the hair, and she's all, like messed up.' 'I am thinking of what she experienced, you know, until that point and how long was she...,' her voice trailed off. 'Maybe that is the thing with the video, we would like to think that this couldn't be possible - that nobody would harm a young girl but then you see it there,' she said through tears. 'They're the one who posted the video - the Hamas.' Nova Music Festival Survivor Tali Biner went back to the site with Sandberg and stood in the white trailer showing her where she hid for seven hours. 'Two of my friends were here. One was here. We were on the ground. My head was here. My legs were bended,' she explained. She appeared shaken as she recalled the haunting cries and screams she heard from women and girls nearby - that went on for 15 to 20 minutes - screams, she said, that didn't stop. She told Sandberg she too feared for her life and thought she would be raped. She told her that she started to calculate in her mind, 'what is worse to get kidnapped, to get raped or to get shot.' Sandberg, who seemed as equally shaken, asked her how the screaming ended in these cases, Biner said, 'they got shot. Then silence.' Amit Soussana was held hostage for 55 days, and the first person to publicly say she was sexually abused in captivity, The New York Times reported. She said her 'instinct was just to fight,' when 10 men surrounded her. 'I wanted to show them that I'm strong that they are not going to take me so easily.' But she also shared the darkest fears that flooded her mind. 'I didn't mind getting killed. I think I maybe preferred that in those moments. I was scared, I was really scared. 'That they're gonna rape me there and that they're going to drag me through Gaza streets and parade my body around, so I feared that more than being killed.' Tali Biner survived the Nova Music Festival and brought Sandberg to the tent where she hid for seven hours Dr. Ayelet Levey Shachar, the mother of Naama Levy, 19, an IDF soldier, who was kidnapped and being held hostage by Hamas A haunting image of Naama Levy being taken away by the terrorist After the film there was a Q&A moderated by Cristina Cuomo, her husband is Chris Cuomo, a popular television journalist, who is a news anchor at NewsNation. With their translator Ofir Caspi by their side, the sisters told the audience what they are doing to keep their sister's voice alive, and how critical it was to bring their sister and all the other hostages home. Describing their sister as a happy person, with lots of friends, the life of the party, who loves to dance and laugh. Before October 7, she was waitressing and living with friends in Tel Aviv. Shani said the last time they saw their sister they had all met for dinner. She was going to the Nova Music Festival with two friends she worked with. She recalled Eden being excited about going to the festival to work and play. It would also be her first bartending job. People flee music festival after Hamas attack in Israel. The young woman has became known as the lady in red - one of the most hauntingly iconic images from the October 7 massacre Sanderg standing looking at the images of all those who perished in Re'eim the site of the Nova Musical Festival, a trance festival held in Israel's Negev Desert, that would become the deadliest concert in history- and is now a living memorial When she arrived in the Negev desert, she spent part of the early morning hours partying and dancing with friends - until 6.30am when the music stopped and the gunshots and gut-wrenching screams were heard. She called her family to tell them a terror attack was taking place, and shortly after she would watch her friends get murdered as the terrorists shot at their car. Shani said Eden told her she could hear the blood dripping from the bullet wounds and as she played dead, one of her friend's lifeless bodies toppled on her. When she found the courage to run away, she hid behind a small bush. 'Ants were biting her face. She was so scared. She could barely breathe,' Shani recalled. For nearly three hours, the sisters would stay on the phone with her trying to console her telling her to breathe - until she told them in a whispered tone in Hebrew 'Shani ...they caught me...they caught me.' Frantic, the sisters said they remained silent so they could hear what was happening, and that is when they heard the terrorist say to Eden in Arabic 'ta al' meaning 'come, get up,' and the line cut off. For nearly nine months, the sisters have no proof of life. They spoke with other female hostages who were released who told some of the sexual abuse they endured. 'It is terrifying to think of what Eden is going through in captivity,' Shani said, 'and the condition she might be in.' But, they are trying not to let their mind wander and to staying positive as the continue to share her story, and focused on getting her home. The three sisters together Eden in the center has been held captive for nearly 300 days Shani walked with her sister May last week in Central Park with all the families who have loved ones held captive Crown Prince of Greece Pavlos and his wife, Marie Chantel are pictured with sisters, May and Shani Yerushalmi. Pavlos appeared moved by film and told the crowd that he has a daughter similar in age to some of the victims (pictured l-r) Liz Cohen Hausman, May Yerushalmi, Cristina Cuomo, Shani Yerushalmi, Simone Levinson, Gail Perry, and Ofir Caspi Eden is described as a happy, vivacious person who loves life and has lots of friends The invitation only event was co-hosted by Simone Levinson, founding co-chair of Southampton Arts Center, and philanthropist Liz Cohen Hausman, who brought the film to South Hampton after going to Sandberg's premiere in New York. Attendees included Fernanda Niven, granddaughter of Oscar winner David Niven, Zibby Owens - daughter of Billionaire Stephen Schwarzman and Marie Chantal of Greece, and her husband Prince Pavlos. Jeff Klein, owner of Sunset Tower, San Vicente Bungalows, Arden Wohl and her artist husband Jonah Freeman, Arden's mother Denise Wohl, Blair Hussein, Heather and Dylan Mnuchin, among others Sandberg, a former COO of META, was not in attendance at the Wednesday night screening. After the film, many appeared visibly shaken by the savagery, while others felt inspired to do more. More than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and over 240 hostages abducted. Approximately, 100 hostages were released during a temporary cease-fire that ended December 1, 2023. Israel says there are currently 116 hostages that remain in captivity, including the bodies of at least 42, The Wall Street Journal reported. President Joe Biden's historic decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race leaves Democrats scrambling to replace him with less than four months to go before Election Day. What follows will be an unprecedented chain of events with Kamala Harris the cleaer favorite but by no means certain to become the party's nominee. The Democratic National Convention runs from August 19 to 22 in Chicago and Biden had been expected to formally accept the nomination there, having received 3,896 delegates during the party's primary contest earlier this year. More than 4,600 delegates and thousands of other party officials will now head to the city with the identity of the party's standard bearer up in the air. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday he would step aside and not seek reelection in the 2024 presidential race. He said it was in the best interest of the party and his country The president made his stunning announcement in a letter addressed to his fellow Americanst. He wrote it has been the greatest honor of his life to serve as president while throwing his support behind Harris. 'While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,' he wrote. His announcement came just weeks after a disastrous debate performance raised questions over whether he was fit for a second term. Some Democratic lawmakers called publicly for him to exit the race. Others kept their opinions behind closed doors. In recent weeks voters have been split on the path forward. Several polls showed a majority of Democrats thought Biden should exit the race, but many said they would still vote for him if he stayed in. Now that Biden has made the historic decision, here is what happens next: What are the nominating rules? The Democratic party does have rules in place which determine what happens should the president step aside before being formally nominated. While Biden had the necessary delegates his formal nomination was set to take place during a virtual roll call before the convention. The latest guidance is that it would happen in the first two weeks of August, but not before August 1. Because Biden exited the race before officially becoming the nominee the more than 3,900 pledged delegates get to cast their ballots in an open convention for whichever candidate they want. Every alternative to Biden whose name had been floated prior to him dropping out of the race insisted they were backing Biden. It's not clear who would jump in the race aside from Harris with his departure. Delegates told DailyMail.com prior to his exit that they would be sticking with Biden. Only some were willing to speculate on an alternate option but many suggested it should be Harris, who Biden endorsed on Sunday. My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024 If a candidate wins the majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, they become the party nominee. If no candidate gets a majority, then the nearly 740 so-called 'superdelegates', also known as automatic delegates, get to vote as well. They include a mix of party members and elected officials. Voting continues until a candidate gets a majority of delegates. Before Biden dropped out of the race, he expressed confidence in his second-in-command Harris. At the time he had insisted he was not exiting the race but said on July 11 that he 'wouldn't have picked her' if he 'didn't think she was qualified to be president.' President Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on the Fourth of July What happens to the money? One of the biggest challenges for Democrats is how to raise a massive sum of cash big enough to take on Donald Trump in a short amount of time. The Biden war chest would not necessarily flow to his replacement leaving a lot of money on the table. In the second quarter of the year, the Biden team brought in a total of $264 million and finished June with $240 million cash on hand. Federal candidates can make unlimited transfers of their funds to the national party, so Biden could leave all the money with the Democratic Party, which can then spend the money on the new nominee. But the campaign cannot just transfer the money directly to the nominee, as there is a $2,000 limit per candidate per election. Rather than give the money directly to a campaign, it would have to be refunded to the original donors, who would then have to give it to the candidate. The one person who would not face the same hurdles as a replacement nominee is Harris. Campaign finance law allows her to share the campaign committee with Biden because the president and vice president run together as one ticket, so her name is already authorized. In mid-2015, Christl Mahfouz found herself in a high-stakes meeting in Trump Tower, pitching her campaign merchandising business to then-candidate Donald Trump. The Louisiana mother of three recounted the nerve-wracking experience in an interview with DailyMail.com at the Republican National Convention, saying she walked into the meeting 'so nervous' but with a clear vision for products like 'Women for Trump' and 'Veterans for Trump.' To her astonishment, Trump approved the designs on the spot and asked Mahfouz how quickly she could get the merchandise ready. 'I told him, 'Give me a week, sir, and I'll be ready to go,'' Mahfouz said. That week-long turnaround kicked off a successful partnership that has made her company, ACE Specialties, the official merchandiser for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. People shop for Donald Trump related merchandise at the Republican National Convention 'So if you can imagine, I walk into Trump Tower so nervous.' 'What a lot of people don't know, is that my company was based in Lafayette, Louisiana, and we were hit really hard in the oil industry, and I was really on the brink of losing everything,' Mahfouz recalled. The city is a major hub for the oil industry and that year prices for oil plummeted dropping from roughly $95 per barrel in June 2014 to just $32 per barrel by December 2015, according to U.S. federal data. 'And the day that President Trump made his way down the escalator [in 2015], these visions popped into my head, and it was like women for Trump, veterans for Trump Team Trump, all of these logos,' the Louisianan continued. So she 'put the designs together, printed some merchandise, sent it up to the tower, and found myself there doing the pitch of a lifetime a few weeks later.' 'President Trump himself came down and he looked at everything,' Mahfouz said. 'He approved everything on the spot, and turned to me and said, 'How fast can you get this done?'' 'I said, 'Give me a week, sir, and I'll be ready to go.' 'So that day, I like to say the MAGA brand was born,' she told DailyMail.com. Christl Mahfouz said her meeting with Trump in 2015 to design his merchandise and later business relationship with the president changed her life A supporter of Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on while wearing a MAGA hat at Ted Hendricks Stadium ahead of Trump's campaign event in Hialeah, Florida, U.S. November 8, 2023 Donald Trump was wearing his iconic MAGA hat when he was shot by a would-be assassin last Saturday during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania She said the 'MAGA' brand she helped create has become 'the most iconic brand in political history.' But she does credit Trump with coining the term 'Make America Great Again,' which is the bedrock slogan of his political merchandising machine. Mafhouz said the bestseller, by far, is the original red MAGA hat. 'I would say that's definitely his greatest design,' she said of the notorious cap. Another top seller were shirts and other memorabilia showcasing Trump's infamous mug shot taken after he was booked in a Fulton County jail in August 2023. Trump merchandise sits on a vendor table near the security checkpoint at the RNC Recently, her merchandise featuring Trump and his recently minted running mate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, has been selling like crazy. The reason she has sold so many Trump-Vance products, Mahfouz said, is because she was one of the first to be able to produce the highly-anticipated merchandise. 'Well, when the VP was announced, we had shirts here and buttons the next morning. So Trump-Vance 2024 is flying off the shelves.' She told DailyMail.com that she contacted local graphic printers and designers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the Republican National Convention (RNC) was held, so that she could get selling as soon as possible. Importantly, she notes, all of the official Trump and RNC official products are American-made. 'All of the products we make are made right here in America,' Mahfouz said. A Trump supporter wears a t-shirt with a photo of former President Donald Trump's mug shot Vendors were quick to capitalize on selling imagery from Trump's near assassination attempt 'So not only has my company survived, not only have we created jobs, but we've supported farming the cotton manufacturing.' 'Every piece of every product is made right here in America.' Mahfouz said the opportunity the former president gave her changed everything. 'It's been life-changing, not only for me, but you know, my employees and their families and everyone we support,' Mahfouz said. 'I have 42 [employees], and they are dedicated and love the mission. And, you know, we just make it happen.' She said Trump's adoring fans love the products so much because they are so firmly in support of the 45th president. RNC attendees try on sparkly hats with MAGA and U.S. flag logos 'I think there's so much love and support for President Trump and excitement that everyone is just happy to have a piece.' 'Happy to have a piece of history,' she added with a smile. Every new MP has been given a panic alarm as they face unprecedented levels of abuse and threats to their safety. The devices have been supplied as part of Commons 'welcome packs' for the first time, as officials beef up security measures for politicians increasingly facing intimidation and death threats. One veteran MP told The Mail on Sunday: 'There is an assumption that there's a level of risk for all parliamentarians that never existed before.' The pocket alarms contain GPS trackers and, when activated, alert the police who can despatch a rapid response unit. They have been available to all MPs on request since the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016. Now they have been automatically handed to the 335 new MPs who entered Parliament after an election campaign marred by menacing behaviour. It also comes as America reels from the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and as senior Westminster politicians have spoken out against the 'worst' threat level they have ever seen. Every new MP has been given a panic alarm as they have been supplied as part of Commons 'welcome packs' for the first time Jo Cox was stabbed and shot by neo-Nazi thug in her constituency and hometown of Batley, West Yorkshire, on June 16, 2016, just days before the EU referendum It also comes as America reels from the attempted assassination of Donald Trump (pictured) and as senior Westminster politicians have spoken out against the 'worst' threat level they have ever seen Labour MP Naz Shah told this newspaper: 'Never before did I think I would be physically attacked like I did on this campaign. It was pure hooliganism. They were young angry men.' Abuse reported by candidates and volunteers included death threats, being sworn and spat at and being followed and intimidated in the street. Earlier this year, the Home Office announced a 31 million package of measures to counter the threat to MPs' security and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle this month said he has 'never seen anything as bad' as the present threat level. 'If there's something that keeps me awake at night, it is the safety of MPs,' he added. On being given their alarm, one new parliamentarian praised the measures and said: 'The Speaker is putting much more emphasis on MPs' safety than ever before.' The devices which are understood to contain unique codes to identify which MP triggers them were handed out during induction sessions last week, with demonstrations on how to use them. New MPs who did not attend were given alarms as part of their welcome packs, along with their laptops and introductory information. Labour MP Naz Shah (pictured) told this newspaper: 'Never before did I think I would be physically attacked like I did on this campaign. It was pure hooliganism. They were young angry men' Earlier this year, the Home Office announced a 31 million package of measures to counter the threat to MPs' security and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured) this month said he has 'never seen anything as bad' as the present threat level One source said: 'It's a good idea to give them with the pack. Otherwise they say they don't want them, then realise they do need them.' During the campaign, all candidates not just sitting MPs were offered a named police officer to be their direct point of contact for the first time in case of threats. Speaking of the 'awful' intimidation and hatred she received while campaigning in Bradford West, Ms Shah, 50, said: 'Never have I seen an election like this. I had intimidation from [George] Galloway's lot in 2015, but never did I feel a threat to my personal safety before.' She said the Gaza issue inflamed tensions. Despite being a long-term vocal supporter of Palestine, she was abused over Labour's more equivocal stance on the conflict. While leafletting, a man filmed her for over five minutes as he abused her, shouting: 'You dirty, dirty Zionist, you had your chance, love. I am gonna follow you around until you get the f*** out of this area. You are a continuation of the Zionist plot. How many Gazan babies need to die for Naz Shah's career?' Ms Shah said that on other occasions her canvassers were threatened with physical violence, adding: 'We would have people telling my volunteers, 'we'll set the dogs on you', or 'we'll get the boys out if you don't get out of here'.' Days before the election, she said she received a death threat on her TikTok account, which she reported to police. Nusrat Ghani, the Tory MP for Sussex Weald who is running to be elected Deputy Speaker this week, said: 'This election saw a whole new level of intimidation and threats. Writing in The Mail on Sunday, she says: 'I worry for women in particular, because female candidates, campaigners and activists are targeted more. Nusrat Ghani (pictured), the Tory MP for Sussex Weald who is running to be elected Deputy Speaker this week, said: 'This election saw a whole new level of intimidation and threats' And Housing Minister Rushanara Ali (pictured) had two Home Office-funded bodyguards while campaigning after being targeted by pro-Gaza activists 'There is no doubt that there are people who are misogynistic and aggressive, who simply do not want women in these spaces. That is their aim and they are willing to use threats of violence to achieve it. And we can't let them win.' One senior woman in Parliament, who did not wish to be named, said she was told to 'stop campaigning, or else' during the campaign. And Housing Minister Rushanara Ali had two Home Office-funded bodyguards while campaigning after being targeted by pro-Gaza activists. Labour's Khalid Mahmood, who lost his seat in Birmingham Perry Barr to an independent, said his volunteers had leaflets snatched from their hands by pro-Palestinian activists, while others were shoved in the street by men. He told the MoS some volunteers quit after the incident, fearing for their safety and that he faced a daily torrent of abuse on social media where users would abuse him in their native Punjabi and Urdu. He complained to the police about one social media user who abused him persistently. The Home Office's 31 million initiative to bolster security came after a review led by the then Security Minister Tom Tugendhat. He said: 'Democracy only works if people are free to make arguments and speak out. We need our candidates to be free from intimidation or fear. Labour's Khalid Mahmood (pictured), who lost his seat in Birmingham Perry Barr to an independent, said his volunteers had leaflets snatched from their hands by pro-Palestinian activists, while others were shoved in the street by men The Home Office's 31 million initiative to bolster security came after a review led by the then Security Minister Tom Tugendhat (pictured) 'Thanks to the measures we put in place candidates at this election were offered an unprecedented level of protection and support.' But some MPs say they still do not get enough help. One prominent politician said the panic alarms 'are not brilliant, to be honest', while another said: 'The problem with a panic alarm is that by the time you press it, it's probably too late.' A Parliament spokesman said: 'A full range of security advice and services is being provided to new and returning members. We do not comment on individual MPs' security arrangements or advice.' A Home Office spokesman also declined to go into details but said: 'There is an extensive range of security measures available to all MPs.' An elderly pastor wrestled a gun away from his grandson after he allegedly gunned down his wife and four young children. Brandon Allan Kendrick, 32, faces five counts of capital murder after the mass shooting at his grandfather Allan's property in rural Alabama. His wife Kelse Kendrick, 24, was found dead alongside their son Kaleb, six, and Kynli, two, and their cousins Colton, eight, and Haley Daniels, six, on Thursday night. Kendrick suffered from schizophrenia and family explained to DailyMail.com how his mental state worsened in the weeks before the massacre. 'Kelse and her children have been victims of domestic violence for years,' one family member said, claiming he had a history of not taking his medication. His wife Kelse Kendrick, 24, was found dead alongside their son Kaleb, six, and Kynli, two, and their cousins Colton, eight, and Haley Daniels, six, on Thursday night Kynli Kendrick, 2, Kaleb Kendrick, 6, Colton Daniels, 8, and Haley Daniels, 6, were found shot to death in rural Alabama on Thursday night Brandon Allan Kendrick, 32, allegedly dead shot his wife Kelse Kendrick, 24, (left) along with their daughter Kynli and son Kaleb, and the children's two cousins Kendrick allegedly gunned down his family at the garage apartment they lived in on Allan Kendrick's property in West Blocton, about 40 miles south of Birmingham. Allan told Kelse's grandfather Bill Morrow how he stumbled upon the crime and confronted his grandson, according to a conversation recounted to Daily Mail.com by Kelse's uncle Eli Morrow. The 71-year-old was watching TV in the main house with his wife Gay Kendrick when he heard what sounded like a gunshot and went to investigate. 'Brandon came at him with the gun, and he fought it away from him. Then he walked over [to the house] and found out what happened. So they were as surprised as everyone else, they didn't expect it,' Eli said. 'Brandon said, 'Why did you beat me up?' and Allan told him what he had done and he just said, 'Oh'.' All five were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads, other than Haley, who was still breathing and rushed to hospital, but did not survive. Kaleb was the last victim and shot outside the garage apartment, possibly while running for his life, which is how Allan heard the gunfire. 'Allan said the door was knocked off its hinges, almost like she had locked him out and he broke the door down before shooting them. I'm assuming they were having some kind of argument,' Eli said. Kendrick faces five counts of capital murder after the mass shooting Kendrick and Kelse lived with their children in a garage apartment on Kendrick's grandfather Allan's rural property. Allan is a pastor at Oasis of Praise Church (pictured preaching there) Allan, who is the lead pastor of Oasis of Praise Church in nearby Bessemer, called 911 about 8.18pm, and then got on the phone to Bill. 'Bill, you need to get down here, Brandon has shot Kelse all the kids in the head,' family said Allan told him. Bill and his daughter Jessica, who is Colton and Haley's mother, rushed to the property but found it cordoned off by police when they arrived about 9pm. Eli said the party was held at family patriarch Bill Morrow's house ahead of Colton's ninth birthday on Tuesday. Kendrick was at not at the party, and his schizophrenic episodes had worsened over the previous two weeks so much that Kelse's family hadn't seen her in that time. 'He got to a point where he couldn't work full time, so there were financial problems from that, and she was having to take care of the kids and him so she couldn't work either which just made it worse,' Eli said. 'Things were getting very difficult all the way around... she was doing her best to be a supportive wife. 'The one time she gets away after things had been so hard for her, he wanted her back home.' Kendrick's family was trying to get him on disability, which would have lessened the financial burden. Allan was watching TV in the main house with his wife Gay Kendrick when he heard what sounded like a gunshot and went to investigate The shooting took place at his pastor grandfather property in rural Alabama (Kaleb pictured with his sister and family dog on his first day of Pre-K) Allan, who is the lead pastor of Oasis of Praise Church in nearby Bessemer, called 911 about 8.18pm Kendrick struggled with schizophrenia and other mental health issues since he was nine, and had a history of not taking his medication. 'My last conversation with my daughter was about his medication,' Kelse's stepfather Joey Hammitt said, adding Kendrick was seeing a doctor. Kendrick exhibited concerning behavior in the the days before the massacre, including on Thursday morning when he got his hair cut. 'Brandon Kendrick was just at our hair salon and got his haircut. We have cut his children's hair too,' one worker at a Great Clips barber wrote online. 'He was acting very depressed my coworker asked him about his family, but just shook it off assuming he was going through a rough separation. 'Goes to show you never know what is going on in someone's head.' Kelse's cousin also noticed 'off' behavior from Kendrick when the couple went into the vape shop she worked at on Wednesday. Kendrick playing on a small dirt bike with Kaleb in the yard of the rural property Kynli and Kaleb were killed in the massacre on Thursday night There was also a marked change in Kelse's social media activity over the past year, changing from speaking in glowing terms about her husband, to appearing increasingly unhappy. She shared a video on June 26 captioned: 'Manipulation is when they blame you for your reaction to their toxic behavior but never discuss their disrespect that triggered you.' Another video one the same day was labeled: 'If you're upset because you have to let go of someone you love, listen to this.' Two minutes earlier she reposted a video of a woman saying, 'I tell people all the time, when they're like, oh you're so strong. I'm like, but I have to be... I wanna be fragile.' A fourth image read: 'No one talks about the guilt you feel when you finally decide to leave someone you really love because they constantly hurt you and don't want to change.' Yet another video featured a man detailing 'a man playing the victim in his life will say these things to his wife'. On May 2, Kelse complained she had to defend herself because no one else was. 'I feel like living here they think I'm crazy when I go off but I don't care, gotta get your point across somehow or forever be ran over,' she wrote. Kendrick and Kelse at their wedding on September 15, 2018 Kendrick allegedly shot Kelse and the children less than an hour after they returned home from Colton's birthday party about 7pm after he demanded she come home April 20 included a video captioned 'when my husband tells me to drop the attitude that I don't actually have' and on March 5 she shared a long post that began 'This is for anyone who has suffered from an abusive and narcissistic relationship.' Earlier posts last year included a scene from HBO drama The Bear with a character saying 'I feel trapped'. Kelse's 'cry for help' posts were a marked contrast form earlier posts praising Kendrick. 'Happy Birthday to my best friend I love you so much!! Here's to another year,' she wrote last February with a set of happy photos. In September 2022, Kelse celebrated their anniversary with a sweet tribute. 'Happy Anniversary to my person 6 years ago I fell for you and 4 years ago today we said forever and ever throughout everything we have stuck together side by side and 6 hard years and two beautiful babies later here we are with forever and ever to go! I love you so much!' she wrote. On Valentine's Day that year she wrote: 'Thank you for being the man that you are today and an amazing daddy to our babies! I wouldn't trade you for the world and I'm blessed to call you my valentine.' Kendrick's Facebook bio chillingly read: 'Living life & loving my wonderful wife and kids.' Haley and Kynli together at a family Fourth of July gathering two weeks before they were killed Colton and Haley were only at the house because their mother was having major surgery the next morning Eli's wife Brittany Morrow explained that the massacre followed a last-minute decision by Kelse to give in to Kendrick's demands one last time. 'All of the children were supposed to spend the night at [Bill's] home,' Brittany told DailyMail.com. 'Brandon repeatedly begged and pleaded with her to come home and she gave in within an hour they were all shot in the head.' Brittany explained that Colton and Haley's mother Jessica Morrow, 35, was having major surgery the next morning, so there was no option but to send them with Kelse. 'We live 45 minutes away. I wish to God they had asked us to take them for the night,' she said. 'What we are struggling with the most, is that it was a last-minute decision to take them over there, it was never in the plan because they knew he had been acting crazy.' Kelse's car was broken down so Jessica dropped all five of them off at home on Green Tree Drive about 7pm. Kynli and Kaleb in Halloween costume in their Alabama town Police swarm the scene late at night on Friday morning Kelse is Eli's niece by his older sister, who has since died, and Bill's grandfather, and the Morrow and Kendrick families have been intertwined for generations. Eli had custody of Colton and Haley from January 2021 until last November, when a judge allowed them to return to Jessica. 'Jessica finally got her kids back, and then this happens,' Brittany said. 'I am devastated and destroyed... Eli and I had full custody of them for almost three years and they were my babies.' Police rushed to the scene and arrested Kendrick after discovering the bodies, Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade said. 'It's absolutely horrible. It's unimaginable what the family is going through, what the friends of the family are experiencing, what the community is feeling right now,' he said. 'It was just a horrific scene that even seasoned officers told me it is the worst thing they've ever seen. 'As officers are going, they are saying there are more children that have been shot.' Wade said Kendrick was yet to tell police why he did it, but 'I don't know what motive he could give us that would justify what he did anyway'. Kendrick was booked into the Bibb County Jail about 3.30am and denied bail. He is charged with four counts of capital murder of a child under 14, and one count of capital murder in the killing of two or more people in one act. Kelse's uncle Eli Morrow had custody of Colton and Haley (front left and right) from January 2021 until last November, with the help of his wife Brittany (top right) Colton and Haley with their uncle Eli Morrow Oasis of Praise Church held a prayer vigil with more than 300 members on Friday night, saying proceeds from the collection plate would go to the families. 'Pastor wanted us to relay to all those asking if they can do anything: 'Tell everyone asking if they can do something that they can be at church Sunday at 10am',' the church wrote on its Facebook page. 'The church has committed to helping the families with expenses. If you would like to be a part of this effort, please give your donation to the church's benevolence fund. 'All donated money will be directed towards the needs of the families involved.' Eli Morrow also started a GoFundMe page to help pay for the funerals, with his wife explaining the family didn't want the funeral at Allan's church. 'None of the family feel comfortable having it there, he's offered to have them cremated and have a memorial at his church, but the family has declined,' Brittany said. 'But we started the fundraiser because we're trying to figure out how we're going to pay for five funerals.' A woman wielding Samurai sword savagely murdered one person and injured two others in a brutal attack in Los Angeles on Thursday. Investigators are still trying to identify what sparked the violence that apparently arose from a domestic dispute. On Thursday afternoon, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department were dispatched to a quiet street in San Dimas, where they were hailed by a woman who was covered in blood and holding a Samurai sword. In a video taken by KTLA, she could be seen staggering along the street with the weapon in her hand. A woman was savagely murdered and two people were injured in a brutal attack with a Samurai sword in Los Angeles on Thursday Investigators are still trying to identify what sparked the violence that apparently arose from a domestic dispute In the footage, slash wounds appeared to cover her leg and as she lurched forward, she left a trail of blood in her wake. From what the deputies could understand, the woman seemed like she wanted to exhibit the sword to them. When the officers ordered her to place the weapon on the ground, she complied, setting the sword down, before raising her hands. She then led the deputies to a nearby home on the street, where the police found a woman who was suffering from horrific lacerations. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputies continued searching the house and found a woman, who was 'transferred to a local hospital due to a medical emergency,' Lt. Daniel Vizcarra said. In the footage, slash wounds appeared to cover the woman's leg From what the deputies could understand, the woman seemed like she wanted to exhibit the sword to them According to KTLA, the emergency might have been a heart attack. At this time, detectives are having a hard time proceeding with their investigation, as the women involved only speak Mandarin Chinese. Based on the evidence they've collected, though, they believe there might be some kind of family connection between the women. 'The preliminary investigation suggests that there may be a family connection, but again, because of the language barrier, we have not confirmed that,' Lt. Vizcarra reported. At this time, detectives are having a hard time proceeding with their investigation, as the women involved only speak Mandarin Chinese In an effort to facilitate the process, interpreters were sent to the scene of the incident and the hospital to work alongside the detective. 'I'm a little bit uneasy because I don't know what's going on,' one resident in the area told KTLA. 'I'm shocked, surprised,' the resident continued. 'This doesn't happen in this neighborhood.' Surprising new polls have revealed if Democrats actually want Kamala Harris to become president as Biden's campaign implodes and his popularity amongst the left dwindles. A poll found that around six in 10 Democrats think that Vice President Harris would do well if Biden stepped aside and she was president herself. Polling, which was conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, determined that a majority of Democrats believe the country would be in good hands if Harris took over. Approximately 58 percent of Democrats think Harris would make a good president - while 22 percent think she would not and 20 percent 'do not know enough to say'. This is compared to the 30 percent of the general public that think Harris would make a good President and a staggering 87 percent of Republicans who said she would NOT make a good president. Surprising new polls have revealed if Democrats actually want Kamala Harris to become president as Biden's popularity amongst the left dwindles. The bombshell survey comes as more and more Democrats are speaking out against Biden, 81, and encouraging the president to drop out of the race. A growing list of Democrats from the House and Senate have called for Biden to drop out of the presidential election. Some are even discussing a possible 'loophole' that can be used to boot Biden out of the presidential race of he refuses to drop out. Delegates at the Democratic National Convention are toying with the options they face if, by the time of the August convention, Biden has not yet stepped aside or dropped out of the race entirely. Politicians are considering a 'good-conscience loophole' that would enable them to vote for a new candidate. DNC delegate and political scientist Elaine Kamarck spoke with fellow delegates on Friday morning on a zoom call. She briefed them on the 'loophole' - which would let them drop Biden if they do not have a 'good conscience' about their pledged choice determined by primaries and caucuses. Earlier this week, Biden revealed the one reason that would make him drop out of the presidential race. He said it would take his doctor telling him directly that he had a medical condition that made that necessary. 'If I had some medical condition that emerged, if somebody, if doctors came to me and said, you got this problem and that problem,' Biden said in an interview with BET news. Days later, Biden was diagnosed with COVID after he took a test on Wednesday when he started getting a runny nose and a cough. Later, he gingerly boarded Air Force One, using the shorter of the two sets of stairs, for the flight home. Imprisoned gangsters have claimed they paid female prison officers up to 2,000 for sex in their prison cells. The allegations have come to light following a string of messages shared between prisoners and former felons in a TikTok chat broadcast from a jail cell. One Albanian ex-convict claimed: 'We Albanians have f***** female prison officers for 2,000.' Murderer Eugert Merizaj, who is serving a 32 year sentence for his role in a brutal shotgun killing of a drug rival, hosted the live video from inside prison. Merizaj boasted that he had 'hooked up' a female guard with another inmate. Murderer Eugert Merizaj (pictured), who is serving a 32 year sentence for his role in a brutal shotgun killing of a drug rival, hosted the live video from inside prison. Merizaj boasted that he had 'hooked up' a female guard with another inmate A prison officer at Wakefield Prison (stock image). The allegations have come to light following a string of messages shared between prisoners and former felons in a TikTok chat broadcast from a jail cell. One Albanian ex-convict claimed: 'We Albanians have f***** female prison officers for 2,000' He also claimed in the broadcast, which was infiltrated by The Sun as a part of an investigation, that he attempted to avoid sexual encounters with the staff. The convict says this is to avoid more years being added to his sentence. Merizaj also spoke about how female guards have been into his rom to wake him up for breakfast and have searched his room. These fresh allegations follow the shocking video released in June which it is claimed show a female prison officer at HMP Wandsworth having sex with an inmate in his cell. Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, has been accused of having sex with an inmate at the prison. She appeared in Uxbridge Magistrate Court where she was granted a conditional bail and will appear for a plea and case management hearing on July 29 at Isleworth Crown Court. July 20, 2024: Russia continues to threaten NATO with nuclear and conventional retribution for their aid to Ukraine. Russia is particularly angry at proposals by some NATO members to send in troops. This threat is particularly upsetting because Russia is running out of soldiers and weapons to arm them with. The shortage of soldiers is visible to countries that border Russia and can actually see the departure of most troops from local units. The soldiers are needed in Ukraine and many border garrisons have only twenty percent of their original strength left. In Ukraine there is additional evidence of Russian shortages as dead Russian soldiers are found alongside their 1890s vintage Mosin-Nagant rifles. Since over 39 million of these rifles were produced between 1891 and 1973, millions of them are still in use and many are being issued to Russian soldiers sent to Ukraine. Russia has run out of more modern weapons but still has millions of Mosin-Nagants in storage. Ukrainian forces have been seeing a lot of serviceable but antique Russian weapons showing up including sixty year old T-64 tanks that were in storage. Russia refurbished many of these tanks and sent them to Ukraine along with the Mosin-Nagant rifles and even uniforms that went out of fashion decades ago, but were put into storage just in case. For Russia, the Ukraine War became that case when its reserve stocks of older Russian tanks, rifles and uniforms had to be brought out and sent to the front. Ukrainian troops are still receiving modern weapons and new uniforms, but the contrast between how the soldiers of each side are armed is becoming more visible. Ukrainian soldiers are perplexed at finding dead Russian soldiers with Mosin-Nagant rifles. If nothing else, this boosts morale among Ukrainian soldiers who note that the Russians are running out of soldiers and modern rifles to arm them with. Former President Donald Trump revealed on Saturday that Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote him a note after the assassination attempt one week ago. The Republican presidential nominee shared that Xi reached out while speaking at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was his first campaign rally since the gunman opened fire at the event in Butler, PA. One bullet grazed Trump's ear. One man was killed and two others were critically wounded. '[Xi] wrote me a beautiful note the other day when he heard about what happened,' Trump told the boisterous crowd in the packed Van Andel Arena downtown. Trump shared that Xi sent him a note while discussing economic policy with China. He did not share what the letter included. Donald Trump said that Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote him a beautiful note after the assassination attempt. Trump revealed the outreach while speaking at a rally in Grand Rapids The former president also praised Xi as a 'brilliant.' 'He controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist,' Trump said 'He makes guys like Biden look like babies.' Trump was speaking before a massive crowd in Grand Rapids. It was his first rally since the gunman opened fire on the crowd in Butler, PA and the former was in rare form, cracking jokes, slamming his political opponent and feeding off the energy of the crowd. The campaign event took place inside unlike the Butler rally amid ramped up security. It was also the first rally since Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination in Milwaukee, WI at the Republican National Convention on Thursday. The former president spoke for nearly an hour and fifty minutes during which time he praised Xi, Russian President Putin and Viktor Obran of Hungary. Trump said he got along very well with President Xi and called him 'brilliant' while speaking at his campaign rally in Michigan 'I got along very well with President Xi,' Trump said during his event. The ex-president also touted that he also gets along with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He said it was a good thing and that he as a lot of nuclear weapons. 'I got along with him great. You were never in danger with me as your president,' he said. 'It's a good thing to get a long, not a bad thing.' Later in his rally, Trump went after China over trade. He vowed if reelected he would pass the 'Trump Reciprocal Trade Act' and claimed that if China charges the U.S. a 100 percent or 200 percent tax the U.S. will charge them a '200 percent' tax. An armed Indianapolis man was shot dead after barging over to a Chevy pickup truck driver and screaming in a suspected road-rage incident. In a newly released video, Gavin Dasaur, 29, is seen arguing and attempting to punch the unidentified driver while holding what seems to be a gun in his hand on July 16. As the driver smacks Dasaur's punch-throwing hand away, the enraged man can be seen shifting the weapon to his left hand while continuing to berate the driver. The man behind the wheel points their own gun at Dasaur and fires about three times at the young man. Gavin Dasaur, 29, was shot dead after being involved in a suspected road-rage incident with a Chevy pickup truck driver In a newly released video, Dasaur is seen arguing and attempting to punch the unidentified driver while holding what seems to be a gun in his hand on July 16 Deputies from the Indianapolis Police Department said they arrived at the scene to find Dasaur on the ground with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment but died of his injuries. The driver was reportedly detained but later released after investigators found that he was allegedly acting in self-defense. 'Upon further investigation and after consultation with Marion County Prosecutor's Office, that individual was released,' the police spokesperson told USA Today. Dasaur, who had come to the US from India in 2016, had gotten married to Cinthya ZaMora on June 29. Dasaur, who had come to the US from India in 2016, had gotten married to Cinthya ZaMora on June 29 While his funeral rites took place in the US, his parents plan to take his ashes back home As she grieves her husband, ZaMora told The Indianapolis Star: 'We were so in love and had many plans for the future. 'Like starting a family and enjoying our honeymoon and traveling all over the world. 'He was a hardworking man that always went out of his way to help anyone and wanted to give the world to me and his family. 'He did not deserve to die this way. Its such a tragedy that my husband was murdered in cold blood.' Dasaur had started his own transport business in 2018 after obtaining a diploma in mechanical engineering in 2018. While his funeral rites took place in the US, his parents plan to take his ashes back home. King Charles is set to enjoy an extended summer in Scotland as he returns to the traditional royal holiday schedule. The late Queen spent three months each year at her Highland hideaway Balmoral, but last year the King returned to London early, leading to speculation he would not adopt his mothers approach. Aides say Charles is planning to stay north of the border for longer this summer, in keeping with the late Queens pattern, and say he is looking forward to a rest. Over the past six weeks, alongside meetings and engagements, he has crammed in Royal Ascot, the Japan State Visit, Holyrood Week and a visit to the Welsh Parliament, as well as welcoming a new Prime Minister. This week alone, which Palace insiders admit was intensely busy, Charles visited the Channel Islands, attended the State Opening of Parliament and met world leaders at Blenheim Palace. King Charles at Balmoral last August. The King is set to have an extended stay in Scotland this summer as he looks forward to a rest Charles has had an 'intensely busy' week, including attending the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday The packed schedule has led to concerns that the King, 75, has been overdoing it as he undergoes cancer treatment, but aides insist his diary is very carefully calibrated on medical advice. The mood at the Palace has been very encouraged by the recent programme, with the royal calendar looking reassuringly normal. On the first Saturday of August, the King is set to don his kilt for the Mey Highland Games in John oGroats. It is expected he and Queen Camilla will stay at the Castle of Mey, the beloved former home of the Queen Mother, nestled in Caithness at the tip of Scotland. For the rest of the summer, they will stay either at Birkhall, or the late Queens beloved Balmoral, inviting family and as is tradition the Prime Minister. And on the first Saturday in September, the King will join the annual Braemar Gathering at the Cairngorms National Park, a firm favourite of the late Queen. The second anniversary of her death, like the first, will be spent in quiet reflection at Balmoral. The King and Queen are expected to stay at the Castle of Mey in Caithness the first week of August In October, they will fly to Australia and Samoa for Charless first foreign royal tour since his diagnosis. Australian sources say health concerns mean the King will not undertake all-day events. It is believed he will visit the New South Wales Parliament House and a major attraction, possibly the Sydney Opera House. The King and Queen will then fly to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The Mail on Sunday understands aides are scouting for accommodation on the island, with options including an eco-friendly resort. Embattled President Joe Biden feels 'angry and betrayed' by his predecessor Barack Obama. Mr Biden, 81, who remains under intense pressure to quit, has privately told friends and family he feels 'a deep sense of betrayal' that Mr Obama, whom he served as Vice-President for eight years, has failed to defend him. Mr Obama has been noticeably silent since Mr Biden's disastrous June 27 debate showing against Donald Trump, tweeting 'bad debates happen' on the day afterwards. He has said nothing since. Multiple reports in the US claim Mr Obama has now 'lost faith' that Mr Biden can defeat Mr Trump in the election. A source said: 'Publicly 35 Senators and members of Congress have called for Biden to go but behind the scenes the figure is far bigger. The majority of Democrats want him to leave. Joe Biden feels 'angry and betrayed' by his predecessor Barack Obama, after the former president failed to defend him While several senators and members of the Congress have publicly called for Biden to go, the number behind the scenes is far greater, a source said Biden is said to feel 'hurt' by the silence of Obama, who he served for eight years as Vice-President 'Obama still holds a lot of sway in the party and said privately he no longer believes Biden has a pathway to win. Obama has lost faith. What happens if he quits? If Joe Biden stands down, his deputy Kamala Harris would automatically replace him. But if he withdraws from the presidential race, party members could choose a replacement, decided by delegates at next month's convention. Mr Biden has a $240milllion election 'war chest', which Ms Harris would automatically have access to if she becomes the nominee. If another candidate emerges, Mr Biden's campaign would have to offer to refund money to donors, says Saurav Ghosh of the Campaign Legal Center. Advertisement 'Biden feels angry and betrayed by Obama, who he considered a good friend. There is a deep sense of betrayal and hurt.' Last night Mr Biden remained secluded at his Delaware beach house, recovering from Covid. A report in the New York Times claimed Mr Biden views Mr Obama as a 'puppet master' working behind the scenes to oust him. The report said: 'Mr Obama has not done anything to help him the unseen but clearly-felt presence of Mr Obama in particular has brought a Shakespearean quality to the drama now playing out.' Aides confirmed Mr Biden is getting ready to return to campaigning, with fundraising events in California and Nevada this week. 'He is determined to continue,' one said. 'He's very stubborn.' A source close to Hillary Clinton said she believed Mr Biden was 'toast'. The source added: 'When you have people like Clinton and Obama privately expressing the view that he cannot lead the party to victory, then it's all over. Expect him to go within days.' Mr Biden is tentatively scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington tomorrow. 'There is a feeling he will not drop out until after that meeting,' the source said. An 89-year-old entertainer, who's been dubbed 'the world's oldest working female comedian,' was viciously sucker-punched in a random attack in Greenwich Village. Last Wednesday, D'yan Forest was walking to her gym around 9 am, when a female stranger came up to her and struck her in the face on the corner of Seventh Avenue South and West 11th Street. The force of the violent blow caused Forest, who has performed alongside Jerry Seinfeld and Joan Rivers, to fall to the ground, and shortly after, the assailant fled the scene. 'I'm just standing at the corner waiting to cross with the light,' Forest, who will turn 90 next month, told the New York Post. D'yan Forest, who's been dubbed 'the world's oldest working female comedian,' was viciously sucker-punched in a random attack in Greenwich Village According to authorities, the suspect, who remains at large, was last spotted wearing a white tank top with a Jurassic Park logo on the front 'I'm smiling and Im happy, I had my coffee. And all of a sudden, a huge wallop hit my eye.' Forest was stunned by how powerful the strike was. 'I didnt know what it was. It couldve been a lamppost, it hit me that hard. So I fell down.' Before the unknown woman attacked Forest, she stomped a homeless person, according to the comedian. After the assailant brutally struck the 89-year-old, she stood over her and scowled at her victim, who tried with great difficulty to see out of her injured eye. 'I looked at a woman in front of me and I thought she was going to come help me up because Im lying on the ground in shock,' Forest told the Post. 'She gave a scowling look at me and then ran right ahead. So I guess she was the perpetrator,' the comedian continued. According to the NYPD, the assailant then fled the scene, hurrying west on Bank Street. At this time, the suspect still remains at large. Right after she'd been punched, Forest immediately started to worry about how her injury might affect her 90th birthday show, which is scheduled for July 29 at Joe's Pub in NoHo. 'The first thing that came [over me was], Oh my God, my show, my show!' she said. She added: 'I don't want to have a missing eye!' 'Afterwards, people came over to help me up,' Forest said to the Post. 'I couldnt see out of my left eye, and I was petrified in shock. And I kept saying to them, "Is my eye still there?"' Right after she'd been punched, Forest immediately started to worry about how her injury might affect her 90th birthday show Fortunately, the comedian's eye was intact, but it was in bad shape. From the scene of the incident, she was rushed to the hospital, where she spent a few hours recovering, before she left to attend a rehearsal for an upcoming performance. I walked out, I did my rehearsal,' the 89-year-old said. 'Of course, my director said, "You look horrible." Just what I need. Because I hadnt really seen myself,' she said. By Thursday, the bruise on her eye was hardly conspicuous, but she explained that her blood vessels still need time to recover. The attack, though, had psychological, as well as physical, consequences for the elderly comedian. 'I [was] sort of shook and I didnt want to talk about it for a couple of days,' she said. She initially felt 'whatever it is, it's my fault.' Since the brutal assault, she has also become more circumspect and nervous when walking the streets that are familiar to her. The attack had psychological, as well as physical, consequences for the elderly comedian 'Its a little crazy, Like, "Is that person going to reach up and hit me?"' she said. If she had the opportunity to speak with NYC Mayor Eric Adams, she said she would beg him to solve the homeless-and-mental-health crisis that's crushing the city. 'I would say this is what is happening now...There are more homeless, mentally ill homeless on the street, and even in my precious Village.' Forest, who has lived in the same building on West 10th Street since 1966, explained that what she's witnessing now is an entirely new phenomenon. 'This is what Ive noticed this summer. Just get these people off the streets. Get them help so 90-year-old old ladies wont be socked!' Forest's sentiments echo those of many New Yorkers, who worry that violent and unprovoked crimes are ruining the city. If she had the opportunity to speak with NYC Mayor Eric Adams, she said she would beg him to solve the homeless-and-mental-health crisis that's crushing the city Until this summer, the comedian had felt secure in her beloved New York City. 'There's been a lot of homeless sitting around in my area,' she said, before adding, 'this never happened.' Forest was born near Boston in 1934 and started performing after her marriage failed in 1962. Later, she moved to Paris, where she began headlining cabaret clubs. Her career has spanned half-a-century, and she has shared the stage with stars like Jim Gaffigan and Drew Barrymore. Forest has also performed at such venerable venues as Saturday Night Live, France's Got Talent, Comedy Central, and Joe's Pub, according to Forbes. Two years ago, when she was 87, the Guinness Book of World Records conferred on her the title of the 'Oldest Working Female Comedian in the World.' The 89-year-old comedian is now treating her attack with her signature brand of humor. Two years ago, when she was 87, the Guinness Book of World Records conferred on her the title of the 'Oldest Working Female Comedian in the World' 'I'm getting better. I can joke about it,' she told the Post. 'I couldn't joke about it a couple of days ago.' 'Who knows, I could make a song about it. You never know,' she said. According to authorities, the suspect was last spotted wearing a white tank top with a Jurassic Park logo on the front. Police ask that anyone with information about the suspect call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Secret Service officials refused to provide Donald Trump with additional security in the two years prior to last weekend's assassination, according to a report. The damning details revealed that the ex-president's request for more agents and magnetometers at events he attended was denied. Four insiders told The Washington Post that each request was rejected by senior officials. The higher-ups of the Secret Service allegedly claimed that the agency lacked the resources Trump was asking for. It has also been revealed that Trump was receiving less protection - after losing the election and his bid for a second term in 2020 - than other former presidents and major party presidential candidates. These oversights have been unearthed in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Trump, 78, last Saturday at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Secret Service officials refused to provide Donald Trump with additional security in the two years prior to last weekend's assassination Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to bypass security measures at the rally and take fire at the presidential candidate. Crooks' bullet managed to graze Trump's ear, leaving him with a minor gunshot wound that could have been deadly had the former president not moved his head at the last moment. The Secret Service's botched job has been described as 'an enormous security failure' and many are calling for the resignation of the agency's director, Kimberly Cheatle. Crooks' attempt on Trump's life was enabled by multiple instances of negligence on behalf of the security agents. Somehow, Crooks was able to fly a drone over the rally site the same day as the event - which investigators believe was an effort on his behalf to scope out the situation and prepare for his assassination attempt. Additionally, he was spotted and then watched by law enforcement at the Trump rally site - because they sensed something wasn't right - and yet they managed to lose sight of him before the carnage unfolded, according to reports. A report revealed that the ex-president's request for more agents and magnetometers at events he attended was denied. Witnesses have since claimed that they warned cops about a man armed with an AR-style rifle who was seen climbing on top of a building - but Crooks was still able to open fire from the roof that he gained access to. It could be the worst lapse in security since President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded at a Washington D.C. hotel in 1981. They now face a torrent of questions about how the first assassination attempt in 43 years was allowed to happen. Politicians, law enforcement and critics are demanding answers on how Crooks managed to get so close to a rally that was surrounded by such vast security. Last Saturday night, FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek released a statement saying that it was 'surprising' that Crooks managed to fire off so many shots. There have been suggestions that routine checks would have eliminated all potential threats - which calls into question the standard of the Secret Service under the current administration. The Secret Service's botched job has been described as 'an enormous security failure' and many are calling for the resignation of the agency's director, Kimberly Cheatle (pictured) In fact, furious US senators took it upon themselves to confront Cheatle as she herself hid behind her own security agents. She was shielded by her officers after the senators pursued her down the corridors of the RNC and demanded she explain how a gunman was able to get a clear shot at Trump. Cheatle was in the Milwaukee convention hall to oversee security arrangements on Wednesday evening - just hours after making a 'cover-your-a** call' to senators about the shooting in Pennsylvania on Saturday night. Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee led the chase, complaining that they had not had a chance to put their questions to Cheatle during the call. A frustrated Barrasso then issued an ultimatum to the security chief. 'You put him within less than an inch of his life,' Barrasso yelled at Cheatle. 'So resignation or full explanation.' The chase continued down a corridor and up a flight of stairs before finally ending when Cheatle darted into a bathroom and her security service detail barred her pursuers from entering. Video of the incident was later posted by Senator Blackburn. Experts have told DailyMail.com that these failings are a symptom of an 'agency in crisis' after decades of understaffing and corrupt promotion and hiring practices. John Koskinen, from the nonpartisan National Academy of Public Administration, led an 18-month study into the Secret Service's workforce in 2019. Saturday's events shocked him, but Koskinen was not surprised by the whistleblower claims, telling DailyMail.com that the Service has been struggling to cover an increasing number of people and respond to more sophisticated threats in recent years. 'Life has gotten much more complicated,' he said, 'the threats are more sophisticated and ongoing, and now you're in the middle of a campaign.' Cheatle, 53, was appointed director of the Secret Service in 2022, having worked for the agency for 27 years before leaving in 2019 to head up global security at PepsiCo. Announcing her selection, President Joe Biden revealed that 'Kim' had 'served on my security detail when I was Vice President' and he and Dr. Jill Biden 'came to trust her judgment and counsel'. His role in one of the most notorious scandals of the 20th century has long been a source of speculation. Now the Mail on Sunday can reveal that Prince Philip was named in top-secret FBI documents about the Profumo affair in the early 1960s. The papers show the FBI had been told the Duke of Edinburgh was personally 'involved' with Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, the two women at the centre of the sex scandal that brought down the government. Files from the US Department of Justice show the crucial memo was written by J Edgar Hoover, then director of the FBI and it can be revealed after a five-year quest by the MoS seeking relevant documents under American freedom of information laws. At the heart of the scandal was the married secretary of state for war John Profumo, who had denied in the Commons in March 1963 that he had a sexual relationship with teenage showgirl Keeler. He was forced to resign months later when proof of the affair became public. The papers show the FBI had been told the Duke of Edinburgh was personally 'involved' with Christine Keeler (pictured) and Mandy Rice-Davies, the two women at the centre of the Profumo scandal Keeler (pictured in 1964) had an affair with married Conservative Secretary of State for War John Profumo in the early 1960s - when she was also sleeping with a Russian spy The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Prince Philip (bottom left) was named in top-secret FBI documents about the Profumo affair in the early 1960s (pictured: The Royal Family posing in the gardens at Frogmore, Windsor, in 1968) Philip's links to the Profumo affair formed a key storyline in the Netflix series The Crown Former British War State Secretary John Profumo (left) and his wife Valerie Hobson (right) at the time when he was at the centre of a Cold War sex and spying scandal that cost him his political career The scandal had national security implications because Keeler was also sleeping with Russian military attache Yevgeny Ivanov. In the fallout, well-connected osteopath Stephen Ward, who had introduced Keeler to Profumo at a party, was charged with living off the immoral earnings of Keeler and her friend Rice-Davies. He took a fatal overdose and died three days after he was convicted. In the newly disclosed document, Thomas Corbally, a US businessman involved in industrial espionage, who agreed to be interviewed by the FBI about his friendship with Ward, makes the claim about Philip. A cable sent by Hoover to the US embassy in London on June 20, 1963 reads: 'Corbally also stated there was a rumour Prince Philip may have been involved with these two girls.' Philip's links to the Profumo affair formed a key storyline in the Netflix series The Crown. Sir Anthony Blunt, the Queen's curator of art later disclosed to be a Soviety spy, warns Philip that he will expose his relationship with Ward when the Duke tackles him over his treachery. Philip had certainly had been in contact with Ward on a number of occasions and had even been sketched by the artist at Buckingham Palace In his evidence to the FBI, Corbally said he did not believe the charges against Ward. Ward was was an unlikely associate of Christine Keeler or her friend Mandy Rice Davies. Keeler found herself living with Ward - in a non-sexual relationship - both at his London apartment in London and at his weekend cottage on the grounds of the Cliveden estate, home to the 3rd Viscount Astor. It was at one of many Cliveden pool parties that Ward fatefully introduced Keeler to John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War, and his wife, the actress Valerie Hobson The Duke of Edinburgh's links to the Profumo affair formed a key storyline in the Netflix series The Crown The new series of The Crown has provoked uproar by implicating Prince Philip in the Profumo Affair which scandalised Britain in the early 1960s. Pictured: Claire Foy as the Queen, left, and Matt Smith as Prince Philip, right Pictures show a 24-year-old Christine Keeler wearing just trousers with her arms folded to cover her modesty A third photo taken in 1964 shows Keeler eating a chicken drumstick following her release from prison Dr Stephen Ward, society osteopath and key figure in the Profumo affair, on his way to trial at the Old Bailey in July 1963 In one fictitious scene in the Crown, the Queen confronts her husband about the nature of his relationship with Stephen Ward (played by Richard Lintern, above) His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: a portrait from The Life by Stephen Ward. The original of this image was snapped up by a mystery purchaser at the height of the Profumo scandal There matters might have rested but for the fact that Keeler also claimed to have slept with a man called Yevgeny Ivanov, the Soviet naval attache - a potential security risk. With rumours of his own affair becoming steadily more widespread, Profumo felt obliged to deny it in the House of Commons in March 1963, a lie which sealed his fate. Famously caught out, he resigned the following June. Thanks to his association with Keeler, meanwhile, Ward faced police charges of immorality. Keeler was neither a prostitute nor an escort, but certainly did live off the generosity of wealthy men - and attitudes, then, were censorious. Two days later, Ward was arrested and formally charged with living off immoral earnings - a charge for which, however louche he might have been, there was little evidence. Keeler had served four and a half months for perjury after being found to have falsely accused a man of assault at a friend's home. Unseen risque pictures of Keeler emerged in 2019, two years after the death of the 1960s glamour icon. The images of Keeler are believed to have been taken soon after the scandal, one in 1966 of her wearing only a pair of trousers. Another even more revealing picture, seemingly from the same shoot, depicts a 24-year-old Keeler in a matching outfit with her bare back to the camera. The images were taken by an unknown photographer while Keeler worked as a showgirl at the glamorous Murray's Cabaret Club in Soho, London. A third photo, taken earlier in 1964, shows Keeler eating a chicken drumstick following her release from prison. A vandal has exposed one state's growing dislike for interstate investors after plastering a sticker to a 'for sale' sign urging only local buyers to apply. The unknown Perth local glued two posters on the real estate sign that had been setup outside a home in Mount Lawley. 'No property hoarders... WA buyers only,' it read. 'To those looking for legitimate personal housing from outside WA, we apologize (sic) but we cannot be complicit in exacerbating our own housing crisis.' The selling agent of the property said neither they or the homeowner approved the stickers. Other agents have reported negative sentiments toward stereotypical 'east coast' buyers as the number of investors grows in the state. Property investors had previously spruiked the city's housing market as full of high-potential bargains and an opportunity to make a profit. The ensuing influx of interstate buyers helped increase Perth's property prices by 22.5 per cent in the last year - the largest jump in the country, PropTrack reports. A Perth vandal furious with inter-state property investors has glued poster to a home's 'for sale' sign (pictured) calling for 'WA buyers only' In April, the median house price in Perth was at $735,276 - which was considerably lower than the $1,414,229 in Sydney and $909,988 in Brisbane. Higher prices and competition has left some Perth locals unable to keep up with some placing blame on interstate buyers using the property market as a cash cow. Local anger has also led to real estate agents speaking out about the Perth market on social media. Vanessa Naso, from The Agency, received backlash from locals after a post to TikTok about an east coast buyer of a home in Rockingham, south Perth. 'Oh yay, another interstate person buying a house in the struggling Perth market, how the hell are we supposed to buy a house,' a comment read. Ms Naso told The West Australian that she and many others agents are feeling the stress of increasing anger towards property investors. She went on to call for compassion towards investors who had most likely been priced out of their own state and are looking to get a foot on the property ladder. However, local real estate agents have reported homeowners are instead taking action into their own hands and refusing to sell to interstate buyers. One agent said a client recently declined an offer from a Sydneysider even though they offered $30,000 more than their competitor. Peter Menaglio of Edison Property said a homeowner lost $8,500 on a sale by denying a Queenslander's bid in favour of a local. 'His statement was that it is hard for kids at the moment and he would rather sell to a local than an east coast investor,' he said. Locals have been left furious after investors have snapped up high-potential bargains from them, forcing the housing market up 22.5 per cent in the last year (pictured, Perth) Social media has recently become a hotbed for angry Perth locals pleading with Aussies not to move to the city with rental prices also skyrocketing. One said his rent has increased by $260 a week in just a year-and-a-half and blames property investors for the total $610 he now forks out every week. 'I earn good money but house prices coupled with everyday expenses doesn't allow me to save enough to buy a home,' he wrote on Reddit. 'I have friends who have made offers but investors are out bidding them every single time (by $50,000-60,000).' The post caught the attention of others who chimed in, many claiming it stems from a number of issues such as housing supply and immigration. 'Immigration is one issue, absolutely, but the main cause to all of this is the lack of housing supply,' one user wrote. 'Perth - and practically the entirety of Australia - dont have enough tradespeople to build enough housing at a decent rate.' 'We have enough supply for owner occupiers, just not enough for for both them AND all the investors,' a second wrote. For years Labour has condemned the Tories for flying around on private planes at an extortionate cost to the taxpayer. But now the new Foreign Secretary is the latest Labour frontbencher to hire a luxury private jet, despite the party promising to clamp down on ministers flights. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that David Lammy chartered a Bombardier Global jet, which costs upwards of 10,000 per hour, for his two-day visit to Israel last week. A favourite choice of globetrotting pop superstar Taylor Swift, the plane flew Mr Lammy and Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely. It comes just a week after Mr Lammy used the Governments private Airbus A321 to fly from London to Germany, then to Poland and on to Sweden. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has become the latest Labour frontbencher to fly by private jet, despite a party promise to clamp down on ministers' flights Sir Keir Starmer came under fire for flying in an Airbus to watch England in the Euros final on July 14. He and Defence Secretary John Healey also reportedly took separate RAF flights to Washington DC which are likely to have cost more than 60,000 each. Labour previously criticised the Tory government for taking too many flights at extortionate cost. Sir Keir Starmer came under fire for flying in an Airbus to watch England play Spain in the Euros final on July 14 The ministerial code states that non-scheduled flights can be used by ministers only when a scheduled service is not available, or when it is essential to travel. A Foreign Office spokesman said: All ministerial travel is undertaken using the most efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. 'Travel plans . . . are decided with consideration of the best use of a ministers time and in the interests of the taxpayer. A young woman who once worked three jobs has busted the myth being perpetuated by boomers that the following generations are 'lazy' and entitled'. Adelaide woman Teresa, who is 22 and belongs to Gen Z, revealed she had been juggling several jobs and that being 'overemployed' is not for the 'weak'. New research revealed that those born since 1997 are increasingly doing two full-time jobs at once and working 80-hour weeks. Those with a white-collar job are taking on another full-time job to cope with higher bills, according to employment site Indeed. 'The reason I'm being overemployed and working three jobs right now is so I can hit some saving goals,' Teresa explained in a TikTok video. 'Is it overwhelming? Yes. Do I work weekends? Yes. Do I ever shut off? No. 'Eventually, at some point, I probably will need to dial it back... what I will say, though, is definitely do not do this long term. 'It definitely does impact time I'm able to spend with friends, time I'm able to spend with my partner, time I'm able to spend on my music.' Australians are increasingly working two full-time jobs at once and working 80-hour weeks to cope with the cost-of-living crisis and unaffordable housing, new research shows In a separate video, Teresa revealed that she had given her notice at one of her jobs and was now working two instead of three. 'I work three days in real estate marketing, two days in food marketing and I work on the weekends. You could also say that I do music,' she said. 'There are not enough days in the week to do everything and I've been feeling a little bit tired and a little bit run down. 'I was faced with this conundrum where something had to give.' Many Australians are doing their second job during the work hours of their main job, with working from home creating new possibilities. But doing much longer hours comes at a cost with Indeed research showing 77 per cent had suffered from mental health problems while three in four said it had affected their physical health. Eight in 10 said it had stopped them from spending time with their family. Sally McKibbin, a career expert at Indeed, said bosses would be alarmed at their staff working another job on their time. 'It's concerning to see so many workers borrowing time from primary employers to manage second jobs, as this is very obviously going to have a significant effect on business performance and workplace dynamics,' she said. Those juggling multiple jobs are almost universally turning to artificial intelligence with 94 per cent using AI for their primary job and 92 per cent for their additional jobs. Nine in 10 credited AI with helping them be able to do more than one full-time job. 'The use of AI to manage multiple jobs highlights how technology is reshaping the workforce,' Ms McKibbin said. 'However, the toll on workers' mental and physical health cannot be ignored. 'Balancing two full-time jobs regardless of technology efficiencies is pushing many to their limits.' Australians are locked in a generation war with Gen Zers and millennials often described as 'lazy' and 'entitled'. Western Australian woman Trudy Wertheim, who is part of Gen X, said she had made the decision to spend her children's inheritance. 'There are generations coming through that just don't expect to work,' she told Yahoo. 'They expect to inherit or be given or bought a family home by their parents.' July 21, 2024: Many nations threatened with attack are studying new tactics and weapons developed during the Ukraine war for useful items. One Ukrainian innovation was the use of numerous inexpensive armed USVs (Unmanned Seagoing Vessels) to attack and destroy ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The losses were so great, and Russian defenses against the UAVs so inadequate, that Russia withdrew its remaining warships to secondary bases over a thousand kilometers from Crimea where their main bases were. In this way Ukraine, which did not have a conventional navy, was able to defeat the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Taiwan sees this Ukrainian tactic as useful in thwarting any Chinese invasion attempt against Taiwan. Sending hundreds or thousands of these USVs at the approaching Chinese fleet might cause such heavy ship losses that the invasion would fail. While this sounded absurd to some Chinese admirals, there was the recent experience where the Ukrainians actually defeated the Russian Black Sea Fleet with such tactics. Why wouldnt such a tactic work against a Chinese fleet? After all, the Ukrainian designed USVs ride low in the water and are made of materials that are difficult to detect with radar, sonar or aerial surveillance. The inexpensive USVs could be manufactured in large numbers and held in reserve to deal with a Chinese attack. The USVs could be stored in bomb proof coastal shelters to limit losses from Chinese missile attacks. Once the Chinese fleet encounters USVs they might be persuaded to turn around and spare themselves an embarrassing defeat. The USVs are only useful for coastal operations and most naval battles are found near a coast, not out on the high seas where no land is visible. USVs replace naval mines as a defensive weapon, one that is not a danger to friend and foe alike. It remains to be seen if Taiwan or anyone else in need of adequate defenses against naval attack, will adopt the USVs, despite their success in the Black Sea. America's much feared Tornado Alley has shifted towards the Midwest and Southeast as experts predict a higher number of storms in coming years. Tornado Alley, a term first used in 1952, describes the areas in central US and Canada where tornadoes are most frequently experienced. Until recently, these areas have predominately been the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. But a new study released in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology has concluded that major tornado activity has now moved towards Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Neighbors walk their dog Auggie past a damaged house after a tornado in in Thornbury Township, Pennsylvania The scientists noted that between 1951 and 1985, the natural disaster was mostly concentrated in the central plains The scientists noted that between 1951 and 1985, the natural disaster was mostly concentrated in the central plains but between 1986 to 2020, a higher number of tornadoes were recorded in the Midwest and Southeast. According to the study, incidents of the whirlwind have dropped by 25 percent in the western part of the country between both the time periods - going from 8,450 to 6,300. During the same block of time, tornado activity in the eastern United States has increased by 12 percent - rising from 9,400 to 10,500. Earlier this week, terrified passengers on a flight trying to leave Chicago O'Hare airport were left stranded and begging for help amid severe storms and a tornado warning. Between 1986 to 2020, an higher number of tornadoes were recorded in the Midwest and Southeast Earlier this week, terrified passengers on a flight trying to leave Chicago O'Hare airport were left stranded and begging for help amid severe storms and a tornado warning A video posted to social media from the inside of a plane showed the aircraft being shaken by the tornado. Lightning strikes could be seen arcing across the night sky as heavy rain poured down. Courtney Mares, a journalist for Catholic News Agency who took the video on the plane, said: 'Our plane is sitting on the runway at Chicago O'Hare right now while everyone's phones receive multiple tornado warnings. 'Captain announced that air traffic control and ground control have evacuated. 'Plane is shaking as it is blown back and forth by the wind.' The storm was so bad that a shelter-in-place order was issued for the area, with passengers in the terminal building being made to get away from windows As many as ten simultaneous tornadoes were spotted by the National Weather Service in the metropolitan area of the Windy City, with one hurtling towards the international airport. The storm was so bad that a shelter-in-place order was issued for the area, with passengers in the terminal building being made to get away from windows, while others were told to head underground. But passengers already on outbound flights could do little more than watch and wait in terror. According to FlightAware, more than 60 flights were cancelled and over 400 were delayed at O'Hare alone. In May 2023, officials in Virginia Beach were on the streets clearing debris, consisting of large fallen trees and huge parts of people's houses, including entire roofs after a huge tornado destroyed as many as 100 homes A tree snapped in half by the tornado in in Virginia Beach is seen slotted into the roof of a residential property In May 2023, officials in Virginia Beach were on the streets clearing debris, consisting of large fallen trees and huge parts of people's houses, including entire roofs after a huge tornado destroyed as many as 100 homes. Powerline workers were also present, clearing roads of fallen pylons and tending to damaged transmission lines to restore power to hundreds of homes. Virginia Natural Gas was also attending homes with gas leaks and Dominion Power, the local energy company headquartered in Richmond, was responding with crews. The tornado hit the Great Neck area of the city and was so severe the city declared a local state of emergency. Powerline workers were also present, clearing roads of fallen pylons and tending to damaged transmission lines to restore power to hundreds of homes The tornado hit the Great Neck area of the city just before 6pm on Sunday and was so severe the city declared a local state of emergency. The National Weather Service announced that the cyclone was an EF-3 tornado, meaning it carried winds of between 136 and 165 mph. The highest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale is an EF-5. Last June, a tornado ripped through a small town in Mississippi killing one and injuring around 20. The twister touched down in Louin in Jasper County - a small town of around 275 people - at around 11.40pm and tore apart houses, trapping residents under their homes and triggering a rescue operation through the night. Last June, a tornado ripped through a small town in Mississippi killing one and injuring around 20 Aerial footage captured once the sun had risen showed the extent of the damage to homes and cars in Mississippi Injured residents were seen being loaded from among the rubble onto stretchers and into ambulances to the South Central Regional Medical Center in Jackson. Aerial footage captured once the sun had risen showed the extent of the damage to homes and cars. Fast winds tore out trees and in central and eastern Mississippi as many as 50 percent of residents remained without power. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said at the time that another tornado struck Rankin County, southeast of Florence the same night, though did not result in fatalities.' Donald Trump confessed what he really thinks about the Secret Service in an interview after they put his life at risk - and disclosed another glaring oversight. The Republican presidential candidate revealed he was not warned about his attacker by the Secret Service - despite agents receiving worrying reports from rally-goers before Trump even got on stage. In an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters, the former president discussed his ill-fated rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump told the interviewer that 'nobody mentioned' Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman, despite the fact that he was being monitored for 'an hour' before the shooting. 'Mistakes were made,' Watters told Trump. 'They were monitoring this guy for an hour beforehand. No one told you not to take the stage?' Donald Trump revealed what he really thinks about the Secret Service after they put his life at risk in an interview - and discloses another glaring oversight 'Nobody mentioned it,' the former president replied. 'Nobody said it was a problem.' '[They] could've said, "Let's wait for 15, 20 minutes, 5 minutes." Nobody saidI think that was a mistake,' he added. Trump, along with the rest of the United States, later questioned how Crooks could have possibly made it onto the roof to begin with. 'How did somebody get on that roof?' Trump questioned. 'And why wasn't he reported, because people saw he was on that roof.' Trump revealed that security agents were alerted that someone was on the roof with a gun before he even walked out on stage - and did not stop him from doing so. 'When you have Trumpers screaming, the woman in the red shirt, 'There's a man on the roof,' and other people, 'There's a man on the roof and who's got a gun,'that was quite a bit before I walked on the stage. And I would've thought someone would've done something about it,' Trump said. Trump was left with a minor injury from the shooting - but the result could have been far worse if he had not, at the very last minute, turned his head slightly. The former president attended each day of the Republican National Convention with a large white bandage over the injured ear. The Republican presidential candidate has revealed he was not warned about his attacker by the Secret Service - despite agents receiving worried reports from rally-goers. His former physician-turned Congressman, Ronny Jackson, released a detailed report about Trump's health on Saturday. 'He will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him,' Jackson said. 'In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon.' Other news revealed on Saturday - a week after the attempted assassination - is that Secret Service officials refused to provide Trump with additional security in the two years prior to last weekend's assassination, according to a report. The damning details revealed that the ex-president's request for more agents and magnetometers at events he attended was denied. Four insiders told The Washington Post that each request was rejected by senior officials. The higher-ups of the Secret Service allegedly claimed that the agency lacked the resources Trump was asking for. It has also been revealed that Trump was receiving less protection - after losing the election and his bid for a second term in 2020 - than other former presidents and major party presidential candidates. A woman has been charged with murder after allegedly hitting a mother with a car and fleeing the scene in a 'targeted' attack. The 23-year-old woman was allegedly struck by a silver Toyota Prado on Allamanda Drive in Daisy Hill, south-east Brisbane, at 9am on Friday. Emergency services found her unconscious at the scene and rushed her to hospital in a critical condition where she died later that night. A 24-year-old woman from Goodna, in south-west Brisbane, was arrested on Saturday night and charged with murder. Police allege she 'was known to the pedestrian and deliberately drove at and struck her before fleeing the scene'. Detective Inspector Chris Knight on Sunday revealed the young mother had only just dropped off her daughter at daycare before allegedly being hit. 'It is a gross understatement to say anything other than that family is deeply traumatised,' Mr Knight said. The Goodna woman is set to appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday. A woman, 24, has been charged with murder after allegedly hitting a young mother, 23, with her car and fleeing in a 'targeted' attack in Brisbane on Friday (pictured, police at the scene) Mr Knight said police had allocated more resources to the investigation which resulted in further developments and the murder charge. 'Since that (alleged) matter was first reported, there has been considerable police investigation as would routinely occur for a serious traffic accident,' he said. 'The investigation took some developments later in the day on Friday and as a consequence of that Logan detectives and the Homicide investigation unit became engaged and we put a lot more resources into it. 'We will allege that event was not in fact an accident and that lady who lost her life was in fact targeted by another individual.' Police executed a number of search warrants on Friday and Saturday which uncovered a silver Prato at a Goodna address which police allege was used in the incident. Police will also allege the accused was the only passenger in the car. Police arrested the woman after a car allegedly used in the attack and seen in the area for an 'extended period of time' (pictured) was uncovered at a home in Goodna Detective Inspector Chris Knight (pictured) on Sunday revealed the mother had only just dropped off her daughter at day-care before allegedly being hit Mr Knight alleged the SUV had 'been in that area for an extended period of time' before allegedly striking the woman. He noted that investigations are 'far from over' and appealed for anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward. Police have specifically requested the driver and passengers of a white bus that passed the scene at about 8:50am to come forward. 'We would like to appeal to the driver or the bus company, because there's no signage on that vehicle,' Mr Knight said. 'We believe that there is potential for some value in speaking to (them).' A pram carrying two-year-old twin girls may have been blown onto railway tracks by a gust of wind before it was hit by a train, killing one of the siblings and their father. The pram rolled onto the tracks at Carlton Railway Station, south Sydney, about 12.25pm on Sunday before the twins' father, 40, jumped down from the platform in a heroic attempt to rescue them. A train then struck and killed the father and one of the girls. The second girl miraculously escaped uninjured and was taken to St George Hospital with her 39-year-old mum who was on the platform when the accident occurred. Superintendent Paul Dunstan said the parents appeared to have taken their hands off the pram for a 'very short period of time' when it rolled towards the tracks. He said police were investigating what caused the pram to roll and said it could have been something as simple as a 'gust of wind'. He said the father had 'gone into parent mode to save his two young daughters' after realising the train had gone onto the tracks. 'It was a heroically brave act as a dad... and it's cost him his life,' he said. A two-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man have been killed after a pram rolled onto train tracks at Carlton Station in South Sydney about 12.25pm on Sunday It's understood the young family moved to Australia from India last October after the father got a new job in Sydney, Nine News reported. NSW premier Chris Minns, who lives near the station, said the father died while performing an 'extraordinary, instinctual act of bravery'. 'He gave his own life to try and save his children,' he said. Mr Minns described the incident as a 'terrible, terrible tragedy' for the surviving family members and first responders. Police arrived just minutes after receiving the a triple-zero call and could 'hear crying' coming from underneath the carriage. Mr Dunstan said it was 'good luck more than anything' that the young girl was able to escape the tragedy relatively unharmed. 'She was sort of in between the tracks (because of) the way that she had fallen and was largely untouched,' he said. Mr Dunstan said the mother was 'obviously very traumatised'. '[She is] clearly in a state of shock and struggling with what's happened today,' he said. Firefighters were seen at the station two hours after the incident as they began the gruelling task of removing the bodies from underneath the train. The man reportedly jumped onto the tracks to try and save the pram, carrying twin girls, before the train arrived (pictured, police at the scene) NSW Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and urged commuters to visit the Transport for NSW website for the latest updates. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths has been launched, with police checking the speed the train was travelling. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said all relevant information, including security footage, had been handed to police to aid their investigation. Mr Longland said the train wasn't stopping at the station and instead travelling to Bondi Junction, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, when the accident occurred. '(The train) was approaching the station with caution, that's how our drivers are instructed to drive in order that they can make sure that there are no incidents on the platform,' he said. 'These sorts of incidents are incredibly rare, but clearly, the outcomes are absolutely tragic.' Mr Longland said Sydney Trains was working to have regular services restored by Monday. Trains were not running between Wolli Creek and Hurstville on the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line on Sunday afternoon. NSW Police urged the public to avoid the area. 'Emergency services are at Carlton Railway Station after an incident on the tracks,' a statement on X read. 'The public is urged to avoid the area. The investigation is ongoing.' All passengers were evacuated before police established a crime scene and halted further services between Wolli Creek and Hurstville stations A person at the station reportedly attempted to wave down the driver to alert him to the danger, but was unsuccessful. A passenger on the fifth carriage of the train told 7News that, while he did not see the aftermath, it was 'disturbing' that children were involved. Sydney Trains offered alternate travel options for those stuck at the station. 'We are arranging replacement buses between Wolli Creek and Hurstville and between Sydenham and Tempe, however none are available right now,' Sydney Trains said on X at 1pm. Trains are still running between Bondi Junction and Central, as well as between Hurstville and Waterfall and Cronulla. People travelling to or from Wolli Creek can get on an T8 Airport Line service to get into the city, Sydney Trains said. A 25-year-old fitness fanatic who disappeared earlier this month has been found dead inside a car parked outside a steakhouse in Phoenix. Doris Aguilar, who was reported missing on July 1, was confirmed dead on Thursday when authorities found her body alongside her alleged stalker - 51-year-old Juan Cuellar. Authorities suspect the deaths were a murder-suicide. Aguilar and Cuellar were both shot to death. Investigators determined that the 25-year-old was a victim of homicide and that her gunshot wounds were not self-inflicted. In the case of Cuellar, however, the Office of the Medical Examiner ascertained that his gunshot wound was indeed self-inflicted. Doris Aguilar, 25-year-old fitness fanatic who disappeared earlier this month, was confirmed dead on Thursday The body of Aguilar, who was reported missing on July 1, was found alongside that of 51-year-old Juan Cuellar, her alleged stalker When the car containing their bodies was discovered on July 7, witnesses said that they appeared to have been there for several days. Phoenix Police Public Information Officer Rob Scherer told 12news that Aguilar and Cuellar knew one another but declined to comment further. Aguilar's family and Steve Fischer, a private investigator, believe that Cuellar had been stalking the 25-year-old for over a year. According to Fischer, Cuellar was so obsessed with Aguilar that he kept showing up at the gyms where she worked out. As a result of his alleged stalking, the fitness fanatic changed gyms repeatedly. Aguilar's family and Steve Fischer, a private investigator, believe that Cuellar had been stalking the 25-year-old for over a year When the car containing their bodies was discovered on July 7, witnesses said that they appeared to have been there for several days But three days before Aguilar vanished, Cuellar, whose profile picture was a gun, indicated on Facebook that he knew which facility she was now using. He wrote: 'Getting my membership back... [see you soon].' Fischer, who serves as a kind of representative for Aguilar's family, most of whom live in Honduras, spoke about Cuellar's cryptic Facebooks post. 'She moved to Lifetime Fitness. And I think the last Facebook post that he made is a post saying, 'Getting my Lifetime membership back. See you soon,' and that was on June 27,' the investigator said to AZFamily. He continued: 'Three days later we never saw her again.' Aguilar had previously expressed her fear about the alleged stalker, friends and family claim. But three days before Aguilar vanished, Cuellar, whose profile picture was a gun, indicated on Facebook that he knew which facility she was now using Cuellar's Facebook profile picture is a handgun Private Investigator Fischer (pictured) serves as a kind of representative for Aguilar's family, most of whom live in Honduras 'She had made it clear to her family that she was scared of him to the point where she had told family that something happened to her, that it would be him that would be responsible,' Fischer told 12news. According to the investigator, Aguilar met Cuellar while employed at a distribution center. The 51-year-old was later fired after harassing the young woman, according to Fischer. But that didn't stop the alleged stalker from contacting Aguilar, who continued to receive messages from Cuellar either telling her how much he loved her or threatening her. Aguilar met Cuellar while employed at a distribution center Before she disappeared, Aguilar said that she was going to the store. A week later, her car was found abandoned outside the Christown Spectrum shopping center 'He was obsessed to the point where he had a picture of her taped to the back of his cell phone,' Fischer said. Before she disappeared, Aguilar said that she was going to the store. A week later, her car was found abandoned outside the Christown Spectrum shopping center in Phoenix. The vehicle was unlocked and most of her personal belonging were found inside except for her car keys and cell phone. Aguilar's cellphone later pinged in Peoria, where the 25-year-old had no ties. 'They found her purse, her wallet, her passport, credit cards, cash, so it was clear the motive was not robbery. The car was unlocked,' Fischer told AZFamily. The investigation into Aguilar's death is ongoing, authorities said The investigation into Aguilar's death is ongoing, authorities said. 'This is just so sad,' the private investigator told 12news. He continued: 'This guy, just what he did to her family, is just heartbreaking.' 'The poor girl was just scared to death of him.' The Barefoot Investor has told a woman there is nothing she can do to stop her mother from sending a concerning amount of money to a 'fling' she met overseas. Scott Pape, 46, received a letter from Linda saying she was worried about her mum as she continues to send large sums of money to a man she met in 2010. 'She has almost lost her home, she's drawn on her super, and I fear she will be in dire straits soon if this continues,' she explained. 'She met a young Casanova in Egypt, and a holiday fling quickly became a business partnership.' Linda said her mum has borrowed against her home to fund 'ventures' like a car manufacturing plant and a haute couture fashion house off-shore. She is concerned because her mum is optimistic about these projects which she invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into despite receiving zero return. Linda said she desperately wanted to help her before it is too late. 'She is a teacher struggling to find a permanent position because she is past retirement age, is burdened with debts she can no longer afford, and has enough super to keep her until Christmas this year,' she said. Scott Pape received a letter last week from a woman named Linda, who is worried that her mum is retirement age and burdened with debts Linda said her mum, who has no business experience, has been sending large amounts of money to a man in Egypt to fund 'ventures' since 2010 Mr Pape shared his advice in his column in the Herald Sun on Sunday, admitting there was little Linda could do. 'You can't call the cops,' Mr Pape said. 'From the sounds of it, he's not doing anything illegal (immoral perhaps, but not illegal). 'And you've tried talking sense to her, but clearly after 14 years that hasn't worked.' Instead he urged her to protect herself - emotionally and financially. 'I'd suggest writing a letter to your mum explaining how much you love her and how concerned you are for her financially,' Mr Pape suggested. 'Then detail the likely consequences of her actions. Paint her a picture of what her retirement will look like. 'Understand her debts will die with her: you won't inherit them but that also means you won't inherit any dough from her either.' A 29-year-old Minneapolis software engineer who earns $135,000 a year is all set to have an early retirement by the age of 35. Tanner Firl and his wife, Isabel have already saved over $380,000 and plan to retire with about $625,000 in bank by the time they reach their mid-30s. The couple, who also have a son and three cats, describe themselves as extremely frugal and have adopted FIRE - short for financial independence, retire early - as their financial strategy. 'I don't really like to buy anything. In fact, it kind of makes me anxious. If I had to guess, I'd say in terms of the entire population, I'd probably be in the top 1 percent of most frugal people, maybe top 0.1 percent,' he told CNBC. 'It never made sense to me. Most people have a problem not spending money. We have almost the opposite problem.' Tanner Firl and his wife, Isabel have already saved over $380,000 and plan to retire with about $625,000 in bank by the time they reach their mid-30s The primary income earner has also managed to get his couch and patio furniture for free on Craigslist. He also told the channel that every year or two, he buys second hand sneakers as a treat for himself. Firl explained that by consistently saving about half of his paycheck, his personal brokerage account has over $221,000, his Roth IRA has over $57,000 and has managed to secure over $26,000 in his health savings account. He has also managed to save over $75,000 in his 401K account. When asked how he manages to be this frugal, Firl explained that childhood was the same and said that going to the bowling alley and getting a gumball out of the machine was a treat for him and his siblings. 'Whenever we wanted something, we would have to spend our own money to buy it or wait until our birthday or Christmas,' he noted. The couple, who also have a son and three cats, describe themselves as extremely frugal and have adopted FIRE - short for financial independence, retire early - as their financial strategy In 2017, the couple bought their first home and rented out the ground floor on Airbnb in order to gather the funds to pay off their entire mortgage. Next year, the couple bought their current 675 sq-ft home for $185,000 and once again, listed a part of it on the short-term rental website. But this hustle soon ended after they became parents. The pair's intense budgeting techniques come days after American financial guru Suze Orman has revealed the primary reason why US workers feel they never have enough money - and it's down to self-sabotage. While onstage at a personal finance conference, Orman told the audience that each individual's mindset is the reason why they are constantly strapped for cash. In 2017, the couple bought their first home and rented out the ground floor on Airbnb in order to gather the funds to pay off their entire mortgage She explained that it was either due to Americans believing they 'do not deserve it [money] or giving it away'. In a short clip, Orman passionately tells onlookers: 'I'm here to tell each and every one of you, if you dont have the money that you want in your life, you are the reason why. 'You are either thinking you dont deserve it, youre saying youre never going to get out of debt or you are taking action and giving all your money or anything that you do to somebody else because you dont think you are worthy.' In May, Orman advised those looking to eventually retire to deposit all their money you can into a Roth IRA. A Roth IRA is a type of Individual Retirement Account where you contribute after-tax dollars from your paycheck - and as money whiz Orman points out, all future withdrawals are tax free. Effects of the major Microsoft outage could linger in Australia for two weeks as criminals pose as airline and IT support workers trying to rip people off. Computer systems around the world crashed on Friday afternoon after a update by cyber security company Crowdstrike failed, affecting Microsoft users. Computer screens at airlines, supermarkets, banks, media outlets, petrol stations and other major businesses and retailers around the world were faced with the blue screen of death. The root error came from cyber security company CrowdStrike, which was doing a planned upgrade for Microsoft. On Sunday Home Affairs and Cybersecurity Minister Clare O'Neil thanked IT staff and other workers for getting 'our economy back up and running' by working during the weekend. 'However, it will take time until all affected sectors are completely back online,' the minister said in a statement. 'In some cases, we may see teething issues for one or two weeks.' The CrowdStrike upgrades were done overnight in the US, so the unintended effects hit Australia not too long before happy hour on Friday afternoon. Airports across Australia were still feeling the brunt of the global IT shortage on Saturday. Pictured is Melbourne's international terminal More than eight million devices were effected by the Microsoft outage UPDATED ALERT CrowdStrike has released further technical advice to support customers who may be experiencing remediation difficulties due to Bitlocker implementations. Read the full alert https://t.co/3Yi96Ns4n1 pic.twitter.com/MRf73ombHu Australian Signals Directorate (@ASDGovAu) July 21, 2024 Some 8.5 million devices worldwide were effected, Microsoft revealed. The tech behemoth recommended rebooting computers up to 15 times as one fix if the device had the blue screen. The disruption to flights, shops and technology in general has opened a hole which scammers are trying to exploit. The Cybersecurity Minister repeated warnings for users to beware of scammers, reiterating that messages or contact from anyone offering to fix these issues should be treated with scepticism. On Sunday Home Affairs and Cybersecurity Minister Clare O'Neil (pictured) thanked IT staff and other workers for getting 'our economy back up and running' by working during the weekend 'Scammers are trying to exploit the outages caused by the CrowdStrike technical incident,' she said. 'Be on the lookout for possible scams and phishing attempts.' People need to be wary of unexpected calls, text messages and emails claiming to be offering help. 'You can help by making sure vulnerable people, including elderly relatives, are being extra cautious at this time,' the Cybersecurity Minister said. 'Examples that have been reported include people posed as airlines offering to resolve issues with delayed flights and criminals posing as technical support offering to fix affected technology,' she said. Airport delays are still effecting passengers A run to the grocery store or service station may require more time as each business gets its systems going again. Triple-0 and emergency services remain unaffected. During the Covid-19 pandemic a National Coordination Mechanism was set up through the Department of Home Affairs. The group pulls together any and all sectors and ministers to respond to any particular crisis. Even though supermarket computer systems were effected Aussie have been told there is no need to stockpile food The group has been meeting about the outages during the past few days, and did so again on Sunday morning. CrowdStrike told the meeting they 'are now close to rolling out an automatic fix to the issue with their update, as is Microsoft,' Ms O'Neil said. 'This should increase the speed at which systems across the economy are back online.' A Greens councillor has blasted the huge cost of hosting Christmas celebrations and their harmful impact on the environment. Rafaela Pandolfini said some of the funds set aside for her council's annual Christmas events in Sydney's east should be used to create a multicultural festival. The cost of displaying Christmas trees, lights and wreaths will cost the Randwick council $524,725 this year, the Daily Telegraph reported. Cr Pandolfini has called for $300,000 from the Christmas budget to be redirected towards setting up an event that can be attended by locals of different faiths. 'Half a million is an astronomical amount of money to be spending on decorations and wreaths when not everyone recognises or celebrates Christmas,' Cr Pandolfini told the newspaper. 'There's also a cost on the environment because Christmas decorations go up and down for a couple of weeks'. Cr Pandolfini told Daily Mail Australia she never suggested that the council should ban the annual celebrations. 'What's there to understand?' she said. Randwick Greens Councillor Rafaela Pandolfini (pictured) said some of the funding for the council's annual Christmas events should be used to create a multicultural festival 'It's money that doesn't need to be spent given the cost of living and the businesses that are struggling to get by'. The council hosts the popular Coogee Carols and Coogee Fireworks show, one of Sydney's largest Christmas events. The cost of hosting Christmas events in the Randwick LGA has jumped significantly this year, compared to the $135,000 allocated for festivities in 2023. An extra $128,000 will also go towards a mayoral Christmas party. An additional $128,125 has also been set for a council run Christmas party to be hosted by mayor Philipa Veitch to thank community members for their contributions. A further $61,500 has also been allocated to fund Christmas concerts for locals. Ms Pandolfini said the money doesn't need to be spent due to the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting families and businesses. Pictured are festive revellers at Coogee Beach Liberal Councillor Daniel Rosenfeld doesn't support any cuts to the Christmas budget. 'I think especially this year it will be good to have some Christmas cheer and celebration because a lot of people have been doing it tough with the cost of living crisis,' he said. A Randwick Council spokesman said that the funding increase will allow more Christmas events to b staged across the local government area. The spokesman said the decorations and festivities this year will be bigger and better. Daily Mail Australia contacted the council for further comment. German authorities are under pressure to shut down a cultural hub in Berlin accused of being a front for Russian spies and propaganda. The Russian House in Berlin features a cinema, a travel agency and a book shop and advertises itself as a meeting place for Russians. But it could all be a front for Russian spies and propaganda, according to concerned politicians, who are urging German authorities to shut down the Russian House. 'The Russian House has long served as an extension of the Kremlin, spreading disinformation and propaganda,' Roderich Kiesewetter, the crisis prevention spokesman for the German opposition CDU party, told the Telegraph. And a senior figure in the CDU warned that the cultural hub was a front for 'totalitarian' Russian propaganda and is likely being used to avoid EU sanctions on Russia, with Kiesewetter adding: 'Suspected violations of sanctions are also known.' The Russian House in Berlin (pictured above) features a cinema, a travel agency and a book shop and advertises itself as a meeting place for Russians Kiesewetter criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government and said they were not doing enough to address concerns that the Russian House was used for propaganda as he said 'it is absolutely possible' to close it from a legal standpoint. He added that the Russian House is run by the Russian government agency Rossotrudnichestvo, often considered to be related to Russian spies, and therefore 'the accusation that the house can also serve as a hub for espionage activities or agent activities is obvious'. The director of the Russian House, Pavel Izvolsky, voiced confusion over why sanctions were imposed on Rossotrudnichestvo when speaking to local media earlier this year. He said: 'I don't know why Rossotrudnichestvo is under sanctions. It was a decision of Brussels and the EU. It came as a big surprise for me. 'There are many ministries of the Russian government. Why did they sanction us and not the defence ministry? I don't understand it.' The Russian House previously came under fire for screening a Holocaust film in October 2022, which portrayed Ukrainians as Nazis, echoing Vladimir Putin's war propaganda that his soldiers were fighting Nazis in Ukraine. But the book shop in the Russian House is still selling books by Russian war ideologists and right-wing extremists as well as toys glorifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to local media. The products on offer in the bookshop also reportedly include a 'soap workshop' for children, where they can make soap themselves using three molds - of a hand grenade, a pistol and a Russian-made tank. It is understood that the reluctance of the German government to shut down the Russian House is likely due to fears that Russia could in return shut down the German cultural centre - the Goethe Institute - in Moscow. But the Russian House could be a front for Russian spies and propaganda, according to concerned politicians, who are urging German authorities to shut down the Russian House A spokesman for Germany's foreign office said: 'At the instigation of the German federal government, the operating organisation of the Russian House has been sanctioned across the EU since July 21, 2022. 'The listing results in a freeze of all assets located in the EU for the operating organisation Rossotrudnichestvo. 'In addition, a comprehensive ban on making assets available is imposed, meaning that EU legal entities may not directly or indirectly make economic resources or financial means available to the organisation or its affiliated entities.' The Berlin public prosecutor's office and the Central Office for Sanctions Enforcement at Customs consider the financing of the Russian House to be a criminal offence, German outlet Tagesspiegel reports. Authorities are reportedly investigating 'against unknown persons and against the tenants in the Russian House'. Have YOU been affected by the outage? A cancer patient said surgery to remove a mass from her brain was cancelled this week due to the worldwide IT outage Chantelle Mooney, 41, was due to have a craniotomy on Friday but said the surgery was cancelled following the global IT glitch. Ms Mooney was diagnosed with stage 4B terminal cervical cancer in February 2022, which spread to her lungs. She was then told three weeks ago that a four centimetre mass had also been found in her brain - after she started experiencing weakness down one side. After initially being pushed back on Thursday, Ms Mooney arrived at Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire, on Friday morning, expecting to go into surgery at 10am. But while she was watching TV in the waiting area before being called into theatre, she spotted the news that Microsoft technology was facing outages across the world. The technical fault - caused by an update pushed out to customers of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike - caused Windows software to suddenly shut down. Have YOU been affected by the outage? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk Chantelle Mooney, 41, (pictured) was due to have a craniotomy on Friday but said the surgery was cancelled following the global IT glitch Ms Mooney was diagnosed with stage 4B terminal cervical cancer in February 2022, which spread to her lungs Ms Mooney said later her surgeon arrived to explain they relied on Microsoft technology for scans, emergency medication, accessing medical records and more. After spending the morning waiting to see if the issue would be solved, Ms Mooney was told at 1.30pm that the surgery would not be going ahead and was going to be pushed back to next Friday. Ms Mooney, from Great Harwood, Lancashire, said: 'I've got a secondary brain tumour - my primary diagnosis is terminal cervical cancer. 'The brain tumour was only found three weeks ago, it's four centimetres across and has to be removed as an emergency. 'We were watching TV in the waiting room and could see the Microsoft issue going on. 'Ten mins later the surgeon came in and said they can't do the surgery without Microsoft. 'A lot of the tools and scans use Microsoft and they use it for emergency medication. 'They said they can't do the surgery until the software comes back up. After spending the morning waiting to see if the issue would be solved, Ms Mooney was told the surgery would not be going ahead that day Huge queues of holidaymakers at London Gatwick Airport following the global IT outage caused by CrowdStrike software Passengers at Stansted Airport left in chaos and without flight information following the worldwide IT failure Millions of users and businesses worldwide were faced with the 'blue screen of death' on Friday as systems were crippled by the outage Railway services still faced disruption in the UK on Saturday. Pictured: A South Western Railway ticket machine put out of action due to the outage 'It's a long surgery, it can be anything from four to seven hours, and [after waiting] at 1.30pm they came back and said there was no way they were going to do it, if it goes down again it's too risky. 'At the time I was upset because it had already been pushed back by a day. 'But I didn't realise how much it would have affected the operation, if it went down again it would put my life at risk.' She added: 'They wouldn't have been able to do brain scans, blood transfusions - they couldn't even access my medical records. 'They really didn't want to cancel the surgery because of how serious it is but end of the day my safety comes first.' Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been approached for comment. The massive Microsoft outage has sparked chaos around the world - grounding flights and knocking hospitals, GP surgeries, train services, banks, stock exchanges and TV channels offline. The technical fault - caused by an update pushed out to customers of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike - has caused Windows software to suddenly shut down, prompting departure boards to immediately turn off at airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh. In a sign of the global impact of the IT failure, passengers were seen sleeping in passageways at Los Angeles International Airport, huge queues formed at terminals across Spain, and in Delhi staff set up a whiteboard to record departures. Shops in Australia shut down or went cashless after digital checkouts stopped working, while in the US emergency services lines went down in Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Ohio. British train passengers were warned to expect delays due to 'widespread IT issues across the entire network', while NHS England said patients should attend GP appointments unless told otherwise due to problems with the appointment and patient record system. Police believe a man who mysteriously vanished without a trace five months ago may have met with foul play. Adrian Romeo, 43, was last seen at his home in Dempster Drive, Craigieburn in Melbourne's north about 5.30pm on February 10. He had told his parents he was going to nearby Greenvale to visit some friends. Its believed Mr Romeo left in his gold Camry to attend an address in the neighbouring suburb, where he spoke to a number of associates there. But the 43-year-old hasn't been heard from since and his bank accounts remain untouched, leading detectives to suspect his disappearance is suspicious. Mr Romeo's phone has not been in use since he disappeared sparking grave concerns that he's now dead. 'Adrians disappearance is incredibly concerning for police, as well as his friends and family,' Victoria Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said on Sunday. 'We are very confident that Adrian's disappearance is suspicious and I'm of the belief he is deceased.' Adrian Romeo, 43, (pictured) from Melbourne, was last seen at his home in Craigieburn about 5.30pm on February 10, 2024 The 43-year-old (pictured) told his parents he was going to visit some associates in Greenvale, north Melbourne. He hasn't been seen since, or made contact with friends or family Mr Romeo was reported missing to police four days after he disappeared. Since then, police have spoken with a large number of Adrians friends and associates, without any major breakthrough in relation to his whereabouts. A significant CCTV canvas was also undertaken with police working through hours of footage to try and trace his last known steps. Mr Romeo left his home in a distinctive gold 2004 Toyota Camry sedan, which has not yet been located but could assist with the police investigation. Detectives have released a photo of the car as part of their renewed public appeal in the hope that someone may recognise it. 'There is the potential that it has been dumped somewhere, stolen or sold and were keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the gold Toyota Camry,' Det Insp Thomas said. 'It may potentially be sitting in a street somewhere so I urge people to keep a look out for it.' Prior to his disappearance, Mr Romeo was close to his friends and family. It's considered out of character for him to not contact anyone. Mt Romeo left his home in his gold Camry, which is also missing. Police have released images of it in the hope the 2004 Toyota Camry can be found and offer clues 'Adrian has a large number of friends, there is nothing in Adrian's history to link him to any organised crime, there is nothing to explain why he might have gone missing,' Det Insp Thomas said. 'We have had a number of people provide information at various times since February about Adrians disappearance and so we remain confident there are people out there who know what has happened to him.' Anyone with information regarding Mr Romeo's disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Jeremy Hunt slapped down Tory right-winger Suella Braverman today as the battle for ideological control of the beaten party heated up. Shadow chancellor Mr Hunt warned that elections are 'always won from the centre ground' after the former Home Secretary launched an astonishing attack on party moderates. Ms Braverman, who is expected to run to be Tory leader, used a weekend interview to again make overtures to Nigel Farage's Reform UK and warned the Conservatives risk becoming 'centrist cranks'. But appearing on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme Mr Hunt, who has ruled out running himself, said that the next Tory leader had to restore the Tory 'reputation for calm competence'. 'In a two-party system, in the UK as we have, elections are always won from the centre ground,' he said. 'But I think the really interesting question is what is the centre ground in British politics? 'And I think ordinary, decent British families want controls on migration, they want the government to show restraint on spending and keep taxes down, they want welfare to be reformed so it's fair to people who get up early and work hard. Shadow chancellor Mr Hunt warned that elections are 'always won from the centre ground' after the former Home Secretary launched an astonishing attack on party moderates. Ms Braverman, who is expected to run to be Tory leader , used a weekend interview to again make overtures to Nigel Farage 's Reform UK and warned the Conservatives risk becoming 'centrist cranks'. Lord Houchen, the election Tory mayor of the Tees Valley, told Sky News 's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the party needed a 'back to basics leader' and urged Ms Braverman to 'conduct this leadership contest with civility' 'I think that is the centre ground, that is where the Conservatives should be and we need to carve out a position that does that, but reflects honestly on the fact that we didn't get everything right and we need to be open about why we didn't get everything right. 'And that is the way we will give people confidence that we'll be able to do things differently than before.' It echoed a similar plea from Lord Houchen, the election Tory mayor of the Tees Valley. He told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the party needed a 'back to basics leader' and urged Ms Braverman to 'conduct this leadership contest with civility'. Ms Braverman has previously suggested the Conservatives should welcome Nigel Farage into the party and said that his Reform party 'presents an existential threat to us electorally'. Yesterday she used an interview with the Telegraph to suggest the Tories are 'refusing to learn the unarguable lesson of the 2024 election'. 'If we don't recover the voters we deliberately, and arrogantly, spurned, we will turn the Conservative Party into the 21st century version of the 20th century Liberal Party,' she said. 'And we can do better than being a collection of fanatical, irrelevant, centrist cranks, who make it our business to insult our should-be voters for not being as smug and self-righteous as we are.' The former minister has denied reports she is considering defecting to Reform, after repeatedly attacking her Tory colleagues. The Conservative Party is expected this week to set out a timetable and process for choosing Rishi Sunak's successor, after an election which left it with just 121 MPs. Former security minister Tom Tugendhat has received the endorsement of two prominent former Tory MPs in a boost to his hopes. Damian Green and Steve Baker, who lost their seats in the July 4 election but are influential figures in the party, endorsed him in a joint article for The Telegraph. Mr Baker is an ardent Brexiteer, and former leader of the European Research Group, while Mr Green was chairman of the One Nation Group of Tory moderates. Those believed to be preparing leadership bids also include shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, shadow home secretary James Cleverly, and former ministers Ms Braverman and Robert Jenrick, and former cabinet minister Dame Priti Patel. The 1922 Committee of backbenchers will set the rules and timeline for the race to succeed Rishi Sunak. There have been divisions in the party over how long the contest should take. In a Conservative Home survey of 995 Tory Party members last week, Mr Tugendhat polled at 13 per cent in second place alongside Mr Jenrick, ahead of Ms Braverman (10 per cent) and Mr Cleverly (9 per cent). Ms Badenoch polled first at 26 per cent, with Ms Patel in sixth with 3 per cent. Lord Houchen today called on the next Conservative Party leader to 'go back to basics'. Speaking on Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, he refused to say who he would like to succeed Rishi Sunak, but said: 'The future of the Conservative Party is a tried and tested one. We lost our way over the last few years and we lost what has always made us a very successful party... what we lost is that general competence. 'What we need is a leader who can go back to basics, understand that we are there to serve the British people, understand that we have to have a sensible hold on economics, understand that people want, by and large, relatively low taxes, they want good services and they also want somebody they can trust and they also want a party that isn't going to fight like cats in a sack.' When asked if it it would be good for the Tories to hear less from Ms Braverman, he replied: 'I issued an open letter to anybody that wants to stand in the leadership contest three things that I think this contest should be conducted in: One, it shouldn't be about the past, it should be about 'what is the offering for this country in the future?' 'Two, I think any leadership contender needs to rule out a partnership or a coalition or whatever relationship with Reform. They are a symptom of the problem. They are not the cause of the problem for the Conservative Party... and the third point is that there shouldn't be any blue-on-blue attacks. 'If we want to spend the next two, three, four, five months fighting with each other that goes to the cause of the election defeat just two weeks ago, and I would implore Suella, as well as every other leadership contender, to conduct this leadership contest with civility. Let's come together and let's offer a positive option to the country.' The Roma community in Leeds took to the streets for the third night in a row on Saturday to protest after children were removed from a family. Scores of people were out in the city last night chanting and singing in peaceful demonstrations, after locals set a bus on fire and overturned a police car in an angered display on Thursday. The removal of the children from a home in Harehills has sparked concerns about underlying prejudice against Roma communities. The ethnic minority group, who are widely subjected to discrimination and poverty across Europe, make up some 5,000 people in the area. Video footage posted on social media shows hundreds of people singing and chanting on the streets in a seemingly peaceful demonstration. The singing was made louder using microphones as some members of the group held up signs reading 'please give back children'. It came as a man was charged with violent disorder and arson in relation to the riots in Leeds earlier this week. Video footage from last night shows locals singing and chanting while some held up signs reading 'please give back children' Protesters singing and chanting on the streets in a seemingly peaceful demonstration Hundreds of people singing and chanting on the streets in a seemingly peaceful demonstration last night Distressing footage which emerged on Friday shows police officers hauling a young boy out of a house and bundling him into a van The riots in the Harehills area allegedly began after social services in the city removed all four children from the family. The disorder saw a bus set alight by the rioters, and last night West Yorkshire Police charged a man in connection with the fire. Iustin Dobre, aged 37, of Clifton Mount, Harehills, was charged with violent disorder and arson reckless as to endanger life. He has been remanded to appear at Leeds Magistrates' Court tomorrow. Earlier yesterday, police arrested a further five people on suspicion of violent disorder. Four people who were initially arrested in connection with the violent disorder have been bailed pending further investigation. The father of the children removed has appealed for authorities to return them since West Yorkshire Police removed them 'to a safe place' while attending an incident with social services on Luxor Street on Thursday afternoon. Locals arguing with police in Harehills, Leeds, on Friday following Thursday's disturbances The smouldering wreckage of a bus set alight in Harehills, Leeds after riots brought chaos to the streets on Thursday Local people look on at the scene following riots in the city of Leeds Local people watch the clean up as police patrol Harehills neighbourhood after Thursday's civil unrest Riots in the Hare Hill area of Leeds began Thursday night after social services in the city removed all four children from a family 'Please bring my children back. I want them back. Why take my kids? They were taken from us,' the Romanian father of the children told The Mirror as he began a 'hunger strike' pending their return. Police removed the children from a red brick terraced house on Thursday afternoon because their parents were due to fly with them to Romania this Saturday, reports say. Social Services had concern for the children's welfare after an incident in April when another child, a nine-month-old baby, suffered a head injury. The father's boss, Neculai Tudorache, 44, claimed the social services were alerted to the property after nine-month-old baby was allegedly dropped on its head 'accidentally' by another child. The father told he had never hurt his children as he began a 'hunger strike' pending their return. A video shot on Friday shows locals singing along to music while people hold signs which say 'please give back children.' Further footage from Friday night shows a woman seemingly being led away by police because she was opposed to a second night of protests in Leeds. The family, who are members of the Roma community, have committed to going on a hunger strike until their children are returned to them. Stefania Banu, a local community leader, speaking to the the Daily Mirror said: 'The mother and father are refusing to eat until they get their children back. We are fully supporting them. 'We believe it was an injustice that can be rectified by the authorities if they revise the case. Which they have promised to do.' Fears are growing over the spread of the deadly West Nile virus after an allegedly healthy woman died in Spain having been bitten by a mosquito. Granada Romero Ruiz was hospitalised on July 11 after falling ill with the virus and her distraught family confirmed that she had died on Friday night at Seville's Virgen del Rio Hospital. The 86-year-old woman, whose son Antonio Pineda has said she was in perfect health before she was bitten by a mosquito, become the second person to die this year from the West Nile virus in the province of Seville. This comes as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned about the deadly virus and said in its weekly update that there have been new outbreaks in Greece and Italy. Director Andrea Ammon said: 'Europe is already seeing how climate change is creating more favourable conditions for invasive mosquitoes to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases such as dengue. Granada Romero Ruiz was hospitalised on July 11 after falling ill with the virus and her distraught family confirmed that she had died on Friday night For West Nile virus, 713 locally acquired cases were reported in 123 different regions in nine EU countries in 2023, and 67 deaths (file image of a mosquito) The 86-year-old woman died at Seville's Virgen del Rio Hospital (pictured above) 'Increased international travel from dengue-endemic countries will also increase the risk of imported cases, and inevitably also the risk of local outbreaks.' The centre's most recent weekly update showed four known West Nile virus cases in Greece in Thessaloniki, Lefkada, Larisa and Chalkidiki, two in Italy in Modena and Pordenone and the one in Spain's Sevilla. Last year, 713 locally acquired cases of West Nile virus were reported in 123 different regions in nine EU countries - 22 of which are regions previously untouched by the virus - and 67 deaths. Last year's main hotspots for the deadly virus were Italy, Greece, Romania, Hungary, and Spain. WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS? West Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes, which carry it from birds. It was discovered in Uganda in the 1930s and is now found on almost every continent in the world. It's commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. It is rare for people in the UK to get infected with the illness on holiday and nobody has ever caught it while in Britain, according to the NHS. It generally takes between three and 14 days for the disease to develop. About 80 per cent of people who are infected don't have any symptoms but those who do may experience fluey feelings, feel sick and develop a rash. In more serious cases, which are rare, people can develop meningitis or brain and nerve damage, which may be deadly. There is no vaccine for West Nile Virus and no cure. Sources: NHS and WHO Advertisement While the number of cases was down from 1,133 in 2022, the number of affected regions was the highest since 2018. The mosquito responsible for spreading the West Nile virus, Culex pipiens, is native to Europe and is present throughout the EU/EEA, the ECDC said. In Spain, the first person to die this year after contracting the West Nile virus was a 71-year-old woman who lived in the town of Dos Hermanas, a half-hour drive from La Puebla del Rio where Granada - the woman who passed away on Friday - was from. Antonio said last night he believed his mother's death could have been avoided if areas near her home had been properly fumigated. He said: 'She had no underlying health problems, she was healthy as could be, active and with a normal life.' La Puebla del Rio Town Hall, in a statement on X posted alongside a photo of Granada enjoying a beer and looking a picture of health just weeks before she fell ill, said late yesterday: 'We deeply regret the death of Granada, affected by West Nile virus. 'We will work tirelessly so that all public providers do the utmost against this virus and there is a permanent strategy in place to tackle mosquitos.' Pablo Barreiro, an expert in infectious diseases, warned after a deadly West Nile virus outbreak in 2020 claimed the lives of two people in Seville and put eight in hospital intensive care, that it could spread to the whole of Spain. He said at the time: 'Only about two to five per cent of the cases present symptoms. It's an illness that can go unnoticed very easily.' Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes and cancer are most at risk, but it can cause meningitis in children. Wetlands and swimming pools in countryside areas have been identified as the places where the mosquitoes carrying the virus are most likely to be found. Haunting CCTV has emerged of a man's moments before he was allegedly killed in a horrific attack in broad daylight Josese McGoon, 37, and a friend had just eaten pizza when they began walking towards a mate's house just after 1.30pm on Saturday in Bangor Street, Guildford, in Sydney's west. Three masked men dressed in black got out of a 'blue or silver Toyota sedan and assaulted the pair before Mr McGoon was stabbed in the stomach. His friend managed to distract one of the alleged attackers by running back to his vehicle parked on nearby Cardigan Street. He then drove back to the location and found an injured Mr McGoon lying in the street suffering from abdominal injuries. His friend drove Mr McGoon to Westmead Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery but died three hours later. His attackers remained at large on Sunday night. Mr McGoon was captured on CCTV walking down the street moments before the stabbing. Josese McGoon, 37, (pictured) and his friend were allegedly set upon by three masked men wearing black. Mr McGoon was 'severely beaten' and stabbed Mr McGoon's friend (pictured) managed to get away from the three men and ran back to his vehicle before coming back to try and save his friend The Toyota sedan from which his suspected attackers allegedly got out of was also captured, as was Mr McGoon's friend's car rushing him to hospital. NSW Police believed the group had 'intent' but the alleged attack appeared random. 'They obviously had intent when they went to that location they knew what they were up to and obviously, our victim and our witness were in the wrong place at the wrong time, by the looks of it,' Superintendent Andrew Holland told the media. 'The attack at this point - we don't know of any links but again there's concerns about why they've been attacked in the middle of the day in the middle of the street.' Despite a weapon not yet located, Mr Holland believes that based on Mr McGoon's injuries, 'it's believed to be a bladed weapon'. Troubling police is the fact that the alleged attack happened in daylight on a suburban street and Mr McGoon not being involved with criminal activity. 'The victim doesn't have any links to organised crime networks or motorcycle gangs at this point, neither does the witness ...the victim is known to police, but not for any serious matters,' Supt Holland said. It's understood that Mr McGoon's friend is assisting police but now 'has concerns for his safety and his welfare,' Supt Holland added. Mr McGoon's friend raced him to hospital (pictured black car top right), but the 37-year-old died from his abdominal injuries hours later Police urge any witnesses who were in Bangor Street at the time of the stabbing to come forward with any information they might have. Investigations are still ongoing and police have been canvassing the area asking for CCTV footage and information from nearby residents. The alleged stabbing was Sydney's second fatal stabbing within 12 hours after a man in his 30s was allegedly knifed with a machete at Concord in Sydney's inner-west on Friday night. A boy, 15, has since been charged with murder. The first known child sex abuse allegation against disgraced Irish Bishop Eamonn Casey went missing after it was reported from an Irish diocese to one in England, the Mail can reveal. The allegation was sent from the Diocese of Limerick in Ireland to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton in England in June 2001, where he was then working, and also to the Vatican. The receipt of that complaint and the potential child safeguarding risks that it posed should have seen him suspended from his ministry in England, pending further investigation. The complaint should also have been reported to the police in the UK. However, neither of those actions were taken and Fr Casey, as he was then known, remained active in ministry in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton for another four years. He was only suspended from his position four years later when his own niece, Patricia Donovan, also living in the UK, came forward in 2005 and made a complaint of alleged child sexual abuse dating back to the late 1960s. The first known child sex abuse allegation against disgraced Irish Bishop Eamonn Casey (seen) went missing after it was reported from an Irish diocese to one in England, the Mail can reveal The allegation was sent from the Diocese of Limerick to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton in June 2001, where he was then working, and also to the Vatican. The receipt of that complaint and the potential child safeguarding risks that it posed should have seen him suspended from his ministry in England and reported to police, but neither happened Dr Casey moved to the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton in 1998 after Church leaders in both Ireland and the UK were reluctant to accept him back into any parish following the six years he spent in Ecuador. His time in the missions followed the dramatic fall-out from the revelations in 1992 that he had fathered a son with his distant American cousin Annie Murphy and he was forced to resign as Bishop of Galway. This failure to take action by the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton against Bishop Casey will feature in a major documentary, Bishop Caseys Buried Secrets, due to air on RTE One, Irelands national broadcaster, this Monday night at 9.35pm. The programme is in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday, which first revealed in 2019 that four separate women had made complaints of alleged child sexual abuse against him When the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton was asked what action, if any, they had taken on foot of the 2001 complaint, a spokeswoman said that they could find no record of that complaint on their files. A spokeswoman for the Diocese Arundel & Brighton said: Recent communications with RTE and the Diocese of Limerick have established that a member of our Diocese was informed of a safeguarding allegation concerning Bishop Eamon Casey in 2001, four years earlier than we had previously believed. Had this allegation been made today the police would have been informed immediately. We are deeply disappointed that this course of action does not appear to have been taken in 2001, they said. After being alerted to this earlier allegation by RTE, the diocese said they were committed to undertaking an internal investigation into why no record of this complaint was on their files. We have undertaken a very thorough search of diocesan records. Regrettably, given the passage of time, we have been unable to locate relevant written records or to speak to anyone able to shed light on Limerick Dioceses communication in 2001, they said. Pictured: Bishop Casey arriving back in Ireland in 2006 after 14 years of exile which followed revelations in 1992 that he had fathered a son with his distant American cousin Annie Murphy By 2001, when he should have been suspended, Fr Casey, as he was then known, had ministry in the village of Staplefield, in the parish of St Paul's, Hayward Heath, from 1998 until 2005, under the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton. In Staplefield, he was a curate in an arch-parish, covering three churches, and was also chaplain to a hospital of 320 beds. Dr Casey was only suspended from ministry when his niece Ms Donovan came forward and reported him to UK police and gardai [Irish police] in 2005 for alleged sexual abuse. The first known child sexual abuse allegation against Bishop Casey was made in 2001 by another party. That woman, who had also moved later to live in London, claimed that she had been sexually abused on two occasions by Fr Casey during his time as a chaplain to St Josephs Reformatory School in Limerick in 1956. She later took High Court proceedings against Bishop Casey for personal injury damages, alleging that he had committed sexual assaults on her when she was aged 15 in Limerick. Eventually, she was awarded a settlement through the Residential Institutions Redress Board. The Vatican has now confirmed that it banned Bishop Casey from ministry before 2006 and that his ban was reiterated to him formally in 2007 after they received multiple child sex abuse complaints against him, including the 2001 complaint and that made by his niece Ms Donovan in 2005. At least five allegations against Bishop Casey have been made in every Irish diocese where he served from the 1950s to the 1980s but he was never charged or prosecuted for any of his alleged crimes and he consistently denied all allegations against him. A spokesman for Limerick Diocese confirmed: In 2001, Limerick Diocese received the first complaint in relation to Bishop Casey. The spokesman confirmed that the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton was informed by them of this complaint on June 7th 2001, and that the Papal Nuncio, responsible for communicating these matters to Rome, and the gardai were also informed. The spokeswoman for the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton said that when complaint by Ms Donovan, Bishop Casey's niece, was received in 2005 swift action was then taken by their diocese. As a direct result of that allegation nationally agreed safeguarding protocols were implemented with support offered to the person involved. The allegation was reported to statutory agencies with Bishop Casey immediately removed from public ministry, they said. The Diocese of Arundel & Brighton said they received no other child safeguarding concerns in relation to Fr Casey during his time there. Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor was Bishop in Arundel and Brighton when Dr Casey was offered a position there in 1998. Cardinal Murphy OConnor died in 2017. However, when the complaint was sent from Limerick, his successor Bishop Kieron Conry was named Bishop of Arundel and Brighton just a month earlier. He was consecrated on 9 June 2001 two days after Limerick sent the complaint. A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton said: This incident was reported shortly before Bishop Conry was appointed. He has no recollection of the events in question. In September 2014, Bishop Conry announced his resignation as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton with immediate effect for having 'been unfaithful to [his] promises as a Catholic priest' and bringing 'shame' on the diocese and the Church. He announced his resignation when it became apparent that the Mail on Sunday was about to reveal that he had been having an affair with an adult married woman. Bishop Conry said his relationship with this woman, whose husband threatened to sue the Church after learning of their relationship from a private detective he had hired, was no more than a close friendship. However, he admitted that another relationship six years prior had been sexual but would not say how long it had lasted. He said he decided to resign because 'it was the easiest way to avoid further embarrassment, disappointment and shame for the church'. Prior to Bishop Caseys return from the missions, there had been much debate within the Church in both Ireland and the UK as to what position he would hold and where. He was only suspended from his position in 2005 when his own niece, Patricia Donovan, came forward and made a complaint of alleged child sexual abuse dating back to the late 1960s In 1998, a spokesman for Cardinal Basil Hume of the Diocese of Westminster said that there were many reasons it would not be appropriate for Bishop Casey to go to London on his return from South America. Cardinal Hume's spokesman said at that time: 'The Cardinal would always wish to help anyone in need, pastorally, but there are many reasons why it would be inappropriate for Bishop Casey to be in London.' The reasons why it would have been inappropriate were not detailed. The Archdiocese of Southwark and the Diocese of Westminster have refused to comment, when asked by RTE, if they have received any allegations against Bishop Casey relating to his time in London as a priest in the 1960s. Fr Casey was appointed to the Irish Emigrant Chaplaincy Service in England in 1960 and held this position until 1969. He was appointed chaplain to St Ethelberts parish in Berkshire in 1960 and became the first chairman of Shelter, the UK housing charity. In 1963, he began working with the Catholic Housing Aid Society, at the invitation of Cardinal Heenan, then Archbishop of Westminster. His niece Ms Donovan reported her allegations in 2005 to the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, and to UK police, while Irish detectives also travelled over to the UK to interview her. The Irish Director of Public Prosecutions later directed in August 2006 that no charges be brought against her uncle. She has never received compensation from the Church but the Galway Diocese did pay for counselling for her. The documentary, Bishop Caseys Buried Secrets, can be viewed on the RTE Player worldwide at 9.35pm on Monday, July 22nd and on RTE One. Dozens of cherished pubs have routinely burnt down on development sites within the last decade, according to new research. Perhaps the most infamous in recent times is The Crooked House in Himley, West Midlands, which was destroyed in a suspected arson attack in August last year before being torn down just two days later. But this is not the only example as the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) revealed that several iconic pubs have consistently burned down in the last 10 years - including the 17th century Crabmill in Preston Bagot, Warwickshire, which was left wrecked in a 2022 blaze. Paul Ainsworth, chairman of Camra's pubs heritage group said that many of the venues were worth far more as development sites. 'If a pub is reduced to an eyesore or worse, the planners may be more inclined to grant permissions - though we'd always argue strongly for preservation of the pub use on the site,' he said. The Crooked House is one of several historic pubs that has burned down in the past decade. Pictured: The burnt out remains of The Crooked House pub near Dudley, August 7, 2023 The historic Village Gate in Wendover, Buckinghamshire was wrecked in a mysterious blaze back in 2019 Ainsworth also commented on the fact that following pub damage, the police often claim they will carry out investigations into the cause but that the results are rarely ever shared. 'In some cases, the finger of suspicion points clearly in a particular direction and Camra would wish to see such cases investigated quickly and thoroughly,' he added. Other examples of historic inns that have burned down include The George, a 16th century pub in Wickham Marky, Suffolk, which was left seriously damaged after a 2013 fire. John Parnell, the pub's landlord, was the only person inside and was able to escape out of the bathroom window on to a flat roof below but was later arrested. A day after the blaze Parnell told BBC Radio Suffolk there had been a 'massive explosion' but he had managed to escape. Suffolk Police said they had carried out a comprehensive investigation and Parnell faced no further action. Firefighters at the time said the incident was being treated as suspicious. The historic Village Gate in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, also made the Camra cut after the 17th century venue was wrecked in a mysterious blaze back in 2019. Camra now want to see the councils produce local enforcement plans to set out clear deterrents to developers who do not abide by planning rules and regulations. It would also like to see destroying a pub become a criminal offence. The George, a 16th century pub in Wickham Marky, Suffolk, was left seriously damaged after a 2013 fire Ainsworth said that in many cases, these pubs are the heart of communities and a place where people from all walks of life can communicate and make friends. 'A strong planning system is the best means of defending what are invariably financially viable businesses from the many predators currently out there,' he added. But unfortunately, many pubs are attractive to developers because of the sites they are located on. It comes after the owners of The Crooked House agreed to a council order to rebuild it - but want to do so in a new location, according to April planning documents. The iconic building, which dated back to 1735, was a well-known tourist attraction due to the mining subsidence which had caused one side of the building to be approximately 4ft (1.2 m) lower than the other. In February, South Staffordshire Council served an enforcement notice ordering owners ATE Farms to rebuild the iconic pub following its 'unlawful demolition' and restore it to the state it was in before the devastating fire that destroyed it - including sloping walls and floors. However, the owners appealed the notice and a planning inspector was appointed to decide the appeal, which is set to be heard this month. A document submitted on the owner's behalf revealed their intention to rebuild the pub on another piece of land they own, along with other developments to 'increase footfall'. It stated: 'The appellant has not refused to rebuild the building and has actively engaged with the council regarding this'. The document also revealed the reasons the owners claimed the former pub had to be fully demolished after council officers agreed only to the removal of three elements of the building in order to make it safe. An aerial view of the Crooked House pub in Himley, near Dudley, West Midlands, shows the ruins of the historic building, which dates back to 1735 The popular pub was famed for being the place where coins and marbles seemingly rolled uphill along the bar The document said: 'Removal of the upper sections of the building took with it the steel tie ins which rendered the remaining structure, in the contractors opinion, completely unsafe and at a high (and unacceptable risk) of collapse. 'The council officers had left the land and a quick decision had to be made. 'The situation on the land was such that, due to the amount of media attention and public attendance, a decision had to be taken quickly as to the immediate safety of the building. It said after council officers left the site there were further issues and 'it had not been foreseen that removal of the three elements instructed would render the remainder of the building unsafe'. 'A decision was made with reference to the director of the appellant that in order to abate the risk, the mainstay of the remaining structure needed to be taken down. 'It was considered that there was a high risk of the building collapsing and causing serious injury or a fatality on the land given the entry on to the land by large numbers of people some of whom were conducting vigils and others removing bricks and other items as memorabilia/ for sale.' The demolition of the famous pub sparked a huge uprising by campaigners calling for it to be rebuilt 'brick by brick'. A Facebook page called Save the Crooked House (Let's Get it Rebuilt) had more than 37,000 members at the time. Staffordshire Police, which treated the blaze at the Crooked House as arson, made six arrests in connection with the incident. A former reality TV star has been cleared of child porn charges after the case against him was dropped at the 11th hour. James Moore, 33, who appeared in series four of Ex On The Beach, was due to stand trial at Burnley Crown Court last week accused of possessing indecent images of a child and distributing an indecent photograph of a child. The charges related to two previous trials, in February 2022 and March this year, when Moore was cleared of rape, assault, controlling and coercive behaviour, plus revenge porn and possessing an extreme pornographic image. But at a short hearing on Monday last week the Crown Prosecution Service announced it was offering no evidence and the charges three of possession and one of distributing an indecent image of a child were dismissed. A spokesman for the CPS said: 'A jury found the defendant not guilty after he was charged with serious offences including rape and coercive controlling behaviour. James Moore, 33, who appeared in series four of Ex On The Beach (pictured during his time on the show above), was due to stand trial at Burnley Crown Court last week accused of possessing indecent images of a child and distributing an indecent photograph of a child The charges related to two previous trials, in February 2022 and March this year, when Moore was cleared of rape, assault, controlling and coercive behaviour, plus revenge porn and possessing an extreme pornographic image 'We took the decision not to prosecute a number of other offences after important circumstances were established during the trial which significantly impacted our chance of securing a conviction. 'We encourage anyone who feels they have been the victim of crime to report it to the police.' In March, Moore was cleared of repeatedly raping a teenage girl, assaulting her and using coercive behaviour following a trial at Preston Crown Court. He was accused of installing a camera to 'keep an eye on' the teen and videos shown to the jury revealed her screaming and crying, while the star swore and shouted at her. Other footage showed Moore, who is known as Jimmy, holding a hammer over the girl's car to 'get a response out of her.' The prosecution claimed Moore raped the girl on 'no fewer than 10 occasions' and attacked her three times, between June 2019 and May 2021. He was accused of punching the teenager in the face and breaking her nose, before dragging her and catching her leg in a doorway, and pushing her so her head hit the floor. Moore, of Blackpool, denied the charges and told the trial he was a recovering cocaine addict. He said he no longer touched alcohol or drugs following a spate in rehab and was a 'completely different person.' He said the teenager had mentally abused him and was cleared of all the charges. In February 2022, Moore was also found not guilty of posting of a revenge video of an ex-lover to the adult website Pornhub. He claimed he only shared the tape, of the woman performing a sex act on him, to his Only Fans' profile with her consent and had no idea how it ended up on Pornhub as well. 'At the time she said, "you can put it on as long as you share the profit with me",' he told Preston Crown Court. Moore said he took the sex tape down as soon as he learned the woman was unhappy, adding: 'I'm a respectful guy.' The joiner has a previous conviction for assaulting a friend whom he battered after finding his then girlfriend in his spare room, in June 2020. Blackpool magistrates court heard Moore had been playing drinking games before rowing with the woman, who went home with the friend and his partner. Moore then turned up at the property demanding to know why his girlfriend was there and, when asked to leave, started attacking the victim. In March, Moore was cleared of repeatedly raping a teenage girl, assaulting her and using coercive behaviour following a trial at Preston Crown Court Magistrates spared him jail after hearing he was seeking help for his temper, drinking and mental health issues. He was ordered to pay 714 in costs and fines. Moore appeared on the fourth series of MTV's Ex on the Beach in 2016, which was filmed in Portugal. The show sees contestants beginning new relationships before they are interrupted by their ex-partners and has featured high profile reality TV stars, such as TOWIE'S Joey Essex and Geordie Shore's Vicky Pattison, in other series. In 2019, however, the tenth series of the show was cancelled following the suicide of cast member Mike Thalassitis, 26. Thalassitis, who had also appeared on Love Island, was found hanged in a park in Enfield, North London, with cocaine and alcohol found in his system. Since then, the show has aired in a celebrity-only format, and Thalassitis' death prompted bosses on other romance reality shows to overhaul the aftercare they give to contestants, helping them with everything from social media to mental health. More than 2,000 migrants have arrived in the UK on small boats since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister, as 228 were brought to shore just this weekend. British Border Vessels intercepted hundreds of migrants crossing the Channel on Saturday morning, including one group in a suspected stolen yacht. Two hundred and twenty eight people were brought into the Port of Dover, taking the total for July up to 2,228 in 39 boats. It comes as human trafficking gangs are now using the small watercrafts to transport people across. The single-masted yacht was seen tied up next to Border Force catamaran Hurricane as it came into the harbour at the Western docks this morning. Large numbers of men as well as women and children were brought up the gangway at the immigration processing centre yesterday, all wearing orange life jackets. So far this year, 15,617 people in 3,098 boats have been intercepted and rescued. A MailOnline graph showing the number of migrants crossing the channel on small boats since the beginning of July A group of migrants walking up the gangway at the immigration processing centre yesterday The yacht used to bring migrants into Dover by the people smuggling gangs in northern France A total of 413 migrants made the treacherous journey in seven boats last Friday following a deadly week in which six people died in three separate incidents. A migrant died in the early hours on Friday, taking the total number to have died so far this year to 22 people. Just before 1am French authorities launched a rescue mission just off the coast of Calais. Passengers on the overloaded boat with 86 people on board, initially refused help from French authorities. But, at 0.58am, they requested assistance after five people fell into the water, and they were recovered. But French authorities said one person died. Border Force agents secure the yacht in the port at Dover after guiding it to safety from the sea A MailOnline graphic detailing the number of migrants crossing the channel on small boats since 2019 All 85 migrants who survived the ordeal were returned to Calais and were treated by emergency services there. On Tuesday night, one person drowned after a boat carrying 72 people was shipwrecked. A joint operation between French and British authorities saw the surviving 71 people rescued and returned to Calais. This was the first time since small boat crossings began that a British Border Force boat returned migrants to France, rather than the UK. On July 12, four people were drowned when a boat loaded with 60 people deflated. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk. 'The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies, equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit.' Jeremy Hunt today apologised for failures in the UK's Covid preparations after a scathing report by the pandemic inquiry hammered senior politicians. The former health secretary spoke after the inquiry chairwoman last week tore into ministers' planning for major global infections. Baroness Heather Hallett said the Tory Government's sole pandemic strategy, from 2011, 'was outdated and lacked adaptability and was beset by major flaws, which were there for everyone to see'. That strategy focused on only one type of pandemic, and, she said 'failed adequately to consider prevention or proportionality of response, and paid insufficient attention to the economic and social consequences of pandemic response'. Consequently, she said, it was 'virtually abandoned on its first encounter with the pandemic' by then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock. She also noted that responsibility for the strategy prior to the pandemic extended over the tenures of the two previous Secretaries of State of Health: Andrew Lansley, from May 2010 to September 2012, and Mr Hunt, from September 2012 to July 2018. This morning Mr Hunt acknowledged that he had been 'part of a groupthink where we over-prepared for pandemic flu, we didn't think about other types of pandemic'. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, he said: 'I apologise unreservedly to the families. That was the most terrible tragedy what happened to this country during Covid.' The former health secretary spoke after the inquiry chairwoman last week tore into ministers' planning for major global infections. Baroness Heather Hallett, who chaired the Covid 19 Inquiry, highlighting the grave lack of preparedness and resilience that meant the virus tore through communities and overwhelmed the NHS Your browser does not support iframes. Asked by the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg whether he would like to apologise for what went wrong, the former health secretary said: 'Absolutely. 'I was one of the many ministers, many officials, many scientists who were part of a groupthink where we overprepared for pandemic flu, we didn't think about other types of pandemic. 'And we should have challenged that groupthink. Covid inquiry report findings The first report from the inquiry covered how prepared and 'resilient' the UK was for the Covid pandemic. In summary it found had the UK been better prepared some of the massive human and financial toll of Covid could have been avoided. Specially it found: Despite planning for an flu outbreak, Britain's preparedness and resilience was not adequate Emergency planning was complicated by the many institutions and structures involve The approach to risk assessment was flawed, resulting in inadequate planning to manage and prevent risks, and respond to them effectively The UK government's outdated pandemic strategy, developed in 2011, was not flexible enough to adapt when faced with Covid Emergency planning failed to put enough consideration into existing health and social inequalities and local authorities and volunteers were not adequately engaged There was a failure to fully learn from past civil emergency exercises and outbreaks of disease There was a lack of attention to the systems that would help test, trace, and isolate. Policy documents were outdated, involved complicated rules and procedures which can cause long delays, were full of jargon and were overly complex Ministers, who are often without specialised training in civil contingencies, didn't receive a broad enough range of scientific advice and often failed to challenge the advice they did get Advisers lacked freedom and autonomy to express differing opinions, which led to a lack of diverse perspectives and their advice was often undermined by 'groupthink' Advertisement 'I apologise unreservedly to the families. That was the most terrible tragedy what happened to this country during Covid. 'And I think, by the way, the report has some very sensible recommendations including simplifying the structures of preparing for these kinds of emergencies and I very much hope the Government adopts them.' He also urged the new Government to take up the recommendations of Baroness Hallett's 217-page report. The report said the inquiry had 'no hesitation' in concluding the 'processes, planning and policy of the civil contingencies structures within the UK government and devolved administrations and civil services failed their citizens'. Among the problems identified by the inquiry were a failure to plan for the pandemic that actually occurred, with too much focus on pandemic flu, 'labyrinthine' structures for emergency planning, and a 'failure to learn sufficiently' from planning exercises. The report identified how leaders failed to heed the lessons from Exercise Cygnus, a three-day training scenario involving nearly 1,000 Government officials to test the UK's response to a serious influenza pandemic. The exercise highlighted 'the lack of capability and capacity to surge resources in a number of key areas, including the NHS, social care and the management of excess deaths'. However, no reference was made that the UK's pandemic plans, policies and response capabilities were not sufficient to cope with the extreme demands of a severe pandemic during a subsequent meeting to discuss Cygnus, involving then-Prime Minister Theresa May and members of the National Security Council. In her recommendations, Lady Hallett called for a pandemic strategy to be developed and tested at least every three years, with a UK-wide crisis response exercise. She said the Government and political leaders should be properly held to account on a regular basis 'for systems of preparedness and resilience'. She also said external experts from outside Whitehall and government should be brought in to challenge and guard against 'the known problem of groupthink'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said ministers will 'carefully consider' Lady Hallett's recommendations, adding it is a 'top priority' for his Government. He said: 'The Government's first responsibility is to keep the public safe, and as Prime Minister I am personally committed to each and every family that lost loved ones, and whose lives were changed forever, that this Government will learn the lessons from the inquiry.' Hundreds of beachgoers have been spotted making the most of the mini heatwave today with a mass outdoor yoga session, as Britain's warm weekend continues. Temperatures are set to hit highs of 23 degrees today, as the Met Office predicts it will remain humid and dry for most across the UK. It comes after a few days of scorching weather, with south-east London bearing the brunt of the heat on Friday as temperatures reached a whopping 30C. While temperatures are milder today, people have still been making the most of the warm weather with trips to the beach and walks with their dog. Around 500 men and women laid out their towels on the sand at King Edwards Bay in North Tyneside this morning, before taking part in a 45 minute yoga class. The monthly event, organised by Shore Yoga, encourages people of all ages to take up the hobby and is free of charge. Beach yoga has taken off in recent years, as participants look to explore mindfulness, wellness and physical fitness and it was a beautiful day for it. The warm weather brought out hundreds today at King Edwards Bay beach in Tynemouth Around 500 men and women were seen taking part in an outdoor yoga session A woman was seen walking her dog at Lickey Hills Country Park in Birmingham today Outbreaks of rain are expected to move west across parts of Ireland this afternoon, with showers in the north west of Scotland and western parts of England and Wales. Rain and cloud is set to push east across northern areas on Monday, but the south of England will remain dry with sunny spells heading into next week. Marco Petagna, meteorologist said: 'We will see a mix bag of weather across the UK over the next few days with most of us seeing some rain at times, but feeling pleasantly warm when the sun comes through.' Meanwhile, parts of the country have already well-exceeded July's average rainfall figures despite only being halfway through the month. The Met Office spokesperson said England had 97per cent of July's average rainfall between July 1 and 15, Wales had 65 per cent, Scotland 49 per cent and Northern Ireland 47 per cent. People take part in a community yoga class on the beach in Tyneside, as the north east is blessed with sunshine Sheep graze on a field close to Frankley Green which overlooks Birmingham city centre A family enjoy the warm weather as they walk through Lickey Hills Country Park in Birmingham London has had 154 per cent of its July average already and Dorset 120 per cent. Edinburgh has only had 40 per cent and Dundee 33 per cent. Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said: 'There are quite big regional differences but overall it's looking like a wet month so far. 'There is a caveat that, with a dry couple of weeks, by the end of the month things could even themselves out.' People rolled out their mats today as they took part in a community outdoor yoga class People chatting at Lickey Hills Country Park as they walk their dogs in the warm weather She said that two or three heavy downpours often caused much of a location's July rainfall totals, rather than a prolonged period of wet weather. St Swithin's Day on Monday - traditionally said to predict the next 40 days of weather - was another wet one for much of England and Wales. Bags of rice believed to be contaminated by rodents have been recalled by the thousands. California-based Wehah Farms recalled 4600 cases of its Lundberg Family Farms Sustainable Wild Blend Gourmet Rice because the product 'may contain foreign object that appears to be of rodent origin.' Each case contains six one-pound bags, meaning there were more than 27,000 bags affected by the recall. The FDA enforcement report doesn't mention what this foreign object could be. This rice was sold in grocery stores in seven states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Wisconsin. Pictured: The bag of recalled rice produced by Wehah Farms, doing business as Lundberg Family Farms This is what the wild rice looks like. It's a mixture of black, brown, red and wild rice The recalled bags cost $5.99 and contained a mixture of black, brown, red, and wild rice, according to the company's website. The lot number for these bags of rice is 231004, with a best by date of October 4, 2024. Anyone who has a product matching this description is urged to throw it away. The recall was first initiated by Wehah Farms on May 10, 2024, but the FDA put the risk of contamination at a Class II on Wednesday, July 17. A Class II recall means if a person is exposed to the product in question, they could suffer 'temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,' according to the FDA. The risk of serious health consequences is 'remote.' A Class III recall is the least serious, but a Class I recall is issued when there is a 'reasonable probability' that using the violative product could cause serious health conditions or even death. The 4-pound and 25-pound bags of the same wild rice were not affected in this recall, and plenty of Lundberg Family Farms products are still available in stores. The most recent food recall came just days ago when AW Farms, a Kentucky-based company, had to take thousands of pounds worth of hot dogs off store shelves after they skipped a key federal inspection. Mark Zuckerberg had an interesting answer when asked to endorse either President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming presidential election over the weekend. The Meta CEO declined to offer his opinion on the matter Friday, but did praise Trump for surviving his widely seen assassination attempt just a few days before. Calling the Republican's fist pump 'one of the most bada*s things [he'd] ever seen in [his] life,' he said he still does not want to play a 'significant role' in the 2024 election. He offered the statement to Bloomberg, as several influential figures in Silicon Valley start to back Trump for president. Big names include billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, along with several former Democratic donors as well, such as Palantir adviser Jacob Helberg and Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire. The 40-year-old Meta CEO declined to offer his opinion on the matter Friday during an interview on 'The Circuit with Emily Chang' at Meta headquarters in Menlo Park, California, but did praise Trump for surviving his widely seen assassination attempt a few days before 'Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I've ever seen in my life,' Zuckerberg, 40, said at one point during the interview 'Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I've ever seen in my life,' Zuckerberg, 40, said during an interview at Meta HQ in Menlo Park, California. 'On some level as an American, it's like hard to not get kind of emotional about that spirit and that fight,' the Facebook founder added. 'And I think that that's why a lot of people like the guy.' But he stopped short of any form of endorsement, saying, 'I'm not planning on doing that this time, and that includes not endorsing either of the candidates.' 'The main thing that I hear from people is that they actually want to see less political content on our services because they come to our services to connect with people,' he said, explaining his and his $1.2 trillion firm's reasoning. 'So, that's what we're going to do. 'We give people control over this, but we're generally trying to recommend less political content,' he continued. 'So, I think you're going to see our services play less of a role in this election than they have in the past.' 'So, I think you're going to see our [Meta's] services play less of a role in this election than they have in the past,' he said at another. U.S. President Joe Biden is seen greeting shoppers inside Mario's Westside Market grocery store in Las Vegas last week Previously, during the 2020 election between Biden and Trump, the then-Facebook boss funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into local election offices to turn out likely Democratic voters, after saying he had found himself 'disgusted' by Trump's rhetoric on race. However, like this year, he stopped short of an actual endorsement, as often is the case with several company figureheads force to walk a tightrope of antitrust laws and political bias. Rising Public animosity toward the ultra-wealthy, moreover, does not help - and can be considered as much of a liability as an asset for a particular candidate. This holds especially true for those those leading the charge that is Big Tech, which has been rising in recent years. Trump, meanwhile, has attacked Zuckerberg on social media and in interviews several times over the years, even proclaiming on his own platform Truth Social that he would send 'ZUCKERBUCKS' to prison if he were elected. Trump has also said that Zuckerberg has approached him in private, telling Business Insider at a 2022 rally: 'Last week, the weirdo - he's a weirdo - Mark Zuckerberg came to the White House, kissed my ass all night.' Facebook and Instagram reinstated Trump's accounts last year, after he had been suspended for several years before in the wake of the January 6 insurrection. Facebook and Instagram reinstated Trump's accounts last year, after he had been suspended for several years before in the wake of the January 6 insurrection. Zuckerberg is seen here with an American Flag on a wakeboard, for a video shared to followers on July Fourth Zuckerberg, meanwhile, has supported both Republicans and Democrats in the past, declaring for then- GOP governor of New Jersey Chris Christie in 2013, and famously hit the digital campaign trail with then President Barack Obama in 2012. He received criticism for his donations to election offices last cycle, as Republicans accused of helping get President Biden get elected. As a result, during the 2022 midterms, the nonprofit that distributed the money came forward to say that it wouldn't disburse similar donations anymore. Biden, in turn, has also voiced criticism toward Zuckerberg in the past, seemingly stemming from the federal government's surveillance, antitrust and information-gathering claims. 'I've never been a big Zuckerberg fan,' the president told The New York Times of Zuckerberg while running for president in 2020. 'I think he's a real problem.' A 24-year-old female teacher at a private Catholic school has been arrested for allegedly sending nudes to a 14-year-old student over Snapchat. Alanis Pinion is accused of frequently using the app to communicate with her eighth-grade students at St. Mary Magdalen School in Wilmington, Delaware. The school charges fees of over $10,000 per year and serves a devout Catholic community - emphasizing the practice of service to God and worship alongside education. New Castle County Police said Pinion sent 'sexually explicit photographs' to one 14-year-old boy - and they are 'concerned' there could be more child victims. Pinion was arrested on Thursday and charged with sexual solicitation of a child under 18 and endangering the welfare of a child - both felony offenses. Alanis Pinion, a 24-year-old female teacher at a private Catholic school has been arrested for allegedly sending nudes to her 14-year-old student over Snapchat She also faces one misdemeanor count of indecent exposure in the first degree. Police contacted the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington about the allegations and it cooperated with the investigation. Pinion was arrested Thursday. She was arraigned at the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Baylor Women's Correctional Institution after failing to pay $46,000 cash bail. St. Mary Magdalen School released a statement about Pinion's arrest - referring to her as a 'former part time contract employee'. 'Earlier this week, the school was contacted by the New Castle County Police to notify us of an investigation and ultimately an arrest of a former part time contract employee regarding allegations of an exchange of inappropriate images electronically with a former student,' the school said last week. 'The contractor had successfully completed the required background check process prior to her employment. Alanis Pinion is accused of frequently' using the app to communicate with her eighth grade students at St. Mary Magdalen School in Wilmington, Delaware. New Castle County Police said Pinion sent 'sexually explicit photographs' to one 14-year-old boy St. Mary Magdalen School in Wilmington, Delaware charges fees of $10,000 per year and serves a devout Catholic community - emphasizing the practice of service to God and worship alongside education 'The school, parish and our Diocese officials supported the police as they conducted their investigation. 'Please be assured that all of us at Saint Mary Magdalen Parish and School, along with our partners at the Diocese of Wilmington, always keep the safety of our children and youth as a primary goal.' Detectives are asking anyone with any information about this investigation to contact Detective Daniel Watson at (302)395-8030 or by email at Daniel.Watson@newcastlede.gov The Just Stop Oil M25 plotters should serve their full sentences, leading MPs said today amid calls from Labour's eco-wing for them to be freed. Roger Hallam, 58, the co-founder of Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion was jailed for five years and his four co defendants each received four years imprisonment in what are thought to be the longest sentences ever given for non-violent protest. Sympathisers in the Labour and Green Parties and broadcasters Chris Packham and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall called for pardons or for the jail terms to be slashed. But last night MPs rallied to defend the sentences given by Judge Christopher Hehir at Southwark Crown Court. James Cleverly, Shadow Home Secretary, said: 'It is right that these protestors have been given proper sentences, and a clear deterrent has been set out to those that seek to disrupt our country in a misguided attempt to further their dangerous eco-fanatic agenda. MPs have backed the lengthy jail terms handed to five Just Stop Oil protesters despite protests. Pictured (left to right): Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, Cressida Gethin, Louise Lancaster, Daniel Shaw and Roger Hallam, who all received four year sentences besides JSO founder Hallam, who was given five James Cleverly , Shadow Home Secretary, said: 'It is right that these protestors have been given proper sentences, and a clear deterrent has been set out to those that seek to disrupt our country in a misguided attempt to further their dangerous eco-fanatic agenda' Pictured: Protesters hold placards in support of the jailed activists outside Southwark Corwn Court on Thursday 'Yet the Labour Party continually tried to frustrate the passing of our bill, which gave the very powers used to deliver these tough sentences, at every step of the way, with Keir Starmer himself voting against it. 'Labour's record is weak on crime, and weak on criminals. This new government must prove they are capable of standing up for law and order, and the Conservatives will be holding them to account on this.' Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: 'I think they caused huge chaos and a threat to life and limb and that was clearly taken into consideration by the judge. 'Ambulances couldn't get through, police struggled to get through. This was a dangerous, reckless event and it could have been astonishingly dangerous . 'I don't have any problems with the sentences they seem reasonable to me.' Tory leadership hopefuls Tom Tugendhat and Suella Braverman also voiced their support. Shadow Security Minister, Mr Tugendhat said: 'UK law rightly protects peaceful protest. What it does not protect is attempts to undermine democracy. 'It's right that those who have orchestrated a campaign of damage, disruption, and harm to our society should face the full extent of the law.' Tory leadership hopefuls Tom Tugendhat and Suella Braverman voiced their support for the sentences Former Home Secretary Mrs Braverman said: 'As a law-and-order Conservative, I welcome the length of yesterdays sentence. Its about time that common sense prevails, and I hope this sends a clear message to the Just Stop Oil eco-zealots: Britain will not tolerate your selfish actions anymore.' Rupert Lowe, Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth said: 'Its about time the courts treated environmental fanatics as they do other people. People who disrupt other peoples lives in an undemocratic way deserve to be severely punished!' Labour's Luke Pollard MP, the Armed Forces Minister, also backed the judge, and told LBC: 'What Just Stop Oil have done has been ridiculous. Their protests have been pathetic... 'Im glad that theres now been a strong message sent to them, and anyone thinking about that type of disruptive protest in the future, that therell be serious consequences if they go down that path.' But former Labour frontbencher Clive Lewis urged ministers to intervene. Labour's Luke Pollard MP, the Armed Forces Minister, also backed the judge, and told LBC : 'What Just Stop Oil have done has been ridiculous. Their protests have been pathetic' However, former Labour frontbencher Clive Lewis urged ministers to intervene by pardoning the five activists These laws in question should be repealed and the five wrongly imprisoned, pardoned, he said. Our current government must not only undo the damage the last one did to our democracy, but it must also strengthen and protection our democracy with new laws and institutions that protect it in the knowledge that authoritarian governments may follow them the years to come. Former Labour justice secretary Lord Falconer told BBC Radio Fours Today programme he was very uncomfortable with the sentences, adding: These people are not violent criminals they cause enormous irritation to a large number of people, however sentencing people to four or five years prison for that may be...why the prisons are so full.' Green MP Sian Berry said: 'These sentences feel like a hangover from the last governments obsession with punishing disruptive but non-violent, peaceful protests. They should be appealed as wholly out of line with the disruption caused.' Tulip Siddiq has been reported to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner A Treasury minister has apologised after breaking MP rules over her financial interests. Tulip Siddiq failed to declare income from a London rental property for more than a year. All MPs are required to register interests within 28 days. Ms Siddiq, now the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has been reported to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over the breach. In March the Hampstead and Highgate MP declared she co-owns a flat with her husband which has been rented out since December 2022 for more than 10,000 a year. She had previously already declared income from renting out another London flat. After finally registering the interest, Ms Siddiq apologised to the Registrar for the error. However the Standards Commissioner has now been urged to investigate the breach. Tulip Siddiq (pictured) failed to declare income from a London rental property for more than a year Ms Siddiq, now the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has been reported to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over the breach Last year the Commissioner put MPs on notice over late registration of interests, telling them it 'undermines the registration system. Members are personally responsible for timely registration. Future breaches will be investigated and reported for sanction.' Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly vowed to beef up integrity in public life. The Prime Minister said this month: 'People falling short of the required standards will face consequences, as you would expect.' A spokesman for Labour said: 'This was an administrative oversight which was declared with the Commons registrar and Tulip apologised as soon as she was made aware of the issue.' Ms Siddiq is the niece of the authoritarian prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who introduced a controversial quota system for government jobs. The decision prompted widespread riots in the country, with more than 130 people so far killed. Ms Siddiq made a name for herself campaigning for the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from Iran, but was criticised for staying silent on human rights abuses in Bangladesh. Billionaire Bill Ackman has tweeted a wild claim on X about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, which he then deleted less than 10 minutes later. The investor shared a video arguing the narrative of Thomas Matthew Crooks being a 'lone gunman' is '100 percent provably false.' The clip was created by Dr Chris Martenson, an economist who suggests the shooting was an inside job by the so-called 'Deep State'. Martenson analyzed audio from the rally to suggest that a second shooter was operating alongside Crooks to assassinate Trump. The second shooter, he claims, was around 100ft away from Crooks' rooftop location. He presented audio clips which he claims show that in addition to the shots fired by Crooks and that fired by the sniper who killed Crooks, there were other shots with a distinct audio signature, indicating a third shooter. Bill Ackman, who came out and endorsed Trump following the shooting, reposted the claim that the shooter may have not acted alone. He then quickly deleted the tweet Billionaire Bill Ackman tweeted a wild claim on X about the attempted assassination on Donald Trump , which he then deleted less than 10 minutes later The clip claimed that audio signatures captured at the rally suggested there was a second shooter who fired from about 100 feet away from Crook's rooftop location Ackman retweeted the clip, saying it 'makes a highly credible case that there were at least two shooters/assassins who attempted to kill' Donald Trump. The billionaire hedged his wild theory with the comment: 'I have no expertise in this field. None. I welcome further analysis and rebuttal.' He removed the post and moments later, he quickly shared another that included 'an extremely impressive rebuttal to the multiple shooter theory.' Despite swiftly removing the conspiratorial tweet from his X account, many of Ackman's followers saw it and commented. One person wrote: 'Bill ackman deleted the multiple shooter theory tweet, who got to you ackman?!?!' While another said: 'In the least surprising thing ever Bill Ackman, having found out about politics 2 months ago, has blown right past ousting a Harvard prez over DEI panic to pushing a Trump second shooter theory based on a video posted by Benny Johnson.' Martenson, who created the video which Ackman reposted, holds a PhD and defended his theory of a second shooter on X by saying: 'I am a gun nerd. 'I reload, have spent many hours at the range, gotten lots of gun training, and shot well over 250,000 rounds from pistols and many different caliber rifles over the course of the past 40 years. And I have common sense, which is the key.' The Federal Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement have not made any mention of a second shooter since the assassination attempt on Saturday, July 13 Analysis of footage from the Trump assassination attempt shows that Trump and David Dutch were hit in Crook's initial 3 shot volley. Corey Comperatore and James Copenhaver were struck by Crook's follow-up volley a few seconds later. (1/8) pic.twitter.com/mlQ1wz9ZBj Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) July 19, 2024 The Federal Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement have not made any mention of a second shooter since the assassination attempt on Saturday, July 13. But a CNN article published on July 15 reported there were as many as three weapons fired at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report was included as hard evidence in a lengthy 32-minute video shared by Chris Maternson, an economist with a PhD from Duke University, who is '100 percent' sure Crook did not act alone. '[CNN] said that the first three shots were consistent with weapon A and the next five consistent with alleged weapon B and the final acoustic impulse emitted by a third possible weapon C I believe that's true, and weapon C is the sniper taking out Crooks,' Maternson said in the video. 'This was confirmed per an audio analysis by Cataline Gregor, director of the National Center for Media Forensics at the University of Colorado in Denver and Cole Whitecotton, a senior professional research associate at Media Forensic.' He removed the post and moments later, he quickly shared another that included 'an extremely impressive rebuttal to the multiple shooter theory' The evidence, according to an economist, was that forensics experts identified three weapons during the event and at least two shots featured audio signatures not consistent with the other six To argue his case, Maternson pulled audio signatures from two videos captured as eight bullets flew toward Trump and the crowd sitting behind the former president. He lined up the explosion of the bullets leaving the weapon and their arrival. The analysis showed that shot one echoed off from the stage, which was consistent with the bullet that hit Trump in the ear. 'Shot two same thing, [it] lines up perfectly - it's got an echo,' Maternson said. But shot three took .03 seconds longer to reach the podium where Trump stood, he claimed. 'That .03 second implies that shots one and two were fired by Crooks but someone about 78 to 100 feet further away took shot three. The video claimed that shots one, two, four and five were definitely from Thomas Matthew Crooks (pictured) - but three and six came from an unknown shooter 'Then shots four and five line up perfectly, but shot six is off the mark again by the same amount 'Shots four and five line up perfectly, but six is off by the same mark.' Maternson argued that shots one, two, four and five were definitely taken by Crooks, due to featuring the same 'snaps' captured by the microphone closest to the podium. 'The lone shooter theory is 100 percent false,' he continued. 'This tells us it was a full on operation.' Donald Trump was shot in Pennsylvania last Saturday evening by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a registered Republican who had also previously donated to Joe Biden. The GOP candidate was hit in the ear as he turned his head to speak to the crowds. Chaos ensued after the shots rang out, and one person in the crowd was killed. The ordeal has rocked the political landscape - where tensions were already heightened ahead of the presidential election in November. Just days after nearly being assassinated, Trump was formally nominated by the Republican Party, during the RNC in Wisconsin, to stand for the faction in the election later this year. While Trump recovered from being shot in the ear, fears have mounted inside the Democratic Party - with many calling out for Joe Biden to step down amid his ailing health. This week, while fighting to prove he is fit enough to run for a second term, it was announced that the President tested positive for Covid. Donald Trump's advantage over President Joe Biden in the battleground state of Michigan grew by 4 percent after the assassination attempt, according to a new poll. Before the debate between Trump and Biden last month, the former president was ahead by 4 percent in a head-to-head hypothetical matchup. After the disastrous performance by Biden last month and Trump getting shot at a Pennsylvania rally last Saturday, Michigan voters in a Detroit Free Press/EPIC-MRA poll now favor the former president by 7 percent. Trump held his first rally following the assassination attempt in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was indoors, which is atypical of a Trump rally, but allowed security more controlled access points. The rally was also the first after Trump became the official GOP nominee in 2024 at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A new poll shows Trump widening his lead by 4 percent over President Joe Biden in the swing state of Michigan Biden flipped Michigan blue in 2020, beating Trump by 2.8 percent after the Republican won the rust belt swing state in 2016 by just 0.3 percent. When third party candidates were considered among the 600 likely voters in Michigan, the five-way race showed Trump ahead by the same seven percent margin 43 percent to 36 percent. The poll taken before the debate that included front-runner third-party candidates still had Trump ahead by a small margin of 3 percent 41 percent to 38 percent. Notably, the former president is ahead in every single region of the swing state, including the deep blue city of Detroit and its surrounding areas. This is quite possibly the biggest indicator that the political sway has shifted for Biden in the 2024 race amid a slew of calls from Democrats for him to step aside. Trump held his first post-nomination rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday, July 20 exactly a week after he was shot in an assassination attempt at his event in Butler, Pennsylvania Despite the slim edge, Trump is leading in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties by a 46 percent to 44 percent margin, according to the latest poll. In this region, Biden beat Trump 56 percent to 40 percent in 2020. The horrible polling for Biden is likely to contribute to the president's consideration of his next steps, EPIC-MRA pollster Bernie Porn claims. 'It's only going to add to the pressure on Biden to step aside and have someone replace him,' said Lansing-based pollster. 'The Democrats are in a difficult position.' The average Australian will be $21,000 richer in retirement following changes to superannuation payments that kick in from this month, new analysis has revealed. The Superannuation Guarantee, or the retirement payment employers must pay into employees' super funds each month, lifted from 11 per cent to 11.5 per cent this month. The Treasury Department estimates an average worker on $72,000 will pocket an $21,000 in savings at retirement from the change. The government is progressively lifting the mandated payments from 10 per cent to 12 per cent of earnings, with the 12 per cent guarantee to kick in from July 2025. The average worker will pocket about $64,000 more at retirement taking into account all rises in Super from 10 per cent to 11.5 per cent. 'Wages growth and tax cuts are putting cash in people's pockets now and our increase to the super guarantee will put cash in people's pockets for the future,' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said. 'This will make a meaningful difference for millions of Australians who deserve a dignified retirement. 'The superannuation guarantee has increased three times under our government and this means an extra $64,000 at retirement for the average worker.' The retirement payment employers must pay into employees' super funds each month, lifted from 11 per cent to 11.5 per cent this month The average Aussie worker on $72,000 a year will pocket an $21,000 in savings at retirement from the change The Treasury estimates part-time workers will also receive a savings boost from the new guarantee. A 35-year-old part-time shop assistant is expected to pocket an extra $5000 at retirement from the 0.5 per cent lift from 11 per cent to 11.5 per cent. Superannuation is designed to ensure financial security for Australians in retirement and reduce pressure on pensions. Prime Minister Paul Keating introduce the scheme in 1992. 'Labor built Australia's superannuation system, we are proud of it and we'll always fight to strengthen it,' Mr Chalmers said.